A Stitch In Time

Chapters

1) To Trotsboro
2) Coco's Gift
3) Sweet Celestia....
4) Eavesdropping
5) Coco Covered Info

1) To Trotsboro

Twilight woke up that morning and groaned. Not because the sun was hitting her face, or Spike was sleep-screaming again, but because today was the start of “fashion camp”.

For the last week, Twilight had been put off by the idea, almost dreading it in a way. Rarity had practically begged her to accompany her to this event, and would not take no for an answer. She’d asked Rarity if she could ask Coco Pommel to go with her, but apparently, she’d been called away for the last few days. She’d thought about asking Spike to go with her, then instantly retracted the idea (sending Spike and Rarity alone together anywhere was an ill-fated plan). Eventually out of excuses, she’d elected Spike to watch over the castle in her absence, and agreed to go to this camp.

She walked out of her room and into Spike’s, gently nudging him awake so as not to startle him. Then, she slowly got breakfast ready, procrastinating as much as possible. Knowing that, even if she could stall, it wouldn't be for long; Rarity was extremely antsy about getting to the train station early.

After a few minutes of preparing food, Spike walked in, yawning and scratching his back. “Morning, Twilight,” he said, his yawn slurring his words.

“Morning,” Twilight replied, almost as sleep-deprived as he was. She had been up most of the night, worrying about how the next day would be like, and had a huge headache just thinking about it.

“Well, you sound exhausted,” Spike said with a trace of irritability. “If I were you, I’d be excited for this big trip you’re going on with Rarity.”

“Well, of course, you would, Spike!” Twilight mumbled. “Since you have, and sleep with, a Rarity plushie, I’m assuming you still have a crush on her.”

Spike’s cheeks went a deep red at the last sentence. “Well, that... doesn’t mean anything...” he mumbled, clear embarrassment in his tone. “If I had known you were going to be this testy, I would’ve slept in....”

Their conversation was interrupted by a loud, urgent knock. Seconds later, Rarity came bursting through the door.

“Twilight!” she called out cheerfully. “Good morning, darling! I trust you’re excited about starting our little venture today? Oh, Fashion Camp! How exhilarating! Just thinking about it is giving me chills!”

Twilight sighed. There was no use in procrastinating anymore. “Oh, Rarity, of course, I’m excited.” She started. “But—”

“Excellent! Well, scuttle, darling, scuttle! We mustn’t be late for the train! I’ve already packed, and I must say, all of my best designs are going to absolutely devastate them when we arrive! You are willing to model a few for me, aren’t you? I would be ever-so-grateful if you did!” Rarity stopped suddenly and gasped. “Goodness! I’ve forgotten one important detail! Please excuse me, Twilight! I must attend to my luggage! I’ll be back to accompany you to the station! Ta-ta!” And with that, she rushed back out the door in a flurry of purple and white.

Twilight sighed again, her headache growing by the second, as she watched her friend almost crash into a crystal wall next to the door. Luckily, Rarity swerved and headed out just in time. Twilight noticed Spike was watching her leave as well.

“Man, you’re so lucky, Twilight,” Spike grumbled as he proceeded to eat breakfast.

Twilight thought otherwise.

As promised, Rarity had returned, fully packed and ready for the trip. The two were now boarding the train, so there was no turning back now (unfortunately for Twilight). When asked about the “important detail” she had needed to attend to, Rarity had answered that she had accidentally packed her favorite pink cashmere scarf and needed it to be worn for their first day. Twilight could only moan in frustration, why would she leave in such a rush if she’d already had it packed and ready to go? But, knowing how excited Rarity was, her question would only be answered with too many words to count.

Twilight sat back and looked out the window, enjoying the train ride...and slightly ignoring Rarity’s babbling already.

“—Of course, my damask line will be absolutely flawless! I expect it will be best to end with that. Oh, I do wonder how they feel about the recent ‘black corset’ trend going around Manehattan this season? I try to achieve comfort as well as style, you know... Twilight? Are you listening?”

“Hmm?” Twilight grunted. She had been struggling to listen to Rarity, only snapping back to reality as her friend said her name. Twilight sheepishly turned her gaze to her friend’s face. “Of course, I was.”

“You know, you’ve been awfully quiet, darling,” Rarity said with a hint of concern. “Is there something the matter? Aren’t you looking forward to this trip? I know it’s not exactly your cup of tea, but I do appreciate you coming along. After all, I could never ask somepony as fashion-illiterate as Rainbow Dash or Applejack, and Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy are busy, so... you are having fun, aren’t you? Gracious, if you’re not, I don’t what I’d—”

“Rarity, I’m fine,” Twilight giggled. Rarity was almost worrying more about her friend than Twilight herself had last night.

“Are you sure? I’m sorry if I’ve upset you, Twilight, it’s just that... I’ve been so looking forward to this, and I’ve wanted to share it with somepony close to me. And you’re one of my dearest friends, so... I just thought....” Rarity trailed off, sounding more than a little upset herself.

Twilight sighed once again, debating in her head whether or not to tell the truth. Her friend was obviously upset, and Twilight hated it when one of her friends were upset. She hung her head and prepared to make the admission.

“First stop, Trotsboro!” the conductor announced. “Everypony off for Trotsboro!”

Twilight heard this and sighed. They had come so far already, and she was sure that if Rarity knew that Twilight wasn’t having any fun, the first thing she’d suggest would be to turn around and go right back to Ponyville. That would tear Rarity apart inside, no matter what she said, and that was the last thing Twilight wanted.

Rarity hurriedly pushed aside anypony who was in her way. Ponies all around her shot her looks of annoyance, but she barely paid attention.

Twilight sighed and followed her as the train slowed to a stop. Her real feelings about this trip would have to wait. Rarity was in such a good mood, and ruining that mood was not a mark of a friend. Besides, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad? Twilight may not have been quite as fashion-conscious as Rarity, but she did like dressing up every now and then. And Rarity did make some wonderful things for her friends for almost nothing in return. Not only was this a good way to pay her back, but it reminded Twilight to keep an open mind. This might not be so bad.

