Author's Note

Just to clarify, the episode this is based off of, known as Sweet and Elite: is owned by Hasbro Studios and DHX Media, and the show is produced by Lauren Faust. Thank you all again and I hope you enjoy.

Chapter III: Yet Bring Out Hope

Rays of light pierced through a tall window, lighting the house up in a magnificent zone of twilight. A quiet sigh echoed into the room as Twilight looked into a mirror, smiling at the dress Rarity had made her for her birthday, twirling around with a giggle. After visiting her friend today, she had taken the beautiful gown off and went about her usual day of studying her books. Yet her mind occasionally wandered off as she pictured herself in that dress. “This dress is so beautiful… I really need to thank Rarity again for all her hard work.”

“Jeez, Twilight,” Spike said as he climbed up a ladder, shelving another book away. “You're beginning to sound like a broken record over there.”

She turned her gaze up to him, smiling as she chuckled. “I know, I know. But I didn't expect Rarity to make something so amazing for me. I would have been fine with something simpler, maybe even not as colorful as this. But it’s just so fascinating that I can’t take my eyes off it.” It really did mean so much to her, to have something so thoughtfully given to her on her special day. “Besides. I’m only wearing it on my birthday. I’ll put it away after tonight.”

Spike slid down the ladder, laughing to himself. “I gotta admit, though. I’ve never seen you so worked up over a dress before,” he teased. “I mean you’re not usually this way unless you have your hooves on some new book, or while practicing a spell.”

She had to admit that Spike was right. Under normal circumstances, she would prance on about a new and exciting discovery she’d made in a tome Princess Celestia had her study, or even if she had mastered a new magic spell. But she was just being thankful.

“Yes, you’re right about that, Spike. It’s just that this is so… new to me.” It was a true fact that she would freak out over the newest piece of information, or a new affect from some spell she had recently learned. "However, this is something new. Something that isn’t just special like reading. It’s just another sign of how well our friendship is developing.” Twilight’s smile brightened as she returned her gaze to the mirror.

She swiveled her ears to hear a door opening. The door closed again, with the sound of clothes rubbing against Spike’s scales. “What are you doing, Spike?” Twilight asked as she walked over to the door. She peeked around it to watch Spike exit the small room. She brought a hoof to her muzzle as she tried to contain a giggle. “Oh Spike, you look so adorable.”

“Adorable, smorable.” Spike walked out with a faint frown. He struck a pose, gentleman-like as he leaned on a cane. He wore a simple black and white tuxedo, smirking at his older sister. “Maybe I’ll gain Rarity’s attention this time if I wear something fancy.”

Twilight shook her head as she looked at Spike’s attire. Since the first day they had met Rarity, Spike seemed to have fallen head over heels for the fashionista. And after Twilight and Spike got to know Rarity, he had done his best to gain her attention, although sometimes to no avail. But he was persistent, Twilight at least had to credit him for that. “Alright, Casanova. We better get going if we want to meet everypony else.”

“Sounds good to me.” The two walked downstairs to the first floor. Twilight opened the door with her magic, and the two exited the building. She closed it behind her and locked it, and the two made their way to the train station.

“Hey Twilight?” Spike chuckled as he spoke.

“Yeah, what’s up Spike?”

“Hey, during the party. You should totally get yourself a marefr--”

“Spike!” Twilight nudged him with a hoof, blushing brightly at what he was going to say. “That’s not funny.”

“Oh don’t worry. Nopony knows about that. Still, I don’t know why that was your reason for staying here in Canterlot and not moving in with your friends over in Ponyville?”

“Well… I’m uncomfortable about that. I haven’t even told my family about it. I don’t know how my friends would react.” Twilight looked to the ground. ‘Besides… it’s one of the reasons I didn’t stay there. How would my friends feel about me if they knew?’

“Twilight. Just don’t worry about it today.” She looked up to where he stood. “It’s your birthday today. So just have a fun time.”

