S4 E8 Everypony! Pinkie Apple Pie is up next!

...

On one sunny morning down by the train station in Ponyville, the Mane 7 were about to head out to the magnificent city called Manehattan with Rarity.

Malibu's tail swished with excitement after Spike got the last of Rarity's things. "Here you are Rarity, that's the last of your bags!"

Rarity smiled. "Actually Spike, I've got one last pile of bags, over there!" The baby dragon's jaw dropped at the sight of the large pile that made Malibu chuckle in sympathy. She blinked her eyelashes. "Won't you be a dear?"

Spike blushed. "Uh... sure... I'll be a dear." He went over to get them.

The former gargoyle walked up. "I can help too," He offered, but Spike instantly shook his head, blushing further. "N-No, I-I want Rarity to see me as a strong dragon."

Shrugging, he went back to his other friends. "An entire week in the fabulous city of Manehattan! Plus, all of my very best friends there with me!" Rarity squealed.

Twilight also had a big smile. "Of course we'd all come along to support you during Fashion Week, Rarity!"

"I've never been to Manehattan much, so this is a first for me," Malibu said as well, Rarity staring at him in shock. "Well then, we'll have to give you a big tour darling." She said, a hoof on his chest.

Fluttershy then spoke too. "And not that you'll need luck but, we're sure you'll win!"

Rarity squealed again. "I can't believe to tell you how excited I am that you'll all be there with me! However... perhaps I can show you..." She used her magic to pull out some small pieces of paper.

Pinkie Pie hopped up and down. "Ooh, ooh, ooh, I know! A paper fan!"

The white unicorn shook her head. "No, it's—."

Malibu rolled his eyes while Pinkie interrupted. "A magic trick! You know, where I pick a card and remember what it is and then you put in back in the deck so you can't look at it and—!"

Rarity kept smiling as it grew bigger. "Theseare the tickets to the hottest musical on Bridleway!"

Both Twilight and Malibu looked at each other in disbelief and surprise. "You couldn't mean Hinny of the Hills... because that show's been sold out for months!" Twilight said in a breathless way. "Or could you?!"

The teal alicorn saw Rarity's eyes sparkle. "I could. I do." His jaw kept falling open even further. "Wow... wow...!" He gasped.

Twilight clapped her hooves. "Oh Rarity, you didn't have to do that but... since you did..."

All of them began to cheer in happiness, Malibu flapping his wings and leaping lightly into the air with Rainbow, excited to see his first Manehattan musical! This was probably the most generous thing from his friend! Pinkie Pie bounced in her usual way.

"This trip is fun already! I love jumping up and down! Whee-hee!" She squeeed, the gang soon going on the train after the whistle blew, Malibu wanting to get there quickly.

...

It was about a 2 hour train ride to Manehattan, Malibu rather enjoying himself since he usually liked riding trains anyway, even putting his head out the window at one point, his friends giggling.

The train soon chugged into the station, the Mane 7 and Spike getting out, Spike having the unfortunate task of carrying the suitcases. Malibu carried his own, not wanting Spike to be too overloaded.

His eyes were bright and round at the sight of the many buildings along with seeing the Pony of Liberty, reminding him of his old home even further.

"Y'know guys, at home, this place is called Manhattan, and our statue is a human, not a pony. We called her Lady Liberty." Malibu explained to the rest who were interested.

Rainbow rolled her eyes but grinned. "Clever wording, taking out the e in the name." She chuckled, bumping Malibu lightly with her behind, making him flush again.

Rarity gestured with her hoof. "Come along, ponies! I found us a place to stay only a block from the train station in the very heart of this glorious metropolis!"

Applejack spotted something from across the street. "Hey, look! That's the theater where the Hinny of the Hills is playin'!"

All of them oohed, and Malibu hoped he wouldn't have to wait long to see the play. Ever since the Hearth's Warming pageant he kind of began to geek out over plays in general, musical or not.

Twilight smiled. "Wow, Rarity! How'd you manage to get us seats for tomorrow night?"

The white unicorn shrugged. "Oh, I gave some designs to the costume designer, so he pulled a few strings."

"Whoa, that's quite generous of him," Malibu complimented, figuring the designer must be a billionaire in bits.

They all walked along the streets to their hotel. "That is what makes Manehattan so splendid and amazing. You do something nice for somepony, and you never know when they'll do something nice for you!"

