Crystals Grow on Rainbows

Rays of sunlight crept across the early morning of Ponyville, waking the ponies to the new day. Twilight however had seemingly caught a bug from the festivities, now stuck in bed with hardly the best colour in her cheeks. And now, it was up to Spike to wake her from the sickly slumber. Fluttershy and Applejack had been kind enough to carry her back home, the latter of which would be coming by later to help with food.

"Come on Twilight, you need to get a bit of exercise every day, that's what the doctor said." She probably had at some point and he hadn't noticed, but there was no harm in trying to remind her just in case. At last, she rolled over, not to wake up it seemed. Spike decided it was better that way, casually turning around and heading out the front door as fast as possible. A glimpse of her face was enough reason to take the day off and let her sleep.

Rarity's waking in comparison was very quick and hasty. Breakfast for the Cutie Mark Crusaders was a priority, she wanted them to be back out and enjoying the day so she could think clearly. Applejack would be stopping over at Twilight's during the day to help the poor unicorn out, as she would be herself. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie on the other hand didn't seem like the best ponies to confide in next, which left Fluttershy to visit next.

Leaving three hot meals on the table for the fillies as they came down the stairs, Rarity hurried across Ponyville to Fluttershy's cottage without delay. A few moments of awkward silence followed after knocking on the door. Hopefully she hadn't disturbed the poor mare, but she had to discuss her situation. And of course, she wouldn't consider scaring her by mentioning the part about the pegasus companion. Fluttershy opened the door in due time, relieved to see it was Rarity, wearing a very cheerful grin.

"Rarity, uh, this is a surprise. Come in, unless of course you're just stopping by. I wouldn't want to delay you in any way." The pegasus had just begun preparing breakfast for herself, making sure to add more for Rarity too. She had politely sat down at the table, smiling briefly at Angel who merely hopped out to his house out of sight in response. They often had breakfast at each other's houses, admittedly, this occasion was rather unannounced, but both ponies were always prepared for an extra guest at any time.

"Oh Fluttershy dear, it is I who should apologise for arriving without fore notice. But I simply must speak with all of you, in relation to a very important task Celestia has assigned me." A soothing sip from her teacup helped relax the mood further. "Princess Celestia has asked me to undertake a task, which I must honestly say is one of the strangest things I have ever heard." It seemed better to delay on explaining what exactly the task was, poor Fluttershy didn't need to start off her day with hearing something like that after all.

"Oh, I see. So uh, is it because it comes from Celestia that you feel you need to accept it, or not like that at all. I mean, whatever choice you make, you've got lots of wonderful friends who are always there to support you. And Princess Celestia always knows what she's doing, she wouldn't ask you to do anything you couldn't handle or benefit from." Rarity hugged Fluttershy tightly after a mere moment of listening. It was the right decision to come by, so supportive in such a simple way. Fears and doubts were quickly melting away from her mind. She had the support of her friends throughout. That was the important thing.

"Thank you again, it really means so much. You're right, I do have friends who will support me no matter what, and I shouldn't be afraid to undertake whatever she asks me to." Returning to breakfast, where they discussed Twilight's sickness, Rarity was eager to help Fluttershy with the rest of her jobs before they returned to Ponyville. A great amount of confidence had been instilled in her, no longer fearful of reactions, but instead eager to see them.

But it still entailed the condition of a pegasus partner, and ego was one thing that the vast majority of pegasi had in common. She didn't mind that much; her own was rather large at times too. But it was the wisdom of asking two ponies of that nature to be together; surely, it would create contention in some way. She convinced herself that it didn't matter too much right now; Twilight was in need of their help to overcome her sickness. And hopefully she would be well enough to provide a bit of advice on her upcoming decision.

The pair arrived at the unicorn's door, Rarity taking the initiative to knock. "Hello? Twilight? Spike, is everything okay?" Rarity glanced back at Fluttershy hesitantly before making her way inside. Twilight was slumped at the kitchen table, a half-eaten breakfast pushed away from her. Rarity was understandably distraught that the poor mare had found herself in such a state, especially with Spike nowhere to be found. "Twilight darling! This sickness is downright terrible, why isn't Spike here to help?" Fluttershy hurried to clean up the mess left by the sick pony without hesitation.

Twilight took a while to regain consciousness, moaning most of the time from the turbulent storm her stomach felt like. "Uh, hey Rarity..." It was rather surprising to see her there, being one who valued her good health and cleanliness. Though in turn, it was touching that she would look past that to help out a sick friend. Fluttershy patted her shoulder in a caring way. "So... what are you two doing here? Applejack was going to come today, but I didn't expect you two."

Rarity laughed nervously. Twilight seemed to be getting better, at least temporarily, though her confidence and determination had waned since her arrival. This would be news to Fluttershy too, and she didn't want to cause Twilight too much excitement. "Well, you see, Celestia has asked me to undertake this very important task, which..." Applejack made her way through the open door at that moment with her saddlebag, the smell of freshly baked food wafting from it. Rainbow Dash and Spike followed, Pinkie Pie was pulling her party cannon in behind them.

"Spike said you weren't too good, so we figured we'd tag along with Applejack and come cheer you up. Being sick is definitely not cool." Spike felt rather awkward about leaving earlier on, on top of being the only dragon there. Most of the attention was focused on Twilight at that moment, who in turn had returned her attention to Rarity, in particular the task she was about to mention.

"So uh, Rarity, what is it you were going to say before?" Pupils tightened down into pinpoints at that moment, she hadn't expected all of them to be there when she actually explained the situation. Applejack could tell what was about to follow, returning her attention to fixing up Twilight's food. There were still six pairs of eyes now trained on her, one of which she especially felt uncomfortable with. She had gone along with Spike's obsession for the most part to please him, but how would he react to finding out that it wouldn't turn out quite as he had hoped?

The words caught in her throat, stuttering followed. It had been so simple when it was one pony to another. "I'm uh, apparently the ideal pony... to have the future Crystal Princess." The last bit was rushed; already she had her head lowered down to the floor. Peeking from behind her hooves showed that everypony was stunned for a few moments. Then the reactions came.

"Are... you serious? That's one of the stupidest things I've ever heard! You, becoming a mommy to a Princess?" Rainbow Dash was quite literally rolling around on the floor in hysterical laughter. Pinkie Pie seemed ecstatic undoubtedly at the prospect of Rarity having a foal of her own, pulling Fluttershy into a celebratory dance. Twilight looked like she was ready to vomit again, a bucket conveniently provided by Applejack. She looked ready to scold Dash for her childish behaviour, still unable to get up from her breathless laughter. That left Rarity to comfort Spike, who had worked out easily enough that he couldn't pursue her any more.

"Spike, we'll still be close friends, I promise. And I'll always have gems especially for whenever you come by. You'll always be my little Spikey-Wikey." He hugged her leg without hesitation, it was a great relief that he was so understanding of her situation. A small, touching kiss on his forehead followed, the most meaningful sign of gratitude she could think of. So brave of him.

"It's okay, really. For a moment, I was worried that I'd be right out of the picture." Rarity chuckled again, sitting down as she patted his head softly. Save for Rainbow Dash, they had all responded quite well. A brief thought came to mind, which she pushed away without hesitation. Now wasn't the time to consider possible partners. That could wait until Twilight was feeling better at least.