They were on their way to Carousel Boutique. When they reached Rarity's door, Hero rang her bell to see if she was home. Everyone heard her cheery and posh voice. "Come in!" They walked in to see her still working on her usual business, tailoring clothes and outfit designing, "Hello there, darlings. Welcome to my boutique. So you're that pony I saw next to Sunburst, hmm?"
"Yeah. I am. You were in a hurry, last I checked."
"I was, indeed. We never got the opportunity to introduce ourselves properly. I'm sorry about that. My name's Rarity. Pleased to meet you. And you're?"
"I'm Hero. Nice to meet you, too. So you're the element of generosity, then?"
"Well, I don't mean to boast, but I am, darling." Rarity then looked to Starlight and Sunburst with her usual gentle and graceful demeanor. "So then, darlings. What can I do for you all this lovely day?"
"Unfortunately, I tore my suit while running away from those Tainted. Then, after ordering the school onto lockdown, I later found it once I returned to my office." Rarity took a closer look at the tear as she inspected it.
"Not to worry, darling, I can fix this for you. It'll be back to normal in no time at all. And as for you, Hero."
"Yeah?"
"Twilight has been informed that you had warned us of this grave evil. She said she wants to meet you in person at Canterlot Castle."
"No way. The actual princess of Equestria wants to meet me? But I kinda made a promise, so I sadly can't."
"A promise?"
"Yeah. I'm on an assignment by Starswirl to complete my training here. I was tasked with making new friends and defending this town."
"Oh my, how heroic. I suppose you do live up to your name, darling. But.. you're barely protected at all and in such drab clothing. This would not do anything for a mighty hero such as yourself. Allow me to rectify this injustice to fashion."
"H-Hey, you don't have to, Gahh?!"
"Hero. Don't bother asking. She'll do it anyway." Starlight said as she chuckled upon seeing Rarity snatch Hero and take his measurements. After getting the measurements down, she set up a foldable vanity barrier to cover her and Hero. Sounds of cloth being cut and sewing were drowning Hero's minor groans of discomfort. They saw his old clothes flying off and folding onto the vanity barrier.
"Oh my.. that looks just divine on you, darling. This captures your Hero look perfectly." Rarity was humming through her work. Once everything was done, she removed her vanity barrier to show Starlight and Sunburst.
"Wow.. look at you, Hero," Sunburst said with an impressed surprise.
"Woah.. yeah. That so looks good on you, Hero." Starlight saw his outfit and was enamored by its adventurous appeal. This new outfit was perfect: a white undershirt. Over it is a black and red-wine-rimmed hoodie. Straps of yellow and bright red were adorned onto Hero's outfit's leggings, torso, and back. Some pouches were sewn around the waistline of the costume for easy storage of valuable supplies. Lastly, there was a metal shoulder plate that could fit a set of five gemstones that now had none.
"What am I wearing? This looks cool, but how did you do this so fast?"
"Darling, I've been in this business for far longer than you'd think. I am not too shabby for me at this age, wouldn't you agree?"
"This does look incredible. But you didn't need to put this much effort into my new clothes."
"Don't worry about it, darling. It's a fair price for one destined to be Equestria's newest defender."
"Well, thanks, Rarity. This does look cool."
"Now, these aren't any ordinary garments, Hero. They're infused with harmony magic. A little something that Twilight had taught me. I never did think that I'd have a reason to use it in my tailor work, but you're a special case. They can grant you special powers, but you must discover them throughout your journey."
"Right then. That'll help in the fight against those Tainted." Hero then asked to inspect where something could fit into the forehoof plate. "So, what goes in here?"
"That darling is something that you'll need to discover for yourself. The stronger you become, the more magic gems appear on your outfit."
"Right then, thanks, Rarity. This is awesome." Rarity then used her magic to levitate her thread and sewing needle from her desk beside the folded vanity curtain. Starlight then took off her coat and gave it to her for her to repair it.
"You really must be more careful with this, Starlight, darling. This was one of the best ensembles I made for you, specifically for your new position as mayor of Ponyville."
"I know; I'm sorry. When I was running away from them, one of them managed to scratch me, tearing my suit. I didn't mean to."
"No, it's quite alright, darling. You couldn't help it. This will only take a moment." As she said this, she immediately worked on the suit, like magic that was unique only to her. She fixed it up. Also, she made it look just as good as it was before it got torn. "And.. there we go, all done."
"Man, Starlight. You're lucky. That's all he did to you. You need to be careful."
"Yeah, Hero. I'm sorry for worrying you. I'll never figure out how you do this so well, Rarity. I owe you for this."
"You don't owe me anything. I'm just happy to help out a good friend of mine." Rarity happily concluded as she had to keep up her schedule. "But unfortunately, darlings, I need to get back to filling out these orders for the day. I should consider retiring sometime. Maybe one of these days, I shall give my business to Sweetie Belle to pass it along."
"You think she'll be ready for such an obligation, Rarity?" Sunburst asked her.
