Recap.

A week after our comic book adventure, the orchard became infested with Vampire Fruit bats. It sounds crazy I know, but the suckers do exist. While they may be beneficial to the farm in the future, they threatened the crops and Jackie's prize-winning apple, the damn thing's as big as Hercules. Anyway, While Jackie started singing a song about getting rid of them, I had Discord snap them in front of me and spoke their language. After some convincing and negotiating, we let them have twenty of the oldest trees in a cornered off section of the orchard. All the while, Discord kept saying, " We can't stop here! This is bat country." while wearing Hawaiian print and smoking a cigarette.

Anyway, with that problem done, we were able to get the harvest done in record time and looked forward to the next big event. That being Rarity's fashion competition in Manehattan. Which is where you will find the girls, my wives, Swagger, Spike, and me departing the train.

End recap.

We just got off the train and left the station to the big city. Spike, Swagger, and I had the unfortunate job of carrying Rarity's luggage and fashion entry's. " Okay, I can see how the entry clothes would need different suitcases. But what the hell are all these other bags for?"

" Why, only the essentials. A dress and suit for all of us for the play tonight. Some garments for afternoon tea. Some sewing tools for emergency dress repairs. Some back-up sewing materials in case I lose the first. The good tea set. Suits to wear in a cab. Some extra material for my dresses in case the model does something to the dress. And a bottle of champagne and glasses to either celebrate my winning with my friends or to drown my sorrows if I lose." My eye kept twitching at every item listed after the get-ups for the play.

Swagger decided to pick it up from there. " Aside from the repair kit and the Champagne, the rest of this is just a load of crap that's starting to give me a hernia." The wimp was only carrying one large suitcase while Spike and I had about eight items of varying sizes on our backs. " What the hell am I carrying anyway?"

" Oh, that would be the dining set to use at the hotel." Nevermind, he's doing pretty good. " Don't worry Robert, the hotel is only two blocks away." True to her word, the hotel was only a short distance away.

When we offloaded everything in Rarity's room, we had two hours before her she had to sign in, so we decided to go out sightseeing. " Tex. You ever find it weird how a lot of the places here are similar to places back home, but with a pun attached to it?"

" A lot of the times I just ignore it, though sometimes I will call it out if it really bugs me." If there's one thing I hate more than anything, is fucking puns that ain't even clever. " Anyway, there are difference's to the similarities besides the obvious horse pun."

" Oh yeah, like what?"

" I'll let you know when I find 'em." As we kept going. Rarity would offer help to random strangers. She would help a cab driver with his broken wheel, though it was a team effort. She offered a stallion her scarf when he seemed cold, it's called going inside you moron. To thank Spike, Swagger, and me for hauling her shit around, she bought us a hot dog each, at least I thought it was a hot dog before I took a bite. Dammit, they couldn't even do a stupid tofu dog. " Okay, I'm getting really tired wandering around this city. How much longer until your show?"

" The show starts at three o'clock." When she looked at the clocktower, she saw that she only had ten minutes to get there. " Oh my goodness, I'm going to be late!" As to be expected, she started freaking out. " I need to get to the Runway plaza before I'm disqualified, and my dresses are all the way across town! What am I going to do!?"

" Uhhhh gee I don't know? I mean, you could ask me to open a couple of portals, one to your room to get the dresses, and another to take us to Runway plaza with time to spare. But that's just a suggestion."

" Honey quit pestering our friend and just open the portals!" Jackie told me while Luna gave me an unamused look.

" Okay, okay. Geez, it's like you've never heard of foreplay." This got most of the girls to get crimson cheeks. Doing as I suggested, I opened a portal to Rarity's hotel room and retrieved her dress entry's. With that done I opened a portal to the plaza, having remembering where it was from my first trip here. Why I thought I would find a toy for Bloom there, I'll never know. " Alright, c-train to Runway plaza. Next stop, Central park avenue." This earned a laugh from most of the group, though Rarity had more pressing concerns at the moment.

" Hah, thank you so much, darling." Rarity grabbed her entries and went through the portal with us following close behind. Rarity went to the front desk and grabbed the attention of the mare on the other side. " Good afternoon. I'm here for fashion week."

The mare replied in a bored tone, " 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." Her tone and outfit made me think of Ghostbusters for some reason.

" Of course, thank you. Spike, would you mind helping me with these?" She sent him a sultry look that made him melt.

" Like you really have to ask babe." Spike helped take the dresses backstage before turning to us. " We'll meet with you guys later."

" Alright, we'll see you guys at the hotel tonight." We wished Rarity and Spike good luck and made our way back on the street. " So, now what do we do?"

