Faulty Hoofcuffs

"How is she?" The ruler asked.

"She's heartbroken," The dragon replied gravely. She could hear them both, but didn't care. She just laid in bed, the bed she had so recently shared with her. It still smelled like her if Rarity focused. Why? Why can't I even hold onto this small piece of her? Is that too much to ask?

"Rarity," Celestia said poking her head into the bedroom, "It's time. Please, we all want you to be there."

Rarity just laid there. Her mane had not been brushed in days, her coat was yellowing from her natural oils, But she didn't care. Rarity was broken. Celestia came and settled next to her on the bed, careful to avoid Twilight's spot.

"Rarity, I know this is hard, but we must go. We want to pay her our respects, and it would not be the same with out the mare she loved so much there," Celestia kindly offered.

"I can't."

"Why not"

"It's my fault."

"How?"

"She let Magic burn her up, for me."

Celestia exhaled. This was harder than she had thought. She thought Rarity would want to see Twilight off, but in the end, she would not even move. Celestia looked around at the trash piled around the bed, sighing inwardly. Rarity had only left the bed to use the bathroom, but nothing else. Spike and Sweetie brought her food, and her friends checked on her every day. Celestia's eyes danced around the scar on Rarity's fetlock, where she had tried it, once. She just wanted to see Twilight again so badly, so so badly. But her friends stopped her, telling her Twilight would never let her do that. What had this world come to?

"She did it to save you, protect you. She loved you so much," Celestia wavered, holding back a tear of her own. She placed her head on Rarity's back, and sighed.

Rarity just laid there. She had said more in these past 5 minutes than she had ever since- just ever since. She looked out the window, into the gloomy gray abyss that hung in the sky perpetually now. It was fitting, a world without Twilight didn't deserve color. It deserved to be as cold as Rarity's heart right now.

"We want you too come. Please? For Twilight?" Celestia asked, rising. Right now was not the time for her to be wary, but to show resolve, strength.

Rarity sighed, and looked to the ruler that smiled softly as she asked for the impossible. Damn her, she would get her bloody wish. But Rarity would take no joy in it, no closure, because that meant Twilight was gone for good.

"You don't have to speak if-" Celestia began.

"No, I do. For Twilight, no pony else can do her justice. I want to tell the world how much she means to me. I just miss her so much," Rarity said. She had no more tears, they had passed as her sorrow stole them away. Her make up from that day was still on her face. She looked a mess, not the way Twilight's memory deserved. "Can I wash up first?"

"Of course. We'll wait for you if you want to come," Celestia smiled her false smile. It was hollow, meaningless, just like a world devoid of that mare Rarity loved more than life itself.

At the funeral, Rarity had tried to speak, but broke down. She was so brave, but in the end, it was too much for her to suffer alone. No pony blamed her, no pony envied her, no pony could comfort her. It was a small gathering, unfitting a hero of Equestria, but Twilight would have liked it. Twilight's brother and sister came, along with her cousin and all of her friends. The Princesses too. Her parents showed, though they had just met the girl. So had Clockwork and Ditzy, being the kind souls they are, they wanted to honor Twilight as well. It was just them, her friends and family, standing around the frozen cemetery.

That night, in the library where Rarity and Sweetie Belle had moved in afterwords, everypony sat around, with the gall to laugh. They were telling stories about her, and Rarity hated them for it, but yet, she couldn't help but laugh at a few. She loved hearing about Twilight, but the words were bitter sweet. Each one reminding her that no new stories would ever be writ. That silly lavender mare had touched so many, to now be left out in the cold, all alone. She refused the drink offered her. She wanted to remember right now, as painful as it was, it was all she had left.

A day passed slowly, then a week. A month, then a year. One night, after getting Sweetie Belle and Spike off to bed, as Rarity slumbered, she had a familiar dream, that there was a lavender mare in bed with her. It was the best part of sleeping these days to be honest. But tonight...

