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"Rarity, my dear, you are a GENIUS!" Rarity said to herself as she finished the last touches on the fancy dress she was making.  "What do you think, Opalescence?"

The cat just stared at it, swatting at some of the glass beads dangling from the skirt.

Rarity chuckled.  "I knew you'd love it!  Just wait until she sees it!"

She jumped upon hearing a knock at her door.  "Oh!  That must be her now!  I do hope she loves it!"  Rarity quickly rushed to the door, taking a moment to compose herself, adjusting her glasses to give a more sophisticated appearance before opening it slowly.  "Oh, Ditzy, it's so good to see you.  You came just in time, come on in."

Rarity stepped aside, allowing the pegasus to step into her studio.  The pegasus looked around, smiling at the fancy décor.  "Thanks again for doing this for me Rarity.  I was so excited when I got an invitation to the gala; I nearly forgot I had nothing to wear."

Rarity let out a laugh. "Nonsense, Ditzy Doo.  Anything for a friend.  Now let's try this on."

A lengthy period of time later, she was fully dressed.  Her dress was mostly a soft gray, with golden accents around the hem.  Glass beads dangled from various points, glistening in the light of the room, looking like bubbles against the fabric.  "Oh my dear, you look simply stunning!" Rarity exclaimed, moving a mirror in front of her.  

Ditzy looked at herself in the mirror, a slight blush developing as she admired Rarity's impeccable handiwork.  "It is beautiful, Rarity…you really went out of your way for me."

"But of course, my dear!" Rarity said, smiling and removing her glasses, her tone changing to a more businesslike one.  "But now we must get down to details…"  She removed the dress, hanging it up.  "I spent a lot of time on your dress, far more than I usually do, and it's unfortunately going to be a little more than I originally anticipated."

"Oh…" The pegasus dropped her ears, unable to speak further.

Rarity tilted her head.  "You DO intend to pay for this, right?"

Ditzy's eyes watered. "Rarity…something came up…I had to use the dress fund to pay for my little muffin's hospital bills…"

"Oh Ditzy, you didn't try to teach her to fly again, did you?"  Rarity asked, her voice a mix of both annoyance and concern.

"No…" Ditzy replied, not wanting to continue this conversation, foolishly hoping that the unicorn wouldn't press the matter.

"Then what?  Surely you can tell me…"  Rarity's voice seemed to be growing slightly impatient.  She glanced at the clock.

Ditzy took a deep breath, letting it go slowly, a tear falling down her face.  "It was my fault!  I was in the kitchen, making some dinner, when I dropped a pot I was reaching for…it landed straight on her head.  She never saw it coming."

Rarity's eyes rolled.  "Ditzy…I doubt that would have warranted a visit to the hospital."

Ditzy sniffled.  "She's all I have Rarity, please understand.  Money has been tight…they just don't pay mail ponies what they used to.  I'm sorry…"

Rarity sighed.  "So am I, Ditzy.  I'm afraid I won't be able to give you your dress."

"…but…." The pegasus stared in disbelief.  "Can't you just give it to me on the promise I'll pay whenever I get the money?"

"I'm sorry, Ditzy, but if I did that, I'd go out of business.  Everypony would take their dress and just never pay. "

Ditzy's eyes watered heavily.  "But I won't be able to save enough in time!  Please!"

Rarity started getting annoyed.  "The answer is no, Ditzy!  I can't believe you'd impose so much!  I think you should leave."

The pegasus stood and walked towards the door, her head held low. "I just don't know what went wrong…"

Rarity closed the door behind her, sighing as she rested her back against it and slid down to a sitting position on the floor.  "I don't know why I did that…I know she'd pay me back…we've been friends for years!  Well…no sense worrying about it now.  I'm late for my weekly spa treatment with Fluttershy."  She quickly gathered her things and trotted out.

A yellow pegasus sat waiting on a wooden bench, thinking to herself and looking at a clock on the wall.  She sighed to herself just as Rarity rushed in, panting heavily.  "So sorry I'm late, Fluttershy…but let's not dawdle any longer.  I'll explain later.  Girls?  The usual!"  

The two spa ponies rushed to the front of the counter, leading them into the back and allowing them to soak in the spa.  Fluttershy lowered her body, savoring the warm water washing over her fur.  She spread her wings and sighed contently, her feathers spreading out and allowing the bath to flow through them.  "That reminds me, rarity…how'd it go with Ditzy?  Did she like her dress?"  She ducked down as Rarity scowled. "Oh…I'm sorry…I didn't mean to pry."

"No, no, it's quite alright Fluttershy."  Rarity sighed, upset.  "She had the nerve to walk in and ask to take it without paying!  I told her before I started that she'd have to pay for it!"

Fluttershy whimpered, now only her nose above the surface of the water.  "Didn't you tell her the price before you started?"

