At Perla's clubhouse, Perla was showing Bailey, Dreamer, and Tilly the designs she was going to be painting on their hooves

“And for you Bailey, I'll be painting this one on your hooves” Perla said while holding up her phone with an image of ice cream mountain with sprinkles all over it and a hot fudge river.

“Uh, I don't know about that one for me Perla. It seems more like Sundae’s kinda thing” Bailey said with a nervous look on her face.

Dreamer spoke up in her usual gentle tone of voice. “I don't know Bailey. I kinda like it. Not as much as the nightscape Perla is doing for me, but that Ice cream mountain looks delicious!”

Tilly spoke up in a joking tone, “oh Bailey, if you want, I'm sure Perla could give you the ‘Lucky Hoof’ polish again.”

Bailey shook her head. “No way! That ‘Lucky Hoof’ polish was so unchill” at that the 4 mares started laughing. Soon there was a knock on the door.

Perla was taken aback. “Huh? Is it time for the contest already? I thought I had a few more minutes.”

When she opened the door, she saw Candi, Pipp, and three little fillies she had never seen before.

Candi was the first to speak up. “Hey Perla, sorry about this but these fillies have been watching my vlog and really wanted to meet you. Do you have a minute?”

Perla looked down at the three fillies and smiled. “Sure come on in. I'm just about ready for the contest anyway.”

Perla stepped back to let everypony in, but the fillies just looked in awe at all the stuff In the clubhouse.

Pipp spoke up next. “Thanks for this Perla. I know your busy, but it's hard to say no to my fans.”

Perla lifted a hoof to her mouth and giggled. “Oh it's fine Pipp. A good hostess is always prepared for a surprise visitor or three.” Then Perla looked down at Seashell, Peach Fizz and Glory. “So, how long have you three been watching Candi's Corner?

“Ever since Princess Pipp told us about Wild” Said Seashell.

“Are you really a full time hostess?” asked Glory.

“What ever happened with your Mane tamer 3000? Did you ever fix it?” asked Peach Fizz.

Pipp quickly stepped forward. “Hey there Pippsqueaks! One at a time! Let Perla think.”

Again Perla giggled. “Oh Pipp, honestly it's OK. Let's see… Yes I've been a full-time hostess ever since I graduated high-school. My parents own a catering business so I've had experience ever since I was about your age.”

The three fillies all said in unison “WOW”

Perla continued now with a mild blush on her cheeks. “As far as my Mane Tamer 3000. Yes, I think I worked out all the bugs. Looking back I probably should have tested it before I used it on Cherie.”

“yeah but that was an exciting day!” said Bailey who was drinking a smoothie in the back of the clubhouse.

At that everypony laughed. Perla continued to talk to Seashell, Peach Fizz, and Glory. And answering all their questions.
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Meanwhile in the streets of Maretime Bay. Zipp Storm and Queen Haven flew down in front of Mane Melody to talk to Sunny and Cocoa.

Queen Haven greeted them “Hello again Sunny Starscout. Always lovely to see you.”

Sunny smiled ear to ear “likewise your majesty!”

“And you must be Cocoa. My girls have told me so much about you ”

“Yes your majesty. That's me.” Cocoa said, a little nervous to be talking to a queen”

Queen Haven put her hoof up in a dismissive motion. “Oh don't worry Cocoa. I may be a queen but I'm a pony just like anypony else.”

Sunny smiled at Cocoa, and Cocoa still a little bit nervous replied “oh thanks your majesty Queen Haven, I've just never met a queen before. When I met Zipp and Pipp, I didn't realize they were princesses.”

Zipp chuckled, “yeah, I don't like to parade that fact around. I'm still not sure I like the idea of becoming queen someday.”

“Oh nonsense darling! I'm sure you'll be twice the queen I ever was.” Queen Haven insisted.

Sunny, trying to change the subject so Zipp wouldn't feel uncomfortable, said the first thing that came to her mind.

