Of Deadlines and Doppelgangers

Chapters

The Worst...Possible...Thing!
Deceit and Denial
Deadlines and Doppelgangers
Dancing and Dodging

The Worst...Possible...Thing!

Of Deadlines and Doppelgangers
By MidnightDancer

The bell above the door of Carousel Boutique jingled merrily, announcing the arrival of a certain pink pony. Said pony was wearing a rather silly hat consisting of a wicker basket filled with cards, presumably to one of her famous parties. Her bubblegum hooves bounced cheerfully across the foyer as she waited for her friend.

"Welcome to Carousel Boutique whereeverythingismagnificentandwhatnot howcanIhelpyoudear?" Pinkie whirled at the sound of the voice, eyes falling on an annoyed white unicorn. Rarity's usually impeccable mane was mussed nearly beyond repair, and her red sewing glasses sat askew on her nose. Panting, she eyed the pink pony menacingly. "Pinkie Pie, if those are invitations to a party..."

The party pony beamed widely and hopped towards her friend, pulling one out and presenting it to the unicorn. "Yepperooni! I know you've been working so hard lately and we've barely seen you and we'd all really really REALLY love if you could come to Mayor Mare's after birthday party since you missed her birthday party yesterday! You silly, you never checked your mail! That's why I like to deliver myself because sometimes the mailmare gets lost or goes to the wrong house and one time my mail was going to Dashie's house for about two months and I had to build a helicopterbicycle to get up there and she was so surprised—" Her happy bouncing was interrupted by a magical grab to her tail, firmly grounding her. Surprised, she looked over her shoulder, coming nose to nose with a highly agitated mare.

"I haven't been to any social events because I'm busy, Pinkie! Some things are more important!" As her shout died down, Pinkie's eyes filled with tears.

"Too...too busy for a party? Too busy for your friends?" Hair deflated, the pink pony sat heavily on the floor, looking up at Rarity with a soulful and hurt gaze. "It's just...it's been a month, Rarity, and we miss you..." She looked back down, nervously pawing at the floor with a hoof, tears streaking down the pink fur of her face.

Composing herself, Rarity trotted to Pinkie, and put a foreleg around her shoulders, pulling the other pony to her gently. Drying Pinkie's tears with a magically conjured hoofkerchief, she explained, "I'm sorry for shouting, dear. I certainly did not mean to hurt your feelings or imply that your parties aren't important. I do miss all you girls as well, but just look around this place, Pinkie." She swept her opposite foreleg out, indicating her showroom.

Pinkie finally looked. The sales floor was covered in scattered pieces from ensembles, and several dozen ponyquins were covered in half-finished pieces. Expensive silks hung from cabinet doors haphazardly, and sketches of failed outfits littered the floor in balls of parchment. Towards the back of the sales floor, she could see through the door to Rarity's workroom which appeared to be in a federal state of emergency. Finally, looking up, she noted a tape measure and a lonely pink ribbon dangling from the light fixture, fluttering lazily.

She glanced back to Rarity, whose sapphire eyes were sitting above dark bags, stray hairs from her mane blowing haphazardly across her face as she moved. She had only seen her friend looking less than perfect once before-so she knew it must be serious. Pinkie nodded. "What happened?"

Trotting to one of the ponyquins, the white mare sighed. "The Royal Wedding happened, Pinkie." Taking a sewing needle in her magic, she began stitching carefully up the side of the neck piece. "While I was absolutely honored and humbled to be the fashionista responsible for the wedding dress of a Princess, of course, word spread very quickly about it. I began to receive orders from Canterlot, then Fillydelphia, even as far away as Trottingham!"

Hair re-inflated and back to her bouncy self, Pinkie squealed happily. "That's great, Rarity! I knew your fashions would get popular! Oh! Oh! You know what this calls for? A PAR—"

A ball of polyester found it's way into Pinkie Pie's mouth, silencing her. "No. This does not call for a party."

"'Horry. G'wan." Rarity removed the fabric with her magic, and continued her explanation.

Finishing up the right side of the neck piece, Rarity moved to the left. "I got too popular, unfortunately. I could easily handle the orders from Canterlot, and even Fillydelphia. Things got difficult when the Trottingham ponies began sending them in, but I couldn't bear to let them down. And now... now the Crystal Empire ponies are ordering my fashions." She dropped the needle, burying her tired head in her forehooves.

In a flash, Pinkie was beside her friend, bearhugging her. "Oh Rarity, don't you worry! I bet that between all six of us, we can get all your orders out and done and it'll be just amazing like that time we finished your Gala dress because you were being a whinypants which is silly because you like dresses better so you could be a whinydress instead but that sounds silly too and I just know that we'll all help any way we can—"

"...air..." Rarity flailed her hooves weakly, face turning nearly the same shade as her mane.

"Whoopsie!" The pink pony released her friend, who toppled to the floor of the shop, wheezing slightly. "But isn't that just the best idea ever?" Her body vibrated with joy and the desire to help, and Rarity looked up regretfully into her pale blue eyes.

"I'm sorry darling, but these orders are incredibly intricate. While I appreciate the offer of help, these are beyond even Fluttershy's skills, I'm afraid." She stood, brushing her legs off absently as she returned to her work, tail twitching in growing agitation as her voice grew ever higher. "I would need a perfect copy of myself to get these orders done correctly and on time! And that's not even counting the delivery time-all the days and hours spent delivering my fashions are days and hours spent not creating! I simply don't know what to do!" A velvet fainting couch appeared just in time for her to flop back dramatically, one foreleg draped across her forehead. "I'm so pathetiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiic!"

"Oh, you silly filly." Pinkie nuzzled her friend comfortingly, and grinned. "I can help you do deliveries, and I bet Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy would both be happy to help. OH! And Twilight is going to Canterlot for a week starting tomorrow, so you could always send your Canterlot orders with her! I bet she wouldn't mind!" She beamed proudly, gentle eyes encouraging the white unicorn.

"Are... are you sure, dear? I don't wish to burden my friends with this..." Rarity dried her tears and cast her gaze around the shop uncertainly, finally falling on the neat stack of packaged orders waiting to go out by the door.

"What are friends for? Just leave it to Pinkie Pie! We'll get those orders there safe and sound, I Pinkie Promise." Pinkie sat back and solemnly did the motions of the promise, nodding sagely at her friend before nudging her off of her fainting couch and to her hooves, escorting her back to her workroom.

Going along and feeling a bit better, the unicorn smiled faintly. "I suppose. Thank you, Pinkie. I still don't know what I'm going to do about all the orders waiting to be made..." She trailed off, turning back to the pink pony with a flash of cunning in her eyes. "Darling?"

"Mmm?"

"Whatever happened to Tom?"

"This map is simply terrible." Rarity huffed and pushed her way through the Everfree forest, trying her level best to avoid the clinging vines that grew thicker by the moment. "This is utterly ridiculous. I do hope it's correct..."

Alabaster hooves pounded firmly on the packed leaves of the forest floor, nimbly dodging mud holes and leaping over rocks. Her eyes alternated between consulting the map held in the faint blue glow of her magic and scanning the ground for her quarry. "Hmmm.... 'Where the brambles are thickest...there you will find... a pond beyond the most twisted of vines!' Well, these vines ARE quite... twisted.'" Musing over the saying to herself, she failed to notice the large gray slab of rock on the ground. Her right hoof hit it perfectly, tripping her rather magnificently, and she tumbled over the rock and on to the ground, face picking up a lovely smattering of dirt and mud as she skidded for a foot and then stopped.

"DIRT!" Leaping up, she shook her head vigorously, prancing from hoof to hoof in agony. "Oooooh, my beautiful face! WHY did I have to fall on it? This is the WORST... POSSIBLE... THING!" Ending with a dramatic squeal, she flopped back on her magical fainting couch once more. After a moment, and realizing there was nopony around to notice her dramatics, she cracked an eye open and finally noticed what she had tripped over. Leaping up from the couch and spiriting it away, she checked the map once again before looking back down to the moss covered boulder peeking from the ground.

"I do believe I've found it. I'd recognize Tom anywhere," she mused to herself. "Well, only one way to find out for certain, I suppose."

Concentrating her magic, she wrapped the boulder in the pale blue glow. It had been sitting there for awhile, however, and seemed to be rather firmly wedged in its hole. She redoubled her efforts, sweat now joining the dirt and general grime that covered her face, hooves planted firmly as she pulled upwards with all her might. Horn sparking, she held her ground. Tom was heavy, but Rarity was sure she could lift him.

Finally, after what seemed like hours but was really only moments, the boulder heaved out of the hole and was tossed to the side. Panting, Rarity wiped her forehead with one leg, smiling at her work. She approached the lip of the hole carefully, head lowered as she peered inside. Faced with only darkness, she grimaced and lit her horn, leaning forward a bit more.

"I simply can't see a thiIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINGAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The ground beneath her gave way, crumbling beneath her hooves and sending her flying headlong into the dirt corridor. She bounced along the tunnel, picking up more dirt and grime to her already filthy coat, before finally skidding down a ramp into a large cavern. Picking herself up carefully, her dark eyes swept the area, noting the greenish tint dancing up the craggy walls and the small clusters of crystals adorning the corners. Ripples of light covered everything, giving the entire cavern a special ethereal beauty. She stepped forward, filthiness forgotten, gazing in wonder.

Before her laid a placid underground lake, reflecting the eerie green light through the entire cave. She walked to it, and seeing her own bedraggled reflection, winced. "Oh dear..." she murmured, crossing one hoof in the water through the image of herself. "Well... nothing else to it, then. No sense stalling, I suppose."

Staring into the pond, she hesitated. Being a unicorn, she knew magic, of course, but things like the mirror pool were beyond her understanding. Even Twilight was hard-pressed to explain how and why it worked! Having only the word of a pink friend that nearly destroyed the sanity of Ponyville's residents with her clones was a shaky foundation at best. Still, she knew it DID work, so maybe...

She took a deep breath, eyes riveted to her own reflection in the pool, and recited the words Pinkie had taught her. "And into her own reflection she stared, yearning for one whose reflection she shared, and solemnly sweared not to be scared, at the prospect of being doubly mared!" At the end of the recitation, she submerged herself fully into the pool, coming out with an exact duplicate of herself. Her jaw dropped, seeing her own pristine self standing beside her. It was all there—the shining white coat, the expertly coiffed mane and tail, the perfectly applied makeup, all of it.

