The week passed by in a haze.

Seven ponies were summoned to Canterlot by their copy of a fancy note. High above the city in one of the great Celestial towers, usually reserved only for Equestrian Business, they gathered together... all brought by one cart.

The cart had arrived at the Library. They were welcome to find their way under their own power, though to do Rarity's memory justice they'd abide by her request within the note and "arrive in style". It was one of Celestia's carts, most regal, which she had no trouble lending out for this venture, completely free... not per Rarity's request this time, but to honor her generous nature. Celestia was inspired... Celestia, who could transcend life to the next at will, could see Rarity and Sweetie Belle any time she'd like... but still felt very sad and empty for their dear friends, especially since she could not tell them of the joys and wonders that awaited them... lest even one of them bring about her death in haste. Such was the way things must be.

Despite the fact that Rainbow Dash was barely able to get into the air... she took the cart, too. It was a given that she still could not work yet, and yet she worked at her wing power long and hard when not visiting Scootaloo. The mare saw results for her diligence within days of starting. She only hoped she could show her idol the same joy soon enough.

The ponies all knew why they were there. Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Apple Jack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and even Mr. and Mrs. Cake were together, sitting at a long, rectangular shaped table. Celestia and Luna sat off to the side, overlooking the meeting. Rarity's parents were absent, as this act, as wonderful as it was, would inadvertently disperse the memory of their daughter within her hometown... something they couldn't bring to do to either of their daughters' ashes.

It was mid-day. One lone Unicorn stallion, dressed in garbs similar to Hoity Toity, approached the head of the table with a golden scroll levitated high next to him. His sunglasses, black and round, reflected back the images of Rarity's friends... each pony saw the same mixture of sadness and excitement on their own faces they also saw in each other. The only stone-faced figures were Celestia and Luna, attentively watching over the meeting...

The impressive stallion cleared his throat, opening the scroll:

"I represent the last Will and Testament of the pony known as Rarity. Though she passed on at a mere 24 years old, she leaves behind a legacy of joy and wonder affecting so many ponies... great and small... all over Equestria." He looked up at the faces of her friends through his glasses. In their reflection they saw no more excitement on their faces. "I've gone through a list of deeds complied by the Princesses and I can say, from an outsider's perspective, that she was the embodiment of Inspiration and Generosity. Even after placing myself in the most cynical of mindsets, I cannot ascribe even one iota of doubt to contradict that everything she did for others she did purely from an altruistic nature. Many have morned her loss, yet even in death... she wishes to give everything that made her special to those that helped make her special."

The Unicorn, despite his festive attire, was emotionally cold in his reading... yet he said so many wonderful things about Rarity. The words were devastating, it was as if she had just died once more. Even Twilight and Apple Jack shed a few tears, comforting the ponies which lost it even more beside themselves. Pinkie's hair had only just regained its frizz.

The Unicorn went on, still cold in his delivery:

"Apple Jack, the most dependable of ponies, I give to you all of my industrial tools that you might find them useful. I was never too terribly good with my hooves, but not as afraid to get them dirty as I let on. I hope you find uses for them, as they were seldom used."

Apple Jack smiled as the Unicorn still went on:

"Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy, I leave to you all my books and blue prints. I wish for Fluttershy to ultimately keep the blue prints, but I believe that Twilight would find it interesting to examine and perhaps copy them for her library. I have plenty of copies of the same book that my parents got me for past birthdays... one cannot help not knowing what a pony already has without making it terribly obvious. Fluttershy, if you have any interest, please keep the duplicates and keep up with your crafts."

Fluttershy and Twilight smiled and let each other go, as the Unicorn still went on, with an almost inappropriate chuckle:

"Rainbow Dash, my most loyal and... she describes you as 'flashy of friends'. I leave to you my dyes. If you follow the instructions well, you can make your mane and tail tie-dye, and dye your bedsheets rainbow as well!"

