Once upon a time there was a special world of humans that had magic powers, wings, both, or neither. The humans who were gifted with magic had special birthmarks on their foreheads that were shaped like a small a four–pointed star. Many good people used their magic to help in their trade or even help their friends and families. But there are those who would use their magic for their own evil and selfish desires.
One such person was an evil wizard who called himself Lord Tirek. He had dark red skin, bright yellow eyes, and white slick back hair and goatee. He started out in life as a common thief on the streets but as time rolled by, Tirek soon learned how to steal the magic of other people and he relished in it. When Tirek came of great age, he secluded himself in a castle hidden in the mountains and he filled his castle with many beautiful treasures that he had stolen over the years. Of all the treasures he owned, Tirek’s most prized possession was a walled garden in his castle. It was a magnificent garden where Tirek would go and indulge himself with the ripest of vegetables, the greenest of greens, and the juiciest of fruits.
His servants always consisted of three women, each with the mark of magic on their foreheads. Though they were all beautiful of face but their eyes were glassy and the girl’s expressions were always sad because they were forced to work for the evil wizard. Whenever Tirek wanted to find a new slave, he would always look for a beautiful maiden with magical abilities. When he managed to find one Tirek would take the girl to his castle, drain them of their magic, and use a special spell to rid the girls of their free will so they acted more like puppets than people. He would call his slaves his ‘ornaments’. Tirek’s favorite chore for his ornaments to do was to entertain him in his garden by singing, dancing, or playing musical instruments while he ate grapes and sat on a velvet couch under a gazebo in the garden. But every couple of years or so he would grow bored of one or more of his ornaments and he would send them off to the Everfree Forest to be lost forever.
One-day Tirek had just thrown away one of his old ornaments to the forest and was getting ready to head out to find a new one. Tirek dressed himself in fine velvet robes that made him look like a gentleman, next he drank a magic elixir to make himself look younger and his eyes sparkling, and finally he put on his magic flying black cloak. This cloak could take him anywhere he wanted, all he would have to do is say;
“Magic cloak, obey my command, take me to the nearest village.”
And the cloak would lift his body into the air and fly him to the nearest village. He also carried a glass jewelry display box that carried rings, ear rings, necklaces and a pair of silver bracelets but these were no ordinary bracelets. His plan was simple and diabolical; If he found a maiden of his interest, he would offer her a chance to try on the bracelets. If the girl takes the bracelets willing and slip them on her wrists, Tirek would say the magic words and the bracelets would instantly transform into shackles. The power of the shackles would put the girl in a trance and she would become submissive to Tirek’s will. Once the girl was his, he would take her in his arms and use the cloak to take them both back to his castle. However, if the girl should ignore his advances, then the spell won’t work, for power of the shackles could only effect those who put them on of their own free will and Tirek was too cautious to try and take a screaming victim. The last thing he ever wanted was to get caught.
On one of his flights, he traveled to a village that was a little further than his usual spot.
‘That last village didn’t have nearly as enough beautiful ornaments than last time I was there.’ Lord Tirek thought to himself. ‘Of course, that was serval years ago. But no matter, hopefully I’ll have better luck with this next village.’
Tirek landed at the edge of the village and began he’s search, to his sinister delight, this village had many pretty girls and some of them had the magic symbol on their foreheads. He felt like a kid in a candy store but he was only allowed one, so he himself calmed down, watched the girls carefully and tried to remain inconspicuous. Tirek walked around the village for a while but even though these girls were easy on the eyes he had yet to find the one that was truly worthy of being his next ornament. He was almost about to give up on this village until...
“Sweetie Belle” A feminine voice cried out.
Tirek snaps out of his thought and quickly hides. He then pokes his head out from his hiding place and sees a young woman with a large dark blue sack flung over her back, standing outside the doorway of a house/boutique. The young woman had porcelain white skin, lovely sapphire blue eyes with long black eyelashes, and elegantly curled purple hair. She was wearing a powder blue blouse, a light purple skirt that went down to her ankles, and a pair of black boots. Tirek was instantly taken by her beauty and when he saw mark of magic on her forehead, he felt a great sense of triumph.
‘Yes!’ Tirek thought to himself. ‘She will make a wonderful ornament for years to come.’
“Sweetie Belle” she called out again.
Soon a younger girl with pink and purple curled hair stood in the doorway. This girl was wearing a magenta and yellow dress, a magenta headband, and yellow slippers. She had the same skin color as the older girl but she had green eyes. Tirek could safely assume they were related.
“Yeah Rarity?” Sweetie Belle said.
“Sweetie Belle, I need to go to the rock fields outside the village for a little while to collect some gems for my next dress design and I need you to look after the shop while I’m gone.” Rarity said.
“Aww can’t I come with you?” Sweetie softly pleaded. “I don’t wanna be stuck in here all day.”
