//------------------------------//
// fighting 
// Story: Mapping Manehattan 
// by The Red Parade 
//------------------------------//

It gets cooler as the sun sets over Manehattan. But the weather isn’t as icy as the silence that forms between Lightning and Fiddle.

They trudge down the streets mechanically, with Lightning shooting Fiddle a glance every now and then. Fiddle never meets her eyes, though: she stares forwards and keeps moving.

The quiet grows and grows until it fills the entire street, and Lightning can’t take it anymore. She asks if Fiddle needs to have a break. Fiddle shakes her head and says she’s fine. She can go for another few hours.

Lightning glances up at the sky and at the clouds brooding overhead. The smell of rain hangs in the air. She points this to Fiddle, who brushes her off again. 

They keep moving for a little bit before Lightning speaks up. They really should just take a break.

Fiddle throws her hooves up in the air with an annoyed grunt. Fine. If Lightning’s tired, then they’ll stop. 

Lightning narrows her eyebrows. She isn’t tired, she’s concerned about Fiddle’s health. Lightning doesn’t want Fiddle to push herself too hard and burn herself out.

In response, Fiddle rolls her eyes and scoffs. 

That makes Lightning angry. She isn’t a very patient mare, and Fiddle knows this. She asks Fiddle if there’s some sort of problem.

Yes, there is, Fiddle decides. The problem is that the mall they just left is filled with death and bullet holes. The problem is that there are ponies who were forced down there and never made it out.

But the biggest problem to her is that Lightning doesn’t seem to care about any of it.

Lightning raises an eyebrow and scowls. Why should she? Has Fiddle seen the state of the world? It’s horrible, yes, but it’s not like they couldn’t expect it. She just doesn’t understand why Fiddle is so upset about this.

Fiddle stomps on the ground. That’s the whole problem: Lightning doesn’t understand. She doesn’t understand no matter how many times Fiddle’s explained it. Fiddle knows more ponies in the ground than in real life, and for some reason, Lightning can’t understand how that feels.

Fiddle sticks an accusing hoof in Lightning’s face. Is it really so hard to understand why she prefers a peaceful approach? Is it really that bad to want to save a life rather than to take one?

Lightning smacks her hoof away. She’s so sorry for acting and saving their lives. Next time, she’ll be sure to let them die.

The wind whips through their manes. Fiddle scowls and turns away from Lightning. 

A few seconds pass before Lightning offers an apology. But Fiddle refuses to accept it. She can tell that it’s only meant to make her feel better. 

Lightning huffs and throws her hooves in the air. If Fiddle’s going to act like this, she might as well leave. 

Fiddle won’t stop her. 

Lightning opens her mouth to say something, but closes it again. She frowns, turns away, and takes off into the sky.