//------------------------------// // Chapter 42 // Story: The Inheritors of Friendship // by NgKQ //------------------------------// For the next few days, Paladin just went on with his business, but all the while, he felt moody due to the fact that he had to accompany his sister to Manehattan. He thought to himself, there’s nothing I can do there! Apart from just shopping, what else can I do there? However, he had to remind himself of his spiteful uncle. His father had warned him. His attitude was almost similar to him and such manner was not accepted. Soon, the day to set off to Manehattan arrived. Shining Armor and his wife came to see them off at the station. “Don’t try to stress yourself too hard there, okay?” asked Shining Armor. “Try to bring us back souvenirs if you can!” added Cadance. “Okay!” bade Mistral. “Take care of Mistral, okay?” Shining spoke to Paladin. “At least that should occupy you.” “Uh, alright.” No sooner they were on their way to Manehattan. On the way, Mistral asked him. “Are you fine?” “Ah, just fine,” he replied. “I’m just… I’m just trying to look at the scenery. It’s the first time I’m travelling without my parents here…” He sighed and he dozed off. Mistral just giggled and settled herself down. Soon they arrived at Manehattan in the evening. They immediately boarded a taxi and booked a hotel. Paladin glanced the scenery, the buildings and all the skyscrapers all around Manehattan. Luckily for him, his sister booked a five-star hotel, to suit his comfort. “Dah!” Paladin gave a sigh of relief as he slumped onto the bed. “You sure are a good hotel chooser, aren’t you?” “Been in a lot of hotels from my previous fashion shows. Also, a bit of advice from Madam Rarity as well,” replied Mistral. “You work for Rarity?” “Not just her. I worked for a number of clients as well, but Madam Rarity’s just my favorite.” “Rarity was quite famous?” “Very famous! And she’s been recognized by all of Equestria as the top fashion designers! I remember that she was listed in the top 5 fashion designers of Equestria in a magazine!” “Man, what a high fame she reached! Not to mention, the Element of Generosity!” “She shared me a lot of her past stories, including her involvement with a spiteful one named Suri Polomare. Well, I guess she deserved it. I was looking forward to meet up with Miss Coco Pommel. Her career’s going strong after she resigned from Suri.” “That’s good to hear it. Anyway where are your fellow friends staying?” “Some other hotels elsewhere. Either it’s their choice or they’ve been arranged by their families.” “Okay. I just can’t wait to look around Manehattan tomorrow…” The very next day, Paladin was, of course, having a wonderful time all around Manehattan. Of course, it wasn’t as boring as he thought. He gasped at the majestic skyscrapers all around him, and got distracted by the branded items sold there. In fact, he bought down a luxurious handbag for his mother. Evening came. He was in the hotel room, waiting for his sister to finish her shower. “What?” he asked when she came out of the shower. “I thought you’re dressed up already!” “I’ll get dressed up only when I get there,” explained Mistral. “That way the fashion won’t get ruined!” It was crowded at the site where the fashion show was held. The catwalk was already cleared to make room for the models. At the backstage, Rarity was supervising the final make-up for her models. Outside, Paladin was waiting anxiously for his sister and his models to appear. Suddenly, he felt a pat on his shoulder. “Didn’t expect you to turn up here, huh?” Paladin turned around. To his surprise, it was Orion Galaxy. “Orion?” he sounded excitedly. “Since when are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be on duty in Canterlot?” “Just taking a break,” replied Orion casually. “Got permission from the Princess. I just wanted to stay in Manehattan to relax for a while. Taking a stroll and happened to come across this fashion show so I stopped by to check it out. So, what brings you here?” “Well, you see, my sister’s attending a fashion show here…” “You mean Mistral Violet is among the models?” “Uh-huh, and she persuaded me to follow her. Apparently, I just had the feeling of unrest whenever somepony from my family is away. Besides, I just had no idea where to travel next…” “Oh, so you’ve got this ‘big brother instinct’ syndrome, huh?” “What was that?” “Are you overprotective of Mistral?” “I don’t get it.” “Then you’re following her here because you’re not feeling assured with her, aren’t you?” “Well, I guess.” “That’s what I mean by that big brother instinct. You love her so much that you won’t even let some gentlecolt to fall in love with her.” “HOLD IT! I’m here not really because I want to protect her but I’m tired of just visiting Ponyville and Canterlot so I came to Manehattan, OK? And my sister is not in love with somepony!” “I know how you feel, Paladin, but anyway, let me explain my point. You don’t have to be extremely stressful. Look at my sister Melody. She’s in love with Chaos Control. I don’t mind that actually, as long as Chaos has the right to guard her. Maybe you should try to let her have a bit of freedom like this.” “Well, I guess…” Soon the fashion show started. The models trotted onto the catwalk, proudly showing off their dresses with elegance which made the audience cry loudly and wooed the fashion critics downstage. The cousins watched Mistral and her colleagues displaying their dresses with style. Paladin stared wide-eyed at all the fancy dresses. “Oh my, Rarity really has such talent,” he told Orion as the models returned backstage. Before Orion could answer, suddenly everything went dark. Everypony gasped. A few seconds later a mare’s scream was heard. The next moment, the lights came on. A model’s shouts were heard. “Oh no! Miss Mistral is missing!” That caused the audience to become panic. “What!?” Paladin could not believe his ears. “We’d better check out the backstage!” decided Orion. They reached the backstage to find out that it was in a state of confusion, too. “Where is she, where is she?” “She couldn’t have vanished like that!” “OK, everypony, calm down!” Orion ordered. One model turned to their direction. “It’s Prince Orion Galaxy and Prince Paladin Knight!” “What’s going on?” “We just came back from showing the dresses.” “Just as she came in, suddenly the lights went out. We couldn’t see each other, then I heard a scream… I think it was Mistral’s. Then next thing we knew, she’s not here already!” “Serious?” asked Paladin. “Do you notice anyone suspicious around here?” Orion inquired further. “I don’t think so! I was the last one to leave and I was sure that nopony’s left behind!” “There you are!” Rarity, who had heard the commotion came to join them. “Oh, Orion and Paladin! I’m glad to see you two here.” “We’re here to find out what happened…” Just as he turned around, he saw a figure carrying something trying to escape through a back door. “I’ve got something to deal with! Rarity, call the police!” He turned to Paladin. “Come with me!” He went to the direction the figure exited. “Hey, wait for me!”