"Yes, I did.  She promised she'd pay it in full."  Rarity replied, trying to calm down before she scared her friend further.  "She had to spend it for a trivial trip to the hospital because poor dinky got bumped in the head."

Fluttershy blushed slightly.  "Rarity, you know how protective she is of her daughter.  Dinky's all she's got."

Rarity sighed.  "Yes, but that doesn't excuse not paying.  I DO have a business to run."

"Oh rarity…you know she'd have paid you back.  Couldn't you have-"

"No!" Rarity started, quickly stopping herself before she scared her friend.  "If I did it for her, I'd have to do it for everypony, and then I'd never make ANY money."

"I'm sorry…I shouldn't have told you how to run your business…please don't be angry."  Futtershy sunk completely into the water, occasionally sticking her nose up to breathe.

Rarity looked at her.  "I'm not.  You just don't know how it works…bills pile up quickly.  You're lucky you live in a tree, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy's eyes opened wide.  "Rarity!  Your mane!"

Rarity looked into a mirror, her pupils shrinking at the sight.  Her mane and tail had lost their luster, turning a faded shade of purple.  She gasped.  "Girls!  Emergency!  Extra shampoo!"  

The two spa ponies rushed to her, working up a huge lather all over her mane and tail, letting it soak in.  "There" Rarity said in relief, "that should take care of it."

"I hope so…I've never seen THAT happen before…well, not since Discord-"

Rarity held a hoof to her muzzle.  "Don't even bring that up!"  She shuddered.  "I STILL feel awful about it."

"Rarity, that was two months ago.  Please try to calm down."  Fluttershy tried to soothe her friend's mind and allow her to enjoy the rest of the afternoon together.  She felt like she was failing.

Rarity sighed.  "You're right…I can't change the past, but no sense ruining the present over it."  She gave a weak smile and settled down.  The two ponies enjoyed the rest of their day together, moving on to other topics and forgetting about the events of the day.  "Fluttershy, could you be a dear and pay the girls?"

Fluttershy looked at her, confused.  "But Rarity…don't you usually pay for both of us?"

Rarity looked at her.  "Right…sorry…but I was counting on that dress sale today…without the money from Ditzy, I can't afford it.

Fluttershy looked at the bill.  "Oh my…it's almost twice as much as usual…"

Rarity stopped for a minute to think.  "Oh!  It's probably the shampoo…I guess I went a little overboard with it.  I'm sure you can handle it though."

They parted with a brief hug and Rarity returned to her studio, feeling refreshed.  "I'm home Opal!"  She dropped her things on the floor, flopping onto her bed.  She felt Opal swatting at her tail.  "Opal, how many times have I to…" she trailed off as she noticed her tail, which was now fully gray.  She screamed loudly, running into the bathroom, coming out several hours later, completely distraught.  "Why isn't it working!  I've tried every trick in the book, right down to DYING it back to its original color!"  She dove onto the bed, sobbing slightly into her pillow.  

Rarity woke up the next morning feeling sick to her stomach.  She looked around her room.  'Did I cry myself to sleep last night?  Or was it all just some terrible dream?'  

She struggled out of bed, keeping her eyes closed as she walked into the bathroom to look at herself.  She nearly fainted right there and then.  Her mane and tail were still gray, only a hint of purple remaining.  "Oh no…what am I going to do!?  I have to open up soon…but I can't go out like this!  I'm hideous!"  *she quickly threw a fashionable ensemble on, covering herself.  'There…now nopony will ever have to know.' She thought to herself triumphantly.

Her store was soon bustling with excited patrons who were all discussing their future dresses as Rarity watched, grinning at her prospective new sales.  Her smile faded, however, when she saw Ditzy returning, a small pouch hung around her neck.  Ditzy slowly trotted to her, removing the pouch and offering it.  

Rarity sighed, knowing she was not going to like what she heared.  "What is it now, Ditzy?  What is this?"

From Ditzy's expression, she could see that the pegasus had been crying for a long while.  "I asked some friends for some help…it's not the full price, but it should be about half…will you accept this as a down payment for my dress?  I should be able to pay the rest off within the next month or so…"

She felt her rage building up, glaring down the now-frightened mare in front of her.  "Ditzy, I TOLD you that the dress was to be paid in full!  You accepted!"  She was painfully aware of the crowd looking at her as she verbally beat the pegasus, who was lowering herself with each word, her head drooped low in shame."

"I'm sorry Rarity!  I just…it was so beautiful…and since we have been-"

"What?  Friends!?  You are trying to CHEAT me on my dresses!  I'm insulted you thought I would accept this!"  Rarity continued to berate her, growing angrier by the second.

"But…"

"NO!" She yelled, her face turning red.  "Get out!"

