//------------------------------// // 257. Rainy Day in Vanhoover // Story: Azure Edge // by Leaf Blade //------------------------------// Rarity hated to admit when Rainbow Dash was right, which was a pity since it wasn’t exactly a rare occurrence, but she had no choice but to defer to the pegasus’ smugly nodding face as the two stepped off the train and it was pouring rain outside. Lucky for them, an elegant steel canopy protected the Vanhoover station platform, and more importantly Rarity’s immaculately coiffed mane, from the harshness of the elements, and Rarity had to admit that the ambiance of the pouring rain was properly ominous. Rarity could appreciate a little dramatic weather. What Rarity had a harder time appreciating was the hustle and bustle of extremely busy and EXTREMELY RUDE ponies all trying to exit the train at the same moment. Rarity had been spoiled by stations like the Crystal Empire and the Moon District, where not a lot of ponies were ever coming or going, that she forgot what a hellish nightmare the stations of major cities like Vanhoover were. The orders from Celestia’s letter told Rarity and Rainbow Dash to simply wait at the station for Celestia to arrive, so they set up camp as it were in a little corner and waited for the hoof traffic to die down. And sure enough, slowly but surely the station became evacuated. If Celestia wanted to use this station as her meeting place—and of course she did, she practically had a fetish for the train stations—it was within her power to keep ponies out of it for the time being. Rarity’s heart pounded in her chest at the sound of distant hoofsteps click-clacking against the stone floor of the station. She felt sweat pouring down her brow and her mouth becoming dry. She swore she was going to hyperventilate or something as she listened to Celestia approach slowly, slowly, too damn slowly WAS SHE TRYING TO GIVE RARITY A HEART ATTACK?! Rainbow Dash squeezed her hand, and it was enough to snap her back to reality and see Rainbow’s pleasant smile, her big fanged tooth sticking out from her upper lip. Stars, she was adorable, and Rarity figured she could take a moment to steal a little kiss, as a treat. Rainbow’s lips were so soft; everything about her was soft actually, her skin and her fur and such, and that was not what Rarity expected from such a rough and tumble girl at all. Holding her hands felt like holding precious silk blankets, and kissing her felt like… well, there wasn’t an accurate comparison that could match the pure joy and comfort Rarity felt while kissing Rainbow. She couldn’t wait to share her with their mutual girlfriends Twilight and Fluttershy. Now that would be a dream come true. Wait, actually was Rainbow dating Fluttershy yet? Rarity wasn’t sure… oh that’s right, Rainbow had expressed attraction but hadn't worked up the nerve to ask Fluttershy out yet. Rarity wondered if she could convince Fluttershy to make the first move instead… But that would have to wait. Rarity’s ears flicked up, and she felt the temperature in the room increasing. Celestia was here. Rarity quickly stood up and tried to make herself presentable as the Queen turned the corner and made herself seen, Rarity bowing her head instinctively. Despite everything, it was hard to ignore the feeling of affection and calm that washed over Rarity as she saw her beloved mentor, even as those feelings were tinged by the bitter truth of what kind of malice Celestia held in her heart. “Rarity,” Celestia bowed her head in return. “It’s been too long. It’s so good to see you.” “It’s so good to see you too, Celestia,” Rarity said as the Queen embraced her in a hug, and Rarity returned the favor. This may have been the last moment of shared affection between the two, and Rarity was going to savor every second of it. “’sup,” Rainbow said casually, and Celestia smiled fondly at her. Good sign! “Hello, Rainbow Dash,” Celestia bowed her head politely. Not the deep bow of mutual respect she gave Rarity, but enough to signify that she didn’t hold any ill will against the pegasus, which was enough of a relief for Rarity. “It’s nice to see you too, I’m glad you could make it.” “Yeah,” Rainbow shrugged. “I’m uhhh, I guess I’m curious what it is you think you can show me that’ll make me change my mind.” Celestia took a deep breath, and then sighed. Rarity hadn't noticed at first due to the overwhelming emotions pouring out of her own heart, but now that she was taking a second look at Celestia? Frankly, she looked miserable. There were bags under her eyes and wrinkles all over her face. Her normally stunning white coat was turning grey in places and was stained by dirt and ash and blood in others. Her aurora mane which normally billowed behind her like an illustrious rainbow was tied in a loose, messy ponytail and looked to be flickering like a lamp about to go out. “Are you okay?” Rarity asked without thinking, her concern drowning her manners. “I am,” Celestia gave the bitter laugh of someone who had been forced to give the same canned response far too many times. “Celestia, this is me,” Rarity said, and she looked over at Rainbow Dash who just blinked at her for a sec before her eyes flickered with