//------------------------------// // Prologue Getting ready for a trip // Story: Something more than a fairytale // by Redwalllover28 //------------------------------// Sunset Shimmer and the humane 7 were at Canterlot High getting ready for a trip to New York City. Sunset was excited since she never got the chance to go to Manehattan in Equestria so she was excited. Principal Celestia was taking the girls on a bus trip to see her favorite broadway play 'Beauty and the Beast'. Sunset Shimmer was not so enthusiastic about that part. Coming from a world where magic was everywhere. Still she put on a smile for her friends and Principal Celestia. What surprised her most was that Vice-Principal Luna was also a fan of the play. Well the darker parts of it anyway. Sunset Shimmer was surprised at what the main source material for the musical was. She said: "Principal Celestia, you can't be serious!" Sunset said "We are going to a play that is only based on a children's cartoon, but is a fairytale?! I think that is a little too far fetched!" "Says the girl who is actually a pony from another world." Spike the dog who was with his owner Sci-Twilight remarked. "Touché." Sunset replied then turning to Principal Celestia she said "Really Principal Celestia I don't see the point in going to a play like that." "I have to agree with Sunset on this one." Rainbow Dash admitted "I'm not into sappy fairytale happily ever after stories. Give me a good 'Daring Do' book any day. I personally think that fairytales are a waste of time. And going to see what I think is really just a children's play, or should be, isn't really worth the money and time of going." "I think that the play sounds marvelous." Rarity said "A story about looking beyond the outward appearance of oneself to see the true beauty within." "And don't ferget forgiving another person for their past mistakes." Applejack added "That is always a good lesson." "And you know,I have heard of strange news stories regarding a woman called 'Catherine Chandler." Sci-Twilight informed her friends "It seems like in every criminal investigation she's worked on someone seems to exprience an animal attack." "Like she has a police dog protecting her?" Fluttershy asked before Sci-Twilight could answer though, Pinkie Pie says in her usual hyperactive way: "More like a lion who is really a man who was experiment on as a baby to be kept alive. And the end result was that he had the appearance of lion in his facial features, long nails like a lion's claws, hair that would remind anyone of a lion's mane, and the ability to know when someone he loves is in trouble." "Pinkie that is enough of that." Principal Celestia said "Your scaring everyone with your nonsense." Everyone files onto the bus that Celestia has rented and starts the journey to New York City. Though while they're traveling they can't help but wonder: was Pinkie right? Often times, even though it could never be explained she was. Was there any actual truth in the fairytale of 'Beauty and the Beast' as well? It didn't seem possible. But after the things that they had encountered over the past year, it was not improbable. They would just have to be careful in the city of New York. But of course, in a city like that, anything can happen. Meanwhile, in New York, Catherine Chandler was visiting her husband.This was never easy because of his appearance. He was an outcast of society, any scientist or freak show would want him. So, they had to meet in his underground home. Of course, he was not the only underground resident. Homeless people, orphans, and others lived there as well. Catherine's love for her boyfriend was so great, that they secretly married. Well, her boyfriend's friends and family knew, but not anyone she worked with, or her family. It was because of his appearance. He would never be accepted by the outside world. And it made their marriage hard with her going back and forth like she did. But they were determined to make it work. One day Catherine came down and told her husband of a play called 'Beauty and the Beast'. The title itself amused her husband and he said: "If only people were more accepting of the truth Catherine. How many times have I wished I could walk with you in Central Park. Aside of course, on Halloween." Halloween was the only time that Vincent could walk around New York City without people wondering about his appearance. But they enjoyed the evening every year. People who had seen them together would remark that Vincent wore the same costume every year. But Vincent would smile and say that he was too attached to the costume to wear a different one. Other times, he would wear a hooded cloak to hide his facial features, and gloves to hide his hands. But to his wife Catherine he was beautiful. She smiled and said: "I wish that you could see the play Vincent it is a wonderful reminder to people that you should never judge someone by their appearances. And just because someone made a mistake doesn't mean that they can't change." Vincent smiled again and said: "Again, if only they could really learn that lesson. Than I would not have to hide so much." Catherine sighed. But there was nothing that could be done. She was glad that she was not as active in her police work any more. She still helped with some of the harder cases, but for the most part, she was working at a second hand store owned by one of the helpers. Helpers helped the underground community keep taps on what was going on above ground. Catherine was excited about something she found out at her last doctor's appointment. She decided that it was time to tell her surprise to Vincent. "Vincent have you ever thought about having children?" Catherine asked "Well, yes. But I am not sure that we could." Vincent said "With me being so different. And my blood is really different." "Well, I had a doctor's appointment the other day, and guess what?" Catherine asked and Vincent started looking anxiously "I am pregnant. You're going to be a father!" Vincent was speechless. But the next few weeks would be challenging for couple, and they were going to make some unusual friends.