It was well known amongst all ponies that, wherever you went in Equestria, each town, city and village had its own unique flavour and feel to it. There was the quaint peace and rural image of Ponyville. The pristine and elegant domain of Canterlot, their grand capital. There was the eponymous Cloudsdale, home of the pegasi, which literally rose above all others. These and many others each had a claim to something that made them special when compared to their rival settlements. And yet, the one thing that no pony could deny was that, for sheer scale, no city was matched by Manehattan. This city, which housed perhaps the greatest chunk of Equestria's population, was a place of constant activity, of hustle and bustle even in the darkest hours of the night. All ponies from all corners of their nation, regardless of their trade or livelihood, had been through this enormous place, and had often felt utterly dwarfed by it. There was noise and frantic movement all around, and it was easy for one to become overwhelmed by the place, especially given how much of a hurry everypony seemed to be in on most days. Indeed, Manehattan was, in stark contrast to almost everywhere else in Equestria, a veritable beehive of activity, buzzing all the time. And it was in such a place that Rarity and her friends found themselves on this day.

Obviously, being such a far cry from Ponyville, it took some getting used to, being in a place like this. And yet, the alabaster unicorn was nothing short of excited to be here, especially given where she was. For she and the rest of their little group had arrived in what, to Rarity, was one of the most important spots in all of Equestria; the fashion district of Manehattan. This place had it all, from not only the shops and venues that sold the latest clothing styles, but also the personal workshops and companies of some of the biggest names in the industry. As one might expect of a mare like Rarity, this place was absolute heaven to her. But, she had little time to drool over the place, for she was here on important business. After all, all around the place there was clear evidence of some sort of fashion show in the works, including many posters and banners all declaring that fact. Mares and stallions alike were all pouring into the building where she and her friends would be staying for the time being, each bringing along what was undoubtedly their personal works. Given the reputation of this city, Rarity would no doubt be going up against some pretty stiff competition. But, she had confidence in herself and her abilities in this field, and so never faltered from smiling all throughout the day. Eventually, the time came when she needed to part from her friends, but, there was a moment when Twilight gave a solemn nod to her, which she promptly returned, though no words passed between them.

And so it was that Rarity made her way through the building to the room that had been assigned to her personally, where she could store and ready her clothes for display at the show. Once she finally found the place, she busied herself with putting away not only her own belongings, but also the various containers of clothes she'd brought along with her, making sure to put them away neatly in that special way she was so noted for. After giving some of her clothes a look over, as well as checking out some of the other materials she would be working with, she was distracted from this by the sound of somepony knocking on her door. She turned, and for a brief moment, gained a look of sternness to her. But, just like that, she wiped it from her face, instead putting on a smile as she trotted up to the door, using her magic to open it up. There, waiting on the other side, was a pink mare with purple mane, looking to Rarity with a great deal of excitement. Rarity too seemed excited to see her, but there was something underneath that excitement. Something which spoke to a lack of enthusiasm for this particular guest. Nevertheless, her tone was quite upbeat as she spoke up.

"Oh my goodness! Suri Polomare?! I haven't seen you in ages, darling!"

The pink mare chuckled slightly before entering the room.

"Likewise, Rarity! It's so good to see you again. You should have given me a call as soon as you set hoof in the city. We could have had lunch together."

Rarity nodded at that as she made her way over to one of her storage cases.

"Oh, I do apologise, Suri, but in all honesty, I didn't even know you'd be here. I mean, we have spent some time apart, after all."

Suri nodded at that.

"It's true. Although, I just had to come and see you, especially after I heard a certain rumour that a particular Ponyville fashionista would be trying her hoof out at the fashion show tomorrow."

A look of slight pride crossed Rarity's face before she answered that.

"Well...not that one likes to blow her own trumpet...but I had thought to at least let them see what I had to offer."

Another nod from Suri before she spoke again.

"You know...I'll be participating in that myself."

Immediately, Rarity turned to her, a massive smile plastered upon her face.

"Oh, my dear, how wonderful! I do so look forward to seeing your line of clothes!"

