Rarity and Rainbow Dash walked out of the building, the support group meeting an apparent success, though Rainbow Dash noticed Rarity wouldn’t take her eyes off the ground.

“Hey, why so glum?” Dash put a finger to Rarity’s chin and tilted her head up. “Wasn’t it nice to talk about your feelings and what you’re going through with the others?”

“I suppose.” Rarity flicked her head away from Dash’s finger. “But … I don’t know, Rainbow Dash. I mean, how am I supposed to talk about all of this with them? Are any of them going to really understand what I’ve been through?”

Rainbow Dash put her hands on Rarity’s shoulders. “Yes. They’ll know exactly what you’ve been through, Rarity. They’re all ex-addicts. That’s what it means to be part of an Addicts Anonymous meeting. You understand that, right? They all know what it’s like to have your head muddled by a substance, and for your friends to talk about you behind your back for something that might not even been your fault, or for doing something you wouldn’t normally do … ”

Rarity crossed her arms and rubbed her shoulders. “I admit, it ... was nice to get all of that off my chest. But I’m still not convinced coming here again is really the best choice for me.”

“Are you even listening to yourself? You sound ridiculous. ‘Ooh, it was nice, but I don’t want to do it again, ooh! Look at me, I’m Rarity, and I like to spend my wallowing in my own self-misery instead of talking about it with friends!’”

“Given how well some of our friends have handled the situation, I think I am well within my rights to be skeptical.” Rarity said.
“Rarity, I wasn’t told sold on the idea either at first.” Rainbow Dash said. “I had to go a few times before I realized how much it was helping. Have I been cranky recently? Have I clawed at your chest, wanting some more white poison? Did I seem bitter and guarded around anyone? No … well, aside from Shining Armor. The point is, Rarity, that it helps.”

Dash held Rarity by the shoulders. “Promise you’ll go a few more times before you blow off the idea entirely.”

Rarity pursed her lips. “Very well. But what about Blueberry Bite? Won’t she be … resentful considering what I did to her and her sons all that years ago?”

“Rarity, if there’s anyone in there who’s going to understand exactly what you were going through - aside from me, of course - it’s going to be Blueberry Bite. She got infected, too, you know. She’ll know what it’s like.”

“Hmm.” Rarity gave a soft smile, reassured by Rainbow Dash’s encouraging words. They turned to walk back home, hand-in-hand, but their feet stopped on the grass and their smiles disappeared when they saw Twilight Sparkle standing in front of them.

“Hi.” Twilight waved, keeping one hand behind back. She rocked on her ankles. “I was, uh, in the neighborhood and passing by … I saw you come out of the building, so I walked over and figured I would say hi and ... “ Twilight sighed. “Look, Rarity, I wanted to talk about what happened at your house.”

Rarity crossed her arms. “I have nothing to say to you.”

“And I can accept that, but just … let me say what I have to say, okay?” Twilight asked.

“Why should I?” Rarity snapped. “What possible reason could I have to trust the word of my so-called friend who stood back and did nothing as I was accused of crimes I did not commit and of being a dangerous maverick?”

“Ugh.” Twilight put a hand to her forehead. “You’re right.”

Rarity blinked. That hadn’t been the response she was expecting. “I’m sorry?”

“You’re absolutely right.” Twilight said. “I’m a Princess now. I could - should have done something. All I needed to say was a few words and everyone would have cleared out the room. But I didn’t. I was caught by surprise by how much vitriol Harshwhinny had to say against you, everything got heated and hostile, and I didn’t think to do anything until it was too late and you …” Twilight’s voice broke, and her eyes welled up with tears. “You almost went out the window … Rarity, I’m sorry. I understand if you don’t want to forgive me. You don’t have to. But I won’t stop trying to make it up to you, and I promise you, I’ll be ordering a thorough investigation into Harshwhinny and see it to it that she’s properly reprimanded.”

Rarity looked away before looking back to Twilight. “My apologies, Twilight Sparkle, but that isn’t-”

Rainbow Dash grabbed Rarity by the wrist. “Rarity … think about what you’re about to say, and think about what Twilight is saying.”

Rarity’s jaw hung open.

“I understand why you feel the way you feel right now, how angry you are … but Twilight is trying to apologize.” Rainbow Dash said. “There is no reason to be this venomous towards her. If you keep acting like this, even when our friends are trying to help and apologize … it’s no wonder we keep alienating everyone.”

Rarity grimaced and turned to Twilight. “I … thank you, Twilight. That’s … a good start.” She turned back to Rainbow Dash. “Those sessions really did help you clear your head, didn’t they?”

Rainbow Dash shrugged and smiled. “What can I say? Talk may be cheap, but it helps.”

Rarity chuckled.

Twilight, standing feet away, shirked and smiled, happy to have to laid the first brick in mending broken bridges with Rarity. Her smile faded and she looked around. “Say, do you either of you hear buzzing sounds?”

The three of them searched around.

Rarity pointed to the sky, detecting the source of the noise. “There. Take cover!”

Sunset Shimmer was buzzing over their heads, her wings flapping with fury. She landed on the ground, slamming her feet and a fist into the dirt, honey dripping from her body as she raised her head up.

Sunset panted, glaring at Twilight Sparkle before charging at her. “You!” Sunset lunged her with claws raised. Twilight was able to keep her wits about her and use a teleport spell, appearing behind Sunset.

“Everything I’ve suffered through … all the things that were done to me since I came back here … it’s all because of you!” Sunset snarled, lunging at Twilight again, her arms crossing in a desperate attempt to grab Twilight before she teleported away again, but to no avail, as Twilight slipped out of Sunset’s reach by teleporting once more.

“How?” Twilight asked. “How has anything that’s been done to you my fault? Did I turn you into a bee? Did I tell you to partner up with that weird bee-monster lady? Explain to me, Sunset Shimmer, how you can say I am the direct cause of anything that’s befallen to you … and how it’s not just the consequences of your own actions.”

