Twilight sat at her desk, finishing up her schedule for the week. Outside, the stars twinkled in the sky.
A pegasus guard landed on her balcony and knocked on the crystal wall.
She looked up. "Yes?"
The guard bowed. "Your Highness, I've been sent to update you on that matter. Word has been spread as far as Manehattan."
"Thank you," Twilight said primly. The guard flew off.
Twilight sighed. "Some Princess of Friendship I am," she murmured. She stared down at her schedule and thought back to the train ride back to Ponyville after their encounter with Starlight Glimmer...
"So, Twilight," Rainbow Dash asked, "What're we gonna do about Starlight Glimmer?"
Twilight sighed. "I don't know, Rainbow Dash," she said. "I'm hoping that she'll think about what she did here and realize what true friendship is..."
"Uh, Twilight? I...don't think that's ever gonna happen," Pinkie Pie said in an uncharacteristically serious tone. "I don't know if you noticed? But...Starlight Glimmer is kind of, well...insane. And not the fun kind of insane. The bad kind of insane. Like, axe murderer insane."
"I agree with Pinkie Pie, darling," Rarity said. "Starlight Glimmer is far too dangerous to be allowed to roam free. If she isn't dealt with, more ponies could suffer what we've just been through...what she put all those innocent ponies through."
By the time the train pulled into Ponyville Station, Twilight's friends had convinced her that Starlight Glimmer was one pony friendship couldn't save. The next day, she reported to Princess Celestia. After explaining the entire situation, she asked her former mentor for advice.
"Princess Twilight, while I am the ruler of Equestria, you are now a Princess, and as such, you must be charged with ALL duties that come with that title. Including, I'm afraid, the less pleasant ones. As the matter of Starlight Glimmer first came to your attention, the decision as to how she should be handled falls to you." She leaned forward. "What do you think is the right thing to do?"
Twilight swallowed, but forced herself to stand calm and tall. With a resigned sigh, she said, "I think...Starlight Glimmer is dangerous, and...and she should be...locked away where she can never hurt another pony."
Celestia nodded. "I happen to agree. You may use my study to sign the arrest warrant, if you like. I have a stack of them in a drawer in my desk."
With a heavy heart, Twilight had signed and stamped an arrest warrant for Starlight Glimmer, then flown back to her castle and cried herself to sleep. Since then, she'd been receiving regular updates from the Canterlot Royal Guard as word of the fugitive status of Starlight Glimmer was spread through the major population centers of Equestria.
Twilight thought back to what Spike had said the day Trixie had returned. She had to admit to herself that Spike had the right idea. While she certainly intended to teach Trixie everything she could, to turn her around and make her...well...more like her...when it came down to it, she doubted Trixie would stand much of a chance against Starlight Glimmer if push came to shove. Not at her present level. And there was no telling what she was up to, out there, in the vastness of Equestria...
And, as long as she was being honest with herself...she really wanted to talk to the one pony she knew would really understand what she was going through.
Looking over her schedule, Twilight frowned and made some adjustments. She then levitated the special magical journal from its place in her desk, inked her quill, and wrote:
Dear Sunset Shimmer,
I'd like for you to come to Equestria at your earliest convenience for a visit. There's something I'd like your opinion on, but it's too complicated to get into like this. There's no hurry, so don't rearrange your schedule on my account. Ideally, I'd like you to be able to stay for at least two or three days. Please write back soon.
Your friend,
Princess Twilight Sparkle
With a sigh, she floated the journal back into her desk, set her quill aside, and decided to call it a night.
* * * * *
It was the middle of the afternoon, and already all Rarity wanted to do was close shop for the day, lock herself in her room with a carton of vanilla oat swirl, and nom her troubles away.
And it was all because of the unicorn mare presently infesting her boutique.
"Hmm. Yes. This pleases Trixie." Trixie studied herself in the large mirrors. She wore a sweeping, high-collared dusk purple cape with a sapphire fastener, with her Cutie Mark embroidered on the flank, detailed with tiny baby blue sapphires. A matching hat, wide-brimmed and extra floppy, sat atop her head. The outfit was darker, simpler, and less eyecatching than her usual showmare attire—which was exactly what she had wanted. The lower-hanging cape, the floppier hat with the wider brim, and the lack of stars and other decorations was, according to Trixie, "more professional and serious", and gave her more of a "Mare of Mystery" appeal. "Perhaps you do have some degree of skill in this area."
