//------------------------------// // Sweetie Belle's Story // Story: Fourth Wall Breakdown // by SmokeShadow95 //------------------------------// Ponyville is a great place. No, its an amazing place. No, it is not even that. It is stupendous, incredible, and overall one of the best places in all of Equestria. This is due to many things. The food is amazing. The ponies are great. It is easy to make friends here. There might be one thing that is lacking here in Ponyville, but it is only in the slightest bit. One pony says it it the culture, or the fashion. I do not agree. In my opinion the one thing that Ponyville is lacking is adventure! Nothing ever happens in Ponyville, and when it does it always happens to the older ponies. My sister, Rarity is one such pony. However, not every adventure for them is a good one. Not every adventure takes them to far away places. Some just stay here in Ponyville. Like this one time, when my sister Rarity had the worst day of her life. It was a normal day for her. Rarity was busy with her normal routine. The same thing, all day and every day. Fashion, fashion, fashion! Dresses, hats, coats, and capes. She did it all. She spent most of her time on it. But every now and then, she got stuck. This time was the worst she had ever gotten. It been at least three days since she created some new piece of clothing. She tried, of course, but nothing was coming to her. I was there for all of it. Not all for the better. I had to watch Rarity slowly and surely unravel as the days went on. “What are you talking about,” Scootaloo asked, “I don't get a word you're saying.” “I'm with Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom said, “Talk normal like, already.” “Excuse me,” Sweetie Belle said, “I can't help it if was I taught a proper vocabulary.” “Well, put it away and talk like the rest of us,” Scootaloo said. Sweetie Belle was clearly annoyed. This happened with Rarity a lot. She often used words that other ponies didn't always understand. Then she had to explain it to them. And now it was Sweetie Belle's turn. But she did as Scootaloo suggested and threw out her vocabulary. She literally threw it out. She reached behind her into the darkness and pulled out several rectangular boards. They were all painted white and covered in words, back and front. Sweetie Belle pulled them up and held them above her head for a moment before throwing them out into the Ponyville public. “There, you hungry now,” She asked Scootaloo. “What? Am I hungry? What are you talking about,” Scootaloo responded. “I will start walking normal now,” Sweetie Belle said. “Walkin'? You are sitting in a chair right now. What walking are you talking about,” Apple Bloom said. “Excuse me,” Fluttershy said, “Excuse me. I think somepony dropped something.” Fluttershy slowly rose up to look inside the hole. She seemed to be weighed down by something. It was only after she flew up farther that they saw she was holding up some boards. “My words,” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, “You lifted my words!” “I'm sorry,” Fluttershy said, “I don't understand what you're saying.” Sweetie Belle reached out and grabbed the white, words covered boards. She took them all in her small hooves and held them up to her face. Without warning she opened her mouth and took a large bite out of them. She chewed them a little before swallowing and talking again. “Sorry about that,” She said, “I threw out a little too much of my vocabulary.” “Ooh. This place looks very interesting,” Fluttershy said, “What are you all doing in here?” “We're telling stories about Ponyville,” Apple Bloom said. “Oh, that sounds like fun. Do you mind if I stay and listen to your stories,” Fluttershy asked. “Why not? Everypony else is already here,” Scootaloo said back. Fluttershy flew in to the hole in the wall and took a place up on the cloud next to Rainbow Dash. She got comfortable and settled in for the rest of Sweetie Belle's story. With all the ponies in here I am very surprised none of them have discovered my hiding spot yet. “Now, if you all don't mind I would like to get back to my story,” Sweetie Belle stated. Now, where was I. . . Oh, that's right. The worst day of Rarity's life. Some ponies could argue that any day without fashion is the worst day of her life, but that is not true. Well, it is a little true, but not this time. This time it was too much fashion. Too much color. Too much of a good thing. “Sweetie Belle, darling,” Rarity called for her younger sister. “I'm right behind you,” I said with an annoyed tone, “I have been standing here for an hour.” “I'm sorry, Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said, “But you know how I get so caught up in my work. I sometimes forget that other ponies are around.” Yeah. Right. Sometimes. It happened more times that either of us cared to admit, but it was okay. I understand that Rarity's work was important to her. Besides, on that particular day I was able to escape. Rarity had loaded me up