If You Tell...

by WhispersInTheDark

Rating: mature
Tags: Alternate Universe, Sweetie Belle, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Rarity, Tragedy, Non-consensual
Length: 12209

Sweetie Belle has a secret. One she has to keep, or else.

Something's wrong with Sweetie Belle. The normally carefree and precocious filly has become withdrawn, has unexplained fits of anger, and refuses to eat. Rarity and their parents are at their wits' end trying to help her, but she won't say what's wrong.

Maybe her new tutor has something to do with it.

Story is based on a crime that happened, many times, to someone very dear to me.

Sweetie's story now continues here

Published 2019-06-01 00:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2019-06-17 21:26:39 UTC

Chapter One

It's all my fault.

If I had been paying attention in school, I would've passed my math class. If I had passed my math class, I wouldn't need a tutor. If I hadn't needed a tutor, then he wouldn't have shown up.

It's all my fault.

"Sweetie Belle, come and meet your new tutor!" called Rarity.

"Coming!" yelled Sweetie as she raced down the stairs. She came to a halt next to her sister and stared up at the very tall, very stern-looking unicorn. After a moment, he smiled down at her.

"Greetings, young filly. I'm Mr. Slide Rule."

"H..hi," said Sweetie. Then she added, "You sure are tall." Indeed, he was a head taller than Rarity, but not quite as tall as Big Mac. His eyes were a brilliant blue, and his long blonde mane swept carelessly over one shoulder. He was wearing matching saddlebags (made with a color that brought out his eyes, Sweetie breathlessly noted) that bore what looked like a cutie mark, a ruler superimposed over an abacus. He was dressed in a smart business suit, complete with trousers. In short, he was the most handsome stallion Sweetie had ever seen.

"Sweetie, you're staring," Rarity gently chided. She placed her hoof over her mouth to suppress a giggle. Sweetie snapped herself back to reality.

"Huh? Sorry, sis."

Mr. Rule smiled, showing shining teeth. "It's quite alright. Now then, your sister informs me you're having trouble with algebra. Let's see what we can do about that, shall we?" Turning to Rarity, he asked, "Where may I set up?"

Rarity patted her already perfect mane and said, "Oh, anywhere you like! Might I suggest the dining room?"

"Lead the way."

Rarity did, making sure to swish her tail just so as she walked in front of him. Sweetie saw this and frowned. As much as she loved her sister, it was always a bit embarrassing the way she acted around stallions. She hoped she wouldn't be the same when she grew up.

Once there, Mr. Rule took off his saddlebags and brought out pencils and paper, then laid them on the table. Sweetie took the opposite chair and gathered her materials in front of her. Mr. Rule then used his magic to write down a few equations, and then showed them to her. "These are some simple problems I'll use to gauge your proficiency. Please solve them."

Sweetie's heart sank. While she knew the basic methods for solving the problems, her brain simply shut down. The last thing she wanted was to look foolish in front of this stallion, so she cleared her throat and dutifully wrote them down. Sticking her tongue out one side, she then tried to tackle the first problem, while Rarity and her tutor patiently waited.

Rarity must have sensed her discomfort, for she said, "Oh! Where are my manners? I'll just pop into the kitchen and get you both something. Won't take long!" She made a graceful exit, but not before turning and giving her sister a wink over her shoulder.

With Rarity gone, Sweetie breathed a little easier but found the problem just as difficult as before. After a few moments, Mr. Rule said, "I see you're having difficulty. Let me show you a simple way." He then slid over to her side, and slowly, carefully, showed her the solution. Sweetie brightened. That way seemed much easier!

"Now you try with the next one."

Filled with new confidence, she applied the same method to the equation and finally solved it. Mr. Rule beamed down at her. "That's exactly right. Keep going." He then moved back over to his side of the table and began writing out new problems.

As they were sitting there, Opalescence wandered into the room. She paused when she saw the new pony, then hissed and extended her claws. "Opal!" cried Rarity. "Be nice!" But the cat was having none of it. She sat herself in a corner of the room and refused to take her eyes off the stallion, hissing and yowling. Scooping her up in her magic, Rarity said, "I'm sorry, she's never like this. I'll just move her to somewhere else."

"It's quite alright," said Rule. "Now then, Sweetie, shall we get back to the equations?"

After about three hours of this, he stood and said, "That's enough for today. I think we'll have no difficulties getting you back on track, young filly."

Sweetie smiled. "You think so?"

Rule nodded. "No question. See you next week." Gathering his materials back in his saddlebags, he walked to the door, with Rarity beside him. He turned to her and said in a low voice, "She's much better than I hoped; I don't think I have much work to do with her, Miss Rarity."

Rarity fluttered her eyelashes at him and purred, "Anything... you'd like to do...for me, would be fine. To help her," she quickly added. Then she recovered herself and said, "It's getting late; won't you stay for dinner?" But Rule just smiled and shook his head.

"That's kind of you to offer, but I must be getting back to Canterlot. My wife is expecting me."

Rarity's heart sank. "Your...wife?"

"Yes. She likes for me to be punctual." He adjusted his saddlebags and left, while Rarity frowned.

"Oh, shoot! Why are all the good ones are always taken?" She turned back to the dining room but stopped when she saw her sister staring at her.

"Something wrong, Sweetie?"

"Do you have to do that?"

"Do what, dear?" Sweetie opened her mouth to complain about her always flirting with. Every. Stallion. she met but thought better of it.

"Nothing. When's dinner ready?"

"Just a few minutes." She added, "Mr. Rule says you're doing great. I'm so proud of you!" Sweetie's mood lightened considerably at these words. She really did care what her sister thought.

"Thanks, sis!" Then she blushed. Rarity's eyes grew wide at this.

"Why are you blushing, darling?"

Sweetie stammered, "I...I...never mind!" She almost blurted out she liked the tall stallion but decided to keep it to herself. But Rarity wasn't fooled.

She smiled. "I think you like him, don't you?"

"Rarity!"

Rarity waved a hoof. "Oh, it's perfectly understandable. He is quite handsome!"

Sweetie Belle held her hooves to her burning cheeks and said, "I do not!" But Rarity just smiled again and walked past her to the kitchen.

"Dinner will be ready soon. Go wash your hooves."

Before she went to finish making dinner, she let her cat out of the room she'd put her in. The cat immediately went to the place the stallion had been sitting and hissed again.

"Opal! What's wrong with you?"

Many days later, Rarity wished she had paid attention.

"So, what's he like?" asked Scootaloo.

"What's who like?" asked Sweetie.

"Your new tutor. I heard around town he's really handsome," added Apple Bloom.

The three of them were hanging out at the Clubhouse after school, away from prying ears, so Sweetie whispered, "Yes, he is. My sister would barely stop flirting with him. It was sooo embarrassing!"

Scootaloo edged closer, and said, "And how about you? Do you...like him?"

Sweetie Belle stared at her hooves. "M...maybe?"

"That's as good as a 'yes'," replied Apple Bloom. "So, what are you going to do about it?"

Sweetie frowned at her. "I don't know anything about boys. What do you think I should do?"

Scootaloo smiled. "Surely your parents have given you...the Talk?"

"What's that?"

Scootaloo threw up her hooves. "You know! The Talk!"

Sweetie stared at them both. "And this..."talk," you both had it?" They nodded.

"Applejack told me last year."

