Chapter 4: Fake It 'Til You Make It

It was a peaceful day, and Fluttershy and Sokka were at their Animal Sanctuary having a picnic with their animal friends.

Fluttershy gave some bird seeds to a purple bird and a Bluejay, while Sokka gave some of it to five ducks. All the animals are enjoying their meal, but Angel hasn't eaten anything yet and he threw the bowl on Fluttershy's head.

"Angel, manners please!" Sokka scolded the white bunny softly, who thumps his left foot on the ground impatiently with his arms crossed.

"Now, Sokka. Our little bunny knows where his place is at." Fluttershy said gently before she turned her attention to Angel. "Don't worry, Angel, I won't forget you."

Fluttershy brings a bowl of salad to him and Angel begins to eat.

"There's nothing so peaceful as a cuddly friends picnic with my husband." Fluttershy said with a content sigh as Sokka chuckled.

"Yeah. Just a nice perfect day for a picnic with all of our animal friends." Sokka said with a smile as he held Fluttershy close to him as his wife giggled and rested her head on his shoulder.

"FLUTTERSHY! SOKKA!" A familiar voice shouted, causing the pegasus couple and their animal friends to flinch in surprise.

The animals ran away from the loud cry, as Rarity arrived.

"Oh, goodness, Rarity!" Fluttershy said to the marshmallow pony in surprise. "What's the matter?"

"Is there something we can do for you?" Sokka asked worriedly as Rarity skids to a stop.

"Oh, the better would be, "What isn't the matter"?" Rarity replied back dramatically.

"Oh, dear. Do you wanna have some lettuce and talk about it?" Fluttershy offered.

Not wanting to waste his hunger, Angel shoves as much lettuce in his mouth as he can.

"Uh, I think you're a little too late to have some since Angel's eating it for his lunch." Sokka said with a nervous chuckle.

"Uh... Oh! I would love to, darling, but I just don't have the time. The Canterlot Royal Fashion Show is practically upon us, and the cornerstone piece of my collection just isn't working!" Rarity explained.

Fluttershy and Sokka looked at each other for a moment before they turned back to Rarity.

"Oh, that sounds serious." Fluttershy commented with concern.

"Very serious if I might add." Sokka added.

"Oh-ho-ho, it's serious. The entire collection is designed around it!" Rarity said dramatically.

"Do you need help knitting? I've started making tea cozies." Fluttershy said as she then brought a teapot with a cover that looked like a Elephant. "It's an elephant."

Then the cover which is meant to be the trunk of an elephant rips.

"Yes, well, I don't need help making clothes." Said Rarity. "Sassy Saddles is pitching in. Plus, I'll be pulling all three of my Manehattan assistants."

"All three? Does that mean you'll have to close Rarity For You?" Sokka asked in surprise and concern.

"That's just it, darling. This is Manehattan's busiest shopping season, and I can't just close the shop. So I was hoping... you might consider running, Fluttershy?" Rarity asked Fluttershy with a hopeful smile.

"Of course. I'm happy to help. Though I'm surprised you picked me and not Sokka." Fluttershy replied back with a sheepish smile as Sokka nodded in agreement.

"Well, I may have asked a few others." Rarity said.

"Other who?" Sokka asked curiously as Rarity smiled sheepishly.

(Scene changes)

Rarity has asked Rainbow Dash as they were at the Wonderbolts Academy.

"Sorry, but we've got a Wonderbolts show coming up." Said Rainbow before she and Spitfire flew up, leaving Rarity dejected.

(Scene changes)

She tried Pinkie at Sugarcube corner.

"Sorry, but it's pie season and the pie orders are piling up." Said Pinkie as she gestured to a lot of pie orders while Rarity looked dejected again.

(Scene changes)

Rarity tried Twilight as the alicorn mare was inside her and Chase's office while she had a long scroll in front of her and some books on both her sides.

"Sorry, I've got a curriculum to make up." Twilight said, making Rarity dejected even more.

(Scene changes)

Rarity then tried Chase as he and his family were busy practicing their katas.

"Sorry, Rarity. But fashion isn't our thing. We've got some new katas to teach the students. You wanna jump in?" Chase asked while he and his family continued to practice their katas, not noticing Rarity just sighed and walked out of the dojo with an irritated look.

(Scene changes)

Rarity tried Applejack and Clay, who each had a wagon full of apples strapped to themselves while walking back to Sweet Apple Acres.

"Nope." The Earth Pony couple replied back.

(Scene changes)

She then tried Starlight, who was giving a tour to some new students and she shook her head with a no.

(Scene changes)

She tried Big Mac.

"Nnnope." Big Mac said with a shake of his head.

(Scene changes)

She tried Cheerliee, Granny Smith, DJ Pony, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, but they all shook their heads, meaning they won't be able to do the fashion show for good reasons.

(Scene changes)

Rarity then became so desperate, she even tried Maud.

"My calendar's packed, but I hear Fluttershy's free. And you haven't ask Boulder." Said Maud.

"Uh... Oh?" Rarity said nervously.

(Scene changes)

The scene returns back to reality as Sokka gives Rarity an unamused look on his face.

