Chapter XXVII

Rainbow Dash said nothing as they left the Hoof and Halter. She stared straight ahead and walked to the exit, not paying any attention to the whistles coming from the stallions around her. Rarity felt sick at the sight of Scootaloo and she couldn’t even imagine what Rainbow Dash felt. Rainbow Dash opened the door to the club and stepped out in the desert air, that was as far as she got. The rainbow Pegasus sank to her knees in the sand and began to sob. Rarity took hold of her.

“Dash, let’s go back to the hotel, we can talk about it there.” She said lifting the distraught Pegasus. The blue pony tore herself from Rarity’s arms and fell again into the dust.

“What does it matter?!” Rainbow Dash shouted desperately. “You saw what that was, you saw what she was!” Rarity sniffed back some tears.

“God, I’m so fucking sorry Dash, I had no clue that’s what she was doing. God, I’m so sorry!”

“That’s Scootaloo!” Rainbow Dash cried, putting her hooves to her head. “That’s Scootaloo in there!” She began to weep and Rarity knelt down beside her.

“God, Dash, I’m so sorry.” She whispered, her eyes beginning to sting. Rarity held Rainbow Dash for a few minutes, both lamenting the degraded fate of the filly. The desert air had grown cold and the bright lights of Las Pegasus illuminated the landscape around them like an artificial sunrise.

Presently, Rarity stood and wiped the tears from her eyes. Rainbow Dash still knelt in the red dust, overcome by grief.

“We should-” Rarity began.

“Hey! What’s with walking out on me?” Scootaloo stood in the doorway. She was smiling broadly. Her orange body was awash in glitter and a garter across her thigh was stuffed full of bits. The young filly walked out and greeted the two. “Come on! I worked my ass off to get you those seats! Least you could have done is stayed till the end, I was going to give you two a shout out!” She playfully scolded. The dancer noticed the despondent Rainbow Dash. “Whoa, what’s up Dash?” She asked, stepping out into the night.

“Nothing, she’s just had a really stressful day is all.” Rarity answered. Scootaloo grinned.

“Well you two are gonna crash at my place then! Come on! Don’t even get your things!” She flicked her head toward the town.

“N-no, it’s fine.” Rarity replied, kneeling to help her friend. Scootaloo shook her head.

“Nope, it’s the least you two can do since you didn’t stay till the end!” She declared happily. There was no way to decline without causing a terrible scene and the two ponies unhappily complied with her.

Scootaloo was excited. She walked alongside them, talking about how much she loved their visit. Rainbow Dash had stopped crying, but still said nothing and Rarity politely attempted to hold a conversation with the wayward Pegasus.

“So, um, where do you live?” The unicorn asked. Scootaloo giggled.

“Cantera Oasis.” Rarity wasn’t sure if that was another sexual entendre, so she thought for another question.

“Well how is the climate here?” Rarity asked stupidly.

“Pretty hot, not sure how you didn’t pick up on that.” Scootaloo laughed. She looked over at the soundless rainbow pony. “Geez, Dash, what’s wrong? You haven’t said anything yet, I thought you’d be exploding by now!”

“She’s just had a rough day is all.” Rarity explained.

“Well I have some scotch at my place, let’s see if we can’t loosen Dash up!” Scootaloo laughed.

They were in the middle of the town, surrounded by drugstores and nightclubs when Scootaloo stopped at a tall granite building.

“Well, here’s my place.” She said proudly. Rarity looked up, above the polished granite were engraved the words “Cantera Oasis”. Her jaw fell a little bit; Cantera Oasis was a luxury highrise. Scootaloo led them inside, a mustached stallion dressed like a bellhop sat snoring at a desk. Scootaloo giggled and pointed to him.

“Max never wants to help me with the groceries, unless I’m in my club wear, then he’s all over me.” She led them to a wall of elevators. “I moved in a few weeks after I came here. It’s a really nice place, but the pool doesn’t hold the temperature very well.” They stepped into the elevator and Scootaloo pressed the button for the top floor. A penthouse condo; bought with money earned from exposing herself, Rarity felt her nausea growing.

Scootaloo’s suite was so big it seemed empty. A large front room, complete with kitchen and wet bar opened before them. Scootaloo tossed her keys onto the marble countertop and fell back into one of the suede couches arranged around the fireplace.

“Oh God that feels good.” She said with a rapt sigh. “I think I pulled my leg on that last twirl.” She looked up at the speechless mares. “God, what’s wrong with you two? Seriously, stop it, say something.” Rarity was about to say something about how it was all very grand.

