Boxing's jaw dropped, his ears could still not believe what they had just heard. 'Maybe she was just joking, I could have sworn she just said-'

"Yes sir, way I see it, getting that reward money will be more than plenty to pay fer some new equipment for the farm. Our cultivator is almost as old as my granny." chuckled Applejack

"You are competing in the tournament? Have you even boxed before? Ever?" asked Boxing with a quizzical look.

"Well... Uh... No, not professionally. But I do know how to defend myself." Applejack said. Beside her, Rarity cleared her throat loudly, getting Applejacks attention. "Oh, uh. This is one of my friends. This here is Rarity, she is somewhat the drama queen of Ponyville." she snickered.

"Rarity," she put out a hoof. "lovely to meet you, Applejack speaks fondly of you."

"Stryker Malt-House. Lovely to meet you miss Rarity." Stryker appeared out of nowhere in the blink of an eye and took her hoof into his, gently placing his lips upon it. Rarity's face glowed bright red. "Oh my." she giggled "Such a gentlecolt." Rarity pulled back her hoof as she felt her heart racing.

Boxing rolled his eyes. Even at the most awkward of times, he finds a way to flirt with ponies. "Applejack. Would you like to sit with us?" he smiled.

"Heck y'all don't need to ask." she walked past him and landed her plot on the seat next to a window, Boxing followed and sat next to her. Stryker and Rarity both sat opposite them, Rarity stared at Stryker as she blushed, he didn't notice.

"I don't mean to brag, miss Applejack, but I'm afraid you going to Manehatten may be for nothing. See Boxing here has been a professional for several years, but you have never boxed competitively." Stryker was first to speak. "Even if you pass qualifying round, and I'm sure you will, if you end up in a bracket with Boxing, I'm afraid you will lose."

"Shoot, ah' know I ain't the best, but I have to at least try. I'm sure if Mac were here he'd try to stop me too."

"Yes, Applejack. Where is Big McIntosh?" Rarity asked taking her gaze away from Stryker.

"He is taking some cattle to Prairieville with Rainbow Dash, to pay for all the windows she broke at the farmhouse. And that-" she turned to Boxing. "is why I decided to enter the tournament, so I can buy new equipment and fix them windows."

Friends? I feel like being more? is that weird? Do I have feelings for her? Oh crap. All four were silent as only the the metal wheels on the rail tracks could be heard.

"Well I am going to take a short nap, wake me when we get there Box." Stryker spoke up and broke the awkward silence, Boxing nodded in return.

Boxing jerked awake as a bump in the track shook the train carriage and woke him. Uh, I must have fallen asleep. Boxing didn't remember falling asleep, the last thing he remembered was Applejack talking about the different kinds of Apples, he assumed It must have happened some point during his long conversation with Applejack. Applejack?! He looked to his right where she was sitting, she was leaning against his shoulder, sleeping softly. He looked across to his brother still asleep, Rarity's head in his lap, staring up to Stryker's face.

Rarity jumped up in shock, as if caught doing an unthinkable crime. "Boxing?! Oh I'm ever so sorry, I feel so embarrassed you saw me like this." she blushed.

"Oh, is it that obvious. He is so sweet and positively gorgeous." she adjusted her uneven mane. "Tell me, is he seeing anypony?"

"Not that I know of, although I doubt he would ever tell me who he sleeps with these days. There was somepony but that was a long time ago when we lived in Hoofington. So I guess you could says he's available at the moment." Boxing laughed bluntly.

"And are you available at the moment Boxing?" Boxing was visibly flustered, he blushed and darted his eyes away from Rarity. What? is she like that? I was just getting to know Applejack, this is all moving too fast. What if sh-

"Boxing. I'm flattered, really, but I meant for Applejack." she pointed a hoof to the orange mare sleeping on his shoulder. "Oh, Applejack? Sure. She's nice, I'd like to get to know her better." Boxing confessed as his eyes returned to the window, it was dark outside, the sky had gone black and the stars had come out to shine. In the distance he saw the bright lights of the big city that all of them would be spending all their time in for the next few days. "Look, there it is. Manehatten." Boxing's eyes went wide.

