RARRRRIIIIITTTTTTYYYY BEEEELLLEEEE! SUUUURRIIII POLLLLOOOMAAAAREEEE!
“You’re absolutely sure, dear?” Rarity asked.
Fluttershy nodded and smiled. “Of course, Rarity. You’ve had this planned out for weeks, and I would feel awful if everypony else went to support you and I didn’t just from a few bumps.”
Fluttershy looked down and shifted a wing to cover up the bandages on her side.
Rarity stared down at her half empty teacup and took a sip of it before looking up at Fluttershy. “If you say so. Just please don’t push yourself while we’re in Manehatten. I already feel bad enough about this whole thing.”
“It’s really nothing,” Fluttershy said, though Rarity had to strain her ears to pick up her voice. “I… I mean, I’m used to getting a little roughed up when I get some animals out of hibernation.” Fluttershy’s slammed her hooves onto the table. “Not that you’re rough like a bear or something!”
Dash chuckled. “Well, given how Rarity looks when she fights, you co—”
A burst of magic shoved a tea biscuit into Dash’s mouth.
“Could have another biscuit!” Rarity exclaimed. Her face was flushed red. Her teacup rocketed up to her muzzle and she took a gulp of her drink. The rest of the girls, Spike, and Sang were staring at her when she lowered her cup. “Anyway, I trust everyone else is good to go tomorrow as well?”
“Yup!” Everyone replied.
“Shucks, it’ll be my first time back in Manehatten since I was a filly,” said Applejack. “It’ll be nice to check in on Aunt and Uncle Orange.”
“Ooh! And we’ll have to go to all the fun restaurants and eat all the best food!” Pinkie giggled.
“I’ve heard so many good things about the park too,” Fluttershy murmured.
Twilight’s eyes glistened. “All the libraries and museums…”
“Ah, come on, Twilight, you’ve got the best library already, and what’s so great about museums when you’re Princess Celestia’s own student? Wouldn’t like her closet or something alone be a museum automatically?”
“Not the Museum of Flight and Pegasi Achievements, including an entire wing dedicated to the Wonderbolts.” Twilight shrugged and sighed. “I guess you do have a point though, Dash, we really should take advantage of being in Manehatten to see the sights.”
“Well…” Dash’s cheeks grew red. “I mean, museums are technically sights, so…”
“Oh, you’ll have to tell me all about it, girls.” Rarity smiled. “With you all out and about, I’ll be sure to know all the best places and things to do the next time I’m in town.”
“They’re really keeping you on a tight leash, eh?” asked Applejack.
“Well, I would expect no less from Prim Hemline,” Rarity replied. “It will be quite the packed schedule, but it’s worth more than all the gems in the world… and considering how many I used for my collection, that’s probably accurate. Besides…”
Rarity lit up her horn and a stack of seven tickets flew up from under the table.
“Once the show wraps up, we can all have grand night at Hinny of the Hills!” Rarity beamed.
“Oh, Rarity, you shouldn’t have,” said Twilight. She then snatched up her ticket with her magic, leaned over, and gave Rarity a hug. “But thank you so much!”
“Yup!” Everyone said, except for Sang.
It crossed its sleeves and looked down at the table.
Rarity looked over at it. “Something wrong, dear?”
“More clothes,” Sang grumbled. “Clothes you didn’t make.”
“Oh, stop with that,” Rarity huffed. “It’s one thing to hold yourself in high regard, but it’s another to monopolize and say no one could ever match up with you.”
“But, Rarity…” Sang whined.
“And now you just sound like some foal’s onesie.” Rarity sniffed and turned her head up. “Here I was excited to show you all the Manehatten fashion, but now I may just leave you in the dressing room.”
Sang stiffened and bent its upper half forward. “I suppose some other dresses might be nice.”
“Oh, more than nice, dear.” Rarity grinned. “Some of the greatest up and coming designers will be there, not to mention the magnifique ensembles by the creme de la creme already at all the stores!”
While Rarity gushed to Sang, rattling of designers and high-end brands, Dash leaned over to Applejack.
“It still kinda weird how she talks to it?” she whispered.
“That’s nothing,” Applejack replied. “You shoulda seen it when it was playing around with Apple Bloom and her friends. Granny’s heart nearly burst out of her chest seeing it wavin’ around on its own.”
~~~
Prim Hemline’s eyes seemed both aflame with the fires of Tartarus and icy with the chill of the Frozen North. Their full brunt bore down on Rarity. Sweat beaded up across her coat, but Sang kept it from showing on her torso and legs.
“Keep it together, Rarity.” Sang glared at Prim. “Give her a break, have you seen what traffic is like in this city? Be glad Rarity even has the generosity to participate in this show!”
The beads of sweat coating Rarity’s face grew bigger.
“Let this be a lesson to you…” Prim held her gaze on Rarity for a moment longer and then spun around. Everypony else on stage stood as straight as they possible could. “... all of you. I won’t be having this show be even a second off schedule. Dismissed.”
Prim’s words echoed through the hall. When she made her way to the backstage exit, the sound of her hooves clacking against the stage hung in the air. After Prim disappeared behind a curtain and a door opened and closed, everypony let out their breaths. A few participants even went onto their knees.
Rarity brought a hoof to her chest. She felt her heart lunge back and forth.
“It’s just a stuck-up designer,” said Sang. “You’ve faced far worse without breaking a sweat.”
“Prim Hemline is like nothing I’ve ever faced before,” Rarity said in hushed tone between gulping down some air.
“I’ll say. I mean, I heard rumors, but she certainly lives up to them.”
Rarity and Sang looked up to see that a pale orchid mare with a violet mane had approached them.
“Quite a first impression to make,” said the mare. “Best be careful, Rarity, Manehattan is nothing like your little town.”
Rarity titled her head. “I suppose you’re right, but… I’m sorry, have we met before?”
“I suppose it must be easy to forget with all the work you do in…” The mare forced her eyes up as if she were scanning her brain. “... Ponyville, right? Name’s Suri Polomare. I know I wasn’t much back when we had that knitting competition, but I’ve made quite a reputation here in Manehatten.”
“I’ll say,” a nearby stallion grumbled.
“Looks like she’s got another one,” a mare whispered back.
“Suri…” Rarity genuinely lifted her eyes up and tried to recall her many fashion and design competitions. There were flashes in her memory of pink mares and mares with purple manes, but nothing fully lined up to match with Suri. “I’m truly sorry, Suri, but you know how busy we designers can be, and with the rush of getting here, my mind is just a mess.”
“Fair enough.” Suri strode around Rarity and drew close to Rarity’s dresses. “I imagine anypony would be shaken after facing Prim’s wrath. At least it seems your dresses made it through safe though.”
“Yes,” Rarity sighed. “I don’t think all the tips in the world will ever repair that cabby and bellhop.”
“And even that little piece you’re wearing seems no worse for wear.” Suri got close to Rarity and laid a hoof on Sang’s sleeve. “Why, it’s not even damp from all the sw— Yow!”
Suri recoiled away from Sang. A tiny bit of blood dribbled out of the frog of her hoof.
“Oh my goodness! I am so sorry, Suri.” Rarity glared down at Sang. “I should have warned you that this material can be very unruly.”
“Don’t let her get near me!” Sang snapped.
“She has the touch of a thief!”
“Enough!” Rarity shouted. She blushed when everypony stared at her.
Suri gave her hoof a shake. “It’s nothing, really. I just hope you haven’t put whatever is in that piece into your dresses. You’re on thin ice already.”
Rarity took a deep breath. “At least I don’t have to worry about that. Belle Sang is one-of-a-kind, for better or worse.”
“Still, I wouldn’t mind playing around with whatever it’s made of.” Suri peered at Sang. It glared back at her. She blinked and looked up at Rarity. “Honestly, it would just be nice to have a little extra fabric around to do some touch ups. Prim’s show has practically cleared out the whole town of materials.”
“Oh dear, that’s a shame.” Rarity lit up her horn. Sang grew a little tighter on her, but she ignored it and floated a spool of fabric over to Suri. “Here, to make up for that little incident earlier.”
“Oh, are you sure?” Suri clasped the spoon. “What if you need it to make some last minute alterations of your own?”
“Don’t worry dear, I always come fully stocked.” Rarity tapped a hoof to her chin. “Is anypony else running low on supplies?”
Suri chuckled. “Rarity, you really are a breath of fresh air. Everypony in this town just thinks for themselves.”
“Or maybe they just know when they see a thief,” Sang grumbled.
“Suri, I’m sorry to cut things short, but this day has just taken everything out of me.” Rarity glared down at Sang. “I don’t think I even have the energy to tour the fashion district now.”
“Oh no, go right ahead.” Suri bent close and gave Rarity a hug. Sang growled. “Go get some rest, you’ll need it.”
“Well, best of luck then.” Rarity turned and trotted toward the lobby.
Suri watched Rarity go with a smile plastered on her face. She kept it on until Rarity was out of the main hall. Something about the design of her dress kept giving Suri the feeling she was being watched. Nothing new in this town, but she kept up her facade until Rarity was disappeared out of the door.
She then let her smile shift into a grin. Her eyes glinted with the luster that came off the spool Rarity had given her.
“I’m not the one who’ll need luck,” she chuckled. “Not anymore.”
~~~
“You should thank your stars Suri couldn’t hear you,” Rarity huffed. Ponies stepped out of her way as she marched down the street. Only Pinkie remained at her side.
“Let her,” Sang growled. “That mare is nothing but a thief and a liar. Don’t tell me you couldn’t feel her trying to piece out just how you made me. And then you gave her your fabric!”
“It’s called establishing relationships!” Rarity shouted. “You’ll get nowhere in life just calling ponies liars and thieves! Here I thought a little bit of my decency had rubbed off on you!”
“Mommy?” A filly looked up at her mother. “Why is that mare’s special somepony smiling even though she’s being yelled at?”
“Don’t look at them, sweetie. It’s rude to stare.” Under her breath, the mother muttered, “Get a room, for Celestia’s sake.”
“...and if we’d just flown over, this wouldn’t have happened in the first place!” Sang roared.
“Never!” Rarity shrieked. “You think I want the entire city to see me dressed up li—”
Pinkie shoved a macaron into Rarity’s mouth. “Woah, woah, Rarity, I know you and Sangy are mad at each other, but it’s still your friend and you know it loves getting to show how it really looks, so don’t say something you’ll feel really bad about later, okay?”
Rarity gulped down the macaron and sighed. “I suppose you’re right. Oh, everything since we got to the exhibition hall has just put me in the foulest mood.”
“Well, that’s why I’m here!” Pinkie smiled. “There’s no pony too grumpy for me to handle. Plus, I super duper can’t wait to see all the fun bubble baths they’ve got at this place we’re going to!”
“And I suppose I should give you an apology too, Sang. I spoke out of turn and I am sorry for that.” Rarity looked down at Sang, but then crossed a leg across her chest. “I’m still mad at how you treated Suri though. It’s just not proper.”
Sang glanced at the ground. “Maybe I was a little aggressive. Just be careful around her.”
“With how busy everypony will be putting on the final touches to their designs, I don’t think that’ll be a problem.” Rarity lifted her head. “All the more reason to find that bath and body shop and get something to help sleep for the night.”