Suri smiled at that, only to start looking somewhat down for some reason. Rarity said nothing, but rather watched her old friend as she appeared to be deep in thought over something. The pink mare looked up and moved over to some of the outfits Rarity had already set aside for the time being, studying them carefully for a moment before speaking up, with her voice somewhat more subdued than before.

"Well...it's just...while I know I like my work...I feel that, maybe...they could use a little something extra."

Slowly, she turned to look upon Rarity once more.

"I...I don't suppose you have some idea on anything that could help me?"

The look on Suri's face was a clear plea for help to an old friend, and it appeared, for the moment at least, that Rarity was more than happy to accommodate her guest, walking up to her and placing a hoof upon her shoulder. This gesture earned her a smile from Suri, and shortly afterwards, Rarity turned towards another of her storage boxes. However, as she did this, the smile faded from her face, and instead, she gained a look of slight disappointment. Slowly, she made her way over to the box, and there, taped on top of it, was a small note. Using her magic, Rarity lifted it from the box and began to read the words upon it. The hoof-writing was definitely Twilight's and there was, rather ominously, several mentions of the very mare Rarity how shared this room with, causing the latter to narrow her eyes slightly. But, after placing the note to the side for the time being, she put on her same smile as before, instead using her magic to open up the container before her. Within was several sheets of shining fabric, clearly of a higher quality than what most designers were used to using in this city. Very carefully, she levitated out several samples of it, bringing them over to Suri, all while keeping her smile.

"I say, Suri, I suggest you use this. A little here or there and the audience will just adore your work."

Another smile crept onto Suri's face with that.

"Wow, Rarity. This...this is beautiful! And...and you're sure I can use it?"

Still smiling, Rarity gave a nod at that.

"By all means, take as much of it as you want."

The pink mare gradually formed a look of clear appreciation upon her face, as she immediately darted towards the open chest of fabric, taking up Rarity's offer enthusiastically as she took layer upon layer of the stuff and placed it upon her back. Rarity watched her old friend eagerly take what was offered, before then seeing her turn towards her, after which the two embraced in a friendly hug. When they eventually parted, Suri gave her another final smile of appreciation before starting to make her way out, all while Rarity watched her go. When the pink mare was finally out of sight, the alabaster unicorn used her magic to close her door, leaving her all alone in there. With her solitude resumed, Rarity then turned to another nearby chest, and walked up to it, her face now plastered with disappointment, rather than bearing a mere tint of it. Letting out a deep sigh, she used her magic to lift open that other chest, peering at the contents within, before speaking in a saddened tone of voice.

"Oh, Suri...just for once...I had hoped Twilight was actually wrong about something."

It had been a few days onwards, but at last, the stage was set, quite literally. The fashion show was now in full swing and all of the participants were there, to varying degrees of excitement and nervousness. Many had gathered in the audience to see not only their own work on display, but also the creations of their fellow competitors. Rarity watched in the front row of the stands, accompanied on her left side by her friends, Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow and Pinkie. Each of them looked to their fashionista friend with wide smiles, silently cheering her on as more and more models came out onto the catwalk. Many of the outfits they showcased were impressive to look at, but every tiny detail was being analysed and critiqued by the judging panel. One strand out of place, one fallen sequin, and it was likely that the creators of those fine-looking outfits would be walking away from thus place disappointed. Turning, Rarity looked to the one sitting beside her on her right, Suri, and beyond her was her assistant, a young mare named Coco Pommel. The latter seemed particularly nervous about all of this, though Suri seemed to be brimming with confidence. As for Rarity, she herself turned back to the stage with seriousness upon her face, watching as model after model came out, until finally, the next line of clothes was to be displayed.

"Next up...the works of Suri Polomare!" the announcer declared.

