//------------------------------// // Diamonds in the Rough // Story: Beasts and Burdens // by Metool Bard //------------------------------// Beasts and Burdens Chapter 2: Diamonds in the Rough "Ah, so good to be home! Don't you agree, Sweetie Belle?" "More than you know," sighed Sweetie Belle as she collapsed in a heap on the floor. Even with Rarity's help, pulling the wagon full of gems was not easy. "Believe me, Sweetie Belle. I know the feeling," said Rarity, stretching out her back. "Oh, it's going to take at least a full day at the spa to get all of this tension out of my back. Well, this is an ambitious project, and sacrifices have to be made." "What is this project, anyway?" asked Sweetie Belle. "You never even told me what this Crystal Empire Ensemble is." "Oh, didn't I? Must've slipped my mind," said Rarity. As she spoke, she used her magic to organize the jewels based on color, size, and type. "It is sure to be my masterpiece. Picture if you will: A dazzling gown with gemstones sewn into the very fabric itself. In the right light, the gems shine and sparkle with the radiance of the Crystal Ponies themselves. It's sure to be fabulous!" She punctuated her description with a squeal of glee. "Wow. That sounds tricky," said Sweetie Belle. "It is," said Rarity as she continued sorting. "But, only the best for Fancy Pants. He is a very important pony, after all." "Wait, so you're making a dress for a stallion?" asked a confused Sweetie Belle. "He said it was a gift for somepony," explained Rarity. "A special somepony?" Rarity blushed slightly. "I-it's not becoming of a lady to pry into such *ahem* private affairs." "Oh, right," said Sweetie Belle. "Sorry." "No harm done," said Rarity just as she finished sorting. "Now, I'm going to take these upstairs and grind them fine enough so that I can weave them into the thread. Why don't you get started on that book report of yours?" "Okay!" said Sweetie Belle. "Hey, maybe I'll get my Cutie Mark in book report writing!" Rarity chuckled. "I'll be happy if you just get a good grade, Sweetie Belle. Now, I'm off to... Whoa!" The older unicorn was interrupted when she tripped over Sweetie Belle's saddlebag, which was once again left precariously on the floor. Luckily, her magic kept the gemstones she was carrying from flying every which way as she stumbled. As she recovered, she shot her sister an angry glare. "Oops," said Sweetie Belle, flattening her ears and casting her gaze downward. "Honestly, Sweetie Belle. Why must you insist on leaving your saddlebag out in the open where somepony can trip and break their neck?" said a very agitated Rarity. "I'm sorry, Sis," said Sweetie Belle. "It's just easier to find this way. Besides, I couldn't put it away because we went gem hunting right after I got home from school, remember?" "Oh, right," said Rarity, sheepishly brushing her mane back with her hoof. "Well, I guess we should both try to be more careful in the future." "I guess," said Sweetie Belle. "Well, I'd better get started on that book report!" "Right," said Rarity, fully recovering her poise and posture. "Now then, I'm off to create!" As Rarity made her way upstairs, Sweetie Belle rummaged through her saddlebag and took out her book. Eager to see what adventures Bellerophon would have next, she opened the book to where she left off. *** Both tasks had the unicorn sisters working deep into the night. This was nothing new for Rarity, but for Sweetie Belle, she was so engrossed with her book that she couldn't put it down. She barely even remembered to make notes for her book report. By the light of a firefly lantern provided by Rarity, she sat in the middle of the Carousel Boutique, reading her wonderful story and listening to the sound of her sister's sewing machine. As she finally started to drift off, her ear twitched. She thought she heard a noise outside. But who would come by the Carousel Boutique at this hour? She certainly wasn't expecting anyone. "Probably just the wind," she told herself, turning back to her book. There was suddenly another noise. It sounded like some sort of scratching, coming from beneath the floorboards. "That's weird," said Sweetie Belle, looking beneath her hooves. "Do we have termites or something? I'd better tell Rarity." She made a move to go to Rarity's room, but suddenly began to drift off again. "No, it wouldn't be right to disturb her now," she said with a yawn. "Maybe I'll tell her tomorrow. Right now, I need to get some sleep." She went back downstairs, packed up her things, and went to her room to prepare for bed. As she did, she continued to hear scratching noises from below, which she ignored due to fatigue. *** Sweetie Belle could not ignore the noises forever, though. Just as she was ready to drift off into a peaceful slumber, the noises downstairs became louder and louder. "Wow. I never knew termites could be so inconsiderate," said Sweetie Belle, covering her ears with her pillow. "I wonder if Rarity is hearing any of this." Suddenly, there was a crash downstairs, followed by some angry-sounding noises. "Who left that in the middle of the floor?!" snarled a voice that Sweetie Belle did not recognize. "Shh, quiet! Do you want the whiny pony to hear us?" snapped another voice. Sweetie Belle was overtaken by fear. Why wasn't Rarity hearing any of this? She was known to get engrossed with her work before, but she was never this oblivious. She was about to go get her when she heard footsteps climbing the stairs. Whoever it was, it wasn't a pony. And it definitely wasn't termites. As the footsteps got closer and closer, she hid herself under the covers. Peaking over the edge, she could make out three shadows in the doorway. Suddenly, the door burst open, and Sweetie Belle shrieked. *** The shriek snapped Rarity out of her zone, messing up the latest stitch in her dress. The noise also startled her cat, Opalessence, who let out a high-pitched meow before embedding her claws into the ceiling. Rarity dropped what she was doing and rushed into her sister's room. "Sweetie Belle? Are you alright, darling?" But when she turned on the light, Sweetie Belle was nowhere to be seen. Instead, she saw her bed a complete and utter mess, as well as a trail of dirt leading downstairs. There was also a note on the bed. "Hmm? What's this?" she wondered. Using her magic, she delicately lifted the note off of the bed so as not to dirty her hooves. She read the note in stone silence. When she finished, she let loose a scream that could be heard from the depths of the Everfree Forest. Dear Prissy Pony: It has been a long time since you have humiliated us. Now, we have come for our revenge. If you wish to see your sister again, follow us through the hole we have provided for you and become our slave. And this time, there will be no whining, no complaining, and no crying. Or else! Hope to see you soon, The Diamond Dogs