Fame or Friendship

Chapters

A Diamond in the Rough
Show us DE MAGICKS!
The FashionShow
On the Road to Fame
Called to Canterlot
One Element Short of Harmony
A Very Difficult Decision
Here I Remain
Prologue
Photo Finish wants........ME?!?

A Diamond in the Rough

CHAPTER 1 - A Diamond in the Rough

The next day was fairly easy as Twilight and the others had already set the stage up some time after Rarity fell asleep. Spike and Rarity rehearsed a bit in the morning and then around noon they started the fashion show. A fair multitude of mares came to see the show, most of them being Rarity’s best customers. All of Rarity’s friends also came to see the show and help her change into each dress backstage.

Rarity was behind the curtains getting ready to walk out in her first dress and was talking with Twilight.

“You ready to do this, Rarity?” Twilight asked her.

“Well, I guess. I haven’t done this in quite a while Twilight, do you think I’m up for it?” Rarity replied anxiously. She had always been a good model, but she spent more time designing and making clothes, she was almost afraid she would forget what to do.

“You’ll be fine, Rarity. Just remember, grace and balance!” said Twilight doing a little stance she had seen Rarity
demonstrate in the past when giving the same advice.

“You’re right, Darling, I should have nothing to worry about.” Rarity gave a sigh of relief knowing it would be alright. Twilight’s encouragement was enough to help her remember to keep her cool. Her ears then perked up as she heard Spike finishing his intro and then cuing her to come out. The unicorn DJ, Vinyl Scratch, started the record player at the DJ booth and the music began playing. “Oh, I’m up! Well, Rarity, let’s break a leg!”

The curtains parted and Rarity stood straight and tall with her eyes closed and then opened them and proudly walked out. Cameras flashed and ponies gave their “Ooohs” and “Aaahs” as she walked by them. Once she got to the end of the stage, she struck a pose, paused for the audience and then twirled gracefully to the other side.

“Wow, her dresses seem to be getting better!” said one pony in the audience.

“I just might have to save up some money for that!” said another one checking her bits in a bag to see if she could afford it.

“Breath-taking, isn’t it, folks?” Spike said to the audience “But that’s not all! Brace yourselves for the next dress…”

Rarity then turned around and walked back to the curtains where the others were waiting with her second dress. Spike kept the audience waiting by describing the next dress for them.

“Wow, Rarity, you did rather well out there!” Fluttershy congratulated her once the curtains closed.

“Yeah, who knew ya had it in ya!” Applejack added while she was carrying out some clothes for Rarity on her back. “Here all this time, Ah thought ya only made the dresses! Never knew ya could model in em too!”

“Well this is Rarity we’re talking about you know.” Rainbow Dash said after setting down some clothes she helped bring in with Applejack. “Even for somepony like me, I gotta admit, she sure knows a thing or two about this whole modeling nonsense!”

“Not much of a fashion-lover, are you, Rainbow Dash?” asked Twilight.

“Me?! Pfffffffft! Fashion and I get along like fire and ice! But still, if anypony can follow it well enough, it’s Rarity, and I’d say she makes it look good!”

“Oh thank you, Darling!” Rarity said gratefully. “It’s good to hear it coming from you also. And all of you, thanks for your support!” They all finished putting the next dress on and then Rarity turned back to the curtains as they opened a second time. She walked out in a long black dress embroidered with a purple floral design on it and a hat of the same color with a purple feather. Once again, cameras flashed and more ponies complemented her fine dress.

“Be reminded, folks, these dresses are all custom-made by Rarity herself and will be for sale at the Carousel Boutique after today’s show, so don’t forget to come by and take a gander at them!” Spike reminded the audience.

Rarity smiled at him and mouthed “Thank you” to him for remembering to let the ponies know about how the dresses were on sale, that way the show wouldn’t be a waste of time.

“I just know my daughter would love one of those dresses for the upcoming prom!” said one of the mother ponies in the crowd.

“I wonder if Rarity has ever thought of modeling more broadly…” one of the ponies asked her friends quietly. “…she seems to be good at more than just dress-making you know.”

Rarity heard what the pony said in the audience and thought to herself on that question. Why didn’t she model more broadly? It certainly wouldn’t hurt, and it was something she had loved doing. Being on stage this day showing off her dresses made her feel a need to get more into modeling so she could find a way to get word out of her dresses. But would modeling even be worth it for her? Could she find time around her busy schedule to do it? So many thoughts about this flowed through her head but she had to decide on that later. For now, the show was her first priority and she kept her balance and continued for the audience.

Meanwhile, Ponyville’s most acclaimed photographer pony, Photo Finish was out for a stroll with two of her assistants, Hairspray and Roxie. She was very stressed out from her work and hadn’t been making much progress so she wasn’t in a good mood at all. Her assistants behind her were reluctantly listening to her complain.

“I jest do not get eet!” Photo Finish said in her thick German accent. “Efer seence Flotershy has abandoned me, businees has been very bad!” The other two just stayed close behind and rolled their eyes a little not knowing how to respond to this. Photo Finish began to lose her patience from their silence. “Vhat are you two doing?! Do not juz stand zah, gif me some ideas!”

They both just looked at each other not knowing what to say after being caught off guard.

“Um…well, Photo Finish, have you even looked around Ponyville for a new model at all?” asked Hairspray.

“Yeah, there’s plenty of ponies around here, you just haven’t really opened yourself up to them yet.” Roxie added.

“Of course I haf, but nopony around here has ze same spirit zat Flotershy had! I look high and low and I vind nozing! Nopony out zhere, nopony at all, haz de magicks!”

“Nopony except her!” Hairspray declared while pointing at a crowd of ponies near what appeared to be a fashion show going on. Photo Finish looked over to where her assistant was pointing and saw a model pony on the stage striking poses as the audience took pictures. Her first thought was how on Earth did she, the most popular photographer, not get wind of there being a fashion show in the middle of Ponyville? Besides, the model pony was actually very good. She had good looks and the proper apparel and knew how to move well. But Photo Finish didn’t recognize her. She took her glasses off slowly and had a look of satisfaction for once on this rather stressful day.

“I do not believe eet! Who, who is zat pony, ladies?! I muzt know!

“Isn’t that Rarity?” asked Roxie.

“Who?” Photo Finish had forgotten all about Rarity already.

“You know, the fashion designer that had Fluttershy model so you could come to shoot it that one time?” Roxie answered.

“Yeah, she runs that boutique right around the corner.” Hairspray pointed out.

“Oh yes, yes, her. But……how can zat be her?” Photo Finish asked confusedly. “All I saw her do vas vear a nice hat, I deedn’t know she had de magicks!”

“Well she does, and it looks like the answer to your problems has been solved, Photo!” Hairspray said happily. “Look at her, she’s way better than Fluttershy was! She actually knows what she’s doing, she knows the way of the model!”

“Steel, I am not sure, I haf not zeen enough yet… Oh how I vish I could stay at zeese fashion show to see ze rezt of ze dresses she has, but I must go back to ze studio or I vill be late for ze next shoot!” she then turned to her assistants and used her mouth to take out a little digital camera in the pocket of her coat and gave it to Roxie. “You two, stay here and do ze shooting vile I go back to business and report to me vhen you haf ze photos, I muzt see zhem vhen zhe are complete! And remember to zet ze shoter speed to 1/200, ve don’t vant her to look blurry ven she moves. And now……I GO!”

“Don’t worry, Photo Finish, we’ll get as many shots as we can.” Roxie assured her.

The ambitious photographer pony then trotted off to her job and left the other two to Rarity.

A half hour had passed and the fashion show was over. Rarity went backstage to remove her dress and talk with her friends.

“Rarity, you did great!” Twilight congratulated her. “I think the ponies are really anxious to come to the boutique!”

“Thank you so much, Darling!” Rarity replied bashfully. “I really do hope this makes them want to come, things have been a bit lax at the boutique lately!”

“Aw, I’m sure this’ll help out, Rarity!” said Pinkie patting her on the head. “I might just have to come by and see whatcha got there!”

“Yes Rarity, same for me, those were some nice dresses and I wouldn’t mind getting one myself” said Fluttershy.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t actually mind buying that one sun hat you used back there Rarity.” said Rainbow Dash as everyone looked at her amazed.

“Wow, Dash, YOU wanna go and buy some clothes?!” teased Applejack.

“What? It looked pretty nice! Plus the sun gets a bit too bright sometimes!”

“Well, Rarity, I guess you can add one more name to your list of customers!” said Twilight proudly as everyone else giggled at Rainbow Dash.

Spike then came in behind Rarity to congratulate her along with the others. He couldn’t let a good opportunity pass to give her some encouragement.

“Rarity, you did awesome out there!” he told her. “The crowd loved it; I’ll bet you’ll have the biggest crowd at the boutique this afternoon!”

“Oh thank you, Spike!” she said giving him a pat on the head while he blushed. “I’m glad you enjoyed it and you have my thanks for being my host!”

“Aw, any time!” Spike put his arms behind his back sheepishly and kicked his leg around on the floor. There was nothing he liked better than for Rarity to thank him.

“Well ladies, I think Spike is right, there will be a rather large crowd at the boutique later today. I best get things around! Cheerio everypony!” she said rushing into the boutique to get things around before opening hours.

“Take care, Rarity, and you let us know if you need some help!” Twilight called.

Everyone else then parted to go back to their every-day activities. Twilight walked back to the library with Spike following close behind.

“Rarity sure was spiffy today, huh Spike?” said Twilight obviously knowing how Spike would react.

“Yeah, she really was…” he said dreamily.

Twilight giggled at the sight of her number one assistant staring amorously into space nearly tripping over a few pebbles on the ground and trying to keep his balance. His reaction to Rarity was just too cute even if she was too old for him and wasn’t even a dragon. Although in the past she hadn’t been too supportive of his feelings for her, she decided to just play along and be respectful.

“I can understand why you think so, Spike. Rarity sure does have a talent for modeling.”

“Do you think she’ll do it some more?”

“Well I don’t know, she kinda has a demanding job you know.”

“Still, she should look into it; she’s got everything a model needs: beauty, charm, grace…”

“Hehe, I know Spike, I know.” said Twilight smiling as she continued towards her library to start a long day’s work.

Later, Hairspray and Roxie rushed over to a nearby print shop and had the photos of Rarity processed and placed inside a folder to show to Photo Finish. They finally got to the studio she worked at just as she was finishing her shoot.

“Photo Finish, we got those pictures just as you asked.” Hairspray told her.

“Ah, vunderbal, ladies!” Photo Finish said with a grin on her face. The stress from today’s work had left her in dire need of some good news. “Vhere are zey, I muzt see!”

Roxie then opened her bag and took out the folder to show to her boss. “We got quite a few; about five for each dress and she put on about ten more after you left.”

Photo Finish bit on the folder and then went over to a nearby desk and opened it up with her hooves and looked in to see the pictures. After seeing the first few, her jaw started to drop. It seemed to drop further each time she looked at a new picture. She slowly took her glasses off and practically threw them aside so she could get a clear view of these photos.

“Zese……..zese are incredeeble, gerls, ABSOLUTELY INCREDEEBLE!” she exclaimed shuffling the pictures quickly barely knowing where to look for the best one. “Zis is vhat ve need! Zhe devinitely haz ze charm, ze beauty, ze grace, everytheeng!!”

“Yeah, we told you she did! You should have taken her instead of Fluttershy!” said Roxie.

“Indeed I should haf……but I, Photo Finish, resolve to not make zat same meestake!” she put her glasses back on and then put all the pictures back into the folder and gave them back to Roxie. “Come, gerls, I now know vhat ve muzt do. Ve muzt convinze Rarity to come here so ve can give her ze recognition zhe deservez! It is time to make……DE MAGICKS!!!”

Ponyville’s finest photographer then rushed into her office with her two assistants to start her master plan to make Rarity the ultimate Equestrian star…

TO BE CONTINUED…

Show us DE MAGICKS!

CHAPTER 3 - Show us DE MAGICKS!

Photo Finish Studios was a rather cryptic building. There were barely any windows and even the windows that were there were darkened or too high for anypony on the ground to see. Rarity stared in amazement at the building wondering what exactly went on in there. Back when Fluttershy modeled for Photo Finish, Rarity never got the chance to go in with her and Fluttershy didn’t really like talking about the place. But the look of it right now seemed rather professional and promising to Rarity. If she got Photo Finish’s approval, she would be here a lot so now was the time to start getting used to it.

The doors opened for her automatically thanks to the magic from two security guard unicorns. It was almost as if she had been expected by everypony in the building.

“Oh, why thank you gentlemen!” she said politely walking past the guards.

“Our pleasure, ma’am, welcome to Photo Finish Studios.” said one of them bowing.

Rarity continued forward down a long carpet to a nearby receptionist’s desk to ask where she needed to be. There were other employees in there around the foyer glancing at her curiously. Some of them seemed to be whispering to one another while looking at Rarity. Perhaps they all did know about her coming. Photo Finish must have said something or shown them the pictures of Rarity. A few “Is that her?”s and “Where have I seen that pony before?”s could be heard among the employees. Rarity just smiled back to them bashfully and kept walking down the carpet to the desk. The receptionist was on the phone and hadn’t yet noticed her.

“Yes………uh huh………yeah……” she said into the phone. “……well, no, not so much Hun, it’s models we need……plenty of models……or at least one really good model. Photo Finish says she’s got her eyes on somepony in this town and she might……OH!” the receptionist turned around and saw Rarity and gasped surprisingly. “Well speak of the devil; I think that’s her right now! Alright, well I’d better go, gotta get back to work, okay Hun?........Okay……yup, uh huh, bye. I’m so sorry, Miss. What can I get for you?”

“Well……I am here to see Photo Finish about a possible position in modeling…” Rarity said.

“Ah yes, you must be Rarity, right?” the receptionist guessed.

“Why yes, but how did you know that?”

“Oh everypony knows your name already, Hun. Photo Finish told us all about you and showed us a couple pictures. Nearly all of us have been talking about you, you’re going to make a terrific model!”

“You really think so?”

“Of course! And we’ve really been in need of a good model or two lately! You just might save this business from a bit of a financial crisis we’re in! Well…anyways…… Photo Finish. Yes, you’ll find her right down that corridor and then to the last room on your right. Somepony should be in there that can tell you where to go next, it’ll lead you to a studio where they’ll have you model.”

“Thank you miss. Oh I’m so excited!” Rarity squealed while trotting off gleefully.

She went down the corridor the receptionist pointed out to her. The walls were black with a few lights going down the middle so it got darker as she went down farther. It was almost hard to see where the doors were, but there were numbers on them for guidance. She finally noticed a little sign on the wall at the end of the corridor that pointed to the right and read “Main Studio” so this must have been where she needed to go. She turned to open the door, but once again she found it opened for her thanks to another unicorn security guard.

“Welcome, Miss Rarity. We’ve been expecting you.” said the guard politely.

“Oh, have you now? Do you know where I can find Photo Finish?”

A few photographers ponies looked behind and saw Rarity there and started murmuring amongst each other loudly. They all really WERE expecting her!

“VAH IZ SHE? LET ME THROUGH!” said a voice from behind them.

The photographers all parted and Photo Finish ran toward Rarity to greet her.

“RARITY, DAHLING, ZAH YOU AH!”

Rarity quickly fluffed her hair a bit to make sure she was presentable before Photo Finish and nervously started talking. “PH-PHO-PHOTO FINISH!”

“Vinally zhou haf made eet!” said Photo Finish coming over and wrapping her arm around Rarity. “I haf been hearing goot thingz about zhou lately! My assistantz haf shown me ze photos and I vaz blown avay! Vhy……oh vhy deed I not juzt gif you a chance back vhen I took Flootershy?!”

