The Misadventures of Ponified Friends

Chapter 18: The One with the Crappy Fashion Senses (Suited for Success)


(Speedy's POV)

Welp, so much for enjoying those donuts yesterday. Man, am I gonna force myself to boycott sweets for a week, thanks to my good for nothing cavity. Yeah, I managed to finish my plate, but the pain really held me back to win. That won't happen again, and I swear that I'll get Hassan back for that. Stupid race. Stupid eating contest.

Anywho, I was making my way to Rarity's boutique. Remember the last time I was there? I almost became Parasprite brunch. I shivered at the memory. Still giving me the chills.

Earlier today, Twilight was trying out her new dress for the Grand Galloping Gala and suddenly a button came loose. So, being a good friend and a gentleman, that I am, I volunteered to go to Rarity's and ask if she could fix the dress for Twilight.

Huh, and while I'm at it, I think I should ask Rarity if she has a suit that I could borrow for the Gala. Maybe I should've brought Robert along too, and even Hassan…

Nah, who am I kidding? They don't have keen eyes for clothes. Robert, for one, has really poor taste in clothing, and for some reason, he could still pull it off. What more if he wears designer brands.

I ran into Applejack suddenly as I walked.

"Mornin' Speedy." She greeted me. "How's your tooth?"

I rubbed my right cheek. "Yep, there's still pain a bit here but I'm fine."

"Where ya headed? And what's with the dress over there?"

"Oh, it's Twilight's dress for the gala."

"That's her dress? If I didn't know I would've thought it came from some poor filly." AJ commented. Taking a closer look, it DID look like a kid's dress. Sheesh, Twilight.

"Holy moly, you're right." I expressed my agreement. "I'm actually going to Rarity's if she could patch this up for her."

"Oh, mind if I come along?" she asked.

I shrugged. "I don't. Tag in."

After a little walk and some chit-chat, we arrived at the Boutique. Applejack led the way inside and I followed her upstairs towards Rarity's working area.

Applejack knocked a few times and barged in. "Howdy, Rarity!"

We walked inside the room and saw that Rarity was sewing. AJ and I shushed each other quietly and went behind the Unicorn.

"What do you think she's makin?" Applejack asked.

"Looks like a dress." I replied.

"Well that makes sense, since this is a dress maker's shop and all."

I heard a grumbling noise then Rarity turned to us. Her smile seem forced. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Sorry for the trouble while you're working, but do you mind if I ask for a favor?" I grabbed Twilight's dress from my back and flopped it on a table. "Can you fix this button real quick? It's Twilight's dress for the Gala."

Rarity gasped at the gown. "Oh no, no, no! She can't wear this, ugh, old thing. She needs a fabulous, new outfit for the Gala and I'll make it for her. Kindly tell her that it will be no problem at all, and it will be my pleasure."

I smiled at that generous offer of hers. "That's a sweet deal you're giving, Rarity, but knowing Twilight? She'll probably think that this dress will do fine."

"Oh, I insist on making her a new dress, and I won't take no for an answer."

I grabbed the dress back into the bag. "Okay then. I'll tell Twilight once I get back. You're pretty generous to be able to decide to make her a dress just like that."

"Why, thank you darling." She then looked at Applejack. "Let me guess, you don't want a new gown?"

"Gown? Shoot, I was just gonna wear my old work duds." Applejack replied.

Rarity gasped again. "You can't possibly be serious, Applejack. You absolutely must wear formal attire."

"Hmm… Nah."

"What If I just spruce up your uh… duds for you a little bit?"

Applejack wondered for a bit before considering. "Okay sure, why not? Since you're offerin' and all. Just don't make them too Fru-fruey."

"Deal." She look relieved at that decision. She turned to me now. "What about you, Speedy? Perhaps I can whip up a nice suit and tie for you?"

I waved off the offer. "I think I'll just rent a suit from you. You're already handling so much stuff here. I don't wanna drag."

She scoffed. "Nonsense. Now, I think you'll look great with something white. Maybe with a hint of gold. I'll create something interesting for you, Speedy."

"Really?" I tapped my chin and thought about it. Then again, she IS a dressmaker. She creates and design outfits on a daily basis. Even multitasking a lot too. "Hmm… Oh what the heck, that'd be awesome, Rarity."

"Awesome will be an understatement." Rarity smiled.

"LOOK OUT BELOW!"

A missile dropping sound was heard in the area. A loud crash then occurred as the source bounced at some mannequins. I already knew who it was.

"Wassup, RD?" I greeted her as she gathered herself from the botch. "Still testing out your new trick?"

"Yup. Didn't quite work." She said, getting up while tangled in fabrics.

"Idea~!" Rarity bellowed in a sing-song voice all of a sudden. "I'll make you an outfit for the Gala too, Rainbow Dash!"

RD was confused as she looked around. "Outfit for the what now?"

"I'll make one for you, and you, and all of you!" She jumped up due to her excitement. "Ooh, and of course Pinkie, Fluttershy, Silver and Star Blast too, and when I'm done, we can hold our very own fashion show!"

Wait, what?

"Uh, are you sure that's a great idea?" Applejack asked. Uh, no it ain't! "I dunno if you can handle all that stuff."

"Oh, it'll be a little bit of work, but it'll be a wonderful boost for my business. Plus, fun!" For you! A fashion show? Really? Blegh!

"Oh, I love fun things!" Rainbow really agreed?