Applejack winked. "So then you can do something nice for us!"

Fluttershy agreed. "Like get us in to see Hinny of the Hills!"

Rainbow Dash flipped in the air again. "Which is only the best musical in all of Equestria!"

It made Malibu chuckle. "I suppose it must be good then, since you hate musicals Dashie." He pointed out, Dash rolling her eyes.

"I know, right? Ponies just bursting into song in random places at the drop of a hat? Who does that?"

As if on que, Rarity began to sing an uplifting song, making the two's eyes round in surprise, not expecting that at all.

"Oh, Manehattan, what you do to me

such a huge bustling community

and there's always opportunity

to do the friendly thing!"

Spike sweated, looking rather grouchy from carrying all the luggage, Rarity smiling warmly at him.

"If someone grouchy, pay no mind!

Surprise instead with something kind!"

She payed for a carrot dog, handing it to the baby dragon, who was about to eat it when a bird stole his food. Malibu flew up, using his magic to get it back for Spike. He ate it in one bite being a dragon.

"Lo and behold, you may just find

A smile is what you bring."

The gang managed to reach the hotel doors, greeted by a bellhop stallion. "Welcome to the Manefair Hotel! Please allow me to bring those bags to your room for you!"

Rarity offered him a gem. "Only if you'll accept this gratuity first."

The bellhop grinned. "Oh-ho-ho! I'll get your change!"

The gem was levitated into his pocket. "Do keep it all, I insist!" Rarity pleaded, making the bellhop bow, especially to Malibu, offering any kind of luxury offerings for his royalty status.

After settling in, the friends went back out again to see the sights for the day, riding a boat to the Mare of Liberty. Malibu shut his eyes from the wind blowing in his mane and wings.

"Generosity, I'm here to show you all that I can give

Generosity, I'm here to set the bar

just sit back and watch how I live"

On the Mare of Liberty besides seeing the view Malibu noted how overly generous Rarity was being to complete strangers, even giving her scarf to another stallion who was cold. He shrugged, it must be from the excitement of being among so many.

Back on the mainland, they went to view the shopping windows next and the souvenir stores.

"Some may say, 'Rarity

don't be so big hearted and bold

treating strangers like they're friends

this town's too big and cold'.

She bumps into a stallion who from what Malibu saw had a grumpy cat face for a cutie mark, trying to keep himself from snickering, wondering how he got that. The stallion frowned until Rarity gave him a flower for his hat. The two then laughed it off.

"But this is how I play my cards

I'm not about to fold

where I see a frown, I go to town

call me the smile patrol"

Rainbow Dash now felt herself wanting to sing as did Malibu.

Rainbow Dash and Malibu:

"Oh Manehattan, what you do to us."

Fluttershy spotted a carriage who had a busted wheel, a mare yelling at the driver over it. They rushed over to help.

"What if you find a gloomy Gus?"

Applejack lifted the carriage with her strength, Twilight placing the wheel back on.

"It's no intimidating thing"

Pinkie Pie had a hoof around the mare, winking.

"Just be kind without a fuss!"

Rarity then finished off the last of her song, dancing around the streets, including swinging on lamp poles.

"Generosity, I'm here to show all that I can do

Generosity, you are the key

Manehattan I'm here, just for you"

The Mane 7 stood in an encore position, lifting their hooves into the air.

"Just for you!"

They stopped at a dress store window, Rarity sighing at the sight of the display. "To think my dresses could soon be displayed on the most glamorous shopping thoroughfare of the most glamorous city in Equestria!" She squeeed. "Oh, it would be my dream come true!"

Malibu had the biggest smile, feeling his cheeks hurt from it. "Thanks for the best day Rarity, it was a blast!" She fluttered her eyes. "Oh, don't mention it darling!"

Twilight spoke up. "Is there anything left to do that we can help you with?"

Rarity tapped her chin. "Hm, nothing I can think of. The dresses are all completely finished, all made from a fabulous new fabric I've been developing for months. Stretchy, but not clingy. Shimmery, but not showy."

Rarity always does amazing work, Malibu thought to himself, Fluttershy looking excited. "Sounds amazing."

"There's nothing left for me to do but check in at the runway with my dresses by two this afternoon!" Rarity declared, until Pinkie Pie spotted a clock.

