Fabulosity in Fact

“All aboard for the last train to Ponyville!”

The orange hum of the sunset paints the sky as the sun begins to set over Canterlot. You stand by Rarity at the platform, preparing yourself to do the hardest thing you’ve done in a long time.

Say goodbye.

“We did it.”

That was all you could say at first. Something to close the book on your little adventure. Something to seal all of the loose ends. You redeemed yourself, not only by turning over a new leaf with your magazine and letting Rarity design (and star) in your latest issue, but by helping out those less fortunate too; a certain filly’s family was overjoyed at your donation earlier today.

Somehow, you feel clean now. Like you’re back on top form, even after falling as low as you did. Maybe it’s because you know each new issue you’ll make from now on is going to do good to the world. Yeah.

“Is there truly nothing I can say to make you stay longer?” you ask. You already know the answer. But it’s courteous to try, at least.

She shakes her head, a flicker of her horn floating her bags onto the train one by one, “I’ve got a life in Ponyville, you know that. I have my friends, I have my family, my parents, my little sister - heavens forbid they’d be able to stand looking after my cat for more than a few days - my boutique to run…”

“Your own life to lead.” you finish for her, “I know.”

After Rarity places the final bag on the train - the very same bag secreting two thousand bits for her and her friends - she turns back to you.

“Is there truly nothing I can say to make you come to Ponyville with me?” she asks. She already knows the answer.

You shake your head, “I’ve got a life in Canterlot. I have a company to keep in check, I have my friends, my co-workers - heavens forbid they’d be able to stand running my magazine for more than a few days…”

You’re cut off by Rarity’s gentle giggling. She found it funny, even cute, to know how different, yet how alike, two lives can be. From out of nowhere, she lifts a hoof and give you a comforting farewell hug. You return the affection, and peck her tenderly on the cheek.

“Oh, that’s not a kiss, darling…”

A moment later, her warm lips press up against yours. Your hoof wraps around her head steadily, completing the embrace, as your last kiss with her holds true. You and Rarity. So alike. So different.

“Doors closing! Everypony on the train!”

Your kiss breaks much sooner than you’d want it to. Time and tide waits for no pony, you suppose. You give her a confident nod, telling her to go ahead and get on the train. That it’s going to be alright.

“Look me up next time you’re in Canterlot!” you call out as she sets hoof on her returning journey, “If you need anything, anything at all, let me know!”

“Likewise if you ever find yourself in Ponyville,” she calls back, “You know where to find me!”

A hiss from the steam engine. A parting whistle from the train staff. A moment later, the train starts to chug along, carrying the mare who saved your life back to her home.

You don’t leave the station until the train has long since departed beyond the Canterlot mountains, and out of sight.

Farewell, Miss Rarity. Farewell, and thank you for everything.

*******

It’s morning by the time the train finally pulls into Ponyville. Rarity’s sleep was undisturbed, especially considering her sleeping was in a first-class cabin.

The only bad thing about it was how lonely she had been.

“It’s not so bad,” she’d mutter to herself, “I helped somepony who needed it, regardless of his status as a celebrity and one day, I’m going to go back.”

Gathering her luggage for departure, she thinks back to her old boutique, and the magazines that she’d amassed over the years. Even the ones including… him.

“Of course, I’m not going to need a ticket to Canterlot to see him again.”

A warm sight greets her when she steps of the train. Five of her best friends were waiting patiently for her arrival, and five of her best friends were glad to see her safe return. Twilight Sparkle was the first one to ‘officially’ welcome her back, along with, of all things, a box of chocolates from…

“D’aw, you shouldn’t have!” Rarity coos at her scaly friend, “Oh, little Spikey-Wikey!” she even delivers a quick nuzzle of appreciation to her red-faced dragon friend. Such a young, innocent, yet mature and responsible fellow.

The others are quick to follow; Applejack gives her a respectful nod and an invitation to Sweet Apple Acres for a party now that “the gang’s all here”, Rainbow Dash hoofs out a free high-five to her returning friend, and Fluttershy delights in the fact that she has a partner for the spa once again.

But wait… out of the five that are here; Twilight, Spike, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy… surely there’s somepony who’s missing-?

POOF!

“Surpriiise! Welcome back Rarity! Wooo!”