“Oh don’t whine Sweetie. It’s not very becoming for a lady.” Rarity said before walking away. “I will be back before gets dark.” she said waving off to her sister, who closed the door to the boutique.
‘I wouldn’t be too sure about that my dear.’ Tirek thought.
Tirek did not approach Rarity right away but instead he waited until he saw the direction she was going and quickly slipped ahead of her. Rarity continued her way to the rock fields, none the wiser about her follower but when she was at the outskirts of her village, a stranger stepped out from behind a building and removed his hood so that she would see his youthful red face. Rarity was startled at first, for she had never seen this man before. At first Tirek was amused by the look on Rarity’s face but he tried not to show it, so he gave her a short bow instead.
“Good day.” He said. He straightens himself up again. “Please forgive me if I have frightened you.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say frightened, just startled that all. My, what a lovely suite you are wearing.” Rarity said. “But who are you if I may ask.”
“Oh yes of course, I am known as Crimson Quartz to my friends.” Tirek lied. He takes Rarity’s hand gently, “And I am delighted to make your acquaintance miss...”
“Rarity” She answered.
Rarity tried to sound as polite as possible but deep down she was nervous. When she saw him attempting to kiss her hand, she quickly pulled it away, and she made a mental note to get away from this man as quickly as possible. She was taught never to talk to strangers (even the handsome ones) by her mother as a child. And this ‘Crimson’ was indeed very handsome but there was something about him that made Rarity feel a sense danger.
“Well it was lovely to meet you Crimson, but I really must be going.” Rarity said trying to walk around him. “Good day to you.”
At first just stood there in surprise. ‘Strange’ Tirek thought. ‘They’re not usually this resistance.’ He just to catch this one. He composed himself and turn around to talk to her directly. “Wait please. If I could just borrow a moment of your time.”
Rarity inwardly cursed her sense of lady like courteousness. She smiled. “Very well. How can I help you?”
“I come from a village just north from here, where I have been studying from my father in the trade of jewelry.” Tirek said.
Rarity’s eyes widen at this. “You’re a Jeweler?” she asked rather excitedly.
‘That’s better’ Tirek thought. “Yes, and I have traveled to this village to see if I can find a place to set up my own shop.” He finally reveals the glass box hidden under his cloak. “I have even brought some samples of my own work. There not much but I’m hoping your town officials will at least take an interest.” He presented it to Rarity. “What do you think?”
“Oh” Rarity said admiring the jewelry. “These are beautiful. I love those earing especially and those silver bracelets are... well...”
“Well... what?” Tirek asked.
“Oh please forgive my saying so but these seem rather... simple, compared to rest of your work.” Rarity said politely.
“Don’t be afraid to speak your mind my dear and I understand.” Tirek said opening the box. “They may be simple but you must remember that even the simplest of things in life can be beautiful.”
“Hmm... That is true.” Rarity said thoughtfully.
He held one of the bracelets in the palm of his hands. “Would you care to try them on?” he asked.
“Oh no I couldn’t.” Rarity said. “I wouldn’t want to scuff your work before you show them to the town mayor.” Backing away slightly.
“You, scuff them? Oh nonsense.” Tirek said taking a step forward. “I bet they would look lovely on you.”
“Well I couldn’t argue with that but–” Rarity started but was interrupted by the ringing of the clock bell that struck the hour of 6pm. “Oh my goodness the time! I’m so sorry Crimson but I really must be going. Good luck with the mayor.” She said running away.
“Wait!” Tirek shouted but Rarity didn’t stop. He became enraged and gritted his teeth. Once he hid himself from any prying eyes he stomped the ground angrily before leaning against the wall of a house and took some deep breathes.
“Calm yourself Tirek.” He said to himself. “Calm. Anger gains you nothing.” Once he felt calm enough, he started stroking his goatee and spoke again. “This girl is more of a challenge than I had thought. But no matter, I’ve handled worse, all I need is a different approach... but what?” As Tirek thought, he spotted movement at the corner of his eye. It was a dirty looking grey dog, probably a stray, sniffing the ground. Looking at the mutt, a smile appeared on his face as a plan formed in his mind.
At the rock fields, Rarity was using her magic to locate any gems that might be under the soil. So far, no such luck.
“It’s alright Rarity.” Rarity said to herself. “You can’t expect to find jewels right away.”
Suddenly she heard barking...? Rarity turned her head and saw large grey dog running towards her, barking, and foaming at the mouth. Rarity screamed at the sight and quickly looked for some safe place. The tall bolder next to her should suffice, she thought, and she quickly climbed up, her blue sack left on the floor. The dog just barely missed her foot as she made it up high enough out of reach of the snarling dog. The dog circled the bolder and continued to bark at the young lady.
“Go away you!” Rarity said urgently. “Go away! HELP! SOMEONE HELP!”
