Chapter 1: Day of Innocence
Within the beautiful gardens of Canterlot, her majesty, Princess Celestia, stood with white, angelic wings raised skyward before taking flight to raise her majestic sun above Equestria, bringing light to their world. A new day had begun and all was silent in Ponyville. Everypony lay snug in their beds, each to their own dreams, living in their own fantasies. Though there was one pony who saw their dreams to be something more. They had become inspired, awed, compelled by it. They saw it as an opportunity for greatness. No matter how far, they were determined to see their fantasy become reality and create a new world, a greater world, and it was in this epic moment of revelation an idea was born and Equestria's future, changed.
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Radiant sunbeams of orange and gold streaked across the upstairs bedroom of Carousel Boutique, the first rays of light illuminating the interior of the suite. Aligned meticulously along the walls of the room were all sorts of fabrics and other materials, some leaning against the walls in rolls, others draped across the bureau and one-of-a-kind vanity. The top-center of the luxurious suite was dominated by a large, four-poster bed, pink and lavender curtains hanging softly overhead. And upon this extravagant bed lay a pure white pony, her mane and tail, a deep, royal purple, the latter drooping over the bedside and falling into a delicate array on the cold floor below.
Slowly, the fashionable mare opened her eyes, their color a bright and joyous blue, perfectly contrasting her beautiful, white coat of soft fur. Another bright day had yet to start and she had orders to fill, but there was one, slight detriment the unicorn had overlooked. Without considering her condition, Rarity, as it was the divine pony's name, raised herself from her bed and attempted to stand, but only succeeded in toppling over the edge to land upon the barren floor.
Oh, silly me, she thought privately to herself. How could I have forgotten about yesterdays accident? Twilight said that I should stay in bed until I heal. After all, being hit full on by a flying pegasus does tend to cause some type of injury. And talk about a bad mane day, too! That reckless pegasus needs to watch where she's going, even when she's trying out a new trick! When I see her again, I'll be sure to give her a piece of my mind! No, no, no . . . I mustn't. It was only an accident and I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But how am I supposed to finish my ensembles for Fancy Pants? He did request them to be delivered on Tuesday, but . . . I suppose it can't be helped. He'll just have to wait until I am able again. Now if only Spike would come around, I could write a letter for him to send to Fancy Pants explaining everything. Oh, I do hope he shows up.
As Rarity finished running through her thoughts, she had come to realize she was laying on the floor, the horrible, dusty floor. Even though Sweetie Belle had washed it yesterday, Rarity still deemed it to be far too unclean for her to lay upon. Many buckets of water had been overturned as her younger sister labored, but her chore had gotten done eventually and everything was cleaner than it was before. Just as Rarity liked it to be.
Rising from her fall, Rarity pushed herself back onto her bed and reclined against the headboard. She delicately laid her head back and sighed. If only she could walk. She could fill her orders, wash her mane, and, after all that, enjoy a relaxing afternoon at Ponyville's spa. She'd even have time to take her beloved, yet somewhat feisty cat, Opalescence, to be groomed. Although, naturally, she'd request help from her animal adoring pegasus friend, Fluttershy. Everypony in Ponyville knew Fluttershy was undoubtedly the best when it came to animals. Rarity had seen her walk right up to a flustered manticore, calm a raging dragon, and, of course, tame her precious cat. Yes. She would definitely request Fluttershy to help her. How she would go about reaching her, Rarity already knew.
“Sweetie Belle!” she called out. “Do be a dear and come up here please!”
Rarity waited for an answer.
“Sweetie Belle!” she rang out again.
“Just a minute!" Rarity heard her younger sister holler back up to her. "We'll—I mean I'll be up there in a second! Hang on, Rarity! Whoa!”
A loud crash of glass shattering drifted up the stairs and into Rarity's bedroom followed by a quieter, “Oops . . .” and a murmur of voices. Rarity cringed at the sound of one of her precious dishes being smashed to pieces. Again.
“Sweetie Belle?” She called out. “Are you all right, darling? It was only one dish this time, wasn't it?”
Another crash.
Oh no, she thought. Every time. I know she' s just being a sweetheart, but that's the third glass this week. Perhaps Spike could help her. I'm sure he'd leap at the chance in an instant. Well . . . I suppose nothing can be done for it right now, but I'll have to see to this matter as soon as I can. I've only got so many dishes and at this rate, the rest will be in pieces by the end of this month!
Rarity listened for her sister's reply. It was short in coming.
