The Final Test

Rarity watched as the sun rose over the east horizon and felt the train tremble as it drove across the tracks. Everypony else was sleeping, twitching slightly in their dreams. Big Mac snored softly.

Rarity sat in her own area, no pony sitting next to her or across from her. She doubted anypony wanted to, and she quite honestly preferred it this way.

The crusaders were all piled together on one seat, piled on top of each other like a group of meerkats, with Big Mac across from them. Zephyr was draped over the larger stallion's back like a thin blanket and his wings flopped limply at his sides.

Rarity rested her head on the window and allowed her eyes to flutter closed. She hadn't slept well. She was unused to sleeping on a train, and her mind had been too occupied thinking of how to perform their revenge.

A large shake rumbled through the train, making Rarity bang her head hard against the window. She winced and sat up, rubbing her head. She heard Apple Bloom groan. She looked over at the earth pony, who was at the bottom of the pile. She rubbed her eyes and lifted her head as much as she could, which wasn't much seeing as she was weighed down by her friends. Zephyr was stirring, too. He pushed a stray hair from his face and blinked drowsily.

"That was a pretty violent jerk," he murmured, yawning.

"It's too early to be up," Apple Bloom sighed, laying her head back down.

Scootaloo, who was woken up by the sound of the others' voices, looked out the window on their side. She yawned and fluttered down from the top of the pile, landing firmly on the ground. "It seems like just the right time to get up," she said. "We're almost to the station."

Scootaloo roughly shook Sweetie Belle. When the unicorn didn't wake up, Apple Bloom huffed and threw her off her back. Sweetie Belle yelped at the sudden movement and landed on the ground with a hard thud.

"Ow!" she whined.

Zephyr gently prodded Big Mac in the side and murmured his name. "Wake up," he whispered. "Big Mac, we're almost there."

Apple Bloom sat up and fixed her bow. "He's a heavy sleeper," she told the pegasus. "He's worse than Sweetie."

"You didn't have to throw me," Rarity's sister grumbled, getting to her hooves.

"You didn't wake up when Scootaloo shook you," Apple Bloom said with a simple shrug.

Sweetie Belle shot her friend a look. Zephyr prodded Big Mac a little rougher than he had before. "Big Mac," he said loudly.

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes, then galloped toward her brother and slammed her head into his side. The stallion grunted and opened his eyes a little. "Mmph?"

"We're approaching the train station," Apple Bloom announced dramatically, holding a hoof to her chest.

Big Mac sighed and sat up, causing Zephyr to slide off of his back. As he woke, a pony came in with a cart full of food and drinks. The unicorn pony smiled at them.

"Good to see you're all awake," he said. "You have just enough time to eat before you get to your destination."

He started with the crusaders, then Big Mac, then Zephyr. Finally, he came over to Rarity. He levitated a pastry with his magic and presented it to her. "Cinnamon roll?" he offered.

"Just a tea for me, please," Rarity said politely, shaking her head. The unicorn nodded with a smile and set the pastry back on the cart, then gave her a cup of warm tea. Rarity smiled gratefully at him and took the cup.

"Just holler if you folks need anything," the unicorn said before he wheeled his cart away and disappeared through a door.

"These are really good," Sweetie Belle said happily as she bit into a muffin.

"We make better on the farm," Apple Bloom grumbled around a mouthful of her own breakfast. "Applejack used to make the best apple muffins and apple pies known to Equestria, she was almost as good at baking as Pinkie."

Two bitter glances were given to Rarity by Big Mac and Apple Bloom. Rarity swallowed her anger.

I didn't kill her!

She looked at them calmly, then took a sip from her tea.

"I hate Starlight," Scootaloo grumbled angrily, glaring out the window. "I can't wait to give her what she deserves. I'm going to make her regret ever being born."

"Me too," Apple Bloom announced, stomping her hoof.

"We'll do just that and more," Sweetie Belle promised, holding her head high.

