How had she come to be here? The Everfree forest had long been one of the places she refused to enter unless the need was dire. The dark trees and dangerous creatures that lurked among them offered no invitation of beckoning. But the shimmering lake spread out before Rarity, reflecting the pale rays of Luna's moon shining through gaps in the layer of clouds above, bore a stark contrast to the expected horrors of the stories often told of the place she was now lost within.
Among the feelings resounding through her head, "lost" was somehow not among them. The path she'd hewn through the brush as her legs had carried her desperately forward was easy enough to locate, but its destination was longer an option for the white unicorn; Ponyville ceased to hold its welcoming sway over the mare for the moment. At first, she decided this fact was due to the copious amounts of dirt and leaves that now coated her body after fleeing through the foliage, but something else in Rarity's mind whispered doubts towards such an obvious conclusion. Unable to explain why her usual logic suddenly seemed flawed, Rarity ignored the feeling and approached the water's edge to become at least somewhat presentable before returning home.
Failing to notice the peculiar absence of any terror regarding the filth coating her fur, she paused as her hoof descended into the cool water on the lakeshore. A warm breeze had begun to send ripples across the glassy surface of the lake, blurring the almost perfect rendition of the world captured in its depths. Rarity deemed this a blessing because her certainly hideous reflection would not offend her eyes before being washed away by the tides she would soon enter, but something about her obscured image bothered her immensely and she couldn't help but lean closer to make out the source of her unease.
From what she could tell, her coat was indeed befouled by all manner of mud and dirt, but her mane was miraculously as pristine as ever. The windblown lake had forced Rarity to bow her head within inches of the surface, but no part of her face had yet disturbed the water. So...why had her eyes grown so wet?
***
"Rarity, you're lucky that you were so unbelievably convincing until now, because there is no way I'm letting you back down after coming this far."
Rainbow Dash made to put her hoof on the unicorn's shoulder who was attempting to hide her face with her own. There was still a thick curtain shielding them from view, but Spike's booming voice had begun its crescendo towards the inevitable reveal. Hoity Toity waited eagerly in the audience as all of Ponyville prepared for what was sure to be another amazing display of fashion from the mare they had trouble believing was not currently living among the Canterlot elite. Toity was especially troubled by this reality and was fully prepared to whisk the talented fashionista away from this place to fulfill all of her dreams after the show's inevitable success. His confidence was, however, was not emulated by the unicorn behind the curtain.
Despite attempting to hide herself from the shame that was sure to come, Rarity sensed Rainbow Dash's intention and shot out her own hoof the halt the pegasus's. Dash smiled, and then spoke soothingly to the shaking white mare. "If me not tearing this dress is still so important to you Rarity, then you haven't given up, and I intend to keep it that way during these last few moments where we're still together." She hadn't meant to phrase the last part of her encouragement that way, but Rarity failed to notice her face redden in the dark shadow of the curtain.
Rainbow had long admired Rarity's talent with fashion, but was too afraid to admit such an embarrassing truth while acting like the cool, aloof pegasus that everypony was so familiar with. When Rarity first showed the group their dresses for the gala, Rainbow had been blown away at their beauty, but as her friends expressed disappointment, Dash instantly shoved her true feelings of wonder aside so as to not be singled out. Later that day, while Rarity was attempting to satisfy everypony's specific taste's, Rainbow Dash wanted nothing more than to tell the troubled unicorn that her dress was everything she secretly hoped for. She wanted to answer her friend's questions with "Every dress you make is flawless to me, so what am I supposed to say?" but instead struggled to think of ways to improve the already perfect outfit.
As Rarity had grown increasingly agitated by the imminent disaster of what would be Hoity Toity's first glimpse of her designs, Dash had nearly fallen apart as her element of loyalty compelled her to come clean with the miserable mare. She had made a solemn oath that night to put her friends ahead of her pride and insecurity from then on. Eventually, the others realized what Rainbow had known all along and apologized to Rarity for the grief they caused her. Dash's apology had been especially difficult because she knew she could have eased her friend's anxiety at least somewhat. Pure cowardice had held her back, and Rainbow resolved to hide no more.
