Show and Tell

by TheMissingPiece

Rating: everyone
Tags: Rarity, Big Macintosh, Random, Prince Blueblood, Slice of Life, Applejack, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Original Character
Length: 5104

Rarity makes a deal with a pony that jeopardizes Rarity and Applejack's friendship.

Rarity invites Applejack to an art show, but are her intentions really innocent? Why does she keep trying to force her ideas onto Applejack? How will Applejack learn to act like a lady in time for the art show? And why is Prince Blueblood crying in a pair of overalls...? A story about how you should never try to change your friends, and accept them for the way they are. (Don't worry, Pinkie crashes a party, so it all turns out OK)
Pony-fied rendition of My Fair Lady!

Published 2012-01-17 05:31:46 UTC
Last updated 2012-01-17 05:31:46 UTC

Show and Tell

Show and Tell

Rarity squealed in delight and twirled around the room while the lavender-scented letter note drifted downwards.

“Prince Blueblood, of all unicorns!” she said with dramatic swoon. She picked up the letter, intending to check and see the time of the event. Seeing a bright orange snip protruding from the corner of the letter, she turned it over. She found a note stuck to the back, reminding her that yes, he was going to the show, and not to forget her friend. Her stomach churned as she realized there was no breaking the promise now. She snatched the letter off the carpet and dashed out of her shop, careful to check herself in the mirror as she passed. There is no way Applejack will come to this…but she has to. I promised him. As long as she doesn’t find out, this should work. She tried to think of convincing reasons as she speedily, yet gracefully, galloped towards her friend’s orchard.

~~~~

Rarity burst into her yellow-toned friend’s house, the smell of freshly-baked apple muffins assailing her nostrils.

“Mornin’ Rarity,” Applejack garbled through a mouthful of muffin, “What brings you here at this hour? Just yesterday, you were complainin’ about how much you hated wakin’ up early.” Applejack wiped her mouth sloppily before offering a muffin to Rarity.

“Well, I came to tell-” Rarity quieted as a warm, brown-sugary muffin was thrust in her face. She took it with a grateful smile and bit into it, closing her eyes as the dense deliciousness enveloped her. “These muffins are sublime! Thank you, dearie,” Rarity cleared her throat, a grin creeping across her face as the anticipation grew. “Now, about why I came,” she paused for dramatic effect, but her attempts at suspense went unnoticed. Frustrated, she trotted over to Applejack, who had buried her head in her dusty old cookbook.

“Ahem?” Rarity cleared her throat pointedly, but her friend didn’t even lift her green eyes from the weathered tome. Before Rarity could open her mouth again, the yellow mare swept past her and poked her head out the window.

“Applebloom! Get your lazy flank in here and clean up that art mess on the table!”
The small filly bounced in, unfazed by her sister’s shortness. One long, green stare later, the pink-bowed pony rinsed off her paint brushes and returned them to their home in the closet. Rarity, slightly disoriented from the sudden commotion, blinked a few times and walked over to the table.

“My, Applebloom darling, this picture is magnificent!” the unicorn exclaimed with genuine appreciation. The little filly ducked her head in modesty and kicked at the ground, but couldn’t hide the glow of pride that lit up her face. Applejack tilted her head in surprise, as if just remembering that Rarity was in her house.

“Well yes, my lil’ sis here is quite the artist! I mean look at those subtle tones, and that great shadowing here.” The mare rambled on for several minutes before Rarity exploded in her face.

“That’s exactly why I came here! ART!” Rarity cried in frustration, plopping herself down on the floor with resignation.

“Huh? You came all the way here at the crack of dawn, just to see this here drawin’?” inquired the yellow mare. Applebloom beamed, thrilled that her artwork was so valued. Her older sister, however, was perplexed at her unicorn friend’s sudden outburst, and sat down next to her fuming friend. “I’m sorry sugarcube, I let my motor-mouth get the best of me. So, what have you been tryin’ to tell me?” Rarity, recovering remarkably fast from her emotional breakdown, motioned towards the purple letter that she had set on the counter earlier.

“I was invited to an art show…but not just any art show!” she continued, anticipating her friend’s reaction, “Prince Blueblood’s art show! Apparently, he has become quite the artist.” Rarity squeezed her friend in delight, picturing the fancy outfits, the breath-taking canvases, and the more breath-taking unicorn prince. “And of course you must come, dear, you have to meet…er, you have an impeccable taste for fine art.” The white mare was oblivious to her friend’s incredulous expression. Once the sun-colored mare finally pried herself from Rarity’s surprisingly strong grip, she launched into a lecture.

“As much as I love art, sugarcube, I don’t think that snooty stallion with appreciate my bein’ there. Besides, remember the Gala? You were ravin’ on and on about that uptight unicorn, but he turned out to be a buckin’ rude pony! Didn’t you learn your lesson?” Applejack smiled fondly as she recalled the most terrible, most memorable night ever.

Rarity, being thrust back into reality, gave a knowing smile. “Oh silly, silly mare. Haven’t you heard? He was sent away to the Chivalry Academy, and has returned a changed stallion!” she beamed innocently as her friend glared at her with raised eyebrows. “Speaking of stallions, there is a charming young stallion who has been dying to meet you!” continued Rarity, a mischievous smile on her face.

Applejack, who had been inching towards the door, turned around in panic, her eyes wide. “Oh no you don’t! That’s crossing the line. I ain’t going to nopony’s art show, and I ain’t meetin’ nopony! I’m not sufferin’ through some fancy-shmancy show, not when all those rich folk will just look down on me.” She trotted stubbornly out the door, grumbling to herself, “Those lazy, vain ponies won’t let a farm pony into their show, let alone treat her with respect.”
Rarity smirked as she hatched a plan, a plan to convince her friend. No…the ponies would not tolerate the farm pony Applejack, but they would adore Sunshine Snap.