The second Rarity looked around the cave, fluffing her mane with a forehoof. Her gaze fell on the original Rarity, and she balked, eyes widening. "Darling, your mane! Your tail! Your COAT! We need to get you into a bath."

Rarity the First smiled.

If one were to look inside any of the windows of the strangely closed Carousel Boutique, they would likely shake their head in disbelief and a bit of fear. Inside, working at identical sewing stations, were two versions of the famous designer, each working on a different fabulous ensemble. Looking closer, one could note that one of the Raritys was wearing a rather chic blue scarf.

The scarfed Rarity fed another piece of cloth through her machine, eyes watching it pull through with a marked lack of interest. "This is simply so boring, darling. Can we not take a break? I need a hooficure in the worst way."

Rarity ground her teeth before turning her head to address her. "Doppelganger, I told you dear-these orders NEED to be finished, or else I—er, we—are finished as well!" Turning back, she added another intricate stitching detail to the golden vest.

Doppelganger flopped back in her chair, sighing dramatically. Voice ratcheting up to a distinct whine, she said, "Can't I even create? There's no joy in sewing a predetermined pattern!"

Rubbing her face with a hoof, Rarity sighed. "Listen, darling. If we can finish up all these Trottingham orders, I'll be more than happy to take a break to go to the spa, but at the moment we cannot afford any dilly-dallying! Going to get you from the mirror pool took an hour in itself."

"Well, it's not MY fault you bit off more than you could chew! Why did you not hire assistants? Did you really think there wouldn't be a spike in business after the wedding?" Doppelganger looked smugly at the white unicorn, who glared back, stung.

"I didn't say it was your fault, dear, but now we're in this together. Come now, we're nearly finished this order, you just need to sew the shell together and add the draping down the back." Trying her best to stay upbeat, Rarity fed the last piece of cloth through the machine.

With a small 'hmph', Doppelganger continued her work, eyes still drifting to the windows and the lovely sunny day beyond them. Pushing the scarf back over her shoulder, she glanced over at Rarity once more. Dear Celestia, I am utterly gorgeous. Smiling a small, ladylike smile, she turned back, finishing her piece and carrying it to her ponyquin. Humming to herself, she began the much more fun task of pinning her outfit together, stitching swiftly and expertly. Humming a bit louder, she pulled some violet silk from it's place in the cabinet, suspending it over the back of the black ensemble and pinning it strategically.

Rarity smiled fondly. Is that truly what I sound like? I suppose I've always known I had a lovely voice, but hearing it like this is something else entirely. Something...nice. She glanced back casually over her shoulder at Doppelganger, and the two mares locked eyes. There was a slightly uncomfortable silence, and both mare's cheeks took on a red tint before they giggled nervously and turned back to their respective tasks.

This may not be so bad after all.

By the end of the business day, the stack of completed orders had grown exponentially as the amount of fabric in the store decreased. Rarity sat back, relaxing finally after weeks of stress. The Trottingham orders were done, the Fillydelphia orders were done, and they had managed to start on the new Crystal Empire ones. Of course, she'd need to go find some more gems to finish those, but with her double around, she would actually have time to do so. Giving a content little sigh, she looked over to the other mare.

Doppelganger raised a brow, but smiled in return. "Feeling better, dear?"

Stretching, Rarity stood happily. "Indeed I am. What say I make some dinner for us, and we can discuss our schedule for tomorrow, hmm?"

With a playful smirk, Doppelganger flicked her perfectly coiffed purple tail at Rarity. "Only if that schedule allows for some relaxation."

Rolling her eyes as she disappeared into the kitchen, she replied, "Oh, of course. After that trek through the Everfree, I definitely need a spa day. My own bath, while well appointed, simply isn't enough sometimes." The clatter of pans could be heard as Rarity began to cook, and the other unicorn stretched out on the sofa, relaxing.

The door flew open violently, almost taking the cheerful little bell right off as a rainbow colored streak crashed into the collection of thankfully empty ponyquins. Doppelganger leaped up, glaring at the blue pony trying to disentangle herself. "Rainbow Dash! Whatever do you think you are doing?"

"Uh... whoops?" Chuckling and shaking herself to dislodge a poorly-placed ponyquin hoof, Rainbow strode forth. "I just dropped in to let you know that I dropped those Trottingham orders off and made it back here within two hours. Just so you know. No big deal." She stood tall, boastful smirk on her face as her deep pink eyes regarded the other mare.

Doppelganger couldn't suppress an eyeroll. "Well, while I thank you most graciously, Rainbow, you must know that had there been outfits on those ponyquins, you could have ruined days of work. Please do be more careful when making your entrances, hmm?" Over Rainbow's shoulder, she could see Rarity staring out from the kitchen door and making zipper motions over her mouth. Inclining her head the slightest degree, she shifted her eyes back to Rainbow.

"Sorry Rares, but a pony as awesome as me needs an awesome entrance to go with her."

"Of course." Lighting her horn, she pulled over another stack of orders for Trottingham. "And since you are so awesome, I imagine one more trip out today isn't too much of a bother, is it? I've put bits in the sack on top for you, of course, for all your help."

Rainbow hesitated for half a second before taking the burden. "Psh, of course! I can get this done in... two hours flat. No sweat."

"Thank you ever so much. I truly don't know what I would do without your help." A genuine smile wound across the white mare's face as she stepped forward, gently nuzzling Rainbow's neck. Blushing, Dash rubbed the back of her head with a hoof, looking everywhere but at the other mare.

"Uh, sure, no problem Rares. I better gotalktoyoulaterbye." In less than a second, the blue pegasus was gone.

"And just what was that?" Storming out from the kitchen, Rarity marched directly to her double, sapphire eyes burning into hers.

"Oh, are you jealous, Rarity?" Doppelganger smirked as Rarity blushed once again, eyes widening with surprise.

"A-absolutely not! I-we-are not interested in Rainbow Dash. It's just not fair of you to lead the poor filly on."

"Hmm, I suppose she wouldn't fit too well with our lifestyle anyway." The double looked at the tip of her hoof, as though examining her hooficure. "Why, we'd need someone almost exactly like ourselves, wouldn't we dear?" Her eyes locked with Rarity's, and while her face appeared almost bored, her eyes sparkled with a teasing light.

Rarity turned quickly and stalked off back to the kitchen to hide her furious blushing. "I have no idea what you could be implying. I need to make supper. Be a dear and close up the front, would you?"

As night fell across the quiet little town, one warm light could be seen burning in the Boutique. Rarity sat in her inspiration room, poring over a list of tasks they needed to complete the following day. She chewed on her quill, lost in thought, as Doppelganger lounged across from her, eying the list with only slight interest.

"Now, then, as you are me, I assume you know the gem-finding spell?" Rarity glanced up over the red rims of her glasses.

"Of course, it's what makes us, us, after all." She lit her horn and turned to the cabinet in the corner, squinting. "Yes. I can see the gems in the closet."

Scratching quill to paper, Rarity smiled. "Excellent! I'm going to have you head out with Spike tomorrow to find the gems we need for the Empire dresses. Try to focus on sapphires, amethysts, and rubies, though we'll probably need the other kinds of gems eventually too." Tapping a hoof to her lips, she glanced down the page. "Now then, there's two social activities on our list tomorrow, and I feel it would be most fair if one of us did each. Do you agree?" Receiving a nod, she continued. "There's Mayor Mare's after-birthday party, and our standing spa date with Fluttershy. Now, if it's all the same to you, darling, I would like to take the spa date and you can go to the party."

"That's hardly fair. Have you SEEN the state of my hooves? You've utterly worked me to the BONE today, dear." The double huffed, extending one pristine forehoof for emphasis.

Giving her double a flat look, Rarity sighed. "You came out of that mirror pool fresh as a daisy, while I was covered with mud and grime. While my bath did get a lot of it off, I simply need a deep cleaning. I also need to apologize to Fluttershy for missing our last two dates."

"Then I want to go to the spa after you," Doppelganger huffed, nose upturned. "I'm not just your double, I'm you, and you know how important looking fabulous is to us. We have a reputation to maintain."

Sighing and dragging a hoof down her face in a very un-ladylike fashion, Rarity groaned. "FINE. You may go to the spa after I return from my time there with Fluttershy."

Doppelganger rolled her eyes. "Don't you think it would look a LITTLE strange to be going right back to the spa after you left?"

Rarity just smirked. "I'm Rarity, dear."

"Point."

"In any case, that's all we need to do outside the boutique. Twilight will be stopping by to pick up the Canterlot orders late tomorrow night, and Rainbow will be here to take the last of the Fillydelphia orders around lunchtime. Remember-one of us at a time, especially around Twilight. It simply won't do for them to know I used that mirror pool..." Worrying at the floor with a hoof, Rarity looked up from her paper, large eyes pleading. "You understand, darling?"

Confused, Doppelganger asked, "Whyever must we be so secretive? They all already know about the mirror pool, and Pinkie knows we went there already."

Sighing, the other mare locked eyes with her. "Because, dear, if Twilight found out, she would send you right back to the mirror pool. I'd rather she not do that, especially while we still have orders to complete."

Miffed, Doppelganger stood, beginning to pace, kicking errant bits of fabric out of her path. "I see. So, I am merely a means to an end for you, Rarity? Dragged into existence to work my tail off, only to be popped right back out once you're done with me?" Her dark blue eyes burned into Rarity's, reflecting true hurt underneath the anger. "I guess that's why you didn't even bother to give me a real name, or let me use my birth name?"

"Dear, I... I just..." The other mare backed up slightly as Doppelganger paced closer. "I just thought... that it would be okay..."

Tears were beginning to form in the double's eyes, her voice raising as she spoke. "No, Rarity. We don't even know what happens to the duplicates, do we? They just 'went back to the mirror pool', but what does that mean? Are there a set amount of souls that take on the form of whoever speaks the incantation, or am I truly you? And either way, doesn't going back mean I will be incorporeal? Doesn't that just mean that I would be DEAD? Is that what you want, Rarity? To kill yourself?" By now, she was screaming, nose to nose with Rarity, whose own eyes were filling with tears.