Rainbow Dash had also been especially happy when Hoity Toity gave Rarity a second chance and was stunned by her original masterpieces. She felt the guilt lifted off of her shoulders as Rarity's fashion career became Toity's top priority, a fact evident by the showcase being held at the moment specially for Rarity. Tonight was sure to be her last fashion show in humble old Ponyville, and Dash knew that whatever doubt's the white unicorn allowed to plague herself at the last minute, her faith in her abilities would carry her through, and if not, Rainbow had her back.
And yet, it troubled Rainbow at first as she had felt a strong surge of amazement towards her dress when nopony else seemed to elicit a similar reaction. All the others had wished to see their individual personalities more accurately exhibited by their outfits, but Rainbow perceived a beauty in her dress that belittled all else. She could see Rarity's heart woven into the fabric that had doubtlessly taken many hours to assemble into the stunning dress that Dash could not wait to run through her hooves. Rarity probably poured so much of herself into all the dresses she had made for her friends that day, but apparently only Rainbow truly recognized this fact.
It wasn't just the dress that so captivated the cyan pegasus's thoughts; everything about Rarity seemed to exhilarate her nearly beyond her control, and hiding these strange feelings became an almost overwhelming task whenever somepony was watching. When Rarity asked Rainbow to be the star of what was probably the most important event of her career, Dash had snapped. All control over herself vanished and her wings, which always grew anxious while in the unicorn's presence, had shot out to their full extent. Rarity's mouth had fallen open in shock as Rainbow immediately darted into the air a ways and circled back, explaining in what she had hoped was a convincing tone that she could have sworn the Wonderbolts had just flown by when instead the sun must have fooled her. Appearing to believe the story, Rarity had then made her request once more and proceeded to eye the pegasus suspiciously as Dash immediately accepted while her wings refused to sit still.
Rarity now held Rainbow's hoof in her own, and she could not bring herself to look up into her friend's eyes with her own tear-filled ones. The white unicorn had never felt more ashamed in her life as Rainbow genuinely believed everything would be okay. It was the pegasus's lack of any taste in fashion that had made her the perfect model for this "special" show. Rarity had also made sure that none of her other friend's saw Rainbow in her "new" dress, which was really just the one she had worn for that disaster of a display Hoity Toity had first witnessed. She knew that Dash would not question her decision to give the failure of an outfit a second chance with the very pony who had openly criticized it. In only a few short moments, the cyan pegasus would stride boldly onto the stage and expect the audience to be amazed as they always were by her designs and it would all be over.
Hoity Toity had requested a simple show of Rarity's finest work. He wanted a brief display consisting of a single model to reaffirm his high opinion of her talent. Toity had promised her that should she succeed as usual, then he would whisk her away to Canterlot to begin her destined rise to the top of the fashion world by his side. And yet here she was, choosing to stare at the floor through glassy eyes rather than behold the rainbow mare who hadn't once asked why she hadn't chosen Fluttershy, who didn't think for a second that anypony would laugh at the way she currently looked, and who would never suspect for a single moment that she was selfishly being used by one of her best friends.
The truth was...Rarity didn't want to amaze the crowd on the other side of the curtain, least of all Hoity Toity, because while she enjoyed making dresses, she couldn't stand the majority of the snobs who judged them. Rarity had already decided that Ponyville was her true home, and that her friends were the most important things in her life. This subconscious decision, however, was one she absolutely could not face. She had lived with a single dream all her life, and her friends had grown to love her as the ambitious unicorn who longed for a higher status in life. She knew that they all wanted her to be happy, but they had no idea what that happiness was. Nopony knew her true feelings, so how could she know if anypony would want to?
This internal turmoil drove her to the extreme, causing her to continue hiding the way she felt to the point where she would use and humiliate one of her best friends to selfishly maintain their impression of her. Still blushing at her accidental show of passion, Rainbow Dash continued to speak while Rarity tried not to listen. "Just think, Rarity, you've never failed to wow a crowd before. You know you got this! If you'd thought for one second before tonight that there was some flaw in your design, then you would have worked tirelessly to fix the mistake." The white unicorn kept her eyes on the ground as she slowly lost control, tears flowing down her face. Dash pressed on regardless, knowing that her friend needed to hear this. "The mere fact that we are here on this stage is proof that there is no chance that what you have created is anything but perfection. Underneath whatever doubts these are that have you so upset, you know that when I walk through that curtain, all your dreams are going come true." Rainbow knew she was starting to sound cliche, but she doubted the distraught mare would mind.
