"I'll see you next month, Twilight. " Shining Armor told his sister. After the events of the Royal Wedding, they had promised to see eachother more and a monthly visit was best suited for both of them.
"Alrighty! Send my love to Cadence, won't you?"
"I will." the two hugged and he got on the pegasus drawn carriage back to Canterlot.
Twilight sighed and wandered back in the library. She has seen what her brother and Cadence had and wanted it so badly, but she was too shy to tell her love how she felt. Everything about Rainbow Dash drew Twilight like a moth to a flame. Her multi-coloured mane, her admirable confidence and bravery, the beautiful sonic rainboom, even the way she could sleep on a cloud until the end of time if she were given the chance. But every time she would try to express herself to Rainbow, her throat became as dry as gravel and her tongue like sandpaper. Realising how late it was getting, she was about to turn in.
"Where in Equestria is Spike?" she said aloud to herself. As if on cue, Spike kicked the door open with his arms full of gems.
"Hey, Twilight! Is Shining Armor gone?"
"Yeah, he left just now. Where have you been? Oh, no, wait. Let me guess..."
"Rarity." they both said in unison.
"She said if I helped her make dresses all day, she'd give me whatever gems she had left."
"All day..?"
"Well, she might have said a few hours. But I had nothing to do today so I thought 'why not?'"
"Nothing to do? Other than your chores that you sneaked out early to avoid?" Twilight was being stern with the young dragon but she then realised he was able to act somewhat normal around his crush, so why can't she? Spike was giving a list of excuses and Twilight interrupted him.
"Spike? If you were to ask Rarity on date... W-What would you err.. Say to her?" she asked him, trying not to be too obvious.
"Huh? Why? Did she say something?"
"No, it's just... I'm... Curious."
"Well, I'm quite the romantic so..." Spike threw a gem into his mouth, "I'd have to do something bold and sweet. Something that screams 'Be mine Rarity!' but whispers 'I love you.'" he continued as saliva dribbled onto the floor.
"Well, err... Thanks, I guess." Twilight headed over to her bedroom, "We better turn in, Spike. It's getting late."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Twilight had considered Spike's 'advice' and decided she should make something for Rainbow Dash, if there's anything that pony likes it receiving gifts. The only thing is, Twilight didn't have many books on arts and crafts and the ones she did have were for foals. Rarity knew a lot about this particular subject and seemed to be the best bet.
She knocked on the door to Carousel Boutique and Rarity answered with an obvious decline in standard of her looks. Her mane's condition had deteriated and she was still wrapped up in her night gown.
"Twilight Sparkle, must you visit unnanounced like this? Some ponies are busy these days."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Were you working?"
"Well... No. But there is a principle involved."
"I just wanted to ask you a favour."
"It would be a pleasure to help a friend in need. Just not on such short notice next time." the pearly white unicorn pouted.
"Well, again, I'm sorry. Anyway could you teach me to sew?"
"Of course. I suppose it would be seen as selfish not to bestow my wisdom amongst fellow ponies in the field of such an art." Rarity boasted. "May I ask why?"
Twilight began to blush.
"I want to make something for somepony." she mumbled.
"Is it just 'somepony'? Or might it be a.. love interest?"
"What? No!" Twilight laughed nervously, "It's just somepony I'd like to show my appreciation to."
"Twilight... You can't fool Miss Rarity." she teased, "You've never shown an interest in sewing before. Whoever this pony is he must be something special to make you want to take up a new hobby. And you certainly won't fool me with them rose coloured cheeks of yours."
"Rarity, stop it!" Twilight's cheeks glowed a bright red.
"Stop hiding things from me, Twilight... I thought we were friends."
"Okay!" Twilight gave in, "I admit it. I like somepony."
"Who is it?" Rarity's eyes now gleeming with curiosity.
"Rarity..." Twilight whined.
"Donut Joe?"
"No."
"Soarin'?"
"No."
"Flim?"
"Ew. No!"