~~~~

Applejack sat steaming in the hot-tub, her fore-legs crossed. Her face was hardened and blank, though Rarity was pelting her with questions and teasing words. After tolerating more high-pitched rambling than anypony should ever bear, the yellow mare stepped out of the water. Much to her dismay, she was as wrinkled as old Granny Smith, her mane soggy and flat. Rarity daintily pranced out after her, looking even better than she had when she came in.

“Oh, I do love a good soak after a long day. I feel better already!” she declared as she trotted over to help her friend.

“Rarity, you haven’t done a speck of work all day. How can you possibly need relaxation?” Applejack said, more of a statement than a question. The unicorn ignored her friend’s mocking words and began gathering beauty supplies in her hooves, muttering to herself. Applejack rolled her eyes in disgust and tried in vain to get dry. “I honestly don’t see how drenchin’ me is gonna-“

“Hush! No matter how much you grumble and whine, you are going to the art show! If you want to act properly, you must look proper! Now just stop questioning me, and let me help you!” Rarity butted in, shoving Applejack out the door without giving her even a moment to respond. Applejack sighed, knowing the fun had only just begun.

~~~~

“Now that you are all clean, I can finally work with you,” muttered Rarity as she fiddled with a scrap of paper. Applejack sat uncomfortably on a small stool, already dreading Rarity’s schemes. The yellow mare fidgeted as Rarity explained that she was going to teach her etiquette and proper speech. “I am not ever going back to that old white house. Now, say exactly what I just said,” Rarity instructed.

Applejack boasted, “That’s easy! I ain’t never goin’ back to that ol’ wha-it house!” The white pony’s spirits sank lower and lower with every word she heard. Getting her friend cleaned up physically was easily accomplished, but cleaning up her mannerism and personality was a whole different story. She realized she was going to have to take foal-steps if she wanted to change her friend before the show.

She began again, using her most patient tone, “Now, repeat after me. Am. Not. Ever.”

“Aimt….ever.” replied the hard-working mare, her face contorting as she formed the unfamiliar syllables. Rarity gave a hopeful smile, encouraging Applejack to try again. “Aim…not…ever…” she uttered slowly. Her features lit up as she pranced around the room, repeating the phrase. Her friend, however, was frowning. If it took this long for the farm mare to repeat three words, how much time would it take to alter her speech for the show? Rarity glared at her friend to calm her, and began to write a new phrase.