"N-no! I never said... I never said that! I don't know how the mirror pool works, I'm sorry!" Her forehooves came up, covering her face, as Doppelganger hammered in the final nail.

"AND YOU USED IT ANYWAY? What about Sweetie Belle? When she comes back from Mother's, how will you explain this to her?" Affecting her posh accent once more, she spoke in an exaggerated motherly voice, nose firmly in the air. "'Oh, so sorry Sweetie Belle, but even though there's two of us meaning there will always, always be one of us to spend time with you, I need to send this one away and possibly kill her because she's not a real pony!"

With that, the double broke down completely, sobbing freely as she ran from the room, mane and tail flagging out behind her. Rarity crumpled to the floor of her inspiration room, forelegs over her face, bawling as well. Looking up, she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror across the room, and her sobbing redoubled as she curled into a ball.

What... what have I done?

Author's Note

I have no idea why I do this to myself

I sat down to write the last chapter of a different story and this came out

I apologize for any lack of quality or pacing issues

This was written with the assumption that the duplicate has all the same memories as the original up until they're pulled out of the mirror pool, at which point the memories from then on naturally diverge.

Hope y'all like it!

Deceit and Denial

Morning broke over Ponyville, the rays of Celestia's sun washing over the town. Rarity had always been annoyed, and perhaps a little impressed, that regardless of the millions of miles that separated that star from their humble town, it always had the perfect aim to send a beam of its light directly onto her sleeping eyes. Blinking groggily, she peered out the window beside Sweetie Belle's bed, and snuggled down a bit more into the covers.

In her opinion, dawn was a ridiculous time to be awake.

She rolled over, dark eyes sliding shut once more as her mind began to drift into that fragmented state of half awareness. Something tugged at the corners of her consciousness, something big, something important. Rarity scrunched her eyes shut more firmly, imagining that whatever it was could wait.

Wait.

Why in heaven's name am I in Sweetie Belle's bed?

Sapphire eyes popped open, flooding with the realization of what happened the day before. Me, and me again, and... oh, oh no... All four hooves hit the ground with a resounding clatter, and she shook the blanket off her back before bolting for the door.

Creaking it open, she peered down the hallway to her own bedroom door. It was fast shut, and presumably her double was still asleep. She slipped down the hall quietly, hooves gently descending the stairwell into the main floor of the boutique.

The night before, she had sobbed for an hour or more before dragging herself up to Sweetie Belle's room to sleep. She hadn't known where her double was, nor did she particularly care—if the double felt like causing havoc in her name, she reasoned, she deserved it. There had been some movement downstairs as she drifted off, and her last thought had been a prayer that her duplicate didn't destroy the boutique in a rage.

Standing at the door to her inspiration room, she chided herself. The other pony was her, after all, and she would never destroy such fabulousity. Her eyes widened as she took in the full extent of what her doppelganger had been up to the previous evening. Alabaster hooves stepped forward cautiously, almost reverently, to the ponyquin in the center of the room.

Ever since her visit to Canterlot, Rarity had felt a nagging guilt in the back of her mind about the outfit now sitting, completed, before her. She had meant to finish it, she truly had. Twilight absolutely deserved something gorgeous for her birthday. Her own selfishness had gotten in the way, though, and while Twilight had been thrilled with the plain yellow dress that was made, Rarity had never really forgiven herself.

The guilt washed over her anew, chilling her from her heart down to her hooves even as her cheeks burned with shame. Taking a deep breath, she composed herself, and vowed to appreciate this work. Pacing around the ponyquin, she marveled.

Soft beams of sunlight filtered through the opposite window, framing the ensemble in a heavenly glow. The bodice was a lighter yellow than Rarity remembered, complimented by a small pink bow at the end of the pink neck sash. Above that, a high collar in dark gray rose, the edges trimmed exquisitely in alternating deep orange and pale yellow zig-zags. Her eyes trailed down the back to the magnificent peacock pattern on the back drape, the dominant colors of deep gray and white accented beautifully with more orange and yellow.

The crowning piece stole her breath away. A large and shapely hat, fit for a princess, loomed above her, outfitted smartly in the same colors and pattern as the drape. Four large feathers sprouted from the front brim, over-sized fronds stirring gracefully with every breath of air. They were each a different and contrasting color—red, orange, yellow, and white.

Amazed, she finished her trek around it, stopping with her back to the window, simply staring. Eyes straying to the neckline once more, a small vanilla envelope caught her attention. Lifting it in her magic, she brought it over, breaking the seal and unfolding the small parchment inside.

Rarity,

I shall be entirely honest. I'm simply unsure of what to do with myself now. Every word I said last night was true, and I assure you, I meant it. I am still quite angry with you. I do apologize, however, for yelling at you-that was uncalled for, and I could have handled that better than I did.

That said, it seems we are now stuck with one another, for better or worse. As I do not wish to have any bad blood with memyself us? I have completed Twilight's dress as a peace offering.

Obviously, this situation will require further discussion between us, and being a... a duplicate of you comes with it's own host of issues. However, I was up all night, so I would appreciate it if you allowed me to sleep until such time as I wake up naturally, at which point we may continue our discussion in a much more calm manner.

Yours,

Rarity.

A light sigh escaped her lips as she refolded the parchment and placed it neatly back into its envelope. The pale blue aura of her magic carried it to the cabinet, where it was set upon a high shelf. It would be terribly awkward if anyone ran across that note.

Her delicate brow furrowed as she cast her eyes to the floor, turning the situation over in her mind. There had to be a way to fix this, there just had to. I may have gone into this half-cocked, but I'm going to make sure to be very, very careful from here on out. She—well, I—deserve no less. There must be a way to keep her here... White hoof tapping the floor nervously, she glanced around, eyes passing over things without really seeing them.

Deep blue eyes fixed on the dress once more, and the day's first smile graced her lips.

Twilight.

Twilight Sparkle was not a mare that enjoyed rising early, especially not on mornings when she awoke with her face on a book. Shaking herself groggily, she glanced up at the clock. Seven in the morning was far too early to be awake! So why was her internal alarm going crazy? Violet eyes drifted to the calendar above her desk, and she paused for one perfect second before turning into a whirlwind of activity.

"SPIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKE! Get up! We need to pack for the train ride!" Dashing cheerfully from place to place and gathering quills and parchment, Twilight grinned. "Come on!"

Rustling at the top of the stairs announced the arrival of the sleepy little dragon, rubbing his eyes and staring flatly at Twilight. "C'mon, Twi, the train doesn't even leave for another ten hours. I'm not even going this time. Can't we just relax and have some breakfast first? And I was having the nicest dream, too..." he grumbled, trailing off as he plodded heavily down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Don't be silly, Spike—ten hours isn't nearly enough time to sort through all of the books I want to bring! Now, should I bring Aerospace Anomalies or Yaks and You?" She trotted to the kitchen, floating the books in front of the bleary eyed dragon who was just trying to make some toast.

He was saved from trying to answer by the sound of the front door opening and a crystal clear voice calling out, "Hellooooo? Twilight, dear, are you awake?"

A flash of tiny purple lightning was her response as her little admirer zipped up to her. "Hi Rarity! Boy, you're sure up early! Can I take your bags? Get you a drink?" Hands clasped to his chest and hopping from foot to foot, his hopeful eyes shone up at the white unicorn, who chuckled indulgently and gave him a friendly nuzzle.

"Oh, my Spikey-Wikey! I would adore a cup of tea about now, actually." A bat of her large blue eyes later, and Spike was off to the kitchen, singing to himself as he put on the kettle.

Chuckling, the violet unicorn trotted forth to welcome her friend. "Hey, Rarity! I thought you would be cooped up working on your designs all day!"

Rarity's eyes widened ever so slightly as she coughed into her hoof. "Ah, well, we all need a break from time to time, do we not? I had something to ask you, actually." She settled down on the nearby couch, taking her tea from the returning Spike in her magic. Pawing unconsciously at the tan fabric below her, she turned back to Twilight. "Do you happen to know any more... permanent ways to modify how a pony looks?"

Settling down on the couch beside her, Twilight cocked her head. "You mean like changing coat color?"

"I mean everything, dear—coat, eyes, mane, tail... cutie mark..." She trailed off, pasting a smile on her face before continuing. "So! Do you have any spells of that sort?"

Still looking adorably confused, Twilight looked up to the rafters in thought. "Can I ask what it's for? I can't imagine you wanting to change a thing about yourself," she teased.

Blushing slightly, Rarity giggled. "Oh no, my dear. You see, I have a client, a very important client, and she asked for me to find and perform the spell, that's all!" As the incredibly weak lie spilled from her lips, she forced a smile and sipped some tea, as casually as she could.

"But... why would anypony need to change their cutie mark? I don't know, Rarity. This seems a little weird." Purple hooves crossed in front of her chest, eyeing the other mare with suspicion.

Mind racing, quailing under the other mare's questioning gaze, Rarity clutched at the last straw she had. "I—well, Twilight, I didn't want to tell you this, because client confidentiality is very important to me." She huffed, affecting a conspiratorial air as she leaned forward. "However, if you MUST know, my client is a very important independent private investigator that needs to go undercover for a few months." Awful as she felt about the lie, she had to admit that Twilight was adorable when she was excited. Purple eyes lit up excitedly as she clopped her hooves together with glee, bouncing slightly on the couch beside her friend.

"Oh my gosh! A real life private eye? You know one? Do I know her? What's her name? Oooooh, this is so excit—" A rather tasty scone interrupted her quite suddenly, courtesy of a small purple claw. Spike stared up at his adoptive sister, shaking his head as she munched the pastry viciously, cheeks flushing.

"Thank you, Spike. Now, I am afraid I cannot divulge any details about her beyond her gender. I'll be happy to pay you for this, as she has paid me in advance for the service." Sitting back, the small porcelain teacup rose to her lips once more as she watched carefully for Twilight's reaction.

Pondering the situation, Twilight finally looked at the clock and then back to her friend, and sighed. "Alright, Rarity. The only spell I know to do that is an enchantment on an object. It's the same spell that Princess Celestia has placed on all of the Royal Guard armor to make them all look the same, but you can change the spell to suit your needs. All we need is something she can wear, like a necklace, or something like that."