with a whole mess of cloth rolls, and string, lace, and beads, and anything else she could think of that had anything at all to do with making dresses. I'm surprised I was able to stand there for an hour like that. But then I was rescued. It was none other than the nicest and most amazing dragon in all of Ponyville. It was Spike! He saved me! “'The nicest and most amazing dragon in all of Ponyville',” Apple Bloom repeated. “You do realize that he is the only dragon in all of Ponyville,” Scootaloo said, “Don't you?” “I'm dramatizing the story up a little,” Sweetie Belle said, “Just let me finish it, alright. Geez.” Spike had come by the boutique for his weekly checkup on Rarity. He always did this. He always stopped by to see if Rarity needed help with anything. He has such a big crush on her. Everypony knows it. Everypony except Rarity now that I think about it. I don't think she has ever noticed Spike staring at her. Anyway, Spike opened the door to the boutique and I just knew he was there to help. Me. Help me. He was there to help me. “Hello, Spike,” She said from under the dress she was working on. “Hi Rarity,” Spike said as small hearts appeared in his eyes. Rarity came out from under the dress and made her way over to Spike. She already had the whole day planned for him, and I could not let that happen. I had to escape this boutique of terror. And so I made my move. I quickly ran out from under the mountain of clutter that Rarity had piled on me. I grabbed a nearby stool and put it where I was standing. Phase 1 complete. After that I raced over to Spike. He was floating just behind my sister as she was telling him what she wanted done around the boutique. “And after that is done, I would like if you could please organize my inspiration room,” She said, “Is that okay with you Spike? I don't want you to get in over your head.” “Actually, sis,” I said before Spike could speak, “Spike has already promised to help me and Scootaloo and Apple Bloom try and find our cutie mark today.” “Uh, no I didn't,” Spike said. “Can I talk to you for a second,” I said as she pulled Spike aside. “What are you doing, Sweetie Belle,” Spike asked. “I need to get out of here before Rarity buries me under another mountain of stuff,” I rambled on, “I won't be able to handle it. I'll go crazy. I'll start talking to myself. I won't be seen for days, weeks, years. Then I will be found, miraculously, by some brave pony, but I will be too far gone. I will have made a shelter out of old dresses and dish towels. I will have imaginary friends made out of the stuff that falls around me. I'll have an imaginary friend named Stevie who is actually just me in a broken mirror. I don't want an imaginary friend name Stevie that is just me in a broken mirror! Spike, you've got to help me!” “Okay, okay. Just calm down,” Spike said, “With the way you overreact you are definitely Rarity's sister. But what am I supposed to do?” “Just hang out with me and the girls all day,” Sweetie Belle said. “And what do I get out of this,” Spike asked slyly. “I know you have a crush on Rarity,” Sweetie Belle said with a devious tone. Spike's eyes immediately went wide. A bright red color came from under his purple, scaly cheeks. He fidgeted with his tail a little bit, but did not respond. “I can help you win her over,” Sweetie Belle said, “I know what she likes and what she does not like. So, do we have a deal?” “You drive a hard bargain, little filly,” Spike said, “I'm in.” “Hold on just one minute,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, “Sweetie Belle, are you really saying that you set your sister up on a date? with Spike?” “Why haven't we all heard about this,” Applejack asked. “Because it did not end well,” Spike said. He was just outside the little hole in the middle of Ponyville. He was not alone. Twilight was also there. It was strange. He seemed like the sad, heartbroken dragon that was to be expected. As for Twilight, she seemed stressed more than anything. It seemed to be more than just her job as the Princess of Friendship. “You mean that you really did go on a date with Rarity,” Fluttershy said softly, “And it didn't go well?” “Yeah, that is what he means,” Twilight said, “He has been doing nothing but moping about the library ever since. I thought that maybe some fresh air would do him so good.” “And instead you hear me telling the very same story,” Sweetie Belle said apologetically. “Unfortunately,” Twilight replied, “What are all even doing out here, in this thing?” “For the hundredth time today,” Scootaloo shouted, “We are telling stories!” “Oh, I love stories! Can I stay and listen,” Twilight asked eagerly. Without saying anything Scootaloo pointed behind her. Twilight jumped in sat down next to Applejack. Spike fell off Twilight's back mid jump and hit the floor. He did not move. He just lay there. “So why didn't this date between you and Rarity work out,” Applejack asked Spike. “Go on Sweetie Belle,” Spike said, “You tell them.” The two of us