It was a warm, crisp spring day. The pegasi had cleared all of the clouds, letting down the warmth of the sun, as it's light danced across the rolling hills and swaying trees of Ponyville. A stallion paced nervously in a large, white waiting room in the Ponyville hospital, just outside of the Maternity Ward, his patience growing thin, and legs slowly turning to jello, from the long, sleepless hours the night before. His daughter, a young filly, who had only just recently had gotten her cutie mark, stayed by his side, as they waited in utter silence. They knew that the mother, who had been very young when her daughter had been born, could easily lose the young filly/colt inside of her, due to complications she had in the past. Already losing three others after her first had been born, this, she knew, was her last chance, before she would never be able to have any more children. The tension in the air hung thick like fog, as they all waited. After what seemed like hours more, a small cry was heard from the mother's room.  

It was the day that I was born.

My name is Sweetie Belle. On that day, ten years ago, I was brought into the world. A white unicorn filly, with a pink and purple mane, and big, green eyes, that would make you melt just by looking into them. My mother and father knew right away that I was special, especially when I had lifted the doctor into the air only minutes after being born. "What a sight it was", they always told me, "Seeing the doctor fly up 3 feet in the air, because of a few minute old filly."

I wish I could do that now though, since now I can barely lift a pencil, but my parents say it is alright, since most baby unicorns have magic surges when they are little.

The first one to hold me after my mother was my sister, Rarity. My father told me that he let her hold me first, since she was so excited to see her new little sister. "She cried when she held you," he said, "The joy of seeing you for the first time was one of the greatest moments of her life."

On my first birthday, they had the Cakes make me a cake fit for a Princess, but of course, being only a baby, most of that cake was given to the other ponies in Ponyville by my mom and dad. Rarity even made me a small dress, made of the finest silk and gems she could find, which was a little difficult at the time, since she was only a young filly at the time, but she had begged mom and dad to let her get the materials, and in return, she not get any allowance for a full month. So she took all of the bits she had saved up, and worked so hard on the dress. Mom always says, even to this day, that it was the best dress she ever made.

After that, I wore that dress every birthday, Rarity always making adjustments whenever they were needed. As I grew taller, she made it longer. When I had slimmed out more, getting rid of my baby fat, she slimmed out the dress, carefully measuring and cutting, putting her love into each stitch.

But one day, mom and dad decided to get new jobs. Before that, my mom and dad both worked at the Carousel Boutique; mom sewing the clothes, dad handling all of the important clients that wanted her dresses. They decided to sell the boutique and travel the world, doing business with Filthy Rich, since he was one of their best clients.

"Rarity, Sweetie Belle, could you come here please? Mommy and daddy need to talk with you."

Rarity and I went into the kitchen, where our parents were sat down at the dining room table. "Yes mommy?" I said, with a small smile that could warm even the coldest pony's heart.

"Well, this is really hard to say, but your father and I have accepted a job with Filthy Rich."

"Really!" Rarity shouted, "That's great mommy!"

"Sweetie, you don't understand. This job means that we would have to travel all of Equestria, even to other counties. It would be too much for us to do that, and ruin the boutique, so we have decided to sell it."

"W-what?" Rarity stammered out.

"I know this is hard on both of you," Mom put her hoof on Rarities shoulder, "Especially you Rarity, since you loved this place so much, and I know we promised to give this place to you once you got older....but this is a big oportunity for us. You two would come with us too. We could all still be together-"

"NO!" Rarity shouted. Since I was still only little at the time, I had no idea what was happening, so I just looked at Rarity with a confused look. "I don't want to leave! I want to stay here in Ponyville with my friends, and with you! I want to stay in the boutique and run it with you mommy, not have someone else own it! Who knows what they'll do to this place-they might burn it to the ground! NOOOOOOO!!!!"

Rarity ran out of the room, a stream of tears following her. "RARITY!!" Mom cried out to her.

She fell to the floor, her hooves to her face, and began to cry. "Of darling, I knew this would be too much for her....I should have never agreed to this job."

