Sweet Dreams
"Life moves fast!" I cried out to no one in particular, lying on the couch by an open window. I watched the drapes flow gracefully in the gentle breeze. They were rising and falling listlessly without a care in the world. The cleaning had been done, and my latest ensemble completed perfectly, to the last detail of course. Everything was copacetic... which left me a peaceful late afternoon to read this romance novel Twilight had lent me. She said it would be something I'd enjoy... and oh my, the first few chapters were simply divine!
I glanced at the clock beside me and groaned. Where had my day gone?
It was almost that time of day. The time of day Sweetie Belle comes home and I have to cover my ears from her boisterous shouts. Oh, the times that door has been slammed, the times she's come through it with a loud "Rarity, I'm home!" and a huge smile on her face, announcing her presence to everypony in a five-mile radius.
I love that filly more than anything, but she can be quite the hoofful at times with her antics. This obsession of hers, obtaining a cutie mark at all costs... it's just silly, really. I remember wanting my cutie mark too—what foal didn’t? But Sweetie really, really wants hers.
Of all the gems I have seen, Sweetie Belle is my most precious, my most cherished. I only wish she'd stop trying to grow up so fast. Sweetie and her friends are going to miss being fillies—or is it I who will miss them being fillies? I certainly miss being her age. Life was such a bliss then.
Any second now Sweetie will come charging through that door to disrupt my peaceful afternoon. No doubt she will ramble on about what she and her friends are up to next. At least they put a stop to some of the more dangerous nonsense, but it still makes my heart flutter hearing what they are going to try next. Still, I don't stop her or do anything to dissuade her. How could I? I don't have the heart to tell her that these half-thought-out ideas will never result in a cutie mark. After all, self-discovery is important. I can only sit back and bite my hooves, hoping she will learn that eventually. She tells me she won't get hurt... but I'm always tending to scraped knees and bruises. What she doesn't realize is some bruises aren't skin deep.
The front door opened and shut quietly. I waited and waited… but I heard nothing.
"Sweetie? Is that you?"
No response, just the sound of tiny hoofsteps on the stairs, creeping slowly. As if the slower she moved the less noise she’d make.
I waited a few more seconds before I heard another door close, and I followed after her, up to her bedroom.
"Sweetie? Is everything alright?" I asked while gently knocking, but she didn't answer.
I knew this routine. Just like last week and several times before. Poor Sweetie Belle was being picked on by her classmates. They tease her for not having a cutie mark; they tease her for... well, being Sweetie Belle. Maybe they don’t like the fact that she’s comfortable being herself? Foals can be so cruel sometimes. Poor dear, can't they just leave her alone? She’s such a sweetheart after all.
I couldn't take it any longer: Sweetie was obviously upset, and I needed to comfort her. I opened the door with my magic and stepped into her room. On her bed, Sweetie lay face-down in a heap, limbs sprawled. I couldn't tell if she was crying or sleeping. It was a terribly awkward position either way.
"Sweetie darling, what's wrong?"
Slowly she turned her head toward me, rolling over on her side. Her heavily lidded eyes, puffy and red, looked in my general direction but avoided making eye-contact. She sniffled a few times, wrinkling her nose.
"No-nothing," Sweetie Belle said in a quiet, distant voice.
Nothing... it was always nothing. "Was it the bullies at school?" I asked. I kept my voice as soft as possible. She was in a delicate state, and I didn’t want to press her too hard. It would only make things worse.
Slowly her eyes traveled across the room to meet with mine. She gave the slightest of nods, and I gazed into those watery, droopy green eyes.
"Do you want to talk about it, dear?" I asked. Her look never changed. "Darling, please... talk to me,” I pleaded. "Sweetie—" It was hopeless. Her face, that sad face, her broken resolve told me she wasn't ready.
"If you need me, I'll be downstairs. Okay?" I kept my eyes on her as I backed out of her room. Fighting back the tears, I quietly shut her door.
I flung myself onto my red-cushioned couch. I couldn’t hold it back any longer; I let the tears flow. When was this going to stop? It was that Diamond Tiara and her bratty friend. They were always harassing the poor girl and her friends.
I'll write her father a nasty letter! Yes, yes, that will set things right.
Oh! Who are you kidding, Rarity? That will only makes things worse. I need to guide Sweetie—make her stronger.
I avoided looking into the vanity mirror as I pulled myself off the couch. I didn't want to see the mascara running down my face like ink spilling from a broken pen. I knew I was a wreck, but that wasn’t important just now. There were no customers to impress today, just one hurt Sweetie Belle to cheer up.
She just needs time alone. She'll be fine around dinner. I'll make her favorite, hay burgers. That will cheer her up, and she can tell me what happened.
But what if she doesn't? I've never seen her this down, this defeated. She used to come running to me to make things better, but now she hides in her room! What if she can never tell me anything again?
How can I comfort her when I'm such a wreck? How can I teach her to be stronger when I’m sobbing on the floor? How?
Now come on Rarity, pull it together. You’re better than this! You are Rarity, the Element Of Generosity, who would do anything to protect her beloved sister.
Sweetie Belle, my Sweetie Belle. I must go to her!
