Friendship is Failure #2: Fallout Fashions

by DakariKingMykan

Rating: everyone
Tags: Sad, Applejack, Drama, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Slice of Life
Length: 8170

Rarity tries to reconcile with an old friend she wronged

While visiting Manehatten, Rarity ends up getting on the bad side of a fashion pony who bans her from his store and treats her very hostile.

It soon discovered that he is in fact an old friend of hers from long ago... whom she wronged very badly.

LESSONS:

1: You should never betray a friend for personal gain.

2: Friendship and Trust-- once broken-- cannot always be restored.

Published 2016-11-28 22:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-11-28 22:00:01 UTC

Intro: Rarity takes Manehatten, again!

INTRO

Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie had arrived in Manehattan, Rarity was all giddy with excitement and joy to be in the big city again. “Oh, isn’t this wonderful!” she cried as she gazed around at all the building and big attractions.

Pinkie Pie couldn’t stop bouncing around going, “ooh, look at this, look at that, look at these, look at those!! IT’S FANTASTIC!!”

Applejack felt almost embarrassed to be seen with her, “Remind me again why I’m here?” she asked. “Duh, because Twilight let us go on a holiday for completing our latest Friendship Mission.” replied Pinkie.

“Her timing couldn’t be more impeccable…” said Rarity “…It is springtime, and all the new fashions are raging wild for the new season.”

She reached into her backpack and pulled out three editions of different fashion magazines, “I want to make sure I’m at the top of my league, and that is why I am scouting out my competition. I intend to view every shop and boutique I can find to give me ideas of what I can try.”

Applejack and Pinkie gawked at her with wide-eye expressions.

“Anyway…” Pinkie said “I’m going to check out all the party stores, and if there’s time… I’ll check out every bakery as well. I promised the Cakes I’d see what other ponies are baking.”

“Not me…” said Applejack “I came here to relax and enjoy myself and that is what intend to do.” That was what she said, but deep down she was hoping this day would end soon so she could go home and get back to her chores, which was more her way of relaxing, but then again… she didn’t mind spending time with her friends either.

Suddenly, a coach sped by much too fast, not even obeying the speed-limit signs, and rushed right past the girls at the corner, creating a huge gust of wind that blew one of Rarity’s magazines up the street. “NO!!” she cried.

The magazine bounced and skidded across to the other side of the street and hit a pony’s leg… A light green Unicorn Stallion. His mane was light yellow, and he was dressed, wearing a red shirt with a brown jacket.

He levitated the magazine with his magic, and that’s when Rarity came up to him “Oh, thank you very much, sir.” she said kindly, but the pony got one good look at her, and gasped softly in fear.

Rarity took her magazine-- levitating it with her magic-- and her eyes lit up, “I… I know you.”

But the other pony nervously backed away from, and quickly galloped off up the street much to Rarity’s confusion.

Applejack and Pinkie came up to her, and they saw everything.

“What just happened?” asked Pinkie.

Rarity and Applejack were equally as confused, and Rarity never even got a chance to thank that pony, but she still felt she had seen him someplace before.

Act 1: Banned

ACT ONE

Rarity sat down with her friends on a bench, and she found a picture of that same pony in one of magazines. “There he is…” she cried and she seemed to fall into a lovey-dovey daze “…Manny Collars; one of the greatest fashion designers in all of Manehatten.”

Even Pinkie Pie realized how handsome the pony seemed, and howled like a wolf, but Applejack, though she found him handsome, didn’t overly express it. She also noted his flank was blank in the picture, “Hey, he’s got no Cutie Mark. I thought he was supposed to be some big time fashion guy, like you said.”

Rarity admitted “That is one of the most mysterious things about him…” She went on explaining How Manny was a mystery to many ponies. He had only came in Manehattan a few years ago, but no-pony knew where he was originally from, and there were no birth records of his existing prior to the time; which suggested he had changed his name from a birth-name.

