//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Beauty is in the Eye of the Tiger // by GlueFactory //------------------------------// Twilight and Spike thought they arrived early to Ponyville’s first beauty pageant, but they didn’t count on the town’s enthusiasm for contests. It was a full turn out, with not only the stadium seating filled to capacity, many were comfortable sitting right on the ground. Up toward the front, Twilight and Spike took their seats next to Rainbow and Pinkie amongst the many many ponies surrounding the now lavishly done up stage. “Hey Rainbow, Pinkie.” “Yo Twlight,” said Rainbow. “You missed the tailgate party.” “Party? This is only the first Miss Ponyville Pageant.” “Sure is,” said Pinkie. “That's why we wanna make sure it lasts. Popcorn?” Pinkie was wearing a snack vendor's tray around her neck. “Part-time job?” asked Twilight. “Nope,” said Pinkie. “Bought out the vendor. Anywho, peanuts? Pizza poppers? Bubble gum? Gumdrops? Sourballs? Soda? Licorice? Lollipops? Chips? Cracker Jacks? Jaw breakers? “Um, maybe later,” said Twilight. The lights illuminating the crowd went low as the curtain began to part. “Hey, it's starting,” shouted Rainbow. The crowd began to calm down as a the Mayor stepped up to the stage. “Fillies and Gentle-colts. Welcome to the first annual Miss Ponyville Pageant. Tonight, we will see which among our contestants will be crowned, with the duty and honor, of Miss Ponyville. Too all of our competitors, we wish them the very best of luck. And to the hundreds gathered here.... She took a deep breath. “Llllllet's get ready to pageaaaaaaaaaaaaant!” Even with all the clomping around her, Twilight found them drowned out by Rainbow whistling and Pinkie screaming. Backstage a dozen other ponies were tightening their dresses, putting on the last of their make up and checking their teeth as they stood in line. As the first pony was called to the stage to thunderous applause, Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy were at the end of the line, making last minute preps. AJ's hair was done in a tight bun and her light blue one-piece dress had all the accoutrements typical of Rarity. She slipped into her high heels while Fluttershy touched up her eyeliner. “One last time, what are your legs made for?” asked Rarity, pacing around Applejack. “Dancing,” sounded-off Applejack. “What's your hair made for?” “Dazzling.” “What are you made for?” “Winning.” “Miss Applejack,” called a stagepony. “Your up.” “Hold on,” said Fluttershy. She straightened a stray hair in AJ's mane, smoothed out her dress and popped a breath mint in her mouth. “Okay,” she said. Applejack began trotting in place. “Thanks,” she said, biting into her mint. “And our final contestant,” called out the Mayor. “Hailing from the flat plains of Sweetapple Acres, give it up for Applejack.” Applejack proudly trotted out to meet the applause of the crowd and stood among the other contestants out on stage. Rainbow and Pinkie excitedly unfolded a pair of signs and raised them high. Rainbow's was colored orange and read: “AJ - 3:16.” Pinkie's was colored pink with Applejacks cutie mark surrounded with flames and read: “Born to Buck.” Applejack winked to her friends as a pony dressed as a referee came on stage. “Here are the rules,” she said, addressing the contestants. “Each pony will compete once for every round and be scored by the judges until there are only four left, after that they pick who'll be Miss Ponyville. Keep the cat-calls to a minimum and keep those hooves where I can see 'em. Okay, now touch hooves and come out strutten'.” In true sportsman fashion, the ponies all touched hooves. “Let's get it on,” shouted the ref. DING DING DING A fashionably done-up stage pony displayed a sign saying: “Round 1.” The first round was easy enough. A catwalk across the stage ending with a lavish pose. Simple, as it more showcased each contestant. Still, as Applejack posed for the crowd and judges she kept seeing