Rarity hopped off the train and, noticing Twilight wasn’t with her, turned around. Twilight was standing on the train’s last stop, so wrapped up in thought, she barely noticed the world around her.

“Twilight?” Rarity asked in a concerned tone. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

Twilight snapped back to reality once again. “Oh, yeah, sorry. Just….” She panicked, trying to find a good excuse. “...Excited for the week to start?”

“Oh, I completely understand, darling! I’m just as thrilled as you are! More so! This is going to be a splendid trip!” With that, Rarity rushed off to the train station gift shop, most likely intending to purchase a souvenir of the trip. Twilight slowly followed behind her guilt not entirely extinguished.

“This would look absolutely fabulous in my room! Ooh, but this matches my room’s design.” Rarity was a white blur as she zoomed from object to object, commenting on how fantastic each one would look in her house. Twilight was hoping that Rarity would choose one or two, instead of buying out the whole store, when Rarity came up to her, ten or twenty items floating in her magical grasp.

“Uhhh...” Twilight tried to reply to this scene, “...I hope you have the bits for that, Rarity. We’ve come here with enough stuff, already.” She, herself, was at a stand, purchasing maps and brochures. “Besides, I think it’s best that we stick to the bare essentials.”

This time, it was Rarity’s turn to sigh. “If we must.” She murmured, going to put away half of the items she brought over.

With Twilight’s maps and Rarity’s knick-knacks stored away in their saddlebags, the pair left the train station and headed out into the moderately-sized cityscape of Trotsboro. Stallions in work suits bustled across streets, heading to or from work. Mares were dressed in a myriad of different garbs, from simple to sexy, to stylish. Rarity looked from one mare to the next, seeming to process and take mental notes over what they wore. All the while, Twilight kept her eyes on the brochure for the location they sought. The place was called “Trotsboro Fashion Academy”, and pushed itself with its own slogan: “Equestria’s only boot camp of beauty!” According to the brochure, they were nearby, and Twilight heaved a sigh—it was not going to be easy keeping this to herself for an entire week. But Rarity was having a great time, and that’s all that mattered. At least, she tried to remind herself of that.

“Twilight, dear, you seem to be sighing an awful lot in this past hour,” Rarity smirked. “And you seem to be off in your own space quite a lot. Did you get enough sleep last night?”

Twilight didn’t answer right away. It would not have been a lie to say she hadn’t, but her reasons for it were something she still couldn’t come to grips with. As they walked, Twilight struggled to reply, “Well, yeah. I mean, no... I don’t know. It’s complicated.” It was a weak answer, and she knew it, but still, she had to say something.

Rarity, still confused, just stared at her friend. After a while, she seemed to brush it off, and they both rounded the corner to see the building standing right in front of them.

“Looks like we’re here,” Twilight said. Even she couldn’t tell whether that sounded too dreadful.

2) Coco's Gift

The moment they stepped through the doors, twenty ponies crowded around them. They both were surprised at seeing that many ponies fussing over their appearances, making sure they had a good trip here, and checking themselves into their rooms.

Rarity gave two bits to the unicorn stallion who handled their luggage, winking at him just before he left. “Oh, Twilight, what did I tell you? Swift service, attentive staff... not bad looking, either... darling, they will treat us like goddesses here! And we’re just here for the lectures and demonstrations! My dear friend, if you had doubts before, you can expunge them, here and now!”

Twilight gave a nervous chuckle. “Yup,” she said, as they walked towards the stairs. She figured now was as good a time as any to tell her friend why she was acting strangely. “Listen, Rarity. I need to tell you something.”

“Oh, Twilight, I know you’re a bit uncomfortable being waited on,” Rarity answered with a grin, “but you’re a Princess, after all! You ought to be used to it by now!”

Twilight shifted uncomfortably and simply nodded. She had lost her courage as soon as Rarity grinned, and she didn’t feel it would come back for a while.

The unicorn bellhop led the two mares to their room, and Rarity stuffed another two bits into his pocket before leaving. She began giggling as the door closed behind them. “Oh, the excitement! I feel I could just burst at any moment!” She ran to her bed and jumped in, still giggling and snuggling up in the silky sheets. “This is like a dream come true!”

“Yup,” Twilight repeated, “sure is.” She sat down on her own bed and picked up a brochure that had some tourist attractions on it. She figured that, since she was here, there was no reason that she couldn’t sightsee while Rarity was in her classes. She began to circle the ones that looked interesting to her, which was quite a lot, when they heard a knock at their door.

“Ooh! Company!” Rarity chirped as she sprang up from the bed. “Stay right there, Twilight, I’ll get it.” Rarity trotted quickly to the door, opened it, and startled Twilight with a sudden shriek of glee. “COCO!!”

Twilight, unfortunately, fell off of her bed, stunned. Rarity turned around as soon as she heard the thump. “Twilight, whatever are you doing on the floor?” she asked, levitating her so she was on her feet. “We have a guest here!”

Twilight looked as their visitor came in through the door, and saw a familiar beige-coated Earth pony mare with a sky-blue, bob-style mane cut. Twilight placed her name immediately: “Coco Pommel! What a surprise! What are you doing here?”

“I heard you just came in, and I thought I would come and visit you,” Coco said. “I wanted to give you a welcoming gift, as well.” As she said this, she pulled something out of her saddlebag and set it down on Rarity’s bed. Rarity gasped as Twilight walked over to see what it was.

It was a display case, and set in the indented felt of the case were two beautiful, ornate, gold necklaces. Each one was composed of a thin, fine chain that suspended a gemstone for a pendant (one was a sapphire, the other was an opal). Rarity marveled at the two gorgeous trinkets with wide, shiny eyes. “Oh, Coco... they’re absolutely magnificent!”

Twilight marveled at the necklaces alongside Rarity. She agreed with her friend; they were beyond beauty. She reached out to touch the sapphire one, but Rarity swatted her hoof away. Twilight gave her a confused look.

