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Snails 1/2: Vol 1 Becoming Popular

by kitsy-chan

Chapter 3: Part 3: The Belle of the Ball

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Part 3

Seeing the unknown filly, Diamond Tiara gnashed her teeth and growled. This was not acceptable: she was supposed to be the prettiest one here.

“Daddy, how come I didn’t get a dress like that?” She asked, looking up at her father.

“Oh, I didn’t know they had them. You should have told me.”

Oh no, this was not acceptable. No pony should EVER show her up.

Snails ½ Belle of the Ball

“Stupid blank flanks.” Diamond Tiara said, standing beside Silver Spoon.

“Why do you even bother showing up? You don’t even stand a chance.” Spoon added in.

“Well... well… We know a filly far prettier than Diamond Tiara.” Sweetie Belle said stomping her hoof once. “And she’s a blank flank too!”

“Prettier than me? Who could possibly be prettier than ME?” Diamond Tiara scoffed.

“HER!” Scootaloo pointed at Snails.

“I’ve got to get home, I’ve got to get out of this dress.” Snails mumbled, trying to find a way through the crowd of ponies.

“Wow.” Silver Spoon said, before getting hip checked by Diamond Tiara.

“She’s not that pretty.” Diamond sneered. “It’s just the dress.”

Apple Bloom ran over to Snails, “We need your help.”

“Mine? But I…” Apple Bloom was strong for her size. Must’ve been all that apple bucking training. Snails found himself quickly dragged over to the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

“Daddy, get me a new dress. Now!” Diamond Tiara said and pointed to The Carousel Boutique.

“I’m sorry dear, but the boutique is closed right now. Rarity must be in the crowd somewhere. You’re just going to have to make do with one of your older dresses.” Her father said.

She scowled even harder at Snails, “Oh I will NOT be shown up. At least she’s not competing.”

Snails gulped once then looked around. He had no idea what had started this, or why he was involved, but…

“Today we will be having the first ever Zap Apple Harvest Festival. We have chosen to celebrate this day because of the important role Zap Apples played in our town’s founding.” Mayor Mare called out from the podium.

Around the town circle, ponies stomped and cheered.

“And to kick things off, we are having our very first Princess of the Harvest Pageant!” The mayor continued looking around at the cheering faces.

“Our very own Filthy Rich has nominated his daughter as the first entry to the pageant.” The mayor called out, “Are there any other nominations?”

Stepping forward Amethyst Star called out, “I nominate Dinky!”

Golden Harvest called out, “Noi, I nominate Noi.”

“Are there any other nominations?” Mayor Mare said smiling brightly at the foals.

Jumping onto Apple Blooms back Scootaloo waved her hoof high in the air. “I nominate her!”

Her? Snails looked for the pony Scootaloo was pointing at. Slowly turning his head side to side he had a very very bad feeling.

“No, Mayor Mare! She can’t compete! She’s not a resident of Ponyville.” Diamond Tiara protested, scowling at the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

“I’m sorry Diamond Tiara, but it has been decided that the contest will not be limited to residents because citizens of Cloudsdale might want to compete too.” Mayor Mare said. “May I have your name, please?”

“My… name?” looking around all eyes, every eye in the town fell on Snails. He had to think fast, he had to come up with a name, had to do something to keep everyone from finding out. “Umm, Escargot?”

“Ohhhh, even her name’s in fancy.” Apple Boom said, smiling at Diamond Tiara.

“Would you like to come up on stage then Escargot?” Mayor Mare said patiently.

“Umm, do I have a choice?”

Apple Bloom walked around and sat in front of Escargot, “Diamond Tiara’s a bully. She needs to be taught a lesson and you’re the only one that can do it. We believe in you.”

“Yeh, and think of it this way.” Scootaloo said, fluttering her wings, “You might even get your cutie mark for this.”

Looking back at his flank for a mere moment gave the Cutie Mark Crusaders all the time they needed. The three of them repositioned themselves in front of Escargot, giving her their best Sad Filly Eyes™. “Please?”

Whimpering, Escargot slowly walked up on stage. Compared to the other girls, he was taller, but that was mostly leg length. Sighing once more, he looked towards Mayor Mare.

“Good. As a special award, today’s Princess will be named by the real princess. Princess Celestia!”

Everyone in Ponyville cheered. Princess Celestia would be naming the winner herself! What greater honor could there be for a little filly?

“Oh no, no no no no no no no.” Escargot mumbled, Princess Celestia, why did it have to be her? Why not Twilight… Yeah, Twilight would have been so much safer. The Princess of the Sun herself, though. She’d find out for sure!

Looking for an escape, all Escargot could see was rows and rows of ponies, watching him.

“The first part is the gown. You’ll have 10 min to get into your gowns. Escargot, since you’re ready now, you may go first.” Mayor Mare said.

As the other girls left the stage, Escargot turned to face the crowd.

With a squee, Rarity bounded up onto the stage beside her. The first Zap Apple Harvest Princess wearing her dress, and honored by the princess herself, her dress would be in all the best magazines.

“This dress is from my Summer Sun collection. As you can see, the subtle patterns in the fabric change based on how she stands, as well as the light reflecting off her sides.” Smiling Rarity helped Escargot move around the stage to show off her dress.

“You may notice that it accents her long legs, as well as perfectly suiting her mane and fur color. The material stretches and breathes, allowing her to move freely, without it bunching where it shouldn’t.”

“How… how did this happen?” Escargot whimpered as he found himself being photographed. Maybe he could escape while the other girls were on stage.

Finally Rarity finished showing off her dress. No harm, no damage done. Now she could escape. Carefully slipping off the stage, Escargot made her way through the crowd. Slipping right past his mom, he looked up. She was obviously trying to find him. With a huff he ran the last distance home. Getting undressed in his room he bounded into the shower again.

One hot shower later and he was himself again. Shaking himself off he quickly headed outside. Right into his mom.

“You’re late! You’re missing the whole thing! And where’s your jacket?” She said looking, sternly at him.

“My jacket? It’s, it’s...” Closing his eyes he thought for a second. “Its… at Rarity’s…”

“Oh, did it need altering?” His mom looked sternly.

“She said it didn’t look right on me.” Snails sighed, happily leaving out the part where she decided a dress would look sooo much better.

“Well come on then, let’s get you to the festival.”

Walking back, Snails could see Diamond Tiara showing off one of her older dresses to the crowd, acting as snooty as ever.

Dinky had apparently already gone up, and was sitting in the background in her cute little dress.

Snails could see the Cutie Mark Crusaders in a panic looking for Escargot. He kind of felt bad for them, but there was really nothing he could do. They would just have to accept Diamond Tiara as princess.

“Thank you girls, next will be the speech phase. Each girl will be asked a question, and expected to respond.” Smiling cheerfully Mayor Mare called out. “First up will be…”

A sudden downpour hit part of the crowd as Derpy was moving her cloud away from town. “Ooops, sorry. It sort of got away from me.” She called down to several dripping ponies.

Sighing softly, Escargot looked up at Derpy, her mane wet and hanging down against her sides.

Narrowing her eyes, Diamond Tiara spotted her enemy. That little tramp was pulling the wet mane look now; that’s totally cheating.

Next Chapter: Part 4: The Star of the Show Estimated time remaining: 51 Minutes
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