The sun shone down on the white and gold castle, the shimmering view a wonderful contrast to the dark mountain it clung to. Colorful equines bustled around the entrance to the city, excitement and joy always present in the land of Equestria. A trio of ponies made their way to the gates, showing their passports before being let into the center of the kingdom.
	“It’s not technically the center…” The blue pony said. “It’s pretty far south if I remember. The Crystal Empire is more north.” He moved up his cloak, always nervous about letting it slip in public.
	A groan was heard from his gray companion. “They don’t mean it literally, just that it’s the capital!” He shakes his head and puts a soft, rubbery hoof to his forehead in annoyance.
	“Then call it the capital, not the center! Why do you always have to be so rude about stuff Fire Crest?”
	“Because you always have to be so thick, Midnight!”
	“Who you calling thick blubber boy?”
	“You blue butt!” The pair butted heads, carefully avoiding the horn on the larger, blue stallion. The gray equine put up his wings, trying to make himself look bigger as a blue glow circled Midnight’s horn.
	“Would you both just be QUIET!?” A female voice cut between their rage, bringing their focus back to the subject at hand. The voice was familiar, and they thought it was their purple alicorn friend. In reality, it was a slightly different purple pegasus companion that was with them when they arrived. “Ya’ll need to cool off before you hurt yourselves, again!” The switch to a southern drawl was sudden, but not in a way that made it seem forced.
	“Ugggggggggh why do you always have to butt in Mimic?” The gray pegasus grumbled, angry at being denied a fight. The purple pegasus, in response, puffed up and suddenly put on a deep, commanding voice that sounded out of place but definitely caught some attention.
	“Because you two can’t keep from having a contest to see who is better, everywhere we go it’s-” The voice flicks to Midnight’s “-I like X!-” Previous voice “-then you come in-” Now Fire Crest’s voice comes from the small pegasus “-you’re dumb, Y is better!” She switches back to her other voice, which sounds similar to a drill sergeant “Don’t you two ever agree on anything?”
	The stallions look to each other, a small crowd having formed around them. Hushed and embarrassed by the attention, the pair grunt and turn away from each other, standing on either side of the tiny purple mare. She smiles, and this time in a soft, gentle voice “Thank you both. See, we can all be friends without constant fighting.” One last voice comes out from her, this time bubbly and excited. “Now come on, you two promised me we’d go see the fashion show! I heard there’s a special guest coming to show off her skills, and I got us backstage passes!”
	Fire Crest put on a face like he was about to complain, but a quick glare shuts him up. The trio walks off, planning on enjoying some time in Canterlot before the show begins at twilight.
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	In the Canterlot gardens, a large stallion, larger than anypony has any right to be, helps set up the stage for his friend’s fashion show. His large, green body supported by four massive hooves. Similar to Midnight’s, they weren’t covered in fur like mares’ and smaller stallions’ were. “How’s this Pamela?” His voice was deep and calming like waves crashing on the shore.
	“Digger we’ve talked about this, while on the job professional name.” The blue mare looked up at the larger stallion, not even stopping to worry about his size. “It’s Glamour, darling. Glam-ourrrrrrrr. Either call me that in public or don’t speak to me at all.” The massive equine trotted off, in silence, seeming unconcerned over her words. A smaller, light brown colt with a chocolate colored mark on his nose walked up. “Hey, Auburn can you come here?
	The colt seemed to bow down, though not how you would with respect and instead more like someone who wishes they had just been ignored. “Yes Pa- Glamour? Do you need something?” His voice was quiet, though it would appear that this was more to do with his lack of excitement.
	“Hm… Can you get me a drink, little Auby? I’m ever so thirsty… Just some water, but you know none of those normal brands, something sparkling.” The young boy nodded excitedly, glad to be allowed to get away. He trotted off to go find something to drink for Pamela, moving quickly.
	“Shouldn’t you give him money?” Said Digger, watching Auburn leave the area.
