Rarity smiled at her reflection in the fountains water. She could see the many bits that had collected at the bottom of the fountain. She used her magic to pull a bit from her satchel bag, she placed it in her hoof and threw it in with a sad smile.
"You really believe that wishes come true if you throw a bit in?" Blueblood asked, he seemed rather bored of her. Rarity couldn't care, her mind was trying to fight of sleep deprivation and was trying to enjoy the outing she was currently on. She smiled weakly at her reflection, she could almost see the bags under her eyes in the reflection, though she knew it was just her mind playing tricks on her.
"Not really," she replied, her answer was much to Bluebloods surprise. When she didn't continue it only confused him more, what confused him even further was that he almost liked the silence between them. He almost liked how real it felt, because whenever they talked, he always felt fake.
"Then why do it?" He asked, sure that she would give an answer. He knew he didn't like hearing her speak, it made him regret everything he had ever done before, but at the same time, it always felt like he was speaking with a monster.
"I don't know," she replied weakly, even he could tell she didn't want to be out. Though, he decided not to think about it, he didn't want to think he could worry of a demon like her. He expected to feel normal around her, yet he always felt so scared of her. Like she was the demon sent from hell to lure him in, not the other way around. He hated it, but he also loved it.
She didn't continue, as expected. She'd stare at the water, and he'd look around, extremely bored. He noticed a pony walking up to them, though he assumed the mare would simply walk by and look at the two in disgust. He had gotten used to that.
"Rarity!" He was surprised to hear her voice say such a name. The witch turned to face the yellow mare who was smiling. Of course, the first thing Blueblood noticed was the silver ring hanging from the chain around her neck.
"Fluttershy?" Rarity asked, she seemed so alive when speaking to this 'Fluttershy'. Finally! Blueblood thought. She's alive! He rolled his eyes as they talked.
"It's been so long!" Fluttershy hugged her. Once she pulled away, her face was morphed into worry. "A-are you okay? You aren't sick or anything, are you?"
Rarity finally looked attentive, she shook her head and smiled. "Oh no, darling. If I was sick, why would I be out? You know how I love to look my best!"
Blueblood had finally had it with her lies, she wasn't at her best, and if she was sick, he wouldn't let her stay out. He turned to Fluttershy, "I'm afraid my darling is one for modesty." Both mares looked confused, he could see the disgust and worry in Fluttershy's eyes.
He only smiled. "If you could escort her home for me? I would hate for her to hurt herself in the woods when she is not well." He didn't even give the two the time to protest, he turned and walked away. He almost felt guilty, leaving her. He worried if he would lose her at his own unexplained leave. What if she thought he hated her?
Oh well, he thought. If she hated him, his plan would work just perfectly with the suck-up Trixie. As he thought about it, he realized he hadn't seen her since his first date with Rarity. Oh well, she'd return, Blueblood thought. She loves me.
He smirked maliciously at the thought. He had her at his beck and call, prince or not. She had loved him and would always love him. Oh, how a little kindness from a dog got to a mare! Even if he'd prefer Rarity, things would always work with Trixie.
He noticed the blue hoof sticking out of the purple cloak. He smirked at his heard her voice. "Speak of the damn devil," he smirked.
She was smiling, with her eyes closed as she explained her magic trick to a few fillies. Blueblood was surprised to not see a dragon there, but he dismissed it as nothing.
"Trixie," he said sweetly and glared at the little fillies. They nodded and smiled, just to run off with their forced smiles. Trixie seemed annoyed but happy to see him at the same time.
"Did you have to do that?" She asked with her snarky, high pitched voice Blueblood was lucky to have forgotten. He rolled his eyes as he heard it, forgetting its existence. "That was the Great and Powerful Trixie's audience! They looked up to me!"
"Of course they would," he said, annoyance filling his tone. "You're taller than them. But I doubt any filly wants to be a shows horse, they leave that to the dragons."
Trixie was touched, then hurt at what he said. She shook it off and looked at him, knowing he wasn't there for her. "What do you need? A type of rose to give to a witch?" She growled and turned back to her caravan.
"No, my sweet!" He smiled gingerly, only for her to blush in response. She huffed and looked away, picking up a deck of cards and some ribbon from her previous performance.
