//------------------------------// // Suited for Success // Story: Flash Sentry, Defender of the Peace S1 // by Banshee531 //------------------------------// The day started out like every other morning. Flash and Springer woke up at the crack of dawn, prepared for the long day ahead and left for their morning patrol. After that they went to their training ground and did their usual training, that is, with one exception. “Okay buddy, I really need you to keep up with me this time.” Flash commented as shifted his hooves into a boxing-like stance. “We're switching up training today so I make sure I don't always rely on Lightbringer.” “Got it.” Springer replied as he hopped around on his two feet, his paws swinging around as he formed offensive martial art-like stance. “I'm ready.” “Good. Let's do it partner!” Flash commanded as he ran straight ahead, quickly shooting a left hook. Springer quickly blocked it with his right arm as he tried a left jab. The attack barely missed Flash's face as the pegasus quickly hopped backwards before charging again. He then did a one-two punch as tried to break Springer's defense, which was the jakhowl crossing both of his arms. Seeing that Flash couldn't break through, Springer closed his eyes for a second, allowing his aura to take over. “Uh-oh.” Flash said to himself as he quickly moved backwards. He had recently noticed when training with Springer that once he used his aura into his paws, his power was something else. After all, he destroyed one of the trees Flash would use for training in one blow thanks to that, though he knew Springer wouldn't put that much power into it. However, he knew that when the aura turned on, the coltgloves were now off. “Here I come Flash!” Springer barked as suddenly leaped at the pegasus, his palms now shining blue. The jakhowl let out a roar as his paws proceeded into a combo of blows. Flash kept his guard up as the jakhowl put the pressure on him, the attacks repeating as he let out several jabs. Then, as Springer finished the last punch which Flash blocked again, the pegasus released his stance and quickly knocked the jakhowl dead in the face. “Oof!” Springer yelped as he fell over, tumbling on the ground. “You let your guard down buddy.” Flash commented as he walked over to his partner and lowered his hoof. “Good try though.” “Yeah.” Springer replied as he grabbed the hoof and was slowly lifted up. “Still can't beat you.” “Ah, don't worry about it. I've had years of training buddy. It helps keep you ahead of the game.” “True.” Springer then got on all fours and shook like a dog. “Say, can we take a break?” “Yeah...” Flash nodded as he scratched the back of his head. “Actually, let's call it a day buddy. I don't know abut you, but I'm beat.” “Yeah...okay. That sounds good.” The two then returned to town, though Springer found himself sprawled out on Flash's back, still panting over the training. Flash chuckled at his knocked out partner, especially at Springer's long tongue just drooping out, flailing in the wind "You okay back there?" Flash said as they hit the outskirts of town. “I know I'm beat but you conked out buddy.” "Sure hope nothing happens today," Springer as he laid on Flash's back, "I'm really not in the mood to do any fighting." "Tell me about it," It was at this moment that he noticed Twilight and Applejack walking through town and trotted over to them. "Hey girls!” "Hey Flash," the two replied back in unison. "So, what are you two up to?" "Heading over to Rarity's," Applejack said. Twilight nodded, "I need her to fix a button on my dress for the Grand Galloping Gala." "Oh yeah," Flash hissed, rolling his eyes, "that's coming up soon. Great." "You do have something to wear, right?" Twilight asked him sternly. "Errr." "Seriously?!" "Aw come on Twilight! I've had patrols and training and...renegade farm equipment." "I thought we agreed not to bring that up again?" Applejack told him, her stare glaring at him enough to make him wanna shrink into the street. "Look,” Flash grumbled as he flashed his hoof at the two mares. “The fact is, I've got way more important things to do then stand around getting measured for some scratchy uncomfortable suit that I'll have to wear for an event that I don't even want to got to." "Didn't you say last night that if nothing was happening, you were gonna spend the rest of the day reading comics?" Twilight asked with raised eyebrows. "Um," Flash said, not sure how to answer that. "Exactly," Twilight replied as she grabbed his shoulder. "Come on, I'm sure Rarity will be able to sort you out." "Great," Flash moaned, before glaring at a snickering Springer. “Quiet you, or I'll have Rarity make an uncomfortable suit for you too.” “If its comfortable like my bandana, then I don't care.” “AUGH! I can't win!” They made it to Carousel Boutique despite Twilight having to magically drag Flash there. He knew he was going to spend the later half of the day rubbing his sore tail after that. As they headed inside, they