“It's alright, Rarity! We'll—I mean I'll clean up the mess!”
Honestly, Rarity continued with her own thoughts. How can a single filly manage to cause so much destruction over something as simplistic as making breakfast?
The answer to this question always seemed to elude her.
I really shouldn't think badly of her though, she chastised herself. She's only being kind, after all. And who am I to complain about how sweet she is? It would be prudent of me to even think of complaining about her! No! She is my sister and I love her as she loves me. I will not think poorly of her no matter how much damage she may cause!
As Rarity was running her thoughts through and through, Sweetie Belle, accompanied by her friends, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom, entered her room bearing trays laden with a sad attempt at a breakfast. Hastily, Apple Bloom dropped her platter on a small table by Rarity's bedside, the tray consisting of one overly burnt piece of toast, one small jar of blackberry jam – also burnt – and a glass of apple juice. Of all the items on the tray, the apple juice was the only one that appeared to remain fit for Rarity's consumption. Rarity could only wonder how the three fillies managed to burn her jam along with the toast. A mystery that would remain unsolved until the end of time.
“See anything?” Apple Bloom exclaimed as she strained to look back at her rear. “Any cutie mark?”
Scootaloo, a purple maned pegasus covered in orange fur, walked over to examine Apple Bloom's flank. With a disappointed sigh, she turned to face Apple Bloom and said, “No. Nothing.”
“Aww . . . shoot! Looks like Cutie Mark Crusaders: Breakfast Waiters is a no-go.”
“Ugh!” Scootaloo groaned. “At this rate, we'll never get our cutie marks! We need to try something else besides housekeeping.”
“Hey!” Apple Bloom protested. “At least ar' housekeepin' ain't as dangerous as your idea of ziplinin' from that tree!”
“But that was exciting! All this cooking, washing, and cleaning is soooooo boring!”
As Apple Bloom and Scootaloo went on with their argument, Scootaloo insisting they try to find their talents in being cannonball-ponies with the help of Pinkie Pie, Sweetie Belle apologized to her sister.
“Sorry, Rarity. I wanted it to be a surprise for you, but it looks like we messed it up . . . again.”
“Oh,” Rarity consoled, “it's all right, Sweetie. Anything from my sister is a wonderful surprise.”
Sweetie Belle looked up at Rarity.
“You mean it?” she said delightedly with a grin.
“Absolutely, Rarity replied. “Although, I simply must ask, how in Equestria did you three manage to er . . . reduce my jam to a simmering cesspool?”
Sweetie Belle stared at Rarity in utter confusion, completely befuddled by her words.
“Never mind!” Rarity said quickly, sensing her sister's bewilderment. “It doesn't matter. What does matter is that I need you to find Fluttershy and ask if she's able to take Opalescence to the groomers. Her hair has been getting drastically long and she simply must be refined. Can you do that for me please?”
“Oh . . .” Sweetie Belle answered slowly. “Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and I were planning on doing some crusading today.”
“Oh, well I, uh . . . no matter, Sweetie.” Rarity replied. “I suppose her grooming can wait.”
Not for the last time, Rarity pitied herself for her temporary disabilities.
“Hey!” Rarity heard Apple Bloom exclaim from across her room as she was arguing with Scootaloo. “Ah know! Cutie Mark Crusaders: Closet Cleaners!”
Apparently Apple Bloom had spotted Rarity's jumbled closet full of fabrics and gems and decided her next mission should be an attempt to organize the mess – a task Rarity couldn't get around to since her accident. Scootaloo had agreed with this idea only after Apple Bloom convinced her it was a small crusade they could accomplish in a very short while.
“That's a great idea!” Scootaloo said with a smile.
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo began to cross Rarity's room to, as they called it, clean her closet.
Sensing her closet was in danger of being desecrated by two rambunctious fillies, Rarity shouted out to them.
“No!” she yelled desperately.
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo stopped in their tracks and turned back toward Rarity.
“Oh yeah!” Apple Bloom blurted out as if she had an epiphany. “Ah almost forgot!”
Scootaloo and Apple Bloom rushed back to Rarity's bedside and regrouped with Sweetie Belle.
“We made ya' some breakfast, Rarity!” Apple Bloom pointed out. Rarity wasn't quite sure how to respond.
“I . . . gathered,” she said eying the pitiful meal. Apple Bloom seemed not to notice Rarity's skepticism.
“So what should we try ta' get ar' cutie marks in next?” Apple Bloom asked her friends excitedly. Scootaloo was quick to answer.