I jumped to my feet, straightened my mane, and wiped the running mascara. With newfound strength I held my head high, and walked back upstairs to her room.
It was dark inside. The windows were shut and the drapes were closed. Atop the four poster bed lay Sweetie Belle, sound asleep under the fuzzy quilt she loved so much: the one with pink hearts that matched the pillow cases.
Running my hoof across her soft cheek, I sat down on the side of her bed. Her pillow was still wet from the tears she had shed, and her eyes and nose were still puffy and red. I laid down next to her so I'd be there for her when she wakes.
But laying there simply wasn’t enough. I gently wrapped my forelegs around her; rolling over on my back, I pulled her to my chest. Her head rested in the crook of my neck, as I held her in a tight embrace.
"Ugh, goodness, Sweetie. You are getting too big for this," I whispered. I planted a soft kiss on her forehead, just below her horn, and she wrapped her forelegs around me, cooing in her sleep.
There we go. I'll just hold you as you sleep. Everything will be okay.
As I lay there, I noticed how tightly she gripped me with her legs. It was a fearful grip, like she was facing some unknown horror. Her body twitched slightly as I moved my head. My face brushed against hers, and then I felt an abrupt surge of energy. My body chilled as if someone dumped a bucket of cold water over me. There was a jolt behind me as the light faded from the room. The decor of Sweetie's bedroom melted away like water on a wet painting. The floor opened to nothingness, and my stomach jumped into my throat. I plummeted into a vast expanse.
Blackness.
I flailed about, attempting to grab something, anything. I was falling. The blackness was endless. I couldn’t see anything, not even my alabaster-colored fur. There was nothing, no light, not even a distant glint. There was no up, down, left or right. Only the feeling of my body gave certainty it was still there.
I felt invisible walls closing in, confining me—crushing me. The movement of my flailing limbs were restricted. I could barely bend my knees and fetlocks. My shoulders and chest were hurting, my lungs were compacting, begging for air.
No light, no air, no space in this seemingly endless expanse of nothing. My head was spinning. My body trembled, and the hairs on my back stood on end. I was alone… and I was going to die. I could already see the light approaching quickly from beneath me. I tried to get away, but movement was impossible. My magic was useless, and the light was getting closer… and closer.
Suddenly, a great weight was lifted off me. I gasped desperately, filling my lungs with the newfound air. My limbs could move about, but there was nothing to grab ahold of to avoid the inevitable. I was still moving toward the light. I shielded my face with my hooves just before the light source touched my hind legs.
“Ummff.” I collided with something very solid. I groaned in pain and relief. It was a pain I was happy to feel. I was still alive, still breathing and, “I can talk! Hello? Um, I seemed to have fallen through a terrible rift and arrived here by mistake. Is anyone out there?”
I picked myself up off the cold ground, surveying my surroundings. I was in a very familiar room, but I couldn’t place it. Surely I have never been in such an unusual place. I was in a small room, surrounded by thick black fabric hanging from the ceiling. It blocked me from seeing anything else in the room, like a curtain to a stage. I tried to move beyond it, but I felt an invisible wall hold me back, keeping the fabric just beyond my reach.
"Hello?" Did Sweetie Belle somehow teleport me to some random place? I've heard young unicorns can have magical outbursts when they are upset. However, Sweetie Belle wasn’t the type to do that. Her friend Apple Bloom would more likely be the type if she were a unicorn; that girl has a temper.
The more I thought about it, the less certain I was that I had been teleported. That jolt and the way the room faded and melted was unlike any type of teleportation I’ve experienced—not that I’m an expert or anything. No, there was something else about this situation. It almost felt… unreal. I couldn't figure out why, but this room was so familiar. If only I could just see beyond that stupid, annoying piece of fabric.
I tried to kick at the invisible barrier, but it was to no effect, except chipping my hoof. I tried bucking it with my hind legs and slamming my shoulder into it: all in vain. I couldn’t even channel my magic, or feel my magic flowing through me for that matter. I was completely alone, helpless and trapped. There was no way out.
"Hello? If anyone can hear me, I'm stuck behind the black curtain!" Even as I shouted, I couldn't be certain that sound would travel beyond the boundary. It was blocking everything else I tried to do. My only plan now was to wait, and maybe someone will find me here. Wherever here was.
"Okay, don't panic—" I paced the small space rapidly. How did Sweetie Belle send me here? How and why? What was that jolt? It felt like I was being sucked into something… a vortex perhaps? Oh, don’t be silly. Sweetie can’t open a vortex. This has to be a dream... a very strange and real feeling dream.
As I continued to pace, I noticed the black fabric move. It rippled and swayed slightly as if trailing in the wake of someone, or something moving just beyond it. The curtain started to ripple more. It swayed faster; its motions becoming more fluid. Then it detached from the ceiling and fell to the floor.
Beyond the curtain was yet another curtain hanging from the ceiling, except this one was dark-blue. It hung maybe ten-feet back from where the black one was moments ago.
“Another curtain? Another?” I tore my eyes away from the dark blue curtain. I dragged my hoof hopelessly over the invisible barrier, letting out a whine in defeat. “Will someone please come along a let me out of this cage?”
A light flickered on, and I saw another pony in the room, just beyond the point where the black curtain used to be. A white pony with a dark purple mane and tail. It was... me.
