Gossamer, Gravity, and Greed

Beams of light filtered through Rarity's elegant butterfly wings and showered the Cloudosseum with a full spectrum of color. Rarity couldn't help but feel as though she was on top of the world. Everypony in Cloudsdale was watching her in awe, admiring her magnificence and grace. Not only that, but being in the air felt remarkably amazing. The wind blowing through her mane; the sun warming her coat. Even being able to see all of Equestria from her altitude made her experience wondrous euphoria.

Just then, a peculiar scent snapped her out of her reverie. Was it her, or did it seem to be getting warmer? She sniffed the air a few more times. It smelled like Sweetie Belle's cooking. Gasping in horror as a realization struck her, she took a look at her wings. Right before her eyes, they were seared and vaporized by the sun's rays. In a flash, they were nothing but burnt cobwebs and water vapor. In that moment, her euphoria was replaced with a sense of dread.

As soon as those words left her lips, Rarity dropped like a rock. She tumbled past the Cloudosseum, where the ponies who once stared at her in admiration were now staring at her in horror. The only thing Rarity could think of to do was scream at the top of her lungs and flail her legs with reckless abandon.

Almost immediately, three pegasi flew from the Cloudosseum to try and rescue her. Alas, all rational cognition had left Rarity's mind. In her panic, she accidentally hit one of her potential saviors with her foreleg. To her shock, the pegasus vanished without a trace after being struck. This caused her to become even more hysterical, and she carelessly hit the other two pegasi as well. Just like the first, they disappeared.

Wh-what's going on?! Rarity thought frantically. Why did they disappear like that?! Can't anypony save me?! I-I don't want to die!

For the longest time, nopony else came to her aid. Down, down, down she fell. Her heart raced at a mile a minute, and sweat poured down her face, ruining her makeup. She dared not to look at the ground, for the very thought of seeing it getting closer and closer made her sick to her stomach. Instead, she focused on the Cloudosseum as it receded into the distance, hoping that another pegasus would try to save her. That hope began to dwindle as the stadium in the clouds became smaller and smaller, until it was nothing but an almost-undefinable speck. Her eyes began to water.

As if an answer to her mental cry for help, a smaller speck flew out of the Cloudosseum and began approaching Rarity at a great speed. Rarity squinted her eyes, and could make out the shape of a pony silhouetted against the glare of the sun. It was difficult to tell who it was, but judging by the speed of the pony's approach, she thought she had a good guess.

I-is that Rainbow Dash? she thought as her heart leapt. Oh, thank Celestia! I'm saved!

But as the pony got closer, it turned out not to be Rainbow Dash. Instead, it was somepony Rarity would have never expected. Flying to her rescue was a lavender mare with a purple-and-red streaked mane; her violet eyes reflecting determination and concern. Even more surprising was the fact that she not only had wings, but also a horn that pulsed with magenta energy.

A tingling sensation spread throughout Rarity's body as she was bathed in Twilight's magic. The sensation was incredibly soothing, as if she were being rocked in a cradle. She took several deep breaths, and was finally able to calm herself. She looked at Twilight with misty eyes.

"Th-thank you so much, Twilight," she said softly. "I am so lucky to have a friend like you."

"I-I don't know," said Rarity nervously. "I think somepony is trying to talk to me."

"Twilight is not an upstart, you, you, whatever you are!" Rarity snapped. "I demand that you show yourself this instant!"

She gestured with her hoof towards the open sky, trying to show that they were alone. However, Rarity did see someone else. Or rather, something.

Floating behind Twilight was a large, dazzling diamond with a whitish-blue hue. Rarity tilted her head in confusion, staring blankly at the odd stone.

"Um, Twilight?" she said, pointing her hoof. "Is it just me, or is that gemstone floating?"

"Huh? What gemstone?" asked Twilight, turning to where Rarity was pointing. "I don't see anything."

That's because I'm not talking to you, upstart, said the voice, which was now emanating from the diamond.

"Stop calling her that!" Rarity demanded. "You have no right to refer to my friend in such a derogatory manner!"