were surprised to find it deserted, thus deciding to head upstairs. There, they knocked on the door of her bedroom before opening the door. "Howdy Rarity," Applejack called as they stepped inside before Twilight quickly shushed her. "Applejack! Can't you see Rarity's trying to concentrate?!" Indeed, Rarity appeared to be in the mists of working on her latest design, as she carefully sowed whatever it was she was making together. "What do you think she's making?" Applejack asked Twilight in a 'whisper', which was just a little less than her usual talking voice. "Looks like a dress," Twilight replied, causing Flash to want to facehoof at such an obvious question and answer. "Well that does makes sense since this is a dress maker's shop and all." Flash and Springer could feel their sides splitting, being the only ones to actually see Rarity's face during all of this. "Is there something I can help you with?" Rarity asked, by one look alone you could tell she was trying to hide her annoyance. "Oh," Twilight said, trying to not stutter. "I'm so very sorry to trouble you Rarity, but I need a quick favour." She went to her saddlebag and pulled out a red and orange dress which she placed on a nearby table. "Could you please fix a button for me? It's my dress for the Grand Galloping Gala." Seeing this, Rarity gasped. "Oh no no no, you can't wear this...old thing. You need a glamorous new outfit for the Grand Galloping Gala and I'll make it for you, no problem at all. It would be my pleasure." "That's really sweet of you to offer Rarity, but I can't let you do that. It'd be so much work." She looked down at the one on the table, "this dress is fine. Trust me." "Twilight Sparkle!" Rarity stomped her hoof down, "I insist on making you a new dress." "I have to agree with Rarity Twilight," Flash told her, "take it from somepony who's been to the Gala. The ponies there all wear the fanciest of clothes. And wear even smugger faces." "There, you see?" Rarity said as she pointed at Flash, "now, I won't hear another word about it. I'm making you a new dress." "Well," Twilight replied before looking at the dress one last time, "in that case, thank you for your generosity Rarity. Knowing your handy work, I'm sure it'll be absolutely beautiful." Rarity smiled but then frowned when she turned to Applejack. "Let me guess Applejack, you don't want a new gown either?" "Gown? Shoot, I was just gonna wear my old work duds." Rarity gasped once again. "You can't honestly be serious Applejack? You absolutely must wear formal attire." Applejack seemed to consider this for a moment, but then shrugged her shoulders and went. "Nah." "What if," Rarity then said, "I spruce up your...duds for you a little bit?" "Well...sure, why not? Since yer offering and all. Just don't make them to...through throughy." "Deal," Rarity cheered before turning to Flash. "Yeah sure," Flash replied, knowing he wouldn't win this argument. "Yay!" Rarity exclaimed before trying to go back to the dress she was working on. Unforunately... "LOOK OUT BELOW!" Suddenly, the roof caved in as a certain rainbow maned pegasus crashed through it. Second later, Rainbow Dash pulled herself out of a pile of materials she had landed in. A bucket was now on her head as she got up and looked at them sheepishly. "Sorry, new trick. Didn't quite work." "Practising for the competition?" Flash asked as he knocked the bucket off. Flash had found out that Rainbow had recently entered a competition for the best young flyer in Equestria, which would take place in about two weeks. The prize was a chance to fly with the Wonderbolts, which was obviously something Rainbow would love. "Yeah, it'll totally win me the prize if I can just get it right." Rarity meanwhile was staring at Rainbow, still covered in different cloth, then gasped. "Idea! I'll make you an outfit for the gala, Rainbow Dash." Rainbow looked confused by this. "Outfit for the what now?" "Don't ask," Flash told her. “Just...don't.” "I'll make one for you," Rarity said pointing to Rainbow, "and you," she pointed to Twilight, "and you," then at Applejack, "and all of you! Oh, of course Pinkie and Fluttershy too. And when I'm done, we can hold our very own fashion show!" "What a great idea!" Twilight cheered before concern washed itself onto her face, "if you're sure you can handle it? Can you handle that Rarity?" "Oh, it'll just be a little bit of work," Rarity said with a wave of a hoof, "but it'll be an wonderful boost for my business. Plus it'll be fun!" "I love fun things," Rainbow said. "Then it's settled. We'll have a fashion show staring us." "Please tell me I don't have to do it?" Flash asked, only for Rarity to turn and give him the puppy dog eyes everypony knew he was weak to. "Alright fine." "Yay!" Rarity exclaimed as she got back to work. "So..." Applejack said as she looked at her friends and back at Rarity, "all you have to do is make a different, stunning, original, amazing outfit for uh...one, two, three, four, five, six plus