//------------------------------//
// 1. Arriving in Manehattan 
// Story: Lost in Manehattan 
// by WhatamIdoinghere 
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Manehattan.

A bustling, vibrant city full of enterprise and history. It's the most populated city in the country of Equestria, with eight million residents. Many high-end shops, restaurants, and attractions are home here, as well as big business corporations and media hubs. It's also the biggest financial center in the country.

And one certain young man, whose riding on a travel bus as of now, is heading towards this city on a Saturday.

In the bus, containing a few people, this particular young man sits in one of the seats, looking out the right side window of the bus, taking in all the sights of Manehattan. He's been in the city for a while, and he has to say, it was quite big. The boy had green, short hair, green eyes, and was quite handsome – cute even, if you want to go that far -, having somewhat of a boyish look to him, but still maintaining some maturity in his looks. He was wearing a big purple cotton jacket with a red long sleeved shirt underneath it, along with jeans and a pair of brown shoes.

His name is Spike, and today, he's looking for a fresh new start.

'Wow…this city is massive.' he thought in awe. 21-year-old Spike sat in his seat, an opened book on his lap as he placed his book mark in it, admiring the sights the city has to offer. 'I wonder how Twilight can live in a big place like this? …Heh…Twilight…it's going to be great to see her again.' he let out a smile.

Twilight Sparkle was Spike's older sister…well, actually, she was his ADOPTIVE older sister. Spike was adopted by her parents when he was just 6 at an orphanage in a town called Ponyville, and during that time, he lived in Ponyville with his new family for the rest of his school years. After being brought in to their home, he was now the youngest, next to Twilight(or Twi, as he likes to call her), who is the second oldest by four years, and her brother Shining Armor, who is the oldest by another four years. Spike's 'siblings' and 'parents', were all both kind people and treated their newest addition with love and care, especially his sister Twilight.

Shining Armor was like the big brother that Spike always wanted; always cracking jokes, playing football with him, as well as being a male role model for Spike to look up to. Twilight Sparkle however, was the one whom he looks up to the most. She was a great big sister; her being so intellectual even when Spike first met her, always loving to study and read books, and he would always learn a lot of stuff from her when he didn't know certain things. Spike himself was also intellectual, as he loved to read when he was young and always want to absorb knowledge whenever he can.

As to why he's here at Manehattan…well, simply put, he needed a place to stay after college. He attended a prestigious university known as Canterlot University in the historic city of Canterlot, and earned a degree in journalism. Problem was, he was not making good money from writing periodical articles, which won't be able to pay for his apartment rent. Besides, after writing for articles, he realized that his heart wasn't in it. So, he went to the next best thing…trying to write a book.

He has a plot in mind actually, but like all inspiring writers, he had to plan it all out. He's got something so far; a story about a mage woman and her dragon companion going on an adventure to bring harmony onto a war filled land.

All in all, he's staying over at Twilight's apartment so he doesn't have to worry about paying rent, and to get some inspiration for his book. She was nice enough to help out her adoptive brother in need and let him stay at her place with welcoming arms.

'I got to repay her somehow. It's really nice of her to let me stay at her place. She sounded really happy to let me stay when I asked her.' Spike thought with a bigger smile. 'I can always count on her…I wonder what she looks like now. Probably still beautiful…' Spike blinked. He shook his head, 'Come on Spike, don't think about her like that. She's your sister…well, technically speaking. But still, she's your sister!'

The bus came up and inside the city's terminus, its drive slowly coming to a stop as it parked in a space.

'Well, here I am. Now I got to find Twi.' He closed his book and carried it as he got up from his seat, getting his laptop case off the luggage racks above him. He, along with the other passengers, got out one by one, and Spike exited out of the bus.

He looked around the terminal to try to spot his adoptive sister…until he found her.

Twilight was an easy person to spot. Her black – with a purple and hot-pink streak going down her fringe and at the back - straight hair, which went down to her lower back, was the most noticeable. Her attire fits for the spring weather, as she was wearing a purple long sleeved sweater, a black skirt that stops to her lower thighs, and black knee high boots. She was also wearing black rimmed glasses.

Once she saw Spike, she grinned brightly and said, "Spike! Over here!"

Spike grinned as well and rushed to her while rolling his baggage. Twilight came up to him as well and they gave each other a big hug.

Spike laughed happily, "Twilight! It's so great to see you!"

"Oooh, it's so great to see you as well!" Twilight cooed affectionately. She let go and studied him with her hands on his shoulders, "Let me see you for a moment," She looked him up and down, "Wow, you've gotten tall!"

Spike chuckled, a little self-conscious as he blushed, "Yeah, but just a bit." He had grown an inch higher than her, making him 5'8"

"Well, it still shows!" Twilight giggled. She stared at him for a second, and gave him another hug, making it tighter and lasting a little longer.

