The Forgotten Family

Rarity was very frustrated. Though Twilight had obtained a list from the mayor's office of Manehatten listing all of the ponies who had moved into the city within the past two days, the list was three pages long. Rarity huffed loudly and looked to Twilight. "Why?", she asked. "Why did three hundred ponies move to Manehatten in two days? It just doesn't make sense."

Twilight chuckled lightly. Rarity glared at her for a moment before laughing lightly herself. "This just seems to be your luck lately.", Twilight said. Rarity laughed again and shook her head.

"I'm afraid you're right, dear.", she said. "It would be easier if the list had names, instead of just addresses.", she said. "Why do they do it that way?", she asked.

"Well, it's because the office doesn't need to know who moved in, just which apartments and houses have been occupied.", Twilight said. "How do you know your parents aren't staying in a hotel?"

Rarity sighed loudly. "I don't know that they didn't, but this seems better than just wandering around hotels hoping they randomly bump into us."

Twilight nodded, and they continued down the street from the mayor's office. Twilight had also grabbed a Manehatten map at some point and was studying it intently as they walked. "Alright.", she said. "The closest one on the list to where we are now is on mareble street."

They continued down the road quietly. Rarity was lost in thought, trying to figure out what she would say to her parents. They were obviously hiding something, but she had no idea what, or even how to bring the subject up. She was broken from her reverie as they arrived at their first stop. "They aren't here.", Rarity said after a quick glance.

"How do you know?", Twilight asked.

"Mother would never move into a shabby neighborhood like this.", Rarity said.

Twilight looked nervous as she spoke again. "Two days ago you thought she would never lie to you...."

Both mares were quiet after that. Twilight looked afraid and Rarity looked as if she was trying to contain her anger as she stared at the sidewalk. All of that angered dissipated as she looked up at the alicorn. She was so scared but, she knew that it needed to be said. She also kept in mind that this was the same mare who had helped her the past three days, who had spent her nights in her embrace, and who had been the one good thing in her life over the past few days.

"You're right....", Rarity practically whispered. "I'm sorry.", she said.

"Let's at least knock on the door.", Twilight said. She looked grateful that Rarity had not gotten angry with her.

Rarity nodded and was just about to knock on the door when she immediately knew where to find her sister.

An explosion took place a few blocks from their location and both mares instinctively ran towards it. As they rounded the corner the could see fire and smoke coming from a nearby building that could have been a bakery, or a mechanic, or a house. The building in question was mostly demolished as the fire ponies approached the building. Rarity scanned the crowd for a moment before finding what she was looking for.

Two fillies wearing red capes were slinking away from the building guiltily. "I guess we aren't cut out to be Cutie Mark Chemists....", the white unicorn of the pair said.

"You got that right...", the brown earth pony said.

Rarity immediately ran through the crowd and scooped the unicorn filly into her hooves. "Sweetie Belle!", Rarity yelled as she squeezed her sister. "I've missed you. Oh I was so worried.", she continue to hug the unicorn until Twilight spoke again.

"Are we just ignoring that they probably blew up a chemistry lab?", the alicorn asked.

Rarity looked at her, then to the sheepish fillies. "Yes.", she said shocking all three ponies as she put her sister back on the sidewalk. "Honestly she was just taken from her best friends and only sister in the middle of night. I think we should be grateful it was just one building.", she said with a smile. She turned to look at Twilight to see her smiling cutely at her. Pop!

"Uh... Rarity? What's with the rubber band.?", Sweetie asked.

After several awkward conversations with the officials of Manehatten and an apology from the two fillies (in which Sweetie cried until they were convinced to drop the charges) the four ponies were leaving the police station. Rarity thought that Sweetie looked a little more proud of herself than she should have.

Babs apparently agreed. "That would never work again in a million years.", she said irritably.

Rarity sighed. "The sad thing is I can assure you that you're wrong." Babs looked at her and blinked in surprise.

