Polestar

Polestar

Chapter 1: Outflanked

This is the best idea ever! Sweetie Belle thought to herself as she and her Crusader companions left the schoolhouse. And my ideas usually stink!

"I'm so glad I had the idea to find Ms. Cheerilee a stallion," Apple Bloom announced.

"Yeah, way to go, Apple Bloom," Scootaloo said in agreement.

Confused, Sweetie Belle said, "Uh, guys? I thought finding Ms. Cheerilee was my idea."

"Meh." Apple Bloom shrugged. "Your idea, my idea. It's all the same idea."

Sweetie decided not to give the conversation any more thought and continued with her friends to the town square. All around were ecstatic ponies, most of whom had a special somepony to share the day (and in some cases, the night) with. The Cutie Mark Crusaders shuffled through the crowd, the sights and sounds of love pervading the air. The bonds between the couples captivated Sweetie Belle and nearly resulted in her getting lost in the mob.

"Come on, Sweetie Belle. Pick up the pace!" Apple Bloom called out from outside the crowd.

"Hehe, sorry," the unicorn called back sheepishly before catching up.

To the trio's surprise, the town square was barely occupied by a dozen or so ponies. They had assumed they'd reached their destination by all the hustle and bustle just behind, but that clearly wasn't the case.

"How come every pony's over there," Scootaloo wondered. "But not over here?"

"Yeah," Apple Bloom agreed. "Maybe every pony's lost or somethin'"

"Um, guys," Sweetie Belle offered, noticing a trend. "Maybe there's just something going on we don't know about."

Her two companions looked at each other before deciding. "Nah."

"What could possibly be going on that we wouldn't know about?" Scootaloo asked, walking briskly with her yellow friend.

Taking a closer look at the building behind them, Sweetie Belle recognized it as Ponyville's fanciest restaurant: "The Hoof du Jour." She had only been there on a few occasions and often witnessed lucky Rarity being treated to a meal by an even luckier stallion. But it wasn't the thought of eating there that enthralled her. It was the thought of-

"Eating, I guess," Apple Bloom answered. "Looks like some kinda fancy-schmancy restaurant."

Shooting a glare at her friend that went unnoticed, Sweetie Belle let her gaze shift back to the restaurant. She dreamed of a day when she would be in that restaurant, on her own; not eating, but-

"Eating. Man, that sounds good right about now," Scootaloo chimed in. "Haven't eaten in, like, two or three days."

"Ah, who needs that place, anyway?," Apple Bloom said with a shrug. "You don't need a restaurant when you've got-"

"Trash cans?" the orange pegasus asked, perking up.

Looking the tiniest bit horrified, Apple Bloom said, "I was gonna say home-cooked meals."

"Oh, right. That sounds nice, too. The meals, I mean... but I guess the home, too."

With an exasperated groan, Sweetie Belle rolled her head to look at the restaurant again. Her thought process went a bit quicker this time. Fancy food place, no food-eating, but-

"Singing!" she screamed, much to the confusion of her friends.

(An excited-looking, green unicorn jumped into the air and cried out "Winning!" some distance away. Her date for the day, a cream-colored earth pony, did not look amused.)

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked at their irritated friend with suspicion, but the skeptical looks were even shorter than their attention spans. They continued walking, leaving a now-aggravated Sweetie Belle behind them.

So stupid, she thought. Just blurting out like that. I wish they'd understand, but I just can't make words right... That right there probably didn't sound right. Watching her fellow Crusaders discuss their (mostly her) idea for Cheerilee, she became struck with an idea. I've got it! I'll sing them a plan (which was mine in the first place)! Then they'll see how much singing means to me! She galloped after the two of them, ready to execute this new plan.

"Some pony, some pony," Apple Bloom muttered, trying to think.

"Now it can't be just any pony," Sweetie Belle began. "Ms. Cheerilee is one of the best mares in Ponyville. She deserves  one of the best stallions as her very special somepony." In her head, a little tune began to play. She decided to just roll with it. "Cheerilee is sweet and kind. She's the best teacher we could hope for!" She ran for a nearby pole and clutched it in her hooves. "The perfect stallion you and I must find." She threw her head back on the word "find" and leapt away, continuing the song. "One to really make her heart soar!"

Little did she know, her fellow Crusaders had been gesturing madly as she held out the "soar." Little did she know, a small flash had appeared on her flank. And little did she know of how little she knew what was to come.