"And my parents told me a few months ago," added Scootaloo. Then she salaciously grinned at Apple Bloom. "I just got a fantastic idea!" With that, she launched into a detailed, graphic explanation. Sweetie's cheeks felt like they were on fire the entire time. When Scootaloo finished (with helpful hints thrown in by Apple Bloom) she was full of more questions than ever.

"So...the stallion puts his..." she asked.

"Yup!"

"And the mare gets it in her...?"

"Exactly!"

Sweetie stared at the floor. "That's gross."

"No, it's not. I hear it's really fun!" said Scootaloo.

Sweetie stared at her. "And how would you know?"

Now it was Scootaloo's turn to blush. "Well, I don't actually. But, that's what my Mom said. She just told me I'm not old enough for it yet, but to wait until the right time."

"And how do you know when it's 'the right time?'"

"She said I'd just know."

Sweetie stared at the floor again. "I still think it's gross."

Scootaloo swatted her on her shoulder. "Stop being such a baby! We're gonna be grown soon; we gotta think about these things!"

Apple Bloom brightened. "Mebbe we can git our cutie marks in 'Sex Education'!"

At this embarrassing outburst, Sweetie Belle nervously cleared her throat and looked at the clock. "Look at how late it is! I better be getting back," she squeaked.

Scootaloo sighed. "Yeah, you're right. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

Sweetie Belle nodded and they all left. All the way home, her mind was filled with the things she'd been told. Additionally, she found herself staring at the stallions she passed. For the first time, she found herself thinking about just what else mares and stallions did with each other. Thanks to her friends, she now had information. More information than she wanted.

A week later, she found herself again sitting across from her teacher. "Now then, shall we begin where we left off?" he asked.

She said, "Yes, sir," and began writing down the equations he had for her. While she was working, Rarity came into the room and with her cat in a carrier and cleared her throat. They both looked up at her.

"I have to take Opal out to see the vet. I'll be gone for about an hour. You'll both be alright while I'm gone?"

"You've nothing to worry about, Miss Rarity. She's making excellent progress, and I'm sure we'll be done before too long."

"Yeah, sis. We'll be fine."

Rarity shuffled her hooves. "Alright. I'll be back as soon as I can!" With that, she left.

Forty minutes passed, then Rule said, "That's enough for today." He gave her his most winning smile. "You really are one of the brightest students I've ever worked with. I don't even know why I'm here."

Sweetie flushed at the praise. "Thank you, Mr. Rule!"

He smiled again and said, "Now what I don't understand is why such a pretty filly as yourself is having so much trouble in school? You're so smart, is something else going on?"

But Sweetie had stopped listening after the first compliment. "You...you think I'm...pretty?"

"Of course! Haven't any of the boys in school told you that?"

Sweetie stammered, "N...no."

Mr. Rule sat back. "Well, they're fools then. Anypony can see that."

Sweetie looked down at the table, too embarrassed to speak. Mr. Rule got to his hooves.

"I should be going. Are you going to be alright if I leave you alone?"

"Oh, yes! Rarity leaves me alone all the time."

Rule's smile widened. "Is that so? Well, maybe you can tell me all about it when I come back." He got to his hooves and returned his materials to his saddlebags. "Walk me to the door?"

Sweetie nodded and followed him to the entrance. He smiled down at her.

Then, just before he left, he stroked her mane, while Sweetie froze. She'd never had her mane touched before by a stallion, besides her Dad. Sensations ran through her she didn't understand, and she found herself unable to speak.

"Bye, for now, pretty filly."

Sweetie watched him go, as her body responded in ways she'd never felt before. She closed the door and went to the couch, finding a comfortable seat. These feelings, she decided, she'd keep to herself.

Chapter Two

"It hurts!! IT HURTS!! Please stop!!"

But the stallion only increased his pace. "It...will...feel...GOOD...in a...moment!" he grunted. He then landed a heavy blow to the back of her head with a hoof, which made her cry out in further pain.

"I'll...hit you...again if you...keep screaming...you...little...SLUT! Just...stop...and you'll...enjoy it!" She closed her mouth and clenched her jaw to keep from screaming, but her tears fell faster as she was being violated.

"...please...please stop..."

Sweetie got up from the couch and looked out the door, trying to catch a glimpse of her tutor, but he was long gone. Her mind was in a turmoil over the sensations she was feeling. She then went to one of the many mirrors her sister had in her shop and gazed at herself for a long time.

He said I was pretty. Am I?

While she still felt she should keep her feelings to herself, she resolved to ask her sister about his last statement, without giving away who said it. She had to know.

She looked at the clock. Rarity should be back any minute now, so she went to the kitchen and fixed them both a snack. She still wasn't allowed to use the stove, but Rarity had deemed making sandwiches was safe enough. She had just sat down and started in on her own when she heard, "We're home!" coming from the front door. Soon, her sister appeared in the kitchen doorway and said, "There you are! How was your session?"

Sweetie shrugged. "It was alright. He taught me some new methods I hadn't learned before. I think I'll be all right in math from now on."

Rarity clapped her hooves together. "Splendid! He was worth every bit!" She took Opal out of her carrier, then seated herself at the table. "I see you made us something..." She looked around the kitchen, nervously noting anything out of place. Sweetie noticed and sighed.

"I didn't burn anything if that's what you're looking for."

"What? Oh no, I wasn't worried!" She hastily took a bite of her sandwich to cover up her embarrassment, swallowed, then added, "It's good! Thank you, Sweetie!"

"Mmhm," Sweetie mumbled around a mouthful. A silence settled in the room, as the two mares finished their meals. Finally, Sweetie asked, "Rarity? I have a question: Am I...pretty?"

Rarity's eyebrows raised and she stared at her for a few moments. Finding her voice, she said, "Of course you are! Why would you think otherwise?"

Sweetie stared at her plate. "I don't know...I wasn't sure."

Rarity smiled warmly at her. "Don't you worry about it! You'll be turning the boys' heads in no time!"

She looked up at her. "But not now?"

"Of course 'now'!" Then her eyes brightened. "Ohhh...I get it! There's somepony you have a crush on now! Tell me who he is!"

Sweetie's cheeks began flaming as she mumbled, "There's nopony right now, Rarity." But her sister's knowing smile didn't falter.

"Alright, whatever you say." She looked at the clock. "My, it's getting late. I still have one more dress to make before morning, so you'd better get ready for bed." With that, she got to her hooves, took both their plates to the sink, and retired to her sewing room.

With the coming of the morning Sun came the changing of her mind. She would talk to her friends about her feelings. Maybe they could shed some light on what she should do.

That afternoon, at recess, she drew her friends aside and said, "I gotta ask you two something. A stallion called me pretty, and it made me feel all weird inside. What should I do?"

"Who was the stallion?" asked Scootaloo.

Sweetie hesitated, then said, "My tutor."

"Oh, that good-lookin' one? How exciting!" exclaimed Apple Bloom.

"But...but he's an adult! Isn't that a bit strange for him to tell me that?" she asked.

"As long as he doesn't try any funny stuff, I don't see the problem," said Scootaloo. "My Mom told me to be careful around strangers, but you know this guy, right? He's been coming to your house for a week now, hasn't he?"

Sweetie stared off into the distance. "He's coming back in another week." She looked back at her friends. "I can't explain it, but I don't feel comfortable around him since he said that. Plus, he stroked my mane."

"He did? That's a little weird. Maybe you should tell your sister and your parents," Apple Bloom simply stated.

"I can't do that!" she exclaimed. "What if I'm just being silly? I don't wanna get him in trouble for nothing!"

