//------------------------------// // IV - Rarity // Story: Collision Course // by journcy //------------------------------// + + + Two days after Pinkie’s party-gone-wrong… + + + Rarity lay on her couch, thinking of better times. Times when a party for Pinkie would’ve been set up by five ponies, not three. Times when that party wouldn’t have ended as soon as it had begun, the guest of honor destroying the setting and running out of Ponyville. Times when the ponies chasing her would have found her. Rarity sighed. She, Twilight and Fluttershy had done their best to intercept the speeding Pinkie Pie, but to no avail. That pony always was good at hide and seek. She could pop out of anywhere… And so her friends had stood no chance of catching her. Pinkie Pie was, for all intents and purposes, gone forever, unless she decided to come back, which seemed very unlikely to Rarity. Pinkie had been furious, and she clearly hadn’t been in her right mind when she had destroyed the party. Without her friends, what would be there to bring her back…? Suddenly, she heard a hoof knocking against the front door of her boutique. “Rarity! It’s Twilight and Fluttershy! I’ve received a message from Princess Celestia!” A message from the Princess? Rarity climbed to her hooves and walked to the door, opening it with her magic. “What about, dear?” She murmured. “She- She wants us to come to Canterlot. To stay in the palace. She thinks it might help us with…with what’s happened,” Twilight answered. Rarity’s ears perked just a bit at that. “Stay in the palace? Why… Why that does sound nice… Though, who will run my boutique? I can’t just let it be closed for however long we’re away. And what about the library, or Fluttershy’s animals?” She said, gesturing to the yellow pegasus that had so far remained silent. “She says she’ll be sending down some ponies to take care of all that. She doesn’t intend to keep us for too long, only a week or two. Just…long enough to talk to us.” “Well, that sounds workable enough—Fluttershy! What do you think?” “Oh…well, I’ll miss my cottage, but Princess Celestia said it was okay to bring Angel Bunny with me…though I’ll miss my other animals friends too…but I think it sounds like a good idea, especially since the Princess suggested it…” “And I assume you wish to go as well, Twilight?” “Of course, I’d hate to turn down an invitation from the Princess! I also might be able to visit my brother, Shining Ar-“ “You have a brother?” “Yes, he’s Captain of the Royal Guard. Have I really not mentioned him to you girls? We’ve been best friends ever since we were young…In fact, Shining Armor was my only friend before I met you f-“ Twilight’s voice caught in her throat. She suddenly looked down. Fluttershy had a mildly pained expression, and Rarity felt the way her friend looked, though she didn’t show it. Rarity coughed. “Well, he sounds like quite a nice stallion, I hope you get to see him. When do we leave for Canterlot?” Twilight looked back up again, clearing her throat. “Oh, well, Princess Celestia’s letter said she would send a chariot to pick us up if I asked… Does that mean you want to come along?” “Of course, darling.” “Then I’ll have Spike send the letter immediately.” + + + A few hours later, the trio plus Spike, who had plopped himself in the chariot and resolutely refused to say a word, even after countless offerings of gems and other things, arrived in the royal capital of Equestria. Due to the smaller size of the chariot, Rarity had been forced to leave the majority of her packing behind, but the ride, she felt, had been worth it. It reminded her of her time with wings, and she had been content to dwell in the mild happiness until her head made the connection between the wings and Rainbow Dash, after which she returned to the misery that was a more common state of mind these days. Upon landing, the four were escorted to one of the towers of Canterlot Castle. They each had their own room, except Spike, who wasn’t expected and slept with Twilight as-per-usual. Rarity admired the little dragon for his unwillingness to be left behind, though when she thought about it she wondered why that was. It wasn’t like Spike wasn’t feeling the pain they all were… Rarity suddenly found herself pondering the question of why Princess Celestia hadn’t invited him in the first place. However, she wasn’t given long to think, as the Princess herself showed up soon enough to welcome them and tell them that she would be dining in an hour, and that they were all invited. A small part of Rarity, at the