Chapter XIV

The air around me whistles as the ends of my whips whirl around, over, and back around me. I twist my body as I step, the chains folding, wrapping, and unwrapping themselves around my waist, shoulders, and forelegs to allow them to slash and whip from a myriad of angles in any direction.

And despite this, I’m still not spinning them even a quarter as fast as I can. I’m trying to both adjust to their weight again, as well as spot any flaws in technique with how I’m striking with them.

I give a flap with my wings and flip forward at an angle, the whips converge inwards and slash at an invisible enemy from both sides, top and bottom, and then I land and they rapidly strike half a dozen times in a circular whirl from my right, then left, then I finish with an overhead circular spin of the whips that ends with them striking straight out like twin javelins. And then they retract back into my waiting palms as bundles of rods.

“Okay, where’d you get those, and how are you so good at using them?” Someone asks.

I turn to the voice and see Trixie standing over by the tree where I left my bag.

“Oh, hey Trixie.” I greet her. I lift one of the bundles up for her to see a little better. “These were in my bag. And I’m just practicing to get used to, well, using these again.” I tell her, answering her question.

I tilt back down onto all fours, whips clinking while still under my palms, and walk over to her.

“So what brings you out here this early?” I ask her. I sit on my haunches to put my whips back into my bag.

“Oh, no real reason. Just trying to get some fresh air while taking a walk.” She replies.

I blink, perplexed. I felt a miniscule jolt of fear from her when she said that.

“Are you alright?” I ask her. What was that little spike for? Did I do something to scare her?

“Yes, of course.” She answers.

There it is again. It was tiny, almost unperceivable, but it was also sudden, and recognizable. Like seeing a firefly flash in the dark from your peripheral, and then seeing it happen again while you’re looking straight at it.

“Are you sure?” I prod with concern.

“Yes I’m… well, I suppose I’m just taking this time to think as well.” She admits.

There’s no flash of fear this time. What is this about?

“What are you thinking about?” I ask her. I pick up my bag and sling it over my back.

“I’m… *sigh*… thinking about moving on from Ponyville.” She answers.

This takes me aback. “What?” I exclaim in surprise.

“Not right now!” She says, backpedalling. “I’m just… I’m a traveling performer. I need to keep moving from town to town to make a living.” She says. That explains everything.

It still doesn’t keep me from wilting down in sadness at her announcement. “So I’m guessing you’re going to leave soon though, since you’re telling me.” I say.

“I’m sorry Bael. I didn’t want to tell you this way.” She apologizes.

I let out a breath and recompose myself. “No, I understand, it’s fine. I was just in a sad mood before you told me this anyway, so I’m just twice as bummed now. I’ll get better.” I tell her.

“If it makes you feel any better, I’m not really sure when I’m going to leave yet. I’m still trying to figure out how long my current funds will last. I can make time to spend more time with you and the others until I do leave.” She offers.

I smile at her thankfully. “Oh Great and Powerful Trixie. I think making a dragon sad counts as defeating him. How’s about I give you a hug for your flawless victory?” I say, quoting myself from when she dumped garbage on me at her first show in Ponyville.

She rolls her eyes and smirks. “I suppose that is a suitable reward you disgusting reptile.” She replies, quoting herself as well. But she walks over and accepts my hug with a smile.

We part after a few seconds. “So, now that all this sappy stuff’s out of the way, want to go see what the other girls are doing?” I ask.

“I suppose. I’m going to have to tell them about my leaving eventually, so now’s as good a time as any.” She answers, sagging down a bit. “I haven’t done this a lot before, but I’m starting to think I hate goodbyes.” She adds.

“It’s not goodbye yet, and I’m pretty sure there aren’t a lot of ponies out there that like them either. C’mon. Something tells me something weird is happening that’s going to need your scathing sarcasm.” I tell her. I get up and start walking back to the library.

“What makes you say that?” She asks me.

“Because this town has gone through Nightmare Moon, a sleeping dragon, terror of a nonexistent curse from a friendly evil enchantress, and a parasprite infestation all within two weeks. I think it’s safe to say weirdness is attracted to this town.” I answer with a roll of my eyes.

Trixie stops in her tracks. “When did Nightmare Moon happen?” She sputters out.

I stop and blink. Then I slap my forehead in realization. She wasn’t around for that. Duh.

“Oh, yeah. Well, so you know how during the day of the Summer Sun Celebration-.” I say, beginning to recount the events to her.

Rarity slips the needle and thread into the fabric and pulls it through, brows furrowed in concentration as she focuses on her work.

Knocking at her door partially draws, but doesn’t completely break, her concentration.

