Dear Friend,

If you are receiving this postcard, then you are invited to the 18th birthday of Sweetie Belle at Carousel Boutique this afternoon. Sugarcube Corner will be catering.

Gifts for the birthday girl are not necessary, but would be appreciated.

-Rarity Belle.

Twilight Sparkle took stock of the Carousel Boutique. She was amongst the many who had been invited to Sweetie Belle's birthday, but she was one of the few who had an actual relationship with Rarity or Sweetie Belle. A large number of people present were only distant acquaintances, friends of friends, or people who only lived in Ponyville who Rarity had invited for no other reason than being polite to them.

"Hmm." Twilight scooted against a wall, waiting for one of her friends to find her through the busy crowd.

One of her friends found her, but it wasn't any of the ones she would have liked. Discord appeared next to her in a flash of light.

"Discord." Twilight growled.

"Yes, me!" Discord waved his hand through the air. "What about me? Are you not enjoying the party?" He produced a large bowl of popcorn and offered it to her.

Twilight glared at him. "You didn't respond to my letter yesterday."

"Didn't I?" Discord scratched his chin. "Oh, no, I didn't. I meant to. But I got distracted on the way, saw a seagull. Had to turn it into a orange-frog with wings for fun. Couldn't help myself."

"Uh-huh. More important. Do you know about a book full of sex monsters in Celestia's library?"

Discord made lewd-sounding "Oooh" noise. "Sex monsters? In Celestia's library? Gosh, there's so much I don't know about her!" Discord manifested a sweater-vest and glasses on himself, invoking the image of a conservative moral guardian. "Not really appropriate for Sweetie Belle's birthday party, don't you think?"

"She's eighteen." Twilight dismissed. "Do you know about the book or not?"

"Let me see ..." Discord pulled out his hair and pumped it, like the level of a slot machine. His eyes rolled into the back of his head. "Oh, that's not it. No, not that either. Hmm, maybe it's … oh, yes!" Discord pulled his hair-lever again, and a pair of sevens appeared in his eyes. "Yes, I know about the book. What of it?"

"Did you tell anyone about it?"

"Why, yes. Fluttershy, I think, about three weeks ago."

Twilight clenched her hands. "Why would you do that!? Do you know what kind of havoc someone could wreak with that book?"

Discord did not appreciate her accusing question. "Tell you what, Twilight Sparkle." He made a cockatrice appear in his arms. He covered the cockatrice's eyes to limit its danger and brought it towards Twilight, who shirked away, remembering an unpleasant experience with the creature. "You spend a thousand years encased in stone, and then let's see how well you remember what's important and what isn't."

Twilight put a finger on her head, out of patience for Discord's antics. She supposed he had a point. A thousand years would put a strain on the old memory.

"Wait ..." Twilight said. "You said you told her three weeks ago?"

"Yes?"

"Fluttershy was on a nature trip three weeks ago. She was out of Ponyville the entire day."

Discord scratched his chin. "So that would mean …"

"Whoever you told wasn't Fluttershy! It was someone pretending to be Fluttershy."

"Oh, what do I know?" Discord snapped his fingers and Twilight's hair turned pink and long, a perfect match for Fluttershy's. "All you mortals look the same."

Twilight zapped herself with her own magic, undoing Discord's changes. "I need to go tell the Princess about this ..." Twilight began to walk toward the door, but Discord appeared in front of her blowing a party horn.

"Oh, Twilight, it's a party!" He placed a party hat on Twilight's head. "Enjoy yourself! That stuffy royal business can wait. Don't bring all that gloom and doom over this cheer and sunshine."

"Discord, I -" Twilight looked over her shoulder to see Sweetie Belle stuffing herself with a slice of cake. Twilight realized she in all likeliness was falling prey to Discord's manipulation, but she still felt guilty about bringing the "doom and gloom" to what was supposed to be a joyous occasion.

"I didn't think I'd ever say this, but you're right, Discord." Twilight said. "Whoever it is that has the book won't make their move until they're ready. If they're smart enough to avoid being caught by now, they won't be stupid enough to speed up their plans just because Celestia and I are on to them." Twilight turned around and moved through the crowd, striking up a conversation.

Discord smiled, satisfied he had gotten the perennially uptight Twilight to lighten up. He figured he might as well pop off to Canterlot to let Celestia know what he and Twilight had figured out. If nothing else, to keep Twilight and him (though mainly him) out of trouble for not reporting sooner. He could pop right back to the party afterwards. He snapped his fingers and disappeared.

Meanwhile at the table, Rarity was sorting through the presents some of Sweetie Belle's closer friends had been generous enough to bring. “Let's see, this one is from … Scootaloo.” Rarity didn't notice Sweetie Belle's eyes light up at the name. “I think we'll just put that and Apple Bloom's gift here so you open them first. Does that sound all right, Sweetie Belle?”

“Hey!” Scootaloo said. “How do you know she doesn't want to save the best for last?”

Rarity rolled her eyes, but she smiled. “Sweetie Belle, what do you want to do?”

“I think I want to open Scootaloo's and Apple Bloom's first.” Sweetie Belle said, giving a glazed look towards Scootaloo. Rarity handed the present to Sweetie Belle, who started unwrapping it with a complete lack of patience.

“They're good friends, aren't they?” Applejack said to Rarity, walking up to her. She nodded to the younger trio. “The three of them, Ah mean.”

“Yes.” Rarity agreed as Scootaloo's present was revealed to be a karaoke set, for Sweetie Belle's interest in singing.

“So, are y'all ready to come clean about you and Rainbow Dash?” Applejack whispered.

“Oh.” Rarity scoffed. She wished she could say she was surprised that Applejack would choose now, at Sweetie's birthday party, to bring up the subject, but she wasn't surprised in the least. “Applejack, now is really not an appropriate time.”

“Oh, are ya sure?” Applejack asked. “In front of everyone ya invited, in the crowd where y'all can't run away … seems pretty good tah me.”

“Attack me if you must. Make me suffer, if you have to. But please, leave Sweetie Belle out of your grudging crusade.”

“Grudge? Who said Ah was carryin' a grudge?”

Rarity shook her head. “Applejack, I would very much appreciate if you would hold this off until sometime after Sweetie Belle's party. How would you feel if it was Apple Bloom's party and I came up to you with the intent to interrogating you?”

Rarity's hypothetical statement seemed to make Applejack reconsider. “Fine. But this isn't over.” Applejack stomped off away from Rarity, passing Twilight and Spike on the way.

“A.J?” Twilight asked. “What's wrong?”

“Nuthin'.” Applejack said. “Except for Rarity being a two-faced sneak. Ah'm gonna git some punch”

“I hope everything's okay between them.”

“Eh, Applejack and Rarity are always getting into fights.” Spike dismissed Twilight's worries, taking a sip of punch.

Twilight brought her fingers to her chin out of worry. “I suppose.” Twilight turned around and noticed Rainbow Dash was standing rather close to Rarity. In fact, Twilight hadn't seen Rainbow Dash move from Rarity's side during the whole party.

Is she …? Twilight thought, thinking about the incident where they all thought Rarity and Rainbow Dash were in a unhealthy relationship. Which would explain why Applejack was in a sour mood.

Twilight didn't want to think ill of Rarity, but she also didn't want to be unprepared for the reality, if it turned out Rarity was using Rainbow Dash behind closed doors again. Twilight took a deep gulp.

“Spike … how would you feel if Rarity said she was in love with someone?”

“Psshaw. Twilight, she's said she's in love with someone plenty of times!” Spike turned to Rarity with admiration. “None of them lasted. It's just a matter of time before Rarity sees I was always the one for her.” He held up his cup, gazing at Rarity's reflection through it.

Twilight tapped her fingers. “True, but … what if something changed? What if tomorrow, she announced she found her soul mate and … it was someone we knew?”

“Like that will happen!” Spike scoffed. Twilight grimaced. She wasn't getting through to him.

“Although …” Spike added, tapping on his glass. “I guess I could still be happy.”

“Oh? What do you mean?”

“Uh, well … you remember a couple of years ago when Rarity got “infected” with that slime thing?”

Twilight swallowed hard. She remembered all too well. “Yes. What about it?”

“She, uh, came to visit me.” Spike said. “She, um, offered herself to me and … we had sex with each other, with her, um, milk.” Spike raised his glass. “It was awesome. So even if she did say she had met soulmate, I can still hold onto that night.” Spike got a dreamy smile. “That great, great night.”

Twilight didn't hear his nostalgic mutterings, however. Her mind had stopped processing anything he or anybody else had said after the words “we had sex with each other.” “She did what?” Twilight growled, the fury of a mother burning in her body. Baring her teeth like a starving wolf that had found its unlucky first meal, Twilight marched up to Rarity.

“Hello, Twilight. Enjoying the party?” Rarity said, not even glancing in Twilight's direction.

“Don't give me that!” Twilight said, with a half mind to skip being civil and go straight for slapping Rarity across the cheek. “Spike just told me you slept with him while you were infected!”

Rarity exhaled. Yes, she had seduced Spike, brought him to her, invited him over and offered her body to him, but it was years ago and while she wasn't even in her right mind. Yet, Twilight spike about it as though it was as recent as yesterday. “Yes? What about it?”

“Rarity, that's not okay! You can't just go around and have sex with Spike and act like it's nothing!”

“I made my apologies for the things I did under the influence of the Pipe Slime.” Rarity said. “I don't know what more you can expect from me, Twilight.”

Twilight raised her finger, ready to go into a long and extensive detail about why getting with Spike was wrong and why Rarity was a terrible person for doing so, but Rarity held out her hand.

“Darling, please. I already had to deal with Applejack's accusation and we're trying to celebrate Sweetie Belle turning eighteen. I'll talk with you, or I suppose I should say, I'll listen while you rave at me, later. But not right now.”

Twilight growled. She accepted Rarity's logic and walked away from her, disgusted by her friend's actions.

Rarity got in some growling of her own. This was supposed to be a birthday party, not a “let's gang up on and accuse Rarity” party. If one more person asked her about her activities, past or present … well, she would not be responsible for what she might do.

