//------------------------------// // Episode 14: Generous to the End // Story: EoH Evolution: Season 5 // by Bahamut0 //------------------------------// Rarity could barely contain her excitement. The dream that she'd had ever since she was little was finally coming true! She would be opening her own boutique in Castalot! 'Then again, it's turning out so much better than I had dreamed.' Rarity thought to herself as she levitated a few mannequins into their ideal positions. A fond smile on her face as she saw her friends assisting with setting up the new boutique. Her smile significantly brightened when she caught sight of Inferno Flare. 'I guess I can say that also applies to my love life. Inferno, you truly have ignited my heart.' "Something your mind, babe?" Inferno asked as he noticed Rarity staring at him. A playful smile on his face as he approached her. "It's rude to stare, you know. I thought you were a lady." "Oh, you're terrible." Rarity giggled as she playfully punched Inferno in the shoulder. "What did I ever fall for a beastly fellow such as yourself?" "You didn't." Inferno smirked as he wrapped his arms and wings around her. "As you can see by my wings, I did what any sensible dragon would do and stole you." He then nuzzled against her lovingly. "And what a fine treasure you are. With you, I don't have any need for a hoard." "And yet despite your dragonic traits, the feathery scales your wings are covered in make you look like an angel." Rarity said as she wrapped her arms. "A fallen one, but one nonetheless." "Well, I did fall for you." Inferno said with a loving smile as he touched his forehead to Rarity's. "I feel for you so hard that it hurt. But I'd take that pain and so much worse. You've even see me almost literally die for you." "You always give me so much of your time, attention, and even your life." Rarity said as she looked into Inferno's eyes. Her sapphire blue orbs meeting his fire red ones. "Maybe you should be the Element of Generosity instead." "Can't." Inferno shook his head. "You gave me your heart. I can't think of anything more generous to do than that." "Flattery won't get you too far, darling." Rarity giggled. "So when's the wedding?" Rainbow Dash asked with a smirk as she hovered over the couple. "Or is Inferno going to propose the second this premiere's over with?" "Should you be sucking face with Steel?" Inferno retorted with a chuckle. "Besides, I could ask the same for you given how much you hover around him when you're out and about." "Sh-Shut up!" Rainbow Dash sputtered! "I'm just being a loyal girlfriend! No way I'm getting grounded to him yet!" "Funny." Steel Edge quipped. "I had you pinned during that last round of sparring." This caused Rainbow Dash to blush fiercely and zip away with a cloud of dust in her wake! "Sorry about that guys." "It's no trouble, Steel." Rarity said with a dismissive wave. "But in all honesty, darling, you and her need to tie the knot at some point." "Rainbow Dash's idea of a 'cool' wedding dress might only consist of white versions of her exercise clothes with a veil." Steel chuckled. "Still, you two better finish up any of the last preparations so you can have a few minutes to collect yourself." "Steel's got a good point, Rarity." Inferno chimed in. "This is the grand opening of your dream store. Take it from me, having a big debut really puts a lot of pressure on you. It makes you feel like the slightest misstep can cause everything to come crashing down. I even had a nightmare that I set the stage on fire. And not in a good way." "Trust me, darling. I knew how stressful this whole situation could be. Which is why I decided to call in some professional assistance from someone experienced with the business, Sassy Saddles." Rarity said with a confident smile. "It won't be too long before she arrives." True to Rarity's word, Sassy Saddles showed up only a minute or two later. She seemed quite impressed by the line of dresses that Rarity had created, but one in particular caught her eye. "Well, let's set the stage!" Sassy said enthusiastically. "It's showtime!" Rarity couldn't contain her excitement as her friends began to model and present the various dresses she'd created. Things were going so wonderful as the dresses Rarity had made based on some of the sights around Castalot, two among them being based on Celestia and Luna. However, the record scratched when Sassy hijacked the presentation! Instead of the next dress in the lineup being brought out, Sassy Saddles railroaded the presentation by unveiling the princess dress! While all of the boutique's patrons were awed by the dress, Rarity was growing more upset by the second. And she wasn't going to stand for this another minute. "May I have your attention please?" Rarity announced. "I must apologize. It seems the showcase of my wares has been altered without my approval. I'm very happy that one of my creations really captured your interest. However, one dress does not a boutique make. Everyone has their own style, so I highly encourage that you all come back soon and pick a garment that speaks to it! Thank you all for coming today, and I can't wait to see you all soon!" The crowd left with pleased murmurs and positive chatter. However, one person among the people still in the boutique was quite cross. Said person being Sassy Saddles who was