"Applejack?" Boxing whispered and gently nudged her, she stirred from her sleep "-mhoom, leave the snake-uh!" her eyes shot open as she realized how close to Boxing she is. "Boxing? I'm mighty sorry, I must have dozed off."

"Stryker, darling. Wake up." Rarity whispered softly. "We are about to arrive at Manehatten."

"Thank you Rarity." Stryker stared into her eyes, Rarity stared back longingly. "Rarity?" Stryker took her hoof into his. "When we arrive at Manehatten would you do me the honour of joining me for dinner?" he asked.

"Of course I will Stryker." she blushed once more. "And you two? Will you be joining us for dinner?" Stryker asked, looking to Boxing and Applejack. "Yes Applejack! You must come, we can double date." Rarity clopped her hooves together with glee.

Actually, It might not be such a bad idea. This might go really well. he thought to himself.

"Shucks, Boxing. Don't panic yerself none. It'll be fun." Applejack smiled warmly.

Almost an hour later, the four ponies found themselves at The Golden Mane, a four star restaurant that Stryker had chosen. He said that he had been to Manehatten before when he was younger and knew the right places to get the best meals. Boxing knew that it was a total lie.

The four of them sat at a table, cloaked in silk. Fine, polished cutlery was placed out in front of each of them by a smartly dressed unicorn even though Boxing and Applejack couldn't use them. Applejack took in her surroundings, she felt like she was at the Canterlot Palace. Gold curtains covered the windows from the ceiling to the floor, high in the ceiling hung a large silver chandelier, brightly lit with candles. The unicorn placed a menu in front of each of them as he lifted a quill and notepad in front of him using magic, "Shall I get you all started with some drinks before your meal?" he asked politely.

"An excellent choice sir. And for your meals?" he asked, ready with his quill. "Yes," Stryker scanned the menu. "I will have the Eggplant Lasagne, Rarity, what would you like." he turned to her, so did the waiter. "The Butternut Squash and smoky Black Bean Salad sounds absolutely delicious." The waiter wrote down her choice. "Fine choice madam." he said and turned to Boxing. "And you sir?"

Boxing looked at the menu unsure of what to order, Hmmm, they all sound so good. Mushroom? Yum! "Farfalle with creamy Mushroom sauce. Thank you." The waiter scribbled it down and turned to Applejack, who was still reading the menu. "What uh- what is this one?" she pointed a hoof at an item on the menu. "Ah, that is Halloumi, it is a cheese only made in the country of Zebrica. It comes served inside a pita filled with fresh lettuce, capsaicin and grilled onions."

"Excellent choice." he scribbled down the order. "I will return shortly with your order." his magic faded as he placed the notepad in one of his suit pockets, he began to walk away.

"And uh, make it snappy." Stryker winked at him and placed three pure white coins into his front pocket. "Of course sir." he bowed and left.

A few minutes passed and the unicorn returned with Stryker's choice in wine, he placed four crystal clear wine glasses on the table and began pouring the dark blue coloured wine. "To a new friendship." Stryker announced as he raised his glass with his magic, Rarity did the same. Boxing and Applejack both struggled to keep the glasses balanced in their hooves. "Friendship!" All four repeated and clinked glasses together.

Applejack drank from her glass, just a small sip at first. She could taste the sweet flavour of grapes with hints of plum, berry and just a small bite of alcohol. It pleasantly burned her tongue, it tasted significantly different from the usual cider she had drunk in the past. Another few minutes passed and the waiter arrived with four meals settled on a silver tray, floating just above him. He carefully placed each plate in front of them, "Is there anything else you would like?" he asked politely.

"Thank you, that will be all for now." Stryker said, the waiter bowed and said "Please enjoy your meal." before wandering off again.

