My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic

The Challenges of Love

Part One: Rarity's Tale

Rated: PG

Themes: Implied adult conduct and other serious elements

by Mario Rodgers

Approximate length: TBD(but already much longer than original)

Author's note: I've made some interesting changes in this revision. Even if this gets a lower score on Equestria Daily, I think this will be the definitive vision. I've padded out many scenes, wrote in some new material, dropped hints that will become revelations in later chapters of "Challenges of Love", wrote out some scenes I felt were no longer necessary, added more emotional content, changed the angle of the whole "stolen necklace" plot, dialectized Applejack's speech, changed from third person limited to third person omniscient, and wrote in Sweetie Belle as Rarity's sister, finally. And apparently also wrote in a new character. Enjoy!

Chapter One

Winter had come to Ponyville once more. The last season of Equestria's year gripped every house, shop, tent, and cottage in a gentle embrace of swirling, chilly air; rivulets of water that had been frozen into icicles on branches and gutters, as if the water itself decided to slow down and enjoy the scenery; and of course Cloudsdale's painstakingly crafted and exquisitely perfect snow flakes.

But for the ponies of the tiny village at the base of Canterlot's mountain, life bustled with energy and moved at anything but a methodical pace. The holiday season quickly approached, with all its promises of sweets, cakes, colorful decorations, heartfelt well-wishing, and lively parties. And possibly more than any other town, the citizens of Ponyville looked forward to celebratory endeavors.

For many, though, the season meant changes and preparations. Many shop owners had decided to close their respective stores early for the season, some earlier than others. Mr. Breezy, the admired owner of Ponyville's fan store, always closed up shop towards the end of fall and carted his wares to warmer climates.

"Who would buy fans during the winter?" he would say.

Other ponies were content to busy themselves with baking, the warm, inviting scents of cinnamon, various fruits, or baked breads drifting on the breeze down Ponyville's many scenic streets to whomever would care stop and to sniff. Still others fretted over plans for the upcoming winter festival, held every year in Celestia's honor but celebrated for the citizens. Responsibility for putting up the decorations, candles, and tinsel all across town fell to almost everypony. In her home at the seat of Ponyville's governmental power, the mayor busied herself with plans for the festival and lists of ponies that needed to be placed in teams.

However in one corner of Ponyville, in an elegant blue and white circular house, a darling shop called the Carousel Boutique, recognizable for its various pony mannequins and extravagant fringes and adornments on its almost gazebo-like roof, one attractive, pearl white unicorn with an azure mane fretted over the minutia of her upcoming trip.

Rarity carefully scanned her travel bags with her icy blue eyes. Normally, she was never one to pack lightly for an excursion, but Alphons, her assistant and somewhat on-again-off-again friend who usually helped her pull the wagon that she would fill with some of her more elaborate bags, cleverly and unexpectedly decided to take "a vacation" to visit his family this year.

So there they sat on her bed. Her two lonely bags. Filled with a smallish number of her things that she felt she would need for her trip. The bags lay open for her to gaze at their contents, and she sighed as she mulled over the difficult decisions she would have to make. Eloquently folded and carefully layered into every possible space were the articles she had already decided upon. But there was still some space left for an item or two. The task lay in deciding which item to choose to fill in the gap.

"Hmm. Okay," Rarity muttered to herself as she mentally catalogued her items. "So I have the royal purple winter coat by Snowflake Chic, courtesy of the Elegant Unicorn catalog. The dazzling mountain print scarf by Fancy Mares Inc, also courtesy of Elegant Unicorn. Hair brush. Mascara. Eye shadow. Four days supply of energy bars. My sequined evening party dress, made by me of course. Oh dear." The tone of her voice changed to one of slight sadness and uncertainty.

Two pairs of winter boots hovered over to the unicorn from where they lay on her bed's duvet, and a doubtful look formed on her face. To the average pony, both pairs appeared to be of a plain white color, lined with cotton and trimmed with feathers. But Rarity knew better.