"Well, I'm sure whatever it is," she started rudely, forgetting who she was talking to. "I'm completely sure the witch could help you with it."
"Can I simply not want to see my princess?" He asked sweetly, not getting furious with her rudeness like she expected. Suddenly, she wasn't mad or jealous anymore. She knew she could never stay mad at her soul mate.
She smiled, "S-sorry. Though, I know general meet-ups are not within our abilities at the moment with the plan and all." She couldn't help but smile as she felt she had control of the situation again. "So! What did you need? I am fully confident the Great and Powerful Trixie can assist you!"
He smirked as she played her game. Of course, it was a naïve game led by a naïve filly who would learn to late how useless she really is. Still, he needed her for his plan, or he wanted her for his plan.
He smiled sweetly, "It's just... you haven't seen me since my first date with the witch." She became putty in his hooves as he referred to Rarity as 'the witch'. "I was a little worried, that's all, really."
"B-b-but... we agreed we couldn't really be... friendly while you were courting her," she was practically begging for words that said she mattered. Blueblood wanted to burst out in laughter, he wanted to rain on her parade. She was so happy! How could this mare be this stupid?
"Well, that was assuming I would still get to see you," he started, almost sweeter than before. The fool couldn't even hear the malice underneath it, she couldn't see the domination in his smirk, she couldn't see the humiliation waiting for her in his eyes.
She was too love struck to notice and every word he said didn't help. "I hope you are doing well, but sadly, I do have to leave." Her happiness deflated, Blueblood tried his hardest to fake a frown at the words, even if her face was priceless.
"B-b-before you go," Trixie started, her face was red as she stared at the ground. Her hooves drew circles in the cobblestone as she nervously set her thoughts aside.
"Of course, what is it?" He asked sweetly, only sending her to cower further and to turn redder. Blueblood couldn't get enough of her! He was so appeased by her pathetic attempts at hate! She was so in love with him that it was sickening! He didn't even feel bad about it either! He loved being simply cruel to poor, little fools like her.
Trixie growled to herself as she finally built up the courage and kissed him on the cheek. Before she could turn away, -he just had to drill it in so he could laugh about it later- he pecked her on the lips and walked off, not waiting for a response to the action.
Trixie's heart soared! How could she had ever thought he would choose Rarity over her? That witch? Sure, the witch was pretty, but he could never love her like he loved Trixie. He just made her day and her heart filled with sure thoughts. She hummed and did her work happily throughout the rest of the day, nothing could ruin it!
Fluttershy and Rarity were both stunned to see the prince walk off. He almost seemed mad, even under his charming façade. Fluttershy turned to Rarity, worry etching into her expression.
"So he really is trying to court you?" Fluttershy asked, she was so worried. Rarity couldn't care, her mind was numb and she wanted away from everything. Especially the engaged nuisance beside her. She rolled her eyes.
"Yes," Rarity smirked. "He is quiet the gentlecolt." She eyed Fluttershy's engagement ring and surrounded it in her light blue magic. "You could even say we're engaged," she dropped the ring and started walking away. She didn't even hide the sharp cut in her tone.
As she walked away, she noticed a little colt with a balloon. She smirked maliciously as she used her magic to pop it. She hummed along to the foals loud cries, only to turn into a small snicker, only to go along to laughter.
Of course! That's why she was so bored and numb! That's why her body won't let her sleep! She just needed a little torment to ease her pain. It was all so simple. She forgot her fear and confusion from her darling Blueblood, she didn't even take the time to think of his sudden leave.
As she turned a corner, she froze and her eyes widened with fear. She turned, only to see nothing. Her heart was beating out of her chest and her previous confidence deflated. Her hooves began to shake in place as she watched her surroundings.
She expected that dragon prince to pop out of the shadows and maul her to death, like in her nightmares. She expected a dragon to swoop down from the sky, she expected a dragon to come by and threaten her for all her bits.
"It seems that mare abandoned you," she heard the familiar voice rang. She turned and saw Blueblood, the pony she didn't expect to be there. Her heart shrank in fear as he took steps towards her. He only seemed confused. "Why do you look so... scared?"
