"Huh...This usually works." Rainbow Dash mumbles to herself while laying on a cloud she'd brought down closer to the ground. She'd been trying to take a nap after her morning shift but for whatever reason she couldn't. She'd even tried looking for shapes in the clouds, that usually puts her to sleep but it wasn't working.
"Ok, let's try this again." Rainbow says while looking at a cloud. "That looks like...A diamond." She turns her head to look at other clouds. "The two above it also look like diamonds, that one over there looks like a needle and thread and that one looks like a dress." Rainbow lists off the cloud shapes she sees, after a moment she blinks. Realizing she probably has somepony on her mind Rainbow Dash decides that napping can wait till later. With a flap of her wings Rainbow Dash rockets into the sky, blasting through the air she soars towards Carousel Boutique, once in front of the building she rushes straight down and lands with a loud thud and a whoosh of air.
"Heh heh." Rainbow Dash chuckles while walking towards the Boutique's front door. "Mom would flip if she saw me landing like that."
Rainbow Dash stands in front of the Boutique door and considers knocking, after a moment she decides against it and shoves the door open with force, walking inside she's caught off guard by the rush of activity. Two mares, three fillies and a small dragon are all working on separate tasks around the Boutique, nopony has noticed the ace flier in the building yet. Rarity takes a moment from the dress she's working on to walk around the Boutique and speak to her helpers.
"Sweetie Belle, excuse me." Rarity calls causing all three Cutiemark Crusaders to turn towards her. "You three have been doing a great job but always remember to check the portfolio." Rarity insists as her magic lifts up a beige colored folder. "Look for the picture that matches the outfit you're holding and if it has a red checkmark next to it, it goes in the 'show' bin. Blue arrow means 'Delivery' bin and yellow square means 'put back' alright?" The Crusaders all nod, each deciding to remember one of those things. Rarity turns and then walks over to a light beige earth pony working on a dress. "Coco darling, that looks fabulous." Rarity pauses. "But remember that this dress was commissioned by a Pegasus, make sure you leave holes in the back for her wings." Coco Pommel nods in understanding as Rarity moves to her final helper. "Spikey Wikey." Rarity coos through slightly gritted teeth. "Keep in mind that I need you to sort those gems noteat them." She asserts before the young Dragon puts a particularly shiny gem into his mouth. "Rubies in one box, Sapphires in another and etcetera. When everything is ready I promise I'll give you the ones I don't use but please just sorting for now." Spike eagerly nods his head. Rarity offers a grateful thank you to all her helpers as she begins walking back to the dress she was working on, she pauses as she sees a spot of cyan blue in her peripheral vision. Looking at the doorway she smiles brightly at the Pegasus.
"Oh hello Rainbow darling."
"Hey Rare." Rainbow greets while looking around the Boutique. "What's going on?"
"Oh I just needed some help getting ready. Hoity Toity is having a grand fashion show in a few days and I must be prepared." Rarity explains. Rainbow Dash raises an eyebrow.
"A few days? How many dresses are you gonna need for this thing?"
"No more than I already have." Rarity says with a chuckle. "By what I've been told Hoity Toity doesn't require the designers in the show to make all new outfits. If you have enough that you simply haven't shown off yet you're allowed to present them."
"That makes sense." Rainbow shrugs. "Newly made? Just hasn't been revealed yet? No one would really know the difference."
"Exactly, but I still need to be prepared for the show." Rarity gestures to the young fillies and then the little dragon. "Sweetie and her friends are organizing my dresses so I'll have the ones I want to put into the show ready right away and Spikey Wikey over there is sorting the gems I intend to use in my gowns and as part of the show." Turning so she can point towards the Beige earth pony putting the finishing touches on a Pegasus gown. "Meanwhile me and my good friend Coco Pommel are finishing up some dresses I was working on. You see with all the excitement recently I actually hadn't finished all my orders but luckily they should all get done right on time now." Rarity turns back to Rainbow Dash. "Coco really is such a dear, when she found out about the show she decided to pay me a visit to see if I needed any help. She seems to think she owes me for something, though I haven't the foggiest Idea why. Not that I'd turn down such a kind offer." Rarity explains with a bright smile. It was at that moment that Rainbow Dash decided she wasn't a very big fan of the well meaning mare.
"Right." Rainbow mumbles slightly sourly, but then she perks up. "So, do you think I could help with anything?"
"Well, let me think." Rarity says while putting a hoof to her chin. "The dresses are being organized, I even bribed the crusaders with milkshakes if they do a good job, Spikey can handle the gems he knows which ones are best And me and Coco have the orders nearly finished." Rarity puts her hoof down and shrugs. "Then comes planning the presentation at the show while the orders get delivered." Rainbow Dash brightens at that last statement.
"I can help with that! I'll get the orders delivered in no time flat!"
