> Fashion Front
>  by Brian Sheil
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> A New Face In Fashion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the city of Canterlot, Rarity starts to get worried while looking around her store, Canterlot Carousel. Store manager, Sassy Saddles, is very concerned.
“This is very stressful.” Sassy noticed. “Isn’t is, Rarity?”
“It sure is.” Rarity answered nervously. “I sure hope this visit won’t be disastrous. I would faint if it did.”
Suddenly, the door opened, and Rarity got nervous. “Oh no! She’s here already. I don’t know what to do.”
Sassy looks at the door. The visitor is a young human boy wearing a blue cap.
“Relax, Rarity.” Sassy comforted. “It’s only your friend, Danny.”
Rarity looked up, and felt relieved. “Daniel, my boy. It’s good to see you.”
“Hi, Rarity.” Danny greeted. “Thanks for inviting me here.”
Rarity sweated bullets, getting very nervous. Danny got concerned.
“What’s wrong with her, Sassy?” Danny wondered.
“She’s very nervous.” Sassy answered. “Spectrum Wheel is coming here.”
Danny got shocked. “Spectrum Wheel? You mean that up and coming fashion designer from Appleloosa?”
“Yes, Danny.” Rarity answered. “And, she’s coming here to the Canterlot Carousel.”
“She’s coming here? What for?”
Rarity gave him an answer. “She’s known for her solid color fashion line. But, she is looking for inspiration for a new line. So, she wants to see me.”
“But, why here?” Danny wondered. “Maybe she could’ve met you in your store in Manehattan. Or, you’re flagship store in Ponyville.”
“True. But, she heard of this store, and wants to meet me here.”
Danny whispers to Sassy Saddles. “Probably wants a chance to meet Princesses Celestia and Luna.”
“I heard that, sport!” Rarity shouted, getting his attention. “Spectrum Wheel is here on business. Not pleasure.”
Danny’s face got bright red with embarrassment. “Sorry, Rarity.”
“Don’t be upset, darling. Just use your words carefully.”
Just then, the door opened and in walks a magenta unicorn with a bright blue mane and tail. She has a color wheel for a cutie mark, and she brings in a duffel bag. She speaks with a southern accent. “Howdy, Miss Rarity. I’m here.”
Rarity recognizes the visitor. “Spectrum Wheel! Oh my goodness. You’re here!”
Rarity and Sassy rush over to meet the fashion designer.
“We are honored by your appearance.” Rarity greeted. “Thank you for coming.”
“You’re welcome.” Spectrum responded. “I’m glad to meet you here.”
Sassy greeted Spectrum Wheel. “Hello, there. My name is Sassy Saddles.”
“Y’all are the manager of this store. Pleasure to meet both of you.”
Rarity approached Spectrum Wheel and made a suggestion. “Would you like me to show you around?”
“Good idea.” Spectrum replied. “Would you like to carry my duffle bag?”
“I’ll handle that.” Sassy said as she places the bag on a rolling cart. Then, she pushes the cart as the three ponies walk around the store.
Rarity wondered something. “So, what  brings you to Canterlot?”
“I need some help with my designs.” Spectrum Wheel answered. “My solid color line was losing popularity. I figured you might have some ideas of a new line of clothing.”
The ponies went into the workshop where Danny was flipping the pages of an old fashion magazine Rarity was featured in. When Danny saw Rarity, he got nervous. “Sorry, Rarity. I was looking at an article about you and the dresses you made for yourself and the rest of the Mane Six.”
“Relax, darling.” Rarity said calmly. “I’m sure you were interested. Probably what we wore during the Galloping Gala.”
Spectrum approached the youngster and recognized him. “Well, well. Daniel Williams. I heard so much about you.”
“You have?” Danny wondered nervously.
“My childhood friend, Braeburn, told me of how you and your sisters help out his cousin, Applejack, once in a while.”
Danny felt relieved. “That’s good to know. But, Megan, Molly, and I came along before we met the Mane Six.”
