Wicked Temptation

A bell tinkled as Twilight and Spike entered Carousel Boutique. The interior was just as impressive as ever, with violet drapes hanging along the walls and beautiful outfits strewn on mannequins.

“Doesn’t seem any different,” said Twilight with relief in her voice. “Maybe Rarity’s alright?”

“Check out these dresses,” said Spike, tugging at the hem of a frilly number hanging on a rack. “Looks like they were made for yaks.”

Twilight joined him and investigated for herself. Indeed, there was something different about the outfits on display: while they certainly looked like what Rarity would create, they also looked a lot roomier. Twilight felt like she’d disappear if she tried wearing that dress.

“I’m sure there’s an explanation,” said Twilight. She put a hoof beside her mouth and called out, “Rarity! Are you here?”

“One moment!” they heard from the back. A familiar voice filled with exerted grunting and panting. “Oof… almost there…!”

A lump formed in Twilight’s throat as she watched a huge, dark purple blob wriggling through the doorway to the shop front. It sported a unicorn horn on its forehead, and on top was a familiarly curly mane.

“Rarity…?!” Spike croaked.

“Twilight!” the blob gasped in a familiar voice. “What a delight to see you again!”

Twilight and Spike found themselves rooted to the floor in shock as Rarity awkwardly waddled toward them. Her stomach, sticking out between her elephantine legs, swung side to side like a pendulum. The alicorn found herself nearly smothered in a wall of fat and fluff as Rarity swung her front legs around her.

“And of course I’m happy to see you too, Spike,” she cooed, nuzzling her cherubic cheek against Spike’s face.

Spike could only stare up at the wide glob of mare looming over him. A thick roll of fat hid her neck, and her gigantic flanks sported a trio of blue, spherical gems instead of the usual diamonds.

“I, uh,” he muttered, trying to remain tactful as Twilight often warned him to, “how’ve you been…?”

“Oh, I’ve been wonderful,” said Rarity, her cheeks dimpling from her smile. “Ever since I had such a sudden blast of inspiration.”

“I remember you said you were having creator’s block for a while,” Twilight said, nodding.

“But you’ve probably seen that everypony has become quite… zaftig,” Rarity explained, rolling her thick hoof as she picked out the most polite word. “Far be it from me to judge anypony’s appearance, of course.”

Especially not now, Twilight thought. She could smell cake batter on her friend’s breath as she spoke.

“I looked at those ponies, then at my dresses,” Rarity continued, “and it hit me: plus-size fashion! Ponies shouldn’t be deprived of looking fabulous just because they enjoy a bite to eat, yes? My More to Love line has been a hit locally, and I’ll be launching it across Equestria within the week.”

“That’s wonderful, Rarity,” said Twilight, her hesitation just small enough for the fatty fashionista to not notice. At least she seemed to be in her right frame of mind.

“Oh, speaking of eating,” Rarity went on, “you must try this new cake Pinkie Pie whipped up. It’s simply divine!”

Twilight and Spike watched as a plate sped out from the back, and the alicorn peered at the slice of cake under her nose. The black batter and dark purple frosting sent a chill down her back. That certainly didn’t look like something Pinkie Pie would create.

But it certainly smelled like it. A warm scent of fresh baking and sugar wafted into her nostrils, and she had to swallow a pool of saliva forming in her mouth. She could almost hear it calling to her.

Eat me… eat me…

Her pupils dilated and her mouth snapped shut. She could hear it!

“Thanks but, um, I ate on the train,” Twilight said, politely pushing the plate away.

“Are you sure, darling?” asked Rarity. “You won’t regret just a little taste.”

“I’m sure,” Twilight insisted, taking a step back. “I’ve gotta go check in on the others anyway. I’m a bit behind schedule.”

“Uh, yeah, me too,” Spike agreed, reversing toward the door with her. “I gotta cut down on non-dragon food anyway.”

“Oh well,” said Rarity, before greedily cramming the slice into her mouth with a moan. “Mmff, we musht get the girlsh together shometime in the week.”

“Oh, will do,” said Twilight, she and Spike waving at her before exiting Carousel Boutique.

“What in Celestia’s name happened to her?!” hissed Spike the moment the door closed. “She’d never let herself go like that!”

“She definitely wasn’t self-testing that new fashion line,” said Twilight. “She’s just as fat and purple as everypony else, but what’s weird is she doesn’t seem to notice. In fact, none of them do!”

“It’s gotta be that cake,” said Spike. He peered across the town square, spotting the line to Sugarcube Corner amongst the sea of overly juicy berry whales. “”We’re still not getting to Pinkie anytime soon.”

“At least it means she’s not going anywhere anytime soon,” said Twilight. “For now, we should check on Fluttershy, Applejack and–”

“INCOMING!!” they heard over their heads. The two stumbled back just as yet another purple lump of mare fat slammed onto the ground with a grunt. Her stomach bounced in place before finally settling.

“Rainbow Dash?!” gasped Twilight.