	“He has enough money from his parents, he can take care of a little bottle of water.” She waved off his concerns and continued inspecting the dresses, shaking her head and muttering something about “no taste.” “And it’s not like it’s dangerous or anything out here, it’s Canterlot there are guards everywhere!”
	“I didn’t mean like that, I meant shouldn’t you pay for your own drink?”
	“Why would I do that? He has more than enough money to pay for his own stuff, now please go back to setting up the stage? We only have a few more hours left until the sun hits the perfect spot for our theme!” She happily hops away, completely ignoring anything else the mountain of a pony has to say. All he can do is shake his head and get back to work.
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	“Come on let’s go!” Mimic Song pranced around her larger companions. She never really goes to Canterlot, and all she ever really gets to in terms of fashion are the dresses outside of Rarity’s shop. She loved her fashionista friend but it’s also nice to see some other works. On the other hoof, the two stallions gave each other glances, it would appear they did agree on something: A lack of enjoyment when things involving fashion were around.
	“Yeah, we’re coming we’re coming Mimic just calm down a bit.” Crest blew some hair out of his face, while the larger blue stallion just wanted to put down all the bags he had been carrying around. The mare turned around and frowned at him, but didn’t reply and instead kept walking.
	“When we get back to Poneyville… You two are paying me back… And next time we leave make sure you bring your wallets.” Midnight was strong, but the amount of gifts and trinkets were putting a strain on him without using his magic, something he detested doing for fear of the attention. “Why am I carrying all this again?”
	Song turned around and smiled, then, as she started to speak, switched between two voices. The first was soft and quiet, a beautiful hushed tone while the later was much more regal and carried a hint of controlled power. “Because I know just what makes you tick Midnight. As soon as you hear these voices you’re putty in my hooves. Don’t worry though, it’s cute.” She gave the grumpy equine a peck on the cheek, pulling off a double voice as she said “Thank you, my big strong stallion.” The ego stroking shut him up, though he did blush in annoyance at being manipulated. Fire Crest snickered, but another royal voice quickly yanked his attention back. This one was older, wiser, and paired with a voice that matched another intelligent, but much smaller horse. “Oh don’t even try, Fire. I know just what to say to cowl you as well.”
	The stallions glanced at each other and mumbled something in unison along the lines of “Whatever…” Song just smiled and the trio took their seats in the VIP section. The show began to start, and mare models walked out onto the runway. In the back, just out of sight and ear shot, was a very angry Pamela.
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	“What is this!? I told you, no food or drink right before the show!” Magic sparkled and removed the smearing from a model’s face. “No go, hurry! Oh dear not you too, don’t you all think you should lose some weight?” The models were embarrassed and upset by this, Most if not all of them struggle or had struggled with eating and image problems, and Pamela knew it. “Come on let me fix you up…”
	Moving the heavy curtains was Digger and a few other large stallions, though all were still dwarfed by the green horse. The show went off with only a single outfit malfunction, much to the delight of Midnight and Crest. Song only just rolled her eyes, ponies are almost always naked anyways why does a rip in the clothes make a difference? Getting clothes on was fun and interesting, taking them off was just natural. The stallions swore up and down it was because it left more to the imagination, but Song never had that issue. The show finally ended, a few stallions finishing it up before the fashionistas came out. Almost all of them were stallions, something Midnight and Crest always joked about.
	With the show over and the workers starting to pack up, the trio went to the backstage to enjoy the tickets. Well, to be honest one of them went to enjoy the backstage passes but two of them groaned inwardly in response. Midnight sort of sauntered off to explore, see if there was anything interesting and somewhere to put down the bags, Fire Crest started poking around, he seemed to be asking to find trouble, and lastly Mimic Song went up to a stage hand to find some of the fashionistas.
