Rarity hummed to herself as she inspected her new boutique. "Oh, this is just perfect! I'm living my dream!" Rarity gave quick spin before looking out the window at the city of Canterlot. "I've waited so long for this moment, and it's finally here!"
"Well, you put in the work instead of just sitting around hoping for your dream to come true." Inferno said with a chuckle. "You followed your passion, and you put all your heart into your work. No wonder I got to like you so soon."
Rarity giggled. "I'm just ashamed I didn't see you for the treasure of a man you were. Sorry to make you do all the heavy lifting darling."
"Hey, no problem." Inferno said with a shrug. "My ascension granted me some extra strength. Might as well put it to good use."
"You're telling me." Twilight chimed in. "Though when I tested out my new strength, it was completely accidental. I ripped off the door of my fridge the morning after."
Everyone shared a laugh as Rarity oversaw the preparations. This was her opening day, and the dresses she'd selected to display were in place. "Okay Rarity. Calm yourself. It's only your opening. And this boutique's future rests on a good first impression. No pressure."
"Last minute jitters?" Inferno asked as he set a box of fabric down. Rarity nodded, and Inferno smiled as he wrapped his arms around her "Hey. I know that feeling all too well. But I've seen you handle pressure before. And this time's not gonna be any different. This your time to shine, and the stage is yours. Rock on!"
Rarity smiled as she nuzzled against Inferno. "Thank you Inferno I needed that. Of course, I did bring along some extra assistance."
"Rarity. No one knows how to get your work noticed better than you." Inferno said with a reassuring smile. "Who could possibly do a better job?"
Rarity took a deep breath. "Well, the manager I've hired is quite savvy when it comes to advertising fashion. Sassy Saddles has quite the reputation around her. And I'm sure she'll know just the way to make this new boutique a hit."
"Alright. I guess I can understand that. Even the brightest of gems still need a good polish." Inferno said with a shrug. "So when's she due to show up?" Inferno's question was answered as soon as the boutique's door was swung open. And the second Inferno laid eyes on Sassy Saddles, his mood instantly soured. He'd seen this type before. He'd encountered it all too often during his career. She's going to totally upstage Rarity. I can tell by the way she carries herself. Business-type. Very product-oriented. I just hope my advice to Rarity pays off and she recognizes the potential disaster sooner. Inferno put on a neutral expression when Sassy came up to him.
"Ah. You must be Inferno! Oh, Rarity's said so much about you. Pleased to meet you!"
"...Likewise." Inferno said caustiously as he shook her hand. From there, things seemed to play out as expected. The outfits were set on their displays, and a huge crowd was gathering. Some of the top fashion reporters were among the crowd. "Show time." Inferno said with a nod before looking at Rarity. "Let's show 'em what you've made."
Rarity beamed, and opened the door. Only for Sassy Saddles to slip right in front of her and greet the crowd. And it only got worse as Sassy pretty much hijacked the entire presentation! Cutting short all the time Rarity had planned to showcase her work! "Inferno?"
"Yeah?"
Rarity frowned as she looked over at how Sassy Saddles had completely taken over the opening. "I've got the feeling I just got upstaged. This isn't the way I had planned my grand opening!"
"Well then. Wouldn't you say it's time for you to cut this performance short?" Inferno suggested.
Rarity took a deep breath, and nodded as she grabbed a microphone. "Attention everyone! I'm sorry to say this, but our opening is cancelled." Rarity looked at the sea of confusion before her, but regained her composure. "I sincerely apologize, but this was not the opening I had planned at all. Please. Come back next week. I promise you that you won't be disappointed!" The crowd murmured as they shuffled out of the boutique. Rarity breathed a sigh of relief. "Crisis averted."
However, Sassy Saddles was quite upset by the abrupt end. "Rarity! What in Celestia's name are you doing?!"
"Sassy. I understand you are doing what you've believe is the best and works the best for you." Rarity then steeled her gaze. "But that's not the way I operate. You were intentionally cutting short the showcase time for each of the dresses I had chosen to display."
Sassy rolled her eyes. "Of course! Why focus on so many when you could have one surefire success? Something you can pin your name to and rely on as a constant best seller?"
"Ms. Saddles?" Inferno asked as he stood beside Rarity. "You're a good businesswoman. But you're a lousy artist. Sure. Having a good piece you're well known for is important. But what you're doing would make it the only thing Rarity would be known for. And she's no one-hit wonder. She has so many works in store for everyone to see! Each outfit she makes, she puts all her heart and passion into. She doesn't have just one stellar article of clothing."
Rarity nodded. "Indeed darling. I love all of my works, and know they need the proper time to shine. I don't expect you to like the way I do things. But at the very least I expected you to respect the way I conduct my business." Rarity then pointed to the boutique entrance. "The door is right there. You are free to come back when you wish. But only after you've come to realize that what works best for you is NOT what works well for everyone else." Rarity watched as Sassy Saddles left, and clutched her heart as it raced before looking to Inferno. "Inferno?"
"What is it?" Inferno asked.
Rarity took a deep breath. "Is what it feels like to be...badass?"
Inferno slowly grinned. "You have no idea." Inferno was then pleasantly surprised when Rarity leaped into his arms and kissed him. A kiss he happily returned.
Meanwhile, Sassy Saddles was fuming. And as she was stewing in her anger, she felt an odd presence calling to her. She followed it, and found an odd mirror. "You have been wronged as I have. Contract with me, and I shall grant you vengeance against the one who has wronged you." Saddle barely had any time to respons as she reached out her hand, and a dark purple mist flowed into Saddle's body and transformed her. Her hair becmong wavy and white, and her eyes turning white.
