//------------------------------// // A Fashion Disaster // Story: My Little Pony, Friendship is Out of This World // by Robobrony //------------------------------// A Fashion Disaster It was another casual morning for Nova and Starburst, the younger brother left for school and Nova was putting the finishing touches on an order for Rarity. “Ok, a little mark here, a bit of magic there aaaand…….there we go, perfect, the customer will love this, now to deliver it to Rarity, then afterwards, I need to go have a chat with Applejack.” Nova went to retrieve his saddlebags and placed them on his back. He placed the gem in his bag and left for Rarity’s place. Rarity’s shop came into view just in time for Nova to see Applejack and Twilight enter, Twilight had her own saddlebags on her. “Hm, wonder what they’re doing here, well, at least I’ll have a chance to let Applejack know that I want to talk with her.” Nova thought to himself. He made his way inside and followed the two upstairs to Rarity’s work room. The two saw Nova approach before they got to Rarity’s door. Twilight was the first to greet him. “Good morning Nova, what brings you by?” “I’m just here to drop off an order for Rarity, what about you two?” Twilight answered first. “I’m here to see if Rarity could help fix a loose button on a gown I was going to wear for the galla.” Applejack then answered. “I’m just payin a friendly visit. Come on, let’s get in there.” Applejack then started knocking a few times, then just flung the door open. “Howdy Rairty.” Twilight looked over to see Rarity busy with a dress. “Shhh, can’t you see Rarity’s trying to concentrate.” She pointed out as they all looked over to her. They made their way over to her. “What do ya think she’s makin?” Applejack asked. “Um, a dress.” Nova pointed out. “Well that makes sense, seein as this is a dress maker’s shop and all.” Applejack responded. Rarity finally turned around with a strained smile and responded as nicely as she could. “Is there something I can help you with?” Twilight answered. “Oh, so sorry to trouble you Rarity, but I need a quick favor.” Twilight then reached into her saddle bag and pulled out a red and yellow dress with a loose button. She set it on a table for Rarity to see. “Could you please fix a button for me, it’s my dress for the grand galloping galla.” Rarity looked appalled by this. “*Gasp* Oh no, no, no, you simply can’t wear…..this old thing. You need a glamorous new outfit for the galla, and I’ll make it for you, it would be my pleasure, no problem at all.” Twilight tried to turn her down nicely. “Oh, that’s very sweet of you to offer Rarity, but I can’t let you do that, it would be so much work. This dress is fine.” Rarity wouldn’t take no for an answer. “Twilight Sparkle, I insist on making you a new dress.” Twilight tried again. “But…” Before she could say anything else, Rarity waved a hoof in her face. “Not another word, I won’t take no for an answer.” Twilight finally conceded. “Well in that case, thank you for your generosity Rarity, knowing your handiwork, I’m sure it will be beautiful.” Rarity then turned to Nova. “And what about you Nova, do you have anything to wear for the galla?” Nova looked at her with confusion. “Do I need to wear something?” Rarity seemed agast at this. “But of course you do, we’re talking about a very pristine event here, well then, since you don’t have anything, I can whip up a nice suit for you to wear to the galla.” Nova’s eyes widened a little. “Really, um, thank you Rarity, but I just came by to drop off another gem for you.” “Oh thank you dear, just set it on the table and give me a moment to collect your payment.” Rarity’s eyes then came to rest on Applejack. “Let me guess Applejack, you don’t want a new gown either?” “Gown, shoot, I was just going to wear my old work duds.” Applejack answered casually. Rarity was once again left a little disgusted by this. “You can’t possibly be serious Applejack, you simply must wear formal attire.” Applejack tapped a hoof to her chin in thought for a moment. “Hmm…..nah.” “What if I uh, spruce up your…..duds…for you a little bit?” Applejack conceded. “Well….ok sure, why not, since yer offerin and all, just don’t make em’ too….fru fruy.” “Deal.” As soon as she said this, Rainbow’s voice was herd. “LOOK OUT BELOW!” She crashed in through the roof and ended up in a pile of pony quins and cloth around her shoulders with a bucket on her head. “Oops, sorry, new trick, didn’t quit work, he he.” Rarity then looked at Dash quizzically. Her eyes widened as inspiration struck. “IDEA, I’ll make you an outfit for the galla too Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow