To Be Magical

by Lux


A Friendly Request

Chapter 2 – A Friendly Request

“Bye Rarity,” Sweetie Belle said as she left the Carousel Boutique with a saddlebag filled with books and other school supplies.

“By Sweetie Belle,” Rarity replied as she waved to the younger sister from the entrance of the store. She watched as the white unicorn’s body grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared amongst the myriad of other ponies. There was a moment of worry that Sweetie Belle would somehow get hurt or lost along the way but the mare quickly passed off such notion. Gone were the days that her younger sister was a helpless foal, relying on others for help. In fact the more times that she had her sister over, the more Rarity realized how similar Sweetie Belle reminded her of how she was as a filly her age.

“You’re growing up so fast,” Rarity said with a smile as she went back into her store, shutting the door behind her with her magic, “You look so confident with yourself, ready to take on the world and yet there are times that you look so fragile. Oh I do hope that I’m a good sister to you.”

Rarity remembered a time when she had almost taken her sister for granted, seeing her sometimes flighty behavior of more of a nuisance than a joy to be around. Things came to a breaking point where Sweetie Belle virtually disowned her in favor of Applejack whom the filly claimed was a better sister. If it wasn’t for the revelation of what she had done and learning the meaning of compromise from her friend, Rarity’s relationship might have been lost.

After that day, Rarity vowed that she would be a better sister to Sweetie Belle, the kind that Applejack was to Apple Bloom. This meant doing more things that the filly liked and tolerating the times that the white unicorn made a mistake without getting upset. Yet there were certain things that the unicorn mare couldn’t do for her sister. One was helping Sweetie Belle with getting her cutie mark. She knew that her little sister wanted one as getting a cutie mark was a sign of achieving one’s talent and that she was one step closer to being considered a young mare. Rarity had an idea as to what Sweetie’s talent was, her singing, but no matter how hard she tried she could never convince her younger sister that singing was anything but a hobby. The only thing Rarity could do was to encourage her to explore the possibilities of her talent, hoping that she’d discover it soon.

The desire to practice was something that came late for the unicorn filly. Granted Sweetie Belle would ask her about magic like how it worked, which Rarity did the best to explain. Although Rarity was smart, she had trouble telling her something that came natural to her but she tried her best. It seemed after the Sisterhooves Social that Sweetie became more interested in her sister and in unicorn magic. Rarity was a pony that knew her strengths as well as her weaknesses, and soon she would have to seek out help from somepony more gifted in magic and better equipped to explain it.

“Today is that day,” Rarity said as she looked at the kitchen that was now devoid of one vase that was shattered and in the trash, “I’m meeting Twilight today for lunch. Then I can ask her for help. Oh I do hope she can help my sister.”

*****

“Thank you for meeting me for lunch today,” Rarity said between bites of her sandwich as the two sat outside at the café.
“Oh no problem,” Twilight said with a smile, “I’m glad I had time to do so. Things have been busy as a Princess with all the lessons that Princess Celestia has been giving me.”

Rarity remembered that fateful day when her friend became an Alicorn. She recalled a vague memory about her trying to control the weather like Rainbow Dash did and then somehow waking up at her sewing machine with all these horridly sewn dresses that she would never imagine creating. But the biggest surprise came when with a surge of magic her friend Twilight suddenly vanished into thin air, only to appear outside as an Alicorn! Rarity had to admit she felt a little jealous that her friend now had so much power and was able to now fly. The white unicorn remembered what it felt to fly briefly and the wonder that she experienced, but that day ended badly. Her slight jealousy though gave way to happiness for her friend, and she vowed to help Twilight adjust as best as she could to her new body and life.

“I can only imagine how busy you are,” Rarity said, “How are you adjusting?”

“Ok I guess. It still feels strange with wings, especially sleeping. Just when I think I have them under control they pop open when I’m trying to sleep! I have to ask Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy about how to fix them.”

“Oh are you learning how to fly from them as well?”

“Kind of. It’s more like learning how to float for a few seconds and them fall on my face.”

“Oh don’t worry,” Rarity with an assured smile, “I’m sure if anypony can get the hang of it, you can. How’s your magic by the way?”

“Oh Rarity, it’s amazing! You wouldn’t believe the power I feel. All those simple spells I can do with no effort at all and even the hardest spells seem easier. Of course I sometimes get the occasional magical surges. One time I accidentally kind of turned Spike into a dog, although he seemed used to it. Oh I don’t mean to boast about my magic really.”