recognition and she disappeared in an instant, leaving Rarity and Celestia alone for a moment. “Tell me the truth, please.” “I’m tired,” Celestia admitted under her breath. “You may have noticed, it’s still winter. Three months into what should have been spring, I believe. I don’t know for sure, I’m having trouble keeping track. And now dealing with these dragon attacks, I—” “You’re running yourself ragged, sweetheart,” Rarity’s heart bled for her friend and she put her hand up to brush Celestia’s cheek, Celestia bowing so Rarity could reach. “You can’t afford to do that to yourself.” “I know,” Celestia sighed and drew herself up, forcing the weariest smile Rarity had ever seen onto her face. “But I have good help. To be quite honest, I don’t know where I would be without my advisor. He was the one who came up with the idea for the Pristine Army, to give me a little more slack in regards to my responsibilities.” “And what exactly is the Pristine Army?” Rarity asked. She supposed there was no more beating around the bush; it was time to learn what they came here for. “I think I’d better let him explain it in his own words,” Celestia said with a smile, and it was the first genuine one Rarity had seen on the alicorn’s face since they started talking. Celestia was excited about this, and Rarity needed to keep in mind what that most likely meant, and that it wasn’t anything good. “Rainbow dear! You can come back now!” Rarity called out and Rainbow zipped back to standing next to Rarity before her sentence was even fully formed. “Alright! What’re we doing?” Rainbow asked excitedly, stamping her hooves on the ground. Gawd what an absolute doll. How did Rarity go so long without kissing her? Shameful. “I’ll be introducing you both to my advisor, and the man who will be the head of the Pristine Army in my stead,” Celestia explained. “Though I do wish Cadance was here as well. I understand why she didn’t accept my invitation, but… I miss her.” “Wait, that reminds me,” Rarity said. “Where are Tempest Shadow and the others?” “I only invited you two and Cadance,” Celestia said. “I love all my students dearly, but Rarity there’s a special bond I share only with you and Cadance, a level of trust I have in you both that is unparalleled. And of course, if you’re willing to put that same level of trust in Rainbow Dash, then I see no reason not to extend a second chance to her as well.” “Cuz we’re partners,” Rainbow put her arm around Rarity, the two standing shoulder to shoulder with big goofy grins. “Exactly,” Rarity and Celestia said in unison, though that did beg another question from Rarity. “Wait, does Cadance not have a partner? I know she must have, but I don’t think I ever met them.” “We don’t talk about Cadance’s partner,” Celestia growled, a roaring fire passing through her eyes. “Oh,” Rarity said, her and Rainbow instinctively taking a step back, hands firmly holding onto each other’s. “Okay.” “I apologize,” Celestia sighed. “I’d rather not talk about it, but it would be wrong of me to go on and on about how much I trust you, and then keep information like that from you. It’s simply that… I’ve never felt betrayal like that in my life before.” “I wanna know,” Rainbow said firmly, ever the one to think without regards to manners and such. “If you want me to trust you, you can’t just keep stuff from us.” “I rather agree, I’m sorry to say,” Rarity said. Regardless of her personal feelings, Rarity needed to keep in mind that Celestia was still an enemy to the cause of dragon safety, and she couldn’t afford to let Celestia hold hidden information close to her chest. “I would really like to hear this story.” “It’s not much of a story,” Celestia said coldly, every word weighing on her heart like another stone foisted onto her shoulders. “Cadance’s partner was a dear personal student, and friend, of mine. At least I thought she was a friend. I have… no idea how she managed to hide it from me, but…” Oh. Oh no. “…she was a dragon.” Ah. “Is that where all your dragon hate comes from?” Rainbow said disdainfully, and it took everything in Rarity to not slap her own face or Rainbow’s. “No?” Celestia said, the utter indignation on her face almost choking Rarity with its intensity. “I’ve been alive a thousand years, Rainbow Dash. I’ve seen some shit.” “Please go on, Celestia,” Rarity spoke up before Rainbow could. “What happened to her? Who was she?” “What happened to her,” Celestia spoke in a strained tone, her patience thinning quickly as she had to recount these painful memories, “was I discovered her secret. I was… admittedly conflicted. I didn’t want to believe it at first, but she showed me of her own will. I nearly struck her down on the spot, but Cadance saved her. I haven’t spoken to either since. “Frankly, I would have tracked the dragon down and killed her myself, but she returned home shortly after our little encounter. Apparently had a tryst with the Crystal Empire that didn’t end well for her, but I haven’t been able to learn much concrete information. But I don’t think she’s still alive.” “And who was she?” Rarity asked, hoping it wasn’t anyone she knew. “Her name was Sunset Shimmer.” Ah. That was… …not a name Rarity had ever heard in her life.