The pink mare beside Rarity gained a wide smile as many of her models found themselves walking out in front of that massive audience. The clothes they wore were indeed impressive, and easily a cut above what many of their competitors had shown for everypony. But, as Rarity watched them, she couldn't help but notice that the fabrics that made up the bulk of the outfits were of a very familiar look. In fact, they were unquestionably the same materials that Rarity had given to Suri to "help her out". The white unicorn let out a sigh of disappointment upon seeing it, knowing that her suspicions had, sadly, been proven correct. However, as Suri turned to her, rather than seeing somepony who looked betrayed and hurt, she found, to her surprise, that Rarity now turned to her with a smile, as if nothing was wrong. Needless to say, this caught Suri off-guard somewhat, and instead forced a smile herself before looking back to the displays in front of her. Rarity turned once more, looking to her friends, many of whom seemed to have also figured out what Suri had done, and looked to her as good friends would; sorry that she had been stabbed in the back. However, much like Suri, they found themselves taken aback by how okay Rarity was with all of this. Only Twilight looked to her friend with a knowing look, though it came with no smile. In time, Suri's models had come and gone, and the next line was to be announced.

"And last on our list today...the works of Miss Rarity of Ponyville!"

This was it, the moment Rarity and her friends had been waiting for. Stallions and mares alike began to trot out onto the runway, and immediately, the audience let out a barrage of "ooh's" and "aah's" at what they saw. For Rarity's clothes were, by far, the most impressive thing they had seen all night, shimmering and sparkling in a way that put all others to shame. The secret to this? A material that was the basis for all of them which, if anything, was even more spectacular to see than what Suri clothes had been made of. And speaking of whom, the pink mare sat there, in her chair, watching with mouth agape as those extraordinary outfits were shown to all, a look of utter disbelief upon her face. Nothing she had made even came close to what Rarity was now showing to everypony, and so, as one might expect, she turned to her old colleague, who at this point was bearing a massive smile upon her face.

"It’s nice, isn't it? I especially like some of the trim work I did there," Rarity said confidently.

But Suri's voice bore far less joy to it.

"But...but I...the materials...?!"

Rarity nodded at that.

"Indeed, darling. I must say I wasn't quite expecting you to use quite so much of what I gave you in your outfits, but I will admit they were quite impressive. If I may ask, how do you think mine have fared here?"

Still speechless, the pink mare turned from Rarity to the sparkling outfits on the catwalk, and then to the judging panel, each of whom seemed to be utterly astounded by what they were looking at. Eventually, she looked to Rarity once more, her expression one of just barely contained rage. As she spoke, she did so through gritted teeth.

"They're...perfect. Just...perfect."

Without another word, Suri got out of her chair and, in a very unprofessional manner, started to angrily stomp off before the show had even finished, though Rarity was far from unhappy at her leaving. The mare's assistant, Coco, looked to Rarity in a nervous manner before walking off to join her employer, and with the two of them gone, Rarity then turned to her young alicorn friend.

"I must say, Twilight...I think I'm getting a good idea of what it's been like to be you the last year or so. Know more than others, feign a little ignorance, shock everypony else with a twist, and suddenly you're top mare in town."

Slowly, Twilight turned to her with a somewhat serious look.

"It's...it's been a little more complicated than that, Rarity."

Immediately, the white unicorn gained a somewhat apologetic look.

"Oh, Yes, I do apologise, dear. But still, thank you for your help. I just can't believe my old friend would have done something like that to me."

Twilight nodded at that, placing a hoof upon Rarity's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her, which prompted an appreciative smile from the latter. However, in this moment of silence between the two, just as Rarity's models were starting to retreat backstage once more, Twilight looked past her friend and to the other side of the large chamber they were in. There, Suri seemed to be more than a little angry, spouting who-knows-what at her meek assistant, Coco. It was clear that her failure here had led her to vent somewhat, and Twilight couldn't help but frown at the treatment the young mare was receiving because of it. Sighing, Twilight then turned to Rarity once more.

"You know...I can think of a certain somepony who might be in need of a new employer soon. And, if I recall, you said once you wouldn't mind some extra help around Carousel Boutique, yes?"

Although at first confused by her friend's words, Rarity looked around to Suri and Coco, and saw the despondent look on the latter especially. It took a few moments, but Rarity eventually gained an "I have an idea" look to her, before then turning to Twilight with a smile.

"Twilight...I do believe you're right. Leaving this place with success and a talented young protégé? Not a bad day if I do say so myself."