“All is forgiven, Photo Finish. And I am ready to start modeling for you.” said Rarity starting to take off some of the bags she was carrying while some of the guards helped her set them aside.

“Vunderbal! Zen ve begin now! Zhou can model in vhatever drezz you vant and I zhall be behind ze glazz vatching! I GO!” The German photographer dashed over to a door to sit in a booth with her assistants and watch what Rarity had for them.

Rarity finished putting on her dress and then some lights turned on revealing a little green-screen set up in the studio. This would more likely be where she would pose for her shoots. She walked up on the set and waited for someone to give her the ok.

The photographer ponies all surrounded her with their cameras and tripods and got ready. After making the necessary adjustments and positioning themselves to get the best vantage point, they all turned around towards the booth to await orders. Then Photo Finish’s voice could be heard over a loudspeaker giving the orders.

“Alright, Dahling……ve are ready vhenever zhou are!” she said.

Rarity took a deep breath and stood high on her hooves looking up to the ceiling. The lights above her were producing unusual amounts of heat making her sweat a bit, but she looked back down confidently and then closed her eyes and turned to the side and struck a pose and the cameras flashed. That wasn’t so bad for her first real photo shoot after all…

“Excellent……..AGAIN!” Photo Finish said excitedly.

Rarity turned to the other side and struck another pose while the cameras flashed some more………and another………and another. She kept her balance and gracefully moved with ease and style. She did basically the same thing she did at the fashion show, but more carefully, for the photographers were depending on her every move to count. Each time the photographers gave her the ok to move again, she came up with a good pose to be in and then they would take their pictures. And the photographers were polite too, they didn’t demand too much from Rarity. Only a few times would they suggest a certain direction for her to be facing and then she would do so, but none of them had to actually get up and move her around or anything. They could all tell that Rarity had this, and the poses were all improvised standing poses, nothing that needed a lot of preparing to do. This photo shoot was just for them to see how good she was.

After the first few poses, Rarity was really starting to get into this. Everything seemed to come so naturally and smoothly. She was doing it all on her own and judging by the attitude the photographers had, she was doing it the right way. She felt beautiful and graceful; nothing could touch her in this state. Her self esteem went up many notches that day in that studio and she knew that Photo Finish would accept her.

After a while Photo Finish stopped dictating and let Rarity do her own thing. She could even tell that Rarity had this all under control and that was what pleased Photo Finish the most.

“I do not beleef eet!” Photo Finish said pointing her head away from the mic and talking to some of her assistants in the booth. “Ziz pony iz ze von, I juzt know eet!! ZHE IZ ZE VON!”

“Do you think she can save the studio, Photo?” asked Roxie.

“ZAVE EET?!?!? Zhe can do more zhan juzt zave eet!” Photo Finish said heroically. “Zhe vill bring uz out of zheze dark timez……zhe vill put uz back up to ze top! And ve zhall all help her along ze vay. Ve zhall make her a godezz, and zhe zhall be loved by everypony in Equeztria! Come now, everyvon, it iz time to make DE MAGIKS!!!”

Photo Finish then walked out of the booth and turned the main lights back on. “Ok, zhat iz enough vor now, everypony. Zhou haf all done vell! And Rarity…”

“Y-Y-Y-YES?!” Rarity’s eyes widened and she got all tense. This was the moment of truth.

“Az of right now, zhou, my dear, are hired az my number von model! VELCOME TO ZE ZTUDIO!”

“ARE………ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?” Rarity said, her voice cracking from so much excitement.

“ABZOLUTELY! Zhou haf zhown uz all zhat zhou are ze pervect pony to represent ze modeling community and zhou are going to be a big ztah!!”

“ME…………A STAR?!?”

Rarity suddenly envisioned herself in front of huge audiences, walking down the aisle in the finest dresses and modeling for everypony and signing autographs and appearing on the front cover of fashion and clothing magazines and commercials of all sorts……she would be big……she would be famous……her zeal could no longer be contained.

“AAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!” Her scream was so happy and joyful she almost started crying. She pranced around on her dainty little hooves and closed her eyes and shouted some more. “OH THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!!!!!!!!”

“Ze pleazure eez mine, Dahling! Zhou are now von of uz!”

“I have never been this overjoyed in my life!!!” Rarity looked to the side and imagined what her friends would say to the news. Of course with the confidence they always seemed to have, they probably knew she would make it, but what if maybe they were a bit more doubtful than they seemed? Would they be just as ecstatic as her? Would Pinkie Pie throw one of her best parties ever to celebrate?!? Oh it didn’t matter; all that mattered was that this was perhaps one of the happiest days of Rarity’s life!!

About an hour later, Rarity had finished reading some of a little handbook that Photo Finish gave her for referring to workplace guidelines and such. She then signed a few papers and was officially hired as a model and was shown around the building a bit. She trotted so excitedly down the streets of Ponyville to go tell her friends the good news. She knew they would be over at Sugarcube Corner for lunch like they said they would and she had to hurry to get there so they all would hear it. She finally got to the door, still sweating and panting from excitement and then turned right around and bucked it open with a loud slam alarming her friends.

“AAAAAAAGGGGGH, IT’S A STICKUP!!!” shouted silly little Pinkie Pie being random like usual. “WE HAVE PLENTY OF MONEY OVER IN THE CASH REGISTER, JUST PLEASE, WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T TAKE THE CAKE!!!”

“Pinkie, relax, it’s just Rarity!” Rainbow Dash said.

“Yeah, and in ‘rare’ form I might add!” Twilight said looking at the somewhat crazed and disheveled Rarity in the doorway still panting and sweating. “Rarity, how did it go? …… are you ok?”

“I………” Rarity looked like she was about to snap, but it was hard to tell what she would say in response. “I…………..”

“What happened?!” said Twilight seeming a bit worried.

“I………..”

“YES?!?!?” said everyone in unison.

“I………I GOT THE JOB EVERYPONY, I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!”

“YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!” said all her friends jumping up from their seats and going over for a group hug around Rarity.

Now in the past, Rarity wouldn’t usually let her friends throw her up and down in the air to celebrate, but this was an exception. She was so excited and so happy, she didn’t care how much crazy horsing around it was. They all came right over and put their hooves under her and with all their might lifted her up and she let herself fly ever so gracefully.

“WAHAHAHA!” she whooped while everyone cheered for her.

“THREE CHEERS FOR RARITY!” Pinkie shouted.

“HIP-HIP-HORAY! HIP-HIP-HORAY! HIP-HIP-HORAY!!!”

Rarity flailed her arms around and whooped and hollered till her heart was content and then finally spoke up.

“QUICK, EVERYPONY, I HAVE AN IDEA!!!”

Not thinking, the others froze and failed to catch her as she fell down to the ground with a thud stirring up flour dust from the floor. But Rarity didn’t even notice that the rest of her body besides her hooves had touched the ground and gotten tarnished.

“WE MUST CELEBRATE!!!”

“OOOOH, LET ME GO GET MY PARTY CANNON!!” squealed Pinkie zooming up the stairs to her apartment above.

“Rarity, we’re so happy for you!” Twilight said joyfully.

“Yer gonna be livin the life now, girl!” Applejack added.

“So what was it like?” Spike asked her, “Did the photographers faint or something? I’ll bet they did as soon as they saw how beautiful and talented you were!”

“Well, not exactly Spike…” she said blushing a little, “…but it all just came so naturally, I barely had to be told what to do!” She looked up smiling contently to the heavens. “I tell you everyone, I may be a fashionista, but I think modeling has always been my secret talent and I never even knew it!”

“I feel very happy for you Rarity!” Fluttershy said with more happiness in her voice this time. “I don’t know why I seemed so worried earlier this morning, you obviously were meant for this job!”

“But do you still think you can handle the boutique along with this?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Oh of course, Rainbow Dash. I only go over to model in the morning and then from about 1:00 till whatever time I choose to go close at night, I’ll be working at the boutique. Besides, being my own employee, I should have plenty of time and that will make it easier to work around my own schedule. But it doesn’t matter; this is such a happy day!”

Tears of joy began to form in Rarity’s eyes. Suddenly there was an explosion behind Rarity that rocked the whole room and caused her hair to un-straighten and go everywhere, but it left behind only a huge pile of confetti and streamers that fell right on top of her, covering her entirely. She peaked her head out and looked behind her to see Pinkie with her Party Cannon.

“Whoopsie……Looks like I forgot to turn it down to 50% …” she said sheepishly.

But Rarity couldn’t help but laugh and cry along with everypony else. The events of that day made her far too busy to worry over a frazzled mane and a little crazy party time with her friends. She let her mane stay as is and rolled around playfully in the pool of streamers. She rolled and rolled until she had wrapped herself up and couldn’t even undo herself from it. She looked like a little kitten tangled in yarn wriggling to escape, but more laughing ensued and the others joined her in the streamer pool. Nothing could bring her down now; tomorrow, she would start off a successful life as the star she always wanted to be!

But little did Rarity know that that night would be the last party she would have with her friends for a long time…

TO BE CONTINUED…

The FashionShow

CHAPTER 4 - The Fashion Show

The next whole week was just the start of Rarity’s career as a model for Photo Finish Studios. Most of it was just the same as the first day: photo shoots in various dresses, but it was getting a lot more interesting. Rarity continued to bring her own dresses to use and Photo Finish even agreed to make advertisements in their magazine for Rarity’s boutique. During the afternoon when Rarity was working, she found more ponies coming in during sale hours and asking for more commissions. Business began to boom for her but it was nothing compared to the popularity Rarity was getting. Almost everypony who came in to the shop would notice her from the magazines and compliment her on her appearance in the magazines. Rarity felt so pleased to know more ponies in Ponyville recognized her for this and she was glad she could finally find a way to market her boutique through something so popular.

One afternoon, Twilight came in with Spike to congratulate Rarity for her success. Rarity was finishing up her latest commission which was a replica of one of her dresses she wore on the front cover of the magazine.

“Rarity!” Twilight exclaimed walking in after the bell rung from the opening of the door. Spike was holding the magazine up for her. “Spike and I saw you on the front cover of this magazine today! Congratulations!”

Rarity turned her head around a bit startled. “Ooooh…… Twilight, Spike… Yes, so I see! Those magazines just got released last night and Photo Finish said I deserved to be on the front cover already.”

“Well you look wonderful in it, Rarity! They used some good pictures of you!” Twilight said delightedly while Spike was flipping the pages of the magazine to get to a certain part.

“Yeah, especially this one!” he said holding it up showing an image of Rarity sitting on a little sofa sporting a beautiful red sparkly dress and a face that could send a full grown stallion (or dragon) into a lovesick daze. Rarity blushed and made a grin from ear to ear with her eyes darting around. “You look amazing in this picture Rarity!”

“Ehem!” said Twilight looking sternly down at him.

“What?” Spike asked looking up at Twilight trying to not act like he knew what she meant. Twilight then grabbed the magazine with her magic and put it in her pouch before Spike would embarrass himself.

“I guess what Spike means to say is we’ve never seen you looking so stunning before. And ponies on the street are talking about you more and more too!”

Rarity kept blushing and looking around bashfully. She was practically speechless from all of this positivity she was getting from her friends. “I’m happy to hear it Twilight. It sure does make me feel better about myself and it has helped my business out too.” Her face then went from shy to apologetic. “I’m just sorry I haven’t been able to spend some time you friends of mine lately.”

“It’s alright Rarity, we know you have a job to do and we know you love your new one. I’m sure we can still meet with you plenty of times.” Twilight gave a reassuring smile to tell Rarity that she understood like always.

Rarity lifted her head back up and started smiling again. “Thank you, Twilight. It really has been fun and I’m so happy to have friends who support me in this.”

“We’ll support you till the end, Rarity!” said Spike in a somewhat heroic tone. “And who knows? Someday you might be the most famous mare in all of Ponyville……no Equestria……no, the entire wor-“

“OH! That reminds me!” said Rarity cutting Spike off. “I almost forgot to let you know: I’m going to be in a fashion show this weekend at the auditorium in Photo Finish Studios and I have some tickets for the both of you and the rest of our friends!” She then used her magic to pick up some little tickets she got from the studio and gave them to Twilight and Spike.

“Oh wow Rarity, you’re in a fashion show already?!” Twilight said with eyes beaming.

“I know, can you believe it? Photo Finish said that even though it’s been just one week, I am already eligible to go on stage and model in my dresses for the community!”

“Can we go, Twilight? Pleeeease?!” said Spike putting his hands together and standing on his tip toes and giving the most adorable begging face a baby dragon could give.

Twilight giggled a bit and rolled her eyes. “Of course Spike, I know you wouldn’t miss it for all the gems in a crystal cave. And Rarity, we all should be able to make it, so I’d be glad to attend.”

“It would certainly honor me to have all my friends there.” Rarity told them. “The show starts at eight o’ clock PM this Saturday night but you should probably get in a bit early; front row seats do sell out fast.”

“Don’t you worry, Rarity. We’ll get there an hour early if we have to. I’d like for us to be up close to cheer you on!” Twilight assured her. “Alright, Spike, you ready to go home now?”

“Right behind you, Twilight. See ya, Rarity, and good luck with the modeling!” said Spike waving good-bye to Rarity while she waved back.

“Good-bye, you two, and thank you for stopping over! Oh, and don’t forget to tell the others I said hi and I can’t wait to see them this weekend at the fashion show!”

“I’ll tell em, Rarity. Farewell!”

Twilight and Spike walked back outside and started making conversation.

“Wow, Spike, Rarity really has it going! I’m so happy she got into a fashion show for the studio already!”

“I know, I’m glad she likes what she’s doing too! I’ll bet she feels more beautiful than ever before!”

“Yeah, I can tell she sure does! It’s always good to see her happy like this!”

There was a bit of a pause until Spike put his hand out as if asking for something.

“Um……... Twilight?”

“What is it, Spike?”

“Ehem?” he said making grasping motions with his little dragon claws.

Twilight rolled her eyes and then took the magazine out of her pouch and gave it back to Spike for him to look at.

“Thanks. Ooooh, look at his one, I haven’t seen it yet! Ooooooh, wow, she’s drop-dead gorgeous in that photo!” Spike said romantically while wolf-whistling.

Twilight shook her head back and forth and just gave Spike the usual sarcastic look whenever he was in one of his lovesick moments about Rarity.

“You’re really enjoying all this, aren’t you Lover-boy?”

“Oh you know it! I’m never throwing this magazine out at all!”

“Hehehe…oh Spike…”

A few days later, the doors of Photo Finish Studios were open and Twilight and all her friends entered the building early to get to see Rarity at the fashion show. They got there early enough to get some seats right in front of the tip of the walkway. Twilight even got permission from the security guards to go back and see Rarity real quick before she went out on stage to give her a little pep-talk.

Twilight walked back towards a door with one of the guards who opened it for her and she called in to the room full of models in front of mirrors preparing themselves.

“Um…Rarity?” Twilight called softly.

Rarity was actually closer to the door than she expected, Twilight just couldn’t recognize her due to the new style her hair was combed in and having more makeup on. Rarity turned her head around quickly and saw Twilight.

“Oh, Twilight! Hang on, I’ll be out there in just a few moments…” she replied turning real quick back to the mirror to put on a bit more makeup before getting out of her chair and rushing over to see her friend. They both walked outside the dressing room to meet.

“I’m so glad you made it! Did the others make it too?” Rarity asked frantically.

“They sure did! We all came together and we got front row seats!”

