All's Right With The World

by Dusty Tome

Chapter Two

Lunch was a simple affair, with Pinkie leading Twilight to her favorite restaurant, a simple outdoor cafe with a splendid view of the Palomino Ocean, for a smaller lunch than Twilight was expecting from Pinkie and her ludicrous metabolism, but still nice. Twilight had almost forgotten how nice it was to be outside, silently relenting that Pinkie was right about her needing to go out more often. Smiling a gentle smile, she looked over to her exuberant friend, snickering as Pinkie began to balance a plate on her nose, for seemingly no reason at all.

“Thanks, Pink.”

“What was that, Mrs. Grumpypanties?” Pinkie responded by throwing a wadded napkin at Twilight’s head. “I couldn’t quite hear you over the sound of me being right.”

Twilight laughed, shaking her head a bit, before speaking evenly, “I said thank you, Pinkie Pie. If you hadn’t dragged me out of there, I might never have left. I guess Dad’s death hit me harder than I thought. You, Spike, and Shining are all I have left, but somehow it feels like I have everything I need. Thank you.” Twilight wiped a tear from her eye, letting a loud laugh escape her, “Wow, I’m turning into a big baby, huh? What do you say we go to the market district? I have some things I need to get for a present for you, and I still haven’t gone to that clothing shop for a new coat yet. So, how about it?”

“Ooh, you mean Carousel Armoire?” Pinkie beamed. “That’s perfect! I’ve been wanting to introduce you to Rarity for weeks!”

“Pinkie, how long have you been planning this whole thing?” Twilight asked cautiously, trepidation in her voice.

Pinkie opened her mouth, but paused before saying anything. She pursed her lips, tented her fingers, and was silent—eerily so for her—for a brief time before saying, “Define ‘planning.’”

“Yep. Waiter, yes I’d like a glass of red wine please. Thank you.” Twilight sighed, turning back to Pinkie, before saying slowly, “Pinkie, have you been setting this up? And if so, for how long?”

“You mean was I waiting for an opportunity to coax you outside and introduce you to people who I think you’re really going to like and who will make you happy and who you’ll make happy in turn, and while I was waiting was I arranging various courses of action that would further the realization of said goal of mutual happiness?” Pinkie shrugged. “Not really. It just all fell together.”

“Thank you,” Twilight said to the waiter, “Leave the bottle please, I’m going to need it. Pinkie, Half the time I think you’re an insane genius, and the other half that you’re an absolute twit. What goes on in that head of yours?”

Pinkie glanced about, as though looking for eavesdroppers. “Are you really sure you want to know?”

“I changed my mind! I’m not qualified to deal with Eldritch horrors.” Twilight shuddered, as if covered in some horror she couldn’t get off of her.

“I’m not eldritch. I’m only twenty-two.”

“It’s gonna be a long day.” Twilight sighed.

“Well, yeah, if you keep asking silly questions.” Pinkie beckoned a waiter over. “Check whenever you’re ready, Blue Plate. We have places to be.”

As the girls wound their way to the markets, they passed across the grand plaza bridge, the beautiful crystal water reflecting onto the white marble of the bridge and harbor, painting the already breathtaking view in spectacular light. Pinkie danced around on the ledges as they trekked upward around the twisting streets, exploring the sights and smells of a home Twilight had never been through. From sparkling crystal, to shining steel and gold, the light broke off into prismatic bouquets, various tantalizing smells made Twilight’s mouth water, and guiding them from store to store.

As they began to wind towards the heart of the market district, Twilight climbed onto a roof, taking a look at the city below her. There were things Twilight couldn’t remember being there, and Pinkie began to lead her vision on a sort of tour, pointing out more than a few random strangers and objects, including a pair of obelisks, alabaster pearl, and purest obsidian. Twilight found it strange, but continued on. Eventually they arrived at Carousel Armoire.

Twilight tilted her head as she took in the sign. “Isn’t an armoire a piece of furniture?”

