> Hikarus Freedom
>  by 20percentcooler
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Stay Up
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"WHAM!"

"ACK! What in the hay?!?" 
Hikaru jumped up from the loud crash and found himself staring directly into the angry eyes of his father.
He had fallen asleep on the job yet again as he found this to be happening to him more often then usual.

"Again?" questioned Storm Ray; Hikarus' father, in an angry tone. "This is the 4th time this month! What is the problem!?"

"I'm sorry..." Groaned Hikaru wiping the sleep from his eyes. "It won't happen again."

Storms face suddenly showed a look of great annoyance. "Thats exactly what you said the last time this happened...."

Sensing his fathers annoyance, Hikaru decided to just stay quiet and listen to the lecture he knew oh so well was coming.

"You know the risk of falling asleep with the job you have. What if somepony is walking by late at night and sees you asleep at the counter?  Don't you think its real easy for them to just walk on in and take some of our art or furniture? Need I remind you how much we had to pay for some of this?"

Hikaru shook his head.

"It was allot and we couldn't afford it overnight. And what if somepony walks in wanting a room? Don't you think it reflects badly on our hotel if our workers are seen ASLEEP on the job? We are always being reviewed, we need to maintain our 5 star status in Equestria. We are the main hotel that ponies from all around see when they look up hotels in this area, and for good reason, I won't have our image destroyed by a worker who can't stay awake, a worker who is my own family. This pattern of yours needs to stop! Do you understand?"

Hikaru simply nodded feeling rather embarrassed but also annoyed.

Storm sighed and glanced over at the water tank which was almost empty.
"Good. I'm going to go talk to somepony about refilling the water tank. Don't let me catch you asleep again. Got it?"

" Yes sir." Said Hikaru brushing away the black and green hair of his mane from the front of his face.

"And get a trim will you?" Said Storm looking at his son in slight disgust. "You look like an uneducated punk."

With that note, Storm disappeared down the hallway.

Hikaru sighed and looked in the mirror.
"Well I think my mane looks just fine..." He thought to himself.
Hikaru had grown up in his fathers hotel and as soon as he could talk, his father had been throwing him into doing all sorts of jobs and duties around the hotel.
His father has opened the "Equestria Suites" hotel many years ago, and thanks to his business skills, and the hiring of good workers, the hotel had become one of the most famous hotels in all of Equestria. 
Hikaru was happy that his fathers business had done so well, but he hated having to work there.  Especially because besides school, it took up ALL of his free time. The second he got off of school, he had to start his work in the massive 11 story building doing whatever Storm instructed him to do. All this work, for a small allowance.

Hikaru also felt that it was because of being forced into this job that he didn't have his cutie mark yet. He knew that he was probably the oldest in all of Equestria to not have a cutie mark yet. "Those 3 young fillies I see running around complaining they don't have theirs yet, they have no right to complain." He often thought to himself. Storm always told him that his cutie mark would come in time. "Yeah, in time, says the one who always says I can't go anywhere to even try to find my true calling cause I need to work the night shift...and day shift......and afternoon shift..."

Hikaru stretched out and shook himself off trying to wake himself up a bit. He glanced over at the vending machine, 
"I guess I could use a drink, something cold might wake me up a bit."
He bought a lemonade and went back behind the counter.
The cool lemonade was very refreshing and he found it did help him to feel more alert.
He grabbed his music player and selected one of his favorite playlist titled "Escape".
The playlist consisted of many of his favorite trance tracks that he had gathered over the years. He loved the way trance music could just make him feel as if he was free, off in his own little world, where everything just felt peaceful, magic, and well....awesome.
He could spend hours just listening to different trance tunes and not even realize that it had been hours. Even if the songs he played he had heard over 1000 times, he never grew tired of them. He just loved the sound of the ambient backgrounds, the relaxing synth, and of course, the heavy bass.

Hikaru soon found himself lost in the world of his music. So much so that he had not noticed the pony who had walked into the hotel and up to the counter.

"HIKARU!"

"Wha? The hay? Oh! Hey Sky!"

Sky Breeze was Hikarus best friend from school. She worked with her uncle at the "Forever Flying" kite shop a few buildings down. 
Hikaru had met her a few semesters ago in one of his classes. She was the only pony who was willing to talk to him and even when he had expressed no interest in further relationship, she continued to talk to him daily and hang out with him.  Hikaru was a very shy and introverted pony, who rarely talked to anypony else unless approached. He honestly felt rather insecure with himself, probably no help from Storm always putting him down. Nopony ever wanted to be Hikarus friend as he was always just seen as "the quiet pony in the corner" in school. Which made it odd that Sky seemed to really want to get to know him. At first, Hikaru thought that maybe she just wanted to get on his good side cause she knew who his dad was and being a friend of his son could get her allot of perks. But he soon found this totally not true. Hikaru very much appreciated Sky, and he was happy to call her his best friend.

"I was afraid you fell asleep again!" Joked Sky with a sarcastic smile.

Hikaru laughed and tossed his music player into a drawer. "Well, yeah...My dad caught me earlier asleep again, wasn't too happy about that you can imagine."

"Oh yes I can." Replied Sky knowingly.

Hikaru sighed. "So hey! What brings you here at 1 in the morning huh? Trying to sneak in and get some of those mints that we leave on pillows that I know you love oh so much?"

"Hey now!" Laughed Sky throwing a brochure that was on the counter at Hikaru. "I may like those but not enough to STEAL them."

"Yeah yeah I know..." Laughed Hikaru dodging the brochure. "You are too good for that."

"What can I say?" Said Sky giving her best innocent and angelic eyes. " Im a perfect little angel!" 

"Oh gosh..." Said Hikaru laying his head down in his hooves.

Sky pushed Hikarus hooves away from his face. "But really, I came over cause I wanted to give you this!"

Sky handed him a small blue flyer.

Hikaru opened it and read it slowly.

"Nocturnal Oasis."
July 27th 
10 PM to 2 AM.
At the Starlight Den.
Featuring:
Armane Van Burren
Ferry Colsten
Dumanede
DJ Spiral Hooves.
DJ PON-3....."

"I know all those ponies!" Said Hikaru loudly. "I have all of their tracks in my playlist! Oh wow, and they are all coming here? To Ponyville? No way! I soooo have to go to this! Oh my gosh! When......July 27th....2 weeks! I need to go to this! Like I reallllyyyy need to go to this Sky! I have always dreamed of seeing these ponies live!"

Sky laughed at her friends excitement.
"Well lucky for you, I happen to know the even organizer, he said he can get me and 4 friends in for free! And I just so happen to have a ticket here for one very special friend of mine!"

Hikarus eyes opened as wide as saucers. "YESOHMYGOSHTHANKYOUTHANKYOU" Screamed a happy and jumping Hikaru as he reached for the ticket.

"Na ah!" Said Sky pulling the ticket away from Hikarus snatching hooves.
"If you want this, you will have to give me something I want first!"

"Wha?" Asked Hikaru trying to think of what Sky could possibly want. He noticed Sky glancing over to his right. Looking to his right, he saw what she she wanted, for there, behind the counter. was the large bowl of mints.

"I should have known." Sighed Hikaru. He grabbed the entire bowl and handed it to Sky. "If my Dad asks me, don't worry, Ill tell him they got old or something."

"Thank you Mr. Ray!" Said Sky cheerfully taking the bowl and leaving the ticket on the counter. "I better be going now. My parents HATE me staying out late.

"Aight, see ya!" Said Hikaru. " AND FOR THE LAST TIME, STOP CALLING ME MR. RAY, YOU'RE MAKING ME FEEL OLD!"

"Oh whatever!" Laughed Sky leaving. "See ya!"

Hikaru leaned back in his chair and looked up at the flyer in his hoof.
"This is gonna be amazing." He thought to himself. "Getting to see them live, in pony, right there!" He grabbed his music player and went started playing his favorite track from Ferry Coltsten.

"Now to try to get out of work that night....that aint gonna be easy. But whatever it takes, Ill do it, Im not missing this for my LIFE!"

Hikaru turned up the volume and let himself once again, become lost in the world of trance.
======
> Kites
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Of course not! Absolutely NO!"
"What?" Yelled Hikaru in disbelief. "Dad, cmon! I work everyday for pretty much my entire life, and I can't just get ONE night off?"
"The issue isn't getting a night off." Said Storm. "The issue here is that you want to get out of your duties to go to a useless party instead of doing something that actually takes you somewhere in life!"
Hikaru felt anger starting to rise up within his being from his fathers comment. "Useless party?! Dad, my favorite music artist are going to be there performing LIVE! Do you have any idea how big of a deal this is? These ponies never come to Ponyville! NEVER! I have dreamed of going to something like this for so long, you can't just tell me I can't go!"
"Well I did." Said Storm. "You're not going, you have your duties here to attend to, and you need to learn to make your priorities right. End of discussion."

Hikaru kicked over a chair and left his fathers office slamming the door. He could hear Storm yelling something angrily about how much the chair cost or something like that, but he could care less right now. He left the hotel and looked up the street. All around ponies were out enjoying the summer day. Shopping, eating, the young ones playing, the sight of everyone enjoying themselves eased Hikaru's anger a bit. He looked down the other side of the street and noticed the kite flying above Forever Flying kite shop. It was a small white kite shaped to look like a shooting star with a long tail. Watching the kite flying up in the sky in such a graceful way was almost mesmerizing. Infact, apparently very much so as Hikaru failed to hear the Pony asking him to move aside so he could push his delivery cart pass.

"HELLO? I SAID EXCUSE ME!" 
"Wha?! Oh! Sorry sir." Said Hikaru feeling a bit embarrassed.
He moved out of the way to let the delivery pony pass.
"Crazy kid..." He muttered. "Doesn't even pay attention to where he is....this generation is going down the drain..."

Hikaru ignored his put-down and decided to go to the kite shop.
"I guess I better tell Sky that I can't go.." He thought to himself as he walked up to the door.

He opened the door and was immediately surrounded by colors and shapes of all kinds. Kites hung down from the ceiling and off the walls of the small store. It seemed any kind of shape you could think of, there was a kite for it. From a red phoenix with short tails from its wings to create the illusion of fire, to a Wonderbolts logo in 3d form, if you could think of it, the shop probably had it in kite form.

Two young fillies happily dashed out of the store with a new kite they had just bought that was shaped like a diamond. 
"Ah, I miss those days..." Thought Hikaru to himself.

He walked to the back of the store trying to see through the kites for Sky. He looked past a meadowlark kite and spied his friend. Or at least her turquoise and purple mane. 

"Sky? Is that you?"
"Oh hey Hikaru!" Called Sky from the back storage area of the store. "Um....hey, do you think you could help me with this?"
"Uh sure." Replied Hikaru heading through the maze of kites into the back of the store.
He found Sky trying to assemble a very large kite. The kite was in the shape of the sun and it was significantly larger than Sky or Hikaru. Probably even larger than Big Macintosh even. The Kite looked amazing except that is was not fully assembled. It appeared that the last piece to its completion, was a long stick that had to be bowed around the outer frame and then connected back into itself to create the suns round form. However, it seemed that the stick was a bit resistant to being bowed and it was taking all of Skys' strength to try to bend it as well as holding onto the kite so it didn't flip away like a catapult. 

"If you could just hold onto the kite so it doesn't fly away that would be great." Said Sky with tired eyes. It was obvious that she had been struggling with this for quite some time.
"Not a prob" Said Hikaru with a hint of pride in his voice.
He grabbed hold of the kite while Sky bent the stick around the outer edge of the sun and then into the connection point where it locked into place.
"Whew! About time I completed this one!" Breathed Sky greatly relieved but tired.
"It looks amazing! Said Hikaru admiring the kite from a few steps back. "I've never seen a kite this large and so masterfully designed before."
"My uncles newest design!" Said Sky proudly. "He worked for months on getting this perfect, and now we finally get to see it fly over the store!"

"THWOK!*
*SWISH!*

"AAAA!!!" Both Hikaru and Sky screamed as the kite suddenly unfolded and sent the stick flying at high velocity right towards them.
Hikaru acted fast and pushed Sky away saving her from being stabbed by the flying stick. Unfortunately, he wasn't so lucky as the stick hit him directly in his front left leg as he tried to block the stick from hitting his face.

Hikaru looked at his leg and noticed that the stick had indeed punctured his skin and blood was slowly starting to flow out of the small wound.

"Ack! Hikaru! Are you ok? I mean...no you aren't, But...I...Im sorry...." 
Sky looked down onto the ground embarrassed of what happened.
"Its not your fault don't worry about it." Assured Hikaru walking over to the sink to wash off the wound.
"We should probably take you the doctor you know." Said Sky cringing at the sight of blood. "I can take you now, I just have to close the sto-"
"No thats not needed." Said Hikaru with a smile. Its not like the stick impaled my leg or anything, it just broke the skin thats all. Ill just go back to the hotel and get this cleaned up and bandaged and Ill be good to go. Ah...yeah I should actually go now. Haha. Don't want to get blood on your floor, Ill talk to you later."
Hikaru navigated his way out of the kite maze to the front door.
"Hikaru!" Called Sky walking over to him.
Hikaru paused and turned to see Sky.
"Sup?" He asked with a smile.
He was suddenly met by a hug from Sky which surprised him a bit, but not in a bad way.
"Thanks." She said. "For pushing me out of the way. haha."
"Oh c-mon...It wasn't that big of a deal" He laughed. "Its not like I saved you from a falling building through fire and explosions or some crazy thing like in those movies."
"Yeah I guess." Laughed Sky backing away noticing that there was still blood slowly flowing from Hikarus wound. "But still, it surprised me, and it was nice of you to do that for me, thanks."
"Ha, whatevs." Said Hikaru. "Ill talk to you later. See ya!"

Hikaru left the building and headed back to the hotel.
He suddenly remembered something.

"Argh! I was supposed to tell her that I couldn't go to Nocturnal Oasis..."
He thought about going back to tell her, but he knew she already felt bad about the kite wound, he didn't want to make her feel worse by saying he couldn't go to the thing she wanted him to attend. He would have to tell her the next day.

"Hmm..." He thought. "On the other hoof, she might want to know so she can sell the ticket or give it to somepony else...." He pondered on this for a second.
"Ah whatever, a day won't matter, Ill tell her tomorrow. And besides, I still have to see if there is someway, anyway, I can still go to this thing. Im willing to do anything."

He looked down and noticed the wound the stick has caused was still bleeding, so he hurried into the hotel to find the first aid kit.

> Regret
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hikaru quickly found the first aid kit and bandaged the wound.
"There we go, no worry-no problem!" He thought to himself as he placed the first aid kit into a cabinet.

He suddenly heard the front door open. Iris, the pony who watched the front desk when Hikaru wasn't, was late for work leaving the nopony at the desk to greet and assist the guest. 

Hikaru walked quickly over to the front desk and noticed a tall White pony with a black mane and tail walking up to the desk. She had an official look to her, much like the ponies who worked in the larger offices in Canterlot. 
A thought suddenly came to Hikaru's mind as she approached the front desk.
"Oh no! What if she is trying to sell me something! Argh! I have to turn her down. But what if Dad actually wants what she is selling for the hotel? Argh but wait, maybe he won't....Or what if...she is one of those ponies who try to get you to join their religion or whatever it is. I already have a church I go to on sundays! Oh no, what if we are late paying a bill! Oh no! What am I supposed to say? I don't know what to do! Will I go to jail? OH GOSH NO NOT JAIL!"

All these thoughts rushed through Hikaru's mind within seconds as the pony reached the front desk.
Hikaru breathed and said a weak "Hi there!" Which sounded rather pathetic as his voice cracked.

"Hello!" She said with a smile. "My name is Trinity Star, and Im the head even planner for this years Nocturnal Oasis here in Ponyville."

Hikaru nearly jumped when he realized who this pony was.

"The even is going to be happening in about 2 weeks and we needed to find a hotel to block out some rooms for those attending the event. One of the others in the planning committee noticed that your hotel offers discounts for buying out blocked rooms, is it possible for us to buy off about 80 rooms starting July 26th until the 28th?"

Hikaru was still in shock, This pony was the HEAD planner for the event he so longed to go to. He wanted this to be a sign, some sort of strange sign that would confirm that he was indeed meant to go, maybe his Dad would be so happy about having all the business from this event that he would let him go! 

These thoughts rushed through his mind until he suddenly realized he had not answered Trinity. He shook himself out of his daze and hoped he hadn't been silent for more than a second. If it was a long pause, it would make Trinity feel quite awkward for sure.

"Yes, we can book out those rooms for you. We discount all blocked rooms by 40%, and any additional rooms past 70 are 80% off. We can set up a code for guest registering to use during hotel booking online so the attendees of the event can claim the discount. There is a required fee of 600 bits for us to block out the rooms and you would need to sign this form here..."

Hikaru reached over into the file drawer and pulled out a yellow form and handed it to Trinity.

"Once you fill that out and I get your payment information, it will all be set!"

"Great!" Said Trinity enthusiastically as she took the paper and grabbed the quill on the counter to sign. She wrote down all the required info and signatures, and payed the 600 bits to Hikaru. 

"alright!" Said Hikaru making a copy of the form for the hotel records. "You are all set!"

"Thank you so much!" Said Trinity happily turning to leave. As she got to the door, she called back to Hikaru. "Hey, this event you know, its the kind of thing somepony of your age might really enjoy, you should think about checking it out! Thanks again!" 

"Oh believe me..." Sighed Hikaru as Trinity left the building. "Its all I have been thinking about..."

Iris rushed in a few minutes later completely out of breath and looking messy and tired.

"I am soooo sorry. The cat I am taking care of for another family got out of the house and I had to chase her for 10 blocks! I got here as fast as I could, Im so sorry..."
"No no, don't worry about it." Assured Hikaru. He knew the stress of being late and how much fear Iris must have felt at the risk of being yelled at by his Dad. "My Dad isn't in yet and I won't tell him."
"Thank you so much!" Sighed Iris in relief. 
"There was a pony who came in earlier who reserved out 80 rooms." Said Hikaru taking out the copy of the paperwork from earlier. "Something you might want to look at and file away."
"Ah thanks for taking care of that." She said, taking the papers to look over.

Hikaru decided to hang around the hotel until his Dad arrived. He was going to be in a business meeting for the next hour so as far as Hikaru knew, he had no duties to attend to. 
"Maybe Ill go up to the roof." He thought to himself. "Its been a while since I have been up there.

Hikaru trotted up the stairs to the highest floor of the hotel. From there, he went into the storage room and up the ladder that led to the roof. He opened the door and stepped out.
Immediately, he was greeted by the bright noon sun, and the sound of the birds who had built nest on the roof.

Hikaru used to like coming up here since he was a young colt. It was like his own personal place to come and think as nopony ever really bothered to come up there (With the exception of the worker ponies who inspected and fixed the roof from time to time.) 

Hikaru thought a bit about what had happened today.
"I know my Dad treats any of our guest with the upmost respect and importance. As soon as he sees that the ponies who are planning to stay here in the blocked out rooms are coming for this event, he will have to lighten up a little at least. Its a long shot but I have to try and keep hope. I better pray that this all works out..."

Many hours later in the afternoon, Storm arrived and went to his office.
"I guess I better let him know about the blocked rooms." said Iris gathering the files.
"Oh um...hold on." Said Hikaru thinking fast. "Would it be ok if I took that to him, umm...its just that, he's been nagging me like crazy saying I don't do anything around here, at least maybe he could see me do something so he doesn't think Im just sitting here listening to music all day...(Which is pretty much what he actually was doing.) 

"Oh sure that would be fine!" Said Iris handing over the files. "I don't mind not having to go to his office." She leaned close to Hikaru and whispered. "Honestly, he scares me and I find him to be a constant annoying pressure on me, kind of like a migraine headache."

Hikaru smiled. "Oh I know exactly what you mean..." He whispered back.

"I wouldn't tell you this if I didn't know you felt the same." Whispered back Iris. "Otherwise I would be fired!"

Hikaru laughed and took the files and continued down the hall to his Dads office.

Hikaru tapped lightly on the door of Storms office.

"Come in!"

"Hey Dad." Said Hikaru entering the office. "Just thought I would give you these files. There is a large group of rooms that got booked out for an event coming to town."
"Oh thanks Hikaru." Said Storm taking the files to look at. "Hey, why are you giving this to me? Didn't Iris have these filled out?"
Hikaru thought quickly. "Um..yeah, but...I thought I would help her out and bring them to you. You know, she has to answer phones all day and file and whatnot, I thought, why not?"
Whew*
"Ah very well then." Said Storm. "Hmmm...Nocturnal Oasis. What is this now?"
"Well actually..." Hikaru said softly. "That is that event that I wanted to go to..."
"Ah...I see." Said Storm. "Well, I appreciate the business."
"Yeah!" Hikaru almost shouted. "I mean, thats really great of them to be booking our hotel right? I mean they must be really good and respectable ponies to have chosen this hotel right Dad? I mean, They obviously appreciate class. The kind of Ponies you don't see much these days. The kind of ponies you would want me to hang around right?"
'AH HORSE-APPLES' Hikaru thought to himself. I forced that one too much, great.
"I see what you are trying to do now." Said Storm. "I am happy that they are staying here. But that doesn't mean that I want you to reject your duties here and go to this event. Infact, the very fact that they are here means that we need more staff on hoof. Meaning your assistance will be required even more so."
Hikaru felt anger rising up within him.
"And also." Continued Storm. "Just because they are staying at this hotel, doesn't mean they are all good ponies. It seems to be from what I can tell about this event, is that everypony is some sort of rebellious punk who dropped out of school and lacks any kind of responsibility. Clearly not the kind of ponies I want you to be around.
Hikaru was mad now.
"How can you say that?" He yelled loudly. "You are judging them without even knowing them!"
"I know enough!" Yelled back Storm. "And don't you dare raise your voice at me!"
"YOU HARDLY EVEN KNOW WHAT THIS APPLE BUCKING EVENT IS!" Screamed Hikaru purposely raising his voice even more.
"I know enough." Said Storm calmly. "And you are not going, and that is final. No further discussion Hikaru. NONE."
Hikaru was fuming at this point. 
"How can you judge the ponies going to this event when you clearly have never met them in your life." Said Hikaru Quietly.
"I know the kind of ponies that go to these kind of things Hikaru." Said Storm filing some papers away. "They are all misfits and punks. They have no direction in life, and they end up being homeless and worthless."
"Even if somepony there was like that..." Said Hikaru through gritted teeth. "That doesn't make them worthless. Everypony has their unique gift, and even if they do make some mistakes, its never too late to turn around. Nopony is ever worthless."
"Where in Equestria did you pick that up from?" Said Storm. "THink about it Hikaru, a pony who ruined their life, and isn't working or contributing to our lives in any way. All they do is fill space."
"HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT ABOUT A LIVING PONY DAD!" Hikaru raising his voice again. 
"Raise your voice at me on more time and I am taking your music player and burning it in the fireplace!" Said Storm sternly.
"If only you would go check out this event as see the ponies that go, you would realize they are totally fine." Said Hikaru.
"No." Said Storm sharply. "I would go and see that I was exactly right. Everypony going to this is a worthless cause."
"Thats not true...." Said Hikaru with his head down and mane covering his face. "Sky is going too you know. We were going to go together."
"Honestly." Said Storm. "You might not like what I say, but she is a worthless cause as well."
Hikaru's heart skipped a beat and he suddenly felt intense anger rushing through his body.
"What did you just say..." Whispered Hikaru.
"Think about it Hikaru. Her parents were failures. Her Mom couldn't keep a job and ended up running away and going missing. Her Dad got scared taking care of her and left her with her uncle. And her Uncle is a KITE MAKER of all things. Obviously couldn't get a real job. I honestly don't think you should associate with that one. Looking at her families past, she will just go down that same road. A road I don't want you going down."
"So you are calling her a failure..." Said Hikaru, blood pumping throughout his body in rage.
"I hate to say it, But she will be." Said Storm. " Raised in a family of failures will result in a failure. I see it all the time. And I actually don't want you around them. Cause once something happens, they will turn to us for money and help, and we don't help ponies who can't even keep a decent life going for themselves."
'How can he possibly say these things!' Hikaru thought to himself. "What happened to him! Why does he suddenly think he is some great and powerful pony and everyone else who is lower class is nothing? And to say Sky and her family is worthless and failures?"
Hikaru was on the verge of a full out burst of rage. And his fathers next few words brought it out.
"They are just pieces of trash. And that Sky girl is probably just being your friend to try to get money/"
Hikaru's hoof flew through the air at high velocity and landed right into Storms jaw making a loud *CRACK*.
The blow sent Storm falling back and into a filing cabinet.
"DONT YOU EVER SAY THAT ABOUT HER AGAIN!" Yelled Hikaru. He was breathing heavily and was shaking in pure anger.
"Get out..." Said Storm still lying on the ground.

