Mario and the Mane 6 minus Rarity are hot on their feet and hooves, running their way on towards Carousel Boutique in Ponyville. Apparently, things were getting heated after they were telling a reporter about Rarity's new boutique in Manehattan, though they definitely didn't know or think that Rarity is going to approve of their interviews. The more that they were running to Carousel Boutique, the more worried that they were becoming.

Rainbow Dash: *panting* Come on! If we hurry, we can get there before the paper's even delivered to Rarity's house!

Pinkie Pie: Maybe she won't even read the article.

Mario: That's a huge amount of luck to have. Rarity's-a one to read any newspaper that she finds at her doorstep.

Applejack: Especially considering that involves her new boutique.

Rainbow Dash: I still can't believe we all just blabbed everything that happened to that reporter!

Fluttershy: I just hope it doesn't end up being an article about how her friends almost ruined the opening.

They skid to a stop at their friend's front door.

Twilight Sparkle: I think you're all overreacting. Rarity's our friend. If anypony is gonna understand, it'll be her.

She raises a hoof to knock, but a magic glow takes hold of the door from within and swings it open to expose one rather put-out white unicorn.

Rarity: *grimly* I was wondering when all of you were going to show up.

The other six gasp in unison.

Mario: R-Rarity. . . let us explain. . .

However, he is cut off when she surprises them again by breaking out into an ear-to-ear smile and levitating a newspaper up from floor level.

Rarity: Now we can all read the review together!

She wheels into the showroom, taking the paper with her and missing the uneasy glances that her friends shoot to each other before they follow right behind.

Rainbow Dash: Um, I have an idea. How 'bout we "don't" read it?

Twilight then magically levitates the newspaper over towards her.

Twilight Sparkle: What she means is, before you read it, we should probably tell you about—

However, Rarity takes it back just as quickly.

Rarity: No, no, darling. Please, no spoilers.

Fluttershy: But-

Rarity: NO SPOILERS!!

Rancor instantly shifts to a blissful grin as she buries her face in the pages. More worried looks pass among the other six ponies as Rarity walks over to levitate her reading glasses onto her nose and walk towards a stool.

Rarity: Now, is everypony ready to hear what I'm sure is a stellar review that describes in stunning detail exactly how each of you contributed to the successful opening of Rarity For You?

Apparently not, if their grimaces—and Fluttershy's high-speed bug-out—are any indication. The yellow Pegasus ends up peeking out from among the rack of dresses that the group wore to their very first Grand Galloping Gala. Rarity gives her a puzzled look, then clears her throat and turns her attention to the newsprint.

Rarity: "Many a pony has tried their hoof at joining the ranks of the elite fashion trendsetters currently ensconced in the boutiques of Manehattan's famed Saddle Row." *giggle* "Some might say it's the ultimate achievement in Equestrian fashion, and never before has a reporter been granted such unfettered behind-the-scenes access until now!"

These last two words are punctuated by a giddy rise in her voice and a huge grin.

Fluttershy: I wish it had been more fettered.

Rarity: Oh, uh. . . *mutters* Ah! "I sat down with. . . *giggles* Rarity and her friends after the opening to get the inside scoop, and what a scoop it was!"

(Flashback)

At a booth in a restaurant, where a unicorn waitress has floated up a teapot to refill one of the two customers' cups. Night has fallen beyond the windows. As she finishes pouring and turns away, we see Rarity sitting with an older Earth pony stallion with a mustache, white dress shirt with loosened, striped red necktie, and rolled-up sleeves. The pad resting before him on the table marks him as a reporter, and his accent and cadence point to him as a Manehattan native as the action has shifted to the big city. He has a cup of coffee, while she has tea.

Buried Lede: Okay, kid, ya successfully opened a shop in Manehattan and that's no mean feat! Most ponies might wonder what it feels like. Here's how it's gonna be: I'm gonna interview you and your friends so I can paint a picture of how it all came together. A word picture, mind you, not an actual picture. Any questions?

Rarity: Well, I was wondering—

Buried Lede: Let's get started! Ms. Rarity, you've got shops all over Equestria, but this was your first time trying to make it in the big city. What made ya think you could tackle it on your own?

Rarity: Well, I wouldn't say all over Equestria. I just have two other boutiques: one in my hometown of Ponyville, and one in Canterlot. Uh, still, when I decided to open this one, I was nothing but confident.

In the instant it takes for a desk bell to ring, she has been replaced by Twilight, who sips tea from a cup held in her magic.

Twilight Sparkle: Let's just say that if I could choose, I probably wouldn't do it that way again. Heh.

Embarrassed grin and barely audible chuckle. Now Pinkie takes her place, the table cluttered with a slice of cake, two cupcakes, and a gargantuan ice cream sundae.

Pinkie Pie: Well, it wasn't the funnest party ever. . .

A sour-faced Applejack's turn, with nothing before her but a piece of pie.

Applejack: It was a plum-puckered, pig-pushin' disaster!

A very casual Rainbow is up now, with a cup of soda on the table and one foreleg propped on the seat back.

Rainbow Dash: After a lifetime of awesome, I think everypony's allowed to mess up every now and then, right?

The sound of pencil scratching on paper brings up a load of apprehension.

Rainbow Dash: Wait, are you writing this down?

She is now replaced by Mario who wasn't paying any attention with a bored look while munching down on a pizza slice and once he notices that he was spacing out, his eyes widen before he gulps down his bite with a nervous smile.

Mario: I-I'm-a sorry. . . You want me to start with the. . . first. . . middle. . . or last part of it? I just sincerely hope that we don't-a have to skip or even have to explain two of them. . .

Now Fluttershy appears in the seat with nothing before her except silverware.

Fluttershy: Um, it didn't go exactly how I thought it would, but it, um, started out all right.

She offers up a tentative little grin.

We now rewind our seven friends' opinions to how it all went down in the first place. The Mane 6 and Mario are all seen walking down the sidewalks in Manehattan, but not just Manehattan, they were walking down a part of Manehattan of where Rarity's new boutique is and she was very excited to show them around where it was.

Rarity: Welcome to Saddle Row, an entire street lined with the most fashionable boutiques in all of Equestria!

Applejack: If it's supposed to be the most fashionable block of shops, where's Stinky Bottom's Discount Hat Emporium?

