WARNING: This chapter contains sexual assault in graphic detail and may contain triggering material not suitable for some viewers.

Rarity left a couple of days early and took a train to Manehattan for the last few supplies she would need for the costumes, not to mention visit with her costume designer friend. It was a late Friday evening. After a long day of shopping, she was on her way back to the manefare hotel for the evening.

She passed a loud bar and rolled her eyes. How uncouth. She could smell the dumpster in the nearby alleyway. The stench was repulsive and made her want to vomit.

A pair of hooves reached out from the shadows and covered her mouth. She tried to scream, but it was to no avail. No one was walking these streets this late at night. A stallion with the smell of alcohol on his breath wrestled her to the ground.

Then, the assault began. He was pounding into her and whispering in her ear. His speech was garbled and slurred from the alcohol, so she couldn't understand him. For that, she was grateful. She felt his breath on the nape of her neck, and it made every hair on her body stand to attention and sent chills down her spine.

She distanced herself from what was happening to her, and only moved when she was sure he was gone. She held herself together by a thread. When she got to the hotel, she broke down and cried. Why her? Had she stepped over some invisible line? Had she been such a terrible pony that this was her punishment? What had she done to deserve such cruelty?

She was crying as she put the last touches on Sapphire Shores' wardrobe. She had been hoping that the busy work would take her mind off of it, but she was woefully mistaken. She ordered alcohol from room service that night and drank herself into sweet oblivion where the questions swirling around in her mind finally ceased, and she was blessed with mental quiet.

The next morning, she didn't want to move. It felt like the events of last night were perhaps only a nightmare, but the soreness of her body said otherwise. Nonetheless, she knew she had to move on. She would accomplish nothing by wallowing in her grief, so she gathered up her strength, courage, and pride, and headed for the train station.

Seeing Laureate was only three days away.

She felt so dirty. Her virginity was gone. Who would want her? Would he?

The thought made her stop cold.

Stop thinking like that.

She put a mask in place as she delivered Sapphire's costumes to her. The pop star loved her wardrobe, so that gave Rarity something to feel good about. She then waked to the castle, every minute passing by slower than the last the closer she got.

She learned to live second by second until- at last! He was in front of her. When they were finally left be in the sanctuary of his room, she collapsed into sobs in the comfort of his arms. He was completely bewildered, and took her to his room.

"Darling, what has you in such a state?!"

He was alarmed. She was sobbing and heaving, choking on the air.

He waited patiently for her to calm down.

"I-I was taken advantage of! I was... sexually assaulted." She sobbed. "Oh what you must think of me!" She had never felt so ugly in her entire life.

His shock was palpable. A rage that was unlike any he had ever felt made his ears pound and his vision was tinged with red. How dare somepony force himself upon his treasure?! He counted to ten to calm himself down. It was Rarity he was worried about.

"I think you're a beautiful, strong mare and that something terrible happened to you. You didn't deserve it. It doesn't make me look at you any differently."

She looked up at him. Even with mascara bleeding down her cheeks, she was still beautiful. She was afraid to believe him.

"Really?"

"What must I do to make you believe me?"

She wasn't sure what to say, so she said nothing, and tried to enjoy the sensation of having his hoof in her own. He held her tightly and gave her a squeeze that was reassuring and loving. The pain ebbed away, if only for a moment.

Suddenly, inspiration struck. He set her on the couch, and she was sure he was going to leave her. Instead, he bowed his head.

"Rarity, will you marry me?"

Her jaw hit the floor. She was dumbstruck. Was he serious? Was this even real? She wanted to say something- anything- but she couldn't make her lips move. A few surprised noises were all she could manage. After a second, she regained her wits.

"What did you just say?"

"I asked you if you'll marry me."

"Are you sure you want me?"

He frowned. "Of course I am. Why would I not want you?"

"I'm damaged goods... I'm not pure anymore..."

"No you're not! And even if you were, I don't care. You're the only mare I could see myself spending the rest of my life with. I want you and only you today, tomorrow, and forever!" He vowed. "What do you say?"

With tears flowing down her cheeks, she whispered, "Yes."