“Oh, we passed that a few blocks back,” Pinkie chirped. “But you and Sangy were really going at it, so I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“I see…” Rarity blushed and then turned around. “Well, then let’s get goi—” Rarity spun and jabbed a hoof at Pinkie. “How long have you been able to understand Sang?”
“Since you made it,” Pinkie answered with a wide grin.
Rarity’s eyebrow raised up almost past her horn. “Hooowww?”
“Rarity, Rarity, Rarity.” Pinkie shook her head. “I grew up on a rock farm, remember? I had to listen carefully to the rocks every day to make sure they were growing big and strong. Compared to them, Sangy is super easy to understand.”
Rarity’s face scrunched up and appeared to collapse in on itself. One of her eyes twitched. She sucked in some air and gave her head a few hearty shakes, returning her features to normal.
“Okay,” she said while taking a long exhale. “Going to just file that to the ‘It’s Pinkie Pie’ folder and never question it again. Now, you said we walked a few blocks past the store?”
“Yep, yep, yep!” Pinkie answered.
Rarity smiled and felt a little bit of the tension drain from her body. “Well, let’s not waste any more time then!”
~~~
“Wow,” Pinkie giggled. She hopped to give her saddle bags a rustle. Bath bombs, soap blocks, and bottles of bubble bath solution sloshed and brushed against each other and the confines of the bag. “I never even knew you could make so many types of soap.”
“Indeed,” Rarity mused. Lavender, cinnamon, cypress, a myriad of other scents lingered on her and Pinkie. Her back was slouched slightly though her bags were nowhere near as full as Pinkie’s. “You think the girls will enjoy this as well?”
“Yep, yep yep!” Pinkie’s eyes then narrowed and she rubbed her chin. “They might be a little confused by those jelly soap things though. They’re so squishy!”
“Those were a bit peculiar, but where else will you find them?”
“Didn’t a salespony mention they also have a store in Canterlot?”
Pinkie took a few more steps. When Rarity didn’t reply, she looked back. Rarity had stopped and was now pressed up against the entrance to an alley. Pinkie went over to her.
“Everything okay, Rarity?” she asked.
“I thought I heard a pony cry.” Rarity shifted her ears around. “You heard it, right, Sang?”
“It’s much noisier here than in Ponyville,” said Sang. “Given how ponies act in this city, hearing somepony crying doesn’t seem that strange.”
“Oh! Oh!” Pinkie tilted her head straight up while her left foreleg curled backwards, rolling all the way up to her knee.
“That does though,” said Sang.
“Rarity’s right!” Pinkie stared down the alley. “Somepony is down there and is about to get in big trouble!”
Rarity looked down the alley but the shadows of dusk and the creeping night kept its inner contents hidden from the streets.
“No!” somepony shouted from within. “Please!”
“Sang.” Rarity’s hoof went to her bracelet. “Can you make a mask?”
“I can, but you should re—”
“Good enough for me!” Rarity jumped into the alley while she threw the switch on her bracelet.
A burst of crimson light radiated out of the alley. Pinkie followed after it. When her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw Rarity crouching behind a dumpster. Sang glowed with a faint red light, outlining Rarity’s curves. A flame-like mask adorned her face that reached above her eyes and down around her mouth. She peeked out from behind the dumpster. Pinkie joined her.
The alley widened out past the dumpster. The space ahead was open and filled with more dumpsters, trash bags, and other refuse. There was a clear view above of the twilight sky through an opening amidst the buildings— wide enough for the sanitation crews to make their routine pickups. The opening also let some of light in, giving a bit more detail to the group that had gathered in the space.
There were four ponies in total. Three were stallions: a unicorn and two earth ponies. The unicorn’s horn was lit up. His magic held up the fourth pony by her neck. The light beige mare struggled against him, but she only managed to kick the spilled coffee cup at her hooves into one of the alley’s recesses.
“Now listen, girl,” the unicorn growled. “We didn’t want it to come to this, but your boss owes us, big time, so you’d best start talking.”
“P-please,” the mare hiccupped. “I can’t change her mind.”
“Then you’d best tell us where she is, so we can have a personal chat with her,” one of the earth ponies hissed.
“I…” the mare sobbed. “I can’t. S-she’s the only job I can get in town! If she finds out, she’ll…”
“She’ll treat you like she treats everypony else,” the other earth pony snapped. “Trust us, girl, we’re doing you a favor.”
“And if you won’t tell her on your own…” The unicorn’s horn grew brighter. “We have our ways.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it!” Rarity shouted.
The stallions spun around. Rarity’s hoof connected with an earth pony’s muzzle. He went flying into a collection of rotted crates. The other earth pony found a cannon shoved in his face. There was a flash and he smelled freshly baked cake. The last thing he saw was spray of confetti.
The unicorn’s horn blazed and he sent up a shield. The blunt end of Rarity’s blade crackled against it. The unicorn leapt back and let his jaw drop. Before him stood a mare in an outfit that would have given the most salacious broods of the town a run for their money. Compared to her, the pink mare who had somehow pulled a cannon on his accomplice barely garnered a glance.
“Don’t you know Stable Street is on the other side of town?” the unicorn spat.
“Don’t you know it’s absolutely despicable to rough up and threaten a mare?” Rarity shot back.
“This ain’t your business.” The unicorn strafed around Rarity and Pinkie, sticking close to the walls.
“I would hope it’s nopony’s business.” Rarity kept her blade leveled on the unicorn. “Now, you saw what we did to your accomplices, so I suggest you give up.”
The unicorn ground his teeth. “You really don’t get it. We’re trying to stop that mare and her witch of a boss from ruining more ponies’ lives.”
“Sounds like a matter for the police,” said Rarity. “Who, conveniently, you’ll be speaking with shortly.”
“Like I haven’t already.” The unicorn lit up his horn and sent out a bright flash.
The world turned white on Rarity. Hooves smacked against the concrete. A kazoo tweeted. The faint scent of gunpowder mixed with frosting filled the air. Rarity’s eyesight returned in a blur and then refocused.
Pinkie stood over the unicorn. He groaned, unable to struggle against the giant bow he was now wrapped in. His accomplices were bound in a similar manner. Pinkie tilted her party cannon up to her muzzle and blew out the pink smoke wafting out of its barrel. She turned to Rarity and displayed a grin that reached to the farthest point of the star-shaped sunglasses that adorned her face.
“Well done, Pinkie,” said Rarity.
“No problemo!” Pinkie gave Rarity a salute and then pointed over to the mare. She was staring at the two of them with her mouth wide open. “Wanna take care of her while I get these meanie-beanies down to a station?”
“Yes, thank you, Pinkie.”
Pinkie then chucked all three stallions onto her back like they were her saddlebags and skipped out of the alley.
Rarity turned to the mare and took a few steps closer. A bit of the mare’s neck was discolored and she had a few bumps and scrapes, but nothing that looked hospital worthy. “Are you all right, dear?”
“I, um…” the mare stammered. Her eyes raced over Rarity.
“Shhshh,” Rarity cooed. “It’s okay. No despicable stallions around anymore. Can you walk?”
“I… I think.” The mare wobbled to her hooves and then bowed her head. “T-thank you. If you hadn’t shown up, I don’t…"
The mare broke into sobs. Rarity got closer and stroked her mane.
“It’s fine, dear. Do you need help getting home? I’d offer coffee but…” Rarity glanced down at Sang. “I’m not quite dressed for the occasion.”
“I think you are,” Sang quipped.
Before Rarity could reply, the mare’s head shot up.
“Oh no!” the mare moaned. Her eye went down to the crushed coffee cups scattered around her. “Suri is gonna kill me!”
“Suri?” Rarity raised an eyebrow behind her mask. “You work for Suri Polomare?”
“Yes, well, I did, but she’s going to fire me for sure now that her drink is ruined,” the mare sniffled.
Rarity looked at the crushed cups and at the mare, who was sweating bullets and breathing faster and faster with each inhale. Rarity laid a hoof on her shoulder. “Can you keep a secret?”
“H-huh?” the mare hiccupped.
“If you can keep what I look like right now a secret, I can help explain things to Suri."
“You… you will?”
“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Rarity touched the tip of her eye and then pointed at the mare. “Now you. Just do what I did and say, ‘I Pinkie Promise to keep your outfit a secret.’”
“O-okay.” The mare nodded and imitated Rarity’s motions. “I Pinkie Promise to keep your outfit a secret.”
“Wonderful!” Rarity glanced down at Sang. “Sang, dear, you can go back to normal now.”
There was a flash of crimson. The mare blinked and rubbed her eyes. When her vision cleared, her mouth dropped.
“Miss Rarity?” she gasped.
“Oh, good, you know me, that...”
The mare crashed to the ground.
“... makes things easier.”
Rarity sighed and levitated the mare onto her back.
~~~
“You really don’t have to do this.” Coco stared down at the ground as she walked alongside Rarity down the busy Manehattan street.
“Nonsense, dear.” Rarity took a sip of her latte while keeping two more drinks floating in between herself and Coco. “I Pinkie Promised after all, and, with the evening you’ve had, it’s the least I can do.”
“I’m still just trying to understand it all.” Coco glanced at Sang and it glanced back. Her head jerked forward. “I mean, you hear about a pony every now and then dressing up after they’ve read a few too many Power Pony comics, but none of them are the real deal like you, Ms. Rarity.”
“Please, dear, Rarity is just fine,” Rarity repeated for the fifth time since Coco had recovered from her fainting spell. “Besides, I was just helping a pony in need. Any decent pony would do the same.”
“There aren’t that many decent ponies in this city though,” Coco muttered.
Rarity flicked her ears. “Hmm?”
“Nothing!” Coco yelped and then blushed. “Sorry, I’m just a little on edge after everything today.”
“Completely understandable. Why, the day you’ve had makes Prim Hemline staring me down seem absolutely delightful.”
Coco managed to smile. “I might be fine with those stallions compared to Ms. Hemline.”
Rarity chuckled.
“I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you though, Mi— I mean, Rarity! Just Rarity.” Coco’s ears flopped forward and she bent her head low. “Oh, I’m such a mess right now.”
“You’re fine, Coco.” Rarity gave Coco a pat on the back. She then pointed to a townhouse a little ahead of them on the other side of the street. “Is that it over there?”
“Yes,” Coco muttered. She jerked her head towards Rarity. “You know, it’s pretty late, maybe I’ll just tell Suri in the morning.”
Rarity glanced at a nearby clock. The streetlights illuminated the its hands, showing that it was just a little past eight.
“Coco, dear, a small lesson: you must be ready for a whole string of catastrophes to strike and, when they do, you must endeavor to keep your chin up even when you feel yourself coming apart. You mustn't run away or the problems will just get bigger and bigger. If Suri is mad at you— which I assure you, she won’t be after we explain things— imagine how she’ll feel if you don’t come back at all tonight? If I were her, I’d worry myself to death imagining what could have happened to you. The more you delay, the worse things could be for both yourself and Suri.”
“Okay.” Coco gulped and then led Rarity across the street and over to the townhouse.
She trudged up the steps while Rarity trotted beside her. She lifted her head up towards the residential listing and stared for a moment at Suri’s name written in cursive. She gulped again and pressed the buzzer next to Suri’s name.