A welcome distraction came in the form of it being time to cut Sweetie Belle's birthday cake. While Rainbow Dash brought the cake to the table, Rarity jumped for the knife. Cutting the cake would give her something to focus on other than how her friends were one-by-one turning against her. Her hands were unsteady from the stress of said friends, but Rarity managed to cut the cake in an even clean line that left everyone none the wiser.

The guests started to help themselves, but Rarity made Sweetie Belle and her close friends got the biggest slices first. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo went about stuffing their faces. Sweetie Belle ate her slice with a more delicate approach.

Huh. Rarity thought to herself, observing Sweetie Belle cutting her cake into pieces with finesse. I guess some of those lessons about proper dining got through to her after all.

Scootaloo's messy approach cost her, as a piece of cake smeared all over her cheek.

“Scootaloo, you got something on you.” Rarity said, out of a habit of correcting others when she felt they were being uncouth.

“I'll get it!” Sweetie Belle offered, throwing her silverware down. She grabbed Scootaloo's shirt and pulled her upper body down, putting it in range for Sweetie Belle to lick the frosting off with her tongue. Scootaloo didn't think much of it, resigning to it. After a minute, Sweetie Belle had gotten it all off, but she continued licking.

“Uh, Sweetie Belle, Ah think you got it all.” Apple Bloom said.

“Did I?” Sweetie Belle said, removing her tongue. “Oh. Well, her cheeks were so sweet I didn't noticed.”

Sweetie Belle's words made Rarity stiffen up like a watchdog taking point. There were plenty of things Rarity would admit she didn't much about, but she knew how to recognize an attempt at flirting with she heard one.

Rarity grabbed Sweetie Belle's shoulder. “Girls, would it be all right if I take Sweetie Belle upstairs to talk to her alone?”

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked to each other. Scootaloo shrugged. “Uh, sure?”

“Well, yer tha big sister.” Apple Bloom said.

Rarity lifted Sweetie Belle up from her seat and dragged her along up the stairs. Sweetie Belle was more than a little confused as to why. If Rarity had a surprise gift for her, then there wasn't any reason she couldn't give it in front of the guests. Right?

Going into Sweetie Belle's room, Rarity set Sweetie Belle on her bed and locked the door behind them.

“Rarity, what's going on?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“”So sweet I didn't notice”? So sweet I didn't notice?” Rarity growled, making clawing motions at the air. “Perhaps the double-meaning was lost on Scootaloo, but I caught what you were trying to do! You were trying to flirt with her!”

“Uh, yeah.” Sweetie Belle said. “What's wrong with that?”

“You -” Rarity stammered. “You can't do that! Scootaloo is your friend!”

Sweetie Belle drew her legs up on her bed, wrapping her arms around herself. An air of uncertainty flowed around her. “What if I want her as something more than a friend?”

Rarity said nothing, standing there with her jaw hanging open. “You … you can't do that. There's too much risk. What if something happens and damages your friendship with her?”

“You did it with Rainbow Dash.”

Rarity switched from the offensive to defensive. “That's different.”

“How is it any different?” Before Rarity had the chance to answer, Sweetie Belle offered another difficult question. “Rarity, please. It's my birthday. Can't we let it slide for now?”

Rarity brought her hand to cover her eyes. “Oh, I am such a hypocrite ...”

“What?”

“Nothing.” Rarity pointed her finger at the door and used her magic to unlock. “Go back downstairs, Sweetie Belle. I'll be with you in a minute.”

Sweetie Belle got off the bed, happy to escape without any serious punishments beyond the threat of further talks. She stopped at the door.

“You know … everything I learned about flirting, I learned from watching you.” Sweetie Belle said before going down the stairs.

Rarity clutched at her chest as though she had been stabbed through the heart. She could tell from Sweetie Belle's hesitant, yet admiring tone she had meant it as a compliment. As something to butter Rarity up a little to keep her from getting too angry. But for Rarity, it felt like it was all the justification needed to give Applejack a noose with which to sentence Rarity to hanging.

Rarity collapsed onto Sweetie's bed. How could she have been so careless, so negligent she served as Sweetie Belle's own personal flirtation tutor? Why wouldn't she lock Sweetie Belle in her room or push her to the side during her many ill-fated attempts at finding a suitor? She could add that to her list of mistakes, alongside her seduction of Spike.

Rarity sighed. She pushed herself up and headed down the stairs so her absence didn't make the party conspicuous.

But try as she might to keep up the appearance of enjoying the party, her heart just wasn't in it anymore.

The next morning, Rarity woke up with a sense of dread and foreboding surrounding her. Her room was dressed in fine colors of lavenders, but they might as well have been grey the way she was feeling.

“Oh.” Rarity sat up and took her sleeping mask off. Experiencing a slight shiver, Rarity pressed her finger to her breasts, feeling how little milk was in them. She may have been overthinking it, but she felt the emptiness inside her breasts reflected the emptiness she felt in her heart.

Yeah, she was overthinking it.

She thought about taking her powder, then thought better of it when she remembered her conversations with Applejack and Twilight. Rarity made a face of disgust. She did not want to talk of those two again, let alone talk to them, for some time. She knew they would be around sometime today, though.

“Hey.” Rainbow Dash said, walking into the room with an envelope in her hand.

“Good morning, Rainbow Dash.” Rarity yawned. “What's in the mail?”

“Good news.” Rainbow Dash said, sitting on the bed and flicking the envelope towards Rarity. “I know Applejack and Twilight got to you yesterday, so this couldn't have come at a better time.”

Intrigued by what Rainbow Dash meant by that, Rarity lifted the letter up and opened it. There was a folded postcard inside. Unfolding it revealed it was invitation to a runway show in Manehatten.

“Oh, and it's from Prim Hemline. I haven't heard from her in awhile. I thought she had forgotten me.” Rarity said with a satisfaction in her voice, putting the letter against her chin. Rainbow Dash was right. This couldn't have come at a better time. A perfect opportunity for her to escape from Ponyville and just get away from it all. All the stress. All the mistrust. Plus, she could drum up more business for her store.

In Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was busying herself with slamming the trees until they yielded their shiny red fruits. Just because she wanted to have a go at Rarity as soon as possible didn't mean she could put off doing her morning chores.

“Applejack?” A voice said. A voice Applejack disliked hearing outside of certain contexts. It was Silver Lens, coming to the farm to see her outside of their scheduled appointment. That didn't sit right with Applejack.

“Wut do y'all want, Silver Lens?” Applejack growled as roundhouse kicked another tree.

Silver Lens adjusted her glasses. “I wanted to talk to you. I've been going over some of the things that were said in our previous sessions.”

“Yeah? And?”

“And I think you might be hanging onto some traumas.” Silver Lens held up her clipboard. “I think you might be struggling to process your emotions and not sharing this could lead to harmful developments in your psyche.”

“Ah have no idea wut yer talkin' about. And besides, aren't y'all supposed the therapist? Aren't you supposed to find and stop these things before they become a problem?”

“Yes, but my job requires my patients to trust me and that I be kept up to date. For example ...” Silver Lens flipped a page on her clipboard. “Like when you brought a water bottle full of milk to Rarity's house?”

Applejack stopped working on her orchards.

“You heard about that, huh?”

“I did. It makes me worry that you have some unresolved issues with Rarity.” Silver Lens. “You might be holding onto a grudge or a resentment of some kind.”

Applejack clenched her fist. There was that word again, “grudge.” She didn't have a grudge against Rarity for anything Rarity might have. She had a a grievance against for possibly nursing Rainbow Dash again, when Rarity knew she wasn't supposed to be, given how well it ended the last time. Not a grudge, a grievance. A different “G” word in its entirety!

“Ah'm fine.” Applejack insisted.

Silver Lens sighed, reminded of Rarity. “What is with you people and insisting you're fine when you know you're not? I know you're not. Princess Cadence knows you're not ...”

“Silver Lens? Git off mah farm.”

Silver Lens nodded and left out of respect for Applejack's demands. It was her property, after all. But she was going to report right to Cadence.

Silver Lens' departure alone wasn't enough for Applejack's rage to simmer down. She pulled an apple out of a basket and slammed it against the side of a tree, turning it into a sludgy paste.

“Applejack!” This time it was someone Applejack was happy to see, as Twilight stepped into the orchard.

“Howdy, Twi.” Applejack said, forcing her voice to sound calmer than she was to avoid scaring Twilight. “Wut can Ah do ya fer?”

“I heard you had problem with Rarity involving a bottle full of milk?” Twilight asked.

“So you heard about that, too, huh?” Applejack asked. “Wut about it?”

Twilight pointed her thumb at her chest. “I also have a problem with Rarity that involves … milk.”

Applejack smirked and rested against the tree. She was liking where this was going. “Yeah, so?”

“So I figured you might be interested in accompanying me to the Carousel Boutique so I can give Rarity a piece of my mind.” Twilight pumped her fist, shaking it through the air.

“Ah would indeed.” Applejack had a malicious smirk on her face. Rarity might be able to match Twilight and herself in games of words and double-talk individually, but together, they would be able to press something out of her.

They marched out of the orchards and towards Rarity's house, Twilight angry while Applejack was a sort of angry-satisfied mix of emotions. With Twilight's help, Rarity would get her comeuppance.

“Rarity!” Twilight shouted, banging on the door. “Rarity, get out here!”

“Ugh.” Rather than Rarity answering them, it was Sweetie Belle. Turning eighteen must have done some kind of transformation on her. Her frazzled hair and wrinkled eyelids from lack of sleep made Sweetie Belle look the exact same way Rarity did when she was woken up too soon in the morning. “Rarity's not here.”

“What?” Twilight was outraged. “Where is she, then?”

“She went out with Rainbow Dash ...” Sweetie Belle rested against the door and went back to her sleeping. Twilight knocked on the door to wake her up. “To Manehatten!” Sweetie Belle yelped. “Now, can I go back to bed, please?” Sweetie Belle grabbed the doorknob, eager to close the door and go back to bed.

“Yes … after you let us in and let us use the phone.”

