"The main reason for kindness is not to make others feel good or better about themselves. But to help others in pain or prevent them from going into it."
Rarity woke up startled, with a yelp and nearly fell off the bed as she heard the door slam open, revealing a mare with a white coat and a small hat that adored a red cross.
"Good afternoon. It's nice to see you awake. Apologies if I have in fact awoken you." Redheart spoke softly.
"A-am I in the hospital?" Rarity asked, positioning herself upright. She knew the answer already but wanted to be sure.
"Yes, Miss Sparkle dropped both you and Miss Fluttershy off here a week ago." As the nurse said this Rarity panicked.
"A week?! What happened to Fluttershy?!" She said, hastily trying to get out of bed.
"Now now." Redheart said slowly pushing her back into the bed. "There is nothing you need to worry about. She is completely fine and is due for release later today."
"Oh... That's some good news." She sighed.
"As for you, you suffered from second degree burns all across your body and you need to stay an extra day, you should be good to go around noon tomorrow. It was mighty brave of you to go in and help her, but you shouldn't do something so reckless next time. Though because of you she only suffered from minor burns. Which is a plus." Rarity flinched from hearing that and tears started to well up in the corners of her eyes. Catching sight of this the nurse frowned. "Is something the matter?"
"Please. Can you give me some time nurse?" Her voice nearly cracking.
"Okay I'll get out of your ma- hooves now." She paused taking a look at her now burnt hair. "It seems like you need your friends. I'll go get them, they're waiting just outside." She walked through the double set of doors that she came from. What are they going to think about me. I'll be lucky if they don't hate me after this. Rarity laid her head down ashamed.
The doors slammed open once more to Rarity's displeasure to the rest of her friends.
"Rarity!" The all cried out in unison.
"H-hi." She replied weakly as they ran up to her bedside.
"It's been too long. We were been getting worried." Twilight said with a smile.
"Whoa." Rainbow looked surprised and started holding back a laugh. "Your ma-
"Don't even think about it." Applejack scolded. Giving the cyan mare a death glare, before turning back to a Rarity with a smile. "We're all glad your okay now."
"Yeah! And we all waited and waited. It was suuuuper boring but we wouldn't want you to wake up alone, because that's terrible, to be in the hospital without friends or family or-
"I think she gets it Pinkie." Twilight interrupted, putting her hoof to her muzzle.
"Thank you all. How is Fluttershy doing?" She asked putting her head down. She hasn't told them yet? Or maybe she doesn't know? I should still tell her though. Even if it may ruin our friendship, she deserves to know.
"She's doing just fine. You were the one who suffered worse injuries. Thankfully you were there." Twilight remarked.
"Not ta sound rude or anythin but why were ya there?" Applejack questioned before waving her arms side to side. "Not implying anything o course."
Quick think of something! "I was taking a late night stroll when Angel came up to me-
"Wait wait wait. You were taking a walk after midnight?" Rainbow asked.
"Yes I couldn't sleep. So I decided to go out and get some fresh air." She replied weakly. It hurt her on the inside to lie to her friends but she had to talk to Fluttershy first.
"Okay continue to the good part." Rainbow said once more, focusing intently on her.
"Angel brought me to her home and she was still inside. I got her out but fainted on the way back."
"Aww where's the action? The suspense?" Rainbow complained.
"Now there sugarcube, I'm sure she doesn't want ta remember that 'gain. All that matters is that both of ya'll are safe."
"Thank you Applejack... I really don't want to remember that night again if I can." She smiled weakly, shaking.
"Well it looks like your still a little tired. Take a rest and we'll come back when you're well rested." Twilight said.
"But I just brought the party." Pinkie sulked as she returned into the room, with balloons and a cupcake.
"It'll only be a little longer Pinkie. Think of it like this. The longer we wait the better you can prepare."
"Okie dokie lokie. I'll make sure you have the best party Rarity."
"Get a good rest Rarity." Applejack smiled.
"Yeah. Good bye for now." Rainbow remarked, waving goodbye.
"Thank you girls. I'll see you in awhile." Rarity said as they left. Once they left the room she dropped her head onto the pillow. She was nearing tears. It hurts so much. I'm the one who caused this and they're treating me like a hero, when I am merely a coward. All their praise feels wrong, but I'm scared of what they will think about me. I don't want to lose my friends.
From out of nowhere a bright light came up at the foot of her bed but she didn't notice it until a mare spoke.
"Rarity what's wrong?" Twilight said calmly. Rarity would have jumped out of her bed had she not been injured.
"Twilight! You startled me. Please don't do that again."
