The display on a large digital clock mounted on the wall read 7:57 AM.
A girl with smooth, perfect ivory skin sat at the makeup table in the large fitting room of Carousel Boutique, applying mascara to her long, beautiful eyelashes. Her long, lush purple hair was already expertly styled, her nails perfectly polished, her lipstick and eyeshadow artfully applied, and she was already dressed for another successful school day, wearing an outfit she had designed herself: a pale blue short-sleeved blouse that shimmered under the lights, a blue skirt patterned with glitter-trimmed diamonds, and knee-high royal purple boots with indigo trim. A triple-diamond hair clip held her gorgeous hair out of her face.
The television was tuned to one of the numerous news channels. In a flat tone which would put the freshly risen back to sleep, the business reporter droned on about the latest financial news.
//Crystal Enterprises' stock is expected to rise following the announcement that the company intends to build a new shopping mall. Questions have however arisen as to where the company intends to acquire land for the project. And now, we turn to entertainment news, and the latest on Sapphire Shores' arrest for possession of cocaine—//
The channel was abruptly changed to a cartoon about talking animals in a pet shop.
Rarity rolled her eyes. "MUST you, Sweetie Belle?"
Seated on the plush velvet divan across the room, Rarity's younger sister kicked her feet idly as she watched the cartoon. "This isn't as boring, and you're taking forever to get ready," Sweetie Belle complained. While not as elegant as her sister, and wearing no makeup whatsoever, Sweetie Belle was still quite pretty, with her naturally curly lavender-and-rose hair and the same flawless complexion as her sister. She was dressed far less stylishly than her sister, wearing a dusty-rose and lavender striped sweater and lavender shorts, as well as sparkly pink socks and cute pink-and-purple hi-top sneakers.
"Well, just keep it down," Rarity said. "I'll be done in a moment." She glanced back at her sister and frowned. "Why aren't you wearing your boots?"
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. "Seriously, what's with you and boots lately?"
"Oh, dear little sister, trendy boots are THE next big thing! I'm telling you, as my little sister, you need to be ahead of the curve, like me."
"I've already told you, I refuse to be a walking advertisement for your fashion line!" Sweetie Belle said.
"Well, it's your loss," Rarity sighed dramatically. "I'd hate to be you come fall, when everyone is wearing boots and you're a complete fashion outcast."
"Everyone, huh?" Sweetie Belle asked, eyeing the large display rack full of boots in over two dozen styles and colors. Rarity had been on this boot thing since the Blizzard Ball and hadn't sold a pair yet.
"Everyone," Rarity said. Finishing with her makeup, she put everything away, then stood and picked up her backpack. "Very well then, come along. We mustn't be late." She picked up the remote and turned off the television. "Did you lock up upstairs?"
"Yes," Sweetie Belle replied. "And I turned off all the lights, and I fed your stupid cat..."
The sisters left the boutique; Rarity locked up. Carousel Boutique was one of many small businesses in the Ponyville Shopping District where the owners lived upstairs from their shops. As they were leaving, Rarity observed a girl her age emerging from a neighboring building. This girl was very tall, with pale lavender skin, violet eyes, and messy greenish-black hair with bright emerald green highlights. She wore a short, long-sleeved purple dress with a high collar, black tights, and black slippers. Her backpack had a side pocket which Rarity knew to be full of tools. "Good morning, Zile," Rarity said.
"Ah, good morning, Rarity, Sweetie Belle," Zile replied in her lilting, musical Saddle Arabian accent. "How are the boots moving? Are they...walking off the shelf yet?"
Rarity groaned. "For the love of all that's decent, find a new pun, darling," she said. "And no, they're not really selling well...yet."
"Well, don't lose heart. I'm sure they'll be selling soon."
Rarity raised an eyebrow. "You haven't bought a pair yet, you know," she said.
"I don't really get a kick out of boots," Zile said evasively. "We had best hurry on." As they walked, she asked, "So, Sweetie Belle, how are your plans coming along for the talent show?"
Sweetie beamed. "It's going great! We're gonna put on a magic show!"
"I see," Zile said. "I look forward to it."
"You wouldn't if you'd seen their act," Rarity muttered, earning a kick in the leg from her sister.
