Rarity hums to herself, finishing a dress "Fini!"

She sets the dress down and folds it with her magic, placing it into one of her bags and sighing in pride "That's the last of my orders. Now I'm free!"

Velvet walks in and smiles "Hello Rarity."

"Hello Velvet, how are you?"

Velvet sighs, her mane frayed "I'm tired, I'm going to town, want to come?"

Rarity nods, locking the cases of clothing behind her.

Rarity sighs, levitating a croissant in her magic "This is what vacation should be. I'm definitely returning here again."

Velvet nods and sighs into her tea "How's Twilight, has anypony caught her eye?"

"Not that I know of, for all intents and purposes I assumed she was asexual. Why?"

"I worry about her, she's so bright and might make somepony happy that isn't a professor or Princess Celestia. I'm proud of my daughter, I really am, but... a mother worries. I just hope that she finds her soul mate outside of a book. Or worse, makes one."

Rarity nods "You can trust me, our friends would put a stop to that before it even started. She has been spending a bit of time with Moondancer, but I think that the relations is either mutual interest, or one sided." she takes a bite out of her croissant and sighs "Then again, most of my friends are too busy to look for a relationship."

"How so?"

"Applejack is married to her job, Rainbow is dense as a stone and too busy trying to get into the Wonderbolts, Fluttershy is too shy and busy with taking care of animals, and Pinkie Pie's... Pinkie Pie. There are no words to convey the enigma that is that hot pink mess."

Spike swipes a claw, digging into the brush and blinding Shining before slapping him with his tail "Ha!"

Nightlight claps and jots down a note "Nice use of the terrain, son!"

Shining spits out a leaf "Lucky shot. It won't happen again!" He teleports and reappears in mid-air and teleports again, avoiding Spike's claw and reappears on his back and touches his horn to the back of Spike's neck and sends an arc of magic into it, but the magic bounces back, knocking Shining onto his back, a scorch mark on his chest "You put a defensive ward on your neck?!"

Spike nods, pinning his brother to the ground, a grin on his face "You can't expect someone who reads comic books not to put some precautions on the universal blind spots. It took some time to carve it, but it worked."

Shining sighs and taps Spike's arm "I give."

Spike releases him, bowing "You're a great defensive fighter Shining, but offense isn't your forte."

Shining rolls his eyes "Yeah yeah. But the best offense is a good defense."

Spike leaps forward, his claws inches from Shining's throat "Unless your opponent is faster than you. Then all the shields in the world won't help you."

Shining backpedals and snorts angrily "Shut up, who's the guard captain here?"

Spike rolls his eyes "You."

"That's right, I don't know how you got so good at fighting, but it's concerning."

Spike sits on his haunches, confused "How is that bad? I can defend myself and my friends. That's why you became a guard, right?"

Shining nods "Yes, but you aren't defending, you're attacking. There's a difference."

"Okay, so I fight on the offensive. How is that bad?"

Shining shakes his head "It isn't bad. It's just something I'd never expect from you, is all."

"What does that mean?" Spike growls.

"You've always waited until something happens and then retaliate. You don't take initiative."

Spike snorts "I've learned that waiting for things to happen isn't as great a strategy as I thought. If I wait to strike, I might keep waiting for the perfect moment, and that means being afraid of failing."

"Spike, that's not what it means."

Spike grits his teeth "I waited, staying behind when Nightmare Moon appeared. I held my tongue when I saw Snips and Snails leave to get the Ursa, I waited to tell Twilight I didn't fight back against those Diamond Dogs that took Rarity, and I waited and held myself back from telling Rarity how I felt for a whole year! I'm tired of being the coward, afraid of being hurt." he growls "I'm not going to stand by and let others get hurt because I'm afraid. I'm going to fight to end it as fast as I can."

