"You really ought to get some fresh air," said Discord as Salazar stretched in his prison. "Fly around a bit, take a stroll through the town! Oh, and there's this lovely little café that sells the best muffins!"
"What do you want, Discord?" said Salazar as he turned to face the smaller dragon.
"I never imagined a dragon like you would have a soft spot for ponies. I mean, of all creatures, ponies?" jested Discord.
"Soft Spot?" grinned Salazar, "Says a servant of the Princess."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that," scoffed Discord, "I'm more of a... cooperative guest, like yourself."
"There you are mistaken, Discord. It is Celestia who is cooperating, not I."
"I must say I am a fan of your scheme," said Discord, "It will change things up quite a bit in this boring old empire. Can you believe that Celestia's lived in the same castle for nearly one thousand years? And she hasn't changed Equestria's laws or policies in even longer, not to mention her mane style. How repetitive can you get?! And here I was, turned to stone, for merely trying to make things more exciting around here!"
"What will you do when Equestria is under my control?" asked Salazar.
"Seeing as how you're not a big fan of chaos, I might just have to take a little vacation. But I'd love to come back and see what you've done with the place! I'll make sure to write."
- - - - - - - - - - - - -[]- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Rarity's bloodshot eyes moved to the clock on her wall. She had not had any more nightmares, yet she had not slept either. Visions of that manipulative dragon had plagued her thoughts all night. Rarity felt as though she was being constantly watched. If he could somehow control her dreams, could he not also look into Rarity's thoughts at any time? Rarity rolled to her side and fell out of bed, hitting the floor with a thud.
From her cat bed, Opalescence hissed at her owner who had rudely awakened her. Rarity remained on the floor for a while, exhausted and not wanting to face the day. Sweetie Belle was not expected to come by for breakfast today, so Rarity didn't have any pressing duties awaiting her. The exhausted unicorn finally managed to doze off on the floor. She woke up a few hours later.
Rarity walked downstairs, not bothering to put on makeup or do her hair. In the kitchen, her cat was standing next to her food bowl and scowling at her. Rarity routinely poured some cat food in the bowl, and proceeded to look for some food for herself. Again, she didn't feel like making breakfast, which was unusual for her. She just didn't feel like she had the motivation. The dragon situation weighed too heavily on her mind. After a bowl of oats, Rarity proceeded to mope around the boutique.
"I had wanted to open the boutique today. You never know when a well-to-do client might walk through the door," she thought.
But Rarity left the sign on 'closed'. She didn't feel as though she could handle a client in this emotional state.
"I wonder what sort of benefits Twilight gets as a princess? Does she have servants that wait on her when she visits Canterlot? Does she have her own royal suite at the castle?" wondered Rarity. "What secrets about the royalty or the affairs of the empire does she know?"
"If Salazar truly is manipulating my thoughts, simply trying to forget about him won't help anymore. Do I just hope that he gives up? Maybe I really should ask somepony for help. But who would I tell? Probably Fluttershy or Twilight. But Twilight would want to tell Princess Celestia. Oh my, could anything be more embarrassing? It is a solution, however."
Rarity imagined standing before princesses Celestia and Luna. She'd tell them everything, and they would try to help.
"Perhaps princess Luna would come into my nightmares and vanquish the dragon. Or maybe we could simply threaten him with the elements again. Why haven't the princesses banished him yet?"
Rarity still had options available and she wasn't about to give in to Salazar's manipulation anytime soon. In fact, moping around the house was probably not good for her right now.
"I might as well make some progress in confronting this thing. I shall consult with Fluttershy. As embarrassing as it may be, it seems like a good place to start."
Rarity headed out the door, and locked it behind her. She glanced at Ponyville Town Hall down the street. It was still there, and hadn't been replaced with a castle, like in her dream the night before last. There was no harm in checking, just in case. She made her way to Fluttershy's cottage.
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"Fluttershy, darling, are you there?" called Rarity from the door.
She knocked again but heard no response. Fluttershy was often outside with her animals, so Rarity walked around to the back yard. Rarity scanned the yard and chicken coop nearby. There were animals about, but no Fluttershy. The air was filled with the sound of birds and crickets and many other creatures. Fluttershy made a living taking care of animals, a unique passion that she had had since she was a filly. Her cottage was on the edge of the Everfree Forest, a mysterious place with dangerous beasts, bandits, and enchanted flora where only the bravest ponies dared to venture. As the biggest scaredy-pony in Ponyville, it was sometimes ironic that Fluttershy lived so close to the forest.