If Rarity didn’t recognise Pinkie Pie’s sudden materialisation from seemingly nowhere, the hurricane of confetti and overall cheer sure confirmed it. Now the gang’s all here.

“Come on, girls,” the dazzling white unicorn smiles, “let’s go home. I’ve got a certain something I’d like to share with you all…”

This is Rarity, of the small town of Ponyville. And these are her best friends. No matter what the glitz and glamour of being with a Canterlot celebrity would have brought, she wouldn’t trade her life here for the world.

*******

You love these kind of parties.

It’s almost like nothing has changed. There are far more ponies giving you pleasant greetings than scornful remarks. But even now, you wonder if they’d ever scorn you to your face. That’s the thing with a city that’s fuelled by gossip; it’s always done behind the subject’s back. Heck, if this town was full ponies wearing unidentifiable masks, it wouldn’t change much; they already guise themselves in so many metaphorical masks to begin with.

Maybe that’s why Miss Rarity was such a breath of fresh air for you, despite being so similar to a Canterlot upper-class mare. You often wonder what she’s doing right now, a full week after you said your bittersweet farewells.

You also wonder why Fancypants is late to the party, yet again. That, and what you should do to pass the time. Best idea? Get a martini from the bar and wait it out.

“Hello there.”

You turn to see a rather pretty face. Refined gray coat. Subtle black mane and tail, gracefully formal, but without any accessories attached, as far as you’re aware. Light purple eyes, complimenting the treble clef that adorns her sophisticated rump. Classiest earth pony you’ve ever seen.

“Greetings,” you reply with the usual suave demeanour, “Great party, don’t you agree?” You’re about to offer her a dance, before you remember that the music stopped ten minutes ago, letting the party-goers mingle with idle chatter. Your mind adds two and two together.

“I loved your performance earlier,” you say, “It really made the evening.”

“And I loved your recent exploits,” she blushes, humbled to hear your compliment, “I read all about what you did. Catching a wanted criminal and giving the money away to a needing family? What generosity!”

Wow, people actually know about that? You were expecting your magazine - the latest hit, complete with a certain beautiful white unicorn on the cover - to be the main redeemer of your popularity, but if other newspapers and magazines are talking about yours and Rarity’s efforts to catch the local villain…

“Where did you read about that?” you ask.

“Posh Ponies Periodical,” she grins, “I know it’s not the best paper in Canterlot - that would be yours - but it’s caused quite the stir! You’re a hero!”

A hero? For standing around, getting mugged and having a dainty Ponyville lady knock out the criminal for you? That’s newspapers for you; they rarely get the whole story straight.

“Oh, it was nothing,” you dismiss. No, really, it was nothing on your part.

“All the same,” the earth pony gives you a suggestive, half-lidded look, “I’d love to talk about it. Perhaps we should continue this conversation… in private?”

Hoo boy, you know what that means. You’re about to pounce on the opportunity - literally or not, your choice - until you recall a certain somepony you value quite highly.

Looking off into Celestia’s sunset, you spy the small town of Ponyville on the horizon. You think about… her. About what she’s doing now. Her own life to lead and all of that jazz. Maybe you shouldn’t just leap at the first chance you get. After all, why waste an encounter with meaningless sex when there's the potential for so much more beneath it?

“How about…” you say slowly, “How about I buy you a drink first? Take it nice and slow. We have the whole night ahead of us after all, Miss..?”

“Octavia,” she smiles, “Octavia Melody. And might I say, you are quite the gentlecolt for wanting more than a quick… roll in the hay, so to speak. I truly wish there were more ponies like you in Canterlot.”

You chuckle. Despite having it all these past few years, you feel you’ve never gained as much as the day you trotted into Rarity's life, and how she helped you in ways you never even thought possible. Now it’s your turn to spread your own ideals to the world. Only this time, it’s not just through a fashion magazine. This time, it’s from the heart.

“You know something, Octavia?” you breathe a happy, untroubled sigh, “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

(Spoiler; you now have a fetish for hot tubs, showers and fabulosity! Also, unexpected yet bittersweet open endings. But do you ever hook up with your new friend, and set off on your own merry life, carrying your experiences with you forever? Or do you simply treasure her friendship, waiting for the return of that special unicorn from Ponyville? I don't have that answer. It's your story, readers, after all.) - Crowley