And Now a Word from Our Sponsors

And Now a Word from Our Sponsors

The crowd roared as applause echoed off the walls flooding the podium. The judgment was in. Rarity had tears in her eyes, noise in her ears, bright lights shadowing all those ponies gathered here to see the Dragon Lady of Ponyville in all her glory and
all she could think was...Thank you My dearest Spikey Wikey

Models paraded along the runway the fashionable wardrobes of the designers all on display all fabulous all competing all going for broke.

From now to then, then

Spike looked from his corner of the world holding and cuddling those three odd offspring watching the mob in the darkened auditorium the Pongon twins eyes darting from mommy to daddy then to their sister asleep in Spikes arms how she slept in all that noise was a mystery only Celestia or Twilight would know. Actually Twilight has it cataloged already along with studies on , Oh more of that later.
All the drake could think was ...Thank you Rarity

Pinkie stood as Master of Ceremony her hair bouncing as she giggled her smile as wide as the retired Dragon Lord Torches toothy grin.
She held the envelope of the judgment even sealed she knew who was written in as the winner but her Pinkie promise was enforce and it wasn't fair to spill the beans in front of all the ponies who paid good bits for this awards show, after all she couldn't be a meanie pants and spoil everything for everypony and dragon and her coltling and the little pongons and the sleeping dracony. Besides creamy vanilla frosting,
All she could think of was...Chocolate Frosting!

Twilight sat in the Royal suite watching Rarity on stage, the fashion mares tears rolling down her cheeks making a mess of her mascara and ball gown. The Princess clopping her hooves, smiling while squirming in her seat and diving into the excitement of her best friends celebration. Her Royal guard stood behind standing tall smirking at Twilights actions she could be just another star struck filly if not for the Alicorn features. Buttercup leaned down and whispered into her ear cracking an even bigger smile on both their muzzles.
All she could think was...Oh I'm so lucky to have such great friends!
All he could think was...Thanks Spike, tonight's my lucky night!

Sweetie Belle and her date came fashionably late to the Awards Show It wasn't everyday she sang but today setting a rehearsal with
Sapphire Shores and Coloratura was another step in her career with seconds to spare they dashed through the turnstile down the hall
till the other Cutie Marked Crusaders plus one and one ushered the two to their seats jabbering and gawking at all the ponies attending.
With the dimming of the lights everypony waited for the ceremonies to commence.
All they could think was...Wow look at all the ponies!Wait till Rarity gets the great news!I'm NOT a chicken!

Rainbow and Fluttershy with their guests watched with boring anticipation, well for RD it was like watching paint dry and Misses Shy
could hardly contain her excitement, or was it nerves? With Fluttershy no pony could tell as her timid nature and outbursts of scolding
monsters into a hasty retreat had always been confusing for all who came into contact with the Element of Kindness.
Spike had a soft spot for the Saddle Rager with so much buffed power in a meek and mild mare. But that was in the comic book of long ago.
All Rainbow Dash could think was...I can't wait for the broccoli buffet I'm hungry!
All Fluttershy could do was tremble...Oh dear did I leave the iron plugged in or was the stove left on? I need my little Angel Bunny...

Pinkie raised the microphone and screamed "Hello, fillies and colts, fashion ponies of all ages ages ages ages ages ages ages ages
BUZZZZ ZORK! screammmmmmmmmm HummmmmmmmmOopsy doodle!

All the attendees cringed stuffing their hooves into their ears trying to save what was left of their brains for the next zombie attack.
The little dracony in Spikes arms yawned a petit bleat and her eyes flickered to life her infra red zeroing in on the local feeding ground.

"Yo dad unique's awake" the twins echoed together. (Nothing beats advanced tutoring by Auntie Book Horse Sparkle)

"On it!" Spike answered pulling a bottle from who knows where and heating it to perfect sucking temperature with a little puff of flame.

"Ponies ponies ponies! Welcome to the Eighth Annual Manehatten Fashion Awards sponsored by your local
Barn Yard Bargains discount feed bag stores, the Equestrians for a better tomorrow and Sweet Apple Acres your go to farm for APPLEs!
Pinkie spread her hooves out continuing "We have the greatest collection of Equestrias top fashion experts here competing for the
top prize and national recognition but first a word from our other sponsors".

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Remember it can't get any worse if his mug can stop a clock, Stop at the 'Stopped Clock!' We also do repairs after you clean his clock!
Ask for the Doctors Special!
'The Stopped Clock' on the corner of Sixth and Mare".

Rarity watched her competition some very well known and others not so much, Coco Pommel , Sassy Saddles though they
worked for Rarity also had designed their own lines and like a good boss she encouraged them to add to the success of her enterprise.
The two mares winked and waved adding to the excitement including Royal Pin, Hoity Toity , Suri Polomare and Jeff Letrotski.

Spike noticed Suri as well as all attending "Like a bad bit, that's all we need"... He continued to hold the bottle watching it drain.