"Sweetie Belle! Sweetie Belle!" the earth pony and pegasus cried out in unison. "Your flank! Your flank!"

"Huh? What is it?" she asked.

"Just look!" Scootaloo shouted. "I think you got your cutie mark!"

"My- my wha-!?" she twisted her head to get a full view of her side. "It's- it's there! It's really there! But wait. Is that what I think it is?"

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, who had been holding hooves and dancing a ring-around-the-rosie, suddenly stopped and took a closer look themselves. All three saw, clear as day, a pole. A silver pole with a red ribbon twisting around it was Sweetie Belle's cutie mark.

"What do you think it means?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Maybe it means she's good at cutting hair," answered Scootaloo.

"Ya hear that, Sweetie Belle? Maybe you're a mane-dresser!"

"I guess that'd be okay," Sweetie Belle said sheepishly. "But it's awfully weird it showed up when it did."

"Maybe a grown-up would know?"

"Hey, yeah! Rarity's smart. She'll know for sure!" Sweetie Belle and her friends darted off for Carousel Boutique, all thoughts of their holiday plans left in the dust.

***

Rarity had hoped to spend the day in peace, as so many other ponies were. After all, on Hearts and Hooves Day, no one should have been more likely to be swamped with gifts and the adoration of eligible (or even ineligible) bachelors. Or at least, that was her opinion. Hearts and Hooves Day was one of her busiest days, with over a hundred mares placing orders months in advance. She had completed nearly all of them, but one yet-to-be-satisfied customer remained on her list. She paced back and forth across the ground floor, desperately trying to add the finishing touches on a fiery-looking piece for the Wonderbolts' captain.

"Please, Rarity," Spitfire pleaded to the frantic dress-maker. "I need this dress now. Soarin's waiting at the Hoof du Jour and if I'm not there soon, he'll eat the whole place out! And you can bet if that happens it'll be the only thing he'll be eating out."

With that last comment, Rarity snapped. "Darling! Shut. Up. Please. I have half a dozen other dresses to complete before the afternoon is out and I simply haven't got time to listen to your..." She shuddered. "Sexual frustrations. Now please sit down and wait. I'll be with you in a moment." She went to the back room to retrieve a pair of scissors and who should be there but- "Sweetie Belle!" (and Apple Bloom and Scootaloo). "What are you doing here?"

The Cutie Mark Crusaders, having learnt from past mistakes, had not interfered with any of Rarity's work. At least, not yet. Sweetie Belle answered for the group. "Sis, you're not gonna believe what just happened! I got my cutie mark!"

Not too trusting of the young intruders, Rarity glossed over the room to ensure everything was in its proper place. Her sister's words simply entered one ear and exited the other. "How many times have I told you not to come in here on big business days?”

"A lot," Sweetie Belle answered. “But this is really, really important. It’s my cutie mark!"

"Yes, yes. I’m sure that’s all very nice, but you’ll just have to-“ Sweetie’s words finally struck true and Rarity realized this may not be just another escapade. “You- you actually have it? Your cutie mark?”

“Yup! It’s kind of weird not being a blank-flank, but this is just so great!”

A few tears appeared in the corners of Rarity’s eyes as she heard the sincerity in her sister’s voice. “That’s so wonderful. What is it?”

“Well, I don’t really know what it means, but see for yourself.” Sweetie twisted her rear end so Rarity could see her left side and there it was, clear as day.

“Is that-“ Rarity paused; she was at an almost complete loss for words. “A pole?”

“Yeah. With a pretty ribbon. Maybe it means I’m good with clothes, like you!”

“Sweetie, what were you doing when it showed up?”

“Oh, I was just swinging and singing on a pole when-“

Sweetie’s words were cut off by the most blood-curdling scream she had ever heard, even more than Rarity’s typically were. In that scream were true horror (with a few pinches of despair) and perhaps the recollection of some long-forgotten memory. The Cutie Mark Crusaders covered their ears until Rarity ceased her cry and began to pant. She grabbed her younger sister and shook. “Please tell me this is some kind of joke. What is it?” She pointed at the mark. “Paint? Crayon? Some of my dyes? I don’t care if they are, just tell me this is a joke.”

Fearful for her sister’s sanity, Sweetie carefully answered. “It’s not Rarity. It really isn’t. This is my cutie mark and I don’t know what it means.”

“We- we have to get mother and father.” Rarity ran for the second floor, the Crusaders desperately trying to keep pace, and began packing a bag. “They must know right away.” She stopped. “But, wait. Father’s heart. This could quite literally kill him.” She glanced at a shocked Sweetie Belle and smiled. “To know you’ve gotten such a wonderful talent.”