"Rarity, haven't you forgotten that almost all of our friends have no interest in fashion all of the time. Chase already warned you the last time when you had the hair remover potion incident. You don't wanna go through that again." Sokka said as Fluttershy nodded in agreement.

"Well, the remover potion is one thing I can remember." Rarity replied back with a chuckle. "But it doesn't matter who else I asked, because I couldn't be happier that you agreed to help, Fluttershy!"

Rarity didn't hesitant to bring Fluttershy in for a hug while nuzzling her cheek while Sokka felt things are gonna be real trouble for Fluttershy. Big time.

*Main theme*

A little while later, Rarity had brought Fluttershy and Sokka to one of Rarity For You in Manehattan.

"I think I forgot how big this shop was." Fluttershy said with concern. "How do you find anything?"

"Oh, darling, it's easy to track." Rarity reassured the yellow pegasus before gesturing to her to the three sections. "The store is divided into sections - chic, classic, modern, sophisticated, avant-garde, traditional, and obtuse."

Then Rarity begins to show Fluttershy what to do.

"And, of course, each section is divided by season, color, and price. It's a classic SCP system." Rarity began to explain. She then brought out a black outfit and brought it to the paying counter. "Then it's just a little ringing ponies up…" She then pays the outfit, folds it, and place it in a bag. "... a little fluff and fold... Volia! But, of course, that's the easy part."

"It is?" Fluttershy gasped.

"Mm-mmm. As you well know, the real focus at Rarity For Us is on the costumer!" Rarity answered.

Sokka was still feeling a little unsure about this.

"I don't know about this, Rarity. Fluttershy isn't really comfortable doing this. You can't be serious about having her do the job by herself." Sokka said with concern.

"Oh, don't worry, Sokka." Rarity said with a smile. "You will be helping her out with this task as well."

"Me?!" Sokka asked in surprise.

"Yes." Rarity said as an orange colored mare with pink colored hair, ruby eyes, with sunglasses, and a blue shirt named Pursey Pink came in. Rarity saw this and turned to Fluttershy, knowing this was the yellow pegasus mare's chance. "Care to give it a try?"

"Um, okay." Fluttershy said and went up to Pursey. "Hello. Um, welcome to Rarity For You. What can my husband and I help with?"

"I need something classic but modern." Pursey explained. "Something with drama but also understated."

"Um, aren't all those things opposites?" Fluttershy asked timidly.

"Yes. So?" Pursey asked indignantly.

"But how can I...?" Fluttershy said as she was starting to feel uncomfortable.

Sokka could tell where this was going as he too felt worried for his wife's current situation.

"I'm sorry. Are you asking me how to do your job?" Pursey asked, getting impatient.

"No! But I just, um…" Fluttershy tried to explain as Sokka was having enough of this and put an angry look on his face.

"Alright! That's enough! You leave my wife alone or I'll-!" Sokka was about to finish before Rarity stopped him.

"Now, Sokka! Manners, please!" Rarity scolded him before she appeared next to the two ponies. "If I may, I'm thinking noir-esque minimalist but with a twist." She then brought out a black and pink dress. "Perhaps a tapered hem."

Then the two were in a stare off before Pursey gasped.

"It's like you read my mind!" Pursey said, breaking the silence. "Are you a fashion psychic?"

Then she laughed amusingly.

"Hmm. The inseams say, 'Yes!' " Rarity said with a giggle as the two ponies laughed together before the marshmallow pony paid the outfit and Pursey left.

"Wow." Fluttershy said, amazed. "You make it look so easy."

"Yeah, maybe a little too easy if you ask me." Sokka said, partly agreeing.

"Oh, Sokka, Fluttershy, darlings, come now." Rarity said with a confident smile. "You've conquered your shyness a thousand times over, especially with your husband or Chase Young by yourside. You can't let a few fashion ponies undo all that progress."

"I guess not." Fluttershy said, agreeing.

"Yeah, you're right." Sokka agreed as well.

"You simply must access your inner strength and allow it to shine through!" Rarity said with a wave of her hoof and smile.

"How?" Sokka and Fluttershy asked together confusingly.

"Uh, daily affirmations?" Rarity said, thoughtfully. "Meditation? Ooh! Power posing works wonders whenever I feel intimidated. Try these." Rarity strikes different poses. "Confident warrior! Gold medalist! Showpony!"

Fluttershy tries it, but ended up getting tangled by her mane and tail before she fell.

"Or... not." Rarity said with concern.

"Yeah, she's not really cut out for this, Rarity. You don't wanna know what would happen if Fluttershy gets into fashion trouble like you did." Sokka said with concern.

"Don't remind me about the remover potion, Sokka." Rarity begged, pleadingly as her 3 assistants came out ready to go.

"We need to leave now if we're going to catch the train to Canterlot." Said Blue Ribbons, urgently.

Rarity brought out her watch and saw what time it was.

"Oh, goodness, look at the time! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, go, go! I'm right behind you!" Rarity said with worry as she gathered her things while her three assistants begin to leave.