"Then it's settled. We'll have a fashion show, starring us!" AJ and RD cheered at Rarity's announcement while I was still processing the whole thing.

"Uh, time out." I said, making the T sign. "I'm sorry for being the killjoy for once, but can I back out of this one?"

"Oh, come on, Speedy! It'll be fun!" Rainbow retorted. Since when did she become interested in fashion shows?

"Oh I know that it will, but it's just that…" I was trying to find the right words to get me out if this activity. "This whole thing happened too quickly."

"Don't worry, Speedy Glee. This will only take a couple of hours, and I do plan on making the fashion show take place later tonight." Rarity answered confidently.

"So… not only are you planning a fashion show, but you're also making a bunch of different, stunning, original, amazing outfits for eight ponies, plus yourself, just like that? In the same day?"

"Oh, Speedy," she chuckled. "You make it sound as if it's going to be hard."

I paused and my face was filled with astonishment. All I did was blink at her response, because it is kinda hard to pull off.

"Do tell the others about this and come back… sometime after lunch. Until then, au revoire!" with her magic, she pushed the three of us out of the room and she locked the door.

Now, how should I say this to Robert and Twilight?


"A fashion show?"

I nodded slowly. "Yup. Lookin' forward to it."

"I hope you're being sarcastic." Blast said.

"More than usual at the moment, yeah."

"Don't be like that, you two." Twilight said. She was organizing her books again. "It's just a fashion show."

"But walking in a stage while everyone is watching our every move with judgmental eyes? I don't know if I'm comfortable with that." Blast said. "Don't we have a say in this?"

"I don't think so," I replied. "and let me tell you guys, I've been to some fashion shows back then, and I've seen some weeeeeird stuff." I told them. Thank you Mom, for taking me to the most boring and girliest times of my life.

"I doubt Rarity would make ridiculous dresses." Twilight assured. True, most of Rarity's work were quite nice. Some were frilly, but still decent enough to the eye for me.

"Does Silver know about this?" Blast asked.

"Applejack must have told him by now." I chuckled. "He'll definitely be on board if Rarity's involved."

Blast turned to me. "Don't tease him later about it. You two have done enough yesterday."

I shrugged. "Meh, he'll embarrass himself, I'm sure."

"What time did she say we have to be in the boutique?" Twilight asked.

"Sometime after lunch, which is…" I looked at the clock. "A few hours from now."

"Speaking of lunch," Twilight got up and grabbed her purse with her magic. "Wanna head out and eat? Let's meet up with the others after."

Blast sighed and his face looked hesitant. "All right. Why don't we try that new bakery on the other side of town?"

"You mean the one with the muffins?" I asked.

"Yeah. I keep hearing about it."

"I've tried their chocolate chip muffins, and they are delicious!" Twilight joined. "They can probably give Sugarcube Corner a run for their bits."

"A friend of mine in the weather patrol of keeps mentioning it." I said. "But I just assumed that she just likes muffins so much."

"So, to that bakery then?" Twilight and I nodded in agreement, and out we go.


After a bag of muffins consumed and a somehow quiet lunch, Twilight, Blast and I made our way to Rarity's.

Twilight and Blast were discussing about what their attire should look like on the road. I gotta tell you, Twilight's idea of her dress was ridiculous. Thank goodness Rarity didn't hear any of that stuff. She would go crazy! While Rob, as I expected, wanted something simple. Rarity already told me how she envisioned my suit and all I had to do now is wait 'til she reveals it. What would complement my primary colored self, I wonder?

As we arrived, the rest of the gang was already there. Rarity welcomed us back and invited us in her workshop upstairs. And of course, Silver had to greet her and tell her how lovely she was today, and he expects his crush on her to be a secret? Way to be subtle, man.

Rarity told us to close our eyes before she opened her door and guided us in.

"That's it, keep them closed. Don't look~." Rarity instructed. I could tell by her voice that she was very excited.

She made us form in a line (I think) and made us wait a few more seconds as we got in place.

"Okay you can look now!" Rarity announced happily. We opened our eyes, and there they were as we gasped in awe.

"These are your new outfits!" Rarity announced. She pointed to the nine outfits that were displayed in front of us, each one unique and different than the other. "What do you think of your new duds now, Applejack? Pretty swanky, are they not? And Twilight! I made this dress for you and I designed each outfit theme to perfectly look like each pony's unique personality. Oh, it took me forever to get the colors right on this one, Rainbow Dash, but I did it. Oh, and it turned out beautiful, don't you think? And I know you're going to love yours, Fluttershy. It just sings spring! And Pinkie Pie, look! Pink! Your favorite!"

I turned to the others and they were just staring at the dresses. Could I blame them? I mean, in just a few hours, Rarity was able to create such fine, high-class dresses.

"Oh, and of course, let's not forget the suits for the gents." Rarity added. My head almost extended to get a closer look, and WOW! "Now this is one of the finest white tuxes that I have ever created, and I complimented it with black lapels on the side for you, Silver Spur, to bring out the color of your coat and mane. Oh, Star Blast, I bet you'd look more handsome when you try out this humble, brown suit! And Speedy, just as I promised! A white blazer and gold vest with the finest fabrics!"

At this point, I was so speechless. Rarity really outdone herself! Our suits were amazing! Even better than what I imagined, at that!

"Aren't they all amazing?" Rarity declared.

"They sure are, Rarity!" Silver said. I rolled my eyes at the lover boy. "One of the best suits I've ever seen!"