Hikaru dashed out of the office and past the front desk.

"Hikaru!" Called Iris. "What's going on? What was that sound?"

Hikaru ignored her and ran out the door. He ran past all the shops and houses, past sweet apple acres, and out of Ponyville. He finally came to a stop by a tree on a tall hill far away from town. 

He felt tears streaming  down the side of his face.
"Im so STUPID!" He screamed hitting his hoof against the tree. "What in the hay did I just do..."

He looked off in the distance as the sun started to slowly set.
He laid his head down and covered his face with his hooves. His anger now replaced by pure sadness and depression.
The sun slowly fell lower and lower in the sky and finally dipped below the horizon.
As it did, Hikaru whispered a few more words before falling asleep in nothing but his guilt and sorrow.
"Im the failure."
-
> Found
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Back at the hotel, Iris had rushed into Storms office to see what had happened and nearly screamed when she found him on the floor with blood streaming from his mouth. She immediately helped him up and brought him to the medical clinic. She asked him what had happened but all he would say was "He's no son of mine."
Iris was very worried about Hikaru and went to check the roof of the hotel to see if he was there. 
Nope.
'oh wait...' she thought to herself. 'Doesn't he hang out with with that Sky girl over at the kite shop sometimes?'
She decided to head over and see if he was there. And if not, maybe Sky knew where he had gone to...

-


Hikaru woke up and looked out over the land. The last bit of blue shown over the horizon as night fell upon Ponyville. It was starting to get cold, but he didn't care. He didn't want to go back cause he knew that most likely his Dad had told everypony what a horrible thing he had done. Made him seem like some sort of dangerous criminal or something. 
"Hah." He said aloud. "I bet that guy called the authorities on me, wouldn't surprise me if he wanted me thrown into a dungeon a while."
Hikaru suddenly started to realize how cold it was getting as he was starting to shiver. He decided to walk over to an old abandoned barn to try to rest and think about what he should do. It wasn't much warmer inside but at least it would protect him from the wind.

-

Iris walked into the kite shop and just as with Hikaru before, she found herself suddenly immersed deep within a maze of color and shapes from kites all around.
"were closing in 15 minutes!" Called a voice from somewhere beyond the ocean of kites.
Iris walked through to the back of the store.
"Are you sky?" She asked seeing her behind a work table.
"Oh..yes! hi!" Said Sky looking up from her work cheerfully. "What can I help you with?"
"I work over at the Equestria Suites Hotel." Said Iris in a serious tone. "I think you know the son of my boss, Hikaru?"
"Yes of course!" Said Sky happily. She then noticed the serious look on Iris's face. "Is he...ok?"
Iris sighed and continued. "Not exactly.... Im not sure what happened but he had gone to his fathers office today to give him some files. They were talking for a while...and then I heard screaming. I was worried but didn't want to interrupt.....anyways, I then heard a loud crash! I got up to go and check what happened and then I saw Hikaru run out of the office and out the door. I rushed into his Dads office and I found him lying on the ground bleeding from his mouth."
Skys eyes opened wide.
"I took him to the medical clinic. He's there now. But I am really worried about Hikaru. After he ran off nopony has seen him. You wouldn't happen to know where he went, or where he might go to do you?"
Sky was shocked and didn't know what to say. She knew Hikaru for years and knew he would never ever hit anyone, especially his own FATHER of all the ponies.
"I....I honestly don't know..." She said. "The only place he ever told me about that he liked to go to when he felt down was the hotel roof..."
"Yeah I checked there." Said Iris. 
Sky sighed deeply. "You don't have any idea what was said? What could have made him do this?"
"No idea whatsoever." Said Iris. " I never took Hikaru as one who would ever physically hurt anypony."
"Yes..." Agreed Sky, trying to think of where Hikaru could have gone.
"Well, let me know if you think of anything, or find out anything." Said Iris turning to leave. "Im always at the hotel if you need to find me."
Sure, will do." Said Sky.

'Ah Hikaru....what in the hay did you do..."

-

Hikaru woke up suddenly from hearing a sound outside the barn doors. 
'Oh gosh.' He thought to himself. 'Great, now Im gonna be ponynapped. I guess I deserve that don't I.'
He heard light hoofbeats coming toward the direction of the barn. Slowly getting closer....closer....until they stopped right outside the barn door. A shadow appeared in in the moonlight that shone through the door.
'I sure messed up...' Thought Hikaru to himself. 'Now Im probably going to be ponynapped and tortured or something. Great.'
The shadow slowly got larger as the figure opened the door and slowly entered.
'I hate myself.'
"Hello.....?" Said a soft voice.
Hikarus ears perked up.
"Hikaru?" You in here?
He immediately recognized the voice. 
"SKY!" 
Hikaru got up and rushed over to her as fast as he could and immediately embraced her in a hug. He had felt so scared and unwanted the last hour, the thought of Sky coming to look for him was something he had not expected, but could not have wanted anything more. He tried thinking of something, anything to say, but his emotions got the better of him and he soon found he couldn't do anything but cry tears of every emotion within him.

Sky was a bit surprised by Hikarus sudden embrace, but knew that what he really needed right now was a friend to be there for him.

The moment seemed to last forever, until Hikaru found he had no more tears to cry, and he was starting to feel better.
He backed away from Sky and looked down to the floor.

"Sky....." He said quietly. "I really messed up..."

"What happened Hikaru?" She asked in a gentle voice. 

Hikaru looked up at her and continued.  
"I got in a fight with my Dad. I don't know....he just said all these things that just....they got me so mad....I have never been so mad Sky....he had no right to say the things he did....I tried to control the anger I felt but....he kept going on and on..."
Just thinking about what Storm had said was starting to make him feel the anger rising up within him again. He suddenly realized this and shook his head to try to snap out of it.
"Anyways..." He continued. "He finally said something that just made me snap...I....well....I hit him..."
"The hay Hikaru." Said Sky. "I mean...did you hit him...hard?"
"well...." Said Hikaru feeling a bit embarrassed. "I'm...pretty sure...I broke his jaw..."
Sky was completely shocked to hear this. "Thats not the Hikaru I know..." She said.
"I know!" Said Hikaru. "Thats not me Sky, I don't know, I never thought I would ever hit anypony like that. Especially my Dad of all people. "
"What did he say that got you so mad?" She asked.
Hikaru thought for a second. He didn't feel completely comfortable telling Sky about what his Dad had said considering it was about her and her family. Plus, he thought she might be mad if she knew that it was his fathers comment about her that made him do a thing that seemed to upset her as such.

"He was just talking bad about ponies who are of a lower income level than he is..." Said Hikaru. "He just talked trash about some ponies-" 
'GAH NO.' He thought to himself. 'I shouldn't have said that, please don't ask what ponies, please don't ask what ponies, please don-'
"What ponies?" 
......
"Hikaru? What ponies?"
Hikaru looked down onto the floor.
"I would rather not say."
"You should tell me..." Said Sky. 
"Why do you want to know?"
"Im just curious."
"Why?"
"I don't know, I just think whatever ponies he was talking bad about sure must have meant allot to you for you to snap like that."
"I don't know..."
"Was it other family?"
"No."
"Oh, it was the other workers of the hotel wasn't it. I know you are very close to some of them."
Hikaru felt backed into a corner. He decided to just say it, and pray that Sky didn't get mad at him.
"He talked bad about you ok! He was talking bad about you and your family! I couldn't stand hearing him talk like that about you and he wouldn't stop! He called you guys things that are totally wrong and he tried to convince me you were a failure, when its so obvious you aren't! I couldn't take it anymore and he wouldn't stop and something in me just snapped, and next thing I know Im smashing his face in! I can't stand to hear ANYPONY talk like that about you or your family Sky. I care allot about you.....please...I know what I did was wrong, but don't be mad at me...even though you have every right to be mad....I know...I deserve it...."

Hikaru couldn't look up. He just knew that a look of anger and shock would be on Skys face. He didn't want to see it. He wanted to just run away in shame at that point.

He was quite surprised when he suddenly found Sky's hooves wrapped around him in a tight hug. 

A tear ran down the side of her face as she spoke.
"Our family has always been looked down upon for years. For as long as I could remember, ponies always put down me and my family for the things that had happened. And to this day, I hear ponies talk about me behind my back, talk about my uncle. It always made me feel bad. Its.....nice to know that somepony thinks like how you do of us....And would actually stand up for us like that....I mean-not saying you should have-"
Sky backed away. She had a stern look on her face. But she looked at Hikaru and saw the sadness in his eyes, and she knew he didn't want to do what he did, and he truly felt regret.
Her frown turned to a caring smile.
"Thank you."

> Leaving
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hikaru was silent and wanted to say something, but too many emotions were rushing through him at the moment. He ended up just siting there on the ground looking down, mane covering his eyes.

Sky decided to break the awkward silence which seemed to be dragging on for what felt like an eternity.

"You know..." She began. "We should probably head back to Ponyville. You can't stay here, its getting pretty late...and very cold...."

"Im not going back." Said Hikaru quickly. "I know what's gonna happen. Ill go back and everypony will be afraid of me. I know my Dads going to have been spreading this story around town. And he probably will have me charged with assault or something."

"Now cmon now..." Said Sky laying down next to Hikaru. "He wouldn't do that would he?"

Hikaru looked over at her.
"Believe me. He would."

Sky looked off past the barn doors and up into the night sky. She thought about Storm, and how he treated Hikaru. She recalled the times in the past when Storm seemed to not care about Hikaru whatsoever. The more she thought about, the angrier she got. 'How can somepony treat his own son like he does? What kind of parent is that?'

Hikaru sighed.
"Look, Sky, I really appreciate you coming to find me. I can't think of any other pony I would have wanted to see right now more than you. But I really can't go back. Its not gonna happen. Ill probably sneak into town and get some stuff, then maybe head to Manehattan. I hear great things about that place. I think it might be good for me."

Sky couldn't believe what she was hearing. Hikaru? Run away? But at the same time, she couldn't blame him. Given the situation, she might have done the same.
She looked over to Him. His eyes were filled with sadness and fear, but also determination. He wanted out of Ponyville. And nothing was going to stop him.

"You should go home Sky." Said Hikaru. "Ill still see you around. Ill come back sometimes to visit you. You'll know where to find me I promise."

Sky thought about Hikarus words for a second. She didn't like what Hikaru was doing one bit. Going off alone like that. Would she ever see him again?
An idea suddenly struck her, and she knew what she had to do.

"Im going with you."

Hikaru looked over to Sky with a surprised look.

"What?"

He shook his head.

"Sky....you can't go with me...cmon now..."

"No Hikaru!" Said Sky getting up and sounding a bit stern. "Im sorry but I'm going with you. I'm not going to let you just go off like this by yourself.  You are gonna need somepony to look after y-"

"WHAT!" Yelled Hikaru. "I Dont need somepony to LOOK after me! Im fine on my own!"

"OH REALLY!" Yelled back Sky. "So that time you decided to got your mane caught in a tree when you tried to climb it and we didn't find you for a day? You didn't need a friend looking after you then?"

"Aug!" Groaned Hikaru. "That was just one time! And I was found, I was totally ok on my ow-" 

"AND!" Interrupted Sky. "What about the time you decided to try baking garlic bread when you had no baking experience at all? Its a good thing somepony happened to be walking by and smelled the smoke when they did, I mean REALLY, leaving the oven ON while you go off to work for 2 HOURS?"

"I THOUGHT THAT WAS HOW LONG IT TAKES!" Yelled Hikaru. "And so what, 2 incidences. That doesn't mean I-"

"Last year!" Interrupted Sky. "The bear?"
"yeah but-"
"The cliff"
"No but!"
"The lightning"
........
"Tornado.."
"Yeah but you don't underst-"
"The balloon."
"OK I GET IT! OH MY GOSH SHEESH! Yelled Hikaru.
He sighed and lied back down.

"I know there have been a ton of things that I have done which were pretty stupid, and having a friend there to guide me would have been great. But I really don't want to drag you along for this. Its just not a good idea. I messed up, I gotta pay the price, not you. You don't deserve that...It would be unfair and cruel for me to do that to you. And...I care about you too much to let you do that. And really, you don't have to worry about me, I think I have some good judgement in me you know..."

"Its not just that though...." Said Sky quietly.

"What?" Asked Hikaru, curious as to what else Sky meant.

"Well...." She began, looking down onto the ground. "You are my best friend, and you always have been....Its just....I...I don't want to be without you...."

Hikaru could have sworn that he saw a tear roll down the side of her face as she spoke.

He realized that she cared for him just as much as he cared for her. It was actually quite obvious.

Hikaru wrapped a hoof around Sky and sighed.

"Argh Sky.....Why do you have to be so good at convincing me to do stuff...thats just not fair you know....not fair at all..."
Sky chuckled and didn't say anything.
"Well..." Began Hikaru.
" I guess you better grab your stuff you wanna bring as well...you know, you are gonna need it..."
"HAH!" Said Sky loudly. "Ill get my stuff tomorrow."
"Haha, awesome." Said Hikaru ruffling Skys mane. "Well you should be getting home. Its getting really really REALLLY late."
"Oh no you don't." Said Sky. "Im not risking you trying to leave without me.I know thats the sort of thing you would try to do. Im staying here."
"HEH...but...no...you....argh....fine..." Said Hikaru. "but.." He looked over and saw a large tablecloth or some kind. He went and got it and pulled it over Sky. "Im not gonna have you freezing to death though."
"This is a tablecloth." Said Sky.
"IS IT SO WRONG THAT I TRY TO BE CARING FOR A SECOND IYAAAAA" Yelled Hikaru falling down onto the ground backwards.
Sky laughed and went over to hug her friend. "Im kidding Hikaru! Sheesh! Calm down! Take a chill pill will ya?
Hikaru sighed. "Sorry.."
Sky ruffled his mane in the same way he had done with hers, and looked up into his eyes.
"Its ok, and...thanks."
"You know..." Said Sky. "If you're gonna be away from your Dad completely now. I guess that means you don't need his permission to go to Nocturnal Oasis..right?"
Hikaru's eyes opened wide. "Thats right! Oh wow I forgot! Yes! Hah, no overload of work horse-apples to deal with now. I am going for sure! We are going for sure! Right?"
"Of course!" Said Sky happily. 
"Ahhh" Sighed Hikaru. "This will be awesome."
Sky laughed and rolled into the tablecloth blanket to get some sleep.
Hikaru smiled and held his friend close. 'Everythings gonna work out.' he thought to himself.
'I just gotta keep praying for the best, and keep faith that this is all gonna be just fine.'
Hikaru looked up at the night sky through the open window of the barn. The night sky sparkling with stars, and the faint light flowing into the barn by the light of the moon both had an effect on Hikaru, is he slowly drifted off to sleep.
Tomorrow, would be an interesting day.
> Actions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hikaru woke up the next day a bit before the sun had risen completely. 
A hint of orange mixed in with the blue of the dawn was just showing over the horizon. 'Wow, waking up early, that's a first.' thought Hikaru to himself.

Today was the day. He had it all planned out in his head. He would sneak back into town and to the house, and gather the things he needed to bring from his room. While he was doing this, Sky would gather her things from her place, and they would meet outside of town near the everfree forest before sundown.

There was something on Hikarus mind that was bothering him though. He was very happy that Sky would be going with him on this journey. But he started thinking about the kite shop. She loved the kite shop, and she helped out allot for her uncle who ran the store. If she left, could he handle the business? And wouldn't he be mad that she just got up and left? It sure didn't seem right to him.

He looked over to Sky who was still asleep.
"I should ask her about that." He said aloud.
He looked out the barn doors and noticed the sun was rising over the horizon and slowly but surely, the entire land was being lit up by Celestias Sun.

'Oh I should probably try to find food.' Thought Hikaru. He remembered passing by a pretty large apple orchard along the way to the barn. It would be right over the hill. 
'They shouldn't mind if I just took 2.' He thought. 'Its not like its a huge loss to their business.'
This was somewhat true,  for as far as Hikaru could see, he saw nothing but acres and acres of apple trees. 
He quickly ran up to a tree, and making sure nopony was looking, he swatted two apples off the tree and started to run back to the barn.
Suddenly, he heard a low growl behind him that made him freeze in place.
"Grrr...."
Hikaru slowly turned to see the source of the growl.
His found himself looking down at a dog, who was apparently very angry with Hikaru taking the fruit from the tree.
"Oh...um....hehe...hi! Umm...Good boy...?"
"GrrrrrrrRAGHHHHH!!!!!"
"Ahhh! Um....."
Hikaru spotted a twig on the ground.
"Um...stick? you want the stick? GO GET IT!"
Hikaru grabbed the stick and tossed it past the dog.
The dog stayed where he was, eyes fixed on Hikaru.
"grrrrrrRAGHHHH RAGGHHHHH GRRRR!!!"
The dog slowly walked toward Hikaru.
"N-n-no! Stay back! BACK!"
The dog continued to move toward him.
"S-s-s-stay back!" Yelled Hikaru backing away.
"Grrrr!!!!!!!"
"AAAAA!!!!!!!"

-

Sky woke up and was surprised to find that Hikaru was nowhere in the barn.
'Where is he?' She thought to herself.
She wandered outside and looks for any sign of him.
Nothing.
"Oh no! He-he actually left...without me...."
She didn't want to believe it, but given the circumstances, it sure seemed so.
"He wouldn't leave without me....he couldn't...he wouldn't......"
Suddenly, a distant sound caught her attention.
"What is that? It sounds like.....screaming?"

-

Hikaru was running as fast as he could with the dog right on his heels the entire time.
"NOOOO!!!!!" He screamed desperately trying to escape from the angry dog.
If only he could get into the barn and shut the door, he would be safe!
The barn was just over the hill. He HAD to get there!

-

Sky looked out toward the hill and finally saw the source of the screaming.
It was HIKARU! And a dog?
"NOOOO!!!!!!" Screamed Hikaru.
"Hikaru?" Yelled Sky, unsure of what to do.
"SKYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!' Yelled Hikaru running by the barn with the dog still right on his tail.

Sky didn't know what to do. She felt very confused.
"What's going on!" She screamed.

"Sky!!!!" Screamed Hikaru running in random shapes around the open field to the side of the barn. "Get in the barn! NOW! And close the barn door half way! GO!"
Sky ran into the barn and did as Hikaru had said.

Hikaru dashed around the barn and then quickly dodged the dog and headed back in the other direction. The dog was confused for a second but quickly got in path to pursue Hikaru. But it was too late. Hikaru jumped through the 1/2 open barn door and slammed the door shut.

Hikaru collapsed onto the floor breathing heavily.
Outside, the dog was very angry and was barking non-stop.

Hikaru looked up at Sky who was standing there looking very confused.
"What was THAT about?" She questioned sternly.
"Hehe...." Laughed Hikaru nervously.
He placed the apples down on the ground.
"Breakfast?"

-

Back in ponyville, Iris was behind the front counter of the hotel answering phone calls, welcoming guest, the usual.
Storm had started working again after getting his injury taken care of at the hospital.
Needless to say, he was very angry with Hikaru and decided that he would press charges on him once he was found. 
Iris found this absolutely ridiculous but she didn't dare question Storm face to face as it would probably lead to her being fired. 

She heard Storm leaving his office and walking toward the lobby so she quickly made herself look busy.
Storm did not like seeing any of his employees not working, and he would often yell at anypony he caught who was not actively doing something.

Iris glanced over at the clock and noticed it was 10 after 1. 
"Oh wow, I should take my lunch break now, I only have 1 to 1:30..."

Iris decided to get a sandwich at the restaurant around the corner. They always had great food, and at a good price. And with the salary Iris was making, she needed to take every chance she could to save money.

Iris walked out of the hotel and down the street.

'I wonder where Hikaru is now...' Thought Iris to herself. 'I hope he's alright..'

-

"You STOLE them!"
"No I didn't!"
"Then what do YOU call it?"
"I don't know...."
"STEALING!"
Sky was quite upset at Hikaru for his actions. Actions that Hikaru saw no problem with.
"Their has to be over 5 millions apples in that orchard Sky!" Said Hikaru loudly. "Its not like they are gonna miss them, or cause a huge blow to their sales. Cmon now. Its not a big deal!"
"ITS STEALING, HOW IS THAT NOT WRONG TO YOU!" Sky was growing quite angry with Hikaru.
"AUGH SKY!" Hikaru was getting frustrated. "It won't be missed, and really, what else is out here for means of food? I say its ok due to survival!"
"We could have gone and grabbed something when we went into town very easily." Said Sky softly. "What you did was unnecessary."

Hikaru was angry with Sky. 'How can she think like this?' He thought. 'I just risked getting caught to bring back some food and instead of being grateful, she YELLS at me?'

Sky was equally angry with Hikaru. 'Really?' She thought to herself. 'How can he think that what he did was ok? stealing is STEALING, no matter the quantity! Ugh, and now he's actually MAD at me? For wanting him to do what's right? Really?"

Both Hikaru and Sky didn't say anything for quite a while. 

Hikaru thought about what Sky was saying for a bit.
'She is wrong......I mean cmon...' He thought to himself looking down at the floor.

A bird flew onto the windowsill at the top of the barn.
Hikaru watched it for a second, admiring its unique purple and white coloration.
The bird then flew away from sight.

Hikaru sighed. 'Maybe she did have a point......I don't know....I was just doing what needed to be done though....Ugh, I don't want her to be upset with me...'

Sky was on the other side of the room, also looking down toward the floor.

'Ugh...I hate seeing him mad like this...' Thought sky to herself. 'but really...what he did was totally stupid...'
She glanced over at Hikaru, who instead of looking angry as he did a second ago, looked a bit sad as he looked down on the ground.
Sky sighed.
'Well....he was trying to look out for me...which is nice.....maybe I shouldn't have yelled at him like that....'

"Hikaru..?" Said sky softly.
"Hm?" Hikaru looked up.
"Look....maybe...I shouldn't have yelled like that..."
"No Sky." Interrupted Hikaru. "I think I needed that, for me...to realize...well...maybe I shouldn't have taken those apples..."
"I do appreciate you thinking of looking out for me though." Began Sky. "I guess I just wasn't thinking about that..."

Both were silent for a bit.



"Im sorry..." Hikaru finally broke the silence.
"I am sorry..." Replied Sky quietly.

"Well....." Began Hikaru. "I think its about time we start heading back to Ponyville...gotta gather all of our stuff and whatnot."
"Yeah true" Replied Sky walking over the the barn doors and opening them a bit.
She saw no sign of the dog that had chased Hikaru so she opened the doors fully.

"We better get going then."
---
> Letting Go
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------

Hikaru and Sky headed to the outer edge of Ponyville where they would split up and go their own ways until their meet up in a few hours.
Hikaru reminded himself of something he had been wondering about earlier.

