//------------------------------// // Arrival in Manehattan // Story: Rarity and the Phantoms of the Midsummer Theatre // by Catrina37 //------------------------------// Ch. 2: Arrival in Manehattan The next day... The Mane 6, the Knights, Discord, and Megan were on the Friendship Express to Manehattan. Discord was sitting next to Fluttershy while Thorne watched them with jealousy. “I can’t believe Fluttershy chose Discord to be her plus one and not me!” Thorne said with disdain. “Well, Fluttershy did promise Discord he would be her plus-one after the Gala incident,” Rarity said, “And that was before she met you.” “I suppose,” he grumbled. Discord turned his head and made gestures of threats with his hands at Thorne, making the bat imp growl until Rarity stopped him. **** The train finally arrived at the Bridleway Station. With one last screech, the train came to a stop. With that screech, the doors opened, and our heroes came out of the train, along with the rest of the train’s passengers. Among the crowds of ponies, and the occasional griffin, coming on or off the train, the heroes saw Rara and Coco Pommel at the front. “Rarity! Applejack!” Coco called. “Coco! It’s great to see you!” Rarity said. “Likewise!” Rara said, “How are you doing, AJ?” “I was gonna ask ya the same thing,” Applejack said, “How’ve ya been since ya fired Svengallop?” “Great! I’ve been hired as a music coordinator and concerto on Bridleway, and I’m getting to do charities too! Things are so much better with Svengallop gone.” “Who’s Svengallop?” Megan said. “That pony was Coloratura’s manager,” Rarity said, “Until he was caught using her to bully ponies to get what he wants. After he was exposed, he left knowing that Rara wouldn't trust him anymore.” “I remember that fellow,” Discord said, “I exposed him in front of all of Manehattan to make up for the Tirek incident. Besides that, I felt that he didn't get what he deserved after all that he did; and it was so much fun giving it to him.” Rara and Coco looked at him with grateful eyes, knowing that Svengallop likely won't be taking advantage of somepony like he did before. But soon, their attention was caught when they spotted Megan standing next to Scorpan. “Is this the human we’ve heard so much about?” Rara asked. “Yep. This here is Megan,” Applejack said. “Hi,” Megan said. “Hello,” Coco and Rara greeted. “You couldn’t have come at a better time, Megan,” Coco said, “Rarity said you play the guitar, right?” “Uh-huh,” Megan confirmed. “My guitarist strained his hoof and can’t perform tonight. Coco and I were wondering if you’d like to be the replacement?” Megan felt awestruck. "They want me to be their guitar player!" she thought to herself, "How can I say no. The friends of my friends are my friends too." “Sure,” Megan said, “I would love too.” “Oh thank you!” Coco exclaimed with giddy, “We better get you to rehearsal right away.” **** The gang made it to the Midsummer Theatre. There, the stage no longer blocked the entrance, and Applejack and Rarity were particularly stunned that it was no longer there. But that didn't stop them from admiring how much the gardens changed. Flowers were everywhere, and so were the bees and butterflies gathering nectar. Their friends also saw the gardens. “This place is more floral than the plains of Appleloosa on a rainy day in the spring,” Applejack said with amazement. “Couldn’t have said that any better, Applejack,” Scorpan said. “I thought I smelled the stench of pony-loving losers here,” said a familiar Spanish accent. They turned and saw Ahuizotl with his pony henchmen. They were walking up the street toward them, carrying what looked to be tons of camping supplies. “Ahuizotl! What are you doing here?” Thorne said. “I’m not here for any evil plan if that’s what you’re thinking,” Ahuizotl said, “I’m here on vacation until Grogar cools off. He’s still angry over the last time I messed up.” It didn't take long, but Thorne and Ahuizotl got into a heated stare-off. It was like both of them were waiting for the other to make the first attack. That was when Scorpan decided to break up the staring contest. "Stay out of trouble, and nobody gets hurt this time," Scorpan warned Ahuizotl. "Oh, I don't intend to cause any trouble," Ahuizotl said with a sneer. The knight, ponies, and Megan soon walked away from the group of enemies. But something caught Ahuizotl's eye: Megan, who was walking closely to the group. He rushed to her, pushing one of his native ponies out of the way while doing so. The natives, meanwhile, just decided to find a place to make camp, with Caballeron and his crew following. Calmly, Megan kept up with the others, until she felt someone's hand lightly touch her shoulder. She