"They look absolutely stunning." Star Blast walked towards his suit and examined it. "It might actually give me enough confidence to walk in that fashion show of yours. A job well done, Rarity."

"Oh, you flatter me, Star Blast." She said, wearing a blush on her cheeks. "What about you ladies? What do you think of your dresses?"

I noticed that the girls were quiet throughout all this. While us guys were flaunting over our suits, they were… I'm not exactly sure. Maybe there was something they didn't like about the dresses?

The silence was so intense that I could hear Rarity blink. You know, that twink! sound effect?

"Wow, they're…" Twilight finally spoke, but was unable to finish her words.

"Yeah, they're… uh…" Even Rainbow Dash couldn't make up a sentence.

"They sure are, uh, somethin'" Applejack finished for them.

"Yes! Something!" Twilight added.

"I love something. Something is my favorite." Pinkie joined.

"It's… nice." Fluttershy said in her timid self.

Us guys had to exchange looks and wonder about their deal.

"But, what's the matter? Don't you like them?" Rarity asked in concern.

"They're very nice." Twilight said sheepishly.

"and we're plum grateful that you worked so hard on them." Applejack said further.

"Then why the unsatisfied faces?" Star Blast asked them.

"I dunno, maybe mine is not just as cool as I was imagining." Rainbow answered bluntly. Twilight and Applejack began to glare at her. "What? He asked."

"What's wrong with the dresses? It fit you guys perfectly." Silver said. I backed him up with a nod.

"We do think that they're fine," Twilight cleared her throat. "I guess what we're all saying is that, they're just not what we had in mind."

Rarity looked distraught as her fellow mares agreed with Twilight. This had gotten awkward.

"That's okay. Not a problem. There's plenty more where that came from. They're only a first pass. You're my friends and I want you to be one hundred and ten percent satisfied." Rarity said.

"You really okay with redoing them?" I asked

"Not to worry, darling."

"Oh Rarity, you don't have to do that. They're fine." Fluttershy said.

"I think they should be better than just fine." Rarity said. "I want you to think they're absolutely perfect."

"Are you sure? I mean, we wouldn't wanna impose." Applejack said.

Rarity started to laugh, taking down the dresses from the mannequins. "Oh, it's no imposition, really. I insist."

"Well, in that case, thank you again Rarity." Twilight said. She and the others began leaving the room to let Rarity work on their dresses.

The white Unicorn kept her nervous laughter. As soon as the mares left, she frowned. "What have I gotten myself into?"

That's what I was thinking too, Rares.

But enough of that, time to comfort her. "Hey, if it helps, we don't want any changes for ours."

"Are you three sure you don't want any changes?" Rarity asked. Us guys made collective nos. "I'm relieved."

"I don't understand. What did they didn't like? They were amazing." Star Blast said to poor ol' Rarity. "Believe me, and I'm blind when it comes to clothes."

"Well, it's just as they said. There's something else that they had in mind for them." Rarity said. "But I'll make them excited for their dresses. I just have to work extra hard."

"I'd love to help you out, but I gotta a lot of errands going." Silver told her.

"It's fine, Silver Spur." She replied with a smile.

This made Hassan blush. "Really, I mean, let me make it up to you someday. I promise."

"I'll put a pin in it then."

They both said their goodbyes, and I couldn't help but wink at Silver, and If I had fingers, I'd be giving him a secret thumbs up to tease him.

"I should go, too." Blast said as he ran his hoof through his suit. "Thanks again for this suit, Rarity. It's exceptional work." And then he left, Rarity waving.

"Do you have any suggestions for your attire, Speedy? Just in case."

I shook my head. "I told ya, they're cool." I eyed my suit, scanning every detail of it. "Do you mind if I stay here for a bit?"

"What for?" Rarity asked. She went to a table full of paper and fabrics, the dresses in tow as they float with magic.

"I'm gonna try this out and wear this if it fits, and maybe I can help you out or something?"

"Are you sure that you can? I mean, tailored outfits?"

"Uh, no, but I am pretty confident about my fashion sense," And for the last time, thank you, Mom. "Oh, and I did cross-stitching once."

"Oh… well uh, perhaps you can be of help with assisting me in bringing fabrics and thread when I get my hooves full."

"Awesome!" I looked at my suit and took it off the mannequin. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be in the dressing room."

"Take care of it, Speedy." Rarity told me.

"I will!" and I went inside this huge wardrobe. I finally put it on and man, do I look cool. It was a perfect fit! I just realized that Rarity never took our measurements. I eyed myself up and down through the mirror, readjusting my blue necktie every five seconds.

"Speedy? Can I ask you for a favor?" Rarity asked loudly.

"Yeah, what is it?" I answered.

"Can you go fetch Fluttershy? I'm currently working on her dress and I'd like to know what she thinks. I'll be done the moment you two arrive."

"That fast?" I wondered. I took off my coat and vest in a flash. "Okay, I gotcha."

I went out of the huge wardrobe and I saw the dress. "Wow, I think it's looking even more better now."

"You think so?" Rarity's face was filled with concern. "Oh, I hope Fluttershy does so too."

"Don't worry, I bet she'll approve!"


"Hello? You wanted to see me Rarity?" Fluttershy asked as we went in.

"Fluttershy! Your new new gown is ready!" Rarity announced, and boy she didn't look good. Her hair looked like it was snatched out of life. "I completely revised it, and I know you're going to love it!"