"Don't tell me that works on you?", she said.

Rarity merely hung her head in shame. Twilight poked her side with her wing and Rarity looked up to see her smiling. Rarity smiled back and looked to her little sister. "Now, Sweetie, where are our parents living now?"

"They bought a small house over next door to Octavia.", she said with a smile. "Apparently she used to be friends with some colt named Mythic, so she was happy to help....", Sweetie trailed off as Rarity stopped, all of the color draining from her face.

"Sweetie Belle.", Twilight said in her commanding tone. Sweetie looked at her as she continued. " Don't tell your parents that we arrived in the city. We want it to be a....", she was obviously trying to convince Sweetie they had good intentions however, she was just worried they'd run again. "Surprise.", she said with a smile. Rarity noticed the smile did not reach her eyes. Why is Twilight so angry with them? she thought. Does she really care that much? The thought made her smile slightly. "Now why don't you girls go do some crusading?", Twilight asked her tone much softer. "We have just a few stops to make and then we'll swing by okay?"

Sweetie and Babs nodded before smiling and running down the street. "Twilight, dear.", Rarity said with a smile. Twilight looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "You can be very impressive.", Rarity said. Twilight began blushing slightly then and pawed the ground nervously with her hoof. Pop!

After a few minutes Twilight regained her composure enough to speak. "Do you know where Octavia lives?", she asked. Rarity nodded and led the way down the Manehatten streets. Twilight noticed the houses seemed to get more luxurious as they headed towards their destination. Rarity saw Twilight taking in the sights of grandeur and gave the alicorn her best "told you so" smile. Twilight smiled back in an adorably clueless way. Pop!

They soon arrived at a large house with a well cared for lawn. The house obviously belonged to somepony with far too much money however, Twilight was sure that she had met the mare in question before. She was sure that Octavia was a very sensible pony (after an apology from pinkie for ruining her performance) and Twilight was sure she would help them.

Rarity opened the gate and approached the door before stopping, a nervous look on her face. "What is it?", Twilight asked.

"It's just...", Rarity sighed. "I remember spending time with Octavia when we were fillies but I can't remember how we met or why she was in Ponyville." She shook her head in an attempt to clear her muddled thoughts. She then took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

Octavia opened the door and stared blankly at the two mares on her porch. She then arched an eyebrow.

Rarity smiled at her but, Octavia made no show of inviting them in. "Octavia.", she said. "We have something we need to discuss with you." Octavia looked her over and then she began to laugh.

"Oh dear, Rarity you really haven't changed at all.", she continued to laugh much to the other mare's confusion. Upon noticing Rarity's puzzled expression she elaborated. "I'm sorry but I don't see you for years, then you show up at my door with a princess.", she then continued her laughing while waving them inside.

Confused and slightly annoyed Rarity followed her inside followed by Twilight. As Octavia led them through the halls (still laughing) Rarity noticed the walls while a pleasant shade of cyan, were completely bare of any decoration. Upon reaching the living room Octavia managed to contain her laughter and looked at Rarity.

"So, when is the big day?", she asked.

Rarity blinked once. "What?"

"Well you see I will be more than happy to perform but I need to make sure I have no pressing engagements before I can agree to anything."

Rarity blinked again. "What?"

Octavia creased her brow and shook her head. "I'm sorry. I was just assuming you wanted me to play at your wedding."

Rarity was feeling a little like a broken record but could not stop herself. "What?"

Octavia chuckled slightly. "If you recall when we were fillies we made a deal. I was to perform at your wedding on the grounds that you were to design the dresses for mine." Octavia looked at her shocked expression and frowned. "Don't tell me you forgot."

Rarity shook her head. She had forgotten but, as far as she was concerned that was not an issue. "What makes you think I'm getting married?", she asked.

Octavia blushed. "I'm sorry, I just assumed that the only reason a princess would accompany you here was if she....", Octavia trailed off and looked at the floor.