Apart from all this, Rarity was more interested in his style and his motivation. According to the article, all he ever did was work on his designs, getting through ten times as much as even Rarity herself could do in a week.

The many clothes and outfits in the article about Manny were breathtaking; he made sundresses, swimming gear, and even fashionable suits for stallions.

Rarity was especially intrigued by one design of his entitled “Fiery Heart.”; a red formal gown with an orangey blouse and a yellow sparkling satin scarf.

Rarity stared at it so deeply she had almost forgotten how to blink.

“Says here, he’s unveiling it for sale at his shop today.” said Applejack.

“Well let’s get going then!” cried Pinkie.

“YES!! WE MUST!!” Rarity shouted, scaring other ponies near her. She felt very embarrassed, but not as embarrassed as Applejack felt, “Why did I have to open my big mouth?” she grumbled.

The friends walked down the several blocks to Manny Collar’s shop; “Beauty & Boutique” and they were just in time as they saw Manny standing amongst a large crowd of anxious ponies, mostly mares.

“Attention every-pony…” he hollered, and he waited for the crowds to pipe down. Manny then cleared his throat “For a whole month I have worked day and night without many breaks, except to sleep and eat of course, but now, I have finally perfected my best design yet and I know you mares have been anxiously waiting… And so, without further ado I now unveil my newest item for sale; Fiery Heart!” He pulled a large cloth off the concealed pony dummy exposing the gown for everyone to see.

Many gazed at the beautiful design in awe, while everyone else, preferably the mares. However, some stallions took a liking to it and wished to buy it for their mare-friends, wives, or even their… rather spoiled daughters.

“I’ll take one.”

“I have three daughters going to the Grand Galloping Gala. I’ll take three.”

“My wife runs a fashion shop. We’ll take a dozen!”

More and more offers to buy the dress were pouring in, but Rarity… she stood frozen on the spot with her eyes wide and her jaw hanging open.

Applejack waved her hoof around her face, and Pinkie Pie gave her a soft nudge. “Uh… Rarity…?” Pinkie asked softly.

[youtube= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP8QHE7cFnA] Rarity then burst out giggling excitedly as she bounced up and down.

“I must have that gown! I must! I must!” she cried.

Pinkie Pie bounced giddy with her going, “Yes you should! Yes you should!”

Applejack couldn’t understand why Pinkie was acting like Rarity, until Pinkie softly muttered “I’m just joining in the happiness and giving her support.”

“O…kay then.” muttered Applejack.

“Please… please…” Manny hollered to the many demanding ponies. “As much as I would like to give one to all of you, I only have so many. So I’m afraid it’s first come, first served.”

Hearing this, the ponies crowded to the front of his store, anxious to get in and buy copies of the dress.

Manny somewhat liked this, when customers crowded to buy his works. However, he spotted Rarity off near the back, and his happiness changed into a sneer as he looked at her. She did not notice him, which he didn’t mind, and walked into an alley to enter his store from the backside.

Rarity felt a mixture of anxiety and hopelessness. “Oh, I’ll never be able to get a dress from way back here.” she groaned.

“Are you kiddin’? It’ll be probably sundown by the time we even get to the door.” said Applejack.

Rarity nervously bit her lip, and was on the verge of having a breakdown. Pinkie could see this wouldn’t do and she had an idea and zipped off.

She then came back dragging a small wagon behind her, and then shouted into a megaphone. “Attention Every-pony! Free Desserts, compliments of Pinkie Pie.”

Many ponies turned to look in her direction, and then watched as her wagon unfolded to reveal a full stand with cakes, pies, cupcakes, brownies and many other delicious sweets and surprises.

“Free desserts?”

“I’m all for that!”

More than half the ponies ditched the line for the store and crowded around Pinkie’s wagon, much to Applejack and Rarity’s astonishment. “How does she do that?” Applejack wondered.

“Hey!” Pinkie called, having left her wagon and saving a spot further up the line. The others hadn’t noticed how she got there so quickly, but then hurried up to her. Now they were much closer to the front doors, which guaranteed Rarity a chance to buy a dress.