Rarity's thoughts were reeling from the unintended blows Dash's words were inflicting. How could she have such confidence in me. I know she can hardly tell what good fashion is, but nopony can be this sure of somepony else. She must be trying to encourage me because she thinks I'm afraid of embarrassment, yet...I've heard Rainbow try to exaggerate many times, and she never carries such weight in her words except when stroking her own ego. Her tone is one not of flattery, but...admiration? The unicorn gradually raised her violet eyes to look into the pegasus's magenta ones. She's not admiring my fashion, she's admiring--.
The confused mare's dawning realization was interrupted by Rainbow Dash's sudden loss of confidence as hesitantly continued speaking. "This will probably be our last moment alone together for a very long time so...so I want you to remember something while you're becoming the star of Canterlot. Fancy clothes--yours more than anypony else's--definitely make you look stunning, but I will always remember the way you were around your friends here in Ponyville and...around me. No dress will ever be more beautiful than the real you, Rarity."
Any hope of maintaining her composure vanished as the bleary-eyed unicorn managed one final coherent thought. She could care less if my dresses look good...as long as they remind her of me.
Rarity's horn began to glow softly as Rainbow's wings pressed against the confines or her heavy dress. Dash stepped closer to the unicorn as they stared ,transfixed, into each other's eyes; she spoke in a soft tone that was barely more than a whisper. Also, while you're out there in the world, I'd like you to always remember me the same way, but...nopony knows the real me, and I want more than anything for you to be the first."
No further sound came from the pegasus's lips, but her mouth remained open slightly as she gently shut her eyes...and began to close the now short distance between the two of them. Rarity found the tirade of thoughts preventing her from thinking clearly become overwhelmed by a sudden passion for the mare whose lips were mere centimeters away from hers, and coming closer. She felt her own eyes begin to close, but before they could, she noticed, without understanding at first, that the sliver of light underneath the curtain...was growing in size.
Epilogue/Author's Message
(Author's Note) I began writing Part 2 before I came to realize that my story's framework was falling apart. The characters' motives and traits were simply conflicting with their show-designated characteristics; while I strongly believe in fan interpretation of hidden personalities within the FiM characters, I was pushing it too far. I was, at the time, a relatively young brony (meaning I had been exposed to the show only a short time prior to writing). I have grown a lot since, and I will move on to different stories and projects. So, before I say goodbye to this first story of mine, I will publish the beginning of Part 2 (it the only part I wrote after Part 1) and reveal, through summary, the plans I had for the rest of the story's plot. I am really just honoring my efforts up to this point by doing this; this story will fade away to nothing more than a reminder of how I once was and how much I have learned since.
Part 2:
It was as if Rarity was racing against fate, her eyes trying to close before the light beyond the curtain could grow noticeably, but destiny seemed to proceed regardless of the desires the white unicorn was realizing for the first time. Rarity's eyes shot open and her glowing horn flashed brightly as Rainbow Dash found herself launched backwards through the still-raising curtain. Despite most of the magical light encountering the thick fabric, just enough persisted through to the audience to dazzle them momentarily, giving Rainbow just enough time to recover from the unexpected repulsion before turning to face the viewers, including a small silver-haired stallion in the front row.
The designer sunglasses that Hoity Toity frequently wore allowed him briefly witness the position both mares were in before the magical outburst. He may not have been squinting and rubbing his eyes like everypony else, but he was stunned nonetheless. Toity knew good fashion when he saw it, but there were other motives for his planned endorsement of Rarity. His fantasies were shattered by that fleeting glimpse of the two mares, rendering him temporarily oblivious to the confusion emanating from the crowd as they beheld the ridiculous outfit.
"That can't be one of Rarity's designs!"
"Wait, it is! I remember seeing that dress at the last show Hoity Toity attended."
"Didn't she learn from that humiliating lecture he gave?"