"Sleep tight my love. I'm sorry I don't have much time here, but I will always love you. Goodbye, sweetest Rarity," The voice in her dream said. Rarity bolted awake, putting a hoof to her cheek. She could swear she had felt lips upon it just moments ago. Rarity sighed, it had been a dream. Just a stupid wonderful dream. The white mare looked to the calender. It was the anniversary of the day she and Twilight discovered their love. Naturally. Oh how she had always wanted to spend the rest of the night crying.

Outside of Ponyville, the year passed in turmoil. Without the threat of the Elements anymore, crime rose across Equestria. In a last ditch effort to contain it, Luna instituted the Evil League of Evil, under the belief that if they must have crime, why not organize it. Everypony initially laughed at the idea, but the world found itself in love with the concept, and the League soon flourished, under the leadership of one stallion, named Bad Horse. This league meant new villains for sure, but it also stemmed the tide of low level thugs, none of them able to compete with the ELE's raw horsepower. The enrollment criteria for the League actually acted to ensure domestic peace, oddly enough. Though Bad Horse still wanted a murder every now and then.

One such hopeful to the League was the villainous Dr. Adorable. She quickly gained the attention of Canterlot's own Mare Do Well, the two fast becoming sworn enemies. Though the bad doctor only struck about once a month, it was always... rather cute. Her crimes where never evil per-say, but her magic countering technology and devices made her a serious threat if left unchecked.

Celestia sought to create a league of heroes to fight back, but that idea only had 7 applicants. The remaining Elements, the Mare Do Well, and one stallion that called himself the Doctor. Worst heroic name ever, he didn't even wear a costume, other than that long scarf. And his side kick was just herself, no name, no gimmick. It was just the Doctor and Ditzy. So Celestia upped her guard contingent, provided for better training, and rallied public support for law enforcement. Much easier, much safer, and lots of toned ponies running around town now, though surely that last one was just a side effect, Celestia would never do that on purpose.

Rarity carried her love of Twilight still, but she was getting more social. She spent more time with friends at first, then family. Shining and Cadence had their daughter, a little alicorn named Skyla. Rarity was made her godmother, and informally welcomed into the Star family. Scootaloo was adopted finally, but it was not by Rarity. Rainbow Dash and Soarin had adopted her, much to the filly's perpetual joy now. There was even talk coming down about Rainbow and Soarin tying the knot soon. That thought made Rarity happy, though she still felt so alone. So lonely, that even her adopted family pushed for her to date.

"Rarity, you need to consider dating again," Cadence said while Rarity made Skyla a bottle.

"So I'm told. I just cant do that, not to Twilight."

"Rarity, you're just torturing yourself. Please, just give it a try?" Cadence asked. Rarity rolled her eyes, and looked to her sister over her shoulder. "You don't have to do anything big or fast, just lunch with somepony, that's all I ask."

"Alright, alright. If I promise to give it a shot, and go on one date, will you be happy?" Rarity asked

"The question is, will you be happy. It tears me up to see you so alone all the time. Please, Shining and I worry about you," Cadence said taking the bottle and giving it to Skyla.

With a sigh, Rarity conceded. "I hate to worry you two. So I will at least give it a try." Rarity smiled. It was a thin promise, but a lady never backs out. Rarity would step into the world with this promise of trying, and she swore it would be some pony that Twilight would approve of. So Rarity went to her favorite thinking spot, her only place to talk with Twilight these days. But upon arriving there, she found the grounds to already be inhabited, by a little blond pegasus with the soft pink mane.

"Oh, hello Fluttershy. How are you today?" Rarity asked her savior. It had been Fluttershy that pulled her out of the tub that day, the day she tried.

"I'm doing okay, I guess. I miss her," Fluttershy said. In truth, Fluttershy felt her competition was gone, but she had still cared for Twilight, as a friend. Who couldn't.

"Me too. I still dream of her."

"Rarity?"

"Yes darling?"

"I know this is probably not the time or place, but do you want to get lunch? I love spending time with you, and want to see you happy again," Fluttershy asked. "I just don't want to see you in pain. I want to help, please."

