Fluttershy rose early to check on Pinkie. She quickly made hay cakes for breakfast and even some small but tasty looking cakes to share with her that morning. She glanced at Pinkie’s bedroom door hoping the smell of cakes would draw her out. Fluttershy had never known Pinkie to turn down a fresh baked cake. She sat at the table and waited.
A half an hour passed and there was no movement in Pinkie’s room. The hay cakes that she had made were cold. She begrudgingly got up from the table and hesitantly tapped on Pinkie’s door. No answer. She found the courage and slowly opened the door.
Pinkie’s bed was empty. Her sheets were strewn about the room. Fluttershy’s heart sank. She knew Pinkie was in a fragile state and feared the party mare could do anything. She galloped out of the apartment into the fresh air.
The morning was drab. It felt like a thin varnish of gray saturated the world. It wasn’t intentionally menacing but left a distinct morose feeling in the air. Fluttershy took off to the sky. She didn’t feel comfortable soaring that high but tried to get some elevation to see farther and move quicker. Her eyes darted back and forth frantically. She saw no signs of the distinct pink form of her friend. Instead they lighted upon a white unicorn walking by the lake. Something about the unicorn was extremely familiar.
Fluttershy dared to fly a little higher and surveyed the city. No Pinkie. No sign. She started to get dizzy from the height and glided down by a nearby pond to think. Ponyville 3 had become surrounded by ponds lately due to the impacts of the Eva and angel battles. This pond was one of them.
She alighted on a fallen statue near the edge of the water. Nothing moved on the clear, mirrored surface of the pond. Only the sounds of cicadas calling filled the air. Normally nature set Fluttershy at ease but the pond augmented nature’s awkwardness. Fluttershy sat and wondered if Pinkie was alright. She didn’t hear the hoof falls approach behind her.
“Enjoying the view?” implored a highly articulated voice.
Fluttershy spun and found the white unicorn the pegasus had noticed earlier. She was pristinely clad in a bright violet dress with frills on the bottom. She wore a large floppy sun hat with a violet band.
“Oh,” Fluttershy replied. “I’m sorry. Was this your spot?”
“Oh no, darling, I was looking for you. You equines sit in the most garish places.”
“You were looking for me? Do I know you?”
“Well, I suppose at this point you don’t,” the unicorn said. “I’m Rarity, fashionista and trend setter. Oh and I’m that fifth filly thing.”
“The fifth filly? You’re an Eva pilot?”
“Yes. I’m here to replace Rainbow Dash, who seems to be having some sort of tiff recently.”
“You know about that,” muttered Fluttershy as she sank and looked into the pond further. “It’s my fault somehow. I wasn’t a very good girlfriend I guess and she broke up with me last night.”
“Broke up with?” repeated Rarity eyes wide. “You mean to say that you two were together?”
“Yes. Is that bad?”
“I...I just never would have thought ... I guess it makes sense when I think of it that way,” Rarity squinted her eyes as she looked into the distance. “But it is no matter. I am here to cheer you up.”
“Oh, you really don’t have to do that. There are so many ponies that are sadder than I am.”
“Oh come, come now,” the unicorn dismissed with a swish of her hoof. “You are one of the most important ponies here.”
“Important?! No, no, you must be confusing me with somepony else. Like Pinkie Pie or Twilight. They are much more important.”
“You are Fluttershy are you not?”
“Yes.”
“The third filly?”
“Yes.”
“Then of course you’re important. You don’t get a sync ratio like that on your first day and not get noticed. You defeat angels on a daily basis for goodness sake.”
“Oh, right. That,” said Fluttershy and deflated again.
“You do not like it?”
“Not really. I don’t like hurting other beings.”
“I see. That does pose a problem then. Have you talked to others about your feelings? Pinkie Pie or Twilight?” Rarity ventured.
“I tried but they reminded me that if I don’t pilot many others ponies will die.”
“That is true,” said the fashionista as she placed her hoof to her chin. “Well if you would like I could take over the killing for you. I am another pilot after all.”