Well, how do you think I feel? said the diamond. After all, we're friends, too, aren't we?

Liar liar, wings on fire~! the diamond taunted. Oh wait, too soon? Well, no matter. Here, maybe this will jog your memory.

In an instant, the diamond lost its luster, turning into nothing but a large grey boulder. Rarity recognized the boulder right away, and her eyes went wide.

"Wait, you?!" she sputtered in disbelief. "B-b-b-but that's impossible! You can't talk!"

You are such a poor liar, Rarity, said the boulder with a sigh. Just tell the upstart the truth. Tell her that you're getting some friendly advice from your old buddy Tom.

Yes, your wings. Didn't having them feel magnificent? Didn't you love the attention you got? Didn't you relish in the sensation of swooping about with such grace and ease?

"W-well, I did," Rarity admitted. "But what does that have to do with anything?"

Would I really? Tom said nefariously. I have to wonder about that. After all, you're jealous of your upstart friend Twilight Sparkle, are you not?

We both know the answer to that one, said Tom. You had both wings and a horn long before this upstart did, and yet she's the one who is going to be crowned princess. Doesn't that seem a trifle unfair?

"For your information, Twilight was the one who gave me those wings," said Rarity.

And you subsequently lost them because of your hubris. Yes, I know the story, said Tom dismissively. Nevertheless, you learned a valuable lesson that day. You learned that it would take more than gossamer and morning dew to fly again. You need what Twilight has.

Take them, Rarity. Use your magic to tear those wings off of Twilight's body and attach them to your own.

Rarity gasped in horror. "Wh-what?! Steal Twilight's wings?! Are you mad?! I-I can't do that!"

"Rarity, you're starting to scare me," said Twilight, her face clouded with worry. "A-are you okay?"

I'm just calling a spade a spade, said Tom indifferently. Those wings should be yours for the taking. Don't you want to be admired again? Don't you want to feel the wind in your mane as you flitter about? Don't you wish to feel the euphoria of flight?

Rarity hated to admit it, but the concept as Tom presented it was tempting. Nevertheless, she stood her ground.

"That was a mistake," Rarity growled. "You're only right about one thing, Tom. I did learn something that day. I learned that it's important to keep your hooves on the ground and to always be there for your friends."

Hmm. Good point, Tom mused. Alright then, we'll compromise. You take Twilight's wings, and then save her from plummeting to her doom. That way, you'll get what you want and still be there for her.

"That is the most vile compromise I've ever heard!" shouted an aghast Rarity. "Only the most selfish of ponies would do such a cruel thing!"

Why should I? It's true, said Tom. Despite being the so-called Element of Generosity, you always have to be the center of the universe. Your desires; your reputation; your needs. All of that means more to you than anything else in Equestria.

"That's a lie and you know it!" Rarity roared. "I am not hurting Twilight, Tom, and that's final!"

"Tom?" said Twilight, raising an eyebrow. "Rarity, I think we should get you home. You're not feeling well."

So, you think you can just keep ignoring me, the boulder's voice echoed. Well then, let's see if the Element of Generosity can make the ultimate sacrifice: Her own life!

Before Rarity could inquire as to what Tom meant, she suddenly found herself draped from head to hoof in cobwebs.

Before she could complete her thought, she was yanked out of Twilight's spell and began falling again. Looking down, she was horrified to discover that Tom was tied to the cobwebs that surrounded her body like a thick cocoon. Equally horrified herself, Twilight quickly swooped down to try and save her friend.

Punish the upstart and take her wings! Tom ordered as he continued to drag her down. Give in to your greed, your jealousy, and your outrage! It is the only way to save yourself!

"Never!" Rarity proclaimed. "I am not jealous of Twilight! Let me go, you dumb rock!"

Fine. Keep lying to yourself. See if I care, said Tom. After all, I'm just a rock. I'm not the one about to die.