“Why Scootaloo? Why?” Rainbow Dash’s voice was confused and pitiful and Rarity didn’t have a chance to speak before Scootaloo rose off of the couch.

“Why what Dash?” She asked innocently. “Why did I decorate this way?” Rarity swore she saw a smirk behind Scootaloo’s innocuous look of surprise. Rainbow Dash stomped her hoof.

“NO! Why a whore?” Whatever sort of humor Scootaloo felt about Dash’s self-consciousness instantly vanished.

“Oh! A whore!” She laughed icily. “Well I’m certainly glad I invited you up here!” Scootaloo acted confidant, but Rarity could see she was seething. “Maybe I should call up any of the other six dance clubs in Las Pegasus and tell them I want to do a performance with them! They keep offering me ten thousand bits for a single show, maybe I could make it fifteen! Or maybe I could ask you just what about exotic dancing makes me a whore!”

“Hey girls, stop ok? We can talk about this like ponies, not animals!” Rarity knew her intervention was going to be more damage control than actual mediation.

“Yeah, listen to Rarity! She’s got a good head.” Scootaloo agreed. She gave Rarity’s rump a slap. “You know how to twerk?”

“Scootaloo, stop it!!!” Rainbow Dash cried. “You aren’t like this, you don’t do things like this! You don’t do this to yourself!”

“Oh really Dash? What the hell AM I doing to myself?” Asked the defiant filly. “Do I look abused to you? Of course not, I can show what I am and walk home safe every night in this town because stallions respect me, because they know that if they try anything, Sugar is going to rip their balls off.”

“Sugar?!!” Rainbow Dash looked like she might faint.

“Who do you think runs the club dumbass?” Scootaloo asked, rolling her eyes. Rainbow Dash started to cry and the orange Pegasus threw a hoof over her face. “Oh my God, I really thought you’d have a more open mind RD, you’re kinda letting me down here.” Scootaloo said in disappointment.

“I THOUGHT YOU VALUED YOURSELF!” Rainbow Dash screamed in anguish.

“Oh you wanna say shit like that?” Scootaloo shot back as her temper tipped. “How about I ask how you’ve been doing the past few months? How many races have you won Dash? Make any more rainbooms or is that mark on your ass yet another mistake in your identity?”

“Hey, watch your mouth you arrogant piece of shit!” Rarity stepped in front of Scootaloo; she had reached her limit. “You have no right to say anything about her, ESPECIALLY-” Scootaloo laughed and shoved Rarity back.

“Oh, you brought your bulldyke with you! It makes so much sense!” She turned to Rarity. “At least I respect you, you have the killer bitch thing going, I can respect that.”

“You shut your Goddamn mouth.” Rarity said in poorly restrained outrage. Scootaloo shrugged.

“Guess it’s not all bad, even if it is weird that you grew a pair. Wish Dash could grow up like you.”

“What do you mean?!!” Rainbow Dash sobbed. Scootaloo rolled her eyes again.

“Oh my God, how do you get so screwed up by something and not see it?” Scootaloo sighed. “The Blast Dashie, that’s what.” She turned to Rarity. “Rarity here got that crazy killer thing, I got a high paying dance career, Vinyl got a record deal.” She frowned thoughtfully. “All you did was give up on life, how does that work?” Rarity grabbed the orange Pegasus by the shoulders.

“If something that ignorant and insolent ever comes out of your mouth again, I’ll throw you out the window. Got that?” She said, her voice quivering with rage. Scootaloo slapped her across the face and Rarity recoiled and dropped the filly.

“Get the fuck out of my apartment!” The exotic dancer shouted furiously. “You two are a bunch of self-righteous bitches who are too closed minded to accept my life.” Rarity was about to ask her who the fuck she thought she was when she felt Rainbow Dash’s hoof on her shoulder.

“Please, Rarity, let’s go.” She pleaded tearfully “I can’t do this anymore.” The unicorn paused, then gave Scootaloo the X, to which the filly laughed. As the door closed behind the two, Rarity heard Scootaloo ask quietly.

“Besides, what’s so awful about losing boring old Fluttershy?” Rarity kicked the door open, her blood pounding in her ears.

