Cutie Mark Challengeby Touch the SkyChaptersFly Faster Than Rainbow DashBe Stronger Than ApplejackParty Harder Than Pinkie PieShow More Fashion Sense Than Rarity (Part 1)Care More Deeply Than FluttershyFly Faster Than Rainbow DashIt should have been a calm, quiet day on Sweet Apple Acres.Should have been. As it was, the calm was broken by the sound of two ponies arguing. "Are you still saying you're a better athlete than me?" snapped Rainbow Dash. "You betcha." retorted Applejack. "But I beat you! I'm the Iron Pony!" "Oh please, you used yer wings to win at least half o' them competitions." "I could beat you with both wings tied closed!" "Oh, no, Rainbow. We ain't going there again. Remember what happened with the Running o' the Leaves? "But I beat you in that too!" argued Rainbow. "Did not! We tied!" snarled Applejack crossly. "Whatever. I still won." "Ugh. Fine, Rainbow, we'll have another Iron Pony competition to settle this once and fer all. But this time, we're tyin' yer wings." "Bring it!" Then Rainbow frowned. "Though, my wings were all sore from the ropes after the Running of the Leaves..." "Ha. Excuses, excuses." smirked Applejack. "Ya backing out already, Rainbow? Too chicken?" "Never! I just think there's a better way to level the playing field." "Oh? And what's that?" "You can get wings too." "Sorry Rainbow, but ah cain't miraculously sprout wings whenever ah want to." "We'll get Twilight to give you some. Remember how she gave Rarity those butterfly wings?" "'Course ah do. Ah also remember how they disintegrated and almost sent Rarity plummeting to her death." "But she was too close to the sun. I thought Twilight explained this." "She did, but ah still don't like it." "Now who's being a chicken?!" "Certainly not me." Applejack spat on her hoof and stretched her hoof out to Rainbow. "Ah'll take yer on, and beat yer too." Rainbow spat on her own hoof and brought it to Applejack's. "Then it's settled. May the best athlete win!" "Let me get this straight. You and Applejack are having another Iron Pony competition in spite of what happened last time?" Princess Twilight looked up from her book. The three were sitting in the Ponyville library, where Twilight had wished to continue living after her coronation. "Yep. Now if ya could magic up some wings fer me, we'll be outta yer mane and yer don't need to think about it no more." Applejack flicked her tail. "You're having a flying competition?" asked the alicorn. "No-" "Yes! That would be awesome!" cheered Rainbow. "Only cuz you'd win." "What makes you think that?" "Duh." Applejack pointed at the colourful lightning on Rainbow's flank. "Flying's yer special talent." "Oh. Right. But we should still have a flying competition." "Okay, fine." Applejack relented. "As long as we can have a test of strength as well." "Hmmm... a flying competition." Twilight looked thoughtfully at her own wings. Rainbow laughed. "You gonna join this race too, Twilight?" To Rainbow's surprise, the alicorn nodded slowly. "I've been waiting for a chance to test these wings properly for a while. This would be a good chance." "Sure, ya can join us, Twi. The more the merrier!" said Applejack cheerily. Rainbow sighed. "We might as well invite Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy to join too, if that's your logic." "Ooh ooh! I just heard my name!" Pinkie Pie was suddenly standing next to Applejack. "Wait... Rarity and Fluttershy aren't here! Let me go get them!" The pink pony was gone in a cloud of dust, to reappear a few seconds later, dragging a protesting Rarity and whimpering Fluttershy by their tails. "Pinkie!" moaned Rarity. "I was busy finishing off a dress for a client!" "But Twi, Applejack and Dashie were having a meeting without us!" whined Pinkie. "They were?" Rarity suddenly looked much more interested. Minutes later, after Applejack and Rainbow had told the others about the contest, Pinkie jumped up excitedly. "Count me in! I love contests!" "Well, scratch my name off the list." sniffed Rarity. "I'd rather keep my hooves on the ground, considering what happened last time I took to the sky." "Oh, well, I guess you'll miss out on the grand prize then." sighed Rainbow, winking slyly at Twilight. Rarity turned her head to look at Twilight. "Prize?" "Yes! The prize! Which is... an all-expenses-paid trip to Canterlot, courtesy of the losers." said Twilight quickly. Rarity smiled. "In which case, I declare that It. Is. On!" "Fluttershy?" asked Twilight. "Are you in?" "Uh... I think I'd rather just watch..." stammered the yellow pegasus. "Aw, come on, Fluttershy! The others are all novices. You'd come in second, easy!" The other four pulled faces, but Rainbow didn't notice. "But I don't like races..." whimpered Fluttershy. "Come on, Fluttershy? For me?" Rainbow gave Fluttershy her best puppy-dog eyes. Fluttershy sighed. "Okay, count me in too." The morning of the race dawned clear and bright, and a cheery Rainbow was setting up the markers when the others arrived. The race would take place over some fields outside Ponyville, and the flight path was a simple circuit. The six racers had to go around the circuit five times, amounting to a distance of around a mile.Their only spectators were Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, Scootaloo and Spike - they had all pleaded to be allowed to watch. As Rainbow and Fluttershy rigged up the finishing tape, Twilight turned to the three wingless ponies and one by one, cast the wings spell on each. Applejack spread dragonfly wings and took off to test them out. She seemed to be doing rather well for her first flight, and got up a bit of speed when she tried. Rarity got her butterfly wings back, something she had mixed feelings about, but she took off to fly at Fluttershy's leisurely pace. The butterfly wings just weren't built for speed. Last was Pinkie, who was hopping up and down excitedly. Twilight cast the spell, and Pinkie grew glittery pink fairy wings. Before Twilight could consider how odd that was, Pinkie had bounded into the air and fluttered over to join Fluttershy and Rarity. The warm-up began. Rainbow was doing press-ups on her wings, while Applejack and Rarity took practice runs to test speed. Twilight was analyzing race strategies on the ground, and Fluttershy and Pinkie just glided around, waiting for the race to begin. Finally, Spike blew a whistle and the six ponies lined up on the start line. At a second whistle, six assorted pairs of wings raised and flexed, Then, on the third whistle, they were off. Rainbow, as expected, quickly took the lead. Spike, below, was commentating. Sweetie, Applebloom and Scootaloo had bet some of their savings on the race results, and Scootaloo looked smug as Rainbow zoomed away from the competition. Twilight's larger wings propelled her along more efficiently with each stroke, and she was currently in second. But Applejack, beating her new wings as fast as she could, was gaining quickly. Rarity and Pinkie were breezing along in joint last, though Rarity was doing her best to pull ahead; the trip to Canterlot obviously meant quite a bit to her. Pinkie was keeping up without much effort, smiling as they soared around the first corner. Just ahead of them, Fluttershy was holding fourth. She was beating her wings as fast as she could, but was only managing to gain on Applejack a little. Applejack drew level with Twilight, then passed her. But Rainbow was still far ahead, almost overlapping Rarity and Pinkie. But then Applejack put on a strange burst of speed and started to gain on Rainbow; leaving Twilight several lengths behind, she buzzed her wings and zipped along at a good pace. Rainbow heard the buzz behind her and turned, to see Applejack right on her tail. Speeding up in a slight panic, she shot past Rarity and Pinkie, then Fluttershy. Applejack pressed on and soon got close again. Rainbow turned into the final lap to see Applejack draw level with her. Applejack grinned, but then gradually began to pull ahead. Rainbow growled and threw herself forwards after the orange pony. She swept by Applejack as they swung around the final turn, and Rainbow turned to blow a raspberry over her shoulder- only to crash headlong into one of the poles which held the finishing tape. Before Rainbow could get her bearings, Applejack shot through the tape to victory. Below, on the ground, a sullen-faced Scootaloo shoved a pile of bits towards a smirking Applebloom. Rainbow leapt over the line into second just before Twilight could get there and snatch it from her. Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie were so close that it was hard to distinguish fourth, fifth and last, so they were awarded joint fourth. Applejack patted a fuming Rainbow Dash on the back when they got back to the ground. "It's okay, pardner. It's not shameful to lose to the best athlete in Ponyville." "But I hate losing. Especially when it's at my own game." growled Rainbow. "I'm supposed to be the best flier in Equestria." "Well then, we'll never mention this ter the Wonderbolts. It's just a game, Rainbow." "No. Applejack, this just got a whole lot more personal. If you can beat me at my game,I can beat you at yours. Tomorrow, I'll meet you at the Acres for an applebucking competition." "You're on, Rainbow." Applejack grinned. "Oooh! Can we compete too?" asked Pinkie excitedly, fluttering over with Fluttershy and Rarity on either side of her. "Sure, why not?" sighed Rainbow. Author's Note Vote for which talent they should compete at after the applebucking? Please tell me what you think! Be Stronger Than ApplejackThe next morning, a soft drizzle was falling. As Twilight walked to Sweet Apple Acres with Rarity and Pinkie, Rainbow Dash went zooming overhead in a blur. Twilight frowned after her, then addressed her companions. "Rainbow seems to be taking her defeat rather badly." "Of course she is, dear," said Rarity, taking a break from moaning about the havoc the rain would wreak on her mane. "Flying is her special talent, after all- I suppose she feels the same as you did after Trixie defeated you at magic that time. I can't imagine how I'd feel if somepony I knew made a better dress than I could..." Rarity shuddered. "Yeah! And I'd feel awful if somepony I knew threw a better party than mine!" chimed Pinkie Pie. "And flying isn't even Applejack's talent." mused Rarity. "I was far behind, so I never saw what actually happened." "I think, judging by the bruise on Rainbow's muzzle, that she crashed into the finishing pole. Then Applejack swept by her." said Twilight thoughtfully. "Anyway, this competition today is going to be lots of fun!" chanted Pinkie. "I like applebucking!" "I thought you hated working at the Acres." said Twilight, surprised. "Why on earth would you think that, silly?" "Um... never mind, we're here." The gates of Sweet Apple Acres reared ahead of them. Rainbow was flying back and forth, pacing in the air. There was no sign of either Fluttershy or Applejack. "Where is she?" growled Rainbow. "I swear, if she's doing this on purpose I'll..." Before Rainbow could finish, there was a loud cry of, "Yee-haw!" from amongst the trees and Applejack came galloping over, her trademark Stetson hat perched on top of her mane. At her side raced Winona, Applejack's trusty pet dog. Applejack leaped the fence in one bound, while Winona squeezed under it and, tail wagging, went to sniff at their visitors, growling at Rarity as she caught the scent of Opalescence. Now the five friends stood patiently waiting for Fluttershy; though there was an almost visible tension in the air between Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Finally, Fluttershy appeared over the trees. When she landed, she was full of apologies, but as soon as she mentioned the name Angel, her friends all rolled their eyes and exchanged meaningful glances. "So, let's get this contest started!" cried Pinkie. "Hold on a second there, Rainbow, yer've got summat on yer nose..." smirked Applejack. Rainbow scowled, wincing as her bruise twinged with pain. "Yes, Pinkie. Let's get this thing going so I can knock the smirk off Applejack's face," the blue pegasus snarled. "We'll see about that," said Applejack breezily. "Now, the contest's all set up, so if y'all follow me..." Applejack led them through the orchard into a field full of Golden Delicious trees. Succulent yellow apples hung from every branch, just ready for picking. Applejack stopped and turned to the others. "Big Mac an' Applebloom are harvesting over the other side of the orchard so they won't disturb the contest. Now, each of us has twelve buckets." Applejack waved a hoof at a tree at the other end of the field; six stacks of twelve buckets stood at the base of the trunk. "Every one needs to be filled up with apples. Quickest to fill their buckets wins. First rule is ya're only allowed ter carry two buckets at a time. Once they're full, take 'em over there and grab two more! But this is a test o' strength, so, Rainbow and Fluttershy, no flyin',and Rarity and Twilight, no magic! Just good ol' applebuckin'." To demonstrate, Applejack gave the tree behind her a hefty kick with her hind legs; all of the apples fell out into a spare bucket which Applejack quickly pushed beneath them. Applejack smiled. "Ter give y'all a chance, I'll give yer a thirty-second head start. Now, let's go!" Rainbow had been poising herself throughout Applejack's speech, and was off and running towards the buckets before the others could even put one hoof forward. A split-second later, Pinkie and Rarity were vying to get ahead of each other as they galloped for the buckets, while Twilight and Fluttershy were a little further behind. Applejack leaned on the fence, slowly counting down the time. Rainbow reached the buckets seconds before the others, and slung one over each wing. She wasn't flying, she reasoned, so she wasn't breaking the rules. As she turned, Rarity and Pinkie arrived and with ease Rarity slung two buckets onto her back. They balanced perfectly as she wheeled around. For a moment, Rainbow stared, wondering if Rarity was keeping them there with magic. But there was no pale blue aura, so there was no cheating going on. Just then, Pinkie barged past Rainbow, out into the trees, and Twilight and Fluttershy reached the buckets. Snapping back to reality, Rainbow tore out into the field, the buckets clanking on her wings. She arrived at the first tree and quickly spun, raising her haunches for a powerful kick. Applejack still watched calmly from the start point, munching on an apple. Winona whined at her hooves. "Oh, you're right, girl. Time for me ter win." Applejack put down the apple core and with a loud whinny, kicked up her hooves and went galloping to where Twilight and Fluttershy were just departing with their buckets. Rainbow was on her way back, straining under the weight of two buckets of apples, when she saw Applejack fast approaching. She sped up and dropped the full buckets, scooping up two more empty ones just as Applejack skidded to a halt. Applejack shot her rival a smirk before flipping two buckets onto her back and racing