Rarity chuckled, was she really so bad off? "Yes darling, that sounds lovely. Are you free right now?"

"Yes! I mean, yes, yes I am," Fluttershy blushed, her ears falling back in embarrassment.

"Lovely. Just give me a minute with Twilight?"

"Of course." Fluttershy said stepping away. Rarity smiled, she had not intended to actually follow through so fast, but everypony was so worried. Her family wanted her to date, so she would, the only mare she knew that would not take advantage of her broken state. Her closest friend, the only one that stood by her now from before.

"Twilight, I love you. I always will, and some day, I will see you again. But til then, I think it's time I acted a little more social, don't you think? Don't worry my love, you will always come first. Fluttershy knows that."

It was mid summer now, a random day off the calender it seemed. If only Rarity knew how much fate loved days like those. Rarity was babysitting today, taking a close liking to the little princess. Even at just 6 months old, Skyla knew she was entitled to a higher standard of life. The two were heading to meet Fluttershy for lunch at a new cafe in town, with a lovely view of the forest.

"Fluttershy! Darling, thank you for suggesting this place, shall we?" Rarity called to her sort-of-marefriend. Out of the ordeal, Fluttershy had remained as close as ever, a point that Fluttershy jokingly never let Rarity live down. Though Fluttershy dreamed of more sometimes, she was patent, letting Rarity ease into things at her pace.

"It's my pleasure Rarity. Hello Skyla, how's my little princess?" Fluttershy cooed. This was the happiest Rarity felt these days, spending time with Fluttershy and Skyla, Shining and Cadence. Rarity wished Sweetie Belle had more free time, but since discovering her talent for singing, she had become a bit of a star, and Spike was the new librarian, but only because he already knew where all the books where. They sat down at the cafe, Rarity happy to finally be off her hooves. It was a glorious day, one Twilight would have loved. Oh who am I kidding, she would have spent the whole day reading and laying with her head in my lap, Rarity admited to herself. She floated over a menu, and opened it just in time to hear a scream. Not Skyla, for once, but somepony down the street.

"G-G-G-Ghost!" Somepony cried. Probably Rainbow Dash just having a good prank.

"That's preposterous. I am not a ghost!" A familiar voice cried out. No, it couldn't be. Fluttershy heard it too, but for some reason she looked scared. Like that voice could ever pose a threat to her.

"You're not? Everypony, she's not a ghost!" The pony yelled, "She's a Changeling! Get her!" Everypony charged, and pilled onto the pony in question before Rarity could see.

"Get Off Me!" A lavender unicorn shouted as she repelled her attackers. "I'm not a Changeling either! I'm-"

"Twilight!?" Rarity questioned, getting her first clear look at the pony.

"Ditzy, never again! Never again are you to just wonder off when I say stay here, understood," The Doctor, or as he was called on Equis, A. Clockwork Orange, chided. Ditzy just smiled at him.

"What, I made a new friend!" Ditzy rallied picking up the small robot she had befriended.

The Doctor sighed, "Ditzy, its called a Roomba. It's a vacuum cleaner."

"Well it's my friend," Ditzy smiled. Everything was normal aboard the TARDIS, a good sign things were about to go-

FLASH!- wrong. It never fails. The center consul burned white hot, a light so blue it was white poured forth, making Ditzy and the Doctor cower near the back of the control room. A loud thump and a groan later, and the light was gone, as mysteriously as it came. The Doctor and Ditzy both loomed over the mare now inhabiting their floor, and sighed. Ditzy knew her, she was... Um, Shoot, Ditzy thought, I really need to get an address book.

"Well that was unexpected?" Ditzy said.

"Not really. The TARDIS feeds on the magic from your world, a strong enough magical pulse would defiantly be picked up, anywhere in the universe," The Doctor offered.

"You're making that up..." Ditzy sighed.

"Oh yeah, I just like to sound smart," The Doctor smiled.

"So what should we do?" Ditzy asked.