Fluttershy and Rarity silently gesturing her to “smile more,” or “Smile way more then that.” DING Round 2 consisted of bird calls. Thanks to Fluttershy's coaching, AJ was able to call several sparrows, a few robins and a flock of geese. One pony was disqualified after she accidentally called a moose to the stage. But she wasn't too sad, seeing as she now had a ride home. DING By round 4, three ponies were already disqualified. AJ tore up the make shift dance floor with her moves, wearing a diamond-studded leisure suit and gold chains designed by Rarity. “Woo hoo,” cheered Rainbow. “I didn't know AJ liked disco.” “AJ?” asked Pinkie, “Where?” “Up there.” “That doesn't look like Applejack.” “Well it is.” “And she doesn't act like Applejack.” “It's her okay?” “Ooooo-k, if you say so...” “Ugh, whatever.” Twilight could only glance aside, hoping Rainbow and Pinkie wouldn't notice her worried face. DING Ditzy Doo held the “Round 9” sign until she flipped it right side up. Applejack stumbled exhaustively backstage to her coaches. Rarity already had her next outfit ready to go. “I thought you said (pant) only one (gasp) song and dance number...,” said Applejack. “Sure,” said Fluttershy. “One in classical, one in oldies, one in modern. You still have the freestyle left.” AJ couldn't help but wince a little. “You're doing great,” reassured Rarity. “Remember: step, turn, step, step, pivot, spin, step, pivot, turn.” “Step and.... wha?” “Five minutes ladies,” called a stagehand. “You heard them,” said Rarity. “Go go go.” In one swift movement she pulled AJ's ensemble off, spinning her into some nearby supplies. DING It was now the end of round 12. If Applejack looked worse for wear, you'd wouldn't be able to tell with all the makeup and her hair now done up in flowers. She gargled and spat water into a nearby bucket and let Fluttershy get back with the makeup touches. Rarity paced back in forth, shaking with nerves. “Okay,” she said. “Okay, we're in the finals but we can't relax. We have one last chance to make a good impression, so we have to be absolutely, positively perfect.” “Uh huh,” said Applejack to no one. “No room for the slightest error. Leave nothing to chance, and... Fluttershy,” Rarity yelled. She sighed, heavily, the eyeliner in her teeth. “What?” “You're not using enough eyeliner.” “Any more and she'll have a black eye.” “Stop being so frugal and give it here.” “I know what I'm doing,” Fluttershy was quite close to raising her voice. “And I know better,” Rarity tried to use her magic to grab the eye liner but Fluttershy had it in a vice grip in her jaws. “Give it here.” “No.” “Give....” “No.....” Bweeeeew Weeeeeeeeet! AJ's whistle brought the near-fight to a stop. “Ladies?” asked Applejack. “Could I get, maybe, five minutes alone please?” Begrudgingly both stepped out of the dressing room. “Nice, Fluttershy,” said Rarity. “I'm not the one being a..... big... silly.... bossy-boots,” said Fluttershy. The door closed before Rarity's response could be heard. Alone, Applejack sighed once again as she looked at herself in the mirror. The eyeliner made her twitch a little, the blush made her sneezy and the flowers in her hair were itchy. It was then suddenly when the door flew open again. “Look I said-” began Applejack. “Huh?” Three minutes later, Rarity and Fluttershy came barging back in. “Hello, Applejack,” sing-song'ed Fluttershy. “Ready to be crowned Miss-” said Rarity. The dressing room was empty. Rarity let her two cups of tea fall to the ground. Applejack?” said Rarity. “Where is she?” asked Fluttershy. “I don't know.” “Where did she go?” “I don't know.” Fluttershy gasped. “Oh no. What if she left? What if she left because we pushed her too hard? What if she's mad at us? What if she's really mad at us?” “D-don't be silly. Applejack wouldn't just leave. She's dependable... stalwart....and worked half to exhaustion... oh dear, we need to find her.” The two rushed out of the dressing room and scoured backstage, asking