//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: The Last Crystal Unicorn // by TheMyth //------------------------------// The last few days were not the finest for Cadance. The bags under her eyes and her misshelved hair were indicators of such. She was for the last week going through everypony’s family records in the hopes of finding out if a certain crystal unicorn had any living relatives at all. The unicorn in question was all the way in Ponyville, readjusting to life in the present. It was fortunate that he was, because Cadance was not succeeding one bit. As she ate her breakfast of oats and honey at the foot of the long dining table, she was greeted by her husband Shining Armor who came in after his morning exercise drills. She smiled weakly at him, before standing up and greeting him with a kiss. “Morning Shining.” She said to him as she went back to her table to finish her meal, something she and the foal inside her needed. “I take it things aren’t going that well?” Shining asked her curiously and carefully, seeing as his wife became very emotional lately. Cadance shook her head, her lips quivering a little. “No. It’s not.” She looked up to Shining, her eyes becoming moist. “I’ve looked everywhere and I can’t find any living family member at all.” She told Shining, her voice becoming somber as she turned away from her husband’s gaze. Shining furrowed his brow as he looked down for a moment. “I was afraid of this,” Shining admitted as he chewed on his toast. “What must we do?” “I’m not giving up,” Cadance replied, finishing another bowl of oats and a batch of toast. “I’m going to see the west wing of the library and see if there isn’t any family records missing there.” Cadance told Shining as a smile started to form on her muzzle as she began to go into ‘Twilight-Mode’, something Shining was afraid of. “Cadance—” Cadance stood up suddenly and began to march towards the door. “Yes! I will start right now! There’s a crystal pony out there who needs my help and as Princess of the Crystal Empire, I need to see to help him out with everything I—” “Cadance!” Halting abruptly as she was about to reach the doors, Cadance turned to see her husband standing right behind her. He wasn’t smile, but frowning as he shook his head. The frown slowly dissipated as he reached out and nuzzled her softly. “Cadance,” Shining began to speak slowly. “Sweety, you shouldn’t exhaust yourself like this. It’s not good for you or our foal.” He explained to her, standing behind her as he caressed her swollen stomach. A kick from Cadance’s stomach signaled the unborn foal’s agreement. Shining Armour couldn’t help but smile. “But... he needs our help! There’s a foal in Ponyville who needs a mother and father and...” She was silenced when her husband put a hoof to her lips. “Cadance, listen. That foal is safe, surrounded by ponies that you know, as well as I do, will take care of him. Meanwhile, you have a foal right here,” he said, poking her stomach, “who needs you to take it easy. I’m sure you’ll find this one’s needs just a little more urgent.” “I...” Cadance started to argue, but was quieted pretty quickly. This might have been the first argument in a while she had allowed her husband to win, but she knew he was right. “I’m sorry. You’re right, I need to be thinking of our little one right now.” Shining Armor lead his wife down the hall to the bedroom they shared. “I understand you want to help this colt, but remember that you’re not the only one trying to help him. Ruby’s looking through the files, and I’ll bet she’s found something already. “Fillies and Gentlecolts,” Sombra began, the faux benevolence ringing in his voice, “you’ve come here to witness the execution of the most vilest type of criminal imaginable, the kind that will burn in the deepest pit in Tartarus: traitors. They will be dealt with, regardless of gender or age.” The crowd cheered as the offenders were dragged onto the stand. Six unicorns, two stallions, three mares, and a filly trying to nuzzle her mother for comfort, all with magic suppressing rings on their horns. “Let the execution commence!” The first stallion was placed on the block, and met his end by the axe. The second stallion, then the first mare, until only two were left. The chains pulled to drag the filly toward the block, the mother screaming not to touch her. The guards held her back, but much to their surprise, a magic surge burst the ring apart. She managed to magic her foal’s chains off before a guard took a spade to her throat. The filly ran, and got to the edge of the stand, but only because Sombra found it amusing. Then she was wrapped in his dark magic, lifted up and brought swinging down, hitting the wood with a sickening crack. Despite the horror, the