“Really?!” gasped Fluttershy. “That would be wonderful. But are you sure you won’t mind?”
“I am nothing if not generous. Pay it no mind. Now let’s get to headquarters. I have to train a bit if I am to take over your duties.”
“But I haven’t found Pinkie Pie yet.”
“Oh, I’m sure she’s ok. She’s probably already there.”
The two pilots walked to headquarters. Though the day remained a subtle gray, Fluttershy felt lighter. Rarity was the first pony to offer to help and take the burden of killing or hurting other beings. For the first time in a long time Fluttershy had a true friend.
***
Headquarters appeared as empty and cheerless as the rest of the town. Despite that Fluttershy had a new bounce in her step as she entered with her new friend. She found Pinkie and Twilight in the control room as they always were. An air of unease clung to the entire room.
Both Twilight and Pinkie sat at a desk doing paperwork with their ears down. The rest of the staff seemed to have taken their cues from them. Bon Bon and Lyra checked each other with looks of uncertainty on their face. Trixie had her eyes locked on Twilight.
The lavender unicorn looked like she was about to cry with her top lip firmly buttoned by her lower jaw. She took a large breath as Fluttershy and Rarity entered and looked at her computer.
“Fluttershy I wanted to talk to you about..”, Twilight trailed off as the ponies came to view. “Who is this?”
“Oh this is Rarity,” explained Fluttershy,” the fifth filly. And Rarity this is Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Bon Bon, Lyra Heartstrings and Trixie Lulamoon. These ponies help us find and defeat the angels.”
“Charmed everypony,” responded Rarity,” But I simply must help redesign the uniforms. They are so ...beige. Except for that pony in the star printed cape and hat.”
“Thanks,” exclaimed Trixie and adjusted her hat proudly.
“We’ll take that into consideration,” placated Twilight. “So you’re the fifth filly. Welcome to CAKE. Do you mind if we start with a sync test?”
“Of course not, darling, it’s why I am here,” explained the fifth filly.
Twilight nodded and led Rarity to the testing facility. Fluttershy walked over to Pinkie who glanced up at her.
“How are you feeling?” Fluttershy whispered to an oddly productive pink pony.
“Ok, I’m still not the super dooperiest but I will be ok. Twilight apologized again as soon as I got in. I know she feels bad but I’m still feeling hurt right now.”
“It’s ok to feel bad, Pinkie. Just as long as you remember Twilight wasn’t trying to hurt anypony. I’m not sure why she needed to clone your family but it sounds like it was for a good reason.”
“Is there a good reason?!” demanded Pinkie. “It just feels mean to bring back ponies that are gone. My parents and family sacrificed themselves so that Marble and I could have a chance. But if somepony can just bring them back with magic, it ruins their sacrifice. It makes it not count. It makes them feel less important somehow. I don’t like that feeling. I’m not good with sad. I want to bring ponies smiles. How can I do that when I feel like this?”
Pinkie looked at Fluttershy. Her face pleaded for answers. Fluttershy could only stare back sympathetically. She knew no way to solve this. She only knew that with time all wounds would heal. She gave Pinkie a large hug.
“I think it’s ok to find your own smile first,” explained Fluttershy. “The others will understand and might try to help you if you let them.”
Pinkie nodded. “So who is this new pony? I don’t know her.”
“Oh she’s nice. She says she’s another pilot for Unit-02 and said she’d kill the angels for me.”
“I see,” said Pinkie suspiciously. “How did she know that we needed a new pilot?”
“She didn’t say.”
Pinkie stroked her chin thoughtfully.
***
“How is this possible?” gasped Twilight as she watched the sync tests. “She seems to be able to set her sync rate wherever she wants without any effort.”
“Is that possible?” asked Trixie.
“Theoretically, but it requires years off work. I don’t think any pony has had years to practice.”
Twilight depressed a button and talked to Rarity through an intercom. “Very impressive Rarity. How did you learn to do this?”
“Oh beginners luck, I’d imagine. Didn’t Fluttershy also perform as admirably on her first day?” Rarity responded.
