I pulled the green suitcase of mine, dragging it through the heavy falling snow. It was turning in to a blizzard of blinding white that made it near impossible to see where I was going. "We finally got the dress Fuzzy!" I spoke proudly. "This suitcase will keep it safe for when we get back to Rarity, and finally... we're at the train station. Mission accomplished!"

“Sorry kid, all trains to Canterlot are on hold for now, weather is pretty bad up ahead,” The train conductor shook his head.

"But - No!" I cried. "I came all this way to get the dress, for Rarity and now... No!" I fell to the floor defeated.

"I'd love to help you kid, but trains running in this weather could be very dangerous," he replied sympathetically. "Are your parents not around?" He looked around.

"I need to get to my cousin in Canterlot...If only there was another way to get there like... like - "

Now Canterlot wasn't too far away, a short train journey... a long long walk, and maybe only a short fly away.

"Excuse me sir, how insane would it be to fly in this weather?" I asked, squinting as the snow fell heavier.

"Very! I think the Pegasus ponies would be wise to stay grounded today!" He chuckled in response.

"How long would it take to fly to Canterlot?" I quizzed.

"Well not too long really, a Pegasus with enough stamina could fly over all the hills the train has to go around, but like I said, anypony would be mad to try that. Count yourself lucky you don't fly kid!" The train inspector headed inside the train station to be sheltered from the blizzard.

I smirked to myself and started to cast a light blue glow around my body. I still remembered that flight spell.

Now I'll tell you two this, never try to use a flying spell when you're awkwardly trying to carry a suitcase in your mouth and keeping a poor Ferret balanced on your head while you do so, because it doesn't work out.

"The train is canceled? Why is it?" Rainbow Dash asked intently.

"Sorry miss, the weather is too dangerous for transport, nopony is getting to Ponyville today," The Canterlot train conductor shook his head. "Last train ran not long ago, it's not coming back for a while."

"But we have a young pony out there on his own in Ponyville, that means he can't get back!" Rainbow Dash argued with the conductor before calming down. "Okay I'm going to go get him I can fly there in no time," Rainbow Dash looked down at Rarity and the other crusaders.

"Oh my no Rainbow Dash! It is far too dangerous!" Rarity put a hoof out to stop her friend.

"Look Rarity, he needs to be here. I'm awesome, I'll be fine!" Rainbow Dash proudly proclaimed.

"Wow Rainbow Dash! I wish I could fly through a blizzard like this!" Scootaloo shouted through the sound of the harsh wind.

"Tell you what kid, when I get back safe and sound, I'll give you another flying lesson!" Rainbow Dash winked at Scootaloo.

"Oh really? Thank you!" Scootaloo beamed.

Rainbow Dash sped off with a rainbow trail leaving her behind, heading back to Ponyville.

"You know it's pretty obvious that Flick has got your dress that Sweetie Belle bought you," Applejack told Rarity.

"Oh yes, I worked that out... But he has been so silly, traveling alone, if I hadn't have been so mean with what I said..." Rarity cried to herself.

"Well Flick is always eager to prove himself, he's got a strong heart. Despite how silly he might be, you must be proud of him," Applejack replied. "We should get back inside this snow is getting even heavier!"

"Oh I always am I just hope he's okay..." Rarity turned around and headed back to the castle, her head hung low.

"Oh by the way Rarity?" Applejack spoke up.

"Mhm?"

"Sorry about that first dress you made."

Rarity closed her eyes, "Applejack, be a dear and never mention that."

I lay in the snow, my horns glow slowly fading. Fuzzy scratched my mane in panic, desperate for me to open my eyes.  My whole body felt so cold, I  had tried to fly to Canterlot but I was too weak, I lost control and fell head first to the snow covered ground, I couldn't even move. "Fuzzy..." I opened my eyes, shivering as I did so. The small ferret sniffed my face eagerly and tried to keep me awake by biting my nose slightly. "I don't... I can't keep this up. I think I'm..." My voice was weak, I slowly became buried by the heavy snow.

And just as I was about to give up, as my whole body was numb and I thought it was the end, a miracle formed in the white sky above, in the form of a rainbow, I owe my life to the fact that the green suitcase was pretty easy to spot in the snow.

I was so numb that I couldn't lift my head, but slowly as my eyes closed, I heard the voice of Rainbow Dash "Flick! Oh no, no. It's okay kid, thank Celestia I found you!"

I felt myself being swooped up, before everything went quiet.

So while that disaster was barely avoided, in Canterlot there was one that seemed, somewhat unavoidable.

"I seem to just keep running in Flawless Treasure wherever I seem to go in this castle!" Rarity growled, entering her guest room from the hallway.

"What they hay did she do this time?" Applejack groaned.

