Rarity's Complicateby MinT Manga TeamChaptersVisions of RarityFahrenheit RarityOnce upon a Midnight RarityMirror, Mirror, on the RarityThe Grim-RareThe Masque of the Red RarityA Rarity Named DesireVisions of RarityPart One: The War of the Rarities It was something that probably wouldn’t have happened, had it not been for a few little facts, some deep thinking locked away in a shop, and some serious dedication for the greater good. Certain aspects of this reality seemed to twist around. And by twist, I mean contort, fluctuate, resist all temptations to reduce the heat. It was cold, though, and lost. Like Rarity was, when she had her dream. The dream, if it could be called that, was very much outside the realm of Princess Luna. It was, after all, in the middle of the day. The ‘worst possible thing’ hadn’t happened earlier, so she didn’t faint. In fact, she might not even be aware of the two mares in her Boutique. It looks like… yep, she’s not aware. Lyra and Bonbon are getting really ticked off. They leave, while Rarity stands there with a glazed look in her eyes. Inside her mind, her vision, her… clairvoyance… She encountered… the most dreadful, horrible… Fog. No really, it’s creepy. Seriously, you should have been there. Rarity walked carefully into the thick wet haze. There was a shape in the distance, a silhouette of… a formless being that had no business being anywhere but the Ever Free Forest, but had made its home in the mind of Rarity. The voice, while near silent, echoed and resonated throughout Rarity’s bones. Do not be afraid. “Well, I for one would never even attempt to get anypony to not be afraid with such… oh how to put this lightly… a… voice as terrifying as yours~” I will not harm you. Come closer… “Oh! You won’t harm me! Well, when you put it like that… Okay, whoever you are, tell me where I am, right now.” Very well. You are in the plane of time, the castle of the Prophets. “The what?” You, Rarity, have been given the gift of the magic of foresight. This is a vision of the future. The voice’s resonance seemed to echo twice as it grew louder, leading Rarity to be suspicious of something. “… The future… who are you. What is your name?” You mean… what are our names? Formless twisting silver plumes of smoke, two of them speaking (if you could call it that) in perfect harmony, but of perfect disillusioned madness. “Oh. There are two of you. So, you wanted to show me something?” We are merely the keepers of the Castle of the Prophets. Whatever you seek, is up to you. “Well, that is simply absurd. I’ve never been here before in my life, how would I know what to look for?” You are a prophet of time, Rarity. You know the way… “This is in no manner the proper way to treat a guest let alone a lady such as myself-“ She was to continue, but a sudden urge to turn and walk in a specific direction overcame Rarity. She understood now how the way was to be shown. It was pure instinct. The serendipity of the path was almost- deceiving. The feeling of this deception gnawed and gashed at Rarity’s stomach, but she pressed on. A more powerful feeling of duty, the duty of a prophet of time, was felt within her castle. That’s right. This was Rarity’s Castle. There was no reason for this place to be called a castle. If ever a synonym was needed, now would be the time. The expanse of rock, stone and boulder, brick, cement and threshold was much too vast to merely be called a castle. The edges of the door (if it could even be called a door) were so far out in every direction, no amount of straining would allow Rarity to see them. It seemed all of Equestria could fit in just the doorway. And it made sense, since all of time fit into the castle. Rarity approaches the door and it cracks open with the worst possible light, glaring deep within her soul. She presses on. Rarity expected there to be a roof. She expected it... There was sky, there was grass, she was back in Equestria in an expanse of field known as the Mustang Miles, a place where ponies could run far and wide. Such a peaceful place, such an ironic beginning. A whirlpool of the very fabric of reality contorted around itself and created the opening, the opening, the opening… … And from this portal to the most horrid of places, worse than Ever Free could ever be, came a beast so horrid, the Jabberwocky caught god damn bone cancer to avoid it. The beast was disturbing. It was made of rotations, compressions and steam. Rust and steel, an industrial concoction of rancid terror and unyielding hate. She was outside this future reality, outside the very realm of the event. To meet this technology of destruction were the Mane Six. Twilight Sparkle led the charge, adorned with the Elements of Harmony; they did engulf the nightmare of machinery in the magic of friendship. And it had no effect. Rarity never thought something else could be ever so dreadful as what sprouted out from the inside of the technical monster. It was a wire, twisting around itself, woven tightly like cable. At its tip was the claw. Twilight Sparkle was cut in half. “Nooooooooo!!!!!!” screamed the present day Rarity~ The others in the future screamed out in agonizing protest and frustrating disorder. Fluttershy was next. She was mutilated and left to bleed out. Applejack attempted to buck-kick the thing. In her delirium she had forgot that that thing was levitating. The claw grabbed her and dropped her from the highest perch. Rainbow dash flew to catch her, but her head was caught in the claw and sliced clean off. Applejack fell to her death. Pinkie and Rarity were the only ones left. They kept their distance as they tried to think up a plan… Then the machine of despair rained thousands of gigantic needles upon the two mares. Pinkie covered Rarity and shielded her from the onslaught. She held on to her slipping life force until the firing died down… Pinkie fell in the pool of her own blood. Rarity was left standing alone. Present-day Rarity was in complete shock. She could not believe this horrid event was to come to pass. She had to warn every pony! She wanted to leave. She didn’t know how she would handle seeing her self die. Even though, she probably is scarred for life. Then, in an act, presented to her by her instinct, she turns around… and sees her future self, horn glowing and a glaring look of determination in her eyes. This future Rarity spoke with a voice more powerful than the aura of the terror of the skies. Her voice was muffled. Loud, dignified, but incomprehensible. Rarity did not realize it at the time. How could she? Rarity did not even understand what had been said. She did catch a bit though... "... my friends..." Her horn began to glow. A light, more powerful than the Elements of Harmony streamed out of Rarity’s horn. It blazed the floating horror. When the light cleared… Nothing had happened. It was a failure. Then it spoke. [If ever a foe wished to end me. Hear with your ears, use your eyes to see. And heed this warning, all that maybe hidden. To be victorious is to be caked with sin. Yes, hate, and only hate can lead you to save~ The ponies you love, cherish, the life you crave. You must be hated, detested and berated. Scathed, delayed, shunned and felt betrayed. You must be hated by every pony, big and small. Only then, could you ever hope to defeat me once and for all.] Her eyes then saw the empty boutique and as Rarity stood there, eyes wide and mouth agape… Fahrenheit RarityRarity stood there. She just stood there for a good four minutes. "Oh. Oh... Bonbon and Miss Heartstrings must be peeved with my poor service. I should... explain... my..." She didn't move. She didn't even try. Somehow she knew that it was out of the question. Still... "I should fix it. Yes. I very much should. Fix. It." Her eyes were immobile. They sat there, staring at the curtain that, to Rarity, seemed the worst shade of red. She wondered why she ever chose such a dreadful colour. "Such a hideous red." Except it wasn't red. It was blue. The nice, pretty, expensive blue drapes she had sewed just the night before. It wasn't the drapes she was seeing. Yes, that was what she was looking at... "What a horrible red colour... it's just... just..." Rarity levitates a pair of her scissors and repeatedly stabs and cuts the blue drapes until nothing left but scraps of fabric lay on the floor. Rarity drops the scissors and realizes what she has done to her favourite drapes. "... Rarity... Rarity... oh poor Rarity... I... I have to tell them. Yes, I have to tell them all, warn them all..." She starts walking towards the door. It's already nighttime. It's cold, dark, and Rarity looks up toward the ceiling of her shop. It's not dark in her shop, but she has to strain her eyes to see the ceiling. "It is not like they would even believe me." She starts walking toward the back of the shop, where her bedroom is. She starts her evening routine: shower, mane, face, hooves. Rarity spares no expense in her appearance. Tonight, she merely slinks into bed and starts to cry. "It isn't f-fair... It isn't... fair...!" She forgets to turn off the light. She gets up and falls out of bed, smacking her face into the cold ground. She sets herself back up and slouches toward the lamp. She has apparently forgotten that she could turn it off with magic from her bed and continues to forget it when she looks for a pedal (a pedal on the floor connected to the lamp that earth ponies use to turn their lamps on or off). "Oh. Silly me. That's what earth ponies use..." She bites her lower lip as it quivers. Rarity turns off the lamp and attempts to fly to her bed. ... fly? "Wha~ What... I'm not a pegasus..." Her eyes widen, pupils constrict and mouth shakes. Her hooves barely keep her weight. She stumbles toward her bed. She trips on something and turns the light back on to see. It was a book. The book she borrowed last week from Twilight Sparkle. Rarity screams. Her chest moves fore and aft, in and out, its pace quickens as her breathing becomes shallower and shallower. Her screaming has stopped, her hyperventilation has stopped. In fact, much her has stopped. She just sort of lays there while images of blood, wire and her friends flash inside her mind. The knowledge reverts her to a whimpering mess. She realizes sleep is out of the question. Rarity's gait is broken. She makes her way to the shop's main room. Where her dresses, drawings, fabric