//------------------------------// // Guilt and Rage // Story: Equestrian Rim // by Visharo //------------------------------// "RARITY!?" Four shocked voices rang out, echoing through the Jaeger chamber. As the room lit up even more, the girls saw the Jaeger with clearer eyes. It was quite small, and Twilight could see that it was designed after the Alicorn Jeager sisters. The legs were small yet sturdy, polished white and had many intricate magic designs on it. Heavy metals and crystals fortified the hull and helm, protecting the conn-pod quite effectively. The horn atop the head was sharp and shone in the artificial light. A purple and white head poked out of the conn-pod, looking guilty. "It seems you've caught me. What are you going to do now?" Rarity pulled herself up and sat down, her head drooping. There were many gasps once they got a real look at their friend. Her normally luscious purple mane was ragged and dirty; her usually pristine white coat was now stained with various liquids. "What is this, Rarity?" Twilight took a tentative step forward. "Why go behind our backs? We were so worried about you when you weren't responding!" There were many murmurings of agreement with the other girls. "I...I just had too! And...and...wait, you're not mad that I'm building a Jaeger?" Rarity looked up with her horribly sleep-deprived eyes that brightened with hope. "I don't know about these guys, but yeah I'm mad!" Rainbow Dash flew up, leaving a rainbow trail, and stared directly into Rarity's eyes. "I'm mad you didn't tell me! This Jaeger looks awesome and I wasn't a part of it!" "Jaeger building is fun! I should know, because I've built five!" Pinkie quipped. "It's not fun doing it all on your own though." "Ignoring what Pinkie just said for a moment, do you know how hard it is to build a Jaeger on your own?" Twilight took a step forward. "...and dangerous." Fluttershy squeaked when a spark crackled beside her. "Does this mean that you'll...?" Rarity began. "Of course we'll help you!" Rainbow Dash did a loop in the air, smiling broadly. "Oh thank you darlings!" Rarity clambered down the Jaeger and tackled the girls, giving them big hugs. *** Sweetie Belle stared despondently out the window of the train that was heading for the Griffish Isles. A somber sigh shook her body, causing Apple Bloom to stir beside her. "Alright Sweetie Belle, this is the eight time ya sighed like that. What's wrong?" A few moments later, Scootaloo also looked at the white unicorn. "It's just, I can't get rid of the image of Silver and Goldenrod getting killed out of my head." Sweetie shook her head, as if trying to dislodge the memory. "I knew being a Jaeger pilot was dangerous and I've heard many stories of creatures dying, but I didn't think it would be that horrible!" "Yeah, it isn't as awesome as I thought it would be..." Scootaloo rested her head on her forehooves, stretched over a table. "Growing up with these stories of cool heroes and awesome mechs and epic battles, I felt like I needed to contribute. Do my part for Equestria." "Ah get what ya mean Scoots. Mah family's always been in the Jaeger business, mah parents, mah brother and sister, and even some of mah cousins! It's like tradition for an Apple to help fight in every generation. Ah felt like it was mah duty, to mah family and mahself." The trio fell silent, each in their own worlds, thinking about what being a pilot is really about and whether or not it's worth it. The meaning of life and the meaning of their lives. How much of it was worth it, all those pointless pursuits of their cutie marks. After much contemplations, Apple Bloom lifted her head, her eyes were bloodshot as if she hadn't slept in days. "Hey Sweetie Belle? What made ya decide to become a pilot?" Scootaloo also looked up, interested. "I don't know, actually. Maybe because I wanted the three of us together again, like we were back in the day. Trying out new things together and having fun. I miss that the most. The fun we had, doing crazy things." Sweetie Belle closed her eyes and whispered, "when did it all go wrong?" *** "So Rarity!" Twilight gasped, straining with her magic to lift a huge piece of enchanted metal. "Why did you want to make a Jaeger? Also a Jaeger with only one seat! I didn't even know such technology existed." "Revenge, darling." The white unicorn's voice went so cold, Fluttershy, who was standing outside the hanger, shivered. "Revenge?" Rainbow twisted her head to look at her friend while simultaneously trying to weave two wires together. "The latest Kaiju attack in Manehatten took poor Coco Pommel from this treacherous world. It is my wish, even if it's my dying one, to see these foul beasts dead and gone. I will do everything in my power to complete my goal, even if I have to work myself ragged." Rarity was panting by the end of her speech. "Aw, don't worry Rarity! We'll get this Jaeger up and running in no time!" Pinkie giggled as she hopped from one beam to another, seemingly doing nothing, but from Twilight's experience with the pink mare, she was probably doing something important. "Are you sure this will make you fell better? Revenge doesn't help and if you become too obsessed, you'll drown yourself!" Twilight argued, concern evident in her voice. "I know full well what I'm doing, this is not only for dear Coco. This is for all creatures that inhabit Equus." Rarity smiled a ghost of one. "Besides, you girls will keep me in line, won't you?" Uncertain nods and murmurs greeted her question. "We'll try."