//------------------------------//
// Episode 19: Generous Potential 
// Story: EoH Evolution: Season 2 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

Rarity sighed happily on her train ride to Castalot. Normally, it would've just been her and Opal going on this trip. However, there was an extra member to her travel party for this trip. Said member being Inferno Flare. Element of Potential and Rarity's boyfriend. "I must admit darling, I wasn't expecting you to accompany me and Opalesence here. Especially for such a short visit."

"I could use a little change of scenery after the events of a couple days ago." Inferno said with a shrug. "Let's just say nearly becoming bug food and having to fight one of my friends while their body was being hijacked really amplifies the tendency to spend time with my girlfriend." Inferno let out a sigh of relief. "Still, since things have quieted down a bit, I could consider this trip a mini vacation."

Rarity giggled at Inferno's closing stance on their trip. "Leave it to the Element of Potential to see a different use of a scenario than what others would typically be blind too." The two soon arrived at Castalot, and a transport was waiting for them. Needless to say, both Inferno were pretty surprised that Princess Celestia was letting them stay at the castle. "Here? We get to stay here?" Rarity said with awe in her voice.

"We're only staying for a couple days." Inferno said as he surveyed their room. "Giving us a room like this seems a little bit extra." he then shrugged. "But hey. I'm not one to say no to people who go the extra mile. Kinda like what I'm doing with Rarity's luggage."

Celestia smiled at the couple. "It's honestly no trouble. This is simply one of the lesser things I can do to repay the both of you for your heroics. Especially since Twilight requested that you two enjoy no less than the finest hospitality I have to offer. Enjoy your stay." She then smiled mischievously. "Just try not to get too crazy with your make-out sessions." Celestia giggled to herself as she saw both Rarity and Inferno blush! Cadence was right. They're perfect for each other.

As soon as Celestia left, Inferno set down Rarity's bags. "The benefits of having an Avatar for a parent. A bit of enhanced strength and stamina goes a long way."

"I'll say." Rarity said as she looked at Inferno lovingly. "You know darling? That train ride built up my appetite. How about we grab a bite to eat?"

Inferno smiled at Rarity's offer, and then heard his stomach growl. "Sounds good to me." He then took Rarity by the hand. "Just point me in the right direction." Sure enough, Inferno was nearly dragged along by Rarity to the nearest café. "You sure seem to adore this city." Inferno noted as he polished off his pastry. Noting the up-tight air that a lot of the people had about themselves. Even if this place is snob central.

Rarity nodded, and let out a fond sigh. "Inferno? Do you know what I love about Castalot?" Inferno didn't even have a chance to ask Rarity what made her like the city so much. "Everything!" Rarity screamed in delight as she threw her arms up in joy. "I may have been born in Unityville, but I am a Castalot woman at heart!" Rarity soon composed herself once more. "While I know the original purpose of this little excursion was to obtain some more fabric for the boutique, but Twilight was such a dear for getting us that suite at the castle! I simply MUST make her something to express my gratitude!"

"You wouldn't be the Element of Generosity otherwise." Inferno said with a chuckle as he stretched his arms and wings. "So what did you have in mind?"

Rarity surveyed her surroundings, and her eyes lit up with inspiration. "Aha! A new outfit for her birthday party this weekend! It's perfect! Oh, don't you just love it here?" Inferno was about to voice his opinion of the city when the two noticed a high-class-looking Magi couple seemingly hovering over them.

"Please excuse our interruption." The man said. "I'm Jet Set and this is my wife Upper Crust. And we just had to know. . . "

Upper crust gestured to Rarity's headwear. "Where did you get that simply marvelous hat?" Rarity was about to answer when a nearby window washer recognized her from Unityyville. The couple seemed to recoil upon hearing this new information.

"You're from Unityville?" Jet Set asked with disgust. "Well, it doesn't-GAH!" Jet Set nearly stumbled backward when a glassful of water hit his face!

Rarity looked to her front, and saw Inferno with his glass empty. "Oops." Inferno said flatly. "I'm sorry. Maybe you want rephrase what you were about to say? By all means. I'm just dying to know what demeaning remark you've got to say about my girlfriend." Inferno's tone was calm, but there was fire within his words. And it was ever-so-close to exploding.

