//------------------------------// // In the Shadows // Story: A Rarity to Behold // by goldenmoonpony //------------------------------// "You... you monster! How long have you been doing this to other mares? Mares like me?!" Rattling in her chains, Rarity howled to be let free. "Longer then you'd think, my dear." Teeth flashed in the dim light. "At first glance, I'm normal, cultured. No one expects a thing." The grin grew wider. "Especially those dumb mares." "Like me?" Rarity asked stubbornly. The figure kneeled before the white unicorn, shocked. "Why would you say that? They're not like you. You're perfect. The rest were flawed. Too tall, too skinny, some couldn't cook, or were disorganized. But you," It leaned forward. "You. Are. Perfect." Gathering equipment, which appeared to the hair-savvy pony to be a curling iron, brushes, and assorted tubes, the pony kneeled before Rarity. "Now, shall we get on with your... beauty treatment?" "AUGHHHHHH!" * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * She was floating on air. Today was her monthiversary with Big Macintosh, and they had been together for, obviously, a month. Today she was going into town to complete her present for him: A golden-yellow topaz pin for the scarf she knitted for him. Rarity knew he wasn't one to wear clothing, but winter winds were settling in, and she wanted to make sure that while he was tending the acres, he didn't get sick. Although, it would be a great time to play nurse... The unicorn shook her head, perfect purple curls bouncing. No time for thoughts like that! She had a pin to pick up. Entering the jewelry store, a shadow was seen in an alley across from the library. Thinking it curious, she looked. Turning her head, all she saw was the wind blowing a piece of paper. Laughing at her mistake, she trotted on, crossing the step of the store, and inside. ______________________________________________________________________________________ This was too early. I should have known her keen eyes would have sought out my presence. While this may be bad now, when she's in my grasp, everything will be perfect. Now to just get rid of her successor, the hideously flawed one... Problem is, I think she suspects something. I must keep her away from the phones... ______________________________________________________________________________________ Rarity held up her creation. "Oh, it's just marvelous! I know he'll love it so." Crooning over her masterpiece, she lightly folded it back into the silver box, making sure the pin was shining on top. "Hmmm, the pin should be centered more here... no, more to the right..." Her tongue was sticking out of her mouth in a very unladylike way. "The left... Perfect!" When she was pleased with her work, blue tendrils of magic twisted and folded apple-printed ribbon into a large, fancy bow. "Eeeee! I can't wait to show it to him!" She also couldn't wait to see him. So, not wanting to wait the ten minutes in which they were supposed to meet, she packed her things in silvery saddlebags, tied the knots, and was sauntering off. Trotting down the streets, she attracted gazes, envious eyes looking at her coat, her mane, her clothing. Rarity ate up the attention. She loved to be in the spotlight, to be the one adored. For a long time though, she hadn't noticed the emptiness in her heart, a space for her to be the one adoring. That spot was filled though, promptly one month ago. A gleeful smile stretched across her face again, as she thought of all the fun they'd had in a month. While all that was exciting, she couldn't wait for the rest of their life together. She was sure he was her prince. Tripping over a stray stone, she tumbled down a hill, and into a pile of hay. Seeing another dark shadow, she whipped around, opening her mouth to ask if he put that stone in her path deliberately. "Why hello there sug'rcube." A slow voice drawled behind her. Embarrassed about her current state, she whipped around, sending her hair into a disarray. "B-big Macintosh! H-how, w-what are you doing here?" Flustered, she tried combing her mane with a hoof, while also trying to get all the hay bits out. Seeing after a little bit that she was failing, her hoof found the ground again. Ponyville's premier fashionista would have to be happy with her appearance. "Well, sug'rcube, I live in this 'ol barn. And you interrupted me in the middle of doin' mah chores." A slight grin played across Big Mac's face as he nuzzled her cheek. "W-why, I'm sorry, I must look a fright." To accompany her words, white fur flushed a deep magenta, adding a bit too much color to her colorless cheeks. "I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't even be here right now. I'll be back in ten." She stood to go. "Why're you runnin', sug'rcube? It's only lil' 'ol me." He looked around, and tried to inconspicuously sniff himself for disturbing odors. "Oh- oh, no reason." She tried to laugh it off, but only managed a shivering giggle. This didn't convince anyone, let alone Big Mac. The real reason? Well... She and Big Mac hadn't exactly been dating in public. In fact, only Twilight knew. Rarity