Dash looked around in confusion at first. “Outfit for the what now?” She asked. Rarity continued. “I’ll make an outfit for you and you and all of you, OOH, and Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie too.” She jumped for joy in her enthusiasm. “And when I’m done, we can hold our very own fashion show.” Nova cocked an eyebrow at this. Twilight smiled at this. “What a great idea, if you’re sure you can handle it.” Rarity began levitating materials to begin her work. “Oh it’ll be a little bit of work, but it will be great for my business. Plus, FUN!” Even Rainbow Dash agreed with this. “Oh, I love fun things. “Then it’s settled, we’ll have a fashion show starring us.” The girls cheered. Nova finally spoke up. “Hold on, what is this fashion show thing?” Twilight answered. “It’s when a dress maker like Rarity holds a show to show off her work in front of others, letting them see how good she is at making dresses and will sure to drum up business for her.” Nova was hesitant. “I don’t know if I want to be a part of this, it sounds too……girly.” Rarity turned from her work table and looked at him with sad pleading puppy dog eyes. “Oh please Nova, it would really help my business if the stallions knew I could make fabulous suits for them, pleeeease.” She actually managed to let out a puppy dog like whine. “Well I….I don’t……” He couldn’t stop staring into those large sad eyes. “……*Sigh* Fine, I’ll take part in this fashion show.” He caved. Rarity smiled. “Oh thank you Nova, this means so much to me.” Nova just gave a strained smile. “Happy to help.” Rarity went back to her table and began sewing. Applejack came up to her then. “So all you have to do is make an original, amazing, stunning outfit for one, two, three, four, five, six, plus yourself, SEVEN ponies, and lickety split?” Rarity just laughed. “Oh ha ha happleja ha hack, you make it sound as if it’s going to be hard.” Nova then came forward. “Rarity, this does sound hard, I may not know about sewing or fashion, but this sounds like a lot of work, I don’t suppose you’d let me help in some way to ease the work load?” Rarity turned to Nova. “Really Nova, you want to help?” “Well yeah, I would like to pay you back in some way for helping me with my business, this could be my chance.” “Well, all right dear, if you insist, thank you darling. However, I want these to be a surprise, so once they’re nearly done, I would like to finish them up on my own, all right?” Nova smiled as he responded. “Sure thing Rairity.” So Nova stayed with Rarity to help with her work. As Rarity began her work, music from nowhere started up and Rarity started singing. Thread by thread, stitching it together Twilight’s dress, cutting up the pattern snip by snip Making sure the pattern folds nicely It’s the perfect and so hip, Always got to keep in mind my pacing, Making sure the cloth’s correctly facing, I’m stitching Twilight’s dress. Yard by yard, fussing all the details, jewel neckline, Don’t you know a stitch in time saves nine? Make her something perfect to inspire, Even though she hates formal attire, gotta mind those intimate details, Even though she’s more concerned with sales, It’s Applejack’s new dress. Dress making’s easy, for Pinkie Pie something pink, For Fluttershy something breezy, Blend color and form, Do you think it looks cheesy? Something brash, Perhaps quite fetching. Hook and eye, couldn’t you just simply die? Making sure it fits forelock and crest, don’t forget the magic in the dress. Even though it rides high on the flank, Rainbow won’t look like a tank. I’m stitching Rainbow’s dress. Piece by piece, snip by snip, croup, dock, haunch, shoulders, hip. Thread by thread, Primed and pressed, yard by yard, never stressed. And that’s the art of the dress~ Nova gave up a long time ago on trying to figure out where the music was coming from, he just did what he could to help Rarity with her work, anything from retrieving clothes to holding items for her. Once the outfits were nearly done, Rarity turned to Nova. “All right dear, I can handle it from here, thank you so much for all your help, but now they're almost done, I would like it if you went and retrieved the others, I’ll have all the clothes ready when their together.” Nova responded with a smile. “Sure thing Rarity, I’ll see you soon.” Nova made his way out of the shop. “Now to go talk to Applejack.” Nova’s cheerfulness dropped when he said this. Nova made his way to Sweet Apple Acres and knocked on the door. Just as he hoped, the pony he came to see answered the door. “Well howdy Nova, what brings ya by?” Nova still wore a straight