Chapters Eyes swirling with madness opened wide in the dark. Soft laughter gushes from lips that jibber words only the truly insane could comprehend. A leather bound book opened, bathing the figure in light as a new order unfolded to consume the world. A smile crinkles the soft flesh around those maddened eyes as the pages begin to turn of their own accord. Is this where it truly begins? Or is this the end of the downward spiral?
Beauty seemed strewn all about her. The sun glinting off the soaring architecture, the sounds of distant music, and the ponies going about their business in attire both fresh and marvelously tailored. So much culture, so much class, Canterlot truly was the most magnificent city in all of Equestria. The last time she had visited the capital city, she had actually come on business, looking to buy the kind of fabrics you simply could not get back in Ponyville. The tastes back home were fine, if a bit rustic, but Canterlot was on the very cutting edge of fashion. That was why when Rarity received an invitation from Mr. Fancy Pants she almost stumbled over herself to find pen and parchment so she could send her accepting reply. It was truly a magnificent day.
Rarity wandered the streets of Equestria’s capital city, taking in sights both new and familiar. Not a lot had changed since her last visit, but at the same time there were new and dazzling sights just around every corner. It seemed that, unlike Ponyville, the fashions changed here almost constantly, each pony endeavoring to epitomize the feel of the very moment. It was much different from the seasonal changes in attire she was used to back home. The effect was somewhat dizzying on Rarity’s sensibilities. Though it would be rude, she might have even stopped a pony or two to ask who had designed their outfits, but she was already running late to meet Fleur, her patron Mr. Fancy Pants friend and confidant. Some thought of her as his mistress but, so far, such scandal had only been spoken of in whispers. After all, he was ever the gentleman, and the most eligible bachelor in Canterlot. Many a mare hoped to marry into wealth by catching his eye, why even try if they truly entertained the idea he was already taken?
With a tiny skip in her heart, Rarity found Fleur leaving the cafe where they were supposed to meet. Had she given up on her appearing? Putting on a burst of speed, Rarity arrived breathing rather more heavily than suited a lady, but still she managed to catch the super model pony before she had gotten too far away. “Oh Fleur! Fleur de Lis? I’m ever so sorry to have kept you waiting!” Pausing to catch her breath, the flustered unicorn noticed a look of blank incomprehension on the other unicorns face that made her heart sink. “Oh, where are my manners? I’m Rarity, I believe we met once before, but only briefly. I was told in a letter from Mr. Fancy Pants I was to meet you here, but I’m afraid I became...rather distracted.”
The tall unicorn giggled attractively as realization dawned. “Oh yes, I remember you now. I didn’t recognize you without your shopping bags!” Fleur smiled. “I confess, I had all but given up hope.” Rarity fell in beside Fleur as the gracefully long-limbed unicorn crossed the street heading towards an older, but no less elegant, part of town. “As you know, Monsieur De Luxe un Pantalon is a very important pony. As such, he often finds himself too busy to entertain his many friends. However, I do not mind doing him a favor in greeting his friends when he is too busy to do so himself.”
Rarity was finding herself a little out of breath again, trying to keep up with the sleek Fleur de Lis. The taller unicorn noticed this, however, and slowed her elegant pace. “I must apologize again for being so tardy. It is so very nice of you to meet me, but where, pray tell, is it that we are going now?” The buildings they were passing now were clearly private homes, but on an enormous scale that could rival the palace of the Princess’s. Each mansion seemed to command almost as much land as the sweeping Sweet Apple Acres, though far more regal and well manicured in appearance.
“Oh my, were you not informed? I believe the last time you spent time in Canterlot you were a guest of the Princess and thus had rooms in her palace. This time you are still a guest, only to Monsieur! Ergo, you shall have rooms at his private home for the duration of your visit. I’ll have somepony sent to the train station to pick up your luggage once we’ve gotten you settled in. Ah! Here we are!” The mansion that towered before Rarity was perhaps even larger than Celestia's palace, if not quiet as tall. The front was lined with gleaming white columns and the lawn was so well maintained it was as if nature itself was loath to do anything but emphasis the beauty of the magnificent plantation style abode. Gates of iron and gold opened ponderously at the gentle touch of Fleur’s magic.
“My goodness! I’m to stay here!? I had thought I’d merely have a reservation at some nearby hotel.” Rarity was dazzled, but then again it was one more fantastic spectacle on top of many. Still, Mr. Fancy Pants generosity in accepting her into his home left Rarity very nearly speechless. It was not at all what she had expected. “Did you say I was to have private rooms? As in more than one?”
“Oh dear, non non. I misspoke, clearly.” They walked up the drive together, a somewhat daunting challenge, though the tree lined drive was pleasant enough. “What I meant was you shall have your own private Wing. Château De Luxe can be somewhat drafty in the winter, so many of the rooms are shut. They could do with a good airing. Will this be alright?”
Rarity could not, try as she might, suppress a small squeal of joy.
The days passed like the most beauteous of dreams. Mr. Fancy Pants' servants treated her as though she were noble born herself, his chefs prepared the most exquisite meals she had ever eaten, and the manor itself and its adjourning gardens offered endless diversions and sights that could have occupied Rarity for months. As it was, if she did tire of being cooped up, Fleur would often drop by to take her shopping, or out to a gallery or a concert in Canterlot. It didn’t take long for it to get about that Rarity had returned to Canterlot. Many of her former acquaintances and friends from her last time in the big city were anxious to meet her again. A few had even become costumers of hers and they were eager to discuss this new fashion or that particular dress they had been thinking of ordering.
So it was nearly a week before she realized that she had not actually seen her host. She knew he was a very busy pony, but even though she had been kept well distracted and very well entertained, it was still rude for him to be absent this long. It was even ruder for Rarity to have been unable to express her gratitude! When she brought up the subject to Fleur, while they were sipping iced beverages on the patio, the beautiful unicorn answered demurely, “You must forgive him. You see it is the charity season here in Canterlot and he is a renowned philanthropist. You cannot imagine the responsibility he feels he has to share his wealth with the less fortunate. It is a very busy time for him, but if you would like, I could arrange for you to meet with him at one of the charity auctions?”
“Oh I don’t want to be a bother. I’d just like to thank him in person for all the kindness he’s shown me and for letting me stay in this marvelous home while I’m here in Canterlot. It would mean a lot to me if I could do so.” Rarity wore a fetching hat to keep the sun off her fine, alabaster fur, and somewhat over sized sunglasses to protect her eyes. She looked a bit like a movie starlet, which may explain why Fleur was giggling when she said, “Consider the matter settled! I will see to the arrangements right away!”
Light blazed across the evening sky, illuminating the clouds above as if they were bathed in the golden glow of sunrise. Sweeping back and forth, spotlights played a merry chase with pegasi as a troop of stunt fliers traced intricate loops and spirals of smoke. This was mere artifice, a means to advertise the real show that was taking place in one of the many performance halls that spread through Canterlot’s lavish entertainment district. The streets were thronged with the pony’s who had come from as far away as Trottingham to catch a glimpse of Canterlot’s rich and famous.
It was a gala night, and though there was no official holiday or other event to commemorate, there was an air of festival about the proceedings. Everypony who was anypony in Equestria’s high society was there. The evenings agenda included first a silent auction, followed by a performance of a bold new Zeitoper written by Frau Pferde, and the evening would conclude with a grand banquet and dancing in the main hall. Frankly it was all Rarity could do to keep from jumping for joy. This was the very first time she had attended one of these events and been on this side of the velvet rope. She cantered proudly beside Fleur, head held high, both dressed in gowns of Rarity’s design as the flash bulbs of several camera’s popped in their direction. It was as though she were living her dreams. Truly, she had been shocked when Fleur had insisted she wear one of Rarity’s dresses. It was only fortunate that the manor had a well stocked sewing room or she never would have been able to make the proper adjustments for Fleur’s goddess like frame. As it was, the pair of unicorn’s seemed to command the bulk of the onlookers attention and turned more than one head as they entered the magnificently decorated hall.
The inside was somewhat more stately and quieter than the ruckus outside, though a dull hum of quiet conversation filled the vast room. Chandeliers lit with thousands of magical candles had the hall as bright as day. It seemed the silent auction had already begun as ponies of note moved from display to display, jotting down bids on specially prepared parchment. The bulk of the items on display tonight were works of art, sculptures and paintings, but there were one or two more practical, if no less extravagant items. Standing before a grand piano, eyeing it over with no small amount of interest, was the pony who commanded the respect of all around him. Among a sea of admirers and shameless toadies stood Mr. Fancy Pants. He looked up and smiled graciously as Fleur and Rarity worked their way across the crowded floor towards him.
“Ah, Fleur, so good to see you.” He turned and took Rarity’s front hoof with his own, raising it daintily to his lips for a light kiss, “And Ms. Rarity, why it has been far too long! I do hope that you have been enjoying your stay at my manor home. I’m sorry I have not had a chance to drop by and entertain you myself as of yet." He looked genuinely regretful as he said this. "I do hope that Fleur has managed to keep you busy in my absence?” The calm assurance of his smile took Rarity’s breath away. So flustered was she, in fact, she almost forgot she had been asked a question.
