The Beauty and the Nerd

by HattieForest

Rating: teen
Tags: Alternate Universe, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rarity, Romance, Sex, Twilight Sparkle
Length: 58298

Twilight and Rarity fall in love, despite being from different worlds.

Twilight Sparkle moves from Ponyville to Canterlot, and promises herself she will only be friends with her childhood friend, Fluttershy. Determined to not let romance or friendship get in her way of being the youngest pony to earn the Peace Prize, Twilight nonetheless is pulled into many friendships, and meets the mare of her dreams, Rarity. But will Twilight allow herself to be a normal young mare, or will she only follow her dream of becoming a scholar?

Co-author: Greatkingrat88 on DeviantART.

Beta reader for chapter one: Tailslover13

Want to download the story for your very own without having to highlight the whole thing? Well, Pinkie is granting your wish! Here are some download links!

Chapter 1 : http://www.mediafire.com/?oy1rnrwc64rmpt5
Chapter 2 : http://www.mediafire.com/?lpyyowx72hnccdl
Chapter 3 : http://www.mediafire.com/?osud6kf28zhqq43
Chapter 4 : http://www.mediafire.com/?voc2zkyon9mk416
Chapter 5 : http://www.mediafire.com/?b0br1b790phqjfk
Chapter 6 : http://www.mediafire.com/?63lwds6o6e8sbg9
Chapter 7 : http://www.mediafire.com/?7hu6pj2c69d3d75
Chapter 8 : http://www.mediafire.com/?qlhb2765hi9sd6r

Published 2011-12-21 08:48:04 UTC
Last updated 2012-08-17 02:38:00 UTC

High School

The school was the same as always, bustling with the noise of teenagers having light-spirited conversations of who kissed who at the last party, who got drunk and made an ass of himself, and occasionally even the talk of academic success. Twilight Sparkle was not part of this group, however; being entirely focused on her books had left the young mare wanting when it came to friends. Her adoptive mother, Celestia, fussed about it, but there was little to do; Twilight wanted nothing more than to be a successful scientist, and if it meant studying instead of partying, so be it.

The purple unicorn maneuvered her way into the building, flicking her tail angrily as several other ponies swarmed past her, almost knocking her books out of her book sack. After entering the school, Twilight turned and began heading towards her locker. The school year was just beginning, and nopony was happier than Twilight herself. She had always wanted to go to school in Canterlot. She loved Celestia's large library, but her new school library had books from all over the world. She couldn't wait for study hall. She was going to read, read, read. She double-checked her map. Yup, she was going the right way. She just hoped nopony would try to be friends with her. She wanted to study, get high marks, and be the youngest scientist in pony history to win a Peace Prize. Making friends would get in the way of that.

As she passed down the corridor, now on her way to the great library, she saw a beautiful young mare pass her by. Perhaps a year older than herself, the mare was a beautiful white unicorn with a stylish purple mane and a rather proper stance. The purple-maned pony was followed by four or so other mares, all surrounding her while chatting and babbling about one thing or another. The white unicorn smirked, her face brimming with confidence.

A typical high school queen, lording over her little subjects, Twilight thought to herself, shaking her head as she examined the group. She made a note not to get any more involved with the white mare than necessary; she was popular and that meant she could make Twilight's time here very difficult if she was somehow offended. Twilight was the class nerd already; she didn't need to be even more of a pariah. It wasn't that she minded being alone, but she could certainly do without being bullied.

Twilight eventually came upon her locker. Canterlot’s main high school was so much bigger than Ponyville's high school that Twilight still needed a map to find her way to her locker, which always irritated her. This time was the best though - only once did she look at the map. At least opening her locker was easy.

"Good morning, Twilight," a soft voice greeted. Twilight glanced to her right to see who had spoken, and instantly smiled. The only pony she could stand (other than teachers) stood beside her. This was Fluttershy, a social loner due to shyness and a lover of nature rather than school activities. Twilight didn't mind her because they rarely spoke - Fluttershy wanted to do her nature sketches while Twilight worried about her studies. Most of their conversations were carbon copies of the previous ones. This morning conversation was no different.

"Morning, Shy," Twilight replied, using the yellow Pegasus’ nickname.

No sooner had she spoke to Fluttershy when loud laughter rang out from behind them. Twilight glanced back, visibly wincing as she noticed who was there. It was that “High School Queen” again. However, regardless of who she was, Twilight noticed how the light did catch the white unicorn’s purple mane in a lovely glow.

"Who's that mare with the purple mane, Fluttershy?" Twilight asked, "She looks like she's…you know…one of the cool ponies." She put a certain emphasis on "cool", leaving no doubt what she thought of ponies she labeled this way: shallow, pretentious and unambitious.

"Oh, that's Rarity," Fluttershy said quietly, "She's a really nice, really beautiful pony, but she's always busy making new clothes. Everypony goes to her to ask what the best thing to wear is."

"And they actually listen?" The idea that just one pony could decide for a whole school what was hot and what was not when it came to fashion perplexed Twilight to no end.

"Mm-hmm," Fluttershy nodded, "She's a nice pony; she's just a little…impressed with herself."

Given how subtle Fluttershy would always be in the ways of criticism, Twilight took this to mean she was an egomaniacal diva.

Fluttershy waved a hoof in front of Twilight's eyes.

"Oh!" Twilight blinked and snapped out of her trance. She realized she had been staring at Rarity.

"Twi, we need go to class now." Fluttershy pointed in the opposite direction. "Rarity shares Advanced Magical Clothes-Making with us, if you want to talk to her later."

"Talk to her?" Twilight echoed, "No, no, I'm just…I don't remember her."

Fluttershy nodded in understanding. "Well, it’s her first day back from Manehattan. Her parents are..." Fluttershy's voice grew so quiet that Twilight was forced to lean forward.

"Could you repeat that, Shy?"

"…divorced." The word seemed to be made of air. Twilight wasn't sure she had heard it.

"I don't understand what the problem is. Lots of ponies are divorced."

Fluttershy shook her head. "Rarity is…oh! We need to get to our classes, Twilight; the second bell is gonna ring any moment now!" Fluttershy hurried off, leaving a confused Twilight in her wake.

The purple unicorn, about to head off to her own class, suddenly realized somepony was watching her. Glancing to the side, she saw Rarity, alone, at the other end of the hall. The two mares locked eyes with each other for a moment, but when the bell rang, both blushed and hurried their separate ways.

Instant Friends

The next class was math, one of the things Twilight excelled at. Joyfully, she would raise her hoof time and again, each time answering correctly, each time receiving praise from her teacher. Little did the asocial pony notice the glares she received, from clumsy young colts to jealous fillies, phrases of "teacher's pet" being tossed quietly her way.

Fluttershy, who was not quite so unaware of social standing, tried her best to warn her- but the poor pony was too shy to speak loud enough that her friend would hear in the presence of their teacher. You were not supposed to talk during class, and Fluttershy could not help but accept authority.

However, one pony in particular looked Twilight's way with jealousy- Glitter Rain, one of Rarity's youngest admirers.

"Twilight Sparkle," she decided, "will very publicly not be invited to this Saturday's party."

The teacher asked a particularly hard question, and Twilight raised her hoof in anticipation. She never got to answer, though, as something came flying through the air to hit her on the head. She yelped.

"Oh, no!" Flutterhy gasped quietly. Twilight brought a hoof to the back of her head. What just happened?

"Who threw a rock in my classroom?" the teacher asked shrilly. Silence. "I demand to know who would throw such a thing, and at a fellow pony!"

Snickers erupted from the back.

"It wasn't a rock, Miss," one of the colts spoke up. "It's just paper. I colored it. I don't know why the new kid is acting like it hurt."

Twilight turned to see her attacker. He smirked at her, and she couldn't help but notice the filly giggling to herself beside him. She turned back to face the front, holding her head high. The teacher marched over and picked up the paper ball. She opened it up.

"This has erasers! And ... what is this? Nail polish? Lightning Smoke, you cannot sit there and tell me you did not mean -"

"Please, Miss, I had two paper balls. Sorry."

He didn't sound sorry, Twilight noted.

The rest of class passed, and after a class of Equestrian, the language of their land, and introductory science, it was at last time for lunch.

Twilight could not quite shake the treatment she had received back then, in the classroom. She had told herself repeatedly not to let it get to her, and that they were just jealous... but whenever she thought about those ponies, laughing at her, it burned a little. Was it this hard to do your best? What was the point of studies if everyone hated you for it?

Suddenly interrupted from her gloomy thoughts, Twilight was knocked over. The blow had come out of nowhere, and her books went flying-

"Oh, I'm sorry!" A cheerful voice sang out. Twilight blinked, and looked at the pony straddling her. She was pink from hoof to ear, her mane incredibly fluffy. Was she a bully?

"I was just so happy today, 'cause we made cupcakes in homeroom and then I added EXTRA sugar in my frosting, and my teacher says too much of it is bad for me, but what does she know? I mean, it's not like I turn into this crazy little squirrel from a bit of sugar, anyway. Ooh, I wonder if squirrels like sugar as much as I do! They could have sugar-sharing parties, with the turtles and the dragons and gerbils-"

Twilight concluded that this was not a bully. Quite likely insane, but she didn't look like she meant any harm. She made a mental note to look her personality type up in a psychology book later; perhaps she could determine what dementia she suffered from.

"Um, excuse me," Twilight said, "but... my books?"

"Oh, I'm sorry!" The pink ball of cheeriness exclaimed. "Here, let me help!" In a surprisingly efficient move, she had scooped up Twilight's books, and put them back in her bag. "I'm Pinkie Pie! Are you excited for lunch? I sure am!"

This, Twilight concluded, could be quite an experience.

"Maybe we'll have gumdrops and gingerbread and ohmygoshIdontknowyou! What is your name? You have a name, right? You must have a name, everypony has a name, letmeguess! You're nice -"

"My name is Twilight Sparkle," Twilight interrupted to no avail.

"- and you're purple and -"

"Twilight. Sparkle," Twilight tried again.

"ohmygosh, we need to get a table!"

"What?" Twilight asked. A table? As in sharing with this ball of energy? No way. If she sat with Pinkie, then she wouldn't get any studying done!

"Of course, silly, you're my FRIEND!" Pinkie shouted the last word so loud the cafeteria went silent. Several students snickered and that filly that had started Twilight's bad day stood up, and flipped her hair over her shoulder. Twilight had no idea why a pony would do that, but she figured she'd find out soon enough.

Pinkie, oblivious to the audience she now had, hopped around Twilight, giggling and chattering. "We can have sleepovers, and we can make cupcakes, and we can have parties - ooooooo, parties, with pin-the-tail-on-the-pony! HEY!" Pinkie suddenly stopped her bouncing. "What's you name, huh huh huh?" She pressed her face close to Twilights, making their eyes nearly in the same place. Twilight yelped and fell back.

"Pinkie, please, my personal bubble!"

"Bubbles? Where?!" Pinkie looked around excitedly then her face fell. "There are no bubbles! Why'd you lie to me? Oh!" Pinkie rounded on Twilight. "Your name is Personal Bubble!"

Laughter erupted from the students watching. Twilight felt her face grow warm. Why couldn't she melt into the floor tiles?

"What?!" Twilight asked.

"Hello?" Fluttershy interjected softly. Pinkie looked over.

"Another friend!" Pinkie gasped. She then proceeded to introduce herself to Fluttershy in much the same manner as she greeted Twilight.

Twilight was going to face the students, but Rarity came in then, surrounded by ponies, and the attention shifted to her. Twilight watched the beautiful filly sit at the same table that monstrous filly stood by. Why would Rarity sit with them? Oh, right. Rarity was their queen.

Twilight turned her attention to Fluttershy and Pinkie.

"Are you friends with Personal Bubble?" Pinkie concluded.

"Um, her name....her name...is...is..."

"Twilight," Twilight finished. Pinkie looked from one to the other, then in a shocking move, had all three sitting at a table.

"Whoa!" Twilight shook her head. Pinkie brought out her lunch bag and gave her new friends some gingerbread, cupcakes and chocolate milk.

Two pegasi sat at the table with them. Twilight knew of them, but did not know them personally. One was Ditzy Doo, a filly with googly eyes that requested everypony call her Derpy. The other was Rainbow Dash, an athlete that even Twilight respected for her skill.

Rainbow Dash was a handsome filly- normally Twilight would have thought her a jock, but she had heard she had picked a fight with the school's most notorious jerks, defending poor little Fluttershy. Mean tongues had called Dash a fillyfooler, but Twilight was not one to take much notice of rumour. Besides, who cared what two mares did on their own time?

"...Twilight?" Fluttershy's quiet voice came.

"Yes, Fluttershy?" Twilight said, munching on her hay sandwich.

"Your name isn't really Personal Bubble, is it? Because I know your mother is a famous person, and I thought maybe you told me an alias... but if you lied to me, that's okay. I understand."

"Fluttershy, that is ridiculous." Twilight scoffed. "I've been Twilight Sparkle since the day I was born. This... insane pony just made an assumption."

"Oh." Fluttershy said quietly, blushing. "I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize, Shy." Twilight said putting a hoof over Fluttershy's shoulder. Inwardly, she sighed. Now she had TWO friends. Well, she supposed there was no helping it, so long as it didn't get in the way of her studies.

This Pinkie, though... she was something else. She probably wasn't the kind of pony who would lock you in her cellar and, torture you to death and turn you into baked goods, but she was definitely not quite right, mentally.

Or she was just high on sugar. Twilight wasn't sure which.

That mean filly trotted over to their table, several other ponies following her, one of which was Rarity. Twilight bit into her muffin, determined not to give the filly any more attention than necessary.

"Hello, Twilight," the filly said. Twilight ignored her. The filly cleared her throat and spoke over Dash: "Hello, Twilight!"

Dash stopped mid sentence, turning her eyes to the filly. "Glitter, what do you want?"

Glitter giggled. "I'm here to ask Twilight to the totally awesome party I'm throwing this weekend."

"Party?" Pinkie laughed.

"Will there be muffins?" Derpy asked.

"I'm not talking to you, crossed-eyed freak," Glitter snapped. She took a calming breath. "Anyway, Twilight, do you want to come?"

Twilight tried not to frown. Derpy may not be her friend (yet, a small voice in the back of her mind said snappily), but she knew a decent pony never made fun of somepony for something s/he could not help. And Derpy's eyes was something that Derpy could not help. Twilight felt a small anger burn in her chest.

"No, thank you, Glitter," Twilight said cheerily. Fluttershy tried to get Twilight to shut up. She knew what her friend was going to say and that it would mean social death, but Twilight either didn't hear Shy or ignored her, as she said the words of death, "I don't do parties. I study."

"You...study?" Glitter repeated. "Study?" Glitter turned to the cafeteria at large and clapped her front hooves together. "Everypony! Twilight Sparkle refused to go to my party because she wants to .... STUDY!"

Laughter erupted, and Twilight felt her face grow warm. What was wrong with studying?

She turned to her friends. Fluttershy had her face buried beneath her forelegs, her nose sticking out. Pinkie was sitting there in cold horror.

"No...no...p...p..." she couldn't even say it.

"Yes, that's right, Pinkie. Your friend is so uncool, she HATES. PARTIES." Glitter said triumphantly. "She's a loser, just like I thought. Why don't you come hang with somepony who really IS somepony, Pinkie?"

Pinkie- who, despite being kind of an oddball, was well known for her very successful parties and above all living by herself with no pesky parents- had had this kind of invitation before, but living in cuckoo-land as she did, she never had picked up on it.

"Party? Nobody hates parties, silly!" Pinkie shot back cheerfully, snapping out of her daze. "It just means Twilight hasn't seen my kind of party yet!"

"You moron! Can't you see-"

As Glitter went on another tangent about being cool, being somepony, Rarity sighed inwardly. Glitter wasn't a bad pony, but she was petty and a bit simple-minded. Turning around, she began walking away.

"Rarity! Where are you going?" Glitter called out. Stopping just shortly, Rarity replied:

"I've better things to do than tell a bunch of ponies like them how "uncool" they are." She said it with a hint of a chill in her tone.

"But Rarity, they are nerds! Eggheads! Losers! They-"

"They know that already, and while you may have fun pointing this out to them, I have more important things to do. Girls?"

As one, Rarity's posse turned their heads and walked with her to her own table. Scoffing, Glitter Rain joined them.

Back at Twilight's table, Twilight was fighting the urge to cry. This wasn't fair! Why... why? She was trembling.

Then, as Fluttershy put an arm around her and quietly said a "There, there." into her ear, she calmed down. There was something very comforting about Fluttershy, and for the moment Twilight felt like being friends wasn't such a bad idea.

"Don't care about them, Twilight!" Pinkie chirped. "They're just a bunch of meanie-heads who are jealous of you! None of them are smart like you are!"

"Buncha punks." Dash snorted. "I ought to kick them right in their prissy faces-"

"Please, don't do that." Fluttershy said, giving a pleading look. Rainbow Dash melted instantly, and though she turned her head away as if to hide a blush, grumbling a little, she said no more on payback.

After lunch, Twilight settled into her classes without the same enthusiasm as before. Her mind was only half on the work.

Were parties truly that important? She knew her study habits were laughed at, and generally she could ignore it, but lunch gave her a nagging feeling. She couldn't put her hoof on it.

She glanced at Rainbow Dash. They shared History of the World, and Twilight had never before actually paid any attention to her. No one had ever stood up for her before. Fluttershy and Pinkie....why not Dash?

Then Twilight noticed Dash peeking out the corner of her eye to Fluttershy. Fluttershy was oblivious. Twilight's mood took a turn upward. Fluttershy needed somepony to love. Dash seemed like a good choice.

Twilight lifted a hoof. Back to education.

Still, that nagging feeling sat at the back of her head. The feeling something awful was going to happen just because she never went to parties.

"Umm, thank you, everypony." Twilight mumbled, before heading off to her next class. "I uh, when you, when Glitter, back there-"

"Don't think you're special or something." Dash snorted. "I just can't stand stuck up ponies like her who think they are better than everybody else." With that, Dash turned around, and walked off down the hall. A Griffin greeted her, and the two went off on their own.

"Don't listen to her, Twilight." Fluttershy said. "Rainbow Dash is a nice pony, she really is. She just can't admit she is, so she acts like she is some meanie pony. But she isn't."

Twilight nodded. "Insecurity, perhaps?" She thought aloud. "Lack of confidence, manifested in an over-compensatory "tough pony" attitude, while still vulnerable to the opinions of her fellow ponies- could be that she has difficulties at home. Parental distance, perhaps?"

"Huh?" Pinkie said.

"What Twilight means is, she agrees with me." Fluttershy said, giggling. She was one of the few ponies who honestly understood what Twilight said, even when she got technical.

"Oh!" Pinkie said. "Well that's nice. So..."

"You're planning a party, aren't you?" Twilight said flatly.

"It's like you knew me all my life!" Pinkie said, cheerfully. "I'm making one this Saturday, with balloons and marshmallows and cookies and berries and cake and lots and lots and lots of ponies! It's gonna be so much FUN!"

"Since when?"

"Since that meanie pony was such a meanie-head! We'll show her who's uncool!" Pinkie chirped.

"But Saturday is study night..." Twilight objected lamely.

"Study night? On SATURDAY?" Pinkie said, horrified. "Oh no no no no NO, that won't do at all! You're coming to our party, and Fluttershy too!"

"Well, I guess I could treat it as a social study in equestropology..." Twilight said, resigning herself to her fate.

Twilight made her way to her next class. Halfway there she realized she had no friendly ponies in it, and that Glitter Rain sat right behind her.

"Twilight?" a snooty voice demanded. Twilight turned to snap at Glitter only to find herself looking at Rarity.

"Yes?" she said.

"Glitter Rain made a point in telling me how much of a nerd you are."

"That's nice," Twilight said, unsure how to respond.

Rarity raised a perfect eyebrow. "What I mean, darling, is I need help in mathematics. I noticed you are not acquainted with sewing, even with the use of magic."

Wait - was Rarity asking Twilight to tutor her?

"You mean, you want my help?"

"In exchange for my help with your sewing, of course. We were making handkerchiefs and you managed to make a weird scarf."

Twilight swallowed. "I don't know..."

"Pardon?"

"What I mean is, I don't know if you want to be with someone so uncool."

Rarity held her head high. "I never associate with anyone beneath me."

"Um..I...uh..."

"See you tonight at my house, then. You simply cannot miss it."

Before Twilight could say another word, Rarity was gone.

Twilight blinked. It had never occurred to her that her academic skills were considered attractive in any form- yet here the queen of the school was, asking for her help. She blinked again. School was a lot more complicated than it used to be when she was a little filly.

So... Rarity needed help with her maths. Well, that should be doable, if she could find the time to help her. Twilight Sparkle was a master magician when it came to numbers; she knew Pi up to the seventieth digit. And maybe, if she helped Rarity, those other ponies wouldn't laugh at her...

She shook her head. Look at her now, trying to be one of the herd. Her resolution not to get involved in the social life hadn't even lasted one day. Celestia would chuckle at this, she thought sourly, oh she would, as she had done when Twilight had made her resolution.

Well, if it could keep Glitter Rain off her back...

Rarity

Twilight and Fluttershy walked home together, as they lived in the same neighborhood and also, it was safer to walk with someone. But when the school day was over, Fluttershy told Twilight she couldn't walk home with her.

"Why not?" Twilight demanded.

"Oh...um...Rarity sort of...told everypony...that you were..."

"Fluttershy, please, one sentence."

"Rarity told everypony you were going to her house right after school for a dress."

"What?!" Twilight scoffed. "A dress?" Then it occurred to her that Rarity might be making a story up so that no one would know she needed help with math. "Oh." Twilight sighed. "Yes. The dress. Well. I'll see you tomorrow, Shy."

Twilight watched Fluttershy head on home. Her friend needed someone with her when she went walking outside the school, though, so who - Rainbow Dash! The athletic pony swooped down to Fluttershy. Twilight grinned.

But enough of that. Twilight turned to Rarity's neighborhood. She trotted past the school coaches, and headed to the private coach lot.

"Twilight, Darling, I decided you shouldn't walk all the way to my house," Rarity said. Twilight looked to the coach the purple maned mare sat inside. "Come in, dear. Besides, the weather ponies changed the forecast. It is going to rain. You simply cannot walk in such weather."

Against her better judgement, Twilight accepted the offer and hopped into the coach. Once the door was shut, she took a deep breath and asked, "Why are you telling people I'm coming over to your house for a dress?"

Rarity stared at Twilight for a split second before smirking. "You must be new to the social news. You cannot trust it. I told Glitter Rain you were coming to my house for help with your sewing. You destroyed that handkerchief you were supposed to be making earlier today."

Twilight frowned. "You mean gossip?"

"Social news. Gossip is for lesser beings."

"Look, Rarity," Twilight said, switching subject, "What is it in particular you are having difficulties with?"

Rarity gave a quaint little smile. "No interest in the social life at all, little Twilight? With a mother like yours, you could easily become a figure of some importance in the school hierarchy, I would have you know."

Twilight scoffed. "My mother isn't Celestia, the big important Mayor General of Ponyville and surrounding cities. She's just Celestia, my mum. And I don't want to be admired because I'm related to somepony famous, thank you very much."

"Don't take it so seriously, darling." Rarity said, still smiling. "I was not insinuating you had such a shallow character- only asserting that you could, if you tried, be more than just the scholarly pony with no friends."

"I'm quite satisfied where I am, Rarity." Twilight said, feeling a mite irritated. "Now, your problems?"

As the coach made its way towards Rarity's home, the fabulous unicorn explained in detail how she had the most awful time motivating herself for mathematics, understanding the equations, and how everything came together. Twilight was a little surprised. She had expected Rarity to be, well, something of an ignoramus, but nothing she said or did quite suggested it. She was ignorant of advanced mathematics indeed, but the problem certainly wasn't one of lacking concern or will to learn... it seemed.

"...and that's what I simply canNOT keep in mind, no matter how many times I re-read it."

"Well, it's not too difficult, not if you repeat and exercises it." Twilight reassured her.

"We will be arriving at your home in a few minutes, Lady Rarity," once of the coach drivers interrupted.

"Thank you, Sky Blade," Rarity replied. To Twilight she said: "Enough of this headache inducing numbers. Cloud River has been informed you are coming, and she has prepared the evening meal with you in mind. She called Celestia to ask if you have any dietary needs, so we do not have any onions in the meal. You do not need to worry about your head swelling up like a balloon. I once received a bite from a spider that made my horn swell so badly I could not sew. Just using a bit of magic made my head dizzy. I cannot imagine my whole head swelling."

"Yes, well, it is uncomfortable," Twilight chuckled hesitantly. She glanced out the window.

Rarity lived right beside the mayor's house! No wonders Rarity knew Twilight's mother was Celestia! Even though Twilight insisted on living in a normal house (which they did, which is why she lived near Fluttershy as well), during the weekends Celestia insisted on living in the mayor's home. "Why waste the taxpayers' money?" as she pointed out.

Which meant . . . Rarity was THE Rarity. The youngest designer in history to have her designs on the Walkways of Diamonds!

Well, good for her, Twilight thought. Her parents would probably find her a job in a fashion studio the moment she left school, and she would go on to be a marvellously successful designer, find herself a nice colt and have some foals. Her life seemed so easy, it would be difficult to fail.

"Twilight, darling? We are here." Rarity said. Twilight realized she had been lost in thought for a few minutes. Scolding herself, she got out of the coach, waiting for Rarity to lead the way.

As Rarity led her inside the grand, magnificent, and probably rather pompous house, Twilight felt a little intimidated. The decoration felt invasive; most of the walls were covered in fine paintings, curtains made of what was likely the finest cloth, tapestries depicting historical scenes from Equestria's past, pedestals with marble busts of famous historical figures or fine vases. Twilight felt afraid to even move, fearful she migh knock something over. This house was grander by far than the Mayor's house.

She felt uneasy. The outside of the house felt pompous, like whoever designed it wanted to scream out to the world that its owner had a lot of money, and the inside- so garish.

Sensing her unease, Rarity walked close to Twilight, a look of confidence on her face.

"You mustn't be afraid, Twilight, darling." She reassured the younger pony. "My father quite likes showing off his wealth, but it's all in terrible taste. If you were to knock over that pedestal, for example"- she nodded to a bust of General Naponeon Bonaparte- "you would probably be doing good taste a favour. It's all smokes and mirrors, dear, empty tokens of affluence."

"O-oh." Twilight mumbled. "I just never, uhm, I have never been to a place like this. I grew up in a much simpler house. I guess I am a fish out of water." She laughed awkwardly.

"What say we go to a less garish place then, darling?" Rarity said, smiling that quaint, confident smile. Twilight wasn't sure if she was smug, making fun of her or trying to make her comfortable. 'Don't jump to conclusions.' She told herself.

As Rarity led her deeper into the house, towards what she assumed was her room, decorations grew slightly less overwhelming.

"Here, darling." Rarity opened a door. The room was surprisingly simple- very spacey, but low on decoration. With mirrors, modelling dolls and fabrics everywhere, the room- which was four times the size of Twilight's own- looked more like a studio than a living space.

Twilight trotted to one fabric shelf. "Wow."

"Pick one," Rarity offered. Twilight looked back at her - dare she say it - friend, and saw only happy expectations in Rarity's eyes. She wanted to share her world with Twilight. The realization nearly knocked Twilight to the floor. How was it that Rarity was so different fromwhat Twilight had thought?

'No, no, wait. This may be one giant trick.' Twilight remembered that Rarity had agreed with Glitter Rain back in the cafeteria. She knew people did not change their views or beliefs so easily.

Twilight looked to the fabric. She could be petty and test Rarity by taking the most expensive, but if Rarity was going to be a friend (and perhaps something more), then Twilight did not want to jeopardize what could be - not to mention that it would be simply horrible to test anyone...why had she thought of that?

'Because you don't want to be laughed at again,' she thought sadly.

A rich blue fabric caught her eye. Rarity laughed.

"What?" Twilight asked, hurt.

"Oh, nonono, darling, it's just your whole body seemed to brighten when you saw this." Rarity took the fabric down, and spread it out on one table. Twilight saw there was also constellations in the fabric.

"Wow, I didn't see them," she said, tapping Orion with her hoof.

"Very fine detail. And this would make a fabulous fashion scarf."

A knock at the door. Yet another employee appeared.

"Lady Rarity, the evening meal is served. Lady Twilight."

"Thank you, Cloud River," Rarity said. Cloud River disappeared.

"Lady Twilight?" Twilight finally managed to say. "Lady?"

"Do you have a problem with it?"

"I - uh - well..." Twilight didn't know what to say.

"It is habit, nothing more. My father is quite snobbish." Rarity led the way out of her room, and down some corridors. They came to a modest dining room. Cloud River sat at the table, as did Sky Blade, and some employees Twilight did not know.

"Rarity, darling, you cannot tell me you are eating here with them when we have a guest," a male voice broke into the room. While both it and Rarity's voice seemed high class, this new voice held contempt within it.

"Father," Rarity greeted the voice. Twilight looked from Rarity to who must be her father. He stood outside of the dining room. Twilight had the feeling he did not want to soil himself by stepping into the 'servants' meal room.

"Don't degrade yourself, darling," he said smugly. "Your friend does not need to see that."

Twilight bristled. Degrade herself?

"Rarity is not degrading herself!" Twilight snapped before she could stop herself.

"Oh, backbone. How quaint." Rarity's father said dismissively, turning to walk away. "I expect to see you and your guest, in the dining room, within ten minutes. You may freshen up if you feel the need, but prithee, do not tarry."

Once the older pony was out of earshot, Twilight said:

"Prithee, do not tarry?" He sounds like my auntie Luna, except well..."

"Do go ahead and say it. Insufferable? Obnoxious? Foppish?"

"I didn't mean-" Twilight stuttered. The employees respectfully tucked into their meal.

"No no, darling, I have called him far worse myself. Trust me, calling my father's behaviour for what it is will earn nopony animosity from me."

"Well... I was about to say, "not nice." I guess you and your father do not get along well? I hope-"

"Hope what, exactly, Twilight? That we somehow would manage to get along? That he would treat me like a pony rather than some prestige machine? That he would actually care-" noticing Twilight's intimidated look, she sighed. "I'm sorry, Twilight darling. I'm being melodramatic. Many ponies have it worse by far, I am sure."

"But... what's the problem?" Twilight felt a little shocked. She had no father she could remember, her parents having passed away when she was just a little foal, but she had always had the loving care of her mother Celestia and her auntie Luna. A pony who did not get along with her parents? It seemed so strange to her.

"It's simple." Rarity said, measuring out some fabric with her horn. It seemed some fabric had been tucked inside a china cabinet. "He is obsessed with social status, and expects me to get the finest of grades and have the most flawless conduct- in public. If I privately were a serial killer, he could not careless, so long as it was private. Oh, I'm SO sorry to lavish all this onto you, darling, we only just met..."

"Oh, I-I don't mind." Twilight said, feeling a little confused that queen Rarity, pony of ponies on her school, was letting her know these private issues. "Shouldn't we get going-"

"He can wait." Rarity said dismissively. "We are going to measure up your scarf first, then we can freshen up, and then, if I feel like it, we shall join him for dinner in that blasted dining hall of his."

She turned to the employees - no, her friends, Twilight realised - and said:

"I'm sorry. I know you worked hard, and the meal is probably delicious, but we must go."

"We understand, Lady Rarity." Cloud River said.

Rarity tucked the fabric back into the cabinet and trotted out of the dining room, Twilight following closely behind.

"Um, Rarity, I know it's not an important question, but ..."

"Why do I have fabric in the meal room?"

"Yes."

"Working with fabric relaxes me, darling. We have it tucked away in odd places. My father never looks beyond the surface, so he does not know."

"Ah." They came back to Rarity's room. She began to measure the fabric Twilight had picked out. She laughed.

"Oh, sorry, Twilight. You canNOT learn if you do not do it yourself. Now, measure out the scarf."

Twilight began measuring.

"Darling, you have to have seam allowance."

"Huh?" Twilight said intelligently. "Seem allowance?"

"So you can sew it up without making the item too small, make it look professional and not have any stray threads."

"Um...how much is the seem allowance?" Twilight asked.

The measuring turned into a couple of hours, and Twilight's head nearly spun with all she didn't know about sewing. Wrong side, seam allowance, bobby bins....

Grrrrowl.

"Hmmm, our stomachs seem to be saying it's time to eat," Rarity said with a smile. She led the way out of the room and down some corridors. "So, can you explain that math problem again?"

"Oh, it's easy." Twilight said as the two walked to the dining hall, a massive, overwhelmingly decorated room reminiscent more of a cathedral than a homely place to eat. "E equals MC squared, you see-"

"Tut, tut." Came the voice of Rarity's father. "Surely you ambitious fillies can let go of your academic vigour for but a few minutes as you eat your fill? It is pleasing to a father to see that his daughter has a friend well versed in mathematical problems, but everything has a time and place."

He gestured to two drawn out chairs, along the longest table Twilight had ever seen. They were seated... quite a bit from the father himself, who had sat down at the end of the table at the grandest chair.

Rarity sighed. "Be prepared for long, boring anecdotes of "Why, in my youth we did this and that, and I had but a trinket, a pebble and a single bit in my pocket..." Rarity snorted.

"What was that, daughter?" The older colt said sharply.

"Nothing. Simply nothing, father dear." Rarity said, her face a mask of genuine honesty. "I simply commented that the painting above you is an absolutely marvellous purchase. It takes special skill to make the noble General Naponeon look like an ass."

Her father let out a 'Harrummph', and snorted back:

"You are late."

"Were we? Oh my, I hadn't noticed. Time just flies when you are with friends, doesn't it?"

"Tardiness is a sin, Rarity." He shot back, taking a bite out of his appetizer.

"Is it? How quaint." Rarity said, in a perfect mimic of her father's manner of speech. "Let me, by the way of things, introduce my new associate, Twilight Sparkle. I believe you are acquainted with her mother already."

"Twilight Sparkle, eh?" He said gruffly. "And who would her mother be?"

"O-oh, that would be Celestia." Twilight said shyly. "But I just call her Mum."

"Celestia..." the colt said, his tone instantly changing. "Tell me, has your mother yet gotten rid of that dreadful statue of Esberitokan, the conqueror? It is simply out of place in her living room."

"She doesn't have one." Twilight said, confused. "The only item of decoration she has in the living room is a small crystal chandelier, and it's kind of worn. She says she got it as a little filly, and-"

"So you are indeed from her house." The colt said, nodding approvingly.

"Really, father," Rarity scoffed. "It is most ungentlemanly of you to doubt her word."

"Fair enough, fair enough." He said, nodding. "I just dislike taking chances on famous parents. More than once have I been fooled, and-"

"Yes, yes, very interesting, father." Rarity said dismissively. "Just be grateful that Twilight Sparkle was not raised to put an overt emphasis on pride."

The exchanges back and forth confused Twilight. Rarity seemed to like to take a stab at her father whenever she could, however subtly, and her father seemed to just ignore it. Was this how families normally did it?

The dinner went on to be a little awkward for Twilight. The food was first rate, served by butler colts with an expression like they ate lemons for breakfast, dinner and lunch, a three course dinner of the finest, rarest herbs, steamed grass and leaves, served a la carte... and all Twilight could think of was how it looked very fancy, but it wasn't exactly he kind of meal that left you feeling full.

Rarity's father introduced himself as Esquire Antique, head of the western equestrian Antiques family, and the owner of an architecture firm, which apparently had clients in the highest of equestrian circles. Unsurprisingly, his cutie mark was a classical pillar, Twilight noticed.

The more time she spent at the table, she found herself wanting to see her mother again. This room was cold, so cold- not that it gave her chills, but there was no friendliness to it, and though Esquire was an affable host, he was not the kind of colt that would be considered charming company. Every remark felt as if it was based on him feeling like he was better by far than any living colt, a true uber-equus.

Apparently sensing Twilight's distress, Rarity excused them at the time of dessert, giving an excuse of having to watch her weight. As they gracefully walked back to Rarity's room- or tried to, in Twilight's case- Rarity gave a small apology for her father.

"He's... well, a pompous ass." She said quietly. "He thinks he is the best thing that ever happened to Canterlot City, or maybe even all of Equestria."

"He-he's not that bad." Twilight mumbled, walking into Rarity's room.

"Your mother raised you well, Twilight Sparkle." Rarity said, nodding with approval. "But the less time spent in his company, the better."

"But... he's your father." Twilight said, not quite understanding.

"He may have help create me, Twilight, but he is not my father." Rarity entered her room and looked at the scarf. "Do you want to finish your scarf tonight?"

Twilight wondered if Rarity knew how sad she sounded. That was when Twilight gave the fatal blow to her resolution to not have friends. She knew Rarity may be the Queen of the High School, but she was also the loniest pony Twilight had ever met. She wondered if Rarity truly needed help with her math, or if she simply wanted a friend. Twilight thought of the cold dining room. Was the rest of the house that void of love? Did Rarity have anywhere to go to truly feel like she was part of something, and not just a status symbol?

"Rarity?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, darling?" The sadness was gone from Rarity's voice.

"You know, if you ever need to, you can come to my house. For any reason. Even in the middle of the night."

Rarity stared at Twilight for a split second, and Twilight's stomach shriveled up. Did she say the wrong thing? Twilight blundered on, thinking maybe Rarity misunderstood her: "I mean, if you need a friend, 'cause I know -"

"What do you know?" Rarity snapped. Her gorgeous eyes seemed to send flames of anger into Twilight, who flinched, but went on.