As Rarity lead Fluttershy to the dressing room, I made myself busy by wondering around. Huh, this room was also her bedroom apparently. The one next door is probably from Sweetie Belle.

A few minutes later, Fluttershy went out and she just looked adorable in the dress. She looked at the mirror as Rarity was flaunting at her creation.

"So, what do you think?"

Flutters observed her look, and hesitantly, she said. "I… love it."

Rarity wasn't convinced. "Oh, you're just saying that."

"No, no, I do. It's… nice."

"Nice?"

"…Nice."

"If you don't like it, you can just tell me." Rarity demanded.

"Oh, but I do like it."

"Doesn't really match your expression, Flutters." I butted in.

"Do you like it or love it? Which is it?" Rarity demanded out of frustration.

Fluttershy started to back away nervously from Rarity. "Uhm, please stop asking me this, I-"

"Tell me what you really think!"

"I know that's okay-"

"Tell me!"

"No… it's fine."

"Tell me."

"I like it…"

I just sighed at this scene. It wasn't really helping that Rares' pressuring Flutters.

"Tell me, tell me, tell-me-tell-me-tell-me!"

"All right, since you really want to know." Fluttershy took a deep breath. "The armscye's tight, the middy collar doesn't go with the shawl lapel, the hems are clearly machine stitched, the pleats are uneven, the fabric looks toile, you used a back stitch here when it clearly called for a top stitch or maybe a traditional blanket stitch, and the over design is reminiscent of pret-a-porter and not true French haute couture."

Fluttershy paused as she catches her breath, while Rarity and I were dumbfounded at what we just heard. And did I understand everything she just said?

"But… uh… you know… um, whatever you want to do is fine."

Rarity was speechless. Who knew that Fluttershy was so knowledgeable about dressmaking?

"Man, you should open your own dressmaker's shop." I joked aloud. They were both silent as my chuckles descend into awkwardness. "Yeah, that wasn't funny."

"So… If that's all that you want to hear, I'll be on way. I still have a bunch of little critters to feed."

"Bye, Fluttershy~." We waved at each other farewell. I huffed once she closed the door. "This is gonna be a lot harder than you thought, Rares. Rarity?"

I turned to her and she was still in a state of shock. I went near her and clapped my hooves to snap her out of her trance.

"Yo, you okay?"

She shook her head. "Oh yes, I am… quite alright."

"Did you understand everything she just said?"

"I did… Somehow." She cleared her throat. "Anyway, how about you tell the others to come over so we can get this done quick and give me some ideas about their dresses."

With that, the conversation Blast and Twi had earlier came into mind. I winced. "Yeah, I don't know about that."

"Please, how complicated could they want it to be?"


"Now, the stars on my belt need to be technically accurate. Orion has three stars on his belt, not four."

Yup, Twilight's ideal dress was slowly turning into a reality. Seriously, based on how she described it, it's like she wanted to look like that wizard guy that she worships. Suntwirl something? I don't remember, but all I know is that she'd definitely look like a dork.

"Stitch by stitch, stitching it together.

Deadline looms, don't you know the client's always right?

Even if my fabric choice was perfect,

Gotta get them all done by tonight,"

You know stuff just got serious when the characters decide to sing their troubles away, in this case, just Rarity. Her hair became a lot messier, she was wearing a tape measure like a scarf, and she was switching through sewing machines every minute.

After she was done with Twilight's… cape, she proceeds to work on Pinkie Pie's outfit. Rarity held an expensive looking fabric as she opened the curtains.

"Pinkie Pie, the color's too obtrusive,

Wait till you see it in the light,

I'm sewing them together~!"

"Don't you think the gown would be more me with some lollipops?" Pinkie requested.

"Well, I think-" Rarity was gonna reason out but was cut off.

"Balloons?" What was Pinkie asking for? A birthday party or something?

"Well…"

"Do it!" Pinkie Pie cheered.

I was going to help Rarity change Pinkie's mind about her dress, but that pink pony already left the building. Said she had some work left at the bakery but will be back in a jiffy. I was already expecting her dress to be crazy, but this? It was more of a clown's suit.

"Hour by hour, one more change!

I'm sewing them together, take great pains!"

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash went in so Rarity can take measurements and readjust their dresses to their liking. Rarity was still killing it with the singing, though.

"Fluttershy, you're putting me in a bind,

Rainbow Dash, what is on your mind?

Oh my gosh, there's certainly not much time,

Don't forget, Applejack's duds must shine!"

Everypony at this point was entering and exiting the room alternately. With some satisfied nods here and a bit of shaking of heads there, it was an uncomfortable afternoon for Rares. She was pushing herself to her limit.

"Dress making's easy, every customer's call.

Brings a whole new revision,

Have to pick up the pace, still hold to my vision."

It was Twilight's turn to suggest something to Rarity, and just when it couldn't get any worse.

"That constellation is Canis Major, not minor." Twilight pointed with a diagram.

Two birds flew inside and handed Rarity a piece of paper. "French haute couture, please." Fluttershy requested.

Rarity merely groaned as a response. She was nearly drained out of energy.

"What if it rains? Galoshes!" Applejack demanded at the other side of the room.

"More balloons!" Pinkie exclaimed. Rarity quickly got right to it the moment she was done with AJ's outfit. "Oh no, that's too many balloons. More candy! Oh, less candy! Oh wait, I know! Streamers!"

"Streamers?" Rarity asked.

"Whose dress is this?"

"Streamers it is…"

Man, I wish I could help her out more, just as I told her. But if she was already overwhelmed by this, what more could I?