Oh but that’s just silly. How could it be me, if I’m right here?
I caught sight of the blue diamonds on her flank, and the blood drained from my face. My heart hammered from within, and I let out a loud gasp. There was no mistaking it, that other pony was me. Never before have I been in a situation like this. Nothing was more unusual than watching myself from some kind of alternate dimension.
She turned her head, and I saw her wearing horn-rimmed glasses—my horn-rimmed glasses. A workbench with a sewing machine and several bolts of fabric appeared out of thin air. The other Rarity went to work as if nothing unusual just happened. She levitated the fabric and scissors to eye-level, carefully cutting the fabric. She hummed the same little tune I always do while working.
I tried to call out to her even though I knew it was futile. I was clearly in some sort of bubble or alternate dimension; nothing I could say or do would get me noticed. If only Twilight were here, she’d know what to do: instead of sitting here, hopelessly watching myself work.
Perhaps is was the paint on the wall, or seeing myself at the workbench, but it suddenly dawned on me. I knew where I was. It all made sense... I was in my inspiration room.
Sweetie Belle entered the room and she sat next to me—dream Rarity. I noticed she didn’t give the slightest sign of recognition that someone had just walked in. I knew that look on my face, I was in the zone, on a whole other plane of existence.
“Rarity, I’m bored.”
“Why don’t you go play with your friends, Sweetie?” she said, not even looking up from the workbench.
“They’re all busy. I want to spend time with you, Rarity.”
“Sweetie, I’m awfully busy today. I have this ensemble that I absolutely must complete by tomorrow.”
“You’re always busy,” Sweetie pouted. Her sad expression melted my heart. I felt bad, I really did, but I had to finish my work. It was a dreadfully difficult pattern to sew, and I was behind as it was.
“I’m sorry, Sweetie. I can spend time with you after this is finished.”
“Ooh, can I help you? Then it will get done faster.”
“Of course darling. Why don’t you… hmm. Why don’t you fetch me that bolt of cyan fabric?” Rarity said as she mindlessly levitated it across the room. Sweetie Belle stretched out her limbs, reaching for it as it floated right over her head. “Perfect.”
Seeing everything trapped behind this barrier gave me new perspective. I watched Sweetie Belle try and entertain herself with a spool of thread. She'd roll it around on the floor and chased after it.
There was a loud crash as Sweetie Belle dove under a nearby desk to retrieve a runaway spool of thread. The desk slammed against the curtain, and the vase atop rocked back and forth; slowly it began to wobble, picking up momentum before falling on its side and rolling off the desk. It shattered on the floor into thousands of tiny pieces and dust. Sweetie Belle emerged from under the desk, her head low, ears flat, and drooping eyes.
Rarity slammed her scissors on the workbench. “Sweetie Belle! Ugh! Get out!”
“Bu-but Rarity, it was an accident.”
“Get out!”
Sweetie Belle dashed across the room, low to the ground like a fox. She ran into the blue curtain making it fall to the ground. The workbench and the angry Rarity vanished into a puff of smoke.
I was still in the same spot, in the inspiration room, but the school in front of me. There were some trees and dirt, but where there should have been the rest of Ponyville in the background, was only a grey backdrop.
School had just let out, and several colts and fillies came rushing out like stampeding buffalo. After the dust cloud had settled, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom walked out side by side, lagging behind from the rest of their peers.
“I sure hope Scootaloo ain’t sick tomorrow,” Apple Bloom said as she and Sweetie Belle slowly walked down the front stairs of the schoolhouse.
“Me too. It isn’t as fun without her,” Sweetie Belle agreed. “Er, no offense,” she added hastily.
“None taken’. I know what ya mean. Without her, it ain’t the same.”
“Sucks there’s no crusading today but oh well. Me and Rarity are making cookies today,” Sweetie Belle said in a chipper voice as they came to a stop at a crossroad.
Cookies? Why, this happened today. I promised to bake cookies with her today.
“Mm that sounds good. I'll see ya tomorrow, Sweetie!” Apple Bloom shouted as they parted ways, heading home.
The school vanished out of view, and the scenery moved along like a moving set on a stage. Sweetie Belle had a little bounce in her gait as she trotted through Ponyville.
Two fillies sprung out of a nearby shrub like two lionesses pouncing on their prey. They stood side by side, blocking Sweetie Belle’s path. The color drained out of her eyes, and her smile faded as her trot slowed to a stop.
My heart plummeted. This looked like trouble. I recognized those two. They were the reason Sweetie had came home upset so many times. Such low, disgusting tactics! The pink one had a snarl on her face that clashed horribly with that lovely tiara on her head.
“Hey, blank flank!” the silver-colored one yelled. What’s her name? Silver Spoon? Filthy Rich’s daughter is the pink one, Diamond Tiara… I will be having a word with him.
“Oh hi,” Sweetie Belle responded flatly. She tried to go around them, but they sidestepped in her path.
“Why are you in such a hurry? Blank flank!”
“Yes my flank is blank,” Sweetie Belle sighed. “Now will you please move?” Sweetie Belle asked through her gritted teeth.