Shining sighs, sitting on his haunches "I know, I know how that feels, but you're throwing your life away that way. You could be blindsided by somepony who's smarter and faster and beat you when you show a moment of recklessness. I've seen it happen before, and I'll see it again. But not with you, I couldn't live with myself if you got hurt because I didn't teach you how to defend. Now let's try this again. This time, just counter."

Rarity levitates a bolt of fabric in her magic "This is such a deep Persimmon! Why it must be dyed from actual plants."

Velvet shrugs "Looks orange to me."

Rarity chuckles "It would to most, but I have an eye for color gradation. I think this is enough for now, where do you want to go next?"

"Hmm... I'd like to go to the bird sanctuary."

Rarity smiles and walks up to the cashier "I'd like this, please."

"15 bits ma'am."

Rarity reaches into her saddlebags and pulls out several bits "15 bits my good clerk."

Rarity levitates the bolts into her bag, a flash of emerald magic spiriting them out of her magic.

Velvet blinks "Teleportation ward?"

"Why yes! I did it last night. I'm happy it worked."

She smiles "Twilight could never get symbols or wards, that was more Shining's thing. Come on, I know a shortcut."

Rarity watches several colorful birds fly overhead "Fluttershy would love this..."

Velvet sleeps under a tall tree, her face hidden by her mane.

a shadow of a large bat passes over Rarity.

A... large bat?

Rarity sighs "Hello Midnight."

The burgundy mare lands, shades on her eyes "Yo."

"Why are you following me?"

"To make sure that you don't tell anypony about the job. And to ensure that you don't get hurt before you can start it soon."

Rarity turns to Velvet and Midnight waves her hoof "She's asleep, small amount of a suppressant, she'll wake up when I'm done.

"Your training is almost done, but it's at the end of this month." she shrugs "Don't know why Luna's being so specific, but she's got her reasons."

"So you want me to get my affairs in order?"

Midnight chuckles "No, that's not what I meant. I mean that you need to get ready for the first mission, all I know is that it's a recovery. You know, get in, grab a thing, and get out."

Rarity smiles "Thank you Midnight."

The thestral mare nods and takes flight, gliding out through an open window.

Rarity yawns and sits on the opposite side of the tree from Velvet "It's such a nice day..."

"Aaagh!" Twilight yells, sailing through the air.

Moon Dancer sighs "I told you I was better at combat than you."

"Whoooo! Go everypony!" Minuette cheers, waving flags with both Twilight and Moon Dancer's cutie marks on them.

Lyra holds her hoof out to Lemon Hearts "Pay up. I win."

Lemon sighs and passes a bag of bits to Lyra "Come on Twilight! I'm losing bits on this!!"

Twilight grumbles something and falls out of the tree she'd landed in with an awkward squawk "I'm okay!"

Moon Dancer sighs and adjusts her glasses "I told you I was superior in combat."

Twilight rolls onto her hooves "I know, but I still wanted to try."

"I suppose that makes sense."

"Let me try." Lyra says, walking over to them "I think I can land a few on you, Moon Dancer."

Moon Dancer nods and Lyra bows to her, lighting her horn "Ready."

She lights her horn "Ready."

Lyra's horn sparks, blinding everypony.

Moon Dancer wipes her eyes and looks around "Where did she teleport to...?"

Twilight gallops to the rest of her friends and squints "I... I don't see her..."

Lyra reappears behind Moon Dancer and whistles before teleporting again, avoiding a blast of pale yellow magic "Wha- Nopony can teleport that fast!"

Lyra reappears "I'm more than a musician." she disappears, avoiding a wave of magic projectiles "I'm something of... a specialist."

Moon Dancer furrows her brow "How are you teleporting so fast?!"

Lyra appears on top of her and grabs Moon Dancer's hair tie, blinding her before disappearing and reappearing next to her, polishing her hoof on her chest "I know some... esoteric things. Like instantaneous transportation."

Twilight shudders "Is everypony better at magic than me?"