"I can't decide between the egg shell white boots or the sunlit snow white boots," she said as she carefully lowered the boots back on her bed and glanced at another set. "Or maybe I'll just go with classic white. You can never go wrong with classic white." Rarity then looked down at her feet and gave it a quick look over, passing her eyes over the boots she currently sported. She suddenly regreted her decision and gave a smirk.

Something about the color had instantly put her off. Tea leaf green.

"What WAS I thinking?" she said with a hint of disgust in her voice and a toss of her mane. She quickly stepped out of the offending boots and tossed them into her wardrobe, using her unicorn magic to bring a pair of fiery red boots closer to her from the same said wardrobe. "Much better," she muttered with satisfaction as she stepped into the new shoes. The classic white boots she placed in one of her bags.

Then came the difficult part for Rarity, the actual closing of her saddlebags. In Rarity's desire to bring as many of her beloved clothes as possible, given her distasteful position of being left with limited space thanks to Alphons' seeming thoughtlessness, she had packed her bags to the brim. Closing them up wouldn't be easy.

"Ponyfeathers! (huff) Why (huff) did you (huff) have to (huff) take time off (huff) on MY time off (huff), Alphons?"

She pressed and shoved and shoved and pressed, but to no success. An idea then came to her, and she tried coaxing the bags with her magic.

Click.

"HA HA! Success!" She then gazed at her other choices and trinkets she was forced to abandon. "So many wonderful things I wanted to take along with me. But. . ." A quick application of unicorn magic, and the bags found their place across the small of Rarity's back, outside of the magenta-colored winter coat which she earlier slipped on and secured with its singular button of sapphire. "A girl's got to make difficult choices in life." She then glanced around her room, scanning about here and there as if she was looking for something specific. "Now WHAT am I forgetting? I know I'm forgetting something. What is it? AHA!" Her eyes fell on a small necklace with a dazzling diamond set into the pendant.

The diamond itself was only about two karats in size, but it shone with such a dazzling clarity that made it the envy of all diamond fanciers. If sold today, it would easily be worth well over three thousand canter coins.

Rarity's eyes shimmered in delight as she fawned over the necklace hanging from her jewelry stand. "I can't forget Betsy," she said as she latched the neclace around her neck with her magic.

Finally, she cinched a small purse to one of her bags. Inside was a modest amount of canter coins, just enough for Gift Giving Day shopping. A broad smile slowly formed on the white unicorn's face as thoughts raced in her head of the upcoming holiday, soirees, catching up with family and buying exquisite gifts for them and her friends, getting gifts in return, and of course, the planned family party and dance that was the sole purpose of bringing along her party dress.

"Maybe I can find a nice, suave stallion at the party to, ahem, chat it up and dance with a bit while I'm waiting for the day I get to meet HIM," she mused to herself as she swooned a little.

With a smile, Rarity gave another quick look-see of the room and a final mental rundown of her itinerary. The final thought crossing her mind was of her cat. For a change, Rarity had given her cat Opalescence to Ponyville's elementary school teacher, Cheerilee. Oddly enough, Fluttershy didn't seem to be up to her usual self in wanting to watch over Rarity's cat. When pressed about her mood, Fluttershy merely stated she just wanted to curl up by her fireplace and munch on week old cookies.

When Rarity was certain that she had everything that she needed or could possibly take with her, she headed downstairs and outside her door. She shivered against the icy blast of winter air that greeted her face the instant her boots hit the crisp, pure snow that had collected outside her house. A slight hint of cinnamon mixed with the bitter scent of pine needles hit her nose, which proved to be an odd mixture, but Rarity could tell Pinkie Pie was baking again. The ring-alings of bells and the bouncy and slightly amusing warblings of off key carollers danced in the chilly morning air.

"Ah," Rarity sighed. "Gift Giving Day. The joys. The hassles. The shopping!" she said with an all too eager rise in her voice at the last word.

"Never one to clear your walkway, huh Rarity?" came the familiar voice of Twilight Sparkle.

Rarity scanned the winter wonderland until she spotted Twilight and Rainbow Dash. Twilight sported a bulky but functional hooded sweater with an image of a telescope knitted on its front. Rainbow Dash wore the more form-fitting vest she used for Winter Wrap Up. The both of them were building a couple snow ponies underneath a tree. Rainbow Dash's snow pony, of course, was built into an athlete's stance, but what was most surprising about it was that it came in all the colors of the rainbow.

