Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Sweetie Bell all entered the library together. Both Rarity and Sweetie Bell had saddlebags on. As they stepped in, they were met immediately by the sight of Spike the baby dragon scurrying around holding a million different things, including a broom, a plate with a sandwich, and a few books. He didn’t notice the three ponies and hurried up the stairs to a bedroom that he and the librarian Twilight Sparkle shared. The three could hear the two arguing up there. She annoyed and angry, he flustered and breathless. The library was decorated fully for a party, courtesy of an early visit from Pinkie Pie. Twilight had protested to a big party because of how tired she had been feeling lately. Pinkie took this to heart but still wanted to celebrate her birthday so she had set up a small party of just Twilight’s five closest friends, Sweetie Bell, Apple Bloom, and of course Spike.

Pinkie Pie bounced up the stairs to go and see Twilight. Rarity wasn’t too sure about having the hyperactive pony and a flustered Spike alone up there with Twilight. Especially with the way she’d been feeling lately, it would have been too much for her. She made her way up with Sweetie Bell close behind. Twilight was sitting up in her bed. She looked better today, the bags under her purple eyes weren’t so potent and her pink and purple mane looked halfway decent. She seemed to be feeling better too, her ears were pricked and her scowl wasn’t so tired looking. Spike and Twilight were still arguing and Pinkie was trying to break in and get them to stop.

“Spike, I told you to get me “Magical Contracts: A History”,” Twilight told him, scowling. He set down the plate on her bedside table and held up a book.

“This IS “Magical Contracts: A History”! I told you, we replaced the cover three months ago!” Spike retaliated. Twilight shook her head.

“I don’t remember that,” she said stubbornly. Rarity saw Spike bite his tongue before answering.

“ You don’t remember it because you’ve been sick. Twilight I’m telling you that this is the book you want. You must remember that the old cover was falling apart. We got it replaced because of that,” he explained, quickly and with a clipped tone, holding back things that he wanted to say. Twilight’s face pinched as she went over what he said in her mind. Finally, her face softened and she used her magic to levitate the book in front of her and gently placing it on the sheets to open. She hadn’t even noticed the mares and Sweetie Bell in her room. Spike joined in their nervous looks at each other. Twilight was getting worse. Twilight set to reading her book and the four quietly made their way downstairs, Rarity in the lead. They came into the decorated library and stared at each other for a moment, the same thoughts crossing all of their minds. Well, almost all. Rarity, though she was still very concerned for her dear friend, knew that Twilight’s worsened state would make it that much easier to steal the scroll from her. She hated very much to steal from her friend but if she didn’t there would be serious consequences. She’d much rather have the weight of that theft of her back than face those consequences.

“ She’ll be better when the rest of the gang gets here. She always brightens up around you girls,” Spike assures, breaking Rarity from her thoughts. The usually hyperactive Pinkie looks solemn as she says,

“Maybe I shouldn’t have done the party. She really doesn’t seem to be doing so well.” Rarity shook her head to this.

“No Pinkie. This party is exactly what Twilight needs. Some time with friends and a bit of time out of bed. She needs to stretch her legs and I’m sure she’ll be pleased when she gets down here,” Rarity reassured. She offered a smile that Pinkie tentatively returned. Everyone was up in ends about Twilight’s illness. She was better than she had been before the medication; the doctors had even let her receive treatment from the comfort of her own home. Things were better for a while, she seemed almost normal. Then she steadily declined until she became a mess of mood swings and forgetfulness.
Rarity frowned to herself as Pinkie Pie went with Spike to help in the kitchen. She knew now would be the perfect opportunity to grab the scroll.

“Sweetie, why don’t you see if you can help those two? I’m going to get a few of the decorations that Spike has knocked over tidied back up before the others get here,” Rarity said to her sister. Sweetie Bell smiled and squeaked her agreement before trotting into the kitchen. Rarity let out a breath and went to the shelf on the far side of the library that held most of the scrolls. She identified it quickly for its ribbon was a dark blue instead of the usual red or yellow. She levitated it quickly and quietly into her saddlebag and then set to work on the task that she had said she was going to do. As she was tidying, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash arrived together. Rarity smiled happily and went over to greet them. Fluttershy embraced her and asked,

“How’s Twilight?” Rarity frowned then, remembering the earlier scene.

“We think she’s getting worse. Earlier she was arguing with Spike and didn’t even notice that Pinkie, Sweetie and I were standing in the room too,” Rarity answered. Rainbow leaned against a shelf, a sad look crossing her eyes.

“Do you really think we should have a party for her when she’s like this?” Fluttershy looked over to the rainbow haired mare.

“No Dashy, I think she’ll feel better with a small party with all of her friends,” Fluttershy said to her softly. Rarity nodded.

“That’s exactly what I was saying to Pinkie Pie earlier.” Rainbow nodded her response and then looked around.

“Where is everypony anyway?” she asked. Just then, Spike came running out of the kitchen holding a cake. He didn’t notice the newly arrived mares as he set in down on the table with a few other refreshments. Pinkie Pie came bouncing out followed closely by Sweetie Bell. There were brief greetings exchanged by all of them. Applejack, followed by Apple Bloom came through the door. Again, greetings were exchanged as well as a hug between Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom and a quick inquiry of Twilight’s health by Applejack. Spike got everything that he was carrying organized and told the mares that he was going to go and help Twilight downstairs. As he ran up, Rarity pulled Applejack aside.

“Applejack, I have a small favor to ask,” she began.

“What can I do for ya, Rarity?” Applejack prompted with a smile.

“Would you mind if Sweetie Bell stayed at Sweet Apple Acres for a few days? I have a bit of family business I need to attend to and it requires that I leave Ponyville. I’ll be back in about four days.” Rarity detested the feeling of lying to Applejack even more than her own sister. It was the effect that the element of honesty had on most ponies. Rarity was no exception. Applejack looked surprised for a moment before asking,

“What sort of family business?” Rarity waved a hoof out nonchalantly.

“Oh it’s nothing really,” she assured, “but I can’t take Sweetie Bell with me. The cousins can be quite brutal.” Applejack took her hat off and scratched the back of her head.

“Ah wouldn’t mind havin’ her over for a while. She’ll have to do chores with Apple Bloom though,” Applejack warned. Rarity nodded fervently.

“Yes yes, that’s absolutely fine. Sweetie Bell needs a bit more responsibility placed on her.” Rarity gave Applejack a fleeting hug saying, “Thank you Applejack. It means a lot to me.” Her last statement was the truest thing she had said about this trip. It really did mean a lot to her. She gave Applejack a beaming smile. Now all that was left was to quietly ask Fluttershy to take care of Opal Essence for her which she knew would not be questioned or turned down. She inwardly rewarded herself for having gotten the job done without any bumps. Well, almost done. Her mini reward was ended when Spike announced,

“Here’s the birthday mare!” as he helped the purple unicorn down the stairs. Twilight was beaming tiredly at her collection of friends. The mares all stomped their hooves for Twilight. Rarity was the first to approach her.

“Happy birthday Twilight,” she whispered in her ear as she hugged her. And then the party ensued.

Author's Note

Our dear Twilight is ill. Wonder where this will go hmm?