stayed, stayed there because Rarity put them there, to keep them in the organized disorder she meant it to be. Rarity, the whimpering mess is dead. "This... is not... not!!!" And Rarity loses all control. She devastates her dresses, drawings and forces her fabric down any drain pipe she can find. The rest of it, the rest of it she cannot tear and destroy, she sets on fire. She watches the fire, smoke and ash twist around itself. In it, she sees the formless keepers, the floating industry selling its terror and her friends. The sight of her friends, the burn of the smoke and the radiating heat brings tears to her eyes. She watches the fire and lets her eyes sting and water for hours on end. She knows deep in her soul that she deserves this punishment. She pretends not to know why. She pretends, but she knows. Deeper still in the recesses of her soul, she knows... she knows... this punishment could never be enough. Once upon a Midnight RarityThe fire is out, the ash sits upon the boutique floor as Rarity tries futilely to get some sleep. She thinks, thinks with much of her soul that the worst thing right now is her not to get any sleep. After all, she reasoned, if she didn't get sleep, her mind wouldn't be as sharp tomorrow. She needed this, so she could figure out a way to save her friends. She tosses and turns and tries to get comfortable. Somehow, she needed to fall asleep. She finally figures out to just curl up in a semi-circle and shut her eyes tightly. Her eyes just sort of loosen up as she descends into the night cycle... There were flashes, fleeting images of death and blood. A horrid expanse of terror as it slowly rolls over the air, the air made rank with its presence. The terror of the industry had made itself quite comfortable in Rarity's dream. Rarity's heart starts to race. She perspires... starts breathing in and out. In and out. In and... gasps, hooves shake and her eyes twitch as her eyes beam from corner to corner of her eyes. The colours. The colours of the sights blended together and morphed into others. The first was purple, with one reddish streak. The reddish streak dripped and ran like a bubbling brook. It fell within a pool and became a rancid yellow pond scum that rose pink steam and fog. Rarity choked as she walked through this swampland. Trees appeared. The trees were the colour of themselves, but at the top of the tallest tree, was a shape, a shape that from the ground was unrecognizable. But Rarity knew exactly what it was. It came closer into view. It had no head. The trees melted into the ground in a wide expanse of orange and yellow, yellow from the steam, whisked Rarity away from it all. Then there was the pink sky. It rained bullets of bright pink colour upon the teary-eyed Rarity. The pink slime melded with her coat and mane and tears. The overcast of the lighter pink betrayed a happy note. There was nothing to do with joy or a jovial spirit in that dream. The pink happy clouds gave way its true nature and stormed the colour of blood. It swallowed the ground, the dirt flew into it, a revolting concoction of blood and mud, the likes of which were teeming with the worst of the natural disorders, making it's home in her body. Invading it, the blood poured itself into Rarity's mouth, drowning her. she screamed, but there was no breath.... no breath, but the white air still escaped her lips... And at last her eyes lay open, glaring through the darkness. she turned the other way, to find Fluttershy, mutilated with several fatal lacerations, quivering and gagging in her bed. Rarity had fallen back into the night cycle. Fluttershy rose up. And with a voice somewhat unlike her own... "It wasn't your fault Rarity. It was mine." Rarity protested, "N-no... Fluttershy... darling... ... It was my fault. It will be! I'll know what happens... if I do nothing... you'll die!!" "I am fine with it." Blood poured from her mouth. She continues. "It isn't that bad. Besides, you die too right? We can be together forever." "... No. No! This isn't you, Fluttershy! I promise I'll save you! I promise I'll protect everypony from that dreadful monster!" "Rarity. What monster. There is no monster." "... What. What are you talking about. You're in my head, you know what I am talking about! The thing! The floating thing that will tear us apart! It must be stopped. I must be at my best tomorrow... so... so... LEAVE ME ALONE!!!" And Rarity slept until the daylight broke the night cycle. Author's Note Man. Man. Man. I had the WORST writer's block. And now it's worse... I want to do something with her dreams... I'll just... daydream for a while... it's over now. :D Mirror, Mirror, on the RarityRarity tried to say something. Some remark about how her first night with the knowledge went. Nothing came out, and everything she thought of understated the disastrous dream. Thoughts such as That was a tough night! or, what a nightmare!. But Rarity couldn't stand such nonchalant attitudes. Not when her friends' lives were on the line. She thought of her friends constantly. They had been hammered into her mind and sight since her clairvoyance yesterday. She starts working on one of her dresses. "... What am I doing? I should be thinking of a way to save..." She slowly walks into her bathroom. A burst of anger overwhelms her and she kicks it open forcefully, but soon after she reclaims her composure. She sets her self up in front of her mirror. She saw herself, the self she would hate, despise and berate for the rest of her natural life and possibly after if she failed in her mission. The horrors of her future must be destroyed. Her friends must be saved. Nothing is more important... "... Than saving my friends!" Spoke Rarity. "Oh really?" She responded... "... What do you mean?" "Rarity, my friend, do you not remember that thing?" "Wha- what thing?" She knew exactly what it was. "... You know. The machine." Rarity winces as she speaks the word. "... *sigh* I remember it." "Good. Then you know you must defeat that thing no matter the cost, yes?" "Right... no... well... Only to save my friends!" "You're selfish." "What?! Me... selfish?" "Yes. Selfish. You know you can't defeat that thing. You saw it with your own eyes! Your own death! It wouldn't matter if know it's coming, the end result will still be the same. Twilight-" "... Stop it..." "Fluttershy." "Stop it..." "Rainbow Dash." "Stop it." "Applejack." "Stop it!" "Pinkie Pie." "No.. no... No!! Stop it!" "And probably Spike." "... what." Her eyes widen and well up with tears. "Spikey... I... n-n-...no... no.." "Do you honestly think the machine will just disappear after it kills you all? The elements of harmony have no effect. Celestia and Luna will probably be killed by the thing too. Don't you understand? Your responsibility is not to your friends, but to all of Equestria!" "...You're right. That monster will tear my home... every ponies' homes apart. It will destroy us..." "And..." "I have to stop it. By any means necessary." Rarity races out of the bathroom. She stops midway through her living room. "Wait. How do I do that..." She begins pacing her room. One trip. Two trips. Red blood. Blue skies. Three diamonds. Four hooves. Red river. Blue waters... "Come on, Rarity! Is this the best you can do? Come on! Think...! How am I supposed to stop it. How... how... ... "Well... let's see, what did it say... hatred. I have to be hated. Hated? Well... I mean, I'm sure I annoy them sometimes... especially Applejack but... I don't know of any pony who... hates me." She sighs frustratingly. "And there's nothing I can do that's so horrible everypony will..." The terror, the sting in her eyes returns from the night before. The fire in her pupils melt it into her eyes as she felt the punishment once again. "... No. No. No way! That... it's wrong isn't it? One pony.... it's only one pony right? Against all of Equestria? It's not like I won't try to stave off punishment after I've saved every pony... right? Right? It's just one pony... just one... more... more? More?! No. Only one! Only one! Only one!!!" Rarity pauses to catch her breath. She repeatedly chokes on the oxygen. "... Only one. ... What will my friends think of me? They'd probably hate me. But that's how it's supposed to be! That's what must happen! ... They'd hate me. Right? Right? I've done things before. Nothing... nothing like this but... what if... I mean, it's silly, they'd never. No matter how much they love me they'd always... I mean never... They'd never forgive me if I... just one pony... If I... took.... they'd be disappointed in me. They'd probably say they hate me. But really, they'd just expected better of me. They'd scold me, punish me. But out of love, not hate. It's because they love me, they'd want to heal me. Heal, what it is to them, severe atrocious behaviour. They would do it out of love. Love for me. That's why they're such good friends. The best friends a mare could ask for. My very best friends. The ones I can count on... but not this time. This time, it must only be me. I must be hated by everypony. If I must be hated by all of Equestria... I must be hated by my friends as well. It must be true hate. There's only one way." And the thought sparks. Once it does, its flame cannot be extinguished. "There must be another way... there is no other way... there must be... there is not." She moves frantically, erratically, emotionally driven, she rams her head into her wall several times. "... There is... there is... .... no other way. Is there? No... No other way. I have to do it. I have to... to..." Author's Note Something about Rarity in front of a mirror, trying to think up a way to save every pony. I can't understand why people don't like my story. -_- I have no way of knowing why because they won't tell me in the fucking comments. -_- I almost hope others can see this so they'd chew me out in the comments. God damn it all. DX I just found out you all can read this! Please tell me what I'm apparently doing wrong. And right, I guess, I mean, three of you liked this story~ The Grim-RareKnock. Knock... Knock. "Good morning, Rarity." "... Yes. Yes, good morning, Twilight." "What brings you here?" Rarity levitates the book she had borrowed last week. "Oh, really, Rarity, it's fine. I've read that book more times than I can count, 17, but um..." "Well, Twilight, I... uh... realized that I'm not much interested in it anymore..." "'The Equestrian History of Fashion'? You're not interested in... that?" Rarity gulps and her eyes widen. "Well... er... business is uh... I mean, oh, who cares about fashion of yesterday, fashion is about the now! And the tomorrow!" "Well okay then, but it'll be here if you need it!" "Thank you Twilight. There is however... another book I'd like to borrow." "What do you have in mind?" "... Well... business is slow about now. I'm also in.. heh... kind of a slump. I think now would be a great time to practice magic." Twilight's eyes light up. Opportunity! "That sounds wonderful, Rarity! We could practice together!" "Ah, no, Twilight, as much as that sounds like a good... uh... I think I'm better off practicing by myself." "Don't be ridiculous Rarity. I can teach you." "Well. Ah ha.... uh... But Twilight, just because you can do magic... possibly better than any pony else in Ponyville, doesn't mean you can teach." Twilight's ears droop down, her eyes staring downward. "Oh... oh Twilight! I do apologize. I... I just want to do this myself." "... It's fine Rarity. But promise me you'll come to me if you need help." "........ I promise." "Good! Now, I think a good starting book would be... ah! The Grim-Mare!" "The Grim-... what?" "The Grim-Mare! It's one of the most comprehensive spell books in Equestria. Er... you should start on spells marked with a yellow star. Those are the easiest. Once you feel you're ready, move onto blue stars... I know you want to do this alone, but please see me before trying any red stars, okay?" "..... Yes, yes Twilight. I agree." "Here you go!" "Thank you again Twilight!" Rarity starts walking away... "Wait, Rarity!" "... Yes?" "If you don't mind me asking, what is this for? Are you preparing for something?" "... Oh... Um... It's a surprise." "Got it. I won't tell anypony!" She had to keep reminding herself that this was for the best. It was difficult, but Rarity did so, and moved on. She couldn't be blinded by it any longer. She had all of Equestria to save. Lying, however, wouldn't be the last sin. Rarity heads over to the Boutique to practice the magic. She opens the Grim-Mare to the first page. The first spell, a Yellow Star, was, according to the description, the teleportation spell. "... Twilight's favourite. It'll be useful..." The spell was called Geminae Lokali. In order for it to work, Rarity had to create two sparks of magic, one where she is currently, and one where she wants to be. She must imagine herself in the second location until she arrives there. Rarity tries, again and again, but always, she loses focus and the spell breaks. That machine keeps invading her mind. Rarity keeps on it, though, and this time- "-This time, I won't let it distract me..." Rarity casts the spell again. She shuts her eyes, trying to keep the image of the red circle she had drawn for the spell, instead of the mechanical distraught, that had now invaded her mind, again! Rarity fights hard to keep herself from losing focus. It pays off, the machine disappears and when Rarity opens her eyes... She's in the red circle. "Ha... ha! Yes! I did it!" The moment of happiness was short lived. She had only then remembered what this meant in the future. "... Well, I'd better practice some more." Rarity did so until she was just as good as Twilight. Well, almost as good. But Rarity wasn't going to give up there. After this, she spends days and days on different spells. Teleportation, Strength enhancement, Agility spells, Diamond manipulation and finally... "Incarcera Cycli Eterne..." A Red Star spell... Most of what she had done already were Blue Stars. Twilight Sparkle told her to come to her if she tried something like this, but Rarity knew it couldn't be done. Especially for something like this. She casts the spell. And it fails. Rarity is thrust back into a wall. It seemed as if she didn't have enough magic to cast the spell at all. She continues reading for a new Red Star spell. She picks one at random and walks over to Twilight's house. "Rarity! I haven't seen you in days!" "Ah, yes Twilight. I've been busy with that book you lent me." "... Hm... So, did you get to any Blue Star spells yet?" "... Yes, as a matter of fact, I did." "Wonderful! I'm so happy, now we can spend so much time together performing magic!" "... Yes, that sounds truly wonderful... um.." "Yes?" "I want to do a Red Star spell." "... Well. See, the trick to those spells, unlike Yellow and Blue Star spells, is that you can't just throw your magic at it. You have to have complete control over your magic, not just what it does, but how it does it, how fast and how precise it is. Depending on the spell... well, it varies." "I'm sorry I ever doubted you. You can teach!" "Yes, I'm hoping to teach some of these filly unicorns, maybe even Sweetie Belle, some magic!" Rarity tries not to... "... That's... great. Twilight. I'd better get going..." "Oh, yeah, one more thing." "... yes...?" "Be careful with the new spell. If you do it wrong, you'll get thrown back against a wall." "... I'll keep it in mind. Goodbye, Twilight." "Bye!" Incarcera Cycli Eterne. There's something of a circle in the description. Ancient runes, maybe? Rarity wondered. Well, Rarity had a near perfect memory for patterns, and these runes fit a certain pattern. Rarity had it memorized in no time. This time, she knew she could complete the spell. She directed her flow of magic to create the circle, the runes and she casts the spell, successfully. This time, there was no happiness. This spell, in particular, was one of the more sinister spells she has learned. She begins wondering if this was truly the right path to go down. If this was truly the best way to defeat the machine... she wondered why it had to be this way. She thought of other possibilities, but she knew, that in order to defeat the machine, she had to be hated by every single pony in Equestria. She knew her friends would never hate her, no matter what atrocities she'd commit. She knew that the only way, the only way at all, to save Equestria, was to get rid of those who would love her no matter what. End of Part One The Masque of the Red RarityPart Two: Desolation Rarity Pacing, panting, crying, stomping; Rarity could hardly contain her sorrow... her excitement. Excitement? No. No, That can't possibly- Rarity walked down the street in the beautiful town of Ponyville. It was a gorgeous day and under almost any other circumstance, she would have commented on it as such. But today was... well, different. Different... is perhaps not the best word for it. It was ironic. It was laughing in Rarity's face: such a nice day, about to be stained with acts of greater goodness. She arrived at the Ponyville Library. She stood there for several minutes. She said to herself, she could just leave, she had every chance to turn back and this was the last. Her last chance to perhaps, maybe, think of some other way? No. Rarity took the time and thought about it. This was, this had to be, the best chance she had. She knocked only once. Twilight Sparkle came to the door. "Good Afternoon Rarity. What brings you here?" "Wha- oh. Um..." Twilight shifted her eyes side to side and gave a nervous smile. "Um. Rare?" "Yes. Oh! Right, um. Twilight, I have... I mean, I would like to uh..." "You're acting very strange Rarity. You usually know exactly what to say. Is something wrong?" "Yes... I mean no! I just... I've... ugh... I wanted to show you some of the magic I've learned..." "Great!" Rarity stood there awkwardly. Twilight's eyes shifted back and forth as she waited for Rarity to perform something. "Um. Rarity? Aren't you going to show me something?" "Uh.... yes! Of course!" "Well?" "Huh? Oh I uh... I simply must show you back at the boutique. Heh..." "I don't understand why but... if you're more comfortable there... then let's go!" Rarity gave out a sigh of relief. The two mares walked side by side. Twilight humming a cheery tune and Rarity trying desperately not to cry. And then they made it to the boutique. "Please. Come inside, Twilight." "Of course Rarity." ... "So, Rare... what would you like to show me first?" Rarity had her back turned away from her. She could not hold in her tears any longer. She turns and tearfully says, "I'm sorry Twilight. I'm so- s-sorry-" "Rarity? What's going on...?" "Incarcera Cycli Eterne." "That spell...." she gasps, horrified, "Wait, Rarity!" The rune circle encases Twilight sparkle. She tries desperately to get out, but the spell does not allow her to. Twilight tries to teleport out, but her magic has been negated. "Incarcera cycli eterne... one of the nastiest spells in this book." spoke Rarity, calm, but masking her feeling of devastation. "I know it well. But I never touched it and would never expect you to, let alone use it on me. Rarity, what's going on?" "I..." She looks away, " I can't explain it." Twilight's eyes widened. She didn't know what was going to happen. "What.... what are you going to do with me?" "..." Rarity did not answer. She merely levitated a kitchen knife and held it pointed right towards Twilight. "Wait! Rarity! Stop, please! Just tell me what's wrong. We're friends, remember? The very best of friends!" "... You're right Twilight. We are the very best of friends." Twilight gave a smile. She thought she had gotten through to Rarity. Then her eyes widened as she felt the knife being pushed into her chest. "Rarity. No. Please! Please.... stop... no.. somepony.... h-help..." Twilight sparkle fell to the floor. Rarity broke the spell circle and watched Twilight bleed out in front of her. Rarity walked away. She did not know what to do next. "Stupid, stupid Rarity!! I should have thought this through. ... Goodbye, Twilight." She makes her way to the exit. When a knock comes to the door. "Um. Rarity? It's me. Fluttershy. C-can I come in?" Rarity panicked for a second, then realized the potential. "Of course, ... darling... come on in!" Fluttershy walked in and screamed when she saw Twilight's body. Fluttershy tried to run away but Rarity's magic caught her and dragged her inside. "No! Please, don't hurt me!" Rarity tied ropes around her hooves and broke her wings. She left her in the middle of the boutique floor and went outside. "Rarity! Wait!! Don't leave me in here! Please let me go!" Rarity looked back at her and said, "... I'm sorry Fluttershy." Rarity used her magic