Or so she thought…!

Despite how much smaller the crowds were now, it still seemed like a while to wait to get anywhere near the store, but Rarity could still see the dress in display in the store window.

She imagined how lovely she’d look in it and stallions all over would treat her like a princess--offering her gifts, kissing her hoofs and cheering, “Hail Rarity! Hail Rarity! Hail Rarity!”

“Hey, Rarity! Hey, Rarity…!” Applejack called to her snapping her out of her daydream, “The line’s movin’. Shake a leg, girl.”

Rarity perked herself up, “Right…” then she took in a few deep breaths. “I really can’t wait to actually meet Manny Collars in person.” she said “He and I are so much alike, dare I say… kindred spirits.”

“Um… you haven’t even met the guy yet, and you’re already gettin’ all dozy.” said Applejack, but she could tell from Rarity’s daze that she hadn’t heard her, much to her own annoyance.

However, upon finally reaching the doors to the shop, two mares, whom were helpers in the store, stopped the trio. “I’m sorry, you are not permitted inside.” one of them said.

“WHAT?!” the friends cried out.

“Why can’t we come in?” asked Applejack. “Yeah… what she said.” added Pinkie.

“Oh, sorry… Not you two; you may come in… but not her.” The other greeter said while pointing her hoof at Rarity.

“What? Me?” Rarity asked in total disbelief “Why ever am I not allowed inside?”

“I’m sorry…” said one of the greeters “But those were strict orders from Manny Collars.” She and her partner motioned to a “No Rarity” sign near the doors.

Rarity, overwhelmed by shock, felt her head spinning and she fainted.

Applejack and Pinkie decided to pick her up and carry her off so as not to hold up the line.

From inside the shop, Manny saw Rarity being carried off. “Huh! Good Riddance.” He grumbled, and then returned to tending to his customers and profits.

Act 2: Stalking Memories

ACT TWO

Rarity came to her senses and found she was sitting on a bench in the city, and her friends were next to her. “You, okay, Rarity…?” Applejack asked.

“Oh, my!” groaned Rarity “I just had the strangest dream, that I was banned from Manny Collars boutique.”

The others acted awkward.

“I was… dreaming… wasn’t I?”

Pinkie was quivering and wanted to tell her, but she didn’t have to. Rarity was able to guess and she felt like fainting again. “This… this can’t be happening? How could I, of all ponies, be banned from such an amazing fashion shop?”

She was on the verge of tears.

“Oh, Rarity…” cried Pinkie, “Anythin’ we can do?” asked Applejack.

Rarity still couldn’t understand and she was almost too upset to think straight. “This… reminds me of when he and I had our fallout.”

“He?” asked Applejack.

“He who?” added Pinkie.

Rarity recounted an old story she didn’t like bringing up.

Years ago, long before Twilight came to Ponyvile, before the Mane Six had ever been assembled, Rarity had a friend-for-life.

His name was Needle Stitch-- a light yellow unicorn.

He was an aspiring tailor whom attended the same fashion classes in school as she did. He had loads of trouble getting the hang of it, but Rarity gave him a helping hoof. She showed him how to really sew and how to correct the mistakes he made that held him back.

She even helped him earn his Cutiemark-- a picture of a blue shirt with a red heart on it.

They became good friends, and graduated from school together and attained their licenses and permits to start their own respective businesses and shops.

Though rivals, they still maintained a healthy friendship.

“Rarity…” Needle said “I really owe all I am to you.”

She blushed, “Oh, really… it was nothing.”

“No, I really want to make this up to you some day. I don’t know how, but I’m going to.”

A year later, only a few months before Twilight arrived, Needle had spent months working hard on a very special very beautiful gown, which he named “The Rarity” and he spent a long time working on it.

(This music in a montage)

It had a long sparkling skirt, and was light hinted gray, the exact color of Rarity’s coat. The ruffled shoulder epaulets were mulberry, the same color as her mane and tail, and the skirt itself was decorated with blue jewels, just like the jewels of her Cutiemark.