"Eep!" said Rarity, as a furry object brushed against one of her legs. She looked down to see a cute little squirrel smiling at her.
"Be gone, dirty rodent!" Rarity said in disgust.
She shook the squirrel off her hoof. It squeaked and ran off. Rarity walked into Fluttershy's backyard, where a familiar whistling caught her attention. She looked over to see Fluttershy bathing in a wooden tub just outside the cottage's backdoor. She was singing softly and happily as she scrubbed herself with a large brush. Her wet mane clung to her face in strands and dipped into the bath water beneath. Rarity didn't say anything at first, as she was captivated by Fluttershy's voice. It was as if the birds in the trees were harmonizing with her, or visa versa. It was beautiful and mesmerizing.
Suddenly Fluttershy noticed Rarity and stopped singing immediately. The birds seemed to stop as well.
"Rarity!" gasped Fluttershy, blushing. "What a surprise."
"Hello Fluttershy, I'm sorry to stop by unannounced," said Rarity as she approached the yellow pegasus in the bathtub.
Fluttershy shyly sank in the tub as if trying to hide her nudity. Although ponies generally didn't wear clothes, bathing was a personal activity and was usually done in private.
"I'm sorry… I'll let you finish," said Rarity awkwardly. "I just wanted to come by to talk. That is, if you have some time. Shall I make us some tea?"
"Oh, that sounds nice, Rarity," said Fluttershy, as she relaxed a little. "The tea is in the cabinet above the sink."
Rarity opened the back door and stepped into Fluttershy's cottage. She knew that Fluttershy was perfectly comfortable around her, even though she acted shy. Fluttershy was generally much more timid around other ponies.
Fluttershy stepped out of the tub and a dozen birds lowered a towel onto her back. She move the towel with her wings, and dried herself off with little difficulty. Her long, wet mane hung down and rested on the dirt below, but that was unavoidable. Most ponies had a hard time staying clean. It just couldn't be helped, unless the pony was a unicorn, like Rarity.
When mostly dry, Fluttershy went inside and walked up to Rarity, who was boiling water in the kitchen.
"Fluttershy, how are you?" said Rarity as Fluttershy approached.
The two ponies embraced in a long hug.
"Is everything alright Rarity?" asked Fluttershy, noticing that Rarity made the hug longer than normal.
"I'm a little shaken up, and need somepony to talk to, but I'm fine," explained Rarity.
"Why don't you go sit down in the den and relax? I'll pour the tea," said Fluttershy, sounding overly concerned.
"Oh Fluttershy, you are a dear," said Rarity as she went into the den.
She could expect Fluttershy to do anything and everything for her. Fluttershy was the element of kindness, after all.
Rarity examined Fluttershy's couch. She winced as she noticed a clump of animal hair on the cushion. She looked for clean spot on the sofa or a chair to sit down in, but all seemed equally dirty. She sighed and brushed off a spot, preparing it for sitting. As she sat down, she could almost feel the invisible dirt touching her rump. Even if the couch was brand new, Rarity would have been picky in finding the best spot to sit.
A minute later, Fluttershy came into the den balancing the tea on her back with her wings. Rarity levitated the pot off her friend.
"What do you want to talk about Rarity?" said Fluttershy as she sat down on a cushion.
"Oh it's just horrible, Fluttershy!"
"What is it?"
"I had another nightmare!" said Rarity dramatically.
"Oh, is that all?" said Fluttershy lightheartedly.
"You don't understand. I can't work on any of my dresses, let alone eat or sleep, without thinking about it."
"Oh my. That is terrible," said Fluttershy sympathetically. "Was it really that bad?"
"Oh yes. But what's even worse than the nightmare is…"
Rarity trailed off, not sure if she wanted to continue.
"It's okay, Rarity. You can tell me anything," she said softly.
"Oh, it's… it's just too embarrassing. You'll think I'm crazy,"
"That's alright. You don't have to tell me," smiled Fluttershy.
"Very well," said Rarity. "I think that Salazar the dragon has been controlling my dreams. After the last nightmare, I was sure of it."
