Chapter 4 - The City of Darkness
Aurora and her mother had settled down in PonyVille. Her mother is working in the mayor's office, while Aurora decided to become Henry's assistant in the library.
She never got the chance to go to school, and with her age, she's a bit uncertain of going back to a filly school, so working in a library would be convinient; working while learning.
Sunset, Aurora's mother, explained that she and her husband were sent to Cloudsdale trial for having a filly that already knew how to fly. As punishment, her husband was sent to jail, and as for her, since she was not born in Cloudsdale, she was no longer allowed to be in the city, thus, she was exiled.
Aurora didn't care. What was important was she found her mother back, and they are reunited and will spent the rest of their days together again.
For a while, Aurora accidentally called Henry 'father'. She apologized soon after.
A young filly like her still need someone to guide her and take care of her, and for someone to fill the hole on the filly's heart where her father should have been.
Henry however would rather appreciate it if she would call him 'uncle' instead.
She's okay with it, and now, Henry had a niece.
A month flew by fast. Henry and Aurora were able to replace the old books inside the library with new ones. Henry's book also became a best-seller, and he's been receiving a lot of fan mails and invitations to conventions from different cities of Equestria.
After hearing the news, a lot of ponies wanted to borrow his book, but the library only had three copies, not including his very own personal copy.
He became a bit of a buzz around the town, about his well-written adventure book. He didn't like the attention though. He never knew writing a book could lead to this so much attention, but eventually, the flow returned to normal.
He appreciated the first few days of receiving letters, but now, he literally put the barrel beside his house's mailbox just to accommodate the flood of letters.
Frustrating as it may be, he did appreciate every single one of them, though he can't find the time to actually read them all.
It also allowed him to have some small talk with his friend Ditzy. Her job required her to fly all around Equestria, delivering mail and packages, thus they were unable to see and talk to each other, until now.
Ditzy bore a daughter she named Derpy. Henry didn't believe her at first, until one day when she flew to PonyVille to deliver some mail for him, she actually brought along her little foal.
Henry was beyond happy for her friend, but a little concern grew inside him after he learned that his friend's husband was naturally born in Cloudsdale.
He did tell her about it, but she assured him that he's not like Aurora's father.
He hoped so, for her and her baby's sake...
Henry was also starting to write another Daring Do book; Daring Do And The Griffin's Goblet.
The inspiration came from the goblet he found in the Ancient Ruins in Fillydelphia. He already made his research about the griffins, and was already planning to go to an ancient castle of the griffins far north of Equestria.
Aurora agreed to take care of the library during his absence.
Things were flowing smoothly until he received a letter from the Book Express Company, stating that his presence is required in Manehattan in a few days time for a convention.
The letter also stated that it would greatly boost the book's popularity, and an apology for a short-noticed invitation.
Henry didn't wrote the book for popularity. He only did it to achieve a dream. Didn't they read the dedication page? He sighed.
Something is telling him to attend. The company were the ones who made his and his sister's book to life, so, return a favor?
Well, at least he can still go to the ancient castle after the convention.
The train will make a stop in Manehattan if he wants to go there anyway.
So, why not? Why not, he asked...
Aw well, for the fans, he thought.
Manehattan it is.
----------
1. The Dark City
----------
The busy city of Manehattan, lit up by light bulbs of all sorts of colors and sizes, lighting everything except for the dark alleyways in between tall concrete buildings, the only parts of the city where the darkness of the night can touch the city floor.
Police ponies running around, chasing criminals on the run, either an escapee or recently commited a crime in some parts of the city.
Mares on the street, busy chatting to each other as they wait for stallions to call them for 'fun'.
Traffic lights for carriages and ponies to have order, were usually ignored. Ponies cross the street despite incoming carriages, dodging each passing carriages just to get to the other side of the road, ignoring the annoyed yells of the drivers.
A treeless city were dust is their oxygen. A city where ponies and rodents could almost live side by side.
Secret societies, crime masters, drug lords, gang mobs...
Everything is 'alive' in the city of darkness.
Two teenaged unicorn stallions ran for their lives, taking each alleyways just to escape from their pursuers. Both their horns lit up to remove obstacles on their way, and return them on their tails to slow the angry mob behind them.
Panic and exhaustion filled their faces, they're living a nightmare of no chances of ever waking up.
One quick turn into an alleyway was the only move they needed to meet a dead end.
Gasping in disbelief, they could no longer run anywhere but the road behind them.
Unfortunately, the only way out was blocked by a number of grinning stallions.
"Well, well, well..."
A scarred earth pony walked in front of their pursuers.
"I'd admit, I had fun chasing you two around..."
Shaking off the fear in him, a golden-brown unicorn stallion with a sky-blue mane and tail, stood in front of a scared and shaking dark-blue unicorn stallion with an evening-black mane and tail.
"...but, too bad it ended so darn quickly..."
The other ponies laughed behind him; two unicorns, two earth ponies and a pegasus pony.
"B-brother..." the dark-blue stallion managed to say despite his trembling lips.
Tears were already forming in his eyes.
The other was looking aggresive, determined to protect theirselves from them.
"Mignight..." he whispered, "I'll create a diversion."
His horn started to glow.
"...run and jump on my back when I say so...and whatever happens, run and don't look back."
"B-but Daybreak... I can't leave you behind."