A rock was thrown at the dog’s head. Rarity looked ahead and saw Crimson Quartz. He had placed his jewelry box on the ground and was now holding a small pile of rocks in one hand and throws another rock with the other.
“Crimson!” Rarity shouted.
The dog growled and ran to the man. Tirek quickly made a run for it but then he felt a tug at his neck, the dog had taken a hold of Tirek’s cloak and started tugging at it as Tirek did the same. Suddenly a tearing sound was heard and, much to Tirek’s annoyance, the cloak began to rip at the center. ‘Stupid mutt, that wasn’t part of the plan!’ Tirek thought.
‘Oh no, Crimson!’ Rarity thought. She looked around for anything that could help. Then her magic sensed a large rock with jewels inside it. She used her magic to lift the rock midair and sent it straight to the dog’s big head.
The rock hit its target and upon impact the dog releases Tirek’s cloak, causing the man to stumble. The dog shook his head and looked left and right as if not knowing where he was, then the dog saw the death glare on Tirek’s face and ran away, yapping in fright. Not paying the dog any mind, Tirek simply dusted himself before he got a sudden attack hug from Rarity. Realizing what she just did, Rarity lets go of him and rubs the back of her head.
“Um... Thank you, Crimson.” Rarity said sheepishly. “That was very noble of you. I hope you are not hurt.”
“It was nothing Rarity.” Tirek said. He took a hold of her hand as he spoke. “When I heard you screaming from the skirts of the village, I ran straight over and I certainly wasn’t going to let some dog hurt you.”
Rarity smiled but then she noticed his cloak. “Oh dear your cloak is torn. But don’t worry I can fix it.” she reaches in her pocket and pulls out a spool and a sewing needle. “Oh goodness, this spool has no thread!” she was discouraged by this but then she got an idea. She plucks a strand of her own long purple hair. “Hold out your cloak please.” She urged. “If I sew it right, you won’t see the tear and when you get home you can sew it up properly.”
Surprised, Tirek was tempted to stop her, to tell her it wouldn’t be necessary, but then again this would be an opportunity to see what other skills she possessed. So, Tirek smiles and holds the cloak up to the light so that she may see the rip. Rarity quickly gets to work in fixing it.
“This is incredibly generous of you Rarity. Thank you” It felt strange to Tirek just how sincere it was to say that and mean it.
“It may not be my best work mind you.” Rarity said. “But it should hold at least and... there.” She held the cloak out.
Tirek grabs the cloak and proceeds to tying it back on. When he looks up again, he sees Rarity holding out his jewelry box to him, which he also takes.
“Now I simply must repay you.” Tirek said smiling as he opened his box and pulled out the bracelets.
“Oh no you don’t have to do that.” Rarity said. “You helped me enough already.”
“But I insist. You made the dog leave and even used a lock of your own hair to mend my old cloak.” He said sincerely. “I wouldn’t feel right not giving you something in return. Here” he held the two bracelets to her.
Rarity was touched by the offer. “But what about your presentation to the mayor?”
“Let me worry about that. Besides I can’t think of anyone who deserves these more than you.”
“Well... oh all right.” Rarity said. She takes the bracelets and slips them on each wrist.
Placing the box in a secret pocket of his cloak, Tirek watched in great delight as Rarity puts both bracelets.
“You were right earlier, Crimson. They may be simple but they are lovely.”
“Oh but my dear Rarity, you haven’t even seen the best part yet.” He said rubbing his hands together.
Rarity looks at him questioningly. “Best... Part?” She asked. “What do you mean?”
Tirek clears his throat and says,
“Magic bracelets, do as I say... Her fears, her thoughts, take away!
A slave you will be... And you shall obey only me!”
Rarity grew frightful at his word but then she felt a horrible tightening feeling at her wrist. She watched in fear as the bracelets grew thicker and heavier, then a chain sprouted from the right and attached itself to the left, then the shackles began to pulse with an orange glow. She was about to scream but was silenced as her thoughts started to disappear from her mind and she began to feel dizzy. Her eyes closed her eyes briefly and when they opened again they no longer held her sapphire-blue eyes but instead a swirl of red and orange. She just stood there with her eyes and mouth open wide and her arms hanging limp.
“Finally” Tirek let out a deep breath and wiped his brow. “You were a tough one to catch but seeing you like this, makes it worth all the trouble.” He paused as if expecting her to answer but she didn’t of course. He takes a hold of her chin closes her mouth for her. “Now show me that lovely smile of yours.”
Thinking of nothing else but to obey her master, a euphoric smile appeared on Rarity’s face.
“That’s better” he said. “Now tell me, whom do you belong to? Who do you swear your life long service to?”
“To you my lord...” Rarity answered in a dreamlike voice, like she was talking to a sweetheart. “You own me, body and soul. I am yours forever and a day.”
To hear Rarity say all of that, Tirek was practically on cloud nine. He admired her beauty once more.
