//------------------------------//
// Chapter 25 
// Story: Combat Magic 
// by totallynotabrony 
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	Rarity’s last few days on Earth were busy. Having been under constant threat from magic-hating killers, she hadn’t experienced as much of the planet as the Princesses would probably have liked. She was still on a mission, after all.
While she might not have received the full human experience, or even a mostly average experience, Rarity thought that she might have gotten a better idea about how they, as a species, worked. Although, perhaps it would be better to simply report her experiences and let somepony who was paid to think about interplanetary sociopolitical matters take care of it.
Rarity said goodbye to Loowit before leaving the area. The fire goddess was tied to her mountain, and could not travel. They had become friends, and Rarity was sad to part company. Still, at least she would retain the memories made.
After cavorting about the planet at taxpayers’ expense—including a trip to Disney World—Rarity and her five government escorts eventually returned to the underground complex at Raven Rock to send Rarity home.
Making friends from previously unknown acquaintances would always be an interesting experience. The kind of friendship forged through battle seemed to be an especially effective way to determine how much someone really cared.
While the entire disagreement with Purity had been over an idea, Rarity realized that if it weren’t for some sort of overarching initiative, she would have been abandoned and alone. Why else would these people risk their lives to save her?
Rarity’s Equestrian friends would have done the same, of course. She’d noticed a few parallels and themes between the five of them and the people she’d stayed with during her month on Earth. Of course, she couldn’t simply pair them up pony to person. None of the humans had concentrated talents and traits.
It reminded Rarity of something Rob had said. Humans were diverse. A single person could be very versatile and in fact was encouraged to be. While Rarity knew her special talent, something she could do better than anything else, it might be a good idea to think about improving other skills.
Morgan figured that her gem-finding spell could make the team some money so they wouldn’t have to rely on budgets. Rarity had no idea what to do with anything he’d taught her. In fact, nearly everything she’d learned from any of them would not apply to Equestria. Guns, meat, the internet.
Still, it was rather bittersweet to say goodbye. Regardless of their other traits, she considered the five people to be her friends, made through trial and tribulation. Rarity didn’t know if she would ever return to Earth, so she might be bidding them farewell permanently.
The bland room in the depths of Raven Rock was prepared for her departure. Rarity sat on the bed, considering what she would say. It was not often that anypony’s life could be so thoroughly changed in just one month. While she could go back to her old existence in Equestria, things would never be quite the same.
Rarity reflected on that. She was not aware of any long-term enemies of hers in Equestria, but she and the other bearers of the Elements of Harmony were certainly placed in sticky situations often enough. It certainly couldn’t hurt to be a little more…conflict-minded. Situational awareness and readiness would certainly have helped prevent some disasters in the past.
She shook her head. She couldn’t introduce war to Equestria! The human planet was nothing like her home. Rarity knew that whatever she had experienced here, she couldn’t bring it back with her.
The others were there to see her off. Bear checked her watch. “You have just a few minutes left, Rarity.”
Rarity smiled. “I’d like to thank you all for the hospitality, although I apologize if my presence here caused you any unnecessary trouble.”
“Well, we did take out the world’s oldest racist, so that’s something,” commented Morgan. “We couldn’t pin anything too severe on Mr. Wright, but our organization’s counterpart in the British government was able to come up with something.”
“While I might not be a stranger to action and adventure, this past month has really been over the top,” said Rarity.
“You were supposed to have a new experience, and I think that’s happened.” Jenny looked thoughtful. “I suppose it could have gone better, but that’s life.”
Indeed, thought Rarity. “Even with the victory celebration at Disney World, I certainly didn’t see everything humanity had to offer.”
“I’m sure the internet helped,” put in Veronica.
“It let me get a…more intensive view of people,” Rarity admitted.
“Don’t worry, everyone stumbles on Rule 34 before too long,” Rob reassured her.
Bear checked her watch again and stepped forward to take Rarity’s hand. “It’s been a pleasure getting to know you.”
“And all of you as well.” Rarity shook with each of them in turn. She could feel her eyelids getting heavy, the first effects of the spell going to work. 
With one last look and smile at her friends, Rarity lay back in the bed and closed her eyes. The spell to take her back began to gain in intensity. In the background, the sound of the bunker’s ventilation system faded. Rarity was going home.


The room in the castle was fairly large and well lit with stained glass windows along the walls and high ceilings. Six beds were arranged neatly in the center of the floor.
The large hourglass in the room dropped its last few grains of sand, marking the end of the month. The two princesses standing near it watched as six motes of light appeared, one over each bed. Six mares appeared with a flash of bright color.
Rarity opened her eyes. Gentle sunlight poured in through the castle windows. She shifted slightly, feeling a tail under her. Her tail.
“Wow! Wasn’t that exciting!” giggled Pinkie’s voice.
Rarity sat up, her eyes looking at the five other ponies who had been away from home just like her. Their experiences had been nothing alike, however. They simply couldn’t have been.
Still, it was good to see them all again. Rarity couldn’t help but think of the friends she’d left behind, though.  The other mares were chatting animatedly. Twilight paused, looking at the white unicorn. “You’re being awfully quiet, Rarity.”