“Twilight, dear, these beauties are far too divine to be worn like ordinary clothing!” Rarity explained, a bit haughtily. “We shall keep them on display, so that all of Equestria might partake in their pristine loveliness!” At this, Coco blushed heavily, and it made Twilight smile. Having somepony like Coco here, acting as something of a liaison between Twilight and Rarity’s fashion-savvy peers, would make things a lot easier. “Besides, darling,” Rarity concluded, “if anything, the opal would go far better with your coloring.”

Twilight was slightly confused yet again (she figured the sapphire would fit with her lavender fur, while the multicolored opal would fit better with Rarity), but she didn’t question it, and instead levitated the display case to a high shelf, where everypony could see it.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” said Coco gently, and she turned back to her saddlebag to fish out something else. “I was asked to pass these out to all the guests. It’s the itinerary for the week.” She held two copies of the same sheet in her teeth, and both Twilight and Rarity took them with their magic. “Well, if you need me, just ask for me,” Coco added, “and I hope you two enjoy yourselves.”

“Thank you, Coco,” Twilight uttered as Coco exited, paying more attention to the guide than to the earth pony.

“You too, Coco, dear! Take care!” Rarity called after her as she left. She then glanced at the sheet and Twilight, her grin only widening. “I told you we would have a wonderful time! Doesn’t this just keep getting better?”

“Yeah,” Twilight replied, levitating her brochure off of her bed, and replacing it with the itinerary. “I was thinking I could go sightseeing tomorrow while you’re in your classes.” She lowered the brochure. “Is that okay with you?”

Rarity, now fawning over Coco’s gift in its display case, heard Twilight’s words and turned to her. “What?” she replied, sounding almost hurt. “You... you won’t be joining me?”

“Oh, um. . .” Twilight stuttered. “I just wanted to see their library tomorrow. . .” She paused. “I’ll join you Tuesday, though.”

“Oh... I see. Well, if you insist. I mean, books and things... those are more your forte. I do hope you enjoy yourself, Twilight. That is what I... what I’d hoped for, after all....” Rarity’s tone had gone down little by little with each sentence. As pleasant as she had tried to make herself sound, her voice made the opposite clear. And that was something Twilight could not ignore.

She groaned to herself. “I guess I’ll accompany you to your classes.” She paused. “I’ll be able to see the library afterward, right? What time does the last class end?”

Rarity glanced at the itinerary. “Well, according to this, it ends at three o’clock. But really, there’s no need to put yourself out for me, not any more than you have. I insist, go and have a good time at the library. You needn’t spoil your fun because of me—”

“No! You asked me to come, and I agreed. It’s only fair that I go with you to your classes. Who knows? Maybe I’ll pick up a few tricks!” Twilight claimed.

Rarity looked at Twilight for a while, occasionally glancing back to the sheet. “Are... are you sure, dear?” she asked tentatively.

Twilight nodded. “I’m positive.” She levitated the guide over to her. “Let’s see, what’s the first class... ?”

Rarity continued to eye her friend, now with a poignant look. “Oh, Twilight,” she said, sounding a little choked up, “thank you so much. This means so much to me. Not just today, but this whole trip! You’re the best friend a mare could ask for!” She approached Twilight and hugged her tightly. “And after class, I’ll even go with you to the library! It’s the least I can do after you’ve agreed to come here with me!”

“Thank...you...” Twilight replied weakly. Rarity was almost crushing the living daylights out of her. She never realized her friend could be so strong. After a couple more seconds, Rarity let go and Twilight could breathe normally again.

“Anything for a friend! Now, we start bright and early at seven in the morning. Be sure to get rested, and I’ll have a lovely ensemble awaiting you. Oh, Twilight, you’ll look so gorgeous! We’ll have them on their knees in awe of our looks! You’ll love it!”

“I’m sure I will!” Twilight cheered. But, in the back of her mind, she realized she could have been reading a book from the library tomorrow instead of drawing more attention to herself in all the classes Rarity had. She huffed and looked at the guide once more. Rarity had ten different classes for each day, and no doubt she wanted Twilight to join her for each of them. Twilight gulped.

Rarity led Twilight down a corridor on the third floor of the building. Twilight was wearing a redone version of the birthday dress Rarity had made for her some time ago; a lustrous collar of miniature gemstones and a lace hemline complimented the once simple gown. Rarity herself stunned all whom they passed in a rosy-red ballroom number. Her hair was done up in a classy knot on top of her head, and her fine Fancy heels clicked against the floor.

They rounded a corner and were met with a series of doors. They walked a little further until they came up to the room titled ‘Season Trends Lecture, 8:00, SP.’ “Is this the room?” Twilight asked. Rarity nodded, and they both entered.

“I wonder who the lecturer is?” Twilight asked as she held the door open for Rarity.

“I’m sure I don’t know, darling. I don’t even think I recognize those initials on the do—” Before she finished, Rarity gasped. “It can’t be! What is the meaning of this outrage?!”

“Rarity, what’s wrong?” Twilight asked from behind her, catching a glimpse of the pink-coated, purple-coiffed, ascot-wearing lecturer.

When the two heard her speak, Rarity’s pupils dilated.

3) Sweet Celestia....

“You're late! Go ahead and have a seat, and we’ll get started. Now, then, I’m Suri Polomare, and I’ll be your lecturer today... okay?”

“No! Nonononononononono!” Rarity whined. “I cannot possibly have a class with you as my teacher!”

Twilight looked at her friend and the lecturer in confusion. “Wait... this is Suri Polomare? The one who copied your designs after you lent her your material?”

“Yes, dear, this is the backstabbing traitor I was talking about,” Rarity said, all the while staring at Suri as if she was something the cat dragged in.

“Aww, it’s nice to see you too, Rarity,” Suri replied, the faintest hint of smugness in her pleasant tone. “I see you’ve been well. I mean, you look absolutely gorgeous, but it’s no surprise. You are a pretty hot designer in this business.... okay.”

“I’m sorry, Rarity, but, I can’t see how she could backstab anypony!” Twilight exclaimed.

Rarity turned back toward Twilight, a slight twitch in her wide eyes. There was an awkward pause before Rarity began gently shoving Twilight out of the room. “Would you excuse us for just a moment?” she said to Suri not without a bit of malice. “My friend and I need to have a word.”