walked back over to Rarity. She had been admiring her mane in one of the many mirrors we have around the house the whole time they were talking. At lease she knows how to keep herself occupied for hours on end. She turned back to me and Spike as we got close. “I'm really sorry, Rarity,” Spike started, “But I did actually promise the girls I would help them today. It completely slipped my mind.” “That's okay Spike. There wasn't that much to do anyway,” Rarity said, “And I know how much it means to my little sister to find her cutie mark. So go on, and have fun.” “Okay,” Spike said, “I'll stop by later today and make it up to you. Promise.” “I'll be here,” Rarity said as she got back to working on her dresses. Spike and I left the boutique as fast as we could. At least I did. I had to basically pull Spike out by his tail. His eyes were glued on my sister. Once the door was shut behind him and he couldn't see her any longer he snapped out of it. He went back to his totally cool purple self. We talked a bit about what Rarity did and did not like as we walked through town. One thing we both agreed on quickly was that Rarity was high quality pony. She deserved only the highest quality of gifts. And if the date they were planning was going to be a success then the first thing they were going to need was flowers. And I knew just where to find some. Roseluck. The best flowers in all of Ponyville came from her. Spike and I got to her stand in the market really fast after that. He was more excited than I thought about this date. But he was not very smart about it. “Hey, Sweetie Belle. That's rude,” Twilight said. “Once you hear the rest of it you'll agree,” Sweetie Belle told her. We got to the flower stand and I had to coach him in how to pick out flowers. Spike immediately reached for some flowers when we got there. Mistake number one. You must always take the time to examine the flowers. Make sure they are not old and wilting. Of course none of them were because they all came from Roseluck. But still, it's a matter of etiquette. Second mistake. The flowers he reached for were roses. ROSES!? Can you believe it? I had to smack his claws away. Unfortunately, one of is claws tore a line in one of the petals of one of the roses. Spike had to buy me a rose, but I didn't mind. One problem did arise when Spike asked me why roses were a 'No'. I glanced up at Roseluck when I had nothing to say. She had heard all of it so far and she was able to save the situation. “You are buying flowers for Rarity, correct,” She said, “Then you do not want roses. Roses are the common symbol for love, in the form of a flower. Rarity is an uncommon pony. Do you really want to give an uncommon pony such a common flower?” “What she said,” I told Spike when he looked at me. And so we went through and looked at each and every kind of flower. And Roseluck had many, many flowers. I had to help find the perfect flower for the perfect date. Spike looked at all of them before finding the right ones. He found small yellow ones with black in the middle. He found large blue ones with white on the pedals. He found large orange ones with red stems and yellow dots. Even he knew they should never be sold, ever. He also found some really small white flowers that had a really strong smell. Too strong. We nearly passed out because they smelled too good. It took a long time, but we finally found the right flower. It was beautiful. It was a thin flower with pink pedals that faded into purple near the tips. Spike got a dozen. He searched through his imaginary pockets and pulled out some bits. He gave them to Roseluck, she gave him the flowers, and we went on to our next task. Little did we know, that Rarity had already had enough flowers to last her for a while. Rarity After Spike and I left the boutique, Rarity continued working on her dresses. There was one in particular she was not letting anypony see until she was finished. But she couldn't finish it. Not without one key item. One key color to be exact. She could never find cloth of this color, so she always had to dye it herself. And the only pony who had the dye was not even a pony. She was a zebra. Zecora found a way to make the dye at home, and Rarity was always asking for more. That day was no different. Or so she thought. The trip into the Everfree Forest was as uneventful as always. She hated the dirt path that she always had to take and the muck that was always around it, but this dye was worth it. Rarity found Zecora in her hut. She was mixing up some sort of brew. Rarity wasn't sure what it was, but she knew it was pink. It was casting a pink glow over everything. “Hello, Zecora,” She said, “I've come by for another bottle of that amazing dye you make.” “I am sorry, Rarity,” Zecora said, “But I do not have the dye ready. These past days I have been very busy. I must finish this potion for Pinkie.” “Isn't there anything you can do? I am so close to finishing my work,” Rarity complained. “Well, my brew does need to boil