“It’s a pun! Rarity makes everything from ball gowns to plate mail.”

Twilight rubbed her temples. “So she has your sense of humor, then?”

Pinkie snorted. “Please. She wishes. Well, actually, she doesn’t. I’m pretty sure there are times she wishes I didn’t have my sense of humor.”

“I like her already.”

“I knew you would!” Pinkie took Twilight’s arm in hers and all but charged through the front door. Tinkling bells announced their entrance. On display were dresses, suits, breastplates, and other works that formed a cross-section of everything that could be worn in times of war and peace.

A lithe woman swept in to meet them, her movements graceful. She was beautiful, the kind of beauty that took a great deal of upkeep. Twilight estimated an hour per day just to get her coiling hair in proper order. The woman gave a smile just a few shades past neutrality and said, “Welcome to the Carousel Armoire, where we meet your every need in apparel.” She then registered just who she was greeting, dropping the professional mask and replacing it with a more genuine smile. “Oh, Pinkie. Always a pleasure, dear. And who is this?”

“Twilight Sparkle, pleased to make your acquaintance, miss…” Twilight stretched her left arm out in a soft handshake, completely forgetting that it was a prosthetic.

“Rarity Belle. Charmed.” Rarity gave a surprisingly firm shake, then quirked an eyebrow. “Mahogany?”

“It would be a crime against design if it wasn’t. I see you even have quite an eye for odd materials such as this.” Twilight smirked, quite impressed, “Color me surprised. Well, shall we move to business?” She removed her duster. “I’m looking to replace this coat, and get this one plated. Adamantium or orichalcum if you have them, cost isn’t too much of a problem.”

Rarity’s smile grew a bit brittle. “The customer is always right, of course, but... adamantium? Fighting dragons, are we?”

“Exactly. You see, Spike was attacked not too long ago, by two dragons. They ripped his wings, wings I made, by the way, and I’m simply looking to get some payback.” Twilight said, with a neutral expression, “It’s a pride thing.”

Rarity nodded. “So you are that Twilight Sparkle.” She gave a little grin. ”Well, always good to hear that rumors are so much fluff and nonsense. I can have the plating done in a few days. As for a replacement, perhaps we could find you something that better suits your complexion?”

“Well, If you’re thinking of putting me in shortsleeve, you can forget it. I know you saw the marks. I watched your eyes dart up to them and widen. I like to hide those, No sense in causing more trouble for myself, you understand of course?”

“As I said, the customer is always right. You asked for a replacement, and a replacement you shall have… though really, there’s no shame in being an Apex. Just the opposite.” Rarity sighed. “I mean, I’m only a Vikan. My marks don’t even reach my elbow. But you—”

“My marks are a burden, Miss Belle. The constant whispers and glances, people moving out of my way when they see me glow, that isn’t me. That’s not who I need to be. I’m happier just to be a normal Magus; the most people think is that I’m an Incantatar, but that’s it. I mean look at me, my marks go to my neck. I can’t wear anything low-cut without being treated like a Noble. I hate it.” Twilight sighed, shaking her head slowly, “You’re lucky, you get to be normal.”

Rarity cleared her throat. “I… suppose I never looked at it that way.”

“Yadda yadda, boo hoo, you can both move stuff with your minds.” Both Magi looked to Pinkie. “Just saying. Carry on.”

“In any case, as I said, a replacement you shall have. Though we can certainly find a piece more flattering than something out of a western saloon.” Rarity pulled over a rack of coats with her magic and began shuffling through them.

“Maybe you can come to my shop with us,” Twilight levelled, “That rapier looks like it’s seen the better part of the decade, and your tiara is about to crack. I can fix both for you, perhaps as a thank you for doing this?”

Rarity flushed a bit as she followed Twilight’s gaze. “Oh dear, I had thought I’d put those out of sight. You must understand, I stock a considerable number of precious metals and jewels. And, well, there are unsavory characters even here in Altenneera, sad to say. In any case, it seems more than fair. A favor to a friend, as it were.”