and broke every support beam in her house. The Crystal Boutique came tumbling down on Fluttershy. Rarity pressed on. She had to find the rest of her friends before anypony notices what she has done. "Rarity!" "Rainbow Dash?" "Rarity! You have to come see this!" "Well, what is it?" "It's your home! It's totally been destroyed!" "... Let's go then." Rarity and Rainbow Dash galloped to the shop. "What happened Rarity?" "I'm not sure. I... wait, do you see that?" She points toward the crumbled boutique. "See... what?" "I think... no." Rarity's eyes widen inconspicuously. "What is it? What's wrong?" "I think Fluttershy's still in there! I had her over for lunch!" "I'll save her!" Rainbow dashed toward the Boutique, intent on saving her friend. The moment she came within range, a large, sharp piece of wood impaled Rainbow Dash, moved with Rarity's magic. "R-Rarity..." "Don't talk Rainbow Dash. You'll die faster." Rainbow let out a whimper. "Wh-what are you doing... help..." "For the record, Fluttershy was in there. And Twilight Sparkle." Rainbow dash tried to let out a scream but blood poured out of her mouth, preventing her from doing so. "Rainbow Dash... I.. I really am sorry. But this has to be done." She levitates the knife and slices her throat. Rainbow dash dies and hangs on the jagged beam for everypony to see. Rarity, however, gets away before anypony actually sees her. The police are called over once one does see, and a whole excavation team works on recovering any possible bodies in the boutique. They think they're looking for Rarity. Well, they soon will be, anyway. Rarity walks over to Sugarcube Corner to deal with Pinkie Pie. She's stopped crying now and is completely reserved and calm. "Hey Rarity, what's up?" "Hello, Pinkie Pie. and, Mr. and Mrs. Cake," "Hey there!" "Hello." "So what have you been up to?" "Well, I was planning this HUGE party for all of our friends later today. Do you wanna help with the preparations?" "Um... well, yes of course..." "Ooh! And then we can think of the music-" "I think..." "And the games we should play-" "Pinkie..." "And the food-" "Uh fillies?" "Yes?" answered Pinkie and Rarity "Come look at this. There's a report." This just in. The Crystal Boutique, home of the Equestrian famous designer, Rarity, has just been found demolished, with her best friend Rainbow Dash, a pony who aspired to be Captain of the Wonderbolts team, found dead, impaled by a support beam. Everypony gasps, even Rarity. Excavation teams are working overtime to find any signs of life inside the building. Now, here with us is Chief of Police, Steel Stripes. Thank you. After considerable investigation CSI has concluded that this building did not fall by accident, rather it was sabotaged by a unicorn. Mrs. Cake watched, growing concerned and mentioned something to her husband. Rarity only caught a few words. "... the boutique.... accident... unicorn.... Rarity..." In that same instant, Mrs. Cake threw up large amounts of blood. Rarity had stabbed her in the back with one of their kitchen knives. Mr. Cake screamed out for Pinkie Pie, who had left to the bakery to get some cupcakes, to run away as fast as she could. She did not hear him. Pinkie came into the room to see the ponies that gave her a home laying there, dead in their own blood. The devastated Pinkie Pie could not even move. Rarity walked up to her. She didn't even apologize this time. Rarity made her way out the door and- This just in. There are now known to be three missing ponies in Ponyville. Recent arrival Twilight Sparkle from Canterlot, residing in the town Library and Fluttershy longtime resident and native of Cloudsdale. And Rarity, owner and resident of the Crystal Boutique. We expect to find the three bodies under the wreckage. We are working with haste now, to hopefully find them before they die. Rarity was far in the outskirts of Ponyville now. Near Sweet Apple Acres. It was night time now. For some reason, Rarity did not want to kill her last best friend in the dark. She thought this was a daytime thing. She was unaware of her own feelings on this matter, for it made no sense to wait until morning, except to see the look on Applejack's face when Rarity comes for her. Applejack, Applebloom, Big MacIntosh and Granny Smith were all sitting near the television when they heard the horrible news. Rainbow Dash found dead near the Crystal Boutique and Pinkie Pie's splattered remains found in her home, among the dead bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Cake. Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle and Rarity missing and presumed dead under the boutique. Then a knock at the door. Applejack expected the police mares to come by. She is good friends with the ponies in question after all. She was surprised then, to not see a police mare, but Rarity. Her surprise quickly turned to horror. Applejack was not stupid. Not in the least. She knew how to put events together. "Rarity. How are you here? Why..." Applejack's face descended into maddening delight, delighted Rarity, terror, yes terror as she realized what Rarity had done. "Your home was destroyed by a unicorn... by you... you're the one who killed Rainbow Dash!" "Yes. And Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie... Mr. and Mrs. Cake." "And now you've come for me. Y-you finally snapped huh Rarity?" challenged Applejack, who kept a steady face, even though she was trembling inside. Big MacIntosh stepped up beside her. He made himself seem bigger to Rarity, a feat not too difficult for the large stallion. Applebloom and Granny Smith were shaking in the corner with each other, far away from the menace at the door. "Snapped. What a crude way of putting it. No, I am doing this..." Rarity looked down. No. I won't explain myself to you. Just know that-" "Get out of here Rarity. We have you outnumbered." "Applejack. AJ darling..." Applejack's memories of their friendship flooded her mind. Applejack had a hard time concentrating on the situation, remembering the lovely past the two mare had shared. And the blade was merely a shimmer of silver, the red liquid looked remarkable against her orange coat. Big MacIntosh rammed himself into Rarity, and, her being of a smaller stature, was careened out of the room. Big MacIntosh yelled out at her in new, unprecedented frustration, "You're gonna rot in prison for that. She, they were your best friends. No words, Rarity. No words at all." "You just spoke several you... never mind. My work here is done." whispering, to herself now, "My loved ones are all dead now..." Big MacIntosh had overheard this. "Something doesn't add up. Why did you kill them? Why... you're loved ones..." Suddenly it dawned on them. The apples could have been detective had they also not been so damn good at farming. They were a sharp bunch, but unfortunately not as quick as the magic of a unicorn. Applebloom and Granny Smith were left cowering in fear, the smell of their kins' blood filling the room as Rarity exited and made her way towards the Ever Free forest. This just in. Chief of Police Steel Stripes in with new information. "Thank you. The Boutique has been searched thoroughly. The bodies of Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash have been discovered... however, Cloudsdale native Fluttershy has been rescued, alive. She is in the hospital and recovering from several critical wounds. A Rarity Named Desire"I'm safe." Rarity clinched her stomach in as she dealt with what her own words meant. She might be safe, but her friends... Rarity went on, she trotted through the Apples' yard, back towards Ponyville. She gritted her teeth together as she made her way to the thin outskirts of town. She saw, in her mind, the ponies, all of them, covered in blood and entrails. And then she realized just how stupid she truly was. The Ever Free Forest was on the other side of Ponyville and the Mustang Miles, just beyond it, a little to the south. It never occurred... or at least, Rarity never acknowledged it, to Rarity that she may have disregarded strategy because she en-... well, it doesn't matter anyway. What's done is done, all that's left is to stick with the plan, and don't get caught. But get known... She breaks into one of the ponies' houses and slits her throat. A little spill here and there could add to the... uh... the plan. Right. Rarity turns on the television and checks on the news report. Rarity's body not found, suspected of murder, destruction of property, conspiring against fellow ponies and evading arrest. This made Rarity smile, a small, sad smile, knowing how soon the ponies would come to hate her. Her plan was coming together perfectly. Fluttershy alive, but in critical condition. Rarity never bothered with her as she would never survive out of a few days. The injuries described on the news would take care of her, besides, the hospital would be too well guarded, especially when they have a victim in there. She presses on, as quickly as she can in the sheath of the night, staying well out of the path of moonlight until the sun rose again. She was very near the Ever Free forest, but she didn't want to take the chance. She decided to head over to Fluttershy's Cottage. After all, no pony's in there... Rarity makes a startling, loud noise and then- She covers her mouth quickly. Police-mares were in Fluttershy's Cottage! They start waking out the door. Rarity tries to go around back, but she's cut off. Soon, she's surrounded. They call out to her and tell her to come with them, peacefully. After everything she's already done, everything still needed to be accomplished, she couldn't be stopped now. She had to escape, somehow. Her horn glowed, the police-unicorns readying their horns to counter her attack, aimed right for her. Fools, she thought, for this spell is one of the more... deceiving spells. "Excavata LaDiame" And soon, the gems and diamonds from below the ground shoot up into the underbellies of the police-mares. Injured and helpless, Rarity leaves them to die. Of course, they are rescued and none of them actually do. But Rarity counted on this, as it would cement the fact that she murdered her friends, destroyed her home and assaulted police-mares. And is now making a run for it in the Ever Free Forest. Rarity laughs as she runs... "You were right Applejack. I've snapped!!" Author's Note Well. Eh, this chapter was okay.