"Oh, that's funny. Because that clock over there makes it seem like that's only ten minutes from now!" Thunder rumbled at her words, rain coming down.

Malibu grumbled, feeling himself getting wet. "Perfect timing Pink." He huffed.

Rarity was horrified. "Oh my ribbons and threads! And the runway ballroom is all the way across town! If I don't get there, I'm disqualified!" She shrilled, calling for a taxi. "Taaaaxiii!"

It made the gargoyle prince jump a foot in the air from the scream, feeling worried now. "Guys, we gotta get a cab before it is too late!" He told them.

Rainbow nodded. "On it!" She zipped to one nearby. "Hey, buddy! Is this cab taken?" She asked the stallion. He glared back at her. "The line ends back there, 'buddy'!"

Malibu saw how long the line was, hopelessness inside. "Huh? What? Does everypony in this town want a cab?" Dash exclaimed. Apparently so since there were so many mares and stallions all standing impatiently.

Twilight also attempted to coax the stallion into letting Rarity on. "Please won't you let her have this taxi? She has somewhere very important to be right away!" She begged.

The stallion growled again. "Not likely! She can get in line like the rest of us!" He snarled.

Malibu himself was very irritated, mostly from both the rain and how annoying this guy was, ready to bite his head off until suddenly the taxi driver they helped out before wound up at that moment, smiling.

"New wheel works like a charm! So now which one of you nice folks is hoppin' in?"

Rarity jumped in. She turned to Malibu. "Darling, I would love you to help me out over there," She begged. Malibu felt stunned but grateful that he could get to see backstage, quickly getting on as well. "See you guys in a bit!" He said to the others who waved.

"Fashion runway plaza in seven minutes. Can you make it?" Rarity gasped to the taxi driver. He reared on his hind legs. "Hang on!"

Rarity also waved, Malibu hanging on as the carriage zipped off. "Ta-ta!"

Spike wiped his brow as Rarity and Malibu disappeared. "Whew, that was close."

The other girls all nodded in agreement until Spike had a realization. "Anypony else got a sneaking suspicion we're forgetting something?"

It made them all look horrified. "The dresses!"

....

Meanwhile at the fashion plaza, Rarity and Malibu both ran inside, panting from their rush at the front desk. "Good afternoon, I'm here for fashion week! Malibu is here to help set up."

The clerk pointed. "Everypony's gathered in front of the runway and about to start, so you'll just have to bring your dresses along with you and store them backstage later."

The two turned with mortified expressions. "H-How could we even have forgotten?!" Malibu gasped, seeing Rarity having a panic attack now. "Oh, oh! I'm doooomed!" She wailed, collapsing to the ground, Malibu trying to comfort her.

Then the door opened, Malibu recognizing the bellhop from the hotel, with the dresses. A relieved grin was on his snout. "Got 'em right here, ma'am! Your friends told me you need these in a hurry, so I offered to race 'em over myself. 'Anything for that nice mare', I told 'em!"

Rarity instantly took the dresses, Malibu bowing to the bellhop. "Thanks a million!" He called, Rarity giving him a gem. "You're a lifesaver!"

Running as fast as possible, Malibu stood near the entrance of the stage, letting Rarity go on it herself. "I made it! And with seconds to spare! Hello, everypony! Pleased to meet you all!" She greeted the other contestants.

Malibu's ears pricked from a posh mare's voice. "Rarity, I presume."

An elder gray mare stood there, her face rather posh but professional looking. Rarity felt flustered just standing next to her. "You must be Prim Hemline, the host of this grand event. How do you—?"

Prim Hemline glared. "Miss Rarity, how is it that all of your competitors are here half an hour early, and yet you arrive seconds before we begin?"

It made Rarity lower her ears. "Uhhh... just lucky... I guess."

The fashion host circled her. "Once we're done here, you're to finish setting up backstage, so you'll be ready for your run through appointment. You show your designs last. We keep to a precise schedule, so let's try to be more than a few seconds early, hmm?"

But then Prim spotted the nervous Malibu in the back. "And who is that there? Is that the Prince?"

He came out shyly, waving as the other contestants looked over in excitement, whispering under their breaths.

"Y-yeah, that's me. P-Prim Hemline, right?"

She nodded. "And Prince Malibu, an honor to have you in our fair city. You're to help with Rarity, since she's your friend I assume?"

