Harmony's Warriors: Iron Mare (Revised Version)

by Avenging-Hobbits

Chapters

Act I - 03 - Thunderstruck
Act I - 04 - The Valley of the Shadow
Act I - 05 - Sic Parvis Magna
Act I - 06 - Living in Your Own Little World
Act I - 07 - For Everything a Season
Act II - 08 - The Red Eye Home
Act II - 09 - All These Things That I've Done
Act II - 10 - All is Vanity
Act II - 11 - Purpose
Act II - 12 - Shall I Creep or Shall I Fly?
Act II - 14 - Under Construction
Act II - 15 - Testing, 1, 2, 3
Act III - 16 - Mother Means Comfort?
Act III - 17 - Strike Down Upon Thee
Act III - 18 - Converging
Act I - 01 - The Way of the Fool
Act I - 02 - Unexpected Visitor
Act II - 13 - Bonding/Sheer Heart Attack

Act I - 03 - Thunderstruck

Act I - 03 - You've Been Living Like a Little Mare in the Middle of Your Little World...

Act One:

"Charade You Are"

Chapter Three

"You've Been Living Like a Little Mare in the Middle of Your Little World..."

The hallway was pitch black. Rarity stumbled through the darkness, somehow she had ended up here. A strange feeling came from her chest. She tried to ignore it. She walked towards the light, seemingly the only way of escape from this dark tunnel. As the light came closer, the feeling from her chest became more noticeable.

"Is anypony there?" Rarity called out towards the light.

A strange moaning sound came from the light. Whatever was at the end of the hall was seemingly in pain. Worried for whatever it was, Rarity began running, the strange feeling in her chest growing. Suddenly Rarity was blinded as she stumbled into the light. When her eyes adjusted, she found herself in a large white room with black stripes on the floor. Across the room was cot and what looked like a white pony laying on it with red stains on it's body.

"Are you alright?" Rarity asked tentatively. The pony on the other side of the room moaned again, a strange aching moan. Rarity made her way closer to the seemingly wounded pony. She switched into a tense trot, finally reaching the white pony.

She gently poked the pony, hoping to get a response. Instead of moaning as it had done before, the pony limply rolled over onto it's back, revealing--

Me?

Rarity gaped at her copy and the bloody gaping hole in its chest. Rarity screamed at the sight of her dead doppelganger. She backed away as fast as possible and turned to run back to wherever she had just come from. Instead of a door leading back to the hallway, now there was a white wall.

Rarity was trapped. Panicking she started to run all around the room, desperately searching for a way out. The room seemed to start to stretch and bend, increasing the distance between her and the walls. The floor beneath her began to feel less like solid tile and more like quick sand. She found it growing harder to move. She looked down at her hooves and was terrified as she realized that they were now sinking into the now blood red floor. She tried to free her hooves to no avail.

All her struggling just managed to make the strange liquid cling and drag her down even more. She fell forward and some of the liquid got in her mouth. It tasted like metal and salt. It tasted like blood. To her horror she realized that this wasn't quicksand, but a massive pool of blood. She let out a ear piercing scream for help to no avail. As her body sank into the blood, she gasped and fought for air. She let out on last scream as her head followed the rest of her body was swallowed up.

////////////////////////////

Rarity bolted upright in the small room, panting and gasping for air. Only the gentle hum of the car battery greeted her. She strained every tried muscle to sit up in the cot. The gentle light of dawn made it's way into the room. Rarity calmed down, the light of the sun warming her coat. She leaned back and simply started at the ceiling.

From the cot across the room Kili snored. Rarity watched him. How could he survive this? she wondered, taking in the bare room. The torture, the boredom, the loneliness...

As if on cue, Kili woke from his slumber. "Oh. Good morning Miss Belle," he said, sitting up and rubbing his eyes with his paws.

"Morning," Rarity said. "Please don't call me 'miss'. I'm not some old mare you know."

Kili laughed. "I know that." he said as he got up and walked to the small mirror on the wall. "I was just using proper etiquette. Don't they have that in Equestria?" Rarity shifted down in her cot. She felt guilty. Here was a kind and gentle diamond dog who just trying to be nice and all she was always being was vain and stuck up to him.

"Kili?" she asked.

"Yes?" he said as he groomed his whiskers.

"What's the real reason you helped me?"

He stopped and looked at her in the mirror. "Same as I said before. I'm a doctor, that's what I do. Help those who can't help themselves."

"Well..." Rarity searched for the right words. "Why did they do this?" she motioned to the metal ring in her chest.

Kili sighed and turned to Rarity. "They do it because they hate," he said, his face somber.

"But why do they hate? What have I ever done to deserve their hate?" Rarity asked, tears welling in her eyes.

Kili walked over and sat on the end of her cot. "Nothing you've done in particular. They just hate everyone who's richer or better off then them." he sighed. "They hate ponies in particular. For the supposed way you keep us down."

Rarity processed what he said. "Well, if they hate everypony, why did they kidnap me? Why not a prince or something?"

Kili sighed. "I guess you were just the wrong pony in the wrong place at the wrong time." he shrugged. There was a moment of silence between them.

"How much are they holding me for?" Rarity asked. Might as well know what I'm worth. She thought. Kili didn't answer. "Well?" Rarity asked, trying to be as kind as possible.

"I honestly don't know." Kili said as he got up and walked over to his cot, reaching under the pillow to reveal a small book.

Rarity was perplexed. "What do you mean 'you don't know'? Don't you work for these ruffians?"

Kili shot her a dirty look, his normally kind face now an angry sea of red. "Listen. I don't 'work' for the those guys, okay?" he said, pointing at the ever present camera. "They came to my town, killed my family and drafted me into their personal war, okay? If it were up to me, I would be going to the Canterlot University to study medicine."

Rarity was shocked by the sudden burst of anger from the normally placid diamond dog. "I'm-I'm sorry. I didn't know," Rarity said, feeling like a total plothole for the way she acted towards him.

"It's alright." Kili said, having calmed down. "I'm sorry as well. You wouldn't have known that. And I overreacted." He sat on his small cot. Rarity looked at the book in his paws. It was a tattered old copy of Crime and Punishment.

"Have you ever read this?" Kili asked.

Rarity shook her head. "No, unfortunately. I haven't."

Kili sighed. "Oh, too bad. I heard a lot about, and picked up a copy before they kidnapped me. Now it's all I've got."

Rarity was quiet for a moment. She thought about home, about Braeburn, about Sweetie Belle, about her parents. She wondered if they would even care that she was gone. Kidnapped no less. She suddenly felt very alone in the world, the meaningless of her life slowly creeping up on her.

Suddenly a pounding came from the metal door, along with the prescribed jangling of keys. Rarity and Kili both stood up as the door finally opened, revealing the same fat diamond dog from before and the griffin who was in charge of torture.

"Morning Miss Belle," the griffin said in a surprisingly cultured accent. Whom ever this guy was, he was educated. "Herzlos' the name." he said, seemingly reading Rarity's mind. "It is said that 'Capital is dead labor, which, vampire-like, lives only by sucking on living labor, and lives the more, the more labor it sucks.' Do you know who said that?" the griffin apparently named Herzlos, said, looking at Rarity, who was drawing a blank as to who had said that. How was it that everypony--and griffin--in this third-world place was more educated than she was?

The griffin laughed to himself, a guttural laugh, like that of a dragon content with eating a princess. "Famous pony writer of yours. I don't remember who. Shame nobody ever took the quote literally." He walked around the small room, looking at the cot and at the walls, as if it were an art museum. "You know what you do with vampires?" the griffin turned towards Rarity, who tried her best not to vomit at the prospect. "You kill them." With these words the griffin tore a hole in her pillow.

"You're going to kill me?" Rarity finally asked.

The griffin looked at her. Hiss eyes were cold. "Well, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But the chance is there. That I do promise." He turned towards the door and stalked out, followed by the fat diamond dog.

"Wait!" Rarity called to the griffin, who stopped and looked back at her. "I heard I was being held for ransom...how much might that be exactly?"

The griffin looked surprised at Rarity's boldness. "Oh, I don't know, something along the lines of a couple million or something, I honestly don't remember." A sick smile crossed his beak. "Either way, I'm still may or may not kill you. I honestly don't care." He walked out the door, followed by the diamond dog who closed it behind them.

////////////////////////////

The phone rang. Braeburn was trying to sleep. Maybe ifin I ignore it, it'll go away. He thought. The phone rang again. Nope. Nothin' doing. The phone rang again. Braeburn angrily sat up, turned on the light and picked up the phone.

"Hello? Who's there? Don't ya know it's 3 in tha mornin'?!" Suddenly a strange computer-modulated voice came from the phone.

"We have her." this woke Braeburn out of his half-asleep state.

"Wha? Who's 'her'?" Braeburn asked, suddenly concerned.

"Rarity Belle." the strange voice said. Braeburn's eyes narrowed.

"Who is this?"

"None of your business. The important thing is that WE have HER."

Braeburn's eyes widened at the sudden realization of what was going on. He decided to play it cool, try and find out what they wanted. Maybe there was a chance that he could find out who this was. "Alright. Y'all have her...wadda you want?"

There was a pause from the other side. Finally the voice said "Money."

Braeburn rolled his eyes. Duh they wanted money. That's all these guys ever wanted. "Alrighty then. How much do y'all want." Braeburn asked.

"10 million bits."

Braeburn nearly dropped the phone. "10 million? Y'all crazy?! Who do y'all think y'all are?"

"We are the Ten Rings. Pay up. Or else." with those words the phone hung up, leaving Braeburn with the phone. He desperately dialed Rarity's phone number. "Come on, pick up, pick up!" instead of Rarity picking up the phone all he got was her voice mail: "I'm sorry. I'm too busy being fabulous to talk to you right now dear. Please leave a message after the beep. Ciao darling!"

"Rarity, it's me, Braeburn. Tell iffin ya get this message here alright?" he hanged up. His face was now pale with fear. Something about that voice made him feel uneasy. Maybe it was the computerized tones. Maybe it was the fact that Rarity hadn't received a single one of his calls all day yesterday. What could he do? Call the police ya dimwit. He thought. He dialed the police and waited.

"Hello, Canterlot Police Department. How may I be of service?"

Braeburn as relived that somepony was on the other end, especially at this hour. "Um, yes, I'd like to report a kidnapping." He said, trying his best not to sound panicked.

"Okay, what evidence do you have of this?" the voice on the other end sounded exhausted "Well, I just got a phone call with somepony on the other end sayin' they had her." Braeburn mentally facehoofed at his reason. That might be the lamest evidence ever.

"Well, sir, are you sure it wasn't just a crank call?" the receptionist sounded somewhat peeved that somepony would call at such an insane time as 3 AM.

"Well, fer one thing, the voice sounded like it was bein' fed through a computer-thingy." Braeburn said, feeling stressed

"Anything else? A name or something?" the receptionist said through a yawn.

"Yeah. They called themselves 'The Ten Rings'" with these words the pony on the other end suddenly seemed to perk up at those words.

"You're sure? Are you absolutely sure that's what the voice said?"

Braeburn rubbed his eyes. He was exhausted. "Yes. I'm pretty sure."

"You're address?" the receptionist said on the other end.

"4211 Wing Street." Braeburn answered.

"Alright then, stay by the phone and we'll send some officers over, alright?" the receptionist said.

"Alright. Will do." Braeburn hug up the phone and slumped down in bed.

Just then Sweetie Belle's voice came from outside his bedroom. "Hey, Mr. Braeburn? Is everything okay? I heard shouting?"

Braeburn suddenly felt scared for the little filly. What would he tell her? Hey Sweetie! Guess what? You're sister's been kidnapped by terrorists and is now being held for ransom! Ain't that great?! Braeburn rubbed his eyes. "Nothin' wrong. Just some prank caller."

"Oh. Okay. I can't sleep." Sweetie's voice sounded tried.

"Why can't ya sleep?" he asked.

"I had a dream." She answered.

Braeburn imagined the little filly standing outside his room, tried and sleepy. "That's okay..." he said as he got out of bed and made his way to the door. He opened to see Sweetie, with bags under her eyes.

"Come on. I'll tuck y'all back in an' read ya a story. That sound fun?"

Sweetie's eyes lit up. "You would?! Rarity never did that for me!" she bounced down the hall towards her room. Braeburn followed, his eyes heavy. They reached the room, and Sweetie climbed into bed.

"So whadda want me to read tah ya?" Braeburn asked, tucking Sweetie Belle in gently.

"I want to hear..." she thought for a second. "Cat in the Hat." she snuggled under the covers.

"Alrighty then." he looked around the room. Since this was the guest room, it had no children's book section or anything. "Well, I'll try mah best to remember. Let's see..." and he proceeded to try his best to remember the rhymes. Sweetie Belle was soon fast asleep, a peaceful smile on her face. Braeburn quietly got up and walked out of the room. The sound of knocking at the front door echoed through the house. He walked over and opened it, letting the two officers in. It's going to be a long night. He thought to himself.

////////////////////////////

Rarity sat on her bed, shivering. It had become routine, for months now, everyday at noon they'd pull her out of her room, no matter what she was doing, and then subject her to various forms of torture. The griffin who was in charge seemed to prefer water-boarding. She looked down at the metal ring in her chest. This is going to be the death of me, She thought. One more session and it would likely to short out. And then I'll be dead within seconds. She looked at the roof. The gems glinted in the light from the little lamp by her cot. Suddenly, an idea sparked in her mind. Forgetting the cold and pain she bolted upright. "Yes, that's IT!" she shouted the last words so loud that it woke Kili from his sleep.

"Wha? What's wrong? What is it?" Kili bolted up and looked at his cell mate, normally Rarity would be curled into a fetal position after the daily torture sessions. Instead she had a devious grin on her face. "You alright? You awful happy for someone who just got tortured."

Rarity looked at Kili, her eyes glinting like a kid in a candy store. "Alright? I'm better then alright!" she got up, levitating the car battery with her. "I think I've found a way to get rid of this!" she floated the car battery in front of Kili.

"Really? I can't see a way to live without that for long." He deadpanned.

Rarity huffed. "That's because you're too busy thinking INSIDE the box! You need to think artistically! You're a diamond dog right?" Kili nodded. "And diamond dogs are widely known for their rock mining abilities correct?" Kili nodded again, his face showing his confusion.

"And? What of it?" Kili asked.

"Do you have a pencil?" Rarity asked, ignoring the diamond dog's question.

"Excuse me?" Kili asked, now even more confused at his friend's actions.

"A pencil? Surely you have those here? You know? To draw with?" Rarity made drawing motions with her hooves.

"Uh..." Kili fumbled around in his front pockets. He was lucky, he DID have a pencil. "...here you go, I don't see why you nee-" he was cut off as Rarity levitated the pencil away from him and began to scribble on the table. She mumbled to herself, constantly erasing and redrawing. Kili simply sat and stared at her, not sure if the shock of kidnapping and torture had finally meant the cuckoo had left the nest.

"It is finished!" She said suddenly, "Come, gaze upon genius!" She motioned towards Kili who walked over and saw a rather detailed drawing of what was labeled "Diamond Arc". "Can you craft this?" Rarity asked.

"Um, I don't know, I'm a doctor, not a jeweler." He shrugged.

Rarity's head dropped down in disappointment. There was a moment of silence between them.

"Well..." Kili broke the silence. "...my dad was one. I worked in the store while I was getting my degree. I might be able to fashion a rough one...maybe."

Rarity's face lit up. "Oh excellent! That's all we need anyways!" She hugged him, the wires from the car battery pulling on her chest.

"Great?" Kili said, hesitantly. Rarity kept hugging. "You can let go now...this is awkward."

"Oh, so sorry." Rarity let go. "Well, do you want to know what it does?" She asked like a little filly asking a parent about a finger painting she just made.

"Well, that might help in crafting it," Kili said, still at a lost as to what exactly it would do or how it would work.

"Well, it takes the natural unicorn magic that I have in my body, and uses to maintain a self sustaining power source. Isn't that wonderful?" She giggled like a school filly. Kili's face showed that none of this was getting to him. Rarity sighed. "It's okay. All you need to do is help me get the gem I need."

"And what kind would that be?" Kili asked. "Well, it would have to be one that is good at conducting electricity..." Rarity's horn flared and emitted a beam that pointed at the wall. "What are you doing?" Kili asked, perplexed at the unicorn magic.

"I'm using my gem-finding spell to find the proper gem," Rarity said, obviously distracted by her spell.

"Oh..." Kili said. There was a moment of silence between them, only the ever-present hum of the car battery and the sound of Rarity's magic.

"Ah! Lucky us! Here we are!" Rarity suddenly stopped, focused on a spot on the wall and pointed. "Right there! In that rock right there is a deposit of the gems we need!"

Kili turned and walked over to the wall. "Here?" he pointed at the spot Rarity indicated.

"Yes. You've got to dig them up."

Kili gave Rarity a funny look.

Rarity huffed. "Please?" She said.

"Thank you." Kili said as he turned back to the wall and started digging, soon unearthing a couple of the large gems.

"These gems right?" Kili said as he set the gems on the bed. Just then he noticed the security camera. "Oh. I just remembered. Our friends." He pointed his paw towards the camera.

Rarity looked over to it. "Oh...them. Totally forgot about that." She thought for a moment. "Well, are there any blind spots in the room where we can work in peace?"

Kili shook his head. "Nope. They thought of that."

Rarity slumped slightly. "Well, might as well make a couple of chess pieces out of these for cover. Can you get me that diamond in the wall there?" She pointed to the rock in question.

Kili walked over and clawed it out of the rock. "Here you go." He handed her the diamond.

"Thanks. Since we don't have any proper tools, this'll have to do." With these words she levitated the diamond and set to work chipping at the rock. Kili stood there for a moment, waiting for an order of some kind. Rarity looked up from her work. "You can carve one if you want." She said, turning back to her work. Kili picked up a gem and started to chip away at it with his claws.

////////////////////////////

After several hours of chipping at the gem, Rarity finally decided it was ready for her. "Here we go." She said, her horn glowed as she cast a special enchantment over the gem so it would work. The gem started to glow, Kili's eyes widened.

"Wow...that's beautiful," He said, as Rarity levitated the gem in front of them, basking in it's blue glow. "Behold...the diamond arc," She said with flourish. "Now." Rarity looked over to Kili. "Time for you to do YOUR job."

Kili looked at her. "Oh, right. Your chest." He looked at her chest. The hole was round. The diamond arc was, well, a diamond.

"You know, the shape doesn't exactly match." He motioned to her chest.

Rarity looked down. "Oh, you're right. Guess I got a little too artistic with the design." They sat there for a moment, pondering what to do with the glowing rock. "Well, do you happen to have any chloroform left?" Rarity asked.

"Yeah, but not much." Kili said, his voice grave. "Anyways, another surgery like that just might make things worse," he said.

"Well. That's a risk we'll just have to take," Rarity said, doing her best to hide the fear she had.

////////////////////////////

Several torturous hours of surgery later, Kili stepped back, "Well..." he said, panting, "I think that went well." He looked at her bloodied chest. There it was, the diamond arc, glowing, giving her freedom and life. She was still unconscious. He had to hit over the head with a gem to keep her under.

She finally stirred. "Ugh...my head..." She sat up. "Sorry about waking up half-way through."

Kili shrugged. "That's okay. At least that meant you were alive." He chuckled.

Rarity looked at her chest. "Beautiful isn't it?" she sighed, taking in the results of their labor. She looked over to the old electromagnet and car battery. "I wonder what we'll do with that. Kinda sad to see it go."

Kili looked over at the makeshift pacemaker/electromagnet. "Well, whatever happens, at least you won't have to lug that car battery around anymore." They both laughed. For the first time in months there seemed to be light at the end of the tunnel. "Remember, though. Whatever happens, don't waste this gift." Kili said, pointing at the diamond in Rarity's chest.

Rarity smiled. "Of course I won't. I'll find a use for this..." she paused. "Not sure what, but a use."

////////////////////////////

A few hours later, they both sat at a makeshift table, quietly eating some more soup.

Rarity watched as Kili quietly sipped his soup, while reading Crime and Punishment.

"Um, Kili?" Rarity tentatively asked.

"Yes?" Kili said, stopping his sipping to turn a page.

"Well, you mentioned you had a family, you know...before all this, and I was wondering if I could learn more about them maybe? If you don't mind."

Kili looked up from his book, his content expression changing to one of sadness.

"Well," he sighed, closing the book. "I kinda dredding this moment you know."

Rarity looked down at the floor, feeling embarrassed to have asked such a personal question. "I-I'm sorry, Kili, I didn't mean to offend you."

Kili sighed again, "That's okay." he reached across the tiny table and put a reassuring paw on her shoulder.

He leaned back in his chair. "I mean, it's not like we have anything to hide right? Both kinda in the same boat here, huh?" he looked up at Rarity, who quietly nodded.

He let out a long sigh. "Well, back in my town, I had a wife, Brunhilde, and two little pups. Light of my life they were."

"Her name was Brunhilde?" Rarity asked, remembering an old opera her parents had taken her to once when she was a filly.

Kili nodded. "Yeah, her family liked music. A lot. She played the piano." he motioned with his paws, before letting out another long sigh. "I had a brother too, Fili, but he moved to Equestria to study physics or something, I honestly don't remember." he began to absentmindedly stir his soup with his spoon. "And I was the local doctor, you know, small stuff like the flu or something." he stopped for a moment, intently watching the soup spin in the bowl. "And she was the local music teacher for the little pups in town." he smiled wistfully. His smile soon faded.

"And then, one day, these people." he motioned to the cameras. "These people thought it nessicary to attack my little village. They came in, guns and such ablaze, killing whomever they wished." he returned to stirring his soup.

"And apparently, they needed a doctor, so when they found out where I lived, they marched in and demanded that I help them."

Rarity looked down at her soup. "And you said no?"

Kili nodded. "Yeah. So, they called their boss, that griffin fellow, and he ordered me to help. I refused. So he walked up to my wife, and said that he would kill her and my family if I continued to refused. I relented, not wanting my family to suffer needlessly. So I joined up with their band. And then as we were about to leave, the griffin ordered that his troops burn my house down." Tears started to form in Kili's eyes. "And, then, then he light a match and flicked it inside, and the whole house burst into flames and burned down, my family still inside." With those words, he stopped stirring his soup and blinked his eyes rapidly, clearing away the tears.

Rarity simply sat there, unable to comprehend the sheer torture that one must feel to see his family die in such a horrible way. "I-I'm so sorry, Kili....I didn't know..." she said, feeling like the absolute most insensitive pony on the face of the planet.

Kili, surprisingly, dismissivly waved his paw. "No, no, no, that's okay. You were curious. I stopped mourning a long time ago. Now, I simply hope that they're in a better place and that I'll go there and meet them someday." He sighed.

Just then there was a pounding at the door. They both instantly stood upright, forgetting their soup and morbid thoughts. The door burst open, sending the diamond dog fiddling with the keys sprawling on the floor. The griffin stepped over him. "It seems you two have been up to something I don't approve of," He said, his face showing both anger and sick pleasure at the same time. He glared at Rarity, his eyes instantly drawn to the diamond in her chest. "What is this?" he stalked over to Rarity, shoving his claw into her chest. She winced as pain seared through her. "Well?!" he turned to Kili, his face twisted into a seething, boiling pot of rage.

Neither Rarity or Kili said anything.

"Well...if nopony's going to tell me what this is...I'll MAKE them tell me!" He grabbed Kili and shoved him to the floor. He shot a wicked glance at Rarity. "See you're friend here? If you don't tell me what that thing in your chest is, I will personally disembowel him." He pressed his claw onto Kili's stomach.

Rarity didn't speak. What could she do? If she told him, he'd probably want to pull the thing right out of her chest and try and build some sort of super-weapon with it. If she didn't tell him, Kili would die. Rarity gulped. Either way, one of us is going to die. Might as well be me, not like I've lived a worthwhile life or anything. Better me then him. "It's a diamond arc."

"A what?" the griffin was momentarily confused.

"A diamond arc. a self-sustaining energy source." Rarity said as calmly as possible.

"Good." He suddenly calmed and lifted his claw slightly from Kili's stomach. "See? Was that so hard?" Rarity let out a sigh of relief. The griffin's beak suddenly twisted into a evil smile. He shoved his claw back onto Kili's stomach and tugged. Rarity's felt her heart freeze in mid-beat and heard a scream piece the air, scarcely aware that it was hers.

She fell down on her knees and hurried to the dying Kili's side. "Why did you do that?! What did he ever do to you?!" she cried. "Simple. You're ransom was paid. You're free. But..." the griffin cleaned off his blood covered claws. "You still must pay a price for the sins of your past."

The griffin turned, snapped his claws and his minions followed him out. Suddenly Kili gasped, trying to speak. "Remember..." he gasped, coughing on the blood bubbling in his mouth. "Don't waste your gift." His eyes closed and his breathing suddenly stopped. Rarity simply stood there, holding his limp body. Unable to hold back, she released a series of deep, heaving sobs.

"You've been living like a little girl in the middle of your little world

And your mind, your tiny mind, you know you've really been so blind

Now 's your time burn your mind, you're falling far too far behind."

Fire by The Crazy World of Arthur Brown.

Act I - 04 - The Valley of the Shadow

Act I - 04 - All is Vanity...

Act One:

"Charade You Are"

Chapter Four

“All is Vanity”:

Rarity sat there for hours on the floor, holding Kili’s dead body and rocking back and forth, sobbing, “Oh, I’m sorry…” she said through sobs and moans, “I’m so sorry…for everything…” she cried until she simply couldn’t cry any longer. She lay down on the cot and tried her best to sleep. Suddenly a pounding came from the door, followed by the sound of rattling keys, Rarity braced herself for the worst. The door opened, revealing her griffin tormentor and his henchdogs.

“Well, well, well…” the griffin said, walking in and seemingly enjoying watching Rarity’s suffering. “You’re ransom got paid. Good for you” he said, inspecting his still blood stained claws. “It seems your free to go”

Rarity simply couldn’t believe it, that this sick demented creature could find pleasure in such things.

“Really?” she said, her voice weak from all the crying from before.

“Yes” He said, his beak twisting into the familiar face of a somepony about to torture somepony. “And they agreed to pick you up.”

Rarity was confused. If she was free, why was he making that face? Suddenly, as if to answer her questions, he snapped his claws and the henchdogs came and immediately grabbed her, put a burlap sack over her head and knocked her out.

////////////////////////////

Rarity awoke in a hospital, head throbbing. She looked wearily around the room; there was a television tuned into the news and beside her were at least a dozen machines all hooked into her via IVs. She rubbed her pounding temple. “Ugh, my head…” she groaned.

“Oh my,” a familiar voice said. “Look who’s awake.”

Rarity turned her head to see Braeburn sitting by the bed, his eyes on the television.

“How ya doin?” he said.

“Okay I guess,” Rarity said, looking around the room. “How long was I out?”

Braeburn thought for a moment. “Oh ‘bout two days.”

Rarity shifted in her bed. “Two days? Really?”

Braeburn nodded. “Eeup, found ya where they told me to look.” This caught Rarity’s attention.

“Really? Where was that?” she said, wanting to have idea at least where the kidnappers lived.

“In the middle of the desert” Braeburn said, “Ya was unconscious, so I put ya in the car and drove ya to the hospital.”

Rarity was touched by Braeburn’s dedication to her. “That’s very kind of you,” Rarity said, Braeburn held up a hoof.

“Don’t ya mention it. That’s mah job,” He said, giving her a gentle pat on the hoof. “Yer parents are waitin’ outside,” He said, sitting back down.

“Really?” Rarity said. “Alright then,” she said, turning to watch the TV.

There was a moment of awkward silence.

“Ya wanna see ‘em?” Braeburn asked, concern evident in his eyes.

Rarity turned back towards him. “Sure” she said, sighing.

“Alright then,” Braeburn said, getting up and opening the door to reveal Rarity’s father Magnum, her mother Pearl and Sweetie Belle.

“Sis!” Sweetie Belle said, running over to Rarity and giving her a hug. “I missed you so much!”

Rarity did her best to hug Sweetie Belle back. “That’s quite alright,” she said, gently shoving Sweetie Belle away from her, her father then came in.

“There’s my beautiful daughter!” he said, giving her a bear hug.

“Daddy,” Rarity said, slightly put off by the sudden showing of emotion. “Great to see you again.” She turned to her mom, who simply stood in the doorway and fiddled with her phone.

“Hello mother,” Rarity said, doing her best to sound polite.

“Hello dear,” her mother said, putting her phone in her purse. “Well, I guess that ten million was well spent,” She said, walking up and giving her daughter a stiff hug.

“Ten million?” Rarity said, suddenly confused. “What 10 million?” her asked.

“The ransom of course!” her father said. “No ruffian is going to hold my beautiful daughter prisoner.” He gave her another hug.

“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle said reaching in for a hug as well.

“Oh thank you father!” Rarity said, hugging back as best she could, given all the IVs. “I’m so happy to see you all again,” she said, catching a glimpse of her mother dabbing a tear from her eye before she spoke.

“Well,” Pearl said in typical unemotional-like manner looking at the clock on the wall. “It seems sadly that we must leave,” She said, with all the sincerity of a crocodile apologizing for eating somepony, she tugged at Magnum’s shirt.

“Well dear, I’m sorry,” Magnum said giving Rarity one last hug. “But your Mother is sadly right, I totally forgot the meeting,” he said, shooting a quick glance at his watch. “But if you want we can Sweetie Belle with you for company.”

Rarity’s eye involuntarily twitched. “Oh, okay” she said, as Sweetie Belle jumped up on the bed again.

“YEAH!” she said, giving Rarity another hug. “Thanks so much!” she said, hugging Rarity even tighter.

“Well, goodbye,” Pearl said, leaning in and giving Rarity a quick peck on the cheek before leaving with Magnum. Once her parents left, Braeburn, who had not said a word since her parents had come in, noticed Rarity’s somewhat frustrated expression and gently pulled Sweetie Belle off Rarity’s bed.

“Well, Sweetie Belle, I think your sister’s a little tired right now so’s how about we get some Ice Cream? Wadda think?”

Sweetie Belle turned. “That’d be great!” She jumped off the bed and ran over to Braeburn, who gave Rarity a wink.

“Thank you,” She whispered.

“No prob,” He said. “Ya ready?” He said, turning to walk out with Sweetie Belle, leaving Rarity alone.

She was safe and sound, with nopony trying to hurt her in anyway. She lay back once more, letting out a long sigh and falling asleep once more, completely exhausted.

////////////////////////////

“Braeburn, please be careful!” Rarity said as she watched Braeburn carry her prized antique Ponyphone record player. “It’s more than-”

“40 years old, I know,” Braeburn said, doing his best to balance the heavy (and not to mention incredibly expensive) old machine on his back. After a few days of doing her best to put up with Sweetie Belle, Rarity’s parents finally came and took her back home. Since then, Rarity had been doing her best to make the hospital room feel like home.

One such method was transporting her entire collection of antique LPs to her hospital room.

“Y’all know they have a radio here right?” he said, doing his best to set the record player on the table next to her bed.

“Yes, dear, I know they do, but the only station it picks up is that dreaded pop station,” Rarity said. “And believe me, if I have to hear that horrible song they keep playing once more, my mind might melt, dear. Did you bring the records?” She said, as Braeburn cracked his back.

“Yes. I did” He sighed, pulling out an old LP from his saddle bag with his mouth.

“CAREFUL! That’s vintage!” Rarity said, quickly levitating the LP over to her to check for damage. “Why must you always use your teeth? Didn’t your mother teach you that’s not polite”

Braeburn rolled his eyes, “Unless y’all noticed, I don’t a fancy horn to help me…” He pointed to his distinctly hornless forehead.

“Oh, right, sorry. I keep forgetting that…” Rarity said, setting the LP on the table next to her. Braeburn set his saddlebag down next to the bed and turned towards the television, switching it to some generic soap opera.

“What’s that?” Rarity said, pointing at the television.

“This? Oh it’s just somethin’ I found” Braeburn said, “It’s about some fella named Rocky from Dakota, who just went into a saloon to meet a mare named Magill, who called herself Lili but everypony knew her as Nancy.”

Rarity snickered, “Braeburn, I never took you for the soap opera type.”

Braeburn rolled his eyes, “I’m not, there’s just nothin’ else on.”

They watched it for a little while, both poking fun at the cheesy writing and bad acting, eventually though they both tired of it and Braeburn switched to the news, where a report was talking about a random conflict in Griffinheim.

“Hey, ain’t that where ya’ll got taken to?”

Rarity looked to the screen and quietly watched as random citizens ran about behind the news pony, who babbled on and on about the conflict over there. All this managed to do was make a strange empty feeling form inside her.

“Braeburn,” Rarity said, feeling uneasy. “Please change, last thing I need to see is…” She suddenly stopped when a very familiar face came on the screen. It was her chief tormentor during her captivity, simply staring into the camera with the same wicked grin on his face.