The Doctor looked at a screen, written in his odd alien code, and chuckled. "Brace for impact," He said too happy for the sentence.

Twilight had no memory of getting in the odd building, or why it was tumbling, but she was awake now, and it was doing just that, rather impolitely, as buildings did not regularly tumble as such. But it was, and there was no stopping it. Twilight was in for a hard time. Soon the building stopped, and her problems only began. First, somepony was on top of her.

"My back," Twilight moaned, "Does not feel better with your plot on it!"

"Oops, my bad Twilight!" Ditzy chimed, standing up. Then she realized something, that she had remember their guest. "Twilight! Did you see that fun crash?!"

"Ditzy, crashes are not fun! Are you okay, Sexy?" Clockwork asked to no pony. Ditzy huffed.

"A girl might get jealous of you always calling the TARDIS sexy, Doctor."

"What does that mean? The TARDIS and I have been together for 1100 years, I think I can call the ol' girl sexy every now and again!"

"Where am I? How did I get here? What the hay are you two doing here?" Twilight demanded. Ditzy smiled and hugged Twilight.

"Your first time on board and you got a crash! You're so lucky!" The wall eyed mare rejoiced.

"Lucky? I could have died!?" Twilight shot back.

"Oh, there's no need for that. I'm sorry Twilight, the TARDIS crashed because of a powerful magical force that is persisting on the ship, crippling the ol' girl. I should really fix her," Clockwork said.

"None of that made any sense!" Twilight cried.

"Don't worry, I've been dating him for three years now, And I still don't know what he's talking about," Ditzy confessed.

"But you two just met right before the Winter-" Twilight began.

"Not actually, Miss Twilight!" Clockwork called.

"Lady Twilight."

"What ever horn head, Ditzy and I started dating on hearts and hooves day this year for you. But we are time travelers. It's complicated. Get over it," Clock chided leaning against the rails, giving a condescending look.

"Really? That's great! I'm a time traveler too!" Twilight cried.

"This doesn't count, you're a stowaway. Stowaways never count, unless they happen to be me."

"No, I used a time spell to travel back in time once for a brief minute," Twilight finished.

"Really? Time travel with out a machine! That's really powerful magic," The 'Doctor' smiled. Then the smile turned into a stare of daggers and fire, "Like the kind hurting my ship!" Clock cried out angrily. "Off you go," He said hopping down and pushing Twilight to the doors.

"Wait! No! Ditzy!" Twilight cried.

"Bye Twilight! It was good seeing you again! You had a lovely funeral by the way!" Ditzy called out smiling.

"What!?!?" Twilight cried as she was kicked out the doors into the cool night air of where ever she was. As soon as she left the building, it's doors slammed shut, and a odd whirring sound heralded the exit of whatever had brought Twilight here. Twilight shakily got to her hooves as she faced down a rather large, rather angry giant roach monster.

"I don't think I'm on Equis anymore," Twilight gulped, then readied for battle. "Well then, I don't get to see my Rarity again if I die here! I'll prove those time travelers wrong! I won't die here today! FOR RARITY!" Twilight cried, charging the creature. Little did Twilight know how over the next five years, 'For Rarity' would become the most harrowing sound any force could hear charging against them. Many found this out the hard way, til one day, the lavender mare went with the only plan she shouldn't.

"I live in my own hell these days, just wasting time till I die. There's no power in the universe great enough to get me home, Magic." Twilight spoke to the only thing that understood her now.

Not true, Magic replied within her mind, There is one way. You know it already. Use the gate of Tartarus. It loops trough time and space, dear Twilight.

"I can't use the gate twice. I had to barter with Hades for my last trip, and that was just sending an image over to say goodbye. What would I do if he wanted more than a pardon for somepony this time?"

Is it not better to try, to at least see her again? If you loved her, you would take the chance. Do you fear the darkness?

"No. Magic, you know better than all how far I have gone for any hope of seeing Rarity again. But I can't bring that curse on her. I love her, and if me staying away will protect her, then so be it."