“I say we go and help Rainbow Dash with some awesome cloud busting! She already told me we could hang out later and she'd even help teach me to fly!”
“Um? Hello,” Sweetie Belle intervened. “Wings?”
“Oh,” Scootaloo said, crestfallen, “right.”
“Maybe it'd be better if you two hung out after we've gone crusading.”
Scootaloo sighed, “Fine.”
“How 'bout we go an' help out mah sister?” Apple Bloom suggested.
“With apple bucking?” Sweetie Belle asked confusedly. “Can't she already do that with Big Mac?”
“Well, yeah!” Apple Bloom quickly answered. “But Ah was thinkin' that we could help give Winona a bath or somethin'.”
“Oooooooh,” Sweetie Belle said as she understood Apple Bloom's intentions.
“Come on!” Scootaloo burst out. “All this standing around isn't going to get us our cutie marks!”
“Yeah!” Apple Bloom agreed. “We need ta' get an early start if we're goin' to earn ar' cutie marks today! Come on, girls!”
Without another word spoken, the three fillies rushed from Rarity's bedroom and ran downstairs. Rarity could hear their excited voices carrying back to her and was also able to distinguish who was speaking, too.
“And after we go an' help mah sister with Winona, we can see if Mister and Misses Cake need help with anything. They've always got their hooves full with Pound an' Pumpkin!”
“And get our cutie marks in babysitting?” Scootaloo said with obvious disgust. “No thanks. But, hey! I know where we could easily find our special talents and barely lift a hoof to do it!”
“Where?” Apple Bloom asked, now curious with Scootaloo's proposal.
“The Mirror Pond!”
"How is the Mirror Pond gonna help us earn ar' Cutie Marks?"
"Think of it," Scootaloo answered. "Imagine if there were multiples of us. We could all do so many things at once! I'm sure one of . . . however many of us there are . . . would get her Cutie Mark eventually! Then, if it isn't the real us, we could do the same thing they did to get our Cutie Marks."
"Oh, Ah see now! Yeah! That could work. Too bad, though. Twiligh' sealed the entrance, remember?"
“Oh . . . right. Forgot about that."
"Well, we could at least go see if Zecora could use some help," Sweetie Belle suggested. “Isn't potion making still on the list?”
“Yer righ'! Potion making is on the list!”
“Perfect!” Scootaloo exclaimed. "It's settled then! After Sweet Apple Acres we'll head for Zecora's!"
“Yeah!” all three fillies shouted at once. “Cutie Mark Crusaders, go!”
Rarity heard the sound of three hooves clap together before a distant sound of trotting and a soft-ringing bell reached her, signifying all three fillies had left her shop, off into the wide world of Equestria in hopes of finding their special talents, not for the last time.
Morning went by slowly for Rarity as she sat in her bed, imprisoned, due to her condition. She ate – or at least – tried to eat her breakfast, but all she deemed fit for consumption was the glass of apple juice Apple Bloom had brought her. Of all that was there on her platter, it was the single item which was not blackened entirely. She very much hoped somepony else would come around to check on her soon and possibly bring her some edible food, too. Until then, she could only drink apple juice, though it was hardly filling, not to mention, a very balanced breakfast. Nutritional? Indeed. Balanced? Not so much. So, hungry and bored, Rarity decided she would make herself presentable, spruce herself up a little, even if nopony was there to see her.
After countless brushings and re-brushings of her mane, Rarity grew tired of repeatedly styling her hair and set her brush back on her bedside stand. The morning seemed to drag on forever as she sat there with almost nothing to do. It was so uneventful, Rarity was beginning to hate it. Every second. That is until she heard another tinkle of her doorbell and a familiar voice call up to her.
“Rarity?” the voice called questionably. Rarity easily identified it as Twilight's voice.
“I'm up here!” Rarity called back, happy Twilight was there to see her. A minute later, Rarity's elation truly showed as her friend walked into her room, followed by a certain rainbow-maned, cyan pegasus pony. Seeing Rainbow Dash as well gave her a shock and a slight, accusatory feeling toward her, but she quickly pushed it from her mind.
“How are you feeling?” Twilight asked, concerned for her friend's health. “Does it still hurt?”
Rarity faced Twilight and replied, “Not nearly as painful as it was yesterday, but, yes, it does still hurt a little.”
