//------------------------------//
// Chapter 5(Revised) 
// Story: Emerald Chronicles 
// by Dandereshy 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 5

Emerald was running down a dark street. The sky was overcast, obscure, and spitting rain drops. Manehattan was quiet, and he didn't see a single light on or anypony on the streets - strange for the city, even on a night such as this. The smell of pollution and trash filled the air, with the hint of fresh rain.
Emerald was running from a sound. A sound so familiar, it scared him to death.
The sound of being followed.
He knew who it was without even seeing them. So he began trotting home.
But the follower kept pace. Emerald broke into a full gallop.
The stalker stayed hot on his tail. Emerald started panicking. He knew what would happen if he was caught.
He rounded the edge of a skyscraper and ran into an alley, racing to the other end, a different street. Looking back into the alley, Emerald saw nothing but darkness.
Then the sound of hooves shuffling behind him startled him into a run again.
The pursuer never fell behind.
Emerald dove through different streets abruptly, trying to shake off the shadow. It was futile.
Now in a frantic sprint, his hooves clopping noisily on the pavement as he zipped in and out of the streets and between buildings, he failed to see the higher curb and tripped, rolling end over end a dozen times and coming to rest against the side of an office building.
The sky erupted with lightening, and it began to pour large, cold raindrops.
Dazed, Emerald drew up into a fetal position until the dizziness subsided.
Through the rain, whenever the lightning burst from the sky, he thought he saw a dark figure approaching from down the street where he just came from.
"Go away!" He shouted in pure terror.
The figure got closer and he heard his name called in an evil whisper, seemingly right next to his ear.
"Emerald…"
Emerald tried to stand, but it was as if his body was refusing the command. He stared in horror as the figure came ever closer.
"I said leave me alone!" He screamed.
"You can't run forever. Your time has come, Emerald."
Black Flame stepped up to him, only a pony-length away. He was almost invisible due to his midnight black coat. Only his fiery red and orange mane and piercing orange eyes gave away his position.
"Black Flame, I didn't do anything! Leave me alone!" Emerald tried again to stand and flee, but his legs were in severe pain, and his ankles likely sprained.
Black Flame glowered down at Emerald. He looked menacing and very angry. "I've finally got you. It was only a matter of time." He leaned down to a frightened Emerald's face and whispered hoarsely, "I know where you live."
Then he raised his head and lit up a ball of purple fire.
Lightning flashed and Emerald screamed as Black Flame launched the fire at him.
"AHHHHHHH!" Emerald awoke lying on the floor, drenched in sweat and tangled in his sheets. He wasn't sure what was happening or where he was for a moment until he regained his composure. He stood up, weak but okay, and went to his bedroom window. Save for a few stray clouds, the deep purple nighttime sky was clear. The moon was nearly full, and it shed its yellowish light over all the land, giving it an eerie glow. Not a single pony was outside, which didn't surprise him.
He turned back to his bed and went back over to lie down.
Sleep wouldn't come again tonight.



Emerald barely dozed off before a rap at his door startled him out of his bed. A glance at the clock on the wall revealed that it was only six in the morning.
At first, he couldn't think of anypony who'd be knocking on his door so early, but he then remembered his request to have the movers here early, for safety reasons.
He wandered down into his living room and opened the front door.
"Uh, Emerald?" An older stallion asked unsurely.
"Yes?" Emerald managed to say. His voice sounded awful.
"I've got your stuff here," He motioned toward the lighter-built mule, the stallions less-bulky partner, with the trailer that was hopefully full of Emerald's belongings.
"Oh…sorry. I'll get it," Emerald went out to the trailer, and along with the two movers, brought all of his things into the living room and set them on the floor.
"Thanks, guys."
The mule waved it off. "No problem. Enjoy your new house."
They left, and Emerald went back into his room and collapsed face-down on his pillow. "Ugh." A few minutes later, another knock made him slide out of his bed onto the floor in annoyance. "Now who is it?"
He went to the front door and opened it roughly. It was Pinkie Pie and Twilight. They smiled warmly, full of energy and well-slept.
"We're here to help you unpack. We saw the movers come and rushed over to help," Twilight said gregariously.
So much for discretion. "Okay…uh, thanks. Come in."
They came in and immediately complimented his home.
"Thanks, girls. It's a nice home alright. Good price."
They went over to his boxes that contained a majority of his things.
"So, what first?" Pinkie Pie asked, looking at labels on the sides of the boxes.
"The kitchen stuff first. Then the bedroom, then the living room. And I'll take care of the bathroom stuff," Emerald instructed them. He opened the two boxes for the kitchen.
"You don't have a lot for your kitchen," Twilight noticed, watching him pull out dishes and hand them to her and Pinkie Pie.
"Yeah, I never really did. It's not my favorite room in the house."
"It sure is mine. Oh my gosh I love cooking. Let me tell you, I've made some really neat – "
"Pinkie, not now please. Tell him later." Twilight told her.
"It's okay. I wasn't meaning all you guys were going to do was unpack, I'm good for a chat." The gruffness of his voice betrayed him. "We can talk while we do this." Emerald led them into the kitchen. He started putting pots and pans under the sink, thus prompting Twilight and Pinkie Pie to do the same.
"So, did you sleep well?"
Emerald was slow to answer. "No, not at all. But that's okay. I'll rest later."
"Gosh, were you excited? I know I'd be if I just moved to a new town." Pinkie Pie asked while bringing plates in and putting them in a cabinet.
"Um…not particularly. I'd rather not talk about it." Emerald replied, sounding very tired suddenly. They caught the cue.
"Bedroom stuff now?" Twilight inquired, pointing at the empty kitchen boxes.
Emerald sighed heavily. "Yes." He opened the box and they helped him carry it into his room.
"This is really neat." Pinkie Pie approved.
They pulled stuff out of the boxes and helped him put them where he wanted.
"Do you like Ponyville so far?" Asked Twilight as she put stuff in his nightstand.
Emerald nodded. "Yes. You guys are my favorites and the reason I do like it."
"Awww, thanks. You're too kind," Pinkie thanked him.
"We're happy to have you here in Ponyville," Twilight said .
"No, thank you guys. For being so friendly. It was so hard to make friends in Manehattan. They were so judgmental there," Emerald sat down on his bed.
"Well, we're your friends now. Me, Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Spike. And we won't judge you ever," Pinkie Pie assured him.
He smiled warmly. "That's very nice."
"Now we do the living room?" Twilight wondered.
He got up and went out to it, the two followed him. "Yup. Then we'll be done."
"Great, cause I've got a few things to do this morning." Pinkie said, trying not to sound rude.
"Well, so do I, but we're in no hurry," Twilight added.
"That's fine. We've got just a little bit left." He tore open a box in the center of the living room and seen the first thing on top.
A picture of his dad.
He stood still as a statue, feeling a pang of pain as he remembered the one who raised him fed him, comforted him, and loved him no matter what. Without realizing it, he grew teary-eyed.
"Ummmm…are you okay?" Twilight asked him in alarm.
He shook his head vigorously to shake off the pain and sadness. "Yeah, sorry…it's just…that's my dad. And he died right before I moved out here."
"Oh…oh, sorry to hear that," She gave him her condolences. Pinkie Pie did as well.
Emerald thanked them. "And thank you guys for your help."
"Yeah, any time you need help, just ask one of us. We'll be there for you," Pinkie Pie told him.
They followed him to the front door and he let them out.
"Just come to my house when you want anything today, okay?" Twilight said with a friendly smile.
"I will be by later for that tour I was promised." He winked at them.
"Okay. Bye." They left.
Emerald shut the door and turned around.
"Long day ahead."