”*knock-knock-knock* Howdy Rarity!” Applejack greets, opening and entering the boutique.

Rarity continues focusing on her dress. She’ll just finish this little line of stitching and then pull away from it to greet her friend properly.

“Shh! Can’t you see Rarity’s trying to concentrate?” Twilight from the sound of things, whispers to Applejack.

‘Thank you Twilight, I’ll try to finish up shortly.’ Rarity thinks while still trying to focus.

“Whado-you think she’s making?” Applejack whispers back.

‘A dress, Applejack. This is a dress shop, so it stands to reason I’m making a dress.’ Rarity mentally deadpans.

“Looks like a dress.” Twilight observes in a still very much audible whisper.

‘Thank you for that astute observation Twilight.’ Rarity thinks with more sarcasm than she would ever say aloud. Do they honestly think she can’t hear them?

“Well that makes sense. Since this is a dress maker’s shop and all.” Applejack reasons.

‘Oh for Celestia’s sake!’ She thinks in exasperation.

“Is there something I can help you with?” Rarity asks them, twisting her neck around and putting effort to smile and keep her voice upbeat.

“Oh, so very sorry to trouble you right now Rarity. But I need a quick favor.” Twilight pulls out a grungy looking red and yellow dress from her bags and places it on a free table. “Could you please fix a button for me? It’s my dress for the Grand Galloping Gala.” Twilight explains.

Rarity gasps when she lays her eyes on the dress. “Oh no no no! You can’t wear this, ugh… old thing.” She gestures in disgust at the old dress. “You need a glamorous new gown for the Gala. I’ll make it for you, with no cost to you. It will be my pleasure!” Rarity tells Twilight with a smile, ideas of creating a gown for her friend already circulating in her mind’s eye.

“Oh, that’s really sweet of you to offer Rarity, but I can’t let you do that. It’d be so much work! This dress is fine.” Twilight says, declining her offer with a touched smile.

Rarity isn’t having any of it though. “Twilight Sparkle. I insist on making you a new dress.” Rarity responds determinedly.

“But-.”

“Not another word!” Rarity interrupts Twilight’s protest with an outward-waving hoof. “I won’t take no for an answer.” She tells Twilight with finality.

“Weeeeell in that case… Thank you for your generosity Rarity. I’m sure with your handiwork, I’m sure it will be absolutely beautiful.” Twilight compliments, finally accepting Rarity’s offer.

Rarity nods with satisfaction, but then her eyes are drawn to her left to Applejack.

“Let me guess Applejack. You don’t want a new gown either.” Rarity states, knowing the farm pony well enough to guess.

“Gown? Shoot, I was just gonna wear my work duds.” Applejack replies.

“You can’t possibly be serious Applejack! You must wear formal attire!” Rarity tells her half-pleadingly.

“Hmmm… nah.” Applejack responds after a moment of thought.

“You know, the Gala is a formal party Applejack. I think it just makes logical sense to wear formal clothes to it.” A new voice says from the doorway.

Rarity, Twilight and Applejack look and see Baelor and Trixie stepping into the boutique through the open door.

“Oh, hello, good evening you two. What brings you over?” Rarity greets warmly.

“Eh, nothing in particular. I was just wondering where Twilight went, and Spike pointed us here, so we just came from the library. Now what’s this I hear about Applejack not wanting to wear clothes for the Gala?” Baelor asks.

“Baelor!” Rarity exclaims, surprised at the scandalous wording of his question.

He looks at her for a moment, looking confused, but then his face changes to that of a smirk and he chuckles. “Not really what I meant when I said that, but if you want to see it that way I won’t stop you.” He says to her with a knowing smirk.

Rarity’s brain comes to an abrupt halt at what he’s implying. ‘Why that-that-how DARE he!’ She internally rages. She is a lady. She does not have filthy thoughts like such as that.

“Don’t get so worked up about it Rarity. You did kind of leave yourself open to that with how you reacted.” Trixie says while smiling in amusement. Applejack snickering behind her while Twilight looks confused and not quite following what’s not being said.

Rarity feels annoyed that her friends seem to be taking Baelor’s side, but she takes a deep breath to calm herself. A lady shouldn’t get so worked up about such things. A second later, she’s back to her calm and refined self.

“Anyway, to get back on topic, Applejack doesn’t wish for me to make her a new dress for the Gala, and seems intent on wearing her “work duds” instead.” Rarity says, answering Baelor’s inappropriate (regardless of what the others say) question.

“Ah’m a farmer Rarity. That kind of stuff like fashion and makeup aren’t what I’m used to.” Applejack argues.