face. “Applejack, we need to talk.” “Um, ok, about what?” “Not here, somewhere more private.” Applejack cocked an eyebrow at this. “Well…..all right, we’ll head to the west field, that area aint scheduled fer harvestin today.” “Fine, as long as it’s where no pony can hear us.” Applejack stepped out of her house and led Nova out to the middle of the western part of the orchard. “Well, won’t get more private than this, so what’s so important you want to talk to me about?” Nova closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Applejack……I know you know.” Applejack gave him another confused look. “Know what?” “Starburst told me he told you and Applebloom about us being aliens.” “Oh, that. Now look, before you go getting all upset, it was my fault fer pressurin yer little brother like I did when he let it slip out, so if you wanna get upset at someone, get upset with me. Believe me, I felt sorry fer pushin the little feller like I did.” “Applejack, do you have any idea what this could mean for us?” “Nova, I don’t care that ya’ll are aliens, I like ya’ll fer who ya are, and I wish you could see that.” “Well, given the fact that you haven’t told any pony about us yet makes me believe that you don’t.” “And neither will the others, ya can’t keep this a secret forever Nova, yer gonna have ta tell them sometime. They won’t care what ya are.” “How do you know Applejack, knowing Twilight, if she finds out, she’ll write a letter to the princess right away and tell her all about us, and if she finds out, others will find out, we can’t take any risks here Applejack.” “Nova, she wouldn’t do that, I promise ya the others won’t care either.” “Maybe so, but what about the rest of the ponies, can you honestly promise me that there won’t be at least one pony who will freak out about me and my brother being aliens?” Applejack hung her head for a moment, then looked back up at Nova. “Yer little brother asked me the same thing, and I’ll give ya the same answer. No I can’t.” “And that’s the problem right there Applejack, if even one pony gets disturbed about us being aliens, others will too, and that could lead to panic, and fear, and they’ll want to do something bad to us just to get rid of us, we’d have to leave.” “Nova, me and the others would defend ya, we won’t let no pony take away our friend.” “I’m sorry Applejack, but I just can’t take that risk, I don’t know how many times I’ve had to say that and frankly I’m sick of it. I just want my brother to have a normal life for himself, if we’re found out, we’ll have to leave. He can’t have a normal life if we’re stuck floating aimlessly in space, and I don’t want to go back to that either, I can’t. You have no idea what it’s like out there Applejack.” Nova turned his head as he sat on his haunches. “It’s dark out there, and lonely. We only had each other to keep company. It was cold and dark and lonely, we can’t go back to that, I can’t, I……I…..” Nova closed his eyes to try and fight back the tears threatening to escape. “I……I’m scared Applejack, I’m scared that me and Starburst will have to go back to that with no hope of finding a home.” Applejack came up to Nova and gave him a hug. “Shhh, It’s all right Nova, you don’t have ta go back, I may not know what it’s like ta be alone like that, but I do know no pony should have to go through it. I can tell yer terrified of it, so I promise you I won’t say anythin ta anypony.” Nova hugged back as a few tears escaped. “Thank you Applejack, you have no idea how much it means to me to finally have some friends after being alone for so long. I just don’t want to give it up. And I’m sorry for burdening you like this.” Nova and Applejack finally released their hug. Applejack looked into Nova’s eyes. “It’s all right sugar cube, that’s what friends are for.” She gave a warm smile Nova returned the smile as he wiped a few tears from his eyes. “Anyway, I had another reason for coming by.” “And what’s that?” “Rarity would like you and the others to come to her boutique, the dresses are just about done.” “Well all right then, I’ll head on over.” “I’ll go get the other’s together, I’ll see you at the boutique.” Nova started walking away before Applejack called out to him. “Nova.” Nova stopped and turned his head to her. “Yeah?” “I meant what I said about the other girls not carin about what ya would look like, I know them and they would still accept ya.” Nova just looked at her, he turned his head forward again and walked off. Later at the boutique, Rarity was leading the girls and Nova into her work room with their eyes closed to show off her finished product. “That’s it, keep them closed, don’t