Midnight's voice was loud enough to echo around the walls of the alleyway.
"Yeah, Daily," said one of the ponies, "don't leave your weak bro behind."
The others broke in laughter.
"Midnight..."
"Listen, kiddos," said the pony in front, "let's make a deal."
"Predictable..." Daybreak snarled.
"We only want Midnight, so hand him over, and we'll leave you alone."
The others grinned, worsening Midnight's fear.
"Yeah, hand that brat if you value your flank!"
One of them spat.
"That 'brat' you refer to is my twin brother."
He stomped his forehoof.
"And you'll go through me first if you want to get to him!"
"Oh, well, have it your way, kid."
"Daybreak, don't do this!"
Midnight begged.
"I'll go with them!"
"Too late, kid."
They prepared theirselves, grinning as each of them thought of how to end them.
Midnight closed his eyes. He was crying now.
Oh, how he wished he didn't butt into their business.
"SOMEBODY HELP US!"
"GET THEM!"
"MIDNIGHT! NOW!"
Daybreak's shout caught Midnight's attention.
At that moment, he wanted to do what his brother planned.
Him, run towards him, and jump on him to get himself to safety.
"NO!"
He snarled.
Midnight's horn glowed in dark-purple, instantly lifting a nearby trashcan and throwing it at the mob, where only the pegasus managed to fly away on time and quickly dived down at him.
The others quickly returned to their feet as one of the unicorn used his magic to lift the garbage bin, and threw it at Daybreak.
Daybreak however, caught it with his magic and in the nick of time, used it to shield himself from the pegasus, and slammed it directly on his face.
Midnight quickly looked around, searching for something to use, and there, behind him were a couple of bricks.
Quickly lifting them up, he quickly turned to face them, prepared to throw them, only to be stunned, witnessing his brother, Daybreak, being held hostage by the group of ponies.
A knife magically floated, the sharp edge making contact with the unicorn's neck, while the other unicorn used his magic to disable Daybreak's horn from using any magic.
"Throw that brick at us and we'll throw his lifeless body to you." grinned the scarred earth pony.
"Your choice, kid."
More like no choice.
He dropped the bricks in defeat as he dropped his gaze to the ground.
"I'm sorry, brother..."
"Yeah, you both will be sorry!"
The pegasus, flapping his wings in mid-air behind him, laughed.
He grabbed a hold of Midnight's mane and neck, forcing his head to face his brother.
"You don't wanna miss the climax of this event."
He grinned.
Midnight's eyes went wide open in fear.
"Don't hurt my brother! Please!"
A tear ran down his face.
"Hurt your brother?" the scarred earth pony looked surprise as he took a step back.
And then a grin grew in his face.
"Nah, more like killing him right in front of you."
Daybreak struggled, only stopping himself after feeling his throat rubbed against the knife. It managed to give him a small cut, and red blood slowly flowed down his throat.
"Picture this kid..."
He walked in front of Daybreak, looking a bit startled that the unicorn already hurt himself.
He then looked at Midnight.
"We, that's us, will slllooowwwlllyyy cut your brother's neck rrriiiggghhhttt in front of you," and he pointed his hoof at him, "and that's you, of course. And then..."
He brought his gaze to Daybreak, "we'll drop him here to rot," he turned to Midnight, "and then we'll take you back to the boss. Sounds fun, right?"
Midnight was in the state of shock now.
His brother's going to die right in front of him, and he's powerless to stop it from happening.
He does nothing, his brother dies. If he does try something, his brother will still die.
"Bro..."
Daybreak slowly said, snapping Midnight back a bit.
He felt the magic that is blocking his horn is loose a bit.
A little chance, and he's willing to take it.
"...whatever happens, don't blame yourself..."
"Well then."
The scarred earth pony smiled evilly.
"It's showtime."
And in an instant, Daybreak became white and vanished, reappearing behind both Midnight and the startled pegasus. With all his might, he gave the pegasus one nasty punch in the chin, knocking him cold on the ground. He then quickly lifted the bricks as the others just got their senses back. Daybreak shouted as he ripped the bricks in midair, turning them into small pieces, and started shooting at them. One of the unicorns took the trash bin and used it as his own shield as the others received nasty injuries, knocking them down.
The unicorn, still having the trashbin in front of him, was terrified. The trashbin then instantly slammed onto him as Daybreak gave it a double back kick.
It's their chance to escape. Daybreak quickly looked at his brother, who was still under shock.
"Bro! Let's get the hell outta here, now!"
But Midnight didn't move an inch.
"B...bro?"
Daybreak ran in front of him, and softly punched his brother's shoulder.
"Bro, let's go!"
He annoyingly shook him, but still nothing.
He sighed as he brought his own hoof high up, and then quickly gave his brother a slap on the face, throwing him down to the ground as he regained himself.
"Bruhhh...huh?"
He quickly shot a glance at his attacker.
"Daybreak!"
And he quickly got to his four hooves.
"You're okay!"
"I told you to get away, you d---!"
Daybreak cut himself as Midnight hugged him, crying his heart out.
"Bro, I'm sorry...!"
Daybreak however, annoyingly broke the hug.
"Whatever, let's just get the hell outta here, and I mean right now."
Midnight nodded, and they quickly ran away.
The scarred earth pony regained his consciousness, despite receiving a nasty injury on his neck and head. Barely able to move any muscle, he angrily stared at the two fleeing unicorns.
