The air was warm and thick in the carriage, redolent of pine needles and sweet perfume. Overhead the moon was slowly setting, Luna’s darkness giving way to a gentle dawn. Beams of sunlight poked through the windows, revealing a dragon and unicorn cuddling on a nest of blankets and pillows.
“Still sleeping?” Spike yawned, but was unable to keep a grin from his face. With a claw he loosened his tie, tossing it to join the growing pile of discarded clothing.
Rarity shifted slightly, her chest pressing against Spike. A low moan, “Not anymore...”
Her makeup was smeared and messy, dark lines streaming from her eyes. The purple mane that had taken so long to perfect for the wedding was now a disheveled nest. Loose strands of hair fell into her face as she finally sat up, rubbing an eye with a hoof. The silver band caught the sunlight, reflecting a bright sheen.
“I guess you still won’t tell me where we’re going?” Rarity asked.
Spike nuzzled her affectionately, his snout caressing the nape of her neck and traveling upward, peppering the shiny, pink scars with little kisses. “You guessed correctly.”
“Hmmph, to treat a lady in such a way.” Rarity pouted, jutting out her lower lip in a way that drove Spike mad. The dragon resisted at first, but she pressed on. Rarity was sure she had gotten him when she started whimperings, but the dragon simply silenced her with another kiss.
***
With a muffled groan, Rarity turned over in bed. She ran a hoof through her mane experimentally, noting the sad condition of her sweat and hairspray caked hair. Her mind reminded her it had been almost 36 hours since she had last showered. Unacceptable.
Now, where was she? Every muscle in her body screamed in protest when she attempted to sit up, untangling himself from a messy cocoon of sheets and blankets. A high wood ceiling arched overhead, reminding her of an elegant hunting lodge. Torches flickered from the walls, adding their light to the mid-morning sun.
Scattered articles of clothing littered the floor, stirring some vague memories in Rarity’s brain. Sunlight filtered in through an open window. She got up, standing unsteadily on her aching legs.
“Spike?” After waiting a moment for a reply, she ventured to a picture window took up half the back wall. It faced outward- the cabin was perched on the edge of a low mountain peak.
The sight took her breath away. From all sides lay a panorama of mountains, grey towers capped with pristine white snow. The sky was a clean light blue, the sun already high in the air. She took a deep breath of fresh cold air.
“Enjoying yourself?” she felt strong arms wrapped around her waist and giggled, batting away the dragon playfully.
“Where are we? This is breathtaking.” A flock of birds danced overhead. Rarity shivered as Spike drew her in closer, tenderly kissing her neck.
“A very special place. You see those mountains?” He pointed to an outcrop in the distance, the rocks darker than the surrounding formations. “It’s called the Heart of Stone. Many years ago, I flew here on a whim, tired of traveling. It took a lot of willpower to finally leave.”
“Like it? Spike, it’s perfect. Come on, let’s see what’s outside.” The unicorn skipped toward the door, all soreness forgotten. Her tangled mane bounced happily on her head. Her silver bracelet caught a ray of sun and Spike smiled.
***
Ahead of them lay grey, snow-capped mountains as far as the eye could see. The landscape was filled with hues of lush greens and yellows as the rocky, barren terrain gave way to low forests and flowering meadows. A nearby stream trickled quietly, attracting birds flocked by the dozen.
Pack light, Spike had insisted. It was only a short day trip. So instead of lugging along three travel bags, he only carried one, the brown satchel trailing behind him like a dog on a leash. A red sunhat was perched jauntily on Rarity’s head, tilted at the perfect angle to catch errant solar rays.
“Wow. This is amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it...” gushed the unicorn as they walked hand in hoof down the trail. She didn’t know if Spike had arranged it, but the weather was perfect. The mountains danced with the joy of life itself, and with each step Rarity felt her heart grow lighter.
They stopped wordlessly at a steep decline. Below lay acres upon acres of green meadows and rolling hills, alive with energy. Patches of wildflowers appeared in the most striking of bright reds, blues, and purples. Butterflies of every color flew and danced. The sun beat joyfully overhead.
“Come on, let’s go! We have to visit.” The dragon extended a gentlemanly hoof, dropping to a knee. His back arched invitingly in the air, wings splayed out from each side.
“Are you sure? That seems awfully...” Rarity stole another glance the steepness of the cliff. “Dangerous.”
A small, toothy grin. “Trust me?”
Rarity sighed, shaking her head. Still, she stepped on carefully, straddling the dragon. “Are you sure I’m not too heavy-”
With a beat of his powerful wings, the dragon took to the sky. Rarity began to yelp in surprise, but the noise quickly turned into a light giggle as Spike’s wings caught a gentle draft. It was a short flight- an easy task for the dragon’s powerful physique.