Braeburn noticed Rarity’s usually beautiful face contort into one fixated with hate. “Y’all alright?” He said, putting a hoof on her hoof.

“Turn. It. Off.” She said, emphasizing every word.

“All righty then,” Braeburn said, switching the channel to some random game show. Braeburn looked back at Rarity. “What was that all about, huh?”

Rarity turned towards Braeburn. “That was my chief tormentor. That’s what that was all about.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Didn’t know.” Braeburn quietly changed the channel. “Sorry iffin I brought back some bad memories…”

Rarity sighed. “That’s okay…it’s not your fault,” She said, reaching a hoof out. “It’s just…it’s just that I really don’t feel like reliving the worst months of my life. You understand don’t you?”

Braeburn nodded. “Yeah, of course,” He gave her hoof a gentle shake. “I wouldn’t wanna do that either.” He leaned in and gave Rarity a hug.

Rarity tensed up slightly, surprised by Braeburn’s sudden showing of emotion. “Well…thanks…a lot…”

“Yer welcome. That’s what I’m here for, to be yer secretary and to make sure ya don’t go all crazy with depression.”

Rarity laughed. “Yes, because if I did you’d be out of a job.”

“Well, that…and I honestly care fer ya.” Before Rarity could say anything, a knock came at the door, they both turned to see Dr. Stable, the chief doctor at Canterlot Hospital, standing in the doorway. “Hey doc, what’s up?” Braeburn said, extended a hoof in greeting, the doctor walked in, shook it rather stiffly, and turned towards Rarity.

“Well, good news. You’re getting released.” Rarity and Braeburn’s mouths dropped, both equally surprised.

“Really?” Rarity said, a smile making her way across her face.

“Don’t that seem a might soon?” Braeburn said, the doctor turned to Braeburn.

“Well, normally I’d agree with you, but that…” He pointed to the diamond arc. “…That has certainly made the difference, it’s amazing really, somehow able to drive energy from the patient and then giving back twice as much…truly amazing.” He shook his head in awe at the diamond.

“I still don’t see why that means I can leave so soon?” Rarity said, puzzled at the news.

The doctor looked at his clipboard. “Well, it seems the diamond is also increasing your rate of recovery. You not going to re-grow lost limbs or anything, but you’ve recovered much faster than normal. Truly amazing.” With this, he turned and walked out, not saying another word.

////////////////////////////

Rarity sat in front of the television, trying her best to find some inspiration, hoping that maybe some designing would get her back into the swing of things, but so far no luck. It had been a week since she had returned from the hospital and all she managed to create were several thousand doodles of various kinds of outfits and suits, none of which seemed suitable for actual production.

Eventually she had simply given up on fashion designs and moved to just random doodling. Right now she had just finished a rather strange drawing of a giant mechanical unicorn pony holding a terrified griffin in its hoof, horn alight as if ready to meet out judgment upon the creature in its grasp. The record turned on the spindle, music emanating from the speakers.

Braeburn walked in carrying a magazine, “How ya’s doin’?” He said, sitting next to the bed.

“Frustrated…” Rarity mumbled.

“How so?” he said, picking up a couple of papers with rather colorful language scrawled all over them and throwing them away.

“It’s…it’s just I can’t think of any new designs! It’s driving me crazy!” Rarity flung the papers into the air, letting them fall randomly.

Braeburn simply started picking them up and organizing them into folders. “Well, I don’t really think sittin’ on a couch all day is conducive tah one’s creativity.” He put the folder in his saddlebag.

Rarity huffed, took off her glasses and crossed her front hooves. “Ugh. I know…it’s just I can’t explain it…”

“Explain what?” Braeburn said, still picking up random pieces of paper and sorting them.

“Well” Rarity said, whipping out a cigarette. “Ever since I’ve got back I’ve had this strange feeling in my chest…”

“That would be the big rock there.” Braeburn pointed at the diamond arc.

Rarity gave him a deadpan look. “No. Not THAT kind of a funny feeling…one that’s like there’s an empty hole in my soul…I can’t think what could be causing it…”

Braeburn sat next to her. “Well, iffin ya ask me, I think y’alls been locked up in this place too long…” He said as he motioned to the massive living room. “Maybe y’all should get out and try and get back inta the swing of things.”

Rarity pondered this. “Yeah,” she said, getting and walking towards the massive fireplace. “Maybe I could use some pony company.” She levitated a fire poker and gently prodded the fire, “Yeah,” She said, smiling. “Maybe that’s what I need.” She put the poker down and turned to go to her room.

“Where y’all going?” Braeburn said, following after her. “I am going to going to do what you said,” Rarity said as she made her way down the hallway. “And that is?” Braeburn said, as she entered her room. “To go and get back in the swing of things, as you put it.”

////////////////////////////

Braeburn stood in the doorway of Rarity’s bedroom, slightly confused at the sudden change in her personality. “Rarity…ya sure y’all okay?” Rarity turned, a newly light cigarette in mouth.

“Yes. I’m fine, just because I’m suddenly taking your advice and reintegrating myself back into proper society doesn’t mean I’ve lost it.” She walked over and gave him a pat on the shoulder. “Relax. I’m not crazy, just, cabin fever you know?” She walked into the bathroom and closed the door.

“Well, um, there anythin’ y’all need? Any secretary stuff?” Braeburn said, leaning against the bathroom door.

“No, nothing besides any standard work my dear,” Rarity said through the bathroom door.

“Well, where y’all gonna go?” Braeburn said.

“Isn’t today Fancypants’ birthday?” Rarity said, the sound of water running coming from behind the bathroom door.

“Uh, lemme check.” Braeburn fiddled with his ePad. “Um, yeah, it is…why?”

“Well, if there’s any way to get back into the swing of things…” The sound of a hair drier came from the bathroom. “…It’s to go to a party or a get together of some kind.” The door opened to reveal a newly cleaned Rarity. “It’s at Fancypants' house right?”

Braeburn checked his ePad again. “Yup.”

“Good!” Rarity chirped. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must get ready for the party,” She said as she gently nudged Braeburn towards the door.

“Alrighty then, y’all get ready, I’m happy fer ya,” He said as she closed the door.

////////////////////////////

Rarity looked over the dresses lying on the foot of her bed. They all seemed somewhat over the top. Frustrated, Rarity levitated them back to the closet, and started to rummage through the massive amount of various dresses. She reached the back wall of the closet, which was quite a feat taking into account that it was the size of a bedroom. She suddenly stopped when her eyes fell open a familiar gown. The gown was the gown from her graduation. She ran through the painful memories associated with the gown in her head with the strange nagging feeling in her chest growing.

////////////////////////////

“Mom, Dad, I’m home!” Rarity said as she opened the door, levitating her suitcases and bags, turned to see her mother and father standing there, with her mother’s back covered with a cloak.

“Dear, I and your mother have something to show you!” Magnum said, as Pearl walked up to Rarity and pulled back the cloak covering her back to reveal a white baby filly with a light purple and pink mane sleeping quietly.

“Mom…?” Rarity said, dropping her bags in shock.

Pearl pulled her cloak back over her back, her horn glowing as she smoothed it over. Magnum took a quick step toward them, one back, and then one forward again, his tail twitching the way it did when he was trying to think.

“Well, you see, honey, err…your mom thought that-well, since you were having finals and that’s always a hard time for you kids-”

“I have a sister and you never told me?” Rarity said, her voice ringing stridently. “Is THAT why you didn't come to my graduation? Because I just got a sister??” she said, staring simultaneously confused and angry at her mother.

“Honey-” Magnum said, reaching out a hoof to calm Rarity down.

“And you!” she turned on Magnum, who shied back. “You didn't tell me? You called me every single day and your best explanation was ‘you know your mother?’”

“Sweetie-” He said, trying again to reach out and calm her down.

“I knew she was unfeeling,” Rarity said, turning back on her mother. “I knew she was void of all motherly or proper feeling but I didn't know you were so wholly, purely, and completely SELFISH! You’re the most egotistical, self-absorbed, soulless creature I've ever met! I've never dealt with a person who cared so little about manipulating and exploiting the hearts and feelings of others for her own personal comfort and ease!”

“Now you stop right there, young filly,” Pearl said in a such a forceful voice Rarity was stunned into silence. “Who are you to accuse me of selfishness and manipulation? You who manipulate your father’s affection for you to do as you please in every matter from buying closets of clothes to vacations in Las Pegasus, you have no respect for the labor he put in to accumulate his wealth so you can spend it as you like! He may be blinded by saccharine feelings toward you but I’m not! You are vain, serpentine, egotistical, self-righteous and wicked and have no right to accuse me of anything.”

There was a stretch of thunderous silence.

“Well Mother,” Rarity said, her voice smooth and icy. “I respectfully disagree. I think I have every right to accuse you since everything I know about being a wicked terrible daughter I learned from my evil, horrible mother.” With that she spun around, grabbing her bags, and started towards the door.

“Where are you-” Magnum began.

“Away,” Rarity said, continuing towards the door.

“But honey!” Magnum trotted up beside her. “You just got home! You’re mother’s a bit…uh, hormonal from birthing but she’ll be back to normal in a few-”

“That’s why I’m leaving,” Rarity said. “This is the most honest conversation with my mother and, thanks to her, I’ve finally decided on the course of action I should have done years ago. I can’t endure another moment with her. If I stay I’ll go mad. I’m not going to live with a pony who thinks I’m their terminal illness. I’m sure she doesn’t want me to infect her new daughter, the one she can make in her own image.”

Magnum babbled desperately to refute her but Rarity’s head was buzzing so loudly she didn’t hear a word. The only thing she heard was her mother’s comment to Magnum as she stepped out the door, “Don’t humiliate yourself, Magnum. She’ll be back.”

////////////////////////////

Rarity shook her head to clear her mind of the bad memories. Taking another look at the gown, she was tempted to throw the thing away, but simply couldn't bring herself to do it. Maybe I can pawn it off to Sweetie Belle. She turned away, finally deciding on an elegant red dress. She walked out of the closet, leaving the gown on the hanger in the back.

////////////////////////////

“Okay, ya sure y’all don’t want me to come?” Braeburn said as he and Rarity walked towards the waiting limo.

“Yes. Don’t worry Braeburn” Rarity said, giving him a pat on the shoulder. “I just going to the party and coming back. I seriously don’t think that they’re going to try and kidnap me again.”

“Alright then,” Braeburn said. “Just keep in touch. I don’t wanna wake later to find that y’all got pulled over or arrested or something on PMZ.” They both laughed.

“Don’t worry. I won’t.” With that she stepped inside the limo which drove off towards Fancypants'.

////////////////////////////

After causing quite a stir when she first arrived, Rarity made her way to the stallion of the hour, Fancypants', who was busy discussing various things with Jet Set, Upper Crust and Bruce Mane.

“Well, I believe this bat-fellow deserves a medal,” Upper Crust said.

“And a straight-jacket to pin it on,” her husband Jet Set replied. “I think running around in a silly, and might I mention, highly unfashionable, costume is not going to solve any problems over there. Honestly I think the problems over there are unsolvable.” He nodded to Bruce Mane. “No offence intended Bruce.”

“None taken,” Bruce Mane replied.

“Well, that might be so,” Fancypants' said. “But Bruce here is the only one of us that actually lives there, what do you say?” He put a leg around Bruce Mane’s shoulders.

Bruce thought for a moment. “Well, to me anyways, anypony who dresses as a bat, very clearly has issues.”

“Well, if anypony cares what I think,” Rarity said, making her way into the circle of ponies. “I believe it great that somepony’s doing something about the problems over there, instead of just throwing money at it.” The group stopped laughing, “So how’s the stallion of the hour?” Rarity said, as the group turned to her, Rarity noticed Bruce seemed to have something on his mind.

“Oh! Rarity! So good to see you!” Fancypants said, seemingly very surprised to see her. Her gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “We've been worried sick about you! How’s the world been treating you?” He said, as the rest of the group agreed.

“Well, for somepony who’s just been freed from captivity, rather well,” Rarity said, levitating a martini glass from a passing waiter.

“Oo! What’s that?” Upper Crust said, pointing towards the diamond arc.

Rarity looked down at it, “Oh? This old thing? It’s a little trinket I made while in captivity.”

The other ponies' eyes all widened. Jet Set leaned in. “Well, whatever is such a beautiful diamond doing in your chest?”

Rarity rubbed it. “Well, actually, when they captured me, the explosion caused me to suffer severe shrapnel wounds and this,”—She proudly tapped the diamond—“Is the one thing preventing the shrapnel from killing me.” The group simply stared at her for a moment, unsure whether to continue the conversation. Rarity noticed the awkward silence. “Don’t worry however,” she said, quickly waving a hoof in the air. “I’m still the same pony as before.”

Fancypants was the first to speak: “Well, I must know who helped craft that marvelous diamond.” His voice giving away his obvious curiosity.

Rarity remembered Kili for a moment. “A friend I made while in captivity, a diamond dog surgeon.” She said, stirring her drink, the group once again gave Rarity a funny look.

“A diamond dog surgeon?” Upper Crust said, seemingly unable to get her head around the concept.

“Amazing,” Bruce Mane said, speaking for the first time since Rarity had entered the conversation. “And here I thought they were totally incapable of rational thought!” He burst out laughing joined by Upper Crust, Jet Set and Fancypants

Rarity was shocked at the sheer selfish nature of these ponies, that a pony, no matter his background would help anypony else with such a problem and not ask for payment and the only thing they could think of was that he was supposedly stupid.

“I’ll have you know,” she said, interrupting their laughter. “That he died helping me.”

Fancypants put his leg around her shoulder. “We didn't know. I apologize.” He said, seemingly sincere.

“It’s alright” she said, excusing herself. “But I must go now, I hope you have wonderful birthday Fancy.” She gave him a hug and made her way to exit, fed up with the empty lives of the ponies around her.

////////////////////////////

Rarity threw herself onto her bed, disgusted by the actions of those around her. She angrily levitated the remote control over and switched on the TV. Once again, fate determined that it would be an news report about the conflict over in Griffinheim, the country where Rarity’s captors hailed from.

“The terrorists say that their new weapons are thanks to the 10 million bit ransom payment for famed Equestrian fashion designer Rarity Belle, who was kidnapped by the terrorists and hasn't been in public seen since her release from the hospital a week ago,” The news pony said, with the footage exhibiting the terrorists “wonderful” new weapons. Large machine guns carried on the backs of diamond dogs who fired them with glee at random innocent civilians.

Rarity had seen enough. She shut the television off, the empty feeling in her chest becoming unbearable. She looked around the room, catching a glimpse of the doodle of the mechanical pony and griffin she had made earlier. The gears in her head started to turn. She had to do something herself, Kili had sacrificed his body for me, she thought, I couldn't give any less without blaspheming his memory.

She immediately grabbed her glasses, levitated some papers and a pen over and began to draw fervently. Her pen whipped across the page hysterically, her eyes didn't even perceive the shape, it was coming too fast—straight from somewhere in her hollow chest—a surge of anger and sorrow.

They have pay, I have to MAKE them pay, wring it out of them before my eyes. She puffed another cigarette, brushing away bits of ash as she fervently sketched. I have to be there, I have to SEE it, DO it myself. For Kili’s sake, I cannot substitute my payment to anypony else. Her pen stopped abruptly—as if responding to her thoughts—and her eyes fell on the page.

The final sketch showed sketch for an elegant battle suit made of steel. This design would be powered by her diamond arc. “‘Don’t waste your gift’ you said,” she whispered to herself. “Well, I think I've found a purpose for my gift dear friend.”

"I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind."

Ecclesiastes 1:14

Act I - 05 - Sic Parvis Magna

Act II - 05 - Take a Sad Song and Make It Better

Act Two:

"For What I've Done"

Chapter Five

“Take a Sad Song and Make It Better”:

Rarity set down the pen and gazed on the sketch of the battle suit, the strange emptily feeling in her chest feeling slightly relived. She sighed and rubbed her eyes, taking a look at the clock on the wall. “Wow, it is really that late?” she mumbled to herself, a knock coming from the door.

“Hey, y’all okay?” It was Braeburn.

Rarity turned towards the door, making sure to take the sketch with her, “Hold on…” she opened the door, “Yes dear, quite so in fact, I think I’ve found my purpose. You?” she said, immediately making her way to the workshop.

“Um…” Braeburn said as he turned to follow her, “Well, I just wanted tah check on y’all because y’all came home frustrated and all an’ locked yerself in yer room.”

Rarity stopped suddenly, “do you want to know why I locked myself in my room?” she said, her voice suddenly becoming heavy.

“Um, yeah?” Braeburn replied.

“Well,” she said, sitting down “I was at the party right?” she said, turning towards Braeburn, her voice laced with a mix sadness and anger. “So they ask about my diamond arc, right?” Braeburn nodded, “so I tell them about Kili, the diamond dog—you remember him?”

“Um, I think…” Braeburn said, sitting down next to her. “I take it didn’t go well?” He said. “NO! Of course it didn’t! Hay, Bruce Mane said he didn’t even know that they were capable of rational thought!” she said, now more angry than sad.

“Well, I always thought that Bruce Mane was nothin’ more than a rich playstallion plothole mah self.” Braeburn said.

“Really?” Rarity said, surprised by her normally clean-mouthed friend’s unexpected use of such foul language.

“Hell yeah.” Braeburn said, standing up again. “So besides everypony else bein’ jerks, what else happened to make ya lock yerself away?” Braeburn said as Rarity looked up.

“I was getting to that dear.” She got up again, and made her way to the workshop. “Well, I was in my bed, and I caught a glimpse of my tormentor on the news…and suddenly…” she sighed again. “I knew exactly what to do, as if all the stuff obscuring my thoughts and weighing down my soul had suddenly disappeared.” She entered the workshop and made her way to the table. “And I had the inspiration to make…” she spread the paper with the sketch out on the table. “This.”

Braeburn scratched his head. “Um…what’s that? A robot or somethin?”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “No my dear. Something better…a suit.”

Braeburn turned to her, “excuse me? That’s not like any suit I’ve ever seen.” His eyes narrowed, “ya sure you’re alright?”

Rarity gave him a deadpan look, “Yes. I assure you that I’m perfectly sane.”

Braeburn shrugged, “But how’s a suit supposed tah help ya find yer purpose?”

Rarity beamed, “I’m glad you asked. It’s a battle suit.”

Braeburn gave her a funny look. “A battle suit? As in like Japanese cartoons?”

“Well, yes, if you want to use a rather cliché pop culture reference,” Rarity said, raising an eyebrow. “But it will enable me to finally go and actually make a difference in the world besides just throwing a couple million bits at it.”

Braeburn sighed. “Yer absolutely sure ‘bout this? Cause fer one thing this is gonna cost a bazillion bits ta make and I only know basic tech stuff. I’m a farm pony at heart, not a robot expert.”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “Oh dear, I know THAT. I wasn’t thinking you’d help me build it. I want you hire out some help. I’m eccentric, not insane.”

“What’s the difference?” Braeburn said sarcastically. They both laughed. “But seriously,” Braeburn said. “Ya wanna hire help to build this?” Rarity nodded.

“Yes. I just said that. You know I don’t like to repeat myself.” She said, leaning in add some notes to the sketch. She turned looked at Braeburn.

“Fine.” He said, turning towards the exit.

“Thank you dear, you know I can’t get anywhere with my life if you don’t go and hire that pony, otherwise I’ll just spend the whole day doodling.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He said as he closed the door. Rarity sighed and leaned back in her chair. This is for you, Kili, she thought as she returned to sketching, turning up her music.

///////////////////////////////

Sweetie Belle sat in the backseat of the carriage bored to death. “Hey Dad?” she said.

“Yes?” Magnum said, sitting across the carriage, reading a newspaper. “What is it darling?”

“Why are you bringing me over to Rarity’s again?” Sweetie Belle said, putting down her phone.

Magnum sighed. “It’s because I want you to be somewhere relatively safe while me and your mother go on the business trip, remember?”

“Oh yeah.” Sweetie Belle said, “But last time I was there she was all mean.”

“Well, dear,” her mother said. “Just because she’s being an unpleasant and intolerant child is no reason you should be one back. You’re better than that. That’s why we’re having you stay. To watch and learn how not to be one.”

“I don’t get it…” Sweetie said. “If she’s a child how could I learn not to be a child?”

“Because,” Pearl said. “I believe that you should see that that’s not the way to live. Understand?” She said, sounding slightly irritated.

“I still don’t get it.” Sweetie Belle, said, feeling confused.

“Don’t worry honey,” Magnum said, glancing over his newspaper. “She’s your sister. That’s why we have you stay there.” He gave Pearl a dirty look. “And since she’s your sister, we know you’ll be safe and sound, no matter what happens.”

“Oh,” Sweetie said. “Okay. I just hope she’s not all mean.”

“It’s okay honey,” Pearl said. “Whatever happens while you’re there, remember this, ‘what ever doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger’”

Sweetie Belle sighed. “Okay mom.” She slumped back into her chair, turning to watch the world go by outside her window.

“Oh, look, we’re here.” Magnum said, as the carriage pulling up to the driveway of Rarity’s palatial estate.

After the carriage came to a halt, Magnum leaned forward to look at Sweetie Belle. “Now remember honey, if something goes wrong, feel free to call me and I’ll come and get you okay?” He reached over to hug Sweetie Belle, who opened her arms and gave him a tight hug.

“Love you Dad,” she said.

“Love you to dear. Remember stay safe.” He said, opening the door and walking her to the door.

Magnum pushed the doorbell, Sweetie Belle holding her backpack and small suitcase. Nothing. He pushed the doorbell again, and this time a sound came from behind the door, “hold on there ya!” the familiar voice said. The sound of locks being fumbled with mixed in with a couple of muttered curse words, and the door finally opened to reveal Braeburn, covered in grease, his eyes tired and baggy, as if he’d been up all night.

“Oh, howdy there, Magnum, Sweetie, what ya doin’ here? ‘nother business trip?”

Magnum nodded, “Yep. We’re about to break a deal with Hex Corp and Mane Enterprises and they called me in for the meeting. Sorry for disturbing you though.” He said apologetically. “Would you be so kind as to watch Sweetie Belle for us while we’re in Manehattan?”

Braeburn nodded. “Yeah, sure. No prob. I’m sorry fer lookin’ so tired, but I was fixin’ the car, blown head gasket and all.” He smiled; Sweetie Belle noticed he seemed to be hiding something.

“So how’s Rarity been doing?” Magnum said, Braeburn turned to him.

“Huh? Oh! Fine, just fine and dandy, takin’ into account what she’s been through the last six months.” He said, rubbing his eyes, obviously very tired from working on whatever he was working on.

There was an awkward pause between the three, as if each was waiting for the other to say something. The silence was broken by the sound of faint shouting. The three turned to see Pearl leaning out of the carriage window, giving Magnum a dirty look and shouting something indistinctly, causing Magnum to blush slightly.

“Well. Time for me to go,” he chuckled, “you how mares are.”

Braeburn gave him a rather un-amused look. “Yup. They’re all a little crazy.” He said with all the enthusiasm of an undertaker at a birth.

Magnum leaned down and gave Sweetie Belle a quick kiss on the cheek. “Bye hon.”

“Bye Dad.” She said as Magnum reached a hoof out to Braeburn.

“Braeburn” he said, as Braeburn shook his hoof.

“Magnum” he said, still half-asleep. “I’ll be sure tah take good care of her.” He said, giving Sweetie Belle a tired smile.

“Good!” Mangum said, letting go of Braeburn’s hoof and running over to the carriage and driving off.

Sweetie Belle and Braeburn watched the car drive off before Braeburn looked back down at Sweetie Belle, “Well, let’s get ya all set up, right?” he led her into the house, which was just as big as she remembered it, with its walls covered in various paintings and such.

“So…” Sweetie Belle said, her eyes taking in the house. “How’s Rarity?” Braeburn walked into the kitchen, grabbing the coffee pot in his mouth and pouring himself a cup of coffee.

“Good, good.” He muttered, taking a sip of the coffee.

“So where is Rarity anyways?” Sweetie Belle said sitting on the chair in front of the counter.

“In the workshop. Workin’, like always.” he said, checking his ePad. Sweetie Belle sat there, watching Braeburn drink coffee and wondering why everything seemed so quite.

Just then Rarity came in, “Oh. Hello Sweetie Belle. Fancy seeing you here” She said, her voice betraying her obvious frustration at the sight of Sweetie Belle. “And why are we being graced by your wonderful presence? Did Mother think I need another example of how to properly live or something?” she said as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

“No.” Braeburn said. “She’s here cause yer Ma and Pa where needed in Manehattan. That’s why.” He said, putting his cup in the sink, giving Rarity a dirty look and then giving Sweetie Belle a sympathetic look. “I’ll be in shower and then mah office, workin’.” He said as he left the kitchen, leaving Rarity and Sweetie Belle alone.

Rarity sighed, “Ugh. Well, whatever reason you’re here for, please follow one simple rule.” Sweetie Belle sighed as well.

“Don’t go into the workshop, no matter what, it’ll kill your muses or something.” Sweetie Belle said, rolling her eyes. Rarity nodded.

“Good. Just stay in the living room, watching TV, and everything will be fine.” She walked out of the kitchen and left Sweetie Belle alone with her bags.

///////////////////////////////

Rarity huffed and closed the door to the workshop behind her. She whipped out another cigarette. “Why is she even here! Couldn't they just leave her with a filly-sitter or something? Nope. Had to send her HERE. Again.” She sat the table where what-looked like a half-finished robotic arm sat along with a pile of doodles and sketches. The metal arm was part of her grand design, the battle suit she would use to extract her own brand of justice upon all those who had wronged the innocent.

So far work had going splendidly, with her and Braeburn making surprising progress on building the suit, with Braeburn’s basic knowledge of mechanics (“All those years on the farm.” He would always say). They had reached an impasse however, when it came to building the repulsors for the suit. No matter how hard they had tried, they had to admit they knew nothing of advanced technology like this. She doodled various ideas for ways to create a way to fly, but so far nothing.

“Stupid little filly…always getting in my mane…damn, why won’t the muse’s cooperate…” she continued her ramblings when a knock came at the door. Rarity rolled her eyes. “Ugh. WHAT?! Who is it?” she huffed, turning around in her chair.

“It’s me, Braeburn. Can I come in? I think I figured out our problem.” Rarity opened the door with her magic, forgetting her frustrations.

“Really?” she said, sounding like a school filly about to get candy. “Excellent, what’s the problem?” she said, ready to set to work.

“Well,” Braeburn said, pulling out his ePad and putting on his reading glasses as well, “ya know how ya told me to find somepony to help with building the suit?”

Rarity nodded. “Yeah?”

“Well,” Braeburn continued. “I’d like you to meet Spark Plug.” Braeburn stepped aside to reveal a rather young looking brown unicorn mare with a spark plug cutie mark.

“HI!” the pony suddenly shouted, extending a hoof in greeting. “I’m Spark Plug!”

Rarity reached out a hoof. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

The pony shook her hoof rapidly. “Thanks! I’m really happy to be working with somepony as famous as you!” she then looked over Rarity’s shoulder at the table.

“Wow! Is that what you want me to work on!” she ran over to the worktable, and levitated the half-assembled arm. “Wow. You guys built this yourself?” Spark Plug looked back at Braeburn and Rarity. Rarity nodded, slightly dazed by the hyper-active pony.

“Um, yes. Yes we did.”

Spark Plug looked at the arm again. “Wow. Pretty good…” she thought for a moment. “For amateurs.”

Rarity huffed. “Well thanks a lot.”

Spark Plug put down the arm. “Well, I think I can make something out of this. You said you wanted a repulsor unit that could carry your weight? I think I can do that.” she said, sitting down at the worktable and levitating some screwdrivers, popped some headphones into her ears and set to work on the arm.

Rarity grabbed Braeburn’s tail with her magic and dragged him in a corner of the workshop. “Braeburn, who is this pony?” she whispered.

“Spark Plug.” He said. Rarity rolled her eyes. “You know that’s not what I meant. I want to know stuff like where you found her, her credentials, criminal records. Stuff like that.”

Braeburn huffed. “I found her at Canterlot University. She’s has a collage degree in robotics. She’s shooting for a doctorate.”

“And?” Rarity said, shooting Spark Plug a quick glance.

Braeburn sighed. “And no. She hasn’t had any arrests of any kind. She’s a model student.”

“Then why is she so weird?” Rarity said, once again glancing at Spark Plug who was bobbing her head to whatever music she was hearing on her ePod.

“Wadda mean?” Braeburn said, yanking his tail out of Rarity’s magical grip.

“You know. Weird. Strange. Odd. Not Normal.” Rarity said, looking back at Braeburn.

Braeburn sighed. “Everypony says she’s just like that. But she’s also a genius. And willing ta work fer us.”

Rarity sighed. “Alright. Fine. So she’s a genius, but does she actually KNOW what we want to use the suit for? Or did you not tell her?”

Braeburn rolled his eyes. “Yes. Yes I did tell her ‘bout the suit.”

Rarity started to calm down. “Okay, did you get her to sign that contract we drafted up?”

“Yes. She told me that ‘that’s the coolest thing ever.’, signed it straight off and swore not to tell anypony. Good enough for ya?”

Rarity sighed. “I guess.”

“Good.” Braeburn said, “Can you go and help her now? I couldn’t fill in on everything ya know. So go and fill her in.” Braeburn said, walking away, exiting the workshop.

Rarity sighed, turned and walked over to Spark Plug. “So…” Rarity said to the head-bobbing unicorn. “Need to be filled in?”

Spark Plug continued to head bob. “Layla…ya got me on my knees Layla…I’m begging darlin’ please, Layla…” she sang along with her headphones. Rarity rolled her eyes and magically yanked the headphones out of Spark Plug’s ears.

“Hey!” Spark Plug whipped her head around, obviously angry. “Oh. Miss Belle! Sorry, what do you need?” she said, suddenly calming down.

“My dear, I love to hear music while I work as much as the next pony, but my number one rule is that I need to be able to communicate with you while we work. Okay?”

Spark Plug nodded her head rapidly. “Yeah, yeah, sure! What did you need anyways?”

“Well, Miss Plug…” Rarity began.

“Call me Sparky!” Spark Plug cut her off.

“Sparky?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah. Miss Plug is my mom.” Spark Plug said, turning back to her work. “So, what did you need?”

“Well, Sparky…” Rarity said, remembering to use her nickname this time. “I think I need to brief you on what we’re up to in building this.”

“Oh don’t worry! I already figured it out.” Spark Plug motioned to all the doodles and sketches littering the worktable. “You know, you should start keeping these on a computer. That way you won’t lose any important information.” She started writing down various calculations and muttering something about weight ratios.

“Well, if you already know all that, how can I help you?” Rarity said, doing her best to sound courteous.

“Well, I do need to know how much you weigh.” Spark Plug said, still doodling and sketching.

“Excuse me?” Rarity said, offended that somepony would want to know something so personal as her weight.

“Yeah, your weight.” Spark Plug said, turning to look at Rarity.

“But why?” Rarity said, hoping to be able to duck out of telling this odd pony such information.

“I need to know your weight so I can probably calculate the amount of power I’d need to sufficiently enable your AND the suit to fly and muster the speed you want.”

Rarity blushed slightly, embarrassed that she hadn’t been able to figure that out herself. “Oh. That. Well, I’m…” she whispered the number into Spark Plug’s ear. Spark Plug held back a giggle and nodded. “Promise not to tell Braeburn?” Rarity said. Spark Plug nodded.

“Of course not! I’ll keep it strictly mare to mare!” she turned and input the number into her calculator, and smiled. “Oh good! Only needs half the power I’d thought it’d need! Cool!” she started sketching some designs on the paper. Rarity looked over her shoulder. Spark Plug dropped the pencil. “You know, I kinda work better alone.” She said, looking at Rarity with a somewhat deadpan look.

“Oh.” Rarity said, knowing the feeling of wanting to work without somepony looking over her shoulder telling her how or how not to do something. “I understand.” She turned and started towards the staircase leading up to the door.

“Don’t worry though!” Spark Plug said as Rarity walked up the stairs. “I’ll call you and Braeburn when I’ve got the design down!”

Rarity stopped at the top of the stairs in front of the door. “Oh! Spark Plug, you know I have a stereo system installed in here, you can use it if you want.”

“Okay!” she heard Spark Plug say from the workshop. “Thanks!” suddenly music started to blare over the speakers and Rarity left the workshop.

///////////////////////////////

Spark Plug kept her promise, practically living in the workshop, and by the end of the week, had already come up with a design for the repulsors. Rarity had been eager to test it, but Spark Plug had insisted that she couldn’t until Spark Plug had tested them herself. Rarity reluctantly agreed and another week passed before they were allowed back in the workshop.

“Well, here it is.” Spark Plug said, wearing the gauntlet which was wired into several large batteries.

“What’s the batteries fer?” Braeburn said, causing Spark Plug to roll her eyes.