crowd cheered all the more. Shimmering Ruby couldn’t help but smile herself. Bloodlust was always a fun emotion to see in the masses. Ruby sat at her desk in her chambers, remembering the old days of Sombra’s rule. She was beginning to read through the records she had found in the library. Much to her chagrin though, she was not succeeding. No family records existed with the name ‘Craft’ anywhere at all, not even among the falling crystal unicorns of back then. Ruby’s frown suddenly turned into a malicious grin, as another thought came to her. What if he didn’t have any records because his father or mother didn’t want to be recorded. Just as she was in the middle of reverie, a knock on the door was heard. Shimmering Ruby groaned and stood up from her chair, her legs going into a spasm from the amount of time she was sitting there. She forced a smile upon herself and opened the door carefully, to see Shining Armor standing at the entrance. Oh great, it’s him again. “Good day, Prince Armor. How may I help you?” She asked Shining masking her voice with as much false kindness she could muster. Shining did not see through the mask and proceeded inside. “I hope I’m not bothering you Shimmering, but I would like to know if there has been any progress on your end?” “Nothing unfortunately,” Shimmering Ruby said somberly as she lowered her head with her eyes closed. She looked up to look into Shining’s eyes. “How about you my prince? Any luck?” “Nothing at all.” No surprise there. I bet you can’t even read, you pitiful brumby. “That is a shame, if only we had Lady Sparkle here.” Shining chuckled as he rubbed his head. “Yeah, my baby sister could handle something like this. Though she would turn the whole library upside down and inside out.” “Really?” “Oh yeah!” Shining concurred as his eyes went skywards in memory lane. He could still remember Twilight as a filly, forming her own fort made out of books when she was reading. He shook his head as he laughed. “Anyway, you let me know the second you find something. Okay Shimmering?” “Actually,” Ruby began to speak, a thought coming to her mind. “Why don’t we have the Elements of Harmony escort the colt back the empire?” Shining Armor blinked. “Why?” “Your Highness, I must insist on it for political reasons. Amethyst Craft will be considered a national treasure. The crystal ponies will not stand for him to be with anypony but his own kind.” “Nopony knows about him yet...” “And how long do you think that will remain true?” Shimmering Ruby asked. “A crystal unicorn is a rare thing. He might be the only one left. How long can you keep something like that under wraps?” Shining Armor thought for a moment. “I guess that makes sense,” he conceded. “But honestly, do you think it will come to that?” “I’d be surprised if it didn’t,” Shimmering Ruby nodded sadly. “Well... I’ll discuss it with Princess Cadance when she awakens. Thank you for your advice.” “Anytime,” the vizier said through gritted teeth. As he watched Shining Armor walk down the hallway, he muttered, “Insolent foal...” She returned to her work. She knew now, she needed Amethyst Craft back in the Crystal Empire. Then, at long last, the years or bowing and scraping would be over. And she was going to make the prince and princess dance like the dumb puppets they were. Amethyst ate his breakfast with the usual politeness. Rarity had forbidden chocolate chip waffles until the colt had managed to get his sugar cravings under control, so it was oatmeal and apple juice this morning. “I do hope you two enjoy your Saturday. I know you’ve been working very hard in school.” “I want to go and see a movie with Amethyst,” Sweetie said as she finished her meal. “Maybe ‘The Invocation’—” “Absolutely not,” Rarity said firmly as she frowned down upon her sister, “That horror stuff is nonsense. I will not have a filly as young as you seeing it.” Amethyst looked to Sweetie Belle and back to Rarity, scratching his head as his eyebrow cocked. “I hate to intrude, but what exactly is a ‘movie’?” Sweetie Belle’s jaw dropped as she starred with her eyes boggled at Amethyst’s question. She quickly closed her mouth and blinked a few times before speaking. “Well, a movie is just a bunch of images moving to make it look like you're watching real life but it’s not real.” Sweetie Belle explained as best as she could, nervously giggling. Did I even make sense? “I’m not sure if I understand, but you have lured my curiosity.” Amethyst replied as he finished his apple juice. “Though with ‘horror’, you mean to give a fright to those who watch?” “Exactly.” Rarity chimed in, cleaning up the table after the foals finished their breakfast. “But I strongly insist that you choose something else to watch instead. Something more