"Well then, tell him. If it was an innocent compliment, he'll understand. You said he's a nice guy; I'm sure he'll do the right thing," said Apple Bloom.

"But...what if it wasn't an 'innocent compliment'? What do I do then?"

Scootaloo laughed. "Sweetie Belle! This is Ponyville! Bad things don't happen here! That guy just probably meant it all as a nice thing to do for you!"

Sweetie sighed. "Yeah, you're right. I'm probably just being silly." She smiled at her friends. "Thanks, guys. I knew I could count on you."

A week later she found herself seated across from her teacher. The cat's behavior hadn't improved, so she was locked away in Rarity's bedroom. As for Rarity herself, she'd met him at the door, then excused herself, after having his assurances all would be alright.

"As I said before, Miss Rarity, your sister is making excellent progress. This shouldn't take too long." He'd then turned to Sweetie and said, "Shall we get started?" Sweetie nodded as they retired to the dining room table and he got out his materials. She was still feeling conflicted about him but resolved to put her feelings aside and concentrated on her work.

All was well, until an hour had passed.

As she was working on the last set of problems, he suddenly cleared his throat. She looked up at him. "Is something wrong?"

He looked nervous as he stammered, "I...I have something to tell you. I hope it doesn't make you uncomfortable."

Filled with concern, she put her pencil down and said, "What is it?"

He stared at the table in front of him for a few moments, then slowly lifted his gaze to hers. "I...love you."

"W...what?"

He sighed. "I know it's unsettling. But I loved you from the first moment I saw you..."

Sweetie sat back. Her brow furrowed as she stared up at the nervous stallion. "You...love me?"

He gave a lop-sided smile. "Hard to believe, I know." He got up and slowly approached her side of the table. "But it's true..." Stopping beside her, he reached out and stroked her mane once again.

Sweetie's heart was beating like a rabbit. This couldn't be happening! Desperately, she tried to think of something, anything, to say. Just as she opened her mouth, he held a hoof to it and whispered, "Shhh. Don't speak." He then leaned in for a kiss.

That broke the spell. She pushed him away and stood up. "I...I don't think this is a good idea. I hardly know you!" She backed away a little and added, "Plus, you're an adult! I'm just a kid!"

He stared at her for a few moments, then said, "Can I show you something?"

She looked at him warily. "What is it?"

He gave her what he hoped was a winning smile, and said, "It's something special." He started to take off his trousers. "I'm sure you'll like it." Sweetie Belle was frozen in place. Never had an adult been so forward with her, and she didn't know what to do. When he finally removed his trousers, there was revealed a very erect penis...that was smaller than it should have been. He stepped closer to her. "Now you know my secret. I'm smaller than most stallions, so the only mares I can love are those your size." He reached out to her. "Come here."

Sweetie lay as he'd left her, face down and sobbing. She could feel a trickle of blood seeping down her leg, as well as his fluids, and she was still in intense pain.

"Quit crying," he said as he got dressed. "As I said, if you'd just relaxed, you would have enjoyed it. Your natural lubricants would have made you slick and wet, and it wouldn't have hurt as much." He smiled at her as she turned to look at him. "Sluts like you always enjoy it." He gathered up his materials, straightened his tie, and said, "Clean yourself up. It will be easier the next time."

With horror, she found her voice. "N...next time?" she whispered.

He grinned. "Of course! A tight little cunt like yours deserves to be fucked regularly." He put on his saddlebags and turned towards the door. "Oh, and one more thing: if you tell anyone, anyone at all, I'll kill your sister and your parents." With that, he added, "See you next week," then left.

Sweetie Belle lay there a few moments, trying to move past the pain. Finally, she got to her hooves and looked down at herself. She was trickling blood all over the floor, so she painfully went to the kitchen and got out a mop and bucket. Cleaning up the blood and...other, she put the mop away and went to her bathroom. She ran herself a bath, then slowly, carefully, eased herself into it. The warm water was soothing on her private parts, as she lay back and thought about all that had happened, and especially what he'd said. "Natural lubricants?" She had no idea what he was talking about, but she figured she'd better find out before he came back. Before he had another chance to do what he did.

She couldn't go through that, not again, but if she said anything, it could mean the lives of her loved ones! She had no doubt he meant what he'd warned. What could she do? There was nopony she could talk to, nopony she could confide in, not even her friends. Besides, worse of all, she couldn't help but wonder if she was to blame. He had called her a slut, whatever that was. Was it true? Had she somehow brought this on herself?

Her only consolation was that it couldn't last forever. Soon, she wouldn't need a tutor, and he would have no reason to come back. She resolved to learn as much as she could from him, and tell her sister she didn't need him anymore.

It was all she could think to do.

Chapter Three

"Mom, how do ponies have sex?"

Cookie Crumbles spit her morning coffee out all over the table, then pounded on her own chest to stop coughing. After a few moments, during which Sweetie waited patiently, she sputtered, "What did you say, dear?"

"I want to know how ponies have sex."

Struggling to regain her composure, Cookie said, "And...why do you want to know?"

Sweetie shrugged. "I'm just curious. All my friends told me their parents told them; I just wanted to hear it from you." She put a hoof to her chin in thought. "I suppose I could ask Dad."

Cookie waved her hooves, "No, no! Your father wouldn't like this any more than I do!"

They were both sitting in the kitchen of Hondo and Cookie's home. The Sun shone brightly through the windows and glinted off the retro furniture Cookie favored. She sipped at what was left of her coffee as she looked at the clock shaped like a cat, the old-style refrigerator, the frilly curtains over the sink, anything other than her daughter. Finally, she closed her eyes and sighed, then said, "I probably should have had this talk with you before, but I always thought you were too young." She looked at her daughter and gave a weak smile. "How much detail do you want to know?" Sweetie didn't smile back as she stared at her mother.

"Everything."

Sweetie finished her bath and slowly got out of the tub. She was still in a lot of pain, but it was now bearable. She dried off, then went to her room. Just before she got there, she heard Opal frantically meowing from Rarity's room. She went to let her out, and the cat immediately began wrapping herself around her and purring, which surprised Sweetie. The cat had always been indifferent towards her; this was the first time she'd ever seen her being affectionate.

Maybe she knew what had happened.

Sweetie picked her up and placed her on her own back, then made her way into her bedroom. The cat hopped off her back and jumped up on the bed. Sweetie stared at her, then got up and laid down. The cat snuggled herself next to her, while she stroked her fur. Soon, she fell asleep.

That was how Rarity found them when she returned a few hours later. "Why, Opal! What are you doing in here?" The cat stared balefully at her, then hissed. Rarity took a step back and said, "Opal? What did I do?"

Sweetie awoke, rubbed her eyes and said, "I think she just wants to be with me, for now."

Something must have seemed off about her sister, for Rarity then said, "Is everything alright, Sweetie? You seem sad."

Sweetie turned away from her and lay back down. "I'm fine. Just leave me alone."

A look of concern crossed her features. "Sweetie, dear, you know you can tell me anything. What's bothering you?"

Sweetie kept facing away from her as she shouted, "I said I'm fine! Go away!"

Shocked at her outburst, Rarity took another step back. After a bit, she quietly said, "Alright, Sweetie Belle. Whenever you want to talk, I'll be here for you." She then turned and left the room.

As she eventually climbed into her own bed, she thought frantically about anything, anything at all, that could make her sister lash out like that. The first thing that came to mind was the tutor, as the only new thing in the house. Maybe Sweetie wasn't doing as well as she'd hoped? Maybe he said something to her that upset her? She'd have a long talk with him the next time she saw him.