sporting a frown with a hard glare directed at Rarity to complete her angry expression set. "Rarity. Might I ask why you put a stop at the best part?" Sassy asked. "I might not have done things exactly as you had planned them, but I assure you that I am doing what's best for your boutique." "Really now?" Rarity asked as she crossed her arms. One of her eyebrows raised in curiosity as to Sassy Saddle's reasoning. "And just what are you doing?" "It's quite simple dear." Sassy Saddles said with a pompous smirk. "In order to get your reputation established, you need to have a product that catches the eye. And you have that in the Princess Dress. By placing it as the center of attention, everyone will be talking about it! Making it a popular item that will put this boutique on the map. Before long, everyone will want a dress just like it! In short, you'll be turning a profit in no time and you won't have to rely on an entire line!" "And relying on that one dress is what's so dangerous." Rarity said with a frown. "It's lazy. Coasting off the fame of one single creation would mean that I rely too much on it. I can appreciate your effort in making one of my dresses into a surefire hit, but I refuse to do it at the expense of all my other creations. If you wish to continue on your intended course of management, then it will have to be with another client." "Fine then." Sassy huffed. "But when this store is a derelict, I'll be expecting your apology." And she stormed out. "Who does that girl think she is? Telling me that my business strategy is flawed? Hmph! If there's anything flawed, it's her!" "So it looks like Rares messed with you too, huh?" A voice called out from a nearby alley. Out stepped Suri Polomare. But there was something noticeably different about her. Namely the large V-mark on her forehead and the empty look in her eyes. "But don't worry. With our help, payback can be as good as yours." "I remember you." Sassy Saddles said with a frown. "While I am cross about what happened, I refuse to work with a plagiarist." "We were not asking." Suri said as she raised an evil-looking mirror to Sassy Saddle's face! A malevolent purple right shot out from the mirror and struck Sassy! When the light faded, her eyes looked as empty as Suri's and she also bore a V-mark on her forehead. "It has been done, mistress." "Excellent, darling." A smooth, wicked voice called out from the mirror. "Now then. It's time we all conclude our unfinished business. I can feel an aura similar to the one who sealed me in this accursed mirror, Seraph Flare! Whatever relation they have to Seraph doesn't matter! They shall be the key to releasing me from my prison! Now hurry, darlings!" And the pair of minions warped to Castalot Boutique and bust the door down with a blast from the mirror Suri was holding! "What the-?!" Inferno was pretty shocked to see the pair. Though he was more surprised Suri hadn't tried to get back at Rarity sooner. "Rarity? You know how to deal with unpleasant customers, right?" "Way ahead of you, darling." Rarity said as she summoned her Harmony Keepers! Getting into a fighting stance with her rapier poised to strike! "New look, Suri?" "I've had a makeover in more ways than one Rares!" Suri sneered as she raised the mirror she was carrying! In a flash of light, Rarity and Inferno were transported into a strange place that seemed to be composed of mirrors! "This is the Mirror Space. And the only way out is for you to smash the mirror I'm hold-oops." As Suri dropped the mirror, Inferno shot forward and slashed at it with his sword! Shattering the mirror! Unfortunately, the eerie purple light coming from gave off the feeling that he'd just made the wrong move. As the mirror's shards hit the ground, a figure burst out from the shards! It was a woman with dark purple skin, white hair, and glassy blue eyes. In terms of appearance it was like if Rarity's hair and skin colors had been swapped. The woman was clad in a black dress that hugged her body closely, a veil draped around her arms, and a necklace with many different colored jewels. On her forehead was a band that had a miniature mirror on it. While her beauty couldn't be denied, she gave off an air of arrogance and vanity that was oppressively obvious by the smirk she had on her face as she dispersed the mirror space. "Ah, it's been too long since the world was graced by my presence." The woman said smugly. She then turned her attention to Inferno. "Hmm. So you're the one whose essence was similar to Seraph's. How interesting." "I'm her son." Inferno snapped as he pointed his blaster at the woman! "And just how do you know my mom?" "How rude. I didn't introduce myself. Then again, your mother committed the crime of sealing me in that mirror." The woman chuckled. "I am Vanity. And the two darlings who bear my mark are my servants." "So it looks like my mom had an old enemy too." Inferno muttered to himself. "I'm guess you're back to settle the score with my mom." "All I asked her was that she bless me with eternal youth." Vanity huffed. "And that bitch denied it to me because she said I was 'selfish' and only passionate about myself! Tch! I would've thought the Goddess of Passion would have appreciated any form of passion, but it looks like I was disappointingly wrong. Could you imagine this face being weathered by