//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Something New // by KingNyroc15 //------------------------------// The moon lit most of the road leading into Manehattan as the two couples trudged towards the shining city. The walk wasn't terribly long, but it definitely took some time. Rainbow complained to Soren that he and Shayden didn't teleport them to the city, to which Soren explained that the walk was part of the fun. They were all relieved when they saw the instant switch from dirt roads to city streets. Winter Solstice explained to Rainbow Dash and Shayden that the purpose was to keep carriages within city limits, for their particular wheels don't run well on dirt. After he had explained his past to his marefriend, Shayden immediately inquired of Soren why taking the train to Manehattan wasn't an option. The alicorn answered that walking was less expensive and technically faster than taking the train. The train had to move back toward Canterlot so it can change directions and head to Manehattan. Assuming the vehicle doesn't stop, it should arrive in town sometime tomorrow. They beat it by several hours by taking a carriage then walking! As the four of them stepped onto the street leading into the city, they could already see tall buildings as far as their eyes could see. Shayden scanned the area with interest, Winter beamed, Soren mouthed a 'wow,' and Rainbow simply looked around. The bright lights, glowing signs, yellow and black street carriages, and ponies dressed in various types of clothing could impress any tourist. Unfortunately, their tourist trip through Manehattan would have to wait until tomorrow; they were all exhausted from the travel here. It took about half an hour to figure out where a hotel was in the massive city. Once inside, they managed to order one of the only two-bedroom apartments left in the building; most of them were already occupied. Bringing their bags to the fifth floor, the couples found their beds, which were in the same room this time, and simultaneously flopped onto it. ---------------- The morning came by quick. Before anyone knew it, the sun was shining through their window and into their eyes. They wanted to rest so badly that they had forgotten to close the blinds in their apartment. Rainbow groaned and stirred, waking Soren up as well. The two sat up, looked at each other, then snickered at each other's bed head. Soren then kissed Rainbow's cheek good morning and hopped off the bed. While Soren tried to fix his hair, Rainbow stretched and yawned. "I see you two are finally awake," Shayden greeted from the doorway. The three exchanged 'good mornings' before Shayden continued. "Winter and I are about to go for a morning walk. We'll also try to find any points of interest. I believe you two said you already had one in mind?" They nodded. "Have fun," Soren said. "I'm going to take a shower." He walked into the bathroom connected to the bedroom. The apartment wasn't too different from their previous one. Dining area and living space were together once more, the beds were in one room, there was a bathroom that could only be accessed from the bedroom, and there was a balcony that every apartment on this side of the building had. Rainbow remained in the bedroom as Shayden walked into the main room. After a minute, she heard the shower start and their apartment door close. Smirking, she trotted to the closed bathroom door and knocked on it. "Yes?" Soren called to whoever it was. "It's me~. They left~." "Then come on in." There were always ways around not being able to have fun while sharing a bedroom. ---------------- Winter and Shayden returned after an hour and half. They found a few interesting places. Another cinema, another taller music store with studios and a radio station, a multi-building mall, a theater, and a library big enough that it had it's own separate wing for unicorns to practice magic in. Rainbow didn't feel like watching another movie, Soren and Shayden were interested in the library's magic wing (Winter also wanted to see Soren's magic capabilities), and Winter wanted to see a play. After awhile of planning, the group decided to go to the library, the mall, then hopefully the theater today. After eating lunch in their apartment, the four left the hotel and walked down the busy streets, Winter and Shayden leading. Rainbow saw the library in the distance, Soren pointed out the mall down the street from it. They bumped into Shayden and Winter due to being distracted. They were about to ask what the big deal was when they noticed two Lunar Guards standing in their way. "Soren Melody," one said. "Yes? Can I help you?" he responded with an unsure stare. He stepped in between his friends and the guards. "Are you affiliated with the Nightmare Guardian?" Soren and Rainbow's eyes slightly widened at the use of Nyra's old name. "She was in Manehattan. We were investigating her but before we could get the information we needed, she attacked the soldier sent to watch her and fled the city." "And what exactly warranted an interrogation on her?" Soren asked. "What was she doing wrong?" "She has the ability to change into her Nightmare form at will. That is all we can tell you that isn't classified information. We must ask again. Are you affiliated with her, and do you know her whereabouts?" Soren remained silent. "If you fail to comply, we will assume—" "I'm thinking!" he shouted. Everyone was stunned by his loud outburst. Winter flinched back a step, and ponies across the street looked over to the group. Soren closed his eyes for a few seconds then looked at the guards. "You do know that she's dead, right? So what if a bat pony shows up in Manehattan? That doesn't mean you get to scare the moonlights out of her." "We didn't mention a bat pon—" "I saw her die!" he shouted again before speaking normally. "I know the mare that fled was a bat pony. You said you suspected the Nightmare Guardian was in Manehattan. That means you were following a bat pony, who probably had enough of your harassment and beat up a Guard then fled town. Good job. Hope you're proud of yourself." The guards looked nervous now. "You do know what I do to ponies who threaten the innocent, right? I don't care if you are Luna's guards. I fought within your ranks to prevent an assassination on the princess herself! Do me a favor and never harass another innocent pony again." "Err, right...sorry to bother you, Mr. Melody." The two guards turned then took to the sky. Once the two were out of sight, Soren sighed and hung his head, ears drooping. "Soren?" a mare called out. His right ear perked; it was Winter. "Are you alright? That was quite the outburst." "Sorry. Lunar Guards don't back down easily. I had to scare them off. When I heard that they stalked Nyra, I just..." He felt a hoof on his shoulder. Glancing over, he saw Rainbow smiling at him. He smiled back then faced everyone. "Sorry again. Let's just continue with our trip." ---------------- The rest of the day went on without any more problems. In the library, Shayden showed Soren how to manipulate smoke, but the alicorn didn't have enough time to use it as anything but a meditation technique. (Using magic to make smoke float around the air can be quite calming.) Soren also showed Winter one of his more powerful spells that took awhile to learn: the duplication spell. He create three versions of himself and made them do different things. A headache formed afterwards, however. The mall was extremely crowded, but everyone wasn't surprised. The stores were selling many interesting objects. Jewelry, exotic foods and plants, gemstones, and even small weapons! Soren was immediately interested by a set of wing blades that were in a glass case protected by two royal guards; he had to be dragged out of the store by Shayden. Winter found some nice clothing and made Rainbow try certain ones on, embarrassing the pegasus in the process. After the mall, they group managed to catch a showing at the theater. Winter was well familiar with the play. Shayden paid attention to the name, but Soren didn't hear it and Rainbow didn't care all that much. The play was about two griffon families that were rivals. A son from one family and a daughter from the other fell madly in love with each other but know they cannot be together. Regardless, they take every risk to be together, ultimately leading up to the death of female. Since the male couldn't live without his love, he took his life to be with her. Winter loved the play, Shayden enjoyed it, Soren couldn't complain, but Rainbow was bored the entire time. As they exited the theater, a low sun greeted them. Seeing as their first day was slowly coming to a close, Rainbow turned to Winter. "How about you and I go have some girl time? I'm sure we could find something to do together." "Oh behave~, Rainbow," Winter teased, causing Shayden's mouth to slightly hang open in shock. Soren laughed and shut his friend's mouth. "But yes, that's sounds fine. Anywhere in mind?" "A few places that Twilight helped me pick," the pegasus started as the two mares walked away from their stallions. "So what are we supposed to do?" Shayden asked Soren. "I know exactly what we can do for fun while the mares are spending time together." "I know this will probably be a bad idea, but what is it?" Soren grinned.