"I'm sorry but I have to know what's bothering you. The others may not have noticed it but I have. Whenever they said something about what you did, you looked ashamed."
"I-I can't say. Please understand, I know you feel as if you must know and help me but it's better if you don't." Rarity sighed. "I just don't feel as if it's the right time."
"Rarity I can help you, we can help you."
"I'm sorry Twilight. But that's what I'm afraid of. Thank you for your concern and offer though. I greatly appreciate it."
"It's no problem, it's what friends are for." Twilight left the room once more, leaving Rarity all alone again. This time she didn't even make it to the pillow before she started crying. I don't want to lose them. I love all my friends dearly, Celestia forbid what I would do if I lost them.
Feeling exhausted Rarity rested her head comfortably, not letting the tears up, and fell asleep.
Rarity woke up much more peacefully compared to the first time as she was awaken by light hooves rustling around her. She slowly got up and sat up opening her eyes. Her eyes delivered an image of the nurse from before. The nurse looked over from her clipboard and saw her awake, deriving her attention away from the clipboard.
"Good morning Miss Rarity. Did you sleep well?" She asked with the same soothing voice.
"Yes. Thank you very much."
"Oh nothing to thank me for, just doing my job." She smiled.
"Still, even if it your job you aren't rude like the last nurse I had the pleasure of having."
"Please. I'm blushing." She paused and made an action as if she remembered something crucial. "By the way one of your friends is here just outside waiting. I told her she could come in if you let her. Her name was Fluttershy I think. Wonderful mare to talk to, such a great listener."
"Sh-she wants to see me?" She choked.
"Yes, is something the matter? I could ask her to come by later, if you would like." The nurse replied seeing hers sudden displeasure.
"NO!" She yelled instantly putting a hoof to her muzzle, a deep shade of red appearing on her cheeks. "I mean please let her in, sorry."
"Okay then... I'll go get her." She chuckled awkwardly, leaving the room. Smooth move Rarity. Rarity sighed again.
The door creaked open slowly after a few seconds revealing a butter coloured pegasus with her bubblegum hair in its normal, straight, wavy fashion. The marks the fire left on her were barely noticeable unless you were looking for them. Just a few on her hooves and some on her sides.
The mare trotted up slowly to the side of the bed in a matter of seconds, but it seemed to take forever for the alabaster mare. Fluttershy took the seat that stood there. Rarity was sweating in anticipation as to what the mare would do. Fluttershy rose her hoof slightly and Rarity lifted her fore hooves in the air quickly, shielding her eyes.
"Hello there Rarity." Her voice as smooth as silk, that contained no ill intent, waving her hoof.
"H-hello F-fluttershy." Her voice nearly cracking halfway, lowering her hooves.
"How are you doing?"
"Fine." Her voice decreasing as the seconds gone by, she was on the verge of tears, but tried to keep them in. This however didn't escape the yellow mare's notice.
"Rarity, what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry!" She blurted out. "It's all my fault your like this. It's my fault for all of this."
"What are you talking about?" She questioned.
"The fire, your injuries, everything!" She choked before backing down her voice to a whimper. "It's all my fault."
Rarity could not face her, she felt so guilty, so wrong. Rarity tried to turn away but the yellow closed the gap between them with a hug before she could.
"It's okay Rarity I don't blame you for anything." She soothed patting her back.
"B-but." By this time she let everything go, not caring about composure or how she looked. She continued to cry for a short while and the tears started to slow down, she asked the yellow mare a question.
"Why Fluttershy? Why are you being so nice to me?" Barely a whisper.
"Because I'm your friend. Aren't I?"
"I-I thought you wouldn't want to be my friend anymore, after what I did. I poisoned you, my best friend to sleep right before you had to go to your next show, and I almost killed you, and no doubt lost you your job." Rarity was almost about to cry once more but Fluttershy lightly giggled.
"Oh Rarity." She smiled.
"Why are you laughing?" She replied with a hint of annoyance.
"We've been through much worse and they have only made our bond much stronger, why are you letting something so small get between us."
"Y-you mean?" She asked hopeful.
"Yes Rarity, I still love you as a friend and have no negative feelings against you, maybe a little disappointed, but that's all really. (1) And about the job." She scratched her head, smiling sheepishly. "I didn't like it at all, but I thought if I quit you would be disappointed in me." Rarity hugged her tighter than she did before, crying once more, but of joy. She didn't deserve her best friend or her words.
"Thank you Thank you Thank you!" She repeated many times. "This won't happen ever again and i'm sorry if i made it seem that way."