found a blue hand to be touching her. Knowing who it was, she turned around and saw Ahuizotl, with a charming smile on his face. “And how are you, my angel of Equestria?” said Ahuizotl, before he began to pet her hair and head. She didn't know why, but she felt mystified by his eyes, as well as the smile he had. And the way he was petting his hair felt so soothing to her. She finally snapped out of it though and regained her conscious. “Okay, and I’ll appreciate you not to touch me,” Megan pushed his paw back. But that didn't stop Ahuizotl from putting his large blue hand on Megan's side, and pulling her closely to him. He turned the both of them to where they’re no longer facing the direction the Megan’s friends were going. "Megan, dear," Ahuizotl said to her, "I was wondering if I could ask you a question." "Um. Sure, I guess," Megan responded with a slight pink blush. "I was wondering if we could spend time together today? We could walk around the city, have some dinner, do some dancing. Kind of a date really. What do you say?" Ahuizotl offered. She felt taken aback. "A date?" she thought to herself, "Ahuizotl is asking me on a date?" Hearing his offer, she couldn't help but feel tempted into accepting it. Her heart wanted her to say yes. "No, Megan. He's a villain. He likely won’t treat you well. Besides, you and your friends are on a tour," She reminded herself in thought. "It sounds lovely, but, I was just hanging out with my friends. Besides, I have to help Countess Coloratura with her performance tonight," Megan said to him. Bummed by her response, Ahuizotl gave a hurt look that she didn't say yes to her offer. His ears drooped, his smile disappeared, and his hand left her side. "Oh. I see," Ahuizotl said to her, “Some other time, then?” Her expression became one of public astonishment, obviously not expecting his persistence. It didn’t take her long to compose herself, not wanting how she felt to be out for too long. “I’ll think about it.” She told him. Without a moment to lose, Megan hurried back to her friends. She didn't know why, but she felt so guilty and sad for not accepting his offer right away. But that never stopped a heart-fluttering Ahuizotl from gazing at her as the sun shined down on her. Her ponytail waved from side to side as she ran. “She is definitely warming up to me,” Ahuizotl said. **** After they went into the park, the Mane 6 and the Knights were in awe to at how much the Midsummer Theatre had changed. Everyone in Coco’s neighborhood had gathered together and brought special food to the Reopening; new seats were put in front of the stage; and flowers were planted all around with no weed in sight, much to Applejack’s joy. “Not a single weed in the bunch,” Applejack said, “Yer neighborhood did a good job, Coco.” “You bet your boots they did,” Coco said. “I’ll be up onstage rehearsing with Rara,” Megan said. “Okay, Megan,” Coco said. Megan and Rara headed up onstage to rehearse. “I thought I heard a familiar country voice,” said another voice. Applejack turned and saw Trixie. “Trixie, what are you doin’ here?” Applejack asked. “I’m part of the act,” Trixie said, “The Midsummer Reopening is a talent show of the best Show ponies in all of Equestria, except Coloratura is the opening act, a spot only the Great and Powerful Trixie deserves.” Applejack and Coco rolled their eyes. “At least Celestia will be there,” Trixie said. “Princess Celestia is coming?” Applejack said. “Yeah. She used to love coming to the Midsummer Theatre,” Coco said, “When she heard it was finally revived, she sent a letter saying she couldn’t wait to see it. All the more reason to make sure nothing goes wrong.” "And all the more reason why the Great and Powerful Trixie will be putting her thoughts aside of not being the opening act and keep moving forward," Trixie said. With a bow, Trixie turned around to head back to her cabin and prepare for her act. With the number of villains and former villains she saw today, Coco felt worried that something terrible would happen to the show. Her worry was enough for Applejack to notice, so she put her hoof on her shoulder to comfort her. “Don’t you worry,” Applejack said, “My friends and Ah will make sure nothing goes wrong.” After Applejack said that, Coco felt more at ease knowing she had friends who were here to help with the show. "But is it enough?" she said to herself. Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt someone's hand over her. She turned around and saw Scorpan behind her. “Sorry, but I couldn’t help but overhear,” he said, “What if my friends and I serve as security?” Coco and Applejack smiled. The Knights providing security for the theater was enough to ease Coco from her worries.