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.