"Honey," My father pulled mom into a hug, "I think it's time we gave the boutique to Rarity."

She snapped her head up. "WHAT?! Are you crazy?!? She is only still just a filly. She just turned 13 a little while ago! How could she run a business all by herself?"

"Honey, listen, you know that she would soon inherit the boutique, so wouldn't it be best if she inherited it now, instead of selling it. Plus, the Cakes have been our friends for years. They could look after her until she got older. Say, when she is 16, then she can run the shop by herself."

"But what about Sweetie Belle?"

I looked up at my mom and smiled. "Don't wowwy, mommy. I can stay with Wawity. I wuv my big sister."

She looked down at me, and gazed into my eyes. She pulled me into a hug. "Oh Sweetie, I wish it was that simple..." Her eyes teared up again.

"I don't think the Cakes would mind taking them both in...but if you're sure, we could take her with us until she gets a little older. Then when we leave for our business trips, she can stay with Rarity."

She looked at my dad, and smiled. "yes, that sounds like a good idea." She looked back to me, "Would you like that Sweetie Belle?"

"YAYYY!!!!!" I ran out into the other room to where my sister was still crying, "WAWITY, GUESS WHAT??"

From that day forward, I would always go with my mom and dad on all of their business trips, while Rarity stayed with the Cakes, while still running the boutique. Every time we came home, I always gave my sister the biggest hug, and she would return it. Her hugs were always the warmest, and the kindest. Not even moms hugs would compare to the hug I got from my sister. Even with mom and dads business trips, we were all always together on mine and Rarity's birthdays. She still fixed up that dress, like she did every year. One year, I actually tried making one for her. It was a mess. Fabric that didn't go together, gems that didn't match the design, but she still wore it, because she knew how much it mean't to me.

When my sister finally turned 16, and when I was 7, she was finally able to stay at the boutique on her own, and I was finally able to stay with her when mom and dad went on their business trips. Oh, how excited we were, to finally be together, to finally be sisters again. It was a great day. We said our good byes to mom and dad, and went back to the boutique. Over those next few weeks, our time together was great, but with each passing day, Rarity became more busy, and had less and less time to spend with me. Whenever mom and dad came home, sometimes it was just me to welcome them, because she was so busy, but they were still home for our birthdays, and Rarity still fixed up that somewhat aging dress she made so long ago, and we were still a loving family.

But I still felt lonely. My sister became too busy to hang out after she had finished work, because some dresses had to be worked on overnight, so sometimes I wouldn't see her come out of her room for days, only to make mine and her meals. We never had time to bond anymore, or even talk for that matter. And with the passing years, she became a little more agitated to any little mistake I made, even if it was not knocking on her door before I came in.

"SWEETIE BELLE! What did I tell you about coming into my room?!? You have to knock first!"  She shouted out, not turning from her work. It was a dress requested by a famous diplomat from Canterlot, who needed the dress by that night.

"I know Rarity, but I wanted to know if you wanted to come to the park with me and my new friends. They're blank flanks, just like me! They're Applebloom and Sco-"

"Sweetie Belle!! How many times have I told you?!? I'm very busy right now. I don't have time to play any silly games with you and your friends. Now if you don't mind, I have to finish this dress. It has to be completed before sundown tonight."

"O-okay Rarity." I turned to walk back out of her room, "I-I love you, big sis."

"Yes, yes, now please, run along, before you get into any trouble."

She especially became more busy after becoming the Element of Generosity. Orders flew in because ponies wanted their dresses to be made by one of the Elements of Harmony. It got bad enough that she would sometimes send me with mom and dad when they were home, so she could finish her work. And as time passed, I became more and more lonely, just wanting even one day with my sister.

Which leads us up to the present. It's my birthday today, and I'm getting ready for school. I look at myself in the mirror and smile. "Happy Birthday Sweetie Belle," I say to myself, "You're finally ten years old."

I trot down the stairs into the front of the boutique, where there are about a dozen manikins, all showing off Rarity's designs. I walk in to see Rarity fixing the buttons on one of the dresses, a long piece of fabric floating by her side, held up by the soft glow of her magic and her mane in a mess from what seemed to be another sleepless night.