Please Twilight, we don't have time anymore. I'm dying. I need to be back on Equis. If I don't get there soon-

"I know, every unicorn will die...Bucking hell. Alright Magic, I hate to say this, but we'll use the gate. Please grant me strength. I swore I would never use this spell, but I have no choice now."

I will protect her as best I can Twilight, I owe you that.

"Thank you Magic," Twilight said taking a deep breath, as she channeled her magic to one spot. "I, Lady Twilight Sparkle, the Horn of Magic, ask you, Charon, Ferryman of Hades, to grant me passage through Tartarus!"

"Twilight?... Is- Is that- Oh my Celestia!" Rarity cried throwing her forelegs around the mare, crying harder than she knew she could. She pulled back and kissed the mare, several time, fast and hard. Rairty then stopped her affection and slapped the mare, a then continued her loving actions. "I missed you! So Much! I love you Twilight! I Love You!"

"Rarity!" Twilight cried. She had been through Tartarus and back, literally, to get here, and it was so worth it, for this alone. "I missed you so much! I love you more than you could imagine!" Twilight cried.

"I love you! Don't you ever leave me again!" Rarity cried. She fell to her flank, crying harder and harder as she continued to hang onto the lavender mare. "Please, tell me I'm not dreaming! I can't stand that heart break again. Please!"

Twilight kissed the mare, so fiercely they fell to the ground, much like the first time they ever kissed in Rarity's shop. "No, it's real! I'm here now, I'm sorry it took me so long!"

"Twilight I love you, I would have waited forever," Rarity sighed as she became sure this was real.

"I know, I would have as well. But 5 years is still way too long," Twilight said kissing the mare again.

After the kiss, Rarity looked puzzled, "5 years? Darling, it's only been one and a half."

"What? I- Time travel, of course..." Twilight groaned, burying her face in Rarity's mane. Rarity didn't even care that she was laying in the dirt, she had her love back.

"Darling, I think you and I need to have a little talk..." Rarity sighed. It was long overdue, but she had her love back, finally. A cry pierced the air, a baby's cry. "Oh shoot, that's Skyla!" Rarity said rising to tend to her little surprise.

Twilight blinked. "Skyla... Rarity, you..."

"Yes darling, this is Skyla, your niece. Say hi Skyla!" Rarity cooed to the foal. "What did you think was going on?"

"Nothing. I just-" Twilight began. Rarity shot her a glare.

"I would never cheat on you darling. I love you too much. Though I should tell you. I started to date again, sort of."

"Oh? Who is it?" Twilight asked, fear rising within her.

"Well, I have been sort of dating Flutters-hy...? Where did she go?" Rarity asked just noticing her friends absence.

"Fluttershy? Rarity, We don't know how to feel about this," Twilight said taking a seat. Everypony in town seemed to be staring at them now.

"We?" Rarity asked.

"Yeah. Magic and I. We, um... learned to get along, sort of."

"I see. No more loose cannon?"

"No more." Twilight promised. "But we do slip in and out of the plural form every now and then."

"Good enough. And I will tell Fluttershy later, that you and I are still together, though I think she already knows. But for right now, I have my Twinkle back!" Rarity laughed taking her seat, almost in Twilight's lap. Buck the crowd, buck them all, they were back together, and nothing else mattered.

Back at her tree cottage, surrounded by her animal friends, Fluttershy cried and cried, throwing books and things, very lightly of course, but still enough to get Angel Bunny's attention.

"Oh Angel, she came back! I lost my only chance! How, how could Celestia let this happen to me again!?!" Fluttershy cried. Angle rolled his eyes, and grabbed Fluttershy's head, shifting her gaze to her 'Special' wardrobe.

"Oh Angel! Of course! I can't do anything about it, but Dr Adorable can! Muahahaha," Fluttershy laughed, mirroring the one she had in the garden of the Gala. "Yes, dear Twilight. Its a brand new day, the sun will shine. All the birdies sing, cause you're gonna pay!"