~~~~

Six days later, the ponies were both tired and bored, their eyes glazed over from the repetitiveness of it all. With only nine days to prepare for the show, Rarity had been keeping Applejack to a rigorous schedule. They had been waking up early and going to the unicorn’s studio, where she would teach her farm friend correct speech and etiquette for hours. Now, the ponies were beginning to feel the effects of their lack of sleep. Rarity mumbled something about getting a snack and headed off to another room while Applejack mumbled phrases sleepily on her stool.

She giggled in her stupor, “White barn old not ever am…WHA!?” She tumbled to the floor with a screech, taking the stool down with her. She picked herself up off the floor, and noticed Rarity’s disappearance. Following the sounds of silverware clattering, she trotted to the adjacent room. The unicorn was poring over an etiquette book; silver glasses perched on her nose and a spoon in her hoof. Not in the mood for any more chit-chatting, the yellow mare glanced around for something to occupy her. She spied a small note on the floor, leaned over, and picked it up, a sweet scent wafting from the paper. She set it down and squinted at the sprawling scrawl, trying to decipher its illegible code. The more she read, the more hardened her expression became, anger building up inside her. The not-so-sunny mare whipped around, snatched the note, and jabbed it accusingly towards Rarity’s face.

“So this is the reason you’re taking me to the show, is it?” she smarted, eyes blazing, “You sure convinced me. You had me going with the whole ‘impeccable taste in art’ act, but now the truth comes out. You just wanted to use me, like some sort of experiment!” she shrilled, her voice getting higher as she became more furious. “Of course, darling, I could be mistaken. The ‘farm-pony’ mentioned here must be Big Macintosh. And I’m sure that ‘passing her off as a Canterlot pony’ was just a joke, right? Those five hundred bits ‘at stake’ must be for betting on the Wonderbolts,” the pony continued, her voice dripping with sarcasm. With that, she stormed out of the room, not waiting for Rarity’s reaction.