“For the power, duh!” she said, smacking her forehead. “One problem however.” She said, looking at the gauntlet.

“What’s that?” Rarity said, she herself studying the gauntlet. “Well,” Spark Plug said, levitating the batteries onto the worktable. “No matter how many batteries I hook up to this thing it just can’t get the power you’ll need to do any of the stuff you want to do.”

“Yer sure?” Braeburn said. Spark Plug nodded.

“Yup. I’ve got it hooked to seven batteries so far and all I’ve been able to do is make it glow. That’s it.” She said, twirling a pencil with her magic.

“Y’all tried to hook up ta Rarity’s diamond arc there?” Braeburn said, pointing at Rarity’s chest. Spark Plug facehoofed. “Duh. Why didn’t I think of that! It was so obvious! Come here you big lug!” she got up to hug Braeburn, forgetting for a moment that the gauntlet was still wired into the heavy batteries. “Whoop!” the wires tightened suddenly, causing Spark Plug to slip and fall on top of Rarity, causing them both to get tangled in a mess of wires and cables. Spark Plug’s front leg still in the gauntlet.

“Y’all alright?” Braeburn said, rushing over to help them up.

“Yeah, sure, sure, just fine dear.” Rarity said, fixing her mane with her magic, “Well, before anything else happens, we should try and test that idea of his, shall we?”

Spark Plug nodded. “Yup. I think we should.” They both walked over to the table and unplugged the wires from the batteries and took the gauntlet off Spark Plug’s leg.

“Alright, let’s hook this baby up.” Spark Plug said, levitating the cables and connecting them into Rarity’s diamond arc, causing a brief power drain.

“Whoa. Didn’t expect that…” Rarity said, getting slight woozy, the power eventually evened out as the enchanted rock adjusted to the power needs of the repulsor.

Rarity held a hoof out, “Alright, then, let’s test this.” The repulsor started to glow and emitting a high pitch whine, sending pins and needles through Rarity.

“Yer sure ya should be running that much power through it?” Braeburn said, quickly glancing at the power read outs on Spark Plug’s laptop.

“What’s to worry about Braeburn? It’s only a guidance system, what’s the worst that could happen.” Spark Plug said. Suddenly a burst of energy exploded from the repulsor, sending Rarity flying backwards into a pile of mannequins. “JEEZ ARE YOU OKAY!” Braeburn said, both him and Spark Plug stumbling over the table and running over to the frazzled unicorn.

“That. Was. TOTALLY AMAZING!” Spark Plug said, laughing and giggling like a school filly. “I totally didn’t know it was that powerful! Simply amazing!” Rarity said, dusting herself off and trotting over to the table.

“Well done Sparky!”

Spark Plug held her head up with pride. “Thanks. That’s what I do.”

“Y’all didn’t answer my first question, y’all okay?” Braeburn asked.

Rarity turned, “What? Yeah! I’m fine! One thing though, I noticed that when I was powering up, it caused a brief dip in power, making me dizzy. Can’t have that now can we?” she said, fiddling with the gauntlet.

“Yeah, you’re right…” Spark Plug said, helping Rarity with the gauntlet.

Braeburn looked at the wall. “Well, look what it did to the wall over there.” Spark Plug and Rarity turned to see the opposite wall blackened and charred with a few inches of the wall blown away.

“Wow. It did that?” Spark Plug said, leaving Rarity with the gauntlet and walking over to the destroyed wall. “Didn’t expect that either.” She reached out and touched the wall.

“It seems we now have a means of self-defense as well now my dear.” Rarity said, looking at Braeburn and smiling.

“Yeah that…and a completely destroyed wall.” Spark Plug pointed to the charred wall. Rarity looked back at the wall.

“Oh, yeah. Well we can fix that easy, just new plaster or…” She trailed off as she caught a glimpse of Braeburn, who was looking quite worried. “Hey,” she said gently, finally taking off the gauntlet and walking over to Braeburn. “Don’t worry, I’ll be safe. I don’t want to die doing this either, don’t worry.” She gave him a hug.

“Yeah, I don’t want die either.” Spark Plug said, also giving Braeburn a hug.

“Well, what about Sweetie Belle? She’s here ya know. Are ya goin’ tah tell her ‘bout this?”

Rarity sighed. “No. She doesn’t need to know about this. What you don’t know can’t hurt you I always say.” She walked back to the table and began to tinker with the gauntlet again, not saying a word.

“Wait? Who’s Sweetie Belle?” Spark Plug asked. Braeburn turned to Spark Plug.

“She’s Rarity’s little sister.”

“Oh.” Spark Plug said.

Braeburn walked over to Rarity. “Hey, why wouldn’t ya tell her? I mean iffin y’all got killed, Celestia forbid, wouldn’t you want her ta know that at least ya died fer a reason?”

Rarity sighed again. “Braeburn, I really don’t want to talk about that now.” She said, turning away. Braeburn walked up next her. “Look, I know this kinda of a touchy subject fer ya, but really, I need to know what ta do iffin that happens.”

Rarity sighed. “Braeburn, I think we should handle that bridge when we come to it, but, since your insisting, if I do die, I don’t really care if you tell her. What good would it do for her anyways?”

Braeburn sighed. “Well, if it happened, at least she’d know that ya didn’t die doin’ somethin’ pointless and foolish right?”

Rarity’s eyes started to water, Braeburn’s concerns striking a chord in her. “Well…maybe…” she said, focusing on the gauntlet in front of her. “Now, please dear, enough talking about death, I’ve nearly experienced anyways and I don’t want to think about it.” Braeburn nodded.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean tah offend.” He looked down at his ePad “well, I guess I’ll input that data on the computer upstairs.” He said, typing on the ePad, and walking out.

Spark Plug stood there, an awkward look on her face. “Well, I guess that’s my cue to leave.” She turned and followed Braeburn.

“Hey.” Rarity said as Braeburn made his way to the door. “Sorry for reacting like that before…I’m just a little tired, sorry.” Braeburn nodded.

“It’s okay. I understand. Been feelin’ a little testy mah self.” With that he and Spark Plug left the room closing the door, leaving Rarity to tinker and process her emotions.

///////////////////////////////

The next two weeks continued rather slowly, with Sweetie Belle being her normal distracting self. Rarity spent most of the time in the workshop with Spark Plug, steadily building the suit, with Braeburn handling both Sweetie Belle and acquiring the materials under the pretext of Rarity designing a special line of dresses and various other excuses.

Rarity sat in the workshop, strapping the repulsors to her forelegs and hind legs. “Okay then.” She did her best to walk over to the center of the workshop. “Note to self: Need to practice walking in boots, they’re rather heavy and throw off my balance.” She said into the microphone she was wearing on her head.

In the center of the room was a camera on a tripod, set up by Spark Plug to record the various tests that had been going on in the workshop. Spark Plug stood in front of the camera. “Okay, it is 14:30,” she said, glancing over at the clock on the wall “and this is repulsor Test Number 14, at 20% power. Here we go." she said, Rarity’s horn lighting up, turning the gauntlet's on. "Alright, initial power up requires magic as in previous tests. Boosting power to 20% capacity." Spark Plug said, looking at the computer screen in front of her. The gauntlet revved up, sending Rarity flying into a nearby wall.

“DAMN!” Spark Plug said, running over to Rarity. Rarity had hit the wall hard and fell to the floor with a thump

“Well...” Rarity coughed. "Well, 20% is certainly too powerful..." she rubbed her head.

"And remember to wear a helmet next time." Spark Plug said, helping her up.

“Yes. That too.” Rarity said dusting herself off and Spark Plug walked over back in front of the camera.

"Okay," Spark Plug said, regaining her composure for the camera, "since 20% was too powerful, we're going to try it at 10%. Hopefully that will not result in any further potential concussions." Rarity powered up the repulsors once more. "alright, here's 10% power." Spark Plug said, watching the computer screen. The repulsors once again sent Rarity flying to the wall, slightly gentler however.

Rarity huffed. "well, that didn't work as hoped." She rubbed head. "Forgot the helmet darn it." She walked over to the work table, and levitated a bicycle helmet over and put it on.

She once again walked in front of the camera, doing her best to smile, trying to ignore her growing headache. "Alright...one last try. We're going for 1%. Hopefully that will not result in yet another close encounter with my wall." she sighed, powering up the gauntlets once more. This time, instead of launching her into the wall, she was lifted up into the air.

“YES! Score!” Spark Plug said, hopping up and down.

"Well let's try to steer this then shall we?" Rarity said as she tilted her legs a just a pinch. Instead of gently banking like she hoped, Rarity suddenly went flying to her left

"Whoa!" Spark Plug shrieked, ducking to avoid Rarity’s exhaust.

She barely missed the wall. She let out a sigh of relief as she stabilized as best she could. "Alright..." She said to Spark Plug “Remember to add some stabilizers in the suits systems. That should compensate for the banking problems." Spark Plug nodded and started to jot stuff down on her notepad. Rarity hovered into the center of the room, once again in front of the camera.

"Alright. Let's cut the power." Spark Plug said. Rarity cut power to the repulsors and fell like a sack of bricks.

“You okay?!” Spark Plug said, running over to Rarity.

Rarity chuckled to herself. "Yes. I’m fine.” Spark Plug helped her up. “Well, overall I'd say that went positively swimmingly."

///////////////////////////////

Sweetie Belle stood in front of the workshop door. Rarity and Braeburn had both said that she shouldn't be there, but the way they were acting made it obvious that whatever was going on being that door was something totally worth checking out. Her horn lit up causing the doorknob to glow light green. It wouldn't open.

"Drat. Probably enchanted." She muttered to herself. She looked around in a nearby potted plant. Maybe the key was hidden somewhere. Nothing. She sat on her haunches. Then something poked her. "Ouch!" she said, getting up and checking behind her to see if she could see whatever had pinched her.

She noticed a lump in the carpet. Duh, she thought. Of course she'd hide it there. She turned and pulled up the small welcome mat, wondering why anybody would have a welcome mat in their house, but that's Rarity for you, she thought, always freaking out over dust and dirt. She lifted the welcome mat up and be held her prize, the key to the lock. She giggled to herself as she levitated the key into the lock and tried to turn it. The key stuck. "Oh come on!" she huffed, trying to move the stubborn key.

Suddenly the door unlocked and opened, sending Sweetie Belle falling flat on her face. She shook her head, "Ouch. Stupid door." she muttered to herself. She suddenly noticed voices coming from somewhere in the workshop. It was Braeburn, Rarity and somepony she’d never heard before. Sweetie Belle pinned herself to the wall, hoping that they hadn't noticed that she had just broken into the work shop.

"Ouch!" Rarity said. "Not so tight. It's suit, not a corset."

"Don’t worry." Braeburn said. "Why don't ya just levitate the gosh darn thing on? It's like a gosh darn jigsaw puzzle."

"Well, we want to try this way first. That way, in case if we have to help her out we know how to put it on manually. Better safe than sorry." The unknown pony said.

"Fine. Whatever. Did ya take my advice 'bout making sure nopony can put it on but you?" Braeburn said.

"Yes of course dear. Last thing I need is Sweetie Belle accidentally putting it on while I'm out somewhere and getting herself killed." Rarity said.

Sweetie Belle wondered what in Equestria they could be talking about, it sounded like a suit of some kind, but Sweetie couldn't picture what kind of suit. She leaned around the corner and her eyes widened at the sight before her.

Braeburn and a brown unicorn pony were helping Rarity strap on what looked like a metal glove. Rarity was dressed in what looked like to Sweetie Belle a robotic suit of armor from a Japanese cartoon. Rarity's mane was tied up in a tight bun, and Rarity and the brown unicorn’s horns both glowed as they tried to help Braeburn with the glove.

Sweetie Belle gasped and then clamped her hoof over her mouth. Rarity suddenly looked around.

"What was that?" she said, letting the metal glove out of her magical grasp.

Sweetie Belle ducked behind the wall, hoping that they hadn't seen her.

"What was what," the Braeburn said, apparently still fiddling with the metal glove. Sweetie Belle started to sneak back up the stairs, trying to be as quite as possible.

“Hmm. Maybe it was a mouse or something…” she heard the other pony say.

“Yeah, probably.” Braeburn muttered.

Sweetie Belle finally reached the door when the other pony spoke again.

“Okay,” she said. “She’s all nice and tight. Try it.” The sound of rockets suddenly emanated from downstairs, catching Sweetie Belle’s attention. She did a 180 and ran as quietly as possible down the stairs and peered around the corner once more. Her jaw dropped at the sight before her eyes.

There Rarity stood, or rather floated, a couple of feet in the air, supported by what seemed to be rocket boots. Braeburn simple stood there smiling and the other pony was glancing every so often at a computer screen, muttering something about input to output ratios.

Sweetie Belle could no longer contain the strange mix of curiosity and excitement that had been building inside of her the entire time, and she ran out into the middle of the room, "WOW RARITY! That's awesome!" she shouted jumping up and down.

Of course the sudden appearance of the overly excited filly sent Rarity, Braeburn and the other pony into conniptions. "SWEETIE BELLE?!!!" Rarity shrieked, her legs swinging wildly, sending various trinkets and papers flying, with Braeburn and the other pony ducking to avoid getting burned by the rocket exhaust from the boots.

Sweetie Belle simply stood there trying to take in the slightly absurd image of Rarity trying her best to regain control of her suit and simultaneously screaming at Sweetie Belle ever chance she got. "WHAT THE BUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" Sweetie ducked as Rarity narrowly missed burning her as she flew over.

"I'm sorry!" she shouted over the din of the rockets.

Rarity regained control and cut the power, dropping to the ground with a metallic thud. "Sorry?!" she shouted, stomping over, her heavy boots making loud metallic stomps with each step, Sweetie Belle flinching with each step. She loomed over Sweetie Belle, her normally beautiful face contorted into a bizarre mix of confusion and anger. "Why in Equestria where you slinking around in here?!" Sweetie Belle shied away, hoping that maybe Braeburn would be more understanding.

"Yeah!" Braeburn said, climbing out from under the work table, looking equally angry. His face however showed concern as well, "Y'all could have killed us and yer self!”

“What are you doin' here anyways?" the new pony said, as Rarity continued to huff and puff like an angry dragon.

"Well I getting bored, and you've both been acting funny lately and I wanted to see what you guys were doing..."

Rarity huffed. "Well then, young mare, how did you open the lock I enchanted?" She said through clenched teeth.

Sweetie Belle bowed her head. "I used the key under the dust mat..." she said, mentally preparing for the upcoming browbeating. Instead Braeburn and Rarity facehoofed, while Braeburn said "I told you." and Rarity responding with "I know, I know..." they then both sighed.

"Come on, now Sweetie," Braeburn said. "Yer grounded."

Sweetie Belle moaned. "What? Grounded? Why?"

Braeburn gave her a dirty look. "Ya nearly got yer sister and I killed as well as yer self. Ah think that’s reason enough." With that he took hold of Sweetie Belle's hoof and started to lead her out of the room, looking over his shoulder at Rarity. "I'll be back tah help ya guys take that off as soon as ah get Little Miss Trouble Maker in bed, alright."

Rarity nodded, "Sure whatever..." she said.

“Wait!” the other pony said. “Why do you have to ground her? She was just being curious.”

Rarity huffed. “Ugh! She’s always doing this! Always barging in on stuff and ruining things!”

“That’s because you always keep her out of it.” The pony said, walking over to Sweetie Belle. “If you constantly keep something away from somepony the more they’ll want it, my dad used to say.” The pony looked down at Sweetie Belle. “Hey, look, your Sweetie Belle right?”

“Yeah.” Sweetie Belle said. “Who are you? I’ve never seen you here before.”

The pony laughed. “I’m Spark Plug. Nice to meet you.” She reached out a hoof and Sweetie Belle shook it. “I’m here to help your sis build that cool suit she’s wearing. You wanna know why she’s wearing it?” This caught Sweetie Belle’s attention. “YEAH!”

Spark Plug smiled, then leaned down and whispered in Sweetie Belle’s ear. “She’s using it to fight bad guys!” Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened.

“NO WAY! Really?!” she said, looking at Rarity.

Rarity rolled her eyes and let out a huff. “Yes.”

Sweetie Belle started to jump up and down. “AWESOME! MY SISTER’S GONNA BE A SUPERHERO!!!!”

Spark Plug held a hoof up. “But.” She said, magically holding Sweetie Belle down. “You gotta remember not to tell anypony about this? You got that? Only you, me, Braeburn and Rarity are allowed to know, okay?”

Sweetie Belle nodded. “Yes! Yes of course! Does this mean I can help you guys?”

Braeburn, having seemingly calmed down from before leaned in as well. “Of course. Ya’ll can help us by holding getting’ the tools and stuff. Y’all just remember ta knock from now on, okay?”

Sweetie Belle nodded. “Yeah! Sure! Sure!”

“Alrighty then.” Spark Plug said. “Now it’s late.” She said, looking up at the clock. “Time for you to go to bed, okay?” Sweetie Belle reluctantly followed Spark Plug and Braeburn up the stairs and to Sweetie Belle’s room.

"*Hey Jude, don't make it bad.*

Take a sad song, and make it better.

Remember to let her into your heart,

Then you can start to make it better"

-Hey Jude by The Beatles

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Spark Plug is my sister/editor, a-Phoenix-in-Avalon's idea. Hope you all like her.

Act I - 06 - Living in Your Own Little World

Act II - 06 - No Turning Back (Revised)

Act Two:

"For What I've Done"

Chapter Six:

"And I will strike down upon thee":

Braeburn took a deep breath and gave his watch one last check. Rarity had been preparing for her announcement for more at least two hours. “Come on…they’re waitin’ for ya…” he muttered, beginning to tap his hoof. Outside, a veritable army of paparazzi, news reporters and bloggers. Rarity had told them that she had quiet an important announcement to make today.

Braeburn had already known about this, had honestly, quite enjoyed watching the reporters go completely insane. He never had a great love for paparazzi, preferring actual news reporters. At least those reporters didn’t camp out in front of your house with a trillion cameras day and night flashing constantly, waiting to catch you eating food with your mouth open or picking your noise.

Not that Braeburn did any of those.

He glanced up at the television mounted on the wall.

It was tuned to the local news station, where a rather proper looking unicorn mare with a blonde mane was primping her mane.

“Good morning, and I’m Tabloid Page. We are live at the main headquarters of Belle Fashion. We have been told that company founder, Rarity, has an important announcement for the future of her company. In the recent months since her ponynapping, the company founder and CEO, Rarity Belle, has been completely closed off from the outside world. Besides a brief appearance at the birthday party of noted arms manufacture and friend, Fancypants, Ms. Belle hasn’t been seen since her release from the hospital six months ago.”

As if on cue, Rarity appeared, a cigarette in her mouth, and checked herself in a mirror she had held aloft in her magic.

“Well, Braeburn, how do you think I look?” she asked, turning towards Braeburn.

Braeburn gave her a quick once over. “Y’all look fine Rarity.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Really? I feel that my mane could use some work,” She accented her words by primping with her bangs. “Don’t you think deary?”

Braeburn rolled his eyes and smiled, having been through this kind of routine at least a thousand times. “It’s fine. Nice and fancy.” He then motioned towards the door.

“They’ve been waiting for ya all morning you know. I’m going to introduce ya before they start banging the door down.”

Rarity nodded. “Of course my dear, go, I’ll be right out.”

Braeburn nodded and braced himself. He pushed the door open and walked out towards the microphone. Tapping the mike, cleared his throat he began to speak.

“Good mornin’ all.” He said, politely tipping his head to the horde of reporters who all nodded in response. “Well, I promised y’all a little surprise. Y’all know that Ms. Belle has not been seen public. And that’s not cause she doesn’t like y’all,” he said, chuckling. “But she’s simply been recovering’ from her ponynapping.”

The reporter’s all moved as if to begin their assault of questions, but Braeburn held up a hoof. “As I was sayin’, she’s told me that she’s finally recovered enough ta come back and announce herself a very, very special announcement.”

With these words he stepped back from the podium and motioned towards the door. Rarity walked out, sending the crowd of reporters into frenzy. She had a content smile on her face.

“Thank you Braeburn,” she said, stepping up to the microphone.

“Yer welcome.” He replied, stepping to the side. He caught sight of all the reporter’s eyes migrating to focus on the large glowing diamond in Rarity’s chest.

“Good morning!” Rarity said, looking incredibly chipper, seemingly oblivious to their universal look of confusion and curiosity. “And how are you this fine, fine morning?”

A random reporter shot up a hoof. “Yes?” Rarity said, turning to acknowledge the reporter. “Hello. Walter Clopwrite from The Equestrian Enquirer.”

Rarity’s face lost some of its shine. “Oh, yes. I haven’t seen you in awhile. How you been?” she said.

The reporter shrugged. “Fine, fine. Anyways, some ponies have been spreading rumors that you’ve completely lost it. Is that true?” Rarity’s face turned noticeably miffed at the question.

“Well, since you asked, I’ll answer truthfully. No. I assure you I’m perfectly sane. Is that all?” she said, her eyes focusing on the upstart unicorn.

“Um, yeah.” The reporter sat back down.

“Any other questions?” Rarity said, scanning the mob of reporters for a raised hoof. “Ah, yes. You in the back.” She said, pointing to the grey-colored hoof.

“Yes. I’m Written Script, from the Ponyville Gazette.”

“Ah, my home town.” Rarity said. “What is your question?” The purple maned unicorn stallion stood up.

“Well, I’ve noticed the giant glowing rock in your chest. Care to explain?” obviously voicing a question that must have been on all the reporters mind.

“Ah, so you noticed.” Rarity said, looking down at the giant glowing rock. “This, my dears, is what’s been keeping me alive these past few months.”

The reporters unexpectedly exploded in a burst of questions. Rarity held up her hoof, motioning the reporters to calm down. “Now, now, I was getting to that.” She said, laughing. “The news must be going very slowly for this cause such a stir.” She said.

The reporter from Ponyville once again raised his hoof. “You would you care to explain?” he said, levitating his note pad and pen.

Rarity nodded. “Of course dear.” She cleared her throat. “When I was ponynapped, I was wounded in the attack, I survived purely due to the good nature and kindness of a single diamond dog, who was a fellow prisoner.” She said, seemingly starting to become emotional. “His name was Kili and he helped me craft this diamond so the shrapnel in my chest won’t pierce my heart. He was killed shortly before my release.” She stopped, looking darkly pensive.

Braeburn leaned forward slightly. “Rarity, you okay?”

She tilted her head towards him and nodded slightly, silence reigned for a few seconds before the reporter from Ponyville said, “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Rarity shook herself free of brooding and smiled thinly. “That’s okay. That brings me to my second announcement.” The reporters suddenly came back to life. “It concerns the fate of my company, Belle Fashion. First I would like to announce that I am stepping down as CEO of the company and handing over control to my secretary Braeburn.”

The reporters went completely postal, yelling and shouting questions at Rarity.

“AND,” Rarity said, once again raising her hoof to calm the reporters. “And, I would also like to announce that my company will no longer be involved purely in such a frivolous thing as fashion.”

The reporters once more started to make exclamations and shout questions towards Rarity.

Rarity calmed the reporters once more.

The Ponyville reporter once again raised his hoof. “Ms. Belle, what made you decide to forgo the thing that has defined you?”

Rarity shifted slightly. “Well, Mr. Script is it? For one thing I didn’t say that I would completely forgo what has been until now my passion. While in the cave I was struck by the suffering and heartache in that part of the world and I realized that everything I had done was simply dust in the wind. So, I’ve decided to begin donating portions of my vast wealth to the efforts of those attempting to resolve the problems over in that part of the world. That is why. Thank you and that’s all for today dears.” She bowed gracefully and turned to leave, ignoring the vast barrage of new questions coming from the reporters.

“Come on Braeburn, mustn’t dawdle. Things to do.” Rarity said as she walked by, head held high, a confident expression on her face.

Braeburn smiled and followed after her, closing the door on the gaggle of crazed reporters.

///////////////////////////////

Rarity walked into her old office, levitating and poured herself a cup of coffee. She levitated a pen and started randomly doodling on a napkin, various disconnected thoughts running through her head. A knock came at the door. Rarity sighed, probably a reporter. “Who is it?” she said, idly crumpling a doodle up and throwing it away.

“It’s Spark Plug. May I come in?” the voice said from behind the door.

Rarity sighed. “Sure, sure.” She said, magically unlocking the door and opening it for her. She walked in carrying her ePad.

“Say,” she said, walking up next to Rarity. “I saw your announcement on the TV. Pretty solid.”

Rarity shot her a funny look. “Pretty solid? That certainly is a funny way to put it.” She levitated the pen again and went back to doodling. “Well, moving on to more important things,” she said, turning towards Spark Plug. “I think the suit’s having power problems. Every time we try to fly with it, I start feeling slightly dizzy. Any ideas?”

Spark Plug thought for a moment and jotted down some calculations. “Well, according to my calculations, whatever spell you used on it was specifically tailored to keep that shrapnel out your heart and nothing else.” She said, showing Rarity her calculations. “And even though I’m a unicorn, I really don’t know much about that type of advanced magic. You got any ideas?” She said as Rarity looked over her calculations.

“Well, I never really paid attention in advanced magic class either, but I’ll see what I can do dear."

Spark Plug nodded. “Yeah, I figured as much. That’s why I before I came down here I talked to Braeburn about hiring an assistant for us.”

Rarity spun around. “What? Why? I could have figured it out!” she said. “Just because I don’t have a degree in advanced spell work doesn’t mean I need an assistant!”

“Yes. You do.” Braeburn’s voice came from behind Spark Plug and Rarity, they both turned to see him standing there.

“Oh. Braeburn, didn’t see you there.”

“I let ma self in.” he said, pouring himself some coffee as well. “Ya know, ever since y’all started this you’ve worked non-stop, and that’s good, but also you have a company. Ah, as much as I’d love tah help with both, ah can’t do both. Y’all need ta get someone who knows ‘bout fancy spell work ‘n’ all, and ah most certainly don’t. Thank Celestia Sparky here knows ‘bout tech ‘n’ such, and ah at least can help y’all in getting the stuff needed to build the thing, but when it come tah actually powerin’ it fer more than 30 seconds we need a unicorn.”

Rarity sighed. “Fine. I still don’t know why I need the help. I’ll figure it out eventually.”

Braeburn and Spark Plug both gave her a deadpan look. “Ya’s always been stubborn ya know that?” Braeburn said. “That’s why I hired out the help. Cause we’d be sitting here fer the next 50 year twiddling around and not getting nothing done.” He turned to the door. “So I’d like you to meet your new assistant.” He opened the door to reveal a purple unicorn with purple hair with lavender and pink highlights.

“Good morning.” The purple unicorn said, reaching a hoof out in greeting.

Braeburn shook it. “Mornin’” he said as Rarity lit up a cigarette.

“Morning.” Spark Plug said, extending a hoof as well. Rarity simply mustered a “humph” while she puffed on her cigarette.

“Please don’t smoke.” The purple unicorn said, turning towards Rarity.

“What?” Rarity said, taking another puff.

“Please don’t smoke.” The purple unicorn said again. “I believe sucking cigarette smoke into your lungs will kill you.” The purple unicorn immediately pulled it out of Rarity’s mouth and put it out. Rarity frowned.

“Well, it helps me relax.” Rarity said, indignant.

“You're being an idiot.” The purple unicorn said bluntly. Rarity stared at the purple unicorn. “I’ll have you know that I’m Rarity Belle, millionaire fashion designer, jewel hunter, and voted Equestrian’s most eligible bachelorette.”

The unicorn shot her a deadpan look. “That makes official then.” Rarity looked to Braeburn, who simply shrugged and walked out while Spark Plug snickered.

“Who are you?” Rarity asked, indignant. “The name is Starburst Shine.” The unicorn levitated an ID card. “And I’m your new secretary.”

///////////////////////////////

“Starburst Shine? I mean, REALLY! It sounds like a cheap brand of gum!” Rarity said. She paced back and forth in her room, lighting and smoking a new cigarette every few seconds.

Braeburn sighed. “Look Rarity, as I said, I hired her to help ya guys.”

“She’s intrusive and probing.” Rarity said, sitting on her bed. “It’s none of HER business that I smoke! She took it out of my mouth! AND why did she call herself my secretary?! Don’t I have YOU for that?”

Braeburn sighed. “She’s here ta help ya and Sparky. And the reason she calls herself yer secrarty is cause ya up appointed me to head of the company. Ya need somepony to help ya stay organized. And ya know smoking is bad fer ya.”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “Oh please, cut me a break! Of all my bad habits, smoking some tabacco is the least of them! Tell her to lay off about my smoking or she’s fired.”

Braeburn rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’ll tell her ta lay off yer smoking as long as you let her help ya guys with everythin’ else. Deal?”

Rarity huffed, “Fine.” They shook hooves.

“Good. Now y’all can get to work on yer project.” He walked out of the room, followed by Rarity who went straight to the workshop to work on the suit.

///////////////////////////////

Twilight Sparkle sat on the living room couch waiting for Rarity. Her announcement had caused quite a stir back at the agency. Why she had to be here instead of dealing with terrorist threats abroad or that hulking green rage monster was beyond her. Her brother could be so insistent some times.

She paged through her files. “Rarity Belle, has a fashion degree. Didn’t know they had those.” She mumbled to herself as she closed the folder, turned and walked down the hallway to Braeburn’s office. She knocked on the door.

“Come in,” he said. Twilight opened the door.

“Morning sir,” She said.

Braeburn chuckled. “Please, don’t call me sir. I hear ‘sir’ and look around fer mah dad. So call me Braeburn.”

Twilight nodded. “Yes, of course. Um, Sweetie Belle told me about the suit. Is that why I was hired?” she said, doing her best to hide the fact that she already knew why she was hired.

Braeburn nodded. “That obvious huh?” he said. “The specific reason we hired ya was because we need somepony who knows their spell work and,” he looked at his computer screen. “It says here ya graduated at the top of yer class at Magic Academy.”

Twilight smiled, “Yes. Quite proud of that fact. Who was that brown unicorn from earlier?”

Braeburn looked up from the computer. “Oh, yeah, that was Spark Plug. She’s an expert in fancy robotics. She’s the one who helps build the tech needed.”

Twilight nodded. “Oh. I see.”

Braeburn stood up. “Well then, let’s get ya to the workshop then so that you can help Rarity.” He walked her down the hallway and to the workshop door, which was closed. “Oh, one more thing,” Braeburn said, turning to Twilight. “Don’t talk about her smoking habit. I’ve been workin’ fer her for at least eight years and honestly I figured it’s not worth gettin’ ya fired over. Just keep that in mind.”

Twilight nodded. “Alright. I’ll do my best.”

Music came from behind the closed door. Braeburn knocked, “Hey! Rarity! Sparky! I briefed Miss Shine! She’s ready ta work with ya!” he shouted. The doorknob glowed light blue and jiggled and the door opened. Twilight’s ears immediately fell back against her head at the sudden assault of loud music.

“Come in!” she could barely make out Rarity shouting over the music. Braeburn looked at Twilight and motioned to the staircase leading down into the workshop. “Ladies first” he said with a warm smile on his face.

Twilight started down the stairs and found Rarity sitting at the workshop table, with the brown unicorn from who Twilight assumed was Sparky, both their heads moving to the music, looking over various sketches and doodles and Rarity looking over a book named “Advanced Robotics for Newbies”.

“Excuse me!” Twilight shouted over the music, Rarity turned.

“What?” she shouted back.

“Don’t you think the music is a little loud?”

“Hold on!” Rarity shouted as her horn flared and the music died down. “I’m sorry what did you say?” she asked, turning back to the worktable and the book.

Twilight rolled her eyes. “What I said was ‘Don’t you think the music is a little loud.’”

Rarity simply shrugged. “Well, if you have a problem with my way of working then leave.”

Twilight sighed. “Sorry. It’s that I think playing music that loud might damage your ears. Just keep that in mind.”

arity nodded. “Fine.” She lit another cigarette.

Twilight sighed, “Okay, I just want to be honest now, but I really don’t like smoking. I really think you shouldn’t do that.” Rarity turned in her chair and gave her a deadpan look, lighting another cigarette.

The brown unicorn extended a hoof in greeting. “Hey, I didn’t get a chance to say my name last time. I’m Spark Plug, but everyone calls me Sparky. You are?”

Twilight shook Spark Plug’s hoof. “I’m Rarity’s new sectary, Starburst Shine.” Spark Plug giggled. “What?” Twilight said, internally kicking herself over her obviously silly name.

“Nothing, nothing. It’s just your name sounds like a cheap brand of bubble gum.” Spark Plug said, smiling.

“Well,” Twilight said. “I’m also here to help you with the diamond arc.”

Rarity nodded. “Yes. Of course. Sparky, do you want to bring her up to speed.” Spark Plug nodded and beckoned Twilight over to the computer where a display was up of the diamond arc.