“Yes, you’re a blank flank loser. You’re such a loser that when you like finally get your cutie mark, you’ll be old like Granny Smith,” Diamond Tiara said with venom.
“Pathetic,” Silver Spoon sneered.
“Whatever, I don’t have time for this,” Sweetie Belle said. She tried to go around them again, but they yet again blocked her. “You two are the ones who are pathetic—hiding in the bushes waiting for me to walk by. And get out of my way!” Sweetie Belle shouted.
Yes, go Sweetie. Take those brats down a notch. Although, I knew it didn’t end there or Sweetie would have come home in a more cheerful mood.
“Are you going to cry?” Silver Spoon taunted.
“Aw is wittle baby Sweetie Belle going to run home crying to her mommy?” Diamond Tiara’s upper lip curled as she narrowed her eyes, going in for the kill. “Except Sweetie’s mommy doesn’t want her, does she? She was too ashamed that you turned out nothing like your big sister. She gave you away. Lucky big sister Rarity was generous to take you in. Because nobody would want a loser like you. I’m surprised she did toss you down the nearest well!”
Sweetie Belle’s ears drooped as she lowered her head, staring intently at the ground. She didn’t cry, but she looked so empty, so defeated.
Diamond Tiara moved past Sweetie Belle in a victorious strut, her head held high. Silver Spoon remained in the same spot with her mouth opened. Her eyes darted from Sweetie Belle to Diamond Tiara, then back to Sweetie Belle. Then she swiftly walked past Sweetie Belle, without saying a word, leaving Sweetie Belle alone in silence.
I felt my blood boil and my jaw clench tightly. I kicked at the barrier as hard as I could. How dare they! If I ever see those two horrible brats again, I will teach them a lesson! Poor Sweetie. They totally demolished the her.
The scene faded and the curtain fell. Now I was staring at almost half of my inspiration room, and the next curtain was deep-red, hanging near the center of the room. A younger Sweetie Belle appeared with our parents in her old bedroom.
“Sweetie Belle, your father and I are going to be traveling a lot. We think it’s best you live with your big sister Rarity,” Mom said, sitting on the bed next to Sweetie Belle.
“But-but Rarity is always too busy for me. She has a lot of very important ponies to make dresses for.”
“Yes, yes she does, but she has agreed to let you stay with her. Your father is retired, and we want to travel. We can’t take you with us. You’d miss too much school, and wouldn’t you rather stay in Ponyville with your friends?”
“But I don’t want to live with Rarity, Mom. All she does is work and go to the spa. Yuck.”
“Your sister can be pretty busy, but she always makes time for you, Sweetie.”
“But I want to go with you.” Sweetie Belle looked up with pleading eyes.
“We are traveling across Equestria and will be gone a long time."
“Bu-but—” Sweetie Belle deflated, lost for words. She bowed her head to hide her tears.
“When we come back we will visit you and Rarity. Then next summer we can all go somewhere as a family. How does that sound?”
“Okay... I guess," Sweetie Belle said in that same flat tone. Our parents left the room, and Sweetie Belle fell to the floor. “Why don’t they want me anymore? Is it because I broke that display cabinet?”
Oh my, I had no idea. She seemed so happy when she moved in... I know it’s been hard for her these past few years. Mom and Dad never seemed to stay in town very long. They were always traveling to different parts of the world and leaving Sweetie Belle in my care.
When they first returned from their travels, Sweetie Belle packed all her things and rushed home to greet our parents. She came back later that night with all of her things, bawling. She fell asleep in me hooves that night. Oh, I was so furious with them! They told her that they were only staying for a few weeks, and Sweetie shouldn’t unpack.
The room went dark, filling with fog. It swirled, twisted, and surrounded Sweetie Belle. It formed into a cloud above her head, growing in size and density; it resembled a dark storm cloud ready to burst into a midsummer’s monsoon.
“Nobody wants you!” Diamonds Tiara’s voice boomed, thundering and echoing like the royal Canterlot voice.
“Pathetic!” Silver Spoon’s voice echoed.
“Loser!”
“Get out!” My own voice shouted.
“Freak!”
“Nobody wants you!”
“We think it’s best you live with your big sister!”
“Get out!”
“Why don’t you want me?” Sweetie Belle’s voice asked.
“Nobody would want a loser like you!”
“But why?” she asked again.
“Are you going to cry?”
“She gave you away!”
“Get out!”
The cloud rose into the air emitting bolts of lightning that illuminated the entire room, and deafening thunder that rattled after. One of the bolts struck Sweetie Belle, causing her to scream in pain.
“Sweetie!” I screamed, smashing my hooves against the barrier. “Sweetie!” I kicked my back legs against it with everything I had. I didn’t care how long it took, I was going to get through to her. I had to get to her no matter what. My legs were aching, begging me to stop, but I pushed on. I couldn’t stand to see her in such pain any longer.
“Sweetie! I’m coming for you!” I lunged forward, giving it everything I had left. Colliding with the barrier, I screamed in agony as it broke with an exploding sound of shattering glass. I fell face down on the hard floor.