"But I don't understand," said Fluttershy.
"I don't really understand it either," admitted Rarity as she took a sip of tea.
"What was the dream about then?" asked Fluttershy.
"That's the embarrassing part," admitted Rarity. "Twilight was in charge of Ponyville, or maybe all of Equestria. But she wasn't herself, it was as if she had been corrupted. And then… And then… Oh I just cannot say it. It's too terrible."
"It's alright Rarity. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," suggested Fluttershy.
"Oh but I must! I must tell somepony!" continued Rarity. "Twilight took my sister away, and my boutique. And there was a law that nopony could wear dresses! And then I lost control. Something came over me and I became livid, and wanted to hurt Twilight - our good friend Twilight!"
Fluttershy gasped.
"I told Twilight that I wanted to be the princess instead. There, I have said it! It was so terrible Fluttershy, I just can't get it out of my head," finished Rarity.
Fluttershy sat there, not sure what to say.
"But listen Fluttershy," said Rarity quickly, trying to explain herself. "It wasn't me; some dark force had overtaken me. It was as if greed had possessed me. It wasn't my fault, the dragon had created the dream to bring it out of me!"
"Was it like… was it like Discord?" asked Fluttershy after a minute.
"No, not entirely. Discord reversed our elements. This was different. It felt like my greed had been drawn out from deep down inside of me, naturally."
"Like when I took those 'being assertive' lessons too seriously and turned into an awful, mean pony?" asked Fluttershy.
"Yes, I suppose so," said Rarity.
The two ponies were silent for a minute as they continued sipping their tea.
"Why do you think the dragon is doing this?" asked Fluttershy.
"On the day he kidnapped me, he said something to me. He said he would give me gems, and fame, and things like that, and make me a princess. He thought I would be so enthralled with the idea, that I wouldn't use my element against him… And then nothing would have stopped him."
"Oh my goodness!" said Fluttershy, putting a hoof over her mouth in disbelief.
"I think he just hasn't given up yet," admitted Rarity.
Rarity's eyes started watering a little as she continued the embarrassing story.
"It's so hard for me, Fluttershy, because of my anti-element," cried Rarity. "I know it's all dragon tricks, but part of me wants to believe it. It's just… it's just tearing me apart!"
Fluttershy said nothing, but approached her friend and embraced her in a loving nuzzle.
"I'm so weak," sobbed Rarity softly.
Fluttershy's nuzzling was helping to keep Rarity calm. At this point, many of Fluttershy's animals were gathered around the room. They kept their distance but looked at the two ponies curiously.
"Shhh, it's alright," said Fluttershy as she gently stroked Rarity's back with a hoof.
Fluttershy stepped back and looked sympathetically at her friend. "There you go. It feels better to tell somepony doesn't it?"
"Thanks, Fluttershy," said Rarity as she wiped her wet eyes with a hoof.
"Look at it this way," said Fluttershy, "that mean dragon is all locked up, and when the princesses send him back home soon, everything will get back to normal."
"I don't know," said Rarity skeptically.
"Surely the princesses will send him away soon. If not, we'll just tell them what the dragon's doing, and they'll banish him right away," said Fluttershy kindly.
"He's changed my thoughts, Fluttershy, through the nightmares that is. I think about things that I would never have thought of before. The future, life, death…"
Fluttershy looked at Rarity understandingly.
"Fluttershy, promise you won't tell our friends about this?" said Rarity.
"If that's what you really want, I promise I won't say a word," said Fluttershy.
"You really are the best, Fluttershy!" said Rarity.
The two smiled and touched muzzles. Rarity sat up to leave.
"If anything bothers you, or you want to talk about anything - I mean anything - don't hesitate to come over," said Fluttershy.
"Thanks. I feel much better now. I'll let you know how I'm feeling tomorrow," said Rarity as she walked towards the door.
"Bye Rarity."
"Take care darling!" said Rarity as the she departed from the cottage.
Fluttershy watched Rarity walk away down the path from her front door.
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Sweetie Belle left her parents' house. Her mom waved goodbye from a window. The young unicorn made her way down the dirt road to her sister's house. Today she'd get to spend the whole afternoon with Rarity when she got back from school, and was very excited. The two sisters had their differences, but some of Sweetie Belle's favorite memories were of doing things with Rarity.