Rising to her hooves, Rarity began rifling through her saddlebags with her magic, trying not to disturb the dress inside. "Hmmm... A-ha!" With a flourish, she presented a lovely silver chain. "It's a bit plain, but will this work?"

Floating it to herself, Twilight turned it back and forth, thinking. "Well, I don't see why not. Now, for this enchantment, I'll need you to tell me the details-the coat color, the mane color, and so forth so that I can get this set up for you."

Purple hair flew back and forth as the white mare shook her head violently, taking the chain back into her own magic. "Oh, no no no no Twilight, I'm sorry, but I cannot give that information. Can't you simply teach me the spell, so that I perform it at my leisure? I'm not even sure she'd like this chain, I should probably check..."

Glancing back to the clock again, Twilight tapped her hooves impatiently. "Alright, alright. I'm sorry to be so short, but I don't really have a lot of time to mess around today. I need to pack and get things in order before I get on the train. I'll write the spell down for you, how's that?"

"That would be wonderful, dear." Relieved, she relaxed back into her seat, finally truly enjoying her jasmine tea as it slipped down her throat. "OH! Twilight, I nearly forgot! I have a gift for you, of sorts." Levitating her saddlebags over in front of her, she pulled out the completed birthday dress, filling it out with her magic until it looked like a ghost was wearing it. Rotating it gently in front of her, she beamed over at her friend proudly. "This was the dress I intended to make for your birthday, darling. I finally finished it last night. Do you like it?"

Jaw dropping, the other mare paced up to the gently swirling gown, eyes shining. One hoof raised and quivering, a smile finally wound it's way across her face. "Rarity, it's... it's beautiful! A lot more fancy than what I normally wear, but still! This is gorgeous! Thank you so much!" Violet forelegs encased Rarity in a warm and genuine hug, and the white mare smiled with relief.

"Oh, Twilight, you don't know how happy that makes me. Oh! And here, the bits for the spell." She levitated over a small bag while folding the dress in midair, presenting both in a neat little package to her friend.

Still beaming, Twilight took them and trotted to her table. "Let me get that spell worked out for you."

I shouldn't have shown her that chain. I'll have to find a new piece to enchant now instead. Well, no huge loss. Maybe I can just put a pendant on it. Lost in her musings, Rarity entered her boutique once again. Flipping the sign to 'open', she slid off her saddlebags and put them in the large wardrobe to the right. Realizing that she hadn't eaten yet, she trotted towards the kitchen.

As she passed the stairs, she paused. Perhaps I ought to check on her. The poor dear had quite a night. And I know me well enough to know that I can't sleep that well when the sun is up. Changing course, the white mare slipped quietly up the stairs and into the hall, in front of her bedroom door. Not a sound could be heard from the other side of the door, and Rarity shifted nervously on her hooves. Oh, what am I doing? It's ME, no reason to be... afraid?

The thought gave her pause, and she froze, still standing before the familiar-but now suddenly imposing-wooden door. Am I afraid? Of myself? That can't be right. Her head shook briskly, clearing out the errant thoughts. Of course not, that's simply ridiculous. There is no reason to be behaving like a schoolfilly sent to the principal's office. Pull yourself together, Rarity. Pony up, as Rainbow Dash would say. Thus bolstered, one gleaming hoof rose to knock gently upon the door.

"Darling, are you awake?" Biting her lip, she swiveled her ears forward to catch any sound.

A rustling noise, followed by a yawn. "Mmm. I didn't sleep all that well, so I am certainly awake now." Hoofsteps could be heard approaching the door, and Rarity stepped back as the door was opened, heart quickening and dark eyes widening at the sight before her.

Doppelganger stood in the doorway, sapphire eyes half lidded. The mane they shared was loose, cascading nearly to her knees. Little tufts stuck up here and there, giving her the quintessential bedhead. She eyed Rarity carefully, sleepy yet still sharp minded.

Rarity had rarely ever seen herself in such a state of disarray. I have to admit, though, that I may need to go out casually with my mane down, it's actually quite sexy— Blinking, she shook her head once more, and smiled. "Well dear, I wanted to apologize for last night. I was entirely out of line." She stepped forward, putting one foreleg around her double, pulling her close. "You are a real pony. I should have thought about that before bringing you out of the pool, but I didn't, and I'm truly sorry."

Tears began to stain the double's pristine white coat as Rarity clung to her almost desperately, all the bottled emotion from last night coming back in a furious tsunami of confusion and sadness. Doppelganger just stood quietly, holding her until the worst of the storm had passed. "Rarity, it's—well, it's not alright, but it can be. We can get through this."

Pulling back and wiping her face carefully, Rarity smiled. "I think I have just the thing to help, too. May I come in?"

Stepping aside, the other mare nodded. "It's your room too darling, of course."

Eight white hooves thudded mutely on the plush carpeting as they approached the vanity, blue magic enveloping the ornate jewelry box atop it. Rarity pulled it to her and opened it, searching through for an appropriate piece of jewelry. "Now, I had Twilight teach me a spell to change your entire appearance, including your cutie mark. I'll enchant a nice, sturdy bit of jewelry with it, and our worries are more or less over." Rarity's eyes landed on a particular piece of jewelry, and she smiled to herself.

Doppelganger froze as a lovely and familiar golden pendant was plucked from the box. The circular piece was inlaid with mother of pearl, and displayed a golden unicorn bust in the center, rubies for its eyes. Silver filigree snaked around the outside rim, weaving like vines with the gold to create a beautiful contrast. Rarity's eyes softened as she turned it lazily in her magic, admiring how it caught the light and seemed to hold it, and she glanced to her double. "Is this something you'd be willing to wear out? It would keep the disguise on you."

Still staring, now wide awake, Doppelganger pointed reverently with one hoof. "That... darling, that's the necklace that..." She trailed off, looking to the other mare once more with surprise, tears beginning to threaten to fall from her eyes.

"Yes, the necklace Grandmother gave me—us—before she passed. She was your grandmother too, dear, so if you would like to have it, it's all yours—enchantment or not." Smiling warmly, she slid the necklace over the stunned mare's head, soft eyes searching those of her double's. "Is it alright, darling?"

Tears flowing freely, the double nodded, feeling the cool pendant brush her fur above her heart. "This is incredibly kind of you. I just... I don't know what to say, except thank you." Her normally guarded eyes were fully open and honest, filled with gratitude.

Still with her small smile, Rarity nodded. "It's no trouble. What is mine, is yours. I can't imagine what it would be like if I were the duplicate, having all the memories and knowledge and then not being allowed to do anything with it. The least I can do is give you something special." The two locked eyes for a moment, and something electric seemed to pass between them, lighting a fire in both of their chests and faces. Doppelganger moved forward first, almost hesitantly, gentle hooves brushing through the other mare's curly mane as she brought her muzzle to her neck. Rarity mirrored the action on the other side, and as they nuzzled one another and pulled apart, they crossed horns for a moment, eye to eye.

Rarity, face aflame, stepped back first, back hoof tapping nervously. "So, ah... the enchantment. I need to know what coat color you want, mane color, eye color, and what your new cutie mark can be since we simply can't share one."

Own face still blushing madly, Doppelganger nodded. "A pale peach coat, if you please, and a light beige mane would be wonderful. Green eyes, I suppose." Tapping her chin, she mused over cutie marks. "I AM rather attached to this mark, as it IS mine as well."

"But of course, darling! It can be very similar, but not the same—we can't risk too many questions."

"Mmm, I suppose. A trio of heart shaped fire rubies, then." She nodded decisively, and looked to Rarity. "Will that be alright? It's not too complicated, is it?"

Smiling, Rarity merely lit her horn. After spending the walk back to the boutique reading and re-reading the spell, she had it memorized. Tendrils of her magic reached out and encased their grandmother's pendant, pulsing gently. A white flash of light erupted from the necklace, then faded, leaving what looked to be an unchanged pendant behind.

As Rarity finished the spell, the pendant itself sent out it's own white magic tendrils, wrapping Doppelganger up and obscuring her from view. Heedless of the papers blowing around the room from the spell, Rarity watched in awe and wonder as the magic unwound from the bottom up. Peach legs appeared, fetlocks unshorn, followed by her torso and part of a wavy tan mane. The fire ruby cutie mark appeared perfectly on her flank, and the magic unwound completely.

Opening her brilliant green eyes for the first time, the double looked around. "Did it work?" Peering back at her own flank, a grin appeared on her muzzle as she danced hoof to hoof. "Oh, I look marvelous! Well done, Rarity!"

Grinning right back and just as excited, the white mare gestured to her. "Do go on, darling, and name yourself."

Pausing for only a moment, she nodded. "Hello, Rarity. My name is Scarlet, and it's ever so nice to meet you." She proffered a peach hoof to her.

Rarity took it, locking eyes with her with all sincerity. "Welcome, Scarlet. I'm so glad you're here."

The newly christened Scarlet pulled Rarity to her, the two meeting in a fierce tangle of limbs and fur and mane. They held each other like that for awhile, baptizing each other with their tears in this strange ritual of understanding and compassion. Some time later, Rarity pulled back, wiping Scarlet's face tenderly as said pony composed herself, a few sniffles being the only remaining indication of the raw emotion in the room.

"Come now, darling. We have an appointment at the spa to keep, do we not? I'm sure Fluttershy will be thrilled to meet you." Rarity turned to the door, blue eyes looking fondly back over her shoulder at the newborn pony.

Scarlet smiled.

Author's Note

It's really hard to switch between writing a story in English and carrying on in PMs on a different site in Polish. Augh, my brain.

So when I started this fic, I completely was not expecting to be featured for it. I'm really glad everyone is enjoying it (for the most part) :)

I tend to just kind of write whatever comes out and then post it with no editing or anything like that, and chapters are generally written in about two hours and then posted. That's my own bad habit, so I apologize for any mistakes and whatnot.

I regret nothing etc

Deadlines and Doppelgangers

Sweat beaded on the white mare's brow as she scanned the book beside her. This spell should work. It has to work.