"No worries. Do you umm mind though, if I stay here with you and walk home with you." She said hiding behind her mane.
"Of course I don't mind, in fact we need to catch up if I'm not mistaken." Rarity paused, catching on what she meant. "Oh and of course stay as long as you need."
"Thank you Rarity. I just felt embarrassed to ask you for something like this."
"Darling I was the one who caused you this grief, the least I can do is give you a place to stay until your cottage is rebuilt. Even if this never happened you're always welcome." Rarity squealed thinking of all the time they were going to spend with each other, after being apart for so long. Fluttershy's ears suddenly perked up, she heard hushed noises from the other side of the door. Rarity was about to ask her what's wrong when she placed her hoof to Rarity's muzzle and slowly walked over smiling. She opened the door a little too quickly and four mares fell through the empty space.
"Girls?!" Rarity said worriedly. "H-how l-long where you there." A sweat forming on her forehead.
"Enough, to know what you did." Rainbow said flatly.
"I thought ya were better n that."
"Girls please. If you heard us then you know that I forgave her, so you should too." Fluttershy remarked.
"Yeah! You three should just leave it in the past. Like that chocolate cake I had this morning. Mmm chocolate." Pinkie exclaimed slowly starting to drool.
"Yes of course I'll forgive her, but something's been bothering me. Why would you burn down her house? I think there's something else you aren't telling us." Twilight questioned, going straight into interrogation mode.
"First and foremost girls I'm sorry for lying to you before and I know my words don't hold a lot but believe me when I say, it wasn't me. Yes I did." She gulped. "Drug her, but I don't know what caused the fire." She replied calmly.
"And I believe you." Fluttershy smiled.
"Well, it sure is weird that ya would do such a thing, 'n you do sound sorry so if Fluttershy over 'ere can forgive ya ah don't see why ah can't." Applejack remarked. The room went silent for a few seconds and everyone turned around to face Rainbow. She just sat there playing with her hooves until she noticed their stares.
"What?" She asked.
"Aren't ya going to forgive er?" Applejack questioned.
"Why should-" Rarity put her head down as the rest of them gave her a dirty look. "Ugh fine, but if it happens again I won't be so forgiving."
"Your impossible." Twilight facehoofed.
"Then who did?" Fluttershy whimpered. "I-is somepony after me?"
"Yes, somepony was after you, but not anymore." Everyone turned around, except Rarity, to see a stallion. He had the average physique for an earth pony, light brown coat and spiky brown mane. Rarity could not see his cutie mark at the moment but knew who he was.
"Who are you?!" Twilight yelled at him, charging her horn. The stallion started to laugh.
"What's so darn funny!" Applejack commanded taking her stance.
"Oh sorry, that joke never gets old, and don't worry I'm not here to inflict any harm on any of you ponies." He wiped his tears off.
"Then what are you here for? And what do you mean not any more?" Rainbow growled, wary of the mysterious stallion.
"Let me start with my name. I go by many names, but the most prevalent seems to be the doctor. I have a phd in-
"Get on with it! Ah'm in the right mind to use mah hooves on ya." Applejack snarled.
"Oh alright, I'll get to the point. A mare, whom's name I cannot currently unveil, apparently snuck into her cottage expecting her to not be there." The doctor pointed at Fluttershy who proceeded to hide behind her mane once more. "I suspect she wanted something to incriminate you or at the very least shame you." He laid it out casually.
"But why would anyone want to do anything to Fluttershy." Twilight questioned, relaxing a little more.
"Can you tell me, Miss. Sparkle, what business was she in before this fiasco."
"She was in- okay I get it now."
"What is it? So what if she was ah model. It's not like she was hurting anypony."
"Invidia." Rarity spoke calmly, smiling, attracting the stares of the mares. "Am I right Time Turner?"
"Ooo so you do remember me, my odd orders and love for different languages." He returned the smile. "Yes you are right Rarity, somepony was jealous of her success and tried to end it. My guess is that she thought if she could find something against you, like enhancements or narcotics maybe even a dirty magazine or two, she could blackmail you or give it to the media to end your career."
"B-but why would she burn my house down with all the little critters and animals inside?"
"It's just a theory but-
"It wasn't on purpose?" Twilight interrupted, giving the doctor a curious look.
"What kinda pony burns ah house down by accident?" Applejack gave Twilight a quizzical look.
"A frustrated one. We assume that she had gone through your kitchen and accidentally knocked something onto the stove, as it was where the fire had started." Rarity suddenly remembered her mistake.
"So it is my fault." She sulked, turning over on her side. "I thought I turned off the stove but I must've only put it on a lower setting."