Dash simply had no time to contemplate what had just happened between her and Rarity as she was startled to hear disapproving whispers among the audience. The murmurs slowly grew into loud criticisms as it became clear the show wasn't some kind of joke. Dash, not knowing the first thing about fashion, still grew furious as the crowd continued to insult the dress and, by extension, insult Rarity. Rainbow gritted her teeth and controlled herself, for her friend's sake, when Toity's amazement transformed into jealous rage towards the cyan pegasus.
The enraged stallion shouted above the condescending voices, his words dripping with a malice that surprised everypony. "Has that white foal gone bucking insane! I'd never have thought somepony as refined as Rarity would ever stoop so unbelievably low! That disgusting fillyfoo--" Hoity Toity found his tirade cut short as a seven-colored blur knocked him flat on his back. Rainbow Dash stood over the dazed stallion and screamed at him, her eyes ablaze with a furious energy the likes of which a even sonic rainboom could never ignite. "You say another bucking word and I'm gonna take those broken glasses and jam them up your broken nose!"
The crowd was completely silent as Rainbow Dash addressed the ponies staring at her. Dash's wings had ripped through her dress and were now flaring menacingly as she continued to shout. "I don't know a bucking thing about fashion, but no dress Rarity has or ever could make deserves to be criticized by the likes of you ponies! You care nothing for her when all she ever cares about is everypony but herself."
Rarity had used the flash of her magic to quickly retreat further backstage, and was about to run when her friends words rang in her ears, particularly the part about caring for others. In an instant, she realized that even if Rainbow had been able to tell that her dress was horrible, she would have still gone out on the stage and defended her. Just as she was doing now. Dash was always loyal to her friends, exactly as her element signified. Her own element, on the other hand, was nowhere near accurate . She had willingly manipulated Rainbow Dash into humiliating herself just to have an excuse to stay in Ponyville. She had been about to kiss the blue mare whose feelings were based on a selfish lie. And she was the reason Rainbow was now standing over Hoity Toity, whose face was now covered in blood from his twisted nose, shouting praise for her at the top of her voice.
As these thoughts raced through her mind, she noticed Rainbow Dash turn to head back to the stage, the crowd silently parting before her. All activity in the still reeling mind of the white unicorn focused immediately on being anywhere but her current location. Without any time for second thoughts, Rarity ran from the scene faster than she had ever moved before in her life.
As Rainbow Dash made her way back to the stage, she thought about what she would say to her friend. A whirlwind of scenarios played out in her anxious mind. She thought of reassuring Rarity that the opinions of those snobs were worth nothing since they obviously didn't know beauty when it was right in front of them. She thought of apologizing for ruining the show by losing control. She also thought of apologizing for trying to kiss her when she was obviously on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
This last thought made Rainbow flinch. She would never seriously try to manipulate a friend for her own gain, it was just that she had wanted to do whatever she could to comfort the distraught mare. She hoped that Rarity would forgive her, but her hope vanished as she glimpsed the white unicorn turn and run as she approached. Rainbow instantly flew after her, deciding without any hesitation that she needed to at least have the chance to speak to her friend, even if it meant not having the time to plan out what to say. She didn't have time to work her way free of the heavy dress that weighed her down as she soared after Rarity, and Rainbow could barely keep up with the frantic unicorn as she ran with no apparent destination in mind. Dash was forced to continue the chase on hoof as the white unicorn plunged into the Everfree Forest that they had just reached, but the cyan pegasus soon found herself lost among the dark trees. Regardless of losing sight of Rarity, Dash kept searching, resolved to find her friend no matter what.
***
The mirror surface of the moonlit lake was disturbed by a drop of rain, then another, and soon there was a continuous pattern of miniscule droplets falling all around. It was a very particular kind of rain; only a few drops fell here and there, though their impact could be distinctly felt. Rarity turned to look up at the pale, moonlit night sky, the rain mixing with the tears that had collected on her face for what felt like hours of staring at her reflection in the water. The patches of dirt on her coat began to slowly turn into mud, yet her mane continued to retain its intricate style. Deciding she had endured long enough, Rarity shut her eyes tightly...and thrust her entire head into the frigid lake.