Rarity rested against the back of the couch of the train. With everyone else on the car keeping to themselves, Rarity could enjoy alone time with her reflection in the window. Except for Rainbow Dash sitting next to her.

“Rainbow Dash.” Rarity said as she felt Dash's hand walk along her side. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing.” Dash fibbed.

“Rainbow Dash, as flattering as it is that you can't keep your hands off me, we are in public.” Rarity growled.

“Relax.” Rainbow Dash slid her hand in the hole of Rarity's dress, meant for Rarity's arm. “I'll be subtle about it.” Dash shoved her hand through, sliding in and downwards until she could cup Rarity's breasts, the only hint they were doing anything inappropriate was a slight bulge in Rarity's dress where Dash's hand was.

“Rainbow Dash, please try to control yourself.” Rarity said.

“I can't help it.” Dash ran her fingers over the underside of Rarity's breasts. “You have the best chest in Equestria ...”

Rarity giggled. “Oh, darling.”

“Your breast is kinda empty.” Rainbow Dash whispered, feeling the weightlessness in Rarity's breast that came from it being dry of milk. “You want to take some powder when we get home?”

“Perhaps, darling. I'm not in the mood right now, but maybe that will change.”

The train jolted, signaling it was about to stop.“I believe this is our stop. You might want to remove your hand before someone sees us.”

Rainbow Dash removed her hand, allowing Rarity to stand up from the chair without anyone noticing Rainbow Dash's inappropriate behavior. They left the train station and made their way to Prim Hemline's studio.

“Oh! Rarity!” Prim Hemline greeted them as soon as they entered. “Excellent!” Prim took Rarity's hand and guided her up to the stage. “Just pick a room and set up shop with your assistant there.” Rainbow Dash pouted at being called Rarity's assistant. “I hope you'll understand this event is somewhat more low-key than Fashion Week, so there won't be as many celebrities judges.”

After Prim left them, Rarity exalted in the feeling of being here. It meant her name was on the verge on becoming a household name, one known for her intriguing and fabulous designs. She stood on the stage, observed some of the other designers, and turned towards the seating area. She imagined filled with people, cheering for her designs.

“Well, well, well. Look what the manticore dragged in. Prim must have scraping the bottom of the barrel to invite you to this event.”

Rarity's eye twitched. She recognized that voice.

“Suri Polomare.” Rarity spat, turning to a woman made distinct from the other designers by her purple curled hair and a blue neck tie. Next to her was a shorter woman with cropped blue hair – her assistant, Coco Pommel.

“I would have thought you'd been disqualified for being a talentless plagiarist.” Rarity snarled.

“Oh, darling, you can't prove that, mmkay?” Suri said. “Though after the last time, I'm surprised you would show your face after the last time, when I nearly beat you.”

“I'm more surprised you would show yours, you hack.” Rarity said. “I pity you, Suri. Some day, people are going to catch onto you and you will be left with nothing. You'll be denied entry to every contest. No one will trust you. You'll be out of a job and no will take you in.”

“Funny.” Suri said, patting Coco Pommel on the back. “Coco Pommel was in the same situation before I swooped in and rescued her again.” Suri gave Coco a look, which made Coco Pommel shrink away.

“You want to me to beat her up?” Rainbow Dash offered, putting her fist in her palm. “I can totally take her on. She's scrawny and can't fly.”

“You might want to pull on your attack dog's collar, Rarity, mmkay?” Suri said.

“Suri, you'll lucky if she even has a collar for me to pull on.” Rarity held her arm in front of Rainbow Dash, telling her to stand down without words.

Rarity trailed Suri up and down, taking the measure of her nemesis. She looked towards Coco Pommel and got locked in to Coco Pommel's eyes. A mistake, as Rarity felt assaulted by those eyes.

Those eyes … which recognized her. Those eyes which saw her as an anchoring ship, bringing her out of despair. Those eyes which looked so familiar, which looked … identical to the eyes Rainbow Dash would look at Rarity with in her weakest moments.

Rarity hiccuped, her voice breaking.

Rainbow Dash noticed her beau's distress.“Rarity?”

“Oh, Coco … I'm sorry. I'm sorry.” Rarity cried, before running off the stage.

“Rarity!” Rainbow Dash chased after her.

“Should we go after her?” Coco Pommel asked in a timid voice. “It would be the nice thing to do.”

Suri smacked Coco Pommel upside the head. “Coco Pommel, after your time on the street you should have learned by now. Being nice will get you nothing in this town.”

“Rarity?” Rainbow Dash called. She kept calling Rarity's name until she found Rarity backstage, with her knees and arms cradled around herself and crying to herself.

“Rarity.” Rainbow Dash said, sitting down next to her. Rarity looked up from her knees at Dash, then buried her face back in her knees. “Rarity, what's wrong?”

“It's ...” Rarity sniffed. “It's Coco Pommel. I left her … the last time I saw her, I left with a job so she wouldn't have to work for Suri anymore. Now I've returned, and she's working for Suri again. Why? What happened? I tried to put her in a brighter place … I offered her a light. I looked into her eyes just now and I could see my light had gone out in her eyes.”

“So she didn't stay away from Suri. So what? It's her loss.” Rainbow Dash said.

“It's so much more than that, Rainbow Dash.” Rarity sniffed. She adjusted herself, turning to Rainbow Dash. “If you wanted to leave me, could you? Could you well and truly leave me?”

"Of course! Do you think if there wasn't enough good to outweigh the bad, I wouldn't be able to bail on you?"

Rarity smiled for a brief moment, her nerves soothed. "Wait. The good includes more than just my cleavage and my milk, right?"

"Of course!" Rainbow Dash waited a moment for the best comedic timing. "But your cleavage and milk are pretty great, too."

Whatever laughs Rainbow's comment might have other provoked out of Rarity were set aside, as Rarity placed her hands on her Dash's cheeks. “Darling, about Coco Pommel... I looked at her eyes and I saw you. I saw us. Looking at her and Suri … it was like looking into a mirror of ourselves. You're my Coco, and I'm ...” Rarity brought her face down into Rainbow Dash's chest. “I'm Suri!”

“Hey.” Rainbow Dash said. “You're not Suri. You're way better than Suri. You're better than ten Suris.”

Rarity looked up at Rainbow Dash. “You think so?”

Rainbow Dash ran her fingers through Rarity's hair. “I know so. Come on. Let's get back up there. If you don't even compete, Suri will win by default. You're not gonna let that happen, right?”

Rarity nodded. She wiped a few remaining tears off her face. “You're right, darling. Come. Let's see if we can learn why Coco Pommel went back to working for Suri.” Rarity stood up. Rainbow Dash followed. They went back upstage, where Suri was chatting up with Prim Hemline, laying on the charm. This worked to Rarity's advantage, as it meant Coco Pommel was left alone.

“Coco Pommel?” Rarity asked from behind, startling Coco Pommel.

“Oh.” Coco squealed, turning to them. “Rarity! You startled me.”

“Yes.” Rarity said. “So sorry about that, dear. I was wondering, could you tell us why you're working for Suri Polomare again? Wasn't that job with my friend enough to pay your wages?”

“Oh, it was, while it lasted.” Coco Pommel said. “After the production finished, your friend found other people for work for her. I couldn't find any jobs after that. I tried to sell my own designs, but everyone I marketed to had someone else already. Someone who was hipper and prettier and already had their own trophies.” Coco Pommel crossed her arms and sighed. “I was just a little girl trying to get into an unfriendly fashion world. I was out on the street, with no job, no home, I-I got so desperate I begged Suri to take me back.”

Rarity felt sympathetic for Coco Pommel. The fashion world was unassuming to most people, but for those in the know, it was a competitive, stressful market where the slightest mistake could set a career back for years. But for Coco to have to go back to Suri was unfair in ways Rarity had no words for.

“Coco Pommel.” Suri snapped. “Why are you fraternizing with the enemy? That is not mmmkay, mmmkay?”

“I'm sorry.” Coco Pommel pointed towards Suri. “I have to, um, go.”

Rarity nodded to show she understood.

Prim Hemline found a spot with strong acoustics and clapped her hands. “Okay, everyone! That's enough for today!”

“Come on, Rainbow Dash.” Rarity said. “Let's check into a hotel for now.” Rarity glanced at Coco Pommel. “We're not done with her yet.”

Rarity and Dash checked into the nearby hotel and went up to their room. Rarity and Rainbow Dash were on laying on the bed, cuddling with each other when the phone for room service rang.

“Ignore it.” Rainbow Dash said, nuzzling her head into Rarity's shoulder and holding hands with her. “It's probably a salesman.”

The phone continued ringing, which started to annoy both of them.

“Fine.” Rainbow Dash said with resignation. “Answer it.”

Rarity picked up the phone. “You're reached Rarity Belle. How may I help you?” She was greeted with a truck load of swear words from a familiar Southern accent. “Applejack, darling, swearing is not the best way to start a conversation.”

Rainbow Dash raised her eyebrow. What could have motivated Applejack to go so far as to call Rarity in a hotel phone?

“All right, y'all got a point there.” Applejack admitted to Rarity. “But still! Y'all said you'd talk with Twilight and Ah tomorrow at Sweetie Belle's birthday party yesterday, and y'all up and left for Manehatten instead of facing the music!”

“Applejack … I never said tomorrow. I said “sometime.” I said “later.” At no point did I specify the day after. You and Twilight took it upon yourselves to interpret my words in a way that suited your own purposes.”

“Ah, uh … well, that's a good point there, Rarity.”

“Thank you for saying as much, Applejack. I will also thank you to leave me alone until I am ready to talk.”

Rarity slammed the phone down, hanging up before Applejack could say another word.

Rarity huffed. “Interpreting words to in such a way to suit one's own purposes is supposed to be my thing.”

“I know.” Rainbow Dash said, stroking Rarity's hair. “Your own thing.” Rainbow Dash resumed cuddling. Rarity did not return the favor, which upset Rainbow Dash.

“Rarity ...” She pawed at Rarity's cheek. “We're supposed to be cuddling. You're not cuddling.”