The original receiver of the note sat down with a stunned thud, her head spinning. She had intended to explain to Applejack…well, never, actually. The plan had been that Sunshine Snap, otherwise known as Applejack, would come to the show, impress everypony, and convince Prince Blueblood she was from Canterlot. Only then would Duke Dapper accept Rarity into his circle of elite friends and pay her. The unicorn hung her head, realizing the awful mistake she had made. Suddenly, her sapphire eyes lit up as an idea formed. Sunshine Snap would show those rich ponies yet!

~~~~

A sudden whirlwind of white and purple jerked Big Macintosh from his hazy daydreams back into reality. He looked up from his comfortable stare, finding a giant mare face just inches from his.

“Uh, hi.” He mumbled awkwardly after taking a slow step backwards. As he recognized who he was addressing, his neutral expression slowly slid into a frown. His sister had burst into the house in a similar fashion just minutes ago, brimming with anger and hurt. He had listened to her every word with sympathy, and now looked back at Rarity with disappointment. A painful silence rang in their ears, each unsure how to voice their emotions. Finally, the unicorn turned away and headed out the door, knowing exactly where she would find the mare she was looking for.

Over her shoulder, she apologized, “I’m really sorry for what I did, and I promise, I’ll make it up to your sister.” She departed with a final nod in his direction, leaving him with only questions and the faint scent of lavender.
A dry, heaving sob alerted Rarity to the whereabouts of her friend. Peering behind an apple tree, she found Applejack curled in a ball, her eyes shut tight.

“Applejack?” she asked cautiously, then rushed into her apology before her friend had a chance to reject her. “I know how you could get the wrong idea from what you read. Actually, you thought right. I was a terrible, lying friend to try to use you like that. But…I just want you to have the full story, and hear my apology, and my plan to make it up to you.” She finished with a deep breath, peering over at her friend.

The yellow mare was still curled in an unresponsive ball, but made no move to get up and leave. Rarity interpreted her friend’s reaction, or lack therof, as a positive one, and launched into her story.

“So I was at a fine dinner party one day, I mean, of course I was, when am I not? Anyways, a simply charming pony approached me with his entourage and introduced himself as Dapper, Duke of Coltorado. He was a fascinating stallion, and had traveled the world, studying languages and dialects, and the culture that came with them.

“The duke was riveted by the diversity of ponies in Ponyville, so of course I told him about you, as you are one of the most…interesting ponies I know. Then, he came up with an incredibly intelligent experiment. He wanted to see if the farm pony I described, you, could completely change into a refined high-class pony. If I accepted the challenge, and Prince Blueblood believed you really were a rich Canterlot pony, he would pay me five hundred bits. Then I would become famous, and accompany him in his endeavors.” She trailed off, getting a little lost in her fantasies.

Noticing Applejack’s disapproving green glare, she continued hurriedly. “I promised I would bring you. The Duke attends everything that Prince Blueblood does, and that note was…a reminder. Since I got invited, I had to bring you along and show you off to the prince, you know, as part of my promise.” She finished with a dramatic sigh, then realized this really wasn’t the best time for theatrics. She reigned herself in and looked expectantly at her friend.

Applejack seemed to be having a hard time taking it all in, and was shaking her head sadly. “I…I don’t know what to say. I just can’t believe you would use me like that, like I and just some sort of puppet to you,” she hesitated, “Do my feelings even matter to you? Do you not like me the way I am?”

Rarity reached out lifted Applejack’s chin with her hoof. “Applejack, you are the best, most honest, most dependable friend a pony could have. Never let anyone change you, especially me,” the unicorn offered a tentative smile before continuing, “I am truly, deeply sorry that I was going to use you to get what I wanted. Can you forgive me?”

Applejack stood up and adjusted her hat before responding, “Apology accepted. Now, what was this about a plan to make it up to me?”

~~~~

The sun was barely beginning to creep over the horizon, but Rarity was already hard at work. She had gotten so caught up in her work with Applejack, she had completely forgotten about their outfits. Now she was rushing around, various objects floating haphazardly in all directions as she used her magic to transport them.

Applejack shambled blearily into the room, her hat askew on her light mane. She ducked quickly as a roll of fabric whizzed over head and landed near a mannequin. “Anythin’ I can help ya with?” she asked, then coughed and repeated herself, applying what she had learned. “I mean…Is there anything I can do to assist you? You look quite overwhelmed, and I daresay you could use some extra hooves,” she finished with a giggle, pretending to bow.

Rarity joined in with the laughter and clapped jokingly, objects crashing to the ground as she lost her focus.

“Heh, sorry about that,” the yellow mare said as she picked up a green spool, a grin still on her face. “This color…I really like it! It reminds me of apple tree leaves,” she mused mostly to herself, setting the spool back in Rarity’s basket. She looked around, wondering where her friend had disappeared to this time, and was surprised when her voice piped up from behind the counter.

“Then you are going to adore your outfit! I was going to surprise you with it later tonight, but this just seemed like the perfect time.” She delicately lifted a forest-green ensemble onto the counter, humbly accepting Applejack’s waterfall of compliments.

“Oh Rarity! It’s beautiful!” she exclaimed, the outfit already halfway on her. For once, the yellow mare felt comfortable in the simple yet flattering green outfit, and smiled appreciatively at her friend.

