//------------------------------//
// Chapter 8 
// Story: Equestrian Railways 
// by shadowspark101 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 8
After a few hours, the train pulled into Canterlot Union Station. John disembarked the train, looking around for a map of the city, or an information booth. He quickly scanned the station. Bad luck for him, the station was partially crowded with commuters and the staff going about their business. John knew that it was only a matter of time until he was seen, so he the second he saw an information booth with what looked like maps in a bin, he hurried towards it, ignoring any stares that he was getting. Okay. He thought as he grabbed a map and opened it. The station is here. So if I leave here and go down three blocks, then the patent office should be on my left between Donut Joes and the Jewelers, simple enough. He put the map in his jacket pocket and headed towards the station exit, unaware that he was being tailed.
Lyra looked at the leaving human with intense interest. Ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh! A human! She thought as she followed John through the station. What’s a human doing here? Unless he is one of the new CME’s of that railway. She smiled as she began formulating all the questions that she would ask the human when she caught him. 
Meanwhile, John had left the station and had turned right on Lunar Drive, according to the map he had, it was the fastest and shortest way to the patent office. He was speed-walking, hoping to get his espionage job finished and over with. But as he got closer and closer to the end of the drive, he was also getting a sick feeling in his stomach that something, just something wasn’t quite right. He looked around, nothing was around that could set him off, just buildings, anthro ponies, and the streetlights to guide him. He looked around a bit more, the sights were the same. Must have been those hay fries I had for lunch… Must be allergic or something. He thought to himself as he crossed the crosswalk with the crowds.
Lyra meanwhile, had continued tracking John through the streets, keeping pace so she could see him, yet not getting close as to be spotted. I wonder what he is looking for. And why would he be carrying a small backpack through the streets in the evening? While Lyra had been asking these questions and more to herself, she had failed to see that John had turned down a side street, and continued going down the main street. It was until she nearly bumped into a stallion did she realize that John had, unknowingly, given her the slip. Oh no! Where is he?! Lyra thought, nearly panicking to herself. In less than ten minutes, her greatest wish had simply vanished from her sight. She looked around and quickly backtracked herself to where she had lost sight of John. Perhaps he went down this side street, yes. That must be it! Hold on my little human, I’m coming for you!! She thought as she ran down the road after John.
John had found the patent office with no problems. He entered the building and looked around. The layout was very simple. The desk was in the back wall of the room with a door leading to what John assumed to be where they kept all the patents. On the left were chairs and tables for the patentee’s to sit while their name was being called. John approached the desk and took a number. 23. And the number on the board is? He looked at the white board that was being erased. 19. Not bad at all. Unlike the DMV… He sighed as he sat down in a chair next to the wall. He looked at the number on the board again, hoping that it would change quickly, but as he turned his head away from the board, he saw something. Tacked to a cardboard panel next to the door, was a poster to something. John stood up and walked over to the board and looked at the poster.
‘The Great Canterlonial Steam Fair,’ It read. ‘Come see Equestria’s advances in steam technology. Awards will be given out to top contenders in all classes.’ Below it, showed a list of the events that were there. Let’s see here. Advances in Steam Rollers. Advances in saunas? Advances in Steam Locomotives.. Wait a sec….. John thought, scanning over the last words. Advances in Steam Locomotives? THAT’S IT! In a flash he quickly zipped and saw the date that the Steam Locomotive event would be on, which was the last day of spring. I don’t think they would mind if I took this. John thought, swiping the paper off the cardboard and turning to see what number was being called, which, laughably, was his number. Alright. Let’s get this over with. He thought as he entered the room, where a burly stallion was sitting.
Lyra was walking up and down the side street where John had walked down. She had already passed the patent office a number of times, and she was nowhere closer to finding John than she was five minutes ago. Oh Lyra. The biggest discovery of your LIFE, and you let him get away without even asking him a single question. She thought as she approached the patent office. She wasn’t paying attention to where she was going, and so she didn’t see the door opening util it literally slammed into her face, sending her onto the ground. She looked around in a daze as a figure walked out from behind the door. “I’m so sorry,” The voice said, holding out his hand. “Here, let me help you up,” Lyra grabbed onto the figures hand and felt herself getting pulled up into her hooves. “Are you alright? Do you need anything?” The figure asked. Lyra shook her head rapidly to get the stars and flashing lights out of her vision. “That’s good. Well, I must get going, I guess I’ll see you again.” The figure said. Lyra managed to shake the lights out her eye just in time to see John’s retreating figure.
“Wait!” She yelled. But it was too late, John had already jogged down the sidewalk and turned onto the main road. I have to go after him, I may never have this opportunity again. She thought as she ran after the human. But as soon as she turned towards where John had gone, she noticed that he had vanished into the crowds. NO! My little human come back! She thought loudly to herself, as she ran down the sidewalk after John.
John had managed to get back to the station with no disturbances. The second he had noticed that the pony he had helped was in fact Lyra Heartstrings, he knew that he had to get back to the station, and quickly. He had managed to get a ticket for Baltimare and leapt into the train heading for Baltimare. He had poked his head out of the window just in time to see Lyra come charging onto the platform in a frantic pace. Oh God. Not good not good not good!!! He thought as he saw the mint unicorn charge onto the platform, looking at him with a stalkerish look. But to his relief, the guard called out the right-of-way, and the train began to move. It was only when the train was away from Canterlot did John relax into his seat and look through his backpack. Inside his backpack were the patent acceptions, and the flyer for the Steam Fair. He looked it over, trying to see if there was anything about accepting contestants for the fair. And there was, at the bottom of the paper, explaining where to do to send an application to compete in any of the competitions that the fair was having. I think I see how we can get the big word out the the EQN just can’t do what they want. He thought to himself as he put the paper back in his backpack and groomed his tail. Wait… John thought, as he grabbed his tail lightly. It was mint green. Mint Green… Uh oh… John followed the tail, until he came face to face with Lyra’s golden eyes. 
“Human….” Lyra said breathily at John, giving him a look that made John freeze in his tracks. “Mind if I ask you a few questions?” Her horn began glowing it’s faint golden aura, making sure John couldn’t escape her. She took a deep breath, and the torture began, as the train continued down the railway line to Baltimare.