A Handful of Crumbsby *Squee*ChaptersA Cape of Gold and RedFacing the VoidThe Candlelight WishIn the Light of DawnA Sky Blue RibbonA Cape of Gold and RedRarity felt herself moving, fast. Almost like flying, but she knew she was laying down. Someone must have been close to her face because she felt a calm, steady breath very close. But something was wrong. It was... Cold. How could someone's breath be cold? The flying sensation continued, she didn't like it. It wasn't a good kind of flying, it was rushed and jolting. As she slowly regained consciousness, Rarity opened her eyes, which were greeted by a very harsh bright light and indistinguishably shaped shadows. Her vision was very blurry. She squinted and raised her hoof to block the light, she felt a strange tug on her arm and turned to focus on the out-of-place feeling. Inserted in the crease of her arms there were a few thin tubes held in place by a small strip of medical tape. She was going to use her magic to remove the foreign objects, but her head was too woozy. So she attempted to brush them away with her hoof. All she managed to do was lightly place her hoof on the tape before she gave up, but she continued to stare at her arm. There were some distant muffled voices, some shouting, but she couldn't understand a word. They echoed in her head, making it hurt. Her thoughts were jumbled, but she was too dazed to try to sort them. Only one came to mind. "Sweetie Belle?" she muttered. It was odd, it sounded as if her voice stopped maybe and inch or two from her face, like they were being blocked. "Sweetie Belle?" her other hoof fell back over to her side. She tried to look down her face, to see what was blocking her words. She saw a big plastic bubble rising of her face, and resting over where the steady cold air was continually breathing, hitting her face. "What the....?" Suddenly she realized what was going on. She was flying.... Forward. On something rolling.... A gurney? She was in a hospital? But that can't be right she was just at the boutique...... The memory of what had happened a mere handful of minutes ago starting slamming into her head like a battering ram. A wrecking ball laying pain and waste to whatever it touched. "Sweetie Belle? Sweetie Belle!" though her voice was hoarse, weak, and blocked by the bubble, she called for her little sister. Her head lolled back and forth as she tried to search the bright blur around her. It wasn't helping that the staff that was pushing her were running fairly fast. Why am I on a gurney? I'm not hurt.... "Sweetie Belle? Sweetie Belle!!!" Rarity began writhing about, trying to remove the tubes, throw the bubble off her face and get to where-ever Sweetie Belle was. The distant voices, sounding closer now, shouted something about her. She couldn't quite tell what it was and she tried to look at the staff pushing her, but all she could see was dark blobs in the brightness. She finally managed to remove the bubble from above her mouth, shoving it under her chin. "Sweetie Belle!" "Rarity, you need to calm down honey." a voice said, it was female, and it echoed as if the mare was at the end of a tunnel. But she knew from the movement of the shadows around her, the mare was very close to her face. The same shadow replaced the bubble on her face. She could almost make out the mare's features as her vision began to clear. "Let me out of this..... Sweetie Belle!" her voice cracked harshly as she tried harder and harder to get her voice out of the bubble. She thrashed wildly trying to get off the gurney. "Rarity, calm down. Rarity stop." the mare said calmly holding her down with a firm hoof. "Let. Me. GO!" She screamed knocking away the hoof. "Sweetie Belle!" "She's having a fit, I can't get her to calm down." The mare spoke loudly to one of the other shadows. "We have to knock her out she can't be thrashing like that. Put the anesthetic in her IV." a stallion's voice replied. Rarity continued her struggle, but she found herself growing very tired very quickly. Her vision reverted to blur before going entirely black. Her heart and breathing slowed as her flailing ceased, and she drifted off to sleep. The bright, harsh light greeted Rarity's eyes once again as she regained consciousness. There was a steady, muted beep and an IV still tugged at her arm, but the bubble was gone. Apparently the staff decided she was capable of breathing on her own. She was fully aware this time. Blinking away the blur in her vision, she could see the room clearly. She had always despised hospitals, but honestly who doesn't? The decor is simply dreadful. The blank oppressing walls making you feel trapped, the awful green-blue gowns and curtains that were flattering to nothing and only reminded people of sickness. Not to mention it's a place of sadness, sickness, injury..... and death.... On that thought Rarity again remembered why she was here. She knew she wouldn't be able to get up and walk. Her head wasn't stable and the fact that she was in a hospital bed instead of with Sweetie Belle told her that the doctors wouldn't be too happy if she attempted such a feat. But she didn't care, she was getting to her little sister whether the liked it or not, with or without their help. In the midst of plotting her escape, Rarity heard the door knob turn and pause. As if the pony behind it wasn't sure to enter. It was a few moments both Rarity and the door remained still. Assuming it was a doctor, the white unicorn prepared her argument to get to Sweetie Belle. The muted beeping sped just slightly. But the door opened to reveal a very distraught purple unicorn mare with puffy red eyes underlined with bags as if she hadn't slept in days. "Twilight." Rarity croaked realizing her voice was still very hoarse. Tears welled in her eyes. "Rarity, are you okay? AJ told us what happened and we came as quick as we could." Rarity was just about to ask why she said "we," when a soft yellow pegasus peeped out from behind her looking as disheveled as Twilight. "Fluttershy, I'm glad to see you two......" Rarity said as the two approached the foot of the bed where she laid. "I would have come sooner... Well, we both would have come sooner, but we had to help with the girls." Fluttershy said in her quiet voice. "I didn't wake up until now so it wouldn't have mattered." Rarity replied with a forced halfhearted smile. "I need you girls to help me. I can't be laying about in this dreadful room, I have to find Sweetie Belle." "I'm afraid we can't let you do that." an unknown voice spoke from the door. Though she didn't know the owner, Rarity knew she had heard this voice before, when she awoke the first time. She looked past her two friends to see Nurse Redheart approach the bed in a brisk walk. "Nurse, I don't need to be in here! I need to be with my sister." Rarity said quickly becoming cross. "Well we found you at the site of the crash unconscious so we have to keep you for observation." "I passed out from shock! You're really going to waste the time that I need to be with my sister because I blacked out for a little while? I fainted, it happens all the time. Let me out of here! I have to be with Sweetie Belle!" the mare fumed "Medically speaking, I cannot allow you to move until we're positive you're alright....." the nurse said calmly. "I am fine. I don't need your permission. I need to be with my sister! She's hurt and I have to be with her. Take me to her now, or I'll get there myself." Rarity shouted positively livid. Somehow her anger cleared the dizzy feeling in her head, and she was prepared to leave no matter what this mare said. Nurse Redheart was just about to object once again when Twilight interrupted. "Nurse Redheart, I'm aware that you are only doing your job, and it's much appreciated, but this is a very bad time and Rarity needs to be with her sister. Could you please just let her go?" the purple unicorn reasoned. The nurse mare sighed walked up beside Rarity, and using her magic levitated a flashlight before her face. A small click was heard among the beeping of the heart monitor, and a bright beam of light struck Rarity's eye, after a moment the nurse moved the spear of light to Rarity's other eye. With another click the light was gone. "Her vitals seem to be okay, but there's still a chance of concussions or other conditions," the nurse cautioned, "But under the current circumstances I can understand the need to be with your sister. I'll call for a wheelchair." She turned to Twilight. "Wheel her to room 301 in the ICU wing. That's where Sweetie Belle is. Her condition is critical, and I can only allow you three in the room at once." Twilight nodded in acknowledgement, and the nurse exited the room in the same brisk walk she entered with. Tears spilled down Rarity's cheeks. "Critical? It's that bad?" she asked Twilight, utter despair coloring her tone. Twilight could only nod once more, as she too began to tear up once again. Rarity looked down pulling in a shaky breath. "You mentioned the girls? Applebloom and Scootaloo. Are they alright?" Twilight couldn't speak, so Fluttershy filled in, "Scootaloo is with Rainbow, so far she hasn't stopped crying. She thinks the whole thing is her fault because it was the trick that she taught Sweetie that had her in the road." She said in her gentle voice. "No, it's not her fault. It was an accident, a horrible accident. If there's anyone to blame it was the carriage drivers. They were going way to fast and didn't pay attention...." Rarity said choking with sobs. She was completely heartbroken that Scootaloo blamed herself. It couldn't possibly have been her fault. Fluttershy nodded, "I think she knows that but it..... It all happened right in front of them you know? It's traumatizing....." Rarity then nodded. She knew all too well how traumatizing it was. You can never fully imagine seeing someone you care about get hurt like that. The girls were all very close, almost sisters sometimes. It had to be just as hard on them as it was on Rarity herself. "And Applebloom?" Rarity asked, becoming antsy. Where is that nurse with the wheelchair? I could just walk.... Fluttershy grimaced. "Applebloom is.... I think, a little worse off than Scootaloo. She's just..... Blank. She hasn't said a word, she's in complete shock I suppose.... She just sits there with tears running down her face. Applejack has no idea what to do, none of us do." "Pinkie Pie was going to try to help," Twilight said finally finding her voice, "Or at least be here, but she has to babysit for the Cakes." Fluttershy piped up once again, "I told the Rainbow and Applejack to take the girls to Zecora, maybe she has a tea or something that can calm them down and pull them out of the shock." Finally, a young nurse appeared with a wheelchair. She removed the IV from Rarity's arm and slowly assisted her into the wheelchair. Once she was sat down, the nurse left and Twilight began to wheel Rarity out of the room and into the quiet halls of the hospital. Reaching the ICU wing the pace changed as there were much more doctors and nurses rushing about to tend to and bring in more patients. Everything was moving very quickly, and the three mares had to move fast to get out of the way and to Sweetie Belle's room. They tried their best to not hinder the speed of care needed to help the multitude of patients in desperate need of medical attention. Reaching room 301, the girls had to quickly duck into the room to clear the way for a speeding gurney, missing each other by mere inches. The room was slightly cramped and much more crowded with machinery than Rarity's room had been. The slow beeping of the heart monitor was a little louder and the steady hiss of the oxygen mask, that was obviously required, worried Rarity about what she was about to see. The bed, a hybrid between the bed Rarity had laid on and a gurney to remain mobile if necessary, practically swallowed Sweetie Belle's small inert form. Rarity didn't see her until she was almost right against the edge of it. The relative silence was broken by Rarity's sharp intake of breath, as she examined her sister who lay broken and bruised before her. Sweetie Belle's coat was covered in dark mats where blood had held the short white fur together from the extensive cuts that spread across her body. The thin sheet that covered the small filly from the waist down was also stained here and there with dark spots of blood. Among the deep cuts and scrapes were dark bruises that were seen fairly easily in contrast with Sweetie's white coat. Her left arm was casted, her neck braced, and a bandage wrap rested around the top of her head and a little of her horn somewhat visible under her pink and purple mane. Rarity quickly broke down into sobs at the sight of her little sister being so utterly broken. Her drug induced sleep being the only thing keeping her from the pain. The oxygen mask lightly fogged regularly as her breathing was steady but shallow. The room was quiet, apart from the machines keeping Sweetie Belle alive, as Rarity wept with chest-racking sobs for her little sister. All she could do was sit there and cry. Even here thoughts were reduced to incoherent sobs. Her wails echoed in the small room, and she placed her hooves on the edge of the bed. With several deep shaky breaths, she was able to repress her sobs and reduce them to hiccups. She could hear the other two, their breath shaky as they had probably been crying as well. It was a tragic scene before them. Rarity remained still, her breathing still shaky but her tears dried off white trails down her face. In any other less tragic event, Rarity would have been concerned about her makeup running down her face, but now she didn't think about it nor did she care. Though, by chance, it did not run she knew for once it didn't matter if she looked like a bedraggled cat. Cat. "Fluttershy?" Rarity said quietly. "Yes?" Fluttershy's gentle voice responded. "Would you be able to take Opalescence for me tonight? I can't leave." "Of course." she agreed in a whisper. "Thank you." She said almost as loud. "They found this near you two." Twilight spoke up as she levitated a piece of material before Rarity made of red and gold with a blue patch. "Sweetie Belle's Cutie Mark Crusader cape." Rarity acknowledged with a slight hitch in her throat. "I took it off her when I got to her." she said her magic taking over the material and laying it on her hooves. "I thought it might be good for you to hold on to." Twilight said quietly. Rarity opened her mouth to thank Twilight, but just as she did one of the machines in the room began beeping loudly in an erratic pattern and not long after a nurse and doctor appeared in the room. "What's happening?!" Rarity shouted as the medical staff approached Sweetie Belle. "She's going into cardiac arrest!" the doctor shouted, the nurse already in motion as the beeping became on long shrill note. "We're losing her!" the doctor shouted as they began to revive her. "No, no, no. Sweetie Belle! Stay with me Sweetie Belle." Rarity encouraged. "You have to stay with me, you can do it. Stay with me." After the most tense and terror-filled seconds of Rarity's life, the beeping of the machine returned to a steady pace. But something seemed odd and it nagged at the back of Rarity's mind. "Something's not right......" she said looking at the doctor with wide eyes. "What happened? Something's wrong, I can feel it." "Nurse Redheart, could you please levitate a flashlight for me?" the doctor asked as he carefully raised Sweetie's eyelid. "Rarity is it? Can you tell me where your parents are dear?" "I.... uh.... They're on a cruise, in the South end of Eternity's Crossing." she replied her worry increasing. Something was definitely not right..... "And you're caring for your little sister?" he asked moving to her other eye. "Erm.... Yes, I was watching her while they were on vacation. They aren't supposed to be back for another three weeks." she said nervously, she hadn't yet had the chance to contact them. Had anyone contacted them? Did they know what had happened? "Doctor, please, what's wrong? I know something's wrong." "Your sister has some severe head injuries, this has caused some internal bleeding in her brain." He said dismissing Nurse Redheart with a nod. When the nurse exited the room, for some reason the air itself seemed to thicken. Weighing Rarity down with each ragged breath. There was a cold feeling in the pit of her stomach as she waited. "Rarity," the doctor said looking in her eyes with regret, "Your sister has slipped into a coma." Facing the Void"Go home Rarity, there's nothing you can do here." The words echoed in her mind like a shout in a deep canyon. After spending three days in the hospital, never leaving Sweetie Belle's side, the doctors had sent her home. She didn't think it was possible. To go home. How could she face the lavender walls and not be reminded by the silence, that they no longer contained the echoes of Sweetie Belle's voice, singing, and laughing? She laughed, though the sound was sad, as she realized she would even miss the things she used to despise. Sweetie Belle making a mess of Rarity's creativity room, black smoke flooding the house as she burned some meal she attempted to prepare on her own, her constant need for attention or entertainment, the loud noise always accompanying the visits of the Crusaders. Her slow gait through the house was shadowed by a sad and numb feeling. As if a dark cloud remained above her head, following her. She passed the small pedestal surrounded by mirrors, where clients usually tried on their new ensemble, catching a glimpse of her reflection. All though her coat was notably white, she was phantom-like and pale. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her normally glistening sapphire irises seemed as dull and lifeless. Her make-up was faded, what little left still on her face was old and smeared. Her indigo-violet mane, usually perfectly styled, was a mess desperately needing attention. Looking away from the mirror, she headed towards the stairs to the next floor. Maybe if I clean up a little, I'll feel better. Yes, I'm sure I will. she thought quietly to herself. But the second she though them she heard the lie thick in her words. She knew she wouldn't feel better until Sweetie Belle was back home, safe and happy. Upstairs, on her way to the bathroom, she noticed the door to her creation room was open. Normally, this wouldn't have piqued her interest what-so-ever as she often left the door ajar. She used to think a room of creativity couldn't be closed up. It what she noticed, out of the corner of her eye. On the floor lay a miniscule, slightly crumpled heap of sky blue ribbon. Rarity felt her legs go limp, still miraculously holding her up. Tears stung her eyes and were quickly beginning to roll down her face. As she blinked them away, she could do was stare at this small piece of ribbon. It brought back every detail of that day playing in her head. Looking for the ribbon, finding Sweetie Belle, her smile, the impact..... Why didn't I tell her to get out of the street? Rarity said closing her eyes tightly, her legs finally gave way under her and she dropped to her knees, her tears splashing into the puddle of blue silk. The second I saw her, I should have told her to get out of the street! I should have shouted louder..... Ran faster..... Rarity thought of everything she could have possibly done to prevent it. Anything, I could have prevented this! A dreadful chill ran through her as she sat thinking of the smile that was on Sweetie Belle's face. She didn't even realize what was about to happen. All she wanted was to impress her big sister. Rarity stood, using her magic to move the small ribbon, placing it on the mannequin posed with a white lace summer-dress. She tied the ribbon in place, and took a step back, releasing a few more tears before she found it to painful to be in her creation room. Much later, she bathed and cleaned up. Other than the small hitches in her breath, and her red puffy eyes that she was sure three trips to the spa couldn't even get rid of, she looked like the normal Rarity. But she couldn't bear to look at herself in the mirror. She couldn't go in her room, feeling no inspiration nor the motivation to work there and memories seemed to linger there the most. She set about to cleaning the house. She cleaned the kitchen, littered with dishes completely covered with unknown black substances that had been Sweetie Belle's attempt at cooking them breakfast. One bowl of onyx goo still bubbled menacingly. Rarity felt the giggle in her mind, but couldn't make the sound audible. She was wary of the bubbling substance as she threw the entire bowl away, doubting it could be salvaged. Tidying the living room, she found papers and crayons scattered with the Crusaders' doodles. As she gathered them the hitches in her breath became small hiccups as she examined each piece. One was the Crusaders flying like super-heros. Another was Sweetie Belle creating a beautiful dress as Rarity sat back and smiled. She even found the one Sweetie Belle made the day of the Sisterhooves Social. A drawing of her and her big sister, surrounded by a heart of sapphires, Rarity's favorite gem. Rarity thought she would cry again, but she found her eyes dry. The only proof of tears were the hitches in her breath. Other than that she couldn't even muster a single tear. Finding herself completely drained of energy, Rarity put away the art supplies and doodles, and headed up to bed. She squirmed into bed, cuddling one of the spare pillows close to her aching body. As she laid there, without thinking she began to quietly sing Sweetie's favorite lullaby. "Hush now, quiet now It's time to lay your sleepy head" Her voice was hoarse and cracking as she sang slowly and quietly to herself. "Hush now, quiet now It's time to go to bed. Drifting off to sleep An exciting day behind you Drifting off to sleep Let the joy of dreamland find you Hush now, quiet now Lay your sleepy head. Hush now, quiet now. It's time to go.... to bed." And with a few streaming tears, Rarity slipped into a restless sleep. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Authors Note Hey guys! Sorry it's kind of a short chapter. And I know it took a long time, so it's sort of a bummer. But the writers block was murder and I'm already working on the next chapter. I hope to have it up soon. :) I'm glad everyone is enjoying the story. See ya soon, -Clover The Candlelight WishTwo weeks later, it was a bright morning. Rarity couldn't find it in her to move out of her bed for what seemed like hours. How exactly was she supposed to handle this? It felt like her entire world had been ripped out from underneath her. Every silence magnified. She wished harder than she had ever wished for anything, to soon be hit by the smell of thick black smoke, courtesy of chef Sweetie Belle to tell her this was all a horrible, lucid dream. But no matter how long she stayed there, the smoke never came. She didn't hear the sound of Sweetie Belle's sweet humming through the house, or her and the Crusaders loudly announcing their latest shenanigan in the hopes of cutie marks. Rarity thought for a moment. I should go see how the other Crusaders are doing. It wouldn't hurt to seek comfort in my friends either.. she thought moving slowly to get up. The dark and slightly wet spot on her pillow, and the tightness of the skin on her face told her she had cried in her sleep. Again. She didn't even bother to really doll herself up, even though she had to look like a bedraggled cat. She couldn't care about that now. Nothing mattered more than Sweetie Belle's swift and thorough recovery. She only wished there was some way to aid that. Her faithful magic wasn't even of use. She had some of the best doctors in Ponyville, and even a specialist all the way from Manehatten working and watching over her. There was nothing a simple fashion designer could do. Even a unicorn. But maybe she could, in some way, console Sweetie Belle's two closest friends. And hope for some silver lining to come of this. She ran a comb through her purple mess of a mane, only enough to call it brushed. Cleaned the smeared make-up from her face, without bothering to reapply anything but a little mascara. She wanted to clean herself up more, and look presentable, but she just couldn't find the will and energy to do it. Walking through town was tedious. Several ponies shot her sympathetic looks, but not one had it in them to offer their condolences in words. Though she didn't mind, she was sure she wouldn't be able to take them as graciously as she would like, so it suited her just fine. But even in the morning sunshine, everything seemed so dark and bleak. As if somehow the entire world was grieving the tragedy that had befallen the alabaster mare. Regardless, she forced herself to complete something today. Rarity remembered that Scootaloo was with Rainbow Dash, and honestly she didn't know where Dash was at the moment. Chances were she was in her cloud home, but that would be impossible for Rarity to visit. So she set forth, thinking to stop at the library to speak to Twilight, and hopefully manage to pass on a message to Fluttershy regarding the care of Opalescence. She walked mechanically along the streets of Ponyville. Numb. Little more than an empty shell of a white unicorn. She arrived at the Ponyville Library, also the residency of her purple unicorn friend and little green and purple dragon that she cared for. Hoping with everything in her that she could keep together. She knew she didn't have to be perfect. Nopony would be expected to be perfectly collected in such a tragic situation. But she dreaded the idea of being total a broken-down mess. A small laugh void of any and all humor, escaped her lips. What did appearances mean in a time like this? She was a broken-down mess. She had no idea what to do with herself other than cry for two weeks! Whilst her poor little sister is fighting for her life, Rarity is crying her eyes out and then worrying about her appearance! Could anypony be more self-centered and petty? The white mare was disgusted with herself. The sound of a voice ripped her away from her inner thoughts. "Rarity? You do realize there's a sign that say's 'open' and you're welcome in my home at any time. You can come in instead of sitting on the porch all day." The white mare looked up to see a very haggard and worn Twilight Sparkle. She looked like she hadn't slept in days. "Oh dear, Twilight! Are you alright?" Rarity asked immediately full of concern for her purple friend. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Twilight said with a weary giggle. "I'm just a little-" Twilight yawned, "Tired, I guess. Come on in." she said ushering in her friend. "What in Equestria have you been doing when you should be sleeping?" Rarity asked, already knowing the answer. "Reading. Studying. Trying to find something-" Another yawn, "Anything, really." "For what?" "Well, for a while it was for extensive healing and awakening spells...." Rarity was touched by her friends concern for Sweetie Belle. "Trust me, I've looked. There's nothing that will help anymore than everything the nurses and doctors are doing." Twilight simply nodded, "Yes, I found about the same. But now I'm trying to find something that might snap somepony out of a sort of post-traumatic comatose state." She shook her head, "It's difficult to explain and even more so to research on." Rarity was just about to ask why Twilight would be searching for such a thing when a few voices rang from Twilight's room. "Spike!" Twilight called in the same direction. "Spike! Can you come down here?" The purple and green dragon bounded down the stairs..... Happily. Near exuberantly joyful. Which immediately perked Rarity's curiosity. Twilight was worn ragged trying to help, not to mention she knew how sad this entire ordeal was..... What was Spike so happy about? "Twilight, Scootaloo's doing even better today! She's been smiling and I even got her to laugh!" Spike said positively beaming, "Rarity! You're here." he said cheerfully. "Hello, Spike." Rarity said trying her hardest to give the joyous little dragon a genuine smile. She knew it probably looked more sad and tired then significantly happy, but it was the best she could do. But even this miniscule act suited the bouncing little dragon. "Spike, will you make Rarity some of that tea? And me some coffee please?" Twilight asked with an exhausted grin. It was odd to see somepony, or rather some-dragon, genuinely happy in such a time. But at the same time it was sort of refreshing. A nice dose of cheer to warm the heart and reassure the mind. "Scootaloo is here? I thought she was with Rainbow Dash." Rarity asked Twilight. "Well, Rainbow stayed with Scootaloo up until a few days ago. The Weather Factory needed their best mare back on the job and they couldn't grant her much more time off because Scootaloo isn't technically her direct family. So she has been here while Rainbow is at work." The purple unicorn mare explained. "Cheerilee has excused all three of the girls from school for as long as they need be." Rarity nodded, "That's very kind of her. But won't they fall behind in the work?" "She's been sending their work to us. And she also offered to help them catch up when they return. Of course, Sweetie Belle will simply be excused from most of it given the situation." "Ah, I see. I'll have to remember to thank Cheerilee." Rarity said nodding. "How are you holding up Rarity?" Twilight asked with sincere concern for her friend. Rarity sighed, "Not well to tell you honestly. Other than the one outfit with the ribbon, I haven't done a single thing. At least I've kept the house clean, but...... I feel like there's nothing I really can do, but that doesn't mean I should do nothing. You know?" Twilight nodded, completely understanding. "We're all struggling a little right now." she said solemnly. "I'd like to speak with Scootaloo for a moment, will you excuse me?" she asked looking up in the direction of Twilight's room. The purple mare simply nodded silently and proceeded to rummage through a few books, that Rarity didn't believe to belong to the Ponyville library. Maybe Twilight had borrowed a few tomes from the Canterlot Archives. Being the Princess' star pupil gave one access to many resources in the sense of research. Rarity was once again touched by the effort Twilight was exerting, but the poor dear should really get some sleep..... She ascended the knotted wood stairs. Every step felt harder, like something thick as honey was trying to pull her back and away from what she was determined to accomplish. She did almost dread talking to little Scootaloo, it just forcefully reminded her of what happened. Once again forced the memories in her head, like a knife creating fresh slices over existing wounds. It was excruciating, and several times she stopped, almost turning around and galloping out of the library immediately. But she was not turning back now. She