“I'm sorry, darling. I'm just thinking about Coco Pommel. If I had checked in on her … if I sent her a letter, she wouldn't have to work for Suri now.”

“Forgot about it.” Rainbow Dash said. “We came here to escape stress, remember? We're not trying to be heroes.”

“I saw something in her when I was looking at her eyes, Rainbow Dash. I saw Suri had a hold on her.”

“What?”

Rarity turned to Rainbow Dash, kissed her on the forehead and cupped her chin.

“The same kind of hold I have on you. I'd be willing to bet, if I made myself appealing to her, I could transfer that hold to me.”

Rainbow Dash lifted her head. Rarity slipped off the bed and stood up tall. She shook her hips and swung her breasts back and forth, giving Rainbow Dash a show and reassuring herself of her own attractive body.

Rainbow Dash was distracted by Rarity's flaunting but regained her focus. “Let me make sure I follow. You think if you seduce Coco Pommel, her feelings for Suri will transfer to you? She's just … change one Mistress for another the way you would trade in an appliance for a newer model?”

“That's the idea, yes.” Rarity said as she swung her breasts back and forth. Dash licked her lips before remembering Rarity wasn't doing it for her.

“Hey ...” Dash said. “Coming onto somebody's girl is kind of uncool, Rarity. How would you like if someone came up and flirted with me?”

“This is different.” Rarity said. “I'm not stealing anything. I'm saving Coco Pommel from Suri. I owe it to her.”

“So, what? It's okay to steal girlfriends when their girlfriends are sleazeballs like Suri? Sex and seduction is okay when it's for the greater good?”

Rarity laughed. “Ha! That could be the name of my autobiography. The Life of Rarity Belle: Sex and Seduction For the Greater Good. But to answer your question, darling … yes, it's okay when brutes like Suri Polomare are involved. ”

"Uh-huh." The more Rainbow Dash thought about it, the more she had to ask a question. "But if Coco Pommel and Suri are mirrors of us, then how do you know Coco Pommel won't be as loyal to Suri as I am to you?"

"You don't want to leave me, do you?"

“No.”

Rarity waved her finger. “That's the difference. Coco Pommel wants to leave Suri.”

Rarity put her hand on the doorknob.

“Even if she doesn't know it yet.”

Rarity left the room. She didn't have to wander far to find her prey, as going down the stairs and through the hall brought her to Coco Pommel, who was standing right in front of a hall closet used by the hotel staff.

Already in front of a closet. Rarity thought. How convenient!

“Coco!”

“Rarity!” Coco exclaimed. “Um, hello, again.”

“What are you doing here, darling?” Rarity asked, resting her head on her hand. All part of the greater seduction ploy.

“Oh, um, Suri and I are staying here for the event. It's quite close to Prim Hemline's studio, so the walk isn't far. Suri's actual apartment is a ways down north.”

“Uh-huh.” Rarity nodded, making a small mental note of what Coco was saying while advancing towards her. “Why are you out here and not in your room?”

“Suri wanted me to fetch her coffee.” Coco answered, not noticing Rarity's approach. “She likes her coffee.”

“Is that so?” Rarity went around Coco and opened the closet door.

“Yes.” Coco Pommel looked around, confused about how Rarity had disappeared. She was unaware Rarity was behind her instead of front of her. Coco let out a yelp when she felt an intangible grip pull her backwards into the closet with Rarity. Rarity made haste to shut the door, making the light from the hallway under the door the only source of light in the cramped room, stuffed with tools and boxes.

“Rarity?” Coco squeaked with fear. “What are you doing?”

“Darling, I want you to leave Suri.” Rarity said. “But I know you won't do that without some encouragement. I looked at you in the studio and I saw you had a lot in common with Rainbow Dash. Maybe not in personality, maybe not in looks, but definitely in … interests.”

“I-I don't know what you're talking about ...” Coco stuttered. She was in a dark room with a person whose intents were unknown to her. She had good reason to be panicked.

“Darling, please don't be shy. You wouldn't have stayed with Suri if you didn't like being hurt, at least on some level.”

Coco Pommel was frightened out of her wits when she felt Rarity wrap her arms around her neck.

“Since you're not being forthcoming, you'll forgive me if I engage in a little experimentation. Rainbow Dash is rather into asphyxiation, so I'll start with what I know and go from there.”

“Rarity ...” Coco squeaked. “Please … stop.” She tried to pry Rarity's arm off her neck, but as feminine as Rarity was, she still had more muscle mass than Coco Pommel's thin frame.

Rarity listened to Coco Pommel's gasps for breath. They were all wrong. When she did this to Rainbow Dash, Rainbow's gasps for breathe were long and calm, taking in every minute, enjoying the feeling of being choked, savoring the adrenaline rush that came from thinking her next breathe could be her last. Coco Pommel's gasps were short, sharp and worried, wanting air for her lungs more than anything.

“Right.” Rarity said, releasing her grip from Coco Pommel. “That was a bust. My apologies, darling. That gets Rainbow Dash raring to go, but everyone has their own preference, I suppose.” Rarity got another idea. “Speaking of bust ...”

Rarity wrapped her arms around Coco again and pulled her in, forcing her head into Rarity's generous breasts. Rarity knew there was a number of people, male and females among them, who would have liked to have the sensual sensation of their heads smothered in Rarity's flesh.

When that also failed to provoke the desired response out of Coco Pommel, Rarity quit doing it. Rarity didn't notice Coco Pommel whimper.

“There must be something I'm missing ...” Rarity rubbed her chin. “Oh! I know.”

The room was lit up as a result of Rarity lifting Coco Pommel by her shirt in the air with her magic. Rarity adjusted her grasp on Coco Pommel's body until she was hanging in the air like a slab of pig meat, ripe for carnivorous and predatory feeding.

With an amazing amount of gall, Rarity brought her hand down on Coco Pommel's rear, giving her a spank, the sound of which echoed through the closet.

“How was that, darling?” Rarity asked, turning Coco Pommel back to face her.

There was a single tear on Coco Pommel's cheek. Seeing it caused Rarity to have a realization. A realization she was being a terrible person by doing this. She should have stopped when Coco Pommel pleaded her to at the start. She should have respected Coco Pommel's right to privacy.

“Oh my goodness ...” Rarity covered her face with her hand, setting Coco Pommel down. “Coco Pommel, dear, I am so sorry, I thought – well, it doesn't really matter what I thought, does it? I should have stopped.” Rarity held her arms out to embrace Coco. She stopped herself and rubbed her shoulder as though it was sore. “I'm sorry … a hug is probably the last thing you want from me right now.”

Rarity opened the closet door and left, leaving a nervous and shuddering Coco Pommel behind.

Rarity went back up to her room, where Rainbow Dash was lying on the couch.

“Hey.” Dash said. “How did it go?”

“Terrible!” Rarity said, her eyes forming tears. “I came on too strong and I scared the poor girl out of her wits! I don't know what I was thinking! What came over me, what possessed me to think that bringing a woman into a closet and trying to seduce her was a good idea?”

Rainbow Dash looked at Rarity with interest. “Well, if it makes you feel better, if I was me, I would have been all over that. Sounds like fun.”

“But it wasn't you.” Rarity sat on the bed, waiting for Rainbow Dash to comfort her. As Rarity knew she would, Rainbow Dash hooked her arm around Rarity's shoulder.

“This is worse than that time with Applejack or Spike!” Rarity wailed. “At least then, I had the excuse I wasn't in my right mind. I was in complete sanity and perfect mental health when I decided to get my filthy, lecherous hands all over Coco! How could I ever make it up to her? She won't be able to even look at me.”

“Uh, Rarity?”

“She's probably off telling Suri now. All about how mean old Rarity invaded her personal space ...”

“Rarity, there's a note under the door.”

“What? Oh, I see.” Rarity looked at the door. Someone had slid it in a pink card under the door. Rarity got off the bed and picked it up. It read;

In the next thirty minutes, come to room 1309, dressed with a white shirt and black skirt. You know, like a schoolteacher or a secretary.

I'll be waiting.

Rainbow Dash read the note over Rarity's shoulder. “Interesting.”

“Yes.” Rarity said. “Too interesting not to investigate.”

“I don't know, Rarity … dressed like a schoolteacher? Doesn't that sound a bit fishy to you?”

“Perhaps, but it's only five rooms from us. You can keep watch outside. I saw a costume shop on the way over here. I'll pay it a visit, get a costume on loan, then come back with enough to time to spare.” Rarity handed Rainbow Dash the card and left.

Rainbow Dash stepped outside the room to keep watch. Both for Rarity's return and for any shady types who might be around. As she was going to be watching the halls like a bird of prey, Rainbow Dash didn't think to make sure the hotel door was all the way closed, leaving a little crack.

“Ah, that Rarity girl.” A gruff voice said. “She's something, no?”

“Yeah.” Rainbow Dash answered dreamily. She got back on her guard and looked to the source. “Wait, who are you?” Dash tensed up, ready for a fight.

“Oh, I am, how you say, a traveler.” The person speaking was wearing purple sunglasses, an oversized trench coat, and a large hat. “I saw Rarity enter the hotel and had to follow so I could ...” He made a gesture. “Admire her natural beauty.”

Rainbow Dash chuckled. She was put at ease by the traveler's description of Rarity. Rarity was built like a model. Anybody would want to follow her for a closer look. “Yeah, she is good-looking. Curvy, too.”

“Is that so?” The traveler inquired.

A better argument for the traveler's question could not have been found, as Rarity returned, dressed in a tight, white shirt with long sleeves, glasses, and a black skirt which reached her knees.

“Wow.” Rainbow Dash commented. The traveler seemed taken aback as well.

“Do you like it?” Rarity asked, strutting forward. “I thought about getting one that was a size too small to show my cleavage and my midriff, but I figured this one showed off my curves better.” Rarity glanced at the traveler. “My natural curves, I might add.”

“Yeah, sure. Natural.” The traveler said in a more feminine voice.

“I'm sorry?” Rarity asked.

The traveler cleared his throat. “Just a cough.”