“Now just lose the hat…add a pendant, and, Viola!” she exclaimed before noticing Applejack’s longing gaze at the worn cowboy hat. “Don’t worry; we won’t be leaving that behind!” The two friends shared a knowing smile, already anticipating the fun to ensue at the art show.

Rarity, hating to be the party-pooper, pointed towards the tattered manners book when the farm mare was done taking off the outfit. Her friend made a face but trotted over and began reading aloud in her most prim, refined voice. The white pony turned back to the blank mannequin and began to delve back into her work. Sketches, scissors, fabric swatches, all the supplies involved in Rarity’s project began to levitate and float lazily over to the unicorn.

After several hours had passed, the ponies decided to go have lunch at a café. They chattered happily on their way, and were currently engaging in a very heated, but very silly, debate over Applejack’s beloved hat.

“Really, you really mustn’t wear that tattered old thing in public. It looks like someone scooped up a piece of mud and plopped it on your head!”

“Oh yeah?” countered Applejack, laughter in her eyes, “I bet this hat had gotten more use out of it than all of your outfits, put together!”

“Well, I never-“ Rarity’s false dramatics were cut short as a rainbow-colored streak whizzed between them. Just as the two ponies were regaining their balance, Twilight Sparkle galloped between them, followed by a timid Fluttershy. Suddenly, three new voices chimed in, with various forms of protest.

“Hey! Rarity! I heard you were mean to Applejack? Well, you better apologize, or else!” Rainbow Dash threatened, staring Rarity down.

Before the unicorn had a chance to respond, her purple friend butted in. “Now, really girls, let’s just talk this out. I’m sure there is a reasonable explanation, and that Rarity didn’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings. Now, please stop fighting and I can help you two sort this out,” Twilight reasoned, trying to be helpful.

Amid all this commotion, Fluttershy was shuffling her hooves, quietly voicing her opinion. “Please…if you would be so kind as to stop fighting…everypony can be friends...”

“QUIET! Everypony please, just shut your mouth!” Applejack glared at each one of them in turn, restoring order. “Now, listen. Nopony is fighting with nopony! Here, why don’t y’all just walk with us to the café, this is gonna take some explainin’.”
The ponies walked together, Applejack and Rarity filling in the other ponies, telling them the conflict, resolution, and plan for the upcoming night. Though they had some interruptions from a certain sky-hued pegasus, for the most part the others listened openly to their story, and supported the plan whole-heartedly. Even Fluttershy smiled at their sneaky, wonderful scheme.