Hooves planted firmly, Rarity nodded to herself once before straightening and eying the other mare. She lit her horn, concentrating with all her might as the threads of light played around it, coalescing finally into a solid sheath. Never had she had to use so much magic at once, especially when the stakes were so high. Focusing further, she spared a last glance at the spellbook beside her before screwing her eyes shut in concentration. Letting her magic go in a blast, she hit the other mare squarely, ignoring her surprised cry.

A moment later, she cracked open one azure eye, hoping against hope it had worked.

"This. Is. AWESOME!" The pegasus pranced around for a moment, flexing her wings as she marveled at her distinctly lightened load. Letting out a breath she wasn't aware she had been holding, Rarity smiled tiredly at her friend.

"Now, Rainbow, you still must be careful. The gravity enchantment will wear off in two hours, so if you don't finish the flight by then, you need to land. I won't see you get hurt helping me, you understand?"

Flapping a hoof, Rainbow tossed her mane and flashed Rarity a cocky smile. "Pff, yeah, whatever Rares. Even if it wears off in the air, I'll be fine. It shouldn't matter though, because I'm only the fastest pegasus in Equestria!" Placing a comforting hoof on Rarity's withers, the smirk turned to a comforting smile. "Seriously though, I'll be careful. You know I'd never let you down."

Resting her head on her friend's shoulder for a bare moment, Rarity nodded. "I know. Thank you so much—I'd be lost without you and the other girls right now. But get moving, dear—Fillydelphia awaits!" Grinning, Rainbow darted to the door, throwing it open and dodging a pony neatly. Her rainbow contrail swooped out, the breeze ruffling the mane of the pony outside as she dipped inside.

"Watch it, Rainbow Dash!" The pale purple unicorn glared after the pegasus before closing the door, turning to Rarity with a shake of her head. "I know you two are friends, but she's not very good at being careful."

Rarity stared blankly for a moment before rousing herself with a shake. "Of course, I'm quite sorry about all that. Was there something you needed, Miss Stars? I'm afraid my boutique has been closed to catch up on orders for the last two days."

Apple Stars took her turn to stare blankly right back. "You told me to come by, Rarity. I needed a dress for the meeting, remember? The business meeting? The incredibly important meeting that could make or break my business?" Apple's dark pink eyes bored into Rarity's blue ones, unblinking, as she took a step forward.

"A heh heh... of course I remembered, darling! How could I forget that marvelous coat and beautiful... green mane?" Rarity's eyes darted around her boutique, flitting from the overloaded ponyquins to the balled-up scraps of half-finished designs that littered the floor. "Just, ah, hop up on the pedestal in front of the mirrors. I just need to find the right tape measure and I'll be over to measure you."

Apple hoisted her brow a bit further. "Uh... there's one around your neck, Rarity."

Blinking once, Rarity took the measure in her magic. "Of... course. My apologies." Trotting wearily to the door, she locked it as Apple Stars made her way up on the podium. "Now, with your coloration, Miss Stars, I'm thinking something in yellow, perhaps with some ruby accents."

Apple Stars made a non-committal noise as a tape measure encased in a pale blue glow threaded around her. After taking measurements for her neck, chest, forelegs, waist, and rump, Rarity sat back and scrawled the numbers on a small notepad. As much as I might complain, it's quite nice to be able to immerse myself into my work. It keeps my mind off of... things. A peach-colored face framed by blonde ringlets swam to the forefront of her mind unbidden, half-lidded green eyes almost taunting her. Yes, things like that, thank you ever so much, brain.

Butter-yellow satin floated over in a blue glow, expertly cut to size by a pair of floating scissors. Draping the fabric from Apple's withers to her rump, she reached for her pincushion to begin shaping the outfit—only to find it gone. Whipping her head around when her telekinesis failed to bring the pins to her, she blinked twice. "Oh my. A moment, Miss Stars—I just need to find some pins."

"Here you go, Rarity." A pink hoof proffered the missing pincushion, and distractedly, Rarity levitated them.

"Thank you Pinkie Pi-waaaHAAHAAAAAA!" She whipped around, eyes widening as both she and Apple Stars took a step back in surprise as their eyes fell on the pink pony. A quick breath later, Rarity shook her head before recovering her strained smile. "Pinkie Pie. The door was locked."

"It sure was! That was silly, because you wanted me to pick up those orders, remember? And I couldn't do that if the door was locked!" Pinkie Pie bounced cheerfully around Rarity, oblivious to Apple Stars' incredulous look.

"So how did you..." began Apple, following the pink pony's progress to the neatly wrapped packages by the door.

"Oh that's easy!" Pinkie giggled, skillfully tossing the top packages labelled with 'Manehatten' over her head and to her back. "I have keys stashed all over Equestria for locked door emergencies!"

One forehoof rubbing her temple, Rarity sighed. "Ignoring for the moment how creepy that is, darling, I didn't even hear you come in—"

"I'd love to stay and chat about things but I really have to go! I mean really, Rarity, the clothes aren't going to walk there themselves." She trotted cheerfully to the door, before stopping suddenly, eyes widening as she looked back at her fluffy tail that was waving erratically. "Oooh! Twitchy tail! Twitchy tail! I'm outta here!" She shot out the door, bell jangling merrily, as Rarity sighed.

"Twitchy tail... that means something is going to fall..." She glanced around, shrugged, and returned to the confused Apple Stars. "Apologies, Miss Stars, Pinkie can be a bit... erratic—" She was cut off by something smacking her square between the eyes, halting her forward progress. Ignoring the amused snickers of her customer, Rarity huffed and peered down over her glasses at the object on the floor.

A sloppily wrapped scroll laid at her hooves, marred by dust and some pebbles brought over in the teleportation. Absently rubbing the base of her horn, she brought the scroll up and unwound it, stepping back with a cross sigh as more dust and dirt spilled from the interior of the scroll. "This had better be good, Spike," she muttered, eyes alighting on the words finally.

Rarity

Diamond dogs! Scarlet! Fighting! HELP!

Biting her lip, Rarity flicked her eyes to Apple Stars, who was tapping a hoof impatiently on the podium. Eyes flicking back to the paper, she closed her eyes with a sigh. Composing herself quickly, she spirited the scroll off to the cabinet, smiling widely at Apple Stars. "Well! I'm very sorry for all the interruptions today, Miss Stars. I have your measurements here, and I can see that the colors will work simply marvelously on you. So, what say we arrange a fitting for tomorrow afternoon, around 3pm? Just to be certain the gown fits properly, which I'm sure it will!"

Apple narrowed her eyes slightly at the sweating fashionista as the yellow satin was magicked off her back and onto the sewing table. "I suppose... you aren't going to forget on me, are you, Rarity? This is very important to me."

"I wouldn't dream of it, dear."

Across town, another scroll hit another unicorn, this one purple, squarely on the nose. "Ow!" Rubbing her nose, she unrolled it, reading quickly before gasping and checking the time.

Two in the afternoon. "Oh, Spike..." Prancing all four hooves in place, her eyes darted around the room nervously from her neatly packed luggage, to her train tickets on the table, to her checklist reminding her to pick up Rarity's dresses for delivery to Canterlot. Finally settling on her spare saddlebags, she levitated them on and added some rope, water, and food to them before galloping out the door.

A disappointed huff could be heard in Canterlot, when a scroll materialized--along with a good portion of pebbles, dirt, and other assorted messy things--in the Sun Princess' lunch. Her practiced smile slapping right back onto her face, Celestia levitated the scroll to her and read it slowly, taking a small sip of her—thankfully unharmed—tea.

"A problem with your faithful student, my sister?" Luna smiled from the other end of the table, choosing to diplomatically not comment on the state of her sister's food.

"A problem with Spike, really—apparently a friend of his has been captured by the Diamond Dogs. Luna, you were in Ponyville for Nightmare Night, so perhaps you can shed some light on this." Celestia shifted in her seat, brow furrowing slightly as she checked and rechecked her memory against the name on the scroll.

"Of course. Who has been captured?" Luna raised a quizzical eyebrow, sipping at her own tea as she eyed her sister.

"That's just it. Who the hay is 'Scarlet'?" The sisters locked eyes. With a shrug, Luna turned back to her food.

"I have no idea, sister."

Scarlet laid on the packed dirt floor of the cell, her back to Spike who had thankfully stopped pestering her with questions. Tears rolled silently down her cheeks as she contemplated the earthen wall in front of her, uncaring now of the dirt smearing her coat and face. Sniffles behind her assured her that Spike was both awake and just as miserable as she was. Curling her tail up, she held it between her forehooves, gently stroking the dusty violet strands.

Remembering her hubris and arrogance about escaping from the Diamond Dogs the first time, Scarlet wished she could go back and scream at herself to handle it with a bit more class. But... that wasn't me. Not really. That was her. But because of her choices, now I don't have a chance of escape on my own. Thus comforted, if coldly, by her own bitterness, Scarlet slipped her eyes shut. Nothing else to do but sleep, anyway.

Spike huddled up near the bars, putting plenty of distance between himself and Scarlet. Where did Rarity's friend go? Why is Rarity here now? Did she give herself up in her place, or... He blinked twice, glancing over his shoulder at the white unicorn before turning back. Not... I hope not a changeling. I hope. Standing, he brushed off his knees, filthy from kneeling on the dirt floor. Hesitantly, he approached the unicorn, twisting his claws together in his characteristic gesture of nervousness.

Hearing the shuffling and padding of small feet behind her, Scarlet sighed, not even bothering to turn around. "What is it, Spike?"

His voice wavered slightly. "How did you get here? And where is Scarlet?"

Just a little longer... "I have no idea. Let me sleep, Spike." The white unicorn curled up on herself tighter, clinging to her once precious tail. Spike stood quietly for a time, simply watching her.

"Rarity?"

Lip curling in a slight sneer, she turned to fix one baleful eye on the young drake. "Yes, Spike?"

He flinched from her gaze, but soldiered on. "Where's the letter?"

Now it was Scarlet's turn to wince. "The dogs took it with my saddlebags." Her heart tore at her for the lie, but she turned back to the wall resolutely. "Now, please let me sleep."

"What did it say, Rarity?"