"Whoa, hold on a minute, Rarity! You're just gonna leave us now?!" Sokka demanded in shock.

"Yes, Rarity. You're not gonna be here?" Fluttershy asked worriedly. "In your work room?"

"But, darlings, I simply can't. The fashion show is in Canterlot tomorrow, and i'll be up all night, even with the help of all my assistants!" Rarity argued with concern.

Fluttershy just gulped in concern while Sokka glared at Rarity sternly.

"Well, not all my assistants." Rarity said assuringly.

Then three familiar raccoons appeared behind the curtain. The sight of them made Fluttershy gasp in joy.

"Smoky! Softpad! Smoky Jr.!" Fluttershy said happily.

"Good to see you guys again!" Sokka said, equally happy to see the three raccoons again.

The raccoon family rushed over and gave the pegasus couple a hug.

"Ever since you convinced me to let them live in the shop, Fluttershy, these beastie sweeties have been nothing but helpful." Said Rarity.

"And I'm sure they'll aid my husband to help me let my inner strength shine through!" Fluttershy said confidently as Sokka nodded in agreement with his wife.

The raccoons agreed.

"Oh, I wish I could still and offer more help." Rarity said with concern before she had an idea. "Why not try a new outfit?"

Rarity then brought a simple gray fashion work outfit.

"Think of it as the costume for your role as... Shop Pony! Ha ha! You know what they say - "clothes make the pony"." Rarity said.

"Um, who says that?" Fluttershy asked timidly.

"Rarity, I'm not really sure this will work well for my wife." Sokka said as he gave Rarity an unconvinced look.

"Now, Sokka. Do trust me on this one, darling." Rarity said with an assuring smile before she turned to Fluttershy. "You know,"them". All right. I'm sure you and your furry friends will do just fine. Ta-ta!"

Then Rarity left the shop as Fluttershy sighed.

"You gonna be okay, honey?" Sokka asked his wife with concern.

"Yes, sweetie. I will." Fluttershy replied back bravely before she became worried. "I hope she's right."

"You and me both." Sokka added with concern.

Then a mid-aged stallion with a tan, almost brown, white hair, purple eye color, wearing a work outfit, red glasses named Bracer Britches came in and looked around.

"Well, this is your chance, Fluttershy. Think you can handle this?" Sokka asked.

"Don't worry, honey. I'm on it." Fluttershy responded back before she took a deep breath. "Whew. Here goes nothing."

Sokka smiled confidently while the raccoon family cheered for Fluttershy.

"Welcome to Rarity For You. What can I help you with?" Fluttershy greeted Bracer Britches, who turned to her.

"What's the thread count of this shirt?" Bracer asked, examining a black shirt. "I can't be seen in anything less than a thousand."

"Um, thread... count? Um... Well, I'm not sure." Fluttershy said nervously. She then brought a magnifying glass. "Let's see... Um, 1, 2, 3, 4..."

Then Sokka began to feel worried about his wife while the raccoons started chittering, telling her not to do it.

"Oh, I don't like where this is going." Sokka said with concern.

"Um, excuse me for just one second." Fluttershy said and then ran to the workroom.

"Honey, wait!" Sokka called to his wife before he and the raccoons joined her.

In the workroom, Sokka and the raccoons found Fluttershy hyperventilating with worry.

"Honey, are you doing okay?" Sokka asked with concern.

"I don't know, Sokka. I'm never gonna get the hang of this. I don't even know how Rarity handles this kind of work with the customers." Fluttershy said. "Oh, I'm afraid I don't know much about fashion to satisfy these customers. What am I gonna do, honey?"

Sokka hummed with thought and concern as he placed a hoof to his chin.

"I honestly don't know about it, but maybe it's probably time you could give it a try from the ways Chase has done in so many ways." Sokka said with a theory.

This of course shocked Fluttershy a lot before she glared at Sokka.

"Honey, no! Being just like Chase is not a good way to do it. I already tried that with the Swamp Fever incident once, I am not doing it again." Fluttershy replied back sternly before she became worried. "I don't even want to be such a stern mare all the time, I want to be a sweet mare."

"That's what I already love about you, sweetie." Sokka said with a smile as he nuzzled Fluttershy by the cheek, making her smile and giggle.

Then Smoky came in with the outfit Rarity showed her.

"Huh, I guess maybe it's time to try out the ways Rarity has shown you instead of using Chase's tough side." Sokka said with a smirk.

"Oh, I've never tried to act before, but... I suppose it's worth a shot." Fluttershy said with a smile.

(Scene changes)

Soon Fluttershy was in the outfit, and even changed her mane style into a bun. Sokka observed her carefully before he smiled.

"You look amazing, honey." Sokka said, making Fluttershy smile at her husband in reply. Then Sokka became firm. "Now let's give it a try."

"Okay, sweetie." Fluttershy said before she cleared her throat and tried a snooty voice.. "Severe but not unapproachable. Acceptable business attire." She then speaks in her normal voice. "Oh, does that sound like a shop pony to you?"

The raccoon family and Sokka cheered for her as Fluttershy was convinced enough as she smiled with determination.