As she said this, Rarity noticed Rainbow Dash avert her gaze and stare out the window, almost as if her words had triggered a guilty part of the pegasus's conscience. She was slightly mad at her, but, truthfully, didn't want her to feel too bad about their accident. Although, maybe a little remorse was appropriate.
“I'm sorry to hear that, Rarity,” Twilight said consolingly. “Hopefully you're only stuck like this for short while. If I had to guess, I'd say about a week is a good estimate.”
Rarity was dismayed to hear she had to wait such a long time.
“A week!?” she gasped. “Why, that's seven days! Whatever will I do for all that time? I can't possibly last that long! It'll be simply awful!” Rarity continued her rant, her voice rising in pitch with every new sentence. Then Twilight cut off her incessant complaints.
“Luckily,” she added, “you won't have to spend all that time indoors.”
Rarity stopped her melodrama and dared to question Twilight.
“But whatever do you mean, Twilight?” Twilight happily answered Rarity.
“Rainbow Dash and I talked to Nurse Redheart and she said it would be all right if we borrowed a wheelchair for the week.”
“Well, where is it?” Rarity burst out, eager to escape her bedroom.
“We don't have it yet,” Twilight said pointedly. Rarity's hopes were shattered. “Although we will tomorrow! Redheart said they were running low this week and needed to attend to their patients before anypony else, but she was kind enough to save us one for tomorrow.” Twilight finished with another smile, hoping Rarity would take the news well enough.
“Tomorrow.” Rarity said plainly. “Well, I suppose one day isn't too dreadful. Still, I do have things to do.” By now, Rarity seemed to be talking to herself. “Well, I could work a little more on Fancy Pants' ensembles tomorrow, but I'll still need to send him a letter, nonetheless.” Rarity then addressed Twilight directly. “Twilight?”
“Yes?” came her reply.
“Do you think you could bring Spike over sometime later today?”
Twilight first gave a puzzled expression in return, but then giggled lightly.
“Oh, sure thing!” she said. “I'm certain he'll be happy to come over.”
“Good,” Rarity said firmly. “I simply must send a letter to Fancy Pants today.”
Twilight's laughter died as she understood why Rarity was really wanting Spike to come over. She really hoped Spike wouldn't mind. She'd be sure to explain clearly why Rarity wanted him over instead of raising his hopes only to have them come crashing down later.
“Something wrong, Twilight?” Rarity asked, confused with her friend's change in demeanor.
“Oh no,” Twilight said back, regaining her smile. “Everything's fine.”
Meanwhile, as Rarity and Twilight were talking amongst themselves, Rainbow Dash was tapping her hoof impatiently as she waited on the sidelines. Then, finally, she decided she'd waited long enough.
“Come on!” she groaned, butting into their conversation. “This is sooooo boring. I thought we were gonna just tell Rarity about the wheelchair and then leave. What's taking so long?”
Twilight gave Rainbow Dash a stern look and answered her, “And I thought we'd stay awhile, keep Rarity company so she won't get bored.”
Rainbow Dash wasn't hindered by Twilight's words in the slightest.
“Still!” she complained. “I'm bored.”
“Rainbow Dash. I hate to put it this way, but you're the reason we're here in the first place.” Rainbow felt a twinge of guilt tug at her. Then Twilight went on, “I think it's only right if we – you, most of all – keep Rarity company for a while. Not all week, but just a little while each day. Is that too much too ask for?”
“Yes!” Rainbow instantly burst out. “No offense, but I don't want to sit around all day, brushing my mane again and again. It's not my style.”
“Oh, please,” Rarity interrupted. “What do you know about style?”
“I know mine doesn't involve brushing my mane every hour.”
At this point, Rarity gasped, taking both Rainbow and Twilight by surprise.
“My mane!” she exclaimed reaching up with her forehooves to feel around as if she were assuring herself it was still there. Twilight and Rainbow Dash both wore looks of confusion.
“What about it?” Rainbow questioned, completely lost.
“Uh! Pfft—what about it?! I'll tell you 'what about it!' I haven't had a chance to wash it today!”
Rainbow Dash stared confusedly a moment longer before bursting into a fit of laughter. Twilight let out a sigh of relief, realizing that was all Rarity was worried about.
“Yeah,” Rainbow silently mocked. “'Cause there's no way we could live through a day with a dirty mane." Then she addressed Rarity. "I mean, come on, Rarity! Your mane is one of the cleanest things in Ponyville on a regular basis. Why do you need to wash it so many times anyway?”
Rarity looked at Rainbow Dash disapprovingly.