Sunset bared her teeth. “It … it just is, alright?” Sunset flew at Twilight, wings buzzing, meaning to ram Twilight at full speed, but Twilight ducked and hit the ground, and Sunset passed over her.

“No, I don’t think that’s it.” Twilight got up, purple fire surrounding her fists. “I think you’re looking for someone to blame. A scapegoat, someone you can pin all your failures and faults on so that you don’t have to face that maybe, just maybe, you should have made different choices in your live.”

“No! NO! Raaaaaah!” Sunset roared and charged at Twilight Sparkle again, but was hit from the side by a blast of sapphire flame from Rarity’s finger and sent tumbling. Sunset regained her balance and growled at Rarity, meaning to lunge at her next. Twilight fired a fireball from both her hands, striking Sunset Shimmer and knocking her to the ground, where she landed on one of her wings, crumpling it.

“Grr …” Sunset winced, her eye twitching. She stood up, clutching at her damaged wing. She growled and charged at Twilight again, reaching a claw out to slash despite the obvious pain she was in.

Twilight dodged Sunset’s blow by stepping to the side. Sunset ran straight past her without stopping. The injured wing was throwing off her balance and her focus.

“What happened to you, Sunset?” Twilight asked. “I thought I left you in good hands. I thought I told everyone in the town to try to make friends with the new you. What happened? How could you have let it all go so wrong?”

“Shut up!” Sunset Shimmer snapped. “Just shut up! Don’t act like you know me! You don’t know anything about me! About my life!”

Sunset ran towards Twilight again. Twilight waved her hand, holding Sunset’s entire body in her magic and pulling Sunset back. Before Sunset could move again, Rarity contributed another blast, hitting Sunset in the side of her ribs and knocking her down to her knees.

“You know what I think?” Twilight said. “I think you were lying. I think you never actually ‘rebuilt’ your empire, did you?”

Sunset faced away from Twilight, tears in her eyes while clutching at her shoulder.

Rarity walked up to Twilight’s side and raised up a hand, preparing another magical spell. “Are we sure this isn’t a trick, so she can strike while our guard is down?”

“No.” Twilight grabbed Rarity’s hand and forced it down. “I can understand being paranoid, but I’m not letting you attack until we’re sure one way or the other. Sunset?”

Sunset bit her lip. She looked up at Twilight, and for a moment, she seemed like she was going to talk … but she turned her head away.

“Sunset …” Twilight got down on one knee. “Tell me what happened.”

“No.”

“Fine.” Twilight said. “I was hoping I wouldn’t have to resort to this, but … did you know Flash Sentry is missing?”

This got Sunset’s attention. “Flash is missing?”

“Yes.” Twilight nodded. “He disappeared a few days ago. We haven’t been able to find him, but we think we know who took him. If I know anything, I’d bet you still have feelings for him. Help us rescue him, Sunset Shimmer. Be the good guy.”

Twilight offered a hand towards Sunset. “I could help you, Sunset, I can’t help someone who’s not willing to help themselves.”

Sunset regarded the hand with caution, a waterfall of tears pooling down her fact. She let out a heavy breath.

“Okay. Fine. I admit it. I was exaggerating.” Sunset said. “Everyone … everyone tried to be nice to me, like you asked them to. But … I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I thought I had everything I could ever want, and that everyone would obey my every wish ... and then you came in and knocked me off my throne. You tried to show me another way, and … while I tried to be friendly to everybody, I was still mad. I thought my way was the best way, and for you to tell me it wasn’t … infuriated me. So I came here. I thought I would mess with you and your friends a bit, maybe humiliate you for awhile, but I never …”

Sunset stared at her hands.

“I never thought this would happen. I never expected to be … turned into a monster. Again. And it made me … it made me realize I was stuck in a loop. A vicious cycle, where I just repeated my mistakes over and over again because I was resentful of somebody … it didn’t matter if it was you, or Celestia, or whoever … and I was just so mad, I thought I’d hurt you … and then the cycle would end, and I would … I would stop hurting myself.”

Sunset looked at the ground in shame before turning her eyes up to Twilight. Sunset raised up her hands, deploying the finger-stingers from her nails.

“Can you make me not a monster? Can you … fix me? Can you … cure me?”

“Only you can decide whether or not you’re still a monster, Sunset Shimmer.” Twilight said. “Being a monster isn’t about what you are. It’s what you do that defines.”

“Oh please.” Rarity scoffed. “Have you told this little heartwarming lecture to Shining Armor? I think he could use it.” Rarity huffed, turning her nose up, but her natural empathy got the better of her. “Sunset Shimmer … not too long ago, I met someone in a similar situation to the one you’re in now. Only … they weren’t quite as mean before being turned into a monster, but still. And I can safely say, if I could help them … maybe I could help you. If you’re willing to try, of course.”

Sunset stared at the ground. She nodded.

Twilight offered her hand again. This time, Sunset took it, and Twilight helped Sunset Shimmer to her feet.

In short order, Twilight got Sunset to Zecora’s hut, where Zecora whipped another vial of her all-purpose antidote, which at this rate, seemed to be able to cure all ills.

“Ugh.” Sunset groaned as her bee appendages fell off her body with squelchy noises, the rotting carcass of her carapace getting all over Zecora’s floor. “Ew. Still …” Sunset put her hands together and stretched upwards. “Glad to be back to my old self.”

“I’m glad you’re back, too.” Twilight said. She grabbed Sunset by the arm, with Sunset’s eyes widening in surprise. “But there’s no time to for you to sit around and get comfy. We’ve got intelligence reports indicating Flash Sentry is in the Everfree Forest.”

Twilight Sparkle dragged Sunset with her as she ran out the door.