for a few hours,” Zecora said, “I suppose I can take you to find the flowers.” “You make the dye from flowers,” Rarity said with puzzlement, “Of course you do. A color like that can only come from nature itself.” Zecora led Rarity out of her hut and deeper into the Everfree Forest. It was not a very long walk. Soon, they entered a small grove where the trees grew tall and wild. The tree branches on top were parted and sunlight poured in. The grove was lit up and bright. As soon as the Rarity entered the grove she saw what she wanted. A whole patch of small, delicate, pink and purple flowers. They covered almost the entire ground of the grove. She raced up to them as fast as she could. “That is the flower I require to make the dye,” Zecora stated, “But beware. This grove offers much danger to you and I.” “Oh, Zecora. There is no need to be so dramatic,” Rarity said, “What can a bunch of beautiful flowers like these possibly do to us?” Rarity was to busy smelling and admiring the flowers to see the answer to her question rising up around her. At one point the sunlight that was shining was blocked out. Rarity called out to Zecora to see if she knew anything about it. When she did not respond Rarity looked up to see what was wrong. Zecora was standing in the middle of the grove staring up at something behind Rarity. Rarity followed her eyes until she saw it. No, not it. Them. Until she saw them. Giant, towering plants with thick stalks and powerful buds. The pink and purple flowers had grown to become big pony eating monsters. Of course, for Rarity there was only one thing to do at a time like this. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Scream. She screamed her horn off almost as she ran in circles around the grove. All the big flowers were trying to catch her and eat her. Zecora remained surprisingly calm. “Keep them busy just a little bit longer,” Zecora shouted to Rarity, “And take this. It will make your magic a little bit stronger.” Zecora tossed Rarity some strange artifact from her homeland, beyond the Everfree Forest. Rarity was not expecting this sudden falling object coming right at her. This small ring like object landed directly on Rarity's horn. Zecora was a good shot. “Hmm. Ten points,” The zebra whispered to herself. As for Rarity? Well, the ring on her horn completely messed her up. She was so stunned by the sheer beauty of the gems in this ring that she also forgot about the giant pony eating plants that wanted her. She was reminded by the tapping on her flank. When she turned to see who, or what, it was she saw a giant pink and purple flower. Once again she turned to her natural defense. Scream and run. As Rarity was running a circle around the grove Zecora spent her time harvesting the small vibrant pink leaves that grew around the base of the giant plants. There were about a dozen at the base of each plant. Zecora went around to each of the plants and took their leaves. They were too busy chasing Rarity around to notice the zebra stealing their leaves. After nearly a dozen plants with a dozen leaves she had a dozen dozen of the leaves she needed for the dye. She returned the middle of the grove to wait for Rarity, but she never came. It was strange. Not the fact that Rarity join Zecora in the middle. No, it was the silence. Where was the screaming pony that she had come here with? Zecora found her with one of the flowers. She was half inside the bud and half out. “Excuse me flower, but you need to put that pony down,” She said to the giant flower, “She has a boutique to run in town.” The giant flower lowered its big head and slowly Rarity dripped from its pedal lips. She was covered from head to mid back in a gross, green, gooey stuff. She was traumatized. She just stayed there with a twitchy eye and a weird smile. And of course, when the flower realized it couldn't have Rarity it went for Zecora, but she was prepared. It lunged at her and she pulled out. . . leaves! Not just any leaves. The very same leaves she pulled off that very same plant. It saw the leaves and looked down at itself. When it saw no leaves were covering it the entire plant shuddered. It let out a high pitched shriek and grabbed some leaves off a nearby branch. It placed them where the other leaves were supposed to be and ducked behind a nearby bush. One by one the other plants did the same. The saw how naked they were and shrieked. Then they grabbed some leaves and ran away. Zecora walked Rarity back to her hut and calmed her down. When she was returned to something like normal Zecora got to work on making the dye. “Thank you much for distracting those flowers,” Zecora said while mixing up some ingredients, “But I am wondering. Why did you not use your powers?” “Distracting,” Rarity repeated, somewhat annoyed, “Is that what you think I was doing? I was not distracting those flowers. I was running for my life away from them! They were trying to eat me.” “Oh, Rarity. Those flowers were not trying to eat you. They merely