“Oh that’s marvelous, Darling! I’d hoped you would!”

“Well, are you ready to go out there and show everypony what you’re made of?”

“I suppose……I’m a bit nervous though. There will be a much bigger crowd than the last time for the boutique. Do you think I’ll do well?”

“I know you will, Rarity!” said Twilight while putting her hoof around Rarity’s back. “You’ve been doing very well so far, and you have a natural gift for this and that’s why Photo Finish was quick to hire you.”

“Oh thank you ever so much Twilight. You’re right, I’m going to do a magnificent job and everypony will leave this building satisfied tonight!” Rarity said looking up to the ceiling so resolutely.

“Alright, I’d better go back and get my seat pretty fast. We’ll all be cheering for you down there!”

“Thanks again Darling, and I’ll see you and the others on stage!”

The guard then brought Twilight out to the auditorium and she got back in her seat with the others.

“So how’s she doin, Twilight?!” said Pinkie excitedly.

“Is she nervous?” Spike asked.

“She’s doing great you guys. She’s a bit nervous but I gave her some encouragement and I really think she’s ready to do this.” Twilight responded with confidence.

“Ah wouldn’t have any doubt in mah mind Rarity’s gonna steal the crowd here tonight, everypony!” Applejack stated. “That girl’s got the looks and charm; she’s gonna rock their worlds! Right, Fluttershy?”

“Oh yes, I think Rarity’s going to do wonderful tonight.” Fluttershy responded. “With the support we’ve been giving her I’m sure she’ll do terrific! I just hope she doesn’t get any stage fright like I did……but I’m sure she won’t, she’s used to this.”

“Well Ah was kinda uneasy about comin to this here fashion show, but Ah’m sure this’ll be worth it once Rarity walks out!”

“Yeah, it better be.” said Rainbow Dash grumpily. “I still can’t believe I’m at a fashion show for the first time ever, but I only came because Rarity’s here and she’s my friend.”

“Don’t you worry your silly little head off, Dashie!” said Pinkie rubbing the top of Rainbow’s head with her hoof. “Rarity’s gonna blow everypony’s socks off tonight!”

“Pinkie, nopony’s wearing any socks right now.” Rainbow said trying to mat her hair back down. “Who wears socks during this time of the year anyway?”

“I know, but she’ll do so good that it’ll cause the ponies to put some socks on and THEN she’ll blow them off!”

Rainbow Dash just rolled her eyes and sighed at Pinkie’s randomness. Suddenly the loudspeakers sounded and the announcer started speaking.

“Fillies and gentlecolts! Thank you very much for attending this evening’s fashion show hosted by Photo Finish Studios! In a moment here we’ll be introducing some of today’s hottest new lines of clothing displayed by our finest models!”

“Here she comes, guys!” said Spike nearly jumping out of his seat.

“First in line is Miss Starshine Twinkle…” said the announcer as a lovely blue unicorn walked out on stage in a dress.

“Ooooh, that one looks pretty nice!” said Pinkie.

“Yeah, but Rarity’s gonna look better.” said Spike confidently.

The crowd cheered for the unicorn as she stopped at the end and twirled around once and walked to the backstage for the next one to come out. While on her way back in, the next one came out: a younger-looking pink Pegasus.

“Come on, where’s Rarity already?” said Spike impatiently.

“Really, I’m starting to nod off!” Rainbow Dash added.

“Rainbow Dash!” said Applejack sternly.

“What?”

“Guys, she’ll be out here soon, just you wait and see…” Twilight said trying to calm them down. Then with just the right timing, the announcer said Rarity’s name.

“Next up is our newest model, Rarity the unicorn, who is wearing a dress made completely by her!”

Backstage, Rarity was standing right in the shadow of the curtain looking a bit nervous.

“Come on Rarity, Darling, you can do this! Just do exactly what you did last time, don’t be afraid! These ponies have come for a show, so you give them just that! Nothing can hurt you now!” she said to herself.

She then took a bold step forward with her right front hoof and walked right out from behind the curtain, into the spotlight, and down the walkway. The dress she was wearing was blue with some lighter blue highlights and some diamonds dotting the sleeves and the collar that were reflecting in the lights. She had made this dress but didn’t try it on herself so it was a whole new experience being in the dress, but she didn’t let it hold her back. She walked down the aisle a bit slower than the first few mares did to keep her balance and not get too cocky about it. She put on a nice smile and looked forward into space letting everypony observe her. She glanced down quickly to see how they were reacting and a lot of the ponies were staring in amazement and seemed to be rather pleased with what they were watching. Rarity then looked back in front of her and saw her friends in the front row. She mouthed “Hi” to them and smiled and then stopped right at the end of the walkway. With her head held high with confidence, she turned around slowly and the crowd cheered even louder than they did for the first few that came out. She then looked around smiling sweetly at everypony in her view and then started walking backstage while the next pony came out. As soon as she got out of the light and behind the curtains, she exhaled in relief and Photo Finish came right up to her.

“VUNDERBAL, RARITY, VUNDERBAL!!!” she exclaimed clopping her front hooves together. “Deed zhou hear ze crowd out zhere?! Zhou haf amazed zem beyond belief! How clever I vas to hire you to come vork here!”

“Thank you so much, Photo Finish! That felt even more wonderful than I was expecting!” Rarity told Photo Finish gratefully. “Now do we have enough time to get me back out in another dress?”

“Oh of course ve do! Zome of ze other girlz are going to go back out in another dress too, but ve vill zertainly get you back out zhere too! Zhou bezt go pick out a dress quickly!”

“Ok, I know the perfect dress for the next walk… I’ll be back real quick!” she said rushing back to the dressing room.

Meanwhile, Twilight and the others were discussing Rarity’s grand entrance.

“Wow, wasn’t she great you guys?!” Twilight said.

“That was amazing!” said Spike slouching in his seat with his eyes half closed looking rather love stricken.

“That actually wasn’t too bad!” said Rainbow Dash. “I guess it wasn’t that bad of an idea to come here after all! I like how they cheered for her more than the other ponies cuz she was, like, so much better than they were!”

“Is she gonna come back out?!” Pinkie asked bouncing in her seat.

“Rarity told me she might be able to come out in another dress if she can get dressed quickly enough.” Twilight explained. “I’m sure Photo Finish will let her anyway, she probably is really impressed with the crowd’s reaction.”

The announcer then said Rarity’s name again making all their eyes widen and look forward attentively.

“Up next we have Miss Rarity returning on stage and sporting another one of her fine dresses she’s made!”

Rarity walked out a bit faster this time with her eyes practically closed and smiling even bigger without a care in the world. She knew this wouldn’t be a problem with the way the crowd cheered last time. This time she was wearing the sparkly red dress that Spike showed in the magazine the other night. Before she even got to the end, some of the crowd already started cheering. All the ponies were clopping their hooves and whooping and whispering to each other and making comments like “I wish I had a dress like that!” or “Wow, this pony really knows her stuff!” or “I wish I looked like that!” Even some of the colts in the crowd gazed amorously at her as she walked down. She got to the end and the crowd went wild for her than ever before. She twirled once letting everypony see her from every angle in her dress. The seemed to like this dress a lot more than the last one and the light reflecting off the sparkles made her even more radiant on stage. She turned back around facing the front and looked around and smiled widely at them all. She had never experienced a thing as wonderful as this. The ponies in this auditorium absolutely loved her! For the first time ever, she felt important and loved by everyone and like nothing could stop her at this point. She nearly began crying from so much happiness but held back her tears and bowed her head to all three sides of the walkway.

“Well Rarity sure seems to be getting the crowd’s approval here!” said the announcer. “Looks like this won’t be the only fashion show she’ll be in, that’s for sure!”

She then gave them one last lovely glance and turned back around to go backstage as they cheered for her one last time. As soon as she got behind the curtains, she let her tears come out a little until Photo Finish rushed over throwing her arms around her.

“ZHOU ARE ZE GREATEZT, RARITY!!!” she shouted nearly matching the crowd’s volume. “ZEY LOVE YOU!! I TOLD ZHOU ZAT ZHOU VERE GOING TO BE A BIG STAR!!”

“You were so right, Photo Finish!” said Rarity wiping a small tear from her eye. “Oh tonight has been one of the best nights of my life! I cannot wait to do more modeling and shows for you!”

“I guarantee zhou zis vill not be ze last time, my darling! Ve haf so much in ztore vor zhou! Oh, von moment pleaze…”

Photo Finish then rushed on back to a door that lead to the halls where a bunch of reporters were waiting for her to answer some questions about the show. Rarity then heard the announcer say something.

“Thank you folks for your time tonight, and don’t forget that Rarity’s business at Carousel Boutique is open from noon till six on weekdays. Be sure to stop in and check out her products and give her some support!”

Rarity sighed gratefully and felt so good. It was by far her most successful night she had ever had and a huge landmark in her career. She had pleased so many ponies and had gained the popularity she had been longing for since she was a little filly. The rest would be so easy after this: she would continue modeling and would be adored by everyone in Ponyville and her lines of clothing would only grow more in demand and bring her to absolute success. She was finally at the peak of her life now!

Outside in the auditorium, the audience started filing out while some stayed behind talking about the show, mainly about Rarity.

“Well that went really well!” Twilight said joyfully.

“Ah knew all along she had it in her! She sure drove everypony nuts with her gorgeous looks!” Applejack commented.

“Yeah, she’s gonna get, like, so much attention after this!” Rainbow Dash said while hovering above them. “We’re gonna see her on every single fashion magazine whenever we go to the grocery store and on posters all over Ponyville just like the Wonderbolts! Man I’m jealous!” she said jokingly.

“I feel so happy for her! I could just shout! Yaaaay Rarity!” Fluttershy said softly trying to not cause a scene.

“Well everyone, we all had a great night! Now let’s go find Rarity and treat her for some ice cream at the parlor down the street! You ready to go Spike? Uh………Spike?” Twilight looked around for her little dragon friend but couldn’t find him.

“I got him for ya, Twilight!” Pinkie said putting her head down towards the ground to grab something.

She lifted Spike up by his tail off of the floor. He was as limp as a wet rag and his eyes had big hearts in them with little heart bubbles floating out of his head and popping in midair.

“Uh oh……doesn’t look like an extra large banana split with sapphires sprinkled on top will be able to wake him up!” Twilight joked as the others laughed out loud at the silly little baby dragon with a crush.

TO BE CONTINUED…

On the Road to Fame

CHAPTER 5 - On the Road to Fame

After the fashion show, Rarity’s next whole week was as delightful as could be. She continued modeling all the same and gained a wider audience at her boutique. Ponies came to buy her dresses and pay for commissions and she got tons of compliments from everyone who came. Everywhere she walked in town, ponies would cheer for her, take her picture, and some even asked for her autograph a few times while she was out.

Of course the atmosphere at the studio was no different either. Photo Finish treated her like her own daughter and all the other models and photographers became fast friends with her as well. The other models idolized her for her success but she would always give them some tips for perfect modeling and they learned quickly. Still, they all admitted they would never have the same kind of charm that she had.

And of course Rarity could never have felt better at all. Each day would get more and more interesting and she kept bringing in her dresses. Rarity even started getting offers every now and then to come out of the studio to model for another company or walk on stage at another fashion show. The fashion magazines everywhere had her face on the front and tons of pictures of her inside (which Spike of course didn’t hesitate to collect).

But it had been a while since Rarity had any chance to spend time with Twilight and the others. Times were busy and she didn’t get to see them quite as much, but she made the effort to visit them every now and then. One fine morning, she actually arranged to meet with them at the Ponyville café to chat before heading to the studio. They were all waiting for her there while Spike was looking through a magazine with Rarity in it.

“Spike, are you going to eat your donut?” Twilight asked him as he gazed into the magazine.

“Huh? What?”

“Spike, come on, you’ve been looking at that magazine all day!”

“Sorry Twilight, I can’t help it! She’s so beautiful! Look at this picture right here!”

“I already saw it Spike, you showed me several times yesterday.”

“Oh……well, did I show you this one?” Spike flipped to a page of Rarity standing gracefully and holding a new brand of shampoo that she was helping advertise for.

“No Spike, but I…..oooh, that shampoo looks pretty good, I might have to get that!” Twilight said as she noticed the shampoo but then she shook her head back and forth from the distraction. “Nonono, snap out of it Twi! Spike, seriously, eat your food before Pinkie does!”

Spike then looked next to him and saw Pinkie staring at his donut about ready to pounce on it. He immediately grabbed his donut and started eating it leaving her in disappointment.

“I wonder what’s taking Rarity so long?” Fluttershy asked looking around town to find her. “I hope she didn’t forget about us and go to the studio for modeling today…”

“Ladies!” shouted Rarity from behind.

“Ah, Rarity, there ya are, we were startin ta get worried!” Applejack said in relief.

“Well I almost forgot somehow. I actually started walking to the studio until I remembered our little get-together I promised this morning! Hehe, silly me, I know. Well, anyway…” she cleared her throat “…what do you girls think of this hat I made recently?” She then took out a bright lavender brimmed hat with a greenish feather in it and tiny little rubies dotting the middle belt holding the feather in place.

“Oooooh, it’s pretty, Rarity!” Pinkie said.

“Oh yes, very pretty! Are you going to model in that today?” Fluttershy asked.

“I most certainly am!” Rarity said delightedly while sitting down to order her food as the waiter came by. “Along with several other new hats I’ve made and some dresses.”

“It looks even better when you wear it Rarity!” Spike said gazing at her.

“Oh thank you Spikey Wikey.” she replied blushing. The waiter then came by and Rarity ordered her food.

After the waiter left, Rarity turned back to her friends to talk. It seemed like it had been a while since she saw them. The modeling sure seemed to have kept her busy.

“So yes, the new job is really coming along. I’ve found myself making a lot more dresses lately to model in. It really does seem to help my business.”

“So you’re not getting stressed out by all the work you have to do or anything?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I mean, really, being artistic and glamorous at the same time is like, a full time job!”

“Well it is getting a bit busy, but I am able to manage. I think Photo Finish wants me to try to come to the studio more often than just the morning though so I do hope that doesn’t conflict with our get-togethers…”

“Do what your heart tells you, Rarity. Whatever makes you happy!” Pinkie said with a smile.

“Thank you darling.” Rarity then looked down at the plate the waiter brought in with coffee and a small chocolate glazed donut. She took a few minutes to enjoy her coffee but then her eyes then widened as she heard the clock tower make its hourly chime. “Oh goodness…I’m going to be late here!” I’m so sorry everyone, but I really must go now. Duty calls.”

“You go get em, Rarity!” said Applejack giving her a light pat on the back while the others said bye.

“Thank you Applejack. And I’ll see everypony soon, wish me luck!” she said picking up her bags and waving. She then trotted on towards the studio like every morning to start off her day.

She walked in and saw Photo Finish on the foyer talking with a few of her assistants. Usually she was in her office at first, but it appeared something important was going on now. Rarity knew Photo Finish probably needed to see her so she walked over to see what they were talking about.

“Ah, Rarity!” said Photo Finish while turning her head. “I haf some good newz: ve are going to haf you model in a bigger ztudio ztarting today.”

“Oh, a bigger studio? Well now, this ought to be interesting!” said Rarity looking excited to be going to a new and more likely better place to model in.

“Ve vigured zat ze old ztudio iz too zmall vor you and ve vill be needing more room vor ze couch you lent uz.”

“Oh yes, my chaise longue you mean? That sounds better to me indeed!”

“And vefore I vorget, zhere are some new photographerz coming in today az vell. Some of zhem are from Canterlot and are provessionals.”