away. From then on, Applejack and Rainbow were almost neck and neck. Applejack quickly made up for her handicapped start and seemed tireless. The other four competitors didn't matter to the two rivals, and as the number of filled buckets mounted so did the ferocity of the competition. Finally, Rainbow slammed her hooves into the last tree and felt the apples fall into the bucket. But then she saw Applejack with two filled buckets on her back, racing towards the drop-off point. Panicked, Rainbow leaped out, pulling her legs on long strides. She closed the gap slowly, until they were level. Applejack looked over at the pegasus. "Still think ya can beat me, pardner?" "I know so." growled Rainbow determinedly. Their hooves thudded the ground at a rate equal to their heartbeats, and just as they neared the finish, a voice cried delightedly, "I win!" "Huh?" Rainbow tried to stop, as did Applejack, but they were going too fast. They skidded, tripped and went hurtling into the rows of apple-filled buckets. "All my hard work, ruined!" said the voice indignantly. Rainbow shook her head and looked up. Rarity glared down at her crossly. "Rarity?" asked Applejack, getting to her hooves. "You won?" The glamorous unicorn huffed. "No need to sound so surprised, darling. I'll have you know that since Spikey-Wikey captured me that one time I've been taking martial arts lessons, only for the purpose of self-defence, you understand. I'm not just a pretty face you know! Or should that be beautiful face..." Leaving Rarity to muse, Applejack and Rainbow turned simultaneously to Twilight and the other two, who were watching quietly. "She really beat us?" asked Rainbow in a small voice. Fluttershy nodded. "Oh, yes. I saw her a few times, and she knew exactly where to hit the tree to make enough apples to fill two buckets fall." "While you two were charging up and down like rabid minotaurs, Rarity took the strategic approach." Twilight looked slightly annoyed. "She even beat me with her strategy." "It was super-duper-looper!" interjected Pinkie with a grin. "But as it is, I think we can award you two joint second." Twilight manifested a clipboard and quill and began noting things down. "You're keeping score?" asked Rainbow. "Absolutely. We've four more competitions to go yet." said Twilight, still scribbling. "Four more?" echoed Applejack. "What are the other four?" "Party hosting, dressmaking, caring for animals, and magic." said Twilight matter-of-factly. "What? But those are you three and Rarity's talents! You'd win!" protested Rainbow. "I think that the theory which involves us all winning at our own talent has been proven wrong by Applejack and Rarity." said Twilight flatly. "And since we've competed at you two's talents, it seems only fair that we compete at our talents too." "But this contest was meant to be only me and Applejack competing! You four just joined in for the fun of it." "OK. Go and tell Rarity that since she was never really in the competition in the first place, that she can't have won this round and that she can't get the 'grand prize.' See how she takes it." said Twilight, her eyes still on the clipboard. Rainbow cringed. "Well, there's no need for that,I don't think..." "Wait just a minute!" Applejack stepped forwards. "How exactly do ya expect me, Rainbow, Fluttershy and Pinkie to compete at magic? Ya might have some spell to give us horns, but you always said magic took lots of practice. And as well as that, you're the Element of Magic. How in the hay are we ever supposed to beat you?" Twilight frowned. "Good point. I suppose..." There was a flash of light. When it cleared, Rainbow, Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie were all sporting unicorn horns. Rarity trotted over. "What was that flash of light just n- Huh?" She looked around at all of them, then stamped her hoof. "Why do Rainbow and Fluttershy get to be alicorns too? It's just not fair!" She stomped away to one of the buckets of apples she had collected and moodily began to crunch on one. "Um..." Applejack prodded the orange horn on her head. "Why've ya given us these now?" "So that you can practice with them. The magic competition will be last, so you have the rest of today and three more days to practice." Twilight dotted something on her clipboard, and then it vanished in a burst of magic. "So, what competition shall we do tomorrow?" Pinkie opened her mouth wide, but before she could speak Rainbow butted in. "Not partying, I think. I'm exhausted. Why don't we try something quiet, I don't know, caring for animals maybe?" Fluttershy nodded, looking enthusiastic. Twilight smiled, though Pinkie looked a little disappointed. "Okay then!" the alicorn proclaimed. "We'll meet at Fluttershy's cottage tomorrow morning." Content, the friends dispersed, until only Rarity remained, crunching solemnly but daintily on her 16th apple. Author's Note Next is caring for animals... but what about after that? You decide! Thanks for all the comments and favourites so far... please tell me what you think! Party Harder Than Pinkie Pie"What is that pony doing in there?" said Applejack. She was standing with Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash outside the Apple family's barn. Pinkie was inside, supposedly preparing for the party competition. But they were hearing the strangest sounds... what sounded like a chainsaw revved into life, there was a lot of clanging, and finally the unmistakable sound of sticky tape being stretched out. Then there was the sound of bolts sliding back, and Pinkie poked her head out. "Okay! You can come in now!" Cautiously, Applejack strode in, followed by the others. They were surprised by what they saw. The barn had been split into seven equal sections. divided by lines of duct tape which stretched across the walls, floor and even ceiling. Six of the areas contained a table and an oven. The seventh was piled with all manner of things; there was a hill of cookery ingredients and equipment, and a separate mountain of decorations; card, paper, ribbons, fabric, tablecloths, streamers, packs of balloons- everything. At the very top of the hill was a beautiful, crystalline disco ball; Rarity's eyes went starry just looking at it. In the seventh segment, there was also a sink and electric mixer. "Okay!" Pinkie said. "This is how we're gonna do this." She looked very serious. "You have until sunset to prepare a party- that means food, invites, decor, everything. Then all of Ponyville will come here and experience your parties. They'll then vote for the one they think is the best. The party with the most votes wins. You each have an area to work in. You are not allowed to sabotage each other's areas. In fact, you are only allowed in anypony else's area if you are passing through to get to Area 7. Area 7 is no-pony's-land, we're all allowed to go there. There you will find everything you could ever need for your party. When I blow my whistle, we all run to Area 7 and grab everything you can. Once someone has picked something up, it's theirs- no snatching! But if they let it go in Area 7, it's fair game. The electric mixer and blender are included in that- you can grab them if you want them. When you've picked up everything you need, go to your area. There should be a name on each table indicating whose area it is. Just make sure you know where your area is. Now, before we begin, are there any questions?" "I have a question." Rainbow waved a hoof in the air. "Can we use wings and magic?" "You can use everything. Magic and flying are both allowed. Just- um- don't blow up Applejack's barn, or she might get mad." "Yes. Ah'd like to add a rule." Applejack stepped forward. "Unless ya're confident that ya can use yer magic safely, don't use it. Ah don't want no holes in mah barn." Rainbow shrugged. "Whatever. I can get by with just my wings." "Any more questions?" No one spoke, so Pinkie lined them up on the start line. "On my whistle, run and grab." Rarity's eyes were fixed firmly on the crystal disco ball. Pinkie was looking at the food pile. The other four had all set their sights on the electric mixer. There was a loud phweeeet and all hell seemed to break loose. Rainbow's wings flew open, hitting Applejack in the face. Fluttershy had set off running, but Twilight was gaining with every step. Rainbow blasted upwards, leaving Applejack to spit out blue feathers. Fluttershy and Twilight reached the electric mixer at the same moment; just as Rainbow swept down from above to try and carry it off. Twilight swiped at it, but Fluttershy was quicker; she snatched it milliseconds before Rainbow swooped past, cursing. Smugly, Fluttershy carried her prize back to her area, just as Applejack skidded up. Before either Twilight or Rainbow could get their bearings, the orange pony seized the blender and bore it away. While this went on, Rarity had been scaling the pile of decorations. She was almost at the top when she saw Twilight's eyes alight upon the crystalline globe too; the alicorn princess began to rise up on her wings. Rarity screeched in anger and began to hurl objects at the alicorn with her magic; while also trying to scrabble up the hill. After a smaller, less fabulous disco ball missed her head by millimetres, Twilight decided Rarity was serious, and also that she didn't really need that crystalline disco ball anyway. She wheeled around to snatch up the one which had almost hit her, only to see Rainbow scoop it up. Rarity finally reached the top and seized the object of her desires. She slid gracefully back down the hill, to place it safely in her area before heading back to Area 7. While Rarity and Fluttershy had focussed on individual objects, Applejack and Rainbow had been collecting a vast array of objects which might be useful. Meanwhile, Pinkie was working in her area, mixing something in a bowl with a wooden spoon. A set of scales and a small pile of ingredients sat on the counter, while the oven was preheating behind her. A circular cake tin waited on top of the oven. Applejack and Rainbow were engaged in a tug-of-war over a sack of apples; suddenly the sack tore and apples rolled everywhere. Both ponies eyed each other suspiciously, then, as Fluttershy approached the apples, grabbed as many apples as they could carry and made a run for it. Rarity was sorting through tablecloths with her magic, mumbling to herself. Twilight was digging frantically in the decor pile for a disco ball. Fluttershy had begun to prepare her cake, tossing butter and sugar into the whirring electric mixer as Applejack glared jealously. Rainbow was having difficulty making paper chains. Soon the whole barn filled with the mouth-watering smell of cake. Pinkie's first cake was baking, while she poured the second lot of batter into a smaller tin. Another, even smaller tin stood by; Pinkie was making a layer cake. Rarity, having finally chosen a lovely embroidered tablecloth, folded it up in a corner of her area and started sorting through the ingredients pile in Area 7. Applejack was filling a pastry crust with stewed apples, preparing her best apple pie. Rainbow was still wrestling with the paper chains; she had been so focused on arranging them in a rainbow pattern that she hadn't noticed their enormous length. Fluttershy's carrot cake was already cooking, and the distinctive cinnamon aroma made every other pony's nose twitch. Now Fluttershy drifted lightly around her area, neatly hanging ornate paper butterflies and streamers around the walls. Pinkie shoved the last cake in the oven and huffed, before trotting over to join Twilight. Twilight was still burrowing in the decorations pile for a disco ball. She had almost buried herself in the stack. Pinkie smiled a devious smirk, looking around to check the others were all occupied, and then stomped as quietly as she could up the pile, triggering an avalanche of stuff which swept down to bury the alicorn completely. Twilight popped her head out to survey an innocently smiling Pinkie suspiciously, but then her eyes lit up. The slide had unearthed a disco ball- Twilight raised her wings to struggle out, only for Pinkie to squeal happily and grab the disco ball. It was unclear what happened next, but Pinkie found herself surfing down the side of the pile as Twilight rose up behind her. In a scrabbling panic, Pinkie let go of the disco ball, and Twilight gleefully pounced on it as a chupacabra pounces on a goat. Pinkie shrugged, and then threw herself at the pile, emerging a moment later with another disco ball. Twilight frowned as Pinkie trotted back to her area. Rarity was prancing around her area, scattering sequins and glitter over the table, when the oven timer beeped. In a fluid motion, Rarity pulled the door open and levitated three cakes out, each smaller than the last. Pinkie glared sullenly at the unicorn, puffing air into a balloon before letting it go; the balloon shot away as it deflated, hitting Fluttershy in the head. Applejack, Rainbow and Fluttershy were all having trouble tying balloons with their hooves, while Pinkie's dexterous hooves, so used to such work, had no problems. Twilight tied balloons with her magic, and Rarity didn't even need or want any balloons anyway. Very little sabotage went on, though after watching Applejack struggle for ages with a balloon, Rainbow subtly flicked a cocktail stick at it. The balloon burst, and Applejack was back to square one. Finally, as the sky outside turned orange with the sunset, Pinkie blew her whistle. Rainbow looked over from where she was rummaging in Area 7, Rarity and Twilight paused in the spells they were casting, Fluttershy quickly pressed a final decoration onto her cake and Applejack placed her apple pie in pride of place on her table. "Attention ponies!" declared Pinkie. "Preparation time is now over. You must now wait at the entrance to the barn and hand out your invitations." Rarity levitated a stack of glittery cards over to her, Twilight carefully straightened out a pile of dark blue papers, Applejack and Fluttershy gathered up some envelopes, while Rainbow just put a hoof to her head. She knew she'd forgotten something. Pinkie just strapped on a silly outfit. They stood outside as ponies began to filter in; they spread out over every area, nodding appreciatively or sometimes shaking their heads. Rainbow's area was completely carpeted with cotton wool to mimic clouds, while the walls were adorned with rainbow-coloured paper chains. A disco ball hung above, slightly out of place. A large cake, uniced, sat on the table. It was cleverly streaked with rainbow colours, but upon biting into it most ponies shuddered; the taste of food colouring was overpowering. Other objects on offer included a respectable blueberry punch and toffee apples. Applejack's area still bore the barn feel; she had replaced the neat table with a bale of hay, and the floor was littered with straw. However, balloons hung on the walls and the delicious scent of apple pie filled the area. Lively rodeo music set the mood. Beside the delicious pie lay a dish of crystalline strawberry and apple punch, made smooth by the