“Just because your sense of fashion is absolutely irrational, doesn't mean that a mane, as gorgeous as mine is, doesn't need to be washed on a daily basis.”
“Daily basis? I'd say that right there is a stretch. Maybe once or twice an hour. A minute, even?” Again, Rainbow burst out in laughter.
“Ha ha, Rainbow,” Rarity said with sarcasm laced in her voice. “Very funny, but even the lovely Rarity does not clean her mane that many times. The perfect amount of washings for a mane as dazzling as mine is forty-two times a day.”
At this point in their conversation Rainbow Dash dropped her jaw in disbelief before closing it again and saying as if to prove her point, “This is why I don't do fashion.”
“Oh, but you should!” Rarity exclaimed, seizing an opportunity. “Think of it, Rainbow. With such a plethora of colors in your mane, you could do so much! For instance . . .”
“Girls!” Twilight shouted at both of them. “Could we please just enjoy each others company and not bicker over how many times our manes should be washed in a day?” Rainbow was first to respond.
“Ooooh no! There is no way I'm stickin' around if all we're gonna do is talk about dresses and accessories. No offense, Rarity, but that's soooooo lame.”
“Then what do you propose we do, Rainbow?” Twilight asked her sharply.
“Anything, but that! No way I can stick around for an entire day talking about hair bows and horseshoes.”
Rarity gave Rainbow Dash a clearly indignant stare.
“Don't get me wrong,” Rainbow continued, “I'd love to hang with Rarity any other time, but don't you think it would get boring sitting here all day with nothing to do?”
Twilight gave Rainbow a look that said, exactly.
“Okay, fine!” Rainbow Dash said as she threw her hooves in the air, admitting her defeat. “But I'm gonna go an' get Pinkie Pie. If anypony can liven things up, she sure will.” And with that, Rainbow Dash took flight and soared from Rarity's window, setting her course for Sugarcube Corner where she knew she would be sure to find Pinkie there. Rarity and Twilight watched her go, but then Rarity returned her focus to Twilight.
“Oh, thank you, Twilight! I was dreading spending my day all alone with absolutely nothing to do.”
“Oh, it's nothing, Rarity,” Twilight replied with a smile.
“Oh, but it's everything, darling! Why, I don't know what I would do if you two hadn't stopped by.”
Twilight gave a soft laugh and said, “It's our pleasure.”
Moments later, Twilight and Rarity heard a tinkle of the doorbell followed by a high-pitched, excited voice.
“Oh, Rainbow Dash! This was a great idea!”
Both mares recognized Pinkie's voice in a jiffy and both also continued to wonder how she had gotten to Carousel Boutique in a jiffy. Another mystery which could never be solved. Pinkie, herself, was an enigma.
“Huh! You know what we could do?” Pinkie paused for a moment and then yelled out her answer. “We could make cupcakes! I looOOooove cupcakes! How about you, Rainbow Dash? Do you looOOooove cupcakes, too?”
Twilight and Rarity listened for Dash's reply.
“Uh . . .” she said, confused and at a loss for how to respond to Pinkie Pie's question.
“Of course you love cupcakes!” Pinkie shouted out before Rainbow Dash could finish her thoughts. “Whooooo doesn't?”
For a full minute, Rarity and Twilight listened as Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie slowly made their way to Carousel Boutique's, upstairs bedroom, a constant stream of nonsense pouring from Pinkie the entire time. Then, finally, Rainbow Dash stepped into the room with an extraordinarily pink pony bouncing up and down excitedly, a massive smile stretched across her face.
“Hi, Rarity! Hi, Twilight!” Pinkie said louder than necessary to greet the two unicorns. “Whatchya' doin'?”
“Well,” Twilight answered, “we're still deciding that ourselves.”
Pinkie's eyes seemed to light up.
“Oh, I see! Then, how about . . .” Pinkie ran into Rarity's open closet and returned with a hooful of gems. “we make a mini Crystal Empire!” Then, stacking the gems in a tower that defied every law of physics known, Pinkie quickly erected a crude diorama of the Crystal Empire.
“Actually,” Twilight began, still trying to comprehend how Pinkie had created such an impossible replica of the shimmering tower and its surrounding city. “I was just thinking we coul—”
“Or!” Pinkie interrupted as she dashed back into the closet only to re-emerge with her hooves full of an assortment of many different fabrics. “We could make a blanket fort!” Here, Pinkie threw the fabrics into the air before letting them fall down upon her, Twilight, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash, covering them all head to hoof in a shifting multitude of sheets.