“Because she was our friend you arrogant slut!” The unicorn thundered. “Because she was a good pony, and it’s too bad you’re too immature to understand just how much it hurt when she died. We’re so fucked up because we cared about her, which is something you are never going to understand because you’re too busy making money however you can. Rainbow Dash can’t fly, can’t do half the shit you can, and you know what? She’s got a heart a million times bigger than whatever black piece of shit replaced yours! Go fuck yourself you ignorant cunt!” And with that, Rarity turned and slammed the door on the flippant Pegasus.

Outrage and anger fueled Rarity, but no such respite existed for Rainbow Dash. The rainbow pony kept herself together until they reached the hotel. But their room was as far as she could go. Rarity quickly closed the door and turned to attend to her broken friend. The Pegasus was already curled up on the bed; she made no noise.

“Hey, Dash.” Rarity laid down beside her. “I’m really fucking sorry.” She let out a breath. “This was all my fault, it has nothing to do with you, please understand that.”

“She’s a slut Rarity.” Rainbow Dash said quietly. Rarity sighed and put her hoof on the shoulder of the motionless Pegasus.

“Yeah, I know.”

“She wasn’t a slut when I knew her, what happened?” Rainbow Dash asked sadly.

“I.” Rarity thought for a moment. “Think she took it really hard when Celestia died. She always wants to prove herself, you know, be good at something. Maybe while you were in the hospital, she thought she’d lost everypony she could show off to and so she went to something worse. She’s really the same pony at heart I bet, just really warped version of herself.”

“I loved her Rarity, Scootaloo was.” Rainbow Dash started to whimper again. “She was like my little pony. She wanted to be a Wonderbolt like me, I don’t understand why she would do this.”

“It’s ok Dash, you aren’t responsible for her.”

“I want to be responsible for her.” Rainbow Dash said tearfully.

Rarity had forgotten all about Audacity. As she yawned and stretched her back, the image of the enamored stallion returned to her. She looked at the clock by her bed, it was mid-morning; it had been over twelve hours since she told him to wait for her. She still had to go see him! Rainbow Dash was sound asleep, and Rarity carefully sneaked out of their room to keep her that way.

Rarity found the room and knocked lightly, she hoped desperately he hadn’t left. The door opened in a moment and there was Audacity, perfect as ever. Rarity blushed a little at the mere sight of him.

“Hi there Rarity! I’m sorry, I thought you were coming by last night.” He said in lovesick confusion.

“Oh yes, I wanted to, but you see, something came up. I wanted to, believe me!” Audacity didn’t mind, Rarity saw that he didn’t mind and she loved it.

The two sat together on the soft white bed.

“I, really like you Rarity.” Audacity said sheepishly. “Guess you can kinda see that.”

“Oh well, I think it’s cute! I mean, a manly cute, you know, you’re still manly of course.” She giggled. Audacity laughed.

“Thanks, I get that a lot. Ponies don’t think a guy like me can be sensitive.” He put his arm around her and she burned inwardly with his touch. “You know Rarity, you’re a strange mare.” He said a little softer. “But I like it. A lot.” She blushed heavily. “I don’t even want to talk about how stupid I was for dating Octavia. I knew in my heart that there was somepony in Ponyville that I was meant to love, and I know it’s you.” He cleared his throat. “I think I was with Octavia because she reminded me of you.” He said guiltily.

“Oh, Audacity.” She whispered. “That’s beautiful.”

“Yeah.” He said softly. “I thought, I thought you were too strong and independent to need a stallion, I guess I was afraid to really let down my guard and tell you how I feel.” She laid her head on his shoulder.

“I really like you Audacity.” He smiled and held her a little closer.

“I like you a lot too Rarity.”

They made plans, nothing too fast of course. Both wanted to pursue a meaningful relationship without rushing too quickly. But Rarity knew that Audacity the Pegasus was going to be incorporated into whatever future plans she made.

As Rarity left his hotel room, the red pony caught her by the arm and swung her around. She felt the muscular stallion hold her close to him. He kissed her, in a way that seemed to transcend the very essence of kissing itself. As Rarity felt the Pegasus’ warm chest press against her body, she slipped into a sort of blissful catatonia. His blue eyes gazed deeply into hers.

“Sorry.” He whispered. “I was afraid you might go off and meet a better stallion and I wanted to know that I had at least kissed you once.”

“Audacity, I don’t there is a better stallion than you.” She breathed. Audacity had her heart, that much she knew.

Rainbow Dash seemed more awake than Rarity. The little Pegasus was seated on her bed, looking over her saddlebag when she saw the dazed unicorn float into the room.