I lifted my head and saw what appeared to be a cross section of the clubhouse. One half open to me, revealing Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo laying on the floor, doing their homework. The back wall had been replaced with a pleasing yellow curtain. It shone brightly, and was quite pleasant and comforting to look at. Warmth resonated within me, but for some reason a feeling of sadness was also present. There was something beautiful about it, something peaceful almost.
“Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon make me so mad. Sometimes I wish I could just—” Scootaloo said, breaking the silence while smacked her hooves together several times, gritting her teeth.
“I know what ya mean. But Applejack says to be better than that. Fightin’ solves nothin,” Apple Bloom replied with a comforting smile. She looked up from her homework to see Scootaloo violently smacking her pencil against the paper.
“I actually feel sorry for her,” Sweetie Belle said thoughtfully.
“Wh-what! What?” Scootaloo shifted her upper body away from Sweetie Belle as if she were suddenly diseased. Apple Bloom simply deadpanned, unsure how to respond.
“She doesn’t hate the fact that we don’t have cutie marks. She hates us because we are so much alike. She has a rich daddy that buys her whatever she wants—”
“Oh yeah, so much like us,” Scootaloo interrupted sarcastically.
“No, I mean he buys her whatever she wants so he doesn’t have to put up with her. Didn’t you see her at family appreciation day? She held on to his every word. It’s probably the most time she has gotten with him in a long time. She has nobody in her life except Silver Spoon; who is either just like Diamond or just feels sorry for her, and goes along with whatever she does. All Diamond wants is-is h-her daddy—”
Apple Bloom put a foreleg around Sweetie Belle, and wiped some of her tears away. Sweetie Belle sniffled, leaning her head against Apple Bloom’s.
After a few moments Sweetie Belle lifted her head, dried her eyes, and took a deep rattling breath before continuing. “She’s only so mean because getting detention, nasty notes from Miss Cheerilee, and angry parents at the door are the only ways she gets his attention.”
“That is sad, but how are we like her?" Scootaloo asked. "We aren’t mean to anyone.”
“Because, m-my parents don’t want me.” she paused, taking another breath. “They’d rather travel than spend time with me. Apple Bloom never knew her parents, and neither do you.
“But what we have that they don’t are loving families. Our sisters love us, and take care of us. Diamond and Silver are all alone, fending for themselves, and they are jealous of what we have. So much alike, yet they are miserable. That’s why I feel sorry for them.”
Aw, Sweetie. My beautiful sister. I couldn’t stand, or control myself, I was on the floor bawling. I was beyond proud of her, and ashamed of myself for pushing her away, not giving her the attention she deserved. I wanted to rush over there and hug her so tightly. I wanted to tell her how much I loved her, how proud of her I was.
Out of all the curtains that fell, the last one was the brightest and most beautiful. It was love and understanding, it was empathy. After all the torment, all the pain she was put through, she bared no ill will. She didn’t hate the bullies at school, she pitied them. She didn’t hate our parents for abandoning her. Nor did she hate me for shouting at her. All she ever wanted to do was please and be accepted. And when she’s pushed away, she comes right back with a smile. My beautiful sister has the most rare and precious gift, a big heart.
I had truly seen my sister for the first time. Like a gem, rough around the edges, but what was in the center was beautiful. If I’m not careful, that beauty inside her will be lost to the turmoil that surrounds her. Our parents don’t deserve such a gem. It’s I who has been there for her, it’s I who’s taken care of her, it’s I who’s made sure she gets to school and checks her homework. It’s I who’s held her when she was scared or upset. What have they done? I’ve been with her every step of the way. I only wish that I could’ve been there for her more, that I could’ve been a better sister. She’s the best thing anyone has even given to me.
I picked my head up from my soaked forelegs to see the scene has yet again changed. There were no more memories to see or curtains to fall. It was just me and Sweetie Belle in the inspiration room. She pranced to me with a big smile on her face as I lay there sniffling. In my mind I had planned a million apologies and vows to be a better sister, but she just smiled at me and I knew, I needn’t say anything. She understood.
With each step she took toward me the more pressure I felt on my stomach. It was strange because I was laying on it, yet it felt like something was laying on me. Sweetie Belle was nose to nose with me, and I could feel a warmth on me, a very comforting warmth. Sweetie Belle’s horn emitted green sparks as she lowered her head and touched it to mine. I felt a familiar jolt as the room spun upside down and dissolved.
Sweetie Belle’s bedroom slowly came into focus. The sheets were wet from the cold sweat I was covered in. Sweetie Belle was sound asleep on top of me. I could feel my horn touching hers, and I quickly pulled my head back into the pillow making some green sparks fly as I did.
Sweetie Belle stirred. With a soft groan she opened her eyes. She looked at me with a confused expression. “Rarity?”
“You were having a nightmare, Sweetie.”
“It was really scary. There was this big storm and… I don’t really remember anything else.”
“Everything is better now, I’m here and I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I love you, Rarity.” Sweetie Belle hugged me while nuzzling her face into my shoulder. “You’re the best sister ever.” She closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep again.
Holding her tight, I kissed her forehead. “I love you too.”