Rarity gives a long-suffering sigh. “What if, instead of a new gown, I just spruce up your, uh… duds for you a little bit.” Rarity offers.

“Erm… sure, okay, why not. I guess Bael there did have a point when he said a formal party needs formal clothes’n stuff.” Applejack concedes. “Just don’t make them too… fru-fru, alright?” She adds.

“Deal!” Rarity agrees, glad that Applejack’s seen reason.

‘And I suppose Baelor’s somewhat logical observation helped a bit.’ Rarity thinks, mentally deciding to go a bit easier on him in her little revenge for the future.

“Look out below!” Somepony calls from outside.

Rainbow Dash then crashes through Rarity’s ceiling, hits her floor, and finally bounces into a group of mannequins in the back of the store.

“Safe!” Baelor calls out, shooting his arms out to both sides like an umpire.

Trixie face-hooves.

Rainbow pops up from the mess she landed. “Eheheh… sorry. New trick. Didn’t quite work.” She says somewhat sheepishly with a bucket on her head and several swathes of fabric hanging off of her.

Rarity looks at Rainbow in contemplation. “Hmmmm…” She says, with a hoof on her chin. “*GASP* I-DEAAAAAAA!” She exclaims in inspiration.

“I’ll make you an outfit for the Gala too Rainbow Dash!” She tells Rainbow.

Rainbow looks at her in confusion. “Outfit for the what-now?” She asks.

“I’ll make one for you, and you, and you-and-you.” Rarity says pointing to Rainbow, AJ, Twilight, and Trixie. Then she gets a sense of mischief when she sees Baelor’s look of nervousness from the corner of her eye. “And you.” She says with a wicked grin at his look of being caught.

‘Revenge is mine!’ Rarity thinks viciously.

Then she perks back up to giddy. “Ooh! And Fluttershy and Pinkie too!” She says with a little hop in place. “And when I’m done. We can do our very own fashion show!” Rarity says with excitement.

“Um… not to rain on your parade or anything Rarity… but, I’m not really going need a new dress…” Trixie says carefully.

“What?! Why ever not Trixie?” Rarity asks her in surprise.

“Well, I’m…” Trixie starts.

“If you’re worried about the cost, then have no fear, these will be my gift to all of you. No need to fret about money.” Rarity says, trying to assuage her friend.

“No, it’s not that. It’s just…” Trixie says, seeming to have difficulty getting the words out.

“What? What is it?” Rarity prompts.

“… I’m going to be leaving Ponyville soon.” She finally says.

“WHAT?!” The loud shout makes everyone in the room jump in fear. Rarity looks to the right and sees Pinkie Pie sitting up inside one of her fabric drawers with her hooves hanging out.

“WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO LEAVE PONYVILLE?! IT’S ONE OF THE FRIENDLIEST PLACES IN EQUESTRIA!” Pinkie asks again hysterically.

“Wha-Pinkie?! When did you-.” Trixie says.

“Pinkie, you like making ponies happy, right?” Bealor suddenly asks Pinkie.

“Of course! I throw every new pony that comes to Ponyville a Welcome to Ponyville party just for that!” Pinkie answers.

“And you do a great job of that. But Trixie likes making ponies happy and smile too. It’s just that she does it by putting on magic shows for them and telling stories. But besides that, she also enjoys traveling to new places to spread that happiness to as far as she can. She’s not leaving Ponyville because she doesn’t like it here. She’s leaving because she wants to make other places besides Ponyville happy too. It’s how she chooses to live her life.” Baelor explains to the pink Earth pony.

Pinkie Pie thinks on his words for a moment before her eyes widen. “Ooooooooh.” She says in understanding. Then they she droops down in sadness. “So does that mean we’re not going to see her again?” She asks.

“Of course not!” Trixie speaks up. She trots over to Pinkie Pie. “You’re all my friends, and I’ve had a great time being here with all of you… despite all of you being completely insane sometimes.” She says with a bit of irritation.

“Hah! Who’s more insane though? The crazies, or the one that follows the crazies?” Baelor quips.

Trixie glares at him. “In any case.” She continues. “You’ve all given me something to come back too. So it’s definitely not goodbye forever. If anything, I’ll probably revisit Ponyville sooner rather than later now because of all of you… Maybe Baelor and Rainbow a little less so.” She jabs.

“Hey!”

“Ouch. Right through the heart, huh Trix.”

Rarity decides to speak up after this exchange. “Well, though it is saddening to hear that you’re leaving, it still does not change the fact that I will still be making you a dress.” Rarity tells her.

“But, I’m-.”

“Ap-up-up! I will hear no more arguments about it. If it helps, just consider it a farewell gift. And you are going to need it if you are to meet us at the Gala.” Rarity says, casting a look at Twilight, she nods in understanding.