“Okay, Rarity, but hurry back...okay?” Suri replied, turning her attention back to the class.

Rarity stopped pushing Twilight when they’d both stopped just outside the door. “Rarity!” Twilight protested. “Honestly, what’s going on? You can’t seriously expect me to believe you still hold a grudge, after all, this—”

“Twilight! She nearly ruined me! I almost didn’t make the cut at that fashion expo! Of course, I’m still going to hold a grudge!! All she does is cheat to win, and steal fashion ideas! I do nothing of the sort, and, yet, she gets to be the teacher?! This is an outrage!” Rarity complained, shaking Twilight vigorously.

“Rarity!” Twilight yelled, making Rarity’s frenzy wind down to a stop. “Look, I know she’s made mistakes in the past. But maybe she took this lecturing job to turn over a new leaf? I mean, if Trixie can be redeemed, or even Discord, then she certainly can. Besides, she probably got the job because she’s been in Manehatten longer than you have. But this isn’t Manehatten. And you have to at least give her a chance to prove that she’s not the same mare that she was then. Okay?”

Rarity huffed. “Oh, Twilight, I suppose so. . .” She paused. “But, if Suri is acting suspicious or starts being rude, I simply must put my hoof down!”

Twilight heaved a heavy sigh, feeling frustration creep up on her. Just when things were starting to look up on this trip, things were now taking a turn for the worse. Taking another deep, calming breath, she replied, “Okay. I’ll understand if you do. But just remember to give her the benefit of the doubt. We aren’t entirely sure she doesn’t want to change. So, just... be nice. Okay?”

There was a long pause. Finally, Rarity huffed again and agreed. “If you insist, Twilight.”

At this, Twilight smiled and nodded, and the two mares went back inside to start the lecture. As they went, Twilight couldn’t help but feel slightly hypocritical; she asked Rarity to give Suri a chance, and yet she herself couldn’t keep an open mind throughout this whole trip. It made her feel somewhat ashamed, and she resolved to tell Rarity how she felt as soon as possible. It was the only way to lift this weight of emotion off her back. She just hoped Rarity would understand.

The next day, Rarity led Twilight out of class and to the library for the second time that week. It seemed Twilight’s words had had an effect on Rarity; she was as good as her word, and made no obvious attempts to lash out at her former rival while attending her lectures. At the same time, Suri Polomare seemed pleasant enough, and didn’t even make references to their bad blood in Manehatten at any time. In fact, she’d hardly said anything to Rarity at all, except to ask her for assistance in various design demonstrations and modeling. It was as if nothing had happened between the two at all.

The subjects of Suri’s lectures, however, were a different story.

“I mean, really! It’s as if she’s learned nothing since we last met!” Rarity complained as the pair made their way down the open streets of Trotsboro. “Her hemming methods are all wrong, her stitching patterns are an absolute mess, and I have never seen a mare use more suede than she does! Honestly! I’m starting to see why she would resort to stealing the ideas of others!”

“Rarity…” Twilight warned her face in a tight scowl. “You said you’d be nice.”

“Oh, I know, darling, I know,” Rarity replied, fretted, “but I just can’t help it. That Suri, she’s... well... she’s just so rude and self-important! I don’t know how much more of this I can stand.”

Twilight instantly remembered the guilt she still bore. In truth, she didn’t know how much more of ‘Equestria’s only boot camp for beauty’ (which was repeated at least three times a day at the hotel) she could take. Again, she briefly thought of telling Rarity the truth—she’d even stayed up late with Rarity last night while the latter had worked on an assignment that had taken up most of the night, and still, Twilight could not say anything about it. Still, she had wanted to stay in their room so she wouldn't feel as lonely; she had thought it was the least she could do. The white unicorn had been so grateful that she had promised she and Twilight would visit the Trotsboro Library immediately tomorrow if there were no assignments.

Once they reached the front of the library, Twilight once again made the attempt to tell Rarity her feelings about this whole trip, but started to forget all about it as soon as they went inside. With Coco Pommel being a friendly presence here, and Rarity having a good time and learning a lot (aside from her somewhat pedantic complaints about Suri Polomare), Twilight felt that her feelings weren’t as important anymore. Even she herself was enjoying the trip a bit, more than she’d originally envisioned (she even jokingly thought that, because of Suri annoying Rarity, she might ironically be having less fun than Twilight). Overall, it was enough of a reason not to speak up on the matter, and Twilight took a relaxing sigh as she began scouring shelves for the “Magical History” section.

As soon as her last class let out for the day, Suri hesitated. She could either stall as long as possible and risk getting fired yet again or get her flank down there as quick as possible.

Sure that risking her new boss’ ire was a bad idea, Suri left her podium and trotted quickly out of the room, down a hall, and to the nearest stairwell. Each trip was harder than the last (and a bit scarier), but Suri couldn’t risk losing this job. Since she was revealed as a cheater and a thief at the Manehatten Fashion Expo, she had been blacklisted by every fashion designer, modeling agency and clothing store from here to Las Pegasus. She’d had trouble holding jobs since then—she couldn’t even keep her job as a sales representative for KC Jenny’s. It had been misery since she’d been outed, and she’d hated that day more and more as time went on.

But more so, she hated Rarity.

She was only being nice to her since her boss had instructed her to, which didn’t exactly make sense. Every chance her boss got, she would always complain about Rarity and her friends, and it had Suri at a loss why she couldn't complain about her. She had been tempted to ask several times, and finally did ask once. She’d gotten no reply, and had been ordered once again to keep her feelings in check. Why, she hadn’t been told, and it was starting to drive her crazy.

Wherever this plan was going to go, Suri knew it had better get there quickly.

Suri finally reached the basement level, exited the stairwell, and slipped down a darkened hallway, hurrying her pace a bit—this new boss of hers did not like to be kept waiting. She reached the end of the hall, stopped in front of a large office door, and slowly pushed it open. “Uhh... hello?” she called into the seemingly empty office, “. . . you’re still here, right?”