It was only the prototype, and he did plan to make more dresses to sell to his own customers.

Rarity was so incredibly enamored by the dress and how it sparkled like the stars in the sky, and how it's shiny fabric made it look like only royalty should wear it.

She never thought she'd ever be able to make such a gown like it, and wished she could just have it herself.

"Oh, this beautiful work of art?" she remarked "Just looking at it gives me so many ideas of my own."

Needle smirked and said, "Well, you can borrow it if you'd like. You can hold on to it for me for a while while I get the patent for the dress and prepare to expose it to the world. Then I can start make other dresses for my lineup."

Rarity was simply over-the-top flattered.

“I don’t know what to say…” remarked Rarity. It was the sweetest, most thoughtful gift he, or anyone had ever made, and he was letting her borrow it.

Needle left for a family reunion holiday, and would be gone for a week. "When I comeback I'll take back the dress and get a patent for it."

Rarity kept it and promised to return it, but during that week, something happened to make her go a little bit the other way...!

As Rarity was modeling in the dress, in front of her mirrors to gain ideas for her own creations... her store was visited unexpected by an editor of a first-class fashion magazine, and he just happened to walk in while Rarity was trying the dress on and admiring how she looked in it.

The editor was so captivated by its stunning beauty and asked to feature it in his article, which would be seen by ponies all over Equestria, even in Canterlot.

Rarity, suffering from her extreme weakness, her lust for fame and glamour-- when she was asked by the editor, “Did you make this lovely dress?”

Applejack and Pinkie gawked in shock. “Rarity!” cried Pinkie, “You didn’t?!” added Applejack.

Rarity shamefully nodded her head. “I took the credit for the dress, and I was asked to design more of it for the ponies of Equestria. I knew deep down I was doing something very wrong, but I couldn’t control myself, and when Needles came back… he was nothing short of outraged.”

In almost no time, Rarity rose to a great term of fame from pilfering Needle’s dress. The papers and magazines and even billboards seem to rise up overnight with news of her fame.

When Needle found out, he was extremely furious!

“How could you?!” he scolded!

Rarity tried to apologize and explain her actions, but Needle could not and would not accept it. “I can’t believe you, after everything we’ve been through, you just sold me out for fifteen minutes of fame!”

Rarity pleaded for him not to act so rash,

"I could not help it, I mean I... just... what I mean is--" it was no use. The fact she couldn't even come up with anything else to say only further incriminated her for being totally selfish.

Needle stormed out vowing to fight her for it. Unfortunately, no one believed his story claiming he was the original creator and rightful owner of the dress, the people simply did not believe him-- too mesmerized by "Rarity's" creation and believing too much in her incredible skills to believe him.

There was also no proof to suggest Needle was the rightful owner either. The only one who could vouch for him was Rarity, and while she did want to try and make things right, the way things were going so wonderful for her now would only make her crash and burn hard-- she'd lose her reputation, and probably be outcast.

...So she said nothing, digging herself even further, and to add insult to injury, she tried to make it up to Needle simply by entitling him to half her profits from her earnings.

All this did was further cement how selfish she was acting, and caused Needle to totally snap with her.

"I thought you were my friend!" he said, with such a tone that really hammered it in-- Rarity felt her guilt catch up to her and burn inside.

She couldn't sleep well, think straight, she even lost her appetites as the guilt continued to eat her.

She immediately discontinued the dress; refusing to sell it or make anymore, and she cut ties with all agencies that had her booked for speakings or modeling shows.

Many of her customers were outraged and disappointed of the cancellation, but Rarity publicly announced her crime of betrayal to her friend.

The people were horribly outraged to hear that she would do such a thing. Pilfering a dress was one thing, but betraying a dear friend was enough to make one vomit.

She was lucky Needle didn't re-open any cases or charges against her, or she would have been tried and convinced of Grand Theft, Forgery, and a few other misdemeanors that would land her in jail for a long time!