“Well, if you'll both excuse me for depriving you of your gawking, I have a date … I think.” Rarity strutted down the hall. Rainbow Dash's jaw was knocked loose from the view of Rarity's walk, which emphasized her hips.

Rarity knocked on the door to the 1309 room. “Hello? Is anybody there? I came, dressed like you said.”

Rarity had just about decided whoever was on the other side of the door had lost their nerve when she heard the door handle click. The door was opened a little bit, Coco Pommel's eyes shining through the gap.

Coco Pommel gasped. “You made it! I didn't think you'd actually come!” She opened the door to let Rarity in, who was now confused.

“What? But I -”

“Please, take a seat on the bed.” Coco insisted. Rarity did so. Taking a moment to take it all in, Rarity noticed Coco Pommel was dressed like a schoolgirl.

Schoolgirl. Coco Pommel was dressed like a schoolgirl … and the card had told Rarity to dress like a schoolteacher. Rarity didn't have to be a math genius to put two and two together.

“Coco Pommel, dear, what is going on?”

“Well, uh ...” Coco Pommel put a finger to her lip. “I liked it when you spanked me in the closet ...”

“What? But – but you were crying!”

“I wasn't crying because it hurt.” Coco Pommel said. “I was crying because it felt like I was betraying Suri, giving in to you. But Suri went out, and the more I thought about it ...”

Rarity smirked. “The more you realized you didn't care what Suri thought?”

Coco Pommel seemed reluctant to answer, but she nodded her head. “Yes. So I followed you back to your room and slid that card in under the door. Now you're here. Yay!” Coco Pommel clapped.

Rarity exhaled in relief, satisfied she had made the right decision in coming on to Coco Pommel the way she did.

Perhaps this was going to give her an arrogant ego complex about her oh-so-superb decision-making skills.

“You know,” Rarity started, taking off the glasses. She lifted the shirt up, exposing her bust, and wiped the glasses with the shirt. “Inviting me here while Suri's not here is quite naughty of you, Coco Pommel.”

Rarity put the glasses back on, tilting them towards Coco.

“And we know what happens to naughty girls, don't we?” Rarity spread adjusted her legs in a way that would be ideal for sitting.

Coco Pommel let out a squee. “Yes! Yes, we do!” She jumped into onto the bed and crawled onto Rarity's legs. She made sure to hold her rear up high so Rarity could reach it.

Rarity raised her hand and brought it down hard, causing Coco Pommel to yelp.

“Oh, teacher!” Coco whined, getting into character. “Please stop. I'll behave.”

“I'm afraid that's not good enough, dear.” Rarity said. “We must make sure to beat that misconduct out of you.” She spanked Coco again … and again … and again …

“S-stop!” Coco struggled to say, her face turning red with embarrassment and arousal. Rarity could tell she didn't mean it based on the huge smile she was wearing. Rarity continued spanking, Coco Pommel's delighted screams filling the room.

Coco's screams reached the hallway, confusing Rainbow Dash and the traveler.

“What are they doing in there?” The traveler asked.

“Beats me.” Rainbow Dash said. “Knowing Rarity, though, it's probably something good.”

The traveler eyed Rainbow Dash for a second. When he was sure Rainbow Dash wasn't looking, he whipped out a camera and peeped into her room. He took multiple snapshots, clicking away, his success at going unnoticed ensured by the camera's lack of flash or shutter noise.

“Well, it's been fun.” The traveler said, taking his leave.

“Yeah, sure.” Rainbow Dash didn't pay him any attention.

A few more minutes later, Rarity came out of the room. Unseen to Rainbow Dash in the room was a lustful and panting Coco Pommel on the bed. Rarity closed the door.

“Did you have fun?” Rainbow Dash asked Rarity.

“A little bit.” Rarity admitted. “I'll make sure to include you next time.”

Rainbow Dash smiled. “That's all I ask.”

“I'd best get this back to the shop. It's only a rental.” Rarity gesturing to her outfit.

“I wouldn't mind you dressing like that more often.”

“Darling, please … oh, who am I kidding? I look gorgeous. I must make an outfit like this for myself when we get back.”

Rarity left to return the costume. When she returned, she brought Rainbow Dash to bed to make up for lost cuddles.

“WHAT IS THIS!?” Rarity grabbed her hair and almost pulled it out. She was stopped by Rainbow Dash, who knew Rarity would complain for weeks while her hair regrew.

They had gone to bed last night and returned to the studio today to be greeted with a most unwelcome sight. Suri had stolen Rarity's designs again, just like at Fashion Week.

“Suri!” Rarity yelled at thin air.

Suri appeared, walking towards them with a spring in her step, Coco Pommel beside carrying bags beside her. “You called my name?”

“What is the meaning of this?” Rarity pointed at the dresses – the dresses Suri stole.

“It's like I keep trying to tell y'all, darling. It's every woman for herself in this town.”

Rarity huffed. “How you manage to be where you are now pilfering everyone's designs without getting caught amazes me. I imagine there are quite a few would-be designers whose careers were lost to your thievery.”

Suri shrugged. “Eh. They were weak.”

“What I want to know is, how did you even get them? I wasn't stupid enough to share anything with you except for my contempt this time.”

“You can thank your rainbow friend for that.” Suri pointed to Dash. “She was so busy watching your silicone body strut down the hall she didn't notice me take pictures.”

“You were the traveler with the glasses!” Rainbow realized.

“Ooh, she figured it out. Rarity, give your pet a dog biscuit, mmmkay?”

“Can I beat her up now?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I'm almost tempted to say yes ...” Rarity muttered.

“Rarity!” Prime Hemline beamed towards them. “Do you have your designs ready for show?”

“Uh, funny story about that.” Rainbow Dash forced a chuckle.

Suri glared at Rarity, daring her to try to tell Prim about Suri's activities – who would Prim believe, an established Manehatten designer or a wide-eyed girl from a country with big dreams?

“I've ran into a minor setback.” Rarity hissed. “If you'll just excuse me for an hour, I'll have something for you.”

“All right. I'm looking forward to your designs, Miss Belle. Don't let me down!” Prim waved her Rarity. She and Rainbow Dash bolted from the studio back to the hotel.

“Coco,” Suri said to her assistant, “go, like, follow them and make sure they don't that trick they did last time where they made new clothes in under a day.”

Although she didn't want to, Coco Pommel nodded. She followed them back to the hotel.

Rarity and Rainbow Dash retreated to their hotel room, where Rainbow Dash began pacing back and forth.

“What are we gonna do?” Rainbow Dash whined. “The last time Suri pulled this trick, we had all our friends here to help you make new dresses, but you only have me!”

“Yes, yes, it's a conundrum, isn't it?” Rarity muttered. She clicked her tongue, deep in thought.

“Whatever we decided to do, we better decide fast.” Rainbow said. “I'll bet Suri's telling Prim about how “her” inspiration for the dresses.”

Rarity snapped her fingers. “You know what, Rainbow Dash? I can accept not winning this time. But for Celestia's sake, Suri cannot be allowed to continue robbing people's designs! We must put a stop to it. We are not going to salvage ourselves. We are going to sabotage Suri.”

Rainbow Dash sighed, tapping her head. “You know, I brought you that invite because I thought it would let us relax, not stress out even more ...”

“Think nothing of it, darling.” Rarity swung the door open. She was surprised at first to find Coco Pommel. “Ah, Coco Pommel. If my guess is correct, Suri told you to spy on us?”

Coco Pommel nodded. “Um, yes. Um, please don't hate me ...”

“Hate you?” Rarity brought her arm around Coco and put Coco into her cleavage. “Darling, why would I would hate you? It's not your fault you have to obey such a cruel, despicable woman.” Rarity let her go. “Ta-ta!” Rarity shooed Coco Pommel away.

“Wait, that's it?” Rainbow asked. “You're just gonna let her go?”

“Yes, darling. We're just going to let her go … and in an hour or so, we'll go back to the studio.” Rarity cupped Rainbow's cheek. “Trust me. I have a plan.”

Sipping her coffee, Suri Polomare was feeling good about herself. Her assistant did what she told her to do, like a good assistant should. She had duped and fooled Rarity a second time, and she was going to get off scot-free because Coco would sabotage any of Rarity's attempts at salvaging her situation.

Suri went to check on “her” designs. She did a spit-take with her coffee. Someone had ruined them, taking a pair of scissors and cutting them up like they had been run through a blender.

“Who is responsible for this?” Suri demanded. “Who ruined my designs?”

“Your designs?” Rarity asked, walking up to Suri. “It's just as well.”

“You!” Suri pointed at Rarity. “You did this?”

“My, my. Rainbow Dash, it seems as though Suri doesn't like it when her “every woman for herself” mantra gets turned against her, does she?”

Coco Pommel appeared on the scene. “Rarity, I did – oh.” She noticed Suri. “Hello, Suri.”

Suri saw the handles of scissors peeking out from Coco Pommel's pocket. “Coco, you ruined my dresses? After everything I did for you?”

“Rarity's dresses.” Coco Pommel said, clenching her fists. “They were Rarity's dresses. And you didn't do anything for me! You took me off the streets because it was convenient for you! Between you and the streets I didn't HAVE a choice. At least, I thought as much … but Rarity coming back reminded me of how unpleasant you truly are. So when Rarity slipped this into my pocket ...” Coco Pommel pulled out a note. “Offering to make it worth my while if I ruined your – HER dresses you stole, well … I couldn't say no.”

“Yes. You did a fine job. As promised ...” Rarity pulled out a sack of bits and handed it to Coco Pommel. “I imagine there's twice as much bits in there as Suri pays you in a year. Perhaps three times as much.”

Suri sounded like a rabid wolverine when she snarled. “Grr! You won't get away with this, Coco Pommel! I'll tell everyone in Manehatten about how disloyal you are! You'll never work in this town again!”

“I imagine so, given Suri's penchant for deceit and trickery.” Rarity said. She walked around Coco Pommel in circles. “Suri will lie to every business owner in the city, spread gossip and rumors everywhere. No one in this town will hire you again!”