"Are you sure darling?" Rarity asks slowly. "These orders are from all over Equestria, not just Canterlot. I wouldn't want to trouble you so much when I could just mail them."
"Hey, it's no problem at all. Fastest flier in Equestria remember? Plus I sorta owe you anyway." Rainbow Dash attempts to dismiss her worries.
"Owe me? Is this about the 'marefriend' thing?" Rarity asks. "I believe going to the spa with me was quite enough."
"Not the way I see it." Rainbow begins. "For the past couple days I've had you lie to my mom, help teach a filly to glide, race me, reorganize a library and paint an apple orchard. I think I owe you more than one trip to a spa where I ended up sword fighting with a hoof file." She concludes with a roll of her eyes. Rarity giggles lightly.
"I understand Darling, but-" Rarity is suddenly silenced when a cyan blue face is mere inches from her own looking right into her eyes.
"Rare, seriously." Rainbow Dash deadpans "Just let me do this for you." After a moment the ace flier backs up, red seeping onto both mares faces.
"Alright Darling, I can see you're very serious about this and I doubt I can change your mind." Rarity smiles a little. "And truth be told, you are the only pony I'd trust to deliver these outfits quickly." Rainbow smiles excitedly then leans over to look past Rarity.
"Hah!" Rainbow shouts as she points a hoof at Coco while she's sewing, Rarity and Coco just look at her confused for a moment. Rainbow rubs the back of her head and laughs nervously. "Anyway, uh... Where am I going?"
"Well darling, the addresses are on the boxes the outfits are being kept in." Rarity levitates a box wrapped neatly in pink striped paper, the label on one side informing that the box is to be sent to a home in Canterlot. "Once we finish the last of the orders you'll have deliveries in Canterlot, Manehatten and the Crystal Empire." Rarity puts the box down and levitates up a clipboard and looks at it nervously. "With the number of orders we have you'll likely need to make multiple trips, carrying them all at once would be way to much." Rarity lowers the clipboard to look at Rainbow again. "Are you absolutely sure you want to do this darling? These outfits don't need to be delivered today, their deadlines aren't for a couple days at the least."
"Don't worry about it Rare, I've got this." Rainbow says confidently, putting a hoof to her chest. "I wanna help you out."
"Alright Darling. But you have to promise to be careful, I don't want you to over exert yourself and get hurt ok?" Rainbow Dash nods in understanding. "Ok, I'm going to get the last of my work finished up. I'll be done in a little while."
"No need to rush Rare." Rainbow assures as she walks towards the door. "I'm gonna stretch a little, come outside when you're ready." Rainbow Dash offers a friendly goodbye to Rarity and all three crusaders, though she quickly zooms over to ruffle Scootaloo's mane. Once outside Rainbow Dash stretches her wings and begins to wait.
Rainbow Dash sits and waits for more than twenty minutes, often tempted to take off and do some tricks to pass the time. In the end the ace flier decides to save her stamina for the flying she's going to be doing today. After about twenty-five minutes the doors to the Boutique open up and Rarity walks out, levitating a few boxes behind her.
"Ok Darling, here's the first batch." Rarity explains as she places the boxes into a bag similar to a mailpony's but bigger, four in total. "All of these are going to Canterlot, I made this bag to make things easier, it should allow you to carry all the packages without effecting your ability to fly." With a little telekinetic help Rainbow Dash puts the bag strap over her shoulder, the bag settling heavily but not troublesomely under her wing.
"Thanks Rare, I'll be back before you know it." Rainbow flashes the Fashionista a big grin.
"Rainbow Darling, before you go." Rarity mumbles nervously. "There's one other thing. I was going to wait till later to speak with you but since you're here I'll just do it now."
"Something wrong Rare?" Rainbow asks, concern evident in her voice.
"No, not wrong necessarily... It's just that-" Rarity sighs. "The thing is, Hoity Toity wants my designs to close out the show because of this dress Sweetie Belle showed him." Rarity looks away in embarrassment. "It was a dress I made for you, you were my inspiration while designing it."
"Wow..." Rainbow whispers, utterly stunned.
"But there's a problem." Rarity says nervously. "The dress was inspired by and meant for you. So there's really only one way for it to appear in my show." Rarity doesn't continue, hoping she'd left a big enough hint for Rainbow to see where she was going.
She did.
"You want me?" Rainbow asks while gesturing to herself. "To be in your show?" The ace flier faces forward, a contemplative look on her face.
"Yes, yes I do." Rarity admits. "I know it's not really your thing and it's a lot to ask but-"
"Ok." Rarity immediately stops talking as her eyes go wide.
"What?" Rarity asks, gazing in disbelief at the Pegasus in front of her.
"I'll do it." Rainbow explains. "I'll be in your show. I know it's important to you and I said I'd help." says matter of factly, though there is a red tint to her cheeks.