“So you know what it is?”

“Well, no. I’m afraid not.” She thought for a moment and realized she knew someone with the greatest repository of knowledge in Ponyville. “Twilight,” she said with intensity.

“Hey, yeah! Twilight’ll have to know!”

“Yes, why don’t you come with me and we’ll get this all figured out.” She looked at the other two fillies. “Apple Bloom, run along to Applejack. Scootaloo, run along to… somepony else.” Clutching her sister in her magical grasp, Rarity went back downstairs and made her way to the door. Spitfire, however, was not about to let her leave.

“Please, Rarity. Our date’s in one hour and I need this dress. Please, after how much I paid.”

“Spitfire,” Rarity began, calming herself. She tried to think of how to explain, but Spitfire was right. She was a paying customer who expected her bits’ worth. “Just one moment.” She left for the workroom, fetched the scissors and cleanly sliced off the last bits of cloth. “Done. Take it and please shut the door on the way out.”

“Uh, thanks. But what about them?” Spitfire gestured to the door and there they were: five anxious-looking mares. Unfortunately for them, they hadn't reserved.

“Tell them they can make their own bucking dresses.”

Stunned, Spitfire simply watched as Rarity dragged her sister out the door and trotted off for the library. The other customers demanded explanations, but Rarity wouldn’t have any of it. Angry looks took over their faces and they glared at the Wonderbolts captain. “Well, don’t look at me. I didn’t drive her off.” The glares continued. She took a quick glance at each of them and sighed. Lifting into the sky she said, “Whatever. Catch you later, no-wings.” As she fluttered away, the other customers (indeed unicorns and Earth ponies) could only look at each other awkwardly and hope for the dressmaker to return soon.

***

The prince ran his horn along the length of the princess’s body, her eyes filled with a longing she had never known before. It wasn’t until just moments ago that she realized the stallion before her was destined to be hers. His horn dipped under her royal gown and pulled until she was naked in front of him. As a princess, it was illegal for any male to look upon her bare form, but none of that mattered now.

Do be gentle with my royal body, she said to the prince. There was a fire in his eyes and she knew he saw right through her façade. She had tried to play up her frail demeanor, but he knew of her true, lustful nature. No male has yet laid a single hoof on it.

Until now, he said as he stroked his hoof down her chest, then her stomach, and then just barely above that forbidden space between her hind legs. Fear not, my love. Though my love for thee burns, you shall know only warmth.

She moaned as his hoof caressed her thighs and he pressed his lips to her cheek. Then let me feel it.

He let his lips make their way to the princess’s mouth and felt her tongue snake its way between them. His hoof pressed against her virtue and with a groan of pleasure, she-

“Twilight, there you are!” Rarity called out. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

Twilight screamed and the book flew from her hooves. With a panicky look, she glanced back and saw Rarity with a nervous Sweetie Belle. She scrambled to pick the book up and quickly stuffed it in her pack. “R- Rarity! Sweetie Belle! How, uh, nice to see you. Did you guys need something?”

“Yes,” Rarity answered. “Yes, we do. Sweetie Belle?”

The younger of the two stepped forward. “Well, you see. I got my cutie mark today. But I don’t know what it means.”

“That’s wonderful!” Twilight said, her mood very much improved. “Let’s see it. I’m sure we can figure it out in no time.”

Sweetie Belle turned to show the purple unicorn her flank. “It’s a pole with a ribbon on it.”

Hesitantly, Twilight said, “Yes, I see that. How long ago did you say you got it?”

“Just a few hours.”

“I think we should check it back at the library. You know, to be safe.”

Rarity was already dragging her sister away halfway through Twilight’s sentence. “Couldn’t agree more, darling.”

More confused than ever, Sweetie asked, “Could you guys just tell me what’s going on?”

“Wrong? Who said anything’s wrong? Nothing’s wrong. Everything’s perfectly fine.”

“Are you su-“

“Yes!”

Nothing more was said during the walk to the library. Twilight and Rarity exchanged a few concerned glances, but neither wanted to say what was really on their minds. Hoping to lighten the mood, Sweetie asked, “So what were you reading, Twilight?”

“Oh, that? That was, uh, a book.”

“I know that much. What was it about?”

“It was… a love story… about the history of Hearts and Hooves Day.”

"Really? That sounds interesting."

"Oh, it’s interesting alright. If you'd like you can-"

"No," Rarity said.