“Good, you’re here,” a voice suddenly spoke up from the far side of the dark office, making Suri jump. Across the dark room was a desk and a rotating chair, which spun around to show (at least partially, due to the shadows) the face of the speaker.

“I trust everything’s going as planned?”

“Yeah, yeah, they don’t suspect a thing,” Suri replied lazily, then her laziness turned quickly into irritability. “Look, I’ve been planning this thing for you for the last three moons. Rarity and Twilight are both here, like we both wanted. I have Coco keeping an eye on them to make sure they don’t get too nosy, and the clothing designs are almost fully bewitched...” she wound down with a slow inhale before adding, “okay?”

“Don’t bore me with your insecurities, Polomare!” the voice shouted, even more irritable. “It was my plan to put this all together, and you took care of inviting both Twilight and Rarity. Their meddling friends won’t be the wiser as long as they aren’t around, so as long as you keep those two in check, everything will go smoothly!”

“All right, jeez...” Suri moaned with a scowl. This was unbearable, but she knew she had to make sure of one more thing. “Now, you promised, remember?” she asked warily. “You discredit Rarity for me if I bring you Twilight—”

“You think I’d back out of the deal?! You honestly think, after all, you’ve been through, that you can afford to run the risk of questioning my integrity?!”

Suri backed up a step in surprise, but tried to cover up her nervousness with annoyance, “I hate it when you bring that up...”

“Then stop being an idiot. You just make sure Coco does her job and doesn’t get too close to the operation. You were able to keep Twilight Sparkle’s obnoxious friends busy, so I know you are competent enough to get this done. Don’t prove me wrong!”

Again, Suri fought back a wave of panic. She hated feeling like this. That feeling of insecurity, of weakness, of being lost... she’d always vowed never to let anypony make her feel this way again. It had started with Rarity, but now, if she had any kind of chance at getting her life back, she had to endure it from this forced benefactor spending all her time sneaking around in the shadows.

“I’m holding up my end of the bargain,” Suri reminded, “now I just need to see you hold up yours.... okay?”

“Stop that. That’s getting annoying. You’ll know when my end will be upheld, Polomare. And if you knew better, you wouldn’t question me. Now, keep Coco under your thumb, and keep Twilight from figuring us out!”

“And Rarity, right?”

The voice sighed in frustration before replying to Suri’s question, “Yes. And Rarity. Now, go.”

Suri nodded and turned to leave, but just before she touched the door, she faintly heard somepony running away. Panicking, Suri opened the door to go after them, rounding the corner from where she was to catch up. Turning the corner, however, she saw that nopony was there.

Befuddled, Suri sighed and proceeded back down the hall to the stairwell. She resolved to keep a closer eye on Coco from now on; she was sure it had been her. She was getting too close, and her usefulness would run out quickly if that happened. Quickly, Suri set her mind to work on what to do with her.

4) Eavesdropping

Twilight and Rarity left the library, five books held in both aura’s. “I can’t wait to read all these!” Twilight cheered as they rounded the corner to the camp. They had spent two hours in the library, before it announced it was closing. Thankfully, she had her ten books ready to go a minute or two after the announcement.

“Oh, I knew you would have fun here, Twilight!” said Rarity excitedly, “I simply knew you would! Now, once we get back to the hotel, you must try this massage treatment they offer to the guests! I’ve been desperate for a gentle hoof to rub all my aches and pains away! Come, darling, let’s hurry back!”

“Okay!” Twilight cheered as she followed her friend towards the building.

As the pair trotted briskly back to the hotel, Twilight couldn’t deny that she felt delighted. Despite almost dreading coming with Rarity on this trip, little to none of it turned out as unfortunate as she’s envisioned. And Rarity was more than willing to accompany Twilight in activities the latter enjoyed, as a sort of payment for being on this trip. Overall, it wasn’t so bad, and Twilight no longer had a reason to complain. Her guilt about not coming clean about her feelings about this excursion had all but dissipated, and Twilight no longer felt the need to. She was now having all the fun she thought she’d never have.

As soon as they got inside the fashion camp, they headed up to their room so Twilight could drop off her books, and they could get their spa robes on. Once they were all set, only Rarity headed for the door, while Twilight lagged behind.

“Twilight, darling, do hurry!” Rarity told her eagerly just before her hoof touched the door. “If we leave now, we can catch which of the stallions is the masseur tonight!”

Twilight smiled. “Just a second, Rarity. I can’t decide which book to bring. They all look so good!” Rarity began prancing in place, clearly nervous. Twilight turned her head towards the antsy unicorn. “Go ahead, Rarity.” She said. “I’ll meet you down there in a minute.”

Rarity quickly opened the door, but left one last sing-songy comment, “All right, but don’t get mad when the best-looking stallions are taken!” With that, she rushed out and closed the door, giggling like a school filly.

Twilight rolled her eyes and smiled. Classic Rarity… She thought, as she spread her books out and scanned over the titles yet again. She realized it would be a while if she did what she usually did, which would be, sorting out the pros and cons. So, after about five minutes, she closed her eyes and levitated a book randomly. She opened them to see which one she choose.

“Ah! The Modern Approaches to Ancient Unicorn Sorcery! A classic!” said Twilight before stowing the book away and nonchalantly making her way out of the hotel room. She closed and locked the door, looked up and down the hall, and hoped to just barely see Rarity turning a corner. When she saw nopony around, she frowned—she completely forgot where the hotel spa was.

Maybe I’ll bump into somepony and they’ll tell me. She thought. That thought calmed her nerves just a tad, and she walked in—what she hoped—was the right direction.

After several wrong turns and flights of stairs, she found herself in the basement of the camp. She looked from left to right as she walked down the narrow hallway. “I think I’ll just go back up to the lobby.” She mused to herself, slowly starting to turn around. As she did, she saw somepony run into a dark, empty room out of the corner of her eye. Curious, she followed.

Twilight’s pace was slow and steady as she approached the departing pony, but when she saw the pony turn a corner, she sped up a bit. She reached out a hoof to call out, but before she could, she heard a door slam. Sighing, Twilight rushed over to the corner in the hall and turned, seeing only one door at that end of the hall. Well, that makes things a little easier, she thought to herself, glad not to have to check multiple doors. Who knows? This could even be the door to the spa.