"What are you even doing here?" Rainbow Dash asked next to me.

"Helping her out, obviously." I said.

"I don't know what your definition of help is."

"Hey, I brought you ladies here, didn't I?" I turned to her, who was leaning next to a sewing machine. "Now that I noticed, you're not telling Rarity details about your dress."

"I don't need to. Just making sure that it looks cool." She then eyed Rarity who was currently working on her dress as casual as she could. Rarity looked back and RD acted nonchalant.

"What?" Rainbow asked innocently.

"Aren't you going to tell me to change something too?"

"No, I just want my dress to be cool." Rainbow said.

"Do you not like the color?" Rarity asked.

"The color's fine, just make it look cooler."

"Do you not like the shape?"

"The shape's fine. Just make the whole thing, you know, cooler."

I scratched my head in confusion. Sympathizing with Rarity, if you will. "How cool are we talking about here?"

Rainbow shrugged. "Maybe it needs to be about twenty percent cooler."

Rarity rested her head in the mannequin out of confusion, and exhaustion.

"Nice, very accurate, RD. I bet Rarity got your point." I said with sarcasm.

The music in the background picked up its pace. The girls inside started to sing one by one.

Pinkie: "All we ever want is indecision"

Rainbow: "All we really like is what we know"

Twilight: "Gotta balance style with adherence"

Fluttershy: "Making sure we make a good appearance"

Applejack: "Even if you simply have to fudge it"

"Making sure it stays within our budget!"

What budget? This was all for free, right? I thought.

Rarity: "Got to overcome intimidation,

Remember it's all in the presentation!

Piece by piece, snip by snip,

Croup, dock, haunch, shoulders, hip,

Bolt by bolt, primed and pressed,

Yard by yard, always stressed.

And that's the art of the dress~!"

Rarity fainted right on the spot as she finished. I hurriedly came to her aid.

"Holy crap! Are you alright?" I grabbed a random cloth and then fanned air towards her. "Can someone give me water? What the- Where did everyone go?"

"Oh, Speedy… These are the ugliest dresses that I have ever made."

"Yeah, I can see that." I dared looked at the monstrosities. "Somehow I'm glad I didn't help in actually making them. If I was the one who made these, I'd hide my face from everybody."

Rarity's face frowned deeply.

"But hey, at least you did your best." I quickly said. "I mean, you made the girls a lot happier. Isn't that you wanted?"

"I did, but… Why am I not satisfied? I hate this feeling…"

I sighed. "All right, I'll go fetch the girls… Wherever they are after that little musical number you guys had."


"Okay, I did exactly what each of you asked for. Now don't hold back. Let me know what you really think." Rarity told the girls once they went in the room.

The moment they laid their eyes on the dresses, words of praise rained down. On the other hand, Rarity's pet Opal clearly had the better taste in fashion, much like her owner. She hissed at Twilight's dress and looked at Applejack's in disgust. She hated the dresses so much, she made her way towards me and sat right next to my suit just to feel better.

"I know, right?" I told the cat.

"It's exactly what I asked for!" They shouted in unison. Rarity sighed in relief.

"Thank you, Rarity." Twilight said in gratitude.

"Are you happy with them as we are? Huh? Huh? HUH?" Pinkie Pie questioned.

Rarity glanced at me, asking for help. I gestured her to slightly tell the truth. "Well, I'm happy… that all of you are happy. I'm just relieved to finally be done."

I responded with an approving nod secretly. The door of the shop opened suddenly and there was Spike who was out of breath.

"You are never gonna believe this!" He announced. "You've heard of Hoity Toity?"

"The bigwig fashion hotshot from Canterlot?" Twilight said.

"Uh huh, he heard about the fashion show!"

"What? Who told him?" I asked.

"Well, maybe I happened to mention it to him…" Spike said.

That fast?! I screamed in my thoughts

"He's coming all the way from Canterlot to see your work, Rarity!"

"Whoa, nelly! You could sell a ton of dresses to this guy. Your business will be boomin'!" Applejack said.

While everyone was ecstatic at the announcement, except for Rarity, who looked like she was gonna explode at any moment, I confronted Spike.

"So… that Hoity Toity fella, is gonna come here for these dresses?" I asked quietly.

He nodded. "Yup! Rarity's dreams are going to come true!"

My eyes twitched at the escalation of the problem. I took a deep breath. "Is it too late to tell him to postpone his visit?"

"Probably. He'll be around in Ponyville a few hours from now. Why?"

I facehoofed. "Yup. She's screwed."


It was near nightfall, and the fashion show was still happening. A catwalk was even set up by someone while we were dressing up inside the boutique. Me, Silver and Blast came down first with our suits on.

"I'm so nervous." Blast stammered. I peeked through the curtains, and darn the crowd was piling up. Mostly mares, though.

"I haven't been watched by this many people since the state championship." Silver commented.

"Oh yeah… the one where you jumped over that Sipowitz kid in the 4th when you dunked, right?" I said, remembering that moment. "Everyone in the school went nuts."

"Well, Sipowitz IS five feet and three inches."

The boutique's door opened, and Rarity came out in a nervous state with Opal.

"Is everyone in town already here?" She asked.

"Nearly, Rares."

"Is Hoity Toity here as well?"

"I'm… not sure."

She went to the curtains to peek. She gasped. "Oh, there he is."

Out of curiosity, I peeked too as I flew on top of Rarity. "Where?"