	“Hey get away from that!” Pamela ran up to the orca equine hybrid, smacking his hooves away. “Do you know how LONG it takes to get these girls set up!?” It turns out he had been poking around a dress being worn, and the model was incredibly embarrassed. Fire Crest looked between the model and the new mare, then shrugged.
	“Didn’t realize it was an actual pony.” The mare’s mouth dropped and left, the poor thing completely insulted by both Pamela and now Crest. “My mistake. Hey where’s she going?” Obviously someone is not exactly big on caring for other ponies’ feelings.
	“She’s leaving because you insulted her. Get out of here before I call the cops you… Freak. Just because you can’t get a woman in your bed on your own doesn’t mean you need to attack my models. Do you know how much time and effort it takes to keep these girls in check?” Best not to mention the whole part about just being a critic who keeps this place from falling apart from the horrendous decisions. Besides, she might as well run the place, she’d do a better job!
	Fire Crest, hearing how she insulted him, puffed up his chest and stared down at the smaller mare. “Excuse me!? I am not a freak I am a hybrid, unique and interesting unlike you! And I can get plenty of women in my bed thank you very much!”
	Pamela off-hoovedly waved him off. “Yes yes many women, I bet they charge low rates too. Just go away now you ‘special little snowflake’ before I have to do something about you.”
	While Fire Crest went off on the mare, Midnight had found a small colt sitting in the corner just trying to stay out of the spotlight. “Hey little guy, what are you doing? Mind if I sit here with you?” The large blue pony plopped down with a sigh, shrugging off the bags. Auburn darted his eyes up in surprise, no one talks to him and even fewer ponies talk to him nicely or ask his permission for things. “Ahhhhhhhhhhh that’s much better… How are you?” Silence. “You uh… Here with someone?” A mumbled yes. “Parents?” Head shake. “Friends?” A pause, and a very slight nod. “Not very good friends, huh?” Another head shake, though he does point to a larger equine next to Mimic.
	“Digger’s nice… He’s really friendly to me, though he can be a bit… Forceful when people don’t agree with him... “
	Please tell me that isn’t what I think it is… Midnight thinks “Well why aren’t you with your parents then? Or better friends?” 
	“They’re busy… And I don’t have a lot of friends…” The colt seems to hide away a bit, he just wants to answer the questions and be left alone. The large stallion’s heart breaks for the poor guy, and he wraps his wing around him. The little Auburn looks at the wing confused, he swore he saw a ho… Ho…. Holy Celestia and Luna and Twilight and Cadence… I-It’s… I-It’s an… A-A-An… Alicorn!
	“Stick with me little buddy, I’ll take care of you. You seem like a nice kid, I’m sure we’ll make lots of friends!” With his cloak gone, the large blue alicorn grins down at the surprised colt. The latter can’t really reply, and just sort of stutters and mutters in agreement. Midnight smiles and pulls him close in a wing hug. “I promise you, you’ll be the most popular stallion in Equestria by the time I’m done with you!” Auburn just nods excitedly, or maybe it’s nervously. Hard to tell.
	During the chaos from the orca and the fashion horse, and Auburn getting a new hero, Mimic is chatting with the large Digger. She uses her softer voice, stallions loved it, though none more than Midnight. “Hello, I was hoping to talk to some of the fashionistas here?” She batted her eyes, can’t hurt to make him like her if she wanted anything out of him, right?
	Digger barely registered anything outside of the question and the fact it was directed at him. He wasn’t really easy to sway, everyone sounded quiet to him and Song’s small size was only just another level of small in his world, where most door ways wouldn’t even fit a stallion half his size. “I’m sorry miss, they all left. Only pony left that really works on stuff like that would be Pamela Pride, also known as Glamour.” He doesn’t bother rolling his R for her name. “She’s over…” He glances back, looking at the fire haired hybrid practically fuming at the critic. She flicks her tail at him, and he goes off, screaming and cursing her out as she laughs at him and only makes his rage mount. “She seems to be a bit busy…”
	Song sees the situation and groans, losing the soft voice for a lower pitched one in annoyance. “Fire Crest we talked about this…” She looked over, trying to find Midnight. She finds him with what appears to be a terrorized colt, and another groan escapes her throat. “Not you too, you’re supposed to distract him from causing fights with other ponies!” She looked up at Digger, ready to apologize, but he’s already started walking towards the arguing pair. He picks each one up and separates them.
