Cookie Crumbles gently places hay on Sweetie Belle's toast. "Those cooking lessons finally payed off eh dearie". Hondo Flanks and Cookie Crumbles sit around the table with their own breakfasts
Sweetie Belle nods and stuffs the toast in her mouth. "How have you been with the Crusaders lately?"
"We helped a pony in Cloudsdale with her cutie mark, Rainbow Dash's cousin Cirrus"
"That's really nice of your Sweetie"
Hondo swallows his burnt toast while reading a letter "Speaking of cousins, I'll have you know your cousin Brazier is having a promotion party with his friends, and he says you can come too"
"Of course! But what about Rarity?"
Sweetie Belle's parents laugh "That's not going to work Sweetie Belle" Hondo Flanks turns to Cookie Crumbles "Remember when Rarity was a filly she cried for three hours straight because she didn't like Brazier's shirt".
"Yeah I know, but he's a real sweetheart"
Sweetie Belle asks curiously "But that was years ago, I'm sure they'd get along now"
Cookie Crumbles starts to wash the dishes "I doubt it, but if she's interested she can come"
"Thanks for helping with the scarf" Sweetie Belle tells the other CMCs and Snowy Trail, who are all helping knitting a blue scarf in Rarity's house.
Snowy Trail knits a snowflake pattern in the scarf "Just returning the favor. Thanks for helping my big sis, she's been upset over her cutie mark for the longest time but she's finally accepted it"
"No problem! Helping ponies with cutie marks is our thing. If any pony in Cloudsdale needs help let us know"
Rarity steps in the room "Did somepony say big sis?". She inspects the scarf "Why this is a gorgeous scarf you four are knitting, I must ask, what's the occasion?"
"Morning Rarity, Mom and Dad are going to take me to our cousin Brazier's party in Manehattan. Maybe I can be just as generous as you"
Rarity chuckles "Oh you silly filly, no pony can. I'm sure I can come up with a better gift than you"
"Mom and Dad recommended you shouldn't go. You didn't get along with Brazier"
"Didn't. I'm sure whatever quarrel we had can be fixed". Rarity starts flipping through random clothing, but notices Sweetie Belle runs away with the scarf.
"Thanks guys!"
The fillies wave "I hope Brazier likes it!"
"See you soon!"
"Bye!"
Rarity looks puzzled "She's off already?"
Apple Bloom responds "The train to Manehattan leaves in 5 minutes". Rarity looks shocked and leaves with an empty gift box.
In the train, Rarity sweats intensely while sitting with Sweetie Belle and her parents, who are inspecting the scarf. "This is a lovely scarf dear, I'm sure Brazier will love it"
Rarity looks at the empty box nervous "You know where the party is right?"
Cookie responds "Of course! It's just five buildings to the right of your boutique"
Rarity mutters to herself "Phew. I could just grab a gift from there"
The train stops at the station. Rarity tells her family "Why don't you all come see my boutique while you're here. Before the party starts". They all follow Rarity.
As Cookie Crumbles and Sweetie Belle try on various dresses, Coco Pommel and Hondo watches, Rarity whispers to Sweetie Belle. "Do you know what's Brazier''s favorite color is?"
"Mom said it was blue, that's why we made the scarf blue"
Rarity turns to Coco Pommel "Do we have any blue dresses in stock"
"Well, I made the new line of cross trimmed dresses last night, I'm quite sure I made a blue one"
Rarity follows Coco Pommel into a sewing room. She flips through a clothes line and takes a blue dress "You mind if I give this as a gift to my cousin?"
"Oh of course!"
Rarity folds the dress into the gift box "Generosity my name is Rarity"
"This is it here fillies" Hondo Flanks stops at a rent-able party room. "The party starts soon, me and Mom are going shopping, we'll return when we're done"
Sweetie Belle waves "Bye Mom! Bye Dad!". Rarity waves as well then looks upwards.