The front door of the Carousel Boutique opened and Rarity blinked at her sister in the bright morning light. She looked very tired.
"Hi sis!" said Sweetie Belle.
She trotted past her sister and into the kitchen. She couldn't smell breakfast cooking. Sweetie Belle's ear drooped as she realized there would be no big breakfast for her today. She turned to look at her big sister as she walked into the kitchen. Rarity had bags under her eyes and eye crust that she hadn't wiped away. Sweetie Belle was about to exclaim "Ewww," but restrained herself.
"I'm sorry Sweetie, but no hot breakfast today. Have some left over breakfast rolls. They will have to suffice."
"Okay," said Sweetie Belle.
She was not upset, but rather concerned for her big sister. Rarity looked around groggily, and levitated a couple breakfast rolls over to the table.
"I must return upstairs. I only just woke up and I'm sure I look dreadful. And the shop must be opened today. I've had it closed nearly all week, and I simply must start selling dresses again," said Rarity, "Oh, I'm getting stressed out over nothing. I'm a such a wreck!"
Sweetie Belle just looked blankly at her sister. Without another word, Rarity left Sweetie Belle to eat by herself. This was very unusual for Rarity. Come to think of it, this was the first time Rarity hadn't eaten breakfast with Sweetie Belle in the boutique.
Sweetie Belle was left alone with her thoughts as she nibbled on the tasteless breakfast roll. "Yuck," she said.
She left the food half eaten on the plate and solemnly left the kitchen. She stopped at the stairs and gazed up, imagining that her big sister would come back down and suddenly be her normal self again. But Rarity did not come down, nor could Sweetie Belle hear anything from upstairs.
"Rarity just needs some alone-time to get better," thought Sweetie Belle.
She left her sister's house and made the short walk to Ponyville Elementary.
Rarity set down her sparkly blue eyeliner. She looked in the mirror. Her left eyelid was done, but the right remained untouched.
"What does it matter?" she thought, "What's it all for?"
She just didn't have the motivation to do anything. Worrying about the dragon and fearing the coming night occupied her every thought. Twilight Sparkle popped into Rarity's mind, spreading her wings and wearing her crown.
"Stop it, Rarity. The dragon put these fantasies in your head. Just forget it, it's not real," she found herself saying.
"I just... I just can't deal with life right now," she said aloud. "Woe always me. I just can't do anything!"
Rarity glanced at her sewing machine. Perhaps if she started sewing, she'd be able to let her natural creativity flow. She took one step towards it, but stopped. She just couldn't do it. She just couldn't. She lay on her bed and tossed and squirmed, struggling with herself.
"I must open the boutique today. I simply must!" she thought.
"No, no, no! I can't. I just want to lay here. I can't bring myself to do a single thing, other than wallow in pity."
"I merely have to go downstairs and open for business. But I can't do business today without first puting on my makeup. And I can't bring myself to put on my makeup! Every time I look in the mirror, I think of that terrible dream and the dragon. I just can't do it! I want to bury my face in my bed sheets. I just want to curl up in a ball and die!"
The unicorn buried her face in her pillows. This was unbearable! She had never experienced so much torment before. If only there was some mind cleansing potion she could drink to forget all about it. Perhaps she should seek out Zecora? Perhaps she could open an old bottle of cider; could alcohol drown out her thoughts?
"No," decided Rarity, "that stuff never cures any problems. I must fight this myself."
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Sweetie Belle made her way towards the carousel boutique for the second time today. Behind her was Ponyville Elementary, where the young fillies and colts had just finished school for the day. She approached the boutique's front door. She tried to open it, but was surprised to find that it was locked. Maybe she was out again? Sweetie Belle knocked on the door with a hoof.
"Who's there? Who is it?" came Rarity's voice from her bedroom window above.
"It's me!" said Sweetie Belle, "You're supposed to spend the day with me, remember?"
"Sweetie?" came Rarity's distressed voice. "Oh my dear little sister... So full of life and still brimming with youth and innocence!"
"Uh… Rarity? Are you feeling OK?" called Sweetie Belle.
"Oh Sweetie, you mustn't be here. I am a pitiful wreck, and I couldn't bear for you to see me like this. It's all over for me, dear sister. My days are numbered. Forget about me, Sweetie Belle! I am but the shell of my former self! Go now, trot off into the sunset and leave your pitiful old sister behind!" cried Rarity.