Also LikedSimilarAuthor
- Regidar · 1.3k words · 94 16 · 3.4k views
- Chase123 · 1.2k words · 65 2 · 2.1k views
- Kifstopher · 1.5k words · 22 4 · 1.2k views
- fluttercord4ever · 1.9k words · 44 5 · 2k views
- APoeticHeart · 22k words · 96 11 · 4.8k views
- sister_mike · 2.9k words · 92 2 · 2.2k views
Stats
Page generated in 0.296 seconds
Total duration
808 users online
813,252 hits today, 2,571,732 yesterday
FIMFiction
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
Designed and coded by knighty & Xaquseg - © 2011-2024
Follow & Support Us
Support us
SubStar
Chat!
Discord
Follow us
Twitter
MLP: Friendship is Magic® - © 2024 Hasbro Inc.®
Fimfiction is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro Inc.®
This is great.It really does show Rarity what Sweetie is going through and why Rarity should be a better big sister for her
Great job on the story!
5184645 It would if Lauren Faust were still in charge, since she was in favor of the dark undertones this fic has.
Wow, this was good. I think Rarity's assessment of her parents is a bit harsh, but given the circumstances I understand completely. I just hope she revises her opinion before she sees them again. I mean yeah, she should be mad at them, but the way she is now she could end up doing something she later regrets.
Wow...I loved that. I've been looking all day for a good story to read and I've finally found it. Have a like.
Also I want to see someone draw a comic of sweetie playing with a spool of thread now. That Scene is just too adorable.
5186985 Thank you. I think she would change her opinion of them, after a long talk.
5187293 Thank you.
What's a filly do to? I agree, I think a comic or a gif would be awesome.
Simply beautiful. Rarity was spot on, as well as Sweetie.The feelings suited the setting, not being exaggerated.
Sweetie pittying the bullies was a nice change from other fanfics dealing with the bullying of the CMCs.
The only thing that is not fitting in my oppinion is the treatment of Sweetie she gets from her parents. It's the only thing that is not fitting with the show, though it adds to the story. At least they simply want to travel. At first I thought you would make them disown her completely, that would have been overkill. Like this it is okay, if not completely believable.
5188839 The idea is that Sweetie is the foal they never planned on having. They want to do their thing so they pawn her off on their older daughter.
After the sisterhooves social, Sweetie just kinda lives in the carousel boutique. Not really a head canon but just a 'what if' idea.
5188921 As a 'what if' it's really great to work it into a story like that.
Though in "One bad apple" she is living with her parents again. But it very well may be that I'm just misunderstanding you. If you are meaning not only the 'never planned on having' thing but living with Rarity, too, then the "One bad apple" thing I said had the wrong reason for me to say it...
Damn... could you be so kind and untangle my tongue? I'm gibbering again... -.-
5188976 So she was. Just rewatched the episode. I totally forgot about that scene.
The idea was that Sweetie's parents are older/retired and wanting to go travel the world but they have this young filly (possibly not planned) so they send her off to live with Rarity so they can fulfill their life long dream of traveling. It's Sweetie perception that she's unwanted by them and Rarity's that they are being selfish. But that's kid of between the lines or implied. It's left vague... and like I said I forgot about that scene in One Bad Apple. Grr I really don't want to give this an AU tag. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.
5189037 I think it doesn't exactly needs an AU tag. There are many other fanfics that would need one much more. Besides there is so little canon about Sweeties family that the scene in one bad apple could very well be one of the few occasions they are back in ponyville for some time. ;)
This was a beautiful story. You made me cry which isn't easily done.
needs end " marks.
__________
my
________
move down a line.
_________
This story was beautifully done.
5190652 Fixed, fixed and fixed. Thanks
5191502
You're welcome ^_^.
Wonderful story! Like and Favorited it!
Just read it vary sweet just like sweetie bell
I Like it good job
Wow, this was a very sweet fic.
I liked how it shows the relationship between Rarity and Sweetie in a more detailed and touching manner. Although the way their parents act towards them is debatable, It still shows that Despite all that Sweetie went through, she's still going to keep fighting for a better day. Which inspires Rarity to do grant her that wish by loving her like a sibling should; And that, is a lesson we can all learn.
So, overall, this was a very heartwarming fanfic. Great job to you!
Sweet sisters Celestia
"Come on in Spike"
"How'ed you know it was me?"
"Wasup?"
"Spikey precious scales even with the 'open' sign up you're the only one who knocks"
"Spikey ,I need some bully help. . ."
"Spike you roasted who?"
"Thanks sis"
Great story! I loved it Sooo frecken much.
The feels...
I really love it when Rarity and Sweetie Belle are like this
Thank you for adding this story to my group.
As usual, this is a review, and as such contains spoilers.
I'm a fan of Rarity, the CMC, and topics like those covered in this story. I'm not alone in this, as evidenced by the existence of this fic; Twi-Fi was/is obviously enough of a fan of these things to have written it, and he/she is not alone in having done so. That I came into this story with some hesitance is notable though. While I do like these kinds of things, I've seen them done before several times over, and in a manner that is usually bad, boring, or expressly dark. So color me surprised that I was enjoying this story as I made my way to the end.
It is always difficult to do this part of the review correctly. Many stories are pretty bad, and it is a struggle to find anything positive to say about them. Especially something sincere. For this story though, the problem is more, "where do I start?"