“Oh, yes. During Equestria’s days as Ponyland. I heard about that.”
“Danny,” Rarity interrupted, “why don’t you keep Spectrum company while Sassy and I fetch some refreshments.”
Danny was shocked. “Me? Are you sure?”
“Relax, darling. We won’t be long.”
Rarity and Sassy left the workshop. At a design table, Spectrum got out her sketchbook and studied her designs. Danny walks over and looks at it too.
“So,” Danny started, “These are the fashions you’re known for?”
“That’s right, honey.” Spectrum answered. “Solid colors all the way. But, ponies everywhere say that they’re losing their glow. I need to find a way to jazz them up.”
Danny noticed a pack of gel markers in Spectrum’s duffle bag. Soon, he had an idea. He saw a dress in her book that’s dark gray. “You know, Miss Spectrum. When I see dark gray, it reminds me of storm clouds.”
Spectrum saw what Danny was looking at. “You may be right. How can it really look like that?”
“If you have a neon yellow gel marker, I’ll show you.”
Getting into her bag, Spectrum pulls out her neon yellow marker, and gives it to Danny. Soon, he drew zigzag lines on the dark gray dress design. Spectrum looked at Danny’s touch. Then, she got the idea.
“I get it!” Spectrum realized. “Those lines you drew look like lightning bolts.”
“That’s right.” Danny replied. “Storm clouds do produce lightning sometimes.”
“Well. That’s pretty good. Okay, Danny.  Let's see what else y’all can do.”
Looking at Spectrum’s sketchbook, Danny saw a light gray sweater. He then asked for a blue gel marker. Soon, he drew bright water drops on the light gray sweater. Spectrum looks at the design, and smiles.
“I see what you did.” The magenta unicorn figured. “Those are rain drops.”
“That’s right.” Danny replied.
“This is brilliant. These designs are based on different types of weather. Now, I’ll try one.”
Getting out a light gray gel marker, Spectrum starts drawing silhouettes of a pony and a house on a white gown. Danny got confused. “What kind of weather design is this?”
“This my boy,” Spectrum answered, “is one of  the scariest forms of weather seen by anyone. Fog.”
“I get it.” Danny realized. “Fog is too thick to see anything.”
“That’s right, Daniel.”
Rarity enters the room. “Refreshments are ready. Tea and cookies, anyone?”
Spectrum sounds happy to hear that. “Time for a break, my friend.”
Spectrum puts away her sketchbook and markers, and heads for the waiting area with Danny right behind her. 
Rarity, Sassy, Spectrum, and Danny enjoyed a little break with some tea and different kinds of cookies.
“It’s a good thing this store is closed for this occasion.” Sassy figured. “Wouldn’t want a crowd to come with Spectrum Wheel here.”
Rarity turned to her special guest. “So, Spectrum. Any new ideas?”
“As a matter of fact,” Spectrum replied as she puts down her tea cup, “yes. Danny inspired me to create a new fashion line based on different kinds of weather.”
“Weather? That’s new.”
“That’s right, honey. We both drew extra designs on my solid color sketches. Soon, it all clicked. Your human friend is a genius.”
Danny took a sip of earl grey tea, then responded. “I wouldn’t say that. I’m just fascinated with weather.”
“What kind of weather?” Rarity asked.
“Any kind. Rain, fog, snow, lightning, hail, even critical types like tornadoes and earthquakes.”
Danny started munching on a raspberry tart when Rarity spoke. “Sounds amazing! How about showing me what you sketched thus far. Then, I’ll help with the rest.”
“Great!” Spectrum Wheel responded. “I’ll get my sketchbook.”
Spectrum went to the back room to get her sketchbook. Sassy sounds impressed. “A weather pattern line. That’s different.”
“Indeed.” Rarity replied. “This fashion line might wow the crowd during the fashion show at my flagship store later tonight.”