"So… you want me to go to mom and dad's?" said Sweetie Belle.
"Yes. Wait, no! You mustn't! You mustn't tell our parents about this," cried Rarity.
Rarity motioned emphatically towards Sweetie Belle below as she spoke.
"Tell them about what? That you're having another emotional breakdown?" asked Sweetie Belle. "And what about opening the shop today? Maybe I can help with that?"
Rarity sighed in exasperation.
"Just go home and pretend like everything's alright, alright?" said Rarity, "I am sorry, Sweetie Belle, but I just can't see any other ponies right now. Now go! I must get back to wallowing in pity!"
Rarity disappeared back inside her room and closed the window behind her.
"Rarity!" yelled Sweetie Belle again.
There was no response. The frustrated Sweetie Belle turned and stomped off. If Rarity didn't want to find help, Sweetie Belle would do it for her. Sweetie Belle knew just who to ask for help. Sweetie Belle trotted off towards the Ponyville Library.
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"Rarity!" yelled Twilight Sparkle from the front door of the carousel boutique.
She knocked again on the door but there was no answer.
"Hold on, I got this," said Rainbow Dash.
The blue pegasus flapped her wings and floated up to the second floor windows. She peered inside.
"Yep, she's in her room," said Rainbow Dash, rolling her eyes.
She knocked a hoof on the window.
"Woah, she looks like she's in really bad shape," said Rainbow Dash to her friends below. "And by bad shape, I mean she looks like she's being more over-the-top dramatic than usual."
"What do you mean," asked Twilight curiously.
"Like, remember when we were in her fashion show with our Gala dresses that Rarity made, and everyone hated them because we kinda told Rarity how to design them?" started Rainbow Dash.
The other ponies below nodded their heads.
"And then remember how Rarity had an emotional breakdown and locked herself in her room for days?" continued Rainbow Dash.
The ponies nodded again.
"Yeah… she looks that bad," concluded Rainbow Dash.
The window opened and Rarity stuck her head out. She was wearing her fuzzy pink bathrobe and she looked upset.
"Woe always me!" cried Rarity when she saw her friends. "My friends have come to comfort me, but alas, no comfort or encouragement can resurrect the once gifted mare before you who is now but the pitiful shell of her former self!"
Rarity promptly disappeared back inside her room and closed the window. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes again, causing Pinkie Pie to giggle. The friends cared for Rarity, of course, but they were used to her dramatic behavior. Generally there was nothing seriously wrong.
"Oh no," said Fluttershy, "what should we do now?"
"Rarity keeps a hidden key near the back door. I'll go get it," said Sweetie Belle in an annoyed tone.
A minute later the ponies were inside the boutique and trotted upstairs to Rarity's room. Twilight Sparkle knocked on her bedroom door.
"Rarity! We're really concerned about you," said Twilight. "What's wrong? Is there anything we can do to make you feel better?"
"Yes, you must leave! Leave me alone!" came Rarity's muffled cry from behind her bedroom door.
"Oh dear," said Twilight to her friends, "She really is upset."
"Rarity!" yelled Pinkie Pie, knocking her head on the door, "Don't be sad. Your friends are here to show you it's not that bad! Now give that depression some attention and let us in! I promise we'll make you feel better!"
"I'm sorry Pinkie Pie, but there's nothing you can do. I am a hopeless wreck!" cried Rarity.
"This is getting us nowhere!" complained Rainbow Dash.
"Sweetie Belle," said Twilight as she turned to Rarity's little sister, "What exactly is upsetting Rarity?"
"Well," said Sweetie Belle, "Rarity's been having really bad nightmares. She didn't say what about, but they were really upsetting her."
"What? That's all?" said Rainbow Dash, "Bad dreams? You're joking, right?"
"That just can't be right. There's gotta be more to it than that," added Applejack.
Sweetie Belle shrugged and said, "That's all I know."
"Rarity!" called Twilight, "We're being serious here. We want to help you. Please at least tell us what's wrong."
"No. I'm never coming out! I hate to be seen in such a miserable state!" responded Rarity.
"Oh no!" gasped Pinkie Pie. "She'll become a crazy cat lady!"
"Pinkie," said Twilight, "You said that last time Rarity had an emotional breakdown, and she still only has one cat!"