Visions of RarityPart One: The War of the Rarities It was something that probably wouldn’t have happened, had it not been for a few little facts, some deep thinking locked away in a shop, and some serious dedication for the greater good. Certain aspects of this reality seemed to twist around. And by twist, I mean contort, fluctuate, resist all temptations to reduce the heat. It was cold, though, and lost. Like Rarity was, when she had her dream. The dream, if it could be called that, was very much outside the realm of Princess Luna. It was, after all, in the middle of the day. The ‘worst possible thing’ hadn’t happened earlier, so she didn’t faint. In fact, she might not even be aware of the two mares in her Boutique. It looks like… yep, she’s not aware. Lyra and Bonbon are getting really ticked off. They leave, while Rarity stands there with a glazed look in her eyes. Inside her mind, her vision, her… clairvoyance… She encountered… the most dreadful, horrible… Fog. No really, it’s creepy. Seriously, you should have been there. Rarity walked carefully into the thick wet haze. There was a shape in the distance, a silhouette of… a formless being that had no business being anywhere but the Ever Free Forest, but had made its home in the mind of Rarity. The voice, while near silent, echoed and resonated throughout Rarity’s bones. Do not be afraid. “Well, I for one would never even attempt to get anypony to not be afraid with such… oh how to put this lightly… a… voice as terrifying as yours~” I will not harm you. Come closer… “Oh! You won’t harm me! Well, when you put it like that… Okay, whoever you are, tell me where I am, right now.” Very well. You are in the plane of time, the castle of the Prophets. “The what?” You, Rarity, have been given the gift of the magic of foresight. This is a vision of the future. The voice’s resonance seemed to echo twice as it grew louder, leading Rarity to be suspicious of something. “… The future… who are you. What is your name?” You mean… what are our names? Formless twisting silver plumes of smoke, two of them speaking (if you could call it that) in perfect harmony, but of perfect disillusioned madness. “Oh. There are two of you. So, you wanted to show me something?” We are merely the keepers of the Castle of the Prophets. Whatever you seek, is up to you. “Well, that is simply absurd. I’ve never been here before in my life, how would I know what to look for?” You are a prophet of time, Rarity. You know the way… “This is in no manner the proper way to treat a guest let alone a lady such as myself-“ She was to continue, but a sudden urge to turn and walk in a specific direction overcame Rarity. She understood now how the way was to be shown. It was pure instinct. The serendipity of the path was almost- deceiving. The feeling of this deception gnawed and gashed at Rarity’s stomach, but she pressed on. A more powerful feeling of duty, the duty of a prophet of time, was felt within her castle. That’s right. This was Rarity’s Castle. There was no reason for this place to be called a castle. If ever a synonym was needed, now would be the time. The expanse of rock, stone and boulder, brick, cement and threshold was much too vast to merely be called a castle. The edges of the door (if it could even be called a door) were so far out in every direction, no amount of straining would allow Rarity to see them. It seemed all of Equestria could fit in just the doorway. And it made sense, since all of time fit into the castle. Rarity approaches the door and it cracks open with the worst possible light, glaring deep within her soul. She presses on. Rarity expected there to be a roof. She expected it... There was sky, there was grass, she was back in Equestria in an expanse of field known as the Mustang Miles, a place where ponies could run far and wide. Such a peaceful place, such an ironic beginning. A whirlpool of the very fabric of reality contorted around itself and created the opening, the opening, the opening… … And from this portal to the most horrid of places, worse than Ever Free could ever be, came a beast so horrid, the Jabberwocky caught god damn bone cancer to avoid it. The beast was disturbing. It was made of rotations, compressions and steam. Rust and steel, an industrial concoction of rancid terror and unyielding hate. She was outside this future reality, outside the very realm of the event. To meet this technology of destruction were the Mane Six. Twilight Sparkle led the charge, adorned with the Elements of Harmony; they did engulf the nightmare of machinery in the magic of friendship. And it had no effect. Rarity never thought something else could be ever so dreadful as what sprouted out from the inside of the technical monster. It was a wire, twisting around itself, woven tightly like cable. At its tip was the claw. Twilight Sparkle was cut in half. “Nooooooooo!!!!!!” screamed the present day Rarity~ The others in the future screamed out in agonizing protest and frustrating disorder. Fluttershy was next. She was mutilated and left to bleed out. Applejack attempted to buck-kick the thing. In her delirium she had forgot that that thing was levitating. The claw grabbed her and dropped her from the highest perch. Rainbow dash flew to catch her, but her head was caught in the claw and sliced clean off. Applejack fell to her death. Pinkie and Rarity were the only ones left. They kept their distance as they tried to think up a plan… Then the machine of despair rained thousands of gigantic needles upon the two mares. Pinkie covered Rarity and shielded her from the onslaught. She held on to her slipping life force until the firing died down… Pinkie fell in the pool of her own blood. Rarity was left standing alone. Present-day Rarity was in complete shock. She could not believe this horrid event was to come to pass. She had to warn every pony! She wanted to leave. She didn’t know how she would handle seeing her self die. Even though, she probably is scarred for life. Then, in an act, presented to her by her instinct, she turns around… and sees her future self, horn glowing and a glaring look of determination in her eyes. This future Rarity spoke with a voice more powerful than the aura of the terror of the skies. Her voice was muffled. Loud, dignified, but incomprehensible. Rarity did not realize it at the time. How could she? Rarity did not even understand what had been said. She did catch a bit though... "... my friends..." Her horn began to glow. A light, more powerful than the Elements of Harmony streamed out of Rarity’s horn. It blazed the floating horror. When the light cleared… Nothing had happened. It was a failure. Then it spoke. [If ever a foe wished to end me. Hear with your ears, use your eyes to see. And heed this warning, all that maybe hidden. To be victorious is to be caked with sin. Yes, hate, and only hate can lead you to save~ The ponies you love, cherish, the life you crave. You must be hated, detested and berated. Scathed, delayed, shunned and felt betrayed. You must be hated by every pony, big and small. Only then, could you ever hope to defeat me once and for all.] Her eyes then saw the empty boutique and as Rarity stood there, eyes wide and mouth agape…
Fahrenheit RarityRarity stood there. She just stood there for a good four minutes. "Oh. Oh... Bonbon and Miss Heartstrings must be peeved with my poor service. I should... explain... my..." She didn't move. She didn't even try. Somehow she knew that it was out of the question. Still... "I should fix it. Yes. I very much should. Fix. It." Her eyes were immobile. They sat there, staring at the curtain that, to Rarity, seemed the worst shade of red. She wondered why she ever chose such a dreadful colour. "Such a hideous red." Except it wasn't red. It was blue. The nice, pretty, expensive blue drapes she had sewed just the night before. It wasn't the drapes she was seeing. Yes, that was what she was looking at... "What a horrible red colour... it's just... just..." Rarity levitates a pair of her scissors and repeatedly stabs and cuts the blue drapes until nothing left but scraps of fabric lay on the floor. Rarity drops the scissors and realizes what she has done to her favourite drapes. "... Rarity... Rarity... oh poor Rarity... I... I have to tell them. Yes, I have to tell them all, warn them all..." She starts walking towards the door. It's already nighttime. It's cold, dark, and Rarity looks up toward the ceiling of her shop. It's not dark in her shop, but she has to strain her eyes to see the ceiling. "It is not like they would even believe me." She starts walking toward the back of the shop, where her bedroom is. She starts her evening routine: shower, mane, face, hooves. Rarity spares no expense in her appearance. Tonight, she merely slinks into bed and starts to cry. "It isn't f-fair... It isn't... fair...!" She forgets to turn off the light. She gets up and falls out of bed, smacking her face into the cold ground. She sets herself back up and slouches toward the lamp. She has apparently forgotten that she could turn it off with magic from her bed and continues to forget it when she looks for a pedal (a pedal on the floor connected to the lamp that earth ponies use to turn their lamps on or off). "Oh. Silly me. That's what earth ponies use..." She bites her lower lip as it quivers. Rarity turns off the lamp and attempts to fly to her bed. ... fly? "Wha~ What... I'm not a pegasus..." Her eyes widen, pupils constrict and mouth shakes. Her hooves barely keep her weight. She stumbles toward her bed. She trips on something and turns the light back on to see. It was a book. The book she borrowed last week from Twilight Sparkle. Rarity screams. Her chest moves fore and aft, in and out, its pace quickens as her breathing becomes shallower and shallower. Her screaming has stopped, her hyperventilation has stopped. In fact, much her has stopped. She just sort of lays there while images of blood, wire and her friends flash inside her mind. The knowledge reverts her to a whimpering mess. She realizes sleep is out of the question. Rarity's gait is broken. She makes her way to the shop's main room. Where her dresses, drawings, fabric stayed, stayed there because Rarity put them there, to keep them in the organized disorder she meant it to be. Rarity, the whimpering mess is dead. "This... is not... not!!!" And Rarity loses all control. She devastates her dresses, drawings and forces her fabric down any drain pipe she can find. The rest of it, the rest of it she cannot tear and destroy, she sets on fire. She watches the fire, smoke and ash twist around itself. In it, she sees the formless keepers, the floating industry selling its terror and her friends. The sight of her friends, the burn of the smoke and the radiating heat brings tears to her eyes. She watches the fire and lets her eyes sting and water for hours on end. She knows deep in her soul that she deserves this punishment. She pretends not to know why. She pretends, but she knows. Deeper still in the recesses of her soul, she knows... she knows... this punishment could never be enough.