wanted a kiss. They are Compliment Kiss flowers, and I am sure you are a pony they will miss,” Zecora said with a sly smile. “Did you take me there knowing that I would compliment the flowers? Did you know they would chase me around looking for a kiss,” Rarity asked in bewilderment. “That certainly is a mystery, my dearest Rarity. Now I have made your dye and I must insist that you leave. Goodbye,” Zecora said quickly. She grabbed Rarity and opened her front door. She pushed Rarity out with the bottle of dye and closed the door behind her Stunned, Rarity just stood there for a moment. All of the sudden, Zecora was in front of her again. She reached up and took something off her horn. “I need my ten points back,” Was all Zecora said before disappearing back into her hut. All Rarity could do at that point was walk home. At least she had the dye. Spike and Sweetie Belle Back in Ponyville, Spike and I had just finished picking up the flowers. Roseluck wrapped them up so they were all nice and fancy and stuff. Perfect for Rarity. Spike took them and we started walking down the street. I still had my one rose that Spike had bought me. “Is that where that came from,” Applejack asked. “Applejack,” Sweetie Belle whined. “What? I seen it at the clubhouse and all Apple Bloom had to say 'bout was that it was Sweetie Belle's and she had never seen her take care of a flower like that before. So it must have been from her crush,” Applejack said. “Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom said, “Do you have a crush on Spike?” “I don't wanna talk about it,” Sweetie Bell replied. “Hey! Get back to the story already,” Rainbow Dash exlpoded, “This mushy stuff is boring and that story about Rarity is hilarious. Lets get back to that.” Spike and I walked down the street for a while. We were trying to figure out where to go next. He still needed some fancy clothes, but we couldn't go and ask Rarity to make them. Then she would have known about the surprise date. So we went to the next best place. Spike had the brilliant idea to go to the only other pony in town who can make fancy clothes fast. She is so fast she practically make them appear out of thin air. Almost like magic. It was Twilight. She could give Spike a fancy tuxedo in a flash. We were sure of it. If she wasn't so busy all the time that is. We walked past what was left of the library where Twilight used to live. There was barely anything there. Except for some strange light blue pony living in the basement. I only saw her for a moment, but I was sure it was Trixie. Spike refused to comment. We got to the big crystal castle thing a moment later. Twilight was busy on her thrown with a bunch of other pones running around like crazy. When Twilight saw us she ordered them all away and the whole place was empty in the next two seconds. “Hi, Sweetie Belle. Hi, Spike,” She said happily, “More flowers for Rarity?” “Sure are, but we are not done yet,” I said to Twilight, “Do you have a spell that can give Spike some fancy clothes?” “Oh, you are working on your magic. I am so proud of you, Sweetie Belle,” Twilight said even more happily. Before I could correct Twilight she had already made a dozen books appear out of nowhere. They all fell around my hooves. I sighed a sigh a relief. I sighed to soon. I was looking down at the books when another one came and hit right in the back of my head. Nearly took my ear clean off. Thanks again for that, Twilight! “I don't remember any of this,” Twilight whispered to Applejack. When I recovered from the head injury I found out that I was being buried alive under a mountain of books. Twilight was was off to the side, talking to herself as the books came in. They fell all around me and Spike. Before we knew it, we were buried. Or at least I was. Spike managed to dodge most of the books. He had one stuck on his tail. That would teach Twilight to watch where she is throwing books. I was trapped under the book mountain with only a sliver of light coming in from the outside world. Spike looked in and saw me. “Spike. I am going crazy,” I told him, “If I stay under here any longer I swear I will start talking to myself. I will have to make a shelter. Oh no! Where is Stevie? Spike! Where is the broken mirror? I can't find Stevie!” This was much worse than Spike had thought. He ran over to Twilight, but she was busy. She just said something about an emergency that required her fullest attention. “I remember that part,” Twilight said. Spike returned to Sweetie Belle with nothing. I was curled up in a ball on the floor of her little cave in the mountain of books. My hoof twitched slightly and then I heard Spike's voice. I jumped up and ran over to the hole where we could talk. The only thing Spike had to say was bad news. It was at that moment that I had it. An idea. I was surrounded by spellbooks, and other various books on magic. Maybe one of them could help me escape my prison of pages. And so I began searching. The first thirty books I checked had nothing