"Wait! I recognize you!" Upper Crust said with wide eyes. "You're the ruffian that assaulted poor Blueblood back at the Grand Gala! Have you no respect for your betters?!"

Inferno scoffed as he swatted aside Upper Crust's accusing finger. "Hmph. I'd hardly call that jerk poor with how loaded he probably is. He deserved what I gave him for how horribly he was treating his date. I bet he didn't even know he was being awful to one of the Elements of Harmony either! Who just so happens to be the fine woman your husband just insulted." Inferno's tone began to grow more heated as he slowly spread his wings out. "Second, you two don't seem like anyone worth respecting. Plus, there's no way I'd ever consider snobs like you better than anyone. How the Tartarus are any of you 'noble'?"

Rarity couldn't help but blush when she saw the fire in Inferno's eyes as he defended her. Oh my. . . never has his name been more appropriate. He's setting my heart on fire!

"Lastly," Inferno got right in the snob couple's face. "I'm keeping myself restrained because I don't want my girl to think I'm the brute you say I am." Inferno pointed to Rarity. "The only reason I'm not sending you two to the hospital right now is because she's not bursting into tears at your remarks. So here's what's gonna happen: the two of you are gonna shut up, walk away, and never bother us again. But pull this crap again?" Inferno summoned his sword. "And you'll find out just how fiery my temper is. ARE. WE. CLEAR?" The snob couple nodded fearfully, and zipped off!

Inferno let out a sigh of relief as he returned to his seat. However, his eyes went wide with shock as he saw Rarity's dumbstruck expression. "I am SO sorry you had to see me like that."

"Oh, don't you dare apologize darling." Rarity said with a blush still present on her face. "You just cemented why I love you. Oh, if only I had realized you were the one for me when you first showed up on my doorstep." Rarity soon snapped herself out of her blissful state of mind. "A-Anyway! We should probably grab the fabric I need to make Twilight's dress!"

Rarity snatched up Opal, and Inferno followed the two to the fabric store. Rarity had just gotten the materials, and was in a rush to return to their suite while the design was still fresh in her mind. However, her rush to return to the suite led her to a literal run-in with one of the most prominent nobles. "Fancy Pants. . ."

"I say, that's one way to make an introduction." Fancy Pants said with a smile.

Rarity scrambled to her feet! "Oh goodness! I am SO sorry! I-I didn't see you there!" She was putting as much energy into her apology as she could. "I've just got so many bags! Even with my boyfriend's assistance, they're a handful! We were just trying to get back to our suite at the castle and-"

"You're staying at the castle?" Fancy Pants asked. Interest well present in his tone.

Inferno nodded in confirmation. "Princess Celestia was kind enough to give us a room during our stay. Then again, it does help we're pretty close friends with her current boyfriend and her star students. Plus, we are members of the Elements of Harmony and Elements of Heroism."

"Oh my," Fleur said with a giggle. "It seems we've come face-to-face with genuine heroes."

Fancy Pants snapped his fingers in recognition upon Inferno's declaration. "Ah! Now it's come to me! I recognize you from the gala! You and your friends certainly made the Grand Gala more lively. And as I recall, you held a concert here not a few months ago. Is that correct Mr. Flare?"

"Yeah. That's right." Inferno said with a shrug. "And just call me Inferno. No need for formality. I doubt that I've done anything that warrants that much respect. Especially since a snob couple earlier, I already forgot their names, gave me grief for standing up for my girlfriend when that royal pain Blueblood treated her awful at the gala." Inferno then narrowed his eyes at Fancy Pants. "You here to talk down to me about that too?"

Fancy Pants chuckled. "Quite the contrary. Giving Blueblood a proper thrashing is what warrants my respect for you. It's such a shame that the title of noble is rarely bestowed to those deserving of it. And I don't think Princess Celestia would look down on anybody giving Blueblood an attitude adjustment." The group shared a laugh at the thought of the massive payback the universe would send Blueblood's doorstep. Fancy Pants then turned his attention to Rarity. "It's certainly been a grand time meeting the both of you." He then noticed Rarity. "Oh. My apologies. I forgot to get both of your names. Might I have the honor miss?"

