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Oh, heavens to Celestia, it happened again! I thought Pinkie would manage to come through! She's been the most suspicious of all of us in here, about the smiles. I guess Starlight was too much for her. I saw Pinkie looking straight at me, her smile slowly shifting into a frown. Was she faking it? Are you there, Pinkie? It's me, Rarity!

Starlight glared at Pinkie for a moment, and her grin was back again.

I know the real Pinkie. I know she wasn't really one of them. I just hope she can make any contact with us soon.

"It's such a shame of what happened to Pinkie," said Applejack. "What are we gonna do now?"

I still had some hope left in me. "Pinkie isn't really one of them. I saw her frowning for a second when she was glaring at me. She's not happy, really!"

"I don't know, Rare," Twilight sighed. "I...just don't think we can do anything about it."

"Don't lose hope, darling! We're going to get our marks back!"

No matter how long you lock me in here, Starlight, I won't succumb to your....tackiness of curtains! Ugh! So...bland!

"Do we have any new friends, today?"

What do you want now, Starlight? I don't want to have anything to do with your village. I won't be your "friend". And those cloaks...so tacky!

"Aw..sad. I'll come back tomorrow morning!" The door shut.

All day I was thinking...was Pinkie okay? I was worried weather or not she was truly equal. She would never do such a thing, would she? Of course not. I know Pinkie. We've been through so much.

"Ya'll think that we should do somethin' Twi?" Applejack asked.

"I...don't think we can right now," Twilight replied. "But I think Pinkie isn't one of them. She looked miserable."

Finally, somepony gets it! "I agree, darling. I wouldn't believe for a minute that Pinkie would betray us in one day. She doesn't like the way they smile all the time."

"Whatever."

Had Twilight given up as well? No, she couldn't have. She's the Princess of Friendship, and she knows that equality isn't true friendship. I just have to keep saying no, every time Starlight checks on us in the morning. And that voice...I can't take it. Just keep saying no, Rarity.

"Do we have any of you who would like to join us today?"

"No." I said. Why can't you get it, Starlight?

"Let's try again tomorrow!"

"Any new friends today?"

"No!"

It's been days ever since Pinkie joined the village. Every morning when Starlight comes along, I say no. She's so stubborn, though! Couldn't she just give up already? I've said no a hundred times, can't you get that through your head?

I'm surprised I'm this stubborn. I'm actually tougher than I expected. Wouldn't I just have given in when I saw their poor faces? But I didn't. I'm strong. I'm beautiful.

Wait..are those curtains beautiful? Heh..they are..

Oh, dang it Rarity. You can't even tell what's tacky or not anymore. Will I keep saying no, or just join them as well? It's hard to tell. I've been fighting all this time, but I'm getting feebler by the minute.

"Any new friends?"

"No."

"Hm."

Was she planning something?

"Pinkie Pie would like to see you, Rarity."

No! They've all turned equal because they were persuaded by their friends! What are you doing, Pinkie? Don't take me!

"Pinkie, please!" I wailed. She dragged me over to a a table, where some muffins were. We were all alone.

Is she still in there?

"Pinkie," I said. "If you're still in there, tell me. We're alone."

"Rarity, I'm not happy.."

She was still in there! I knew she would never succumb to Starlight and the others!

"Oh..Pinkie!" I cried with joy. "I'm so happy you're still here. Now, let's get out of here so then we-"

"I..can't, Rarity."

"Why ever not? You're not truly equal."

"The voices...the mark..they won't let me."

"Pinkie, what are you-"

I saw her mark start to glow. Her expression changed from dull to terrified. She covered her ears with her hooves,

"No..get out...GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"

"Pinkie, calm down!"

"I can't, Rarity! Because I know you'll join us too! It's only a matter of time before you go insane like I did! Ugh..stop it with the voices! No..my mark won't stop glowing! They won't let me leave, Rarity!" Tears fell down her pink fur.

I felt terrible for the poor dear! I knew she wasn't equal, but she's gone downright mad! Pinkie was never like this. I have to do something about it!