“Are you alright Rarity?” She asked. The euphoric Rarity nodded.

“Oh I’m wonderful Dash.” She said dreamily. Rainbow Dash gave her a peculiar look, then turned back to her luggage. “Whatever are you looking for?” Rarity asked.

“My gift for Scootaloo.” Rainbow Dash quietly replied. Rarity sobered a little and walked over to the bed. Rainbow Dash pulled a small outfit out of her belongings. Rarity recognized it as the costume she had made for Nightmare Moon night a long time ago. “I thought she might like it.” Rainbow Dash said despairingly. “She always wanted one of her own.” Rarity feared she might cry again. But the Pegasus shook off the sadness and wiped her eyes. “Is there anything you have going on today?” Dash asked.

“There’s a fashion expo going on, I was going to drop by.” Rarity answered.

“Can I come with you?” Asked her mourning friend. “I haven’t gone anywhere besides last night.” Rarity shrugged.

“Sure.”

The expo was adequate. Rarity strolled from booth to booth in the convention center, looking for something that Angora might find useful. Most of the stuff only looked good to amateurs, Rarity knew most of the crocheting tools were just knockoffs of existing hardware. She scanned the offerings for base patterns that Angora might like. Rainbow Dash followed her around wordlessly and Rarity felt a bit guilty for not being able to explain most of the terminology or even purpose of the expo to her uneducated friend. But Dash seemed happy just to get out, and luscious Audacity was still prancing through Rarity’s mind, taking her mind off of the task before her. She perused the booths for a few hours and bought the Consistent Crimp zipper device for Angora, which seemed original enough.

Rarity looked around for Rainbow Dash. She was standing in front of one of the booths. The Pegasus had a bag full of yarn and needles.

“I thought I might pick up knitting.” She explained. “Since I don’t really like models.” Dash seemed like her Blast scarred self again; Rarity prayed she wouldn’t relapse. She didn’t want that spark of the former Dash to burn out.

“Well, uh, ok then!” Rarity said supportively. “Let’s go back to the hotel and I’ll show you how!”

Rarity and Rainbow Dash had only just covered the basics of the old mare’s activity when Rainbow Dash threw down her needles.

“I hate this!” She shouted. “I hate doing things like this!” Rainbow Dash kicked the ball of white yarn, sending it bouncing across the room. “I hate not liking anything anymore!” She said angrily. Rarity set her knitting down.

“Hey, Dash, come on, give it some time. Let’s go home, we’ll figure out something from there.” Rainbow Dash shook her head.

“No, I don’t want to.” Rarity hesitated.

“Then, what do you want to do?” Rainbow Dash thought for a second.

“I want to go see Scootaloo again.”

Rarity followed the resolute Pegasus. She knew it was a bad idea, she knew nothing good could come out of another confrontation. But Rainbow Dash wanted to do something and Rarity wasn’t going to get in the way. The blue Pegasus stuffed the little costume into her saddlebag and marched out the door and into the warm evening. Rarity followed her, a random thought popped into her head and she returned to the room. Packing the Chekerov into her saddlebag, Rarity ran to catch up with Dash. The unicorn bumped into Audacity on the way out of the lobby.

“Oh! Hey!” He said in surprise. “Where are you headed?”

“To a club, my friend is having a really tough time.” Rarity related. Audacity followed her.

“Anything I can help with?” He asked tenderly.

“No, sorry, she’s just going through some stuff with a friend.”

“Well hey, I can at least be there to help you out.” Audacity said lovingly. As concerned for Dash as she was, Rarity secretly hoped she could catch a few drinks with her stallion. And at any rate, Scootlaoo probably wouldn’t even be around tonight anyway.

“Ok, sounds good.” She agreed after an instant of deliberation. The unicorn and Pegasus walked together to the Hoof and Halter.

Rainbow Dash was already inside. Rarity and Audacity looked around for the colorful pony. Rarity saw her sitting at a table near the stage and she dashed over to Dash.

“Hey, are you ok? Where’s Scoot?” Rarity asked. Rainbow Dash held strong, Rarity could see she was fighting back the tears.

“Her manager told me she’s in a private dance. I’m gonna wait till she comes back out on the floor.” The little Pegasus said decisively.

“Do you want me to wait with you?” Rarity asked cautiously. Rainbow Dash shook her head.