Rarity could also feel heat rising in her cheeks and upon looking to Twilight she saw a familiar red on her cheeks as well.

Twilight cleared her throat and began to speak. "Miss Octavia, we came here because we need to know everything you remember about Mythic.", she said in a tone that reminded Rarity of the way Princess Celestia spoke when something was truly important.

Octavia looked at Twilight and shook her head. "I remember that I was his cello tutor. That after several lessons he started to speak in the same manner I do, and after we started dating I remember he took Rarity on that vacation and then...." There were tears forming in her eyes as she trailed off.

"Octavia.", Twilight said firmly, but calmly. "I know this is a sad subject but I need to know what exactly you heard about the day he disappeared."

Octavia sighed and nodded. "My apologies, I just miss him..." she took a deep breath and continued. "I heard that there was a cult after him."

"After my brother but why?", Rarity asked.

Octavia looked at her, puzzled. "His special talent."

"What was his special talent?", she asked.

Octavia looked worried. "You don't remember?"

Rarity shook her head. "No. I'm afraid somepony removed almost all memories I had of my brother."

Octavia tap her chin in thought. "Who would do such a thing?" she mumbled. "I am sorry to hear that. To answer your question his special talent is supposed to be one of the seven legendary special talents. His special talent was combat magic."

Twilight spoke then. "I've heard of those before but, the books say that only the most powerful unicorns have those special talents."

Rarity looked at Twilight then. "What are they?", she asked.

"Well according to books and old legends the seven legendary special talents only belong to unicorns and alicorns. You actually have one of them.", Twilight explained.

"Really?", Rarity asked. "I just thought it was a plain old gem-finding special talent."

Twilight shook her head and smiled. "No, your special talent is one of the legendary seven. It's real title is just the gem talent. I've read that it is the least powerful of the seven but the most practical. After all if just anypony could have a gem special talent the entire world currency would be complete chaos."

"But what exactly are they?", Rarity asked.

Octavia chimed in. "According to the legends if all seven legendary special talents are together they could potentially reshape the world. They are gem, sun, moon, love, defensive magic, combat magic, and just magic."

"So, you?", Rarity pointed a hoof to Twilight's magic cutie-mark. Twilight nodded sheepishly.

"Yes. Celestia, Luna, you, me, Cadence, Shining Armor, and apparently Mythic. Mine and his are supposed to be the most powerful and rare special talents of the seven.", she explained.

Rarity was shocked that she was part of some legendary seven.  "Why have I never heard of any of this sooner?" she asked.

"Well, because most ponies don't know about it." Twilight said.

"That's true.", Octavia said. "The only reason I knew about those old legends was because of my relationship with your brother."

"The only reason I know is because Princess Celestia was my teacher.", Twilight said. "Although, I don't think Shining Armor knows about his special talent, I know Cadance knows about the legendary seven and her role in them."

Rarity was trying to piece everything together. "Okay so what exactly are our rolls?", she asked.

"Well according to the legends if the seven of you were to combine powers it's said you could shape the very fabric of reality. However, it's also said that if just two of the seven were to combine powers they could rule the world. I find that much easier to believe given the nation's hierarchy." Octavia explained.

"There's one more legend.", Twilight said darkly. Her tone was grim and her posture stiff. Apparently she had put more pieces together than Rarity. "That's probably why the cult was after Mythic."

"What's the legend?", Rarity asked.

Twilight looked at her with a grim expression. "The last unicorn born with combat magic as a special talent.... We've met him before.", she said her tone more ominous by the second.

"Who?", Rarity whispered.

"King Sombra...", Octavia answered.

Twilight nodded before continuing. "They say if one of the legendary seven go through a dark ritual.... I don't know anything about the ritual itself.... but they say that if one of the seven go through the ritual, they're power will increase ten fold but, their mind would be darkened until nothing is left but hate."