had to do this for Sweetie Belle. The very least she could do was make sure her friends okay. Rounding the corner, climbing the last few stairs, Rarity was met with a door left ajar. Through the doorway was a room was an average sized bed with fluffy pillows and sky blue coverings, a small basket bed with an apple themed quilt draped messily in it, and a small orange and pink pegasi filly quietly coloring a picture on the floor furiously. Rarity cleared her throat quietly. The filly looked up with large purple eyes, her extreme cut hot pink hair laid messily falling in front of her eyes every so often. She set down the bright orange crayon that she held between her teeth. "Oh, hi Rarity." Scootaloo said staring directly at the floor. Rarity tried to make her voice cheerful, but she sounded like one of those nurses with a terminal filly. "Hello Scootaloo. How are you today?" The filly shrugged, "O-Okay I guess." she muttered, still not taking her gaze off the floor, but she couldn't seem to keep her eyes on the same spot of the ground for long. "What are you coloring?" She asked gently. "Nothing!" the filly said suddenly furiously attempting to hide the drawing. Rarity flinched. What was she so excited about? The filly sat with her forelegs curled tightly around a now horridly crumpled piece of paper, holding it tightly to her chest. She held the paper as if her life depended on it. Rarity remained calm and spoke gently, "If you don't want to show me that's perfectly fine. But I would like to see it if you don't mind." She said kindly. The young filly remained still and silent for a long while, and by the look on her face she was thinking. Finally, she relented and released the wrinkled mess, never once taking her eyes off the ground. Something about the grimace on her face was…. Odd. As if Rarity should recognize the emotion behind it, but she just couldn’t place it. A light blue glow surrounded the drawing, and out of habit Rarity began to attempt to iron out the imperfections. It was less wrinkled now, but a few deep creases cut through the wax colors. Rarity looked at the picture, and almost instantly she felt her heart break at the sight. The drawing portrayed a sunset orange pegasi filly with spiky pink hair, floating above a carriage. In the pegasi filly’s forelegs lay a smiling white unicorn with two-toned purple-pink hair. “Scootaloo….” Rarity said aghast, “Honey, why would you draw something like this?” The young filly instantly broke down. “It was all my fault! If I wasn’t teaching them that stupid trick….!” she began sobbing, “If I wasn’t a freak pegasus who can’t fly, I could have saved her! I could have saved her! I’m so sorry. Please don’t be mad, I’m sorry! It was all my fault! I’m…. So-sorry.” the filly cried. In a blink Rarity was holding Scootaloo tightly. “Sssh! No, honey, it’s not your fault! It couldn’t possibly be your fault! It was just an accident, sssh, it’s ok. It’s ok.” Scootaloo buried her face in Rarity’s alabaster coat as she cried as if she was in pain. Rarity rocked gently, and rubbed her back in an attempted to comfort the young filly. A rushed sound of hooves and another strangely muffled beat alerted Rarity of the approach of her friends. She wondered what the muffled sound was, but soon discovered it’s source was the wing beat of a bright, rainbow-maned, cyan Pegasus that had just rushed into the room. “Scootaloo? Rarity…? What happened, what’s wrong?!” Rainbow Dash asked in a panic. “Is she hurt?!” Twilight rushed into the room seconds after. “Ssssh,” Rarity said once again. She directed her attention to Dash. “She’s okay. She‘s okay.” Rainbow then landed, and quickly took Rarity’s place holding the young filly to her. Rarity backed away. “Ssssh, Scootaloo, sssh. It’s okay, it’s me. I’m here, it’s okay. Ssssh. It‘s okay.” Dash cooed gently. Rarity had never seen her colorful friend so maternal in her life. But at this moment, she almost could have sworn that Scootaloo was Rainbow’s filly or at least little sister, despite the lack of familial resemblance. She motioned her purple friend out of the room to explain, now that Scootaloo was in Rainbow’s hooves. Twilight followed silently, leaving only the sound of Scootaloo’s fading sobs and Rainbow’s gentle cooing. “What happened?” Twilight asked as the door closed. “Scootaloo blames herself for the…. Accident. She drew a picture of her saving Sweetie by flying.” Rarity said sniffing. “Oh…. The poor thing.” Twilight said under her breath. “It’s not her fault!” Rarity shook her head, “No… No, it’s mine. I should’ve….” Twilight interrupted her instantly, “Rarity! Don’t you dare try to blame yourself! The only pony who could be at fault would be the careless driver! They didn’t even stop! How do you not notice something like that?” The white mare remained silent for a while. Twilight shook her head, “I’m serious Rarity don’t you dare go and blame yourself.” “I’m not, I’m not. I promise.” Rarity said stopping to wipe her face. She sighed sadly. “I’m terribly sorry, but I have to go. I need to go check on Applebloom now that I’m sure Scootaloo is in good hooves. Don’t let her…” Twilight nodded. “I’ve got it under control.” “And do get some rest dear.” She said with a small smile. Twilight nodded again with a small smile of her own. The streets were once again silent with a cloud of pity and sorrow thick in the air. She walked slowly along the long stretch of road to Sweet Apple Acres. Where asphalt faded to smooth dirt. Where humble homes and businesses gave way for an endless forest of apple trees. Rarity quietly pondered how in Equestria, Applejack and her brother could harvest every single apple. Just the two of them. It seemed a daunting task, and dreadfully hard work. But they both seemed to enjoy it with as much passion as she herself held for her trade. A light wind kicked up some dust, making small tornadoes before the white mare. The breeze gently teased her mane and tail, and felt colder on her face where her cheeks were streaked with tear tracks. The modest weather vane, and tin roof of a bright red barn soon came into view on the horizon just above the trees, as Rarity drew closer to the Apple residence. Within minutes the barn was in full view along with the other quaint buildings of Sweet Apple Acres. She walked briskly to the door of the Apple home. As she was a mere few feet from the door, another weary pony stepped out. A large scarlet red earth stallion with golden hair, usually strong and steady, was wobbly and fatigued. “Macintosh?” Rarity asked, surprised not only to see the stallion, but to see him so uncharacteristically weak and drained. “Eeyup?” Mac said in more of a yawn than words. “You look absolutely exhausted! Where are you going this morning?” She asked quietly. He yawns again. “The orchards. Gotta…” Another yawn. “Harvest the apples.” “By yourself?” He nodded slowly, “Applejack has tried helpin', but she's too tired. Been takin' care of Applebloom." he said sadly. "Yes, I.... I heard about that. How is she?" Rarity asked, once again quiet and unable to hold direct contact with the dull and faded emeralds that sat before her. It seemed he tried to shrug, but exhaustion weighed heavy on his shoulders, and they appeared to merely quiver non-chalantly. "It doesn't change. It never changes. She just..." he shook his head. "She just sits there. She screams when she sleeps, and wakes up and sits there." Rarity had never seen so much pain in Macintosh's eyes. Again she couldn't look directly at him for long, and continued to stare at the ground. He too looked intently towards the dirt beneath his hooves. After a few deep breaths, Macintosh spoke again. "Well," he said a slight choke in his voice. "Ah need to... uh... get to the orchards." He said and he quickly walked away. Rarity stared at the ground, long after the sound of Macintosh's hooves faded. She took slow deep breaths, calming herself and battling the tears that threatened to spill over at any moment. She drew all the strength she had left and stepped forward. Entering the Apple residence she felt a cold, and suffocating sorrow surround her. A familiar orange mare sat at the table with a cup of coffee beside her, and her face in her hooves. Her trademark hat lay across the table in front of her, and Rarity noticed how her mane was without it's usual symptoms of hat hair. Meaning she hadn't worn it often within a few days. Normally, Rarity would find this as a fashion breakthrough for her friend, but today she knew it meant something was wrong. "Applejack? Are you alright dear?" Rarity spoke quietly, not wanting to disturbed her obviously distraught friend. Rarity expected her to jump, but she didn't. The orange mare slowly looked up, just as exhausted, if not more, than the two ponies before her. "Oh, hiya Rarity. What ya doin' here?" Applejack said quietly resting her face back down on her hooves. "I came to see how everyone is doing." She said sitting at the table. She noticed the cup of coffee by Applejack appeared to be completely cold. "Applejack, dear, I don't mean to be rude but you look positively dreadful! What is the matter?" Applejack actually smiled. Normally, one could expect Applejack to retort with a defensive comment on Rarity's incessant need to be neat and perfect. But she just shook her head, with a small almost humorless smile. "Yer not up to yer usual perfection yerself there Rarity. Ah don't blame ya, know exactly how yer feeling, what ah don't know is how yer holdin' up." Applejack said looking straight at the table, but not focusing on anything in particular. Rarity laughed, also without humor, as her gaze losing focus on any physical object. "To be completely honest, my dear, I'm not." She said shaking her head. "I am not holding up well, what-so-ever." Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream was heard from upstairs. "She fell asleep." Applejack said in a huff, before walking briskly up the steps. Rarity followed thinking about what Macintosh had said. The two mares burst through the door of the little filly's room to find a young light orange filly thrashing and screaming on her bed. "Applebloom. Applebloom! Sssh it's okay sugar-cube Ah'm right here." Applejack said calmly petting her sister's hair. Almost instantly Applebloom's thrashing stopped and her screams subsided quietly. She sat straight up, eyes void of any and all of the spirited young ranch-pony she was, and completely silent. Applejack sighed in exasperation when she realized her sister had slipped right back into her dazed and absent state. “Applebloom? Rarity’s here. She wants to talk to ya, ok?” Applejack said gently. Applebloom did nothing to acknowledge her sister’s words, other than turn to stare blankly at Rarity. It was chilling for the white mare to see such emptiness in the young filly’s eyes. Applebloom was always full of life. A fiery determination to earn her cutie mark, cheerful, expressed herself no matter what. Now she sat, silent and void of her natural spirit. Rarity smiled gently, “Hi Applebloom.” she said quietly. Applebloom then looked down at the sheets laying messily under her small body. She then got up, eliciting a gasp of surprise from Applejack, and walked to Rarity. The filly hugged the white mare tightly. Her eyes closed tightly as she began to cry. Rarity rubbed her back gently, glancing at Applejack, who didn’t know exactly what to do with herself. Too many emotions played across her face to pin down exactly what she was feeling. Obviously this was a small break in the filly's waking silence, and Applejack was relieved, but sad. Glad, yet at the same time a little depressed that she, herself, couldn't pull her little sister out of such a dark time. It wasn't like Applebloom thought of Rarity as a better sister, as Sweetie Belle had once thought of Applejack, the sister of her injured friend just happened to be the trigger to pull her back. Like a bucket of ice-water on a sleeping pony. "Ah didn't know what to do!" Applebloom cried, her voice hoarse and cracking from misuse and her racking sobs. "It.... It.... It just happened! Sweetie Belle.... She was in the road and.... Ah didn't think.... Ah didn't know what to do! Ah'm so sorry!" "Applebloom, now it ain't yer fault!" Applejack shouted instantly. "In no way could it possibly be your fault, my dear." Rarity said calmly. "Ah'm just sorry," the young filly said. "Is she going to be okay?" Rarity looked down and sighed, "I don't know." Suddenly Applebloom was up and animated, like her normal self, and instantly speaking rapidly. "Ya know what we should do?! We should do the Candle Wish! Everypony in Ponyville could come!" she sat and thought for a moment, "How many candles would that give us?" "I'd say somewhere near one thousand or more, dear, why?" "That's perfect! Can we do it Applejack? Please?!" Applebloom begged her sister. Applejack smiled, "Ah think that would be a great idea, sugarcube. Ah'm sure Rarity and Sweetie Belle would appreciate that very much." Rarity looked questioningly at Applejack, and was about to voice her silent wonderings when Applebloom's excited burst interjected. "Ah'll start callin' everypony! Applejack, you do the same. We'll have it at the school, 'kay? Ah gotta go tell Scootaloo and Twist!" and Applebloom disappeared in an excited blur and a rushed sound of hooves. "Well, at least she's better and not so spacey-gone-sorts." Applejack said sighing with a joyous relief. "Maybe this house can get some sleep tonight! Even Granny Smith couldn't sleep through that lil' fillies nightscares." "Applejack, dear, what exactly is the 'Candle Wish?' " Rarity asked quietly. "The old Ponyville magic story, it's said that if one thousand candles are lit with a strong wish for something and fly into the air with those balloons things, it'll come true." "I thought that was just an old pony-tale ponies told their fillies." Rarity said recalling the myth. "Well, it darn well might be. But right now Ah think all anypony can do is hope fer a miracle and if a couple old candles and paper foldin' could make a miracle I say it's worth a shot." Applejack said shrugging. " 'Sides, if nothing else it's a mighty nice thing to do for Sweetie Belle, knowing that everypony is wishin' for her to get well and come home." Rarity nodded. Honestly, what could it hurt? Any little hope of magic or miracles has to do some good in this case. And it did help Rarity knowing that the town honestly cared, and weren't simply acting sympathetic because it's what they should do. "Just be at the school tonight when it starts to get dark. Me 'n' Applebloom will handle the rest." Applejack said as the two were walking outside. "Okay, I'll be there." Rarity said with a smile, and continued home. As Ponyville grew dark, glowing dimly with the remaining light of the setting sun, a large crowd of ponies gathered in the field behind the old school house. The entire town, and even surrounding pegasi and outliers was there. Each pony with a candle and paper balloon in their possession. In front of and facing the crowd stood Mayor Mare, Zecora the Zebra, Rarity, and Applebloom. Mayor Mare spoke clearly, yet gently, addressing the crowd. "Citizens of Ponyville, and friends. We are here today to honor the bravery and strength of one little filly who has been stricken with tragedy. Young Sweetie Belle was hit by a speeding carriage two days ago, and continues to battle for her life in Intensive Care. Tonight our hearts go out to this young filly, and in an old, almost