//------------------------------// // Chapter 14: Song and Dance 2 - Dance Harder // Story: New Revelations // by Phantom Shadow //------------------------------// Rarity trotted through the busy market with a saddlebag on her back. Since Sweetie Belle was with her friends for the day, she decided to take advantage of the moment to do a little shopping. With a pink scarf wrapped around her neck to keep herself warm on the chilly day, she opened her bag and pulled out a rolled up piece of parchment. “I do hope the prices of some of these items haven’t gone up,” she thought aloud as she looked at her shopping list. She took a long look at some of the items before rolling it back up and securing it back in her bags. As she trotted into town, the site of what was happening in front of town hall caught her attention, even though she didn’t stop her trotting. By the looks of it, a stage was slowly being built with several ponies walking on and around it, some with construction hats on and others with blueprints in front of them. Rarity smiled as she watched some of her fellow denizens beginning to converge in front of it to get a better look at what was happening. Unfortunately, she kept her eyes on the scene for a moment too long before she felt the weight of somepony push into her, knocking her on the ground. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” the stallion said, who had also tumbled backwards. “No, no, It’s my fault,” she said. “I wasn’t looking where I was...” She immediately stopped when she saw that it was Thunderlane whom she had bumped into. He looked up at her, sharing her sentiments by freezing up. “Rarity?” he asked with an astonished look on his face. “Oh my,” Rarity responded, her cheeks turning pink. “This is so embarrassing.” Thunderlane stared at her for a few moments before he shook his head to regain his thoughts and straightened his posture. Then, he trotted over to Rarity and said, “Here, let me help you up.” He helped her up, the two of them letting out nervous giggles; neither of them knew what to say to each other to remedy the situation. An awkward moment of silence passed before Thunderlane let out a chuckle and said, “We’ve gotta stop bumping into each other like this.” “Y-Yeah,” she nervously responded, her cheeks feeling warmer by the minute. After a while, Thunderlane cleared his throat and asked as casually as he could, “So, you on your way shopping?” Trying to hide her cheeks with her scarf, she said, “Just picking up a few things, is all.” Another awkward moment of silence followed as the two of them tried to make small talk and failing at it. Go on, Thunderlane, he thought to himself. Just ask her. Maybe she’ll say yes. Taking a deep breath, he opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by the sound of two small foals calling out to them. “Sweetie Belle? Sweetie Belle, can you hear me?” It was that all-too-familiar feeling, the feeling of hearing distant voices and seeing nothing but black. Sweetie Belle could hear somepony calling out to her as she tried to open her eyes. As her vision started coming back, albeit slow and blurry, she began to see the shapes of the ponies standing around her. Immediately, she recognized that Rarity was among them and was the one calling out to her. When her vision came back fully, she was surprised to not only see a few new faces around her, but that she wasn’t outside anymore. Looking around, she saw that she was lying in a bed. Upon further observations of the surrounding furniture and pictures, she saw that she was in Apple Bloom’s room. Rarity, Scootaloo and Applejack were standing on the left of the bed while Apple Bloom, Rumble and Thunderlane stood on the right. “Oh, Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said, letting out a sigh of relief and wrapping her arms around her. “Thank Celestia you’re alright! You had me so worried!” “Ya had us all worried,” said Applejack. “How’re ya feeling, sugar cube?” “Alright, I guess,” Sweetie Belle said wearily as she rubbed the back of her head with a hoof. “My head hurts, though.” “Well, ya hit yer head on the ground pretty hard,” said Apple Bloom. “What happened?” she asked as she looked around the room. “How did I get here?” “From what I was told, you fainted,” explained Rarity. “Applejack and Apple Bloom brought you in here while Scootaloo and Rumble came for us right away.” “Are you sure you’re alright?” asked Thunderlane. “Yeah, I’m alright for now,” Sweetie Belle said. “What happened?” he asked. “What caused you to faint like that?” She opened her mouth to answer, but quickly closed her mouth as the memories began to rush back to her. She