"That maybe you need a friend that doesn't care if you roll in the mud, 'cause you're a beautiful person inside."

"I'm beautiful inside?" Rarity asked in a hush voiced. Everything within her seemed to vanish, replaced by an unsure filly. "You don't think I'm shallow?"

"Not anymore," Twilight confessed. "I did at first, before I even talked to you, actually." Twilight looked at the ground, ashamed. "I'm sorry. I thought..."

"That I was like my father?" Rarity supplied. For the first time, Rarity's voice was not pretty, but bitter. So very bitter. "Yes, most ponies think I am like my father. I don't exactly give them reason to think otherwise, do I?" Rarity laughed. It was the most horrible sound Twilight had ever heard - dark, cold, humorless and self-loathing. "I'm not beautiful, Twilight. I'm rotten, and ugly, and sour."

"No!" Twilight burst. "You're not! You act like your father, and maybe it's because of self-preservation - "

"I'm not a textbook," Rarity interjected. "And I asked you to help me with math because I need help with math. My helping you with sewing is payment, nothing more."

"Then why not have one of your so-called friends help you?" Twilight asked softly. "I know Lighting Smoke is the top in mathematics. So why not him?"

"And be seen with a colt in my room? Alone with me? The rumors it would start would be horrendous."

"And being with a socially awkward pony like me?" Twilight held her head high. "I know for a fact I'm in the least liked social class. Surely being with a colt would be better then being with me."

"Marvelous point. I don't know why I asked you here," Rarity said cooly.

"Because you know I don't care about social class. You know I actually care about you and your grades, not because it looks good for me, but because I believe you are worthy of good grades!"

Rarity blinked. She opened her mouth, closed it, and blinked again. Twilight shuffled awkwardly. Rarity looked about her room.

"I asked you to help me with math because I need a friend. Is that what you want to hear?"

"No." Twilight sighed. "I don't want anything from you, but the truth. I don't want you to be anypony, but you."

Rarity finally looked back at Twilight. "I asked you to help me with my maths because my father told me to. He said it would look good if I were friends with Celestria's daughter."

Twilight felt her insides clench.

"You...oh."

"But..."

"What?" Twilight felt the sting of tears. She had thought, maybe, Rarity liked her enough to be friends.

"Did you mean you actually want to be my friend?"

"I don't generally ask ponies to my house," Twilight sniffled.

Rarity offered a hankie. Twilight took it. She blew her nose and noticed the elegant design. "Ug, I made your cloth disgusting."

Rarity waved it away. "I'm at a loss, Twilight Sparkle. You want to be my friend - and I know I only asked you here because of my father. I told you, I'm rotten. You think I didn't mean what I said to Glitter Rain? I did."

"You told me you don't associate with any pony that is beneath you. Did you lie?"

"Of course not, Darling."

"Then...I - don't be mad, Rarity, please, I don't think you are - but if you beleive I'm a nopony, a nothing, doesn't that mean you think the same of yourself?"

"I think you should go."

"I -"

"Goodbye Twilight. I'll see you in school tomorrow. I trust you will find your way to the coach hall. Sky Blade will be there. He sleeps in his coach, so just poke him. He'll be up in a flash, and he'll get you home safe."

"Rarity -"

"Leave."

Twilight marched home slowly, by herself. Her hooves felt heavy, and though it was a very short walk, it felt like miles. Rarity... was she really that cold? She had asked her there because of who her mother was- that one stung to think about. She felt tears welling in her eyes. The whole dinner scene played in her head. Rarity's father knew who she was from the start. Was Rarity as cold as her father?

No, she told herself, Rarity is not that cold. She was right; she was not a textbook, but you did not need to be a licensed therapist to make a reasonable hypothesis. And all things considered... Rarity was lonely. So alone. She had no present mother- the house had no pictures of her whole family, only a few of her and her father.

Her father... who didn't care about her. She was alone, admired without being loved for who she was. Or was she? Was Twilight just being presumptuous? She shook her head. Better to think about what to do next. It could be that Rarity was just hurt by Twilight's remarks- which in retrospect were clumsy, perhaps a bit insensitive things to say.

But even so... Twilight did not want to count Rarity out yet. The sadness she had seen in the older pony's eyes and the chill in her voice that belonged to a woman at least ten years older, not to a teen-aged pony who should be happy, laughing with her friends.

She had to try. She had to help Rarity, had to do something for her. Even if it was just maths lessons, and even if Rarity wanted to be her friend just because Twilight's mother was famous.

Not A Normal Day

Morning sunlight gave the school a warmth that Twilight did not feel. For the first time in her life, she did not want to go to school. What would she tell Fluttershy when her friend asked what happened? Had Rarity told anypony of Twilight's obvious social failings?

Twilight watched Derpy arrive with Pinkie. She tried to make it look like she hadn't seen them, but they had seen her, and were making a beeline for her. Pinkie nearly broke all logical thought with her speed. One moment she was standing just beside and below Derpy, then next she was standing in front of Twilight, grinning. Derpy nearly hit several trees on her way over. She hovered just off the ground, to Pinkie's right.

"Hellohihihihello!" Pinkie greeted.

"Morning!" Derpy chirped.

"Um...Good morning," Twilight offered.

"We'regonnahaveapartyforsure!" Pinkie had no bag nor coat, but she produced some invitations nonetheless. "Derpy is helping me spread the word!" Pinkie hopped excitedly. "I know you know that everypony knows that we're having a party, but invitations are so much fun, don't you think? You get one, of course! Here you go!" Pinkie handed an invitation to Twilight. "Saturday! Remember! Directions on the invitation, and you have to bring your party self!" Pinkie gasped. "You do have a party self, right?"

"Um..."

"Of course you do, everypony has a party self! I didn't have a party self when I was a little filly, so I was very sad, but then I found out about parties, and I found my party self, and we said 'hello', and - ohmygosh! More ponies to invite! Come on Derpy, you get the air, I'll get the sidewalk!"

Twilight watched Derpy zip off to the pegasi coming into the school from the cloud walk. She nearly collided with several of them.

"Hey, Pinkie -" Twilight began, turning to talk to the pink pony. This was in vain. Pinkie had already ambushed a group of earth ponies getting off one of the school's coaches.

Twilight looked at her invitation. No getting out of it now. She was formally invited to a party, so she had to go. A sigh forced its way out. High School truly did not meet her research expectations. Tucking the invitation into her book bag, Twilight began the walk up the school's steps.

As she walked she counted each step quietly to herself, as if the numbers would somehow give her the answer to her problems. When she came to her locker she grinned. No map!

"Good morning, Twilight," a soft voice greeted.

"Morning, Shy," Twilight replied.

"Did you get the dress?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, the dress." Twilight shook her head. "Rarity wanted to help me with my sewing."

"So you ... I mean, a dress isn't... um..."

"For a beginner?"

"Yes." Fluttershy studied the floor tiles.

"We went with a scarf after some discussion."

"Oh, I see." Fluttershy's upper half disappeared into her locker.

Twilight took her morning textbooks from her shelf, pushed them into her bag, and shut her locker.

"Are you going to Pinkie's party?" Twilight asked.

"Yes," Fluttershy said. She finished up, closed her locker, and faced her friend. "Everypony goes to Pinkie's parties. She's such a nice pony. She makes sure everypony is having a good time. Last year, when Rainbow Dash moved here, Pinkie held a party for her. Ponies didn't want to be around Dash since her hair is multicolored the way it is, but Pinkie didn't care! Pinkie made - "

The bell rang. Fluttershy gasped. "Oh no! I'm so sorry!" Tears sprung to her eyes. "I've made us late! Oh no..." Fluttershy trailed of miserably.

Twilight sighed. That pony really was one of the most oversensitive people she knew. She felt for her though; Fluttershy was the most lovable pony she knew, yet she had few friends simply because she was too afraid to even speak to somepony she didn't know. She was beginning to suspect she had some sort of social disorder- Aspergers syndrome, perhaps?

Shrugging off such thoughts, Twilight walked off to class. Geography this time, a subject Twilight usually found fascinating, but somehow the same lack of enthusiasm she had woken up with had followed her there. She was barely even interested when her teacher talked about earth crust movements and how they cause earthquakes. It didn't exactly help that Rarity was in class. Twilight looked at her a few times, a short, as casual as possible glance here and there, clumsily disguised as looking at a window, the teacher's huge globe of Equestria...

Rarity just looked straight ahead, not even acknowledging her. Twilight felt disheartened, but reminded herself of the decision she had made the other night: Not to give up, not to let herself be deterred, held back, no matter how cold she seemed. She would find some time when Rarity was not surrounded by her elitist posse, and find a way to talk to her, assure her...

Of what exactly? That they were still "friends"? That would be naive, socially clumsy, Twilight realized. They only met the other day.

But she had to try. Those eyes; those sad, lonely eyes she had seen steeled her resolve as much as they had the other night. Nopony should have to look like that. Nopony should have to be alone in a crowd.

Geology flew by, and as class ended, Twilight hurried to the door, wanting to intercept Rarity, maybe get her to decide a meeting later-

"Rarity, I-"

Rarity just let out a small "Hmmph.", raised her head high, and walked past her.

'Well, at least she didn't ignore me...' Twilight thought to herself.

Feeling a little rejected, she walked out in the hallway. She had a full twenty minutes before magical science, the special class for young unicorns learning to utilize their magic to its fullest, and she felt like... talking to a friend. Just telling somepony about Rarity, how it felt to be treated so coldly, to hear just a few words of comfort.

'I guess I underestimated the need for friends after all.' She thought to herself. Well, she was no worse a pony than that she could change her mind when proven wrong. Trotting off down the hall, she decided to find Fluttershy. The shy pony usually liked the west wing; it had birds, little creatures, and wasn't usually too crowded- special classes and teacher's lounge only, not a lot of regular students.

After walking through a few halls with no luck, Twilight thought she heard her voice. Not too strange; this was near the school aviary, where the rare birds were kept. Quietly, she trotted round the corner- and stopped dead in her tracks.

There was indeed Fluttershy, far down the hall... pushed up against a locker, by Rainbow Dash. At first she thought the athletic pony was bullying her after all, but when Fluttershy kissed her, long and deep, the rainbow pegasus kissing back, Twilight realized that if this was bullying, then everything she ever knew about bullying was wrong.

Twilight's jaw dropped as she watched Dash trail kisses down Fluttershy's neck, the shy pony giggling at the sensation. She had to have made some sort of sound because suddenly, Rainbow Dash looked her way, and the magic was gone. She trotted up to Twilight, angry, looking nothing like the sweet, loving pony she had been only seconds ago.

"What're you doing here, huh?" She spat. "Spyin'? Gonna go tell everyone how Rainbow Crash is Rainbow Dyke? You can go to hell!"

She was upset, very much so, Twilight could tell- but she looked more flustered than angry.

"Well, I'm not!" Dash continued, angrily. "I'm not some stupid filly-fooler, and if you tell anyone I'll buck you in the face!" Taking flight, the pegasus sped down the corridor, down the stairs and away. Twilight blinked. What had just happened?

Twilight looked from the hall to Fluttershy, then back down the hall.

"I...uh...what?" she managed.

Fluttershy gave a mortified squeak. Twilight looked back to her friend to see Shy flattened against the ground, her wings hiding her upper half to the best of their ability.

"I...I under...stand if you...don't want ..." Fluttershy's voice went so low Twilight strained to hear.

"Could you say that all again but louder?"

"I understand...if you don't want to be my...friend...." Fluttershy sniffled.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Twilight glanced behind herself. Should she go after Rainbow Dash? So many things she didn't know. Perhaps one couldn't learn everything from a book after all.

Fluttershy peeked out from under her wings. "You want to be my friend?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Twilight repeated.

"Um...." Fluttershy slowly stood up and traced patterns on the tiles with her hoof. "You are okay with my being ... different?"

"What's different about it?" Twilight racked her brain, trying to remember anything anywhere she could have read that stated liking someone of the same gender wasn't okay. Actually, her mind kept giving her studies that showed every single pony liked someone of the same gender in that way at least once in their life.

"Oh..." Fluttershy finally made eye contact with Twilight. "So you aren't mad?"

"Mad?" Twilight echoed. "No." Confusion clouded her mind.

"Oh." Fluttershy gave a small smile. "Alright, so um... oh, Rainbow Dash..." Her whole body seemed to deflate.

"Should I apologise?" Twilight asked.

"Nononono, let me talk to her. She's been through a lot, and she might see you as trying to trick her."

"I would never - " Twilight began, only to stop and remember she almost tested Rarity to see if she was a true friend. Isn't testing the same as tricking? Yet, Twilight hadn't - she had to remember that. Thinking of doing something is not the same as actually doing it.

"I hope not... I mean..." Fluttershy trailed off.

How come Twilight had managed to avoid awkward silences for years, and now in the span of two days she's had enough to fill her life with awkward silences?

"Um..." Twilight wondered if now would be socially acceptable for her to talk about Rarity. She bit her lip.

"Did you want something, Twilight?" Fluttershy asked after a moment.

"Um...I did want to talk to you, but I am unsure if now would be the socially acceptable time to do so..."

Fluttershy sighed. "It's not your fault, Twilight. I'll talk to Dash after school. I have no idea where she is now, and I can't skip class to look for her, because even if I did find her, she would not want to talk."

Fluttershy motioned to the Bird Tower. "Want to chat in there? If you help me take care of the birds using your magic, you can send a note to your teacher and ask if you may be excused for that class."

"That won't work."

"Why not? He may agree."

Twilight doubted it. She wrote a note, and sent it zipping off. His reply came far too quickly. Twilight opened the note up, expecting to have detention or some other disciplinary action against her. To her surprise, the note read: "Need a break, eh? Okay, but only this once, and only because you have perfect grades and are Celestia's daughter."

Oh no! He thought she was asking for a favor! What now? How can she fix this? Oh no oh no oh no.

Fluttershy must have seen the horror on Twilight's face.

"What's wrong?"

"He thought I was asking for a favor," Twilight said. She felt sick.

"A favor?" Fluttershy replied. "You asked if you could practice your magic with my class instead of with yours. I guess...I guess that could be a favor."

"Class?" Twilight asked.

"Of course, I wouldn't suggest you skip school."

Twilight groaned. "I didn't know you had a class. Oh, how do I fix this?"

"By not moaning," Derpy said cheerfully, causing Twilight to jump nearly four feet in the air. She turned around and saw students trickling in. Derpy gave her a comforting, if slightly weird, grin. "Moaning helps no one!" With that bit of advice done, Derpy entered the tower.

"She's right," Twilight muttered. "It doesn't really help, though, does it?"

"You could talk to him after school," Fluttershy suggested. Twilight sighed.

Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared between the friends.

"Hello!" she chirped. "I can't wait to talk to the birds, can you? We can talk to birds that normally aren't in our part of Equestria, isn't that awesome? I always wondered what it would be like to be a bird! Flying around, singing all day, and eating wiggling wormies, and OH! Eat a hot dog with lots of ketchup! That should do it!" She laughed and bounced into the tower. "Come on, lets goooo! WEEEEEEE!"

Twilight wondered how she could talk to Fluttershy with Pinkie in the class. She followed Fluttershy up into the classroom, and was a bit dismayed when Fluttershy brought her over to Pinkie. After the teacher explained what to do - they would be creating bird nests - Pinkie, bouncing back and forth happily in a way only a Pinkie could, babbled about this and that- sugars, cupcakes, parties; her mouth was like a nonstop stream of... pink, that was the only word Twilight could think of.

"We can look at the little birdies, and their feathers! Oooh, do you have a hawk? They have such nice colours, even if they are all like "GRR!" and "SKREE!" against smaller birdies, but hawks have to live too, right? And-"

"Pinkie."

"I wonder if we could get a hawk for our party? That would be super cool! Of course, I don't know if they like punch. DO you think they do? I mean, who doesn't like punch? I never met a hawk that didn't like punch, but then again-"

"Pinkie!"

"-I never actually met a hawk. DO you think they hate punch, or is that just falcons and eagles? I met a griffin once who just LOVED punch!"

"PINKIE!" Twilight shouted. Several other students looked over in irritation which gave way to amusement. Everyone knew what was happening since Pinkie was there, and no one wanted to complain. Pinkie was Pinkie, and that was good.

"Yes, Twilight?" The bubbly pony said, blinking at her, smiling that ridiculous smile. "Is it about the party? Are you worried? Do you need me to sing a song? I know just the right one! When I was a little filly and the sun-"

Shoving a hoof in her mouth, Twilight forced a reprieve from the never-ending stream of words.

"Listen Pinkie, we are talking about something very serious here." Twilight said, staring into Pinkie's cheery eyes. "This isn't about parties, or bullies, or anything like that. I need you to quiet down a little. Can you do that?"

"Mmhmmph." Pinkie said, nodding. Removing her hoof from Pinkie's mouth, Twilight turned to Fluttershy.

"Are you okay with telling Pinkie, 'Shy?"

Blushing just thinking about it, Fluttershy nodded.

"Listen Fluttershy, you don't have to feel any pressure about this. We can just talk about this later, in private, if-"

"N-no. I want to tell her about it. I want to talk about it." Fluttershy said, sounding surprisingly resolute.

"What's going on?" Pinkie said, sounding confused. "What's so serious?" She sounded nervous, Twilight noticed, as if being outside her bubble of randomness and cheer made her deeply uncomfortable.

"Listen, Pinkie," Twiligt said, more serious than before, "what we're about to say is a secret until Fluttershy says it isn't so. You mustn't under any circumstances let this slip to anybody, you got that? It's very sensitive, and-"

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Pinkie said, sticking a hoof to her eye. "I'm not telling, Pinkie Swear."

Twilight sighed, looking to Fluttershy. She nodded back at her, and Twilight took a deep breath, and said: "Fluttershy is... with Rainbow Dash. Not "friends"-with, "kissing"-with."

"...huh? But... wait a second, how does that work? Um..." Pinkie said, puzzled. Fluttershy lowered her head. "No, let me think about it..." sitting up on her haunches, Pinkie put a hoof to her chin, and put on an expression that implied a deep thought process. After about a minute or so, Twilight couldn't take it any more.

"Pinkie, what-"

"Oooh, I get it now!" Pinkie exclaimed, jubilant. "That's so cute! Does she take you on dates? Do you talk about lots of stuff? Do you, you know, do "things" in be-"

"Slow down, Pinkie." Twilight said, firmly. "One question at a time."

"Are you dating?" Pinkie said eagerly.

"N-not really..." Fluttershy said, looking a little less downtrodden. "I mean, we never went on a date. We usually just go to her place and kiss. A lot. And, um, talk a little. Then she usually wants to kiss again."

"Can I just ask..." Twilight cut in. "How? I mean, how did this happen? You and Rainbow Dash do not exactly seem to have a lot in common."

"It was last year we first met." Fluttershy explained. "There was this court where the pegasi play air football, and Dash was in the team. I thought she was just like the others. You know, not that nice."

"Not that nice", Twilight noted, would be what anypony not so incredibly tactful as Fluttershy would call a stuck-up jerk jock with his or her head in the clouds.

"There are some trees next to the court," Fluttershy continued, "and I was minding some birds there. Then, one day, I saw a chick had fallen out. I looked everywhere, for hours, but I couldn't find her. But when I got back, I saw Rainbow Dash, putting the chick back in its nest. It was right after her practice ended, and everyone else had gone ahead, but she had stayed behind. She helped that little birdie."

Twilight nodded. If there was any way to appeal to Fluttershy, it would be through small, defenseless critters. (AlthoughFluttershy considered wolverines as belonging to that category as well. It was best not to dwell on it.)

"That time, she flew away, pretending she hadn't seen me. But the next time, I caught her after practice, and I thanked her. She seemed not to like me at first, but we somehow got to talking, for hours. After that, we would sit and talk whenever she had time, and I would cheer her on from the sidelines.

"Then, like a month later, out of nowhere... she kissed me. I had no idea what to think. I just froze up. Dash thought it was that I was shocked, or disgusted, so she just flew away. She told me later she was crying that night. But the next day, I caught her after her racing practice, and even though she pretended like nothing happen, I didn't let it go. I think that was the first time I decided to fight, and not just curl up and hide whenever somepony gets angry with me."

"That's just so... so..." Pinie sniffed, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief.

"What happened next, Fluttershy?" Twilight asked.

"We had a big shouting match. She said a lot of mean, nasty things, but I could see she was afraid. It was just like with my animals, I could see it in her eyes. So when she had finished shouting, I decided to be a little more assertive and.. I kissed her. The rest sort of followed naturally."

"Wow..." Twilight felt so moved. Fluttershy was the one pony she had known the longest- Fluttershy's family was not exactly poor, and they had met at a young age- but she had still had no idea. And Fluttershy had stood up to Rainbow Dash, even when she had been trying to push her away. Her friend was a lot stronger than most ponies gave her credit for, Twilight realized.

"I want to throw you a party so badly right now." Pinkie sniffed. "I won't, because I did a Pinkie swear, but that was just the sweetest thing I heard since, I dunno, last Thursday."

"You don't think it's weird?" Fluttershy asked, shyly.

"Oh, gosh no!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I like mares too! And colts! And mares! I like both kinds, and I never cared what people thought about it!"

"Oh..."

"I'm happy for you, Fluttershy." Twilight said, nodding. "I just hope Rainbow Dash will treat you well."

"Fillies!" the Teacher interrupted. "I'm sure whatever you are talking about it important. But please talk and make your respective nests. Go on!"

Fluttershy bent over her twigs and straw, and began weaving them together expertly. Pinkie Pie tapped her hoof on her chin. Twilight raised an eyebrow. Pinkie gave her a smile.

"Nest building is fun, don'tcha think?"

Before Pinkie could begin another speech, Twilight said: "I don't know, I haven't built a nest before." She began sorting her materials into little piles. Twigs, straw, ribbons, feathers, and string. Twilight looked to Fluttershy. She was done one nest. Twilight looked at Pinkie. She was done four nests. Twilight blinked.

"Whoa."

"Yeah, it's easy," Pinkie said. "You just do this and this and this, then this and this and then of course this!"

Twilight gaped at the finished nest. She hadn't even seen Pinkie move, just the nest building itself.

"Uh...yes. I get it." Twilight started to build her own nest, using her magic to weave it together. The result wasn't half bad, though one bird saw it and gave Twilight the evil eye.

"So...what did you want to talk about, Twilight?" Fluttershy asked casually. Twilight flinched. Leave it to Fluttershy to see through Twilight's ruse. Twilight knew she had had no business asking Pinkie or Shy to talk about Shy's situation, so she also knew she had no choice to talk about her own problem with Pinkie. It would not be fair to Shy.

Pinkie looked expectantly at Twilight.

"Whatever it is, its okay, I mean I'm your friend no matter what, well unless you are a serial killer that you know kills ponies or -"

"Thank you Pinkie," Twilight said.

" - but then again, if you want to be a pretend serial killer and just -"

"What?"

"- write a story or make a play or something that would be so much fun, being all nasty and meanie and not really being a meanie, because really, who actually wants to be a meanie -"

"Do you breathe when you talk?"

"- since being a meanie is mean and of course I breathe and -"

"Pinkie, please!"

"- okay." Pinkie bounced happily. "What do need to talk about?" She grew quiet and hushed. "Is this serious too?"

"Yes. And you can't tell anyone!"

"Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a cupcake in my eye!" Pinkie stuck her hoof to her eye. "Pinkie swear!"

"Okay, good." Twilight took a deep breath. "I may have hurt Rarity's feelings. I didn't mean to! I wanted to be her friend, and I said some things she probably took the wrong way..."

"Oh no!" Fluttershy whispered. "We'll figure it out, Twilight."

Pinkie nervously looked around. Everpony else was busy with their nests. Pinkie leaned in close to Twilight and motioned for Fluttershy to come close as well, which she did.

"Be hush-like, Glitter is here," Pinkie whispered.

"What I need," Twilight mumbled, "Is a how-to book for high school."

"There is one, but it was wrote by an old pony, so it doesn't exactly work," Pinkie stated matter-of-factly. "Ooooh, pink ribbons."

"What did you say Twilight?" Fluttershy whispered.

"I said she could come to my house whenever she wanted, night or day, because she didn't seem to have any real friends." Twilight looked at the ground, tears coming. "It was stupid, and dumb."

"I'm her friend," Pinkie muttered.

"I didn't mean it," Twilight said quickly. "I was thinking of how cold her house is. It isn't a home. And it made me so sad, that a pony so beautiful on the inside as well as the outside had to live in such a dark place. I hadn't meant she had no friends - I was thinking of her fake friends, Glitter Rain, Lightning Smoke -"

"But how can you tell they aren't her friends?" Pinkie almost snapped. "Everypony is good at heart."

"Pinkie, some ponies are meanies becuase they want to be a meanie," Fluttershy spoke up. Twilight and Pinkie exchanged surprised looks.

"Um...well..." Pinkie started to cry. "I can't..."

Fluttershy hurried over and hugged Pinkie. "It's okay, it's okay," she murmured. Several students began looking over at their table. The teacher sighed.

"Alright, you three, out into the staircase, now!"

Twilight numbly followed Fluttershy and Pinkie into the staircase, the teacher close behind. He shut the door.

"I am so shocked and disappointed!" he began sternly. "All three of you are speaking in class and not doing your work! Fluttershy and Twilight, you both are new to Canterlot's Central High School, but your records indicate you both are model students! And Fluttershy, in your months here, you have shown yourself to be an excellent student! Now, why in all of Equestia did you make Pinkie Pie cry?"

Fluttershy looked to the ground. "I'm sorry," she said, voice thick with tears. "I'm so sorry."

"It wasn't them, Sir!" Pinkie said. "Please, don't -"

"It's my fault." Twilight cleared her throat. Time to put her emotions away and become factual. "Everything is my fault. I made Pinkie cry by talking badly of other students, ponies I really don't know - I've been here only a week, I had no right to make assumptions. And please don't punish Fluttershy, she was only comforting Pinkie."

"Is this true?" the teacher asked.

"Yes," Twilight replied, confused. The teacher raised an eyebrow.

"I was talking to your friends," he explained.

"Oh." Twilight felt her face grow warm.

"Yes," Fluttershy said softly.

"Partly," Pinkie said.

"Partly?" The teacher looked at the ceiling. "One of those days." He looked back at Pinkie. "Okay. Explain as quickly as you can without getting hyper or missing information."

Pinkie took a deep breath. "I like to see only the good in ponies, and Twilight likes to see facts, and we were talking about something she needed help with and I misinterpreted what she said and thought she was being a meanie and I started crying and that's why we're here."

"Is this true?" the teacher repeated, looking at each of the fillies in turn.

"Yes," Pinkie said.

"Yes," Twilight agreed.

"Yes," Fluttershy echoed.

"Alright. Here's what is happening. None of you have done anything like this before, so I am only giving you a warning. However, if you disrupt my class again, I will give you detention. Understood?"

"Yes, Sir," they chorused.

"Good." He looked at Twilight as though seeing her for the first time. "Wait a tick. You're not my usual student. Do you have permission to be here?"

"Yes, Sir." Twilight pulled the note from her usual teacher out of her bag. He read it, then gave it back.

"Two things. Firstly, show notes to the teacher before class begins so he or she knows. Secondly, I will not give you any special attention for being who you are, unlike some teachers. Do not test me. All three of you, back in the class. Now."

They went back into the classroom.

"Ha!" Glitter hissed at Twilight. "Not so much a pet, now, huh?"

"Huh?" Twilight replied. "Pet?"

Glitter stared at Twilight for a split second then snickered. "Oh, you really are smart, aren't you?"

"She's brilliant," Pinkie broke in coolly.

Glitter snorted. Twilight didn't see what was so amusing, but she had a feeling something important was going on.

"Come on, Twi." Pinkie led the girls back to their table. Pinkie sat down and looked Twilight in the eyes. "I will help you. Rarity is worthwhile, and you are worthwhile. I think I know what to do!" she grinned. "But first...nests! Yahoooooooo!" Pinkie reverted back to her cheerful self.

Twilight glanced at Fluttershy. The pegasus was crying silently. Being called into the hall must have been a nightmare for her. Twilight's stomach twisted into a knot.

"Okay, tell me exactly what happened," Pinkie whispered. "Oh, and Fluttershy, don't worry. If you aren't called into the hall once, how can you expect to have the full high school experience?"

"I don't want my head in a toilet!" Fluttershy wailed - softly, to Twilight's amazement.

"Toilet?" Twilight asked.

"Some ponies play pranks by putting other pony's heads in toilets," Pinkie explained. "And it won't happen, Fluttershy. Between Dash, me, and Twilight, you're safe!"

Fluttershy nodded.

"Now, Twilight." Pinkie exchanged some of her blue ribbons for some of Twilight's pink ones. "Tell us exactly what happened."

Twilight whispered the whole visit to her friends. Fluttershy kept silent except for an occasional 'oh no!' and Pinkie nodded and absorbed the whole thing so much like a wise pony, that Twilight wondered if she misjudged Pinkie as well. Did she misjudge everypony? Were Glitter and Lightning really good ponies? Was Rarity's father really a good father?

After she was done, Fluttershy tried her best to comfort her.

"You know, some ponies just have a hard time showing love. Her father may just be doing what he thinks is best for his daughter. I mean, like any good father."

"True," Twilight said.

"Sounds like he had a bunch of meanies in his life." Pinkie placed her latest nest in her pile of finished nests. "Maybe he just doesn't know how to love her."

"But that doesn't help her, does it?" Twilight asked. "I mean, I can't tell her all this, can I?"

"Oh, nononono," Fluttershy said. "She already knows, I think, but if you tell her, it will be like rubbing it in her nose."

Twilight groaned. "You mean, by trying to be a friend, I actually just threw garbage on her? Why can't I learn this from a book? Why do I have to learn it like this, with ponies getting hurt?"

"Life," Pinkie said simply. "It's life."

The teacher looked at his students. "Alright, homework! I want each of you to write an essay on why building bird nests are essential to the way our world works. Please bring your nests to the front, and place them by my desk."

The bell rang. Twilight gathered her nests up. She had made only five. Fluttershy had made about twenty. Pinkie...well, Pinkie had a small mountain in her arms. The fillies brought their work to their teacher, and placed their work with the rest of the class'.

"Twilight," the teacher called. "Come here please."

Twilight felt her stomach freeze up. She held back. Glitter smirked at her. Pinkie stuck her tongue out at Glitter, who didn't really notice until Pinkie made a raspberry.

"How rude!" Glitter marched out the room.

"Pinkie, don't make raspberries in my classroom," the teacher ordered. "Please leave."

"But - "

"Pinkie."

"Okey dokey lokey." Pinkie trotted out of the room, pulling Fluttershy with her. Fluttershy gave Twilight a sad look. With them gone, Twilight felt suddenly very alone. Was she in trouble?

Twilight took a deep breath. "Yes, Sir?"

"Since you are not my usual student, you of course do not have to do the essay. Now, is there any particular reason you did not want to go to your normal class?"

"I don't understand, Sir."

"Are you being bullied?" he asked kindly.

"I - um..." Twilight shuffled. What was she supposed to do? Was she being bullied? It seemed more like social problems - a result of her being buried in her books. "I'm having problems with other students, if that's what you mean, but I don't think it's bullying." Twilight sighed. "I'm not socially intelligent. Give me books, give me facts, give me tests - but don't give me a party. I fail at social dynamics."

The teacher studied her for a moment. "Your homeroom teacher told me you had nail polish thrown at your head."

"Yes." Twilight could still feel the "paper ball" connecting with her head.

"And I spoke with several Cafeteria mares. Glitter Rain gave you a hard time for not accepting an invitation, am I correct?"

"Well, yes, but -"

"Twilight, it is hard to acknowledge you are being bullied," he said gently. "And sometimes a pony who is being bullied will take it out on his or her friends, without even knowing that he or she is doing so."

Twilight was about to protest then realised he was right. "Oh snap," she muttered.

"Snap, indeed," he said. "Now, I have another class in a few minutes. Twilight, please speak with your regular teachers about this, or your mother, or if you need to, come talk to me. I'm sorry I don't have enough time to properly sort this out with you."

At that moment a few students began trickling in. They were at least five years older than Twilight, and for a second she didn't understand. Then she remembered that Canterlot's Central High School shared several towers with one of the universities. These students were the future of Equestia's agriculture.

"Thank you, Sir," Twilight said. "I'll get going to my class -"

"Twilight?"

"Yes, Sir?"

"A permission slip for being late." He handed her one. It was so much more official looking than the note Twilight had received from her regular teacher.

"Thank you, Sir."

Twilight made a beeline for the door, wondering if she had ever wanted to leave a classroom so bad before.

Meeting Family

Time flew by, and before Twilight knew it, the school day had ended. Despite the deal with Rarity, and the drama Rainbow Dash had caused, she felt uplifted with a day's worth of new knowledge put into her mind. Happily, she trotted down the stairs of the school's front, followed by Fluttershy and Pinkie.

Pinkie had roped them into following her home; they were supposed to help plan the party, and it all looked like it would be an interesting experience-

"Twilight, darling, surely you haven't forgotten about our tutoring deal?"

From behind her came that sweet, self-assured voice. Rarity's voice. Twilight turned around, surprised. Rarity was by herself, although Twilight could see Glitter Rain and some of her posse down the road, waiting for a carriage.

"But-"

"No buts, darling. I have a positively awful time with classic Equatrian literature, and who, but the star pupil of the school could help me satisfactorily? I do deserve the best, after all."

Confused, Twilight gaped, looking back to her friends, then to Rarity, then to her friends.

"Umm-"

"Go!" Pinkie urged her, whispering. "This is your chance to make things good! She must have forgiven you, so go ahead and make friends!"

"But the party-"

"We can handle it! Now, GO!" Pinkie said, giving Twilight a light push in Rarity's direction. She then hurried Fluttershy away, the two headed for Pinkie's place alone.

Twilight was not quite sure what to say. A carriage- the same as had transported them before- pulled up, and Rarity stepped inside.

"Are you coming, darling?"

Confused, Twilight walked in. What had caused this change in attitude?

"Look, Rarity-" she said, but she was immediately cut off.

"Listen, you presumptuous, silly, arrogant pony," Rarity spat. "I am going to talk, and you are going to listen."

Twilight nodded, her heart sinking.

"You came into my house yesterday and had the gall to say that my social life, the one thing I pride myself on, was hollow, empty. Useless! Do you realize what awful tact that is?"

"I'm sor-"

"Be quiet!" Rarity snapped. "To be told this, from somepony... somepony..." A tear trailed down her cheek. "To be told this by somepony I just met was absolutely awful, Twilight Sparkle. You really should think twice."

Twilight nodded, feeling tears burning at the edge of her eyes.

"But you are not a malicious pony, Twilight Sparkle. I am an excellent judge of character, and you said what you said out of compassion. And... well, the reason it upset me so badly was... it was true. That was what hurt, Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight blinked. What? What with the what-what?

"Um-"

"Still not finished. I am still cross with you for being so insensitive, you know."

Twilight nodded.

"Now... did you know there is a fashion show, right this afternoon? Don't answer. There is, and it is hosted by a famous Swezian designer. I have tickets for me and all my... friends. And I am not going."

Twilight blinked again. What?

"I am not going, because honestly, I am fed up. None of those ponies would follow me, I am sure, if I hadn't had those tickets, that influence, that power. They are a shallow lot- well, most of them are, at least, and it's a circus I have had quite enough. None of them seem to want. They just hope to find a nice colt, settle down and live happily off his money. You and I, at least we have ambition!"

"What?"

"I am saying, I would rather spend my evening studying with you. You are a tactless misfit, but you are an honest, well-meaning tactless misfit."

"Oh..." Twilight said, unsure what to think. "Thanks... I guess."

"On that note, I would like to apologize."

"What?"

"I did take you on because my father asked you to. That was dishonest of me; I led you on. I am not entirely blameless."

Rarity, humbling herself? She was... saying sorry? What?!

"I thought you would be some needy, whiny nerd I would have to babysit for my father's ambition's sake, and I am sorry. You turned out to be far better. That is all I have to say on that matter."

"So, now..."

"Now, we study. Not because my father wants me to, but because I want to."

Twilight nodded, smiling wide. "I have a most efficient note system, if you are interested - "

"If it will help my dismal classic Equatrian literature grades, then I am indeed interested. I am afraid I am failing the class."

Twilight's jaw dropped. "Really? Er...that was tactless, wasn't it?"

"Slightly." Rarity gave her a small smile. "But do not worry yourself. You are my friend. Now, about that note system...?"

Twilight produced a binder from her bag. She laid it out between her and Rarity on the seat, and began explaining how it worked. Each subject had a number, and each number was divided up into colors, the most important information beginning the section, and helpful tricks for the subject being in the back of the section. Rarity studied the notes pertaining to classic Equatrian literature.

"I don't recall this class," Rarity murmured, reading Twilight's notes for one of the Great Equestrian Plays. "Oh, no, I do remember. We had to read aloud the play in those awkward accents."

Twilight pulled out the play in question from her bag. "It is rather enjoyable if you don't try to adhere to what ponies think they sounded like."

Rarity laughed. "I suppose so. Do you mind if I copy down your notes?"

Would that be cheating? Twilight didn't know, but she was too happy to be friends with Rarity to say no.