"The pony making his way here!"

"A lot of ponies are doing that! Oh wait," I saw a classy looking Earth pony with violet tinted shades and white hair. He radiated some kind of aura that speaks 'my opinion is more important than anybody else'. That had gotta be him. "I think that's our guy."

I hear hyperventilating breaths below me. Rarity was in a near breakdown.

"Deep breaths, Rarity." I said, landing down. "Just think. If your friends like your outfits, so will he. Hopefully."

"That's not helping her, bro." Silver commented. "Who cares what he will say. I bet a ton of ponies will like your dresses. It'd be crazy if they hate it."

"Yeah, don't let the negative side bring you down." Blast joined in.

I glanced at them slowly. They had no idea. "You haven't seen them yet, huh?"

They looked at each other and shook their head.

"Hah! Then prepare to be amazed."

"We're ready for the fashion show!"

We glanced behind together and Blast and Silver's jaw dropped. Look at the girls, with smiles on their faces. On their costumes.

"So, what do you think? Aren't they amazing?" Twilight had to ask.

Silver and Blast had horrified looks on their faces.

The lights dimmed and Rarity freaked out. "Ah! What's wrong with the lights?!"

"I think the show is starting." I said.

"Oh. Yes, I knew that…"

Music kicked in and spotlights lit up the stage. Rarity signaled us to take our positions.

"I think it's best if the stallions get to walk first." Rarity suggested. "After all, we're saving the best for last… haha…"

The girls had no complaints and she was relieved. I applaud her quick thinking, but I doubt it would change anything.

"Since the beginning of time, the elite of Equestria have longed for Pony fashions that truly express the essence of their very souls," Who made Spike the announcer? "Patiently waiting decades, no, centuries, for the perfect pony outfits. Today, at long last, Equestria, your wait is over!"

The curtains rolled up. This is it!

"Let hear it, for the breath-taking designs, of Ponyville's own… Rarity!"

The lights hit the three of us in the stage, and I could hear that the crowd's reaction was quite positive. I put up the best smile that I could give, and I took the lead. I had almost forgotten the worst thing today with all the fun that I was having, which I didn't expect. I even did some striking poses once I reached the end of the catwalk as I smiled at the crowd.

Silver and Blast handled it pretty well. Silver's got this stoic face thing going on while Blast kept up a smirk that a lotta mares find quite attractive.

"This isn't scary as I thought it was gonna be." Blast said.

"It's the suits." Silver commented. "I feel like a completely different person."

"Or! We're just crazy good lookin'!" I waved at the crowd.

Silver scoffed. "Yeah, in our dreams!"

"Okay, can we get off the stage now?" Blast asked. He started to sweat profusely with a nervous smile.

"One second more aaaaand…" We smiled as the cameras snapped pictures for a while. "leggo!"

We went back and Rarity wore a genuine smile.

"You three did brilliantly!" Rarity said.

"Nah, the suits did all the work." I said, but I'm pretty sure it was all me.

"Hey, that Hoity Toity fellow looks impressed." Silver said. "At least he won't be disappointed at all your outfits tonight."

"What makes you say that?" Blast asked, who was taking off his coat.

"Why don't you fella's step aside? We'll show you how it's really done."

Oh yeah, them.

The cheering of the crowd turned into collective gasps as the five went out looking like that. Some even held their mouth to stop themselves from vomiting, or even looked away to get them out of sight. They stopped at the spinning stage thingy and the murmuring of audience continued.

"This can't be good." I said.

"Oh, those amateurish designs look like a piled-on mish-mash of everything but the kitchen sink." Hoity Toity commented, that made a few ponies laugh. Well, he's not wrong. "It's a travesty, is what it is. Unlike the suits earlier on, those are the ugliest things I've ever seen. Oh, for shame. Who's responsible for subjecting our eyes to these horrors? Not to mention wasting my valuable time?"

Rarity gasped and hid behind Silver's tall frame. "Hide me." she said with a squeaky voice.

I quickly thought of an excuse for her. "Okay, we'll just tell the crowd that you don't feel well, so you can go upstairs, and we'll pretend that this thing never happe-"

"Come on out and take a bow, Rarity! You worked really hard for this!" Spike announced on stage, interrupting my plan.

Rarity took a deep breath, and advanced towards the stage gloomily. We all feel bad for her.

Spike was cheering, the total opposite of what the crowd was doing. I snatched him off the stage quickly.

"Read the mood, Spike." I pointed his attention to the disapproving looks of the crowd. I saw the five on stage smiling nervously, some with somber looks.

"I can't watch." Silver declared, turning around. Blast sighed sadly as he watched.

Second hand embarrassment gets me, so I turned around as well and waited for all of this to be over.


Days had gone by after that fiasco with the fashion show. I was back from doing weather duties when I passed by Rarity's boutique. She hadn't gone out of that place for quite some time now, and no customers had come, too. I was worried as heck. I wonder if anyone visited and asked how she was doing since.

I figured that I could take an early break. I landed down and knocked on her door. "Rarity? You there?" I tried opening the door and it opened. I looked around the store when I entered, and everything was where they were since the fashion show. She also stopped working?

I could hear sobbing up top. Don't tell me she had been crying all this time.

I jumped a bit when the door opened suddenly. Twilight and the others were here.

"Speedy? What are you doing here?"

"Just checking up on Rarity." I answered. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Same as you." AJ said. "We're gonna try to convince her to come out of her room."