"Oh. Okay. If you say so. I suppose it's more of a grown-up pony's novel anyway."

"But Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and I were thinking of finding a very special somepony for Ms. Cheerilee," Sweetie Belle said. "Maybe the story could help us think of ideas."

"I’m sure the others will think of ideas just fine without you. We have to figure out your cutie mark, remember?"

"I know, but I just wanted to do something special for her."

"Don’t worry. Cheerilee is a kind and beautiful mare. I’m sure she won’t have any trouble finding a special somepony today."

***

On the other side of town, Cheerilee waved as the last foal left the schoolhouse. She waited for the light blue unicorn filly (who had been moping all day with a Hearts and Hooves Day card in her hoof) to silently leave before pulling a few containers from under her desk. She poured warm apple cider from a thermos into a mug and added a bit of spirit, Stalliongrad-imported, from a flask. She brooded as she stirred the mixture and stared out the window. She sighed. "'Terrific Hearts and Hooves day.' What a joke." She took a long gulp of her brew and watched as couples showered each other with gifts and sweet nothings. "Oh, well. I guess there's always hope for next year." She slipped a key into a drawer lock and pulled it open. Inside was a romance novel, "The Poison of Love". She turned to page one and reached down to her legs. "Well, take me away, sweet prince."

***

The library was empty, save for the trio of unicorns. Twilight had set up an examining table with a set of cutie mark reference books and a magnifying glass. Sweetie Belle set herself down on the table and Rarity stood by, shakily biting her hoof.

"Alright, are you ready?" Twilight asked.

Sweetie Belle nodded.

"Then let’s begin." The next hour and a half were spent looking over the cutie mark’s pattern, its coloration, and size. Twilight cross-referenced no less than ten pole-related cutie marks and talents, making absolutely sure there would be no mistakes in her research. Sweetie Belle was free to move the front half of her body, but keeping her flank still for so long was taking its toll. She had almost fallen asleep by the time Twilight’s work was done.

"Well, that’s it. I’ve researched all I can."

Rarity, who had paced a whole in the floor three inches deep, immediately came to the side of the table. "So what is it? Is it a fake?"

"I’m afraid not. This cutie mark is as real as mine or yours."

"Please don’t tell me her special talent is…" She didn’t want to finish the sentence.

"It is." think Twilight turned to face the filly. "Sweetie Belle, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but your special talent is-"

"Surprise, kids!" Rarity’s father announced as he burst inside the door.

"We came as soon as we heard!" her mother shouted. "Our little Sweetie Belle, finally all grown up."

"Mother! Father! What on Earth are you two doing here!?" Rarity asked.

"Why, we heard along the grapevine that our little girl got her cutie mark and followed the rumors straight here," Rarity’s father answered.

"But- but- but shouldn’t you both be out celebrating Hearts and Hooves Day with each other?"

"Nothing could be more important than our daughter getting her cutie mark," said Rarity’s mother. "Talking o’ which, what is it?"

Rarity dashed to cover her sister’s flank. "It’s a surprise!"

"Huh. A surprise, eh?" Rarity’s father said in thought. "Well, your mother and I do love surprises."

Rarity chuckled nervously as she pulled a pulled away a tablecloth, sending all manner of materials tumbling, and draped it over her sister’s rear end. "Yes and we certainly wouldn’t want to ruin a surprise like this."

"But we’re gonna have to know sooner or later, dear. This is awfully important."

"Yes, I know. Which is why we should, um…" Rarity glanced at the calendar and saw the picture: a small house in the middle of the woods. "Why we should go to our holiday home to celebrate and discuss it."

"Why the cottage?" Rarity’s mother asked. "Can’t we celebrate right here in Ponyville?"

"Well, of course we can," Rarity replied. "But this is a family matter, wouldn’t you agree?"

"I suppose so. Cottage it is, then!"

Sweetie Belle looked nervously up at her sister. "Will you tell me what my cutie mark means then, sis?"

Rarity choked on her words, but managed to say with great strain, "Alright. I promise." Fighting back tears she walked into the back room. Twilight followed, leaving Sweetie Belle’s oblivious parents to shower her with praise.

The purple unicorn approached her friend carefully, knowing full well what the family was in store for. "Rarity? Are you okay?"

Rarity turned to face her dear friend. "No. No, I’m not okay, Twilight. My darling sister, my sweet, innocent sister is…" She turned away again, the tears now flowing forth. “A pole dancer…"