//------------------------------//
// "Rainbow Dash, Rarity, this is super important." 
// Story: The Fall of Celestia 
// by Leon Declis 
//------------------------------//

+++5 years, 11 months, 2 weeks, 3 days prior +++ The Great Wine Lodge:
This was precisely the place where she belonged, Rarity thought as she walked down the stairs with the velvet carpet, her glass slippers making not a sound as she trotted. Her hair was perfect, her scarf was just the exact shade of light purple to make her horn bracelet shine as it hung from her horn to within the curls of her hair. She had spent a few hours preparing, and this dress was something she’d been planning to make for a while, but she could never find time.

The air was hung heavily with incense, there were candles on the walls, and there was gold trimming on everything. Applejack had called it ‘gaudy’ when Rarity had forced her to come here. Rarity thought it was simply beautiful.
The crowds of the higher mares and colts of society were almost heady to Rarity once, such was her desire to make her way among the elite of Canterlott. But now, she wasn’t here merely to impress upon them her name and companionship- she was invited. Ponies knew who she was now. She had made it.

A server came to her, carrying a rose petals sprinkled onto slices of lavender. Rarity waved him away. She had already eaten, and nothing is quite as unsightly as a pony carrying food in their hooves as they wandered around.
“HEY RARITY!” Rarity felt a great weight upon her back as Pinkie jumped on it. “Have you seen the food they’re giving away? Fancy stuff, huh?” She grinned broadly.
Rarity stood up, quickly fixing her clothes. “Yes, yes, it is. Now this is a respected establishment, so could you please be… calmer, my dear?” She gave a smile, which came out a tad crooked.
“Calmer. Got it!” Pinkie Pie gave a serious frown, before saluting.
“Thank y..” Rarity started in relief, but Pinkie Pie quickly looked over Rarity’s shoulder.
“Is that… HEY!” She called out, waving her hoof. “HEY! HEY YOU!” She ran past Rarity after someone she had seen. Rarity looked around. A small circle of muttering had formed around her, complete with glances and ponies shaking their heads. 

Rarity gave them a quick smile, and asked politely if firmly “Can I help you?” The ponies looked away, and conversation started picking up in her vicinity. Inwardly, she sighed. This wasn’t the first party that Pinkie Pie had asked to come to with her, and it wasn’t the first time that Pinkie Pie’s… enthusiasm had made some waves.
“Rarity, my dear.” A deep voice came from behind Rarity, a jacket coming over her shoulders, with a deep blue cloud over it. “It is a tad chilly, is it not?” Rarity turned to find Fancy Pants standing behind her, his blue moustache twitching with hidden mirth.
“Sir Fancy, I hadn’t expected to meet you so soon.” Rarity curtsied, before standing straight and giving a small smile.
“Nonsense, I invited you, I should have met with you earlier,” scoffed Fancy Pants. A twinkle of amusement appeared in his eye. “I see Madam Pie has been appreciating the party atmosphere.” He nodded behind Rarity, who turned with a small feeling of dread.

Up on the stage, Pinkie Pie was busily organising the band into what she felt was more interesting, whispering into ears and moving people bodily if needed. A few of the musicians grinned with mischief, but most (and especially the more distinguished ones) frowned. One of the senior members turned to her, but their words were lost over the sounds of the party. Rarity sighed again.
“I’m sorry about her, I’ll go and…” Rarity apologised to Fancy Pants and moved to turn away, but he politely stood in her way.
“Don’t worry about her, I’ve no doubt she’ll liven things up. I’m all for sombreness, but sometimes you need to have fun too.” That twinkle in his eye never left. Despite herself, Rarity giggled.
“Oh, you. You hang around with this company and all you really want is Pinkie throwing confetti at everyone,” she commented, tilting her head.

At that, he laughed. Not a full belly laugh, but certainly heartfelt. “I’m sure some of my friends would agree with that,” and then he looked at Rarity. “And I’m sure it isn’t Madam Pie who would be first in my wishes for company.” He gave a very direct look at Rarity, who did the polite thing and looked embarrassed.

It wasn’t completely an act.