(Scene changes)

Soon, Fluttershy heads out where Bracer was waiting impatiently. Sokka watched from the workroom, anxiously waiting to hear what would happen.

"I hope this works." Sokka said with a whisper of concern.

"So sorry for the wait." Said Fluttershy in her snooty voice. "The shop has some... staffing issues today."

"Yes, well, I still haven't had an answer on this thread count." Bracer said impatiently.

"Here at Rarity For You, our merchandise defies typical attempts to quantify its quality, but rest assured, it will make you the envy of all who see it." Flutterhsy replies back after she examines one of the clothes, which brightened Bracer.

"Oh, in that case. I'll take three!" Bracer said as levitated a bag of bits with his magic.

Fluttershy made the order and Bracer was soon paid as he left the shop.

"Ta-ta!" Bracer Britches said and he was gone.

When he was gone, Fluttershy faints and falls back.

"Honey!" Sokka said with concern as he rushed over to his wife. "Are you okay?"

"I think so, Sokka." Fluttershy said in her normal voice as she panted.

Then the raccoon family joined them.

"Smoky Jr.!" Fluttershy said. "I can't believe it worked!" She then got up and spoke in her snooty voice. "I suppose clothes really do make the pony after all."

Sokka smiled before he became worried after hearing Fluttershy speaking through her snooty voice.

"Uh, honey. Let's not get carried away with this. What you're doing is very serious work." Sokka said with caution.

"Don't worry, honey." Fluttershy replied back before she added snooty. "I won't get carried away."

This made Sokka very uneasy about this while the raccoons smiled to each other.

(Scene changes)

Meanwhile Rarity was making her way to the train station to catch her ride to Canterlot. She then saw two mares walking with each other.

"I don't know about you, but I have a full day of shopping planned." Said Luckette. "And if even one shop pony isn't up to my standards, well, I shall make my displeasure quite plain."

"Oh, you are Wicked!" Strawberry Ice laughed.

Rarity heard every bit of their conversation.

"Canterlot fashion show or no, I simply can't leave Fluttershy and Sokka to fend for themselves with these Manehattanites." Rarity said sternly.

She then took off running back towards the shop.

"Rarity?" Bracer Britches called out as Rarity skids to a stop and passes him.

"Oh, darling, I'm afraid I can't stop." Rarity apologizes. "Potential emergency at the boutique."

"Oh, well, whatever it is, I'm quite certain the ponies you left in charge can handle it." Bracer Britches reassured. "Oh, Sokka's wife is simply divine!"

He then leaves, and Rarity was surprised.

"Oh, well, I always knew Fluttershy had it in her while Sokka stood beside her." Rarity said as she laughed before she checks her watch. "And there's still time to catch the train to Canterlot!"

She then continues her way to the train station.

(Scene changes)

Meanwhile at the shop, Fluttershy notices a gray mare checking out a blue outfit.

"It's an unique play of the old standard." Fluttershy said in snooty. "We call it a Rarity cut with a triple-cut stitched hem and a guacamole chevka pattern fabric."

"Don't you mean "chevron"?" Sliver Berry corrected.

"If I had meant "chevron", then that's what I would've said." Fluttershy replied back sternly.

"Of course." Sliver chuckled. "It's so unique! So en vogue! It must be mine!"

Fluttershy soon pays the outfit, and Sliver leaves as the raccoon family cheers her while Sokka was concerned about this.

"Aw, thanks, everyone." Fluttershy said in her normal voice. "But I feel I should push the snootiness further."

The raccoons agreed.

"If you really wanna help, I suppose serving tea would be nice. Oh, if you don't mind." Fluttershy offered. Then she turned to Sokka, who was still feeling unsure about what will happen next. "Would you be willing to help out as well, honey?"

Sokka immediately shook

(Scene changes)

The three raccoons were soon in uniforms and served tea to the ponies with Sokka helping them as Fluttershy went up to an elderly purple mare.

"I like my accessories bold and shiny, and I'm just not seeing anything nearly bold and shiny enough." Said the Jeweled pony.

"I'm afraid bold and shiny won't work with your whole... modelle." Snooty Fluttershy said. "Perhaps...Pointy."

"Pointy?" She said interested. "Yes! I must have pointy!"

Fluttershy then places a jewel display on her head like a hat, shocking Sokka in the process.

"Not everypony can pull off a bound object, but you... nearly get there." Flutterhsy said as she showed a reflection in a mirror.

The jeweled pony was amazed and soon leaves with it.

Then a hipster dark cyan Pegasus with blue eyes, red hair, red shirt, and blue shorts appeared.

"I need, like, a red carpet glitz-and-glamour gown that's also casual, but, like, still artsy and a total head-turner." The mare said indignantly.

"Yes. Casual chic pret-a-porter is very branche this season." Fluttershy remarked snootily.

"Uhhh... Like, I don't understand any of that, so, like... I don't care about it?"

"Um, one moment, please." Fluttershy then zips away into the back room.

Sokka and the raccoons went to check on her.

"Everything okay, sweetie?" Sokka asked as Fluttershy turned to her husband.