“Wow.” Twilight said, taking in the various spells that kept the diamond working. “This is pretty good. You said you did this in a cave?” she said, taking notes.

Rarity nodded, obviously proud of her gem. “Yes. Yes I did.” Her voice however carried a slight tinge of sadness. “I also had a friend, Kili. He helped carve it. He’s dead now.”

Twilight put down her pen and notepad. “Oh, I apologize.” She said, suddenly feeling like a jerk.

“Well,” Rarity said, walking up next to Twilight. “At least he didn’t die in vain.”

Twilight looked at Rarity. Here was somepony, who, lest than two years earlier had been known throughout Equestria as being a notoriously irresponsible and amoral fashion designer. Now here she was, standing there, seemingly sincere about changing the world for the better. Maybe her brother’s crazy idea would work.

“Well,” Spark Plug said, walking up next to the two. “You got any ideas, Starburst?”

Twilight looked at her notes. “Yeah, I think I can figure out something. But I’d need a new gemstone, I don’t know if this one will be able to support the enchantment’s needed.”

Rarity nodded. “Yes, well, this was carved in a cave. I’ll get one made as soon as possible. It’s my special talent after all.” She pointed at her cutie mark, four diamonds.

“Good. Let’s do this.” Twilight said, walking over to the worktable with Rarity and Spark Plug and the three of them set to work on the new diamond arc.

///////////////////////////////

A couple days later, Braeburn, Spark Plug, Rarity and Starburst Shine stood around the work table, with Sweetie Belle sitting on Braeburn’s back (she had insisted that she be there to see) On the worktable stood a stand with a sheet covering it, with a glow coming from under the sheet.

“Behold! The new and improved diamond arc!” Rarity theatrically pulled the sheet of the glowing rock.

Braeburn simply looked at it. “What’s the difference ‘tween this one here and the one in yer chest?”

Starburst Shine rolled her eyes. “Don’t you see? The previous version, the one Rarity has now, is a diamond. This one is a special hybrid of our own design.”

“It’s pretty.” Sweetie Belle said.

“Yes. Yes it is. Plus,” Rarity said. “It’s also more delicately carved and fashioned than this one.” She tapped the rock on her chest.

“And…?” Braeburn said. “Beside it bein’ more fancy lookin’ what else is it gonna do?”

Spark Plug once again rolled her eyes. “Oh ye of little faith! This new gem also has 5 times the power of the original! The old one kept shorting out on us whenever Rarity flew”

“Had to fix that my dear.” Rarity said as she turned and sat in a large leaned back chair, her, Starburst and Spark Plug looking to Braeburn as if waiting for something.

“What?” he said.

“Well? Let’s put it in. I haven’t got all day dear.” She levitated the new diamond above her chest.

“Now,” Starburst said. “Let’s cast that life-support spell just in case” her horn flared light red and enveloped Rarity in a reddish glow. “Okay, now that the spell is cast, Sparky, can you do the honors.”

Spark Plug nodded. “Yeah, I’ll have you know this is my first time.” Rarity chuckled, sounding slightly uneasy.

“Don’t worry. Ours to.”

Spark Plug’s horn flared a golden color and the diamond in Rarity’s chest glowed the same color. She gently tugged at it, causing Rarity to wince. “Ouch. Remember, that’s hooked to my heart.” She said, -sounding rather stressed.

Sweetie Belle ducked behind Braeburn. Spark Plug suddenly yanked the diamond out of Rarity’s chest, causing Rarity’s face to contort in pain.

“Oh snap.” Spark Plug said, quickly levitating the other diamond into Rarity’s chest. The diamond clicked into place and started to glow on its own. Everyone let out a sigh of relief. Twilight’s horn dimmed and the red glow surrounding Rarity faded away.

Rarity got up and rubbed her chest. “Well, besides nearly having cardiac arrest, I say that went rather well.” She chuckled and gave Spark Plug a quick hug.

“Sorry.” Spark Plug said.

“Oh, think nothing of it.” Rarity said. Sweetie Belle jumped off Braeburn’s back, ran over and gave Rarity a hug.

“Does this mean you can fight bad guys now?” she said, looking up at Rarity.

Rarity nodded. “Yes. But I need to test it now.” She gently pulled Sweetie Belle away from her and turned to Spark Plug and Starburst. “Well? Let’s get this show started.” She said, as her horn flared and the silver suit disassembled and covered her body. She quickly tied her mane in a tight bun. “Hey, Sparky.” She said, looking over to Spark Plug who was looking at a computer screen monitoring power input and output.

“Yeah?” Spark plug said, looking at Rarity.

“I think we need to make a helmet that’s has somewhere for my mane to go. This bun gives me a headache.”

Spark Plug nodded. “Sure. But let’s see if this works, right?” Rarity nodded.

“Of course dear.” She said as the silver helmet closed over her head.

The helmet’s heads-up display came up in front of Rarity. “Did you hook the computer up to the suit?” she said, her voice coming from the suit’s speakers.

Spark Plug nodded. “Yup. Should be coming up on your heads up in a minute.” The heads-up light up in front of Rarity and the computer display showed various stats and a read out of power input and outputs.

Sweetie Belle jumped up and down. “Wow! This is so cool! Now Rarity’s gonna go kick flank!”

“Sweetie, watch yer language.” Braeburn said, giving Sweetie Belle a stern face. He turned towards Rarity. “Ya’ll alright in there?”

Rarity nodded. “Yes, dear, it’s nice and comfortable.” She noticed Starburst was rapidly writing notes down.

“What is it Starburst?” she said, Starburst looked up. “Huh? Oh, I was just taking some notes. You know, just in case.” She smiled, but seemed to be hiding something. Rarity dismissed it however, feeling it was just pre-flight jitters.

“Well then, shall we test this baby out, as they say?”

Braeburn facehoofed. “Y’all wasn’t meant fer hip talk.”

Rarity giggled and the rockets ignited. She lifted off the ground.

“We have lift off!” Spark Plug said, obviously excited.

Rarity looked up. “Well…here goes.” With those words she kicked into high gear. And rocketed clean through the roof.

This didn’t faze her however, the exciting experience of flight sending adrenaline flowing through her veins. “This must be how a pegasus feels!” she said, giggling like a school filly. Spark Plug’s voice came over the intercom.

“Hey, just so you know, you blew a hole in your roof.”

“Oh, who cares?” Rarity squealed. “I’m flying! Let’s see what this baby can do!” she pointed her head skyward and rocketed up towards the night sky. Faster and faster, higher and higher she climbed, not noticing the ice slowly building up on the outside of the suit.

“Hey.” Spark Plug’s voice came over the intercom. “The suit’s sensors seem to be picking up ice buildup. Can you double check that?” Rarity couldn’t hear her, she was too busy squealing.

“WOO HOO! THIS IS THE BEST POSSIBLE THING!!!!”

She spun around and around, laughing and giggling the entire time. “Um, Rarity!” Spark Plug said over the intercom. “Are you listening to me? Hello! Ice build up!”

As if on cue, the suit’s power suddenly shut down completely, causing Rarity to suddenly started falling like a stone. “AAAAAHH!!!!” she screamed. She started to panic, desperately trying to turn the suit back on.

No. Not like this. Don’t let me die now. She thought. I haven’t even had a chance to fully redeem myself and I’m going to die. She heard Spark Plug yelling over the intercom. “Oh sweet Celestia not like this!”

Suddenly, everything in the suit turned on again. Rarity quickly ignited the repulsors in an attempt to slow her fall. They flicked on and off sporadically, causing her to briefly hover and then drop, then hover, then drop. She finally got the suit to stop, hovering over her roof.

“Well…I think we’re good. Cut power.” She said. The suit cut the power and once again, dropped like a stone. She fell through the roof. She plopped on top of several old mannequins. “Why haven’t we gotten rid of those yet?” she said as Braeburn, Spark Plug, Sweetie Belle and Starburst Shine ran over to help her up.

“That was totally wicked!” Sweetie Belle said, jumping up and down.

“Y’all okay?” Braeburn said, dusting drywall off with his hat.

“Well, the suits okay.” Spark Plug said looking it over.

“Wow.” Was all Rarity could make out Starburst Shine saying.

Rarity levitated the helmet off. “Ugh. Well, there have been worst crashes.” She said, shaking her mane free from the headache inducing bun.

Spark Plug started to levitate pieces of the suit off of Rarity. “Alright, I think I know what wrong though.” She said, looking over a piece that still had some left over ice on it. “I think pure steel is not going to hold up well at such high altitudes. I think if you want to go into space I’ll need to fashion a new alloy. I’ll get right on it.” She turned and started to fiddle at the worktable.

Rarity looked at Braeburn who was looking worried. “Hey.” She said, putting a hoof on his shoulder. “Accidents’ happen.” She said, bringing him in for a hug. “Come here you big lug.” She gave him a tight hug.

“I’m a still worried ‘bout all this…” he said.

“Don’t worry. It’s the ones that ponynapped me who should be worried.” She heard Sweetie Belle jump up and down.

“Yea! My sister’s a superhero! This is so awesome! Can I be your sidekick?” she said, looking up at Rarity.

Rarity gave her an icy stare. “No.” she said, making sure to emphasize her words. “You will most certainly not. For one thing it’s much to dangerous. And another is cause I’m only letting you help so that you don’t tell everypony.”

Sweetie Belle hung her head down. “Oh. Oh okay.” She said, sounding disappointed.

Rarity sighed. “Well, it’s very late. I’m exhausted. I’m going to go to bed.” She levitated the armor off and walked up the stairs, followed by Braeburn, Sweetie Belle and Starburst Shine, leaving Spark Plug, who preferred to work at night anyways (she said it kept her mind clear), to work on the suit.

///////////////////////////////

Rarity spent the next few weeks indoors resting, rather shaken by the test flight. Not bothering to go anywhere, with Starburst Shine handling most reporters, who usually where there to ask when the next ‘shocking’ designs would be revealed. Starburst would always say that Rarity was recovering from her recent ponynapping and that she would return to fashion as soon as possible.

Rarity also had to be careful however to make sure that Sweetie Belle would not blab about her project. Spark Plug worked constantly on the suit, with Braeburn in charge of acquiring the supplies needed. So Rarity lay on her bed, channel surfing, smoking as she usually did. She finally settled on watching the news where a report was running, talking about the country in which she had been held captive.

“In the country of Griffinhiem, the war continues as rebel forces continue to pillage local towns and villages. Authorities say that the loss of life is now the hundreds and…” the news reporter’s voice faded as Rarity caught sight of a very familiar face in the background of some news footage. It was the griffin who had taken such pleasure out of torturing her all those months. Rarity seethed at the image of him standing there, causing more suffering to innocent victims.

The strange empty feeling from before returned. It had always been there, but lately work on the suit had distracted her. Now the sight of hundreds suffering while she sat in luxury toying around in the workshop made the hole once more jump to the forefront of Rarity’s thoughts.

Rarity got up from the bed and called Spark Plug’s cell. “Hey, Sparky. I think it’s time we actually put the suit to its full and proper use. I’m on my way.” She hung up the phone and walked down the hall and descended into the workshop.

Rarity’s horn lit up as the brand new suit disassembled and reassembled around her.

Spark Plug walked up to her. “You're sure about this?”

Rarity nodded. “Yes. As sure as I’ll ever be.”

“Okay then.” Spark Plug said. “Let just tell you about some modifications I made. This new suit now has a new silver-alloy body so it wouldn't have ice build-up like before and now the helmet will let your mane hang free, so now you don’t have to wear your mane in that bun.”

“Anything else?” Rarity said, about to put the helmet on.

“Yeah. I installed some force-fields, you know, just in case somepony tries shooting something bigger than a .50 cal”

“Good. Never thought of that.” Rarity said. “I noticed you painted it violet…” She said, admiring the beautiful paint job.

“Well, I kinda thought that pure silver was a little obnoxious.” Spark Plug said, rubbing the back of her neck. "And it's not like subtlety was ever your strong suit."

Rarity looked at her. “Well, dear, if you ever want to go into fashion I’ll be sure to put in a good word for you.”

“Really?” Spark Plug said. “That’s cool.”

Rarity smiled and closed the helmet.

“Here goes nothing…” she said as she powered up the suit and took off.

Act I - 07 - For Everything a Season

Act II - 07 - And I Will Strike Down Upon The

Act Two:

"For What I've Done"

Chapter Seven

"And I Will Strike Down Upon Thee"

Meanwhile, in Griffinheim, villagers ran in fear from the rebel forces. Diamond dogs broke into random homes and dragged their residents out, lining them up for execution. Herzlos the Griffin stalked in his tent, set up nearby a burned out building. His troops were busy picking random victims out to be shot or tortured, depending on whatever came to his mind at that moment. He was particularly fond of disembowelment, deeply enjoying the way his victims suffered a nice and bloody death. He had racked up five kills himself today, so he felt content.

A random shout from one of his troops distracted him from his meditations on the nature of his killing habits. “Ugh, what?” he asked, turning to his second in command, a chubby diamond dog.

The diamond dog dragged a particularly terrified young griffin in front of him. The griffin had a broken wing and his face was the very portrait of fear. “What is the meaning of this?” Herzlos asked, looking at the diamond dog. The diamond dog babbled on in his native tongue.

“So he wanted to be a hero huh?” he said, shooting a steely glare at the griffin prisoner below. “‘Tis a shame. He looks like he could have been useful to us.” He sighed. “Oh, well. Can’t let foolishness of this manner go unpunished.” With these those words Herzlos proceeded to slice the younger griffin’s throat with his claw.

“Take it away.” He said, motioning to the corpse. Two diamond dogs appeared and dragged the body away. “Do you have anything else to show me?” he said, looking at the fat diamond dog. The diamond dog shook his head.

“Good. Then get out.” The diamond nodded and turned tail and left, barking orders to his troops.

Herzlos took a sip of his coffee from the makeshift coffee maker. Suddenly, his cell phone rang. “Ugh, what now…” he mumbled to himself as he pulled it out from under his wing. “Hello?” the voice babbled something. “Really?” he said, his characteristic devious smile spreading across his face. “You certain? I don’t have to answer to that metal faced freak either? I can do what I want here?” his face became like that of a child in a candy store.

A child who liked to kill and mutilate, but a child nonetheless.

“Tell him I’m very pleased. And thankful." He said to whoever it was on the other end of the phone. “Alright then.” He hung up the phone and tucked it back under his wing.

He cracked his knuckles. He was certainly going to enjoy himself now. He strode out of his tent, ready to wreak havoc. He stretched his wings and leaped into the air. The townsfolk below where too busy either being shot at or generally running for their lives to notice as he pulled out a submachine gun and opened fire on the mob below. Damn I enjoy myself to much, he thought.

He picked off random creatures below. A griffin here. A diamond dog there. The occasional zebra even.

Just as he was reaching the peak of his enjoyment, a loud boom ripped through the air. “What the...?” he muttered as he looked around looking for the source of the noise. From the sky above, a strange purple and silver object descended and landed in a cloud of dust and smoke. As the dust cleared, it revealed the object a gleaming silver and lavender robot in the shape of a unicorn with a disk of light shining from its chest.

Herzlos simply hovered for a few moments. Then all hell broke loose below.

///////////////////////////////

Meanwhile, on the ground, the diamond dogs and villagers simply gawked. The monster turned towards them, the disk glowing menacingly. The fat diamond dog commander barked orders at his troops who, obeying, let loose a hail of gunfire. Suddenly, an unearthly glow emitted from the strange glowing rock in the creature’s chest. Its horn glowed, and what looked like a bubble of light surrounded the creature. The bullets simply bounced off the magical bubble, seemingly to no effect. The creature lifted one of its hooves, and a glow emanated from the end. Suddenly a burst of energy burst from it, blowing several troops away. The diamond dog commander turned and ran like a chicken without its head, as his troops started firing wildly at the monster.

Fire exploded from the monster’s legs. It lifted off the ground, and proceeded to destroy everything in a hail of missiles and energy blasts. Surrounded by fire and smoke the creature landed once more. It stared at the remaining troops who stood behind a row of prisoners, pointing their guns at them. The monster suddenly stopped advancing, stood still for a moment, seemingly pondering what to do next. “Sorry.” A strangely feminine voice said from inside the monster.

“But I take no prisoners.” A little object extended from its shoulders and fired several small bullet-like objects at the raiders, killing them with a precise shot to the head.

The diamond dog commander, who had ran away and hid during the chaos, watched terrified from his hopefully unknown hiding spot in an old building. Suddenly he was enveloped in a strange bluish glow, which caused him to be levitated several feet off the ground and dropped in front of the once terrified villagers. He turned to see his captor, the same monster as before, hovering in the air, held up by its fire spouting legs. The voice spoke again. “He’s all yours.” It said towards the villagers, and then turned and flew off, leaving the commander alone, unarmed and surrounded by the now emboldened villagers.

///////////////////////////////

Rarity turned towards home. No longer was she a helpless victim, or a useless snob wallowing in her money and one night stands. She thought about the fact that she had just killed somepony. Instead of sympathy or guilt, however, she felt pride. Pride in the fact that she had done something. Something to better the world, no matter how dangerous.

This must be how a bungee jumper feels. She thought. The image of the somewhat confused yet grateful villagers ran though her mind over and over again.

Those faces. All strange to her. The gratefulness in their faces had been genuine, if apprehensive. The image filled her with meaning.

Of course, that’s when the universe decided to throw her a loop. Out of nowhere, her world was rocketed by a sudden impact that sent her flying. She spun around and tried to stabilize herself. A familiar gravelly voice came from behind her. “Nice to see you again.” Rarity turned to see the griffin hovering in the air in front of her, his typical evil grin plastered on his beak.

“You.” Rarity spat back, her hate burning inside her.

“I see you made a costume change.” The griffin said, crossing his front legs.

“Yes. Yes I have.” Rarity said, her fear of him now replaced by hate. The griffin suddenly lunged at her, claws ready to their worst. Rarity ducked out of the way and turned to return fire. The griffin dodged and weaved, somehow avoiding every shot. The griffin then dived to the ground and grabbed an abandoned missile launcher.

Aiming the missile launcher directly at her, the same wicked smile he would smile during her torture sessions crossed his face. “I’m really going to enjoy this!” He shouted out as he fired the heat missile.

Rarity’s proximity alarms went wild. Rarity turned and tried to dodge the missile, which followed her like a bloodhound. “Flares!” Rarity commanded, a small disk popped up from her leg-joints and fired a round of flares.

She spun though the air in an attempt to spread them as widely as possible. The blood rushed to her head, making her dizzy. The missile followed the flares and exploded. Rarity evened out and let out a sigh of relief. She seemed to have lost him.

Wrong.

The griffin came roaring from behind her and hit her like a flying freight train with all his strength, which was at least 5 times that of a pony. They both went tumbling into a cliff side.

Rarity shook off the dust and rocks. Her helmet had fallen off in the crash and her eye hurt for some reason. She immediately went looking for her helmet, ignoring her body's protests. Behind her the griffin recovered from the crash and shook himself off, wiping the blood dripping from his broken beak.

The griffin leaped towards her again, screaming like a demon had possed him. Rarity’s eyes widened and she tried to duck out of the way but he hit her dead on, throwing her to the ground, claws clenched around her neck.

“I should have killed you back in that cave!” The manicial griffin hissed, sounding increasingly manic. “I knew this would happen! They didn't listen to me! Well, time for me to finish what I started. Time to slay the vampire!” he grinned a disturbing grin and raised his other claw high above his head, ready to deliver the final blow. Rarity choked and struggled underneath him.

“No. You. WON’T.” Rarity grunted. With these words, Rarity’s diamond arc glowed brightly along with her horn and both fired massive beams of energy straight into the griffon’s chest. His body flew back fifty feet and landed violently. His neck was bent back over itself and his feathers where completely burned away. Rarity walked over and looked for life signs. There was none. He was finally dead.

Rarity, exhausted from the fight, recovered her helmet, put it back on and flew home.

///////////////////////////////

Exhausted and her suit starting to short out, Rarity came for a landing. Her suit was covered in scratches and dented all over. She levitated the helmet off. “Oh snap.” She heard a voice say. Rarity turned to see a shocked Spark Plug. “What the hay happened?” Spark Plug said.

“Huh?” Rarity turned to Spark Plug. “Oh, nothing dear.” Rarity said turning towards the table with the coffee machine.

“That doesn’t look like nothing.” Spark Plug said, levitating a mirror in front of Rarity. As it turned out Rarity’s right eye was completely swollen and black and her neck was bruised.

“Holy Celestia, I look as if I just got run over by a car!” Rarity said as she levitated off pieces of the suit, walking over to the worktable, wincing with every step.

“Care to explain what happened?” Spark Plug said, sitting down next to Rarity.

“Nothing dear. Just got a little roughed up that’s all.”

Spark Plug gave her an unconviced look “‘A little ruffed up’” she said, using her hooves to make air-quotes. “You look like you got punched in the face and choked! Are you sure you’re okay?” Rarity refused to answer.

“Come on, Rarity. You’re covered in bruises and you got a black eye. What happened?” Spark Plug said, suddenly very serious. “Didn’t you use the force field I installed?”

Rarity sighed. “Yes. Yes I did. But,” she took a deep breath and rubbed her eyes, sighing once more.

“But what?” Spark Plug said, with obvious concern in her voice.

“Well,” Rarity sighed. “After I took care of the diamond dogs, I was on my way back right? So I’m flying along, when suddenly the griffin that had been my tormentor in the cave came and attacked me! We fought...”

“And that’s when you got that black eye?” Spark Plug said.

Rarity nodded. “Yes. We had been fighting and I lost my helmet. He grabbed me and started to choke me.” Her hooves started to shake slightly. The shaking slowly became more obvious and various thoughts of her near death filled Rarity’s mind. She held back sobs.

Spark Plug put a hoof around her. “Relax,” She said steadily. “Tell me what else happened.”

Rarity held up a hoof. “It’s okay,” She said, starting to calm down. “I want to tell you. I just needed a moment.” Rarity inhale shakily and swallowed a sour lump in her throat. “Okay.” She sighed, doing her best to hold back all the emotion. “While he was choking me, I fired the uni-beam and my horn at the same time.”

Spark Plug winced. “Wow. That must have been pretty rough on you.” Rarity nodded. “What happened to the griffin?” Spark Plug said.

“He was killed,” Rarity said shortly. Then she started to cry.

Spark Plug instantly put her hooves around her. “It’s okay. It’s over.” She said, gently rocking her back and forth. Rarity clutched onto Spark Plug, tears running down her face. The feeling of somepony hugging her was comforting, like a warm blanket, protecting her from the outside world. It was strange and foreign. But it was a good kind of strange.

“Look,” Spark Plug said, pulling back and holding Rarity’s head up. “Do you want me to leave? Maybe give you some time to think things over in private?”

Rarity shook her head. “No, I think I’m okay…”

“Well, look, I think some tea would be good for you. That okay with you?” Spark Plug asked leaning back slightly.

Rarity nodded. “Yes, some Chamomile that would be wonderful.” She wiped a tear from her eye. With that, Spark Plug stopped hugging her and quietly walked out of the workshop.

///////////////////////////////

Rarity put her head in her hooves. I nearly died for the second time. How many times can I do this?

She looked around the room, taking in the mix of the various pieces of her old life and her new one. Suddenly everything having to do with her old life seemed meaningless, like an adult looking at kindergarten toys. She suddenly knew what she had to do. She started by levitating a bunch of left over fashion tools and such into a large pile in the center of the room. She then opened the window and started dumping everything in the dumpster she had used throw away bad designs. She then slammed it shut. No longer would she fill her life with such useless things. All of it was trash to her now, and it was where it belonged. She turned and looked at the new workshop. It was now only filled with her new life. Content with her personal exorcism, she lit a cigarette and finally allowed herself to notice the savage ache that enveloped her whole body. I need to rest, She thought. She got up, ignoring her body’s protests, closed down the workshop and went to her room.

She slowly walked down the hallway, cigarette hanging limply from her mouth. She finally reached the door to her room. She magicked the door open and flopped onto her bed and feel instantly asleep.

///////////////////////////////

Braeburn closed the door behind him. It had been a typically boring day for the earth pony, having to sit in on yet another glorious business meeting. How ponies could be horrified by the prospect of how two colors interacted, he would never know. He put his keys on the little hook he had insisted be installed after Rarity lost one too many keys.

He made his way to the kitchen. “Coffee. I need coffee,” He muttered to himself. He started brewing himself a pot when Spark Plug walked in.

“Oh hey Braeburn, how you doing?” she said as she sat down behind the island in the center of the kitchen.

“I’ma doin’ fine. Just a little bit tired after tha meetin’,” He said as he sat down. “Where’s Sweetie Belle? She usally tackles me whenever I get home.”

“Oh, well she wanted to go to the park. I couldn’t cause I was working on the suit, so Starburst took her,” Spark Plug answered.

Braeburn noticed she looked surprisingly somber for some reason. “Well, what about you? Y’all look a little depressed.”

Spark Plug said nothing as she levitated a pot over to the sink, and turned on the faucet. Once the pot was full she silently levitated it over to the stove.

“Sparky? What’s up?” Braeburn said, suddenly concerned.

Spark Plug sighed. “It’s Rarity. She actually tried it.” She replied as the tea pot began to whistle. “Hey, where do we keep the chamomile?” she said as she rummaged through one of the cabinets.

“Next to the coffee grinder.” He replied. He had a sneaking suspicion of what Spark Plug was talking about, and it wasn’t where the tea was.

“Tried what?” he asked, hopeing that Rarity hadn’t done what he thought she did.

“Tried going on a mission,” Spark Plug said, dropping the tea bag into the water.

Braeburn groaned and facehoofed “Aw, damn it.”

Spark Plug looked confused. “Wait,” she turned. “Didn’t she tell you?”

“No. She didn’t. She’s not prepared fer this.” He said as he got back up and made his way to the workshop.

He pounded on the workshop door. “Rarity! Rarity y’all in there? It’s Braeburn. I wanna talk ta ya!”

No response came from behind the door. “Rarity! Hello? Y’all in there? Don’t tell me ya magicked tha’ door shut.” He tugged at the door. He stepped back and took a deep breath. “Calm down Braeburn. Y’all freakin’ out over nothin’.” He muttered to himself. He turned and walked towards Rarity’s room. Usually if she was not in her workshop, she would be in her room. Braeburn knew that.

He arrived at Rarity’s room. The door was shut. He knocked gently. “Rarity? Y’all in there?”

He heard the sound of somepony stirring inside. “Rarity?” Braeburn said, once again knocking gently.

“Hold one moment please.” Rarity said from behind the door. The doorknob glowed blue and the door opened to reveal Rarity, her right eye swollen, bruises around her neck and cigarette in mouth. “Oh hello Braeburn.” She said, obviously tired. Braeburn simply stared at her. The anger inside of him immediately went down.

“Rarity…” he said. “…what did y’all do?”

Rarity sighed. “I take it Spark Plug told you.” She turned back towards her bed.

“Um, yeah, she did. She said y’all went on a mission without tellin’ me,” Braeburn said sharply, making his way into the room.

“I’m an adult mare, Braeburn, I don’t need to tell you everything. Anyways, you knew this would happen.” Rarity started rummaging through the various papers that were scattered throughout her room and tossing them into the wastebasket.

“Y’almost got yerself killed!”

“Oh come now. This is most certainly not the worst thing you caught me doing,” Rarity said, whipping out another ciggarrete. Braeburn tugged it out of her mouth.

“Now hold on there. Y’all stop this.”

“Stop what?”

“This!” He motioned violently to her bruised face and neck. “This ain’t safe! Not physically or mentally! Think about it. Y’all haven’t even been in public fer a week, not since y’all pulled that fast one on me and got me promoted.”

“I thought you liked the promotion,” Rarity said sullenly.

“Don’t you dare change the subject!” He practically shouted. “What about Sweetie Belle?”

Rarity gave him a confounded look. “What about her?”

“What would happen iffin’ y’all actually got killed?” Braeburn demanded. Rarity stopped throwing papers in the waste bin and stared at the window solemnly.

“Then tell her that I died doing something good with my life and not wasting it like a fool,” She said somberly.

“That’s not enough! She’s just a little filly.” Braeburn said. “And what ‘bout yer parents huh? What are they gonna do when they find out? They’re gonna be destroyed.”Rarity simply huffed and continued to shifting through papers, ignoring Braeburn. “And I mahself am getting worried fer ya.” He said.

Rarity began shifting through papers again. “Well don’t be. I’ve found my purpose. You have no need to worry.”

“Rarity, ya may know what yer purpose is, but we don’t! Cause if this is just a phase, yer gonna destroy yer life with it. And just yer life, but ours as well, me, Sparky, Sweetie, yer parents-”

Rarity suddenly stood to her hooves and strode up to Braeburn, shoving her face right up to his. “You really want to know?” She hissed. “Before this mission all I had was Kili’s last request. ‘Don’t waste your gift,’ He said. All this time I’ve wondered what he meant. This is what he meant! When I went over there today, to do something to help those strangers, I saw that they didn’t thank me because of my money or my fame, but because I was their savior. And somewhere deep in me I felt like a cavern was filled. I no longer felt empty.”

Braeburn said nothing. He hadn’t expected any of this. Deep down he’d feared that this wasn’t simply a phase Rarity was going through. But this time, this time he could tell she was sincere, he could feel it in the very bottom of his soul.

“Rarity.” He said. Rarity turned to look at him. “I just wanna to make sure ya understand. There’s no turning back. Nothing will ever be the same. Ya know that right?” Rarity sniffed.

“Yes.”

He suddenly felt very tired and sat down on the bed. He couldn’t quite figure what to make of what had just happened. She was actually sincere about something for the first time in her life. What would happen if he took away the one thing that had kept her going all this time? Would he be killing her by taking it away?

“Braeburn, I need to know what you’re going to do. I know Spark Plug will support me, but I keep thinking you’ll just leave me here...” Rarity said, looking at the pile of papers in the waste bin.

Braeburn waited until she looked back at his face. “When have I ever abandoned ya? Not once. Ya’ve done some crazy antics and y’all been a little frustratin’ ta get along with. And ya know what?”

“What?” Rarity said, looking back at Braeburn.

“Deep down, I’ve always wanted ya ta improve yer life and… if this is the best way…” He shut his eyes and took a deep breath. He suddenly pulled Rarity in for a hug.

Instead of resisting, she hugged him back, tightly, almost as if she was clinging to a life raft.

“Now,” Braeburn said, looking at Rarity. “I think you oughta’ tell yer parents’ ‘bout this.”

“Why?” She said, her voice returning to its customary petulance. “All my mother is going to do is find something to criticize with it.”

“So?” Braeburn said. “Ya’ll constantly tell me ya don’t wanna be controlled by yer mama and how ya wanna be yer own mare, but if yer constantly worrying bout what yer mom thinks of ya, yer still being controlled by her. Ya gotta tell her. Would ya rather her find out from somepony else? Like if ya got killed and the news found out.”

“She wouldn’t care.”

“Now that’s a lie. I bet, that even though she may seem cold hearted and mean, deep down she still loves ya. Ya can’t keep alienatin’ them. Same with Sweetie Belle, if nopony else, y’all should get things right with her. It ain’t right fer sisters ta act like that with each other.”

Rarity sighed again, looking at herself in the mirror.

“An if you don’t tell her, I will.”

She shut her eyes. “Let me think about it. I’m honestly very tired and I really need some rest.”

“Sure thing. But I’m serious ‘bout you and yer mom.” He quietly turned and walked out, leaving Rarity alone with her thoughts.

"I will execute great vengeance on them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I lay My vengeance upon them."

Ezekiel 25:17

Act II - 08 - The Red Eye Home

Act II - 08 - The Mighty Are Afraid (Revised)

Act Two:

"For What I've Done"

Chapter Eight:

"The Mighty Are Afraid"

Rarity stared into the mirror. She let out a long sigh and walked quietly over to her bed, flopping into it. Her eyes drifted over to the phone by her bed. The words of Braeburn running through her head.

Just a quick call. She thought. Just call them, tell them what you did and then hang up.

She levitated the phone over to her and dialed her dad’s number. It was busy. “Damn,” She muttered to herself as she levitated the phone back onto the hook.

She was exhausted anyways, and her eyelids felt like they were made of lead. Her eyes slowly closed and she drifted to sleep.

//////////////////////////////////

Rarity walked down the dark hallway. This all felt strangely familiar, almost as if she'd been here before. Suddenly the hallway made a sharp turn, revealing a closed wooden door.

Rarity lifted a hoof and knocked on the door. The knocking sound echoed through the hallway.

"Come in." A male voice said from behind the door.

Before Rarity had a chance to magic the door open the knob glowed a pale silvery color. It opened to reveal a pure white room with a black oak table sitting in the center of the room. Sitting at the table was a large pony shaped figure wearing a black cloak.