“I would be more than happy to fix those, the craftsmanship is remarkable. Shall we all come home? I believe Spike is making a stew tonight, nothing too fancy, sorry about that Rarity. I hope you’ll like it.” Twilight offered.

“Thank you. I usually turn my talents to armor rather than weapons, but certain necessities must be addressed. And I would be happy to accept the invitation of a fellow craftswoman. I find the fare is often less important than the company.”

“Don’t worry about that. Spike’s a great cook! And besides, you—”

Rarity tittered as she clapped her hand over Pinkie’s mouth. “That Pinkie Pie, such a delight. Though every now and again she runs her mouth about certain matters we agreed not to discuss.”

“You mean like—”

“Agreed. Not. To discuss.”

“Riiiiight.”

“You know Rarity, If she starts to get to be too much, you can always do what I do, and set her eyebrows on fire.” Twilight found herself trying to suppress a giggle.

Rarity smiled. “You and I are going to be great friends, Twilight Sparkle.”

“You have Pink to thank for that, after all, she’s been my pool of sanity, as it were.”

“Pinkie Pie… has been keeping you sane?” Rarity’s mouth gaped open for a moment before she recomposed herself. “Well, I’m sure I’ll be of great help on that front!”

“I use sanity on the loosest possible terms.” Said Twilight, leaning against the counter and watching Pinkie Pie trying on hats. “Although, she does make good points sometimes.”.

Rarity nodded. “Quite.” After a beat, she added, “I’m positive I don’t stock half of what she’s tried on. I don’t suppose you know how—”

“DON’T. Trust me on this, you don't wanna know. Pinkie, don't tell her. You shouldn't have told me, but you did, and now I'm tellin' you, you don't wanna know. You do not want to go down that rabbit hole. There are some things that we aren’t supposed to know. Pinkie’s… whatever, is one of those things. Just call it ‘hammerspace’ when you refer to it, and Pinkie won’t do her… Pinkie things. Trust me.” Twilight looked somewhat frantic, wide-eyed and scared at the mention of Pinkie’s mysteriousness.

“Yes. Well. Why don’t we just see what jackets you might like, hmm?”

“Sounds nice.”

And so the girls enjoyed their day amongst themselves, oblivious to the world around them.

On the highest peak of the city of Altenneera, in the temple of the Goddesses, were two shining crystals, pulsing and glowing with the power of ancient magic. Inside of the crystals, one could see blurry suggestions of shapes. Many priests and scholarly types insisted that these crystals were in fact the self-imposed prisons of the Goddesses. The temple was built around the crystal prisons to protect them and allow for fervent prayer. And so it was ornate and beautiful, built to reflect the Goddesses themselves. Bright brilliant golds and pearls danced about deep, rich obsidian and mahogany, painting the walls in beautiful and sharp reliefs of light and splendor. At this time of day, all around this hallowed hall one could see nothing but the beauty of the evening and the serenity of the night, with bright suns and shimmering moons adorning the doors and walls. Everything was set about so as to draw upon the mind of the world the true beauty of the Daughters of the world, save for a large patch of weathered, ancient stone between the crystals, reviled as the door to Tartarus itself.

The king of Altenneera, a queer looking sort of gentleman, looked about the temple, seeing that it was empty, before he himself began to pray. He always enjoyed praying at night, as the night was calmer in a way. He felt a rumble in the masonry beneath him, and smiled solemnly, before speaking, “So it’s true then, the war for the world is being lost. I trust you, Luna, Celestia. Guide us through this harrowing trial.” And he sang a solemn hymn as a large crack shuddered down the stone door, arcing across the floor and up the crystal pillar of the Daughter of Night. He watched, in rapt awe, as the pillar shone an imposing light, before breaking open suddenly.

The king stood quickly, looked to the broken crystal, and saw it devoid of the goddess Luna.

“And so begins the End,” he said, shedding a tear for those who would be lost.