“Oh, and, uh, we’ll help you clean that up later, Zecora, okay?” Twilight said, referring the parts of bee-monster scattered over the floor. Twilight swept her hand and set the vulnerable insect parts on fire, to Zecora’s consternation.

Adagio Dazzle was out in the forest, with her thrall Flash Sentry, standing in a field of blue flowers.

“Ooh … I can’t believe Flash has been taken in by a floozy like that.” Sunset grumbled, hiding in the bushes with Rarity.

“Now … do be careful, Flash.” Adagio Dazzle bent down and plucked one of the flowers. “Poison Joke can affect you if you don’t handle it properly.” She put the flower up to her nose and smelled it. “Aah. Whoever came up with the idea of using this to induce lactation was a diabolical genius. If we could get enough of it, I’m sure Chrysalis would be able to put it to good use …”

“She’s still stealing my idea!” Sunset exclaimed, “Still, it’s nice to hear I am a genius.”

“Sunset.” Rarity tapped Sunset on the shoulder. “Focus.”

“Right.”

Adagio Dazzle laid the Poison Joke across her arm and prepared to pluck another flower, but two fireballs - courtesy of Sunset Shimmer - flew by and hit her, knocking her off balance.

“What?” Adagio exclaimed. “Who did that?” She growled, but another fireball - this one from Twilight Sparkle - knocked her over.

Rarity jumped out from behind the bushes, wrapping her arms around Flash Sentry and pulling him away.

“What?” Flash questioned, his eyes glassy while Rarity’s chest squished against his back. “What’s going on? Could I have some more milk, mistress?”

“You can have all the milk you want once we get you home.” Rarity said. “Just not breast milk.”

Once Rarity had safely pulled back behind the foliage, Twilight gave a hand signal to Sunset from around the tree. Sunset nodded to to acknowledge, and she and Twilight ran out of the forest before Adagio Dazzle could get her bearings.

Sunset Shimmer stopped running. She turned around and stared at the field of flowers. Even without Flash Sentry to help her gather it, there was a lot of harm Adagio could do with so much Poison Joke. A fireball burning in her hand, Sunset hurled a fireball through the field, setting the Poison Joke aflame.

“Uh … what just happened?” Adagio asked, sitting upright and rubbing her head. She was alarmed by the burning flowers and quickly fled the scene.

Flash Sentry rubbed his head as the mist of Adagio’s enchantment cleared from his mind. He examined his surroundings and observed he was in Ponyville. “Whoa … where am I? What happened? … Sunset Shimmer? What are you doing here?”

Sunset Shimmer stood coquettishly in front of him, her hands put together and off to one side. “Hi, Flash.”

“What’s been happening? Why am I in Ponyville?” Flash asked.

“You got enchanted by a mystical creature summoned from an evil book.” Twilight answered sharply. “We rescued you just a few minutes ago.”

“And here I thought as a Royal Guard, it was my job to do the rescuing.” Flash wryly commented.

“Noo, don’t be silly, darling. Your job as Royal Guard is to be an incompetent, ineffectual -”

“Rarity, enough.” Twilight scolded.

Rarity turned her head away. “ … Sorry.”

“Twilight, listen … I know there’s probably a lot you want to ask me, and plenty of things you want me to catch up on, but … would you mind if we walked on out of here?” Sunset grabbed Flash’s arm. “Flash and I have some catching up of our own to do.”

Twilight nodded. “Of course. Go ahead.”

With a confident smile, Sunset walked Flash off, holding him by the hand. “Come on, you. There’s a lot we need to talk about.”

Twilight smiled as she watched them go, happy Sunset Shimmer was finding her place in the world … and rekindling old flames.

Twilight turned to speak to Rarity, but she stopped short, seeing Silver Lens approaching them in the distance. “Oh. Her.”

“Princess Twilight?” Silver Lens asked, walking up to them. She stopped and hesitated at the sight of Rarity. “Er … I was hoping I could talk to you.”

Twilight locked her arms. “That’s good, Silver Lens, because I was hoping I could talk to you. What was that back there at Rarity’s house?” Twilight gestured to Rarity. “What were you thinking? Did you even know what you were doing when you walked inside?”

Silver Lens averted her gaze. “No … no, I didn’t. I had no idea what Harshwhinny was really trying to do. I’m … truly sorry for that, Princess.”

“Don’t apologize to me.” Twilight gestured her fingers at herself before pointing at Rarity. “Apologize to Rarity! There were plenty of times you could have spoken out against Harshwhinny and save Rarity a load of trouble. Why didn’t you?”

“I … I wasn’t sure.” Silver Lens answered. “I had seen so many different behaviors from Rarity, I wasn’t sure what would have been the best thing for her and everyone. I wasn’t sure what to recommend, and I thought … maybe Harshwhinny might have been right. Maybe it was better if Rarity was somewhere where she couldn’t hurt anyone.”

“You’re a MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL! Making recommendations is YOUR JOB! The very job Cadence and I and everyone else hired you to do and expected you to do! If you didn’t know what to do, you should have told someone. Me, Cadence, Celestia, anyone, and maybe we could have prevented this and gotten Rarity where she needs to be.”

Silver Lens fell silent for a time. Twilight began to walk away.

“Princess, it’s my recommendation that Rarity be put in a mental ward.”

Twilight turned back to Silver Lens, leering at her with narrowed eyes. “Really? What makes you say that?”

“I saw her … stab a milk carton with a knife.”

“A milk carton. With a knife.” Twilight repeated. She rubbed her temples. “And why didn’t you see it fit to, I don’t know, report this to Cadence, like you were supposed to?”

“I … I was afraid … that Rarity might focus her anger on me if I reported anything that might have lead to her being taken from her home or restricted of her rights.”

Twilight and Rarity glared at her.