"Oh Rainbow Dash thank you!" Rarity exclaims in joy, she leaps forward and wraps the Pegasus in a tight hug, without thinking Rarity places a large kiss on Rainbow's Cheek and almost places another before-
FWOOMP. Rarity gets pushed back and lands on the Boutique's porch, looking back at Rainbow she sees the Ace flier's face is almost completely red and her wings have spread out as far as they can go.
It seems to start in slow motion, a large smile creeps onto Rainbow's surprised face and her wings begin to swing down in a flap. Time seems to snap back to normal speed as Rainbow Dash suddenly rockets off at blinding speeds, any faster and she'd have caused a Sonic Rainboom. Rarity just stares in awe at the Rainbow Trail flying off into the distance, a joyful 'yahoo!' echoing through the air.
"Oh my, did I cause that?" Rarity stammers out in confusion.
from a bush just a little to the side of the Boutiques Porch a pony giggles to herself.
"Wowie, at this Rate, they may not even need my help."
Not Much Later, The Skies Above Canterlot
A rainbow trail zooms across the sky, Rainbow Dash suddenly stopping herself as she enters the sky directly above Canterlot. The force from how fast she was flying making a sonic boom sound as she stops, confusing a few ponies who hear it but otherwise not bothering the town at all. Carefully sliding out one of the packages just enough to see the tag Rainbow Dash reads the address three times to ensure she'll remember it before she takes off into the city below.
Luckily Pegasus aren't the most common sight in Canterlot so Rainbow Dash practically has the skies to herself as she zips here and there, occasionally checking road signs to see where she's going. Finally, in the richest part of the city she finds the building she's looking for. Showing her classic Rainbow Dash tact and grace she slams the front door open at full force without glancing at the doorbell. Putting her hooves to the ground she skids along the floor until she stops. Despite the owner of this house obviously being rather wealthy Rainbow sees no servants, and if there are any, no pony seems cares she just burst in.
"Well hello there." Rainbow hears a pony call, looking up a large staircase she sees a light beige earth pony mare, her Sapphire blue hair going only a little past her shoulders. The mare wears a white, gem decorated outfit and when she speaks she has a theatrical flair to her speech.
"I wasn't expecting another performer on stage tonight, what brings you to the show?" Rainbow just stares blankly at the mare.
"Are...Are you asking me why I'm here?" Rainbow asks with both eyebrows raised in confusion, not fully grasping the mare's metaphor.
"The spotlights on you." the mare explains unhelpfully. "Step up to the mic and let it out."
"Alright then." Rainbow just decides to move on. "I'm Rainbow Dash, I'm here to deliver a dress to somepony named, Sapphire Shores."
"That's me." The mare explains with a smile. "I didn't know Rarity had gotten her own delivery service." Sapphire says as she begins walking downstairs.
"Well I'm just helping out right now." Rainbow answers. "She's getting ready for a big show coming up so I'm lending a hoof."
"How marvelous." Sapphire exclaims. "Like a last little oomph from a band before a solo."
"Yeah...I think?" Rainbow answers, a little unsure. "So anyway, I have the dress right here for ya." She continues as she pulls the first box out of her bag.
"Excellent." Sapphire cheers. "A change in choreography can be just the thing to make a great performance spectacular."
"I...I'm sorry what?" Rainbow asks blankly. "That means you want it right?"
"Well of course." Sapphire laughs as she takes the box from Rainbow Dash. "I'm sorry, I just love preforming so much sometimes I can't help but talk about it."
"I guess I get that." Rainbow admits with a shrug.
Sapphire Shores smiles as she opens the box and pulls out the beautifully designed gown, a lovely gold gown decorated with glimmering gems, this is a dress clearly designed to make the wearer the center of attention.
"Marvelous." Sapphire admires the dress. "This will be perfect for the show."
"What show?" Rainbow inquires.
"Hoity Toity's of course. He actually wants me to help run the event." Sapphire explains. "He approached me during the planning phases of the show and I knew I'd need an amazing dress for it."
"Huh, that's kinda cool." Rainbow muses. "I guess I'll see you there, I'm actually gonna be in Rarity's part of the show."
"Oh really?" Sapphire smiles. "That sounds grand, I actually have some influence on the show so if you or Rarity need anything let me know alright?"
"I'll keep that in mind, But I gotta get going now. I've got plenty of outfits left to deliver." Rainbow says her goodbye to Sapphire and the two part ways in good spirits. Rainbow soaring off to her next delivery and Sapphire to try on her new dress.
BACK AT CAROUSEL BOUTIQUE
Rarity has just returned from her studio to the foyer, having just concluded her inspection of the Cutie Mark Crusaders work on organizing the outfits she instructed them to. The young fillies actually did a great job, but were disappointed to discover none of them got Cutie Marks in Dress organizing. Still, for their good work Rarity gave them the bits they need to get milkshakes and even a couple other sweets if they want. Sitting down on a comfortable chair Rarity faces Coco Pommel, the two plan on talking about the up coming show however Rarity can't help but notice the look on Coco's face, she looks like she has something on her mind.