"Pinkie Pie," I whispered. "You're not alone. I'm equal as well-"

My mark glowed. Pinkie seemed to notice.

"NO!" she cried.

After a few minutes, she calmed down. Thank Celestia nopony heard us.

"Rainbow Dash is walking towards us," Pinkie whispered. "Starlight is going to try to persuade you to join us to make you feel good about yourself, don't fall for it. She'll say how generous you are to her. Whatever you do, don't fall for her sweet talk."

I felt a hoof tap my back. Rainbow Dash was behind me. "Follow me," she orderd. As much as I didn't want to, Starlight was watching. I heeded Pinkie's warning, always on alert for any sweet talk, and never telling Pinkie's secret. We made it over to Starlight's cottage.

"Ah, Rarity," Starlight greeted. "I've heard you're very stubborn to me and the villagers, but we'll show you how happy it is to be free form your special talent."

"Shut up, you inconsiderate mule!"

Did I say that out loud? Oops.

"Be angry all you want, Rarity, but you'll never be generous to me if you argue with me."

There's the sweet talk.

Don't fall for it.

"And you're mane! It looks ever so tacky. Why don't we fix it?"

Tacky..what? She's trying to confuse me. Just keep saying no.

Snip.

My..mane and tail! It's been turned into a messy bun! Oh, I despise you, Starlight Glimmer! You should be locked away in Tarturus and never return to Equestria!

My mark glowed.

Hey..it doesn't look that bad...

"Go over to your cottage," Starlight commanded me. I obeyed. It's just a cottage, right? A tiny house can't persuade me to join an insane village.

The cottage was filled with flags with equal posters on the walls. Everywhere I look, I can't stop seeing equal signs. And even worse, my mark keeps glowing, like I actually enjoy this! Lies!

Why is it so relaxing to feel my mark glow?

Don't fall for the sweet talk.

I heard you, Pinkie. But it's a little hard when I'm sleeping in a cottage with equal signs all around me! I can't sleep at all! I'm so afraid I'll end up like Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Will I?

My mark glowed again. Stop glowing!

I know you're afraid, Rarity.

Starlight? Why are you in my head?

Because you've been doubting yourself, Rarity.

You're not real! It's just my imagination! If you are there, why are you up this late, anyway?

I saw Pinkie denying the village life as well. But, I'm fixing that as we speak.

WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?

Nothing. Face it, Rarity. Pinkie Pie is one of us now. Don't be sad, you can be happy with her.

Pinkie Pie told me not to fall for your sweet talk!

I'm only telling you the truth, Rarity. Oh, and how beautiful you are.

Beautiful? Why thank- no. I won't, Starlight.

Oh, but you will. You won't be able to tell your friends all about me, because you're one of us.

No, I'm not.

Scilence.

Starlight?

I'm...scared. Alone.

Why did it feel safe to have her around? She's...helpful...

You will be safe here, Rarity. Trust me.

I yawned, and my mark glowed.

Be generous with me, Rarity. It's okay to come out of hiding.

From where?

Your cage of a talent. You're free to do anything you need, beyond making clothing. You have a choice. And be generous to yourself as well. You have so much to give. To me, your friends, yourself.

I..do? My mark kept shining.

Indeed. Goodnight, Rarity.

Is this right? I guess I have nowhere else to turn. She's just so helpful and, supportive. She's my guide.

Thank you, Starlight Glimmer.

I promise to be generous to you.

You're welcome, Rarity. I'm always here.

"Rarity!"

"P..Pinkie?" Are you okay? You looked so sad yesterday. And I..."

"It's okay, Rarity. When Starlight told me you were happy, I was fine. I'm glad to see you have joined us."

"I..guess so."

"Come on, let's see if we have any new friends."

I followed her over to the other room, where Starlight was standing. I put on a small smile.

"Do we have any new friends?" Starlight asked.

How foolish of them to say no. She's the most supportive pony I've ever met.

I can give you all ever so much. Twilight? Are you there? Join me, won't you darling?