Once upon a Midnight RarityThe fire is out, the ash sits upon the boutique floor as Rarity tries futilely to get some sleep. She thinks, thinks with much of her soul that the worst thing right now is her not to get any sleep. After all, she reasoned, if she didn't get sleep, her mind wouldn't be as sharp tomorrow. She needed this, so she could figure out a way to save her friends. She tosses and turns and tries to get comfortable. Somehow, she needed to fall asleep. She finally figures out to just curl up in a semi-circle and shut her eyes tightly. Her eyes just sort of loosen up as she descends into the night cycle... There were flashes, fleeting images of death and blood. A horrid expanse of terror as it slowly rolls over the air, the air made rank with its presence. The terror of the industry had made itself quite comfortable in Rarity's dream. Rarity's heart starts to race. She perspires... starts breathing in and out. In and out. In and... gasps, hooves shake and her eyes twitch as her eyes beam from corner to corner of her eyes. The colours. The colours of the sights blended together and morphed into others. The first was purple, with one reddish streak. The reddish streak dripped and ran like a bubbling brook. It fell within a pool and became a rancid yellow pond scum that rose pink steam and fog. Rarity choked as she walked through this swampland. Trees appeared. The trees were the colour of themselves, but at the top of the tallest tree, was a shape, a shape that from the ground was unrecognizable. But Rarity knew exactly what it was. It came closer into view. It had no head. The trees melted into the ground in a wide expanse of orange and yellow, yellow from the steam, whisked Rarity away from it all. Then there was the pink sky. It rained bullets of bright pink colour upon the teary-eyed Rarity. The pink slime melded with her coat and mane and tears. The overcast of the lighter pink betrayed a happy note. There was nothing to do with joy or a jovial spirit in that dream. The pink happy clouds gave way its true nature and stormed the colour of blood. It swallowed the ground, the dirt flew into it, a revolting concoction of blood and mud, the likes of which were teeming with the worst of the natural disorders, making it's home in her body. Invading it, the blood poured itself into Rarity's mouth, drowning her. she screamed, but there was no breath.... no breath, but the white air still escaped her lips... And at last her eyes lay open, glaring through the darkness. she turned the other way, to find Fluttershy, mutilated with several fatal lacerations, quivering and gagging in her bed. Rarity had fallen back into the night cycle. Fluttershy rose up. And with a voice somewhat unlike her own... "It wasn't your fault Rarity. It was mine." Rarity protested, "N-no... Fluttershy... darling... ... It was my fault. It will be! I'll know what happens... if I do nothing... you'll die!!" "I am fine with it." Blood poured from her mouth. She continues. "It isn't that bad. Besides, you die too right? We can be together forever." "... No. No! This isn't you, Fluttershy! I promise I'll save you! I promise I'll protect everypony from that dreadful monster!" "Rarity. What monster. There is no monster." "... What. What are you talking about. You're in my head, you know what I am talking about! The thing! The floating thing that will tear us apart! It must be stopped. I must be at my best tomorrow... so... so... LEAVE ME ALONE!!!" And Rarity slept until the daylight broke the night cycle. Author's Note Man. Man. Man. I had the WORST writer's block. And now it's worse... I want to do something with her dreams... I'll just... daydream for a while... it's over now. :D
Mirror, Mirror, on the RarityRarity tried to say something. Some remark about how her first night with the knowledge went. Nothing came out, and everything she thought of understated the disastrous dream. Thoughts such as That was a tough night! or, what a nightmare!. But Rarity couldn't stand such nonchalant attitudes. Not when her friends' lives were on the line. She thought of her friends constantly. They had been hammered into her mind and sight since her clairvoyance yesterday. She starts working on one of her dresses. "... What am I doing? I should be thinking of a way to save..." She slowly walks into her bathroom. A burst of anger overwhelms her and she kicks it open forcefully, but soon after she reclaims her composure. She sets her self up in front of her mirror. She saw herself, the self she would hate, despise and berate for the rest of her natural life and possibly after if she failed in her mission. The horrors of her future must be destroyed. Her friends must be saved. Nothing is more important... "... Than saving my friends!" Spoke Rarity. "Oh really?" She responded... "... What do you mean?" "Rarity, my friend, do you not remember that thing?" "Wha- what thing?" She knew exactly what it was. "... You know. The machine." Rarity winces as she speaks the word. "... *sigh* I remember it." "Good. Then you know you must defeat that thing no matter the cost, yes?" "Right... no... well... Only to save my friends!" "You're selfish." "What?! Me... selfish?" "Yes. Selfish. You know you can't defeat that thing. You saw it with your own eyes! Your own death! It wouldn't matter if know it's coming, the end result will still be the same. Twilight-" "... Stop it..." "Fluttershy." "Stop it..." "Rainbow Dash." "Stop it." "Applejack." "Stop it!" "Pinkie Pie." "No.. no... No!! Stop it!" "And probably Spike." "... what." Her eyes widen and well up with tears. "Spikey... I... n-n-...no... no.." "Do you honestly think the machine will just disappear after it kills you all? The elements of harmony have no effect. Celestia and Luna will probably be killed by the thing too. Don't you understand? Your responsibility is not to your friends, but to all of Equestria!" "...You're right. That monster will tear my home... every ponies' homes apart. It will destroy us..." "And..." "I have to stop it. By any means necessary." Rarity races out of the bathroom. She stops midway through her living room. "Wait. How do I do that..." She begins pacing her room. One trip. Two trips. Red blood. Blue skies. Three diamonds. Four hooves. Red river. Blue waters... "Come on, Rarity! Is this the best you can do? Come on! Think...! How am I supposed to stop it. How... how... ... "Well... let's see, what did it say... hatred. I have to be hated. Hated? Well... I mean, I'm sure I annoy them sometimes... especially Applejack but... I don't know of any pony who... hates me." She sighs frustratingly. "And there's nothing I can do that's so horrible everypony will..." The terror, the sting in her eyes returns from the night before. The fire in her pupils melt it into her eyes as she felt the punishment once again. "... No. No. No way! That... it's wrong isn't it? One pony.... it's only one pony right? Against all of Equestria? It's not like I won't try to stave off punishment after I've saved every pony... right? Right? It's just one pony... just one... more... more? More?! No. Only one! Only one! Only one!!!" Rarity pauses to catch her breath. She repeatedly chokes on the oxygen. "... Only one. ... What will my friends think of me? They'd probably hate me. But that's how it's supposed to be! That's what must happen! ... They'd hate me. Right? Right? I've done things before. Nothing... nothing like this but... what if... I mean, it's silly, they'd never. No matter how much they love me they'd always... I mean never... They'd never forgive me if I... just one pony... If I... took.... they'd be disappointed in me. They'd probably say they hate me. But really, they'd just expected better of me. They'd scold me, punish me. But out of love, not hate. It's because they love me, they'd want to heal me. Heal, what it is to them, severe atrocious behaviour. They would do it out of love. Love for me. That's why they're such good friends. The best friends a mare could ask for. My very best friends. The ones I can count on... but not this time. This time, it must only be me. I must be hated by everypony. If I must be hated by all of Equestria... I must be hated by my friends as well. It must be true hate. There's only one way." And the thought sparks. Once it does, its flame cannot be extinguished. "There must be another way... there is no other way... there must be... there is not." She moves frantically, erratically, emotionally driven, she rams her head into her wall several times. "... There is... there is... .... no other way. Is there? No... No other way. I have to do it. I have to... to..." Author's Note Something about Rarity in front of a mirror, trying to think up a way to save every pony. I can't understand why people don't like my story. -_- I have no way of knowing why because they won't tell me in the fucking comments. -_- I almost hope others can see this so they'd chew me out in the comments. God damn it all. DX I just found out you all can read this! Please tell me what I'm apparently doing wrong. And right, I guess, I mean, three of you liked this story~