Coco Pommel sniffed a little. All the work she did for Rarity sabotaging Suri's theft, and what did she have to show for it? Not only was Suri going to fire her, but after Suri made her rounds, she couldn't get work as something as lowly as a waitress.

Rarity threw her arm around Coco Pommel's shoulder. “Coco Pommel, how would you like to come to Ponyville to work as my assistant?”

Coco Pommel brightened up. “Wha- you mean it?”

“Would I lie to you? You're a good assistant, you're a nice girl when certain others aren't taking advantage of you and I could use an extra hand with my fashion business.”

Suri snorted like a boar ready to charge. “You can't do that!”

“Miss Belle is free to do whatever she wishes, unlike you.” Prim Hemline said. “Coco Pommel was kind enough to bring me this camera and its photos, which is more than sufficient proof for me to show you stole Rarity's designs. It is YOU, Suri Polomare, who will never work in this town again. And rest assured, with this discovery, we will be investigating all of your previous fashions lines to see if you stole them as well.”

Suri's jaw dropped. Rarity knew Suri was as good as ruined.

“One last thing before I take my leave, Suri. You said something about silicone?” Rarity placed a hand on her chest. “Well, they're real and they're spectacular.”

“Come now, darlings.” Rarity said, grabbing Rainbow Dash and Coco Pommel. “Let's go celebrate, shall we?”

Rarity had enough fashion for one day, so she went home with entourage, but not before Prim Hemline let hr know she had a retroactive reward for second place for her stolen designs. Which was fine by Rarity, as long as first place wasn't Suri.

By the time they got home, it was dark outside. Sweetie Belle should have been in bed.

Rarity had no trouble entering her own house. Rainbow Dash didn't have any either, but Coco Pommel was nowhere near as comfortable as they were.

“I've never been to your house before ...” Coco muttered as Rarity set her keys on the table.

“Well, feel free to look around, darling. Oh, provided you don't wake Sweetie Belle.”

“Who's Sweetie Belle?”

“Her sister.” Dash answered. “Just turned eighteen a few days ago.”

“That's nice.” Coco mumbled. She watched as Rainbow Dash rummaged through the cabinets. “What are you doing?”

“Getting us something to celebrate beating Suri.” Rainbow Dash pulled out a bottle of champagne.

“Rainbow Dash!” Rarity scolded. “Put that back! It's reserved for special occasions!”

“Are you saying beating Suri Polomare, exposing she's a fraud, and saving the careers of all the artists she's wrecked over the years on top of getting Coco Pommel as your new assistant isn't special?” Rainbow Dash smirked.

This was, of course, impressive on its own and cause for celebration, but Rarity was more focused on letting Coco Pommel know she was welcome.

So, sometime later, she and Rainbow Dash were drunk as could be, slurring their words, laughing at mundane things which weren't funny in the least and swaying back and forth. Coco Pommel held her liquor better, or least paced herself better, as she was still sober while they were slammed.

“You – you remember the time -” Rarity said. She and Rainbow Dash burst into laughter before she finished and whatever it was Rarity was going to say didn't come up in the conversation again.

Coco Pommel just smiled, watching as their laughter made their bodies move back and forth.

Rarity yelled when a splat appeared on her dress, getting the area around her breast damp.

“Rarity?” Coco Pommel asked. “Are you all right? What's going on?”

Rarity groaned, cupping her breast. She turned to Rainbow Dash. “It'sh … been too long, darling. Let'sh go upsssstairsh ...”

Rainbow Dash set her cup down and gave Rarity support to stand up. Despite being drunk, Rainbow Dash was still able to help Rarity up the stairs to their room.

Coco Pommel was mystified. What was Rarity talking about? What had been too long? She didn't want to interrupt their privacy. She also didn't want to be left in the dark. She remained indecisive, tilting her like a metronome until she thought of all the times she was indecisive under Suri's - for lack of a better word - “care.”

Coco took a sip of her drink in the hopes the alcohol would give her confidence before going up the stairs. Rarity and Rainbow Dash had left the door to their room open. Coco took this to mean it was okay for her to come in, though she would have thought Rainbow Dash would have learned not to leave the door open after what Suri did in the hotel.

“H-hello?” Coco inched the door open. She blushed right away. Rainbow Dash was on top of Rarity, who had pulled her clothes down, exposing her massive breasts. Coco could tell they had been about to engage in ... consenting adult actions before she walked on them.

“Oh, hello, Coco, darling!” Rarity greeted with a surprising polite tone, as most people would be upset someone walked in on them before sex. “Do you need shomthing, darling? In cashhse you couldn't tell, Rainbow Dahsh and I were in the middle of shomthing ...”

“Oh no, nothing. It's no trouble, I'll just … leave.” Coco Pommel began to close the door.

“Wait!” Rarity said. She patted an empty space next to the bed. “Come, sit down. We can talk for a bit.”

“Um, are you sure?” Coco asked.

“Yesh! Rainbow Dahsh won't mind, ishn't that right, Dahsh?”

“Yeah, shure. Jusht … jusht as long as we get to our private time.” Dash muttered.

Per Rarity's urging, Coco Pommel sat down on the side of the bed. “Um … do you want to cover up?”

“It'sh fine, dar-” Rarity was interrupted by a hiccup. “Darling! Now, tell ush what you need.”

“Oh, no no!” Coco held her hands up. “I don't need anything at all. I was just worried about you two.”

“That'sh shweet of you.” Rarity muttered, swaying back and forth.

“Um ...” Coco stuttered, not sure how to process being allowed on a couple's bed while they were both half-dresses and ready to do the private tango. She supposed she might as well ask a question which was bothering her. “At the studio, you said something … about your breasts. Are they real? I know you said they were, but are they?”

“Yesh, of courshe!” Rarity curled her fingers around her breasts. “Real and proud of it.”

“Yeah. Why would you think they weren't?”

“Well, um. In Manehatten, if a girl has anything bigger than b-cup, she has implants. That's the rule of thumb.”

“Not here!” Rainbow Dash said. “We grow 'em up big out in the country, and I don't just mean the breashs. We do everything bigger here.”

“If you like ...” Rarity offered, sitting up. “You can stay and watch, because they're about to get bigger.”

Coco Pommel was surprised, confused, and more than a little bit intrigued. How could they get any bigger?

Rarity waved a spoon around. The spoon had a white substance like sugar or salt on it. “Watch.” Rarity inserted the spoon into her mouth. A lump formed in her throat as she swallowed.

“Now what?” Coco asked out of curiosity. A few minutes in, little happened. A few more minutes in, however, Rarity's breasts began to grow bit by bit, expanding in diameter with every second and making sounds like liquid sloshing.

“Ah-haa ...” Rarity sighed. “That's good … it's been too long since we last did this, Rainbow Dash.”

“Did what?” Coco asked, blushing a little at Rarity's expanded breasts.

Rarity looked to Rainbow Dash. “Should we tell her?”

“She already saw the powder. Too late to quit now.”

“Coco ...” Rarity said. “Rainbow Dahsh and I have a little ritual we do. It involves … this.” Rarity took her hands to her breasts and pressed the flesh, forcing a spurt of white liquid out.

“Breast milk?” Coco Pommel asked. She jumped off the bed. “I'm sorry, I shouldn't have interrupted you. I'll leave now.” Coco Pommel made for the door, overhearing Rarity and Dash whisper to each other.

“Coco Pommel?” Rarity asked, stopping Coco Pommel in her tracks.

“Yes?” Coco asked.

“How would you like to join us tonight?” Rarity asked, squeezing milk out of her breast. “It's your first week with us, and I want it to be special. After all the time you spent under Suri, I want to make you feel … special.”

“Oh, gee, I don't know. Is- is Rainbow Dash okay with it?”

“Yes. What do you think we were whispering about? Sweet nothings to each other?

“Well, yes.”

“Rainbow Dash and I have worked something out.” Rarity explained. “Whether or not I can involved other people in our adult activities is dependent – and I quote – on whether or not Rainbow Dash finds it “sexy.””

“I have no problem backing off and watching you drink Rarity's milk inshtead.” Rainbow Dash said, hovering in the air and adjusting herself like a scarf around Rarity's neck so there was room for Coco Pommel to lay on top.

“Oh, um. All right.” Coco Pommel didn't want to drink milk out of Rarity's breast (because come on, that was creepy) but she figured she might as well after Rarity had been gracious enough to rescue her from Suri and give her a place to stay.

Coco crawled on top of Rarity like an uncertain caterpillar. She mustered up the courage to continue and stopped short of putting her mouth on Rarity's breast.

“Something wrong, darling?”

“Sorry, it's just … they're so big!” Coco exclaimed. “You shouldn't be able to have breasts this big. They're almost hypnotic.”

“So I've heard.” Rarity gave a sly look at Rainbow Dash. “Now, darling, please … drink.” Coco Pommel put her mouth on Rarity's teat and suckled.

“Mmm.” Coco Pommel was expecting the milk to taste nasty and much too sweet. The original purpose for breast milk was for feeding children. But Rarity's milk tasted pleasant. Coco wouldn't have hesitated as much as she did if knew the milk was this good.

“That's it, darling, that's it ...” Rarity encouraged her.

Coco Pommel popped her lips off to take a breath. “Your milk tastes good, Rarity.”

“Thank you, darling.”

Coco Pommel looked up at her hosts. Rarity with her huge, milk-filled breasts out, and Rainbow Dash perched on Rarity's shoulder with her wings out and arms around Rainbow Dash, looking down at her with a perverse smile … Coco Pommel felt like she had stumbled into the den of a pair of succubi, who had been so amused at her accidentally discovery of them they decided to let her stay, if only for a little while.

“Coco Pommel, what's wrong?” Rarity cooed, speaking like a mother caring for a child – and not a breast milk-obsessed pervert who had conscripted her new assistant into helping with her bizarre sexual interests. “Why did you stop? Is my milk not good enough? Are you uncomfortable with the idea?”

“No, no, it's just … a little overwhelming.”

“Coco Pommel, dear, I played by your rules when I spanked you in the hotel room. Now I expect you to play by mine.”

“No way.” Dash laughed. “You spanked her?”