Malibu grinned. "Uh huh. Me and my other friends from Ponyville are all here to support her."

Prim gave a stiff smile back. "Then you can help out Rarity with bringing her dresses in the back." She turned to the others. "Tomorrow is the contest to see which one of you gets to see which one of you gets to meet top designers all across the city. The rest of you must go home early. So sad." She swished her tail. "Dismissed!"

After everypony left, Malibu took a breath. "She's quite a piece of work." He said, shaking.

Rarity agreed. "Yes, but I must impress Prim Hemline if I want to win."

Then another voice spoke. "I'm so glad you made it, Rarity!"

Malibu saw a light lavender mare with a darker purple mane. "Me too, but everything just seems to keep working out!" Rarity agreed.

The mare held out her hoof. "Don't you remember me? Suri Polomare from the Ponyville Knitters League?"

Malibu raised his brow. "A friend?" He asked, wondering why Rarity never mentioned her.

Rarity turned to him. "Yes, she is, I thought she looked familiar but I couldn't place it. You haven't been back in years!"

Suri chuckled. "Because I moved here to make it in the big city. Ok? And what a handsome prince friend you have." She complimented Malibu. Both him and Rarity turned red.

"We're not an item Suri. Malibu is with another friend of mine, Rainbow Dash." Rarity explained, Malibu rubbing his hoof in embarrassment.

"I didn't mean to offend young Prince. But would you like a hoof with your things, Rarity?" Suri then offered, her smile looking sincere enough but to Malibu it felt fake.

Rarity smiled back. "Why, thank you so much!"

Suri and Malibu both helped bring the dresses in, Malibu sitting to get his breath while he let the mares talk dresses.

"My, your collection is gorgeous!" Suri complimented, looking over the shiny purple fabric.

Malibu saw Rarity look shy again. "Oh now, I'm sure your collection is equally lovely, if not more so!"

However Suri wasn't done yet. "It's alright, but nothing like this! Take my culottes, for example—they are simply crying out for just the right accent, but I haven't the slightest notion where I—." Suri gasped, spotting extra fabric. "Actually... just a touch of this fabric could be perfect with it. W- oh, hey, would you mind terribly if I took a swatch?"

Rarity to Malibu's surprise; handed her one. "Oh, not at all! Here, I have loads extra."

Suri took the swatch, stunned. "You're sure?"

Malibu decided to shrug off Rarity's over generous nature again, since he was sure her old friend wouldn't do anything to cheat with it. "Positive! Oh, well, it's been wonderful getting caught up, and I don't wish to be rude, but I must finish my preparations and I am a bit late as it... is?"

For Suri had left the room with the fabric, making Malibu wonder why she didn't say goodbye. He turned to her. "Rar, are you really sure you did the right thing handing out free fabric like that?"

Rarity looked confident. "Oh, yes, Malibu! I am! That's what being generous is! Helping out fellow contestants!"

Malibu however had a sinking feeling. "Hope you're right." Since in his head he didn't quite trust that Suri Polomare.

...

The next morning, Malibu had offered again to the others that he was going to make sure Rarity arrived early like Prim had suggested to them.

Rainbow nodded to his suggestion. "As long as we can look at the Statue of Liberty later," she then said as Malibu grinned, pecking her lightly on the cheek which had Dash flush again. "I promise."

His other friends soon left to have their girl time as Malibu jumped into the taxi with Rarity. Rarity herself was sweating quite a bit. "Oooh, I'm so nervous..." Rarity whimpered, fiddling with her hooves.

It made Malibu give her an encouraging grin. "Don't worry Rar, things will work out, I know they will. How can Prim not turn down your line?"

Rarity let out a little sigh, smiling back at him. "Maybe you're right."

When they both arrived at the studio, the two of them approached the front desk, Rarity greeting the mare there. "Hello, I'm here half an hour early for my run-through appointment, just the way Prim likes!"

The staff mare pointed with her hoof. "Get in line over there." Her eyes suddenly noticed Rarity's dresses. "Oh my, that fabric is gorgeous, did you make that yourself?

Malibu nodded. "She sure did."

Rarity began to describe her fabric like before. "It's stretchy, but not clingy. Shimmery—."