"What is it Coco?" Rarity questions. "Is there some bit of gossip I'm not privy to?"
"Well it's just, Oh I can't say it!" Coco looks away in embarrassment.
"Come now Darling, It's quite alright." Rarity insists.
"Well, it's just-" Coco looks at Rarity from the corner of her eye. "Are you and Rainbow really dating?" Rarity immediately face hooves.
"You were talking to Sweetie Belle weren't you?" The Fashionista groans, Coco nods.
"Listen, it's... Well it's complicated." Rarity begins. She looks at Coco uneasily, not sure what to tell her, obviously Coco doesn't know Morning Dew and wouldn't be able to tell her but Rarity felt apprehensive about the idea of the truth being out there, just encase gossip spread. Finally Rarity says "I'm sure you're confused and I promise to explain everything later, but technically yes. Me and Rainbow Dash are in a relationship, though I'd prefer if you didn't tell anypony yet." Coco gives a big smile.
"Wow, I never would have guessed." She says amazed. "Is it serious?"
"We haven't been together long, We'll have to see how things go." Rarity explains, In truth Rarity and Rainbow had planned to tell Morning Dew and thus everypony else the truth once the mother was out of the hospital.
"It must be exciting though right?" Coco insists.
"Well of course." Rarity admits. "Rainbow Dash is a, well lets say a unique mare. But at least you're never bored around her."
"It must be nice." Coco hums happily. "Do you think she's doing ok with the deliveries?"
"Oh I'm sure." Rarity assures. "After all, all she has to do is find a house and give a pony a box. What kind of trouble could she cause?"
BACK IN CANTERLOT
"Somepony seize that riffraff!" Rainbow Dash hears a loud bellow as she leaps out of a building, quickly running past the gate marking the property.
A LITTLE EARLIER
Rainbow had been in search of Fleur De Lis, but neither her or Fancy Pants had been home, Rainbow spoke to the coachmen of their carriage and he informed her they had walked to a party elsewhere in the upper crust section of Canterlot. It didn't take her long to find the location of the party.
The abode of Prince Blueblood.
Rainbow Dash, not having really met the prince herself, having only heard horror stories from Rarity had no interest in speaking to him. She arrived simply to locate Fleur or Fancy and deliver the box to them. That was however, proving to be difficult.
"Yeah, yeah I know." Rainbow drones irritably. "I'm not on the list, I get that. I don't want into the party ok? I just want to deliver this box to either Fleur De Lis or Fancy Pants. Are they here?"
"Yes their right inside." The gruff voiced unicorn guard answers. "However, since you're not on the list I can't allow you inside to see them."
"Sweet Celestia I get that." Rainbow grumbles. "I don't care about your party, I just need to give them the box. Please tell them I'm here, I need to make sure they get this." Rainbow gestures to the box sticking slightly out of the bag, her temper clearly rising. And to think, the other three deliveries had gone so well.
"If it's really that important I can deliver it for you." The Guard offers dryly.
"No way, I promised Rarity I'd handle this and that's what I'm gonna do." Rainbow declares defiantly.
"How do you plan on doing that?" The Guard asks skeptically.
"I don't know yet." Rainbow mumbles while taking steps away from the guard. "I might just wait it out, who knows." Rainbow leaves the premises and floats around the air thinking to herself. That guard wasn't taking her seriously, she highly doubted he'd deliver the box if she gave it to him. He isn't a noble but he gives off an air like one, he gives Rainbow the sense he doesn't believe she has a package from Carousel Boutique at all. Groaning in frustration she seriously considers simply waiting for Fleur or Fancy to leave so she can deliver the box without any further dealings with the guard. However, Rainbow is pulled from her thoughts by an observation. There's an ajar window on an upper floor.
Rainbow almost laughs out loud at the absurdity of such a large mansion having such an easy access. She briefly considers they likely don't worry about that kind of thing due to how few Pegasi live in this city, but her thoughts quickly drift to whether she's actually considering this.
"Fly in, find Fleur, fly out." Rainbow muses to herself, sounds pretty simple when she puts it that way. But she's gotta think, there's consequences for doing something like that. If She gets caught that is.
A thought crosses her mind as she thinks. She's not doing this for herself or just to prove something to that guard, She's doing it for a friend, for Rarity. And that's all she needs to know.
Flying slower than she ever has Rainbow goes up to the window silently so as not to attract attention. With a little effort she uses her fore hooves to lift up the ajar window, opening it far enough that she can slip in. Glancing inside Rainbow sees that the window is in a hallway, a flight of stairs to her left head back down to the main party area. The hall seems completely empty so Rainbow climbs in and quickly heads to the stairs, The Idea being to hopefully blend in enough with the crowd that the guards won't notice she's there or more specifically that she's not supposed to be there at all.