“Oh, why yes, of course! Fleur and I have become the very best of friends. I wanted to thank you and her both for showing me such a marvelous time. It’s been like a dream come true!” At just that moment, it seemed that the auction ended. A rush of ponies surged through several large double doors spread across the far wall of the hallway. It appeared that the evenings entertainment was about to begin.
“Oh, tish tosh. There will be plenty of time for all that later my dear. The show is about to begin. We must take our seats soon, or I fear we may risk losing them!” He laughed jovially. Rarity wondered if he were fully aware that anypony who tried to take his seats would likely be unceremoniously chucked out onto the curb, but she wouldn’t dare give voice to such a crass question. Instead she merely moved with the crowd, allowing herself to be swept along in the wake of Mr. Fancy Pant’s entourage.
Somewhere along the way she found herself separated from Fleur and the others, and seated in a private viewing box with her host. The shift from being surrounded to being alone with one of the most important ponies in Canterlot happened so fast it literally left her head spinning. In short order, the curtain rose and the opera began. It was an...intriguing show, to put it politely. Full of modern music and references to recent inventions such as the new Cloud Skimmer Zeppelin’s that had been commissioned by Prince Blueblood and much comedy and farce involving humorous misunderstandings between naturally flying Pegasi and ‘upwardly mobile’ Unicorns. This was by way of being a joke in and of itself as many of the airships were crewed by an all pegasus staff in case of emergencies. Not entirely to her surprise, Rarity found her attention wandering.
Her eyes swept over the crowd. It was hard to tell who anypony seated below them were by staring at the backs of their heads, but with an effort she could make out a few ponies she recognized seated around them. Though many of the viewing boxes were darkened so as to preserve privacy, she could pick out one or two high class ponies merely by their silhouettes. The balcony next to theirs held Photo Finish and her entourage, whom seemed thoroughly engrossed by the opera. Beyond them she was sure she could make out the curls of Hoity Toity lounging rather as disinterestedly as Rarity herself felt. Beyond that, all was lost in darkness and shadow. Her eyes crept around in the opposite direction...and met with Mr. Fancy Pants. It seemed he found her far more interesting than the opera. Rarity blushed and smiled nervously. He spoke in not quite a whisper when he said, “I really must apologize Ms. Rarity. Not just for my absence, but for our meeting under such circumstances as these.”
Rarity waved a hoof dismissively, “Oh, don’t give it another thought! I assure you I’m having a wonderful time. Frau Pfrede’s opera is just so...ahead of it’s time. I’m quite sure it will be remembered well in a year or two.” She smiled politely as the performers began a jazz number about, as far as Rarity could tell, the superiority of flight by dirigible compared to wings.
“Oh my yes. I’m afraid this is rather awful. It’s a shame really, the auction was a complete waste of time and now the performance seems to have left most of the audience rather cold. I do hope the food is at least worth it’s expense or I’m afraid the entire night will be something of a debacle. But I think you misunderstand me dear lady, I was referring to the circumstances of our meeting as opposed to our surroundings.”
Rarity was taken aback by her hosts frankness. Mr. Fancy Pant’s had never been one to mince words, but he had never displayed such candidness as this before. “Why whatever do you mean?”
He looked somewhat ashamed as he said, “I confess, my dear, that I have not been entirely forthcoming with you about my intent in inviting you to Canterlot. You see, I find myself in rather dire need of your services.”
“...Go on.” said Rarity in a hushed tone.
“As I mentioned, tonight's charity auction was little more than a waste of time. Most of the major purchases will have been made by myself or agents in my employ.” Mr. Fancy Pants stroked his blue mustache with one hoof. “No one is interested in these new works of art or the tired heirlooms that the family’s of Canterlot trade off between themselves once a year. There is no fire, no verve to the charity season any longer. I donate as much as I am able, but there seems to be nothing that can kindle the spark of pony kindness and generosity in the hearts of my fellow gentry! I weep, truly, for the unfortunates who would benefit from the charity of Equestria’s elite, for I have done everything in my power to nudge their hearts and purse strings, to no avail.”
Rarity could see how passionate her host was about the plight of the poor and her eyes shimmered slightly with barely concealed tears of an emotion she could not quite define as she asked, “But, what does this have to do with me? With you inviting me to Canterlot?”
He turned, all joviality and merriment had left his face, yet his eyes blazed with passion and something else...was it hope? “You my lady, are imperative. You are the very element of Generosity. I knew, from the first time that we met, that you were a very important pony, as were your friends. While the rest of these...these false nobles turned their noses up at you, I could sense your inner greatness!” He took both her hooves in his own. “While you were here, moving in our circles their was a sudden outpouring of charity and good feeling. It seemed there was not a single pony who was not touched by your elegance and poise. Rarity, I am afraid you are the only hope for millions of unfortunates in Equestria! At this very moment, millions of bits sit unused and uncared for in the wallets and banks of ponies who have never known hunger or loss, who will never know the hardship of homelessness! Only with your aid do I believe we could finally put their wealth to better use!”
Trembling slightly, Rarity looked back into Mr. Fancy Pant’s eyes, “I’m not as special as you make me out to be sir, I assure you. What could I possibly do to influence the rich and famous of Canterlot?”
“What can you do, my dear?” Spoke the noble unicorn with knowing grin, “Why what you do best, of course! As I’m sure you know, my family’s wealth is built on the cotton industry. Fancy Pants Textiles Unlimited manufactures some of the finest fabrics in Equestria, if I do say so myself, and I can make it so that a limitless supply of our material could be made available to you at a moments notice. If, of course, you can find it in your heart to donate your time and considerable talent to fashioning clothing that I might put up for auction." He must have taken the look on her face for reluctance, for he continued, "You are one of the finest dress makers I have ever seen! I know if you put your considerable talents behind my endeavors, this charity season will raise the most money for the needy in years! Forgive my subterfuge, sweet Rarity! Will you agree to help this poor charlatan?"
Her mind whirling from all that had been shared with her in confidence, Rarity could barely believe what had just been said. There was, however, but one answer she could possibly think to give. “Yes! Of course!” The final curtain fell and the audience arose, stomping in thunderous applause. It hadn’t been such a bad opera after all.
The rest of that night was a blur. There were so many ponies to be introduced to, so many ponies to meet, and so many names and words exchanged, if Fleur hadn’t reappeared Rarity was quite sure she would’ve made a complete foal of herself. Thankfully, the night had ended shortly after the banquet and the pair had returned to Château De Luxe. In the morning, it seemed the sleepy manor had come to life. Servants bustled to and fro, and it seemed that a new wing had been opened in the stately manor home, this one filled with a variety of fabrics more numerous than Rarity had ever seen in her entire life. Seamstresses and tailors rushed about, faces glowing with pride.
“Good morning Mademoiselle Rareté!” Spoke Fleur with great verve and a sparkling smile. “I do hope you have had a chance to sleep off all that champagne! I am afraid we have much work to do, and it is best we begin now!” Fleur wore a tiny pair of spectacles on the end of a fine silver chain, a clipboard held before her nose by her magic.
“Very well!” Said Rarity with more confidence, perhaps, than she felt. “Where do we begin!?”
They worked hard all that morning and long into the afternoon. They designed suits and dresses for all occasions, but paid close attention to evening wear, dinner wear, and ball gowns. There was so much to do that Rarity found herself very nearly overwhelmed, but whenever a job seemed to weigh heavy upon her, Fleur would delegate the task to one of the many pony’s that seemed now to be in their employ specifically for such an eventuality. Work moved smoothly into the evening, so that Rarity was shocked when Fleur announced that it was time for their evening meal. That first night they dined with Mr. Fancy Pants in a charming bistro not far from the manor. The two detailed the days activities to the gentlepony and he seemed most pleased with Rarity’s start.
So it continued for several days more. Without her noticing, the days turned into weeks. Rarity’s work bore fruit, and while her days were spent designing and perfecting wonderful cloths, her evenings were spent at many balls and charity events throughout Canterlot. Every day a new batch of invitations and entreaties would arrive by mail. Every night Rarity would plummet into a feather down mattress with her mind teeming with all the important ponies she had met and the many dresses that they had purchased for charity. She slept the sleep of one who was living her lifes dream. But, alas, we must wake from all dreams at some point. It happened on a Friday.
Rarity was rushing, but in the fashion of any true lady, she took extra time and effort in selecting her gown for the evenings activities. A pile of invitations sat upon her bedside table, most of them opened, a few discarded out of hand if they clashed with an earlier appointment, and still others ignored at the advice of Fleur de Lis. She would have to take time before she slept tonight to write out several apologies and a few thank you cards, but now was not the time for that. She had just about settled on a simple purple shift, an over the shoulder affair made from shimmering satin, when yet another letter arrived, slipped under her door.