“That’s ok Twilight. I’m really happy for you and your new life. Just remember that whatever happens I’m here for you. We all are.”

“Thanks, but really despite the wings and the magic I’m still the same Twilight,” she said as she watched a pony walking by suddenly upon seeing her give a bow, “despite what other ponies think. How are you doing Rarity?”

“Oh the same thing really. I’ve been working on a few designs for a winter collection, dresses that are warm, comfortable, and are sure to turn heads at any event.”

“That sounds nice,” Twilight said trying to picture the next lovely clothing that her friend would be artfully making.
“Well I’ll be sure to make one for you then, one that’s fit for royalty!”

“Oh you don’t have to do that Rarity. I can’t thank you enough for making my coronation dress.”

“Nonsense dear, it’ll be my pleasure.”

“Thanks Rarity,” Twilight said with a smile at Rarity’s unwavering generosity, “So how is Sweetie Belle?”

“Oh she is doing fine I guess. She still doesn’t have her cutie mark yet, despite how many time she and her Crusader friends try. Part of me thinks that she wants it to be considered a grown up pony while the other reason is that practically everypony else in her class has one! Then there those two bullies that Sweetie Belle tells me about, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. It seems no matter how many times Cheerilee speaks with them or their parents those two are determined to making Sweetie Belle and her friends miserable!”

Twilight could see the frustration on Rarity’s face at the fact that Sweetie Belle was enduring so much misery not having her cutie mark, making her the odd pony out in her class. The purple Alicorn remembered how school was where popularity was as important as math or reading and differences while encouraged was sometimes the target of bullies. She also knew that a cutie mark meant that a pony knew their talent and were one step closer to becoming an adult.

“It must be tough for her to endure those bullies and to not have her mark. I know you wish that there’s a way for her to get her mark quickly, but ponies discover it when they’re ready. Still I hope that she finds her talent soon and I’ll help encourage her to find it.”

“Thanks Twilight. There is something else that I’m concerned about her.”

“What’s that,” Twilight said seeing the concern on her face.

“It’s her magic Twilight. The poor filly has been trying to practice her magic every chance she gets since the Sisterhooves Social. Today I found her passed out in the kitchen with a broken vase next to her. She said she way trying to learn how to levitate it.”

“Oh my,” Twilight said putting her hooves to her mouth in surprise, “That’s bad that she’s trying so hard she’s passing out. Is she having any headaches? I know that when unicorns are her age they can get headaches due to a buildup of magical energy.”

“She’s been having them daily. Oh most of them are minor but there are times that she can barely play or study because of how bad they are! There are times when she’s over at my house that she wakes up screaming at night because of how bad they are! I try to help comfort her and to teacher what I can, but oh Twilight it’s hard for me to explain something that I’ve been doing all my life! I just feel so helpless with her. I’m her big sister, and I’m supposed to be the one teaching her things, but I can’t with this.”

With that Twilight could see tears form in her friend’s eyes due to the frustration of not being to help and watching Sweetie Belle suffer.

“Rarity,” Twilight said putting a reassuring hoof around her friend, “You’re a great sister and I know you’re trying the best you can to help Sweetie Belle. Is there anything that I can do?”

“I don’t want to be a burden to you Twilight,” Rarity said drying her eyes.

“Rarity, you’re my friend and friends help each other. So what do you need?”

“Can you teach Sweetie Belle magic?”

The request was expected but nonetheless surprising to the Alicorn. In an instant Twilight’s mind was filled with a mix of excitement and doubt.

“Rarity, I don’t know if I can do it. I mean, I was just Princess Celestia’s student.I can give lectures about magic, but I don’t know where to start teaching a filly about magic!”

“Twilight, you’re the only one I can think of that is best with teaching Sweetie Belle," Rarity said seeing her friend get that alll too familiar nervous look on her face, "I’m not asking you to teach her full time like Princess Celestia did with you, just a few lessons about the basics, something to get her started. Maybe if she learns magic she’ll get her mark.”

“It’s a big task still. Can I think about it,” Twilight asked.

“Sure,” Rarity replied, “Take all the time you need.”

“Well,” I do plan to visit Sweetie Belle’s school in a few hours,” Twilight said, “After that I’ll let you know tomorrow. How does that sound?”

“That is fine with me,” Rarity said with a smile, “Thanks Twilight.”

“You’re welcome Rarity,” Twilight replied as the two finished their lunch together, a moment of peace and friendship amidst their busy lives.