"...Flam?"
"Ugh!"
"Big Macintosh?"
"No! Look, I'll tell you but you have to understand... The pony I like is... It's err... Rai-ow D-sh." Twilight muttered under her breath, letting her ears droop.
"I'm sorry?"
"Rain--Dash..."
"Use your words, dear."
"Rainbow Dash. There." Rarity stood there for a while, mouth agape.
"I... Uh... Well. This is quite a shock. I just.. You don't... I mean... I never suspected you to be somepony who would be into mares." she finally managed to muster up.
"Well, it's true. Rainbow Dash is... Cute." Twilight smiled just thinking about her.
"If you want my opinion, Twilight, I'd say you've come to the wrong place." Rarity said with a hoof on her friends shoulder. Twilight turned her head to look at Rarity. Confusion and sadness glazed over her eyes. What does she mean? Could it be that Rarity, the element of generosity was actually homophobic? Surely she'd accept her friends regardless of sexual preference. After all the adventures they've had.
"You aren't going to attract Rainbow Dash with fashionable clothing. Take it from somepony who spent years trying to get her to try on dresses. It'd be like offering Pinkie Pie a quiet night in with some steamed vegetables. If you feel this way about Rainbow the best thing to do is to confront her and tell her straight with your chin held high. Chances are she feels the same way, you're a wonderful pony, dear and between you and I, Rainbow Dash doesn't appear to show much interest in colts either." Rarity gave a friendly smile and a wink. "Worst case scenario she doesn't feel the same way but she'll be grateful that you said something. It can only make your relationship better if you ask me."
"You're right, Rarity. Dashie won't hate me over some crush I have on her." Twilight made her way back to the door, "Thanks." the door opened and Twilight took off to confess her love for her Dashie.
Ponyville was usually a peaceful place.
But today it appeared a lot quiter than usual, something that would prove useful in the search of a pegasus. Finding an earth pony or a unicorn would be a piece of cake on a day like this but when looking for a pegasus the sky is the limit. Quite literally.
"I don't even know where to start looking." Twilight groaned. She looked around desperate for a sign of Rainbow's whereabouts.
"HEY TWILIGHT! WHATCHA DOIN'?!"
"Pinkie! Holy Celestia you scared me..."
"Oh, whoopsie! So err... whatcha doin'?" Pinkie whispered this time. Twilight smiled at the pink earth pony's antics.
"I'm looking for Rainbow Dash. Have you seen her?"
"Are you playing hide and seek? 'Cause you know I can't tell you, Twilight. That's cheating! CHEATER CHEATER PUMPKIN EATER!" she began to chant hopping in cirlces around Twilight until she stopped her.
"Pinkie! We're not playing hide and seek. I'm just looking for her."
"Why?"
"I can't tell you right now, Pinkie."
"Well, it'd be a lot easier for people who skipped the first chapter." Twilight stared at her confused.
"...What?"
"I guess they can go back and read it."
"Pinkie... I really need to know where Rainbow is. Have you seen her?"
"Yep. She's there." Pinkie pointed past Twilight at the blue pegasus. She was standing a few yards away buying food from a stall.
"How long has she been there?"
"Since I asked if you were playing hide and seek."
"And you didn't say anything? You knew I was..." Pinkie watched Twilight with that constant smile on her face. All she could do was sigh. "Thanks, Pinkie."
Twilight trotted over to the stall.
"Rainbow, can we talk?" her heart began to thud so hard it hurt her chest. This is it. This is the moment of truth. Whatever happens in the next five minutes will determine Twilight's, and maybe even Rainbow's, lovelife.
"Can it wait? I'm kinda about to give a speech at Scootaloo's fanclub. That chick sure digs me, huh? But can you blame her? Heh."
"I guess that would be silly. You are pretty amazing. But this is really important. And it won't take long."
"Well, alright. For a friend."