"This...isn't...over..."
----------
2. The Convention
----------
The train has arrived in Manehattan. Henry stood in front of the train's door, waiting for them to be opened by the conductor. With his hat, sidebag and glasses, he's quite...not ready to enter the city...of uncertainty...
He sighed as he exited the train. He wasn't able to read the new book about Manehattan, so all he has with him are little Applejack's sketchy description of the city, and he dreadfully admitted to himself that the city is far too sketchy from the filly's description.
This city is worse than Fillydelphia from a scale of twenty-one out of ten.
He had hoped that the city would look at least the same as Fillydelphia, but the morning sun is almost looking misty from the dusty cloud forming above the city. The air is definitely full of dust. How in the world would ponies around this place could even survive a minute here?
The city buildings are made of cement and concrete, gray and full of worn-out and/or torned paper posters. Garbages almost in every corner. Ponies acting no care whatsoever in their environment. Police ponies lazily sat on doughnut stands, giving no flying 'ef' of jaywalkers around the streets. Ponies fighting in alleyways. Ponies quietly working their hooves on elderly ponies' bags, taking whatever was inside. Teenaged ponies talking about 'something' Henry never thought would have already been in their youthful minds. Rats almost in every alley.
Henry thought that he must only be in the 'dark parts' of this huge city, but still. If this is how the city welcomes their visitors, might as well visit hell instead.
How was Applejack managed to get through this city, he'll never find it out.
"New in town?"
Henry was startled as he took a step back and quickly turned to the source of the voice.
A driver of an empty carriage stopped beside the road, a few feet from him.
He nodded slowly.
"Wont be surprised if you're already disliking this dying city."
He laughed.
"Well, you also look a bit lost."
Henry gave a weak smile.
He hired the driver to take him to the convention.
---
"Bro..." Daybreak annoyingly said to his brother as he locked his gaze outside the window.
"We, for the millionth time, are NOT going to that place."
The two unicorns were inside a small, messy and dirty room with a broken glass window.
The room was full of dirty clothes lying around, leftover food, some were already decaying.
A single bed was already taking half of the room's space, slightly buried from the piles of clothes.
Midnight was seated on the bed with a brown book on his magical grasp.
"Aw, c'mon. It'll only be for a little while."
"Have you forgotten what happened last night?"
Daybreak asked, not moving an inch.
"They're still out there, and they will get us if they get the chance."
Midnight was saddened by that fact. If they weren't lucky enough, one of them, or maybe even both of them could have died that night.
If his brother wasn't lucky enough to cast a teleportation spell on himself, then...
He shook his head, dismissing the thought.
Still, his brother was able to perform such an advance magic. He never knew he could do it, and neither was his brother.
"I don't know how I did that teleport spell, so don't raise your hopes that I can use it again to save us."
Midnight sighed as he levitated the book in front of him and turned the book to a random page.
All he wanted was to get this book signed by the author who was visiting the city at this very day.
He sighed again.
They went through all that trouble just for him to get this book.
After the exchange of drugs and a huge amount of cash, Midnight was determined to use his magic to get some of that cash, but things didn't turn out so well.
Not only did he exposed the secret deal in public, but he even got the nerve to steal some money from one of the city's most feared crime lord.
The police were of no use. Even they feared them. As pathetic as they were, he had no other choice but to run for his dear life.
Eventually running into his brother, he explained what happened as Daybreak reached him.
They mug people to survive, and with their magic, they can do it easily, but what Midnight did was far beyond their capabilities.
"I don't want to live like this..."
Midnight whispered...
Daybreak closed his eyes and sighed, sadness drawing on his face.
He slowly turned to his brother.
"I know... I am, too..."
They have been wanting to leave the place, but where will they go?
They were lucky enough to find this abandoned building. They're not even sure if anypony beside themselves knew that this small apartment building was abandoned.
The room they're in was the only room available with a solid floor.
They don't know what happened to this place, and they don't care.
This place is their home at the moment.
Midnight dropped the book from his magic grip, landing on the piles of clothes.
Daybreak stared at the book in anger.
All that trouble to buy one stupid book.
What. The. Hell.
---
Henry was amazed by how large the crowd was inside the building of Book Express Manehattan.
He went inside, and he recognized the earth pony who was standing near the entrance.
He was the one who interviewed him before Henry got his approval of publishing it a month ago.
After an exchange of greetings, he introduced himself as the owner of all the Book Express companies around Equestria. Henry never knew that. His jaw almost dropped off from his head.
He led the alicorn to a small stage right in front of the seated crowd.
After the introductions, he welcomed the author of the Daring Do book, Henry himself.
He introduced himself (minus the one thing, about him being a Changeling), and told them of what inspired him to write the book.
Afterwards, the crowd were allowed to ask him some questions.
Some were about the book, and if he plans to write another.
Some were personal, about him being an alicorn, if he's single or married, if he reads the fanmails, and some other things. He answered each one sincerely.
Afterwards, the crowd took out their own copy of the book and went in line to have their book signed by him.
Henry was glad that he decided to show himself as an alicorn instead of a pegasus. He had no idea how to sign all of their books with his mouth. He shivered at the thought.
After what felt like hours, Henry finally signed all the books, and the crowd finally started to leave. The owner of the company then introduced to him a middle-aged unicorn, a director, and asked if Henry would allow him to make a movie of his book.
