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Curtain Rise!

Act XXVI: Awakening

Scene i: Still Alive

Rarity did not know where she was. She tried to look around, but she just couldn't explain her surroundings. Was it darkness? Was it nothingness? She was going through sensory overload, and her eyes just wouldn't cooperate.

Moments went by, during which her mind was all blank. But then, she was finally able to make out a shape within the void. It was Sweetie Belle, standing there with a smile, her horn all aglow.

If Rarity could feel the rest of her body, she would've stepped back. However, she found that she could use her voice.

I have changed

I have changed

Just like you,

Just like you...

For how long?

For how long?

Must I wait?

I know there's something wrong...

There was a sudden flash, and Sweetie Belle was suddenly turned to stone with a shocked expression on her face. Rarity moved closer to the petrified filly, and felt the strong cold aurora coming out of her. Rarity felt a cold shudder run through her body.

Your concrete heart isn't beating

and I've tried to

make it come alive...

No shadows,

Just realize,

That I couldn't rescue you, Oo-oh

The scene then turned into Discord's court room, and Sweetie Belle's "Trial" played out before Rarity eyes. Rarity could not turn away or close her eyes, but tears flowed freely from them. Rarity let out a sob out of grief and anguish at what Sweetie Belle had done, and what it had done to her.

Ooo,

I'm still alive!

I'm still alive!

You cannot apologize, no!

Ooo,

I'm still alive!

I''m still alive!

You cannot apologize, no!

Rarity floated along her little sister's side, watching silently as each of Sweetie Belle's exploits played out before her. Attacking Diamond Tiara in her nightmare, getting the potion from Zecora, and then secretly giving it to her. Rarity bit her lip hard, desperately trying not to burst into tears as the actions of her little sister became clear.

So silent,

no violence,

but inside your head

so loud and clear

you're screaming...

You're screaming

covered up with a smile I've learned to fear.

When the scene changed to Spike having the door of the Carousel Boutique slammed in his face, Rarity's heart broke. As the little dragon ran away, Rarity found the resolve to run after him, calling out in a loud voice.

Just sunshine

and blue sky

that's just how it goes

for living here,

Come fire!

Come fire,

Let it burn and let love come racing through!

When Rarity found herself in Twilight's basement lab where Sweetie Belle was confronting Spike, she turned her full attention on her little sister.

Oh,

I'm still alive!

I'm still alive!

You cannot apologize, no!

Oh,

I'm still alive!

I'm still alive,

You cannot apologize, no!

Rarity stood behind her little sister, staring down as the filly stood over the unconscious body of her big sister with a rock in her telekinetic grip. Although tears still trickled down Rarity's face, the unicorn took a deep breath and continued in a steady tone.

I've learned to lose,

I've learned to win...

I've turned my face

against the wind.

I will move fast,

I will move slow...

Take me where

I have to go

As Rarity and Sweetie Belle fell down off the side of the cliff, with the thundering noise of the waterfall nearby, Rarity sang out at the top of her lungs, not taking her eyes off the small filly for a second as they fell.

Oh,

I'm still alive!

I'm still alive,

You cannot apologize, no!

Oh,

I'm still alive!

I'm still alive,

You cannot apologize, no!

Oh,

I'm still alive!

I'm still alive,

You cannot apologize, no!

Oh,

I'm still alive!

I'm still alive,

You cannot apologize, no!

Oh,

I'm still alive!

I'm still alive,

You cannot apologize, no!

Scene ii: Come Away With Me

The sound of them hitting the bottom never came. Neither did the force of the impact. Rather, everything went into a deep blackness for Rarity, and once again, she could not feel her own body. However, as she floated there in the void, she could hear a voice. A very small voice. It pierced through the darkness like a tiny candle, whose faint rays just barely reached her. But it was there, nonetheless.

Come away with me in the night

Come away with me

And I will write you a song

Rarity's heart began to beat strongly for this voice. It's words seemed to get right into her heart. It filled her with the desire to run as fast as she could towards this voice. As if in answer to her desires, the voice began to grow louder and stronger.

Come away with me on a train

Come away where she can't tempt us

With her lies

I want to walk with you

On a cloudy day

In fields where the yellow grass grows knee-high

So won't you try to come

As the singing continued, Rarity began to feel her body again. She was laying on something soft. . .a soft bed to be exact. And she could feel something stroking her cheek gently, in a way that made her smile.

Come away with me and we'll kiss

On a mountaintop

Come away with me

And I'll never stop loving you

Impassioned by the words the voice was singing, Rarity gained a surge of emotion and strength, and sang out some lyrics of her own.

"And I want to wake up with the rain

Falling onto our roof

I'm you're safe there in your arms

So all I ask is for you

To come away with me in the night

Come away with me"

And then she opened her eyes.

"Spike. . ."

"Rarity!"

---

Curtain!

Author's Note:

The featured songs were "Come Away With Me" by Norah Jones and "Still Alive" from Mirror's Edge, which was suggested by Pylons. Thank you very much for suggesting that song, because it was perfect.

I was wrong, there's still one chapter of this story left! The next one will finally be the end of the main storyline! Hang in there!