He snapped open eyes.
It was dark now, and the rain slammed against the cold metal on all sides of him, carried by wrathful winds which sought to send its sludge under his scales. He coughed, grunting as his hand instinctively wrapped around his sides.
He traced his finger along his ribs, again just counting where he could feel them separate and one where it fell back into him. He remembered what Twilight told him; if it was a punctured lung, he would have already been dead by now, but still...he curled around it as he stood up.
He stumbled over to the door, each bounce matching the endless vibrations and clicking that rumbled beneath his feet. A particularly rough jolt almost sent him crashing to the ground but his arms clung tight to the solitary bar on the side.
He cracked open the door, only for the torrential rain to spit in his face and the howling wind to hurtle through the car, screaming. Distant lights flashed through the spaces in the trees, their eldritch nature beckoning to him.
He coughed, as he closed his eyes.
When you’re lost, or alone, just think of me. Your heart will show you the way. The bonds of friendship will never fail you.
“Twilight…” Spike whispered, “I hope that spell of yours is still working.”
Something inside him stirred. He knew he’d have to get off soon. She wasn’t that far away. Where was she? This didn’t look like any part of Equestria he’d ever seen. Maybe it was just because it was the pitch black of night, and the storm failed to yield precious glimpses of light and noise.
Spike leaned out from the train car, trying to look ahead, through the streaming shadows. The trees stretched away, twisting through the bend of the tracks. Branches scratched against the side, some scratching his face and making him turn away.
He felt a massive stirring in his chest and was compelled to jump, and so he let go, tumbling away from the train. He was flung through the forest, smashing through the underbrush before collapsing into the wet grass. He struggled to stand, his muscles spasming and screaming as he stood. His shook his head, trying to remove the pained daze that clouded his mind.
Far in front him the lights twinkled. He began to run towards them. He sank into the wet, spongy grass and mud as he ran, clutching his sides. He grunted and forced his way through, when the sudden realization grasped him.
This was Ponyville. The same cluster of houses he knew so well as a child fallen under the veil of stormy darkness. For a moment he questioned why she would be here, but it fell away as the first crack of lightning illuminated the little town.
He stumbled past the thatched rooftops, briefly glimpsing into the golden glow of the homes where ponies lay about, smiling and laughing. He shook his head, trying to conjure the magic that would take him home one more time.
She had to be in the library, he thought, as he began sprinting, his feet taking him where he needed to be. He came to the old tree, placid and mystical as always, and pounded on the door. Minutes passed, and he kept slamming his fist into the wood, trying to get some sort of response.
“Twilight!” He shouted out.
He felt his scales stand on end as the air became heavy. He looked up, just to see lightning strike down beside him, slamming him into the ground. He felt the sickening crack run up from his chest and warmth began spread through his abdomen. He coughed, feeling dark liquids fly from his mouth. It was hard to breathe, to even think.
Yet he was once again on his feet. He repeated Twilight’s name in his head over and over, trying to figure something out. He could feel his right lung become heavy and his breath refused to enter the clogged pathways. Thirty minutes at most, he figured, before he’d be dead.
He couldn’t see straight anymore. Couldn’t even think. Yet he felt his heart tug him towards a familiar building. Yet as he slammed into the door, he felt himself grow faint. This was the end. He wished he could see Twilight one last time, tell her he’s sorry for dying on her.
There was one other thing too-he wanted to see Rarity again. See her beautiful face, lose himself in those eyes one last time. Just hug and hold her, one last time, and of course, to apologize for everything. If there was an afterlife, maybe he’d see her there.
He slumped into the door, his legs failing him. He wanted to tell her he was sorry. The sound of the rain died away, and the darkness disappeared as light surrounded him.
As the ground rushed towards him, he opened his eyes one last time, her white coat, purple mane and soft smile took hold of his vision, and he realized he wasn’t dying. He was just going home. Everything else just floated away.
-------------- X -------------
She moved with rigid haste, each step measured and heavy. She tried to look in a rush, but stay out in the weather as long as she could. Something about the slicing water that bruised her skin felt oddly wonderful.
No one joined her on the streets for longer than a few seconds. Even the guards had a hard time maintaining their collected expressions. Unease bloomed in her chest as she kept walking. There was something wrong in the world, beyond the rain.
Rarity thought about it, a wicked sense of paranoia creeping up on her. She saw shadows move behind her, and her eye was glued backwards when a pony followed her for just one too many block before turning away.