thought of dining with the Princess, was bouncing like Pinkie Pie—and then reality came rushing back once more, and she was left feeling almost worse than ever. She put on one of the three outfits she had managed to cram into her bags, and soon enough the four of them had to depart for the main dining hall. Twilight led them through the vast halls of the castle, describing various events, both personal and historical, that had occurred within. They arrived just on time, taking seats at the end of the long table, near Princess Celestia. Twilight began talking to the Princess, playing catch-up, discussing her studies, and generally doing her best to stop the room from becoming silent. Spike swiftly devoured everything put in front of him. Fluttershy murmured to Angel, though it looked more like he was comforting her. Rarity sat, alone without actually being alone, picking at her food. After a time, Princess Celestia brought the discussion to the entire table. “My little ponies. How have you been?” Fluttershy jumped a bit, surprised at being addressed. “Um… Well… I’ve… Um… I’ve been taking care of my animals, and… They’ve been… Very nice… I’ve been… Okay…” “And you, Rarity?” “I have lived on, Princess. Allow me to leave it at that.” The Princess sighed. “I suppose not much more can be expected from ponies who have lost three of their best friends. I hope the time you spend here will help you.” Everypony spoke of their positive expectations. + + + The next day, Fluttershy and Rarity were wandering Canterlot. Twilight and Spike had stayed behind to do some R&R&R (Rest & Relaxation Research). Rarity had had to prod Fluttershy incessantly to get her to come along, and she was proud she had managed it. The two ponies had gotten some food at one of the many fancy cafés that dotted the city, and they were now looking around the shopping district, which composed about a third of Canterlot. Neither had purchased anything, but Rarity had several times been very tempted. They were presently standing outside of the third scarf store of the day, and Rarity was staring at an absolutely beautiful scarf in the window display. Fluttershy was standing very quietly by her side, not quite sure what was taking so long. After a while, Rarity finally shook off her stupor and went inside the shop, Fluttershy tailing her. She bought the scarf, but upon walking out found Fluttershy was nowhere to be seen. She turned to go back into the store, but in her confusion accidentally ran into another pony walking by. When she got up and looked at the pony, her mouth dropped. “F-F-F-Fancypants?!” “Oh! Hello! Ever so sorry for bumping into you, my dear!” “N-not at all! I apologize, it was my bad.” “Nonsense, nonsense. Now, dear, what’s your name?” “Rarity,” Rarity said, peering around Fancypants into the scarf shop she had just left. “I seem to have lost a friend in Miss Droopington’s Scarf Emporium.” “Ah, lovely shop, Droopington’s. I believe I own a few stocks there myself—whom are you looking for?” “Oh, my friend Fluttershy. We’re staying up in Canterlot Castle-“ “The Castle, indeed?” “Oh, yes, Princess Celestia invited us-“ “And on the Princess’s invitation, no less? Well, well, well…” Fancypants said. “I’m dreadfully sorry I’ve held you up, Mr. Fancypants, but I must find my friend, she’s awfully shy, and-“ “I’m not sorry to be held up! What say, young lady, I happen to be having a party tonight—a costume party—would you and your friend like to attend?” “Oh! My! Well, ah, yes!, yes of course! We’ll be there! Thank you ever so much! Now I really must go, dear Fluttershy is probably lost in the Emporium—“ “Of course, of course. Go on and find your friend. I’ll see you tonight, Rarity!” + + + “Well, Fluttershy? Would you be willing to attend with me? It would mean the world…” “Of- of course, Rarity. I’d…love to…” “Oh, excellent! Thank you so much, Fluttershy! Now, we’d better start getting ready—I want our costumes must be exquisite!” The pair had returned to the Castle, Rarity having rescued Fluttershy from the depths of Miss Droopington’s. She had also bought a good supply of fabrics, which she was just now beginning to use in the frantic creation of costumes. None of the outfits she had brought would be any good, and Fluttershy hadn’t brought any clothing at all. Actually, Rarity was the only pony who packed anything beyond saddlebags. She dived into the costumes, knowing that this would be an excellent chance to impress important ponies. + + + One successful costume party later… + + + “Oh, Fluttershy, that was