"Hey Sky?" He asked.
"Hm?" Sky looked up. "What's up?"
"I was wondering about something..." Began Hikaru "I just.....I don't know....I'm really happy you're going with me and all. But...what about you're uncles kite shop? It doesn't seem right for you to just ditch him entirely like this...."
Sky laughed sarcastically. "He wouldn't care. He hardly even knows I'm around half the time. Believe me Hikaru. I am NOT needed there. He only keeps me around to do little things while he goes to gamble with his friends. Don't get me wrong, I love working there, and I do care about my uncle. But I see this as an opportunity to get out and do something different for once. Something kind of adventurous you know? 
I haven't really gotten the opportunity to do anything like this before. That reason plus the fact that you need someone around you to make sure you don't kill yourself all the time."
"HEY!"
Sky Laughed.

"Its just.." Began Hikaru again. "That...Well...ok look. I can leave. My Dad hates me, I don't know anypony close enough that I would be missed. I got nothing to lose. But you....you have so many ponies around you that know you well and you talk to and see all the time. Its like, why would you give that up?"
Sky didn't say anything for a second. It seemed she didn't know the answer to this herself.
"I don't really know." She replied. "I just feel like....its what I should do."

Hikaru and Sky reached the edge of Ponyville and went their separate ways. Sky heading right into Ponyville, and Hikaru snaeking around the back alleys to get to his house.

Sky walked into Ponyville and headed toward the kite store which had her living space upstairs. 
"Hi Sky!" Called a young Pony who had bought a kite from the shop in the past.
Sky waved and continued on to the store.
'Why am I so ok with leaving all the behind...' She thought to herself. 'I do still like Ponyville...'
She heard some adults laughing and recognized one of the voices as her uncle.
Sure enough, across the street was her uncle and his friends laughing it up at the coffee shop. 
'So typical." Thought Sky. 'I bet he didn't even lock up the store did he.'
Sky walked down the street up to the front of the store and checked the door.
The door opened.
"Ha!" She laughed, and walked into the store.
Passing by the endless rows of kites, Sky recalled memories of growing up in the store. All the ponies she had met, the fun times she had. Lots of memories within the walls of the store.
But she had to focus.
Sky quickly moved past the kites and to the back of the store to the stairs that led to her room.
She quickly ran upstairs and grabbed her saddle bag from the closet.
'I better not bring too much....' She thought. 'Then again, we have no idea where we are going, so maybe I should bring more.....no that will just be a burden...'
Sky started to realize the craziness of what she was doing. Leaving a home and friends, all to run off to somewhere with no idea what would await her there? Why was she doing this? 
She couldn't think of a completely logical reason why, other than the fact that she cared allot for Hikaru and wanted to make sure he was ok.
Sky sighed.
"I am such a good friend.....too good for my own good."
Sky finished packing and then noticed her writing materials on the desk.
She stared at them for a second, then walked over, grabbed the pen, a sheet of paper, and started writing.
----



Sky's uncle Current walked into the store.
'I could have sworn I saw Sky walk in...' He thought.
"Sky?" He called. "You in here?"
No answer.
'Maybe she went to her room? Haha, that girl, can't even watch the store.'
He walked up the stairs to the room. He was surprised to find the door open.
He walked in.
"Sky? You in here? Wha- whats this?"
Current spied what appeared to be a letter on Sky's bed.
He walked over and read the letter.

----
Dear Uncle.

I know you are probably wondering where in the hay I am by now.
I decided that it was time for me to go out and experience more in life, try to find new things, new experiences. Just to get myself out there.
I am leaving with a friend and we are going to go on this journey together to wherever life will take us I guess.
I didnt' tell you cause I know you wouldn't have let me go. Which by the way, would be for selfish reasons I know. Face it uncle, you only cared that I was around so that I could do all the work so you could go off and hang out with your friends. You never hardly did anything for me, hardly even noticed I was around most of the time. And you never once in my whole life ever told me you were happy with me. The words I heard all the time coming out of your mouth was "Sky, you're late opening the store," Or "You should be able to sell more than that." Well I'm not doing it anymore. I know you shouldn't have any issue finding somepony else to hire for all the work you are too lazy to do yourself. 
Im sorry if I sound like a total jerk right now. But I won't lie about how I feel. I'm just sorry this is how it ended up being.
So I hope the business stays successful. And Ill be back one day, Ill come and visit someday. For now though, I know that this is what I have to do.

Sincerely

Sky.

---------

Hikaru was hiding behind a large dumpster as he watched some ponies who worked at the styling salon walk by. Hikaru has gotten his mane done a few times there so he didn't want to be recognized.
The 3 ponies walked by heading towards a popular coffee shop and went inside.
Hikaru peeked out from behind the dumpster to check to see if anypony else was heading his way, then quickly dashed across the street toward his house.
He knew that Storm would not be home as he was working at the hotel.

Hikaru went to the back of the house and quickly went through the back door.
'I'm gonna miss this place...' Thought Hikaru as he quickly ran to his room. 
He gathered the things he needed, (Which included his music player of course) and quickly stuffed them in his bag. Not being the organizing type, he randomly grabbed the things he wanted and smashed them into the bag until the bag was overflowing with random items.

"Hmmm" Said Hikaru to himself. "Maybe I don't need sooo much."
He removed some of the items he figured he wouldn't need. "I guess I don't need these records.." He said tossing them aside. "I doubt Ill have the opportunity to use them, and I obviously can't bring my turntables." Along with the records, he tossed aside many other items that really didn't make any sense to bring. Mane dye, Old vintage film camera, paint brushes, empty picture frame, color changing bird ornament, frisbee, can of spray paint, recipe book, and a harp. 
"Where in the hay did I even get this harp from?" Said Hikaru aloud. "I don't even remember ever getting this. Argh whatever." Hikaru's bag was now much more reasonably packed, and much much lighter as well.

Hikaru started to head out the door but then stopped.
Looking around the room, Hikaru remembered all the memories he had growing up in this room. Lots had happened, and it felt a big odd to be leaving the place he knew so well. But he knew that this was what he had to do, and nopony was going to stop him.

'Ill miss all of this.' Thought Hikaru. 'But it time to move on...'

And with that, Hikaru left the room and went out the back door to sneak back out of Ponyville.
====
> Tensions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Both Sky and Hikaru were quite sure that they would be able to find something in no time. 
Hikaru rushed through the backstreets of Ponyville as fast as he could, trying hard to avoid running into anypony who might know him or be looking for him.
He was rushing so fast that he failed to notice the pony around the corner and ended up crashing right into them.
WHAM!
"ACK!"
Hikaru and the other Pony crashed onto the ground full force.
"Ugh...." groaned Hikaru feeling a bit dazed. "I am so sorry.....oh!"
"HIKARU!" 
It was Iris.
"Umm....Hi...Iris..." Said Hikaru nervously.
Iris stared at Hikaru for a second, a bit unsure of what to say for a bit.  Hikaru then noticed her expression turn into a frown, then into a face of anger.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" She yelled. "I thought you ran away! I was worried!"
"Im sorry!" Replied Hikaru loudly. " I didn't know what else to do. I knew my Dad would probably try to get me in loads of trouble, and...I don't know ok....I was scared and I ran."
Iris sighed.
"So now what? You came back, are you here to stay?"
"Im not staying" Said Hikaru doing a quick glance behind him to make sure that nopony had seen him. "I just came back to grab some stuff. Im leaving Ponyville, maybe for good. Its obvious that I can't stay here, so Im going to try to start a new life somewhere else."
"You can't just go off on your own like that!" Said Iris loudly. 
"Shhhh! I can't let anypony know I am here!" Whispered Hikaru. "And Im not going on my own. Sky decided to go with me."
"WHAT!?!" 
"ACK! I SAID QUIET!"
"YOU'RE BEING LOUD TOO!"
"NO IM NOT!"
"YES YOU ARE!"
"ARGH! SHHH!!!!! ok ok, sheesh! Lets just....quiet down please!"
Hikaru sighed.
"She won't take no for an answer. I didn't want her to go but she just wouldn't relent. Like, she really wants to go with me, and I guess I could use someone else for company. And I guess to make sure I don't totally mess things up, hehe."
Iris thought back to the other day when she had told Sky about Hikarus disappearance. 
'She probably left right after I talked to her about this whole thing...' She thought to herself.
"Its been decided." Said Hikaru with a sigh. "I'm doing this, and please please PLEASE I beg of you, don't tell anypony. We really don't want anyone to know why we are leaving and where or anything.
Iris didn't like this idea at all, but at the same time, she realized why Hikaru was doing this, and given the situation, she might have done the same too.
Iris sighed.
"Thanks." Said Hikaru seeming to automatically interpret Iris's sigh as a yes. "It means a lott. Thanks for everything. You really helped me quite a bit through all the stuff going on with my Dad and everything else."

It was true, Iris had worked at the hotel for many years, and had seen Hikaru grow up through them. Quite often, she would talk to Hikaru about random things in life, and often give him advice or try to cheer him up in different situations.
She had become somewhat of a mother figure to him, and Hikaru had a great appreciation for her.

Hikaru gave Iris a quick hug, turned, and ran off to meet up with Sky.

Iris watched him leave with a somewhat sad expression on her face. But at least now she understood exactly what had happened to him.
"Be safe..." She breathed softly. And she headed back to the Hotel.

--------

Hikaru and Sky met up at their meeting location and started heading down the road that would take them in the direction of Manehattan.
Hikaru started thinking about Nocturnal Oasis. He still very much wanted to go. But how would he get back into ponyville to a large event like this without being noticed? He looked over at Sky walking by his side. He still felt bad that she was pretty much being taken away from a pretty much decent life in Ponyville. But what could he do? She really wanted to join him. 

Hikaru looked down at his music player. He scrolled down to some tracks from Ferry Coltsten. His excitement for Nocturnal Oasis started to grow once again.

"Hey Sky?" He said turning to her. "I was thinking about this whole thing with Nocturnal Oasis. I know the both of us really want to go still....but....can we still make it work? I mean, I just don't see how we can get back into Ponyville without being seen by a local who would certainly know of us by then."

Sky looked down thoughtfully and considered the situation.
"Well...." She began. "We could just try to sneak in as best as we could. I mean, there's going to be hundreds of ponies there, maybe even thousands. And most of them coming from out of town. I think we should be ok....and if needed, we could always try to change our look a little bit. Dye our mane, maybe you could cut yours...."
" WHY DOES EVERYPONY WANT ME TO TRIM MY MANE OH MY GOSH!"  Yelled out Hikaru.
"Stop making such a drama princess." Laughed Sky nudging Hikaru playfully. "You have to admit, it is getting pretty long. I can hardly see your face anymore. "
Hikaru swished his mane aside with a quick shake of his head.
"Psh" Said Sky rolling her eyes. 
Hikaru just gave her a little smirk and continued walking.

The two continued on their trek for another two hours or so. The entire time, they talked about almost anything. School, Life, Food, If Twilight the librarian was purple or violet, but mostly, they talked about Music.
Sky shared many of the same artist and genres or music that Hikaru enjoyed, and it was nice for him to be able to talk to somepony who understood his love for those particular styles of music. 

"Above The Clouds And Beyond make amazing tracks." Said Hikaru going down the list of the artist in his music player. "Im surprised you haven't heard more of their stuff."
"Other than Skybase's remix of Far From In Love, I really didn't know much of them."
"Ah yeah." Replied Hikaru. "Thats one of my all time faves. I actually like that mix better than the original."
Sky laughed.
Hikaru grabbed his headphones off from around his neck. 
"Here.." He said hoofing the headphones to Sky. "I want you to listen to this song. Its Cloudwave by Rank 1, Fillydelphia Force mix. I can't tell you how many times when I was feeling down, I would just play this, and....I don't know. It just helped me escape. Escape from everything, like it was another world. Its special to me."

Sky took the headphones and listened to the song.
She immediately realized why Hikaru loved this song. It was absolutely beautiful. The synths, the beat, everything about the song just had a nice calm and mellow feel to it despite its upbeat trance rhythm. It was easy to see how somepony could feel as if they were in another world by listening to this. It was really nice.

Sky finished the song and gave the headphones back to Hikaru.
"That was really nice, I liked that a lot."

"Yeah..." Said Hikaru with a smile. "Its also one of the very first trance songs I ever found. Still one of my all time faves to this day, despite having...um..."
Hikaru checked to see how many songs he had in his music player. 
"Haha. 786 songs."

Sky's eyes opened wide. "How did you manage to fit that many songs in that thing?"

"Oh this thing can hold probably up to 2000 songs!" Replied Hikaru, proudly holding the device up in the sunlight. "I'm not even at 1000 yet, so I got a long ways to go. So many songs out there, so little time-OH HEY LOOK! A HUMMINGBIRD!"

Sky laughed at Hikaru's ability to be so easily distracted. She watched Hikaru as he carefully watched the hummingbird move from flower to flower drinking the nectar contained within.

She suddenly noticed that it was starting to get dark as the sun was just about to disappear below the horizon.

"Hey Hikaru?" She started, still looking off in the distance.
"Yeah what's up? He replied, leaving the hummingbird alone, probably much to its relief.
"Its starting to get dark, maybe we should find a place to sleep for tonight so we can be refreshed for tomorrow."
Hikaru looked out just in time to see the last bit of sun dip below the horizon.
"Yeah you're right." He said while kicking a stone off of the path. "We might be able to find some shelter over by that cliffside over there, maybe a cave or something."

They both headed over to the cliffside and were disappointed to find that there was no cave. However, there was an overhand of rock in one area, at least it would keep them sheltered from any rain that might happen to be transported there way via Clousdale original cloud.
Plus, the cliff blocked any wind that might be blowing in their direction.

"Its going to get pretty cold in a bit." Said Sky starting to feel the heat of the day sun leaving them. "Luckily, I brought this flint to start a fire!" 
"Flint? HAH!" Scoffed Hikaru.
He pulled a small metal can from his bag.
"And what is that?" Asked Sky curiously.
"Watch."

Hikaru tossed the can onto the ground, and with a loud swoosh, the can opened up and split apart to reveal a perfectly blazing fire on a pile of small sticks.

Sky looked at Hikaru.
"What? He asked with a smile.
"What was that?"
"Fire in a can."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Wow."
"I know."

================



Three days had passed since Sky and Hikaru had left Ponyville. Their days consisted of walking, talking, and finding shelter for the night. 
It had rained a bit on the second day of their journey which forced them to stop for a few hours while they waited under the shelter of a rocky overhang for the rain clouds to pass, but it seemed to be clear skies ahead for the rest of their journey, which Hikaru estimated to be about another days worth.

The plan was simple for once they reached Manehattan. Sky had a few friends who lived there who owned a large apartment building. They had offered to let Sky live there in the past if she ever wanted to get away, so she figured that now would be a great time to take them up on that offer.
There were many job opportunities in Manehattan and
This was literally an entirely new start for the two of them. A completely different life than what they had previously been living. This new life, they hoped, would be filled with much more happiness and adventure.

It would be a little over a week until Nocturnal Oasis. Meaning that once they settled down in Manehattan, they would have to prepare their plan for sneaking back to Ponyville for this event without being seen. It sounded quite difficult, but both were quite confident that they could figure something out. And besides. The Tickets cost 200 bits each. Sky was not about to let that go to waste.

Hikaru was walking along next to sky. His head bobbing to the sounds of Lamenting Canterlot by Axel Coon. He had taken out the headphones so he could play the music through the music players small speakers. It wasn't the best sound quality, but he didn't want to seem rude by wearing headphones as if he didn't want to hear Sky if she happened to say something.

It seemed that all was going well in this journey, Hikaru was happy, Sky was happy, They were making good time, everything was going perfect. Until they found themselves at the end of the road they had been traveling. Literally. The road turned to grass, and grass into trees, The end of the road.

Hikaru stared completely confused at the forest before him. 

"Hikaru...." Started Sky slowly with a hint of concern in her voice. "Wheres the road?"
Hikaru looked back and forth, hoping for the road to suddenly appear somewhere by magic. But there was no road to be seen. "Ummm...." He replied frantically try
ing to figure out what was going on. "Its....not here..."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN NOT HERE?!?!" Screamed Sky with a look of panic on her face. "Wheres the road! Don't tell me we went the wrong way! All this time? HOW?"
Hikaru just looked down and sighed.
"Maybe....." He began. "I might have read the map wrong......"
"READ THE MAP WRONG?!?!" 
"Ow my ears."
"Sorry...no-actually, Im not sorry, READ THE APPLE BUCKING MAP WRONG?!?!?"
"Will you calm down, my gosh!" Said Hikaru raising his voice a little. "Look this is no big deal, we just went the wrong direction at one of the road turn offs yesterday most likely. We can just head back and find the right one. It will set us back a day but it should be alright."
"Oh yeah?" Questioned Sky. "And how do YOU know that any of those roads are the right ones in the first place? Maybe we have been going to wrong direction since DAY ONE!"
"Will you stop raising your voice like that?" Said Hikaru getting a bit annoyed. "Its getting on my nerves!"
"You're lack of direction is getting on my nerves and more." Said Sky under her breath.
"WHAT WAS THAT?" Yelled Hikaru suddenly.
"None of your business!" Replied Sky giving Hikaru a sarcastic look.
"I think it is if you just said something about me!" Yelled Hikaru.
"Oh so now anytime your name is mentioned I just HAVE to tell you every little detail about what I say? I guess I have to tell you every little thing that I even THINK that might involve you wouldn't I!"
"Oh so you're implying that you think bad of me too now? Wow Sky, thats pretty low of you."
"Low of me? Its low of you to think that I would think anything bad of you! What kind of pony do you think I am? Some friend I must be huh."
"Yeah, some friend."
"What was that?"

They were suddenly interrupted.

"Ugh will you two just SHUT THE HAY UP?"

Hikaru and Sky jumped at the unfamiliar voice that suddenly sounded out from somewhere above them.

The looked up toward the source of the voice and saw a strange creature resting on the top of one of the trees. A creature that neither Sky or Hikaru had ever seen in pony before. The creature had a strong and lean body of a lion, and large majestic wings of an eagle. It also had the head of the same great bird, with a few feathers flowing slightly over the creatures eyes. This creature, was a griffon.

"Woah..." Exclaimed Sky and Hikaru in unison.

The griffon raised its wings and flew off the top of the tree and hovered down to the ground to stand in front of the two ponies who looked on in awe.

"Are you two losers really that pathetic?" She said with an annoyed tone in her voice. "I'm trying to sleep here and you both decide to just make the biggest freaking racket ever about something stupid? Pathetic ok?"
She looked at sky. "Do you even hear yourself? You freak out and blame him for some mistake. Stupid mistake but something anyone could have done, and you just don't relent do you? Psh, you're just a lame dweeb who over-reacts and snaps under pressure huh. I can tell."
She looked over at Hikaru.
"And you. You just love getting a reaction don't you. Its almost like you're TRYING to egg her on to get her even more ticked off at you. You're pathetic. I've never seen such a sorry couple in all my life. Freaking ponies......"
"Oh we're not-" 
"Whatever. Just shape up your act. I can't stand a bunch of losers like you two messing stuff up."

The griffon took flight and flew back up to the top of the tree she had originally been resting on.

"Oh and for the record." She began. "The roads still there. Its just on the other side of a few rows of trees. Those freaking budget cuts made all upkeep on this road vanish into thin air so trees grew over it. Just keep going straight and you'll reach the road again."

"No way!" Said Hikaru happily. "Thank you so much!"

"Yeah yeah whatever." Said the griffon from the top of the tree. "Get lost will ya."

"Right, haha, sorry." Said Sky. "Lets go"

And with that, both of them continued on through the trees toward what they were told would be the continuation of the road.

The griffon in the tree yawned and turned over to go back to sleep.

"Losers."

> Destinations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hikaru and Sky continued on through the trees based on the directions of the griffon.

Hikaru felt bad about arguing with Sky. He cared about Sky quite a bit, and to argue with her just made him feel like trash.
Sky also had the same feelings, and she felt embarrassed about her actions.

"Hikaru...." Began Sky. "Look....I'm sorry about the way I acted....earlier. I don't know, I just freak out whenever Im under stress sometimes, and I know its bad, and I shouldn't take that out on you. I don't know why Im like that. Its always been like this, I just....get nervous or something I guess...I don't know. But I feel bad that I yelled at you like that."

"Im sorry too..." Replied Hikaru laying his head ontop of Sky's as they walked along.
"That griffon was right, I was kinda egging you on just trying to get you to react pretty much. I mean, I wasn't trying to...but I guess that was what I was doing. And I shouldn't do that."

"I really messed up though.." Said Sky softly.
"I really messed up." Said Hikaru in response.

Sky smiled. "Maybe....we both have our issues we need to work out."
Hikaru smiled and laughed. "Haha, yeah, I guess so."

They continued walking through the trees and toward the supposed road that awaited them on the other end. 

Hikaru noticed that there appeared to be a clearing up ahead.
"Sky, does that look like a clearing to you up there?"
Sky looked and noticed that there was sunlight breaking through at the end of the long rows of trees that covered them and blocked most of the sunlight.
"It sure looks like it! Cmon!"

Hikaru and Sky dashed towards the light anxiously. Hoping that they would a clearing, and the continuation of the road.

Hikaru rushed through the rows of trees, feeling the wind rush through his mane, and getting whipped by the occasional branch that jetted out to block his path. It stung a bit, but he didn't care. More than anything, he wanted to see that road, the sign that this whole journey wasn't over, wasn't at a lost, wasn't the end of the book.

With a final leap, the Hikaru jumped out of the trees into a clearing with Sky right by his side.

Hikaru found himself surrounded by bright light. The darkness of the forest had caused his eyes to be quite sensitive to the light, and the sudden brightness caused him to experience a complete white-out for a few seconds. But once his eyes adjusted, he took in a wonderful sight.

"THE ROAD!" Yelled Sky Happily.

Sky jumped up in joy and ran over and hugged Hikaru.

"We're gonna be ok! We are still on track!"

Hikaru felt a sense of relief as well as a feeling of complete joy as he looked out over the land. The road wound its way through a meadow and off towards a mountain pass. A pass that Hikaru knew was the final land mark that led to Manehattan

================

Iris looked up from the computer screen to see who had entered into the hotel.
It was Storm.
"Good afternoon sir. I take it you are doing well?"
Storm gave Iris an annoyed look. "I just took a look at our finance report. Things aren't going well."
"These are tough times." Commented Iris as she glanced over at the finance report that was on her desk. "Many businesses are struggling."
"In that case." Began Storm. "Sacrifices will have to be made"

Storm grabbed a newspaper from the stack on the counter. He took a glance into the mirror that was right above.
"This bruise still isn't healing up. I look absolutely ridiculous!"
"It isn't that bad sir..." Said Iris noticing the large bruising on the side of Storms face from Hikaru's blow.
"Ah whatever." Said Storm as he headed to his office.

'Wow.' Thought Iris. 'He does look ridiculous.'

------------------------


Hikaru and Sky had been on their journey for 4 days now, and they were quite tired, but they knew that they were almost there. 
Hikaru looked up the path that they traveled. It led up to the top of a hill. What was over on the other side was what Hikaru hoped would be Manehattan.

"So Sky..." Began Hikaru still looking up the road. "Where are these friends of yours that we are gonna meet up with once we get there?"
Sky did not reply.
"Sky?"
Still no reply.
Hikaru looked over at Sky. She had her own set of headphones on and was lost in her own little world of whatever song it was she was listening to.
Hikaru thought to himself.
'I wonder what she is listening to. I want to ask her about those friends of hers. Hmmm....I guess I should wait till when she stops listening to that song, she obviously really likes whatever song it is...but I want to know.....argh Im not very patient am I....I could just tap her on the shoulder...no thats kinda odd. Or maybe...no thats just rude...ah we're good friends what in the hay...she'll take it well."

Hikaru yanked the headphones off of Sky's head.