"Go ahead. Here, I have the pens for you -"

Rarity began the long, tedious task of copying Twilight's notes onto her own paper. She dutifully copied each color, and each list of information exactly in the same order. Twilight did notice Rarity changed a few words here and there, which did not change the meaning, but Twilight guessed the changes would make it easier for Rarity to remember the information.

"We are nearing your home, Lady Rarity," Sky Blade called back.

"Thank you, darling." Rarity replied. She closed her binder and tucked it away. Twilight gathered up her own binder and books.

The coach came to a gentle rest in front of Rarity's house. Twilight hopped out, and looked to her own house. Her mother would be arriving in a few hours, getting ready to live in the Mayor's Home for the weekend. Twilight grinned.

"Hey, Rarity, when we're done studying, do you want to come to my house?" she asked.

"I will be delighted to visit your home," Rarity accepted.

The two fillies headed for the house, and this time Twilight didn't feel so overwhelmed. Knowing that Rarity felt the same way she did helped her feel more in place.

"There you are, my darling daughter!" a joyful mare voice rang from somewhere.

"Mum?" Rarity asked. She looked to the manor's entrance. Twilight followed her gaze. An older version of Rarity walked gracefully over to them. Rarity's mother had no malice or cold in her person. In fact, she seemed to be rather like Rarity. Or, Twilight mused, Rarity was like her mother.

"Yes, Darling, I have just finished telling your father why Sweetie Belle must be here this weekend. Your dad and I must attend a business conference that only allows adults. Quite a pity, Sweetie Belle looked forward to skiing. But enough of my prattling! Who is your friend?" She gave Twilight a warm smile.

"Of course! Mum, this is Twilight Sparkle, my best friend. Twilight, this is my mother, Pearl Elegance."

"Nice to meet you," Twilight said. Best friend? Why would Rarity say that? Then Twilight realised she was Rarity's only friend, which by default made her the best friend. Well, even if it was just default, she would live up to the title!

"And you, Twilight Sparkle." Pearl turned back to her daughter. "I'm sorry your dad could not make it. He sends his love, and his hope you'll come back to your senses and come home to Manehatten. Actually, we both do. I do not know why you choose to stay here with your father. You could very well live with us and visit him on alternate weekends like your sister."

"No, Mum, I can't. My life is here. Also... father needs me."

"He needs mirrors, glitter and flattery. But I will not say any more on the matter. Twilight!"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Oh, don't ma'am me, it sounds so old. Just Pearl, darling. Do you like the zoo?"

"The zoo?" Twilight echoed.

"Oh no, Mum - " Rarity began.

"Oh yes, Opal Rarity."

Rarity winced. "Mother!"

Pearl continued on: "I told Sweetie Belle that Rarity would bring her to Canterlot's Public Zoo tomorrow. I am asking if you like the zoo, Twilight, to see if you want to visit it with my daughters."

Rarity responded: "No, Mum, we simply cannot go - "

"Why not?"

Rarity sighed. "Pinkie Pie is throwing a party in honor of Twilight tomorrow. We must go to the party, it will be incredibly bad taste if the guest of honor and her best friend do not attend."

"When is this party?"

"In the afternoon - "

"Then go in the morning. The zoo opens at six am. Surely you can fit a few hours for your sister in that time. She sees you so rarely, and she does love you so! She looks up to you, you know, why just three days ago she turned one of our curtains in the living room into a dress. A badly put together dress, but a dress all the same. Like her big sister Rarity."

Rarity sighed. "Alright, Mum, I'll take Sweetie Belle to the zoo. Twilight, you don't have to come."

"Nope, but I will."

Rarity looked to her and smiled - a genuine, big smile. "You will?"

"Yup."

"Well, now that everything is settled, I must go." Pearl checked her watch. "Oh dear, my teleportation appointment is so close! It was nice meeting you, Twilight Sparkle. Rarity, we see each other far too less." Pearl gave Rarity a kiss on the cheek, which Rarity returned. "And your dad will be here Sunday afternoon to pick up Sweetie Belle. Good day, fillies."

Pearl left just as gracefully as she had entered.

"I'm sorry!" Twilight blurted.

Rarity raised an eyebrow. "Parden?"

"I thought your mother was like your father, but she is so warm, and ladylike, and I'm sorry for being such a bad judge and -"

"Twilight, do shut up."

Twilight clamped her mouth shut.

"Apology accepted. And don't apologise unless you are caught, some ponies will take your apology and use it against you."

"I - uh - what?" Twilight frowned.

"Come. You must meet Sweetie Belle - "

"Wa-hooooooo!" a young filly shouted. A blur of orange and pink sped past them, knocking right into a statue and causing it to fall to the ground, and bust open.

"No Scoot!" another voice wailed. "No!"

"What is the meaning of this?" Esquire Antique asked, his voice dangerously low. He stood in the doorway, from where Pearl Elegance had come from.

"Oh nothing, father dear." Rarity said casually. "This young pegasus only helped liberate you of this incredibly tacky statue. You should be grateful."

"That was a genuine Montrardre!" Esquire Antique growled. "By jove, I ought to-"

"What, father? Take your hoof to a little pegasus filly who isn't even your own? Yes, I am sure this shall be quite the story for Canterlot society. Filly abuse is always such a conversation starter."

Twilight blinked. Was Rarity defending the young pegasus to spite her father?

"Right shall be right, Rarity," the colt sneered, "and somepony shall have to pay for this twenty-thousand bit statue!"

"By all means, father. Sue her aunt and uncle. I am sure Equestrian society will not think you petty or cruel for suing an orphan out of house and home." Rarity said, smiling. The little pegasus was crying at the thought. Sweetie Belle had rushed over to comfort her and was now hugging her friend. Both mumbled apologies through tears, but Rarity and Esquire both ignored them.

"That cost twenty thousand bits-"

"You make fifty thousand bits a day, father, and there were at least a dozen of these busts made. As far as artists go, Montrardre sure has a penchant for mass production. Really, all this costs you is the terrible inconvenience of having to send a servant down to his studio." The sarcasm was dripping from Rarity's voice, and her father- apparently considering her points- backed down.

"This sort of behaviour isn't-"

"Father, when you place dozens of statues outside, this sort of thing is bound to happen. If it were so valuable to you, you should not have put it within range of the street. Why, it's like a candy store to any potential thief."

Snorting, Esquire walked back into the house.

"You..."

"Yes, Twilight." Rarity said. "I just did this to spite my father. It's hardly as if I would ever do anything out of charity."

At first confused by her haughty, cold tone, Twilight eased up when she saw the small smile on Rarity's face. It was not triumphant or self satisfied, simply happy. Putting on a more serious face, the unicorn walked up to the little pegasus.

"And you, young lady," she said strictly, "you need to be more careful where you speed."

"Y-yes, miss." Scootaloo sniffled. "I'm so sorry. Please don't sue my aunt and uncle, they could never-"

"Oh, don't fuss." Rarity said dismissively. "Frankly, that statue was mediocre, and it used up space. The garden is better off without it."

"What?" Scootaloo said, drying her tears.

"Just run along now. Play with Sweetie Belle, or something. We will speak no more of statues, I assure you."

Happily, the pegasus shouted a quick: "Thanks!", and ran off into the gardens with Sweetie Belle.

"Rarity, I am impressed!" Twilight cheered. "That was so... nice!"

Rarity nodded. "I am not quite as cold as I seem, Twilight Sparkle. Besides, I do love an opportunity to make my father back down."

"Those two are a handful, though." Twilight said.

"You don't know the half of it." Rarity sighed. "Tomorrow they will be joined by a third miscreant, the little sister of an old acquaintance of mine, and the three of them together are the worst possible little hellions you could imagine. Frankly, I am relieved somepony will be following me to that zoo."

Twilight swallowed. Was she getting herself into more than she could handle?

Rarity led the way to her room, quietly talking about her sister and how she rarely sees her - and how she was a bit worried of Sweetie Belle being alone in the house after Scootaloo leaves.

Twilight mulled it over silently. And idea occurred to her.

"Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo can come over for dinner, too," she offered.

"Thank you, Twilight, but that wasn't what I was getting at - " Rarity stopped mid sentence at Twilight's confused look. "Oh, I do need to teach you the nuances of proper socializing."

Rarity's room was nearly identical to how Twilight remembered it. One thing stuck out - her scarf was nowhere in sight. A sinking feeling nestled into her stomach.

"Um..."

"Here you go, Darling!" Rarity gently put the scarf on one of her sewing tables. Twilight smiled.

"I really butchered it, didn't I?"

"Come now, it is not that ... all right, it looks horrendous. But one cannot learn if one does not put effort and time into what they wish to master. I believe this scarf has seen its end. Begin another."

Twilight did so, and as the time passed, she kept thinking that she was just an amateur learning from a master artist.

"Rari-teeeee!" Sweetie Belle called. "We're hungry, and the servants are busy preparing Father's food."

Rarity frowned. "Cloud River -"

"Father told her if she doesn't do her work, he'll fire her." Sweetie Belle hopped into her sister's room. She grinned at Twilight. Twilight grinned back. She couldn't help it.

"Oh, the tyrant," Rarity muttered crossly. Scootaloo bounded in, nearly knocking over a sewing machine before standing beside Sweetie Belle.

Twilight checked the clock on Rarity's wall. "My mum should be home. Wanna trot over?"

"Ooooo, do we get ice cream?" Sweetie Belle asked eagerly.

"Sweetie Belle! Manners!" Rarity said sharply.

"I'm sorry, Twilight. May we have ice cream if you have any at your house?"

"I'm sure we do, and I'm sure my mum wouldn't mind."

"Yay!" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo chorused.

Sweetie Belle said happily: "Let's go! Er...which way is your house?"

Rarity snorted. It was so unladylike it took a moment for Twilight to process. Rarity was speaking:

"Sweetie Belle, you must really work to contain yourself."

Sweetie Belle raised her head high. "You are right. I wanna be like you."

"'Want to', Darling, not 'wanna'."

"I want to be like you."

Twilight watched in fascination. So this is how siblings - sisters, to be precise - acted.

The four of them trotted over to Twilight's house. It was a short walk, but Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle had a way of making things... interesting. Twilight began wondering whether a leash wouldn't be a good idea. She said as much to Rarity, who let out a hearty laugh.

"Oh believe me, I have considered it many times now. Still, I couldn't bring myself to do it. The poor things would be humiliated."

"I suppose you're right." Twilight mumbled.

Once in Twilight's house, having fed the two youngsters a bowl of ice cream each and let them into an old room Twilight hoped was expendable, she turned to Rarity.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Ask away, Twilight."

"Why... don't you live with your mother instead? Your parents are separated, right?" Rarity nodded. "It's just that ... she seems so much, you know..."

"Nicer? Oh yes, quite so." Rarity agreed. "But I have my reasons. First of all, my mother casts quite a shadow. I am rather tired of being just her daughter. And... Pearl is one of those ponies who absorb attention like a sponge. Wherever she is, there isn't much social space left for anybody else."

"Beg pardon?" Twiligt said, confused.

"When I had my first designing line launched, when there was a party held to celebrate my success, who should make the event all about herself but my mother? My father is an overbearing ass, but at the very least I enjoy freedom staying with him."

"But... she seemed so..."

"Oh, she is. She does not do this intentionally. She is affable and well meaning, but she also sucks up all your energy. If you ever thought I was bent to the melodramatic, then you should see my mother on a bad day. Why, I would seem like your friend Fluttershy in comparison."

Twilight blinked. Rarity had distanced herself from her mother intentionally? How could anyone- it was her mum!

"I realized back then, Twilight Sparkle, that I could never succeed under her shadow. As soon as I graduate, I shall use whatever pull my father has, start a boutique of my own, quite disassociated with my mother. She is a lovable pony, but not the kind you would want to spend any prolonged time with. I hope to support Sweetie Belle as well- already, the little tyke looks up to me more than our mother."

At that instant, Twilight just felt very sorry for Rarity. All the riches in the world, and parents she only wished to distance herself from. It was the saddest thing; she felt like weeping silently at the thought. Something must have betrayed her emotion because Rarity grimaced, and said:

"Really, Twilight, I don't need to be pitied. I am doing quite well for myself. I know I could have been born to the gutters, without even any parents to resent. I'm not ungrateful, I just feel a need to be my own. Desperately so."

"I'm sorry." Twilight mumbled. "I didn't mean to-"

"I'm not offended." Rarity said, reassuring her. "I know you only mean well, Twilight. This honesty of yours is something I appreciate, so fret not."

"O-okay." Twilight said. "Um, so... would you like to go say hi to my mum?"

"Oh Twilight darling, I would LOVE to!" Rarity exclaimed.

They found Celestia in one of the sitting rooms, surounded by ponies who looked quite official. Twilight recognized none of them.

After a few moments of quick discussion - Twilight didn't understand most of it, as it was too quick - the ponies who worked for her mother left, most giving her a small smile or the like as acknowledgement. She gave them small smiles in return.

"Twilight Sparkle, my dear daughter!" Celestia rose gracefully from her chair. Her smile widened. "Rarity! How nice to see you again!"

Twilight frowned. When did her mother meet Rarity?

"Hello, Celestia!" Rarity replied. "Twilight graciously offered to share the evening meal with Seetie Belle, Scootaloo and I."

"We would be happy to have you. Your father is not joining us?"

"Ah, no. He is already having his dinner, if I'm not mistaken."

"That is too bad," Celestia replied. "It would do him good to eat with somepony out of that dreary meal room."

"Quite. Unfortunately, he told the staff to prepare the meal or be fired - "

Celestia - who never said a sour word against anypony - sighed and murmured, "When will he learn?" She brightened. "But you said Sweetie Belle was here, no? I have not seen her since your "Foals in Need" line launched."

Aha, that is where her mum met Rarity.

"We're done playing!" Scootaloo shouted. She came bounding in with Sweetie Belle. "Everything's okay!"

"But the couch is in half - " Sweetie Belle began.

"Hush."

"Easily fixed," Celestia said. "I shall go to the kitchen and see if dinner will be ready soon." She winked at Scootaloo and headed towards the kitchen.

"I like your Mum," Scootaloo told Twilight. "She doesn't get worked up from my spirit. That's what my uncle calls my and Dash's feirceness - spirit." Scootaloo bounced.

Dash...Dash is Scootaloo's cousin?

"You're related to Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked, her curiosity awakened.

"We're next cousins." Scootaloo said proudly. "She's the coolest pony ever, you know. I want to be just like her because she's tough and even though she didn't have it easy, she's still really cool. She doesn't ever give up!"

Twilight gave a quizzical expression. "Is she close with you?"

"She lives with her mother two blocks down from us. She usually hangs with her cool friends, but sometimes she shows me how to do awesome flying tricks. My uncle says it's a damn shame and that she should be living with us, 'cause then she would be properly cared for and not neglected by that stupid bitch mare-"

"Scootaloo, shush!" Sweetie Belle said, nudging Scootaloo's side.

"...oh. This is one of those times where I need to keep my mouth shut or I would be so-ci-ally in-appro-pri-ate, isn't it?" Scootaloo said.

"You're learning." Sweetie Belle said, smiling and nodding approvingly.

Twilight was a little befuddled. Dash had a tough living situation? Well, it would explain a number of things...

"Twilight, darling?" Rarity said.

"Uhm? Yes?"

"You looked a little... lost in thought."

"Oh. Right. Well, never mind that. I was just, ah, thinking."

"Girls, would you like to help me cook?" Celestia's voice came from the kitchen, pleasant like a melody. "We're making root stew."

"Your mother... cooks her own food?" Rarity said, shocked.

"Mhmm!" Twilight said, nodding enthusiastically. "Whenever she has the time. She says it's important to not lose touch with the essentials of everyday life if you're going to be in a position of authority. Humility and all, you see?"

"...quite." Rarity said, not sure what to make of that. "Well, I suppose that's... a good attitude."

Twilight frowned. "Is something wrong?"

"...I never learned how to cook anything." Rarity admitted, looking defeated. "I can't even boil grass."

"Well, if you're going to live on your own after you finish school, then you'll need to know. You won't have servants then, right?"

"Quite." Rarity said, putting a look of determination on her face. "Very well, Twilight. I shall help you cook this dish with you and your mother."

Twilight smiled, trotting into the kitchen.

"...it's not going to be dirty, is it?" Rarity asked anxiously.

"You might get your hoofsies a little sticky, but it's easy to wash up." Twilight said. "Besides, you're a unicorn, and using magic makes it a lot easier then if you're a pegasus or an earth pony. No pain, no gain."

"To be lectured in matters regarding life by you of all ponies..." Rarity murmured, following her into the kitchen.
Nevertheless, she did do her best, and Twilight was surprised with how much Rarity could stand to do if she only tried to. The peeling of roots was a little messy, and the broth was slightly burned, but once they all were done, Rarity and Twilight had helped make a wholesome, tasty stew.

After dinner, when Rarity oversaw Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle carrying in the dishes to the kitchen, Twilight managed to catch her mother before she headed to her office to do whatever official work she had- paperwork again, probably- for a quick talk.

"Twilight?" Celestia said.

"Umm. I have a question. If you have the time. I mean, I know you are busy and all-"

"Well, ask away." Celestia said, giving her an encouraging smile. "I raised you to ask questions, and I would be a poor parent if I didn't take time to answer them."

"Well, um..." Twilight said, scratching her hoof on the floor, awkwardly, "I have this friend..."

"Oh, you have a friend?" Celestia said, smirking.

"Y-yes." Twilight stammered. "And she likes another mare. But some of the other ponies at school thinks it's weird and, um, disgusting for a mare to like another mare, and she's very insecure about it."

"Twilight, if you like mares, you can tell me." Celestia said, gently. "I promise I won't judge you."

Twilight blinked. "What? Oh no no no no no! I really DO have a friend-"

"There's nothing to be ashamed of." Celestia said. "There are plenty of mares-"

"No, it's not me, it's Rainbow DASH!" Twilight almost shrieked. "And it's super secret so you can't say anything, and I just want to know what to do because she is really insecure even though most ponies don't really care, and-"

Celestia let out a long, cheerful laugh.

"That's not funny." Twilight said, giving her mother a deadpan look.

"Oh, not at all." Celestia said, wiping a tear from her eye. "It just sounded a lot like 'I have this friend, who definitely isn't me', and I couldn't for the world figure out why you would be that awkward about something that natural."

"Well, I DO have a friend. And she's a filly-fooler." Twilight said grumpily. "And I just want to know how to help her."

"Well, firstly, you shouldn't call her "filly-fooler". It's derogatory." Celestia said. "And secondly... sometimes mares like colts, and sometimes mares like mares, and that's really all there is to it. The best unicorn scientists tell us it's something you're born with, and when you have so many more mares than colts, it's bound to happen. As for your friend... just be a friend to her, and she will probably get over it eventually. Be supportive."

"Thanks, mum." Twilight said, hugging Celestia.

"You're welcome." Celestia said. "Now, I am afraid paperwork is calling. Have fun with your new friend."

"I will!" Twilight headed back to Rarity. When she came around the corner, Scootaloo was standing there, her eyes big as saucers.

"My cousin is a filly-fooler?"

"Oh no!" Twilight rushed. "Nononono, she likes mares, and there's nothing wrong with that, and don't tell anyone!"

"Why not? If there's nothing wrong with it, why can't I talk about it?" Scootaloo glanced around nervously, and shifted on her hooves.

"Because some ponies are meanies." Twilight sighed and sat beside Scootaloo. "Remember when Dash first came to Canterlot?"

"Yeah. Two years ago. I was really little then, but I remember other ponies being mean to her."

"Do you know why?"

"My uncle says they hated her spirit."

"Yeah. And her mane and tail are multi-colored, like a rainbow. It's really rare. Rare things tend to either be prized or feared. I'm not sure why. From not understanding it, probably."

Scootaloo nodded. Twilight wasn't sure if the little filly truly understood.

"I won't tell anyone, I promise." Scootaloo looked at Twilight. "Do you like mares, too? Are you the one that Dash likes?"

"I don't like mares, and I don't like Dash that way. I'm too occupied with my studies for romance. Dash and I are friends, nothing more. "

"Okay." Scootaloo motioned to the living room. "Sweetie Belle wants to sing for us."

Twilight followed Scootaloo into the living room. Sweetie Belle and Rarity were arguing quietly about where Sweetie Belle should stand for her song. Upon seeing Twilight, Sweetie Belle decided she would stand wherever Twilight could see her best from what ever chair Twilight took.

"I'm the hostess, so I think Scootaloo should choose which chair she wants to sit in," Twilight said. Scootaloo hopped onto the couch.

"Hooves!" Rarity reminded. Scootaloo made sure her hooves were not on the couch.

"Rarity?" Twilight asked, gesturing to the seats. Rarity nodded and chose her spot. Twilight sat where she judged that if Sweetie Belle did stand where she would best be seen by Twilight, the other fillies would see her just as well. Sweetie Belle stood where Twilight had guessed she would stand.

Sweetie Belle cleared her throat. She began singing Equestria's national anthem. To Twilight's surprise, Sweetie Belle had complete control of her voice, and it was clear. When she was finished, she beamed at them, so proud of herself Twilight wondered how anypony could be so hopeful after living with Esquire Antique. She remembered Sweetie Belle lived with her mum and dad, not her father.

Twilight joined her guests in clapping.

"Wow, Sweetie Belle!" Scootaloo shouted. "I didn't know you could sing like that!"

"It's nothing special," Sweetie Belle said. She was pleased, though.

The clock chimed.

"I better get going, or my aunt will be worried." Scootaloo hugged a surprised Twilight, then hugged Rarity, and lastly hugged Sweeite Belle. "See you in school tomorrow, Kid." In a blast of energy, Scootaloo was gone.

"Now what?" Sweetie Belle asked softly.

"Well, I need some tutoring from Twilight on my literature - "

"Is that schoolwork?"

"Yes, it is, and do not interrupt other ponies when they are speaking."

"Yes, Rarity."

"I have some crayons and paper if you want to color," Twilight offered.

"Yeah! Oops. I mean, yes please, Twilight."

"Alright. Do you want to color in the kitchen?"

"Can I color in the breakfast nook?"

"Of course."

"Yay!"

Twilight retrieved the art supplies, and let Sweetie Belle have free reign of the breakfast nook. While Twilight did that, Rarity set up the study materials on the kitchen table. This way she could keep an eye on her sister, and still have room enough to study and to ask Twilight any questions.

Time flew by for Twilight as it only did when she studied in her most beloved books, and her zeal for study, strangely enough, felt all the richer for sharing her knowledge with Rarity, actually teaching an individual older than herself, gently poking her in the right direction. The experience was refreshing, wondrous- this was the advantage of having a friend? Twilight felt forced to, in the name of intellectual honesty, admit that she had been wrong. To herself, at least.

Rarity, though not quite as enthusiastic, embraced Twilight's words, occasionally stopping her when a more detailed explanation was needed. Literature was a dreadful bore- at least the one the curriculum forced her to read- but discussing and learning through somepony relatable and quite tolerable, unlike her teacher, the experience was at the very least decent.

"Come now, Darling, are you honestly telling me Shakeshayes' main motivation was affluence? How could he have written such a compelling romantic piece as "Romera and Jules" if all he cared about was the money he would make?"

Twilight giggled. "Actually, the concept of "Romera and Jules" is at least two thousand years older then Shakeshayes. The two tragic lovers was first performed in ancient Peloponnessos. He simply copied an existing work, expanded on it and wrote it in poetic form."

"You don't say!" Rarity said, baffled. "This is quite a shock; I always thought he was the single greatest writer of the Equestrian language as a whole."

"Well," Twilight said. "He was a very skilled poet, but also a businessman. For example, he wrote "Macpones" solely to please King Aimes I. And it worked, too. He got his own theater, and went on to write dozens of plays, and died rich and old."

"I say, that is simply baffling." Rarity said. "I never knew!"

"Well, most classes on ancient Equestrian tend to skip those facts, since there is a very strong romantic following around his work, but I never eschew facts."

The two laughed, and the studies, dull, daunting and boring though they had seemed, passed without trouble. Before they knew it, darkness had fallen.

"Thank you for having us to dinner, Twilight," Sweetie Belle said.

"You're very welcome!" Twilight replied. "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"

"Twilight, Darling, we live next door. I believe we can manage." Rarity gave her a smile. "We shall see you early tomorrow morning."

Sweetie Belle grinned. "The zoo! I forgot! Quick, we need to go to bed so tomorrow will come quick!"

"Quickly," Rarity corrected.

"Quickly. Good-bye Twilight!"

"Good-bye." Twilight waved at them as they left.

She wandered back into the kitchen. Sweetie Belle had cleaned up her supplies, yet Twilight felt something was missing. What was it that tugged at the back of her mind? Was it the nervousness of tomorrow - the zoo, and the party - or was it something else?

"Something else," she muttered. It was the same feeling she had felt in school when Pinkie had decided to throw her a party, and the same feeling when Pinkie had words with Glitter. Something was going to happen. Something Twilight did not want to face.

Twilight shook her head. No, that was just a silly superstition. Everything was going to be fine. Really, what was the worst that could happen?

Saturday

The zoo was... well, slightly better than what Twilight had expected. She had only been to one once before, back when she was five, and a chimpanzee had thrown a rock at her. Little Twilight had then decided that zoos were stupid, and had never come back- until now.

Looking around, she evaluated her surroundings. Large outdoors pens for the animals to run around in, the sun shining brightly, a cool breeze keeping the summer heat from going out of control, Rarity with her... the zoo was not such a bad place, after all.

Well, excepting the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Rarity's carriage had stopped by a large, beautifully designed, almost ominous mansion where they had picked up the third little hellion, as Rarity had described them- Applebloom. Just judging by the way the little filly spoke, Twilight could only deduce she had to be from the countryside- why then the mansion? Well, Rarity had explained, she was just a cousin to this family, and the little sister of her agrarian acquaintance.

She was small, cheerful, and adorable; the trio had been absolutely sweet together...

Until they arrived the zoo. Rarity had not exaggerated in the least, Twilight realized. They had taken off at once, going everywhere, all over the place, doing the most ridiculously dangerous things. Rarity chased back and forward, fussing and watching and herding the best she could. Apparently, Sweetie Belle had gone missing. Again.

"I swear, those three shall be the end of me!" Rarity exclaimed, exasperated. "Two is bad enough; together they are worse than a barbarian horde."

"Where did you last see her?" Twilight asked.

"By the tiger cage. I took her away from the edge, and then Scootaloo almost fell in the shark pool... oh goodness me, there was a "No flying!" sign; why couldn't she have looked?"

Fortunately, Sweetie Belle was quickly found- a grisly zoo attendant walked up with her, a sour look on his face.

"This your sister, lady?"

"Oh yes! Thank you so much, kind sir!" Rarity exclaimed.

"She wuz in the Rhino pen. Starin' down a great white one."

"It was awesome!" Sweetie Belle cried out happily. "I figured I was going to get a rhino-taming cutie ma-"

"That will be quite enough out of you, young lady!" Rarity said sharply. "I am terribly sorry, sir. These three are just such a hoofful-"

"Three?" The zookeeper said. And indeed, another had gone missing- this time, Applebloom.

"Not AGAIN!" Rarity shouted, galloping off.

However, this time they were in luck. Applebloom was standing by Fluttershy, talking energetically. Twilight breathed out. Fluttershy naturally liked the place; animals were her forte after all.

"Fluttershy, yes?" Rarity said. "I am terribly sorry if this girl has been accosting you."

"Oh no, it's no trouble at all." Fluttershy said.

"They have been running around all over the place since we got here." Rarity sighed. "If it's not the crocodile's lagoon, it's the cobra pit or the wolverine mound. These three..."

"Today's the day we get our cutie marks!" Sweetie Belle said happily.

"I wanna be a lion tamer!" Scootaloo said, nodding approvingly.

"Girls." Fluttershy said. It wasn't a shout, barely a sharpening of the tone, but the three hellions straightened up when she kept talking to them in that soft, sweet voice. "Your sister is taking you out to the zoo, and it's great that you are having so much fun, but please, please don't do any dangerous things like running away on your own. I am sure your parents would be very sad if you fell and hurt yourself."

"Yes ma'am!" The three said in unison.

"So will you please be good and stay close to your sister? She is trying very hard, I can see that."

"Yes ma'am!" the three said, falling into line next to Rarity.

Rarity blinked. "What just happened?"

"I think she may have used "the stare"," Twilight said, laughing.

"What is 'the stare?'," Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It is the look that Fluttershy gives animals and children that make them fall into line," Twilight explained. "She can make a fully grown, cranky dragon back down." At this praise, Fluttershy blushed.

"I...well, I guess I could." She smiled shyly. "I'm heading for the lions . . . does anypony want to come with me?"

"Yeah!" Scootaloo shouted.

"No shouting," Rarity reminded.

"Sorry, Rarity," Scootaloo replied.

Fluttershy led the way to the lion's area. The girls calmly followed Rarity, and Twilight brought up the rear.

"Can we get cotton candy?" Scootaloo asked.

"Yeah. Cotton candy an' apples an' some good ol' soda pop!" Applebloom suggested.

"After the lions," Rarity agreed.

"Aw..." the CMC said.

"Girls," Fluttershy warned.

"Yes, ma'am," they replied.

"Here we are," Twilight said. "Girls, do you want to look at the lions?"

Sweetie Belle hesitantly looked into the lion's home. Applebloom waved at one of the lions and Scootaloo tried to hop onto the railing.

"Now, Scoot, you know better," Fluttershy said softly. Scootaloo backed down. Fluttershy nodded.

Twilight studied the lion's home. The lions she could see looked quite happy. A few sunbathed, one was eating happily, and a couple were arranging rocks for whatever reason. Twilight glanced to her side - no reason, really, she just wanted to see what was happening over to her left - and did a double take. Glitter Rain!

The other teen stood behind some bushes. Why would anypony do that? Twilight looked back to the younger fillies. The three fillies were imitating lions.

"Grrr!"

"At least they aren't doing anything wicked," Rarity whispered to Twilight.

"Hello, Rarity," Glitter Rain broke in. "I seemed to have missed you at yesterday's show."

"Hello, Glitter," Rarity replied. "Yes, I had more important things to do other than the show."

"Really?" Glitter looked at Twilight out the corner of her eye. "What things?"

"I spent time with ponies worth my while," Rarity said icily.

"I see." Glitter looked to the young ones. "Being a nanny. Never would have thought." And she flounced away.

"Wasn't that a little cold?" Twilight asked.

"How so?"

"Well... I know all of them are a little, you know..:"

"Shallow?"

"...well yes, sort of. But they aren't really that bad, so why be that cold?"

Rarity sighed. "Well, I suppose you are right... I am simply a little tired with them all. They aren't unkind- well, not all of them," Rarity corrected herself, seeing Twilight's stare, "simply lacking in ambition. I suppose I lashed out because I finally realized how empty that relationship is."

"That's fine, Rarity... but I don't think Glitter will let that go. And she will probably take it out on me."

"Oh darling, you're probably right about that." Rarity said, putting a hoof to her forehead. "I am sorry, I did not consider it. I shall have a chat with her later. Worry not, Twilight, I shall see to it you are left alone."

Twilight nodded. This personality of Rarity's that she was slowly seeing unfold was much warmer, much kinder, much more considerate and generous than anypony could have guessed, seeing that cold exterior. Persisting had been the right choice, she decided. She had not felt this happy in a long time- only her mother-daughter quality time felt like it measured up to the amount of fun she had with Rarity. The day was hot, the cutie mark crusaders were loud, Glitter Rain was probably going to bully her later... and it did not seem to matter in the slightest. It felt wonderful.

"Oh, what IS that foolish pony doing?" Rarity exclaimed, snapping Twilight out of her daze. "She will surely get herself killed!"

Confused, Twilight looked down the lion's pen. Fluttershy had flown down to a lion, and appeared to be talking to it. Twilight breathed a sigh of relief.

"No, no, Fluttershy has a way with animals. If that lion tried to pounce her, I am sure three other lions would tackle it before it even grazed her."

"But that is dangerous! What could possibly have made her-"

"Look." Twilight said, pointing. The lion held out a paw, and gently, Fluttershy pulled what looked like a thorn from its foot.

"...are you quite serious?" Rarity asked, bewildered. "That silly pony will barely look you in the eye, but she will face down a lion... because it needs help?"

"That's Fluttershy, all right." Twilight said, nodding. A zookeeper waved to Fluttershy; apparently she had not done this uninvited. "I think she is going to be a veterinarian, or something. She loves animals, small and large, and they love her."

"Ooo, I wonder if I could be like Fluttershy," Sweetie Belle said. She thought about it for a moment. "Nah, I wanna be like my sister!"

"No, I want to be like my sister," Rarity corrected.

"Yes!" Sweetie Belle nodded happily.

Fluttershy flew back up the group, closing her cellphone and perching on the railing.

"Twilight, Pinkie Pie just phoned me," she whispered. "She says the Cutie Mark Crusaders may help put up the party decorations if you want to stop by before the party starts. I'm heading over there now."

"Yes!" the three young ones shouted. "We want to go!"

"How do they know to speak in unison?" Twilight wondered. "What logical explanation could be behind that? Pre-planning? No, they couldn't know what others would say in advance. Mental link? How unscientific...."

"We whisper to each other super-duper-fast," Scootaloo answered.

"Sometimes we go and say the same thing anyway," Applebloom said. "Y'know, without the whisperin'. I don't know why we would do that so often..."

To everyone's surprise, it was Sweetie Belle that spoke up: "We're around each other so we think the same, it's natural. My mum said when she lived with my father, she was like him and she realized she hated herself, so she moved away - not divorced, mind you -"

"Sweetie Belle, hush," Rarity whispered urgently in her sister's ear. Sweetie Belle clamped her mouth shut, and continued talking, though Twilight had no idea what she was saying. Applebloom frowned.

"Uh...we can't hear ya clearly, Sweetie Belle, either talk without your mouth closed, or tell us later."

Sweetie Belle nodded.

"Are we all going to Pinkie's place?" Rarity asked.

"Yes!" the CMC shouted.

"Follow me, fillies." Rarity walked towards the coach lot, the CMC in a neat line behind her, and Twilight and Fluttershy walking behind them. They stopped along the way for the promised treats before heading to the gate.

"So... Rarity is your friend?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes."

"She forgave you! I knew she would. She's is a nice pony . . . Are you friends with Glitter Rain?"

"No," Twilight said more fiercely than she wanted. Fluttershy gave her a sad look. Twilight sighed. "Glitter...She's...mean." The words seemed superficial, and Twilight knew Rarity had seemed mean as well, but she was now friends with her.

"Twilight, sometimes ponies just need a helpful push."

"Will you be her friend, then?" Twilight asked hotly. "I tried, and she hates me."

"How did you try?" Fluttershy asked.

"I...well...I was nice to her..."

"But there is a difference from being nice and being a friend."

Twilight sighed. The coach was near, and Rarity was putting the CMC into the coach.

"You are right, Fluttershy." Twilight kicked the ground. "I'm a horrible pony."

"Oh no!" Fluttershy shook her head. "You are not a horrible pony, Twilight. You misjudge, but that is okay, because you change if you are proven wrong. There is nothing wrong in judging another pony, as long as you don't cling to what you believe. Sometimes when a pony judges another pony, they are right, but usually they are wrong."

"You are a wise friend, you know that?" Twilight said. "You and Rarity, Pinkie and Dash, and even Derpy. I only know facts. Facts a wise pony does not make."

"You are wise, Twilight. You just have to find your wisdom. We aren't all wise on the same subjects." Fluttershy grinned. "Actually, we are all stupid, and wise. Remember that, Twilight Sparkle."

"Are you two done whispering to each other?" Rarity asked, her voice a bit miffed.

"Sorry, I was having an emotional crisis," Twilight replied.

"What's an emotional crisis?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Hush," Rarity told her. "I'll explain in a bit, or if Twilight wants to, she will explain."

"Okay."

Fluttershy trotted after Twilight. "I'll see you all at Pinkie's place -"

"Oh no, you are coming with us. Step inside, Fluttershy. I insist! My friends do not walk or fly such long distances when they could visit."

Fluttershy's eyes widened in surprise, and she hopped into the coach, a shy pleased look on her face. "Thank you, Rarity."

"Can we stop at home to play for a bit before we help with Pinkie's decorations?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Do you mind?" Rarity asked Fluttershy and Twilight. Fluttershy shook her head.

"No, we're good," Twilight said.

After a carriage ride home, and sending off the three little hellions to play in the garden (with Rarity making notes of which statues they were allowed to play roughly around), Rarity, Twilight and Fluttershy took a breather over a cup of tea in the kitchen.

Lying down on a bench, stretching out with a surprisingly uncharacteristic groan, Rarity sipped some tea. Even on their best behaviour, the cutie mark crusaders had been a handful, and Twilight imagined it had to take a toll on her- she was responsible for all of them, and she seemed to take that very seriously.

Quietly, Twilight sipped her tea.

For a while, the three of them sat quietly, just relaxing, drinking their tea. The break was well needed. The first of them to speak was, surprisingly, Fluttershy.

"Um, I was just thinking, well..."

"Oh, do go on, darling. I do not bite." Rarity assured her.

"I just wanted to say how impressed I was with you, taking those three to the zoo. Little fillies are not easy to handle." Fluttershy said quietly.

"Impressed?" Rarity gave a short laugh. "With that terrible performance? No, I am not being modest- it was not very good at all. I had no patience, I kept shouting at them, chasing back and forth... I was barely holding together until you came along and worked your magic, Fluttershy dear."