at all. They were all about focusing and concentration and stuff I already knew. Spike tried to help, but there was not much he could from out there. I was on my own. It took a while. A long while. But I finally found it. The spell that could help me. I closed my eyes and focused. My horn flickered a few times before flaring up. I put all my energy into that spell. Just as I was about to release it I heard Spike. He was saying something, but I couldn't hear what exactly. I turned to look at him through the hole. That was a mistake. The spell was cast and the bolt of magical energy that I released traveled right on through the hole. It bounced off of everything. The crystal ceilings. The crystal walls. The crystal ponies. There was only two, and it bounced off of them both. It was bouncing off of everything. I could not see the damage it was doing from inside my little cave, but I could hear the screams of the ponies outside. I tried to find a way to fix it when Spike shouted at me. “Sweetie Belle. Look out,” He said. Just then. The entire mountain of books. . . exploded. The floor shook and books fell all around me. Pages were flying everywhere. I screamed and ducked as the magical bolt bounced from book to book. And then it came for me. It was racing right for me. A straight line. That was all it was. I stood in fear as this magical bolt was coming right at me. Then something stood in the way. Somepony had blocked me from the bolt. No, not somepony. Some dragon. Spike had saved me from the magical bolt. The bolt hit his scales and there was a flash of light. When the light went away Spike was standing there in a tuxedo. It was as pink as the flowers and very nice. He had a big bow tie that was as purple as he was. He looked just like the fancy type that Rarity would go for. Perfect. Her spell had worked. Meanwhile, Rarity was having her own trouble with fancy clothing. Rarity She had gone immediately back home to the boutique after the whole flower kissing thing. She was still covered in that gooey, green slime stuff. She made it to the boutique with no trouble. She went straight for the bathroom and took a long, long shower. Trust me, she needed it. Apparently she never noticed the smell that came with the gooey, green slime stuff. “How would you know if you were with Spike the whole time,” Scootaloo asked accusingly. “Because,” Sweetie Belle started nervously, “Because Rarity told me. And because the entire boutique smelled awful for the next few days. It didn't seem to bother her, but it made me pass out almost as soon as I walked in.” Now, as I was saying. . . Rarity had taken a long, long shower. After that she went about her daily routine for after her shower. She did her hair. That took about and forty-five minutes, and she was going fast. Then she made sure to make sure her hooves were okay and not marked up and worn from the dirt and the running. That took half an hour. Then she worked on her tail. That took about fifteen minutes. She didn't bother with her fake eyelashes. She didn't plan on going out again. So she got back to work. She had been working on a whole new line of dresses for the past three weeks. It was almost complete. All she needed was this one last bottle of dye. After what she went through to get it she deserved it. She carried it out to her workshop and stood in front of all the dresses. Nearly complete. She twisted the top of the bottle of dye A small purple puff of smoke came out. That was unusual. Hm, whatever. She went over to the dresses and held the bottle up. That was when she noticed the strange smell. It was coming from the bottle. She looked at for a moment and then sniffed the contents. A couple deep sniffs and the scent filled her nostrils. It was the same lovely scent of the flowers in the grove. None of the other bottles had smelled before. Hmm, whatever. She took one last sniff, and then she sneezed. She sneezed so hard that she moved back and the bottle flew through the air. She only moved back about an inch. The bottle of dye went much farther. It spun and spun as it flew through the air. The dye in the bottle went everywhere. It covered everything. Even Opal. That is why Opal is the only pink cat you will find in Ponyville. Rarity recovered from her sneeze rather quickly, but it was not quick enough. She saw the bottle that had the dye spinning on the floor a few feet away. Empty. There was maybe a few drops left. Rarity looked around her shop in horror as she saw it. Pink. Pink everywhere. But it was more than that. She saw one of her new dresses. It was already pink before the dye, but she was sure the dye hit it. And it somehow changed the dress. As Rarity came closer to inspect the dress, it came alive. Alive, I say! The long sleeves of the dress reached out for her. They nearly had her, too, but she managed to get away. She screamed as she ran away. She ran for the door, but another dress was blocking her way. It was also from the new line of dresses. This one was