"WHATCHA LISTENING TO SKY?"
"WHAT IN THE HAY?" Yelled Sky jumping in shock.
"Oh...too much?"

Sky stared daggers at Hikaru.

"eh-heh-heh.....sorry..." Said Hikaru with a nervous smile.

Sky sighed. "What was THAT about hm? Care to explain?"
"oh...well...um..." Hikaru replied nervously. "I was wondering...where your friends are gonna be once we get to Manehattan...and um...what...song...you were..listening to?"
Sky glared at Hikaru. "So you couldn't just tap me on the shoulder or something?
'Darn it.' Thought Hikaru.
"Im sorry Sky, I don't know, Im weird. Haha." He started putting on the headphones to hear what song Sky was listening to.
"NO!" Screamed Sky reaching for the headphones.
"Huh?" Hikaru was confused. "What, I just wanted to hear what song you were listening to. You seemed to really like it."
"No! I mean...um..." Sky was looking down uncomfortably.
Hikaru put on the headphones.

!

"Take em away into Luna's night by 5 strings?" Said Hikaru loudly with a hint of disbelief. "You like that song? Its so...mainstream..."
Sky looked up. "I guess it just....I don't know. It means something to me I guess."
"Its alright I guess." Said Hikaru taking off the headphones and giving them back to Sky. "I just usually try to stay away from all of that mainstream stuff."

Sky was about to say something when she suddenly stopped as she took in the view in front of her.
The two had been so focused on their little conversation, that they had not noticed that they had just reached the top of the hill.

Stretched out in the land before them was a wonderful sight.
Hundreds of tall buildings stretching high into the sky. Rows and rows of houses and apartment buildings stood in formation like an army standing at attention. The sight of the sun reflecting off of the surrounding lakes created a beautiful shimmering sight. The likes of which they had never seen before.

"WE'RE HERE!"

========

Hikaru and Sky happily trotted into Manehattan.
Immediately, they were surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city. Manehattan was significantly more crowded and busy than Ponyville.
The streets were filled with ponies walking around, laughing, talking, shopping. Everypony seemed busy going somewhere.

"This is awesome" Said Hikaru with a smile on his face. "I can't believe were finally here! We made it! Ahhhh gosh I just wanna...hug you but that would be weird to do so suddenly in public."

Sky Laughed and looked up at the street signs that were located on each corner.

"We need to find CastleView Avenue. Spark and Zen live at 4756 28th street and CastleView Avenue. They said to look for a large orange steeple that towers over most of the other buildings. Their apartment is supposed to be right across the street from it."

Hikaru saw a map of the city streets on a wall on a nearby store. He trotted over to check it out. 

"Its about 3 blocks down." He said walking back over to Sky. "28th street is just a short walk up. We're literally just a minute away."

As they started walking in the direction of their destination. Hikaru noticed that Sky seemed very quiet.

"You all right?"
"Hm? Oh. Yeah, Im good."
"You seem quiet."
Sky sighed. "I guess it just hit me. Im far from home, and...this is really happening. Living on our own, everything. Its just a lot to take in."

"It was you're choice to come along..." Started Hikaru. "But I can understand if you're regretting it..."
"Not at all." Interjected Sky. "This is what I want to do, and..." She paused. "I can't think of anypony else who I would have wanted to do this with as much as you."

======

> Duct Tape
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Iris was busy taking calls in the hotel. Ponies from all around were booking rooms for Nocturnal Oasis. Iris definitely had her hooves full as she tried to work fast to take calls, file info, and list rooms as booked in the computer schedule.
She worked hard all morning and was very much relieved when it was time for her lunch break.

"Whew! Busy day." She said to herself. "I guess I better get used to it as this event gets closer."

She was just about to head out the door to go to her favorite lunch spot, when she noticed another hotel worker walking toward the door as well.

"Oh hey Summer. What's up?"

Summer looked up from the ground.
"I just got fired."

Iris froze. "Fired?" She couldn't believe it. Summer was an excellent worker who had been working in the hotel for years. Why would Storm fire her? 

"But...Summer....why?"

"He said that we need to cut back." Said Summer sadly. " I guess that means it was time to let me go." She sighed. "I just don't know what to do now. I have a foal to take care of and I am now out of work. I just gotta hope that I can find something."

"Oh Summer...." Said Iris. " I don't know what to say. You don't deserve this though. I don't know what Storm is thinking."

"Yeah I don't know...." Said Summer quietly. "But...I guess thats it for now...."
And with that, Summer left the hotel.

Iris couldn't believe it. It didn't make sense. Summer was one of the best employees of all time in the hotel. And her contributions to the business were many. Iris remembered her from the very first day she had come to work at the hotel herself.
Summer had introduced her to the other workers, helped her out in the computer system and filing, made he feel comfortable working in what was at the time, a very new place.

'Of all the workers...' Thought Iris to herself as she shook her head in complete disbelief. 'That really doesn't make any sense at all.'

Iris was thinking about the matter when she heard some commotion from down the hallway.

Iris ran around the corner and down the hall to see what the ruckus was about. She found 2 other hotel workers trying to hold back Spark  (who was in charge of the hotel's electricity) who was destroying Storms office.

"SPARK!" Shouted Iris. "What are you doing! Stop!"

Spark struggled to be released from the grasp of the two other ponies that held him back.

"That no good little foal!" He shouted. "Ill RIP his head off! He will regret the very day he was born! Ill kill him! I swear Ill kill him!"

"Please calm down!" Said one of the other hotel workers struggling to hold the mad rampaging stallion back.

"Spark, what happened?" Fear in Iris's voice. What could drive Spark to be this angry? He was usually so calm and relaxed.

"That freaking Storm..." Muttered Spark starting to calm down a bit.

He sighed, and continued.

"He approached me today as I was working.  I was fixing some wiring on the 3rd floor. He came up to me, and without a care in the world, said he was dropping my salary by 25 percent. I asked him why and he just said that it was none of my business. Well to hay with that I think it is my business to know why my salary is being dropped like that! So I protested, and the little foal says he is dropping my salary by 50 percent because he didn't like my ATTITUDE! So of course this is totally ridiculous, I mean, I have a family at home I need to take care of! I am barely making it as is! I need all the bits I can get cause I want to keep everypony alive you know!"

Spark kicked over a trash can and looked down onto the ground. Through a bright red mane, were hidden eyes filled with anger, and sadness.

"He fired me before I could say another word. Im done, I have no means to care for my family. All the benefits I had here are gone. I have nothing. Im done ok? Im totally done!"

Tears started flowing from Sparks eyes as he slumped down onto the ground. Times had been very tough for him for quite a while, and this was a heavy blow to his efforts of trying to care for the ones he loved. And in his eyes, there was no hope.

Iris put a hoof over him. 

"Im done!" He shouted. And he got up and ran out the door, leaving bitter and angry tears behind him.

Orange Range, one of the other hotel workers, sighed and eyed Storms destroyed office. 

"He's lost it. He's completely out of control."

"Spark?" Asked Iris.

"No, Storm. He's been getting increasingly more and more angry and rude to all of  the workers here. I overheard him saying that he is planning on laying off most of the staff except a few. He's not even caring who it is or what situations they are in...obviously...I would be careful Iris, its not looking good for all of us."

==============


Hikaru and Sky arrived at the apartment building on 28th and Castleview Avenue.
The building appeared to be quite old and run down. But this was understandable, as Flash and Zen were young and didn't have the bits to be able to keep up the place very much. 

"Lets see here..." Said Sky looking over the note that Zen had written. "They are in apartment 107."

Hikaru pushed the bell for that particular room. 

A faint mechanical sound could be heard. it was a strange sound. A mix of grinding gears of some kind and a few creaks. 
Hikaru realized that it must be an older doorbell that had gotten worn out over the years and no longer had its signature chime.

Hikaru looked up at the large metal door that towered in front of them.

"You sure they would be here....?" Asked Hikaru nervously as they waited.

"Yeah for sure. It says here in the note that they would be."

Suddenly, the sound of rushing hoofbeats could be heard from inside. A click was heard and the door swung open.

"SKY!" Shouted a yellow pony with a black and red streaked mane.
"ZEN!" Shouted Sky embracing her friend. "Its great to see you again! Its been forever!"
"Yeah I know! I haven't seen you in like a year! Oh wow, Im so glad you are here! I was so excited when Flash told me about what was going on, oh this will be awesome, you will love it here, it may be a bit run down but you'll learn to love this place!"
Zen looked over at Hikaru.
"Oh! Haha, sorry how could I forget. Im Zen, and I take it that you must be Hikaru?"
"Yeah thats me." Laughed Hikaru. "I guess Sky has told you about me huh."
"Oh yes indeed." Replied Zen with a smile. "Sounds like you two are very close."

"So where is Flash?" Asked Sky suddenly.
"Oh yeah! I forgot!" Said Zen quickly. "He had to go to the store and get some duct tape to fix a leak in one of the pipes."
"You use duct tape to repair leaks?" Questioned Hikaru giving her an odd look.
"Not just pipes either!" She replied with a proud smile. "We use it to fix leaks in the roof as well! The stuff works wonders!"
"That stuff is pretty useful." Said Sky recalling the strange tape that had been invented about 2 years ago. "Although I never thought it could hold back water from a leaking roof."
"Oh yeah for sure!" Zen said happily. "We can't use enough of the stuff! It holds this building up!"

Hikaru choked for a second. 'This place is held up by tape.....great...'

"Well come on in!" Zen said happily grabbing Sky's bag. "Ill show you guys your apartment! Its one of the best ones we have! Only the best for our friends you know!"

'Wait...' Thought Hikaru as they followed Zen into the building. 'Its just....one...apartment?'

They arrived at the apartment on the 3rd floor. Hikaru noticed that the door seemed to be broken. The door handle was falling off, but was somewhat still attached...By none other than-

"Duct tape." Remarked Hikaru looking at the handle wrapped in many layers of the material.

"Hehe..." Laughed Zen. "Yeah, its a life saver! I can't imagine what we would do without it! I mean, just the other day, the radio receiver tower on the roof collapsed. It was pretty rusty and was pretty much eaten away. But we used this tape to attach it back to the ground and set it back up again! Its fantastic!"

Zen opened the door and let them into the apartment.
The layout was pretty simple. One small living room area, a small bathroom off to one side, and a bedroom off to the other. 

Hikaru walked over to the window and peered out through the old curtains that looked like they had been made hundreds of years ago.
Everything was so different than Ponyville. Instead of seeing the few individuals walking the streets of a very quiet town, Hikaru saw hundreds of ponies, all moving very quickly through the streets that were surrounded by towering multistory buildings. The atmosphere here was completely different. Hikaru didn't know if he really liked this new feeling, but he figured that he had better get used to it. This was his home now, and most likely would be for quite a while.

"Well, Ill let you two get settled in." Said Zen waking up Hikaru from his thoughts.
"Flash and I want to take you two out tonight. Theres this really awesome place a few blocks down. Good time for us to catch up, meet up, talk it up, you get it."

Sky laughed in reply at her friends words. 
"That would be great. What time should we meet up and where?"
"Just come to our apartment at 7. So about an hour from now, and we'll all go together!"
"Sounds good. Thanks for the invite!" 

Zen left the small apartment, carefully closing the door. Apparently not carefully enough as the door handle fell off onto the floor with a thud.

"Ill get that fixed! No worries!"

'Ugh..'

----------------

> Cosmos
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Iris stared at the sandwich in front of her as she thought about what was happening. 
She had known Storm to be unfair at times, but it seemed that he was going to an all new level. His anger was greater, his mood was always stern and serious for the most part, but for the last few days, things had just gotten worse. What would drive him into this?
'He probably cares about money too much.' She thought to herself. 'When the economy is in the state it is in now, everypony is feeling stressed. But to fire those who contributed the most to your business? Thats going to hurt your business in the long run...'
Iris sighed and checked the time. 
"Well that was some break, I gotta head back already."
She packed the sandwich away and brought it with her back to the hotel.
---------


Hikaru and Sky got in the elevator to get to the first floor of the apartment.
They would have just taken the stairs down but a portion of the stairs collapsed a few minutes prior due to some young college colts who lived on the second floor trying to jump down as many flights as they could without getting seriously hurt.
The colt who fell was fine luckily, but he would have to pay for the damages to repair the stairs. 
'Surprised they don't just use some duct tape to try to fix it.' Hikaru laughed at the thought.

The elevator groaned and creaked to a stop on the first floor before opening the thin and creaky metal door with a loud crunch.
"This place concerns me." Stated Hikaru with a glum look on his face.
"Its different...." Replied Sky with a forced smile.
Hikaru gave Sky a sarcastic unamused look.
"Ok....yeah...its...not the best." Sky Admitted with a sigh. "But, Zen and Flash have been living here for years, and they are two of the happiest ponies I have ever met in my life. It probably just takes time to get used to."
"Yeah..." Sighed Hikaru. 

The two arrived at apartment 107 and knocked on the door. 
The door opened, and a dark grey colt with a blue and black streaked mane stood there with a smile. 
"Hey what's up you two?" He said loudly.
"Hey Flash!" Said Sky giving him a quick hug. "Long time no see!"
"Well no see long time!" Laughed Flash. "Great to see you again. And you must be Hikaru! Whats up."
"Hay yeah." Replied Hikaru feeling comfortable around this new pony. "I guess you heard of me a bit."
"Yeah a bit, but not much. Hence me planning our outing tonight! Thought it would be good for all four of us to catch up and connect."
"So..." Interrupted Sky. "Where exactly are we going tonight?"
"Its a surprise!" Said Flash in a loud whisper. "But I know you guys are gonna like the place. I may not know much about you Hikaru, but enough to know that this place is gonna be your kind of thing. Yeah...its gonna be awesome. So hey, come on in both of you. Zen is still washing up for some reason. But once she's ready we can start heading over."

The two walked in joined Flash on the couch. 
Hikaru noticed that the condition of this apartment wasn't much different that their own. Old, run down, falling apart, and duct tape. Lots, of duct tape.

"So!" Began Flash suddenly.
"You two excited about nocturnal oasis yeah?" 
"Definitely." Remarked Sky. "Its been something the both of us have been looking forward too for quite a while."
"We just gotta figure out how to get back into Ponyville without being caught. I don't know if you heard about all the crazy stuff going on with me..."
"Sky mentioned some stuff in the letter she sent." Said Flash kicking aside a chunk of wood that had fallen from the ceiling.
"Sounds pretty crazy. But no worries, Zen and I will make sure that you are safe and out of the eye of possible police. You're safe with us bro, no worries! Oh wow Zen, its about time!"

Zen walked out from the bathroom with her mane looking different than the messy look she had before. It was now straightened and neat, but with some interesting bright orange highlights.

"That took a while, But I like the result!" She said happily.
"You look awesome..." Said Flash with a smile. "As always of course."
"Aw...I love you."
"Love you too."

Zen sat down and nuzzled up against Flash.

"So! Um....." Started Hikaru feeling a bit awkward. "I guess we should be going yeah?"
"Oh yeah!" Said Zen getting up. "We should go before the place gets too crowded."
"Alright, Ill lock up, you guys meet me out front." Said Flash as he too got up from the couch.

------------

The 4 left the apartment and headed down to this "place" that Zen and Flash kept referring to. 
"I wish you would just tell us what this place is...." Said Sky with a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"Well, you're about to find out!" Flash led them around a corner and up to a small building with a bright sign outside that simply read "Cosmos".
"Woah, this looks like some sort of bar or something." Said Hikaru looking over the small and shady building before him.
"Oh no way bro!" Said Flash with a laugh. "This is NO bar!"
He opened the door and quickly rushed them inside. 

Immediately, Hikaru found himself in a very active atmosphere.
The place seemed quite a bit bigger inside then it appeared on the outside. The sounds of heavy bass and the sight of flashing strobe and laser lights mobbed his senses in a way he had never experienced before. There were many ponies out on a large dance floor of some kind, and others sitting around at tables that surrounded the center area. Further to their right, there was what appeared to be a bar with a grill and many other ponies were mingling about this area. 

"What's all this?"

"This is where Zen and I like to hang out on the weekends." Flash answered with a smile. "This place hasn't been opened for long, but it quickly got pretty popular over the last few months. There's other places like this around. But this place has food thats actually decent!"

Zen led them over to the bar and grill where he ordered four orders of some strange fried vegetable dish. It was apparently called "temper-ah" or something like that.
Whatever it was, it tasted very good. 

"I don't get what they do to these..." Said Sky between large bites of the dish. "But, this is amazing!"

"We figured you all would like it." Zen said as she also munched away. "One of our favorite dishes here."

Hikaru looked out over the crows of ponies around the dance floor. He looked past the crowd and noticed a full DJ set-up on a small stage. There was no DJ, but there was a music player plugged into the sound system playing a playlist of some progressive trance tracks.

"So...." Began Hikaru. "Do they ever have any live DJ's here?"
"Oh you bet!" Replied Zen. 
"In fact..." interrupted Flash. "Another big reason we brought you and Sky here tonight, is because there is a particular mare who produces some pretty epic tracks and mixes. Ever heard of Neighlita?"

Hikaru choked. "NEIGHLITA?"
"Not so loud bro..."
"Sorry, but-wow! I have a couple songs from Neighlita, are you serious? She is gonna be here tonight?"
"Hay yeah!" Answered Flash loudly. "Its gonna be awesome!"

Hikaru was overjoyed. This would be the first time that he would ever get to see one of his favorite trance artist doing a live set. He couldn't believe his good fortune.

"Neighlita...isn't she the one who did Coldest Heaven?" Asked Sky, as she tried to recall the artist.
"Yep, thats the one." Said Sky. "She also did one of my favorite tracks ever! Lonesome Road, that song is pure heaven."
"Yeah I love that one." Said Flash recalling the song to mind. "Hey Zen, want a drink?"
"Oh yeah! Um...just get me a Pink Elephants. I haven't had one of those in a long time."

'Thats a weird name for a drink' Thought Hikaru.

"How about you two?" Asked Flash. "Im buying."
"Oh nothing for me." Hikaru quickly replied. Hikaru didn't like the idea of drinking alcoholic beverages as he saw what it could do to certain ponies. He didn't want to take the risk.
"Do they have any soda?" Asked Sky.
"Yeah of course!" Said Flash. "Haha, you two are funny, can't take the alcohol yeah? No worries. More for Zen and I! Haha!"

Flash headed over the bar area to get their drinks while Hikaru looked out over the crowd. Everypony seemed so happy and free. The entire atmosphere of this place just radiated this feeling of freedom and fun. Hikaru couldn't help but smile. Flash was right. This was his kind of place.

"So when is Neighlita going to be going up?" Asked Sky.
"Supposedly...." Sky said while glancing at the time on the wall clock. "In about 15 minutes."
"Oh cool! I can't wait to see this."

Flash returned in a minute with the drinks.

"I can't believe you only want a soda, Sky...." He said with a sarcastically downcast look. "You're missing out on some really good drinks here. You too Hikaru."
"I don't drink..." Said Hikaru softly. 
"Me either honestly." Sky said in the same way in response."
"Missing out....." Laughed Flash. "Oh well, if you feel like you want to be bold and try something out, just let  me know!"
"Haha, sure..." Replied Hikaru looking away.

The 4 chatted for the next few minutes about many random topics. 
Hikaru was fascinated by the story of how Zen and Flash had met and ran off together.

It was 2 years prior that Zen had decided to run away from home after growing quite tired of her alcoholic father who would treat her like trash. She ran away to Fillydelphia originally where she stayed with a small group of runaways she had run across in her travels. Flash was on of the ones in the group. He had been a rebellious young one, and caused lots of trouble at school to the point that he got kicked out at a very young age. He ended up being arrested one night for trying to break into a store, and his parents disowned him after that night. He ran away, found the group of other runaways, and shaped up his act. Both Zen and Flash found that they gained quite the liking to the other and it was only a short while until they were together. Through lots of work and some hardships, they managed to work with the other runaways to buy the run down apartment building which they used as low rent housing for other runaways that they happened to find. They both had a big heart and compassion for those in their same situation for sure.

Hikaru could have listened to their story for hours, but the sound of ponies cheering interrupted the story.
Hikaru looked over to the direction of the DJ set-up and saw that an orange pegasus mare with a black mane and a turntable cutie mark had gone up on stage, and everypony was cheering quite loudly for her. 
"There she is!" Sky yelled joining in with the cheering crowd.
The orange pegasus grabbed a microphone and spoke loudly into the audience. 
"What's up ponies of Manehattan!"
The crowd erupted into a loud cheer that almost hurt Hikaru's ears.
"Okay okay!" She yelled, also seeming overwhelmed by the loudness of the crowd. 
"So check it out, I flew in today, and I gotta tell you all. I almost didn't make it! Why? Ill tell you why, cause some police thought that my sound equipment might have been explosives!"
The crowd laughed at the hearing of this.
"Yeah, pretty stupid. They locked me up in some stupid cage room for 2 hours while they went through EVERYTHING I own. And you know, they even confiscated some of my good stylus's cause they said it seemed too dangerous to bring into the city from somepony of my kind. Im sorry, but...My kind? I mean REALLY?"
The crowd yelled in annoyance in response.
"So yeah guys. Crazy day, I love you all here in Manehattan but....buck your police."
The crowd cheered loudly at her last statement, including Flash and Zen very loudly.
"So anyways, Im gonna get this started up, are you all ready?"
More cheering.
"ARE YOU READY!"
Louder cheering. Hikaru could have sworn that the room shook.
"Alright! Here we go!"

Immediately, Neighlita got to work on the turntables and the sound of heavy bass and a steady beat resonated throughout the building. 

"Oh wow this is awesome!" Commented Hikaru as the sound seemed to envelop him with its beat.

Hikaru looked over to Sky, who had her eyes closed and head rocking to the beat. She was obviously enjoying this just as much as He was. He looked over to where Flash and Zen were sitting and noticed that they were gone.

He scanned the crowd looking for them and finally noticed the two standing right up front in the mass of other ponies who were jumping and cheering with the music.
'Figures.' He thought to himself. They were the kind of ponies he would expect to go crazy and get as involved as possible. 

The track Neighlita was playing continued on for many minutes of a heavy bass mixed with soft synth and quick beats. Suddenly, with a progressing snare roll, the song entered into a soft,  calm and peaceful synth section that Hikaru could only describe as "heavenly".

Life.....
Has a way....
Of changing your direction...
Reshaping expectation....

'Oh...I remember hearing this before...' Thought Hikaru trying to remember where it was that he did. 

"I have this song!" Shouted Sky over the noise. "Remember this? I have a mix of this that I played for you a while back!" 
"Oh yeah....thats where I heard this from." Replied Hikaru, letting the memory return to him. "Thats so awesome."

When the chance comes
you gotta take it
you gotta run with the wind and take it
yeah when love comes
you gotta make it
bittersweet
you gotta taste it
so get ready
make a stand
and jump.....
yeah, just jump......

The song entered into another soft synth section with the lyrics repeating very softly in the background. The ponies on the dance floor cheered and stomped there hooves in response. But the song was not over yet. Another progressing snare roll got louder and louder as well as a more aggressive synth, getting louder and louder. Flashing strobe lights and laser lights flashed wildly around the room matching the sounds of the song as it got louder. 
Suddenly, with a loud blast, the song entered into an incredible mix of heavenly synth, heavy bass, perfect beat and effects, all working in perfect harmony to create one of the most glorious sounds Hikaru had ever heard.

The crowd surrounding the stage was madly jumping, dancing, and cheering. Hikaru looked for Flash and Sky but couldn't find them among the crazed ponies. 
'Ah they're probably somewhere in there having fun.' Thought Hikaru knowing better than to be concerned for the two.

Hikaru sat back and absorbed the experience around him. Everything was so...perfect. Here he was. Listening to his favorite kind of music, LIVE! Surrounded by the most amazing light show he had ever seen. Next to him, was his absolute best friend in all of Equestria, and for once in his life. He felt....free. He wasn't stressed, wasn't alone, wasn't worried. This was what he always wanted, and it was here. Now. This was the freedom he always longed for.