“Yesh!” Rarity answered, her slur returning. “Shpanked her until her rump was red as an apple!”

Coco Pommel only now caught to the fact Rarity hadn't been slurring for awhile now. Was she faking being drunk? Or maybe she was just concentrating on coherent sentences to help coax Coco Pommel to join her in the bed?

“I think you need a little encouragement ...” Rarity purred to Coco. She grabbed her breast and squeezed, spraying Coco Pommel's face and chest with the milk.

“Aww, hey! No fair. You never do that to me ...” Dash complained.

“You, darling, never need encouragement.”

“All right, that's it.” Rainbow Dash spread her wings and flew up. “Move over, Coco.”

“Do-do you want me to leave now?” Coco asked.

“Not at all.” Rarity said. “Just move over to give Rainbow some room.” Rarity scratched her chin. “It's been some time since I could experience the feeling of two people nursing both my breasts at once ...”

Rainbow Dash positioned herself. Rarity addressed Rainbow Dash's complaint and squeezed her other breasts, spraying Rainbow Dash down with the milk.

“Oooh yes ...” Rainbow Dash moaned as the milk covered her face and chest. Coco Pommel could tell being covered in milk was having a strong effect on Rainbow Dash, if her flared-up wings were anything to go by.

“That's enough showering, now, darlings … drink.” Rarity commanded.

Coco Pommel resumed and Rainbow Dash started suckling Rarity's breasts. Rarity moaned loud enough to wake the sleeping residents nearby houses.

“Yes, darlings. Drink my delicious milk from my huge, impossible-” She winked at Coco Pommel. “-breasts. Savor the vanilla taste. Feel the milk as it flows over your tongue and down your throat. Moan at the feeling you get as it fills you up … all the milk filling you up and up … don't you feel so full? So full, with my delicious milk weighing you down. Mmm, if only there was some relieve that weight you must be feeling … yes. I can feel your bodies warming up. Pay tribute to your goddess.”

A spasm ripped though Coco Pommel's body. It was funny to hear Rarity call herself a “goddess,” but credit where credit was due -Coco Pommel could say with absolutely certainty she had never been talked to an orgasm before.

Coco Pommel popped her mouth off Rarity's breast. “Oh, wow, Rarity … that was amazing.” Coco Pommel looked up to see Rarity fall backwards and drift to sleep. A quick glance to the right showed Rainbow Dash had done the same, nestling under Rarity's breast. And they were all still covered – Coco would go so far as to say drenched - in milk. Milk on Coco's chest, milk on Rainbow's face, milk on Rarity's enormous tracts of land …

A part of Coco said leaving them to sleep with milk all over them would be disgusting because it would be dried up and flaky in the morning. Another part of her said it would be arousing for the same reason. The part which said it was disgusting won out in the end. Being careful not to disturb Rarity or Dash, she got off the bed to go fetch a towel.

Unknown to her, someone had been watching from the other side of the door. The door was open as Coco was interrupted by Rarity's invitation when she last tried to close it. On the other side Sweetie Belle. She was asleep, but the laughter Rarity and Dash made in the kitchen while drinking had woken her. She decided to follow the strange blue-haired woman to Rarity's bed, where Sweetie Belle had watched and learned the secret of the powder.

“So that's what they're doing ...” Sweetie Belle muttered. She saw Coco Pommel get up after they had finish and bolted for her bedroom before Coco found her out.

Coco stepped out of the room. She was confused why the door was swinging back and forth, like someone had been holding it and then sped off …

The next morning, Rarity raised an eyebrow when she woke up to find Rainbow Dash and Coco Pommel pressed up against her exposed breasts.

“Darlings?” Rarity spoke, rousing them both from slumber.

“Huh?” Dash muttered.

Coco Pommel smacked her lips and yawned. Her eyes widened at the sight of Rarity's valley of flesh. “Oh, Rarity! I'm so sorry! You invited me to your and Rainbow Dash's ritual and you were drunk and I knew I shouldn't have joined you but I did it anyway and -”

Rarity pinched Coco Pommel's mouth shut. “Rainbow Dash, inform Coco Pommel of the rule.”

“No drama until after breakfast.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Yes. We wouldn't to say something we regret because of an empty stomach.”

Biding Rainbow Dash downstairs to get things out for a quick and easy breakfast, Rarity went down and made herself some coffee. Coco was the last one down, and she took a seat on the table.

Rarity made sure to give Coco some of the cocoa. Rarity took a sip of her own coffee before sitting down with Coco.

“So, what happened last night?” Rarity asked.

“You invited me to suckle your breast milk and … Rainbow Dash and I suckled it together.” Coco sipped her coffee. “At the same time, I mean. I'm sorry.”

“Darling, please. If anyone should apologize, it should be me.”

Coco blinked. “What? I don't understand.”

“Perhaps you should have taken into account our drunkenness, but I won't hold it against you. It's not a stretch to think I wouldn't have invited you to drink anyway. I'll let you in on a secret.” Rarity clutched her breasts, which embarrassed Coco. “The feeling I get when I have two people nursing me at the same time … oh, it's like a stimulatory overload! I can't get enough of it.”

“So ...” Coco said. “What does that mean for me?”

Rarity took Coco's hand. “It means, provided you can overlook my transgressions, all is forgiven.”

“You're overlooked.” Coco blushed. She sipped her coffee. “If I'm honest, I kind of liked it. It was much nicer than anything Suri did for me.”

Rarity narrowed her eyes, the way a tiger would before pouncing on prey. “Oh?”

“Yes. Sometimes Suri … Suri would have me involved sexually.” Coco explained. “It was always about what she wanted, never what I wanted. Although I guess last night was more about what you wanted. You were nice about it, though. You asked me if I was uncomfortable, which more of a consideration than Suri ever gave me.”

Rarity pursed her lips. “Excuse me, darling.” She left the kitchen.

“Oh no.” Rainbow Dash said. She went after Rarity.

“What's wrong?”

“Nothing, Coco. Stay here for a minute, okay?” Rainbow Dash fibbed to Coco. She caught up with Rarity just before Rarity went through the door.

“You're not going where I think you're going, are you?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“She abused Coco, darling.” Rarity answered.

“Yeah, but we already figured that out.” Rainbow Dash.

“Yes, but we didn't know it was sexual.” Rarity growled. “I must make her suffer more.”

“For what? Being a mirror of us? You don't abuse me.”

“Some might have a different opinion. Ahem, Applejack.”

Rainbow Dash ignored Rarity's comment about Applejack and focused on Suri. “She's already lost her job and she won't be able to find a job in Manehatten.” Rainbow Dash explained. “How much more can you make her suffer?”

“You'd be surprised.”

Rainbow Dash sighed and shook her head. “I'm not going to be able to stop you, am I?”

“No. Don't wait up for me, darling.”

Rarity opened the door and left.

“Dear Suri Polomare ...” Rarity started, pacing as she held a quill and papyrus with her magic. “Hmm, what next? Oh yes, I know! I am terribly sorry for the way our last encounter ended.” Rarity twirled and leaned forward to check the page to make sure the quill had transcribed adequately. “But Princess Celestia teaches to forgive and forget. I would be ever so honored if you would appreciate joining me for one of Fancypant's parties. I do have some pull with him.”

“There.” Rarity folded up the parchment and placed it into a mailbox. Suri would be suspicious of anything Rarity sent her, but an invite to an influential party with Fancypants would be too much for a glamor hound like Suri to resist, especially after the state Rarity and Prim left her in.

In Canterlot's hospital, Fancypants attended Fluer's bedside. He held her hand as the various monitors she was connected to failed to report anything out of the ordinary. On the bright side, Fluer's stomach was no longer swollen. On the flipside of that, she wasn't any closer to feeling any better and now her whole body was covered in orange droplets, like she had been sweating orange-tinted tea.

“We'll get through this.” Fancypants assured her, patting her hand. “We will.” Fleur gave Fancypants a smile for trying to make her feel better, even though she had trouble believing him.

A doctor stepped into the room. “Fancypants? You have a visitor.”

“Send him in.”

The doctor bowed and guided the visitor in – Rarity.

“Rarity, dear.” Fancypants perked up at her. “What a boon it is to have you here in these dark times.”

“Er, yes.” Rarity grimaced, holding her hand in front of her. She had come here with her own agenda, to ask Fancypants to set up the party she had invited Suri to. She thought – or hoped – Fluer-de-lis' condition was a minor one, like a bicycle accident or sprained ankle. Seeing Fluer-de-lis bedridden made her realize she was being selfish to expect Fancypants to throw a party just so Rarity could spring a trap when his dear friend was in this state.

Fancypants took his hands off Fluer. “Now, I presume you wouldn't be in Canterlot without a reason. Do you know what happened to Fluer before, or were you just in the neighborhood?”

“Well, to tell the truth, I was hoping you could throw one of your famous parties for a friend of mine.” Rarity was lying. Suri was no friend of hers. Rarity glanced at Fluer. “But now I see what a selfish expectation that was.”

“So you'll understand if I'm not in a partying mood.” Fancypants's tone was dour. “I must attend Fluer.”

Rarity nodded. “I think I'll take my leave. Perhaps I'll buy something from the gift shop on my way out.”

“Wait ...” Fluer said, raising her hand. “Fancypants … I want you to throw the party.”

“What? But you -”

“I'll be fine.” Fluer told him. “Nothing's gonna change because you're not here. If the doctors find out anything, they'll call you right away.”

“But ...”

“Fancypants, the doctors could discover something today, or something in a few months.” Inverting their positions, Fluer grabbed Fancypants' hand. “I don't want you here, wasting away in the hospital while you wait for me to recover … you have your own life to live, and I don't want you to throw away looking after mine.”

“I ...”

Rarity put a hand on Fancypants' hand. “She's right, you know.”

Fancypants looked to her, then back to Fluer. He adjusted his monocle. “Yes, I suppose she is. Rarity, you and your friend shall have your party.”

Suri accepted Rarity's invitation and came to Canterlot. Rarity had been kind enough to provide a train ticket from Manehatten to Canterlot in the letter. Suri didn't trust Rarity as far she could throw her, but to get in a party with Fancypants, the most influential businessman in Canterlot … well, how could a girl say no?