“So, Zipp. Did you find your toothbrush?”

Before Zipp could respond Queen Haven laughed “oh yes! The great detective Zipp didn't notice her toothbrush had fallen on the ground!”

Zipp looked ashamed and snapped back, “Well at least I didn't forget that Cloudpuff was still on your bed when you couldn't find him for his 'walksies’”.

Sunny quickly thought if something to change the subject again when she noticed all the ponies and horses going into Mane Melody for the contest.

“Oh look! The contest is starting soon! Jazz Hooves will be looking for you Queen Haven.”

Queen Haven checked her phone. “Oh hoofness! Look at the time! I better get in there, see you fillies later.” and with that Queen Haven found Jazz Hooves and they both stepped inside the salon.

Sunny gave Zipp a small smile and Cocoa asked “did you have a fight with your mom Zipp?”

Zipp sighed and said ”Well, I'm still just not sure about this whole becoming queen thing. And I can't believe I was loud enough to be heard on Pipp's live stream about my stupid toothbrush.”

Sunny put a foreleg around her “Oh Zipp…”

But Zipp smiled and said “oh don't worry Sunny. Sure it's embarrassing, but when you have a sister who livestreams EVERYTHING you get used to a little embarrassment.”

Cocoa then said. “I know how you feel. Ask Candi about the Trotenstein incident. We made foals of ourselves that night.” After a good laugh between Cocoa, Sunny, and Zipp, the three mares cantered into Mane Melody.

‐—-----‐—------------------------------------------------

[Mane Melody

10:00.]

“Welcome Fillies and Gentle colts! To the first ever hoof polish design contest at this very salon: Mane Melody! I'm your host, Rocky Riff! And today we have two hoof designers looking for the title of Top Hoof Designer!

From right here in Maretime Bay we have a lovely pony who also happens to be the first Earth Pony I ever became friends with:Jazz Hooves!”

At this, the audience roared with applause.

And in the other corner we have a hostess all the way from the town of Wild: Perla!

Again the audience roared with applause.

“Before we get started, let's quickly introduce our 4 judges!

First up we have…Hitch Trailblazer from right here in Maretime Bay!

Next, we have…Izzy Moonbow from Bridlewood!

And for our third and fourth judges all the way from the town of Wild, we have… Cherie and Bridget!

Remember everypony, our contestants will be working with three volunteers who are providing their Hooves for the contest.

Jazz Hooves will be working with, Posie Bloom, Misty Brightdawn and Her Majesty Queen Haven!

Whereas Perla will be joined by her friends from Wild, Bailey, Dreamer, and Tilly!

Now that we've met the contestants, volunteers, and judges, it's time to see who will win the title of Top Hoof Designer!”

And so the contest was underway. The first submission was from Perla. Tilly came out wearing a design of a tennis court with a large tennis racket on the left side.

Following Tilly came Posie with Jazz Hooves's first design. Posie walked out wearing a design of a garden with different fruits growing from Earth Pony magic.

Next came Dreamer with a stunning Nightscape with the crescent moon, stars, and a serene field

Then came the second design from Jazz, Misty Brightdawn wearing a design of all her friends’s cutie marks.

The penultimate submission came from Perla. Bailey walked out with a design of the beach with happy little clouds in the sky, as well as a big wave, perfect for surfing

Finally, Queen Haven stepped out with Jazz’s final design for the contest: The Crystal Brighthouse with a brilliant rainbow coming out of the unity crystals on top.

After all the designs were shown. Jazz and Perla, along with their volunteers stood before the judges.

The first to give his vote was Hitch

“You both clearly put a lot of effort into this. But I have to give my vote to Jazz. Your design of the Crystal Brighthouse is your best work I've ever seen!

Next Cherie cast her vote.

“All your designs were truly wonderful! But my vote goes to Perla. Your beach design is truly amazing!”