Her nervousness set in as she fumbled for an answer, "I- um... I-I would just hate for you to s-see me in such a state. After you so kindly noticed m-my illness." She was lying. She was lying to the prince, if he noticed her lack in health then of course he would reveal her lies.
He wasn't fazed by her worry, as if he didn't care it was a lie. He only smiled, "Well then, maybe your 'illness'... has had some effects to your wondrous ability to deceive."
Her heart shrank and constricted as her breath caught in her throat. Of course he knew! Why was she scared? She knew exactly why, she expected him not to reveal it. And just the fact that he did made it seem as if he would kill her for knowing too much.
She looked around for a pony, even if she was a witch, she'd still get help, right? All she saw was the edges of the woods to her left and the sides of houses to her right. Nothing, not a single soul other than Blueblood. The cobblestone under her feet turned ice cold, so did the air.
The look on Bluebloods face looked even more malicious than hers. She shook her head and sealed her eyes shut, fear took control of every part of her, she couldn't even scream.
"Stop worrying," he said, not withholding a regal manner at all. She peaked open one of her eyes too see a bored expression. Was the malicious one all in her head? "I'm not going to throw you in a dungeon for your failure to lie about things. It's obvious you aren't sick, I'm just curious as to what is the matter with you."
She was so shocked, the ground felt normal, the air was fine, the sky wasn't dark like earlier. What was wrong with her? And why was her prince acting so... normal and not princely?
She swallowed, afraid to speak the truth, afraid to speak normally with her prince. "I-I..." she couldn't say anything. After that measly attempt, she stopped trying. She went back to her numb state. What was wrong with her? Her hormones must be out of whack or something, she'd swallow some crystal flowers sprinkled with amethyst petals after this encounter.
She looked up at Blueblood. If her body ever let her out of this encounter. "Is it that dragon?" Blueblood asked, he almost seemed worried. But Rarity could hear the boredom over the worry. She suddenly felt hatred and felt the ability to lie.
"Why of course!" She said rudely, she'd guess he'd assume she was simply drone angry by the thought. "Who wouldn't be scared sleepless by a dragon attacking a loved one?" She wasn't even thinking. But after she said it, she recognized her mistake.
Blueblood, of course, took interest in what she said at last. She was almost furious that the mention of her love to him brought him from his boredom which should've been worry for her. But her fear as she took another step towards her drowned it out.
"You love me?" He asked sweetly, though all Rarity heard was a wicked tone that showed he overpowered her. She swallowed her fear and smiled weakly through it.
"O-of course," she said just as sweetly. "W-w-who wouldn't love a gentlecolt that treats me like I'm an actual pony and not the witch everyone else perceives me to be?" She almost felt confident in her words, though his stare set her back to her fear.
"You make it oh so believable, my love," he said sweetly again. Rarity felt so much guilt as he spoke, he knew she was lying, as he did before.
The air and ground went cold again, the sky turned dark and her fear ate away at her. She wanted to scream and cry and hide under her bed like when she was a child.
He smirked, "But I do believe stuttering makes it all for nothing." He looked so calm and interested, he didn't even seem mad at her obvious fear that Rarity had expected.
Rarity finally felt fine enough to talk again. "Y-you're right, I don't love you." She was terrified to admit it to the prince, especially one she assumed had grown fond of her. "B-but I still want to be your queen, because... I know I will love you... one day." She wasn't thinking. She was rambling and fumbling for words to get her out of the situation.
"Good, well, I hope you get better soon. I enjoy having someone as deceiving as me around," he smirked and started to walk away. Rarity watched as the dark sky and cold followed him, leaving her.
She felt so guilty. He was nothing but kind to her and all she did was be rude and terrified. How didn't he hate her for it? Surely that dragon prince would've hated and had her burned for even thinking she was scared of him.
She felt even more guilty. How could she say that? Sure, she hated dragons, but could she really lie about them? Everything she told fillies was true, but the idea that he'd burn her was ridiculous. Besides, she had proof he wouldn't.
He didn't, every time she was terrified of him, he did nothing but smile sadly and accept it. She knew times where Blueblood did nothing but even seemed to get closer to her when she was scared! She had called Spike a monster that was going to hurt her, he did nothing to hurt her, or even scare her further.