blender, as well as some fresh apple cider. This party was very good as far as most visitors were concerned, simple but effective. Fluttershy's area was somehow homely and gentle; paper butterflies fluttered loosely on strings, and streamers were neatly hung around the walls. The carrot cake was almost competition for Applejack's pie, and it was accompanied by fresh orange juice and apple juice. Rarity's party was stunning; clever magical light illuminated the hard-earned crystal disco ball, casting lovely flashes of spectrum over the glitter and sequins, much more beautiful than Rainbow's rather garish colours. A spectacular layer cake reared over the scene, covered in white icing and decorated by purple lilacs which matched the tablecloth perfectly. The cake wasn't quite up to the standard of Applejack's pie, but all who beheld it agreed it was stunning. The sparkling lemonade and delicate canapes which accompanied it just seemed to fade into the background in contrast. Pinkie's area was a typical Pinkie party; streamers, balloons, sweets, cake- Pinkie's layer cake, though tasty, could not compete in looks with Rarity's. It was decorated with pink icing and piped white edges. Many tasty cupcakes and snacks were crammed onto the table so that it groaned under the weight. Twilight's area didn't look anything special; it was hung with ribbons, streamers, a few balloons. But as soon as one set hoof over the tape border, the soul filled with delight and felt like dancing to the joyful music coming from a seemingly invisible speaker. The food was actually rather tasty, and soon a large crowd had collected in Twilight's area. Each pony cast their vote, and Spike took the box and counted the votes, before returning to announce the results. "The winner is... Twilight!" Twilight smiled. The others cast a few surprised glances, but then waited for the rest of the results. "In second place... Rarity. Third is Pinkie, fourth is Applejack, fifth is Fluttershy, and sixth is Rainbow." A few of the contestants looked put out, but Pinkie perked them out by shouting, "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's PARTY!" The ponies danced and celebrated until Luna's moon was high in the sky, and then retired to their beds, with the promise of a dressmaking contest the following day. Author's Note Only two chapters left now... or is there? Muahahaha. Please give me feedback! As long as it's constructive, it's appreciated! Show More Fashion Sense Than Rarity (Part 1)Applejack and Rainbow Dash knocked on the door of Carousel Boutique, and it opened with a jingle. Rarity stood there smiling. "Ah, come in! I've just finished getting everything ready." The scene was almost reminiscent of yesterday's competition. Six identical pony mannequins were scattered in an organised way around the room. Each mannequin had a table beside it with a sewing machine, tape measure and pencil and paper on it. In the centre of the room was a large pile of fabrics, though unlike yesterday the fabrics were neatly folded, colour coded and stacked neatly, with ribbons coiled up in a glass dish beside them. Another pair of dishes stood by, filled with sparkling gems of many colours. In due course, Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie arrived and Rarity explained the competition rules. "Now, dressmaking is not something which can be rushed, so you have two days. I'm sorry Twilight, but the magic contest will have to move on to the day after tomorrow; a good dress cannot be made in a single day. The contest ends at sunset on the second day. You can use any of the fabrics here, but we'll have no rampaging around and fighting over them. Get them down quietly and safely, with wings or magic. If you have neither then the pile is not so large that you can't reach-" "That's alright Rarity, ah've cracked levitation now, and so's Pinkie." Applejack interrupted. "Yeah, me too." said Rainbow. "Well, it's not as good as Twilight's magic, but I can use mine without blowing things up now..." muttered Fluttershy. "Well, that's alright then." said Rarity, though she looked a little scared at Fluttershy's final statement. "Anyway, you can also use the ribbons and gems on your design; however before you even start collecting materials you have to come up with a design. But even before that, we have to pair up!" "Whuh?" the others said in unison. "We're holding a fashion show for these dresses tomorrow night! But you can't wear your own, because the ponies are supposed to vote without knowing who made which dress, so you'll have to make dresses for each other. Now, before we draw names, I volunteer to make Twilight's, since it will be the largest and more complex. Anypony going to disagree?" The other five shook their heads. Twilight was content in the assumption that she would have the best dress, since she couldn't see how any of them could defeat Rarity. Rarity took out a red drawstring bag with pieces of paper in it and passed it around. Rainbow and Applejack drew each other's names, and they laughed together in the knowledge that they would have the two worst dresses. Twilight drew out Pinkie's name, while Pinkie got Fluttershy, leaving Fluttershy on thin ice having to make Rarity's dress. Secretly though, Rarity was quite happy at Fluttershy being the one to make her dress, due to the latter's knowledge of sewing, so she cheerily got their attention again. "Now, you need to take measurements from the pony you're styling for, and then you can get started. Any questions? No? Alright then- go!" Rarity whisked the tape measure off her table as well as a bit of paper and the pencil. She stood near Twilight, taking measurements of her body, wings, legs and neck, all the time scribbling frantically on her paper. Then the measuring stopped. Twilight stood still as a statue as Rarity gazed thoughtfully at her, and then the white unicorn's eyes lit up. "Idea!" she trilled as she skipped over to the fabric pile. Twilight edged away to grab her own measuring tape and tried to measure Pinkie with it. However Pinkie was in the process of measuring Fluttershy, so she wouldn't hold still. Rainbow and Applejack were trying hard to scribble on the paper while measuring each other at the same time. Pinkie finished with Fluttershy's measuring and tried desperately to stay still while Twilight measured her. Rainbow had finished with Applejack and wanted to get going but Applejack still had to measure Rainbow's wings, so the cyan temporary-alicorn stamped her hooves on the spot with impatience. Rarity was in a world of her own, already marking out cutting lines on a piece of cyan fabric. She didn't seem to hear when Fluttershy approached her, only noticing the yellow temporary-alicorn when she turned towards the fabric pile and bumped into her friend. "Oh, hello, Fluttershy, darling." Rarity looked on edge; Applejack was sorting through the pile of fabrics and getting close to the silver velvet Rarity needed. "What is it?" Fluttershy levitated the tape measure into the air with her aquamarine magic. "Oh. Okay, I... uh..." Rarity looked panicked as Applejack pulled the silver fabric out, only to sigh in relief as the orange unicorn dropped it after Rainbow shot her a don't-even-think-about-it look. Rarity stayed as still as she could in her anxiety to get her hooves on the silver velvet as Fluttershy measured her, and when the yellow temporary-alicorn finally finished, Rarity nodded to her friend, her hooves clattering on the floor in her anxiety. But during the two second delay in which Rarity tried to remember what she was so anxious about, Fluttershy had crossed to the pile and picked up the silver velvet from where it lay on the floor. All of the measurements were done, and so an air of concentration filled the room. Rarity glanced between her mannequin and Twilight, trying to figure out how her 'Idea' could work without the silver velvet. Twilight was sorting through pink fabrics while Pinkie was being a nuisance to Fluttershy- as the latter began to cut out pieces of fabric to Rarity's measurements, Pinkie was holding up different shades of turquoise and aquamarine fabric to Fluttershy's eyes, trying to find a match. The yellow temporary-alicorn was obviously fighting the urge to swat the pink pony away. Applejack had found the bold rainbow-striped fabric and had taken it aside, while Rainbow was messing around with greens, oranges and reds. Applejack muttered to her rival that she'd rather not look like a set of traffic lights, earning a scowl in reply. Finally, Rarity got back to work, substituting the silver for a very pale. shimmery blue. For the next hour, all that could be heard was the snip of scissors and the faint rustle of fabric, accompanied by the odd clatter of hooves as one of the mares went to collect some resources from the pile. Finally, the whirr of a sewing machine hummed into life, only to be quickly stifled and replaced by the horrible sound of the same machine being jammed up. Applejack furiously started bashing the machine in a futile attempt to make it stop chewing up her carefully cut fabric, and had to be pulled away by Twilight as the fabric was torn to shreds. After that, Rarity called time-out to teach the others how to use the sewing machines. When the lesson was over, silence fell once more. No pony wanted to be the first to use the machines, save Rarity, who was still fitting her design together. At last, Rainbow made a move, and the sound of the machine filled the room. All of the other ponies had their concentration disrupted, again save Rarity who simply folded her ears against her head and kept working, humming quietly beneath the din. Soon after, five sewing machines were running. Rarity knew exactly what she was doing with her machine, while Twilight had paid very close attention to the lesson and was cautiously following the instructions. Fluttershy wasn't using her machine, instead favouring hoof-stitching. But for the other three, the whole thing had descended into what was obviously a fabric fight. After Pinkie's machine shredded the fabric she had been using into confetti, that's exactly what she had used it as. A piece of flying fabric had got into a deeply concentrating Rainbow's eye. Her machine had then also become a mincer on her fabric.The storm of flying fabric had distracted Applejack enough for her hooves to slip, making a mess of her fabric too. Pinkie, Applejack and Rainbow had then flung themselves into war, using the tattered strips of what would have been Fluttershy and Applejack's dresses as ammo, but all of this very quietly, so that Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy didn't become aware of the raging battle until the remains of Rainbow's ill-fated dress landed on Twilight's head. Rarity had wanted the three disqualified, but Twilight and Fluttershy argued so strongly that the white unicorn was forced to relent. And so fresh fabric was fetched and concentrated silence fell once more, although occasionally the veterans would catch one another's eye and share a quiet snigger. The first day passed like a blur. At the end of the day, varying levels of progress had been made. Rarity and Fluttershy had both assembled the torso of the dress and were preparing the skirt, while Twilight was a little further behind them, just finishing the pink torso of Pinkie's dress. All Pinkie had to show for the day was a rather rough bit of fabric wrapped around the body, with two crude sleeves sewn onto it. Rainbow and Applejack had both made the skirts of their dresses but all of the fabric for the torso section had been turned into confetti. Rarity bid goodnight to her friends as the sun set, and then, closing the door, sighed and quietly began to clear up. Author's Note This contest is in two parts due to it lasting two days. Enjoy and please comment! Care More Deeply Than FluttershyThe next day was cloudy and cool. Fluttershy yawned, stretching her legs and opening her eyes. Then she sprung upwards in shock at the sight of two stern, beady black eyes glaring at her. Fluttershy hovered over her bed, looking down in surprise at the white rabbit who was looking up at her. "Oh, Angel." scolded Fluttershy. "You scared me..." The rabbit waved a paw at her, then pointed to the clock. It was 8:30. "Oh, sorry, Angel. Um... you have to wait for breakfast today, because my friends are coming over for a competition..." Fluttershy flinched Angel's eyes narrowed and in a rage he began to shred the blankets with his wicked little claws. Winona uncurled herself from her spot at the side of Applejack's bed and leaped onto the duvet, scrabbling with her paws at her owner. Applejack grumbled, trying to push the dog away, but Winona yapped crossly and, grasping the duvet in her teeth, pulled the covers off onto the floor. "Whuh?" Applejack scrabbled blindly for the duvet, but couldn't find it. She scowled at the dog, but Winona just wagged her tail. Applejack looked thoughtfully at her pet. "Ya know, I think I care for you pretty well, ain't that right Winona?" Winona barked happily. Applejack smiled. "And ya understand every word I say. This is gonna be a two-pony race today- just me and Fluttershy." Rarity's alarm clock went off with a loud ring and she sat up sharply in bed, displacing Opalescence who had been curled up on the pillow. With an angry meow the cat tumbled from the bed, landing neatly on all four paws and stalking moodily towards the window, tail in the air. Rarity pulled her eye-covers off and saw the cat leap onto the windowsill. Just as Opal was about to make her leap for freedom Rarity seized her with her magic and slammed the window shut. Opal hissed crossly, but Rarity paid little attention; she put the cat down on the bed and began to do her make-up by the mirror, talking to her pet all the while. "Oh it's going to be so much fun, Opal, darling. You'll be pampered today by all my friends... though you get quite enough attention from me." Rarity looked at her cat's lush coat, pretty ribbons and gem-studded collar and smiled. "Oh yes, I think only Fluttershy will have any chance against me today." Through the snow white unicorn's mind flashed images; memories- Opal hissing and spitting at her, Opal swiping sharp claws at her, Opal digging claws into her coat and refusing to let go- but Rarity dismissed them all. She smiled at her disgruntled cat and turned back to the mirror. Rainbow Dash turned over in her bed. She only woke when a whirring hum reached her ears and a scaly leg poked her. "Huh?" Rainbow sat up to see her pet tortoise, Tank, hovering in front of her in his magical helicopter harness. Very slowly, the tortoise stretched out his neck to touch his nose to hers. Despite the mushiness of the gesture, Rainbow smiled. "We're gonna show 'em who's boss today, right Tank?" The tortoise nodded slowly. "Ha! And Fluttershy's supposed to be the only one who can communicate with animals. Hang on- we're late! C'mon, Tank!" Even the helicopter couldn't keep up with a speeding Rainbow Dash, so she grabbed hold of her pet and dive-bombed through her cloud