A great deal of time flew past, causing the Mane 6 to forget about King Sombra; all but Rarity. When Rarity goes to sleep early, the journey to the Crystal Kingdom replays in nightmare mode. Each time she dreamt the shadow of King Sombra gets closer and closer until it's a hoof print away. She suddenly became isolated and the blizzard worsens. A pair of green eyes and a purple haze would draw back, and then fill her vision in darkness.
That was the last thing Rarity would see. She woke up screaming; flailing her arms around, her head occasionally bumping, and falling off the bed. The mask was blinding her, making her feel as she's still in her nightmare. Once in a while she would run around her house screaming. It was only until Sweetie Belle came up and took her mask off. Ever since, she worked until she dropped in exhaustion.
This habit concerned her sister, so she would beg Rarity what was her nightmare about. Her older sister would half lie and told her "It's only a nightmare, darling." and "It's nothing. Just a silly dream." Sweetie Belle knew that something was wrong once Rarity is having the same nightmare repeating, and begged for her dream detail. Rarity wasn't going to break in that easily, so she refused every time.
Rarity's youngest and only sister would try ways for her to get a peaceful night sleep. She tried removing her face mask. The results was Rarity could barely sleep due to unwanted peeking moonlight. Sweetie Belle tried brushing her older sister mane 100 times, but it made Belle magic or arms tired easily. So as last resort she turned to Twilight and told her of Rarity's nightly problem.
However, turning to Twilight was not the solution. She merely repeated Sweetie Belle's action, with more reasons. Twilight often tried to persuade her generous friend to go see Zerona or a doctor. Rarity politely responded with a no. Each time Twilight brings it up however, only annoys Rarity more. When she mentioned Luna, Rarity told Twilight to please not tell her.
Sweetie Belle was not the only mare to notice something was off. Rarity was late for Fluttershy's birthday tea party, and later she fell asleep on her tea plate. This problem was due to lack of sleep. She also nearly missed Rainbow's entry to the Wonderbolts a few years ago because Rarity could not calm down the night before until exhaustion took over. Her next scenario was showing up to Twilight's book fair with her mane messy and drooping head. She used the excuse that she stayed up all night working, which was true.
Rarity knew her lack of sleep is getting worse. There was this time when she tripped over a rock and got dirt all over her coat on the way to the Apple Jack's barn. When she showed up, Apple jack spit out her apple cider in shock. It was then Rarity noticed that she was filthy and hastily excused herself. Whenever she have the chance to get free time, she would take a nap to catch up on her beauty sleep. Due to her busy schedule, she didn't get to sleep very often. So to try and hide the problem Rarity uses powder to hide her black lines under the eyes. Only her tired eyes betrayed her.
The fashion mare knew that there were more things to worry about than her sleep problem. The Grand Galloping Gala is having it's 1000th anniversary this year and Cadance volunteered her Crystal Castle as a host of the celebration. Every pony was invited, except for fillies and foals. Rarity hands had been full dress making for several weeks since the big news came out. She decided to take a break and look outside.
The Mane 6 has been watching the rest of the group grow into beautiful and radiant mares. Twilight had been reading out loud to Fluttershy. With three years of Alicorn experience, Her mane started to show signs of animation and her height had been increased over stallions height. She has the look of a typical young alicorn teenager. Her magic abilities increased greatly when she started reading the old books again from the castle in the Everfree forest. She is now recognized as the Princess of Friendship and Princess of Magic.
Rainbow Dash who just been racing (as slow as she can) Sctotaloo across the sky. The daredevil Pegasus has been the face of many sport magazines. She's well known as the fastest Pegasus and the most supporting player on the Wonderbolt team. Many fillies and foals wants to be just like her. However due to her increasing training, the 5 ponies missed her greatly. No one misses her more than Pinkie does.
Rarity looked over to Pinkie Pie's dress and made sure the stitches will stay together. Pinkie Pie's mane has grown longer and wilder. The unicorn smiled as she remembered the brush that was stuck on her hair last year. She had to cut it off, sadly. The party pony has grown more energetic and her parties were more of a giant celebration than a little birthday party. However Rarity had enough of her silly pranks.
As the unicorn returned to the window, she saw Apple jack trotting over to Twilight holding a basket of apples in her mouth. Thanks to the sun, her mare has grown more blonde with accents hay colors in her hair. Rarity knew that her hair was also silky thanks to her constant care of the earth's pony mane. She had proven that she was the strongest mare in Ponyvile and possibility Equestra. some years after Twilight "graduated" from Celestia's school. The honest pony has collected enough money (thanks to Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie) to support Granny Smith's hips.