"She still needs more time, you'll see," explained Pinkie Pie.
Twilight sighed. The ponies waited there for a minute, wondering what they could try next. Suddenly Rarity spoke up.
"Fluttershy, darling?" said Rarity.
"Um, yes. I'm here," said Fluttershy.
"Come in, if you would please," said Rarity.
Rainbow Dash grumbled in annoyance, "Alright, this is getting ridiculous. She's going to be this dramatic no matter what we do or don't do. I'm outta here."
She flapped her wings and hovered off the floor.
"Come on Rainbow, Rarity really needs our support right now," said Twilight as she pulled Rainbow Dash back down.
"Then why the hay is she being so difficult?" retorted Rainbow Dash impatiently.
"Alright Fluttershy," said Applejack, "I guess she just wants to talk to you."
"Okay," said Fluttershy's soft voice, as she blushed.
Rarity opened the door and Fluttershy walked inside.
"Maybe 'yer right, Rainbow. This really is over the top," said Applejack as she watched Fluttershy disappear into Rarity's room.
"Something must be seriously wrong," stated Twilight. "She's never acted like this before. Has she been acting strange around anypony lately?"
The others shrugged. The ponies heard Fluttershy and Rarity talking inside. Being curious, they all crowded around the door and pressed their ears to it. Pinkie Pie put one of her eyes to the keyhole to see what was going on, but it was too dark to see much. The short conversation was hardly discernable.
"Oh goodness no. I couldn't do that, Rarity" came Fluttershy's voice, sparking even more curiosity from the friends in the hallway.
"Oh please please please please please!" begged Rarity.
"Hey, what are they saying!" said Sweetie Belle, as she hopped up and down behind her sister's friends who were crowding the hallway.
"Hush, Sweetie," said Applejack.
A minute later, the door opened and the eavesdropping ponies stepped back. Fluttershy emerged from the dim room.
"Rarity's glad we're all here to help, and she'd love to see us," said Fluttershy.
"About time," said Rainbow Dash.
"She's going through a really hard time right now," continued Fluttershy, "so she's kind of embarrassed."
Twilight took a step towards the door, but Fluttershy stopped her.
"Um…" stammered Fluttershy, blushing, "Rarity says that somepony needs to take Sweetie Belle to the library to pick up a book for school."
"Huh?" squeaked Sweetie Belle.
"That's okay," said Twilight, "Spike's there, and he helps ponies check out books all the time."
"And Rarity wants somepony to go with her," said Fluttershy, lowering her head and blushing even more.
"I don't have to get a book! I don't know what she's talking about!" complained Sweetie Belle.
"I'll go!" said Rainbow Dash excitedly. "Anything to get out of here," she added quietly.
"No, Rarity wants Twilight to take Sweetie Belle," said Fluttershy, looking up at her friends. "It's um… really important."
Twilight could tell by the tone in Fluttershy's voice that something fishy was going on. Was Fluttershy lying to her?
"Alright, if it helps Rarity feel better," said Twilight, "I'll take Sweetie Belle to the library."
"Hey, why won't anypony listen to me?" complained Sweetie Belle.
Twilight turned around and took the argumentative Sweetie Belle downstairs and out of the boutique. The other ponies were confused but proceeded into Rarity's room anyways. Pinkie Pie and Applejack eyed Fluttershy suspiciously.
"I wonder why Rarity doesn't want to see Twilight," thought Applejack, as she stepped into Rarity's room.
"Let's get this over with," said Rainbow Dash.
Rarity was standing in the middle of her room as her friends walked in. The ponies approached Rarity in the dimly lit room. Fluttershy stepped past Applejack and walked up to Rarity. She nuzzled her on the neck. Applejack followed and Pinkie Pie bounced after her. The ponies smiled and giggled as they showed Rarity their affection. Rarity smiled and returned the nuzzles.
"Oh come on. Have you all gone sappy on me?" said Rainbow Dash, before reluctantly joining in the embrace.
"Thanks everypony," said Rarity, as Fluttershy opened the window blinds, letting sunlight flood into the room. "I don't deserve to have such good friends."
In the light, Rarity looked like the same pony, only less upbeat and energetic than usual.
"Aww Rarity, you know we'll always be there for you. Through thick and through thin!" said Fluttershy, as Pinkie Pie nodded her head in agreement.
