Chapter 6

Golden Oaks Library, Ponyville

A few days had passed since the incident involving Rarity and Molestia wanted to get a head start on her apology cake. She felt that the time was right to stop beating herself up for what happened and try to make a fresh start with the lovely white mare. Dusk too, seemed to be in a better mood than he was before. No doubt he felt some very conflicted feelings towards his unicorn friend, but Molly didn’t think it would ruin his friendship with her. He was busying himself with research concerning botany, but didn’t say for what purpose. Molly just shrugged and decided to let him be for the day. She could easily tease him later.

Molestia threw on some saddlebags. “Dusk I’m heading out to get some supplies for Rarity’s cake. I should be back in few hours.”

Dusk continued reading. “Ok later.”

Molestia would have normally just teleported to where she needed to go, since it was more efficient and it didn’t expend very much energy. However, it was a nice day outside so she decided to walk from point A to point B. Her first stop was Sugarcube Corner so she could pick up the various baking supplies needed for her cake. On her way there she passed the train station to find a white-coated unicorn filly struggling with some baggage. Molly noticed that none of the many stallions milling about even gave her a second glance, nor offered to help. She growled at that.

Molly tapped the filly on the shoulder. “Hello dear, I couldn’t help but notice that you seem to be having a bit of trouble with your bags. Might I offer some assistance?”

The filly gasped. “P-princess Celestia is that you? Oh my gosh…I can’t believe you’re in Ponyville!”

Molestia swore she had seen this filly before somewhere. “In the flesh my dear, do you still need some help?”

“You’d take time out of your day to help me?”

“Of course I would. It seems the very capable stallions of this station are content to let a little filly do all the heavy lifting, how disgusting.”

The filly’s ears drooped. “I know…they think I’m a bit of a pest.”

“That’s terrible! Why you are the most precious little thing. How about I teleport your bags for you hmm? Just tell me where you live and I’ll send them there.”

“I live at the Carousel Boutique with my sister!”

Molly cocked her eyebrow. “The Boutique you say?”

“Yeah you know, with my sister Rarity.”

“Oh how silly of me! I’m terribly sorry Sweetie Belle but I almost forgot about you. It’s just that I haven’t seen you in some time and I’ve had a lot on my mind lately.”

Sweetie smiled. “It’s ok; I know it must be tough being a princess.”

“Indeed it is dear. Now I’ll just teleport your bags in the blink of an eye.”

Molly enveloped the bags with her magic and they disappeared with a pop.

“Now I don’t mean to be rude but why didn’t your sister meet you at the train station?”

Sweetie blushed. “Well…it’s because she didn’t know I was going to be here. I came back to Ponyville a day earlier than I was supposed to. I wanted to surprise Rarity and spend some time with her before I get back to school.”

Molly giggled. “Ah I see such a sweet filly you are. I’m going to be visiting Rarity later today so if you’re not opposed to it, would you like to accompany me?”

Sweetie’s eyes lit up. “*Squee* Oh boy would I! This is gonna be awesome!”

Molly ruffled the filly’s mane. “Excellent, it shall be good to have some company.”

“Umm…I really like your mane. I think it looks pretty in purple.”

“Thank you Sweetie. Would you like to know a secret? If you do, you must swear not to tell anypony else. Is that clear?”

Sweetie nodded seriously. “Mhmm, what is it?”

“The reason my mane is purple is not because I colored it, but rather I am not Celestia to begin with.”

“Huh? You mean you’re another PRINCESS?”

“Well technically I suppose I am, but I don’t have a crown at the moment. Let’s just say I’m like another sister to Celestia.”

Sweetie bounced up and down. “Oh that’s so cool! I got to meet a new princess.”

“Now remember dear, this is a secret so don’t say that too loud. That being said, you may call me Molly.”

“Nice to meet you your highness…oops sorry I err mean Molly!”

“Likewise dear, as for now I’m going to Sugarcube Corner to acquire some baking supplies for a cake.”

Sweetie cocked her head. “Do you like cake or are you making it for somepony?”

“I’m making it for your sister actually. I said some very mean and hurtful things to her and it’s my way of apologizing.”