“She’s not your responsibility.” She said firmly. “I’m gonna do this on my own.” Rarity paused, should she try and support her friend, or respect her wish for solidarity? Audacity was waiting back at the bar; solidarity it was.

“Ok, well, let me know if you need anything.” Rarity said as she ran back to Audacity. Rainbow Dash didn’t reply and simply sat waiting for the deviant Pegasus.

Her first date with Audacity! Rarity was ecstatic to actually be dating the beautiful Pegasus and made certain to avoid saying anything creepy or dumb. She ordered them a couple of cosmos and planted herself across from him at their table.

“SO! Audacity! Tell me, what about me is so attractive to you?” She asked playfully. The fiery Pegasus tossed his mane back and grinned.

“What isn’t?” He said with an infatuated smile. “Rarity, you’re just, well, you’re strong, and you really have a good heart. Like, helping out your friend or whatever, that’s really cool.” Rarity blushed. “And like, all those times you nearly died protecting the queen, that’s crazy, in a good way!”

“Well, you’re like the most awesome Pegasus ever, so I feel kinda lucky to actually date you.” She admitted. Audacity laughed.

“Hey, I’m just a regular old pony like you. Just cause I’ve won 203 races this year doesn’t make me any better than anypony else.” She giggled.

“You’re a pretty sweet flyer.” He tossed his mane out of his eyes again.

“Yeah, ponies seem to think that.” He took a sip of cosmo. “So miss Rarity, let me turn the question back on you: What about me attracts you.” It was her turn to laugh.

“Are you kidding me? You’re gorgeous! You’re like, the most attractive Pegasus I’ve ever met. And you’re fun and sensitive and Octavia said you’re pretty good in the sack.” No matter how hard she fought it, the Pegasus across from her cast a spell of stupidity over her. Rarity coughed and shrank down in her seat after this accidental admission. Audacity didn’t seem fazed, in fact, he seemed to enjoy this faux pas.

“Haha, not sure how she would know that. We never really got that far.” He said carelessly.

“Really?!” Rarity said in surprise. “But she said-”

“Yeah, I’d rather not talk about her. I’ve dated a lot of mares, looking for the right one to share myself with. She was just another burned ex telling lies.” He explained. “It’s been a long time, and that’s part of the reason I moved to Ponyville, to really find the right pony.” He smiled and put his hoof over hers. “I guess you’re part of the reason I moved to Ponyville.” She blushed; Audacity was too good to be true.

By the time they had finished a pair of Sex on the Beach’s, Rarity knew everything about Audacity, from his favorite color of red, to his secret fear of snakes. The music around them changed to a slower, dirtier track and Rarity became aware that she was still in the club. She looked back to Rainbow Dash. The rainbow mare was still sitting alone at her table. She frowned sorrowfully and clutched her saddlebag. Rarity glanced around the club; Scootaloo was trotting from table to table advertising herself. Rarity sighed and walked over to Rainbow Dash.

“Hey, Scootaloo is over there. Do you want me to get her?” She asked gently. Rainbow Dash shook her head.

“No, I want her to come to me.” Said the resolute Pegasus. Rarity was pretty sure Scootaloo was going to ignore her until closing. But the stubborn rainbow pony declined any and all assistance in handling her responsibility. Rarity returned to Audacity. The red Pegasus leaned back in his chair and watched her approach.

“Hey, sorry for running back and forth.” She laughed. “Just a little bit of trouble with my friend, she’s being stubborn as a mule!” She resumed her seat and gazed into his face. “So! Where were we?” He smiled.

“What’s her name?” He asked, looking over Rarity.

“Who? Oh, her.” Rarity glanced back at the seated Pegasus. “Rainbow Dash.” Audacity watched the rainbow pony a few meters from him. His smile went away and he stared blankly at her. “Hello!” Rarity giggled. “Are you here?” She waved a hoof in front of his face.

“OH! Yeah!” He sounded like he had just awoken from a coma. “Sorry, I was just.” He took a sip of his Harvey Wallbanger. “Her name’s Rainbow Dash you said? Sounds like she likes to fly.” Rarity nodded.

“Yep, she used to do a lot of flying.” Rarity sighed. “Then she got hurt really bad in the Blast and it’s been tough for her to adjust.” Audacity looked as if he had been stabbed.

“The Blast? Oh God, that’s horrible!” He said unhappily. “She looks like she would have been a great flyer.” Rarity nodded.

“Oh yeah, the best. So anyway-”

“Why is she in here?” He asked, not moving his gaze from the little Pegasus. “She doesn’t seem happy.”