As she drifted off to sleep, one other dark thought entered her mind.

But it couldn't be that.

The days of the week passed quickly. Far too quickly. He'd be there in two afternoons, and Sweetie wasn't ready. She now knew how her parts were supposed to react when aroused, but there was no way she'd feel like that, she knew. So she needed a substitute. She'd grilled her mother for hours about sex, so now she knew about certain...enhancements ponies used. And she knew somepony that probably used them. Though her sister had tried to be discreet, Sweetie knew she'd had many..."gentlemen callers," as she called them, stay the night. Which meant she most likely had what she was looking for. All she had to do was wait until her sister went out, then search her room, particularly the "forbidden drawer."

Her wait wasn't long. Rarity cautiously entered her sister's bedroom and said, "Sweetie, I'll be going out for a while." But Sweetie remained unresponsive as she faced away from her. Rarity swallowed, then tried again. "Would you...would you like me to bring you something?" she asked hopefully. But Sweetie shook her head. Rarity turned to leave but was struck by a thought. She hesitated, then asked, "Sweetie, dear, is there a problem with your tutor?"

Fear raced through the little filly, but she managed to keep a steady voice as she answered, "No. Why would you ask that?"

Rarity frowned and said, "I'm just worried. You've been acting strange...I thought he might have said something that upset you."

Mustering her strength, Sweetie turned and looked at her, with what she hoped was a neutral face. "No, he's fine. In fact, I'm not sure we'll be needing him much anymore, I'm doing so well."

Rarity managed to smile for her. "That's good. I guess you just needed a tutor's little help." Rarity startled when an unreadable expression crossed her sister's features, then she turned away again and laid down. "Sweetie? Did...did I say something wrong?"

Still facing away from her, she mumbled, "Weren't you going out?"

Rarity sighed. "Yes. I won't be long." Then, to comfort her sister, she stepped forward and stroked her mane.

Sweetie stiffened, then jerked upright and spun to face her. "What do you think you're doing?!"

"I...I was just...just trying to..."

"Well don't! Leave me alone!"

Rarity stepped back, her heart in tatters. Tearfully, she said, "I'm so sorry, Sweetie. I'll go...just...be well. Please?"

Sweetie faced away from her again, trying to hide the tears of her own that were beginning to fall. She heard her sister sigh one more time, then listened as she left the room, then the house. She strained her ears for any sign she was still there, then slowly got out of bed. Making her way to Rarity's room, she opened the door and stood there. Her sister's room always made her feel grown up, the way Rarity had arranged the huge four-poster bed, to the elegant vanity covered with articles of makeup, to what she referred to as her "fainting couch." Opal looked up from her place on the bed and meowed at her. Sweetie put her hoof to her lips and said, "This has to be my secret, Opal." Sweetie then went straight for the closet. Opening it, there was revealed a small chest of drawers built into the bottom. Her heart beating rapidly, she slid open the bottom drawer and gazed inside. There, neatly arranged, were all manner of devices and bottles. Some were distinctly phallic in nature, so she could guess how those were used, but some baffled her completely. She shook her head and examined the bottles; now wasn't the time to try and figure out everything in the drawer.

Soon, she found what she was looking for: a plastic bottle marked 'lubricant'. She then carefully arranged the other bottles so the one missing was replaced by the others in order. Hopefully, her sister wouldn't notice. She closed the drawer and closet, said goodbye to the cat, then went back to her room.

The first thing to do was to read the instructions. But they weren't much help. Apparently, the makers of the lubricant figured their customers would already know how to use their product, so the label mostly consisted of glowing advertisements on the "pleasure enhancements" and the "satisfaction guaranteed!" statements. She kept reading.

Finally, there was a small blurb at the very bottom that said to "apply liberally to the genitals and/or anus." She opened the bottle and sniffed the top. There was a slight plastic-like smell, but it wasn't unpleasant. She then took a small amount and rubbed it between her hooves. It was cold and slippery, but not sticky. She then took some and rubbed it where it was needed the most. In another time, under different circumstances, she might have enjoyed the sensation. But right now, all she felt was relief that this substance might keep her from the agonizing pain she'd gone through before. She didn't know how much she'd need, or how long the bottle would last, so she put the top back on and hid the bottle under her pillow.

She'd be ready for him this time.

Chapter Four

Sleep.

It was the only place she could find some peace, or at least it was. Now, she was plagued every night with horrible images of his face. Many times that week, she awoke with a scream about to pass her lips, and every time she was able to hold back and keep her secret, for one more day at least.

But tonight...tonight was different...

"What say we go to Sugarcube Corner for some ice cream?" said Scootaloo. She jingled a hoofful of bits. "I just got my allowance, so it's my treat!" Apple Bloom's face lit up, but Sweetie just stared at the ground as they walked.

"I'm not in the mood, " she said.

Apple Bloom shared a worried look with Scootaloo and said, "What's the matter, Sweetie Belle? You've been acting strangely for a week now."

Sweetie bit her bottom lip and said, "I'm just not feeling up to anything." Then she dredged up a smile for her friends. "You two go on without me; I'll be fine."

"But it's not the same without you, Sweetie!" said Scootaloo. Then she held up a hoof and stopped her. "Tell us what's wrong."

Sweetie's mind was in turmoil. These two are her closest friends. If they kept pushing, she'd eventually have to tell them. But she just couldn't. So she did the only thing she could think of. "I just wanna be left alone! Can't you two get that through your heads?!" she shouted, then ran off.

They watched her go, then turned to each other. "What can we do?" asked Scootlaoo.

Apple Bloom frowned, then set a determined look on her face. "I'll tell you wat we do. We find out wat's botherin' her. If she won't tell us, then we figure it out for ourselves."

Sweetie made it home and shut the door behind her. She leaned up against it, panting. She'd run all the way home, not stopping for anything. She smelled supper on the table, but she wasn't hungry. He would be back the next day, and it was all she could think of.

"Sweetie? Is that you? I have dinner ready," called Rarity from the kitchen. Sweetie went to the doorway and looked at her sister.

"I'm not hungry," she muttered.

"But Sweetie, you have to eat something. Look, I made your favorites!" declared Rarity. Sweetie stared, and indeed there were her favorite foods: sauteed carrots and mushrooms, all served on a bed of wild rice and greens.

"I said I'm not hungry."

Rarity got up from the table and stood in front of her. "I won't have this, young lady! You march yourself right to the table and eat something!" Sweetie sighed, then took her seat. "That's better," said her sister as she sat herself down as well. Sweetie stared at her plate, then dutifully took a bite.

"I'm done."

"But dear, you've hardly touched anything! I insist you keep eating." Sweetie pushed the food around on her plate, then looked up at her sister. She had a question she'd always wanted to ask, but before had felt too embarrassed to do so. Now, though...

"I have to ask you something: why do you have so many stallions here overnight?"

Rarity's face became crimson as she stammered, "I...I hardly think one or two stallions is 'so many,' dear." She drew herself up proudly and declared, "A lady has needs. You'll understand when you're older."

Sweetie snorted. "I think I understand all too well."

Rarity looked at her. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Now it was Sweetie's turn to blush. "Nothing. I didn't mean anything." She pushed her plate away and stood up. "Can I go now?"

Rarity scowled and said, "Not until you finish your plate." Sweetie huffed and sat down again, then began rhythmically shoveling food into her mouth. She hardly took the time to chew, as Rarity worriedly watched her.