"It's raining. I hope they don't mind us waiting in the entrance. Rarity and Sweetie Belle step in and find three stallions, one of each type of pony watching another pony setting a party up through a large glass display window. The earth pony turns to Rarity and says.
"The party room isn't available for rental today ma'am, we have something special planned"
Rarity looks confused "Oh... um whats going on"
The pegasi says "Me and my friends were just promoted to sergeants. Our friend who owns the party room set up a day of fun activities"
Sweetie Belle tells Rarity "I think this is the one we're supposed to be at" she approaches the stallions and points at each of their cutie marks "A firefighter hat, a hose, and a fire hydrant? Are you all..."
The unicorn stallion smile and picks up Sweetie Belle "Firefighters! I remember when you were just a little foal!"
"Brazier? Is that you?"
"It sure is! I'm glad you could come!"
The Pegasi points to Rarity "Is that your cousin Rarity?"
Brazier waves "Hey Rarity, I didn't expect you to show up". The pony who was setting up the party peeps in. Brazier whispers "Add a spot for one more pony". He nods
"Remember me from when you were a filly?"
Rarity becomes worried and mumbles "Um... not really... let me check the weather quickly". Rarity steps outside and panics while looking in the gift box containing the dress.
The Earth Pony turns to Brazier "Remember when Rarity cried all day because you were wearing a blue shirt and she wanted you to wear a neon one?". The stallions start laughing, Sweetie Belle approaches them
"She matured a lot since she was a filly, really!"
Brazier pats Sweetie Belle's head "I'm sure she has"
Rarity quickly peeps in the door "Sweetie Belle, can you come out here for a second"
"Yes Rarity?"
"YOU DIDN'T TELL ME BRAZIER WAS A STALLION"
"So? Families family. Is there something wrong with stallions?" Rarity rolls her eyes then re-enters the building.
The party room owner exits the door "It's all set up" he welcomes Rarity and Sweetie Belle "Welcome to the promo party! Where we celebrate..."
Brazier tells him "I already told them, you can skip that" he points to each of his friends, the earth pony "This is Sturdy Steed" the pegasi "Rain Drops", and the unicorn "Brazier Horn, who I hear is your cousin. And I'm Streamer!"
Rarity smiles "It is very nice to meet you all" she extends her hoof.
"We have a special greeting of our very, check it out". Brazier and Sturdy growl while waving their hooves angrily at each other.
"Why that is very... unique kind of greeting" Rarity takes a step back.
"Let me try!" Sweetie Belle approaches Rain Drops, who sits down and does the same greeting. "See Rarity, it's not so bad"
"Uh um yes, I think we can skip that" Rarity looks back at the rain outside "Can we all go inside now, it's raining"
"That's even better!" Streamer exclaims.
Everypony starts rolling in the mud and splashing each other near the river. Rarity sits nearby and watches under an umbrella
"What a disgusting and repulsive behavior am I here to witness. I will never take part of such activity". Sturdy Steed emerges from the mud and grabs Rarity, then tosses her in the mud. "HOW DARE YOU"
Sweetie Belle emerges next to Rarity "Come on Rarity, you went a whole Sisterhooves social in mud"
"Ugh, now that I'm in it doesn't seem that bad". Brazier swipes Rarity's hooves and drags her back in the mud, while Rain Drops splashes Sweetie Belle.
The party members leave the mud and let the rain wash the mud off "Where to now?"
Rarity pouts "Can we go somewhere more... relaxing, like the spa". The Stallions look at each other confused then shrug.
"It's not much of a party if you want to stay isolated Rarity" Sweetie Belle tells Rarity in a state of relaxation.
"Oh Sweetie, us ladies need our privacy from the boys"
"Um... privacy from what, we wear nothing at least ninety percent of the time. I'm going back" Sweetie Belle enters a door to another spa. Some laughing is heard
"What was that. ARE YOU SPYING ON ME". Some more laughs are heard from the door. Rarity covers herself with a towel "I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING". She runs up to the door, opens it, then swings the towel angrily. Sweetie Belle giggles at Rarity's mad flailing and points to a record player, repeating the boy's laughs.