“Really?” Twilight asked. “One, Rarity was already being removed of her rights simply by having to allow you in her house, not to mention Shining Armor putting the tracking bracelet on her, and she didn’t do anything more than be sarcastic with you. Two, you know Rarity’s history, her … unique trauma, and why she might have a hostile reaction to milk. A milk carton isn’t even a person. It’s a box, and a box that Rarity can do what she wants with. If she needs to go out and buy more milk because she was having a fit and destroyed her only carton, that’s on her. Three, after the time she’s been having, being institutionalized and locked up again is the last thing Rarity needs.”
Silver Lens began to say something.

“And furthermore, after your poor conduct and failure to report in, I’m not sure I would trust any recommendations you make! You’re lucky I don’t have you disbarred this minute! Hmph!”

Twilight turned and walked away. Rarity glared at Silver Lens before joining Twilight.

“I …” Rarity halted as she and Twilight walked along the Ponyville path. “Thank you for that, Twilight. I … needed to hear someone stick up for me like that. You know, besides Rainbow Dash.”

“No sweat.” Twilight said. “I figure it’s the least I can do, since I … haven’t really been the best friend lately to you, either. Especially since I could have stopped what happened at the Boutique at any time. I mean, we keep saying we’ll try to open up and quit making you feel so … alienated and left out, but then stuff like this keeps happening.”

Twilight stopped and turned her. “Well, I say it’s time we start putting our money where our mouth is. Tell you what, you get Rainbow Dash, I’ll grab the rest of the girls, and we’ll all meet up for lunch today. How does that sound?”

“That sounds lovely, darling.”

“Great.” Twilight waved goodbye and left. “See you in a little bit!”

“Goodness, is it that close to lunch time already? I suppose I have had a bit of a busy morning …” Rarity placed a hand to her cheek in contemplation. “You know, between going to a support group, fighting a corrupted bee-woman, and staging a rescue mission …”

Rarity, dressed in her little white sun dress, arrived with Rainbow Dash to the outdoors restaurant she and the girls frequented so often.

“It’s amazing this place has stayed open as long as it has …” Rainbow Dash observed.

“There’s our group.” Rarity pointed to the table where Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Applejack were already seated, with glasses of water set out for all six of them.

“I must be honest …” Rarity said as Rainbow Dash was a gentleman and pulled out her seat for her. “I wasn’t expecting all of you to show up.” She glanced at Applejack, for obvious reasons.

“Are you kiddin’? After the rough time you’ve been havin’?” Applejack raised up her glass. “We wouldn’t want have missed this for the world.”

“Yeah!” Pinkie Pie said.

“I know we may have been doing a really bad job of it as of late …” Fluttershy nervously ran her hand through her hair. “But we’re always here for you.”

“I’d like to propose a toast.” Applejack waved her glass around. “To burying the past, making amends, and getting the old gang back together again. With a tight-knit friendship and thick as thieves … you know, like we used to be.”

“Yeah!” Pinkie Pie agreed. “The Magnificent Six! That’s us!”

The rest of the girls chuckled.

“Hear, hear.” Twilight agreed, and all six of them clinked their glasses together and drank from them in unison.

Some distance away, they were observed by Spike and Sonata Dusk sitting on a bench.

“They seem like they’re having fun.” Sonata observed.

“Yeah.” Spike agreed before taking another bite of his sandwich.”

“They didn’t invite you?” Sonata asked, crossing her arms.

“No, Twilight did, actually, but I decided not to go.” Spike said. “This is something that’s between them. After all, it’s to make amends for all the times that weren’t there for Rarity when she needed them, but I was never not there for Rarity when she needed me.” Spike cracked a smile, a soft tone of arrogance slipping into his voice.

“Really?” Sonata wrapped an arm around Spike’s shoulders. “Well, if that’s true, then you’re a really good guy, Spike.”

Spike blushed. “Thanks.” He rubbed his cheek, trying to think of what to say in response. “You’re a really good girl, Sonata Dusk.”

Sonata’s red eyes looked straight at the ground. “No, I’m not …” She muttered under her breath.

“Hmm?” Spike asked, not hearing what she said, but detecting her voice. “Oh, uh, here. Do you want some of my sandwich?”

Sonata held her hand up. “I’m not hungry …” She glanced to the side. “Well, maybe a little bit … Spike, can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Are you going to give up on Rarity?” Sonata asked. “Like, really, really mean it give up forever?”

“Well, yeah, of course …” Spike said, putting his sandwich down on the bench in its wrapping. “She was with Rainbow Dash in secret all that time. There’s no way I can compete with that.”

“Good.” Sonata said, smirking. “Then surely you won’t mind if …”

Sonata placed a hand on Spike’s cheek, turning him towards her. She leaned in closer, and the two of them blushed.

“Sonata … what are you doing?” Spike asked.

“I meant it when I said you must be a good guy, Spike.” Sonata said. “And … you’re awfully cute … a girl … would be lucky to have you …”

“I … I …” Spike stammered.

“Oh, shut up and kiss me already.”

Sonata grabbed his other cheek and pulled him close, leaning in and giving him a kiss on the lips. Spike moaned as they embraced, kissing back and enjoying Sonata’s smooth lips.

Sonata moaned and leaned back, wrapping her arms around Spike’s body and pulling him back with her.

Sonata grabbed Spike’s hand by the wrist and pulled it towards her, dragging it around and placing it firmly on her breast.

Spike’s eyes widened, and he reared back. “W-what?”

“Come on, Spike.” Sonata said, pressing Spike’s hand into her chest. “Since you’re not waiting for Rarity anymore, there’s no reason why we can’t …”

“Right here? Right now? We’re in public! What if someone sees us? What if Twilight sees us? She’ll kill both of us. First you for having me do something sexual, and then me for doing something sexual without letting her know what I was doing!”