Wow! A movie. Henry never thought that the book would reach the big screens.
He accepted the offer, and after he signed the contract, they exchanged goodbyes and they left.
The owner of the Book Express gave him a pat on the shoulder, saying in a joking manner that he can't wait for them to publish the second book.
Henry just replied with a smile.
---
Midnight is starting to hate himself.
Not only that he's out in the open, he also disobeyed his brother for going outside.
With the book inside his saddlebag, he silently went outside the apartment and started walking towards the convention.
No turning back now. He was finally here. He saw a green pony went out of the building. At first he thought he was a unicorn. The pony smiled as he walked pass him.
He didn't manage to return the smile though. No stranger has ever smiled at him before.
He looked back at him, seeing the green pony on the side of the street, waiting for an empty carriage.
He shrugged as he walked towards the building's door, only to be stopped by the guard.
Asking why, the guard tells him the convention was already over.
Wanting to be sure that he still got the chance of meeting the author, Midnight asked if he's still inside.
The guard shook his head as he informs him that Midnight just met him; the green pony on the side of the street.
Oh no...
He quickly turned, and saw the green pony, already on a moving carriage.
Quickly asking where he might be going, the guard gave a guess that he is probably heading to the train station.
Satisfied, he thanked him and quickly ran after the carriage.
But as he ran after the carriage, he stopped momentarily as a realization hit him.
The carriage isn't heading to the station, but elsewhere.
The two unicorn drivers grinned at each other as they used their magic on their passenger.
One to hold him tight on his seat, and the other to block Henry's horn from using any magic.
Henry was surprised from the magic wrapping him. Afterwards, he realized that they're not heading to the train station.
"Hold on tight, sir." said one of the drivers with a grin.
Henry was startled and angry at whatever was going on.
"I already am..." he replied sarcastically.
He's already being held tight by their magic. Extra safety? Pffft.
"Mind telling me where you two are taking me?"
"What?" the other unicorn replied with a grin, "that would ruin the surprise."
And both laughed, to Henry's annoyance.
"You wouldn't mind if I'll scream, right?"
He asked sarcastically as he took a deep breath, ready to shout, until a piece of cloth suddenly flew inside his mouth, stuffing it, disabling him from either shouting or spitting it out.
"There," said the other driver, "now we won't mind if you'll 'shout'."
Henry couldn't move his body, and he couldn't shout for help.
He tried to use his magic, but he found it impossible.
He's seriously in need of help, but who will help him?
----------
3. Three Way
----------
"Where the hell did that idiot go!?"
Daybreak whispered angrily as he walked away from the building where the convention was held.
He knew his brother was planning to sneak out of the apartment to get the book signed, and he waited almost three hours, and Midnight hasn't come back yet.
It's already noon. The summer heat was intensifying Daybreak's anger.
How could he have been so darn stupid to just let his brother sneak out.
He knew the consequences, yet he let him be!
Now, he's more of an idiot than his brother.
He's cursing in whisper as he went to a certain place where he knew his brother usually hangs out.
---
The cloth that covered Henry's head was removed, and he was immediately greeted by the dim-lit room, where he found himself strapped on an iron chair.
He's incabable of moving, except for his head.
The cloth stuffed inside his mouth was then removed with magic.
In front of him was a long table, were a group of bad-grinning ponies were seated around.
His sidebag and hat laid on the table in front of him.
On the opposite end of the table seated a pony hidden in darkness.
Henry could hardly see the small outline.
The little light could hardly reach that area. Not even any of the room's walls were visible from the darkness.
Smoke and dust filled the air, to Henry's annoyance. He never liked the smell of cigarette.
Henry looked at the other ponies. He recognized the two unicorns, the ones who abducted him.
He wanted to ask, but best keep his mouth shut for a while.
He's angry, and he wants to use his magic so badly to either escape or knock these ponies unconscious.
The train must have already left.
"Bet your wondering why you're here."
A scarred pony asked, holding a grin.
Henry rolled his eyes.
"Gee, that thought never came into my mind."
He was immediately slapped on his cheek with a water pipe, almost losing his consciousness.
His glasses fell off from his head.
He didn't return his head for a while. The painful attack was too much for his unready mind to handle.
The pipe floated back into the darkness.
A magical aura surrounded Henry's head, and forcefully made him turn his head back at them.
"I think you get the idea, bub."
The scarred earth pony said.
"You say things we don't like, we'll beat the crap out of you."
The magical grip on Henry's head vanished, dropping his head down as he took some deep breaths.
He weakly nodded his head. Fluid started to roll out of his open mouth, and started to drop down to the floor. Darkness swallowed even the floor, but he knew it was blood.
His sidebag floated in mid-air, and with magic, it opened and the contents hovered out of the bag: a brown envelop with pieces of paper, a quill, an ink bottle, and his pouchbag.
The items dropped into the table except for the pouchbag. The pouchbag opened, revealing large numbers of Bits.
"A hundred Bits!?" the unicorn who was using the magic exclaimed in disbelief.
"Seriously!?"
"I knew something was off..."
Said the pony hidden in the darkness, his voice too dark and cold, yet calm.
The other ponies turned their heads to him.
"Who are you?"
The ponies then turned their gazes to the green alicorn.
Henry lifted his head up a bit to at least see the pony in the shadows.