“You know my dear. If you and I had met in the same way, but in another life, I think I might have fallen in love with you...” Tirek said. “But in this life, however, I find the idea of you being my slave far more appealing. So in light of that.” He takes his other hand to her face and closes her eyes for her. “Sleep my ornament.”
Rarity obeyed and fell into an entranced sleep. She would have fallen to the floor had Tirek not picked her up and flung her over his shoulders.
“Now then. Magic cloak, obey my command, take me back to my castle.” Tirek said.
The cloak lifted the wizard into the air but before it could fly off... the cloak tugged tightly around his neck causing him to choke. When he looked down he saw... Sweetie Belle hanging by his cloak.
“LET GO OF MY SISTER YOU CREEP!” Sweetie Belle shouted.
“You... brat!” Tirek wheezed. “Let... Go!” he tried to shake the child off.
Sweetie Belle swung from side to side but would not let go.
“RARITY!” Sweetie Belle shouted. “RARITY PLEASE WAKE UP! RARITY!!!”
From inside Rarity’s Mind
She felt content. As if all the troubles of the world had been lifted off her shoulders and all she had to do was to stay in this state of mindless bliss.
There was a soft buzzing in her head, but it was not bothersome, it was more like a white noise. But the best thing she heard was the sound of Lord Tirek’s voice. It didn’t matter what he said, she was just so happy to have him be so close to her that she would obey any command he gave her.
Suddenly, she heard a different sound, another voice?
“RARITY!” a voice shouted. “RARITY PLEASE WAKE UP! RARITY!!!”
It wasn’t her master’s, it was higher in pitch and it spoke her name. Somehow this voice had weakened the spell over Rarity and her will power stirred within.
Rarity knew that voice somehow... perhaps just a peek wouldn’t hurt.
Rarity’s spiraling eyes open slightly and she saw Sweetie clinging to Tirek’s magic cloak but because of the spell, Rarity didn’t even recognize this little girl as her sister.
“Let... go you... brat!” Tirek rasped.
Hearing her master say this, even in her state, Rarity got a good idea of what was going on. Wanting only to help her lord, Rarity began to speak very softly.
“Let...” She struggled to say before her eyes closed again, “Go...”
Suddenly the hair that was sewn in the magic cloak began to glow softly. Then, as if it had a free will of its own, the cloak spread open and wrapped itself around Tirek. Soon all three of them fell to the ground in a short distance. Tirek landed on a rock against his head (knocking him out), Rarity on her back with her shackled hands over her head, and Sweetie landed on her feet. With everyone back on the ground, Sweetie lets go of the cloak and runs to her sister’s side.
“Rarity!” Sweetie pleads, “Rarity wake up!” Sweetie shakes her sister by the shoulders, lightly slapped her cheek and called out her name but Rarity’s only reaction was a light mumble. “Come on Rarity!” Sweetie tried to think of something else she could do. Then she saw the shackles on Rarity and how they still pulsed in an orange glow. “Those chains.”
Sweetie finally understood what she had to do. She looked around for something that could cut the chains, then she saw Rarity’s sack for jewel collecting and she remembered that she had Rarity’s shovel strapped to her belt. Sweetie takes out the small shovel and aims the spade over the chain and with one thrust, the chain broke in two. The magic glow vanished and the shackles evaporated into silvery dust. Rarity’s eyes shot open, her sapphire blue eyes returned, she sat up and gasped for air.
“Rarity!” Sweetie said, now facing her sister and wrapped her arms around her.
Rarity blinked a few times, “Sweetie...? What happened? And why do my wrists hurt?” When she saw how they were black and blue, Rarity winced in the pain.
“Rarity, we got to get out of here.” Sweetie said standing up, steps behind Rarity, and grabs her sister from under her arms so she could stand. “Before he wakes up.”
“Before who wakes up?” Rarity asked.
“Ugh...” A low groan was heard.
When Rarity looked in the direction of the noise, she saw an unconscious Crimson, swaddled up in his cloak, lying on the floor. Suddenly the events came back to her and she gave a loud shrilled in fright. Rarity quickly got back on her feet, took Sweetie Belle by the hand, and ran straight back to the village. Not once did they look back and they didn’t stop running until they reached their home. They locked the doors/windows, closed the drapes, and hid themselves in the basement for the rest of the night.
At some point of the night, when they had finally calmed down and Rarity’s wrist had been bandaged and put in some cold water. Rarity recounted the events of her encounter with Crimson to Sweetie Belle (at least the parts she could remember anyway). Then it was Sweetie’s turn to explain.
“Well I was looking after the boutique like you wanted when I went outside for some air because it stuffy inside. Then I saw Apple Bloom and Scootaloo and just went over to say ‘Hi’ really quick and then they left. I was about to go back inside and when I did, I found your jewel–digging shovel on the kitchen table. You must have forgotten it and I know you’d hate dig with your hands, then you would wine and then I wouldn’t stop hearing about it for weeks if you broke a nail...” Sweetie exaggerated.