"Come. Sit. I've been expecting you." The strange pony said in a male voice, which echoed through the empty room. The voice chilled Rarity to the bone.

"Y-You have?" She stuttered, her own voice echoing and an unsettling feeling beginning to seep into the back of her mind. The room amplified every sound.

"Yes. I have." The pony said. He motioned to the table. "Let us reason together."

Rarity gulped, and slowly walked towards the table, her hoof steps echoing against the walls. She sat down, finally able to get a good look at the pony sitting in front of her.

He was the largest pony she’d ever seen, almost twice her size. He had a horn coming out of his forehead, like a unicorn. He also wore a black hood which covered his face, making Rarity unable to identify him.

"What do you want?" She said, as the strange pony levitated a black teapot and poured them both a glass.

"I want to speak to you of your actions." He said, levitating a black teacup to Rarity, who tentatively took it in her magic.

"Which actions?" She said, taking a sip. It was camomile.

"You know of which I speak. The ones you undertook this very day." The pony said, taking a sip from his teacup.

"Oh. Those." Rarity said, looking down at the table. The table was so polished that she could see herself reflected in the wood. She thought for a moment her reflected image had smiled back at her.

"What caused you to infringe upon my duties?" The pony asked. Whoever this pony was, he apparently thought himself to be important.

"What duties?" Rarity asked, confused, looking up from her reflection.

"The taking of lives," The hooded pony said. "What else did you believe I meant?"

"You mean...."

"Yes. I am Death." The pony said, almost nonchalantly. Rarity's eyes widened and the cold chill of fear fell over her at the realization that she was having tea with Death itself.

"W-why d-do y-you want to s-speak with me?" Rarity said, now completely terrified, dropped the tea cup.

"I want to know what reasoning you had behind your actions." The pony said, taking another sip of his tea.

"W-well," Rarity stuttered, looking around for a way out. The door she had just come through was now gone, replaced by more pure white wall. "T-they ponynapped me, a-and they tortured me" The memories of her imprisonment flooding back. Her fear being slowly replaced by the hatred she had for her captors.

"Is that all?" The hooded pony said, almost sarcastically.

"N-no," Rarity said, her voice halting slightly. "I also meet a friend, a kind hearted diamond dog. Kili was his name. He saved my life."

"Ah, yes. I knew of him. He truly was a kind soul," Death said, pouring himself some cream.

"They killed him." Rarity answered back. “But I guess you already knew that.”

Death nodded. "What of the diamond in your chest?" He asked. Rarity looked down to the diamond arc in her chest.

"W-well, when they ponynapped me, I was wounded. I and Kili made this to prevent my death. He said it was a gift and that I shouldn't waste it." She rubbed it.

Death was silent for a moment. The silence in the room was unsettling. Rarity looked back at her reflection in the table. It felt almost if it was watching her, studying her. It was disturbing.

"Was revenge your motive?" Death finally asked. Rarity looked up.

"Revenge? I don't understand." She said, once more confused.

Death sighed. "If you have taken these lives for only revenge, then you are no better than the ones who killed your friend. It is the most futile of all causes."

"But I didn't just kill them, they were killing innocent lives!" Rarity shot back, getting up and turning away. How dare he compare her to those monsters?

"Doesn't that count for something?" she said, starting to cry. Turning back around, she expected to see Death, only instead of the hooded pony from before, there was a demonic replica of herself.

Before Rarity even had a chance to react the demon leapt toward her and everything went black.

//////////////////////////////

Rarity woke up in a cold sweat, panting. She shot a glance to the clock next her bed. 5:30 AM. I was asleep that long? She pulled herself out of bed and looked at herself in her full-body mirror. The first rays of the sunrise had just begun to seep through the window.

She looked horrible. Her mane was a mess, and her eyes were all baggy. Not to mention the massive bruise covering her left eye and the bruises on her neck. Spark Plug was right. She did look like she’d been in a bar fight. The ever present glow of her diamond arc light up her features, casting shadows over her face.

Her thoughts drifted back to the events of the day before. Her soul felt torn.

One half of her felt a strange feeling of pleasure about killing that monster. The other thought back to the words the pony told her in her dream.

If you have taken these lives for only revenge, then you are no better than the ones who killed your friend. It is the most futile of all causes. She rubbed her tired eyes with her hooves. The most futile of all causes. The thought clung to her mind like a leech.

A knock at her door distracted her from her thoughts. “Who is it?” she asked, still looking at her reflection in the mirror.

“It’s Starburst Shine.” The voice from the other side said.

Rarity sighed. “Come in.”

The door knob glowed purple and the door opened, revealing Starburst levitating a cup of tea with her magic.

“Spark Plug told me to give you this.” She said. She set the cup of tea down on Rarity’s vanity. “I heard you went on a mission today.” Starburst said, stepping closer to Rarity. “I heard it went well.”

Rarity let out a sigh. “Yes. I guess you can say it did. As well as nearly being strangled to death can be.” She paused. “Why are you here, Starburst?”

Starburst shifted on her hooves. “Well, I had come back from taking Sweetie Belle to the park and I heard that you were nearly killed today. You also look like you’ve been in a bar fight.”

Rarity shot Starburst a dirty look. “Yes. Thank you for reminding me.”

“And you also seemingly killed somepony while out there. That must be tough.” Starburst replied, still pressing the issue.

“Yes. Yes it is.” Rarity muttered, turning away and walking up the vanity. She levitated the tea cup, taking a sip. It was chamomile.

“Well, I just want to say that you shouldn’t feel guilty.” Starburst said. Obviously this was an awkward subject for her.

“And why shouldn’t I?” Rarity said, avoiding Starburst’s reflected image. “Wasn’t it a life nonetheless?” She took another sip of her tea.

“Well, if my knowledge is correct, that griffin you killed was an incredibly evil individual. I don’t really think that you should feel guilty, I mean, I honestly think he got off easy.” The strangely dark words Starburst was saying made Rarity feel uneasy.

“Starburst,” Rarity said, looking up into the vanity mirror where Starburst’s reflected face greeted her. She looked awfully relaxed for somepony who just said something so dark and cold. “So basically what you’re saying is that he deserved to die?” Rarity asked.

Starburst thought for a moment. “Yes. Yes he did.” She replied, her voice suddenly serious.

Rarity sighed once more, looking back down at the assortment of beauty products sitting on the vanity. “Well, if he deserved it, why do I still feel like some kind of monster.”

Starburst sighed. “Well, would you rather get some kind of pleasure out of it?” she asked matter-of-factly.

“No.” Rarity said, looking back into the mirror. “I just feel like I lost some of my soul today.”

Starburst was quiet for moment. “Well, if you can believe it, that’s actually a good thing.” Rarity turned towards Starburst.

“How can that be a good thing? It’s tearing me apart.” Rarity replied, tears beginning to form in her eyes. “How can this pain I’m feeling be good?”

Starburst quiet for a moment. “Well,” She finally said, “This means that you have a kind soul. I’ve seen how you treat your sister, and I can tell that you still, deep down, love her as a sister. I also can tell that you feel sorry for the lives you took, and yet you also know; deep down, that what you did was good. And there’s no taking away from that. Yes, in a perfect world, you wouldn’t have to stoop to such violence to achieve your goals, but we don’t live in a perfect world. Our world is flawed and broken. There was no other way to solve this problem. You know that. Any money you could send would just end up in those monsters’ pockets. You did a good thing today. It had to be done.”

Rarity simply sat there, dumbfounded at Starburst’s words. “Wow,” she finally managed to say. “That’s amazing. Where did you learn to think like that?”

Starburst chuckled. “Well, my grandfather was a war vet, from the Civil War. And he would always give somepony a version of that speech whenever they talked dirty about the war.”

Rarity was quiet. She then let out a sigh. “Your father sounded like a wise pony.” She slowly got up, and walked over to her nightstand, where her phone sat. “Not like mine.”

Starburst walked up to Rarity. “What makes you say that? From what I’ve heard from Braeburn your dad’s a pretty nice stallion.”

Rarity scoffed. “He’s nice. Not wise. The only reason he was able to afford half the stuff he had was because Grandfather was incredibly rich.”

“Oh. I see.” Starburst said. “What about your mother?”

Rarity’s eye twitched involuntarily at the mention of her mother. “Do you really want to know?”

“Yeah. I do.” Starburst answered.

Rarity sat down on the bed, pulling out a box of cigarettes. “Think of the most unemotional and heartless pony you can think of, and then, multiply that times ten. That will give you a rouge idea as to how horrible of a mare that pony is.” She lit up a cigarette.

Starburst was quiet for a moment. “That’s…pretty bad.” She said, “But, please, listen to my advice, if you want to make any sort of headway in helping the world, you can’t do it without your family. I mean, you already know that Braeburn and Spark Plug will help you, but without family, I truly think that you will fail.”

Rarity snorted. “When did you suddenly become an expert on the dynamic of families?”

“I didn’t say I was an expert. I know this is a fact. Many times, when I felt alone in this world, my family was there for me, to pick me up and help me on my way in life.” Starburst replied, sincerity in her voice. This pony was getting on Rarity’s nerves.

“Look.” Rarity huffed, turning to look at Starburst. “I know you just want to help me, but I personally want to work these things out by myself. Alone. Without you. Can you please go?”

Starburst shrugged, indifferent. “Fine. I still think you should call them.” With those words, she turned and walked out, closing the door behind her, leaving Rarity alone with her phone and her thoughts. Rarity stared at the phone. Everypony had told her the exact same thing. “Call your parents” They said, “Patch things up.” They said. Rarity sighed. No other way to get them off my back I guess. She thought.

She levitated the phone, and taking a deep breath, dialed her father’s number once more. She opened the night stand by her bed and pulled out a box of cigarettes and light one up, puffing away in an attempt to brace herself for any potential disasters.

“Hello, this Pearl Belle, who is this?” A chill went down Rarity’s spine. The last pony in the world she wanted to pick up the phone had been the first to answer it.

“M-mother, i-it’s me, Rarity.” She forced the words out of her mouth.

“Oh.” Her mother said, in her characteristic unemotional manner. “What do you want? What foolishness have you done this time?”

Rarity suddenly felt angry. Why did her mother automatically assume that the only reason for Rarity calling was something foolish?

“NO. No it isn’t. Where’s Dad? I want to speak with him.” She spat into the phone.

“He’s busy with important things.” Pearl answered, just as venomously. “How is my daughter doing?”

Rarity huffed. “She’s fine. Now let me talk to Dad. NOW.”

There was a moment of silence on the other side. “Very well. If that’s what you want.” Her mother put the phone down. Rarity sat there fuming and waiting. She heard someone fumbling on the other side. “Hello, this is Magnum Belle.” her father’s voice came from the other side. “Who is it?”

“It’s Rarity, Dad. I wanted to tell you something.” She replied, taking a deep breath.

“I know! I mean did you see that pony on the news?! Whoever that is, they’re a maniac.” Magnum said on the other end, cutting her off.

“W-what are you talking about? What pony?” Rarity said, suddenly confused.

“Wadda mean ‘what pony’? It’s all over the news! Where’ve you been? Turn on the TV!” Her dad was practically shouting now. Whatever it was, it had him excited.

“Okay, okay, hold on.” Rarity looked around for the TV remote. “Stupid thing.” She muttered under her breath. “Where is it? Ah! There it is.” She found it under her pillow. How it got there was beyond her.

She turned on the TV to the first news station she could find, ENN. “Okay dad, I’ve got the news on. What is it you wanted me to see?”

“It should be right there, first story.” He said, still apparently very excited by whatever it was.

As if on queue, the television the reporter turned from the normal stories of celebrity gossip and politics to about how the local rebel forces in Griffinheim ran around terrorizing citizens. However, the reporter said, it seems that something had come to interrupt the status quo.

The realization hit Rarity like a freight train. Had somepony found out about what she had done so soon? The report then showed the grainy footage of some terrorist’s camera.

The pending execution was interrupted however by a thunderous boom that caused the diamond dog holding camera to whirl the camera around to behold a sight that gave Rarity a strange mix of pride and fear.

From a cloud of smoke emerged a purple and silver robotic suit of armor. The armored pony then proceeded to rain fire upon the diamond dogs, causing the dog holding the camera to duck for cover. Various sounds of chaos came from out of frame. Then a computerized voice said something that nopony could make out, then there was another explosion of noise and chaos and the image cut to static.

The news reporter came back on screen and stated that the Equestrian Government denied any involvement in the attacks.

“Well? Did you see the report?” Her dad’s voice brought Rarity out of her shock-induced trance.

“Um yeah, Dad, I saw it.” She plopped back down onto the bed, her eyes still fixed on the television.

“Amazing isn’t it? What was it you wanted to tell me?” Her father replied from the other end.

“Um, yeah, about that thing on the news…” Rarity took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. She thought. “I’m that pony.”

Her dad was quiet for a moment. “What pony? The one on the news? You’re kidding right?” He obviously didn’t believe her. She could make out her mother asking for the phone. Her worst fear had been realized.

“Hang on honey, your mom wants to talk to you. Remember, be nice.” Her father said on the other end.

Rarity braced herself for what was coming.

“Rarity? Are you there? What were you telling your father?” her mother sounded uncharacteristically emotional.

“Um…well…” Rarity hadn’t expected this. “…I’d like to say that I am the pony on the news.” She said.

There was no response. The only sound was her mother’s breathing on the other end. It made Rarity feel uneasy. “What.” the sudden sound of her mother’s voice spooked her.

“Excuse me?” she asked, not quite able to grasp what her mom meant by that.

“What do you mean; ‘you’re the pony in the news’? Do you simply expect me to believe, that you, a foolish, vain, frivolous mare would go and suit up in a robotic suit to shoot terrorists? What kind of a fool do you take me for?”

Rarity took a deep breath. “Put Dad back on.” She said, doing her best not to explode in a rage.

“Not until you tell me what you told him. Magnum, put the cider back! What have you done now?” Pearl’s voice was stern and cold.

Rarity, out of habit, nearly said ‘Nothing!’ But she caught herself. “Dad’ll tell you. I—”

Pearl cut her off. “Rarity Victoria Belle, don’t you dare hang up that phone,” Pearl said in a voice so glacial any defiance in Rarity melted.

“I was just telling him that…what I said was…I…” Rarity stuttered, unable to think of a response.

““I-I-I-I-”where did all the money we spent on that finishing school go? Cigarettes? I bet you’re smoking one now. No, I’m sure you are, I can smell that rancid stench from here.” Pearl practically sneered.

“Mom, I didn’t call to discuss my smoking!” Rarity said, her voice rising. She shot a quick glance at the opened box of cigarettes by her bed.

“Since you don’t seem to deign it worthy of divulging what you wish to discuss I’m just jumping to the next logical conclusion.” Pearl spat back.

Rarity let out a long sigh. “Mother, I just wanted to tell Dad not to worry—”

“That you’ll be dying of lung cancer in five years?” Pearl asked, cutting her off again. This was getting frustrating.

“Do you want to know why I called or do you just want to bitch at me for half an hour?” Rarity growled, her patience rapidly running thin.

Pearl snorted. “Only if you can take time out of your demanding schedule for your bitchy nag of a mother.”

Rarity’s patience was at an end. “At least I do something with my time instead of lounging around my rich husband’s house where my biggest worry is if I’ll have to fire my fifth maid in two months for making my latte too sweet!” She yelled into the phone.

“Oh and what great and mighty works are you performing you glorified sock darner?” Pearl shot back, her voice dripping in sarcasm.

“For your information yesterday I spent my day thwarting the terrorists all your husband’s money couldn’t buy off!” Rarity shouted, huffing and puffing on her cigarette. Looking for all the world like an angry dragon.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. Finally Pearl spoke. “…What?” her previous sarcasm replaced by confusion.

“What?” Rarity replied, equally confused at the sudden change in her mother’s tone.

“Rarity what in Tatartus are you talking about?” Pearl asked, obviously confused.

Rarity was shocked. What did she think she was talking about, the laundry? “Did you see the news today?” she asked, completely baffled at her mother’s seemingly massive lack of perception.

Pearl huffed. “Rarity, what does—”

“Did you see the new today, Mother?” Rarity asked, pressing the issue.

There was a moment of silence. “Yes.” Pearl replied.

“The story about Griffinheim?” Rarity asked again, making absolutely sure they were talking about the same thing.

She was greeted by silence.

Rarity took this as a sign to continue. “That thing they’re calling a weapon—that was me. It’s a suit and I was in it. All that shooting, explosions and dead terrorists…I did that.”

There was another awkward pause. Finally Pearl spoke. “Rarity, put Braeburn on the phone.” She sounded worried.

“What?” Rarity asked, not expecting that response at all.

“I need to speak with your assistant—”

“What for?” Rarity demanded.

“I want to know what medication your psychologist has you on. If it’s that Soma—” Pearl replied.

Rarity blinked for a second. “Mom, I am not on drugs! I am totally sane! I mean, sober! Clean—it’s clean—I’m clean!” she said, facehoofing.

Pearl began to speak slowly. “Rarity I want to speak with Braeburn—”

Rarity cut her off again. “No! There is nothing wrong with me and I’m telling the truth! That was me on the news today, all those things, I did them!” tears starting forming her eyes.

“If this is some attention grabbing ploy—” Pearl said sounding increasingly indignant.

Rarity simply blinked, unable to comprehend what her mother just said. “You think I value your attention so much I’d dive into a warzone?”

“Stop it!” Pearl shrieked. “Stop it right now! I’ve borne your disrespect, your disobedience, your depravity but I will not play this demented, narcissistic “heed me” game with you!”

That was it. Any patience Rarity had for her mother was now dead. She exploded. “Do you think I am so desperate, so pathetic that I’d stage some elaborate, deranged fabrication just to get you to notice me? I gave up trying to get to convince you I was worth your concern years ago! Your attention means nothing to me—you mean nothing to me! You’re not my mother! I’ve never had a mother and I will never forgive you for taking that way from me! NEVER! So you know what, let’s get this straight once and for all: I hate you and I know you hate me, I don’t care what you think and you don’t care what I do, so from now on you only have one daughter, the only one you want! Don’t call me ever again, don’t come to my house ever again, because from this moment on to me you don’t exist! Buck you and your bucking ePhone that you couldn’t put down for two seconds when I was in a hospital with a hole cut in my chest!”

And with that she slammed the phone against the hook with all her strength until it smashed in half. She started to sob uncontrollably. All the pent up rage, anger and sadness came pouring out of her, like an endless waterfall.

/////////////////////////////////

Sweetie Belle tossed the rubber ball again. Ever since Rarity had started going and fighting bad guys, she felt left out. She tried to help Spark Plug with fixing the suit, but she always ended up just standing there for six hours, occasionally handing over a wrench or a screwdriver. Spark Plug was nice though, so it wasn’t a total waste.

She’d spent time with that new pony, Starburst Shine, which wasn’t awful, but it wasn’t very fun either. Starburst always seemed to be hiding something.

All that didn’t matter however, because Sweetie Belle was too busy trying to combat the armies of boredom. By throwing a rubber ball at the wall of her room and trying to catch it. This had been going on for about half an hour and Sweetie Belle was just about sick of it.

“Ugh! I’m so bored!” she threw the ball once more in frustration, which bounced off the wall and proceeded to hit her in the face.

“Ouch.” She rubbed the spot where the ball had hit her. “Why doesn’t Rarity let me help? She promised.” She groaned and rolled over in her bed, tangling herself in the covers. Ever since Rarity came back from her mission, Sweetie Belle had been practically banished to her room. Whenever she asked why, Rarity would always say “Because I say so.” Or “You’re too young to understand what I’m talking about”

Sweetie Belle groaned again. “I’m not too young. I’m twelve! I’m a big pony!” she whined to herself. Suddenly it hit her. The best idea she’d ever had. Well, except maybe for chocolate cookie-flavored bubble gum, but this certainly would be a close second.

The plan was flawless. She’d build her own suit. That way, next time Rarity wanted to go kick bad guy flank, she could come and help too! It was perfect!

So Sweetie Belle jumped out her bed, and ran over to her door. She quickly opened the door and ran down the cavernous hall to Spark Plug’s room. She heard music coming from behind the black door.

“Hey! Spark Plug, can I talk to you?” Sweetie Belle asked, knocking on the door. Nothing. “Please.” Sweetie Belle said, putting on her cute voice.

There was the sound of papers rustling and somepony grumbling. The door knob glowed dark blue and the door opened to show a somewhat annoyed looking Spark Plug.

“Wadda need Sweetie Belle? I’m in the middle of some good Pony Floyd.”

Sweetie Belle looked down, embarrassed. “Sorry. I wanted to talk to you about something.”

A smile grew on Spark Plug’s face. “Really? Okay. Come in.” She dropped her annoyed look and her horn glowed again, and the music decreased in volume. Sweetie Belle walked in.

Spark Plug’s room was messy, the total polar opposite of Rarity’s hyper-organized room. All around where piles of papers and sketches and various tools and action figures, some in boxes and some just lying around. On a table sat a stereo system. Next to it was a disorganized pile of various CDs. On top was an all black CD case with a prism refracting a rainbow printed on it and music continued to play quietly in the background.

“So, what was it you wanted to talk about Sweetie?” Spark Plug sat down her drawing table and began to sketch again.

“Well, I kind of feel left out by everypony.” Sweetie Belle said, as she looked around the room. She also noticed that Spark Plug’s wall was completely covered in old posters of various old rock bands Sweetie Belle didn’t know the name of. She also had a small refrigerator in the corner by her bed and on top of that a coffee maker.

“Really? Why?” Spark Plug asked, still focused on drawing. Her horn glowed and the fridge by her bed opened and a bottle of cola levitated over, which she opened and took a sip from.

“Well, it’s just that everypony else around here has something to do.” Sweetie Belle said, having grabbed a small fan and beginning to play with it. “I mean you help Rarity with her suit, Braeburn does business stuff and Starburst talks to reporters.” She continued to turn the small fan on and off.

“Well, that’s okay, you’re young. I’m sure you’ll find something to do around here.” Spark Plug took another sip from her bottle of cola. “You helped me fix the suit.” She said, crumpling up a piece of paper and tossing it in the overburdened waste basket.

“Yeah, but that was BORING.” Sweetie Belle moaned.

Spark Plug straightened out, and turned to look at Sweetie Belle. “Boring? Why?” she asked, looking quite confused. “How can building the most advanced piece of technology in Equestria be boring? That’s crazy talk.”

“Well, to you it might be fun, but to me it’s boring.” Sweetie Belle noticed that Spark Plug suddenly looked dejected. “It’s not you, you’re fun!” Sweetie Belle smiled. “But it’s just that all I did was stand there and hand you screwdrivers and stuff.” Sweetie Belle said, having dropped the fan.

“Oh. I see. Well, what do you want to do?” Spark Plug said, getting up from the table and walking over to Sweetie Belle. “I mean, if it’s THAT boring for you, I’ll try and find something for you to do.”

She lightly tapped Sweetie Belle on the head.

“Well, actually, I kind of had an idea in mind.” Sweetie Belle said, looking up at Spark Plug.

“Really? What’s that?” Spark Plug asked.

“Well,” Sweetie Belle said, taking a deep breath. “I’d like a suit like Rarity’s.” she said quickly.

Spark Plug simply blinked. Her pupils shrunk to the size of pinpoints. A somewhat creepy smile spread across her face. There was an awkward silence.

“Nope.” She finally said the smile now impossibly wide. “Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, never, never, never, never!” She spun on her hooves impossibly fast and scampered back to the desk, beginning to draw furiously and gulping down her cola.

“Why not?” Sweetie Belle moaned, dropping her shoulders.

“Because I have a good thing going with your sister, and I don’t want to jeopardize that.” She turned to look at Sweetie Belle. “And you’re only 12. I can’t give a 12 year old filly a piece of advanced and, not to mention, dangerous piece of technology. You could get hurt.” Spark Plug said, taking another shot from her soda bottle, looking obviously quite stressed.

“But Sparky, I’ll be careful I promise. PLEASE?” Sweetie Belle went into full blown cutie-pie mode.

Spark Plug took a step back. She hadn't expected to be hit by such a withering assault of cute. Must resist cuteness. She thought. Must not succumb to cuteness.

“PLEEEEEASE?” Sweetie Belle begged, making the most adorable sad puppy face in the known universe.

Spark Plug’s will put up a strong defense against the armies of cute, but it was no use. The white flag of surrender flew up the flagpole. She groaned.

“Ugh, fine. I know I’ll regret this in the morning.” She tossed the now empty bottle of cola at the waste bin. It bounced off the massive pile of papers.

“Oh thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Sweetie Belle squealed, jumping up and down. “I’m going to be a superhero!” She suddenly stopped jumping. Her eyes went wide.

“Oh! I just thought of something!”

Spark Plug winced at the thought. “What is it?” she moaned, hoping it didn't involve something more dangerous than her in a robotic suit of armor.

“I just realized that I can get cutie mark because of this!” Sweetie Belle squealed, jumping up and down. “Then I won’t be the only blank flank in my class!”

“You’re the only one left in your entire class?” Spark Plug said, somewhat surprised.

Sweetie Belle nodded, looking quite depressed. “Yeah. They always call me blank flank.”

Spark Plug felt a lump form in her throat. She’d also been picked on in school, for being a nerd. So she knew how it felt to be bullied.

She sighed. “Okay, just promise me one thing Sweetie Belle.”

“Oh sure! Sure!” Sweetie Belle said, suddenly happy again and nodding her head rapidly.

“Don’t tell Rarity about this, please? Last thing I need is her to totally go postal on me and try and strangle me.” Spark Plug said, putting a hoof on Sweetie Belle’s shoulder.

“Of course! I want to show her myself! It’ll be a surprise!” Sweetie Belle suddenly hugged Spark Plug. “Thanks SO much Sparky!”

Spark Plug nearly gagged, the hug was so tight. “That’s great Sweetie Belle, you can stop choking me now.”

“Oh sorry.” Sweetie Belle let go.

“It’s okay, you’re a little over eager. That’s okay.” Spark Plug said, as she turned off the radio, which had been playing the whole time and made her way into the hall. She turned to look at Sweetie Belle, who was still standing in the room.

“Well? You wanna help? You can help me design the suit if you want.” Spark Plug said.

A smile ten miles wide grew across Sweetie Belle’s face. “YOU WILL!!! THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST DAY EVER! SWEETIE BELLE THE SUPERHERO YAY!” She bounded out of the room and followed Spark Plug down the hall and into the workshop.

/////////////////////////////

Braeburn sighed as he picked up the remote control and flicked on the TV in front of his bed. It fell on a news station, where the reporter prattled on and on about the latest figures in the economy and such. Eventually the reporter moved on to a different topic.

“In international news, there are more reports of the mysterious drone attacks on various terrorist headquarters. Sources in the Equestrian Military say that they are not to blame.”

That’s when Braeburn first heard it. It sounded like tools. At first Braeburn ignored it. His room was right next to the workshop, much to his own chagrin. But it was probably Spark Plug just tinkering on some suit parts or something.

And that’s when his ears were greeted by the most terrifying sound in the known universe. Sweetie Belle. Talking. In the workshop. With Spark Plug.

His pupils shrank to the size of pin points. What in the name of all that was good in the world was Sweetie Belle doing in the workshop. Without Rarity? Impossible. He instantly threw himself out of the bed and went flying for the workshop in full gallop. He fumbled with the door.

“Oh damn it. Why’d ya have tah lock it.” He muttered as he sloppily tried to unlock the door. Stupid hooves. It was moments like these he wished he was a unicorn.

Suddenly the door knob glowed dark red and the sound of locks tumbling greeted Braeburn’s ears.

The door opened to reveal Spark Plug, her mane slightly frazzled and spots of oil on her hooves.

“Oh hi Braeburn!” She said, making the absolute worst fake smile Braeburn had ever seen.

Braeburn’s eyes narrowed. “Whadda doin’ in there?”

“Oh, you know. Stuff.” Spark Plug gave a forced laugh.

“What kinda stuff?” Braeburn asked, sensing Spark Plug was lying.

Spark Plug’s eyes darted about, almost as if she was searching for a good excuse. “Oh…you know…tech stuff.”

“Then why’d I hear Sweetie Belle in there?” Braeburn asked.

Spark Plug’s brown coat became noticeably pale. “What Sweetie Belle?” her eye twitched.

“You know exactly what I’m talking ‘bout Sparky. I heard her.” Braeburn said, attempting to step into the workshop.

Suddenly Spark Plug jumped in his way. He rolled his eyes. “Now Sparky…let me through.” He growled as he put a good effort into pushing the reluctant unicorn out of the way.

“NO!” she shouted. “I mean, no.” she said, regaining her composure. “You can’t. There’s no Sweetie Belle in here.” She said, making a point of blocking the doorway.

“Sparky. Stop. Let me through.” Braeburn once again pushed against the struggling mare.

“NO! THERE IS NO SWEETIE BELLE! THERE NEVER WAS A SWEETIE BELLE! SWEETIE BELLE’S JUST A MYTH!” Spark Plug yelled, jamming her legs in the door frame in a last ditch effort to prevent the earth pony from breaking through.

Of course, Spark Plug was known for her brains, not her brawn and her legs gave way sending both her and Braeburn flying down the staircase.

They landed in a tangle of legs. Braeburn was the first to get up and was greeted by his absolute worst nightmare.

Okay, not his absolute worst nightmare ever, that would be if diet sodas completely replaced normal sodas. But this was certainly a close second.

In front of him stood Sweetie Belle, completely incased in a filly sized version of the suit, only her head exposed. Her face was the very portrait of shock.

“Oh….hi Braeburn….how ya doing?” she said, awkwardly waving, as if hoping he hadn’t noticed the suit.

Braeburn just stood there, mouth agape. Spark Plug walked up next to him, head hanged low. “Sorry…she made me do it.”

Braeburn just turned his head, mouth still hanging open. “Wadda mean made ya do it?” he asked, completely and utterly bewildered.

Spark Plug blushed slightly. “Well…” she started to say, walking in front of Braeburn. “It’s just, she gave me the puppy eyes and…” she looked towards Sweetie Belle, who was now looking down, obviously embarrassed.

Braeburn couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Yer tellin’ me that this little filly here strong armed ya into building a suit with her magical cutie powers?”

Spark Plug nodded. “Yeah, that about sums it up.”

Braeburn groaned and facehoofed. “I can’t believe it. Sparky how old are ya?”

Spark Plug blushed harder. “About twenty-five.”

Braeburn groaned again. “Twenty-five? Yer an adult mare Sparky. Yer tellin’ me that a twelve year old filly magically made you build her a mechanical suit of armor with her magical cutie face as ya put it.”

Spark Plug nodded. “Yeah. When you say it like that it sounds kinda ridiculous. But I’m serious. It’s like she’s a wizard or something!” She motioned towards Sweetie Belle.

“That’s cause it is ridiculous.” Braeburn said, walking towards Sweetie Belle, determined to put a stop to this madness before anypony got hurt.

“No Braeburn please.” Sweetie Belle said, her ears dropping down next to her head. “This is all I’ve got.”

She gave Braeburn the sad-puppy look. Instantly, Braeburn’s will was put to the test. The pure withering assault of cuteness that was Sweetie Belle rained fire down upon the walls of Braeburn’s free will.

He blinked and shook his head in a vain attempt to rid his mind of the cuteness. He reached towards one of the many tools that lay scattered about, making a point to avoid the cuteness. That’s when Sweetie Belle let out the most pitiful whimpering sound in the universe. Instantly, thoughts of baby puppies, alone and starving in some Faust-forsaken cardboard box on the side of the road came to mind.

That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Braeburn let out a frustrated groan.

“Oh goldarn it Sweetie Belle!” he tossed the wrench he had picked up away, unable to bring himself to disassemble the suit.

Sweetie Belle instantly dropped the sad puppy routine. “Does this mean I can keep the suit?!” she squealed.

Braeburn groaned. “Ugh. Might as well. Heaven knows I’ll need to explain’ ta the company were a couple million dollars went.” He shot a dirty look towards Spark Plug, who shrunk away.

“Please don’t be mad at Sparky.” Sweetie Belle said, once again making the sad puppy face. “It isn’t her fault. It’s mine.” She tried to step off the pedestal she was perched on, forgetting the fact that the suit was completely wired into the desktop computer. Her leg tugged on one of the half-dozen cables which sent her flying off the table and dragging the computer down with her.

“Oh snap.” Spark Plug said, once again turning pale. “That was my costume computer.” She whimpered, as if the computer was a dear friend that had just died a horrible death. Which wasn’t far from the truth.

“Sorry.” Sweetie Belle said, blushing. “Got all tangled up.”

Braeburn sighed, No use freakin’ out now I suppose. He thought. “That’s okay Sweetie Belle, happens all the time.” he walked over and beckoned to Spark Plug who ran over and began to help try and detangle Sweetie Belle from the gorgon knot of computer cables and wiring.