Ditzy instantly stood up and turned to run, tripping over a dress rack and knocking it over, the edge catching Rarity's clothing and tearing it off with a loud ripping sound.  Rarity's blood was boiling.  "You will NEVER get that dress!  Don't ever come back!"

"Sorry…" Ditzy mumbled before leaving, tears falling from her eyes, leaving a trail behind her as she galloped out as fast as she could.

She sighed sadly, suddenly feeling both sick and angry at herself for treating her friend so harshly.  "I'm sorry everypony…but I need to close shop early today.  I'm not feeling well…I'm sorry."

The customers slowly left, feeling confused.  Rarity could hear many of them talking quietly, knowing it was about her now exposed mane and tail.  Tears welled up in her eyes as she locked the door, running upstairs and sniffling, looking at her cat.  "I was too hard on Ditzy…it's not her fault."  She sighed slightly   "I'll have to write a letter to apologize.  But for now…" she holds her stomach, wincing in pain.   "Now I think I need some rest."

Twilight laid silently on her bed, a candle burning on her nightstand as she read through another of her favorite books.  "Ahh… So nice to have some quiet time, right, Spike?"

The dragon mumbled in his sleep, rolling over.  Twilight couldn't help but giggle.  She looked up as she heard a knock on the door.  "Who do you suppose would be here at THIS hour?"  She got up and walked slowly downstairs, the knocking growing more insistent.  

She slowly opened the door.  "I'm sorry, but the library-"  She was cut off as the door was forced open and Rarity burst in, wearing a heavy cloak that appeared hastily put together.  "Rarity, what are you-"

"Are we alone?"  Rarity asked in a panic.

"What?"

"Are we alone?"

Twilight tilted her head.  "What are you going on about?  Of course we're alone…just you and me…oh, and spike asleep upstairs.  What are you doing here?  And why are you wearing such an unfashionable cloak?  It's not like you."

Rarity removed the cloak and looked at her; all color had faded from her mane.  Twilight could see the problem extended to her tail as well.  She was shocked to notice that Rarity's coat had also started to lose its luster.  "Oh dear Celestia!  Rarity, what happened!?"

"I…I don't know!  I was hoping you could shed some light on it.  It's been like this all day.  And I've been feeling dreadfully sick."  Rarity wobbled and laid down on the floor.

Twilight's eyes widened.  She quickly levitated a pillow and a blanket to her friend.  "Why didn't you go to the hospital?  You look terrible!"

"That's EXACTLY why Twilight!  I'm hideous!"  Rarity looked at her, eyes filled with tears.

"Rarity, you're clearly sick!  I don't know what you expect me to do, but I study magic, not medicine!"

Rarity stood up, pushing her nose uncomfortably close, pleading.  "In all my years, I've NEVER had this happen.  I don't think it IS an illness."

"But Rarity, you clearly are feeling ill.  At least the hospital can help THAT."

"Please, Twilight…you're the only pony who can find out what is causing this!"

Twilight sighed.  "Of course Rarity.  You know I'll look this up, but please, in the mean time, go spend the night at the hospital.  I don't want to see you neglecting your health on account of your hair color."

"You act like it's nothing!  I'll have you know I spent a LOT of time keeping my mane absolutely perfect!  I put more pride in my mane than I do with my dresses!"

Twilight couldn't reply.  She wasn't sure how, or if anything would just upset her friend further.  She just stared, mouth hung open as she spoke.

Rarity thought for a moment.  "You don't think Ditzy had anything to do with this!?"

Twilight shook her shock from her head.  "Why would Ditzy have ANYTHING to do with your mane?  Furthermore, HOW could she?"

"We…had a small disagreement yesterday, which spilled over to this morning.  She didn't have the money to pay for her dress.  I couldn't just GIVE it to her…if I started doing favors for one pony, soon EVERY pony in Ponyville would be demanding the same treatment.  I didn't want to do it, but business is business."

"Rarity, that's not like you."

Rarity looks up at her.  "When I feel better, I'll send her an apology.  I was just upset is all.  I was wrong.  Thank you, Twilight.  I look forward to your findings."  She stood up and left, walking towards her home.

Twilight began scanning her shelves.  Her hip bumped a stack of books, causing them to topple.  "oh shoot…I should have had spike clean this up before bed.  Oh well.  There's always tomorrow."  She began to stack the books, stopping at a familiar one.  She opened it to see the Elements of Harmony.  To her amazement, Celestia had allowed her to hold onto them after the incident with Discord.  She smiled at the memory of her friends.

Something immediately caught her attention.  She nearly dropped the book as she noticed Rarity's element.  "What is…?"  The jewel in the center had begun to lose its color, now a dull hue of purple, muddied down with gray.  "This can't be good."  She quickly began to sort through her books, hovering them in the air as she rapidly glanced between titles.