Trying not to squeeze her eyes shut too hard, Scarlet feigned sleep. A few moments passed before soft pads could be heard as Spike circled around to Scarlet's front, and a smoky smell hit her nostrils as he leaned closer. They stayed like that for longer than she thought possible, Scarlet concentrating on keeping her breaths deep and even as her nerves jangled at her. After a moment, she felt one claw, whisper soft, moving her mane from her face, and the soft sigh that could only belong to a young boy in love.

"Goodnight, Rarity. I'll... I'll fix this. Somehow."

As the claws padded away behind her again, Scarlet couldn't stop one more tear from trailing down her face to the earthen floor.

Purple hooves nimbly dodged the small outcroppings of rock that threatened to trip her up, eyes scanning the horizon. "Ohhh, I'm sure it was this way..." Twilight whipped her head left and right, sharp eyes looking out for the distinct tell-tale hills of dirt that signaled the Diamond Dog's lair.

Spying one such outcropping, she allowed a thin smile to paint her face. "I'm coming, Spike!" With a leap born more of foolhardy optimism than the usual cold logic she employed, Twilight slid down into the lair, sharp pebbles clawing at her fur as she tumbled blindly to the packed earth floor. Picking herself up, she shook her head twice to clear it before lighting her horn. A dank corridor met her, the stench of fetid earth causing her nose to crinkle as it clung to her coat. Quietly, she began sneaking along, keeping only the barest light from her horn alive to illuminate the craggy walls ahead.

She was fully aware of her folly; surely the dogs would have heard her less than graceful landing. But then, that's what magic was for—she was a mage, not a dancer, so she cared little for personal grace beyond saving herself a few scrapes and bruises. Wincing at one such developing bruise on her foreleg, she sighed and continued down the halls.

Sounds echoed down the winding corridors of dirt and stone—the occasional burst of canine laughter, periodic barking of orders from a superior to an underling, and a snore on one occasion found their way to her sensitive ears. Choosing the paths that led closer to the orders and laughter, Twilight slowed slightly, letting her horn pick out the gemstones intentionally left in the wall.

Interesting... maybe they use them as markers? Eyeing one large sapphire, she tilted her head. I wonder what this one means. As her hornlight hit it, the facets reflected in a dazzling show, giving her pause as the reflections played over her nose and face. So lovely...

The walls abruptly began shaking, and Twilight turned from the gem, eyes wide. One foreleg raised, she focused on calming herself. It's just a tremor, or something. A moment later, four dogs burst from the walls before her, grins wide as their fangs glinted in the light of her horn. Turning, four more burst out of the walls behind her, effectively pinning her in the corridor. With a gulp, she erected a shield spell, watching the largest of the four in front of her warily.

"Another little pony! Did your princess raise the sun on the wrong side of the world today? So many ponies finding their way to Diamond Dog's home today." Licking his lips, he advanced on her, one claw running down her barrier, causing Twilight to shudder from the feedback. "Impressive. A shame pony is trapped. Can't keep this up forever." The rusty chuckles of the dogs were punctuated by their deliberate steps towards her, all eight stopping just short of her barrier.

Straining under her spell, Twilight glanced around. Nothing but dogs and earthen walls surrounded her. I can't... I can't go forwards, or back... One of the dogs in the rear swiped at her shield, Twilight nearly losing concentration as she shuddered. Well... if I can't go around... A sly smile made its way to her face, and she locked eyes with the lead dog.

"You're right. I can't. And I don't have to." Reaching down inside herself, she summoned a much stronger version of her shield spell, pulling the threads of magic together into her horn. With a last smirk, she released it, expanding her bubble outward and pushing the dogs down the hall. Flying end over end, the front four landed in a snarling pile of teeth and fur at the next intersection, while the four behind landed much the same way at the previous intersection. Shield gone, Twilight turned her attention to the wall beside her, calling up magic again fluidly. "If I can't go around, I'll just go through." With little fanfare, and more than a little giddy glee, Twilight blasted a hole through the wall beside her, and hopped through.

The dogs raised themselves up, disentangling from each other and padding to the large, impressive hole in their carefully crafted lair. Sighing, the largest dog pointed. "Well? Go after her!" As his underlings barked and dashed through, he shook his head.

"Ponies. It had to be ponies."

Rarity despised running.

It was hot, sweaty, made a mess of her mane, and more often than not chipped her hooficure. She, point of fact, avoided running whenever possible. She put far too much into her appearance to have it all undone by one ill-advised dash for the sake of "fun".

A run for the sake of others, while still just as horrid, was actually worth it. Such were the white unicorn's thoughts as her hooves pounded through the dust of the plain leading to the lair, mind spinning with panic and worry as she glanced at the sun. It was further along than she would have liked.

Apple Stars had taken quite a bit of convincing before she would finally leave. Rarity now found herself needing to make not just a lovely gown, but also a rather fancy hat and brooch to make up for all the trouble that day. It was two-thirty before she was able to gently shoo a suspicious and cranky Apple Stars from her shop, gushing promises all the while about the appointment the following day. Huffing at the memory, she bucked up the tiniest bit to resettle her saddlebags before soldiering on.

A vague part of her mind suggested that she needed to get the others. The panicked part of her mind reminded her that she needed to get there first, just in case anything happened. Who knows what those dogs will do to dear Scarlet? Not to mention my Spikey-Wikey... I do hope they're alright. Pouring on another burst of speed, she glanced to her right. There loomed the hills, and a small brown contraption on the ground near one. Slowing curiously, she trotted to the object, blowing a stray hair out of her face irritably.

A splash of cold hit her heart and trickled through her entire body as she recognized what it was--Spike's cart. It was overturned and completely empty, save for the dust that had blown inside. Trotting around the back, skin crawling, she saw his little haversack laying discarded on the ground, filthy, the area around it littered with empty parchment and a quill.

Rarity was not, generally, a pony that was quick to anger. It surprised her, then, when the surge of burning anger exploded through her at the sight of the little drake's belongings, taking the cold lance of her panic and smothering it utterly. Muzzle twisting with a rather unladylike snarl, she stamped one hoof on the ground, eyes flashing as she glared at the nearby hole.

"Oh, it. Is. ON."

Leaping with a speed and dexterity few were aware she possessed, Rarity gracefully entered the lair.

Scarlet and Spike both woke with a jolt, the unicorn's ears twitching madly in response to the sounds of explosions, falling bodies, and hoofbeats. Prancing nervously in place, Scarlet stood at the bars of her cell, eyes scanning the empty corridor in front of her. Their guard had taken off with a howl, presumably to aid his fellows. He had taken the key, however, and the explosions were getting unnervingly close.

Spike was pressed against the white unicorn, earlier animosity forgotten by both as Scarlet wrapped a soft foreleg around the little dragon. "It's alright, Spike. We'll figure this out, I promise." Another explosion, close enough to shake the walls of their cell, caused both to jump and whirl, trying to pinpoint what was happening.

"Do you think it's the others? I bet that's either Twilight or the Princess. They wouldn't just... leave us..." Spike trailed off, trembling body belying his true thoughts. A pang of guilt hit Scarlet's heart, and she stroked Spike's head fins soothingly.

"No. They'd never just leave us. I'm sure the cavalry will be along shortly—don't you worry, darling." I hope.

Another explosion rocked the lair, tripping Rarity up as she bounded down the halls. Something was happening; something fairly terrible, if she had to guess. Thankfully, the halls were fairly clear, as the dogs were centered around stopping the explosions. Several ran directly past her on their way, the musty smell of their coats causing her nose to wrinkle slightly, but she withheld comment.

Coming to a fork, Rarity whipped her head to the right and saw bars along the wall. The cells. If they were captured, I bet that's where they are. Walking slowly, coat hugging the wall, she flicked her ears forward to catch any sounds of voices that she could. She passed two dank, empty cells, their doors sagging open slightly and creaking with each muffled boom from further in the lair.

After one particularly nasty boom that brought down a shower of dirt from the ceiling, Rarity finally heard what she had been hoping against hope for: voices.

"That one was too close. What are we gonna do, Rarity? We can't stay here!" The panicked voice of the drake floated to her, and she had to bite her lip to stop herself from answering.

Why is Scarlet not in her disguise? I doubt the enchantment broke. Stopping ten feet from the cell and staying well out of sight, Rarity mulled over the problem, one hoof nervously pawing at the floor. Spike is there... I can't very well just trot up! There can't be two of me. I wonder... Lighting her horn, Rarity shuffled through her belongings in the saddlebag. She hadn't repacked it since going to Twilight's, so she dug desperately, searching for the one thing that could save their gambit.

A smile lit her face as her telekinesis wrapped around something cold, long, and decidedly chain-like. With a smile, she ignored the next explosion, quickly casting the disguise enchantment on the chain before pulling it out and slipping it over her head. Warm ribbons of magic enveloped her, carrying her up slightly as it took effect. Coming down gracefully, she noted her peach hooves and new cutie mark, and smiled. I've SO got this.

Bounding to the cell door, she skidded to a halt at the sight of Scarlet. The mare was covered from head to toe in dirt, one entire side of her almost completely brown. Her violet mane laid flat against her head, below which two fearful eyes locked with Rarity's. Rarity's heart seized up when she noted the tear trails below those lovely eyes, both filthy and crusted over with dirt already. The moment passed when another explosion, this one sounding only a few feet away, hit the lair.

"Come now... er, Rarity, we need to get you and Spike out of there."

Scarlet's gaze hardened. "Don't you think we've been trying, Scarlet?"

Huffing, Rarity glared at the other mare. "We need to try harder. Spike, Rarity, back away from the bars."

Confused, the two did as they were told. Remembering long days watching Applejack and Big Mac bucking apples on their farm, Rarity whirled around, hindquarters bunched. I am definitely going back to the spa after this. Her legs shot out, hitting the bars solidly, but getting nothing for her efforts but a painful vibration up her entire backside. Wincing, she turned, smiling apologetically at Scarlet. "Any ideas, dear?"

She opened her mouth to retort, but was cut off by the wall directly beside Rarity exploding outwards. A shower of dirt and small pebbles hit the two mares and one dragon, arms and forelegs coming up reflexively. Coughing through the dust, Rarity looked up, horn lit at the ready to attack.