time? Unthinkable! So I decided that if she wouldn't grant my wish, I would grant it myself! There were so many maidens undeserving of their beauty, so I redistributed it to one who was worth it." And she gestured to the necklace she was wearing. "That's so repulsive!" Rarity snapped! "How could you be so selfish?!" "Hmm. You're quite lovely." Vanity said with a wicked smile as she turned her attention to Rarity. "Perhaps you'll be the first of many maidens I'll drain to rejuvenate myself." "You're gonna have to get past me first!" Inferno screamed as he leaped towards Vanity! His sword raised to slash across the vile witch's face! But while his sword made contact, Vanity didn't seem to take any damage! "What the-AGH!" Inferno clutched his face as sparks showered forth from his skin! He'd somehow been hit the exact same way he'd slashed at Vanity! He then saw a mirror image of himself fading away! "As if I'd let you get even the slightest chance of marring my beauty." Vanity said as she played with her hair. With a snap of her fingers, a wall of mirrors surrounding herself, her minions, and Inferno and Rarity materialized! "Behold my mirror gallery! It's the ultimate defense. No matter what method of attack you choose, be it physical or magical, I can absorb and deflect it from any of the mirrors you see that surround us!" "But how many attacks can you hold off?" Rarity asked as she lunged forward with her rapier while Inferno had recovered and let loose a barrage of shots from his blaster! Unfortunately, it became clear that Vanity could indeed redirect more than one attack as she let the attacks hit her and dished them right back to Inferno and Rarity through the mirrors! "While it's amusing to see you both hitting yourselves in a vain attempt to strike me, I think it's about time I bring this to an end." Vanity said as she repaired the mirror she'd been sealed in, and cast a spell on it! Aiming the mirror right at Inferno! "Reflection Restraint!" Inferno was completely confused as to what the spell did, but it became all too obvious when a bunch of chains shot out from the mirror Vanity was holding! Before he knew what had happened, Inferno found himself trapped in the mirror! He furiously banged on it in an attempt to break through, but found that not even his god-level strength could shatter the mirror! "It's useless." Vanity said with a wicked giggle. "Your mother created that mirror as a prison that could not be unsealed unless the sealer willingly opens it. And I think you know I have no intention of letting you out. At least, not until your dear mother is willing to take your place." Rarity had watched the whole scene unfold in front of her in complete horror. Inferno was her darling, the one she adored above anything else. And to see him trapped as he was now, to be held hostage for such a petty vengeance, it hurt her more than any bodily wound she could imagine. There was one chance she saw that could guarantee Inferno's freedom, but she knew it was a costly one. But with a resolution as strong as diamond, Rarity hardened her gaze and stepped forward. "Release Inferno at once." Rarity said firmly. "Oh?" Vanity asked with a wicked smirk. "And why should I? It's painfully obvious that you and he are lovers." "That's precisely why I am going to make you an offer." Rarity said as she stared down the hag in a maiden's mask. "I freely surrender my beauty to you in exchange for the release of Inferno. He means so much to me. More than my own life. And to cling to my looks at the expense of his freedom is something I would never be able to live with. I ask. . . no, I BEG of you, please release him. He shouldn't have to suffer for my sake." "How sweet. How generous." Vanity said with an evil smile. "I must applaud you for making the smart choice in surrendering your radiance to me." "Release Inferno first." Rarity said angrily. "I am a woman of my word. And I'd rather not but blind faith that you are one as well." "A beauty with a brain." Vanity chuckled as she snapped her fingers, and released Inferno from his mirror prison. "And now, I collect what I am owed!" "RARITY! NO" Inferno screamed as he saw Rarity be drained of her radiance! Leaving her dull, drab, and nearly colorless. "Rarity. . . why?!" "Because I love you so much, darling." Rarity said with a loving smile. "You gave me so much love. You shared part of your life with me, and made me so happy. It wouldn't be fair that I never repay something so wonderful. To let you rot in that mirror and preserve myself? I could never be so selfish." "Rarity. . . " Inferno said with tears in his eyes. Pulling her into a tight embrace as if she was going to fade away in an instant. And with her current condition, it looked like she very well might. "I swear. . . I swear I'm going to fix this!" "Why are you cradling that drab wench?" Vanity scoffed at Inferno's actions. "Or do you wish to not be blinded by my radiance?" "You. . . " Inferno growled as embers began to flicker around his entire body! Everyone in the room could feel the fiery anger building around Inferno's being! "When I'm done with you," Inferno gently set Rarity down. Taking one last look at the serene expression on his beloved's face before turning to face Vanity with a blazing fury in his eyes! "I'M NOT EVEN GOING TO LEAVE ASHES BEHIND!" An angry, fiery aura