The rest of the night went better than Boxing had hoped, Applejack talked about her family and how worried she was leaving her Granny Smith in charge for six days. She must have said Big McIntosh was herding cattle to Prairieville with Rainbow Dash for what felt like the fifth time that evening. It wasn't just Applejack being social, Rarity had told Stryker about her Boutiques located in Ponyville, Canterlot and Manehatten and the recent line of dresses she had just finished for an autumn fashion show.

Finishing their meals, the four of them left the restaurant after Stryker happily paid the bill. Boxing knew that they were supposed to be saving money, but with the competition coming up, he felt a massive confidence boost.

"Rarity. Where will you and Applejack be staying for the next few days?" Stryker asked.

"Well, I had the idea to stay with my aunt and uncle Orange. Heck I would have been fine with sleeping in Rarity's spare room at her shop, but she insisted we book a room at Manehatten Heights.

"Manehatten Heights? What a coincidence, that's where Boxing and I are staying. Competing ponies get a discounted price."

"Is that right? Rarity might have forgotten to mention that part to me" Applejack gave Rarity a scolding look, she just laughed nonchalantly.

A tall building stood before them, a giant skyscraper made of steel and glass nothing like what was built in Ponyville or even Canterlot. Stryker and Rarity checked at the front desk in the luxurious lobby while Boxing and Applejack found a place to sit down and had another conversation about the upcoming tournament, talking about the qualifying round tomorrow afternoon. "Alright everypony, I think it's time to catch a few zeds." Stryker walked over to them as Rarity followed closely behind. "Hey what are the chances, out rooms are on the same floor."

After eventually finding her room Applejack and Rarity said goodbye to their new found friends, Always the charmer, Stryker took Rarity's hoof in his and placed his lips upon it, just like when they first met on the train. Her face turned bright red for a moment. "Oh my." Rarity said, she then turned and entered her room.

"Goodnight Miss Applejack." Stryker nodded to her, then winked at his brother and walked away. Now it's just the two of them, alone. What should I do? Do I hug her, or kiss her? Was this even a date? Boxing's mind ran wild with questions, he felt flustered and nervous. "I really enjoyed spending time with you tonight Boxing." Applejacks eyes darted around, then she quickly leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on his nose.

Applejack closed the door slowly and softly, leaving Boxing standing still like a statue. He was lost for words.

Eventually feeling came back to Boxing's body and he trotted merrily down the hallway with a huge ear to ear grin and caught up to Stryker, Stryker turned and noticed the goofy smile on his face and red hearts in his eyes. "So, I guess things went well with Applejack?"

"Oh, it was great Stryker. She is the most wonderful mare." Boxing said, still smiling.

"Well, this trip has benefited the both of us more than once." He paused and looked up at the numbers on each door. "Ah! Here we are, three hundred." Stryker swiped the card held by his magic, the door beeped and there was a loud clunk that allowed Stryker to open the door to their room.

Boxing stared in amazement, the room was far larger than he had imagined it would be. He ran over to the wall of windows on the far end of the room. The city streets below were lit by bright lamps, Boxing could see ponies below. From where he was, they all looked like small ants.

Wow, we aren't even that high up. Boxing backed up and bumped into a large oak dining table. In the middle of the table was a note with "Competitors." printed on the front. He lifted it up in his hooves and began to read.

Manehatten Heights wishes to welcome Competitors of the Manehatten Professional Boxing Tournament.
All competitors are welcome to use our gym facilities and swimming area located on the ground floor, which is open 24/7.
Our kitchen staff will also provide breakfast from 6am-11am free of charge.
We hope you enjoy your stay.

"Sleeping quarters! Down the blue hallway." Stryker shouted back, Boxing walked down the blue hallway to find Stryker laying on his bed with his saddlebags lazily thrown beside it. The bed itself was very big, Boxing estimated that five or six ponies could easily lie side by side. Opposite Stryker's bed was his own, Boxing approached and softly collapsed onto it. "Ahh, that's nice." he stretched his arms and yawned, within minutes Boxing fell into a deep sleep as Applejack's kiss played over and over in his mind.

A Fighting Chance

by Stunt Monkey

Chapter Two [Revised]