Lemon Hearts and Minnuette shake their heads "No, I'm about average, and Minnuette can do telekinesis on a few dozen things at once."

So the strangest of my two friends are better than me... that's reassuring. Twilight thinks to herself.

Moon Dancer stomps her hooves, the ground around her cracking and glowing with pale yellow magic "Stop that!!"

Lyra appears in front of her, her horn dimmed "Okay. You lose."

The ground that Moon Dancer broke glows bright gold, a circle forming around her hooves. Several golden lines shoot like bullets on the ground, drawing a large geometric figure and dozens of complex symbols "Wh- a magic circle!? How can-"

Lyra grins "I thought that chalk was too hard and noticeable, it takes some doing, but you can't break it."

The circle completes and fades away "... That didn't do anything."

Lyra rolls her eyes "You're my friend, besides, I'm tired." she slumps slightly, her horn darkened.

Moon Dancer smirks "You had me the- ow!" she rubs her nose "... Invisible barrier?"

Lyra nods "I'm no Shining armor, but it can be broken from the inside"

Moon Dancer lights her horn and shatters the shield "That wasn't funny."

"It kind of was!" Minnuette says, still waving her flags.

Twilight rolls her eyes "Are you two okay?"

Both nod and Moon Dancer turns to Lyra "How did you do that teleportation?"

"Hm? Oh! It's a little trick, you just teleport once and focus on where you want to go, but if you weaken the flow of magic, you can move halfway between points. It's easy if you can do it, but if you raise it for a second, you can reappear and disappear when you lower it again, like several small, instantaneous teleportations. But without the flash of light." Lyra replies, pantomiming a diagram.

Twilight cocks her head in confusion "How can you do that? Teleportation is instantaneous."

"Actually, there's a lag depending on how far apart the points are." Moon Dancer replies, rubbing her nose "That hurt."

Lyra shrugs "Sorry, if it makes you feel better, we can go get hay smoothies if you want."

Everypony nods and Twilight lags behind I wonder if I hadn't been tutored by Celestia, would I be as skilled as my friends? Or worse? Would I be several times more dangerous?

Rarity levitates a book onto the shelf, Velvet somewhere in the bookstore What intriguing books on fabric...

"Rarity?"

Rarity turns toward the voice and gasps "Suri?"

The light lavender mare nods, her mane in tight purple curls "Oh my Celestia! It's been so long!"

Rarity embraces the mare "How's Manehatten?"

"Cut throat, ruthless... it's a bit of a pain, but I'm doing good."

"How about we go someplace to eat? I'm just here with a friend, she won't mind."

Suri gasps "You're an element of harmony?!"

Rarity nods, blushing slightly "Yes, and Velvet's daughter is the element of magic."

Velvet nods, her nose in a book "Yeah, uh-huh..."

Rarity leans over to Suri "Like mother, like daughter." Suri giggles but pales, freezing in place "Duh-duh-dra..."

"What's the matter Darling?"

"Delicious pony..." someone growls into Rarity's ear, familiar claws lifting her up "Spike! Put me down this instant!!" Rarity shrieks through her giggles.

Spike tosses her into the air and catches her in his arms, holding her like one would a cat "No. I've missed you."

Suri nearly falls out of her chair but Velvet holds it and her steady, still engrossed in her book "What in Celestia's name?!"

Spike looks up from Rarity, sitting down on the chair she was in "Hi, I'm Spike, Rarity's coltfriend."

Rarity rolls her eyes and levitates herself out of Spike's grasp "And still a child sometimes."

"What? I've been serious all day, I don't know how Twilight does it without it sticking that way." Spike says, smoothing Rarity's mussed mane unconsciously.

Rarity pouts but leans into his grip, levitating herself into his lap "Mmmph... claws aren't fair..."

Spike grins, blushing "I know, but you're not too mad, right?"

"No... keep it up and I might though..."