For a friend. A friend. Twilight and Rainbow are friends. Is it worth the risk? Is the odd possibility that a serious relationship may take place worth risking a certain everlasting friendship? This could change everything. Even if Rainbow felt the same and a few months down the line things didn't work out, they could never go back to how they are now. There will always be that tension, whether the feelings are shared or not.
No.
Twilight has come too far to stop now. She won't let some last minute jitters prevent the oppurtunity of a life time; a chance at romance. Twilight had led Rainbow into her library where they both sat down. Twilight had to take a deep breath a collect her thoughts before saying what she was about to say.
"Rainbow... You and I are really good friends. We have done so much together. Memories like the ones you and I have never perish in one's mind. Together we've stopped Equestria from being condemned to an eternity of darkness. We've prevented an evil invasion of changelings. You saved my life when I fell off that cliff... When we first met I thought you were just a lazy, full of herself, showoff." Dash listened to every word coming out of her friends mouth, even if she didn't understand some of them.
"And I was right." Twilight laughed. "But those are traits I have learned to associate with you and even enjoy being around them. And I mean really enjoy."
"Well, Twilight, that was quite a mouthful. And I like being around you too. If that's what you meant by all that." Rainbow got up to leave but Twilight placed her hoof on the pegasus' wing.
"I'm not quite finished yet." she slowly removed her hoof, embracing the feel of the silky feathers. "What I'm trying to say, Dash is... I..." Twilight's mouth began to dry out. "I think I... No, I KNOW I..." she looked down at the floor. "I L-Love... You." she looked back up.
"You... wha?"
"I love you..." Twilight took a breath, she suddenly felt a lot better having just said it. "I love you. I love you, Rainbow Dash!" she beamed moving closer the expressionless pegasus.
"Errr... Twilight." Dash said, putting her hooves on Twilight's shoulders. "You're great. Like, awesome. And you're right. We have had good times together. But I don't want a relationship with you. We're buddies! Best pals, right?"
Twilight sank back into her seat, her ears drooped lower than before at Rarity's.
"But... You're perfect for me." she looked up at Rainbow biting back tears.
Rainbow stroked Twilight's mane. "Hey. Maybe we can hang out tomorrow, huh? You and me. As pals. Chin up, Twi. We'll talk soon." she slowly left library feeling terrible for what she had done. Rainbow's hoofsteps on the wood flooring making dents in Twilight's heart.
"Goodbye, Dashie. I love you." Twilight whispered. A tear rolling down her cheek.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three hours later, Spike walked in. Twilight hadn't moved. Sitting at the table was a purple lump sobbing to herself. Spike rushed over.
"Twilight..?" he put his hand on Twilight's back. "What's wrong?"
"It's Rainbow... She..." Twilight went back into a state of hysteria.
"Rainbow? What did she do?" Spike stepped away.
"It hurts, Spike..."
"Did she attack you!?"
"No! My... It hurts..." she once again went into a fit of sniffing and crying. "Rarity. I need... Rarity." She managed to get out through her quick breaths. Spike ran straight to Carousel Boutique to retrieve her.
It didn't take long for the two to arrive and Rarity immediately sat with Twilight, shooshing her and stroking her mane like a mother would.
"Twilight... It's okay... Shh. Spike said Rainbow did this. I assume you told her."
"Told her what?" Spike asked from the sidelines.
"Why not fetch us some tea, Spike?"
"Rarity... You were wrong. She didn't love me back. Why did you lie..?"
"Now, I didn't say she would love you back. I said she would be grateful for your honesty. And was she?"
"What?!" Spike said going into a stupor.
"It hurts, Rarity."
"I know, dear." Rarity continued to stroke her mane and hold her close.
"You know those books I let you borrow about th-the two ponies who f-fall in love and one ends up heartbroken?"
"I remember the ones."
"Well, I always thought it was an exaggeration... B-But it's n-not. It really does hurt. It f-feels like a part of me is missing." she buried her head into Rarity's chest and began to cry even harder.