floor. She cast a quick look at her pet in case their speed was scaring him, but she needn't have worried; Tank was clearly loving every second. He was turning into a real speed demon. Rainbow smiled and kept flying. Twilight was already awake, pacing her bedroom. Spike was still asleep, but Owlowiscious was standing on his perch and watching her with huge yellow eyes. "Ok, it's time to head to Fluttershy's." said Twilight, to nopony in particular. "Who?" said Owlowiscious. "You know, Fluttershy. You like her. We've been to the pet picnics before. Now, let's go." Owlowiscious flapped over to perch on Twilight's back. The alicorn descended the stairs, but at the bottom, she turned to look fondly at her pet and number two assistant. "We'll win this contest today, won't we Owlowiscious?" "Who?" "We will. Me and you, Owlowiscious." "Who?" "Owlowiscious. That's your name." "Who?" "Oh, forget it." groaned Twilight, and she left the library. Outside, she almost walked straight into Pinkie, who was hopping up and down. Twilight kept one eye on the pink unicorn horn on her friend's head, which sparked with magic every now and then. Gummy was standing in front of his owner, staring ahead with his glassy purple eyes. Twilight shivered, then looked at Pinkie. "Aren't you excited for this competition today? It's gonna be soooo fun!" chanted Pinkie. "Yes, but I think maybe Fluttershy might win..." said Twilight doubtfully. "Yeah, but I know Gummy knows exactly what I mean when I talk to him, even if he doesn't talk back! I know exactly what he likes and dislikes, and I can sense when he's happy or sad, so I think I have a good chance! Anyway, if I'm going to win I have to get there- so, gotta run!" In a blur of pink and green, Pinkie and Gummy were gone. Fluttershy and Angel were waiting when the others arrived. Pinkie got there first, shortly followed by Applejack, then Rainbow Dash. Tank hovered about as Winona sniffed curiously at a vacant-eyed Gummy. Angel just glared daggers at the ponies. Twilight and Rarity trotted in side by side, and though Owlowiscious swooped over to sit in a nearby tree Opalescence remained on her owner's back; when Winona came over to investigate she arched her back and hissed and Rarity winced as the cat's claws gripped her back. Fluttershy gathered them all together to explain the rules. "Okay, I've divided this contest into three sections. They are communication, feeding and grooming. First we'll do communication- Ow!" Angel had kicked her in the leg. Fluttershy cringed and said, "Alright, feeding is first. Then communication, then grooming. Now, rules; if you have wings, you can use them, but we'll be using flying animals for your communications round. We all have magic, but I'd prefer you didn't use that since- well, I'm new to magic and I've already caused a few accidents- nothing serious, but I'd prefer you didn't use magic for this. So, yes to flying but no to magic. The feeding round is where each one of you will individually assign the correct food to each animal. The rest of us will go over there so that we can't see, and Angel will record the scores. Then you can go to your own animal, present it with its food and make sure they eat it all up. No force-feeding, please, but try gentle persuasion by all means. Now, we'll start the feeding competition. If you could put your pets over there..." The pets were lined up in front of empty food dishes. Fluttershy laid out some fish, some salad, some soup (everypony but Pinkie looked confused) a dish of what appeared to be dog food, some carrots and, with quite a bit of sobbing and sniffling, a dead mouse. "Terence died yesterday evening." sniffled Fluttershy, "but he very kindly volunteered for this before he died." The other ponies shifted awkwardly. "But some of these could apply to two or more pets." protested Rainbow. "Well, these are their favourite foods. You should know your own pet's pretty well, and then you should be able to work out which food the others should have. Rainbow Dash, you can go first. Come on, girls, let's go over there. Angel, make sure to record the scores honestly." Rainbow was left on her own with six animals looking at her. Angel was holding a small clipboard and a quill in his paws. "Um..." Rainbow quickly pushed the carrots towards Tank; she knew they were his favourite. Angel ticked something on his sheet. Rainbow then pushed the mixed salad towards Angel, who plucked a leaf from the top and ate it, chewing critically before ticking again on his sheet and looking at her. Rainbow looked from the remaining food to the pets. She hesitantly pushed the dog food towards Winona. Another tick. Rainbow looked at the soup. Surely it had to be Gummy's- there were only so many things you could eat with no teeth. Sure enough, she got another tick. Then she was stuck. Both Owlowiscious and Opal would surely eat mice... but then she remembered whose cat Opal was. As if Rarity's pampered cat had ever caught a mouse in her life. Rarity certainly wouldn't allow her pet to be so uncouth even if the cat had ever wanted to eat mouse. Owlowiscious, on the other hand, tended to go hunting by night; she'd seen him fly by her window a few times with a mouse in his claws, though he'd always been heading back from the Everfree; he knew enough not to kill Fluttershy's mice. Rainbow pushed the fish towards Opal and, with a little revulsion, the mouse towards Owlowiscious. Angel ticked his sheet and then waved her away; as she left Rainbow saw Angel pushing the food back to the places they'd been before, with a bit of irritation coming from the other pets as their food was taken away. Rainbow, Twilight, Pinkie, Applejack and of course Fluttershy got full marks on the food test. Rarity only lost one mark because she refused to touch the dead mouse and Angel was feeling strict. Next, it was feeding time. This was if anything the easier part of the test, since all of the pets were hungry after they'd had no breakfast. Twilight had only to poke the mouse at Owlowiscious for him to scoop up the little body and swallow it; Fluttershy looked away, then muttered a little prayer under her breath. Tank and Winona eagerly tucked in, munching away on their food. Angel was eating too, since he like all the others wanted his owner to win. But apparently, Opal decided that she didn't want Rarity to win so badly that she'd eat when Gummy was beside her, blowing bubbles and gargling in his soup. Rarity begged and pleaded, but though Opal was hungry she only ate two of the four fish before refusing to eat any more. Angel, when he finished eating, padded around, deducting points as he saw fit for any remaining food. In the end, Fluttershy, Rainbow and Twilight were tying for first. Pinkie had had points deducted because a lot of Gummy's soup had ended up on his face and on the grass, while Applejack lost a point because Winona had left a few biscuits. Rarity looked crossly at Opal, but the cat just groomed herself and ignored the glare. "Okay." Fluttershy said, when they had gathered again. "Time for the communications round. You need to move a pet around this course- but it has to be somepony else's pet. This is timed, so make sure the pet understands what it needs to do and fast." "I've got dibs on Winona." said Twilight and Rarity together. "No, we'll draw names from a hat." admonished Fluttershy. But Rainbow, if you want to use your wings you'll have to take Owlowiscious. Twilight, did you want to fly?" "Not particularly..." "Right, then. I'll take Tank, and the rest of you can pick names from this bag." Fluttershy held out a bag. Twilight was paired with Opal, something she looked less than delighted about, though she was at least grateful that she didn't have Gummy or worse, Angel. Applejack got Angel, and they glared at each other as they sat down. Pinkie drew out Winona, leaving Rarity with Gummy. Rarity looked hesitant sitting next to Gummy, and rightly so; as soon as she sat he sprung up and latched his toothless mouth onto her nose. She screamed, trying to shake him off, but to no avail. Fluttershy had built a ground course and then another similar one in the sky. The ground one included tunnels, jumps and crawls, while the sky included hoops to fly through, and bars and poles to dodge around. This time, Pinkie went first. She led Winona around the track quickly; she just called the dog as she herself leapt the jumps or squeezed through the tunnels and the dog followed. It took a little time for Pinkie to explain to the dog the concept of crawling under the net, but Winona finally understood when Pinkie explained in a Southern accent. Winona crossed the finish with a very respectable time. Twilight was next, with Opal. Despite Twilight's best efforts, the cat was too lazy to jump. She passed through the tunnels and went under the net just fine, but finished considerably slower than Winona and that was before her penalties for missing the jumps were added. Applejack went with Angel next. Fluttershy had warned her pet not to cheat and sabotage Applejack's attempts, and with the aid of the Stare, she got him to listen. Angel cleared most of the jumps with great bounds and skittered through tunnels and beneath nets with little difficulty. But on the final, highest jump he underestimated the height and crashed, dizzily staggering over the finish line after some urging from Applejack. Angel went back to his clipboard, shook his head to clear it and awarded himself a penalty. Rarity was still struggling to pull Gummy off her face, so Rainbow began the sky course with Owlowiscious. The owl passed through the hoops with no bother, but clipped his wings a few times on the posts. Angel awarded penalties for this. Fluttershy took Tank around carefully, making sure he lined himself up perfectly for each obstacle to avoid any collisions. Though he got a clear round, the slow and steady tactic meant he was slower than Winona. Finally, Rarity set off with Gummy. Or rather, Rarity set off. Gummy just stood there at the start, blinking. Rarity came back and tried talking. Asking. Begging. Shouting. Prodding. Poking. Shoving. Pushing. All that happened was that Gummy saw a golden opportunity to grab hold of her curly purple mane with his jaws. Rarity screeched like a mad thing, running the whole length of the course before Pinkie caught up to her to prise Gummy off. Angel disqualified Rarity from the round for carrying Gummy through the course. Fluttershy gathered them together to announce the standings so far and explain the rules for grooming. Pinkie, thanks to Winona's performance, was now in the lead by a small margin. Rainbow was in second place and Applejack and Fluttershy in joint third. Twilight had dropped back into fifth due to Opal's misbehaviour, while Rarity remained in last place. "Alright then." Fluttershy said. "Finally, the grooming round. You're with your own pets again, and you have just ten minutes to spruce them up to make them as adorable as possible. You can use anything you have to hoof. These three sweet little fillies will be the judges." Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo appeared from Fluttershy's cottage, while Applejack and Rainbow both made gagging motions at the word 'adorable.' Rarity just looked delighted. "No rules for this one, just keep in the time limit and avoid magic and you'll do fine. Oh, and the animals have to like what they look like." Fluttershy finished. "The ten minutes starts now!" Rarity dived straight in, grabbing hold of Opal and producing ribbons and glitter from her saddlebags; the cat vanished in a cloud of glitter and sequins. Fluttershy was brushing Angel's fur gently, while Twilight mused over Owlowiscious. Applejack and Rainbow stood looking helpless for a minute before springing into action and racing off to collect sticks and leaves. Pinkie was hiding behind a tree to keep what she was doing a secret. The ten minutes ticked by, until finally they were gone. The ponies stopped what they were doing and then lined up, their pets hidden by screens. Rainbow pulled the screen away from Tank. He was absolutely covered in leaves and flowers. Scootaloo, being the fan-filly that she was, instantly declared her love for the style, while her two friends just tilted their heads and looked confused. Winona was just wearing a mane of straw. Applebloom thought it was cute until the dog sneezed and all of the straw fell off. Twilight had clearly thought hard about her owl's new look. She had fluffed up his feathers so that he looked like a little ball of fluff. Sweetie Belle hugged him and declared him 'the fluffiest thing ever.' Angel was like Owlowiscious in some ways, his snowy fur fluffed up. But his ears were hanging down, and he'd opened his eyes extremely wide to look very cute. He drew an "Awwww." from Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. Opal was magnificent- she held her head high in obvious pleasure at her new look. Her fur was so smooth it gleamed, and this was enhanced by the glitter in her fur. A bow sat atop her head and at the base of her tail. But then Pinkie revealed Gummy, and he was an instant winner. Pinkie had dressed him in a little black suit. A rose was gripped in his gums, and he wore small spectacles with shaded lenses. A bowler hat sat atop his head. "That is the cutest thing ever." said Sweetie Belle. Her fellow judges nodded in silent agreement. Angel looked slightly irritated and looked away, as did Opal. But the judges had made up their minds. They put a 1st rosette on the ground before Gummy. Opal got second, and Angel and Owlowiscious tied for third. Winona and Tank got joint fourth, though Scootaloo had wanted to elevate tank to joint third. The scores were totalled, but it was clear Pinkie had triumphed, with Fluttershy scooping second. Twilight took third, while Rarity's second place in grooming allowed her to pull herself up to joint fourth with Applejack and Rainbow, avoiding the shame of coming last. The six ponies gathered together to decide the next day's contest. Rarity was first to voice her opinion. "Dressmaking." "Parties!" argued Pinkie. "Dressmaking." "Parties!" "Dressmaking!" "Parties!" "Okay! Rarity, Pinkie won, so she gets to choose." interrupted Twilight. "Well that's not fair. I didn't get to choose yesterday." pouted Rarity. "Look, Rarity, we'll do dressmaking the day after. No more arguing." said Twilight quickly as Rarity opened her mouth to complain. "Hmph. Fine. But there's no way I'm losing this." said Rarity. And she walked over to Opal. "Come on, Opal. Time to get you back to normal." Rarity started untying ribbons, much to the dismay of Opal. After a brief wrestle, Opal's topknot was back in place and the glitter scoured from her fur. Rarity picked up Opal and dropped the sulking cat onto her back and called out a cheery goodbye. As she rounded the corner a caterwauling set up, featuring the voices of both Rarity and Opalescence as the cat begrudged the loss of her new attire. Author's Note If the ponies are all herbivores and cows and sheep talk in Equestria, what does Applejack feed Winona? A bit of an issue there. Which pet would you have picked as the winner of the grooming?
