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…"
Chapter 2: A Hairy Trotter
Polestar
Chapter 2: A Hairy Trotter
"Oh, Twilight, what am I going to do?" Rarity asked, pacing back and forth. "How am I supposed to break the news to mother and father?"
"I don’t know," Twilight answered with sympathy. "You may have to tell them the truth."
"But the truth will be devastating! And not just to them. This cutie mark will decide Sweetie Belle’s entire life if we let it. I just can’t let that happen." Rarity fell to the ground in despair, grasping in her mind for any idea that might solve this problem. "All I can hope to do is take Sweetie Belle far away and think of some lie or trick."
"Well, you’d better think quick, because sooner or later your parents are going to find out for themselves what her cutie mark is."
"Right. I’ll have to lie to them, too.” Rarity stood and steeled herself. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her away from that kind of life, even if it kills me."
"Well, I’m no expert on pole dancing, but it might not be as bad as you think. Maybe—"
Rarity shoved her hoof in Applejack-esque fashion and declared, "You do not know what the life of a pole dancer is like and I will not let my sister be drawn into it."
The calmer unicorn plucked the hoof from her mouth and sighed. "Alright. I’m sorry. In all honesty, I didn’t even know pole dancing was a special talent. But just know that the others and I will be here for you and your family."
"Thank you, Twilight. I just hope we can make it through this." Rarity looked out the window and focused long and hard on the landscape. She knew dark times lay ahead. As for whether she had the strength to face them, only time would tell.
***
"They’re taking you away!?" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo blurted in unison. The Crusaders stood outside the library, the sun setting in the distance.
Sweetie Belle dipped her head low and turned away from her friends. "I’m sorry, girls, but I don’t even know when we’re coming back."
Scootaloo asked, "Is it something to do with your cutie mark?"
"Probably. I’m guessing it’s why Rarity told me to keep this tablecloth on, too." Sweetie Belle shook her flank to indicate the covering, a purple cloth with silver embroidering.
"At least it goes well with your mane," Apple Bloom said in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Sweetie Belle chuckled. "Yeah, I guess you’re right.” The mood became somber again. “I’m really gonna miss you guys."
The pegasus and Earth pony embraced Sweetie Belle and squeezed tight. "We’re gonna miss you too, Sweetie Belle," Apple Bloom said in an utterly adorable drawl.
"You promise to write?" Scootaloo asked.
"I promise," Sweetie Belle answered with a smile. "Every day."
The three fillies said their good-byes as Sweetie Belle’s parents called for her to follow. They were to leave immediately (at her older sister’s insistence). Tears crept into the eyes of Apple Bloom and Scootaloo as they watched their best friend disappear over the horizon with her family, never to be seen again…
(Okay, that last part may have been an exaggeration).
***
"We’ve been walking for an awful long time," Sweetie Belle complained to her family. "How much farther do we have to go?"
"Not much farther, dear," the sisters’ mother said. "Just a few more measly miles to the cottage."
By then, the sky had darkened and the sounds of Ponyville were long-gone. All that remained were the chirps of crickets and the hoots of owls. The path the family walked along was clear and supposedly safe, but the filly in the group didn’t feel so assured.
"Why did we have to leave so late?" she asked. "Couldn’t we wait ‘til tomorrow?"
"Actually," her father said. "That is a good question. But your sister insisted we leave as soon as possible. That is to say, today."
"But it’s pitch black out here! What if there’s a cockatrice?" She huddled under her father, memories of the terrible creature suddenly gnawing at her mind.
"There’s no need to worry about cockatiels out here, Sweetie Belle," he said. "They’re just harmless birds."
Unwilling to point out her father’s ignorance, Sweetie Belle simply kept her mouth shut and waited to arrive at the cottage. The moon was beginning to rise and their destination was illuminated by its silvery glow.
"See?" the mother said. "We’re here all safe and sound."
Rarity silently held the door open for her family as they stepped inside and made themselves comfortable. She took a look behind them and scanned the trees for any sign of a follower. Satisfied, but still cautious, she turned and shut the door. Her mother was already hard at work, lighting candles, dusting, and setting out the trappings of the cottage.
"Father?" she said to the family’s patriarch, who was hard at work finding a comfortable position on the armchair. "Do you think you could stand watch for a few moments?"
"Stand watch? What for?"
"Oh, just to make sure we have our privacy, what with us ladies-"
He stood up. "Alright, say no more. Every time I hear the words ‘us ladies’, something else I don’t wanna hear usually follows."
"Thank you. Sweetie Belle?"
The younger sister approached the elder. "Yes?"
"Could you be a dear and take our bags to the bedrooms?"