This was it.
---
> New Life
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The night went on and Hikaru was having the time of his life. He wasn't the type to go out onto dance floors so he was quite satisfied with sitting back, relaxing, and listening to good music. 
Zen and Flash had come back a few times to grab a drink before going back out onto the wild and crazy dance floor. Each time they returned, Flash kept trying to convince Hikaru and Sky to get a drink. But neither would have anything to do with any alcoholic beverage.  

Neighlita played many more mixes and soon came to the last song of the night. 
Hikaru was sad that the amazing music was coming to a close, but he knew that he had much MUCH more to look forward to in 2 days. 

The last song came a close and all the ponies on the crowd cheered wildly. Neighlita grabbed a mic and spoke into the audience for the last time.
"Thank you so much Manehattan for having me! This was awesome! You all enjoy that?"
Again, more cheering.
'These ponies are gonna lose their voices.' Thought Hikaru trying to count the number of times he heard mad cheering tonight.
"Awesome!" Shouted Neighlita. "Have a good night everypony! Stay safe!" And with that, she left the stage.

Hikaru sat back with a contented sigh. "Wow....That was....incredible."
"Ill say." Said Sky lying down, feeling tired. "What time is it? I feel so tired right now. Its gotta be like 1 AM." 
Hikaru looked at the clock on the wall. "Its 12:30 so you were pretty close." He laughed. 

Hikaru looked around and noticed that all the other ponies were leaving. 
"I guess it must be closing time. I wonder where Flash and Zen are?"
"You don't see them anywhere?" Asked Sky starting to scan the crowds of ponies leaving. 
"No, I saw them at first on the dance floor, and then they just disappeared all of a sudden."

The place was almost empty and no sign of Flash or Zen.
"Maybe we should head outside." Said Hikaru. "Maybe they went out and are waiting for us."

The two left the building and searched for Flash and Zen around the building. 

"Ok now Im kind of worried." Said Sky looking concerned. "They weren't in the building, and they aren't out here."
"Yeah this is actually not good...." Said Hikaru starting to get quite worried himself. "Ugh, should we go to the police you think?"

"Psst!"
"heh?"
"Guys! Over here!"

Hikaru looked over to the side alley near the building and saw Flash peeking around the corner. 

"Wow..."

Hikaru and Sky walked over to him.

"Where were you? We were getting worried!"
"Sorry, but I had to go talk to somepony."
"Wheres Zen?"
"Ill tell you in a bit, but cmon, follow me!"
"Where?"
"Just follow!"
"Not until you tell me where."
"Follow me or Ill light your mane on fire."
"WHAT?"
"Ok maybe not, just follow me ok sheesh."
"Ugh....fine..."

They followed Flash around the corner and up to a small building with a sign that read "Stellar's". 
"Flash..." Said Sky coming to a stop.
"Yeah?"
"Why are you taking us to this bar?"
"Just follow me will you ponies? Yikes."

Flash led them through the doors.

The bar was small, only a few tables and the main bar counter. Not many ponies were there. Only a few just hanging out and talking, and over at the counter. Hikaru saw Zen and......

"Woah, its Neighlita!"
"Yep!" Said Flash proudly. "Zen and I went around back to meet her and compliment her on an awesome show, and she invited us to join her for a drink!"
"Woah...."

"Hey welcome back!" Said Zen seeing Flash return. "Oh, hey, so, these are two friends of ours. Hikaru and Sky." 
"Hey whats up?" Said Neighlita hoof bumping each of them. 
"Wow its an honor to meet you." Said Hikaru a bit nervously. "I love your stuff, I mean, your music, its incredible. It was awesome, like, it was great. SO good. Like. It was.....awesome-"
"Haha! Woah there calm down bro!" She laughed. "Im honored that you are so honored. But you can chillax! I'm just another pony of equestria."
Hikaru laughed. "Yeah...sorry."
"Ah no worries. Anyways, glad you all liked the show. I always have a great time when I come to Manehattan. Even if your police here are STUPID."
"Yeah the city has a history of unfair treatment by police sadly." Said Zen feeling embarrassed of her own city. "But I'm glad it ended up working out for the most part."
"Yeah, its alright." Replied Neighlita. "Oh here comes a friend of mine!"

The bar door opened and a white mare with a blue streaked mane stepped in.
"VINYL!" Shouted Neighlita. "Over here!"

Hikaru's eyes opened wide. He looked over at Sky and whispered to her. "Isn't that...."
"Yeah it is..." Replied Sky, equally as star struck.

The unicorn quickly trotted over to them. "Hey Nicole! Nice to see you again!"
The two hugged and Vinyl ordered a drink. "Oh, I should introduce you to these ponies I met at the show tonight!" Said Neighlita or "Nicole" apparently. "Umm....Flash...Zen....Hikaru....and Sky wasn't it?"
"Right on." Said Zen with a smile.
"HA! I have good memory after all. My brain works you know."
"Most of the time." Laughed Vinyl. "Nice to meet you all."
"Oh my gosh its an honor I love your mixes I have some of them your stuff is awesome its awesome to meet you-"
Hikaru found a hoof over his mouth.
"Bro..."
"Sorry."

Vinyl laughed. "Haha, you're funny. But thanks for the recognition."

"So what are you doing in Manehattan?" Asked Sky. "Aren't you going to be doing the show in Ponyville in 2 days?
"Oh yeah, I am." Said Vinyl, taking a big sip of the drink on the counter. "I traveled all the way from Trottingham so I decided to make a stop here for the night. Going into Ponyville tomorrow and staying there for the next few days."
"Oh cool." Said Hikaru still in shock that he was talking to THE Vinyl Scratch.
"We are gonna be there. Its the biggest event thats ever happened in Ponyville pretty much."
"Yeah, seems like Ponyville is a pretty small town." Said Vinyl. "There was only one major hotel there that I could stay at you know? Which is cool I guess, I had to choose from 20 different places in Trottingham." 
"Ah yeah, Equestria Suites?" Hikaru asked.
"Yep, that was it."
"Haha, thats my Dads hotel."
"Oh really? Thats awesome! Hey, any discounts available I show know about? eh? eh?"
Hikaru sighed. "Not that I know of. Honestly, I don't think me and my Dad are going to be at a place to share such info as of now."
"Oh?" Asked Vinyl with a curious look. "What's up? If you don't mind me asking that is."
"Well, its a long story kinda..."

Hikaru went on to explain everything that happened, From the very beginning. The issues with his father, the things he had said, the trip, everything. Hikaru was surprised that he felt so open to share these things with ponies he had only just met that day. Maybe he was just learning to loosen up.

"Well thats just messed up." Said Neighlita after Hikaru finished his story. 
"Yeah, I kinda want to plant a hoof in the face of that loser." Said Vinyl "I mean no offense, he is your dad. But....."
"Nah its ok." Hikaru replied. "I agree, he is messed up. But whatever. Whats done in done. And now I just gotta figure out what to do exactly. I know for sure that going back into Ponyville wont be easy. I just know that he reported me. I gotta try to stay inconspicuous. 
"Well..." Began Vinyl. "If you find that you suddenly need a place to hide at the show. You're welcome to come backstage." 
Vinyl gave them two backstage passes. 
"Oh wow! Thank you!" Said Hikaru happily.
"Yeah, I hope things work out for you." Said Vinyl taking another sip of her drink. "You and Sky seem like legit ponies. Things will work out."
"We can hope." Said Sky. "Its been an interesting journey so far....woah...guys...."

Everypony looked over at Flash and Zen. Apparently, they had been downing drinks the entire time Hikaru was talking. And the effects of the alcohol had started to get to them.

"I think someponies are gonna need help getting home." Laughed Neighlita. 
"yeah....heh heh."

Hikaru and Sky said their goodbyes to the two DJ mares and left the bar holding up Flash and Zen who were having trouble staying up.

"You guys....rock...so hard...hard like a....onion...." Said Zen slowly as she stumbled along.
"Haha....hahaha....HAHAHA....." Laughed Flash, also stumbling along.
"Ugh...you guys..." Said Hikaru shaking his head.

"Oh....WHA...!" Shouted Flash suddenly. "Those ponies across the.....sssstreet! ZEN....They looked at you....weird."
"What? No they didn't" Said Hikaru looking over at them.
"Im gonna kill them...for you...." 
"Oh no"
"HEY, YOU....FREAKING LOSERS!" He shouted starting to stumble his way across the street. "Ill smash your....faces in...you gonna look at her like that.....yeah....?"
Fllash fell down onto the street.
"Wow...."

The 4 got home and somehow managed to get Flash and Zen onto the couch where they randomly mumbled for a bit and then fell asleep. 

"I guess they're ok for now." Said Sky turning off the lamp by the couch. "We should go get some sleep also."
"Yeah...its been a long day." Said Hikaru with a yawn.

Zen turned off the lights and Hikaru locked up the door with duct tape.

They headed up their own apartment for some much needed rest. Sky took the bed in the bedroom while Hikaru pulled out the sofa bed in the living room. 

"Good night Sky." Said Hikaru shutting off the lamp by the bedside.

"Good night Hikaru." Said Sky turning off the light to the living room and going to her room.

Hikaru pulled the blanket over his head. 'Today was awesome.' He thought to himself. 'I couldn't have asked for more. Maybe it would have been nice is Flash and Zen didn't get drunk out of their minds. But its not too much of an issue.'

Hikaru looked out the window by his side. Despite being so far from what used to be his home. The night sky still looked the same. Bright shining stars and the moon that shone its light down onto the city. Hikaru felt at peace.

'This may just work out after all.'

====

Iris was checking in ponies into the hotel. Ponies from all around Equestria had started showing up for the big event tomorrow night. 

"I have a reservation for 2. Last name Strobe." Said an orange colt with a dark brown mane. 
"Ah yes Mr. Strobe, I have your reservation here." Said Iris looking up the reservation on the computer. You are going to be in room 405."
She gave the colt his room key and information card.
"If you need anything else or have any questions, feel free to call the information desk by dialing 2 on the room phone. And enjoy your stay!"
"Thank you very much!" Said the colt as he grabbed his bag and headed upstairs.
Iris noticed that there were 4 others who followed him.
It was common for ponies to reserve a room for two, and squeeze as many as possible into the room. 
This was actually against the rules but there really was no way to enforce it. 

As the day went on, Iris noticed that there were many other groups who reserved rooms for two, only to see three, four, even five others go up together.

'Oh well, what can you do.' She thought to herself.

"Hello! Welcome to Equestria Suites! Do you have a reservation with us?"

-----

Hikaru woke up with the sun shining in his eyes. 
He groaned as his eyes strained against the brightness as he pulled the covers over his head.
'What time is it?' He thought as he peeked out from under the covers at the clock on the wall.
'eight thirty. I guess I should get up now. Gotta get ready to go with Sky to that Job interview.'
Zen had recommended that both Sky and Hikaru try to see if they could get a job at a local factory that was about 3 blocks away.
The factory manufactured windows and they had apparently needed help with packaging them to be sent out around Equestria. 
Both Hikaru and Sky had called in and gotten an interview at 10 o clock. Finding a job wasn't easy these days, but obviously, luck was on their side.

"Sky?" Called out Hikaru as he folded back the couch. "You up yet?"

Suddenly, the front door of the apartment opened.

"Did you just call for me?" Asked Sky as she walked in. 
"Oh yeah, I wasn't sure if you were up yet. I guess you wake up a lot earlier than I do."
"Yeah, like 2 hours earlier." She laughed. "I went to go check on Flash and Zen. Needless to say, they are not doing well at all."
"Oh?" Asked Hikaru. " Hung over?"
"Badly. Flash was throwing up all night and they both have really bad headaches and can't get up from bed. I think we won't see much from them until later today."

The conversation was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a knock at the door.

"Hm, who can that be?" Said Hikaru walking over to the door.

He opened the door and was surprised to see a very slow moving and sick looking Flash.

"Flash!" Umm....hi....you doing..ok...?"

"You guys wouldn't happen to have any asprin would you?"

Sky sighed and went to the medicine cabinet.

------

Hikaru and Sky stood in front of the large building in front of them.
"Ember Windows" read Hikaru out loud. "This is it."
They entered into the building, hoping to exit with a new job in their hooves.

Once inside, Hikaru found himself in a very busy atmosphere. Ponies were running around, working machines, taking calls, calling out orders. It made sense that help might be needed. This place was hectic.

"Can I help you two?" Asked a dark brown mare with a cream colored mane. 
Hikaru noticed that her cutie mark was a window. This must have been Shimmer Ember. The head of the company. Just the mare they needed to talk to.

"Ah yes." Hikaru began. "Im Hikaru Ray, and this is Sky Breeze. We came in for an interview for a possible position here, we have an appointment at 10."
Hikaru tried to make himself sound as polite and official as he could. They really needed this job.

"Oh yes you contacted me the other day about that. Im sorry, I almost forgot about it." Shimmer said apologetically. "Things get so hectic around here that things tend to get lost in the schedule."
"We can come back another time if that would make things more convenient for you." Said Sky, also trying to sound as polite as possible.
"Oh no thats quite alright." Shimmer said looking in her schedule. "I have time, and It won't take long at all. Follow me."

Shimmer led Hikaru and Sky up to her office on the second floor. The door opened with a creak and almost seemed as if it could fall off of its hinges at any moment.
She closed the door behind them and went to a large desk with piles of paper all around.
"So." she began. "Few things I would like to know first of all. What is you past work experience?"
Hikaru looked over at Sky and gave her a "you first" look.
She gave him a look back that just read "Thanks a lot" And started.

"I started working in my Uncles kite shop as soon as I was old enough to go to school pretty much. I helped out with small things until I was older when I pretty much ran the entire store by myself. I stopped working there when I left Ponyville and came here."

"Sounds like you have a decent work background. How about you Hikaru?"

"I was working at Equestria Suites in Ponyville for as long as I can remember. My Dad is the owner of the hotel. Thats really the only place I have worked, but I had allot of responsibilities there. I filed, book rooms, worked in the cleaning service for a bit, little bit of everything. Like Sky, I worked there until I left."

"And what made you two leave your places of employment? Im curious, especially because both were family businesses for you." Asked Shimmer.

"Well...." Began Hikaru thinking carefully about how to word his response.
"I wanted something else. I was tired of doing the same thing and not really...going anywhere I guess you can say. I needed something fresh and new, hence why I decided to come to Manehattan. New city, new place, new life."

"Same for me." Said Sky quickly. "I needed something new in life. I needed to get out into the world and try something new, gain new experiences. And when Hikaru told me about what he was doing, I wanted to take the same journey he was taking. So we both left Ponyville together to try to find a better life."

"So you two are together then?" Asked Shimmer suddenly.

Hikaru almost choked. 
Sky shifted uncomfortably.

"Um..." began Hikaru. "We're not....um..."
"We are just uh..." Interrupted Sky.
"Traveling together..."
"YEAH! Were just traveling together heh heh...."

"Oh okay I see." Shimmer replied, noticing the two in front of her turning red.

She continued on to the next topic of discussion, much to their relief.
"What is your level of education?"

"I graduated high school at Ponyville Youth Academy. Thats the highest education level I achieved." Said Hikaru.
"Same for me." Said Sky. "We were in the same classes so we graduated at the same time."

'Wow...." thought Hikaru. 'Sky really has been with me for much of my life.'
Shimmer obviously thought the same.

"You two must be very close, seems your lives were pretty similar. You both have a good education background, and some good work experience. I want to ask, how long do you plan to stay here in Manehattan?"

Hikaru looked over at Sky. 
Sky looked over at him.

"Well....."
"Hmm..."
"I guess...."
"Possibly...."

"For good."
They both said at the same time.

Shimmer laughed. 
"You two are funny. I like you already. And I could definitely use your help around here. You're hired!"

"Wha-ha-woah! Yes! I mean, wow! That was quick!"
Hikaru was over joyed and surprised that Shimmer was so willing to hire the both of them without a second thought.
"Oh my gosh thank you so much!" Said Sky grabbing Shimmers hoof and shaking vigorously. "This helps us so much we won't let you down, we're gonna do our absolute best thank you thank you thank you so much I am so happy thank you-"

"SKY!" Hikaru yelled.
"Huh"?
"Let go of her hoof...."
"OH! Sorry...." Said sky letting go of her hoof with an apologetic look.

Shimmer laughed. "Its fine, I can see you both are enthusiastic to start. Can you come in starting next monday?"

"Works for me." Said Hikaru looking at Sky.
"Its perfect."
----

> Emotions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hikaru and Sky left the building with a new job on their hooves.

Hikaru looked over at Sky with a smile.

"What?" She asked 

"We did it." Hikaru said with a laugh. "We freaking did it Sky! YES!"
Sky laughed with Hikaru's excitement. 
"That went better than I ever could have expected. This is awesome, I can't believe she accepted us that quickly!"
"We got this Sky." Said Hikaru still feeling on top of the world. "We got this! We have a job, a place to live, this is actually gonna work out perfect. Forgive me for screaming but AAAA!!!! This is AWESOME! AAA!!!
"Um...Hikaru...."
"AAAA!!!!"
"Hikar-"
"YAAAHAAA!!!
"Hika-"
"YEAH WHAT NOW!"
"HIKARU!"
"Hm?"
"Ponies are staring at you."

Hikaru looked around and noticed that many ponies had stopped what they were doing and were staring at Hikaru.

"Oh...." He felt his face turning red. "Um....sorry."

"Maybe....its a good time for us to go get some lunch." Sky suggested.
"Yes!" Thats perfect, um....lets leave...here...now...yes"

Hikaru had seen an interesting looking restaurant on the way to the factory, so he decided to take Sky there.

The two found themselves inside "Zapwhich". It was a small sandwich place that seemed to have lots of business. 
Hikaru ordered two Tofu and Oat sandwiches for the both of them and they found a table to enjoy them.

"Wow this is good." Said Hikaru munching on his sandwich. "I remember when I used to get sandwiches like this all the time in Ponyville. I used to go to this once place every day. At least until my Dad banned me from going there because he said it cost too much to get stuff there."

"You talking about that one place across from the hotel?" Asked Sky. "I remember that. I went there once a long time ago. Not sure why I never went there again."

The two of them stayed at the restaurant for quite a while. Talking about random things. Hikaru found that he could talk with Sky very easily about pretty much anything. Just one of the things that made her awesome. 
'She is awesome.' He thought. 'Really awesome....'

"We should probably start heading back." Said Sky suddenly. "It looks like it might rain, we gotta get back before it starts."

"Ah yeah it looks like the Pegasus are setting up a decent storm there..." Said Hikaru glancing up at the sky. "Lets head back."


It was a good thing that they left when they did in fact, as the rain started pouring right as they reached the door of the apartment building. They rushed inside laughing and quickly went to their apartment to dry off. 

"Well that sure was something." Said Sky breathing heavily from their quick 2 block sprint.
"I'm pretty sure that there was no rain in the forecast."
"Yeah Ill say." Said Hikaru shaking the water out of his mane in the bathroom. "That was intense."

There was a sudden knock on the door.

"Hm, now who could that be?"

Sky opened the door.
"Oh! Flash! You...ok now...?"
"Oh yeah Im fine!" Said Flash proudly. "Its like this all the time.  Zen and I get drunk out of our minds. Wake up with the worst hang over you can't even imagine, and do it again in a few days. I love my life!"
"So where is Zen anyways?" Asked Hikaru coming out of the bathroom. "She alright now?"
"Well.....um...she is ok...sort of...."
"Whats up?"
"Well....."
"Whats going on bro?"
Flash sighed and continued.
"So....um...well....Zen tends to get sobered up a lot quicker than I do. And well....I tend to say lots of things when I am drunk...."
"What did you say?" Asked Sky.
"Well.... um..."
"What did you say Flash?"
"Oh gosh...."
"What did you SAY!"
"Ugh! I started saying some...things about my past girlfriend. And I dont even know...apparently I told her something about how her mane was better looking....and she was...better...in some ways..."
"FLASH!" Yelled Sky.
"I KNOW! AUG! But I don't know, I say stupid stuff when Im drunk okay? I didn't mean those things! I love her! And she is so much better than that stupid Clover girl I was with. She comes nowhere near to what Zen is. Zen is everything I could have wanted and more. I really didn't mean those things! I tried to tell her that this morning, but she was so angry, and she threw a vase at me and well....kicked me out of our apartment..."
"Ugh Flash..." Sighed Sky. "Ill go try to talk to her."

Sky left the apartment muttering under her breath.
"This is why I don't drunk alcohol!"

"I messed up...." Sighed Flash.
"Its not worth it man..." Said Hikaru. "I mean, I know you like getting drunk and partying and whatnot, but if you say stuff like that when you are drunk, it just doesn't seem worth it.."
"Yeah I know..." Flash replied softly. "Its tough, you get addicted to it you know? And I always hear about Ponies who manage to stop. But there's a big difference between those ponies and me."
"What's that?"
"They want to quit. You have to want to quit, in order to quit. And bro, I don't have that want. I love alcohol, and I'm not just gonna stop cause it makes me say some stupid things sometimes."
"But you ended up hurting Zen."
"Yeah and that's sad, but bro, she can learn that I say stupid things when Im drunk. And take them with a grain of salt right?"
"But Flash....don't you think she's worth it?"
"What do you mean?"
"What kind of life is that for her? In your mind, you know what you mean, but she can't tell. Think about it. If Zen got drunk and said that she preferred some other colt, and then sobered up and told you that she didn't mean it. And then it would happen again. Don't you think you would get tired of that?"
"It only happened this one time Hikaru.."
"Whats to say it wont happen again? Dude, for real. You say you love Zen. Wouldn't you want to do anything possible to make sure that you don't hurt her? Don't you love her enough to want to do that?"

Flash sighed and hung his head.
"I guess....darn it Hikaru, I love her and I want to make sure she knows I do. But I don't see how I can just stop drinking. Thats almost impossible."
"Well, the way I see it." Hikaru began. "Love will make anything possible."
Flash laughed. "True words from a haymark card bro."
"Hey its true." Laughed Hikaru, thinking back to the random cards he used to see in stores.

"I just hope Sky can say something to at least get her to talk to me, so I can apologize." Flash said as he leaned back onto the couch. "I don't want to lose her."

"Yeah for sure. You two are awesome together, I would hate to see that end." Hikaru said as he noticed some towels on the ground that he forgot to bring downstairs to the washing machine. "Argh."

"You know what I think." Said Flash sitting up. "I think you and Sky got something going on. Aren't I right?"
"Woah wha!?!" Hikaru almost choked. 'I need to stop getting shocked so easily, Im gonna choke myself to death one day Im serious'. "Nah man, me and Sky are just friends. We grew up together through a lot of our lives. Thats all."
Flash laughed. "I don't know man. It seems to me that you two are a bit on the "more than friends" side of the spectrum of such."
"No...no......no.....bro...no...." 
"Well do you like her?"
Hikaru paused.
"Well yeah, as a friend."
"Has the thought of her being more than a friend ever popped through your mind?"
"Well....I mean...well maybe once...or a few times...but...I mean...no....cmon man..."
Flash laughed. "I think you do like her. Like "that". I can tell."
"I....I don't know..."
"Its ok bro, I know the feeling. You think you don't, and then the realization hits you. Crazy huh."
"No....dude....I....that can't work. I mean, I care about her a lot...I...."
Flash cut him off.
"Let me guess. You feel really happy and safe when you are around her? You feel very protective of her don't you? You are willing to go out of your way to do things for her. And I would even go as far to say that you do find her attractive don't you? Can you tell me no to any of those? I don't think so."
"Oh gosh.....dude....I mean...no....umm...."
"You like her bro. Haha, can't you see that now?"