"And now a break for our sponsor?" Pinkie bellowed looking confused 'Isn't this supposed to be a fashion show?'

"You deserve a break today get off your flank and get away to Burger Princess! Where everypony is treated like Equestrian Royalty,
serving only the best one hundred percent pure oats! Follow it with a great frosty alfalfa vanilla flavored shake with a side of hay fries!
Come with your ticket stub and get five bits off and a free balloon! For a limited time while supplies last Not to be used with any other offer. Not approve by Equestrian food and drug admin. "

"Does your mane look dull and that tail of yours look like an old toilet brush? My little ponies it's time to renew that fur rejuvenate that
head and plot just apply and rinse in two easy steps! So easy it's 'Fresh and Easy' mane fur and tail color! At your local Barnyard Bargains".

"Read more books! Visit your local library and bakery,A mind is a terrible thing to waste except muffins! A public service announcement".

Pinkie awoke with a startled snort "Hey everypony wasn't that really informational?" her voice waned "and funnnnnn?"
"Wellllllll lets get with the program our contestants will now give a brief statement as to why they should be awarded the coveted one and
only Eighth Annual Manehatten Fashion Award trophy a cash bit prize a gift certificate to Filthy Riches Barnyard Bargain and a years supply of canned apples from Sweet Apple Acres!

Pinkie ushered in the group lining them up for her interview the lights glared down like a detectives room ready for grilling the ~~criminal~~.. interviewee, sweat glistened eyes squinted nerves raised to a raw state of 'WHAT THE HEY AM I DOING HERE?'
Pinkie had that thought all along after the first break.

"Coco Pommel what do you have to say to our judges and audience before the next advertisement?"

"I'd like to thank everypony specially my friend Rarity if it wasn't for her support and help I'd still be an unknown in the shadows,
I am very honored to be here and hope that fillies all over can have the chance like I've had, thank you , thank you all.

"Thank you Coco, Royal Pin what would you like to say?"

"It's really cool to be here tonight Hope I get to win, I worked very hard and cant wait for the after party. Hey Pinkie are you free later?"

A collective slap was heard across auditorium as everypony on stage and in the audience pulled a massive face hoof.

"Yeah... Oh boy. . .Hoity Toity same question". ' What a pinhead! Wait till my Doomie hears this...He might already have if he's here?'

"I can only thank myself the pinnacle of pure perfection in fashion, I Hoity Toity will be truly humbled when I am awarded the prize
of the night, Besting all who come before me the guardian of spool and bolt, Oh Rarity I must see your wonderful line up next week and
how are the foals? I surely must remember to service your last invoice..."

"THANK YOU HOITY TOITY!" Pinkie shoved the prissy colt back into line "Jeff Letrotski your thoughts on the fashion industry ".

"Well man it's like I do all my own stuff like why would I want to ware this fru fru stuff..."

"Welcome to Barnyard Bargains where your bit goes further and convenience is a hoof step away, with over 57 locations all over Equestria
to serve you! Be a suc ,GET a free sucker for the kids when you spend over fifty bits on kiddy Saturday at Barnyard Bargains!"

"... So that's what it is man, Like life in a coffee can ya got to know which way that wind is blowin" he shrugged and stepped back into line.

"Rarity any words you'd like to share with everypony here?" Rarity took a breath and stepped forward.

Pinkie gave her friend that big smile that very big smile that creepy - I know what you did last summer - smile of hers.

"I would like to thank all of you who share the happiness that fashions brings, thank you all my dear friends and family for without you
I would have nothing and to the future I thank my dearest Spikey Wikey and our little ones, I'm truly blessed and humbled".

She took a breath once more "To fabulousness".

"Double your pleasure double your fun double the freshness of Crystal Dragon Gum! get your double pack today at Barnyard Bargain store".

For reasons unknown Rarity gasped and slinked back to the line up with the most delightful blush creeping out from behind her make up.

Pinkie put a hoof to her snout for reasons known to her 'Give it a break for goodness sakes I'd rather do the running of the leaves naked!'

"And our final contestant Suri Polomare" Pinkies next question shot from the hip "what are the ethical bounds that a competitor must set as a personal standard to be considered to be fair and square and being able to conduct herself without excessive oversight of the sanctioning
body of the organization during a heated competition?"

Crickets echoed throughout the auditorium as the pink mare rolled her eyes "So much for a flash back run the commercials".

"We at Sweet Apple Acres take pride in our apples, apple sauce, apple pies, apple dumplings, baked apples, apple chips, fried apples
apple fritters, apple butter, apple slices, spiced apples, apple cider..."

"Snore ! apples Snore ! apples Snore ! apples Snore ! apples Snore".

" Spikey dear! Please... ".

"Snorkle ! grunt snort "Sorry wafu dear".

The auditorium crowd snickered as the dragon rose from his slumber the pongons giggling at the situation too.

"Thank you Suri Polomare".