Rainbow makes it to the bottom of the stairs and a nervous pit forms in her stomach, she can't help but sweat at the large collection of fancy ponies, Mares and Stallions, all of which practically ooze sophistication.
This isn't gonna work.Some small part of Rainbow's mind seems to say, that part is quickly silenced as Rainbow begins walking through the crowd, her current hope that nopony will even bother to react to her presence. One wrong move and this could end very badly.
Rainbow begins walking around the room trying to attract as little attention as possible, however her stealth mission doesn't last long when she notices a familiar face in the crowd, a friendly face in this tense situation makes Rainbow smile as she walks over to greet them.
"Hey Sapphire, how'd you get here so fast?" Rainbow inquires while walking up to the pop star. "I didn't even drop your dress off that long ago." Sapphire turns around in surprise but then smiles.
"Well hello again, Isn't this a wonderful surprise? I headed over almost immediately after you left.." Sapphire explains, she's not wearing Rarity's dress, likely not wanting to debut it at this time. "I had no idea you'd been invited."
"For your protection I'm going to let you keep thinking that." Rainbow says, then continues, ignoring Sapphire's confused look. "So listen, I need to find Fleur De Lis. And if I can't find her I'll at least find Fancy Pants. Have you seen them?"
"Straight to the point huh? Most performances have songs before the finale you know." Sapphire states, she then looks at Rainbow's determined expression. "And you don't care. Very well." Sapphire sighs. "I saw them over there speaking to Hoity Toity, their helping with the show." Sapphire points to a sitting area in the corner of the room.
"Thanks a lot." Rainbow says happily, she gives Sapphire a small nod before making her way over to the corner.
Making her way through the crowd of nobles talking about nothing interesting, Rainbow eventually spots the sitting area, consisting of three incredibly soft looking couches around a small table with a red and gold cover over it. On couch holds a stuffy stallion with a puffy shirt and hair with sunglasses on, the other couch holds a very tall unicorn mare, about as tall as Cadence and a unicorn stallion wearing a suit with a monocle on one eye. Looking at the unicorn stallion, Rainbow decides she'd probably call him Fancy pants even if it wasn't his name, which tells her that's probably the guy she's looking for.
"Fancy Pants?" Rainbow calls when she gets close to the sitting area, to her relief the stallion does turn to her with a smile.
"Yes? How can I help you my dear?"
"Ok Good, if you're Fancy Pants-" Rainbow turns to the mare sitting next to him. "-You must be Fleur De Lis right?"
"That's me." The mare answers with a smile and a nod.
"Great, than this is for you." Rainbow pulls the last Canterlot package out and hooves it to Fleur.
"Oh! The dress I ordered from Rarity?" Fleur exclaims. "I wasn't expecting it to be delivered so quickly."
"Well, I'm helping her-" Rainbow falters as she notices Hoity Toity staring at her, seemingly scrutinizing every inch of her. "Get...uh...Ready for the...Uh...Show that...Why are you staring at me!?" Rainbow says under Hoity Toity's gaze.
"You seem familiar." Hoity explains. "I'm simply trying to recall where I've seen you."
"Well you were in Ponyville for that Show Rarity put on." Rainbow offers, recognizing the stallion and realizing this must be the Hoity Toity guy Rarity mentioned.
"Perhaps..." Hoity says thoughtfully. "No, I know now, it was the dress."
"Huh?"
"The Dress Miss Rarity's sister showed me. Clearly you are the model for it." Rainbow just stands there at Hoity's explanation. Rarity made a dress for me? Is that why she wants me in the show?
"Well I say, it's sure to be quite the show if the designs are inspired by ponies like this." Fancy Pants says cheerfully. "What is your name dear? I must ensure I look for you and this dress of yours at the show."
"It's Rainbow Dash. And hey, it was nice to meet you but I've gotta go." Rainbow excuses herself. "I've still got a few deliveries to make today." Plus I don't wanna get caught.All three ponies bid her farewell as she heads back towards the stairs.
This was pretty easy. Rainbow muses to herself. Now I've just gotta leave the way I came and I'm in the clear- Rainbow is pulled from her thoughts by a shout.
"Dreadful! Simply Dreadful!" Rainbow hears a voice say. Taking a quick peek inside a nearby doorway Rainbow sees a tall unicorn stallion carrying himself like he's more important than anypony else speaking to a Pegasus mare in a servants gown. The mare has light brown fur, her auburn red hair kept behind her head in one large braid.
"This simply won't do Spilly Jippy." The Stallion begins, he pauses when the mare speaks.
"Spiffy Jiffy." The Mare corrects timidly. "My name is Spiffy Jiffy Lord Blueblood."
