ACT FOUR

Twilight and Spike were at the Rainbow Castle having a quiet time reading and napping, when the Friendship Map gave off a warning that there was a little friendship trouble in New Manehatten, between Rarity, Pinkie and Applejack.

When the girls each told the story, exactly how it was, “I see…” Twilight remarked “Well, you certainly did manage to make things a whole lot worse, I can see. You’re just lucky that Manny Collars didn’t call in the authorities.”

“We already said we were sorry…” said Pinkie.

“Um, I don’t think it’s us you should be apologizing to.” said Spike.

“Spike’s right…” said Twilight “But on the other hand, I can sort of understand. I’ll admit that Manny hasn’t exactly been acting too good either, and if you really want him to forgive you…”

“Yes, yes… of Sweet Celestia, yes!” cried Rarity.

“Well, then… maybe if you try showing him how sorry you really are, and how much you’ve changed it just may help.”

Rarity’s eyes lit up “I have the perfect idea how.” she cried, and she dashed off, and she came back almost instantly, having purchased some fabrics, materials and a sewing machine.

Over the next few days, Rarity began to create several outfits for her friends, even Spike to model in.

Not a single one of the others had any idea of what she was planning.

At the end of the week, Manny Collars received an invitation to a small fashion show that was about to take place in town that very night.

It seemed legitimate, but there was no signature enclosed. He already began to have suspicions, but never being one to turn down an invite to a fashion show…

…that night, he along with many others attended in the town square, where a large stage and walkway were setup.

He also found a special seat that was reserved just for him, but away from all the other spectators, and in a good view of the stage.

Soon, the show began, and Rarity came out and took the stage and welcomed everyone… much to Manny’s frustration, “I should’ve known.” he grumbled, and he wanted to leave, but he stopped when Rarity announced, “What you are about to see are a set of original designs for future projects, and they all were originated by one…Manny Collars.”

Manny’s ears gave a twitch, and many ponies saw him and looked his way.

The fashion music started, and Pinkie Pie came out wearing an outfit that Manny recognized too well. “That’s one of my dresses!”

Pinkie was wearing a white, sleeveless top with a pink and sparkling gown. It was called “Two-Toned.”

Applejack came out wearing not a gown, but a hot farm rancher’s ensemble-- a brown blanket stitched vest, with yellow diamonds studded round the edges, with a blue shirt underneath, and a green short skirt, all topped off with a red kerchief round her neck. “Western Wonder” it was called.

Manny watched with astonishment. He could hardly believe this was all happening. He could even hear some of the spectators complimenting the outfits.

“So beautiful…”

“Manny designed those? He’s a genius.”

“I can’t wait until they come out. I’ll buy one of each.”

Rarity remembered some outfits that Manny, back when he was Needle Stich, wanted to make but never quite was able to master. As a result, he never completed them nor distributed them, and abandoned those projects all together.

Until now, he had forgotten all about them.

Easily, one of the best outfit pieces to gaze at was Twilight in a wedding dress, and it was called “The Princess Bride”

It had a long flowing gown of pure white silk with a long train attached to it. Large imitation white roses were decorated along the dress in wide patterns. It was long sleeved over Twilight’s front legs, with beautiful silvery sparkling ruffles at the shoulder. The veil was made of light golden colored tulle, and stretched as far as the long train did.

Spike came out, dressed in a little white tuxedo and a top hat, carrying a silver crown with red rubes in it on a pillow. Twilight bent her head down and he carefully fit the crown on her head.

She looked too beautiful for anyone to say a thing, but there were cries of joy complete with tears of envy and loveliness. Some of the stallions had hearts flowing around their heads at how pretty Twilight looked.

Manny, he was so speechless and heart-struck; he was frozen in a shocked daze.

Rarity noted this, and felt she was really making a breakthrough.

As all her friends took the stage, Rarity made the closing speech. “As I have said, Manny Collars had been making these in secret, and only now has he finally perfected their creations. If you wish to see more and purchase them, all you need is show your care and support which he needs.”

The crowd went wild with applause, and many of them already huddled around Manny, asking for his autograph, asking when the lineups would happen. Some were even offering him money to make the outfits for them first and have them on layaway.

Manny could see his business already tripling in profits and popularity with all these new orders and potential ideas.

Yet, in all the commotion, he gazed back up at Rarity, and she gazed at him with a friendly loving smile, but he didn’t feel like he could reciprocate, and did not smile back.

Even if he could she wouldn’t see him as the crowds continued to huddle around him.

“I gotta hand it to you, Rarity; that was a mighty sweet thing you just did.” said Applejack.

