Around the same time the Diamond Dogs were fleeing from the cavern, the clock on Rarity’s bedside table filled her room with its shrill alarm. This sent the unicorn toppling backwards in an unsophisticated manner from the stool at her work desk, where she realized with some shame (though relief no pony else had seen) that she had once again fallen asleep while sketching out the designs for her latest fashion line. This had happened with great frequency over the last several days, as orders for various clients had piled up for her to complete. The spring was among the busiest times for her business, and ponies from far away as picturesque Canterlot had submitted requests for her couture.
As always, Rarity took pride in keeping busy and having a steady stream of clientele to satisfy. In fact, this stream seemed to have swelled to a flood ever since the emergence of her friend Twilight’s new palace. Truly, the castle was such a marvel and brought to mind numerous ideas for rainbow-themed ware. And Rarity had worked on this line in her spare time—often late into the night—to wow every pony with what was sure to become a new trend.
However, what was making things just the tiniest bit harder was the fact most of her current clients wanted fashions that depended on great amounts of gems from sequins to fire rubies. This meant numerous trips to, and hours in, the hills on the outskirts of Ponyville to find gems of all kinds. Even with sweet Spikey-Wikey tagging along to help out and dig them up, Rarity only just managed to stay on schedule, which was beginning to resemble Twilight’s in its complexity and length.
Juggling these trips and clients’ demands, Rarity found she barely had any opportunity to work on her own personal project.
Unfortunately, it couldn’t be helped, and sooner or later the flow would ebb as it always did. In fact, just last evening she had made a huge delivery that would free up her schedule for at least a two-day window, even if Rarity would have to make yet another trip for more gems. So she had decided to get up early to make the most of her spare time.
Rarity’s stomach grumbled a complaint as she repositioned the stool at the work desk and turned off the alarm.
But first, she would need some much needed breakfast—after fixing up her makeup, of course.
With this done, Rarity galloped downstairs to her kitchen, taking care to slow her pace to soft hoof falls when passing Opalescence’s basket just inside the laundry room. Her fluffy white cat lay so sweetly, stretched halfway out of bed with her head touching the floor and chewing on the head her toy mouse. She was just such a darling, even if she startled easily sometimes. For instance, on more than one occasion Rarity had seen Opal in her current position and tried to tuck her back into bed—only to have the poor dear lash out at her in a hissing storm. And then afterwards, Rarity wouldn’t see Opal again for most of the day.
So Rarity just left Opal in peace and set about putting together a scrumptious meal of eggs and pancakes with a small sprig of parsley on top in just the right place.
Afterwards, she went to collect the newspaper usually on her front doorstep by that point, to enjoy a little leisurely reading material while eating.
Everything was moving at a nice and routine pace, without any needless drama for a change.
This made it all the more unsettling when, upon opening her front door, Rarity perceived the mail pony rushing headlong at her with a letter in her mouth.
“Whoa-ho-ho-a!” The exclamation burst free before the cross-eyed Derpy Hooves smacked into Rarity—and while still dazed, laying there on the floor, she had the vague impression of the carrier saluting her, placing the letter in her hoof, tipping her cap, and saying:
“Special delivery, Ma’am.” Before tottering out the door and flying away at her usual odd angle.
When Rarity came back to her senses, smoothing down her curly purple mane and closing the door against further unwelcome visitors, she finally had the chance to consider the letter—only to gasp in astonishment. For she recognized the fine, curvy print on the envelope long before reading the name.
Sapphire Shores, the famous singer (and one of her most important clients), must have sent her personal request.
Delving into the contents only confirmed it:
To My Favorite Designer,
Rarity, I hope you’re staying trendy. Sapphire Shores is rocking Equestria from coast to coast and has especially good news to report that you’ll know before any pony else: I’m set to do a special performance in my hometown of Coltanta next month and have come to you for the perfect fashion to make a scene. I’ll be passing though Ponyville in two weeks to meet up and collect your happening selection. So I will leave everything in your capable hooves. Just be sure to make whatever it is bold, unique, and inspirational as always.
~Sapphire Shores
The letter set Rarity’s thoughts in a whirl. Sapphire Shores needed a whole new fashion line to make the best impression in her hometown—but what an opportunity! It was an honor that the diva trusted Rarity enough to share such confidential information with her before any pony else, and for sure she would need to take her friends when the event took place. Coltanta lay right along the coast, with vast stretches of beaches, resorts, and all manner of high-class ponies (specifically during the summer). In fact, next month summer was due to start, which would be simply perfect.
Her friends had been working so hard. They deserved a vacation, and perhaps Rarity did as well. Fluttershy had her natural observations in the Everfree Forest. Twilight had her studies. Rainbow Dash was always practicing her moves and getting called for Wonderbolt-related duties. Applejack toiled at Sweet Apple Acres. And Pinkie Pie (despite her seemingly boundless enthusiasm and energy) could use a small break from her party planning.
Furthermore—
“Idea!” Rarity exclaimed as the concept came to her. Of course, this was the chance she had needed to go ahead on her personal project of the rainbow-themed fashion line. Combined with a certain crystal motif, Sapphire Shores would get to enjoy a stunning variety of vibrant colors in the costumes at her show. It would make the perfect statement in Coltanta and help to spread word across Equestria. Orders might come flooding in even more than they did now, but it would all be worth it to help ponies look fabulous.