"But you still took them." Fluttershy insisted. "Even though it wasn't easy, you still tried. You really are as nice as Twilight thinks you are."

Giving a faint blush, Rarity said:

"Well, who else was going to? My mother, who has only time for her latest fashion projects? My father, who wouldn't venture outside the house for anything short of an art fair? I see little enough of my sister as it is. I felt I should at the very least let her enjoy herself when we were there together... even if it was quite the trial."

Twilight looked on her new friend carefully. She did not give herself enough credit at all. She had sacrificed most of her day entertaining the little fillies, which was hard work, and she seemed not to regret it. She would never have guessed that the school's beauty queen was so... selfless.

"Didn't you have some dress or another to work on?" Twilight asked.

"Oh, pish-posh." Rarity said dismissively. "I can work on that next week. My sister is here now."

"You seem really protective of her."

"With parents like these, one cannot help but..." Rarity muttered. "Besides, what kind of big sister would not sacrifice for her younger siblings?" She said it as if it was natural.

"Um, mine." Fluttershy said shyly. "Not that I am complaining or anything. They are nice ponies really, and I shouldn't be slandering them. I'm sorry-"

"Fluttershy is the youngest of four." Twilight explained. "And all of them are... really busy. All the time. She grew up fairly alone." She gave Fluttershy a glance, and she nodded. "She is the daughter of Redracer Greystone and Carmella Hoovenheuser."

Rarity blinked. "I know them. Father speaks well of them. Why, I had no idea you belonged to a family of renown, Fluttershy!"

Fluttershy retreated behind her mane, nodding.

"That's it- she is, but she is sort of kept out of the spotlight. Since she didn't develop some big flashy talent for sports, money, literature, arts, those kinds of things, her parents decided that as far as the world- the press, that is- is concerned, she doesn't exist."

"Th-that's not fair." Fluttershy squealed.

"It is!" Twilight said, her voice rising. "You are their daughter and they just... neglect you!"

"They don't. They are just really busy."

Twilight shook her head. Trust Fluttershy to defend anyone from unkind words, even those who deserved them.

"Well, that's the way it is." Twilight said. "I've known her since I was about five. We fit so well together, because I was the clumsy pony who didn't know what to say, and she didn't dare say anything."

Fluttershy nodded. "And that's how we became friends. Although Twilight insisted it wasn't friendship, just acquaintances. Because friendship gets in the way." She giggled a little.

"All right, all right." Twilight said, annoyed. "It was a silly attitude, but I know better now."

"My, my." Rarity interjected. "This is all very interesting, but... can Fluttershy not speak for herself?"

"I speak for her when she needs me to." Twilight explained.

"I get tongue-tied, especially when I meet new people or think I offended somepony. So Twilight helps me."

"You must trust each other like sisters." Rarity smiled. "It is good to hear there is goodness out there. I suppose I've been preoccupied with what my father deemed a good social life. I'm now regretting not knowing you, Fluttershy."

"Me too," Fluttershy said softly. "I knew you weren't a mean pony. It's good to have my thoughts confirmed."

Scootaloo popped out of air in-between Fluttershy and Twilight. "Can we go to Pinkie's place, now?"

"Please?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"I'd like to meet this Pinkie Pie I've been told about," Applebloom said. "She sounds like a fun pony."

"Twilight? Fluttershy?" Rarity asked.

Twilight looked to Fluttershy, who nodded. Twilight said: "We're ready."

Cloud River whisked the dishes away and the group worked their way outside. Sky Blade pulled up to the front door with the coach. Even Rarity seemed surprised, until Sweetie Belle thanked the driver for getting ready so fast. Rarity nodded her approval.

Pinkie Pie's place was in a part of Canterlot Twilight had not seen before. Granted, she was new to the city, but she had visited Fluttershy when her friend had transferred to Canterlot. Pinkie's home seemed to be the center of attention in the otherwise modest neighborhood. Most of the homes were of the low, but enough income to splurge once in a while range, while Pinkie's home seemed to be an explosion of party gear. Twilight wondered what Pinkie could possibly need in way of help setting up, and if her parents (or guardians) had any say in the way their home was done.

Pinkie came bounding out of her home with a grin plastered on her face.

"Hello everypony, I'm so glad you came we're gonna have so much fun and you brought the little fillies YAY and oh did you hear about -"

"Pinkie?" Twilight asked.

"- the food delivery that was late so I was like OH NO but then he showed up and I was like YAY and I even got FREE snacks for my trouble -"

"PINKIE!" Twilight shouted.

"- and okay!" Pinkie giggled.

Applebloom raised an eyebrow. "You're the one that can organize such great parties?" She suddenly bounced. "Wow! You're cool."

Pinkie grinned her welcoming yet maniacal grin. "Thank you!" She pointed to her back garden. "Rarity, could you do the finishing touches on the decorations?"

"But of course, Darling." Rarity walked to the back.

"Cutie Mark Crusaders?" Pinkie asked.

"Yes!" they shouted.

"I need food out on the tables, stat!"

"Consider it done! Cutie Mark Crusaders food professionals, YAY!" They rushed off, to where Twilight wasn't sure, but she hoped Pinkie didn't have anything breakable in her house.

"Fluttershy?"

"Um...yes, Pinkie?"

"Would you love to help Gummy organize the games?"

"If that's okay."

"Of course it is, silly!"

A little crocodile popped out of nowhere and led Fluttershy away. She relaxed the farther she got from ponies, and Twilight saw several other animals go over to help her and Gummy.

"What can I do?" Twilight asked eagerly.

"You're the guest of honor, you don't do anything but enjoy yourself!" Pinkie laughed.

"Oh..." Twilight deflated. Pinkie gasped.

"Nononono, that will not do! You can help me ... um... actually, now that I think about it, Fluttershy and I had done everything else already." Pinkie sat on her haunches, tapping her hoof to her chin and thinking deeply. "Games, check. Food, check. Decorations, check. Music, check. Furniture, check." She suddenly grinned. "I know! You can help me organize the presents!"

"Presents?" Twilight asked.

"Of course, silly. It's a party!" Pinkie hopped to her back garden. Twilight followed quickly, her curiosity raised. As promised, a disorganized pile of presents were on and around a table.

"Who do these presents belong to?" Twilight asked.

"You, silly!" Pinkie clapped. "I bought some, and Fluttershy made some, and Rarity made some, and -"

"Hold on," Twilight broke in. "This is a lot of presents."

"Well, everyone I invited bought a present."

"I got a present from every kid in school?" Suddenly the huge pile made sense - but not in any way Twilight could get her mind around. "Are you serious?"

"Yes. Every welcoming party has welcoming presents! Dashie got hers when she moved here, and so did Fluttershy -"

"But aren't students moving in and out of the area all the time?" Twilight pressed. "What about them? Isn't this expensive."

"Moving in and out?" Pinkie asked, her face a perfect look of confusion. "No. Most students who live here have lived here their whole lives."

"But Manehatten -"

"Yes, but this is Canterlot." Pinkie sighed sadly. "You don't like your presents?" Her hair seemed to go limp.

"I love them," Twilight found herself saying. Pinkie brightened and her mane and tail poofed back to their normal fluffiness.

"Oh good!"

"I'm confused though."

"About what?"

"The ponies that live here? Don't they get presents?"

"Of course! I hold several parties for the sake of it periodically throughout the year! Everypony brings one present, and gets to choose one present as long as it isn't theirs! You can bring more than one present if you want. How many presents you bring are how many presents you get! Isn't that brilliant? Every pony gets a present for no reason at all!" Pinkie laughed. "Come on! No peeking, though!"

Pinkie jumped into the presents and began organizing by size. Twilight began to pitch in. This world she found herself in... it was so different from the one she left behind in Ponyville, and so different from the ones in her books.

"Good afternoon, Twilight Sparkle," Glitter said from behind Twilight. Twilight froze, then turned around to see Glitter. Glitter held out a rather large gift. "For you," she said sweetly.

"Glitter Rain! Hihihihihihhello!"

"Hello, Pinkie Pie."

"Here, come meet Twilight!" Pinkie said excitedly. "I know you didn't get along well at first, but I am sure it will work if you try again!" Eagerly, she pushed Twilight in Glitter's direction.

"Umm... hi. Again." Twilight mumbled, feeling quite sure Pinkie had been overly optimistic.

"Hi again, Twilight Sparkle." Glitter said. "I'm sure we will be the best of friends. Why don't you join me for some punch?"

Judging by her tone, she did not seem to have friendship in mind at all, but Twilight decided she had to try. Hesitantly, she followed Glitter to the punch bowl. Glitter poured two cups, and began to speak.

"Listen, you stupid little nerd, I don't know what you've done to Rarity, but I know exactly what your game is."

"Huh?"

"You're trying to steal Rarity from me- I mean, from all of us. Her friends. What are you doing, huh? Throwing your weight around 'cause you are the mayors daughter who needs to get more popular?'"

"Huh?" Twilight said again. This wasn't going well at all.

"Well, you can forget it! Rarity is mine- um, my friend, so hooves off!"

"You know... I didn't pick Rarity to be my friend." Twilight retorted."It just sort of happened. Sorry."

"Whatever, NERD." Glitter said. "She doesn't care about you anyways. You think she would spend time with an egghead like you just because? I don't know if she's taking pity on you or if she's just having a laugh, but you better back off before you get burnt."

"..."

Twilight wasn't sure what to say to that. Turning her nose up, Glitter Rain walked away, off to socialize with some of her own friends.

"What..." Twilight felt her stomach sink. She did not believe any of what Glitter said; that would be irrational, but having harsh words spoken against her was distressing.

"Chin up, Twilight!" Pinkie said, knocking her over in a tackle hug. "She's just a big meanie who is too silly to see how nice you are! Now let's get some punch! And pie!"

"...thanks, Pinkie." Twilight said. Suddenly, that feeling she had was dissipating. Pinkie had a gift, it seemed, a gift to banish unhappiness and unkindness with her unrelenting stream of joy and bubbliness.

Suddenly, Twilight felt a lot better about Pinkie.

Ponies were pouring into the back garden. Most had no gifts, and Twilight concluded that the bulk were dropped off sometime yesterday. She stayed close to Pinkie as large crowds made Twilight nervous. She much prefered a library with books, not a garden with ponies. But Pinkie had done a fantastic job at making the party so Twilight had to at least try to have fun.

Rarity came over to them.

"How are you doing, Darling?" she asked.

"Um...too many ponies..." Twilight muttered. "How's Fluttershy?"

"Oh, she is with the animals and small children." Rarity motioned across the garden. Fluttershy seemed to be in her element. From what Twilight could see, her friend was telling a story. Even the CMC were happily sitting there and listening.

"Good thing those little munchkins aren't destroying the place, though really, that would be okay, I mean the food is ready to be eaten, and ohmygoshIforgotmusic!" Pinkie bolted away.

"Hello Rarity," Lightning Smoke greeted.

"Smoke," Rarity replied.

"And hello Twilight," he said.

"Uh...hello?"

"I'm sorry for the nail polish. I honestly thought Glitter hadn't put that in there. I saw her put it in, but I thought she took it out."

"Oh...uh...it's okay. My head's fine." Gah, what a stupid thing to say. My head is fine. Sheesh.

"Good," Lightning Smoke gave her a heart-melting smile. "Hope you like my gift."

He winked at Rarity and trotted off.

"The nerve!" Rarity hissed.

"What?"

"He hates you, Twilight Sparkle. Ever since you came here, he's said nothing but nasty things about you. I'm not sure what game he is playing, but I have a feeling it is with Glitter Rain. Excuse me, Darling, I must find Glitter and talk to her."

Twilight watched Rarity rush away elegantly. She wondered if she could ever move that gracefully if she worked at it. Rarity had such a lovely way of moving.

"You're lookin' at Rarity mighty crush-like," a new voice spoke from behind Twilight.

She turned around, ready to deny any such feelings, only to stop from shock. The young mare behind her stood in the sunlight so that she looked like a model, and her eyes held such warmth Twilight decided that the new pony had no ill intentions toward her. The new pony walked a bit towards Twilight and the perfect sunlight shifted, and she suddenly seemed like a normal young mare, albeit with a bit of mud on her hooves.

"Uh...hi?" Twilight said. She cleared her throat. "Hello, I'm Twilight."

"Howdy. I'm Applejack, Applebloom's older sister. Nice to meet you. You can call me AJ." AJ trotted over to the gift table and added hers to the pile. Twilight cringed a bit. Mud slid off the present. So much for a model. "So you're the one this here party was for. You're not like what I expected. Pinkie said you were a friend o' Rarity's, so I thought you were gonna be a snob. Most of her other friends are."

"Other friends?" Twilight asked.

"Sure. We're friends. Well, she says a-quaint-en-sez because we rarely see each other, but that's okay for me. I know a friend when I see one. And you're a friend." AJ looked over the party. "Well, there ain't nothing goin' on here, is there?" She shook her head. "Just standin' around talking. No dancin', even. You city-folks have an odd idea of what makes a party. Come on, let's dance!"

AJ ran to what Pinkie had designated a dance floor and started dancing.

"Come on Twi!" AJ called.

Twilight glanced at all the ponies giving AJ weird looks. Twilight held her head high. She would dance as well. With only one thought in her mind - show the other ponies being different wasn't bad - Twilight walked towards AJ.

"Yay! Finally!" Pinkie simply popped into existence. Twilight made a mental note to ask Pinkie if she had any Unicorn in her.

A little flustered, Twilight walked out on the dance floor. She felt warm, and her head spun a little- what was she really doing? Everypony was going to laugh! She was going to be made a fool of forever! She was going to-

'No. No letting your mind race. You are in control,' she reminded herself. 'For once, don't think, just do.'

"Don't you worry yourself none, sugarcube." Applejack said, giving a confident smile. "Just let me lead, and you'll be just fine. The important part is movin' your booty, and having fun!"

The earth pony's voice had a soothing effect on Twilight. She sounded reliable; just hearing her voice made Twilight feel... safe. As AJ began to dance, Twilight followed her rhythm. Slowly at first, then gradually faster. Twilight misstepped several times, and her clumsiness almost made her lose confidence, but Applejack only chuckled, gave her a friendly pat on the back, and kept dancing. Blushing, Twilight let herself go, began to dance...

And then, next to them, was Pinkie Pie, dragging some young colt to the dance floor, skipping, bouncing, dancing...

And after her, another couple joined in, and another after that, and soon the floor was filled with schoolponies dancing. Some awkwardly, some better than others, but all of them were having fun. As the tempo increased, Twilight felt her breath grow shorter, feeling sweaty, but she barely even noticed. Applejack leading her, touching her... the sensation was wonderful. She had been missing out on so much fun all these years, she realized.

Finally staggering off the dance floor, her breath ragged, she slumped down on a stool.

"Whooo..." she managed. "That was..."

"Fun?" Applejack said happily, smiling that confident smile.

Catching her breath, Twilight nodded.

"You know, you're a purty good dancer for an egghead." Applejack said. "Kinda cute, too."

"Come now Applejack, don't spoil the experience with your unsubtle comings-on." Rarity said, walking up. "She is barely out of her shell as it is."

"Don't fret, sugarcube." Applejack said, shooting her a grin. "Ah don' mean nothin' by it. Can't a girl flirt some?"

Rarity just 'tssk'-ed, and Applejack walked off to the dance floor again.

"What..." Twilight said.

"Applejack likes a good party just as much as the next pony." Rarity explained. "She just happens to be sadly lacking in sophistication." Though the words were insulting, she sounded affectionate.

"What was that about flirting?" Twilight asked, her mind only now registering it.

"Oh, Applejack likes her apple pie, but she likes pear pie too." Rarity said. "She's not bashful, either, and for some inexplicable reason she is quite popular with colts and fillies both."

"...and she..?"

"Not seriously, I think." Rarity said, shrugging. "She does make a good point, though. You do look adorable sometimes."

Twilight blushed. "You-"

"Don't worry yourself, I won't seduce you." Rarity said, giving a small smile. "I would die to doll you up, though. I can only imagine the dresses I could fit you in."

"Dresses?" Twilight repeated. "I've never really worn a dress before..."

"No?" Rarity's eyebrows raised nearly off her head. "Well, darling, that simply will not do. I am formally inviting you to the dinner party my father is having this coming Tuesday."

"Dinner party? I don't know Rarity, I don't think your father likes me..."

"Oh pish. Father is an ass. Who cares what he likes or dislikes? I'll ask Fluttershy as well. Unless..." Rarity frowned. "Her parents will be there. Do you think it will be uncivilized of me asking her to come? They are such horrid ponies, pretending she does not exist."

"I'll come," Fluttershy whispered. Twilight and Rarity jumped. Despite Fluttershy's soft voice, neither had expected her to reply so it startled them. "I've...I've decided while listening to you, that I'll pretend not to be there daughter. Actually..." Fluttershy sniffled. "Twilight is right. They don't want me."

"What is this great turn-a-round?" Twilight asked.

"....I...well...Dash..." Fluttershy shook her head. "It's personal."

"If you'll excuse me, darlings, I have to go say hello to some friends. Do stay here and enjoy yourself." Rarity said, trotting to the kitchen.

"So..." Twilight said. "Is there something going on with you and Dash? Something you want to talk about?"

"It's nothing." Fluttershy said, retreating behind her mane.

"Well... if you want to talk to me about anything, you can trust me. You know that, right?"

"Oh, I do trust you, Twilight!" Fluttershy assured her emphatically. "It's just... not a big deal."

"Well, okay." Twilight said, deciding not to prod any further. Fluttershy was a gentle creature, best to let her take her time. "Do you want some more punch?"

Fluttershy nodded, and Twilight trotted towards the punch bowl. As she passed the kitchen, she heard her name mentioned. Stopping by the entrance, she listened. She knew it was rude to listen in- she was just going to hear what it was. Nothing else.

"Look, Rarity," it was the voice of one of her older friends- Runner Flare, Twilight thought, or somepony like her. "we have been your friends for years, and quite frankly, we are concerned. What on earth are you doing, blowing the lot of us off for that purple little nerd?"

"I was-"

"Don't give me the "I had to study" excuse, Rarity." Flare insisted. "You had looked forward to that show for three months. Just what exactly are you doing?"

"I don't see how this is any of your business." Rarity said, her tone short.

"Well, it is." Flare said. "You may have a bright future as a designer ahead of you, but right now? You are a schoolpony. You are supposed to be the one anypony worth mentioning looks up to, learns from. What on earth are you doing, spending time with Twilight Sparkle?"

"I assure you," Rarity said coldly, "I don't have any wish whatsoever to spend time with that... egghead. I am failing literature and maths, and she happens to have a good little nerd mind. Combine that with her mother being Celestia, and she is a valuable resource."

"Is that right?" Runner Flare asked, sounding unconvinced.

"Quite right." Rarity said icily. "And I would appreciate it if my judgement was not questioned over so very little. Of course I have to butter the little misfit up, she is my key to success at this point in time. That is all there is."

"...very well. I trust you, Rarity. Just do not forget who your real friends are."

"I will not."

Twilight felt her heart sink. Turning hoof, she ran out of the room, out of the house, just away. It had all been a lie.

Broken

Rarity left the kitchen in much lower spirits than she had entered. Flare had destroyed Rarity's happiness, and no doubt somepony had put Flare up to the whole thing. Flare was not a pony to do anything of her own mind. Even her words were stolen most of the time.

Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were around the snack bar when Rarity returned, apparently learning from Derpy how to clean their snouts with warm water and a tea pot. Thankfully it was all just theory at this point and no one was actually doing anything with a poor defenseless teapot.

"Where is Twilight?" Rarity asked.

"She went to bring us punch," Fluttershy said.

"She's been gone a long while," Derpy added.

"We thought she was with you!" Pinkie hopped. "I guess she isn't 'cause obviously if she was we would see her and you can't be invisible, ooooh that would be cool if you could be invisible, she'd be an invisible purple unicorn, and ohmygosh, what if she made me invisible? The invisible party pony!" Pinkie stopped abruptly. Suddenly she began to twitch and shake all over. "Oh no. Oh no. I sense a dozy."

"A dozy? What's a dozy?" AJ asked, coming up from behind Rarity.

"When something horrible is going to happen, Pinkie gets the -"

"Twitchy twitch twitchy!" Pinkie yelped. "Twilight! Where is Twilight?"

"I saw her run outta the house about five minutes ago - "

"Which direction? It's important, Applejack, which direction!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"Um...that-away." AJ pointed.

Pinkie shot out of the garden in a haze of pink.

Rarity's breath seemed to freeze in her chest. Why would Twilight leave the party? Glitter! But no, Glitter was over there, talking with Lightning Smoke. If Glitter had done something she would be over here, rubbing it in Rarity's face.

Rarity forced herself to breathe. This was ridiculous. Twilight was her best friend, but that didn't mean her leaving Rarity at the party was a bad sign. The purple unicorn's mother was the mayor, after all. Something important must have happened to force Twilight to leave.

Pinkie's whole body hurt from the fire under her skin. She twitched involuntarily to get the fire under control, to ease the pain, and yet the only relief seemed to be a numbness. Why was she feeling this bad? Her twitches and her knowledge never hurt before.

Yes, she had seen things sometimes she wished she could unsee. Like her neighbor's fighting in her mind's eye. She knew why their young colt used to come to school with bruises, and why his mother finally kicked his father out. She knew why Derpy's eyes were crossed, why her home room teacher ate only grapes, and why Glitter stayed close to Rarity. So why couldn't she see what was coming?

Her ears twitched in one direction, and she found herself suddenly facing that way. The local library. Twilight! She must be in the library! Pinkie quickened her pace.

Boom! The sound echoed through the silence, and the librarian, a mare named Candle Whisper, sent Pinkie a look of pure venom.

"Shhh," Candle hissed.

Pinkie grinned her grin, and the twitching started up again, pulling her to the left and up the grand staircase. The twitching plopped Pinkie at the very top, about five floors up, without a warning.

"Oof!" Pinkie muttered.

She shook her head. No time for that, no time to waste! She twitched her ears on her own accord, listening deeply. She gingerly stood up. There! Sound! Pinkie followed the quiet sobs to the back of the shelves.

Her heart seemed to shred itself in her chest. Twilight laid among numerous books, sobbing, and desperately looking for something within their pages.

"Twilight?" Pinkie asked.

"I can't find it!" Twilight sobbed. "I can't find the information I need!"

Pinkie trotted to Twilight and carefully navigated over the books. "What are you looking for?"

"Why does it hurt so much, Pinkie?" Twilight burst out. "I don't know...I need - I can't - how do I deal with this? Tell me. Please, tell me, please show me a book." Twilight stopped rushing through the pages of her book. She dropped it. "Why can't I find it?" She turned to Pinkie, and Pinkie gasped.

Twilight, who Pinkie had seen only be in control, was now crying without thought. Pinkie hurried to her friend, and held her close.

"Help me Pinkie! Please, give me a book that tells me what to do! Please!" Twilight dissolved in tears, sobbing into Pinkie's shoulder as the happy-go-lucky pony gently held her. Quietly and calmly, Pinkie whispered soothing words in the unicorn's ears until she had cried herself mostly dry.

"There there, silly. Shh... it's going to be okay, it's all going to be okay. Okay?"

Her eyes red with tears, Twilight nodded.

"Now, will you tell me why you were crying?" Pinkie's tone had changed; it was no longer chipper and bubbly, but a calm, mature, soft tone, sisterly and gentle. "You don't have to, but I'd like to know."

"It's... it's..." Twilight's lower lip trembled, and she nearly broke into tears again.

"Shh, there there." Pinkie rubbed her neck. "It's fine."

"But it's not." Twilight said, sounding miserable. "It's Ra-ha-ha haaarity!" Twilight sobbed the word out, still fighting the tears back.

"What is it with Rarity?" Pinkie asked patiently.

"She... she doesn't like me! She hates me! She was-"

"Slow down now, Twilight, sweetie. What happened?"

Her voice still trembling, Twilight recounted what had just happened. How Rarity had said those hurtful things, how she had said it was all make-believe, how Twilight had just ran off on her own, not thinking about anything else.

Pinkie shook her head. "That's terrible, Twilight. But listen- my Pinkie sense never lies, and my Pinkie sense told me she wasn't a bad pony."

"But she-"

"Ssshh, sweetie." Pinkie said, hugging Twilight close and kissing her forehead. "Your trusty friend Pinkie Pie is going to get to the bottom of this, believe me. And if it's true... then she doesn't deserve to be your friend anyway."

Rarity hurried down the street, following Pinkie's trail. It took her a little less than second to realise she needed to follow Pinkie. Twilight had run- had she heard? Oh goodness, let her not have heard! She felt as if there was a black hole inside her chest, a painful, sinking void expanding every minute. She felt heavy, afraid, but most of all ashamed. That she dared not stand up for herself, for her own choices...

Coward. Deserter. Untrustworthy.

Galloping to the library, she ran like never before. She had to make amends.

After searching for a few minutes inside the library, she found Twilight sobbing into Pinkie's mane, Pinkie soothing her. Standing still, just staring for a few minutes, she heard Pinkie comfort her. That sinking feeling in her stomach multiplied four times- Twilight had heard, and seeing her hurt cut into her heart like a knife.

"I think I'll just go round this book shelf for a while," Pinkie said.

"What?"

"There is somepony to see you, and she looks very sorry." Pinkie said, smiling. "Go on, hear her out." Gesturing with a hoof, she pointed to Rarity. Rarity, who for all the world looked like a whipped dog, miserable as could be.

"What are you doing here?" Twilight asked.

Oh goodness, she wasn't even angry. She just sounded hurt and confused. She could take being yelled at; she would deserve that, but that look on her face...

"Twilight Sparkle, I..." Rarity lost her wording, and stood quiet for a few moments. "I am an abominable coward and a slanderous liar. I am weak. I am so-"

"Sorry?" Twilight wiped her nose. "How do I know you're not just lying to me?"

"I-"

"No!" Twilight at once felt liberated and ashamed at the word torn from her throat. She had never raised her voice to anypony before, thinking it vile and rude. "I told you to be honest with me! I told you I would help you no matter what! Do you think I'm such a miscreant I can't comprehend you simply needing help with your schooling? Even if you just wanted to get ahead I would have helped you, because I was just that stupid! Not anymore! Find another egghead! You are rotten! Like your father!"

Once the last six words were out of her mouth, Twilight wanted to die. Once they were out, Twilight opened and closed her mouth, shocked such things could ever come from her own tongue. Pinkie's sense told her this. It also told her deep down Twilight knew Rarity was nothing like her father - her father would never have sacrificed his time to take his daughters to the zoo, never-mind his daughters and their friends.

Rarity backed up. "I...I...I never meant to hurt you!" And she turned hoof and ran, bawling, nearly running over Candle in the process who had come up to lecture the fillies on being quiet.

"My library!" Candle exclaimed. "You...my...you...OUT!"

Twilight flinched. A blur of pink swirled around the room and in a split second the books were in their proper places. Candle's jaw dropped. "Oh my...young lady, if you ever need a job here..."

"Thank you, ma'am, but I can't. I'm too loud and party-going. Please excuse us, we need your top level for a few minutes more."

"Um...I suppose...." Candle Whisper trotted back down the stairs. "But no more shouting!" she called.

Pinkie turned to Twilight.

Pinkie's sense a lit with pain once more. Something was so deeply wrong, something beyond the girls not being friends, that her whole body went beyond twitching, jerking and snapping in agony. As suddenly as it started, it was gone. Pinkie layed on the floor, groaning in pain.

"I'm sorry," Twilight said bitterly. "I...I did this didn't I?"

"No, sweetie, the ones who did this are the ones making Rarity afraid to be herself."

Another pony peeked over the last step on the staircase. Twilight registered it as a "friend" of Rarity's and was going to yell and scream her hate out, but the pony spoke first, revealing herself to be a friend to Twilight as well.

"Whatcha'all doin' up here?" Applejack asked. "Where's Rarity?"

"Crying, I'd imagine." Twilight sighed.

"You look like you cried some." AJ trotted to Twilight. She looked at Pinkie. "You need Apple Cidar, stat. You both do. Come with me, I gotta talk to you both. I'll stop by Rarity's later if you need me to."

Numbly, Twilight followed AJ, and Pinkie kept pace with Twilight.

"Twi, you need to make it up with Rarity," Pinkie said. Applejack looked back.

"I..how can I?" Twilight asked. "I said such horrible things."

"So did she, and she said it first, but you said it worst, but none of that matters. What matters you did not mean it, right? You were hurt."

"Yeah."

"Rarity never means to be awful." Applejack broke in. She stopped by a cart just outside of the library, and smacked it so that it opened. She fished out some apple cider. "On the house. Recant everythin', y'all. The good ol' county doctor is in the house. I can fix anythin'. If you don't mind my askin', what brought this about?" Applejack asked.

"Well..." Pinkie said, sounding less than chipper, "Rarity said some really mean things about Twilight at the party when she didn't think Twilight was listening. Twilight wouldn't have said those things to Rarity without a reason."

Applejack frowned. "That don' sound right. You sure about that?"

"She called me an egghead. She said she was using me. She said she only needed me because she was failing her studies and because of who my mother is." Twilight said flatly. "But I'm not giving up yet."

"Now, that don' sound right at all." AJ said, shaking her head. "She's got some apologizin' to do- but I tell you this, Twilight: When I saw her runnin' out, that was the most sad-lookin' pony Ah ever saw. She looked like she'd been beaten over the soul, and that's the honest truth. Ah have a way with ponies, Ah really do, and Ah can tell she's one sorry pony."

Twilight raised her head. "I need to get to the bottom of this somehow. I want to find out about Rarity. I guess I owe her at least a chance."

AJ nodded. "That's the spirit. Rarity may seem cold sometimes, but I tell you, she's afraid. A lot."

Twilight blinked. "Afraid?"

"A way with ponies, as I said."

"But what of? She seems so secure."

"Is it the boogie man?" Pinkie chippered in.

"Failin'." Applejack said. "She's takin' on so much on her shoulders all at once. School, her future career, her lil' sister... that poor pony don't even trust her own folks. And she really, really wants ta make it, too. She wants to be one of the fancy ponies everyone knows, and she wants to do it on her own. She wants to make her mama an' papa proud, even if she don' like 'em. She was raised ta be perfect, an' she's dead scared she won't make it. So she don't like lettin' anypony in close."

"How do you know a lot of this?" Twilight said, frowning. "I'm not calling you a liar, but-"

"Don't fret none, sugarcube." Applejack said, smiling. "I used to be as close as can be with her, when I was a little filly. my family moved to a bigger farm, much further from the big city, and I didn't see much of her 'till just last year, when I started in the big school. I know Rarity, even if she won't let me in close."

"That's so sad." Pinkie said, her lower lip trembling.

"It is." Applejack said, nodding knowingly. "And that's why we're goin' to make her happy again. Twilight here might not ha' known much about life aside from books, but in some ways, Rarity's the same. We're gon' show her the value of friends, real friends, and we'll do it together. Sounds like Violet Stone is up to her tricks. She doesn't really do things herself. She gets Runner Flare or Lightning Smoke to do her work."

"Who is Violet Stone?"

"Lighting Smoke's friend with benefits."

"His what?" Twilight asked.

"They aren't together, but they bump uglies," AJ explained.

"Bump...oh. OH." Twilight shook her head. "Oh no, I don't want that image in my head."

"Balloons, cake, punch, Gummy, pink, purple, green, blue, presents -"

"Pinkie?" Aj asked.

" - music, pie, dancing -"

"Pinkie!" Twilight shouted.

" - and I'm helping." Pinkie nodded.

"Yes you are."

"Really, all I'm seeing is Smoke and Stone in a party room, doin' it like weasels."

"Applejack!" Twilight said, exasperated.

She grinned. "Ever see Tails and the City? I'm Sun Designer."

"Huh?"

"Nevermind. Just know I love to flirt. That's as far as it goes until I'm outta school. Anyway... 'bout your problem. Rarity is an honest, hard workin' pony, she's just frightened of not being Queen. She was raised to be the perfect daughter of one of the richest families in Equestria. So, beleive me, Twi, she is worth it."

Twilight finished her cider. "Okay...so...how do I fix this?"

"We all have to fix it," Pinkie said. "You, me, AJ, Rarity. We need Fluttershy and Dash, too, I think." Pinkie vibrated. "Whoa! Yup, we need them."

After the cider was gone, they walked back to the party. Twilight hung her head. Having been friends with Rarity even for such a short time had been wonderful. This calamity was unlike any emotion she had felt before. She felt sore inside, sick, like she usually only felt after an adrenaline rush. Oh, Rarity...

Back at the party, Twilight saw most ponies dancing like AJ had left them. The execption were the CMC, who were running about and getting into mischief. Fluttershy and Derpy were trying to keep them in check, but the music covered Fluttershy's voice, and Derpy's idea of stopping little hurricanes was giving them some sweets to keep them occupied.

"This is too much!" Fluttershy told Twilight softly. "I...I don't know what to do!"

"Hold on a tick!" AJ pulled rope out of nowhere, and lassoed the little angels.

"Hey!" Scootaloo shouted.

"That was fun, let's do it again," Sweetie Belle suggested.

"Ah, sis," Applebloom pouted.

"There now, be nice, Pinkie Pie did all that trouble!"

"Sorry, Pinkie!" the young fillies said. AJ untied them.

"Sweetie Belle, come, we are going home," Rarity said from behind Twilight. Twilight winced. She turned to Rarity. Rarity gave her a small smile. "Good day, Twilight Sparkle. I trust you can get home yourself."

Sweetie Belle looked between the two. "But -"

"Sweetie Belle, come."

Rarity walked to her coach, and Sweetie Belle followed, casting a sad and apologetic look to Twilight.

"Well, dang, did somethin' happen?" Applebloom asked.

AJ took her sister and Scootaloo to the side and whispered to them.

Twilight blinked. Rarity had walked out on her, taking that coach away... pretending like nothing had happened. She wanted to chase her, follow her into the coach, put her hooves around her neck and hold her close until it was all good again. She wanted to talk to her, work this all out...

But seeing Rarity so casual, just... walking away, she hesitated. She was still upset, still unsure of how to feel. Did she not care? No, she would, she would have to- or did she? Didn't she?

AJ came back to Twilight.

"Don't worry none, sugarcube." Applejack said reassuringly. "You'll talk to her t'morrow. Probably best like this. You can both calm down an' talk about it like sensible ponies."

Unsure, Twilight nodded. "I guess..."

"We'll be there to cheer you on!" Pinkie Pie chirped. "We'll make sure you make up properly, and if you try to back out..."

"We'll be there, rootin' for ya. I don't know you very well, Twilight, but I know Rarity cares. You need to hang in there."

"All right!" Twilight said.

On Monday, Twilight woke up as if on needles. She felt electric, anxiety and determination running through her mind at the same time. The mourning routine, the walk to school, the first class all passed in a haze, barely even registering in her memory. After that first class had come and passed, she walked down the halls, determined. Rarity had her locker somewhere around here- it would be a good place to start.

Pinkie at her side, she walked down the hall. Sure enough, Rarity was there, with her posse of followers, Applejack standing in the background. Seeing Twilight, AJ winked, beckoning her forward.

"Rarity!" Twilight blurted out. "I-"

"She doesn't need to see your loser face." Glitter said, stepping in her way. "Why don't you make like a tree-"

Moving in a blur, Pinkie had spun round, and suddenly Glitter slammed into the wall.

"You go on, Twilight!" Pinkie said cheerfully. "Nopony is going to stop you. Nopony!"

Happy as she sounded, there was a warning tone in her voice.

"Sonofabitch, she got me right in de muffle!" Glitter squealed. "Dat hurt, you little-"

"Looks like you took a mighty bad fall, Glitter," Applejack said. "Why don't you fillies go on an' take her to the school nurse, make sure she is okay?"

Flare opened her mouth as if to protest, but Pinkie gave her an intense stare. Backing down, they helped Glitter down the hall. Alone stood Rarity, facing them. She turned around, as if to walk-

"Not this time, sugarcube. No runnin'." Applejack said firmly. "I am not going to listen in, but you both need to work this out."

Grinding her teeth, Rarity stared her down, but Applejack did not flinch. Unyielding, she stared back.

"...fine." Rarity said at last.

"I knew you'd see reason." With that, Applejack walked around the corner.

Pinkie saluted, nodding eagerly at Twilight. She was covering the other end of the hall- her new friends were really bent on helping her, it seemed.

"Rarity-"

"There is nothing to talk about." Rarity said coldly. "Just go on about your business, Twilight Sparkle. I shall find another tutor to treat like dirt." She sounded cold, but there was something bitter about her tone.

"I am not giving up." Twilight said, refusing to back down. "I want to talk about this. I want you to tell me why you said those things, and I want to apologize-"

"Apologize?!" Rarity burst out. "You really are quite the pony to apologize after that, Twilight Sparkle!"

"I-"

"After yesterday? After what- just be gone, Twilight! Go run away, go with your friends- your real friends! Your pathetic loser friends, the useless-"

"You don't mean that." Twilight said flatly. "I don't know why you are doing that, but I can hear it. You don't mean a word of that."

"Shut up!" Rarity was flustered, her otherwise perfectly groomed mane hanging in a loose mess. "What do you know? Why do you even- why?!" Her voice was unstable, cracking; she was losing control. Twilight walked in closer.