"So glad you approve," Rarity said, giving her a level stare.
Trixie's horn glowed; the cape parted, her saddlebag opened, and a bag full of golden bits floated out, jingling as it landed on the table next to Rarity.
Rarity's expression instantly changed to a smile born of professional courtesy. "If you ever need repairs, alterations, or accessories, be sure to come back again!"
"Trixie will keep that in mind." With a flourish of her new cape, Trixie swept around in a circle and trotted for the door. "Trixie bids you farewell!"
As the door closed behind her, Rarity narrowed her eyes. "Rarity hopes you eat a bad apple and get the Trots." With a sigh, she swept the bag of bits into the till. "At least she pays well..."
* * * * *
Trixie returned to Twilight Sparkle's castle to find the princess herself in the throne room, flying around the massive tree-root chandelier, a wistful smile on her face. Twilight noticed her and swooped down, landing a few paces away. "Is that a new cape?" Twilight asked. "It looks nice!"
"Yes, it does suit Trixie," Trixie said. "Your friend Rarity may have many faults, but she does excel in making Trixie even more magnificent."
Twilight groaned. "Good grief." Shaking her head, she trotted toward the dining room. "Spike's about to bring out an afternoon snack. He's made his famous triple-decker nut-crazy vanilla cream cookies!"
Trixie blinked. "Those sound...appealing," she said.
"He hasn't made them in a while," Twilight said. "I'm so excited!" She pranced off to the dining room. Trixie followed in her wake.
In the opulently-decorated dining room, they found Spike setting out a large platter of cookies, as well as cups and a jug of milk. He looked up and frowned. "Aw man, she came back?"
"I was gone less than two hours!" Trixie cried, stamping a hoof. "I just went into town to pick up some things!"
Spike rolled his eyes. He blinked. "That a new cape? Did you get it from Rarity?"
"Indeed."
"Thought so." Spike smirked. "Only Rarity could make you halfway tolerable to look at."
"Spiiiiike," Twilight growled. "Be nice." She seated herself, plated three cookies each on three tea saucers, filled three cups with milk, and set them around the table.
Trixie sat down, picked up a cookie, and took a bite. Her eyes widened. "Oh. This...this is excellent."
"Thanks," Spike said. "They're my own recipe."
"Well this explains why you're not getting anywhere with Rarity," Trixie said as she took a huge bite of cookie. "She doesn't want to get any fatter than she already is."
"Rarity is NOT fat!" Spike cried. "No more cookies for you!"
"YES more cookies for Trixie!" Trixie insisted. "And...very well, Rarity is not fat." She took a sip of milk. Seeing the mollified look on Spike's face, she added, "She simply has a well-rounded posterior."
Twilight rolled her eyes as Spike fumed. She bit into a cookie, then examined it with a sigh. Spike looked over at her. "Something wrong with the cookies, Twilight?"
"Oh...no, the cookies are perfect as always," Twilight said. "It's just...I was looking at the memory charms in the throne room, and thinking..." She tilted the cookie in her aura. "You made a batch of these for us just before Owlowiscious came to live at the library, remember?"
Spike scratched the side of his head. "Huh. I guess?"
"It's just...I was thinking about Owlowiscious," Twilight said sadly. "He hasn't come back...I wonder where he is, what he's doing..."
"That owl that was always sleeping somewhere in the library?" Trixie asked. "Trixie assumed it was one of the many transient animals that infest this town."
"Nah, Owlowiscious was Twilight's pet...well, adopted pet. Sort of?" Spike shrugged. "He just showed up out of nowhere one night and stuck around for a long time."
"But when Tirek destroyed the library, Owlowiscious flew away," Twilight said. "I haven't seen him since."