"Ahhh! It feels good to have a body once more!" Vanity said with a fond sigh. She then sensed for Rarity, but her eyes snapped open when she sensed a familiar presence. "Ah. It appears one who shares blood with the accursed Avatar that imprisoned me is with the wench whom this woman despises. Two birds, one stone." Vanity said with an evil smile as she looked down at the mirror that had once served as her prison and teleported to Canterlot Boutique. She then locked her sights on Inferno. A cruel smile as those present looked upon her altered form. "Ah. So it was a son that Seraph bore."
Inferno narrowed his eyes. "Who are you? What did you do to Ms. Saddles and how do you know my mom?!"
"You will soon know boy." Vanity said with a wicked smile as she raised the mirror, and sucked Inferno into it! As soon as Inferno was trapped, a wave of magic was released! When the magic died down, a purple magi woman with wavy white hair stood holding the mirror and Sassy Saddles was out cold on the floor. Vanity stretched as she relished her new body. "Ahhh! Much better! How potent an avatar's magic is! More than enough to restore my magnificent beauty!"
Rarity marched up to Vanity! Her eyes were filled with rage! "YOU! What did you do to my Inferno?!"
"Oh? You're close to this boy?" Vanity asked feigning concern. "Simple. I'm getting even. His mother, Seraph Flare, is the avatar of passion. She sealed me in the very mirror I've now trapped her son in. All because I was having a little harmless fun enchanting an entire village so that they adored me. And could you blame them? Look at me. I have beauty that rivals Celestia's!"
Rarity frowned. "I don't believe I've ever met a more repulsive person in my entire life."
"Hmph. It's not my fault that my appearance creates such envy. And here I was thinking you were one who appreciated beautiful things." Vanity then looked to the mirror Inferno was trapped in. "Now to settle my unfinished business!"
Rarity's eyes went wide with horror, and she fell to her knees! "WAIT! Please! Don't hurt him! I'll...." Rarity looked to the ground in defeat. "I'll do...whatever you ask. Just set him free."
"Hmmm." Vanity tapped on the glass of the mirror she held. "Tell me. Just what does Seraph's son mean to you anyway?"
Rarity swallowed as she tried to hold back her tears. "He's everything to me. The one of the things that I treasure above all else." Rarity slowly raised her head so that her gaze met Vanity's. "I would do anything for him."
"He means that much to you does he?" Vanity asked with a cruel smile. "Very well then. I believe we can come to an agreement. I will release your beloved. However, there is a price that must be paid for his freedom."
Rarity sighed before steeling her gaze. "Name it."
"Your youth and beauty. You shall surrender it to me." Vanity said with a sneered. "Rest assured. It will remain in good hands. In fact, one could say it would be improved once I add it to my own. Will you accept? Or does your love not mean as much as you claim him to be?" Vanity asked as she extended her hand.
Rarity took a deep breath, and motioned for her friends to stay away. "I accept." Rarity took Vanity's hand, and a poison purple cloud surrounded Rarity! When the cloud faded, Rarity was old woman with her hair color fading.
"Let it not be said I don't keep my word." Vanity said with a smirk as she snapped her fingers! Releasing Inferno from the mirror!
Inferno immediately knelt down and took one of her hands. "Rarity...why? Why did you give up so much just more me?!"
"Oh, darling..." Rarity said as she brought her free hand to touch Inferno's face. "You've given me so much. I always wanted a fairytale romance. But you certainly gave it an interesting test. After you've given me so much happiness, I couldn't imagine a world without you. To keep my own life while you spent yours eternally imprisoned? I could never be that selfish." Rarity slowly closed her eyes as a smile formed on her lips. "Now I've given something precious to you as well." Rarity then slowly faded away with a white light. Only to return not a moment later in another brilliant flash! However, her youth and beauty had been restored. But there was a new addition. Brilliant white wings coated in diamond dust now adorned her back! Rarity looked at Inferno's face, and giggled. "And I suppose I should thank you again for proving how true my generosity is."
Vanity however, was furious! "I took your beauty once! And it shall be mine again!" Vanity summoned the same poison purple cloud and launched it at Rarity! However, it only crashed against a gem shield constructed by Rarity's magic!
"You speak of beauty when you have none?" Rarity asked with a smirk. "Please! True beauty comes from the heart! I've knows that every time Inferno looks at me. Earlier being the point that cements this fact!" Rarity then flared her wings out! The falling diamond dust making it look like the very air shined around her! "Radiant Banisher!" Rarity fired a blast of magic at Vanity! Trapping her in a gem, and shattering as Rarity snapped her fingers. "Now that's what I call a flawless finish!"
Inferno smiled. It's time...
One week later
Rarity was humming to herself as she admired her latest works. In addition to her new wings. "Well. Looks getting older won't be on my list of worries anymore." Rarity turned around, and saw Inferno walk in. "Welcome back Inferno! Here to give me some flying lessons?"
"Not exactly." Inferno said with a chuckle. "Hey? Giving up your looks for my freedom last week? I really want to make it up for you."
Rarity smiled lovingly. "Inferno, please. Everything worked out fine."
"No. It didn't." Inferno said as he shook his head. "You gave me your life. And there's not a whole lot I can do to repay you for something like that. But there is one thing. And I think I've been putting it off for way too long." Inferno pulled a small black box out of his pocket, and got down on one knee. "By giving you part of my life. Rarity? Will...you marry me?"
Rarity put a hand over her mouth in shock before running into Inferno's arms! "YES!" She screamed with joy! "Yes of course I'll marry you! Oh, Inferno! You've no idea how happy you've made me!"
"Hey. I had to give our fairytale its happy ending didn't I?" Inferno asked with a smile.
Rarity giggled. "Shut up and kiss me you handsome dragon!" And Inferno did just that.