	“You two need to hush up. You’re being too loud.” The fire headed one starts cursing again, while the blue mare starts insulting him in her passive aggressive way. “I said be quiet.” His calm, waves on the shore voice was building up to tsunami, and Pamela quickly buttoned up. However Flame wasn’t so smart, and kept yelling and cursing. Still carrying the hybrid pegasus, Digger found some clothe, shoved it into his yapping mouth, then taped it shut. “Quiet.” Digger said, then dropped the insulted and humiliated pegasus. Pamela started to get a snicker, but a glare from Digger quieted her as well.
	Meanwhile, Song was going up to the alicorn and colt. Midnight was going on and on about how he’d make sure Auburn would be treated wonderfully. “Midnight Aegis. Are you scaring this poor colt?” Chided Song, staring Midnight down.
	“No no, I’ve made a new friend!” He holds up the colt, who seems petrified. “His name is Auburn, Auburn Montana!”
	“I-It’s Montegue…” Auburn squeaks.
	“Macaroni, sorry! Auburn Macaroni! He doesn’t have a lot of friends, so I’m going to help him out!” The alicorn had a big, dopey grin on his face. While he could be clumsy and a bit derpy at times, his heart was always in the right place and Song’s face softened a teeny bit.
	“Midnight… Did you ask him if he wanted your help?” Out came the soft voice again, and Midnight stopped.
	“Well… I… He didn’t say no or anything…”
	The royal voice replied now. “But did he say yes?”
	“...No…” Midnight’s face dropped, and he turned the colt around before setting him down. “Sorry Auburn, would you like my help?” He smiled cheerfully and held out his hoof. Auburn looked between it and the large alicorn before gently shaking hooves.
	“I… Yes… I would like that…” The colt was barely finished with his sentence before being scooped up happily.
	“Oh I knew you would be happy Magenta, let’s go make you some friends!” Song could only sigh and go up to Digger, who appear to have finished his business.
	“I’m sorry about my friends… How about we all go out to eat, my treat?” She held up a small blue coin bag with a shield on it, eerily similar to her alicorn friend’s. The mountain of a horse paused, then nodded. “Ok, this way, I know the perfect restaurant!” Digger shook his head, and started to walk off, intending for them to follow. Song, chuffed at this, ran up to him. “No, that’s the wrong way. This way!” Her voice lowered in pitch to a more commanding but still female voice. Again, Digger shook his head, and tried to move forwards. Puffing up her chest angrily, Song again stood in front of him and attempted to use her drill sergeant voice. “Follow. Me.” She began to walk past him, only to feel the floor disappear from under her hooves.
	“No, follow me.” Digger had picked her up, and the small pegasus squeaked and flapped her wings in vain.
	“Let-Let-Let-Let-Let me-me-me-me-me go-go-go-go-go!” Instead of stuttering like most ponies, when Song gets nervous she repeats words in different voices. A colt, an elderly mare, and a voice or two that sounded like nature had grown vocal chords all echoed from her as well as some others. Digger shook his head and dragged the angry, flapping pegasus away as the group followed.
	“You know, I think this is going to be a fun little group of friends.” Chimed Midnight, Auburn grinning down at him. Digger said nothing, and the rest of the group groaned including a muffled, angry demand coming from Fire Crest, stilled gagged.
	“Oh don’t be so angry… That there is the same bikini Celestia wore when she modeled for us.” Fire’s face, well, lit on fire with a blush as he promptly shut up as the group left the stage to go find somewhere to have dinner, and get to know each other’s group, for better or worse.