"Oh, I think I need a new character, honey." Said Normal Fluttershy.

The raccoons left for a second, then came back with a scarf, hat and glasses.

"That could work for you." Sokka said with a smile as Fluttershy returned the favor.

(Scene changes)

Soon Fluttershy was dressed as a hipster with a purple sweater, light blue scarf, light purple hat and deep pink glasses. And has a dark cyan outfit.

"Okay, I've got, like, this high-key savage look for you?" Said Hipster Fluttershy. "It's a totally live ensemble with a little, like, thingies that sparkle and make the whole squad go, "Whoa! That pony is 'woke'!" "

The Pegasus's interest was sparked.

"That is, exactly what I need!" The mare said excitedly

Fluttershy glances back and winks to the raccoons and Sokka. Sokka however was feeling more worried as this is getting on a whole new level for his wife.

(Scene changes)

Later, Fluttershy walks up to a Goth pony.

"This store is a desperate wasteland of nothingness." He said. "Do you have anything in black?"

Fluttershy wasn't sure a hipster way would solve this.

"Can you, like, chill for one sec? BRB." Fluttershy said, zipping away.

(Scene changes)

She was soon back in a black goth outfit and has a black vest.

"It's not like the futility of shopping can be made better with black leather and metal studs, but they help." Said Goth Fluttershy.

"Uh... that jacket completes me." Said the Goth pony.

Then some spitting was heard from behind as well as a grunt and Fluttershy saw a light cyan mare in a red dress having some tea.

"This tea's, like, lukewarm." Said Joan Pommelway to Sokka sternly." It's barely drinkable."

"Well, my friends and I have already tried to do it, but you can't rush something like this!" Sokka said with an angry look as the raccoons chittered in agreement with him.

Then Snooty Fluttershy appeared.

"This tea must always be at a precise temperature! See that it doesn't happen again!" Fluttershy ordered sternly.

Sokka was shocked and the raccoons were sad. Sokka glared at his wife angrily and knew this was going too far.

"This is all Rarity's fault." Sokka said to himself.

(Scene changes)

Soon Fluttershy was rejecting every outfit that the shopping ponies were looking. She appears to be acting a little too far. Sokka was feeling angrier by the minute his wife was doing this.

Then Snooty Fluttershy pounds her hoof to get the raccoon's attention, but they couldn't make out what she was doing. Fluttershy then made a head gesture to serve the mare next to her. The raccoons quickly rushed over, but Softpad came in to halt and a small drop of tea spills and lands on Fluttershy's right hoof.

Fluttershy gasped and the mare screamed.

"I don't know what's worse - that you spilled the tea or that it's still cold!" Snooty Fluttershy yelled. "Either get it right or go back to the forest!"

Sokka gasped deeply in shock at what his wife said as the raccoons were very angry, and then they left.

"Oh, it is so hard to find good help these days." Snooty Fluttershy said and the mare nods in agreement.

This time, Sokka immediately lost his temper as he marched up to Snooty Fluttershy.

"Alright, honey. Enough is enough!" Sokka said sternly. "I can't believe you would do this to our critter friends. That was just wrong and low, even for you!"

"Well, honey." Snooty Fluttershy said indignantly. "I've been doing what Rarity asked me to do and I am doing my job!"

"What you're doing is just driving all of the customers away. When Rarity said you should handle the store on your own and with me to help support you, she didn't mean push yourself too far!" Sokka said sternly. "I don't know what's worse, honey. Either you having to boost your confidence out wrongly or you're just acting like a huge Manehatten snob!"

Snooty Fluttershy didn't back down.

"I guess maybe you don't know me as well as you think. And since you can't see me that way, you're fired!" Snooty Fluttershy said sternly, making Sokka gasp in surprise.

Then Sokka left the store with a hurt yet angry look and slammed the door loudly once he was gone.

As Sokka walked to the train station, he heard the sound of chittering as he turned to see Smoky, Softpad, and Smoky Jr. running up to him.

"Oh, hey, guys." Sokka said softly yet sadly as the three raccoons gathered around him for a hug. "Let's go home."

The raccoons nodded before the four left for Ponyville.

(Scene changes)

The family of raccoons went to Twilight and Chase's office as they were chittering like mad.

"Okay! Okay! Slow down, everyone!" Said Spike. "I'm doing my best!"

The raccoons then made charades of Rarity, Hipster Fluttershy and Snooty Fluttershy.

"So, Rarity is busy at a important fashion show, and Fluttershy and Sokka are running her shop in Manehattan, but to do it, she's playing different shop pony characters that are all mean?" Spike said.

The raccoons chittered happily.

"How in the world did you figure that out, Spike?" Twilight asked.

"I'm not Dragon Charades champion for nothin'!" Spike said proudly, but Chase wasn't convinced.

"You just took lessons from one of Fluttershy's books didn't you?" Chase asked bluntly, causing Spike to blink before he glared at the alicorn stallion indignantly.

"I can't imagine Fluttershy would ever be mean to her animal friends." Said Twilight, concerned. "This sounds serious. Spike, tell everyone it's time to head back to Saddle Row!"

