Ravens are a very uncommon type of bird in Equestria. They live in the North, where they care for their children. And sometimes, they might go as far south as Ponyville, which is where our tale here begins.
Rarity was working on some clothes for a fashion show in her boutique when she heard a loud thud from one of her windows. "Huh? What was that?" She walked over to the window and saw a blackbird lying on the ground. "Oh my! Poor thing!" The raven tried to get his wings back up but to no avail. Rarity didn't know what to do. Just then, Pinkiewalked by.
"Rarity! Hello!" greeted Pinkie.
"Hi, darling," replied Rarity. She stood in front of the raven to try and hide him from Pinkie's sight. "Lovely day, isn't it?"
"Sure is," said Pinkie. Then, she noticed something faintly visible behind Rarity. "Hey, umm, what's that?"
"Nothing. Why do you ask?" Rarity answered sheepishly.
"Because I could see it underneath your legs." Pinkie pointed her hoof to the raven.
"This?" said Rarity. "It's just a small decoration I was about to install outside my house!"
Pinkie was puzzled. "Okay? Anyways, I'll see you later?"
"Yep! See ya!" Rarity winced.
"Okay, then. See you later!" Pinkie walked on.
Rarity picked the raven up from the ground and examined him. She knew something wasn't right. "What's a small black bird like you doing here?" said Rarity. The raven started to wail. "Oh, dear!" Rarity gently put her hoof on top of the raven and slowly brushed him. The raven calmed down. "You know, Fluttershy might take care of you. How about we go to her cottage?" And Rarity left the boutique while using her magic on the raven.
A little while later, Rarity arrived at Fluttershy's cottage with the raven still in her magic. "Hello? Fluttershy?" She knocked on the door. But to her surprise, instead of Fluttershy, it was Angel. Angel was confused as to what Rarity was doing here.
"Angel? Is Fluttershy here?" asked Rarity.
Angel shook her head.
"No?" replied Rarity. "Where is she?"
There was a small note just behind the door. Rarity picked it up and read from it.
To whom it may concern,
I will be away from Ponyville for a few days to keep an eye out for some animals for an animal show in Baltimare. I'm sorry if I can't get to you; this is very important.
Sincerely,
Fluttershy
"Great! Just great!" yelled Rarity. "Now I have to look after this dirty raven until Fluttershy gets back! Ugh!" She kicked a pebble and walked back to her boutique in anger. Angel was puzzled.
Rarity opened the door and placed the raven on a table and looked at him very closely. "Hmm... What can I do for you?" She tapped her chin.
The Raven tried to fly again, but failed miserably.
"Whoa! Whoa! Don't do that now! You'll hurt yourself!" Rarity caught the raven when he fell off the table and put him back to the spot. "I'll be right back. But don't do anything until then." She left the room.
Rarity looked at her bookshelf for a guide on how to deal with wild animals, especially the raven, who is usually never seen in this part of Equestria.
"Not that... Oh! Here it is!" She found a book titled "A Guide to Dealing with Wild Animals". She opened the book with her horn. "Let's see..."
The book had all the contents Rarity wanted. Topics such as learning more about ravens, feeding, grooming, and taking care of it were the most important things Rarity had to know about.
"Bugs, cereals, fruit... I think this 'raven' might be in perfect hands!" She closed the book and went back to check on the raven.
Rarity came to see the raven, but to her shock, the raven had messed up some stands around the room.
"What?! How- how did this happen?!" she exclaimed. "You little black bird! You don't know how long it took for me to —" Then she stopped. The raven became sad. Rarity gasped. "Oh no! I'm sorry, little one. I got a little carried away over there. It's just that all my hard work here has been ruined! And now I have to start them all from scratch."
The raven felt pity of her, so with his small little feet, he ran to a piece of art and handed it to Rarity.
"What are you doing?" Rarity picked up the paper. The paper had a small sketch of an outfit, which could fit small animals quite well. "Ah! I see! You want me to make a small outfit for you, right?"
The raven nodded.
"Okay, then! Let's get to work!"
Rarity bought a sewing machine, fabric of different colors, and reference sheets for the raven. She also got some bugs, fruits, and cereals to feed him. She used her magic to sew the pieces of fabric together and poured some glitter down at it. All while giving the raven his food.
"Just like that." Rarity examined the early stage of the outfit and continued working.
After minutes of working and feeding, the small outfit was finished. It sparkled in the light. It glistened and glared. The raven was happy. He walked towards the hanging outfit. Rarity smiled.
"You're liking your new outfit?" asked Rarity. "Go! Try it on!"
Rarity helped the raven put on the outfit. The raven beamed with happiness. He made happy sounds.
"When you're happy, I'm happy," said Rarity. Nothing made her happy than seeing the cute little raven waddle around with its outfit. Then, Rarity heard a knock from outside. "Oop! I'll be right back!"
Rarity came out the door to see Twilight with a family of ravens. "Oh! Twilight! What are you doing here? I thought you were at Baltimare for an animal show?"
"Yes," said Twilight, "but I saw this group of ravens looking for something. So I asked them and found out that they were looking for their lost child. I've assumed you saw one by any chance?"
Rarity gasped. She knew what Twilight was talking about. The raven, whom she was finally starting to begin a friendship with, was a child from a family of ravens.
"Well..." — said Rarity — "I actually have."
"What are you talking about?" asked Twilight.
"I may have kinda kept it in for myself."
Twilight was surprised. "What do you mean 'you kinda kept it for yourself'?"
"I'll be right back." Rarity went back inside to get the raven and show it to Twilight.
Twilight was puzzled than ever. What is going on with this mare?, she thought.
When Rarity came back with the raven, Twilight was surprised.
"Is this it?" asked Rarity.
The other ravens squawked to see Rarity with the raven. That raven also squawked back.
"I think they're having a bonding again," Twilight pointed out. "Look at how happy they are to see each other again!" She and Rarity smiled.
The little raven walked to Rarity.
"What are you doing?" questioned Rarity. "Your family's here."
The raven spread its wings to Rarity.
"I'll miss you too," Rarity frowned.
The raven's family called the raven so that they could all go.
"Goodbye!" Rarity called out to the raven, which also cawed back. And then they flew into the night sky.
Twilight walked over to Rarity. "I know how hard it is to lose a friend, but be thankful you've got to spend time with them."
"You're right, Twilight," agreed Rarity. "I did spend it to its fullest."
"How about we go out to see Fluttershy at her animal show or whatever it is?" suggested Twilight.
"Yeah, maybe it's a good idea."
And so, Twilight and Rarity walked to the train headed for Baltimare to see Fluttershy, while the ravens flew from up above.
Author's Note
Raven info found here.
The reason I've released this early on a Friday instead of a Saturday is because the series will be going on hiatus after this so that I could write my next double-length fic, which is yet to be named for the time being. But the next episode is still being worked on, just not coming next week. Unless otherwise.