The dust cleared, and a beaming, if tired, Twilight Sparkle pranced to Rarity. "Scarlet! I thought you were captured!" Dumbfounded, Rarity waved a peach hoof to the cell door. Twilight turned, eyeing the door for a half second before blasting away the dirt above and below it. The cell door, free of its attachment, fell harmlessly into Twilight's telekinesis. Whirling back to Rarity, the purple unicorn grinned. "Alright, let's get going! I wrapped up some of the dogs following me in a bubble, but I don't know how long it will hold."

Tossing Spike on her back carefully, Twilight started down the path Rarity had taken in, the two other mares following behind. Turning left at the fork, they could see daylight streaming in, and Scarlet heaved a happy sigh, putting more power into her strides as the end was near. We made it.

The three ponies and one dragon clambered awkwardly up the dirt slope, Twilight periodically shifting the dirt to make a crude staircase. "I... hate... stairs..." Rarity lifted a quizzical eyebrow at Twilight, who gave her a strained smile in return. Her magic was being sorely taxed, and Rarity could see the first signs of magical exhaustion taking hold.

"Darling, please, let me handle the next few steps. You need to rest until we're out." Skidding over a patch of scree, Rarity lit her own horn, lending her magic to her friend. "We're almost there."

After what felt to be an eternity of clambering over dirt and rocks, the small party pulled themselves out of the entrance. Twilight and Rarity made quick work of filling in the hole, and the ponies and dragon flopped down to rest for a moment. Spike eyed Scarlet and Rarity both, and turned to Twilight. "Hey, Twi. Got any stuff to write with in your bag?"

Panting, but smiling, Twilight nodded. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, Spike. Of course I do." Levitating out a parchment and quill, she watched with some interest as Spike scribbled out a note. "Why are you writing to the Princesses? We just need to rest, and we'll be just fine."

Sending off the missive in a gout of flame, Spike declined to answer. Rarity approached, hesitantly, reaching out a hoof to him. "I'm so glad you're alright, Spikey-Wikey! I was ever so worried."

To Rarity's surprise, he skittered backward, standing protectively in front of Twilight. "How did you get away, Scarlet? How did you end up in my cell, Rarity?"

"Oh, that's... that's a long story..." Scarlet and Rarity traded nervous glances as Twilight perked up, the tired unicorn now eyeing her friends carefully.

"I, for one, would like to hear it. I'd also like to know why Scarlet is wearing Rarity's saddlebags." Twilight rose slowly, pacing towards the other two unicorns that were now cowering.

"I... well, you see, Twilight... I lent her my bags, and..." Scarlet was interrupted by a crack and a flash, a whiff of ozone coming through in the wake of the teleportation spell. Turning slowly, Rarity came face to face with a very stern Princess of the Sun.

"I got your letter, Spike," she began, never taking her eyes off Scarlet and Rarity. "It's time to get to the bottom of this."

Author's Note

Wow I suck at updating.

Sorry guys.

DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUUUN.

Dancing and Dodging

Scarlet
vector by me, source was Google

As Celestia's sun affixed itself to noon, two unicorns slipped into the spa like an agent's hooves into a cash box.

Tan lips breathed anxiously beside a white ear. "Are you certain we can do this?"

A reassuring smile from the snowy unicorn set her fears to rest. "Of course, dear. Now, remember—you are Scarlet, a friend from the fashion scene in Canterlot. Simple is best." The two shared a nod, and Rarity took the lead, gliding up to the pink mare smiling behind the counter.

"The usual, darling! Fluttershy should be along shortly, and my friend Scarlet will be joining us today. Be a dear and put it on my tab?" The non-question was answered with a wide smile and nod, Aloe noting down the cost before shooting off to join her sister in preparing the spa.

The tan mare settled herself gracefully on the couch, Rarity joining her. The two sat close together, the quiet hum of their voices soon filling the spa. Dark blue eyes occasionally flicked upwards to the door of the spa during their conversation, then over to the clock.

Rarity, Celestia help her, was nervous. Fluttershy, for all her introversion, was no slouch in the intelligence department; the white unicorn was truly concerned that they would be caught out. Of course, it shouldn't be that big of a deal, she thought, smiling at Scarlet's voice, but all the same... I don't want to lose her. As Scarlet's bright laughter rang out at some joke Rarity's autopilot voice made, something seemed to stir in the white mare's chest, and her eyes widened for the briefest moment before she regained her composure.

After all, she thought to herself, the world sorely needs more fabulousity.

The peach mare settled back into the mud, sighing contentedly. The warm sludge flowed around her body and the seaweed wrapped tightly against her coat, and she wondered idly why this was so relaxing. I suppose Applejack had a point. It is somewhat strange that I enjoy this mud and not others. Shifting around to get a bit more comfortable, she tried not to scrunch her eyes against the chilly cucumber slices lying on her eyelids, and focused most of her energy on listening.

"...and as I said, darling, I do think you should reconsider about the modeling. With this big boom in business, I may have to start putting on fashion shows, and I can't think of a better pony for the job." Rarity's cultured voice wafted to Scarlet, who smiled.

A squeak reached her ears, and she could almost see Fluttershy shrink down. "Oh no, Rarity, I couldn't. It was so... awful, last time." Tell-tale sounds of shifting, and a slight breeze against her face—Scarlet assumed Fluttershy was fluffing her wings nervously, as pegasi were wont to do. "A-anyway, you have Scarlet here now. I'm sure she would make a wonderful choice for model. If... if that's okay with you."

The referenced mare said nothing, merely arching a brow and waiting to see how Rarity would get out of this one. Scarlet shared Rarity's fears of being caught, and of course, those chances went up with the more ponies she was exposed to. Must be careful, she thought bitterly.

Knowing she could never be famous as "Scarlet" was a hard pill to swallow. Too many ponies, too many questions. Somepony would eventually notice that there was no birth record for a one "Scarlet the Unicorn" in Canterlot or really, any other city. She also realized that she would have to continue to live with Rarity for that same reason-a double edged sword to be sure. While staying at the Boutique was the only real 'normal' part of her life now, the strange feelings she got around Rarity were distracting and rather annoying.

She was pulled from her reverie by the gentle voice of Fluttershy once more. "A-and besides, Rarity, Scarlet is so much like you! You're both so refined, and talented, and beautiful..." She trailed off quietly with a squeak, and both unicorns sat perfectly still for a moment.

Musing on how fortunate it was that nopony could see them and read their startled body language, Scarlet spoke up smoothly. "Fluttershy, you are far too kind. I can assure you, however, that I wouldn't be a good choice of model. I'm far too picky to be told what to wear and where to stand. And have you seen some of those supposed 'fashion moguls'? The things they wear, my goodness! Between you and me," she leaned closer over the edge of her mud bath towards where the yellow pegasus was, "Photo Finish? She looks like a filly dressed up for Hearth's Warming in those ridiculously poofy dresses."

Gales of laughter broke the tension, all three mares relaxing almost audibly as more lighthearted chatter began to fill the spa.

Afternoon sunlight coated the peach mare's coat as she exited the spa, body visibly more relaxed and polished than it was merely two hours previous. Stretching herself out happily, she turned her face up to the sky, eyes sliding shut. I needed that in the worst way. Standing back up to her full height, she turned, smiling and clasping Fluttershy's hooves in her own. "It was ever so nice to meet you, my dear. I do hope to see you again."

Bobbing her head meekly, the shy pegasus returned the smile. "It was lovely, Scarlet. Um, you could always stop by my cottage for some tea, if you like. I-it's not much, but..."

Interrupting her friend, the other mare nodded. "Of course. I may just take you up on that."

Fluttershy beamed, nodding back. "O-okay. I'll see you later, girls!" With a wave of her hoof, she took off at a sedate trot as Rarity stepped up beside Scarlet.

"Oh, that simply makes one feel like a new mare, does it not?" Sighing contentedly, Rarity turned to Scarlet. "Now then, we do need to split up today. One of us must go with dear little Spike to collect gemstones, and one of us must go back to the shop to work on the orders. This has been a very nice diversion, but there is still much to do."

Rolling her eyes and feeling the good the spa did already ebbing from her body, Scarlet met her eyes. "Well, I suppose I'll take the gem-finding assignment. Doing those orders has been so tedious." Flipping her hair, she fixed Rarity with her-their, really-trademark smile.

Eyes widening a fraction of an inch, the white unicorn stood, speechless, for a moment. Heavens, is that what that looks like? I had no idea it was so... nice? No. Oh, what's the word... right. Unfair. She found herself nodding, almost against her own will. "Why yes, o-of course. I'll just... head back." She cleared her throat, shaking her head to clear it. "Spike should be waiting for you at the library. Just tell him I sent you along in my stead."

Flipping her tail, Scarlet nodded and trotted off, leaving a very confused and somewhat discomfited Rarity behind.

Rhythmic squeaking filled the air, the intrusive sound cutting through the quiet that surrounded the flat plateau the two creatures traveled. Dust rose from one set of hooves and one pair of clawed hindlegs, which only the owner of the hooves minded at all. Huffing and shaking a foreleg, Scarlet glanced forward to Spike.

"Is it much further, Spike? My hooves are positively aching. This cart isn't helping matters either." Giving her body a shake, she sighed in relief as she felt the harness shift slightly, the brown band moving back towards her haunches a bit.

Keeping his head forward, the baby dragon gave an exasperated eyeroll before peeking back at her over the brown pack slung over his back. "It's not that far, we'll be there before you know it!" With renewed vigor and pep in his step, Spike strode confidently across the dusty plateau, motioning for the unicorn to follow. "C'mon, I promise it's not that bad."

With a dramatic sigh, Scarlet picked her hooves up to keep pace with him. "I would prefer to start using my spell now, if you please. We could be stepping over pockets of jewels and never know it." Glancing ahead, she noted with no small amount of nervousness the worn down mounds of loose dirt drawing nearer. Shuddering, she added, "And I'd rather stay away from all that, if you don't mind terribly."

Blinking slowly, realization finally clicked for Spike. "Oh... heh. Guess Rarity told you about the Diamond Dogs, right? I don't think it's anything to worry about, because we showed them what a bad idea it is to mess with my favorite mare!" Chest puffed up, the little dragon allowed a cocky smile to surface. "And besides, I brought a bunch of stuff with me like paper and quills, so if anything happens, I can send off a letter and have my friends here in no time!"