Suri chuckles "Oh my gosh, I can't believe that Rarity, the class princess, is dating a dragon. No offense."

Spike shrugs "I know it's weird, but how can you not fall in love with an enchanting face like mine?"

Rarity rolls her eyes and fires a small bolt of magic at his chest "Stop flirting, darling. I'm liable to get jealous."

Spike winces and nods "Yes'm."

Suri outright guffaws, struggling to stay in her chair, much to Velvet's annoyance "I'm trying to read!"

She gets her laughter under control and wipes her eyes "Oh gosh, I haven't laughed like that in ages. You two are perfect for each other... I just wish that most of the stallions in Manehatten weren't designers too, who'd steal my designs, or flamboyantly gay."

"If it makes you feel any better, I was convinced that Spike was gay." Velvet says, still reading.

Spike blushes "M-mom!"

Rarity snickers "You did learn about fashion to impress me... and let that one filly down gently."

"How did you know about what happened with Truffle Shuffle?"

"Sweetie Belle." Rarity says, smiling "She is a little gossip hound."

"And that has nothing to do with your influence?" Spike replies, grinning.

"None at all! I'm shocked to hear you say that!!" Rarity gasps.

Suri smiles "But weren't you gossiping with me before he came by?"

Rarity pouts, her nostrils flaring "Thank you... Suri."

Suri sighs "You don't happen to know any decent stallions from Ponyville, would you?"

Spike and Rarity pause "... Not... really. Unless it's a 'Hit-it-and-quit-it' type guy, than Thunderlane."

Rarity groans "No, but there must be..." she frowns "Oh dear, I don't think there are any that aren't married or insane."

"Caramel?"

"Pre-op." Rarity answers.

"... Steven?" Spike suggests.

Rarity looks up at him "Who?"

"The lake monster you and the girls met on your way to face Nightmare moon?"

Rarity gasps "Yes! But... he's a sea monster... and she's a pony."

Spike cocks his head "And you're a pony, and I'm a dragon. Your point?"

"Well there's a difference between a charming metrosexual sea serpent and a charming metrosexual dragon..." Rarity pauses "I see your point, Darling. But the problem is would he want to date a pony?"

Suri clears her throat "Erm... did you say 'sea monster'? As in, giant snake creature?"

Spike nods "He's more of an alligator and a snake with hands and feet."

"And a grand head of hair and an impressive mustache."

Suri rolls her eyes "Heck, if he's straight and not some misogynistic plot hole, I'm willing to try it..."

Rarity scratches her head "... Steven's straight, right?"

Steven Magnet sneezes, nearly flooring Aloe "Oh terribly sorry, Aloe."

Aloe shrugs "Vere I come from, sneezing is a sign zat somepony is talking about you."

Steven rolls his eyes "Like somepony would talk about lil' ol' me. I just hope I'm not getting a cold!"

Aloe quirks an eyebrow "You can get a cold?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You live in freezing cold vater, how do you catch a cold?"

Steven shrugs "Fair point."

Aloe grins "How is your relationship vith Ms. Gertrude?"

Steven sighs "She said that I shouldn't enjoy spending time with ponies and helping them. She says that a grown monster shouldn't be social, we should be angry, mean, and vicious! Can you believe that?!"

Aloe shakes her head, clicking her tongue "Some mares have no idea how good some stallions are. Vhy, if I vasn't a mare of comfortable horseshoes, I'd date you in a heartbeat."

Steven grins "Thanks Aloe, you know just what to say, And you're the only pony who likes pampering me."

Aloe smiles "Vell, some ponies are just so judgmental. Zo... vord on ze street is zat Cranky is vith Matilda, has she wormed into zat old mule's heart?"

Steven looks both ways before leaning down to Aloe's level "Yes, it's true! She was the one he was looking for! It's almost too sweet to stand!"

Aloe giggles, releasing Steven's thumb, the nail and knuckle shined and claw dulled "Now, how about ve see vhat can be done vith you're hair... I'm zinking... 'Artistic ponytail'..."