"Take heart, Twilight Sparkle," Trixie said. "I'm certain your little bird friend is safe and sound, wherever he is." She tilted her head as she took another bite of cookie. "There is that large, spooky forest nearby. Perhaps he moved there?"
"Could be," Spike said. "I'm pretty sure that's where he came from in the first place."
"I know Owlowiscious can take care of himself," Twilight said. "I just...miss him."
In the heavy, silent, melancholy atmosphere that followed, Trixie cleared her throat. "So, Spike...are you still chasing the tail of that marshmallow with hooves?"
Spike glared at her. "If you mean Rarity, then..."
Trixie stuffed a cookie in his mouth with her magic. "Trixie finds it curious," she said, "that she has never seen you wearing a stitch of clothing."
Spike crunched down the cookie, frowning. "I wear clothes sometimes. Just, y'know, not often. I mean, it's Ponyville."
Trixie shrugged. "It simply occurs to Trixie that the true path to that mare's heart might well be through her love of fashion. She has made her hatred of Trixie plain, and yet she was willing enough to design a new costume for Trixie when sufficiently motivated with bits."
"Well, she does own a dress shop. Making clothes is, y'know, her business..."
"And any business has the right to refuse service for any reason," Trixie said primly. "Yet Trixie was not turned away at the door." Trixie bit into a cookie. "Trixie simply wonders if perhaps frequenting her business as a customer might raise your standing in her eyes."
Spike blinked. "That's...actually not a bad idea," he said. "I'll have to check my piggy bank, but..." He hopped off his chair and toddled off, muttering under his breath.
Once he left the dining room, Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Alright, Trixie. I'll bite. What the hay was that all about?"
Trixie rolled her eyes. "Trixie is growing fond of that venomous little lizard," she said. "And Trixie...may still feel obligated to make amends for the trouble she caused him." She paused, biting into a cookie. "Besides...this should be entertaining to watch."
Twilight stared at her. After a moment, she covered her mouth with a hoof and giggled. "Okay...that's actually pretty mean, but...you're right. This'll be fun!" She frowned. "I just hope Spike doesn't get hurt..."
"Oh, Trixie doubts the walking marshmallow will alienate one so subservient to her..."
"We really need to work on your habit of belittling other ponies..."
"But Trixie is so good at it!"
* * * * *
The following morning was bright and clear, and saw Spike tottering through the doors of Carousel Boutique.
Rarity turned as the bell jingled, and smiled. "Why, good morning, Spikey-wikey! What brings you here today?"
Spike scratched at his cheek with a claw. "Heh...I, uhh..." He dug a toe into the floor. "Clothes," he mumbled.
"Pardon?"
Spike coughed and cleared his throat. "I was, uhh...thinking...I could use some clothes. You know, a wardrobe. Different stuff. Just...y'know...to have. To wear."
Rarity smiled. "Well, of course! Everypony...or, dragon I suppose...should have a well-outfitted wardrobe for all seasons and all occasions!"
"Umm...the only problem is, I'm a little short on bits..."
Rarity waved a hoof. "Oh, Spikey-boo," she said, "you've helped me harvest thousands of bits' worth of gems over the years! I'd say you've more than earned a reward of clothes. It's the least I can do. Why, I don't know why I never thought of it sooner!" She rubbed her hooves together. "So, what are you in the mood for?"
Spike rubbed his chin. "Well...something manly. Debonair. Suave. Sophisticated. But also tough. Cool. Something that says 'Spike is refined, reliable, and can breathe fire on you.'"
Rarity smirked. "How about I do some sketches..."
* * * * *
Trixie was reviewing spells with Twilight in the library when Spike returned. They stared at him, eyes wide.
"Pretty cool, huh?"
Spike wore a glossy red jacket covered in random zippers, a single white sequin-encrusted glove on his right claw, and overly large sunglasses.
"Umm..." Twilight hedged. She glanced at Trixie.
"You're missing a glove," Trixie pointed out.
"No I'm not," Spike said. "Rarity says asymmetry is in this season." He raised his arms and did a turn. "Well?"
"It's...really something!" Twilight said.
"Yes, something is a word that would describe what you are wearing," Trixie agreed.