“More invitations?” she said to herself aloud, “I’m only one filly. When will they learn I can’t possibly be everywhere at once!” She had half a mind to toss it into the stack without reading it, but considered it would be rude to dismiss an invitation without even glancing at it. Sighing somewhat heavily at the burden of fame, she used her magic to unseal the the parchment and bring it before her eyes. Those deep, baby blue eyes widened in shock.
This was no invitation, but a notice of foreclosure on Carousel Boutique.
She worked in darkness, the heat, oppressive and suffocating. Sweat dripped from her curling mane and glistened on her brow, flushed from exertion. Never had she worked so hard, but then never had she been driven to such extremes. Her clients, the unappreciative louts, came and went at all hours of the day even when she was supposed to be resting. The needy curs just couldn’t seem to get enough of her. They worked her until her hooves and flanks were sore. How could she have fallen so low? Mere days before, ‘Rarity’ had been a name synonymous with Fashion and Grace. Now, with the chatter of a myriad Babylonian tongues in her ear, she was reduced to a nobody in a dimly lit tent in the middle of nowhere.
Oh, to be sure, she needed the work desperately. But when she went to Fleur she had no idea what she could possibly say. “Oh, you know all this work I’ve been doing for the less fortunate? Well it appears I neglected to pay my bills and now a very serious pony named Filthy Rich back home in Ponyville is going to take my home and livelihood away from me if I don’t pay him last months rent along with this months, and nexts in advance! Do you think you could let me borrow just a teensy bit of money to cover that along with all my personal expenses I’ve already incurred while your guest?” It was simply unthinkable! So instead she’d tried her best to be discrete. She’d asked Fleur if there was any other work she might do that might be more...lucrative. To her credit, the super model had given Rarity a knowing look that said instantly she understood the situation. “Why of course Mademoiselle,” she had said, “I have just the job in mind.”
If Rarity had known then what Fleur’s idea of a ‘job’ was, though the thought was uncharacteristically unkind, she may well have spit in the elegant unicorn’s flawless face.
There was a knock at Twilight’s front door. This was somewhat odd as Twilight was not expecting any of her friend’s today and she wasn’t expecting any packages. The library was closed today for re-shelving, so there shouldn’t be anypony dropping by for a book. Curious, Twilight pulled herself away from the wonderfully distracting past-time of book arraigning to see who it could possibly be. As she opened the door with a long creak and poked her head out, there was nopony. “Hello?” she said, looking left and right, but there was nopony around as far as she could see. Shrugging, she closed the door and turned to go back to her task. She nearly trampled over Sweetie Belle.
“Wow, Twilight, you can jump really high, huh?” Rarity’s little sister smile literally beamed up at Twilight who found herself inexplicably on top of one of the bookcases. She hadn't heard the filly come in.
She wasn’t entirely sure how she’d gotten up there, but as her heart slowed to a more natural rhythm, she managed to get her breathing under control enough to ask. “Sweetie Belle!? Where in Equestria did you come from!?”
The diminutive unicorn filly gave a little bounce as she replied, “From outside of course! You opened the door and let me in.” As Twilight worked her way as carefully as possible down to the floor, Sweetie Belle continued. “I stopped by because I wanted to ask you something. Have you heard anything from my big sister?”
“Isn’t she on vacation?” asked Twilight, “I think I received a post card from her a little while ago.”
“Yes, but she’s been gone forever and ever!" Squeaked Sweetie Belle, "She was supposed to be back weeks ago! But nopony’s seen or heard from her. My mom and dad are getting a little worried about her because they heard down at the mayor’s office that if Rarity doesn’t come back soon, they’re going to have to foreclose on Carousel Boutique! I just know something must have happened to her... That shop means too much to her to just let it go like that!”
The little pony seemed to be on the verge of tears. Twilight did what she could to soothe her, “I’m sure that Rarity is fine. She’s probably just having so much fun that she’s spending a few extra days in Canterlot. I imagine she’ll be home very...wait...did you say the mayor was going to foreclose on Rarity’s shop!?”
“Uh-huh...on account that Diamond Tiara's dad wants to convert it into a new MegaMare Mart!” The little filly was hopping mad! Twilight had no way of knowing how much Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara had teased her about her sisters impending misfortune, but it was clear she was very upset. This would probably call for more than a few soothing words.
“I...I’m afraid I haven’t heard anything from her. Since she’s not staying at Celestia’s palace this time I’m not even sure how to get in contact with her. She left for Canterlot so suddenly I didn’t even get the chance to ask her anything about her plans.” Twilight screwed up her face in thought. “I suppose I could ask a few of my old acquaintances from school to keep an eye out for her, but I don’t know if Rarity would find much interesting in Canterlot’s Higher Learning Quarter. Though personally I have a hard time keeping myself away.” She said with a vague smile, remembering the shelves of books back in Canterlot, that reached nearly three stories high.
“But Twilight, you used to live in Canterlot! I bet ya if we went there we could find Rarity in no time at all!”
Twilight blinked at the filly, “Just... leave for Canterlot like that? But I have so much work I have to do here! I have to reorganize the entire library.” Celestia’s favorite student narrowed her eyes, “And what do you mean ‘we’? Even if I did go, I doubt your parents would let you come with me. Don’t you have school?”
Sweetie Belle jumped and twirled, “Nope, it’s spring break! And as for my parents, they’re already looking for Rarity in Canterlot! I’ve been staying over with Applebloom...I...kind of got in trouble for peeking in on Big Macintosh.” Sweetie Belle blushed slightly as she mentioned this. “So if you took me with you, I’m sure they’d be grateful. Besides...I miss my mom and dad almost as much as I miss Rarity!”
This sounded like a complicated situation. Twilight didn’t really want the responsibility for looking after Sweetie Belle, but on the other hoof, she knew what it would mean if Rarity lost her shop and doubted she could convince Sweetie Belle to stay behind. It wasn’t just Rarity's home, but her career, her life-long dream! Her little sister couldn’t just sit idly by and watch that be taken away from her and neither could Twilight Sparkle. It would’ve taken any other pony longer, but Twilight was a quick thinker.
“Pack your bags Sweetie Belle! We’re going to Canterlot to find Rarity and bring her home in time to save Carousel Boutique!” Sweetie Belle literally leapt for joy! Twilight simply hoped she knew what she was getting into.
The trip to Canterlot wasn’t a very long one by train. Twilight read most of the way while Spike and Sweetie Belle entertained each other. It was nice for Spike to have a companion closer to his own age for once. Naturally he had insisted on coming along when he heard Rarity might be in trouble, but he usually hated long trips and spent most of them napping or pestering Twilight to play games like eye spy, which was almost impossible to play while most of what you could see out the window was hurtling by in a steady blur. It would’ve been peaceful if it weren’t for this nagging feeling that there was more going on here than met the eye.
Things had been so odd in Ponyville lately. It seemed that emotions were running high and everypony had this sense of quiet desperation. Part of it, she knew, was the fact that the holidays were well and truly over and that had more than one pony down in the dumps. But that wasn’t all there was to it. There was an almost menacing sense that there was something out to get everypony, but whatever this nameless something was, it was keeping well to the shadows, just beyond their reach. Twilight was not a pony given to hate, but if there was one thing that she highly disliked it was the unknown, the unexplained bothered her deeply. That was part of why she had become Celestia’s student in the first place. There was a part of her that just had to know, no matter what that meant, everything that there was to know. It was a silly, fruitless endeavor and as she had gotten older she’d realized it would be impossible.That didn’t stop her from trying.
Before she’d even gotten halfway through her book, a Treatise on the Harmony of Nature, she found that the train was pulling into Canterlot station. It hadn’t been that long since she’d been here, though the last time had been with her friends, rather than looking for them. Even though this was her hometown she always had a tickling little thrill of excitement when she looked out over the tall buildings and the busy streets. Not really one for crowds, it was odd how much time Twilight used to spend just pony watching, observing the life of the city as it would go by.Though that was probably, at least in part, due to Twilight’s feelings of separation and being something of an outsider. She’d always been an observer, rarely a participant, in day to day life in Canterlot. It amazed her when she stopped to think about it. Not that long ago the only people close to her had been Spike and Celestia, a dragon and a princess. She would’ve laughed at how odd that was, but now wasn’t the time to be laughing at herself. Gathering up Spike and Sweetie Belle, the trio set off into downtown Canterlot, full of hope.
Hope quickly subsided into optimism, and slid further toward frustration as the day grew older. The sun was already slipping behind the tall buildings, bringing an unnaturally early twilight to the streets below, when the trio began to run out of leads. They had started by asking around at the various inns and hotels. The few that were willing to share any information about their guests flatly denied ever having seen Rarity. They had tried the various dress and fabric shops next, but they were of no further help than the innkeepers.