"They left the sauna, they said they were bored"
"WELL MAYBE I SHOULD LEAVE TOO"
"But Rarity!"
Rarity looks at Sweetie Belle serious "Fine alright, where did they run off to now"
Sweetie Belle runs into the towel room, and finds all four stallions whacking each other with towels. An employee sits and watches
"Come on Rarity! You like waving towels at me". Rain Drops blasts a towel at Sweetie Belle with a gust of wind from his wings, trapping her. Rarity instead marches up to the employee.
"End this brutal onslaught NOW! Did you see he did to my sister?"
The employee shrugs "They paid to use the towels as they wish. Your sister looks fine". Sweetie Belle takes the towel off her and charges at Streamer.
Rarity grabs Sweetie Belle as she starts to charge "Are you okay, these brutes, I mean... brothers are quite rough"
"Oh I'm fine, come join us!"
Rarity backs away and waits in the hallway.
"Does the next activity not involve us being uncivilized mules, beating each other up"
Brazier shakes his head "Nope! I bought tickets for us all"
Rarity grabs the tickets and looks at them "Whats this? A play? A boat ride?"
Sweetie Belle and the stallions cheer on two ponies flipping each other in a wrestling ring. "I thought you said this didn't involve beating each other up"
Brazier points at the wrestlers "But those aren't us"
"IS THAT CHEERLIE?" Sweetie Belle runs up to Cheerlie who's standing around the wrestling ring.
"You know her?" Raindrops points to Cheerlie.
"Yup! She's my teacher" Sweetie Belle looks up "Hey Cheerlie, what are you doing here?"
"Oh I'm just here to see my twin sister Cherry Blossom, shes a Professional Wrestler" Cheerlie turns to the entrance door "Here she comes now!"
The announcer exclaims "And we have our next challenger... Mystery Mare!". A mare who looks identical to Cheerlie in a Green and Yellow suit approaches the ring.
Brazier tells Sweetie Belle "I wanna get her autograph". Rain Drops, Streamer, and Sturdy all nod.
"She's amazing"
Cherry Blossom lunges at the opposing wrestler and flips them into the air, then does a body slam on them. Cheerlie cheers loudly while Rarity tries to look away.
As wrestlers and audience start to leave the ring, Sweetie Belle whispers into Cheerlie's ear, who nods. Cheerlie then talks to Cherry Blossom while leaving the room.
The four stallions sit on a bench, Sturdy asks "What did you tell your teacher?"
"Just watch"
Cherry Blossom suddenly lunges towards them and picks up the bench with all four stallions "Greetings!". They seem happy, but Rarity leaves and Sweetie Belle follows with a concerned look on her face.
"That was awesome! Thanks Sweetie, we wouldn't get her autograph with you" Rain Drops holds up a Firefighter helmet with Cherry Blossom's Luchadore cutie mark drawn on it. The other stallions look at it.
Brazier lower his head to Sweetie Belle "How'd you convince your teacher to let us see Cherry Blossom?"
"It was nothing, really. You guys are fun, where are going next?"
Rarity sits at a table reading a fashion magazine in an arcade within the party room, while Streamer and Rain Drops play a board game on the other side. The others try various arcade machines.
"Well, are you enjoying yourself?" Streamer approaches Rarity "Your cousin just ordered us lunch"
Rarity gives an emotionless nod then returns to the magazine. Sweetie Belle walks up to Rarity "Are you sure it was a good idea to come? You don't really seem with us"
"I couldn't just ignore an invitation like that. I'm sure if I strike up a conversation we can release the tension" she approaches Streamer and Rain Drops and tries to sweet talk them. "This board game of yours looks just delightful may I ask what it is"
"Ogres and Oubliettes, wanna play?" Brazier and Sturdy approach "I'm a level 17..."
