Nothing was right. The details simply couldn't escape the eyes of the resplendent pony, staring into the mirrors that surrounded her. Every little flaw could be seen, every imperfection magnified, and yet she was already well on her way to achieving the level of beauty she desired; to adjust anything or even move a hoof would risk ruining it all; The jewelry in her mane, the imposing, regal hairstyle, the impeccably kept coat, and eyes that would inspire envy throughout all of Equestria.
Somehow, none of it was correct, and she stood frozen in her own reflections' gaze, too afraid to try and fix herself, yet hopelessly dissatisfied with her appearance. Even if she could move, she would not dare show her face outside of this lonely room…not like this. If she could just be pretty, she could be perfect like other ponies, and she could have her place amongst them. But she was not pretty, and as she stared into the mirrors for a bleak eternity, all that remained was the urge to retch at how ugly she was. "A prisoner of her own eyes, her visage betrays the truth." Her ears suddenly began to burn as the sound of a siren blared, closer and closer until it crawled into her skull, boring its way in and making her scream…
Rarity woke to the sound of Pinkie Pie tooting upon a festive party whistle. The bombastic pony beamed with glee as her friend woke from what was a fitful sleep, regaining consciousness on her fainting chair. "Yay! You're finally up! Everyone was soooo worried about you when you fainted! I mean, you've fainted before, but it was only for a moment or two for dramatic effect, you know? This time you didn't get up, and we were all like—" Pinky Pie inhaled in a grossly exaggerated fashion before chattering on about her relief at confirming Rarity's safety.
Gaining her bearings at last and holding back her irritation at such a rude awakening, Rarity gracefully interrupted Pinkie Pie: "you mean…I fell unconscious? How long was I out?"
"Oh, about fifteen hours! I've been looking after you ever since! This is great! Everypony is going to be SO relieved! It was a super ultra mega awesome party you missed, though! And I hope you don't feel embarrassed because you fell asleep in front of everypony!"
Rarity turned her head to the side in distress, "Oh no…they all saw? I didn't think this could possibly happen again…"
"Yuppers! But hey, at least you probably got some long deserved rest, and – wait, did you say 'again?'" Pinkie Pie raised a suspicious brow.
Rarity realized she had just let slip something that she wished to keep private and began to feign ignorance. "Uh, nevermind, dear! Odd dreams, you know? It's just been so very arduous with this backorder of work for…important clientele and all! Haha, you know how much of a workhorse I can be, after all!"
The awkwardly smiling Rarity did little to sway the inquisitive Pinkie Pie, who had entered into full detective mode. "I'm on to you, little prissy missy!" she said with a prying, yet comical tone.
"I must be off!" exclaimed Rarity as she hurriedly stood and backed out the door, trying in vain to hide her failure of a bluff as the scrutinizing gaze of Pinkie Pie followed her every step before closing the door. "Oh dear…I shan't hear the end of this anytime soon," Rarity thought to herself.
Rarity's hastened trotting belied her exhaustion, but she had to get home to her sanctuary of meticulous neatness and organized chaos. The weight of her nightmare was still with her. It wasn't the first time, either, and it was becoming all the more difficult to keep her mental turmoil at a clandestine level. After all, she had a professional life to maintain, and a successful one at that. Actually, she had already pushed back several orders, and a couple of clients had been losing interest.
Shaking herself to focus at the thought of being viewed as a failure, or even just another flaky artistic pony, Rarity tried her best to focus on these practical problems and muster up her work ethic, determined that this would make her feel better. Her sly grin of diligence began to return in full force when suddenly her vision became overtaken by some grisly, cascading miasma that seemed to strip away all light and beauty in Ponyville, leaving it a vision of dreariness and ruin, dark and tattered.
A sense of acute fear gripped Rarity as she continued running, now unable to control her pace. She felt like something was chasing her, and she could hear beseeching, distorted screams of young ponies behind her. Still, something was emphatically telling her not to look, that she couldn't bear the sight of what was behind her, and that she just had to keep running. Rarity panicked as she realized that she was headed into a massive mirror, with the image of the unknown pony from her dream staring back at her from beyond the glass. Her face contorted into a look of horror as she screamed and skidded on her hooves, straight into the mirror.
Instead of glass shattering, Rarity snapped out of the nightmare to find herself on the ground at Applejack's feet. She had knocked over a cart full of apples, and dozens of ponies were looking upon the scene with confusion. It seemed that Rarity had just screamed, skidded, and collided into her friend and her apple cart in the middle of the town square.