wonderful! They loved us! Thank you so much!” “Of course… Anything, Rarity…” They had just gotten back from the party. Everypony had adored Rarity’s work, a dragon costume for herself and a cat costume for Fluttershy. They had both been invited to countless more social events, but Rarity had noticed the cringing Fluttershy and done her best to narrow the invitations down to just herself. A voice at the back of her head was telling Rarity that she should be spending her time in Canterlot with her friends, not random high-society ponies, but she ignored it. + + + Five days of high-society events later… + + + Rarity lay on her bed, much the way she had been doing the fateful day Twilight and Fluttershy had come to tell her she was invited to Canterlot. She pondered how far she had come in just a few simple days. Just a few simple days, and she was the pony everypony in Canterlot wanted to know. She sat up, floating her planner into view. A new shop opening in… She checked the time. Half an hour. She had best get going. She donned an outfit she had managed to throw together amidst the chaos that had been her week. Rarity was just walking out the door of her room when Twilight intercepted her. “Rarity! Going out again?” “Oh, yes! I am simply the talk of the town—I’ve been invited to the opening of a horseshoe store in half—oh, my, only twenty minutes now—I had best get going! Goodbye, Twilight!~” Rarity tried to walk past her friend. However, Twilight stopped her with an outstretched forearm. “I’m worried about you, Rarity,” Twilight said. “What?” “You’ve changed so fast—and you’ve barely been talking to Fluttershy and me…” “Changed? Whatever do you mean, darling? I haven’t changed at all!” Rarity cried. “Yes, you have. Quite frankly, before you came to Canterlot, you were depressed. Now, you’re chipper as ever… Maybe more so. It doesn’t seem…healthy,” Twilight responded. “Well! I’m sorry if my enjoyment of getting into the higher circles has offended you, but I certainly don’t see a reason why I ought to stop going to these events! I’m living my dream!” Rarity retorted. “It’s not that I’m offended, Rarity… I just want you to be okay. You seem like you’re…burying your troubles.” “Burying my-well, I never! Twilight, darling, surely you know me better than that!” “Rarity, I know that we’re all sad about what happened to AJ, and Dash, and Pinkie…” “Just because these terrible things have happened, does not mean we have to sit around feeling mopey! If I was doing so before, it was because I couldn’t see what I was missing—!” “Rarity…” “Twilight, dear, I promise you, I am completely fine. I’m not just ignoring what has happened to our friends…” “I don’t know Rarity. I don’t know if that’s true,” Twilight said, frowning. “What must I do to make you believe me?” Rarity said, exasperated. “I would really like it if you’d stay here, with us. We can do something, together, all three of us.” “B-“ “Please, Rarity?” “I’m not sure, Twilight. I… I really must attend this opening… Arctic Waters would be devastated…” “Arctic Waters? Really, Rarity? What about us? Your friends?” “Are—are you suggesting that the high-society ponies I know aren’t my friends?” “Wh—Yes! Yes, I am, Rarity! They aren’t! That’s us! Fluttershy! Me! And Pinkie Pie, and Applejack, and Rainbow Dash! Y’know, the pony you ought to be grieving?” Twilight knew the moment the words left her mouth they should never have even been thought up, let alone vocalized, but it was already too late. “H-how dare you, Twilight! You’re wrong! They are friends! And obviously better ones than you—they’ve never said anything as horrible as that to me! I see how it is! Yes, that really does put things in perspective! Goodbye, Twilight! Say goodbye to Fluttershy and Spike, and give my regards to the Princess—because I certainly won’t be returning here!” With that, Rarity stormed out the door, leaving Twilight standing stock-still, uncomprehending. What had she just done? She turned around to call out to Rarity, to stop her, to apologize, to make her see that she was wrong, that Twilight was her friend—but the other unicorn was already gone. Twilight ran to the stairs, and saw nothing. She raced down them, to the foyer and the main door—nothing. She slammed the door open and raced outside, frantically looking up and down the street. Nothing. “No! No, no, no! What have I done?! Not again! It’s just like Pinkie Pie…” Twilight fell to the ground, crying, sobbing. “Rarity! I’m so sorry! Please, come back… “Come back…” But the fourth Element of Harmony was already gone.