"Probably." Spike replies "I'd show you a picture, but I left my album at home."

Suri smirks "You do photography?"

"No, I scrapbook. It was something that I picked up from Granny Smith."

Velvet looks up from her book "Quueeeeeer..."

Spike blushes "Mom! I'm straight for the umpteenth time!!"

"Then you're the most effeminate stallion I've met, and I've met Hoity Toity." Suri interjects, grinning.

Spike rolls his eyes "As have I, but that's another story. Anyways, Suri, tell me about those stallions who were nothing but plot holes."

Suri grins "And you gossip? Goodness, I'm liable to take him from you Rarity!"

Rarity smirks with a fierce look in her eyes "I wouldn't try it, I may be the element of generosity, but that doesn't mean I won't fight for my coltfriend."

Spike coughs into his hand "Don't I get a say in this?"

"No." all three mares reply in unison.

Misandry is alive and well... Spike thinks to himself.

Suri hugs Spike and Rarity "It is such a joy to see you again Rarity, I'll write. I'd like to go on an inspirational search with you any time. And Spike, you are by far, the most wonderful stallion I've met, if things don't work out..." she looks both ways and whispers into his ear "I'm liable to be free..."

Spike blushes "I-I'm flattered Suri, really, but my heart belongs to Rarity. But I'll give your mailing information to Steven, trust me, he's a great guy, and has several connections, or so I'm told."

Suri mock sighs and smiles at the both of them "Until we meet again."

Rarity shakes her head, chuckling "Suri Polomare, the one filly who loved fashion as much as I did, and that's a grand feat. It's nice to meet with ponies you'd lost track of."

Spike nods "Yeah... hey, a bit out of the blue, but what do you think of Dash's old friend Gilda?"

Rarity taps her chin in thought "You know, I had wanted to meet a griffon, they have a rich history, though they have a... very brusque nature, apparently."

Spike nods "I just think that's she's... afraid of getting hurt, so she lashes out so that nopony can get close. "

Rarity smiles and bumps his leg "Do you have a degree in psychology or something, Love?"

"No, but I've been living with a head case for a few years."

Moondancer sips her smoothie "Thank you for buying me this."

Lyra shrugs "It's nothing. Anyways, what's the situation you needed me for? I'm not going to go infiltrate any organizations."

"I wanted to see you, because time is running short." she takes another sip "You are the only one of us that has the power to dream walk."

Lyra grimaces "I'm not teaching you that spell. I couldn't even if I wanted to."

Moondancer nods "But I need you to find somepony as soon as possible. If you can't by the end of the month, don't bother."

Lyra nods, leaning closer "Who is it?"

"Trixie Lulamoon, the traveling illusionist."

Lyra frowns "I know her, but she won't know me, I just watched her shows. I could find her by reconnaissance, but knowing her type, she's either only appearing when her funds are low, or has changed her face and identity, but still preforming. That's why you need me to dream walk, she can change her habits and everything else, but it'd take longer to rewrite her personality and subconscious." she sips her shake loudly "That's going to be hard without knowing her rough location. I'm not Princess Luna, I can't select areas, I need to be within a single city's limits for it to work."

Moondancer nods "I've located a rough route that she went through in the past, along with the last year's. That leaves three places, including wooded areas and outside Equestria. I'd do it myself, but I have duties here in Ponyville."

"I'll do it, but... why her?"

"She knows something that may save me... I want to live." Moondancer shudders "I don't know why... I was resigned to my death... but for some reason, I want to fight it..."

Lyra smiles "That what happens when you find a friend who understands you, you want to do illogical things, just to spend more time with them."

Moondancer sighs "I was afraid you were going to say that."

Author's Note

Another chapter! Huzzah! And where in Equestria is ~~Carmel Sandy Ergo~~ Trixie Lulamoon?