There had been one sparkling moment when Twilight had thought they had a breakthrough. One of the tellers at Canterlot’s most prestigious shops did indeed remember seeing Rarity, but it was literally weeks ago, and she had no idea where Rarity had gone after making her purchases. After that, they’d taken to showing Rarity’s picture to likely ponies they met on the street. It seemed no one had ever seen or even heard of Rarity. The trail was cold.
“Twilight...” Sweetie Belle began with a slight whine in her voice, “My hooves are getting really tired. Can we stop and get something to eat soon?”
“Yeah, Twilight,” chimed in Spike, “We haven’t eaten since that snack on the train. I’m starving!”
Truth be told, Twilight was feeling peckish herself. Actually she was ravenous, her stomach growling every few steps, a constant reminder of how much energy she had spent in her thus far fruitless search for her friend. “Now now, we only have a few more shops to visit and then we’ll worry about finding something to eat.” Even as she said it, she wished that she didn’t have to be the responsible party. She’d really like to drop everything for a bite, but then she might miss that one pony who knew where to find Rarity.
“Is that...Twilight Sparkle!?” Came a voice suddenly from out of the crowd of ponies milling about in the early evening glow. “Long time no see!” A pony trotted cheerfully over to the trio of amateur investigators and whipped her mane in greeting. She was a white unicorn with vibrant blue eyes. For a moment, Twilight almost mistook her for Rarity in the fading sunlight, but then she noticed that her mane was a dark burgundy red, styled differently, and that the mare’s cutie mark was a silver moon surrounded by a smattering of stars. It took longer than it should have, but a name came to her and she smiled nervously back in greeting.
“Moondancer! Oh wow, I haven’t seen you since...I don’t even remember when!” Moondancer had been one of the ponies that Twilight had grown up with in Canterlot. They’d known each other since magic kindergarten.
“I guess it really has been a long time then,” the unicorn from Twilight’s past smiled mischievously, “Is this little filly yours then?” Twilight wrinkled her brow in perplexity until she realized that Moondancer was gesturing at Sweetie Belle. She must have read the sudden flash of panic on Twilight’s face because she burst out laughing, “I’m just joking with you Twilight! I couldn’t imagine you having a filly of your own, and even if you did, it might have been a long time since we last met but she’s too old to be yours! I bet you’re about old enough to get your cutie mark, huh kiddo?”
Sweetie Belle perked up at this acknowledgement of her maturity and gave one of her brightest smiles. “That’s right! Any day now my friends and I will find that special something that we’re great at!”
A wistful smile crossed Moondancer’s lips, “Well you keep right at it kid. You know Twilight was one of the last ponies in our class to get her cutie mark.” The memory seemed to brighten the unicorns smile as she turned back to Twilight. “Hah, I remember when you turned your parents into plants and tore off the roof of the test building! Do you still have that baby dragon following you around?” As if on cue, Spike stepped from behind Sweetie Belle and waved, a sheepish grin on his face. “There’s my little Spike! You haven’t changed at all!” She bent down and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Spike blushed almost as violently as he ever had when Rairty had made the same gesture. Of course, Twilight had known about his crush on Moondancer, but had figured the baby dragon had moved on.
Clearing her throat, Twilight used a teensy bit of magic to tug on Spike’s tail to separate the two. “It was really nice seeing you Moondancer, but we’re actually in a bit of a hurry. Maybe we can catch up later before we head back to Ponyville.”
“Ponyville!? Is that where you’ve been this whole time? That little village in the valley?” Moondancer looked incredulous. “Here I’d thought that Celestia’s pet had gone off to some fantastic magical kingdom to further her studies! Not...Ponyville.” She laughed as if it were the most hilarious joke in the world.
Twilight felt a little irritated by Moondancer’s tone. This was how it always used to start. It would be all smiles and friendliness and then the questions would begin. What was it like being Celestia’s student, what projects was she working on right now, didn’t she find all of this studying absolutely boring?! Moondancer was a bright pony and a powerful practitioner of magic in her own right, but she and Twilight were like oil and water. “Well if you must know, Sweeite Belle here is from Ponyville, and we’re only here in Canterlot looking for her sister, my friend Rarity. She’s a very popular dressmaker from Ponyville, maybe you’ve seen her around?” Twilight held a glossy glamour shot of Rarity out for Moondancer to see.
At first she stared at it blankly...then she narrowed her eyes as if she were studying the picture in great detail. “She’s from Ponyville you say? Surely you must be mistaken.” Moondancer shook her head, “No, she must be somepony else. I’m sure she’s merely a follower of trends. It couldn’t possibly be the same pony.” She tore her eyes away from the picture and smiled politely. “I'm sorry you’re in a rush Twilight. Good luck finding your friend!” Moondancer moved to leave but Spike wisely blocked her path.
“Wait just a second now, it looked like you recognized her. Do you know Rarity?”
“Have you seen my big sister!?” Sweetie Belle squeaked hopefully. Moondancer looked apprehensive, but as she looked into the little filly’s big green eyes, she relented.
“Well... Maybe. I don’t want to get your hopes up, but she does look similar to a very important pony who had been all over Canterlot’s high society. As you know my parents are fairly rich, but I think even they only heard snatches of gossip about Mademoiselle Rareté.” Twilight and her companions looked at each other at the mention of the strange name that was so similar to their own Rarity’s. “She is said to be a fabulously wealthy pony, loved by the poor, who uses her skill and connections to create beautiful cloths for the wealthy. She then takes the money she makes and donates it all to the less fortunate! She just sort of...appeared one day and was the talk of the town for weeks.”
“Do you know where we might find her?” Asked Twilight.
“Not really. As I mentioned, even when she was around, it was as if she came out of nowhere. That’s exactly where she’s returned to. She’s been out of the spotlight for a few weeks now and that’s absolutely ages when it comes to high society. Nearly everypoony is talking about some new invention or other now. That’s life in the big city I’m afraid, you get your fifteen minutes of fame, and then you’re done.”
“Is there nothing that you could tell us that might help us find her? Nothing at all?” Asked Spike, a pleading look on his face.
Moondancer seemed to give the matter a lot of thought. The last rays of sunlight had faded away entirely now. The moon glowed high above their heads, a bright crescent, but it’s silvery light never reached them. The lights of the city were already blazing bright making the evening a second day. “Oh! You could try to get in contact with the pony who modeled for Mademoiselle Rareté! Fleur de Lis is a very important pony, but if anypony would know what happened to your friend, she might. Just don’t be disappointed if Rareté does not turn out to be your Rarity. I can’t imagine Fleur working with a pony from Ponyville! No offense.” This last part was to Sweetie Belle. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a night class to teach! Hope to see you again later Twilight!” And with that, Moondancer vanished in a puff of scarlet smoke.
After a brief break to grab a little supper from one of the many street vendors that roamed Canterlot in the evening, the trio set off to follow the new lead that Moondancer had provided them. It was a matter of only a few moments to get in contact with the Palace staff and find out Fleur’s current residence. She was staying in a small studio over a cafe up town. Though small, the flat was in an opulent neighborhood. Spike and Sweetie Belle found themselves dazzled by the tall buildings, glowing with magic and fire in the heart of the night, as though it were Hearth's Warming Eve all over again. Even Twilight found herself dazzled, she’d never really had a reason to visit this part of the city before. They were very close to the entertainment district and light up balloons and pegasus trailing streamers of colored lightning left glowing after images hanging in the sky, like a pony made version of the northern lights.
It took longer than Twilight had thought it would to find the entrance to the apartments above the little coffee house. They had to ride a rickety elevator powered by an old ‘lighter than air spell’ that juddered and shook as it struggled to lift even the relatively light load of Sweetie, Spike, and Twilight. It was still fairly early when they found Fleur’s door. They rang the bell, knocked, and waited. Nothing happened. They tried knocking again and calling through the door. No response at all.
As it happened, a door at the end of the hall opened and a grey earth pony with a dark grey mane cut stylishly short stepped out onto the landing. “If you’re looking for the beauty queen, I wouldn’t waste my time.” She said in a painfully quiet voice, almost a whisper. “She keeps this address to have somewhere for her fan mail to pile up. I’m afraid if you’ve got a crush on her you’re going to have to get in line.”
Twilight blushed fiercely at the implication as Sweetie Belle chimed up, “I thought Fleur was a mare. Why would Twilight have a crush on her?”
The grey pony smiled, not unkindly, and played with the collar around her throat. “This is the big city sweety. It takes all kinds to make the world go round.” Twilight was almost choking on her indignation and it seemed this filly was enjoying it. But before she let the unicorn vent her outrage, she added, “I normally keep to myself, but I can see you’re not one of her usual fans. If you’re looking for Fleur, you should try Fancy Pants Manor up on the hill. She’s been burning the midnight oil up there for the past few nights. Not that that’s any surprise.” With a little flip of her sparse mane, the mare opened a door that looked as though it should be another apartment, that was instead a stairwell, and descended before another word could be uttered.