“Pinkie,” Twilight said calmly, levitating the sheets away. “Rarity can't really do much right now with her injury, so I was thinking we would just keep her company without any crazy shenanigans.”
Pinkie's smile faded as she replied to Twilight, “Awwww . . . but that's no fun at all.”
“Look,” Rainbow Dash said, taking initiative. “If I'm gonna be hangin' around here for awhile, we need to be doing something. Anything!” Pinkie leaped – literally – at a chance to proffer up another one of her ideas for a friendly activity.
“Ooooo!” she ooed. “I know what we could do!” Seemingly from nowhere, Pinkie produced a somewhat squished, cardboard box and slammed it down on Rarity's bed. “A board game!” With a wide smile, she opened the box's lid and threw it aside to reveal a game of Bridleship. “Me and Dashie are on a team! Twilight! Rarity! Prepare to meet your match!”
At first, Twilight was somewhat reluctant to play, but Rarity convinced her otherwise. If they didn't play along, Pinkie was sure to offer up ideas for other activities, and Twilight knew her list would be endless. So, she and Rarity became their own team and, together, went up against Rainbow and Pinkie in a heated battle to see who's team would reign victorious in the end.
* * *
“No!” Exclaimed Rarity, twenty minutes later. “It cannot be! Twilight! How could this have happened?”
Their game of Bridleship had finally come to an end, and Rarity and Twilight had lost against Pinkie and Rainbow. Sometime during their game, Rarity had requested they have some lunch. Much to her delight, everypony was in agreement and broke for a moment to fetch an assortment of fruits, oats, and, as it was Pinkie's contribution, cupcakes. The remains of their lunch now lay scattered across Rarity's bedside stand and her bed itself.
Twilight immediately answered Rarity.
“Well, you see, Rarity, our cumulus was placed in a very vulnerable position. Once the first part of it was called on Sky Nine, then it was pretty easy for Rainbow and Pinkie to tell which direction to follow, seeing as there is not a Sky Ten and they would need to progress downward, as that is the only way the cumulus could fit.”
Rarity stared dumbfounded at Twilight's over analyzed report, while on the other side of the board, Rainbow Dash was having a fit of laughter, Pinkie laughing along with her, but not really knowing why. Somepony was laughing, so she just had to join in.
“And what,” Rarity began, “do you find so humorous, Rainbow Dash?”
It took a moment for Rainbow to compose herself, still giggling lightly, and answer her, “We still won!” before bursting out another fresh wave of mirth.
“What do you mean, 'still won?'”
Rainbow Dash raised a hoof to wipe a tear from her eye. “I mean we still won even though Pinkie cost us a turn with her random outburst of 'Go fish!'” Again, she finished with a loud guffaw.
“Yes,” Twilight said calmly. “That's very amusing, Rainbow, but there's no need to overdo it.”
It took a considerable amount of time, but, eventually, Rainbow Dash was able to reduce her hilarity to that of a snicker and continue on to other activities with her friends.
After their game of Bridleship, all four friends thought it would be fun to create a drawing together, read a short story, and, as Pinkie suggested, pretend Rarity's bed was a ship and play castaway. For hours, each of them kept thinking of more and more ideas, until Rainbow Dash decided it was time she had to go, slightly disappointed; she was actually having fun with her friends. Whenever she was with them, even the most boring of activities could be exciting.
“All right,” Dash admitted. “This has been fun, but I really gotta catch up on some cloud bustin'. I also promised Scootaloo that I'd hang out with her later and start teaching her to fly. Don't wanna disappoint her now. Later, guys! I'm outta here!”
With that, Rainbow Dash took off and soared out Rarity's open window and off into the wide sky beyond. Rarity, Twilight, and Pinkie all watched her as she went. Then Twilight remembered something she had to do as well.
“Oh!” she exclaimed. “I almost forgot! Today's the day I told Applejack I would help her calculate her sales from last Cider Season. Sorry, Rarity. I should be going, too. It was nice spending time with you, though.” Twilight smiled.
“Of course,” Rarity replied with a smile of her own, “and don't forget to let Spike know I'd like him to come over later today, if he'd be so kind. I really need to send a letter to Fancy Pants as soon as I can, explaining why I won't be able to finish his ensembles this week.”
“Don't worry, Rarity. Spike will be happy to come over. I'm sure of it.”
“Thank you, Twilight.”
