//------------------------------// // Escape from Manehattan // Story: A Reflection of sorts // by thetaleweaver //------------------------------// Chapter 6 Escape from Manehattan -------------------------------------------------- 854 years since Luna's Disappearance -------------------------------------------------- "That's far enough, Mr. Linshire!" called out a voice from the shadows. Colin turned his head towards the shadows as a guard stepped out to confront him. "I've overheard everything you've said, Linshire. I should take you in right now!" he growled. "Since you know what is going on, you should also know why doing that is a bad idea" replied Colin, calmly. "You claim that the Blackmoors are still alive. I want proof". "Fair enough. I have to make this quick, though. Innocent lives are in my hooves, and I don't want to let anything bad happen!" With that, Colin lead the guard to the back of the guard station. Both of them peered inside and saw a mare and stallion curled up together on a pile of hay. Colin called out to the pair, and they bolted awake. "It's you again. Is there something you need, Mr. Linshire?" asked the stallion. "Show us your flank, Gerald. It's imperative you do so" replied Colin. "It's not shower time yet, I'm afraid. Come back later and we'll talk about that". "Save that lowbrow humor for later! Your life isn't the only one that hangs in the balance right now!" "So you're going to get us all out? If this really helps, then I guess it'll be no problem". Gerald turned his flank to the bars, and the light pouring in revealed a cutie mark of a trowel. The guard recoiled slightly, a shocked expression on his face. "That's his cutie mark alright. I don't believe it..." The guard approached the bars once more, a look of concern displayed across his visage. "Gerald? Why are you down here?" "Julius Blackmane? My goodness, it's been ages! How're the foals?" "Little hellions. They'll straighten out soon enough, though. That's not important, though. Please answer my question". "Well, we were at our home when suddenly the door was broken down. A stallion with a prosthetic hoof knocked us unconcious and we woke up behind bars. Mayor Brickmason was thrown in there a day later, and we haven't seen him since we were dragged off to this cell a few days ago. Is he alright?" Julius took a moment to take in this information, and a confused look sprouted upon his face. "He's going to be publicly executed in a few hours for your deaths. But if you're still alive, then..." He paused for a moment to attempt to calm himself. "I need to confront the Captain on this. He'll explain what's going on, I know it!" He started to run off, but Colin stopped him. "Hold up! You know that they are the genuine article, so why are you going to report this to the one who locked them up to begin with?" asked Colin, irately. "He should at least be able to explain his side of the story. After all, I let you do that, and it brought up a lot of questions. I know that the Captain can answer them" replied Julius, uneasily. "Isn't that like asking a convicted murderer if they've claimed a life before?!" bellowed Colin. He breathed heavily before speaking up again. "You know what? Fine. Ask him. Just give me a head-start of an hour or so first. I'm going to break them out". "Shouldn't that be a reason for me to take you in? I mean, a cutie mark's a cutie mark. There's always the possibility that he's a fraud". "You still deny it?! Fine. List off an idea. But keep in mind, he not only bears Mr. Blackmoor's cutie mark, but also knew your name and that you have children. Think hard if necessary". Julius stood there silently, thinking to himself. "Fine. I'll wait to talk to the captain. But if I find his story more plausible than this, I'm coming for you, Linshire!" "Fair enough. Have a nice night, Blackmane". That having been said, Colin flew off, and returned 15 minutes later with a file in mouth. He immediately began wearing away at the metal bars above the Blackmoor's cell. At the cost of the file finally snapping from the excessive friction, most of the bars came off of the window. Colin lowered himself into the cell and lifted up the two ponies one at a time. All three of them now on the ground, they looked up to see the sun just beginning to rise. They fled the area, and Colin lead them to a house with a covered wagon parked in front. He rapped the front door with his hooves frantically, as he looked around to make sure no guards were nearby. The door opened, and a pony motioned for the three to come in quickly. The door was closed quickly, and the figure turned around to reveal a unicorn stallion. "Colin, these ponies don't look like Edgar and Nimba. What's going on?" asked the stallion, worriedly. "There's been a change of plans, Gladstone. This is Gerald and Elizabeth Blackmoor. They were also caught up in this horrid scheme, and now so am I. I have to go get Nimba and Rose now. I'm sorry, but not even I could have seen how bad things were going to get". "Bad? First I'm late getting a shipment, then I find out my home village is nothing more than a ghost town, and now this?! There had better be a damn good reason why I shouldn't toss the lot of you