"Rarity please, I forgive you, it's in the past now. It wasn't your fault." Fluttershy stuck her hoof out and rubbed her back.
"Well I must take my leave now, I just wanted to let you know. I was going to ask Rarity some questions but you five probably want some time together." The doctor turned around about to leave when the yellow mare spoke slowly.
"Umm Doctor, do you mind if I ask a favor?" He stopped and turned around slowly, to see her playing with her hooves.
"Of course, if it's reasonable."
"C-can you let that mare go?"
"What? Are you crazy?" Rainbow yelled.
"Umm-
"Why would ya want that mare ta not be punished for er wrongdoings."
"Please let-
"I have to agree with the both of them, letting her go free would be a bad idea."
"Ladies please, let her speak. She must have a good reason." Rarity scolded, before smiling at Fluttershy. "Right dear?"
"Umm yes, thank you Rarity. I just don't want her to be there because of me. It must have been an accident. Everypony's made mistakes, some we aren't especially proud of. So doesn't everypony, including that mare deserve a second chance?" The room went silent.
"I guess so..." The orange mare replied, scratching her head, with an embarrassed smile on her muzzle.
"I still think she should be punished, like come on Fluttershy!" Rainbow complained. "Even being nice has it's limits."
"Well i'm not entirely sure if I could do that, but it should be simple enough." The doctor replied scratching his chin as if in deep thought. "Are you completely sure though?"
"Thank you and yes I am. She probably feels guilty for what she did, that's more than enough punishment in my mind."
"Well then I bid you farewell now. Take care." The doctor left the room.
"Well that solves that mystery." Twilight sighed. She turned back to Rarity seeing her have an awkward look of curiosity. "Is something the matter Rarity?" The alabaster mare faced her.
"Where's Pinkie? She was just here before the doctor showed up."
"Right here!" Pinkie jumped out from the other side of the door.
"Where have ya been?" Applejack questioned. "Ya missed somethin mighty important."
"Oh silly I already knew, and I was just baking some cupcakes." She pulled out a box of her best cupcakes. Blueberry chocolate drizzle fizzle.
"But it hasn't even been five minutes how-
"It's Pinkie Twilight." Applejack interrupted, putting her hoof in front of the purple mare.
"Don't mind if I do!" Rainbow remarked, reaching for a cupcake only for her hoof to be swatted down. Seething in childish rage she turned. "Hey! What's the big idea?!"
"Don't you think Rarity should have the first one?" Twilight Scolded. Rarity spoke quickly right after.
"It's fine, I don't feel hungry. Go ahead and eat."
"See Twilight. She doesn't want hers." She replied grabbing one and stuffing it into her mouth, making her famous wub face.
"I never said that, I would never miss the opportunity to eat them. Just not now." Her smile slowly becoming more friendly and less two faced.
"So Pinkie, ya mind tellin us how ya know bout what happened?" Applejack asked reaching for her own cupcake.
"Oh that's easy." She set down her cupcakes and started shaking. "Pinkie sense remember. Shaking means a big ol' doozy."
"Yes but that doesn't explain how you knew about what we were talking about. Wait... Do you even know what we talked about?" Twilight gave her an awkward look.
"Of course I do, you were talking about the one who burnt down Fluttershy's house with Time Turner. I've known that for forever." Pinkie smile slowly falling, but only to an awkward one. "But I can't exactly say why. In the future I can tell one of you."
"Which wanauvus?" Rainbow asked with her mouth full. She swallowed and spoke once more. "I mean, which one of us are you going to tell?"
"Next year. Until then I can't say a word. Oh no. What if I already doomed us?!" Her face turning into shock."Doomed! No, I must prepare, take care!" She sped out of the room before any of them could get a word in.
"Ah'm gonna make sure she don't do nothin too crazy." Applejack chuckled awkwardly going towards the door.
"I'll join you. My wings are aching, I need to give em a good work out." Rainbow remarked leaving her position and following the orange mare. She almost made it out before Twilight caught her.
"The cupcakes stay." The purple pony smirked mischievously. "Don't think I didn't notice."
"Fine." Rainbow sulked, her master plan crumbled in mere seconds. "Anyway Twilight help us find Pinkie, it'll be annoying to search for her without magic."
"Why not." She replied with a smile. "Pinkie sure can be hard to find and I still can't believe how she got stuck in space last week." Twilight left along with Rainbow and Applejack after saying goodbye to the two mares who stayed behind.
Rarity and Fluttershy continued to talk for the remainder of time they had left and Rarity brought up a suggestion.
"How about we go to the spa!"