The bitter cold and pitch blackness vanished from Rarity’s senses as a familiar scene laid out before her. She was in her warm home, but something was off. There wasn’t the odd toy lying on the floors and the walls seemed to lack many of the family photos that Rarity had grown accustomed to. But what was most jarring was the sight of dresses hanging on a rack, dresses strewn about the floor and shredded newspaper. This was so familiar to Rarity, as if it had happened only moments ago…
“Well, I can see you’ve certainly enjoyed yourself,” came a familiar voice. Eris stood off to the side and greeted Rarity with a smile and a friendly wave. “I hope your gift was everything you wanted and-“
“NOOOO!!” Rarity screamed as she flung her hooves around the collar of the Princess of Fortune’s cloak, threatening to rip it right from her shoulders. “TAKE ME BACK! TAKE ME BACK THIS INSTANT!”
To say Rarity surprised the trickster would be an understatement, as Eris’ face had the looks as if she just encountered a real-life demon. “R-Rarity? What-?”
“LOLITE!” Rarity’s tears streamed down her cheeks, with enough volume to flood the room. “SHE’S STILL OUT IN THAT STORM! SHE’S TERRIFIED! SHE NEEDS ME! SEND ME BACK! PLEASE!”
For all the power that Eris possessed, nothing could give her the courage to look the mare in the eyes. “I’m… I’m sorry Rarity… but your time was up. You had to return here…”
Rarity’s mouth opened and closed repeatedly as she tried to say something. She felt all of her rage and strength dissipate as she sank to the floor and sobbed into her hooves. “No… no, no, no…please… I-I can’t leave her… please… please send me back… please…”
Eris rubbed the back of her head as the broken pony cried at her talons. Her face scrunched and she ran her arm over the other as a tug of war played out in her mind. She knelt down and placed a hand on Rarity’s shoulder. “She’s safe.”
“What?” Rarity looked up from her hooves, eyes still puffy. “What did you say?”
“I said… she’s safe. You’re actions saved Lolite. You on the other hoof, had to be rushed to the hospital, suffering minor frostbite, and proceeding to come down with the worst cold of your life. But… you’re both happy, safe and alive.”
Rarity wiped her tears. “Thank goodness. But how do you know that?”
Eris smiled. “You know how it goes with chaos. Able to rip and bend reality, make the impossible possible, and sometimes see all possibilities. Though, I don’t indulge too much in the latter. After all, where’s the fun in living if you know all the answers?”
Rarity took a deep breath as she did her best to compose herself. “Tell me… was… was that my future? Married to Spike? My foals? Are they all preordained?”
Eris shrugged. “Who can say? Time is a strange thing Rarity. It doesn’t just go in a straight line; it fractures, bends, and splinters like a river. Every choice you make, regardless of how small or insignificant it may seem, will play a part. Maybe that is your future. Or perhaps, since you know of it, your path will change and become something new. But whatever lies in wait, your future is what you make of it. It’s all up to you.”
“Whatever path I take,” Rarity said with conviction. “I know that I want to face it with Spike. I have to find him; I have to apologize and tell him how much I need him in my life.”
Eris grinned. “Well, if you leave now, you should be able to catch up with him before he gets home.”
Rarity tilted her head. “But… but Spike came here and then I was gone for… what time is it now?”
Eris pointed out the window, it was dark with only a few lampposts showing that the snow was falling just as gently as it was when Rarity returned home from Manehattan. “Consider this my second gift to you. It’s only been a few minutes since Spike’s departure. Use this time wisely.”
“I will!” without a moment to spare, Rarity rushed to the door and flung it open. She turned her head. “Thank you Eris… for everything.” Rarity left the shop and ran towards the Castle of Friendship while Eris stood in Carousel Boutique with a satisfied grin and a delightfully warm feeling in her heart. She snapped her fingers and just like that, she was gone.
Where are you Spike? Rarity ran through the streets of Ponyville at full gallop, hoping to head off her beloved drake. Eventually she came to a trail of claw prints and a line from somepony, specifically a dragon, dragging their tail. He’s close! He's close, I can feel it!” Rarity kept her pace up and followed the path laid before her.
Soon she saw him, Spike was walking slowly, head hung low and shoulders sagging. Rarity felt a pang in her heart like a pin prick from a voodoo doll, but she’d have plenty of time to berate herself later, right now she had far more important matters to attend to.
“Spike!” Rarity called out. Spike stopped and lifted his head. “Spike, wait!” Spike turned around just as Rarity slid to a halt coming a few inches short of bowling him over.
“Rarity?” Spike asked. “What are you-?”
Rarity held up a hoof as she struggled to catch her breath. “Spike… please… I… I have something to say… and I fear that if I don’t tell you now… I may never have a chance like this again.”
Spike nodded and waited patiently for Rarity to compose herself. After a few more deep breaths, Rarity looked deep into Spike’s eyes. His beautiful, beautiful eyes. It was now or never.
“Spike… I’m sorry. I’m so dreadfully sorry. I never should have taken my frustration out on you. You’re the greatest friend a pony could ask for. I know you didn’t set me up to fail, you were just being the same supportive, caring, and generous dragon you’ve always been. And I was just being a foolish and bitter mare. I understand if you’re angry at me, I would be too if I were in your position. But I hope you can forgive me…
“I know I’ve made mistakes. I’ve made a plethora of them. Among them was never telling you how important you are to me, how much I enjoy and treasure your company, how much I look forward to seeing you every single day… I want to have you by my side Spike, now and always. I can’t imagine what my future would be like without you in it. I don’t even want to entertain the idea of you not being here with me. I want to face the future with you Spike, you and only you.”
A heavy silence fell as Spike stood there slack jawed. Was she too late? Has her mistake cost her a future with Spike? Rarity hung her head and shut her eyes as shame started to creep into her heart and soul. The cold began to set in as her adrenaline faded, Rarity shivered, regretting not bringing something warm to wear. There was a sound of paper being torn and then Rarity felt something wrap around her neck. Her body felt an all to familiar warmth that spread from her head to her hooves. Rarity opened her eyes. She was wearing a blue scarf.
Spike scratched his cheek as a growing blush covered his face. “This… was supposed to be your Hearths Warming present… but it got so cold out, I thought I’d give it to you a little early.”
Rarity was in awe as she ran a hoof along the soft wool. The same gentle caress she felt from her other scarf. The one from…
“I know it’s nothing fancy,” Spike continued. “But I made it myself; uh, I mean, Twilight lent a hoof, but I knitted it myself. Took me awhile to get the hang of it, but I think it came out well. Um… do… do you like it?”
Rarity held one of the ends to her face, it smelled like a burning fireplace. The wonderful scent that harkened to her time as a wife and mother. Feeding Cobalt, walking through town with Lolite and the time spent with Spike, her wonderful husband, and the father of her foals. The life she never knew she wanted. No, it was her deepest desire. A life with the one she loved more than anycreature and a family to share with him. Rarity began to tear up, she let out a soft sob. She sniffled and gazed at Spike with unbridled joy in her eyes and a loving smile.
“I love it.”