“It’s not nice to say mean things, but at least you’re apologizing. My sister can sometimes say mean things too and she always says sorry. I hope you two can be friends afterwards.”

“I sincerely hope that is the case. I bet you’re pretty tired from the train ride, so why don’t you hop on my back. I’ll carry you there.”

“A-are you sure you don’t mind?”

Molly lowered her wing. “Not at all dear, now climb up my wing and onto my back but make sure to be careful. I wouldn’t want you to fall off and hurt yourself.”

Sweetie gingerly stepped onto the alicorn’s wing and was immediately rolled onto Molestia’s back. The filly squeaked in surprise but quickly wrapped her hooves around Molly’s neck.

“Your coat is so soft, it feels like a pillow!”

Molestia laughed. “It’s one of the perks of being an alicorn. Now, off we go!”

Molly trotted off to Ponyville’s local bakery and managed to get everything she needed from an extremely chipper Pinkie Pie. With her saddlebags loaded up and passenger on board, she flew back to the library to bake Rarity’s cake. Dusk was still reading in the same spot she had left him. Molly rolled her eyes; Dusk could be so boring sometimes.

“Oh Dusk, I’m back and I’ve brought along a guest.”

“Mhmm sure, have fun.”

Sweetie snickered. “He sure likes his books.”

“No kidding, but don’t worry dear I’ll play a little prank on him later.”

Molestia and Sweetie trotted into the kitchen and began washing their hooves in preparation. Molly levitated a few bowls, a whisk, some spoons and various baking utensils so she could begin mixing up the ingredients. Sweetie helped crack the eggs into a bowl and tried to open a bag of flour. It wasn’t opening so with a frustrated snort she used her magic, which ripped open the bag and coated her in flower. The white coated filly now was completely white; she opened her eyes slowly and coughed. Molestia couldn’t help but laugh at her.

“STUPID FLOUR!”

“It’s alright dear I can get you cleaned up in just a second.”

Molestia levitated a wash cloth and wiped Sweetie’s face. At least there was still some flour left to make the cake, thankfully. A few minutes later the batter was ready and so Molly put it in the oven not wanting Sweetie to get burn or cause some sort of freakish accident. Her memories of the Cutie Mark Crusaders reminded her of the trouble those three fillies could get into so it was for the best. Next they started to make the butter cream icing. It wasn’t terribly difficult to make and once they were done Molly let Sweetie have a taste.

“The icing is really good! My sister’s gonna love it.”

Molly noticed that a small glob of icing was still on Sweetie’s snout. Without a second thought she licked it off.

Sweetie blushed. “W-why did you do that?”

“Sorry dear you had a bit of icing on your nose. I couldn’t resist!”

“Oh…ok it’s a good thing you did since I couldn’t see it.”

Molly chuckled. “Mhmm. That gives me an idea. Could you levitate that bag of icing over to me?”

“Umm sure. What do you plan on doing with it?”

“I’m going to go tease Dusk. Wanna help?”

“You bet!”

“What I need you to do is distract Dusk so that I can sneak up on him. Can you do that?”

Sweetie saluted. “Yes, Ma’am!”

Dusk was just about finished with his botany book, all seven hundred pages of it. While it was quite detailed, it was also rather dry. Despite that, Dusk was glad he read it. The knowledge contained within would help him to create the perfect bouquet of flowers for Cheerilee. The library was oddly silent; the sounds of the two mares in the kitchen had stopped. Something was off, but he wasn’t quite sure what it was. He noticed Sweetie Belle trot over to him.

“Hello Sweetie, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. How’ve you been?”

“I’m ok; I just got back from my parents’ house. After Molly is done baking her cake for Rarity, she’s gonna take me back to the boutique. So…how are you doing?”

“I’m doing fine myself, although with Molly around my life has been filled with a bit more drama than I’d like.”

“Isn’t your life always filled with drama? I mean the elements of harmony are always running into to trouble aren’t they?”

“Umm…well I suppose that’s true when you put it that way. What I meant was that Molly gives my life more drama than is necessary.”