"She's being a complete and utter -" Rarity started angrily.

“Calm down sugarcube, what did she do?” Applejack asked.

"She walked past me in the hallway just now," Rarity growled stamping her hoof. "And she had the nerve to say - "

"Oh hello there, erm, what's your name again?" Flawless Treasure giggled to herself, flicking her long blonde mane as she walked past Rarity.

"The name is Rarity, and you'll do well to remember that, I'll be fashion parade princess at the end of the day," Rarity nodded smugly.

“Well that’s great dear, but you might want to… sort your mane out first,” Flawless Treasure retorted, judging her rivals appearance. “You have a bit of…”

“What? Oh well this is classy, insulting my beautiful mane; I have a bit of what? Utter beauty, natural shine, amazing –“

“Dandruff,” Flawless Treasure snorted and walked off.

"Dandruff! ME? I'd just been outside it's snow! How dare she say I have dandruff!” Rarity snarled.

"Try to keep your mind off her Rarity, we've got bigger worries," Twilight sighed sadly.

Applejack nodded, "The snow sure is getting heavy...  I sure hope Rainbow Dash got to Ponyville okay."

“Where are Fluttershy and the crusaders? And for that matter Pinkie?” Rarity looked around the room several times.

“Well Fluttershy and Pinkie took the other three crusaders to go explore the castle to keep their minds off Flick not being here, poor guys are worried ‘bout him,“ Applejack replied.

And at that moment one of the Canterlot guards rushed in to the room. "Princess Twilight! You and your friends are needed in guest room twelve immediately."

"What is it?" Twilight asked in a panic.

"Oh Flick!" Rarity's voice broke.

"Oh my we just heard, I was showing the little ones around the castle, is Flick okay?" Fluttershy entered the smaller room.

A single bed was against the red wall, near the small window overlooking the city; I lay in the bed, my eyes firmly closed.

"Oh no!" Sweetie Belle rushed to my side with the other two crusaders.

"Will Flick be okay Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo asked sadly.

“I got to him just in time I think, this little ferret of his was trying to keep Flick conscious, without that motivation Flick might have gave up.” Rainbow Dash looked at the small ferret sitting on the bed.

Rarity smiled softly at Fuzzy. "Thank you for being with him." She spoke sincerely.

"He'll just need to keep warm, I'll have my guards watch over him," Twilight sighed, looking at me lying motionless.

"Oh my word I can't possibly leave him," Rarity sobbed, resting her hooves on the bed. "It's my fault he went out there!"

"But there' something he brought for you Rarity," Rainbow Dash pointed to the green suitcase on the bed.

Rarity looked up  at the beautiful dress Rainbow Dash was holding, it was so perfectly crafted and princess worthy.

"I'm going to make him proud." Rarity spoke determinedly.

And so then Rarity headed back stage to get ready, while everypony who came to see the contest were in the large hall of the castle, looking at the giant catwalk.

"Look at everypony out there! And I have to walk on that cat walk and introduce the show..." Twilight paced around, listening to the talks among the crowd from the hall. "Oh I'm scared!"

"Oh dear you'll be fine," Rarity's voice came from behind the curtain.

Everypony had gathered as the show was about to begin, while in the guest room I still lay in the bed.

"Fuzzy!" I opened my eyes in fits of panic. "Where are we?" I put my hoof to my head "Wait! This is..." I looked over to the tall stallion walking over to me.

"Oh thank goodness you're awake. Fear not young one, I'm a royal guard of Princess Celestia, you're in her castle," The guard towered over the bed I lay in.

"How did I get here sir?" I rubbed my head dazedly.

"I believe a pony named Rainbow Dash flew you back here, and just in time too," The guard turned around and looked out of the window. "It's snowing heavily you're lucky to be here, the fashion contest is taking place downstairs now, but I'm under strict orders to make sure you stay and -" The guard turned back and stopped in his tracks, me and Fuzzy had gone, I quickly made the bed before I left.

"Fillies and gentlecolts!" Twilight spoke proudly. She had finally stepped out on to the catwalk and was greeted with a room of cheers, everypony excited for the show. The bright stage lights were blinding.  "Welcome to the annual Fashion Parade, one of our nine contestants today will be crowned the Fashion Parade Princess! Please stamp your hooves for our three judges!"

A panel of three highly critical fashion greats sat not far to the right of the catwalk.

"Now we're about to begin, enjoy the show!” Twilight smiled.

Everypony cheered waiting for the show to start.

"I can't believe Flick is missing this!" Apple Bloom yelled excitedly over the noise of the crowd. "Applejack I can't see!"

"Come on lil' missy," Applejack gestured for Apple Bloom to hop on her back and she did so, finally able to see the giant catwalk.