"Well, ah didn't think my hat was THAT unfashionable!" quipped Applejack to add much needed levity to the embarrassing situation. As the bystander ponies laughed, Applejack offered a helping hoof to her fallen friend, propping her back onto her legs.
"I-I'm so sorry, Applejack!" stammered Rarity. "I've just been so….so-"
"Busy? Stressed?" replied Applejack in an understanding tone.
Rarity was speechless for a moment.
"Ah know, don't you worry none! Pinkie Pie already gave me the scoop! Ah'll be bringin' you some of our best apple desserts to help ya'll relax!"
"Pinkie Pie? But how did she even get to you before…" Rarity began quizzically before spotting Pinkie Pie's cartoonishly stern face slowly emerging from a nearby fountain pool, affixing her gaze on Rarity for a moment before sputtering out some water and slowly sinking back in.
"Yup! She's letting everyone know that you need some good old fashioned R&R, and everypony should give you some proper space! Gotta get that beauty sleep, am Ah right?" Applejack chuckled.
Letting out a soft laugh and appreciative smile in response, Rarity continued on her way, feeling cold comfort with the knowledge that Pinkie Pie seemed to know something that she didn't…and was probably stalking her.
The thought of Applejack's dessert offer was a pleasant distraction for Rarity, but only for a fleeting moment. She began to hear derisive laughter of fillies, and vicious words of mockery. "Haha! Can't get enough apple pies, can you?" "No wonder your skin looks so crusty!" "Trying to get your cutie mark for fattest filly? Hey, maybe it'll be a prize pig!" Rarity only heard the voices for a moment, but she suddenly felt guilty for even considering eating a pie. Rationalizing this rejection of tasty treats, she concluded that she just needed to focus on work.
Oh, if only it had been that easy.
When Rarity returned to her house, her discerning eye immediately noticed that things were ever so slightly out of place. Letting her obsessive side get the better of her, she neglected to think that it might just be her nerves, as she began investigating every room. By the time she reached the workroom, she realized what the problem was: somepony had been fondling her mannequin ponies, along with the fine garments adorned upon them!
Perhaps it was Sweetie Bell snooping around and sowing the seeds of disaster
again!
Unfortunately, no culprit was found, but Rarity made sure to dust off and realign the clothing on the mannequins. She even took a moment to breathe a sigh of relief at having finally set something right; in fact, in her mind, she was already beginning to wonder if she wasn't just being some silly paranoid mess. After all, she always kept her house secured, and no pony in Ponyville would have the audacity to just break and enter, especially without even stealing anything.
Rarity began to put her horn to work as she started on a late brunch for herself. All was beginning to return to normalcy until she felt a sharp plucking sensation from her tail. She gasped in pain and irritation at first, and then her eyes grew wide with horror as she noticed an entire hair had been forcibly plucked from her tail. She heard a scampering noise leading to her showroom, which she followed immediately. To her dismay, all she saw was one of the mannequins slowly creaking back and forth. A piece had been ripped from its clothing.
"Pinkie Pie? Is that you? If so, then I find this highly inappropriate and not amusing in the least! But I will forgive you if you just come out and explain yourself!" Rarity spoke with firm, but graceful authority, even as dread began to grip her once more. It didn't help that Pinky Pie didn't respond to Rarity's admonishing. Instead, she heard a timid, shaky, disembodied voice of a young filly.
"I hope I can be just like her one day…then maybe she'll like me."
"What in Equestria was that…?" Rarity thought.
Another voice drifted through the room, this time of an older pony: "So close…we've been trying for so long, and she's finally within our reach. Please find us…please notice us…"
When Rarity felt the sensation of a pony's head brushing against her side, but with no visible pony to be seen, she had reached her limit. With chills running across her spine, Rarity dashed throughout the house in desperate search of an exit. Her lights began to dim as every reflective surface seemed to mirror that disheveled Ponyville vision she saw before. Worse, this time she kept getting glimpses of…what appeared to be ponies, but they were all wrong – misshapen and aberrant. She could barely even begin to digest her situation before ramming head first into her fainting chair and falling upon it. It felt like the odious darkness was closing in fast upon her, and she felt weak, powerless, and confused…she didn't know what else to do but cover her eyes and softly weep.
Rarity woke to the distinct feeling of having a bucket of water dumped on her head, which is precisely what had happened. Looming over her with a steadfast expression and holding an emptied water bucket was none other than Pinkie Pie. "Fainting won't save you now, lady! We're going to see Twilight Sparkle NOW!"
