Intoxicating Scales

"What in the name of Celestia?! Pinkie!!!" Rarity snarled, "I've had a rough enough day as it! I don't need any more trite excuses you call for celebrating! I am not in the mood for your constant trivialities and...!"

The pink mare flinched, recoiling in fear, stunned into silence. Looking inside she was shocked to see Fluttershy and Twilight looking back, dumbfounded at her. Taking a deep breath, she hotly exhaled. "Look, Pinkie, I am so sorry I-"

The curly haired mare only pushed her canon past her. Not looking her in the eye as she trotted off. "Wait! Pinkie! Please don't I'm-"

"Sorry doesn't make it okay, Rarity." Fluttershy spat, pushing her aside as she stepped out of the doorway, "I don't really care if you've had a bad day. You are in control of yourself, nopony else."

"But I-"

"Enough!" Twilight screamed, levitating them both inside and silencing them with her magic. "Look, it's been stressful for all of us. Rainbow Dash is still flying all over town looking for you. Where have you been? I thought you and AppleJack went to the spa?"

Setting them down they both gasped for air, Rarity sighing. "Me and AppleJack...had a falling out. We went back to the barn to...prepare for the Reunion some more. And... it's all my fault." she trembled, bulbous tears escaping her.

"Oh Rarity, even though I'm mad at you, seeing you cry makes me wanna cry." Fluttershy hiccuped, misty eyed. "What happened? That is awful. I am sorry, I thought it was something, well, trivial. I guess it is easy to be accidentally callous."

"Is there anything we can do?" Twilight asked softly.

"Please, go get Pinkie before I ruin that too!" she solemnly seethed, "I've already done enough damage today!"

Twilight nodded at the teary eyed Fluttersay, who trotted out the door after their friend. Rarity's cheeks were already raw from crying on her walk, the extra tears leaving burning trails as her mascara ran. Sniffling she turned away from her, attempting to walk away.

"Now, tell me what happened Rarity. No more fooling around."

"Twilight, I just...I can't, I'm not ready."

"Let me put it this way," Twilight sighed, horn lighting up again. She cast an image on the wall beside them of the Elements. "See these? I must remind you that you and AppleJack are a part of the most powerful weapon in Equestria, and it relies on your friendship. All the Elements of Harmony must be, well, harmonious to work, simple as that.. With Equestria suffering the recent disaster, we are more vulnerable than I'd like to admit."

"I just don't think I'm cut out to be an Element Twi, somepony else should take my place."

Twilight stared devoid of emotion at her. "Rarity, you know they don't work like that. They tie together groups. Without you and AppleJack, Equestria could be in danger. So I need you to tell me what's wrong because that's the only way we can come up with a solution."

Rarity still sat in silence. Causing the alicorn to groan. "Here, I'll demonstrate my hypothesis on what happens if the Elements detect disharmony between any number of its users, and what happens when too few of us try to use it."

The image on the wall starkly flickered. "Scenario One." Twilight airily explained, motioning for them both to sit.

Images of all six of them began to unfold inside a castle, charging forward and wearing their respective Elements. Ahead of them a large orb of dark energy began to grow larger. Flashing red and blue, and green against the darkness. The six of them stopped in front of it, all with determined scowls.

"You're not winning this time Shadow!" Rarity saw herself growl. "And we will not stand to see you consume Discord!"

"With the power of the Elements, we can save him girls!" Twilight announced, mane fluttering heroically behind her. "Nothing can stop us if we all work together. Friends make mistakes sometimes, but we always come back for each other and make it right!" The real Twilight smirking at this.

All of their necklaces began to flash- sending waves of their respective colors that were absorbed into the others. They all began to rise, eyes completely white. Until Rarity's purple light pinged off of AppleJack's, causing an unstable wave of power to go flying from them, disintegrating a nearby pillar.

"Wahhh! What was that!?" Twilight yelled as them were all thrown to the hard ground, sharp debris cutting into them.

AppleJack's orange from her Element pinged off of Rarity's, causing the ground beneath them to quake.

"Girls! Grab anypony who can't fly and take off!" screamed Twilight.

The ground crumbled and cracked where they had stood, a small fissure opening. Fluttershy unable to hold Rarity, who fell from her grip downwards, shrieking. The last image was of a 50 foot tall Discord, skeletal structures of other animals protruding from his gaunt, black flesh. All releasing a cacophony of shrill, guttural roars, before fading to black.

Rarity's ears pinned back, disturbed by witnessing her own death and seeing such a horrifying re-imagining of one of their friend.