She zigzagged through the city, running, from what, she couldn’t imagine. She just felt something watching her, the unshakable feeling of being followed. She decided to run home. Silverblood would know what to do.
Dodging the rain and the cold, she ran up to her door, rustling for her keys before bracing the handle to find the door unlocked. The wind swept through, slamming the door into the wall. Rarity stood there, bewildered as she stepped into the darkness of her home.
Her heart thumped against her ears, and each breath was warm and loud, heady in the silence. Realization struck her as she observed everything around her, splayed out like a crime scene.
She was calm, stoic as the rock face in the storm, as she kept walking. She strolled past the bottles, past the stains on the floor, the half eaten plates of food, across the carpets that had splattered crimson strewn across it like velvet blood, to the door that creaked open, the subtle change in air pressure blasting through her hair, carrying an unmistakable stench. She took a deep breath, letting it fill her nostrils.
She turned on her hoof and walked back the way she came, past the picture frames and memories, ignoring the hooves that struggled to catch up to her before she was already out of the door again, her umbrella unfurled to shield off the battering that slammed into her once more.
“Back so soon?” the conductor shouted to her from behind his cheerful moustache, before checking the tickets of a small mousey couple getting on the train, nuzzling each other. She felt herself get whipped around, a messy Silverblood standing before her.
“Rarity, listen, you have to understand-”
“I do.” Rarity said.
“Then-”
“I’m just going back to Ponyville for a little while, to get myself back in order.” Rarity said.
“So you’re not mad?” Silverblood asked, his head held awkwardly back on his neck.
“Well. I’m not sure I would say that.” Rarity said as she stepped onto the train. She turned around and said, “Expect to hear from me.”
He reached out to grab her, but the train began to move and the doors slid shut, putting his face into the circle of glass and bronze as she slid over to a seat. The train car was almost empty, except for the couple that boarded earlier, several rows behind her.
She like hearing them talk, although often she could only hear the dull mumble of their voices, but she caught glimpses of their lives, and when a lull in the conversation came she let her mind go blank.
There was a hiss as the steel cage wheels came to a halt. Rarity stood and walked off onto the platform, the mist wrapping around her head like a cowl. She walked through, not really seeing the stained wood or the bright paint, until she heard her name.
“Rarity?”
She looked to her side, eyebrows furrowing in as she realized it was Sweetie Belle beside her, running up to hug her. She realized it was very quiet now, and though she heard no words she knew what Sweetie Belle had asked her.
“What are you doing here?” She said, and Rarity looked down at her knees-they were shaking and she felt something fall down her face-and she wondered if it was raining. No, it was too hot for rain, and then suddenly everything was damp and soft, dark except for the tinges of white where the light came in.
What has happened to you, Rarity?
I don’t know anymore.
Sweetie Belle stroked her mane before pulling her head away from her chest. Again she asked the question, and Rarity only said, “There was a change of plans.”
-------------- X -------------
The days passed, and after a week staying with their parents, Rarity again pushed open the door to her old studio, but now it blossomed with life again. Sweetie Belle was, true to her word, taking care of things for her. She set her things down and settled in before Sweetie turned to her.
“Just relax and lay low for now, Rarity.” Sweetie Belle said, as she brushed Rarity’s mane. “I’ll work my magic.”
Rarity smiled a thanks, as she felt the brush tickle her scalp repeatedly. She watched it moved through her hair like water, shining and falling around her head.
“I’ve always loved your hair.” Sweetie said, as she leaned down to stare at her through the mirror. “I got dad’s hair, you know, awful sometimes.”
“You have his voice though too.” Rarity said as she lay a hoof over her sister’s. “I was always envious of it.”
Sweetie Belle shook her head as she said, “Maybe, but you got the good looking genes.”
Rarity blew a raspberry as she said, “We both got the beautiful genes. I may have gotten a little bit more….”
Sweetie Belle laughed, as she put the brush down. She looked up at the clock on the wall, and sighed. Rarity turned around in her chair to look at her.
“Its getting late, and sadly, I have to go.” She said, “Are you sure you’ll be okay here by yourself? I can make Mom or Dad stay over here, or something.”
“No, I think I’ll be fine. I’ll keep myself entertained until we get this mess sorted out.” Rarity said.