"I think the best thing to do is go to bed and see how you feel in the morning. Would you like me to stay here?"
"Y-yes, please."
"Alright. Spike, escort Twilight to her bedroom. I'll make the tea."
Rarity walked back from Twilight's bedroom after having given her her tea. She noticed Spike sitting on his own just staring at the floor.
"Spike? Are you alright?" he didn't respond. "Spike?" she nudged him with her hoof and he snapped out of it.
"Oh, hey Rarity." Spike's voice had lost that excited, almost childish tone to it and sounded dull and mature. Not what Rarity, or anypony, for that matter was used to. "Is Twilight okay?"
"Are you feeling alright?" Rarity asked with a genuine look of concern on her face.
"I'm okay..." Spike sighed, "It's just... In all the years I've been with Twilight, I've never seen her like that. She looked... Broken."
"I know, the poor dear. I should never have got her wound up in this." the unicorn was feeling so guilty, she pondered on whether it would have made a difference if she had said nothing at all to her today. "...Spike, if you don't mind me asking... How much does Twilight mean to you?" Rarity asked wanting to take her's and Spike's mind off of what has happened.
"She's everything to me. I've known her ever since the day I was born. She's been my mentor. More than that, kinda like a mom. Or even the best friend a dragon could ask for." this was a side to Spike Rarity had never seen before. A more serious Spike. A grown up Spike. And she liked it. "What's going on, Rarity? I need to kow exactly why my best friend is so upset."
Rarity sighed before spilling all knowledge she had on the situation. The learning to sew, the whole conversation they had. Everything. Spike didn't say a word throught the whole story or even blink.
"Wow..." was all he could say by the end of it all. "Twilight and Rainbow?"
"I know it sounds silly, doesn't it? But what could I do, Spike? Tell her she didn't have a chance in the world? And for a moment, I actually believed they would be together."
"I guess Twilight thought that too..." there was a long pause as they both thought about the same thing. Why hadn't Twilight said anything about liking mares before? She'd known Spike his whole life and Rarity has done more than enough to earn her trust.
They couldn't help but feel slightly betrayed.
"Rarity...? You aren't... Into mares, too... Are you?" Spike asked, hoping that he hadn't spent all this time barking up the wrong tree.
"Well, I admit, back when I was younger I was a little... Curious. But as I said I was young. A bit wild, if you will."
"I can't imagine you wild." Spike laughed, the childish tone returning in his voice. "So what happened?"
"Well, it was back when I was in school studying fashion. The class was all mares and there was this one who was into other mares. I had never heard of this before and had never considered my sexuality until this point..." the two spent the night sharing stories, laughing and just having fun.
---------------------------------------------------
The next morning, Spike woke up on the floor and Rarity was making tea.
"Good morning, Spikey Wikey!"
"Wha... Did I fall asleep here?" Spike asked, dazed and confused. He had no memory of even going to sleep last night. Only patches of the conversations he and Rarity shared.
"Well, we stayed up well into the early hours of the day. We had such a lovely chat. Then you went and fell asleep while I was telling the story of how I got my cutie mark."
"Oh, right. Sorry..."
"It's quite alright. Had I realised how late - or early - it was I would have sent you to bed anyway. I must dash off now, Spike. I imagine Twilight's still in bed. Do send her my love!" she was half way out the door when she stopped and turned to hug Spike. "I had fun last night. It was the first time I stayed up all night since I was twelve. I'd like to do it again sometime. Perhaps under different circumstances?"
"That'd be... great!" Spike said, barely able to contain his excitement. He technically got a date with Rarity. The pony he's liked ever since he layed eyes on her.
Spike sat on his own feeling proud of himself for another hour or so before Twilight walked in.
"Hey... You feeling any better?"
"I'm fine, Spike. Really. Don't worry."
"Are you sure? You were in really bad shape last night."
"I'd rather not talk about any of the events from yesterday at ten AM onwards." Spike fell silent. "Unless, it's about you and Rarity." Twilight suddenly perked up and took a seat next to the young dragon.