out of my house!" barked Mr. Gladstone, clearly having lost his patience. "Gerald, please fill him in on what's going on. I have to go round up the rest of us" commanded Colin as he burst out the back door. He soon arrived at Edgar's residence, and explained the circumstances to Nimba. She quickly filled a suitcase with items, and ran out the door with Colin. He had given her the address, and told her to go there while he runs to go get Rose. He raced towards her residence, heart pounding from the fear of guards hunting him down. He arrived, and rapped on the door. To his surprise, Rose was already awake. "Rose, I need you to pack some belongings and come with me" he said, panting. "A guardspony came by ten minutes ago looking for you. Why are you helping out criminals?" she asked, visibly shaken. "They are innocent, Rose. All of them. I'd love to explain everything, but time is of the essence here. Please, Rose. Trust me" he pleaded. The mare looked at him in the eyes, hers now reflecting sadness. "Mr. Brickmason really has messed with your mind, hasn't he? Don't run from the guards, Colin. They just want to talk to you and figure out what's wrong". "I can't do that, Rose! His life hangs in the balance, and I won't let harm come to him! He's done so much for me, and I feel obligated to return the favor!" "Colin, he's guilty. The court ruled it. If you go and save his life, you'll be behind bars for a long time. Come inside with me, dear. Just relax and wait for the guards". "Relax? Relax?! My best friend is going to die if I don't do anything! Now please, Rose. Gather up what you need. We need to leave town before the guards come to take us away". Hearing this, Rose's expression changed to one of anger. She glared at him before opening her mouth to speak. "Are you really so lost, Colin? I'm trying to help, and you push me away! So you know what? Go help the mayor. Leave town. Whatever you want to do. Just do it by yourself!" she yelled before slamming the door in his face. This sudden change of emotion shocked Colin to his core. "R-Rose? Please, I just want to help..." stammered Colin. "Leave now, or I call the guards!" roared Rose from behind the door. Colin fled the stoop, fighting back tears as he ran back to Gladstone's flat. Nimba had arrived shortly before, and was sitting in the front room. The others walked over to the front door to check on him. "Is everything alright, Linshire?" asked Gladstone. "Jack. Have everyone load up into the wagon" demanded Colin, choking back his emotions. "Look, if you're upset about me snapping at you, I'm sorry. Now c'mon. What's wrong?" "Just do it! I'll meet you at the city gate soon!" exclaimed Colin. Gladstone nodded, and everyone began loading up into the wagon. Colin, meanwhile, ran out back and began beating his hoof against a tree. Growing fatigued, he sat beneath the tree and tried to find something happy to think about. He lost his train of thought, however, when he saw a group of ponies marching past the front of the house. In the center of the group was Edgar, bound in chains. Colin regained his focus, and began to follow them amongst the crowd of ponies that wished to spectate the event. Upon arriving at the square, Colin immediately broke from the crowd to get a good vantage point on the event, which was found on the roof of a nearby building. He watched the event, waiting for the proper moment to strike. As the axe was raised above Edgar's neck, Colin leapt from the roof and divebombed into the axe, catching it right before it connected. "Edgar! Get up!" called out Colin. Hearing this, Edgar opened his eyes and rose to his hooves. "Is everyone else safe, Colin?" he asked, a renewed sense of hope taking hold of him. "Just you and me. C'mon, let's get the hay out of here!" Edgar beamed and blasted his shackles with a stream of magic, reducing them to dust. "Why didn't you do that before I rescued you?" "I figured that you'd come to my aide at some point. I've not known you for dawdling, after all". Valorous stepped forward, a look reflecting fury visible on his face. "Neither of you are going anywhere! Arrest them!" cried out Valorous. Despite being outnumbered, the two managed to somehow fight off the guards. They prepared to leave, but Valorous leapt out in front of them, axe hovering above him. "Get back to the chopping block, Brickmason! We all know you can't get past me!" bellowed Valorous, angrily. Without a word, Edgar fired a bolt of magic at Valorous. He dodged, and poised himself to charge. As he began to burst forward, the axe came down and severed his right foreleg, which was a wooden prosthetic. As he cried out due to blind rage, Edgar and Colin ran off to the City gate to meet up with the wagon. Upon arriving, Nimba nuzzled Edgar ferociously. "I missed you, Nimba. Are you alright?" asked Edgar. "I'm fine, but there's someone here who wants to speak to you" she said, pointing to a figure bearing a hooded cloak. "He's refused to let us leave town until he gets a chance to speak to you". Edgar nodded, and approached the figure. "Time is short, friend. How can I help you?" "You musn't escape this town. The pain you will cause in the future shall be too great" said the figure.