Zile suddenly looked uncharacteristically serious. "Rarity, have any strange people visited you lately?"
"Her friends visit all the time, and they're pretty strange," Sweetie Belle said. Rarity kicked her.
"Strange how?" Rarity asked.
"These men in suits came by the shop yesterday," Zile said. "I didn't hear what they spoke to Papa about, because they were in his office with the door closed, but he's been in a bad mood ever since." She shook her head. "After dinner, I thought about it, and I realized I'd seen those same men speaking to Mr. Cake two days ago. That is why I ask."
"Hmm..." Rarity frowned. "Well, if anything happens, I'll be sure to let you know."
A few minutes later, they arrived at the gates of Canterlot High School. They noticed a small crowd gathered around the large horse statue at the entrance. "I wonder what that's all about?" Zile asked.
"Let's find out," Sweetie Belle said. With no decorum whatsoever, she began elbowing and shoving her way to the front of the crowd. Rarity sighed theatrically and rolled her eyes, then followed more gracefully.
As the older teens reached the front of the crowd, they discovered a flyer taped to the base of the statue:
"Oooh, is it time for the Spring Fling already?" Rarity asked, eyes alight. "Oh, I must start designing my dress immediately!"
"It's not for another three weeks," Sweetie Belle said, rolling her eyes.
"Who do you suppose will run for Princess?" Zile asked.
Rarity snorted. "What you really mean is 'who's stupid enough to run against Sunset Shimmer'," she said. "Really, after what happened at the Blizzard Ball, that trollop has made it quite plain she believes she rules this school."
"Well I'm not afraid of her," Zile said. "Maybe I should sign up."
"Good luck with that," Sweetie Belle muttered. She spotted a familiar hair ribbon at the edge of the crowd. "Ah, there's Apple Bloom! Later, sis! Later, Zile!"
* * * * *
A man sat behind a lavish obsidian desk in a large, richly-appointed office on the top floor of a skyscraper in the city. This man was tall and intimidating, with a dark complexion and short, stiff black hair, wearing an expensive, pitch-black suit, a blood-red necktie, and green-tinted glasses. He glanced at his steel-banded wristwatch and frowned.
The door opened, and three men in dark suits walked in. "You're late," the man behind the desk said in a soft, deep voice.
The men fidgeted. The one standing in the center cleared his throat. "S-sorry, sir."
"Well?" the man behind the desk prompted.
"We've spoken with twenty-three of the thirty business owners in the Ponyville District," the nervous man said. "Ten of them are willing to sell. The rest...need more convincing."
The man behind the desk frowned. "See to it at once," he said. "And speak to the other seven. I will have those properties!"
"Yes sir, Mr. Sombra." The three men left the office hurriedly.
Sombra, CEO of Crystal Enterprises, stood and walked over to a large scale model which occupied a third of his office. He stroked the large, gleaming spire in the center of the model fondly. "This will be my legacy...the crown jewel of my financial empire."
* * * * *
When Rarity and Sweetie Belle returned from school, they found a man in a black suit waiting outside the door. "Excuse me, can I help you?" Rarity asked.
The man frowned at her. "Do you happen to know what time this boutique opens?"
"Well, yes." Rarity said. "On weekdays, it opens a half hour after I get home."
"I meant a more specific time," the man said.
"That's as specific as it gets, I'm afraid," Rarity said. "Did you need something?"
"You wouldn't happen to know who owns this boutique, by any chance?" the man asked.
"As a matter of fact, I do," Rarity replied.
The man was silent for a moment. Rarity stood and watched him expectantly.
"Well? Who owns it?" the man asked.
Rarity frowned. "I just told you. I do."
The man chuckled. "Yeah, okay. So who owns it, really?"
Rarity rolled her eyes. "Sir, I am trying my best not to be rude, but the longer I stand out here wasting time with you, the longer it will be before I can put away my school things and open the shop for business." She dug her keys out of her purse as she talked. "Now, if you would be so kind as to step out of the way so I can unlock the door..."
The man blinked at her. "Wait...you mean you're serious?" He frowned.
Rarity unlocked the door, meeting his gaze frostily. "Dead serious," she replied. "Now, if you were looking to purchase something...?"