Fly Faster Than Rainbow DashIt should have been a calm, quiet day on Sweet Apple Acres.Should have been. As it was, the calm was broken by the sound of two ponies arguing. "Are you still saying you're a better athlete than me?" snapped Rainbow Dash. "You betcha." retorted Applejack. "But I beat you! I'm the Iron Pony!" "Oh please, you used yer wings to win at least half o' them competitions." "I could beat you with both wings tied closed!" "Oh, no, Rainbow. We ain't going there again. Remember what happened with the Running o' the Leaves? "But I beat you in that too!" argued Rainbow. "Did not! We tied!" snarled Applejack crossly. "Whatever. I still won." "Ugh. Fine, Rainbow, we'll have another Iron Pony competition to settle this once and fer all. But this time, we're tyin' yer wings." "Bring it!" Then Rainbow frowned. "Though, my wings were all sore from the ropes after the Running of the Leaves..." "Ha. Excuses, excuses." smirked Applejack. "Ya backing out already, Rainbow? Too chicken?" "Never! I just think there's a better way to level the playing field." "Oh? And what's that?" "You can get wings too." "Sorry Rainbow, but ah cain't miraculously sprout wings whenever ah want to." "We'll get Twilight to give you some. Remember how she gave Rarity those butterfly wings?" "'Course ah do. Ah also remember how they disintegrated and almost sent Rarity plummeting to her death." "But she was too close to the sun. I thought Twilight explained this." "She did, but ah still don't like it." "Now who's being a chicken?!" "Certainly not me." Applejack spat on her hoof and stretched her hoof out to Rainbow. "Ah'll take yer on, and beat yer too." Rainbow spat on her own hoof and brought it to Applejack's. "Then it's settled. May the best athlete win!" "Let me get this straight. You and Applejack are having another Iron Pony competition in spite of what happened last time?" Princess Twilight looked up from her book. The three were sitting in the Ponyville library, where Twilight had wished to continue living after her coronation. "Yep. Now if ya could magic up some wings fer me, we'll be outta yer mane and yer don't need to think about it no more." Applejack flicked her tail. "You're having a flying competition?" asked the alicorn. "No-" "Yes! That would be awesome!" cheered Rainbow. "Only cuz you'd win." "What makes you think that?" "Duh." Applejack pointed at the colourful lightning on Rainbow's flank. "Flying's yer special talent." "Oh. Right. But we should still have a flying competition." "Okay, fine." Applejack relented. "As long as we can have a test of strength as well." "Hmmm... a flying competition." Twilight looked thoughtfully at her own wings. Rainbow laughed. "You gonna join this race too, Twilight?" To Rainbow's surprise, the alicorn nodded slowly. "I've been waiting for a chance to test these wings properly for a while. This would be a good chance." "Sure, ya can join us, Twi. The more the merrier!" said Applejack cheerily. Rainbow sighed. "We might as well invite Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy to join too, if that's your logic." "Ooh ooh! I just heard my name!" Pinkie Pie was suddenly standing next to Applejack. "Wait... Rarity and Fluttershy aren't here! Let me go get them!" The pink pony was gone in a cloud of dust, to reappear a few seconds later, dragging a protesting Rarity and whimpering Fluttershy by their tails. "Pinkie!" moaned Rarity. "I was busy finishing off a dress for a client!" "But Twi, Applejack and Dashie were having a meeting without us!" whined Pinkie. "They were?" Rarity suddenly looked much more interested. Minutes later, after Applejack and Rainbow had told the others about the contest, Pinkie jumped up excitedly. "Count me in! I love contests!" "Well, scratch my name off the list." sniffed Rarity. "I'd rather keep my hooves on the ground, considering what happened last time I took to the sky." "Oh, well, I guess you'll miss out on the grand prize then." sighed Rainbow, winking slyly at Twilight. Rarity turned her head to look at Twilight. "Prize?" "Yes! The prize! Which is... an all-expenses-paid trip to Canterlot, courtesy of the losers." said Twilight quickly. Rarity smiled. "In which case, I declare that It. Is. On!" "Fluttershy?" asked Twilight. "Are you in?" "Uh... I think I'd rather just watch..." stammered the yellow pegasus. "Aw, come on, Fluttershy! The others are all novices. You'd come in second, easy!" The other four pulled faces, but Rainbow didn't notice. "But I don't like races..." whimpered Fluttershy. "Come on, Fluttershy? For me?" Rainbow gave Fluttershy her best puppy-dog eyes. Fluttershy sighed. "Okay, count me in too." The morning of the race dawned clear and bright, and a cheery Rainbow was setting up the markers when the others arrived. The race would take place over some fields outside Ponyville, and the flight path was a simple circuit. The six racers had to go around the circuit five times, amounting to a distance of around a mile.Their only spectators were Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, Scootaloo and Spike - they had all pleaded to be allowed to watch. As Rainbow and Fluttershy rigged up the finishing tape, Twilight turned to the three wingless ponies and one by one, cast the wings spell on each. Applejack spread dragonfly wings and took off to test them out. She seemed to be doing rather well for her first flight, and got up a bit of speed when she tried. Rarity got her butterfly wings back, something she had mixed feelings about, but she took off to fly at Fluttershy's leisurely pace. The butterfly wings just weren't built for speed. Last was Pinkie, who was hopping up and down excitedly. Twilight cast the spell, and Pinkie grew glittery pink fairy wings. Before Twilight could consider how odd that was, Pinkie had bounded into the air and fluttered over to join Fluttershy and Rarity. The warm-up began. Rainbow was doing press-ups on her wings, while Applejack and Rarity took practice runs to test speed. Twilight was analyzing race strategies on the ground, and Fluttershy and Pinkie just glided around, waiting for the race to begin. Finally, Spike blew a whistle and the six ponies lined up on the start line. At a second whistle, six assorted pairs of wings raised and flexed, Then, on the third whistle, they were off. Rainbow, as expected, quickly took the lead. Spike, below, was commentating. Sweetie, Applebloom and Scootaloo had bet some of their savings on the race results, and Scootaloo looked smug as Rainbow zoomed away from the competition. Twilight's larger wings propelled her along more efficiently with each stroke, and she was currently in second. But Applejack, beating her new wings as fast as she could, was gaining quickly. Rarity and Pinkie were breezing along in joint last, though Rarity was doing her best to pull ahead; the trip to Canterlot obviously meant quite a bit to her. Pinkie was keeping up without much effort, smiling as they soared around the first corner. Just ahead of them, Fluttershy was holding fourth. She was beating her wings as fast as she could, but was only managing to gain on Applejack a little. Applejack drew level with Twilight, then passed her. But Rainbow was still far ahead, almost overlapping Rarity and Pinkie. But then Applejack put on a strange burst of speed and started to gain on Rainbow; leaving Twilight several lengths behind, she buzzed her wings and zipped along at a good pace. Rainbow heard the buzz behind her and turned, to see Applejack right on her tail. Speeding up in a slight panic, she shot past Rarity and Pinkie, then Fluttershy. Applejack pressed on and soon got close again. Rainbow turned into the final lap to see Applejack draw level with her. Applejack grinned, but then gradually began to pull ahead. Rainbow growled and threw herself forwards after the orange pony. She swept by Applejack as they swung around the final turn, and Rainbow turned to blow a raspberry over her shoulder- only to crash headlong into one of the poles which held the finishing tape. Before Rainbow could get her bearings, Applejack shot through the tape to victory. Below, on the ground, a sullen-faced Scootaloo shoved a pile of bits towards a smirking Applebloom. Rainbow leapt over the line into second just before Twilight could get there and snatch it from her. Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie were so close that it was hard to distinguish fourth, fifth and last, so they were awarded joint fourth. Applejack patted a fuming Rainbow Dash on the back when they got back to the ground. "It's okay, pardner. It's not shameful to lose to the best athlete in Ponyville." "But I hate losing. Especially when it's at my own game." growled Rainbow. "I'm supposed to be the best flier in Equestria." "Well then, we'll never mention this ter the Wonderbolts. It's just a game, Rainbow." "No. Applejack, this just got a whole lot more personal. If you can beat me at my game,I can beat you at yours. Tomorrow, I'll meet you at the Acres for an applebucking competition." "You're on, Rainbow." Applejack grinned. "Oooh! Can we compete too?" asked Pinkie excitedly, fluttering over with Fluttershy and Rarity on either side of her. "Sure, why not?" sighed Rainbow. Author's Note Vote for which talent they should compete at after the applebucking? Please tell me what you think!
Be Stronger Than ApplejackThe next morning, a soft drizzle was falling. As Twilight walked to Sweet Apple Acres with Rarity and Pinkie, Rainbow Dash went zooming overhead in a blur. Twilight frowned after her, then addressed her companions. "Rainbow seems to be taking her defeat rather badly." "Of course she is, dear," said Rarity, taking a break from moaning about the havoc the rain would wreak on her mane. "Flying is her special talent, after all- I suppose she feels the same as you did after Trixie defeated you at magic that time. I can't imagine how I'd feel if somepony I knew made a better dress than I could..." Rarity shuddered. "Yeah! And I'd feel awful if somepony I knew threw a better party than mine!" chimed Pinkie Pie. "And flying isn't even Applejack's talent." mused Rarity. "I was far behind, so I never saw what actually happened." "I think, judging by the bruise on Rainbow's muzzle, that she crashed into the finishing pole. Then Applejack swept by her." said Twilight thoughtfully. "Anyway, this competition today is going to be lots of fun!" chanted Pinkie. "I like applebucking!" "I thought you hated working at the Acres." said Twilight, surprised. "Why on earth would you think that, silly?" "Um... never mind, we're here." The gates of Sweet Apple Acres reared ahead of them. Rainbow was flying back and forth, pacing in the air. There was no sign of either Fluttershy or Applejack. "Where is she?" growled Rainbow. "I swear, if she's doing this on purpose I'll..." Before Rainbow could finish, there was a loud cry of, "Yee-haw!" from amongst the trees and Applejack came galloping over, her trademark Stetson hat perched on top of her mane. At her side raced Winona, Applejack's trusty pet dog. Applejack leaped the fence in one bound, while Winona squeezed under it and, tail wagging, went to sniff at their visitors, growling at Rarity as she caught the scent of Opalescence. Now the five friends stood patiently waiting for Fluttershy; though there was an almost visible tension in the air between Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Finally, Fluttershy appeared over the trees. When she landed, she was full of apologies, but as soon as she mentioned the name Angel, her friends all rolled their eyes and exchanged meaningful glances. "So, let's get this contest started!" cried Pinkie. "Hold on a second there, Rainbow, yer've got summat on yer nose..." smirked Applejack. Rainbow scowled, wincing as her bruise twinged with pain. "Yes, Pinkie. Let's get this thing going so I can knock the smirk off Applejack's face," the blue pegasus snarled. "We'll see about that," said Applejack breezily. "Now, the contest's all set up, so if y'all follow me..." Applejack led them through the orchard into a field full of Golden Delicious trees. Succulent yellow apples hung from every branch, just ready for picking. Applejack stopped and turned to the others. "Big Mac an' Applebloom are harvesting over the other side of the orchard so they won't disturb the contest. Now, each of us has twelve buckets." Applejack waved a hoof at a tree at the other end of the field; six stacks of twelve buckets stood at the base of the trunk. "Every one needs to be filled up with apples. Quickest to fill their buckets wins. First rule is ya're only allowed ter carry two buckets at a time. Once they're full, take 'em over there and grab two more! But this is a test o' strength, so, Rainbow and Fluttershy, no flyin',and Rarity and Twilight, no magic! Just good ol' applebuckin'." To demonstrate, Applejack gave the tree behind her a hefty kick with her hind legs; all of the apples fell out into a spare bucket which Applejack quickly pushed beneath them. Applejack smiled. "Ter give y'all a chance, I'll give yer a thirty-second head start. Now, let's go!" Rainbow had been poising herself throughout Applejack's speech, and was off and running towards the buckets before the others could even put one hoof forward. A split-second later, Pinkie and Rarity were vying to get ahead of each other as they galloped for the buckets, while Twilight and Fluttershy were a little further behind. Applejack leaned on the fence, slowly counting down the time. Rainbow reached the buckets seconds before the others, and slung one over each wing. She wasn't flying, she reasoned, so she wasn't breaking the rules. As she turned, Rarity and Pinkie arrived and with ease Rarity slung two buckets onto her back. They balanced perfectly as she wheeled around. For a moment, Rainbow stared, wondering if Rarity was keeping them there with magic. But there was no pale blue aura, so there was no cheating going on. Just then, Pinkie barged past Rainbow, out into the trees, and Twilight and Fluttershy reached the buckets. Snapping back to reality, Rainbow tore out into the field, the buckets clanking on her wings. She arrived at the first tree and quickly spun, raising her haunches for a powerful kick. Applejack still watched calmly from the start point, munching on an apple. Winona whined at her hooves. "Oh, you're right, girl. Time for me ter win." Applejack put down the apple core and with a loud whinny, kicked up her hooves and went galloping to where Twilight and Fluttershy were just departing with their buckets. Rainbow was on her way back, straining under the weight of two buckets of apples, when she saw Applejack fast approaching. She sped up and dropped the full buckets, scooping up two more empty ones just as Applejack skidded to a halt. Applejack shot her rival a smirk before flipping two buckets onto her back and racing away. From then on, Applejack and Rainbow were almost neck and neck. Applejack quickly made up for her