“Yes but this is unprecedented. A pilot that can set her sync at will? It’s kind hard to believe this is your first day.”
“Oh I’m sorry. I’m still getting used to this wor..land’s etiquette. I didn’t mean my ability to offend.”
“How did you know we needed a new pilot for Unit-02?” demanded Pinkie.
“Oh that CHAOS group sent me. Very pushy lot and equally unfashionable as here.”
“CHAOS? Sending us a pilot,” mused Twilight as she took her hoof off the speaker button. “Something doesn’t feel right about this.”
“Well it seems fishy alright but what would CHAOS be up to?” asked Pinkie.
“I’m not sure yet. But I have a theory. I have to do more research,” Twilight left the group and trotted towards her library.
Pinkie stared at the new pilot on the screen hoping that doing so would bring some revolution to her. Rarity suddenly looked at her through the screen and winked.
“Did she just notice me staring?” Pinkie thought to herself. Then shook off the eerie feeling the thought produced.
***
Rarity exited the testing lab and found Fluttershy sitting by herself on one of the chairs.
“Fluttershy?” the fashionista asked. “Were you waiting for me?”
“Well...Umm...I was,” Fluttershy stammered in return. “I was hoping to talk to you some more.”
“Well in that case I have the perfect suggestion. Does this town have a spa?”
***
The two Eva pilots found themselves in comfortable robes with green spa masks on their faces and cucumbers on their eyes. Neither of them noticed a potted plant shift closer to them or the pink plumb of hair that stuck out from it.
“You see,” insisted Rarity. “A lady needs to pamper herself every once and awhile. Doesn’t this seaweed extract facial feel so rejuvenating?”
“It feels ...nice,” concluded Fluttershy warmly.
“I’m glad you enjoy it. If I may be so bold, could I suggest some tips to improve your ‘look’?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well what were those drab things you were wearing?” demanded Rarity.
“Umm khakis.”
“I can not for the life of me understand why you would hide such a good body under those dreadful things. A lady’s grace and elegance flows from her with the proper dress, my dear.”
“I don’t think I could wear a dress. I tried but all I did was worry about the wind blowing the dress over my head and every pony seeing my underwear. Or perverts trying to look up it. The khakis might not ‘let my grace flow’ but they keep me safe from embarrassment.”
“You worry too much about such silly things, darling,”dismissed the white mare. “Ponies are made the way they are made. That is why accessorizing to emphasize their natural beauty is what I believe in. There is no shame in looking how you look or being who you are. It's a crime against fashion to hide yourself underneath all that boring.”
“Maybe...maybe you're right.”
“Oh Fluttershy,” said Rarity, sitting up allowing the cucumber pieces to fall from her eyes. “I just had the most inspired idea. Do you want to go shopping? I did see some dress shops that have not become burned out craters yet.”
Fluttershy thought for a minute then nodded. “That sounds ...nice.”
The two giggled and quickly rushed to the changing room. The potted plant attempted to follow silently but bonked into the side of the door and fell over.
“Aww applesauce,” it said as it rolled.
The giggling fillies started their shopping spree at one of the local dress shops run by an energetic pegasus with a metal leg. She helped them try on dress after dress until Fluttershy found the right combination of soft green tones and blues that accented her yellow hair and pink mane. Meanwhile a strange bearded plant in the corner looked on.
The jubilant pair walked down the streets and showed what remained of the populace their new looks.
“I bet Dash would hardly recognize me,” giggled Fluttershy.
“Dash would probably faint at your dazzling beauty,” suggested Rarity. “She was a fool to give you up. If I wasn’t attracted to stallions I might have had to fight her for you.”
“Oh stop, Rarity,” mumbled the blushing Fluttershy. “I’m not that pretty.”
“Oh don’t be silly, darling, of course you are. That natural grace is something very few ponies possess. If this were a different world you might have been a popular model. Although you might not have liked it that much.”
“Ummm you seem to have put a lot of thought into this for some pony I just met,” observed the third filly.