stageponies and two of the contestants. They then dashed to the third contestants dressing room. “They said this way,” said Rarity, running along side Fluttershy. “If she not here...” Fluttershy could only gulp. Both opened the dressing room door to the third contestant, Apollo. Only to see Applejack sitting next to her. “I'm just afraid that they wouldn't really like me,” said Apollo. “Why wouldn't they?” asked Applejack. “You were cuttin' a whole lotta rug out there.” “Well,” said Apollo. “I do love ballet. I call it the 'sweet science.'” “I could tell. You were having a blast out there.” “But now, oh what if I'm not good enough?” “We're you being yourself out there?” “Well.... yeah.” “Then you ain't got nothing to worry about. When you're being yourself, you're way better than good enough. My friend Rarity would say: 'You're fabulous.'” “Thanks Applejack. You think I've got a chance?” “Hey, it ain't over 'till it's over,” said AJ with a wink. “Good luck out there Apollo.” “Thanks, Applejack,” she said. “Sorry for barging in like that.” With a wink, Applejack left Apollo's dressing room, quickly noticing Rarity and Fluttershy. “Hey you two. I kinda had to step out for a sec. Hope ya’ll ain’t too worried.” Both of their eyes were big and pleading as they stared at Applejack. “Okayyyy,” she said. “Kinda gettin' weirded out here.” “I'm so sorry Applejack,” cried Rarity. “We're the worst friends ever,” joined in Fluttershy. “We've been pushing you so very hard.” “And-and, we kept making you do stuff you didn't like....” “Oh I am a big silly bossy boots.” “How could ever forgive us for-” Both Rarity and Fluttershy found themselves in a big double-hug courtesy of Applejack. “Ain't nothing to forgive,” she laughed. “‘Sides, I'm just as much to blame.” “But,” said Rarity. “We kept chiding you...” “It wasn't right,” said Fluttershy. “An' it’s just as much my fault for letting you,” said Applejack. “Every time I hear 'AJ can't do this or that' well then I've always gotta prove 'em wrong. No matter what. The blinders go on and suddenly I ain't seein' straight.” “But Applejack,” said Rarity. “If you knew that, why did you let us push you so hard?” “Well don't you both think I can win?” she asked with a grin. “If there's anyone who deserves to be Miss Ponyville,” said Fluttershy, “It's you.” “Absolutely,” said Rarity. “Then I reckon I got the best darn team any pony could ask for,” said Applejack. “Oh stop it Applejack,” said Rarity. “You'll make me tear up.” Before AJ could respond, they both got another crushing hug from Fluttershy. “(Sniff) I love you guys,” she cried. AJ and Rarity would respond, if they could breathe. Thankfully another stagepony passed by. “Gear up, ladies. Final round starts now.” Reluctantly, Fluttershy let them go. “Welp,” said Applejack, heading towards the stage. “This is it.” “Not quite,” said Rarity, stopping her. “Fluttershy, I'll need your help.” “Right, she said, with confidence. Taking Applejack to her dressing room they let down her mane and took out the flowers. They replaced her dress with a green scarf, and a brown vest. “And one last thing,” said Rarity. “It's not exactly your old hat but...” She took out a beige colored ten gallon cowboy hat, placing it on AJ's head. “Woo doggy,” she said. “Ain't that snazzy. Y'all sure about this?” Both proudly nodded. “Okay, one last thing.” Applejack grabbed a rag, spat into it and rubbed it on her face, removing the makeup. “Much much better.” Fluttershy gave a nervous grin while Rarity twitched her face to resemble something of a smile. On the stage, the crowd was thoroughly pumped. Applejack stood at attention along with the other contestants, including Apollo who stood beside her. AJ gave a brief wave to her friends in the audience. “And now,” said the Mayor, indicating to an envelope sitting on a table. “The moment you've all been waiting for. The winner and soon to be crowned, Miss Ponyville.....” Applejack found her hoof being gripped by