Hikaru wasn't sure what he felt. He didn't want to think of Sky in that way. But from what Flash was pointing out, it sure seemed like that might be the case.

'It can't be...." he thought to himself. "Could it?"

-------

"ZEN! Open the door come on!"
Sky knocked on the door repeatedly.
"I don't want to talk to ANYPONY right now, go away!"
"We need to talk! Open up!"
"Buck off!"
"Okay Zen. You leave me no choice!"

Sky stepped back, and then bucked the door in front of her with all of her strength. 
The door flew off its hinges and flew through the room and hit the back wall with a loud crash.

Zen had fallen backward over a cough in shock.

"What in the HAY is your PROBLEM SKY!"
"You have duct tape, it can be fixed."
"I'm going to hit you so hard...."
"Look Zen, I know you're mad at Flash, but you gotta understand that he truly didn't mean those things he said."
"Yeah sure, ponies say what they really mean when they are drunk you know. Mind is open and willing!"
"But he truly didn't mean that Zen. Hikaru and I were just talking to him, he feels terrible about what he said, and he really didn't mean it at all."
"How am I supposed to know that?"
"Think about all he has done for you Zen. I know its been a lot. He was drunk, he was saying things that didn't make sense. While its true that being drunk can make your mind open to say things you wouldn't normally say, it also makes you say things that really aren't true. And that frustrated colt in our apartment sure regrets saying those things."
"I don't know Sky, this isn't the first time something like this has happened. He said something similar a while back one night. I got mad but forgave him and moved on. I just hate having to hear that okay...."
"Yeah I can understand that...."
The two of them sighed.
"I guess Im just mad about this whole thing. And maybe I did freak out a bit much."
"You threw a vase at him?"
"Yeah..."
"I know he is deeply sorry for what he said. I can see the sincerity in his eyes. He really does love you you know...."
"Yeah....I do..."
"Maybe you should at least try to talk to him?"
Zen sighed.
"Yeah...I guess...."
"Good girl, come on, lets go."

-------------


"Sorry to make you feel awkward Hikaru." Said Flash apologetically. "But hey, at least now you realize it."
Hikaru sighed. "I hate you...."
"Everyone does!" Said Flash proudly, which Hikaru found somewhat ridiculous but understandable based on the sort of unicorn he was. "I'm just that legit you know."
"So now what?" Asked Hikaru looking at himself in the cracked mirror on the wall. "Ok, I might like Sky apparently..."
"Ya do!"
"Okay okay! Ugh! But what am I suppose to do now?"
"Maybe...tell her?"
"Dude....."
"Tell her Hikaru!"
"No......no....."
"Why not?"
"What if she doesn't like me back? I don't want to ruin the friendship that we have. She is my ONLY friend pretty much. She might get creeped out and not want to see me anymore. I don't think I want to risk that."
"But what if she does like you back? You would never know."
"Nyar........."
"Heh?"
"Nothing."
They suddenly heard the sound of Sky and Zen heading down the hallway.
"Oh gosh.." Said Flash with a sigh. "I gotta word my words carefully to Zen...I hope she can forgive me."
"She should." Reassured Hikaru.
"Thanks, and hey, this might be your chance to tell Sky how you feel eh? eh?"
"No....."
"Or...I could tell her if you are too scared." Said flash with a wicked smile.
"Don't you DARE bro!"
"I think I will."
"Dude NO!"
"Yeah I will."
"NO dude, Ill buck you in the freaking mouth dude NO.
Flash paused. "Its worth it. here they come."
"DUDE ILL KILL YOU!"
"Time to tell all yeah?"
The door clicked open and Sky walked in ahead of Zen.
"HEY SKY! GUESS WHAT! HIKAR-"
Flash was suddenly being tumbled over the back of the couch by a very angry Hikaru.
"Wha? Hikaru!" Yelled Sky.
Hikaru jumped up and looked around.
"Uhh.....he started it."
Hikaru ran into the bathroom and shut the door.
"Wow that was unexpected." Said Flash getting up off of the floor. 
"What just happened?" Asked Sky, very confused as to what was going on.
"Oh, was just gonna speak for Hikaru and tell you-"
Hikaru peeked out from behind the bathroom door and glared daggers at Flash before closing the door.
"Ah, never mind."

Flash looked at Zen who still had a sad look on her face.

"Zen...." He began. "I...I don't know what else I can say but.....Im sorry...I don't know what in the hay I was saying. I was drunk out of my mind. I wasn't thinking, But you gotta believe me, I did NOT mean those things I said. That last girl I was with is trash compared to you Zen ok? Trash! You are, SO much more beautiful than her. I have never seen a more beautiful mare in my whole life, and I know I never will. My drunk mind was just too stupid to realize that. But that wasn't me. I mean- it was but...argh. I never wanted to hurt you Zen. I love you....I really do. Like, I can't even describe how much you mean to me. I can't express enough how much I love you and how sorry I am for what I said. I'm...Im gonna try to cut back on drinking. I don't want to hurt you Zen. And if drinking makes me say the things that might hurt you or mess things up like this....I don't want anything to do with it."

"You would quit drinking for me?" Asked Zen, surprised by this as drinking was a huge part of Flash's life.

"Ill do anything it takes Zen.....You are more important. And nothing else is as important to me. I never wanted to hurt you...ever..."

Both Zen and Sky were surprised to see a tear fall from Flash's eye. 
"I don't want to lose you Zen....can you forgive me...? Please...?"

Zen looked at the sorry colt in front of her and sighed. 
"Flash....the things you said really hurt me...its not the kind of thing thats easy to forgive."

Flash hung his head.

"But...."

Flash looked up.

"I freaking love you. I can't be mad at you."

Flash breathed a huge sigh of relief and quickly grabbed Zen in a tight embrace. 
"Im so sorry Zen..."
"Its ok..." Said Zen. "I love you."
Zen kissed Flash enthusiastically which made Sky feel a bit awkward.
Luckily it didn't last too long.

"I guess that means we're ok?" Said Flash with a laugh.
"Hay yeah." Zen replied as she nuzzled up to him.
Flash started nibbling on Zens ear which was apparently something she enjoyed.

"So......" Said Sky quickly. 

"Oh! Hmm, haha." Flash realized how awkward it must have been for Sky.
"Maybe..we should go back to our apartment yeah?"
"Oh..haha, yeah probably." Zen said feeling a bit embarrassed. "We'll get out of here."

The two got up and left the apartment.

Flash strayed back a bit and whispered to Sky.
"Thanks. I really owe you one."
And with that, they left the apartment.

Hikaru came out of the bathroom and walked over to Sky.
"So... howzit?"
"Why were you hiding in the bathroom."
"Felt like it."
"Why did you attack Flash."
"Um...he was...going to throw....eggs...at...you."
"Heh?"
"Yeah lets go with that."
"You don't make sense."
"I know."
...

-----------

Iris found herself with a moment of relaxation.
There were no more ponies checking in and at the moment, none trying to call in to get rooms. All seemed pretty much quiet. 
"Its about time." Iris said aloud to herself. "That last stream of individuals was tough."
"She was about to go online to check on the news of the day when the front desk phone rang.
She answered as she always did for hotel guest calling the front desk.
"Hello, front desk, how can I help you?"
An annoyed sounding Colt was on the other end.
"Yeah, I have no soap in my room. No soap, shampoo, conditioner, nothing. I don't know but I highly doubt that this is normal...."
"Oh dear, sorry about that. Your room should have had those stocked. Ill send some up right away. What room number are you in?"
"704"
"Alright, Ill have some sent up. Sorry for that."

Iris grabbed one of the hotels walkie talkies and radioed Orange Range.
"Hey Orange?"
*Static*
"Yeah Iris what's up?"
*more static*
"Room 704 called up, for some reason there room was stocked with no soap, shampoo, or conditioner. Could you bring some up to them?"
*More annoying static*
"Oh, Iris, I actually can't.."
*Getting tired of static static*
"What? Why not?"
"Going to throw something static*
"Well...Storm told all the room workers that we are not supposed to stock the rooms with that anymore. If they want any of those things, they have to pay an extra 10 bits."
*Static that makes you want to kill everypony in the world*
"WHAT? thats crazy! All hotels have complimentary amenities like that! Thats a horrible idea!"
*Oh whatever static*
"I know Iris. Its dumb. But its storms rules...."
*....*
"Ugh! Fine, thanks for telling me Orange."

Iris picked up the phone tom call the Colt in room 704, when it started to ring.

"Hello, front desk. How can I help you?"
"Yeah, I notice that there are some things missing from our bathroom."

'ugh'

-----

Hikaru was browsing through the songs of his music player when Flash suddenly walked into the apartment.
"Woah! Flash!" 
Hikaru was surprised to find Flash in the apartment without knocking first.
"Oh!" Said Flash realizing his error. "Sorry!"
He ran outside and shut the door. Then knocked.
'Wow.' thought Hikaru. "Just come in! You already did so you mine as well."
Flash walked in to a glaring Hikaru.
"Heh-heh...sorry about that."

Hikaru sighed. "What's up Flash?"
"Well, I was wondering if you wanted to join me and some of my friends to a cool little place tonight. Like around 9 ish."
"What kind of place is this?" Asked Hikaru. "This isn't some bar is it? I thought you were gonna cut back."
"I am don't you worry." Said Flash waving him off. "I just want to take you to this place me and some friends like going to every once and while. Guys night out ya know."
"What about Sky and Zen? What are they gonna do?" Hikaru didn't feel right about going out for a night of fun and leaving behind the two girls to be bored doing nothing.
"No need to fear bro! Zen is having her own girls night out with some friends as well! So it works out perfect!"
Hikaru wasn't sure how he felt going out with Flash without Sky and Zen for guidance. But he knew that he had to learn to enjoy life and try out new adventures. So he thought why not?
"Alright. Im game."
"EPIC!" Yelled Flash. "Ill drop by at a quarter to 9 and we'll go meet up with the others there. Believe me bro, you're gonna love this place."
"I wish you would tell me what this "place" is..." Said Hikaru feeling a bit nervous about going to somewhere that he knew nothing about. Then again, the awesome night before was a total unknown as well. And it worked out perfect.
"I don't want to spoil it. You're just gonna have to trust me aight?"
"Fine...."
"Thats the spirit!" Said Flash enthusiastically. "Ill see you later!"
Flash got up and left slamming the door for some reason. 
"Wow." Said Hikaru aloud." I thought for sure that a door slam like that would knock the door off of its-"
The door creaked and collapsed off of the hinges and onto the floor with a loud slam.
"-Hinges..."

> Glow
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hikaru was still feeling a tiny bit unsure as Flash arrived to pick him up that night.
"Yeah this is gonna be awesome! You won't regret going I assure you. Its AWESOME!" Flash said quite enthusiastically.
"Can you at least tell me one thin-"
"NOPE! So shut up and lets go!"
Flash pushed Hikaru out the door and closed it behind them.

Hikaru soon found himself outside in the cold night air. He took a look around and noticed how bright everything was despite it being night time. The city lights on the streets and the lights in the buildings, stores, and restaurants as well as advertisements all around made everything very much illuminated with the exception of a few dark alleys.

"So were meeting up with my two friends Beam and Cobalt. Two of my best friends for many years now. I think Cobalt is bringing somepony also, but Im not totally sure." 

Hikaru couldn't help but notice that Flash was overly excited for this whole thing. 
He was worried that this place might have alcohol. Perhaps that was why Flash was so excited.

"I know what you're thinking." Said Flash interrupting Hikaru's thoughts. "Yeah there is alcohol served at this place. But don't worry man. I can control myself. And thats not why I am super hyped to go to this place. You'll find out soon, its just another block....in fact, there's Beam and Cobalt!"

Further down the street, Hikaru saw a tan pegasus with a black mane with a cobalt colored earth pony with an orange mane. 
'Well I wonder which one is Cobalt?' Thought Hikaru sarcastically. 
"Sup guys!" greeted Flash loudly as they approached the two. 
"Hey howzit Flash. Said the tan pegasus as he bumped hooves with Flash.
"Tonight's gonna be crazy eh?" Said the cobalt colt. 
"Yeah!" Yelled Flash. "Oh by the way. This is Hikaru, the one I told you two about."
"AH you're the crazy one! Haha!" Laughed the pegasus. "Im Beam. And like the name, I tend to just radiate beams of awesomeness wherever I go. That and I work at a lighting store! hahaha!" 
"Haha, I hope Flash said good things about me." Said Hikaru giving Flash a slightly annoyed look."
"Nah its all good!" Said the cobalt colt. And Im Cobalt by the way. The name fits my color pretty much. I work in a factory that makes glow products."
"Glow products?" Asked Hikaru.
"Yeah, you'll see some crazy stuff tonight." Said Flash quickly. "So come on guys lets go, I don't want to miss a minute!"
"Hay yeah!" Yelled Beam as he jumped up and flew off down the street.
"Eh we'll catch up." Said Flash waving him off.
--------

Sky found herself at a small restaurant with Zen, and her two friends Neko and Tranquility.
Neko was an earth pony who worked at the local animal shelter where she took care of the cats.
Tranquility was a unicorn who owned a spa with her siblings.
They were all going to be seeing a movie at the theatre in an hour, so Zen decided to take them all out to dinner before they went.

"So Flash is really gonna quit drinking?" Asked Tranquility while she munched on a taco. "I mean, is that...possible?"
"Well at least cut down." Replied Zen. "I know it won't be easy for him. But its a nice thing he is doing."
"Flash, without alcohol." Said Neko staring into space. "I don't know Zen. The stuff is always by his side it seems."
"He seemed sincere." Said Sky, joining in on the conversation. "He was pretty much crying. I think he is really gonna try to stop, for Zen's sake."
"He better!" Said Tranquility. "Or he's gonna be a single pony again!"
"So Zen."  Began Neko as she leaned over closer. "If you catch him drinking again. Would you leave him?"
Zen looked uncomfortable with the question.
"I.....I don't know. I still love him....I mean, I worry....I don't...."
"Cmon guys you're making her feel awkward." Said Sky, much to Zen's relief.

"So....." Said Zen, quickly trying to change the subject. "Sky. Are you and Hikaru enjoying the city so far?"
"Oh yeah for sure!" Said Sky. "Its been great. I was a bit worried at first but it seems like everything is working out fine."
Sky took a sip from the soda in front of her.
"I actually meant to ask you before Sky. But, how long have you and Hikaru been together now?"
Sky choked on her soda.
"ECK! Ugh! *cough*"
"Not....that...long...?" Asked Zen with a confused look on her face.
Sky coughed a few more times to clear her throat.
"We're *cough* not *gasp* together *cough*"
"Oh! You're not!" Zen was surprised by Sky's statement. 
Sky finally caught her breath.
"We are really good friends but we aren't like that.."
"Well, that is interesting..." Said Zen looking off into space.
It was Sky's turn to be confused. "What is that supposed to mean?
"Well...." Began Zen. "Ok Ill say this now. You two kinda....I don't know. Seemed like you were. Like....quite a bit."
"How so?" Sky couldn't think of anything that might have led to this assumption. 
"I don't know. Just seemed like it."

It was Sky's turn to feel awkward now.

"So......just curious..." Said Tranquility. "I have heard a lot about you and Hikaru from Zen here....and I know you say that you two aren't together. But.....do you...like him?"
'She just had to ask...' Sky thought to herself.
"I like Hikaru a lot, and we are great friends. But I don't like him in that way...."
"If you say so." Said Zen with a slight laugh.
"Huh? What's so funny?"
"Let me be really honest with you." Said Zen looking straight into Sky's eyes. "I think you do like him. Honestly, it just seems like it, plus, you two. Just saying, it could work."
"No....no..." Said Sky. "Ugh, can we please change the subject? This is really awkward."
"Yeah for real you two, you're tormenting her." Said Neko in an annoyed tone. "Its almost time to head to the theatre anyways."

'Thank you'
-------

Hikaru found himself being shoved into a very dark and very loud building.
"Wait! Woah! Hey! What is this-woah....."
Hikaru found himself in a large room with dozens of ponies all around. 
Laser lights and strobe lights filled the room with dazzling flashes of color, and the sounds of hard trance filled the entire building.
What really caught Hikaru's eyes however, were a group of ponies who seemed to be spinning and manipulating some sort of glowing objects. 

"Well?" 
"Huh?"
Flash had interrupted Hikaru's trance like state as he analyzed the room.
"Pretty awesome isn't it?" Said Flash with a smile.
Hikaru was watching in awe at the ponies with the glowing objects.
"Flash, what is...those...."
Flash laughed. "What is those? Some grammar you got there bro."
"Ha-ha very funny." Said Hikaru sarcastically. "What ARE those things that those ponies over there are spinning and stuff?"
"Glowsticks! Which we produce at our factory!" Proclaimed Cobalt proudly.
"Ill introduce you to them." Said Flash pulling Hikaru along.
"Huh? Wait, I mean, wah?"

Flash pulled Hikaru up to the group.
One young Pegasus male was swinging two glowsticks on some sort of looped string. One on each front hoof. He let them wrap around his legs, hooves, head, everywhere. Each movement creating a unique light pattern as the glowsticks seemed to become one flowing and moving beast. It was truly mesmerizing to watch.
A young earth pony mare was tossing and catching two glowsticks in a truly amazing way. She would hold them in her hooves and move them in unique patterns all around her body. Then she would toss them and do interesting flourishes before catching them again. 
Two other Unicorn colts were also spinning brightly colored glowsticks on strings.

"Hey guys!" Said Flash approaching them with Hikaru and the other two.
"Oh hey Flash!" Said the black pegasus with a dusty blue mane. Hikaru noticed that his cutie mark was a laser flower pattern. Pretty cool actually.
"Thought I would come over and introduce you all." Flash said with a smile. "This crazy guy here is Hikaru, new to Manehattan, him and his girl traveled out here and are living at the apartments."
Hikaru groaned. "Ugh! She's not my "girl" Flash!"
"Yeah you two are just living together in the same apartment."
"I hate you."
The black pegasus laughed. "Stop tormenting him bro, howzit Hikaru, Im Laser Mane, although most just call me Laser. Blue pegasus with the black mane and strobe cutie mark is Flashfire, Brown unicorn, crazy bright green mane and MIDI cutie mark is Rush Beat, and the grey unicorn, dark blue mane, star cutie mark, is Tech Hoof. Mine as well learn the names cause you'll be seeing us around town for sure. Especially with Flash taking you around!"

Hikaru noted all of their names in his memory. He was pretty good at memorizing names, and these 4 had very unique names that would be easy to remember.

"So Hikaru here was asking me about the glowsticking stuff he saw you guys doing." Said Flash, breaking Hikaru out of his memorization trance. "Maybe explain it to him, show him some stuff, whatever?"

"Ah you never seen this stuff before then I take it?" Asked Laser. 
"Never." Replied Hikaru squinting to try to see Laser among the hundreds of flashing strobe and laser lights all around the room.
"Ah I gotcha. Well. basically, its glowsticking, big thing in the rave scene. Two main kinds that you'll see most ponies doing. You have glowstringing where you got a looped string attached to each glowstick. And you got freehoof which I FAIL at by the way. But its manipulation of two free glowsticks. There are basics, but its really all about feeling the flow, and letting yourself be free to move and do whatever the hay feels right."

Hikaru was absorbing the info like a sponge. He was quite mesmerized by the stuff he saw these ponies doing, and he wanted to try it out for himself.

Flashfire seemes to have read his mind.
"Hey Laser!"
"Yeah?"
"Enough chat and let him try some stuff out!"
"Ohhh yeah sure. Try these bro, glowstringing is my specialty, you might enjoy it."

Hikaru held a string in each hoof. He suddenly felt quite confused on what to do.
"Umm....."
"Maybe Ill show you some basics first."

For the rest of the night, Laser taught Hikaru many of the basics of glowstring moves. 3 beat weaves, basic body wraps, and hood wraps. Hikaru soon found himself starting to pick stuff up and actually manage to do something without getting a flying glowstick to the face. The four were very helpful in teaching and very patient with him. By the end of the night, Hikaru felt that he might actually be able to go a ways in this new skill. 

One move that Hikaru really wanted to figure out was what the others had called an "orbital".  It involved the two glowsticks to become wrapped around each other by the string and by the result of pulling, one could get the two glowsticks to spin around each other very quickly before separating. It was a very flashy and interesting move that Hikaru couldn't quite figure out the secret to.
Luckily, Laser had given him a set of dead glowsticks with strings to practice on at home. 

As Hikaru walked back home with Flash, he was excited about this newfound skill. Even though he hardly knew any moves at all, he liked the feeling of what he could do, and the anticipation of what he might be able to learn just made him even more excited.

Hikaru and Flash got back to the apartments around 1 in the morning. Hikaru thanked Flash for the awesome night and went to his apartment to see if Sky had gotten back.

"Sky? you here?" He called out softly.
He noticed that the small nightlight in her room was on which meant that she was there, and probably asleep.
"Ha. I guess it is pretty late. I should probably be hitting the hay as well."
Hikaru folded out the sofa bed and quickly pulled the covers over his head.
Sadly, it seemed that the heater had broken down, so the room was a bit cold.
But Hikaru didn't mind it, he was still thinking about glowstringing and what possible things he might be able to do.

'awesome' He thought to himself.
'Totally awesome.'

-----------------

> Days Beckoning 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Iris found herself getting bombarded with angry phone calls from many of the hotel rooms.
"Why is there no soap?"
"Where are the towels!"
"Since when did you guys only have one pillow for a bed when you used to give 4?"
"What kind of hotel doesn't have cable?"
It seemed that the fear of losing money was getting to Storm, which was making him make some very unwise decisions. 
"Doesn't that old idiot know that his attempts to save the business are actually ruining it?" Sighed Iris as she took a break while ignoring an incoming call to the front desk.
"This is just stupid. I think I need to try to talk some sense into that Storm."
She walked over to his office down the hall. She stood in front of the door for a bit, feeling a bit unsure of how he might react to what she would say. She was actually feeling a bit nervous. But she shook it off. Now was not the time for nerves. Storm's actions were hurting the hotel, and something had to be done or else the entire business would surely fail.
She raised a hoof and knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Said Storm a bit loudly.
Iris walked in.

Storm was sitting behind his desk looking over some magazines. Iris noticed that the one he was reading had a large print on the front which read "CRISIS! EQUESTRIAN ECONOMY IN DESPERATE STATE!". 
'Thats a great thing to read, sure won't get you worried that's for sure...' thought Iris sarcastically.
"Iris!" said storm sharply as he looked up from his magazine. "why are you not behind the counter! What's wrong with you! Go back! What if somepony arrives! Thats a bad image for us if nopony is behind the counter!"
"Storm.." began Iris slowly. "I think we need to discuss something important. Something concerning the future of this business."

==============

Today was the day. The day that Hikaru had been waiting for. Nocturnal Oasis was tonight! And he was ready. Flash and Zen had scheduled their friends carriage to pick them up later on in the afternoon, and once they were on, it would be only an hour to get to Ponyville. Hikaru couldn't wait. All his favorite artist would be there, plus all his good friends. He was especially excited to hear some news that he had gotten from Flash. It seemed that Flash had somehow gotten to grow close to Vinyl Scratch, and she would occasionally talk to him on his text device. She mentioned to him that Aly & Filly would be making a surprise appearance at the show and that they would be spinning some tracks as well. Aly & Filly were one of Hikaru's favorite trance artist and he nearly screamed in joy when he Flash told him that they would be there.
With the backstage passes that Vinyl had given them, he would be sure to meet them.

Hikaru had been practicing some glowstringing moves as well. He put his dead practice set to good use as he listened to his music while trying to figure out new and interesting wraps and spins. He remembered what Laser had told him, about how it was more about flow and expressing yourself than actual technique and planned tricks. It seemed to be working as he had figured out some interesting stuff on his own. And ended up forgetting exactly what he did a few seconds after.