The train suddenly jolted and stopped. Rarity yelped and some tea spilled out of her cup onto the train floor.

The unicorn from before poked his head in and smiled nervously. "So, looks like I misjudged the amount of time you had left," he said, rubbing the back of his head.

Rarity sighed and set her tea down. "It's alright, darling."

"A bit of a warning before the train stops would be appreciated next time, though," Apple Bloom huffed.

The train pony just gave an awkward, toothy grin, then spoke. "Well, uh, welcome to the rock farm?"

Rarity hopped off her seat. She followed behind the others, nodding her head in farewell to the train pony. Big Mac and Zephyr were in the lead, guiding them to the cottage where the Pie family lived. Rarity stayed a few hoofsteps behind the rest of the group, giving them their respective space.

Once they were a couple yards away from the train, Sweetie Belle looked back at Rarity. She fell behind her friends to wake along beside her.

"You know, I don't forgive you for keeping the secret or what you did to the others," Sweetie Belle admitted, "but I... I am happy you survived."

Rarity blinked in surprise. "You are?" she blurted.

"Of course I am," Sweetie replied, nuzzling Rarity's shoulder. "No matter what, I still love you. You're my big sister, I don't know what I would do without you."

Rarity felt her eyes water. She smiled and rested her chin on her sister's head. "Thank you, Sweetie. That means a lot."

Sweetie Belle pulled away, looking her older sister in her eyes. "They won't admit it, but it also means a lot to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo that you're going through all these to avenge their sisters," she said. "They're bitter, but they appreciate it."

"Did they tell you that?" Rarity asked.

"In their own way," Sweetie Belle replied. "That, and it's sort of obvious."

Rarity chuckled. Sweetie Belle stayed by her side as they walked over to the cottage. They found the Pie family working outside, carting around rocks and such. A brown stallion and gray mare stood close together, murmuring to each other. The three other mares seemed anxious, even Maud, who hardly showed emotions.

"Pinkie's family," Scootaloo breathed.

"They all seem so... depressing," Sweetie Belle said, wrinkling her nose.

"This is where little pink came from?" Zephyr asked. "Sheesh."

Big Mac picked up his pace and trotted over to the family. The five ponies looked up. They seemed confused at first when they saw the three unfamiliar ponies, then relaxed when they noticed Big Mac, Apple Bloom, and Rarity. All of them except a light gray mare with a straight mane.

The group walked over to the stallion and mare. The three other mares came over to stand with them as the ponies arrived.

"We weren't expecting visitors," Cloudy Quartz, Pinkie's mother, said curiously. Her eyes settled on Rarity, who grew a little self-conscious of her messy mane.

"Hi Rarity," Maud greeted dully. "Hello Big McIntosh and Apple Bloom."

Big Mac glanced over at the light gray pony, who was still tense. She glared at him in return. Big Mac looked away uncomfortably. Rarity cleared her throat.

"Uh, we're sorry to suddenly intrude, but we need to talk to you."

"Who are these ponies?" an opal-ish gray mare demanded, stepping in front of her family.

"You obviously know Apple Bloom and Big Mac," Rarity began, which earned her an angry huff from the light gray mare. "That tall pegasus is Zephyr Breeze, Fluttershy's brother. The little pegasus is Scootaloo."

"I was Rainbow Dash's apprentice," Scootaloo interjected proudly.

"They had a very close relationship," Rarity told the Pies. "This here is my sister, Sweetie Belle.

Apple Bloom smiled at her friends and pointed to the stallion and mare. "These are Pinkie's parents, Igneous Rock Pie and Cloudy Quartz. These three are their daughters and Pinkie's sisters, Maud Pie, Marble Pie, and Limestone Pie."

"Why are you here?" Marble demanded, though her aggressiveness was mainly directed toward Big Mac.

"Like Rarity said," Big Mac responded gruffly. "We need to talk to you."

"Is everything okay?" Igneous asked.