Apollo, shaking with nerves. Backstage Rarity and Fluttershy held each other, eyes fixated on the show. Silence fell on the crowd. Twilight and Rainbow leaned in almost off their seats. “Is.........” said the Mayor, opening the envelope. All was quiet. Quiet. “Oh there's Applejack,” said Pinkie. “Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh,” went the audience. “Miss Apollo!” AJ folded her ears back hearing Apollo scream, which was just as loud as the audience. AJ and the other contestants gave her a congratulatory hug and pats on the back as she headed up to have a crown placed on her head. After shaking hooves with the other contestants, Applejack headed backstage. Her two-pony team tried to put on brave faces, but they looked more disappointed then anything. But before they could say anything... “Shucks I didn't think I'd get this far,” said Applejack. “Thanks.” Beaming with pride, the three walked off stage in unison. Back at Twilight's Tree: “Dear Princess Celestia,” started Rarity, talking to Spike with quill and parchment in hand. “There's nothing wrong with helping a friend, but sometimes you start to think you know what's better for them then they do. Even gong so far as to deliberately manipulate them while telling yourself it's for the best.” “But really,” added Fluttershy. “It helps nopony. Even if your trying to help, you should always respect the wishes of your friends. If you want to help, asking is enough, you don’t have to cover it up.” “I gotta say Applejack,” said Rainbow. “That was crazy intense, maybe I should try out next year and show you up.” “Oh really,” said Applejack. “Hey fashion team, RD here's thinking of trying out next year. Got any ideas?” Rarity and Fluttershy looked at each other with a pair of sly grins. “Oh do we,” said Rarity. “I could definitely see Rainbow in a Summer dress.” “Of course,” said Fluttershy. “We'd have to teach her the etiquette of a proper tea party.” “Summer dress?” asked Rainbow. “Tea parties? No thanks.” “Is it just me Fluttershy,” said Rarity. “Or would Rainbow look better as a blonde?” “Sure,” said Fluttershy. “Right after we touch up her wings with some pink bows and-” “Okay okay,” interrupted Rainbow. “Yeeeech. Never mind.” After a good laugh, Pinke bounced toward Applejack. “You were a dancing machine Applejack,” she said with a boatload of enthusiasm. “Tango, limbo, disco, I didn’t know you liked that stuff.” “Well... to be honest,” said Applejack, sheepishly. “We understand,” said Fluttershy. Rarity nodded. Applejack smiled. “Hey Spike?” “Way ahead of you,” said Spike with a fresh piece of parchment. “There’s nothing wrong with trying new things, in fact I encourage it,” said Applejack. “But if you try something and you don’t like it, don’t be afraid to say so. Being a good friend doesn’t just mean having a lot of similarities. It’s okay to have differences and not to feel obliged do stuff your not comfortable with. You should never be afraid to say no.” “Annnd done,” said Spike. Sending the two letters off to Canterlot. “I reckon y’all learned some real valuable lessons, ya done good pilgrim,” said Twilight. “Huh?” said pretty much everyone. “Shucks howdy,” she responded. This posse is lookin’ more nervous then a long tailed cat inna room full a rockin’ chairs. Buck up, partners.” “Twilight,” said Applejack. “Yes ma’am?” “Is that my hat?” “........ yes.” “Uh huh.” “I couldn’t help it,” Twilight smiled. “It just looks so..... dashing. Sorry.” “Heck, I knew none of y’all could resist,” smiled Applejack looking at Rainbow and Pinkie. With her magic, Twlight placed the hat back on AJ’s head. “Ah, glad to have you home,” she said. She then looked over toward Fluttershy and Rarity. “Any one else wanna take her for a spin?” “Really?” asked Fluttershy with excitement. “Can I go next?” asked Spike. “I appreciate the gesture Applejack, but” said Rarity, then starting to blush. “............ maybe just once.” The tree couldn’t help but be filled with laughter.