“Manny’s sure to want to forgive you and be your friend after all this.” added Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie Pie.” snapped Twilight “Look, I’m not saying it’s not possible, but I’m saying just don’t get ahead of yourselves. You can’t just force someone to be your friend.”

Rarity hung her head low “You may be right, Twilight, but… I really just want to make it up to Needle… or rather Manny. I don’t’ want him to loathe and despite me for the rest of his life.”

“Seriously…?!” Spike asked in shock “No one could do that… not to you, Rarity.” he was acting all lovey-dovey, and Rarity smiled at him thankfully, but she still hoped something good would turn up from her little stunt.

Good things did happen, for Manny at least. During the past few days, he made copies of the clothes from the fashion show and sold them to many customers, and he received many offers to have his fashion-lines featured in papers, magazines, and even on large billboards.

Manny could hardly believe Rarity did all this for him, and so… he decided to at least compensate her.

On the day Rarity and the others were supposed to return home to Ponyville, Rarity received a package delivered to the hotel room.

“It’s from Manny Collars.” She cried, and she hastily opened the package, and there to her delight was the Fiery Heart dress she originally wanted, absolutely free of charge.

“Oh, my, this is simply delightful!” she practically squealed as she picked up the dress, clutching it to her body she danced about.

Pinkie joined her in the happy-happy moment.

Twilight then noticed an open letter at the bottom of the package. She lifted it up with her magic, but she didn’t notice a second letter beneath it, but Spike did, and he picked it up in his claws.

Twilight read the first letter aloud…

“To Rarity…

Thanks to you and your friends, my business and popularity have increased immensely. I cannot believe I am saying this, but I am very grateful for what you have done, and I wish to compensate you with this gown you wanted with no extra charge. I have also unbanned you and your friends from my store. You are welcome to shop whenever you wish.”

Rarity felt like she was glowing. “I… I don’t what to say.” she cried softly “I knew he still had some friendship inside of him.”

“I said that I had unbanned you from my store…” Spike said as he read the second letter aloud, prompting the others to all gaze at him as he continued to read…

“I said that I had unbanned you from my store… but this, one no account means that I wish to reconcile with you. That is a completely different matter!

I know what we’re trying to do, and I’m afraid it does not erase what you did to me in the past. I will cease my hostilities with you and your friends, but I cannot simply put it all we have been through behind me, nor can I simply forgive and forget like that. That is something for me to decide on my own accord.

I only write this to you as I cannot bear to say to your face. It would probably be for the best if our paths never crossed again… for your sake as well as my own, and both our reputations.

…Manny Collars/Needle Stitch”

The others all looked to face Rarity… she just stood where she was with a deep, crushed expression on her face. She slowly sat on her bed, still clutching the dress in her hand.

…Even on the train ride home, she sat with that same frozen expression on her face while clutching the dress in her hoofs.

Pinkie gave her a soft tap, and she didn’t even blink.

“Rarity…?” Twilight said to her.

No response!

The others knew it wasn’t going to be easy to get her to snap out of it. Who could blame her?

Finally, the train reached Ponyville, and Spike decided to escort Rarity home himself to carry some of her luggage, and wanting to keep her company while all the others had to head back home and catch up on their own work.

All of them gave their hopes to Rarity that she’d be okay soon.

She actually smiled sadly at them in thanks…

…But when she and Spike finally made it to Carousel Boutique. Spike pulled the heavy suitcases up the stairs and into the shop, where he saw Rarity hanging her new dress on a pony mannequin, and she just stared at it… tears finally coming to her eyes.

“Rarity, are you going to be okay?” Spike said earnestly.

Her lips began to twitch, “I… will be… Spike…!” she answered, and then she fell to the floor weeping miserably.

“Oh, Rarity…” Spike cried as he walked over and hugged her softly, and she actually hugged him back letting her tears flow down his scaly back.

It really did her some good letting all that emotion out, and eventually she was back on her feet, making more outfits and continuing in life. She also remained respectful to Manny’s wishes and kept away from him. Though she was allowed to shop in his stores again, she at least was courteous enough to send him a letter to notify him that she was coming, in case he would want to duck down and lay low.

Though it still pained her that Manny wasn’t willing to reconcile with her, she did her best not to let it interfere with her public life, but she did end up crying a few tears every so and so.

Still, as Twilight warned her--friendship could not be forced on someone, nor would be forced to accept it.

As sad as it was…that was just sometimes how it ends.

Author's Note

*Blows on my finger like a pistol*

That was far too easy. Heh-Heh!

Rarity is very lucky she wasn't re-charged and tried for her crimes, or she'd serve a huge jail sentence.

-Grand Theft (10 years)
-Forgery (14 years)