“Yes?” Suri’s voice buzzed through the intercom at the bottom of the residential listing.
“S-suri? It’s Coco an—”
“Coco?” Suri’s voice crackled. “Do you have any idea what time it is? Or even what’s going on tomorrow? I need anything that can give me a boost, and coffee is the best thing next to that stu—”
“Suri?” Rarity interjected. “It’s Rarity, dear. I understand we’re all a little high strung right now, but please forgive Coco for being a little late. She had the most dreadful run-in with a group of ruffians.”
“B-but Ms. Rarity and her friend were able to drive them off.” Coco’s ears fold. “I, um, also got you your drink.”
The intercom was silent. Just as Rarity lit up her horn to press the button, Suri’s voice echoed through it again.
“I see. Well, Coco certainly is a lucky mare to have two such generous fashion designers looking after her.” A sharp buzzing filled the air for a moment and the gate leading into the townhouse propelled itself open. “You have my thanks. Now, I think it’s time for both of us to put our finishing touches on our designs and then get some rest.”
Rarity smiled. “Agreed. Best of luck tomorrow!”
“And to you too.”
There was a click and the intercom hummed off.
Rarity floated the drinks over to Coco and secured them on her back. “Best get going before the gate locks.”
Coco stared over at the gate and felt the street’s hot air swirling into the stairwell. “Right.”
“Well, then, toodles!” Rarity turned, waved, and made her way down to the street. As she left the last step, she glanced down at Sang. “Sang? Be a dear and check and to make sure she made it in, please?”
“Fine,” Sang grumbled. One of the triangular patterns on its front shifted around and stretched out. It glanced back at the townhouse and saw that Coco had disappeared into the stairwell. It changed back to its original position and then looked up at Rarity. “She’s inside for all the good it will do her.”
“Oh, not this again,” Rarity whined.
“Fine, you won’t listen to me about that thief, but a mare like Coco shouldn’t be working under her.”
Rarity raised an eyebrow as she walked along the street. “And why is that?”
“You were carrying her for a bit,” Sang answered. “I could feel the hours of work, genuine work, she’s put into her hooves. She deserves to be more than a mere assistant.”
“Sometimes assistant is the best a pony can get.” Rarity lifted her head to the sky. “I suppose it’s easy to forget that and how lucky I was in Ponyville.”
“Perhaps you could invite her out there sometime, maybe show her those fibers Twilight collected?”
Rarity’s eyes narrowed. “So that’s what this is about. Sang, you’re like a mischievous colt sometimes. You just want Coco to make a little companion piece to you and have her put it on, don’t you?”
The fibers around Rarity’s chest grew warmer and Sang’s glow brightened.
“Well, I mean…” Sang’s words devolved into grumbling.
“Next you’ll be wanting to dress up Fluttershy.” Rarity raised a hoof to her forehead and knocked her head back. “Oh, I can’t even imagine!”
~~~
Coco took as big a breath as she could and then twisted the doorknob. The door creaked when she entered Suri’s apartment. The harsh lighting faintly hummed and illuminated the clothing designs plastered over the walls. They were so many that they covered most of the aged off-white paint that was flaking off in places, revealing the scuffed and chipped stone underneath.
Coco pushed aside a stack of papers on a nearby table. All were addressed to Suri. Most were typed out save for a signature at the bottom, some were entirely hoofwritten, and a few were scrawled in blocky letters. Coco didn’t understand why Suri kept them, especially the last kind, given that their content and many of the other letters, but in far softer tones, would make a pony’s blood run cold. Yet, Suri always insisted on keeping them on the table until the end of the month when they were placed in a file marked “Evidence” alongside other months’ worth of letters and locked away in the safe Suri kept under her bed.
After setting the drinks down on the freed up space, Coco turned around. Suri was right there. The vessels in her eyes were irritated, amplifying the glare she brought down on Coco. Ice flooded Coco’s veins and froze her to the floor.
“S-suri…” she managed to choke out.
“Idiot,” Suri hissed. She jabbed a hoof into Coco’s chest hard enough that she was pushed back against the table. “What in Equestria were you thinking bringing that bumpkin here?”
“I… I…”
“I… I…” Suri repeated in a tone that stung as hard as a slap across Coco’s cheek. She shoved Coco aside, grabbed a cup of coffee and guzzled it down. She slammed the empty cup down on the table and then glared at Coco again. “I’m just glad you weren’t stupid enough to have brought her up with you, or, Celestia forbid, tell her about the alterations I’m making. Can you imagine if she found out what I was doing with her fabric?”
“M-maybe we shouldn’t do it then.”
Silence flooded the apartment. Coco felt her hairs raise up.
“What?” Suri asked, her voice so taught Coco could feel the rage surging behind it.
Coco lowered her head, unable to stand Suri’s glare anymore. “I mean, the only reason Ms. Rarity came with me was because those other designers you stole fro―”
“I stole nothing!” Suri snapped. “You stupid foal, this is why you’ll get nowhere in this town. You don’t know what it takes to survive here and neither does that Ponyville hick! It’s everypony for themselves here!”
Suri grabbed the second cup and drained it as well. She then turned and strode over to her studio. Coco stiffened when Suri twisted her head back at her. “The design alteration sketches are in your room. I’ll handle the main piece, so you do the rest. I don’t care how long it takes, just get it done. I’m not having any more screw ups tonight.”
“Y-yes, Suri,” Coco whimpered.
Suri smirked. “Good.”
She slammed the door. Coco stared at Suri’s studio in silence for a second. She sighed and shuffled over to her room.
~~~
Rarity awoke a little after the sun crested over the horizon. She tiptoed past her slumbering friends and made her way to the suite’s bathroom. She emerged with her mane perfectly styled, her scissor halves tucked behind her right ear, her face dutifully washed, and her coat meticulously groomed. Sang hung on her, freshly cleaned and ironed. She gave her reflection a smile and slipped downstairs.
After a quick cup of coffee, a bagel, and a mint, Rarity made her way down the streets. Already, the roads and skies above were filled with buggies and chariots, and the sidewalk teamed with ponies on their daily commute. Rarity navigated through the living river and popped out in front of the exhibition hall. She glanced up at the giant horsehead that adorned the top of the hall, took a breath, and stepped inside.
The muggy morning weather clashed with the AC, leaving the air inside thick. Rarity felt it pulling on her as she trotted through the lobby. There was only a single pony at the front desk, engrossed in the day’s paper. Rarity’s hooves echoed against the marble floor.
Oh, please tell me I didn’t get here too early this time, she thought.
Reaching the doors to the main hall, she steeled herself and pushed on one of them. Inside, the designers from yesterday were darting through the aisles, rushing up and down the stage, and peaking at their ensembles. None dared to stay too long in any area though, lest Prim’s gaze fall upon them.
Prim sat front and center. Her eyes lingered on one section of the hall for a moment and then flicked to another part. Each time she looked elsewhere, her pen jabbed at her notepad. A stagehand would occasionally approach her and she would give them a curt order. The stagehand would rush off as fast as their legs would carry them, but another would soon replace them at Prim’s side.
As Rarity trotted over to the storage area, she locked onto the group of ponies sitting to Prim’s left. Their coats had an even greater luster than hers and were vibrant blues, greens, yellows, oranges. The mares were the perfect blend of slender and curvy while the stallions were well-muscled yet sleek.
Rarity felt the coffee in her stomach turn to lead. She rushed over to a nearby designer who was fretting over his own lapels as well as the ones on his suits. “Please forgive the intrusion, but… were we told there would be models?”
The stallion continued to fret, but glanced back at Rarity. “Out-of-towner, eh? Prim just loves pulling fast ones for her shows, keeps us on our hooves she says.” He paused and turned to fully look at Rarity. He grimaced. “Probably because somepony ran late yesterday. Lucky you though, right? Getting to go last will give you plenty of time to prepare.”
The stallion snorted at Rarity and she backed off.
“Well, seems things are off to a good start,” Sang quipped.
“Quiet, you.” Rarity trotted through the small opening in the curtains and scanned around the backstage for her dresses.
Her pupils shrank and her body went rigid when she spotted them. Or rather, she spotted dresses that were almost near perfect copies of her own. The stitching, the cuts, even the fabric in most places was the same. It was not a big stretch of the imagination to envision what was hidden in the lone bag that hung on the rack next to the exposed dresses. Rarity could practically see her fabric glinting inside.
Suri was busy fitting one of the models with the knockoffs. She didn’t hear Rarity’s hooves clang against the stage. Coco saw her on the warpath and ducked behind the dresses still on the rack.
“Suri Polomare!” Rarity snapped. “What in Equestria is the meaning of this?”
Suri grinned, made a final tweak to the fabric in hooves, and then let the dress slip out of her hooves. “The meaning of what, exactly?”
“You know exactly what!” Rarity jabbed a hoof at the dresses on the rack. Coco shuddered behind them. “I gave you that fabric to make adjustments! Not create a whole new line!”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Suri strode around Rarity. The model stepped back and pulled out a magazine. “I asked for some fabric and you gave it to me. Did you really think I’d let such an opportunity pass me by?”
“You… You…” Rarity’s eyes sharpened into an icy glare but tears were also visible at the corners of them. “You’re the reason those stallions were threatening Coco, aren’t you?”
“Oh, please.” Suri’s grin turned upwards into a smirk. “You honestly think a few failed designers would have seriously hurt Coco? Besides, it’s not like I’ve done anything illegal, so neither you nor they have anything on me. Now, I’m sure you’ve got quite a few preparations to make. Wouldn’t want to be seen as ripping off the next great Manehattan designer.”
“Have you no shame?” Rarity growled. “The thievery is one thing, but don’t you care at all about your assistant or the ponies whose careers you’ve stolen?”
“Okay, fine, I suppose I do owe you a little something for your troubles,” Suri chuckled. “Here’s a bit of advice: it’s everypony for herself in the big city.”
Rarity felt blood rushing to her face as tears welled up in her eyes. Her tense leg whooshed up to her head. One of her blades flew out of her ear, expanded, and cleaved through the air, coming to rest inches from Suri’s neck. Everypony backstage gasped.
Rarity went white seeing the fibers stretching out of her sleeves and holding the blade up.
“Sang!” she yelped. “I’m upset, but there’s no need for violence!”
“Yes, there is!” Sang shouted back. “I’d be more than happy to cut this thief down for what she’s done to you, but you need to get those clothes away from her now!”
“Are you crazy?” Suri shouted, unflinching despite having a weapon drawn on her. A scowl replaced her grin and her eyes brimmed with an intensity that rivaled Rarity’s from a second ago. “I knew you were a backwoods hick, but I didn’t think you’d be stupid enough to do something like this. I can’t wait to see Prim tear you apart.”
“There had better not be any lollygagging going on back there,” Prim’s voice boomed from in front of the curtain.
“Oh, this is just rich.” Suri’s lips curved into a sickle. “Well, what next, Rarity? I’ve already got you for assault and the witnesses to back me up. How about some battery? I could use the extra cash from a lawsuit and the publicity will be great.”
“Rarity! Get the clothes now!” Sang barked.