Twilight walked closer to the door and attempted to open the door, but she heard a voice, loud and apparently enraged, coming from the other side, and recoiled. Whoever it was didn’t sound happy at all, and Twilight’s first instinct was to leave. However, her curiosity rooted her to the spot, and she felt a surge of shock and anxiety when she recognized the voice as that of Suri Polomare.

A bulk of the shock came not from who said it, but what was said.

“All right, jeez… Now, you promised, remember?” she asked warily. “You discredit Rarity for me if I bring you Twilight—” Another, voice cut off Suri’s. It was louder and bossier. Twilight just couldn’t put her off on who the voice’s owner was.

“You think I’d back out of the deal?!” the voice bellowed. “You honestly think, after all you’ve been through, that you can afford to run the risk of questioning my integrity?!”

After taking a deeper listen, Twilight suddenly felt that that angry voice sounded somewhat familiar. Still, she could not place it, but she knew she’d heard it somewhere. From where, she may not have known, but why the voice was so upset, and what it and Suri meant by a deal, she had even less of a clue. But one thing was clear from Suri’s words:

She and Rarity were set up.

Twilight started to panic. Being set up was not fun. She and her friends had been set up countless times before, and she didn’t want it to happen again.

Except—it was happening again—at least, Suri, and whoever was in there, we're planning something horrible for her and Rarity. She had to tell her friend immediately.

So lost in thought, she hadn’t realized when the door handle began to move. Panicking, Twilight ran out into the hallway before rational thought took over. Firing up her magic, she promptly teleported up to the lobby.

“Rarity! Rarity, it’s terrible! We have to get out of here, right now!!”

Twilight had finally found the spa, and had located Rarity immediately. Her relaxing back rub interrupted, Rarity looked up irritably at Twilight, glanced at her masseur, and quipped, “You know, darling, I realize he’s large, but he’s quite harmless.”

The stallion looked at Rarity questioningly. “No, Rarity, not him!” Twilight cried. “I heard something. I got lost in the basement and heard something terrible!”

Rarity finally pulled herself up after hearing this. She looked at the stallion and asked, “Would you give us a moment? Be back soon, though, I’d rather like to work on the flanks soon.” When the masseur left, Rarity got up from her table and hopped back down to the floor. “Right then, Twilight. Whatever is the matter, now?”

“Well, I got lost and somehow made my way down to the basement, and—”

“The basement?” Rarity interrupted with a grimace. “Why would you insist on getting lost there, of all places? Besides, weren’t you right behind me?”

“No, I was picking out a book, remember?” Twilight gasped as if it was the last breath she would ever take. “The book!! Where is it? Where did I put that book?!” She began frantically looking around the area she and Rarity were standing. Other ponies started to stare at her in confusion.

“Now, now, darling, do calm yourself,” Rarity advised, sounding more than a little concerned herself, “you probably just dropped it somewhere on your way here. I could help you look, you know, if you need me to.”

“No no no…” She mumbled to herself, barely paying attention to a word Rarity said. “I must have dropped it when I teleported... or ran away!” She grabbed Rarity’s shoulders. “Rarity! Do you know what this means?!”

Rarity seemed disturbed by Twilight’s sudden raving. “You’ll understand that I shudder to imagine, dear...”

“It means they might know that I was there!” Twilight stopped raving, seeming to remember the whole reason she came in to the spa room in the first place. “Rarity, we need to get out of this camp. Now.” She said the last sentence through gritted teeth.

By this time, Rarity was right back to being worried. “Twilight... I don’t understand. Why... why would you say these things? I know this trip was far from your idea, but... but to try and convince me of shady dealings is so unlike you...”

Twilight noticed a small tear flowing down Rarity’s white fur. “Oh, Rarity, don’t cry…” She tried to calm her friend. “I didn’t mean it like that... In fact, I’ve been enjoying this trip quite a lot! I just-”

“Well, if that’s true, then why the hesitation? And the stuttering, and the sighing, and the constant silence, all of which you’ve done since we left Ponyville? If you’d been having fun on this trip like you’d told me, you would have shown it more, wouldn’t you? But you don’t speak up, you insist on whiling away the hours at the library instead of accompanying me to my lectures, and now this....” Rarity wound down her rant to a mere croak, visibly in pain over this seemingly built-up tension. Her voice softened, though, as she continued, “Then again... you did tell the truth at your brother’s wedding... and I didn’t listen to you then....”

“Excuse me? You kinda dropped this... okay?”

Twilight whipped around to see none other that Suri herself holding out Twilight’s book. The book she dropped in the basement. The book that could be proof that Twilight was down there. Her eyes went wide, her ears folded back, and her mouth moved soundlessly. She was too scared to say anything at all to this backstabbing earth pony.

Rarity glanced to Twilight, taking in her sudden fear. “Why, Twilight, what’s the matter?” she asked. “That is your book, isn’t it? The one you were missing? And Suri was kind enough to find it and bring it back to you! Isn’t that lovely? How very considerate of her!” There was a slight edge to her tone that told Twilight she wasn’t quite being sincere, but it was well hidden enough for nopony else to notice.

Twilight still wasn't able to do anything, still stuck the the spot. There were a million thoughts running amok in her head, but not one came out in speech. After a while, Rarity soffed and levitated Twilight’s book out of Suri’s open hoof. “I’m sorry for my friend.” Rarity told Suri, the slight edge still there. “She’s being quite rude right now.”

“Oh, no problem,” Suri replied, returning Rarity’s slightly insincere tone back to her, “just hope this helps bury the hatchet between us.” She then looked at Twilight and continued, “You just make sure you don’t get lost again. Wouldn’t want to end up in a place you’re not entirely sure you should be.” She gave a lazy chuckle before adding, “Okay?”

Rarity returned the chuckle. “Yes, dear, I’m sure it does.” There was some awkward silence before Suri turned around and left the spa room. Rarity looked over at Twilight, seeing she was in the same state as before. She sighed and looked over at where her mausser had been. He was already working on another client.