“What was that all about?” asked Spike. The entire affair had gone over the baby dragons head.
“Nevermind,” said Twilight, still blushing, trying to put the encounter behind her as quickly as possible. “We have a mansion to find.”
Unicorns floated wild eyed and panicked as a magical force far more powerful than their own lifted them high into the air. The bouncers had only told the little filly that Fleur wasn’t seeing any admirers that day. They had absolutely no idea what had caused the purple mare to lose it, but they had figured she wouldn’t be any trouble. They smiled sheepishly as Fleur de Lis, in business suit and her spectacles, marched primly out on the veranda to see what the commotion was about. Potted plants and small ornamental statues supported by the angry unicorns magic streamed around them as they quickly explained the situation.
“Oh my! Please, please you must forgive them Mademoiselle Twilight!” Shouted Fleur over the roar of raw magic, “They knew not to whom they were speaking!”
The blind anger born from Twilight’s frustration and embarrassment ebbed away somewhat. “You know me?” Her anger subsided just enough for her to realize she was holding four very large stallions in the air. She quickly, but gently, set them back on the ground and quieted the background magic her outburst had unleashed with a few calming thoughts, easing the magical wind down from a roar to a whisper.
“But of course! Who in Canterlot has not heard of Princess Celestia’s most brilliant étudiant?” Fleur shoo'd away the useless bodyguards with a gesture and the four gladly dispersed. Sweetie Belle and Spike emerged from the cover of an ornamental bush. Twilight didn’t often get angry, but when she did, it was awfully scary. “I assume you three are here on business from the Palace, oui?”
“No actually. We were hoping you could help us find a pony who’s a friend of ours.” Twilight smoothed down her mane with her hooves and coughed, embarrassed at her outburst and a little unnerved at Fleur’s beauty. “I’m so, so, so sorry about any damage I might have caused. I’ll be happy to pay for any repairs...” The supermodel pony looked out over the lawn, now strewn with stones and branches, small statues and potted plants out of place but undamaged.
“I’m sure that will not be necessary. Now, who, might I ask, is this friend of yours?”
She was bleeding. The last client had been in a hurry and she had rushed to try and accommodate him. The blood staining her white fur red was the price she had paid to do so. Though it was already the middle of the night, her clients never seemed to sleep, and there was another show scheduled mere moments from now. She did what she could to staunch the bleeding. She wasn’t about to let a few red drops of liquid ruin all her hard work, even if she disdained what she was doing herself. She was a professional and she had her pride, even if it was incredibly hard to maintain in her current surroundings.
The last pony she’d ever expected to see came in through the tent flap just as she was dabbing up the last traces of blood. Her voice caught in her throat, her eyes going wide. “T...Twilight...? What in Equestria are you doing here!?” She quickly wrapped a cloak around herself to hide her shame.
“Rarity, I...we’ve been looking for you.” That was when Rarity heard the last voice she had ever hoped to hear in this place. “Hey Rarity!” It was Sweetie Belle, and her innocent voice opened a pit in her stomach as she whirled to behold her little sister standing at the tents entrance, alongside Twilight and Spike. “We’ve really missed you sis! What are you doing here?”
Her shame forgotten, Rarity leaped to her hooves, anger erupting from her eyes as she strode to Twilight and pulled her friend inside. She whispered harshly into Twilight’s ear,"Just what do you think you’re doing bringing my little sister to a place like this!” She didn’t wait for a response. “Of all the stupid, irresponsible things you’ve ever done Twilight, this is really just too much! How am I supposed to explain this to my parents now! I’ll never be able to set foot in Ponyville again thanks to you!”
The hurt showed in Twilight’s eyes, “I’m sorry Rarity, but I had to bring her. There’s something you have to know about Carousel Boutique!”
“What?” hissed Rarity, “That I’m going to lose it to that money grubbing skinflint Filthy Rich if I don’t pay him more bits than I’ve ever seen in one place by the end of the month!? Oh believe me Twilight, I’m already well aware of what’s going on with Carousel Boutique. Why do you think I’m here!? Do you really think I’d be doing this if I thought I had a choice!” “No, that’s not it Rarity, you have to listen, this is very important!”
“I don’t want to hear your lectures Twilight, I really don’t! I’m fully aware of how very badly I’ve screwed up and I’m going to take care of it! I’m a big girl, Twilight, and I can clean up my own messes!”
“Uh...Rarity.” Spike had somehow managed to squeeze himself between the two unicorns without either noticing. “I don’t mean to be rude...but what are you wearing?”
Without warning, Rarity burst into tears. She whipped the cloak away, revealing the costume of black lace and blue and purple pinstripes and checks beneath her robe. It was a bit avant-garde, but it was clear from the make up now rushing down her face with her tears, Rarity was meant to be some kind of clown. “I’m so pathetic! I just wanted to make a little money, is that so wrong!? But they keep asking more and more of me! I thought I could stitch a few of their outfits up for them, but then they wanted me to come up with new designs and before I knew what was happening they had me redesigning the entire ensemble! Now they’ve got me in one of these.. These atrocities they forced me to make, and I’m supposed to perform tonight!”
Sweetie Belle came over and gave her sister a little hug. “It’s okay sis! I always thought it would be a lot of fun to perform in a circus! I bet you’ll do fine out there!”
“The Circe de Celestia is one of the longest running and most popular performance troupes in Canterlot Rarity.” Said Twilight, “There’s no reason to be ashamed of working with them.”
“You... You really think so?” Rarity said, pouting, her makeup now completely ruined.
“Of course...but I think there’s been a misunderstanding here. Rarity, I thought everypony knew, the Circe de Celestia is a none profit troupe! All of their money goes to charity. They rely on wealthy patrons for new outfits and set pieces. They’re not going to pay you for any of the work you’ve done.” “THEY WHAT!?” Rarity’s scream echoed out of her tent and could be heard all the way to the big top.
“That’s what I was trying to tell you! Fleur made a mistake when you asked her if there was any other work you could be doing. Her cousin runs the Circe de Celestia and is often complaining that he can’t find any seamstresses willing to work pro bono. She thought you were asking if there was any more charity work you could be doing.” The look on Twilight's face was one of mixed pity and concern.
Rarity had completely frozen up, she was so shocked. All the hard work she had done, all that time, wasted! Her reputation very likely ruined and all for nothing! Not even for the monetary gain she had thought she had sold her values for. All this time she was meant to be working towards fixing her problems and now...no what was she supposed to do? She raised one hoof to her forehead, the one she had accidentally pricked with a needle in her haste to fix one of the performers seams earlier, and fainted.
Black lights and glitter filled the air just outside of Canterlot. If the city itself shone like a jewel, then the collection of swirling tents were its glimmering carbuncle counterpart. Ruddy hues bleeding through the burlap and satin gave off a far more infernal glow than that of the celestial city. Despite this, the tents were thronged with as many personages of repute as the downtown entertainment district, out to see the grotesqueries that the Circe de Celestia had to offer.
Established several years ago as a tribute to the Princess during one of the Summer Sun Festival’s, the popular troupe of performers had gone on to much fame and glory. Like most circuses, they were traveling performers, but they considered Canterlot to be their home and had many shows just outside of the city over the course of a season. Indeed it had become something of a fixture to the city, as attested by the well worn festival grounds where the tents blossomed like glistening toadstools.
From the looks of the crowd, the real show was about to begin. The side show tents and concession stands slowly drained of their customers. A spirit of mischief seemed to dance about in the crowd. All was laughter and delight, rendered somewhat strange and mocking by the lateness of the hour. Though the mood was one of festival, there was a sinister edge that was both thrilling and a little frightening.
“You have to understand Monsieur, there’s absolutely no way Rarity can perform tonight.” Monsieur Loyal paced angrily in front of Twilight Sparkle, rattling off his complaints in a staccato language that managed to sound beautiful even as he swore colorfully. “I understand that this is a problem for you, but there’s just nothing that can be done. You should have thought of that before you took advantage of a desperate pony.” A glint of anger entered Twilight’s eye as a spark of magic licked the length of her horn. The ringmaster cleaned up his language significantly, but continued his complaints. “Look, come back in ten minutes. I have a friend that needs seeing to, and you need to find a replacement for her.”
Throwing his hooves into the air, Monsieur Loyal marched out of the tent, muttering to himself and turning the air blue. “I kind of feel sorry for the guy. Can’t understand a word he’s saying, but its clear he’s in a tough spot. What exactly was Rarity supposed to be doing tonight?” Asked Spike, pulling the tent flap closed behind the irate ring master.
“From the sound of it,” said Twilight, turning to Rarity, still passed out on her ottoman, “She was supposed to play the lead role in tonight's, well, performance? It’s hard to explain. Basically she was supposed to sing throughout the majority of the show because the regular pony who does that came down with a bad case of laryngitis.” She used her magic to dab her friends forehead with a damp cloth. “So they were already in trouble. Rarity was kind of a last resort already, they had actually gone so far as to hide the lyrics for the performance in various props. All she had to do was go out and stumble her way through the words.”
