Pinkie and my birthday came and went. Pinkie turned 24, and I turned 13, the starting age of adolescence. I wondered if I’ll be going through certain phases again like my last teen years. I hoped not.
One day, the girls and I were summoned by Rarity to meet in the castle throne room. I wondered what episode this was going to be, but if I had to guess, it was “Canterlot Boutique.”
“I do thank you all for coming,” Rarity announced.
“So what’s this meeting about, Rares?” Applejack asked.
“I’m glad that you asked, Applejack. Everypony, it is with great pleasure to inform you that I am now the proud owner of a new boutique in Canterlot!”
Everypony cheered loudly.
“I already knew that,” Pinkie whispered to me.
“So, unfortunately, that would mean I would have to stay in Canterlot for a few days to get everything ready for its grand opening,” Rarity pointed out.
“That’s okay, Rarity,” Twilight said. “We’re all proud of you for getting that boutique you wanted.”
“So when and where is this boutique going to open up?” Fluttershy asked.
“If everything goes swimmingly, it should open by the weekend,” Rarity replied. “It is located near the center district, and it will be called ‘Canterlot Carousel.’”
I knew that this episode would happen. Rarity would open this boutique, and while it initially becomes a success, she ends up making the same exact dress over and over, causing her to almost close up the business. I don’t know if I wanted to change this episode or let it slide so Rarity could learn something. Sassy Saddles wasn’t that bad of a character in my opinion, and she learned from her mistakes if future episodes proved anything.
“How are you gonna run two different boutiques in two different locations?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Oh, don’t you worry about that,” Rarity responded as she stood up. “I’ve also been looking for a manager to run the shop.”
“Just be careful who you hire,” I said out of instinct.
“I certainly will, Spikey-Wikey.” Rarity rubbed my head. “That is why we have resumes and interviews when we hire somepony.”
It had been a couple of days since Rarity left for Canterlot. Fluttershy and I were having tea with Moondancer at the Golden Oaks Library.
“I can’t remember the last time I stepped in here,” Fluttershy said as she looked around. “It almost looks like nothing has changed.”
“Yeah, it’s like a nostalgia trip,” I said.
Moondancer did well on organizing everything. The shelves were filled with books once again. Some were Moondancer’s, and some were from Twilight’s castle library. It was generous of Twilight to offer her old friend some of her books.
“So a little birdie told me that Rarity opened up a shop in Canterlot,” said Moondancer as she added a sugar cube to her tea.
“Oh, my. Was it Twitty?” Fluttershy asked. “That bluebird is always spreading stories around without a second thought.”
“Heh, no. It wasn’t a real bird, Fluttershy. It was just a figure of speech. I wanted to know if the rumors about Rarity opening a new boutique was true.”
“Yep,” I replied. “She told us it’ll be called ‘Canterlot Carousel.’”
“Oh, yeah. I think I saw that property for sale when I was browsing the real estate section,” Moondancer said. “It’s a busy street there, I hope Rarity can handle it.”
“She was planning to hire somepony to help her, so I think she can manage.” I stared at my teacup. “I hope.”
“Don’t worry, Spike,” Fluttershy wrapped one of her wings around me. “It was always Rarity’s dream to have a business in Canterlot. Plus, given how she’s been to Canterlot a few times, she knows a thing or two about what her customers want.”
I leaned against her body. “I guess you’re right.”
“Wow, you two really are a couple,” Moondancer chuckled.
On the day of the boutique opening, the girls and I took the train to Canterlot.
“Explain to me again how Rarity is able to afford a place here in Canterlot?” Applejack asked as the train stopped in front of the station.
“Rarity's such a savvy businesspony,” Twilight said as we exited. “I'm so impressed she used the huge bonus she earned making the costumes for Sapphire Shores' Equestria-wide tour to open this second boutique!”
After following the directions Rarity gave us, we approached a giant boutique at the corner of a busy intersection. A sign hung from the side of the building with “Canterlot Carousel” in big purple letters.
“Oh, my!” Fluttershy put her hoof over her mouth. “I didn’t think it would be that big.”
“Did Sapphire Shores give Rarity a bonus or her yearly salary?” Rainbow asked. “Is this even the right place?”
“It must be,” Twilight said.
We all entered the boutique. Just like in the show, the place was filled with suits and dresses. A table of snacks were placed on the ground floor, and a bunch of balloons and banners hung on the wall.
“Why hello, girls and Spike!” Rarity announced from the top of the stairs. “Nice to see you all here.”
Rarity descended down the steps as everypony admired the decor. We all praised Rarity for her hard work.