Disappointed, Rarity turned back toward her friend. “Well, really, Twilight! Here you were, lecturing me about giving Suri another chance, and you come to me with some far-fetched story that we have to leave? What could you possibly have heard that could have been so terrible, anyway?”

Twilight slowly came back to reality and faced her friend. “Rarity, I’ve been trying to tell you what happened. I got lost and wound up in the basement. I saw somepony head down a hallway, and I thought it was the way to the spa, or they could tell me where the spa is—”

“Darling, I’m afraid you’re rambling,” Rarity interrupted, “if you want to tell me what’s on your mind, then please, say so.”

“I’m trying to!” Twilight cried. “I’m trying to tell you what’s wrong!!” Ponies around them turned to stare at them again. Soon, the whole spa room—and some ponies who were passing by—were staring at them. Rarity started to blush, but Twilight didn’t seem to notice.

Rarity addressed everypony in the spa politely, yet nervously, “Excuse us, won’t you?” She then picked Twilight up by the tail with her magic, forcing her to trot briskly on her front hooves as Rarity ushered her aside. Once the pair had reached the door, Rarity dropped Twilight, and she landed hard on her rump. “Twilight, I don’t know what is going on here,” Rarity spoke in a low, almost growling whisper, “but you are embarrassing me! If you weren’t having a good time, this is not the best way to let me know it!”

“I am having a great time!” Twilight tried to convince her friend once more. “I just need to tell you something really urgent!”The purple princess looked around, as if just now noticing the many pony eyes that were facing their way, and the many pony ears, perked up, trying to hear what they were saying. “Can’t we leave the spa room for a minute, and you can come back when we're done talking?” She asked in a hushed whisper, craning her neck down a tiny bit.

Her fretted look only getting worse, Rarity glanced between Twilight and the spa door. “Why can’t you just tell me, Twilight?” the unicorn finally asked, in a sad, desperate tone that made Twilight’s heartache. “Why can’t you just tell me the truth?”

Twilight looked around again, extremely nervous that one of these ponies watching them was some sort of spy and would leak the information to Suri and that other pony.

“I-I just can’t okay?!” She said in an angry huff. Why won’t Rarity just go up to our room so I can tell her?!

After a weighty pause, Rarity sighed and bowed her head, pressing a hoof to her temple. “Twilight, I...” she began, unsteadily, “. . . I... you know I want to believe you. Not trusting your instincts once nearly cost us everything. But this... I just...” Suddenly, her eyes began to well up with tears. “I just don’t know what to think. I was hoping you wouldn’t have to keep anything from me, and even though you insist it’s the truth, I have seen reason to doubt you after we left....” She shook her head to pull herself together before yelling, “I just cannot answer you now, Twilight! Whatever is going on here, I need to think it over!” And with that, she turned and stormed out of the spa, stifling her sobs.

“Rarity, wait!” Twilight called, feeling her heart plunge. She went after her, but stopped; Rarity was the type of pony that needed a moment to herself to recuperate from emotional turmoil. And although whatever she overheard between Suri and the mystery pony did seem dangerous enough, there was no reason to believe whatever actions they were planning could be sprung just yet. And even with Twilight’s inadvertent interference, making a move now would look out of the ordinary for the other ponies, so risking blowing their cover now might be foolish. Furthermore, Twilight knew that Rarity was on her way back up to their room, and would thus be safe in case of Suri decided to act. At the very least, Twilight would know where she was, and would be able to act quickly.

Still, knowing that Suri was dealing with some shady character in a hidden plot was disconcerting, and no amount of rationalization could change that.

Glancing out a nearby window to see day fading to dusk, Twilight set her mind to work on a plan, when she heard hoof steps behind her. Turning warily, she saw a most welcome sight: Coco Pommel, a look of concern on her face.

“Oh, hello, Coco,” Twilight greeted her as calmly as she could in spite of her panic. “I... I guess you heard that, huh? Look, I hope you didn’t get a bad impression from that—”

Coco gently put a hoof over Twilight’s mouth. “It’s fine, Twilight. I know I wasn’t there when you were there, but-” She hesitated. “-I think I know what you were trying to say.” She took her hoof away from Twilight’s mouth. “And I believe you.”

5) Coco Covered Info

“Wait…” Twilight stared at the tan earth pony in shock. “You believe me? Really?” And here, she thought nopony at all would ever believe a seemingly blatant lie like what she heard.

“Umm, well... yes,” Coco replied meekly, a bit reminiscent of Fluttershy from Twilight’s perspective, “but... oh, I’d be in so much trouble if Suri knew I told...”

“No, no, it’s okay, I won’t tell her.” Twilight shook her head as she said this. In truth, she was eager to get the dirt on Suri from a trusted source. Plus, maybe Rarity would listen to Coco and not be upset at Twilight anymore! Overjoyed with this possible outcome, Twilight motioned for Coco to follow her outside.

The two mares exited the spa, crossed the lobby at a brisk pace, and approached the nearest stairwell. Using her magic, Twilight pushed the door open ahead of them, allowed Coco to enter first, then went in after. With nothing but the stairs present to their words, Coco prepared to speak, but stopped, instead starting with, “Are you sure this is safe?”

Twilight looked around and nodded. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure. I don’t think anypony can hear us, or is in this staircase, at this moment. Would you like me to put a bubble of silence around us?”

Coco nodded, and Twilight complied, generating a light with her horn that expanded to encompass them both. The light faded and solidified into a glistening, spherical, transparent barrier that surrounded them entirely. Any and all sound inside the barrier was muffled to a degree, but Twilight knew Coco could still be heard inside it.

“Thank you,” Coco said, a bit shakily. She then took a deep breath, hesitated, and proceeded, “I... well, I figured it out about the same way you did. I was on the basement level, looking for Suri, and I was just about to knock when I heard somepony’s voice on the other side that I didn’t recognize. I know I should’ve left, but... what they were talking about... horrible things... I couldn’t understand...”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked as she sat down on one of the steps the bubble of silence covered. “That they were trying to get back at Rarity and me somehow?”