She was cut off when Suri's voice came at that moment. "Shimmery but not showy." Both Rarity and Malibu glanced at each other in shock, looking around the curtain, and to their horror; they saw Suri there with her assistant and the fabric taken from Rarity to make the entire line of her outfits!

You gotta be kidding me! Malibu thought, snarling inwardly. This Suri now he knew was nothing but a big fat cheater and a thief! "And the entire line is the same adorable pattern. It works on everything from skirts, to tops, to shoes and," She began chuckling that made Malibu's eyes glow, Rarity's eyes filling with tears.

Prim Hemline began to clap after she finished. "Oh, bravo! I've never seen anything like it!"

Suri began to grin smugly until both friends stormed onto the stage. "You stole my fabric!" Shrieked Rarity in fury.

"I didn't steal it, m'k? You gave it to me, remember?" Suri said teasingly, making Malibu glare further. "Rarity only gave it to you to touch up some of your clothes, not use it for your entire freaking line!"

Suri merely swished her tail, not intimidated at all by the prince yelling at her. Rarity continued her bit. "And how could you have made all those outfits out of it so fast?"

It caused Suri to rear a little into the air. "Fast, hah! Coco Pommel here took practically forever." Malibu spotted the cream colored mare next to Suri who flinched up, glancing down in sadness. To Malibu she was rather adorable, looking at her in sympathy. "Nearly got me completely disqualified!" Suri finished.

Coco timidly spoke up. "Well, I wanted to make sure you'd win, so I took the extra time to—."

Malibu jumped when Suri interrupted rather rudely. "Quiet! I pay an assistant to sew and get coffee, not talk. 'Kay?" Coco trembled from her stern voice, looking down. Malibu inside felt rather sad for her condition.

Rarity trembled, whimpering. "How could this happen?" She said softly, Suri having the gall to put her hoof around her. "Aw, sweetie, don't blame yourself. It takes some small town fillies and even little alicorns like him to learn it's everypony for herself in the big city, m'kay?"

The teal alicorn huffed furiously, pushing her back. "That's a load of bull, right Rar... Rarity?" He had turned around, eyes widening when seeing his unicorn friend running off in tears. His eyes glowing red, Malibu turned back, Suri somewhat startled at how his eyes glowed red. "You'll regret what you've done to my friend. I will never forget this!" He swished his tail in her direction, going off after Rarity now.

Suri though was unaffected by the prince's threat. She knew how Celestia adopted him, but inside, she wondered why Malibu didn't act like a rich royal but more like a commoner. "Hope you realize how fortunate you are to have me as a mentor." She then said to Coco. "Now gimmie some coffee!" Coco yelped, going off to do her 'bidding'.

.....

Malibu and Rarity had ran all the way back to their apartment right after their other friends had returned from their outing. Rarity opened the door, Malibu attempting to comfort her, hearing Dash and the others laughing. Rainbow glanced in their direction, seeing her tears.

"Is... everything ok guys?"

Pinkie smiled. "You got the dresses the bellhop brought you and everything, right?"

Before the former gargoyle could say anything Rarity slowly walked to the bed, and began to bawl her eyes out about the whole fiasco.

Rainbow Dash's ears lowered. "But... he said he brought them."

Malibu swallowed the sadness and anger in his throat. "I-It's a long story."

Rarity raised up her hoof. "Suri stole them!" She breathed quickly, speaking more. "I let one of the other contestants use some of my one of a kind fabric and then she turned it into a wardrobe just like mine, only now it looks like I'm the one copying her! My generosity has ruined me, I tell you! RUINED!" She kept up her bawling, Malibu rubbing her shoulder in comfort, feeling her pain.

Twilight did her best to grin. "Now Rarity, whatever went wrong, we're all here to help get you through it, no matter what it takes!"

Everypony else all agreed, Malibu wiping away his own tears, Applejack speaking up next. "Come on, Rarity, buck up! All you need is some fabric and you'll be back in business!"

Malibu saw Rarity look up with her make up streaking down her face, looking about the hotel room until in just a few seconds; her eyes sparked an idea and she smiled. "Ooh! This new line is going to be marvelous! Perhaps even better than the last! It's daring, it's bold! Perhaps I still have a chance after all!" She said, with a smirk on her face.

In his head, Malibu hoped Suri didn't destroy her generosity and had her focus more on the competition, glad she had an idea again but was worried for her well being.