“Yeah, one of the dancers here was a really close friend and Dash is taking it really hard. Dash loved her like a daughter and now she’s really torn up over seeing her selling herself.” Rarity explained. “She’s waiting for her to come over, but Scootaloo isn’t going to even pretend to notice her. But then, Dash has always been stubborn.” Rarity notice her glass was empty. “Hey, do you want-”

“Which dancer?” Audacity asked. Rarity blinked. Why was Audacity so interested in Rainbow Dash?

“Uh, that one.” She pointed to the young orange Pegasus. Audacity got up and started for Rainbow Dash.

“Get me whatever.” He called to her. What on earth was he doing? Rarity ordered two whatevers and ran over to the Pegasi.

Audacity was just introducing himself.

“Hey there!” He said in a friendly tone as he took a seat beside the blue pony.

“Um, hello?” Rainbow Dash said in uncertainty to the athlete. Rarity inserted herself between the two.

“Sorry for bugging you Dash. We can leave.” She took Audacity’s arm.

“Oh hang on!” Audacity said, pulling his arm away.

He pulled out a wad of hundred bit bills and unbanded them. The handsome Pegasus lobbed the bundle in the air, causing a wealthy rain around them. Instantly, four mares and two stallion dancers surrounded the table. Audacity flicked his head to them.

“Sorry team, I’m looking for a filly named Scootaloo.”

“Aw come on!” Complained a white mare. “I can put some makeup over my Cutie Mark, I look just as young as she does!”

“Yeah bro.” Added a brown stallion. “You wanna burn the candle at both ends? I’m your man!” Audacity smiled.

“No no, I would like Scootaloo please.” They sighed and shuffled off to other patrons.

In a few seconds, Scootaloo reached their table. She pretended not to notice Rarity and Dash.

“Why hello stranger.” Her voice sounded like honey and she gazed with counterfeit lust at Audacity. “You look hungry.” She leaned across the table and took hold of the stallion. “You wanna go?”

“No but I will pay you to have a chat with my friend here.” He put his arm around Rainbow Dash. “A thousand bits to talk as long as she wants.” Scootaloo giggled.

“Sorry sweetie, I dance or I fly off. A thousand bits isn’t anything to me.” She turned to leave.

“Ok then!” Audacity said boldly. “Get on! You can talk and dance at the same time!” Rarity nearly fell out of her chair at this compromise. Scootaloo turned, she wore a smile that should never appear on the face of such a young pony.

“Okie dokie!” Rarity nearly struck the filly as she climbed across the table and essentially mounted the reclining Audacity. “Mmm, you’re a big colt aren’tcha?” She whispered into the stallion’s ear as she seated herself on his lap.

“Nope, you talk to her.” He said as he sat back in his chair. “Pretend I’m not here.”

Rainbow Dash, who had watched the scene unfold in complete astonishment, stared blankly at Scootaloo.

“Hey stupid, got something to say?” Asked the filly as she ground against the red Pegasus. Rarity had to stop herself from yanking Scootaloo down from her date and beating some respect into her.

“Scootaloo, please, stop this!” Rainbow Dash pleaded after processing the debauchery before her. “You don’t need to do this to yourself!” Scootaloo giggled.

“I know, that’s what I have him for.” She said, rubbing up against Audacity. Rainbow Dash looked like she might start bawling, then she glowered at the unrepentant filly.

“I’ll tell the Crusaders on you.” She threatened.

“Haha why don’t you Dash? I’d love to have Sweetie Belle out here, maybe get a threeway going with-”

“STOP IT!” Cried Rainbow Dash. “WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU SCOOTALOO?!!” Scootaloo rolled her eyes.

“Chill out Dashie, you’ll pop something being this uptight.” Rainbow Dash produced the little outfit.

“Don’t you remember this Scootaloo? You begged to wear this for a month straight! Please, don’t you remember?” Rainbow Dash pleaded. Scootaloo looked down at the black and grey flightsuit.

“Mmm, you want me to wear that?” She asked Audacity. “You probably have a Wonderbolt fantasy with those big wings of yours.” Audacity shrugged.

“Never really cared for the Wonderbolts, you know I turned them down actually.” He said apathetically. Rarity was about to slap some sense into both Scootaloo and Audacity when somepony sat down beside her.

“HAY GANG!” Shouted Vinylscratch with unnecessary volume. “WE GOT A PONYVILLE PARTY GOING ON HERE?!!”

