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// Another Cute-ceañera 
// Story: The Umbra Queen 
// by Car Cloth 
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	“Is everypony ready to par-tey!?” Pinkie Pie shouted.

The crowd went crazy. Streamers and balloons went sailing into the air. The music was kicked up to high volume and suddenly there was dancing. Pinkie Pie smiled to Rarity.

“I told you this would be a success. Nopony can resist the call of the Pinkie.”

Rarity smiled. “I guess I never should have doubted you… I figured more of the town would still be angry about Twilight’s decision.”

“Nah. Most ponies don’t care that the changelings are moving into Everfree Forest. It’s just a few that mind, and they probably wouldn’t have shown up to the party anyway.” Pinkie turned back to the crowd of ponies. Twilight flew over with a wide grin on her face. “Hey, Twi! What’s so funny?” Pinkie asked.

“That’s not Twilight,” Rarity commented.

“What? How do you know?”

“Yeah,” Twilight added. “How do you know?”

“Twilight never smiles like that unless she’s in a library,” Rarity stated, giving the fake Twilight an agitated look. She was getting good at spotting changelings, which was helpful, considering how many were now living here.

Suddenly, the illusion holding Twilight's form dissipated, leaving the changeling warrior, Cootie, behind. He frowned. “Spoil-sport.”

Pinkie tilted her head. “Why do you always change into an alicorn when you want to be a pony?”

“Because I am an alicorn,” Cootie motioned to his wings and horn while waggling an eyebrow. 

Pinkie Pie suddenly gasped. “Ohmygosh! You’re so totally right! You are an alicorn!”

Rarity held up a hoof. “No, Pinkie, he’s-”

Without waiting for Rarity to finish, Pinkie ran off into the crowd. “Guys! Guys! Did you know that some of the changelings are alicorns!? It’s true!”

Rarity turned to Cootie. “Do you see what your mischief has done?”

He shrugged. “It was worth it.”

The music began to pick up into a faster beat and the ponies dancing were quickly becoming exhausted. Rarity sat around and watched, not wanting to get sweaty from the activity. This was her sister’s Cute-ceañera but that didn’t mean she had to participate in every event. 

“Rarity! There ya are!”

Apple Jack trotted up to her and threw a hoof over her shoulder. Rarity looked down to make sure Apple Jack hadn’t gotten dirt on her brand new cape. “You were looking for me, Apple Jack?”

“Just wanted to make sure you were okay, is all. Haven’t seen ya for a few days.”

“I was busy sewing, my dear. You know how I can get,” Rarity replied with nervous laugh. Apart from sewing something for Sweetie Belle’s Cute-ceañera, she had also sewed herself an entirely new wardrobe. The wound she received from Chrysalis remained with her, scarring her beautiful white coat. She hated seeing it… the scar was a terrible pockmark on her once perfect visage. She made clothing specifically to cover it up.

“Well, remember to get out and about more, kay? Now, have you seen Apple Bloom?”

Rarity pointed to the far back of the party. Apple Bloom had been sitting by herself since she arrived. Her ears were drooped and her eyes downcast. 

“Oh geez,” Apple Jack sighed. “I guess I better cheer the filly up.”

Rarity stopped Apple Jack from trotting away and pointed. They both watched as Babs, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle ran over to the filly and pulled her out of her depression, whether she liked it or not. Apple Jack smiled.

“I guess I don’t need to be so protective of her after all. She’s got her friends, ain’t she?”

“Apple Bloom will be fine,” Rarity reassured her. “And I’m sure if she needed you she would go to you.”

Cootie buzzed in closer and smiled. “Or I could transform to look like you and give her some advice. You two have oceans of love just ready for the-”

“Don’t you dare,” Apple Jack gruffly stated, cutting off Cootie before he could finish. “I don’t want none of your tomfoolery.”

Cootie frowned and cross his front legs over his chest in disappointment. “The only one of you that’s any fun around here is Pinkie Pie!” With that, he took off into the crowd of ponies dancing, quickly transforming into Twilight Sparkle to finish the remained of the night. 

Apple Jack laughed. “Well, I’m gonna get to passin’ out pies. Have fun, Rarity!” She trotted off, leaving Rarity all alone once again. 

When the song ended, the DJ stopped and pointed over to where Sweetie Belle was sitting. “Listen, Everypony! It’s time to open gifts! Good for it!” The ponies at the party began clopping their hooves together and Sweetie Belle blushed. She reached for her first gift, which so happen to be Rarity’s. 

Sweetie Belle carefully opened it and threw out the paper. With her magic she levitated out an elegant dress of silver, gold and diamonds. It had taken Rarity forever to finish and get just right… but she knew Sweetie Belle would need something special if she were going to be the Duchess of the Everfree Forest. 

On the verge of tears, Sweetie Belle turned to Rarity and waved. The crowd clopped their hooves again and Rarity nodded to her. She was sure this wouldn’t be the last gift like that. What if Sweetie Belle wanted to become a world-renown singer? She would need outfits and costumes… Lots of work for Rarity, but work she was willing to provide. 

“Hey, Rarity…”

She turned and saw Spike standing next to her. He was staring at the ground and kicking his foot. 

“Can we talk?” he asked.

“Of course, Spike. What is it?”

He looked odd with an eye-patch over his left eye, but Rarity thought it made him look much older. Then again, he was much older. More mature. 

“Remember when I spoke to you a while back? About, er, us?”

“Yes…”

“I thought I could replace Sombra, but I realize now I shouldn’t have even tried. I’m sorry I put you in that situation.”

“It’s okay, Spike. I was flattered, really I was.”

“Um…”

Rarity tilted her head. “Is there something else, Spike?”

“Well, I also wanted to ask… Umm… It wouldn’t bother you if… If I…”

Rarity gently placed her hoof over Spike’s mouth. “You have my blessing.”

“R-really?” he gasped. “You don’t mind?”

“Of course not. As long as Sweetie Belle is happy, I am happy.”

They both turned to Sweetie Belle who was still opening gifts. She smiled and waved to the both of them and Spike waved back. 

“Thanks, Rarity,” he sheepishly said. “That means a lot.”

“Maybe you should go be with her on her special day,” Rarity suggested.

Spike nodded and quickly ran over to be with her. For a moment Rarity watched them enjoy themselves but it wasn’t long until she felt another presence nearby.

“Are the twins okay?” she asked under her breath.

Silently stepping from the shadows, Sombra took his place by her side. “They’re sleeping. Fluttershy is with them now.”

“Are you okay?” Rarity asked. “Why didn’t you arrive earlier?”

“I went to investigate the castle in the Everfree Forest. The worker changelings have almost completed the building, but… I can sense something there. Something unseen. It troubles me.”

Rarity nodded. “I’m sure whatever it is, you’ll find it.” She leaned against him and enjoyed the music.

Sombra pulled her close. “I’m sure you’re right.”


THE END