He didn't want to tell them his name, but...
"He...Henry..."
Silence reigned in the room while the two unicorns opened their mouths in disbelief, one of them dropping the pouchbag and the Bits to the table, creating a momentary noise.
The scarred earth pony immediately stood up, brought both his front hooves on the table, reached to grab one of the unicorn's mane and dragged him in front of his face.
"You FOOL! We said to 'nab the director! NOT THIS GREEN SLIMY PIECE OF SH**!"
Henry cracked a small smile. Somehow, it made him remember Flame.
He dismissed the smile immediately. Now's not the time for recollections.
Both ponies were enveloped in white magic and returned them to their seats.
"What's done's done," sighed the pony in the shadows.
With white magic surrounding the unicorns' heads, he forcefully turned them to him.
"As for you two..."
The two unicorns were trembling from fear.
"...a second chance. Do not fail this time."
As calm as his voice were, every pony in the room sensed the danger underneath his voice.
Despite the magic grip, they were able to slightly nod their heads.
With the magic grip no longer holding their heads, the two quickly dashed away from the room. Henry was able to see where the door was. Now he knew where to go, all he needs now is a plan, if he won't be released 'safely' and 'properly'.
"So, what will we do with this one?"
Asked the pegasus, pointing his hoof at the alicorn while he's facing the pony in the shadows.
All they heard was a sigh. Henry was able to see an outline of his hoof, rubbing his forehead.
"Get rid of him."
And instantly, a ring flew towards Henry's horn, and locked itself in place at the base of his horn.
Henry felt an extreme painful wave echoing inside his body. He wasn't even able to control himself from shouting from the pain. It ached his brain, his body.
And after half a minute, the pain was gone, dropping his head again. He almost lost his consciousness there. Taking deep breaths as he stared at his black set of hind hooves. He heard gasping sounds, but he didn't care. The sudden pain he felt still locked him in the state of shock.
---
Midnight was nowhere in sight. Daybreak was beginning to worry. Was his brother captured? If he was, then...
He quickly looked around, trying to spot his brother. This quiet park held a small number of ponies. He quickly came back to his conclusion that his brother was not here.
Where in Equestria did that idiot go? This is where Midnight usually spends his time worthlessly staring at the blue ocean.
The park was right next to the seawall. The breeze here's refreshing and clean.
Daybreak took a deep breath, and exhaled. Somehow, he felt good inside.
No wonder his brother hangs here a lot. The wind here's soothing.
He shook his head. No time for silly filly moments. He needs to find his brother.
If he got himself caught by those bastards, then he knows where to go and look.
---
Midnight stopped in an alleyway, shielding himself from the sun. He's tired, and he's taking in deep breaths. He lost sight of the carriage. No...
How will he be able to get his book signed?
He dropped himself to a sitting position, scaring some rats around and ran away.
He sighed in disbelief. He missed his chance.
The Daring Do book is a really good book.
He's not yet done reading the whole thing, but he's planning to, but he's not sure when...
Wait. The author needs to get back to the train station.
He didn't go to the direction to the station, so that means, he went somewhere else, and then if he's done doing whatever, he'll go to the station!
The perfect plan!
Midnight got back up and started running to the train station.
This time, he's certain that he will not miss him.
What was he again?
A unicorn, with black glasses, white hat, brown sidebag, green coat, brown mane.
Yeah, he's certain he'll see him there.
---
"So this little...winged...unicorn's a...monster?"
Asked the pegasus.
"A changeling," said the pony in the shadows.
"A creature capable of changing his appearance."
Strangely, Henry sensed the pony was grinning.
Henry was still weak to raise his head back, taking slow and deep breaths.
The scarred earth pony smiled.
"Heh, hey, he might be useful."
The pegasus and the other earth pony grinned.
"Sorry..."
Henry managed to say the words.
"..I'm not willing to work with the likes of you..."
"Oh, don't worry..." said the scarred earth pony.
"You won't do anything."
The changeling wondered what he meant, but suddenly, the iron straps around him snapped and he floated in mid-air, enveloped by white magic.
He felt a strange sensation going inside his body, and a painful feeling in his mind was starting to develop as he slowly changed into a blue earth pony out of his will.
He grunted in pain has he turned into a small version of Princess Celestia.
He continued to change himself out of his will as the ponies watched him, grinning.
'Oh, the posibilities,' they thought.
---
Midnight just turned to the staircase leading down to the station as Daybreak just happened to run pass him as he worked his way to his destination on the side of the street.
Reaching the end of the stairs, Midnight quickly looked overhead, trying to spot the green unicorn, but so far, no luck.
He saw the ticket booth with a long line of ponies.
After a pony got his ticket, he immediately went in front of the line.
"Hey!" shouted the pony who was next in line.
"Zip it, bub. I only need to ask a question!"
And with that, Midnight turned to the pony on the other side of the glass.
"When's the next train to..."
He blinked. He had no idea where the unicorn will be heading.
"...er...will be arriving?"
"Um... Less than twenty minutes..."
The mare pony replied nervously.
"Thanks beautiful."
Midnight winked and walked back to the staircase, ignoring the killer glares of the ponies in line.
Twenty minutes.
He could wait.
---
Daybreak ran pass two police ponies. Both ignored him, even though Daybreak was on the bottom list of criminals to be put behind bars.