“But it doesn’t feel like we have, does it?”
“No. It’s so strange how familiar you feel.”
“I always say that is a good feeling to have with a new friend. It’s something special.”
Fluttershy nodded elated at this new friendship without any strings attached. They galloped off to the next store and the next and the next. They shopped the day away as a pink shadow flitted around them from object to object.
Night slowly slid into place bringing the stars with it. The new friends found a nice hill to rest on and stared in wonder.
“With all the buildings gone, you get to see so much,” mused Fluttershy. “Of course because of that all my friends had to move away. Applejack, Sunburst and Starlight left after one of the recent battles.”
“Does it hurt?”
“The battles?”
“No, darling, the loneliness? True suffering comes from loneliness. All ponies suffer but if the suffering is spread between friends it can be easily bared by all. But on your own you have to hold it all on your shoulders. It is a terrible fate,” explained Rarity.
“Sometimes I feel like loneliness is more comfortable. Ponies can be very needy sometimes. They can be loud and scary. But alone no pony expects anything of you.”
“But then who will share your victories? Your world? Your you? If a pony lives alone in the woods and no one ever sees her and she makes no trace of herself did she exist? I find comfort in knowing that others will remember me and that they can behave and think differently having met me. Surely that brings you some comfort.”
“But then you have to wonder what sort of impression you make,” Fluttershy pointed out. “If the pony reacts badly because of you they could take that out on others. Then you would've been responsible for an entire chain of badness. I don’t like to think about the burden of that.”
“Then know, right now, you have not started anything bad. If others misinterpret your actions then that is on them. You hold on to the goodness that is you and base your actions on that. Don’t hide away from others. You are a precious gift, Fluttershy. The world would indeed be sadder without you.”
Fluttershy remained silent. She never thought of herself in those terms before. She stared back at the stars while Rarity stood up.
“Well we had a fine day. Shall we retire?” the unicorn asked.
Fluttershy nodded sadly and rolled off the ground herself.
“Now shall we go to your place or mine?” Rarity asked point-of-factly.
“What? I thought you said you weren’t into .. that,” the third filly responded blushing.
“Into? Continuing our fun day with a sleepover?” Rarity clarified. Then caught Fluttershy’s idea and quickly added,” just to sleep. You ponies need to get your heads out of the gutter.”
They returned to the apartment to find an exhausted Pinkie Pie. She looked like she had galloped from far away in a hurry. There were twigs and grass in her mane. She looked at them with a much too innocent smile.
“Umm are you ok Pinkie?” asked Fluttershy hesitantly. Her eyes looked up at the major with true concern.
“Yeah,” Pinkie admitted waving a dismissive hoof. “Just a long day.”
“I can imagine,” Fluttershy agreed. “Umm Rarity is going to spend the night.”
“Oh good,” huffed Pinkie,” then I don’t have to sneak as far. I mean, distracting cake?”
The party pony quickly produced a lopsided chocolate cake.
“Um I don’t eat much cake,” explained Rarity,”goes straight to my flanks, darling.”
“Cake before sleep gives me nightmares,” reminded Fluttershy.
“Oh right,” Pinkie laughed awkwardly. “Love the new look, Fluttershy. I’ve never seen you in a dress before.”
“Rarity picked it out for me. Is really that good?” Fluttershy inquired.
“Yeah, Rainbow would probably have a heart attack!”
The smile fell from Fluttershy’s face. “Oh umm we broke up last night. She came home for a minute and broke up with me.”
“Oh no! That’s awful. How about some comforting cake?” Pinkie responded and offered the same lopsided cake. “Oh right nightmares. Umm pie?” Pinkie produced a steaming pie from the same no where she brought the cake from.
“I think I just want to go to bed,” explained Fluttershy. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
“Ok, I’ll just eat this cake and umm pie,” Pinkie said, walking the treats to the table.
The pilots made their way to Fluttershy’s room. They prepared for bed.
“Oh ,umm, I only have one bed in here, so, umm, I’ll take the floor,” the yellow pegasus offered.