within your age group.” Sweetie Belle puckered her lips as she pouted at her sister, but sighed as she lowered her head in defeat. “Fine. We’ll watch something else.” Sweetie Belle said as she stood up from the table. “Maybe we can ask the others if they want to come along.” Sweetie Belle wondered as she looked upwards, smiling softly with a tint of red appearing on her cheeks. Maybe Spike can hold me when a scary bit comes on. “I wish to see what this ‘movie’ is, regardless of our variety available.” Amethyst mentioned before looking at Rarity cleaning their plates. He scrunched his lips and made his way to her. “Allow me to help Miss Rarity.” Rarity looked down on Amethyst with surprise. She couldn’t help but smile and giggle. “I’m almost finished here Amethyst,” she explained to him, indicated to the already washed plates. “You go on with Sweetie Belle now.” She told him as she nudged him towards the exit. “Oh!” She leaned down to his ear. “And remember, don’t eat anymore chocolate or sugary food. Not until you have your ‘problem’ taken care off.” “Very well.” Amethyst acknowledge with a nod, though he frowned slightly . “What will you be doing for today?” He asked Rarity curiously. “Well, today I have to work on a rather large order of my newest dresses.” She told him, looking to her mannequins when they left the kitchen. Fancy Pants wasn’t kidding when he told me he would advertise my work. Amethyst saw the number of mannequins before looking back at Rarity with his eyes widened. “You have to finish this amount in a single cycle?!” Rarity suppressed her giggle with her hoof as she closed her eyes. “Not at all! Though I have to get to work on them, otherwise the stress will be too much for me.” “Come on,” Sweetie said, pulling Amethyst out toward the door, “let’s get going! The theatre opens in an hour.” “Are you sure you won’t need help, Miss Rarity?” Amethyst asked. “I would be happy to assist you...” “That’s nice, really, but I’ll be fine,” she said, levitating a large burlap sack filled to the brim with gems up from where it had been resting at the side of the table. “Fashion is my special talent, after all. I enjoy the working, truly I do.” He nodded, but before he could turn to face Sweetie he noticed something. Rarity was looking at the plain sack with a sense of regret. She seemed not to even see the gems in it, concentrating on the worn container. “Is something wrong?” “Hm? Oh, everything fine, Darling. I simply... regret losing my good bag.” “What happened to it?” “I used it to distract a few diamond dogs the day I met you,” she said, before she had a chance to truly think about what she was saying. Instantly she regretted it. A look of guilt crossed Amethyst’s face, and Rarity realized her mistake. “Oh, don’t worry yourself about it. It was a mere saddlebag. Now run along and have fun, and I’ll see you tonight.” That was all the invitation Sweetie needed to resume her tugging. Within moments the pair were outside the Boutique, though the filly didn’t slow her tugging. Amethyst, however, rooted himself in the ground as hard as he could, long enough to get out his question. “Whereupon do these diamond dogs dwell?” Sweetie stopped at that, looking at him with eyes twice their usual size. “You can’t be thinking... Amethyst, it’s dangerous out there!” “I know, but Miss Rarity lost her saddlebag because of me, and I must rectify the situation. Now where are they?” “Well from what I heard, they live in the outskirts of Ponyville.” Sweetie Belle explained as they were trotting to the library. “But I seriously don’t think it’s a good idea to go out there Amethyst.” Amethyst cocked his brow as he smirked. “From the tales I have heard of what you and the others have participated in, I’d have thought you’d concur with me?” Sweetie huffed as she flicked her ears. “Yeah well, back then we were desperate in getting our cutie marks. This is just being stupid, going out there where those dogs are.” “Still,” Amethyst muttered, lowering his gaze to the ground as he frowned. Everything Miss Rarity has done for me, I must… He raised his head from the ground and started galloping towards what he believed was the exit of Ponyville. “Amethyst!” Sweetie Belle called out, before groaning and following him. Rarity is going to kill us! Amethyst finally stopped when he was standing upon what appeared to be a valley where there were hardly any vegetation growing. He looked around and saw a number of crevices, boulders and what appeared to be mounds of some sort. “Amethyst!” Hearing his name being called, he turned around to see Sweetie Belle coming from behind. She came to a halt, her forehead sweating bullets and her mane in complete disarray as she huffed to catched her breath. “You know