Rarity shakes her head "Oh no I don't". Streamer and Rain Drops looks at her annoyed. "Alright. What do you want now"
Brazier looks concerned and whispers to Rain Drops "Please be nice to her. We're going to pick up the sandwiches"
Rarity continues "Do you have any fashion preferences?"
"We... typically don't wear anything. Maybe for something formal or if we were on a date"
"A date? Is there a mare that catches your eye?"
Rain Drops and Streamer look at each other nervous "Do we have to answer that?"
"Oh it's just for... survey purposes, I will keep these private and I probably don't know which mares you're talking about"
Rain Drops turns away slowly, then points to a Wonderbolts poster "I like that one okay? Not in a romantic way or anything"
Rarity looks at the poster, its a picture of Rainbow Dash "Come see our newest recruit do a Sonic Rainboom... uh I don't know that one"
Streamer whispers "I like that bouncy pink party pony, I can't remember what she was called. Peach Pie?"
Brazier magically carries the platter of sandwiches and looks at the board "Did you escape the southern dungeon yet?"
"Nope, we need to get another three skill points"
Brazier places the platter of sandwiches. "Who's hungry?". All ponies approach
Rarity immediately takes one "I must say, these sandwiches look delightful, what's in them"
"Lettuce, tomato, egg, butter, cucumber, and sliced zucchini"
"That sounds absolutely delightful. I thought you'd make me suffer through one of your shenanigans again"
Brazier raises his eyebrow "Well, we did order for a few of them to have ground filly peppers mixed in. The 3rd hottest peppers in Equestria"
Rarity puts the sandwich back "Well I guess if some of you are into extremely spicy food that's fine. Can you separate the sandwiches with and without peppers?"
"Nope, I asked the chef to mix them up, no pony knows which sandwich is which. Good luck eating them!" The stallions give off a maniacal laugh.
"THAT IS THE MOST SADISTIC GAME I'VE EVER HEARD OF" Rarity pats Sweetie Belle "DID YOU EVER THINK OF THE FILLY"
The stallions look at Brazier who sighs "Alright we'll go easy on Sweetie Belle. You can sniff the sandwiches so you can tell them apart"
Sweetie Belle takes two sandwiches and sniffs them both. Rarity whispers to Sweetie Belle "Give me one without filly peppers please"
"Nothing spicy here" Sweetie Belle eats a sandwich then hands the other to Rarity. She takes a bite and her pupils shrink
Brazier smiles and takes out a fire helmet and hose. Rarity starts breathing fire and Brazier blasts her with water. The other ponies laugh.
"Wow, not even Spike breathes that much fire"
Rarity keeps drinking from the hose "I TRUSTED YOU SWEETIE BELLE, HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME"
"Aw come on Rarity, its just a game"
"JUST A GAME!? YOU PONIES ARE UNCIVIL DEGENERATE BRUTES. I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU CALL YOURSELF FRIENDS"
The stallions look unsympathetic. "You can leave"
Rarity runs away, Sweetie Belle stays put and frowns, while Brazier and his friends look concerned. Rain Drops asks Brazier "What made you think inviting Rarity was a good idea?"
"I didn't want to sound rude to my uncle. I couldn't just invite one of my cousins and not the other, so I warned him Rarity may not like what we're up to. What does she do for fun Sweetie Belle?"
Sweetie Belle hesitates "High society, making fancy clothes, relaxing in spas. Nothing you guys would ever want to do" the stallions look sad but nod. "I'm sure she's happier now to be away"
Rarity walks towards her boutique, then finds Spike "Spikey Wikey? Is that you? What are you doing out here on your own?"
Spike explains "I've done plenty on my own. But when I heard you were going to a party that you were warned you wouldn't like, I got a bit worried and came here. Is everything alright?"