The reason there were no charges and re-openings of the case: Needle had disappeared from Ponyville. He had gone missing several days before Rarity’s confession and had not been seen since. Not a single pony knew where he had gone.

His store and shop was abandoned entirely.

Overwhelmed with guilt and shame, Rarity could only bewail for things, and cried her heart out. “Oh, Needle Stitch… I am ever so sorry!”

Alas, she never saw or heard from him again; as if he had dropped off the face of Equestria.

Pinkie Pie was sobbing loudly and blew her nose in a hankie. “That is so sad!” she cried.

Applejack didn’t cry, but she did sigh and shake her head in disappointment. “Don’t you have anything to say?” Rarity asked.

“Well, not that it makes much a difference, and won’t change nothin’...” said Applejack “Besides, you kinda brought on yourself.”

Rarity could only sigh. “Yes, I did. I had no right to do what had done, and I never got to make it up to my dear friend, Needle Stich.”

Still, despite the heart-wrenching story, “What’s this got to do with your being banned from Manny Collar’s store?”

Rarity winced, and being reminded of that, she burst our crying hysterically. “Nice goin’, Sugarcube.” grunted Applejack.

Poor Rarity felt so overwhelmed by her sadness that she just wanted to check into a hotel and stay there while she let it all out, snacking on tubs of ice-cream from room-service.

“You sure you don’t wanna come with us?” asked Applejack “I mean, it’s only a store, and there’s tons of other places to check out here in Manehatten.”

“Yeah, there are party shops, bake shops… ooh, even the Fireworks, Puppies and Candy store!” Pinkie cried with enthusiasm, but Rarity was too distraught-- practically too stubborn-- to let it go.

“I just want to be alone right now.” she sobbed, and she took another bite of ice-cream.

Applejack sighed, “Let’s go, Pinkie. No sense that we can’t at least have a good time.”

Pinkie hated to leave Rarity all by herself, but Applejack dragged her along by the tail out of the room. “Poor Rarity…” Pinkie cried “I wish there was something we could do to help her.”

“Well, we can’t change the past. What’s done is done.”

Pinkie then got a crazy idea “But we can fix the present. Come on!”

“Whoa!”

Pinkie dragged Applejack back to Manny’s store, and she practically burst in shouting “HEY MANNY COLLARS!! WE WANNA TALK WITH YOU!!”

The entire store went silent and every single pony was looking their way with shocked and frightened expressions, much to Applejack’s embarrassment.

One of the store assistants approached them and she said, “Mr. Collars isn’t here right now. He is at a photoshoot where models are posing in his latest creations.”

“Thanks.” said Pinkie, and she just ran off without even asking where the photoshoot was.

Applejack sighed, and then asked, “Look, I didn’t wanna be involved in this, but my friend just wants to know why our friend Rarity can’t shop here.”

“I don’t know either.” replied the assistant “Mr. Collars just told us not to allow her inside. I don’t know why, but we must respect his wishes.”

Applejack began to have her own curiosities about Manny Collar’s secretiveness. “Can you tell me where I can find him?”

“I’m sorry, but even I don’t know where he is. I do know when he’ll be back though; I can schedule an appointment for you.”

“That’d be mighty fine.”

So while Applejack agreed to come back later, she now had to track down Pinkie. She already began to worry about what mischief that pony was getting into.

Indeed, Pinkie went all around, checking ponies’ faces, asking for directions to places she didn’t know. She even confronted a baby in his carriage…

“Okay, Tiny… where is he? Have you seen him? Where did he go? Tell me! TELL ME!!”

The baby just cooed and honked her nose without a care in the world, while his mother was very annoyed and walked away with her son in the carriage.

Undiscouraged, Pinkie continued on her search for Manny Collars.

Meanwhile, after quite some time of being cooped up in her hotel room, Rarity decided to at least try and get out and clear her head, and do as Applejack said and try to get her mind off things.

She hated to go off without telling her friends, so she left a note on her bed in case they came back to the room.