Although they were brother and sister per-say, it doesn't change the fact that they weren't really related, as he does get a little uncomfortable with the closeness of her hugs, with her round C-cup breasts were pushed against his chest, which made him flushed a bit more and his heartbeat going faster quite a bit. Not to say that he doesn't enjoy them, it's just case in point, they were technically brother and sister.

After a while, Twilight's hug became a little too long, which started to make him feel shy, "Aw come on, Twi, people could be staring."

"Oh let them look." Twilight let go and looked at him with happiness in her eyes, "I'm just glad I get to see my little quote unquote 'brother'."

"Heh, well it's good seeing you too, quote unquote big 'sis'." Spike joked good-naturedly.

Twilight smiled warmly. She looked down at what Spike was holding in his in his left hand, "Oh, you're reading the book I sent you on your birthday!"

He looked down at it and glanced at her with a grin as he chuckled, "Yeah! It's great! I'm really enjoying it so far!"

"Oh great! When I saw that book, I instantly thought of you!" Twilight said with glee.

Spike chuckled again, "Well, I'll say it again; thanks for giving it to me, Twilight! The next one will come out in three months, right?"

"Yep! I actually can't wait for the next installment! There's so many rumors as to what might happen in the second book!"

"Hey, don't spoil! I haven't finished it yet!" Spike laughed as he warned.

"You haven't!? Oh, you need to! I won't spoil anything, but I will say that the end has a great cliffhanger!" Twilight said as they went to get more of his luggage out of the outside baggage holds. As soon as Spike got his stuff - and reassured Twilight that he can carry everything –, they went and put all of it in the trunk of her blue car. They soon drove off to her apartment complex building, all the while chatting away.

"Wow, this is so awesome!" Twilight said ecstatically as she was driving, "I can't believe we're going to be basically roommates now!"

Spike chuckled, "Well, I have you to thank! Thanks so much for letting me crash at your place for a while! You didn't really have to do that, you know?"

Twilight glanced at him with what looked like brief hurt, "Spike…of course I wanted to. Especially ever since your situation…" she faltered there.

Spike smiled warmly at her, "Thanks Twi. I'm glad to have a big sis like you."

Twilight blushed at the compliment, "Well, I'm glad to have a brother like you."

"What about Shining Armor?"

"Well, he's my older brother, and always calls me an egghead." She joked, "I mean, I know the things he does are out of love, and I love him too, but us? We just click, you know?"

Spike smirked in content at her, "Well, I feel honored you would say that about me."

Twilight giggled, driving her car to the side parking near an old 10-story apartment complex, "Here we are!"

They exited out of the car and got Spike's luggage out. Twilight offered to at least carry one of his things, but Spike assured her and let him carry the three loads of bags with him – a loaded duffle bag around his shoulder, the rolling suitcase in his right hand, and the laptop case in his left hand.

"Gosh Spike, you certainly can carry a lot of stuff!" Twilight asked, quite surprised at how he was carrying his baggage.

Spike chuckled, "Ah, this is nothing. I've been working out quite a bit."

Twilight let out a sly smirk, "Really? I thought I did saw some muscle underneath that jacket." She said playfully and reached to squeezed Spike's left clothed bicep. "Oooh, it seems you do!"

Spike's heartbeat went up as he flushed slightly, "Hey! Twi…come on…" he muttered shyly.

Twilight just giggled and patted his arm, "Sorry, sorry. Actually, it's a good thing you're so fit! Maybe I can let you help me move some stuff while you stay here."

"Oh gee, that sounds splendid." Spike deadpanned earning a cute laugh from Twilight.

"Okay, enough standing around, let's get to my place." She said as she walked up to the door, holding it for him. They went inside the complex and Spike looked around, liking the grand interior of the building.

"Wow, you got a beautiful lobby here! Are all apartment complexes here in Manehattan this nice?" Spike said as he looked around the place in fascination.

Twilight giggled at his awe, "Well, you should know. I've been here for four years, and just worked my way up."

"Heh, I'm certain the public library here is glad to have someone like you." Spike smiled at Twilight, which earns him a happy grin from her. "By the way, how is your job at the library going lately?"

"Oh, it's going great! I sometimes do daily readings for the kids!"

"Ah, cool!"

As soon as they went inside the elevator, Spike asked Twilight, "So what floor are you on?"

"The sixth floor, room 609!" she answered cheerfully.

The elevator went up to the sixth floor, and they exited out of it to go into the hallway to Twilight's apartment door.

"Here it is!" Twilight announces as she got her keys out, unlocking her door.

She opened it to reveal a medium sized living room with a kitchen to the left, along with a bathroom next to it. At the right of the living area, there was a small hallway that leads to two bedrooms. It was basically a nice looking apartment with beautiful features, like fine molding and wooden floors, along with nice views of the city.

"Wow, nice place Twi!" Spike complimented as he went inside.