The Grim-RareKnock. Knock... Knock. "Good morning, Rarity." "... Yes. Yes, good morning, Twilight." "What brings you here?" Rarity levitates the book she had borrowed last week. "Oh, really, Rarity, it's fine. I've read that book more times than I can count, 17, but um..." "Well, Twilight, I... uh... realized that I'm not much interested in it anymore..." "'The Equestrian History of Fashion'? You're not interested in... that?" Rarity gulps and her eyes widen. "Well... er... business is uh... I mean, oh, who cares about fashion of yesterday, fashion is about the now! And the tomorrow!" "Well okay then, but it'll be here if you need it!" "Thank you Twilight. There is however... another book I'd like to borrow." "What do you have in mind?" "... Well... business is slow about now. I'm also in.. heh... kind of a slump. I think now would be a great time to practice magic." Twilight's eyes light up. Opportunity! "That sounds wonderful, Rarity! We could practice together!" "Ah, no, Twilight, as much as that sounds like a good... uh... I think I'm better off practicing by myself." "Don't be ridiculous Rarity. I can teach you." "Well. Ah ha.... uh... But Twilight, just because you can do magic... possibly better than any pony else in Ponyville, doesn't mean you can teach." Twilight's ears droop down, her eyes staring downward. "Oh... oh Twilight! I do apologize. I... I just want to do this myself." "... It's fine Rarity. But promise me you'll come to me if you need help." "........ I promise." "Good! Now, I think a good starting book would be... ah! The Grim-Mare!" "The Grim-... what?" "The Grim-Mare! It's one of the most comprehensive spell books in Equestria. Er... you should start on spells marked with a yellow star. Those are the easiest. Once you feel you're ready, move onto blue stars... I know you want to do this alone, but please see me before trying any red stars, okay?" "..... Yes, yes Twilight. I agree." "Here you go!" "Thank you again Twilight!" Rarity starts walking away... "Wait, Rarity!" "... Yes?" "If you don't mind me asking, what is this for? Are you preparing for something?" "... Oh... Um... It's a surprise." "Got it. I won't tell anypony!" She had to keep reminding herself that this was for the best. It was difficult, but Rarity did so, and moved on. She couldn't be blinded by it any longer. She had all of Equestria to save. Lying, however, wouldn't be the last sin. Rarity heads over to the Boutique to practice the magic. She opens the Grim-Mare to the first page. The first spell, a Yellow Star, was, according to the description, the teleportation spell. "... Twilight's favourite. It'll be useful..." The spell was called Geminae Lokali. In order for it to work, Rarity had to create two sparks of magic, one where she is currently, and one where she wants to be. She must imagine herself in the second location until she arrives there. Rarity tries, again and again, but always, she loses focus and the spell breaks. That machine keeps invading her mind. Rarity keeps on it, though, and this time- "-This time, I won't let it distract me..." Rarity casts the spell again. She shuts her eyes, trying to keep the image of the red circle she had drawn for the spell, instead of the mechanical distraught, that had now invaded her mind, again! Rarity fights hard to keep herself from losing focus. It pays off, the machine disappears and when Rarity opens her eyes... She's in the red circle. "Ha... ha! Yes! I did it!" The moment of happiness was short lived. She had only then remembered what this meant in the future. "... Well, I'd better practice some more." Rarity did so until she was just as good as Twilight. Well, almost as good. But Rarity wasn't going to give up there. After this, she spends days and days on different spells. Teleportation, Strength enhancement, Agility spells, Diamond manipulation and finally... "Incarcera Cycli Eterne..." A Red Star spell... Most of what she had done already were Blue Stars. Twilight Sparkle told her to come to her if she tried something like this, but Rarity knew it couldn't be done. Especially for something like this. She casts the spell. And it fails. Rarity is thrust back into a wall. It seemed as if she didn't have enough magic to cast the spell at all. She continues reading for a new Red Star spell. She picks one at random and walks over to Twilight's house. "Rarity! I haven't seen you in days!" "Ah, yes Twilight. I've been busy with that book you lent me." "... Hm... So, did you get to any Blue Star spells yet?" "... Yes, as a matter of fact, I did." "Wonderful! I'm so happy, now we can spend so much time together performing magic!" "... Yes, that sounds truly wonderful... um.." "Yes?" "I want to do a Red Star spell." "... Well. See, the trick to those spells, unlike Yellow and Blue Star spells, is that you can't just throw your magic at it. You have to have complete control over your magic, not just what it does, but how it does it, how fast and how precise it is. Depending on the spell... well, it varies." "I'm sorry I ever doubted you. You can teach!" "Yes, I'm hoping to teach some of these filly unicorns, maybe even Sweetie Belle, some magic!" Rarity tries not to... "... That's... great. Twilight. I'd better get going..." "Oh, yeah, one more thing." "... yes...?" "Be careful with the new spell. If you do it wrong, you'll get thrown back against a wall." "... I'll keep it in mind. Goodbye, Twilight." "Bye!" Incarcera Cycli Eterne. There's something of a circle in the description. Ancient runes, maybe? Rarity wondered. Well, Rarity had a near perfect memory for patterns, and these runes fit a certain pattern. Rarity had it memorized in no time. This time, she knew she could complete the spell. She directed her flow of magic to create the circle, the runes and she casts the spell, successfully. This time, there was no happiness. This spell, in particular, was one of the more sinister spells she has learned. She begins wondering if this was truly the right path to go down. If this was truly the best way to defeat the machine... she wondered why it had to be this way. She thought of other possibilities, but she knew, that in order to defeat the machine, she had to be hated by every single pony in Equestria. She knew her friends would never hate her, no matter what atrocities she'd commit. She knew that the only way, the only way at all, to save Equestria, was to get rid of those who would love her no matter what. End of Part One
The Masque of the Red RarityPart Two: Desolation Rarity Pacing, panting, crying, stomping; Rarity could hardly contain her sorrow... her excitement. Excitement? No. No, That can't possibly- Rarity walked down the street in the beautiful town of Ponyville. It was a gorgeous day and under almost any other circumstance, she would have commented on it as such. But today was... well, different. Different... is perhaps not the best word for it. It was ironic. It was laughing in Rarity's face: such a nice day, about to be stained with acts of greater goodness. She arrived at the Ponyville Library. She stood there for several minutes. She said to herself, she could just leave, she had every chance to turn back and this was the last. Her last chance to perhaps, maybe, think of some other way? No. Rarity took the time and thought about it. This was, this had to be, the best chance she had. She knocked only once. Twilight Sparkle came to the door. "Good Afternoon Rarity. What brings you here?" "Wha- oh. Um..." Twilight shifted her eyes side to side and gave a nervous smile. "Um. Rare?" "Yes. Oh! Right, um. Twilight, I have... I mean, I would like to uh..." "You're acting very strange Rarity. You usually know exactly what to say. Is something wrong?" "Yes... I mean no! I just... I've... ugh... I wanted to show you some of the magic I've learned..." "Great!" Rarity stood there awkwardly. Twilight's eyes shifted back and forth as she waited for Rarity to perform something. "Um. Rarity? Aren't you going to show me something?" "Uh.... yes! Of course!" "Well?" "Huh? Oh I uh... I simply must show you back at the boutique. Heh..." "I don't understand why but... if you're more comfortable there... then let's go!" Rarity gave out a sigh of relief. The two mares walked side by side. Twilight humming a cheery tune and Rarity trying desperately not to cry. And then they made it to the boutique. "Please. Come inside, Twilight." "Of course Rarity." ... "So, Rare... what would you like to show me first?" Rarity had her back turned away from her. She could not hold in her tears any longer. She turns and tearfully says, "I'm sorry Twilight. I'm so- s-sorry-" "Rarity? What's going on...?" "Incarcera Cycli Eterne." "That spell...." she gasps, horrified, "Wait, Rarity!" The rune circle encases Twilight sparkle. She tries desperately to get out, but the spell does not allow her to. Twilight tries to teleport out, but her magic has been negated. "Incarcera cycli eterne... one of the nastiest spells in this book." spoke Rarity, calm, but masking her feeling of devastation. "I know it well. But I never touched it and would never expect you to, let alone use it on me. Rarity, what's going on?" "I..." She looks away, " I can't explain it." Twilight's eyes widened. She didn't know what was going to happen. "What.... what are you going to do with me?" "..." Rarity did not answer. She merely levitated a kitchen knife and held it pointed right towards Twilight. "Wait! Rarity! Stop, please! Just tell me what's wrong. We're friends, remember? The very best of friends!" "... You're right Twilight. We are the very best of friends." Twilight gave a smile. She thought she had gotten through to Rarity. Then her eyes widened as she felt the knife being pushed into her chest. "Rarity. No. Please! Please.... stop... no.. somepony.... h-help..." Twilight sparkle fell to the floor. Rarity broke the spell circle and watched Twilight bleed out in front of her. Rarity walked away. She did not know what to do next. "Stupid, stupid Rarity!! I should have thought this through. ... Goodbye, Twilight." She makes her way to the exit. When a knock comes to the door. "Um. Rarity? It's me. Fluttershy. C-can I come in?" Rarity panicked for a second, then realized the potential. "Of course, ... darling... come on in!" Fluttershy walked in and screamed when she saw Twilight's body. Fluttershy tried to run away but Rarity's magic caught her and dragged her inside. "No! Please, don't hurt me!" Rarity tied ropes around her hooves and broke her wings. She left her in the middle of the boutique floor and went outside. "Rarity! Wait!! Don't leave me in here! Please let me go!" Rarity looked back at her and said, "... I'm sorry Fluttershy." Rarity used her magic and broke every support beam in her house. The Crystal Boutique came tumbling down on Fluttershy. Rarity pressed on. She had to find the rest of her friends before anypony notices what she has done. "Rarity!" "Rainbow Dash?" "Rarity! You have to come see this!" "Well, what is it?" "It's your home! It's