Sky was excited as well. She couldn't believe that the time was already here. She had never been to any event to this scale, and the anticipation was great.
She was a bit annoyed that Zen kept hinting at Hikaru and her being together for some reason. It was really starting to get on her nerves. She never thought of Hikaru like that, and Zen was starting to make the thought cross her mind when she really didn't want it to. 'Whatever..' She thought. 'Just gotta focus and be happy about this event. Its gonna be amazing!'

It had been quite the journey that both Hikaru and Sky had taken. And it had its highs and lows. Up and down like a yoyo at times. But through it, they had grown closer, and met awesome ponies along the way who helped them out and became true friends. It was awesome.

Hikaru was lying on the sofa chewing on a carrot. Sky had gone out so he was just relaxing while he waited for her to return.
He thought about the schedule for the day.
At 3 o clock, the two would meet up with Flash and Zen. From there, they would go a few blocks away to meet up with Zen's friend Neko, and Flash's friends Beam and Cobalt. From there, they would wait to get picked up by the carriage which would would take them right into Ponyville. They would get some dinner and go hang out until the event started backstage. Hikaru and Sky would try to keep hidden by the general Ponyville eye as they knew that they were probably being looked for.
Once the event was over, they would take the carriage back to manehattan.

"I hope this all works out." Said Hikaru as he tried to bounce the carrot off the wall and have it come back to him. It actually worked surprisingly. 
"Hmmmm...." He threw the carrot harder and watched as its bounced off the corner wall and off the other side and back to him.
He looked at the carrot in his hooves and gave a little smirk.
He chucked the carrot quite hard and watched as it bounced off one wall, a second, a third, and landed back by his side. "Well now..."
He built up all the strength within him and gave the carrot a massive power throw at the wall.

Sky suddenly walked in.

*THUNK!*

"YAH!"

The carrot flew right by Sky's face and imbedded itself into the wall next to her like an arrow.
Sky stared wide eyed at the carrot by the side of her head.
Hikaru let out a long breath as his heart had literally stopped when Sky had walked in.

"Hikaru?"
"um..yeah...."
"The hay?"
"That wasn't supposed to happen."
"I would hope so."
"I was bored."
"Obviously."

There was an awkward pause between the two of them as they both looked at the carrot in the wall.

The silence was broken as the carrot suddenly broke in half and fell to the floor.

"You know..." Began Sky. "you can be a very very strange individual."

"I really am...."

==============

"So what is so important that you need to leave the front?" Asked Storm in a very annoyed tone.

Iris could sense Storms annoyance and it made her feel a bit more uneasy about what she was going to say. But it had to be done. 

"I'm worried about the hotel."

Storm tilted his head and gave a slight smirk.
"Well so am I! Nothing new! Times are tough, and we must make changes to keep the business running smoothly and efficiently. But no need to worry, I have made the necessary changes and as long as we continue to make careful choices, we should be fine."
"But......" Iris started quietly, "Sir, I have to say this...the choices you have made recently...they are hurting the business more than helping it."
A surprised look appeared on Storms face. "Nonsense! We've managed to cut back and save money with the new choices we have implemented. Its a great improvement!"
"But you don't see what's going on Storm." Continued Iris. "I work the front, and I have seen what's happening. Customers are getting angry that we have cut back on things that no other hotel would cut back on! I've been getting angry calls all morning!"
"Thats nothing to worry about." Replied Storm without a hint of worry. "Probably some overly particular Canterlotians who are doing the complaining. And as much as I aim to please the guest, we need to take our finances into account. And when you take a look, by cutting out the amenities, we save hundreds, even thousands a year! 
"We are going to lose money if we keep this up!" Said Iris in an annoyed tone. "Its not Canterlotians, its individuals from all parts of Equestria who are calling in and upset! You always said that you cared about the reputation of the hotel, well what about now? We are going to get bad rep for the stuff thats going on!"
"No need to worry." Replied Storm calmly. "You must remember that we are still offering the best service in all of the Equestria here in the hotel. A group of well dedicated workers keeping everything running smoothly."
"And thats another thing!." Iris was feeling more confident now and was speaking up. "You FIRED some of the best workers we had! You fired Summer and Spark! Those two were the best we had! Truly dedicated to make the hotel run smoothly!"
"Also had the highest salaries." Scoffed Storm. "I will admit that they were good at what they were told to do. But the others do a good job as well, and right there, we save a huge amount of money. And I offered a lower price to Spark, but he protested. That was the final straw, so I fired him totally."
"Its going to hurt the business Storm..." Said Iris behind gritted teeth. 'This guy just doesn't get it does he?' "And how could you fire somepony like Spark! He has been so helpful here, and you know he has a family to take care of! You didn't even think about who he has to support at all!"
"Thats none of my business." Said Storm looking bored. "I could care less what's going on with Spark, or anypony else for that matter. I did not hire their families. I hired them. And besides, I knew Spark's family. His daughter has a deformed back leg due to a bone issue. The way I see it, there's no need to pay any extra to support him, if his daughter won't be able to succeed in life due to said deformity. Lost cause. Its sad but true. Thus, I could care less what happens to his family, they are of no concern to me. But this business is, and i will do everything it takes to keep us alive and well. And no family matter is going to stop that."

Iris looked up at Storm with fire in her eyes.

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!"
=====================


Hikaru stood among some of the most awesome ponies he knew. New friends he made here in Manehattan, and his best friend of all time. They were standing at the corner where the carriage would come pick them up.
Flash had lots of connections within the city, so it wasn't difficult to get a friend of his to take them. Unfortunately, it seemed that this friend was late, as he was supposed to be there 20 minutes earlier.

"Ugh Flash..." Groaned Cobalt. "Where in the hay is he? Its so late!"
"I don't know he said he would be here bro, ugh....I don't know..." Flash looked quite worried.
"Now come on, just stay calm, I'm sure he'll be here soon." Reassured Zen. "He might have just gotten caught in some traffic."
"There is no traffic." Said Neko with an annoyed look.
"Not helping...." Replied Zen giving Neko a look.

"Do we have any other options?" Asked Sky hopefully.
"Yeah." Replied Beam quickly. "Run there."
"No!" Shouted Flash. "There's a reason that we hire sky carriages and chariots, it shortens travel time by 4 times. Im gonna wait here, and if that guy doesn't show up I'm gonna smash his face in next time I see him...."
"Calm down...." Said Zen softly.
"NO!"

Luckily, a sky chariot being pulled by two pegasus stallions appeared through the clouds and rushed towards the group.

"About freakin time!" Yelled Flash loudly as he walked into the street to meet them.

The two stallions landed and skidded to a stop in front of the group.
They both looked out of breath, and quite tired.
One of them began to speak between deep breaths.

"Flash! I am soooo sorry.....there was-"

"I WILL POUND YOUR LITTLE FREAKING FACE INTO  THE PAVEMENT YOU LITTLE MULE ROTTEN APPLE! ILL SMEAR YOU ACROSS THE DIRT YOU LITTLE ROTTEN HAY STACK! ILL-"

*SMACK!*

Flash found himself being hit by a hard hoof to the face and he tripped over backward and landed on the street. He quickly gathered his surroundings and turned to see who had hit him.

"Zen?!?"

"I said...calm down....."

=======================

> New Starts
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You hit me!"
"You were calling him stuff."
"You hit me!!!"
"You were getting out of hoof..."
"YOU FREAKING HIT ME ZEN!!! WHY WOULD YOU-GAH-WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT! WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THAT ZEN, YOU FREAKING ASSAULTED ME! THATS ASSAULT! THATS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE ZEN, A CRIMINAL OFFENSE, THE HAY ZEN! THE HAY!"

Flash was visibly angry and was shaking in rage.

"Ok Flash...." Said Beam putting a hoof over his friend. "I think you need to calm down...."
"She hit me bro! She just freaking hit me! You just saw that right? she just hit me right in the face! No smoke and mirrors she freakin HIT me!"
"I know...dude...come on over here...you need to just cool off...."
"She hit me bro....man..."

Beam pulled Flash around the corner to try to get him to calm down a bit.

Zen sighed and looked down at the ground. "I probably shouldn't have done that. I don't know what I was thinking..."
"Nah don't worry about it, its fine." Assured Neko giving Zen a small hug. "He was on the verge of losing it. He probably needed something to snap him out of it. Don't worry, we don't blame you for what you did."
"He's gonna hate me..."
"If he's in his right mind, he wont..."

The two stallion pegasi were silent for a bit. Both looking down at the ground. Then, the one who had been the first to speak earlier, began to say something.

"Im....really sorry about this..." He said brushing his mane back and looking away.
"Oh don't worry about it." Said Neko. "Flash is being ridiculous is all."
The pegasus continued, "We were trying to get here on time....honest..... We are usually never late to anything...Its just that we had some trouble with the carriage on the way here. One of the locks came loose and it fell into the river. We had to chase it for miles before we managed to catch it and bring it up into the air to try to dry it out."
"That's all my fault really...." Said the other pegasus quietly. "Im the one who checks to make sure the carriages and chariots are always secure. I guess this one just slipped my mind somehow..."

Hikaru tried to hear what was being said around the corner, but the sounds of the city were too loud for him to hear anything but loud noises of carriages, factory machinery, and other talking ponies whose voices blended together in a strange flurry of sound.

Luckily, Flash and Beam emerged from around the corner. Flash looked up at everypony around him.
"Sorry....I guess I..over-reacted....a bit..."
Beam nudged him.
"Ok a lot....I don't know...I....just....sorry.."
He looked down again at the ground.

"Well we should get going." Said Beam quickly trying to change the subject to something a bit more uplifting. "We don't want to be too late to get everything done in Ponyville that needs to be done. So now. Shall we?"
"Roger that!" Said Cobalt pumping a hoof into the air enthusiastically. "YEAH!"

And with that, the group climbed into the carriage, and with a few deep flaps of the two pegasus wings, they were up in the air, and speeding toward their destination.

Flash and Zen went to the back of the carriage and were talking, so Hikaru figured it was best not to disturb them, or listen in. So he opted for taking out his music player and hooking it into the built in sound system in the carriage.

As he listened to the music play, he thought back to everything that had happened the last many days he had spent in Ponyville, on the road, and in Manehattan. So much had happened and his life was totally changed. And here he was, only an hour or so from the event that was gonna be one of the biggest moments in his life. And it was real. No dream, this was it.
He sat back and watched the land fly by. The sun was slowly starting to set and the colors painted on the sky and the land were absolutely breath taking to see. Hikaru felt happy. And it was an emotion he had rarely ever felt back in Ponyville. And it reassured him that the life he would now live, was the life he was meant to live.

"Thank you.." He whispered looking up at the sky. 

And with that, he sat back and listened to the sounds of the music he loved so much.

The sound of pure Trance.

-------------

"Did you just raise your voice at me?!?" Yelled Storm with a look of anger on his face.
Iris sunk back. "Oh...um...no sir...I didn't......"
"Good, I didn't think you did." Responded Storm settling back down and grabbing his magazine.

Iris thought for a second, and then decided to just go with what she felt. She was done with feeling intimidated by Storm. 'I have something to say.' She thought to herself. 'And I'm gonna say it!'

"No, actually....You know what Storm," She continued as she walked right up to the front of the desk. "I DID raise my voice at you, cause what you just said is one of the most selfish, stupid, and heartless things I have ever heard in my LIFE!"
"Well I guess we think different." Said Storm giving Iris a condescending look. 
"You just called a young filly with a bone deformity a "lost cause", how dare you Storm....how can you say that."
"Its simply the truth." Said Storm without  hint of regret. "Nothing more than that."
"I have never met such a heartless pony in all my life...Never once....and I didn't think there could ever be somepony with that little of a heart." Said Iris through clenched teeth. She was starting to get very angry with every single word that came out of Storms mouth.

"You know Storm, I used to side with you when Hikaru would come to me saying how he hated the way you were, how you didn't care about him, but I always told him that it wasn't true. I told him that it was just his perception of things that weren't reality. But after seeing how you are this past week, I can honestly say that I am seeing the same way Hikaru did. You're a heartless little foal...And you don't even care."
"You're right, I don't." Replied Storm sounding audibly annoyed. "Get out of my office Iris, this conversation is over."

Iris huffed and turned to leave. 'I don't know how much longer I can take working for this idiot. Im on the last straw now....'

"Oh and Iris?"

She stopped.

"You're fired."

Iris opened the door and started heading out. But she paused for a bit, then turned around to face Storm head on.

"Hey Storm."

Storm ignored her as he continued to read his magazine.
Iris knew he was listening however. And she knew he would hear what she said quite well.

"Hey Storm...."

She turned to leave.

"Buck you."

===================
> Chaotic Realizations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ponyville, a place Hikaru never wanted to return to for the rest of his life, and at the same time, wanted ever so much to come back.
Hikaru looked over the familiar landscape as the carriage passed the outer limits of Ponyville and slowly approached downtown.
The event was originally supposed to happen at the Starlight Den which was just on the border of downtown Ponyville. But due to the huge amount of tickets sold, and more publicity, the event needed a larger venue, so a giant tent was set up on the other side of town that could hold the large amount of individuals who would show up.

The carriage slowly approached the main street in the center of town and touched down lightly.

Hikaru took a deep breath. He was nervous about being recognized as he was sure he was a wanted pony. But with the hoodie that Sky had given him, he figured he would seem inconspicuous enough.

"Well...." started Zen softly. "Here we are."
"Yepsky." Replied Flash. "Hikaru? Sky? You both good?"
They both nodded and Flash opened the door.

Ponyville was much more busy than usual. It seemed that the event had brought many others into town to shop, get food, and tour around. Hundreds of ponies from all around equestria wandered the streets. Some speaking in strange accents that Hikaru had never heard before. 'Hmmm...' Thought Hikaru. 'Maybe being noticed isn't something I had to worry about after all. If anything, I should worry about remaining with the group!'

"Hikaru!" Sky woke him up from his daydreaming. 
"Huh?"
"Are you just gonna stand there or are you gonna join us for dinner?"
"Oh! Yeah! Haha! Wow, Ok."

The group headed over to a large Denneighs restaurant to grab something to eat. Denneighs was known for having really mediocre food that was probably just microwaved upon order, but it was cheap, usually quick, and food that they didn't mind eating.
The place was pretty crowded and quite loud from the voices of many trying to talk over the noise. It seemed that this was more business than the staff were prepared for as everypony was running around trying to take orders, cook, and serve. 
Luckily, the group got a table and quickly placed their order which arrived in about 10 minutes.

Hikaru chewed on his tofu burger which he could have sworn was made of cardboard covered in gravy, but it was enough to fill him. 

Hikaru looked over at Sky who was staring at the contents of the glass in front of her. It was supposed to be lemonade but it seemed to be mostly water with hints of lemon flavor. Hikaru glanced over at Flash and noticed that he as well as Neko were looking at him. He quickly looked away and continued eating.

He saw Neko giggle out of the corner of his eye and saw her whisper something to Flash. Flash suddenly looked pleasantly surprised and whispered something back.
'What could they be talking about....' Hikaru thought to himself.
Flash suddenly cleared his throat.
"So.....Hikaru san........my bro.....dude...."
"Um....what?"
"So just sayin, you and Sky..."
'oh no'
"Have you told h-"
Hikaru grabbed a carrot from his dish and threw it at Flash's face.
"Ow! Aug Hikaru, my tooth sheesh!"

"Hikaru!" Yelled Sky. "Whats your issue with carrots! You're gonna seriously hurt somepony!" 
"umm....." Hikaru thought quickly. "I HATE CARROTS! They were NEVER there for me growing up! Ponies were like OH WOW CARROTS MMMMMM GOTTA LOVE THOSE CARROTS, and....I...NEVER GOT ANY! yeah, NEVER! So I....hate them. I HATE THEM!"
Hikaru looked around and noticed that many ponies were all staring at him.
His face turned red and he sunk down into the booth.

"heh." Said Neko suddenly.
"Oh! so um...Sky...."
"Yeah?"
"About what we were talking about the other day, I just gotta say, you and Hikaru..."
'oh no'
"You both kinda-"
Sky threw a head of lettuce at Neko, but it missed and hit a unicorn mare in the back of the head across the room.
"OW!"
"Oh...oops...."

"You yell at me for throwing carrots and you throw a whole head of lettuce?" Questioned Hikaru.

The orange unicorn who got hit turned around and looked straight at another pony who was sitting behind her. 
"So thats how its gonna be now huh? FINE! TAKE THIS YOU FOAL!" She threw a plate of spaghetti at the pony who ducked quickly to avoid the flying pasta. Unfortunately, it landed in the face of a grey earth pony mare. "Ugh! How dare you!"

"This won't turn out well...." Hikaru said aloud.

The entire restaurant suddenly erupted in a mad frenzy of flying food. 
"Oh yeah FOOD FIGHT!" Screamed Flash as he dived out into the flurry of flying color. "Are you insane?!?!" Yelled Zen after him. "Wait what am I asking, sheesh."
A plate of pickled cabbage flew past Hikarus head. "Maybe...we should get under the table or something..."
"As long as we stay in this booth," Started Sky, "I think we should be o-"
CRASH!
A plate smashed through the window by their side sending glass raining down onto the floor. "UNDER THE TABLE!" Screamed Beam.

The frenzy lasted for 5 minutes longer until there was no more food to throw, and everypony left the restaurant muttering crude remarks. 

Zen quickly left the bill at their table and the group exited the restaurant with haste.

"That...was...AWESOME!" Yelled Flash as he ran up to the group. "I'm gonna have dreams about that for weeks!"
"You're also gonna smell like teriyaki sauce for weeks..." Said Zen with a scowl. 
"Only makes it better for you when you get all "Licky" when you're drunk." Said Flash with a smirk.
"FLASH!"
He laughed hysterically.
"I would cut you.....if you weren't so amazing..."

"So I guess we should start heading over there yeah?" Said Neko.
"Yeah! just follow the hundreds of others walking in that direction! So easy!" Said Flash enthusiastically. "YEAH YAH YOO!"

"Is he always this....enthusiastic?" Asked sky in a whisper to Hikaru. "You have been around him much more than me."
"He's an interesting colt isn't he." Laughed Hikaru watching as Flash started hardstyle shuffling for no reason. 
"Cmon Flash not now...." Sighed Zen as they continued on.

They walked on for a good 10 minutes until they crested the top of a hill and saw the amazing sight before them. 

A giant tent towered into the sky surrounded by large colorful searchlights that swung their light rays back and forth around the structure. A long line of hundreds of ponies were waiting at the door which was being guarded by 4 large stallions.
The vibrations of bass were resonating through the air and technicolor lights flashed from inside, creating a defused glow around the area.
"woah..." breathed Hikaru and Sky simultaneously.
The sight was mesmerizing to look at.

"This is amazing!" Yelled Flash enthusiastically.

Hikaru looked at the long line to get in to the event.
"Ugh... We'll be in that line forever..."

"oh really now?" Said Zen with a smirk. Remember those backstage passes that Vinyl gave us that one night? Well since Flash and I are super chill with her now, she gave us more backstage passes for the others. And these passes also allow us to skip the line, and go in through the back! No lines!

"NO WAY!" Yelled both Hikaru and Sky in unison. 

"Oh yes way!" Said Flash jumping up on his back legs. "HAHAHAHAHA!"
"Oh calm down...."

------

Iris opened the door of her home and walked over to the bed in the corner and fell down into it's softness.
She let out a sigh and rolled onto her back to stare up at the ceiling.
'What am I going to do now?' She asked herself. 'I hope I can find some place else to work quickly. I can't help but feel I did something foolish back there. Yet, I know its what I should have done.'

Iris rolled out of bed and walked over to the small desk in the corner. A random assortment of magazines, advertisements, and letters were thrown about it's surface. 'I should really clean all this up.' She thought.
She started sorting out the random papers when one small flier caught her eye.
"Nocturnal Oasis." She read aloud. "The event everypony around here has been excited for..."

Iris put the flier down and walked over to the window.  The sun was slowly starting to set. It would be getting dark pretty soon within the next hour or so.

'I wonder.....' She thought to herself. 'I am a bit curious about this thing....maybe....its been a while since I've gone out for some fun..'

Iris glanced back over at the flier. What did she have to lose? She wouldn't have to wake up early for work tomorrow, and for all the years of hard work, she did deserve to treat herself to a night of fun.

Iris looked out the window at the continuing setting sun started to dip into the horizon.

She let out a sigh and grabbed the flier. 
"Im going."

=========

The group walked up to the back entrance of the tent. A large guard stallion was standing there. He looked dangerous and tough, exactly the kind of earth pony you would expect to be a security guard.
"Can I help you all?"

'Woah, he even sounds tough.' Thought Hikaru.


"We got the magic." Said Flash to the guard. 
"Um...." The guard gave him a confused look.
"We got the magic. WE SHALL PASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Flash whipped out the backstage passes with a flourish and some strange backflip kind of jump.

"Its like he's already high...." Sighed Zen shaking her head as Neko put an arm around her.

The guard looked at Flash with his tickets in hoof and giant and somewhat creepy grin on his face.

"Don't over-do it on the drinks kid...." He sighed as he unclipped the rope to let the group in.

"YEEYAYOO!" 
"Seriously bro.." Said Beam. "You're too excited."

Hikaru found himself entering into a busy area with ponies running around setting up sound equipment, computers, lights, and shouting orders through radios.

"Wow it sure is busy back here." Stated Sky as she jumped back from a young unicorn rushing by with a large roll of wire.

"Oh hey!" Yelled Zen. "There's Vinyl!"

The white DJ unicorn was sitting in front a mirror with another pony who seemed to be getting on her nerves.  
The group walked over to her to see what was going on.

"UGH! I don't want that stuff ok! I'm not into all that trashy blush and whatever else you want to put on me you got that?"
"You need to look nice for the photos that the press will SURELY be taking!" Yelled a green unicorn with a white mane. "You can't just perform like THAT!"
"Oh forget you....haha, someponies around here are actually happy with how they look, and don't have to wear fake eyelashes that make it look like they have grass growing from their eyes!"
"WHA! How DARE you! These cost quite a bit you know! And they are quite difficult to come by."
"Yeah I bet they are." Laughed Vinyl. "I bet they only have one pony who buys them. Some pony who they know will buy anything they want them to buy, no matter how much it makes them look like a front lawn! HAHA! I gotta say, I do crack myself up sometime!"
"You are impossible.." Muttered the Green mare.
"Just answer me this." Began Vinyl. "How much did you pay for those?"
"Oh...well.....um..."
"How much Tea Spice!"
"Well........258 bits....."
Vinyl snickered, and then burst out laughing.
'HAHAHAHA! OH MY GOSH ARE YOU SERIOUS! OVER 250! HAHAHAHA! OH WOW! HAHAHA! YOU-YOU-HAHAHAHA!" Vinyl fell onto the floor.
"YOU ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK WITH!" Screamed Tea Spice, and she turned around and quickly trotted away.

Vinyl stopped laughing and got up. 
"Haha, works every time. About time she got out of my mane. Oh hey you guys!"
"VINYL!" Shouted Flash and Zen both giving her a hug. "Nice to see you again!"
"Yeah its been a bit hasn't it. Heheh....sorry you had to see that earlier. I just can't stand these crazy make up and stylist trying to get me all prettied up. I don't roll like that. Just mash in some gatsby mane rubber and Im good to go."
"I knew it." Said Hikaru. "Same stuff I use." 
"Haha! I figured. If you haven't noticed by now, we have very similar mane styling."

Hikaru never noticed in fact, but now that he was up close to Vinyl, it was true. The color was different, but it did actually look quite similar.

"So why aren't you getting ready to go up?" Asked Sky. "I mean, its starting in 15 minutes and the crowd is starting to pour in from what I can hear around the curtains."
"Ah no worries!" Replied Vinyl grabbing a tapioca milk tea from the fridge. "I never really prepare. I just go up and let it flow. Its the way to go. HEY FERRY!"
Vinyl waved to a grey earth pony with an orange mane.
'Oh no way thats Ferry Coltsten!' Thought Hikaru feeling suddenly very star struck.