“C-C-Canterlot?! I’m going to be modeling for professional photographers from Canterlot!?”

“Zhat iz correct! Zhey zaid zhat zhey expect pervection, but I know vor zertain zhat you vill give zhem juzt zhat!”

“Oh, how wonderful of a day this has turned out to be!” Rarity said delightedly knowing she was starting to move up in this job now. Without thinking, she used her magic to take her donut out of the bag she kept it in and moved to eat it until Photo Finish stepped in.

“AAAGGGHHH!!! VHAT IN EQUEZTRIA IZ DIZ?!?” said Photo Finish using both her hooves to grab the donut away from Rarity as she chomped down on thin air causing her teeth to clang.

“Oh…um…just my donut?” Rarity said confused. “Doesn’t it look delicious?”

“Rarity, zhou cannot haf diz! Diz paztry iz loaded vith zugar and vatz! It vorkz againzt de magicks!”

“Um……just one donut? It’s alright, I only have one ever so often, not even once every week, just, you know, whenever I can. They are rather delicious and-”

“Rarity, Dahling, I am zorry, but you muzt understand: a model cannot be bothered vith zuch atrociouz foodztuffz! Ezpecially not vefore ze photozhoot!”

“Yeah, it’s one of the rules they have for models here: watch what you eat or you might gain some weight.” said Roxie backing up her boss.

“Gain some weight?” Rarity said while looking at her sleek and flawless bodily shape.

“Correct, Roxie! Here, zhou take ze donut now.” said Photo Finish shoving the donut in Roxie’s mouth causing some crumbs to spill everwhere.

Rarity watched in horror as her precious little glazed donut went into another pony’s mouth and Roxie chomped away unwillingly with a disgruntled look on her face while Hairspray cleaned up the crumbs with a dust pan and broom. She wouldn’t always eat sweet pastries like Pinkie did, but she liked having one for the occasion and now she couldn’t. Would she never be able to have one with this job?

“My……my donut…” she said while her pupils dilated and tears started to form.

“Do not vorry my dear, zhou vill haf plenty of time to eat much better foodz zoon! I haf even made a little dietary plan vor you zo zhou vill not gain any veight during zhour time here!” Photo Finish said putting her arm around Rarity who looked surprised, confused, and scared all at once. She then handed her a little paper with some foods recommended on one side and foods to avoid on the other. The other side practically summed up Sugarcube Corner; Pinkie would have been appalled at this.

“A dietary plan? Do I really need one of those?” she asked.

“Vhy of courze! Zhou do not vant to look hideouz vor ze modeling, do zhou?!”

“Um……well no, but-“

“Very vell zhen, zhou are ready to ztart ze modeling in ze new ztudio! Roxie, Hairzpray, zhou two take her to ze ztudio and zhen ve begin ze regular routine onze I come in. And now……I GO!”

“Right away Photo. Let’s go Roxie.” Hairspray said to her friend who was still chewing the donut. “Come on Rarity, let’s get you into the new nest right over here. We’re heading to the right side of the building now.”

“Thank you Hairspray. I am rather anxious to see it!”

Rarity then thought heavily on what just happened. Would she really have to start eating fewer sweets in order to keep working here? Was it really going to be that demanding? She did recall that the job description did say something about keeping a healthy diet, but she didn’t think it would be this strict. She then remembered what she was getting into and that this was not going to be that easy of a job. She might have to sacrifice having a few sweets every now and then to stay here.

They then came to the door to the new studio and walked in. The studio was almost three times bigger than the old one and there were more cameras and lights. It was probably big enough that a few more ponies could model in there. One model she had conversed with a lot was actually just finishing her shoot. She walked by Rarity to talk to her.

“Oh, Starshine, how was the shoot?” Rarity asked the model.

“Seems pretty good in here to me so far…” she replied. “Just be sure to make it count, these photographers are a lot tougher than the ones in the old studio!”

“I’m sure I should have nothing to worry about.” Rarity said with confidence as Photo Finish started to introduce her to the new photographers.

“Everyvon, lizten up! Zhiz iz our new model, Rarity. Zhe vill ve modeling in zhiz ztudio vrom now on. Ve begin her virzt shoot vith you today, and zhe is von of ze vinezt models I haf ever zeen, zo let’z be ready vor DE MAGICKS!!”

Rarity then walked over to her fancy little couch that was in the center of the studio in front of a big black curtain hanging on the wall. The photographers asked her to model without her dresses first to get the hang of how she moved and the style in which she would pose. They had been told she was different from the other models in the studio that Photo Finish had hired.

“Now Rarity, ve vill be doing longer shotz today and lezz ov zhem. Zhiz zhould let zhou get ze hang of being able to keep zhour poze for an extended amount of tiem, zo be prepared to sit vor a vew minutes, ze photographerz vill move zhere cameras around on zhiz vloor.”

“I’m ready whenever the photographers are, Photo Finish…” Rarity lied down on the couch gracefully without a problem: stomach down, legs back, hooves under chin, and smiling warmly. She had gotten used to using this couch a lot and it was rather soft compared to the ones in the other studio so already she felt more comfortable. “Alright, everypony, let the shooting begin!”

She then posed on the couch and looked forward at the camera in front waiting for them to start taking snapshots, but one of the photographers started whispering something to Photo Finish and then she signaled in one of her assistants to come do something. Perhaps there was an object in the background that was ruining the shot? Perhaps the couch needed to be turned? Whatever it was, it couldn’t have possibly been anything wrong with Rarity.

Just then a pony with a horn filer rushed in on scene and started chiseling her horn a bit to make it look nicer. It felt just like one of the filers they would use at the spa, but why did Rarity need it for her horn now? Was it tarnished?

The pony then zoomed off the stage and Rarity looked forward again but Photo Finish was stroking her chin and then motioned another pony to come in and fix something. This pony moved right in front of Rarity and looked carefully at her and then took one of her front hooves out from under her chin and let it lie down on the couch as if it looked too awkward being under her chin before. That pony then left for the next one to come in. The next pony brushed some of Rarity’s hair a bit to make it look better, and then another one came in and tilted her head a bit to the side and asked her to close her eyes a tad to imply a more “alluring” look. Rarity complied and then another one came in and took one of her rear legs off the couch to hang from it below and then another one came in with a little dusting broom and dusted off some of her flank to let her cutie mark show. They were so meticulous about the way she looked it was as if Rarity had just gotten back from a walk on a dust road during a “Running of the Leaves” race right after it had rained.

It was clear now that the photographers just needed her to pose specifically how they wanted it. They were being a tad bit picky about it though, Rarity was more used to just moving her own way. The last pony, a unicorn, finally came in with a measuring tape and hovered it above her in several spots to make sure she was precisely the way she needed to be.

Finally Photo Finish stroked her chin one last time and took off her glasses to look harder and then put them back on and gave the photographers the ok to start taking snapshots. Rarity then finally relaxed herself and smiled as the cameras snapped away.

“Well……that was a bit unusual I must say…” she thought to herself. “One thing is for sure, these new photographers sure are detail-oriented and probably perfectionists……then again, as citizens of Canterlot I guess I should expect that, it’s not like I’m never a perfectionist when it comes to my own art. Ah well…tis the life of a wonderful model I suppose…”

Later that afternoon, Rarity was called to Photo Finish’s office to talk with her about something. Rarity walked up to the top floor and entered only to find there was no one in there at the moment. She had seen this office before, but this time the shades were pulled back and Photo Finish wasn’t working on anything because she wasn’t there. She more likely was talking with another pony somewhere else and had forgotten about the meeting, but Rarity insisted she may have been around so she started looking anyway.

“Um…Photo Finish? Hello? You wanted to see me…” she said with her eyes darting back and forth.

Just then, Photo Finish’s office chair turned around. She was sitting in it all along waiting for Rarity to come in and start talking to her. She had her legs crossed and her front hooves pressed together as if she was very deep in thought.

“Oh, there you are. So, what was it you wanted to see me about?”

“Vell, to ztart off, zhou did a vunderbal job in ze new ztudio zhiz morning, Rarity.”

“Oh, why thank you. I did enjoy the new studio.”

“Haf zhou varmed up to ze new photographerz too?”

“Oh of course, they’re such fine ponies to be working with! They sure do like detail, but it’s not a problem. Whatever it takes to make the picture perfect, right?”

“Good Rarity, very good. Vecauze zhou’ll ve zpending a lot of time around zhem vrom now on…”

“I will? What do you mean?”

Photo Finish then took her glasses off and set them down on the table. It was usually difficult to read her face since she would constantly wear those shiny magenta glasses, but now Rarity could tell Photo Finish had a bit of a serious yet satisfied look on her face.

“Avter vitnezzing zhour improvementz today, I realized zhat zhou need a vig change in zhour career here…”

“I do?”

“Mozt devinitely. Rarity, I zhink it iz time I move zhou up to much greater zhingz in zhiz ztudio. Zhou have vecome more zhan juzt a model now……very zoon, I zhink it vould be vize to make zhou a ZUPER MODEL!!”

“A……a super model?!” Rarity couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“Vhy of courze! Uzually it takez longer vor a model to imprezz me az much az zhou haf, but zhou are now ready to move on and vecome zhe ztar zhou deserve to ve! And vezidez, if zhou take zhiz offer, zhour zallery vill increase tenvold compared to vhat zhou are making now! Vhat zay zhou to zhiz, Dahling?!”

“I……I don’t know what to say……You really think I am ready for this?!”

“I don’t zhink…” Photo Finish got up closer to Rarity speaking deeply. “I KNOW ZHOU ARE!!”

“Why……Photo Finish……I AM THRILLED!” Rarity said with a delightful squeak in her voice. “But that will require so much more than what I am doing now! Traveling to other places on tour……longer hours here? Is it possible?”

“Zhou vill need to zet azide more hourz, yez. All I azk iz dat zhou try to ztay a vew more hourz, not juzt zo zhat ve can take more photoz, but zo zhat ve can get zhou back on ztage more often.”

“Back on stage?! So I’ll be doing more fashion shows now?!”

“Indeed zhou vill! In vact, ze next von is tomorrow night!”

“Tomorrow night…”

“Can zhou make zhiz zhow?”

Rarity thought hard about this. Unfortunately she had already arranged to meet her friends at the buffet downtown, but how could she possibly miss this next fashion show if it meant she could be promoted to the position of super model in the studio? She didn’t want to disappoint her friends, but she also didn’t want to disappoint Photo Finish and the rest of the workers in the studio who were counting on her. But her friends would all understand of course. They had supported her on this through thick and through thin, she felt certain they wouldn’t be angry over this. Plus, this was an opportunity that may not come her way for a while, and if she turned it down, Photo Finish might think she is uninterested, and it also meant better pay. Rarity then finally made up her mind.

“Yes. Yes, I most certainly can make it, Photo! I won’t let you down, this is an opportunity one simply cannot miss!” she said proudly putting her hoof up.

“Zhat iz ze zpirit!” said Photo Finish putting her glasses back on. “I knew I could count on zhou, Rarity! Zhou are helping uz all out and I guarantee zhou zhat poniez everyvhere vill vorship zhou!”

“Oh……well I don’t really plan on being worshipped much really. I am still just Rarity you know…”

“Nonzenze! Zhey all love zhou and zhou are more zhan juzt a pony! Ve vill get zhou to ze plaze zhou haf alvayz deserved!”

“Right. Oh I am so excited; I cannot believe I have already made it this far in just a few weeks!!”

Once again she looked up imagining all the fame and fortune she would be having and how wonderful things would be. Of course she would have to spend less time at the boutique and with her friends and more time at the studio or at the shows, but it would all be worth it in the end.

“Very well then, I shall see you tomorrow and I will not miss that fashion show, Photo Finish! Farewell, Darling!” she then walked out the office screaming happily down the hallway. Today was so unexpected and very challenging and it started off a bit too difficult, but the news at the end really lifted her spirits and she was as happy as could be. No matter what, this day could not get any better and things would only get better for Rarity!

Meanwhile, Photo Finish turned around while listening to Rarity’s shouts of joy echo through the corridor. She had a smile of gratitude on her face. Rarity had done her such a huge favor in coming to the studio to model for her. She had saved the studio so much money that they were losing beforehand and Photo Finish finally decided that certain changes were soon to be made. She took her glasses off and walked over to her window where the curtains were parted and gazed up at the mountains where Canterlot City was.

“Rarity iz juzt zhe zhing I need to get out ov zhiz plaze! Zhe haz proven herzelf and zhiz entire ztudio worthy of ze capital zity. Timez are changing now, ve do not velong here in Ponyville anymore, and neither doez zhe. Zooner or later, I vill have to tell her zhiz, but avter how zhe took today’z newz, I am zure zhe vill vind out zhe vill not be able to rezizt!! CANTERLOT, HERE VE COME!!!”

TO BE CONTINUED…

Called to Canterlot

CHAPTER 6 - Called to Canterlot

“Come on, Twilight! We’ll be late for breakfast with Rarity!” Spike said impatiently.

“Alright, alright! I’m sorry Spike, I just wanted to make sure I had all the windows and doors locked before we left.” Twilight said as she came out of the side room in the library.

“Windows locked? What are you afraid of, burglars?”

“Well, no, but you never know, somepony could just come in and do something unpleasant while we’re gone.”

Spike sighed, “You worry too much Twilight.”

Twilight rolled her eyes and then drew her attention back to the task at hand.

“Anyways, let’s get going before we’re late.”

Spike opened the front door to see Rarity right there waiting for them.

“Oh, Rarity! I hope we didn’t keep you waiting too long.” Twilight said surprised.

“Oh it’s quite alright Darling, I just got here.” Rarity replied.

“Well Rarity, are you ready for breakfast?” Spike asked welcomingly.

“Oh I’m sorry Spike, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it to breakfast with everyone this morning, I have to be at the studio a bit early.

“Oh, well then tonight for dinner maybe?”

“Unfortunately tonight is booked too. You see there is another fashion show going on tonight and I have to be there if I want to keep my new position as a super model.”

Twilight and Spike’s jaws dropped open at what she said.

“You’re a super model now, Rarity?!?” Twilight asked forgetting about their already cancelled breakfast plans.

“I know, it’s like it’s too soon for me to be one already, but Photo Finish said last night that I’m ready to move up and she is counting on me to attend tonight’s fashion show.”

“Aw man, so we won’t see you tonight, Rarity?” Spike said with his eyes bigger and almost ready to cry.

“Yes, I’m so sorry Spike. I was really looking forward to it but things have just gotten way too complicated it seems.” Without thinking, Rarity looked down at the ground sadly as if she was starting to dislike modeling.

“Gosh Rarity, that doesn’t sound too good. Are you sure you’re doing ok?” Twilight asked her friend.

“What? Oh heavens, of course I am dear!” Rarity perked herself up and went back to her happy mood. She didn’t want anyone to think that she disliked her new job already. “Trust me, Darling, it’s not quite that bad. Stressful, yes, but I still love it of course! Haha…”

Twilight wasn’t much of a psychologist but she could tell Rarity was lying even just a little bit. Perhaps the stress was finally getting to her and things weren’t as good as they used to be? But either way, she didn’t want to make Rarity admit that out loud so she kept it to herself.

“Well, that’s at least good to know, Rarity.” Twilight responded. “And it’s pretty exciting that you’ve been promoted to the position of super model now.”

“Yes, indeed it is. Well, once again, I’m terribly sorry about all this. Wish me luck and tell everyone else that perhaps we can meet again some other time when I’m available.”

“I’ll be sure to let them know, Rarity. Bye now!”

