//------------------------------//
// Not the Best Day Ever 
// Story: Rarity: Behind Bars 
// by White-pawPony 
//------------------------------//

	"Oh, come on - no vital organs were spilled!  Sure, there was blood, but it's all fun and games, right guys?" Rarity could hear the ridiculous, jaunty rantings of Spider Sage as she was prodded into her cell.  The ever-graceful Element of Generosity was being shown to a cell of her own by a prison security guard.  
"I'm sorry that you had to witness that display of violence," apologized the guard.  "Thankfully for you, you have been assigned a room with a much less frightful pony."
Rarity, who was still a bit shaken, was pleased to hear this.  The last thing she wanted was to be caught up in the middle of a hoof-fight.  
"And I give my dearest thanks," Rarity assured him.  She looked up at the colt, and sensed a bit of... admiration, was it?  Although Rarity was not one to take advantage of a pony, she seemed to have no other choice than to pour on the charm.  "But, you wouldn't mind looking into my situation, yes?  See if you can't shorten my stay awhile, hm?" she inquired as she batted her eyelashes fretfully.
Unfortunately for Rarity, this only caused the guard to shake his head and once again turn strictly business.  "Ma'am, I am in no way allowed to accept bribes, so please keep your troubles to yourself."
Well, thought Rarity with a huff.  I suppose I underestimate the police forces a bit much.  "Then I suppose," she looked up at him again, this time with less flirtatiousness to her tone, "you would not mind informing my as to where I am being held?"
As they came to the end of the hall, the earth pony opened the iron cell door.  "Whinnyshire," replied the colt as he stamped his hoof and gestured for her to go inside.  
"Whinnyshire?!  But... but that's hours from Ponyville!" exclaimed Rarity frightfully.
"In."  The guard forced Rarity in with a shove, at which she squealed in protest.
All at once, Rartiy felt the weight of the day fall upon her.  It was almost too much to bear.  Her eyes began to water as she held back hot tears, "Please!  You must believe me - I'm not supposed to be here!  Please!"
But the only things that Rarity heard were quiet hoofbeats on cement, and a voice call back to her.  "Your prison outfit is in there - you are expected to have it on by tomorrow.  Have a nice stay!"
Rarity slowly slumped to the ground with a whimper.  Why her?  Why?  Of all the terrible things that could happen, this is the worst possible thing!
It took a moment, then, for Rarity to hear the breathing from behind her.  It was almost too frightening to bear, but Rarity turned around and saw a little shriveled figure in the corner of the boxed room, rocking back and forth.  The unicorn thought she had seen that expression somewhere before...and she shivered as she zeroed in on the factor that made this scene most disturbing: the eyes.  The eyes, yellowed and with tiny pupils, were facing opposite directions.  Somewhat like a certain pegasus she knew from Ponyville.  But this wasn't a friendly-looking, oblivious pony - this was a crazed pony.  
"Um... I am... Rarity... who - who are you?"
There was no response; the greenish-brown pony just kept rocking back and forth unnaturally.  Rarity slowly, cautiously, eyes never leaving her cellmate, backed up towards the cot behind her, and sat upon it gently.  "Very well."


***


Back at Rarity's boutique, Sweetie Belle had just returned from school.  
"Big sis, I'm home!" she called out in her usual sing-song voice.  With her magic, she set her backpack up against the wall, near the door, and trotted into the back.  "You wouldn't believe the crazy science experiment Ms. Cheerilee had us do!  It was incredible!"  The filly came back out to the front, apple in mouth.
"Shmm mmud uf puh uh..." Sweetie Belle stopped her talking as the apple dropped from her mouth.  Standing before her was a crimson pegasus, much taller than she.  "Um, hello..."
The pegasus responded with an all-too-happy smile and sultry voice, "Hello, there, Sweetie."
"I'm sorry, if you need a dress, I'll go get my big sister..."
"Oh, that won't be necessary," the mare informed her, drawing closer.
The filly slowly began to back up, "No, it's no trouble - I'm sure she's around here somewhere."
"No, Sweetie Belle, she isn't.  In fact, she won't be for quite a while.  So I've come to take you until she comes back."
Sweetie Belle was unsure to make of this stranger, but her heart began racing with instinctive fear and adrenaline, "I... I don't think that I'm allowed to..."
"Oh, Sweetie Belle - don't you see?"  The red pegasus flared her wings, "No is not an answer."