Rarity noticed Fluttershy listening to Twilight with her eyes closed. Fluttershy's natural look made her quite beautiful, Her eyelashes fits perfectly into her face and a smooth wave-y look to her mane. Her kindness made her attractive and popular to Fluttershy's horror. Stallions are always trying to get Fluttershy to go out with them but she always politely refused. When they start scaring her, Discord will come by and chase them away. She had many offers from business ponies. She refused all the offers except for Angel's food diet.
Napping lazily in the sun near Twilight was Spike. He had grown into a mid-teenage dragon that now gives Rarity a feeling of Spike being her older brother. Spike view of her as a younger sister, too. He has grown stronger thanks to constantly helping Apple Jack, generous and influence responsible by Rarity, mischief and kindness from Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. He has a height of being taller than mares when standing, yet he's shorter than stallions. Occasionally he has a bad attitude, and Fluttershy was the only pony so far to end it.
Rarity trotted over to her kitchen and started preparing sandwiches for Fluttershy's afternoon tea picnic. Rarity was a well known fashion designer and her works are recognized all over through Equestria. She was often described as the Gem Stone of Ponyvile and she has customers from all over. Her eyes were of a bright eyes with a mystic teal color to it. Her light gray coat was slowly turning white, due to the lack of sun. Her indigo hair has a perfect curl over her face and her chest. Her hair has been turning really flexible lately, letting it go flat if she wishes it to.
Rarity finishes packing her sandwiches and hurried outside; picking up her sun hat on the way. She locked the door behind her, and trotted over to Fluttershy.
"Greetings, everypony. Fluttershy, I bought the sandwiches for the afternoon." Rarity demonstrated her picnic basket.
"Wonderful," Fluttershy replied, opening her eyes.
Twilight looked up to her and with her magic pulled out some books. "Hey, Rarity, I suggest you read these."
"A book for depressed ponies?! Am I really that triste?" Rarity gasp in reply.
"Yer eyes lookin' tired," Apple Jack pointed out to her. Spike who's sleep was interrupted by burping out two letters.
"Wha-? Hey!" Spike protested, rubbing his eyes.
Pinkie Pie bounced over rapidly from the cake shop. "Hey! Read tha-tha-that! My Pi-Pi-Pinkie sense i-i-is tingli-in-ing!" as to point it out, her hair fuzzed out.
"That's a new one," Apple Jack stated, frowning.
"Ahem. Dear my little ponies, The grand gallop ball, will be held at the Crystal Castle ball this year, if you had missed the news somehow. Again, please bring your family. There are twenty tickets in the second envelop. Sincerely, Princess Celestia." Spike pulled out the tickets from the latter envelop.
"Gee, I had no clue." Apple Jack said as she took 5 tickets.
"I doo-oo-oo!" Pinkie Pie sang, talking excitedly "It's the big-big-biggest party in a-a-a century!" Her mane exploded into confetti and balloons rose out of nowhere.
"Oh my. I'm still designing the dresses. Do we really have to leave early?" Rarity complained.
"Do you think I can bring Discord?" Fluttershy asked the alicorn princess.
"Can he control himself?" Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I can ask," she responded softly, taking 2 tickets. Rarity took two tickets, and then added another to the pile.
"Who's that for?" Pinkie Pie suddenly jumped in front of Rarity's face.
"Scotaloo. Pinkie, please stop doing that!"
"Don't ya worry about it, Rarity. Apple Bloom will make sure she's invited or going," Apple Jack informed Rarity.
"What about Opal?" She's my adorable feline!"
"Cat's don't dance, silly."
"Have you seen her?"
"Sugar, she can destroy a dress," Apple Jack countered.
"She never had!" Rarity gasped, pulling in a couch and sat on it.
Apple Jack cleared her throat and continued "She had rip a curtain before."
"That's not a gown!"
"It's made out of da same material, isn't it?"
"They're called cotton and I only use silk!"
"Some ponies don't!"
"Girls! Remember we can't bring out pets with us!" Twilight desperately butted in.
Rarity gasped dramatically, "You're calling Opal a PET?! Why she's-" Rarity fainted on spot.
"I know I'll be forced to ask Celestia to make an expectation for her," Twilight grumbled.
"Let me know when you're done. I'm trying to take a nap!" Spike stormed off.
Fluttershy desperately poked Rarity. "Please wake up, We're going to be late… please?" To the Pegasus's delight Rarity yawned.
"Huh? Wha-? Where did everyone go?"
"Pinkie's in that tree-" Fluttershy pointed nearby.
"Hey!" Pinkie protested jumping off holding a water balloon, "No fair!" Then she bounced away.
"Twilight's asking permission for yours and mine pets to be allowed to bring with us…" Fluttershy looked down at the ground.
"So-yawn-Apple Jack is buck-yawn-ing?
"Um, Yes? Rarity?" Fluttershy whispered.
"Oh my goodness, forgive me sweetie!" Rarity examined, "The sun is lowering, and we're late! Let's go, Fluttershy!" Rarity ran with Fluttershy on her tail.