* * * * *
The next day, Spike walked in wearing heavy black boots, black pants, a black jacket with an alpaca wool collar ruff, and a pair of criss-crossing brown belts.
Trixie and Twilight burst out laughing.
"...whatever," Spike muttered as he turned and left.
* * * * *
The next day, Spike walked in wearing a glaringly orange tracksuit with blue accents and a wide, ribbed white collar, as well as a dark blue headband with a metal plate on the front.
Trixie frowned. "That color is hideous."
* * * * *
Spike walked in wearing a white T-shirt with Flash Sentry's Cutie Mark on it and a dark grey windbreaker.
Twilight's left eye twitched. "I'm setting fire to that if I ever see it again."
* * * * *
Spike walked in wearing a tweed jacket, a white dress shirt, a bowtie, and a fez.
"A fez, Spike? Really?" Twilight asked.
"Rarity says fezzes are cool."
* * * * *
After ten days of this, Spike stormed into the dining room at lunch, throwing his claws up in the air. "This! Isn't! WORKING!" he cried. "Rarity's just using me as a living dress-up doll, and I'm not getting ANYWHERE with her!"
"Are you even trying?" Trixie asked.
Spike sighed. "When Rarity's in the zone, she's all business. I can't even raise the subject."
"Hmm. Yes...that would be a problem," Trixie said. "Perhaps more extreme measures are required. There may be something in one of Twilight Sparkle's books..."
"ABSOLUTELY NOT," Twilight said. "We've had enough trouble in Ponyville with that kind of magic." She sighed. "Spike...maybe it's time you face the fact that, well...Rarity's just not interested."
Spike hung his head, tears welling in his eyes. "Maybe you're right," he said, trudging out of the room.
Twilight stared after him sadly. "I hate doing this to him," she said.
Trixie rubbed her chin with a hoof, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Perhaps...one last attempt."
"Trixie...I really think you should let this go. You're only going to end up hurting him."
"Oh, you mean like you just did?" Trixie asked, raising an eyebrow.
Twilight frowned at her, then looked down at her lunch. With a long, tired sigh, she teleported away.
Trixie finished her own lunch and returned to the library. She picked up the spell book she'd spent the last few days studying and browsed through it. Her eyes lit up as they landed on a spell. "This...this might do the trick..."
* * * * *
Over the next four days, Trixie was in and out of the castle, disappearing for hours at a time. On the fourth day, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie came to the castle, looking concerned.
"Twilight, have you seen Rarity lately?" Fluttershy asked. "She missed our spa appointment yesterday."
"We've been checking up on her at the boutique, but she never answers!" Rainbow said.
"There's no note or anything!" Pinkie added.
Twilight frowned. "That's not like Rarity at all," she said.
Spike gasped. "She must be in trouble!"
"Don't jump to conclusions, Spike." Twilight sighed. "I'll go by and check on her—"
"There won't be any need for that, Twilight Sparkle," a distorted, magically amplified voice said.
A cloud of glittering purple smoke filled the castle. A silhouette strode through it.
When the smoke cleared, everypony present gasped in shock.
"R-Rarity?!" Fluttershy cried.
"Not exactly," the mare said.
While she looked almost exactly like Rarity, down to the same mane and tail style, her mane and coat colors were reversed, and her Cutie Mark was three black diamonds.
"Who are you?" Twilight demanded, taking a step forward.
"Just call me...Reversity." Reversity tossed her mane, a superior smirk on her face.
"I get it!" Pinkie yelled.
"Your precious Rarity is...indisposed," Reversity said. "And she will remain so unless young Spike can find me and defeat me before I erase her from existence." She looked around the room. "If any of the rest of you show your faces outside of this castle, this will not end well."
"Why are you doing this?" Twilight demanded.
"Let's just say...it's a matter of destiny." A chilling laugh filled the air as more purple smoke filled the room. When the smoke cleared, Reversity was gone.
The mares stared at each other with various degrees of anxiety, concern, and outrage.
"We gotta go help Rarity!" Rainbow said.
"What's this all about? Where did this...Reversity even come from?" Twilight wondered. "This...this doesn't make any sense..."