"And that's the best case scenario." Twilight said, unfazed. Rarity's mouth wide open. "Now onto the next, shall we?"

The light flickered once more. Painting a moving picture of her friends crouching behind collapsed crystal statue of Celestia. Twilight holding up her hooves and whispering. "Here's the plan. "We're going to-"

Before she could finish, a searing wall of blue energy went right through her. Eviscerating everything in it's path, leaving no trace of their friend. All of them recoiled and screamed. "No!" Wall Rarity stated, "We will not cower and let her win! Light 'em up girls!"

The six of them stomped the ground, before jumping onto the statue, Elements already shining bright. The same light that swirled around each of them, each connecting to each other. Ahead of them, Starlight Glimmer began to light up her horn, outstretching the alicorn wings on her back as her mane waved with what looked like nebula's bursting into bloom, eyes replaced with spheres of violet electricity.

They remained floating there, as another wall disintegrated everything in its path. Pinkie Pie began to thrash wildly, her Element glowing blue and then magenta before those same colors of crystals began jutting from her body, spilling blood onto Rarity's white coat below her. She writhed and shreiked in agony before them, crumbling before the energy wiped them from existence. The image went black again.

The real Rarity's eyes were still glued to the wall. Unable to look away or get the images out of her mind. She wondered how Twilight could function so easily with these in her mind.

"You understand?"

Rarity nodded.

"I'm sorry, I only recently learned this. Studying the tree after all these years. It's much more...unstable than we thought. I was going to use the spell that made us look like we were living through it, but this uses less energy and proves my point."

"Why were you in my house already though, Twilight?" she asked coolly, eyes still focused.

She giggled, "Well, it turns out Opal wasn't sick."

Rarity aggressively snarled, "Of course she was! I had Fluttershy come over and everything!"

"Though Fluttershy does have a talent in taking care of animals, you must remember she isn't a licensed vet."

"I know that! What happened then? How can you throw up and not be-oh. Wait, but how?!"

"I don't know. Somehow she managed to in her old age."

"I thought she was just getting fat. But I didn't notice any teets."

"She has 'em, they are just smaller than usual, and she didn't have many. So she only needs to produce a little milk.

"Where is she now?" she asked, heart heavy.

"In your room. Will you be okay Rarity? Or would you like us to wait down here for you?"

"I'll be along dear, I would just like to have a moment."

Rarity excitedly ran upstairs, smiling all the way. Opening her bedroom door, Topaz greeted her. "Naughty thing you. They told me you were neutered."

She softly walked over to the other side of the bed. Peeking to observed Opal sleeping on her side, with two kittens attached to her two exposed nipples. One a striking ginger like his father, and the other a light butterscotch.

"Good job, Mama Opal." she crooned. Causing a symphony of purrs between her and Topaz, who nuzzled down beside her.

Crawling into bed, she cocooned herself under the covers. Unable to face her friends downstairs a second time. Hoping that if they checked on her, they would find her asleep and let her be. Wanting nothing more than to just brood and feel alone again right now.

Ghastly images of AppleJack's destroyed marehood and the tears streaming down her face riveted through her mind. She began to tremble again, biting her cheek to fight off the hot tears streaming down her pillow. Perhaps the worst of all was knowing AppleJack was laying back there. No friends checking up on her. Just alone, in pain physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Rarity's whole lower body felt like searing lead weighed it down as she got up. Wincing as she planted an ankle on the floor, only for it to sting. Groaning, she massaged her sore neck, falling back down into the pillows.

"How am I going to get any work done today?" she sighed. "If sleep didn't heal it, then it's only going to get worse."

Shutting her eyes tightly, she flung herself from the bed and onto the floor. Immediately it felt like pillars of glass splinters shot through her veins, causing her to gasp. She stood there for a few moments, completely still before the pain ebbed away to dull bursts.

"Oooh ahhack." she hissed with each hoof fall, slowly pacing herself to the door. Trekking down the stairs like walking through burning nails, unable to help when she recoiled from attempting to move too fast. Smiling when she heard bustling of pans, plates and silverware

"Sweetie?" she called, "I seem to have procured an injury yesterday, I may need your help today."

Stepping into the kitchen, she was surprised to see Apple Bloom at the table, a succulent pancake doused in strawberry jam in front of her. Today she was wearing a teal cowboy hat and blue flannel shirt, a stylish upgrade from the norm. Sweetie Bell was still at the stove, flipping pancakes carefully with a spatula.