“Both of you be quiet!” Rarity screamed. “I am not making any more of a scene then you already have! Now let go of the blade! We are leaving!”
“Let go of the blade?” Suri raised an eyebrow. “You really have lost it.”
“I said no lollygagging!” Prim shouted.
Everypony save for Rarity and Suri stiffened or ran for cover when they heard or saw Prim leave her seat.
“Rarity!” Sang’s eyes glowed crimson. “Look at her dresses! They have fibers in them!”
“What?” Rarity shrieked. Her blood when cold when she noticed a faint crimson glow streaking through the dresses. “How?”
“That fight last week,” said Sang. “When one of your blades flew into Twilight’s house, it must have knocked loose the seal on the fibers. They probably heard you talking with your friends about the trip!”
“Stop it!” Coco shouted. Suri, Sang, and Rarity all turned to her. Her legs shook under her own weight. “Suri, just stop it! This has gotten out of hoof! You too, Rarity, I… I know you’re mad, and I should have said something, but I didn’t think it would come to this.”
“Stupid foal,” Suri cursed. “Keeping your mouth shut is the only thing you’re good for.”
“I said stop it, please!” Coco cried, tears spilling onto the floor. She grabbed Rarity’s arm and held onto tight. “Please, Rarity, just go, I can explain things to Suri. I ca—”
“What. In. Equestria. Is. This?” Prim hissed.
Everypony froze.
“I said,” Prim spoke with the air of a dragon that had just had its hoard intruded upon, “what is this?”
Suri flared her nostrils. “A jealous hick playing fashionista and an ex-assistant that lost the only thing she’s good for.”
Coco’s heart dropped. “E-ex?”
“Leave Coco out of this, Suri!” Rarity ordered. “She’s done nothing wrong!”
“And give us those dresses!” Sang added. "You’re going to get ponies hurt!”
“Enough!” Prim slammed a hoof in the floor. “Ms. Belle already pushed her luck yesterday, but I was willing to let it slide seeing as she’s from out of town. You, Ms. Polomare, on the other hoof, know better than to cause disruptions like this at my show. I have no time for you and your assistant or ex-assistant, or whatever, and I certainly have no time for whatever Ms. Belle intends to do with that weapon. I’ll leave that matter to the police.”
Suri went as white as Rarity’s coat naturally was. “But what about the show?”
“You honestly think I’m allowing any of you anywhere near this show after this?” Prim growled. Her next words came through clenched teeth. “Get your stuff and get out. Now!”
Rarity’s jaw slackened and she dropped to her knees, only her right foreleg remained aloft.
Coco wept.
Suri just stared at Prim as she trotted off. A fire flared up in her eyes. She swooped under the blade and made a beeline for Prim.
“Hey!” she called out. “Do you know who you’re talking too? You think you’re the only big wig in this city? I wi—”
Coco threw herself at Suri. “Suri, stop it! Let’s just g—”
Suri smacked Coco across the face and sent her stumbling to Suri’s left. “Shut up!”
The model mare that had set her magazine aside while things had escalated yelped. Her dress tugged and roiled against her. For a brief moment, she resisted and pulled back while it dragged her across the floor. What strength she had gave out and her thin body rocketed off the ground and careened straight towards Suri. On the way, she banged against Rarity’s blade and sent it flying.
Everypony ducked save for Suri, who had a leg knocked back and was ready to let it fly straight into Coco’s chest. The blade flashed out of the corner of her eye. She shrieked. Blood spurted out of her cheek. The model cut off Suri’s pained whinny when she rammed into Suri’s barrel, knocking the wind out of both of them. The blow sent Suri’s blood flying everywhere, including onto the dress.
The model screamed when the stain spread to cover the whole outfit and took on a ruby glow. She tugged and tried to free herself but to no avail. The dress grew brighter and brighter and then exploded in a flash.
The model was replaced with a hulking figure that could rival the biggest yak in size. A pale cloth-like substance with thick crimson lines running across its torso and down its legs covered it in place a fur. It lacked a head, with its body ending at its shoulders. Two massive patterns of fabric shot out from its chest and past its shoulders that wildly buzzed around, out of synch with each other.
A jagged zipper tore open from where the thing’s neck should have been and dropped down to its navel, revealing the dense cluster of squirming glowing fibers underneath.
The fiber-creature let out a bone-chilling bellow.
Ponies screamed and fled for their lives. More of Suri’s dresses flew off their rack and affixed themselves to any pony unfortunate enough to be near them. Flashes of crimson went off through the hall and more fiber-creatures appeared and roared. They lashed out with their massive legs, smashing the chairs and the stage. A few ponies were knocked off their hooves and sent crashing into walls.
The fiber-creatures also fell upon other ponies and gulped them up with their zipper maws. Those that did glowed bright and grew even bigger.
The first one that had appeared trampled across the stage, swinging its legs about.
Prim yelped and cowered.
“Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!” Rarity shouted.
Her hoof slammed against her bracelet and she transformed. A spell flung the blade away from where Suri lied and over to Rarity. Rarity sprung towards Prim and the fiber-creature, splintering the wood underneath her. She met her blade half-way and swung it with all her might.
The fiber-creature looming over Prim didn’t even have time to turn before Rarity cleaved though it. There was a flash and then a bundle of crimson fibers and the model, now bereft of a single hair, fell to the ground.
Prim dared to open an eye. “M-m-miss Belle?”
Rarity slumped. “And there goes the last shred of my reputation.”
The other fiber-creatures halted their rampage and turned toward Rarity. They all roared and then launched themselves at her.
“Oh, buck!” Rarity cursed. She drew her other blade and pointed it to the backstage exit. “Everypony run for it! I’ll hold them off!”
She then exploded off the stage toward the nearest creature. Her blades curved back and then sprung forward in a blur. The fiber-creature parried one of her blades with a leg that was now as hard and the same color as a ruby. Its other foreleg stretched back and then slammed into Rarity’s chest. Rarity managed to put a blade between herself and the attack, but the blow still sent her flying backwards and into a wall.
She shook her head and then saw all the fiber-creatures racing at her. “Sang!”
“On it!” Sang morphed his bottom half into rockets and Rarity zoomed away.
The fiber-creatures brought a barrage down on the wall. They glared at the pieces of crumbled marble and dented steel for a moment. Their wild patterns pressed against their stitching and gazed around until they locked onto Rarity again. They were upon her in an instant.
“Why?” Rarity called out while her blade parried and slashed at the assault of fiber-creatures. “Why? Why couldn’t this have just been a normal show? Is that too much to ask?”
Another leg raced toward Rarity’s chest, but this time, her blade was faster and it cleaved off the fiber-creature’s arm from its body with one slash and then split it in two with another.
“Focus, Rarity!” Sang shouted. “We can’t let a single one of them get free or we’ll never get the fibers back!”
“I’m well aware of that!” Rarity plunged a blade down where the fiber-creature should have had a neck and then blocked the gaping maw of another from chomping down on her. “You think I don’t want this all to just end and then find the darkest corner of Equestria to hide in?”
She pushed back the fiber-creature. It roared and swung a leg at her. She blocked and it swung another limb. It tried to gobble her up again, but she sent a rocket-propelled leg into its gut instead. Crimson spools burst out it. A few landed on Rarity and writhed for a moment before Sang absorbed them. She shuddered and then cut the fiber-creature down.
Her heart jolted when she saw a few fiber-creatures were no longer pursuing her and were instead back to rampaging down bellow. They tore through the rows of seats and drew closer to the lobby exit.
Rarity raced down, but more fiber-creatures flew up and blocked her path. One, bigger than all the others, came at her from the side and brought all its power down on one of her blades. The blade went flying out of her magic’s grasp and disappeared into the swirl of dust and debris.
Below, a fiber-creature managed to reach the door and smashed through it. Its leg easily destroyed the wood, but now the fiber-creature found its limb unable to crush the glimmering violet barrier past the door. Before it had time to attack the new substance, a beam shot through the dust its attack had stirred up, leaving a smoldering hole in the fiber-creature. It fell to its knees and then burst apart, freeing the two ponies it had managed to swallow.
A few of the fiber-creatures turned and focused their attention on where the blast had come from.
Twilight met their animalistic stare by lighting up her horn. Applejack crouched, legs primed to buck in an instant. Rainbow Dash spread her wings. Pinkie readied her canon. Even Fluttershy took up the stance she reserved for tackling bears.
“Girls!” Rarity called out as she finished off another fiber-creature. “The show wasn’t supposed to start for hours! What in Equestria are you doing here?”
“We knew you’d head here super early, silly!” Pinkie charged forward, sending volley after confetti-filled volley at fiber-creatures.
Applejack galloped at a group of fiber-creatures and sent them flying with series of kicks. “So we thought we’d swing by and wish you the best of luck! Looks like you need it!”
“Definitely wasn’t expecting this though!” Dash bolted upwards and landed an uppercut on a fiber-creature that flipped it backwards. It then spiraled down into the ground. A blast from Twilight shot through it. Dash grinned and took up a position opposite of Rarity. “You seem to be handling things pretty well though.”
“Hardly.” Rarity swung her blade while using a barrier spell to block a blow. A bit of sweat trickled down her face. “This is a complete disaster and the only thing keeping me going is making sure everypony gets out of this alive. My reputation in this city, if not all of Equestria, is shot, the show is ruined, I let somepony take advantage of my generosity, and now everypony has seen me looking like this!”
“Hey!” Sang spoke up.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Sang, I’m just so flustered right no—”
A fiber-creature managed to smash through Rarity’s barrier spell, but it found its attack was still blocked by a yellow leg. Fluttershy unleashed the full brunt of her Stare on it, paralyzing it long enough for Rarity to slice it apart.
“It’s okay, Rarity,” said Fluttershy. She veered to the left and dodged a blow from another fiber-creature. She latched onto its leg and twisted until the fabric gave a sharp rip and sent fiber spilling out. “Oh… oh my. M-maybe it’s not okay.”
“It’s just fiber!” Twilight called out while send blasts out. “Don’t worry, it’ll do anything to keep their hosts safe… at least that’s what my research suggests!”
“Could’ve gone without that last part, Twi!” Dash shouted. She then sent another fiber-creature spiraling to the ground. She glanced around and saw there were only a few more creatures left. She turned to Rarity. “So, we still on for Hinny of the Hills tomorrow?”
“Really, Dash?” Rarity swung her sword with enough force to send a fiber-creature flying before it burst apart. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to show myself in public here again, let alone go to a play.” She locked onto one of the last remaining fiber-creature and raised her blade high over her head as she dove at it. “And all because these damn clothes don’t know how to behave! Gah!”
Rarity drove her blade down with enough force that it tore through the fiber-creature and skewered it to the ground. It writhed on the blade for a second before it burst apart. Rarity glanced around, spotted only spools of fabric and bare ponies, and then fell to her knees.
“Buck everything!” she screamed to the sky. “Buck this city! Buck this show! Buck Suri Polomare for ruining everything! And buck me for being stupid enough to be fooled by her!”
“Whoa!” Dash floated down. “Think you gave all the cabbies in this city a run for their bits with that.”
“I just want to go home,” Rarity whimpered.