Rarity: I suppose it didn't make the cut.

Mario: Mamma Mia. . . You'd-a think that if this is fashion type of street that they would put all of them here, right? Then again we're-a talking Manehattan here, so it's-a not too surprising to be picky. . . especially considering what we've-a dealt with in previous instances. Hopefully not this time though.

Rarity then stops short with a giddy gasp and points ahead.

Rarity: *gasps* Hold that thought, love! Here it is!

They have stopped in front of the three-story building that Rarity chose for her new shop during her and Mario's trip with Pinkie and Maud. Two changes have been made to the place since then: the boards over the ground-floor windows and central door, and the wrought-iron gate barring that door, have been removed. The other door, near one corner, remains as it was.

Rarity: Rarity For You!

She opens the door and bits of debris were already littered on the floor, and a cloud of dust is stirred up by the motion. She smiles proudly into the space, but none of the others share her high spirits and the area tells why. Cobwebs have built up in nearly every nook and cranny, including the once-impressive brass chandelier, one end of a wall-mounted shelf breaks loose, a mouse squeaks and scampers its way out from behind a crate and a fallen curtain rod resting in a corner. The seven ponies enter cautiously, all but Rarity taken aback at the overall decrepitude.

Twilight Sparkle: Rarity, it's lovely. But are you sure you'll be ready to open tonight?

So the action has shifted to a still earlier time frame than the restaurant interviews. Bending over a counter, Pinkie gets a lungful of its deep-drifted dust and lets off a sneeze that propels gray clouds of the stuff to fill the screen. When the view clears, it has shifted to the other six, now caked with dust to various degrees and Fluttershy has taken the worst of it, coated from head to tail.

The other five shake themselves clean in short order and when Mario looks at Fluttershy, he walks over to her and uses his hands to try and wipe all of the dust off of her which was not easy to do.

Mario: Even though it's a small space, it's-a still a big fixer-upper.

Rarity: No need to fret over a mere moderate amount of preparation. My clothes arrive soon, my sales associate after that, and with a little. . . dusting, we'll be ready for the grand opening tonight.

The budding cleanup is interrupted by the boisterous, gravelly voice of an older stallion with a heavy Russian or Eastern European accent.

???: Rarity!

Rarity looks toward the door with some trepidation at two new arrivals. One, the speaker, is Mr. Stripes, a bulky earth pony, white coat, deep purple eyes, short, two-tone violet mane, tail, and mustache, heavy beard stubble and eyebrows, white-striped blue track suit jacket zipped over a lighter blue shirt, a towel and gold medallion around neck, and his Cutie Mark of three two-tone striped violet stars.

The other is his teenage daughter Plaid, who is a gangly orange-tan Earth pony mare, eyes and long, curly, slightly messy two-tone mane and tail in lighter hues than his, with the mane tied back in a ponytail using a furry green scrunchie, light blue jacket with overlapping plaid and stripe patterns and a vivid magenta fur collar, prominent eyebrows, braces, severe overbite, and Cutie Mark of a plaid-patterned magenta heart.

Mr. Stripes: So good to see you! Your store, it's going to be a very good place, I think!

(Rarity's Interview)

Back at the reporter's booth in the restaurant, we see his perspective of Rarity, who is using her magic to steep a tea bag in her cup.

Rarity: Mr. Stripes owns the building. He's a very pleasant landlord. Although he can be pushy at times.

She puts on a thoroughly unconvincing smile to cover a beat of tense silence.

Rarity: Okay, all the time.

Back at the shop again. . .

Mr. Stripes: You've met my daughter, the apple of my ear, the hay in my hoof? You will let her work with you.

Rarity: *chuckles nervously* It's just, I'm dreadfully busy preparing for tonight's grand opening, as you can see.

Mr. Stripes: *smiles* There are only two things I love more than being pushy. One is my daughter.

He says as he pulls said daughter close to her before holding up tiny furniture that can only be seen on his hoof.

Mr. Stripes: The other is miniature doll furniture. And I would sell my entire mini-furniture collection to make my daughter happy.

He then throws a foreleg around Rarity's shoulders.

Mr. Stripes: You understand?

Plaid chips in a grinning eyebrow waggle, but Rarity is not swayed by this ham-hoofed appeal to emotion and uses her magic to push Mr. Stripes's leg away.

Rarity: I'm sorry. I just don't think it's going to be possible.

Mr. Stripes: Let me say another way. . .

He then leans into her face with a deep glare.

Mr. Stripes: Hire her or I raise rent until you no can afford!

Rarity manages a tight little grin from this.

Rarity: Oh, uh, welcome aboard.

Plaid moves a bit closer to Rarity and gestures for her to lean in. Once a white ear is within easy whispering range, she speaks up excitedly, with a tiny bit of a lisp and enough volume to make Rarity wince. No foreign accent, though.

Plaid Stripes: First idea!! Instead of clothes, we sell glow-in-the-dark teeth! Like this.

A few overly enthusiastic chomps demonstrate the concept.

Plaid Stripes: But they glow in the dark!

Rarity scrapes up a humoring smile.

Rarity: Golly, what a splendid idea! *chuckles nervously*

(Rarity's Interview)

She sits with teacup on table and claps hooves to temples, caught up in the throes of supreme frustration.

Rarity: Glow-in-the-dark teeth! What was she thinking?!

Back at the shop. . .

The other six are still policing it up as Rarity opens the curtain to a back room and steps behind it. A cry of fright brings the group up short.

Mario: . . .Everything okay, Rares?

(Mario's Interview)

He facepalms while deadpanning off towards the sides.

Mario: Why do I always say that? A mare walking into a vacant closest that hasn't-a even been touched in ages and all of sudden you hear a scream that me along with five other mares turn towards in an instant? In what world would you think that everything is already "okay"?

The waitress then comes over with a whole plate of cupcakes which makes Mario's eyes light up with delight.

Mario: Oh yeah! Yippee! Cupcake time~!

He picks one of them up before throwing one straight up into the air while having his mouth wide open and the cupcake lands inside for Mario to munch on it with a happy look.

Back at the shop. . .

Mario begins heading towards the room Rarity entered before her voice quickly stops him in his haste.