The cold was unbearable, but she forced herself to keep her head submerged until her lungs were screaming for oxygen. After a few agonizing moments, she lifted herself up gasping for air. her hair was now a curtain that reached nearly to the ground. Despite shivering uncontrollably, the white unicorn felt a slightly better, and began to think about finding her way back to Ponyville. She'd completely forgotten about her initial intent to clean the mud and leaves from her coat, and considered how events might play out now that she had betrayed her friend who had a crush on her.
***
***
***
Maybe I should have this last part be in the Author's Notes section, but I sort-of started this epilogue-thing with author's notes and would like to end it the same way...but not in the author's notes section. If you don't understand, oh well. I am now going to summarize the rest of the plot for this story. If there are plot holes (I'm sure there will be) I might have patched them had I actually written the rest of the story, whereas telling you the last parts in short will be less clear. I will start off with a very detailed summary due to the abruptness of Part 2's impromptu end, but after a few paragraphs I will speed up the process.
***
Rainbow Dash finds Rarity as she is turning away from the lake. She asks what she is doing, and Rarity says she needed some air and is returning home now. RD asks why she needed to get some air in the dangerous Everfree forest, and then asks her why she doesn't bathe away the mud and leaves clinging to her in the lake before going back to ponyville. Rarity acts surprised and then looks herself over. She realizes that she doesn't care about being clean anymore because she feels too dirty to ever be pure again. RD is puzzled by these harsh words, but can tell that her friend truly means them. RD hangs her head in shame and apologizes for making an advance on her when she was clearly unsettled by the anxiety her show was causing her. Rarity laughs gratingly and says, that she has no idea how RD still hasn't seen the way she was using her. She humiliated RD in order to remain with her friends and to maintain their opinions of her as the generous and hard-working pony who had high ambitions. RD says that she didn't realize this truth because it is obviously not true. Her friend is far to generous and kind to such a thing. Rarity laughs again and says that RD doesn't know her at all; nobody does. RD walks forward and puts her hoof on Rarity's shoulder. Rarity stops laughing and turns away, ready for scorn and anger. RD states plainly that Rarity's words were a lie spoken as they were, because her friend, the element of generosity, is still a normal pony, prone to mistakes as much as anypony else. RD continues, saying that Rarity's explanation lacked any mention of the inner turmoil she was obviously experiencing. RD says that as long as she is ashamed of her actions, she is forgiven.
Rarity continues to look pained and says that there is more that she deeply regrets. She says that she perceived RD's infatuation from the beginning and undoubtably knew tragedy was guaranteed should she not immediately discourage it. Yet she did nothing to end the growing relationship because she couldn't bring herself to do it. She had started to fall for her boldness and adorable antics. She let RD come so close to kissing her, and that gave her manipulation a new level of cruelty. RD gasps audibly and Rarity looks up into her friend's surprised face with tears streaming down her own. "I've torn both our hearts in two, and I can't see a way for them to ever be whole again!"
"You might not, but I sure as hell do. I might not know you as well as I thought I did, but what I have learned tonight isn't so hopeless as you think. I may have not seen how you were suffering, but what I can see is a way for two halves to make a whole."
And then, RD leans forward and kisses the bleary-eyed mare, lifting her face up to level with hers as the rain falling around them seems to stop. Time itself freezes as all thought, confusion, and lamentation is erased for a moment. The moon shines through a break in the clouds to illuminate the clearing, the lake, and the two lovers whose hearts beat in rhythm. A broken heart may be repaired by one of similar damage, and both lives are renewed when all is done.
***
(Author's Note) I deeply regret not structuring this addition to Part 2 properly, but I am going to let it remain as such in the interest of finishing this summary before I hit another writer's block. I really do want to move on. This would have been the end to Part 2, and I will now summarize part 3 at a much more rapid pace.
***
After the time-stopping kiss, the two talk further of forgiveness as Rarity continues to feel undeserving. RD reassures her that she still loves her, that truly loving someone is accepting both their flaws and their virtues, and that together they can end this day with the beginning of a new one. A day of open romance, followed by many more, but these plans are cut short as the two return to Ponyville in the early hours of the morning. Just as RD is commenting on their good fortune regarding the lack of monster's they'd encountered while in the forest, two police ponies arrive and arrest RD for the assault of Hoity Toity.