handicapped start and seemed tireless. The other four competitors didn't matter to the two rivals, and as the number of filled buckets mounted so did the ferocity of the competition. Finally, Rainbow slammed her hooves into the last tree and felt the apples fall into the bucket. But then she saw Applejack with two filled buckets on her back, racing towards the drop-off point. Panicked, Rainbow leaped out, pulling her legs on long strides. She closed the gap slowly, until they were level. Applejack looked over at the pegasus. "Still think ya can beat me, pardner?" "I know so." growled Rainbow determinedly. Their hooves thudded the ground at a rate equal to their heartbeats, and just as they neared the finish, a voice cried delightedly, "I win!" "Huh?" Rainbow tried to stop, as did Applejack, but they were going too fast. They skidded, tripped and went hurtling into the rows of apple-filled buckets. "All my hard work, ruined!" said the voice indignantly. Rainbow shook her head and looked up. Rarity glared down at her crossly. "Rarity?" asked Applejack, getting to her hooves. "You won?" The glamorous unicorn huffed. "No need to sound so surprised, darling. I'll have you know that since Spikey-Wikey captured me that one time I've been taking martial arts lessons, only for the purpose of self-defence, you understand. I'm not just a pretty face you know! Or should that be beautiful face..." Leaving Rarity to muse, Applejack and Rainbow turned simultaneously to Twilight and the other two, who were watching quietly. "She really beat us?" asked Rainbow in a small voice. Fluttershy nodded. "Oh, yes. I saw her a few times, and she knew exactly where to hit the tree to make enough apples to fill two buckets fall." "While you two were charging up and down like rabid minotaurs, Rarity took the strategic approach." Twilight looked slightly annoyed. "She even beat me with her strategy." "It was super-duper-looper!" interjected Pinkie with a grin. "But as it is, I think we can award you two joint second." Twilight manifested a clipboard and quill and began noting things down. "You're keeping score?" asked Rainbow. "Absolutely. We've four more competitions to go yet." said Twilight, still scribbling. "Four more?" echoed Applejack. "What are the other four?" "Party hosting, dressmaking, caring for animals, and magic." said Twilight matter-of-factly. "What? But those are you three and Rarity's talents! You'd win!" protested Rainbow. "I think that the theory which involves us all winning at our own talent has been proven wrong by Applejack and Rarity." said Twilight flatly. "And since we've competed at you two's talents, it seems only fair that we compete at our talents too." "But this contest was meant to be only me and Applejack competing! You four just joined in for the fun of it." "OK. Go and tell Rarity that since she was never really in the competition in the first place, that she can't have won this round and that she can't get the 'grand prize.' See how she takes it." said Twilight, her eyes still on the clipboard. Rainbow cringed. "Well, there's no need for that,I don't think..." "Wait just a minute!" Applejack stepped forwards. "How exactly do ya expect me, Rainbow, Fluttershy and Pinkie to compete at magic? Ya might have some spell to give us horns, but you always said magic took lots of practice. And as well as that, you're the Element of Magic. How in the hay are we ever supposed to beat you?" Twilight frowned. "Good point. I suppose..." There was a flash of light. When it cleared, Rainbow, Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie were all sporting unicorn horns. Rarity trotted over. "What was that flash of light just n- Huh?" She looked around at all of them, then stamped her hoof. "Why do Rainbow and Fluttershy get to be alicorns too? It's just not fair!" She stomped away to one of the buckets of apples she had collected and moodily began to crunch on one. "Um..." Applejack prodded the orange horn on her head. "Why've ya given us these now?" "So that you can practice with them. The magic competition will be last, so you have the rest of today and three more days to practice." Twilight dotted something on her clipboard, and then it vanished in a burst of magic. "So, what competition shall we do tomorrow?" Pinkie opened her mouth wide, but before she could speak Rainbow butted in. "Not partying, I think. I'm exhausted. Why don't we try something quiet, I don't know, caring for animals maybe?" Fluttershy nodded, looking enthusiastic. Twilight smiled, though Pinkie looked a little disappointed. "Okay then!" the alicorn proclaimed. "We'll meet at Fluttershy's cottage tomorrow morning." Content, the friends dispersed, until only Rarity remained, crunching solemnly but daintily on her 16th apple. Author's Note Next is caring for animals... but what about after that? You decide! Thanks for all the comments and favourites so far... please tell me what you think!
Party Harder Than Pinkie Pie"What is that pony doing in there?" said Applejack. She was standing with Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash outside the Apple family's barn. Pinkie was inside, supposedly preparing for the party competition. But they were hearing the strangest sounds... what sounded like a chainsaw revved into life, there was a lot of clanging, and finally the unmistakable sound of sticky tape being stretched out. Then there was the sound of bolts sliding back, and Pinkie poked her head out. "Okay! You can come in now!" Cautiously, Applejack strode in, followed by the others. They were surprised by what they saw. The barn had been split into seven equal sections. divided by lines of duct tape which stretched across the walls, floor and even ceiling. Six of the areas contained a table and an oven. The seventh was piled with all manner of things; there was a hill of cookery ingredients and equipment, and a separate mountain of decorations; card, paper, ribbons, fabric, tablecloths, streamers, packs of balloons- everything. At the very top of the hill was a beautiful, crystalline disco ball; Rarity's eyes went starry just looking at it. In the seventh segment, there was also a sink and electric mixer. "Okay!" Pinkie said. "This is how we're gonna do this." She looked very serious. "You have until sunset to prepare a party- that means food, invites, decor, everything. Then all of Ponyville will come here and experience your parties. They'll then vote for the one they think is the best. The party with the most votes wins. You each have an area to work in. You are not allowed to sabotage each other's areas. In fact, you are only allowed in anypony else's area if you are passing through to get to Area 7. Area 7 is no-pony's-land, we're all allowed to go there. There you will find everything you could ever need for your party. When I blow my whistle, we all run to Area 7 and grab everything you can. Once someone has picked something up, it's theirs- no snatching! But if they let it go in Area 7, it's fair game. The electric mixer and blender are included in that- you can grab them if you want them. When you've picked up everything you need, go to your area. There should be a name on each table indicating whose area it is. Just make sure you know where your area is. Now, before we begin, are there any questions?" "I have a question." Rainbow waved a hoof in the air. "Can we use wings and magic?" "You can use everything. Magic and flying are both allowed. Just- um- don't blow up Applejack's barn, or she might get mad." "Yes. Ah'd like to add a rule." Applejack stepped forward. "Unless ya're confident that ya can use yer magic safely, don't use it. Ah don't want no holes in mah barn." Rainbow shrugged. "Whatever. I can get by with just my wings." "Any more questions?" No one spoke, so Pinkie lined them up on the start line. "On my whistle, run and grab." Rarity's eyes were fixed firmly on the crystal disco ball. Pinkie was looking at the food pile. The other four had all set their sights on the electric mixer. There was a loud phweeeet and all hell seemed to break loose. Rainbow's wings flew open, hitting Applejack in the face. Fluttershy had set off running, but Twilight was gaining with every step. Rainbow blasted upwards, leaving Applejack to spit out blue feathers. Fluttershy and Twilight reached the electric mixer at the same moment; just as Rainbow swept down from above to try and carry it off. Twilight swiped at it, but Fluttershy was quicker; she snatched it milliseconds before Rainbow swooped past, cursing. Smugly, Fluttershy carried her prize back to her area, just as Applejack skidded up. Before either Twilight or Rainbow could get their bearings, the orange pony seized the blender and bore it away. While this went on, Rarity had been scaling the pile of decorations. She was almost at the top when she saw Twilight's eyes alight upon the crystalline globe too; the alicorn princess began to rise up on her wings. Rarity screeched in anger and began to hurl objects at the alicorn with her magic; while also trying to scrabble up the hill. After a smaller, less fabulous disco ball missed her head by millimetres, Twilight decided Rarity was serious, and also that she didn't really need that crystalline disco ball anyway. She wheeled around to snatch up the one which had almost hit her, only to see Rainbow scoop it up. Rarity finally reached the top and seized the object of her desires. She slid gracefully back down the hill, to place it safely in her area before heading back to Area 7. While Rarity and Fluttershy had focussed on individual objects, Applejack and Rainbow had been collecting a vast array of objects which might be useful. Meanwhile, Pinkie was working in her area, mixing something in a bowl with a wooden spoon. A set of scales and a small pile of ingredients sat on the counter, while the oven was preheating behind her. A circular cake tin waited on top of the oven. Applejack and Rainbow were engaged in a tug-of-war over a sack of apples; suddenly the sack tore and apples rolled everywhere. Both ponies eyed each other suspiciously, then, as Fluttershy approached the apples, grabbed as many apples as they could carry and made a run for it. Rarity was sorting through tablecloths with her magic, mumbling to herself. Twilight was digging frantically in the decor pile for a disco ball. Fluttershy had begun to prepare her cake, tossing butter and sugar into the whirring electric mixer as Applejack glared jealously. Rainbow was having difficulty making paper chains. Soon the whole barn filled with the mouth-watering smell of cake. Pinkie's first cake was baking, while she poured the second lot of batter into a smaller tin. Another, even smaller tin stood by; Pinkie was making a layer cake. Rarity, having finally chosen a lovely embroidered tablecloth, folded it up in a corner of her area and started sorting through the ingredients pile in Area 7. Applejack was filling a pastry crust with stewed apples, preparing her best apple pie. Rainbow was still wrestling with the paper chains; she had been so focused on arranging them in a rainbow pattern that she hadn't noticed their enormous length. Fluttershy's carrot cake was already cooking, and the distinctive cinnamon aroma made every other pony's nose twitch. Now Fluttershy drifted lightly around her area, neatly hanging ornate paper butterflies and streamers around the walls. Pinkie shoved the last cake in the oven and huffed, before trotting over to join Twilight. Twilight was still burrowing in the decorations pile for a disco ball. She had almost buried herself in the stack. Pinkie smiled a devious smirk, looking around to check the others were all occupied, and then stomped as quietly as she could up the pile, triggering an avalanche of stuff which swept down to bury the alicorn completely. Twilight popped her head out to survey an innocently smiling Pinkie suspiciously, but then her eyes lit up. The slide had unearthed a disco ball- Twilight raised her wings to struggle out, only for Pinkie to squeal happily and grab the disco ball. It was unclear what happened next, but Pinkie found herself surfing down the side of the pile as Twilight rose up behind her. In a scrabbling panic, Pinkie let go of the disco ball, and Twilight gleefully pounced on it as a chupacabra pounces on a goat. Pinkie shrugged, and then threw herself at the pile, emerging a moment later with another disco ball. Twilight frowned as Pinkie trotted back to her area. Rarity was prancing around her area, scattering sequins and glitter over the table, when the oven timer beeped. In a fluid motion, Rarity pulled the door open and levitated three cakes out, each smaller than the last. Pinkie glared sullenly at the unicorn, puffing air into a balloon before letting it go; the balloon shot away as it deflated, hitting Fluttershy in the head. Applejack, Rainbow and Fluttershy were all having trouble tying balloons with their hooves, while Pinkie's dexterous hooves, so used to such work, had no problems. Twilight tied balloons with her magic, and Rarity didn't even need or want any balloons anyway. Very little sabotage went on, though after watching Applejack struggle for ages with a balloon, Rainbow subtly flicked a cocktail stick at it. The balloon burst, and Applejack was back to square one. Finally, as the sky outside turned orange with the sunset, Pinkie blew her whistle. Rainbow looked over from where she was rummaging in Area 7, Rarity and Twilight paused in the spells they were casting, Fluttershy quickly pressed a final decoration onto her cake and Applejack placed her apple pie in pride of place on her table. "Attention ponies!" declared Pinkie. "Preparation time is now over. You must now wait at the entrance to the barn and hand out your invitations." Rarity levitated a stack of glittery cards over to her, Twilight carefully straightened out a pile of dark blue papers, Applejack and Fluttershy gathered up some envelopes, while Rainbow just put a hoof to her head. She knew she'd forgotten something. Pinkie just strapped on a silly outfit. They stood outside as ponies began to filter in; they spread out over every area, nodding appreciatively or sometimes shaking their heads. Rainbow's area was completely carpeted with cotton wool to mimic clouds, while the walls were adorned with rainbow-coloured paper chains. A disco ball hung above, slightly out of place. A large cake, uniced, sat on the table. It was cleverly streaked with rainbow colours, but upon biting into it most ponies shuddered; the taste of food colouring was overpowering. Other objects on offer included a respectable blueberry punch and toffee apples. Applejack's area still bore the barn feel; she had replaced the neat table with a bale of hay, and the floor was littered with straw. However, balloons hung on the walls and the delicious scent of apple pie filled the area. Lively rodeo music set the mood. Beside the delicious pie lay a dish of crystalline strawberry and apple punch, made smooth by the blender, as well as some fresh apple cider. This party was very good as far as most visitors were