Rarity rushed off in the distance towards the area in Ponyville where the studio was. Twilight looked a bit worried and she could tell that Spike wasn’t exactly happy either.

“You ok, Spike?” she asked her number-one assistant.

“Yeah, I guess.” Spike said looking down at the ground. “But I was kinda excited to be able to eat both breakfast and dinner with Rarity today along with the rest of you guys. I mean we haven’t even really been able to spend that much time with Rarity in almost a week.”

“Well, she is a busy pony you know.”

“Yeah, and it’s good to be able to see her in these magazines and all, but I wish she just had more time for us, I feel like we’re losing her.”

“Don’t worry Spike, I’m quite sure she’s just a little busy, but we aren’t going to lose Rarity any time soon, trust me.” Twilight put her hoof around the baby dragon in comfort. “Now let’s go eat with the others, at least they’ll all be there for us.”

“Yeah, you’re right, they’ll be there. Still missing Rarity though…”

Later that night was the fashion show. It was at Photo Finish Studios as usual and went well just like all the other shows, but this one would mark the beginning of Rarity’s worst fears.

“Zhiz new drezz vill throw zheze poniez off zheir hoovez!” said Photo Finish showing Rarity a new dress.

“Oh my, Photo Finish, that is one lovely dress. But, um……what is it for?” Rarity asked.

“Vhy it iz vor zhou of courze! Zhou vill be vearing zhiz drezz out zhere. And zhen avter zhou are done vith that von, zhou vill vear zhiz von right here.” Photo Finish pushed the first dress aside on a hanging poll rack to show Rarity another one underneath it followed by several other magnificent dresses. There was just one problem: the dresses were not Rarity’s.

“Oh, but Photo Finish, I thought I would wear my own dresses to the show tonight like I always do…”

“Rarity, Dahling, zhou no longer need zoze drezzez. Zhou are moving up now, zhou are no longer a model!”

“Yes, I’m a super model now, but how does that keep me from modeling in my dresses?”

“Vell, I vould tell zhou now, but it iz a zurprize actually and I zhould zave it vor later.”

“A surprise?”

“Indeed. Go now, put on zheze drezzez, I vill tell zhou ze good newz avter ze zhow iz over.”

“Um……well I suppose I can wait to hear the reason later. Alright then, I’ll do the show but I would really like to know soon afterwards.”

“Zhou vill, Rarity, zhou vill. It iz a big zurprize indeed!” Photo Finish then left the room to go out and meet with the paparazzi.

“Why can I not wear my own dresses now?” Rarity asked herself as she used her magic to start putting on the first dress. The new dresses were very good, but they were very professionally well made also. She looked back at the dresses she had. So plain, so quaint compared to the very artistically designed and majestic garments she saw hanging in front of her. She would look beautiful in them but for the first time ever, she felt like she was being outshone. She was there to model, not to make dresses, but now it seemed as if no one, not even the studio, was interested in actually helping her business. Was this why she was promoted to a super model? Because they no longer cared about her dresses, they just wanted to make more fame and fortune off of her? The pay and the popularity didn’t really seem to be worth it right now. Rarity didn’t liking this, but she didn’t know everything just yet. Perhaps there was a good reason this was happening and she would know after the show was done.

She took her mind off of her worries and went back to putting on the dress and then made her way to the edge of the curtain. The announcer said Rarity’s name and she walked out on stage to a host of loyal fans cheering loudly for her. She smiled at them and trotted gracefully out to the end of the walkway like always. Once she was done, she was followed by several other models giving her enough time to put on the next dress. It was a very typical show for Rarity, same old same old.

The end of the show was when Rarity discovered the ‘news’ that Photo Finish spoke of earlier, but she didn’t exactly hear it from Photo Finish.

“Rarity, you were great out there as usual, girl!” said one of the other models.

“Oh thank you darling. I do still wish I could wear my own dresses though.”

“Well you won’t be needing those anymore. Heck you won’t be needing the boutique anymore either cuz you can’t just take that building along with you, you know.”

“Take my boutique along with……what are you saying darling?”

“You didn’t hear?” another model asked.

“Hear? Hear what?” Rarity looked back and forth at each of her model friends confused. Was this part of Photo Finish’s news?

“We’re going to Canterlot, didn’t Photo Finish tell you?”

“Canterlot?! Wait, who’s going to Canterlot?!”

“We all are of course! Photo Finish is moving the studio to Canterlot pretty soon. She didn’t tell you that?”

“I………I think she meant to…” Rarity’s pupils shrank into her eyes and her mouth remained open drying with air. This was definitely what Photo Finish wanted to tell her earlier but it wasn’t the greatest news she had heard all day.

“Ladiez, I vill talk vith Rarity now!” said Photo Finish surprising the other models from behind as they all filed out of the back stage quickly.

“Photo Finish?” Rarity asked with some disappointment in her voice.

“Rarity, I zuppoze zhou are vondering now about ze zurprize?”

“I think I already know it. What is this about you moving us to Canterlot?”

“Gaaaaah, ze girlz haf told you already! Ah vell, zhou ver vound to vind out, I juzt vanted to ve able to tell zhou myzelf. Vell, anyvayz, are you not exzited vor it?!”

“Um……before I answer that, can I ask why we are moving to Canterlot?”

“Vecauze Rarity, zhou haf not only moved up zhour own ztatuz, zhou haf brought uz up to higher ztatuz as vell! Zhou are a vig ztar and ze ztudio is gaining more income az vell. Ve haf gotten zo high zhat I zhink ze time haz come vor uz to move to ze capital zity, ze plaze ver ve truly belong! Ponyville vaz good, vut ve haf outgrown it. Canterlot callz uz, dahling!”

“But you would want me to come obviously. And you really think I’m ready to go there?”

“Of courze zhou are! Zhou need zhiz juzt az much az ve do, zhou belong in Canterlot! I knew right vrom ze ztart zhat zhou vould be vorthy of ze capital, I juzt needed to keep zhou here long enough to zee if zhou really vhere good and zhou haf proven to me zhat zhou are!”

“Wait, so you’ve been planning this all along?!”

“Vor a vew veekz, yez, I haf. I haf already arranged to move into a building and everzhing. Ve vill be leaving zoon.”

“Nonono, hold on now, darling, I haven’t even made up my mind on whether or not to go!”

“But zhou vill go, von’t you?!”

“Well, I……I…”

“Rarity, zhou muzt go! Zhiz iz zhour vuture!”

“But this is all happening so suddenly, I’m not even sure I’m ready.”

“Zhou vill be ready, Rarity, truzt me! Pleaze, I haf already made arrangementz! Vhat could pozzibly make zhou vant to ztay?!”

“Well, I mean I have the boutique…”

“Do not vorry about zhour boutique anymore. Vith ze money zhou vill be making in Canterlot, zhou vill not need to have zhour own businezz to make a living, zhou vill be a part of ourz instead and vill be living like a princezz! Zhat iz vhy I had zhou vear our drezzez tonight. Vhy vould zhou be needing to vear drezzez made in a businezz zhou no longer own?”

“But……my friends. All my friends…”

“Ah, zhou vill make new vriendz! Zhou may be able to vizit zhour old vonz, but zhou vill make new vonz too! Truzt me, zhiz iz ze life vor zhou, Rarity, zhou muzt accept!”

“Well………it sounds lovely, really it does, but I am not entirely sure yet. Can you give me a little more time to decide?”

“Vell……I guezz I can give zhou a vew dayz. But pleaze dezide quickly, ve are practically ready to go! In vact, tomorrow may be our lazt offizial day of zhooting in zhiz ztudio.”

“Oh my, that soon?!”

“I am zorry zhiz came vithout notize, but I thought zhou vould vant zhiz.”

“Oh it’s not that I don’t want it, I just need to prepare myself. I promise I will make up my mind in just a few days.”

“Vell if it doez zhou zo, I vill allow zhou a vew more dayz to dezide, but I know zhou vill make ze right dezizion.”

“I hope I do…”

“Vell, I vill let zhou go vor now. Remember, ve are all counting on zhou, Rarity. And zhou are on ze vay to ze life zhou haf alvayz dezerved, zhiz I know.”

“Thank you for your time Photo Finish. I will decide shortly.”

“And now, I GO!”

“Oh my goodness…” Rarity said to herself while packing her things. “What in Equestria have I gotten myself into. I enjoyed this job, but do I really have to leave my home now? I’ve always wanted to live in Canterlot, but now that I think about it, I don’t think it is right for me to leave behind my friends and family. This just isn’t good. I would love to go, but at the same time I really don’t want to. What should I do? And how, oh how will I ever break this news to my friends?!”

Rarity’s eyes started to fill with tears and her throat swelled up inside. A huge life decision lay before her and she didn’t know what to do. She had to get out of that studio and go back to her boutique to rest and make up her mind. Sadly, that would be the most painful part…

TO BE CONTINUED…

One Element Short of Harmony

CHAPTER 7 - One Element Short of Harmony

Rarity could not think straight the next day. She still was making up her mind and the more she thought about it, the more scared she was of what might happen. She couldn’t face the paparazzi or anypony out in public, she was too nervous to even talk in the open. It appeared that no one else knew yet about the studio moving to Canterlot and she knew that if any Ponyville residents found out, especially her friends, they would be horrified. Losing Ponyville’s top model and best fashionista would be a very rough thing for them all and even worse for Rarity. She loved her friends so much but also loved this job and wanted to keep doing it and unfortunately she couldn’t keep both at the same time.

“Success and living the dream in Canterlot or a hardworking life living in the country with my friends and family…” she said to herself while pacing back and forth.
She was hiding behind a small patch of bushes where nopony could see her. The only pony who saw her was Pinkie who was hopping along happily until she heard Rarity talking to herself. Rarity’s voice made her sound extremely stressed. Pinkie stopped hopping and slinked over towards the bushes and peaked her head from behind them listening closely to Rarity.

“Oh Rarity come on, make up your mind! Why is this so hard?!” she said angrily to herself. “You know you want to keep modeling with Photo Finish but you can’t just leave all your friends and the boutique behind! Canterlot or Ponyville, Canterlot or Ponyville…”

Suddenly, Pinkie lost her head and went into panic mode.

“YOU’RE MOVING TO CANTERLOT?!?”

Rarity leaped in the air screeching almost loud enough for somepony else to hear her. After landing back on the ground with her eyes open wide and breathing fast, she looked over to see Pinkie in the bushes.

“PINKIE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?”

She reached over and pulled Pinkie into the clearing so no one would see where they were and covered her mouth with her hoof.

“MMM-MM-MMMFFFF!” Pinkie said under Rarity’s hoof.

“SSSSSSH! Pinkie, please, don’t let anypony hear you!” she whispered while letting go of Pinkie’s mouth for her to speak.

“RARITY……er, I mean, Rarity, what’s going on, why are you going to Canterlot?”

“I’m not officially going just yet darling, but apparently Photo Finish is moving the studio to Canterlot because she thinks we’ve outgrown Ponyville and she’s pleading that I go with them…”

“But you aren’t, are you?”

“Well, I haven’t made up my mind yet, darling…”

“But Rarity, what about us?! You wouldn’t see us again……well, maybe, but not that much! What would you be doing in Canterlot anyhow?”

“Well, modeling for the studio like I still am, but it would be full time and I wouldn’t have the boutique, I guess I’d just be a celebrity…”

“Oh please Rarity, don’t leave us, we’d miss you so much! What would we do without your awesome dress-making skills?! Ponyville would only be….well, Rarityless!!”

“I know Pinkie, that’s the thing: if I go, I’ll be leaving that all behind, but I really wanted this job, I just was so unprepared for us to move to Canterlot. I thought it was all perfectly fine in Ponyville, and although I’ve always wanted to live in Canterlot, I don’t think it’s worth moving there if it’s only because the studio is moving. And I really don’t want to stop making dresses either, it would be too unproductive.”

“So you’re staying then?”

“I’m not sure, darling. I’m really stressed out here, I can’t make up my mind. Oh please don’t tell the others, please, please, pleeeeease?!”

“Well……alright. I Pinkie-promise I won’t. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

“Thank you ever so much, darling. I promise I will decide soon. Photo Finish is still giving me a few days to decide. After that, the studio moves and I with them if I so choose.”

“But please don’t go Rarity, everyone will miss you way too much! What will all our other friends think? What would Ponyville think?! WHAT WOULD SPIK-“

“SSSSSHHHHH!!! I know, I know Pinkie!” Rarity said covering Pinkie’s mouth with her hoof. “Just please give me some time. I swear I’ll make the right decision, or at least I sure hope I do. Believe me, it’s not going well so far…”

“Ok, but please don’t forget us Rarity, please! I’m not sure how I’ll ever keep this a secret from the others!”

“I will think it over darling, I promise. Now, I must go, I have one more shoot over at the studio before they move…” Rarity then picked up one of her bags and set it on her back and rushed off to the studio.

“Bye Rarity! Please choose wisely!” Pinkie said trying to sound as happy as she could with a rather hoarse voice. “Oh no, what now? Rarity leaving us……FOREVER?!?”

Pinkie walked nervously back to Sugarcube corner with many thoughts racing through her head about Rarity. She was so scared that she couldn’t even get herself to look or act normal. She was good at keeping secrets but the fact that one of her best friends might leave left a huge lump in her throat and she couldn’t get a hold of herself. She took a deep breath before she entered the confectionary and walked right in to meet her other friends over at one of the tables having some mid-morning snacks.

“Oh, Pinkie, there you are!” Twilight said looking up.

“Hey guys…” Pinkie said trying to not let them see the sweat that was starting to form on her forehead.

“You ok?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine, it’s just……a really hot day.” She said wiping her forehead and panting.

“Sure is a shame Rarity can’t be with us this mornin’.” Applejack said.

“Well she does have a job to do, I’m sure it’s all for the better…” Fluttershy responded after taking a sip of her drink. “I am a bit worried though, it’s almost like she’s getting too attached to it.”

“I don’t wanna be a negative Nancy here guys, but I think Fluttershy is right.” Rainbow Dash said while everyone looked at her. “It’s like Rarity doesn’t even wanna be around us anymore.”

“Of course she does Rainbow Dash, she just has a really demanding job, that’s all. Don’t forget she’s a super model now, not just a regular model.”

“Yeah, but it’s keeping her away from us Twilight.” said Spike who hadn’t touched his cupcake yet.

Twilight sighed knowing that Spike was right. “I know she hasn’t been able to meet with us……and this job is really getting too demanding for her. I do have the feeling that something isn’t right either.

“I dunno, what do you think, Pinkie?” Rainbow Dash said to Pinkie who had just sat down with them.

Pinkie’s eyes widened as everyone glanced at her expecting a reply.

“Um……I uh……I dunno, what do you guys think?” she said nervously with more sweat forming on her forehead and trembling a little.

“You alright, Sugarcube?” Applejack asked her.

“Yeah Pinkie, you don’t look so well.” Fluttershy said. “Oh my goodness, do you have a fever?!”

“NO!!! Er, no of course not, I’m fine! Hehehe……hehe…”

Everyone at the table stared at her blankly knowing she was keeping a secret from them. The harder they stared the more Pinkie sweated and trembled and her face started turning red.

“Pinkie, Spike hasn’t touched his cupcake yet and you aren’t staring at it as if you’re about to take it from him like you usually do.” Twilight said right before Spike suddenly became alert and grabbed his cupcake and ate it up before Pinkie could devour it herself.

“Um……I’m not that hungry I guess?”

“You sure you’re ok Pinkie?” Rainbow Dash asked her.