Rarity cleared her throat. Sweetie looked at Rarity sheepishly.
“Hehe sorry. Anyway, so I strap the shovel under my belt, put up the ‘Be Back Later’ sign on the door before locking it and started walking to the rock fields. When I reached the outskirts when I heard some guy yelling something. I didn’t get all of it but I heard ‘Away’ and ‘Me’. Then I got closer and I saw you and that guy, and you just stood there staring at him. And I thought that’s not like Rarity, she hates gawking. At first, I thought about running back to get help but then I saw him fling you over his shoulder and he started floating. I realized there was no time so, I ran over and grabbed him by the cloak so he’d probably choke and let you go. But then he tried to shake me off then his cape just wrapped him up.”
Rarity raised an eyebrow at that. “His cape just wrapped him up?” Rarity repeated. “But how... why?”
“I don’t know but I’m glad it did.” Sweetie then hugs Rarity. “I thought I was going to lose you.” The hug grows tighter. “Do you think he’ll come back?”
Rarity thinks it over for a moment. “I... I don’t know.” Then Rarity looks Sweetie in the eye and gives a comforting smile. “But don’t you worry, I’m not going anywhere.” And then hugs Sweetie Belle in a tight embrace once again. Though they felt safe now, their troubles with Lord Tirek were far from over...
Back at the Rock Fields, the magic cloak eventually unfurls itself around Tirek’s body and he is left sprawled on the dusty floor. When Tirek awoke, the sun had already set and he had a monstrous headache.
“Ugh” He groaned sitting up and rubbed his head. “What happened?”
He looked around and saw himself alone around some rock formations. But then he sees Rarity’s blue sack on the floor and it all came back. His eye twitches, his teeth grind, soon he stands up and give an anger fueled scream to the top of the lungs. So loud, that the people of the village stopped all activity and turned their heads to the sound. Even Rarity, who fell asleep with Sweetie Belle in her arms, was awakened by the screams but she only tightened her embrace around her sister and went back to sleep. As he screams his face begins to change; his was aged again and his eyes lost all signs of gentleness. When he finally stopped screaming, he swipes the sack from the floor.
“You wretched cloak, obey my command, take me back to my castle immediately!” Tirek commands. The cloak did as it was told this time and by the time anybody came to the rock fields to investigate, Tirek was already long gone.
How could he let this happen? How could he let her escape?! All the effort he put into his plan and what does he have to show for it? Broken shackles, a defective magic cloak, and no new ornament. Just an empty sack as a souvenir.
When Tirek returned to his castle, he roared and told his servants that he didn’t want to be disturbed until morning and stomped right up to his bed chambers. Right now, all he wanted to do was sleep and not think about his failure today for the rest of the night. He threw his magic cloak and Rarity’s bag to the floor and jumped on his bed.
“I’ll think about what to do about her in the morning.” Tirek then yawned. “After all. It is unlikely that she’ll tell anybody about me right away. She’s probably just cower in her home... like some scared child hiding under her bed from the monster in her closet...” he chuckled tiredly at the thought. His eyes close and he is soon asleep.
But it doesn’t last as suddenly a bright light appears and it stirs Tirek from his sleep. Tirek opens his eyes and turns his head to the window.
“Damn that princess Luna.” Tirek said to himself while getting out of bed, “Making that rock in the sky glow so brightly.” He walks over the window to close the drapes but then he looks up and sees that the moon wasn’t even in sight. The sky was too clouded for the moon to be seen. “What?” He wondered. “If it’s not the moon then where is that light coming from?”
Lord Tirek looks around his room and then he finds the source. It was his magic cloak...? NO wait! It was a seam in the cloak. Then he remembered that Rarity had sewn a lock of her hair into the seam. The cloak itself started to float on its own and the seam glowed in a purple light that shone brilliantly.
“What is the meaning of this?!” He shouted. “Magic cloak, stop glowing this instant!” but the light didn’t falter and this made Tirek angrier. “I said STOP GLOWING!” he roared, the light still refused to dim but instead it glowed even brighter till it shone like a star.
Tirek was in no mood for this, so he grabs the cloak, stuffs it in his dresser under some shirts and slams the dresser drawer shut. For a moment or two, it seemed to have worked but then the dresser began to shake and then...
BOOM!
It explodes and it throws Tirek to the ground. Soon the room was covered with broken pieces of wood and other clothing sprawled all over. But the worst of it yet was that the cloak still floated in midair where the dresser once stood and it still glowed that wretched light. Tirek refused to give up; All night long he tried to hide the cloak’s light from sight but try as he might, the glow continued to shine through any crack or little holes through the walls. Then he tried to shield his eyes with several blind folds but the light shone through those two.
Finally, it was morning and still Tirek was awake with blood shot eyes wide open. Aggravated and exhausted, Lord Tirek spent the day trying to remove the seam but that proved to be impossible as well.