Rarity: Um, Mario dear, I wouldn't recommend coming inside unless you're an expert with furry creatures. . .

Mario quickly jumps back in fright as while that description wasn't specific, it did remind him of one thing that he's afraid of.

Mario: Yah! F-Furry creatures?! They're-a not bats, are they?!

Rarity: M-Much worse! . . .At least to me.

Mario looked at the very first mare beside him which was Fluttershy as he nervously grins before going behind her and bulldozing her rump towards the closest.

Mario: O-Of course! I-I was thinking the same thing, Flutters! Why don't-a YOU see what Rarity is talking about? You're-a the animal expert.

Fluttershy: H-Huh?!

Mario then pushes Fluttershy straight through the closet while wiping his forehead as he doesn't want to imagine what was inside of that closet if it happened to be worse than bats.

Inside of the stockroom, a look of wonder snaps onto Fluttershy's face as we see a blue-eyed raccoon on the floor, scrabbling at the side of a barrel and trying to jump up to its top. Rarity was balanced precariously atop the barrel on her haunches, the raccoon jumping into the outstretched paws of a second, a third one lounging nearby, and Fluttershy smiling warmly in the critters' general direction. The room is in the same disarray as the rest of the shop, including a rusty water heater.

Fluttershy: Aw, hello.

Rarity: But what are they doing here?

Fluttershy cocks her head to catch a quick round of chittering, then turns back to Rarity.

Fluttershy: Smoky made too much noise eating garbage, so Softpad's mother made them move out of the trashcan.

(Fluttershy's Interview)

She sits flanked by the three animals, all drinking soda and eating fries.

Fluttershy: Then Smoky Jr. found a nice home in the crawl space behind the building. But Mr. Stripes demolished it, so they were temporarily camped out in the back until they found a new place to live. *grins*

Back at the shop. . .

Rarity's magic yanks the curtain open and she hurries out of the stockroom.

Rarity: No, no, no! I can't have a family of rubbish-scented raccoons living in my boutique!

There now comes an electronic, bass-heavy dance groove from somewhere overhead, muffled by the ceiling as it sets the chandelier vibrating.

Rarity: Uh, did you hear that?

(Rarity's Interview)

She sighs wearily, a teacup sitting forgotten on the table.

Rarity: Heh. Turns out there's a Club Pony Party Palace upstairs.

(Pinkie Pie's Interview)

Unlike Rarity, we see a madly grinning Pinkie and her tea by plates of carrot dogs and pizza.

Pinkie Pie: Turns out there's a Club Pony Party Palace upstairs!

Back at the shop. . .

The exterior of the building, seen from across the street; the music is audible even at this distance. Rarity storms out of the central door and in through the corner one going towards the top floor to the almost inaudible sound of stepping hooves. Evidently this door gives onto a stairwell that allows access to the rest of the building.

At the entrance to this "party palace" a dance club done out in shades of blue and violet where a heavyset Earth pony stallion is on guard duty with his eyes hidden behind opaque black sunglasses. Spots of light play over the walls and floor as Rarity trots determinedly up to him and glances past. What she finds are three mares getting their groove on in the middle of the dance floor while Vinyl Scratch works her turntables on a stage stacked with speakers.

When Rarity tries to advance, though, the guard blocks her with a foreleg and pushes her back.

Rarity: I'm sorry. Could you please ask her to turn it down?

No response.

Rarity: Could you ask her to turn it down, please?

Silence again as she drops onto her haunches, begging.

Rarity: Turn it down, pleeease!!

Two garishly dressed Earth pony mares, whose outfits and mane styles are straight out of the 1980s, trot up and are promptly allowed through the velvet rope to reach the dance floor.

Rarity: *fake sobbing* Oh, please!

She can only stare and glower as the stallion clips the rope back into place.

(Rarity's Interview)

She voices a disdainful little scoff.

Rarity: Ugh! Foals today listen to their so-called "music" far too loud. I realize that makes me sound like an old mare. But this is business!

She says this indignantly as she knocks her tea cup over.

Back at the shop. . .

Applejack hunches down to the floor, the handle of a dustpan in her teeth as debris is swept into it, but the start of a new track jolts the room so badly that she spills the lot and a few bits of plaster patter down from the ceiling. Rainbow is seen hovering near the chandelier.

Rainbow Dash: I wish we were having as much fun as they are.

Mario: I'm-a sure some ponies who go to college in this big city would either agree or disagree.

Twilight Sparkle: Well, sweeping can be fun, too.

She begins to chant "sweep, sweep, sweep" in time with the music, plying the broom across the floor and even giving it a twirl for effect.

Twilight Sparkle: Sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep. Sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep. . .

Mario, Applejack, nor Rainbow can quite wrap their heads around her affinity for turning housework into a club craze.

(Mario's Interview)

He had both of his hands on his face in pure disgust.

Mario: Why, Twi. . .? WHY?! At this point, I'd-a rather have Discord here to help out with both the cleaning AND Twilight's-a terrible chanting. . .

(Rainbow Dash/Applejack's Interview)

Daredevil and workhorse sit side by side, and Rainbow Dash takes a pull from the cup of soda.

Rainbow Dash: Only Twilight could make a dance remix about sweeping. I mean, how lame is that?

Applejack: Yeah. It wasn't even catchy.

Rainbow Dash: Nope.

They both share a hoof bump with a smirk.

Back at the shop. . .

Twilight is still at it, and the other four who are still on the premises drop in behind her to help with the cleanup. Applejack and Rainbow are the only ones who join in on "sweep, sweep, sweep" with Twilight, trying to feign as much pleasure to this idea as they can. However, Mario didn't even bother as he puffs his cheeks in annoyance while covering both of his ears with putting his hat over them. Fluttershy does not either, due to the broom handle in her teeth, and Pinkie is having too much fun hovering just off the ground and twirling her tail like a helicopter rotor so that it skims the floor. Rarity returns, very much out of sorts, and the others fall silent.

Rarity: Apparently, DJ Pon-3 has a residency at the Party Palace upstairs, but security won't let me speak to her.

A goose-like horn blast scares a yelp out of her.

Rarity: Aah! What in the name of Celestia was that?!?

(Plaid Stripes's Interview)

Now Plaid is in the hot seat and has put on dangling earrings in the shape of teaspoons. The table is littered with juice boxes.