“Good point, though you had me convinced at 'What if someone sees us’ without the death threats." Sonata stood up and and pulled Spike up with her. “Let’s go somewhere a little more private …”

Sonata dragged Spike away. Spike reached out to grab his sandwich as Sonata towed him.

“Hang on to that sandwich, Spike.” Sonata said. “You’re going to need it once I’m through with you …”

Spike wasn’t entirely sure why Sonata saying this sent a shiver of excitement through his bones, but he was looking forward to finding out.

Sunset and Flash’s walk came to a stop by a lake.

“So that’s it, huh?” Flash asked. “Wow … that’s … a lot to take in.”

“Don’t I know it.” Sunset said.

“So, are you and Twilight like, friends now? For real?”

“I don’t know. I think so, yeah.’

“Alright then. Well, tell her I said hi.” Flash said. “I’d better get back to Canterlot and let Celestia know where I’ve been and that I’m okay.” Flash walked away.

“Oh, and Sunset? You could have something great here. Don’t mess it up.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t.”

Sunset Shimmer waved as Flash Sentry left.

She continued waving after he was gone, her smile fading as she put her hand down.

“Okay, Trixie, you can quit hiding now. Come on out.”

Nearby rustled as Trixie popped out from behind him. “You could see me?”

“I’ll be honest, good subterfuge requires subtlety … and subtlety is not your strong suit.”

“Hmph. Well, you’re looking better than the last time I saw you.” Trixie quipped.

“Yeah, I decided the whole black and yellow stripes look wasn’t for me. What are you doing here?”

“Nothing.” Trixie said. Sunset glared at her. “Spying. Just spying on you. You know, to see if you had anything useful for Chrysalis.”

“Uh-huh.” Sunset nodded.

“Adagio Dazzle’s upset you took away her plaything.”

“Well, Adagio Dazzle can file a complaint with my employee relations officer.”

“You don’t have an - oh.”

“Now you’re getting it.” Sunset said. Trixie huffed.

Sunset rubbed her chin in thought. “Trixie, can I ask you a question? Why are you working with Chrysalis?”

“Chrysalis has promised to give Trixie everything Trixie’s wanted if she helps Chrysalis with her revenge and taking over Equestria.”

“And what is it you want, Trix?”

“Why, revenge, of course!” Trixie exclaimed, spreading her arms out. “Twilight Sparkle and her friends humiliated me when I came to Ponyville! They made me a laughingstock. No one in any town took me or my show seriously anymore. I was ruined, ruined! And it’s all Twilight Sparkle’s fault. She must pay.” Trixie shook her fist. “And don’t call me Trix!”

Sunset shook her head. “You know, Trixie, there was a time where I was in the same place you’re in, the same mentality that Twilight was somehow to blame for everything wrong in my life. But will getting revenge on Twilight Sparkle really bring back your career? Is it worth selling Equestria out to a monster just to get revenge on one girl?”

“W-what do you mean?”

“You should do what I did, Trixie.” Sunset Shimmer said. “Instead of trying to get revenge on Twilight, I let her help me. I made friends with her, and I learned to ...” Sunset took in deep breath and exhaled. “Let go of all my resentment and my grudges against everyone. You should try it. You’ll feel so much better afterward. The kind of weight just … letting go and forgiving your enemies lifts off your shoulders … oh! It’s indescribable.”

Sunset snapped her fingers, walking away with her hands pocketed in her blazer. “See you around, Trix.”

“I thought I told you - oh, never mind. It’s not like you’d listen anyway …”

Trixie turned her attention to the other side of the lake, noticing Rarity and Rainbow Dash approach it.

“Although …” Trixie rubbed her chin as Rarity sat by the lake. “That does give me an idea.”

Rarity rested by the lake, admiring its sparkling surface and listening to the calming sounds of the water to relax. She and Rainbow Dash were alarmed when Trixie’s shadow fell over Rarity.

“Hello, Rarity!”

“Hello … Trixie.” Rarity stood up. “To what do I owe the … pleasure?”

“Oh, nothing, nothing.” Trixie said. “I was just wondering if … maybe you could help me reform?”

“Reform?” Rarity asked. She looked at Rainbow Dash, who shrugged.

“You know, reform!” Trixie said. She brought an arm over her forehead in a dramatic fashion “Give up my criminal ways. Cut ties with that awful Chrysalis and her minions. You have no idea how much she works me, making me work to the bone!”

“Oh, I have a pretty good idea of how she works you.” Rarity said.

“So, what do you say?” Trixie asked. “Maybe I can even help you destroy that evil book. All you have to do is tell me where it is.”

“Is that right?” Rarity chuckled, seeing right through Trixie’s ploy. “What do you think, Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow Dash held up a thumbs-down.

“Come here, Trixie.” Rarity beckoned with her finger. “I’ll whisper the book’s location to you.”

Trixie put her ear up towards Rarity, eager to learn the location of the book.

Rarity grabbed Trixie by the shirt and pulled her over.

“Now, you listen here.” Rarity whispered. “I know exactly what you’re trying to do. I’m not telling you where the book is. If you want to know, you’re going to have work very hard to convince me that you genuinely are interested in turning over a new leaf, and aren’t just trying to get the book to make Chrysalis happy. Now, if you want to change your ways, then good for you, but don’t expect me to so gullible as to tell you where the book is just because you asked. Now, if you near me and try something like this again ...”

Rarity slapped Trixie across the cheek, hard enough to knock Trixie over.

“I will cut you.”

Trixie wiped the dirt off her chin with her arm. She glared up at Rarity with bitterness before getting to her feet and scampering away.

“Shouldn’t we chase after her?” Rainbow asked.

“ … No, no.” Rarity answered. “She had her one warning. She won’t get another. If we see her again … we will break her. Come along, Rainbow Dash. Suddenly, sitting by this lake doesn’t seem so appealing to me.” Rarity turned her back to the lake and walked away,

“I know there’s a creek nearby Fluttershy’s place …”

“Perfect. Let’s go there.”