"My friends and family alike, let me reintroduce to you all, Twilight Sparkle!" Rarity cried that night to the assembled ponies in the Library. Word had spread fast, but still, Rarity wanted to make a show.

"Welcome back home!" "Great to see you again Twilight!" "Been too long!" were among the cries for the lavender mare.

"Twilight!" Spike cried, throwing his arms around Twilight. The little guy hadn't grown at all. Not surprising, considering how long his life span was.

"Twily! I came out as soon as I heard. It's great to have you back!" Shining Armor cried hugging his sister tight.

"I missed you guys sooo much!" Twilight said hugging her brother and Spike back. "Not as much as Rarity, but a very close second."

"Oh, I see," Shining laughed. Spike just enjoyed the feeling of having his mom back, though he would never call her that out loud.

"So what happened Sis? We thought you had..." Cadence said and faltered, she could not talk about Twilight's near death, not now.

"Well, I was casting, and then I was gone, right?" Twilight asked, recieving a round of nods. "Well, what happened was that I was transported to some strange place, a new world actually. I lived there for five years, fighting new and horrible monsters everyday. Then about a week ago for me, I learned how to create a portal into Tartarus, and devised a plan to cross through there to the Equis gate. It took me three days longer than anticipated once in, but I finally made it here, then beet hooves to get home. I was on my way into town, when I was jumped by everypony. They actually thought I was a Changeling, can you believe that? Anyways, seconds after I stopped them, Rarity comes running up to me."

"Wow. 5 years!?" Rainbow asked, wide eyed. "Didn't think you had it in ya egghead!"

"Thanks?" Twilight guessed. The gang was enjoying a professional Pinkie Party, though the mare had seemed to calm down a tad, and was she looking a little too plump? No, surely she's not, Pinkie's metabolism is way to high to let her gain weight, otherwise she would be spherical by now. "So what did I miss? And I swear I just saw Fluttershy. Fluttershy!" Twilight called peaking through the crowd, "Come over here."

Fluttershy walked over and hugged the lavender mare, though it was the hug of one who was really being forced. There was no love in it, no kindness. Just the action. Twilight could only guess, figuring that she had just cost Fluttershy her first relationship ever. The poor mare.

"I'm sorry," Twilight whispered, hugging her friend. "I never meant to hurt you."

"I'm sorry too," Fluttershy whispered back.

"For what?" Fluttershy didn't answer, instead she smiled nervously. Twilight guessed she was sorry about her and Rarity, and left it at that.

"Well Darling," Rarity began, with a large smile and a laugh, "The first thing you missed was the birth of the most perfect niece ever."

"Yeah, Sometimes I think Rarity is going to kidnap her," Shining joked.

"I would never! Okay, I so would," Rarity smiled, hugging the foal in question, getting a happy laugh from the girl.

"You also missed Applejack almost being kicked out of Sweet Apple Acres," Rainbow said, bringing the joyous laughter to a settling point.

"Granny really took it that hard?" Twilight asked.

"Big time. Celestia had to mandate after your town meeting that no pony was allowed to deny any other pony rights based on any choice, or event of birth. Equal rights laws, she called them," Shining said thoughtfully. "Bout time if you ask me."

"Yeah, those are pretty cool. Oh, I adopted Scoots," Rainbow said to undo the damage of her last bout of forgetfulness. "She's a natural flyer Twi. Took home the Ace title in flight camp this year."

"That's wonderful. Did she earn her cutie mark?" Twilight asked, and Rainbow's awkward smile made it clear that no, Scootaloo still had not found her talent. Twilight figured Scootaloo would have been adopted, but it still felt odd. Twilight had grown quite attached to the curious little filly over their short time together.

"Yeah, she's on a week long tour with Sweetie and Apple Bloom right now. Those girls are doing great things, I swear," Soarin added.

"And AJ is in Canterlot..." Twilight sighed. "Damn, I miss them all."

"Oh Twilight," Rarity fussed, kissing Twilight again.

"So how does the town treat us lesbians now?" Twilight asked.