"Okay. But when are we going to-"
Rarity cut her sister short with a hush and gestured for her to go about her duties. She thought deeply about what her next step would be. Should I tell her privately? she wondered. Or mother and father first? Should I tell her at all? If I do lie, it will only be for her sake.
The next few hours passed without incident, but Rarity’s agitation only grew with each passing moment. As her father kept watch, her mother prepared a light supper, and her sister examined her cutie mark alone, she paced the rooms, struggling to come up with a plan that would benefit everyone. Her pacing stopped when she sat one her bed and buried her face in her hooves. A knock sounded from just outside the door. She composed herself. “Come in.”
Her mother gently opened and shut the door before setting herself beside her oldest daughter. "Rarity, is everything alright?"
"Yes, yes, mother. Peachy keen, hunky dory. Everything’s…" She sighed. "Perfectly alright."
Rarity’s mother wrapped her foreleg around her. "Those words might work on your father, but they’re not going to work on me, missy. Now tell me what’s wrong."
Rarity was desperate for any sort of explanation that wouldn’t hurt her mother. "Mother, it’s just that… What if Sweetie Belle’s cutie mark is something that might hurt her?"
"Well, there are plenty of dangerous cutie marks. Stunt performing, mountain climbing, lion taming-"
"No, no. Not like that. I mean... what if her cutie mark is something that could make her open to be hurt? Like emotionally. By others."
Her mother tightened her hold the tiniest bit and looked her in the eye. "Well, getting hurt is part of growing up. Your father and I hurt each other more than a few times before we got where we are, but it made us stronger. I’m sure Sweetie Belle will have the strength to face whatever might come her way."
"You think so?"
"Of course. And even if she doesn’t, we’ll all be there to help her if she needs us. That’s what family’s all about."
Tears formed in Rarity’s eyes and she led herself collapse into her parent’s embrace. "Oh, mother. I’m so scared for her."
Rarity’s mother patted her head. "There, there. She’ll be alright. No matter what happens, we’re all here for her."
With a sniff, the sobbing unicorn said, "Thank you."
"You’re welcome. Now why don’t you get some rest. We’ve all got a big day tomorrow, finding out what little Sweetie’s mark is and all."
"Alright. That seems best."
"Don’t we always know best?" she said with a wink.
"Yes, I suppose so. Good night, mother. I love you." They hugged.
"And I love you too, dear. Now get some shut-eye."
Rarity slept much more soundly than she had expected. All dark thoughts had been swept away by her mother’s kind words. Her father was most likely asleep too, but the idea of someone following them and ruining their perfect family seemed ridiculous now. The family all drifted off into their separate dreams, expecting to wake up the next morning completely refreshed. The last thing they expected to happen was to be awoken by a-
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
“Huh, who? Wha-?” Rarity muttered as the pounding pulled her from her sleep. “What’s that?”
The pounding continued as the family gathered in front of the door, entirely unsure of what was trying to enter.
“Go away!” Rarity shouted. “Whoever you are, leave us alone!”
With one final BANG, the door caved in and lightning flashed. Standing in the doorway was a giant of a pony, his features hidden by a black cloak. Amidst the screams of the family, he stepped inside, turned, and fit the door back into place.
The sisters’ father threw himself in front of his family and stood on his hind legs in a defensive stance. “You stay away from my family, you- you- ooh!” His back cracked and he fell to the floor.
“Not exactly the best protector o’ yer kin, are ya?” the massive pony asked with a chuckle. He sauntered to the living room couch and fell into the seat with a rumble. He was easily larger than any normal pony the family had ever seen.
At least a full head taller than Big Macintosh, Rarity thought.
"Lovely set-up you’ve got here," the pony said respectfully. "Rather homey." He pulled off his cloak to reveal himself as an Earth pony, dark brown and with a full, wild beard. His cutie mark seemed to be a daisy. "Shame about the door, though. But ya didn’t seem too keen on letting me in."
"Now, see here!" the father said, clutching his back. "You can’t just barge in here and… and…"
"And watch you maim yourself?" the Earth pony asked with a chuckle.
"Hey, now! I’ve just got a bad back is all!"
"And a bad back should be the least of your worries, wouldn't ya say? What with a strange stallion takin' up all the room." He reached down and picked up the father, who remained stiff as a board. He aimed at the fireplace and pulled helpless stallion's tail twice, sending a few puffs of fire from his horn to ignite the kindling. He gently set his makeshift flamethrower down and began to warm his hooves.
"Unbelievable!" the father shouted. "Here I am, useless as a chocolate teapot, and there you are, invading my home and sitting on my couch, Mr. uh..."