"Right." Blueblood answers dryly. "Now would you care to explain this?" Blueblood asks while lifting a blue decorative tray and an identical red one with his magic. "You placed the rolls on the red tray and the mini sandwiches on the blue tray. That is the opposite of how it should be." Rainbow frowns from her spying spot.
"I k-know my Prince." Spiffy Jiffy stammers. "But I'm a cleaner, not a kitchen worker, I'm only here because we're short staffed for the party. I promise it won't happen again." Leaning closer, Rainbow think she sees a tear and her mood sours further.
"I suppose it's alright." Blueblood concedes. Spiffy Jiffy looks up with relief, she wipes her forest green eyes quickly and offers many thanks before she tries to return to work. She halts at Blueblood's next words. "Though now it's quite clear why there aren't more Pegasi in Canterlot." Blueblood simply states, like he's talking about the weather. Spiffy Jiffy just continues walking back to work, not looking back.
Rainbow Dash grits her teeth, wanting to do something. Glancing around the room an idea pops into her head, any consequences very quickly ignored.
"Hey Princey!" Blueblood hears a shout as a mini sandwich hits his shoulder lightly, turning his head to speak he gasps when he sees something flying at him very quickly.
MOMENTS LATER
"Somepony seize that Riffraff!" Rainbow hears Blueblood shout as she leaps out of his front door, Quickly running past the gate marking the property. The entrance guard stares in confusion at the fleeing mare and then stares In shock as Blueblood comes out of his mansion, his face covered in Blueberry pie.
"You've made a grave mistake." Blueblood threatens.
"I'm not sorry!" Rainbow yells in response, with a quick flap of her wings she rockets into the air. Seconds later, the only thing of her left is her laugh on the wind.
SOON, BACK AT CAROUSEL BOUTIQUE
"That really was fast." Rarity says happily, but not at all surprised. "I was actually worried you'd get lost."
"Nah, it was a synch." Rainbow waves off dismissively. "Every delivery was in the snooty rich part of town. Not that it was all bad."
"I knew I could count on you Darling." Rarity says with a smile. "Now where would you like to go next? The deliveries for Manehatten and the Crystal Empire are ready to go."
"I'll go to the Crystal Empire, Canterlot had so many buildings, I'd like to fly in open air for awhile."
"Sounds lovely." Rarity sighs. "Unfortunately I'm not having as good of a time, Me and Coco have been putting our heads together but we don't have any concrete ideas for the show."
"I tell you what." Rainbow gives a warm smile. "I'll think about it while I'm delivering these outfits, Maybe I'll come up with something you can use."
"That would be marvelous Darling, Thank you."
"Oh, one last thing before I go." Rainbow says with a raised eyebrow. "What are you bribing me with?"
"What?"
"Well yeah, you gave Scootaloo and her friends milkshakes. What are you bribing me with?" Rainbow questions. Rarity's eyes widen.
"Oh my goodness Darling, I'm so sorry, naturally I was planning on paying you in some way for your help." Rarity looks at Rainbow apologetically. "But I'm afraid I wouldn't know what to give you."
"That's ok, I've got an idea." Rainbow gives Rarity a big grin. "Though it is more of a reward for you, not me."
"Alright Darling, You've piqued my interest. What is it?" Rarity asks, she then raises an eyebrow as Rainbow moves a hoof over her lips.
"No questions." Rainbow says quietly, she gives Rarity a cheeky grin as she puts her hoof down. "Let's just say that at sometime within the next few days I will request something of you and you must do it. I promise you'll love it though."
"Really Rainbow Dash?" Rarity asks, suppressing a groan. Rainbow chuckles as she opens the door.
"Hey, this time it's really not something bad, I promised you'd love it and I mean it!" Rainbow declares while spreading her wings. "You just gotta trust me Babe!" And with that she's gone.
Rarity's face turns slightly red at Rainbow's last word and she turns her head to see Coco giggling into her hoof.
Note to self: Ensure Rainbow Dash never calls you that again. Rarity huffs as she sits back into her chair across from Coco. I prefer Rare anyway.
AWHILE LATER: OUTSIDE A RESIDENTIAL HOME IN THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE
"Alright, first stop." Rainbow was in a good mood, this was the first home she delivered to that wasn't a mansion, Flapping over quickly to the door she knocks a few times and then waits.
"Who is it?" Comes a voice from inside, there's something about the voice, But Rainbow can't place it is that bothers her.
"Uh hi, I'm from Ponyville, I'm delivering an outfit from Carousel Boutique to this address. I'm looking for-" Rainbow pulls the package out and looks at the recipients name. She grows skeptical as she reads the name. "Anita life?"
"What was that? I didn't catch that last part." Comes the voice, it sounds close to the door. The pony it belongs to waiting to open the locked door.
"Anita Life?" Rainbow says dryly, but loudly. Her eyes fly open as the door swings open incredibly fast, a pink pony sticks her head out and laughs.