Out in the darkness of the forest, Honeycomb flew over the bushes and trees, her wings buzzing over her body.

“Hmm.”

Honeycomb stopped and turned to Chrysalis, who was resting against a tree.

“You seem a woman down … maybe two.” Chrysalis observed.

“Yes, that does appear to, mmm, be the case.” Honeycomb said.

“I warned you running off with that red-head was a bad idea, didn’t I?” Chrysalis asked smugly.

“As I recall, you, mmm, warned me of no such thing, merely attempted to have me stay with you instead.” Honeycomb said.

Chrysalis pouted. “Alright, fine. But still, you’re out here … all alone.” Chrysalis sauntered towards Honeycomb. “With no one to help you or protect if things go awry … suddenly teaming up with me doesn’t seem like such a bad option, does it?”

“As a bee, I am more used too, mmm, operating a hive. To be, mmm, by myself is … distressing.” Honeycomb wrapped her arms around herself.

Chrysalis offered her a hand, smirking. “Well? I’m here for you.”

Honeycomb looked at the hand. She took it without hesitation, and she and Chrysalis shook on it. “Excellent. Welcome to the team, Honeycomb.”

Later in the day, as it approach the evening hours, Rarity and Rainbow Dash returned to the Carousel Boutique. Rarity took out a key and unlocked the door.

“Well, that was nice.” Rainbow Dash said. “Sitting by the creek, with you …”

“Indeed.” Rarity opened the door. “Are you coming in?”

“Nah.” Rainbow Dash said. “I promised Scootaloo a flying lesson, for old time’s sake. I’ll catch up.”

“Very well.” Rarity smiled and watched as Rainbow Dash flew off.

Rarity went inside and went to the kitchen. There, she washed her hands under the sink and began preparing to make dinner for everyone. She hummed to herself, pulling out silverware, cutting boards, and bowls.

"Ah ..." Rarity sighed as she carried a bowl over and set it on the table. "Chrysalis is running out of resources, and Twilight should be working on keeping her idiot of a brother out of my home ... yes, everything is looking up."

As she made her way around the kitchen, she heard the door to the front entrance click open.

“Back so soon, Rainbow Dash?”

There was no answer.

“Rainbow Dash?” Rarity asked again, closing the cupboard she was looking into. “I don’t remember inviting any guests over … Sweetie Belle, is that you?”

Still no response.

“Diamond Tiara? Coco Pommel? … Silver Lens?”

No answer, no answer, and … no answer. It occurred to Rarity, even if she was addressing them by the wrong name, the people she was allowing in her house would have the courtesy to reply and clarify who they were, to assure her there was no wrongdoing going on in her house. Even Diamond Tiara in a bad mood would at least oblige and respond to confirm it was her.

Thinking of that, Rarity reached over to the counter. She dug around and pulled out the biggest knife she could find.

Rarity hid the knife behind her back as she approach the kitchen entrance.

“Hello?” She called out into the foyer, peeking her head over. She didn’t see anyone … she didn’t hear anything.

Being careful to remain light on her feet, lest her footsteps alert the intruders to her presence, Rarity walked into the foyer. She clutched the handle of the knife behind her back, sweeping her eyes over the room to make sure no one was there.

“Huh.” Rarity relaxed and let her guard down, the knife going to her side. “I suppose it must have been my imagination. The stress must be getting to me …” Rarity rubbed her head, before thinking about when she was under Cadence’s care.

It wasn’t her imagination then … why would it be now?

Reaffirming her grip on the handle, Rarity lifted the knife up.

The knife did her no good, as a pair of arms approached from behind, unnoticed, and wrapped around her neck and began to choke her. Gagging and gasping for air, Rarity tried to aim her knife at her attacker.

Aria appeared from behind her, looking at Rarity with a smirk. Rarity changed the course of her knife, flipping it over and attempting to stab Aria in the shoulder.

Aria grabbed Rarity’s wrist, holding it still, and she wrested the knife from Rarity’s hand. She tossed it on the floor, and grabbed both of Rarity’s wrists to keep her from fighting back.

Rarity struggled and flailed. She tried to kick Aria in the gut, but lodging her foot into Aria’s stomach seemed to have no effect.

Rarity let out a loud gasp for air before her body went slack. As she faded into unconsciousness, her attacker let go and let her fall to the ground. On her way down, as her eyes began to close, she got a good look at Adagio’s smirking face before her eyelids shut together.

Their prey subdued, Adagio Dazzle and Aria went to work on lifting Rarity up, Adagio taking lifted her by the shoulders while Aria lifted her up by the legs. They proceeded to carry Rarity out the door.

Rarity groaned as she stirred back into consciousness. Groaning, she blinked a few times before opening her eyes and seeing Adagio Dazzle standing in front of her and grinning.

“Hel-lo, Rarity.” Adagio purred.

“Hello … Adagio Dazzle, was it?” Rarity replied. She tried to pounce on Adagio, but her arms and legs were tied to a wooden chair. She looked around and saw they were in a cave. Aria and Sonata were on either side of her.

“Sonata Dusk?” Rarity asked. “What are you doing here? Oh … you’re one of them, aren’t you? I should have known. I should have known all along.”

Sonata fiddled with her fingers.

Rarity looked down at her bindings to inspect them. It did not appear she was going to be able to get free of them by struggling. “What do you want?”

“Where’s the book, Rarity?” Adagio asked, her sultry tones replaced by a harshness in her voice.

Rarity huffed. “I buried it somewhere … just in case of the event I decided I needed it, for whatever reason. Admittedly, it was more a tactic to scare Shining Armor, really …”

Adagio laughed. “Ha ha ha … cute, Rarity. But knowing that you buried it somewhere doesn’t help me. I need to know where it is.”

“And why do you need to know?”