....

Later in the evening however; it turned out to not be so fabulous after all. Rarity had every one of her friends help her with the dress line, the hotel turning into a dressing room. Nopony was even allowed to have any kind of break which began to wear down the gang except for Rarity who was taking it more seriously than them.

Malibu's ears were low while working on a sewing machine with his magic, seeing the others doing their own tasks.

Pinkie Pie at one point stopped to catch her breath while organizing fabric but when Rarity gave her the evil eye she quickly went back to work, grinning nervously. Malibu at that moment felt his belly rumble, rubbing it with his hoof. He was starving.

Rarity displayed a new pattern to Twilight. "Twilight! Sew these pieces together according to that pattern there!"

Twilight looked at her desperately. "You said if we skipped dinner at the Far-Afield Tavern, you'd order a meal for us while we keep working."

The white unicorn swished her mane. "Don't fret, it'll be here in an hour. That's not going to be a problem, is it?"

It made Malibu lick his lips, stomach growling again. "M-maybe for me. I'm starving, Rarity."

Rarity glared, about to rebuke at him until Rainbow Dash spoke up. "Well, we're supposed to be watching Hinny of the Hills by then."

That caused Rarity's anger to overflow. "Oh! I see! I go out of my way to get you tickets for a show, and this is how you repay me? By abandoning me in my hour of need?!"

The rest of the 6 glanced down, looking upset, Malibu still holding his stomach from the pangs. Rarity's eyes twitched. "Oh, oh, oh! FINE! Go and see Hinny of the Hills tonight! And then tomorrow morning when you come to see my fashion show without any fashion to show, you can have more entertainment! 'Oh, why look, there's our friend Rarity going down in flames!" She glared hard at Malibu who jerked back. "Isn't friendship magic?" Rarity shrilled.

Malibu swallowed again, nodding shyly, Rainbow Dash going to give him a supporting wing around his shoulder.

Twilight stood up. "Rarity, calm down. What's gotten into you?"

Rarity stomped her hoof. "What's gotten into you?! Oh, go ahead! See your little show! Congratu-pony-lations, fillies! Sounds like you've all figured out already it's everypony for herself in this town!" She stormed out of the room right after that, the door slamming hard.

The teal alicorn's eyes began to fill up with tears, not feeling like he could work on the designs anymore after that and also he was still hungry. Rainbow narrowed hers, zipping out of the window, and then returned with a small bag of food for Malibu.

Malibu smelled it, turning about with a sad grin, wiping his eyes. "Thanks Dash." He said weakly, taking it with his mouth and opening it, beginning to eat. Rainbow nodded. "I will always help my friends."

It took them another two hours to get everything all done, leaving Malibu yawning, his wings droopy, ready to collapse at any moment. Twilight placed the last button on the final dress, the others almost as tired as he was.

"There, that's the last of them." Twilight breathed, wiping her forehead. The time now was 6:00 in the morning ever since they began working at 10:00.

Rarity charged over, taking the dress with her magic. Before Malibu could speak, he felt her magic aura around him, pulling him away. "Wait, Rar—?"

"Finally!" Rarity shrilled. "And you come with me Malibu! I'll need your help to win!"

She slammed the door open, eventually letting Malibu go who trotted fast with her, glancing back in stress at the others. Twilight looked through the door. "You're welcome!"

Malibu decided not to say anything much while on the taxi ride, wanting this over with as much as possible, not caring now if she won or not. "Rarity, you've really tired me and my friends out..." He tried to say but she glowered.

"No excuses! This is my last shot! You better not have sabotaged them!" She poked his chest hard with her hoof. Panic lit in his eyes. "N-No! We didn't!" He begged.

Rarity raised her brow then eventually believed, settling down for the moment until they both arrived. She ran off the taxi, Malibu flying this time into the building beside the white unicorn. They both got in line, just in time as Suri showed off her 'original' outfits, the crowd oohing and ahing.

Prim Hemline smiled, waving her hoof. "Let's have another round of applause for Suri Polomare's amazing collection!"

Malibu heard the crowd stomp their hooves in applause, his tired eyes narrowing, Rarity rolling hers. "That fabric, so original!" Prim praised, shaking Suri's hoof.

Suri walked poshly beside the two. "Well, look who's here. Here to show off your copy cat collection?" She sneered, Malibu growling. "You stole them first..." He mumbled.