Sweetie picked the plate up in her magic and showed it to her. "I'm done now; can I go?"

"Y...yes."

Sweetie slammed the plate down on the table, hard enough to crack it, then got up and went to her room.

Rarity watched her go, her expression unchanged. Something is wrong with that filly. I will find out what!

She took the plates to the sink and began washing them. Opalescence came into the room and stared at her. She looked at the cat. "Are you still mad at me? What did I do?" The cat turned around and, with her tail in the air, left the room. "Now that's weird, " she said quietly to herself. "What's gotten into her?" Then her face brightened with an idea. She hurriedly finished the dishes, then went out.

Up in her room, Sweetie lay herself down and stared at the wall. I can't keep doing this. She's gonna find out she desperately thought to herself. She began to cry. She had nopony that could help her. He would return tomorrow and do only Celestia knows what to her...again. Then her thoughts took an even darker tone. There was always that way, but how would she do it? A knife? Some pills? It was the only sure way to stop him, and her parents and sister would be safe.

It was a mark of how low her life had become, for her to be thinking about doing something like that to herself.

About an hour had passed when she was startled out of these dark thoughts by a knock on her door. "Go away."

But the door opened anyway. Sweetie turned over to look, and there stood Rarity, but she was not alone. Both her parents were there as well. Sweetie gulped and lay back down, facing away from them, but they came up to her bedside and sat. Her mother was the first to speak.

"Honey, we're here because we're worried about you. Rarity tells us you haven't been acting like yourself, ever since you got your new tutor. Is there something you'd like to tell us?"

Sweetie sighed, and quietly said, "No, there's nothing."

"Look at your mother when she's talking to you, young lady," said her father. She reluctantly got up and turned towards them, but couldn't meet their eyes. "That's better," he said. "Now then, tell us what's wrong."

Sweetie's mind raced. She obviously couldn't tell them the truth, but she knew she was no good at lying. But she had to say something. Then Rarity saved her the trouble.

She turned to her parents and said, "I think I know. It is the new tutor." She then looked at her sister. "She's in love with him." Sweetie's eyes grew wide as her head snapped up at Rarity. Rarity smiled sadly at her. "Tell us it's not true." Sweetie's face flushed from anger, but to her audience, it looked like she was blushing. Her mother climbed up on the bed and hugged her close.

"Honey, is that it? He's too old for you." Seeing her opportunity, Sweetie only nodded. Tears of rage began to fall, only for those to be misinterpreted as well. Her father tried to help.

"Pumpkin, you may think you're in love, but you're too young. There'll be other stallions when you grow up." Both Rarity and Cookie glared at him. "What? What did I say?"

"We can't dismiss her feelings, Dad. She's going through a difficult time, and we have to help her." Hondo wisely shut his mouth. "But Dad is right about one thing: you're too young for him. I know he's handsome, but he's also married. You couldn't be with him even if there wasn't an age difference."

Finally trusting herself to speak, she asked, "So what do I do about it?" Her mother squeezed her again.

"There's really nothing you can do, sweetheart. Just be honest with us next time. We all love you very much."

Sweetie hugged her mother back. "And I love you all! I never want anything bad to happen to you!" They all came forward and hugged her tight.

After a moment, her father said, "I can think of one thing. I don't think she should have him as her tutor anymore."

Hope raced through Sweetie at these words, and her heart started beating rapidly when Rarity added, "I think that's probably best. He's coming tomorrow, I'll tell him then."

Sweetie kept her gaze on the floor. Relief washed over her, but she remembered she was supposed to be...in love...with her tutor, so she did her best to look both sad and disappointed. "Everypony? I...I'd like to be alone now."

Her Mom got to her hooves. "Of course, dear." Leading the way, they all left her room, but not without one last look at their heartsick daughter.

Sweetie waited until the door clicked shut, then leaped up into the air, pumping her hooves. She kept otherwise quiet, but she could hardly contain her joy! He's gone! She wouldn't have to see him again after tomorrow! She felt like singing but knew she couldn't. Not yet.

She went to sleep that night easily, and for the first time in what felt like forever dreamed sweet dreams.

Chapter Five

"Why are you doing this?" she whispered. The stallion smiled as he took off his trousers.

"I'm just giving you what you really, really want. Sluts always want a good fucking." He then went to grab her, but she backed away.

"Please. Not again. I can't do this!" she said in a quiet voice, so as not to wake her sister or her friends.

His face was the picture of rage. "You can and you will!" he urgently whispered back. "Remember what I said before about your sister and your parents!" He then turned away from her and started for the stairs. "Maybe I won't bother with you, and just go do what I must with her."

Sweetie's eyes grew wide. "No! Please don't hurt her! I'll do it...just...leave her alone..."

He made as if he hadn't heard and reached the bottom stair. Then, he turned back to her and smiled. "Alright. Just this once, I'll leave her be. But," and here he glowered at her, "if you try to refuse me again, I won't be so nice."

Sweetie stared at the floor and sighed. Then, she turned around and presented herself to him. "Get it over with."

After her first restful night, Sweetie was her old self again. She greeted her friends with a smile, but they both looked confused. "Sweetie? Are you alright? What happened now?" asked Apple Bloom.

"Oh, I'm better than alright!" She skipped along as they made their way into the classroom. Both her friends exchanged worried looks. The little unicorn had been completely miserable for over a week, and now she was acting as if she'd been set free.

Scootaloo took her place behind her and whispered, "Sweetie, we need to talk." But Sweetie couldn't stop smiling.

"Yeah, sure, whatever!" She then faced forward as Miss Cherilee cleared her throat.

"Good morning, class! Everypony, open your math books to page twelve. Let's get started." She then turned to the blackboard and began writing out equations. "Now then, who can do the first one?"

Sweetie's hoof shot up into the air. "Me!"

After school, Sweetie's friends took her aside.

"What's going on with you, Sweetie? First, you yell at us for trying to be nice to you, and now you're happy again! What happened?" asked Scootaloo. Sweetie shuffled her hooves.

"I'm...sorry about that. I just wasn't myself."

"But now, you're better?" asked Apple Bloom. Sweetie smiled and vigorously nodded.

"Much better!"

Apple Bloom frowned, then said, "So, you wouldn't mind it if we all had a sleepover?"

She could hear the suspicion in her voice but was feeling too good to care. "That's a great idea! I'm sure Rarity wouldn't mind."

"Okay, it's settled then. We'll meet at your house after sundown." They then separated to go get ready. As for Sweetie, she was feeling so lighthearted she almost forgot she still had to see her tutor one last time. As she got in view of her sister's house, the memory came crashing down on her, and she was filled once again with fear. She stopped and stared at the place, thinking. After a few moments, she squared her shoulders and marched in, telling herself to be brave...this was the last time she'd need to see him. She could get through this.

"I'm home-" she started to call out, but stopped dead in her tracks. There, sitting at the dining room table with Rarity, was him. They both turned to her, Rarity with a smile, Rule with a neutral expression.

"Good, you're home!" She gestured to the stallion. "As you can see, your tutor came early, which gave me a chance to talk to him."

Sweetie hadn't moved from her place by the door, so deep was her revulsion at seeing him again. After a moment, she found her voice and said, "What...what did you tell him?"

"Sweetie! That's not polite, talking about him like he's not here!"

Rule smiled and waved a hoof. "It's quite alright, Miss Rarity. I understand." He looked at the filly. "To answer your question, young lady, she told me you won't be needing me anymore, and that you've made sufficient progress." There was a glint in his eye unnoticed by her sister as he added, "Is that true?"