totally been destroyed!" "... Let's go then." Rarity and Rainbow Dash galloped to the shop. "What happened Rarity?" "I'm not sure. I... wait, do you see that?" She points toward the crumbled boutique. "See... what?" "I think... no." Rarity's eyes widen inconspicuously. "What is it? What's wrong?" "I think Fluttershy's still in there! I had her over for lunch!" "I'll save her!" Rainbow dashed toward the Boutique, intent on saving her friend. The moment she came within range, a large, sharp piece of wood impaled Rainbow Dash, moved with Rarity's magic. "R-Rarity..." "Don't talk Rainbow Dash. You'll die faster." Rainbow let out a whimper. "Wh-what are you doing... help..." "For the record, Fluttershy was in there. And Twilight Sparkle." Rainbow dash tried to let out a scream but blood poured out of her mouth, preventing her from doing so. "Rainbow Dash... I.. I really am sorry. But this has to be done." She levitates the knife and slices her throat. Rainbow dash dies and hangs on the jagged beam for everypony to see. Rarity, however, gets away before anypony actually sees her. The police are called over once one does see, and a whole excavation team works on recovering any possible bodies in the boutique. They think they're looking for Rarity. Well, they soon will be, anyway. Rarity walks over to Sugarcube Corner to deal with Pinkie Pie. She's stopped crying now and is completely reserved and calm. "Hey Rarity, what's up?" "Hello, Pinkie Pie. and, Mr. and Mrs. Cake," "Hey there!" "Hello." "So what have you been up to?" "Well, I was planning this HUGE party for all of our friends later today. Do you wanna help with the preparations?" "Um... well, yes of course..." "Ooh! And then we can think of the music-" "I think..." "And the games we should play-" "Pinkie..." "And the food-" "Uh fillies?" "Yes?" answered Pinkie and Rarity "Come look at this. There's a report." This just in. The Crystal Boutique, home of the Equestrian famous designer, Rarity, has just been found demolished, with her best friend Rainbow Dash, a pony who aspired to be Captain of the Wonderbolts team, found dead, impaled by a support beam. Everypony gasps, even Rarity. Excavation teams are working overtime to find any signs of life inside the building. Now, here with us is Chief of Police, Steel Stripes. Thank you. After considerable investigation CSI has concluded that this building did not fall by accident, rather it was sabotaged by a unicorn. Mrs. Cake watched, growing concerned and mentioned something to her husband. Rarity only caught a few words. "... the boutique.... accident... unicorn.... Rarity..." In that same instant, Mrs. Cake threw up large amounts of blood. Rarity had stabbed her in the back with one of their kitchen knives. Mr. Cake screamed out for Pinkie Pie, who had left to the bakery to get some cupcakes, to run away as fast as she could. She did not hear him. Pinkie came into the room to see the ponies that gave her a home laying there, dead in their own blood. The devastated Pinkie Pie could not even move. Rarity walked up to her. She didn't even apologize this time. Rarity made her way out the door and- This just in. There are now known to be three missing ponies in Ponyville. Recent arrival Twilight Sparkle from Canterlot, residing in the town Library and Fluttershy longtime resident and native of Cloudsdale. And Rarity, owner and resident of the Crystal Boutique. We expect to find the three bodies under the wreckage. We are working with haste now, to hopefully find them before they die. Rarity was far in the outskirts of Ponyville now. Near Sweet Apple Acres. It was night time now. For some reason, Rarity did not want to kill her last best friend in the dark. She thought this was a daytime thing. She was unaware of her own feelings on this matter, for it made no sense to wait until morning, except to see the look on Applejack's face when Rarity comes for her. Applejack, Applebloom, Big MacIntosh and Granny Smith were all sitting near the television when they heard the horrible news. Rainbow Dash found dead near the Crystal Boutique and Pinkie Pie's splattered remains found in her home, among the dead bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Cake. Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle and Rarity missing and presumed dead under the boutique. Then a knock at the door. Applejack expected the police mares to come by. She is good friends with the ponies in question after all. She was surprised then, to not see a police mare, but Rarity. Her surprise quickly turned to horror. Applejack was not stupid. Not in the least. She knew how to put events together. "Rarity. How are you here? Why..." Applejack's face descended into maddening delight, delighted Rarity, terror, yes terror as she realized what Rarity had done. "Your home was destroyed by a unicorn... by you... you're the one who killed Rainbow Dash!" "Yes. And Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie... Mr. and Mrs. Cake." "And now you've come for me. Y-you finally snapped huh Rarity?" challenged Applejack, who kept a steady face, even though she was trembling inside. Big MacIntosh stepped up beside her. He made himself seem bigger to Rarity, a feat not too difficult for the large stallion. Applebloom and Granny Smith were shaking in the corner with each other, far away from the menace at the door. "Snapped. What a crude way of putting it. No, I am doing this..." Rarity looked down. No. I won't explain myself to you. Just know that-" "Get out of here Rarity. We have you outnumbered." "Applejack. AJ darling..." Applejack's memories of their friendship flooded her mind. Applejack had a hard time concentrating on the situation, remembering the lovely past the two mare had shared. And the blade was merely a shimmer of silver, the red liquid looked remarkable against her orange coat. Big MacIntosh rammed himself into Rarity, and, her being of a smaller stature, was careened out of the room. Big MacIntosh yelled out at her in new, unprecedented frustration, "You're gonna rot in prison for that. She, they were your best friends. No words, Rarity. No words at all." "You just spoke several you... never mind. My work here is done." whispering, to herself now, "My loved ones are all dead now..." Big MacIntosh had overheard this. "Something doesn't add up. Why did you kill them? Why... you're loved ones..." Suddenly it dawned on them. The apples could have been detective had they also not been so damn good at farming. They were a sharp bunch, but unfortunately not as quick as the magic of a unicorn. Applebloom and Granny Smith were left cowering in fear, the smell of their kins' blood filling the room as Rarity exited and made her way towards the Ever Free forest. This just in. Chief of Police Steel Stripes in with new information. "Thank you. The Boutique has been searched thoroughly. The bodies of Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash have been discovered... however, Cloudsdale native Fluttershy has been rescued, alive. She is in the hospital and recovering from several critical wounds.
A Rarity Named Desire"I'm safe." Rarity clinched her stomach in as she dealt with what her own words meant. She might be safe, but her friends... Rarity went on, she trotted through the Apples' yard, back towards Ponyville. She gritted her teeth together as she made her way to the thin outskirts of town. She saw, in her mind, the ponies, all of them, covered in blood and entrails. And then she realized just how stupid she truly was. The Ever Free Forest was on the other side of Ponyville and the Mustang Miles, just beyond it, a little to the south. It never occurred... or at least, Rarity never acknowledged it, to Rarity that she may have disregarded strategy because she en-... well, it doesn't matter anyway. What's done is done, all that's left is to stick with the plan, and don't get caught. But get known... She breaks into one of the ponies' houses and slits her throat. A little spill here and there could add to the... uh... the plan. Right. Rarity turns on the television and checks on the news report. Rarity's body not found, suspected of murder, destruction of property, conspiring against fellow ponies and evading arrest. This made Rarity smile, a small, sad smile, knowing how soon the ponies would come to hate her. Her plan was coming together perfectly. Fluttershy alive, but in critical condition. Rarity never bothered with her as she would never survive out of a few days. The injuries described on the news would take care of her, besides, the hospital would be too well guarded, especially when they have a victim in there. She presses on, as quickly as she can in the sheath of the night, staying well out of the path of moonlight until the sun rose again. She was very near the Ever Free forest, but she didn't want to take the chance. She decided to head over to Fluttershy's Cottage. After all, no pony's in there... Rarity makes a startling, loud noise and then- She covers her mouth quickly. Police-mares were in Fluttershy's Cottage! They start waking out the door. Rarity tries to go around back, but she's cut off. Soon, she's surrounded. They call out to her and tell her to come with them, peacefully. After everything she's already done, everything still needed to be accomplished, she couldn't be stopped now. She had to escape, somehow. Her horn glowed, the police-unicorns readying their horns to counter her attack, aimed right for her. Fools, she thought, for this spell is one of the more... deceiving spells. "Excavata LaDiame" And soon, the gems and diamonds from below the ground shoot up into the underbellies of the police-mares. Injured and helpless, Rarity leaves them to die. Of course, they are rescued and none of them actually do. But Rarity counted on this, as it would cement the fact that she murdered her friends, destroyed her home and assaulted police-mares. And is now making a run for it in the Ever Free Forest. Rarity laughs as she runs... "You were right Applejack. I've snapped!!" Author's Note Well. Eh, this chapter was okay.