The raccoons were relieved.

"Wait, wait!" Chase said, stopping everyone in the process as he turned to the raccoons. "You also mentioned something about Sokka. Where is he?"

The raccoons froze with worry as Chase looked at them sternly and firmly. Then with a reluctant chitter, they chittered something that shocked Chase.

"Fluttershy fired him?!" Chase asked in surprise as Twilight and Spike gasped in shock.

"She did what?!" Twilight asked in deep shock. "That's not like her!"

"If you ask me, Rarity is held responsible for this." Chase said firmly before he turned to his wife. "Honey, gather the others. I'll get Sunray, Trini, Jade, and Antonio to help me find Sokka."

"You got it, honey." Twilight said with a nod of determination as Chase rushed out of the office to find his family to help him locate where Sokka could be.

(Scene changes)

Soon, the girls, Spike, and Clay got to Manehattan, and they could hardly believe it was Fluttershy.

"You weren't kidding." Twilight said to the raccoons. "This is worse than we thought! She's being horrible to everypony, especially with the way she acted toward her own husband!"

"Uh, are you sure that's even Fluttershy?" Applejack asked.

"This ain't right for her." Clay said with concern.

"Maybe it's just three really, really fast ponies that really, really look like her!" Pinkie guessed

"Well, let's find out!" Said Rainbow Dash and she went up to Snooty Fluttershy. "Hey, Fluttershy? Are you running the shop or performing in a one-pony show?"

"If you don't mind, I can only improve the taste of one customer at a time." Said Snooty Fluttershy. "You'll have to wait your turn. Ugh, honestly! These small town ponies come to the big city and think they can behave any way they please!"

"What?! Rainbow said in disbelief. "You are a small-town pony just like Sokka! And your cottage isn't even in the town! How could you have even fire your own husband like that?!"

Then Applejack and Clay went up to Goth Fluttershy.

"Look, Fluttershy, we came because we were worried and we care about you." Applejack said.

"Yeah, this ain't like you at all." Clay said in agreement.

"Let's get out of this aura of positivity before it consumes us." Goth Fluttershy said to a customer.

"As fun as this Fluttershy switcheroo game is, Smoky, Smoky Jr, and Softpad are really concerned." Pinkie said to Hipster Fluttershy.

"Yeah! They came all the way to Ponyville to get us." Said Spike.

The raccoons nodded their heads.

"They should have, like, stayed there?" Said Hipster Fluttershy. "The shop is, like, a no-rodent zone now and that short sided stallion wasn't enough for my support."

Everyone gasped upon hearing that.

"She called them "rodents"?!" Pinkie shouted in shock.

Twilight went to confront Snooty Fluttershy.

"Fluttershy, I understand why you think you have to act this way for these customers, but there's gotta be a better way." Twilight said sternly.

"Goodness! You are so right." Snooty Fluttershy sarcastically said. "Please, step this way so we may discuss your concerns."

She then leads them outside.

"I knew you'd come to your senses!" Said Twilight.

Then suddenly Snooty Fluttershy slams the door.

"Indeed." Snooty Fluttershy said and walked away as the others watched from outside the shop.

"Okay, this is definitely low, even for her." Clay said with concern.

"I wonder if Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio have managed to fin Sokka by now." Twilight said with concern.

The others felt the same way.

(Scene changes)

Sokka sat with his eyes narrowed in absolute concentration, paying mind to nothing around him.

"I am ready…" Sokka said ominously before holding a miniature action figure of himself, "To teach you a lesson!"

The pegasus stallion sat comfortably in the basket tub in the alleyway next to his and Fluttershy's cottage as he took a pleasant bubble bath while playing with his action figures of himself, the Elite Ninja, Tai Lung, and even Fluttershy.

Sokka then raised his little action figure of Tai Lung.

"Teach me?" He said, imitating the snow leopard, "Oh no, he's the Dragon Teacher!" He then held up his action figure of Fluttershy. "Yeah, he's so handsome." He held up his action figure of himself. "Thank you for the compliment."

Angel just watched from the window, knowing that Sokka was going through what Fluttershy said to her husband back in Manehatten. He was starting to feel worried about him.

"Ah, no! Please don't teach me to death!" Sokka exclaimed, holding up his mini Tai Lung before smashing his mini Sokka into the snow leopard action figure, making an explosion sound.

Then he held up his Fluttershy action figure.

"My hero!" Sokka said with a squeaky voice imitating Fluttershy's as he used the action figures to do an intimidation of them kissing.

Then he lost his cool as he tossed them aside with a loud angry yell.

"Fluttershy! Why did you have to be so mean to be so mean to me back there?!" Sokka said angrily as tears streamed down his face before his face planted on the side of the tub. "This is all Rarity's fault for doing this!"

He lightly sobbed when footsteps were heard, approaching him.

"Sokka?" Chase's voice said, causing Sokka to lift his face up in surprise with his eyes widened.

He turns to see Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio walking up to him.

"Oh, hey, guys. What's up?" Sokka said as he quickly wiped his eyes away and shoved his action figures into the water with him, hiding them under the bubbles in embarrassment. "I was just, uh, stopping by for a little soak."

Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio weren't convinced as they gave him a concern look.

"Okay, Sokka. What's wrong?" Jade asked with a concerned look.

"No." Sokka said, brushing it off.

"Nothing?" Trini questioned skeptically. "We come here to find you taking a bath with your dolls…"

"Action figures." Sokka corrected with an annoyed groan, dumping some red colored bath-salts onto his body.

"And instead of adding bath-salt to the water, you just added Szechuan peppercorns." Sunray pointed out.

Sokka did a double take upon hearing that.

"Szechuan what?" Sokka asked.

He then looked at the label for the bath salts… only to realize too late that he had just added spicy powder into his bath.

"Ooh! My tenders!" Sokka cried as he quickly added in more bathe water.

Chase, Jade, and Trini just looked at him with concern. Sunray and Antonio just snickered at the sight. Their family members just looked at them unamused.

"Okay, yes, guys, something's wrong." Sokka admitted.

The Elite Ninja didn't need time to figure it out.

"Is it because Fluttershy was being mean to you and she fired you?" Trini asked.

"Yes!" Sokka said frustratingly. "I can't believe that she just did that to me! I'm her husband! Why did she have to do that?"

"The raccoons told us all about what happened. We came to get you so we can talk some sense into Rarity for doing this." Chase said with a firm look.

"Well, give me a second to dry up first and then we'll go." Sokka replied back as he got a towel to dry himself off.

Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio waited for him patiently.

(Scene changes)

Meanwhile at Canterlot, Rarity is trying to finish up a pony's outfit at the last minute.

"Ugh, the centerpiece of my collection, and it's still not right!" Said Rarity. "Oh, darling, I'm afraid we've literally run out of time. It's up to you! Go out there and sell it! Now, attitude!"

The pony then went outside, and Rarity noticed her friends.

They explained everything to her.

"I don't understand." Rarity said, stunned. "When I left Fluttershy and Sokka, they had everything well in hoof."

"Well, things might have seemed all right when you left, but they're definitely not all right now." Said Twilight.

"She's actin' worse than the worst Manehattanite I ever saw!" Applejack said.

"She kicked us out of the shop!" Said Rainbow.

"She fired Sokka!" Clay said angrily.

"She called Smoky, Smoky Jr., and Softpad…" Pinkie said as she covered the raccoons' ears. "Rodents"!

"Wh-wh-wh... Rodents?! And she fired her own husband?!" Rarity said, shocked. "Well, why didn't you say that from the start?! She obviously needs help! Come on!"

"Not until you understand the consequences of what you've done, Rarity!" Chase said sternly, stopping Rarity in the process. "Do you really think giving Fluttershy the position was going to be that easy? I mean, I know we've been busy, but couldn't you have just find somepony else to hire besides Fluttershy?! Rarity, we may have been busy with other stuff, but couldn't have just asked Hottie Tottie to help you with that?!"

"Chase, darling, I know that this was wrong of me, but I had no other choice." Rarity said in her defense. "But I know now that something is wrong and I am held responsible for it. Now let's go!"

(Scene changes)

They soon got back to Manehattan and they saw everything after Fluttershy shooed another customer away.

"Told ya it was bad." Applejack sighed.

"Bad? This is worse than I could've possibly imagined!" Said Rarity.

Then Snooty Fluttershy went up to her.

"Rarity! I'm so glad you're here! Finally, a pony who understands that the couture in this shop is far too brilliant to even consider selling!" Snooty Fluttershy said before she glared at Sokka. "Well, if it isn't the one town pony who couldn't see me very well."

"Whaaat?!" Rarity said in shock by what she heard.

"Fluttershy, please! This isn't like you! I want the older you!" Sokka said tearfully.

"Well, too bad." Snooty Fluttershy said indignantly. Then she came out as Hipster Fluttershy. "You, like, totally get how lame customers are? Ugh!" Then she came out as Goth Fluttershy came in. "Watching them leave filled me with a sweet sadness." Then she came out as Snooty Fluttershy again. "And you'll be pleased to hear that I've taken care of your rodent situation."

The raccoons were shocked and Softpad faints.

"Will somebody tell her to stop saying that?!" Said Pinkie.

"You see, Rarity?!" Sokka demanded angrily. "I want the Fluttershy I know and love!"

"I know, Sokka. And I'll do it personally." Rarity said softly before she glared at Fluttershy, putting her hoof down. "That's it! Fluttershy, I'm afraid you've left me no choice! You are terminated!"

"Well! Good luck replacing me!" Snooty Fluttershy said, leaving. "Humph!"

"Well, thankfully I…" Rarity said before she saw Goth Fluttershy.

"I always thought she was to controlling." She said, sarcastically.

"You... you... you are terminated, too!" Rarity said firmly.

"Whatever." Goth Fluttershy said, leaving as well.

"Now, I…" Rarity was about to finish before she saw Hipster Fluttershy.

"I know, right? I mean, uh, ugh?" Hipster Fluttershy said, disgustingly.

"Actually, you're, like, totally terminated as well!" Rarity said firmly.