We pondered on what to do till Shy came up with an idea. " How about a picnic in the park?"

" Sounds good to me, I know a market on the way that has some choice produce." We all agreed to the idea and went on our way.

Spikes Pov.

I stood by Rarity as she was being slightly chewed out by Prim Hemline, the host of this whole show. It took all my will power to stop myself from yelling at her to back off, seeing as it would impact my marefriend's reputation in a negative way. Finally, she ceased her rant and went back to her hidey-hole leaving everyone else to put away their stuff. " Don't let what she said, get you down. Once she sees your line of dresses, she'll forget you came here with only minutes to spare." This earned me a smile from my Marefriend.

" Thank you for the kind words Spikey." She leaned forward and we shared a kiss. " How did I ever get along without you?"

" Let's not think about it." We started nuzzling each other before one of the competitors came over and fucked it up.

" Well, if it isn't Rarity. It's me, Suri Polomare, from the Ponyville Knitter's league." The mare in question had a light purple coat and an even darker purple mane with three buttons as her Cutiemark. However, what really caught my attention was her voice. It sounded a little slow with an accent that would definitely fit around here, yet, it also sounded condescending.

" Oh! Yes of course, of course! I thought you looked familiar but I just couldn't place the name. You haven't been back in Ponyville in years."

" Because I moved here to make it big in the big city, hehe. Ok." I'm never going to get used to that voice. Rarity was about to congratulate her, but then she was brought cheek to cheek with Suri. " It's so good to see you. And now here we are... Competing. Hehe, ok." I'm starting to suspect she might be high.

" Yes, well good luck." Rarity made for us to retreat with her dresses.

" Oh trust me, I don't need luck. Would you like a hoof with your things?"

Not wanting to be overly rude to the mare, Rarity decided to throw her a bone. " I suppose I can give my Spikey a break and we can move them to the back." The two of them moved the dresses to the back with me following close behind.

When we got to the back, Rarity slipped off the covers for the dresses and made her way to the locker to store them. When Suri saw them, she became more lively. " My, your collection is gorgeous!" She started circling the dresses like a shark would circle a wounded seal.

" Thank you, though I'm sure your collection is equally lovely if not more." I doubt it.

" It's all right, but it is nothing compared to what's in front of me." At least we could agree on that. " Take my culottes for example. They are simply crying out for just the right accent but I haven't the slightest notion where-" Her ranting stopped when she saw Rarity bring out the emergency fabric. " (Gasp) Actually, just a touch of this fabric could be perfect with it. Would you mind terribly if I took a swatch?" The nerve! As if Rarity would fall for-.

" Oh, not at all." Dammit! " Here, I have loads extra." Rarity made to give her the whole thing, but I stopped her.

" Rarity, a moment, please." I led her away from Suri and brought her close. " Listen, I know you're just being generous, it's one of the many qualities that I love about you," She rolled her eyes while smiling with a cute blush. " However, I do need to remind you that this is a competition and you can't give too much leeway toward your competitors, even if you do know her."

She looked conflicted with my logic but reluctantly saw the point. " What would I do without you?" She took her fabric and unraveled a small amount for Suri. " Spikey, if you would do the honors." I sent her a smirk before delivering an even cut with my knife. " Thank you, darling." She kissed my cheek and brought over the fabric sample while I locked the rest of it away. " Here you are dear, I hope this will help."

" Oh trust me, it will." I don't know why, but the way she said that sounded a bit ominous.

When she left with her sample, I burped up a letter, since the flames tasted like alcohol, I assumed it was from Joe. The words in the letter confirmed my suspicions. " Hey, Rarity, are we almost done?"

" Yes, of course." Rarity stored the last of her dresses and came over. " Why do you ask?"

" Joe sent me a letter telling us to meet him and the others at the park for lunch when we're done." I wrote a response on the back before sending it to him. " I wrote him back saying we'll see him in ten minutes."

" Well, we mustn't keep our friends waiting." She headed out the door but stopped at the doorway. She sent me a smirk before giving her tail a flick to the side. " Don't keep me waiting." With that, she left out the door, waiting for me to follow. She always knows how to rile me up.

The next morning.

It's the second day of the competition, and I was by Rarity's side once again, this time in her room at the Marriott, lying in bed with her. After staring at her sleeping form for what felt like an eternity, her eyelids opened to reveal the blue gems behind them. When she saw my smiling face, she couldn't help but smile back. " Good morning, gorgeous. Sleep well?"