"You sure do!" Pinkie Pie shouts before collapsing into a fit of giggles on the ground. Rainbow's eyes stay wide open.
"Pinkie Pie!? What are you doing here?" Rainbow exclaims.
"What's it look like?" Pinkie asks, still sprawled out on the ground. "I'm pulling a prank on the delivery pony. I wasn't expecting it to be you when I planned this though."
"A prank?" Rainbow questions. "You ordered a dress from Rarity just so you could make a delivery pony say 'Anita Life?"
"Yep." Pinkie says cheerfully.
"You paid in advance." Rainbow says slowly. "And this was an expensive dress." Rainbow looks past Pinkie into the home. "How did you even get permission from the owner of the house to use it for this?"
"That's simple, I'm renting it for the week." Pinkie answers with a smile.
"And you probably had to take a train." Rainbow mumbles to herself, looking between the dress, the house and towards the train station. "You put a lot of effort into this."
"And it was worth it." Pinkie claims as she grabs the box from Rainbow's hooves. She then closes the door behind herself as she goes inside, Rainbow opens it a second later to ask Pinkie something but when she opens the door the house is empty.
"Ooook then." Rainbow says while slowly closing the door. She stares at the house for a bit before flying off.
LATER THAT DAY: OUTSIDE A HOTEL IN MANEHATTEN
"Finally, the last stop." Rainbow sighs happily as she approaches the hotel's front doors. It'd been a long day, not all of her deliveries had been interesting but she'd been practically non-stop flying for a few hours and was glad she was almost done. Stepping through the front doors she flaps her wings to quickly carry herself to the counter. The earth pony stallion at the front desk looks up from a book he's reading when she lands in front of him. The stallion wears a simple suit over his blue fur, his violet mane is combed back.
"Can I help you?" His voice is gruff and it's clear he wants to return to his book.
"Hey, I'm here to deliver a package. Can you tell me where to find-" Rainbow pulls the box out to read the name. "-Bellatrix? What kinda name is that?" The stallion nods In understanding.
"There's nopony by that name in this building." He continues talking before Rainbow can respond. "But I know who you're looking for, she's having all her mail forwarded here while she's in town, she's in the alley on the side of the building."
"The alley? Why is she-" Rainbow just mumbles the rest to herself as she walks away from the counter.
Moments later Rainbow has her jaw wide open in shock as she looks down the alley. A decent sized wagon with a red roof sits in the alleyway, as she approaches the wagon she thinks to herself. It can't be. Rainbow knocks loudly on the wagon's door.
"Just a moment! Trixie will be right there!" Comes the voice from inside. It is.
"What do you want from Trixie?" The voice says again as the door opens. Trixie steps out, her usual robes and hat decorated with stars and moons. She blinks in confusion upon seeing her visitor. "Huh? What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to give you this." Rainbow says as she hand Trixie the box, Trixie looks at the box and facehoofs.
"Trixie thought if she used that name nopony would know it was her, She didn't think about who would deliver it." Trixie mumbles as she levitates the box into her wagon and places it somewhere inside.
"So why the secrecy?" Rainbow asks, genuinely curious. "I doubt Rare wouldn't have made you the dress if she knew it was you."
"Trixie does not like asking favors, or ponies knowing she did so." Trixie explains, turning towards her wagon with a huff.
"Are you really embarrassed about this?" Rainbow asks in disbelief.
"That is for Trixie to know and for you to not know."
"So, I'm guessing you're still in show business?" Trixie looks at Rainbow in surprise. "How's that going?"
"Um... Well, Trixie is doing fine." The showmare answers slowly. "Why do you care?"
"Well, are you planning revenge on Twilight? Or have any evil amulets?" Trixie shakes her head. "And I'm sure Twilight wouldn't want me to fight you. So that just leaves being civil."
"Fair enough." Trixie shrugs. "And though it pains Trixie somewhat, She requests you thank Twilight for Trixie, Trixie has been trying to be a little more humble and It's actually been helping her business."
"Cool, cool." Rainbow says. "So why'd you want the dress anyway?"
"That is Trixie's business, not yours." Trixie huffs. "Though it is good you brought it, Trixie had decided to leave town once her dress arrived."
"Where you headed off to?" Rainbow inquires.
"Trixie doesn't know yet, She figures she'll just head out and perform at any towns she comes across." Trixie's horn glows and her wagon moves, Parts of the wagon fold in and compress, making the vehicle smaller and more aerodynamic. "Trixie bids you farewell."
"Wait hold on!" Rainbow shouts before Trixie can head into the wagon, Trixie stops and tilts her head slightly backwards in interest. "I just thought of something."
Rainbow grins at Trixie. "You're a performer right?" The question is rhetorical of course but Trixie nods anyway. "How would you like a job working on the biggest event coming up in Canterlot?"