When she even hinted to the idea that Blueblood was evil like her, he terrified her and only got scarier as the night continued. It was as if he would scare her and then play with her fear. Spike, he seemed to try and fix it. She felt awful. She looked around, she was close to the opening in the woods. She sighed as she walked towards it. Oh how she wished to have a normal life like others! She couldn't even blame some wicked and tragic backstory for her cruelty. She couldn't even blame her parents.
They ran away too, and took her little sister along with them. Rarity ran towards the entry of the woods, just so she could cry away the times of ponies leaving her, as most did. She had her shot at a nice life and blew it! So why didn't she love the life she had now?
She turned to the entry of the woods, only to see a group of fillies and a mare to stare right back at her. Of course they were on a field trip through the woods, of course they were on the day she didn't need them to be.
She growled, only for the teacher to step in front of the fillies protectively. The fillies huddled together in fear. She snickered at the sight, thought guilt pulled at her heart. "Have fun in my woods! These woods are filled with Timberwolves and deadly flowers!"
She got close to one filly with an orange coat and purple hair, she held a bright yellow flower. Rarity recognized it as a yellow crystal flower, one of the safest in the woods. She smirked, "Better not bring the wrong one home to mommy! Some flowers let off a pheromone that builds glass in the lungs."
The fillies eyes went wide as she threw the flower to the ground and crushed it violently. Rarity snickered and before the teacher could say anything, she went on her merry way home.
The Apple Tavern was low on business today, leaving the four mares times to relax. Though, once Fluttershy walked in with a beautiful green dress, they didn't really relax and were invested in conversation.
The few dragons and ponies that were there were really mellow, and the whole tavern felt much calmer than it had on previous nights. Pinkie and Applejack were happy with the break, as on previous nights, they'd almost fall from exhaustion.
Pinkie Pie rocked a poofy skirt, she looked like a normal diner waitress mixed with the Victorian Era. Though, it was just the dress she had to wear when she worked at Sugar Cube Corner. Meanwhile, Applejack just wore some rustic orange overalls, she was too bored to wear anything else. Much to her grannies dislike, have you mind.
Rainbow Dash -in a dashing suit- was currently dancing with a yellow dragon in a red dress. Twilight watched her dreamily, though she seemed really invested in her book at the same time, so the other three couldn't determine whether the look was for Rainbow, or the book.
Fluttershy smiled as her, Pinkie, and Applejack watched the tavern. Today, it seemed to function as a diner more than anything. "What'cha think is going on? I ain't seem many dragons here other than those," she pointed at the few in the room taking shots. "And our main business is dragons."
"Oh yeah!" Pinkie blurted happily. "I'm pretty sure something's happening with outlaw dragons." She chugged a whole glass of something, both Fluttershy and Applejack were amazed until she slammed down the glass and revealed a milk mustache. Fluttershy started giggling as Applejack pointed at it. Pinkie smiled and started giggling too, after she licked it away.
"What's a outlaw dragon anyways?" Applejack asked happily. She looked so relaxed, Fluttershy was happy to see one of her friends were okay.
Rainbow Dash and her lady-dragon-friend walked up to the bar happily. "Oh! A outlaw dragon is usually the big, nasty ones from stories," the yellow dragon started happily. "They didn't want to be friends with ponies, so they're outlaws. Apparently, some of the guards have been seeing them around Canterlot, and other cities are reporting in sights of them too, so Queen Embers taking initiative."
"Interestin'," Applejack said with a smile. "Why ain't you there? Sounds like a big dragon thing to me." She took a swig of her Apple Cider, well, she tried. Rainbow Dash took it first.
The dragon laughed at the sight. "Well, most dragons only went because they thought Prince Spike would have a say in it."
This confused the four -Rainbow Dash wasn't paying attention. "Why would they think he would have a say in it? He's not king yet, wouldn't it be the queens job?" Fluttershy asked. The dragon only smiled, she seemed happy enough to simply explain and answer questions.