Dash, not comforting any particular pony, cracked a smile. The next pony who's name got called instantly stopped crying in Mrs. Cake's forelegs and listened... her mane still limp and lifeless:

"Last but not least, Pinkie Pie, my youngest of friends. You were a mere 17 when we first met. As far as I was concerned you were just a filly, but you showed me that one can have fun and yet still be a lady by playing an innocent game of Pin the Tail on the Pony with me. You are quite honestly the most innocent pony I've ever met and it's been wonderful watching you grow over the past four years. Your carefree attitude makes me laugh, yet I know that you are more than capable of taking on responsibility. I hope you have not taken my death too hard. I was in a lot of pain."

Despite the somewhat unsettling nature of that last line which made most of the party's blood freeze, a bit of the Pinkie's frizz got restored.

"The reason I have called the Cakes here, too, is so that they may discuss a proposition with you and provide guidance. With their blessing, I'm giving you my shop with hopes that you might use it to open your own business. If it's not practical for you to have your own store right now, I throughly understand, and trust them with the deed and knowledge that I like to pay my mortgage a year in advance. You have time to decide with them what will become of my shop..."

Instantly, Pinkie's frizz was restored. She turned to the Unicorn, who looked at her through his dark glasses. With side eyes she turned to the Cakes, the closest thing she had to parents in Ponyville. The Unicorn at least knew to pause while Pinkie reacted to what she had just been told:

"Well Pinkie," said Mr. Cake, looking to his wife. "We're going to have to think about it... Owning your own business is a really large responsibility..."

"Oh, it sounds promising!" Said Mrs. Cake, with joy in her voice. "But instead of opening your own business, instead you start by open a branch of ours... that way if things don't work out, we can more easily help bail you out."

Pinkie almost took off like a rocket, but one motion from Mrs. Cake made her simmer down... the reading wasn't over yet. The Unicorn went on to close Rarity's wishes:

"Everything else I own, machines and attire, I want my friends to look through... there are plenty of unfinished projects I left with particular ponies in mind. The rest -- dresses, suits, and jewels -- I wish to have donated around Equestria to non-profit shops, both thrift and higher-end, so that everypony may enjoy my work. There is one amendum to this I request -- that Spike be given what Twilght thinks is a reasonable amount of gems from my collection, along with the heart-shaped fire ruby if collectively you girls feel he's old enough not to eat it. Though I am very fond of him, I did not summon him with the rest of you in the case he should become greedy again knowing that I have enough gems to easily cover a queen-sized bed. This shall be my gift to Spike, and please tell him that he'll always be my Spikey-wikey, even after I leave this world. The girls shall each walk away with part of my savings... remaining Bits not used on my final expenses I wish to have broken up into 6 groups, given to: Fluttershy for her animals, Twilight for the library, Apple Jack for her farm, Pinkie Pie and the Cakes for the businesses, Rainbow Dash for her athletic hobbies, and the rest to charity. You have all been wonderful friends and I am sorry to have left you like this. You will all truly be missed. Take comfort that I am no longer in pain and live your lives knowing that I love you all deeply... That is all it says."

The reading was over. The Unicorn took off his glasses, his cold blue eyes looking about Rarity's friends as they took in her final wishes. He then got up, leaving the scroll on the table, and walked out.

The meeting quickly dispersed, a mixture of sadness and excitement on the faces of those who had attended. Most of the ponies left, except for Twilight Sparkle, Apple Jack, and Rainbow Dash. Twilight and AJ approached Celestia on one side of the room, who began to walk beside them towards the exit, while Rainbow approached Luna on the other where they both stayed put... waiting for the rest to leave. Twilight had questions and Celestia had answers. Apple Jack just came to listen.

"Princess..." said Twilight. "Listening to Rarity's Will was quite unsettling. It sounds like she knew she was going to die and she wrote it just before she passed away..."