The man laughed. "Oh wait, I get it. You work here, right? Or your mom or dad own the store?"
Sweetie Belle scowled up at the man. "Are you stupid? She just told you it's HER store!"
"Now now, Sweetie Belle," Rarity chided. Frowning at the man in the suit, she said, "Sir, allow me to make it as clear as possible. I own this store and the apartment above it. The deed is in my name. I bought it with money I made from a very lucky find in a diamond mine when my parents took us to Hoofrica last summer. My parents travel, and my sister lives with me."
The man stared at her. "I...see." He coughed. "My apologies. In that case, I would like to have a word with you about a business opportunity..."
"Do not listen to this man!" a heavily accented voice said from behind Rarity. She spun to see Zile's father leaning out of his shop, waving a screwdriver angrily at the suited man. "His boss wants to drive us all from our shops, from our homes!"
The suited man frowned. "Sir, as I explained earlier, you will be generously recompensed—"
"BAH!" the repair shop owner said, spitting on the sidewalk. "You speak LIES!" He slammed his door hard enough to knock the 'OPEN' sign askew.
Rarity looked from the closed door back to the suited man, frowning. "What exactly is going on here?" she asked.
"If I might come inside?" the man asked.
"No, I believe we can speak here," Rarity said, ice in her voice.
"Very well." The man reached into his suit jacket and pulled out an envelope. "I represent Mr. Sombra of Crystal Enterprises. Our company has plans to build a mall in this district, but first we need to acquire a suitable amount of property to develop." He handed Rarity the envelope. "We are willing to purchase your property. You will find the suggested purchase amount, along with documents related to the transaction and my business card, in this envelope. I look forward to hearing from you."
Rarity frowned. "I doubt very much you shall be hearing from me, sir. I am not in this business for the money. I am in it for the love of fashion."
The man smirked. "Things change, miss." He turned and walked away.
Sweetie Belle made an angry noise. "That guy's a jerk!"
"Yes. Yes he is..."
* * * * *
The following morning, as Rarity was locking up, Zile walked over to the two sisters. "Rarity?" she asked. There was a troubled look in her eyes.
"Yes?" Rarity asked.
Zile handed her a flyer. "Um...Papa said he saw you arguing with a man from Crystal Enterprises yesterday." She didn't seem as cheerful as usual. "He told me everything. There's going to be a meeting of all the neighborhood small business owners after school today, at the Cakes' place."
"An association meeting?" Rarity asked, blinking. "Whatever for?"
"Well, a lot of the shop owners around here are...kinda scared," Zile said. "There are stories going around. This Sombra guy...he's not a nice man."
Rarity frowned. "Well, it's not as if there's anything he can do to us if we don't agree to sell our stores," she pointed out.
"Don't be too sure about that," Zile said. "Anyway, it'd be a good idea for you to come to the meeting."
"I'll be there," Rarity said, nodding.
* * * * *
After letting Sweetie Belle into the apartment and putting away her school things, Rarity headed over to the coffee shop. The 'CLOSED' sign was out, as well as a notice about a meeting, and that the store would reopen after.
Upon seeing her, Mrs. Cake opened the door. "Good afternoon, dear," she said as she let Rarity in. Along with the Cakes, she saw Zile's father, a few other business owners she recognized, and several others she didn't. A number of those were staring at her in disbelief.
"You're not letting a customer in now of all times?" one of them asked.
"She isn't a customer," Mr. Cake said. "She owns the boutique three doors down."
Rarity took a seat primly. Mrs. Cake was busy serving everyone a coffee beverage. "Well, that's everyone," Mr. Cake said. "Let's—"
There was a loud BANG on the door. Mr. Cake frowned, rising. He opened the door a crack. "I'm sorry, we're cl—"
The door flew open, nearly sending Mr. Cake to the floor. A huge, muscular man with dark blue-gray hair and beady eyes barged in. Behind him was a reedy man with thinning hair and a large, hooked nose. Both wore black suits.
"Good afternoon, Ponyville District business owners!" the large man said in an exuberant yet gravelly voice. "I'm Iron Will, this is my associate Ritz Bingo, and we work for Mr. Sombra!"
The mood in the room grew tense. "You have no business being here," Zile's father said.