“I’m fine guys, I’m fine! There’s nothing in the whole wide wide world that is bothering me right now at all! If there was anything that was bothering me, well, it could be anything I guess, but there’s nothing that’s bothering me, but if perhaps there was some little tiny thing that was bothering me I’d probably let you know but trust me there’s nothing that is bothering me at all and I assure you it has nothing to do with Rarity and her job and that she might……uh oh…”

Pinkie stopped trembling briefly and had a horrified look on her face. Everyone else’s eyes widened and they were just as horrified as she was.

“What’s this about Rarity?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“NOTHING!” Pinkie said, her voice starting to get higher and louder.

“Pinkie, what’s going on with Rarity?!” Twilight demanded.

“NOTHING’SGOINGONWITHRARITYGUYS!!!” Pinkie said with her lips moving faster and her eyes darting back and forth rapidly.

“Is she going to do something terrible? HAS she already done something terrible?!” Spike asked starting to get very worried.

“NO!!” Pinkie started sweating so much that she looked like she had just come out of the shower.

“Pinkie, tell us what’s going on, we need to know!!” Twilight demanded.

“OK FINE, RARITY SAID THE STUDIO IS MOVING TO CANTERLOT AND SHE MIGHT GO WITH THEM SINCE SHE REALLY LOVES THE JOB AND MIGHT LEAVE US AND HER BOUTIQUE AND ALL OF PONYVILLE FOREVER AND EVER AND-“ she stopped with her hooves in her mouth and everyone gasped loudly.

“RARITY’S LEAVING US?!?” Fluttershy shouted.

“FOREVER?!?” Applejack added.

“WE HAVE TO STOP HER!!” said Twilight putting her drink down and starting to get out of her chair.

“WELL WHAT ARE WE ALL WAITING FOR, LET’S GO!!” Spike said with a lot of fright in his voice and a look on his face as if he was about to cry.

They all jumped down from their chairs and rushed out the door leaving Pinkie behind who was completely devastated at what she just did. She slowly removed her hooves away from her mouth and her sweat had stopped forming and her face turned somewhat pale rather than red. She was staring into blank space completely speechless.

“I just broke a Pinkie promise……” she said quietly. Her hair then puffed up round and fat like a balloon being inflated and then suddenly flailed around in one direction as if being blown by a fan behind her. Her curls then uncurled and her hair went straight down like it was wet. Her eyes got huge and sad and tears started to form and her lips vibrated causing her speech to slur.

“Not again…” she said as the tears started to run down her cheeks like waterfalls.

TO BE CONTINUED…

A Very Difficult Decision

CHAPTER 8 - A Very Difficult Decision

Everypony rushed down the dirt roads of Ponyville to the studio at break-neck speed. Spike was riding on Twilight’s back not having to run so fast but he was just as frantic as they were. He couldn’t stand the thought of his crush leaving Ponyville forever.

“COME ON GUYS, SHE COULD ALREADY BE LEAVING!!!” he shouted to the back where everyone else was following Twilight.

“Oh, I do hope she still hasn’t made her mind up yet! With just enough push and shove from Photo Finish, I’m sure she’ll want to go!” Twilight said huffing and puffing from all the running she was doing.

“Well we aren’t gonna let that crazy photographer make her decisions for her! LET’S GO GIRLS!!!” Rainbow Dash shouted as she started to fly faster.

Behind them all, Pinkie was running slowly with tears coming down her face and her flat long hair so droopy that it barely moved from the wind in her face.

“I broke a Pinkie-promise, I broke a Pinkie-promise…” she said to herself over and over again.
Suddenly she levitated a few inches off the ground and twitched as if she had just been zapped with electricity. Her pupils shrank and her vision went haywire like all she could see was a random splatter of paint on a wall. She was starting to relive the moment a while back when she got depressed from thinking her friends no longer cared for her. This time was different. Having broken a Pinkie-promise made with a dear friend, she was starting to question her trustworthiness which caused her to lose her sanity all over again.

“I JUST BROKE A PINKIE PROMISE!!!”

Back at the studio, some ponies were packing things up in boxes getting ready to move. The more important pieces of equipment were still up since Rarity hadn’t made up her mind just yet, but Photo Finish assured them that Rarity would decide to come so they could get ready to pack everything away soon. Over in the lobby, some reporters were interviewing Photo Finish.

“So Miss Photo Finish…” said one reporter with a microphone in front of her, “…is it true that the entire studio plans to move to the capital city of Canterlot?”

“It iz true. Rarity iz ztill making up her mind on vether or not to come, but zhe vill, I know zhe vill.” said Photo Finish confidently.

“But what if she decides not to?”

“Zhe muzt! Ve all know zhe cannot rezizt zuch an offer. I haf already told her about everything and I believe zhe vill make ze right decizion.”

“Well I’m sure all the residents of Ponyville will miss her very much, but we wish her luck with her new full-time career.”

“Zank zhou, my friendz. But Rarity doez not need any luck, zhe already had zhat vrom ze day zhe came here.”

Meanwhile, Rarity was in the dressing room putting on a dress for the paparazzi to take some final pictures of her before her departure. She had on a large and rather flamboyant one with a lot of makeup on. Photo Finish wanted her to look her best for the final hurrah. She looked elegant and very pristine, but her mood was anything but.

She stared into the mirror looking at herself for a while and thinking about her decision. She still hadn’t made up her mind but with the entire studio getting ready to move, she already got the feeling she was automatically coming with them no matter what. Being in the dress made her feel even more ready to leave and a feeling of excitement to go out to Canterlot and do great things was there, but at the same time, a feeling of unhappiness lingered on and on in her head. With a lump in her throat, she began to think of everything that was set before her and which was the best to choose from.

“This was my dream. To be famous…to show everypony my beauty…to be adored by loving and supportive fans in the city that I’ve always wanted to live in……but now it’s pulling me away from something else: my friends. I love them all so much, but I really wanted this and I am so happy it’s finally happening to me. But why must I leave my friends? To go to Canterlot? Am I really ready to model in Canterlot? I feel like I am. Photo Finish might be right, maybe I am ready to go there, maybe the ponies in Canterlot would love me just as much as the ones in Ponyville did……maybe I belong in Canterlot more than I belong in Ponyville…”

Rarity then began to think of her life and what it would be like in Canterlot. She would be rich. She would be famous. Everyone would respect her and look up to her and marvel at her beauty. She would be doing a job she was good at and had always seemed to have a natural talent for. She would live in the most beautiful mansion a pony could dream of, or perhaps even a small castle. She would dine with the most exquisite cuisine to feast on. She would be open to shop for the loveliest jewelry and clothes in all of Equestria. She would be surrounded by ponies who are her type like Fancy Pants or Fleur de Lis and most importantly she would be able to spend time with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna and any of the other royal ponies in the palace. She would have a life so many ponies are dreaming of…a perfect life……a life without conflict. But then she remembered what it was she would be leaving behind, what she still had that she could lose all of: her wonderful friends, her family, her boutique, Ponyville……everything?

Twilight Sparkle: though so engrossed in her studies and knowledge, is both smart and good at making the best decisions and therefore good at making friends. Being with her helped Rarity learn more and love more, she was a pony no one could afford to lose as a friend.

Fluttershy: the kindest of all ponies in Ponyville and so gentle and easy to get along with. A pony that shares much in common with Rarity, is always there to listen to her when she has problems and always enjoys a trip to the spa.

Applejack: although she and Rarity work like polar opposites at times, a very honest and social pony that anyone could get along with. A farm pony but also a hard worker who is always willing to help others and make new friends.

Rainbow Dash: another pony who doesn’t share much in common with Rarity, but still fun to be around and protective of her friends. Her tough attitude taught Rarity how to assert herself more and to not let others push you around or tell you how to run your own life.

Pinkie Pie: who could possibly live without her? True she is hyperactive and somewhat annoying, but that could never make you hate her. She always fills everyone’s life with joy and smiles and Rarity certainly had experienced much of that from her.

Spike: that adorable baby dragon who is always there for her and always willing to lend a helping hand. So witty and smart for his own age and he had always been a dear friend to her, how could she leave him? What would he even do if she left?

And then there was her little sister Sweetie Belle: she and Rarity had gotten closer to each other ever since Rarity joined her in the Sisterhooves Social and it was evident Sweetie Belle would be completely distraught at her leaving.

Her own home and business: she could make more in Canterlot, but she was so attached to this place that it was almost impossible to imagine living without it.

It seemed the only friend Rarity would still have with her was her cat, Opalescence.

“But……I mean I can still visit them from time to time, I’m sure I’d have the money to travel more frequently. They may be disappointed but they won’t hate me for leaving so our friendships wouldn’t truly end. And besides, they support me in following my dreams, I’m sure they would understand…”

But then Rarity remembered something: she was making her way into becoming a famous super model pony and an all-out celebrity, but was that really worth it? What about everything else that she had done for them? She had made beautiful dresses and articles of clothing for them and given away so much art than she could keep track of and made others happy and grateful for her talent. Had all her supporters forgotten that? And then something else hit Rarity: she wasn’t just an artist or a model, she was a savior. With her friends she had helped save Equestria on multiple accounts. Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis……all these nasty villains were put in their rightful places thanks to her bravery. What would they do if Equestria was in trouble again and Rarity was not there to help use the Elements of Harmony to save the day with? She would be apart from them which would only weaken the bond that the Elements of Harmony had created. No one could replace her as a friend, there was only one Rarity. At last, the decision to stay began to outshine the decision to go.

“On one hoof, I could go and achieve all a pony could ever dream of……but perhaps it’s not as good as I think it could be. Photo Finish will only continue to force me to go on diets and I’ll have to put up with more of those photographers and their very demanding standards when I model. I wouldn’t have time to make anymore dresses. I would probably have a bit of a culture shock and be too homesick. Oh, and another thing: if I go to Canterlot, I’d probably have to put up with that no-good, sorry-excuse-of-a-prince, Blueblood……it’s really not a perfect life. And to be honest, even if it was, I don’t think it’s worth leaving the wonderful life I already have behind. My friends need me and I need them more now than I ever thought I would……”

Rarity looked down at the ground and then closed her eyes tightly. She then opened them back up and looked back at herself in the mirror. Although she was covered in makeup and had a different hairdo and a nice dress on, she could only see herself in there as she normally looked. A normal pony with a normal life in a normal place, but certainly not a nopony. Somepony who could still make a difference, even if she didn’t have it all. She gritted her teeth and her eyes filled with determination. The decision was final.

“No. No, I’m not going, not a chance!”

Using her magic, she then took of her earrings and necklace and other accessories on her head and put them down on the counter in front of her. The dress then came off and everything else she was wearing that no longer belonged.

“None of this is worth it, Rarity. None of it!”

She folded the dress with her magic and set it neatly on the nearby chair. She then walked over to the sink in front of the mirror and washed the makeup off her face vigorously.

“It all goes. Everything here goes good bye. I am Rarity once again, I am not who I shouldn’t be!”

After she had finished washing off her face, she grabbed a towel and dried it off and then took some blue mascara and reapplied it to her eyelids like she usually would and then put her false eye-lashes on. She used some hair curlers to quickly rearrange her hair into its normal look and set them back down and quickly looked at herself in the mirror one last time.

“You have a job to do Rarity, and it doesn’t include leaving everything behind. My decision is final!”

Rarity then turned around and started to leave the room with a smile of confidence. She knew she was giving up a great opportunity, but she felt no remorse. It could have been good, but she felt even better staying behind, she knew she had made the right decision and that made her feel better about herself. Leaving her friends for all this would have been a foolish and cowardly mistake.

Suddenly, the door opened before she could get there and Photo Finish came barraging in.

“Ah, Rarity, zhou are juzt in time!” she said excitedly not noticing Rarity had gone back to normal. “Ze paparazzi out here iz sooooo eager to get zhour……vait a minute…vhy are zhou not in ze drezz I gave zhou?!”

“I’m sorry Photo Finish, but I took it off, I’m won’t be needing it. I’ve decided to-”

“But zhou can’t do zhat, zhey are expecting zhou to look zhour bezt and……ah, zhou know vhat, vorget zhe drezz. Zhou can juzt go out zhere az zhou are, I am zure zhou vill look juzt az veautivul vithout any drezzez.”

“No, darling listen: I’m not doing this anymore, I quit.”

“Zhou……ZHOU VHAT?!?”

“I quit. I’m not modeling for you anymore and I’m not moving to Canterlot. I am sorry but this just isn’t for me. I could be rich and famous but I’m losing too much if I go with you so I’m not going so I might as well quit.”

Photo Finish stared with her mouth wide open for a few seconds until she entered a state of denial.

“Rarity, dahling, zhou are joking me! Of courze zhou vant to go vith uz, how could zhou not?!”

“No, am serious, I am not going. Like I said, I’m leaving too much behind and I don’t want to do that.”

“NOOO!!! Pleaze Rarity, zhou can’t! Ve are getting ready to leave, everypony who vorkz here zinkz zhou are coming vith uz!!”

“Yes, and I am dreadfully sorry about that. I hope without me you can all still manage this company well enough if you choose to stay in Ponyville.”

“But Rarity, zhiz iz vhat zhou vanted!!”

“No Photo Finish, it’s what you wanted. I’ve helped your company gain a better income and I know I’ve gained myself more popularity, but no one has even stopped to consider all my friends and family and my old job. I refuse to lose any of that to only help your company achieve more money regardless of whether or not it’s the life for me. Once again I am sorry, but I must go. Thank you for this opportunity though; I had fun while it lasted. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a life to get back to.”

And with that, Rarity solemnly trotted out the door right past her former employer without any regrets. Photo Finish watched her leave with her mouth hanging open even wider. The surprise caused her glasses to fall off without her noticing. Her magenta irises shrunk and her face was horrified as ever. She had just lost her crown jewel and all hopes of getting all the money and fame she was hoping for.

“No……how can zhiz be happening?! All zhat money, gone……I could haf been in charge of ze greatezt photography ztudio in all of Equeztria and know my tool to victory iz gone! Rarity haz abandoned uz all!! VHAT DID I EVER DO TO DEZERVE ZHIZ?!?

VHYYYYYYYYY?!?!”

Photo Finish sat down on the floor and put her front hooves up in the air looking to the ceiling as if cursing the higher being above her. But no such blessing would come down upon her. She had clearly used Rarity for her own personal gain and deserved no mercy for that. Photo Finish was finally out of luck.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Here I Remain

CHAPTER 9 - Here I Remain

Rarity went down the corridor leading to the lobby of the studio for the last time. She was on her way out of that wonderful place which now seemed like a prison, but she had forgotten about the paparazzi waiting out there for her.

“THERE SHE IS!!!” said one interviewer with the microphone as the others picked up their microphones and cameras and notepads quickly and crowded around her blocking her path.

“Why isn’t she wearing her dress?” one reporter whispered to another.

“Who cares? She still looks beautiful without one!” the other responded.

Rarity looked surprised and realized that she wouldn’t be able to get out of there too easily. She knew they wouldn’t take the news too lightly, but she decided she would just tell them all the truth. Everyone would find out eventually anyhow.

“Miss Rarity! Please tell us, have you made up your mind to move to Canterlot with Photo Finish Studios?” the head reporter asked putting the microphone a bit too close to her snout.

Rarity pushed the microphone back a little with her hoof and cleared her voice.

“I am sorry everypony, but no, I’m not.” she said.

Some ponies in the room gasped, others just stared with mouths open while others were in so much denial at this that their facial expressions barely changed.

“Um……well, surely you must be joking…” said the reporter laughing a little. “Wasn’t this, like, your life’s dream or something?”