"You have Trixie's attention." Trixie responds as she fully turns around.
"This guy, Hoity Toity, He's putting on this huge Fashion show. There are gonna be a lot of Ponies there." Rainbow explains. "My friend Rarity is the closer on the show, but she's having some trouble with the presentation-"
"Say no more." Trixie silences Rainbow by raising her hoof. "You wish for Trixie to assist your friend in her show?" Rainbow nods vigorously in response. "Trixie does not simply do favors you know."
"Well duh we'll pay you, I'll pay you by myself if you want." Rainbow assures the showmare. "I just figured, it'd sorta be like putting on your show, except with a humongous crowd of ponies." Rainbow gestures with her hooves spread wide, assuming the show will attract a lot of attention.
"Trixie does have some new tricks she wants to try out." Trixie muses while rubbing her chin with a hoof, eventually she turns to Rainbow with a large smile. "Trixie has one simple condition."
"Name it."
"Trixie will have full creative control." Trixie states boldly. "All you and your friend will need to do is show Trixie what she is working with, Trixie will dazzle the audience on her own."
"Hey, that sounds fine to me." Rainbow shrugs. "Though you may want to run this by Rare before we settle anything."
"Very well." Trixie sighs. "In the interest of making bits Trixie will assist you, though she is very serious about that complete control thing." Trixie's horn glows as her wagon is surrounded in her aura. Moments later it begins floating off the ground, though not going very high. "Trixie's wagon is as light as a feather, she will get some rope from inside and you can pull the wagon and Trixie to Ponyville."
"Let's just hope this trip to Ponyville goes better than your other ones." Rainbow jokes, Trixie looks crossly at her and she looks away sheepishly. "Sorry."
"Trixie has increased her bill." The showmare huffs as she walks into her wagon. "Be careful or Trixie may become to expensive for you."
Rainbow rolls her eyes, when Trixie levitates a rope out of the wagon and ties it to a post on the vehicle Rainbow flaps her wings to float as Trixie ties the rope around her stomach. With a few experimental flaps Rainbow finds that it is actually pretty easy to pull the cart, she barely feels it behind her as she flaps her wings to take her and Trixie higher and higher. Reaching a cruising speed Rainbow Dash begins flying in the direction of Ponyville.
LATER: OUTSIDE CAROUSEL BOUTIQUE
"So Trixie is just going to put this wherever." Trixie says as she moves her wagon around Carousel Boutique, trying to decide the best place to put it.
"I don't know about this Darling." Rarity says skeptically as she watches the Showmare moving around her home.
"I know Rare, after what happened, Makes sense to not really trust her." Rainbow admits. "But I don't really think we need to worry, If she tried anything Twilight could just beat her again."
"She did seem genuinely interested in helping." Rarity ponders as she watches Trixie, The showmare has chosen a spot near the front door, directly to the right of it. "I suppose everypony deserves a second chance."
"First." Rarity turns in confusion at Rainbow's statement.
"What was that darling?"
"Well just think about it." Rainbow rubs her head awkwardly. "Did we really even give her a First chance when she came to Ponyville?"
"It was so long ago now." Rarity says while considering Rainbow's words. She turns to Trixie as the showmare steps back from her wagon to inspect it's position. "Trixie!" The Fashionista shouts to get her attention.
"What is it?" Trixie asks with slight irritation as she walks up to Rarity and Rainbow Dash.
"You're hired." Rarity proclaims happily, A hint of a smile appears on Trixie's face before she replaces it with a look of professionalism.
"Of Course Trixie is, She is the best choice after all." Trixie holds her head high as she walks back to her wagon, she quickly looks back. "Thank you." She says suddenly before hoping into her wagon and closing the door. Rainbow and Rarity laugh lightly at her actions.
"I'll discuss the presentation with her soon." Rarity says with a thoughtful expression. "I'm going to let everypony know she's in town. So they all know she's not up to any trouble."
"I'll see you tomorrow Rare." Rainbow waves goodbye as her friend begins to head into town. "I got somethings to take care of."
Once she's sure that Rarity can't see her Rainbow dashes into the Boutique. It takes her only a moment to locate the mare she's looking for.
"Hey Coco!" Rainbow shouts as she flies in front of the surprised mare.
"Oh! Rainbow Dash, can I help you?" Coco asks once her surprise subsides.
"You most certainly can." Rainbow backs up a little and adopts a more serious expression. "Now I know we don't really like each other, but let's put that aside for now for Rarity's sake."
"Um...Ok?"
"Now listen closely, This is important." Rainbow urges Coco to lean in, once she does Rainbow begins whispering into her ear.
"Really?" Coco asks surprised. "I'd love to help." She agrees with a smile.
The two conspirators share a laugh as they discuss Rainbow's plan. Occasionally Rainbow gestures a hoof towards the Showmare's tent visible outside the window. This show will be something to remember.