Out of nowhere, Pinkie Pie zipped over and jumped on the table, eyes wide and innocent. “Did I hear someone say ‘party crashing’?” The rest of the friends simultaneously laughed and summed up the plan. “So it’s just Applejack and Rarity, then?” she asked with a crestfallen look. “Well yes, but you can help us plan some…surprises,” began Applejack.

~~~~

A pair of haughty brown eyes looked down at the two fillies suspiciously. “And you are…?” the stallion asked disdainfully as he took in their lavish outfits. The dressier of the two, a unicorn, stepped forward and cleared her throat.
“Why, I am only the Rarity! Here by invitation of the Prince himself,” she beamed as she flourished the note. The stallion nodded, and then looked expectantly at the other mare. The unicorn stepped in front of her quickly. “And this, of course, is Sunshine Snap; only the richest pony is all of Canterlot. So you would do well to step aside and let us in, before the Prince begins to wonder why his two most important guests are not there to see his art!” she said, batting her eyelashes at the flustered stallion.

He rushed to open the door for them, and mumbled from behind the door handle, “Have a good time, ladies.”
The two friends giggled and high-fived as soon as the heavy wooden doors slammed behind them. Hearing the loud smack, several head turned in their direction curiously. The mare and unicorn smiled apologetically, then nodded to each other, reminding each other to stick to the plan. ‘Sunshine Snap’ moseyed over to the small bar, holding her head aloft. She made pleasant conversation with the two young fillies there, wowing them with her expansive art knowledge and superb fashion taste.

As the green-wearing mare received her drinks and walked away, the two girls chattered excitedly, “She must be really famous or something. So kind, too!”

“I know…maybe a famous artist? No wonder the Prince invited her!” the second filly agreed, watching the mare trot away with admiration. The undercover farm mare made her way through the show, impressing both young debutants and seasoned art experts alike. The rich ponies at the show were soon hanging on to every word she said, viewing her with awe. Applejack smiled devilishly to herself, the plot unfolding perfectly.

Meanwhile, Rarity was doing her part and was deep in conversation with Duke Dapper. Rarity explained dramatically how her ‘star pupil’, as she referred to Applejack, had come such a long way in the past week.

“She really is a changed pony. When we introduce the former farm pony to the Prince, he will be none the wiser,” Rarity boasted continuously, keeping the Duke’s attentions. Rarity and Dapper were suddenly cut off, as ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ filled the room.

“What? The Prince is here already?” the Duke muttered in confusion as he wheeled around. But the Prince was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a green-clad mare trotted gracefully towards them, her light yellow mane flowing, her eyes seeming to emit their own glow. Rarity coughed delicately before stepping next to the mare, raising her head high.
“This is my dear Sunshine Snap. Your experiment is a huge success!” Rarity gushed, putting emphasis on ‘your’. Duke Dapper took the opportunity to step forth and puff out his chest, watching the mare’s every move.

“I am pleased to meet you, Sunshine Snap. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you and your marvelous metamorphosis from a farm pony,” he spat out the word disdainfully, “to star of the show!” Finishing with a smile, he waited for her response, ready to be blown away.

“Oh no, the pleasure is all mine, Duke Dapper,” she exclaimed, bowing down. “I am positively thrilled to be finally meeting you. It is all thanks to you, of course, that I became the lady that I am,” she enthused, smiling at him with appreciation.

The stallion opened his mouth to respond, no doubt with an immodest reply, but the doors suddenly swung open, and a gleaming white unicorn stepped into the building. All eyes in the room turned towards him, and a collective gasp could be heard from the crowd. The ponies stepped back as he paraded towards the stage, where a canvas was covered in a velvet cloth. As he passed, he would nod at only the most rich and sophisticated ponies, pausing to greet only two. Suddenly, his eyes strayed from his destination as a gorgeous yellow mare dressed in green nodded dutifully at him. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on, and pushed through the crown in order to introduce himself.

“Good evening. I am Prince Blueblood, and-” his smile turned sour as he noticed the purple-maned unicorn gazing at him, about to faint, from the yellow mare’s side. “As much as I love meeting new Canterlot ponies, which you must be, since a pony from anywhere else would not be as refined or beautiful, it would be better if we could get aquinted a little farther away from this…thing,” he said disdainfully as he looked down on the star-struck Rarity.

He promptly took Applejack’s hoof and walked away, a stunned silence from everypony following. Applejack made a distressed face and the hoof-across-the-neck gesture, but Rarity only smiled and waved, not caring that this wasn’t part of the plan.