“Mmm, that’ll cost ya extra Scratch.” Scootaloo said coaxingly. “Pay to play.”

“So Dash, tell me, did you ever do any racing?” Asked Audacity. “Rarity was just telling me that you were quite the flyer in your hayday!”

“Scootaloo, please, you can’t-” Rainbow Dash implored.

“Shut up Dash.” Scootaloo said roughly.

“OH YEAH, SCOOT’S-”

Vinylscratch was interrupted by a loud slam. Rarity leaped up, Rainbow Dash cowered back and Scootaloo gripped Audacity. A rapid series of gunshots rang out through the rumble of dance music, followed by screams and a stampede of panicked ponies and burros.

Four diamond dogs bolted past their table. They vaulted the brass rail and leaped onstage. They were carrying Molots and one of them fired a burst into the ceiling, creating a shower of drywall. Chaos erupted as ponies and burros began to flee for the door.

“DON’T FUCKING MOVE!!!” Screamed the brown dog from a commandeered microphone. “WE’LL SHOOT ANYPONY WHO RUNS FOR IT!!!” As if to prove his point, he aimed and fired a round into Vinylscratch, who toppled from her seat. The blood from the DJ splattered the ponies at her table and the entire club heard the screams of the fallen pony. “YOU SEE THAT?!!” Barked the dog. “WE MEAN FUCKING BUSINESS!!!” The room instantly became silent, save for the pained cries of Vinylscratch.

For a few seconds, no one moved as the dogs caught their breath and the terrified crowd awaited their fate. Rarity heard Vinylscratch gasping for breath. She raised her hooves and moved out of her seat to attend to the DJ, who was crying and clutching her chest on the carpeted floor.

“Just giving some aid!” Rarity called neutrally. “Not going to try anything.” The first dog nodded frantically.

“ALL RIGHT ALL RIGHT!!!” He put a paw to his head. “FUCK!” He turned to his companions, who were sweeping the room with their rifles. “WHAT DO WE DO?!!” He shouted at them. Rarity knelt down over Vinylscratch. She was trembling from shock and she took hold of Rarity.

“P-please, d-don’t let me die.” She whispered in terror. Rarity nodded and pressed against the wound, it had struck her at her collarbone and Rarity saw fragments of bone amidst the torn flesh. Rarity knew she was seriously hurt; Sonny was right about the power of guns.

“ALL RIGHT!!! IT’S ABOUT TIME THIS WHOLE THING CAME TO LIGHT!!!” Shouted another dog. Rainbow Dash was beside Rarity now.

“What can I do?” She whispered.

“Take, get some cloth, I need to tie this off.” Rarity said clumsily. Rainbow Dash ripped the arm from her costume and gave it to Rarity. Vinylscratch was crying softly, Rainbow Dash cradled her head and whispered comfort to the fallen unicorn.

“YOU ALL ARE LIVING A LIE!!!” Continued the dog. Rarity tied off the wound.

“What now?” Dash whispered. Rarity took the safety off of the Chekerov.

“Keep Scootaloo safe.” Rarity answered, slipping the hoofgun out of her bag. “I’m going to take these fucks.” Rainbow Dash saw the tiny pistol.

“Rarity, you won’t win, there’s four of them.” Rarity felt her heart pounding in her chest; she knew she would not win.

“Doesn’t matter.” She said shakily. She looked over at Dash. “Don’t let Scootaloo go Dash.” Rainbow Dash took hold of Rarity. As she gazed into the Pegasus’ violet eyes, Rarity saw the spark jump.

“Rarity, use me as a shield.”

“No.” Rarity prepared to leap up and fight her last battle but Rainbow Dash put her hoof on Rarity’s shoulder. She gripped the unicorn.

“Rarity, I’m going to stand up and you had better kill them all, because I don’t want Scootaloo to get hurt.” Rainbow Dash said, her voice trembling with fright. Rarity looked at Rainbow Dash. The spark was now a flame. Without another word, Rarity swallowed and gave her a light nod. Rainbow Dash stood up and Rarity put her arm around Rainbow Dash. She extended her other arm and drew a bead on the first dog.

“Please stop.” Was all that the little Pegasus could say before they began to fire. Rarity felt as if somepony were punching her in the stomach as the rounds striking her friend’s body dumped their energy. Rainbow Dash’s light frame shook with each gunshot and Rarity felt the warm cascade of blood rush down the arm that embraced her friend. The first dog clutched his neck as the bullet shattered his throat and he dropped the ground. Rarity let go of the lifeless form of Rainbow Dash and gripped the pistol with both hooves.