A fluttering of her eyelashes let Twilight know Rarity was coming back around. She opened her eyes slowly, blinking as though she were rising from a deep sleep rather than a swoon. She seemed lost for a moment, but as soon as Rarity took in her surroundings she burst into tears. “Whatever am I to do Twilight? Even if I had the resources, there’s not enough time to sell enough dresses to cover my debt to Filthy Rich! I’ve spent the last month doing nothing but giving and now I’m going to have my shop, my beautiful shop, taken away!” Her tears had already washed away most of her makeup, but Twilight dabbed away the remnants along with Rarity’s tears.
“You could ask Mr. Fancy Pants to loan you the money.” she suggested. “Fleur explained to me that you’ve been helping him with his charity work. I’m sure he’d be willing to give you an advance on some of your more fantastic designs if you gave him permission to sell them in his own shops in Canterlot.”
Rarity shook her head. “I couldn’t possibly do something as selfish as that to him. You just don’t understand Twilight, this is a mess I have put myself in and I must find a way to get myself out. Even if it’s hopeless now.”
“Rarity, this is no time to stand on such needless principles! You’re in a tight spot. you need to swallow your pride and ask for help!” Twilight didn’t mean for that to sound as harsh as it did. It was way past her usual bed time and the day had left her fairly cranky.
A look of barely contained rage flashed across Rarity’s mascara streaked face. “Oh sure, that’s easy for you to say Twilight. Life’s been easy for you! Anytime you needed help there was always somepony right there just waiting to be asked!”
Twilight was shocked and it showed on her face, “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Exactly what I said!” Rarity got unsteadily to her hooves and marched right up to Twilight Sparkle. “Scholarship girl, growing up in Canterlot, no, growing up under Princess Celestia’s very wing! When did you ever have to work for anything? When did you ever have to struggle to get where you are today!?” Her eyes were wild as she went on. “I spent the better part of my life trying to make the most fabulous dresses in Equestria! Do you think my parents helped me!? Do you think that they even understood what I was trying to do? They thought it was a game! An arts and crafts project! While they were out spending money on their stupid vacations, money that could have gotten me into magic school just as easily as you, I was slaving away in my mothers sewing room trying to create art out of scraps of wool! I didn’t have a classroom full of teachers or a patron princess to turn to, I taught myself how to make dresses!”
“I don’t see what that..”
“Don’t interrupt me!” the usually genteel unicorn roared, “And as far as my special talent? I can find rocks...rocks Twilight! Oh yes a few pretty gemstones do help in my work from time to time, but I don’t always find gems.” she paused, letting the word drip with venom, reminding Twilight of the occasion where Rarity had been kidnapped while out looking for gem stones. Twilight thought it had been a one time occurrence, but Rarity's implication was that it had not been. “Where as you, you have a talent that perfectly suits what you wanted to do with your life. You’re good at magic, not just good, but so magnificent that even Celestia herself bows to your abilities! Practically everypony in Canterlot knows Celestia’s favorite student. Do you know how they came to know me!? I got out and I helped ponies! I raised money for the poor, I campaigned for their fair treatment, I even shook hooves with the filthy little bastards! And do you know what I get in return? A few minutes of fame and then I’m yesterday's trash!” She stopped, huffing, the enormity of her own pent up rage seeming to shock even herself.
There were tears in Twilight’s eyes, but her voice was calm as she spoke. “You’re wrong Rarity. If you think for one moment I’ve had everything handed to me, you are absolutely wrong. I worked hard at my studies! So hard, in fact, that I alienated everypony I ever knew from my fillyhood. Do you honestly think that my parents helped me anymore than yours? After Celestia took me on as her apprentice, they never treated me the same. I couldn’t talk to them about anything. They just... They couldn’t understand.” She wiped a tear off her muzzle with her hoof. “You’re not the only pony who’s had it rough Rarity. I’m not angry at you for what you’ve said though. I know how hard you worked to have your own shop in Ponyville. As hard as I worked to amass my knowledge of magic. If somepony were threatening to take all that away from me, well, I’d probably say some pretty mean things too.”
Twilight’s words left Rarity speechless for a moment. She looked down, seeing the esoteric clown costume she still wore. Suddenly the outfit seemed rather fitting. “I’m...I’m so sorry Twilight. I don’t know what came over me. You’re right, I’m just so upset about my shop. I didn’t mean what I said. I know you’ve had to work hard to be Celestia’s number one student. Anypony who would say otherwise is a foal.” Even saying that, Rarity still couldn’t calm herself down. She was still so full of misplaced anger. “That rotten Fleur! This is her fault! I would’ve had plenty of time to make the money if she hadn’t... Oh, who am I kidding? It’s my fault if she misunderstood. I was so ashamed of this stupid position I’m in, why didn’t I just come out and say I needed help!?”
“Why indeed.” Came a melodious voice. “I know we have not know each other very long, but I would like to think that we were friends.” Fleur entered the tent, her head held down, an expression of sadness on her face. “I’m so sorry for what I’ve done, but you have to understand Rarity, if I’d known the kind of trouble you were in I would’ve gladly done everything in my power to help you. It is...what a friend would do, non?” Her voice wasn’t quiet as musical as usual, and her accent was much more subdued. This was a side of Fleur de Lis that Rarity hadn’t seen yet.
The two pale unicorns just looked at each other for a moment, neither moving nor speaking. There was a strange tension between the two that stretched the moment out far longer than it really lasted. Then, like a fragile glass figurine, the tension broke and Fleur and Rarity embraced. “I’m so sorry for not trusting you! I shouldn’t have neglected to ask my friends for help!” said Rarity, choking back tears.
Fleur smiled, hugging Rarity back tightly before the two separated. “Surely it is not too late. I know that Monsieur Fancy Pants has much of his wealth tied up in our current endeavor, but there must be a way that we can raise the money for you to keep your Boutique!”
“I know you probably don’t want to hear this, but I could probably have a word with the Princess," Offered Twilight, a little hesitantly, "If there’s any pony that can help, it’s her.”
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly bother the Princess over this!” said Rarity, “I can't imagine her taking time from her busy schedule to help me...”
Spike waded in amongst the plotting ponies. “Hey, I’m glad we’ve all made friends again and everything, but does anypony know where Sweetie Belle has gotten off to?” Rarity and Twilight looked around the tent. It wasn’t very large so it didn’t take long. Rarity’s little sister was nowhere to be found.
“Sweet Celestia, Spike! You were supposed to be watching her!” Shrieked Twilight.
“I was, I was!” said Spike, “But I got so interested in the conversation, she must have slipped away while I was listening to you three!”
“Who is this you speak of?” Asked Fleur.
“My little sister. A filly with a pink and purple mane.”
“Oh, she is your petite sœur!? I thought she might be Twilight’s fillé!” She giggled covering her face. (“That’s the second time today!” Grumbled Twilight, not quite under her breath.) “I saw her earlier, but...you are sure she was here with you just now? She was not in here when I arrived.”
“Oh no, she must have left when we were arguing!” Wailed Rarity, “We have to find her! there’s no telling what dangers there are for a little filly alone at the circus in the middle of the night!”
The press of ponies all around them made it almost impossible to search. Though there weren’t many fillies Sweetie Belle’s age out this late at night, a few family’s had still brought their children to the show. Over and over again Twilight thought she had found Rarity’s sister, only for it to turn out to be some other excited, yet sleepy eyed little unicorn. Neither Rarity nor Fleur seemed to be fairing much better. The brightly colored lights sweeping back and forth over the crowd didn’t help, the passing of each technicolor beam shifting and changing the colors of the crowd. A white unicorn could be green one moment, bright pink the next, and an indistinguishable grey when he glare of the lights had finally passed.
A deep thrum of music filled the air, indicating the start of the show. What was left of the crowd surged towards the main tent, sweeping Twilight and her friends along with them. The big top was larger inside than it had appeared on the outside. Rows upon rows of ponies spread before, around, and above the trio. How were they ever supposed to find one little pony in all of this? The music exploded again, a joyous overture that must have been amplified by magic to flood the entire structure as it did. All the lights went down save those in the center of the ring. The performance began with much dancing and fanfare, pyrotechnic displays of magic painting colors in the air with smoke and sparks that rendered the colorful lights but pale imitation of something far more spectacular. Streamers laced from the sleeves of several clowns to trail over a crowd who squealed in delighted surprise. Pinkie Pie would have loved this.
Just as suddenly as it had swelled, the music subsided into hushed tones, a haunting dirge that managed to send shivers up the spine as the tent lights subsided into green and blue hues. A single voice rose up, timid at first, but growing richer as the performer found her confidence. It was clear she sang in a language that was unfamiliar to her, but as she stumbled over a few syllables, she quickly built up an understanding of the ebb and flow of the words. Soon all were entranced by her sheer exuberance. On a dais, not far from where Rarity, Twilight, Fleur, and Spike finally took their seats, stood Sweetie Belle in a sparkling sequined costume, singing her heart out. It was clear she was nervous, how could she not be performing before so many? Even so, the crowd seemed to find her performance all the more endearing for it, and many shouted encouragement even as their friends told them to hush so they could listen.