"Because I believe in friendship. And maybe that's cliché, or silly, or naively idealistic, but I believe. In you, and in Pinkie and AJ and Fluttershy, and even Rainbow Dash. And I think you deserve a chance at explaining yesterday."

"I don't!" Rarity shouted. "I don't deserve it at all! Rarity, the confident designer unicorn, queen of the school- what a joke!" Tears streamed down her cheeks; she had been holding so much emotion in since the other day. "I am so much a coward that I dare not even stand up for the company I keep! This is Rarity- too concerned with the opinions of others to even let herself be happy! No, I don't deserve this at all. I am a hypocrite! Every bit as shallow as the ponies following me- pretentious and false to accuse them, when I am just the same! You were right, Twilight Sparkle- I am rotten!"

Twilight shook her head, stepping even closer. Their faces were only inches apart now.

"You're not rotten at all," she said quietly. "And I am sorry I called you rotten. It was wrong of me, even though I was upset."

"But-"

Twilight, on an impulse she did not quite understand, leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. "Please. Just talk to me. I'm not going away, and you are NOT as bad as you think you are."

Sitting down on her haunches in defeat, Rarity looked on her with despair written on her face.

"I just... I have never been so ashamed of myself. When I said those things, I felt like a coward. When I realized you had heard... oh, Twilight!"

Twilight sat down next to her, leaning into her.

"Just say you are sorry."

"I am! I have never been more regretful of anything, I swear it!"

"There." Twilight said, giving a small smile. "I forgive you. Even if you have to lie to your other friends, I won't blame you. You need me, that much is obvious."

"Since when are you this assertive?" Rarity said, wiping her tears, sounding less miserable.

"Oh, I am probably going to have a panic attack when I get home. But right now, I need to be strong."

"I...I am at a loss on what to do, Twilight Sparkle."

"So am I. This is new ground for both of us. If you do choose to stand up to your former friends, know all of us are behind you. Pinkie, Fluttershy, AJ and I."

"Not Rainbow Dash? Oh, I don't mean it the way it sounds, but I thought you were friends with her as well?"

"Um... well... we haven't really talked since I saw her last." Twilight thought about it. "And Derpy, too, if you need her. And I bet we can find other ponies willing to stand up with you if you simply ask them."

"After the way I treated everypony?"

"Actually, if I recall, you never actually say anything bad about any pony - except for what you said about me, and you were pressured into it. You slide the conversation away from it."

Rarity shook her head. "No, no, I - "

The bell rang.

"Look, we share no classes today, so how about we meet up for lunch?" Twilight asked.

"I..." Rarity took a deep breath. "Yes. Yes, I am ready, Twilight Sparkle. I am ready to defy my father, and the friends he chose for me, and the life they laid out for me." She raised her head high. "Even if I ... I ...lose my future as a designer..."

"You won't." Twilight grinned. "You have immense talent, Rarity. But...we have to go."

"You are right, Twilight."

The fillies went there separate ways. Twilight stopped to look back at Rarity, and when she knew she was alone, she began to cry.

'Why am I crying?' she thought. 'Exhaustion? Happiness?'

"What's your problem?" a voice sneered.

"Nothing!" Twilight said quickly. "I - Rainbow Dash!"

"You have a problem with me?" The pegasus hovered over Twilight, glaring down at her.

"No. Actually, I want to tell you, if you hurt Fluttershy, I will hurt you!" Twilight found herself saying. "Fluttershy is the best friend I will never let down!"

Dash hovered for a couple seconds, then laughed. "Hurt Fluttershy?" she scoffed. "What are you talking about? Are you nuts? Whatcha think we are, like, a couple? We're friends, nothing more!"

"Friends with benefits?" Twilight wondered. Dash opened and closed her mouth. Twilight went on: "There is nothing wrong with you, Rainbow Dash. You may not be my friend yet, but know I'll stand by your side if you do chose to be with Fluttershy."

"I - whatever. You're delusional!" Dash sped off down the hall.

Sleepover

Twilight spent the night with Fluttershy in the hospital room. Pinkie, Rarity, and AJ stopped by once together and several times by themselves over the course of the night. Twilight knew that wasn't allowed and had a sneaky suspicion that the nurses were allowing it since both she and Fluttershy were daughters of renown. Rarity also had great sway, and perhaps even AJ. Pinkie...

Twilight laughed. Pinkie would be able to do anything.

Suddenly early sunlight was waking Twilight and she tried to remember when she fell asleep. It had to have been after the pie AJ snuck in for the friends to eat. Fluttershy had refused to nibble, too outside her safety zone for anything, but healing. AJ tried to reason with her - it was a broken leg, not stomach surgery - but Twilight had backed Shy up and AJ ended up splitting the pie in three, reserving one third for Shy when the pegasus was better.

"Good morning," Fluttershy said quietly. Twilight looked up at her, then flew awake as she realised she had fallen asleep with her everything from the shoulders up on Shy's bed. She scrambled away, berating herself for taking a sick pony's resting area. Shy gave her a smile and Twilight realised she was being slightly stupid.

"Er...mornin'." AJ said from somewhere.

Twilight shook her head, trying to clear the sleep away. She saw AJ sprawled on the floor, half asleep. Pinkie was using AJ as a pillow, and Rarity was snoozing by the window.

"Five more minutes, Gummy," Pinkie mumbled.

"Oh goodness, my back is going to give me grief for sleeping in such a position," Rarity greeted everyone.

"We should do this again tonight, but at my place!" Pinkie shouted, springing up from her place on the floor. AJ yawned.

"Yeah," she said. She brightened. "We can do games in the yard!"

"Yard?" Rarity asked.

"The garden," AJ explained. "We can set up an obstacle course!" She looked at Fluttershy. "Scratch the course."

"Oooo, we can order food, and swap stories, and - wahooooo!" Pinkie hopped around the room happily.

"Shhh, girls, we're in a hospital," Fluttershy pointed out.

"Right." Pinkie stop mid jump, hovering in the air like it was normal. "I hope I wasn't hopping on someone's head." She plopped down and pushed her head through the floor, as if the floor was nothing but a hologram.

"Pinkie!" Twilight gasped.

Pinkie pulled her head out of the floor. "Nope. Empty room. Phew!"

Rarity did a dainty morning stretch. "Well, this was wonderful, but I do hope none of us end up in the hospital again any time soon. I shall stay the night again if I must, but I much prefer we gather in a more friendly place."

"Agreed. Like a barn." AJ gestured to the room. "No nature at all! How can they expect a pony to heal with no plants in the room?"

"A barn?" Rarity echoed. "Surely not."

"What's wrong with a barn?" AJ asked.

"Girls!" Fluttershy warned. Twilight watched with amusement as AJ and Rarity ceased their bickering.

"Oh no!" Twilight yelped. "I need to go home! Mum doesn't know I'm here!" She checked her phone. "Dead!" she wailed.

"I'll get you home!" Pinkie took hold of Twilight and sped them away. When the world became solid again and not a blur, Twilight found herself in front of her home. Pinkie let go of her hoof.

"Thanks, Pinkie."

"No problem. Remember, sleepover tonight at my house!"

And she was gone in a blur of pink. Twilight wondered if Pinkie recalled it was a school night.

Twilight walked into the modest foyer, only to jump at her mother's voice.

"I am very disappointed, Twilight Sparkle."

"I - " Twilight began.

"You skipped school twice, you used my position as Mayor General to receive favours from teachers - "

"No!" Twilight shouted. She gasped. "I mean, I didn't -"

"That is enough, Twilight. Now you are gone for a night without telling me where you are? You are grounded until further notice."

"But - "

"No buts, Twilena Light Sparkle! For talking back, you are grounded to your room, except for bathroom breaks, meals, and school! And I want your laptop and Ipod on my desk, now!"

"Yes, Mum." Twilight whispered. Grounded! She'd never been grounded before.

"Oh, and your phone."

Twilight dutifully handed over her phone. With a resigned sigh, she headed for her room. Halfway there a shadow blocked her path. She hesitantly looked up into the face of her Auntie Luna.

Instead of seeing disapproval, Twilight saw confusion.

"Twilight Sparkle, you have never missed a class, even when ill. You have never lied nor cheated, so pray tell why you have done so."

"I...it's so much, Auntie Luna."

"What is?" Luna gently guided her niece into kitchen. Twilight sat at the table and watched her aunt prepare tea.

Twilight wondered where to begin, and it seemed prudent to start at the very beginning, so she did. She explained meeting Rarity, and becoming her best friend. Each detail of Pinkie's party, and each sentence of Twilight's conversations with Rainbow Dash, was shared with Luna. Twilight even told Luna her feelings for her friends, the deep love she had somehow found for each of them, even Dash - a pony she barely knew. What surprised Twilight the most was her forgiveness and her wish to help Gilda after recalling Fluttershy's encounter with the Griffon, even though Fluttershy had ended up in the hospital.

"And what of Glitter Rain?" Luna asked.

"I..." Twilight floundered. "What about her?"

"She seems to me as a young mare who is lost, and battling herself." Luna sipped her tea. "I believe you have a giant mess on your hooves, dear niece. What Rarity's father has done is certainly horrific, but I fear it is not the end of the conflict. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are also within their own private war - of which Gilda may or may not hinder the peaceful resolution, and I have great dread that what Gilda says or does will determine Rainbow Dash's entire life."

"And Pinkie? AJ? Are they alright?'

"For the moment, I have far too little prudent information for them. I do know Pinkie has not had a normal or easy life, but then, who has?"

"I have," Twilight said softly, almost ashamed. "I've had such an easy life, Auntie Luna, I - how can I help them? I can't relate outside the written word."

"You are relating to them far more than you realise. And I know for a fact you have not had an easy life."

Twilight looked at her aunt in surprise. "I haven't?"

"You are brilliant, Twilight, and your brilliance has brought you a hollow pain that Fluttershy barely kept at bay throughout your childhoods. You grew up in near isolation. Your mother saw nothing wrong with it, as you buried your nose in books, but I couldn't let your soul die and your mind flourish. I'm the one that signed you up for each school year. I'm so glad I did because you met Fluttershy. And this school year is the first year I have seen you truly alive, dear niece."

"If you signed me up, why has my mum been after me to get friends?"

"One does not need to go to school for friends, it just is much easier to have friends if you leave the house. Your mother wants what is best for you, Twilight, and she thought perhaps when you were older you would want to join clubs or the life. I know that would be too late. The longer you are in isolation, the longer you cannot speak to other ponies with a degree of normalcy."

Twilight swallowed her tears. It struck her she knew nothing of her Aunt's, or her mother's, life.

"Twilight," Luna said suddenly. "Go to your friends. Go to the sleepover."

"What?" Twilight was flabbergasted. Skipping school and now sneaking out of the house when grounded?

"You must go. They need you, Twilight. Rarity the most of all. Go. I shall talk with your mother so she does not see you leave. Use my phone. I hate the thing, anyway."

Twilight nodded. "Thank you Aunt Luna."

"You're welcome, Twilight. I know if someone had done this for me all those years ago, things might be different."

Luna swept from the room. Twilight sat still for a bit, her mind working over her aunt's words. What did her Aunt mean? What had happened years ago?

Shaking off her natural curiosity, Twilight rushed to her room, snatched her bag and stuffed what she thought she needed (no time for lists!) and hurried out of the house.

Pinkie's house was in a different neighborhood, one that Twilight did not know the way to, so she phoned a cab. She waited impatiently, jumping at each sound or movement in the shadows. The cab coming into sight was the greatest thing she had ever seen.

"Who knew I was scared of the dark?" she muttered to herself.

"Howdy, kid. Where ya headed?" the driver asked.

"Um..." Oh drat. "Er... Pinkie Pie's place?"

He raised an eyebrow. "You're lucky she has so many parties and we drive her guests there. Hop in, kid."

Twilight let out her breath, unaware she had been holding it in worry. She settled into the cab and watched her home disappear as she rounded a corner.

Pinkie's place was almost exactly the way she remembered it. No mass of school ponies or snacks on the tables, and the music equipment was gone.

The driver said roughly: "Here we go, kid. 45 bits."

Twilight handed the bits over and climbed out of the cab. "Thanks, sir."

"Sir? Well!" He seemed to puff up in pride. "It was a pleasure, my lady."

Twilight watched the cab leave. Was she really here? Did she really break so many rules the last two weeks? Her stomach twisted.

"Well, I'm here," she told herself. She turned to the house and trotted to it. She raised her hoof to knock, but the door swung open. Pinkie stood in the doorway, grinning.

"I thought you weren't coming, so I was sad, but you're here so I'm happy, and you know we were worried about you, and Fluttershy is here 'cause they let her out on good behavior!"

"Good behavior?" Applejack said with amusement.

Twilight thought of all those things she had read about in Sleeping over: the thorough guide to nocturnal fun, the most respected book on sleepovers she had been able to find.

Walking in, Twilight looked around. The place was a little messy, but she wasn't surprised- she had not really expected Pinkie to be a paragon of order.

Happily chattering away, Pinkie took led her to the living room, where games and snacks had been spread all over the table. Twilight looked around- this place was nice, hardly cheap... and Pinkie had it all to herself? She shook her head- analysis could wait. For now, having fun was priority number one, and she would commence having fun in a rational, orderly manner-
Twilight realised Pinkie had gutted the inside of the house to make for a better party room. Where had Pinkie gotten the money?

Rarity was lounging on the sofa, sipping ice tea and warily watching AJ demonstrate to Fluttershy how one "lassos" a runaway "critter". Twilight had no idea what a critter was, but judging from AJ's quick movements, critters were fast little boogers.

"Twilight is heeeeeeeere!" Pinkie sang. Rarity looked over to them with a small smile on her face that nonetheless lit up her whole features.

"How wonderful! I felt for a horrible moment there you were not coming."

"My mum and I had a talk. I'm grounded, but my Auntie Luna told me to come, so I did... I'm kinda confused, actually..."

The rope AJ was "lassoing" fell onto Twilight's shoulders. She looked down at it. "Am I a critter, then?" she asked cheerfully.

"I hope not, critters are filthy," Rarity said.

"Critters are not filthy!" AJ shot back.

"Girls!" Fluttershy wailed softly.

"Sorry," AJ and Rarity said together. Twilight giggled. She took the rope off and trotted to Rarity. Pinkie cleared her throat.

"Now that we are all here, I wish to say thank you for coming over!" Pinkie began. "As you know, Rarity is living with me now, and that Fluttershy was in the hospital. So this sleepover is veryveryveryvery important! We are here to solidify our friendships - "

"What is this, some sort a meetin'?" AJ asked.

"- but more importantly, to help Fluttershy and Rarity through their dark times." Pinkie nodded. "Who wants lemonade?"

"Smooth transition," Twilight laughed.

"Lemonade will be delightful. I . . . I'll help you," Rarity said. She got up.

"Oh no, it's okay - "

"I live here, no?"

"Of course!"

"So aren't we both hostess?"

Pinkie thought on this for a moment, tapping her nose and studying the air. "You're right!" she burst happily. "Come on, Rarity!"

The two disappeared (as much as possible with the indoor window showing the kitchen), and Rarity's voice wailed: "We have to make it? I don't know how to make lemonade!" Then in a much calmer voice: "Oh, that is so simple!"

Twilight smiled. Her best friend was so cute! Also, Twilight could think of no other pony that could change worlds so gracefully. She was proud of Rarity. For standing up to her father. For being brave enough to start a new life. For so many things.

"Thank you for showing up, Twilight," Fluttershy said. "I hope you don't get into too much trouble with your mother."

"She was pretty mad..." Twilight shook her head. "But forget about it, Shy, tonight's about you and Rarity! Right, AJ?"

"Yep." AJ winked at Fluttershy. "It's about the adorable ladies."

Fluttershy blushed. She took a deep breath. "What should I do about Rainbow Dash?"

"Forgive her!" Pinkie shouted from the kitchen. Then: "Ohhhh, that's a good idea, Rarity!"

"Obviosly something we can't see," AJ laughed. She turned to Shy. "I'd say be honest with her. Talk it out, tell her what you feel and why you feel that way. Invite her to do the same, and get ready for a shouting match. Whenever my family works things out we end up shouting, but eventually we're better, 'cause we don't keep stuff bottled up inside."

Pinkie and Rarity came back with the lemonade, and a plate of cookies. Rarity spoke next.

"I do not know what you could do, Fluttershy. On the one hoof, how could Dash do such a thing? It is contemptible! But she is a loyal pony, so why would she do it if it meant she would be disloyal to you? There must be a reason!"

"It's Gilda!" Twilight blurted. They stared at her. She cleared her throat, and said: "Gilda is Rainbow Dash's only family. She did what she could to get Gilda away from Fluttershy, but she couldn't stand up to her. She was too frightened, too torn, too... too..."

"Oh Rainbow!" Fluttershy cried. "My poor Dashie!"

"Oh lord," AJ scoffed. "She left you broken on the floor! You should be spittin' mad!"

"But she didn't want to!" Pinkie chirped. Suddenly the room was filled with debate. Twilight nearly had whiplash trying to keep up with what was said. She didn't know who was saying what.

"We simply cannot let this go without comment or consequences - "

"If she's a frightened critter when it comes to her family, and she can't stand up for what she believes in, then - well, I don' know, but I agree we need to give her another chance - "

"She needs our help too! We are her family!"

"We are? Since when was I a family member with a pegasus?"

"Poor Dash!" That one had to have been Fluttershy.

"We can't sit on our hoofsies and pretend this didn't happen!'

Twilight's eyes began to spin in confusion. She shook her head. This was getting the group nowhere. Only one thing to do.

"SHUT UP!" Twilight hollered. Silence.

"Ow," AJ said, though her voice was stoic.

Twilight took a calming breath. "Look, we can't decide things if we are shouting at each other. So... Fluttershy, please, you first, since it is you that ended up in the hospital."

"I..." Shy hung her head. She shifted on her pillows. "Alright, I'm hurt. No, that's too easy. I feel like my insides - they are burning up with despair! What do I do? How can I face Rainbow Dash again? Should I forgive her?" Fluttershy raised her head. "Rainbow has had such a hard life. She needs somepony to love her, truly love her, and Gilda... she is so horrible! Gilda hurts things for fun! Rainbow Dash... maybe I see her through... through a fractured window, and all I see is the wonderful pony I ... I can't just leave her! Even if she ... she..." Fluttershy puttered out.

"Okay." Twilight patted her friend comfortably on the shoulder. "Who wants to go first?"

Rarity held her head high. "I shall. Fluttershy, I know from experience what is to live with someone who doesn't know how to show love. What you need to ask yourself is this - is Rainbow Dash worth it?"

"Yes!" The word was explosive coming from such a small pony. "She tries her best to act like she's tough, but she isn't, not really. She's nervous, and so frightened of not winning, scared of becoming useless."

"Then my advice is to show her she isn't useless, and she does not need Gilda to make her better. Show her she is worthwhile. If you believe all she needs is love, then give her love. But do not forget - if she does not return the love, perhaps it is time to move on."

Fluttershy nodded.

AJ glanced at her friends. Deciding it was her turn, she pushed her hat back and began.

"Honesty is one of the things that make this here world worth livin' in, Fluttershy. I recommend chattin' to Dash, and talkin' out your problems. Tell her you're hurt far more on the inside than the outside. Tell her why, and tell her what she needs to do to fix it. Tell her you love her." AJ sighed. "And tell her she has to choose between Gilda and you. I know that ain't gonna be a popular thing to do, makin' someone choose between their family and you, but you gotta remember Gilda could have hurt you far worse than she did, and Rainbow wasn't gonna try an stop her. Tell her she has to choose becuase if she doesn't, it just ain't safe for you to be her friend, never mind her love."

Fluttershy swallowed nervously, and whipped some tears from her cheeks.

Pinkie energetically hopped around the couch. "Lemmethinklemmethinklemmethink!" She zipped to stand between Rarity and Applejack.

"Love is the most important thing in all of Equestria, love and forgiveness but you can't go forgiving horrific things - oh hey, a bunny!" Pinkie bent down and touched noses with a real live bunny. Twilight felt her jaw drop. Where had that bunny come from? Pinkie laughed and looked back to Fluttershy. "ANYway, what I mean is, love is stronger and louder than anything else! It's flexible, understanding, and so many good things!" Pinkie spring-boarded in one place. "Love fills you up and makes you glow with a wonderful intensity! Like a balloon made of chocolate that glows from those red candy hearts!"
The friends shared an amused look. Glowing red candy hearts? But Pinkie wasn't done, yet.

"Love is like WOW, and it makes you HAPPY but it can also make you SAD, but mostly it is what gives us a reason to LIVE. Don't throw it away, Fluttershy! Never throw love away! Fight for it! Gobble it up like
your starving and in the Sugar Kingdom!"

The Sugar Kingdom was a dessert palace in downtown Canterlot, where a pony could buy all kinds of sweets.

Pinkie nodded happily. "If Rainbow Dash truly loves you, fight for her!"

"To the point where Gilda tortures Shy? Nah-uh." AJ shook her head. "No way, sugar cube!"

Rarity broke in: "We have given our opinions. Twilight?"

Twilight bit her lip. "I don't know. I've seen how distraught Dash was, and is. She loves you, Fluttershy, and she sees herself in such a bad light!"

"As she should," Rarity insisted.

"How mean!" Pinkie replied.

"Dashie!" Fluttershy wailed. AJ slumped to the floor.

"Go on, Twi."

Twilight thought for a moment. "I think Rainbow Dash needs us. She needs us more than anypony really understands. She is truly alone, I think. If Gilda does not accept that Dash has friends that are "losers" or "eggheads" or whatever else, than Gilda isn't really Dash's friend, is she?"

"True enough," Rarity agreed. "I know those ponies I used to associate with were never my real friends."

"We gotta make sure she wants us as friends, first! I think she does." AJ nodded.

"Okay! TIME FOR A MOVIE!"

Pinkie blurred around the living room, setting up the TV and handing out little bowls of popcorn. One movie later, the girls were sprawled about the room, half the snacks were gone, and they had devoured two pizza's the AJ had brought over.

'Who knew apple pizza would be so good?' Twilight wondered to herself.

"PILLOW FIGHT!" Pinkie hollered, lobbing a pillow at Rarity. The pillow impacted with a soft "thud", and Rarity turned around.

"Pinkie, I am warning you-"

Another pillow was lobbed, followed by a second one.

"Oh, it is ON!" Rarity declared, magically tossing all three pillows back at Pinkie. The fluffy projectiles hit the pink pony with enough force to knock her over, and Twilight would have worried she had been hurt if Pinkie hadn't laughed hysterically. Twilight took a careful look at Rarity- she did not seem angry; there was in fact a triumphant little smile on her lips. Deciding that it would be safe to indulge, Twilight smiled and lifted a pillow- Pinkie had stacked them in a large pile, apparently planning this from the start- and lobbed it right at Rarity.

"Oh really, Twilight Sparkle?" Rarity said, in a mock menacing voice. "Clearly, you have no idea who you are dealing with!"

"I think I know perfectly well who I am dealing with!" Twilight shot back in the same kind of jokingly angry voice.

"Oh REALLY?"

"Yes, REALLY!"

"I am Queen Rarity, master of pillow-lobbing! All shall bow before me or suffer the consequences!"

"Bring it on!"

With that, Rarity sent a pillow at both Pinkie and Twilight simultaneously. Chuckling, Applejack bucked pillow after pillow from the pile, loudly declaring:

"FREE FOR ALL!"

Soon, pillows flew back and forth, feathers sailing through the room. It was probably the most mindless activity Twilight had ever engaged in, and it was so much... fun. All of them- minus Fluttershy, who sat on the couch next to the table, giggling wildly at the intense, fluffy warfare- were lobbing pillows right and left. The feather-shed was immense; it was war unlike any other.

After some fifteen minutes of tossing, lobbing, bucking and throwing, Twilight was knocked over by a particularly fearsome barrage. Laughing uncontrollably, she fell over on her back.

"I surrender, Queen Rarity! Please, spare my wretched life!"

Smirking confidently, Rarity put a hoof on her chest. "And why should I do that, hmm?"

"Please, I'll do anything!" Twilight giggled.

"My, my..." Rarity said, smirking. "maybe I'll just take you as my prize for winning? You'll make a fine trophy."

Not knowing why, Twilight blushed. Any awkwardness there would have been, though, was quickly interrupted by Pinkie Pie.

"I'LL SAVE YOU!" Launching herself into the air, she barreled into the two of them. Not wanting to be left out, Applejack followed, and the four of them ended up in a chaotic dog pile on the floor, all laughing.

As they calmed down, breathed out and let the delirious haze of sheer fun wear off, they noticed Fluttershy, laughing just as hard as they were. Twilight felt happy; the yellow pony was feeling so comfortable with them all. Rarity nodded to her, and whispered,

"It's working quite well, don't you think?"

Twilight nodded. Make Fluttershy forget about Rainbow Dash for a while, and just have fun. It was working quite well.

As the evening progressed, Twilight felt herself lost in the endless joy of just never stopping to think, just doing things. Baking, telling stories, eating said baked goods, gossiping a little... she reminded herself on how the chemistry in her brain that regulated emotion was responsible for all of this, but somehow it didn't seem to matter. Not that she would want to do this every day, but it was a wonderful change from the everyday life of studying, schooling...

Eventually, night came and it was late enough that they should all go to sleep. Pinkie, finally having run out of steam, collapsed on top of Applejack, who was relaxing on the couch. Not bothering to make a bed, Applejack just asked for some covers, and as Rarity handed her a blanket, she pulled it over herself and Pinkie, closed her eyes and went to sleep.

Fluttershy, tired from all the excitement, simply lay down on a mattress Pinkie had prepared, smiling happily as she pulled some covers over her.

Twilight, herself tired, climbed into the bed of the room- Pinkie's, presumably. Realizing Rarity had nowhere to sleep, she looked around, feeling guilty-

"We can share, can we not? I am too tired by far to fuss with finding a resting place for myself or you separately."

"Y-yeah..." Twilight said. "Hop on in, I guess."

"You're a doll." Rarity said, lying down next to Twilight.

Twilight did not know why, but her heart raced a little faster, feeling Rarity's warm body next to her own under the covers. It felt so... nice. Soothing, relaxing.

"This was rather a good idea, you know." Rarity commented, sounding sleepy. "I feel as if though I have been missing out, not having had a sleep-over like this until now."

"Well, a lot of it was Pinkie..." Twilight mumbled, yawning. Too tired to do much in the way of conversing, they lay face to face, looking into each others eyes.

Neither was sure when asked later on how it happened, or who started it, but suddenly Twilight felt Rarity's lips on her own, kissing her gently. Not objecting to the new feeling, not thinking of what it meant, only of how it felt right now, Twilight kissed her back.

They both giggled nervously.

"That was... unexpected." Twilight said, hushed. "But... not an experience I wish to be singular."

Rarity chuckled. "You are the most adorable pony in the world, Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight blushed. "You're the most beautiful, Rarity."

Sleep was coming up fast now, and the two young mares murmured their good-nights and drifted into sleep.

***********

The two slept soundly through the night, leaning on one another. As the dark hours passed peacefully, wonderfully, slowly night gave way to dawn. The chirping of birds woke Rarity in the earliest morning- she had always been an early riser, and she rather liked Pinkie's back yard, which she had a good view of. A serene garden, birds chirping... and an adorable Twilight Sparkle next to her. Smiling, she gently swept aside Twilight's bangs- talk about bed hair. She truly looked adorable, though, even with that trail of drool out her snoring mouth...

Then, it hit her. She sat bolt upright, one hundred percent awake. She had... kissed Twilight. Twilight Sparkle. Twilight Sparkle kiss. With her. Rarity. Slowly, she blinked. Oh no! Oh no, no, no! This was bad, terribly so! Hopping out of the bed as if stung by a white-hot iron poker, she made haste to the kitchen, trying to gather her thoughts. Oh, what was she to do? She had taken advantage of the poor, defenseless young pony- oh for shame, how could she? She was so naïve, so sweetly innocent of how the world worked, and for whatever reason Rarity had... kissed her! She might as well have violated her!

"Oh hi Rarity. You gonna get breakfast too?" It was Pinkie's sleepy, cheerful voice, just now entering the kitchen.

"SosorryIhavetogonow!" Rarity blurted out, bolting away to the door. Pinkie blinked. Rarity could be such a weird pony sometimes.

Rarity ran, ran through the neighbourhood. A bit of physical exercise was good- it eased the stress, took the worst off the fact that she had just kissed her best and only friend oh my gosh-

Unfortunately, Rarity was anything but athletic, and her run- useful though it was- was a short one. Slowing down, she breathed heavily. Cursed indoors lifestyle! If only she was a confident, bisexual simpleton like Applejack, and not an aspiring fashionista who had given no thought to romance or sexual identity!

Wait, what was she thinking? She was fabulous. She would not stoop to thinking as if being Applejack would be the better option. Huffing, Rarity looked around. She had not run far; she was still in the classier neighbourhood of town. With an insight that nearly brought about depression, she realized she had run only two blocks before tiring out completely. Snorting, she turned around. What could she do? She could not possibly go back- she would have to face Twilight. Oh, she'd die of shame! But where would she go? Where could she go?

With inexplicable timing, her stomach rumbled. Right. She had not had breakfast. Frowning angrily, she hung her head. Freaking perfect!

“Oh, Rarity? What are you doing out so early?”

“I- nothing.” It was Diamond Vector, apparently out for a morning trot.

“If you say so.” Rarity's empty stomach rumbled again. “You sound positively famished, though. Have you missed breakfast?”

“I... yes, I suppose you could put it that way.” Rarity said, her voice tired. “Well it was nice seeing you, Diamond, but I really must be-”

“My house is around the corner. You could come in for some toast.”

“I'd hate to impose-”

Diamond giggled. “Let's not make pretend, Rarity. Both our families have more money than they could possibly spend. Now, if our pool colt can eat a decent breakfast, then I see no reason you shouldn't either.”

“...right.” Confused, Rarity trotted after Diamond. Some breakfast would be nice... Was Diamond really this friendly, though? In her head, she reprimanded herself- Diamond had treated her respectfully even after she had broken off. She should not assume; if she did she would be no better than her father and his judgemental attitude.

A short walk and some fried hay toast later, Rarity felt a little better. Being upset on a full stomach was definitely not worse than being upset on an empty stomach. Downing her juice and wiping her mouth carefully, she thanked Diamond for her hospitality.

“So what is the story, hmm?” Diamond said, leaning forward with a curious smile. Her white coat and turquoise mane looked good in this light- she would make an excellent model... but now was not the time to get sidetracked.

“I am... upset.” Rarity said in her most regal voice, dramatically flinging her mane to the side. “For some very particular, very important reasons.”

“Are you going to tell me, or do you intend to stay mysterious all day long?” Diamond chuckled. Was that sarcasm, Rarity wondered?

“...oh, I'd better not.”

As it happened, she really wanted to talk about this. Badly. But to whom? Pinkie, perhaps? She would keep a secret- but Twilight was there. Oh brother, Twilight!

“Sounds juicy.” Diamond mused. “Did somepony get pregnant by an underage colt again?”

“No, no, nothing so crude as that!” Rarity exclaimed. Seeing Diamond's giggling face, she realized the mare had been joking. “Look... I could tell you, but if you tell anybody- anybody- I will END you.”

“You got it.” Diamond said, her giggles slowly dying out.

“No, you don't. Tell anypony, and I will hack your corpse up and feed it to the pigs.” Rarity said, ice cold.

Sobering up, Diamond replied, “I got it. Stick a cupcake in my eye, hope to fly, all that.”

“...I kissed somepony.” Rarity said quietly.

“The shock!”

“Somepony who is a mare.”

“Is it an older mare? Come, you have to give me something scandalous.”

“This is no joke!” Rarity snapped. “It's somepony who is also a... friend.”

“Ooooohhh...” Diamond said, as if a light was dawning on her. “Oh. OH!”

“Are you-”

“So that is why you stood up to all of them! You left your friends behind... for LOVE! That's actually adorably romantic, Rarity!”

“Y-you don't know it is her-”

“I'm not Sherclop Pones, but I can put two and two together.” Diamond retorted, grinning. “Don't worry, your secret is safe with me.”

“You simply do not understand!” Rarity exclaimed, exasperated. “I was taking advantage of her! She will hate me and never want to see me again! Ever! Oh, of all the worst things that could happen, this was the worst possible thing!”

“Taking advantage of her?”

“Oh, yes! I am the lowest! No base, lewd act is beyond me now!” Rarity wailed.

“So were you holding her down?”

“No actually we were, um, in bed together- DON'T GO THERE!” She yelled, as she could see the smug grin forming on Diamond's face. “We were sleeping together! That's what you do together on sleepovers!”

“So you were NOT holding her down?”

“Well, technically, I suppose I wasn't... but I still took advantage of her, I am sure of it. She is such an innocent young mare-”

“Did she tell you to stop, or run away in tears, or tell you you were awful?”

“...”

“Well?”

“...we actually fell asleep together after that...” Rarity said, her voice growing smaller as she realized how ridiculous it all sounded.

“You know, given the circumstances- but by all means, this is only going by what I know from what you told me, it sounds like she wasn't particularly against the idea.”

“Yes, but still-”

“Look, Rarity, you make too big a deal out of this. Just talk to her. One kiss could make it awkward, but if she really is the great friend you were ready to dismiss all your old friends for, then what you have should be strong enough to move past that. Am I right?”

“...I've been a very foolish mare, haven't I?” Rarity sighed.

“We're all foolish a lot of the time. Now, go back there and settle it. Here, have some toast to go. You could use a little more meat on your bones.”

******

Twilight woke up when Rarity bolted from the bed. For a few moments everything seemed groggy, undefined as though Twilight had her eyes pressed to frosted glass - the kind some ponies put in their bathrooms, with decorated waves right in the window pane.

She shook her head.

What had she done last night? Oh, right, the lemonade had given way to movies, which had gave way to a pillow fight, and then it was bedtime -

"Oh!" Twilight yelped, falling backwards right off the bed. THUMP. She laid there on the floor, feeling her face heat up. The warmth in her chest shared space with a slightly embarrassed heart.

"Twi?" AJ asked. "Is this some kinda city-folk morning ritual?"

Twilight let her eyes slide from the ceiling fan to AJ's concerned face. "Uh...no?"

"Is that a question, or are you answerin' me?"

"Both?"

AJ smirked. "Uh-huh. Come on, Pinkie's wanderin' around the kitchen, ready to make breakfast."

AJ trotted away. Twilight sat motionless for a bit, thinking on how best to react to last night. Rarity must have had to go the bathroom something awful, and when she came out, Twilight would...

What? Talk to her? Kiss her again?

"Okay, logically, what should you do?" Twilight asked herself.

"Go to the toilet?" Fluttershy supplied. Twilight jumped up and dusted herself off. Shy gave her a small smile. "What are you doing, Twilight?"

"I kissed Rarity!" Twilight blurted. She clamped her front hooves over her mouth.

Fluttershy's eyes squeaked up in joy. "Yay!"

"Yay?" Twilight repeated.

"Yay!" Fluttershy confirmed. She gingerly walked to the kitchen. "Come on, Twilight!"

Twilight hurried after her. She went into the bathroom, and realized Rarity was not in the house.

"What?" she asked the mirror. She sped up, doing her business then whipping to the kitchen.

"Pinkie, has Rarity left?" Twilight asked.

Pinkie was in the middle of eating a cake double the size of her head. She swallowed the cake. "She left just a few moments ago! Or was it half an hour? Anyway, she'll be back. She just had an errand to run!" Pinkie giggled.

Twilight began to much the breakfast Pinkie provided. They could choose between junk food or breakfast foods. AJ was eating the apple pancakes, and drinking apple juice. Fluttershy was eating some English Muffins, and Pinkie... Pinkie was eating another cake.

Twilight chewed thoughtfully on her toast.

Did all best friends kiss?

No, if all best friends kissed, then she would see best friends kissing. She saw best friends giving each other kisses on the cheek sometimes, for good luck or if they hadn't seen each other in a long time.

So...Did the kiss mean anything? It was so casual, yet it wasn't. It had to have been more, but why did Rarity run? Twilight had never kissed before. Was she that bad a kisser?

Did Rarity mean it to be nothing, and she ran before explaining it to Twilight? But why Rarity do such a thing?

"Wow, Twi, you look intense," AJ said.

Twilight nodded absently.

"I'm back!" Rarity cheerfully said. She gave Twilight an awkward smile and settled in beside Fluttershy.

"CAKE!" Pinkie shouted, planting a large chocolate cake in front of Rarity. "Nomnomnom!"

"Uh...thank you Pinkie."

"Where'd you go?" AJ asked.

"Out for a morning run. Stopped by Diamond Vectors house. Had a chat."

"Really?" Fluttershy said.

"Hmmm. We...talked about something that was bothering me."

"I'm sorry!" Twilight interjected. Rarity raised an eyebrow. "Er... I ate the last pancake..."

"Oh, no, silly, I have more!" Pinkie chirped.

To prove her point, Pinkie zipped around the kitchen then planted the pancakes on the table.

Rarity gave a small cough.

"Okay, this tension is killin' me," AJ announced. "Did Rainbow come by last night or something?"

"Dashie?" Shy asked. She looked up from her scrambled tofu. "I don't think she did."

Grateful for the turn of conversation, Twilight jumped on the subject. "Rainbow Dash is probably doing her morning workout. Should we go talk to her?"

"Oh nonono, not all of us at once." Fluttershy retreated behind her hair. "Poor Dash. She'll think we're ganging up on her."