“Please tell me that Rarity knows ‘bout this.” He said through his teeth as he tugged on a knot, hoping that it would come loose, shooting a quick glance at Sweetie Belle and Spark Plug who both blushed again.

“Oh come on now!” Braeburn spat out the cable and facehoofed. “Yes tellin’ me ya didn’t tell nopony else that yer were buildin’ this here suit?!”

“Well…” Spark Plug shrugged. “You could say it didn’t come up in conversation.” She grinned sheepishly.

Braeburn deadpanned. “Did ya tell Starburst Shine?” he said, desperately hoping against hope that they had at least told her about this.

The looks of embarrassment on their faces told him otherwise. “Okay, I take it ya didn’t.”

They both nodded.

“Of course. Had to be me ta be the first ta find out ‘bout this. Couldn’t be a maid or a janitor, had ta be me. Perfect.” He grumbled. “Rarity’s gonna kill ya when she finds out ‘bout this ya know.”

They both nodded again.

“We were kinda hoping to break it to her with something like a party or something.” Sweetie Belle said as Spark Plug helped her detangle another knotted up piece of cable.

Braeburn leaned in to help. “Here ya gotta find the load bearing cable and tug on that. Once that goes…” he tugged on a cable and the knot instantly detangled. “the whole thin’ loosens up.” He said.

“Wow. Where’d you learn that?” Spark Plug said as she levitated the pile of wires off Sweetie Belle, who was still in the suit.

“On the farm. I am a farm pony after all.” He said with a touch of pride.

“Well, do you promise not to tell Rarity?” Sweetie Belle said, looking up at him, once again employing the sad puppy face of doom.

“Ugh. Fine. As long as ya stop makin’ that there face. It’s creepin’ me out.” Braeburn replied. “Just as long as YOU promise not ta take this thin’ out for a test drive. Goodness knows the last thin’ I need is ya to accidentally fly into a building or somethin’.”

“Oh of course! I promise!” Sweetie Belle replied, bringing Braeburn in for a bear hug, forgetting that she was in a robotic suit.

Braeburn’s eyes nearly popped out of his skull the hug was so tight. “Okay…please…lemmie go…yer chokin’ me…” he gasped.

“Wha? Oh, sorry.” Sweetie Belle said, realizing her mistake and instantly letting Braeburn go. “You okay.”

Braeburn slumped down, coughing and wheezing like a pony in a nursing home. “Yeah, just need some air.” He gasped.

“You need some water?” Spark Plug said, looking a little worried.

Braeburn shook his head, and took a deep cleansing breath.

“No, I’m good.” He cleared his throat. “Now, how do ya expect to hide this little development from Rarity huh?” He looked at Spark Plug and Sweetie Belle.

“Well, we were kinda hoping that since she’s been busy lately, and since your or Starburst are usually the ones handling stuff like this, that you’d help by, I don’t know, keeping her out of the workshop.” Spark Plug replied, sheepishly.

Braeburn rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’ll figure out a way to keep her out of the workshop. How ya goin’ ta eventually tell her? Send her a text sayin’ “Hey Rarity, built my own suit. Can I tag along?””

Sweetie Belle nodded. “That sounds like a good idea!” Spark Plug and Braeburn both looked at each other.

“Actually, that sounds like an excellent idea.” A fourth voice said, causing the three ponies to jump.

“Who’s that?” Spark Plug said, levitating a wrench like a club.

“Relax, it’s just me.” A familiar purple unicorn said as she walked into the workshop.

“Oh, hi Starburst.” Spark Plug quickly dropped the wrench, which landed on Braeburn’s hoof.

“Ouch” he shot her a dirty look. “What were yer droppin’ that.”

“Well, it seems you’ve managed to have some fun without me.” Starburst said with a smug grin on her face.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about Starburst…” Spark Plug said, stepping in front of Sweetie Belle. “No idea at all.”

Starburst’s eyes narrowed. “I saw the suit. Subtlety is not your strong suit.” She leaned to look around Spark Plug “Hi Sweetie Belle.”

“Hi Starburst!” Sweetie Belle waved, forgetting that they were supposed to keep this a secret.

“Well, no use hidin’ it from ya.” Braeburn said, looking at Spark Plug. “She knows.”

Spark Plug sighed and stepped out of the way as Starburst walked towards Sweetie Belle.

“I’m totally going to get fired aren’t I?” Spark Plug moaned.

“No, you’re not.” Starburst replied. “Your knowledge is too valuable. That’s why Rarity hired you right? You’re good with machines?”

Spark Plug nodded, obviously happy that she wasn’t going to get fired.

“Good. So, who authorized this little escapade?” Starburst said, looking at the only other adults in the room. “Because you seriously can’t expect me to believe that you were coerced by a twelve year old.” She said sarcastically. Both Braeburn and Spark Plug nodded.

Starburst’s eyes widened. “Seriously? She made you do this?” She pointed at Sweetie Belle.

“Yeah. It’s like she’s got magical wizard powers.” Spark Plug said.

Braeburn nodded. “Yeah, once she does the sad puppy face, yer doomed.”

Starburst gave Sweetie Belle a funny look. “Well, okay, so she magically made you do this, do you plan to inform Rarity about this?”

The three guilty ponies shook their heads.

“Okay then.” Starburst whipped out a notepad. “That means I’ll have some more flanks to cover for, but okay.” She jotted something down and closed the notepad. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

Braeburn held up a hoof. “Wait just one second there. Yer just gonna accept this as something normal? This is a twelve year old filly wantin’ to run ‘round in a robotic suit to go and shoot terrorists. Isn’t that the least bit crazy in yer mind?”

Starburst shook her head. “Oh, I assure you, this isn’t even close to the weirdest thing I’ve seen or heard.”

Spark Plug raised an eye brow. “Really? This isn’t?”

“Nah, not even close.” Starburst said, turning to make her way out of the workshop. “As long as Rarity knows about this I’m good.”

Sweetie Belle winced. “Well…that’s the thing…”

Starburst froze. “What’s the thing?” she said, turning slowly.

“Well, she kinda, sorta hasn’t found out about this yet.” Sweetie Belle said, blushing.

Starburst’s eye twitched, her previously calm veneer instantly being replaced by one of paranoia and fear.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DIDIN’T TELL HER?!” She suddenly exploded, running over and shaking Sweetie Belle like a rag doll. “YOU HAVE TO TELL HER! YOU CAN’T JUST DO STUFF LIKE THIS!”

“W-w-well, I-I-I’m g-g-going t-t-to t-t-tell h-h-her e-e-eventually” Sweetie Belle stammered as she was shook back and forth.

Starburst suddenly stopped shaking Sweetie Belle. “You sure? You absolutely sure?”

Sweetie Belle nodded. “Yes. I promise. Just, just let me keep the suit. Please?” she once again employed the weapon of mass-destruction that was the sad-puppy look.

Starburst stared back at Sweetie Belle, seemingly undeterred by the sad puppy look. She took a deep breath. “Sweetie Belle.” She said slowly and deliberately. “You have to promise that, no matter what happens, you tell Rarity about this. Understand? I’m not joking, this is a very, very serious thing your getting into. Do you understand?”

Sweetie Belle noticeably withered under Starburst’s sudden seriousness. “Y-yes, Starburst. I promise.”

Starburst leaned back. “Good. That’s what I wanted to hear.” She got up, helped Sweetie Belle get up and gave her a hug. “There you go, see. Was that so hard to promise?”

Sweetie Belle shook her head. “No. Sorry for scaring you guys.” She turned to look at Braeburn and Spark Plug, who standing there looking concerned. “I didn’t mean to get you trouble Sparky.”

Spark Plug shook her head. “Nah, that’s okay. I’m pretty sure this has happened to somepony other than me.” She walked over to give Sweetie Belle a hug. “Just not about robotic suits and such.”

Braeburn shrugged and walked over. “And before ya start apologizin’, I forgive ya too.” He hugged Sweetie Belle as well.

“Um, not to ruin a nice soft moment, but this is getting kind of sappy. You can stop hugging me now.” Sweetie Belle said, feeling slightly uncomfortable by the sudden attack of hugs.

“Huh? Oh, sorry.” Spark Plug stepped back, followed by Braeburn and Starburst.

“Yeah, that was kinda awkward.” Braeburn said, straightening his Stetson.

“Well, Sweetie Belle. Are you just going to stay in the suit all day?” Starburst said, patting Sweetie Belle on the head.

Sweetie Belle looked at herself. “Oh yeah, right. Can you help me out here?” she looked at Starburst.

“Sure.” Starburst’s horn glowed and the suit disassembled.

/////////////////////////////

Meanwhile, night had fallen across Canterlot, and three ponies where stalking around on the grounds of MagiTech Labs. They dodged behind bushes to avoid the security searchlights, eventually ending up in front of a large window that lead into one of the many labs.

“Hey, Lock Pick, come here.” One of the ponies, the leader of the group, one Fine Focus, a large dark blue unicorn pony motioned to his comrade. A dark green unicorn pony trotted over.

“Yeah?” Lock Pick whispered in a nasally voice. “Why are we here again?”

Fine Focus groaned. They had warned him about Lock Pick’s short term memory loss, but he had blown them off. He leaned over to whisper into the unicorn’s ear.

“We need you to pick the lock for the window. We’ve gotta guy inside who says that he can give us some tech so we can sell it.”

Lock Pick nodded. “Why are you telling me this?”

Focus facehoofed. “Because you keep forgetting.”

“Oh….okay.” Lock Pick whispered back.

“Can you just pick the lock now?” Focus grumbled, his patience wearing thin.

“Yeah, yeah, sure, sure.” Lock Pick levitated a small black bag from his saddle bag and opened it. Inside there were several dozen lock pick-related devices. He shot a quick glance at the lock to the window in front of him. He pulled out a lock pick and proceeded to pick at the lock.

After a few moments of tinkering the sound of pins tumbling inside greeted the waiting ponies ears. ‘CLICK’ went the lock and the window popped open.

“There ya go boss.” Lock Pick said, grinning a toothy grin.

“Excellent.” Fine Focus rubbed his hooves together. “Light Bright. Come here.”

A thin blue unicorn with ridiculously frizzy hair with a light bulb cutie mark trotted up.

“Yeah? Wadda need?”

Fine Focus pointed to the window. “Light it up.”

Light Bright nodded and his horn began to glow. Suddenly a beam of light shot out from his horn like a flashlight and into the window.

“Okay boys, let’s go.” Fine Focus said as he clambered as quietly as possible, before motioning for the other two ponies to follow.

“Okay, I’m gonna make sure their none of those annoying lasers to trip.” He whispered to his two minions, nodded. He cast the spell, his magic glowing a dark purple. The network of security lasers revealed themselves, primed and ready for one absentminded hoof to fall and set the whole system off.

The three ponies quietly tip-toed through the maze of wires, looking around for something to steal. Fine Focus made his way for a large gun which was sitting on one of the labs many desks, half-disassembled.

“My precious.” He whispered, as he tenderly levitated the weapon into his saddle bag.

Meanwhile, Light Bright tip-toed through the laser minefield, looking for something to pique his interest. He found it in a large helmet, which was labeled: “Experimental Magic Enhancement Helmet for Ground Troops”. He grinned. His boss had always picked on him for not having powerful magic, “just a bunch of fancy fireworks” he would always say. Well...we'll see about that. Light Bright thought as he levitated the helmet off the desk and into his saddle bag.

And that’s his ears were greeted by the deafening sound of the laboratory’s alarm system going haywire.

He swung around to see Lock Pick, white as a sheet, standing by one of the tables with what looked like a laser gun from a comic book held in his magic. He had managed to trip a laser with one of his hooves. Typical.

Fine Focus leapt towards the window. “LET’S GET OUTTA HERE!” he yelled, forgetting that he was a thief and thereby shouldn’t make himself known. Both Light Bright and Lock Pick dropped what they were doing and turned and ran wildly for the window leaping out as just as the automatic anti-thief laser guns started firing.

The three thieves scattered off, panicked, leaving the window open.

Author's Note:

My friend, A-Phoenix-in-Avalon helped in writing this. The fight between Rarity and her mom is completely her own, all I did was add descriptions. That's it. So go and give her due credit.

Act II - 09 - All These Things That I've Done

Act III - 09 - Shine On You Crazy Diamond

Act Three:

"I Am Iron Mare"

Chapter Nine

"Shine On You Crazy Diamond"

“Okay, then, let’s see what this baby can do.” Light Bright muttered to himself as he levitated the helmet onto his head. The helmet was silver and had a small knob on the front. His horn lit up and the knob glowed yellow and turned to the first setting, labeled one. Immediately a tingling sensation washed over his body as he felt his magic levels rise.

“Whoa. Best massage ever.” He giggled as his horn light up. He could feel the feeling of pure magic running through his body. It felt like a strange yet pleasing combination of tickling and shivers.

He glanced over to a pen laying on a nearby desk. “I wonder…” he muttered to himself. His horn glowed and the pen glowed light blue and started to shake and vibrate violently. Suddenly the pen exploded, spraying ink everywhere.

Light Bright began to giggle like a school colt. “Awesome! I blew the pen up! Fine Focus is gonna love this!” He spun around and trotted out of the room.

“This is going to be so awesome! Finally Focus is going to appreciate me! He always looks down at me. No more!” Light Bright muttered to himself.

He went into the dining room where a grumpy looking Fine Focus and a constantly twitching Lock Pick sat.

“Well, thanks you Lock Pick, it seems we can’t exactly go and sell the stuff we have now can we? Little hard to sell merchandise that the government is looking for isn’t it, Lock Pick?” he shot Lock Pick a dirty look, who shied away.

“Well, there’s no use whining like little fillies, let’s see what we got.” Fine Focus grumbled. He levitated the big saddle bags and poured their contents out on the table.

“Well…” Focus huffed. “It seems that I’m the only one to actually steal something worthwhile. AGAIN.” All that was on the table was a rather large laser gun.

Lock Pick shrugged. “Well boss…ya know…the lasers…the shooter thingy. It was scary.” He continued to twitch. Focus simply gave Lock Pick a unimpressed look.

“Your pathetic you know that?” Fine Focus grumbled. Lock Pick shied away again and continued to twitch.

“Um…Focus…” Light Bright said, raising his hoof. “I managed to snatch this.” He pointed at the helmet, which was still on his head. Fine Focus looked at Light Bright.

“Light Bright. What the buck is that?” He replied.

“Well, the label said it was a helmet for soldiers that enhanced magic.” Light Bright rubbed his foreleg. “And, I, um, you know…”

Fine Focus facehoofed. “What is Faust’s holy name are you blathering about? Out with it you nimrod.”

That snapped Light Bright out of his worried state. “Don’t call me that.” He snapped. He suddenly felt the helmet kick in again. Pure power welled through his body. “Or I’ll blast you.”

Fine Focus simply snickered. “Don’t tell me what to do Light Bright. Ya ain’t got the magic to blast me and you know it. All it does is make a nifty lightshow and that’s it.”

“Wrong. The helmet helped me blow up a pen.”

Fine Focus simply rolled his eyes. “Oh! Big bucking deal. I’m shaking in my horse shoes.”

Light Bright suddenly felt a sharp pain in his head.

“What? Lighty Brighty having a head ache?” the larger unicorn said, getting up. “Your magic isn’t enhanced by that stupid excuse for a hoofball helmet. It’s just a stupid chuck of metal with a lot of fancy knobs.”

Light Bright shook his head to clear away the head ache. “Cut it out Focus. I’m not kidding.” His horn started to glow. Fine Focus rolled his eyes again.

“Oh please. You’re a pathetic excuse for a unicorn and you know it. Now cut out this stupid magic helmet nonsense and give it over.” Fine Focus’ horn glowed he tugged at the helmet. Light Bright once again felt a sharp pain in his head as Fine Focus’ magic attempted to override his own.

“Come…give…it…over…” Fine Focus grunted. Suddenly a high pitched whine came from the helmet as Light Bright felt his magic suddenly go into overdrive. A massive blast of magic briefly flared up at the end of Light Bright’s horn before suddenly collapsing in on itself shooting directly back into Light Bright’s horn and head. And then everything went white.

Now every unicorn at least once in their life has encountered magical feedback. Most of the time it usually causes a slight headache and that’s it. Well, the helmet Light Bright was wearing was, unbeknownst to him, already enhancing his magic ten times. Add to that the fact that unicorn magic feeds off emotion, and Light Bright was in quite the emotional situation, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Which is exactly what happened.

Instead of a simple bit of magic feedback, instead Light Bright was blasted with 100 times the force of magic he was exerting. So obviously this did quite the number on his body. Which is why when he finally came too, he was in for quite the shock.

At first, everything was fuzzy and hard to make out. He did notice however, a strange, unnatural glow illuminating the room. He also felt a strangely warm feeling like the sun all over his body.

He looked around. The room seemed to be in shambles. The walls where blackened and covered with ash. Where the table once was there was simply a pile of ash as well.

“What the hay happened?” he muttered as he slowly lifted himself to his hooves. A quit sizzling sound greeted his ears. Was something burning? He around looking for the source of the sound. He shot a quick glance at his feet and froze.

Instead of his normal light blue coat, his legs where now glowing a pale shade of blue. And around his feet, the wooden floor was smoking.

Light Bright’s eyes widened. “What the hay?” he lifted his hoof to his face. It looked somewhat transparent and seemingly made out of pure energy.

Slowly Light Bright looked around the room. Where had Fine Focus and Lock Pick go? As if to answer his question, Light Bright took two steps forward and tripped, landing face first.

When he looked to see what he had tripped over, his eyes were met by a disturbing sight. Beside his right leg was a blacked pony skull. It must have been Fine Focus. Light Bright felt like vomiting. He was now a walking glow stick that had apparently completely vaporized everypony in the room except for himself. Great. Just perfect. Totally normal. Nothing wrong with that. Not at all.

Time to freak out.

/////////////////////////////

It had been a week since her phone call to her mother, and Rarity had decided that the best way to deal with such emotions was the solution that had helped her so many times in the past. Work.

But, all it managed to do was distract her from the obvious. Her mother’s words still circled in her mind like a flock of vultures. Disrespectful. Arrogant. Narcissistic.

The words had cut into her heart and lodged themselves there, slowly poisoning everything Rarity did.

It didn’t matter that she had finally done something good for the world, to her mother that was just her being a glorified show pony in a fancy suit.

Stupid stuck up bitch. Was all Rarity was able to call her mother, if only in her thoughts. She’d always felt that, deep down in her soul, but now, her mother’s actions just seemed to confirm it.

She looked in the vainty mirror. Her mane was unkempt and ragged. Her eyes were bagged and her fake eyelashes hung limply. A ragged cigarette hung in her mouth

And yet, down at the very bottom of her soul, Rarity couldn't deny that in her own twisted way, her mother was right.

She WAS arrogant. She had decided that she was the one who knew right from wrong, like some kind of avenging spirit sent from above. And yet here she was, a chain smoking mare who was only in this situation because of her own vanity.

She WAS vain. She had attacked only those who had attacked her, those who had thought they were somehow some form of justice. True they had also been murderers and terrorists, but that hadn't mattered to Rarity before. She could have gone her whole life ignoring the obvious. No she only cared once they had come and beaten her and killed her friend.

So why continue? Wasn't the only reason she'd built the suit was to act on pure anger and revenge?

No. She assured herself. I didn't do this just for revenge. I did this because it was the only option. She reminded herself of Kili. He had been an innocent. He had never done anything wrong. And that's why Rarity had gone over there, back to that desolate hellhole of a nation, not, as her mother said, to throw a temper tantrum, but rather, to go and avenge the one who would never have been avenged otherwise.

And her mother just didn't care. All that mattered, it seemed to Rarity, was that Rarity had acted independently from her, had dared to do something without her all-powerful permission.

Rarity started to smirk. Take that. She thought. I'm free now. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

She sucked in the smoke from her cigarette and puffed it back out. Wow. She thought. I look like a dragon.

“Time for a shower then…” She muttered to herself and slowly walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

/////////////////////////

Rarity emerged from the shower approximately two hours later with her purple mane now properly wrapped up in a towel and her body clothed in a bathrobe.

She dried herself off and opened the door and walked down the hallway. The sound of the television greeted her ears.

"Hello?" she walked into the living room to find Braeburn watching the news.

"Oh, Braeburn. Didn't expect you here. Shouldn't you be at the office?"

Braeburn simply shook his head, not taking his eyes off the screen. "Nah, I decided to take the day off."

"Um, okay then. Where's Sweetie Belle?" Rarity asked.

"She's with Spark Plug. Sparky took her shopping. We were outta flour or something." he replied, obviously paying more attention to the television then to Rarity.

"Um, okay then..." Rarity said, walking into the kitchen. "You wouldn't happen to know where Starburst Shine is would you?" she checked the coffee pot. Nothing.

"Yeah, she's at a business meetin’ fer me." Braeburn replied. "She was the one who suggested that I take a day off anyways."

Rarity opened the pantry. Completely bare. "For Faust's sake do we have any coffee at all? No wonder Spark Plug went shopping, it's like Old Mother Hubbard's in here..."

With that she closed the pantry and walked back into the living room. Braeburn was still standing there, watching whatever it was on the television.

"Braeburn what is it? What's on the TV?"

"Wha?" Braeburn snapped out of his apparent trance and looked at Rarity. "Didn't ya see the news?" he asked, looking somewhat confused.

"Um, no. I haven't had a chance. I've been in the workshop for most of the week, so I'm a little out of the loop." she replied. "Why? What happened?"

"That." Braeburn pointed to the television screen. Rarity followed his extended foreleg to see a image that was both bizarre and frightening.

On the television there was a newscaster commenting on some live footage from Downtown Canterlot.

What looked like a glowing blue unicorn was stumbling around wildly, almost as if in a panic attack. Every few seconds a random shot of what seemed to be pure magic (or electricity) shot out from either his horn or one of his forehooves, towards members of the Equestrian National Guard, which the newscaster had reported were called in to deal with the seemingly deranged pony.

The first thing that came to Rarity's mind was a character from that movie, Watchpones, Dr. Manehattan.

The newscaster continued. "No one knows where this pony has come from nor the exact cause of his rampage. All we know right now, and reports are sketchy, is that he apparently calls himself 'The Living Laser'. That's all we know for sure right now. As soon as any more information is revealed, we'll be sure to inform you of it."

"Oh dear Faust" Rarity whispered. "How long has this been going on?" she turned to Braeburn.

He shrugged. "I don't know. I just turned on tha television 'bout 15 minutes ago and found this here freak."

Rarity slowly shook her head, still trying to process the incredibly bizarre image.

“Rarity…you okay?” Braeburn said, finally taking notice of Rarity’s stunned silence.

“All those poor innocent ponies…” She whispered. “He’s killing them.”

“Do you wanna to try tha suit?” Braeburn asked, sounding concerned.

Rarity’s face took on a grim look.

“Yes. Yes I do.” She said, calmly and coldly. She instantly turned and headed straight back to the workshop.

“Wait up!” Braeburn said, catching Rarity just as she opened the workshop door.

Without looking at Braeburn, Rarity shoved the door open and walked into the workshop.

“What?” She asked curtly, as she quickly took a shot of some old coffee that was left lying on a worktable.

“Rarity…Rarity” Braeburn said, trying to keep up as Rarity walked straight towards the armor, spitting her old cigarette into the trash.

“What is it Braeburn.” Rarity replied her voice focused as she levitated parts of the suit onto her body.

“Well, I just feel that yer bein’ rather heady with all this, I mean all we know is a glowin’ blue unicorn is blowing stuff up in downtown. Now he looks mighty power and I’m not sure if the suit-”

“The suit will be able to handle it.” Rarity snapped, as the final pieces of the suit clicked into place.

“Why? What are you suggesting? That I just sit there watching the television while that psychopath is killing innocents?” she stepped closer to Braeburn with each step, her metal boots making a loud thumb with each step.

“Um….no….” Braeburn responded, taking a step back. “I just feel a little worried. That’s all.” He said, straitening up, his face both concerned and stern. “I just want ya be safe, ya know?”

Rarity’s stern expression softened. She let out a sigh. “I sorry, didn’t mean to snap like that. I just, I just…” she let out a sigh.

“Ya just what?” Braeburn asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I just feel that this will be my first time actually helping ponies…not just going to exact revenge or something or other…” Rarity said, blinking hard to clear her slightly watery eyes while she looked down at the floor.

Braeburn started to smile. “Well, why didn’t you just say so.” He said, putting a hoof on her shoulder. “I think that right there is the noblest thought a pony could have.”

Rarity looked up. “You really think so?”

Braeburn nodded. “I know so. Now, go kick that colt’s flank.”

Rarity smiled. “Okay then.” They hugged.

“Just remember, be safe.” Braeburn said.

Rarity stepped back and smiled. “Of course I will.” With that she closed the helmet and ignited the suits rockets and blasted off into the sky.

"Shine on you crazy diamond.

Now there's a look in your eyes,

Like black holes in the sky.

Shine on you crazy diamond."

Shine On You Crazy Diamond Part I by Pink Floyd

Act II - 10 - All is Vanity

Act III - 10 - And We All Shine On...

Act Three:

"I Am Iron Mare"

Chapter Ten

"And We All Shine On..."

Rarity flew as fast as her suit could take her towards Downtown Canterlot. She looked around, looking for some sort of sign as to where this Living Laser fellow was. She didn’t have to search that long, however, because suddenly a deafening explosion rocked 43rd street. She did a hard bank to the right and looked down.

Sure enough, on the ground below was Living Laser, now blasting a government tank that had shot at him with a thunderous blast of magic. The tank exploded into a massive explosion of fire and smoke.

Rarity thought for a moment. It was obvious that she couldn’t just up and charge him head on, so a slightly more gentle approach would be needed.

She took a quick glance at her heads up display. “Weapons system menu please.” She told the voice commanded computer. Something Spark Plug had insisted upon.

The menu popped up and various weapons types flicked in front of Rarity’s face. A small, yet very powerful, rocket system caught her eye.

“That’ll do.” She said as she mentally selected the rocket and primed it to fire. She aimed her forearm towards the glowing blue unicorn. “Fire.”

A small door opened on her foreleg and a small rocket popped out. It lit up like a firecracker and went flying towards the blue unicorn.

The rocket impacted and a loud explosion sent Living Laser tumbling into a nearby building.

Rarity winced as the small building’s ground floor was completely devastated by Living Laser’s energy. There was a cloud of dust that obscured the rest of what happened from Rarity’s view.

“Infrared please.” She ordered as the view screen switched to infrared. She hoped that the rocket had done its job and possibly knocked the unicorn out, but as soon as the infrared engaged and she looked into the dust cloud, her hopes died.

Instead of ending the crazed unicorns’ rampage, all the rocket had done was manage to cause a brief disturbance in the unicorn’s body. He quickly shook it off and turned to look for whatever had shot at him.

His glowing eyes narrowed the instant he spotted her and he let out an inarticulate roar as he fired a blast of pure energy from his horn.

The proximity alarms in Rarity’s suit went wild, and Rarity tried to dodge out of the way of the bolt of energy. The blast however, was much too fast for her and it hit her head on, sending her flying into an office building directly behind her.

She smashed through the glass and several office cubicles before finally coming to a stop, much to the surprise of the buildings occupants.

“Ugh.” She groaned as she stood back up, and

“Um, lady, you okay?” a green earth pony with a black mane and beard and Pony Floyd T-shirt asked as Rarity shook the debris off of her.

“Oh, it. Is. On.” She spat as she ignited her rockets and blasted back out of the building.

The earth pony simply watched as the mare in the purple suit of armor flew off. “Um…I’ll take that as a yes?”

///////////////////////

Living Laser shook himself off and looked around for the thing that had dared to challenge his power. No longer was he the puny and weak Light Bright, target of scorn and ridicule. No, he was the Living Laser, complete panicle of unicorn magic and strength, a god among mortals, made of pure magic and energy.

He scanned the skies, looking for whatever fired that stupid puny rocket at him. He spotted a unicorn pony in a suit of purple armor. He had heard some scattered rumors about it but had honestly never thought that it was real. It didn’t matter, of course, because he was about to knock that puny pony from the skies.

He roared and fired a blast of magic directly at the pony, which tried to dodge it and failed spectacularly as the magic bolt slammed directly into it and sent it flying into the next building.

Living Laser chuckled to himself and turned to continue his rampage.

Before he could proceed in humbling these mere mortals to his mighty power, however, a loud yell caught his attention. He turned in the direction of the yell only to get an armored purple hoof to the face.

The pony’s punch sent Living Laser tumbling again, and he landed on the street hard, carving a small trench in the asphalt.

Living Laser, however, rapidly recovered and stood back up, his head moving back and forth rapidly as he searched for the purple thing that had socked him.

He spotted the armored pony crouching next to a music store.

“You stupid pony!” he snarled. “You dare challenge the Living Laser?!” he fired off another blast, but this time the armored pony dodged the shot and launched into the air.

“Living Laser? Seriously, that’s the name you’re going with?” the pony said in a sarcastic feminine voice.

A girl?! Did he, the Living Laser, just get punched by a girl?! And furthermore, was this mere mortal finding him funny?! This will not stand! He thought as he fired another blast at the pony, who, once again, dodged it. It suddenly aimed its forehooves directly at him and a sudden blast of energy came exploding from the rockets in its hooves.

The shot sent him tumbling again, this time into a nearby diner. He got up and shook debris off of himself.

“NO FAIR!” he shrieked.

The other pony laughed. “No fair? What are you? Five? You have energy weapons and I have energy weapons, grow up dear.” She fired another blast at him. This time he was able to deflect it with a blast of his own, which caused both beams to go flying wildly into some nearby buildings, blowing out several dozen windows.

Living Laser ignored the rain of glass and this time levitated a nearby cart and sent it flying directly at the armored pony. The armored dodged again, as the cart slammed into the ground just inches away from her.

“DAMN IT! STAND STILL SO I CAN BLOW YOUR SORRY FLANK TO LITTLE PIECES!!!!!” he shrieked as he fired a series of rapid magic energy blasts at her as she launched into the air again.

“OH NO YOU DON’T!” He roared as he grabbed her with his magic slammed her into a nearby building as if she were a rag doll.

He galloped over, this time being sure to finish her off himself.

///////////////////////

Rarity dodged the flying cart by mere inches.

Damn it. He’s stronger then I thought.

“DAMN IT! STAND STILL SO I CAN BLOW YOUR SORRY FLANK TO LITTLE PIECES!!!!!” Living Laser shrieked. Rarity looked up to see a series of magic bolts coming right for her.

She launched into the air as fast possible and the bolt just missed her and slammed into the building behind her, sending glass and bits of concrete flying.

She was about to make a turn and try and fire on him again when she was suddenly enveloped in an aura of blue magic.

“OH NO YOU DON’T!!” Living Laser roared and Rarity suddenly felt herself flying out of control towards a nearby office building.

Rarity shook off the various bits of office equipment and debris again only to find Living Laser galloping directly towards her like a wild bull.

Rarity lifted a forehoof and fired off a blast. The blast simply bounced off of him like a rubber ball.

“Oh snap.” Was all Rarity was able to say before Living Laser lifted a hoof and punched Rarity in the chest and sent her flying again.

She coughed and sputtered as her stabilizers automatically kicked in and righted herself before she hit another building.

She looked around for some kind of weapon to use, anything that might slow the crazed unicorn down. Her eyes landed on a large oak table in a nearby office. She flew over and bucked the table with all of her suit’s enhanced strength. The buck sent the table flying directly into Living Laser’s face as it shattered against him, finally causing him to slow down.

However, since he was apparently made of pure energy, he shook off the bits of oak which burned away in little puffs of smoke.

“You stupid little bitch!” He spat. “Now you’re going to pay for challenging the Living Laser!”

Rarity couldn’t take his inane rambling anymore. “Oh, shut up, you!” she shouted back as she fired off a blast directly into his face.

This time however, the blast didn’t bounce off or cause a big light show, but rather it seemed into his face as if he were a sponge.

“Oh right. Pure energy.” She muttered as he flung a blast at her and she rolled out of the way again, hitting a cubicle.

Suddenly out of nowhere came a bright blast of purple and out of it emerged a very, VERY familiar lavender unicorn.

It was Starburst Shine, and she was wearing a black spandex cat suit that covered her legs and body.

“What the hell are you doing here?!” Rarity shouted only to be greeted by Starburst whipping her head around.

“Shut up and take his left flank, I’ll handle his front.” With that she teleported away again and appeared directly in front of Living Laser, who obviously hadn’t seen this coming.

“Who the hell are you?!” Living Laser snarled as he readied another spell to blow Starburst away.

Starburst didn’t say a word as she conjured a shield spell that suddenly covered Living Laser in a strange violet glow.

The spell Living Laser was preparing only managed to make the violet shield grow tighter around him.

However, this still left his legs with the ability to move and he made a wild buck towards Starburst, who simply teleported out of the way and appeared behind him and roundhouse kicked him in the face as he turned to try to kick her again.