Now she couldn’t stand still. Teeming with her plans, Rarity trotted upstairs to gather her supplies. She would need various gems to help get the accents just right—and perhaps she should get a fair sketch of the Tree of Harmony first, and to be in its presence for an extra boost of creative inspiration.
Ooh. And some petals from those peculiar flowers would be perfect too, if she could replicate their delicious scent.
Rarity laughed in her glee, sliding her sketchbook in her saddlebag along with various other supplies. A sun bonnet would do for the walk to the cavern, since it appeared like it would be a pleasant day outside. The warmth of Princess Celestia’s sun came through the window, combined with the hint of a breeze, and made Rarity sigh with pleasure. But to trek through all the dirt and muck that might lay in wait in the Everfree Forest, she put on boots. Sunglasses would serve to reduce the glare.
And a silken pink scarf about the neck added the perfect final touch to her outfit.
There.
Rarity was ready.
Opal sauntered out of the laundry room as Rarity descended the stairs, apparently having been awoken by all the sudden activity (or maybe just because she felt like it).
“Now, Opal,” Rarity said. “I’m going out to begin work on a new project for none other than Sapphire Shores, but don’t worry. It shouldn’t take too long, and I will be back by nightfall.”
Opal sniffed, as if in confirmation.
“Tree of Harmony, here I come.” Rarity headed out—
Then her stomach rumbled, quite loudly, and she blushed.
“Oops.” Rarity said, coming back inside to have her breakfast.
***
Meanwhile, the Diamond Dogs were feeling somewhat less enthused as daylight overtook them. They now perched on the edge of the gorge, panting and gasping at the predicament each felt he had narrowly escaped intact. Such fear had kept them running in a way the dogs had thought themselves too weary to manage.
But being scared was a powerful motivator.
At the same time, however, the distance and lack of pursuit had already taken an edge off the danger. They had been so close to their goal. In fact, Rover was even beginning to feel a bit foolish at how he had run away so quickly (though the fact Spot had scampered the fastest among them was a bit of consolation)—and he glared down at the cavern, where he could still see the faint glimmer of light.
And then a strange creature emerged into full view, stretching, with odd disjointed parts and making all matter of echoing crackling noises (like bones snapping mixed with beeping sounds).
“What a terrifying monster!” Spot said at last, trying to keep low.
“I thought we were done for,” Fido wheezed. “What is that thing?”
“Argh! Isn’t it obvious?” Rover spoke up, unable to believe the ignorance of his brother dogs. “It’s a dragon!”
“A dragon?” This came from both Spot and Fido.
“Are you sure?” Fido asked. “Aren’t dragons bigger?” He raised his arms and spread them apart as if this might illustrate his point.
“You mean ‘larger’.” Spot corrected, although he didn’t sound sure on this point. “But you’re right. It is too small for a dragon.”
Ugh. They were back to discussing sizes again. That was what had gotten them into trouble before. Well, it was time for Rover to assert his own reasoning as their self-imposed leader.
“Let’s be smart about this.” Rover patted his head. “Dragons live in caves, right?”
“Right.” The Diamond Dogs agreed, for none among them had ever heard of dragons living anywhere but in caves.
“And dragons protect hoards.”
“Right.” Fido and Spot were still with Rover, who felt confidence growing the longer they seemed focused on him without interruption.
“Then it only makes sense how down in that cavern—” Here Rover pointed at the offending cave, “is a dragon protecting those valuable gemstones, and that’s the dragon.” He indicated the creature with a paw wave.
“Ooooooh.” Fido was clearly convinced, yet Spot still seemed to have his doubts.
“I don’t know. It’s true it is kind of like a dragon, but something is weird. It almost looks as if it has different animal parts. And whiff the air.” Here Spot took a deep whiff, alongside Fido and Rover.
And Rover did have to admit there was something off about this designated “dragon.” Most dragons smelled of sulfur, smoke, and similar fragrances. But what he smelled, when Rover really took the time to do so, was closer to the Everfree Forest, fresh soil, and—what he almost wanted to say were baked goods. There was the barest trace of smoke, but nothing close to the odor of a conventional dragon. So he could kind of see Spot’s point.
However, it had to be a dragon—because if this wasn’t a dragon, what was it? The uncertainty turned Rover’s stomach.
“Ah,” Fido groaned. “I guess we have to give up.”
“What? No!” Rover insisted. “We’ve come too far to give up now. Besides, where else would we go?”
The other Diamond Dogs fell silent at this, and Rover understood they knew (as he did) that walking away from these gems would signal surrender. Surely, they would never find anything more unique to bring back to Dimondia and have to remain in exile forever.
Rover could see Fido and Spot bowing their heads, giving off faint whines, and clearly despairing at this possibility.
But no.
A Diamond Dog never let a golden opportunity just slip past without a fight. They held onto it for all they were worth, snarling and challenging any dog that tried to take it away.
By the same token, they would get those gems.
“Stop whimpering, Diamond Dogs,” Rover declared. “Our ancestors have gotten through tougher patches, and I have heard of a few ways to take care of dragons and get past them.” This time, neither Fido nor Spot chose to persist in questioning the identity of the creature down below. Instead, they watched Rover with rekindling hope. “Follow my lead, and we’ll get those gems, no matter if the dragon spits flames at us or comes after us with his terrible claws. And we’ll go home heroes.”
At this, Fido and Spot rose up, giving a hearty:
“Here, here!”
And Rover grimaced in satisfaction.
That dragon didn’t stand a chance.