forgotten tradition of Ponyville, we light these candles and give them to the sky in hopes of our wish for Sweetie Belles swift and complete recovery and return. Thank you Applebloom, for orchestrating such a gesture for your friend. And thank you Rarity, for your strength and courage to attend, our hearts are with you and your family as well." Applebloom and Rarity both nodded in turn. "Everypony, Zecora will walk around and light your candles. As she does this wish as hard as you can and send them into the sky." Zecora lit the fireplace match and walked through the middle of the crowd of ponies, touching the small flame to each candle on either side. At the fourth candle, a gentle voice was heard. Rarity believed it to be Lyra Heartstrings, quietly singing. Then the ponies with lit candles leaned over to the next pony, using the flame of their candle to light the wicks of others. And a small wave of dim light passed over the crowd, as the gentle voices grew in number quietly singing the song. The lights began to rise in the sky as they sang. "You ask me time and time again How did this start, how did it all begin And I will tell you one more time It was your smile From across a crowded room That first drew me to you It was that heartwarming smile And it was your laugh In the darkest of times That made me fully realize That I had fallen for you It wasn't your hair That bounces in the breeze Or even your eyes As blue as the seas Although, yes it's true, I'm quite taken with all of you, When you smile a dazzling smile, All your beauty shines through It was your smile That captured my heart for all time And that made me wish you could be mine It was always in your smile All your crazy ways, give me so many happy days, But it all started With your smile...." A tear ran down Rarity's face as she watched the lights rise like the stars of Luna's night. And she wished harder than anything for her sister to come home. Authors Note Just so you know, I do not own the song. All credit/rights/yada yada goes to the great and beloved Mandopony "It All Started With Your Smile." I heard the song and simply fell in love with it, and felt it fit in this part well. Also, I know it took forever and a day to post this. I've been SUPER busy moving into the dorm and with all the work/school/blah blah blah and there's no internet in my dorm. I hope you guys like this chapter though! Let me know. :) -Clover In the Light of DawnThe dawn rose slowly, blossoming on the horizon, as Rarity stared out of the hospital's window. She could still see the twinkling flames of candles floating among the clouds behind her eyelids. The dull beeps and whirrs of the machines, holding the thread of life her young sister clung to, echoed in the small room along Rarity's quiet breathing. She watched as life began to stir outside the opaque barrier with the rise of Celestia's sun. Two birds fluttered by, chasing each other in the cool morning air. Once more a collection of memories gathered in the back of Rarity’s mind, slowly slipping into her conscious thoughts. Sweetie Belle’s sweet singing, the laughter of the fillies playing, spending precious moments with her little sister. Even the bitter memories of arguments; screaming, and yelling, wanting her freedom from the burden of a younger sibling. She felt sick realizing how horribly close to being free from that burden…. Forever. She swore to herself to never, ever wish for that ever again. Though she occasionally yearned to be relieved of the stresses of her, she never wished to be free of Sweetie Belle. Rarity’s gaze was unbroken as the sun rose higher and higher in the sky as the day grew later. The entire world was teeming with life outside the glass boundary, and though she stared intently she saw none of it as she was lost in the recesses of her own mind. Nurses came in and out of the room. Doctors attempted to cheer up the white mare with words of encouragement and assurances of Sweetie Belle’s condition, but Rarity could see the lack of emotion in their eyes. It’s not that they didn’t care, they simply learned to separate themselves from a case when the chances weren’t high. The hours drew longer each day, and time seemed to move slower than honey. The constant feeling of the unknown, never knowing if Sweetie Belle would wake, made it drag on and on. Rarity thought back to the Sisterhooves Social. After one of the biggest fights with her little sister, Rarity had vowed to never be sister-less again, and Sweetie Belle adopted Applejack as a sister to spite her. Applejack’s words still echoed in her mind. “Being sisters, is like…. Apple pie! You can have amazing apples, and you can have a wonderfully crispy crust, but only together can you have a perfect apple pie.” “But apart all we are is just a pile of mush, and a crumbly dry mess……” Rarity mumbled to herself. She laughed to herself. “I’m definitely a messy pile of mush.” As an array of small creatures flew past the hospital window, Rarity was reminded of the camping trip her and her friends took with the fillies. The long hike to Winsome Falls. Rarity packing far more than necessary as usual, setting up the tents, telling stories by the fire, “protecting” Sweetie Belle from Rainbow’s Olden Pony and the Headless Horse. A knock at the door was the only thing to break Rarity’s hypnotic gaze out the window. It wasn’t one of the distant doctors or nurses, it was too…. Heavy. Though a gentle knock it sounded as if some large pony was behind the hoof upon the door. “Who in Equestria…..?” Rarity quietly wondered. “Come in?” she called gently, as if not to disturb the filly lying on the bed. And of course the pony to walk through the door was one of the last she would ever expect. “Macintosh?” She asked quietly. Surely enough, the large red stallion with a golden mane and bright green eyes; known more commonly as Applejack’s brother Big Mac stepped through the small door. He looked over to Sweetie Belle and nodded silently, once again as to not disturb the inert filly, just as Rarity had called gently. Rarity looked a the floor, unable to meet his eyes. “I don’t mean to be rude, but….. Why are you here?” She asked peeking up for just a moment. His hoof gently touched her chin, softly encouraging her to face him. He smiled, and turned to pull something off his back. Now in his mouth, he held a beautiful bouquet of white lilies. She gasped in surprise, and he motioned for her to take them. Using her magic to levitate them in front of her, she smelled the sweet blossoms. “Macintosh, these are beautiful!” “I heard about what happened when Applebloom came home that day. That little filly didn’t sleep at all. I would have come sooner, but I had to tend the farm while my sister tended to Applebloom. Well, anyway I wanted to give you two flowers,” he said motioning to the filly on the bed. “I hope she makes it out ok, and soon.” Tears welled in Rarity’s eyes. She gently placed the flowers on the end table next to Sweetie Belle’s bed. She then walked slowly over to Macintosh, and hugged him. At first he seemed shocked, tensing instantly at the unexpected embrace, but soon he relaxed throwing his foreleg around her as well. “Thank you so much.” Rarity whispered, and they sat there for what felt like hours, Macintosh holding tight as Rarity quietly wept. When they finally drew apart, Rarity embarrassedly laughed at herself as she wiped the tears from her eyes. “I apologize….” She began, but he held up a hoof to silence her. “It’s no problem at all.” He said gently. She smiled. “I can’t thank you enough.” “Happy to be there for ya, Rarity.” he replied. With that he hugged her again shortly, before quietly walking out the door. More tears welled in Rarity’s eyes as the door shut with a quiet metallic click. She moved to Sweetie Belles bedside. She looked upon her sister’s face, still and without any movement, and with her hoof brushed a single stray hair from her face. A few tears broke free and rolled down her cheeks. Her hoof rested on the bed as she turned, now fixing her gaze on the gorgeous white lilies that lay on the table. They appeared to be a breed she had never before seen. A gleaming white, with an illuminating sapphire center, and amethyst purple specks along the star-point petals. She quietly wondered where one finds such beautiful blossoms, and was instantly touched by the thought of the amount of effort a pony would need to come across such flowers. It was very sweet of Macintosh, but she wondered why he would make such an effort for her and her sister. Rarity’s thoughts wandered once more. It was an odd feeling, waking up. It was like waking up without knowing that you fell asleep, only with a strange thing in her nose and all sorts of machines attached to her small body. She squirmed slightly as the bed was sort of uncomfortable. She opened her eyes a little noticing and instantly recognizing the figure that sat beside her. “Rarity?” Sweetie Belle said gently. Author's Note Buck...... Sorry it took so long guys (and also that the quality of this chapter may not live up to it's predecessors), HORRID writers block and lack of internet has been a royal pain in the rump. I know it's short, and also slightly..... Crap because I had to come up with something to fill the space to the end. A Big Mac appearance as a cameo for the upcoming Rewrite of the epic failure that was "Not A Prince Charming" by yours truly. Cute. I've thought myself into being a fan of the Rarity/Mac shippage. All for now and ever for Handful of Crumbs! And I just want to ask... Did anyone get the reference of the title BEFORE this chapter? This chapter sort of explains it..... Anywho... Thanks for reading! Ta! -Clover Spirits A Sky Blue Ribbon"Sweetie Belle? Have you seen that blue silk ribbon? Sweetie Belle? Sweetie Belle! Sweetie Belle, Where are you!?" Rarity's calls echoed through the boutique. "Where is that little filly?" she muttered shaking her head, "Sweetie Belle!" But she thought nothing of it. She probably just ran out with her two friends and forgotten to notify her sister of her departure. Rarity rolled her eyes a little, When will that little filly remember to tell me anything? she thought shaking her head, but continuing her search for the sky blue ribbon for her latest ensemble. "Oh, I do hope she hasn't run off with it! I know she enjoys playing with my things, but I really need that ribbon for my creation! It would be just per-fect for the client!" She mumbled as she rummaged frantically, but taking her time to look, through the entire house. "Ugh! I simply can't find it anywhere! Sweetie Belle!" Glancing out the window, Rarity spotted three bouncing little fillies outside, with bright red and gold capes flying in the the wind. She couldn't help but smile at the scene before her. When her little sister had first created the capes, she was furious. Sweetie had wanted to add the "perfect flare" to the self-proclaimed Cutie Mark Crusaders capes, like her big sister did with her designs, and had used the shiny golden material Rarity had in fact needed for a client. Rarity was very angry with her sister, at the time, but she grew fond of those capes. The gold, did actually make the capes absolutely wonderful, and she grew to appreciate Sweeties hard work to be like her sister. She rolled her eyes, grinning, as the three hopped around causing their beautiful capes to make them appear as if they were soaring. She opened the door, calling out from the doorway, "Sweetie Belle? Sweetie Belle." The little unicorn filly bounced around, a blissfully unaware ball of flying white, pink, and purple with a blur of red and gold. The wind rang with the sound of small, bubbly laughter and wide smiles lit the world a little more on the slightly cloudy day. "Sweetie Belle! Have you seen that ribbon.......?" A quick blur entered Rarity's peripheral, she turned to see a speeding carriage not far down the road, "What the.....?" Glancing back at her sister, Rarity noticed the two others watched as Sweetie Belle attempted the latest trick their little daredevil friend Scootaloo was trying to teach them. At first she simply watched as Sweetie Belle, needing room to jump, backed up........ Into the road. It took a minute for Rarity's brain to process. Suddenly, the speeding carriage appeared just yards away, and was closing in quickly........ On Sweetie Belle. The three fillies were blissfully unaware as Rarity's heart dropped to her stomach, froze, and raced violently all simultaneously, "Sweetie Belle! Sweetie Belle get out of the road!" The carriage kept flying, closer and closer. Rarity knew she should move, grab Sweetie Belle and drag her out of the street, scolding lightly her for not being careful. Report the runaway carriage, insure the driving ponies are all right. But no matter how hard she willed herself, something kept her frozen in place, like a statue of marble. "Sweetie Belle! Get out of the way!" The fillies couldn't hear her over their own cheers and encouraging shouts. Rarity finally got her body to move. "Sweetie Belle! Get out of the road, Sweetie Belle!" The carriage was only a few yards away. Part of Rarity's brain knew the sequence of events that were to follow, while the rest frantically attempted to deny it, stop it, anything to prevent it. "Sweetie Belle!!!" Rarity's loud shriek echoed in her mind, as the next few moments ran in slow motion. Rarity tried to sprint across the remainder of the yard, every fiber in her body pushing to reach her little sister in time. But it seemed as if she was running against time, thick as honey. The carriage closed in on the last few inches, only then did the other two realize what was happening, and the last thing Rarity saw was Sweetie Belle's smiling face as she locked eyes with her sister, then disappearing as the carriage ran over where she was standing. Sweetie Belle's inert form came to rest a few feet down the road from where she had stood just seconds ago bouncing in joy, and the world around Rarity seemed to freeze, the feeling in her stomach colder than any storm of ice could possibly conjure. Rarity halted, still a few feet from the Crusaders, staring blankly as her brain tried to register what she had already seen coming. All she could to was blink, as tears welled in her eyes quickly rolling down her face. "Nooo!" The high pitched shriek was all that filled the air. Rarity's vision faded in and out as she ran, still feeling as if everything was in slow motion. Tears rolled down her face, sobs racking her body. Everything sounded distant, Scootaloo snapping out of the shock that held them all and screaming for help, Applebloom's crying that flipped between screams and sobs. Her own voice was distant to her. She had heard shouts from the carriage, she wasn't sure if they had even noticed what they'd done, but it continued it's fatal pace. How could those ponies continue like that? How could they not notice, or rather not care, that they had trampled a child? Why were they running so quickly? How many more young fillies and colts were in danger? She cradled Sweetie Belle's still and broken form. Rarity unconsciously thought to remove the C.M.C. cape, small spots in the gold stained in blood, poor little Sweetie Belle's blood. She held on to her sister rocking with her own violent sobs. She stayed conscious long enough for her blurred vision to recognize Applejack and Twilight's presence as well as paramedics swarming her, but she blacked out. But in the blackness, Rarity could feel her heart crack, like an icy pond threatening to break into a hundred pieces at any minute.