"Oh, morning Rarity!" Apple Bloom greeted sheepishly, "I hope was it was okay to come over on short notice. I can help out if-."

Sweetie Bell and Rarity exchanged understanding gazes. "Oh darling, while that is ever so kind and thoughtful of you, I think I'll be okay. Nothing a wrap-around bandage won't fix! You two have fun now."

"But Rarity, are you sure?" Sweetie asked with genuine concern. "I could always-"

"If I wasn't I wouldn't have said so." she attempted warmly.

"Well, I did make you some pancakes, if you'd like and if it'd help." her little sister shyly grinned, levitating a stack of chocolate chip and blueberry filled ones. "And Opal's doing great this morning. Fluttershy left some extra milk in the fridge if we needed it. Also, I tried putting nutmeg into these to spice 'em up, though I'm not sure how they've turned out yet."

"They're pretty amazin'!" Apple Bloom said with a mouthful, "Sweetie sure does have a talent for it."

Those words stung at her, but she didn't show it. "Why yes. And thank you for checking on her." She awkwardly sat doing on a chair, eye twitching as her pajama pants met with the cool of the cushion. "Apple Bloom, if you wouldn't mind my asking, how's AppleJack been?"

The earth pony raised an eyebrow at her, "Didn't you just see her yesterday?"

"Well, yes but... me and her had a...falling out of sorts and I just wanted to make sure she's okay."

The two mares looked back at her empathetically, Sweetie hurrying over with the pancakes and syrup.

"Well...that would explain why she hasn't come out of her room." Apple Bloom murmured, "Lands-Sake, what happened between you two? She doesn't think we can hear, but to be honest, she's been cryin' up a storm. Doesn't want anypony to come in either."

Rairty's veins returned to a bitter slush, the coldness swelling in her heart until she was sure it would burst. "I'd rather not say, but could you please make sure to check on her after today? I do worry about her."

"Was that injury caused by my sister?" Apple Bloom asked, fear in her eyes.

"Oh no no no, I mean- I obtained it when walking back." she lied. "I'm afraid I may have hurt her though, I never meant to."

"I am sorry Rarity, that is awful." her sister cooed, pouring glasses of orange juice.

"Oh please, don't feel sorry for me, really." she sighed, nibbling a decadent bite of a pancake.

"But you didn't mean to hurt her, and you have the decency to feel bad about it." Apple Bloom said boldly, "We all can accidentally hurt eachother sometimes.

Sweetie Bell nodded, smiling at the mare. "Well said. We'll make sure to look into how she's doing once we go over to the farm. The treehouse is almost complete."

"Oh? Is Spike still assisting?"

"Spike? Oh, nah. He's too busy helping Twilight now."

"Besides, he doesn't really seem to know how to properly redo foundation for windows. Caused me more work." Apple Bloom grumbled.

"Speaking of which, they said they'd be stopping by here today. To check on you." Sweetie mentioned off hand, "Twilight's really worried about both of you."

"She tried to stop by our place last night, but her and AppleJack got into another fight it sounded like."

"Poor AppleJack." Rarity hiccuped, valiantly fighting off tears attempting to spring from her face.

"It's okay Rarity, please don't hold it in." Apple Bloom whispered, laying a gentle hoof on her back. The unicorn allowing herself to wrack with sobs once more.

Cleaning up the kitchen as best she could with her magic, she rested alone at the table. Pondering which of her friends would arrive first. She groaned as she levitated a full teapot onto the kettle. Yawning as the afternoon sun leaked into through the windows. Birds chirped outside and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

"Beautiful day." she said, stretching the least achy parts of her. "I do hope Fluttershy brings some of those cucumber sandwiches."

Having manged to bring her sketch pad to the table, she went to work. Once Sweetie returned they would moved the good sewing machines from her room and set them up in her main work station. Becoming so focused she almost missed the knock at the door, followed by the patter of hoof and claw steps.

She clenched her thighs as her marehood began to throb once more. Breathing in deeply, gathering her composure and working up a smile to great them. To her surprise, they had all arrived at the same time- along with Pinkie Pie! The mares arrived in the room first, Pinkie walking with a demur gate. All wearing casual tees and pants- except for Fluttershy, who, like her was still in pajamas.

"Oh. I uhm, I am really sorry for-" Rarity began, cut off by a constrictive hug.

"It's okay, I forgive you. I understand getting blasted with confetti after a bad day probably didn't feel so good."

The unicorn wrapped her hooves around the pink pony, burying her muzzle in her hair. "Your celebrations aren't trivial."