Rarity said, “I never could have gotten the boutique ready for the grand opening without the help of my new manager: Sassy Saddles!”
Just as she said that, a light blue pony with an orange mane and black-studded dress appeared with a clipboard. This was Sassy Saddles.
“Bust my buttons, Rarity!” Sassy exclaimed. “The ponies and dragon from Ponyville!”
We all exchanged greetings with her. Rarity explained that she hired Sassy on the spot after seeing her resume and doing an interview. According to her, Sassy was quite the planner and manager. Sassy even told us her plan and what style to put on the market.
“Turns out that everypony here loves royalty!” Sassy explained.
“So I created a collection that beautifully revolves around the royal element of Canterlot,” Rarity added.
“And it just so happens there's a hot new princess in Equestria!” Sassy looked at Twilight.
“In every poll Sassy Saddles took, you were the most popular princess!”
“Really?” I asked. “Twilight’s coronation didn’t seem that recent. Also, what about Celestia and Luna?”
“Well, it may have been almost a year since Twilight became a princess, she still is the newer princess compared to the others,” Rarity replied. “As for the two princesses, they were behind by only a few points in the polls.”
“That would make a lot of sense.”
“Anyway, it was by pure coincidence that one of my gowns is inspired by the window in Canterlot Castle commemorating Twilight’s coronation!”
The nearby stage curtains unfurled to reveal a turquoise dress decorated with gems. The girls were amazed by the design. I would’ve been the same if it hadn't been for the fact that it was going to be the dress that Rarity would soon copy many times. Her “Rules of Time, Love, and Couture (TLC)” would only do so much.
Sassy then went on explaining how ponies would purchase an outfit if somepony famous wore it (simple society logic). So, Sassy and Rarity asked if Twilight would wear the dress tonight.
Twilight replied, “If being a princess and wearing that dress can help your boutique in any way, then I say stick a pin in it. It's done!”
I looked out the window to see a crowd of ponies showing up. They must’ve heard about the Canterlot Carousel opening up.
“Ever since I was a little filly, all I've ever wanted was to own a boutique here in Canterlot!” Rarity exclaimed. “Somepony pinch me!”
“Okay, if that’s what you want,” I walked up to her.
“N-not literally, darling,” Rarity nervously giggled as she took a step back.
The scene played out like in the show. Rarity finally opened the doors to her Canterlot boutique, but Sassy was the one who welcomed everypony, much to Rarity and the rest of the girls’ annoyance. Rarity let it slide and made the final preparations for the showcase.
Fluttershy and I were backstage on the upper floor helping Twilight get dressed for the show.
“Okay, I don’t want to sound like I’m ruining Rarity’s dreams,” Twilight said, “but doesn’t anypony else think that Sassy is a bit too…monopolizing?”
“Well, she has been hogging the spotlight a bit during the opening ceremony,” I replied as I handed Twilight some makeup.
“Maybe it was for the best,” Fluttershy suggested. “Sassy does know a thing or two on how to run a business in Canterlot, so maybe she was helping Rarity a bit by showing her how it’s done.”
“Even so, does it not seem like Sassy is subtly sweeping Rarity under the rug?” Twilight put a bit of blush on her face.
“I’m sure Rarity would remind her who owns the shop if that’s the case,” I said as Fluttershy removed the gown from the mannequin. “Worst case scenario, she fires her if she takes over.”
Once Fluttershy and I got Twilight dressed, the purple princess took the stage. Fluttershy and I peeked from behind the curtains.
“Oh, dear. There sure are a lot of ponies here, tonight,” Fluttershy said.
She wasn’t kidding. Anypony who was anypony was here tonight, including Fashion Plate, a famous and eccentric fashion photographer and editor.
“Well, Rarity wanted a boutique in Canterlot and to have a lot of ponies come visit,” Twilight said nervously.
I watched as Rarity showcased her outfits, with Fashion ecstatically taking pictures. It was then Rarity announced her final dress. The name was initially “Reign of Stain,” but Sassy changed it to the “Princess Dress.”
Twilight trotted down the stairs as a spotlight shined on her. Of all the dresses here, the one she wore excited Fashion Plate the most.
“Everypony, please follow me and you can all place your orders for the Princess Dress!” Sassy announced.
Once the crowd gathered to make an order, the girls and I congratulated Rarity on her display.
“Rarity's Royal Regalia is amazing,” said Twilight. “And everypony seemed to love the Princess Dress!”
“You bet your saddle they did,” Sassy replied as she carried a stack of paper. “Rarity now has one hundred orders for her signature gown!”
Rarity’s loss for words did not go unnoticed. “O-ob-oh-one hundred orders?! All at one time?!”