"Well, we're safe because everypony remembers what happened to them last time. But others meet more hostility. Like Applejack and Amy when she visits. Or Lyra and Bon-Bon, they both came out shortly after our ordeal, took up the public face," Rarity smiled.

"Dr. Adorable," Fluttershy said, looking out the window. For the shy mare, speaking out of turn was common, she tended to fall out of sync as she built up courage.

"What?" Twilight said, confused. Everypony else was a little scared, and Shining was a touch upset.

"She's here?!" He cried, rising.

"Oh, no. I'm sorry. I just blurted that out. But Twilight had asked what she had missed. Equestria's newest super villain, Dr Adorable," Fluttershy squeaked. Everypony settled, and began to talk about how times had changed indeed.

"So..." Twilight finally ventured, "We have a super villain?"

"Yeah, the Mare Do Well keeps fighting her. They seem to be perfectly matched," Pinkie said sitting down.

"Wow. That's- scary..." Twilight lied. She knew Amy was no push over in hoof to hoof, but Twilight had just spent far to long fighting everyday for survival, and now not much scared her. Nothing except losing Rarity and snakes. Somethings, a pony never gets over.

"Oh yes, Dr Adorable claims to fight for love and equality by bringing down the system. She won't stop til she's in the Evil League of Evil," Fluttershy smiled, then chucked awkwardly, "I um, kind of like reading about the battles. They're exciting."

"Tell me about it. That Doc has a thingy that freezes time!" Rainbow exclaimed.

"Now that I could use," Twilight laughed. Everypony joined in, just enjoying the night.

"So I've heard a lot of stories, but not what's up with Pinkie," Twilight finally caved. "What's up party machine?"

"Oh, hehe, that's right, I guess you did miss it. I'm pregnant now. About 6 months," Pinkie smiled.

"That's great. Who's the daddy?" Twilight said.

"A great stallion named Dolos. Let me explain, I had just broken up with Big Mac, I was angry, and went to the bar. There I meet Doly as I call him. He said he had to leave the next day, he was just looking for a friend, nothing special. But one thing lead to another, and we hooked up that night. He still writes me, telling me he will be with me again as soon as he comes back from the Bad Lands," Pinkie mused.

"Sounds like love," Twilight said.

"It is," Pinkie sighed in contempt.

"That's life. You left for a bit, but nothing really stopped. Right, Rarity," Cadence said, glaring at the white unicorn.

"I should tell her, shouldn't I?" Rarity asked. The general reaction was mixed, but Fluttershy broke the tie.

"Yes. She needs to know what she put you through. She'll see it eventually," Fluttershy said rather coldly. Twilight found that odd, but said nothing, all eyes were on Rarity now for some reason.

"After your- your disappearance, I- I tried to- join you," Rarity whispered. It took Twilight a second to piece that together, as she looked to the out stretched hoof, with a scar along the fetlock.

"Rarity..."

"I missed you so much. For the first three days I didn't even leave the bed. I was broken, hell til this afternoon I still was. I tried to, to kill myself, once, on the day you left, but Fluttershy here stopped me. She rushed me to the hospital. I just wanted you back. I thought you were-" Rarity said as tears rimmed her eyes. Through all of her joy right now, all of her euphoria, she was still heartbroken, to frail to handle another loss. Two mares knew this, though neither said it to the other. They didn't really think the other had any clue how Rarity felt, to be honest.

Twilight and Rarity laid in bed, happily talking for the first time truly alone. One wonders what words would pass between two star crossed lovers such as these, but that wonder is ill placed. Twilight still has no idea what being a marefriend is all about.

"So I think I want to visit my grave," Twilight contemplated sleepily as Rarity laid on her chest. Rarity laughed heartily, and snuggled into the lavender fur again, for the first time ever it felt like. Twilight had not been the most fit pony before, but now? She was exactly the same. Only Twilight could manage 5 years hard combat and not gain or lose a pound. "What?" Twilight asked.