“It was a long, strange trip,” Rarity replied. That description fit the best, she decided. 
Rarity made small talk with her friends, happy to just be back in Equestria. Her hooves seemed rather numb and ineffective compared to the rich sensation of touch that fingers provided. At least she had regained a proper mane and coat to groom. She could go back to being fabulous. Even if that was sometimes impractical and time consuming.
Rarity shook her head. When in Roam… She was once again a pony in Equestria. She could go back to being herself again. But wasn’t she herself, Rarity, all along? Despite the alien body and instincts, hadn’t it really been her doing those things? A human might be okay with those memories and could live with them. Could a pony?
The door opened to reveal six typists ready to record what each of the six mares had experienced. As they were coming in, Rarity hopped off her bed and approached Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. “I have something to tell you that will change Hearth’s Warming Eve forever.”
The two royal sisters traded a look. “It sounds important,” commented Luna.
Celestia nodded in agreement. “How will the holiday change?”
“Well, I suppose the event itself won’t…but the story will,” admitted Rarity. “Perhaps I could explain it better given some time to think. What’s done is done, and this isn’t really time-critical, not now.”
“I must admit, I’m curious,” said Celestia. “What does one of our ancient traditions have to do with your month on another world?”
“Ma’am? I’m ready for you,” broke in the stenographer who was assigned to Rarity.
She sighed. “I’ll record everything I know, Princess, and if you have questions after that I can answer them. It’s a long story.”
The two Princesses accepted that and left the room. Ponies with refreshments began to come in. The six mares settled down to comfortably tell their respective stories.
Rarity took a pastry and bit into it. The sweets were better in Equestria, hands—er, hooves—down. Still, after the effects of such a massive spell, she felt hungry for something a little more substantial.
Rarity reclined on the bed. A tumble of memories raced through her head, each of them important to write down. It was confusing to try to sort them out, so Rarity simply started from the beginning.
There was the initial shock of waking up to a new body; the discovery that magic still existed; the unpleasant surprise of learning that some people hated magic. 
Individual experiences were harder to describe. The feel of exotic fabrics; flying in an airplane; learning about the internet. Rarity paused before discussing meat. The typist recording her story looked uncertain, but dutifully recorded her words.
Emotions were the hardest to put to words. How did Rarity feel when someone was trying to kill her? What was it like for her to end a life? She had to stop several times to get her voice under control. It was not easy to talk about, but it seemed to help put things in perspective. Rarity understood what she had done. She had even rationalized some of it. That didn’t make it any more pleasant or an appropriate way for a pony to behave, much less a proper lady.
Rarity didn’t realize that she had an audience until her eyes opened again that evening. The sun had gone down and lamps were lit. Five mares sat around the bed, listening with rapt attention as Rarity finished her story.
The treats had not done much for Rarity’s hunger. Something filling would be good. What would be tasty right now? I think a nice…salad.
The thought of meat had crossed her mind, but Rarity easily dispelled it. She had learned to live like a human when in their world. She could be a pony at home in Equestria.
That didn’t change what she had done, however. Rarity cast her eyes around the circle of ponies who listened to her story. “You…you probably think I’m horrible.”
To her surprise, Rarity received five simultaneous hugs.
“You didn’t do any of that because you’re cruel,” Fluttershy reassured her.
Applejack added, “And you know it might’ve been not so good, so you feel bad about it.”
“But you stuck up for your friends anyway,” put in Rainbow.
“And maybe made some cool memories in the meantime!” said Pinkie.
Twilight, as usual, got the last word. “It sounds like you made some good friends, Rarity. Having their support must have really helped.”
From inside the hug circle, Rarity carefully attempted to hold back a few emotional tears. “You’re all correct, of course. I don’t think I could have coped without them.”
She managed to work a smile onto her face. “And I’m so glad I have all of you.”



Rarity opened the door to the guest room. The Princesses had given her and her friends a place to stay the night before going back to Ponyville in the morning. She put down the candle she carried on the bedside table and slipped beneath the covers.
The visit to another planet had indeed been a long, strange trip. Rarity had mostly made peace with what she’d done. While she had every right to refuse to participate, the inhabitants of Earth had their own way of doing things. They were not necessarily wrong, just different.
Tolerance really was a valuable skill. Rarity made herself comfortable in bed, staring up at the ceiling in the dim light of the candle. It was fortunate that she had such good friends who could accept her for who and what she was. She, too, had learned quite a lot in that regard.
Rarity glanced at the small night light candle mounted on the wall across the room. The portable candle she’d carried in was still sitting by the bed. Rarity sighed, not keen on getting up to walk to the other side of the room.
With a sudden inspiration, Rarity smirked. She’d learned other things while on her trip, too. With a little bit of magic, a spark of flame burst into ignition on the candle wick across the room.
Rarity put out the main candle and rolled over in bed. It was still a bittersweet feeling to leave friends behind, but memories like that would not fade. She could see them again in her mind’s eye whenever she wished.
Sleep was pleasant. Rarity did not worry about murderous enemies. Home was truly where the heart was, and despite her travels and lessons, Rarity knew that there were some things that could not be duplicated.
Camaraderie. The qualities that connected companions. Anything was possible, anywhere. All it took was a little friendship.