"You came here just to check on me. You really are my most supportive friend"
The stallions continue to eat sandwiches while taking turns drinking from the fire hose, including Sweetie Belle. Rain Drops randomly turns into a fireball and flies around the room, at which everypony laughs again.
"That was a good meal Brazier. I wanted to give you something too"
"Really?" Sweetie Belle hands Brazier a gift box, which he opens. He puts the scarf on "This is really nice! They don't call you Sweetie for nothing!"
"My friends helped me make it, they're really sweet too" Rarity wanted to give you this. Sweetie Belle hands Brazier the gift box Rarity brought.
"She did?" He opens the box and pulls out the blue dress. He looks awkwardly at it while his friends giggle "This would be lovely... on a mare"
"So you didn't like anything they did?" Spike stands next to Rarity sobbing at a table in a cafeteria.
"It was insufferable"
"But to them it wasn't. And Sweetie Belle didn't mind it, no pony got hurt. Some groups of friends aren't like ours, it's like not we do crazy stuff together"
"CRAZY?! That doesn't begin to describe it. They pushed each other around without consideration for others. That's no way to treat a lady" Rarity lifts her head up exhausted "I need some quiet time on my own Spike. I'm sorry". Rarity approaches a staircase, Spike scratches his chin.
"I guess she'll be okay, maybe she just wasn't expecting the party to be so rough"
Rarity finds an empty tea room and puts the kettle on. She picks up a fashion magazine but it's the same one as the one she read earlier, so she places it next to the kettle. She then leaves the room. The magazine starts smouldering from the heat of the kettle, then bursts into flames.
Spike approaches Sweetie Belle who is watching the Midsummer Theatre with the stallions. "So, how's the party going?"
"Rough, but they're sweet. I don't think Rarity picked that up though. She says they're uncivil brutes"
"Couldn't they tone it down a little?"
Sweetie Belle shakes her head "I don't think it would be right to change their entire schedule just to accommodate one pony"
"I suppose you're right". Spike sits down at the theatre, as Brazier and stallion surround Spike.
"Why, are you a cute dragon" Rain Drops starts petting Spike
"Aren't you the Princess of Friendship's assistant, SPIKE THE BRAVE AND GLORIOUS?!"
Spike puts on sunglasses "I sure am!". He turns to Sweetie Belle "These guys are pretty cool, if only Rarity saw it"
Some screaming is heard, everypony turns their to an apartment building with dozens of ponies escaping. "Whats going on"
"Up there!" A pony points to fire blazing out of several windows near the top of the apartment. Brazier, Sturdy Steed, and Rain Drops put on fire hats and fire suits.
"Play times over, let's roll"
Rarity gets off the couch she was sleeping on "Oooooh I feel so much better, I wonder how Sweetie Belle is doing". She opens the door to the hallway and finds a fire consuming it. "Never mind"
Sturdy Steeds starts pumping water out of the river while Rain Drops pulls a fire hose. Brazier runs out of the apartment with evacuated ponies while Streamer counts them.
"Here's the list of ponies who are signed into the apartment" the secretary hands Streamer the check in list.
"Looks like everypony is out"
Coco Pommel with a slightly burnt mane approaches "I saw Rarity enter without checking in, is she here?" Everypony looks around
"SHES STILL IN THERE" Spike exclaims. Brazier magically carries a bucket of water.
"I'm going in after her!" As he charges for the entrance, Spike mounts him. "Are you sure you should come? It's burning up there"
"I'm a dragon" Spike announces confidently "Spike the Brave and Glorious doesn't leave a friend behind"
Rarity backs towards a screen door that leads to a balcony. It's locked, fire consumes the door. "Please... any pony" Rain Drops tries to approach the screen door but is obscured by smoke.
Spike calls out "Rarity? Where are you?"
"Oh my Spikey Wikey, is that you?" A voice is heard down a corridor. Brazier follows and finds the hallway burning. He splashes it with water then runs through and enters a room with Rarity. The hallway collapses behind them and the debris bursts into flames.