A Cape of Gold and RedRarity felt herself moving, fast. Almost like flying, but she knew she was laying down. Someone must have been close to her face because she felt a calm, steady breath very close. But something was wrong. It was... Cold. How could someone's breath be cold? The flying sensation continued, she didn't like it. It wasn't a good kind of flying, it was rushed and jolting. As she slowly regained consciousness, Rarity opened her eyes, which were greeted by a very harsh bright light and indistinguishably shaped shadows. Her vision was very blurry. She squinted and raised her hoof to block the light, she felt a strange tug on her arm and turned to focus on the out-of-place feeling. Inserted in the crease of her arms there were a few thin tubes held in place by a small strip of medical tape. She was going to use her magic to remove the foreign objects, but her head was too woozy. So she attempted to brush them away with her hoof. All she managed to do was lightly place her hoof on the tape before she gave up, but she continued to stare at her arm. There were some distant muffled voices, some shouting, but she couldn't understand a word. They echoed in her head, making it hurt. Her thoughts were jumbled, but she was too dazed to try to sort them. Only one came to mind. "Sweetie Belle?" she muttered. It was odd, it sounded as if her voice stopped maybe and inch or two from her face, like they were being blocked. "Sweetie Belle?" her other hoof fell back over to her side. She tried to look down her face, to see what was blocking her words. She saw a big plastic bubble rising of her face, and resting over where the steady cold air was continually breathing, hitting her face. "What the....?" Suddenly she realized what was going on. She was flying.... Forward. On something rolling.... A gurney? She was in a hospital? But that can't be right she was just at the boutique...... The memory of what had happened a mere handful of minutes ago starting slamming into her head like a battering ram. A wrecking ball laying pain and waste to whatever it touched. "Sweetie Belle? Sweetie Belle!" though her voice was hoarse, weak, and blocked by the bubble, she called for her little sister. Her head lolled back and forth as she tried to search the bright blur around her. It wasn't helping that the staff that was pushing her were running fairly fast. Why am I on a gurney? I'm not hurt.... "Sweetie Belle? Sweetie Belle!!!" Rarity began writhing about, trying to remove the tubes, throw the bubble off her face and get to where-ever Sweetie Belle was. The distant voices, sounding closer now, shouted something about her. She couldn't quite tell what it was and she tried to look at the staff pushing her, but all she could see was dark blobs in the brightness. She finally managed to remove the bubble from above her mouth, shoving it under her chin. "Sweetie Belle!" "Rarity, you need to calm down honey." a voice said, it was female, and it echoed as if the mare was at the end of a tunnel. But she knew from the movement of the shadows around her, the mare was very close to her face. The same shadow replaced the bubble on her face. She could almost make out the mare's features as her vision began to clear. "Let me out of this..... Sweetie Belle!" her voice cracked harshly as she tried harder and harder to get her voice out of the bubble. She thrashed wildly trying to get off the gurney. "Rarity, calm down. Rarity stop." the mare said calmly holding her down with a firm hoof. "Let. Me. GO!" She screamed knocking away the hoof. "Sweetie Belle!" "She's having a fit, I can't get her to calm down." The mare spoke loudly to one of the other shadows. "We have to knock her out she can't be thrashing like that. Put the anesthetic in her IV." a stallion's voice replied. Rarity continued her struggle, but she found herself growing very tired very quickly. Her vision reverted to blur before going entirely black. Her heart and breathing slowed as her flailing ceased, and she drifted off to sleep. The bright, harsh light greeted Rarity's eyes once again as she regained consciousness. There was a steady, muted beep and an IV still tugged at her arm, but the bubble was gone. Apparently the staff decided she was capable of breathing on her own. She was fully aware this time. Blinking away the blur in her vision, she could see the room clearly. She had always despised hospitals, but honestly who doesn't? The decor is simply dreadful. The blank oppressing walls making you feel trapped, the awful green-blue gowns and curtains that were flattering to nothing and only reminded people of sickness. Not to mention it's a place of sadness, sickness, injury..... and death.... On that thought Rarity again remembered why she was here. She knew she wouldn't be able to get up and walk. Her head wasn't stable and the fact that she was in a hospital bed instead of with Sweetie Belle told her that the doctors wouldn't be too happy if she attempted such a feat. But she didn't care, she was getting to her little sister whether the liked it or not, with or without their help. In the midst of plotting her escape, Rarity heard the door knob turn and pause. As if the pony behind it wasn't sure to enter. It was a few moments both Rarity and the door remained still. Assuming it was a doctor, the white unicorn prepared her argument to get to Sweetie Belle. The muted beeping sped just slightly. But the door opened to reveal a very distraught purple unicorn mare with puffy red eyes underlined with bags as if she hadn't slept in days. "Twilight." Rarity croaked realizing her voice was still very hoarse. Tears welled in her eyes. "Rarity, are you okay? AJ told us what happened and we came as quick as we could." Rarity was just about to ask why she said "we," when a soft yellow pegasus peeped out from behind her looking as disheveled as Twilight. "Fluttershy, I'm glad to see you two......" Rarity said as the two approached the foot of the bed where she laid. "I would have come sooner... Well, we both would have come sooner, but we had to help with the girls." Fluttershy said in her quiet voice. "I didn't wake up until now so it wouldn't have mattered." Rarity replied with a forced halfhearted smile. "I need you girls to help me. I can't be laying about in this dreadful room, I have to find Sweetie Belle." "I'm afraid we can't let you do that." an unknown voice spoke from the door. Though she didn't know the owner, Rarity knew she had heard this voice before, when she awoke the first time. She looked past her two friends to see Nurse Redheart approach the bed in a brisk walk. "Nurse, I don't need to be in here! I need to be with my sister." Rarity said quickly becoming cross. "Well we found you at the site of the crash unconscious so we have to keep you for observation." "I passed out from shock! You're really going to waste the time that I need to be with my sister because I blacked out for a little while? I fainted, it happens all the time. Let me out of here! I have to be with Sweetie Belle!" the mare fumed "Medically speaking, I cannot allow you to move until we're positive you're alright....." the nurse said calmly. "I am fine. I don't need your permission. I need to be with my sister! She's hurt and I have to be with her. Take me to her now, or I'll get there myself." Rarity shouted positively livid. Somehow her anger cleared the dizzy feeling in her head, and she was prepared to leave no matter what this mare said. Nurse Redheart was just about to object once again when Twilight interrupted. "Nurse Redheart, I'm aware that you are only doing your job, and it's much appreciated, but this is a very bad time and Rarity needs to be with her sister. Could you please just let her go?" the purple unicorn reasoned. The nurse mare sighed walked up beside Rarity, and using her magic levitated a flashlight before her face. A small click was heard among the beeping of the heart monitor, and a bright beam of light struck Rarity's eye, after a moment the nurse moved the spear of light to Rarity's other eye. With another click the light was gone. "Her vitals seem to be okay, but there's still a chance of concussions or other conditions," the nurse cautioned, "But under the current circumstances I can understand the need to be with your sister. I'll call for a wheelchair." She turned to Twilight. "Wheel her to room 301 in the ICU wing. That's where Sweetie Belle is. Her condition is critical, and I can only allow you three in the room at once." Twilight nodded in acknowledgement, and the nurse exited the room in the same brisk walk she entered with. Tears spilled down Rarity's cheeks. "Critical? It's that bad?" she asked Twilight, utter despair coloring her tone. Twilight could only nod once more, as she too began to tear up once again. Rarity looked down pulling in a shaky breath. "You mentioned the girls? Applebloom and Scootaloo. Are they alright?" Twilight couldn't speak, so Fluttershy filled in, "Scootaloo is with Rainbow, so far she hasn't stopped crying. She thinks the whole thing is her fault because it was the trick that she taught Sweetie that had her in the road." She said in her gentle voice. "No, it's not her fault. It was an accident, a horrible accident. If there's anyone to blame it was the carriage drivers. They were going way to fast and didn't pay attention...." Rarity said choking with sobs. She was completely heartbroken that Scootaloo blamed herself. It couldn't possibly have been her fault. Fluttershy nodded, "I think she knows that but it..... It all happened right in front of them you know? It's traumatizing....." Rarity then nodded. She knew all too well how traumatizing it was. You can never fully imagine seeing someone you care about get hurt like that. The girls were all very close, almost sisters sometimes. It had to be just as hard on them as it was on Rarity herself. "And Applebloom?" Rarity asked, becoming antsy. Where is that nurse with the wheelchair? I could just walk.... Fluttershy grimaced. "Applebloom is.... I think, a little worse off than Scootaloo. She's just..... Blank. She hasn't said a word, she's in complete shock I suppose.... She just sits there with tears running down her face. Applejack has no idea what to do, none of us do." "Pinkie Pie was going to try to help," Twilight said finally finding her voice, "Or at least be here, but she has to babysit for the Cakes." Fluttershy piped up once again, "I told the Rainbow and Applejack to take the girls to Zecora, maybe she has a tea or something that can calm them down and pull them out of the shock." Finally, a young nurse appeared with a wheelchair. She removed the IV from Rarity's arm and slowly assisted her into the wheelchair. Once she was sat down, the nurse left and Twilight began to wheel Rarity out of the room and into the quiet halls of the hospital. Reaching the ICU wing the pace changed as there were much more doctors and nurses rushing about to tend to and bring in more patients. Everything was moving very quickly, and the three mares had to move fast to get out of the way and to Sweetie Belle's room. They tried their best to not hinder the speed of care needed to help the multitude of patients in desperate need of medical attention. Reaching room 301, the girls had to quickly duck into the room to clear the way for a speeding gurney, missing each other by mere inches. The room was slightly cramped and much more crowded with machinery than Rarity's room had been. The slow beeping of the heart monitor was a little louder and the steady hiss of the oxygen mask, that was obviously required, worried Rarity about what she was about to see. The bed, a hybrid between the bed Rarity had laid on and a gurney to remain mobile if necessary, practically swallowed Sweetie Belle's small inert form. Rarity didn't see her until she was almost right against the edge of it. The relative silence was broken by Rarity's sharp intake of breath, as she examined her sister who lay broken and bruised before her. Sweetie Belle's coat was covered in dark mats where blood had held the short white fur together from the extensive cuts that spread across her body. The thin sheet that covered the small filly from the waist down was also stained here and there with dark spots of blood. Among the deep cuts and scrapes were dark bruises that were seen fairly easily in contrast with Sweetie's white coat. Her left arm was casted, her neck braced, and a bandage wrap rested around the top of her head and a little of her horn somewhat visible under her pink and purple mane. Rarity quickly broke down into sobs at the sight of her little sister being so utterly broken. Her drug induced sleep being the only thing keeping her from the pain. The oxygen mask lightly fogged regularly as her breathing was steady but shallow. The room was quiet, apart from the machines keeping Sweetie Belle alive, as Rarity wept with chest-racking sobs for her little sister. All she could do was sit there and cry. Even here thoughts were reduced to incoherent sobs. Her wails echoed in the small room, and she placed her hooves on the edge of the bed. With several deep shaky breaths, she was able to repress her sobs and reduce them to hiccups. She could hear the other two, their breath shaky as they had probably been crying as well. It was a tragic scene before them. Rarity remained still, her breathing still shaky but her tears dried off white trails down her face. In any other less tragic event, Rarity would have been concerned about her makeup running down her face, but now she didn't think about it nor did she care. Though, by chance, it did not run she knew for once it didn't matter if she looked like a bedraggled cat. Cat. "Fluttershy?" Rarity said quietly. "Yes?" Fluttershy's gentle voice responded. "Would you be able to take Opalescence for me tonight? I can't leave." "Of course." she agreed in a whisper. "Thank you." She said almost as loud. "They found this near you two." Twilight spoke up as she levitated a piece of material before Rarity made of red and gold with a blue patch. "Sweetie Belle's Cutie Mark Crusader cape." Rarity acknowledged with a slight hitch in her throat. "I took it off her when I got to her." she said her magic taking over the material and laying it on her hooves. "I thought it might be good for you to hold on to." Twilight said quietly. Rarity opened her mouth to thank Twilight, but just as she did one of the machines in the room began beeping loudly in an erratic pattern and not long after a nurse and doctor appeared in the room. "What's happening?!" Rarity shouted as the medical staff approached Sweetie Belle. "She's going into cardiac arrest!" the doctor shouted, the nurse already in motion as the beeping became on long shrill note. "We're losing her!" the doctor shouted as they began to revive her. "No, no, no. Sweetie Belle! Stay with me Sweetie Belle." Rarity encouraged. "You have to stay with me, you can do it. Stay with me." After the most tense and terror-filled seconds of Rarity's life, the beeping of the machine returned to a steady pace. But something seemed odd and it nagged at the back of Rarity's mind. "Something's not right......" she said looking at the doctor with wide eyes. "What happened? Something's wrong, I can feel it." "Nurse Redheart, could you please levitate a flashlight for me?" the doctor asked as he carefully raised Sweetie's eyelid. "Rarity is it? Can you tell me where your parents are dear?" "I.... uh.... They're on a cruise, in the South end of Eternity's Crossing." she replied her worry increasing. Something was definitely not right..... "And you're caring for your little sister?" he asked moving to her other eye. "Erm.... Yes, I was watching her while they were on vacation. They aren't supposed to be back for another three weeks." she said nervously, she hadn't yet had the chance to contact them. Had anyone contacted them? Did they know what had happened? "Doctor, please, what's wrong? I know something's wrong." "Your sister has some severe head injuries, this has caused some internal bleeding in her brain." He said dismissing Nurse Redheart with a nod. When the nurse exited the room, for some reason the air itself seemed to thicken. Weighing Rarity down with each ragged breath. There was a cold feeling in the pit of her stomach as she waited. "Rarity," the doctor said looking in her eyes with regret, "Your sister has slipped into a coma."