“There, there.” Fluttershy swooped down as the rest of her friends drew close to Rarity. She gave Rarity a pat on the back. “Everything is okay now, Rarity.”
“No, it’s not! Everything I worked for is trashed. My clothes. My reputation.” She looked down at herself and took in all the scrapes, welts, and discolored patches across her body. “My looks. Everything!”
Rarity fell upon Fluttershy and sobbed as Sang flashed and changed back to normal.
“Now don’t be too hard on yourself, girl,” said Applejack. “Yeah, this place got wrecked, but you managed to save everypony here. Gotta take your victories where you can.”
Rarity could only hiccup. Fluttershy stroked her mane.
“Oh geez.” Pinkie bit her lip. “I think I’ll need the entire bubble bath store and my emergency supplies to turn that frown upside down.”
“You’ll be needing a bit more than just some soap and party supplies to fix this mess!”
Everypony spun around to see a mustached Arabian stallion standing by the shattered door. A battalion of officers stood behind him with wings spread, weapons drawn, and horns aglow.
“Now,” the stallion growled. “What in the blackest pits of Tartarus happened here? My office just got flooded with more calls than it’s got since Discord was running wild! Now I find the Elements of Harmony Bearers blasting monsters left and right and one of them jumping around looking like she belongs on Stable Street!”
“Well, officer…” Twilight started to say.
“Commissioner,” the stallion interjected. “Commissioner Hoofstrong, your highness.”
“Sorry, Commissioner,” Twilight said. “It’s a bit of a long story, but first we really need to seal up all the fiber around here. That’s the main cause of all this. A simple containment spell should do the trick.”
“Thank you for the tip,” Hoofstrong grumbled. “It will help with evidence collection.”
“Um, actually, it’s mine, so if you could just retu—”
Hoofstrong’s mustache bristled. “So you’re saying this is your fault then?”
A bit of sweat streaked down Twilight’s face. “Um… as I said, it’s a bit of a long story, but I’m sure you understand that as Princess Celestia’s personal student and a Princess myself, my authority…”
“Your authority means jack to me right now!” Hoofstrong snapped. “I don’t know or care how you do things in Ponyville, but this is my city, and when ponies get hurt on my watch, I want answers! Given what you’ve said and what I’ve heard, you’re all considered suspects. So, I think we’ll have plenty of time to discuss this at the precinct.”
“What?” Dash yelped. “Are you kidding? We just saved everypony here!”
“Then you should have no problem explaining why anypony was in danger in the first place.” Hoofstrong laid a hoof on his baton. “Now are you going to come calmly?”
Dash snarled and opened her mouth to let loose some profanities, but a spell sealed her lips.
Twilight stepped forward and stared up at Hoofstrong. “Yes, of course we’ll come along. Just…” She glanced back at Rarity. She was still sobbing into Fluttershy’s chest and wailing about jail, banishment, and working in a rock quarry for the rest of her life. “Just be gentle with Rarity, please, I don’t think she can take much more today.”
“I suppose that can be arranged.” Hoofstrong let his shoulders slacken. “But this is still a major incident and your friend is at the center of it.”
Everypony trudged out of the wrecked hall will their heads low. Behind them, the unicorns among the police force swept through the hall and picked up every scrap of fiber they could find. The other officers got the ponies injured in the attack onto their hooves or put them on their backs. The ponies rendered bare were given blankets, which they all snatched up an instant.
Rarity stumbled along with Fluttershy acting as a crutch. “At least it can’t get any worse.”
~~~
“That bitch!” Suri limped down an alley. Each step sent a sharp jab through her side. The muggy air stung the cut on her cheek. A few strands of her mane were matted to it by flaking bits of blood. Despite her condition, Suri kept her dress bag loaded over her back. “I should have known she couldn’t be that stupid! Coco probably knew that damn fabric was enchanted too! Can’t trust anypony in this damn town! Well, I’ll show them! Oh, I’ll hire the best lawyer in town to sue them for everything!”
“Mind showing me what you got first?” A portly stallion emerged from amidst the trash. His muzzle was darkened with stubble and he stank of stale cider. “How about starting with what’s in the bag, girly?”
“How about you get out of my way?” Suri hissed.
The stallion blinked. He had mugged many ponies before, but he had never seen a victim stare him down with such a fire in her eyes. He still sent a leg back and then smashed it into Suri’s face, separating her from her dress bag. The stallion smirked and advanced toward the bag. He pulled the zipper down to peek inside.
The blunt edge of a blade struck him from behind and sent him flying into a wall. Suri gasped for breath. The scissor blade shook in her grasp. A jittery grin came to her face.
“Looks like you were good for something after all, Rarity,” she huffed.
Her eyes widened when she noticed a crimson glow spilling out of her bag. She glanced down at the blade and then back at the bag.
A cackle rang through the alley.
~~~
Ponies filled the precinct’s waiting area. A few brave models dared to be seen in public sans coat and mane, but made sure to keep everything but their eyes covered. Officers with notepads in hoof, wing, or spell were spread out among them and the designers. Those without notepads tended to the designers and models with small cuts and bruises. When an officer stopped writing and spoke a few words, the pony they were interviewing perhaps said thanks and then made for the exit.
As the sun wheeled through the sky, the precinct’s waiting area emptied out. The officers gathered their notes together as they worked. Eventually, a picture of the events at the exhibition hall formed. At that point, the officers had to recheck the accounts while continuing to supplement them with new recollections of the incident.
The officers not working on whatever had happened at the exhibition hall pondered what in Tartarus was going on. There were mutters of possessed clothing, fighting strippers, and fur-eating monsters. The curiosity was temporary though, as a call would come in or some other duty would steal their attention elsewhere.
The officers on the case could only check and recheck the accounts. Theories ranging from a very unfunny prank, a bizarre combination of drugs and an explosion, and even Discord on the loose were offered as explanations for the whole thing. Everypony on the case prayed that the task of explaining this mess to the Commissioner or other higher-ups would not fall of them. Some of the less exemplary officers prayed specifically that the job would fall on the officers inside the interrogation rooms.
~~~
“So your friend, Ms. Belle, got this material out of a meteorite?” The officer sitting across the table from Applejack tapped the glass containing a spool of glowing red fibers.
“Yes, sir,” Applejack replied. “How many more questions we gonna go through? it’s almost suppertime.”
~~~
“We just want to get everything straightened out, ma'am.” The officer watched Pinkie’s tail swish back and forth. “You don’t seem that hungry.”
“Are you kidding?” Pinkie chucked a cupcake into in mouth. “I’f starfing!”
The officer slammed a hoof onto the table. “Where’d you get that?”
Pinkie blushed and swallowed. “Sorry.”
“Could’ve sworn we searched you,” the officer muttered. She rubbed her temple and then focused back on Pinkie. “Okay, so Ms. Belle made that dress she had on with this space fabric?”
“Yepperoni!”
The officer massaged her forehead again.
~~~
“And it’s alive?” The office glanced down at his transcript to recheck his writing.
“In a sense,” Twilight answered. “Think of it and the other fibers like enchanted items, but able to draw on energy to keep themselves mobile instead of relying on a pony’s magic. Re-entry into an atmosphere probably revitalizes it with enough energy to find a host. Then, they can sustain themselves with a small amount of blood.”
The officer furrowed his brow. “Like a parasite?”
Twilight bit her lip. “If aggravated in its raw state… or improperly manufactured and laced with other materials.” She placed a hoof on her chin. “I’ll need to note that.”
“And you say Ms. Belle is fine wearing that?”
Twilight jerked her leg away from her face and shook it back and forth. “Oh no, no, no. Belle Sang is properly manufactured, so it and Rarity have a symbiotic relationship.”
~~~
The officer arched her brow. “That involves her apparently looking like she made out like a bandit on Stable Street?”
Dash groaned. “Look, I don’t even know how regular fashion works. You expect me to explain how alien super fashion works?”
“But you don’t believe it was Ms. Belle’s fault that the other clothes went on a rampage?” The officer pursed her lips. “That was not a question I ever expected to ask on this job.”
“Well, it’s not Rarity’s fault.” Dash crossed her front legs over her chest and snorted. “It sounds like it was all this Suri Polomare or whoever’s fault. She’s the one that should be stuck here. What a lame a—”
~~~
“Yes, I’m sure Rarity had no idea when she gave Suri the fabric that it was actually those fibers.” Fluttershy bent her head, veiling her face behind her mane. “It… it might even be my fault.”
“What?” the officer snapped.
Fluttershy jolted back in her seat. “I-I mean last week I sort of turned into a vampire pony, and then Rarity had to fight me, and when we fought I knocked one of her blades away, and maybe it hit the container in Twilight’s house or something!”
Fluttershy gasped for breath.
The officer blinked, scribbled some notes down, and muttered something about Ponyville’s water. “Okay, let’s just keep things focused on today. We heard from some other witnesses that Ms. Belle first drew her weapon on Ms. Polomare. Can you explain that?”
“W-well…”
~~~
Rarity jolted awake when the door to the room squealed open. She stiffened when she saw Hoofstrong march in and take the seat opposite of her. Sang glared at him as he settled down.
He stroked his mustache and let his hoof rest at his chin with his elbow propped up on the table. “I’ve been on this job seventeen years and, Nightmare Moon and Discord withstanding, this takes the cake.”
Rarity’s ears flopped down.
Hoofstrong sighed and sank into his chair. “You’ll have to forgive my earlier harshness. Ponies in this city don’t have time for pleasantries. That goes double for us cops. When we get a call, we need to get ponies safe and then we want answers.”
“I see,” Rarity murmured.
“Hmm.” Hoofstrong glanced at the untouched coffee he’d brought in with him and pushed it across this table. “Would it help if I said we’re probably not charging you with anything?”
“A little.” Rarity started down into the cup. Hoofstrong preferred that. Her puffy eyes and bruised face reminded him of far too many other cases he handled in the city. “This is just an absolute disaster, and I’m not too keen on you saying ‘probably.’”
“A minor thing. Thanks to your friends and the other attendees, we have a decent picture of what happened.” Hoofstrong’s eyes sharpened. “I just want to confirm why you drew your weapon on Ms. Polomare.”
“I was trying to get the fibers back!” Sang snarled. “You should be out looking for that thief instead of keeping Rarity here! She’s suffered enough!”
“Sang, please!” Rarity called out. “Restrain yourself!”
Hoofstrong watched the dress flop back and forth. He stroked his mustache again.
“I’m sorry, Commissioner.” Rarity bowed her head. “I think we’re both at our wits' end. I admit, I was absolutely devastated that Suri had taken advantage of me, but I probably would have just run off out of embarrassment and shame.”
“And I’m the one that rightfully tried to put that thief in her place!” Sang beat at its chest, fluffing it up. “If you want to charge anyone, charge me!”
“I don’t think they can try clothing in court.” Rarity turned to Hoofstrong. “Can they?”
“Are you saying it was your clothes that pulled your weapon on Ms. Polomare?”
“Yes!” Sang shouted.
“Yes,” Rarity murmured. Her pupils shrank. “Please Commissioner, Sang just wanted to keep the fibers from hurting anypony. It’s still a little rough on the edges but its heart was in the right place.”