“Because it will make Chrysalis happy.” Adagio said. She lurched over, placing her hands on the back of the chair. “Now where is it!?”

Rarity huffed again. “I’m not telling you.”

Adagio stared at Rarity before recomposing herself and chuckling. She stood up and walked away from the chair. “Alright, fine. You don’t want to tell me. But you will want to tell me. I was hoping it wouldn’t - well, that’s a lie. I was so hoping it would come to this.”

Adagio pulled off her vest, slinking it off with a flirty shake of her body. She pulled up her shirt, revealing her engorged breasts, with her large, dark nipples leaking milk.

Rarity’s eyes widened in panic.

“Do you like?” Adagio asked, rubbing her nails. “Chrysalis’s spell for milk really does some good for your cup size, doesn’t it? I happen to know you like milk, Rarity, so … pucker up.”

Rarity flailed in vain, still trying to work her out of the rope. Adagio leaned over her and chuckled before plunging her breast into Rarity’s mouth, forcing her nipple through Rarity’s lips. Adagio took her hand and wrapped it around her breast, giving it a squeeze and spewing milk into Rarity’s mouth. Rarity closed her eyes and winced.

“That’s it …” Adagio purred, massaging and squeezing her sphere, her flesh rippling beneath her fingers. “Just accept it, Rarity. Be a good girl, won’t you? You know you can’t resist …”

“Mmmmmnnn.” Rarity gave out a weak, frightened noise.

Adagio chuckled again. “Heh. You know there’s no escape … there’s no one to help you. No one even knows you’re gone yet, and by the time they do, they’ll never be able to get here in time. So why not make it easier on yourself? Accept it. Give in.”

Rarity let out another pitiful whine. She began to suckle Adagio’s nipple, moving her head back and forth on the breast, making the milk in her mouth slosh around.

“Yes!” Adagio growled, cracking a frightening grin. “Yes, that’s it! Suck! Suck! You know you want to. You know this is everything you want. Yeesss … milk is your favorite, isn’t it, Rarity? Especially when it’s warm and fresh, straight from the source, ha ha ha!” Adagio sighed and relaxed, letting Rarity nurse her teat.

Aria raised up an eyebrow. “Adagio …”

“What?” Adagio snapped. “Can’t you see Rarity and I are busy here?”

“Yeah, I know, I know, but … Adagio, she’s not swallowing.”

“What?” Adagio looked down and saw Rarity’s cheeks were swollen. Milk was dripping down her chin … but there wasn’t a single lump in her throat, and come to think of, Adagio couldn’t remember hearing Rarity gulp.

Rarity jerked her head, and the milk inside her mouth went sloshing and bouncing around …

Right up to where it struck her square in the uvula, triggering an instant reflex. Rarity’s mouth snapped open, and a surge of white, bubbly fluid of questionable nature gushed out, a mixture of Adagio’s milk and Rarity’s own fluids. It sprayed all over Adagio’s breasts, covering them in Rarity’s spit and vomit.

Adagio had an understandable reaction to getting her chest vomited on, grimacing and tensing her hands up while the fluid dripped off her. Aria chuckled, while Sonata expressed concern.

Rarity made a satisfied smirk, even though white fluid was dripping off her chin. “Heh. See, I wasn’t worried … because I knew, if I could just get up enough, I could make it hit my uvula, so I didn’t have to swallow your poisons.” Rarity glared at Adagio.

“I’ve just spent the last morning digging myself out of that pit. You’ll not drag me back into it again.”

“You - you - you!” Adagio stammered, at a loss for words. She slapped Rarity hard across the cheek, knocking Rarity’s head to the side.

Adagio heaved a big sigh. “I’m going to go clean this off. You two, figure out a way to break her while I’m gone.” Adagio turned around and walked further into the cave.

“Chrysalis’s milk is supposed to be foolproof.” Adagio muttered as she walked away. “It can bend someone to her will on contact. How did she resist it?”

“Maybe she’s immune?” Sonata Dusk suggested.

Rarity lifted an eyebrow in thought. Given her experiences, acquiring an immunity to any drugged, brainwashing breast milk certainly wouldn’t have been the least crazy thing to happen to her. It seemed a reasonable theory.

“Don’t be stupid, Sonata.” Aria said. “It’s obviously not that, obviously she …”

“Well?” Sonata asked. “I’m waiting.”

“Shut up.” Aria said. “I’ll figure something out.”

“Uh, gee … Rarity sure made a big mess.” Sonata Dusk said, changing subjects. “Hey, Aria, I think Adagio might need some help cleaning that all of. Why don’t you go help her?”

Aria gave Sonata a questioning glare before agreeing. “Yeah, alright. Maybe I can figure out what Rarity did while I’m there.”

Aria left the room, such as it was, following after Adagio’s path.

Once she was gone, Sonata grabbed the knot holding Rarity’s hands together. She tugged at it, trying to untie it. “Uh, nope. I’m not gonna be able to figure this one myself. That’s why Aria does all the knots, I guess …”

Sonata Dusk began to look around the cave. She got on her knees and ran her hands over the bedrock floor. “Ah! This should do it.”

Sonata Dusk picked up a rock of sufficient jaggedness to make a decent cutting instrument. She began to hack at the ropes binding Rarity’s, digging the rock into the fibers, banging the stone into the knots until it came undone and Rarity’s hands were free. Sonata went to do the same to the ropes binding Rarity’s legs.

“Go.” Sonata told her, tossing the rock to the ground. “Go on. Get out of here.”

Rarity stood up. She rubbed her wrists and looked at Sonata Dusk. Rarity reared up her arm and hooked it around Sonata’s neck, pulling her close in a chokehold.

Rarity leered at her with suspicion. “Why are you helping me?”