Facing the Void"Go home Rarity, there's nothing you can do here." The words echoed in her mind like a shout in a deep canyon. After spending three days in the hospital, never leaving Sweetie Belle's side, the doctors had sent her home. She didn't think it was possible. To go home. How could she face the lavender walls and not be reminded by the silence, that they no longer contained the echoes of Sweetie Belle's voice, singing, and laughing? She laughed, though the sound was sad, as she realized she would even miss the things she used to despise. Sweetie Belle making a mess of Rarity's creativity room, black smoke flooding the house as she burned some meal she attempted to prepare on her own, her constant need for attention or entertainment, the loud noise always accompanying the visits of the Crusaders. Her slow gait through the house was shadowed by a sad and numb feeling. As if a dark cloud remained above her head, following her. She passed the small pedestal surrounded by mirrors, where clients usually tried on their new ensemble, catching a glimpse of her reflection. All though her coat was notably white, she was phantom-like and pale. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her normally glistening sapphire irises seemed as dull and lifeless. Her make-up was faded, what little left still on her face was old and smeared. Her indigo-violet mane, usually perfectly styled, was a mess desperately needing attention. Looking away from the mirror, she headed towards the stairs to the next floor. Maybe if I clean up a little, I'll feel better. Yes, I'm sure I will. she thought quietly to herself. But the second she though them she heard the lie thick in her words. She knew she wouldn't feel better until Sweetie Belle was back home, safe and happy. Upstairs, on her way to the bathroom, she noticed the door to her creation room was open. Normally, this wouldn't have piqued her interest what-so-ever as she often left the door ajar. She used to think a room of creativity couldn't be closed up. It what she noticed, out of the corner of her eye. On the floor lay a miniscule, slightly crumpled heap of sky blue ribbon. Rarity felt her legs go limp, still miraculously holding her up. Tears stung her eyes and were quickly beginning to roll down her face. As she blinked them away, she could do was stare at this small piece of ribbon. It brought back every detail of that day playing in her head. Looking for the ribbon, finding Sweetie Belle, her smile, the impact..... Why didn't I tell her to get out of the street? Rarity said closing her eyes tightly, her legs finally gave way under her and she dropped to her knees, her tears splashing into the puddle of blue silk. The second I saw her, I should have told her to get out of the street! I should have shouted louder..... Ran faster..... Rarity thought of everything she could have possibly done to prevent it. Anything, I could have prevented this! A dreadful chill ran through her as she sat thinking of the smile that was on Sweetie Belle's face. She didn't even realize what was about to happen. All she wanted was to impress her big sister. Rarity stood, using her magic to move the small ribbon, placing it on the mannequin posed with a white lace summer-dress. She tied the ribbon in place, and took a step back, releasing a few more tears before she found it to painful to be in her creation room. Much later, she bathed and cleaned up. Other than the small hitches in her breath, and her red puffy eyes that she was sure three trips to the spa couldn't even get rid of, she looked like the normal Rarity. But she couldn't bear to look at herself in the mirror. She couldn't go in her room, feeling no inspiration nor the motivation to work there and memories seemed to linger there the most. She set about to cleaning the house. She cleaned the kitchen, littered with dishes completely covered with unknown black substances that had been Sweetie Belle's attempt at cooking them breakfast. One bowl of onyx goo still bubbled menacingly. Rarity felt the giggle in her mind, but couldn't make the sound audible. She was wary of the bubbling substance as she threw the entire bowl away, doubting it could be salvaged. Tidying the living room, she found papers and crayons scattered with the Crusaders' doodles. As she gathered them the hitches in her breath became small hiccups as she examined each piece. One was the Crusaders flying like super-heros. Another was Sweetie Belle creating a beautiful dress as Rarity sat back and smiled. She even found the one Sweetie Belle made the day of the Sisterhooves Social. A drawing of her and her big sister, surrounded by a heart of sapphires, Rarity's favorite gem. Rarity thought she would cry again, but she found her eyes dry. The only proof of tears were the hitches in her breath. Other than that she couldn't even muster a single tear. Finding herself completely drained of energy, Rarity put away the art supplies and doodles, and headed up to bed. She squirmed into bed, cuddling one of the spare pillows close to her aching body. As she laid there, without thinking she began to quietly sing Sweetie's favorite lullaby. "Hush now, quiet now It's time to lay your sleepy head" Her voice was hoarse and cracking as she sang slowly and quietly to herself. "Hush now, quiet now It's time to go to bed. Drifting off to sleep An exciting day behind you Drifting off to sleep Let the joy of dreamland find you Hush now, quiet now Lay your sleepy head. Hush now, quiet now. It's time to go.... to bed." And with a few streaming tears, Rarity slipped into a restless sleep. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Authors Note Hey guys! Sorry it's kind of a short chapter. And I know it took a long time, so it's sort of a bummer. But the writers block was murder and I'm already working on the next chapter. I hope to have it up soon. :) I'm glad everyone is enjoying the story. See ya soon, -Clover
The Candlelight WishTwo weeks later, it was a bright morning. Rarity couldn't find it in her to move out of her bed for what seemed like hours. How exactly was she supposed to handle this? It felt like her entire world had been ripped out from underneath her. Every silence magnified. She wished harder than she had ever wished for anything, to soon be hit by the smell of thick black smoke, courtesy of chef Sweetie Belle to tell her this was all a horrible, lucid dream. But no matter how long she stayed there, the smoke never came. She didn't hear the sound of Sweetie Belle's sweet humming through the house, or her and the Crusaders loudly announcing their latest shenanigan in the hopes of cutie marks. Rarity thought for a moment. I should go see how the other Crusaders are doing. It wouldn't hurt to seek comfort in my friends either.. she thought moving slowly to get up. The dark and slightly wet spot on her pillow, and the tightness of the skin on her face told her she had cried in her sleep. Again. She didn't even bother to really doll herself up, even though she had to look like a bedraggled cat. She couldn't care about that now. Nothing mattered more than Sweetie Belle's swift and thorough recovery. She only wished there was some way to aid that. Her faithful magic wasn't even of use. She had some of the best doctors in Ponyville, and even a specialist all the way from Manehatten working and watching over her. There was nothing a simple fashion designer could do. Even a unicorn. But maybe she could, in some way, console Sweetie Belle's two closest friends. And hope for some silver lining to come of this. She ran a comb through her purple mess of a mane, only enough to call it brushed. Cleaned the smeared make-up from her face, without bothering to reapply anything but a little mascara. She wanted to clean herself up more, and look presentable, but she just couldn't find the will and energy to do it. Walking through town was tedious. Several ponies shot her sympathetic looks, but not one had it in them to offer their condolences in words. Though she didn't mind, she was sure she wouldn't be able to take them as graciously as she would like, so it suited her just fine. But even in the morning sunshine, everything seemed so dark and bleak. As if somehow the entire world was grieving the tragedy that had befallen the alabaster mare. Regardless, she forced herself to complete something today. Rarity remembered that Scootaloo was with Rainbow Dash, and honestly she didn't know where Dash was at the moment. Chances were she was in her cloud home, but that would be impossible for Rarity to visit. So she set forth, thinking to stop at the library to speak to Twilight, and hopefully manage to pass on a message to Fluttershy regarding the care of Opalescence. She walked mechanically along the streets of Ponyville. Numb. Little more than an empty shell of a white unicorn. She arrived at the Ponyville Library, also the residency of her purple unicorn friend and little green and purple dragon that she cared for. Hoping with everything in her that she could keep together. She knew she didn't have to be perfect. Nopony would be expected to be perfectly collected in such a tragic situation. But she dreaded the idea of being total a broken-down mess. A small laugh void of any and all humor, escaped her lips. What did appearances mean in a time like this? She was a broken-down mess. She had no idea what to do with herself other than cry for two weeks! Whilst her poor little sister is fighting for her life, Rarity is crying her eyes out and then worrying about her appearance! Could anypony be more self-centered and petty? The white mare was disgusted with herself. The sound of a voice ripped her away from her inner thoughts. "Rarity? You do realize there's a sign that say's 'open' and you're welcome in my home at any time. You can come in instead of sitting on the porch all day." The white mare looked up to see a very haggard and worn Twilight Sparkle. She looked like she hadn't slept in days. "Oh dear, Twilight! Are you alright?" Rarity asked immediately full of concern for her purple friend. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Twilight said with a weary giggle. "I'm just a little-" Twilight yawned, "Tired, I guess. Come on in." she said ushering in her friend. "What in Equestria have you been doing when you should be sleeping?" Rarity asked, already knowing the answer. "Reading. Studying. Trying to find something-" Another yawn, "Anything, really." "For what?" "Well, for a while it was for extensive healing and awakening spells...." Rarity was touched by her friends concern for Sweetie Belle. "Trust me, I've looked. There's nothing that will help anymore than everything the nurses and doctors are doing." Twilight simply nodded, "Yes, I found about the same. But now I'm trying to find something that might snap somepony out of a sort of post-traumatic comatose state." She shook her head, "It's difficult to explain and even more so to research on." Rarity was just about to ask why Twilight would be searching for such a thing when a few voices rang from Twilight's room. "Spike!" Twilight called in the same direction. "Spike! Can you come down here?" The purple and green dragon bounded down the stairs..... Happily. Near exuberantly joyful. Which immediately perked Rarity's curiosity. Twilight was worn ragged trying to help, not to mention she knew how sad this entire ordeal was..... What was Spike so happy about? "Twilight, Scootaloo's doing even better today! She's been smiling and I even got her to laugh!" Spike said positively beaming, "Rarity! You're here." he said cheerfully. "Hello, Spike." Rarity said trying her hardest to give the joyous little dragon a genuine smile. She knew it probably looked more sad and tired then significantly happy, but it was the best she could do. But even this miniscule act suited the bouncing little dragon. "Spike, will you make Rarity some of that tea? And me some coffee please?" Twilight asked with an exhausted grin. It was odd to see somepony, or rather some-dragon, genuinely happy in such a time. But at the same time it was sort of refreshing. A nice dose of cheer to warm the heart and reassure the mind. "Scootaloo is here? I thought she was with Rainbow Dash." Rarity asked Twilight. "Well, Rainbow stayed with Scootaloo up until a few days ago. The Weather Factory needed their best mare back on the job and they couldn't grant her much more time off because Scootaloo isn't technically her direct family. So she has been here while Rainbow is at work." The purple unicorn mare explained. "Cheerilee has excused all three of the girls from school for as long as they need be." Rarity nodded, "That's very kind of her. But won't they fall behind in the work?" "She's been sending their work to us. And she also offered to help them catch up when they return. Of course, Sweetie Belle will simply be excused from most of it given the situation." "Ah, I see. I'll have to remember to thank Cheerilee." Rarity said nodding. "How are you holding up Rarity?" Twilight asked with sincere concern for her friend. Rarity sighed, "Not well to tell you honestly. Other than the one outfit with the ribbon, I haven't done a single thing. At least I've kept the house clean, but...... I feel like there's nothing I really can do, but that doesn't mean I should do nothing. You know?" Twilight nodded, completely understanding. "We're all struggling a little right now." she said solemnly. "I'd like to speak with Scootaloo for a moment, will you excuse me?" she asked looking up in the direction of Twilight's room. The purple mare simply nodded silently and proceeded to rummage through a few books, that Rarity didn't believe to belong to the Ponyville library. Maybe Twilight had borrowed a few tomes from the Canterlot Archives. Being the Princess' star pupil gave one access to many resources in the sense of research. Rarity was once again touched by the effort Twilight was exerting, but the poor dear should really get some sleep..... She ascended the knotted wood stairs. Every step felt harder, like something thick as honey was trying to pull her back and away from what she was determined to accomplish. She did almost dread talking to little Scootaloo, it just forcefully reminded her of what happened. Once again forced the memories in her head, like a knife creating fresh slices over existing wounds. It was excruciating, and several times she stopped, almost turning around and galloping out of the library immediately. But she was not turning back now. She had to do this for Sweetie Belle. The very least she could do