“According to my pattern, the next piece is ‘The Success of the Signature Dress,’ so I do not see the problem.”
“I do,” I said. “I feel like you’re forgetting who made this collection in the first place.”
Rarity cleared her throat. “Spike indeed has a point. First of all, Sassy Saddles, I would have appreciated getting to name the final gown from my collection myself.”
“My research shows that your ‘Reign in Stain’ name was a play on words that was both very confusing and quite unappealing,” Sassy replied.
“While I see your point, we should have discussed it prior to the grand opening, Sassy.”
“My only goal is for Canterlot Carousel to succeed. That's why I changed the name, and that is why I took all those orders for the Princess Dress.”
“But still, I don’t think Rarity could handle making over a hundred dresses on such short notice,” I pointed out. “Especially on the first day of her boutique.”
“Then perhaps we should hear from the fashionista herself.” Sassy looked to Rarity. “What do you think we should do, Rarity?”
Rarity took a deep breath. “Promises were made, and I shall sew my very best to provide each and every pony a Princess Dress full of TLC.” Despite her enthusiasm, she still looked worried.
“Oh, thank you, Rarity, thank you!”
Later, the girls and I left the boutique and took a train back to Ponyville.
“I’m surprised Rarity didn’t consider our help,” Fluttershy said.
“Maybe that’s a good thing,” Rainbow replied. “I do not want to go through that sweatshop fiasco again like we did in Manehattan!”
“Rainbow, Rarity has learned her lesson from that,” Twilight sternly said. “Not to mention the deadline is at a later date compared to the fashion show. It’s going to be a lot of dresses to make, but I believe that Rarity can manage.”
I spent the next few days passing the time. I convinced Twilight to sign me up for parkour lessons. After the lesson I took last year, I wanted to improve on this skill, hoping it would help me in the future.
One day, I chatted with Button Mash and Rumble. We were at a picnic table, watching Button Mash play one of his games.
“I hope they fix that playground soon,” Rumble said.
“The one near the school?” I asked.
“That’s the one. I can barely swing without worrying about the chain snapping and causing me to crash into the ground.”
“Wait, but you’re a pegasus. You could just fly.”
“True, but what about the other ponies who can’t?”
“There’s a school election coming up soon,” Button Mash said, keeping his eyes glued to his Game Colt as usual.
“Then I hope the class president has ‘playground repair’ in one of their plans,” I said.
I still had plans to leave the CMC alone until they had their cutie marks. Initally, I wanted to infrom the EEA about the possible embezzled funds, but I remembered some of their members had something against non-ponies. I would have to remain anonymous if that were the case so they wouldn’t suspect it was a dragon who tipped them off.
That’s when my eye caught a poster on one of the trees. It had a go-cart surrounded in big letters. I got off my seat and took a closer look. Turns out, it was about the upcoming Applewood Derby. It was going to take place in late May, and while school foals will attend, other contestants were allowed to join.
“Oh, right, I forgot that was a thing,” Rumble said as he approached me. “Are you interested in joining?”
“I don’t know yet,” I said. “It’s going to be a long time before the race happens. What about you two?”
Rumble and Button shook their heads.
“Maybe next year,” said Rumble.
“I don’t race unless it involves a powerbox,” Button called out.
“Hey, at least you wouldn’t have to worry about banana peels or shells,” I said.
“Very funny.”
After checking where to sign up, I said goodbye to Button and Rumble and went to the town hall. There, I found the mayor.
“Excuse me,” I said. “But who do I talk to about the Applewood Derby?”
“Oh, I think somepony who was in charge of that just came in here,” the mayor replied.
“That would be me,” a light blue pegasus appeared. “You’re a bit early to sign up. We just put those posters up earlier today.”
“I just want to know what sort of racetrack the carts are going to use.”
“That hasn’t been decided yet, kid.”
“Well, I’d like to suggest a track that does not have any sort of crossroads. I’m worried about cars crashing into each other at an intersection.”
“That’s actually a good point. Thanks for the suggestion. We’ll be sure to keep it in mind during our next meeting.”
That was one part of “The Cart Before the Ponies” episode fixed. I would have to wait until much later to fix the other parts.
With Twilight’s permission, I took a train to Canterlot to visit Rarity. When I entered her shop, every dress that she had in her grand opening was replaced with the same exact dress Twilight wore. I was already getting tired of seeing them myself and I wasn’t the one who had to make over a hundred of them.
I entered the back rooms to see Rarity working on another Princess Dress. Her unkempt mane and baggy eyes was distinguishable even to a blind pony.