"Thanks! I thought I would tidy the place up for you." Twilight said with smile at Spike. "Come on, I'll show you to your room!"
Spike followed Twilight to the hallway and to the right where his bedroom is, which consists of a single made up bed, a desk, and a TV on a large cabinet.

"Aww, Twi…you didn't have to do this." Spike said, genuinely touched.

"I wanted to." Twilight said as she turned to him with a warm smile. "It's the least I could do. You were always there for me whenever I needed help, so I'm just returning the favor."

Spike smiled as well in gratitude, "Well, I'd do anything for you Twilight."

Twilight smile turned warmer, "I know…" she then surprised Spike with a kiss on the cheek.

Spike froze at the contact and blushed tenfold, too stunned to speak.

Twilight noticed this and blinked as it dawned on what she had done. "Wha-hey, c-come on now! You know t-that was a sibling kiss!" she stuttered as she laughed awkwardly, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she felt embarrassed.

Spike shook his head to clear away his shock and stuttered, "U-uh, y-yeah! I-I mean, there's nothing wrong with that!"

"Y-yeah! I mean w-we give those out all t-the time when we were little!" Twilight said as she kept stuttering.

"Yeah! When we were little!"

"Yeah!"

They laughed a bit, albeit awkwardly. It died down and they were silent, Spike still blushing as he looked around the room to avoid gazing at Twilight and see her reaction, while Twilight looked down to hide her flushed face.

"So…thanks Twi." Spike said, finally looking at her with a sheepish smile.

Twilight glanced up at him with a sweet, but sheepish smile as well. "No prob."

She then turned to leave his room when she snapped her fingers and turned back to him to say, "Oh! Do you want to get something to eat for supper? I know this great place where they serve awesome sushi!"

Spike grinned, "That sounds great! What time do you want to go?"

"How about at six?"

"Sounds good to me!"

Twilight smiled once more. Before she left, she said, "Really Spike, it's great to have you here."

Spike's grin widened, "It's great to be here, Twi. Thank you so much again. You're the best."

Twilight giggled with a smile, "No problem Spike. Stay as long as you like."

She closed the door to his room as she left, which left Spike alone for a bit.

Spike let out a sigh, as he dropped his duffle bag and his suitcase onto the floor. He put his laptop case on his bed and took out his laptop to place it on the desk, which made him nod his head in satisfaction.

He then yawned tiredly. 'I'm kind of sleepy right now. The trip was long, so I might as well take a nap.' Content with that, he plopped down on his new bed.

000

Twilight went over to her couch and sat down. She felt really excited to have her little 'brother' here with her! She needed to release her excitement by reading something. Luckily there was a book for her on the coffee table that she began reading. She picked it up to read where she left off. Before she did, she thought about how Spike grew up to be a fine looking young man.

She giggled. 'Spike certainly looks handsome lately. He's always been cute when he was little, but now he's looks like a man…I definitely did feel some muscle on those arms.'

…Twilight blinked. She shook her head away from those thoughts, 'Whoa Twilight! Don't go there. He may be adopted, but he's STILL technically your brother. Don't go thinking stuff like that. You're trying to help him out, so don't go thinking any weird thoughts about how cute he is…or how his voice sounds really deep now…or how he looked manly while he was carrying his luggage…'

RIIIING!

Twilight jumped in her seat, and turned her attention to her cellphone that she left on her coffee table. 'Oh, wow…I forgot that I left it here!' She picked it up and looked at who was calling…

Rarity

She smiled at the familiar name as she answered the phone, "Hello?"

"Twilight, darling! How are you?"

Twilight chuckled at Rarity's formal speaking, "Oh, I'm doing fine Rarity! How are you?"

"Oh, doing just wonderful! I'm getting the final finishing touches on my dress and business here is going great today! Anyways, I'm calling to see if you came back from picking up your brother."

"Yep! I just picked him up!"

"Oh splendid! I would love to meet him sometime soon! In fact, all of us girls should meet him! Maybe we could throw a welcoming party for him."

"Oh, that would be great! I was going to treat him for some sushi around six, so how about after that we go to Pinkie's bakery for dessert and coffee? Do you think everyone will be there until then?"

"Oh I'm certain of it! Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash will most likely be off work until then. I'll call the bakery to let Pinkie set up a private party!"

"Aw, thank you, Rarity! That's so generous of you!" Twilight said with a happy smile.

"Oh, anytime darling! Well, I need to get back to work. I'll see you soon! Ta-tah!"

She giggled, "I'll see you as well Rarity! Bye!" She hung up her phone. She decided to tell Spike about this new development and got up from her seat to go to his room. Once she was there, she slowly opened the door to see Spike resting on his bed. Twilight smiled sweetly at her sleeping 'brother' and silently closed the door. She went back to the living room to sit down on the couch.

'Yep. It's really great to have my little brother here.' Twilight thought as she beamed. She then grabbed the book off the coffee table and began reading where she left off.