The story unfolded slowly at first, but there was no need to understand the words that Sweetie Belle sang to follow the story. An old hermit, or more precisely an actor playing one, leaned over a bubbling cauldron sat atop paper craft flames, the bubbles within sweeping up and out over an enchanted crowd with the hermit's every gesture. He wore blue robes strewn with moons and stars and a long grey beard. It was with a start that Twilight recognized the performer as Star Swirl the Bearded! It was then that Twilight grasped what tonight’s performance must be about. Though there were many stories about the legendary father of the amniomorphic spell, only one had ever truly captured the minds of those uninitiated in the learning of higher magics. His temptation.
In song and magic, glittering light and billowing smoke, the story was told to the rapt audience, but Twilight already knew it by heart. Long ago, before the rule of the Princesses, the peace of Equestria’s founding was shattered by the coming of Discord. He appeared to many, at first, as a charming being full of wisdom and power. For whatever reason, Discord wasn’t happy with simply ruling the ponies of Equestria, nor even in merely tormenting them, but instead he seemed obsessed with warping their personalities and destroying the harmony of their lives. Many were corrupted by him, entire families turning against one another, descending into madness and conflict. It seemed he fed off the spreading chaos, his powers growing in strength as he further warped reality, reshaping the land itself to mirror his own jumbled mind and body.
All was not lost, however, for even before the arrival of those who would ultimately defeat him, there were those in Equestria who opposed Discord. Though few in number at first, as Discord’s true nature became more and more apparent the magi of that era came together and forged a pact to use their considerable power and knowledge to halt the spread of Discord’s madness. They would come to forge the mystical artifacts known as the Elements of Harmony, distilling the principals that were the antithesis to the draconequus own powers into a crystalline form that could be used to negate his dark power. It would be this power that the Princesses would harness to ultimately seal him away, but in the beginning the elements served only as a beacon of sanity in a world given over to madness. The unicorn magi devoted all their considerable power in re-enforcing the protective barrier of magic, and a small semblance of order returned to the lives of those Equestrians under their protection.
However, the Elements were only a temporary solution. Though the unicorns of that age were powerful, they were merely stewards for the elements, unable to unlock their true power. As time passed, the influence of the elements grew weaker and weaker as Discord’s chaos spread outside the fragile dome of magic. Cracks began to appear in the protective spells, cracks through which the tendrils of his dread influence could begin to seep. Most of this history was unknown to the audience at large. You had to be a true scholar of magic, like Twilight, to know the origins of the Elements. Even then, you had to do a lot of research to uncover it. As it was, the story of Star Swirl's temptation dealt only with the events that occurred after the Elements began to weaken.
Star Swirl was already old. One of the most powerful unicorns in Equestria’s history, he had been famous even before the founding of Equestria. As such, he was considered to be the chief custodian of the Elements of Harmony. One dark night as he cast powerful enchantments designed to strengthen their power, a tendril of Discord’s power crept into his heart. Star Swirl had devoted his life to the study of magic, though respect and fame were his, he had no time for friends or any deep personal relationships. Now in his old age, he came to realize that for all his vaunted wisdom and knowledge, he was powerless before the being known as Discord. What the unicorns had accomplished was amazing, but he could see the power of harmony deteriorating before the draconequus constant onslaught. In the lonesome night, he despaired, and Discords power wrapped tighter around his heart.
In a moment of weakness, Star Swirl the Bearded began to pine for his youth, for a simpler time without all of this madness when he and his friends would go on many adventures. It had been a time of peace in his life, but also a time when he had felt the most alive. While he mused over his memories, it was then that the fiend himself appeared before the old wizard. Not in the flesh, but worse, in his mind. In the play Discord was a grotesque mockery of his true form, motley monster that he was. Magic animated what was clearly a beast of paper-mache and fireworks, even so the audience gasped at his sudden appearance. It must have been much worse for Star Swirl, for by all accounts the wizard unleashed his most powerful spells on the fiend, only to discover they had no effect. In the stories that Twilight had read, Discord laughed at the wizards impotence, but in the same breath began to subtly work on the desires he already knew rested in the unicorns heart. How much more of a threat Star Swirl would be to Discord, he thought out loud, if he had been a younger pony, still in the prime of his power. How much happier Star Swirl would surely be if he could go back and correct all those mistakes he had made in his youth. Why, Discord pondered aloud, anypony would surely desire to have the chance to rekindle old loves lost, a chance to relive glories long passed.
Despite himself, and despite the knowledge that Discord could not be trusted, Star Swirl found himself swayed by Discords words. Perhaps it had been the weakening of the Elements of Harmony, or maybe Star Swirl was simply old and a little foolish, but he found himself tempted to explore what Discord meant. No pony could relive the past, he had protested feebly, but Discord merely chuckled. The earth ponies could manipulate the land, the pegasi could manipulate the sky, the unicorns could manipulate the very sun and moon. What was time but another force to be manipulated? It might be beyond most ponies, but not a mage as powerful as Star Swirl. Not with a teacher as wise as Discord. The old wizard tried in vain to resist, but who in their winter years can truly resist the call of their long lost spring? Yet Star Swirl was no fool, he knew their must be a catch.
Discord, it was said, had frowned at the old unicorns canniness, but then quickly smiled. The draconequus said he would be more than willing to grant Star Swirl's desires, but he would be unable to accomplish this so long as the Elements of Harmony protected him. For Discord to grant his desires in truth, he must disable the spells the held his power at bay. Of course Star Swirl had balked at this, knowing full well the chaos that would sweep over the land if he were to undo its protection. Yet before he could turn away from the shade of Discord, the lord of disharmony took on the form of a certain pony Star Swirl had known in his youth. Emotions warred in his heart, coaxed by the dark magic festering within. Love, hate, jealousy, pain, and an overbearing sense of violation flooded his mind. He went to strike the shade, only to find himself transformed as he struck the ghost from his past. It was as if the years had suddenly melted away. He was young, strong, and his beard was much, much shorter. A sense of vigor he had not known for centuries flooded his being.
This transformation was accomplished by the actor simply removing his...or rather her, beard and voluminous robes. She was beautiful, graceful, and a deep cerulean shade under the spot lights. Her mane was a swirl of pink and purple, and the cutie mark of a star in the center of a swirling pool of magic was upon her flank. The story unfolded further, as Discord took the youthened Star Swirl exploring through the endless expanse of Equestria’s enchanted past. The tempter showed the unicorn the distant lands where the Zebra roamed, the ancient fiefdoms of the first earth ponies, as well as the pegasi and unicorns that would come to be their lords. Yes, he also revealed the primordial Everfree Forest where even Discord's own magics were somewhat weakened by its mysterious power. The performers handled this by having several troupes of dancers representing each of the ancient and exotic civilizations of the world. To Star Swirl, it must have been even more grand, as to his perception he was really there, despite never having truly left the Elements' resting place. All this Discord promised to allow him to explore at his leisure, if he would only consider his offer and agree to destroy the Elements of Harmony after he had lived a second lifetime in this manner.
The story differed somewhat here. Some scholars went on to say that Star Swirl accepted Discord’s offer and chose to live as a prince for a time in the ancient homelands of the unicorns. Others claim that he used the powers granted to him by Discord to manipulate the phantasmal lives of his loved ones, to try and save those long lost to him, only to find that changing the world in such a way rendered it a worse place than it had been otherwise, often leading to even worse partings. Regardless of which version the Circe De Celestia went with, Twilight already knew the ending. When all was said and done, Star Swirl was even deeper in despair and, some said, perhaps a bit insane. He refused to keep up his end of the bargain with Discord. The draconequus raged, showering the wizard in visions of horror, making him watch his loved ones die over and over and his own flesh rot away on his bones till he was nothing but a thin and skeletal mockery of himself. Even so he stood fast and when Discord found he could not break him, he had no choice but to look for another way to have what he wanted. The end of the story had Star Swirl himself leading a team of ponies through the chaos beyond to build a fortress that would one day become the castle of the royal pony sisters.
Twitching slightly as she thought the story through in her head,Twilight didn’t know if she could handle watching the sequence where Discord tortured Star Swirl with his myriad of morbid visions. Even though it would likely be toned down for the public at large, there was something about the performance that disturbed her immensely. It didn’t help that the pony sitting next to her kept stealing looks at her with a strange smile on her face. It set Twilight's teeth on edge and made her pulse quicken. The stranger's coloring was a mix of shades of purple in the darkness. There was something uncomfortably familiar about her eyes. She felt like she had seen those eyes before, staring back at her from across a gulf she couldn't quiet remember. The stranger's smile only brightened in the darkness, as if she could read Twilight's thoughts and was relishing her discomfiture. Excusing herself, Twilight left the performance early. It was such a pity...she missed the big finale.