look.” She finally had them all stop. “Ok you can look now.” Every pony opened their eyes and gasped at the outfits before them. As Rarity presented each outfit, her cat Opal happily rolled around them or played with them to help with the presentation. “These are your new outfits. What do you think of your old duds now Applejack? Pretty swanky are they not?” Applejack’s dress was definitely keeping to the western theme, it came with a pair of green boots with red and white trimming and a band around the base of the boot, a green collar with an apple at the center, a hat similar to hers with a pair of apples on it, a green dress with a white band separating the dress from brown tassels, a series of apples on the white band. “And Twilight, I made this dress for you and I designed each outfit theme to perfectly reflect each pony’s unique personality.” Twilight’s dress was a blue cape with a light blue saddle and stars all over it and a star earing. Another star at the center of the neck. “Oh, it took me forever to get the colors right on this one Rainbow Dash but I did it, and it turned out beautiful don’t you think?” Rainbow’s dress had a pair of gold sandals for her front hooves and wrapped around her legs, a pearl necklace with grapes at the center, a pair of olive branches that rested on the head, and a rainbow colored dress with white puffy lining like a cloud. “Oh and I know you’re going to love yours Fluttershy, It just sings spring.” Fluttershy’s dress had a pair of green sandals like Rainbows with green vine looking ribbons wrapped around the legs, a green neck adornment with a large blue butterfly at the center and one for her ear, and a flowing green dress with flowers in it. “And Pinkie Pie, look, PINKE! Your favorite.” Pinkie’s had a pair of pink shoes with white and light blue ribbons, a white hat with light blue lining it and a yellow button with pink frills on it, a pink bow tie holding a saddle striped white and light blue with white frills in front, on the back of it were light pink frills, dark pink frills, a white train with candy lining the base and a pink dress with a light blue ribbon following the base. “And just look at yours nova, I made it to match your colors perfectly.” Nova’s was a green tuxedo with orange trimming, a yellow tie, tails at the back of the tuxedo, and a yellow top hat. “Aren’t they all amazing?” Nova just quietly walked up to his suit as he gazed at it. Rarity watched him carefully, but soon turned back to the others who were rather quiet for a bit. Twilight was the first to finally break the silence. “Wow, they’re….” She couldn’t finish her sentence. Rainbow tried to pick up where she left off. “Yeah, they’re…..” Applejack picked up from there. “They sure are……somethin.” Twilight quickly responded. “YES, something.” Pinkie agreed. “I love something, something is my favorite.” Fluttershy answered as she flattened her ears to her head. “It’s….nice.” Rarity started looking worried, she looked over to Nova who had yet to say anything about his suit. “Nova, what about you?” “Wow Rarity, this looks amazing, I love it, thank you so much.” Nova said with a smile as he turned back around. This perked Rarity up a bit, but then turned back to the girls. “And what’s wrong with you all? Don’t you like them?” Twilight was the first to answer. “They’re very nice.” Applejack agreed with a fake smile, Nova could see it. “And we’re plum grateful cause you worked so hard on them.” Rainbow came in with her usual subtlety. “Mine’s just not as cool as I imagined.” Twilight and Applejack narrowed their eyes at her. Nova couldn’t believe what he just heard. “She asked.” Twilight summed up everything for Rarity. “I guess what we’re all saying is that they’re just not what we had in mind.” Nova stepped forward and came up next to Rarity as he looked over the five girls. “Excuse me, do you all have any idea how hard she worked on these, I was here helping her make them…….well……sort of, and it was a lot of work believe me, not to mention she’s giving these to you all for free. And you’re all just going to stand there and say that they’re no good……I can’t believe you girls, I may not know fashion, but I think these dresses are fantastic, and I really like the suit she made me.” The girls started looking rather sheepish, Rarity put a hoof on Nova’s back. “Now Nova, no need to get upset, I made these for my friends, and if they don’t like them…..well then, I’ll just redo them.” Nova turned to face her. “What, Rarity you can’t be serious, I saw how hard you worked on these, do you really want to go through that trouble again?” Fluttershy tried to affirm