yourself, seven ponies lickity split?" "Oh Applejack," Rarity laughed, "you make it sound as if it's going to be hard." “Don't ever say that.” Springer commented, though nopony but Flash understood him. And that was how Rarity ended up having to design six new dresses, plus a suit for Flash. At this moment in time, Flash was in the boutique with Rarity, who was measuring him from head to hoof. "I must say Flash," Rarity said as she wrote down the measurements, "you have a very different figure to the other pegasi I've designed clothes for." "Not sure if that was meant as a compliment or insult," Flash replied. "I'm just saying that the other pegasi weren't as muscular as you," Rarity explained. “It feels like I'm doing a suit for Big Macintosh...with wings.” "Makes sense. Most other pegasi focus on increasing speed than overall physical strength, so being slimmer is a must. You can't fly fast if you're big and bulky." "Makes sense," Rarity said as she moved over to a table where six different drawings were waiting. "So, these are the designs for everypony's outfit?" Flash asked, looking them over. "Indeed," Rarity nodded, "each are designed with the utmost care and attention." "Well, they all look great to me," Flash said as he looked them over. Even with a simple glance, he could tell which dress belonged to which pony. The stars and constellations designs of Twilight's, the flowery butterfly design of Fluttershy's and the candy like designs of Pinkie's. Then there was a simplistic yet well designed dress meant for Applejack, along with Rainbow's multicoloured dress. Finally, there was Rarity's dress, which was the very definition of elegance. "They're perfect for the others." "Why thank you darling, but I still have to make you a suit." "I'll just take something simple if you don't mind. I'd hate for you to put so much effort into something I'm only wearing once." "Of course," Rarity replied, "If you'd like, I can design something you can use for any other social events." "That'd be great.” "Let's see," Rarity said as she levitated a blank sheet of paper and pencil. She quickly sketched a small image of Flash before drawing what she would make atop of him. She then took another piece of paper and placed it atop the first before tracing the drawing to do a neater version. "Tada!" she exclaimed, showing it to him. Flash had to admit it looked good. Though it lacked colour, he could tell it would definitely make him look smart and sleek. "Okay...I'm thinking a white shirt with a blue vest and a black blazer and pants. That sound good?" "Sounds great." "Excellent," Rarity grinned as she wrote down a few more details. "I'll have it done by the time of the show. The girl's dresses will need a bit more time." "Hey, I'm in no rush," Flash replied before heading to the door, "just let me know when it's done and I'll come pick it up." "Of course," Rarity said, not looking up from her work. As Flash left the shop, his ears picked up on Rarity quietly singing, "thread by thread, stitching it together." Two days later, Flash and Springer were in the library reading the mountain of comics that he had planned to read earlier. The fashion show was tomorrow night and Twilight had gone with the rest of the girls to see their new dresses while Spike was doing who knows what. "Oh Flashfire," Flash chuckled after reading the last page, "once again, you save the day. Wish I was that good." "This dragon doesn't seem at all like Spike or the one you met in the mountains," Springer said as he finished his. “This one is really different...” "Well, this is a fictional dragon Springer," Flash told him as Springer gave him the comic, "from what I've heard, female dragons are supposed to be even more ferocious than the males." "Now that sounds terrifying." Suddenly, their reading was cut short by the sound of the library door opening and a familiar voice calling out. "Hello?" "That's Scootaloo," Flash said as he got up, knowing that the pegasus wasn't a bookworm. "wonder what she's doing here." The two headed downstairs and saw the little pegasus filly looking up at all the books. "Hey kid," he called out, getting her attention. "Hey Flash, is Twilight around?” Scootaloo asked as she turned around. “I need her advice on what book to get." "She's out at the moment, but that doesn't mean I can't help ya. What do you need kiddo?" "Something to help with a history report for school," Scootaloo answered as she glanced back at the bookshelf, "got anything on Equestrian history?" "Well, this is more Twilight's thing then mine," Flash replied as he scratched the back of his head. "But I think the history section is..." He looked around at all the shelves, completely lost as he remembered that Twilight had reshelved everything. Again. Thankfully, Springer came to the rescue and pointed at the section. "Thanks Springer. Here we go..." "Great!" Scootaloo cheered as she moved over to it. "Let's see," her eyes shifted back and forth as she looked at all the