Tears in Dreams is short, at a little over midway between 5k and 6k words. With the flood of 1k-2k "stories" that inundate the site daily, it is almost weird to call it short, but short it is. Unlike the mire though, the size fits. There is a certain amount of words that are needed to properly convey an idea along with the right amount of detail. It is something of an art, and it is something most authors get wrong. Where most short works are better suited as mere scenes of a larger story, a story the author is too lazy or too incompetent to properly tell, Tears in Dreams feels complete and well presented in only so many words. As this feat is often rather hard to pull off, it seems like a nice place to start on the praise.
As mentioned, dreams are popular in storytelling. You can do some neat things with them, and many of those neat things have already been done, done well, and done often. They're also a pitfall of not so neat things that would ruin an otherwise good story, such as being unnecessarily confusing, pretentious, or blatant plot band aid fodder. So, once again, Tears in Dreams manages to take something "risky" and pulls it off well. A dream is used as the setting to tell this story, and it is successfully used largely because of how light a hand is used in it. Stage effects are meaningful and relatable, rather than arcane or bizarre. The dream setting is functional by offering a vivid visual element and allowing a level of information sharing from Sweetie Belle to Rarity that would be hard to pull off by simply having the two talk normally. Where the dreamscape is often used to provide a "woooo. magiiiiical! setting for a story that would be redundant in Equestria in many stories, it feels like a natural part of Equestria here. Again, light hand plays well.
I didn't mention it above, but I also have something of a fascination with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Like other noteworthy antagonists such as Trixie, Luna, or Discord, I can't help but wonder what their place is in this otherwise utopian world. Some, like Discord, are more forces of nature than people, and they fit in in a more fundamental manner. Luna somewhat straddles that line, being an alicorn princess and ruler of the night (and dreams). Ponies like Trixie, Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon though are "normals." They are not representations of fundamental forces, deities or primal spirits, or anything like that. They're just regular ponies, who had regular lives, regular events, and regular personal power. So what kind of life or upbringing in this peaceful and harmonious land produced these hostile ponies? All too often in the cartoon, these two fillies are simply used as mindless "bully" antagonists. Sadly that will likely remain par. Fanfic represents a great way to explore them as actual people though, and as such I enjoy a good exploration of them.
While they never play a "live" role in the story outside of the dream, the lives and motivations of Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are examined through Sweetie Belle's perceptions and played out in her dream while talking to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. That she thinks of them not as mindless bullies (as so many dismiss them as) but as ponies she can actually relate to is a powerful bit of story that I quite enjoyed. While I've seen the "DT wants more attention from her daddy" trope before, it was presented elegantly here, and relating it directly to Sweetie Belle's own worries made it come across as genuine.
Which brings is to the main point of the story. We've seen onscreen that Sweetie Belle loves her sister, and simply wants more attention from her. The younger sibling and older sibling dynamic isn't very original, but it is infinitely relatable, from both sides of the pairing. That Rarity is a busy adult with a career clashing with the childhood innocence of the world of adults and jobs is an unending mine of storytelling gold.
Tears in Dreams takes this timeworn story and manages to tell it without just looking like a thin layer of paint slapped on something everyone has already seen. I think that when we finally see her dream-experience of being abandoned by her retired parents, ignored by Rarity, and further tormented by Diamond and Silver, it presents a compelling character view that expands believably from the trope we saw presented in Sisterhooves Social. Rarity's perspective of not relating to her little sister because she's too busy and caught up in the adult world is vastly different than the world seen from someone who is still a child. Her desires for attention are reasonable and important. I think we all can get that just from Sisterhooves Social, but reading this story makes me get it.
On to the technical side, before I get lost rambling on about something else or other that I liked about the story.
As has been a pleasantly unexpected trend lately for stories I've been reading, this story has competent grammar and so on. There may be errors, but either my lack of expertise in the area or my overall enjoyment of reading the story prevented me from noticing any. As such, nothing jarred me out of the story and forced me to translate it. Style and formatting were all comfortably unobtrusive, and let me focus on the story and ignore the words on page, which is really the goal in storytelling.
On to the negative. Normally this is the "real" part of the review, because so many stories are just crap. I need yet another disclaimer this time though, because unlike most of my reviews, it is this part rather than the positive part that is a formality. This story is pretty damn good, and I wouldn't suggest changing anything. What follows are not errors in need of fixing. These are just a few things I happened to experience as one of many readers.
The start was a little slow. Up until the point where Rarity got in bed with Sweetie Belle to offer her support, it felt like I knew what was going on, and somewhat felt like skimming. I can't really place my finger on exactly why, as it was all good quality characterization for Rarity, and necessary for getting us into the story.
The point at which Rarity started crying and messing up her makeup felt a little over the top. It was understandable for her to worry about her little sister, and to worry that she wasn't able to help Sweetie Belle with her problems, and this is Rarity we're talking about who is known for her melodrama, but it was probably a good example of the "stuff" that I felt like trying to skim past. Again, it would probably make for a worse story to omit it, it would probably make for a worse story to "tell" instead of "show" this to us, and so on. That all said, it felt like an extended piece of "here is Rarity. If you don't know who Rarity is, here is what she is like." But I know who Rarity is. It was sort of like LUS. We know Twilight Sparkle is "lavender."