Starburst’s hooves landed directly on Living Laser’s chin and managed to do absolutely nothing at all.

Living Laser grinned and grabbed Starburst while she was still in the air socked her one in the face. A small spurt of blood came from Starburst’s nose and he flung her aside.

Rarity meanwhile, had managed to get her suit back up online and fired another blast at Living Laser. This blast, unlike the last one, actually managed to do some good and sent Living Laser sprawling.

“Now,” Rarity panted as she walked over to him. “Give up, and maybe, just maybe, we can get you some help and fix you up.”

Living Laser snarled. “Help? Does it look like I need any help from such mortals as you?! I am a god among mortals and I shall rule over you with my mighty power!” and with that he lunged at Rarity again, but before Rarity had a chance to fire back Starburst appeared in a burst of light again and wrapped her legs around his neck and twisted them, causing Living Laser to suddenly gag and slump down to the floor unconscious.

“Well….that finishes that.” Starburst huffed, wiping the blood from her noise and casting some sort of spell that caused Living Laser’s head to briefly glow purple then fade back to its normal blue glow.

Rarity opened her helmet. “Well,” She huffed. “It seems you’ve got some explaining to do, ‘Starburst Shine’.” She narrowed her eyes, practically spitting the name.

The purple unicorn sighed and rolled her eyes. “I don’t know why you’re being such a bitch about it. I saved your life.”

Rarity continued to stare. “I could have bloody well handled it. Who do you work for?” She asked. She wasn’t going to just up and shake hooves with a pony that so obviously had military training and was quite capable of killing her right then and there.

“Well, that’s rather confidential.” Starburst said.

“Well, ‘rather confidential’ isn’t going to cut it. I feel like I deserve some answers.” Rarity said, stamping her foot on the ground.

The purple unicorn sighed. “Okay then. You sure you want all the facts?”

Rarity nodded.

“Because this is some highly confidential information.”

“Just tell me.”

“Alrighty then.” Starburst sighed. “First off, my name’s not really Starburst Shine. It’s Twilight Sparkle.” The unicorn now known as Twilight Sparkle said.

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Really? And how do I know you’re not lying?”

“Because right now would be an incredibly stupid time to lie now wouldn’t it?” The unicorn snapped back.

“Well, I must say then, the name Twilight Sparkle sounds like a cheap vampire novel.” Rarity said.

“Why does everypony have to say that?” Twilight shook her head. “Anyways, do you want to know why I’m here, because, personally, I’d rather be working in the field.”

“Oh really? And what kind of field would that be?” Rarity asked.

Twilight huffed. “The field of black operations. That’s what. I work for N.E.I.G.H.S.”

“N.E.I.G.H.S.? What in Equestria is that?” Rarity asked, stepping forward.

“N.E.I.G.H.S. is an acronym.” Twilight groaned. “It means National Equestrian Intelligence Group of High Security.”

Rarity simply stared for a second, not knowing what to make of the mysterious unicorn. It was obvious that she’d been fooled for quite awhile, and that this unicorn could have killed her at any time and Rarity wouldn’t have been any the wiser.

“Well, okay then, Twilight Sparkle, why is it that you helped me today and simply didn’t let me handle this myself?”

“Because when I got back with Sweetie Belle from shopping I saw the fight on the news. I knew I couldn’t just let you up and get yourself killed because you didn’t think ahead. That’s why.”

Rarity listened carefully to the tone of Twilight’s voice. It was obvious that she wasn’t pulling her leg and was actually concerned. All those years working in the deceitful world of fashion had taught Rarity to spot a liar from a mile away, so the fact that this unicorn had been able to fool her for so long was a testament to her abilities.

“Okay, so let’s say that you work for this N.E.I.G.H.S., what interest do they have with me?” Rarity asked, sitting down. Twilight sat down as well.

“Well, that’s pretty obvious.” Twilight motioned to Rarity’s glowing diamond arc. “That’s obviously something worth looking into.”

Rarity cast a glance down at the diamond arc. “Okay then…why didn’t you just up and take it?”

“Well,” Twilight got up and Rarity instantly got up as well and readied her weapons. Twilight rolled her eyes and lifted a hoof. “Don’t freak out. I’m getting a cola. You want one?” Twilight said as she trotted over to a soda machine that had somehow survived the massive battle in the office.

“Um….sure….that’d be fine.” Rarity replied, now completely baffled as she sat back down.

“Cool.” With that Twilight bucked a hole in the machine and pulled out two cans.

She pulled up a table and put the two cans on the table. “Here you go.”

“Thank you, I think….” Rarity said as she levitated the can over and opened it.

“So where was I?” Twilight asked as she took a sip of her soda.

“You were explaining to me why N.E.I.G.H.S. wanted the arc.”

“Right, right.” Twilight waved a hoof. “Well, the head of N.E.I.G.H.S. told me to check in on you and make sure you weren’t making some weapon of mass destruction or something.”

“But I don’t see how he found out about my diamond arc. I never told a soul besides Braeburn and Spark Plug.”

Twilight gave Rarity a bemused look. “That time at Mr. Fancypants’ party?”

Rarity thought back to that night. A look of realization crossed her face.

“Damn me.” She groaned as she facehoofed, forgetting the fact that she was still in her armor. It hurt.

“Yeah, that tends to happen to the uninitiated. But,” Twilight took another sip of her cola. “with all I’ve just said, I’d be safe in saying that we’re both fully initiated, aren’t we Rarity?” she extended a hoof for a hoofshake.

Rarity was still rubbing the sore spot on her head when she realized that Twilight wanted to shake hooves.

“You still seriously want to shake hooves with me?” Rarity asked.

Twilight nodded. “Yeah, I figure we should be honest with each other from now on. No use denying the obvious.”

Rarity looked down at Twilights hoof and then at Twilight’s face. Twilight wore a small smile and her eyes looked like those of a friend. Rarity then looked down at the unconscious glowing unicorn.

“What about him?”

Twilight looked at Living Laser for a second. “Oh, I cast a sleep spell on him, he won’t be awake for at least three days. I’ll call some agents and they’ll take him somewhere where he won’t cause any trouble.”

Rarity sighed and then shook Twilight’s hoof. “Okay then. Where’d you get that name anyways?”

Twilight tilted her head. “What name?”

“Starburst Shine.” Rarity said.

Twilight thought for a second. “I think it was from some gum ad or something, I honestly don’t remember.”

Rarity laughed. “I knew it! I said that the name sounded like a cheap brand of chewing gum.”

Twilight simply rolled her eyes and pulled out a small device with a screen and spoke into the mouth piece.

“This is Agent Sparkle calling Agent Spike, come in Spike?”

There was a brief pause then some static appeared on screen, followed by the image of a purple dragon.

“Yeah, this is Spike, what is it Agent Sparkle? Did Rarity find out?”

“Yes. Yes she did. Mainly because we had to deal with this fellow right here.” She turned the device towards Living Laser.

“Wow, that’s quite a catch. You want us to take him in?” Spike asked.

“Yeah, how fast can you get here?”

“I think we can have some pegasi there within the next fifteen minutes, give or take.”

“Okay, good. Agent Sparkle out.” And with that Twilight turned the device off and tucked back into the pocket of her cat suit.

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “And who was that?”

“That was one of my fellow N.E.I.G.H.S. agents. He says backup will be here in fifteen minutes to take care of this fellow here.”

“Oh, okay then.” Rarity said, turning to look towards the large hole where she had been thrown inside the building by Living Laser.

The sun had started to set and brilliant beams of light reflected off the various shards of glass.

Rarity let out a sigh. “Wow, this actually rather beautiful isn’t it?”

Twilight cast a glance at in the direction Rarity was looking. “I guess so, yeah.”

They both sat for a while, letting their sore bodies rest and watched as the light bounced off the glass and created beautiful patterns on the ceiling.

Eventually the sound of pegasi could be heard as a group of pegasi, all in military outfits all flew up and into the building. On the back of one of them was the purple dragon Twilight had been speaking with. The group of pegasi landed and the dragon hopped off the panting pony. As it turned out, he seemed to be rather tall and some what thin, standing at about the height of an average stallion. He glanced back at the rather tiered looking pegasus who had carried him in.

"Sorry about making you carry me Phil," he patted the pegasus on the back, who simply waved a hoof dismissively.

"No prob Spike...."

Twilight and Rarity meanwhile, had been watching the scene with amusement and Twilight waved and got up to greet them.

“Well, Twi, it seems you had some fun around here.” The dragon said, putting his claws in his suit pockets.

Twilight chuckled. “Yeah I guess you could say so Spike. That’s Rarity over there.”

Spike looked over at Rarity and waved. Rarity waved back.

“Well, I guess this means that we take him back with us?” Spike pointed at Living Laser.

“Yeah.” Twilight said.

Spike nodded. “Okay boys, let’s finish up. The city can clean the rest, but this guy is ours okay?” he motioned to several pegasi who flew over and tied Living Laser up before hoisting him into the air.

Act II - 11 - Purpose

Act III - 11 - And in The End

Act Three:

"I Am Iron Mare"

Chapter Eleven

"And in the End"

As the pegasi hefted the glowing unicorn into the air and flew off, Rarity let out a sigh.

“Well,” she grunted as she stood back up. “I really must be going. It’s quite late actually and I feel like I got hit by a train today.”

Twilight nodded. “Yeah, I think you might call today a full day.” She glanced towards the departing pegasi. “I think the boys can handle things here? Right Spike?” she looked down at the dragon.

Spike nodded. “Yeah of course. We’ve already got a cover story and everything, you can go now.”

“Well, then, Rarity I think I’d better go over and report back to my boss. I can teleport you back home first if you want.” Twilight said, turning towards Rarity.

Rarity thought for a moment. The thought of being zapped through time and space just to travel across town wasn’t exactly the most comforting.

“No, no I think I’m good.” She said.

Twilight shrugged. “Okay then.” Her horn glowed briefly and she suddenly disappeared into a burst of purple light, leaving Rarity and Spike alone.

“Well,” Spike turned to Rarity. “I believe this is where I hand you this.” He whipped a business card out of his suit.

“It’s our number. I have a feeling you might need that a lot in the future.”

Rarity levitated the card over. “Why thank you. I’ll be sure to contact you if I need to.” And with that she closed her helmet and ignited the rockets, blasting off into the air.

/////////////////////

The flight back to her house, however, was nowhere near as smooth as she thought it would be. Her suit had taken quite the beating from Living Laser and now was constantly shorting out. She hoped that the suit would make to the house, since the idea of plummeting to the ground in a giant metal can to her doom wasn’t exactly the most comforting thought.

But, thankfully, she was able to reach her house. “Okay…” she muttered as she pulled in towards the opening for her work shop. “Let’s try and make this a smooth landing…”

And that’s when her suit thought it would be a good time to finally quit.

She dropped like a stone and fell straight through the ceiling. And into her living room.

She let out a groan. “Ugh…that just might be my worst landing…” she slowly got back to her feet and scanned the room.

Nopony was there. The room was completely bare.

Strange. She thought. Where is everypony?

“Spark Plug? Braeburn?” Rarity called out.

Suddenly something caught her ears. It was coming from the general direction of the workshop. It sounded like power tools.

Rarity slowly followed the sound, her armor’s boots making the only other noise in the house.

She made her way down the hallway towards the workshop. “Spark Plug? Twilight? Is there anybody home at all?”

She finally reached the workshop and was about to try the knob when something caught her ears. It was music and the sound of tools and magic. That could mean only one thing. Spark Plug was working on something.

Rarity let out a sigh of relief, content with the fact that she wasn’t suddenly alone in her home. She was about to open the door when she heard something else. It was Spark Plug and she was talking to somepony.

“Hold on there Sweetie Belle and stop fidgeting.”

Suddenly Rarity remembered a little thing Braeburn had told her earlier.

“Sparky took her shopping. We were outta flour or something.”

Rarity’s jaw tightened and her eye twitched. All the evidence suggested one thing and one thing only.

Sweetie Belle was in her workshop with Spark Plug and they were building something.

Just as she was about to go in and wreak her horrible wrath upon the two ponies, another voice caught her ear.

“Y’all sure this is a good idea? I think Rarity just got back and she’d hate tah find y’all in here…”

It was Braeburn.

Rarity’s pupils shrank to pinpoints. Was Braeburn in on whatever Spark Plug and Sweetie Belle were doing? Unacceptable.

Rarity tried to magic the door open. The door knob glowed blue before suddenly the aura changed to that of Spark Plug’s red. As if on cue, Rarity could hear Spark Plug’s voice coming from behind the door.

“Don’t worry, I took precautions Braeburn. I sealed the door shut with a special spell.”

Rarity simply growled to herself and then began to fight with the knob with her hooves. She forgot, of course, that she was still in her suit and all she managed to do was break the door knob off.

Suddenly the music inside the workshop quieted down and the sound of working stopped.

“What was that?” Rarity heard Braeburn say.

“I think someone’s at the door.” The distinct voice of Sweetie Belle replied.

“I’ll go check.” Spark Plug was heard saying.

There was the sound of hoof steps. Rarity tensed up, the sudden fear of getting caught coming to the forefront of her mind. As if to confirm her worst fears, the remains of the door knob suddenly glowed red and the sound of locks tumbling came from behind the door.

The door swung open and revealed Spark Plug, who’s eyes instantly widened as a look of pure shock came across her face. “Oh snap.” She said before trying to slam the door in Rarity’s face.

Rarity, however, seized the chance to see exactly what was going on and pressed her advantage, using her armor’s enhanced strength to shove the door open.

Spark Plug however, put up quite a fight, pushing back against the door with all her might.

“SPARK PLUG LET ME IN THIS INSTANT!” Rarity shouted.

“NO!” Spark Plug shouted back, underlining her point with an extra hard shove.

“SPARK PLUG YOU LET ME IN THIS INSTANT OR I’LL BLAST THE DOOR DOWN!”

“Fer Faust’s sake Sparky, let her in!” Braeburn could be heard shouting from inside the workshop.

Rarity continued to push against the door when suddenly, Spark Plug relented and the door flung open, which only managed to slam directly into her muzzle.

“OW!” Spark Plug shouted as she stumbled down the staircase and back into the workshop, rubbing her nose.

Rarity ignored her and stomped down the stairs, her boots making loud metallic clangs with each step. She finally reached the bottom of the staircase and took in the scene before her.

Spark Plug stood awkwardly in the corner, still rubbing her slightly bloody nose. Sweetie Belle stood on stop of a small pedestal, completely incased in a smaller version of Rarity’s armor, with only her head exposed, with her face looking like she just got caught stealing from the cookie jar. Meanwhile, Braeburn simply stood in the other corner, a tired look on his face.

“What. Is. This?” Rarity spat, eying daggers at Spark Plug.

“Well…” Spark Plug started to say before Sweetie Belle cut her off.

“No, Sparky. It’s my suit, so I should tell her.” With that she gingerly stepped off the pedestal, making sure not to tangle up the dozens of cables that ran from the suit into the large computer next to her. Once she was on the ground, she gently disconnected the cables and walked over to Rarity, the gears in her suit making quite sounds as she quietly walked over to Rarity, head held low.

"Rarity, I just want to say that this is all my idea, i made Sparky build me this. I'm sorry. I just wanted to help you. Do you forgive me?"

Rarity simply stared down at Sweetie Belle, unable to quite wrap her head around what had just happened. One part of Rarity wanted to ground Sweetie Belle forever and lock her away for her abject defiance. And yet, another part, not quite as obvious as the first wanted to pull Sweetie Belle into a bear hug and squeeze her like a toy.

Sweetie Belle looked up expectantly, her green eyes shifting into full blown puppy dog mode.

Rarity glanced down at Sweetie Belle and could feel herself begin to fall under the sway of her puppy dog face. No. Rarity thought. I mustn't give into her wiles. She disobeyed my direct orders. Time to put my hoof down.

"Sweetie Belle, I will not forgive you until you take that damned suit off." Rarity ordered sternly.

"B-but, i wanted to help." Sweetie Belle whimpered. "Why won't you forgive me? I said i was sorry." She started to cry.

Rarity shook her head. "Sweetie Belle, you have blatantly defied my direct orders. Take the suit off. Now." she spat out the last word.

There was a deafening silence in the workshop, only broken by the occasional beep from a computer. The silence only managed to increase the already high levels of tension that where in the workshop. Rarity's face was the very picture of boiling rage while Sweetie Belle's was that of shattered dreams.

Suddenly, without any warning, Rarity exploded. "Sweetie Belle, TAKE THE SUIT OFF NOW!!!!"

"NO!" Sweetie Belle shot back. "IT'S ALL I'VE GOT AND I'M NOT GOING TO LET YOU TAKE IT!"

Rarity took a step back, shocked and angered all the more by Sweetie Belle's sudden outburst. "How. Dare. You..." was all she managed to say before Sweetie Belle cut her off.

“No, how dare you! I try so hard to be a good little sister, to help you with your work and to be nice to you when Mama is mean but you still hate me!” she spat out, tears welling her eyes. “All I’ve wanted for forever is for you to be my friend but you know what, you’re a rotten pony and you’d be an awful friend and a terrible big sister! I hate you and you can’t tell me what to do!” she closed her suits helmet and suddenly blasted off into the air.

“YOU COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!” Rarity shrieked as she grabbed her helmet and put it on, blasting after Sweetie Belle. Her suit groaned in protest and its rockets coughed and choked as she blasted off.

“No!” Sweetie Belle shouted over her shoulder as she dodged and weaved low over the streets.

She nearly slammed into a low flying pegasus, who spewed a long series of colorful expletives as Sweetie Belle whizzed past.

“SORRY!” she called behind herself. She cast a glance over her shoulder to see if she might have clipped the pegasus, only to see Rarity coming in directly behind her, like a purple missile that simply would let her alone.

“SWEETIE BELLE! STOP THIS INSTANT!” Rarity’s voice suddenly came over Sweetie Belle’s intercom. “You’re going to hurt yourself!” she actually sounded concerned. Sweetie Belle shook her head in confusion. On the one hoof, Rarity was obviously pissed and would probably ground her for life or send her to the moon or something for what she had done. On the other hoof, however, her strange sudden concern wasn’t normal.

Sweetie Belle turned to look ahead and was greeted by the sudden appearance of the headquarters of MagiTech.

“OH NO!” She screamed as she tried to dodge out of the way, but it was too late. She blasted clean through the glass window of one of the offices as if it where paper. She went tumbling and spinning through the inside of the building, narrowly missing several dozen office ponies who went sprawling as she blew through like a hurricane.

Rarity meanwhile, whose anger and rage had been quickly replaced by concern, managed to circle around the building and come around to the other side, hoping that Sweetie Belle would emerge from the other side. She flicked on her infrared, internally cursing the building’s tinted windows, which prevented her from seeing inside.

Once the infrared was online, however, everything became disturbingly clear.

Inside she could see a reddish blob in the shape of a pony flying around the inside of the building, blasting through cubical and up through the relatively thin floors, nearly hitting several dozen other blobs that Rarity assumed were the building’s office works.

All this did was confirm all of Rarity’s pent up aggression. Sweetie Belle was most certainly grounded when this was over. She braced herself and was about to go into the building herself when the blob suddenly came flying in her direction.

She dodged as Sweetie Belle exploded and missed her by mere inches, as she pulled up and soared skyward.

“Sweetie Belle! COME BACK!” Rarity shouted as she pulled up and followed, climbing higher and higher and higher into the cloudy skies.

She followed Sweetie Belle through the cloud layer like it was paper and emerged on the other side, where finally, Sweetie Belle leveled out.

“Sweetie Belle! Please! Stop!” Rarity called out over the intercom. Sweetie Belle simply sped up even faster, creating a cone of water vapor in front of her. Rarity sped up as well, following after Sweetie Belle like a hound dog, a cone of her own quickly forming.

Suddenly, without warning, a massive explosion of noise and static came over Rarity’s intercom. It quickly cleared however as Rarity saw the spectacular sight in front of her.

Sweetie Belle had managed to break the sound barrier and produce a beautiful shimmering ring of silvery light.

Rarity’s own suit began to shake and vibrate like it was a toy being shaken by an overeager dog. The cone of water vapor became thicker and thicker as Rarity came closer and closer to the sound barrier. Suddenly, all the shaking and vibrating stopped and everything became very quiet. She glanced behind to see that she had made her own sonic rainboom, which was a brilliant mix of purple and silver.

Rarity, however, didn’t have the time to appreciate the beautiful sight, and she quickly turned back to follow Sweetie Belle, who was now diving again.

Enough of this cat and mouse game. Rarity thought as she kicked into high gear and blasted closer and closer to Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle however, had seen her and tried to dodge and weave again.

“Oh no you don’t!” Rarity grunted as her horn glowed and Sweetie Belle’s leg glowed a familiar light blue aura. She mentally tugged on Sweetie Belle’s leg, causing Sweetie Belle to lose some of her momentum. Finally, Sweetie Belle’s leg was close enough for Rarity to reach out towards with a forehoof.

Here goes nothing. She thought as she grabbed on to Sweetie Belle’s leg.

Suddenly Sweetie Belle’s voice came over the intercom. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! LET GO!”

Rarity shook her head. “NEVER!” she gave one mighty tug and finally was able to grab the back of Sweetie Belle’s armor. She pulled her into a death grip and tried to bank back towards home.

That’s when, out of nowhere, a pigeon came into view.

“OH NO!” Was all Rarity managed to say before she slammed head first into the poor bird, which spattered all over her armor in a disgusting mess.

The shock of hitting a bird at such high speed was simply too much for Rarity’s already battered systems. Everything suddenly went black as her armor completely shut down, and she began to fall like a stone. She forgot of course that she had Sweetie Belle in her grasp and the two armored ponies started tumbling where they slammed into Canterlot Park.

The impact finally broke Rarity’s grasp and Sweetie Belle went tumbling into a grove of trees.

Rarity bounced like a rag doll along the park grounds, until she finally came to a stop by a park bench.

“Ugh…” was all she managed to say as her body was enveloped in a cocoon of pain. Her suit finally decided to come back online and her eyes were assaulted by the sudden reappearance of her heads-up-display.

She slowly got back on her feet and looked around. Besides the nice little trench she had carved out when she landed, she saw another trench dug into the dirt where Sweetie Belle must have landed.

“Oh no…” she gasped and instantly tried to take to fly over to investigate and check if Sweetie was okay. No such luck. Her heads-up-display showed that the suit’s replusors where too damaged from the day’s events.

She let out a frustrated groan and started run over towards the destroyed grove of trees, her boots making loud metallic thunks.

She stumbled over towards the trench, praying and hoping that Sweetie Belle was okay.

She mentally cursed her suit for shutting down, since now she couldn’t see a thing in the darkness. She popped her helmet open to get a better view. Luckily, the moon was full and it bathed the park in a bluish glow. She could see that the trench continued through a small patch of trees, several of which were damaged and broken.

She must have come through here. Rarity thought as she shifted from a canter to a gallop, as her mind replayed every possible horrible outcome that might have happened.

Suddenly, however, the path opened into a small clearing, and Rarity’s worst fears were apparently realized.

There was Sweetie Belle, laying in the middle of a small crater that had formed on impact. Her armor was dented and looked as if it had gone through hell.

Rarity practically ripped her own helmet off and tossed it aside. All of her anger and rage had disappeared, replaced instead by concern. After what seemed like miles, Rarity finally reached Sweetie Belle’s body and ripped Sweetie Belle’s helmet off with her magic.

Sweetie Belle’s eyes were closed and she looked almost as if she was asleep.

“No-no-no-no-no-no-no!” Rarity repeated as she looked over Sweetie Belle. “Please be alive, please be alive.”

Suddenly a sound that until now had been the single most mundane sound in the universe caught Rarity’s ear. The sound of breathing.

She was alive!

Instantly Rarity began to remove Sweetie Belle’s armor with her magic to try to give her some air. She pulled Sweetie Belle up into a tight hug.

“Please wake up please wake up please wake up please wake up…” Rarity whispered, hoping that this was all just a very bad dream.

Suddenly Sweetie Belle started to hack and cough. Rarity let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding as Sweetie Belle’s eyes fluttered open.

“Ugh….my head…” Sweetie Belle groaned. “Rarity?” she gave Rarity a quizzical look.

Rarity nodded rapidly. “Yes! It’s me.” She gave Sweetie Belle another tight hug. Sweetie Belle instantly hugged her back, and started to cry herself.

“Oh Rarity I’m so sorry about taking the suit…”

“No no no! It’s all my fault, all my fault.” Rarity said, her voice overcome with emotion. “I was so cruel to you before, I shouldn’t have treated you like that. You were right, I’m just like Mother. Oh please forgive me.”

There was a long pause between the two of them as Rarity waited for a response.

“I…I…” Sweetie Belle stuttered.

Rarity’s heart sank like a stone. She could already guess the answer. It would be a solid, resounding-

“I forgive you Rarity.”

-Yes? How could Sweetie Belle say that? After all the ways Rarity had mistreated her, how could she find the ability to forgive Rarity?

“W-what?” Rarity asked, her eyes now red and puffy from all the crying.

Sweetie Belle nodded, her own eyes red and puffy. “I forgive you Rarity.”

“B-but why? I don’t deserve this…”

Sweetie Belle pulled Rarity in for another hug. “It’s cause you’re my sister. I love you so much Rarity. Please, please forgive me.”

Rarity returned the hug just as tightly. “Oh thank you Sweetie Belle, thank you so very much…”

And there they sat, hugging each other tightly, and everything seemed right in the world.

///////////////////////////////ONE WEEK LATER:

It had been a hectic week to say the least. The media had certainly taken notice in two ponies in robotic suits fighting each other all over town. They didn’t know who were in the suits, but all reports had said that the two ponies came from the home of premier fashion designer Rarity Belle.

So, now, a veritable army of news reporters, reality TV show producers, gossip columnists, and the simply curious were camping out in front of her home, looking for some answers.

Inside the home, in Rarity’s room, four unicorns were getting ready to face the hoard.

“Okay” Twilight Sparkle levitated a clip board in front of her. “You’re supposed to say that the suit was a bodyguard you’d hired and that Sweetie Belle was a drone that had malfunctioned.”

Rarity sat in front the mirror applying make and glancing at the newspaper, where a report of the nights events was on the front page.

“‘Iron Mare’. Interesting.”

Spark Plug shrugged. “Well, actually the suit’s made out of a silver alloy and NOT iron-”

Rarity cut her off. “Nevertheless, I love the name. Anyways, Sparky, it’s certainly a better name than say ‘Silver-Alloy Mare’, I mean seriously Sparky, you have no sense of advertising.”

“Regardless, N.E.I.G.H.S. asks you stick to the story as presented on the cards. Last thing we need is any more terrorists’ attempting to kill you.” Twilight said, writing on a flash card.

Sweetie Belle took a glance at the flash card. “You sure you want her to say this? I mean seriously, who’ll believe it?”

Rarity turned to look at Sweetie Belle. “Don’t worry dreary, I assure you that they will believe it. It’s certainly more believable then it being either of us being in the suits.” She returned to the mirror fix her make up.

Suddenly Sweetie Belle spoke, “Well, isn’t saying you’re not Iron Mare lying?”

Rarity suddenly stopped. “Um…well…” she started to say, searching for the right response.

Twilight Sparkle took notice of Rarity’s loss for words and picked up the conversation. “Well, Sweetie Belle, sometimes someone has to lie in order to protect those they hold dear. Am I right?”

Sweetie Belle looked up at Twilight. “Well, I guess…but we had a big fight and everything. Wouldn’t they find out anyways?”

There was an awkward pause. Everypony could see that Sweetie Belle had a good point. Twilight sighed. “Well, let’s hope not.” She gently patted Sweetie Belle on the head. She turned to Rarity “You ready?”

“Yes dear, I always am.” Rarity responded with confidence.

“Alright then.” Spark Plug said, trying to steer the conversation away from the white elephant in the room.

Just then there was a knock at the door.

“Who is it?” Rarity asked, now concentrating on fixing one of her false eyelashes. Braeburn opened the door, looking like he came out of a war zone. His hat was lopsided and his hair looked like it had just been hit by it’s own micro-hurricane.

“Wow Braeburn, what the heck happened to you?” Spark Plug said.

He panted for a second, rasing a hoof. “Hold on gimme a sec….” he took several deep breaths and sat down.

“Okay, I just want ya to know that I can’t hold them off any longer. Them reporters just about ran me over.” He said, still panting.

“Well, then, no use to keep the media unhappy.” Rarity said, getting up from her vanity and walking over to Braeburn, giving a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “If you want, I can let Twilight handle the mob if you want.”

Braeburn thought for a second. “Well…I think I can handle them. I’m yer secretary after all, I should be able to handle a few dozen mad ponies. Just like a day at the office really.”

Rarity chuckled. “Well, if you say so hon.”

She helped him up and they both turned towards the door. They could hear the muffled sound of cameras and generic babbling behind the door.

They paused, preparing themselves for the worst.

“Um…Rarity.” Braeburn suddenly said, turning to look at Rarity.

“Yes?” Rarity replied.

“I’d just like ta say I’m really proud of ya.”

Rarity turned to look at Braeburn, somewhat surprised at the statement. “Really? How so?”

Braeburn awkwardly looked at the ground, as if searching for the right words.

“Well, all these years I’ve been workin’ fer ya, I hoped that someday you’d do somethin’ that everypony could benefit from….” He started to tear up. “…and here ya are, a superhero and everythin’.” He wiped a tear from his eye. “Oh look at me, cryin’ like a foal…”

Rarity smiled warmly. “Oh Braeburn, that’s okay,” she hugged him. “I feel the same way.”

Sweetie Belle could be heard in the background expressing her dislike of all this emotion. “Ewww….sappy.”

“Well…” Braeburn said, taking a breath. “Here goes nothin’”

They opened the door to be greeted by a barrage of paparazzi and news reporters, all assaulting Rarity with various questions. Braeburn did his best to talk over the crowd, but the mob was quickly overwhelming him.

Twilight, seeing that Braeburn didn’t stand a chance, stepped out in front of the reporters. “Okay, she’s ready to take your questions. But please one at a time.” Twilight shouted over the din of reporter’s questions as she led Rarity over the podium. The crowd of reporters fell silent.

Rarity stepped behind the microphone and cleared her throat with Twilight standing next to her. “Good morning everyone.” The reporters all gave various murmurs in response.

“It has been seen in recent news reports a certain character that you’ve all come to call Iron Mare.” She said, doing her best to remain nonchalant.

A reporter suddenly raised a hoof.

“Ah, yes, you. What is your question?” Rarity said, turning to look at the unicorn reporter.

“Hi, I’m Walter Clopwrite, from the Equestrian Inquirer.” The pony replied.

Rarity’s shoulders drooped. This pony just kept following her around didn’t he.

“And your question, Mr. Clopwrite?” she said.

“Well, it has been rumored by some eye-witnesses that the pony in the suit looked an awful lot like you and all reports say that it came from your home. Care to comment?”

Rarity gave him a condescending look. “Well, I about to get to that my friend.” she cleared her throat once more.

“So, to answer both Mr. Clopwrite and everypony else, I know there's been some speculation that I was involved with those events that happened last week...”

Clopwrite once again raised his hoof. “I’m sorry, Ms. Belle, but do you seriously expect us to believe that this was just some random bodyguard that appeared out the ether like magic?”

“Now hold dear...” Rarity said raising a hoof. “I know it might be a little frustrating and confusing to some, and it's perfectly natural to question such a thing, we all tend to do that, but it’s a totally different thing to make such wild and need I mention, baseless accusations and insinuate that I'm some sort of superhero or vigilante. Heaven forbid.”

“I never said that.” Clopwrite said, somewhat indignant.

“Never said what?” Rarity replied, pushing a stray bang of hair out her line of vision.

“I never said you where a superhero.” Clopwrite responded, still indignant.

“Oh, well, good.” Rarity said, relieved. “Because you of all ponies would know that that would simply be impossible, knowing my character. I've got an ego the size of a small country and I've made mistakes, many very, very public.”

Twilight leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Remember the cards.”

“Of course, dear.” Rarity whispered back. She turned back to crowd of reporters. “Anyways, I'd like to dispel these rumors.” She levitated the notes in front of her and put on her reading glasses. “The truth is...”

She was suddenly reminded of what Sweetie Belle had said. ‘Wouldn’t that be lying? Wouldn’t they find out anyways?’ Rarity suddenly felt guilty. Was she just going to deny responsibility for her actions like before? Or would she take responsibility for her gift like how Kili would have wanted? As much as she wanted to just keep up a charade and live a normal life, it was obvious that that couldn’t be possible anymore…surprisingly, Sweetie Belle was right.

She took a deep breath, and bracing herself, put the cards down and took off her reading glasses.

“The truth is...” The reporters all leaned forward in sync and hundreds of camera’s started to take pictures. “The truth is….I am Iron Mare.”