Rarity didn't respond, but merely squirmed and struggled as she tried to free herself from the cobwebs. Twilight made a valiant effort to catch up, but for some reason, she couldn't close the gap. Even her magic could barely reach Rarity, though the very idea seemed preposterous. Rarity started to hyperventilate, and her heart pounded in her chest.

"I will not hurt Twilight. I will not hurt Twilight," she chanted to herself, resisting the urge to obey Tom's instructions. "No matter what happens, I will not hurt Twilight."

It seems you are getting accustomed to your new gossamer coffin, Tom said mockingly.

Rarity ignored the rock's taunts and continued to chant. "I will not hurt Twilight. I am not jealous of her at all. I couldn't be more proud of her. I don't want wings. I don't need wings."

Then you don't need to live, said Tom. Say goodbye to your upstart friend, Rarity. It's the last you'll ever see of her.

With that, Tom accelerated, dragging Rarity down with him. Twilight tried to increase her own velocity, but alas, her efforts were in vain. Rarity watched with misty eyes as her friend grew smaller and smaller over the horizon. Soon, Twilight was nothing but a tiny speck barely visible to the naked eye. Rarity closed her eyes and sniffled, tears beginning to seep through and run down her cheeks. Just as she was about to resign herself to her fate, she heard a soothing voice.

Suddenly, Rarity felt the tingling sensation of magic spread throughout her body again. This time, however, the aura around her was a deep indigo color. With a sharp tug, she was pulled free of the cobwebs, and Tom disappeared within a cloud bank. Rarity breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you," she said breathlessly. "I don't know what I would've..."

She trailed off when she saw the face of her savior. Flying before her was none other than Princess Luna.

"Do not fret, Rarity," said Luna soothingly. "This is but a dream. You are fast asleep."

"Enough," said Luna, her comforting smile turning into a concerned frown. "Something about Twilight's ascension is bothering you, correct?"

Rarity sighed. "Y-yes, Your Highness," she murmured. "I-I don't know if Princess Celestia told you about the Best Young Flyer competition, but basically, I had Twilight cast a spell on me to give me wings so that I could go to Cloudsdale and provide some moral support for my friend Rainbow Dash. At least, that was my intention."

"But then you got careless and entered the competition yourself," said Luna. "Yes, I know that part. What does that have to with Twilight?"

Rarity sighed again. "I don't want to be jealous of her, Princess Luna. I'm happy for her. Incredibly happy, really. She clearly deserves those wings a lot more than I do. It's just that..."

"You fear that you will become envious," said Luna, completing Rarity's thought.

Rarity nodded and hung her head in shame. All was silent and still for a time. Then, Luna smiled and lifted Rarity's head with her hoof.

"You are stronger than you give yourself credit for, Rarity," said the Princess of the Night. "Despite everything, you did not submit to selfishness. Being generous doesn't mean giving up everything. It means knowing what to give up and when it's appropriate. Perhaps you do let your own desires get in the way from time to time, just as the rock said. Nevertheless, you are still generous when and where it counts the most, and that is why you bear the Element of Generosity. Never forget that."

Rarity paused for a moment to let Luna's words sink in. She then gave the princess a soft smile. "I won't," said she. "Thank you, Princess Luna. I..."

She was interrupted by the world around her becoming distorted. Luna gave her a wink and flew off into the horizon. Before anything else could happen, Rarity's senses were overwhelmed, and she whited out.

***

Rarity awoke in her suite at Canterlot Castle, slumped over a stand that held five marvelous dress designs. She quickly shook herself and looked over at the mannequins provided for her. Two dresses were completed, one was half-done, and she didn't even start on the other two.

"One of these days, I have to learn to pace myself," she sighed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Well, there's still plenty of time before the coronation, and no project is too ambitious for my friends. Time to get back to work!"

She then began working on the unfinished dress, singing to herself as she did so.

"Piece by piece, snip by snip,
Croup, dock, haunch, shoulders, hip,
Thread by thread, primped and pressed,
Yard by yard, never stress,
And that's the art of the dress~!"

Gossamer, Gravity, and Greed

by Metool Bard

Falling from Grace