"Good morning, Rarity." I smiled up at her.

"Yes, yes, good morning. Be a dear and pass me that fabric over there?"

I ran over to the table where she had the fabric. It was a light blue with sparkles on it. I grabbed it in my teeth (since I am still unable to use magic) and on my way bringing it to Rarity, I lost my footing and tripped up in the fabric.

"Oops." I rub my head, checking for any bumps.

"SWEETIE BELLE!" She ran over. I lifted up my hoof, thinking she was going to help me up. She ran over and picked up the fabric.

"Careful with this fabric. It took a long time to get, and this is all I have. Be more careful!"

"S-sorry Rarity.."

She went back over to her dress.

"Um...Rarity, do you know what day it is today?" I look up at her, trying to smile.

"Of course I do," My smile gets wider.

"It's the day that this dress has to be finished!!! I NEED TO HURRY!!"

My smile fell and I looked towards the ground. "Oh, yeah, um, good luck...I'm off to school now. Bye"

"Don't be late!" She shouted after me.

The cool, crisp air was the first thing that greeted me at the door. It was a refreshing feeling, seeing as the days were getting warmer as it got closer to summer. I galloped along the dirt road to the school, not really in a hurry, but I wanted to get there when Applebloom and Scootaloo got there. But right now that wasn't on my mind.

How could she forget my birthday? I thought, looking at the ground as I walked, She never forgets..or maybe... I look up, a new thought come to mind, Maybe, she is just pretending! Yeah, Rarity never forgets my birthday. Maybe, she has a surprise party planned for me, with cake, ice cream, and lots of games. Maybe after I left, Pinkie Pie went to the boutique to help Rarity plan it! Wow, I have the best big sister EVER!!

I ran the rest of the way to school, a trail of dust following close behind, until I could see the School, and Applebloom and Scootaloo were already there. I ran up to them and they smiled.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE BELLE!!!" they shouted at the top of their lungs.

"Thanks girls." I smiled

"So, did Rarity give you anything this morning?"

"Nope!" I said, still smiling.

They looked at each other confused, "Um, Sweetie Belle...you sound a little too happy about getting nothing."

"Well that's because she must have a surprise party planned for me! She pretended to forget my birthday, and since she never forgets, she must be planning a party with Pinkie Pie."

"Really, a Pinkie Pie party?! I am soooo there." Scootaloo jumped up, flapping her still developing wings.

"This'l be so cool. I wonder when Pinkie will be handing out invites?"

"Probably soon, after everything is set up. I can't wait!"

The bell began to ring and the three of us walked into the school. When I went in, there was a big banner hung up that said 'Happy Birthday Sweetie Belle.' There were also lots of balloons, games, and even cake.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE BELLE!!!!!!" Everypony shouted.

I had totally forgotten that Ms.Cheerilee has a party for everypony on their birthdays. I had the biggest smile on my face. "Wow, thanks everypony."

"Okay class, before we have the party for Sweetie Belle, we still need to have class, but we will be ending class early today for the party, okay?"

"Yes Ms.Cheerilee." We all said.

After a few hours of class, plus our break in between, it was finally time for the party. "Okay now class, time to put your books away." Ms.Cheerilee smiled at us.

"YAYYYY!!!!!" A chorus of shouts rang through the classroom.

It was a great party. Everypony was dancing, playing games, and having fun. When it was time for cake, they all started singing 'happy birthday'. I was so happy to have such great friends (and Diamond Tiara) there with me to celebrate.

"Here you go Sweetie Belle," Applebloom and Scootaloo passed me a large present, "We decided to share up our bits and get you a gift from both of us."

I undid the ribbon and opened the box. I looked inside, my eyes going wide and a grin formed on my face.

"WOW!!!!" I took out the gift. Inside was a karaoke machine, like the one at the Crusader clubhouse, but a lot newer and it had a lot more features, "Thanks girls, this must of cost you sooo much to buy."

