//------------------------------// // Intro // Story: Rarity's Dilemma // by Twi-Guy //------------------------------// “AAAAHHHHHHH” the terrified shriek rang out throughout the entire boutique. Fearing the worst, Sweetie Belle rushed to her sister’s side. Room after room flashed by with no trace of Rarity in any of them, each offering an ever elaborate predicament which only caused Sweetie to run even faster. Panting and nearly out of breath, Sweetie rounded the last corner, and found Rarity lying on her bed. Only something wasn’t quite right, her body didn’t look peaceful at all, in fact it looked tense and broken in a way that is impossible to describe. “Rarity…” said Sweetie Belle in a cautiously optimistic way, barely managing to keep her voice under control. After a few seconds and no response, Sweetie definitely knew that something was very wrong, but when she tried to move forward she found that her hoofs were glued to the floor. The realization of this fact sent a gut wrenching spasm through her stomach which in turn made her legs wobble like they were made of Jell-O. “Come on Rarity, this isn’t funny…” Sweetie’s voice now noticeably shaking. After a few seconds and no response, Sweetie summoned the courage within herself to take a step forward. Just one at first, then slowly another, and another until she felt confident that her legs wouldn’t buckle; she looked up towards Rarity and could see her silhouette growing ever larger as she approached. Sweetie could hear the breathing before she could see Rarity’s chest slowly moving up and down. Thanking Celestia that her sister was still alive, and not knowing what else to do, Sweetie decided to poke her sister. “Rarity, wake up… it’s time to wake up Rarity…” the words came out slowly at first, but soon took a more urgent tone as nothing seemed to happen. The poking likewise turned into more of a gentle shoving motion, which slowly rocked Rarity back and forth. After several seconds of trying to prod her sister awake, a sensation that was becoming all too familiar to Sweetie returned and blind panic took over. The rocking became a desperate shoving motion. Tears began to well up in her eyes as her worst fears began to work their way through her imagination, an imagination that was beginning to be all too real. Sweetie’s voice was shaking and her throat was starting to go raw as she tried to hold back her sobs. “Rarity, please… please wake up, come on… let’s go play outside together… please wake up.” Deciding that nothing she was doing was working, Sweetie gave in and broke down, moving Rarity’s legs in such a way that it seemed like Rarity really was hugging her. Feeling her sister’s weak heartbeat and fearing the worst Sweetie bear hugged her sister, wishing that this was all a dream and that she would wake up in her bed, safe and sound. “I’m so sorry Rarity, for everything.” The words rang hollow on Sweetie Belle’s ears, knowing that Rarity would never truly hear them. Then something seemed to happen. It almost felt as if Rarity moved. What started out so slowly soon began to spread and almost as if by magic, Rarity’s legs gained their strength back, her heart felt powerful and sure again and slowly Rarity began to rise. A stunned Sweetie Belle simply stared back in equal parts amazement, confusion, and disbelief. A magical aura surrounded Rarity and seemed to make her shine and shimmer. Sparks danced around her as the aura began to fade taking with them the energy that had revitalized Rarity. After all of the magical energy had left, there was only Rarity, breathing in a trance like way. Daring not to disturb whatever may be happening with Rarity, Sweetie stared back in bewildered astonishment. After several minutes, Rarity finally opened her eyes which had a sharpness about them, renewed and full of energy. Sweetie let out the breath she didn’t even know she was holding and ran over to Rarity. Sweetie attached herself to one of Rarity’s front legs and pushed her face against Rarity’s body. Not expecting to see her sister so soon after her trance, Rarity simply looked down at Sweetie Bell, dumbfounded and touched at the same time. The two decided to let the moment last for a time, until Sweetie Bell decided to break the silence. “Rarity, I thought you were… and the scream… what happened?” “It’s ok Sweetie, I’m not going anywhere. The scream was a physical reaction to the complexity and large amount of magic needed to perform the trance spell I just came out of.” “Trance spell? What do you mean?” “Well, Sweetie, sometimes when I get a new idea for a dress or a fashion line, I tend to get a little excited.” The rolling of Sweetie’s eyes confirmed that she at least understood that much. “And then I realize how much planning has to go into the project, and sometimes I freeze. I can’t think how to what or when I’ll find time. I told Twilight about it and she showed me a spell that she often used while studying in Canterlot. You must have seen me when I was in it?” The slight nod was enough of an indication for Rarity to continue. “The spell does take a lot out me, I admit, but it is worth it once I come out of the trance. I feel renewed and refreshed and I feel like I can take on the world. Or at least the new dress I am planning on making for Fluttershy. Speaking of which, have you seen her today?” All of this new found information was a bit much for Sweetie Bell to take in at once, and she answered in a somewhat dazed yet thankful voice. “The last time I saw her, she was by her cottage, helping the animals.” With that, Rarity bolted out of the room and made her way towards the front door, thinking with speed and clarity and moving with purpose towards Fluttershy’s cottage.