“BRING ME SOME SCISSORS!!!” Tirek roared to his slaves.
He used the scissors but upon contact with the seam the scissors broke and then tried a small knife but it two broke. Tirek then ordered his two slaves to remove the seam but they had no better luck then he did. He tried to sleep in the afternoon to see if he would have any better luck but still Tirek couldn’t sleep due to the bright purple glow. If that cloak wasn’t he’s only means of traveling in and out of the castle, Tirek would have destroyed it by now.
“Why did I just stand there and let her stitch that wretched seam into my cloak?!” he yelled.
Then a second nightfall came and with still no sleep, Tirek felt absolutely miserable and even secretly began to hope that maybe Death will come to take him. Just so he could finally get some rest.
Tirek groaned. “There’s has to be a way to end this.” He said to himself.
By now, he could no longer ignore the facts. He had hoped against all hope that it wouldn’t have to come to this but now he knows that there was no other way. He sits up from his bed.
“I must find Rarity.” Said Lord Tirek. “Tonight”
Back at Carousel Boutique
Rarity and Sweetie Belle spent the night in the basement and the next morning they attentively went back upstairs but they never left the house. Luckily no costumers were scheduled today so it was easy to close the shop for the whole day. Instead, they just spent the day together having their own “Sisters Day”. Dress designing, braiding each other’s hair, baking treats, etc. They had such a lovely time together that Rarity had almost forgotten about Crimson if it were not for the wraps around her wrist.
“That vulgar man,” Rarity said in anger. “Is he not aware of just how important my wrists are. I’m a seamstress!
“Can’t you just move the things you need with your magic?” Sweetie asked. “You have been doing it all day.” Sweetie then took a bite of her cookie.
“That is not the point Sweetie.” Rarity argued. “It is the principles.”
A silence fell between the two.
“Do you think he’ll come back?” Sweetie asked.
“I don’t know but I know I can’t just hide forever and I know he won’t either.” Rarity said. “Sooner or later he may come back for revenge and I need to stop him from taking any other girls.”
“If he does come back we could use father’s gun on him,” Sweetie suggested pointed to the old hunting gun hanging on the wall in the kitchen.
“Let’s not speak of such violence. It’s not the thing a proper lady would do.” Rarity said. “Besides, that old thing hasn’t worked since father died.”
Sweetie looked downcast. Rarity noticed this and scooted her chair closer to give Sweetie a hug.
“I know...” Rarity said. “I miss them too.” This helped Sweetie somewhat.
Sweetie ate another cookie as Rarity left the kitchen table to open the curtains of the kitchen window. She looked up at the nighttime sky as the stars sparkled like jewels.
“You know...” Rarity said. “Should the opportunity arise where I might do that Crimson fiend some form of great disserves. I might not be able to resist.” Sweetie soon joined her by the window.
Suddenly they saw a bright light moving in the sky.
“Is that...?” Rarity said trying to get a better look at the sky.
“A shooting star!” Sweetie Belle said in excitement. “Quick! Close your eyes and make a wish.” She quickly did just that.
“Wait a moment darling.” Rarity said, still looking up. “I am not too sure that is a star.”
The bright light did get closer, as it did, Rarity shut the window and drew the currents back. She didn’t know what to expect once it was on the ground. They saw the light through the curtains, though it only shined like candle light now.
“Rarity?” A male voice called out from the window. “Rarity? Come outside and let me speak to you.”
Rarity immediately recognized that voice.
“Was that–?” Sweetie asked.
Rarity quickly shushed her sister.
“I know you’re in there Rarity,” Tirek said. “I saw you close the curtains. I have not come to harm you, I need you to do something for me.”
After silently urging Sweetie to remain quiet and stay behind her, Rarity tiptoed to the window and opened a small corner of the curtains to take a peek outside. Her eyes widen at the sight; He was dressed in the same clothes as he did yesterday and wearing the same cloak, but this man looked so much older now. Yesterday one might have assumed Crimson to be in his early twenties but now he looked like he was in his late seventies. She also noticed the dark bags under his eyes.
Rarity uses her magic to levitate her father’s gun into her hands and positions it for the window. She takes a deep breath and then uses her magic to open the curtains but not the window itself. When Tirek saw Rarity with a gun aimed for him, his eyes widen but he didn’t move.
“Go away or else I’ll shoot!” Rarity threatened. “I mean it.”
Tirek just gave an annoyed looked. “I told you I’m not here to harm you. I just need your... h...” he muttered the last of the sentence under his breath.
Rarity’s eyebrow rose at that. “My what?” She asked.
“Your he...–. *throat clearing* Your help, alright!” Tirek silently shouted.
“I would say you need a lot of help. But specifically speaking, what do you mean?” Rarity asked.
Tirek took the cloak off his back and showed the seam. It glowed faintly.