you’re crazy!? Let’s go back now!” “I refuse.” Amethyst answered her plainly, making his way to one of the mounds. He started to dig into it with his hooves to see what was underneath it. Sweetie Belle glared at the colt, contorting her mouth as she marched up to him. “Listen! If we don’t get out of here soon, those dogs are going to find us!” “What makes them so terrifying?” “Well for one, they are bigger than us.” Sweetie Belle remarked as she bobbed her head. “Two, they apparently enslaved Rarity just for digging up gems for them. Lastly, they can seriously hurt us.” Amethyst rolled his eyes, continuing to dig through the mound. “Your words make them appear as threatening as the dragons were back in my time.” “What? No, dragons are horrible! ...Well, except Spike, when he was a dragon... but he wasn’t technically a dragon anyway... oh, they’re not as bad as dragons, but they’re still pretty bad!” “Regardless, I’m going on to retrieve Miss Rarity’s saddlebag. Now, do they live underground?” “Yes. I mean no! No! Don’t go down there!” “I told you, I...” “Well, well, well,” a raspy voice stated. Immediately, both Sweetie and Amethyst stopped, their manes standing on end. The feeling of dread only intensified with each sound of nails scratching on dirt, alerting to a new present. Rover was the first seen, his tall frame peering from around the dirt mine. On the other side, Fido peered at them, his eyes shining under his sloping forehead. At Fido’s side, Spot was the last seen, rubbing his claws together. “It looks like some pony younglings wandered too far from home,” Spot said, his voice brimming with the same kind of glee Sweetie had whenever she opened Hearth’s Warming presents. “H-hey now,” Sweetie quivered as she and Amethyst backed away. “We’re too small to be good slaves...” “I suppose,” Rover scratched his chin. “I guess we’ll just eat you.” Both ponies eyes bulged out of their sockets. “Eat us?” “Yes. Pony’s make good meals once they no longer useful!” “Now see here!” Amethyst protested, standing tall. “You shall not taunt us any longer! I lived through Sombra’s reign, and any torment you visit upon us would be a mere—” A backhand from Fido silenced him, and sent him to the ground. “That’s how we deal with ponies who make awful noises!” Rover said. “Now then...” “Hey! Look!” Sweetie suddenly yelled, holding up an empty hoof. “Ball!” “Ball!” All three dogs were suddenly on high alert. “Wait...” Rover said. “I don’t think there really is a...” “Go get it!” Sweetie said, throwing her imaginary ball over their heads. “Ball! Ball! Ball!” the three yelled, turning and chasing the imaginary object. Sweetie tugged Amethyst away from the mound. “Now let’s get out of here before—” Sweetie let out a yelp as she fell through the ground thanks to a crack she stepped on, pulling Amethyst with her. The pair yelled out as they were continuing to fall through the tunnel, before both of them finally landed roughly on a whole collection of gems. “Woah…” Sweetie Belle looked around her, seeing nothing but gems of all sorts. If Spike was still a dragon, he would go crazy for these. “Where are we?” Amethyst stood up, balancing himself on the gems he was standing on. He dusted himself off before taking a look around. “From what I gather, we are in their treasury.” He answered Sweetie, still looking around. “We need to find an exit with haste.” “Yeah,” Sweetie agreed as she got up and crossed the hills of gems, squinting her eyes as she looked forward. Rarity would salvage this place clean if she knew it existed. “I think I found a way out Amethyst! Over—” “Halt.” Amethyst stopped, gazing up to a particularly large hill of gems. He spotted something that lay on top of it. “Sweetie, what’s that?” He pointed to the object with his hoof, nearly falling on his face when he lost some balance. Sweetie squinted her eyes again before gasping. “That’s Rarity’s bag!” She told Amethyst, recognizing her sister’s work on that bag. “I never forget what Rarity wears and boasts about.” She grumbled, remembering how her sister showed off the bag to her friends. Amethyst beamed and started climbing the hill. “Excellent!” He shouted out as he was halfway to the bag. “Oh boy.” Sweetie rolled her eyes and shook her head. “I’m not going to follow you up there you know!” “Just wait there will you?” “Fine. But just so you know, I still think you’re going to get us killed. If any of the other dogs find us, who knows what they’ll do?” “I’m sure they won’t—” Amethyst began, but he only got that far. “This is without a doubt the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard anypony do!” Sweetie said, her voice rising in pitch. “This is even dumber than when Light and Scootaloo went to rescue Spike from Bloodwing! At