"Does that mean that no one came to talk to her after the fashion show?" they all looked at one another. "We are officially the worst friends ever."

"We figured that she wanted to be alone." Twilight reasoned. "We didn't know that she'll cave herself inside her room for days."

I considered it. "Okay, I'll give you that."

"Well, I think it's time to help her." We all went upstairs to the door that leads to Rarity's room. I approached the door first and knocked.

"Rarity? Do you want to build a snowman?" I chuckled at my own joke there, but the mares clearly didn't get the reference. I cleared my throat. "You okay in there? You haven't come out for a while."

"I'm never coming out!" Rarity shouted from the other side. "I can't show my face in Ponyville ever again! I used to be somepony. I used to be respected! I made dresses. Beautiful, beautiful dresses! But now, everypony is laughing at me! I'm nothing but a laughing stock!" She started to bawl really loud.

"You're not a laughing stock, Rarity."

"She kinda is."

I shushed Rainbow Dash harshly. "Rainbow, please!"

"Come on out and talk to us." Twilight pleaded.

"Leave me alone~! I want to be alone~! I want to wallow in… whatever a pony's supposed to wallow in! Do ponies wallow in pity? Oh, listen to me I don't even know what I'm supposed to wallow in! I'm so pathetic!"

I took a step back from the door. "Wow. I haven't seen anyone this sad since I lost my gaming privileges on weekdays. Now what do we do?"

"Um, panic?" Fluttershy suggested.

"That's your answer for everything!" Rainbow replied.

"Well we can't just leave Rarity like this." AJ said.

"She'll become a crazy cat lady!" Pinkie said.

"She only has one cat." Twilight pointed out.

"Give her time…"

The situation was hopeless. If Rarity doesn't move on, then it'll be the end of her. If only she could get another chance to redeem herself. I looked through the keyhole of the door and saw Rarity on the bed. What caught my eye was an unfinished dress on one of the mannequins. I realized that Rarity never got to create her own dress, with all the hubbub she just did that wasted her efforts.

Then an idea struck.

"I may have something that can get her out of there." I said. I got everyone's attention. "But you girls have to listen to everything I say. Got it?"

"What's the plan Speedy?" Twilight asked.

"You girls are sorry for making her work on your dresses, right?" they nodded. "Rarity never got the chance to make her own. Maybe with Fluttershy's knowledge in dressmaking, you can create it."

"That's cool, but how can we actually get her out of her house?" Rainbow asked.

I pondered for a bit. I heard Opal not too far from here. "We can put her cat on top of the tree next to this building. Good luck with that, Rainbow."

"Wait, what?"

"What will you do, Speedy?" Twilight asked.

"I'll pay someone in Canterlot a visit. Right now, you girls go do your thing." I said. "We're gonna have a second fashion show tomorrow, and let's do it right this time." I leaned against the door. "Also, let's make it quick. Rarity's talking about exiling herself."


Okay, I finally realized why the Pegasi still take trains whenever they travel to someplace else. Canterlot was really, REALLY FAR! I tired myself out thirty minutes since leaving Ponyville, and I had to go back to get some bits for transport. And it was no easy task to convince Mr. Hokey Pokey to come back and give Rarity a chance with his schedule. That girl owes me BIG TIME.

We came back to the boutique the next day just as planned. The girls stood near the tree where there was a mannequin underneath a white coat. I hoped that Fluttershy's design will meet Rarity's standards. Rainbow and I had to team up to get Opal up on the tree branch, where she was clinging on for dear life.

"Are you sure this is gonna work?" Rainbow asked.

"I hope so, otherwise bringing her down will be a lot harder than bringing her up." I said.

Opal began to meow for help loudly, and I heard the window at Rarity's room open. I shushed the others and told them to hide.

Rarity's head poked out of the window and she looked around. Her eyes widened when she found her cat. "Opal how did you get up there? Hang on, you poor dear. Momma's coming!"

"Okay, ready the dress!" I told them as Rarity made her way down. She went outside and rushed to the tree. That's when Rainbow Dash and I made our appearance.

"You two? How dare you strand my poor Opal in the tree!" she said in anger.

"Well, how else were we gonna get you outta the boutique to show you this!" I instantly closed my eyes and prayed that Rarity's dress was normal. "Please be pretty… please be pretty…"

I opened my eyes slowly to look at the dress, and it was - "Beautiful! The dress looks beautiful! Yes! You guys didn't screw it up!"

"Okay, calm down, Speedy." Rainbow said to me, but I was too happy to collect myself.

Rarity was speechless as she stared at the dress. Breathless even.

"We all finished your dress for you!" Pinkie announced.

"Thanks to Fluttershy's freaky knowledge of sewing." AJ mentioned. Flutters blushed as a response.

"Do you like it?" Flutters asked.

"Like it?" Rarity repeated as she walked around the dress. "Like it?"

Uh oh, did the ugly dresses rub off on her and changed her fashion sense?

"Oh no, she doesn't like it." Fluttershy said nervously.

"No, I don't like it." Rarity said upfront with her back against us.

"What!?" I exclaimed with a high-pitched voice. "Why?!"

"… Because I love it!"

"… Oh!"

"You ponies did an amazing job. It's exactly the way I imagined it." Rarity complemented.

"We just followed your brilliant design, like we should have left you do to all our outfits." Fluttershy said.

"Those first dresses you designed were perfect." Twilight continued. "We're really sorry, Rarity."