"Mister Uh? Well, as charming as that name sounds, perhaps I should introduce myself. Mountain Trail, at your service." The stallion leaned forward in a sad attempt at a bow.
"Mountain Trail?" Rarity said in surprise. "Mounty, is that you?"
"It is indeed, Ms. Rarity."
"You got…"
"Hairier. Yes, I know. Thought the beard might look good on me. You, on the other hoof, look even more beautiful than ever before. But as much as I’d like to catch up and shower you with compliments, I'm afraid I’ve got some business to attend to."
Rarity froze. "You can’t mean-"
"Sweetie Belle!" he shouted with a voice that nearly shook the cottage.
"Yes?" she answered fearfully from behind her mother and sister.
Mountain’s voice took on a more caring tone. “Could you come here, lass?” Sweetie Belle’s father raised his hoof to object, but an intense gaze from Mountain put him back in his place. She came out from behind her parents and approached the unwelcome guest. “I must say, you look like you’ll grow into as splendid a lady as your sister, Ms. Belle,” Mountain said with a bow of his head.
“Why do you want to see me?” she asked.
"Straight to business, I see. I can respect that. Well, I represent an organisation that's taken a special interest in your special talent.”
Sweetie Belle sat and threw her forelegs out. “But I don’t even know what it is!”
Puzzlement took hold of Mountain’s face as he looked at the filly’s parents. “You mean to tell me you haven’t told her?”
“Well, how can we tell her when we don’t even know ourselves!?” the mother exclaimed.
“Right good parents you are,” Mountain muttered under his breath. He gestured for Sweetie Belle to come closer. Intrigued, she obeyed. “Now then, you do know about the Polaris, don’t you?”
“The Sol- what?"
Mountain cocked an eyebrow. "Hold on a moment. You don't know about the Polaris?"
With curiosity creeping into her thoughts, Sweetie simply answered, "No."
He scoffed. "Blimey, Sweetie, didn’t you ever wonder where your sister learned at all?"
"Learned what?"
He leaned forward and said, "You’re a stripper, Sweetie."
Her eyes widened and she recoiled. "I’m a what?"
"A stripper. And a thumpin’ good one, I’d wager, once you’ve been trained up a bit."
She shook her head, hoping what she was hearing wasn’t real. "No. It has to be a mistake. I mean, I can’t be a- a stripper. I mean I’m just a filly. Just a filly."
Mountain chuckled. "Well, ‘just a filly,’ ever make anythin' happen? Some sort of flashy move or flourish when you were takin' clothes off or swingin'?" When she didn’t answer, he huffed and pulled an envelope from his cloak. He handed it to the girl.
Sweetie Belle opened it and read its contents aloud. "’Dear Ms. Sweetie Belle, we are pleased to formally invite you to the Polaris House of Polecraft and Stripteasery.’ Are those even real words?"
"Well, no. I thought the letter could do with a little embellishing. It's simply called the Polaris, but it is a house for exotic entertainment. The kind of entertainment you have a special talent in." He turned his head to the rest of the family. "Oi, shouldn’t any of you be speaking- oh, dear."
The mother screamed as her husband collapsed and convulsed from an infarction. Rarity began to furiously perform chest compressions on the unconscious stallion. His tongue hung out of his mouth and each press produced a gurgling sound. "Come on, father! Hold it together!" she shouted.
"Daddy!" Sweetie Belle screamed as she rushed to her father’s side.
Mountain contorted his face in guilt and gently stepped up to the body. "Pardon me, but I believe I can be of assistance."
"No!" Rarity screamed. "I think you’ve done enough already!"
"Sorry, miss. I wasn’t asking permission." He hefted his hoof and pounded it onto the senseless stallion’s chest.
With a gasp, he awoke and clutched at his heart. "She-" Gasp. "Will-" Gasp. "Not-" Gasp. "Be-" Gasp. "Going." Gasp, gasp, gasp.
Sweetie Belle looked at her older sister with a hurt expression and asked, "So you knew about my talent the whole time and didn’t tell me?"
"Sweetie Belle, please. It was only for your own good."
"You are a stripper!?" their mother shouted.
"Were, mother. Past tense. Those days are behind me."
"Behind you!? For goodness sake, ‘those days’ just gave your father a heart attack!"
"Mother, please-"
"Everyone, shaddup!" her father screamed. "My girl is not goin’ anywhere. I don’t know who you are or how you know my daughters, but I want you out! Now!" He fell back, gasping for breath once again.
"Well, I’m truly sorry for your troubles," Mountain said. "But you can’t change your girl’s special talent. No one can."