She wasn’t hungry, considering how much ice-cream she had eaten. It was also amazing she hadn’t gained any weight nor even had a tummy ache, but she was rather parched from all the crying she had done.

So she got a latte, did some window browsing at other stores, sat on a bench in Central Park, and she did begin to feel a little better. She drowsed happily as the mid-afternoon sun shined down on her. “Ahh… this feel divine.” she sighed.

She had nearly fallen completely asleep when she heard someone shout, “STOP, THEIF!!” which snapped her wide awake and she almost slipped off the bench.

That’s when she saw a gray Earth Pony wearing a burglar’s outfit-- tuque, sweater, and mask-- came rushing along, carrying a small briefcase by his teeth, and heading straight her way.

With no other ponies around, as the thief raced past the bench, Rarity used her telekinesis to yank the briefcase away from the thief, surprising him.

“Hey!” the thief shouted, and not watching where he was going, ran smack into a tree. That’s when a pony cop happened to be nearby and recognized him from a wanted posted, on the very tree itself. The thief was arrested and taken away.

Rarity was relieved, but wondered whom the briefcase belonged to, until none other than Manny Collars himself came running down the path, “My briefcase.” he cried. He could see it floating amongst magical waves and dashed up to take it, only skid to a dead halt when he realized who was there.

Rarity saw him, and felt somewhat shocked to see him.

“You again…!” Manny grumbled, and rather than politely ask for his briefcase back, he used his own magic to pull it away from her.

Rarity was totally livid, “How rude!” she snarled.

Manny didn’t care, and checked the contents of the case-- which were full of photos and patents from his photoshoot in the park. Then he began to walk away, but Rarity was not willing to let him walk away from her, especially after that rude reaction he gave her.

She dashed right in front of him demanding he stop. He glared at her, and turned to walk another way, only for her to block him… and again… and again.

“Leave me alone, Rarity!” he snarled.

“How do you know my name?”

Manny seemed nervous, and ready to kick himself for saying her name. He tried desperately to leave again, but Rarity would not let him go. “Either you let me go, or I’ll call the police!”

Rarity was outraged the way he was acting, but she spoke calmly, not wanting to make a scene. “Look, all I want is simple answers. Why are you treating me with such hostility, and why am I not permitted in your store?”

Manny glared furiously at her, still refusing to answer, but as Rarity gazed into his hate filled eyes, she was certain she had seen this expression before. Come to think of it, his eyes seemed very familiar to her as well.

Suddenly, she stared so hard she compared his appearance to and image in her mind.

She, gasped! “It… can’t be? Needle Stitch…?!”

Hearing that name, Manny felt numb and frustrated “No, I don’t go by that name anymore! I… I mean…! URGH…!!”

“It is you!” cried Rarity. “Needle Stitch is Manny Collars?!”

Manny couldn’t take this anymore, and knew what he had to do to get away from her. “SOME-PONY, HELP ME!!” he shouted “GET THIS CREEPPY STALKER AWAY FROM ME!!”

Many ponies nearby heard him shout and assumed the worst. They all huddled around Rarity shaming and scolding her, allowing Manny to escape. As for Rarity, the police in the park didn’t know the full story but asked her to come along to the station for questioning, much to her embarrassment.

Author's Note

You might yak at me going, "Rarity would never do such a thing!"

Wouldn't she? You forget...

-This was before Twilight met Rarity, which means she DOESN'T have the element of Generosity yet.

-Even still, you know one of Rarity's flaws is Self-Centeredness. She'd do ANYTHING to boost her own image.

Act 3: A New View of Things

ACT THREE

Once at the police station, Rarity pleaded her case that she was not stalking Manny, but merely questioning him for his baffling behavior.

Since she didn’t seem the stalker type, nor of criminal traits, she was let go, but never had she felt so incredibly humiliated in her life.

All she could do was go back to her hotel room, and throw herself onto her bed sobbing hysterically.