"Like, okay." Hipster Fluttershy said, leaving.

"Well, I'm glad that's over…" Rarity said as she turns and jumps seeing Normal Fluttershy.

"Honey?" Sokka asked with hope.

"I guess I owe everypony an apology. Especially you, Sokka, sweetheart." Fluttershy said in regret and guilt.

"You think?" Rarity sighed.

"We're just glad to see you again, sweetie." Sokka said with a smile as he hugged Fluttershy, making his wife smile contently.

"I'm so sorry for the way I treated you, Sokka." Fluttershy said with tears streaming down her face. "I didn't know what I was thinking."

"It's alright, honey." Sokka said gently as he rubbed his wife's back tenderly and Fluttershy turned to Rarity.

"I got so caught up trying to please all of your customers that…" Fluttershy was about to finish, only for Rainbow to cut her off.

"What customers?" Rainbow asked.

Fluttershy looks around and sees she and the others are the only ones in the shop.

"I might have taken my salespony characters a little too far." Fluttershy admitted.

Softpad had an Oxygen mask on, and Smoky was trying to keep her breathing.

"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings." Fluttershy said to the three raccoons as she knelt down to their level. "You know I was only pretending, right?"

This caused Softpad to wake up and the three hugged her.

"But, Fluttershy, why did you think you needed to be somepony else to run the shop?" Twilight asked.

"Was it because you've been trying to act like what Rarity would do or try to be brave like me to get out of your element?" Chase asked as well.

"Well, yes, Chase. I was trying to be brave like you always are. But I guess acting like the ponies of Saddle Row gave me the confidence to interact with them." Said Fluttershy before she became guilty as she turned to Sokka. "But it also hurt my loving husband."

Sokka smiled sympathetically before he hugged his wife tenderly as she smiled.

"Darling, I'd never trust some horrible Saddle Row pony to run my shop." Rarity said. "That's why I wanted a friend to do it."

"Well, I'd definitely rather be myself anyway, even if I don't exactly have what it takes to be a shop pony." Fluttershy said.

"I'll say." Sokka said while looking to the side.

"Chase and I wouldn't sell yourself short." Said Twilight. "Those salespony characters all came from you!"

"Yeah, because sometimes you have to act like other salespony characters the right way if you just put your mind into it." Chase said in agreement while he smiled.

"And that sometimes when you put your heart in the right place, it helps you to become the right pony for the job." Jade added with a smile as her family nodded in agreement.

"Yeah! I think you totally have what it takes." Rainbow said, agreeing with them.

"Maybe a little too much." Said Pinkie.

"Indeed. You have all the inner strength you need, but I think we prefer it coming from our sweet, regular Fluttershy." Said Rarity.

"And that's something that I love so much about you, honey." Sokka said as he and Fluttershy nuzzled each other lovingly.

The others laughed a little. An idea pop in Rarity's head.

"And that's just given me the inspiration I'm looking for!" Rarity said.

(Scene changes)

Sometime later, Rarity finished the final touching to a golden dress.

"And last one…" Rarity said and was then done. "There! The missing piece for my new collection... the Warrior of Inner Strength!"

Fluttershy is now in a golden and white dress as she goes outside as everyone watches.

"Oh, it's lovely, Rarity!" Fluttershy said, amazed by her dress.

"You look so beautiful, honey." Sokka said while smiling at his wife in awe and amazement.

"Thank you, honey." Fluttershy said as she kissed her husband on the cheek before she turned to Rarity sadly. "I'm just sorry you had to leave the Canterlot Royal Fashion Show early."

"Oh, darling, making the perfect dress is scads more satisfying than showing it off." Rarity reassured.

The customers chattered of seeing Fluttershy's dress.

"Ooh, striking dress, Rarity." Said Blueberry Curls. "I certainly hope you aren't trying to undercut the Royal Fashion Show by ducking out and debuting it here."

"What? I no…" Rarity said nervously when Fluttershy came to her defense.

"Have you considered the possibility that the Royal Fashion Show is trying to undercut Rarity's by continuing on in Canterlot and not moving the whole affair here?!" Fluttershy said to Blueberry Curls sternly. "Hmm?! Have you?! Hmmm?!"

"I, uh... No." Blueberry Cruls said nervously.

"Hmph! Just as I thought!" Said Fluttershy walking away. "Hmmm!"

Thats when Fluttershy saw Rarity and Sokka walking up to her with concern.

"Please tell me that you were only pretending, honey." Sokka said pleadingly, not wanting to have to go over what happened.

"Oh! No, honey." Fluttershy said to her husband and Rarity as she giggled. "Inner strength."

Hearing this caused Sokka and the two girls to laugh.

"It's good to have you back, Fluttershy." Sokka said as he held Fluttershy lovingly, making his wife smile contently as she rested her head under her husband's chin.

Author's note: Hey guys,

Sorry for the long wait. I've been through a lot lately like finding a summer job and an apartment to live in. It hasn't been that easy for me to be honest. But just to let you know I haven't given up yet for I will still continue my writing and post more chapters soon enough. I promise.

Peace out!