"Prince Spike was a outlaw dragon, every dragon knows it. Queen Ember has let him have a say in matters before, any outlaw dragon is family to him," she smiled at their confused expressions. "I'd say that was a stretch, so I knew he wouldn't have a say in it."
"Spike was an outlaw?" Rainbow Dash asked, finally paying attention. "But he's a royal dragon! Alcohol doesn't get to him like other dragons." The dragon only smiled and nodded. Twilight assumed she liked telling stories to younger dragons or foals.
"He's a descendant of a type of dragon with some specific genes, that doesn't make him a royal dragon, though that's what we call that type of dragon," she smiled and her eyes sparkled. Twilight recognized that sparkle from when she had looked in the mirror when she was so invested in an idea.
Why would Rainbow have interest in a teacher? "Some dragons I'm friends with have the set of genes, making them royal dragons. He's just called that cause Queen Ember took him in, though the set of genes will be extinct in the Dragon Lands after this generation."
This only spiked more confusion in the five. The dragon laughed and continued, not even needing them to ask. "The genes only gets passed on by advantageous dragons, it won't get passed on by dragons that don't hoard and don't follow instinct. Outlaw dragons will be the last ones with the genes in a century."
She continued without their question, she was so immersed in her explanation. "The set of genes isn't uncommon, and it's usually just genes that helped dragons with the Gauntlet of Fire, back when that was still happening."
The other mares didn't even try to get another word in, they happily listened to her as she talked. "The last generation had around fifty percent of dragons with it, of course, some hoarded since they wanted to live in the Dragon Lands, but didn't want to follow Torches rule.
"The generation before last -the one where Torch and Celestia made peace- had around seventy percent. Now there's around twenty, and with Prince Spike as the upcoming king, no dragons hoarding!" She smiled proudly.
Fluttershy and the others smiled, though Pinkie already knew all that information, for the most part. Twilight spoke first, "Well, thank you for telling us. Are you a teacher?" The dragon smiled and nodded.
"I'm glad you noticed! Though most dragons don't really pay attention in schools -reason why they don't go and why we don't have them in the Dragon Lands- I still like to sit a few by a flaming rock and tell them a history story or the science behind dragons. It's fun!" She smiled.
"Whoa! That's cool!" Rainbow Dash smiled, only for the dragon to blush happily at the approval of her date. The six delve into further conversation, until Apple Bloom and Babs Seeds ran into the tavern.
"Applejack!" Apple Bloom said loudly as the two raced over to the bar. The few ponies and dragons there giggled at the youth of the two. Applejack rolled her eyes and the five giggled at this.
"What is it?" Applejack said rudely, making it clear she was annoyed. Babs and Apple Bloom smiled nervously at her before talking.
"Well, somethin' weird happened today," Apple Bloom said simply. Babs smiled and ran to the back to help Granny Smith. Apple Bloom watched her leave with hurt.
"So?" Applejack asked. Twilight noticed how motherly she really was, well, it made sense. Big Mac took to the farms outside of town, Granny Smith cooked, and Applejack ran the bar -the easiest job by far. It was obvious the mare would take care of the two fillies.
Apple Bloom smiled nervously before explaining, as if questioning if she should say it or not. She cleared her throat. "Uh, while we were on our, uh, trip through the woods! The witch showed up."
Applejack raised and eyebrow. "Of course she would, there them woods are where she holes up." She was already tired of her sisters antics and blunt stupidity. But she didn't send her on her way like she usually would've, if Apple Bloom was really worried, it was something at least somewhat serious.
"I know, I know! Cheerilee even told us to watch out for her!" Apple Bloom started. "It's just... when she came into the woods... she seemed kinda sad. Then, she scared any filly who had a flower to bring home."
Now, Applejack regretted not sending her to the kitchen with Granny Smith. "Apple Bloom! What is wrong with you? Why would a witch bein' a witch bother ya?"
Apple Bloom cowered from the attention from the six and the criticism from her big sister in front of the five. She went red. She was surprised when somepony stepped in to defend her, "I think it is worrying, I mean... if Rarity's upset... maybe we should go make sure she's okay."
Apple Bloom smiled up at the older mare, this mare was almost as pretty as Diamond Tiara. "Ya mean it?" Apple Bloom asked happily, suddenly feeling very proud of herself.