was make sure her friends okay. Rounding the corner, climbing the last few stairs, Rarity was met with a door left ajar. Through the doorway was a room was an average sized bed with fluffy pillows and sky blue coverings, a small basket bed with an apple themed quilt draped messily in it, and a small orange and pink pegasi filly quietly coloring a picture on the floor furiously. Rarity cleared her throat quietly. The filly looked up with large purple eyes, her extreme cut hot pink hair laid messily falling in front of her eyes every so often. She set down the bright orange crayon that she held between her teeth. "Oh, hi Rarity." Scootaloo said staring directly at the floor. Rarity tried to make her voice cheerful, but she sounded like one of those nurses with a terminal filly. "Hello Scootaloo. How are you today?" The filly shrugged, "O-Okay I guess." she muttered, still not taking her gaze off the floor, but she couldn't seem to keep her eyes on the same spot of the ground for long. "What are you coloring?" She asked gently. "Nothing!" the filly said suddenly furiously attempting to hide the drawing. Rarity flinched. What was she so excited about? The filly sat with her forelegs curled tightly around a now horridly crumpled piece of paper, holding it tightly to her chest. She held the paper as if her life depended on it. Rarity remained calm and spoke gently, "If you don't want to show me that's perfectly fine. But I would like to see it if you don't mind." She said kindly. The young filly remained still and silent for a long while, and by the look on her face she was thinking. Finally, she relented and released the wrinkled mess, never once taking her eyes off the ground. Something about the grimace on her face was…. Odd. As if Rarity should recognize the emotion behind it, but she just couldn’t place it. A light blue glow surrounded the drawing, and out of habit Rarity began to attempt to iron out the imperfections. It was less wrinkled now, but a few deep creases cut through the wax colors. Rarity looked at the picture, and almost instantly she felt her heart break at the sight. The drawing portrayed a sunset orange pegasi filly with spiky pink hair, floating above a carriage. In the pegasi filly’s forelegs lay a smiling white unicorn with two-toned purple-pink hair. “Scootaloo….” Rarity said aghast, “Honey, why would you draw something like this?” The young filly instantly broke down. “It was all my fault! If I wasn’t teaching them that stupid trick….!” she began sobbing, “If I wasn’t a freak pegasus who can’t fly, I could have saved her! I could have saved her! I’m so sorry. Please don’t be mad, I’m sorry! It was all my fault! I’m…. So-sorry.” the filly cried. In a blink Rarity was holding Scootaloo tightly. “Sssh! No, honey, it’s not your fault! It couldn’t possibly be your fault! It was just an accident, sssh, it’s ok. It’s ok.” Scootaloo buried her face in Rarity’s alabaster coat as she cried as if she was in pain. Rarity rocked gently, and rubbed her back in an attempted to comfort the young filly. A rushed sound of hooves and another strangely muffled beat alerted Rarity of the approach of her friends. She wondered what the muffled sound was, but soon discovered it’s source was the wing beat of a bright, rainbow-maned, cyan Pegasus that had just rushed into the room. “Scootaloo? Rarity…? What happened, what’s wrong?!” Rainbow Dash asked in a panic. “Is she hurt?!” Twilight rushed into the room seconds after. “Ssssh,” Rarity said once again. She directed her attention to Dash. “She’s okay. She‘s okay.” Rainbow then landed, and quickly took Rarity’s place holding the young filly to her. Rarity backed away. “Ssssh, Scootaloo, sssh. It’s okay, it’s me. I’m here, it’s okay. Ssssh. It‘s okay.” Dash cooed gently. Rarity had never seen her colorful friend so maternal in her life. But at this moment, she almost could have sworn that Scootaloo was Rainbow’s filly or at least little sister, despite the lack of familial resemblance. She motioned her purple friend out of the room to explain, now that Scootaloo was in Rainbow’s hooves. Twilight followed silently, leaving only the sound of Scootaloo’s fading sobs and Rainbow’s gentle cooing. “What happened?” Twilight asked as the door closed. “Scootaloo blames herself for the…. Accident. She drew a picture of her saving Sweetie by flying.” Rarity said sniffing. “Oh…. The poor thing.” Twilight said under her breath. “It’s not her fault!” Rarity shook her head, “No… No, it’s mine. I should’ve….” Twilight interrupted her instantly, “Rarity! Don’t you dare try to blame yourself! The only pony who could be at fault would be the careless driver! They didn’t even stop! How do you not notice something like that?” The white mare remained silent for a while. Twilight shook her head, “I’m serious Rarity don’t you dare go and blame yourself.” “I’m not, I’m not. I promise.” Rarity said stopping to wipe her face. She sighed sadly. “I’m terribly sorry, but I have to go. I need to go check on Applebloom now that I’m sure Scootaloo is in good hooves. Don’t let her…” Twilight nodded. “I’ve got it under control.” “And do get some rest dear.” She said with a small smile. Twilight nodded again with a small smile of her own. The streets were once again silent with a cloud of pity and sorrow thick in the air. She walked slowly along the long stretch of road to Sweet Apple Acres. Where asphalt faded to smooth dirt. Where humble homes and businesses gave way for an endless forest of apple trees. Rarity quietly pondered how in Equestria, Applejack and her brother could harvest every single apple. Just the two of them. It seemed a daunting task, and dreadfully hard work. But they both seemed to enjoy it with as much passion as she herself held for her trade. A light wind kicked up some dust, making small tornadoes before the white mare. The breeze gently teased her mane and tail, and felt colder on her face where her cheeks were streaked with tear tracks. The modest weather vane, and tin roof of a bright red barn soon came into view on the horizon just above the trees, as Rarity drew closer to the Apple residence. Within minutes the barn was in full view along with the other quaint buildings of Sweet Apple Acres. She walked briskly to the door of the Apple home. As she was a mere few feet from the door, another weary pony stepped out. A large scarlet red earth stallion with golden hair, usually strong and steady, was wobbly and fatigued. “Macintosh?” Rarity asked, surprised not only to see the stallion, but to see him so uncharacteristically weak and drained. “Eeyup?” Mac said in more of a yawn than words. “You look absolutely exhausted! Where are you going this morning?” She asked quietly. He yawns again. “The orchards. Gotta…” Another yawn. “Harvest the apples.” “By yourself?” He nodded slowly, “Applejack has tried helpin', but she's too tired. Been takin' care of Applebloom." he said sadly. "Yes, I.... I heard about that. How is she?" Rarity asked, once again quiet and unable to hold direct contact with the dull and faded emeralds that sat before her. It seemed he tried to shrug, but exhaustion weighed heavy on his shoulders, and they appeared to merely quiver non-chalantly. "It doesn't change. It never changes. She just..." he shook his head. "She just sits there. She screams when she sleeps, and wakes up and sits there." Rarity had never seen so much pain in Macintosh's eyes. Again she couldn't look directly at him for long, and continued to stare at the ground. He too looked intently towards the dirt beneath his hooves. After a few deep breaths, Macintosh spoke again. "Well," he said a slight choke in his voice. "Ah need to... uh... get to the orchards." He said and he quickly walked away. Rarity stared at the ground, long after the sound of Macintosh's hooves faded. She took slow deep breaths, calming herself and battling the tears that threatened to spill over at any moment. She drew all the strength she had left and stepped forward. Entering the Apple residence she felt a cold, and suffocating sorrow surround her. A familiar orange mare sat at the table with a cup of coffee beside her, and her face in her hooves. Her trademark hat lay across the table in front of her, and Rarity noticed how her mane was without it's usual symptoms of hat hair. Meaning she hadn't worn it often within a few days. Normally, Rarity would find this as a fashion breakthrough for her friend, but today she knew it meant something was wrong. "Applejack? Are you alright dear?" Rarity spoke quietly, not wanting to disturbed her obviously distraught friend. Rarity expected her to jump, but she didn't. The orange mare slowly looked up, just as exhausted, if not more, than the two ponies before her. "Oh, hiya Rarity. What ya doin' here?" Applejack said quietly resting her face back down on her hooves. "I came to see how everyone is doing." She said sitting at the table. She noticed the cup of coffee by Applejack appeared to be completely cold. "Applejack, dear, I don't mean to be rude but you look positively dreadful! What is the matter?" Applejack actually smiled. Normally, one could expect Applejack to retort with a defensive comment on Rarity's incessant need to be neat and perfect. But she just shook her head, with a small almost humorless smile. "Yer not up to yer usual perfection yerself there Rarity. Ah don't blame ya, know exactly how yer feeling, what ah don't know is how yer holdin' up." Applejack said looking straight at the table, but not focusing on anything in particular. Rarity laughed, also without humor, as her gaze losing focus on any physical object. "To be completely honest, my dear, I'm not." She said shaking her head. "I am not holding up well, what-so-ever." Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream was heard from upstairs. "She fell asleep." Applejack said in a huff, before walking briskly up the steps. Rarity followed thinking about what Macintosh had said. The two mares burst through the door of the little filly's room to find a young light orange filly thrashing and screaming on her bed. "Applebloom. Applebloom! Sssh it's okay sugar-cube Ah'm right here." Applejack said calmly petting her sister's hair. Almost instantly Applebloom's thrashing stopped and her screams subsided quietly. She sat straight up, eyes void of any and all of the spirited young ranch-pony she was, and completely silent. Applejack sighed in exasperation when she realized her sister had slipped right back into her dazed and absent state. “Applebloom? Rarity’s here. She wants to talk to ya, ok?” Applejack said gently. Applebloom did nothing to acknowledge her sister’s words, other than turn to stare blankly at Rarity. It was chilling for the white mare to see such emptiness in the young filly’s eyes. Applebloom was always full of life. A fiery determination to earn her cutie mark, cheerful, expressed herself no matter what. Now she sat, silent and void of her natural spirit. Rarity smiled gently, “Hi Applebloom.” she said quietly. Applebloom then looked down at the sheets laying messily under her small body. She then got up, eliciting a gasp of surprise from Applejack, and walked to Rarity. The filly hugged the white mare tightly. Her eyes closed tightly as she began to cry. Rarity rubbed her back gently, glancing at Applejack, who didn’t know exactly what to do with herself. Too many emotions played across her face to pin down exactly what she was feeling. Obviously this was a small break in the filly's waking silence, and Applejack was relieved, but sad. Glad, yet at the same time a little depressed that she, herself, couldn't pull her little sister out of such a dark time. It wasn't like Applebloom thought of Rarity as a better sister, as Sweetie Belle had once thought of Applejack, the sister of her injured friend just happened to be the trigger to pull her back. Like a bucket of ice-water on a sleeping pony. "Ah didn't know what to do!" Applebloom cried, her voice hoarse and cracking from misuse and her racking sobs. "It.... It.... It just happened! Sweetie Belle.... She was in the road and.... Ah didn't think.... Ah didn't know what to do! Ah'm so sorry!" "Applebloom, now it ain't yer fault!" Applejack shouted instantly. "In no way could it possibly be your fault, my dear." Rarity said calmly. "Ah'm just sorry," the young filly said. "Is she going to be okay?" Rarity looked down and sighed, "I don't know." Suddenly Applebloom was up and animated, like her normal self, and instantly speaking rapidly. "Ya know what we should do?! We should do the Candle Wish! Everypony in Ponyville could come!" she sat and thought for a moment, "How many candles would that give us?" "I'd say somewhere near one thousand or more, dear, why?" "That's perfect! Can we do it Applejack? Please?!" Applebloom begged her sister. Applejack smiled, "Ah think that would be a great idea, sugarcube. Ah'm sure Rarity and Sweetie Belle would appreciate that very much." Rarity looked questioningly at Applejack, and was about to voice her silent wonderings when Applebloom's excited burst interjected. "Ah'll start callin' everypony! Applejack, you do the same. We'll have it at the school, 'kay? Ah gotta go tell Scootaloo and Twist!" and Applebloom disappeared in an excited blur and a rushed sound of hooves. "Well, at least she's better and not so spacey-gone-sorts." Applejack said sighing with a joyous relief. "Maybe this house can get some sleep tonight! Even Granny Smith couldn't sleep through that lil' fillies nightscares." "Applejack, dear, what exactly is the 'Candle Wish?' " Rarity asked quietly. "The old Ponyville magic story, it's said that if one thousand candles are lit with a strong wish for something and fly into the air with those balloons things, it'll come true." "I thought that was just an old pony-tale ponies told their fillies." Rarity said recalling the myth. "Well, it darn well might be. But right now Ah think all anypony can do is hope fer a miracle and if a couple old candles and paper foldin' could make a miracle I say it's worth a shot." Applejack said shrugging. " 'Sides, if nothing else it's a mighty nice thing to do for Sweetie Belle, knowing that everypony is wishin' for her to get well and come home." Rarity nodded. Honestly, what could it hurt? Any little hope of magic or miracles has to do some good in this case. And it did help Rarity knowing that the town honestly cared, and weren't simply acting sympathetic because it's what they should do. "Just be at the school tonight when it starts to get dark. Me 'n' Applebloom will handle the rest." Applejack said as the two were walking outside. "Okay, I'll be there." Rarity said with a smile, and continued home. As Ponyville grew dark, glowing dimly with the remaining light of the setting sun, a large crowd of ponies gathered in the field behind the old school house. The entire town, and even surrounding pegasi and outliers was there. Each pony with a candle and paper balloon in their possession. In front of and facing the crowd stood Mayor Mare, Zecora the Zebra, Rarity, and Applebloom. Mayor Mare spoke clearly, yet gently, addressing the crowd. "Citizens of Ponyville, and friends. We are here today to honor the bravery and strength of one little filly who has been stricken with tragedy. Young Sweetie Belle was hit by a speeding carriage two days ago, and continues to battle for her life in Intensive Care. Tonight our hearts go out to this young filly, and in an old, almost forgotten tradition of Ponyville, we light these candles and give them