Plaid Stripes: You know how most stores have a little jingle-bell when the door opens? Ahem. I thought we should have something with a little more pizzazz! So, I installed one of Daddy's antique horns.

Back at the shop. . .

At the shop entrance, the horn she mentioned has been attached up here, and the closing door squeezes its rubber bulb to generate the obnoxious honk. As it happens a few more times as Plaid swings the door while Mario and Rarity cringe at the sound, and Plaid waves to her and steps away.

Mario: On the bright side, you have TWO reasons you can listen to music on headphones now. . .

Rarity glares at Mario who quicks frowns at this expression.

Mario: You're-a not Vinyl, are you. . .?

She rolls her eyes before sighing and shuddering in frustration.

Rarity: We'll have to do something about that, after I think of a way to quiet down that music. And after I finish designing the window display!

A rumbling crash shakes the camera and startles all five, bringing a yelp from the fashionista for good measure. As Pinkie hover-sweeps her way back into view, eyes turn toward the door as a blue-uniformed delivery stallion is seen wheeling the last of several dented boxes into a pile that now stands in the corner. He dumps them off as an incredulous Rarity approaches the disordered shipment. Her magic extends to cover the top of one box and she peeks in suspiciously.

Rarity: Ahh! Wait, is this my merchandise shipment from Ponyville? It's completely disorganized!

With the barest of shrugs and not a word, he rolls his cart out the door, leaving her to put hooves to temples and sputter out her frustration. The next arrival is a thoroughly disheveled Coco Pommel, eyes watery, cheeks flushed, nose reddened by having been blown or wiped repeatedly in a short time. Suffering from either a cold or a nasal allergy, she lets go with a major-league sneeze almost as soon as she steps in the door.

Coco Pommel: *sneezes*

Rarity: Gesundheit!

She then gets a good look at Coco to notice that it was her who sneezed and entered.

Rarity: Oh, Miss Pommel! I'm so glad to see you! Now, as the sole sales associate at Rarity For You, I hate to add to your already overflowing plate of responsibilities, but it looks as though we have just a tad more to do before tonight than I thought.

Coco Pommel: Actually, I *sneezes* I can't work tonight.

Rarity: Oh, why not?

(Mario/Coco Pommel's Interview)

Mario had an annoyed look on his face while sitting beside a sick Coco Pommel who had a tissue in her hooves and it was clearly that she used a lot as there were a mound of wadded-up tissues on the table.

Mario: *sarcastically* . . .Did she really, REALLY have to ask?!

She blows her nose loudly on the fresh one she has pulled from a handy box while Mario nervously smiles at her.

Mario: Bless you. . . *chuckles nervously* For the fourteenth time. . .

He said before picking up the tissue that Coco blew on away to join the pile of used ones before levitating her a new one.

Back at the shop. . .

Coco Pommel lets go with a third sneeze, this one directly into Rarity's face, and the unicorn floats up a tissue to wipe herself off.

Rarity: Feel better, my sweet. We'll manage without you. . .

She turns Coco away as the sick mare exits and Rarity was only getting more worried by the minute.

Rarity: Somehow. . . And we'll manage glowing teeth and car horns and disorganized clothes and dance music! Am I forgetting anything?

As she reels off this list, her query is answered in the affirmative when the three raccoons from the stockroom scamper and chitter across the room right in front of her. One of her eyes started to twitch alarmingly and outside of the building, seen from across the street. . . Rarity couldn't take it as she's having a meltdown at this point.

Rarity: * fake sobbing* WHAT AM I GOING TO DO??

The outburst causes passersby to stop and stare, and a stallion pulling a carriage even comes to a screeching halt.

(Twilight Sparkle's Interview)

Twilight Sparkle: Well, opening a store in Manehattan is a pretty big deal. It's natural that Rarity would be a "little" stressed about how it was going. Since it wasn't going well. *smiles* Still, I think she handled it all right.

Back at the shop. . .

Rarity stands up into view, fully primed for a complete freakout.

Rarity: My dream is doomed! Doomed, I tell you! *fake sobbing* Doomed!!

She pitches to the floor as the other six gather across from her.

Twilight Sparkle: I know things haven't gone perfectly so far, but we've done this kind of thing before.

Mario: Yeah, and all of us are here so this will be a piece of cake if we just all work together like we always do.

Rarity: I appreciate the offer, but this is Manehattan. To make it in the fashion scene here, everything has to be perfect. The perfect location! The perfect clothes! The perfect opening!

Mario and Twilight look at each other for answers on a Plan B to help Rarity, but the best that they could come with was to try and get out of the situation to do the job another day.

Mario: In that case, we could just postpone this until most things, keeping us from working blow over.

Rarity then gets up in Mario's face as if he had the most craziest idea ever.

Rarity: Postpone?!? Darling, tonight is the last night of the fall season. If we don't open tonight, it won't be. . .

Twilight Sparkle: *sighs* Perfect.

Rarity: Yes. I know what needs to be done. I just need more of me! Oh, how I wish I could make copies of myself!

(Pinkie Pie's Interview)

Here sits Pinkie, equipped with a mammoth stack of pancakes and a pitcher of maple syrup whose contents have already been liberally applied.

Pinkie Pie: Yeah. . . Making copies of yourself always sounds like a great idea, but before you know it, you're locked in a room with fifty Pinkie Pies watching paint dry. Though the other time that I did that was practically a miracle since I had a powerful boyfriend with me.

A reference to the final test from "Too Many Pinkie Pies," to determine which Pinkie was the real one and when Cheese Sandwich visited in "Pinkie Pride". The peppy pony scoops half the pancakes into her mouth, letting her cheeks bulge out and a dribble of syrup ooze down her chin and behind her, the back of a head of frizzy magenta mane topped by a dark blue fedora can now be seen. This head turns slightly, exposing a duplicate of Pinkie's face which is possibly a fugitive clone created in the Mirror Pool during that past time.

Back at the shop. . .

Twilight Sparkle: We can do this. And we can stay true to your vision.

Rarity: You'd do that? Fluttershy, you'll handle those. . . strong-smelling raccoons for me?

Fluttershy: Of course.

Applejack: Leave Plaid Stripes to me. I'll handle her and her, uh, "good ideas".