Rainbow Dash restrained herself from making a gagging expression.
"Now would you mind tellin' us what's wrong?" began Applejack, "Sweetie Belle was all worried about you. She said you haven't opened the boutique all week. It ain't like you to not do business."
Rarity looked at Applejack uncertainly. Was she ready to tell her other friends her embarrassing secret? She glanced at Fluttershy. Fluttershy smiled and nodded.
"Well…" began Rarity slowly, "It's complicated."
"It's okay, Rarity," said Fluttershy, "go on."
"I've been having these terrible dreams," said Rarity. "Ever since the 'dragon ordeal', I've been having nightmares about becoming old, or being ugly, or losing my boutique or my friends or my sister."
"That sounds awful! Terrible! Horrendous! And bad even!" gasped Pinkie Pie.
"And what's worse," continued Rarity, "Is that I can't do anything because of it. I can't sew, or make breakfast for Sweetie Belle, or do any daily chore without thinking about…"
"Without thinking about what?" inquired Applejack.
"Go on Rarity, tell them about the dragon," said Fluttershy encouragingly.
"Hold on a second!" interrupted Rainbow Dash. "Fluttershy, you knew about this? You knew what was bothering Rarity the whole time and didn't tell us?"
Fluttershy lowered her head and blushed.
"That's ain't the point, Rainbow," said Applejack, "We're here to help Rarity feel better."
Rarity hesitated a moment and then continued her story.
"The dragon, Salazar. I think he's been controlling my dreams," admitted the unicorn.
General looks and murmurs of concern and confusion were exchanged among Rarity's friends.
"I can't do anything without thinking about that dragon or the things he's put in my head!" cried Rarity, as tears appeared in her eyes. "I just want to forget about all of it! I want to go back to my old life! I don't want to think about princesses or mounds of gems, or fame, or popularity!"
Rarity broke down in tears and fell to her knees on the rug. Fluttershy quickly moved in and comforted her best friend.
"What does she mean by that?" asked Rainbow Dash and Applejack at the same time.
"Jinx!" yelled Pinkie Pie. "… Oops, sorry."
Fluttershy stroked Rarity's mane with a hoof, comforting the sobbing unicorn.
"When Rarity was um… kidnapped by the dragon, he told her that he'd make her a princess if she didn't use her element of harmony," explained Fluttershy.
"That's ridiculous," said Rainbow Dash.
"But Rarity didn't listen, and then you swooped in and saved her, Rainbow Dash," said Fluttershy.
"Golly, I didn't know he ever said anything to Rarity," said Pinkie Pie.
"Rarity thinks that Salazar is still trying to separate her from her friends and her element. And he's using her dreams to do it." concluded Fluttershy.
Rarity still lay sobbing on her rug.
"That big jerk! Why I ought a'…" said Rainbow Dash.
"Take it easy, Rainbow," said Applejack, "Aint' nothin' we can do right now."
"Oh… and there's one more thing," said Fluttershy hesitantly, "Twilight was in one of Rarity's dreams. So now every time Rarity sees Twilight, it upsets her."
"So Sweetie Belle didn't actually need a book for school, and Twilight didn't actually have to take her to the library?" asked Rainbow Dash.
Fluttershy nodded.
"But why Rarity?" asked Pinkie Pie.
"Rarity thinks it's because of her anti-element," said Fluttershy quietly.
The other ponies nodded silently. It made sense that Rarity's anti-element, greed, would be the easiest to exploit among the friends. They all remembered when Discord had reversed their personalities. It was a touchy subject for all of them. The ponies sat on the floor near Rarity and comforted her as they thought about what to do next. Several minutes went by until Rarity stopped crying.
"Gosh," said Pinkie Pie, "I guess we could just tell the princess. Princess Celestia that is."
"No," said Rarity suddenly, "You mustn't. It's too embarrassing."
"Princess Celestia won't hold nothin' against you," said Applejack. "She'll know just how to handle the situation."
"No," asserted Rarity. "Not yet. I can fight him. I know I can."
Rarity's friends exchanged worried looks.
"I've been fighting it for weeks. I've just got to get the thoughts under control. I know I can do it. Please don't tell the princess," said Rarity, as she stood up.
"Are you sure?" asked Rainbow Dash, looking at Rarity like she was crazy.