"Come on kiddo!" Rainbow Dash gestured for Scootaloo to do the same.

"You really mean it Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo beamed.

"Of course! Just like I'm gonna keep my word about giving you a flying lesson after this!" Rainbow Dash winked as Scootaloo hopped on her back.

Sweetie Belle looked down sadly.

"Oh turn that frown upside down, you can stand on my back!" Pinkie grabbed Sweetie Belle and placed her on top of hers both smiling as she did so.

"Oh my, be careful little ones, don't fall off! This really is a crowded crowd..." Fluttershy panicked, her voice near impossible to hear over everypony in the room.

"That's why it's called a crowd!" Rainbow Dash laughed.

"Hey look! Here come the entries! Rarity is on last I think!" Pinkie Pie beamed.

“Well it’s just like that famous phrase! What is it… put the bestest of them all at the end of the rest…” Sweetie Belle smiled.

“Save the best ‘till last,” Fluttershy corrected, yet no pony heard.

And so meanwhile in the castle, I... Well I wasn't lost, I just wasn't entirely one hundred percent on my precise location and where the destination I wanted to get to was exactly.

"Excuse me Sir!" I called to another royal guard patrolling the hallway.

"Hello there young one, have you lost your way?" He asked.

"I'm not lost, I'm just not entirely one hundred percent sure on my precise location and where the destination I want to get to urgently is exactly," I sighed, correcting him.

The guard stared blankly at me. "You here for the fashion thingy?"

"The fashion thingy," I nodded.

He laughed and gestured for me to follow. Canterlot castle is pretty huge, by the time we got there it was almost time for Rarity's appearance.

"Entry number eight, Sugar frosting! Showcasing her unique, crystal covered sparkling dress reflecting her sweet covered personality!" Twilight proclaimed from the side of the catwalk.

The crowd cheered once more, welcoming the newest entry as the beautiful earth pony walked down the catwalk, flourishing in the flashes of the photographers.

"Pft. More like... Stupid frosting," Rainbow Dash laughed.

"Rainbow, you've mocked everypony who has came on stage so far. I really think you should be polite," Fluttershy shook her head.

"Now please welcome our final entry, Rarity!" Twilght’s voice finally spoke.

"Rarity... Pftt, more like... Oh wait Rarity!" Rainbow Dash suddenly realized, cheering as she did so.

And so, just outside the grand hall -

"This is it! They just called for my cousin to come on! Thank you sir!" I called to the guard and ran inside as fast as possible. And it was crowded, for a small pony like me at the very back; there was no way to see the stage. "Excuse me! Coming through" I tried my best to make my way through the crowd. I tried and tried to push my way through but it wasn't going to happen, my cousin was about to appear on stage and I was going to miss it. "Can you all let me through? That's my cousin up there!"

The crowd didn't budge.

"No! I came so far to see this, I will not miss it now!" I growled to myself. I cast a glow once more from my horn, this time I wouldn't end up rendering myself unconscious.

"Please welcome Rarity! Wearing her amazingly stitched beautiful err..." Twilight knew it was hopeless.

The crowd fell silent.

Rarity stepped out from the curtain, just as I had levitated high above the crowd unsteadily. And there she stood; wearing the dress I had made for her, the horrid unevenly stitched dress she had previously disregarded. The three judges at the panel stared, their mouths wide open. Rarity proudly walked to the front of the stage next to Twilight. A few flashes of photos were appearing every so often, capturing this rare moment.

"She's wearing my dress! But... Why?" I asked myself in disbelief, I couldn’t believe my eyes, i struggled to maintain the glow around myself as I levitated high above the vast auditorium.

"Twilight if I may?" Rarity gestured towards the microphone. Twilight nodded and passed it to her.

You see earlier when I was unconscious, Rarity made a choice.

Rarity looked at the beautiful dress, so perfectly crafted and princess worthy.

"I'm going to make him proud," Rarity spoke determinedly. Rarity turned towards Twilight and smiled.

"What is it Rarity?"

"Twilight dear, pass me the dress Flick made." Rarity closed her eyes and nodded.

"I...but what? What about Sweetie Belle's dress? He went all the way back to Ponyville to get it!" Twilight asked confused.

"He wanted to make me proud... And he has, time and time again, I'm going to return the favour," Rarity wiped a small tear from her eye.

Rarity wiped a few tears from her eyes. " - And so that's why I am here now looking at you all, wearing this dress that might not be the most perfect or fashionable. But it was made by my dear cousin who is laying upstairs now... Because he wanted for me to have this amazing opportunity. And I couldn't be more proud!"

Everypony in the crowd was silent, several ponies amongst the crowd were fairly emotional.

"Rarity!" I called, my voice echoed around the hall, I struggled to keep my balance in the air, a bright blue glow was sparkling around me.