Rarity raised an eyebrow. "Rainbow Dash. How did you. . .?"

Rainbow Dash puffed her chest out in pride. "That's MY secret."

Twilight Sparkle put the finishing touches on the tiny creases of her snow unicorn's horn. Its slick, icy surface shimmered like silver in the morning sun. Rarity smiled and marvelled at the intricate details and loving thought that Twilight had put into her creation. Rarity never took Twilight for the artistic type with an eye for detail. Perhaps this was Twilight's way of redeeming herself after the bird's nest fiasco of last year's Winter Wrap Up. Nightmares of knots upon knots of straw sometimes still haunted Rarity's dreams.

"Perfecto, darling," said Rarity as she walked over, the snow crunching underneath her boots. "That is simply exquisite."

Twilight Sparkle blushed. "Thanks, Rarity. I'm quite proud of it."

Rainbow Dash frowned, the feathers on her wings slightly ruffling, and pointed an accusing hoof at Twilight. "But you used your unicorn magic!"

"Only for the big things. I carved these details myself."

"Well it doesn't matter because. . ." Rainbow Dash walked back over to her snow pony and touched it confidently, beaming with pride. "MY snow pony is better."

Twilight smiled and shook her head, bemused at her friend's sometimes endearing competitive streak. "Of course it is, Rainbow Dash."

"They're both equally magnificent," said Rarity, hoping to put a little peace between them.

"Which means mine is better because I didn't use magic," said Rainbow Dash as she stuck out her tongue at Twilight.

"So Rarity," started Twilight, changing the subject. "Are you coming to Pinkie Pie's party tomorrow? It seems she's throwing her annual winter bash early this year. For Gift Giving Day."

Rarity shook her head sadly, the curly locks of her purple hair dancing back and forth as she did so. "I'm afraid I'll have to miss her party this year. This year I'm visiting my family in far off Buttercup. There's a shopping center there that's simply delightful. I MUST remember to bring you all one day. I'm going to buy gifts for my family there. But when I come back, I'll have gifts for all my Ponyville friends. I'll return on Gift Giving Day. And you can give me your gifts when I arrive."

"Aww, Rarity," said Twilight, with a hint of a pleading tone. "Why are you leaving? We were going to start putting up the decorations around the town pretty soon, and I was counting on you and your wonderful artistic touch. And you know what happens during the town's winter celebration the day before Gift Giving Day."

Rarity gulped. She would love more than anything than to stay for the celebration like she did last year and earn a chance to see Princess Celestia again and hopefully be awarded with the prized Silver Feather, marking her as the mare that made the celebration the prettiest and most magical and granting her the invitation to participate in the winter ball at Canterlot later that evening. She had such plans for decorations. Such big plans. Despite her best efforts in gathering the prettiest materials and planning the layout of each banner and ornament and light, Rarity didn't win the Silver Feather last year. Or the year before that. But seeing her family couldn't be put off much longer.

"I'm really flattered you've thought of me, Twilight," said Rarity, "but I really need to take this trip. It's been a while since I've seen my family. Look. Even Applejack is taking a trip."

Twilight and Rainbow spotted Applejack trotting towards them from her farm on the outskirts of town. She sported a couple large saddlebags and a sweater with a pattern resembling her cutie mark. The saddlebags looked rather tough and heavy, and possibly made of burlap, to Rarity. But everypony knew of Applejack's strength.

"Oh Applejack. Not you too," Twilight whined.

"Mornin' gals," said Applejack as she neared her friends. Then she brightened. "Hey, Rarity! Ya goin' on a trip too?"

Rarity nodded. "I most certainly am."

"Kin?" said Applejack in that rough country air that was only all too familiar to Rarity.

"If by that you mean family business, then yes." Rarity slightly swallowed a lump of pride to avoid looking rude in front of Applejack.

"And where are YOU headed off, Applejack?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Family reunion. At Golden Delicious' place. Ah get to meet family members ah never even knew existed."