“Very well,” Rarity agreed with no fight in her. “You don’t happen to have a sleeping mask do you?”
“No, I normally put my headphones on and listen to my bird music.”
Rarity sighed.”I guess I’ll have to rough it. This bed seems at least barely adequate.” Rarity climbed in the bed and placed herself under the covers.
Fluttershy found some spare sheets and placed them on the floor. It was very hard and threatened to cause stiffness throughout the night but as long as Rarity was comfortable she could bear it.
“Well I must say, I’m glad I met you today,” Rarity concluded. “You have given me hope for equine kind.”
“Oh I couldn’t possibly have done that much.”
“Of course you did, darling. I wouldn’t lie about that.”
The new friends started to feel the wariness of their day and laid down and slept.
***
The night continued its somber mood. Suddenly Rarity’s eyes opened and she glanced around. No pony else was awake. She slid out of bed with barely a noise. She left the sleeping Fluttershy on the ground and made her way to the living room. She nearly tripped over the sleeping form of Pinkie just outside the door in a dark ninja suit. Rarity looked at her with an amused smile. Then made her way out the apartment door.
Headquarters was minimally staffed and with her ID Rarity was able to sneak in unnoticed. She made her way towards a large tunnel that led to the central terminal where the captive angel and dummy plug system was kept. Rarity walked to the edge of the descending tunnel and slowly unfurled a set of multicolored wings. They were butterfly shaped and reflected the ambient light on to the sides of the tunnel.
“Now it is time for the true Rarity to shine,” she said and stepped into the air. Lights and music emitted from her as she descended towards a large set of doors that kept the central termal safe.
***
Trixie sat in her chair staring at her girlfriend as she read another volume. Twilight had been sifting through text after text for hours. Trixie had refused to go home to support her but was wondering if her bed might have been the better choice. She happened to glance at one of her computer monitors and saw an odd blip in the data stream from Unit-02.
“Umm Twilight?”
“Hmm?”
“Unit-02 is activating.”
“That’s nice,” Twilight said as she continued to read.
“I’m serious, Twilly.”
“Oh of course you can.”
Trixie glanced at the unicorn confused. Twilight had pitched forward with her face resting on her latest book.
“Twilight!” Trixie shouted. It echoed through the empty halls of the complex.
“Huh? What? Trixie? Why are you shouting?”
“Unit-02 just activated itself!”
“How?”
The complex shook slightly as warning alarms blared to life.
“There’s an unknown energy signature in the central tunnel,” pointed out Trixie. “Ooh and a light show.”
Twilight ran to look over Trixie’s shoulder. She watched as a small white glowing form floated to the giant hatch of the tunnel. Twilight zoomed the camera in and saw the floating, winged unicorn laughing maniacally as “ode to joy” seemed to ride the light that flowed from her.
“Rarity!” Twilight spat. “I knew there was something strange about her. Trixie, send the alarm to the other pilots. I think we found the last angel.”
***
Fluttershy and Pinkie jumped up as the alarms on their necklaces began pulsing. Fluttershy looked around in a daze. Then hurriedly checked her bed. Pinkie opened the door.
“We have to go,” Pinkie informed. “Where’s Rarity?”
“I don’t know. She’s not here.”
“Uh oh. I hope I’m wrong but we can’t wait for her.”
Fluttershy opened her window and her wings. Despite not having any wings Pinkie was always able to keep up. The two made their way to headquarters.
Fluttershy flew through headquarters towards her Eva. She climbed into the entry plug while Pinkie entered the control room.
“Rarity is the last angel isn’t she?” Pinkie asked as she entered.
“Why didn’t your Pinkie sense tell us sooner?” countered Twilight.
“I don’t control what it does, silly. But she might have powers to fool it. I was hoping my suspicions were wrong. What is she doing now?”
“Well,” hesitated Trixie. “She seems to be waiting by that hatch. She has taken control of Unit-02.”
“What could she be up to?” pondered Twilight.