Sweetie's stomach did a roll, and she tore her eyes away from him as she whispered, "Umm...yes?" She startled and looked up when he clapped his hooves.

"Splendid! Alright then, I'm to give you one more lesson, then I'll be on my way." He turned back to Rarity. "If that's fine with you, of course."

"Certainly!" She got to her hooves and said, "I'll be in the next room if you need me, dear." She smiled at Sweetie and went into the kitchen. But still, Sweetie didn't move. Slide Rule smiled at her and gestured to the opposite seat.

"Come, come...make yourself comfortable. This won't take long." Slowly, reluctantly, she approached the table and sat down. Rule's smile never wavered as he got out pencils and paper. "Let's test your skills with one more set of problems," he said as he began writing. He then used his magic to pass her the paper. When Sweetie saw what was written on it, she almost screamed.

You think you're clever, don't you? I'll have you know I'm far from finished with you, slut.
I'll be back at midnight. Have the door unlocked and meet me downstairs, or you know what I'll do.
Oh, and make sure that damn cat is locked away.

He used his magic to take back the note and said, "I think you do indeed understand. Let's see how you do on these." This time he wrote out some actual equations and gave them to her, but her mind was too shattered to focus. After waiting and watching her patiently for several minutes, he sighed and said, "I think we're done." He raised his voice and said, "Miss Rarity? We're finished in here." He got to his hooves as Rarity came back into the room.

"So soon? I thought it would have taken longer?"

He returned his materials to his saddlebags and said, "I thought so as well. But," and here he indicated the frightened filly, "Your sister doesn't seem to be able to concentrate today."

Rarity immediately went to her and said, "You poor dear!" She gave her a hug and whispered, "Go on upstairs; I'll be there in a few minutes, okay?" All Sweetie could do was nod as she got stiffly to her hooves. With one last look at the smiling stallion, she slowly left the room.

Once Sweetie was fully gone, Rule said to Rarity, "Is she going to be alright?"

Rarity looked up the stairs and said, "I sincerely hope so." Turning to the tutor, she said, "I believe I owe you for the next lessons you won't be able to give." Stopping his protest, she added, "That's kind of you, but we had an arrangement. It's not your fault we had to change it."

"Very well, Miss Rarity. If you insist."

As she went to get the bits, he watched her rump, but without interest.

Too old.

Several hours had passed since Sweetie had gone to her room. Her sister had come in and tried to comfort her, but the little filly was too devastated to even reply. She then tried to implore her to eat, but this was unsuccessful as well. Once her sister finally left, she thought about suicide again, and that option was looking better and better. There was no telling how long he would keep...doing that...to her, now that he didn't need to pretend he was tutoring.

As she sunk deeper and deeper into despair, there was a knock on her door. "Sweetie? Your friends are here."

Sweetie sat bolt upright when Apple Bloom and Scootaloo trotted into the room with their sleeping bags and overnight things. She'd completely forgotten they were coming. She met her sister's eyes and shook her head, but Rarity said, "I think you need some company, dearest." She turned to the Crusaders. "You fillies have a good time." She smiled at them all, then left.

They let their things fall to the floor as they approached Sweetie Belle. "You don't look so good," said Scootaloo.

Sweetie's lip trembled as she stared at them, then she burst into tears. "I'm not alright!" They closed the distance, got up on the bed with her and hugged her close.

"What is it, Sweetie Belle?! Please tell us!" said Apple Bloom.

"I can't! I can't!"

"Why? What is so bad it's got you like this, but you cain't tell us? We're your friends, Sweetie Belle!" cried Apple Bloom.

But she remained silent, except for her sobbing.

They held and rocked her, then Scootaloo quietly said, "Look at me, Sweetie Belle." She slowly did so. "We are The Cutie Mark Crusaders. We don't run from a fight, we don't surrender, and we never leave a friend hangin'." She grabbed her friend by her cheeks and finished with, "We'll get through this together." She then hugged her again.

So for the next few hours, the Crusaders did everything they could think of to engage their friend. They played games, they ate snacks (with Sweetie hardly eating anything), they tried to talk about mundane subjects. But all the while, the little unicorn kept glancing at the clock. When ten o'clock arrived, she said, "I'm pretty tired. I think we should go to bed."

Apple Bloom smiled. "That's probably a good idea. You go on up, Sweetie; we'll be there in a minute." Sweetie smiled sadly at them, then left. Once she was gone, Apple Bloom whispered to Scootaloo. "Alright, here's the plan: we watch her all night. The way she kept lookin' at the clock tells me somethin's happening tonight. We shouldn't let her be alone too long."

"Got it!" said Scootaloo. With that, they both climbed the stairs and went to Sweetie's bedroom. The lights were out. She was already in her bed, facing away from them. They each climbed into their sleeping bags, said 'good night' to Sweetie (she didn't answer) and lay down, their eyes never closing. Sweetie, however, kept moving about on her bed, so they knew she was awake as well.

When Sweetie's clock showed 11:45, she slowly got up. They both closed their eyes and waited for several minutes. They then heard her get up from her bed, tiptoe around them, and leave her bedroom. Once she'd gone, they both sat up.

"What do you think she's doing?" whispered Scootaloo. Apple Bloom frowned.

"Let's give her a few minutes, then follow her."

They both went to the door and pressed their ears against it. Hearing nothing, Apple Bloom placed her hoof against her lips and said, "shh" while she opened the door a crack. Peering through it, they could see the dimly lit hallway, but no sign of their friend. As quietly as they could, they opened the door and ventured out. As they slowly made their way down the hall and towards the stairs, they both froze. They could hear Sweetie talking to what sounded like a stallion.

"What's a stallion doing here this late at night?!" Scootaloo urgently whispered.

"Ah dunno, maybe it's her Dad?" Bloom whispered back. "Let's go see." They dropped down on their bellies and crept up to the top of the stairs. Then they both looked down.

From there, they could clearly hear it wasn't Hondo, but they didn't recognize the voice. They did, however, see him come to the bottom of the stairs and begin to climb. They both shuffled back, out of his sight. They then heard him say, " Alright. Just this once, I'll leave her be. But if you try to refuse me again, I won't be so nice." They heard him turn back from the stairs, and then heard Sweetie say, "Get it over with." Get what over with?

Slowly, they crept up to the stairs again and looked down. They couldn't see anyone from their vantage point, but they heard what sounded like...grunting. The hackles rose on the backs of their necks. They didn't know what was going on, but they knew it was something bad. Then they heard their friend cry out. It wasn't a cry of pain, but they knew it wasn't a sound they'd ever heard her make. They then heard the stallion say, "That's it, slut! I knew you'd like it!" Their hearts started beating rapidly and their legs began shaking, but they slowly made their way down the stairs. When they made it halfway down them, they could clearly see what was happening, and they froze again.

But only for a moment.

"Get off her!! Get off her!!" screamed Scootlaoo as she rushed forward.

The stallion whipped his head around and yelled, "What is this?! Who are you?!" But the little pegasus didn't answer, so great was her rage. She savagely latched onto his leg and bit down, driving her teeth in as deep as she could. "Let me go!!" he screamed, as he released Sweetie Belle and tried to get the filly off his leg. But she only held on tighter and bit harder. He began to strike her, and his yell turned into a screech of pain as the blood coursed down his leg.