Pinkie Pie then zips up past her.

Pinkie Pie: Ooh, ooh, ooh! And I can go upstairs to that nonstop party and have tons of fun and eat some cake and set off party cannons and—

She reins herself in at a pointed throat-clearing from Rarity.

Pinkie Pie: And then make them be quiet.

(Mario's Interview)

The mustachioed human was in a relaxed position wearing a smile on his face while tipping his hat.

Mario: *winks* It's-a her, Pinkie Pie!

Back at the shop. . .

Twilight crosses to Rarity at the boxes.

Twilight Sparkle: I'm pretty sure I know somepony who wouldn't mind organizing this merchandise shipment for you.

Six very puzzled stares come her way.

Twilight Sparkle: I'm talking about myself.

The stares continue to be very puzzled.

Twilight Sparkle: *pleading* Oh, please, let me organize it!

Mario deadpans over towards the others.

Mario: I'm-a going to make sure that she doesn't-a go overboard with it.

Rarity: This all sounds splendid, but I don't even have a single employee, and I'll need the best of the best.

Rainbow Dash: Leave the hiring to me.

Rarity squeals happily and paces a bit.

Rarity: Oh! This is it, my dears. If you can handle these problems, I'll focus on the designs for the front window display. We'll show Manehattan what Rarity For You is all about!

The others cluster around her for a seven-way group hug.

Rarity: Oh, what would I do without you?

(Rainbow Dash's Interview)

Rainbow Dash sits here now with a cup of soda, one foreleg draped lazily over the seat back.

Rainbow Dash: *smirks* What would she do without us? Huh. Lemme think. *mocking Rarity* "Darlings, I'm absolutely doomed, doomed, doomed!"

She laughs at her imitation for a second before resuming her normal tone.

Rainbow Dash: Heh, I sound just like her!

The sound of pencil on paper makes her goofy, casual air vanish in a tick.

Rainbow Dash: Hey, you're not writing this down, are you?

Back at the shop. . .

Through one of the ground-floor windows, a small door leading from the shop floor into the display area is ajar; a pony mannequin stands in here, and Rarity steps in with a full box in her magical hold.

Rarity: Now for the perfect window display. Hmm.

Upstairs in the club room, Vinyl Scratch starts a new track, setting the original three dancers on the floor into motion all over again, as the door guard stands impassively at his post. Pinkie is seen hiding behind a large urn next to a column and glancing furtively in his direction. She lets out a pained little squeal.

Pinkie Pie: Oh, I can't really stop a super fun party in the middle of mega-happy fun times, can I?! Oh, what would Rarity want?!

A little pinkish-red Rarity poofs into being on her left, wearing devil horns and a point at the end of her tail and holding a trident. The gems in her Cutie Mark are yellow rather than blue.

Devil Rarity: Keep that party going 'til the break of dawn!

Now a pale yellow one appears on her right, sporting a halo on a wire above her head and a set of fully operational wings strapped to her midsection.

Angel Rarity: Indubitably! And as for the roof, get jiggy! Raise it, Pinkie! Raise it like you've never raised it before!

Pinkie Pie: If you say so.

Pinkie then starts to trot away, but not before Devil Rarity jabs the trident into her mane and yanks her back.

Devil Rarity: Oh, please, Pinkie Pie. Never in a million years would I say such balderdash!

She disappears, and her angelic counterpart shrugs and does likewise when Pinkie throws her a puzzled look. The party planner utters a dejected little moan, but quickly comes up with a calculating smile and trots up to the guard. Up comes one broad hoof, prompting her to slide to a halt, but that smile stays in place as Pinkie holds up a record disc.

Pinkie Pie: Obviously, DJ Pon-3 only plays the sickest of beats. I just wouldn't want her to miss out on the coolest new music straight from the back-alley underground, zip-zap party scene

She waves the disc before his nose before limbo dancing under the rope. A moment later, she has reached the DJ booth and is holding up the record.

Pinkie Pie: I'd play the whole thing if I were you, no matter what other ponies think.

After a bit of thought, the turntablist swaps one of her current discs for the new one. The music stops with a loud needle scratch and is replaced by a subdued bossa nova rhythm that brings the dancers to a dead stop. Pinkie walks backwards across the dance floor on her hind legs.

Dancers: Awww.

Outside, three variously dressed mares stand before Rainbow Dash, two Earth ponies and a unicorn, each holding a sheet of paper in hoof or magic, as the case may be a résumé or help-wanted notice, perhaps.

Rainbow Dash: Rarity For You is only hiring the best of the best. And to me, that means the fastest.

The trio that she's reviewing each trade slightly perplexed looks.

Rainbow Dash: Now, uh, before we begin, uh. . .

Turning her head briefly away from them, she makes a sound that can be best translated as. . .

Rainbow Dash: Am I doing this right? What would Rarity want?

An idea hits as she turns back to them.

Rainbow Dash: New plan!

Which involves her taking off in a multicolored blur and returning a second later to hover before them. All three have put their paperwork away by this point. When Rainbow Dash returns, she pulls out a scrap of cloth.

Rainbow Dash: Who can be the first one to tell me what fabric this is?

Blue Bobbin: That's organza.

Rainbow Dash: Are you sure?

Blue Bobbin: It's a thin, plain weave. Sheer fabric traditionally made from silk, so. . . *smiling smugly* yeah.

The amateur hiring manager finds herself at a loss in the face of this bit of textile knowledge.

(Rainbow Dash's Interview)

Rainbow Dash: I don't know the first thing about clothes. Pretty much all I can do is look at something and tell you if it's clothes or not. This chair? Not clothes.

Back at the shop. . .

Applejack is inside with Plaid Stripes and the process is going as slow as much as Rainbow Dash hates the word.

Plaid Stripes: See if you can keep up with me here. What are all clothes made of?

Applejack: Uh, fabric?

Plaid Stripes: BINGO!! But not in this store. Uh-uh. Not anymore.

Applejack: Oh, no?

Plaid puts a foreleg around Applejack's shoulders.

Plaid Stripes: Two words for you: "spoon clothes". All our clothes will be made of spoons!

Applejack: *to herself* What would Rarity want?

A little smile comes across the birdcatcher-spotted face as an idea takes hold under the brown hat and blond mane.