“I’m going to attend that event.” Danny added as he wiped his mouth clean. “Right?”
“Of course, my boy. You helped Spectrum with her designs. No doubt, she’ll give you credit.”
“I hope you got a change of close for that event, kid.” Sassy informed.
“Don’t worry, Sassy.” Danny said. “I brought a teal colored suit with me.”
“Just making sure.”
Later that night, at Rarity’s flagship store in Ponyville, a crowd gathers to watch the fashion show. Among the spectators, is Rarity’s elegant friend, Hoity Toity. He speaks to the photographer pony, Photo Finish. “I hope you have your camera, Photo. This new weather line sounds fascinating.”
“Don’t worry, Hoity.” Photo Finish said. “I’m ready.”
Soon, Spectrum Wheel steps through the curtain and into the stage. She addresses the crowd. “Good evening, Fillies and Gentlecolts. I am Spectrum Wheel. You may know me for my solid color line.”
“But now, I am ready to reveal my new weather line. And, Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends agreed to show off my fashions. If you’re ready, let’s get the show started.”
At a turntable, DJ Pon-3 starts playing groovy music. The lights came on. Twilight Sparkle first came out. She wore a deep blue gown with light blue lines and a patch of white on top. Spectrum announced the gown. “Here we have Twilight Sparkle showing a harmless form of a tidal wave. This one won’t wash anyone away.”
Everypony was amazed as photographers clicked their cameras, including Photo Finish. “Nice. That’s creative.”
“That’s a good looking gown.” Hoity Toity added. “Those shades of blue are fine.”
Twilight walks off, making room for Rainbow Dash. She’s wearing a dark grey dress with yellow lightning designs all over.     
“Next is Rainbow Dash,” Spectrum explained, “wearing a lovely dress that’s electrifying.”
Everyone cheered for Rainbow Dash. She is amazed about it herself.
“Wonderful.” Hoity Toity called out. “That’s MY kind of storm.”
Next out is Pinkie Pie. Her gown is light gray with blue rain drop designs.
“Hold on, Pinkie Pie.” Spectrum announced. “No need to rain on our parade.”
The audience laughed at that line. Even, Hoity Toity chuckled. “That’s a good one.”
“You said it.” Photo Finish replied as she took pictures of Pinkie’s outfit.
As soon as Pinkie left, Rarity enters the area, wearing a teal gown with a white spiral on it.
“Rarity,” Spectrum called out, “give that dress a whirl.”
Rarity stood up and twirled with the spiral spinning. The audience applauded as Rarity landed.
“I get it.” Photo realized as she took more pictures. “That dress resembles the designs of a tornado!”
“Very creative.” Hoity Toity agreed.
“Thank you, Rarity.” Spectrum said. “Y’all are next, Applejack.”
Applejack comes out wearing a medium brown dress with a black raggedy line in the middle. Spectrum makes a comment. “This dress has all of you shaken. I guarantee.”
“Ah,” Hoity Toity realized, “an earthquake dress. That’s clever.”
Next up is Fluttershy. She has a light blue gown with glittering white on the bottom.
“Isn’t Fluttershy beautiful?” Spectrum asked. “As beautiful as snow on a sunny winter day.”
Photo Finish took pictures and figured the comment out. “I get the idea. Snow can sparkle when the sun is out.”
Spectrum then addressed the crowd. “They’re will be more designs to come, fillies and gentlecolts. Thank you for coming.”
The audience applauded Spectrum Wheel and the Mane Six for the display.
“I have to be honest.” Spectrum told the crowd. “I couldn’t have thought of these designs without someone special who gave me inspiration. My new friend, Daniel Williams.”
The audience applauded as Danny, wearing his teal suit, nervously walked out to face the crowd. Rarity came to his side, and calmed him down. They walked up to join Spectrum as they all received the ovation.
“This is some night.” Danny thought to himself. “Megan and Molly aren’t going to believe this. Until they visit Equestria again.”



THE END