“So, shall we go and dance?” Fancy pants bowed, and held out a hoof, which Rarity gracefully accepted. By this point, Pinkie Pie had managed to either charm or berate the band into following her, and so the music became a lot more lively.
This was going to a marvellous night indeed.




+++5 years, 11 months, 2 weeks, 1 day +++ Canterlott Train Station:

“Hey! I think I see it!” Rainbow Dash called down to the ponies below. A few cheers came from under her. Rainbow Dash flew a bit higher, her wings straining slightly against the wind. Seeing the actual train, rather than just the smoke, she flipped backwards in the air and flew back down to the station.

She landed a tad roughly, her knees bending to take the light impact. Her teachers used to say that a properly done landing has no bumps. Dash however, dismissed it as needless worrying. Sweetie Belle ran up to her. “Do you think that Apple Bloom will be coming?” She asked excitedly.
“Nah, Twilight didn’t mention her. Apparently, it’s just her, Spike, and some random pony.” Rainbow Dash looked back to Sweetie Belle. “Hey, where’s Rarity anyhow?” She looked around.
“Oh, she’s just indeed sorting her hat. She doesn’t like the wind.” Sweetie Belle’s mouth tightened slightly from annoyance, and Rainbow sighed.
“Yeah, that sounds like her.” She flicked her rainbow mane into the air, loving the feeling of the wind lifting up strands of hair and blowing her fringe straight back. Windy. Just how Rainbow liked it.
“Look! There it is!” Sweetie Belle pointed, a few of the other ponies around also now noticing. At the commotion, Rarity joined there group.
“Have I missed anything?” She asked, watching the train get closer.
“No, not really.” Sweetie Belle sounded bored. Rainbow privately agreed.

As the train pulled in, everyone gathered around. Except Rarity, of course, who had no intention of “brawling in the dirt”. Rainbow and Sweetie moved closer. The door opened, and the first few ponies got off, including one old mare who Rainbow Dash felt was taking way too long, and then Twilight got off, looking around.
“HEY! Twilight! Over here!” Rainbow waved her hoof over her head, jumping slightly. Twilight saw them, and looked back. Spike jumped off the train, carrying quite a lot of luggage. And then another pony got off, wearing a dark blue cloak, white hair and an unhappy grimace. Rainbow Dash shut up at the sight of her, her smile dripping off her face.

“Not her again…” She muttered, frowning. Sweetie looked at her, but Rainbow didn’t notice. Behind her, she could hear Rarity excusing herself as she walked up next to Rainbow.
“Is Twilight here yet? The wind is playing… oh, what is she doing here?” Her eyes narrowed when she saw Trixie. “I knew I was having far too much fun, so obviously she would arrive…”
Sweetie Belle looked up. “Who is she?”
“You remember that travelling magician who came to Ponyville? Was ungraciously arrogant? Far too boastful? Has delusions of grandeur? Has… Twilight, my dear, it is wonderful to see you!” Rarity gave Twilight a hug, and turned to Spike. “And how is my little dragon doing?”
“Aw, I’m good Rarity. How are you doing?” Spike looked bashfully at Rarity and Sweetie Belle.
“Hey, Twilight, what’s she doing here?” Behind them, Rainbow Dash greeted Twilight. Trixie sniffed.
“Trixie is here as a consultant on dangers,” she declared. She puffed out her chest and gave Rainbow a narrow eyed gaze, and a smirk.
Rainbow Dash snorted. “Yeah! Like you were last time, when the Ursa Major came. You were so handy then.”
“Rainbow Dash, please. Trixie has something very important to tell the Princess, it’s very serious,” Twilight pleaded.
Rainbow Dash thought for a moment, weighing things up. “So, what is so important that you’ve come straight back to Canterlott?” She asked Twilight.
Rarity walked over, leaving Spike to make awkward conversation with Sweetie Belle. “Twilight, darling, it’s so good to see you healthy.” She looked at Trixie. “Hello, you.” Her smile was fixed. She then returned to ignoring Trixie. “What brings you back to the capital? Did you miss the society?”
Twilight wore a serious look. “Rainbow Dash, Rarity, this is super important, so you’ve got to listen. But first, I have to go and speak to the princess.”