Applejack: You know, I like you, Plaid Stripes. If it were up to me, we'd have a spoon clothes store right next to Stinky Bottom's Discount Hat Emporium.

She then pulls her hat off.

Applejack: But it ain't up to me, so the answer is no.

Tears gather in Plaid's eyes as she worries her lower lip to try and keep her composure.

(Applejack's Interview)

Applejack sits across the table with a plate of pie on the table.

Applejack: Personally, I think spoon clothes ain't such a bad idea. Useful, too. Eatin' soup, stirrin' gumbo, diggin' little holes.

Back at the shop. . .

Mario and Twilight were at a wheeled rack loaded with dresses. Twilight levitates another one up on its hanger and sets it neatly in place.

Twilight Sparkle: There.

She stands between two long racks and a scatter of boxes. There is a rough but easily discernible progression of colors based on the visible spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green on the left rack from front to back, blue, indigo, and violet on the right from back to front. The cobwebs and detritus have been cleaned up from the whole place now. Mario picks up one last dress on the rack before turning towards Twilight.

Twilight Sparkle: Perfect. That should do it. All organized and sorted by color.

Mario smiles, but quickly gets a perplexed look towards the racks as he puts a finger to his chin in worry.

Mario: Hmm. . . It's-a perfect, but. . . What would Rarity want? It may not be perfect enough!

(Mario's Interview)

Mario was munching on another cupcake as over half of the ones on the plate that he ordered were already and that was clear indication that he ate all of them.

Mario: *mouth full* You'd-a think being the one to control a hyper-organized princess would go smoothly until you realize that you want to please your girlfriend so much and the whole situation backfires to the point of where you played yourself into your own problem.

Suddenly, Mario's face turned green as he dropped the cupcake that he was eating down and held a hand to his stomach while gagging as his cheeks puffed as well.

Mario: *gags* Oooooohhhhhh. Had too much frosting. . .

He quickly then gets up and runs to find the nearest trashcan or restroom that he could find to help his indigestion.

Back at the shop. . .

As Mario was still in thought, Twilight decides to answer for him as she wraps a foreleg around him.

Twilight Sparkle: Oh, well. Guess we'll have to start over!

A flare from their horn sends several dresses billowing across the screen.

Behind their hems, the view wipes to the still-messy stockroom, where the blue-eyed raccoon, Smoky Junior, is being tucked in for the night by the other two, Smoky and Soft Pad.

Fluttershy: Hello, Smoky, Softpad, Smoky Jr.? I have some. . . interesting news. I, oh. . . I'd like you all to stay here forever, but. . . *to herself* What would Rarity want?

The tears that start to brim up in her eyes point to how quickly she figures out the answer and how much she does not like it.

Fluttershy: *sobbing* You have to move out!

That edict sets a new record for the shortest time to bring a raccoon family up to a screeching rage.

At a pony mannequin in the front window, it wears a hat, which Rarity's magic floats off. She then brings up others from the pile of garments at her hooves and testing them out.

Rarity: A window display is the first thing customers see, and if they like it, they'll walk inside and experience the glory that is my boutique.

Inside, a shuddering Rainbow Dash hovers before the three candidate mares, a pile of fabric samples draped over her forelegs.

Rainbow Dash: I don't know which one of you to hire! Just. . . keep guessing fabrics!

Applejack, her hat on, backs up before Plaid and her irate father.

Plaid Stripes: Daddy, Rarity's friend doesn't like my ideas!

Mr. Stripes: Spoon clothes is good idea!

Pinkie, who has returned after her trip upstairs and is sitting on her haunches. Down through the ceiling comes the thump of Vinyl Scratch's dance mix.

Pinkie Pie: Oh, no! Not a shopping music mashup!

Now Fluttershy races by, chased by the raccoons and circling around Mario and Twilight who are half-buried in dresses she stripped off the shelves.

Fluttershy: I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

The pursuit ends with her standing on the counter to get out of their reach. Mario and Twilight gawk at the degree of utter chaos that would have given Discord a good laugh.

(Mario's Interview)

Mario comes back from the bathroom clearly exhausted from that stomach ache that he had as he lays his head back onto the table.

Mario: Can things get ANY worse?!

His face then turns green again as he grasps his stomach in clear pain of needing to vomit or defecate again.

Mario: Oh, Hoho, I've-a got to stop saying things like that. . .

Back at the shop. . .

Mario takes a deep breath as Twilight stares on with a worried look while Mario wears a forced smile on his face.

Mario: Okie dokie, the key is not to. . .

The glow of Rarity's magic asserts itself around the knob of the door leading into the window display area where she has been working. Both Mario and Twilight see this as they both pull a sharp gasp in shock.

Mario: PANIC!

The action and sound shift to slow motion as Mario launches himself across the room. . . and the knob rattles and the door starts to swing open. . . and eyes turn toward the hurtling prince and normal speed resumes as Rarity prepares to step back in.

Rarity: How's it-

Any further words turn into a muffled cry of surprise as Mario slams the door shut and leans his whole weight against it.

(Fluttershy's Interview)

A sweetly smiling Fluttershy is taking questions with just the silverware before her.

Fluttershy: When you write the story, could you maybe skip over the part where we locked Rarity in the window display?

The smile turns into an unstable grin, giggle, and darting of the eyes that would have drawn approval from Twilight herself.

Back at the shop. . .

The doorknob, glowing and rattling under Rarity's power. However, thank to Twilight's quick thinking, a chair has been wedged underneath it to keep the door closed.

Mario: Y-You alright in there, Rares?

He said with a forced smile, trying to fake worry from the other side of her.

Rarity: Um, I don't believe so, darling. The door's stuck.

Mario: U-Uh, don't-a worry. We'll-a have you out of there in a minute? We're-a already working on it. . .

Rarity: Hmm. Well, shouldn't let this time go to waste.

She has placed yet another hat from her collection on its head, and she drapes a matching short cloak around the body. In the shop, the Stripes father and daughter are arguing with each other, and the three job candidates are trading heated words of their own after digging themselves out from the fabric Rainbow Dash dumped on them. Meanwhile, the raccoons are running wild as Vinyl Scratch's beats kick up again.

Mario: How are we supposed to stall her from all of THIS?