"We had a lot of fun. We told eachother stories and stayed up all night! We're gonna hang out again some time. Just me and her."
"All night? I thought you two were talking a lot but jeez..."
"...You seem... Happy." Spike observed.
"You say that like it's a bad thing."
"I'm saying it because it's a wierd thing. Your heart was broken yesterday. How did you get over it so quick."
"I said I don't wanna hear about yesterday. But I am over it. Last night I was thinking for a long time and I finally figured out how to get over my crush on Rainbow."
"...How?"
"Oh, Spike." Twilight laughed, "I'm not gonna tell you, am I? Let's just call it Twilight's secret formula to getting over a heart break. Deal?"
"Errr... Deal, I guess. As long as your feeling better. What do you want for breakfast?"
"I'm gonna skip breakfast today Spike. I need to speak to Rainbow." Twilight stood up but Spike quickly grabbed her to sit her back down.
"I don't think that's a good idea. It's too soon for both of you to start speaking again."
"What do you mean? Nothing happened."
"No, but things will be different between you now. And they will be for quite a while." Spike explained.
"Since when did you get so mature?" Twilight teased.
"It must of been some time last night. While I was talking to Rarity."
"Okay, how about you go organise a date with Rarity right now and I'll wait right here."
"You promise you won't go anywhere..."
"I promise."
"Well, alright... But I swear, Twilight. I swear by Celestia if you leave this library before I get back I'll... I'll erm... I'll do something that you won't like!"
"Relax! I won't move!" Twilight said with an honest smile. Spike eventually left and Twilight waited a couple more minutes before walking out the door in seek, yet again, of Rainbow Dash.
"I know just the way to get over it..."
Rainbow Dash woke up with a pounding headache. She had no memory of the events prior to falling asleep. Come to think of it, she didn't even remember falling asleep. She was lying on a hard surface and upon further inspection she saw it was wood. She tried to flex her wings but a rope was wrapped around her body restricting any wing movement.
"Where am I?" she groaned, rubbing her head. Everything around her looked so foreign. Her surroundings resembled everyday items only bigger. A large shadow loomed over her and she turned to see the enourmous figure of... Twilight?
"Good afternoon, Dashie!" she said happily,
"Twilight..?"
"You really do love to sleep, don't you? You must've been out for atleast two hours."
"What's going on?"
"Well, I thought that would be obvious. I shrunk you!"
"But... Why?"
"So we could be together."
"I told you I wasn't interested in a relationship."
"Well I knew you wouldn't be up for the idea at first. But we DO belong together, and you weren't gonna realise that sitting up in the clouds so I brought you home with me where you can see how great we are together."
"I'm dreaming." Rainbow told herself, "This is all just some wierd nightmare. I'm dreaming. I'm dreaming, I'm dreaming, I'm dreaming..." she began to try and chew the rope tying her wings in place but she wasn't flexible enough to do so.
"Dashie, stop that." Twilight giggled, "The string needs to stay there. Otherwise, you might fly away. Then we won't be together anymore."
"Ack." Rainbow grunted in frustration. It was no use. Her wings were stuck. Dash's eyes became wide with terror and her pupils dilated as the realisation set in. This was not a dream.
"This is insane. You need to make me normal again!"
"But then you'll leave..." Twilight's voice had become almost childish,
"You aren't understanding how major this is! You've kidnapped me! Ponies will wonder where I am." she whinced in pain from her headache and fell to her knees.
"Are you okay?" Twilight quickly came to Rainbow's aid.
"Am I okay..?" Rainbow began to laugh. "My wings are tied to the side of my body, I'm the size of a bug, I've been kidnapped and my head is killing me. Yeah, Twi. I'm doing fine. Just awesome." Twilight brought her face close to Rainbow and stared at her. "...What?!"
"You have really nice eyes..." Twilight smiled.
