Hi. My name's Patchwork. I'm 17 years old and I'm a dress designer. My mother, Silver Lining, lives in Las Pegasus and my father, Haystack, in Appleloosa. I just moved to Manehattan to start my dream shop, Patchwork's Quilts and More! It's a shop I designed when I was younger. I have an older brother named Apple Shoes who lives in Ponyville, a twin sister named Holly who lives with my mother, and a younger sister named Variety, who lives with my mother too. Another thing was that I lost most of my left leg to cancer when I was a young filly. It doesn't really bother me, but I was bullied because of it and because of my spots. Now, it doesn't bother me anymore, but sometimes I'll feel bad about myself because of it. But now, I plan to be the best that I can be, and even more!

I finished my journal entry with a flourish and put the leathery book in my special drawer. I hesitated to close it, and stopped to pick up a picture of my father. His coppery-red hair gleamed in the picture against his spotted grey and brown coat. He was with my mother, a pretty unicorn with ombre magenta hair and a stunning grey coat. Under the picture was a letter. It read:

Dear Patchwork,

How are you? Is Manehattan suiting you? It's quite boring back here at the barn without you all. Oh yea, how's your arm? Hope the cancer's gone. Your brother Apple Shoes is getting ready to leave. Soon I'll be all alone. I hope you all will come visit sometimes. Maybe in the summer so we can go down to the lake and meet up with the Apples.

With Love, Pa.

I sighed and put the thin parchment back in the drawer and closed it with a squeak.

I turned to the mannequins in the corner, lined up with my new line of dresses for Fashion Week. I was the youngest competitor, and I didn't have an assistant, so I had put twice the effort into my work.

I had five dresses done, and I had one left. The line of dresses was called A Trip Across Equestria, having each dress represent a different section of Equestria.

The first dress was based off the Griffon's home, Griffonstone, and it was a sleek, feathery dress with a yellow trim.

The next dress was based off the Frozen North and the Crystal Empire. It was a light, silky dress with a see-through layer and it was covered with sparkles.

The third dress was based off Cloudsdale, and it was a poofy dress with a rainbow trim with blue and white fabric.

The fourth dress, based off Appleloosa and the Wild Wild West had a braided leather trim and a cherry-red fabric with a green saddle.

The fifth dress, based off Canterlot, was a shimmering gold dress with ombre fabric, going from gold to navy. It had wondrous frills and was truly my favorite.

The last dress, based off Manehattan, Las Pegasus, and the other major cities of Equestria, was still unfinished. I was having trouble with what fabric I was going to use. The event was tomorrow, so I hoped I could come up with something in the morning.

I left the dresses in their corner and clambered into bed, flicking off the light and falling into deep sleep.

I dreamt of lights and a stage. The ponies cheered my name. Through the chanting, a trophy was presented to me. All of a sudden, the lights flashed, making a more ominous scene.

I was a filly again.

The kids laughed and chanted "Cripple! Cripple! Cripple!", and, "Spotty! Spotty! Spotty!" I cowered. "No. Please! Stop!" Then, it popped. Golden lights flashed around me, illuminating the city skyline.

That was it. What I needed.

I shot up in my bed, panting. I threw the covers and grabbed some scissors and got to work.

1 hour later, I had a beautiful dress, speckled with stars that illuminated a city skyline. Perfect.

I removed the dresses, hung them on the rack, and left the condo, headed for the Mare's Song Theatre.

I arrived, one hour before the show. The models waited for me as I helped them into the dresses and added the hairpieces.

Once I was finished, it was my turn to go.

The announcer boomed: "And now! Our youngest contestant, Miss Patchwork with A Trip Across Equestria!"

The audience yelled and cheered, and the models strutted out onto the stage. There were OOHS and AAHS as the models flaunted the amazing dresses.

Now it was my turn.

I pinned up my hair and walked out onstage, smiling and waving. I heard whispers and saw ponies pointing at my arm. I continued to smile, even though I knew they were making fun of me. Then I left.

I walked backstage, helping the models out of the dresses and hanging them back up. The other contestants walked up to me, giving hugs and telling me how well-made the dresses were.

Then a purple mare came up to me, flanked by a shy, teal colored mare.

"Hello, Patching!"

"Patchwork." I muttered.

"Oh yes. Congratulations! Those dresses are absolutely fab!" "Thanks Oh, and what's your name?!"

"Oh, Suri. Suri Polomare." She replied, and she left. Then, a white unicorn with a curly purple mane came up to me.

"Darling! That was fabulous! I've never seen such dresses designed like this! Did you have help?"

"No, actually. I did them all by myself." She shook my hoof. "Well, if I do see you again, here's my address." She handed me a card that said, Carousel Boutique, 38 Solstice Ln.

"Thanks so much! I'll hope to visit you soon!" I smiled as she left. I had a small amount of time before the contestants were called out for judging. In that period of time, I decided to fix my dresses. I went to go find them, but they were gone.

I searched everywhere, then heard a whispering from a closet.

"Keep them here you understand Coco? We don't need that puny little cripple from winning!" I gasped silently.

Whoever it was, they were talking about me. I heard the voices getting closer, and I dashed into a rack, and stood very still. It was that Suri Polomare pony, flanked by her assistant, who I'm supposing is Coco. Suri took several quick glances to make sure the coast was clear, and dashed off.