Twilight Sparkle: The better question is how did all of this even happen?

Pinkie Pie: I shut down the party.

Applejack: I told Plaid Stripes no.

Fluttershy: I asked the raccoons to leave.

Rainbow Dash: I asked a lot of fabric questions.

Mario: We over-organized the clothes too much!

Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy, Mario & Rainbow Dash: Just like I thought Rarity would want!

The root of their five-way blunder starts to become apparent to all of them.

Twilight Sparkle: Rarity asked us to help her with everything because she knows all of us so well.

She paces over towards Fluttershy.

Twilight Sparkle: She knows how much you care for animals. She'd trust you to solve the problem your way.

She then addresses the entire group.

Twilight Sparkle: Maybe we should all do the same. Doing this our way IS what Rarity wants. It's not too late. Let's all dig in and we can fix this.

The entire room shows them just how tall an order this will be as the music resumes. By this point, the raccoons are hanging from the chandelier and swinging it back and forth.

Mario: Well then let's-a get to work before Rarity finds out that Rarity For You might become Rarity For Sale. Let's-a go.

The raccoons, now back in the stockroom, glumly packing their belongings into a suitcase for their impending departure. A contrite Fluttershy steps up as the lid is closed as the overhead thump has cut out.

Fluttershy: I'm sorry I asked you to leave. The place is yours if you wanna stay.

The raccoons all brighten up from this news.

Fluttershy: Though I would like to ask you all just one favor.

All three furry faces shift into suspicious glares.

Pinkie is seen crossing the dance floor upstairs which is now totally empty, silent, and without its usual light show. Vinyl is still sitting slumped over her console.

Pinkie Pie: I'm sorry I made you play that un-fun, super-boring music.

She gets only a halfhearted shrug in reply. However, Pinkie smiles in response as she starts to slide backwards with the door guard, who has her tail in his teeth and is dragging her out of the joint.

Pinkie Pie: But if you're up for it, I have an idea to make the party even better!

Under the black-rimmed violet sunglasses, Vinyl's mouth curves into a smile.

Outside, Rainbow Dash was with the employees once more.

Rainbow Dash: Okay, I don't get fabric, but I DO get speed. And I need somepony fast enough to help all the customers Rarity's gonna have. Soooo. . . first one to the river and back gets the job!

Her encouraging grin is met by a round of thoroughly confounded glances that pass between the three mares.

Rainbow Dash: It's a race! Go!

The two Earth ponies get to galloping, but the unicorn sets out at a much more sedate pace.

Back inside, Mario and Twilight continue to organize the dresses as Mario realizes something about them that made him get an idea.

Mario: Hey! It took me a minute to realize, but a lot of these dresses do have some red on them. Guess she was thinking a little bit about me when sewing.

Twilight Sparkle: I could say the same for these over here.

Twilight levitates up some lavender clothes before the camera cuts to Mario again who picks up another set of clothes.

Mario: I do also kind of like these more casual ones.

Twilight Sparkle: Those have nothing on these that I found in the box.

Twilight levitates up some more dresses that looked to be more for ponies wanting to put on a show.

Mario: Maybe those boxes that came in for us were a lot more organized than we thought. They suit our tastes!

Twilight Sparkle: You sort your favorites! I'll sort out mine?

Mario: Deal! Now THIS will be a lot more interesting!

Both of them share a high five before getting to work immediately on organizing the dresses based on what they each of approve of. Meanwhile, Applejack was handling on how to reason with Mr. Stripes and Plaid. All three are rather more civil than they were during the previous free-for-all.

Applejack: *clears throat* Mr. Stripes, I owe your daughter an apology. She's got good ideas, and I should give 'em a chance. So here's what I'm thinkin'.

The exterior of the shop, seen from across the street. Day fades to night, the ground-floor windows now glowing invitingly and the silhouettes of mannequins on display. Rarity's magic slips a ribbon onto the collar of one dummy's blouse and ties it in a bow as she is seen standing among three of them. One is a Pegasus, hanging from the ceiling.

Rarity: Perfect!

Inside the display area, she tries the doorknob with her aura but still cannot get it to budge. Having had quite enough of this confinement, she backs up a few steps and charges, fully intent on ramming the door with her shoulder. Before she can make contact, though, Mario pulls the door open, leaving her to tumble straight into him and she ends on top of him. Mario sheepishly smiles while blushing as his nose was touching Rarity's.

Mario: *chuckles nervously* Fixed it just in time for you to make quite the entrance. . .

Rarity slyly smirks down at Mario before rolling her eyes and she pecks him on the forehead before getting off of him, so that he could stand back up. Twilight walks over with a smile to help Mario up while Rarity gets a good look around the shop, prompting a stunned gasp from her.

Rarity: *gasps* Oh! What's all this?

She was in awe to see this. . .

Curved racks of dresses hang at the walls, shelves above them are stocked with other accessories, floor-level platforms have shoes on display, an elevated platform at the back is set up with a DJ turntable and speakers, multi-level pedestals display dressed mannequins and purses. The whole place is done in subdued shades of blue and violet, and rows of pin spotlights shine straight down from the ceiling. Not a trace of the original disrepair or decay can be seen.

(Twilight Sparkle's Interview)

Twilight just gives a smug smile.

Twilight Sparkle: The whole place organized by style, cross-referenced by size, and reverse-indexed by fabric. She'll be able to find anything in three seconds flat! It was some of my best work. And I guess I have to give Mario some credit too since even he can turn ideas into something interesting for everypony in Equestria to enjoy.

Back at the shop. . .

Rarity sees a portrait of her head on a wall as it hangs behind a semicircular sales counter, and she gazes wonderingly at it while her six friends gather a step behind. Seeing how everything worked according to plan, Rarity turns back and gives a hug to Mario and pecks him on the cheek.

Rarity: Oh! I knew I could count on you! All right. . . I suppose this is the moment of truth. . .

Mario: Wahoo! Go for it, Rares!

She moves to the door and pulls it open with her magic and instead of the squeeze-bulb horn Plaid installed, she hears the tinkling of a small bell. She looks upward, the camera motion exposing the hardware change. She grins back toward the others and outside as she turns her attention to the street.

Rarity: Rarity For You is now open!