***
Fluttershy forced Unit-01 down the various tunnels and entry ways to intercept the new threat. Her mind was a wash in worry over where Rarity had gone. The fifth filly had said she was going to fight the angels from now on. Another disappointed pony she suspected. When would she stop scaring away her friends?
Now she had to fight this angel by herself. She had no idea what horrible creature this new one would appear as. What terrible form would she have to contend with? She rounded a bend in the tunnel and found a small glowing ball in the distance. She edged the Eva closer and noticed Unit-02 standing behind the small form.
“Oh Rarity,” the yellow pegasus cried. “You beat me here. Thank goodness I was so worried.”
“Rarity is not inside the Eva,” informed Twilight through the intercom. “She’s in front of it. She’s the angel!”
“What?!”
Unit-01 stepped shakily into the tunnel. Fluttershy’s mind raced. The fun they had together soured in her mind as she realized it was all a lie. The angel had shown up and taunted her the whole day. She thought she had made a true friend. A true friend that didn’t expect anything from her but friendship. A true friend that would ease the burden of life. A true friend that would help her face the world.
This “friend” had merely taken all of her time and love and thrown it in her face. She had been tricked by the very same things that had hurt so many of her actual friends. She looked down at Rarity’s small glowing form. Something deep within felt broken and wrong. She felt her tender heart breaking but instead of sadness it filled her with a feral anger.
“Fluttershy,” scolded Rarity in a loud echoing voice as she noticed Unit-01. “I’ve been waiting forever. You nearly ruined my grand descent. “
“How dare you!” cried Fluttershy. She could feel her pupils constrict with adrenaline.
“What?” Rarity’s eyes went wide.
“How dare you trick me and my friends!” accused Fluttershy.
“Oh dear,”panicked Rarity. “I didn’t sign up to be the object of Fluttershy’s wraith. I came to save you.”
Rarity quickly opened the large hatch behind her and flew down the corridor.
“I’ve seen you in this mood, I don’t think I can battle you anymore,” Rarity quickly dismissed her with her hooves.
“Get back here, Rarity!” shouted Fluttershy. “How could you be an angel? You seemed so nice but you were just using me!”
“No! no! I wasn’t,” Rarity cried. She frantically descended as Unit-01 pursued. “Stay away from me!”
“Fluttershy, if Rarity gets to the Pretty Pony first she could cause the end of our world,” explained Twilight. “The tunnel you guys are in leads directly to it.”
“The potato?” Pinkie asked.
“It’s not a...I give up,” sighed Twilight. “Yes the potato.”
“So I have to catch her before she gets there,” determined Fluttershy.
The yellow pegasus pressed the leg petals and pushed Unit-01 into a full gallop. Rarity frantically flew away faster while she screamed,” No! Stay away! Stay away!”
Suddenly Unit-02 appeared around the corner and flew at Fluttershy’s Eva. Fluttershy sped up and rammed the wayward Eva. Unit-02 buckled as the heavier Eva crashed into it at full gallop.
“Eep!” shrieked Rarity as the towering Eva flew past her. She quickly glanced back at Fluttershy. “I’m doing this for you,” she sobbed as she flew faster. “And you’re ruining my glorious moment.”
Rarity found her target a few meters down. A large white mass with multiple eyes stared back.
“My goodness it really does look like a potato,” said the angel pony to herself. “Now to..wait. Human? This isn’t the pretty pony. I’ve been tricked. Oh dear, I can’t save anyone. That means the only way to save them is to..to..”
Rarity looked down and considered her options. Then slowly descended to the floor.
Unit-01 wasted no time and jumped upon her. A large ping and flash of light erupted as the energy was absorbed by Rarity’s AT field. Fluttershy increased the pressure and felt her Eva’s AT field slice through the fifth filly’s. The impact of the angel’s field collapsing knocked the unicorn off her hooves.
Rarity found herself on her back. The Eva’s gigantic hoof pinned her body to the ground. The pressure increased and Rarity whined in pain. She knew what she had to do to end this.