"Yes. I won't give up yet!" said Rarity, "If things look worse in one week from now, you have my permission to call upon the princess. I know it looks bad, but I've got to try to beat this myself. First things first, I'm going to open the boutique again."
"That's the spirit!" said Applejack.
"Woohoo! You go girl!" said Pinkie Pie, jumping excitedly. "Oh! I just had the best idea ever! I'm going to host a party just for you! How about this Saturday? Parties always make me feel better when I'm sad!"
"Alright Pinkie. This Saturday. I'll be there." Said Rarity.
"Woohoo!" said Pinkie Pie.
"Alright Rarity, you've got this!" said Rainbow Dash, "… But if you don't, I'm telling the princess."
"Give me one week, Rainbow Dash, and I'll be my old self again. I promise," said Rarity confidently. "Thank you all so much… I feel much better after telling everypony."
The ponies hugged and said their goodbyes. They went into the hallway while Rarity lingered in her room.
"Thanks everypony," said Fluttershy, " but please don't tell Twilight. I don't want her feelings to be hurt."
"You sure 'bout that, sugarcube?" said Applejack.
"Please Applejack," implored Fluttershy, "think of how upset Twilight would be if she knew Rarity didn't want to see her."
"I think Twilight will understand. Besides, I can't lie to Twi," said Applejack.
Applejack looked into Fluttershy's eyes.
"You ain't using 'the stare' on me, are you, Fluttershy? " said Applejack.
The stare of those big, blue eyes, with the long eyelashes and cute face was too much. Nopony in Equestria could say no to that face. A combination of innocence, helplessness, niceness, cuteness, and firmness was somehow all embodied in her stare.
"Alright! Alright! I won't tell Twilight a thing," said Applejack.
"Can we get a Pinkie promise, AJ?" asked Fluttershy sweetly.
Pinkie Pie perked up.
"Alright," agreed Applejack reluctantly, "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."
"Seeing Twilight won't upset Rarity anymore once she feels better," explained Fluttershy. "In the meantime, nopony's feelings have to get hurt for no reason, right?"
The other three ponies nodded.
"And then everything can go back to normal," added Fluttershy. "Pinkie Pie, how about your party on Saturday?"
"Your auntie Pinkie's way ahead of you! I chose Saturday 'cause I knew Twilight's gonna be in Canterlot!" said Pinkie Pie.
The four ponies left Rarity's boutique and parted ways. Rainbow Dash zipped off immediately, and Fluttershy went off to her cottage. Applejack and Pinkie Pie were left to walk together to Sugar Cube Corner.
"I don't feel right keeping a secret from Twilight," said Applejack.
"Oh I'm sure you'll have no trouble, AJ!" said Pinkie Pie happily, as she bounced alongside her friend, "Besides you had no trouble lying to me and avoiding me all day on my birthday a few years ago. Remember that! Wasn't that the best? Good times, good times!"
Applejack blushed. She thought Pinkie had let that go by now.
"Well that was different. We were trying to keep your surprise birthday party a surprise," said Applejack plainly.
Pinkie Pie smiled as she continued her rhythmic bouncing and eyed Applejack out of the corner of her eye.
"Well if that ain't a bit creepy," thought Applejack.
"I suppose it's only for a week," said Applejack, "I just have a feeling this is gonna cause more problems than it's worth."
- - - - - - - - - - - - -[]- - - - - - - - - - - - -
"See? No book. I told I didn't know what Rarity was talking about!" said Sweetie Belle.
"It's okay. I believe you, Sweetie Belle," said Twilight Sparkle.
The filly left the library.
"Spike, take a letter," ordered Twilight.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -[]- - - - - - - - - - - - -
A magic scroll materialized above Princess Celestia. The wax seal showed it was from Twilight Sparkle. Celestia opened and read the brief message.
The Princess produced a quill and parchment and began to write a reply.
Twilight,
Rarity seems very distressed for whatever the reason. It's important that you do not feel offended by her not wanting to talk to you. Your friendships are and always will be intertwined with the elements. I have a feeling that all your friend needs is a little space.
That being said, Princess Luna and I are concerned for Rarity for another reason. I want you to find out exactly why Rarity is acting peculiar. Your other friends should be of some help. I await your timely reply.
-Celestia