"But I didn't have a chance to say anything".

"Didn't you?"

"Yes".

"Really?"

"You trying to cheat me?"

"You would know".

"WHAT?"

"Oh nothing".

"In the big city I had to fight my way to the top and my work will show that I'm the top designer not only in Manehatten but all over Equestria!" Suri gulped another lung full of air " No pony will . . ."

"Nama?"

"Nopony will take that away from, Nama?"

"Nama?" bleated the little filly unicorn as it wobbled on it's tiny hooves up onto the stage like a fuzzy torpedo
she made a bee line right to her marsh mellow mommy. Raritys magical hold raised the foal to the safety of her back where she nestled.

Suri looked at the sight "Cute foal so you dumped the dragon, I knew it wouldn't work" Suri smirked "Who's the lucky stud?"

The gasp of the audience all at once sucked Pinkies contacts right out of her eyes. It was the gasp heard across Equestria!

Two irate pongons leaped to their mothers defense "You leave our Mom and little sister alone!" claws at the ready till Spike gathered
them up and waddled over to retrieve the little missy from his lady.

"I'm in big trouble aren't I?" Spike whispered into Raritys ear as he hoisted the baby foal into his arms.

"Only for sleeping on duty my dear" she whispered back giving him a little snuggle.

"What about her?" He was answered with a sly smile and a flutter of lashes. He could only think...Nightmare moon's coming to breakfast.

Then she motioned to Suri and spoke in a loud stage voice "Suri please be a dear and let me introduce you to my family".

The line up was introduced by the Dragon Lady of Ponyville her voice filled with pride and love.

"This is our twins Red Ruby and Crimson Ruby both are fine dragon colts and their sister Unique Sapphire, you can thank Sweetie Belle for the inspiration for their names".

Rarity bowed to her sister who in response yelled back "Aw come on it's all red!"

"This is my beloved drake a simple soul who is as generous as my Element the father of all three of my fabulous foals".

Suri awkwardly stepped near the family smiling a fake smile...I cant let her win! Stupid little lizard freaks!

"And now for the final parade of fashions all the designs of this season where voted on by a secret panel of judges all scores tabulated
in advance and sealed by Royal Academy of Fashion, Who will be named the winner! Soon after these brief commercials".

"Warts got you down? Twilights magical 'Wart Be Gone' one application and warts vanish, just Like magic, at your local Barnyard Bargains".

"Music enriches all the foals at Octavia Melodys School of Classical Music come learn the song of your heart, young or old you too
can feel the life that is music, next door to DJPon3 recording studio across from the Oat Burger stand on Mane street".

Pinkie cleared the stage and raised her hooves "I cant take it anymore!" she screamed out over the noise her voice cracking.
She marched to the center and ushered the contestants to form a line as her hair flattened out her hooves pounding the floor
"No more commercials here is the winner!"

Rarity thought...I need to pee.

Spike thought...Looks like I'm sleeping on the couch tonight.

Twilight thought...Pinkie we have a problem.

The contestants thought...Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me what an I doing here?

Rainbow thought...They'd better save me some stupid broccoli, I'm really hungry!

Red Ruby and Crimson Ruby thought...Wow that broccoli buffet was great, I couldn't believe how much we ate!

Unique Sapphire thought...Nama nom nom nom nom nom.

The pressure was unnerving unrelenting unraveling, Pinkie was worn out the envelope opened the name spilled from the letterhead.

The winner is Suri Polomare!

The whole of the auditorium was quiet as a grave yard and just as deadly all eyes locked on Pinkie and the 'winner' standing
dead center of the stage, Pinkies eyes darted about looking for a safe haven in a sea of angry eyes.

Rarity trotted to the pink piece of meat standing on the stage and gave her a gentle hug before escorting her off to the safety of her
mismatched family.

"Spikey I think we should let Pinkie stay with us till this whole little show blows over, don't you think so dear?"

Spike nodded quietly thinking...Ice cream for all tonight

As the group passed Suris collection little Unique bleated out a violet magical flame her hoof pointing to the designers winning pieces
"Namas dess Namas dess" lines of violet flowed over the fabric swatches outlining the patterns on Suris wares or rather copies of
'Namas dess' Raritys designs with extra chrome and bling.

Raritys family and friends quietly exited the growing storm not saying a thing their heads held high after all they already had their prizes.

Back at the crystal castle AFTER PARTY the Elements families and friends gathered, they had a catered buffet better then the show did.

Rarity cooed "Spikey dear it was no fault of yours" he thought...Goody no couch tonight!

"And she had the nerve to ask if I could deliver her years worth of canned apples to her place after the rules said it was her responsibility
to come and pick them up from Filthy Riches warehouse."

"I cant believe somepony ate all the broccoli at the buffet".

"Not only the broccoli but all the goodies everything including the crystals!"

While back at the auditorium before the riot burned the place down, they all thought...

How did this cheat win? Life's not fair!

And now a word from our sponsors...

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