Sweetie frowned and put on her best puppy dog eyes. “You mean you don’t want her around…that’s really mean Dusk.”

“No, no no! That’s not what I meant. Uggggh…what I meant to say is…oh horse apples. Ok I admit it; she might be a bit of a trickster but it’s fun being with her. There I said it!”

Molly used Sweetie’s weaponized adorableness as a distraction so she could squirt a glob of icing on one of Dusk’s hooves. Hearing Dusk say that filled her with happiness, it almost made her feel bad about teasing him…almost.

“Sorry Dusk but I think I should go check up on the cake, I don’t want it to burn.”

“Yeah that’s probably a good idea. See ya later Sweetie.”

Dusk turned around to see Molly standing in front of him. “Oh hey Molly, I didn’t see you there. How’s the cake project going?”

“Very well thank you. Sweetie is such a darling little filly; I could just gobble her up!”

“Yeah all of the CMC are like that. Such trouble makers, but the cutest little things. It’s hard to say no to them.”

“Oh my Dusk what do you have on your hoof?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Right there on your right hoof!”

“Huh…well there seems to be something on it.”

“Why to me it looks like something thick, white and…creamy. What were you reading Dusk?”

“It was just a book on botany I swear!”

“To do something like that when a filly was around the library. Shame on you Dusk Shine. Clopping should be done in privacy away from young, innocent minds…or in front of me.”

“I-I wasn’t clopping. I don’t even know how this got here or what it is.”

Molestia licked her lips. “Don’t worry I can clean it up for you.”

The alicorn grabbed Dusk’s hoof and slowly licked around it. She then stuck his hoof entirely in her mouth and gently lapped away all the icing, bobbing her head up and down. With a wet pop she released his hoof, giving it a kiss.

“Hmm that was quite delicious my little sunshine. You have such a sweet flavor.”

Dusk coughed, his face turning completely red. “Hwuh…n-no it wasn’t what you thought it was.”

Molestia rolled on the floor laughing uncontrollably. “I know dear, it was just icing…but I wonder what you really taste like. Perhaps like grape?”

“How am I supposed to know I don’t eat my own…GAHHH you did it again! Stop making me talk about this kind of stuff.”

Molly wrapped Dusk in a hug. “That’s why I like you Dusk, so easy to tease!”

“Yeah yeah, I know.”

“I’m going to finish icing up the cake and take Sweetie over to her sister’s house. I shouldn’t be any more than an hour.”

“Hey I really hope that you two make up properly. I think that once you get over the apology, you guys might become good friends.”

“I’ll certainly try, if not for any other reason than Sweetie. I absolutely adore her.”

“Good luck.”

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Carousel Boutique, Ponyville

Molly knocked on the door with cake in hoof and Sweetie Belle in tow. She was pleasantly surprised to see Rarity open the door and not attack her.

“Hello Ms. Belle I’ve come over to apologize for my behavior earlier. I also brought your sister along as well.”

Rarity gasped in surprise. “Sweetie why on Equestria are you here? I thought your train wasn’t supposed to arrive till tomorrow!”

Sweetie shuffled her hooves. “Umm…surprise? I went a day earlier so I could spend some time with you. I missed you Rarity.”

Rarity embraced her sister. “I missed you too darling; just don’t ever do that again. I need to know where you are at all times, something bad could have happened to you.”

Molly cleared her throat. “Yes, I agree. That is why I took it upon myself to escort her here. A filly her age should not be galloping about by herself around town, even if it is Ponyville.”

“You have my gratitude Prince-Molly. Now, why don’t you come inside and we can chat over some tea?”

“That sounds lovely dear.”

Rarity levitated some teacups onto the coffee table, motioning Molly to take a seat on the couch. She trotted over to her sister and ruffled the filly’s mane a bit.

“Sweetie why don’t you go upstairs and play in your room for a bit? Molly and I have a few things to discuss…adult things.”

“Ok, but I really wanna be friends with Molly. I think she’s a good pony, just give her a chance.”

“Very well darling, I shall try.”

Rarity watched her sister trot up the stairs. “She can be so precious sometimes, but also such a pain in the flank.”