An earth pony, clearly suspended by magic, descended and offered the female Star Swirl redemption for the wrongs she felt she had wrought on her fellows by entertaining Discord's offer. She seemed to be an avatar of the Elements of Harmony herself. Limed in a golden light, the ponies purple and white mane swirled about her features as though they were made of water, or a puff of cloud. Her arresting eyes swept over the audience as she spoke, letting them know that they were all absolved of their past wrong doing, for that was the nature of grace and harmony, the magic of friendship. It was a beautiful, if somewhat corny message.
“Sweetie Belle, you were absolutely marvelous!” Rarity exclaimed as she hugged her little sister. The two had found their way back to Rarity’s tent after the thunderous applause had finally died away. “But whatever possessed you to run off and do something like that?”
The little unicorn was beaming at her big sisters praise. It had been hard work and her voice had cracked a time or two, but the show had gone off without a hitch otherwise. “Well, I heard you and Twilight arguing. I knew you wouldn’t really be able to perform with all you’ve got on your shoulders, but then I got to thinking about all the people who had come to see the show. So I made a deal with Mr. Monsieur Loyal. They don’t usually pay performers, but he said if I did a good job he’d pass around his hat and anything he collected would go to you.”
“Oh no, you shouldn’t have done that Sweetie Belle! The Circe de Celestia is a charity organization, that money is meant for ponies who are down on their luck!”
“I do hate to point it out Mademoiselle Rareté, but I’m afraid you very much qualify as being down on your luck.” Fleur pushed aside the tent flap and entered, a large ringmasters hat clenched in her teeth, overflowing with money. It was more, far more, than Rarity really needed. The super model pony set the hat at the fashion pony’s hooves. “It’s the least that my cousin and I could do for you after this terrible misunderstanding. I only hope this will be enough for you to keep your shop.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Tears welled up in Rarity’s eyes once again and she hugged her little sister and her friend Fleur tight. “I....I have the most generous friends and family in the world!” As she blinked back the tears of joy and relief Rarity noticed that, once again, somepony was missing. “Has anypony seen Twilight since the show ended? I should really tell her the good news!” They looked, but in the end all they could find was Spike. He had followed Twilight until the pony had whirled on him, telling him to go back to the circus...that she needed to be alone. For the rest of her time in Canterlot, Rarity never saw her friend or was able to let her know things had turned out alright in the end.
It was late afternoon and Rarity was just closing up her shop. It was amazing to think how close she’d come to losing it all, but her friends had really come through for her. It was nice to have something in the world that was hers and hers alone. She was just about to lock up when the bell that announced somepony entering her boutique jangled merrily. “I’m ever so sorry,” came Rarity’s cheerful voice from the store room, “but I’m afraid you’ll have to come back tomorrow. I was just about to-” The words died on her lips when she saw who was standing in her shop. Filthy Rich smiled like the cat who’d swallowed the canary at Rarity’s reaction.
“Good afternoon Miss Rarity. I didn’t mean to leave this little chore so late in the day, but you know how it is. Important ponies have so many ponies to meet and so many places to go.” Rarity very much doubted he wasn’t here at this inopportune time specifically because he meant to be. “I was just stopping by to see the progress on my order from last month.” The elegant unicorn quickly recovered from her shock and put on her most dazzling smile.
“Why of course. You had made an order for about fifty dresses for your... Department store, yes? Along with a personal order for a darling little dress for your darling little daughter. Right this way sir!” She led him to one of the side rooms where she did most of her bulk work. It wasn’t that she didn’t take pride in every dress she made, it was just that filling large orders of the same style of dress had always been somewhat uninspiring. She pushed opened the door and let Filthy Rich have a good look at all the progress she’d made.
“What!? Why, this is an outrage! Not a single dress is more than halfway done! I need those dresses for my spring line next week! If you don’t have those dresses finished and ready for delivery by then, I will sue your little shop into the ground!” For all his outrage, he said this last bit with a smile that let Rarity know this was his intention all along. She simply smiled back.
“I rather doubt that. You see, we never made a formal agreement on the time of delivery, only on the quality of the dresses. My creations are worth the wait Mr. Filthy, you should have them by the end of spring..." The fashionista paused to tap one hoof gently on her chin, "No later than mid-summer, I assure you. Oh, and they will be a bit more...ambitious than you originally requested, so expect the cost to go up just a teeny bit.” She leaned in close and the temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees. “And if you even think about trying anything like that little stunt you pulled before, I can promise you that you will not find a single pony between here and Canterlot who will be willing to do business with you, let alone make your wretched dresses.” Filthy Rich took a step back, wincing as if each of Rarity’s icy words were more than a threat, more than a promise. He looked as if each word was stabbing him directly in the heart. This was because, with a little augmented unicorn magic and no small amount of rage, they literally were. “You think you’re so very important because you have money, Mr. Filthy, but money can’t get you everything you want. It won’t get you this shop and it won’t buy my silence. Everypony knows what you tried to do to me, dear. Good luck shifting your tacky merchandise, Mr. Filthy. Now, if you’d be so kind, GET OUT OF MY SHOP!”
The earth pony all but ran in his haste to leave, shouting over his shoulder “You’ll be hearing from my lawyers!”
“Looking forward to it dear, do stop by again. Just not anytime soon!”
Rarity managed to keep the lights on in Carousel Boutique. Petty revenge was beneath her, but for his attempt at such a hostile take over, Rarity charged Filthy Rich triple the usual rate for any orders he commissioned and made sure to give them the lowest possible priority. She kept in contact with Fleur De Lis and, through her, apologized to Mr. Fancy Pants for having to break off their agreement early. For his part, the wealthy pony seemed to understand that Rarity’s personal business had to take priority and he was very agreeable about the whole situation, even if he was a little disappointed.
Sweetie Belle had inexplicably gotten her cutie mark sometime during the performance at the Circe de Celestia, and the musical notes on her flank were the envy of her friends. She still maintained that she was a Cutie Mark Crusader, however, and vowed to remain one until her friends found their cutie marks too. Rarity’s parents had finally bumped into her shortly before she left Canterlot. It was nice to see them, but she was in a hurry, and they seemed far more interested in taking in the sights of the big city than in anything else, once they’d found out their daughter was going to be alright. The last she heard, they were going to go on a ghost tour of the palace dungeons. It all sounded rather droll, but she knew it was exactly the kind of thing her parents loved.
All seemed right with the world as everypony settled back into their usual routines. All except, it seemed, for Twilight Sparkle. She had long since left for Ponyville by the time the others were leaving Canterlot, taking a late night train that could really be considered an early morning express. Even Spike seemed unable to crack the wall that had suddenly sprung up from their dear friend, and he spent most of his time hanging out around Rarity’s shop now. Twilight just hadn’t had much to do with anypony since everything had happened in Canterlot, and Rarity felt she owed it to her to check in on her and make sure everything was alright. After her encounter with Filthy Rich, she finished closing up shop, and left to visit her friend.
"Hello?” Rarity had knocked, but nopony had answered. The door to the library was unlocked, as usual, but all the lights seemed to be out as she let herself in. “Is anypony home?” She thought she heard someone whispering deeper inside the library, and noticed a flash of light coming from the cracks of a nearby door. A sense of apprehension stole over the elegant unicorn, but she steadied herself and marched into the darkness towards the door lined in golden light. She knocked on this door as well. “Twilight, darling, are you in there? It’s Rarity, I was just dropping by to see how you are doing.”
She opened the door and found...nothing on the other side. Nothingness stretched infinitely before her, a perfect void. There was no light, no sound. A feeling of a vast emptiness was all she knew, a questing hunger that reached out to her, threatening to swallow her in a suffocating embrace that would devour her body and soul. With dawning horror, she realized that what she was gazing into was an enormous eye. The abyss focused on her...and blinked.
She opened the door and found...nothing on the other side. Just a stack of old, tattered books and a few pots of glue for mending them. “Strange... I could have sworn I heard somepony.” She closed the door behind her and left the library. It was obvious that Twilight was out. She’d just have to catch her some other time. For now she’d go home and have dinner with her sister and, probably, Spike. That baby dragon was going to eat all her precious jewels if she were not careful. Twilight Sparkle was suddenly the furthest thing from her mind.
Rarity left as swiftly as she had arrived. That was how it should be, the whispers that flooded the library said as much. As she sat alone in a dark corner of the library, Twilight’s horn glowed brightly painting strange shadows against the walls. Her eyes were wide in their sockets, crackling with power. If she could see them in a mirror, they would look very familiar, and more than a little disturbing. White streaks crept slowly through her purple mane as it moved and undulated as though it had a life and will of its own. Slowly, a smile spread across her face as she cradled a book tenderly in her hooves. The whispers rose and fell as Twilight opened the tome...and with a quill held firmly by her magic, began to write.