END OF LE CHAPTER 1
What began as a hurried gallop turned to a leisurely trot as Pinkie's headstrong charge to Twilight's house was circumvented by her snapping back to her friendly, inquisitive self. Rarity, still galloping, skidded ahead of Pinkie as she abruptly slowed down and turned towards her friend and spoke with reassuring optimism. It provided some much-needed comfort to Rarity.
"So, when did all this start happening?"
"I…I'm simply not sure," Rarity said, befuddled. "It feels like months."
"Months? But you were fine the day before yesterday! Classy as ever!"
"Yes, I was more…composed. The truth is that I've been having these waking terrors for some time, now. At first, I could shrug them off, and being with you and the other girls certainly did wonders for my peace of mind, but now it's become relentless!"
"Well, don't you worry! Twilight has all sorts of info on this kind of thing! In fact, we were just– " Pinkie caught herself for a moment, "wait…did you say these 'terrors' have been happening while you're awake?"
"Yes," replied Rarity with latent suspicion, "what does it mean?"
"Uh oh. This time is different," Pinkie began to sound grim, only to revert back to her hopeful tone, "but that might be a good thing! Besides, I made Twilight PROMISE never to cast that spell again!"
"What spell? You seem awfully familiar with this malady, Pinkie. What aren't you telling me?"
"Oh, um, just this whole crazy thing, and – HEY, look! There's Twilight's house!"
With that convenient departure from the conversation, Rarity and Pinkie Pie had reached Twilight's house/observatory. Pinkie tried the door, but found it to be locked. After singing a whimsically descending "hellooo?" she began to knock on the door.
"Is she even home? I don't remember her saying she was going anywhere. Spike! Are you there?"
"I'll peek in the window," said Rarity.
Rarity approached the window, seeing her reflection. At least, it would have been her reflection, but a cut-ridden pony mannequin with Rarity's cutie mark crudely drawn on its flank stood on the other side for a moment, gazing without eyes at her. She could not even utter a gasp as the feeling of dread gripped her once again, and her world began to grow dark. She was going to the "other" place, again. The window began to crack as the mannequin pressed against it, slowly but forcefully. Rarity's mouth was agape with terror, and the silence was deafening.
The odious spell was broken by the sound of an opening door and Twilight's voice breaking the silence.
"Hey, Pinkie!" Twilight glanced over at Rarity, who had broken out in a cold sweat, "is…she alright?"
Shivering, Rarity answered in a flat voice: "No. She is not. Rarity is not alright."
"By Celestia! Come inside and rest! I'll have Spike warm up some tea."
The three entered into Twilight's abode. Spike immediately grew concerned for the beautiful and elegant Rarity, and thus strove to be as attentive and prompt with his service as possible. Unfortunately, Rarity could only seem to focus on the strange and blasphemous visions that were becoming all too real for her to handle. She cupped her tea between shaking hooves as she tried to explain her situation.
"They….they were right there. They're following me. They're in my house – but I can't see them! No…I just don't want to see them. They must only want to hurt me."
"Wow…I'm glad you caught me when you did, Pinkie Pie," said Twilight, "this definitely seems like another case of nightmares, but she's not experiencing any of it when she's asleep!"
"That's right! You gotta help her, Twilight! I know I keep bringing this stuff to you, but you're the best at this kind of thing! We already know that 'delving' is an extra large no-no, but that's why I came to you: to find a new approach to help our friends! There's always another way!" said Pinkie Pie, trying her best to keep up everyone's spirits.
"Hmm…let me employ some detection magic. Hold still, Rarity," requested Twilight.
"Can't…move…anyway," replied Rarity, still barely cupping her tea.
Twilight Sparkle searched for traces of curses, hexes, spells, illnesses, and even poisons that might be present in Rarity, but everything came up negative. After what felt like hours of fruitless analysis, Pinkie slapped her forehead as she realized something important.
"I've GOT it!"
"What?" asked Twilight and Rarity simultaneously.
"Mirrors! Windows!"
Twilight and Rarity tilted their heads in confusion.
"I don't follow – what do you mean, Pinkie?" asked Twilight.
"When she looked into the window, she must have saw something, right? It was like she saw Nightmare Moon in that window! And considering how much time she spends in front of a mirror or anything where she can check her hair, face, and makeup…"
Despite being unnerved, Rarity could still muster a passively indignant glare.
"Hear me out!" Pinkie continued. "My point is: whatever is wrong might just have to do with reflections!"