"Darling, only you would want to see your own tombstone," Rarity fussed. Then she cleared her throat and mumbled, "By the way, Celestia want to see us tomorrow in Canterlot. Something about the elements and giving it back to you and yeah I love you baby!" Rarity smiled as she speed up, hoping to finish before Twilight could piece it together. But Rarity need not worry, as Twilight began to snore lightly. "Oh, I see. Sleep tight my love, you earned it."

"No more... Slender go away..." Twilight moaned, tossing a bit. "Can't die... Save Rarity... Love her..."

Rarity sighed, as she placed her head on her lover's shoulder, and whispered to her, "You are not alone my love, never again." Rarity kissed Twilight's check, then slowly drifted off to slumber herself, for once not dreaming of the mare sharing it with her.

"Can't sleep... can't stop... or else... Rarity..."

"Mmm, good morning," Rarity cooed to a sleepy Twilight as she finally roused from slumber.

"Gah, sleep feels so alien..." Twilight groaned, hugging the white mare tight.

"Oh?"

"Didn't sleep for five years," Twilight said, rubbing Rarity's shoulder. "among other things..."

"Like what, my love?" Rarity asked, though really, she knew where this was leading.

"I didn't eat for five years either, appearently," Twilight laughed to a growling stomach.

"Twilight, tell your belly to hush, we were just getting to the good part," Rarity chided, rubbing Twilight's chest. She was feeling mighty horny right now, and was not going to waste it. "There are certain things that I have not done in over a year. Things I will only do with you."

"Oh, Rarity, of course you can be sub this time," Twilight laughed.

"What? No no darling, I lead."

"You want to rule this bed? Make me bow down," Twilight teased.

"Bitch, I have ruled this bed for the past 18 months. You are just an errant intruder, that needs to be put in her place." Rarity said pulling Twilight's head back by her mane. "Goddess how I missed this."

"Me too. I love you," Twilight sighed, smiling like she had just found a rare book for 70% off.

"No talking interloper," Rarity said as she kissed the lavender mare. Twilight let her hooves glide down the white fur, tracing their all too glorious path. Rarity squeezed her legs around the hoof though, as it came near her center.

"Twilight, before we go on, I don't want to lose you again. Promise me this. Promise you and I will never be separated again," Rarity rasped, her breaths short and rapid.

"Nothing in time or space can tear me away from you," Twilight replied, "Never again. I will make a thousand deals with Hades if I must."

"What deals?" Rarity asked, pulling back an inch.

"Rarity, I-"

"Was it stupid?"

"Possibly."

"Irresponsible?"

"Defiantly."

"For me?"

"For you. And I would do it all over again, just to see you happy," Twilight moaned.

"Mmm, I love when you get the answer right," Rarity laughed, kissing Twilight again. Twilight gently pressed her hoof into Rarity, and began rocking it back and forth, making Rarity wriggle in ecstasy.

"I love when you squirm like that," Twilight whispered.

"Be quite, Spike will wake up," Rarity moaned.

"You're the one being lo-UD!" Twilight began, but Rarity's expert touch elicited more than a moan from the lavender unicorn. "Oh Buck! That feels good!"

"Shut up," Rarity panted, then leaned forward and bit Twilight's shoulder. Her muffled screams of joy were still loud, at least to the self-conscious mares.

"Come on lover, come on," Twilight whispered, working her hoof harder and faster. Rarity bit harder, and doubled her speed into Twilight reflexively.

"Buck buck buck buck! I'm so close!" Twilight began to scream, bucking her hips to her lover.

Down in his room, one dragon sat wide eyed, not moving a muscle since he was first woken up by the pair. "I need therapy, bud," Spike said to Owluisious. The owl's reply of a hoot and a nod made it clear that it would be group therapy. "This is so messed up."

Author's note: What exactly happened in Tartarus, or between the Mare Do Well and Dr Adorable? Both questions will be answered in the next chapter. I just wanted to avoid the whole slew of 'What the Fuck Sam?' that was sure to follow. So next time, Fluttershy Unleashed and Twilight's Deal with the Devil. Peace out.