books until one caught her eye. It was a large brown tome with a very different title. Ancient Secrets of Equestria "Wonder what that's about." Scootaloo commented as she took it of the shelf, quickly going to the book's index. "Nirvana...Omni Sphere...The Ten Forbidden Spells?" That last one caught her eye, but before she could flip to that page, the book was yanked from her hooves. “What the-” "Sorry kid," Flash replied as he shelved the tome back, "that's a little to old for you." "Wait! That was really interesting. It said something about Ten Forbidden Spells or something.” Scootaloo said before she noticed Flash's face. She could tell he knew something about it. “Hey, what are those spells?” "The name kind of gives it away kid." Flash replied with a slight grumble, "they're ten spells so powerful and dangerous that its forbidden to even cast one...which kinda makes me wonder why we have a book on them. Guess Twilight will read anything." "There are spells that are that powerful?" Scootaloo asked, insisting that the topic keep going. "Yeah," Flash said as he saw another book and began to pull it out. "I had to read up on them during my training. Some of the spells can be cast, but only with permission from a princess and it has to be a last resort. But for most of those spells? They are a definite no no kid." "Wow," Scootaloo said, her eyes slightly shining in her eyes, causing Flash to grimace a little. “I wonder what they are." "I don't think I should really tell you more," Flash replied, trying to think of way to switch the topic. "but I will say this. The most powerful of those spells was only cast once. According to what I was taught, it was so powerful it wiped out an entire kingdom." Flash gave her a gloomy look. “Sounds rather nasty, don't you agree?” "Whoa," was all Scootaloo said in response. "Yeah. But like I said, this isn't really the kind of thing for you." He held out another book for her, "this one's more around your age bracket." "Thanks," Scootaloo took the book, instantly seeing that it was a basic history guide. "I'll get an A for sure with this." "Why you so determined to get an A?" Flash asked with a cocked eyebrow. "Not that that it isn't good kid. I mean, you're just not the kind of pony I'd expect to be working so hard for an A. I'm just surprised you'd go this far." "I'm trying to get some brownie points," Scootaloo said sheepishly. "Brownie points? For what?" "Well," Scootaloo replied as she looked down at the floor, "I really want to go see the best young flyer competition in Cloudsdale." Now it all made sense. "Let me guess, you want to go see Rainbow Dash." "Is it that obvious?" Scootaloo blushed as she scratched her head. "Pretty much," Flash chuckled as he shook his head, "so, what's the problem kid? Why do your grades matter in getting you there?" "The mare who runs the orphanage said I can't go because there's no one to take me." "Oh, that's right. The mare that runs the orphanage is uh...she's an earth pony, isn't she?" "Yeah. Ms Blossom's an earth pony." Scootaloo replied as she hung her head, "and since the event is in Cloudsdale, I thought if I impressed her with an A on my report, she'd try and find a way to let me see it." Flash sighed seeing this, before a thought popped into his head. "Tell you what kiddo, you get an A on this report and I'll talk to Ms Blossom about me taking you to see it." “REALLY?!” Scootaloo exclaimed, only to get a nod from Flash. She then threw herself at him, hugging him with all her might. "Oh thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" "Like I said," Flash laughed as he rubbed her head with his hoof, "get an A and I'll talk to her about it." "I will! I promise!" And with that, she packed away the book and headed out the door. Once she was gone, Springer, who'd been watch the exchange for the stairs, spoke up. "You're gonna take her even if she doesn't get an A, aren't you?" "You get that from my aura?" "No," Springer shook his head, "it's just the kind of thing you'd do." “Heh. You know me well buddy.” Flash replied before the two had one last laugh before returning to their comics. The next day, Flash and Springer were on their way to Rarity's after the usual morning training. Flash needed to grab his suit to make sure everything fit before the show that night. "Hello? Anypony here?" Flash asked as he walked inside, only to see a deserted first floor. Flash and Springer glanced at each other and decided to check upstairs. As the duo walked up there, they saw Rarity step out of her room. She looked terrible with a raggedy mane and dark bags under her eyes. She barely turned and saw Flash, gasping at his arrival. "Oh! Flash...what are you doing here?" "Hey Rarity, I came to get my suit. The show's tonight, remember?" Flash replied before tilting his head. “Say, you okay? You look like you haven't slept for some time.” "Oh dear," she said, looking worried. "Oh no! I completely forgot!" She bit her lip as she looked like she was about to