" Hehe, I believe you already know the answer to that." We shared a kiss before leaving the comfort of our temporary bed. I went over to the small kitchen and started to make coffee for the both of us. A few minutes later, we had us some freshly brewed java. I poured it into a mug and offered it to my love. " Thank you, darling." After taking a sip, she looked at the clock on the wall. " Oh, dear! I only have three hours if I want to be early!"

" Well here, let me tell the others and we'll be on our way." I opened the door and came to face Joe and Swagger. " Oh, hey guys, what's up?"

" Hi, Spike. The girls are having a spa day, so Swagger and I were wondering if you wanted to go to a ballgame with us on Midgard. You in?"

" I don't know guys. Rarity needs me as her assistant for the competition."

Just then, Rarity came by with a few things in her magic. " It's alright Spike, you go and enjoy your sporting event with the boys" I made an attempt to argue with her, but that was silenced when she kissed my cheek. " I'll be alright."

Rolling my eyes, I returned her kiss before leaving with Joe and Swagger. " That mare, what would I do without her."

Swagger went and ruined the moment. " Most likely something with your right hand."

" Now Swagger, that may not be the case. He probably does it with his left." And Joe had to go and make it worse.

" Shut up jerks. Just make sure the hotdogs are real this time." With that, Joe opened a portal and put my disguise on.

A few hours later.

" That was the best game I've ever seen in my life!" The guys and I were walking out of Minute Maid Park after a great game. " I can't believe the Astros ended the game with a grand slam."

" Yeah, they certainly got better." We ducked into an alleyway so we wouldn't be seen going home. When we were sure we wouldn't be seen, Joe slashed open a portal into the girl's hotel room. When we entered, we saw that the girls were huddled around Rarity, who was bawling her eyes out. " Hey, what the hell's going on?"

" It...it... my work was stolen from me." Hearing this made me run to her side. " Oh Spikey, it was horrible."

" What happened? Tell me everything."

" It... it was Suri. Somehow she was able to get more of my fabric and stole my whole dress line." Hearing that made a small puff of fire leave my nostrils. " She had her assistant create the dresses and now I have to come up with a new line by tomorrow."

Twilight came over and laid a hoof on her shoulder. " Don't worry Rarity, we'll help you come up with a new line." She directed her attention to Swagger and Joe. " You two are going to help, right?"

Joe looked to be pondering something while Swagger stepped up. " We'll help, though I don't think you'll need to make any more dresses."

" What do you mean, Robert? Unless I come up with a new line by tomorrow, I'll be disqualified, my reputation will rapidly decline, and I'll be ruined!!!!" Pinkie brought out Raritys fainting couch and plopped it behind her just as her rant was over. " Thank you Pinkie darling." She went and proceeded to faint and started to cry again.

Joe was done with all this. " If you're done, I have a solution to your situation." This piqued our interest and we huddled to hear the plan. " Okay, while you girls go about your planned activities, Spike, Swagger, and I will do a little covert operation."

" Joe, is this just so you can skip the play tonight?" Luna asked Joe while raising a brow.

" I will never confirm nor deny, but rest assured that by tomorrow, Rarity will win Fashion Week." Joe then continued with his plan.

The next day.

We were all sitting in the crowd at the Runway Plaza and just went through watching Suri's knock-off designs. As Suri told everyone about the designs, Joe leaned over to me. " You ready?"

" Born ready." We bumped fists just as Prim came onto the stage.

" Let's have another round of applause for Suri Polomare's amazing collection." The audience cheered for the fake. Can't wait until they turn on her. " And now, Rarity from Ponyville, with a unique line of her own." Here it goes.

The curtains opened up to reveal the four models showing off Rarity's clothes. At first, the audience was amazed by the designs, however, a few ponies started to see that her dresses were similar to Suri's, even though it's the other way around. When the models finished, Rarity came up to the stage where she was given some mixed applause.

Prim was none too happy and came onto the stage. Suri followed her to back up whatever lie she had cooked up. " Rarity, what is the meaning of copying Suri's line? Is this how you make a living, by copying other's work?" At those words, Joe and Swagger got up. Guess it's time?

" That is a bullshit claim and I aim to prove it." Joe made his way onto the stage with Swagger and me following. " It is Suri Polomare that has taken Rarity's fabric and used it to make her line. And not only did she steal the material, but she also had her assistant make the entire line, taking the credit for two deserving ponies." The audience was shocked to hear about the fraud, though Suri seemed to keep her cool.

" First of all, I didn't steal any fabric or have my assistant do all the work. And secondly, you have no proof that I did any of that."