"Ugh!" Rainbow turned around and curled up on the table to rest. She could tell Twilight was still watching her due to her shadow having not gone yet.
Ten minutes passed and neither of them had said a word.
"Dashie..?" Twilight whispered, wondering if Rainbow was still awake.
"What?"
"Are you... Mad at me?" Rainbow didn't respond. In honsesty, she wasn't actually sure if she was mad at her. What Twilight had done to her is unnacceptable but Rainbow did break her heart... Maybe she deserves this... This is the first time Twilight has experienced a social situation like this.
"Dashie?"
"I... I don't know. I just wanna be left alone right now."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
“I’m going to go to bed.” Twilight said, breaking a silence that had lasted for hours,
“Uh-huh.” Rainbow replied bluntly.
“Good night, Dashie.” She whispered softly with her head up close to Rainbow,
“Night.”
“I love you.”
“Yep.”
Twilight headed into her bedroom, shutting the door behind her. Rainbow remained curled up on the table. She stared at her hooves as anger and regret overcame her. How could Twilight do this to such a dear friend? Why won’t she see sense? Will she ever see sense? Is this Rainbow’s fault?
“No!” Rainbow shouted as she stood, answering her own question. One of the many flowing through her head. “Like hell is this my fault! I couldn’t have been any easier on Twilight! I just need to get outta here to find somepony who can help!” she looked around at the enormous walls and how far down the floor was. “Which would be a lot easier if I had my wings…” she tried again to chew the rope but as it were before, she wasn’t flexible enough to reach. Her continuous attempts only led to her becoming more aggravated by the whole situation. She let out a frustrated scream and punched down onto the table, leaving a reasonably big dent in the wood. “Woah.” Dash gasped surprised at her own strength, “Cool it, Dash. You’ll be fine. Just… Get some rest. Sleep on it…” she said to herself as she curled up once again on the table.
Rainbow was woken up the next morning by a terribly loud banging. She sat up quickly and noticed it was somepony knocking the door. She looked over as Twilight’s bedroom door opened and Twilight walked out wearily. She headed over to the door and opened it.
“…Rarity..?”
“Twilight! May I come in? It’s a matter of extreme importance!”
“It’s six thirty in the morning.”
“But Rainbow Dash has been reported missing!” Twilight’s eyes widened as she remembered Rainbow sat on the table in plain view if Rarity were to come in. And it’s not like she could think up an excuse quick enough before she lets herself in anyway. She rushed over to the table and swooped up the tiny blue Pegasus and put her in a cupboard.
“Stay here, Dashie. I won’t let her separate us.”
“This is insa-“ Rainbow was cut off by the cupboard closing in her face.
“Was that a yes to coming in..?” Rarity asked awkwardly upon entering.
“Err, yeah! Sorry! Come in. Sit down. Or stand. It’s up to you! Heh…”
“I think it’s you who should be sitting, dear.” Rarity pulled a chair from the table and tapped a hoof on the backrest. Twilight complied.
“So, Rainbow’s missing, huh? Probably just gone out of town to visit family or something, I’m sure. Is anyone else missing? Applejack? Pinkie? Pinkie is likely to go missing. Has anyone seen her recently? We should probably look for Pinkie!” Rarity put her hoof on Twilight’s shoulder.
“It’s okay, Twilight. I know this must be a shock. But no one has seen her since you, well… The last person who did see her was Pinkie Pie and you.” Twilight stood up and started to escort Rarity out.
“Well, I haven’t seen or heard from her so I can’t help you, I’m afraid! So, you better start looking somewhere else! And good luck finding Pinkie Pie too!” Rarity stopped and turned to Twilight.
“Wait. I wasn’t sent here just to give you the news…” Twilight gave a puzzled look. “As you are among the last to see Rainbow Dash, it is mandatory that the Royal Guards are to look around here.” The puzzled look turned into one of panic and fear. “However, I offered to do it instead as a friend and more able to give moral support. I did have to do some persuading but Celestia has allowed it. Mostly because she knows you don’t have anything to hide.” Rarity announced with slight pride of her convincing talents. Twilight was silent for a solid ten seconds. Staring wide eyed into the distance.