Rarity instantly looked up to find where my voice had came from. And then she noticed. "Oh my word! Flick you're awake!" She jumped up and down excitedly, before realising what she was seeing. "GET DOWN AT ONCE! That spell is dangerous!" She panicked.

I was laughing at her concern. "That's my cousin everypony!" I gradually flew over towards the stage, keeping the glow around me, the first time I'd done the flight spell without damaging anything.

“Is that a unicorn flying?” I heard one pony below call to everypony around him in amazement.

“He’s doing a flight spell but he’s just a kid!” another pony replied in shock.

Fuzzy sat on top of my mane cautiously looking down at the crowd below who were all causing a commotion watching me fly over head.

"Flick! That's my cousin!" Sweetie Belle pointed her hoof up still balancing on Pinkie's back.

I finally arrived at the stage and descended without crashing, right next to Rarity who wrapped her hooves around me. And everypony cheered, the stamps of hooves on the floor were greater than ever. The judges from the other side of the stage gestured for Twilight to go on over to them, she patted my mane and hurriedly ran off to speak with them.

"You... Silly pony!" Rarity pulled away from the hug, tears in her eyes. "I thought I could have lost you. You have a habit of that mister!"

"I'm sorry Rarity, I wanted to make you proud," I sniffled.

"Oh you have dear! I'm wearing your dress because everything you do is perfect. Don't let anypony tell you differently."

Twilight stepped forward and smiled at me and Rarity. "Ladies and gentlecolts. The judges have made their decision will all the entries please head back on to the stage!"

All the other ponies came on again, Flawless Treasure stopped next to Rarity and me. "Oh my... Is this your little cousin you were talking about? If I were you kid, I wouldn't be seen in public with her, just look at that dress and her dandruff," She laughed.

"It was snow!" Rarity growled.

"The winner of the fashion contest is..." Twilight paused for suspense.  "Rarity!"

"I... What?" Rarity nearly fainted.

"EXCUSE ME? BUT LOOK AT HER DRESS!" Flawless Treasure screamed.

"The fashion contest was not only about fashion but about keeping the spirit of the contest alive. Making new friendships, showing kindness and generosity. Rarity showed that best by choosing a dress hoof made by her cousin because it was made out of love." Twilight explained, putting a medal around Rarity’s neck as she did so.

“Oh my! A shiny fabulous medal!” Rarity taunted Flawless Treasure.

"But... Look at my amazing dress! I worked on this for so long!" Flawless Treasure panicked. "You've made an enemy today... Rarity." She growled. "You too, you little brat." She snarled down at me.

"Hey I think your dress is nice... But it's a bit ripped," I laughed smugly, gesturing behind her.

And then Flawless Treasure turned around to see Fuzzy clinging to the back of the dress, his claws ripping through the fabric.

"He sure loves dresses!" Rarity laughed.

"MY DRESS!" Flawless Treasure screamed.

And the photographers captured that perfect moment. "STOP TAKING PHOTOS! Oh my, this is just horrid. I'm never coming to a stupid fashion event here again! I don't care about being a stupid fashion parade princess!" She stormed off in tears.

And that's how Rarity became a princess.

"I think we should get you and the crusaders off to Manehatten now, the trains are still running from here to there thankfully, the rest of you can stay in the castle with me for a few days before we all return to Ponyville." Twilight put her hoof around me smiling.

"Oh my, thank you Twilight," Fluttershy smiled.

"Castle party!" Pinkie Pie jumped with excitement. "Oh and Rarity is a winner party!"

Rarity giggled. "Have a wonderful time in Manehatten crusaders," She walked over to me. "And thank you once again Flick, happy birthday!"

I smiled happily up at my cousin. "Happy new year to you all for later!

"Rainbow Dash is outside with Scootaloo going her a flying lesson now, we should head off" Apple Bloom grinned.

"Yeah, we're ready to go, aren't we Fuzzy?" I smiled up at the ferret on my mane.

"I sure can't wait to see Babs!" Apple Bloom hopped off excitedly.

"Well let's go! It's going to be the best New Year ever. Manhatten, here we come! I sure hope we get to come to a fashion parade here again when the weather is better!" I headed off after saying my goodbyes.

That was the birthday that I got Fuzzy the ferret, the birthday Rarity became a fashion princess, the first birthday I spent with my new family. So now we headed to Manehatten for the new year, and I myself had a lot I wanted to do when I got there, I closed my eyes and walked with my friends outside in to the cold of the winter covered Canterlot.

“Let’s get Scootaloo, we’ve got a lot to do,” I braced myself for the cold weather awaiting outside, eager to start our next adventure. Next Chapter: Chapter 11: Lesson of Loyalty Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 36 Minutes