“Siblings are like that. I have yet to reconcile with my own…”

“Yes, I can’t imagine what Princess Celestia must think of you darling.”

“I can’t say I’m looking forward to seeing her again, but I will have to at some point. But I’m not here to talk about my ‘sisters’, I’m here to apologize. I was told you like butter cream so I baked a chocolate cake with butter cream frosting. I hope it’s to your liking.”

“It looks wonderful darling. I too have an apology to make. I may have been a bit harsh with my words as well. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry too. I don’t know…I felt angry. Maybe it was because I was feeling a bit jealous.”

“Jealous of what?”

“Of you Rarity. I care for Dusk; he was the first pony who showed me true kindness and friendship when Luna and Tia did not. I’m not certain but it seemed like you are…smitten with him. Am I wrong?”

Rarity sighed. “Yes…I’m afraid it’s true. I never really looked at Dusk as a potential lover until about three months ago. That was when I got rejected by Blueblood. In a way I’m still trying to get over that rejection. I…may have forced myself on Dusk and I deeply regret it.”

“You did WHAT!?”

“I kissed him is all, but I wanted to do so much more. He was the one who had all the self-control, not me. Believe me I wish I could go back and fix it, but I can’t change the past…nopony can. I feel so guilty because he only has eyes for Cheerilee and I almost ruined his chance before he could even admit his feelings to her.”

“I had my suspicions but…wow.”

“I know I feel awful about it. I’m such a pathetic mare.”

“Shhh, now don’t go beating yourself up over it. Dusk is a very kind and understanding stallion. I’m sure he’s forgiven you already.”

Rarity’s voice cracked. “I know…that’s why he’s so wonderful. The one stallion that treats me like a real lady is…is already pining for another mare. At this rate I’ll be some old spinster who spends the rest of her Celestia given days sewing, never knowing true love!”

Rarity began to cry again, so Molly took the initiative and wrapped her wing around the sorrowful mare. Rarity was so surprised by the embrace that she stopped crying momentarily.

“Huh why are you…”

Molly stroked her mane. “It’s ok just take a deep breath. Rather than cry over who you can’t have, use that energy to go for somepony you can have. It just so happens you are in luck Ms. Belle for I happen to know a very handsome night guard captain.”

Rarity hiccupped. “You do?”

“Yes, he has a dark blue coat and a black mane. His eyes shine like polished gold.”

“Oh…he sound’s rather dashing.”

“Very much so! But there is a catch.”

“A catch…oh no what is it?”

“I don’t think it should be a problem since you seem to be a rather open mare. He’s a thestral.”

Rarity giggled. “You made it sound like he had three heads or some horrible birth defect. No, I have no problem with bat-ponies. I find them handsome in a sort of mysterious way.”

Molly sighed in relief. “Thank goodness. I know for a fact he’s single and he’s had similar…relationship problems as you.”

“What a handsome guard like him? That is simply not possible!”

“It is possible dear. He has trouble with mares because of the way he looks, I’m afraid.”

“That is utter horse-manure. To be treated like garbage simply because how he was born. The nerve of those mares!”

“Well, then I think it’s time a certain mare showed him how much he can be appreciated. Oh and by the way he loves dressing up.”

Rarity’s eyes sparkled. “He does? *Squee* This is simply marvelous! I must meet him.”

“I’ll make sure to send word to Luna so you two can get in touch. Now how about we enjoy some delicious cake hmm?”

Molestia levitated the cake onto a large plate and used her magic to instantly cut it into eight slices. While Rarity chose to eat her piece with a fork in a rather dainty manner, Molly just stuffed the whole piece in her mouth. The alicorn wasted no time, ravenously chewing the confectionary delight and hastily swallowing it. Rarity dropped her fork and began to laugh.

“Did you even taste it darling?”

Molly huffed. “Of course I did! I just inherited Tia’s love…for sweets. I can’t help it!”

“It’s quite alright; Sweetie eats baked goods in much the same manner. You know I’m glad you came over. I think now we might become good friends”

Molly held Rarity’s hoof. “No, we are good friends.”

Rarity nodded her affirmation in silence and the two mares continued to enjoy their cake and tea.