Sweetie Belle nodded, and a dull silence of understanding met between them. She hugged her older sister one more time before biting her lip and walking out the door, yelling back their customary ‘goodbyes’ and ‘love yous’ that they shared.
Rarity closed the door behind her, bolting the lock and turning back into the empty corridors of her own home. She found her way to her couch, flicking on the little television and mindlessly flipping through the channels.
She found a program about gryphons, and let it sit there. The narrator droned on and on, needlessly flourishing the strange passages between the interesting footage, and Rarity could only let her mind wander aimlessly. She thought about nothing in particular, yet as the credits popped up on the screen, she could recollect nothing of the past hour.
She turned it off, sitting in the darkness of her living room, the sunlight that filtered through the curtains turned a deep blue as sapphire and strange soft shadows. She looked over the old memories that still clung to hearth, the happy eyes that condemned her from their brass and golden frames.
She became uneasy-she could feel them watching her. She tried to shake it off by grabbing the suitcase that still sat beside the door, hauling it upstairs and tossing it on the bed. She threw it open, immediately letting her magic take control and sort the clothes, essentials, and other little things she brought with her. Drawers and closets swung open and shut quickly as dresses hung themselves, and robes were folded.
Rarity smiled, a little ‘humph’ of satisfaction escaping from her as she then walked back over the bed to put the suitcase away, but as she levitated it, she heard something jolt around inside. She placed it back down, and gingerly opened the case again.
The last thing, laying a tumbled mess at the bottom, was the Fire Ruby, wrapped in its own gold chain. She pulled it out, the suitcase absentmindedly floating away as she examined the jewel. She levitated towards the vanity, placing down. It would have to do-her real jewellery box was back up in Canterlot still.
But then she walked over to it, picking it up with her hooves, bouncing it up and down, all the while with a smug scrunched up smile before she took it and hooked it around her neck. She looked outside, the sun was still high in the sky and the clouds have drifted away-and it was beautiful out there.
Rushing out the door, she took a deep breath of the sunshine. The day was soft and warm, not unlike a lovers touch, and the grass tickled her hooves. She started walking without any real destination in mind. It was just warm and pleasant outside and she was going to soak up its effervescent cheer. It was like walking through her own memories, and she just pushed all of the negativity away into the corners of her mind.
But always, in the back of her mind, she felt something watching. Shadows darted in the corners of her eyes, but nothing was there. Nothing was ever there. This was Ponyville, what could possibly be following her?
“Rarity!”
She whirled around to see a familiar pink pony waving enthusiastically at her, and beside that, the gentle smile of her butterscotch friend.
“Pinkie Pie! Fluttershy!” Rarity said, “How nice to see you!”
She was soon tackled, leaving Fluttershy to meander over as Pinkie Pie hugged her tight, crushing the air from her lungs.
“Its super-duper awesome to see you so soon, Rarity!” Pinkie said, putting Rarity down and giving her a chance to breathe.
“I thought you were back in Canterlot?” Fluttershy said.
“I was, dear, but...plans changed.” Rarity said, “I’ll be staying here in Ponyville for sometime.”
“WHAT!” Pinkie Pie shouted, “And you didn’t tell me?”
“I just did-”
“Now I have to arrange a house warming party!” Pinke Pie said, as she pulled out a notebook. “Just have to fit it in between taking the Pound and Pumpkin to school and work, and helping Applejack and-”
Rarity put a hoof over Pinkie’s mouth and said, “Thats not necessary, Pinkie, nice as it does sound.”
Pinkie puffed as she put away her pen and paper, “Theres going to be a party whether you like it or not, Rarity.”
Rarity grinned as she said, “Then I shall look forward to it Pinkie, but it can wait for the time being. We want as many ponies attending as possible.”
“I didn’t think of that.” Pinkie said as she tapped her hoof against her chin. “You’re right! I should make invitations, Fluttershy, would you help me with that?”
“Sure, Pinkie, I’d love to. Its just-”
“Good! We’ll get started right away!”
“Pinkie” Fluttershy whispered. “Wait-”
“I’ll grab the paper and the pens and that lacy stuff-do you think they’ll have it at sofas and quills? Then again-”
“Pinkie.” Fluttershy said, a little louder.
“Maybe the joke shop would have-”
“Pinkie!” Fluttershy shouted, or more so, said normally.
Pinkie turned towards Fluttershy, head tilted as she innocently said, “What?”