“Rarity?” I called out.
Rarity gasped and turned to me. “Oh, Spikey-Wikey.” She hopped from her stool and hugged me. “What are you here doing in Canterlot?”
“I’ve been wondering how you’ve been these past few days. Though, given the amount of dresses out there and that tired look on your face, something tells me you haven’t been well.”
“Could you ever blame me, Spike? With the popularity of the Princess Dress, I’ve been getting more and more orders of the exact same couture. I never have the chance to show off all my other styles, and I can’t change any details on the dress itself no matter how small!” Rarity looked around. “Of course, Sassy isn’t much help.”
“Then why don’t you just terminate her?”
“You do mean fire her, right?”
“Y-yes, of course. She may have doubtful business strategies, but physical harm would be too excessive for somepony like her.”
Rarity rubbed her eyes. “While firing Sassy would be a viable option, I’m afraid it would not do any good. I hate to say this, but working in Canterlot is not how I dreamed it would be.”
“But you’ve always wanted to have a shop here in Canterlot. Ever since you were a filly.”
“That I did, but if that means that I would have to make the same exact dress for such detail-oriented ponies, then I do not wish to be part of the Canterlot culture any longer.” Rarity sighed. “I’m going to have to close Canterlot Carousel.”
“What?!” A pony’s voice shouted.
We turned to see Sassy with her jaw dropped. She dropped a bunch of dress orders to the ground like snow from a roof.
“R-Rarity! You can’t!” Sassy ran up to us. “I-I've worked too hard to make this a success!”
“That’s one of the many issues!” Rarity retorted as she removed her glasses. “This was not your boutique! Now, help make up flyers for a going-out-of-business sale!” She then left the backrooms.
“I can't be a part of another failed boutique!” Sassy cried as she ran after Rarity.
You’d think Rarity would notice something was up when she saw the many businesses Sassy worked for on her resume.
I don’t know how long it took Rarity and me to replace all of the Princess Dresses with newer, more unique ones, but it was a long while. Sassy could only watch our progress from the balcony on the second floor.
“Thank you so much for helping me, Spike,” Rarity said. “It’s so nice to see these dresses out here again.”
“You’re welcome, Rarity.” I replied.
Once every dress was in place, Rarity sighed and made her way to the door.
“Seems Sassy Saddles isn't rushing to open the door this time,” Rarity mumbled.
“Maybe she learned her lesson,” I whispered.
Rarity opened the door to see the crowd of ponies gathered around.
“Welcome to the going-out-of-business sale of Canterlot Carousel,” Rarity announced.
Everypony shuffled in. Just like in the show, the customers had more interest in the other outfits than the princess dress. Rarity’s burnout ironically burned out. The satisfied customers reminded her of why she dreamed of having a boutique in Canterlot in the first place.
“Attention, everypony!” Rarity declared. “Canterlot Carousel will not be closing!”
Everypony cheered once they heard that.
“But this stuff's still on sale, right?” One of the ponies asked.
“Yes, yes, of course.”
Sassy Saddles came down the stairs wearing saddlebags. “Oh, Rarity, I'm so sorry. I focused on that one dress, and the rest of Rarity's Royal Regalia paid the price.”
“Well, so did the Princess Dress,” Rarity said. “The more I sold, the more each dress lost its time, love, and couture, becoming terrible, lackluster, and common.”
“At least they had the same acronyms,” I pointed out.
“I think I finally understand the Rules of Rarity...and will apply them at my next job.” Sassy left for the door.
“Wait, where are you going?” I quickly stopped her. “Rarity didn’t terminate you.”
“That is correct.” Rarity stepped in front of Sassy. “The Rules of Rarity are only to be applied at Canterlot Carousel. Which is why you must continue to manage the boutique while I'm in Ponyville.”
“Ponyville?” Sassy asked.
“Well, yes, I'll come to Canterlot with new designs and to see the customers of course, but Ponyville was always going to be my home base.”
Sassy’s face lit up. “Bobbins and bodkins, Rarity! Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! And I promise to run everything following your rules.”
“I would expect nothing less.”
Hopefully.
As Rarity and Sassy hugged, I was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t think of anything to change for this episode. Then again, there was nothing to change, and two ponies learned a valuable lesson.
“Oh, my gosh, a sale!”
I turned around and was nearly taken aback by a rather…generous pony, and I didn’t mean “generous” like Rarity and her Element of Harmony.
Woah Nelly! I almost forgot about her.
“Do you have the Princess Dress?” Nelly asked.
“No!” Rarity and Sassy shouted in unison before sharing a laugh, much to Nelly’s confusion.