to the sky in hopes of our wish for Sweetie Belles swift and complete recovery and return. Thank you Applebloom, for orchestrating such a gesture for your friend. And thank you Rarity, for your strength and courage to attend, our hearts are with you and your family as well." Applebloom and Rarity both nodded in turn. "Everypony, Zecora will walk around and light your candles. As she does this wish as hard as you can and send them into the sky." Zecora lit the fireplace match and walked through the middle of the crowd of ponies, touching the small flame to each candle on either side. At the fourth candle, a gentle voice was heard. Rarity believed it to be Lyra Heartstrings, quietly singing. Then the ponies with lit candles leaned over to the next pony, using the flame of their candle to light the wicks of others. And a small wave of dim light passed over the crowd, as the gentle voices grew in number quietly singing the song. The lights began to rise in the sky as they sang. "You ask me time and time again How did this start, how did it all begin And I will tell you one more time It was your smile From across a crowded room That first drew me to you It was that heartwarming smile And it was your laugh In the darkest of times That made me fully realize That I had fallen for you It wasn't your hair That bounces in the breeze Or even your eyes As blue as the seas Although, yes it's true, I'm quite taken with all of you, When you smile a dazzling smile, All your beauty shines through It was your smile That captured my heart for all time And that made me wish you could be mine It was always in your smile All your crazy ways, give me so many happy days, But it all started With your smile...." A tear ran down Rarity's face as she watched the lights rise like the stars of Luna's night. And she wished harder than anything for her sister to come home. Authors Note Just so you know, I do not own the song. All credit/rights/yada yada goes to the great and beloved Mandopony "It All Started With Your Smile." I heard the song and simply fell in love with it, and felt it fit in this part well. Also, I know it took forever and a day to post this. I've been SUPER busy moving into the dorm and with all the work/school/blah blah blah and there's no internet in my dorm. I hope you guys like this chapter though! Let me know. :) -Clover
In the Light of DawnThe dawn rose slowly, blossoming on the horizon, as Rarity stared out of the hospital's window. She could still see the twinkling flames of candles floating among the clouds behind her eyelids. The dull beeps and whirrs of the machines, holding the thread of life her young sister clung to, echoed in the small room along Rarity's quiet breathing. She watched as life began to stir outside the opaque barrier with the rise of Celestia's sun. Two birds fluttered by, chasing each other in the cool morning air. Once more a collection of memories gathered in the back of Rarity’s mind, slowly slipping into her conscious thoughts. Sweetie Belle’s sweet singing, the laughter of the fillies playing, spending precious moments with her little sister. Even the bitter memories of arguments; screaming, and yelling, wanting her freedom from the burden of a younger sibling. She felt sick realizing how horribly close to being free from that burden…. Forever. She swore to herself to never, ever wish for that ever again. Though she occasionally yearned to be relieved of the stresses of her, she never wished to be free of Sweetie Belle. Rarity’s gaze was unbroken as the sun rose higher and higher in the sky as the day grew later. The entire world was teeming with life outside the glass boundary, and though she stared intently she saw none of it as she was lost in the recesses of her own mind. Nurses came in and out of the room. Doctors attempted to cheer up the white mare with words of encouragement and assurances of Sweetie Belle’s condition, but Rarity could see the lack of emotion in their eyes. It’s not that they didn’t care, they simply learned to separate themselves from a case when the chances weren’t high. The hours drew longer each day, and time seemed to move slower than honey. The constant feeling of the unknown, never knowing if Sweetie Belle would wake, made it drag on and on. Rarity thought back to the Sisterhooves Social. After one of the biggest fights with her little sister, Rarity had vowed to never be sister-less again, and Sweetie Belle adopted Applejack as a sister to spite her. Applejack’s words still echoed in her mind. “Being sisters, is like…. Apple pie! You can have amazing apples, and you can have a wonderfully crispy crust, but only together can you have a perfect apple pie.” “But apart all we are is just a pile of mush, and a crumbly dry mess……” Rarity mumbled to herself. She laughed to herself. “I’m definitely a messy pile of mush.” As an array of small creatures flew past the hospital window, Rarity was reminded of the camping trip her and her friends took with the fillies. The long hike to Winsome Falls. Rarity packing far more than necessary as usual, setting up the tents, telling stories by the fire, “protecting” Sweetie Belle from Rainbow’s Olden Pony and the Headless Horse. A knock at the door was the only thing to break Rarity’s hypnotic gaze out the window. It wasn’t one of the distant doctors or nurses, it was too…. Heavy. Though a gentle knock it sounded as if some large pony was behind the hoof upon the door. “Who in Equestria…..?” Rarity quietly wondered. “Come in?” she called gently, as if not to disturb the filly lying on the bed. And of course the pony to walk through the door was one of the last she would ever expect. “Macintosh?” She asked quietly. Surely enough, the large red stallion with a golden mane and bright green eyes; known more commonly as Applejack’s brother Big Mac stepped through the small door. He looked over to Sweetie Belle and nodded silently, once again as to not disturb the inert filly, just as Rarity had called gently. Rarity looked a the floor, unable to meet his eyes. “I don’t mean to be rude, but….. Why are you here?” She asked peeking up for just a moment. His hoof gently touched her chin, softly encouraging her to face him. He smiled, and turned to pull something off his back. Now in his mouth, he held a beautiful bouquet of white lilies. She gasped in surprise, and he motioned for her to take them. Using her magic to levitate them in front of her, she smelled the sweet blossoms. “Macintosh, these are beautiful!” “I heard about what happened when Applebloom came home that day. That little filly didn’t sleep at all. I would have come sooner, but I had to tend the farm while my sister tended to Applebloom. Well, anyway I wanted to give you two flowers,” he said motioning to the filly on the bed. “I hope she makes it out ok, and soon.” Tears welled in Rarity’s eyes. She gently placed the flowers on the end table next to Sweetie Belle’s bed. She then walked slowly over to Macintosh, and hugged him. At first he seemed shocked, tensing instantly at the unexpected embrace, but soon he relaxed throwing his foreleg around her as well. “Thank you so much.” Rarity whispered, and they sat there for what felt like hours, Macintosh holding tight as Rarity quietly wept. When they finally drew apart, Rarity embarrassedly laughed at herself as she wiped the tears from her eyes. “I apologize….” She began, but he held up a hoof to silence her. “It’s no problem at all.” He said gently. She smiled. “I can’t thank you enough.” “Happy to be there for ya, Rarity.” he replied. With that he hugged her again shortly, before quietly walking out the door. More tears welled in Rarity’s eyes as the door shut with a quiet metallic click. She moved to Sweetie Belles bedside. She looked upon her sister’s face, still and without any movement, and with her hoof brushed a single stray hair from her face. A few tears broke free and rolled down her cheeks. Her hoof rested on the bed as she turned, now fixing her gaze on the gorgeous white lilies that lay on the table. They appeared to be a breed she had never before seen. A gleaming white, with an illuminating sapphire center, and amethyst purple specks along the star-point petals. She quietly wondered where one finds such beautiful blossoms, and was instantly touched by the thought of the amount of effort a pony would need to come across such flowers. It was very sweet of Macintosh, but she wondered why he would make such an effort for her and her sister. Rarity’s thoughts wandered once more. It was an odd feeling, waking up. It was like waking up without knowing that you fell asleep, only with a strange thing in her nose and all sorts of machines attached to her small body. She squirmed slightly as the bed was sort of uncomfortable. She opened her eyes a little noticing and instantly recognizing the figure that sat beside her. “Rarity?” Sweetie Belle said gently. Author's Note Buck...... Sorry it took so long guys (and also that the quality of this chapter may not live up to it's predecessors), HORRID writers block and lack of internet has been a royal pain in the rump. I know it's short, and also slightly..... Crap because I had to come up with something to fill the space to the end. A Big Mac appearance as a cameo for the upcoming Rewrite of the epic failure that was "Not A Prince Charming" by yours truly. Cute. I've thought myself into being a fan of the Rarity/Mac shippage. All for now and ever for Handful of Crumbs! And I just want to ask... Did anyone get the reference of the title BEFORE this chapter? This chapter sort of explains it..... Anywho... Thanks for reading! Ta! -Clover Spirits
A Sky Blue Ribbon"Sweetie Belle? Have you seen that blue silk ribbon? Sweetie Belle? Sweetie Belle! Sweetie Belle, Where are you!?" Rarity's calls echoed through the boutique. "Where is that little filly?" she muttered shaking her head, "Sweetie Belle!" But she thought nothing of it. She probably just ran out with her two friends and forgotten to notify her sister of her departure. Rarity rolled her eyes a little, When will that little filly remember to tell me anything? she thought shaking her head, but continuing her search for the sky blue ribbon for her latest ensemble. "Oh, I do hope she hasn't run off with it! I know she enjoys playing with my things, but I really need that ribbon for my creation! It would be just per-fect for the client!" She mumbled as she rummaged frantically, but taking her time to look, through the entire house. "Ugh! I simply can't find it anywhere! Sweetie Belle!" Glancing out the window, Rarity spotted three bouncing little fillies outside, with bright red and gold capes flying in the the wind. She couldn't help but smile at the scene before her. When her little sister had first created the capes, she was furious. Sweetie had wanted to add the "perfect flare" to the self-proclaimed Cutie Mark Crusaders capes, like her big sister did with her designs, and had used the shiny golden material Rarity had in fact needed for a client. Rarity was very angry with her sister, at the time, but she grew fond of those capes. The gold, did actually make the capes absolutely wonderful, and she grew to appreciate Sweeties hard work to be like her sister. She rolled her eyes, grinning, as the three hopped around causing their beautiful capes to make them appear as if they were soaring. She opened the door, calling out from the doorway, "Sweetie Belle? Sweetie Belle." The little unicorn filly bounced around, a blissfully unaware ball of flying white, pink, and purple with a blur of red and gold. The wind rang with the sound of small, bubbly laughter and wide smiles lit the world a little more on the slightly cloudy day. "Sweetie Belle! Have you seen that ribbon.......?" A quick blur entered Rarity's peripheral, she turned to see a speeding carriage not far down the road, "What the.....?" Glancing back at her sister, Rarity noticed the two others watched as Sweetie Belle attempted the latest trick their little daredevil friend Scootaloo was trying to teach them. At first she simply watched as Sweetie Belle, needing room to jump, backed up........ Into the road. It took a minute for Rarity's brain to process. Suddenly, the speeding carriage appeared just yards away, and was closing in quickly........ On Sweetie Belle. The three fillies were blissfully unaware as Rarity's heart dropped to her stomach, froze, and raced violently all simultaneously, "Sweetie Belle! Sweetie Belle get out of the road!" The carriage kept flying, closer and closer. Rarity knew she should move, grab Sweetie Belle and drag her out of the street, scolding lightly her for not being careful. Report the runaway carriage, insure the driving ponies are all right. But no matter how hard she willed herself, something kept her frozen in place, like a statue of marble. "Sweetie Belle! Get out of the way!" The fillies couldn't hear her over their own cheers and encouraging shouts. Rarity finally got her body to move. "Sweetie Belle! Get out of the road, Sweetie Belle!" The carriage was only a few yards away. Part of Rarity's brain knew the sequence of events that were to follow, while the rest frantically attempted to deny it, stop it, anything to prevent it. "Sweetie Belle!!!" Rarity's loud shriek echoed in her mind, as the next few moments ran in slow motion. Rarity tried to sprint across the remainder of the yard, every fiber in her body pushing to reach her little sister in time. But it seemed as if she was running against time, thick as honey. The carriage closed in on the last few inches, only then did the other two realize what was happening, and the last thing Rarity saw was Sweetie Belle's smiling face as she locked eyes with her sister, then disappearing as the carriage ran over where she was standing. Sweetie Belle's inert form came to rest a few feet down the road from where she had stood just seconds ago bouncing in joy, and the world around Rarity seemed to freeze, the feeling in her stomach colder than any storm of ice could possibly conjure. Rarity halted, still a few feet from the Crusaders, staring blankly as her brain tried to register what she had already seen coming. All she could to was blink, as tears welled in her eyes quickly rolling down her face. "Nooo!" The high pitched shriek was all that filled the air. Rarity's vision faded in and out as she ran, still feeling as if everything was in slow motion. Tears rolled down her face, sobs racking her body. Everything sounded distant, Scootaloo snapping out of the shock that held them all and screaming for help, Applebloom's crying that flipped between screams and sobs. Her own voice was distant to her. She had heard shouts from the carriage, she wasn't sure if they had even noticed what they'd done, but it continued it's fatal pace. How could those ponies continue like that? How could they not notice, or rather not care, that they had trampled a child? Why were they running so quickly? How many more young fillies and colts were in danger? She cradled Sweetie Belle's still and broken form. Rarity unconsciously thought to remove the C.M.C. cape, small spots in the gold stained in blood, poor little Sweetie Belle's blood. She held on to her sister rocking with her own violent sobs. She stayed conscious long enough for her blurred vision to recognize Applejack and Twilight's presence as well as paramedics swarming her, but she blacked out. But in the blackness, Rarity could feel her heart crack, like an icy pond threatening to break into a hundred pieces at any minute.