"Hmm…reflective surfaces. That's an interesting theory, Pinkie! But how can we test it without hurting Rarity?"
Rarity scoffed as her posh bravado began to return. "Mirrors? Ha! That's just silly, Pinkie! Spike, my dear, fetch me a small mirror."
"Right away!" Spike eagerly complied and returned within seconds with a small hand mirror.
"Just remember, Rarity: we're right here, so you don't have to worry if something happens, okay?" Twilight placated.
Feeling just a little patronized, Rarity dismissed the comment with a "hmph!" and closed her eyes defiantly. "I am sure that my own reflection can't be THAT ghastly. Awfully like being afraid of one's own shadow, hmm?"
Rarity's façade of confidence was quickly broken as she gazed into the small reflection to see a young filly's face, freshly sliced and bloody, tears still wet upon her cheeks. The filly's hair was tousled and the sound of snipping scissors could be heard. To Rarity's horror, the filly spoke.
"Is this better, Rarity? I'm trying…I'm trying so hard."
Rarity threw down the mirror to the ground, shattering it into fragments, all of which turned a dark hue of red. The sound of scissor snips could still be heard all around, and the voice was still present, but faded.
"It hurts, Rarity."
Rarity could only scream "No, no, no!" as she tried to cover her ears. She didn't even initially realize that she was being shaken and restrained by Twilight, Spike, and Pinkie Pie. Rarity was breathing heavily and feeling dehydrated.
"Well, that settles it!" concluded Pinkie Pie.
"Spike, go get her some water!" Twilight ordered.
"And a blindfold!" added Pinkie.
Spike dutifully fetched the items and returned. "Is she gonna be okay?" he asked with great concern.
"I don't know, Spike. I'm going to have to do more research on this. For now, we have to make sure she doesn't look into any reflective surfaces! Pinkie, blindfold!"
"On it!"
"No reflections?! How can I live like this? I won't be able to work! I can't maintain myself!" Rarity was panicking, growing fervent and pessimistic as the blindfold was tied around her.
"Unhoof me at once!" Rarity cried.
Twilight knew that her friend was not in a sound mental state, and she hoped to Celestia that sleep would be a reprieve for poor Rarity. She cast a slumber spell upon Rarity, who immediately became groggy and tranquilized.
"This…is the worst…possible…thing," mumbled Rarity as she slipped into unconsciousness. It was an unwelcome state of bliss, but it was perhaps a small blessing that she did not suffer any horrific dreams as she slept. However, it was only a matter of time before she woke to the true nightmare.
Bits of chatter here and there. Voices that sounded like Twilight and Pinkie, and sometimes like Fluttershy, and even echoes of Rainbow Dash and Applejack. It all gradually became less audible as Rarity woke, laying upon a cold, glass floor in a dark room. As she regained her bearings, she noticed that the floor beneath her was reflective…the floor was a mirror. She slowly inched her way around the room, not knowing where she was or how she got there, but only concerned about finding an exit. To her dismay, each wall she touched was just another layer of reflective glass – she was trapped. She thought to simply shatter one of the mirrors, but was interrupted by an unnerving cracking sound coming from above…and then the walls.
Suddenly, a crashing sound filled the air as something broke above Rarity. She screamed and covered her head as glass shards fell around her. She remained huddled and in a defensive position as mirrors all around her began to shatter, sparing only the panel of glass upon which she crouched. As the reflective dome was destroyed, a gray light illuminated the surrounding area, revealing a misty, somber parody of Ponyville. Rarity felt a slight gust of cold as the glass fragments swept past her in a swarm. She watched in awe and trepidation as the shards formed a statue that resembled one of Rarity's mannequins, though easily seven times the size. It rocked back and forth as the sky began to turn a dark red, and she heard the sound of scissors snipping below her.
Rarity stood upon a precipice; the one panel of glass upon which she stood served as a narrow bridge leading into the bleak Ponyville. Encircling the glass mannequin statue was a killing floor composed of constantly-snipping scissors, many of them rusted and caked with old blood. Traces of baubles, jewelry, hairbrushes, and bones lingered throughout the serrated pit that Rarity had to cross.
"What's happening? No, this is just a nightmare…please! Let me wake up! Twilight? Pinkie?! What's happening?!" Rarity yelled, trying to wake herself up, but it was of no use. She shed tears as she realized that she was all alone in this forsaken place…no friends, no family, and all too little hope. Still softly weeping, but gathering what desperate determination she could, Rarity stepped her hoof forward and wished for the wherewithal not to look down.