Shaking her head, Scarlet stamped one hoof obstinately on the packed dirt. "Spike, I respect your dedication to planning and safety, but I am a lady and have no intention of mucking around huge piles of dirt that could topple at any moment. We are here to find gems, and find gems we shall." With that, she unhooked herself from the cart magically, trotting briskly past a befuddled Spike as she lit her horn again.

Spike was beside her again in a second, pacing along beside her and tugging the empty cart over the dry, bumpy ground. "Wow, you sounded just like Rarity there, Scarlet! I bet you two are—"

"I am not Rarity," she hissed, not even sparing a glance at the drake. Sensing a pile of gemstones, she distractedly followed her own magic to the spot.

Spike, somewhat dumbfounded, tried to catch up, unsure what he did to deserve such venom. "I-I'm sorry, I just thought—"

"Thought what? That it was a compliment?" She snorted, eyes rolling before fixing back to the ground.

Clicking his foreclaws together nervously, he nodded slightly. "Well... it kind of was..."

Shooting a glare in his direction, she held his emerald gaze with her matching one for a moment before sniffing haughtily. "I am my own mare, Spike. I don't need to be compared to... to her to feel good about myself." Levitating over a small rock, she marked a large X over the gem pile she had found.

"You're right. You're not like her." Scarlet looked back, surprised and wary of the wavering note in his voice. She met his gaze, and realized something rather important.

Spike was furious.

"The mare I know would never speak to me like that. The mare I know knows that I would never try to hurt her. And the mare I know is generous enough to at least p-pretend that I'm worth her time..." Those large green eyes, the windows to the heart and mind of the little dragon, welled with tears, and he sat down heavily in the dust as Scarlet merely stood, shocked.

Dropping the rock to the ground, she reached out a forehoof to him carefully. "I... oh, my Spikey-Wikey, I'm so sorry..."

"N-no. That's her name for me." Relaxing his fists from tight little balls, he slowly wiped his eyes with one purple claw, eyes trained on the X she had marked as he made his way resolutely towards it. "You don't get to use it."

A freezing lance of hurt passed through her body, her eyes widening and prickling with unshed tears as she watched the little drake dig furiously to the gems, leaving them in the hole for her to levitate to the cart. Instead, it was her turn to fall back to her haunches, staring down at her own front hooves and willing the tears to stay back.

What have I done?

Leaving the pony to wallow in her sadness, Spike huffed and began transporting the gems to the cart himself. Brows knitted, he listened to the sobs of the unicorn behind him, keeping his back turned. Trying his best to hold on to his rage, he dumped the pile of amethysts and rubies into the cart, the sharp clanking covering her sniffling for a moment. Sighing heavily, he looked down at the gems before shaking his head. "Look, Scarlet..."

"AIIIIIIIEEEEEEEE!"

Whipping his head around, Spike's eyes widened as he saw Rarity's friend beset from all sides by slavering, bipedal canines. His mouth worked, but no sound came out as he slowly removed his backpack and quietly picked through it. He spared a glance up again as he found his parchment and quill, and paused.

Head lowered menacingly, Scarlet's eyes seemed to positively glow as she eyed the dogs circling her. Gritting her teeth, she lit her horn with a sparkling light spell. Here's hoping they don't know a thing about magic. "Stay back, you ruffians! I am a trained mage!" While not technically a lie, Scarlet still felt her cheeks flush as her mind raced. Certainly, she knew some defensive spells designed to incapacitate a pony... but Diamond Dogs were much bigger and different physiologically.

"Pretty pony thinks she can hurt us!" chuckled the largest of the group, whipping his paw out to flick at her mane ringlets. Scarlet backed up at this, stopping just short of another dog, correcting herself with a leap forward to avoid his grasp. The ring of dogs was slowly closing tighter around her, her peach hooves stamping the ground desperately as she eyed them, letting her horn grow even brighter.

FWOOSH

The largest dog turned at the sound, catching Spike squarely in his sights. "Pony has a dragon, eh?"

Taking advantage of this distraction, Scarlet turned and bucked into the dog's twisted back for all she was worth, rewarded with a satisfying yelp of pain. Seeing him fall, she took to her hooves again, attempting to jump towards Spike over his body. Feeling the wind on her coat after her jump, she allowed a small smile. We're going to get out of here.

Falling suddenly and much sooner than intended, Scarlet looked over her shoulder desperately to see the largest dog getting back up, her tail held firmly in his grasp. "Clever move, pony, but Diamond Dogs are smarter." A scream tore at her throat as he roughly yanked her back by the tail, his other massive paw coming up to cover her horn. "And if pretty little pony thinks she can hurt me with magic, I will snap her horn off."

Sobbing, covered with dirt, and beyond caring, Scarlet quivered in the dust. "I'll go! Just... leave the dragon alone. Please."

FWOOSH

The largest dog considered this for a moment, sharp eyes roaming over his clanmates before fixing finally on the small dragon, who appeared to be scrawling something out on paper. Grabbing up Scarlet under one huge arm, he nodded. "Stop fighting, pony, and he will be safe." A mute nod was his reply, and he grinned, throwing Scarlet down the hole they had dug so silently earlier.

FWOOSH

Panting, Spike began to repack his bag, looking nervously at the dogs. The largest one turned, evil glint in his eye. "Bring the dragon, boys."

Eyes widening, the little drake shook his head. "N-no! You told her I'd be safe!"

"And you will be, little dragon. But dragon is coming with us." With that, the leader leaped down the hole to follow Scarlet, leaving his minions to capture Spike.

Furrowing his brow, Spike belched out a tongue of sickly green flame at them, giving them pause. "F-fine. But I'm not coming quietly." The dogs chuckled, their bravery returning, as they circled the dragon. I can't keep this up forever, but maybe just until they get here...

Down below, Scarlet laid unmoving on the packed dirt. The dog landed beside her heavily, glancing her way. "Get up, pony. You need to find us gems."

Feeling her earlier anger come back, she stayed laying on the floor. "Maybe if you hadn't tossed me down here like a bit of rubbish to be thrown away, I'd be more convinced that you actually need my help."

Rolling his eyes, the dog rubbed his brow with one paw, feeling that this encounter with a pony was going to be difficult as well. "Pony is rubbish unless pony finds gems."

"I mean really, haven't you ever heard of asking first? I would have been more than happy to find the gemstones for you if you had merely asked first." Standing and brushing herself off as best she could, she glowered at the dog. "Honestly, you don't need to be so uncouth and simply take things that would be freely given if you just asked..."

Clamping a paw over her mouth, the dog rubbed his face. "No, pony. Okay? No. Start walking."

Huffing, the unicorn acquiesced, but yanked her muzzle from his paw. "And that's another thing. You cannot simply put your filthy paws on whoever you like. Why, I had a spa visit just this morning, and now look at me!" Dramatically extending a foreleg to sweep her entire body, tears welled up as a tiny poof of dust came up from her hoof. "I'm utterly ruined. Who knows how long I need to soak to look like me again?" Trotting forward again, she tilted her snout up disdainfully.

"It doesn't matter how pony looks, only that pony can find gems. Diamond Dogs don't care." His paw was still firmly affixed to his face, and he idly wondered why he even bothered with the ponies after last time.

Gasping, she ran ahead and whirled, facing him. "I don't care if you don't care! I can tell you don't care, given how filthy and generally unkempt you all are! But I care. I'm just not sure I can use my spell to its full potential when I feel so disgusting..." Her sharp green eyes peered up at the dog that was studiously not looking in her direction. "Is it really such a hindrance to request a simple bath after all you've put me through?"

Growling under his breath, he finally glared down at her. "Pony can have bath after pony gets some gems. Need time to make bath for such a posh little pony." Snorting, he smirked, mind already whirling with how he planned to let her 'bathe'.

"There. Was that so hard?" Tossing her tattered curls over her shoulder, she stood a bit straighter, trotting on beside the dog. Once her mane was out of the way, though, the light caught and glinted on her pendant. Lowering his paw, he grinned as the two arrived at a dank cell, opening the door for her.

"After you, pony." He gave an exaggerated mock-bow, and with a disdainful snort, Scarlet trotted in.

"Hardly well-appointed, but I suppose it will do..." She glanced around, taking in the damp walls and floors with a little moue of disgust.

The dog shut the cell door, beckoning her closer. Trotting to the bars, she tilted her head. "Didn't you want me to find gems? There's no bath in here, nor any gems, so I'm at a loss as to why you—"

Breath caught in her throat, she looked down at the feel of something brushing the fur on her chest. Her eyes met with the sight of that large paw wrapped around her grandmother's necklace. Slowly moving her gaze back up, she felt the tears prick her eyes again.

"I already found some gems here, pony." Grinning widely, he gave the necklace a tug. "I will keep it for you."

"I—no! Please, not that. It was my grandmother's... and I need it. I'll stay down here for a month if I have to, just don't..." She backed instinctively, and stopped immediately when she felt the pull of the delicate chain on the back of her neck. "Please, if you have any decency..."

The dog thought for a moment, eyeing the pony carefully. After a moment, he nodded. "Okay, pony. I will give it back... after you find enough gems for us." With a vicious snap, he tore the necklace from her, admiring the rubies set inside. So busy admiring it, in fact, that he nearly missed the flash of an enchantment coming undone. Looking up in shock, his sharp eyes took in the white hooves, the purple mane, the three diamond cutie mark...

He slapped a paw over his face, letting out an aggravated noise. "Pony stays there."

Before Scarlet could protest, the sounds of scuffling down the hall met their ears. "We have dragon!"

"Excellent. Put dragon in with prissy pony princess." The largest dog motioned to the cage angrily. "Pony tricked us. Leave to rot."

A purple and green lump was unceremoniously dumped next to Scarlet, jumping to his feet quickly and shaking a tiny fist. "You dogs just wait! Our friends will be here to break me and Scarlet out of here, just you wait! Don't worry, Scarl—" Finally looking at the pony in the room, his eyes widened hugely. "Rarity? They got you too?! Well, don't you worry, because I sent letters to Twilight, Celestia, and... well, to you. Did you get it?"

Scarlet sobbed.

Author's Note

I am so sorry this took so long to get out. Hopefully, the life issues that kept me from writing this are allayed long enough for me to continue it.