Nova’s statement. “Rarity, you don’t have to do that, they’re fine.” Rarity started taking the dresses off the ponyquins. “But I want them to be better than fine, I want you to think they’re absolutely perfect.” Applejack tried too. “Are you sure, we wouldn’t want to impose.” Rarity just laughed. “Oh it’s no imposition, really I insist.” She said the last one rather forceful with a fake smile. Twilight just smiled. “Well in that case, thank you again Rarity.” The girls all just left. Nova tried again. “Rarity, come on now, they’re just being ungrateful, you shouldn’t put yourself through so much trouble like this for them if they’re going to be like this.” “But they’re my friends Nova, I want them to be happy with their dresses. I will just have to redo them so they’ll like their gowns.” Nova let out a defeated sigh. “Fine, if you insist, I still say your dresses are amazing, and again, I really like the suit you made me.” Rarity smiled at him. “Thank you Nova.” “And because of that, I would like to help you again with this so you won’t be overloaded. Would you like that?” “Thank you Nova, I didn’t want to admit it in front of the others, but I may have taken on more than I can handle.” Nova smiled at her. “And that’s why I’m here, so where do we begin?” Later in the day: Rarity was busy at her sewing machine as Nova got a few materials read for her when Fluttershy walked in. “Hello, you wanted to see me Rarity?” Rarity smiled upon seeing her. “Fluttershy, your new new gown is ready. I completely revised it and I know you’re going to love it.” Fluttershy was soon standing in front of a mirror in her new dress, it didn’t look all that different from the previous one Rarity made for her. She frowned at first, but Nova could see past the fake smile she plastered on as she said what she thought. “I….love it.” Rarity seemed to see through it too as she responded. “Oh your just saying that.” “No no, I do, it’s….nice.” “Nice?” “Nice.” “If you don’t like it, you should just tell me.” “Oh, but I do like it.” “Like it or love it?” Fluttershy shyed away as her ears flattened out. “Um….both?” Rarity started closing in on Fluttershy, forcing her to back up. “Which is it?” “Um, please stop asking me this.” Nova interjected, he stopped Rarity’s advance with a hoof. “Hold on Rarity.” He turned to Fluttershy. “Fluttershy, just save us all the trouble and tell her what you really think about it please. You know she’s going to keep pushing you till she gets an honest answer.” Fluttershy was hesitant at first. “Well, all right, since you really want to know.” She took a deep breath and went off. She listed so many things so fast, Nova couldn’t keep up with it all. After Fluttershy’s criticism was out of the way, she finished up with a simple sentence. “But um, you know, whatever you want to do is fine.” Rarity’s jaw was left agape while Nova just facehooved. Rarity was busy working on Twilight’s cape while Twilight was going off about specifics. “Now the stars on my belt need to be technically accurate. Orion has three stars on his belt, not four.” Music started up again and Rarity started singing. Rarity: Stitch by stitch, stitching it together. Deadline looms, don’t you know the clients always right, even though my fabric choice was perfect, gotta get them all done by tonight. Pinkie Pie the color’s too obtruse, wait until you see it in the light, I’m sewing them together. Pinkie Pie perked up. “Don’t you think my gown would be more me with some lollipops?” Rarity tried to share her idea. “Well, I think…” Pinkie interrupted. “Balloons?” Nova tried to get her to listen. “Pinkie, would you...” “DO IT!” Rarity: Hour by hour, one more change, I’m sewing them together, take great pains. Fluttershy your putting me in a bind, Rainbow Dash what is on your mind. Oh my gosh, there’s simply not much time, don’t forget, Applejack’s duds must shi-ne. Dress making’s easy,every customer’s call, brings a whole new revision, Have to pick up the pace still hold to my vision. Twilight was again pointing out specifics, Nova listened carefully to pass it on to Rarity while she was busy with another dress. “That constalation is canus major, not minor.” A couple birds came flying up to him with a sketch in their little talons, it was a sketch of a dress. Fluttershy then came in front of Nova. “French haute couture, please.” She said with a sheepish smile. Rarity heard this and just gave a small disgusted grunt and levitated some materials around. Applejack was giving some thought to her dress. “What if it rains? Goloshes!” Nova was helping Pinkie with her dress as she seemed indecisive about what