Rarity was woken up by the sound of Sweetie Belle scooting her body along the floor.  She groaned loudly.  "Rarity!  Wake up already!  You promised to take me and the other Cutie Mark Crusaders to the park today!"

Rarity sat up.  "Alright Sweetie…I'm awake.  But I don't feel very well today."

Sweetie Belle looked at her.  "What happened, sister!?  Your mane is all gray!"

Rarity looked down, the subject clearly bothering her.  "I know…I don't know what happened, but Twilight promised to find out.  Please, ask somepony else to take you to the park today Sweetie Belle.  I don't feel well yet.  I think I'm sick."

"I don't think sick is the word I'd use." Sweetie said, half-heartedly trying to lighten the mood, however futile the attempt would be.  She heard Rarity's stomach grumble.  "Oh!  A chance to practice my cooking!"

Rarity leaped out of bed to stop her.  "No!"  She regained her composure.  "I mean, no…that won't be necessary.  I'll just go visit Fluttershy.  She has some medicine at her house that might help me feel a little better anyway.

"But what about the park!?"  Sweetie asked, clearly begging and hurt that her sister would break her promise.

"I understand you want to go to the park, Sweetie Belle, but my health comes first.  You wouldn't want me to get worse, would you?  I'll just take you some other time."

Sweetie sighed and hugged her sister.  "Alright, but promise me you'll get better quickly so you can take us."

"I promise.  And the moment I feel better, I'll take you and your friends to the park."  

"Yay!"  Sweetie Belle's mood instantly switched to excited at the promise.  She ran outside to entertain herself as Rarity packed her bags to leave.

Rarity stopped just outside her door.  "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to pay a visit to Twilight to see if she's found anything yet."  She trotted to the library, knocking slowly.  She suddenly found herself out of breath.

The door opened slowly.  Twilight instantly swung it open wide upon sight of her friend.  "Rarity!  What are you doing here!?  You look even worse than last night!"

"I'm sorry Twilight.  I just couldn't sleep well.  Did you find anything?"

Twilight stepped aside, allowing Rarity to lie down on the floor.  "No…unfortunately.  I'm sorry Rarity.  I stayed up all night.  But I'll certainly keep looking."

Rarity stood up, "Alright.  Thank you, Twilight.  I'm going to go stay with Fluttershy.  I think it might be best to have somepony make sure I'm alright until I recover."  She slowly walked out, finding herself unable to drag her suitcase.  "Oh no…I'm sorry to impose Twilight.  I can't seem to lift my bag."

"I'll take it.  You shouldn't go alone.  Let's go."  Twilight grabbed the bag, helping Rarity make the long trip to Fluttershy's tree.

Fluttershy answered her door, almost fainting at the state Rarity was in.  She quickly helped her upstairs.  "Now just you rest, Rarity.  You don't have to say anything.  I'll do everything I can."

"Thank you, Fluttershy.  You're such a good friend."  She hugged the pegasus with her right hoof, getting comfortable in the soft bed.

Fluttershy flew back downstairs.  "What happened?  She wasn't this bad yesterday!"

"I don't know!" Twilight replied, almost unable to form a sentence.  "But it gets worse.  Her Element…it's gone completely gray!  I think the two situations might be related in some way."

Fluttershy gasped.  "But, how?  Could this be Discord's doing?"

"That doesn't seem likely…or even possible.  Discord has been resealed in stone and has no more power.  I don't see how he could be doing anything."  Twilight did her best to calm the situation.

"I'll take good care of her.  You just figure out what is happening."  Fluttershy replied softly, seeming to calm down some.

Twilight nodded.  "I always do."  She trotted for home, resuming her search.  It grew dark before she realized.

Spike walked by her.  "Twilight, you've been pulling every book off the shelves for HOURS!  Get some rest before you hurt yourself."

"I can't Spike.  Rarity's in trouble and I can't rest until I find out why."

"Just don't make too big a mess.  It took me all day to clean up your LAST one."  He grumbled and walked upstairs, falling asleep instantly the moment he laid down.

Twilight continued sifting through books, glancing occasionally at Rarity's element.  It suddenly shook slightly.  As she approached, it let out a loud crack, the gem shattering, although remaining inside the necklace.  "Oh no…Rarity!"

Fluttershy carried a tray of hot tea to her bedroom, opening the door.  "Rarity!  You've been sleeping all day.  I brought you some tea.  I hope you're thirsty."  The room was completely dark.  She flipped a light on to see Rarity lying motionless in bed.  "Rarity!  Are you ok?"  

The platter fell to the floor with a resounding crash as Fluttershy rushed to her friend's side, eyes flooding with tears.  "Rarity!  Please speak to me!  It's Fluttershy!  Your best friend!  Please be ok!"  She rested her ear on Rarity's chest, hugging the pony tightly.  She sobbed helplessly as she listened to the weakening beats of her heart.

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