concerned, simple but effective. Fluttershy's area was somehow homely and gentle; paper butterflies fluttered loosely on strings, and streamers were neatly hung around the walls. The carrot cake was almost competition for Applejack's pie, and it was accompanied by fresh orange juice and apple juice. Rarity's party was stunning; clever magical light illuminated the hard-earned crystal disco ball, casting lovely flashes of spectrum over the glitter and sequins, much more beautiful than Rainbow's rather garish colours. A spectacular layer cake reared over the scene, covered in white icing and decorated by purple lilacs which matched the tablecloth perfectly. The cake wasn't quite up to the standard of Applejack's pie, but all who beheld it agreed it was stunning. The sparkling lemonade and delicate canapes which accompanied it just seemed to fade into the background in contrast. Pinkie's area was a typical Pinkie party; streamers, balloons, sweets, cake- Pinkie's layer cake, though tasty, could not compete in looks with Rarity's. It was decorated with pink icing and piped white edges. Many tasty cupcakes and snacks were crammed onto the table so that it groaned under the weight. Twilight's area didn't look anything special; it was hung with ribbons, streamers, a few balloons. But as soon as one set hoof over the tape border, the soul filled with delight and felt like dancing to the joyful music coming from a seemingly invisible speaker. The food was actually rather tasty, and soon a large crowd had collected in Twilight's area. Each pony cast their vote, and Spike took the box and counted the votes, before returning to announce the results. "The winner is... Twilight!" Twilight smiled. The others cast a few surprised glances, but then waited for the rest of the results. "In second place... Rarity. Third is Pinkie, fourth is Applejack, fifth is Fluttershy, and sixth is Rainbow." A few of the contestants looked put out, but Pinkie perked them out by shouting, "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's PARTY!" The ponies danced and celebrated until Luna's moon was high in the sky, and then retired to their beds, with the promise of a dressmaking contest the following day. Author's Note Only two chapters left now... or is there? Muahahaha. Please give me feedback! As long as it's constructive, it's appreciated!
Show More Fashion Sense Than Rarity (Part 1)Applejack and Rainbow Dash knocked on the door of Carousel Boutique, and it opened with a jingle. Rarity stood there smiling. "Ah, come in! I've just finished getting everything ready." The scene was almost reminiscent of yesterday's competition. Six identical pony mannequins were scattered in an organised way around the room. Each mannequin had a table beside it with a sewing machine, tape measure and pencil and paper on it. In the centre of the room was a large pile of fabrics, though unlike yesterday the fabrics were neatly folded, colour coded and stacked neatly, with ribbons coiled up in a glass dish beside them. Another pair of dishes stood by, filled with sparkling gems of many colours. In due course, Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie arrived and Rarity explained the competition rules. "Now, dressmaking is not something which can be rushed, so you have two days. I'm sorry Twilight, but the magic contest will have to move on to the day after tomorrow; a good dress cannot be made in a single day. The contest ends at sunset on the second day. You can use any of the fabrics here, but we'll have no rampaging around and fighting over them. Get them down quietly and safely, with wings or magic. If you have neither then the pile is not so large that you can't reach-" "That's alright Rarity, ah've cracked levitation now, and so's Pinkie." Applejack interrupted. "Yeah, me too." said Rainbow. "Well, it's not as good as Twilight's magic, but I can use mine without blowing things up now..." muttered Fluttershy. "Well, that's alright then." said Rarity, though she looked a little scared at Fluttershy's final statement. "Anyway, you can also use the ribbons and gems on your design; however before you even start collecting materials you have to come up with a design. But even before that, we have to pair up!" "Whuh?" the others said in unison. "We're holding a fashion show for these dresses tomorrow night! But you can't wear your own, because the ponies are supposed to vote without knowing who made which dress, so you'll have to make dresses for each other. Now, before we draw names, I volunteer to make Twilight's, since it will be the largest and more complex. Anypony going to disagree?" The other five shook their heads. Twilight was content in the assumption that she would have the best dress, since she couldn't see how any of them could defeat Rarity. Rarity took out a red drawstring bag with pieces of paper in it and passed it around. Rainbow and Applejack drew each other's names, and they laughed together in the knowledge that they would have the two worst dresses. Twilight drew out Pinkie's name, while Pinkie got Fluttershy, leaving Fluttershy on thin ice having to make Rarity's dress. Secretly though, Rarity was quite happy at Fluttershy being the one to make her dress, due to the latter's knowledge of sewing, so she cheerily got their attention again. "Now, you need to take measurements from the pony you're styling for, and then you can get started. Any questions? No? Alright then- go!" Rarity whisked the tape measure off her table as well as a bit of paper and the pencil. She stood near Twilight, taking measurements of her body, wings, legs and neck, all the time scribbling frantically on her paper. Then the measuring stopped. Twilight stood still as a statue as Rarity gazed thoughtfully at her, and then the white unicorn's eyes lit up. "Idea!" she trilled as she skipped over to the fabric pile. Twilight edged away to grab her own measuring tape and tried to measure Pinkie with it. However Pinkie was in the process of measuring Fluttershy, so she wouldn't hold still. Rainbow and Applejack were trying hard to scribble on the paper while measuring each other at the same time. Pinkie finished with Fluttershy's measuring and tried desperately to stay still while Twilight measured her. Rainbow had finished with Applejack and wanted to get going but Applejack still had to measure Rainbow's wings, so the cyan temporary-alicorn stamped her hooves on the spot with impatience. Rarity was in a world of her own, already marking out cutting lines on a piece of cyan fabric. She didn't seem to hear when Fluttershy approached her, only noticing the yellow temporary-alicorn when she turned towards the fabric pile and bumped into her friend. "Oh, hello, Fluttershy, darling." Rarity looked on edge; Applejack was sorting through the pile of fabrics and getting close to the silver velvet Rarity needed. "What is it?" Fluttershy levitated the tape measure into the air with her aquamarine magic. "Oh. Okay, I... uh..." Rarity looked panicked as Applejack pulled the silver fabric out, only to sigh in relief as the orange unicorn dropped it after Rainbow shot her a don't-even-think-about-it look. Rarity stayed as still as she could in her anxiety to get her hooves on the silver velvet as Fluttershy measured her, and when the yellow temporary-alicorn finally finished, Rarity nodded to her friend, her hooves clattering on the floor in her anxiety. But during the two second delay in which Rarity tried to remember what she was so anxious about, Fluttershy had crossed to the pile and picked up the silver velvet from where it lay on the floor. All of the measurements were done, and so an air of concentration filled the room. Rarity glanced between her mannequin and Twilight, trying to figure out how her 'Idea' could work without the silver velvet. Twilight was sorting through pink fabrics while Pinkie was being a nuisance to Fluttershy- as the latter began to cut out pieces of fabric to Rarity's measurements, Pinkie was holding up different shades of turquoise and aquamarine fabric to Fluttershy's eyes, trying to find a match. The yellow temporary-alicorn was obviously fighting the urge to swat the pink pony away. Applejack had found the bold rainbow-striped fabric and had taken it aside, while Rainbow was messing around with greens, oranges and reds. Applejack muttered to her rival that she'd rather not look like a set of traffic lights, earning a scowl in reply. Finally, Rarity got back to work, substituting the silver for a very pale. shimmery blue. For the next hour, all that could be heard was the snip of scissors and the faint rustle of fabric, accompanied by the odd clatter of hooves as one of the mares went to collect some resources from the pile. Finally, the whirr of a sewing machine hummed into life, only to be quickly stifled and replaced by the horrible sound of the same machine being jammed up. Applejack furiously started bashing the machine in a futile attempt to make it stop chewing up her carefully cut fabric, and had to be pulled away by Twilight as the fabric was torn to shreds. After that, Rarity called time-out to teach the others how to use the sewing machines. When the lesson was over, silence fell once more. No pony wanted to be the first to use the machines, save Rarity, who was still fitting her design together. At last, Rainbow made a move, and the sound of the machine filled the room. All of the other ponies had their concentration disrupted, again save Rarity who simply folded her ears against her head and kept working, humming quietly beneath the din. Soon after, five sewing machines were running. Rarity knew exactly what she was doing with her machine, while Twilight had paid very close attention to the lesson and was cautiously following the instructions. Fluttershy wasn't using her machine, instead favouring hoof-stitching. But for the other three, the whole thing had descended into what was obviously a fabric fight. After Pinkie's machine shredded the fabric she had been using into confetti, that's exactly what she had used it as. A piece of flying fabric had got into a deeply concentrating Rainbow's eye. Her machine had then also become a mincer on her fabric.The storm of flying fabric had distracted Applejack enough for her hooves to slip, making a mess of her fabric too. Pinkie, Applejack and Rainbow had then flung themselves into war, using the tattered strips of what would have been Fluttershy and Applejack's dresses as ammo, but all of this very quietly, so that Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy didn't become aware of the raging battle until the remains of Rainbow's ill-fated dress landed on Twilight's head. Rarity had wanted the three disqualified, but Twilight and Fluttershy argued so strongly that the white unicorn was forced to relent. And so fresh fabric was fetched and concentrated silence fell once more, although occasionally the veterans would catch one another's eye and share a quiet snigger. The first day passed like a blur. At the end of the day, varying levels of progress had been made. Rarity and Fluttershy had both assembled the torso of the dress and were preparing the skirt, while Twilight was a little further behind them, just finishing the pink torso of Pinkie's dress. All Pinkie had to show for the day was a rather rough bit of fabric wrapped around the body, with two crude sleeves sewn onto it. Rainbow and Applejack had both made the skirts of their dresses but all of the fabric for the torso section had been turned into confetti. Rarity bid goodnight to her friends as the sun set, and then, closing the door, sighed and quietly began to clear up. Author's Note This contest is in two parts due to it lasting two days. Enjoy and please comment!
Care More Deeply Than FluttershyThe next day was cloudy and cool. Fluttershy yawned, stretching her legs and opening her eyes. Then she sprung upwards in shock at the sight of two stern, beady black eyes glaring at her. Fluttershy hovered over her bed, looking down in surprise at the white rabbit who was looking up at her. "Oh, Angel." scolded Fluttershy. "You scared me..." The rabbit waved a paw at her, then pointed to the clock. It was 8:30. "Oh, sorry, Angel. Um... you have to wait for breakfast today, because my friends are coming over for a competition..." Fluttershy flinched Angel's eyes narrowed and in a rage he began to shred the blankets with his wicked little claws. Winona uncurled herself from her spot at the side of Applejack's bed and leaped onto the duvet, scrabbling with her paws at her owner. Applejack grumbled, trying to push the dog away, but Winona yapped crossly and, grasping the duvet in her teeth, pulled the covers off onto the floor. "Whuh?" Applejack scrabbled blindly for the duvet, but couldn't find it. She scowled at the dog, but Winona just wagged her tail. Applejack looked thoughtfully at her pet. "Ya know, I think I care for you pretty well, ain't that right Winona?" Winona barked happily. Applejack smiled. "And ya understand every word I say. This is gonna be a two-pony race today- just me and Fluttershy." Rarity's alarm clock went off with a loud ring and she sat up sharply in bed, displacing Opalescence who had been curled up on the pillow. With an angry meow the cat tumbled from the bed, landing neatly on all four paws and stalking moodily towards the window, tail in the air. Rarity pulled her eye-covers off and saw the cat leap onto the windowsill. Just as Opal was about to make her leap for freedom Rarity seized her with her magic and slammed the window shut. Opal hissed crossly, but Rarity paid little attention; she put the cat down on the bed and began to do her make-up by the mirror, talking to her pet all the while. "Oh it's going to be so much fun, Opal, darling. You'll be pampered today by all my friends... though you get quite enough attention from me." Rarity looked at her cat's lush coat, pretty ribbons and gem-studded collar and smiled. "Oh yes, I think only Fluttershy will have any chance against me today." Through the snow white unicorn's mind flashed images; memories- Opal hissing and spitting at her, Opal swiping sharp claws at her, Opal digging claws into her coat and refusing to let go- but Rarity dismissed them all. She smiled at her disgruntled cat and turned back to the mirror. Rainbow Dash turned over in her bed. She only woke when a whirring hum reached her ears and a scaly leg poked her. "Huh?" Rainbow sat up to see her pet tortoise, Tank, hovering in front of her in his magical helicopter harness. Very slowly, the tortoise stretched out his neck to touch his nose to hers. Despite the mushiness of the gesture, Rainbow smiled. "We're gonna show 'em who's boss today, right Tank?" The tortoise nodded slowly. "Ha! And Fluttershy's supposed to be the only one who can communicate with animals. Hang on- we're late! C'mon, Tank!" Even the helicopter couldn't keep up with a speeding Rainbow Dash, so she grabbed hold of her pet and dive-bombed through her cloud floor. She cast a quick look at her pet in case their speed was scaring him, but she needn't have