Applejack came back to the room, looking frazzled and exhausted. She had been all over the city tracking Pinkie Pie down, and finally got her to come back with her to the hotel.

Both of them were rather astonished to see Rarity still sobbing after all this time and not seem dehydrated.

“I just got back from the police station!” she told them.

“WHAT?!” the others snapped! “What in tarnation were ya doin’ there?” asked Applejack.

Rarity told them everything. “Huh? Manny Collars is Needle Stitch?” asked Pinkie, and then she spouted really fast “The pony from your story-- the one’s whose dress you claimed was your own, and he got mad and ran away?”

Rarity only nodded.

“Oh, gee… wow.”

“Uh, you sure about this?” asked Applejack. “He doesn’t even look like the way you described him.”

“I know it’s him, Applejack.” said Rarity “He even confessed to me… not directly… but I know it is him, and it’s obvious he still ha-a-a-ates me-e-e-e-e!”

“Oh, so that’s why he banned her from the store.” said Pinkie. “Sure makes some sense.” added Applejack.

Rarity continued to bewail of her humiliation as well as her realization, which again brought on painful memories of her old friend and how she hurt him.

Pinkie Pie comforted her. She wasn’t pretending to be like Fluttershy, she really meant it. “I’m so sorry, Rarity. I wish there was something I could do.”

Then she was about to get another idea, but Applejack covered her mouth, “Oh, no ya don’t. I’m not goin’ through all that again. Besides, I got an appointment to see the guy this evening. I’ll talk to him then.”

Rarity and Pinkie both gawked at her, and just as they were about to suggest going with her, she put her hoof down, “Oh, no! I think you two have gotten into enough trouble already. Now, I’m gonna do this my way; calm, quiet, and honestly.”

Then she left.

Pinkie Pie, of course, wasn’t going to be shunned out like this. “Come on, Rarity.” she said, pulling her off the bed.

“Whoa! Pinkie, where are we going?”

Manny’s store had finally calmed down; all of the screaming and excited customers had gone. There were no more copies of his Fiery Heart dress to purchase until he made new ones, but he did make a lot of money on just the ones he sold, and had tons of orders on layaway. He even got honors from magazines and offers to appear on fashion networks for the spring lineup.

“Sure is tough being popular.” Manny said as he worked in his office balancing his books and schedules. “At least I don’t have to put up with that loudmouth backstabber anymore!” he grumbled, thinking of Rarity.

He checked his next appointment, which was to see a pony named Applejack. “Good, I could use something to get my mind off things.”

Soon, he met up with Applejack in the main store, and realized “Hey, I know you. You’re a friend of…” he want to say her name.

“Eeyup, and more importantly, I know who you really are.”

Manny was really starting to lose his cool, but didn’t angrily shun Applejack out of the store, as he didn’t want to cause a scene in front of all his customers.

At the same time, two mover ponies came into the store-- actually Pinkie Pie and Rarity in disguises-- “Yeah, uh we got some supplies to deliver to the storerooms.” Pinkie said in a thick gangster male accent.

One of the greeters signed the clipboard and handed it back to Rarity, not recognizing her. “Thank you-- er, ahem… Thanks a bundle.”

Rarity had nearly blown her cover by speaking in her normal voice. Nevertheless, she and Pinkie were permitted to pass, yet the greeter swore, “I’m positive I’ve seen those two, somewhere before.”

“Ugh, I can’t believe I just spoke like that.” grumbled Rarity “And this polyester suit is nothing short of distasteful!”

As they wheeled the huge crate along, they saw Applejack talking to Manny.

“Look, I don’t want to make any scenes. Will you please just leave my store?”

“Look, I don’t want any trouble neither…” said Applejack “But I don’t like it when ponies treat my friends so badly.”

Seeing no other way to get rid of her fast enough, and not wanting to talk about it where his customers could hear. Manny invited Applejack to his office in the back where they could speak in privacy.

Pinkie and Rarity decided to follow them; they had to move their crate to the back room anyway.