"She needs a talking to," AJ muttered.

"I've talked to her. Before I went to see Shy in the hospital. I... okay, I take back what I said. All of us going to Dash would make her nervous, scared."

After breakfast, Fluttershy made to walk home. Despite Rarity and Twilight's protests, Fluttershy insisted. At least accepting Applejack as an escort, she walked. Twilight was about to join her, when she felt Rarity's hoof on her wither. Seeing the look on her face, Twilight said,

“Go on you two! I'll catch up.”

Nodding understandingly, Applejack walked out the street with Fluttershy. Rarity took Twilight out in the garden, taking a seat on a conspicuously placed divan.

“So...” Twilight began.

“I...” Rarity said, having a hard time saying anything. Where to begin? Where to stop?

“Look, I didn't-”

“I'm not sure,” Rarity said apprehensively “I'm not sure... why we did that. And I think we should maybe talk about it.”

“Y-yes.” Twilight said, blushing. “It was so... oh, I can't even describe it!” Dimly, she noticed she was smiling. The memory of that kiss was enough to make her giddy inside, giggling, happy, bubbly...

“I'm not sure at all.” Rarity said. “We should talk about it, but... I think we both need some time to think about this. So let's wait a while. Carry on as usual, and... maybe. I don't know. I have no clue, Twilight Sparkle, and it is a very new and unpleasant sensation.”

“Y-yes... that makes sense. Very logical.” Twilight said, nodding as her high spirits sunk.

“Maybe you should go now. You will probably do your thinking best by yourself.”

“...yes.” Twilight said, her voice meek. She turned around, and began walking.

“You are precious to me, Twilight. That will always be true.” Rarity said. Nodding quietly, with a faint smile still on her face, Twilight walked away.

*******

Meanwhile in a rougher part of town, on a worn football field, Rainbow Dash was pushing herself to her very limits.

“Two hundred ninety-eight! Two hundred ninety-nine!” Gilda hollered. “Just one more push-up!”

Grunting, Dash pushed one final time and collapsed on the grass field.

“Awesome, Dash.” Gilda grinned. “You're getting fitter every week. You'll be a wonderbolt easy at this rate.”

“Yeah...” Dash said,sitting up, wiping the sweat from her brow. “Listen Gilda, we need to talk. And I mean like, we need to bucking talk.”

“What? What's so serious?” Gilda said, opening a soda.

“It's simple. Easy, really. You know that lame pony with the gorgeous cream yellow coat and the pink mane?”

“Uh huh.”

“If you touch her again, I'll buck you in the face so hard, your beak will come out your ass. That's all.”

“...what?”

“You heard me.”

“Excuse me just one bucking second,” Gilda said, throwing the soda away, “but what the buck, Dash? What the buck-”

“I mean it.” Dash said, grinding her teeth.

“What's so special about her?” Gilda snorted. “It's you and me! It's always been you and me against the whole damn world!”

“She's lame, right? A dweeb?”

“Total dweeb!”

“Well, she's my dweeb. She makes me feel like I can be something better. So there.”

“So... you and her? Like that?”

“Uh huh. Yeah. Got a bucking problem with that?!”

Gilda ran a paw through the feathers on her head. “What if I said you had to choose between the lame dweebs and me, huh?”

“You don't wanna go there.” Dash said, snorting.

“You'd pick them over ME? I looked after you ever since-”

“You don't wanna go there, because somebody who makes you choose between your friends is not a friend! Yeah, it's been you and me all along, but you don't own me! I'm my own, and there's lots of space for more people than you, and if you can't take that-” Dash was shouting now, tears at her eyes, “then you can just go buck yourself! I don't care!”

Gilda sat down on her haunches, a stunned expression on her face. They were silent for a while, then Gilda's face split in a grin. “See, this is the Rainbow Dash I saved from bullies when she was just a tiny little filly. You've got the guts to stand up to anyone. Fine, have it your way. I'll leave your precious little mare alone, but I'm not gonna try to be pals with her. Okay?”

Dash just threw herself at Gilda, pulling her into a hug, crying openly.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Gilda said, sounding annoyed. “Sheesh, no need to cry about it.” But despite herself, she hugged Dash back.

******

Twilight trotted down the street, going over in her mind the events of last night. Obviously it meant nothing. Obviously it meant something.

Obviously she was confused.

Her ears picked up a great whooshing sound. She looked up in time to see a rainbow dissect the sky. A griffon followed.

"Gilda?" Twilight asked aloud. "But..."

What if Rainbow Dash told Gilda about Fluttershy, and now Gilda was seeking revenge?

"Oh, don't be an ignorant twit," Twilight snapped at herself. "All because you're having a rough...."

She sensed someone was watching her and looked over. Derpy was sitting serenely by a closed food stand, her head tilted to one side, and her eyes strangely focused.

"You okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine."

"People say that when they aren't fine." Derpy looked to the ground. "I know that 'cause when I help people, I make a mess of things, and then they say they're fine and I should go."

Twilight shuffled. "I just saw Rainbow Dash and Gilda, and I thought maybe Gilda was chasing her, but that's silly."

"They're probably racing!" Derpy said excitedly. "They do that a lot."

Twilight walked over to Derpy and sat down. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"Do best friends kiss?"

"Sure. On the cheek, mostly, but sometimes they'll kiss each other's foreheads, and I once saw someone kiss their friend on the hoof, but they were being sarcastic."

"That's what I thought." Twilight mulled this over. "Can I ask you a personal question?"

"My eyes are my what makes me unique! I make them go weird."

Twilight stared at Derpy then laughed. "I wish I could that," she said.

Derpy smiled. "Thanks." She looked shy. "Most ponies make fun of it, saying it's useless."

"Nothing is ... well, okay, I can think of some things that are useless. Like bullies."

"No!" Derpy said sharply. Twilight jumped a bit. "No one is useless. Everyone has their reasons, and while their actions might not be good, I promise you, understanding will get you farther than hate."

"I didn't mean... I - "

"I'm sorry," Derpy sighed. "I over-reacted." She sniffed. "Muffins!" She got up. "Come on, Twilight. My mother should have her breakfast muffins ready!"

Twilight followed Derpy, aware that she should probably go home, not go to Derpy's house.

"I love muffins. Do you like muffins?"

"Yeah."

Twilight noticed was the house was freakishly clean, and orderly. The lawn seemed too perfect. Nothing was out of place in the foyer. Derpy was very careful to put her scarf on a particular hanger.

"Here is my guest's hanger," she said politely. "If you come back, that's where your scarf or cloak or whatnot would go."

"Got it."

The kitchen was modest, and a mare with Derpy's coloring was going about. She had a cutie mark of neatly stacked bed linen.

"Mother?" Derpy asked.

"Yes dear - " she turned around. "Oh! A guest!" She smiled warmly. "The muffins are ready, too. Have a seat."

Twilight slid onto an island seat. Derpy joined her. Mrs Doo gave them muffins.

"Um... so, what do you do?" Twilight asked. That dratted awkwardness had come back.

"Oh, I'm a housemare. My husband is a lawyer."

"Pardon?" Twilight asked, an idea slowly forming in her mind.

"I'm a housemare, you know, I stay home and keep house? My husband is a lawyer. He represents - "

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but what kind of lawyer?" Yes, oh yes, this could work!

Mrs Doo tilted her head. "Do you need a patent lawyer?"

"No. But thank you! I think you've fixed a problem my friend has."

Mrs Doo sat up straight. "You're welcome dear. But what problem?"

Derpy's eyes lit up. "You mean Rarity?"

"Yes." Twilight replied excitedly. "When I get home I'm going to contact my mother's lawyer. I'm sure there's something legal that will help her!"

"Help her?" Mrs Doo sighed. "Fillies, I'm afraid I'm lost. But no matter. Please put your dishes in the sink when your done. And Derpy, please inform me of when a friend comes over. It's a little disquieting to turn around and see a pony you don't know in your house."

"I'm sorry, Mother," Derpy said.

"Oh, don't apologize." Mrs Doo waved a hoof. "Now, I must begin on the living room. You're father entertained some clients last night and they didn't leave till past midnight."

Twilight and Derpy finished their muffins, engaging in small talk and generally looking about the room.

"This is silly, isn't it, us sitting here all awkward like this?" Derpy asked. "Socializing is such an important part of life yet so many ponies fail at it. Funny, sort of."

"Yeah." Twilight used her magic to put their plates in the sink. "Your mum makes delicious muffins."

"Thank you."

"Um... do you want to walk to school with me?"

Derpy's smile nearly broke Twilight's heart. Were Pinkie and Shy the only ponies that were truly nice to Derpy?

Another friend to add to the list. Twilight rather enjoyed that notion.

***
Derpy ran into a mail box, a tree, and a fence on the way over to school. Since her eyes were not the problem, Twilight concluded Derpy must have a balance problem.

Once at the school, Derpy and Twilight parted ways. Twilight was tempted to just go home and contact her lawyer, but she knew she had missed too much school to miss any more.

"Hey Egghead!" Rainbow Dash shouted. She landed beside Twilight. "So...um... I was thinking, and I told Gilda to not touch Fluttershy. She won't bother her again. If she does, I'll do the right thing."

"Why are you telling me?" Twilight wondered.

"Because you were there for me, even after what I ..." Dash swallowed. "I want you to know it wasn't for nothing, okay? But it's not a big deal, or nothin'. So don't get it in your head you're special."

"Whether or not you count it, I'm your friend. And I don't want to be treated special, either. I want nothing from you but for you to be you."

Dash hesitated. "Why do you have to be like that?" she asked fiercly. "You and Fluttershy, what are you doing? Don't you know the world doesn't work like that?"

"You have to be what you want the world to be, Dash."

Dash glared at the school. "What if you want the world to disappear?"

Twilight blinked, and looked Dash in the eye.

“Rainbow, I know your life hasn't been as easy as mine, and I know you have issues- you should see a therapist, speaking of which- but things are going to get better. They are better. You have us now, and you have Fluttershy.”

Upon hearing Fluttershy's name, Dash hung her head. “Yeah... Fluttershy.” She said timidly.

“Have you talked to her yet?”

“I- I'm gonna. At lunch, or something. Mind your own business!”

Twilight nodded, and the two trotted off to class.

Love and Tradition

"Decided to come to school, Miss Sparkle?" the teacher wondered. She frowned down at Twilight.

Twilight blinked in confusion, then it hit her. Yesterday was a school day. A school day that she had missed completely.

"Er...I...uh..." Twilight swallowed. "I'll help clean up the schoolyard today, shall I?"

"And you will also help out with the first graders during your lunch hour. I expect to see you both times for the next week. Understand?"

"Yes, ma'am," Twilight said softly.

Today had started rough, and it looked like it was going to keep going downhill. Each class brought another punishment - mostly papers to write (which actually wasn't a punishment as far as Twilight was concerned, but she wasn't going to say anything about it) and weekend detentions. Lunchtime came around far too slowly.

"Hello!" Pinkie said cheerfully. "Are you in detention? I'm in detention. Detention is fun, don't you think, I mean, we get to stay at the school longer than anypony else!"

"Marvalous," Rarity replied sarcastically. "Simply marvelous."

"At least Fluttershy ain't in trouble," AJ said. "She has a sick note until her leg heals. She needs a tutor, though - "

Twilight snapped her eyes from her sandwich to her friend. "Tutor?"

Twilight shoveled her lunch in, much to the confusion of her table-mates.

"Are you alright, Twilight?" Derpy asked.

"Uh-mmmhm," Twilight said through a muffin. She swallowed. "I'll be back in a jiffy!"

Twilight zipped away from the table. She came back, downed her apple juice, and left.

"That was mine!" AJ hollered after her.

Twilight peeked into the grade one class room her teacher had assigned her to. No teacher?

"I thought you weren't showing up," came a voice. Twilight turned. "Oh, hi... Mrs Doo?" she asked, confused.

"No, no, Miss Doo." The teacher smiled.

"Oh... um..." Twilight caught sight of Miss Doo's flank. "Derpy?"

"No, dear, Ditzy." Miss Doo tilted her head, much like Derpy does. "Do I know you?"

"Um.. no, its just.. wow, its uncanny, you talk and look like a friend of mine - Derpy. She even has the same name as you legally - Ditzy Doo!"

Miss Doo's eyes widened. "Twilight Sparkle!" she gasped.

"Erm... Yes?"

Miss Doo shook her head. "Please, watch the class. I shall be back in about an hour -"

Twilight watched Miss Doo head off. Something fishy was swimming around the airwaves. With a resigned sigh, she slipped into the class. An hour later, it was Mr Clock who showed up to relieve her of her
"detention." Twilight wondered if the teachers knew that all the punishments she had been handed were actually her idea of fun, aside from the grade one class. She laughed to herself as she walked down the hall,
then wondered if her friends had given up waiting for her.

"Snap," she whispered. She had told them she would be back, and on top of that, she didn't tell them she had detention! "Double snap!"

She shook her head. Forget that now. She had a goal. A noble goal! She held her head high and walked into her next class.

"Miss?" she asked. Her homeroom teacher turned to her. "On top of my detentions, may I tutor Fluttershy?"

"You mean your friend that was bullied the other day?"

"Yes, her."

"Well...I don't see why not. But it will make your school day twice as long!"

"I know." Actually, Fluttershy and Twilight studied together often growing up, and they always had it done quickly. "Its just... I feel I'm kinda responsible for it, because I didn't walk with her like I was suppose to -
"

"Oh, Twilight, it wasn't your fault. We'll talk later after school, okay? Right now, we must do class."

"Right." Twilight trotted to her desk. Rarity sat there, looking somewhat sour.

"I'll be back in a jiffy?" she asked hotly.

"Sorry. I forgot I had to watch a grade one class during lunch."

"Ah." Rarity nodded. "I understand." She pouted. "I wish you had told us, though." She brightened. "Today we're making hair accessories!"

Raaandom. Twilight didn't mind.

***

One detention later, Twilight found herself heading home. Today Fluttershy had a tutor, but tomorrow Twilight would begin her role as teacher. Already, her head filled with schedules, lessons, and textbooks that
would help. A quiet glow bloomed inside her, the same glow she had felt when she had taught Rarity.

"Want to walk home with me?" Derpy asked shyly. Pinkie cleared her throat. "Er, us?"

Pinkie nodded happily. "Come on, Twilight! We waited for you and everything! Well, okay, Derpy waited for us, I had detention cleaning the washrooms, like ick, but - why didn't you come back to lunch?"

Twilight laughed. "Yes, I'll walk home with you guys! I didn't come back because I forgot I had a detention."

"Ohhhhh," both Derpy and Pinkie said. Twilight smiled.

"Do either of you need help with school?" she asked cheerfully.

"I have trouble with gym," Derpy said.

"Nope. When I hit a block, I just think of a song - "

"Pinkie?"

"Yes, Twilight?"

"Is there anything you don't sing to?"

"I don't sing in the shower."

"You don't?" This time it was Twilight's turn to unison with Derpy.

"Nope. I'm too busy going over my party plans. That's when I get my ideas - in the shower!"

Twilight listened intently as Pinkie and Derpy chattered away, the topic going from parties, to school, to Fluttershy (Twilight interjected she would be tutoring Shy, and Pinkie wondered aloud if they could make a party out of learning), and when they finally came to Derpy's house, Twilight felt a sadness. All these years she had never given friendship a chance. How foolish, young filly, and how more foolish the young mare!

At least now she was setting it right.

"Good afternoon, Mrs Doo!" Pinkie said cheerfully.

"Mrs Doo," Twilight added.

"Good afternoon, fillies! Oh, where is Fluttershy?"

"She's the one that got hurt, Mother," Derpy replied.

"Oh dear!" Mrs Doo's sighed. "I remember now. I'm so sorry!"

"It's okay, Mother!"

"No one remembers everything all the time!" Twilight broke in.

"Exactly!" Pinkie nodded.

Mrs Doo gave them all a watery smile, and Twilight realised she had tears.

"Derpy, you have such good friends! Don't let them slip away!"

"I won't, Mother." Derpy gave Pinkie and Twilight a small embarressed smile. "See you at school tomorrow?"

"Count on it!" Pinkie said.

"For sure!" Twilight added.

Pinkie hopped along the sidewalk. "You know, Twilight, you can sleepover any time you want. I give that invitation to all my friends, and I realised I hadn't given it to you! I felt soooooo bad, but then I figured we
hadn't really had time to talk alone, right? I get distracted so easily! I think everything deserves a look, don't you? Everything deserves something to love, right?"

"Right." Twilight shook her head, trying to get an image out of her head.

"No?" Pinkie asked.

"Oh, I was just thinking of a mop and broom out on a date."

Pinkie giggled. "They could eat strings of dust with dust bunnies instead of spaghetti and meatballs!"

Twilight burst into laughter. "You're right!"

They came to Pinkie's house. "Well, thank you, Twilight Sparkle!"

"You're welcome," Twilight said, unsure why she was saying you're welcome, or why Pinkie said thank you.

"You want to come in for a tea or something?"

"I'd love to, but my mom is expecting me back - I'm grounded."

"Oh, right.." Pinkie trailed off. "I wish I could get grounded..." she said wistfully. Twilight's heart broke. Where were Pinkie's parents? "Anyway, Twilight, I'll see you tomorrow at school." Pinkie gave Twilight a

quick kiss on the cheek and disappeared into her house.

Twilight couldn't shake the feeling she was missing something important to do with Pinkie. She headed home.

A long walk home did not, unfortunately, do much for her confused state of mind. How did she feel about Rarity? Was that kiss just a kiss? Could they be- she barely dared think it- together, like that? Or was Rarity going to end up hating her? Realizing she let her mind race, Twilight shook her head again, and walked up the lane leading to her house. As she hung her bags in the hallway, she realized thinking was evidently not doing her any good. She needed to talk to somebody. Talk to mum, she would know. Yes, that would do it.

An average youth, one more rebellious, might have hesitated at the thought of asking a parent for advice on a matter such as this, but Twilight- being the reclusive, bookish child she had always been- was anything but rebellious, and she trusted her mother completely. Trotting down the hall to her office, she tapped lightly on Celestia's office door.

“Come in.” Celestia, having been engrossed in paperwork with a weary look on her face, lit up when Twilight walked in. “Twilight! How was school, honey?”

“School was, um. Fine. It was... it was.” Twilight said lamely, sloping down on her haunches.

“Is something wrong, Twilight?” Celestia sounded concerned.

“I need to um. Talk about something. Because thinking doesn't really help and I tried thinking because it seemed logical to reason my way through it but it doesn't help because I am so confused and I don't know what to do and now I am rambling like Pinkie Pie...” Twilight trailed off.

Celestia walked up from her desk, sitting herself down next to Twilight.

“Go on, Twilight. Just tell me what has you this confused.” Celestia nodded in a motherly manner, and put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder.

“Um.” Twilight began, trying to find a way to formulate the cataclysmic events of yesterday's slumber party. “I, uh. I... I kissed a mare. And I liked it.”

Celestia blinked. "Oh?"

"It's, um, it's-" Twilight stuttered, trying to think of what to say, how to tell this-

"You don't have to say who it is. Just tell me as much as you're comfortable with, okay?" Celestia said, nodding understandingly.

"It was... I was at Pinkie's slumber party, and I know I wasn't supposed to go but Aunt Luna told me I should and that she would talk to you and-"

"It's all right, Twilight. Luna explained everything."

"...anyways, I was um, about to go to sleep and for some reason. Um. We ended up kissing. And now I feel all confused."

"Do you like her?"

Twilight blinked, thinking hard. "Yes. As a friend. Or maybe not. I mean, I have been feeling all... weird, and I can't stop thinking about her!"

"It will all work out, Twilight." Celestia said, rubbing Twilight's shoulder. "Maybe it was just a one-time thing, in which case I am sure you are strong enough friends to move past it. If it's not, then good luck."

"It's not... bad?"

"It happens, Twilight. It's fine."

"It's not... weird?"

"Not particularly, no. You're just a teenager; being confused is part of the experience."

"But what if I'm the kind of mare who prefers, um, the company of mares?"

"Then you're a mare who prefers the company of mares. As well as a great student, a wonderful daughter and a great friend. You don't have to worry. You see-"

Suddenly, the office door opened, and a bespectacled colt poked his head in. "Miss mayor? The Concerned Colts for Canterlot Committee is requesting another audience."

Celestia let out an irritated sigh. "Again? How many times do I have to tell those reactionary morons that improved healthcare is GOOD for them?" She looked at Twilight apologetically. "Sorry sweetie, but I have to take this."

"I understand. Thank you anyway, mum-"

"No, this- I hate having to walk away." Celestia sighed. "Go talk to your Aunt. She knows a lot more about this than I do."

"Whuh?"

"I mean, she knows a lot more about being young and not being that interested in colts than I do."

"What do you mean?" Twilight felt puzzled.

"Oh, the wonders of being bright but not smart..." Celestia murmured. "Look, let me put it this way: you know how your Aunt Luna has a lot of lady visitors?"

"You mean..." Twilight's jaw dropped.

"Yes. A lot."

"Really? I had no idea!"

"It's sort of obvious if you know where to look."

"Oh my gosh..." Twilight's eyes widened. "All along? Always? Why didn't she say anything?"

"She is very private about it. I guess we both thought you would figure it out. Oh horseapples- I have to go now." Celestia reluctantly walked out. "Just go talk to Luna! I'll see you later, Twilight. Bye!"

Twilight blinked. On the one hand, talking to Celestia had made things feel better, clearer. On the other hand... Luna liked mares? How could she have been so blind? Shaking her head, she trotted off to Luna's
room- or rather, her own wing of the house.

Twilight hesitated at her aunts door. What to say? What to do?

She glanced outside, through a small window that overlooked a small flower garden Luna kept. It was enclosed by stone walls, with moss growing upon it. There Twilight saw her aunt, fussing over some beautiful
golden flowers.

Twilight backtracked, going around the corner and out the door, entering the flower garden and walking to her aunt.

"Good evening, dear niece." Luna sniffed her flower. "What say you about your ... I believe it is called, "slumber party?"." Her aunt's speech had changed a bit.

"It went well, Auntie Luna, but I'm confused about something... Mum said you could help me?"

Luna gently pushed some flowers to the side, then ripped out a weed. She tossed it into a basket.

"Pray tell."

Now that she had her aunt's full attention, the glaring reality of not having anything concrete to say blared in Twilight's head. She supposed the best course of action would be to repeat what she had told her mother.

"When we had all gone to bed, Rarity and I ended up sharing a mattress...and I'm not sure how it happened, but we... well, we kissed, and I'm so confused. I like her as a friend, but I like her more, but I... oh, my
words are jumbled..." she trailed off miserably.

"Twilight, if you like maidens or not, 'tis completely natural. Sometimes it is a phase - simply exploring what you like or not like - but most of the time it is deeper than that. I'm sure you have noticed there are not
many colts or stallions around."

"True. But how does that affect anything? One likes what one likes because of genetics, not from other things... though, I guess environmental elements might play a part, they don't compete with genetics..."

"Twilight, most ponies do not know, understand or acknowledge that genetics play any part of sexual orientation, and that sexual orientation is not a choice, but something you are born with, as mane color, or your
gender."

Twilight realised her aunt was speaking more modern. She put that thought away for a bit.

Twilight sighed. "So what do I do about Rarity?"

Luna smiled. "Be honest, and take her into consideration as well. No relationship works if it is one sided."

"She said she wants us to think about things. Does that mean I'm going to lose my friend?"

"Perhaps. That will be up to her, unless you decide to let the relationship fall."

Twilight shook her head. "No, I don't. But... what if she wants to end it?"

"Then you must end it. Mayhap try again later."

Twilight shook her head. "No, I don't. But... what if she wants to end it?"

"Then you must end it. Mayhap try again later."

"Can I just ask you one thing, Aunt Luna?"

Luna smiled. “Askest thou away, Twilight. I shall answer any of thine questions to the full extent of my capabilities.” Now that sounded more like her aunt.

“Why... um, why didn't you ever tell me you were a fillyfoo- oh, I didn't mean to-” Twilight blushed, cursing herself for her insensitivity.

“Thou may call me a fillyfooler if thou likest, Twilight.” Luna said, gently stroking Twilight's mane. “Tis simple, short, and I know thou would never say it as a pejorative.”

“Th-thanks. So... why...”

Luna sighed. “Who one doth choose to sleep with is a very... private thing, Twilight. Whether I liked colts or mares, I would keep such a thing private. I care not for being an official pony aside from the political duties expected of a leader; it makes no difference to me.”

Twilight nodded. Luna was, for all her confidence, a little shy. Reclusive, keeping to herself much- Twilight had identified much with that growing up.

“I shall not lie, it is not all privacy.” Luna said, shrugging. “Perhaps if I liked colts, I might make an official appearance or two with him. But as it stands, certain prominent members of our society, some important to politics, frown on same sex relationships. I am the sister of the mayor general and one of her aides; all I do reflect on her.”

“That's not fair!” Twilight's insides felt cold, twisting at her aunt's words. “Don't you want-”

“Twilight dearest, it is not a great sacrifice on my part.” Luna said, smiling solemnly. “I don't even have a special somepony; much less a desire to flaunt any such relationship.”

“But... you should be able to, if you had one...” Twilight trailed off.

"The world is not fair or kind, Twilight. All we can do to amend this is to be fair and kind ourselves, but not enough ponies do. Celestia does much good for our city- this is a small price to pay."

"Did she really ask you to?"

"She would never." Luna shook her head. "She keeps telling me to change mine mind, but I am content."

"But why- why on earth would they mind! What is wrong with people?"

Luna sighed. "For over three hundred years, we have had a population that is two thirds mares. That alone creates reason for there to be plenty of mare and mare relationships, but the people in power are of old,
conservative families, so the values- however absurd- persist. But believe you me, Twilight, things have changed for the better. When I was your age, I would not have dared tell anybody but my sister. When you
are old and grey, I am confident the trouble mongers will be outdated, ignored fools. I have hope, Twilight."

"Oh. That- that's good, at least."

Luna nodded.

"..."

"Thou hast more questions, do thou not?"

"I just uh, I wondered-"

"Fuss not, Twilight. I shall answer."

"Those lady-friends you have visiting sometimes, are they... um, are they..."

"One or two I share opinions, poetry and art with; one or two I share... a mutually beneficent, noncommittal agreement with. That is all you need to know."

"I'm not blind or dumb, you know." Twilight mumbled.

"Given thy surprise, one might wonder." Luna said, smiling.

"Yeah..." Twilight shuffled, wondering what other things she had missed growing up. "I need to talk to our lawyer, too."

"Lawyer?" Luna asked, baffled. "Did something else happen at the - oh, I understand."

"Auntie Luna, you are talking more modern... did somepony make fun of you? You don't need to change."

Luna hugged Twilight. "I know I don't. I have been reading many modern novels, and I wish to integrate more into modern society. But, enough of me. Did Rarity specifically ask you not to talk to her?"

"No, but I think she implied it."

"Well, where is she staying? At your friend's, Pinkie's, correct? Perhaps you should ask Pinkie how Rarity is doing. I must inform you, however, that just as with any relationship, if you push it, you may lose it. I
have done so, being ready to commit myself, but not realizing the other mare was not ready. You do not want to harm Rarity, and forcing someone to do something they do not want to do in terms of love is a grave
thing, a horrifying thing... a painful thing."

Twilight left her aunt to her flowers. So many things to consider! On top of all her doubts, a new one emerged, nagging and whispering - what if Rarity did not want help from Celestia's lawyer?

*****

Rarity stood at the great window in Pinkie's living room, studying one of the garden trees and wondering if plants had hearts that fell in love, and broke.

"You do not love her," Rarity said aloud. "She is your best friend and she trusts you and you will not, under any circumstances, hurt her!"

"Whatcha thinking, huhuhuh?" Pinkie popped out of nowhere, giggling and hopping around Rarity.

"I- oh, darling, this is the most -"

"Horrible thing?" Pinkie cut in. "What is it? Can I help? Is there something for me to fix? How about having a cupcake, cupcakes help with everything, and the sweet taste will lift you up and I can put sprinkles on it! OH! How about a cupcake with little smiles on them? Then you can bite their heads and all they can do is smile! It might help your frustrations!"

Rarity blinked. Her new housemate sure was a hoof-ful! But she meant well, and she certainly did not mean to be cruel... or to sound slightly demented.

"You are correct. Eating a cupcake would be helpful. Can we talk in the kitchen?"

"Of course!"

Pinkie zoomed away. Rarity followed, her mind going over what to say. She decided and took a seat at the kitchen table.

"I kissed Twilight last night," she said softly.

Pinkie froze, and the flour she was pouring into a bowl overflowed, casting the kitchen in a fluffy haze of white.

Rarity coughed. When everything settled Pinkie had not moved.

"I...Pinkie?" Rarity swallowed.

Pinkie suddenly shook off all the flour. "Cupcakes are perfect!" she said cheerfully. "They can't back stab you."

"I - what?"

"It's not you, Rarity, it's me, I took too long, and what kind of cupcake do you want? Icing? Of course you want icing, chocolate or vanilla? Orange? Apple? Licorice? Do you want to watch a movie tonight? We could invite everyone again!"

Rarity frowned. Pinkie's words were coming out faster and pinker than normal, like they were coated in sweetness and saturated in speed.

"Pinkie?" Rarity asked.

"Yes, Rarity? Oh, we need tofu! Never mind, found it." Pinkie measured the right amount of tofu and mixed it into the batter. She signed. She turned to Rarity. "Do you love her?"

Rarity assumed Pinkie meant Twilight. "I ... I hate the thought of hurting her, and she doesn't understand...Pinkie, I want to protect her, keep her safe from all the horrible ponies that would harm her for being who she is..." Rarity trailed off.

"Well, you certainly care for her," Pinkie said with a sad smile.

"You like her, too, don't you?"

"I like everypony!" Pinkie said proudly. Rarity raised an eyebrow, and Pinkie must have realized what the question actually was. "Oh, oh, no! I don't like like everypony! I mean, I want to make everypony happy! But Twilight... I was kinda thinking we could make each other happy, see? But ..." Pinkie seemed to dim. "ANYway!" She went back to rushing around the kitchen.

It struck Rarity that she had failed to take in account anyone, but her and Twilight's feelings. True, it actually didn't matter what others thought if Rarity and Twilight wholeheartedly loved each other, but Rarity should have thought about her circle of friends. Any romance within the group would change the dynamics, and could Rarity do that? She had just gotten her friends, she didn't want to destroy them just as quickly.

"Oh, cupcakes, I anticipate your sugary sweetness on my tongue, baking you in the oven and waiting -"

Rarity whinced. Pinkie had a singing problem.

***

Earlier that day, back in school, Rainbow Dash walked the halls, back and forth. It was lunch, but she did not feel hungry, not even a little. Her mind was being ravaged, torn with indecision- she had to talk to Fluttershy. She had to face her- but she couldn't. She had to, but she just... couldn't.

Just thinking about the situation, about Fluttershy, about what she had done, made her feel sick. She was a coward. She would be doing her a favour, really...

But Twilight would come down on her if she didn't. She was right, too- she knew it. She was so... teacher-like, so commanding when she had lectured her. It was like being told to shape up by an adult, except she actually... respected her.

Dash shook her head with frustration as she kept pacing up and down the hall. She hated having to feel like this. She hated feeling guilty, she hated feeling sad. It made her angry- angry with Gilda, with Twilight, with Fluttershy, with the world- but really, with herself most of all. Why couldn't there be some easy solution? Some happy, solve-all package to just help her get past this?

Then, as she paced up and down, wrecked with doubt, she heard a small cry, just around the corner. Amused colt voices, and a scared, younger filly's voice. Dash decided to investigate- anything to put her predicament off. Trotting round the corner, she saw them- three upper-year colts, holding a first-year down, laughing at her, prodding at her, mocking her.
Something in Dash just clicked. She had at times been a bully herself, often without realizing it, but some things were just... not done. Flexing her wings, she picked up speed. Like a coloured lightning bolt, she barreled into the first of them, back hoofs slamming into his face. The shocked colt dropped like a sack of potatoes. One of his companions, the one closest, reared and brought his hooves up, but Dash slipped under him, and slammed a hoof at the most sensible place a colt can imagine. The colt let out a squeal, and fell over, writhing in pain.

The third one snarled at her, putting his hooves up, but Dash just spat at him.

“You wanna do this, genius? I just dropped two of your buddies in two seconds. You wanna do this? Let's do this!”

“Wh-what the hell?” The colt stammered, backing down. “What the hell gives, Rainbow? We were just- I thought you were cool! What did we ever do to you?”

Dash looked at him, snorting, stamping a front hoof into the floor. This had become quite the scene- students were massing to see what happened. The two Dash had beaten down were groaning on the floor- she was sure to get a reputation from this. Dash took a look at the remaining colt- she remembered him now, a member of the school earth pony rugby team- Barker, if she remembered right.

“What did she ever do to you?” Dash said, pointing to the quivering first-year mare, curled up against a locker.

“W-we were just having a laugh! Sheesh, t-take it easy!” Barker stammered. “We wasn't gonna hurt her or nothin', just-”

“Just what.” Dash said flatly. “Because she didn't seem to be having fun, was she?”

“We-”

“You must feel real big and proud, three senior year colts beating up a first year mare.” Dash said, her voice dripping venom. “Yeah, I bet your daddies would be real proud if they heard what big strong colts their sons are, who have what it takes to got three on one with a defenseless first year.”

“Look, she's only a stupid fillyfooler!” Barker blurted out. “Nobody cares! We were just gonna teach her a lesson-”

“Oh, really.” Dash said, bringing her hoof down on the floor. A tile cracked under it; Barker gulped. “What lesson would that be?”

“Not... being um, a stupid fillyfooler?” Barker was visibly sweating, realizing more and more how he was digging himself deeper into a hole with every word.

“I am a fillyfooler, you dumb shit!” Dash sneered. “Yeah, that's right!” She shouted loudly, now facing the crowd of students. “Are you not entertained? This'll go great with all your little gossips, won't it?”

“N-no way...” Barker said lamely. “That uh, that can't be true. You're the best air football player the school has, you're cool! You can't be-”

“You're bucking right I am cool.” Dash said coldly. “I am awesome, cool, radical, and I like mares. There's even a special mare, although I'm not sure if she'll even want me any more.”

“But-”

“You know what you're gonna do?” Dash said, pushing Barker up against a locker. The earth pony was bigger and taller than her, but it didn't seem to matter. “You're gonna take your friends to the nurse, and when they ask, you're gonna tell 'em you fell down the stairs. If you don't, and if I ever see you come close to that filly again, I'm gonna hunt you down and hurt you. You're gonna wish you were dead. Got it?”

Too terrified to do anything but nod, Barker, hurriedly pulled his friends up, running off with them as fast as he could manage. Dash turned to the young mare, and pulled her up.

“You all right?”

The traumatized filly just nodded. From out the crowd, two ponies her age ran out, hugging her comforting her. Friends, Dash realized.

“Thank you so much-” one of them began.

“Where were you when they were bullying her?” Dash asked coldly.

“We...” the pony trailed off, hanging her head in shame.

“You're all cowards.” Dash spat. “The two of you, and all of you!” She pointed to the audience. “Sure, you can stay and watch, but did even one of you tell 'em to stop? Get a teacher? You're worse than me!” The crowd remained silent. Whether shamed or uncaring, Dash could not tell. Flapping her wings, Dash flew away, angry. This had been so intense- who the hell would just... do that, do that to somebody just for being different? And now, all of it was out, because she couldn't keep her mouth shut when she got angry. Her life was even worse, even if that had seemed impossible.

Then something hit her. Just when she had taken off, she had seen a dash of cream yellow and pink in the crowd- had Fluttershy seen her? Had she been there? Had she been one of the people Dash had just... collectively called cowardly?

Dash flew out of the school, up to the roof. She needed to be alone for a bit.

Fluttershy generally saw and heard everything that happened in the school. Very few bothered to notice the quiet mare, and fewer still acknowledged her. She used this to her advantaged, silently weaving in and out of crowds and listening in on who needed a friend.

Today she wasn't really weaving so much as she was carefully going along her way. She had insisted on going back to school (Pinkie nearly died of shock, saying the Pegasus needed rest, not maths), and now she was in a throng of students, wondering if this had really been a good idea.

Up ahead there seemed to be a block. Agonizing over whether or not to turn around, Fluttershy heard what could have only been Rainbow Dash:

“I am a fillyfooler, you dumb shit!" a few seconds of silence. "Yeah, that's right! Are you not entertained? This'll go great with all your little gossips, won't it?”

Fluttershy fought her way through the ponies. She had to see! Was Dash in danger? Did somepony challenge Dash?

“You're bucking right I am cool,” Dash replied coldly to somepony. “I am awesome, cool, radical, and I like mares. There's even a special mare, although I'm not sure if she'll even want me any more.”

Now Fluttershy was near the front of the students. She peered around one such fellow pony. Was that Barker?

“But-”

“You know what you're gonna do?” Dash asked dangerously. She pushed the larger and taller Barker up against a locker. Fluttershy felt her heart quicken, and her eyes widen. No Dash! “You're gonna take your friends to the nurse, and when they ask, you're gonna tell 'em you fell down the stairs. If you don't, and if I ever see you come close to that filly again, I'm gonna hunt you down and hurt you. You're gonna wish you were dead. Got it?”