Izzy Moonbow was next

“Hmm. I vote for Perla! I love how used sustainable and recycled materials for your hoof polish. Betcha didn't think I'd notice huh? Well I'm an experienced unicycling pony!”

Last Bridget gave her vote.

“I'm gonna have to hand it to Jazz. I can feel the rhythm in that cutie mark design. Makes me feel like dancing!”

Rocky Riff picked up the microphone once again.

“Well fillies and Gentlecolts, it looks like we have a tie! To crown a winner, I'll be picking somepony from the audience to cast the tie breaking vote!”

Rocky looked around the room before pointing out a white horse with blond hair, a purple streak in it and wearing a purple swimsuit.

Everypony looked to Finley. Just then Pipp and Candi remembered they forgot to talk to Finley about making her predict the winner. And now she was the one who had to make the deciding vote!

Finley looked like she was about to have a panic attack before she blurted out: “Uh I vote for… Jazz! No, no! Perla! No! I mean…”

Everypony looked expectantly at her. Cocoa and Sunny wanted to go to her, but they were on the other side of the salon. And the place was packed to the gills with Ponies and Horses.

Finley finally got a hold of herself and said “You know what? You both did great! I vote for both Jazz AND Perla!!”

Everypony looked shocked at this, but before anypony else said anything, Rocky Riff brought the mic back up to his mouth.

“Well there you have it everypony! Both Perla and Jazz are taking home the title of Top Hoof Designer! Thank you all for coming out today, and thanks to both our winners and all their Volunteers!”

After the contest Finley was talking to Jazz and Perla.

“I'm sorry I couldn't decide between you two. You both really did great and I didn't want either of you to feel bad.”

Jazz spoke up, “oh it's OK Finley. I was just doing this for fun anyway. It's not like my career depended on it or anything”

Perla nodded “Same here Finley. I'm in no danger of running out of business. This silly little contest wouldn't change anything.”

Then Jazz turned to Perla. “ Even so Perla, those were incredible designs! Think I could look at some of your other work?”

Perla smiled and said “of course Jazz! I wouldn't mind seeing more of your designs too if its ok.”

“Sure thing!” Jazz beamed back. And the two winners of the contest went to discuss hoof design.

Candi and Pipp finally got to apologize to Finley for making her uncomfortable.

“I'm really sorry I made you uncomfortable earlier Finley”

“Oh it's OK Candi. I know I'm not great with decisions but I'm going to keep working at it.”

Pipp jumped in “Still, if I hadn't made such a big deal about this contest in the first place none of this would have happened.”

“Don't worry about it Pipp!” Finley said with a smile. It all worked out in the end! Now Jazz and Perla can become friends!”

As Pipp, Candi, and Finley talked, Cocoa and Sunny watched from afar.

Sunny sighed, “I'm glad Finley is OK now.”

Cocoa nodded, “Yeah. She's stronger than she looks. We all have things we struggle with. But all you can do is keep trotting forward.”

Sunny smiled up at Cocoa, “And it always helps to have friends to there for you. My dad used to tell me stories about a pony named Fluttershy. She was one of the great Princess Twilight Sparkle's friends. Even though she always struggled with shyness, her friends were always there for her and eventually, she overcame her shyness.”

Cocoa thought “I want to help Finley get over her nerves too. Think if we keep supporting her. She'll be able to overcome her fears?”

Sunny looked up to the unity crystals atop The Crystal Brighthouse and said, “I know she will”

Author's Note

Thank you for reading my story!

I know after chapter 1 you probably guessed Finley would be the deciding vote. And having both Jazz & Perla win is a bit silly, but overall I'm happy with my story.

I'm under no delusions that it's a very good story, but I've really gotten into Wild Manes and wanted to try my hoof at writing another MLP X Wild Manes crossover.

If it gets even one person interested in trying Wild Manes, it was worth it. All the currently released episodes are on YouTube via the Wild Manes channel and are only 5 minutes long so it won't take too much of your time.