And then the dam broke. The reporters exploded into a complete and total frenzy, firing off a thousand questions a minute.

"And in the end

The love you take

Is equal to the love

You make."

The End by The Beatles

Act II - 12 - Shall I Creep or Shall I Fly?

Epilogue - 00 - "Carry That Weight"

Epilogue

"Carry That Weight"

Rarity groggily trotted down the staircase, a limp cigarette in her mouth. Tonight for some reason, she hadn’t been able to get a single wink of sleep.

Maybe if I drink some warm milk I’ll be able to finally sleep. She wondered.

She entered the kitchen and opened the fridge. She was nearly blinded by the light inside and muttered some expletives under her breath.

She found the milk however and groggily tugged at it with her magic. The milk begrudgingly drifted from the fridge over to the counter. She opened the pantry and dragged out a coffee mug. She sloppily poured the milk in, some of it spilling.

Opalescence appeared, probably smelling the milk and lapped up the spill.

Rarity closed the milk and put it back in the fridge. She turned towards the microwave and put the mug inside. After about two minuets, the microwave dinged and the milk was ready.

Rarity took the mug out of the microwave and practically dragged herself over to the couch. She flopped herself down.

“I am Iron Mare.” A male voice suddenly said.

Rarity was instantly snapped out of her zombie state and bolted up from the couch, lighting up her horn to bring some light into the room.

“Who’s there!” she shouted, prepared to don her armor at a moment’s notice.

There was a sigh and suddenly a pure white unicorn stallion seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

“Good evening, Miss Rarity.” He said, tipping his head in respect.

Rarity eyed him suspiciously. He had a dark blue mane with light blue highlights and he wore a beautiful black leather coat that covered his body.

He’s actually kind of handsome, Rarity thought. Except for that eye patch, I mean what’s up with that?

“It’s the eye patch isn’t it?” He suddenly said, sounding somewhat amused.

“Who are you and what do you want?” Rarity said, taking a step back.

“Well, as to the first question, I’m Shining Armor, director of N.E.I.G.H.S.” he extended a hoof.

“Um, okay then.” Rarity said as she reluctantly shook his hoof. “Wait, N.E.I.G.H.S.? You mean that YOU’RE Twilight’s boss?”

The stallion nodded. “That’s right.” He smiled as he shook her hoof.

“And as to your second question, I’m here to talk to you about a very special project I’d like you to take part in.” he said as they sat down, Rarity turning on a nearby lamp.

“Um…okay, what is it?” she asked, her curiosity piqued. No use being rude, she thought, since he seems like a nice colt. She awkwardly sipped her milk.

“What you said has caused quite a stir.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “What did I say to cause such a stir?”

“I am Iron Mare. That’s really quite a bold statement.” Shining Armor said, “Just to come out like that. Really quite a world shaker.”

Rarity shrugged. “Well, I guess you could say honesty is the best policy. Wouldn’t want to be like that bat nut in Trottingham.”

Shining Armor chuckled. “Well, it’s obvious Miss Belle that I’m not here to make idle conversation.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Oh really? I seriously couldn’t tell.” She replied, her sarcasm getting the better of her. “I mean seriously, you practically broke into my home.”

She laughed quietly to herself, looking up from her milk at Shining Armor. However, once she saw his face, her laughter died.

His face was suddenly very stern and serious. Gone was the calm, cool, somewhat suave stallion from before, in his place sat a stallion who could, at any moment, be easily capable of ending Rarity right then and there.

Rarity shifted in her chair, suddenly uneasy. “Um…what is it that you want?”

“Miss Belle, I must warn you,” His voice matched his stern face perfectly. “This is only the beginning of something you can’t even imagine. What you did, it starting something. I’m here in your house to ask you to partake in a very special and secret project that I am working on.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Really? What is that?”

“Miss Belle, I’m to talk to you about what I’d like to call, ‘The Avengers Initiative.’”

"Boy you're going to carry that weight

Carry that weight

A long time"

Carry That Weight by The Beatles

Act II - 14 - Under Construction

Credits

Dave Man 1000 was kind enough to make some nice credits for Iron Mare.

So here you go.

Act II - 15 - Testing, 1, 2, 3

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Act III - 16 - Mother Means Comfort?

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Act III - 17 - Strike Down Upon Thee

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Act III - 18 - Converging

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Act I - 01 - The Way of the Fool

Based off the 2008 film Iron Man

Directed by Jon Favreau

Screenplay by Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway

And the 2010 film Iron Man 2

Directed by Jon Favreau

Screenplay by Justin Theroux

Act One:

"Charade You Are"

Chapter One:

“The Way of the Fool”:

Braeburn stood quietly in front of the almost-completely closed bedroom door. He didn’t understand why she had to be like this. She was obviously better than this, what with her beauty and sharp-wit. He had known that since he first saw her as a young stubborn mare at the Canterlot University, this is why he had personally asked to be her secretary even though he was just a farmpony, he wanted desperately for her to better herself. He sighed as he opened the door, the light creeping through the room.

He looked at the bed. Lying there, completely asleep was Walter Clopwrite, some tabloid reporter from the night before. He walked over to the curtains and unceremoniously opened them. The beautiful warm sunlight poured in. The sleeping unicorn suddenly awoke, babbling incoherently. “Morin’” Braeburn said, the unicorn turned to him, holding a hoof in front of his still sleepy eyes.

“Damn it! What time is it?”

“Oh, ‘bout 11.” Braeburn said flatly. “Time for you to leave.”

The unicorn rubbed his eyes and then looked back at Braeburn. “Look dude.” The unicorn sat up. “Just cause I got lucky with her doesn’t mean-”

Braeburn cut him off “If you think that’s the reason I work fer Miss Belle, you’ve got an’ ‘nother thing comin’” Braeburn then pulled the cover off the bed. The unicorn, getting the hint, got up and walked out.

////////////////////////////////////

Meanwhile, in a room across the mansion, Rarity Belle, cigarette in her mouth and glasses perched on her nose, busied herself with her newest fashion masterpiece. Last night’s bout of passion had led to inspiration as it always had. This would shock all of Equestria, this design would. She levitated some cloth over the table where she was working.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.

Rarity couldn’t hear it at first due the snarling guitar of song on the radio. She always heard music while she worked. It helped the muses flow. Suddenly the music ground to a halt.

“HEY! What have I said about my music!” Rarity said angrily, spinning around her chair to see Braeburn standing at the door. “Oh. It’s just you. Thought you were the maid or something.”

Braeburn simply looked at her over his reading glasses, ePad ready for use.

“What?” Rarity asked “If it’s about that Clopwrite colt, he asked.”

Braeburn said nothing.

Rarity took her glasses off and walked over. “Look dear, I know that were you come from ponies might not be so…” she searched for the right word. “…liberated…but here in Canterlot it’s perfectly normal.”

“Miss Belle.” Braeburn said in his thick Appleloosian accent. “Mah mama always used to tell me, ‘iffin’ everypony be jumping off a cliff, that be no reason to go trowin’ yerself off.’” with these words he took the lit cigarette out of her mouth and put it out.

Rarity rolled her eyes. Sometimes that old-timey morality of his got on her nerves.

“Well, your mother sounds quite lovely I’m sure, but she’s not MY mom.” At this Rarity flicked her tail at Braeburn and walked out, head held high. Braeburn simply turned and followed her. “Well, I have a feeling you’ve come to talk about something other than my sex life.” Rarity said over her shoulder.

“Yup. Today yer expected at that there fancy charity Gala.”

Rarity huffed. “That old thing? Is that tonight?” She made her way into the living room and threw herself on the massive couch.

She then levitated the remote over and turned on her HD TV. She began idly clicking through the channels, ignoring Braeburn as he continued to go through the days scheduled activates.

“...and yer sister’s comin’ over.”

At these words Rarity suddenly bolted around. “What? When? Why are they sending that little imp over?”

“Well, the note seems to say that she wanted to visit ya.” Braeburn said.

“Ugh!” Rarity went back to channel surfing. “Why does Mom do this to me!” She said as the channels blazed past. “She KNOWS I’m an independent adult and she continues to try and control me!”

Braeburn looked puzzled. “How is sendin’ yer sister over tryin’ to control ya?” he asked.

“She’s trying to show me how I SHOULD BE instead of how I AM! That little brat is going to come and say ‘Mom doesn’t like to see you doing this!’ and ‘Mom wouldn’t like to see you doing that!’”

“Maybe yer Mom is just trying to reach out.”

“What?”

“Well, ya never return her calls or visit. Maybe this is her way of getting’ a message through to you.”

“The only message my mom ever gave me was you’re not good enough. Did I ever tell you what she told me when I got a C on a math test?”

“A thousand times.”

“‘I expected as much’.”

“I remember.”

The channels continued to flash by faster than the eye could track. “Dear Celestia, is there NOTHING ON?” Rarity said, frustrated.

“Maybe iffin ya slowed down, ya might be able to make out what’s on.” Braeburn said, sounding ever so sarcastic.

Rarity stopped and without turning, said, “Don’t you have some secretary stuff to do?”

Taking the hint, Braeburn turned and walked out of the living room, leaving Rarity alone with the television.

As the door closed behind the leaving earth pony, Rarity stared at the massive screen in front of her. She had happened to land on the predominate news channel of Equestria, where the anchor pony rambled on and on about some poor third-world country outside of Equestria and how much the ponies seemed to be suffering over there.

Rarity stared bored at the screen. Who cares what happens over there? She thought. Aren’t even any ponies living there. Just a bunch of creatures who all wish they could be ponies.

Bored with the news, she changed the channel to fall on the local soap opera network, which airing another episode of The Passions of All the Fillies of Manehattan Hospital’s Days of Life. Apparently, in this episode Standing Stone’s true father will be reveled. Rarity already knew who it was, taking into account she had already had an intimate evening with the shows head writer, Ernst Scribbler, Standing Stone’s father was Noble March, chief of security of Manehattan. Which was painfully obvious to anypony with a brain, taking in account that they had the same coat, mane and eye color. The only difference being that Noble March was a Unicorn and Standing Stone was an Earth Pony. The hack writer thought he was some sort of genius for writing in the “greatest twist in television history” as he had called it.

Rarity continued channel surfing and pulled out another pack of cigarettes from the small end table next to her, and proceeded to light one and smoke it. Bad habit. She was constantly being told. That’s going to kill you someday. They said.

None of their business. She thought. I'm Rarity, billionaire, genius, and Equestria’s most eligible bachelorette. She could do whatever the hay she wanted to. So there. With the satisfaction of a child blatantly disobeying their parents, she took a deep puff of her cigarette.

As she sat there puffing on her cigarettes, her cat, Opalescence, jumped up out of wherever she was hiding and made her way onto Rarity’s lap. The cat rubbed against her, seeking the obligatory petting it usually received. Rarity looked at Opalescence, and petted the cat. The cat, content with it’s master’s brief petting, then got up and walked off the couch and made it’s way to it’s litter box.

The doorbell rang. Rarity ignored it. Probably some news pony wanting an interview. It rang again. Rarity tried to ignore it. It rang again. And again. Now it was ringing in long stream of dings.

“Ugh! Coming!” Rarity begrudgingly got up from the couch. “Who the hey is ringing my damn doorbell!” with this she swung the door open violently, ready to bring a mighty brow-beating to anypony bold enough to disturb her during her “Me Time”.

Instead of some nerdy news pony or slobbering fan, there was a small white unicorn filly with a light purple mane with pink highlights and no cutie mark and a small backpack.

Sweetie Belle.

Behind those innocent green eyes Rarity knew lurked a little demon. One that was constantly asking her for a drink when it obviously didn't need it. One that was always sticking her head into the bedroom at the most inopportune times. One that was endlessly miss-shelving her DVDs. One that would always be pointing out what Rarity was doing and supposedly wrong with it.

Sweetie Belle.

“Hi sis!” the little filly chirped, seemingly oblivious to her sister’s animosity.

“Morning.” Rarity said through clenched teeth. “So, what brings you to my door…” Rarity said, making no attempt to hide her annoyance.

“Mom sent me. She says you’re alone too much.”

“I go to parties every day and I’m alone?”

"She also said you shouldn't smoke." Rarity shot her a dirty look.

Sweetie Belle shrugged. “She said it, not me.”

“Hmm. I guess I have to let you in.” Rarity stepped aside to allow her sister to enter. No use in being in a blind rage the whole time. Might as well bring it down to a low simmer.

They made their way down the giant hallway, neither of speaking until they got to the massive living room. Rarity put out the cigarette, no use having this around her while the imp was here.

Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened at the sight of the huge television on the wall. “Oh my god! This is awesome!” she said running into the room and throwing herself on the couch. “WOW! I’ve never seen a TV so big in my life!” she said, grabbing the remote and proceeding to flip through the channels at light speed.

“Careful!” Rarity said, trying not to tear the remote from Sweetie’s hooves. Rarity turned away. Got to get back to work. She thought. Maybe if I just leave her she’ll leave me alone.

“Hey sis?” Sweetie’s voice derailed Rarity’s thought processes. “I’m kinda hungry.”

Rarity held back a scream. “Really?” she said, trying her best to not explode in a rage “Didn't Mommy feed you before you left.”

“No. Didn’t have a chance, it was like 6:30 AM when I left.” Sweetie Belle said, containing to flip through the channels.

“Well.” Rarity said “What do you want to eat?”

////////////////////////////////////

After a particular awkward lunch, Rarity left Sweetie Belle asleep in front of the television where “Cutie Pie Cutsty Time” was on. Making her way to her room, she shut the door and started sifting through her clothing, looking for the best dress to wear for the fashion show. After about an hour-and-a-half of looking, she finally settled on an elegant business suit. A knock came at her bedroom door. “Ugh.” She said. “Who is it?"

“Braeburn. Y’all decent?”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “Yes. And you know we don’t normally wear clothes.”

“Maybe I come on in?” Braeburn asked.

“Of course.” Rarity said. Braeburn opening the door, carrying what looked like a big black square with straps. Rarity simply stared at him. “What in Celestia’s name is THAT horrible thing?”

“A bullet proof vest, ma’am.” Braeburn said, laying the vest on the bed.

“Don’t call me ‘ma’am’. I’ve told you a million times, I’m not some old lady or anything.” Rarity said, checking herself in the mirror. “Why did you bring it anyways?”

“Well, I was watchin’ the news, and n’ they said it’s gettin’ violent and all over by Appleloosa.” Braeburn said, sounding slightly worried.

“Look dear.” Rarity turned towards him. “Just because some nut jobs with big guns and funny names are running around screaming, doesn’t mean I should not go.” Rarity walked over to the bed, examining the vest. “Anyways, if I don’t go, I won’t be able to show off my glorious designs to all those uncivilized ponies. Celestia knows they need the culture.” She lit another cigarette.

“Either way.” Braeburn said, once again taking the cigarette out her mouth. “I want you to wear it under that there suit yer wearing.”

Rarity looked at Braeburn. His face was calm. His eyes however, betrayed his worried state.

Rarity rolled her eyes. “Fine, dear. I’ll wear this…thing as long as you don’t rub it in my face.”

The worried look disappeared from Braeburn’s eyes. “Good.” He said. “Well.” He said, glancing at his ever-present ePad “It’s time fer ya to get goin’”

Rarity sighed and levitated the vest and walked over to the bathroom, closed the door and put that accursed vest on. Stupid thing. She thought. All it does is add an extra 5 pounds to me.

After putting on her make-up and fixing her hair (which took about an hour) she finally made her way to the front door. She turned to Braeburn. “Remember, whatever you do, don’t let that…that…thing in my room or anywhere besides the guest room, the guest bathroom and the living room. I don’t want her meddling in my workroom. Get it?”

Braeburn nodded “Yup. Got it.”

Rarity let out a sigh of relief. “Good.” Braeburn opened the front door and lead her to the limo.

“Why are ya so mean to yer sister?” He asked as Rarity made her way to limo

“Because…” Rarity stopped and thought for a second and then shot Braeburn a dirty look. “Just remember to keep her occupied.” She said as she turned to the limo. She got in and closed the door and the limo drove off.

////////////////////////////////////

The elegant music wafted through the air, as Rarity made her way to the bar. She figured that she would get a quick drink before her presentation. At the bar sat a handsome light blue earth pony.

“Good evening Bruce. Haven’t seen you in awhile.” Rarity said, motioning to the waiter for a drink.

“Evening.” Mr. Mane took a sip of his ginger ale. Rarity thought it was odd that he never had any actual alcohol at these gala events.

“I hear things are going well in Trotham…” she said, trying to keep up conversation. Like talking to a painting. She thought. A few moments of silence passed before Fancypants came over and started talking to Mr. Mane. Something about missing Kevlar suits or something. Mr. Mane simply shrugged and made his way to the rest of the crowd, with Fancypants in tow. Rarity's phone rang, the ringtone told her it was Braeburn. She ignored it. Probably something about Sweetie Belle.

As they left, an incredibly beautiful and sexy unicorn mare came up and ordered a martini. Rarity bristled at the sight of her.

“Evening, Rarity.” Fleur de Lis said in her vague foreign accent. “Fancy seeing your delightfully old self here.”

“Evening, Fleur.” Rarity said, doing her best to not to spit the words out. “You seem to be having fun. How many stallions have you seduced tonight?”

Fleur thought for a moment, seemingly going through all the stallions in her head. “Five” she said, shooting Rarity a sly grin.

“Wonderful.” Rarity said, faking being interested. Everything about Fleur left Rarity feeling envious. Her looks, her designs, the way stallions seemed to hang on her every word, no matter how stupid the words were, everything.

“Well.” Fleur said, taking a glace at her watch. “Time for me to do my presentation.” Pride dripped from every word. Fleur flicked her hair and made her way to the stage.

Rarity turned back to the bartender. “One Nightmare Night Delight please.” She ordered. “On the rocks.”

The bartender did a double take. “You sure miss? That’s an awful strong drink.”

“I know.” Rarity said. “I’m in a mood.” She thought about Fleur coming in and stealing her spotlight and about Sweetie Belle at home. The bartender took the hint, turned, and started making the absurdly strong drink.

Three Nightmare Night Delights later, Rarity made her way to the stage, her feelings about Fleur temporarily drowned by the drinks. She sat in her chair behind the podium where Fancypants was introducing her. “and now, it is my pleasure to introduce, the beautiful, elegant, and tonight, largest donator, Rarity Belle!” with these words, he theatrically waved his hooves in the air and motioned for her to come to stage.

Rarity got up and walked to the podium. “Thank you, Fancypants. I really appreciate the marvelous introduction.”

The audience politely stomped their hooves.

“I’ve heard people say fashion is obsolete because no one outside of the highest circles can afford or would be caught dead wearing—I’m apologize for the upcoming expletive—“artistic” styles we create. I’ve heard them say the only kind of fashion worth subscribing to is “sensible” clothing. I respectfully disagree. Every day I see regular ponies hulking down the street in their lumpy clothes that they picked at random from their closest to prove to the rest of us “elite” ponies that they are too “free” to care about their appearance. And everyday I laugh at them because I recognize the hue of that lumpy sweater and or the design of that stained jacket from the Canterlot show rooms, the ones that every clothing store started to copy until they finally trickled their way down to some pathetic little bargain store where that unsuspecting pony picked them out on a clearance sale. So the “artistic” fashion that I prefer to subscribe to is one that is going to set the bar for every “sensible” pony out there. The kind that once they are on the market I can personally guarantee that those grungy mules won’t be able to crawl out from under their rock of passé without wearing one of my new lines. That’s how I do it, that’s how Canterlot does it, and it seems to be working well so far. Ladies and Gentleponies, for your consideration, the new Belle Artistique Line!”

With these words, the curtain behind her opened and the audience went wild with applause at the beautiful dresses.

////////////////////////////////////

It had been a rather average drive from the fashion show and back to Canterlot. Why hold it there and not in Canterlot was beyond Rarity. She was positively dying of boredom. Her clients seemed to like the new dresses, which were always good, meaning more income and all. But other than that little demonstration the day seemed rather uneventful and pointless.

On top of that all the drinks she had were giving her a headache.

All I have to look forward to. She thought to herself. Is that little brat of a sister back home. She sat the back seat of the limo, idly playing a game on her phone while music quietly made its way from the limo speakers.

Suddenly a rocket came out of nowhere, hitting the limo side on causing the vehicle to be blown onto its side. All that followed was a blur of violence and mayhem, machine guns firing wildly, random shouting and other sounds of chaos. The whole world seemed to explode in a massive shower of fire and sparks. The whole front end of the limo disappeared in a cloud of smoke, sending chucks of metal and bits of broken glass everywhere.

Rarity staggered out of the burning limo, looking for a weapon of some kind to protect herself with. She couldn’t. Lucky me. She thought as a sudden explosion and burst of machine gun fire snapped her out of her thoughts and sent her diving for the gulch near the side of the road. Damn it! She thought. I'm screwed! Another explosion rocked her world, sending her stumbling towards a large boulder. Ducking behind it, she pulled her phone and fumbled trying to call somepony to get her out of this situation.

Suddenly a small rocket landed in the ground next to her drawing her attention away from her phone. Before she had a chance to duck out of the way, the rocket exploded, throwing her at least 10 feet away, where she landed violently. She came to, only to notice an extreme cutting pain in her chest. She looked to see her business suit soaked in blood. She tore away her suit to see that her supposedly shrapnel proof vest Braeburn had told her to wear was punctured in at least 10 places, blood dripping from the various wounds. She blacked out.

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise”

-Proverbs 12:15 NKJV

Act I - 02 - Unexpected Visitor

Act I - 02 - "The Valley of the Shadow"

Act One:

"Charade You Are"

Chapter Two:

"The Valley of the Shadow"

Pain. Blinding, excruciating pain. Shouting. Dark figures looming over her body. Something digging into her chest, sending spears of searing agony through her chest. She screamed. More shouting. Suddenly, something rough pressed against her mouth, cutting of her screams and air. She writhed only to be swallowed by a cold weariness. She blacked out again.

////////////////////////////

Shouting filled Rarity's head as she came to again. She blinked but could only see darkness. She inhaled shakily and putrid fabric pressed against her mouth and nose: she was hooded. A massive burning ache emanated from her chest. The shouting continued, obviously not Equestrian but something sounding more a series of squawks and chirps.

The bag was abruptly lifted from her head, brilliant lights pierced her eyes, and it took a moment of frantic blinking for her eyes to adjust. In front of her was a diamond dog with a cloth covering its face, holes cut for his eyes and muzzle, steadying a camera perched on a tripod. To her left and right were four more diamond dogs, all with their faces covered in the same manner. A large griffin suddenly walked into her line of vision, also masked, and began jabbering animatedly into the camera in that strange chirping speech. It dawned on Rarity what was going on: the filming of a ransom video.

The griffin continued to squawk on and on in his uncouth excuse for a language. Every few squawks, the diamond dogs grunted in what seemed to be approval of whatever it was the griffin was saying. The griffin finally stopped speaking and turned towards Rarity. He approached her slowly and, with wicked glint in his amber eyes, hit her upside the head.

////////////////////////////

She came to once more, the same massive aching sensation in her chest.

Oh Celestia, I feel like a train drove through my chest...

She noticed a long, narrow tube coming out of her nose. She tugged at it. It made a disturbing, squishy squeezing sound.

What the...

She yanked desperately at the foreign object until it finally slithered out from her nostril. She gagged and levitated the tube as far away from her as possible. She then noticed that she wasn't alone in the small cave. Facing the wall, looking into a mirror and brushing his coat was a rather thin and gray diamond dog, humming what sounded very similar to Beethoofen's Ninth Symphony.

"Good morning, Miss Belle," the diamond dog said in a surprisingly pleasant tone. "Fancy seeing you awake."

Still barely awake, Rarity's eyes drifted in her sockets, scanning the darkly lit cave. The roof above her sparkled with various gems and other precious stones imbedded in the rock. The walls as well glinted with various gems. In any other situation, she would have immediately started digging them out of the rock, but it was obvious that that was not an option.

She looked to her left where there was a small wooden table with a car battery on it, and to her right was a pitcher and glass and a plate with some poor excuse for hay piled on it. She reached for it with her hooves, nearly falling out of the small cot she was lying on. She caught herself and finally noticed the cables leading from the car battery to her chest.

"I wouldn't tug to hard on those if I were you. If you want to stay alive," the diamond dog said.

Rarity stared down to her chest. It was covered in soiled bandages. Despite her better judgment, she started tearing away the bandages to reveal a large metal ring right embedded in the middle of her chest. The sight of the foreign object seemed to snap something in her, like somepony had throw icy water in her face.

"Oh my Celestia!" she screeched. "What is this?!"

"That?" the diamond dog turned from his mirror and faced her for the first time. "That is an electro-magnet. And that--" he pointed his paw towards the car battery on the table. "--is the power source."

"What is this horrible thing doing in my chest?!" Rarity demanded.

The diamond dog, his expression unfazed, stood and walked over to her, sitting down at the edge of her bed.

"My name is Kili. Nice to finally meet you for real." He extended his paw towards her. Rarity looked suspiciously at this 'Kili' fellow; his ugly blunt face, the yellow incisors poking out of his lips, his squinted yellow eyes...

His eyes. Were soft, gentle. Kind. And his paw was still outstretched toward her, unwavering.

"My name's Rarity...Rarity Belle..." She slowly reached out a hoof to his awaiting paw. "Nice to meet you."

He shook her hoof energetically. "I know who you are!" He laughed. A gentle laugh, reminding Rarity of an old uncle or somepony. "The whole of Equestria knows who YOU are! You're Rarity Belle: billionaire, genius, philanthropist and Equestria’s most eligible bachelorette!" He abruptly released her hoof and lifted his paws towards the roof. "And prisoner of raiders." His paws fell back down towards his sides.

Rarity caught sight of a security camera perched in the corner. "I take it we're being watched?" She motioned with her head to the camera.

Kili turned. "Yup. All the time. Eye in the sky and all." He chuckled.

There was an awkward silence, only broken by the occasional drip of water dripping somewhere in the cave and low hum of the car battery.

"Why the battery?" she finally asked, bringing up the question at the forefront of her mind.

"Oh, that old thing? Well, when you were attacked you were filled with shrapnel." At this Rarity turned slightly green. "And I was called to keep you alive. When I got there the shrapnel was heading to your heart. Without the magnet, it would drift into your heart and you'd die instantly."

Rarity looked down at the ugly ring. This thing, no matter how hideous, was keeping her alive. "Why?"

"Why what?" Kili looked puzzled.

"Why did you save me? Why did they save me?" She motioned towards the camera watching them.

"Why?" Kili repeated, looking suddenly uncomfortable. He stood suddenly and walked over to the table with the food on it. "Well, as for me, I saved you cause I wanted to. That's what I do where I came from. I'm a doctor you know, back in my home town." He poured the contents of the pitcher into the cup. "Cider?" he handed her the glass.

She levitated it towards her and took a sip. Not the best cider, she thought, but better than nothing.

"As for them," Kili continued, motioning to the camera, "They want-"

Suddenly a loud pounding came from the metal door across the cave, then the sound of jangling keys. Kili expression changed in an instant from serenity to terror. "Quick! Quick! Get up! Get up!" he motioned to Rarity, who promptly slide off the bed and stood upright. The wires tugged painfully at her chest and she levitated the battery, in case she had to move.

The door opened to reveal a grossly overweight diamond dog, flanked by several other diamond dogs. He proceeded to walk up to Rarity, with a big yellow-toothed grin, arms spread wide. He began to speak in his native language, which to Rarity sounded like a grating blather of growls and barks. He then stopped speaking to her and turned to Kili with an expectant expression on his face. Kili leaned in towards Rarity, translating the diamond dog's speech. "He says he is honored to meet you, Miss Rarity Belle, Queen of Equestrian Imperialism." Rarity rolled her eyes.

The fat diamond dog returned to speaking, obviously taking pleasure out of it. Kili continued to translate what the supposed leader was saying. "He says that since you've nothing better to do with your life, they decided to kidnap you and hold you for ransom." A look of horror crossed Rarity’s face. Every single kidnapping horror story ran through her mind filling her with fear and panic. She stopped herself. This wasn't time for fear. This was time to assert herself. She was Rarity Belle, an Equestrian citizen; who did this lowly, flighty mongrel think he was making demands of her after treating so abominably?

Looking straight into the leader's eyes, she spoke in her most calm, pristine tone: "Tell him I say, BUCK. OFF." She emphasized the last words as extremely as she could. Kili looked at her for a moment, bit his lip, and then translated Rarity's words for the leader. The leader's face changed almost instantaneously from that of expectant satisfaction to one of virulent rage. Without turning he shouted what sounded like orders to the other diamond dogs, who then proceeded to violently grab Rarity and drag her out of the cave.

////////////////////////////

Rarity's head was brutally shoved under the ice-cold water for the fifth time. She kicked her legs and tried to buck, but they held her down with tremendous force.

She couldn't breathe. Her lungs burned, her heart thundered ears. Panic seemed to fill her chest in place of oxygen. I'm going to die!

Her head was jerked up. Air! Cool, clean, blessed air! She gagged and gasped, coughing up water and saliva. One of her tormentors grabbed her mane and shook her head viciously, seemingly taking a sick pleasure out of it. The diamond dog once again violently shoved her head into the water.

Sparks flew from the electro-magnet in her chest. If they kept this up, she'd either drown or be electrocuted. The diamond dog yanked her out of the water. Rarity glanced to the griffin standing directly before them, who watched her torment with a sickening grin on his face.

"Again," He said, and at that the diamond dog proceeded to once again shove Rarity's head under water.

"WAIT!" Rarity gasped. The griffin held his talon in the air, causing the diamond dog to instantly halt. Rarity gasped again. The griffin, pleased at her suffering, leaned in towards Rarity. His breath smelled like rotting flesh.

He smiled, straightened, glanced at the diamond dog holding Rarity's head mere centimeters from the water. "Again," he said, grinning that sick smile again. The diamond dog obeyed.

////////////////////////////

After several more dunks in the water tank, the diamond dogs returned Rarity to her room, tossing her carelessly onto her bed. "Remember," the griffin said. "You will sit here. You will eat what we feed you. You will see how the other half lives. If you decide to try and escape from us, I will personally kill and eat you myself." With that he turned towards the exit, barked an order at his diamond dog henchmen, who followed him out.

Rarity lay motionless, pouring all her energy into inhaling. She felt like her lungs would never have enough air. Finally her gasping subsided and the flaming sensation in her lungs dampened. She was exhausted. She strained to move her head to the cot across the room where Kili slept. The sight of something sleeping was all Rarity needed to surrender to the forces of exhaustion that were currently eating away at her body and mind. Unable to keep her eyes open, she closed them and descended into a world of terror and pain....

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;"

-Psalm 23:4a NKJV

Act II - 13 - Bonding/Sheer Heart Attack

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgments and Thanks:

Endless thanks to Lauren Faust, for creating the coolest animated show ever.

Thanks to the entire cast and crew of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic for putting the time and effort into something so awesome. Without them, I wouldn't have even written this.

Thanks to my family and friends, who all supported me during the writing of this story.

Thanks to Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Don Heck and Jack Kirby for creating the original Iron Man character in Marvel Comics. Without that this would have never happened.

Thanks to Jon Favreau, who directed both the 2008 Iron Man film and the 2010 sequel. Without him I would have never had discovered Iron Man.

Thanks to Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway, who wrote the screenplay to the original 2008 Iron Man film and to Justin Theroux, who wrote the screenplay to Iron Man 2, on which the basic outline of this story is based.

Thanks to Christopher Nolan, who's Batman films got me into comics and superheroes in the first place.

Thanks to Bruce Timm and Paul Dini, for creating Batman: The Animated Series, which got me into comics and superheroes too.

Thanks to Kenichi-Shinigami who created the awesome ask blogs and artwork that inspired this story and who allowed me to use his work for my work.

Thanks to deathchrist2000 on DeviantArt for suggesting awesome chapter names.

Thanks to Solaris90 for helping with grammar and stuff

Thanks to a-Phoenix-in-Avalon who functioned as my editor/proofreader for much of the story and wrote some scenes and dialogue. Thank you for putting up with me for so long.

Thanks to CluelessBrony who functioned as my other proofreader and who also help with ideas and such. Thanks for spending your valuable time helping me out. Word up.

Thanks to DaveMan1000 for his various bits of input and help in regards to the plot.

Thanks to Mark Garg von Herb for not only writing the single most awesome MLP fan fiction ever

Thanks to Kristi Cook, who taught at the workshop that helped get this story off the ground and opened the door the wonderful world of writing. I'm forever in your debt.

Thanks to Gryffonmanic on DeviantArt for posting those little clips of MLP to her YouTube account, without which I never would have become a brony.

Thanks to anypony who ever did a piece of My Little Pony/The Avengers fan art. You helped inspire this as well.

And a big shout out to the rest of the brony community and all my readers, who I hope enjoyed this story. You guys rock!

And thanks to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for without Him I am nothing.