she wanted. “More ballons, oh no, that’s too many balloons. Ooh, more candy, oh less candy. Oh wait, I know, STREAMERS!” Nova turned to her. “You can’t be serious?” “Who’s dress is this?” Nova just sighed. “*Sigh* Fine.” Rainbow Dash was just leaning up against Rarity’s work table as Rarity was looking over Dash’s gown with Nova on standby between the two. Rarity kept looking back at Dash who looked away when she did, then looked back at Rarity again. This went on a couple times before Rainbow finally said something. “What?” “Aren’t you going to tell me to change something too?” “No, I just want my dress to be cool.” “Do you not like the color?” “The colors fine, just make it look cooler.” “Do you not like the shape?” “The shapes fine, just make the whole thing you know, cooler. It needs to be about 20% cooler.” Rarity placed her head on the ponyquin and Nova just facehooved. Pinkie: All we ever want is indecision. Rainbow Dash: All we really like is what we know. Twilight Sparkle: Gotta balance style with adherence. Fluttershy: Making sure we make a good appearance. Applejack: Even if you simply have to fudge it. Everyone: Make sure it stays within our budget. Rarity: Got to overcome intimidation, Remember it’s all in the presentation. Piece by piece, snip by snip, croup, dock, haunch, shoulders hip. Bolt by bolt, primmed and pressed, yard by yard, always stressed. And that’s the art of the dress! At the end, Rarity just fainted. Nova ran over to her to make sure she was ok and helped her up. “Rartiy, are you all right?” Rarity looked up at him and to her cat. “Oh Nova, Opal, these are the ugliest dresses I’ve ever made.” Nova gave the finished gowns a once over and was a little disgusted with them, the dresses were horrendous. He looked back to Rarity. “Rartiy, maybe you should call off this fashion show, if you show off these, it could ruin your business.” “I can’t call it off now, it’s too late to do that, I’ll just have to hope for the best.” “Well, maybe it won’t be so bad, the suit you made me is nice, maybe that will make up for these…….dresses.” He gave her a fake smile to try and cheer her up. Rarity didn’t smile back. “Thank you for helping me anyway Nova, I appreciate it.” “No problem, I’ll get the girls together to show them the work.” Nova then left and got the girls together. Once every pony was gathered, they all looked over their dresses. Opal was not too happy with them as she swiped at some and just gagged at others. “Ok, I did what each of you asked for, now don’t hold back, let me know what you really think.” The girls each gave their approval, then all together exclaimed. “It’s exactly what I asked for!” Rarity sighed in relief while Nova just shook his head in disapproval. Twilight came up to Rarity. “Thank you Rarity.” Pinkie then hopped up to her and spoke. “Are you as happy with them as we are, huh huh huh!?” Rarity responded with a fake smile. “Well, I’m happy that you are all happy. I’m just relieved to finally be done.” Spike came in panting heavily. He took a moment to catch his breath before speaking. “You are never going to believe this! You’ve heard of Hoity Toity?” Twilight responded. “The big wig fashion hot shot from Canterlot?” “Uh huh, he heard about your fashion show. Well, I may happened to have mentioned it to him. He’s coming here, all the way from Canterlot to see your work Rarity.” Applejack was impressed by this. “Whoa nelly, you could sell a ton of dresses to this guy, your business will be booming.” Rarity was really looking nervous and Nova saw this, he couldn’t let this go on, if it did, it could ruin Rarity. He stepped forward and spoke up. “Now hold on a minute here girls, I’m sorry but this is ridiculous.” Rainbow Responded. “What’s wrong Nova?” “I’ll tell you what’s wrong, those dresses you all asked for, they look outrageous.” Twilight cocked an eyebrow at this. “What do you mean?” Nova narrowed his eyes. “What do I mean, just look at them, they look ridiculous. Fluttershy, a bird nest for a hat, really? I know you like nature and all but come on, that’s just silly.” Fluttershy cringed a little. “I thought it was nice.” Nova then turned to Applejack. “And Applejack, golashes, this is a gown for the grand galloping galla, not something to wear in the rain.” “Well, I was just tryin ta think practical.” Nova then turned on Pinkie. “Pinkie, ballons and streamers on a dress is just plain silly, I know you yourself are silly, but for this…..this is too much.” Pinkie looked a little downcast. “I just thought it would be fun.” He then turned on Rainbow Dash. “Dash, I understand your desire to be cool and all, but this