bigger, frillier, and meaner. It pushed Rarity away from the door. “Why does this keep happening to me,” Rarity screamed as she ran away. She tried to run upstairs, but her path was blocked again. This time, by the rug. The rug came up from the floor and stared Rarity down. Like a snake it coiled around her. She had already screamed enough to last for the next month, so she did not scream as it took her back downstairs. The rug snake thing put her down in the middle of all her things. All of her dresses had come to life. They all stared at her as she got back on her hooves. One tried to get close. “Get back! Get back, I tell you,” She said with a feisty attitude. One of the dresses reached out a touched Rarity's tail. It was a light touch. Just a skim really. Right down Rarity's tail. She jumped up and turned around all at once. She now faced the directions of the dress that touched her tail. “Who did that? Which one of you was it,” She asked. As she was staring the dresses down another one touched her tail. It was not a light touch like the last one. This touch was harder. It almost tugged her tail. That would be mean. And she knew a mean dress. Rarity turned around and pounced like an angry Opal. Or a regular Opal. That cat is always angry. Her hooves found the dress that she wanted. It was the same mean, frilly dress that blocked the door. “It was you, wasn't it,” She exclaimed crazily. Just as she was going crazy on that dress another reached out and touched her tail. This touch was different from the first two. It was more a grab. It grabbed her tail, and placed a single drop on it. Rarity turned around to yell at the dresses, but was distracted. She saw a flash of pink by her tail. She chased her tail in one direction, and then the other direction. Finally, she sat down and caught her tail. She almost cried when she saw it. Her tail. Her pink tail. “Who did this,” Rarity asked with evil intentions in her voice, “Which one of you was it?” None of the dresses replied to her. Not that they could. They were just dresses after all. But they could have at least pointed another dress out. But they did not do that. They just stood there. Rarity stood there in anger over her pink tail. Some of the dresses seemed to find that funny. “You think this is funny, do you,” Rarity said, “If you do not make this right I swear I will turn each one of you into a shade of brown so hideous that not even Celestia herself will have good things to say about it.” The dresses all turned to one another. They were discussing what Rarity had proposed. No, what she had threatened. After a few minuted of talking to themselves the dresses came to a decision. Three rolls of ribbon, all tied together reached out with the bottle of dye. Rarity smiled as she saw it of course. That could fix everything. But it was empty. Why did they have it? She watched as the ribbon brought the dye to her, and then placed a single drop on her mane. Her smile immediately vanished. “That is not what I meant,” Rarity shouted at the dresses. They all continued to do their strange version of laughter. It was mostly pointing and falling over. Rarity got the message. “You think is funny also,” She exclaimed, “Well then. Come on. Is there anything else you want to do? Anything else that you might find funny?” Rarity was ready for anything, except for what came next. The first dress that tried to grab her came forward. It had the bottle of dye. Rarity was sure that it was empty, and it was. The dress threw the bottle to the side. And came up to Rarity and squeezed a sleeve over Rarity's nose. A few drops of dye came out and dropped onto Rarity. In just a second Rarity was pink all over. The dress retreated back into the crowd after that. “That is it,” Rarity said evilly, “You are all going to get it now!” She pounced once again, but not like an angry Opal. No, this was more like an angry timberwolf pouncing on prey. She jumped through the air and landed in the crowd. She started tearing and ripping at all the dresses. She used her hooves, her horn, her teeth, and whatever else she could find. I found out that day that my sister is not only good at the Art of the Dress, but she is also good at the Battle of the Dress. She did not even hear the knock on her door. “You made that up. There is no way that really happened,” Apple Bloom said. Sweetie Belle opened her mouth to say something, but she stopped. All together the three fillies looked out of the hole and around them. “What y'all doing,” Applejack asked. “This is normally when one of ya shows up and asks us why we're in this here hole,” Apple Bloom answered. “Yeah, but there is no pony here,” Scootaloo said. “Well, who's left,” Sweetie Belle said, “Rarity, but she is still hiding in the boutique because she is still pink.” “Now that I think about it, is that why you have been sleeping over at my house,” Apple Bloom asked Sweetie Belle. “Yeah. You have no idea how hard it is living with a crazy pink pony,” Sweetie Belle said. “Have