“Well... I think so,” Coco mumbled, “I know Suri’s still mad about the Fashion Expo in Manehatten, but... I didn’t know she’d be this mad...”

“I never met her, but, the way Rarity talks about her…” Twilight shuddered. “...It gives me chills just thinking about it.” She paused, thinking. “Did you see this pony that was talking to Suri?”

“No, I’m sorry,” Coco replied sadly, “but I heard one or two things about a spell of some kind... something having to do with the fashion designs being made here... something that’s supposed to affect everypony attending...”

“Spells, fashion designs, and everypony attending…” Twilight murmured. “Well...I guess that makes sense…”

“At first, I didn’t think anything of it, but then Suri brought up some kind of promise. Like... whoever that pony was would help her get back at Rarity in exchange for something.”

“Did she say what that ‘something’ was?” Twilight inquired. The information Coco was giving her made sense, in a way, but she didn’t have enough to put the pieces together and see the whole puzzle.

Coco’s expression then showed the most intense fear Twilight had seen yet. Her voice was a frightened, shrill squeak as she answered, and the answer made Twilight’s heart stop:

“You.”

“Me? Why—what would she want me for?!” Twilight screamed. “Is that pony out of her mind?!”

Coco’s panic only increased from there. “Oh! Oh, dear! Twilight, I’m so sorry! I... I just told you what I heard, I... I didn’t mean to upset you... but, please understand, I believe you, I really do—”

“Coco, I know. I’m glad your’re telling the truth.” Coco smiled at this. “But, jeez, Suri wants me as a prisoner? Why would she ever need a purple princess who knows almost every spell there is?!” As she said this, her wings took her up to the top of the bubble. She paused, realizing what she just said. “Well...I mean...Why would she need me?”

“I... I don’t know. Suri only said that she’d help get you if she had the chance to get revenge on Rarity. I don’t know why, or who would want you, but... th-that’s what I heard...” Suri bowed her head sadly, seeming upset at a perceived failure.

Twilight sighed, realizing she was only upsetting Coco further, and she slowly descended back down. She should be freaking out in her room or somewhere away from the timid earth pony, not causing a scene and making her feel bad! If anything, she should be grateful that Coco was telling her this, and wasn’t going to tell anypony what they were talking about. She stopped herself, hovering in mid-air.

Wait. “Coco, you’re not going to tell anypony about this conversation, right?”

Coco gasped in response. “Oh, no! I would never do that, Princess! I’m in enough trouble just saying it out loud, where somepony might hear—oh, n-not that I think your magic bubble isn’t working, I’m just... I’m just so... I’m so scared....” Her words ended in a whimper, and she cringed, fighting tears.

Twilight landed gracefully and went over to put a hoof on Coco’s shoulder. “Coco, it’s fine.” She soothed. “Don’t worry. I still have my bubble of silence up, nopony can hear us except you and me. And I definitely won’t tell anypony at all about this horrible plan, okay?”

Coco looked up at Twilight through her tears, and blinked them back, smiling and slowly nodding. “I’m... I’m so glad you trust me, Princess...”

Twilight nodded, but in her own mind, she was far less composed than she looked. Coco’s trust in her and attempt to speak out against this conspiracy in spite of the danger meant that nothing could be put before this. Suri was dealing behind a curtain with some mysterious mastermind with a grudge, and that only made the situation that much worse. Wherever Rarity had gone, that’s where Twilight had to be. She needed to know about this, immediately.

And once she knew for certain what kind of place this was, they had to work together to find out Suri’s plan and stop her.

“Coco, of course, I would trust you. You are a friend of Rarity, after all.” She removed her hoof from Coco’s shoulder, sensing she had calmed down—not fully—but a tiny bit. “Could you tell me what you did afterward?”

“The only thing I could think to do. I ran. I went back to my room and hid for the rest of the night. I didn’t even sleep that night...” Coco took a breath and let it out shakily. “I should have warned you. I should have kept you from coming, but I didn’t know who else to turn to...”

“Coco, don’t worry so much about it. What you told me now is great-”

“Wait!” Coco interrupted Twilight, and suddenly, her face showed sudden horror. “We need to find Rarity!!”

A great wave of confusion washed over Twilight. “Find her? Why? She went up to her room, remember?”

“But Suri wants to get back at her, remember? So, if we leave her alone, who knows what could happen! We have to find her and warn her, now!”

This lit a fire that spread quickly throughout Twilight’s nerves. If it was true, and there really was a conspiracy against them at this academy, then under no circumstances could they stay alone for any length of time?

“You’re right, Coco,” Twilight proclaimed. “We should go find and warn Rari-wait…” Twilight paused, uncertain.

“What’s wrong?” Coco asked, coming forward to comfort Twilight, in case she started panicking as well.

Twilight thought back to her argument with Rarity in the spa. She seemed upset by Twilight’s outburst and confused by her accusations. Even if Twilight was correct (which she was sure she was), Rarity would need time to get herself together, and decide whether she believed her or not. On the other hand, if Rarity was in danger, then at this point, she would be at her most vulnerable, and whoever was working with Suri would find this the best time to strike, while Rarity was helpless, confused and emotionally unstable.

“Oh, well, I just—nevermind. Let’s go find her and make sure she’s OK. We can tell her about the danger here...after she’s cooled down.” Coco shot her a confused look. “I kinda had a small fight with her in the spa,” Twilight explained for her.

“It’s okay,” Coco replied softly, “I heard. I just hope Rarity won’t still be upset with you. Without all of this going on, you two are still friends, after all.”

“I hope she’s not still upset, too.” Twilight stared off into space, remembering how much she didn’t want to come here in the first place. She shook her head, clearing the bad memory, and destroyed the bubble of silence with a pop.

The two mares made their way quickly up the stairwell to the floor Twilight and Rarity’s room was on. Passing by several ponies on the way made them rethink how fast they should go, and how urgent they appeared to be—they knew they couldn’t appear too rushed, or else would appear conspicuous. Within minutes, they reached Twilight’s room, pushed through the door, and inspected the place. It only took a few seconds of searching for them to realize they had a problem.

“She’s not here!”