“The Gala? I… wait, I don’t even have a ticket-.” Trixie starts to argue again.

“I can just ask Princess Celestia for two more. She seemed okay with giving up extras the last time I asked for enough for all the girls. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind sending another two for you and Bael.” Twilight interjects.

“No need for that. Celestia already slipped one in my bag for me when she was here yesterday. I’m covered.” Baelor says, lifting up his ticket in his claws as proof.

“There, you see. There isn’t really any reason for you to worry.” Rarity says.

Trixie opens her mouth to give another argument, but from the sound of nothing coming out, she obviously can’t think of another point to argue. “*sigh* Okay. You can make me a dress.” Trixie agrees and slumps in defeat.

“Wonderful! Then it’s settled. I’ll make everypony here a new outfit for the Gala, and then we’ll have a fashion show starring us.” Rarity concludes.

“Yay!” The other girls, sans Bael, cheer in glee at the idea. Rarity trots over to her drawing board to begin thinking up ideas. Applejack steps up next to her.

“So all you have to do is make a different, stunnin’, original, amazin’ outfit for one, two-three-four-five-six, plus yourself, seven ponies, and a dragon, lickety-split?” Applejack asks her, becoming increasingly concerned as she summarizes what Rarity plans to do.

“Oh-ho-ho Applejack. You make it sound as if it’s going to be hard.” Rarity titters, unconcerned with her new workload.

“You two do realize that the Gala’s somewhere like five months away, right? There’s really no reason to rush through this in a week.” Baelor points out from behind them.

“Oh yes, I’m quite well aware of that Baelor. But since this isn’t a commission, I do still need to get it done quickly. Actual orders will need to come first so getting these out of the way sooner rather than later is better right now.” Rarity explains.

“Well okay. So long as you’ve got a plan. But I’d like to point out that I… already kind of have something I was planning to wear to the Gala before I came here. So if you find out later that you bit off more than you can chew, you can go ahead and just not make me something.” Baelor tells her.

Rarity narrows her eyes at him. “Oh really? Where, pray tell, is this outfit you already were planning on wearing?” She asks him, suspicious.

“Same as the Gala ticket. My bag.” He answers. “Celestia kept everything in it preserved with a spell for a thousand years, and one of the things I have in it is my old uniform from the temple I trained at.” He explains.

“Hmm… well, a uniform does sound somewhat acceptable for the Gala... but I would like to see it myself before I allow it.” Rarity tells him.

Baelor rolls his eyes at her. “Yes mom.” He says sarcastically.

Rarity narrows her eyes into a look, and he shrinks back uncomfortably from it. “Okay, sorry. Just give me a sec to pull it out.” Baelor hurries to unsling his bag from his back.

Rarity’s look changes to a satisfied smile. “Excellent. You can go change into it in the bathroom, through that hallway to the right.” Rarity instructs and points with her hoof.

Baelor sighs in resignation and slings his bag back over himself and walks to the bathroom to do so.

“Why’re you makin’ him change into it? Couldn’t you just look at it and make something from what you see.” Applejack asks her curiously.

“Well, while I admit that might not be outside the realm of possibility, I’d actually prefer to see how it looks on him. I’ve made innumerable outfits and accessories for ponies both mare and stallion, and even quite a few for some foals. But I’m not so confident in my ability to make something for a dragon.” Rarity admits.

“What’s the problem? He walks on four legs and has wings. Just make something you’d make for a pegasus stallion but a little bigger.” Rainbow comments.

Rarity tuts disapprovingly. “That is both incredibly lazy and disrespectful Rainbow Dash. You may not understand the finer points of clothes making, but even you should have noticed that Baelor’s physique is completely different from a pony’s. His legs do not end in whooves, the joints in his legs are different as well, and his midsection and upper torso are longer than ours. His neck and tail are also things I will have to take into account as well when designing his attire. Not to mention his wings don’t look like they will fit through any kind of hole unless they take up most of the ensemble.” Rarity lists off.

“You have to do all that just for Baelor’s suit?” Trixie asks in surprise.

“Well, possibly… if it turns out Baelor’s uniform isn’t compatible with an environment such as the Grand Galloping Gala. But I am hoping that whatever he has will give me an idea of how to start figuring out how to design his suit. It is something made by dragons, for dragons after all. Even if it was done so a thousand years ago, it still should hold some form of function or trick within its folds that ponies haven’t figured out yet.” Rarity reasons.