Meanwhile, Apple Bloom had not been idle. She immediately turned and rushed to Rarity's room. Flinging the door open, she screamed, "Rarity! Rarity! Wake up! Some stallion is hurting Sweetie Belle!" Once the door was open, Opalescence tore out of the room.

Rarity sat up, ripped off her sleeping mask, and cried, "What? What's happening?!"

"Some stallion's got Sweetie! Hurry!" She then turned and rushed back, with Rarity close behind. They could hear the stallion scream "let me go!" as they ran towards the stairs, then they were down them in a flash. Apple Bloom ran forward, got behind him and kicked with all her might. Her aim was true, and she landed a solid shot to his balls, which made him screech even louder and double over in further pain. But Rarity stood frozen on the stair bottom.

"Mr...Rule? What are you doing here?" she whispered.

"Get them off me!" he shouted in a hoarse voice as he tried to fend off both fillies and a furious cat who was screeching and yowling, fighting him for all she was worth as she bit him and clawed at his eyes.

Rarity stared, then a white-hot rage overtook her as all the pieces fell into place.

Once the police had taken the barely conscious stallion away, the medic ponies attended to both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. The brave little pegasus had sustained a head injury in the fight, as well as a blackened eye, but she didn't seem to notice, so focused was she on her friend. Apple Bloom came over to her and hugged her, as they both watched the medics treat Sweetie.

Rarity sat unmoving, and only answered questions from the police in a subdued voice, never taking her eyes off her sister. There was blood splattered all over her face and hooves, and her left eyelid kept flickering. After a few moments, the policepony waved one of the medics over. As the medic approached, she came to herself and yelled, "No! Don't worry about me! Take care of my sister!"

"It's alright, miss, she's in good hooves," said the medic as he flashed a light in her eyes and checked her pulse. After some more examination, he said, "You've got a case of mild shock, but you're going to be alright."

"I...tried to kill him," she whispered.

"You came close," said the policepony. "I heard the medics say he has a fractured skull, three broken ribs, and a broken leg." He smiled at her. "From what I can tell, it sounds like he got off light." But Rarity didn't hear him. All she could do was watch her sister, and realize how horribly she'd failed her.

Chapter Six

"You can't touch me! You'll get punished by the guards!" cried Rule. He limped back further and wedged himself into a corner of the cell. The burly earth pony smiled.

"You think I care what some guard can do to me? I'm in here for life." He stepped closer and drew back his hoof.

Rule ducked and covered his head with his hooves. "No! Help! Somebody help me!"

His cellmate smiled again. "No help for you."

And then he began.

The doctor pulled Rarity and her parents aside. "She has some vaginal tearing, but it's not too severe. She should be healing in a couple of weeks." Hondo hugged his wife as she broke into fresh tears, but these words only produced a wave of cold anger in Rarity. She'd cried herself sick the night before, and while she knew there were many more tears to come, they were buried deep inside her. All she could think about was that bastard, and how she wished she'd killed him.

She turned back and looked at her sister. She was sleeping, and her face was...troubled. Rarity wondered what she was dreaming, but then shuddered as she realized. She went to her place by her bedside and sat herself down, determined to watch over her until she woke up. Her parents sat on the opposite side, seeming just as determined. But all was not well with them.

Over the course of several minutes, Rarity noticed both parents give her an unreadable expression, especially from her Dad. Rarity tried to ignore it as being part of her imagination, but it happened too frequently for her to do so. Finally, she spoke. "Mother? Father? Is there something you want to say to me?"

Her mother blushed, shook her head and said, "No, dear. It can wait." But her father scowled.

"No, it can't." He drew himself up and said, "Why don't you tell us how your sister ended up in the hooves of that pervert!"

Rarity's mouth fell open, but no words came out. The guilt and blame she'd been feeling since last night came crashing down upon her as her heart hammered in her chest.

"Well? We're waiting!"

Rarity stared at her sleeping sister and slowly began. "I...trusted him. He had excellent references, he was clean-cut and handsome, I just didn't know he was a monster." The tears broke free as she looked up at her parents. "Can you...please...ever forgive me?" Her mother came around to her side and hugged her.

"Of course we forgive you!" She cast a scathing glance at her husband. "Right, dear?" But Hondo just scowled. For most of their marriage, that look his wife was giving him settled most arguments he'd had with her, but not today. He looked at his precious child and his stomach churned. But then he remembered that Rarity was his child as well. Deep inside him, he knew she would never have deliberately placed their youngest in danger, but he was too angry yet to see reason.

"Let's just wait until she's awake, and get the whole story." Rarity broke into fresh tears at his frosty response, and Cookie glowered at him over her daughter's shoulder, but he remained unmoved. Anyone and everyone responsible for this atrocity was going to pay, even if that meant hurting his loved one.

A few hours later Sweetie awoke. The first thing she saw was her parents looking down at her, with tears in their eyes. She looked to her right and saw her sister, crying as well. "H...hi."

"Sweetie! Please...please forgive me," whispered Rarity.

The little filly looked puzzled. "Forgive you for what?" She winced as she moved herself to a sitting position. The lubricant had helped immensely, but she was still in a bit of pain.

"Just rest, dearest," said her mother. "We can all talk about this later."

"No," said Sweetie. "I wanna talk about this now." She looked back at her sister. She was a mess. She hadn't put on any makeup, the mascara she'd had on had streaked down her face, she'd done nothing to her mane. To see her normally pristine and perfect sister reduced to...this...moved her more than she'd thought it ever would. "There's nothing to forgive you for, sis. Why would you think that?" But these words, probably meant to ease, had the opposite effect on Rarity.

The tears came gushing out as she said, "Because it was my fault he was in our home in the first place. I hired him, I left you alone with him, I trusted him. It's my fault this happened to you."

"You left her alone with him?!" growled Hondo. But Sweetie held up a hoof.

"Dad. Please. It's not her fault." She looked down at her blankets and bunched them up in her hooves, as she started the story from the beginning.

"...and then he said he'd kill you all if I told." Her father ground his teeth, hard enough to crack a tooth.

"That fucking, cowardly, disgusting bastard!" He then blushed. "Sorry for my language, sweetheart." His gaze shifted to his eldest daughter, and his expression was one of reluctant gratitude. "I hear you almost killed him?" Rarity nodded.

"I tried my best. Once I realized what he'd done, and how wrong I was about her feelings towards him, I just saw red."

He grimly smiled. "Then, you did my job." Cookie was not one to waste an opportunity.

"So you forgive her, right?"

Hondo had the good grace to be embarrassed. "I...I'm sorry, pumpkin. I was just so angry. I lashed out at somepony that didn't deserve it." Rarity smiled.

"It's alright, Dad. I understand." Then she sighed. "So now all that's left is seeing justice done upon that creep."

Just then they heard a knock on the hospital door, and they all turned towards it. The door opened a crack, and Scootaloo timidly ventured inside. "Is it okay if we come in?" They all smiled.

"Of course you can come in, sweethearts!" said Rarity. "We've been waiting to see you!" Scootaloo and Apple Bloom came in, followed by Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo had a bandage around her head, and one eye was swollen, but she still looked cheerful.

Hondo spoke up. "I hear you're the brave girl that took that creep on first! Can I just say 'thank you?'"

Scootlaoo blushed and stammered, "I...I just did what I had to do. He was hurting my friend!" Dash drew her in for a tight hug.

"What did you expect from this awesome filly?" Scootaloo's blush became even more pronounced as she stared at her hooves. Hondo smiled at them both and turned to Apple Bloom.