“This must be what paradise looks like.”
They gazed around in awe. The meadow was a like an oasis- a spring of color in an otherwise grey and cold environment. Small rabbits darted about, shrouded by shrubs and flowers. The music of chirping birds and running streams.
Spike turned, gazing tenderly at Rarity. “It is.”
***
The only sound in the room was Twilight’s choked sobs as she threw her forelegs around the dragon. “I-I’ll miss you, Spike.”
The dragon returned the hug, nearly lifting the unicorn off her feet. He finally steeled himself against a torrent of emotion, managing to croak out, “Me too, Twi. I’ll try to write lots.”
They both knew that it was an empty promise. The lands Twilight and Luna were traveling too were far beyond the reaches of post- both physical and magical. Negotiations had broken down with the northern dragon empire, and with tensions rising Celestia had no choice but to request the presence Equestrian diplomat Twilight Sparkle. When the princess signed off on that, there would be no question that Princess Luna would also leave.
The pink banner that hung from the ceiling- HAVE A GOOD TRIP!- seemed gaudy and out of place. Applejack and Rainbow Dash talked in hushed whispers. Princess Luna poured over a massive scroll, checking off boxes with half-hearted energy. Fluttershy and Big Mac loaded the last of the baggage onto a carriage, while Pinkie Pie insisted that everypony, please, have some cake.
Rarity watched Spike and Twilight from a respectful distance, one hoof anxiously fingering her silver wedding band. The scene tore at her heart, and she forced herself to look away, wiping an errant tear.
“So this is really it,” she heard Spike whisper. The dragon was crying freely now, seeming all the more like the helpless child he was so many years ago. His strong body was caved in by sadness. All Twilight could do was stroke his back reassuringly, trying to keep from crying more herself.
“It’s time.” Luna’s voice, soft and boyish, was tinged by uncertainty. When they finally parted, Spike broke down in Rarity’s arms. As the carriage disappeared over the edge of the horizon, Rarity felt a part of her leave with it.
She knew without Twilight, Spike would never be the same. Ponyville was filled with too many memories. As the dragon’s hot tears soaked her coat, she made her decision. It was time for a change of scenery.
***
Rue Equinaise was the premier shopping street of Canterlot. High end boutiques shared space with artisanal craftspony and a vibrant street food culture. Surrounding the stores were low apartments with ivy covered walls and white roofs.
“There!” With a finally clang of a hammer, the board was in place. The sign simply proclaimed Rarity- the seamstresses reputation would do the rest. The modest storefront had a premier location, at the corner of Rue Equinaise and the grounds of the Canterlot Palace. Already ponies were lining up with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, all eyes fixed on the snow white unicorn arranging dresses on mannequins.
Spike stole a glance over at Rarity as they worked, side by side, as they had done in Ponyville so many years ago. The store was filled with a loud din as ponies crowded for space, but Rarity kept up the quiet stream of delightful banter. Music to Spike’s ears.
When they left Ponyville with nothing more than a cart of suitcases, the dragon had his reservations. He voiced them, but the combination of Rarity and his friends had finally convinced him to cut old ties. At the end of the day, unicorn and dragon sat side by side as they wrote letters to each of their companions.
Pinkie Pie and Doctor Whooves, now mayor and mayoress, seemed to be everywhere at once. They were successful business owners and artisans, and on top of that, Pinkie was expecting a pair of twins! Rarity already had the cutest pair of booties stiched.
To their dismay, Applejack and Rainbow Dash’s relationship seemed to have cooled. Dash moved to Manehatten to teach a new generation of Wonderbolts. Applejack stayed put to raise a new generation of crops.
Rarity answered Fluttershy’s letters politely but briefly, as the pegasus seemed to live a stable, happy existence. Sweetie Belle’s letters were returned with more fire, especially once Rarity learned her sister was dating a certain Prince Blueblood II. The fit she had thrown that night was one to behold.
Yet as they wrote by candlelight and exchanged stories and laughter, a Twilight-sized hole in their hearts slowly bled. It had taken Celestia several days of research, but she managed to use her magic and send three heartfelt letters. Weeks later, they all still waited on a reply.
***
Change, Rarity had thought, was always good. It spoke of new challenges and opportunities. It breathed life and color into an otherwise dull existence.
She sat opposite Spike, watching his chest rise and fall with each gentle snore. Light from the fireplace cast moving shadows that danced across the room.
They had just finished their letters- a neat stack of envelopes lay on the table, ready for tomorrow morning’s delivery.
But now, things had become confused. Change was an inevitable conclusion. She realized that there was nothing more she could do.
***