She smiled and nodded. Twilight wrapped a hoof around her little brother. “Thanks Spike.” Today was going to be a great day indeed.

~~~

“Twilight. I still think you overdressed for your birthday,” Rainbow said, chuckling as she stared at her friend’s dress, her wings flapping while she hovered in the air next to her.

Twilight frowned as she continued to listen to her friend’s endless pestering. She had met them at the train station after agreeing to a time where they could all make it. It was also thanks to Pinkie Pie that they were able to change the location of the party to something closer to home, that being the royal palace’s ballroom. When they saw her dress, Twilight had felt her muzzle warm up as a couple of her friends’ mouths dropped. “Ah don’t know, Rainbow,” Applejack replied. “Twilight doesn’t seem ta look quite like she’s overdoin’ it.”

“And besides, you can wear whatever you want on your birthday!” Pinkie Pie added, bouncing alongside the others. “You could even wear balloons to your birthday if you wanted.”

Rainbow rolled her eyes as she crossed her forelegs together. “Anywho. You said that Rarity made this for you, right?”

“Yes. She was kind enough to make such a beautiful dress for me on my birthday. I just didn’t know how many times I should have thanked her.” Twilight smiled with a sheepish grin. That was true to a point. Even though it was just best to thank her once, she felt like she needed to keep thanking Rarity for the amount of effort she put into this. Yet even then, she knew that repeating the same line over and over again wasn’t really going to help anypony.

“Maybe you could thank her again, just to be sure she got the message.” Fluttershy giggled.

“Well, it won’t be too long now, cause there she is.” Applejack pointed to where Rarity stood pacing back and forth.

“Hey, Rarity!” Rainbow Dash called out. The fashionista looked up and smiled.

“Hello, everypony. It is good to see you all again.” Rarity trotted up to the others, the group pulling in for one friendly group hug until they separated moments after. “How is Ponyville faring so far?”

“Well there sure ain’t no crazy monster destroyin’ the town, so Ah’d think we’re doin’ fine.” Applejack tipped her hat to her friend. “And Sweetie Belle is stayin’ out of trouble so far. She, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo haven’t created some disaster.”

“That’s good to hear.” Rarity turned to face Twilight, her smile brightening as she met her friend’s gaze. “And you look absolutely stunning, darling! How do you like the dress?”

“It’s great, Rarity. I can’t thank you enough for this.” Twilight pulled her in for another hug.

“You are quite welcome, Twilight,” Rarity replied, pulling away before dusting her dress off with a hoof.

“Oh, don’t tell me you’re going to this birthday party all fancied out yourself, Rarity?” Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow as she glanced at the outfit Rarity herself was wearing.

“Is it such a crime to wear something extravagant to your friend’s party? I think not.” Rarity huffed as she looked away, closing her eyes and turning to face the uphill street. “Besides, you all know I wear something fancy every now and then.” She bit her lip and trotted along the sidewalk as everypony else looked to one another.

Applejack could only shrug and follow after their friend. Twilight had seen Rarity worked up before. Especially so when Rarity had come to a complete mental breakdown before while Twilight tried to find a friendship problem. Her friend thought she had lost some diamond-encrusted ribbon, having a complete breakdown when she thought it was gone forever, if not dramatizing the whole moment as well. However, she had found it only moments after Twilight had declared to help her find it. ‘Maybe she’s just a little stressed out after working on my birthday dress? Yeah, that might be the problem.’

Twilight smiled as she and her friends approached the ballroom doors. Her friends’ voices faded to mere mumbling as she focused on her surroundings. As the doors opened, her eyes widened at the spectacle inside. Streamers hung up delicately on the ceiling and archways, red balloons floated above, and a table bore all various types of party snacks and even a chocolate fountain.

Twilight could not begin to describe how thankful she was. A wonderful dress made by her friend, Rarity, and a great party being thrown by another terrific companion, Pinkie Pie. She blinked, and the words of her friends finally cleared up and were audible again. “Isn’t it fancy-pants?” Pinkie Pie asked as she ushered her to the setup behind her.

“Fancy Pants!?” Rarity dashed behind Rainbow Dash. “Where!?” She looked around, turning her gaze to her friends after her search, only to smile. “I… uh, mean uh… where did you find the time to put up all these decorations?” She let out a short chuckle as she realized how close she had come to revealing her affiliation with a noble.

“Oh, I never leave home without my Party Cannon!” Pinkie Pie pulled it from the side, pulled the trigger, and blasted out confetti and other party items onto a table. Rarity flinched as the confetti fell upon her, and she frowned as she stared at Pinkie.

“I thought of having my birthday outside, but they’re having another party on the castle grounds today.” Twilight smiled as she looked out to the other party filled with nobles. Beside her, Rarity was hiding behind a curtain, precariously sneaking a peek at the other ponies outside. It was certainly odd to see her trying to remain unnoticed from the party outside, but she dismissed it as her having a moment of jitters. Twilight walked back to the middle of the room, and her grin brightened while she anticipated the next couple of words.

Pinkie Pie slowly stood up behind Rarity before declaring, “Leeeeet’s party!”