"Thank you, and I hope not! I brought some, "Wow What-Uh Surprise Lemon Pie Kittens That'll Make you Smitten- B-Bars. Sorry, that's not my best one."

Rarity chuckled. "It's the thought and effort that count. And they do sound scrumptious." A warm grin escaping her when Pinkie pulled them out of her saddle bag. The powdery white on top was made to look like Opal's fur, little black icing dots for her eyes and whiskers and purple candy bows caused her to giggle.

"Oh Pinkie, those are lovely," Fluttershy fawned, "Hehe, but they'll have to compete with my cucumber sandwiches!"

"And me and Spike brought spicy cauliflower bites," Twilight blushed, pulling a tray of orange tinted vegetables from her bag, "I wasn't exactly sure what the theme was."

Rarity couldn't help by smile further, "Thank you girls, this means more to me than you could ever know."

Another knock sounded at the door. Followed by Rainbow charging through and towards their voices, panting with an armful of bags that spelled like they were filled with hay burgers and fries. "Sorry, I tried to make tea cakes, but well...long sorry short I think my ovens broken for the time being. I hope this'll do."

Rarity gushed at the sight of her friends ambling around her house. Setting up the food and sitting down at the table, chuckling and making light conversation about each others items.

"I do apologize, I only had time to prepare plain old ginseng tea." Rarity said bashfully.

"Um, this is a tea party, right? I think you nailed the most critical part Rare." the rainbow haired pegasi blurted, "Besides, you make the best tea out of all of us. No offense Fluttershy."

Fluttershy seared holes into the back of her friends head until she giggled, "Perhaps, but I am still the reining champ of best Hearth's Warming Coco."

"Can't argue with that," Twilight shrugged.

"I thought I heard Spike come in with you?" Rarity asked curiously, levitating down cups and pouring the steaming liquid into them.

"He couldn't help but go and check out the kittens. He's got a soft spot for cute things like that." Twilight responded, levitating the cups over to them.

Rarity felt a strong tug on her marehood realizing this meant the drake was in her room. Alone. A streaming pool began to quiver inside her pants.

"Ah yes, I think we all do, deep down. I've got to use the little fillies room, I'll be right back."

Ignoring the searing pain in her muscles, she briskly jogged back upstairs. Staring down at her clothes and groaning, doing what she could with her magic to pull it in complementary ways that extenuated her curves. Inhaling a strong breath before creeping into her room.

She had to bite down hard on her lip at the sight that awaited her as to not moan. The dragon was still unaware she entered, facing the opposite direction. Resting on his legs, he let his tail fall onto the floor, curving in such a way she could see the chiseled outline of his buttocks and beginning of his manhood under his black shorts.

Quietly as she could, she began to walk in, closing the door behind her. To which his long ears perked up to, turning his head around to look her in the eyes. Shyly pulling his tail up to cover himself.

"S-sorry. I should've asked if it was okay to come up."

"Shh, don't apologize dear. You are always welcome up here." she cooed.

Blushing he smiled, "Thanks Rare. They're so cute. Fluttershy says it was one of the tougher labors she's seen, but she had a strong will to pull through."

"Indeed." Rarity said, calculating the best way to crawl beside him without shocking him. "Let me just sit beside you, if you wouldn't mind."

"Oh, sorry. Would you like me to-"

"No, please, please stay." she purred, "It just-" she had no idea where she was going with that, pinning her ears back and trying to form words.

"Been hard recently?" Spike finished softly, "I heard that you and AppleJack had a fight- nopony's told me about what. Twilight says it's not my business to know that kind of thing."

Rarity froze halfway up. Did AppleJack reveal everything?

"Hey Rare, what's wrong? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up like she said."

"Don't be sorry dear, you were only trying to show awareness. I erm, could use help up though. I hurt my ankles yesterday."

"O-Oh, of course." the drake breathed, slithering his form around to help pull her up by her front legs. "Are you okay? What can I help you with today? Did she do this?"

"No no, it happened on the walk back. But um...well, if you could just...wrap an arm around me, that would help." she said, shame heavy in her tone.

"Oh Rarity, don't be embarrassed to ask for a hug from me." he grinned, "You deserve one from what it sounds like."

"What does it-"

She was immediately paralyzed by a broad arm pulling her closer to him, resting perfectly against her torso. She submitted control over what position she was originally going to lay in as his body softly touched against her, pushing herself closer. Trembling as she met with the hardness of his scales under his t-shirt, her body barely ending at his mid-stomach. His long neck gingerly curled around her head, eyes fluttering as she felt his warm breath dance across her hair.