least that was a good reason to nearly get killed!” “Sweetie!” Amethyst said, suddenly sounding alarmed. “No! Don’t interrupt me! You brought us down here, nearly turning us into dog food, just for—” At that point, Sweetie was suddenly silenced with a big grey paw clasping over her mouth. Letting out a muffled scream, she was hoisted up by a Diamond Dog, grinning in the joy of accomplishment. “No!” Amethyst yelled, only for two more to jump to the top of the gem pile he was occupying. Seconds later he was on the ground, thankfully mostly unharmed since the dog landed on himself. A large paw gripped him by the neck. “The Alphas will give us much reward,” one said, it didn’t matter who. Sweetie was gagging. Rarity wasn’t kidding when she said these dogs stunk, a fact made worse by the long periods since the last time they had surfaced to air themselves out. Still, she kicked and struggled, trying to keep her wits about her. “Um...” Amethyst tried to think. He held his hoof up. “Do you see the ball, canine?” The Diamond Dogs blinked. “Huh?” “Who wants to chase the bouncing rubber toy?” “What are you saying such weird things?” the Dig Dog demanded. “You make even worse noises then Miss Rarity.” The one holding him stuffed a dirty rag into his mouth. “We discovered how to keep ponies from making any noise.” Sweetie Belle panicked. She looked around frantically, her eyes leaking as she clenched her teeth. This is it, isn’t! We’re doomed! She looked over at Amethyst, and then realized he was lighting up his horn as he looked past the dogs. “Amethyst? What are you do—” Amethyst jerked his head back and a gem flew past the dogs and the ponies, hitting the wall in the back. A rumble soon followed as the ground started to quake. The tallest hill started to collapse as the number gems came flowing down upon the ponies and dogs in the room. “Gem slide!” One of the dogs yelled out, but he was alone as the others started running away yelping to not get crushed by the onslaught of gems. Sweetie Belle was frozen in fear, as her eyes were white and her jaw agape. She started seeing her past in front of her eyes as the gems drew nearer. “Sweetie!” Amethyst grabbed her leg and brought her back to her senses. We are leaving!” He declared with his voice at its loudest, both ponies rushing off to the nearest entry to escape. One of the Diamond Dogs growled and pointed to the exit. “After them! We mustn't let the Alphas know of ‘em!” Even with the gems sliding down towards them, the Diamond Dogs narrowed their eyes and ran towards the entry with great haste. When the last of the three were out of the treasury, the gems filled up the hole sealing the room. Amethyst and Sweetie were lost in a maze of tunnels. Every tunnel they travelled through looked identical to the other they had left. Sweetie could have sworn she saw a familiar rock when they passed through another tunnel. “Are you sure we’re not going in circles Amethyst?!” “I am certain we are lost yes.” Amethyst replied flatly, his brow furrowed as he continued to gallop. “Just as long as we keep our distance from those dogs, we can properly assess where we currently are.” Sweetie groaned as she pursed her lips. “And this is what I get for being with you today! Thanks alot!” “You followed me on your own accord!” Amethyst retorted, turning his head slightly to face Sweetie Belle from his side. “You knew the risks of this endeavour, do not blame me!” “Right and have Rarity go Twilight on me with you missing?!” “What?” Amethyst blinked with his brow cocked in confusion. “What does Miss Twilight have to do with any of this?!” Sweetie rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Nevermind! We have to get out of here before—” At that point, a large massive paw reached out from the ground and grabbed at Sweetie’s left hind leg. Giving a shriek, she shook it off, which was easy to do since the dog had not managed a tight grip through grabbing blind. As they ran, more dogs started popping up from the floor.” “I thought I heard someone,” they heard one of the dogs say. “Ponies!” Another said. “I had one, they were right here!” “Ponies! Goody, we eat good tonight!” The sound of claws scraping on dirt sounded from behind them. They redoubled their pace, but they both knew it was going to be fruitless. There were several dogs, each with legs far bigger than their own. “We must find a fork in the paths,” Amethyst said through tired pants. “We might be able to lost them through—” A flying tackle silenced him. Another dog had his filthy paws on him. Sweetie turned, skidding to a halt, and began to call his name, only to be a prisoner before the first syllable escaped her lips. “We eat! We eat!” the dog gripping Sweetie cheered. There were several barks