"I'm told you were just as heroic. You saved my daughter. For that, I...we...are eternally grateful." Now it was her turn to blush.

"Yer welcome, Mr. Hondo." She looked at Sweetie Belle. "How you doin'?" Everypony in the room looked at the little unicorn.

She sighed. "I've been better." She mustered up a smile for her audience. "I'll get through this."

Her mother frowned. "You never should have had this happen. We'll do everything we can to help you, sweetheart." They all voiced their agreement. Then, Applejack cleared her throat.

"If'n it helps, you ain't the only one what's had that happen to her." She blushed as they all turned to her. "It happened to me once, when ah was only a little older than you are now."

Apple Bloom gasped, and said, "Sis? Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"Cause it weren't appropriate. Ah didn't think you should know."

Bloom still stared at her, as did all in the room. "And now?"

"And now your friend needs to know she ain't alone." Applejack looked up at Sweetie Belle. "Anythin' ah can do to help, ah will." Sweetie Belle was silent for a few moments, then she looked up at Applejack.

"I'd like to talk to you alone if I could."

Applejack seated herself down next to the bed and took off her hat. The scent of flowers filled the room, as the little unicorn had already received bouquets and baskets of fruit from well-wishers. Applejack closed her eyes, took a moment and breathed in the fragrances, then opened them and said, "The nightmares givin' you too much trouble?"

Sweetie nodded. "It's the same one all the time: I see his face, and then he does what he does to me. I try to run, but I can't get away. Sometimes I wake up just before he grabs me, sometimes I don't." Applejack nodded.

"They'll taper off after a while, but they won't ever stop." She stared off into the distance. "They haven't with me."

Sweetie frowned, then said, "Why did he do it? Why me?" Applejack kept staring out the window as she answered.

"For power. He did it because he could. Sex was only part of it." She sighed, then added, "As for 'why you?' You were available. He's probably done this before."

"Applejack? There's something I have to ask you. That...last time he did that to me...I felt...funny? It made me...moan, I think?"

Applejack looked at her. "You mean, it felt good?"

Sweetie immediately flushed with anger and said, "Yes! Why would I feel that way? Am I a...slut?"

"No, sugarcube, you ain't a slut. That was just yer body's natural response. It ain't yer fault."

Sweetie frowned again and looked down at her covers. After a moment, she whispered, "I don't think I'll ever let a stallion touch me again."

Applejack smiled. "That's what ah thought. And maybe that will be true for you. But I gotta tell ya, stallions ain't so bad. The good ones, anyway." She placed a hoof on the bed. "Don't let the things he did change your life. Be you."

Tears started to form in Sweetie's eyes. "But, what can I do? I can't live like this, knowing he's still out there."

Applejack gave her a level stare, and her eyes held no pity. "Yes, you can. Ah don't ever wanta hear you talkin' like that. You will get through it, and you'll be a stronger person because of it."

Sweetie stared at her. "How...how do you know?"

Applejack stared back. "Because ah did."

Three months later

Once news of the trial hit the newspapers, three other fillies went to their parents or guardians and confessed that tutor had done the same thing to them. Rule's court-appointed lawyer tried to keep them from testifying but was overruled. All the fillies, one now in her teens, took the stand, but none did so more bravely than Sweetie Belle. She kept her eyes on him the entire time she was in the stand and left out no details. He couldn't meet her eyes and kept his gaze fastened to the hoofcuffs around his front legs, with one widened to accommodate the cast on his right. He still wore a bandage around his head, and he now had a permanent limp thanks to Scootaloo's attack, as well as the scars from deep scratches and bite marks all along his neck and face from where the cat had ravaged him in her savage, vicious need for revenge. One eyelid was still askew due to her scoring a final cut with her already bloody claws before he managed to throw her off.

And that's when Rarity had taken over...

Using her magic, she enveloped Scootaloo and Apple Bloom and gently set them down across the room, next to her huddled sister. Slide Rule then made the near-fatal mistake of saying, "Thank you, Miss Rarity! I don't know what got into those crazy---" and that was as far as he got before she was upon him. He didn't even see her move: one second she stood frozen on the stairs, the next, she was pummeling him with her hooves! "Hey! What are you---!" then threw up a leg to protect himself, only to hear that same leg >snap!< as she shattered it. "AHHHHH!! My leg!! You can't DO this---!" but his words were cut off again as she concentrated on his chest, her eyes completely empty as she systematically broke one rib...then another...then another. He spit blood out of his mouth, which covered her face as he stared up into her eyes, seeing nothing but his Death in them. He began to sob, "P...Please...ha...have...mercy..."

For the first time, she spoke. "Mercy?!" She looked over at her sister and her friends, smiled down at him, then laughed the laugh of a mad mare. Her smile grew wider. "You. Will. NEVER. touch my sister again..." Then she began smashing him with everything she had, her smile never leaving her face, as the three fillies looked on in suppressed horror.

Only his screams saved his life, as Rarity's neighbors rushed over to see what was happening.

When the other victims took the stand, it was the same with every testimony: he couldn't look at them. In the end, the evidence was so damning, all his attorney could do was ask the court for leniency. He pointed out his client is a family pony and has a loving wife and two beautiful children.

It was at that point his wife, a very short mare, stood up in the gallery and said, "No. He doesn't." She then turned and left. He never saw her or his children again.

In the end, Rule was convicted of several counts of statutory rape, and given a sentence of thirty years. He was also required to register as a sexual predator. For life.

But this isn't the end of his story.

This is

Three weeks later, Rarity got a letter. It was from the prison, and a copy had been sent to all the victims.

Dear Miss Rarity and Sweetie Belle,

I hope this letter finds you both well. It is my duty to inform you that the prisoner known as Slide Rule was found beaten to death in his cell a few days ago. Given the pain he caused to yours and other families, I am not sure how you will take this news. It is my sincerest wish that this will give you closure.

Sincerely,

Warden Chains

Rarity watched her sister as she read the letter. Sweetie's expression was unreadable, and Rarity worried for her.

"Sweetie? How do you feel?"

She put down the letter and sighed. "I don't know how to feel. I'm glad that I don't have to worry about him anymore, but I'm sad a pony is dead. But," and here she sighed again, "I'm glad it was him, and not one of you." She looked up at her sister. "Does that make me a bad pony?"

Rarity rushed to her side and held her. "No, Sweetie, it doesn't make you a bad pony. What he did was unforgivable, and you weren't the only victim." She looked her in the eyes. "Has this made a difference?"

Sweetie shook her head as she was wrapped in her sister's arms. "I don't know if I'll ever feel safe again." She met her sister's gaze.

"But I can try."

Author's Note

Rape victims suffer trauma similar to PTSD, in that they never completely get over the crime. In the case of my loved one, she had to quit therapy because the therapist kept trying to get her to relive the moments. It brought up memories she'd had hidden for years, so she had to stop. Other than that, you'd never know she'd been victimized, many times over two years. For the purposes of this tale, I've simplified the actual events, for her trauma lasted longer and was carried out by two perverts, one of them female. While she still has nightmares, she's very bright and vivacious, always trying new things as she completes college.

As for the actual perpetrators, I can only hope they've been punished, for as far as we both know they've never been caught. Which is true of a great many predators. Some, however, do get caught, and suffer the same fate as Slide Rule. Here's one example and here's another.

If you know someone who has been molested, or if, God forbid, you have been yourself, remember it wasn't your fault. Talk to someone, let them know what happened, and bring these creeps to justice.