Leaving the crate in the middle of the hallway, the girls saw which room was the office, and with the door shut, Pinkie held out two plastic cups, “Come on… let’s listen in.”

“What…?!” Rarity snapped, ever so softly so as not to be overheard. “Pinkie Pie, I will not resort to spying on private conversations.”

“But how will you find out what the big problem is if you don’t?”

Despite it being against her better judgment, Rarity conceded, and she and Pinkie listened against the door with the cups they held to their ears.

“Look, Needle…” Applejack said.

“Please don’t call me that.” Manny cut in “And… my decision is my own priority: I want Rarity nowhere near my shop, near me, or anything in my life at all.” He looked back at his blank flank, “That’s the main reason I had my cutiemark permanently removed! I want anything that was ever to even slightly do with Rarity out of my life!”

Rarity, listening outside the door, felt heartbroken to hear such a horrible thing.

“Look, I get where you’re comin’ from and all that.” said Applejack “Rarity told us all about it--you and the dress, and all that-- but surely it ain’t worth holdin’ a grudge on her for this long.”

“Oh, really?” said Manny “I doubt what she told you was the truth!"

The others blinked in confusion, and Rarity suddenly looked very nervous-- even bit her hoofs.

Manny recounted during the time he fought back to prove the dress was his, but as it turned out, not only had Rarity held back in vouching that the dress belonged to him, but she made it look as if he was being the bad one to her.

“How dare you insist that I would ever steal such a thing from you.” she cried with her crocodile tears, “I thought we were friends, you and I? How could I want to sell me out over something as trivial as a dress.”

Applejack was shocked, that Rarity deliberately lied like that. “She never told us that.”

“Of course she wouldn’t…” confirmed Manny “She’d do anything to protect her own reputation, and gain the interests of prestigious potentials.”

Applejack couldn’t deny that.

By this point, Rarity lowered her cup and stopped listening and twiddled her hoofs nervously, but Pinkie Pie gazed down at her in shock and shame, but she continued to listen to Manny’s story.

“I’ll bet she also didn’t tell you that because of her lie that I was publicly humiliated. Shunned and ostracized by many, which cost me a lot of business.

Unable to take much more pressure and harm, and realizing I would be ruined if I remained there any longer… I grabbed the last of my cash flow and ran away to Manehatten. I legally changed my name to Manny Collars, and I used what was left of my cash to alter my appearance and remove my cutiemark so that others would never recognize me.

I found work in a tailor’s shop to rebuild my life, and finally after much toil and hardship, I became the living legend that I am now…

…But I never forgot the horrible humiliation and pain I had suffered, which still haunts me to this day, and it was all because of Rarity and her lies! I just said nothing about it to anyone as I didn’t wish to make things any worse.”

Applejack looked as if she had just heard such a horrifying ghost story, she could hardly move, blink her eyes, or shut her mouth.

Pinkie felt the same way as she stood outside the door.

As for Rarity, she was biting the ends of her hooves so hard, you'd think she was trying to chew them off.

Manny turned his back to Applejack, hanging his head low and in despair. It felt so hurtful for his wounds to be stretched wide open. “Please… just leave me in peace. I just cannot and will face it all again.”

Seeing how upset he was, and now having a new view of things, Applejack decided to leave, opening the door, only for Pinkie and Rarity to fall into the office.

Worse than that, the greeter came back with two angry mover ponies that demanded their uniforms back from Rarity and Pinkie.

Manny turned, and was horribly enraged to see Rarity, and completely lost his temper.

Before the girls knew it, all three of them had been ejected from the store. Manny even hung two new ban-signs on the door. Now Applejack and Pinkie Pie were also banned from the store.

Applejack was most annoyed with the others, but more at Rarity, for having deliberately holding some things back.

Rarity was in disgrace!

There was much worse to come as the three of them got back to their hotel room, and who was there waiting for them… but Twilight and Spike, and neither one of them seemed rather pleased.

Act 4: Desperate Attempts

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)