knew the exact reason why she had fainted, but she didn’t know if she should tell any of them about it. Could she tell anypony about it? It was those thoughts that allowed a small moment of silence to follow, Sweetie Belle shifting her eyes back and forth as she fished her mind for an answer. As her eyes scanned the room, she caught a quick glimpse of Rumble, who was looking at the ground with the same blank stare as before. Thankfully, Apple Bloom broke the silence. “We were just talkin’ and, ah guess what ah said was too much for her. Right, Sweetie Belle?” She flashed a feigned, toothy smile as she looked at Sweetie Belle. When she looked at Apple Bloom, she pointed her eyes in the direction of Rumble nervously, who was standing behind her and unable to see the gesture. Sweetie Belle smiled a little bit; she knew exactly what she was trying to say and was thankful that she had a reasonable alibi that didn’t incriminate her. "Yeah, that’s what happened,” said Sweetie. “Sorry for worrying everypony. I guess it just...took me by surprise.” “Well, as long as yer okay, sugar cube,” said Applejack as she offered the filly a hug. “Agreed,” said Rarity with a smile. However, it was short lived as she watched Scootaloo beginning to trot over to her. She felt her heart race as she shot a look from the filly to Thunderlane and back. Oh no, she thought. Think fast, Rarity! I can’t let her get too close to Sweetie Belle! I can’t let Thunderlane know they’re together! “I’m glad you’re alright,” Scootaloo said as she reached a hoof out to offer Sweetie a hug. However, she was immediately stopped as Rarity trotted in front of her. “Um, Scootaloo, could you be a dear and open the window?” she asked. “It’s quite warm in here.” Blinking in confusion, she slowly said, “Um...okay...” As she trotted to the window, she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow and shake her head. After opening the window, she tried to go over to Sweetie Belle again only to see that Rarity was blocking her path. “Um, Rarity?” Scootaloo asked. “Could you please...?” “Of course, dear,” she interrupted her. “But could you please go and get some water for Sweetie Belle? I imagine she must be famished!” The filly blinked in confusion. Taking the hint, she said, “Thirsty.” “Oh...uh...okay,” Scootaloo said as she trotted out of the room to get a glass of water. As she turned to face the others, Thunderlane couldn’t help but let out a compassionate sigh. She’s so generous, he thought, as Rarity looked at him and smiled in response. It wasn’t long before Scootaloo came back with a small glass in her hoof. She trotted up to Sweetie Belle to give it to her, but was immediately blocked by Rarity, who nonchalantly stood in her way. Then, she took the glass with her magic and said, “Thank you, dear.” Rarity gave the glass to Sweetie, who took it in her hooves and began to take small sips of it. So far, so good, she thought to herself. There has to be another way I can get her out of the room. Her heart began to speed up again as an idea came across her mind. She scratched the back of her neck with a hoof as she looked up to the ceiling and asked, “Scootaloo, could you be a dear and get Sweetie a straw?” Lowering her glass, Sweetie Belle said, “But I don’t need...” “Darling,” she interrupted, putting a hoof on her forehead and pushing it until she was resting on the pillow. “You really should rest your head like this. It’s much better that way.” Cocking an eyebrow at her, Scootaloo turned for the door again and said, “Okay...I’m sure there’s one around here...somewhere...” When she was out of the room, Apple Bloom said, “Maybe ah should help her get it.” “That’s very generous of you, but I’m sure Scootaloo can manage on her own,” Rarity said as innocently as she could. “Rare’s,” said Applejack. “Not fer anythin’, but ya seem to be nervous ‘bout somethin’. Is everythin’ alright?” Before she could answer, she was interrupted by the sound of something falling to the ground and Scootaloo shouting, “Sorry!” Wasting no time, Applejack and Apple Bloom hurried to her aid, leaving the four ponies alone for a moment. Clearing his throat, Thunderlane looked at Rarity and said, “I have to admit, you’re a very generous pony.” Flashing a toothy smile, Rarity played with the curl of her mane and said, “Why, thank you, darling.” As the two of them shared a small laugh, the two foals tried their best to remain calm and avoid making eye contact with each other. Sweetie Belle looked at the ceiling while Rumble looked at the ground; both of them were trying to remain calm as newly found feelings for each other coursed through their bodies. “It’s