“The seam you sewed into the cloak with your hair. I need you to cut it out.” Tirek said.
Rarity and Sweetie Belle just looked at Tirek questioningly.
“Tell me why.” Rarity said.
At first, he was reluctant to do so but he complied, “When I went back to my castle last night, your hair in the cloak started glowing so brightly that I couldn’t sleep. At first, I tried to hide it away where I couldn’t see it but no matter where I hid it, the seam’s light shone through. I didn’t get any sleep at all last night because of it. Then I spent the day trying to cut it out myself but nothing worked. I finally figured out that the only person who could do it... was you, Rarity.” He looked at her almost pleadingly. “Cut out the hair, after you do I will leave you and your sister alone.”
Rarity had very mixed feelings about Tirek’s story; slight joy from his suffering, amazement at what a single lock of her own hair could do, and overall offended that he seriously thought she would help him. Though she knew it was risky, Rarity gave him her answer.
“No, I will not help you and if you get violent about it, you will be caught and tried for your crimes.” Rarity then closes the curtains with her magic, dosed any light in the house, took Sweetie by the hand, and headed back down to the basement again.
Tirek’s eyes widen as Rarity disappeared and then his anger rose. He was tempted to burn down the house and kill both girls then and there, but he knew Rarity was right. If he got caught now he wouldn’t stand a chance. Not wanting to draw any more attention to himself then he probably already has, Tirek flew away back to his castle. When Tirek was home again he tried to think of a to do to get Rarity to cut out the seam in the most discreet way possible. Then he had an idea. Tirek went to his garden, plucked all fruits from the trees and put them all in a magic sack. When it was too late at night for anyone to be awake, Tirek flew back to Rarity’s home and began his task. He worked until dawn then he flew back to his castle without anyone noticing him.
Strangely, when he got back to his castle, the light emitting from the purple hair shone fainter than usual and when he went to his bedchambers, he found that he could actually sleep again. The light was still there but it wasn’t as blinding.
When morning came, Rarity and Sweetie emerged out of the basement once more, but now they were cautious. Make-shift helmets on their heads for protection and Rarity had a cane in her hands.
“Okay, Sweetie just stay behind me and watch my back, understand?” Rarity said.
“Got it, sis,” Sweetie answered.
They checked the boutique from top to bottom but found nothing amiss. Finally, they went to the kitchen.
“It doesn’t seem like he’s come in, thank goodness, but I can’t shake the feeling that’s something feels... different.” Rarity said warily.
Sweetie was about to agree but then her stomach growled. “I’m hungry.” She said.
“Oh, yes I think we’ve searched enough for now. Let’s have some breakfast.”
They searched through the pantry and picked out some bread, eggs, and orange juice.
“Have we got any fruit?” Sweetie asked.
“Do we have any fruit, Sweetie. We might have had the last of them yesterday but let us see.” Rarity said.
They looked around but all they had left was a handful of grapes in a little bowl.
“This will have to do until we can go to the store.” Rarity said.
Sweetie whined but accepted the fact. Just then there was a knock at the door. At first, the girls were hesitant to answer but the knocks kept coming. It soon became clear the person wasn’t going away so Rarity slowly walked to the door.
“Rarity and Sweetie Belle, this is Zecora. I know you are there and I need to talk to ya’.” Came Zecora’s voice from behind the door.
Rarity’s eyes widen at this and she looks through the peephole. It was Zecora; the strange woman who lived in the Everfree Forest. First thought to be an evil enchantress but she turned out to be nice and she was a friend to Rarity and her other friends. Zecora had dark toned skin, a white and black mohawk, and strong cyan eyes. She wore traditional dashaki clothes and gold jewelry.
“Oh, Zecora!” Rarity exasperated. She opened the door, pulled Zecora quickly inside and hugged her tightly. “You don’t know how good it is to see a friendly face right now.”
Though she was surprised by this, Zecora returned the hug after she placed her travel cauldron down.
“There there my friend, I have come with help to extend,” Zecora said.
“You have?” Sweetie asked.
“I have sensed a great evil that has passed by here, and I can tell that it has caused you much to fear.”
“You have no idea, darling.” Rarity said.
“To the contrary my dear, I do, and I know what or who has pledged you.”
“You know about him? About Crimson?” Rarity asked fearfully.
“I’d have a better chance to explain this troubling situation, if I can put this over an open flame and proper foundation,” Zecora said as she held out her small cauldron and bag of herbs.
Since they could just start a fire in the middle of the room, they went to the kitchen and put the small cauldron on a stove top. After the water boiled inside, Zecora mixed in different ingredients that Rarity didn’t question but she could guess that it wasn’t soup. But as Zecora worked with her cauldron Rarity went ahead and told her about happened yesterday and the day before.
“It is as I have feared even when I had hoped it was untrue, and I am most surprised that he has reappeared before you.”