“Forgive me, Fluttershy,”the white unicorn whispered.
“You lied to me!” Fluttershy fumed.
“Yes,” the fifth filly responded flatly. “I did. I thought if I could end this world I could save you.”
“But that would kill us!”
“Yes,” Rarity admitted. “But you would be free from your suffering and pain. I do not like to see my friends in such pain.”
“Friends don’t kill friends, Rarity!”
“But what are you going to do now? If friends don’t kill friends what are you going to do about me? I will not stop destroying until I find what I am looking for.”
“We aren’t friends!”spat Fluttershy.
“Oh I see. We shared such wonderful experiences, I had hoped I earned your friendship.”
“But you tried to end the whole world.”
“Is that such a bad thing? So many ponies are upset. So many are hurting. I was hoping to save you from that pain. Isn’t that what a friend would do?” Rarity asked.
“Ponies will always feel pain. As friends it’s our job to help them through it. We can’t end it for them. Killing ponies is decidedly unfriendly.”
“But what if your friend asks you to?”
“What? I never..”
“Oh not you, darling, me,”clarified Rarity.
Fluttershy felt her face suddenly cool as she tried to comprehend Rarity’s statement.
“You have been told that our races can’t live alongside one another, correct?”
“Yes but..”
“And I already told you that if you let me go I will continue to destroy until I find what I’m looking for.”
“That doesn’t mean...”
“Then the only way to stop me is to kill me.”
“What?” Fluttershy started sweating. Panic found its way into her mind. She was having trouble coming up with a way to refute her. As she realized what she had to do the panic fully engaged and stopped all other thoughts. “No.”
“Fluttershy, I do like you and I think you and your race should be the ones to move on. Where I am from I’m known for my generosity. I think giving my life so that other ponies can live is a good use of that.”
“But ..but you’re an angel?”
“That doesn’t mean I can’t feel for a different species. You showed me that. You’re the kindest pony I know. I can think of no other pony that I would rather take the gift I am offering.”
“What gift?” responded the weak wavering voice of Fluttershy.
“My life, of course. I am offering you my life. I am hoping in your kindness you will take it. You would be doing me a great service. I won’t have to destroy any pony else.”
Fluttershy paused and stared at the tiny pinned angel under her hoof. She tried to find any loop hole through the unicorn’s logic. But she knew this wasn’t a matter of logic. It was about doing what would help all.
“I can still feel you hesitating,” Rarity declared. “I wish I could help you more but I have done all I can. Perhaps there are others out there that can help you further after me. Some pony that can help bring more ponies together.”
Rarity glanced past Unit-01 and noticed Maud’s form hovering in the tunnel. She gave her a quick nod then turned her attention to Fluttershy once again.
“But I ask you to hesitate no longer,” Rarity declared. “The longer you wait, the crueler you are being. I have enjoyed our time together and hope that this helps you in some way. But I think it’s time I go now.”
A single tear escaped Rarity’s eye. Fluttershy noticed the strained face wrought with pain. Her hooves quivered and she closed her eyes. She took a large breath and depressed the hoof pedal. A sickening crush told her that the deed had been done. It was followed by a splash as Rarity’s head rolled off from her crushed form and landed in the nearby lake that surrounded the creature tied to the post.
Fluttershy couldn’t move. Shock flooded her body as the true gore and pain of what she had done became conscious. She screamed in a horrible painful wail.
“Get her out of there now!” insisted Pinkie. “She needs friends! Eject her out!”
“No,” commanded Discord. “This experiment has gone on long enough.” There was a tired hurt tone to his voice. He sounded his centuries old. His form looked hunched and drained. “I can’t take this anymore. I don’t understand why Fluttershy would like this sort of thing but I’m stopping it.”
The world around Discord and everypony wavered. A shadow crept out from his form and began to plunge everything in darkness. The computer staff galloped away in fear but the darkness found them. Their screams were swallowed by its soft embrace. The world around them vanished into nothingness.
All heard a voice say,” The pony instrumentality project has begun!”