Rainbow Dash made a look as if she couldn't quite wrap her brain around the concept that there were even more Apples in Equestria.

Applejack glanced at the sky. "Welp. Ah'm burning daylight here. See you girls on Gift Giving Day. Ah don't see Fluttershy around. Tell her ah said goodbye. Ah've already told Pinkie." And with that, Applejack trotted on down the road away from town.

A thought crossed Twilight's mind, and she frowned as Applejack disappeared from sight. "That DOES remind me. I haven't seen Fluttershy yet. She's usually an early riser, and it's already close to noon."

Rainbow Dash glanced in the direction of the meadow. "I dunno. I think she's been feeling kinda sad lately."

Rarity nodded. "I've noticed a change in demeanor in her as well when I asked her to take care of Opal. I wonder what could be upsetting her. She never divulged any useful information."

Twilight mused. "Well that DOES make sense. I guess. Think about it, Rarity. None of the flowers are growing, and all her animal friends are hibernating, except for probably Angel."

"Well what about us?" asked Rainbow Dash, looking back in the direction of Twilight and Rarity.

"She's still very shy, Rainbow. I don't think she relates to us as well as she does her animal friends," said Twilight.

Rarity brightened. "Ooh! We simply MUST do something extra nice for her on Gift Giving Day."

"Yeah. Well. What do we do in the meantime?"

Rainbow Dash made a gesture with her right front hoof. "Oh she'll be fine."

Twilight and Rarity gave Rainbow Dash the searing look that she had grown to recognize when her friends thought she had said something idiotic or insensitive, which tended to be often.

Rainbow flinched. "I mean. . . Oh! Let's go track down Pinkie! She's really good at cheering up other ponies. Especially Fluttershy."

"That's a. . . surprisingly smart idea, Rainbow," said Twilight with a perky smile.

Rainbow Dash smiled and puffed out her chest. "Thanks!" Then a pause. "Hey!"

Twilight trotted towards Pinkie Pie's house, with Rainbow following shortly after. But Rarity faltered.

Twilight glanced back at Rarity. "Coming, Rarity?"

"Um. Well I. . . Hrm."

Rarity's sense of good grace prevented her from appearing rude to her friends by mentioning her needs. She knew it would take quite a while to travel from Ponyville to Buttercup, and the day was already well on its way to mid-afternoon. She eagerly wanted to get her travel underway and get to where her family was. But her friends needed her as well. Twilight must've picked up on Rarity's feelings, as she wasn't very good at hiding them and rathered preferred not to.

"It won't take long, Rarity. And then you can be on your merry way," said Twilight, trying to ease Rarity's mind.

Rarity smiled. "Well. Okay sure. Why not?"

Twilight, Rainbow, and Rarity made their way to the Sugar Cube sweet shop, hoping to see Pinkie Pie there. Ponyville's only confectionery store was oddly designed to look like a giant ginger bread house. Its roof could be mistaken for a chocolate wafer, and its trimmings looked like frosting. It's uppermost room resembled a giant cupcake. Despite its outlandish appearance, Sugar Cube Corner was often the sight of many social gatherings, parties, and general merriment as ponies from all over Ponyville headed to the shop to enjoy each other's company and the Cakes' Equestria famous sweets and tea. However as they approached the shop, the three ponies didn't hear merriment or laughter of any kind. Instead, the friends could make out the distinct and unmistakable sound of crying. No, not crying. Wailing.

"Is. . ." said Twilight.

"That. . ." said Rainbow.

"Pinkie Pie?" finished Rarity.

For a moment, the three ponies stood there staring at each other, wondering if they should bother knocking on the door and who will be the first to go in.

"That sounds pretty bad," said Rarity, concern working into her voice.

"Ugh. Great. Applejack broke the cutie."

"Rainbow," Twilight chastised. "Well let's not all stand around gawking. I'm going in."

Twilight opened the door, the bell on the door frame giving a cheerful jingling to herald their entrance, and went in first. She was followed by Rainbow Dash and then Rarity closely behind. Twilight jumped back a bit as they were greeted by practically a waterfall coming from Pinkie's eyes. And Rarity couldn't help but notice that the main kitchen was a scene of a minor organizational disaster. Spots of flour stained the tables and various counter tops, and a sack of sugar lay spilling some of its contents on the floor.