“And to ask for my help. He was just so... so.”
Zecora raised her hand to Rarity. “I know that you, my friend, have a very giving and generous soul, but you were right to rebuff the man who would have taken you whole. The man who you know as Crimson Quartz actually goes by a name of other sorts. Lord Tirek.”
“Lord Tirek?” Rarity repeated. “Has he taken people before?”
“For many years in many villages, a number of fair maidens and or of great treasure diminishes.”
“He has stolen other girls and treasures?” Sweetie asked.
Zecora nodded.
“That horrid beast!” Rarity chided.
Zecora then stopped stirring her pot and led Rarity and Sweetie outside, “And unless I am mistaken he has yet given up on your assist or else Sweetie Belle has gotten her cutie mark for agronomist.”
The sisters didn’t know what Zecora was talking about until they saw the outside of their house and gasped in amazement. Many different, delicious looking fruits were decorated all around the kitchen window. Among the display, Sweetie saw a ripe pear and was reaching out for it but Zecora grabbed the girl by the wrist.
“Zecora?!” Rarity said.
“Forgive me for my act, but all of this you must not contact,” Zecora explained. “For all this is meant as bait, so Rarity will have no choice but to compensate.”
“He’s trying to bribe me with fruit?”
“It does look good,” Sweetie commented sheepishly.
“Well, what do I do then? If we touch it I’ll have to take my hair out of his cape, but if we don’t touch it the fruit will rot and create an unattractive smell.”
“Excuse me,” came an old woman’s voice.
Rarity, Sweetie, and Zecora turned their attention to see an old woman with a cloak, a walking stick, and long green hair. She had a red apple in her hand.
“I believe this apple fell from your window, may I have it. Any ripe fruit that falls on the road belongs to the people.” The old woman said.
It was then that the same idea seemed to strike both Rarity and Zecora.
“Please take as much as you like.” They chorused together.
The rest of that day, Rarity and Sweetie Belle offered all the fruit around their window to everyone who happened to pass by. A little later that day, she paid a visit to Twilight’s Library.
By evening, the wall was bare of any fruit... and later, Tirek returned again, but this time Rarity was prepared. Tirek was getting close but as his foot touches the ground, it began to burn. He recoiled from the pain but he dare not scream, for fear of giving himself away. Tirek backed up and that when he noticed the dirt circle surrounding the house. He realized that with this barrier he could not get close to the house without burning. However, this did little to stop him from trying again. Tirek left more fruit for a few nights but each time Rarity just gave it away to the people.
Something strange happened though, the light from Rarity’s hair in his cloak shined less and less every time Tirek gave away his treasures. Much to his dismay, Tirek realized he would have to try harder so one night he did something drastic; he gave Rarity actual treasures.
A chest of gold and jewels was left behind at the boutique and when Rarity saw it the following morning she didn’t know whether to gasp in alarm or in delight. Luckily, Zecora came just in time to stop her.
“No!” Zecora said, standing between Rarity and the chest. “Do not be tempted by gold and gem or else you’ll have to remove your hair from the cloak’s hem.”
“Y-You’re right,” Rarity said shakily. “I must not succumb to such fabulousness.”
Night after night Lord Tirek came back to bribe the young maiden but no matter how rich the treasure, Rarity refused. The treasure was given to the people less Rarity would be forced to comply to Tirek’s demands.
Finally, after five nights of Tirek’s tricks, Rarity awoke one early morning with her heart pounding loudly and her hands trembling. She rose from her bed and walked up to her window. When Rarity looked out the window, she saw the reddish old man kneeling before the stone circle. Tirek lifted his head, looked up and saw Rarity looking back at him. Rarity eye’s caught the light of the rising sun and she had to blink away. Tirek peaked at the sunrise over his shoulder before looking back at Rarity.
Not taking his eyes off the maiden, Tirek, weary and broken, stepped into the circle as the sunlight reached him and his body slowly turned to ash. Rarity gasped at the sight and then she quickly ran downstairs. She practically broke down the door to the boutique and she stared at the cape lying there on the pile of ash for what felt like hours. She barely heard the footsteps of her younger sister behind her.
“Rarity?” Sweetie said sleepily. “What happened?”
Rarity slowly stepped away and continued to look down at the cape.
Zecora came from the forest and saw the cape herself. “It seems Tirek’s energy and time had reached its peak and so ends his stealing streak.” She picked up the cape attentively.
The ash that was once Lord Tirek was blown away with the wind. Tirek’s castle was discovered a week later and his remaining servants, after being freed from his trance-inducing cuffs, were returned to their families with little memory of their enslavement. Zecora took Tirek’s cape to be kept hidden somewhere safe. Rarity and Sweetie were finally safe from the evil lord and when asked why Tirek ‘left’ Rarity would say.
“Tirek simply had nothing left. The more you take from others the less you have left of yourself.”
THE END