tear up. "I'm so so sorry Flash! The girl's dresses took much longer to get right and then I had all the organize the show and then-" "Hey, relax." Flash replied as he patted her shoulder, "it's totally fine." "But-" "It's okay! I'm not a fashion guy. Trust me." Rarity started taking deep breaths as she began to calm down. "Sorry about that. The last few days have been...exhausting." "You look exhausted. Don't worry Rarity, it's fine. I don't mind waiting for my suit." Flash said with a cheeky grin, "now come on, I want to see those dresses." "WAIT!" She screamed, but it was too late. Flash opened the door and was bombarded by unbelievable sight. "Hey Flash," Twilight said when she noticed him walk in, "what do you think?" Both Flash and Springer were lost for words at the sight that beheld them. All her friends were in what he could call 'costumes' instead of dresses, causing Flash and Springer to just stand there, snickering. Twilight was wearing a cloak with random things even Flash wasn't sure what they were. Pinkie was wearing what looked like a cupcake on her head with wrappers on her sides. Rainbow's 'dress' looked like a cross between a rainbow cluster and a Wonderbolt costume. Flash couldn't even look at Applejack's except her large cartoonish read hat on her head. However, his personal favourites in terms of the 'dresses' was Fluttershy's, who was wearing a literal nest of bird eggs on her head with what looked like a flower blanket on her back. "Pretty awesome huh?" Rainbow said as she puffed up her chest. "This'll be great for whatever the weather throws at me," Applejack continued as she adjusted her hat. "And my dress is the funnest thing in the world!" Pinkie exclaimed as she hopped in place while Fluttershy just blushed as she showed off her dress. Flash just remained silent as he continued to look at them, his eye twitching at the sight. He could feel his cheeks getting bigger and bigger as he tried to contain his laughter. "Well," Twilight said, batting her eyes. "what do you think?" Finally, Flash couldn't take it any more. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" He laughed, followed by Springer, as both of them busted a gut as they fell onto the floor. Both of them could not stop giggling as Flash kept hitting the floor with his hoof. “Oh sweet Celestia! AHAHAHAHA! I can't take it! HAHAHAHA!” "What's so funny?!" Applejack asked, a scowl now appearing on her face. "Oh good one girls," Flash coughed, trying to make sure he didn't bust his gut again. "But seriously, couldn't you have waited until after the show to get Rarity to make your Nightmare Night costumes?" "Nightmare Night Costumes?" "Yeah. That was a really good gag though. Don't you agree Springer?" Flash looked at his partner, who only fell over again, laughing some more. "I know, right? But enough funny business, you girls really need to put on your dresses for the show." "But...we are wearing our dresses." This made Flash laugh even harder, following Springer's example again as he rolled on the floor with him. “Oh you are not serious! You have got to be...be...” Flash looked back at them and saw their deadpan expressions. “You're not serious...oh Luna, your serious!" "What?" Rainbow huffed, "our outfits look great! Mine is even more awesome than what Rarity had planned!" "Pfft! Those aren't even outfits!" Flash laughed as he covered his mouth. "You all look like something sneezed a bunch of fabric on you! AHAHAHA!" "You just don't understand female fashion Flash," Twilight told him with a glare. "Says the mare wearing a shower curtain!" Flash replied, "what happened to your other dresses?! I saw what Rarity designed and they were nothing like this," he turned to the door where Rarity stood. "What happened?" "The girls weren't satisfied with those designs," Rarity said, though she looked like she was holding back tears. "And this is better?!” he pointed to the others, "you and I both know that if they show up at the Gala looking like this, they'll get laughed out of Canterlot!” "I..I...I," at that moment, Rarity broke out into tears and rushed off. "Rarity!" Twilight called after her friend, only to then glare at Flash along with the other girls. "Nice one Flash," Rainbow growled with her hooves crossed, "she worked really hard on these and you go and insult them." Flash's laughter stopped as he cocked his eyebrow and asked, "Okay girls, what did you do?" "What do you mean?" "I saw the original designs. How could you not be 'satisfied' with them." "They just weren't what we wanted," Fluttershy said softly. "And this is?!" Flash asked as he pointed at them, "I mean, just look at each other. You look like uh...uh..." “Like a bunch of terrifying fashion monsters.” “Yeah, that.” Flash replied as he patted Springer on the head. “Thanks partner.” The five of them then turned to look at each other, only for their eyes to go wide. Grimaces and looks of disgust followed as they all began trying to find a mirror. "Yikes," Applejack said