"Rarity." Rarity said with a small smile. "And it was certainly a pleasure to meet you as well."

Fancy Pants smiled. "The pleasure was all mine and Fleur's. That being said, I certainly wouldn't having a chance for us to meet once again. I've a VIP box reserved at the Wonder Bolts Race this afternoon. Would you two be so kind as to join me and my companions?"

Rarity contemplated the decision for a minute before giving her answer. "While that offer is quite enticing, I'm afraid that I must decline." She smiled as she picked up the her bags with her magic. "There's a very special project I'm working on, and it shall require the utmost care and attention. Perhaps another time!" Rarity and Inferno then resumed their trek back to their suite. However, Rarity noted Inferno looking at her with a puzzled expression. "What? Is there something on my face?"

"No." Inferno shook his head. "It's just, I wasn't expecting you to refuse an offer like that." Inferno stared at the sky in thought as he continued. "Back when I first met you, I can tell you would've jumped at the chance to rub elbows with all the VIPs. But instead, you chose to focus on Twilight's birthday dress. I'm not saying you made the wrong call. Just the opposite. But what I don't get is, why?"

Rarity smiled sadly as she reflected on past events. "It was. . . during the incident with Night Terror." The two of them froze in their tracks as Rarity continued her reflection. "At the time, I was only concerned with my own interests. What I thought was best for me. What would make only me happy. And in the end? It turned out to be the worst mistake I've ever made. I hurt my friends. And I hurt you most of all." Rarity and Inferno's eyes locked. "You tried to warn me. Tried to protect me. And I threw it back in your face because I was so selfish. But in spite of that, you still went after me. You came to save me. Because you cared about me more than I ever thought you did."

Rarity sighed. "That's why I didn't fall for Discord's trick back at the labyrinth. Because I knew you were trying to keep me safe again. And I couldn't stand hurting you like that again." She then took a deep breath. "The incident with Night Terror really put things in perspective darling. If I can't prioritize my friends' happiness over my own, then what right do I have to be called the Element of Generosity?" She then smiled warmly. "Twilight's smile is more important than any old derby. Which is why I've resolved to put her present as my top priority." Rarity then giggled. "I think Pinkie Pie would call this character development."

Inferno smiled lovingly as he wrapped a wing around Rarity. "You know? Just now you reminded me of a very important lesson my dad taught me when I started to get into my music career."

"Oh?" Rarity asked. Her interest piqued at the chance to have some insight into her boyfriend's life and parents. "And what might that lesson be?"

Inferno chuckled. "He told me that music is like peoples' tastes. It's ever-changing, and it doesn't always appeal to the same people. He said, 'If you try to make everyone happy, then no one's going to smile. Make sure that the crowd that matters to you is the only one cheering.' And it's stuck with me ever since. Especially whenever some critic would say that my type of music's not cutting it for them. As long as I saw the crowd enjoying what I do, I could care less."

Rarity smiled lovingly as she leaned her head against Inferno's shoulder. "Something tells me that I've just figured out why you treasure me so much. The smile of someone you love is something you should never let go of." 

Sure enough, Rarity had finished Twilight's dress. And just in time too as Twilight, the girls, and the remaining guys had arrived in Castalot to have Twilight's party. As luck would have it, Fancy Pants was holding an event at the same time. He noticed Rarity having fun with her friends, and he and Fleur decided to take a leave of absence from their event. Surprisingly, he got into the spirit of things quite quickly. Even praising Rarity's skills as a seamstress and wanted to endorse her work to all his associates. 

Rarity smiled as she and Inferno watched the rest of the party unfold. "You know darling? I did not expect things to unfold this way. In many ways, events unfolded beyond my expectations for the better."

"Well, you were pretty generous by giving up the chance to advance your own happiness." Inferno said as he looked into Rarity's eyes. "And that opened the potential for a better chance than you could've dreamed of." The two shared a kiss. Unaware that all their friends had snapped pictures of them to file under the 'Aaaw' category.