“…Right. So I’ll just wait… And you’ll just search.” Rarity started to look around. She didn’t know what she was looking for, she just assumed she’d know it if she saw it. And by ‘it’ she meant… Not the slightest idea. She checked all of the usual spots; under chairs, under pillows, in the bedroom, and even all the shelves which was a lot of a work seeing as she’s searching a library and soon she started to search the cupboards… The inevitable was happening. Twilight just watched with her heart in her mouth. What else could she do? Tell Rarity to look everywhere except the cupboards? A little voice in the back of her mind was saying that if she acted like she had nothing to hide, Rarity would stop looking. Now that little voice has become a yell.
Are you going to jail? What will Celestia think? Run. Stop her. Kill her.
Twilight gasped at what she had just thought of. Murder? Killing her own friend? What is happening to her? Her breathing at this point had become fast and heavy, everything around her was moving, the walls were going back and forth, the floor was going left and right, the ceiling was closing in. She shut her eyes to hold back tears. And then she was calm.
Suddenly, her head was clear. She opened her eyes and sure enough, Rarity was still searching the cupboards. It wouldn’t be long before she opened the one containing Rainbow Dash. So why was she so… Calm? It was like she was watching a movie. Sure, the scene is intense and there’s this massive build up to something she can’t prevent, but, it doesn’t affect her. Even though she was probably about to go to jail she felt like whatever happened next just didn’t matter.
Rarity let out an almighty gasp and stepped far back from the cupboard. She found Rainbow. There she was, lying motionless in the cupboard, as if dead. Rarity stood completely still, processing what she has seen. She then heard the hoofsteps of Twilight closing in. She quickly turned to her. Her eyes were still as wide as when Rarity had started looking but it was accompanied by a menacing grin and her right eye twitched every so often.
“Well done, Detective Rarity.” She teased, her horn began to glow and sparks shot off it with each step. “You caught me red hoofed. I kidnapped Dashie. But only because I love her.”
“Twilight! Calm down, we-“
“I am calm. You are the one who appears to be panicking.”
“No one needs to find out! Just reverse the spell and we can figure something out.” Rarity was backing away from Twilight until she was stopped by a wall which only meant she could sit on the floor and cower as the purple unicorn drew closer.
“That would mean letting Dashie go!” she stamped her hoof causing Rarity to let out a whimper and flinch. “Me and her finally have a relationship and you want to ruin it.” She was now right up close to her friend who was crying on the floor infront of her.
“What are you going to do?”
“You’ll know it when you see it.”
"Rarity! Wake up! Please don't be dead! Wake up!" Rarity was fading into consciousness and the outline of Rainbow Dash began to come into focus.
"Uhh..."
"Oh, thank Celestia." Rainbow pulled Rarity up.
"I... Where. Where am I?"
"Still in the library. Only err..." Rarity examined her surroundings, shock slowly setting in. "It's kinda bigger than you remember."
"This isn't happening." Rarity paced the floor. Or table to be specific.
"I know it sucks... But look, we can--" she was cut off by a sudden throbbing pain across her cheek and the feel of blood hot on her face. "Ah... What the?" she looked up to see Rarity breathing hard and blood spread on her hoof and up her leg. "Did you..?" she was knocked over by another blow to the face. More blood splashed on the table. Rainbow was quick enough to prevent the third attack; she threw herself onto Rarity and the two crashed to the ground. The pegasus pinned Rarity down. "Knock it off!" she slowly got up letting Rarity regain her composure. The pair were breathing heavily and trying to wipe the blood off of themselves; all of it belonging to Rainbow. Their attempts only caused the blood to spread across them. Once Rarity got her breath back, she delivered a kick to Rainbow's stomach making her fold like a lawn chair.