Barker quickly took his friends and high-tailed it out of there. Fluttershy watched in agony as Dash helped the young mare up. What had happened? Should she go and help Dash and the young mare? Should she -

“You all right?” Dash asked.

The traumatized filly just nodded. Two young ponies her age pushed past Fluttershy, causing the yellow Pegasus to hold back in fear of her injuries being aggravated.

“Thank you so much-” one of them began.

“Where were you when they were bullying her?” Dash asked coldly.

“We...” the pony trailed off, hanging her head in shame.

“You're all cowards.” Dash spat. “The two of you, and all of you!”

In anger, Dash took the air, leaving them all behind. Fluttershy looked around. Some of the ponies weren't fazed by what had happened (another entertaining fight, is all), while others genuinely seemed ashamed. Most looked confused, or disappointed.

Fluttershy flexed her wings. She really wasn't suppose to fly for another few days, but Dash was far too important. Fluttershy took the air, ignoring her pain, and focusing on the only thing that mattered: Rainbow Dash.

Dash had flown out the school doors, up the school front, and now sat on the school roof, resting her back against a turbine. Her thoughts were tumultuous; the implications of what she had just done was overwhelming. Slowly, she forced herself to focus, to think.

She had just... outed herself. Strangely, she did not feel as horrified about it as she thought. She dreaded the results, dreaded to think what it would do to her reputation- what if she was kicked off the air football team? What if everyone would think she was uncool? What if Fluttershy would never forgive her?What if, what if, what if?!

But at the same time, as her emotions began to settle, she felt... relieved. She had been afraid for so long- so afraid of what everyone would think, so afraid of what she would think of herself. For the longest time, she had made justifications- she wasn't gay, it was just Fluttershy, it was this and that- but at some point she had realized it; she was gayer than a daffodil. And now, she had told everypony, and she wasn't freaking out. She felt okay. She wasn't afraid any more. She was awesome, and if the rest of 'em didn't see it, then buck them. Yeah, buck them all!

“Rainbow Dash?”

There was no mistaking the soft, gentle voice. Fluttershy slowly worked her way up the roof's edge, visibly struggling to fly.

“Fluttershy, you idiot!” Dash cried out, pulling her up over the edge. “You're not supposed to fly yet- what if you hurt yourself?”
Instantly, she bit her tongue. Damn it, calling her an idiot now? Was there any way she could be clumsier?

Fluttershy just smiled. “I know you care. But I'm stronger than you think, Rainbow Dash.”

“...”
Fluttershy sat up properly, next to Dash. Not sure what to say, how to express herself after all this, Dash was quiet. She should say something- why wasn't she saying anything? What was she supposed to do? Why was she just looking her in the eye, smiling? Why wasn't she angry?

Finally, Dash broke the silence.

“You... you should probably get to class...”

“Not yet.” Fluttershy said. She wasn't backing down- this was her being assertive, Dash knew. It was subtle, hard to spot, but Fluttershy was sometimes tougher than steel.

“You- I-”

“Yes?”

Dash shook her head in frustration. “You could do much better than me! You deserve somebody who- who wouldn't-”

Fluttershy kissed Dash's cheek. “Just say you're sorry.”

“Just like that? Even after all that? I'm horrible, Fluttershy! I let you down. I am a coward!”

“It wasn't a coward who stood up for that poor filly.” Fluttershy said, smiling.

“I... god Fluttershy, I'm so sorry. I just- I am disgusted with myself-” Dash was stuttering.

“Twilight told me.” Fluttershy said, nodding. “You were punishing yourself all this time, weren't you?”

“You should find somebody else, Fluttershy. You're sweet, beautiful, rich- you could get any mare.”

“I don't want any mare.” Fluttershy said, putting a hoof on Dash's shoulder. “I want Rainbow Dash.”

“But-”

“I was so surprised when you first kissed me. You were the coolest, toughest, best pony in school. You were the pony everypony knew. Why would somebody that cool love a shy, asocial loser like me?”

“You're not!” Dash cried. “You never were a loser!”

“I thought so. I don't any more, but back then...”

“You...” Dash struggled; dealing with this much emotion was alien to her. “You were this perfect sweetheart. You were like, a princess to me. You could have anyone, and you picked me. Me! I'm just a thug from the wrong side of the tracks who nobody cares about! I'm probably gonna be stuck in some dead end job for the rest of my life- if I don't end up in jail. Why would you want me?”

“Because you're a lot better than that.” Fluttershy faced her, looking her in the eye. “You are not just some slum pony nobody cares about. You're my marefriend, and there's nothing you can't do, if you'll only let yourself.”

"Let myself?" Dash echoed. Was it that simple? Was the only pony in her way...herself? She shook her head. "I'll screw up your life, Fluttershy. I'll -"

"Complete me," Fluttershy said simply. The quiet announcement silenced Dash's tongue. Fluttershy went on: "I choose you, Rainbow Dash. For better or for worse, you are who I want, who I need, and I will not let anything get in the way. For too long I've let myself be told I'm not worth it, not worth what I love... I'm going to fight for you, Rainbow Dash, even if I have to fight you to do it!"

Dash sat there, staring at the sweet mare before her, her mind doing somersaults as it thought of the implications that her mare - her mare! - had said. "Well...I...uh...okay, then." She grinned. "I like it when you're bossy."

Fluttershy smirked (the look was strangely exotic on her) and she said, "I can be quite bossy. But!" She brought her nose to Dash's nose. "I'd rather not be. Um...can we kiss now? I mean, if that's okay with you..."

And Dash knew deep within her soul it was okay. She also knew from that moment on Fluttershy had her wrapped around her hoof.

"Hey guys!" Gilda interrupted. She landed by Dash. Fluttershy squeaked. Gilda held out a paw. "Look, dweeb, I'm sorry for what happened. I don't like you, and I won't be friends with you, but I want you to know I'm sorry, and it won't happen again. And if you need help, I'll help ya, too."

Fluttershy blinked like a deer in lamp light. "Uhm..." she shook her head as if to clear it, and held out her hoof. She and Gilda shook. "Okay."

Gilda fluffed up her feathers. "You gonna hang out here some more, or ya gonna join me for some soda?" she asked Dash.

"I'll stay here for a while."

"Okay, cool. Bye Dweeb."

Gilda took off. Fluttershy watched her go, then turned to Dash. "She's really a good person, isn't she?"

"Yeah. We've just...its been hard. But she's the best person to have your back."

Fluttershy laughed. "No, I think you are. Gilda can come close, but I think you're the one that meanies will run from. You're awesome."

Dash blushed. "Yeah, I'm the coolest."

Fluttershy snuggled up to Dash. "Want to skip class?" At this moment, Fluttershy felt school was a distant second in the most important things ever.

"Yeah." Dash nuzzled the top of Shy's head. "Here's where I want to be."

Lawyering Up

The next morning, Twilight woke up, ate breakfast, brushed her teeth, took the bus to school, all in the most ordinary manner of routine she could imagine. It was soothing, given the tumultuous truths she had learned so fast these last few days- her aunt Luna was gay, she might be as well...

It came as a complete shock to her then, as she strolled into the school courtyard, to see Rainbow Dash sitting on a bench with a big grin on her face, and a hoof around Fluttershy's shoulders. Apparently, yesterday had gone really well. She had never imagined it would go over this well, though.

“So... um...” she said tamely, approaching the two. “You two-”

“We're totally together!” Dash exclaimed, grinning. “And I am not afraid to say it any more!”

“That's good. But... only yesterday, you were still, you know...”

“There was like, this big thing yesterday.” Dash said, nodding knowingly, sounding almost smug. “I told everyone off, just like that, because I'm awesome. Then I apologized to Fluttershy, and it turns out I am still totally cool.”

Twilight turned to Fluttershy.

“Really?” She said skeptically. “Fluttershy?”

“She was really brave.” Fluttershy said, smiling faintly. “She stood up to these bullies, and then she just told everyone. It was the bravest thing I ever saw.”

Dash blushed lightly. “Uh, yeah. Totally ballsy. I totally meant to do that, just so you know. It's not like it was this dumb, massive slip of the tongue.” She laughed awkwardly.

“...right.” Twilight said, sounding even more skeptical. “Well, good for you both!”

“Finally admittin' it, Ah see.” It was Applejack, marching up with a smile on her face. “Ah knew you didn't have to worry. Ah never hid who Ah was and who Ah like from nopony, and nopony's thinkin' the worse of me for it.”

“That's 'cause you kicked the first jock who teased you so hard he woke up with a broken jaw. In the next week.” Dash said flatly. Applejack chuckled, and scratched her forehead as if half ashamed, half proud.

“It's important not to let people spread lies 'n rumours about ya. So how're you two doing, now that you're not hidin' anything?”

“You know,” Dash said, sounding puzzled, “most ponies seem like they couldn't care less. It's weird. I thought everyone would think I was lame, or just hate me.”

“Most ponies are a lot nicer than you might think.” Fluttershy said, smiling.

“Yeah, you ain't that special.” Applejack said teasingly. “What, you expect the entire school'd stop just to focus on how weird you are?”

“Ah, shut up...”

“Well, I'm happy for you.” Twilight said. “Now, class is starting soon-”

“Well, if it ain't Rainbow Dash!” The new arrival was a colt their age, his coat a light brown with large beige spots and a blonde mane.

“Beat it prep, or I'll beat you.” Dash said coldly.

“Don't be so cold.” The colt said, grinning. “I just wanted to thank you.”

“Yeah? For what?”

“I had a bet with my friend Bomber on if you were a fillyfooler. He owes me fifty bits now.”

“Good for you.”

“And Fluttershy, I never guessed it'd be you!” The colt exclaimed.

“What do you want, Post?” Fluttershy said, sounding timid.

“You know this tool?” Applejack asked.

“Baller Goalpost.” Twilight said, nodding. “Your father is friends with a lot of people, isn't he?”

“Too right.” Post said. “And I am guessing your father-” he pointed at Fluttershy- “would be real interested to know what you're doing with a two-bit filly like her.”

“Please don't.” Fluttershy said, retreating behind her mane.

“Make it worth my while, then.”

“Twilight, hold my hat.” Applejack said, stamping her hoof in the ground. “Ah am about to give this colt a lesson in manners.”

“Don't!” Fluttershy exclaimed.

“Yeah, don't.” Post said. Because if you do-”

“If you do,” Dash said, her eyes narrowing, “I am gonna show you why I had such a bad reputation when I first got to school.”

“Not too worried.” Post said, shrugging. “I figure-”

“I figure,” Fluttershy said, her voice suddenly rising, “that your father would be really interested to know about the things you and your friends like to do on the school roof after school.”

“...you lost me.” Post sounded relaxed, but the grin had washed from his face. “Look, I don't know what-”

“Everyone knows why your eyes are red when you leave, Goalpost.” Fluttershy said, sounding almost venomous. “Everyone knows why you all smell funny. And you really should stop smoking those things, they are bad for your health!”

“How- how did you-” Post stammered.

“I didn't. You just told me.” Fluttershy said, smiling. “And now I think you should leave us alone, or I will ask your father to look through your room for suspicions-looking... things!”

“I... you- you wouldn't dare!”

“Try me.”

Post turned and fled, and Applejack and Dash laughed.

Twilight saw Pinkie and Rarity approach from the coach lot. They were whispering to each other, and Twilight felt a pang of something in her chest. It felt horrible. Like a wound, mixed with hatred. As fast as it had come, the feeling was gone. Pinkie suddenly bounced around the group of friends.

"Happy happy school day! We are all at school! School is -"

"Hush!" Rarity said, shoving her hoof into Pinkie's mouth. Pinkie continued singing, though the words came out totally squashed. With a flourish, Pinkie bowed to the group.

"And that's how Equestria was made!" she beamed. Rarity stared at her hoof in shock.

"How did - but I - Oh, Pinkie, you are a mystery." Rarity laughed.

"I keep things wonderfully unknowable!" Pinkie said with pride.

The bell rang. The group hurried their seperate ways, including Fluttershy heading for home. Twilight wondered if the order for Shy to stay at home really was the best thing for her. She could not think about that right now, though. She had to talk to Rarity, even if that meant more risk of punishment. Rarity was too important. The threat of Rarity's father seemed to hang above Twilight like a thunderstorm about to break. It was a cheesy cliche, but Twilight could almost feel the thunder and lightning coming from Esquire.

Her heart feared for her friend.

"Rarity!" Twilight said. She pulled Rarity to the side. "We need to talk."

"I know, but could you give me a few more days to sort things through?" Rarity asked.

"Huh? Oh, no, not the ... um... kiss...." Twilight stumbled over the last word. She cleared her throat. "I'm worried about you, Rarity."

"Why?" Rarity wondered, narrowing her eyes. The second bell rang. They were officially late for class.

This was not going well. Twilight bit her lip. "What I mean is, I'm scared your father is going to hurt you... again...and he'll have the law on his side, since you technically ran away..."

Rarity frowned. "I did not run away! I never run away."

Oh dear. Twilight had that sinking feeling again. How come she could never say the right thing?

"Also, my father shall never hurt me again." Rarity held her head high. "I'll give him what is coming to him if he so much as pokes me."

"That's good...but shouldn't you have a contingency plan in case?" Twilight asked tentivatly.

"Well..." Rarity faltered. "I suppose."

"I just don't want you to be hurt."

Rarity sighed. "Oh bother." She looked at the school. "We shall talk after you tutor Shy."

With that, Rarity elegantly rushed off. Twilight sulkily headed to her own class. The world was crashing again, she sensed this.

****

Fluttershy was propped up infront of her TV when Twilight was shown into the living room by a stuffy looking butler. She had never been to Fluttershy's home before, and she was a tad bit awed. Esquire's home had a tacky, flashy feel of someone desperate to have class and prestige. Twilight's own home, though huge, was filled with things that made it look like a cosy home, a place where one would go to unwind and have tea. Flutterhy's home was everything Esquire tried to create, and best of all, it wasn't done in a way to make a pony feel unwelcomed.

"Good afternoon, Twilight," Fluttershy said softly.

"Afternoon," Twilight replied. She settled into the chair. Exhaustion gripped her bones.

"How was school?" Fluttershy asked.

"It was...school. Hey, do you know that new teacher? The one that looks like Derpy?"

"Yes. She is very nice. Gives the young fillies and colts exactly what they need - an ethuastic teacher that loves to teach and show the wonders of the world to children."

"Yeah. Does she seem...familiar to you?

"Aside from looking like Derpy?"

"Yeah."

"No."

"Hmmm.." Twilight shook it off. Something was nagging at her. Oh well. "Let's get started."

After a long day of school, Twilight felt ready to fall asleep. No time though! With determination she began setting out all her notes and such for Fluttershy to go over.

"I'm back!" Rainbow Dash annouced. She flew in and sat beside Fluttershy. "Hi, Twi."

"Hello, Dash. Please don't distract us too much." Twilight added a smile to show she wasn't serious. She knew Dash wouldn't be too much of a hinderance. Right?
”So,” Twilight began explaining, “mass times speed of light equals-”

“Energy!” Dash cheered.

“Very good, Rainbow.” Twilight said, nodding in surprise.

“Yeah, I heard “speed of light”, and I figured it had to be like, really cool math.” Dash said. “I mean, it's not like I listened to anything else or anything, like advanced algebra...”

“This is all very complicated.” Fluttershy sighed.

“Oh, you're not expected to understand E=MC squared.” Twilight said, shaking her head. “It's just a basic fact of physics that all ponies learn, as a tribute to the pony who discovered it."

“When are we supposed to learn it, then? Next grade?” Dash said, leaning back. “Piece of cake. I can totally do math if I want to.”

Twilight giggled. “There are maybe five ponies alive today who understand the formula. I doubt if any of us ever will.”

“Well that sucks. I guess that's a super egghead thing that only the eggheads who the eggheads think are eggheads get, right?” Dash said.

“Removed a few more times, but yes.” Twilight said. “Right now, we are learning algebra though...”

“Right, let's do this!”

“We'll give it our best.” Fluttershy agreed.

“You are surprisingly studious today, Rainbow.” Twilight said.

“Eh, for some reason everything's just felt really easy today. I guess it's cause I'm happy?”

“That could well be true.” Twilight said, tapping her chin. “There are several studies on motivation and ponies, and how much more one can accomplish with the right emotional approach-”

“Yeah, yeah, egghead.” Dash said affectionately. “Let's just study for now, so we can, uh...” She glanced at Fluttershy, who blushed lightly.

“That's a source of motivation as any.” Twilight giggled.

***

Back at school, at the time when classes ended, Rarity was getting ready to leave for Pinkie's place. Her books packed in her bag, she made her way down the school's front stairs-

“Rarity!”

“Glitter Rain.”

“I...” The younger mare seemed unsure of herself, as if she would stutter if she continued.

“If you are here to mock me, I have already have enough of that to last me a lifetime.” Rarity said haughtily. “Now-”

“I still like you!” Rain blurted out. “I mean- I- I still- I still like you! You're still cool!”

“...thank you, Glitter.” Rarity said,her tone warming up some. It was more than she had expected of her.

“Yeah, I- I don't know what that stupid pony is doing to make you do this, but I know it couldn't be your fault. You could never do anything so stupid-”

“Now, let me stop you right there.” Rarity said in a magisterial voice. “It was my choice to be friends with Twilight Sparkle; nobody coerced me.”

“Of course you would have to say that! But-”

“Glitter Rain, I will not exclude you from my companionship if you wish to be my friend.” Rarity said, speaking very clearly. “But I will do not appreciated my friends being slandered, even if it is because you do not know any better. You are welcome to come to my next fashion line launch, welcome to sit next to me at dinner- but you will have to settle for sharing my friendship with Twilight Sparkle.”

Something like desperation mixed with pure grief passed over Glitter's face. Turning hoof, she ran away.

“She doesn't understand you, Rarity! Not like I do!”

Was she crying? Rarity shook her head.

“I am sorry you had to see that.” An amused voice said.

“Diamond Vector?”

“She has been a little... well, obsessed. Poor thing must have a crush on you.”

“Oh don't be silly.” Rarity frowned. “I do not know what her problem is, but she needs to get over herself. I've nothing against her if she proves herself as more than a shallow herd-follower, but as is...”

“I'll go after her.” Vector said. “Perhaps she'll listen to me.”

“Quite.”

Glitter Rain ran out of the school, sobbing and trying to get herself under control. The emotions she had pushed far down had come up with a vengeance, something she had never considered, and now she was at a loss.

She stumbled to the sidewalk.

Okay, okay, okay...breathe!

Glitter looked up. A few weather mares were fluffing clouds, and another was marking something onto a clipboard. It all seemed so serene. She wondered if it were possible to want to be someone else any more than she did right then.

She reached up, and pretended to move a bit of cloud. It must be an easy job. Or at least, the part she was seeing must be easy. Not like this mess she had tripped herself into.

"Glitter Rain!" Diamond Vector said from behind her. "Please, have a chat with me."

"Why?" she asked softly.

Diamond cleared her throat. "I know you must be terribly conflicted - "

"You know nothing!" Glitter Rain shouted, whirling on Diamond. "Nothing!"

"I know a great deal more than you give me credit for!" Diamond said snappishly. "Do you think everyone is as shallow as you are? Not caring what anypony else is doing or thinking so long as it doesn't get in your way? Wake up, honey muffin, the world does not revolve around you!"

Glitter stood there motionless for a second before landing one hard slap across Diamond's face.

"How dare you!" she hissed. "I want what is best for RARITY! Not for me!"

Diamond rubbed her cheek. "Well, that wasn't the response I was expecting, but it will do."

"What?" Glitter asked dumbly.

"You want what is best for Rarity?"

"Yes."

"Then why aren't you happy she has true friends?" Diamond winced. "You didn't have to slap so hard."

"I - I - " Glitter moaned. "I'm doomed!" she wailed. "Doomed I tell you!"

"Don't be so dramatic."

A few moments passed. Diamond Vector sighed. "Look, Glitter, the people Rarity used to hang out with aren't exactly healthy for her. She isn't like them. Neither are you, and neither am I. That group doesn't care about anything but the latest fashion, and that was all they saw in Rarity - a trendsetter. Don't you think she deserves better than brain-dead zombies that happen to wear the height of fashion?"

Glitter Rain thought about this. "I ... suppose... I don't know."

Diamond took out some make-up and looked at her cheek. "Bruised ego more than bruised skin," she mused. She snapped the mirror shut. "Why don't you try to be friends with them?"

"Friends with them?" Glitter muttered. "Well...I ..."

"Think about it. I'm going home now. Ta."

Diamond trotted off. Glitter Rain watched her go, then made a decision. She headed to Pinkie Pie's place.

While Glitter made her way towards Pinkie's house, Rarity finally headed home- only to find her way blocked by two burly city guardsponies, members of the Canterlot policing unit.

“Miss Rarity Gemstone Esquire?”

“That is I, yes. May I help you, guardsponies?”

“Your father filed a missing person report. We have come here to escort you back home, young lady.”

“Why- that is preposterous!” Rarity snorted. “Missing person- as if he would have noticed! Unless you have come to arrest me, I will follow you nowhere. Good day, guardsponies-” She tried to step around them, but one of the guardsponies blocked her way.

“We were ordered to take you home, miss.”

“Absolutely not!”

The guard sighed. “Tracker, will you gimme a hoof?”

“Oh, I think that won't be necessary.” From behind Rarity the voice came, a sophisticated, slightly condescending upper class accent. “You are not to lay a hoof on her.”

“Who're you?” The other guardspony grunted.

“I am her attorney.” The pony, a unicorn with a grey coat and a black mane with hints of white in it, looked very confident from behind his spectacles. He was wearing a business suit- Hugo Mane, Rarity noticed; that had to be an affluent lawyer- and floated a briefcase next to him magically. “Barristo Wrangler, at your service.” Smirking, the lawyer pony levitated a business card.

“I know the Esquire Family attorney,” The first guardspony grumbled, “and her name is Libra Pageturner. You ain't-”

“Oh, I would hate to be confused with that hag.” Barristo said calmly. “I am hired to represent Miss Rarity Esquire specifically, not her family. Courtesy of Twilena Light Sparkle.” He winked at Rarity.

Rarity blinked. What?

“Look pal, you better go mind your own business-”

“Master Esquire has, as it happens, been duly notified of miss Rarity's temporary change of living space.” He opened his briefcase, and levitated a document in front of the officers. “This is a copy of the formal letter which miss Rarity sent her father only two days ago- strongly worded, oh my, but it specifically reveals to him where she was going and for how long. Correct, miss Rarity?”

“Y-yes.” Rarity stammered. The “letter” was actually just an angry note, worded with all the eloquence that befitted her, but it had told her father of where she was going.

“Look mister, you can't just come here stoppin' us from doin' our jobs.” The second guardspony objected. “We got orders, ya know?”

“The missing person claim was filed yesterday, was it?” Barristo said sharply. “Mr Esquire was well aware that he was filing a false complaint. Legally, you are not allowed to coerce miss Rarity- she is old enough that she is allowed to keep her own residence so long as at least one parent consents; such is the law. Rarity's mother has given such a consent.” Another form floated.

Rarity gaped. Oh mother, bless you! For all her egocentrism, she would support her if she wanted to live on her own, especially if she could spite her ex-husband in the process!

“Now, I would like to take both your names and check this with the captain of your precinct, just to make sure no mistakes are made- your names, officers?”

Suddenly, the guardsponies seemed to have lost any enthusiasm they had.

“I ain't paid enough to wrestle words with no lawyer.” The first one grumbled, stepping back.

“I uh, I need to make sure traffic's in order.” The other said. They turned and walked, looking sour.

Rarity looked at them walk away, finally closing her mouth.

“What the devil?”

“I understand this might be confusing to you, Miss Esquire.” The attorney said, still looking smug.

“I ordered no attorney, nor can I afford one! You have been led under false pretenses, Mr. Wrangler!”

“Oh, you are paid for two weeks worth of services, so worry not.” Barristo said reassuringly.

“But who- Twilight! What on earth is she thinking? What happened; what have I missed?”

“Your friend is very... enterprising.” Barristo said, smiling. “Suffice to say that Mayor Celestia was handled a note with some very specific instructions- three pages, actually- and she in turn contacted Heckler, Demagogus and Koch, the firm that employs me.”

“Nonsense! I will not accept charity; I still have my pride!”

“The note said you would say that.” Barristo replied dryly. “And it told me to tell you that “your family makes more money than they can find, and so does mine (in reference to miss Sparkle); just pay me back in a few years when you are rich and famous.”

“...that obnoxious pony.” Rarity said, sighing.

“Quite the friend.” The lawyer remarked.

“Still, I cannot accept your help.” Rarity shook her head. “What good could it possibly do? If we turn this to a legal case- what is there to do? My father is wealthy-”

“The note said you might say that, too.” Barristo chuckled. “And as your representative, I can reassure you nobody has any intents of a courtroom case. I am simply here for your legal protection; it was suggested to me that I draw a contract by which your father would have to abide, should you move back into his house.”

“...Twilight Sparkle, what have you done.” Rarity muttered. “So you could ensure father could not hurt me or Sweetie Belle?”

“Nothing is ever certain, miss Rarity.” Barristo chuckled. “But I am not a bad barrister, no pun intended, and I think I can negotiate you a favourable deal. It all depends on how badly your father cares about his reputation.”

“Oh, he cares about it a lot.” Rarity smiled, finally.

“Wonderful!” Barristo said. “Shall we discuss this further in your current place of residence?”

“Let's!”

The two walked off towards Pinkie's house, discussing leverage.

Rarity knew only one thing her father wanted kept quiet - the fact that he was not a generous ass. Most folks knew he wasn't, of course, but it went unsaid, and he held several of the highest honors for donating to charity, and for "looking to the future, and setting in stone the foundation for future generations."

Oh, how she detested thoses ceremonies! She hid behind a perfect mask while her father graciously (and smugly), accepted the awards.

So...

"I could go to the newspapers,"Rarity mused. "The editors at the Global Trotter would simply die to have my inside view of the Esquire house."

"Perhaps you should have a statement ready, just in case," Wrangler advised.

"Good, good.." Rarity trailed off. She didn't think her father was capable of harming her or Sweetie Belle that far, but one never knew...no, one never truly knew ones friends or family. The truth made her heart ache.

For a moment her mind left the world she was in.

Her parents were together. Sweetie Belle didn't know of being sling-shotted back and forth between parents, the messy divorce never happened so Rarity and her family never had to suffer the indignity of separation - and everypony was happy.

Fights happened of course. Sweetie Belle would get into Rarity's sewing equipment, a brawl would ensue, and Esquire would have to jump between them, but it didn't matter...

And Sweetie Belle could burn their breakfasts every morning, and Pearl could scrape off the burnt part. Or maybe a servant. Now that Rarity thought about it, her parents would insist on servants, but her father wouldn't be so cold towards them...

And school. Yes, school, even in this fantasy land, and Sweetie Belle was there, but of course in her own level.... but that wasn't really where Rarity's mind was going.

AJ and Pinkie, Dash and Shy, Derpy and Twilight... and Glitter Rain, and Diamond Vector, and Lightning Smoke... all her old friends...everypony could be friends...

"Miss Rarity?" Wrangler asked. She realized he had asked the question before.

"I'm so sorry, I was lost in thought..." Reality came back in a whoosh. The ache in her heart grew so much she felt tears glisten. "I'm sorry, but could we talk of this later? I must...study."

"Of course - if you need anything, do not hesitate to give me a call." Wrangler gave Rarity his card.

She took it and they parted, Rarity going into the house, and Wrangler teleporting away.

Rarity stepped into the house. She closed the door. Calmly and delibertly she walked to her room. She shut the door.

And collapsed on the bed, sobbing.

How did the world get so dark and twisted? Why couldn't she have a loving family, and true best friends and a bright future? Why must she only have one? Her mother only wanted to be the center of attention, and she used Rarity for it. Her father wanted money and power and again, Rarity was being used to further it. Her sister... dear Sweetie Belle, she was perfect, in an annoying way. Too soon the world destroy her child-like happiness.

Without her father's backing, Rarity saw no future. He indirectly controlled many fashion companies and designers. If he decided to bar her from the fashion world, her choices were limited.

Her friendships were a great treasure. Suddenly, she wanted to make it right with all of them, but she knew it would never happen. Diamond Vector seemed to be her friend, still, despite what happened. And Glitter Rain...

Her sobbing slowed. Glitter Rain was worth the risk.

Rarity hic-upped. Bless that Pinkie Pie! She gave her a place to live. But it was time to go back, if only to keep her father from Sweetie Belle. Rarity could not destroy her father simply becuase to do so might bring down many other, innocent folks.

Then again, who in the higher class was ignorant of what the most powerful did? They all knew to some degree, and they all followed like simpering idiots.

Rarity would go back to her father. She would work hard, and she would eventually own the companies he had his hoofs in. If she brought him money and fortune, he would give her everything she wanted...

"No!" she said aloud. "That's why you left, remember? Becuase he was using you." She glared haughtily into her mirror. "And further more, Opal Rarity, what makes you think he will be so daft as to give you what you want after what you did? No, no, you are going back, and you are standing your ground. For Sweetie Belle, and for yourself!"

She realized she was speaking aloud. "And also, get a pet of some sort, so if somepony listens in, you can say you are talking to the pet..."

Meanwhile, sitting in her backyard with an uncharacteristic frown on her face, Pinkie was pondering. Pondering was an activity unfamiliar to her; she usually acted on impulse. What else was unusual was her mane down and straight, in a way it hadn't been since she left her none too bright childhood behind her.

Pinkie Pie was... sad. It rarely happened, but she was. Stupid Twilight- why did she have to be so cute? Why did she have to be so focused on Rarity? Why, why, why?

“Y'all ain't feelin' right today, are ya?”

It was Applejack, here at her house for whatever reason. Why?

“What are you talking about?” Pinkie said, forcing a smile. “I'm fine!” She forced a chuckle. “I'm as happy as can be! I-”

Applejack gently put a hoof over her mouth, and sat down next to her.

“It's okay, Pinkie. Ah'm here. Now tell me what's got you all down, all right?”

“I'm not “down”!” Pinkie insisted. “I told, you, I'm happy! Happy!”

“Sure don't sound like it.” Applejack put her hoof over Pinkie's slumped whither. “Pinkie, it's okay to be sad. You don't always have to be happy. Sometimes, everypony is sad. We get better, but sometimes you have to be sad. How else could you recognize how good the fun times are?”

“I-” Pinkie was about to protest, but sighed and accepted Applejack's touch. It was comforting, if not that much of a relief. “I have to be happy, all the time. I don't want to go back to being sad the way I used to.”

“Nopony's happy all the time, sugarcube.” AJ assured her, rubbing her back. “What's got you down?”

“I... it's...”

“Twilight?”

“How'd you-”

“Ah know ponies, Pinkie. I seen the way you look at her. I had a guess, and Ah guess Ah was right.”

“It's not fair!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Why can't I crush on somebody who isn't already...”

“Ah know.” Applejack shook her head. “We can't control this kind of thing, even if we wish we could. Still, Ah'm here for you- and so is Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash, and everyone else. You ain't gonna be alone.”

Pinkie sniffed. “I... what if I can never be happy again? What if-”

“Now that's just silly talk.” Applejack huffed. “You done known Twilight for maybe two weeks- Ah bet you you'll get over it just as soon.”

“But what if I don't? What if it doesn't work out with Rarity?”

“Ah'd wait if Ah were you.” Applejack said, thinking hard. “Ah am not saying it couldn't happen- but right now, those two need to work their own issues out.”

Pinkie hung her head. “I'm never going to find somepony.”

“Silly talk, sugarcube. You are the sweetest pony Ah know.”

"Really?" Pinkie had been called a lot of things in her life - stupid, silly, happy, anti-social, energetic - but never sweet. She loved sweet things! But was she really sweet?

She felt like a trick candy. On the outside she had colorful, delicious coating. On the inside she had bitter, stomach-turning filling.

AJ was an honest pony. She wouldn't lie to Pinkie...right?

"Ah mean it," AJ said matter-of-factly. "You are a true friend, and you're always trying to help others. It's something that is lost in today's world."

Pinkie pondered this. Was she a lost sweetness in the world?

"So...more parties?" she asked.

AJ bit her lower lip. Pinkie had a feeling AJ was trying not to laugh - not laugh at Pinkie, per se, but laugh at the notion that parties could make everything better.

"Parties are part o' it," AJ said finally. "But I'm talkin about YOU. Remember what you said about friendship? Well, that's you, Pinkie Pie."

Pinkie sighed. "So...let go of Twilight?"

"Well..."

Pinkie suddenly sobbed. "I'm never going to find anyone to love me!"

AJ gapped. The hell . . . ?

"Uh..." AJ's mind did some quick idea buckin' from the idea tree, and she said, "We all love you Pinkie, and besides, any pony not wanting to love you is a fool!"

"I don't want a foal!" Pinkie wailed.

"FOOL, not FOAL."

"Oh." Pinkie sniffed. "I was testing you."

AJ resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

Across town, Twilight was heading home, leaving the classroom where she was studying. She had gone back to pick up some notebooks she had forgot, and as usual, ended up reading.

She trotted down the hall. It was an odd little thing. Twilight couldn't even say what had drawn her eye. But she found herself peering into a janitor's closet nonetheless, and staring at a blue barn that couldn't fit anything inside of it if the universe depended on it.

"This school is weird," she muttered. She continued on her way, not registering she went by Time Clock and the Derpy-look-alike teacher. She didn't see them go into the janitor's closet, or hear the strange sounds from within, or see the flutter of checklists come out of the closet.

While Twilight headed home, Celestia sat in her office, her reading glasses on. Reports, budget reports, committees... it never really ended.

“Sister dearest.”

Looking up from her stacks of paper, glad for an excuse to break off her work, Celestia looked up at her sister, standing in the door opening.

“Luna, dear, what is it?”

“You hired a lawyer. To confront Esquire, no less.”

“It's the right thing to do. He almost abused Rarity-”

“The moral righteousness of your decision was not my concern, sister,” Luna trotted in, her posture as serious and regal, as her expression. “Esquire is a buffoon, but he is a rich buffoon, with many rich friends concerned with his secrets kept secret, as he is with theirs.”

“What are you getting at?”

“He might perceive this as a political move against him. Who knows what he might do?”

Celestia laughed. “You're too serious, Luna. He's an idiot, not a schemer. He won't do anything stupid.”

“And if he does?” Put off by the seriousness of her voice, Celestia looked up.

“Should he do something... foolish, consider yourself free to act entirely as you see fit. The special guardsman's division would be at your disposal.

“I would bury him.” Luna said coldly.

“I am going to take that as an overzealous metaphor.”

“...of course, sister.” Luna nodded, and walked out.

At the house next door...

Rarity and Mr Wrangler walked up the walkway to her father's house. Her insides were a chaotic mess, a mishmash of emotions battling for prominence. Insecurity, fear, anger, determination, all wrestling to the sum effect of slight nausea.

What was she to do? Could she really stand up to her father? He could be quite intimidating- but Mr. Wrangler was there, and she could trust him. Probably. Twilight had sent him, right?

“Miss Rarity?” Barristo said, sounding professionally concerned. “Are you quite all right? There is no need to confront your father right now, should you not feel up to the task-”

“No.” Rarity scowled. “No, I have to do it now. I cannot let him- let him bully me, or Sweetie Belle. I have to- I have to just...” She trailed off.

“As my client wishes.” Wrangler said curtly, ringing the doorbell. Before long, a butler came down, opening the door.

“Who has business with Mr. Antique? Oh, miss Rarity-”

“We would like a word with Mr. Antique.” Barristo cut in. “Do mention that a lawyer is present.”

“...yes, sir.” The butler said, shutting the door and trotting back in. Some time passed, the butler returned, and opened the door for them. They were led to the salon, one of her father's more excessively decorated rooms.

There he sat, in a comfortable armchair, with a look on his face as if he had eaten a box of lemons and had to eat ten more. She had seen her father angry before, and judging by appearances alone, this was one of the greater fits of anger he had been in.

Good.

“I will be representing Miss Rarity Gemstone, Mr. Antique.” Wrangler took up his briefcase. “The name is Barristo Wrangler. A pleasure to make your acquaintance-”

“Bah!” Her father snorted. “Bah, humbug and all associated claptrap! Lawyering up on me, Rarity? I should teach you a lesson you won't soon forget!”

“Am I to take it you are threatening my client with harm, physical or otherwise, sir?” Barristo said curiously. “Just for the record.”

Esquire didn't even answer him, shooting him a baleful look.

“Rarity, what do you think you're doing?”

Something burst within Rarity. This narrow-minded buffoon, so concerned with himself first and foremost, so uncaring all this time, had the gall to ask her why?

“What do YOU think you are doing, father?” Rarity sneered. “I am going to make sure that you never try to hurt me or anyone I know again! I am trying to live my life without being told what to do by fat old ponies who couldn't care less if I was blissful or miserable!”

“And a lawyer is the answer? Whatever happened to talking, like families usually do? Have your mother gotten to you this badly-”

“Do NOT get self-righteous, father! You were the one who sent your goons for me to school today!”

“...I did no such thing.” Esquire glared at Barristo. “It's just sad-”

“Communication ceased to be an option when you raised your hoof at me, father.” Rarity sneered. “I am going to make you a deal here, and if you will not take it, we shall see each other in court!”

“You think you can outfox me? I can buy a dozen lawyers better than this backyard quack.” Esquire spat. “I would bury you if you were not my daughter, Rarity.”