"It was nothing," Scootaloo said with a grin, "Just trying to show you how great of a friend you are."

I teared up a bit, "You girls are the best." I pulled them into a hug.

"EWWWW," Scootaloo said, "Enough with all the mushy stuff, LET"S PARTY!!"

I opened some more presents. I got a new notebook with music notes on it from Featherweight, Snips and Snails got me a sling shot (boys -__-), Ms.Cheerilee gave me a cute hairpin, and even Diamond Tiara got me a gift. It was a cute scarf I had seen in the window of one of Ponyville's more expensive shops. It was a really nice scarf, but not as nice as what Rarity makes.

After the party, we all parted ways and I began to head back to the boutique.

"Wow, two parties in one day," I said to no pony in particular, "I can't wait!!"

I walked up to the front door, slowly approaching.

"Okay, one...two...THREE!"

I burst through the door, "RARITY, I'M-"

But I was met with silence. I looked around to see if anything was going on, but there was nothing. No balloons, no streamers, no ponies hiding, waiting to yell 'Surprise'. I looked around. Not even mom and dad were there. They never missed my birthday. Never. I walked up the stairs towards Rarity's room. Luckily, I remembered about her 'knock first' rule before I entered, so I wouldn't get yelled at.

"Yes, come in."

I walked into her room. Fabric was everywhere and the room was a mess. "Um, Rarity..where's mom and dad?"

"What do you mean darling?" She turned around, "Why would they be here today? They are still gone on their 3 month trip to Neighpon."

"B-but, they HAVE to be here today. THEY HAVE TO!!!" I shouted.

"SWEETIE BELLE!!!" Rarity yelled, "Don't raise your voice! What in Equestria is wrong?"

"Y-you really don't know?" I looked at the floor, tears welling up, "B-but, what about that dress...the dress you fixed up for me every birthday I ever had?"

"Oh, that old thing, I found it today while I was looking for some fabric. It was just the color I needed," She held up what was now the only remains of my old dress, "See? This thing was so old, but perfect for what my client wanted. Is it not FABULOUS darling?" She put down the dress, "Why would you even bother looking for that old thing anyway?"

         I looked down at the remains of my dress. All those years of fixing it up for me, all the time she spent, all the love she put into it, and now, it just meant nothing to her. It was now just a tacky attachment to a dress for some posh, stuck up rich pony, who would never truly appreciate all the love that dress held, or at least, what it used to. I didn't even care that mom and dad didn't come, I didn't care that she forgot, because now, all of my sadness and anger was towards the one thing that showed that my sister still loved me, the thing that was now lying, tattered and torn, on my sisters bedroom floor.

         "Sweetie Belle...darling, is everything okay?"

         She didn't even know what was wrong; I had it. I looked at her, with all the hate I was feeling.

         "WHY?!?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!? DO YOU EVEN REMEMBER HOW MUCH THAT DRESS MEANT TO ME?? HOW IMPORTANT THIS DAY IS?? WHY RARITY? W-"

          I felt a hoof come up and hit my face. I looked up, to see Rarity growling with anger.

          "Sweetie Belle! Out of all the things you have done, this is just the most DISRESPECTFUL!!! You have NO respect for me anymore, so don't you EVER yell at me like that again! Do you hear me?!"

           I put my hoof to my cheek, it still stinging from where she hit me. I started to cry even more.

           "Disrespect you?! Is that what you think I do?! I looked up to you, I always have! And now you say I'm disrespectful?! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO FORGOT MY BIRTHDAY! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO RUINED THE DRESS YOU MADE FOR ME THAT I CHERISHED SINCE I WAS ONLY A LITTLE FILLY!! GOD RARITY, I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU, I HATEEEE YOUUUUU!!!!!"

             I ran down the stairs and out the door, not even thinking about looking back.

             "SWEETIE BELLE!" Rarity cried out to me.

              Maybe I should have turned back though, maybe I shouldn't have said those things. Maybe this was my punishment, because at the same time, a cart raced down through the street....

               ....and everything went black......