as she looked Rainbow over while Rainbow gave her the same response. "Oh boy," Rainbow gulped as she looked at Pinkie's. Pinkie instead just snickered as she saw Fluttershy while the shy pegasus looked horrified at Twilight's dress. Twilight looked at everypony and then the mirror as the realisation struck all of them. "Oh..." "Yeah," Flash growled as he stomped his hoof, getting their attention. "What was wrong with the original dresses?" "I'm not sure," Twilight replied, "I can't even remember what mine looked like." "Me neither," Applejack continued. "Nope," Pinkie agreed. "So let me get this straight," Flash said with a facehoof, "Rarity made each of you a new dress from scratch, for free, and you didn't even bother to properly look at them?!" The girls all looked down. "Girls," Flash replied before turning to leave, "I'm gonna go find Rarity and see if we can't fix this mess." And with that, he left, leaving the five to wallow in what they'd done. "Now what do we do?" Twilight asked. "Panic?" Fluttershy suggested, causing the others to slightly groan. "That's your answer to everything," Rainbow said with a slight glare. "We have to do somethin'," Applejack rubbed her chin in thought, "the show's tonight." "Maybe Rarity left the other dresses here somewhere," Pinkie said as she took off her 'dress'. "Good idea," Twilight nodded as she took her dress off as well, "let's look around." They did so, looking through every nook and cranny of the shop. After a few minutes of undressing and looking around, they found some drawings. "Hey, what's this?" Twilight asked as her eyes looked the drawings over. On particular sheet of paper caught her eye as she recognised it as the original dress Rarity had shown her. Now that she really looked at it, the dress did look nice, a lot better than what she was just wearing. She levitated the drawing and found they were the ones for the dresses they had all dismissed. "Huh," she said to herself before an idea popped into her head. "Girls, I have an idea." Flash was wondering through town looking for Rarity, but couldn't find her anywhere. Seeing that vision wasn't enough, he turned to his partner on his back. "Anything?" "No," Springer shook his head, "I can't seem to locate her aura." "Well then, I guess we just got to keep looking," Flash replied before something else caught his eye. An earth pony mare with light green fur and a brown mane was walking right past him. Instantly recognising her as Ms Blossom, the manager of the Ponyville Orphanage, he called out to her. "Ms Blossom!" "Oh," she said as she turned to him, "Mr Sentry. What can I do for you?" "It's about Scootaloo." "Yes, I've noticed that you seemed to have taken a liking to one of my charges," she said with a nod. "She's a great kid," Flash said before scratching the back of his head, "I wanted to speak to you about her going to the best young flyers competition." "Aw," Ms Blossom replied with a slightly hung head, "it's a shame about that. I would love for her to go but with it being in Cloudsdale and all...I don't see how I could make it possible for her." "That's just it," Flash shined a cheeky grin, "you see, I'm going to see it to. My friend Rainbow's in it, so if it's alright with you, I'd be happy to take her with me and look after her." "You'd really do that?" "Sure," Flash nodded, "if it's okay with you." "Of course. After everything you've done for this town, I know I can trust you with her safety." "Great! Thank you!" "Scootaloo's lucky to have you looking out for her," Ms Blossom told him before looking him over. "You know, if you were a little older, I'd ask if you'd ever consider adopting." "ME?!" Flash yelped, hopping a little in place. He had not been expecting that. "Like I said," she chuckled at his reaction, "if you were older." "Right...yeah." "Flash," Springer interrupted, poking his shoulder. "I got her location." "Great," Flash said as he turned to his partner and back to Ms. Blossom. "Sorry ma'am. Gotta go." "Of course." With that, Flash took off and followed Springer's directions towards the edge of the Everfree Forest. "Why would Rarity come here?" He continued to follow the jakhowl's senses and eventually found Rarity sitting in the dirt, bawling her eyes out. "I'm so pathetic," she cried as tears went down her cheeks. "Rarity!" Flash called out as he landed. "Leave me!" she whined as more tears fell. "Oh stop being so dramatic," Flash groaned with a slight facehoof, "what are you even doing here?! Don't you know this place is dangerous?!" "I failed my friends," Rarity continued, "I tried my best, but I couldn't make their dresses good enough. And what's worse is Hoity Toity, one of the biggest names in fashion, will see them and my career will be over." "The dresses were fine," Flash told her, "the problem was that you let them walk all over you." "But it's my job to live up to the clients expectations!" Rarity yelled back, trying to make Flash flinch. However, it didn't work as he instead