“COME ON!!!” She screamed in fear. “KILL ME TOO!!”

The next dog aimed at her, but caught two bullets in the chest, he dropped his weapon and stumbled to the floor. The third dog got a shot off at Rarity, but in his panic, missed and then took a round to the head. The final dog had time to aim, and Rarity felt a sharp slap hit her arm. Her grip twisted off of the gun. But with her other hoof, Rarity managed to land a round in his abdomen. The brown dog howled in agony and staggered backward. Blood ran from his mouth and he sank to his haunches. But the dog fired again, this time hitting her other arm. Rarity almost collapsed and the pistol flew from her grip. Slumped up against the pole in the center of the stage, the dog raised his rifle again. He grinned and the injured canine took aim at her head. He fired, missing, as unicorn mantled the stage and charged him. The next bullet hit her arm again, sending her tumbling on top of him. But it didn’t matter. Rarity took hold of the dog’s head and twisted it. He screamed and lashed her with his claws. He sank his dark nails deeply into her body and tore her flesh but Rarity kept twisting. She heard a sickening pop and instantly his grip slackened. She kicked the dog off of her and rose to her hooves. Rarity looked out over the crowd. The stage was awash in blood and corpses. Rarity saw Rainbow Dash, her light blue underbelly was torn and bloodied and Rarity saw the entrails of her friend laying in a mangled wash atop her body. Blood from the fallen Pegasus was pooling around the writhing Vinylscratch.

“CALL AN AMBULANCE!!!” Rarity screamed to the frozen crowd. “PLEASE!!!”

The nurse wiped the claw marks on her body and prepared an antiseptic for the gunshot wounds on her arms, but Rarity shoved her away. The unicorn staggered toward the second ambulance, two paramedics were loading a stretcher into the back, a bit of rainbow tail hung from under the sheet. Rarity limped toward the vehicle, but stumbled and fell into the dust. She cried out as the ambulance pulled away. Rarity saw the cloud of dust behind the vehicle fade off into the warm twilight night. Then she wept.

It was five in the morning when Rarity reached the hospital. She bolted to the desk.

“Please, where is Rainbow Dash?” She desperately asked the nurse. The black mare frowned compassionately at her.

“Oh honey, you mean that poor little Pegasus that came in earlier tonight?” She asked pityingly. Rarity felt the world drop away from her hooves. She felt sick and wanted to run and close her ears to what she knew came next. The black mare smacked her lips sadly. “I’m sorry, there wasn’t really anything we could do in surgery.” Rarity fell to her knees. “She had been shot six times.” Rarity began to sob. “All you can do is pray to whatever God took Celesita away from us that he keeps this little one with us.” Rarity stood up.

“What?” She asked, shaking violently. The black mare nodded.

“She’s in the optimism ward, room 342. But she’s only got a heartbeat, there’s nothing else living about her. If she wakes up, then it’ll be a miracle, but please dear, don’t get your hopes up. She’s much too-” Rarity galloped down the hallway.

She reached room 342, Rainbow Dash lay buried under the snowy white folds of industrial blankets. Her face was the only visible part of her body. Her eyes were closed and her last expression of frightened sorrow was still molded into her face. Rarity saw a doctor coming out of the break room further down the hall.

“Please!” She cried. “What can you do for my friend?!!” She beseeched the stallion. The doctor, seeing which room she was observing, sighed and walked over to her.

“Are you her guardian?” He asked quietly.

“I’m her friend. Please doctor, what can you do for her?” He sighed again and ran a hoof through his grey mane.

“Nothing.” She took hold of him.

“PLEASE!!! You can’t let her die!” She begged. He frowned and looked at his hooves.

“Your friend was shot six times, she’s not a big mare.” He cleared his throat. “Surgery couldn’t fix anything.” Rarity let go of him and looked into the room at her friend. The blue Pegasus was almost entirely buried beneath the cloudlike sheets. Tears rolled down Rarity’s cheeks, Rainbow Dash couldn’t die. She couldn’t. “I’m sorry but, um.” The doctor halted midsentence.

“There must be something!” She cried as she turned to face the doctor. “Rainbow Dash-” Words left Rarity.

“Hello Rarity.” Luna said with a smile.