//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: Sweetie Belle's Big Sister // by The Infinity Doctor //------------------------------// She felt herself annoyed at being awoken, especially at the sound of the multi-colored hor- pony, multi-colored pony. She groggily sat up, still in the forehooves of Sweetie Belle, the other five ponies surrounding them. "What in the hay is goin' on here?!" Applejack shouted, eyeing Rarity's blood-spattered coat. "Flowers- manticore- Rarity, sleep..." she said. "Wowie! She can talk!" Pinkie shouted, apparently elated at N's gift of speech. "Yes, it's because of the flowers" "What? Flowers?" Twilight asked. "Did y'all hit your head or somethin' sugarcube?" "No, blue flowers" "That makes no sense!" Twilight said, forcing Sweetie and Rarity to shift in their sleep "Why are they like this anyway?" "Flowers!" she responded, rolling her eyes. "Flowers...can't...do...this!" she said, gesturing to Sweetie and Rarity. This time, Rarity's eyes did open, her golden orbs quickly scanning the five other ponies. She staggered to her hooves, growling as she did so. Her teeth were still flat, but she hardly needed them as she towered over the other five, giving her best intimidating stare. "R-Rarity?" Twilight stuttered nervously, confused at her friend's behavior. The tall mare hissed, spittle flying from her teeth as her glowing eyes burned with nothing but rage and malice. Rarity approached, her steps careful and precise, bearing down on the other ponies as she continued to bare her teeth. "R-Rarity...I kn-know you-you need help- and- and-" The white mare didn't let her finish, as she snarled, snapping her jaws just inches from Twilight's face. The unicorn recoiled, staring at her friend in fear as she backed away. Needles tugged at the savage unicorn's tail, attempting to dissuade her from attacking the five other equines. Not that she cared for them, of course- the pink one was too loud in her opinion, and the purple one...she could write a book on the purple one...but...why would she want to? No one would ever read- She shook her head, clearing it as she continued to tug on Rarity's tail. "They're your friends, Ra-rit-y" Rarity opened her mouth in an attempt to speak, but only succeeded in shrieking. Needles, as well as the rest of the group, flinched in response. "Ra-rit-y, need to get better" The tall mare shook her head vehemently, she then took one hoof, and dragged the tip through the dirt, etching a message into the ground. Protect you it read. "No, it's supposed to be the other way around!" she said, childishly stamping her foot against the ground. Rarity only huffed, and motioned for Sweetie to follow her. The younger sister shook her head, and walked with Needles over to Twilight and the rest of the group. Rarity turned, noticing the smaller unicorn not following her, and cocked an eyebrow. She turned around, and beckoned to Sweetie with a hoof. Sweetie shook her head once more, and stood her ground. Rarity, apparently not wanting to put up with anything, begrudgingly followed the silent group back down the trail to Ponyville. "Well, they're on their way, I suppose there's really no need for us anymore" the mare said. "It definitely looks that way, doesn't it?" the stallion replied. "Just as well" the mare said, turning "we've a few more tests to run" "Ah, yes," the stallion said, as if he just remembered "by the way, how do you suppose that filly and the Big Daddy are faring?"