//------------------------------//
// Memories - Chapter 5 
// Story: Anomalous 
// by Richu Yue 
//------------------------------//

Rarity sat down in the room, bored and depressed.  It was round and the walls were blue. The room was empty, just cushions and a chessboard, and a window showing an amazing view of the Canterlot Maze and Gardens. Discord’s statue was no longer there. The only statues visible to her were Princess Celestia’s and Princes Luna’s. She sighed heavily. The maze changed it’s puzzle again, Rarity would flick back to the memories with Aura trying to solve the puzzle when she was younger. 
 “Um… Left and right. Am I right, Rarity?”
The unicorn pointed towards a maze made from bushes. The view was amazing from up was spectacular. The statues gleamed white and the sky was ever so blue. 
“Yes, yes you are.” The alicorn smiled as they stared down at the maze. They would usually sit on the highest balcony facing the maze on each Sunday to solve the maze. It was said it changed every week as Celestia cast a spell on the maze for it to do so. “What’s next, Aura?” Rarity asked the younger filly who stared at the maze in thought.
“Umm, Right turn again, Straight and…. Left!” Aura pointed towards the centre and Rarity gleamed radiantly. She nodded as Aura started to jump. Rarity giggled. She enjoyed watching her laugh and jump from excitement. As one of her guardians, she must do the best she  can to support her and help her. In an instance second, Aura wobbled on the edge of the balcony. She was about to die. “Rarity!” She cried loudly. Rarity grabbed the filly and slid her under her wing.  Aura stared at Rarity with shock from almost falling to her death. Rarity remembered that stare. How in a split second she could have died but she was saved.  She knew that experience. She fixed Aura’s hair and hugged her
“Don’t be scared.” Rarity smiled and nuzzled Aura. “We’re always here for you.” 
“Rarity? Ya’ll alright?” Rarity’s head turned from the window to see Applejack who stood in the doorway. 
“You’re late.” She snapped and turned to look out the window.
“Ah am might sorry, Rarity. Fluttershy needed mah help ‘n yah know, when somepony needs mah help, ah sorta have ta help them.” Applejack explained as Rarity stared out the window, focused on something in the distance. “So, what have yah been up ta-“
“Sit down.” Rarity demanded. Applejack stared at her.  What’s gotten into her?  She wondered and took the cushion in front of the chessboard facing Rarity. Rarity turned and made the first move. Applejack sighed and made the second.
“What have yah been up ta, Rarity?” Applejack decided to start the conservation. Rarity looked up from the board and looked at her emotionless.
“Nothing.” Rarity said blankly and moved a piece forward on the board. Applejack stared at the board and made the same move. Rarity stared at the board, shocked. She didn’t know what move to do next.
“Look, Ah know yah miss Aura, like how Ah miss my family. But let’s face it. Everypony here misses her.” Applejack said, chattering the silence. “It looks like it ain’t gunna be alright. But it’s gunna be alright. Ah promise yah that.” 
“No, it won’t. It won’t be fine. I’ve already said goodbye to Sweetie Belle. I don’t want Aura to go to.” Rarity whimpered, ducking her head away from Applejack.
“Ah know we’ve seen enough deaths, but its all part of being a alicorn, yah know what ah mean?” Applejack sighed and stared at Rarity. She looked up and sighed heavily too.
“I wish that the elements didn’t backfire and turn us into this.” Rarity stated with a depressed tone. “I remember it all… I was excited at first but now.. I don’t feel it anymore. The excitement, the happiness. All I’ve been seeing is people dying now, or disappearing. Immortality is… well… upsetting.” Applejack stood up and turned to leave.
“Let’s leave the chess game and think about this, alright?” Applejack suggested and Rarity nodded. 
“I’ll stay here.”
“No, go ta your room. Staring at that maze ain’t doing yah good.” Applejack said with a serious tone. Rarity got up and sighed. “Just trying to remember her will upset us more.”
“What if she dies there? You know how humans were…” 
“Yes. Ah understand. But ah promise yah if anything happens to her, we’ll do something about it.” Applejack promised. She brought her hoof to her heart and crossed it. “Cross mah heart. Hope to die…” She then closed one eye and put her hoof on top of her eyelid. “Stick a cupcake in mah eye.” Rarity giggled and did the same. 
“It’s been such a long time since we did that. A Pinkie Pie promise...” Rarity smiled.  It’s good she’s smiling. I hope she stays like that.  Applejack beamed back and walked out. Rarity sat back down and sighed.  I miss being myself… I wish I still was... Me.  Rarity looked at the ceiling. A painting of two familiar ponies was on it. “I promise to you, Celestia, I will go after her if I feel there is something bad…” She whispered staring at the older princess on the ceiling. A sound of hooves became louder. 
“Rarity! Hi! We’re going to visit Ponyville tomorrow! Wanna come?! I swear it’s the cupcake festival! It’s near the end of fall! The Running of the Leaves is RIGHT AFTER THE CUPCAKE FESTIVAL and we have to goooo!” Pinkie Pie jumped into the room and went on about the cupcake festival.  Rarity rolled her eyes.
“Alright, I’ll go.” She smiled.  Maybe it’ll be good to see home again... 
“OH MY CELESTIA. Yes! Guysss!” Pinkie ran out to the hallway and yelled. “Rarity is coming!!!” She was then followed by a huge ‘yippe’ from 3 other ponies. 
“Is Rainbow Dash going?” Rarity asked her and Pinkie shook her head. 
“Nope. She doesn’t… feel like it.” Pinkie sighed. “It makes me sad, you know? I can’t ever seem to cheer her up…” Rarity nodded. “I wonder how’s Aura right now... I sent her a letter…”