“Now then, I’ve kept you all long enough from your day, and I’d very much like to get started on these outfits immediately, and once I’ve seen Baelor in his uniform, I’ll be sending him on his way as well. Go on, shoo, shoo. Go on about your days again.” Rarity shoos the others away with a good-natured smile.

I stare at myself in Rarity’s bathroom mirror, lost in thought. ‘How long has it been since I wore this?’ I ask myself.

The uniform is an orange, silk gi, with a bright yellow strip of fabric wrapped around my waist and tied at the side to act as a belt. The sleaves go all the way down to my claws, and the pants hang loose and free until they reach my second knees on my back legs, where tan wrappings cover the rest of my hind legs. Five strings tie off the front of the gi going down its length.

I know it’s not really the fanciest clothing ever, but it’s all I’ve got and also one of the last things I have to remember my time at the temple. Plus, I’m hoping the exotic appeal of it is enough to satisfy Rarity that she doesn’t have to make me a whole new outfit for the Gala. She’s got enough on her plate with having to deal with the other girls and their inevitable criticism of their dresses.

I take a deep breath before stepping out of the bathroom and walking back out to where Rarity and the other girls last were. Surprisingly, Rarity’s the only one there anymore. She turns and sees as I approach.

“Is this your uniform?” She asks me with a tilt of her head.

“Yeah… this is it.” I tell her with a shrug. Not really sure why she wanted me to change into it.

Rarity looks at me with a scrutinizing eye, humming in contemplation as she circles around me, looking at my uniform from all angles.

Finally, she stops, once again in front of me. “Well, it’s not terrible…” She decides, giving me hope that my plan worked. “-but it is still not good enough for the Gala.” She adds with a frown.

I sigh in disappointment. Rarity chuckles. “Fear not darling. If anything, this is giving me several ideas of what to do. And that should cut my work time by a significant amount. I was actually having trouble figuring out what to make for you.” She tells me. Well that’s a relief. At least this made things a little easier for her.

“I’ve never actually made clothing for a dragon before, so would you mind leaving your uniform here for me to reference?” Rarity asks me.

“Sure.” I answer. I go back into the bathroom to change out of it, and I bring it back out folded to her.

“Thank you Baelor. Have a good day!” She says to me.

“You too Rarity. And don’t overwork yourself. Take some time to rest every now and again.” I tell her.

“Don’t worry darling, I will. Applejack’s not the only one that learned that lesson that day.” Rarity responds as I walk out of her boutique.

“Alright then.” I say, walking back to the library.

My walk is in silence, since I have no one to talk to. And the one thing I'm really worrying about is how I'm going to try to steer the girls away from completely reenacting the episode. But my thoughts are interrupted before I get all the way to the library.

“Hey, Baller-or-whatever, mind telling me why your rock just spoke to me? Maybe come here like a man and explain face to face?” A voice resounds in my head.

I blink in surprise. Then look around for the source of the voice, but no one’s around.

But then I feel a pulse of energy from my bag. I reach into it and pull out my token to see that it’s blinking red from my energy. ‘What?’ I think in confusion.

A rift suddenly opens up in front of me. Making me freeze in surprise.

‘A portal? What, why is a portal… am I being summoned?’ I contemplate in surprise.

I glance down at my token once again, then look back up at the portal. I take a deep breath of preparation. ‘Alright then. Let’s see who’s calling me.’ I think to myself before stepping through the rift.

Author's Notes:

Hey guys. Before I say anything else, I'd just like to say, I'm sorry for taking so long with this chapter.

"Why'd it take so long?"

Uh, well... Summer's just kind of really good at keeping my mind off of... well... doing anything. Including writing. And I just kind of procrastinated a lot on this for several months.

"Meh, it's cool with us man. Everyone needs a break once in a while."

The funny thing is, I probably would have gotten this done sooner if I didn't get a job this summer, so I've kind of been drained from that too as the weeks passed by.

Anyway, in terms of this chapter... sorry, not really much of anything except filler. Gotta get through these episodes one chapter at a time. And as for the crossover chapter... it's not done yet, and my partner just PM'ed me today that they're actually struggling to get three or four other crossover chapters with some of their other stories done first, so the chapter's on hold for now. But don't worry, I'll post the link to the chapter and story Bael is going to when it's up.

"So who's the new friend that Bael's going to meet?"

I'm going to keep that a secret until the crossover chapter's actually up, but I'll give you a hint it's a newer Displaced story in the group.

And finally, last but not least, a small hint about what to expect next chapter:

Baelor is not going to be in it since he's still going to be in the other Displaced's world.

But...

The next chapter is going to focus on somepony all of you might be wanting to see. Ten cookie points if one of you guesses it in the comments.

See you guys next time.

Edit: Crossover chapter's up