Hoofstrong stared at Rarity and Sang for a moment and then fell back further in his chair. “We’d be the laughingstocks of Equestria if we tried to put an article of clothing up for trial. Not to mention, Princess Twilight and Princess Celestia would probably pardon it all away. This city has enough problems on its plate and this, despite how absolutely insane everypony today has sounded, seems wrapped up.”
He got out of his seat and over to the door. “Even if we were crazy enough to try and pursue this in court, you and your clothes have a good defense of trying to recover a highly dangerous threat to the public with witnesses to back that story up.”
Rarity’s lip trembled. “So… so I’m free to leave?”
“You’ve had one of the toughest days I’ve seen in this city, Ms. Rarity.” Hoofstrong opened the door. “And trust me, this city is not lacking in toughness.”
“What about the thief?” Sang grumbled.
“What about Suri?” Rarity asked.
“We’re searching for her. We checked the records and we’ve got a few reports on her, but nothing to charge her with. She’ll probably be a little ticked like I’m sure Ms. Hemline will be when she recovers her wits, but again, nothing a Princess can’t resolve. Get some rest and move on. It’s a bad day, but you’ll get by.”
“What about the fibers?” Rarity glanced up at her ear. “And my scissors?”
“We’re holding the fibers until Princess Twilight files the proper transfer forms. We’d like to work with her in case any of them made it onto the streets. I can have somepony pull the blade you had on you out of evidence, but we haven’t been able to find the other piece yet. We can contact you up at your hotel once we’ve finished cleaning up the exhibition hall.”
“Yes, yes that will do.” Rarity wobbled to her hooves, put Sang on, and shuffled out of the room.
Hoofstrong watched her go, looked over the room, and jammed a sugar cube between his jaw and left cheek. It was his fifth of the day.
It was only a short walk to evidence storage, then past the officers’ cubicles, and out to the waiting area. Rarity’s face lit up at the sight of her friends. They raced toward each other and embraced in a huge hug.
“Thank goodness,” Fluttershy sniffled. “We were so worried!”
“Ah, come on, Fluttershy,” said Dash. “Not like Rarity did anything wrong.”
“And how much were you fretting again?” Applejack chuckled.
Dash blushed. “I mean, you never know how things can turn out.”
“I do!” Pinkie chimed in.
“How things could normally turn out,” said Dash.
“Well, it seems things turned out fine.” Twilight looked to Rarity. “Are they?”
“As fine as they can be,” Rarity sighed. “Let’s just get back to the hotel. Spike is probably worried sick.”
“Or just sick,” said Twilight. “I gave him full access to the room service menu.”
“Ohmygosh!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Even the crystal fortuity sunday?”
“Well, Spike is probably the only creature in this city to get his money’s worth out it.” Twilight looked to Rarity and then pointed over to her left. “There is somepony who’s been waiting for you though.”
Rarity turned. Amidst the lines of ponies waiting to file reports and officers leading in hoofcuffed culprits, Coco sat with empty seats beside her. Heavy bags rested under her eyes— the left one meshed with the bruise on her cheek— and an array of bandages ran up her front legs. A few tears spilled down her face. She pulled herself out of the seat and raced over to Rarity with her head bowed low.
“I’m so sorry!” she cried. “If I’d just said something to Suri, I—”
“Enough,” said Rarity.
Coco went rigid but she loosened up when Rarity wrapped her hooves around her.
“Enough,” Rarity repeated. “I don’t want to hear anything more about the show, Suri, or anything about fashion today, maybe even tomorrow. I’m just glad you and everypony else is safe. You’re not too hurt, are you?”
“Oh…” Coco pulled back and rubbed one of her forelegs, brushing against some of the bandages. “Actually, nothing at the show hit me… except for Suri.”
Rarity controlled the urge to wrinkle her muzzle. “But your legs…”
“I, um, got these last night.” Coco blushed. “Or maybe this morning. Suri had me up all night working on the dresses and I got a little tired near the end.”
“Thief couldn’t even steal on her own,” Sang grumbled. “It does show this mare’s skills though. I don’t like that she went along with that thief’s plan, but not just anypony can copy you so seamlessly. If she’d worked with the fibers properly, maybe…”
“Oh, not this again,” Rarity groaned.
Coco flinched. “I’m sorry!”
Rarity waved a hoof. “No, no, dear. I wasn’t talking to you.” She glanced down at Sang and pointed at one of its eyes. “I suppose you haven’t been properly introduced. This is Belle Sang. It’s quite the unique dress and may be one of my finest once I’ve ironed out a few rough patches. Anyway though, dear, Sang seems to be quite fixated on your talent… and trying to get you into a companion piece.”
Sang glowed red. “Am not!”
Rarity chuckled but then her face lost a bit of color. “Coco, I just recalled something. I don’t think Suri will be that happy with either of us, but I still have my boutique back in Ponyville.”
Coco lowered her head. “I’ll manage, Ms. Rarity. There’s always some job here… just not jobs ponies like to do.”
“That’s not what I meant, dear. What I mean to say is that, despite not being too subtle about his intentions, Sang has a point: you have good skills. You just need a chance to show everypony how good you are, and I could use some eyes and ears at the next few fashion shows while I recover from this catastrophe.”
“Are…” Coco’s eyes widened. “Are you offering me a job? Why? It’s my fault all of this happened!”
“As I recall, I was the one foolish enough to just hand out fabric,” Rarity replied. “And nopony could’ve predicted that those were fibers, so there’s nopony to hold fully accountable. Besides, I get the feeling a certain somepony played a big part in why I’m not getting charged with anything.”
Coco blushed. “I just told the officers the truth.” Her ears flopped. “Telling them what happened made me realize how much you forget about generosity in this town. ‘Everypony for herself’ like Suri says. It was almost all I could think about last night.”
“And I might’ve believed her too when she flaunted my fabric right in my face,” Rarity sighed. She turned and smiled at her friends. “But that fight today, as awful as it was, reminded me that I’m not by myself. If it wasn’t for my friends, we may be dealing with a whole city of clothed monstrosities.”
Coco stared at Rarity for a second and then smiled. “Ms. Rarity, I think I wo—”
One of the precinct's window exploded inward. The force of the blast shattered the other windows and sent ponies and cubicles flying.
“RARRRRIIIIITTTTTTYYYY BEEEELLLEEEE!” a voice growled from within the storm of dust and debris.
Everypony locked onto a figure in the center of the precinct. Lines of sapphire light outlined the body of a mare.
“Suri?” Rarity and Coco gasped.
They both went pale when a scissor blade cleaved through the air. Suri glared at them with a feral look in her eyes. It was matched by the gaze cast by her shoulder pads, which spiked up past her now-fiery mane that was dotted with licks of neon blue.
Straps raced down from the shoulder pads to connect with the thick boots that ran up her forelegs. The shoulder pads also intertwined in the middle but left a large space in the center of Suri’s chest.
Further down, the outfit traced Suri’s curves with more straps that linked to a second set of boots on her hindlegs. Unlike the ones on Suri’s forelegs, the ones on her hinds were spiked at the ends, giving a twisted resemblance to heels.
The outfit then slipped between Suri’s nethers, though the glistening fabric was so thin at that point it was clear its only purpose was to entice rather than cover, but was so overt it could only be seen as a parody of alluring clothing. The little pieces of frills at the point where Suri’s thighs met her flanks seemed to hint at a skirt, but without anything to cover up the rest of her lower body.
The fabric reappeared above Suri’s flanks, curved around her tail, and meshed with a row of glinting gemstones that ran up along Suri’s spine. The gems disappeared beneath her mane but reappeared as spires that rose up above her temples. The blue glow coming off of them also enveloped the hilt of the scissor blade at Suri’s side.
“You ruined everything!” Suri slashed at the air again, raking the blade against the ground and cleaving off the end of a nearby bench. “Everypony is always against me in this town, but now I’ll show them! Starting with you!”
Suri burst forward. Her blade curved down towards Rarity but hit a violet shield instead. Cracks erupted from where the blade met the spell. Suri twisted her head towards Twilight.
“Out of my way, Princess!” she sneered and then unleashed a flurry of strikes down on the shield.
More cracks raced over the shield. Twilight winced and her horn sparked. Suri raised the blade high and brought it down with all her might. The shield splintered into countless fragments and the backlash sent everypony flying. Twilight flew back further than the others and crumpled under a wall, the tip of her horn black and smoking.
“Twilight!” Her friends cried out.
Suri looked at Twilight and then at her blade. Her grin widened. “Even a Princess can’t stop me now. With this dress, nopony will ever question that I’m the greatest designer who ever lived!”
Suri cackled.
A sharp cry cut her off. “Stop!”
Coco had recovered from the backlash and now stood opposed to Suri. “Suri, this is crazy! Just stop it!”
“Coco,” Suri growled and leveled her blade at her. “This is your fault too. Oh, I can’t wait to pay you back for every time you’ve failed me, but Rarity comes first!”
“No!” Coco shouted. Suri blinked and her blade bent down for a second before straightening back up. “I… I’m done with this. I’m done with you stealing and hurting other ponies. I listened to you for so long that I actually thought you were right, but Rarity and her friends showed me how awful you really are…” Coco looked down. “How awful I was. I won’t let you hurt anypony anymore!”
Suri stared at Coco for a moment. Then, she chuckled. She chuckled more and it grew louder and louder until it came out as a pained wheezing almost. The sneer on her face when she grew silent chilled everypony to the bone. “Oh, Coco, you really did pick the worst time to actually grow a spine!”
Suri swung her blade at Coco.
“SUUUURRIIII POLLLLOOOMAAAAREEEE!” Rarity roared. Sparks exploded off where her blade met Suri’s. Sang glowed bright around Rarity and both glared at Suri for a split second. Then, Sang’s bottom half transformed into jets. More sparks shot up and Rarity slammed her head into Suri’s chest.
The two soared out of police station and into the Manehattan night. Everypony left conscious in the precinct watched them shrink into neon streaks of ruby and sapphire.
Hoofstrong exploded into what remained of the waiting room. “What in Equestria?”
“It’s Suri!” Coco shouted. “She’s gone mad and Rarity is… I have to go!”
Coco bolted through a shattered window and out onto the streets.
“For Celestia’s sake!” Hoofstrong snapped. He locked onto the officers that remained standing. “We’re going on Nightmare Watch! Call up the Royal Guard and have every officer we can on those mares with stun and incendiary spells at the ready. If we have a clear shot at Polomare, I want that brood taken out!”
Dash left Twilight’s side and flew up to Hoofstrong. “What about Rarity?”
“I said stun, didn’t I?”
Dash scraped the ground with a hoof. “You…”
She exploded off the ground and raced after Rarity and Suri.
“Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy cried. “Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no!”
“We gotta go after them!” said Applejack.
“Oh no you’re not!” Hoofstrong ordered. “You are staying ri—”
A blast of party favors took him from behind. He wobbled in place for a moment and then crashed to the ground.
Pinkie gulped when the other officers glared at her. “We should probably run now.”
~~~
The Manehatten streets flowed with ponies. Many shuffled through the crowds on their way back to or from work. Others had a bit more jump in their step as they jostled along toward dinner and the bars. A couple mosied along, taking in the sights and sounds with both eyes and cameras. Vendors hawked their goods to those that ignored the rumors about such food carts.