Fluttershy nodded. "She did seem off earlier. Oh, I hope she's okay." She seemed so worried, her friends new Fluttershy was friends with Rarity, but they didn't expect her to worry over the witch.
"Yer really worried? Over the town tormentin' witch?" Applejack asked. Even Rainbow Dash dismissed it by taking another dance with the dragon. Pinkie Pie seemed interested in the answer, though she seemed interested in anything.
Fluttershy nodded, Apple Bloom puffed out her chest, as if saying she was right all along. "Well, I'll be helpin' Granny and Babs." She walked towards the back, only to dash up the stairs before Granny Smith saw her. Once Granny Smith had her back turned, Babs dashed up the stairs behind her.
Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie giggled. "I like Rarity, she's nice!" Fluttershy smiled. "I just felt like she needed somepony to talk to, it must've gotten lonely all on her own."
"Yeah... but shouldn't she have pushed you away?" Twilight put down her book to join the conversation. "It is Rarity, I'd assume she'd keep up a wall to keep any pony from getting to her and hurting her."
The three stared at her, she laughed nervously and blushed. "I- uh, read... a lot!" Twilight obviously lied, but the three decided not to uncover the tragic past of the lonely scientist just yet. It even looked as if she used her magic to pull her normal red cloak over her further.
"I mean... she tried, but I always kept coming back and offering her cookies or some help! One day, she seemed so out of it, so she finally let me in and we became friends," Fluttershy stated with a smile. Her hooves kicked happily in her green dress as she hummed along to the song on the juke box.
The three were surprised to see her sing! She more or so mutter-singed the lyrics blissfully with her eyes shut. It was as if she forgot she was explaining something. One of her hind legs tapped against the bar to go along to the beat. They decided to not bother her with it, afraid the timid girl would stop singing.
"I think we should try and be friends with Rarity," Twilight finally fessed. Applejack and Pinkie Pie stared at her, appalled. Twilight didn't expect Pinkie Pie to dislike Rarity, then Twilight remembered the many times Rarity preached things against dragons, some of Pinkie Pie's best friends.
"Nu-uh, nope!" Applejack said and got a bottle of Apple Cider from the shelves behind her. "All that mares done is cause trouble. I ain't gonna give her a reason to come up in here and start a fight with Rainbow."
"C'mon Cous!" Pinkie Pie said happily, grabbing a cup cake from her dress and eating it in one bite. As she ate, awaiting to give her big reason, she got crumbs that flew onto Applejack face. She smiled as she swallowed the last part.
"I looooooove frosting," Pinkie Pie said dreamily, only earning a hateful stare from Applejack. She laughed nervously. "Anyways! You know I should dislike her as much as the next pony, but what if we can help her? Ya know, change her for the better good? We have magic after all."
This confused the two. "Magic?" Twilight asked. "I'm the only unicorn we have, sure flying is technically a form of magic since there really is no clear reason or logic behind such small wings holding up such a large amount of mass, but is that really...?" She started rambling, Applejack and Pinkie started talking to each other, ignoring her and allowing her her ramble.
"The magic of friendship! Duuuuuh!" Pinkie Pie told her cousin happily. "We have friendship! No one can turn that away once they have it! It's impossible to give up friends! Besides, love is what would win her over, but friendship is the next best thing!"
The two noticed Twilight had gotten out a piece of paper and started drawing the many theories of flight as she talked. "You think we should worry about our own friends first?" Applejack asked.
Pinkie Pie chuckled. "Let the mare she wants to help her help her, like I said, 'Love is what would win her over'." The two laughed happily. Rainbow continued to dance, Twilight continued to discuss theories, and Fluttershy hummed and sang softly along to another song.
Trixie watched from the window, seeing the five converse happily. She could almost imagine her and Blueblood there, wasting the night away with their useless conversation. But it wouldn't be useless! She'd have him and he'd have her, they'd want nothing else.
"If only that Rarity wasn't in my way, I want to believe he loves me..." Trixie started and turned away, letting the oncoming rain mix in with tears. Her hat drooped from the rain as she hung her head and sighed. "But I just can't when he's not around."