Going into the town square, Suri looked around for signs of her host.

“Suri!” Rarity exclaimed, startling Suri by sliding into her side vision the way a ghost would pop out of a haunted jewelry box. “So glad you can make it, darling! I was worried you wouldn't come.”

Suri was skilled in deceit, lies, and double-talk. She saw right through to the hidden meaning of Rarity's words about being worried.

“Oh, yes.” Suri growled. “I might never had come if weren't for the promise of a Fancypants party.”

Rarity invaded Suri's personal space by curling her arm around Suri. Suri might have been skilled at manipulation, but Rarity was better. “The party won't be for awhile. Fancypants has to round up the gang, you see.”

“I see.” Suri pursed her lips, displeased at the news.

“Won't you join me for some lunch while we wait?” Rarity asked.

“I guess.”

“Excellent. I know just the place.” Rarity steered Suri to an outdoor restaurant down the street. Without wasting any trouble, Rarity ushered Suri into a table and hailed a waiter.

“What would you fine young ladies like?” The waiter asked, taking out a notepad.

“Your best salad should suffice.” Rarity said, lying in the chair with a carefree air as though she owned it and everything around it.

“I'll take the same.” Suri said, never taking her eye off Rarity. The waiter wrote down their orders and left.

“So, what have you been up to?” Rarity inquired, talking to Suri like she was a long-lost friend instead of a recent enemy.

Suri growled.

“Oh, right. I'm sorry, insensitive question.” Rarity flicked her hand.

Suri slammed her fists against the table. “Rarity, why don't you drop the act?”

“Act? Whatever do you mean, darling?”

“I mean, what are you up to? What are you planning? I know you wouldn't be this nice to me unless you were planning something.”

Rarity gave Suri a look of pity. “Sometimes people are nice just to be nice.”

“No, they're not.” Suri insisted. “They always want something to get out of you.”

Rarity was saddened. Suri must have bad experiences with people if she couldn't grasp the concept someone was being nice for niceness' sake. Not that Rarity wasn't doing anything to help that notion, with what she had planned.

The waiters returned with their salads for them, laying each plate in front of them. “Is there anything else I could get for you, mademoiselles?”

“Yes.” Rarity gestured to Suri. “Can you recommend your deserts to my friend here?”

“Certainly.”

“What?” Suri exclaimed as the waiter went over deserts, oblivious to Suri's confusion. “I don't want any deserts! I need to watch my figure.” Suri tried to tell the waiter to stop, but he didn't seem to be listening. Rarity took the distraction to lean over and sprinkle some black powder into Suri's salad, which blended into the food with no visible difference.

The waiter at last heard Suri's demands for him to stop and left them.

“That was weird.” Suri muttered, looking down at her salad. Rarity had already began eating.

Suri remained suspicious of Rarity's motives. Her suspicions only increased when Rarity stood up from her chair and announced the party was ready as soon as they had finished eating. Suri was too focused on the chance to meet with Fancypants to question it, letting Rarity guide her to Fancypants' mansion.

Seeing the actual mansion made Suri feel a little tingly. Whatever Rarity might have planned, the party invitation wasn't a trick. Rarity brought Suri through the gates, where Fancypants and his entourage were waiting.

“Rarity. Right on time, as always.” Fancypants observed. “I take it this is your friend?”

“Yes. Her name is Suri Polomare. You two have fun.” Rarity pushed Suri towards Fancypants went to the catering table to grab a drink.

“Hello, Suri.” Fancypants offered his hand. “I'm-”

“Fancypants, yes.” Suri grabbed his hand. “I know who are you.” She was so excited, she felt a little bubbly in her stomach.

“Rarity tells me you're a fashion designer?” Fancypants said.

Suri nodded. “Yes! I make all my own custom clothes for clients.” From the shadows, Rarity gave Suri a cold, icy stare.

“Ah. Like Rarity herself, I see. Figures you would bump into each other sooner or later.”

“Mh-hmm.” Suri said. She was about to ready to pour the charm on Fancypants. She'd butter him up and schmooze up to him. She would get him to love her, and in return, he'd give a place to stay and all the money she'd ever need.

Or least she thought so, until the bubbly feeling in her stomach doubled and shot up her throat, causing her to vomit all over Fancypants' clothes. His entourage let out a gasp of shock, appalled Suri would be so daring as to throw up all over him.

Fancypants had more polite worries. “Suri, dear, are you all right? Do you need to lie down? Some antacids, maybe?”

“No, no, sugar.” Suri muttered, lurching and clutching her stomach. “I think I'm fine.” Suri proved herself incorrect, throwing up on the grass two more times before her stomach quit. Once she was able to direct her own body again, Suri locked eyes on Rarity, who was standing aloof by the table.

“You!” Suri launched at Rarity. “You did this, didn't you?”

Rarity sipped her drink. “Yes, I did. Would you like to hear how? I paid off the waiter to keep talking and ignore you while I slipped some vomit medication in your food. And of course, the food itself was so you would have something for your stomach to throw up with.”

“Why?” Suri growled. “Haven't you ruined me enough?”

“No.” Rarity hissed. “Not since I learned you abused Coco Pommel in a sexual matter. So I had Fancypants throw a party and slipped you something to make you throw up all over him. The man himself is gracious enough, but his entourage … well, let's just say in a few days time, rumors and exaggerations of you throwing up on the most influential man in Canterlot will be all over the news. And your reputation will be so tarnished, no will work with in you. Not just in Manehatten, but all of Equestria.” Rarity continued enjoying her drink.

Suri screamed and tackled Rarity, knocking the cup out of Rarity's hands and its contents all over the table. Suri pinned Rarity to the ground. Rarity was a better fighter than Suri anticipated, striking Suri with her elbow and throwing her off. Rarity got up. Suri staggered and tackled her again. The two of them wrestled back and forth, neither maintaining the advantage for long, until they threw themselves inside Fancypants' mansion.

“Should we do something?” One of Fancypants' entourage asked him.

“Perhaps we should call the Royal Guard to break things up.” Fancypants turned around to exit his ground. He was in luck, as a Royal Guard was already coming to him “Eh?”

“Mister Pants,” The Guard addressed him. “I'm afraid we have some bad news. Your significant other, Fluer-de-lis, escaped the hospital.”

“What? How?”

“We're not sure. Somehow, she slipped through without being seen by anybody.”

Fancypants shook his head. “Getting out of crowded places without being seen is something you learn to do as a celebrity. I wonder where she could have gone … and why?”

Inside the mansion, Rarity and Suri's fight continued. Suri threw Rarity against a podium. Rarity launched herself off it and tackled Suri to the ground. Suri rolled over and struck Rarity in the back. Suri forced Rarity onto her stomach, climbed onto her back, and took her time striking Rarity. Rarity reached her hand out and used her magic to pull a flower vase towards them, smashing it over Suri's head. Rarity stood up and kicked Suri while she was down – in the stomach.

“Gah!” Suri growled as she got up. “You'll pay for this, you – country girl!”

“Spoiled brat!”

“Floozy!”

“Oh, I'M the floozy?” Rarity asked, pointing to herself.

“Yes.” Suri huffed. “With your white, low-cut dresses that show off your cleavage!”

Rarity laid her hand across said cleavage. “Flaunt it if you got it, sister. And, sister, don't be jealous of me just because you do not “got it.””

Rarity added injury to insult by sidestepping towards Suri and twirling around, hitting Suri in the face with the side of her breasts.

“Rrraaah!” Suri raised her hands and lunged at Rarity, once again knocking Rarity to the ground and grappling with her. “Floozy!”

“You used that insult already.”

“Oh. Um … talentless hack!”

“Thief!”

“Silicon-loaded fake!”

“Fraud! And I keep telling you, THEY'RE NATURAL!”

“Liar! There's no way a girl could have a natural bust as fantastic as that.”

“Oh, you think they're fantastic? Thank you. Where were we? Two-faced sneak!”

“HOMEWRECKER!”

“HAG!”

Their escalation of insults came to an abrupt, screeching halt when they both heard the sound of the door swinging open with force like a wrecking ball had been swung through it.

Rarity and Suri were shocked to see Fluer-de-lis in the doorway. Rarity's eyes shrunk in terror, as she recognized the malady which had stricken Fluer-de-lis.

Standing in the hallway with a hunch, Fluer-de-lis was covered in an orange, goopy, slime substance. It covered her legs and tapered downwards, like a tail on a snake. The same substance was pouring down her arms, turning into long tentacles which touched the floor. Orange liquid seeped from the tentacle's tips, getting the floor messy and soggy. Little extensions flailed from her shoulders, and a mass of slime slithered around her face, covering one side and then the other like a bipolar opera mask that couldn't decide which side it wanted to be on.

“FANCYPANTS!” Fluer bellowed. “I'M HUUUUUNGRRRRY!”

Fluer-de-lis eyes drifted downward. She noticed Suri and Rarity tangled up on the floor.

“Oh my.” Fluer purred with a sultry tone. She licked her lips with a slime-coated tongue. “Don't you two look … delicious.”

Author's Notes:

So I read this post on the Writer's Group about “Words To Seek and Destroy In Your Writing” which included the following: really, like, that, and then. All of which I know I use a lot.

Now, I had read about some other jerk advocating against suddenly, and one of my teachers recommend against “very”, so I had already worked on cutting those out.

But on a similar subject, I have now discovered Stephen King recommends you kill your adverbs. (Words that end in “ly”) which is weird, as I could have sworn that J.K Rowling used adverbs (particularly in speech attributions, such as “he said proudly.”) So with this chapter, I experimented a little bit to remove any words that ended in “ly” and cut down on “that,” “really,” and “like,” except for when removing those words made a more awkward sentence than not.

Let me know what you think about the end result. Is it good, bad, better, worse? Should I write as I have been, or should I work on cutting out any and all adverbs?

I got a review saying Applejack was slightly out of character last chapter. Hopefully I fixed that here, or least will be able to before the story ends.