A trio of two fillies and a colt sat on an apartment building’s steps and watched ponies go by while sipping on either milk or apple juice. All three were still blank flanks. The brownish orange filly bit a chunk out of her hot dog.
“Geez, this city,” Babs Seed said with a half-full mouth. “The exhibition hall gets the remodel of the century and nopony bats an eye.”
A blue colt at her side shrugged. “Eh, if it doesn’t bother them, why should anypony care?”
“Cause maybe they wanted to see their cousin,” Babs grumbled. “Wouldn’t you be a little ticked if your brother had to cancel seeing you?”
Ricochet shrugged again. “Well, he is in the Royal Guard, so…”
Sunny Days frowned. “Don’t worry, Babs. Your cousin said she was fine in that letter she sent, right?”
Babs gulped down the rest of her dinner. “I ain’t worried about her. Just mad that whatever happened ruined meeting up with her.”
“What do you think happened?” asked Ricochet. “Ponies may still be going about like they always do, but I’ve heard them talking. Some of them are saying a crazy designer tried to make clothes that were on fire.”
“Applejack said she couldn’t say much cause the cops were still investigating.” Babs grinned. “I’m willing to bet it was some sort of monster that… I don’t know, eats clothes are something and she and her friends had to stop it.”
“Maybe somepony designed something so awful that Prim Hemline finally exploded,” Sunny suggested.
All three of them laughed.
“Well, Applejack said she’s here for another day, so maybe I’ll stop by her hotel to see her,” said Babs. “And get some room service while I’m there.”
“That’s right.” Ricochet grinned. “Your cousin is staying at the Manefair, right? You gotta see wh—”
The road a few blocks down from the trio exploded in a blast a ruby and sapphire light. Buggies close to the point of impact went flying while those further away slammed to a halt and other cab slammed into them.
Some ponies managed to rise to their hooves with their ears still ringing. Their ears rang again with the clang of metal on metal. Most of their jaws dropped. A pickpocket dropped the coin purse he’d snatched in the initial confusion. Everypony stared at the cratered street and the two mares trading blow after blow with giant scissor halves.
Rarity danced among the flames, parrying with her blade and barrier spells. Suri tore through the rubble and raked her blade through the street, sending debris flying at Rarity. Rarity blocked, but then a hoof smashed into her side.
Suri grinned while the spires at her temples glowed bright. A few sparks shot off from the rest of her outfit. “Hee-hee, magic really does make this outfit complete. I can’t wait to see what my future designs will do!”
“This isn’t good,” said Sang. “That thing isn’t properly made. Once that thief runs out of blood, it could unravel and send fibers everywhere, and with the mindset she’s imbued it with…”
“I think the running out of blood bit is a little more pressing!” Rarity yelped when Suri charged her and their blades clashed. “Suri! You need to get out of that thing! It’ll drain you dry!”
“Who cares?” Suri huffed. “It was Tartarus in this city even before you came here. Now I’ll get show it who’s boss!”
She lurched to her right and then swung. The blade crashed against a barrier, but its tip managed to pierce through and slashed Rarity’s leg.
“Gah!” Both Sang and Rarity yelped.
Sang’s fibers raced up to cover the cut and reseal the slit but its boot slipped further down Rarity’s leg until it crumpled to the ground.
“Sang!” Rarity cried. She glared over at Suri. “What did you do?”
“You think improving other ponies’ work is the only way I got where I am?” Suri sneered. “I’m going to rip your precious little number apart and then I’ll take my time with you!”
Rarity’s mane flared up and Sang grew brighter. Her magic pulled its boot up and held it in place. “Sang, drink up!”
“But, Rarity, if she keeps targeting my stitching…”
“Who fashioned you?” Rarity shot back. “I will not have this… this broodmare tearing you apart! Just hold it together until we get home!”
“Ha! Broodmare? Have you looked at yourself lately?” Suri held her blade high and rushed Rarity.
“Heh, never thought I’d ever get the chance to be sown by you again.” Sang glared at Suri. “Let’s take her down!”
Rarity charged forward. Blade met blade. Both mare pulled back and then swung again and again. The force of each clash sent gusts roaring through the streets. The gales launched a few of the ponies that had remained off their hooves. Yet, many ponies still remained in awe of the fight. Some even took pictures.
Babs Seed and her friends peaked out from behind the stairs they’d taken cover behind.
“Holy smokes!” Babs exclaimed. “It’s just like those crazy stories Apple Bloom told me about her sister!”
“And those outfits!” A bit of blood dribbled from Ricochet’s nose. “Heh, and ma said you’d get mugged if you were on a street with mares like that.”
“I think getting crushed or cut in two is just as bad, you stupid colt,” said Sunny. Her eyes then narrowed and she turned to Babs. “Um, Babs, this is gonna sound completely crazy, but you remember that picture your cousin Apple Bloom sent of her sister and all of her friends?”
Babs raised an eyebrow. “Bit random time for that, Sunny, but yeah, why?”
“Well, wasn’t one of her friends a white unicorn with a purple mane and three diamonds for a cutie mark?”
“Uh, yeah.”
Sunny pointed out toward the battlefield as Rarity teleported behind Suri and ripped a writhing string out of her outfit, causing the frills at Suri’s thighs to loosen and dangle by threads. “Isn’t that a white unicorn with a mostly purple mane and three diamonds for a cutie mark?”
Babs eyes popped. “Holy smokes!”
Ahead of them, Suri clenched her teeth tight and grew a shade paler while her outfit’s magic reattached its frills.
“You’re not the only one can wreck a wardrobe,” Rarity huffed.
“Bring it!” Suri growled and raced forward.
“Fine!” Dash yelled and plowed right into Suri. Suri went flying across the street and collided with a food cart, sending hot dogs and peanuts all over the place. Dash gulped down some air and then smiled at Rarity. “Heh, showed he—”
The crumpled remains the cart slammed into Dash. She crashed into the building Babs and her friends had gathered under and collapsed to the ground.
“Rainbow Dash!” Rarity cried out.
“Rarity!” Sang screamed when he saw metal glint from her side.
There was a crimson flash and then a rip echoed through the street. Sang, with it skirt cleaved in the front and its blouse held together by only threads floated in front of Rarity. Suri gripped one end of her blade but the upper half flipped through the air and then buried its tip in the street.
Rarity’s pupils shrank down to specs. “Sang!”
Her horn flared with magic and sent the section of asphalt beneath Suri rocketing away. She snatched Sang up and held him in her hooves. “No, no, I can fix this. I can fix this. Sang, just take a little blood!”
“You… you fight well,” Sang coughed. “But this is no place for you. D-don’t worry, Rarity, I’m sure your friends are on the way. With them, you c-can do a whole lot more than what just one little outfit can do.”
Sang’s glow faded and it fell limp in Rarity’s hooves. Tears spilled down her face and onto it.
“No, Sang!” she cried. “Belle Sang, you get up this instant! I did not design clothes that give up from just a little scratch!”
“Then why don’t I do a bit more to it?” Suri swept over to Rarity’s side and launched a leg into her gut.
The wind flew out of Rarity and she skidded across the street with Sang still in her hooves.
Suri picked up Rarity's blade and strode over to her. “Oh yes, I may have lost my chance at the show, my stupid assistant, and even my dignity looking like this, but seeing you on the ground with that gaudy rag in tatters makes it worth it.” Suri raised the blade over Rarity. “I’m feeling a little woozy, so lucky you, I don’t have time to draw this out unfortunately!”
A piece of rubble smacked Suri in the head. She spun and slashed at the air. The dust swirled around Babs as she glared up at Suri.
“Leave her alone!” Babs shouted. “And learn some manners, ya darn brood! Who do you think you are coming to my neighborhood and tearing it up?”
“Shut up, brat!” Suri’s outfit grew bright and a glow surrounded Babs. The magic flung her up and across the street. Veins throbbed across Suri’s forehead as she advanced on Babs. “Idiots! You’re all idiots!”
“Stop!” Ricochet and Sunny yelled. They placed themselves between Babs and Suri and held their ground, even while their legs shook.
“Out of my way!” Suri roared. Her outfit glowed bright again.
The blade shot out of Suri's grasp and cleaved through her left shoulder pad and then sliced off one of the spires by her temple. Sparks shot off her outfit and then a blast consumed it and propelled her across the street. Rarity gasped for breath and shot her blade to ground so she could use it as a support.
“Are… are you all right?” she asked Sunny and Ricochet between breaths.
“Guh.” Babs turned over and wobbled to her hooves. “The things you deal with in this city.”
“My word,” Rarity gasped. “Babs Seed? What in Equestria are you doing here? This is no place for a filly! You need to get out of he—”
A shredded boot decked Rarity across the face. Suri grinned despite the blood trickling down her face. Her outfit fizzled and was riddle with burns and rips, but it still glowed bright.
“All of you…” she spat, “... all of you are pests!”
Rarity forced herself up and leveled her blade at Suri. “The only pest here is you! Ruining the show, firing Coco, tearing up half the city… Not to mention what you did to Sang! You’re rotten to the core, Suri Polomare!”
“This whole city is rotten!” Suri fell upon Rarity and smacked the blade out of her grasp. She rained blow after blow on her. The first few hits met a barrier, but the ones after that smashed through and slammed into Rarity’s face. “You stupid hick! You have no idea what it’s like here!”
Rarity tried to counter, but when she blocked one hoof, another struck her elsewhere.
“You think generosity matters here?” Suri continued her assault. “Everypony is out to get you until you get smart enough to go after everypony! You steal! You trick! You sabotage! That’s the only way in this city!”
Suri sent her hoof up in a blur and dug into Rarity’s muzzle. Rarity flipped backwards and then crumpled onto the ground. Suri gasped for breath. She leered over Rarity, took hold of the scissor blade, and raised it up high.
“It’s every pony for herself!” she cackled.
“No!”
Crimson fibers surged over Suri. They twisted around her limbs, snapped the remaining spire off her head, and strung her up. She glared at Rarity but then felt something to her left. Her wild eyes locked onto Coco.
Coco wheezed for air and her legs wobbled under her. The bandages were torn from them. Blood seeped out of cuts and punctures and down to the fibers connected to her. Some kept her upright while the rest flowed around her.
“How?” Suri growled. “These are my fibers!”
“No, they aren’t.” Rarity’s voice made Suri’s blood run cold.
Suri twisted her neck around to see that Rarity was back on her hooves despite her battered body and swollen face.
“Even if she was copying me, Coco poured all her effort into her work.” Rarity’s horn sparked and her blade lifted from where Suri had dropped it. “I told you, these fibers are rather unruly, but if you put your heart into them, they will always repay you.”
Suri struggled against the fibers but Coco kept her hold on the them.
Rarity raised her blade up. “If you’d actually cared instead of stepping on everypony else, maybe this would have gone differently. Think on that, Suri Polomare!”
“No!” Suri screamed as Rarity brought her blade down.
A flash of sapphire lit up the street. Suri’s tattered outfit fell to the ground. She stared at it for a second with a slack jaw. Then, Rarity shut her mouth with the hilt of her blade. Her neck slackened and her body went limp.