Rarity looks at Brazier nervous. Spike dismounts Brazier and approaches the screen door. He breathes fire and burns the lock off the screen door, then opens it to the balcony. "We're going to get you out, hold still!"
Brazier charges at Rarity and Spike, grabs them while running out the screen door then jumps off the balcony. Rarity and Spike scream as Brazier tries to fall faster. He uses his magic to break his fall near the ground, then catches Spike and Rarity.
Rain Drops and Sturdy Steed extinguish the fire with the fire hose while Brazier pumps water from the river. Rarity and Spike approach him. "After all the things I said about you and your friends, why would you go in after me?"
"Because that's what we do. I know we aren't as feminine as you and your friends, but it doesn't mean we don't care for one another"
"But you were so rough and aggressive to each other!"
Spike adds "So? Applejack and Rainbow Dash are like that all the time, it doesn't mean they don't like each other"
Rarity nods "I suppose so. I'm sorry I attended and you had to put up with my incompetent behavior. Maybe if I spent more time with different ponies other than high society and my circle of friends"
"Well you have now"
Rarity sighs "If only there was a way I could make up for all the trouble I caused" Spike whispers into Rarity's ear. "You boys are going to love this!"
Rarity and Spike lead the four stallions into the cutie-map room, with Big Mac and Sweetie Belle already there. Rarity asks Spike "What am I supposed to say again". Spike whispers to Rarity something.
"Ogres and Oubliettes? Our favorite!"
Spike exclaims "But it gets even better, check it out"
Rarity takes out a cloth with a star on it and uses magic on it, seeming to do nothing "I summon thee spirit of chaos to bring the game to life!"
Rain Drops asks "What is she doing"
Clouds fill the room, discords voice is heard from above "Are you ready to enter the world of Ogres... and Oubliettes?". Everypony nods worried.
After a flash of bright light, everypony stands together in various armor with weapons. Brazier and his friends look confused "HOW IN EQUESTRIA DID YOU DO THIS?"
"Magic"
Spike lowers his staff "I'm Sir Grundle, and this is Sir McBiggen. We have two very special ponies joining us today. Pinkie Pie jumps in with a Jester outfit "Yipee! I haven't done anything and this is fun already!"
Rainbow Dash flies in with an assassins outfit. "Rain Doom reporting for duty!"
Rain Drops turns to Rarity who's wearing a princess outfit. "You even brought Rainbow Dash and that pink bouncy pony?". Rarity nods. "NICE!"
Rainbow Dash points at the door "There's one other pony here to join us today". Fluttershy enters the game in an necromancer outfit. "Pfffft what? You chose the necromancer class? That's the least Fluttershy thing I can think of!"
Fluttershy takes out a spell book "Oh I just wanted to use this spell here. Summon cute and fluffy animals". She waves her staff and a bunch of rabbits appear.
The stallions wave their weapons around "This is way more fun than anything we did in Manehattan! How did you do it?"
Rarity pats Spike's head "Just the help of my most supportive friend, Spike". A cage randomly appears around on Rarity, with the Squizzard on top.
"Muahahaha! All of Spiketopia will be mine! And I'm taking Princess Shmarity along with it!"
Rarity gets excited inside the cage "I GET TO BE A PRINCESS?!"
Squizzard runs away with the cage and calls for archers "ATTACK!"
Everypony starts chasing the Squizzard through a barrage of paper arrows, while Pinkie Pie bounces on top of enemy skeletons. Brazien turns to Spike who's mounting him "Thanks for making this promotion party the best ever!"
Spike respond "You can thank Rarity, er Shmarity once we rescue her from the evil Squizzard"
Rarity sits in the cage at the back of a cave, admiring the princess dress "This is a very lovely gown, where did you get it?" The Squizzard face palms with his tentacle.
Author's Note
"Crusaders Quest in Cloudsdale" was meant to be more like a premiere of whats to come. This story and the next several will be shorter