After realizing that the police would rather eat doughnuts than to run and chase him, Daybreak confidently continued running.
---
Midnight was walking up and down the staircase, trying to kill his boredom.
After he got up the stairs, he saw two very familiar unicorn ponies from the side of the road.
Startled, he immediately hid himself behind a group of elderly mares yelling at each other (their ears no longer serve them properly).
Taking a peak, he saw them talking to a middle-aged unicorn, and suddenly, one of them punched the unicorn out cold and both put him in a nearby carriage.
He couldn't believe that, from the large number of ponies around, no one seemed to be aware of what they just did, and off they go.
Should he go after them?
Wait, no, why should he?
---
Daybreak stopped for a moment, leaning on a traffic light, catching his breath.
He's still a bit far from his destination.
Damn it. His brother could be already lying dead now!
He needs to continue, even if he still has a slight chance of saving him, he'll take it.
A carriage stopped near him. A red light. Time for him to cross.
He turned around, and as usual, the traffic lights were most certainly ignored.
But what caught his attention the most was the carriage beside him.
He recognized the two drivers, and it was a really good thing they haven't noticed him yet.
He took the chance to quietly sneak inside the carriage, disregarding the unconscious stranger being held in a sitting position.
He needs to save his brother, he will take him back, and they will take him there.
----------
4. Limit
----------
Henry was forced to change into the ponies that look like the ones in Manehattan's government, snapping his picture with mares and with drugs and alcohol.
Despite doing this against his will, he's a bit thankful that he did nothing on the mares, didn't take any of the drugs, and no alcohol went down his throat.
The group planned to blackmail the officials, and make tons of Bits in the process.
After their 'activity', the pegasus pony took the water pipe and slapped him unconscious.
---
The carriage stopped in front of a bar. The drivers quickly lifted the unconscious unicorn, and instead of going inside the bar, they went inside an alley, and went inside the door, heavily guarded by muscular earth and pegasi ponies.
Daybreak remembered his first visit in this place. He was lucky they let him go after he mugged one of them months ago. They took him inside, beat the hell out of him, and threw him outside.
Now's not the time to think about the past.
He needs to think of a plan to get inside...but how?
He couldn't believe that none of the ponies walking around gave an 'ef' to those two unicorns, lifting an unconscious pony in the middle of the street.
---
The train already closed its doors, and it slowly started to move out of the station. Midnight was sure he didn't saw the unicorn he was looking for. Twenty-seven minutes, wasted for nothing. He was beyond frustrated after he learned that the next train will arrive in less than an hour.
His brother must be thinking of a lot of ways to kill him when he gets back. He shivered in fear from the thought.
"What the hell is taking that unicorn so long to get here?"
He mumbled to himself.
---
Henry woke up after hearing the door slammed open. He was startled a bit after he saw a unicorn being dropped on the table in front of him, and what was worse, even with his blurry sight, he recognizes the unicorn; the director who wanted to put Daring Do in the big screens.
The unicorn however, was still out cold.
He found himself strapped on the same chair again.
The two unicorns took their seats as white magic enveloped the unicorn on the table, and was then lifted in the air and from the shadows, a rope came out and wrapped the unicorn.
The pegasus pony took flight and grabbed the unicorn and he took him inside another door.
"We'll deal with him later."
Echoed the voice of the pony in the shadows.
Then, from him, he hovered photographs to the center of the table, the photographs of Henry disguised as other ponies.
Henry could not believe how powerful that pony is. He was able to even change his facial expression by just tweaking some things inside his mind.
It was painful, and what's worse, he could not put it out, to at least ease himself a bit.
If he survives this, he swear to the sun that...
"Yeah, it looks so darn real, boss!"
Exclaimed the scarred earth pony.
"Cash will be flowing like flood."
The pegasus pony just got back in the room and quickly flew back to his seat, and started looking at some of the photos.
"Using the mares in the club upstairs wasn't such a bad idea."
The pegasus grinned.
The changeling simply listened to their talk, unable to save himself. He's weak, powerless...
He can't use his magic, not with that weird ring stuck on his horn.
He wished his sister would come and save him again.
He quietly sobbed as a tear ran down his face.
---
Daybreak had no other choice. He can't fight them all on his own.
Not only was he lucky enough to cast that teleportation spell, he has no knowledge to any magic than just to lift stuff.
When they first found the apartment, he found a piece of paper lying on the floor. It was a torned page from a magic book, and the page was about the safe way to perform the teleportation spell.
Thinking that it was nonsense, and feeling a bit hungry, he ate the paper.
The Boss, one of Manehattan's most wanted crime lords, will be in hot water.
He went to two nearby gangsters, both knew him and Midnight, for they all grew up together in the streets before they found the apartment.
Both gangs, consisting of fifty-eight ponies in total, may be young and weak, but together, they're one force even The Boss should fear.
Daybreak grinned as both gangs settled down their differences for this day and to help their fellow pony. And, both had been holding a long grudge against The Boss. From stealing their hard-stolen money, to beating some of them, to actually killing a few of them, it's about time for revenge.
Without wasting any more time, they brought up a plan as other pegasi members flew to gather even more of their members.
Yeah, from the looks of things, they're about to bring hell in the city.
---
Midnight has been sitting on the staircase for a while now, bored out of his skull, waiting for the unicorn. He saw a number of his friends on the street, busy talking to each other, but he didn't bother talking to them. He might miss the unicorn.