Prim Hemline next announced Rarity. "And now, Rarity from Ponyville with her brand new line— and I mean brand new— Hotel Chic."

The mares walked onto the stage who displayed Rarity's new hotel themed dresses. Malibu couldn't help but feel impressed even after all the stress from earlier. Rarity's eyes brightened. "Oh! They're liking it! I think I may have just won this thing! Oh, I can't wait to celebrate with..."

Malibu tapped her shoulder, pointing to the empty seats. "Not sure that we will be celebrating..." He said sadly and tiredly. It made Rarity tremble.

"M-My friends. They didn't come. What have I done?" Her head bowed low in her sorrow, cheering coming from the crowd and the cameras flashed.

Prim walked up to them after Rarity got onto the stage. "Rarity, they all adore you! Aren't you going to tell them about your fabulous pieces?"

Malibu watched Rarity stare at the seats, and then he thought he saw a rainbow flash in her eyes. "I have to go!" Rarity gasped, jumping off the stage, startling the former gargoyle clone and Prim.

"Rarity, wait!" He yelled, racing after her. "Come back at once! This is unheard of!" Prim Hemline shouted in disbelief.

The two ran back to the hotel, Malibu panting heavily, still questioning inside about the rainbow in Rarity's eyes. "Rar, can... you explain what happened? Your eyes lit up with the rainbow while you stared at the seats." He said.

Rarity shook her head. "I don't want to think about that now." She responded, the bellhop approaching with a smile. "How do you do, ma'am and prince? Contest going well?"

"No time to talk, we have to find our friends!" Rarity trembled.

The bellhop put a hoof on his chin. "Oh, uh, they're gone already. I saw them head out this morning."

Malibu's face fell. They actually left without them? But why? "R-Rainbow wouldn't do that..." He said shakily.

Rarity began to cry. "Oh, no! Back to Ponyville, I imagine. Oh, they worked so hard on my behalf! And I repaid them with unkindness. What have I done?!" She pulled out some jewels. "Oh... here you are." They were handed to the bellhop that confused him. "But, miss, I didn't do anything!"

Thunder came along while Rarity and Malibu both wandered the streets together. Malibu looked around at the now depraved looking city in his eyes. He knew city life was definitely not for him, the rain making his mane all wet along with Rarity, who sang softly in her sadness.

"Oh, Manhattan, what have I done?

The thought of Fashion Week was fun

But I went way too far

my friends gave to me in ways so kind

and I gave them nothing but a hard time

and now alone I stand

and now alone I stand..."

She sat there on the curb, the tears mixing with the rain until Malibu gave her an unexpected hug. "I don't hate you, Rar. And I'm sure our friends don't either. But maybe we should go back, and make sure that everything's ok with Prim Hemline and the show?"

Rarity glanced over, not sure she wanted to but then nodded reluctantly. They got a taxi back to the Fashion Week stadium.

Inside Rarity walked up to the front desk. "I need a moment with Prim Hemline. We have to rush back to Ponyville, but I just wanted to thank her first for—."

Malibu's ears twitched, hearing Suri. "Uh-uh-uh, you'd best steer clear of Prim for a while. She's pretty furious. Isn't that right?" Suri glowered at Coco who flinched, answering. "Um... yes."

The two friends heard the door bell ring, and to their surprise; spotted the rest of the girls along with Spike! Malibu's jaw was open as was Rarity. Rainbow went to hug Malibu tight, the two giving each other a kiss.

Rarity sniffled. "There you all are! I can't believe it, I thought you went back home!"

Twilight's ears were low. "We missed the show because we overslept. Suri told us you lost. We're really sorry."

Rarity blinked. "I lost? You know what, I don't even care. I'm just so happy you're all still here after how I treated you. Taking advantage of your friendship the way I did. And Malibu, I am terribly sorry for not letting you rest after making those dresses."

Malibu mostly grinned, shrugging. "I've already forgiven you, Rar. We are still friends after all."

Twilight continued her speech. "Last night we may not have seen you at your best, but we know you. And we would never let one thing like that change how we feel about you."

All 8 of them wound up hugging one another, Rarity in the center of it. She was now crying happy tears. "Oh, thank you! You really are the most wonderful friends a pony could have! You know, I already managed to make it up to you this afternoon! Hope you're all available for an exclusive performance of Hinny of the Hills!"