got closer. "Yes, it's good to try and make something how they want it," Flash replied as he sat down next to her, "but don't forget that you're the expert. This is what you do better then anypony else and you shouldn't let what other ponies think make you forget that." Rarity heard this and let it sink in. "Think about it," Flash told her as he pointed to the town, "do you think I'd let you tell me how to protect the town, or Rainbow Dash how to do the weather, or Applejack how to run her farm?" "No," Rarity shook her head. "Then you shouldn't let others tell you how to do your job," Flash exclaimed before getting up, "now come on, we're going back and getting everything sorted before tonight's show." "But I don't know if I can-" "Don't make me drag you," Flash interrupted with a scowl on his face, "you know I'll do it." Rarity couldn't argue with that. When Flash and Rarity returned to Carousal Boutique, they found the girls in her room gathered around something. "What is going on here?" Rarity asked, catching their attention. "Oh Rarity," Twilight said as they turned to them, "just in time. We hope this makes up for everything." With that they moved aside, it revealed a beautiful dress, one that looked just like the one Rarity had designed. "That...that...that's," she couldn't find the words. "We all finished your dress for you," Pinkie said. "Thanks to Fluttershy's freaky knowledge of sewing," Applejack commented. The buttercup pony blushed at the praise. "Do you like it?" "Like it?" Rarity said as she moved closer, looking it over. "Like it..." "Oh no," Fluttershy gasped and put her hooves over her face, "she doesn't like it." "No," she replied while shaking her head, "I don't like it." "Oh," the girls all said, their expressions turning into what you could call a pit of despair. Thankfully, in that moment, Rarity screamed, "I LOVE IT!" "YEAH!" they all perked up, only for Flash to groan at their sudden changes. "You ponies did an amazing job," Rarity exclaimed as she grabbed the dress, "it's exactly the way I imagined it." "We just followed your brilliant design," Fluttershy complimented. "Like we should have let you do for our outfits," Twilight said, "those first dress you designed were perfect." "We're so super sorry," Pinkie continued. "You worked really hard to make our dresses exactly the way we wanted them," Rainbow said, "and we all saw how that worked out." "Oh I forgive you," Rarity said as a small tear went down her cheek, "and it was partly my fault. I should have stood by my designs instead of caving in to peer pressure." "Well then," Flash called out, causing them all to look at him. "what's say we get this show on the road?" "You're right!" Rarity replied before rushing over to a closet and pulling out the dresses Flash had seen in the pictures. They definitely looked better in real life. "What say you?" They all cheered hearing this. That night, the show was almost about to start. An elegant catwalk had been constructed for them to use and the audience was about to arrive. Up in her bedroom, Rarity and Flash were looking out the window at all the ponies that had come to watch. "An impressive turn out," Flash said as he tried counting everypony that was out there. "And to think this would have been a disaster without you, the only one that obviously didn't want to do this." "I didn't really do anything," Flash shrugged. “In fact, all I did was laugh and tell the girls they were wrong.” "Nonsense," Rarity waved her hoof, "if you hadn't laughed at those horrid dresses, I'd have to watch my career go up in smoke when they showed them off." "Hey, if helping a friend involves laughing at their work," Flash joked, "then I'll be there to help." "And for that, I am eternally grateful," Rarity giggled with a smile. "Well, I'd better get downstairs," Flash told her as he walked to door, "to bad you weren't able to finish my suit in time." Though he tried to deny it, he was really happy he didn't have to be part of the show. "Oh, that reminds me," Rarity said as she levitated something out of a nearby closet, "with the girls finishing my dress, I managed to put your suit together just in time. Now, you can be in the show as well." "Oh," Flash said, trying to hide his disappointment, "well okay but could you at least be gentle." Outside, the ponies waiting for the show were suddenly drawn to the sound of a colt crying out. "That is not gentle, that's the opposite of gentle! Brutality, thy name is RARITY!" Several more unintelligent screams later, things finally calmed down, causing everypony to look at each other in confusion. Back in the boutique, the now suited up Flash looked a little worse for wear. His hair was now fully combed back and his expression was something akin to what you would use to scare off timber wolves. "I swear," he said, "I've received beatings more gentle then one of your fitting sessions." “And that my dear Flash, is the price we pay for fashion.” “I'd like a refund if you don't mind.”