"Pinkie. What's the matter?" asked Twilight, cautiously approaching to avoid getting a drenching.

Pinkie stopped and sniffled slightly, somehow happy to see her friends. "Oh. Hi gals," she said, trying to bring back her usual cheerfulness. "What's up?"

"Why are you crying?"

Pinkie Pie looked a little sheepish. "Oh well. It's just that. . . Applejack left us!" She started whimpering.

Rainbow hoofed her face. "Oh brother."

Twilight gave Rainbow a quick glance and then looked back at Pinkie. "Pinkie. It's only for a little while. She went to a family reunion. She'll be back in time for Gift Giving Day."

Pinkie sniffed. "I know. But. . . I was just getting ready to bake some treats to take over to Fluttershy to try and cheer her up, and Applejack is such a wonderful helper."

"Well what about Mr. and Mrs. Cake?" asked Twilight.

Pinkie Pie wiped her eyes and shook her head. "They closed the shop early for the holidays and went home but let me have free reign of the Sugar Cube as long as I don't try to sell anything and use my own personal stash of ingredients."

"I think she just misses Applejack," Rarity pointed out, trying to keep her attention off the mess which was even now threatening to consume her sense of etiquette.

"Well hey! That's a fabulous idea! We'll all help out to bake some treats to cheer up Fluttershy!" exclaimed Twilight. "Are you helping Rarity?"

Rarity squirmed. She would rather avoid further delays and she was running behind as it was. Buttercup wasn't exactly a quick jog away. On the other hoof, the idea of Fluttershy wasting her days munching on week old butterscotch didn't sit right with Rarity.

Twilight's smiled faded away. "Oh yeah. That's right. You have to get started on your trip too."

"Now Rarity's leaving?" Pinkie whined.

"Save it, Pinkie," said Rainbow.

Rarity smiled an unconfident smile. "Well hey. I guess I could stay a little bit and help out."

"That a girl," said Twilight.

The thought of baking and throwing even a small party was just too much for Pinkie Pie, and she brightened instantly as she went to go retrieve her ingredients and baking tools for her friends to use. A pink smear and a gust of wind greeted the girls. Twice. One going and one coming. This was followed by a clatter of pots and pans and odds and ends and ingredients that spilled out onto the central table of the kitchen.

Rarity spent a good deal of time helping Pinkie Pie baking the sweets with her other friends, taking them over to Fluttershy, and hearing Fluttershy wishing her a good trip. Rarity chatted with Fluttershy and her other friends for a tiny bit over treats and tea before heading out, and Fluttershy seemed to cheer up somewhat at seeing her good friend and hearing her talk about her Gift Giving Day plans.

With her late start of the day combined with helping out Pinkie and socializing with Fluttershy, Rarity had lost so much time that she figured it would be late even before she reached Buttercup. Before she headed down the main town road towards the outskirts of Ponyville, and as she stepped out of the doorway of Fluttershy's house, Rarity glanced up at the sky. The sun had already climbed way past its noon position and was starting on its trek towards the western sky.

Rarity sighed out a wisp of condensation. "Princess Celestia. Can't you slow down time?" she said half-heartedly and mostly to herself.

She then started on her trip and headed down the road.

Author's note: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is copyrighted by Hasbro and created by Lauren Faust. Show characters are copyrighted by Hasbro. Lyra and Bon Bon are copyrighted by Hasbro and named by the fan community. Ditzy Doo/Derpy Hooves is copyrighted by Hasbro and role given by fan community. Halo Gem Sunshine, Jade Sunwonder, Thoughtful Gift, Alphons, Sapphire Dreams, Star Shooter, Moonlight Sonata, Silver Dawn, Mournful Sun, Daffodil Meadows, Thistle, Fireflash, Mr Greenfields, and any other original character I may have forgotten copyrighted by me, Mario Rodgers. Fireflash inspired by The Thunderbirds' vehicle, copyrighted by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. Indiana Colts copyrighted by the NFL. "Here's your sign" copyrighted by Bill Engvall.