//------------------------------//
// Chapter 7 
// Story: Feeling the Rhythm 
// by DougtheLoremaster 
//------------------------------//

“You want to dance with me?”
The guard’s voice sounded strange, almost hopeful, for a mere instant, before any semblance of excitement was dashed by Celestia's next words.
“We all know the score, Chrysalis. Why bother trying to deny we’ve done this, dozens, or is it in the triple digits now? I’ve lost count. How many times have we fallen to your charms? Maybe I’m tired of trying to fight it.”
The guard’s eyes narrowed in anger as his body glowed and twisted, pulling and stretching until the legendary Danceling herself stood before the sisters. She angrily snapped at the pair.
“Fine. Dancing with you isn’t any fun anymore, anyway.”
Her eyes clouded momentarily, something Luna noticed as Chrysalis reached for her sister’s hoof. She’s lying. But why? Does…Does she want to dance for fun? Could that be the key to defeating her?  Luna decided to reveal their trump card.
“Before you take us, there is one pony who would gladly dance with you.”
Chrysalis’s envious green eyes flashed excitedly as she waltzed with Celestia.
She demanded to know.
“Who?”
Her sister’s mind going blank and body going limp, Luna said the name of her most beloved pride and joy.
“Twilight…”






“Sparkle, get in here!”
Rarity felt her breath catch on her lips as Twilight effortlessly twirled and slid her as the two performed an elegant swing dance. Off to the side, Applejack and Fluttershy bobbed their heads and bodies to the infectious rhythm of the upbeat, bumping beat; both waiting for their turn. All present were covered in glistening sweat, having danced in the hardwood studio for nearly five hours. Her mane was utterly disheveled, and Rarity for once, didn’t care; she was having too much fun.
As Twilight slid her between her hooves the music came to a crescendo and Rarity found herself thrust tightly into a tender embrace with the normally shy and reserved Twilight; a switch seemingly having been flipped when she was dancing. 
It was surreal; Twilight was free-flowing and wild in her movements, her reservations thrown to the wayside. Inches from her muzzle, Twilight smiled seeing the excitement in Rarity’s eyes, when she heard Starlight call for her. Losing her poise, Twilight accidentally stumbled in surprise to the sudden shout. Not again! Not another mistake. She had made quite a few during the dance steps, and though none other noticed them, Twilight did. And they tore at her, little by little as one became two.
I am a Princess-To-Be, I cannot make these silly mistakes. I-
“Twilight Sparkle, I said get in here!”
Lost in the throes of excitement, Rarity passionately locked lips with Twilight startling her, as the Unicorns melted into the embrace of the other amidst cheers of the onlookers. Lasting for a tender minute, as the world fell deaf on their ears, Twilight and Rarity slowly pulled away from each other, staring into each other's eyes. Rarity whispered softly.
“Starlight is calling you.”
Twilight stammered, still flummoxed by the sudden action.
“Yeah I, I better go, yeah-um excuse me for a -yeah..”
Walking over to Applejack, Rarity looked satisfied at her wife. Applejack just chuckled.
“Whooo-ie Rar! Never seen you so hot and bothered on the dance floor like that.”
Fussing with her mane, Rarity gave a sigh of content. 
“I thought you were joking about her dance moves dar-ling, but sweet Luna’s silvery moon, she is phenomenal!”
Applejack and Fluttershy both nodded in agreement, both having felt the same insatiable elation from dancing with Twilight.





Walking into the kitchen, Twilight was intrigued to see Spike was helping Starlight bake cookies for a late-night snack. Starlight was stirring batter, while Spike was tap-dancing to a slow beat and materializing the ingredients under her encouragement. 
“One-two, one-two. Keep the rhythm, Spike you are doing wonderfully. Oh, look who finally decided to answer my summons.”
Turning to face Twilight, Starlight's glare faded almost instantly, seeing the shivering Unicorn.
“Stop shaking, I’m not mad. And no, I didn’t call you in here to lecture you, just to give some food for thought. You need to have fun when dancing, quit focusing on the errors, and trust me, perfecting dancing lies in the imperfections.”
“You, you saw that?” 
A gentle nod from Starlight saw Twilight go from scared to almost sheepish as she bashfully stammered her thoughts.
“I’m just, just afraid of, of letting everypony down.”
“I’ve been there, I get it. You think everypony’s eyes are on you. But listen to me, as long as you trust in the rhythm, you can’t fail. Just enjoy dancing. Now go on, go cut a rug with the girls. The night is still young, after all.”
Stepping back onto the dance floor, Twilight was surprised to see Rarity hurrying past her with a cotton towel draped across her back. The surprisingly swift Unicorn called out as she went out the front door.
“I’m heading to the bathhouse, I’ll be back soon.”





Trotting down the path to the communal bathhouse, Rarity shivered in the cold of night. Not from the chill of darkness but from the thoughts of the previous dances with that new Unicorn roommate of theirs. It gave her chills and rather unmare-like thoughts. It excited her and had flustered her to the point she needed a cold shower.
Entering the empty bathhouse, she flipped on the light and turned on the water, watching the stream of icy water for a moment before preparing to enter it; only to stop as she heard a familiar voice at the entrance.
“Hey, Rarity!”
Turning suddenly, Rarity flinched as she came face to face with a grinning Pinkie Pie. Startled, Rarity gave a nervous chuckle.
“Oh, Pinkie, darling. You surprised me.”
Pinkie laughed, her normally squeaky voice, gratingly echoing in the small room. 
“Yeah, I’m good at surprises! Hey, Rarity?”
“What is it, Pinkie?”
Looking intently into Rarity’s eyes, Pinkie grinned maliciously.
“Wanna dance with me?”
Rarity wanted to laugh and opened her mouth to say no.
“Oh, Pinkie, I…Would love to.”
What am I saying? Wait, what am I doing?
Rarity lifted a hoof out in invitation, unable to tear her gaze away from Pinkie’s. The fabled party pony placed her own on top and whispered cruelly.
“Surprise.”