Duke Dapper, on the other hand, was overflowing with praise and excitement at the success of his wonderful plan, and placed more than the agreed-upon amount of bits in the unicorn’s outstretched hoof. “Simply marvelous! Sunshine Snap seems to be doing even better than I thought! This victorious experiment will make me famous!” he proclaimed, very self-assured.

His unicorn addressee, however, was beginning to realize how this complication might ruin their well-thought-out plan. Before she could even start to rework their scheme, a loud ‘Ahem’ resounded through the room. Prince Blueblood himself stood on the stage, facing the microphone.

“I would like to thank everypony for coming to see my flawless artwork tonight,” he said, loud applause following, “and I would also like to introduce Sunshine Snap, the finest mare in all of Canterlot.” A few hesitant claps were heard as the former farm mare sauntered onstage, beads of sweat clearly visible on her brow.

“Uh…Hello, everypony,” she said hesitantly. While she could fool others in conversation, doing it onstage was exponentially more difficult. Suddenly, her stage-fright evaporated and she remembered the plan, the plan she was changing to suit the circumstances. “I would also like to introduce somepony. I owe everything to Duke Dapper. He has helped me become the stunning and perfect mare that I am today.” She clapped loudly, the audience following her lead.

The Duke beamed haughtily, and yelled from his spot on the ground, “her perfection is all thanks to me and my brilliance!”

The Prince, slightly miffed that the mare hadn’t fawned over him onstage like most other ponies had, he took over the microphone. “And without further ado…my artwork!” He lifted the velvet dramatically, and the crowd simultaneously gasped.

“It’s stunning!”

“So stark and beautiful!”

“I have never seen such a flawless painting!” various voices cried from the crowd.

“What in tarnation?” came an incredulous screech from onstage, “You call that art? It’s just a blob of paint!” It was as if the air had been sucked from the room. All eyes were on ‘Sunshine Snap’, all breaths being held.

Breaking the silence was a cry of, “Catch, Applejack!” and a worn brown cowboy was flung onstage. Ripping off the dress and setting the hat jauntily on her head, she let out a laugh.

“Oh boy, I sure fooled y’all! Everypony here thought I was from Canterlot! It just to show you how shallow you ponies all are!” she laughed again, encouraged by the jaw-dropping of the audience, “I can’t wait to see what happens to you at your fancy-shmancy parties when they hear about how you admired and talked to Applejack!” Duke Dapper tried to scamper away quickly before anyone made the connection to him, but using her magic, Rarity levitated him onstage next to her friend.

“And you! You are a sneaky, cruel, conceited pony, who has no regard for anyone’s feelins but your own!” Applejack turned away from the cowering stallion and addressed the shocked crowd once more. “He bet five hundred bits that a dopey ol’ farm pony like myself couldn’t pass for a Canterlot pony. Well, I think the aced the test, right, Prince Snooty?” She snickered as she addressed him. Leaving the Prince aghast, she leaped off the stage and grinned at Rarity, the crowd retreating quickly.

“You know what to do,” she said with a grin, then whooped loudly, “Yeeeeeehaw!” Running after the crowd, she created a near stampede towards the door. Rarity grinned and smashed the button on her necklace, courtesy of Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle.

Suddenly, everypony found themselves wearing not expensive gowns or shining top hats, but worn overalls and straw hats. The shrieking and chaos intensified as the elite ponies shied away from each other, their eyes wide with horror.
Rarity rushed away to meet Applejack by the door, swerving between swooning mares and terrified stallions. They did another high-five before turning around and surveying the wonderful chaos they had created. Mobs of sophisticated ponies were wailing over their ruined outfits and public humiliation.

The worst of all, though, was Prince ‘Snooty’ Blueblood. He sat sobbing in a corner, looking at his overalls in disgust. “My beautiful outfit! My reputation is ruined!” he sniffed, much to the party-crashing ponies’ delight.

Nopony was quite sure what happened that night. The Prince and other high-class ponies were sure an evil and magical pony had brainwashed them all, then tortured them for her pleasure. Others assumed it was all a diabolical experiment of Duke Dapper’s, who mysteriously disappeared after that night. Nopony could argue, though, that there had been a stampede of well-to-do ponies wearing overalls and straw hats through Ponyville. Some claim the ponies were being herded by none other than Rarity and Applejack, whom ponies swear they heard yelling the phrase, “I ain’t never goin’ back to that ol’ white house!”

Author’s note- Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. If you have any comments, suggestions, or critique, I would love to hear it. This is my first time submitting anything, if you couldn’t already tell already, so I’m eager to hear y’all’s reactions! :)