Rarity hesitated before looking at her friend's father. "Have you heard about Pinkie Pie?"

"Of course we have," Limestone snapped.

"We've been worried sick," Maud said, holding a hoof in front of her irritated sister. "We wanted to come to Ponyville to help participate in the search, but we haven't been able to afford the tickets to go." It was odd to hear such words of concern from a pony with such lack of emotion.

"We've needed the little money we've collected to help keep our family going," Igneous Rock explained. "Despite how worried we are, we must supply for the farm."

Rarity scratched the back of her ear nervously. "Well, uhm, that's actually what we're here to talk to you about." The five Pies stared at her intently. Rarity took this as the go ahead and told the story about Starlight and Pinkie's death. "She fought hard," Rarity finished. "For herself and her friends."

Marble backed away a little, her eyes wide and watery. "Pinkie's... dead?"

Suddenly the other four Pies broke out in a fit of rage and grief.

"That heathen!" Cloudy screeched.

"I'm going to rip her apart!" Limestone shrieked. "She thinks she can take Pinkamena away and get away with it? Well she's mistaken! I'll make a gas so much worse, so bad that if she even dares to breathe she'll die!"

"I think we found our sister," Sweetie Belle whispered. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo nodded in agreement.

"That's precisely why we're here," Rarity went on. "To gather ponies to help us do just that."

"Rarity is gathering the siblings of her friends to help get revenge on Starlight," Zephyr explained.

"Are thou sure that's a good idea?" Igneous Rock asked uncertainly. "We cannot lose another daughter."

"Starlight will be no match against us," Rarity promised. "Especially once we get the princesses."

Cloudy Quartz perked up in confusion, but before she could question them Limestone leaped forward eagerly. "I want to help!" she announced. "I have so many ideas. She won't get away with killing my sister."

"Limestone," Cloudy scolded. "Have thou forgotten the whole reason why we've never been able to participate in the search for Pinkamena? We lack the required currency to travel."

"That's no problem at all, dear," Rarity reassured Cloudy. "I have enough bits to cover tickets for every pony here to travel across Equestria five times. It's no bother for me to handle Limestone's ticket."

"See?" Limestone said, turning to her mother.

"Limestone!" Cloudy reproached. "Thou know better to take advantage of thy's generosity!"

"It's alright," Rarity chuckled. "I'm the element of generosity, after all."

Limestone smiled smugly at her mother. Igneous Rock still looked uncertain.

"I do not know, Limestone. If a pony is that powerful, perhaps we shall just leave it to them."

"No!" Limestone spat. "I'm getting revenge for my sister." She narrowed her eyes at her family. "Do none of you want to avenge Pinkie?"

"I do," Marble offered. "But there's... obvious reasons as to why I won't." She shot a look at Big Mac, who glared right back.

"I do too," Maud piped in.

"I'm not allowing two of my daughters run off into danger!" Igneous yelled. "I'm hardly sure about letting Limestone leave."

Limestone turned to look at him, clearly frustrated. "Papa, I'm a full-grown mare. I can make my own decisions and go off as I please. Just because I live with you does not mean you can control me. I'm going."

Igneous shifted his hooves anxiously. The stallion opened and closed his mouth, then turned his head away. Cloudy patted his shoulder. Maud glanced at them, then leaned close to Limestone.

"I'll stay here to take some stress off of them," she whispered. "Me and Marble. You go."

Limestone wrinkled her nose. "Are you sure you don't want to come, too?"

Maud shook her head. "I can't. Think about Mama and Papa. They'll be grieving and worried about you. They need somepony here for support. Seriously, go. Avenge our sister."

Limestone glanced back at Marble, who nodded encouragingly. Limestone sighed and hugged Maud. "Thank you both. I'll tell you everything when I get home."

"What if something happens to you?" Maud asked, sounding oddly calm despite the anxious question. "How will we know?"

"A letter," Rarity blurted. "Somepony will send a letter. If something does happen, Starlight won't be able to get all of us."