---
Traffic has hit the streets of Manehattan. The road in front of the bar was filled with teenaged ponies, all eyes locked on the single floored establishment.
The bar already summoned ponies to block both the bar's entrance, and the alleyways.
Shouts of drivers and passengers echoed in the streets.
The plan?
"ATTACK!"
Unicorns lifted bricks and stones and other things and started throwing them at the establishment, as pegasi ponies battled other opposing pegasi ponies in the air. Earth ponies went to physical attacks. Far outnumbered, Daybreak and a number of ponies worked their way towards the alleyway, and after clearing the ponies in the way, they quickly went inside the door.
---
Midnight sighed as he turned towards his friends a few feet away. He then saw a pegasus landed near his friends. After talking a bit, his friends immediately ran to one direction.
The pegasus was about to fly after them when he heard Midnight's call.
He turned to see him.
"Midnight! Glad you're---wait!"
"Wait what?"
"You---You're---! Why are you here!?"
---
Daybreak slammed the door open, immediately greeted by a scarred earth pony, punching him on his face, and throwing him back from the impact. The other ponies who were following Daybreak stormed inside and started beating the ponies inside.
Daybreak managed to get back into his hooves, and witnessed a number of ponies running towards another door. Another group of ponies went inside before he got himself in.
Ignoring the battle inside the dimly-lit room, he ran towards the other door.
Three ponies followed to assist him.
Daybreak found himself inside the sewers, were the disgusting water was only a few inches in height. They spotted the running ponies, and quickly gave chase.
---
Midnight and the pegasus arrived at the block, where ponies are running in panic, carriages were left empty in the road. The scene was not what Midnight expected.
Blood flowed on the battlefield. Ponies breathless and lying on the road, ignored as others continued the battle. Pegasus ponies flying in the air, beating each other.
Fearing for the worse, Midnight cried as he ran towards the scene, only to stop himself after a series of explosions echoed in the streets and the whole scene was covered in grayish gas.
Quickly landing beside him was a full-grown pony, wearing a black and familiar disguise.
Black mask, black cape, black outfit, with a yellow-colored bat on where the cutie mark was supposed to be.
Standing tall and proud. Beside him stood the city's well-known crime-fighting vigilante, Batmare.
As the smoke cleared, all of the ponies lay on the bloody floor, either dead or unconscious.
And as soon as Midnight heard a group of hooves behind them, he turned to see a large group of police ponies running to the scene, as Batmare, with her high-tech devices, pulled herself up to the top of a building with her fast-shooting rope.
---
Cornered, The Boss and the scarred earth pony found theirselves in front of a dead-end of the sewers. Behind them, Daybreak, two pegasi and one unicorn ponies stood behind him.
The Boss, an adult gray-colored unicorn with long black hair and mane. On his back was Daybreak's brother, Midnight, unconscious.
In front of the unicorn stood his most loyal scarred earth pony, grinning.
"Give my brother back, you scum!"
Daybreak commanded, receiving laughter as a reply.
The scarred earth pony quickly ran towards them. Daybreak and the other unicorn however, easily enveloped magic around the earth pony and slammed him on the walls of the sewer.
Unconscious, the four brought their focus on the gray unicorn, who was just smiling calmly.
"For the last time," Daybreak snarled, horn glowing, "give me my brother back!"
But to their surprise, Midnight suddenly jumped off of the gray unicorn's back and slowly walked in front of him, facing the teenaged ponies.
Happy at first, it quickly turned to confusion after seeing Midnight's serious look at him, horn glowing intensely.
"Midnight! What's with you!?"
One of the pegasi ponies shouted.
---
'S...sister...?'
Henry thought as he watched his own body move against his will.
The blurry image of a yellow pony a few meters away.
Is that is sister? Is she here to save him?
Henry's too weak to even listen to his own ears. The pain waving inside his head was too much burden to bear.
---
Midnight blasted a brown beam towards Daybreak, who immediately dodged it in time, hitting the two pegasi ponies instead, and quickly knocking them unconscious.
"Midnight! What the hell!?"
Shouted Daybreak.
"Sorry 'break."
Said the other unicorn as he fled away in fear and confusion.
Daybreak was left to face his own brother. The gray unicorn simply smiled behind Midnight, annoying him.
There's no way Midnight would attack him like that.
He dodged another beam in time, and barely escaped the follow-up beam.
"Midnight! Snap out of it!"
Daybreak only has one idea of what is going on.
"Let my brother go!"
His brother is being controlled.
----------
5. Broken
----------
Midnight has been standing on the spot, blasting beams towards the dodging Daybreak. He's starting to wear out.
How in the world would Daybreak save his brother if he can't even get close to...that's it!
But can he do it? He has to.
He continues to dodge the beams as he secretly casts his magic beside his target.
He is not sure if this will work. The spell would require him to stay still.
After dodging yet another beam, he tried to act like he's completely worn out.
And it worked. Instead of firing another beam, the gray unicorn gave him a moment.
"Before I'll end you," said the gray stallion, "I'd like to tell you that your brother is not here."
And with that, another quick beam was fired at him.
But as soon as the beam was about to make contact, Daybreak's whole body became white and disappeared. Startled, the stallion quickly noticed a white light beside him, and before he could react, Daybreak gave him a powerful punch on his neck, and he followed it quickly with another punch on the head.
