Author's Note

Well, this story certainly became more popular than I had intended. As a thank you, here's a little bonus chapter... enjoy!

Epilogue: Here's Your Chance

"Yes, vunderbar!" Photo Finish said excitedly as her camera flashed madly.

Only the ponies seated closest to her gave the fashion photographer looks of annoyance, but thanks to the loud beats set by the famous DJ Vinyl Scratch, Photo Finish's exclamations were drowned out to everypony else as they watched the models showing off Equestria's newest fashion designs.

Backstage, a controlled chaos was underway as the show managers, makeup assistants, designers, and models all rushed around. The models would all have to quickly change their wardrobe and reapply their makeup before rushing to line up for their time on the catwalk. There they were able to get a quick break before slowly making their way down the stage, pausing at the end in various poses before slowly walking backstage to start the cycle of mayhem all over again.

"Makeup! Makeup!"

"No no no! Where'd that sash go? I need that sash!"

"Ah! The trim is fraying on the sleeve! Quick, fix it!"

Having just finished her third walk out on the stage, Sweetie Belle came back to her sister and sat down, happy that she was done until the next category began about an hour later. There was still another twenty minutes or so of the current category of formal dresses, and she looked on in amazement as she watched her older sister hard at work.

"There, and one... last... there! All done." Rarity said as she put the finishing touches on another mare's outfit. "Now do be careful with your stride; too long a step and you'll tear it."

Sweetie then looked over to where Fleur was being helped into a black dress with golden trim. The older mare caught Sweetie's gaze and smiled while offering a wink, causing Sweetie Belle to blush. She would have never guessed that she'd find herself attracted to another mare, much less one older than her like Fleur, but after they had finished dinner with Rarity and Fancy Pants, Sweetie and Fleur had gone back to Fleur's hotel room where she had tackled the younger mare onto her bed and-

A sudden shriek caused Sweetie Belle to snap out of her reminiscing. Looking in the direction that the noise had come from, Sweetie saw that one of the models that had just finished their turn on the catwalk had tripped over a wire and was nursing her ankle. "Ow! I think I sprained it!" she grimaced.

Two of the stage managers rushed over to assess the situation, as did Rarity. "Can you walk?" one of the staff members asked.

The fallen model gingerly put some weight on her injured leg and quickly shook her head no. "I can't do it." she sobbed.

Rarity's face fell. "You must! You're fashioning one of my dresses next! I can't exclude it from this session. It puts everything else together!"

Sweetie Belle quickly hurried forward to Rarity. "I can wear it! I'm done all my other outfits." she offered, but Rarity shook her head.

"It wouldn't fit you, this dress was fitted just for her. Oh, this is awful!" she said, swooning dramatically.

A loud cough for attention caused Sweetie Belle and Rarity to look up. "I think I can help." Diamond Tiara said as she tossed something aside. "I can model that dress, I'm the only one close to her in size."

Rarity immediately jumped up with her tape measure and began taking quick measurements of Diamond Tiara. "Yes... yes, I do believe you are. It'd... need a quick fix... here... yes, I can make this work!" Rarity exclaimed, quickly motioning for her assistant Coco Pommel to come help. "Quick, darling, we only have a few minutes to get this ready! We need to shorten this part a bit, then..."

Curious as to what Diamond Tiara had thrown aside, Sweetie Belle picked up the wadded up material and saw it was a length of tape. The same kind of tape that was used to keep all the electrical wires taped to the floor...

"Diamond Tiara!" Sweetie hissed angrily, spinning around to confront her classmate but Rarity and Coco had already worked their magic and fixed the dress to fit the mare in question.

Diamond smiled as she looked at the dress in front of her. "Hurry, put it on me! It's almost time!" the snobbish pony demanded.

Sweetie Belle stepped forward to speak up but held her tongue, remembering how important this week was for her sister. She balled her fists but decided to hold her tongue as the damage was already done. Still, she hated the smirk of success Diamond Tiara wore as Rarity and Coco placed the short dress on her and smoothed out every last detail.

Sweetie Belle suddenly felt a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, Sweetie." Fleur whispered softly in her ear before walking over to Rarity. Fleur whispered something to Rarity, who then ran out of the room faster than Rainbow Dash had when Cider Season started last fall. Sweetie Belle had no idea what Fleur had told her sister, but she returned moments later just as Diamond Tiara was putting on her shoes.

"Diamond, hurry up! You're on in twenty seconds." Coco said worriedly.

"Calm down, I'll be fine. You're just slowing me down!" Diamond Tiara spat at the timid pony.

Rarity quickly rushed over to Diamond Tiara. "Oh thank goodness, I almost forgot a piece of the outfit. If you'll let me just-"

"Diamond, you're on in ten!" a stage manager notified them.

"Geez, Rarity, whatever it is, hurry up!" Diamond Tiara shouted impatiently as she put the finishing touches on her shoes and stockings.

"I... very well." Rarity said, lifting up the hem of Diamond's skirt while grasping the forgotten item with her magic.

"If your forgetfulness ruins my debut here, you'll be done he-GYAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"