in agreement. “Hold on,” a new dog spoke. Another group had emerged from the direction they had been running from. “We saw them first! We eat!” “We caught them!” a dog in the other group said. “We win. We eat!” “You get lucky! We eat!” “We eat!” “We eat!” “We eat!” “No. We eat!” The final argument stunned everyone. All heads turning except for those of the restrained foals, the Alphas stood there, glaring. “I’m right to assume you are the Alphas?” Amethyst asked plainly, dangling upside down with one of the Alphas holding him. The Alpha named Spot chuckled as he brought Amethyst closer to his face. “You are correct, little pony.” He answered Amethyst, licking his lips as he scanned his body. “You are not the same as those other ponies from their town are.” Amethyst gasped in false surprise hearing the Spot’s words. “My word, how did you figure that out!?” “Your coat, all shiny like a gem.” Spot grinned as he looked from his two comrades, before looking to the lesser dogs before him. “You! Wait there!” He ordered the others dogs, and they obeyed as they sat on the ground looking up to their masters. Rover inspected Sweetie, who blushed furiously as she looked away. “We could boil them! Lovely stew!” “Oh oh! Smash them till they all mush!” Fido suggested, wagging his tail as his licked his lips. “Fry them! They taste good!” Spot said. “Why don’t we let them go?” Sweetie said, trying not to move her lips in a lame attempt to throw her voice. The dogs actually seemed to consider this a moment. Then, Spot shook his head in disagreement. “Nah, too messy. Lets just eat them here and now, or we get the lesser begging!” Sweetie Belle was bawling out in tears, hearing the dogs suggestions of consuming them. She covered her face with her free hooves as he cried. I wish Spike or Rarity were here to save us! “Hey!” Amethyst shouted out to the lesser dogs behind him, getting their attention. “Are you going to just idly sit there and have these thieves take away your meal?!” The lesser dogs turned to each other before looking up at Amethyst. “But they our masters. They get—” “Finders keepers.” Amethyst chimed in, shrugging as he was held upside down. “Or are you just pups?” “We no pups!” One of the lessers dogs retorted, clenching his teeth in rage at the colt’s words. “Prove me wrong, and I will be impressed.” “Don’t listen!” Rover demanded. “We’re your Alphas! You don’t talk back to us!” “Oh yeah?” One of the larger dogs stepped forward. He was about two heads taller than Rover, and looked down on him with a smug smirk. “You not so tough.” Rover responded so quickly that those watching almost didn’t see. Rover’s claws were in his neck, small trickles of blood pouring out of fresh wounds. A punch ended any future complaint from this particular dog, audible cracks were heard, both from the punch and from the head colliding with the ground. “Anyone else want to try?” Rover daunted. It was a fair question, as the crowd now looked upon them with fear, but another spoke. “They cannot take all of us!” The dogs surged forward. Rover, Spot, and Fido never even looked worried, only annoyed. All three fought with such savagery that Sweetie wanted to cry again. But Amethyst had been born in savage times, and was less affected. “Come, let us depart!” he said, trying to pull Sweetie along. It was hard at first, her legs felt like lead weights, but slowly she began moving. They ran blindly at first, but before long they noticed the dogs had marked the way out. After a few minutes of running, they found themselves above ground. Still clutching Rarity’s bag, the pair raced back to Ponyville. The Alphas were above ground just as they made it to the edge of the field. They had a few cuts and scrapes, but still looked very much ready to fight. “There they are!” Fido said. Rover put a paw to his head. “They too close to pony village now. We go there, and pony princess come upon us!” Spot and Fido shivered. It had been three hundred years since the last time the dogs had tried to take Celestia, and it was still remembered as an unfit situation to find oneself in. The Alphas all sighed as the lowered their heads in defeat. “Let’s just go back.” Spot told them, and they all slumped back to their home. “What should we do for tonight?” Rarity was humming as she was busy with another dress order. She hummed rather loudly, hating the silence present in the boutique now. She wore her red glasses as she was working with a fine needle, sewing a few attachments on the dress. When she was finished, she levitated the dress on the mannequin and sighed. I wonder what Amethyst and Sweetie Belle are watching now? She looked up to the ceiling, her eyelids fluttering as she was starting to daydream. I just hope they haven’t gone seen