Sonata grunted and tugged at Rarity’s arm, trying to pry off. “For … Spike.” Sonata choked out. “He knows there’s no chance of you being with him anymore, but … he still cares about you. He wants to be your friend, and … I want to be with him, and he would be … so upset if he found you were captured by my sisters and I didn’t do anything to help you.”

Rarity relaxed and began to ease her arm off Sonata’s neck. She smiled. “You know, Sonata … maybe you’re not such a bad girl after all.”

Sonata smiled back. “Thanks. Now, go, get out of here.”

“But what about you? Won’t the others get upset when they find out you helped me?”

“I’ll tell them you overwhelmed me and were able to escape.”

“Ah, good, good … and …” Rarity glared at her. “This isn’t some kind of ploy to get me to trust you, is it? You’ve haven’t planted something on me, have you?”

“No.”

“Good.”

Rarity slugged Sonata across the cheek, knocking her into the chair.

“Ow! What was that for?” Sonata rubbed her cheek.

“You said I overwhelmed you, right?” Rarity answered. “It’ll be a lot easier to believe if you have some kind of bruise.”

Sonata made a little round ‘o’ with her mouth, appreciating Rarity’s cleverness. She waved goodbye as Rarity ran and darted out of the cave.

“Sonata!” Adagio exclaimed, returning with Aria, having cleaned herself off and put her clothes back on. “What happened?”

“Rarity …” Sonata gasped, making sure to play up her fake injuries. “Rarity managed to get out of her bindings. She overwhelmed me and escaped.”

“How?” Aria asked. She went over to the rope and inspected them. “I made sure those knots were as tight as possible …” Aria picked up one of the ropes. “It looks like she cut them somehow …”

“Are you okay?” Adagio asked, placing a hand on Sonata’s cheek.

“Yeah.” Sonata answered as Adagio help lifted her off the chair. “I’m fine.”

“Ooh …” Adagio clenched her fist. “Rarity is going to pay for this. But for now, dear why don’t we get you something for your cheek?”

“Yeah, sure …”

At her most recent base, Chrysalis was pacing, Honeycomb at her side, brainstorming how she could best utilize Honeycomb’s talents now the Changeling Queen had the bee under her control.

Adagio Dazzle approached Chrysalis, shuffling on her feet, biting her lip, and leaning over in a position ripe to bend down and beg for forgiveness.

“Ah, Adagio Dazzle.” Chrysalis said. “I’m glad you’re here. Say hi to Honeycomb, our newest member.”

Adagio gave a half-hearted wave, not paying attention to Honeycomb. Honeycomb responded in kind.

Chrysalis noticed Adagio’s worried expression. “What’s wrong, dear?”

“Chrysalis, forgive me …” Adagio got to her knees. “I’m sorry. I lost Flash Sentry … and I lost Rarity before I could coax her into telling me the whereabouts of the book. I lost them both in one day. I’m sorry … please forgive me.”

“Ooh.” Chrysalis cooed. She braced her fingers against Adagio’s chin. “It’s okay. I forgive you, dear.” Chrysalis lifted Adagio’s head up and gave her a kiss. “We’ll find some other way to get at Twilight Sparkle.”

Adagio beamed. She stood up, bowed to her mistress, and walked away to rest.

Aria kept a suspicious eye on Adagio Dazzle as she passed by.

“Oh no.” Aria groaned, making a realization.

“What?” Adagio asked, crossing her arms.

“You’re falling for her.” Aria said. “You’re falling in love with Chrysalis, if you haven’t already.”

“And so what if I have?” Adagio asked. “What, may I ask, is so wrong with falling in love?”

“Everything.” Aria said. “We’re Sirens, Adagio. We’re not supposed to fall in love. We’re supposed to feed on it, to consume it and swallow it whole and eat artificial love. Falling in love, real love, that’s … that’s the nasty stuff. It’s a synthetic, and it tastes gross.” Aria sniffed the air and glared at Sonata. “Oh … and you’ve fallen for it, too. Ugh.”

Sonata shifted uncomfortably on her feet. Aria stuck her tongue out and left in disgust.

“Just ignore her, Sonata.” Adagio said. “She’s just jealous. So, who’s your lucky girl?”

Sonata blushed. “I’d … rather not say.”

“Oh, a secret romance, huh?” Adagio said. “That’s okay. I understand. You don’t have to tell me.” Adagio patted Sonata’s shoulder before leaving and continuing on her own way.

()()()()() ()()()()()

The next morning, Sweetie Belle stood out by a bay, her dress billowing in the wind, the sea spray splashing around the sand and filling her nose with the scent of salty waters.

She stared into the water, thinking on what Rarity had said to her.

Sweetie Belle began to cry and sniffle, her tears curving around her eyes. She thought she knew what she wanted … she thought she wanted Scootaloo, but now … she wasn’t sure anymore.

“Sweetie Belle?”

Sweetie Belle turned around and was elated to see Scootaloo standing behind her. “Scootaloo?”

“Yeah, it’s me.” Scootaloo said, holding her arms out. “I know things haven’t been easy the last couple of days, but I’m here now. I’m here for you. We can be a couple, like you wanted.”

Sweetie gasped and sniffed, covering her mouth to reign in her emotions. “Oh, Scootaloo!”

Sweetie Belle ran up to Scootaloo to embrace her. She buried her head into Scootaloo’s chest.

Scootaloo smiled and let Sweetie Belle come to her, wrapping her arms around Sweetie Belle’s back.

Sweetie Belle opened her eyes when she felt heat radiating off Scootaloo’s body. She looked up. She was horrified when she saw a green fire coming off Scootaloo’s body, and the disguise melted away, revealing the Changeling underneath.

The Changeling reached out and grabbed Sweetie Belle by the shoulders … and there was no around to hear her scream.

Author's Notes:

That cliffhanger seems a bit disjointed from everything else going on. But it is there to set up le finale, so there it is, and there it shall stay.

Proofread by gunstarx.