Rarity's descent into the dream was descriptive. It was understandable and believable that she would be confused by the experience and try to make sense of it. The problem for me was that it was obvious she was going into Sweetie Belle's dream. I knew this from the title and from the cover description. It didn't take long to get through, all things considered, but like the above paragraph, it was a descriptive bit of story that detailed and explained stuff I already knew. Omitting it, making it less detailed, or chopping it down would not make for a better story, but it was a part of the story that I wanted to get through to get to the "good stuff."
We end the story with the end of the dream and a return to reality. We're left to our own imaginations about the next morning, and what changes may arise from Rarity's renewed resolve to be there for her little sister. It would probably drag the story on to include these kinds of things, but there is a certain level of author laziness, I feel, when you push "too much" of this kind of thing onto their imaginations instead of doing your part to tell your story. I am probably a bit more greedy in this regard than many of the audience; I've never been a fan of Hitchcock's advice on horror films no matter how wise it is.
If there is anything you take from my review, read this story. It doesn't fall into the pitfalls a lot of other authors have covering topics that are genuine and heartfelt. It seems to me too many authors try to go for shock value and sensationalism, or for weird "crossover/AU" exploration of clashing ideas and elements like humans, hard science, or war in what is supposed to be a magical land of happy little marshmallows with bright colored coats and destiny marks stamped on their asses. Tears in Dreams covers material that, if you're like me, you might fear is taken to grim, depressing, or misery porn levels of cheap feels-bait. Set those concerns aside, and enjoy a fic that will make you smile. If it does draw tears, they're tempered with hope and love instead of cold bitter loneliness.
5757893 Oh, wow! I'm flattered. Thank you for the review.
WOW
This was so beautiful, so deep, so amazing.
I wish so much I could write a comment as encouraging as this story <3.
I'll just try to give you my emotions this way :
As an older sibling, I can empathize with so much of this. Younger siblings are the single most annoying force in our lives and we can be so cruel to them, and yet all they do is look up to us and want our approval...
Of course, there's so much more going on here than just the sibling dynamic. This was a beautifully deep, wonderfully explored look into Sweetie Belle's character. My heart ached for her, but I cherished every moment we saw of her life.
Let me not forget Rarity, our narrator. It was a real pleasure to see things through her eyes. It added another layer that a nameless, generic narrator would not. I understood each and every feeling, reaction, and thought she had. It was like watching a more posh version of me watching a more adorable version of my sister. (Sorry, sis, if you ever read this comment.
)
My only regret is not reading this perfect balance of bitter and sweet sooner.
6168673
I can relate. And thank you so much for reading, I'm glad it resonated so strongly with you.
6168717 My pleasure. Thank you for writing it.
Aww, that was heartwarming and sweet. Just what I needed today. Thank you for this wonderful tale.
Sweet story, but could you clarify something for me? What exactly happened? Did Sweetie somehow show Rarity her memories or something?
6527380 Rarity's horn touches Sweetie's and Rarity gets sucked into her dreams/memories. But I only hinted toward it and left that part vague and open to interpretation.
Woah this was so well written, already added it to my favourites. Love it!!
You can has review!
Awesome story. Loved it
This story is amazing, and aside from being one of my first few favorited stories on the site, it's pretty f
cking cool that this story has absolutely no dislikes yet.
7612168 Thank you.
Yeah that continues to blow my mind. 
ugh
missing an 'of'
missing closing quotation marks.
Yes, yes she is...
.
Amazing one shot here, all scenes being a good example as to why Rarity should be a better big sister, and how her sister is more mature than she originally thought
. While I am a bit surprised by the anger she feels towards her parents, and while I do think it's a bit harsh, I really don't have any room to talk, and I don't really blame her anyway. Throughout the entire series, we've only see Sweetie Belle with Rarity, and not at all with her parents, let alone together
. My guess is that they are either constantly travelling, or just really don't want to deal with Sweetie very much. Due to all the stories I've read about them, is definitely the former
.
Oh, this was great. The descriptions paints a nice picture, and outside of a few typos, it was utterly absorbing.
What caused Rarity getting sucked into those dreams, I wonder? Sometimes it is better to not know.
9597860
It's in the story how it happened.
D'awwwwww.
This was lovely. Very big emotional impact. Poor Sweetie. At least she's got Rarity.
That was a good story.
this story made me cryyyyyyyyy
I really resonated with sweetie belle here.
and I had never really thought about how rarity was more than a sister to sweetie belle but also kind of her caregiver as her parents were never around much and how that would make her feel. I'm guessing they were the ones to take care of rarity when she was a filly so the fact that they left sweetie belle with rarity when she was so small and didn't really bother to raise her must've left sweetie belle feeling inferior to her sisiter and unwanted.
I'm definitely favouriting this story! it was beautifully written and made me see a part of sweetie belle's character I hadn't seen before. I also have to say that the fact that all three of the crusaders were abandoned by their parents in one way or another and because of it have really strong connections to their sisters is something I had not given much thought before reading this either and I think that adds a layer to how strong their friendship is
11497442
Aw thank you so much.
Beautiful story! It even made me want to listen to the song "Let Your Mane Down"
11844268
Thanks so much.