"I can’t believe what I’m hearing!" the mother shouted. "I have one girl who was a pole dancer who knows how long ago and another whose destiny it is to be a pole dancer! Where the hell did I go wrong!?"
"Calm down, miss," Mountain said as he backed away. "These things just happen. Your little girl’s cutie mark is simply a reflection of who she is inside. As for your other daughter, it’s not my place to say."
"Look, we can sort this out later," the father declared. "But you need to go and you need to leave my family alone!"
"Hold on, now. This filly’s got a one-in-a-million talent. You should be letting her perfect it rather than just brush it off as worthless. She should be going off to the finest exotic club in the world and should be training under the finest exotic dancer Equestria’s ever seen." He raised his head and said with admiration, "l’Étoile Polaire."
Sweetie’s mother spoke up again. "I will not let some pole-prancing slut teach her to flaunt herself!"
Mountain lowered his head to look her directly in the eye. He spoke low and emphasised each word with a point of his massive hoof. "Never insult l’Étoile Polaire in front of me."
She gulped and backed away from the giant. "E- Even so…"
"Even so, you’d best be thinking about getting your dear husband to a hospital. He looks as though his heart could give out again at any moment."
"I’m fine," he said, lying on his back.
"And I’m dyin’ of hay fever. You need a doctor."
"I’ll take him back," Rarity said as she hefted her father onto her back. "I’ve carried heavy things before. No offense, father."
"None taken," he responded. "Let’s just get out of this gosh-forsaken place."
"I’ll go too," his wife said. "You’ll need your pills. Come on, Sweetie Belle."
"What if…" Sweetie Belle started. "What if I go with Mountain Trail?"
"You can call me Mounty," he whispered with a wink.
"Right. Mounty." She pulled the cloth off her flank and looked upon her cutie mark. "If my special talent really is pole dancing, maybe I should go and find out how to use it. I’ve been wondering for a long time what my talent might be and now that I finally know, I want to make it perfect."
"You’ll do no such thing, young lady," her mother commanded. "You will come with us this instant."
“Mom, now that I’ve got my cutie mark, I’m not just a little filly any more. I’m gonna grow up and my talent’s gonna decide who I am. I need to do this."
Her mother began to sob. "Oh, my little Sweetie Belle. I don’t want you to get hurt."
Rarity shouted from the other side of the room, "What I said!"
"Oh, Sweetie, this talent isn’t something most ponies will respect. Ponies with this talent are most of the time trashy or- or irresponsible or-"
"Stop. Right. There.” Mountain shifted forward and prepared to lecture the protective mare. "A pole dancer is not some cider-indulging whore. A pole dancer is an artist. No different than a ballerina or an opera singer. Your daughter is an artist. No matter what you or anypony else may think, her talent is a craft that takes skill, intense training, and dedication. And if you want her to become the mare she’s destined to be, you’ll let her do this."
She looked at her daughter and saw the longing in her eyes. "I- I- oh, alright."
"What!?" her husband shouted. "Don’t I get a- ooh!" He clutched his chest again and did not continue.
"So where is this stri- er, establishment?"
"In Manehattan," answered Mountain. "Look for the Polaris on Lampe Rouge Lane."
"You’ll take care of her?"
"She’ll be alright. Protecting employees, prospective or otherwise, is in my job description."
Rarity went to her mother’s side, ignoring the flopping stallion on her back. "Mother, you can’t just let her-"
"Rarity, how well do you know this stallion?"
"I- Well, I knew him a few years ago when I worked at Polaris. I can’t deny he’s one of the kindest and most trustworthy ponies I’ve ever known, but letting Sweetie Belle-"
"If you trust him, then I trust him. Let’s go. We’ll see Sweetie Belle once your father’s well again."
"Ugh, alright." Worry showed itself on Rarity’s face as she looked at Sweetie Belle’s new guardian. "Mounty, promise me you’ll keep her safe. Promise me."
"I swear on my life, Rarity," Mountain said as he placed his hoof over his heart. "Not one hair on your sister’s head will be harmed on my watch."
She gave him a peck on the cheek and thanked him. He looked at a watch and said to Sweetie Belle, "Oh, we’re a bit behind schedule. Best be off." He donned his cloak, walked back to the door, and pulled it down. "Unless you’d rather stay, of course."
The filly hesitated for a moment, but wonder and excitement quickly conquered this emotion. Tearfully, she said good-bye to her sister, her mother, and her barely-conscious father. Then she was out the door and ready to embark on a journey unlike anything anypony would ever experience.
Mere seconds after Mountain stepped outside, he quickly came back and left a bag of bits. "Er, sorry about the door."
Then they were gone.