Spike scratched his chin with his claw. "Something's very familiar about all this..."
"Spike, you know who this mare is?" Fluttershy asked.
"No, but..." Spike frowned. After a moment, his eyes widened. "Of course!" He smacked his face with a claw. "Leave it to me, girls. I've got this."
Before any of them could protest, Spike ran for the front doors.
"Spike, wait!" Rainbow called. "It could be a trap!"
"Of course it's a trap!" Pinkie called.
"Come on, girls! We need to help Spike! And Rarity! And get to the bottom of this!" Twilight charged down the entrance hall, the others behind her.
* * * * *
Spike ran through the streets of Ponyville, bearing down on Carousel Boutique. When he arrived, he burst through the locked front doors. "I'M HERE, RARITY!"
"Spike! No! Don't come any closer!" Rarity called from the back.
Spike ran into the back, toward Rarity's kitchen. When he arrived, he skidded to a halt, staring in horror at the sight that awaited him.
A bloated porcine mess that could conceivably once have been Rarity wallowed atop a thick velvet cushion, amid dozens of empty cartons of ice cream. A carton floated near her swollen, piggy face, and she was shovelling spoonful after spoonful of ice cream into her mouth while reading a floating romance novel. A huge pile of ice cream stained trashy romance novels lay underneath the kitchen table.
"Rarity?" Spike asked.
"Don't—*nom nom*—look at—*nom nom*—meeee!" Rarity wailed.
"No, Spike. Look at her." Reversity emerged from the hall, a smirk on her face. "This is your dream mare, in all her glory. Can you still love her, seeing her this way?"
"What did you DO TO HER?" Spike demanded.
"A little spell called Indulgence," Reversity said. "It causes a pony to uncontrollably indulge in their personal vices. In her case, apparently that means ice cream and trashy romance novels." Reversity trotted around the wailing, ice cream scarfing Rarity. "Rather pathetic, if you ask me."
"Make it—*nom nom*—STAHAHAAAAAAAAAAP!" Rarity whined.
In a magenta flash, Twilight, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Fluttershy appeared. They all stared in horror at Rarity. "Whoa," Rainbow said.
"That's a looooooot of Rarity," Pinkie breathed, eyes wide.
"Oh my goodness..."
Spike stepped forward, claws clenched. "This ISN'T FUNNY, Trixie! Take the spell off!"
The others blinked and stared at Reversity. "TRIXIE?!"
Reversity tossed her mane. "I'm certain I don't know any Trixie..."
"I know it's you, Trixie!" Spike said. "I know it's you because you copied this whole stupid scheme from one of my comics! The one where Fillysecond gets captured by her evil counterpart Sillyfecond to draw her love interest into a trap!"
Rarity stared at "Reversity". "You—*nom nom*—said you were my—*nom nom*—great-great—*nom nom*—granddaughter!"
"She stole THAT from the comic too," Spike said. "Well, Trixie?"
"Reversity" sighed. "Fine." Her horn glowed; in a bright, misty shimmer, her appearance changed, reverting to the blue coat and silver mane of Trixie. With another burst of magic, Rarity suddenly stopped eating ice cream, letting the carton fall to the ground, the spoon clattering on the floor.
"My tummy huuuuuurts," Rarity complained.
"Trixie, why did you do this?" Twilight demanded.
Trixie sniffed indignantly. "Well, the idea was for Spike to have an epic showdown with a villainous foe to save the mare of his dreams." She frowned. "However, the Indulgence Spell was the only way I could think of to keep Rarity in one place for that long...I mean, it's not like I could just tie her up, since...since she could untie herself..." Trixie frowned. "Trixie really did not think this through very well," she admitted.
"No, you most certainly did not," Rarity said. "Oww..."
"Wait," Rainbow said. "So all this was, what, so Spike could impress Rarity?"
"That WAS the idea," Trixie said.
Twilight sighed. "Trixie, this...this is not okay. The thing with all the clothes, that was one thing, and it was funny to watch, but THIS? This is...well..." She waved a hoof at the bloated Rarity. "This is just...wrong!"
