...don't I deserve to live...?

The young white Unicorn packed and repacked her suitcases for probably the fifth time that morning until her mother finally stopped her. "Rarity! Dear! You're only going to be gone for a few weeks, and I'm sure by now you haven't forgotten anything!" She gave her nervous daughter a hug and a peck on the cheek. "Stop fretting, sweetie, and relax! You're going to do just fine in Manehatten!"

But still, Rarity fidgeted in her mother's arms. "But...but...Mom?! What if the fashion designers don't...don't...like me?! OR my designs? I could be ruined before I even begin my career!"

Cookie smiled down at her. "Nonsense! You make some of the most fantastic dresses I have ever laid eyes upon, and I'm not just saying that because I'm your mother!" She gave her a shove. "Now, scoot! The train will be here soon, and you don't want to be late!" She raised her voice. "Hondo! We need some help up here!" Her husband soon appeared, smiled at his oldest, and then grabbed all her suitcases and followed his wife and daughter down the stairs. Their youngest, Sweetie Belle, was waiting by the front door, barely containing her own excitement as she bounced up and down.

"What are you going to do first when you get there?!" she asked. "I wish I was going with you! I always wanted to see the Big City! Be sure to take lots of pictures and write to me every day!" she finished breathlessly.

"Calm down, Sweetie!" laughed her sister as they all made their way out to the taxi. I'll bring you all back lots of souvenirs!" Her father piled her suitcases into the back of the carriage while Rarity gave her mother and sister hugs and kisses and then hugged her Dad. After giving him a peck on the cheek, she climbed into the taxi and waved farewell. "I'll write soon!" she cried as the driver quickly began pulling away.

"Oooo, Mommy! What's that?!" The little filly pointed to a cage where a tiny ball of fluff was peeking out at her. The mare took a few steps towards her daughter to see what had caught her attention and then recoiled once the scent hit her nose. She glared over her shoulder at the shopkeep.

Keeping her voice low, she growled, "How can you be selling one of those...those...things here in a pony city?! Can't you smell it?! It reeks of raw meat!"

The shopkeep forced a smile and answered, "I assure you, Madame, all of our pets are of the highest quality!" He nodded to the cage. "That particular pet's needs are minimal, and you'd only have to tolerate a slight odor in exchange for unconditional affection!" His smile faltered a bit as he read her expression, but he pushed on. "In addition, she's quite inexpensive!" he finished, playing his trump card.

The mare glowered at him for a few seconds, then over her shoulder, she said, "Come along, sweetie; we're going to a better pet store." She narrowed her eyes at him and added, "...one that doesn't sell pets that will pollute our home..."

Once the "customer" and her filly had gone, the shopkeep's wife hissed, "I TOLD you having cats in here was a bad idea!" She spared a look of pure disgust at the cage and added, "I want that thing out of here...NOW! Before our shop has a reputation of being home to...to...meat-eaters!"

The stallion bowed his head. "...yes, dear..." he mumbled and grabbed the white kitten's cage in his magic and headed for the back door. Once outside, he made a beeline for the nearest river...

It wasn't the fanciest hotel in Manehatten, but Rarity didn't mind! Her room still had a breathtaking view of the City, with its many parks, ponds, streams, and other tantalizing vistas! She threw the curtains wide and opened the window, then paused to take a giddy breath of the warm Summer air as she gazed out from her high vantage point. "This City will be mine for the taking, one day!" she mused to herself. Down below, she could see many of the City's residents going about their business: shopping, eating at the cafes, attending the various shops...but all of them needing her hoof at fashion!

She was just turning from the window to start sketching some designs when she suddenly noticed a lone stallion making his way to one of the streams while holding a small cage in his magic. "That's odd," she thought to herself, "I wonder what's in that cage?" She shrugged to herself and was about to close the window, when she heard what sounded like...mewling? She turned back to the window and looked out with a frown...which turned into an expression of horror once she saw him toss the cage into the river! She shrieked and bolted for the door, sped down the hallway to the elevator, then frantically pushed the "call" button. Knowing she had no time, she then turned and slammed the door to the stairway open and rushed down the steps! As she was dashing out of the bellvue, one of the staff yelled, "Is something wrong, Miss Rarity?" but she didn't pause to answer; she only flew past the doors and out into the street.

She had to take a moment to get her bearings, as her room did not face the front of the hotel. She then dashed past the numerous ponies in her way as she sped down the sidewalk and rushed to the park. "Please excuse me...this is an emergency!" she shouted to the various residents as she shouldered her way past them, then was in the clear as she saw the park in front of her. The few she'd had to shove past peppered her with, "Hey! Watch where you're going!" and "What's the matter with you?!" but she had no time for further apologies as she sprinted to the river. The stallion she'd seen was already long gone by the time she reached what she thought was the area, then she frantically scanned the area. There was no sign of the cage nor what might have been inside it as she looked hurriedly left and right up the stream.

Then, she saw bubbles rising from a spot near the banks and concentrated her magic there. She couldn't get a grip on whatever it was, as she could not directly see it, so she hesitated only for a moment...then dived into the water!

"I'm terribly sorry, Miss Rarity, but we do not allow pets in our hotel!"

Bedraggled and soaking wet, with the cage on her back, she gave him her most pleading look and asked, "Oh, please, Sir! Somepony tried to...tried to drown this little thing, and I only need to make sure it's not further harmed!" He frowned and shook his head.

"As I said, I'm very sorry. We have strict rules in this hotel, and we cannot allow an animal such as that to pollute our establishment!" His disapproving frown deepened as he stared her down. "Take it somewhere else, Miss Rarity...the matter is closed..."