worried; Tank was clearly loving every second. He was turning into a real speed demon. Rainbow smiled and kept flying. Twilight was already awake, pacing her bedroom. Spike was still asleep, but Owlowiscious was standing on his perch and watching her with huge yellow eyes. "Ok, it's time to head to Fluttershy's." said Twilight, to nopony in particular. "Who?" said Owlowiscious. "You know, Fluttershy. You like her. We've been to the pet picnics before. Now, let's go." Owlowiscious flapped over to perch on Twilight's back. The alicorn descended the stairs, but at the bottom, she turned to look fondly at her pet and number two assistant. "We'll win this contest today, won't we Owlowiscious?" "Who?" "We will. Me and you, Owlowiscious." "Who?" "Owlowiscious. That's your name." "Who?" "Oh, forget it." groaned Twilight, and she left the library. Outside, she almost walked straight into Pinkie, who was hopping up and down. Twilight kept one eye on the pink unicorn horn on her friend's head, which sparked with magic every now and then. Gummy was standing in front of his owner, staring ahead with his glassy purple eyes. Twilight shivered, then looked at Pinkie. "Aren't you excited for this competition today? It's gonna be soooo fun!" chanted Pinkie. "Yes, but I think maybe Fluttershy might win..." said Twilight doubtfully. "Yeah, but I know Gummy knows exactly what I mean when I talk to him, even if he doesn't talk back! I know exactly what he likes and dislikes, and I can sense when he's happy or sad, so I think I have a good chance! Anyway, if I'm going to win I have to get there- so, gotta run!" In a blur of pink and green, Pinkie and Gummy were gone. Fluttershy and Angel were waiting when the others arrived. Pinkie got there first, shortly followed by Applejack, then Rainbow Dash. Tank hovered about as Winona sniffed curiously at a vacant-eyed Gummy. Angel just glared daggers at the ponies. Twilight and Rarity trotted in side by side, and though Owlowiscious swooped over to sit in a nearby tree Opalescence remained on her owner's back; when Winona came over to investigate she arched her back and hissed and Rarity winced as the cat's claws gripped her back. Fluttershy gathered them all together to explain the rules. "Okay, I've divided this contest into three sections. They are communication, feeding and grooming. First we'll do communication- Ow!" Angel had kicked her in the leg. Fluttershy cringed and said, "Alright, feeding is first. Then communication, then grooming. Now, rules; if you have wings, you can use them, but we'll be using flying animals for your communications round. We all have magic, but I'd prefer you didn't use that since- well, I'm new to magic and I've already caused a few accidents- nothing serious, but I'd prefer you didn't use magic for this. So, yes to flying but no to magic. The feeding round is where each one of you will individually assign the correct food to each animal. The rest of us will go over there so that we can't see, and Angel will record the scores. Then you can go to your own animal, present it with its food and make sure they eat it all up. No force-feeding, please, but try gentle persuasion by all means. Now, we'll start the feeding competition. If you could put your pets over there..." The pets were lined up in front of empty food dishes. Fluttershy laid out some fish, some salad, some soup (everypony but Pinkie looked confused) a dish of what appeared to be dog food, some carrots and, with quite a bit of sobbing and sniffling, a dead mouse. "Terence died yesterday evening." sniffled Fluttershy, "but he very kindly volunteered for this before he died." The other ponies shifted awkwardly. "But some of these could apply to two or more pets." protested Rainbow. "Well, these are their favourite foods. You should know your own pet's pretty well, and then you should be able to work out which food the others should have. Rainbow Dash, you can go first. Come on, girls, let's go over there. Angel, make sure to record the scores honestly." Rainbow was left on her own with six animals looking at her. Angel was holding a small clipboard and a quill in his paws. "Um..." Rainbow quickly pushed the carrots towards Tank; she knew they were his favourite. Angel ticked something on his sheet. Rainbow then pushed the mixed salad towards Angel, who plucked a leaf from the top and ate it, chewing critically before ticking again on his sheet and looking at her. Rainbow looked from the remaining food to the pets. She hesitantly pushed the dog food towards Winona. Another tick. Rainbow looked at the soup. Surely it had to be Gummy's- there were only so many things you could eat with no teeth. Sure enough, she got another tick. Then she was stuck. Both Owlowiscious and Opal would surely eat mice... but then she remembered whose cat Opal was. As if Rarity's pampered cat had ever caught a mouse in her life. Rarity certainly wouldn't allow her pet to be so uncouth even if the cat had ever wanted to eat mouse. Owlowiscious, on the other hand, tended to go hunting by night; she'd seen him fly by her window a few times with a mouse in his claws, though he'd always been heading back from the Everfree; he knew enough not to kill Fluttershy's mice. Rainbow pushed the fish towards Opal and, with a little revulsion, the mouse towards Owlowiscious. Angel ticked his sheet and then waved her away; as she left Rainbow saw Angel pushing the food back to the places they'd been before, with a bit of irritation coming from the other pets as their food was taken away. Rainbow, Twilight, Pinkie, Applejack and of course Fluttershy got full marks on the food test. Rarity only lost one mark because she refused to touch the dead mouse and Angel was feeling strict. Next, it was feeding time. This was if anything the easier part of the test, since all of the pets were hungry after they'd had no breakfast. Twilight had only to poke the mouse at Owlowiscious for him to scoop up the little body and swallow it; Fluttershy looked away, then muttered a little prayer under her breath. Tank and Winona eagerly tucked in, munching away on their food. Angel was eating too, since he like all the others wanted his owner to win. But apparently, Opal decided that she didn't want Rarity to win so badly that she'd eat when Gummy was beside her, blowing bubbles and gargling in his soup. Rarity begged and pleaded, but though Opal was hungry she only ate two of the four fish before refusing to eat any more. Angel, when he finished eating, padded around, deducting points as he saw fit for any remaining food. In the end, Fluttershy, Rainbow and Twilight were tying for first. Pinkie had had points deducted because a lot of Gummy's soup had ended up on his face and on the grass, while Applejack lost a point because Winona had left a few biscuits. Rarity looked crossly at Opal, but the cat just groomed herself and ignored the glare. "Okay." Fluttershy said, when they had gathered again. "Time for the communications round. You need to move a pet around this course- but it has to be somepony else's pet. This is timed, so make sure the pet understands what it needs to do and fast." "I've got dibs on Winona." said Twilight and Rarity together. "No, we'll draw names from a hat." admonished Fluttershy. But Rainbow, if you want to use your wings you'll have to take Owlowiscious. Twilight, did you want to fly?" "Not particularly..." "Right, then. I'll take Tank, and the rest of you can pick names from this bag." Fluttershy held out a bag. Twilight was paired with Opal, something she looked less than delighted about, though she was at least grateful that she didn't have Gummy or worse, Angel. Applejack got Angel, and they glared at each other as they sat down. Pinkie drew out Winona, leaving Rarity with Gummy. Rarity looked hesitant sitting next to Gummy, and rightly so; as soon as she sat he sprung up and latched his toothless mouth onto her nose. She screamed, trying to shake him off, but to no avail. Fluttershy had built a ground course and then another similar one in the sky. The ground one included tunnels, jumps and crawls, while the sky included hoops to fly through, and bars and poles to dodge around. This time, Pinkie went first. She led Winona around the track quickly; she just called the dog as she herself leapt the jumps or squeezed through the tunnels and the dog followed. It took a little time for Pinkie to explain to the dog the concept of crawling under the net, but Winona finally understood when Pinkie explained in a Southern accent. Winona crossed the finish with a very respectable time. Twilight was next, with Opal. Despite Twilight's best efforts, the cat was too lazy to jump. She passed through the tunnels and went under the net just fine, but finished considerably slower than Winona and that was before her penalties for missing the jumps were added. Applejack went with Angel next. Fluttershy had warned her pet not to cheat and sabotage Applejack's attempts, and with the aid of the Stare, she got him to listen. Angel cleared most of the jumps with great bounds and skittered through tunnels and beneath nets with little difficulty. But on the final, highest jump he underestimated the height and crashed, dizzily staggering over the finish line after some urging from Applejack. Angel went back to his clipboard, shook his head to clear it and awarded himself a penalty. Rarity was still struggling to pull Gummy off her face, so Rainbow began the sky course with Owlowiscious. The owl passed through the hoops with no bother, but clipped his wings a few times on the posts. Angel awarded penalties for this. Fluttershy took Tank around carefully, making sure he lined himself up perfectly for each obstacle to avoid any collisions. Though he got a clear round, the slow and steady tactic meant he was slower than Winona. Finally, Rarity set off with Gummy. Or rather, Rarity set off. Gummy just stood there at the start, blinking. Rarity came back and tried talking. Asking. Begging. Shouting. Prodding. Poking. Shoving. Pushing. All that happened was that Gummy saw a golden opportunity to grab hold of her curly purple mane with his jaws. Rarity screeched like a mad thing, running the whole length of the course before Pinkie caught up to her to prise Gummy off. Angel disqualified Rarity from the round for carrying Gummy through the course. Fluttershy gathered them together to announce the standings so far and explain the rules for grooming. Pinkie, thanks to Winona's performance, was now in the lead by a small margin. Rainbow was in second place and Applejack and Fluttershy in joint third. Twilight had dropped back into fifth due to Opal's misbehaviour, while Rarity remained in last place. "Alright then." Fluttershy said. "Finally, the grooming round. You're with your own pets again, and you have just ten minutes to spruce them up to make them as adorable as possible. You can use anything you have to hoof. These three sweet little fillies will be the judges." Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo appeared from Fluttershy's cottage, while Applejack and Rainbow both made gagging motions at the word 'adorable.' Rarity just looked delighted. "No rules for this one, just keep in the time limit and avoid magic and you'll do fine. Oh, and the animals have to like what they look like." Fluttershy finished. "The ten minutes starts now!" Rarity dived straight in, grabbing hold of Opal and producing ribbons and glitter from her saddlebags; the cat vanished in a cloud of glitter and sequins. Fluttershy was brushing Angel's fur gently, while Twilight mused over Owlowiscious. Applejack and Rainbow stood looking helpless for a minute before springing into action and racing off to collect sticks and leaves. Pinkie was hiding behind a tree to keep what she was doing a secret. The ten minutes ticked by, until finally they were gone. The ponies stopped what they were doing and then lined up, their pets hidden by screens. Rainbow pulled the screen away from Tank. He was absolutely covered in leaves and flowers. Scootaloo, being the fan-filly that she was, instantly declared her love for the style, while her two friends just tilted their heads and looked confused. Winona was just wearing a mane of straw. Applebloom thought it was cute until the dog sneezed and all of the straw fell off. Twilight had clearly thought hard about her owl's new look. She had fluffed up his feathers so that he looked like a little ball of fluff. Sweetie Belle hugged him and declared him 'the fluffiest thing ever.' Angel was like Owlowiscious in some ways, his snowy fur fluffed up. But his ears were hanging down, and he'd opened his eyes extremely wide to look very cute. He drew an "Awwww." from Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. Opal was magnificent- she held her head high in obvious pleasure at her new look. Her fur was so smooth it gleamed, and this was enhanced by the glitter in her fur. A bow sat atop her head and at the base of her tail. But then Pinkie revealed Gummy, and he was an instant winner. Pinkie had dressed him in a little black suit. A rose was gripped in his gums, and he wore small spectacles with shaded lenses. A bowler hat sat atop his head. "That is the cutest thing ever." said Sweetie Belle. Her fellow judges nodded in silent agreement. Angel looked slightly irritated and looked away, as did Opal. But the judges had made up their minds. They put a 1st rosette on the ground before Gummy. Opal got second, and Angel and Owlowiscious tied for third. Winona and Tank got joint fourth, though Scootaloo had wanted to elevate tank to joint third. The scores were totalled, but it was clear Pinkie had triumphed, with Fluttershy scooping second. Twilight took third, while Rarity's second place in grooming allowed her to pull herself up to joint fourth with Applejack and Rainbow, avoiding the shame of coming last. The six ponies gathered together to decide the next day's contest. Rarity was first to voice her opinion. "Dressmaking." "Parties!" argued Pinkie. "Dressmaking." "Parties!" "Dressmaking!" "Parties!" "Okay! Rarity, Pinkie won, so she gets to choose." interrupted Twilight. "Well that's not fair. I didn't get to choose yesterday." pouted Rarity. "Look, Rarity, we'll do dressmaking the day after. No more arguing." said Twilight quickly as Rarity opened her mouth to complain. "Hmph. Fine. But there's no way I'm losing this." said Rarity. And she walked over to Opal. "Come on, Opal. Time to get you back to normal." Rarity started untying ribbons, much to the dismay of Opal. After a brief wrestle, Opal's topknot was back in place and the glitter scoured from her fur. Rarity picked up Opal and dropped the sulking cat onto her back and called out a cheery goodbye. As she rounded the corner a caterwauling set up, featuring the voices of both Rarity and Opalescence as the cat begrudged the loss of her new attire. Author's Note If the ponies are all herbivores and cows and sheep talk in Equestria, what does Applejack feed Winona? A bit of an issue there. Which pet would you have picked as the winner of the grooming?