Trixie bowed her head. "Trixie...is sorry," she said. "Rarity...I'm sorry. I...I guess I should have stopped the spell as soon as I saw what it was doing to you, but..." She frowned and looked away. "I...I guess I didn't really..."
"Didn't really what?" Rarity asked.
"Well you're always so mean to me!" Trixie complained. "I guess...I guess part of me wanted to...to do something like this to you...out of spite..." She started pacing around. "It's just...I'm trying, okay? I want to have friends and I want ponies to like me and...and..." She looked at the others. "And you all still treat me like a joke, and...and..."
"Trixie..." Twilight stepped forward. "Why didn't you just...try talking to us? Like this, instead of the way you usually talk? And that's a big part of why ponies...well...aren't as receptive of you."
"Yeah, you kinda...insult other ponies a lot," Rainbow said.
Trixie's ears fell. "I guess...I just don't think about it..." She sighed. "It's just...it's been part of who I am for so long, I do it without...without thinking..."
"Well, isn't it time you started?" Rarity asked. She frowned. "And...despite what you've done here..." She coughed. "I'm sorry too. I haven't been fair to you since your return to Ponyville. I've been holding a grudge, and...and that's very small of me."
Trixie sniffled. "Thank you," she said. "Can...can we start over? Because Trixie...is actually rather impressed with your talents, and...and..."
Rarity grimaced. "Perhaps...once I've, ah...recovered from this deplorable state you've put me in?"
"Oh. Yes. Of...of course."
Twilight frowned. "Come on, Rarity. I'll take you to Zecora's. Between the two of us.." She tilted her head, brow furrowed. "...and a LOT of exercise on your part...I think we can get you back to normal in a week or two."
Rarity moaned pitifully as Twilight's aura enveloped her, levitating her off her cushion.
"Trixie, clean this mess up," Twilight said. "After that..." She frowned. "Well...I'll leave your punishment to Spike."
Spike rubbed his claws together, an evil leer crossing his face.
As Twilight turned to leave, Rarity floating behind her, she paused. "By the way, Trixie? That...was actually a pretty impressive disguise spell. Even I've never learned that spell."
Trixie smiled faintly, then started cleaning up Rarity's kitchen. Everypony except Spike left.
"Trixie?"
"Yes, Spike?"
"If you ever do something like this to Rarity or any of my friends ever again, I'll show you just how much fire I can breathe."
Trixie gulped. "Trixie will keep that in mind..."
* * * * *
When Twilight returned to the castle the following night, she found Trixie scrubbing the grand entrance hall with a toothbrush. "Hello, Trixie."
"Good evening, Twilight Sparkle. Is...is Rarity alright?"
Twilight sighed. "She's not very happy right now. Zecora mixed her up an herbal tonic, and she's spent the entire day fertilizing the Everfree Forest. Now she's asleep at Zecora's place. Tomorrow we're starting an intensive exercise therapy program." She frowned. "If I were you, I'd stay clear of Carousel Boutique for a while after Rarity comes back."
Trixie's ears drooped. "Yes...of course. Still...I need to make this up to her...when she's ready to let me." She frowned. "I have a long way to go, don't I?"
"Yes. Yes you do." Twilight tilted her head. "Is the toothbrush thing part of your punishment?"
"Trixie is supposed to scrub every inch of the castle with this toothbrush," Trixie said. "Trixie has not finished scrubbing the entrance hall yet, and she started last night."
Twilight smirked. "Well, keep at it. Try not to miss any spots." She trotted off for the stairs.
Behind her, Trixie complained, "Trixie cannot help but feel as though she is in boot camp..."
Twilight rolled her eyes.
When she reached her bedroom, she heard an insistent buzzing sound coming from her desk. Her ears pricked up. "The journal!" Enthusiastically, Twilight levitated the loudly buzzing journal out of her desk and opened it.
Dear Princess Twilight,
It's almost summer break. I do have summer plans with my friends, but I can get away for a week or so right after school lets out. I'll see you in two weeks.
Your friend,
Sunset Shimmer
Twilight smiled, hugged the journal to her chest, put it back in her desk, and climbed into bed.