A round of soft giggles and chatter surprises her as she looks to the side to see a few customers standing in line along the storefront. A quick pan follows, showing that the queue stretches most of the way down the block and a squirrel stands at the very end of it, but clears out when the last stallion waves it off angrily. Inside, Rarity steps aside and backs up next to Rainbow Dash as the ponies begin to file in.

Rarity: Oh, dear. I wasn't quite prepared for such a crowd. How will I handle them all?

On the end of this, Blue steps calmly up to a stallion who has stopped cold and is casting his eyes uncertainly about. Her previous bored tone gives way to friendly one.

Blue Bobbin: My name's Blue Bobbin. I'll be your personal shopping assistant this evening.

She leads him into the showroom.

Rainbow Dash: Right this way, everypony, and one of our talented salesponies can help you out!

She glances behind herself, the camera zooming out to frame the other two candidates standing and smiling in one corner. She grins at Rarity, whose slightly flummoxed expression turns into a smile.

(Rainbow Dash's Interview)

The speedster slumps over the table with a cup of soda.

Rainbow Dash: Honestly, they were all pretty slow. But they finished the race. Plus they knew a lot more about fabric than I did. So, I hired them all!

Back at the shop. . .

Rarity hustles toward a knot of customers, but she and they are all caught off guard when the lights dim, the pin spots brighten, and a soft, lively electronic groove kicks up. Looking across the showroom, Rarity finds Vinyl Scratch now working the sound system and the door guard from upstairs keeping watch over the steps that lead up to her platform. Fog-machine clouds billow across the floor as the spots rove back and forth and once the view clears, the three dancers from the club can be seen moving to the beat.

Rarity's mouth falls open in shock as she looks fearfully around herself, but is met with the sight of the unicorn shopping assistant escorting a customer toward the sales counter and magically towing two dresses along. The entrepreneur smiles as Pinkie slides backwards over to her with a grin, drops onto her haunches, and twirls her front hooves in rhythm.

(Pinkie Pie's Interview)

Pinkie sits amid a plethora of empty, dirty dishes.

Pinkie Pie: The way I see it, Rarity designs fashion, DJ Pon-3 designs beats. What better combination than a boutique/dance club?

The waitress stops briefly to drop off the check. One look drains all the levity out of the pink face, and she slides the paper toward the reporter with a big dopey grin as evidently the meal is a bit too pricey for her to cover.

Pinkie Pie: Um, can you give this to Mustache once you interview him. . .?

Back at the shop. . .

Rarity makes her way through the crowd, but is a bit caught out upon passing one of the three raccoons. It is walking on its hind legs, dressed in a shirt, tie, vest, and apron, and carrying a tray of small bowls. A nearby stallion is equally puzzled at the unorthodox waiter.

(Fluttershy's Interview)

Fluttershy sits here now with the three raccoons, none of them dressed, and the dishes have been cleared to make way for a whole pie.

Fluttershy: After a quick bath, they were more than willing to help!

Matched only by their willingness to attack the dessert.

Back at the shop. . .

The stallion eyes the bowls, each filled with a blue liquid and topped with a sprinkling of herbs.

Waxton: Ah, a blue corn reduction with shallot confit! But how can I possibly enjoy it without a—

Plaid Stripes: Spoon?

She is now wearing the spoon earrings and each foreleg sports one of these mitts, and she has donned a pair of yellow-framed sunglasses whose lenses are shaded in a gradient from violet down to yellow. She brandishes the eating utensils like a ninja with highly questionable fashion sense.

(Applejack's Interview)

Applejack sits with a slice of pie in front of her wearing a sly smirk.

Applejack: Heh. Toldja spoon clothes ain't such a bad idea.

Back at the shop. . .

The stallion now wears a band around one front hoof with three spoons attached, and he tastes the concoction and smiles.

Waxton: Mmm! Exquisite! This is the most whimsical and wonderfully fashionable boutique I've ever seen!

Excited chatter breaks out among the patrons as this appears to have been a beyond successful opening to Rarity For You. Rarity smiles warmly at her good fortune, then lets herself tear up at the sight of her five friends gathering before her and Mario wraps the fashionista in a very caring hug with a arm around her shoulders before pecking her on the cheek and giving her a proud smile.

(Mario's Interview)

Mario who has a smug smile on his face which is clear indication that his stomachache episodes were done had the table cleared by the waitress as he has both of his hands behind his back.

Mario: So yeah, in the end. . . We pretty much saved the day just like the heroes always do.

A piece of paper that was clearly from the interview with Pinkie Pie passed over towards Mario's table as he eyes it in confusion before picking it up to read it. He takes a good look at it as the shrinkage of his pupils along with a look of annoyed shock meant that he knew who was responsible.

Mario: PINKIE PIIIIE!!

(End of Reviews/Flashback)

Back in Carousel Boutique in Ponyville as Rarity was still reading the newspaper as everything that she was reading clearly was what went all down during this mini-story of the opening of Rarity For You.

Rarity: "In the end, Rarity's grand opening was a smashing success! True, it got off to a rocky start, but somehow this rag-tag group of ne'er-do-wells. . ."

She lowers the paper looking at the others.

Rarity: Oh, heavens, I think he means you.

She raises the paper again to continue reading.

Rarity: ". . .came together and created the perfect boutique. A vision of Rarity combined with the expertise of her friends! This reporter, for one, is a believer."

Lowering the paper and magically removing her reading glasses, she fixes the others with a questioning look.

Rarity: Why didn't you tell me there were so many problems?

Twilight Sparkle: We all figured you had enough on your mind.

Mario: The last thing that we'd-a ever want is to ruin your dream and career.

Applejack: And we didn't want you to think that the opening wasn't perfect.

Rarity: *giggles* "Ne'er-do-wells" or not, I know I can always count on all of you. And nothing could be more perfect than that.

And she gladly displays this with a grateful group with her most supportive friends in all of Equestria as while both the set-up of Rarity For You and the interviews didn't go as planned, they definitely found it all to be one giant success in the end.

Back at the restaurant, Plaid sits slurping soup loudly, using one of her spoon mitts and wearing the matching earrings, but not the shaded sunglasses. The bowl rests on the table in place of Applejack's pie. She throws a big, goofy, brace-faced grin at the camera.

Chapter 102 End.