Swagger then motioned for someone in the back. " We may not have evidence, but we do have two ponies that can testify to what you did." Out from the back came the two ponies that would put Suri in her place. Coco Pommel, and the Runway Plaza's head of security, Night Watch. " For those that are unaware, the stallion to my right is Night Watch, head of security here." Suri started to sweat at the sight of him. " And the mare on my left is Coco Pommel, Suri Polomare's own assistant." Now her facade quickly fell.

I Went over to Night Watch. " Night Watch, could you please tell us what happened two nights ago?"

" Certainly." Night Watch was a unicorn stallion with a dark blue coat and silver mane with a flashlight as his Cutiemark. " On the night in question, Miss Polomare came to asking if I could help her get some fabric she left behind in her locker. I took her back to the storage area and waited for her to come back. A minute later, she tells me she replaced the key we gave her and asks if I can unlock it for her. I ask her which one is hers and she says it's the one with this fabric, the one she gave me here." He then pulls out the fabric that I had cut for her. " After that, she took the fabric and just left without even bothering to relock her stuff. The next day, the King and his buddies ask me if I had seen a mare asking for help retrieving that very same fabric. I told them I did, and the next thing I know I'm being asked to uncover fraud." The whole crowd turned an angry eye toward Suri.

The next one to speak out against Suri was her own assistant, Coco. " Suri came back to her shop and slammed the stolen fabric on a design I was working on and told me to make an entirely new line by the next day. I worked all day and all through the night to make those dresses that she took credit for without even a nod of approval. When we showed the dresses yesterday, Rarity came in and accused my boss of stealing the fabric, which she nonchalantly admitted to while claiming her line would be seen as 'copycat'. And after all that, she just demands that I go and get her coffee!" At the end there, she was seething and glaring at her boss. When she was done with her rant, she went up to Suri. " Just to make sure you and I are on the same page. I quit!!!" She then returned over to Swagger. " I needed that."

" I'm sure you did." I went over to Prim Hemline for her verdict. " So, do you still think the copycat is Rarity?"

Prim gave Suri an angry glare. " No, I most certainly do not." Prim then fully faced Suri. " Miss Polomare, for stealing both material and design ideas from a competitor, you're disqualified from Fashion week!" Suri was left speechless as Night Watch came over and took her away. Prim then made her way to Rarity. " Miss Rarity, please forgive me for accusing you of fraud. These dresses truly are divine and I believe the judges would agree." We turned to the judges to see them hold up a perfect score.

Rarity was so overjoyed, she picked me up in her magic and peppered me with kisses. " Oh, thank you, Spike! You're a genius!" Behind us, Joe cleared his throat, indicating she forgot something. " Oh, and of course I can't forget about you two." Joe grinned while Swagger nodded.

" Actually Rarity, there's one pony you forgot to thank." I pointed over to Coco, who at the moment was coming down from the high of telling her former employer off.

" Thank you, Spike, you're absolutely right." Rarity and I made our way over to Coco. " Coco, I appreciate what you did for me, I know you risked a lot by doing so, and I wish to repay you."

" You don't have to. I just wanted to make things right."

" And you have, but I insist that I repay you. I have a costume designer for the theatre who offered me a job designing the costumes for the next play. I can see that you have a gift for making and designing dresses and I know that you'll be needing a job. How would you like to work with my friend for his next show?"

" That would be fantastic!" She reached into her bag and retrieved an interesting spool of rainbow thread. " Here, take this as a sign of friendship, and for showing me the way."

Rarity accepted the gift and brought her in for a hug. When they separated, the judges came over and gave Rarity her trophy. After the ceremony, we gathered our things from the hotel and headed home.

I was back in Ponyville organizing a few things in Rarity's boutique when I came across the rainbow spool. " It was nice of her to give this to you. What do you think you'll make out of it?"

" I'm not sure darling, though I know inspiration will strike when it does." She then came over to whisper in my ear. " By the way, if you want your thank you gift, I'll be waiting upstairs." She then turned around and sauntered up the stairs.

" Ooh yeah." I dropped the last of the boxes and raced up the stairs after my fair lady. Her generosity knows no bounds, especially in bed.

Author's Notes:

Alright, I thought I'd experiment a bit and do this chapter mainly through Spike's Pov. And for those that are wondering why I didn't put a shine to Rarity's eyes or the spool, is because the box only has one keyhole. Anyway, guess it's time to train for the games at Rainbow Falls.

Clip.

https://youtu.be/0m5QoYnKne0

Since it's based in Manehattan.

https://youtu.be/puJePACBoIo