knew she wouldn't give her secret away, as she wasn't a big blabbermouth anymore. No, she was working on that. And, surprisingly, the bookworm gave good relationship advice, despite never being in one. Must be all those romance books. The purple unicorn was a hopeless romantic under all that knowledge. Sending curls flying around her head, Rarity forced herself to stop thinking about that. They were here, planning to come out today to Applejack, Granny Smith and Apple Bloom. But first, Applejack. They needed the one least likely to approve, approve first. Realizing what they were about to do, a delicate frame gave a shiver. Not from cold, from fear. She'd seen Applejack beat other ponies to a pulp who wanted to be with her brother. Who said that wasn't going to happen to her? Who knew, would Applejack beat her up? Ruin her beautiful face? Not be her friend anymore? Scenarios raced through her head. "Ah thought you were mah friend! But friends don't go after their friend's brothers!" Applejack chased her with a bat, all around, and cornered her in a barn... "You slut! Takin' advantage of my bro like that! i never want to see you again! Just GO!" Rarity was rudely shoved out the door. "And I don't wanna see Sweetie anymore neither!" "Ya know how we deal with your kind back home?" Applejack pounded her hoof with the brass ring into her other hoof. Biting back tears, Rarity shook her head 'no'. "Well, I'll guess ya'll find out..." "Rarity? RARITY?" A large hoof was waving in front of her face. "Hmph. Wonder what she's thinkin' about..." All of a sudden, her eyes popped open, with a tear snaking out of one. "R-rarity?..." She dove into his forearms sobbing, shrieking about Applejack ruining her beautiful face, or not wanting to be her friend anymore. Big Mac held her at hoof's length. "Now, were'd you get such silly ideas?" The stalk shifted back in forth in his mouth rapidly. "Mah sister is kinder then that!" Rarity didn't look up. "I... I know. She-she's just so protective of you... What'll she think of up?" Her tear-streaked face was lifted to look him in the eyes. "What'll happen to me? You? Our love?" A sniffle escaped her. She also didn't want to let him know that she was a little shaken up about seeing a pony fleeing the scene in two places she'd been today. It was making her a little more dramatic than usual. Shaking her head, and saying it was only coincidence, she stood up. "Come on, darhlin'. It'll be fine." He gave her a hug for reassurance. "Now, let's go." ______________________________________________________________________________________ That two-timing, double-crossing bi-! Calm down. I know it's just a fling. I know her better then he does. She'll never stay with that lug of a pony. and when she leaves you, she'll come running to me. ______________________________________________________________________________________ Rarity leaning on Big Mac, the two of them made it to the door of Sweet Apple Acres. Both staring at the door, neither made a move to open it and face the ponies that would be inside. Turning to look at each other, both got a sudden sense of calm. Slowly moving in closer, they lips met. It was nothing passionate, just sweet and gentle. "Well, isn't this just nice." Shooting apart, the two stole a quick glance at each other, and looked at the ground. Blushing heavily, Big Mac met his sister's gaze. "H-hi Sis." His emerald eyes soon found the ground too. Suddenly, his interest was on a slowly crawling caterpillar. "Well howdy there Big Mac." Lashed green eyes shot a a look Rarity's way. Tears were brimming in Rarity's blue eyes. "I knew she wouldn't accept us..." Trying to hold in sobs, it sounded strangled. Trying to stop the tears, a leaf was picked off a tree and used as a makeshift handkerchief. The unicorn could feel the mascara running down her cheeks. "Ah, Sis, look what you did!" Stepping protectively in front of Rarity, he wiped away her tears with unshorn fetlocks. "I'm not going to take it anymore. I love Rarity, and you can't break up apart." The work horse was referring to the other ponies Applejack had protectively scared off, whether by beating, or just blame old threats. "What did Ah do?" Realization dawned on her face. "No, no, this is a mistake!" A hearty laugh was heard. "If anyone deserves my bro, it would be one of my friends." A wink was shot Rarity's way, causing her to stop sniffling, and blush madly. " 'Specially my gal pal Rare here." A light kiss was planted on Applejack's cheek, and a delicate white chin was soon resting on top of a messy blonde mane. "Oh, thank you Applejack! I was so worried." A nervous laugh was heard. "Really quite silly. But, the main point is," a gentle smile was pointed in the orange mare's direction. "Thank you." A light smile graced the apple pony's own face. "Welcome to the family, Rare." ______________________________________________________________________________________ Awwww. HOW SWEET. Shhhh. Remember, one breath in, hold, out. Repeat. Phew. That was close. Well, Rarity you may have gained a new family, but they'll be missing you soon. You're all mine. All. Mine.