//------------------------------// // The Remainder of the Day // Story: Rarity's Inner Turmoil // by CapNTilfy //------------------------------// Oh lord, I'm a mess. Rarity thought to herself. First I wear Twilight's hazmat suit to Pinkie's without even realizing I was still wearing it. Then, I almost drive Lily and myself all the way over to Crystal Prep. Crystal Prep! Then I have to drive over to the side of the road and cry my eyes out in front of Lily Pad! When Sunset gets better, I'll have to have her and our friends come with me so I get some closure on this madness! Rarity's phone buzzed. Uh, guys? Sunset started sweating like crazy, and she tried to take off her clothes in front of me! I had to turn down the temperature to stop her!- Sent by Rainbow Dash I didn't know Sunset swung that way!- Sent by Pinkie Pie No, Pinkie, it means her fever's breaking! She's on the road to recovery!- Sent by Twilight Sparkle "Well at least something's starting to look up." Rarity said, wiping a tear from her eye. Finally, some good news!- Sent by Rarity Rarity sighed as she went back upstairs to start her work on the dresses for Crystal Prep Academy's spring dance. It won't help me get my mind off her, but this has to be done nonetheless! Rarity forced herself into what she referred to as "the Fashion Focus". Once in the Fashion Focus, few things short of a loud, sudden noise would snap her out of it. When Rainbow Dash once snapped her out of it as a prank, she was almost stabbed with a sewing needle. Time passed as Rarity worked fast as lightning, stopping only every now and then to take a restroom break or drink some tea. Rarity took a look at her clock. "Goodness!" she blurted out. "Is it that time already?" She yawned and stretched. "Time flies when I'm in Fashion Focus mode." She changed into her nightgown and put on her sleeping mask. Minutes later, she fell asleep. ---------------------------------------------- Rarity found herself in her recurring dream yet again. There were subtle differences this time. She was still in the same auditorium and all her friends were there, but this time the Crystal Prep Shadowbolts were in it as well. The silhouette was now wearing her Crystal Prep uniform, still dancing to the beat of a soundless tune. There was more glitter raining, and there was a crowd cheering for Rarity. Again she fell into the abyss. Again her friends and the silhouette grabbed her arm, but this time all of the Shadowbolts helped her up. Rarity sighed, grateful to be saved. "Oh, thank you. All of you!" she said. Suddenly she was transported to the clocks. Starting off nearly inaudible at first, the ticking gradually became louder and louder until Rarity could no longer stand the volume. Then the clocks disappeared one by one, until there was nothing but a white void. She did not know how long she was stuck in the void, but she found the silence to be maddening. Rarity blinked to find herself at the graveyard. The silhouette was still standing next to a pair of graves, but now she was audibly sobbing. The silhouette collapsed to the ground, unable to stand in her grief. Rarity could feel tears of her own forming from the corners of her eyes. Suddenly remembering what happened the last time she had this dream, she tried to take the silhouette by her hand to flee. The silhouette could not and would not let go of the gravestones. The gong had sounded and the six cloaked figures appeared before Rarity. "No." she whispered, and tried to take the silhouette's hand again, but to no avail. "No." she whispered again. The gong sounded again, and Rarity tried to push the silhouette out of the way. She phased right through her and the silhouette was consumed by thunder. "No!" she screamed and hung her head in despair, tears flowing down her cheeks. The gong sounded a third time and the six cloaked figures loomed over Rarity, like a group of grim reapers. Somehow knowing what they were there to do, Rarity looked them straight in the eye and said "Do it. There's nothing worth living for anymore." All six of the figures raised their hands, and Rarity was engulfed in a bright white light. ---------------------------------------------- Waking up and taking off her sleeping mask, Rarity found that she had tears in her eyes. Oh for god's sake, haven't I cried enough lately? she thought to herself. She sighed. "Well, it's a new day. At least that means new possibilities. Got to look on the bright side!" Getting out of bed, Rarity stretched. Might as well take a shower. I worked up a sweat! While showering, Rarity let her thoughts drift. Okay, so a few new things happened in my dream. I don't know whether that's supposed to be progress or a bad sign. She was wearing her uniform and all the other Shadowbolts were there...does that mean she'll need the support of her friends after I tell her the truth? That would make sense. I wonder why there were people cheering for me? I wasn't the one dancing. Unless...they were saying they have my back? Once she finished showering, she checked her phone. Hey girls! Guess who's back to 100%?- Sent by Sunset Shimmer Awesome!- Sent by Rainbow Dash Yay!- Sent by Fluttershy This calls for a party! Wait, haven't we said all these things before?- Sent by Pinkie Pie With a big smile on her face, Rarity sent a text. Wonderful to hear, darling!- Sent by Rarity Rarity dried herself off and got dressed. Her phone buzzed. Glad to hear, sugarcube!- Sent by Applejack All right!- Sent by Twilight Sparkle Something amazing happened! I have so much to tell you all, and something to show you! Meet me at the mall in a few hours.- Sent by Sunset Shimmer Rarity's eyes widened. She could hardly contain her excitement. "Ooh, more inspiration!" she said in a singsong tone. And with that, she jumped into her car and drove straight to the mall.