outfit of yours is not cool, it looks like a racing suit than a dress.” Rainbow gave a sheepish smile. “Heh heh, I guess it does doesn’t it?” Finally, Nova turned to Twilight. “And Twilight, do you really need constellations on your dress, it doesn’t even look like a dress, it looks like a cape or something, and do you really need starts bouncing around above your head?” Twilight gave a sheepish smile as well. “I guess we did kind of overdo it, didn’t we?” “I want you all to take a good look at these dresses and think about it. I mean, they look so ridiculous. I cannot, in good conscience let you all go out there in those dresses for the fashion show, it’ll ruin Rarity’s business, did you even think about that?” Silence was his answer. “I didn’t think so. Rarity went through a lot of work to make you all the first dresses and even more so to make you these. You all just snubbed her first works like nothing. I have to say, that comes off as rather ungrateful to me, she worked hard on them and for free.” The five girls all hung their heads. Twilight was the first to speak up. “Your right Nova, we did act ungrateful, and…..looking at them now, I guess they do look rather…..um.” Twilight couldn’t find the right words. Rainbow did. “Silly?” Applejack agreed. “I’d say that’s about right.” Fluttershy then spoke up. “We’re sorry Rarity, we should have trusted your judgement.” Twilight continued. “Those first dresses you made for us were perfect, we’re sorry we didn’t see that.” Pinkie agreed. “Yeah, me too, I’m sorry.” Rarity smiled at them. “Oh girls, thank you.” “Is there anything we can do to make it up to you?” Twilight asked. Nova made a suggestion. “I think I know how you can. Because she was so busy with your dresses, she didn’t get the chance to make hers, I think it would be a good idea that you all help her with making it, does that sound fair?” The girls smiled and nodded. Rarity turned to Nova. “Thank you Nova, you have been the biggest help to me today.” Rarity went to give him a kiss on the cheek. Nova saw it coming and quickly pulled away with a worried expression. Rarity and the other’s gave him a quizzical look. He just looked back at them. “What?” Rarity Started. “Nova, is something wrong?” “What, no, of course not, why do you ask?” “Why did you pull away?” Nova started sweating nervously a little. “Well, you see…..uh…..I…..HEY look at the time, we’d better get to work on that dress for Rarity right? We got a fashion show to put on.” The girls just kept looking at him oddly. “Come on girls, let’s go, chop chop!” They all dispersed hesitantly and started doing what they could to get started on Rarity’s dress. “Oh quasars, I hope she’s not getting feelings for me too.” Nova was starting to get nervous about this, first Twilight, and now possibly Rarity. Later that evening: The stage was set and the girls were now wearing the first dresses Rarity made for them and Nova was in his suit and hat. Nova had gathered Starburst and was waiting in the back with them all. Starburst came up to his brother. “Wow Nova, you look nice.” Nova smiled down at him. “Thanks Starburst, Rarity really did a great job.” “Do you really have to go through with this, it seems kind of girly.” Starburst asked with a cocked eyebrow. Nova chuckled. “I know, but this is to help Rarity with her business. She could really use the hype.” A white coated unicorn with a two toned blue mane and tail with sunglasses on was set up to play the music for the show, Vinyl Scratch. Spike was going to be the announcer. Before it started, Rarity managed to pull Nova to the side to speak with him. “Nova dear, is there something troubling you?” Nova looked at her in her new dress, a pink dress with dark pink trimming, a gold tiara and gold earrings, and glass shoes. “No, why do you ask?” “Well, when I was going to…..well, give you a little peck on the cheek, you shyed away, is something wrong?” “Uh, look Rairty, you’re a fine mare and all, but I’m not looking for a relationship right now.” Rarity raised an eyebrow at this. “Relationship, what are you-“ She cut herself off as realization hit her. She gave a little laugh. “Oh ho ho, you thought I……oh dear no, not that there’s anything wrong with you, I was just showing my gratitude is all. Besides, I have a stallion in mind for my special some pony, remember?” Nova facehooved when he remembered how Rarity went off during the whole ticket for the galla thing. “Oh right, you mentioned wanting to meet this ‘him’ you mentioned, do I feel stupid.” Rarity just smiled at him. “It’s quite all right dear, we all make mistakes.” Vinyl stated the music to signal the