“Well, it was. And I was excited for it, but I decided to just give up this dream and go along with another one I guess.”

“And what other dream is that?”

“My friends.”

The reporters all looked at each other in confusion and the head reporter started stumbling over his words.

“Your frie……I’m sorry, what?”

“You all heard me. I love my friends too much and I just don’t feel like leaving them. I know I’m well-known for what I’ve been doing lately, and it is fun and puts hay on the table, but I would feel terrible if I gave up everything else I’ve lived with in the past and I don’t think it’s worth it. I’m sorry for those of you who were excited about this, but I’m not going to Canterlot, my decision is final.”

The reporters started murmuring to themselves and it would have gone out of commotion until the head started asking questions again.

“Well actually that’s a good decision not only for you but for the rest of us!”

“It is?”

“Yeah, I mean at least we still have you here to model for us! Right guys?!”

He turned his head around and the reporters behind him all nodded their heads happily and some made a sigh of relief.

“We’re happy to have you still here in Ponyville Rarity!” he said turning back to her.

“Nonono darling, I’m not modeling in Ponyville either. I’ve quit that. Now I know you are all sad about that, but believe me when I…oh dear…”

Suddenly all the reporters in the room started talking very loudly and complaining and the nearest ones tried getting up close to her and asking her more questions. Like a lot of celebrities, Rarity was all of a sudden mobbed by some very confused reporters.

“DO YOU REALIZE YOU’RE MISSING A GREAT OPPORTUNITY?!”

“HOW DID PHOTO FINISH TAKE THIS NEWS?!”

“WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO NOW?!”

“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!?”

Rarity was looking around frantically trying to find a way out. They were closing in fast and starting to engulf her with a wall of floating microphones. The earth ponies were at the bottom trying to crawl under and get their hooves holding the microphones up to her. Rarity didn’t know what to do. Finally she had had it and showed them all that she meant business.

“ENOUGH!!!” she shouted a bit too loud as they all stopped talking. Some even got scared enough and backed away giving her room to move around.

She then used her magic to grab all the floating microphones and place them neatly on the ground around her.

“Now, out of my way please.” She said calmly trotting towards the front to try and get through.

The reporters right in front of her just moved out of the way and watched her walk by without a care in the world. They didn’t dare try to ask her anymore questions, she had already made her point and they didn’t want to make her angry so they all let her go. They made way for her to get through the door and she turned around quickly before going out.

“Thank you.” she said politely opening the doors and heading out of the studio for the last time ever.

“Well, I’m sure glad I got that out of my system. Now, back to tell my friends the good news.”

Just then she heard voices of several ponies all at once getting closer and closer. She looked to her side and just as she looked she could barely see everyone running towards her until Rainbow Dash landed hard on the ground right in front of her causing some dust to come up.

“RARITY, YOU’RE NOT LEAVING US ARE YOU?!?” Rainbow Dash asked quickly.

“Oh, um, actually…”

Then all the others gathered around her begging her to not leave.

“Rarity, p-p-please don’t go!” Fluttershy squeaked with tears starting to form in her eyes.

“Yeah, you can’t leave all yer friends like this! We love ya too much!” Applejack exclaimed.

“Please Rarity, we all still want you here! I know Canterlot is good but what about us?! We’re your friends!!” Twilight added in.

“But everyone I’m-“

Suddenly Spike zoomed out from under Twilight’s belly and hugged Rarity’s front left hoof and started shouting to the top of his lungs.

“PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME RARITY! I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT YOOOOOU!!!”

Everyone stopped talking and stared down at Spike. Spike’s eyes opened up widely and his face turned red.

“Awkward…” Rainbow Dash said out of the side of her mouth.

“Um……I mean…I mean WE can’t live without you. Yeah, we can’t live without you Rarity!”

“He’s right Rarity, you’re our friend, and we won’t let you leave us like this!” Twilight said along with Spike to keep him from being humiliated any further.

“Everypony, everypony…” Rarity said putting her hoof up to prevent anyone from talking. “I’m not going anywhere, I just decided to stay in Ponyville and I also quit modeling at the studio. I know it would have been fun to get involved with such a huge opportunity but I thought of all of you and I knew you’d be sad if I left and come to think of it so would I. Don’t worry, darlings, I’m staying right here, and no amount of fame or fortune can change my mind.”

Spike’s eyes widened and his mouth stayed open. A little smile formed on his face and his eyes started to close as he fainted on the ground in happiness.

“Oh my!” Fluttershy said while breathing a sigh of relief. “We were all so afraid you were going to leave us forever!”

“Yeah, you had us all worried sick!” Rainbow Dash added.

“But how did you all find out about this?” Rarity asked.

“Pinkie told us about it…but Ah think she was supposed to keep it secret.” Applejack said apologetically. “We probably shoulda not forced her to tell us.”

“Well it was wrong of me to keep it secret from all of you in the first place. You could have all been devastated had I decided to go and then broke the news!”

Pinkie then popped up out of nowhere next to Rarity with her hair still flat and her eyes all teary.

“So……you forgive me for breaking my Pinkie promise, Rarity?” she asked sniffling.

“Of course I will, darling. I should never have asked you to keep a secret that everyone should know about. Now puff up your hair and let’s see a smile!”

Pinkie’s tears started getting bigger, but the corners of her lips started turning up so they were tears of happiness. She wiped her tears away with her hoof. And then closed her eyes and squatted down to the ground. She jumped in the air and her hair went crazy and puffed back to its curly form and Pinkie returned to her normal self.

“WOOHOOOOOO!!!” she said while hugging Rarity tightly. “THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, RARITY!!! I’m so glad I only broke a Pinkie promise that should never have been made and I’m really glad you decided to stay with us too!”

“Oh thank you darling! I’m very glad to stay also; I was so scared of what would happen if I left you all!”

Twilight lifted Spike up with her magic and set him on her back.

“You made the right decision Rarity.” she said. “You gave up a huge chance at fame for your best friends and that shows a lot of character! Sounds like you have a report to give the Princess.”

“Oh you’re right Twilight, the Princess would love to hear that! Oh but first I think we should all throw a celebration over at Sugarcube Corner. You have no idea how much I’ve been dying to return there with all of you!”

“YOU SAID IT, SISTER!!” Pinkie shouted. “TOO SUGARCUBE CORNER, EVERYPONY!!!”

They then all ran off excitedly back to the confectionery to celebrate Rarity’s decision to stay.

Later that night at the library, Rarity dropped by with Sweetie Belle to give her report to Princess Celestia. Spike sat down attentively with the paper and quill and began to write as Rarity cleared her throat.

Dear Princess Celestia,

Today I learned that friendship is sometimes too valuable of a thing to leave behind even for all the riches the world has to offer. No matter how famous or rich anypony can be, it’s never worth giving up friends for. I was given the opportunity to live my dream of becoming a famous model for Canterlot, but I would have to leave all my friends. It was a difficult decision to make, but I knew that I couldn’t possibly do it. A true friend would know better than to leave everything good they’ve ever worked for behind. I am happy to say that I am staying here with Twilight and the others and I certainly will never try to leave them like that again and the next time I do, I’ll just remember that friendship is much more important than fame.

Yours truly,
Rarity

“That was a good message Rarity, Princess Celestia is going to enjoy reading it and I’m sure she’s proud of you!” Twilight said warmly to her friend.

Spike then took a deep breath and blew his magic fire onto the scroll and watched it travel out the window in its smoky form.

“I’m glad you’re deciding to stay Rarity.” he said bashfully turning around. “I’d miss you so much if……well, WE would miss you so much if you left us.”

“I would hate to see you disappointed, Spikey Wikey.” she said rubbing his head tenderly as he blushed. “I knew what great friends you all were and I’d be such a brute to leave you all like that.”

“Even though you were really excited for all that popularity, Sis?” Sweetie Belle asked her older sister.

“I know I sounded like such a silly filly when I heard Photo Finish wanted to hire me, but had I known I’d have to leave my friends, I would have certainly thought twice.”

Sweetie Belle came over and hugged Rarity by her leg.

“Good, cuz I’d be really mad if you left me all by my lonesome!” she said laughing a little.

“Oh I know it, Sweetie. But your sister is here to stay. Now come on, let’s get you home before Mother and Father wonder what you’ve been up to. Good bye Twilight, good bye Spike. I’m glad you all were very supportive!” And with that, Rarity happily left the library with her sister.

“See you Rarity!” Twilight said waving with Spike. “Boy Spike, that sure was close, wasn’t it?”

“I know, right? Rarity leaving us, forever?!”

“Bet you’d have been really sad about that.”

“Oh you bet! I mean what would I do without her?!”

“I dunno, but you’d be one sad little dragon, I know that!”

Twilight giggled and thought about how happy everyone else would be now that Rarity had decided to stay with them. Rarity was happy also. She would continue her life in Ponyville and love it very much. She had matured so much over the years Twilight had known her and had become a very influential mare. Her generosity and wisdom had made her one of the best ponies she had ever met, Twilight wondered if anyone could even compare to that.

Suddenly, Spike burped up fire and the reply from Princess Celestia had already come.

“Oh, a reply already, great! I’m sure the Princess was pleased with that letter!”

“Well you go ahead and read it Twi, I’m feeling kinda bushed.” said Spike heading upstairs to his bed.

“Alright. Sweet dreams, Spike.” Twilight then looked back at the letter and started to read it out loud.

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

I was so happy to read Rarity’s letter she sent me not too long ago. Rarity sounds like she has been learning a lot lately and I am so proud of her. By the way, this lesson she’s learned just reminded me: I’m going to be sending somepony her way soon…”

“Sending someone her way? Who could this be?”

Twilight stopped reading out loud and just read the rest of the letter to herself. When she had finished, she seemed rather surprised.

“Oh wow. I wonder how Rarity’s going to take this. She hasn’t seen him in so long; I hope she isn’t still holding a grudge…” Twilight looked a bit worried about the contents of the letter but then a smile of reassurance appeared on her face. “Oh it’s nothing Twilight. Rarity’s a smart mare; I’m sure she’ll put her differences aside and forgive him. But if I want her to, I’m going to have to help out along with everyone else to make it happen. After all, that’s what friends are for.”

Twilight then put the letter away in a small stack of other scrolls from the Princess and yawned while heading off to bed. It had been a long and happy day and she needed her rest, especially for this “surprise” that Princess Celestia was sending to Rarity.

But who is this stallion Twilight speaks of that Rarity may know? Well that is a question that will be answered in another story…

THE END

Prologue

PROLOGUE

It was a late afternoon in Ponyville with a beautiful sunshine and a cloudless sky. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful, but inside the Carousel Boutique, the beautiful white unicorn, Rarity, appeared to be very busy with something. She was running back and forth using her magic horn to pick up ribbons and sewing tools for her latest project. Several rather elegant dresses were set up on pony-shaped manikins and the last one was still in the process of being made.
The magically talented unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, and her assistant, Spike the dragon, waited patiently as Rarity hassled to finish the last dress. She had a fashion show coming up tomorrow and was already a bit behind on schedule. Twilight and Spike heard about this and came to see if she needed some help with the show. Twilight seemed a bit concerned for Rarity as she kept panting and sweating a bit while working, but Spike was gazing amorously at her until he felt a nudge come from Twilight.

“Huh…wha…?” he said as if he had just woken up from a nap.

“Spike, you’re not being too subtle about your feelings for Rarity you know…” she whispered.

“I’m sorry, Twilight, I just can’t help it! She’s so beautiful … even when she looks all worried and stuff…”

“Silly little dragon…” said Twilight shaking her head with a smirk on her face. She then decided she had waited long enough and tried asking Rarity about her work. “So um…Rarity, the fashion show is tomorrow I understand. Do you need any help, you know, getting set up?”

“Well Twilight, I certainly could use a little help getting the stage ready for tomorrow.” she said trying to talk and work at the same time. “I would like it set up tonight ahead of time, but I’m afraid I’ll be too exhausted to help with that after I’m done with this lovely dress…”

Spike finally tapped out of his gaze and took an opportunity to volunteer for her. “Oh, well we could set it up tonight if you’d rather, Rarity. We wouldn’t wanna tire you out, not after all the hard work you’ve been doing today!”

“Oh thank you Spike, although I wouldn’t want you to get too tired either. I was hoping maybe you could be my announcer tomorrow if it’s ok with you. You did so well at that one show I had with the awful dresses I made for everyone a while back...”

“OH, WOULD I EVER!” said Spike with his eyes beaming. He loved doing favors for his favorite pony.

“Uh…well, what about your stage, Rarity?”

“Well, I was thinking the others wouldn’t mind helping set up the stage. Applejack and Rainbow Dash are strong girls and I’m sure Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie would be more than willing to help out a desperate fashionista.”

“Well, that makes sense. And I’d love to help out too Rarity, but have you even thought about hiring a model to perform for the show? Who is going to model in those dresses?”

“Oh, that’s already been taken care of, Darling. I’m going to model for the dresses tomorrow.”

“You’re going to be the model?!” Spike said excitedly.

“That’s right. I didn’t really plan ahead of time and I thought it would be less stressful if I would just do it myself. Besides, I am pretty good at modeling you know; it’s something I have a natural talent for, but this fashion show is merely to promote my newest line of clothing of course.”

“That sounds like a pretty good idea, Rarity. I’m sure everypony will be amazed by these new dresses you have!”

“Yeah, and the fact that you’re in them will make the dresses look even better…” Spike said under his breath.

“I don’t think she heard you, Casanova.” Twilight commented. Spike didn’t look amused.

“AHA!” said Rarity putting the last ribbon on her last dress. “All done, FINALLY! Now all the dresses are finished and ready! Now Spike…” she said turning around to the love-dazed baby dragon, “…I hope it isn’t asking too much of you to rehearse for the show, is it?

“Oh not at all, Rarity!” said Spike straightening himself up.

“Thank you, Darling. One minute while I go put on this dress right here…” she then picked up a dress with her magic and went up behind her little rehearsing stage in the boutique while Spike went over to the stand with the microphone. Twilight sat in front of the stage to act as the audience.

“Remember, Spike, you gotta concentrate.” she reminded him before he would get all love-sick in public.

“Of course, Twilight, what would I do otherwise?!” he said sarcastically.

Rarity then popped her head out of the curtains and gave Spike the cue. Spike stepped up to the microphone and cleared his voice and read the script on the podium.

“Fillies and gentlecolts, welcome to another one of Ponyville’s finest fashion shows, prepared by Ponyville’s finest fashionista herself, Rarity! Today we introduce to you a new line of clothes which she’ll be modeling for. Prepare to gaze upon the rare and wonderful masterpieces of true fashion!”

The curtains parted and Rarity walked gracefully out on the stage till she got to the end. The dress she was wearing was white with pink sashes and little ruby gems dotting the edges. The dress really became her and looked even nicer when she was wearing it than when it was on a manikin. She stopped at the end and turned a few times as if the audience was watching.

“Wow, very nice, Rarity!” said Twilight clopping her hoofs. “You look great in that dress!”

“Thank you, thank…” she paused briefly to yawn a bit. “…you! I’m happy this dress turned out rather lovely…” she yawned again.

Spike then got back to announcing and turned to Twilight as if talking to the audience. “Breath-taking, isn’t it, folks? And that’s not all! Brace yourselves for…”

He then looked at Rarity and to his surprise she was lying down on the end of the stage curled up and already fast asleep. She had worked herself so hard all day and had already tired herself out!

“Awww, poor Rarity!” giggled Twilight as Spike came over to check on her. “She’s had quite a busy day! I guess she sure worked up a beauty rest!”