"King Sombra went through that ritual.", Octavia said. "What I heard was that, the cult went after your brother to try to re-create the fall of the Crystal Empire. They wanted him to have the power to overthrow Princess Celestia. Then when they learned they couldn't recruit him, they decided to kill him."

They were all quiet after that. Each of the mares were mentally going over the new information and, reliving old pain. "Why?", Octavia finally asked.

Rarity sighed and looked at the earth pony. "We have reason to believe he is alive.", she said. "And we intend to find him."

Octavia's eyes began to water. "Alive?", she asked.

Twilight nodded. "Rarity's parents, your new neighbors, have been searching for him for ten years now. I don't know if that's much to go on but, I don't think somepony would search for ten years unless there was a good chance he was alive."

Octavia smiled as the tears streamed down her face. "I hope you're right...." she said. "Why did they never tell me though?"

"I intend to find out.", Rarity said.

"I wish I could join you but,.... I believe that if he is alive he's moved on just as I have. Still I would like to see him again when you find him."

Rarity nodded. "You'll be our first stop.", she said with a smile.

"Which house did Rarity's parents move into?", Twilight asked.

"Oh, I sold them the old guest house in the back.", Octavia said.

Then Rarity and Twilight thanked their hostess and prepared for the inevitable confrontation. They stepped out of the house and walked around it to see another, smaller house behind Octavia's. They approached the door and, Rarity froze. She was scared of what her parents would tell her, she was nervous. She wanted to run just turn and run. She wanted to go home, lock herself in the boutique, and forget any of this ever happened.

Twilight noticed her discomfort and draped a wing over the unicorns back pulling her into a quick hug. "I'm here for you."

Those words were all Rarity needed to regain her resolve. Rarity opened the door without knocking and walked in. She saw an average living room, leading off to an average kitchen where her parents sat at the table mouth agape. Rarity noticed her father had shaved his ridiculous moustache. In any other circumstances she would have been happy to see them.

"Rarity, wha-", Rarity's mother began but was cut off.

"Not! Another! Word!", Rarity yelled emphasizing each word with a step towards her parents. Twilight walked by her side, wings unfurled to their full size. Rarity knew from experience with Rainbow dash this was an involuntary reaction that usually meant somepony was very angry, or they were ready to protect themselves and their loved ones. Looking at Twilight's stern expression she guessed it was a little of both.

"Tell us, why did you leave?", Rarity asked.

Her father was the first to speak. "We Ponyville didn't have what we needed anymore." Rarity noticed he had dropped his ridiculous accent.

"You leave, last minute, in the middle of the night, after dropping that bomb on me, for a change of scenery? You actually expect me to believe that?"

"It's the truth.", her mother said also lacking any accent.

Rarity scoffed but decided to press more important issues. "Why do you think Mythic is alive?"

"You remember his name?", her father asked obviously shocked. "How? We were assured you would never remember anything about your brother."

"By whom?", Twilight asked. Her voice was quiet yet full of cold, seething fury. "The unicorn you had remove her memories?"

Both of Rarity's parents froze. They looked to see the princess shaking with rage, and quickly decided to tell the truth.

"Yes...", her mother said quietly. "It was his punishment."

"Punishment? For what?", Rarity asked.

"For putting you in harm's way.", her father said.

"He didn't know!", Rarity had started yelling at this point. "He had no idea some cultists would attack him! He saved my life that day! What did you do banish him?"

They nodded slowly, eyes wide with confusion and terror. "How much do you remember?", her mother asked.

Rarity smiled calmly. "Enough.", she said cheerfully. "Have you two ever taken the time to meet Twilight Sparkle?", she asked smiling, however her tone was cold and joyless. "Well I suppose people like you would have to refer to her as Princess Twilight. So this is what is going to happen. First you tell me where I can start looking for Mythic. Then you send Sweetie Belle back to Ponyville. Then you leave Manehatten, somewhere nopony knows you. Now if you don't start talking, if I don't receive confirmation of Sweetie arriving in Ponyville within three days, or if you ever return to equestrian, then I will ask this beautiful princess here to banish you to the moon." She smiled at Twilight who smiled back.

