A Human's Walk Across Equestria

by JadedandDazed

Chapter 6: Bright Flashes and City Lights

Phoenix wasn't exactly sure what he was expecting from Manehattan, but it certainly wasn't something so Manhattan-like. It was like looking at the Manhattan back on Earth, just pony themed. They had everything, a pony Empire State Building, a pony Statue of Liberty (he wasn't even going to try and reconcile that statue's history with the Human version), and a pony Manhattan Bridge.

Phoenix couldn't help but smile at the familiarity. Phoenix and Manhattan were certainly not strangers back on Earth. Manhattan was the typical meeting spot for his line work, so he had been there for what felt like collective months. It all began to make him wonder just how similar Manehattan was to Manhattan.

Since there definitely was a Manehattan Bridge, that must mean there's also the DUMBO neighborhood, which might mean his favorite pizza shop is there too, or at least some version of it. There might even be a pony Rockefeller Center, he'd love to go ice skating there one more time. This might actually be the closest thing to an Earth city he could come by; just walking down the downtown streets blasted him with a sensation of familiarity... After second thought, however, he hoped he wouldn't find it too too familiar.

As his Train of Thought chugged onwards into the Mountains of Tangents, Phoenix failed to notice the many ponies along the streets stopping to stare and whisper. Everytime he passed a pony, they would stop and either look over at the nearby news vendor or begin whispering to their friend. Ponies stopping and staring was nothing new to Phoenix. He was essentially an alien in this world, ponies stopped and stared all the time. He didn't mind it. If a pastel-colored, talking pony came to Earth one day, he'd stop and stare too.

However, when a pony stopped to stare, they eventually went on with the rest of their day like nothing ever happened. This time, a small crowd seemed to be gathering behind him. Each time he passed a stunned pony, they joined the chain. Phoenix was too busy trying to remember if he ever had seen a pony passenger jet to notice his ever-gathering posse. It wasn't until a sudden clearing of a throat snapped Phoenix from his disturbing daydream. Immediately glancing down, he noticed a stallion standing in front of him. Glancing around, he couldn't help but notice everypony staring at him, many with impassioned grins on their face.

"Excuse me, Sir Phoenix," The grey pony said with a posh accent, his head pointed up in typical snotty-pony fashion

"Um, just Phoenix is fine Mr..." Phoenix told as he tried not to make eye contact with anypony

"Silver Chaser, a pleasure to make your acquaintance," the pony informed, "I would just like to congratulate you on the recent news."

"Oh?" Phoenix frowned

"Is he talking about the fundraiser?... How'd that reach all the way over here... And who cares that much?"

"Yes, I must say we were very surprised to hear that you of all ponies, or, excuse me, humans, would be chosen by our princess, but I suppose she knows how to pick them, wouldn't she?"

Phoenix blinked at the pony. He had officially lost him. What was he talking about?

"I'm sorry, I'm not quite sure what you mean?" Phoenix laughed nervously

"You and Princess Luna, of course. It's in today's paper!" Silver Chaser told

Phoenix looked around at the crowd of ponies, all of them nodding in agreement, still has excited has ever, "Today's paper? Uh, which one was that?"

"The Canterlot Gazette. It's the only reputable paper worth reading, after all! Now, I'd like to ask if you would be able to attend an event I have scheduled in a few weeks, we'd be more than honored to have you there... Perhaps you could even invite the Princess?..."

"Uh, I'll have to check our schedule, but I'll be sure to let you know Mr. Chaser," Phoenix said as he scanned the street for the nearest newsstand. Spotting one, he quickly jogged over to it, the crowd around him parting for him as each pony tried to call out and grab his attention.

"Excuse me," Phoenix sighed as he reached the stand, "Could I get a copy of the Canterlot Gazette, please?"

