Sweet Scales
By
DanvilleBengal
Chapter 1
There came a knocking on the door to Carousel Boutique, the home and business of Rarity, Ponyville’s premier (and only) fashion unicorn pony. Busy with one of her latest creations, she deferred the task to her sister, Sweetie Belle.
“Sweetie Belle, would you kindly answer the bell please? More than likely, that would be Spike here to assist with a little fashion commentary on possibly his new jacket that he hinted about.”
“Sure thing, sis!”
Even though it was quite obvious to the average pony, Sweetie Belle appeared to don a poker face when she went to the door. You see, the little filly was absolutely smitten with the diminutive purple and green dragon, but she was a bit embarrassed about her little crush. Rarity thought that it was absolutely adorable that her sister was having these feelings at such a young age. Her forest green eyes were sparking, however, betraying the straight expression of her face as she opened the door. Unfortunately, the person--eh, pony--at the door was completely unexpected.
Standing in the doorway stood two of the Royal Guard, tasked with the protection and security of Princess Celestia. Both were unicorn stallions, with glistening armor adoring their bodies. One stallion was covered in a earthen coat, with silver mane and tail, while the other stallion had pristine white coat, similar to Rarity, with baby blue mane and tail and black highlight.
“Good afternoon, young one. We are here on royal business. Is there a unicorn by the name of Rarity present?” asked the baby-blue guard.
“Uh…one moment please. RARITY, WE HAVE A VISITOR!”
“Honestly, darling, you did not have to shout so loudly, we are just inside. Please remember to use your inside voice next time. Coming!”
From the back room appeared a marshmallow white unicorn pony with royal purple mane and elegantly curled purple tail. Her crystal blue eyes glistened in the light with the brillance of diamonds, but slightly marred by minute wrinkles around them. Across her muzzle stood a pair of orange work glasses, and on her neck wore a roll of measuring tape. Rarity did not wear glasses normally, but when she was working on her projects, they were required, especially when needed with complex stiches and intricate patterns. She was wearing a slightly perturbed expression on her face, since the unexpected visitors had appeared at a inopportune time.
“Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where our clients are chic and elite, and can’t be beat! I am Rarity; what, pray tell, can I assist you with today?” she asked.
“My name is Blue Moon, and this is my cohort, Scopio,” the baby blue stallion answered. “Our reason for this visit, unfortunately, is not a friendly one. We have a warrant, signed by Princess Celestia, to search the premises of your establishment. A couple of days ago, we were informed that a one-of-a-kind diamond was purloined from the Ponyville Art and History Museum.”
“Pur-li-what?” Sweetie wondered.
“Purloined, it means stolen, dear,” Rarity responded. “Please continue, Sir Blue Moon.”
“Ahem. The gem in question was currently on loan from Canterlot, along with several rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and pearls. Together, the gems are collectively know as the body of Cantelot. The value of the gems are up in the amount of millions of bits, the diamond in question is worth 4 million by itself and is the most valuable and coveted.
“Now Ms. Rarity, here is the reason for the visit. We were informed that at the crime scene that we investigated, we obtained evidence that pointed to you as the prime suspect for the crime. We also have video evidence from the security guards, actually having you using your magic to enter the case, and remove the diamond from its case, and exited the case. It was hard to spot, but once we were able to review the cameras, we could see that your cutie mark of three blue diamonds was completely recognizable. Now, we are obviously aware that you are one of the heralded Elements of Harmony that defeated Discord and Nightmare Moon. So it is in our skepticism that you would be behind the theft. However, we must perform our due diligence, even if it is highly illogical.”
Rarity was taken aback at these accusations, staying a straight face, but in the back of her mind, she was insulted. Why would she, one of the heroes of Equestrian lore, even be a suspect? Of all the nerve! She had no need for bits or jewelry, and even the thought of theft was beneath her. Despite her reservations, she consented. “It appears that the search will be unnecessary, since I have nothing to hide. If you must, I will allow this.”
Blue Moon sighed. “For your sake, ma’am, I do hope so. Once again, I apologize. Scorpio, please begin the search. But please be mindful and courteous of Ms. Rarity.”
“Yes, sir.”
Scorpio began his search, starting throughout the studio of Rarity’s shop. A row of ponnequins, each with a unfinished dress adored by the unicorn’s work, were carefully tossed aside to a jumbled pile. Bolts of fabric were whisked away from their original places, levitated by Scorpio’s gold-yellow magic. The tools of Rarity’s livelihood, her scissors, thread, ribbons, pins, were stacked and placed asunder about the room. But just as quickly, his magic restored Rarity’s studio to its previous condition. Next for Scorpio’s search would be Rarity’s imagination room, same as the first, until…
“Sir Blue Moon, take a gander at this, it’s huge!”
Everypony retreated to the voice of Scorpio in Rarity’s room. There, Scorpio levitated from under her bed a clear gem, size of a baseball, twinkling in the daylight. The gem had twelve different faces, and based on the way that the light shown through it, each of the faces had a different face.
Rarity paled. Usually she would be absolutely smitten with finding gems--as a matter of fact, it was a extensive part of many of her designs. But the discovery of the gem, in her bedroom no less, appeared to have her caught red-hoofed. It was the WORST…POSSIBLE…THING.
Oh, no! What’s gonna happen now? Why would this even been in my house, much less under my bed? I can’t go to jail!!! What am I gonna do??
Only one thing to do….beg.
“I have never seem this gem in all of my life! You have to believe me! I would never do something as uncouth as petty theft! Please tell me this is a joke!” Rarity wailed. Unfortunately it was all for naught.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Rarity, and it pains me to say this, but considering that the subject of our investigation is sitting here in plain daylight, I have no choice but to place you under arrest for grand theft. Scorpio, please administer Ms. Rarity her Mareranda rights.” Blue Moon ordered.