"Sq-squeeze me, please." she moaned brittly, "I-I-"

"Oh Rarity, you're shaking like a leaf. It's okay, you can cry. You're safe with me."

Rarity's marehood felt like a boiling volcano, pounding harder than it had in years. She could feel her tail twitch, curling it so it would subtlety pool against his manhood.

"I can feel a muscle spasming," Spike cooed, "Poor Rarity, we'll have to get the checked out."

"Mnh, ooh, yes," she drooled, thrusting her throbbing marehood further onto him. "This makes it feel a lot better though."

"Oh? Well I'm glad. Are you hurt anywhere else?"

"Hm? Oh, m-my stomach's been acting up too, i-if you wouldn't mind rub-"

The dragon swirled a clawed hand across her belly, pressing lightly. "Am I getting it?"

"Oh, um, a little lower." she squeaked, feeling her juices begin to seep through the confinements of her clothes.

She immediately pulled a hoof up to her mouth to bite down onto as he rubbed above her teet, unknowing that with the circling motion of his hand he was touching the top of it.

"Gosh, you're so tense," the dragon said sympathetically. "Perhaps you should take another spa day. Relax in the steam and bathe in the mud."

"Mnnh, aaah," she moaned, unable to form words she nodded.

"Oh Rarity, I can hear the sadness in your voice, you don't have to speak, sounds like you're about to cry."

"Mnnh, thank you, Spikey Wikey."

Rarity felt her tail shift and his penis stiffened. "I-I have to go use the little dragon's room," he blushed, slowly raising up.

The unicorn looked up at the drake with sultry eyes, his shifting causing his stomach to push against her ass, squishing it firmly. Rarity clenched her thighs, quivering as she sucked in air through her teeth.

"Sorry!" he said, flinching, now off the bed. "I'll met you downstairs?" he inquired.

She nodded, after he exited the door, she shirked into her pillow as a tsunami of molten cum soaked her marehood and legs. Raising her head, gasping she rubbed herself. Trying to calm herself down as she levitated a white dress with red flowers over. Quickly pulling off her pajamas and tugging it on. She plucked out a new pair of panties and glided them up. Attempting to do up her hair and make the time she spent up here seem less suspicious.

Trotting back down, her friends were laughing among themselves. Twilight warmly greeting her with an smile. "The teas just about cool now."

"I dunno, mine's still pretty hot." Rainbow complained.

"That's the point of tea." Fluttershy snickered.

"Looks like you're the only one in pajamas now," Twilight teased the yellow pegasi beside her.

"Rarity! That dress looks aaamazing!" Pinkie belted.

"Thank you Ms. Pie. Now lets sample some of this food!" Rarity grinned, though clearly they had already begun to dig in without her.

"Spike's been up there for a while." Twilight said suspiciously, "Maybe I should-"

"He's in the bathroom darling. And from the sound of it you don't want to go up there." she covered. "H-He was up there for most of the time I was. Poor thing."

Twilight chuckled. "Thanks for telling me. I'll make sure to add something to help things go down easier tonight in his dinner."

Spike joined them soon after, sitting behind Rarity and looking much more relaxed. Pinkie and Rainbow giggled, while Fluttershy and Twilight sneered at them.

"What?" Spike asked defensively.

"Nothing darling, just finishing up a joke."

The group fell into light hearted chatter. It was almost possible to assume there hadn't been any recent calamities with the way they spoke. All groaning when it was time to say goodbye and return to their busy lives.

Dusk had already fallen by the time Sweetie returned. Rarity enthusiastically met her sister at the door. After soaking in a hot bath after everypony left, she was feeling much better.

"So Sweetie, how'd it go?"

The curly maned unicorn blushed. "Oh stop it. And it went well. I helped her set up decorations around the farm for the Reunion. Looks like she may be taking over this year."

Rarity immediately raised an eyebrow. "Why's that?"

"Well, um, Big Mac's already done it a hoof full of time and...well."

"Out with it."

"AppleJack's fallen into a pretty deep depression. When we checked on her she said she didn't care about the Reunion at all anymore."

A searing jolt slammed through Rarity, nearly knocking her down. "W-what?"

"She's...not doing well. We told her you were sorry, but all she did was mutter that wasn't the point. None of us know how to help and she just gets so angry and scary now. Wants to do all of her farm work alone, doesn't want to talk about anything. And she says you're only one of many reasons why she's finally snapped, if that makes you feel better."

Rarity sighed. "It...doesn't. I have to do something."