start of the show. “That’s our cue, places every pony, places.” Rarity cried. Spike’s voice was heard over the speakers as every pony and Hoity Toity who was sitting at the end of the runway listened. “Since the beginning of time, the elite of Equestria have longed for pony fashions that truly express the essence of their very soul. Pateintly waiting centuries, NO, decades, for the perfect pony gown. Today at long last Equestria, your wait is over. Let’s hear it for the breathtaking designs of Ponyville’s own….RARITY!” The curtain came up and revealed all but Rarity on stage in their outfits. The crowd gasped as they beheld the ponies. As the girls made their way down the walk way, the ponies cheered, Nova was a little nervous about this, but he put on his brave face and walked along the cat walk right behind the girls. They all gathered at the end of the catwalk onto a rotating part of it . The ponies were all cheering and Hoity Toity finally gave his approval. “Oh simply magnificent, those dresses are gorgeous, and that stallion looks so handsome, I simply love that suit, who is responsible for these wonderful works, step forward and show yourself.” Rarity proudly started walking on stage as Spike hung back with Starburst, the two were cheering for her as well. Rarity was smiling big as the ponies cheered for her. Each of the girls and Nova stood proudly in their outfits as Rarity looked over the crowd. “Thank you all so much, I can’t tell you how much this means to me.” After the success of the fashion show, the group was gathered back inside Rarity’s boutique still in their outfits. The girls were just chatting up a storm. Nova saw Twilight in another part of the room dictating something to Spike as he wrote down a letter to Celestia. Rarity came over to him to talk. “Nova, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all your help today, I don’t think any of this would have been possible without you.” Nova just smiled at her. “Hey, like I always say, I’m happy to help a friend.” Rarity went to give him a peck on the cheek, and this time, he didn’t shy away, he did blush a little though and Rarity giggled. Hoity Toity then came up to her. “Rarity, my congratulations to you on a most impressive fashion debut. Would you do me the great honor of allowing me to feature your hout cotour in my best of the best boutique in canterlot?” Rarity simply gasped in approval. “Now I’ll need you to make a dozen of each dress for me by next Tuesday.” Rarity’s happiness suddenly went to one of worry. An eye started to twitch. Later that evening with Nova and starburst: Nova had taken his suit off and had it neatly folded in his saddle bags. Starburst followed him inside their home. Nova saw Starburst smiling. “Starburst, I hope you haven’t forgotten about how I know you told Applejack and Applebloom about us being aliens have you?” Starburst’s joy faded and was replaced with worry. “Uh, you’re not still mad about that are you?” Nova just kept a straight face as he responded. “While there’s nothing I can do about it, we’ll just have to hope Applejack and the others you told keep their promise, but I don’t want you telling any pony else, understand?” Starburst hung his head. “Yes Nova.” Nova looked at his brother sadly. He soon gave a smile and picked him up in a hug. “Hey, come on now, no sadness. Look, the reason for us having to stay hidden is because I don’t want us to have to leave this place, you remember what it was like drifting through space like we did don’t you?” Starburst nodded his head. “mmhmm, it was boring with just you to talk to, not that I don’t like you as a big brother, I love you Nova.” Nova nuzzled Starburst. “And I love you too, but it’s no fun having just you to talk with, and I bet you feel the same way don’t you, it’s okay, you can admit it.” “Yeah, it was.” “And isn’t it more fun to have other’s to talk to than just your boring big brother.” Nova said jokingly. Starburst giggled at him for that. “Yeah, it is.” “And that’s why we can’t let others know about us being aliens Starburst, or we’d have to go back to just having each other for company and be just floating aimlessly in that cold dark outer space. I know you don’t like hiding, but it’s for your own good. Ok?” Starburst nodded again. “Ok Nova, I won’t tell any other pony about us, I promise.” Nova gave one more light squeeze in the hug to his brother. “Thanks Starburst, and I’m not mad at you anymore, now come on, let’s get some sleep, I’m exhausted from helping Rarity with all that dress making.” The two brothers made their way to their bedroom and laid their heads down for the night.