“Oh, nothing.” Fluttershy said, hiding behind her hair, “I just wanted to say that maybe we should finish what we were going to do in the first place before we get sidetracked, if thats okay with you, or not..I guess it doesn’t matter.”
“Oh! Ohhhhh. Right” Pinkie said with a not terribly subtle wink.
“What on Earth are you two talking about?” Rarity asked.
“Nothing!” Fluttershy said, “Eep. I mean, its not really that important…”
“Just something between us two, really.” Pinkie Pie said.
“I’m not allowed in?” Rarity said.
“Well...I made a Pinkie Promise to never tell anyone what exactly it is.” Pinkie said, “And you know, when you make a Pinkie Promise...”
“Oh. Okay” Rarity said, “I understand completely.”
“I’m sorry, Rarity.” Pinkie said, “But maybe I can tell you later, or I guess Fluttershy has to tell you, or perhaps she could tells someone and they could tell you, or I could write it down or-”
Rarity pressed her hoof over Pinkie’s mouth. “I understand.” She said, “Just take care of our darling Fluttershy, whatever activities she is a part of.”
Fluttershy eeped at the implications of the word, but Pinkie Pie just nodded before humming a tune and pulling Fluttershy away. Rarity looked around the square, on all sides, beneath that crisp blue sky ponies laughed and talked and played, and here she was, amidst it all, lost and alone as a filly in a big city.
She lowered her head as she sulked away. Letting her hooves drag her forward, to wherever, really. Not like it really mattered. They took her home, whatever that meant.
-------------- X -------------
She spent the next few days alone and inside, isolating herself despite the best attempts of her friends to coerce her out. She was pacing back and forth across the clean white tiles, wearing in her heavy hooves. She kept patting back her hair, wringing out her front hooves, shaking her head, her thoughts random and cluttered where once there was organized chaos.
It began to rain, starting with the gentle taps before turning into the blue-black downpour, the cobblestone streets shining like waves from the light of the street lamps. It was beautiful, and for the first time in weeks, Rarity felt something spark inside.
Grimacing with distraught and dark purpose she entered her work room for the first time in forever it seemed. Working by candlelight, she pulled taught the dark silken fabrics, glimmering under her eyes. The mannequins shivered as Rarity, crazed, worked. Her magic was not enough-now her hooves handled the needle and thread, this was something that had to be done with just hard work.
What a fashionista must do for her work.
Her eyes darted across the stitch that wrapped the layers of cloth together. Her magic pulled it towards the mannequin as she began her next part. With only the sound of the torrents of dim water and the frightened stances of her inanimate models to act as company she worked. A lighter, transparent fabric for the next part was needed, and then dark pearls, red satin and gold thread. Silver and shadow intertwined as she worked.
She flung them to the side, the form wrapping around the barrel of her make-believe doll. Rarity approached it finally, eyes narrow and tongue firmly between her teeth as she finished the last touches. She backed away from the complete garment, the heavy cloth breathing for the first time.
She wiped the sweat from her brow before admiring her work-but she stopped. There was something off about it. It needed….purple-a dark and royal color like midnight. She pulled out more cloth and began anew. After only a moment her reparations were complete. She placed it on the dress, and then stepped back again.
Green. It needed the emerald and jealous fire to bring it together. This was no piece of beauty, no work of love, this was disaster and anger made form into cloth. It was terrifying, it broken and shattered glass, and it was beautiful. The last stitches of the jewels inlaid were placed and she stepped back.
And she began to cry. Honest tears that just broke out from her eyes, snot spilled out from her nose. For the first time in weeks she really just finally let it all out. It hurt, her chest was heaving as she curled up on the floor, sobbing.
She coughed and began to laugh then, rolling onto her back, wiping her face, and in the silence she stared up at the ceiling, enamored by the carved woodwork of her roof. The rain was tapping. She was alive.
Here, in her most excellent moment in months then she was alarmed to hear a knock at the door. It was frantic and heavy. Her head cocked sideways as she turned over and stood up on shaky legs, quickly glancing in the mirror to make sure her make-up wasn’t to smeared. It was, but she quickly thought she’d tell them that she was just napping. That’d make sense, right?
She rushed down the stairs as lightning crackled across the sky. She opened to door, the icy rain immediately meeting her and…
“Rarity…”
She gasped as the bruised, but unmistakable form of a dragon collapsed onto her floor.