Scorpio solemnly trotted to Rarity, his eyes lowered and a tear in his eye. The worst thing for him to do in his duty was to actually take away the freedom of a free pony, even if it was because said pony was accused of some wrongdoing. “Ms Rarity, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do will be held against you in her Majesty’s highest court. You have the right…”
Rarity had zoned out. She didn’t remember the rest. All she felt was the cold steel of metal across her front hooves, the hollow ‘click’ as they echoed through the room. A chain was shackled to the top of Rarity’s horn..a preemptive strike that only occurred when the accused pony in question was a unicorn. Tears welled in her eyes as she was escorted away from the boutique and to a waiting carriage, two pegasi on standby, ready for the command to carry them to Canterlot.
As Rarity was lifted into the carriage, she looked back at Sweetie Belle. Her little sister stood by herself at the door, a forlorn look on her features, her eyes crestfallen. It was too much. Rarity began to weep, quickly turning into sobs, her mascara streaking down her cheeks.
I still can’t believe it, I’m going to jail! What would happen to Sweetie Belle? How is this even possible? Is there anything that can be done?
Sweetie Belle grabbed the side of the carriage, stopping the carriage from taking off.
“Please, mister! I have to see my sister! She didn’t do anything wrong! Don’t take her away from me!!”
From the carriage, Rarity looked back toward Blue Moon and Scorpio. Both stallions looked at each other. Then Scorpio turned his gaze upon the shackled unicorn and smiled a small, sad grin.
“You have 10 minutes, Ms. Rarity. Not a second longer. Once again, I am sorry.”
“Thank you,” Rarity answered.
Sweetie Belle bounced up to the edge and carried up to her older sister. She laid against Rarity’s chest, her lavender-pink bangs tickled underneath Rarity’s muzzle. Even though she was in hoof cuffs, Rarity was still able to hold Sweetie Belle close.
“Now Sweetie,” Rarity began, “please don’t cry. Everything is going to be all right. I’m going to be gone for a few days hopefully, and afterwards we’ll have all these things behind us. What I want you to do is to stay with Twilight and Spike. Let them know what has happened to me, and possibly try to get help in clearing my name. Twilight possibly has the best chance in getting it all settled. I love you very much.”
“I love you too! I promise to get you help, I Pinkie Promise!” Sweetie did the aforementioned gestures, making the promise official.
“I apologize for the interruption, but we must be on our way. The sooner we can get this taken care of, the sooner you will possibly be out of custody.” Blue Moon relented. “Driver, prepare to take off.”
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
With a hollow creak, the carriage rose into the air. Once it reached the desired altitude, It made a 60 degree turn to the right, then rocketed to Canterlot in a shot, the castle in question a tiny dot in the distance.
Sweetie Belle stood still as she waited by the door of the boutique, the carousel-shaped building now eerily empty without its proprietor and owner. New tears began to fall from her cheeks while she sniffed her cute red muzzle. More tears began to fall--but from the air? Sweetie stopped her sniffling to look up at the sky
She face hoofed. Apparently today was going to get worse. Rarity remembered that the weather pegasi were scheduled to make a massive storm to make up for the last month’s drought. Also, thank to a certain blue pegusus’ insistence that the storms needed to “be 20% cooler”, this storm was going to be a soaker, complete with lightning, thunder, and hail. Too bad Sweetie Belle didn’t heed to Rarity’s advice.
“At least it couldn’t get any worse.”
BOOOOOOOOOM!!!
And there is the storm. In a matter of seconds, Sweetie Belle was drenched. Every fiber of her body was completely waterlogged. Her soggy mane wicked against her back. Mud began to puddle underneath her hooves. Boy, Rarity would have a conniption fit if she could see it now. She would never hear the end of it. More tears. A slight cough.
Suddenly the rain stopped…well, at least on her. The deluge was still going on, but now Sweetie didn’t feel cold water on her back. She looked about and relized that she was in a purple force field, allowing for rain to fall all about but not on her person. The second surprise caused her heart to skip a beat.
Standing behind Sweetie Belle was one of Rarity’s friends, a fellow unicorn with lavendar coat, matching violet mane and tail with hot pink highlights--Twilight Sparkle. And on Twilight’s back stood her number one assistant, her purple and green scaly companion--the baby dragon, Spike. They were both out to see Rarity and assist with her work, so they were completely ignorant of what had happened to Rarity approximately a half-hour ago. Because of the force field, both Twilight and Spike were completely dry and comfortable from the storm. So it was a surprise to see Sweetie at the mercy of the elements.
“Sweetie Belle! What are you doing here?! The pegasi have just started this storm just a few minutes ago! You’re going to catch a bug in this weather. Why did Rarity allow you out and about…huh?” Twilight implored. She stopped and listened, hearing the small sound, a small, squeaky sound.
The sound of crying?
Sniff, sniff.
Yep. Got to be. But why?
“Sweetie Belle? Is there something wrong?”
Sweetie Belle didn’t answer to Twilight’s question. Instead, she did something more troubling. She latched upon Twilight’s chest, and proceeded to bawl her eyes out. Spike hopped off of Twilight’s back and stood to Sweetie’s left, stroking her mane with his claws, trying his best to confront the heartbroken filly. He looked up to Twilight with confused eyes, as if to say what happened. But at that moment, the answer to that question was confirmed from Belle’s chest. Even though it was muffled, the response was clear as day.
“Rarity’s going to jail!!!”