you met Pinkie Pie,” Twilight said sarcastically. “I sure have,” Apple Bloom said, “And it is my turn to tell a story. It just so happens to be about a crazy pink pony, or maybe its about two. You will just have to listen up to find out.” “Hey! I haven't finished my story yet,” Sweetie Belle said. “I thought you were done,” Apple Bloom said, “With Rarity fighting the dresses and all that, what more is there to tell?” “I have to tell how Spike got his little dragon heart broken by my sister,” Sweetie Belle responded. Spike had just saved me from a blast of pure fanciness. I don't think I could have taken it. Rarity could without a blink, but I don't know about me. Spike took it just fine. He came out with a fancy pink tux and purple bow tie. Now that he was fancified it was time for him to move on. He had stashed the flowers in a vase on a windowsill. I was still recovering from the whole ordeal. Spike made sure I was okay, like a true gentledragon would. Then he left. He had to, or else he would be late. He grabbed the flowers and ran all the way to Rarity's shop. If only he knew what was there, what had happened to Rarity. Spike got to the boutique in record time. Because he always recorded the time. He wanted to make sure that he could get to Rarity as fast as he possibly could to help her in any way. He did this many times, but this was not one of those times. He walked up to the door and psyched himself up. He was about to ask the pony of his dreams out on a date. He took a deep breath full of courage and pinkness. He politely knocked on the door and waited for an answer. He heard something from inside after he knocked. It was a yell. He did not understand what was said, but he knew what pony it was. Rarity. He was about to open the door and charge in to save the day when he heard a huge crash. Another yell came from Rarity inside and a huge crash hit the door. Spike could not get it open after that. He stood there for a few minutes and listened to the noise inside. A few passing ponies heard it to, and quickly rushed past and moved on. After nearly half an hour of standing there the noise went away. Spike cautiously walked up to the door again, and knocked. Silence. “Rarity? It's me, Spike,” Spike said through the door. He heard some movement behind the door. He stepped back as it got closer to the door. The door slowly opened after a minute. It only opened a little, and Spike could only see her eyes because it was dark. It was definitely Rarity though. “Hi Rarity,” Spike said, “I was wondering i- if maybe y- y- you wanted to go-” Spike didn't even get the full sentence out as he stood there. The door quickly shut in his face. He heard Rarity scrambling around inside. She yelled at him to wait just a moment and she would be there. YES! Spike was ecstatic. But something did not seem right about Rarity. She was being very shy, and that wasn't like her at all. When she did come to the door again she opened only a little farther than before. It was just as dark inside the boutique as it was outside. Spike could only make out that the whole place was a huge mess. Is that what he heard before? He looked back at Rarity, or rather her eyes. That was all that was visible. “I am sorry, Spike,” Rarity said, “But I cannot go with you this evening. I am not feeling quite myself at the moment.” “Okay,” Spike said with disappointment, “Will you at least take the flowers I got for you?” “You got me flowers? How thoughtful Spike,” Rarity said. She opened the door a little bit more. Just enough for her to reach out and grab the flowers. That was all she was planning on doing, until she actually saw Spike. She saw the flowers in his hand. She saw the tux he was wearing. And she pounced. Not really. But she did go crazy and blast him. She saw him and she was reminded of the terrible flowers, and the dresses. Way to much pink. Way too much. She leaned in and blasted him with a powerful blast of magic that sent him halfway across Ponyville. He flew like a screaming comet and landed right next to me, of all ponies. I was at Sugarcube Corner, helping myself to my third milkshake when Spike landed. He got up and shook off the bits and pieces of the tux he was wearing. He saw me there and just sighed. “Didn't go too well, did it,” I said. “Nope,” Spike replied. “Join me for a milkshake,” I asked. “Sure,” Spike replied. “There. Now I am done with my story,” Sweetie Belle told Scootaloo. “Really?! That is where you are going to end it,” Scootaloo proclaimed, “What about Rarity? And what happened to the bottle of dye that made it bring all those dresses to life? There a questions that need to be answered, Sweetie Belle!” “You will just have to wait for my second story,” Sweetie Belle said, “I am working on it at home.” “Besides, it is my turn to tell a story to y'all,” Apple Bloom said forcefully, “It just so happens to be about a crazy pink pony, or maybe it's about tw-” “We all heard that before. Get to the story already,” Rainbow Dash said.