~~~

‘Today has been great! I can’t believe how much fun my birthday has been so far.’ Twilight’s eyes were closed as she danced next to the phonograph, ignoring the noble ponies around her who were backing away from her ‘unskilled’ movements. They probably did not mind them coming out there to have fun in their party, too. Then again, it was Rainbow Dash’s idea, but these Canterlot ponies were at least decent, right?

She stuck her tongue out and danced harder as her favorite verse of the song came up. “Excuse me. Might I ask where you got your… ensemble?” Twilight opened her eyes and looked up to see a older-looking stallion with a azure mane moving his monocle to his left eye in a deep gold aura.

She smiled. “Why, yes. Yes you may. A very, very close friend of mine from Ponyville made it for me.” It was in that moment, Twilight thought, she heard somepony spit from within the gathering crowd.

“Ponyville. You don’t say?”

“I do say. Her name is--”

“Fancy Pants.” Rarity interrupted Twilight as she walked up to his side. “Come with me, I’d like to show you… this, uh, thing that’s over there.” She pointed to the far side of the courtyard. “On the other side of the room.”

“In a moment, my dear.” He gestured to Twilight. “This lovely filly from Ponyville was just about to tell me who made her charming dress.”

“That dress? Oh come now, who cares, it’s just another dre--”

“Oh, don’t be so modest,” Twilight said. “This dress you made is beautiful. Especially with how much effort you put into it.” The crowd erupted with a gasp as the nobles all heard what Twilight had said. She backed up and her smile perked up while her other friends (except for Rarity) stood behind her. “We all think so.”

It went silent. The crowd looked between Twilight, whose dress astonished them, and to Rarity. “You know these ponies?” Fancy Pants asked as he turned to face Rarity. She bit her lip, turning to see everypony else giving her weird looks.

Twilight’s smile remained, yet she could not help but glance at everypony else. They were whispering to each other, but their stares were not directed to her, but at Rarity. A faint frown replaced her smile as she watched Rarity turn to face her and the others. ‘Is… she going to be okay?’

It was then that her friend unexpectedly began to make her way to the noble crowd, her head down as she strolled up to them. “Yes. Yes, I do know them. They may not be as sophisticated as some of you Canterlot ponies, but they are my best friends.” She turned her attention to where Twilight stood. “And they are, without a doubt, the most important ponies I know.” Rarity closed her eyes and pointed to Twilight’s dress. “And that dress she is wearing is what I think represents Canterlot more than my original design. And my friend pulls it off better than many of you might.”

Twilight’s smile returned. She felt her heart beat a little slower and her smile soften. ‘Wow… thank you so much, Rarity....’

“Important ponies?” Jet Set said with a smile. “These ruffians?”

“Don’t make me laugh.” Upper Crust added to her husband’s mockery, laughing at the group of mares.

‘What!?’ Twilight frowned, glaring at the two ponies that stood in front of the noble crowd. What did these two ponies see, that they thought they were better than any of them. She felt a warm spark flow up her horn. Twilight looked up and opened her mouth. ‘No! My friends can’t see this!’ She breathed in, slowly exhaling out in an effort to calm herself. ‘Okay. Even though these two ponies are clearly idiots and have no better enjoyment in their lives, right now, I just need to breath and calm down.’ She did this for a moment and before long, she felt that same warmth on her horn fade away. Twilight glanced up and sighed to herself. ‘Okay… that was close.’