"You worked really hard to make our dresses exactly the way we wanted 'em, and we all saw how that turned out." Rainbow said, bringing Opal down with her. At this point, I still don't know why they wanted the dress exactly to look like that.

"Oh, I forgive you." Rarity hugged Rainbow.

"Well, that's mighty big of you!" AJ said cheerfully.

"But my whole career is still ruined!" Rarity said dramatically.

"Meh, people tend to forget these things as time goes on." I said. "The important thing is that you get back up and redeem yourself."

"How exactly can I do that?" Rarity asked.

"I may have pulled some strings…" and right on time, Hoity Toity arrived.

"All right, I haven't got all day." Hoity Toity snooted.

I smiled at Rarity. "What do you say? Ready for redemption?"


While I helped set up the makeshift cat walk and the girls getting ready behind the curtains, Hoity Toity looked more impatient as he waited. Opal was entertaining herself by playing with Hoity's pony tail that dangled in his side.

"All right, all set!" I announced. Rarity went up the stage and assumed position.

"Take two!" Hoity announced firmly.

After closing all the curtains and leaving the room in darkness, I opened my laptop (that only plays music for some reason) and played the BGMs we'd be using for the fashion show. Rarity's horn started to glow and enveloped the entire room. A flash of light transformed the stage with CGI-like effects with Rarity's magic, a purple background and stars that scattered around.

Hoity's mouth was wide open as he watched the spectacle, and that was only the beginning.

A group of stars flew in and attached themselves to Twilight's dress as she posed. She was wearing the original design Rarity made for her.

"Oh, hello…" Hoity said. "This can't be the same designer."

After Twilight's starry presentation, the background transitioned into a sunny day in an apple farm. A lasso tied a shiny apple as it whipped back to the source, Applejack revealing herself with her dress.

"Simply magnificent!" Hoity commented. "And I suddenly have a fierce craving for some dutch apple pie, candied apples on a stick, apple turnovers, apple cobbler…" He was interrupted by the changing background of rain clouds, but instead of rain, candies poured down onto the stage. Pinkie entered and some of the candies became the designs for her dress. She reached for a piece and happily posed.

"Brilliant!" Hoity exclaimed happily. I was about to change my position to get a better look of the show, and that's when Rarity decided to bring in some lightning that I almost dropped my laptop. Thunder clouds began to dissipate with a few rays of rainbow-colored lights shined down. Rainbow flew into the stage and struck a pose.

"Oh spectacular!" Hoity applauded. Even Opal agreed as she smiled. A bunch of vines sprouted in the ground, then forming flowers all over the stage. The petals flew away from their stems and transformed into butterflies before landing on Fluttershy's dress as she posed.

Hoity was full on ecstatic at the presentation, clapping his hooves for the girls. "Now THIS is a fashion show! Those dresses are absolutely amazing! Who is responsible? Step forward, show yourself!"

The stage lit up with a blinding flash and Rarity shared the stage with the others. She was wearing the dress that Fluttershy designed.

"Bravo! Bravo! Magnifico!" Hoity cheered. "Encore! Encore!"

"Oh, thank you. Thank you! Oh, thank you so much!" Rarity said joyfully.

I gave her a cheeky smile with a job well done. That trip to Canterlot finally paid off.


We all gathered at the boutique's lobby as the girls chatted about today's events. Twilight and Spike were writing a letter to Princess Celestia about a friendship lesson, and at the meantime I was busy cleaning up the tiny catwalk.

As I was folding the curtains, Rarity called me. "Um, Speedy? May I have a word with you?"

"Oh, yeah. No problem." I flew down. "What's up?"

"Well, I went to talk with the others, and I just want to say thank you, for making all this possible."

"Nah, I really didn't do much."

"But this is all your idea, right?"

"… Yeah, I take full credit." I chuckled.

She shared a giggle. "Even so, I believe that I cannot thank you enough. Perhaps I can make it up to you in some way?"

"Don't worry about it. I'm just helping out a friend." I said, rejecting her offer.

"Oh, I insist, Speedy." Rarity said. "Maybe…. You and I could go out and eat dinner sometime? My treat."

"Now you got me at my treat." I said quickly. "No take backs?"

"No take backs." Rarity smiled.

"Rarity, my congratulations to you on a most impressive fashion debut." Hoity Toity said. "Would you do me the great honor of allowing me to feature your couture in my best of the best boutique in Canterlot?"

Rarity gasped in excitement. I nudged her with an elbow playfully. I feel happy for her.

"Hey, how about that? You're finally going to be a big shot fashionista in Equestria" I said with a smile.

"Now, I'll need you to make a dozen of each dress for me by next Tuesday. Oh, I almost forgot the three suits you made from your last fashion show. I need a dozen of each suits as well."

Our faces froze at Hoity's demand.

"Ta-ta, all!" he bid farewell.

Rarity and I stared at the door as it closes, and then we turned to each other.

"Did he just say… by next Tuesday?" Rarity mumbled.

All I could do was smile at her sheepishly. As Thanos once said, it's a small price to pay for salvation… I guess…


Author's Note!

Okay, I MAY have enjoyed my vacation too much. Not to mention I was deep into my obsession for the Marvel Cinematic Universe since April. I still have Endgame fever apparently. Recently watched Far From Home, too.

Oh well, I'm just glad to finally update the story. Hit the favorite and follow buttons if you wanna stick around, and leave reviews while you're at it. It'll be great help :D

See you guys in the next chapter! - Super Bright Brat


DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING BUT MY OCs!