ignited around Inferno! His fists wrapped in flames and his wing wreathed in embers! Every step he took left a burning footprint! "You've sparked an Avatar's fury, and ignited a dragon's rage! Now, YOU BURN!" But before Inferno could let loose his fury, a bright light coming from where Rarity lay caught everyone's attention! The light was so brilliant, so radiant that everyone had to shield their eyes so they weren't blinded by it! And when the light faded, everyone gazed in awe at the figure that emerged. It was Rarity, with all her beauty restored and then some. Her back was now adorned with beautiful white wings that seemed to shimmer like they were covered in diamond dust! She literally had an aura of divine radiance about her now. "Darling?" Rarity asked as she summoned her rapier. The blade now being composed of a diamond-like substance, and her fan had transformed into a shield made of the same material. A graceful smile adorned Rarity's face as she looked towards her darling. "Rarity. . . " Inferno said as the fire around him sputtered out at seeing his girlfriend stand before him. Ascended into the goddess he'd always thought of her as. "I. . . I-" "Shhh." Rarity said as she put a finger to Inferno's lips and smiled lovingly at him. "We can talk later. After I deal with this bitch." Everyone visible stiffened at hearing this. Rarity was always known to act and speak like a lady. So for her to so openly curse like this? Yeah, it was safe to say it. Was. On. "How fitting that you're named Vanity." "And why is that?" Vanity asked with a sneer. "Because your efforts towards vengeance are so pointless." Rarity smirked as she ran her fingers along the blade of her rapier. "Pride before the fall, darling. All it will take is one strike to lead to your defeat." "Ha ha ha! You call me prideful, and yet you boast about a single strike besting me?" Vanity laughed. "Well then, prove it! Land your one strike! It won't matter!" Vanity spread her arms out as the mirrors surrounding them glowed and circled. Rarity wasted no time, and lunged forth with her rapier! Vanity just smirked as Rarity came at her, but her eyes widened in shock when Rarity wasn't aiming at her body! Rarity's blade struck its target! The small mirror on the forehead band that Vanity was wearing! And as the mirror broke, so did the ones surrounding her, Vanity, and Vanity's minions! Said minions falling unconscious! "How. . . " Vanity groaned in pain as she clutched her forehead! "How did you know?" "A good fashionista has an eye for the little things." Rarity said proudly. "When Inferno and I mounted our united attack against you, I noticed that little mirror on your forehead would flash right as we struck you. From there, it was easy to figure out how your mirror trick. And speaking of tricks, here's one of my own!" Rarity powered up her magic, and summoned forth a barrage of small gems! "Million Carats!" And she sent them flying at the necklace Vanity wore! With no mirror gallery to protect her, Vanity was defenseless as the gems crashed into her! Each striking with needlepoint accuracy! "Noooooooo!" Vanity screamed as the jewels in her necklace were reduced to dust! And the enchantress followed soon suit without her stolen beauty and youth to maintain herself. "Well then, I can't say this has been a dull premiere." Rarity said with a satisfied smile. When Suri and Sassy had recovered, Suri just sulked off to avoid getting on Rarity's bad side. Sassy, on the other hand, apologized profusely to Rarity for her actions. Rarity was quite forgiving of her, and happily brought her back on as the boutique's manager. Sassy even admitted that her strategy was one that would be prone to stagnation. At the end of the day, Rarity and her friends left with smiles on their faces. However, the only person who wasn't smiling was Inferno. He had just kept looking intently at Rarity all the time after her ascension. 'It's time. . . ' Inferno thought to himself. And he went about making the preparations for what he had in mind. A few days later Rarity was having a pleasant chat with Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash over her ascension. Namely if Rarity had any difficulty altering her clothes to accommodate her newly earned wings. However, they soon had an unexpected guest in their company. "Inferno?" Rarity asked as she saw Inferno land before her. "What brings you here, darling? Did your training end early today?" "No. That's not it." Inferno said with a sigh. "Rarity? There's something I need you to forgive me for." "Darling," Rarity said in a comforting tone. "If this is about the battle with Vanity-" "It isn't." Inferno answered. "No. I want you to forgive me because. . . I want something completely selfish." Inferno pulled a small box from his pocket. "I want you Rarity. For the rest of my life." And he got down on one knee, and opened up the box to reveal a ring. "Rarity, will you marry me?" ". . . Inferno." Rarity said as she walked over to her boyfriend, and knelt down to his level. Cupping his face. "What you want is far from selfish. In fact, there's nothing more generous than sharing your life with the one you love." "T-Then-" Inferno was blushing furiously! "Yes, darling!" Rarity screamed in delight as she tackled Inferno to the ground! "I couldn't give another answer if I tried."