"And I love your daughter enough to do it.", she said cheerfully. Rarity giggled when Twilight used the word love and Twilight blushed but held her firm gaze on Rarity's parents.

Both of the older ponies were shaking by this point. They simply nodded. Her mother spoke. "The last thing we heard was that the only pony he trusted enough with his location, was unreachable.", she said. "Not even a princess can see him."

"Oh? Well regardless I need a name.", Rarity said.

"Shining Armor.", her father said a smug look on his face. He seemed to honestly believe that even Twilight could not gain an audience with him.

"Wow.", Twilight said, her voice dripping with a malice Rarity had never heard before. "You people, are so stupid.", she said causing their jaws to drop. Twilight began speaking in what Rarity could only describe as the "royal-canterlot-voice" and, from the sound of it Princess Luna had been giving her lessons. "ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF! I AM PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE, PRINCESS OF FRIENDSHIP, STUDENT TO PRINCESS CELESTIA, FRIEND TO PRINCESS LUNA, SISTER-IN-LAW OF PRINCESS CADANCE, AND BLOOD RELATED SISTER TO PRINCE SHINING ARMOR!"

With that last statement ringing in Rarity's ears she couldn't help but smile at Twilight. "Let's go.", she said sweetly as Twilight blushed. Pop!

"Uh, Twilight? What's with the rubber band?", Rarity asked as they exited her parents house.

Twilight smiled at her then. "Just thought I would see how bad it hurt.", she said levitating the rubber band back to Rarity.

"Why's that?", Rarity asked with a laugh as they headed back to their hotel.

"Well honestly, I'm just trying to figure out why you do it all the time.", she replied with a laugh.

An hour later both mares were back in their hotel room, warm in each other's comforting embrace on their makeshift double bed. Twilight woke up to their mare in her hooves shifting around uncomfortably. Twilight noticed her coat was soaking wet. "Rarity.", she said. "What is it?"

Rarity continued to cry for a few minutes before responding, Twilight stroking her mane in the meantime. "I just used you.... I just used you to banish my own parents.... What kind of pony am I?", she asked.

"Rarity.", Twilight's voice was more firm than usual. Rarity looked up to see her staring intently into the unicorn's eyes, as if she were searching for something within them. "You didn't use me. I would have made the same threat if you hadn't.", she said. "And besides, I meant it when I told your parents that I love you."

Rarity froze for a moment when the meaning of Twilight's word started sinking in. "What?"

"Rarity... I love you.", Twilight said. "As more than a friend... I have for a while now."

"Really?", Rarity asked. She was hoping that this was not a dream, that her friend actually returned the feelings she felt for her.

"Yes.", Twilight said smiling sweetly wiping the tears from Rarity's eyes. "That first day.... when all this started, I was coming to your shop to have you replace a button on my coronation dress."

"And?"

Twilight's blush deepened. "I may have cut it off myself.... and then I watched over you while you slept. I was so worried. Then when we left Ponyville, on the road when I rubbed my cheek against yours... I was going to kiss you. That's why I thought I was being selfish. That I only came on this journey with you because I was falling in love with you."

Rarity pondered everything the alicorn said for just a moment before nodding. "I'm glad you didn't kiss me that day.", she said. Twilight's face fell and she started to slide her hooves away from Rarity, when Rarity tightened her grip and then pulled her closer. "However, if you were to kiss me now... I don't think I would have any complaints.", she said with a smile.

Twilight looked at her mutely for a moment before smiling herself. She closed her eyes and leaned into the unicorn. Their lips were so close that Rarity could feel Twilight's breath tickling her coat. Then their lips met. It was... sloppy, inexperienced, over way too fast, and the best kiss Rarity or Twilight had ever had.

They both slept fitfully that night knowing that neither of them had ever been happier.