Quickly turning around, he gave him a powerful double kick, throwing him on the wall of the sewer.
Before Midnight collapses, Daybreak caught him.
"Brother! It's me! Wake up, you idiot!"
But Midnight's body suddenly turned into a darker shade of black, and the Midnight he's holding turned into a monster.
Surprised, he let reflex drop the unconscious creature off of his hold, collapsing on the water.
Anger quickly filled within him, but before he could let it out, he was enveloped by white magic and he was slammed on the other wall of the sewer. His lungs immediately ran out of air as he slammed.
"I told you..." the gray unicorn slowly stood up as an iron snapping sound echoed through the sewers.
"Your brother is not here."
No... Was he too late?
Was he too late to save him?
Despite his weak body, a tear managed to run down his face.
Daybreak was lifted in the air once again.
"Now..." the gray unicorn said with a calm smile.
"Your time's up."
And in an instant, he slammed the golden-brown unicorn on the wall, and Daybreak spat blood from his mouth before he fell to the watery ground, his back severely bruised and bloody.
Breathless...
The gray unicorn slowly walked away. He sighed.
He'll have to rebuild his guild once again.
No matter. Cash will flood this time. He still has the photos.
He suddenly felt his energy draining away from him as he noticed brown aura enveloped him.
He quickly turned around and saw the lying changeling's horn was glowing.
He forgot!
Changelings can absorb emotions!
The ring on his horn... It's gone!
That must have been the snapping sound earlier.
Slowly rising on his feet, the changeling's brown eyes glowed intensely, his face full of anger.
"Big mistake."
The gray unicorn used his own magic to envelop the changeling.
He commanded his magic to lift him, but to his surprise, it failed.
His vision started to get blurry.
"Oh... I've never fed like this in a long while..."
The changeling whispered out of pure anger.
The gray unicorn noticed his hooves were getting thin. His ribcage was already visible from his thin body.
Out of nowhere, a black-dressed pony appeared and immediately threw three bat-shaped boomerangs at the changeling.
The changeling simply used his magic to stop the boomerangs in front of him. But after a few seconds, the boomerangs exploded, consuming the whole area in black smoke.
Batmare quickly activated her mask's heat sensor, but to her surprise, the changeling was already gone, leaving the gray stallion, scarred earth pony, and two teenaged pegasus ponies behind.
She was about to approach The Boss when, unknown to her, white magic enveloped her and slammed her onto the walls. The gray stallion, despite his weak state, managed to get back on his hooves, and made his escape.
---
Henry flew back to the dimly-lit room, carrying with him the unconscious Daybreak on his back, assisted by his magic. After sensing his glasses, he immediately floated it on his face to see his...sister?
No. He took a step back, dropping the young stallion on the floor.
That is not his sister...
He heard voices nearby. He immediately took his items inside his sidebag, took his hat and flew back to the sewers.
Police ponies suddenly came inside the room. Some lifted the unconscious bodies of the ponies in the room.
---
Midnight was eagerly waiting for the police ponies to get out for him to see the ponies. He feared that his brother may be one of them.
He already took a look at all the other ponies who were sent to the hospital, and those who were sent to jail.
As he saw each ponies being lifted, his hope crashed landed.
None of them was his brother.
---
Midnight stayed in the area until the sun was ready to set, where no other pony but him was there.
He could not believe it. All this trouble, all this deaths, and his brother, just because of one stupid book!
He quietly left the area, heading nowhere in particular...
---
"I don't want to live like this..."
Midnight whispered...
Daybreak closed his eyes and sighed, sadness drawing on his face.
He slowly turned to his brother.
"I know... I am, too..."
They allowed the silence to govern for a while.
Finally, Daybreak sighed, and smiled.
"One day..."
Midnight looked at him.
"...we'll be able to meet the author of that stupid book of yours and let him sign it."
Midnight smiled at him.
"That's a promise."
---
"If only I listened..."
Midnight whispered to himself, staring blankly at the book lying beside him as he sat on the train station's staircase.
The evening has already goverened the sky.
A green pony walked down the stairs, and stopped after he noticed the sad unicorn.
He smiled as he grabbed the book with his magic, startling the unicorn.
Midnight saw his book being signed by the author himself, Henry Hoof, a green alicorn pony, with a brown sidebag, white hat, and black glasses.
Henry returned the book to the unicorn's hooves.
He smiled at Midnight, who was under the state of shock.
---
In a quiet alleyway, a gray unicorn stallion was lying on the ground, breathing deeply. His life has been absorbed. How could he revive his guild again?
No, he has to revive it, no matter what!
But first, he needs t---
"GAH!"
He shouted as his back was slammed on the walls of the alley, yellow magic locked him in place. Before him was a levitating yellow pony, eyes glowing in pure gold, his face full of anger.
"Daybreak, please!"
But without warning, the gray unicorn's neck bent to an unimaginable angle. The yellow aura around the gray stallion vanished, allowing his lifeless body to drop on the dirty floor.
"You killed my brother..."
He whispered, his whole body, still enveloped by his own yellow magic, allowing him to levitate in mid-air.
"I'll kill you..."
He slowly turned to face a new arrival, a black-suited pony with black cape.
"I'LL KILL ALL OF YOU!"
Batmare prepared herself.