"'Course Sir Phoenix!" A newsmare said in a heavy New York accent as she pointed to a stack of newspapers, "Here you go,"

"Thanks..." Phoenix mumbled as he grabbed a copy and fished into his pocket to grab a bit

"It's on the house, Sir," she smiled as she saw him retrieve a gold coin

"I insist," Phoenix smiled back as he placed the bit on her stand, "I appreciate the gesture." Before she could respond, Phoenix quickly walked off with his face in the paper. On the front cover was a picture of him and Luna standing next to each other, a small grin on each of their faces as they looked at each other. The headline read 'Phoenix the Human and Princess Luna's Relationship Seemingly Confirmed.'"

"Seemingly. That's good journalism."

Phoenix recognized the scene photographed... How it was photographed, he didn't know and the fact they kept the picture from over a year ago was beyond him. The picture showed the time when Luna was showing him the royal gardens, specifically her favorite spot. The two had just finished speaking with Celestia about, what she described as a "long and hard" day. The childish grins on their faces was the result of both of them trying not to burst out laughing in front of her.

Phoenix feared to read what the article had to say. What "seemingly confirmed" their non-existent relationship? Based on the looks everypony was giving him, it must have said quite a bit. The crowd that had previously held its distance behind him now closely circled him. Feeling like a cornered animal, Phoenix's heart began to race as he looked around at the smiling ponies.

"Uh... Hi?" Phoenix said with a nervous smile.

That did it.

Like opening all the cages at the zoo, the ponies closed in on him and began to bombard him with questions. All he could do was smile and nod at whoever managed to make eye contact with him, trying to answer whatever question he could hear. He was always cut off by another question before he could answer.

One voice, however, cut through the crowd of countless sounds like a crack of thunder during a rainstorm. The voice was familiar, just like everything in this city seemed to be, except for the giant pony mob. Where had he heard that voice before? It certainly didn't sound like any of the other ponies in this city, not that he knew any ponies in this cities. The accent was noticeably different, marginally more southern.

Oh. Right, duh.

"'Scuse me! Pardon! Hey, watch it!" The voice echoed as it began to grow closer and closer. Soon, an orange, cowboy hat-wearing pony emerged from the crowd and made her way to Phoenix. Quickly turning to face the crowd as she tried to force them to keep their distance, "Alright, everypony, show's over! Phoenix's got some 'fficial business he needs to take care of! Move along!"

A loud "Aww" emminated collectively from the crowd as they hung their heads low in disappoint. Slowly, the large gathering dispersed, each pony going back to their business, leaving just Phoenix and his savior together.

"Applejack, you're a lifesaver," Phoenix laughed as he ran his hands through his hair, "I thought they were gonna start taking pieces of me as souvenirs."

"Really looked like it, huh?" Applejack snickered, "Looks like I got here just in time."

"Yeah, speaking of that," Phoenix hummed, "What're you're doing up here? Manehattan doesn't seem like your kind of town."

"It certainly ain't," Applejack told, "But we've got family up 'ere and Apple Bloom really wanted to see her Cousin Babs so I thought I'd be a good big sister and take her up here. Ah just dropped her off and figured ah'd go on a walk when ah saw all the hubbub"

"Ah, gotcha. I hope I'm not keeping you from anything," Phoenix said

"'Course not. Not like ah've got a place I need to be. Besides, you're looking like you need some protection, don't ya?" Applejack laughed

"How chivalrous," Phoenix said as he rolled his eyes, "Thanks, AJ."

"My pleasure," Applejack said as she tipped her hat, "So, where're we heading?"

"Well, I was looking to see if I could find a certain ice rink," Phoenix told, "This place reminds me a lot of a city back on Earth so I was just wondering how similar it was."

"You mean the one down at Hoofefeller Center?" Applejack asked

Phoenix couldn't help but laugh. Hoofefeller Center? These ponies, man.

"That'd be the one," Phoenix nodded, a smile creeping across his face, "Hoofefeller Center.."

"Guessin' you've got a Hoofefeller Center back on Earth?"

"We called it Rockefeller Center but yeah. I'm guessing they're pretty similar," Phoenix laughed, "If memory serves me right we shouldn't be too far... I think we just need to go up a couple of blocks and we should be there."