Rarity sighed contently in her sleep and nestled herself into a comfortable position. Right now, all she wanted was to sleep and forget everything until the show began tomorrow afternoon.

Spike started gazing again at Rarity, all dressed so nicely in her lovely gown. He set his elbow on the edge of the stage and put his hand under his cheek with his eyes in the shape of hearts.

“She’s so beautiful when she sleeps peacefully, isn’t she, Twilight?” he said with much emotion and passion in his voice.

Once again, Twilight found herself shaking her head sarcastically and trying hard to not laugh. “What am I gonna do with you, Spike…”

TO BE CONTINUED…

Photo Finish wants........ME?!?

CHAPTER 2 - Photo Finish wants........ME?!?

That afternoon, more customers came to Rarity’s boutique than Rarity had seen in a very long time. Her fashion show had brought a large multitude of ponies from Ponyville to see her newest line of clothing that was displayed in the show. She made quite a few sales the rest of that busy day and got so many compliments from the customers. After much was taken care of, Rarity was finally getting ready to close when Hairspray and Roxie arrived in the boutique.

“Oh Rarity, darling, you’ve done such a fabulous job!” she congratulated herself out loud. “That show was certainly a wonderful idea! Business really is booming now!”

“Excuse us, Miss…” said Hairspray behind her.

“Oh, well hello there ladies! You two are just in time, closing hours are upon us! Now, what can I get for you?”

“You are the owner of this boutique, are you not?”

“The one and only!”

“And this is you in this photo, correct?” asked Roxie taking out one of the pictures they took earlier and showing it to Rarity.

Rarity gazed in awe at the photo of her in dress. She wasn’t able to see herself in the dresses during the show, and seeing herself in it now made her feel much better. The quality of the dress seemed even more promising from a photographer’s point of view! It almost made her want to do another fashion show. Even more unexpected, it seemed to make her look better in the dress as well! Almost as if she was a real model for the fashion show even though she was only another fashion designer in quaint little Ponyville. The fashion show must have gone better than Rarity thought!

“Oh my, how beautiful I look in this picture! That most certainly is me, although I never thought cameras loved me quite THIS much!” she giggled.

“Well tell us, Miss Rarity, do you by any chance remember Photo Finish, Ponyville’s finest in photography?” asked Hairspray.

Rarity thought a bit about her last encounter with Photo Finish, how it wasn’t really much of an encounter at all, how Photo Finish took Fluttershy to model for her instead of helping to popularize Rarity’s business. She was a bit disappointed that Photo Finish had never really noticed her back then, but what did these ponies have to say about it now?

“Oh…her? Why…yes, I remember Photo Finish…well, what about her ladies?”

“Well we work for her, and we just wanted to let you know, Photo Finish has seen these pictures and she believes you have some potential for being Ponyville’s next top model.”

“Sh……she….believes….she believes I WHAT?!?” Rarity stuttered in confusion trying to figure out what she just heard until the realization just came to her causing her eyes to widen. Did these two ponies really say what they just said?! Something about her being Ponyville’s next TOP model?!

“You heard right.” Roxie told her smiling “Photo Finish is interested in having you over to the studio tomorrow for a few glamour shots……that is if you aren’t too busy at the time being.”

Rarity still couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She got close up to Roxie to ask her one more time what was going on.

“Wait, you mean to tell me that Photo Finish thinks I’ve got the touch to be a star, and she’s interested in letting me model……FOR HER!?!?!” she screamed moving closer to Roxy and staring her down as if she was trying to detect a lie.

“Uh…yes, Miss, she sure is!” said Roxy nervously backing up.

“ARE YOU SERIOUS?!? YOU HAD BETTER NOT BE LYING MISSY!” Rarity moved even closer to her face and pressed her snout up against Roxie’s trying one last time to see through her.

“NO, I PROMISE, I’M NOT! LOOK!” A trembling Roxie then turned the photo around and a watermark of Photo Finish’s name and logo was on the back of it in several lines moving diagonally. This photo was processed at her studio; it had to be the real Photo Finish!

“Do you believe us now?” asked Hairspray coming between them.

“I…… I CAN’T BELIVE THIS!” Rarity said starting to walk back and forth while Hairspray tried calming down Roxie who seemed a bit scared from Rarity’s fierce interrogation. “ME, A MODEL, WORKING FOR PHOTO FINISH?!?”

“Surprised?” asked Hairspray. “She actually said she regretted not taking you the first time back when she took that one pegasus pony, uh……what was her name, Roxie?”

“Oh….uh, Fluttershy?”

“Yeah, Fluttershy. She needs a new model since Fluttershy left. She really seems to believe you have what she calls DE MAGICKS!!!” said Hairspray putting her hoof high in the air and doing her best imitation of the German photographer pony.

“Ok ladies, listen: I have a bit of a busy day tomorrow, but I can come over at around ten. How long will it take?” Rarity asked frantically.

“Oh, could be less than an hour I suppose. She only needs to take enough pictures of you to help her decide if you’re good enough.” Roxie explained. “Then you can go right back to your job here and she’ll come back later tomorrow and let you know if you’ve been hired or not. Actually, knowing Photo Finish, she might even make her mind up right after you’re done!”

“IT’S A DEAL!!” said Rarity walking over and shaking Roxie’s hoof very fast in her excitement.

“OOOOO-K-K-K-AAAAY!” Roxie said while her entire body was vibrating from Rarity’s 100-mile-per-hour shake.

Hairspray walked over and helped Roxie get her hoof out of Rarity’s grasp. “Uh…..well, ok Rox, our work here is done it seems. We’ll see you tomorrow at ten o’ clock then, ok Miss Rarity?”

“OH YOU CAN BET YOU WILL LADIES!!” shouted the overexcited white unicorn jumping up and down.

They both waved bashfully and ran out the door like they were running away from a ferocious beast in the Everfree Forest. They had never seen a hopeful employee react so enthusiastically once they gave them the news! Her excitement was so great they were almost scared of her, but at least that meant that she was definitely willing to take the job therefore making their job with Photo Finish easier. So now it was time to go report to their boss and save the studio!

Soon after they left, Rarity turned around to let out her excitement alone where no one could be hurt or have hearing problems after she was done rejoicing.

“A MODEL?!? ME?!?” Rarity said putting her hooves on her head and squeezing her face in excitement. “THIS IS UNHEARD OF!! Oh could this day get any better?!”

Her pupils grew and bright little stars shone in her eyes. Rarity imagined herself walking down the aisle at another fashion show much like the one from this afternoon. Only this would be inside and there would be dozens…no, HUNDREDS of ponies from across Equestria to see her model in her wonderful dresses!

“Oh this could really help boost my sales! I could model in my own dresses to help market them and bring more customers to the boutique! Of course I would have to manage my time between modeling and then working here at the boutique, but I’m quite sure I can do it, I mean, I’ve managed to get much done on schedule before! Oh, the luck I’ve had today! All the ponies across Equestria will finally witness the art and beauty of RARITY!!!AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!”

She screamed with glee as she closed her eyes and her mouth made a smile across her entire face. Her horn then started glowing with magic and she brought in her handy couch, not to lament over something this time, but to rest herself from the seemingly endless amount of joy she was in. The couch came to a skidding halt right next to her and she threw herself down on it in hysteria.

“Oh Rarity, you really are a charming angel, aren’t you!! Wait till the others hear about this! I must tell them tomorrow morning while we’re all out at breakfast! Oh they’ll be so happy for me!”

Just then, Rarity’s adorable little sister, Sweetie Belle came in on the scene wondering what in Equestria was going on.

“Uh……Rarity, what are you freaking out about this time? Your screaming is enough to bring all of Ponyville in here!”

“Oh Sweetie Belle, your big sister is going to go for some glamour shots tomorrow at the Photo Finish studios! And if I do well enough……I’LL BE A STAR!!!”

“Photo Finish? Isn’t she the pony that turned you down last time?”

“Yes dear, but that was the past! She came to me this time and wants me to model tomorrow!”

“Are you sure about this, Rarity?” she said rolling her eyes.

Rarity reached down and grabbed the curious little filly by her cheeks and lifted her in the air.

“Sweetie Belle, Darling, does this look unsure to you?!” she asked with her eyes as big as saucers with tears of happiness starting to form and the most excited face Sweetie Belle had ever seen her give.

“UH…NO…” said Sweetie Belle in a muffled voice.

Rarity then let her go and she plummeted down to the ground with a thud. She lay sprawled out on the ground with her eyes all dizzy and then got back up to listen to more of the crazy unicorn on the couch.

“Your sister is going to be a star, Sweetie Belle…….A STAR!! UAHAHAH!!”

Rarity flopped herself back on the couch and sighed happily with her hoof across her forehead. She had already started sweating from the all excitement and happiness, but she loved every single minute of it.

“You’re so weird sis…” said Sweetie Belle sarcastically.

The next morning, Twilight and the others were out at the Ponyville Café having breakfast like they usually would when they get the chance. Everyone was there except Rarity and they were waiting to order after she came.

“I wonder what’s taking Rarity so long…” said Rainbow Dash.

“Oh you know Rarity; she’s always busy with something. I hope she didn’t forget.” said Twilight looking around.

“I’m sure she’s on her way girls.” Fluttershy said waiting patiently. “Rarity wouldn’t leave her best friends hanging!”

“I sure hope not. My tummy’s starting to sound like a gynormous grumbly earthquake here!” said Pinkie Pie while her stomach made a rather loud rumble.

Applejack then turned away and saw Rarity coming towards them. “Oh, well whadaya know, everypony, there she is!” she said pointing to Rarity who was carrying several bags across her back.

“Rarity, we’re happy to see you!” said Fluttershy gladly.

“I’m happy to see you all too! Sorry I’m so late; I had to get some things around…” Rarity said putting her bags down under her seat where they couldn’t be seen.

“So Rarity, how did the sales go last night?” asked Twilight.

“Sales? OH! Yes, right, the sales, of course…” exclaimed Rarity just remembering what else had happened yesterday besides her shocking news. “It went very well, everyone! I had more sales in that day than I usually do!”

“So what’s with the bags?” asked Applejack pointing her hoof down under Rarity’s seat.

“Well that’s actually part of what I wanted to talk to you all about…” said Rarity with some excited tension in her voice.

“OOOH!!! A surprise, I love surprises!!” said Pinkie jumping up and down.

“Yes, but, forgive me, I must have my morning coffee first if you don’t mind. Gotta shake off some of my sleep, this is going to be some biiiiig news!”

The waiter then came out and everyone ordered their breakfast so they could listen to Rarity’s wonderful news. While the others were ordering, Rarity took a quick look down in her bags to make sure her dresses were placed nicely and wouldn’t wrinkle. Once the waiter was done, they all turned back to Rarity quickly to listen.

“So what happened, Rarity?” Spike asked eagerly. “Are you having another fashion show?”

“Well……sort of, but this is quite possibly ten times better than that, Spike!” Rarity said sipping a bit of her coffee and then preparing to tell them all. “This is perhaps the greatest news I’ve had in years!”

“Yeeeees?” they all said listening closely.

“First of all, I’m sure most of you remember Photo Finish……well, two of her assistants came to the boutique last night and showed me some photos they took of me at the show yesterday. I was surprised because I looked so wonderful in the photos and I had no idea I really had it in me! Well, anywho, they said they both worked for Photo Finish and then they said……” she paused quickly to take another sip of coffee, “wait for it……and then they said, that Photo Finish has seen those pictures and she is interested in me modeling for her at her studio and IS OFFERING TO HAVE ME COME OVER THERE THIS MORNING FOR A GLAMOUR SHOOT!!!”

They all stood there open-mouthed and speechless for a few seconds until Twilight broke the silence.

“PHOTO FINISH WANTS YOU?!?” she asked rather surprised.

“I KNOW, RIGHT?!? THAT WAS MY REACTION TOO!” Rarity squealed.

“THAT’S AWESOME RARITY!” Spike exclaimed in excitement which caused everyone else to finally release their enthusiasm.

“WOOHOO RARITY!!” said Pinkie lifting her hooves in the air.

“I was just so excited when they told me! I can’t believe that Photo Finish actually wants me to model for her! Do you all know what this means?!? I could use this opportunity to help market the dresses I just made!” she then took her bags out from under the table that had some of her new dresses in them to bring to the studio later. “These dresses are some of the best I think and I’m going to use them in a couple of minutes over at the studio!”

“Wow, Rarity, Ah never thought this day would come! Ah sure am happy for ya, girl!” Applejack congratulated her.

“Yeah, lucky you, you’ll be living large if Photo Finish hires you!” Rainbow Dash added. “What do you think, Fluttershy?” she said turning to ask the somewhat quiet pegasus pony.

“Oh, um……I’m happy for you Rarity, really I am.” she said delightedly and then turning to a more concerned tone of voice. “But, are you sure about this? I mean…not saying Photo Finish is a bad pony or anything, but things didn’t go too well back when I modeled for her you know…”

“Oh I know, Fluttershy, but that was because she was too hard on you because you didn’t really know how to model, no offense. And besides, I was the one who encouraged you to stick to that, and I shouldn’t have, but this is something that I can actually do! This is something that could get me through my career! Plus, I’ve always dreamed of this sort of thing happening, and now it’s finally coming true! I know Photo Finish was a bit unfair last time, but she said she regrets not hiring me then so who says she and I can’t just bury the hatchet and make amends?”

“I think it sounds pretty good Rarity!” Twilight encouraged her friend.

“Yeah, and everypony will just love you on the stage!” said Spike making Rarity blush a little.

“Just try to not get too into it, you know what I mean?” Twilight advised.

“Oh of course not, darling, I know exactly what I’m doing. A lady does not get ‘too into it’ if she knows exactly what she’s doing.” Rarity said confidently with her head held high and her hoof placed gracefully on her chest. “Well everyone, I really should get going now, I’m sorry if our meal was cut a tad bit shorter than usual.”

“It’s alright, Rarity.” said Fluttershy. “This is important to you, so we understand.”

“Yeah, you go show those photographers what you’re made of!” Rainbow Dash cheered her on.

“Yeah, you go make those cameras melt with your prettiness and stuff!!” said Pinkie with her random words of wisdom like always.

“Oh I’ll make them burn with PASSION!” said Rarity doing her own little stance to prepare for what was to come ahead in a few minutes. “Well, it’s off to the studio now, wish me luck everyone!”

Everyone then waved good bye to Rarity as she trotted off joyfully down the road towards the studio nearby. Then it was time for them all to discuss what they had just learned. Nearly all talking at once, they stuck their heads back in over the table.

“Wow, Rarity got lucky everyone!” Twilight said happily.

“I know, I’m so happy for her, she’s living the dream!” Pinkie said taking a big sip of her espresso.

“I’m happy for her too, but…” Fluttershy said not being able to finish her sentence.

“But what, hun?” Applejack asked.

“…but…do you think she’ll end up like I did?”

“Nah, Rarity’s got this, Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash said leaning back in her chair while munching on a little bagel she ordered. “She knows this modeling fashion nonsense like ya wouldn’t believe; I’m sure she can tackle it pretty good!”

Spike then decided to send a little reassurance to the worried pegasus. “Yeah, Fluttershy, she’ll do great. She is Rarity after all, and no one can do it like her!” he started looking up dreamily in the air letting his lovestruck lips run like usual. “She’s beautiful, charming, charismatic, beautiful, smart, elegant, beautiful, graceful, beautiful-“

“Ooookay, Spike, we get it.” Twilight said sarcastically.

“Oh……right, right, yeah, sorry…” he said blushing while everyone else let out a little giggle.

TO BE CONTINUED…