At RD's trial, Twilight (as RD's attourney) presents a defense case claiming that Hoity Toity strongly provoked RD, but it is obvious that money has been involved in the influencing of the judge and jury. During a recess, Hoity Toity approches Rarity and asks to speak with her privately. Rarity glances at her worried friends who are busy trying to comfort their forlorn rainbow-maned friend before agreeing to hear him out. Toity tells Rarity that his bribery will ensure RD remains in prison for the rest of her life, but he will drop the charges if Rarity agrees to come live with him in Canterlot and work for him and, perhaps from time to time, be his partner in more than business. Rarity is shocked and about to slap Hoity Toity with all her might when she sees her lovers face gazing over at her. RD gives her a sad smile, and Rarity seems to collapse inwardly. She morosely agrees to the blue stallions's terms and court resumes.
Before the jury presents their verdict. Hoity Toity announces that he is dropping the charges against RD. The cyan pegasis cries out in surprise and looks towards Twilight who is just as confused. She then looks back at Rarity who is seated on the bench behind her with tears in her eyes. As everyone is leaving the court room, RD asks Rarity why she is crying, and Rarity decides that she will not keep any more secrets from her friend and lover. She tells RD of Toity's bargain, and RD's face contorts with anger. The pegasis leaps into the air, ready to charge after the blue stallion who had just exited the building along with everypony else, but Rarity halts her with a glow from her horn. RD yells at Rarity to let her go while the still glassy-eyed unicorn floats the rainbow mare into the judges chambers and locks the thick wooden door after managing to say between sobs that she is forever grateful for all that RD has done for her and that she will be forever remembered. RD shouts and tries to break the door down, but everypony has already left the mostly unused courthouse. Rarity forces herself to hear RD's angry outbursts and pleading outcries as she walks out of the building, hating herself more with every step. Hours later, with all of her bags packed, Rarity leaves her boutique to meet Hoity Toity at the train station. On the way she leaves a note on Twilight's door telling her where RD is and saying goodbye.
Night falls around the train as Rarity watches Ponyville fade away amongst the rolling hills through a window. The heavy clouds that still lingered in the sky reminded her that she was the reason they had not been cleared by the rainbow weather pony she had fallen in love with and then betrayed for a second time. Hoity Toity leaves Rarity to be alone for the train ride out of respect for the life she is leaving behind forever. Weeping in silence, Rarity looks up at a noise on the window pane. She simply stares as RD flies silhouetted against the moon just beyond the glass. She has a look of worry and relief on her face as she matches the train's speed. Rarity, still shocked into a daze, opens the window to let her love in, but RD immediately grabs her hoof and pulls her out into the night air. Rarity screams in surprise as RD rapidly increases her altitude. Rarity feels sure, for a moment as she dangles in the air way up above the shrinking ground, that RD has come to get even with the mare who betrayed her time and time again. But rather than let go, RD pulls Rarity up into an embrace and gently kisses her. She pauses her ascent to become once again lost in the hooves of her lover. Once again, Rarity is left in wonder at how undeserving she is of such a kind and forgiving mare.
As the two fly back to Ponyville, enraptured by the night that now seemed more beautiful than ever, Rarity apologizes deeply for her betrayal. RD quickly says that Rarity merely kept her from betraying herself. She would have not held back had she managed to get a hold of Hoity Toity and Rarity had given her the time she needed to cool off. Rarity says that RD should not have rescued her because Toity will not sit idly by. RD says confidently that he dropped the charges and has no power over them anymore. Rarity then fully realizes the sadness she had resigned herself to before her radiant savior came to her rescue. She gazed up at the pegasis whose embrace she was safe in as they flew through the moonlight sky towards the lights of Ponyville...and kissed her for what felt like the first time. This was the first romantic affection the unicorn had initiated with her cyan lover, and she finally believed that their love could possibly mend the fractures in their hearts. Fractures that she had caused and been forgiven. If there was one way she could repay her dearest friend, it would be by loving her as long as she lived.