"I do indeed, Sunburst darling. She's not only taking a keen interest in tailoring, but she's even learning from her big sis, too."
"Well, that's good, I guess," Sunburst said as Rarity shooed them away to the front door to finish her workday.
"Now, I must bid you all adieu. Hero, take good care of your new outfit, and best of luck to you against those awful ruffians."
"Can do, Rarity. You can count on me!" Hero said before they all left Carousel Boutique. "So then, where to next?"
"Let's go and meet Fluttershy, Hero. Then, we'll meet Rainbow and Pinkie. Trust me. They're incredible ponies." Starlight stated in glee, eager for Hero to meet everyone.
"Alright then, let's go!" Hero said as they continued with their day. Once they made it to Fluttershy's Hut, she tended her garden with impeccable timing.
"Hey, Fluttershy!" Starlight called out to her. The butter-yellow pegasus then looked over to the familiar voice.
"Oh. Why, hello there, Starlight. What brings you to my humble abode?"
"Well, we got someone you'd like to meet. Hero, this is Fluttershy."
"Oh. Hey there. Nice to meet you." Hero replied as he was being introduced.
"It's nice to meet you, too. I can tell those came from Rarity. Her style is pretty obvious." Fluttershy looked to be the perfect image of an angel, both inside and out.
"So, I'm guessing you're the element of Kindness?"
"Why yes, I am. Why do you ask?"
"You might find this a bit hard to believe, but I'm an element, too."
"Oh, I don't doubt it at all. That's cool. Which one?"
"Courage." Hero replied earnestly, "I guess that's what I was chosen to be by the Tree of Harmony before it died."
"Oh dear, I know. Twilight informed me that the tree was dead. That's horrible." In the distance, Hero saw a blue blur speeding up to them like a bolt of lightning. She made a perfect landing right in front of Fluttershy's flower garden. Fluttershy was not too happy that her friend nearly landed on them. "Rainbow. Please be more careful. You nearly crushed my tulips."
"Oh, sorry, Flutts. Hey, you're new around here. Digging those threads, by the way. Let me guess, Rarity made them for you?"
"Yeah, she did. We just came from her house. So you're Rainbow?"
"Yup. I'm Rainbow Dash. Nice to meet you. I'm The fastest flyer in Equestria, and don't let anypony ever tell you otherwise. So what's your name, buddy?"
"My name is Hero, and I never said I doubted you. So, I guess I'm meeting all of Starlight's friends, not that I mind. I do need to complete my training."
"Training? You? With those skinny limbs?" Rainbow then landed on the ground, laughing. "So then, what training is it you gotta do?"
"Well, laugh it up, but I must complete the assignment that Starswirl gave me. Protecting this town and making new friends."
"Woah there. You just said Starswirl, right? I am not imagining this, am I? You were chosen by one of the most powerful unicorns ever to have existed. Is that so?"
"Yeah, I was. And don't let my body frame fool you. I'm capable of more than you think."
"Confident attitude, eh? I like that." Rainbow then gave Hero a friendly pat on his back. "Hey, it's okay. I believe you. Sometimes, I like to tease others around. It's not anything I do to single anypony out."
"Yeah. I getcha. So I guess that leaves Pinkie, right Starlight?"
"Oh, dear. You haven't met Pinkie yet, have you? You're in for a real surprise, Hero." Rainbow chuckled as she looked over at Fluttershy. Then, Starlight spoke up to answer my question.
"Yes, we're. She can be a hoofull. But once you get used to her, she's isn't that bad."
"Well, I guess it'll be a pleasure to meet her then." Hero concluded as he, Starlight, and Sunburst were about to leave Fluttershy's House.
"I came here because I needed to talk to you about something, Flutts. In your home, if you don't mind."
"Why certainly, Rainbow. I always have time for one of my friends. I'll fix some tea while you wait in the living room. Sorry, Hero. But Rainbow and I are going to be hanging out for a bit. It was a pleasure talking to you." Both pegasi had then made their way inside the house as everyone said their goodbyes and went to Sugarcube Corner to meet Pinkie.
"It's very likely that we'll be having a party because this is Pinkie we're talking about. Don't worry. Her parties are always fun." They were walking back through town on their way to Sugarcube Corner. When they got there, many customers waited, even stretching out the front door. They were busy, that's for sure. "And it's the rush hour now, so they're swamped. We'll have to wait in the lobby until the line ends."
"I'm fine with that. So when do you think the school will be open again?"
"I'm giving it at least another day before I open it again to get the students to calm down. I don't want them terrified when they return, you know?"
"Yeah, I get it. But on second thought, maybe since it's so busy, we should return tomorrow. There's always time to meet her when it's more convenient."
"You know what, I agree. It's nice that you're taking this very seriously. So do you want to have a sleepover at my castle? I know you've got a home to return to, but I want to hang out with you and get to know you better as my new friend." Starlight said with a gentle smile.
"Sure, I'll take you up on your offer; thanks," Hero replied as everyone returned to Friendship Castle for the rest of the day.