Coco let go of Suri and fell to her knees. “I’ll take a thousand Prim Hemlines after this.”
Rarity collapsed to the ground as well. “I… I agree. I think I’ll be taking full advantage of my hotel’s spa.”
“And I could go for their dry cleaning,” Sang chimed in.
Rarity’s head jerked up. “Sang! You’re alive!”
“Well, I’m clothes, so I’m not really alive to start with,” Sang coughed. “Plus, it will take a lot more than one thief to ruin something made by Equestria’s greatest designer.”
Rarity half-chuckled, half-sniffled. “Glad to see my melodramatics have rubbed off on you at least. When I can feel my legs again, I’ll be sure to stitch you up good as new.”
“Deal.” The way Sang’s skirt and blouse laid over the rubble made the gap between the two pieces form a grin. It glanced up to the sky with its intact eye. “I’m sure Fluttershy will handle me properly until you can work again.”
“Fluttershy?” Rarity craned her neck up. A yellow blur raced through the sky towards them. “Oh, good.”
Rarity’s head then flopped onto the street.
Nearby, Suri’s outfit inched along the ground. A sewer grate lay a few feet ahead of it. It squirmed a little closer before Babs drove the broken tip of a scissor blade through it, pinning it to the ground. It fizzled and then went limp.
“Tch,” Babs spat. “You caused enough trouble, you dumb fabric.”
“Rarity!” Coco cried out at the same time Babs was finishing off Suri’s outfit. She pushed down on the ground, but her legs refused to lift her up. Her vision spun from the exertion.
“Don’t strain yourself,” said Sang. “Rarity’s friends will be here in a second to get the two of you some care.”
“Oh… okay.” Coco blushed. Her head then jerked up and her widened eyes fell upon Sang. “Was that you?”
“Ah, good,” Sang mused. “I’d been thinking about whether you could hear the fiber’s voice ever since I saw those wounds on your legs. You’ve got decent control, but I’m sure Rarity will show you how to properly manipulate them.”
Coco blinked. “W-what?”
“When you’re working for her.” A small glow rose off of Sang. “Oh, and then you’ll be able to design your ow—”
“Sangy!” Pinkie weaved through the maze of junked buggies and rubble. She scooped Sang up and held it to her chest. “Oh, you’re all cut up! Don’t worry though, I’m gonna pull out all the stops to make all three of you better lickety split!”
“You are fraying me!” Sang yelped.
“Oh…” Pinkie looked down at Sang and then up as Fluttershy swooped down. She offered Fluttershy a sheepish grin and then handed Sang over to her. “Maybe you should hold Sangy for now.”
“You poor thing,” Fluttershy sniffled. She turned and laid Sang on her back. “You just sit tight until Rarity is all better. I’m sure she’ll make you look even nicer than before.”
“I’d bet on it,” said Sang.
Applejack was the last to arrive with Twilight resting on her back. She took in the broken streets, the wrecked buggies and food carts, and a busted fire hydrant that had turned into a fountain. “That Commissioner is not gonna be happy when he sees this.”
“We should probably send a letter to Princess Celestia as soon as we get Rarity and Coco to the hospital.” Fluttershy glared to her left at Suri lying prone on the ground. “And get her to a police station.”
“And where is Dash?” Applejack looked around. “How in Equestria is she not here yet?”
“She is,” Babs called out. Everypony turned around to see Babs standing over Suri’s outfit and pointing over to Dash slumped under a wall. “I swear, you Ponyville mares are all crazy. Crazy awesome!”
“Babs Seed?” Applejack gasped. “What in tarnation are you doing here?”
Babs raised an eyebrow. “I live here.”
“Not what I meant, sugarcube.” Applejack furrowed her brow. “You could’ve gotten hurt big time staying so close to this fight.”
“But I didn’t.” Babs stomped on Suri’s outfit. “Plus, if I hadn’t been here, this rag might’ve gotten away.”
Applejack’s tongue flicked around, but no words formed. She shook her head and sighed. “Just don’t go getting into trouble like this again, ya hear? I worry enough with Apple Bloom trying every crazy thing she can think of to get her cutie mark.”
“As awesome as it sounds, I think I’d rather not get my cutie mark fighting broodmare dresses gone crazy.” She glanced at the blade. ”Now the hairstyles you could make with these things…”
~~~
The city was abuzz for the next few days with news of the fight. Newspapers, tabloids, and even the high-end journals ran stories on it. The only literature not talking about it was a certain breed of magazines that saw its sales plummet in the wake of the fight. Those magazines had to compete with Suri and Rarity in their full battle attire plastered onto every scrap of paper that media outlets could find.
To Rarity’s relief as she recovered in a cordoned off area of Bronclyn General, the arrival of a Royal Chariot and a platoon of guards stole some of the coverage away from the fight. By the time she was able to raise herself off the bed, the story was less about the fight and more about a government coverup.
The various tales of a secret super weapon, plots by foreign governments, and even an alien invasion entertained Rainbow Dash while she recovered in the bed next to Rarity. Twilight muttered about what they were allowing into print these days and was relieved when she was able to leave her bed.
Coco stayed with them the first night, but was released in the morning. She came by every day to visit along with Rarity’s friends.
On the day the Royal Chariot was spotted, she came into Rarity and Dash’s section with some piping hot pastries. She dropped the bag they were in when she saw Princess Celestia standing beside Rarity’s bed with all her friends gather around.
“Oh, Miss Pommel,” said Celestia. “I was just finishing up talking through things with my student and her friends, won’t you join us?”
“I, uh…” Sweat streaked down Coco’s face. “Yes. Yes, your highness!”
Coco shuffled over and sat between Applejack and Pinkie.
Celestia sniffed at the air and eyed the bag. “Those wouldn’t happen to be Dominique’s would they?”
“Yes?” Coco stuttered. “I… I have a few extra b-because hospital food c-can be so bland.”
“Well, let's enjoy breakfast then.” Celestia floated the bag up levitated out a pastry that was not quite a donut and not quite a croissant to everyone. She smiled when she noticed that one was dusted with gem powder and sent it over to Spike. “If Rarity wasn’t sitting in bed right here, I could have sworn she bought this. I’m reluctant to admit it, but I find that Manehatten is usually lacking your level of empathy, Ms. Pommel.”
Coco kept her eyes lowered. “I just want to help out. I owe Rarity and everypony else here so much.”
“I could say the same to you, dear.” Rarity took a bite of her pastry. “Give yourself some credit. Without you, I might have… well, best not to dwell on such things.”
“And there’s already enough paperwork to sift through,” Celestia chuckled. “Nothing a few decrees and a very generous donation to the Manehatten Police Union can’t fix though.”
“And…” Coco gulped. “And Suri?”
Celestia’s eyes turned cold. “Aside from property damage and obscenity charges I’m more than happy with the city to charge her with, she assaulted the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony and a Princess. She’ll be facing the Royal Court as well. I believe crafting outfits and furniture for Equestria’s less fortunate while she’s serving time will be a good lesson for her.”
“Agreed,” said Rarity. She then looked to Coco. “Now as for you, my dear, how are things going?”
“Avoiding the paparazzi is a little difficult once Ms. Twilight’s cloaking spell runs out, but they do make moving out a little easier,” Coco answered. “And would make finding any place in town impossible.”
“Silver linings, dear.” Rarity smiled. “A bit more rest and then back to Ponyville. We’ll have so much work to do!”
“Finally,” Sang sighed from atop the covers on Rarity’s bed. “If I have to wait a minute longer for a redesign, I’m going to lose it.”
“Just don’t push yourself for me,” said Coco.
“Don’t worry, Coco dear.” Rarity’s smile widened. “If I work too hard, I’ve now got a wonderful apprentice help me out.”
~~~
A train pulled into Ponyville a few days later. Everypony in town was happy to see Twilight and her friends again, but were a little confused or concerned about the regiment of guards that accompanied them and carried crimson fibers in sealed containers.
Rarity faced a barrage of questions from Sweetie Belle, especially regarding the unfamiliar mare that was now going to be living in her room at Carousel Boutique. Rarity’s friends faced similar inquisitions, but the curiosity died down as ponies had to get back to work and carry on with life.
Rarity blanched a few days after she returned when there was a knock at her door. Snips and Snails stood outside with a picture of her and Suri crossing blades. Their request for an autograph was met with her incinerating the picture and threats to stitch their mouths shut if they mentioned that day ever again. Coco couldn’t help but chuckle as she watched the colts run for their lives.
Rarity’s embarrassment was quickly forgotten as she tended to Coco’s education. Coco had the proper techniques down and she was a master at following Rarity’s designs, but she struggled in coming up with outfits of her own. Even coming up with patterns for scarves and socks proved challenging for her.
Yet, one morning, Rarity found Coco hunched over a workbench with a somewhat familiar white dress in front of her. It was a flowing sundress with blue streaks running down its sides. Its shoulders glistened with an array of gems.
Rarity couldn’t help but feel like the gems were looking up with her. She also noticed a nick on Coco’s hooves and Sang strung over a nearby chair. “Sang, what have I said about working with fibers?”
Sang eyed the ground. “She’s the one that heard them. What was I supposed to do? And admit it, this is her finest work yet.”
“I can undo it if yo—”
“Coco!” Rarity snapped. She lit up her horn, picked the dress up, and slowly spun it around. “How could you even think of undoing all the hard work you’ve put into this? No matter what, a designer must be proud of her work, and you have a lot to be proud of with this piece. Do you understand?”
Coco bowed her head. “Y-yes.”
Rarity lifted up Coco’s head with a hoof. “Chin up, my dear. Now, while welcome the stiff competition this could give even me, my only concern is about ponies actually wearing it. If they were to get cut…”
Coco put one leg over the other with the nick. “Don’t worry, this was just to keep Sang awake while I worked.”
“She’s tasty, but a little more subdued than you,” Sang commented.
“I’d rather my business not be seen as a literal bloodsucker,” Rarity sighed and then floated the dress back to Coco. “Now, from the looks of it, you’ve been up all night working on that magnifique piece, so why don’t you put it someplace safe before we have a nice breakfast and then we hit the spa?”
“Of course!” Coco took hold of her dress and made her way up the stairs.
Inside her room, she pulled out a hanger from her closet and put her dress on it. She smiled at it and then turned to leave the room.
“Master…” a voice whispered.
Coco froze and spun back towards the dress.
“That was very naughty of you, master,” the dress giggled. “You didn’t tell Rarity about last night.”
“T-that was just a test run.” Red filled Coco’s cheeks. “You… you’re being a very bad dress, Pureté.”
“Well, somepony has to,” Pureté chuckled. “Master, you really should be more open about your feelings.”
Coco grew more red and sweat beaded up on her forehead. “W-what?”
Pureté’s sapphire studded waist curved upwards. “I know you wanted Rarity to see you fully dressed this morning.”
“It’s not like that!” Coco screamed, her whole face now fully crimson.
The heat radiating off her evaporated when Rarity’s voice came from behind Coco.
“Not like what?” she asked.
Author's Note
I'm still pondering just how you use the squishy soap stuff they sell at Lush.
You know, all this talk of Manehatten and costumed ponies has got me thinking...
Have a happy 4th of July everyone!