"Ah ain't got the slightest clue where anything is, so lead the way," Applejack hummed

"I'll try my best," Phoenix smiled

Applejack smirked a bit as she looked around at the ponies staring excitedly at Phoenix, "So, how's having Princess Luna as a marefriend?"

"Terrible. Horrible. No good. Very bad," Phoenix groaned, "I mean, I get some tabloid paper making up a story to sell papers, but the Canterlot Gazette? Even they're in on it?"

"It's mighty crazy, ain't it?" Applejack laughed, "Twilight told me 'bout the first paper, she was not happy."

"Yeah, her and me both," Phoenix snorted as he rolled his eyes, "Tabloids really just make up anything, huh?"

"Seems so. Lemme tell ya, Twilight was fuming when she told me. She was waving the paper all 'round, goin' on and on 'bout how 'irresponsible' and 'hurtful' and 'against journalistic integrity' it was.

"Damn," Phoenix laughed a bit as he put a hand over his heart, "I know me and Luna dating is ridiculous, but she didn't have to say hurtful. I wouldn't hurt Luna's image that bad, would I?"

Applejack laughed right back, shaking her head, "That's ain't what she meant. She meant like, hurtful to her."

Phoenix frowned as he turned to Applejack, "Hurtful to her?"

"'Cording to Dash, when she told Twi about the 'news' she deflated like a balloon in winter. Said she was tearing up going on about how she was so hurt neither of you told her," Applejack told

"Jeez, poor Twilight," Phoenix sighed as he scratched his chin, "I guess I do tell her everything, don't I?"

"Apparently so," Applejack hummed, "She can't even imagine you hiding something from her, I guess."

"Yeah..." Phoenix said as he looked down, scratching the back of his neck

Applejack looked towards the human with a confused look. Just a moment ago he was all jokey and now he looked so down in the dumps he'd need to take three showers just to make a dent in the stench he undoubtedly got from it, "...Are you hiding something from her?"

"Everyone's got their secrets, AJ," Phoenix sighed as he looked back up, "I just don't want them to hurt her... Or anyone."

"Are ya comfortable telling me?" Applejack asked, "Maybe ah can do something for ya."

"Just spending sometime with me helps," Phoenix said as he smiled to the orange mare, "I'm not sure I'm ready to tell anyone yet, though..."

"That's alright. You don't needa be," Applejack told, "Like ya said, everypony's got their secrets,"

"Speaking of Twilight... How's she doing?" Phoenix asked as he cleared his throat, picking his tone back up

"Worrying like usual," Applejack laughed, "She's been doing this whole big investigation about why ya went on this whole walk."

Phoenix squinted a bit as he looked to Applejack, "...You're gonna have to elaborate on that."

"She's been goin' round town asking everypony if they noticed ya acting weird or if ya told them something. She's been writin' Princess Luna, too; tryna see if she noticed something in your dreams."

"That mare..." Phoenix shook his head, "If she thinks I'm crazy now, she's right about to join me..."

"Tell me about it," Applejack laughed, "She's been comin' upta me near everyday asking if ah 'member anything. Every time I tell 'er she knows more than anypony about you."

"Ah... I'm sorry," Phoenix sighed

"Not your fault. She's always been like this," Applejack told

"Yeah, but if I didn't go on this stupid trip she wouldn't be so worried..."

"Phoenix, it's alright. She's gotta deal with the fact that you're gonna do your own things."

Phoenix nodded as he looked up to the sky, she did have a point. He can't always be by her side and neither she at his. It didn't make him feel any better, though. She had done everything in her power to make him feel welcome and comfortable and in return he... Did this. The evidence kept piling up. He's not a good person. Maybe she'd be better of without him. Maybe everypony would be better off without him. All he seems to do is worry and stress them out. It's not fair to them.

"Phoenix? You there?" A voice called out

Shaking himself out of his head, Phoenix blinked and looked down to Applejack, only to see she wasn't by his side like before. He turned around and saw her standing in place, a concerned look on her face.