"Yeah!" Sweetie Belle agreed. "Especially the princesses."

Limestone smiled at Maud. "A letter," she repeated. "But I'll be fine. I won't die until my hooves are covered in Starlight's blood." The earth pony looked at her parents. "Goodbye Mama, goodbye Papa. I'll come home, one way or another. I promise. Take care of Holder's Boulder for me."

Limestone waited a moment for a response. When none came, she nodded her head at the others and trotted off toward the train. The rest of the group followed behind her.

Rarity looked at Maud and lowered her voice. "I'll do everything I can, I promise. I may not have been able to save one of your sisters, but I will save her."

The Crystal Empire was bigger than Rarity remembered. Perhaps it was because it had been a bit of time since she'd last visited Canterlot. The group was led by guards to the throne room. Rarity was in the lead, following quietly with Limestone at her side. She was the only pony who didn't deem her guilty.

Yet.

The guards stopped in front of a set of doors and stepped aside. One guard on either side of the doors pushed them open, allowing the group of vengeful ponies in.

Rarity began walking inside, then froze and grew stiff.

Princess Cadance, Shining Armor, and the teenage princess, Flurry Heart, were all in the room.

And so were Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

"How convenient," Apple Bloom said, leaning forward so her head was by Rarity's. "Saves us a trip."

Rarity swallowed. She forced her shaky hooves to move her forward. All eyes of the royal ponies moved to her. Cadance perked up. "Rarity! It's been a little while since I last saw you."

Rarity led her group down the long carpet that led to Princess Cadance's throne. Since Rarity's last visit, another throne had been added. It was only a little smaller than Cadance's, and crystal clouds adorned the bottom.

“You’re all here,” Rarity murmured.

“We were gathering for some tea,” Princess Luna replied. “After all that’s been happening, a day away from all the grief is good for us. Princesses need breaks too, after all.”

Flurry Heart blinked at them, then looked at her father. "Isn't that one of Aunt Twilight's friends?" she asked quietly, glancing at Rarity. Shining Armor simply nodded in response.

There was a fluttering sound outside, then a flash of green and purple tumbled in. The newcomer righted himself clumsily and fluttered his wings nervously. "Sorry, Your Majesties. Am I late?"

"Spike!" Rarity cried. She couldn't stop herself from running as fast as her hooves would let her toward her old friend. She threw her hooves around him and held him tight, unable to stop the tears from flowing down her face. "Oh, Spike," she sobbed. "I'm so sorry."

"Rares?" Spike pulled away from her, his expression betraying his confusion and concern. His talons were on her shoulders. "Whoa, whoa. You're a mess. Your mane... What's going on? What are you sorry for?"

"I should have told you the truth!" Rarity wailed, placing her head in her hooves. "I should have been honest from the start. I should've been honest with everypony. I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. I didn't want to do any of it. None of it. But she didn't give me or any of us a choice. I wouldn't have if I had had a choice! And I shouldn't have been so selfish. I should've tried to save my friends instead of my own flank!"

She didn't hear the hooves hurrying up behind her, and she jumped when somepony placed the hoof on her shoulder.

"Rarity, breathe," Sweetie Belle said quietly. "Calm down."

"What's going on?" Shining Armor demanded, stomping toward them. Only moments later was he pulled back by yellow magic. Princess Celestia stepped forward, her horn lit up. Her voice was kinder as she stopped by Rarity's side. "Is everything okay?" she asked kindly.

Before Rarity could answer, Apple Bloom interrupted. "No, it ain't okay!" she snapped angrily, stamping a hoof. "It's the furthest thing from okay! Starlight Glimmer killed everypony except Rarity, that damn bastard killed my sister!"

Zephyr Breeze swung an accusing hoof toward Rarity that made her wince. "And she helped."

Everypony looked at her. Rarity hiccupped and turned her head away guiltily.

"Rarity, what are they talking about?"