“That's just it.” Rarity said, smirking. “I am your daughter. Even if I lose, all sorts of nasty things will have been said about you. Publicly. All your friends will know all the secrets I know about you. If I lose, you lose your reputation. If I win, I win.”

Esquire snorted in pure frustration. She had him cornered, it was obvious.

"Miss Gemstone, do cease your speaking," Mr Wrangler interrupted.

Rarity frowned but did so, suddenly remembering she wasn't suppose to be talking to the accused.

"Now, here is the form for you to sign. I assure you it is completely legal - and so are the testimonies of the gaurdsponies you hired to bring your daughter home. They were kind enough to tell the honest, good gaurdsponies exactly what you said to them, including what you intended to do to you're daughter once she came home."

Even with his skin beneath his fur, Rarity saw her father pail. He looked very ill indeed.

"I shall read it, and if anything is amiss -" he sounded as though he were simply doing a business deal, but his eyes - Rarity almost stepped back. She had never seen the sheer coldness before, the clever calculating - but she realized a buffoon does not make it to the top being witless.

After reading it, he handed it back to the lawyer, then said happily enough, "Everything is in order. And Rarity, do invite that friend of yours and her mother to dinner. Actually, I shall accompany you. But first, lets get all legals out of the way."

For the first time in a long time Rarity spent a pleasant day with her father. In the end they tweaked the agreement, so that is better suited Esquire's needs, but not by much. Turns out her father wanted nothing to do with Sweetie Belle. He did agree to her visiting if Rarity had full custody, and he had no obligation to see the "little monster."

Rarity's hatred burned deep within, but she celebrated her victory nonetheless, and she wondered if Esquire was just being an arse who wanted out of parenting, or if Sweetie Belle perhaps wasn't his.

She would ask her mother the next time she saw her.

As Twilight turned down one last hall, she breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, all her hard work with Fluttershy was coming to an end - the Pegasus would be back in school the following Monday. All of Twilight's detention was at an end. And Rarity was ...well, she wasn't sure where she and Rarity stood, but they were talking, so that was good.

She trotted out of the building, humming to herself, and not realizing it was so late.

Pinkie and AJ were loafing around the parking lot, Pinkie's hair oddly limp. When they saw Twilight they hurried off.

The purple unicorn frowned. What was that about?

"Twilight!" Rarity greeted from behind. "Darling!"

Twilight knew Rarity only used 'darling' when stressed or unsure, so she turned to her with slight trepidation.

"Rarity," she said cheerfully. She then saw Esquire.

"Tell your mother my father and I wish to dine with you both tomorrow evening, would you, dear?" Rarity asked.

"Of course."

With that done, Twilight watched them get into their personal coach and drive off. Twilight sighed. All that and Rarity was still under Esquire's hoof!

She sadly began her trek home. Halfway there she heard an odd noise, as if something was tearing through the very air, and a wind kicked up but as soon as she looked around to see what it was it had ended.

She shivered and hurried home.

Changes

Lunch came, and Twilight marched into the dining hall. Applejack and Pinkie, having already occupied a table, waved to her. Next to them sat Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, the latter seeming troubled.

Looking around in anticipation, Twilight trotted over to the table. Rarity- Rarity, oh, where art thou? Looking around her, Twilight felt her heart sink. No- it could be she was just fashionably late. She should give her some credit. Smiling nervously, she sat down by the table.

"What's with the downtrodden look, egghead?" Dash chuckled. "Missing your marefriend?"

"Rainbow Dash, Ah ever tell you you are a filthy hypocrite?" Applejack shot back.

"No, because you know I am too awesome to be insulted."

"You think so?"

The two locked gazes for a half a minute, before breaking up in laughs.

"See you on the race track later? No wings this time, cheat." Applejack said.

"You're on."

So this had to be what the books called jargon: a series of friendly insults acting as a social bonding agent. So quaint to see it in reality-

And there she was. Rarity, trotting majestically and proudly, walked towards the table of her old friends, of her posse...

Twilight bit her hoof. Was she going to...?

...and right past it, taking a seat next to Twilight.

"Oh, Rarity!"

"I am here as I promised." Rarity said proudly, her voice trembling some. "You didn't think I would let you down, did you?"

"No, I didn't." Twilight said, smiling warmly. Everything felt so... right. It was almost euphoric, the feeling of knowing Rarity had chosen her- her real friends even when it jeopardized her status. It felt special.

Lunch came and lunch went, and soon the bustling schoolponies began to march out. As Rarity sat there, carefully wiping her mouth, Runner Flare, Glitter Rain and four other ponies walked up, following her.

"So... mind telling us what's really up, Rarity?"

"Yeah! You-"

"Do quiet down, Glitter." An older pony of Rarity's age said. "Remember what we talked about? No shouting?"

"I am simply enjoying lunch with my good friend Twilight Sparkle." Rarity said flatly. "That's all there is to it."

"You're friends with dweebs like them?" Flare asked.

"Is there a problem?" Rarity said coldly.

"Yeah!" Glitter shouted. "This is-!"

Again, the older pony quieted her down.

"Looks like I am disinviting you from the fair I am hosting this weekend." One of the mares, Fabula Launch, said. The others gave a "hmmph!" in chorus.

"Then I'm afraid it will not be half as fabulous as it could be." Rarity shot back.

Turning a hoof, all but one of them walked away. Glitter, though, she stayed shortly before walking off. Her face looked torn; Twilight found herself feeling sorry for her.

Standing there was an elegant, tall young mare, the one who had held Glitter back.

"Diamond Vector." Rarity said.

"Rarity."

"Have you any more witticisms?"

"Actually, I wanted to tell you... I don't really understand why you're friends with her, but I don't care. I'm still coming to your next show. You've always been talented, Rarity, and I'm not that much of a sheep that I can't see it."

Rarity blinked. "You mean-"

"Not all of us are like Runner Flare, Rarity. I wish you'd give some of us more credit." Shooting a smile, she walked away.

Rarity had been by herself for most of the rest of the day, aside from her former friends treating her to some tricks. She had one class with Pinkie Pie and she had never been so grateful for a friendly pony in her life. Pinkie had sat beside her. She had talked to her, and helped her with the day's assignment - a stupid drama play. Rarity was beginning to loathe literature.

Now Rarity was walking to her coach. She glanced back to the school. If only Twilight or some other pony had gotten out of school at the same time she did! Twilight had her chess club, AJ and Dash had their sports, and Fluttershy and Pinkie had the special nature class wherein students helped the woodland creatures that had agreed to live in Canterlot. Even Derpy would be welcome at the moment!

"Are you still so shallow?" Rarity asked herself aloud. She felt a stinging shame well up in her stomach. She looked about for anyone to take her mind off her feelings.

"Rarity?" Lightning Smoke asked. She jumped a bit.

"Oh.. hello, Darling."

"Would you care for an escort?" They began to walk.

"What game are you playing?"

"No game." He shifted. "I...well, I think you're stupid for being such tight friends with the egghead, but I still think you're awesome. I don't know any other pony who could stand up to the whole Royal Ass Crowd."

"Royal..." Rarity began to laugh. She shook her head. "I think I've underestimated you. And Diamond Vector. I wonder who else?"

"Not many else." Lightning flashed her a grin. "We're at your coach."

"Thank you."

"Whatever." Lightning trotted away. Rarity watched him go up to several other ponies. Most used to be her friends.

But were they ever really? Rarity sighed and hopped into the coach. Sky Blade started it up.

"Are we going straight to your place?" Pinkie asked excitedly.

"Ahhh!" Rarity yelped. "I - you - Pinkie! Please, exercise some manners! What are you doing, lurking in my coach?"

"I got a twitchy twitch twitchy." Pinkie's eye twitched to emphasise the point.

Rarity swallowed nervously. "You think my father knows? Of course he knows, bad news travels so fast..." Rarity slumped against the cushions. She looked out her window. "Pinkie..."

"Yes?"

"Do you think everything happens for a reason?"

"Of course I do, silly! I mean, a rock doesn't move unless somepony kicks it and everypony knows life is like a rock, you can't go anywhere unless you kick yourself into action and I don't literally mean kick yourself, that's silly, and it's an ouchie! I mean, you have to bend weird just to kick yourself, and the momentum you would have to have in order to kick - ohmygosh, wouldn't it be cool to be able to bend that way without hurting yourself, though? You could be a pony pretzel!"

Rarity nodded. She let Pinkie ramble, trying to focus on her friends words and trying to squish the uneasiness that was in her body. It had been years since she had not done what her father had told her to do.

Would he still do what he used to do to get her to do what he wanted?

She shuddered. Pinkie noticed and stopped chatting. What had Pinkie been saying? Something to do with a blue time box?

"Rarity, do you need me to come in with you?" Pinkie asked seriously.

"No. But...stay outside, could you, Darling?"

"For sure."

The coach came to a stop in front of Rarity's front door. The two of them left the coach.

Rarity saw her father's silhouette in a window. She took a deep breath, and swallowed her tears. She held her head high. No more acting. No more masks.

She walked to the door, each step becoming more and more of a struggle. She looked back. Pinkie sat on her hunches, her eyes not blinking, and her gaze never leaving Rarity. It should have unnerved Rarity that her friend was doing so, but instead it made her feel stronger. Like somehow Pinkie knew what Rarity knew, and she wouldn't look away and she would be ready to help.

Rarity entered the house.

"Rarity, darling, how was school?" her father asked amicably.

"Dreadful." Rarity stiffened, preparing for the storm she could see emerging.

Her father tilted his head. "Dreadful? Why?"

Rarity forced the uneasy feeling away. She had to do this. For herself, for her future, and for Twilight. Oh Twilight... her silly book-loving friend, who was so lost outside the printed word. Her little egghead.

"My egghead?"

Her father's eyes widened, mostly in shock. Rarity realised she had said the question aloud. Too late to turn back now. She remembered Pinkie was just outside, down the path and ready to come charging in if Rarity needed her. With that in mind, Rarity spoke confidently.

"School was a bit boring, Father. Most of my friends are not worth my time. I realised this yesterday, and I'm turning to more fulfilling friendships. Also, I've decided I will not attend your party tomorrow, nor will I endorse your companies any longer. Find another fashion designer."

"How dare you!" He trotted to her, eyes blazing. "Remember what happens if you disobey me?"

Rarity shrank back. Her father leaned in close, his hoof raising and striking Rarity between the eyes. He took hold of her mane.

"Stop it!" She tried to jerk away, but his teeth were hard to shake off. With a great shake of his head, Rarity went flying a few feet away.

"You are forcing my hoof."

Something within her snapped. She suddenly knew. She was not a filly, she was a mare. She was not her father's trophy. And she had to win against him not for her, but for Sweetie Belle. No one would hurt Sweetie Belle!

What happened next felt like it took much longer than the real split second.

Rarity tried to remember how Applejack had taught her to buck, from when they were just little fillies. Yes, she remembered! She turned to the door, crunched up her hind legs then let them loose as powerful as she could manage. Her father bellowed in pain. She heard the crash of porcelain and wood.

Pinkie suddenly burst into the foyer, her eyes blazing angrily and her mane straight. "Rarity! I'm here! What do you need?!"

"I need a place to stay, Pinkie," Rarity said calmly.

"I - uh - oh, that's not what I expected to see." Pinkie took in the damaged china cabinet, Rarity's father on the floor, and finally Rarity standing by her, trembling. Pinkie stuck her tongue out at Rarity's father. "Meanie head!"

She turned, held her head high, and said: "Come on, Rarity. I have an extra bedroom if you don't mind bunking with Gummy."

She trotted out of the house. Rarity stayed close behind, still shaking and not quite sure what she had done.

Rarity, pondering her new-found freedom, with all its terrors and joys sat up all night until Pinkie finally managed to convince her to just go to sleep already. She would probably come to some agreement with her father- he still had legal sway of her until she was an adult- but she was done trying to appease his foolish wishes for what was proper.

So night came and went. While Rarity slept uneasily, she was not alone- across town, in the same rich district where she usually kept house herself, Fluttershy lay worrying and worrying until finally she managed to doze off.

It felt as if but a few seconds had passed when she opened her eyes again. She felt rested; these beds were the softest, most comfortable there were. Sitting up in her bed, she yawned and looked around the room. The sun shone through her window, and all the little birdies were chirping. It was a ...nice morning.

Walking in through the door with some new sheets, their maid Rose Button- Fluttershy was pretty sure she was the only pony in the family who knew her name- came.

"Miss Fluttershy, it's time to get up. The Mr. and Mrs. will be waiting at the breakfast table."

Her father and mother. Right. Looking at the clock she realized she was late- for a moment, she felt a surge of panic fly through her body, but then she realized school started three hours late today. Whew. Getting out of bed, Fluttershy walked out the door and down the stairs of her three-story home, down into the kitchen. Her father had a simpler background than her mother, and didn't much like formal dining halls, something Fluttershy was grateful for.

As she walked into the kitchen, going for some toast, her mother spotted her.

"Fluttershy dear, are you late to school again?" She scowled, disapproving.

"Oh no no, not at all." Fluttershy said, shying back. "We start late today, so I am actually early."

"Very well, then." Her mother said, nodding. "What are you heading out to do 'till school starts, then?"

"Oh, I was going to go meet up with Rainbow Dash. I am going to watch her practice." Actually, they were going to have some intense snuggling, but this was not something she was ready to share with her mother. She had wanted to say she was going to spend time with her animals- which would have made sense- but she felt bad enough lying as it was.

"Not Rainbow Dash again." Her mother said again, sighing. "Red, will you talk to your daughter?"

"Whuh?" Her father said, looking up from his paper and coffee.

"Your daughter, Flutterina Shymenola Greystone, is associating with this... ruffian pony. She is a bad influence." Carmella complained. "It's not right-"

"Wrong side of the tracks, right? Well, if she actually IS a bad influence-"

Fluttershy held her breath. Oh no! She could not stand it if they forbid her from seeing Rainbow!

"- then I wouldn't want her associating with her," her father said, taking a sip from his mug. Her mother nodded eagerly. "On the other hand, lil' Shy's been so much happier lately. Coming out of her shell. So why don't you get back to me when this "Rainbow Dash" character is arrested for vandalism, and I'll think about it."

Fluttershy breathed out. Thank goodness. While Carmella went off on another of her tirades on "social standards" and "you know what that kind of pony is like", Fluttershy snuck out of the kitchen with her toast. She was going to see Rainbow Dash, and her heart skipped at the thought.

Fluttershy found Dash alone at the track. Her mare was just warming up, flexing her wings and stretching.

"Um...hello, Dash..." Shy said.

Dash glanced back. She zipped to Fluttershy's side.

"Heya! Didja see my landing? It was AWESOME!"

Fluttershy shook her head. "I've only gotten here, Dashie. But I do like the way you stretch your wings when you're warming up."

Dash puffed out her chest. "Yeah, they're perfect, aren't they? Hey, you only have toast?"

"Well, I - "

"How can we make out if you fall asleep from lack of food?" Dash whipped out an apple. "Here. Eat up!"

Fluttershy knew Dash really just worried about her eating habits. When they had first met, Fluttershy had barely eaten anything at all. Dash had come up with odd, funny, or beneficial excuses for Fluttershy to eat more. Also, Shy suspected Dash like watching her eat. She remembered her marefriend saying she looked like a cute, delicate princess when she ate - albeit in a nasty tone, but Shy knew Dash only spoke that way as a cover. She really was a nice pony.

"Thank you," Shy said. She took the apple and nibbled. As Dash talked, Shy nodded or made the appropriate sounds of acknowledgment.

"Are you excited for the big race this afternoon? I'm gonna win, of course, but it will be fun for everypony else to watch the losers fight for second place! Oh, and didja hear? The Wonderbolts are coming here in month. I'm so excited! Do you wanna come with me to the show?"

"Of course." She swallowed the last of her apple.

"Get ready for a Rainbow Dash boom!" Dash wiggled her eyebrows playfully. Fluttershy laughed.

Dash swept Shy against a tree, and kissed her on the nose. "We got a whole hour before anypony comes along," Dash whispered. "Relax, already!"

Fluttershy let her weariness drain away. She was with Rainbow Dash, in nature, and there were no bullies around. Life was good.

Later that day, once classes were about to start, the two walked towards the school building. Dash insisted they wouldn't walk too close, and Fluttershy obliged her- Dash loved her. She just needed her own time.

She blushed deeply just thinking about the time they had just spent together- Dash holding her close was unlike any sensation she had ever felt; it was like some wondrous drug coursing through her system. Not to mention she had become increasingly... grabby lately, her hooves going places they had not gone before. Fluttershy didn't mind the idea, but merely the thought of it made her mind shut down. She could still barely understand that somepony as cool as Rainbow Dash would even want her.

Walking as they were, they came upon Twilight and Rarity.

"-and you simply wouldn't believe how my father reacted! I tell you, I will not tolerate this at all!"

"Oh my." Twilight said. "Are you okay?"

"Okay? I am more than "okay"!" Rarity said jubilantly. "I bucked him right in the face; that had him back down! This marks the end of an era, I tell you, an end of an era."

"You actually kicked your old man in the face?" Rainbow Dash said, chortling. "I guess you have more spine than I gave you credit for."

"You would consider violence admirable." Rarity hmmphed. "Still... thank you, Rainbow Dash. This was the key to my personal emancipation, and I cannot help but feel proud."

"You know, I could show you how to buck people where it hurts the most." Dash said, grinning. "It's how I won that fight against the three upperclassmen the other month. A girl's gotta stand up for herself, you know? Ain't no Royal Guard in shining armour going to save noponies like us, you know?" Dash grinned, recalling the fight that had made her truly infamous.

"...you know, I quite agree that a lady needs to learn how to defend herself. Perhaps I shall take you up on your offer." Rarity said, smiling.

Twilight's- and no less Rainbow Dash's- jaw dropped.

"You agree with Rainbow Dash?" Twilight exclaimed. "But violence is bad!"

"I think so too, but if I hadn't used my hooves, who knows what would have happened? Clearly, it isn't entirely unjustified." Rarity said, deep in thought.

"That's the spirit." Dash said, nodding approvingly. "I can show you a thing or two about boxing, and then there's Hoof Kan Fu, I learned a bit of that before I got kicked out of the dojo..."

"Good idea." Rarity said. "Now, I am afraid you must excuse me; literature starts soon." Trotting off, Rarity shot Twilight a smile. It occurred to the studious pony that for such a traumatic experience, Rarity was strangely upbeat.

Twilight trotted along beside Fluttershy. She barely noticed her friend or Dash.

What had happened exactly with Rarity's father? Should Twilight ask her mother to help out? Where was Rarity staying? Surely not with her father?

Twilight was so engrossed with her thoughts she didn't notice Fluttershy heading off into another direction.

"Hey, Egghead, your class is back there," Dash broke in. She sounded sore, like Twilight was interrupting something.

Twilight sighed. "Where is Rarity sleeping?" she asked.

"Er... how should I know?" Dash asked crossly.

"I mean, she can't possibly be still at her father's home?"

"Oh..." Dash landed in front of Twilight. "Look, kid, sometimes the only thing you can do is root from the stands, y'know? Rarity has friends now, thanks to you. You all will take care of her - it isn't just you, so quit worrying, breathe, and run the race with your teammates, not against them. Understand?"

"I think so." Twilight sighed. "I wish there were a manual for life."

"There is. It's called the Book of Experience, and it is wrote in someone's heart."

"Wow, that's poetic, and deep, Dash."

"Yeah, well..." Dash coughed. "Anyway, I gotta get to class, and so do you. Get going, kid."

Dash took to the air. Twilight watched her go, and it occurred to her that she had gained yet another friend.

Aiming for her classroom, Twilight's thoughts took a turn she had never even considered before.

Did school matter? Did reading books really help her, or pony kind? Knowledge is power. But was knowledge the same as knowing facts? Or should it be, knowledge coupled with experience and the cleverness to utilize them made a pony powerful?

"Please leave me alone," Fluttershy's whispered.

Twilight's eyes snapped up from looking at the ground, and what she saw made her heart freeze. A Griffon had Fluttershy by the tail, and was holding her high above the ground. Holding a pony by the tail hurt, and Fluttershy hated heights. Tears bathed Fluttershy's face.

"Put her down!" Twilight shouted.

The Griffon looked over. "Oooo, another filly-fooler."

"Huh?"

"What, you think I don't know?" The Griffon laughed cruelly. "You're friends with Fluttershy, so of course you're a Filly-fooler."

"Put her down!"

The Griffon instead flew higher, up to the lockers that the Pegasus students used. She began shaking Fluttershy up and down.

"Make me Egghead!"

Twilight lowered her head. No one would hurt Fluttershy and get away with it!

She thought of the Griffon letting go of Fluttershy, and thought of Fluttershy going safely to the ground.

Twilight's horn began to glow. Sparks flew from the Griffon's hold on Fluttershy, and with a yell the Griffon let Fluttershy fall. A shriek pierced the air then a thud and Shy went quiet.

"What....?" the Griffon looked from Twilight to Fluttershy. She shook her paw. "Bogus!"

Taking three quick steps towards Twilight, the Griffon raised her arm. Twilight's horn glowed brightly, but before she could cast a spell, the much larger, much stronger Griffon had smacked her, sending her into a wall.

"Magic freak," the Griffon muttered.

"Let her be!" Fluttershy squealed.

"Isn't that cute, standing up to the big bad Griffon?" she said, smiling wickedly. "Of course, in real life, that doesn't work." Stepping back to Fluttershy, she grabbed the poor pony by the mane. "So what are we gonna do with you, huh?" She flexed a claw. "You're just some dumb rich kid. Did you get even a single scratch growing up? If not... I think I can fix that."

"Yo Gilda, sup?"

Twilight looked up. It was Rainbow Dash! Everything was going to be okay now!

"Dash! She is bullying Fluttershy! If we help out, we can-"

"I got this." Rainbow Dash said. "So what's happening, Gilda?"

"Just putting these dweebs in their place." Gilda said, tugging at Fluttershy's mane. "You up for a race later? We can ditch class again. It's not like we'll ever have use for math."

Dash laughed. "Yeah, I hear ya. Look, let's just skidaddle. You got better things to do than shove dweebs around, right? C'mon, let's go get a soda or something."

"Fine by me." Gilda said, letting go of Fluttershy. "You lucked out this time, dweeb, but I got my eye on you."

Twilight, shocked, stood upright. What the hay was this? Why was Dash not defending Fluttershy? What?!

"Dash, are you crazy? She hurt Fluttershy!" Twilight shrieked, beside herself with emotion.

"Rainbow... Dash." It was Fluttershy, crying.

For an instance, there was a pained expression on Dash's face. Then,

"You need to stop being so dang oversensitive, Fluttershy. Gilda was just horsing around, having a laugh. Don't take it so seriously, sheesh."

"...what?" Fluttershy's voice was almost inaudible.

"I said, toughen up some already. C'mon Gilda, let's go."

"I hear ya." Together, the two walked off.

Shocked, Twilight walked over to Fluttershy. What the HAY had just happened? How could Rainbow Dash do this?

"I...I..." Fluttershy began to shake. "She doesn't care?"

Fluttershy began to sob so quietly Twilight had to lean in to hear her. Twilight squeezed her eyes shut. This...this was far worse than what had happened with Rarity. The only thing really hurt in that debacle was Twilight's pride.

This...this.... Fluttershy had bruises appearing, and bits of her mane were on the floor.

"It's okay, Shy, we'll...we'll..."

"What are you doing?" a voice asked. An adult voice, one that was familiar... Twilight realised. The teacher from Fluttershy's and Pinkie's class. Pinkie! Where was she? She usually just appeared...

"Please, sir," Twilight whirled around. "Please help me, Fluttershy needs a nurse..."

He trotted over, saying: "Come now, it cannot be that .... " he stopped short. "Great Stars, what happened?"

What had Rainbow Dash called that Griffon?

"Gilda happened," Twilight muttered. Than louder: "A Griffon named Gilda hurt her for ... um... I'm not sure, actually."

"Nothing happened!" Fluttershy yelped.

"Shy, your eye is swelling, and bits of your mane and tail are everywhere, and she dropped you from the air lockers!" Twilight said in disbelief, forgetting Gilda dropped Fluttershy because Twilight used her magic.

"She didn't mean it!"

"Excuse me? She said she was going to give you - "

"I'm fine!" Fluttershy nearly shrieked - which for her was just about the normal level of what a pony talked.

"No!" The teacher said firmly. "No, Fluttershy, you are hurt, and badly. We are bringing you to the Nurse's Station. Then I will ring your parents - "

"Oh no!" Fluttershy gasped.

" - and I expect you to stay with the Nurse until she gives you the okay to leave. Understood?" Somehow, the Teacher's crisp accent made everything he said more official. The two young mares nodded. "Twilight, will you stay with Fluttershy?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Now..." He sighed warily. "Help me bring her to the Nurse's Station..."

Twilight stood on Fluttershy's right, while the teacher stood on her left. Together, they gently lifted her up. Twilight carefully pushed Fluttershy's onto the teacher's back. Fluttershy gave a painful moan and whispered: "I guess I'm hurt more than I thought. I'm so sorry."

"For what? Walking to class?" Twilight retorted. "Don't be stu...silly, Shy."

The walk to the Nurse's Station took much longer than Twilight had thought it would be. By the time they got there five minutes had passed, and Twilight wondered if Canterlot should chop the Main School into smaller schools. Or perhaps have more than one Nurse Station.

"Nurse Redheart, could you please help us a bit here, thank you..." the teacher said as they entered the Nurse Station.

"My word!" Nurse Redheart gasped. "Oh dear. Roseluck!"

Another pony trotted out from a side room, and before Twilight could do anything, the three adults and Fluttershy were gone in an examination room.

"Wow... it's a small hospital..." Twilight said in awe. She even saw some shock paddles tucked away. She shook her head. No, no, no! Fluttershy!

She hurried into the room.

"What happened?" Roseluck was whispering to the teacher. "Were we right? Are there monsters here?"

"No, Rose, it is sadly a case of bullying..." He noticed Twilight watching them. He cleared his throat. "I'll be in to check on them in a bit, let Twilight stay with Fluttershy, will you, Nurse Redheart?"

"Of course, as long as she doesn't get in the way, and Roseluck, what are you doing, do your job!"

"Sorry, ma'am." Roseluck zipped around the small room.

"Um..." Twilight turned to the teacher. "What's your name, sir?"

"Hmm? Oh, Time Clock."

"..."

"What?"

"Time Clock? Isn't that...redundant? I mean, I know clocks and time are different..."

"Twilight, I must ring Fluttershy's parents." Time Clock hurried out of the room. Twilight frowned. Something fishy was going on, here.

She had no time to think on it, however.

"Twilight, dear..." Nurse Redheart came up to Twilight. "We must bring Fluttershy to the Hospital. Please, go to your regular class..."

"Hospital?"

"She is worse than we thought, and she's losing consciousness, I'm sorry, we have no time!"

And in a poof of magic, the adults and Fluttershy were gone. Twilight stood there, dumbfounded, trying to make sense of everything. How could they teleport without a unicorn? How could they not be equipped to help? This made no sense!

"Arrg!" Twilight yelled. She sighed, her mind going blank. Then...

"Rainbow Dash left her," Twilight whispered. If the teacher hadn't come along when he had... She turned from the room and ran, using her magic to track that sorry excuse of a marefriend down.

Twilight's inside was a tumultuous chaos of emotion. She had never been so angry, so downright furious. Rainbow Dash! Some marefriend she was! Fluttershy- if there was one pony in all of Equestria who didn't deserve this, it was Fluttershy! The sheer injustice of it ate at her, and before she knew it, she was walking away from school, to the place Scootaloo had said Dash lived at. Somewhere in her head she knew she was skipping class, intentionally missing out on learning, but she did not care. This was more important- more important even than studies.

As she entered the neighborhood- it seemed sadly run-down, trashy, poorly maintained; as if ignored by all- she would have, if not for her fury, wondered how a pony could live like this.

But she did not ask herself this, only trotting down the street. Some young miscreants hollered at her, but a single sharp gaze made them shrink away. Walking down to the apartment building Dash lived in, she saw her.

Gilda.

The Griffon didn't notice her at first, but after a marked clearing of the throat, the Griffon saw her. She shot a smile.

"Come back for more-"

Not even letting her finish, Twilight sent her flying into a wall, pinning her there with magic. Her eyes glowed with the raw magical power that was her forte; she was unstoppable.

"Where is Rainbow Dash?" The cold in her voice was one that brooked no trouble, but the Griffon persisted,

"You think you can get away with this-"

Slamming her into the street, Twilight magically hung Gilda in the air by the tail.

"I'll ask again: Where is Rainbow Dash?"

"She-she's up the hill! She said she needed some space!" The Griffon struggled, but she was powerless against Twilight's magic. "Look, put me down! Please"

"You know," Twilight said coldly, "if I was like you, abusing my power, there would be some really unpleasant things I could do to you."

Gilda squirmed, fear apparent on her face.

"But I'm not like you." She continued, dropping Gilda on the street.

"I- I can't move! What did you do to me?!"

"I removed your motor functions below the neck. Oh yes, I can do that. Don't worry, it's not permanent. You'll just have a few hours to think about what you did."

With that, Twilight marched up the hill Gilda had spoken of. True to her word, there sat Rainbow Dash...

"Rainbow Dash." Twilight spat. "You obnoxious, horrible-"

Suddenly, she stopped herself. Dash was averting her head, but she was bawling her eyes out. Twilight's fury lost its momentum; she had not expected this.

"Rainbow Dash, you-"

"J-just say it already!" Dash stammered. "It's not like you'll be saying anything that's not really true." She sobbed into her hooves. "I'm the absolute worst- just-just say all you have to say, I don't care..."

Twilight had not seen something so miserable- excepting Fluttershy only an hour or so earlier- in her life. Her anger quieting down some, she said,

"I don't understand."

Dash just kept sobbing. Sitting down next to her, Twilight continued,

"What- why are you crying? I thought-"

"Some pony I am." Dash said quietly. "I- I can't believe I did that. To Fluttershy! I'm-"

"At a loss for words?" Twilight said dryly.

Apparently not the case because Dash continued on.

"I can't even admit to anyone who I love, for no good reason! I'm a lot of big talk, but really? Under all that, I'm just... a coward. I'm a joke, Twilight. Just- just go away. Don't waste any more time on me."

Twilight scooted closer, putting a hoof on her back. "If you feel that bad about it, why did you do it in the first place?"

"Because it's Gilda!" Dash exclaimed, letting out a sob. "It's Gilda, and I can't- I just can't!"

"Slow down. What is it about Gilda?"

Dash shook her head. "Look, you don't have to hear my story. I'm not worth it."

"I'm here, and you sound like you need to talk. So go ahead."

Wiping her nose, Dash began.

"It's like... it's Gilda. She's like, the only person I ever trusted like, ever. We grew up together and stuff. When I was ten, and I fell and broke my leg, and all I could do was pull myself to the apartment and just lie there and cry, she flew me to the hospital. She was always there for me, and-"

"She flew you to the hospital? What about your parents?"

Dash let out a joyless chuckle. "Yeah, there's a joke for you. My dad was gone before I was born, and my mom doesn't give a bucking shit about me. She's always out somewhere with some new stallion or whatever, and she just sort of pretends I'm not around."

Twilight gave a mental gasp. That was awful!

"So yeah, Gilda was like, the only person I ever really let in close, you know? She's like this cool big sister, best friend who always looked out for me when nobody else did. And I kinda can't- I can't stand up to her when she does these things. I know it's petty and weak and... but I can't. She's always Gilda."

"You are a very loyal pony, aren't you?" Twilight said quietly.

"The buck I am." Dash said, hawking out a lump of snot. "I'm this pathetic, cowardly traitor-"

"Shut up."

Closing her mouth, Dash obeyed, hanging her head.

"Now, what you did to Fluttershy was plain wrong. She deserves better." Dash just nodded. "But at least you're sorry. Go apologize to her, explain-"

"But I know she would forgive me!" Dash exclaimed. "And I don't deserve that. She forgives everypony of anything, even when it's terrible because she's just so bucking nice and... goodness Twilight, she is way too good for me! She is one of those really perfect ponies- she's posh - but not snobby - nice, forgiving- she's everything I'm not! I don't deserve-"

Twilight slapped her.

"Ow-"

"That was that biggest load of silliness I ever heard." Twilight said, fuming. "You've been an idiot- a big idiot- but not going back to Fluttershy because you think you're not good enough is even dumber. Why don't you let Fluttershy be the judge of that?"

"I..." Dash said, rubbing her cheek.

"I know you've had it tough, and it's glaringly obvious you are insecure. Nopony is perfect. We can work on that, but only if you're giving it a chance. Are you a quitter, Rainbow Dash?!"

"Quitter?" Dash stood up straight. "No! I'm not a quitter! I'm the best, and I don't take no for an answer!" Her wings began beating, and she rose in the air, hovering a few feet off the ground. Suddenly, she stopped flying and sent a puff of dust into the air as she hit the ground. "How do I do this, though? I can't balance Gilda and Fluttershy. It's not fair...wait, what am I on about? I'm Rainbow Dash, of course I can do it!"

"But - " Twilight tried.

"I just need to schedule it, right?"

"But - "

"Hey, you're an Egghead, can you work out a schedule for me? So I can be friends with Gilda and ... um... friends with Fluttershy?"

"I guess I can, but -"

"Brilliant! Can I have it by tonight? 'Cause I need it after the race!"

"Well, yes, but -" Twilight was becoming quite flustered. How to get out of this? A friend does not need a schedule!

"So where is Fluttershy? I have some... stuff to say to her."

"You want to talk to Fluttershy? Let's go to the hospital - "

"Hospital?" Dash asked.

"Yes. Nurse Redheart brought Fluttershy to Canterlot's Central Hospital." Twilight nodded sadly. "They said it's worse then they thought..."

"What? Gilda hurt her that bad?!"

"Well, it was partly Gilda, and partly my fault."

"Your fault?" Rainbow Dash rounded on her. "What? How? Why?"

"I wanted Gilda to leave her alone, and that's all I thought. My magic misfired. I hurt Gilda's claws, and she threw Fluttershy..."

"So she only hurt her that bad because she got hurt herself? Okay, good..." Dash sighed in relief. "And you! Be more careful with your magic!"

Twilight nodded.

"Come on!" Dash sped a head, then look back. "Hurry up, Fluttershy needs us!"

Twilight stood up and raced after her friend. She paused, and went to Gilda. Rainbow didn't notice she wasn't following, or she didn't care if she went a different route.

Gilda was silently crying. Twilight felt a deep sense of shame. She landed beside Gilda, and bent down to place her horn on Gilda's neck.

"There. Your motor functions will return within the next few minutes. But remember, Gilda, if you abuse your powers again, you will lose your ability to move permanently!"

Twilight did not have this power, of course, but she didn't want to risk Gilda hurting anyone else for amusement.

Gilda nodded quickly. She wiggled her claws.

"But also remember, if you need to protect yourself, you can do that too. I'm not evil." And Twilight thought about Fluttershy, and how bad she wanted to see her, and suddenly she found herself in a hospital waiting room.

"I...I...what?" she gasped.

Rainbow Dash flew into the room.

"I...what...you...wow." Dash eyed Twilight. Twilight grinned uncertainly. "Anyway..."

After badgering the receptionist about where to find Fluttershy, they at last found themselves at Fluttershy's door.

"Well-" Twilight began.

"You go in first." Dash said abruptly. "I can't- I can't face her like this. She was hurt like this... by Gilda..."

"It's not your fault." Twilight said. "At least not the part where she hurt Fluttershy."

"Just go." Dash said, shaking her head. "Maybe if it's not too bad, I can see her. If... if I go in there and see her all torn up and in bandages, I'd just die. I'd die, Twilight!"

"...fine." Twilight said, grudgingly giving in. "But I'll be back out in two minutes, and then I want you back here."

Marching into Fluttershy's room, she left Dash outside. Once inside, she felt relieved- Fluttershy was awake and smiling; a small bird that somehow made its way indoors had landed on her hoof. The horror image of her in tatters, wrapped in bandages to the point of mummification that Dash had painted was a far cry from this- aside from two small scrape bandages, Fluttershy looked perfectly healthy.

"Are we feeling better?" It was the authoritative, yet caring voice of a head nurse, trotting into the room.

"Oh, much better!" Fluttershy insisted. "I could just go home right-"

"Not so fast, young lady." The nurse said calmly. "I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that there is no real internal bleeding to speak of, it's much less serious than we first thought."

"And the other thing?" Twilight said anxiously. The nurse gave her a look. "Oh, sorry- I'm Twilight Sparkle, a friend of hers."

"The bad news," the nurse continued, "is that there is a fracture on her leg. Not a broken bone, but a crack in her left foreleg. Fortunately, with a bit of unicorn magic we can put a spell on it to heal overnight. I am afraid you will have to stay the night, young lady."

"Oh no!" Fluttershy exclaimed. Twilight felt for her; Fluttershy was not doing well outside a place that was not in her comfort zone.

"Don't worry, I'll stay with you- if that's fine with the doctor." Twilight said. "And I'm sure Dash will want to be with you too."

"We'll see what we can do." The nurse said, turning around and walking out.

"Dash... is here?" Fluttershy said anxiously.

"Yes, and she feels really bad about this." Twilight said, nodding her head. "You should have seen her, she was in tears because of this-"

As she spoke, she opened the door and looked out into the corridor. Rainbow Dash was gone.