"O-Oh, sorry, AJ. Gotta a little lost in thought," Phoenix said with nervous laughter

"You gonna tell me what's goin on?" Applejack frowned

"N-nothing, I just do that sometimes, ya know?" Phoenix said

"Hogwash. Now come on and spit it out," Applejack demanded

Phoenix sighed as he looked down, refusing to look the pony in the eyes, "I just... I just feel I'm causing a lot more trouble than I'm worth."

Applejack blinked in surprise as she stared at the human, "Phoenix... I dunno where ya got that crazy idea stuck in your head, but you ain't causing any trouble... And even if ya were, you're worth it. Don't let anyone tell ya otherwise."

Phoenix laughed as he shook his head, "What'd I ever do to deserve friends like you?"

"Be a good friend back to us, that's what," Applejack hummed

"Is 'good' really the right word?" Phoenix snorted

"Ah can't think of a better one 'sides 'great' or 'awesome'," Applejack added

"Now you're just stroking my ego," Phoenix laughed, "But... Thanks, AJ. That really means a lot to me,"

"Course, Phoenix," Applejack smiled
----
"...Sister, was this really the best idea?" Celestia asked as she looked at a copy of the Canterlot Gazette.

"I think so," Luna hummed, "Now I won't have to try to bring in ponies to spy on Phoenix. The press will do it for me."

Celestia frowned as she looked down to the paper. Luna had a point, instead of trying to guess who may have seen Phoenix or even sending out guards to check on him, now everypony in Equestria would be looking out for him... Which she couldn't imagine Phoenix would be too thrilled about, "But what if Phoenix speaks to the press as well?"

"It will still take a few days for it to fall out of the news cycle. Either way, we'll know what Phoenix is up to and where he is," Luna told, "Besides, it's not like I confirmed we were a couple, now"

"You certainly implied it," Celestia said with a laugh, "What was it you said again? 'I assure the citizens of Equestria that my and Phoenix's relationship will be made public very soon~'"

"Something along those lines," Luna smiled, "And when the times comes, I'll simply announce that we are good friends. It will be on them for assuming we're dating. As Phoenix said, 'when you assume, you make an ass out of you and me'"

Celestia chuckled as she pushed the newspaper away, "Still, poor Phoenix is going to be very confused. You know how our ponies can get; they'll mob him!"

"He's a grown stallion. He can handle himself, I'm sure," Luna assured

"Can he though? He's certainly more on the gentler side, if I say so," Celestia told

"Oh? Perhaps we should have said that it was you and Phoenix in a relationship instead. It seems you're familiar with him... Intimately so," Luna smirked

Celestia blinked as she stared at her sister, unsure of what exactly she was implying. However, Luna's signature smirk tipped her off, causing her to blush, "Luna! T-That's! Don't be so crude, you know that's not what I meant!"

"Sorry, but I could not help myself," Luna laughed, "And you know Phoenix would be proud."

"I unfortunately do..." Celestia huffed, "But back on the subject... What exactly do you hope the press will tell you now that they're going to be swarming him,"

"His location. His state of health. His general demeanor," Luna listed, "Perhaps even quotes about his journey,"

"I know you mean the best, but... Doesn't this seem a bit devious? You could just ask him in his dreams," Celestia told

Luna shook her head, "In a dream, I can only see what Phoenix wants me to see and he will only say what he wants me to know. By having a waking-world source reporting on him and his actions, I will have the most accurate information."

Celestia looked at her sister, running her words through her mind. If she did want the most accurate information, this is certainly one way to go about it... But why is she so desperate to get this information? She understands that Luna must be concerned for Phoenix, but this seems like taking it a bit too far.

"Luna... Is there something you're not telling me?" Celestia asked

"What do you mean?" Luna frowned

"Ensuring Phoenix's safety is a noble idea and certainly something we both want, but there are much less intense and... Invasive ways of doing so. Why do you find it necessary to go through with all of this?"

Luna sighed as she looked to the floor, "I... I don't have evidence for my feelings. They are just that, feelings. But it would appear that, despite my joking at first, Phoenix has indeed lost something very important."

"And what would that be?"

"Himself."

Comments

[TheScottishbroneyforlife]

Excellent story you going ther .
And if yor interested I have a crossover story you mite like to write