"Sister, please." Celestia's voice was sweet, especially compared to Luna's harsh tone. The older princess put a hoof under Rarity's chin and turned her head to face her. Rarity couldn't help but be embarrassed. She was a mess, and she was talking to the pony of the highest power in all of Equestria. She suddenly grew more aware of her messy and frizzy mane. It wasn't neatly curled like it usually was, but instead loosely hung on the side of her head. "Tell us what happened."

"And we mean everything," Shining Armor spat.

"Rarity doesn't want to tell the whole story until we get everypony," Sweetie Belle said defensively.

"Who is there left to get?" Twilight's brother hissed.

"Sunburst-"

"No," Rarity sniffled, holding up a hoof to silence her sister. "It's fine, Sweetie. I'll tell them."

Limestone nodded and glared at the others. "Do her a favor; make this easier and don't interrupt her."

Princess Celestia backed away from Rarity to give her space, and Spike did the same. Rarity sat down and took a deep breath. She looked at all the ponies watching her, waiting to hear the full truth.

Just tell them.

"Alright," she began, then launched into the story.

"Why wouldn't you tell anypony?!" Spike cried. "i thought there was still hope that Twilight was alive! You liar! You've known all along!"

"You helped kill my sister!" Shing Armor screeched. Princess Celestia trapped him in her magic again before he could launch at her.

"I know what I did was wrong," Rarity said guiltily. "I'm not saying it's not, and I'll never forgive myself. But I'm going to tell you the same thing I told the others; I'm not looking for forgiveness, I'm looking for help." She looked to Shining Armor. "That's why I came to you."

The white stallion narrowed his gaze. "I'll help you," he said after a moment. "But after, you-"

"I'm leaving my fate up to the princesses after," Rarity promised, looking at Celestia and Luna. The two looked... sympathetic.

What makes them think I deserve smypathy?

Shining Armor looked at the princesses, almost pleadingly. Princess Cadance didn't let them speak, though.

"Excuse me? What kind of plan is this?" She looked at Rarity, who shied away from her look, expecting criticism. "This plan says nothing about me helping."

"Or me!" Flurry Heart announced.

Rarity blinked in surprise. "I- Well, of course you can help. All ponies willing to step in are appreciated. But who will rule the empire?"

"Let me figure that out," Cadance said reassuringly.

"You should stay here for a couple nights," Princess Celestia announced. "We all should. We need to get used to working with each other."

"I feel like that's targeted," Shining Armor said, looking at Rarity.

Princess Celestia shook her head. "Shining Armor, the way I see it, Rarity is next to innocent. While I don't approve of what she did to Fluttershy, she cannot be blamed for what happened to everypony else. That was all Starlight's fault."

"But-"

"I'm not telling you to see it the way I do," the princess interrupted. "I'm simply telling you how I look at the situation."

"She couldn't have said it better," Luna said, nodding at her sister.

"Agreed," Cadance stepped in. "And on top of that, she's gone out of her way to arrange this whole thing."

"I'm not allowing such a sick pony to roam free," Luna agreed while Celestia nodded.

Flurry Heart stepped forward regally. "As the princess of harmony, I am all for the idea of discarding Starlight. She goes against what I am ruling for."

"She's still guilty of lying to us," Scootaloo huffed.

Princess Celestia sighed. "Oh, if only Twilight were here." Her eyes clouded over with grief. "She would be able to help."

"I don't see how good she'd be," Zephyr huffed under his breath. "She was Starlight Glimmer's teacher, and now look where we are."

His words earned him an angry stomp on his hoof from Rarity. He yelped and tried pulling away. Rarity held her ground for a few moments before letting him go. "Don't speak of my friends in such a way," she growled.

Zephyr rubbed his hoof, glaring at her.

"Now hold on a damn minute," Apple Bloom said. "We can't rest. At least not right now. We still got two more things to do."

"That's right!" Scootaloo chimed. "Starting with getting Sunburst."