“Well, I really ought to go,” Twilight said for the last time. “Hope you're feeling better soon.” She finished with a smile. And with that, she, too, left Carousel Boutique, only, unlike Rainbow Dash, she used the front door, civilized in her mannerism.
Now it was only Pinkie Pie and Rarity, alone. Pinkie Pie just sat there, not saying a word, smiling just because she liked to.
“Er . . .” Rarity began, unsure if she should ask her to leave or not. Pinkie was a bundle of fun, but, at times, she could very easily get out of hoof. Rarity knew this quite well, as did her other friends. Deciding it was best if Pinkie left, Rarity opened her mouth to politely request she leave, but before she could even say one word, Pinkie's eyes went wide – wider than usual – and she jumped to her hooves.
“Huh!” she gasped with glee. “Maple syrup!”
Rarity didn't even bother to try and come up with a response. Fortunately, she didn't have to, as Pinkie excitedly bounced out of her room and down her staircase before exiting her boutique. It was really a strange occurrence, but Rarity had learned to expect as much from that certain pink pony. Then she was alone, left to her own thoughts and imagination . . . and her boredom.
* * *
Hours dragged by, slowly taunting Rarity as she lay in her bed, constantly brushing her mane repeatedly, again and again, until she could no longer take it. The day was lasting forever. By now, it was close to four o' clock in the afternoon and nopony else – save for The Cutie Mark Crusaders, who had come in search of Rarity's homemade luster dust – had come to visit her since her friends had showed up sometime around ten that morning. It had been at least three hours since they left and she was tired of sitting around with nopony to accompany her. It was extremely uneventful.
With nothing to do, Rarity began to search desperately for something to do. Everything she would have been normally doing on a fine afternoon like this was currently inaccessible to her, due to her predicament.
Well, she speculated, accompanying herself with her own thoughts, I suppose I could write that letter to Fancy Pants in hopes that Spike comes around sometime soon. Yes. That's what I'll do.
A moment later, Rarity levitated a blank parchment to her bed along with a feathered quill and ink well. Then she began to scribble down a message to fancy pants using her magic to hold her quill steady before her.
Fancy Pants,
I am afraid I cannot complete your order this week, as I have been incapacitated and confined to my bed. I'll try to complete your request as soon as I can, but I am not sure how much longer it may take me due to my handicap. My dearest apologies. I hope you understand.
Rarity
There, she thought. That sounds good.
It was a quick letter, short and to the point, and it would do nicely. Rarity only hoped Fancy Pants would be lenient toward her and provide her with more time to finish her work. Deftly, she rolled the scroll tightly and tied it together with a red ribbon, Equestria's postal seal plainly visible as a gold crest atop the bow. Gently, she placed her roll on her bedside stand and waited as time passed her by, slow as can be.
Another hour passed. Time spent thinking and worrying about her week ahead until Rarity heard the familiar tinkle of her doorbell as somepony stepped into her shop.
At last! She thought. Somepony's come to visit and save me from this boredom.
Carefully she listened to the sound of someone walking up her staircase. Their . . . hooves? No. Those didn't sound like hooves. Their claws, maybe? Clacking with every step.
That doesn't sound like a pony, Rarity observed, slightly confused. But who could it be? Rarity hadn't a clue. That is, until she head a perfectly distinguishable voice call out to her.
“Rarity? It's Spike. Twilight said you wanted to see me?”
Of course, she thought happily. Spike.
“I'm in here,” Rarity called back sweetly. Moments later, a small purple dragon crested with green spines, his eyes also a vivid green, entered Rarity's bedroom. As he did this, he did so slowly, as if he were unsure whether or not he was intruding on somepony's privacy. Rarity wasted no time in greeting him.
“Thank you for coming, Spike.” Spike looked slightly abashed at her warm welcome.
“Awww, it's nothin',” he said, grinning shyly. Instantly, he pulled his act together. “Twilight mentioned you needed a letter sent to Fancy Pants this evening. I'm always happy to help!”
“Oh, yes!” Rarity exclaimed, confirming Spike's query. “I have it right here.” Delicately, Rarity levitated the scroll she had written earlier toward Spike, who snatched it out of the air. Without hesitation, the young dragon sucked in a large breath before exhaling with a fume of green flames which enveloped the letter before vanishing in a puff of smoke, as if the letter had never existed to begin with.
“Done!” Spike said proudly as if he had just placed first in The Running of the Leaves. “Anything else you would like me to do for you, Rarity.” Spike loved to say her name.