It made the gang all cheer, Malibu and Dash flipping in the air with their wings, Malibu now really excited to see his second play after the Hearth's Warming pageant.

....

Some time later near the end of the show, Malibu watched with amazed eyes at how the performance went. The story was really engaging and the songs were incredible, especially the last one. And they were the only ponies sitting in the stadium.

The mare hanging from the rope from the ceiling did one more dance pose. "And I'm a dancing pony!" She sang out loud, the cast all bowing while the Mane 7 and Spike all clapped aloud.

Applejack sighed, taking off her hat. "Wow! That was even better than I imagined!"

Malibu agreed. "It was amazing!" He stated, Dash soaring into the air. "I loved it!" She squealed before seeing her friend's smirks, making her blush and sit down again. "I mean... it was a'ight."

They all laughed aloud Twilight looking to Rarity. "How did you ever get them to agree to do an extra performance just for us?"

Rarity fluttered her eyes. "Remember my designer friend who got me the tickets? Well, I offered to make all the costumes for his next show!"

Fluttershy gasped. "Here in Manehattan?"

It caused the fashion unicorn to clear her throat awkwardly. "Well, um... yes... it will keep me away from Ponyville for a while."

Malibu's happy bubble popped from those words, his face sorrowful at the idea of their best friend leaving them. Rarity kept talking. "But I so wanted for you to see this show! And working for this designer is such a great opportunity!"

Applejack nodded. "We know. We're happy for you, Rarity. We're just sad for us."

Soon the doors opened, making them all look around to spot Coco Pommel. "Mind if I join you?"

Rarity raised her brow. "Sure. Come on down." Coco walked down to their seats, then pulled something out of her bag that looked like a trophy. Rarity stared in disbelief. "This is the first place trophy for Fashion Week. But with my name on it! I thought I lost!"

Coco shook her head, Malibu feeling his pride for Rarity winning taking him over. "You didn't. You won. Suri was hoping that if you didn't claim your prize, the judges would consider it a forfeit and first place would go to her. So she lied to make you and your friends go away, and well, I lied too."

Malibu stared at her. "How did you get over here without Suri stopping you?" The pretty earth pony turned to him now, shy that the prince was speaking to her. "I... I had worked for Suri for so long that I started to believe that it really was everypony for herself in this town. Until I saw how generous Rarity was with her friends and how generous they were with her. It made me start believing there was something better for me out there. So, I— I quit."

That impressed the clone of Brooklyn, glad Coco had been able to stand up to that witch. Coco next pulled out another item from her bag; a small box. "I brought you something to say thank you Rarity."

Rarity looked down at her gift, smiling. "Hm. I suppose you'll need another job now that you're no longer with Suri." Suddenly she had an idea. "How would you like to work for my friend making all the costumes for his next show?"

The offer made Coco smile big time as she accepted.

.....

During the last part of their Manehattan trip Rainbow Dash and Malibu made their own special outing to the Statue of Liberty mare, standing on top of it overlooking the city and held each other's hooves.

"I have never been up here before. This is so awesome..." Rainbow sighed, looking at Malibu in a romantic way, Malibu smiling with his cheeks tinted red. "It... it is great to be here with you Dashie."

The two leaned in again, kissing each other one final time before heading back home on the train. Malibu hugged her tight, wings wrapped around each other. He would cherish this moment forever. Inside his heart he knew he wanted to soon propose his love, but only for the right time.

After a train ride back to Ponyville, Rarity had the task of writing in the journal about their experiences, Malibu watching her write it, still confused though about why she had the rainbow shimmer in her eyes.

"Manehattan was simply grand. It was in this magnificent metropolis that I learned that, while there are ponies who will take advantage of your generosity, you should never, ever let that cause you to abandon your generous spirit. Nothing feels worse than taking advantage of the giving nature of your friends."

Rarity finished writing, nodding at her work then opening the present. It was a spool of rainbow wool. Smiling brightly, she placed it on the shelf. Malibu turned to watch it for a moment, feeling a strong connection to this little spool which too gave off a small glimmer of rainbow light, hoping this could somehow be connected to the Tree of Harmony.

....

Rarity has gotten her key to the chest. We all know who is next: Rainbow Dash.