"That's an astute observation, Twilight," replied the Princess tenderly, "I had the same feeling reading over it after she passed on, though its been dated over a month ago. My feelings are that Rarity was considering committing suicide... but ultimately did not. From what you've told me in your notes a lot has happened and I know she was very sad since the death of her sister... hopefully they're now together on the other side."

"Ya mean y'all don't know nothin' about the other side?" Asked Apple Jack.

"All things in this world are forbidden from crossing over before their time," answered Celestia. "I will never know death, nor will my sister."

Twilight lowered her head in sadness.

"Twilight, this world is full of so many great and wonderful things. Even the most terrible of injuries heal in time, and the pain fades. Rainbow Dash is healing nicely and, from the reports I've been getting on her... Scootaloo is, too."

"Yeah, well... we still need to find a place for her," said Apple Jack. "Can't you send just one pony to take care of her? Even for a few months? Ah can't take her now but I would... especially considerin' what's going to happen if somepony doesn't step up."

Celestia sighed, looking down at the farm pony sympathetically:

"If I did that for her, Apple Jack, I would have to do that for all orphans in her position. It pains me deeply to know that a filly, especially one you each care so much about, is in trouble... but the last thing she needs is for you to give up hope. It will be a while yet until she is taken, please keep up hope and keep looking. There has to be one pony in all of Ponyville you haven't tried who can take her."

"We won't give up," said Twilight, stopping near the entrance. She saw the waiting cart. She turned to AJ and sighed. "Apple Jack, Rainbow's still back with Luna. I'm going to see if she still wants to come to the library after all this."

"Alright Twilight," Apple Jack said, stepping towards the cart. "See you in a bit."

As Apple Jack made it into the cart, Twilight smiled up at the Princess.

"You've been a good friend to all of them, Twilight Sparkle. You embody a little of each of their traits... friendships can sometimes rubs off and make us stronger. It seems that's happening with more than one of your friends lately. Faithful student, I'm proud of you for keeping them together through all this and remaining hopeful. You didn't let your emotions get the better of you, yet you accepted that both you and your friends have them... that's sometihng you should be very proud of, Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight smiled up at her mentor, who nodded approvingly. Celestia dropped a wing down and Twilight walked into its warm embrace. For a few brief moments she stood there, being hugged by her teacher's majestic wing. The feathered appendage was then drawn back to where it belonged and purple Unicorn walked into the tower alone.

The truth was, Twilight was taking this walk for a chance to be alone with her thoughts before getting into the cart with everypony else. Rainbow Dash was a big mare, she could decide who she wanted to go with, or if she wanted to try to make it back up to Cloudsdale this time. Twilight knew the tower well, having been in it many times before, and took the longer way to the chamber, through the entrance the Will Reader had come through. Neither Rainbow Dash nor Luna seemed to hear her coming, and she would have said something announcing her presence, had she not heard a snatch of the conversation they were having first:

"Princess, I've been hurt. It's not really that bad of an injury, but I can't do it that quickly. I gave her everything that I had and more!"

Twilight saw Luna frown sympathetically, yet her words were stern:

"Luna will give you two extra weeks then, but no more. You must keep up your end of the bargain, Rainbow Dash. It is not my wish to completely displace you, but should word be spread through Equestria that Luna makes unreasonable allowances, ponies will be coming day and night making petty wishes of their own expecting no trade or contrition! You may have done a good deed, but do not think of me as one of Pinkie's candy machines!"

"I'm sorry, Luna!" Exclaimed Rainbow Dash, bowing before the majestic Alicorn as she seemed to cause the light in the room to distort and fade. "And thanks for the extra time!"

"It is Luna's wish for this to happen with ease, and she would regret it well past your lifetime, should... I have to act despite your poor judgment. Your are quite welcome, Rainbow Dash, and please turn to your friends for help if the agreement has become too difficult for even the most loyalist of ponies to honor. I trust you to do the right thing."