"Do you have any idea how much grief you've caused?!" she punched her in the eye, "Twilight was broken when you rejected her!" another punch, "And now look at the mess you've got us into!" another punch. Rarity's hoof was beginning to hurt but she was too overwhelmed with anger to let it phase her. "You are without a doubt the most self centered pony in all of Equestria!" Rainbow looked up and spat out some more blood adding to the tiny puddle that was starting to form beside her. Rarity let herself drop to the floor in front of her.
There was a long silence before Rainbow decided it was safe to speak up. "I'm sorry." Rarity continued to stare at her bloody hooves. "Rarity, we can get out of this mess but we have to work together. I know you hate me right now and everything but if you want out of here then you have to help me out." she looked over for a second before going back to her blood soaked hooves. "If you can get this rope off of me, all I have to do is fly away in search of help." Rarity nodded in understanding and a shadow cast over the two. They looked up at Twilight who let out a gasp upon seeing the blood stained miniature ponies.
"Oh my goodness! Dashie, what happened to you?"
"Erm, nothing. we just had a little spat is all..." a purple aura surrounded her and she was being lifted by Twilight's magic.
"Come on. Let's get you cleaned up." she said sweetly, leaving Rarity on her own. The white (and red) unicorn went back to looking at the blood on her hooves and on the ground. Fuck... Where did yesterday go?
Twilight filled a teacup half way with water and helped Rainbow get inside. Although it was the most uncomfortable bath she had ever experienced she couldn't help but enjoy the feeling of the warm water embracing her body like a cocoon as it turned from a crystal clear to a misty red.
"So, what happened to you?" Twilight asked, bringing her enormous eyes closer to the bathing pony.
"I told you. Just a little spat." Rainbow kept her back to her. "Nothing to worry about."
"Did she hurt you?"
"No." Rainbow answered quickly,
"But you're bleeding."
"I'm fine."
"If she hurt you I can-"
"Twilight! I'm fine."
"...I can crush her like a bug." Twilight put her hoof on the counter and twisted it demonstrating how she would finish off the unicorn. Rainbow Dash couldn't hold her gaze with the hoof.
"Uhm, I think I'm clean now." she was levitated out of the cup and Twilight nuzzled her tiny body.
"There ya go! Isn't that better?"
Hours passed as Rainbow waited for Twilight to fall asleep; after bringing her back to the table she stayed to ensure Rarity wouldn't try to hurt 'her Dashie' again. The whole time she thought about what Twilight said. Crush her like a bug... Fuck... Just, fuck. Rarity had spent the hours staring at her hooves still. She must've memorised the exact shape the blood made on her and the table and come up with a name for said shape.
"Rarity. C'mon, pal, we have to get out of here. You remember what I asked you to do?" Rarity nodded and untied her wings. Rainbow flexed her wings getting the feeling back in them. They stuck slightly to her sides as she spread them out. It didn't hurt. Just felt good when it un-stuck. "Alright!" she let out a small laugh, trying not to wake the dormant unicorn. "Wait here and I'll go get help. I'll be as quick as I can. I promise."
"Good." Rarity didn't even look up to speak. It was almost as if looking at anything other than the blood would make her go blind. A rainbow trail lead to the keyhole in the library door and then faded away. She was gone.
"Oh, Rarity... Why do you insist on telling these lies?" Twilight said, hovering a pin above the cowering unicorn.
"I'm not! It's-- I-- She told me to untie her." the pin was pushed into the table beside her causing her to let out a small scream.
"That's not true! I know Dashie wouldn't leave me! So you must have told her to find help! Is that why she was bleeding? Did you beat her into submission?" she stabbed the table on the other side of her.
"No!"
"Are you afraid, Rarity?" she teased, "Afraid of one of these? Surely someone who works with needles all day wouldn't be afraid of such a common object..."
"Please... Stop."
"Not until I get my Dashie back." Twilight grabbed the string that had previously been used to tie Rainbow's wings down. "Now hold still..."