Rarity searched around for anything Spike might be able to do for her. She wasn't doing this because she viewed him as a servant, but because she knew Spike wanted to do something for her. Rarity knew Spike liked her, it was very easy to see, but she wasn't sure if Spike knew that she knew this, and she was determined not to disappoint him.
“Oh,” she said, not really having anything in mind that Spike could do for her at the moment. “Oh no, Spike. It's quite all right.” Spike's smile faded and was replaced with a downcast look. “But,” Rarity continued. Spike looked up with a newly found attentiveness. “I was just . . . well, that is to say . . . Spike?” Spike looked up at Rarity happily, gazing into her large, sapphire eyes. “Perhaps you could keep me company for a while?” Spike's smile returned wider than it had been before.
“Of course!” he blurted out all too quickly. “Anything for you, Rarity.” With his last word, Spike gave sweep of his arm and a low bow. In that moment, Rarity felt as if she had almost been embarrassed, a slightly warm feeling suffusing her body. As quickly as it had come it left her.
“Oh, thank you, Spike. It was starting to get very dull by my lonesome.”
For the next few hours, Rarity and Spike spent their time in each others company, Spike not bothering to hide his sense of giddiness brought out from being with the pony he adored most. Together, they talked late into the evening, sharing memories and stories with one another, until Spike dispiritedly said he had to leave. He had other responsibilities to attend to, such as taking care of Peewee and tending to other important matters. Sadly, Spike left Rarity and headed back to Ponyville's library to settle in for the night. And once again, Rarity was alone.
Night had come at last and Rarity had survived the day. Far later than she should have, Sweetie Belle returned to Carousel Boutique, quietly slipping inside, but she did not escape Rarity's keen notice. Presumably she had been out late with her friends, crusading, but it didn't bother Rarity. She was glad Sweetie was home safely, especially after their last crusade had supposedly taken place in the dreaded Everfree Forest.
“Sweetie Belle?” Rarity rang out as soon as she heard that tinkle of her doorbell. “Is that you, dear?” Sweetie Belle answered accordingly.
“Um . . . yeah,” she hesitantly called back.
“Would you come here for a moment, please?” Rarity could tell her sister had obliged from the hoof steps carrying to her room. Soon enough, Sweetie Belle entered the room looking slightly guilty.
“Hi . . . sis,” she said slowly. “Did you, um . . . need something?”
“Actually, yes,” Rarity quickly answered. “I was wondering if you could bring me something from the kitchen. I haven't had dinner quite yet and lunch was a while ago.”
“Oh!” Sweetie Belle responded, grateful she wasn't in trouble for being out too late. “Sure.” With that, Sweetie Belle started on her way to the kitchen, but Rarity stopped her momentarily.
“Just some water and a daffodil sandwich will do nicely,” she added, the memory of her blackened breakfast fresh in her mind. She really didn't want to have that same thing happen to her again, so she decided to let Sweetie know she'd be fine with something that didn't have to be cooked, eliminating the high risk of a burnt cuisine.
“Okay,” Sweetie replied. “I'll be right back.”
Rarity waited for a good five minutes before her sister did come back and with her, bearing a plate topped with a perfectly edible sandwich and a small glass of water. She lightly placed the meal on Rarity's bedside stand and stepped back.
“Anything else?” she asked politely. Rarity's answer was short in coming.
“This is perfect,” she said contentedly.
“All . . . all right then,” Sweetie Belle yawned widely. “I'm gonna get some sleep. It's been a long day.” Rarity couldn't agree more. “Good night.” And then Sweetie Belle left Rarity's room to find her own bed and settle in for the night, and, again, Rarity was alone, but she didn't mind it at all.
Peacefully, she dined upon her small meal, savoring each bite upon her tongue before washing it all down with a cool glass of water. Satisfied with her meal and content to be alone, she carefully slid under her sheets and lay her head upon a fluffy pillow, her eyes slowly drooping downward as she was pulled deeper into unconsciousness. Night had come and with it, an ethereal calm enveloping the world.
A cool night wind blew softly, finding its way into Rarity's still open window, and gently ruffling her fur. It was such a pleasant feeling and Rarity enjoyed it so much she decided she would rather leave her window open through the night, but with the wind, sounds could be carried on its gale and easily interrupt a peaceful slumber, yet Rarity did not mind. As night fell, the world drifted off into a state of pure serenity, a perfectly peaceful time, but with the night comes darkness and those who welcome it. And what lurks in the dark isn't to be trusted.
