It has now been a week since the death of Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo and Applebloom were back to crusading the best they could. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were really grounded and always saddened. Spark Light had not come back ever since the incident, but what about Rarity?
The Mane Six were going to the Carousal Boutique to check on Rarity. She had not set hoof outside for the week. Twilight Sparkle nervously knocked on the front door of the boutique.
"Rarity, you in there?" she called.
No answer.
"Rarity, oooohhhh Raaaaaaarityyyyyyyyy!" Pinkie Pie called.
Still no answer.
Applejack reached out to turn the door knob but found it locked. Fluttershy was growing more worried. Finally, a click was heard. Rainbow Dash opened the door.
It was a sickening sight. Bits and scraps of fabric lay torn up all over the floor. There were shattered dishes in the kitchen. Spools of thread were tangled in knots and strung about.
However, Rarity was the worse sight. Her mane hadn't been touched at all; it lay tangled and split at the ends, with no shine or bounce in it. Rarity turned her head to look at her friends. Her eyes were reddened and dried out of tears. Tear stains in a gray color ran down Rarity's cheeks. Her blue eye shadow was smeared in places it shouldn't be. Her normally snow white coat was gray and dusty from a week of no bathing. She was scarily thin from eating literally nothing.
Pinkie Pie's mane fell flat and her color darkened.
"R-Rarity?" she stuttered.
When Fluttershy saw Rarity, she raced away feeling sick to her stomach. Applejack came closer to Rarity.
"H-hey, you wanna talk?" she stammered.
"Not in the slightest," Rarity rasped.
"Your really don't look good, you should eat something," Rainbow Dash said.
"I-I'm not hungry," Rarity said with a sharp cough.
"But you'll starve to death," Rainbow Dash pointed out.
"Then I'll be with Sweetie Belle again," Rarity said flatly.
"Geez, Rarity! We couldn't stand losin' another pony!" Applejack exclaimed.
Rarity ignored. Fluttershy returned looking very pale. Twilight wrapped one of her large wings around Fluttershy.
"Rarity, I know this is hard to go through. We all know, but isolating yourself away from your friends, having nopony to talk to, and pitying yourself so much can be very dangerous to your health," said Twilight.
"Oh really, how?" Rarity demanded.
"Constant stress and depression weakens your immune system. Worst of all, though, is that your depression is slowly killing you," Twilight said sadly.
"There is no time for egghead topics! Rarity is...is...is she dying?" Rainbow Dash asked softly.
"It is possible, but we can hopefully help her in time," said Twilight.
Rarity faced all of her best friends. She didn't want to go out in her sadness, but perhaps the refreshing air of the outdoors would help. She considered it.
"Fine, I'll go out," Rarity finally decided.
Pinkie Pie cheered. Everypony was very relieved.
"But my mane looks like a phoenix nest!" Rarity cried.
"See, Rarity. You're already gettin' back to normal," Applejack laughed.
Rarity rushed away to fix her, well, everything. It took a long while. While waiting, the ponies talked to each other about all that has happened.
"So much has changed. Ah walked through Ponyville today, and many citizens who had heard about Sweetie Belle's death said that they wanted her back," AJ said.
"I was affected, too. I didn't take a single nap this week," Rainbow Dash said next.
"I was wondering why you were so grumpy. No offense or anything," Fluttershy piped up.
"Yeah, no naps mean I'm not a happy camper," RD replied.
There was silence until Rarity burst into the room, looking fresh and brand new. Her mane was back to its gloss, and her white coat was as bright as ever. Her eye shadow had been fixed. Besides the bags under her still red eyes and a thin body, Rarity looked completely normal and healthy once again.
"Rarity! You look so dashing!" Pinkie Pie chanted.
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.
"So, can we go out and eat together? Ya need it desperately," said Applejack.
Despite filled with grief still, Rarity's stomach rumbled. She blushed and smiled for the first time in a while. Pinkie Pie was ecstatic seeing Rarity happier again.
The Mane Six and Spike went out together for a treat. Rainbow Dash preformed some stunts to improve the mood. It worked well. Rarity wolfed down all the food she ordered in front of her. She was not eating like a lady.
"Slow down before ya choke to death!" Applejack laughed.
"NEVER! THIS FOOD IS ALL MINE!" Rarity shouted, proving that she was back.
Sweetie Belle, in the heavens above, smiled down at her older sister.
"Good job, big sister. I'm so very sorry for everything that has happened," Sweetie said in the clouds high above.
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Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Spark Light were allowed outside again. Many ponies snorted upon seeing them.
"I didn't want this to happen at all," Tiara almost whispered.
"I can only imagine how upset her family is," Spark Light added.
"Now everypony hates us," Silver Spoon said.
"Hello, girls," Sweetie Belle all of a sudden said.
The three looked up to see a glowing, translucent figure. It was Sweetie Belle without a doubt. A angel halo hovered above her mane, and a pair of golden and white wings rested on her sides.
"Sw-Sweetie B-Belle?" Spark Light stammered.
"It's me, you three. You're right," said Belle.
Diamond Tiara felt tears rush down her face.
"We're all so so sorry! B-but...oh, who am I kidding? You'll never forgive us!" she said through sobs.
"Well, it was my decision to jump off Ghastly Gorge, so I'm not quite sure," Sweetie Belle replied.
"Well, we feel just awful! We never knew this would be so painful!" Diamond Tiara cried.
Sweetie Belle smiled.
"Well, if you three feel this guilty, then I'm impressed," she assured.
"Th-thank you, Sweetie Belle," Silver Spoon thanked, refusing the nickname "blank flank".
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"So, Rarity, how are you doing now?" Twilight asked.
"I'm doing much better. Thank you so much," Rarity answered.
"No problem. We never let each other suffer alone," Rainbow Dash said.
"She's right, Rarity," Sweetie Belle piped up.
"Oh my gosh! Is that really you?" Twilight asked Sweetie Belle.
"It is me. I'm just a angel now. Big sister, I have to apologize. I shouldn't have blamed you for you dress making getting the best of you," said Sweetie Belle.
Rarity was speechless. She couldn't believe her eyes. She attempted to hug Sweetie, but found she went right through her.
"Rarity, I'm afraid you can't hug me now. I'm a spirit," Belle said.
"Sweetie Belle, I-I miss you so much!" Rarity cried.
"I miss you, too. Don't ever forget that. I must go now, but I hope this last goodbye was worth it," Sweetie Belle said with a smile.
A blinding light glowed. Everypony shielded their eyes. With a flashing noise and a puff of steam, Sweetie Belle was gone. Really gone. Rarity wasn't too sad anymore; she felt better.
"Goodbye, Sweetie Belle, for giving me a great life. I love you," Rarity said as a lone tear fell into the very spot Sweetie Belle was standing in just a moment before.