so nice to see you care for your sister so much,” Thunderlane said. “Thank you,” Rarity replied as she trotted up to Sweetie Belle and offered her a loving nudge. “I’d do anything for my little sister.” Deep breaths, Rarity, she thought as she straightened herself. He doesn’t suspect anything. So long as you keep them apart, everything will be fine. After a moment, Applejack, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo trotted back into the room, the latter of the three holding a straw in her hooves. Like before, Rarity took the straw with her magic and gave it to Sweetie Belle, who put it in her glass and began taking more sips from it. “So sorry about that,” said Rarity, as she innocently stood in front of Scootaloo, who was trying to go around her. Applejack looked from her to Scootaloo and back, giving her a questioning look. When all she got was a wide grin in response, she raised an eyebrow and said, “No problem, sugar cube.” Giving up, Scootaloo rolled her eyes and asked, “So, Sweetie Belle, are you going to be okay for later?” Immediately, Rarity’s heart began leaping in her chest as she felt sweat drops beginning to form on the back of her neck again. “I think so,” said Sweetie Belle with a smile. “My head is starting to feel-” “I don’t think that’s a good idea!” Rarity shouted, interrupting her sister. Everypony gave her a look at her sudden outburst for one reason or another. Clearing her throat to regain her composure, she said, “I think it’d be best if you got bed rest for the rest of the day, Sweetie Belle.” “Why?” asked Scootaloo in a suspicious tone. Rarity gave her a matter-of-factly look. “I want to make sure she’s fully well, that’s all.” “But I am...” Sweetie began to say before she was interrupted once again, this time with Rarity’s hoof covering her mouth. “Shhh,” she said in a cooing voice. “Don’t speak, you’re injured.” Thunderlane shot a slightly confused glance at Rumble, who only shrugged his shoulders in response. Applejack, on the other hoof, couldn’t help but share Scootaloo’s sentiments by raising an eyebrow in suspicion at Rarity. “Rarity, why in the world...” she began. However, she was cut off by Rarity trotting over and putting a hoof around her neck in a friendly embrace. “Oh, Applejack,” she said with a nervous smile, patting the top of Applejack’s head. “I’m just looking out for Sweetie’s well being, like a good sister!” “Uh-huh...if you say so...” Just perfect, she thought. Now, I need to worry about Applejack! No matter, I can handle this. Rarity was snapped out of her own thoughts when she saw Scootaloo slip past her and make her way over to Sweetie Belle. Her heart pounding and her eyes in pinpoints, she did the only thing she could think of in that moment: she used her magic to lift up the filly and suspended her in the air, preventing her from advancing on her friend. “Well, would you look at the time?” she said innocently. “I think it’d be a good idea if we gave Sweetie some time to rest.” “Hey, put me down!” protested Scootaloo as she squirmed to break free. “Don’t worry, Scootaloo. You’ll spend time with your friends tomorrow.” “Tomorrow? But...” Rarity interrupted her again. “Now, now, Scootaloo, I know what’s best for Sweetie Belle, and I say she needs to get some rest for today. You and your friends will have to wait until tomorrow.” Scootaloo’s ears drooped down as a defeated look fell upon her face. She turned to look at Sweetie Belle, hoping she would say something in response. “Rarity,” Sweetie said. “I...” She was interrupted yet again, this time from Rarity’s hoof being shoved in her mouth. “Now, now, Sweet’ums, you need your rest.” Before anypony else could say anything, Rarity began trotting to the door. However, she only took a few steps when she saw the looks on all of their faces; some confused glances while others were suspicious glares. As she looked at each of them, an idea came to mind when her eyes fell upon Apple Boom. Quickly, she used her magic to levitate her in the same fashion as Scootaloo. “Now, I think it’s best if we all be good little fillies and gave Sweetie some rest, shall we?” she asked the two fillies as she began making her way to the door. “But, this is mah room!” Apple Bloom shouted as she kicked her legs around. “Now, hold yer horses,” Applejack said, enraged. “What in tarnation...?” “Applejack, darling,” she interrupted as she glided across the room and wrapped a hoof around her neck again. “Surely you know how much my sister means to me. I’m just trying to be as generous to her as I can.” She opened her mouth to protest, but was immediately silenced by her own hat being lowered from her head