"Oh, but we do!" Iron Will said. "After all, this meeting is about our company's offer to buy you all out, so I'd say we very much deserve a voice in this. Wouldn't you, Ritz?"
"Oh, yes sir, Mr. Will," Ritz said in a high, nasally voice. "We should be heard, yes."
"You see, Mr. Sombra's making quite a generous offer to each and every one of you," Iron Will said. "And frankly, your shops are barely getting by."
"Practically bankrupt, yes," Ritz said.
"Now, do you wanna get by, or do you wanna fly high?" Iron Will asked. "That's what you've gotta ask yourselves."
"I worked hard to build my business!" Zile's father said. "I am very proud of it!"
"What good's pride next to a free ride?" Iron Will asked. "If the check's in the mail, you folks gotta bail!"
"We must do NOTHING of the sort!" Rarity huffed. "We will not agree to sell our shops! Tell your boss to build his silly little mall someplace else. This town LOVES small businesses!"
"Oh yeah? That why your silly boots ain't sellin'?" Iron Will asked, staring hard at Rarity.
"Err...well...that's true. But they will!"
"And why are you even worried about it?" Iron Will asked. "You could always open your boutique in the new mall!"
"As a renter, not an owner," Rarity retorted.
"But it's a MALL! Teenagers LOVE malls!"
Rarity opened her mouth to retort, paused, and sighed. "Okay, I'll give you that one," she said. "But still, in THIS town, teenagers hang out at the local businesses!"
"But they wouldn't if they had a mall."
"This is ridiculous!" Mr. Cake huffed. "Bottom line is, we don't want to give up our shops that we've all worked so hard to build just so your boss can put up a mall with no...no...personality!"
The others raised their voices in agreement.
Iron Will snorted. "If that's how you all feel, then we'll MAKE you take the deal! Come on, Ritz. We've gotta meet with Mr. Sombra, pronto!"
"You'll all be sorry you didn't agree to sell!" Ritz taunted as he trailed behind Iron Will.
"What RUFFIANS!" Rarity huffed after them.
"Umm...what did he mean by 'make us take it'?" Mrs. Cake wondered nervously.
"He is posturing," Zile's father said dismissively. "There is nothing this Sombra can do to force us out of our neighborhood!"
"I wouldn't be so sure," Mr. Davenport, the owner of the office supply store, said. "I've heard some pretty nasty things about Crystal Enterprise's tactics..."
The meeting then degenerated into a discussion of the possible ways Sombra could make good on Iron Will's implied threats. After nearly half an hour of this, everyone returned to their shops. Many of the business owners were rattled, quite a few were angry; Rarity was simply quietly contemplative as she returned home.
* * * * *
Rarity and her sister sat in the shop, which Rarity didn't bother to open for the afternoon. The older girl sighed. "Zile was right. A lot of them are scared."
"This Sombra guy really sent goons to the meeting?"
"The gooniest," Rarity replied with a frown. "There must be something we can do to help. Some way we can encourage everyone not to sell their livelihoods. I mean, I know not every business in the neighborhood is doing well—"
"You're barely paying the bills as it is," Sweetie Belle pointed out.
Rarity ignored her. "What we need is a symbol of...solidarity. Something that'll bring more customers to the district."
"Too bad your crazy boots aren't drawing any attention," Sweetie Belle said.
"That's IT!" Rarity exclaimed, brightening. "The boots!"
Sweetie Belle gave her sister an odd look. "Umm...nobody's buying the boots."
Rarity grinned. "They will if the Princess of the Spring Fling is wearing them!"
Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow. "Sunset Shimmer?"
"No, dear sister..." a determined, almost evil look crossed Rarity's face. "ME."
* * * * *
Sombra frowned at the report from his top 'problem solvers'. "So that's how it is, is it?"
"They're stubborn as mules," Iron Will said. "We need to show 'em who rules!"
The CEO of Crystal Enterprises sighed. "This isn't the old days, when we could use thug tactics to drive out our competitors. Well...only as a last resort." He looked up at Iron Will. "Get your PR people working. We need a pressure campaign. Drum up support for the mall project and encourage people to stop supporting the Ponyville District."
"Let the people vote with their money," Iron Will said, nodding and grinning. "I like it."
