I sighed and threw myself onto my couch. It was rather chilly in the boutique. Empty too. Nopony came to get dresses or suits anymore. Partially because I boarded the place up. Hell, nopony even knew I still lived here. I cut myself off entirely from civilization. The power company had long since cut power off, so I only had the few magic spells I knew for light.

I had never felt so alone in all my life. The only time I had came out, was to go watch the ponies involved get their punishments. I didn't bother to stick around after, I just went home to continue my own forced punishment and isolation. Because think about it, I grew up with Applejack and right after we met, her parents died. I met Twilight and years later she dies. I'm cursed. So if I stay away from everypony, no one else will get hurt and die. Everypony stays safe.

At times, I did wonder what was going on outside. I did miss Sweetie Belle but this is for her good as well. I even missed her friend's absolutely destroying the place at times. I know Twilight would tell me I'm insane for thinking shutting myself in is an appropriate response to her death, but she can't say anything anymore unfortunately.

I wonder if Pinkie is still throwing parties. Probably not. Is the apple farm still in business? Does Fluttershy still live in Ponyville? What happened to Rainbow? I'll never know. I remember everything that happened during the day the guards came to Ponyville after the crime.

"Applejack, hold still", I said sternly. "If you move wrong, you'll rip the dress and get hurt yourself. That'll be unproductive for the two of us, dear".

"Fine, but Ahm getting pretty fed up of this", she complained. "Ah love ya like family Rares, but Ah got my own work cut out for me back at the farm".

"And if you get hurt here, you can't do the work at the farm, no matter how stubborn you are".

She sighed and stood still for the rest of the time.

"And we're done, darling", I announced happily.

"Thank the maker", Applejack muttered.

Right at that moment, Sweetie, Applebloom and Scootaloo came crashing into the room.

Applejack jumped and fell, accidentally ripping the dress. I spun around and glared at the fillies.

"Whatever was that for?" I snapped. "You ruined my work!"

"Heh, sorry sis", Sweetie rubbed her head nervously.

"Yall gotta come with us", Applebloom shouted.

"Why?" Applejack questioned her sister.

"There's a bunch of guards flying into Ponyville!" Scootaloo shouted jumping up and down.

"Like a lot", Sweetie cut in.

Me and Applejack looked at each worriedly. Maybe some new threat appeared, that was so dangerous the guards were here to assist us.

At that thought, all of us made our way downtown. After I used my magic to help Applejack out of my ruined dress of course.

By the time we got there, a crowd was dispersing and a pony I didn't know was getting taken away on a stretcher by two paramedic guards. I could see Bon Bon walking carrying a green unicorn on her back into their home and Cheerilee trotting home with a blank expression on her face. And standing in the middle of town, was Cadence and Luna, conversating with a guard. We trotted up and Applejack instantly greeted them and tipped her hat.

"Well, howdy princesses. What brings yall here?"

Both of them looked at us sadly and I had a sinking feeling something was horribly wrong. I hate when I'm right.

"You all should follow us", Luna said solemnly as she headed to the castle. As soon as we entered, we noticed more guards standing with Pinkie, Fluttershy, Spike and Cloudchaser. I really hated that she was here. Because she got my little Spikey. I secretly did love him, but I was too late to tell him. I wonder if he stayed behind with her here in town or if they ran away together. I'll never know.

I know I shouldn't hate her because it was my fault I never confessed my feelings. Hopefully she can make him happy, more so than I ever would have. Out of all of us, Fluttershy surprisingly took the news best. She later told me because she was used to having animals in her care die. Pinkie just deflated like a balloon, Applejack covered her face and me well, I just stood there. I didn't know what to say. My sister and her friends didn't find out till later. We left them to hang out with a new guard who promised to keep them entertained while the princesses talked to us.

A year has a passed or at least I believe it's a year. My calendar is outdated and I've run out of food. I can't go to the market and get more because I'm certain the market ponies will die just because I'm in their vicinity. Looking in my mirror, I take in my look. My once beautiful mane is matted. My eyes have sunken in and I got bags under my eyes. I walk back to my bed and fall backwards. I hope if anyone reads this, they'll knew everything I did to keep ponies safe. From isolating myself to being an Element of Harmony. I believe it's February now? Either way it's very cold in my boutique and there's a bunch of snow piled on the windows and the boards. I honestly don't know if I can keep going on like this. Pulling the blanket over me, I somehow manage to drift to sleep.

Waking up a few days later, I felt different. Refreshed is the only way I could describe it. I finally decided to go out into the world, yanking the boards off. I found the letter i wrote and shredded it up and threw it away. Stepping outside, I could see the snow being cleared away by earth ponies. Instantly, I had a pony jump in my face.

"Rarity!" Pinkie screamed.

I jumped back and fell over, startled.

"Hello darling", I stammer out.

"Come with me!" she screamed and dragged me along despite my protests to Sweet Apple Acres. Within the hour, all my friends Spike and his wife were there.

"Where have ya been sugarcube?" Applejack demanded.

Sighing, I decided to answer all their questions and told my story.

Applejack, looking angry and depressed, just hugged me. "That's the dumbest thing Ahve ever heard. Shutting yourself in ain't the best course of action".

I nodded tearfully and leaned into the embrace.

"All that matters is that you're back now and are safe", Cloudchaser remarked, looking down.

""Enough sad talk! Time for the 'Welcome Back To Society Party, Rarity!" Pinkie screamed. After the party, Cloudchaser pulled me aside.

"I know you don't like me much for marrying Spike", she began. "I'm truly sorry for that. I didn't mean for that to happen".

I sighed. "While I do adore Spike, you two have my full support".

She smiles softly, "thank you. Friends?" She asked hopefully.

I thought for a second and smiled back. "Friends".

She hugged me and I returned the gesture. "Let's get some cake into you, girl", she laughed. "You look like you could use it". I laughed with her and we trotted off to join our friends.

Author's Note

So originally I was gonna kill Rarity off for a bigger plan in a later chapter. But I decided I could keep her alive and still do what I planned.