and into her face via Rarity’s free hoof. Giggling nervously, she said, “Of course, having a sister, you must know what it’s like.” Just then, an idea came to mind, causing her to release her magic. Even with the audible oomf from the two fillies who hit the floor, she didn’t stop as she trotted over to her sister. “I have a much better idea,” she said as she levitated Sweetie in the air. “It would be much better if I brought you home to get some rest.” “Huh?” was Sweetie Belle’s only response as she was carried from the bed to the door. Wonderful! I’m home free, Rarity thought. However, she stopped short as her eyes locked onto Thunderlane. Uh-oh, I need to get him out of here, too! Hmm...but how? Wait...that’s it! She trotted up to him and asked in a casual tone, “Mind walking a lady home?” Smiling in response, he said in a soft tone, “I’d love to.” Rumble, who had been silent throughout the whole ordeal, let a sigh of relief out as he trotted out with Thunderlane; even though he was going with Sweetie Belle, the trip wasn’t that long so he didn’t have to be with her for much longer. “Well, we best be going, then,” said Rarity as she placed her kin on her back, positioning her so she wouldn’t fall off. “Ta-ta.” “Bye...” Sweetie managed to say before she was brought out of the room, Thunderlane and Rumble following close behind. When Rarity closed the door behind them, she let out a quick sigh of relief as they made their way to the door. As they all went outside, Rarity trotted faster than Thunderlane and Rumble, trying her best to hide the panicked expression on her face. Although she was relieved that she managed to get Thunderlane out of there without any problems, she knew she wasn’t in the clear yet. No doubt somepony might try to follow us, she thought. I need to think of a good diversion. There has to be something here that can... Immediately, her thoughts were interrupted when she saw the perfect ploy right in front of her. Slowing her trot so that Thunderlane and Rumble were next to her, she lowered her head so that none of them, not even Sweetie Belle, could see her using her magic at that moment. With a simple flick of her horn, caused a small “accident” to occur, Rarity simply offering a devious smile as they all continued their journey back to Ponyville. “What just happened?” Apple Bloom asked as she and Scootaloo got up, both of them rubbing a sore spot on their heads. “Ah’m not sure,” answered Applejack, tilting her head. “What was up with Rarity? She was actin’ mighty strange.” “Ah don’t know, sugar cube.” After shaking her head to regain her focus, Scootaloo said, “Well, there’s only one way to find out.” Without waiting for a response, she galloped out of the room and began making her way for the door. When she was outside, she saw the four of them trotting down the dirt path together. Not wasting any time, she began galloping after them, not taking her eyes off of them. You’re not getting away that easily, she thought to herself. I know you’re up to something, and I’m going to find out what it is, once and for... Unfortunately, her journey was extremely short lived when she looked in front of her. Across the path that lead to the dirt road, several baskets were tipped over, all of the apples that were inside of them strewn from one end to the other. Standing near them, overlooking the mess, was Granny Smith, who was scratching the top of her head with a hoof. “What in the wide, wide world of Equestria happened here?” asked Granny Smith. Slowly, she trotted over to the nearest basket and stood it upright, picking up one apple and placing it back inside of it. However, her eyes locked onto the filly before her as a soft smile formed across her face. “Young’un, would ya mind helpin’ an ol’ pony like me pick up these here apples?” she asked her. “Big Mac is workin’ the orchards and ah could use the help of an able-bodied filly like yerself.” “But...” Scootaloo began to protest, looking down the road towards the others. As much as she wanted to say no to her, her better instincts kept her from running after Rarity. Lowering her head in defeat, she said in a flat tone, “...fine.” As she began picking up the apples and placing them in the baskets, she took one last look in Rarity’s direction. The only thing she could do was furrow her eyebrows as she squinted her eyes in anger. Then, she let out a disgruntled sigh as she went back to work. As she picked up a red delicious, there was only one thought that echoed in her mind, one that she was going to get to the bottom of the moment she was finished: I know you’re up to something, Rarity, and I’m going to find out what it is!