//------------------------------// // Arrival in Manehattan // Story: Beauty Lies Within // by MiraculousDragonMaster //------------------------------// Beauty Lies Within Chapter 8 Arrival in Manehattan The train rumbled against the tracks on the long iron bridge. Rarity was way beyond excited as she squealed while looking out the window. "Oh, I just can't wait until we arrive!" She exclaimed giddily. "We know, Rarity." Applejack said, uncovering her pony ears, as did the other girls. "You have said that like, six times already." Rainbow Dash pointed out. "Please, darling." Rarity said as she reached into one of her trunks. "When was the last time we have visited Manehattan?" "It was two years ago, when you and I were summoned there to solve a friendship problem." AJ reminded. "Oh, my." Fluttershy suddenly realized. "Has it really been three years since the Royal Wedding?" Twilight looked up from her book that was being levitated by her raspberry colored magic and put it away. "Yeah, three years have gone since Shining Armor and Cadence defeated the Changelings. A lot has happened these past few years." "Yeah. It definitely has been a while, when you put it that way." Pinkie replied. "Now Twilight is a princess, Rainbow Dash is a Wonderbolt, Rarity has three boutiques all over, we have saved Equestria a few more times, and we have made lots of great friends." "Yes, we have." Twilight agreed. "Oh, girls!" Rarity exclaimed. "We're almost there!" She then opened up the trunk she pulled out, and magically lifted out six casual outfits. "I made this outfits a while ago, so I thought these could be the perfect things to wear while we see the sights." The other girls looked at each other with a glance and shrugged. When it comes to Rarity insisting about clothes, it was pretty much futile to argue. At least she knows their specific styles and still adds her own touch of flair to it. Soon, the train pulled into the station. As passengers began spilling out of the train, the girls came out, carrying their luggage and wearing Rarity's outfits. Twilight was now wearing a dark purple blouse with a white collar, puffed up sleeves, and three white buttons going down the front. She also wore a skirt of a lighter shade of purple with a black lace trim underneath it and three copies of her signature stars sewn into the fabric and dark purple heels with two straps. Rainbow Dash now wore an orange tank top with her signature lightning bolt underneath a blue vest with a high white collar, a matching skirt with lime green triangular sections, and blue running shoes. Applejack now wore an apple green shirt underneath a maroon jacket, an orange flared skirt with apples and a dark purple belt with a lime green buckle, dark purple leggings, and brown ankle boots with apple green trim and red apple prints. Fluttershy now wore a sleeveless aqua green mini dress with dark pink ribbons on her chest and around her stomach, the skirt having white butterflies on it and lime green lace trim underneath, and dark pink heels with a lime green butterfly on them. Pinkie Pie now wore a sleeveless white and blue striped shirt with a light blue rounded collar and tie, a dark blue flared skirt with balloons, leggings of a lighter and brighter shade, and purple heels with balloons. And Rarity now wore a light blue mini dress with navy trim, a ruffled collar and little sleeves, diamond imprints on the skirt, and dark purple heels with light blue trim. They walked out of the station while carrying their luggage, Rarity and Twilight doing it magically. Rarity smiled as the sun hit her face. "Oh, Manehattan!" She excitedly squealed. "What you do to me!" Rainbow rolled her eyes at her friend's excitement for the sixteenth time, then turned over to Twilight. "So, any idea where we're staying, Twi?" She asked. The Princess of Friendship just shrugged. "When we decided to have some quality time with each other here, Rarity said that she would handle our accommodations." "And that I did, darling." Rarity assured her. "Just follow me." Soon, they had arrived at a large and fancy hotel building, with many windows and towering up to the sky. "Wow, Rare." AJ said. "You really went all out." "Well, since it is just two days, we may as well stay in a place that is fabulous and luxurious." The fashionista said as they went inside. Soon, they arrived at their suite. It was a large space with three bedrooms, each with two plush white beds. "Only the very best." Rarity said to her slack-jawed friends. "So, who would have which room?" She asked. "You and me, AJ?" Rainbow asked the cowgirl. "Sure thing, partner." Applejack complied with a smile as the two shared a fist bump. "Can I share with you, Rarity?" Fluttershy asked. "Of course you can, darling." Rarity said, wrapping an arm around her. "Guess that just leaves you and me, Twilight." Pinkie said as she brought her into a tight shoulder hug. "Okay, then." Twilight said, giggling at her excitement. As soon as they got settled in, they all ran back outside to explore the city as much as they can. Twilight sighed happily as they walked along the streets. "I still can't believe how much they had been through together." She said, smiling at her best friends. "And we still stuck together through it all." "Well, we are friends after all." Pinkie said, like it was obvious. "Best friends." Twilight added with a smile as she then started to sing. Twilight: Friendship used to make me so queasy, queasy. But you made it all so easy, easy. Now, I don't have to say what I'm thinking. You already know without even thinking. Rarity would stop by some of the stores to look through the windows, admiring all of the clothes that were on display. When they went through the community park, Applejack and Fluttershy were relieved to have a little bit of peace and quiet, while Rainbow Dash practiced a bit of soccer on the field. Twilight was practically bursting at the seams when they visited a museum. And Pinkie Pie was just happily skipping along as they went through almost of Manehattan. Applejack: You girls are the apple of my eye. Rainbow Dash: The race that doesn't end in a tie. Pinkie Pie: You are the funnel cake at my fair. Fluttershy: The warm hug of a fuzzy bear. All: Best friends until the end of time. We'll have each other's backs, And let our true selves shine. And that's because- Everything we need Is all right here, When we're with our team. Soon, at the end of the day, when Celestia was lowering the sun, the girls decided to hit the park one more time before heading back to their hotel room. Twilight: I simply can't imagine there be a day When I wouldn't want to be walking away. Whatever new problems there may be, may be, Our friendship is always a door with a key. Rarity: You are the jewels in my friendship crown. Twilight: The sparks that make my world go round. All: We bring the best out; that's our goal. There's no telling how far we'll go. As they finished their song, they waved to everyone with a smile, making them return it. They knew who they are, and it always was a pleasure to see them. Best friends until the end of time. We'll have each other's backs, And let our true selves shine. And that's because- Everything we need Is all right here, When we're with our team. The group of friends were all laughing joyfully as they finally made it to their hotel, just as Luna was starting to raise the moon up in the sky. It couldn't have been a more perfect day.