"Very good plan, boss," Ritz said.
"Well? You're still here? Get on it. NOW!" Sombra barked.
As soon as they left, Sombra steepled his fingers, scowling. "I will not let a bunch of prideful nobodies stand between me and my new mall. I always have my way, in the end..."
* * * * *
Rarity approached Pinkie Pie at lunch. "Hello, Pinkie Pie," she said.
"Oh, hey Rarity! Love the boots!"
"Thanks. You should really stop by and buy some," Rarity said.
"Mmm, maybe."
"Anyway...I'd like to sign up for Princess of the Spring Fling."
Pinkie Pie blinked. "You're running against Sunset Shimmer?"
"Yes. Yes I am."
"Well...okie-dokie-lokie," Pinkie said, rummaging around in her hair for a clipboard and pen.
As Rarity signed her name to the clipboard, neither girl noticed a lanky younger boy slouching over his macaroni and cheese nearby suddenly slink under the table and ooze out of the cafeteria...
* * * * *
"Sunset Shimmer! Sunset Shimmer!"
The lanky boy panted as he skidded to a stop before a tall, lean girl with bright amber skin and long, voluminous fiery orange-and-red hair. The girl turned, cold green eyes fixed upon him above a hard sneer. "What IS it, Snails?"
"Trouble!" Snails wheezed. "Rarity's running against you for Princess of the Spring Fling!"
"Rarity?" Sunset Shimmer asked, raising an eyebrow. "Who exactly is Rarity?"
Snails pulled out his phone and thumbed through his photo collection, coming to a stop on a girl with immaculate purple hair and a bright, dazzling smile, wearing a pep sweater and a hairband with pony ears attached. "Her!"
Sunset Shimmer snorted. "Oh, that cheer girl? Feh. She's not even worth my time." Then, her brow furrowed. "Of course, I should probably size up the competition, just to be on the safe side..."
* * * * *
"And so, you see, it is important that every instrument be tuned properly, and every singer able to find and sustain the proper pitch..."
Sweetie Belle found it difficult to concentrate on Miss Heartstrings' lecture on the importance of harmony to music; there was simply too much gossip flying around.
"Hey...I heard Rarity's running against Sunset Shimmer for Princess of the Spring Fling."
"Whoa, really? She's got nerve."
"Hey, isn't Sweetie Belle her sister?"
"I think so. Psst. Hey, Sweetie Belle! Is Rarity your sister?"
"What's up? Why's she wanna take on Queen Meanie?"
At the head of the class, the mint-haired teacher cleared her throat and tapped her foot impatiently. "And THIS, class," she said acidly, "is precisely the sort of cacophony that comes from a lack of harmony. AND A LACK OF ATTENTION!"
Sweetie Belle ducked her head down as the class quieted; all around her she could hear the faint buzzes of phones vibrating as texts were fired back and forth. She sighed.
* * * * *
After school, Sunset Shimmer approached Rarity at her locker. "Rarity, is it?" she asked.
Rarity looked up. "Yes?"
Sunset Shimmer offered Rarity a smile like poisoned honey. "I heard about you signing up to run for Princess of the Spring Fling. I just thought I'd say good luck. I'm looking forward to some nice, friendly competition."
Rarity smiled. "Well then. Best of luck to you as well."
Rarity's sister came along then, and the two of them headed for the entrance.
Two younger boys appeared beside Sunset Shimmer. Her smile disappeared. "Everything you can get on her. Now."
At that precise moment, Sweetie Belle tripped over a shoelace she hadn't realized had come undone. With a cry of alarm, she fell forward, pinwheeling her arms. She collided with Rarity, who cried out in surprise as she too was pitched forward. As numerous students leapt out of their way, the two sisters rolled down the hall in an ungainly ball, weaving left and right, slamming into lockers, almost breaking the trophy case, before rolling right out the open doors. The stairs broke their wild tumble, and they splayed out on the pavement. The departing students gathered around them stopped and laughed.
Sunset Shimmer looked at her two stooges. "PLEASE tell me you got that," she said.
"Huhuh, ooooh yeah, I sure did," Snips said. There was an unsettling leer on his face as he replayed the video capture.
Shimmer grinned. "Excellent. Then let the games begin..."