“I for one find them charmingly rustic.” Fancy Pants turned to the two high- society ponies with a smile. The two ponies abruptly stopped laughing as they looked at the more regal unicorn with wide eyes. “And I think the dress you made for your friend is quite lovely.” He hummed a chuckle. “I daresay every mare in Canterlot will be wanting one.”

Upper Crust immediately rushed up to Rarity. “Oh, I’d like to place my order right now!

“I think you should make it two, hmm?” Jet Set added. Rarity quickly rushed away from the two, their heads colliding together with an audible "smack"!

“Uhmm, yes. Now then, how about you introduce me to your friends?” Fancy Pants asked as he turned his attention to Twilight and the others.

“With pleasure.” Rarity smiled brightly at the acceptance that came from this stallion. Twilight grinned as she watched her friend introduce them all, glad that such a night had gone so well for once.

After the introductions, Twilight separated from her friends, headed back into the ballroom, and let out a sigh. “I had such a wonderful time. What do you think, Spike?”

Spike leaned against the wall. “Ehh, I still think some nobles are too stuck up half the time.” He frowned as he stared at the two instigators of what felt like the rejection of Rarity from noble society.

“Well, yes. There was that minor bump today, but at least nothing bad happened, right?” Twilight said as she walked up to his side and pulled him in for a hug. “Thanks for coming along with me. I really appreciated it.”

“Of course, Twilight. That’s what friends are for. Or in my case, that’s what little brothers are for.”

Pulling away from Spike, she said, “We’ll head home in a bit. But first, I need to talk to somepony for a moment.”

~~~

Rarity walked up to the balcony railing and leaned against it with her forelegs. Twilight trotted up to her friend and said, “How are you doing?”

Rarity jumped slightly but sighed as she saw her friend. “Oh, well, after what felt like near-imminent disaster, I’m glad that the little soiree has calmed down.”

“You didn’t need to be so worried, Rarity. I mean, look at how everything went today!” Twilight waved to the group of ponies behind her. “My birthday party was a blast. You were able to mingle with these savvy business ponies and maybe even get a few of them interested in your line. You’re a known pony now. Not to mention that you stood up for us. I can easily say that this was even more fun than before.”

Rarity turned her gaze to the ground below their courtyard, smiling at her friend’s words. “You’re right, Twilight. I should not have been so worked up as I was.” She pulled her in for a hug. “Thank you for the support. I’m glad that you were all here for tonight.”

Twilight broke free from the hug with a smile. “Of course.” She looked over her shoulder at Spike. “I’ve got to go. It’s getting late, and I don’t know how much longer Spike will last.” She chuckled as she teased her number-one assistant. “I’ll see you later then, Rarity.”

“Yes. Goodbye, darling.” Rarity waved at her friend with a hoof and watched Twilight and Spike exit through the ballroom’s main doors. With another sigh, Rarity felt her heart finally begin to beat normally. ‘What a night this has turned out to be. I cannot believe how stressful yet exciting this was.’ It certainly had been a close call, one Rarity had been uncertain of how she would handle.

“There you are, Miss Rarity.” Fancy Pants walked up to her side. “Mrs. Upper Crust wanted me to ask you something about the dress you made for your friend, Twilight Sparkle. After we all saw how much effort you put into such a design, she was hoping to discern what your inspiration was.” He let out a short chuckle. “I believe that whatever it was, you really showed that you are a hardworking mare.”

Rarity held his gaze, blinking for a moment before looking down at the road below them. Her eyes widened slightly as she saw Twilight walking down the sidewalk with Spike, her eyes never shifting from where the mare was. “I… I am afraid I must decline to answer, Fancy Pants.” Her gaze softened, and she rested her chin on her hooves. “After all… a mare never reveals her secrets.”

Fancy Pants followed her gaze, seeing that she only focused on Twilight. He smiled, humming quietly as he figured out what she meant. “Well then, that is a bit disappointing. But then again, we all must keep our most cherished secrets,” he said, playing along. Silently, he pulled away and walked back into the crowd, leaving Rarity to stare at her friend.

She let out another quiet sigh, followed by a giggle. If this wasn’t the factor that revealed her love interest in Twilight, Rarity did not know. But after today’s events, she may have found out that her love for her friend was in fact, a truth. And a truth she would only discover once she explored whatever awaited her down this path.