Still low on the floor Dash did not move:

"Luna,.. I can't tell my friends. I don't want them to know about what I did for a couple months at least."

Again, Luna's face was quite sympathetic. Though she turned her back to the cyan Pegasus, she still spoke softly and on a more common level, attempting now to give sage advice:

"I will not tell them, Rainbow Dash. I advise you, however, if you must, to swallow your pride and do so yourse... Oh-"

The younger Princess glanced back and saw Twilight Sparkle looking over at them from the distant door. She paused, grinning, as Dash rose to her hooves and turned around... looking now in the same direction as Luna. The Pegasus took off like a shot in Twilight's direction.

"How much did you hear?" Rainbow asked frantically, flying weakly in her friend's direction.

"Just enough to know that you're in some kind of trouble with Luna," replied Twilight. "Rainbow Dash! What did you do?"

She looked as much to Dash as she did to Luna. Luna, bowing her head, left the room.

Rainbow Dash, with her head low once more, grumbled to herself:

"Fine. I'll tell you..." She looked up. "Just don't tell Apple Jack, 'kay?"

"Well, I can't promise that," firmly replied the purple mare. "Especially if this is something we have to act on."

Dash sighed, rolling her eyes... She stood up and began her story, starting with many the sleepless nights and ending at the final deed of visiting Luna to discuss her options...

"You sold your home and property to Luna!?" Twilight's voice echoed throughout the room.

"... at three times the market value," Dash made sure to add, nervously putting a hoof to the back of her head. "I thought it would make a great place for a Solar Shrine, but Luna told me it would make for an even better Lunar Observatory. I don't have any Bits left, Twilight, and I haven't been working in over a week. I kind of just wanted to move to the ground and think about adopting Scootaloo, but that takes a lot more money than I thought it would."

"Rainbow Dash... we can easily house you for a few weeks. Why didn't you just tell us?"

The Pegasus smiled nervously:

"Because I didn't want Apple Jack knowing what I did... the farm pony would be more than 'plum grateful' for the rest of my life. It could hurt our friendship! She's going to know something if I'm on the ground but I can fly... I'd hide it, but need to fly to work, and there's no hiding that."

Twilight drew in air to speak, ready to give her friend the third-degree, but instead paused for a moment... surprised to hear that not only did Rainbow Dash know Apple Jack pretty well, but she was ready to be humble for the sake of something greater than herself. The Unicorn smiled, then sighed deeply:

"We'll have to think of something, Rainbow... you're going to be without a home in a few weeks. We can discuss it as a group without Apple Jack present but I really don't want to do that." Frustrated, she shrugged. "But it's not like I have a choice if I want to get anything done about this..."

The Pegasus smiled at her purple friend.

"Thanks, Twilight..."

Twilight didn't reply. Turning her back, she rolled her eyes, but still motioned for her friend to tag along.

Side-by-side, the two ponies left the room... Dash still limped a little as they went down the hall and to the exit, where the cart waited. They boarded it silently, see everypony on board was busy chatting... all but one farm pony, who looked at them as they buckled themselves in:

"What kept ya?" AJ asked her purple, and cyan friends.

"Oh, just chatting with Luna!" Replied Twilight nervously. "You know how that can go..."

"Do I ever," replied AJ, shutting at her fond memories of the Royal Voice. "Does she still talk like that?"

"Sometimes," Dash said, chuckling. "Especially when she's annoyed."

Apple Jack grinned:

"Gettin' on her bad side, huh?"

The Pegasus replied quickly:

"I , uh... don't want to talk about it."

Apple Jack continued to smile as the doors were shut and the cart prepared to take off.

They left the castle, seeing if off in the distance... going further and further away. Everypony soon fell silent, exhausted... it was going to be a long ride home. Rainbow Dash was so worn out by what she had experienced in the tower that she fell asleep, which most of her friends thought was just typical of Rainbow Dash. No pony knew yet but Twilight... and the two Alicorns back at the tower.