an awful horror like Sweetie suggest— The bell of the front door ringed, bringing Rarity back to reality. She straightened herself up, placing her glasses on the nearby table. She trotted up to the front entrance, wearing her professional smile. “Welcome dear, how may I help—” Her words were cut off when she saw Sweetie Belle and Amethyst before her. They were covered in dirt with multiple scratches on their body. “What in Equestria happened to you two?!” Amethyst gulped, lowering his head as he heard Rarity’s voice. Sweetie was doing no better, shuffling her hooves as she looked away. Rarity scrunched her lips and narrowed her eyes, seeing her sister dirtying the floor even more. “Young lady, to the bath with you now.” She ordered Sweetie, pointing upstairs. Sweetie slowly nodded and walked upstairs. She paused for a moment, looking back at Amethyst before disappearing from the room. “Amethyst,” Rarity spoke slowly, lowering her head to his level. “Do you mind telling me why you and Sweetie Belle are all covered in dirt?” She asked sternly to the colt. “Please look at me.” He complied and looked Rarity in the eye before clearing his voice. “Well, I just wanted to…” He trailed off, blinking as he gulped. “Yes?” “I wanted to get this back for you.” He focused his magic on the item that he was carrying, lifted it up and presenting it to Rarity. He looked past the bag, seeing Rarity gasp as she placed a hoof to her mouth observing her item. “My bag!” She reached for it excitedly, but stopped. She looked at Amethyst, her stern expression returning. “You went into Diamond Dog territory.” “I... I truly wanted to retrieve the bag for you. I owe you that much...” “You don’t owe me anything,” Rarity sighed, lifting his chin up with her hoof. “What you did was foalish. No bag is worth yours and Sweetie’s lives.” “But I—” “I know what you were trying to do,” Rarity cut him off. “And while I appreciate this, I’m afraid I cannot condone it.” She sighed. “I wish you had just disobeyed me. I’m... I’m glad you’re so thoughtful, but...” She trailed off, trying to think of what to say. “Never mind that now. As soon as Sweetie is done cleaning up, you do so as well. I’ll be giving her a lecture as well, then we’ll be discussing your punishments.” Amethyst’s eyes widened. “But... Miss Rarity, it was my decision alone. Please do not blame her.” “She should have gotten me, instead of running off into that dreadful place.” Amethyst stepped back. It was the first time the whole conversation that Rarity had raised her voice. “If anything had happened to her, or to you...” Her voice was breaking. Her eyes were getting misty. Ignoring the dirt and grime still covering him, she swept him into a hug. “I... I’ve grown to love you. I’ve seen you do so much since I found you." She reached out to him with her hooves, bringing Amethyst into a hug as she nuzzled him. "And to let you go off and get yourself killed doing something like that... I do not think I could survive something so terrible. Please, please promise me you won’t do anything like this again.” “...I promise,” he said softly. “I... I’m sorry, Miss Rarity. I only wanted to make you happy.” “I know you did.” She kissed the top of his head gently. “And I’m very proud of you for that. But you still disobeyed me.” She returned to her stern demeanor, pulling away. The sound of the tub draining upstairs signaled that Sweetie was finished. “Go upstairs and wash. Send Sweetie down, I need to talk to her.” “Yes ma’am,” he said, slowly heading up the stairs. As soon as he was out of sight, Rarity let go of a breath she hadn't even realized she had been carrying. She felt her heart race, trying to keep up with her mind as it went over every worse case scenario. What if he had died? What if he was enslaved? Shipped away to wherever the dogs were from? Rarity took in a deep breath, calming herself down. She closed her eyes as she exhaled, before looking at the bag Amethyst retrieved for her. A slow smile crept onto her muzzle, followed by a stray tear escaping her eye. She quickly wiped it away, sniffing as she looked back up the stairs. Maybe I should give them a break… Just when the thought came to her mind, her ears perked when she heard tiny hoof steps coming downstairs. She looked up and saw Amethyst and Sweetie spotless clean, though no joy was found on them at all. Rarity sighed as she breathed in slowly before speaking. “Now, for your punishment…” When she said those words, Amethyst flinched whilst Sweetie merely looked down. “No dessert for a whole week.” Sweetie Belle sighed, relief at the minor punishment. She turned to Amethyst and saw his mouth becoming agape and his eyes widened in horror. “NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!”