"So anyways." Said Vinyl taking a long sip from her milk tea, "Feel free to hang around. And remember Hikaru, Sky, if you two find any issues, if you think somepony might notice you, just come back here. No ponies except those with passes can get back here. Even authorities will have a wait to get back here. So no worries. I got your back!"

"thank you so much Vinyl." Said Sky. "This really means allot to the two of us."
"Ah no worries." Said Vinyl with a smile. "I like you all. Adventurous and crazy. My kind of ponyfolk!"

"Just another reason why we all love you Vinyl." Said Zen with a smile.
"Aw shut up." Laughed Vinyl throwing the empty cup into a trash can. "Oh by the way. Hikaru. I'm over at that hotel of your Dad's. No offense, but it that place fails hard. I mean, since when do Hotels not have TV's and soap? And no ice either! Now the stupid ice machine says that I have to pay 5 bits for ice? I have never been to a single hotel that did that. And why are you guys selling all the art from the rooms?

"Oh great..." Sighed Hikaru. "I guess he's really lost it. Worrying about money too much probably.....idiot..."

"Haha, so it is his doing." Laughed Vinyl. "You know, I have never met this guy, but from all you tell me, and from what I see. I would love to take a few good kicks in his face."

Hikaru laughed at the thought. As much as he felt that he would hate to see that happen, he couldn't help but think that he would enjoy seeing his father get beat down a bit.

'Ugh, I gotta get rid of this hatred some day.'

A black pegasus flew into the area. 
"VINYL! Heads up! Spiral hooves is up first, and you are up right after in about 20 minutes. Got it?"
"Yeah yeah, don't worry about it!" 
"Alright, be ready, and have a good show!"

"Hey," Said Vinyl turning to the group. "Wake me up in 15, k?"
"Hu-wait-wha-ah...."
"Please and thanks. Later!"

"Ill wake her up when its time." Said Cobalt. I am just curious how she looks....asleep...um...wait...oh wow..."
"Whatever you want ya creep!" Laughed Flash. "And know that I will never let you forget what you just said!"
"Oh great..."

"Well cmon guys!" Yelled Flash. "Its time to go absolutely freakin INSANE!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAA-"
"I WILL SLAP YOU SO HARD AGAIN IF YOU DONT STOP THAT!"
"heheh....sorry."

=============

> Contrast
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hikaru followed the rest as they walked through a small corridor that led to a large side door. The sounds of house music could be heard through to the other side.

"DOOR HANDLE!" Screamed Flash mashing his hooves around the handle desperately trying to open the door.
*Clunk* *clunk* *clunk* "COME ON!" *clunk*
Zen sighed and used her magic to open the door.
Flash bolted out and disappeared from sight.
"He gets way too excited for these kind of things...." Said Beam shaking his head. 
"You have no idea..." Said Zen with a sigh. "Oh well. Come on, we'll find him eventually."

Hikaru stepped out from the doorway and found himself immersed in an amazing scene.
The space inside seemed to be quite a bit larger than the outside led him to believe. It was literally the size of an entire flight stadium with what seemed to be thousands of ponies everywhere. Dozens of laser lights and strobe lights flashed above creating an ocean of light and color above. Swinging multi-colored spotlights shone through the fog from a fog machine making interesting glow formations around the room. Up towards the front of the massive area was the main stage with a huge screen in the background that showed dazzling images of color and patterns. And right in front of the massive screen was the incredible DJ set up. A giant table with all sorts of DJ equipment all around. Turntables, MIDI controllers, Other audio controllers and a few laptops, all wired up and connected into the massive and powerful sound system that was strung all throughout the tent. 

"Dang...." Said Hikaru looking around.
"Wha?" A grey unicorn stallion wearing large glasses with black messy styled hair stopped in front of Hikaru.
"Wha? Um....Hi?"
"Yeah Hi....do I know you...?
"I...don't think so...?"
"You said my name so...."
"What? I said dang."
"Yeah, Im Dang. Paul Dang actually, but ponies usually just call me Dang."
"Oh....sorry, I was just saying..dang...."
"ISN'T THAT ALWAYS!" Screamed Dang as he ran off toward the bar toward the back of the tent.
"Uh...sorry..?" Hikaru looked off in the direction of Paul Dang. He saw a very large bar area that had quite a few workers behind the counter. All along the back wall were rows and rows of fancy bottles of different varieties of drinks, and a select few ponies were mixing cocktails with fancy flourishes and throws to the dozens of customers lined along the counter.
"Oh great.." moaned Sky as she too noticed the bar. "Flash and Zen are going to get completely trashed by the end of tonight with THAT over there."
"I was thinking the exact same thing." Replied Hikaru taking a quick glance around to see if he could spot Flash anywhere. But he was completely lost in the crowd.

Suddenly, in a blur of grey,blue,and black, The very pony they were looking for zoomed up to Hikaru and the rest with a wild smile on his face. "
"THIS IS AWESOME! YOU GUYS GOTTA GET ON THE DANCE FLOOR! OH IM TELLING YOU, IF THIS PLACE HAD A HOOK, IT WOULD BE OFF IF IT! YA KNOW? OFF OF IT! HAHAHAHAHA!"
"Dude...." Began Beam. "Are you on something?"
"IM ON THE UNIVERSE!!!!!!" Screamed Flash at the top of his lungs which resulted in many turned heads in his direction.

Flash grabbed Beam and shoved him out into the dance floor.
"Hey! Wha-"
"GET OUT THERE FOAL! WE AINT LEAVIN TILL YOU FIND AT LEAST 10 MARE'S PHONE NUMBERS!"

"Oh Celestia he has completely lost his mind, oh Celestia help me..." Said Zen hiding her face in her hooves.

Hikaru watched as Flash shoved Beam further into the crowd while Beam protested and tried to head back. But Flash blocked his way and the two soon disappeared from sight.

"Hey what's up?"
'"Wha?" Hikaru turned to see that Cobalt had joined them. "Oh hey you're back. Wake up Vinyl?"
"Yes....and she sleep talks. And apparently does things if woken up suddenly. She hoofed me in the face..." Cobalt rubbed the bruise that was starting to form on his jawline."
"Ouch. You alright?"
"Yeah its fine. She was pretty apologetic. Its all good. She is gonna be on in a few minutes by the way. Take note that once Vinyl comes on, the night is gonna get absolutely crazy. This is when they turn down the lights, turn up the lighting effects, turn up the bass, and crank the volume to maximum. This DJ Spiral Hooves is decent, but it is just an opening act and one that is a pretty new DJ. Everything from after this is what's gonna make this night a night to remember."

With what seemed to be perfect timing. DJ Spiral Hooves finished and waved goodbye to the crowd. Ponies cheered for the awesome set and cheered even louder when the light suddenly went dim.

The entire building was completely pitch black minus some glow and light accessories some ponies had on. The crowd quieted down a bit in anticipation.
Suddenly, a bright white spotlight turned on from under the stage and sent its bright beam upward onto the DJ set-up on stage, and there stood Vinyl, looking very ghostly in the white light.

Immediately, the crowd erupted into a huge cheer as Vinyl grabbed a microphone.
"WHAT'S UP EVERYPONY!"
Vinyl was greeted by another earth shattering cheer. 
'I will never get used to that.' Thought Hikaru as he felt his ears aching from the volume.
"I know that all of you crazy foals are ready to tear this place apart! So I'm gonna make sure that by the end of my set, that every one of you is gonna be so hyped up, so insanely energized, that you could literally pick up this giant structure and flip it over! I BET THATS WHAT YOU ALL WANT RIGHT?

Again, massive amounts of cheering.

"ALRIGHT! I LOVE IT! Im gonna start us out with some crayyyyyyyyyons crazy dub aight? And we'll just see where we go. Sound legit?"

Cheers.

"Alright! ARE YOU READY?"

Cheer.

"I SAY ARE! YOU! READY!!!"

Louder cheers.

"ALRIGHT!"

The light suddenly went out.

"Woah what?" Hikaru was confused. "What just happened?"

Suddenly, a slow ambient track started playing with some occasional heavy beats.
Bright lights and lasers flashed with each beat creating an interesting effect of alternating bright color lights, and pitch black darkness.


"I had a way then losing it all on my own
I had a heart then but the queen has been overthrown
And I'm not sleeping now the dark is too hard to beat
And I'm not keeping now the strength I need to push me"

"Oh I know this!" Said Sky suddenly. "Its called "Lights". Wow this is awesome, Vinyl really changed this up!"

"Lights....Fitting." Said Hikaru jokingly as he was dazzled by the light show surrounding him.

The song escalated into a bass rush and paused as the lights once again went dim.

Once again, much more cheering.

When suddenly...

"DROP IT!"

The bass dropped like a bomb and the entire room was suddenly vibrating to heavy bass and amazing wobble.

"OH MY GOSH!" Yelled Hikaru suddenly becoming quite excited as the lights and lasers madly flashed all around, and ponies on the floor seemed to be thrashing around like mad with the intense bass. Hikaru could feel his whole body shaking. He had never experienced anything like this before and it seemed as if the entire thing was causing him to feel a bit lightheaded. 

"Hey um..Sky?"
"Yeah?"
""Im gonna go sit down over there."
"Sure...you alright?"
"Yeah! Im fine, just gonna rest for a second."
"Alright, Ill be here!"

Hikaru rested on one of the couches that was on the side of the dance floor.
'Why do I feel like this? It doesn't make sense, I am starting to feel kind of sick. What's happening to me?'

Hikaru sat there until the end of Vinyls set. He wanted to get up and get into the crowd but he just wasn't feeling himself.

As Vinyl left the stage and the stagehoofs swapped out some sound equipment, Sky went over to Hikaru to check up on him.

"Hey Hikaru? You alright?"
"I don't even know..." He moaned leaning back on the couch. "I feel faint for some reason."
"You might be dehydrated actually." Sky said noticing that his eyes were red. "When is the last time you drank something?"
"Umm..." Hikaru tried to remember but realized that he couldn't. It must have been quite a while and with all the walking and being in the hot building, it seemed to make sense that it could be the reason for his feeling of sickness.
"Ill get you some water, be right back." Sky ran over to the bar.
'Wow....I guess I should have drunken something at that denneighs we went to.' He thought as he watched Sky asking a bartender for water. 'Gotta be more careful about that.'
Sky soon returned with a tall glass of water with ice. "Oh thanks so much Sky..." Said Hikaru gratefully taking the water and drinking down the entire glass. 
"Hopefully you start to feel better in a bit." Said Sky 
"Yeah it feels really refreshing, I'm already starting to feel allot better. Thank you."
Sky smiled and hugged him. "I don't want to see you die dude."

The crowd suddenly started screaming once again, and Hikaru looked up onto the stage and noticed a new pony had emerged in front of the turntables. 
"Wait...." He said. "Thats the pony..."
"HELLO PONIES OF EQUESTRIA! My name is Ferry Coltsten and I flew out from the Neighterlands to be here with you all and I have to say, from what I have seen, YOU ALL ARE AMAZING!"

Everypony erupted into a loud cheer.

"So lets cut the chit chat and get this thing started! YEAH!"

In a flash, Ferry dropped a beat and immediately started mixing a fast paced trance track.

"Its THE Ferry Coltsten!" Shouted Hikaru. "We gotta get up closer! Come on Sky!"
"Wha?" Sky said as Hikaru pulled her up and onto the floor. "Are you sure you're feeling ok? Maybe you should rest a bit more?"
"Im already feeling better don't worry!" Shouted Hikaru over the loud music. "Come on!"

The two soon arrived near the foot of the stage where Ferry had his equipment all set up. It was an amazing sight up close. Working the equipment with flow and expertise, Ferry made it look easy, even though Hikaru knew that what he was doing was all very complex.

As Ferrys set continued on, Hikaru let himself get lost in the experience, feeling totally separated from any worry or care. Just him, good friends, incredible music, LIVE. Was this heaven? It sure felt like it.

The night went on and the group of 7 were having the time of their lives.

Flash was madly dancing and flailing excitedly all around the dance floor. Much to the dismay of Zen who was content with hanging around Neko as they socialized with others. Beam kept trying to get away from Flash who was trying to hook him up with random Mares but every time he got away, Flash somehow would find him and pull him back. Cobalt disappeared every so often and wouldn't say where he had gone for some reason. Hikaru and Sky ventured onto the floor a few times but for the most part were happy just sitting to the side and taking in the show. 

Hikaru was drinking another glass of water when he looked over toward the entrance and noticed a few familiar faces walk in.
He jumped up immediately and ran over.
"Laser!" He shouted as he ran over. 
Laser, along with the other three Hikaru had met at the last rave he had gone to had just arrived in time for Aly and Filly's set.

"Hey Hikaru! Nice to see you here!" 
"I was wondering where you guys were, I thought that maybe you guys got lost or something."
"Ah no we don't get lost! OW!" Flashfire elbowed Laser in the side. "Hehe....ok maybe I got us a bit off track. But hey we're here now! Its all good! Right guys?"
"You led us to a thrift store." Muttered Tech Hoof. 
"Oh well cmon, who doesn't love a good thrift store right?"
The three glared at him.
"Oh whatever, hey, Hikaru, you been working on that stuff I was showing you? Figure out some cool moves?"
"Yeah actually! I can show you later, I brought a few new uncracked sets with me."
"Awesome!' Shouted Laser. "I have a feeling that once Aly and Filly get started, we'll all be feelin it and flowin with it. Can't wait for that!"

They didn't have to wait long, cause Aly And Filly's set started up just then. 
"Oh here we go!" Shouted Rush Beat. 

Aly and Filly had a very distinctive sound that anypony could easily tell. And the tracks that they were spinning and mixing were absolute magic. It was only a matter of minutes before Laser and his group, along with many other ponies who had come to also share in the glowstick and other lighted rave elements had gone into full swing. Hikaru was a bit nervous at first to join in as he felt that he was a total amateur. But Laser dragged him in and after a few minutes of feeling awkward, Hikaru found himself lost in the music and flowing with the sound. 

Hikaru closed his eyes for a second and for a bit, it seemed that everything faded away. He started thinking back. Thinking back about everything that had happened. He had gone through so much these past few weeks. He had gone through many hardships, and many trials, But looking back now, he realized, that it was all worth it. When he really thought about it, this whole journey had changed him. He was no longer the shy timid anti-social teenage earth pony from the past. He was now an adult. He made his own choices, made his own living, and actually had more than one friend now! Although Sky was obviously the best friend he could ever have.
He had learned allot about himself. And learned allot about his friends as well. He had gained new interest, new plans. He felt as if he had a real purpose now. Like he knew what he was doing in life. And as he swung the glowsticks in unique patterns, he felt complete freedom. Not a care in the world. He was free. Free to be who he wanted to be. Nothing holding him back. It was everything he could have wanted, and even more. 'Im somepony now.' He thought to himself. 'Hikaru...yeah.'
'Hikaru...' 
"Hikaru...."
"HIKARU CELESTIA DARN IT!"

"WHA?" Hikaru snapped out of his trance to see that Laser was shaking him.
"What?"

"Dude! Did you even notice?"
"What? What did I miss? I kinda zoned out there for a bit."
Laser laughed. "You may want to check yourself out in that mirror over there bro."
"The mirror?" Hikaru was confused. "Why?"
"Just do it dude!" Laughed Flashfire. "I think you might be happy about this."

Hikaru walked over the the mirror and looked. "Well...its me.....Woah, my mane is getting flat. I gotta gatsby it again."
"Turn sideways." Said Laser.
"Wha?"
Hikaru turned sideways and looked.
"Its still me. Me and my self and I, ya know...I'm not sure what you-"
Hikaru suddenly froze and did a double take. What was this? 'Wait no.... Is it...?'
There it was. On Hikaru's flank, were two glowsticks side by side glowing a bright neon green. But these weren't actual glowsticks, for they were part of his body. Yes indeed. Hikaru had been so lost in his trance that he didn't even notice it appearing. But there t was.

Hikaru, had found his special talent.

"Its....that....I.....NO WAY!"

"That is an EPIC cutie mark I gotta say!." Said Laser hoofing back Hikarus glowstrings that he had dropped on the floor. 

"I can't believe it...." Hikaru was still in shock. "This.....oh my gosh....I gotta show Sky! Oh gosh I kinda ditched her when I saw you guys, Ill go find her oh my gosh this is awesome!"

Laser laughed as Hikaru dashed off looking for Sky.
"Guess thats a big highlight in anyponies life."

Hikaru rushed through the crowd looking for Sky.
"Ugh where is she? Oh! There's Flash!"
Hikaru rushed up to Flash who seemed a bit drunk and was trying to hook up Beam with a yellow pegasus mare. 
"SEE YOU TWO ARE PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER! CMON DUDE KISS HER!"
"I really don't know this guy...I really don't...." Beam said feeling completely embarrassed. 
"I think he's insane..." Observed the mare. "Like...Im not kidding I think he needs help."

"Flash!" Shouted Hikaru. "Have you seen Sky anywhere?"
"SKYYYYYY" Shouted Flash. "I know Sky. Sky is cool. Sky knows Zen you know. Oh I love Zen..."
"Ugh..." Flash wasn't going to be of any help.

Hikaru ventured deeper into the crowd.
"Oh! There!" Hikaru saw her with Neko and Zen towards the right side of the dance floor. He headed over.
He suddenly noticed that a green unicorn stallion was talking to Sky. "I wonder who that is..." He got closer to listen in.

"Cmon....You know you want to."
"Nah bro, Im sorry but Im just here hanging out with some friends."
"Tell me your name then? Cmon at least you can tell me that."
"Ugh fine, Im Sky."
"Sky....nice name. But really, I saw you from over there, I think you're something special you know. Why don't you dance with me for a while, maybe later we can see where it leads heh?"
"Dude no..."
"Come here I dont bite..."
The stallion put a hoof around Sky.

Something was rising up inside Hikaru. He suddenly felt very angry. He didn't even know this Stallion but some feeling was rising up, and it was making him feel intense rage. 

"Hooves off bro." Said Sky swatting his hooves off of her. "Just leave us alone alright?" Said Neko pulling Sky over.
"Ah I see, playing hard to get! No worries. I know your type.
"My type?" Asked Sky in an annoyed tone.
"Yep, play all hard to get, but I know what you are really like. Wait till after this thing is all over, We'll see how crazy you get."
"Not a chance." Said Sky shaking her head.
"Oh don't even try to tell me that. I know what's going on in your head right now. You little foal."

That was it. Hikaru couldn't take it anymore. All his senses seemed to lock onto that Stallion like there was nothing else in the world. Hikaru's eyes filled with fire and he charged at the stallion in front of him. The stallion didn't even notice Hikaru as he had his back turned to him.
Hikaru jumped and crashed into the green stallion with pure rage.
"AH! WHAT THE-"
The stallion didn't have time to finish the sentence before he found a hard hoof smashing into his face.
"YOU SHUT UP!" Screamed Hikaru as he angrily landed blow after blow into the stallions face. "DON'T YOU EVER SAY THAT! I WILL KILL YOU!" He continued barraging the stallions face over and over with as much force as he could find within him.
"HIKARU STOP!" Shouted Sky. But Hikaru couldn't hear it. His anger blocked everything out. It was just him, and the stallion.
Hikaru didn't care where he was hitting him or how sever of an injury he might cause. He was totally willing to kill this pony if he chose to do so.
How many times had he hit him now? It must have been over 30. He didn't care.
"YOU WILL NEVER SPEAK OF HER LIKE THAT! NEVER!" He channeled all of his strength into one huge blow that landed right in the stallions mouth with a loud crack.
"Hikaru stop it dude!" Screamed Laser as he pulled Hikaru off the stallion with the assistance of Tech Hoof and Cobalt. 
Hikaru could only see the stallion before him. Everything else in the world was blocked out. He still had his eyes set on him and he wanted to kill him. It was as if nothing else even mattered.
He suddenly felt a splash of cold water on his face and he was stunned awake.
"Yah! Wha...." Neko had splashed a cup of water onto him.
Hikaru looked around. A crowd had gathered to see what was going on.
Hikaru then noticed a pain in his two front hooves. He looked down at them and was shocked at the sight.
Both hooves were covered in blood, and lots of it. Did he cut himself? He then realized that the blood wasn't his own. He looked at the stallion.
The green stallion was lying on his side on the floor breathing heavily in a pool of blood that was streaming from his mouth, his nose, a few gashes in his face, and under his eyes. There was a few teeth scattered around and ripped out hair from his mane. His horn had also had a large piece chipped off. Hikaru had completely destroyed him.

"I ...did that...." Hikaru couldn't believe it. 
The stallion coughed and spurted out a huge gush of blood onto the floor. "He needs to be taken to a hospital right away!" Yelled a white pegasus mare. "Way ahead of you!" Yelled two stallions rushing over. Apparently the event had medical staff on hoof incase something was to happen.

Hikaru stared at the bleeding stallion of the floor in front of him who seemed barely alive.

He looked up at Sky who had a look of shock and horror on her face. 
"No..." Said Hikaru.

He started to feel hot tears streaming down the side of his face. He couldn't look at anypony, maybe never again. 
"I ruined my life..." He whispered to himself.
"I failed. Again....Thats all I ever do! Buck this I'm nothing! "
Hikaru turned and ran. He ran toward the exit, rushing past ponies who were still partying and hadn't noticed what had just happened. He crashed through the door and ran outside away from the event tent.
He ran over the top of a hill and collapsed by the small lake on the other side.

His tears were now freely flowing making it impossible for him to see.
"I messed everything up..."

He shut his eyes tight and hid his face in his hooves.

"I'm a failure...."

===================

> In The End
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Hikaru continued lying on the grass by the lake. 
"I'm so stupid." He whispered. "I ruined everything. I can't even do anything right! I just mess everything up! I'm already wanted here in Ponyville, and now I pretty much killed somepony else! They are gonna be after me and Ill be locked up forever! And nopony will care. I pretty much scared Sky and she'll never want to see me again. Probably same with everypony else. I have nothing. Ill probably be arrested soon. I can forget about everything in manehattan....Im so STUPID! IM WORTHLESS! "
Hikaru bit into his arm as hard as he could. 'I hate you....' he thought as he bit down harder. He soon tasted blood telling him that he had broken through the skin.
He started crying as he let go.
'What am I even doing? Am I really this hopeless?'
He hit the water with his hoof. "My life is basically over. There's not a soul in Equestria who cares about me now...."
He looked into the water in front of him and further out at the deeper end.
"Not a soul..."

Hikaru heard a small sound behind him and spun around quickly to see what had made it.
Sky stood there and jumped back a bit when Hikaru had turned around so suddenly.
Hikaru looked away. He couldn't face Sky. Not now, not ever. He had ruined everything and he knew that Sky could probably never look at him the same way again.
"Hikaru..." Began Sky. "Are you..ok..?"
Hikaru was silent. He wanted to just disappear and never be seen again. 
"Hikaru... I-"

"What are you eve doing here Sky." Hikaru said not wanting to look Sky in the eye.
"Its obvious that I'm too dangerous to be around. I bet all of Equestria is going to be after me now. I guess I'm just an angry guy with violent tendencies. I should just get away from everypony. And I sure as hay don't want you to have to deal with me."
Hikaru turned around and looked down into the water. "You should just go back. Don't bother with somepony like me..."

Hikaru hated himself. He wished that he was dead. And as much as he liked Sky, he did not want her to be there. 
He was surprised when he felt a head leaning on his shoulder.
"Wha.."

"I'm not leaving you here like that." Said Sky. "I never would."

Hikaru looked over at her. "Why would you still want to be around me? I saw the look on your face. You were absolutely horrified. You looked at me like I was a monster. I saw it clearly. And I wouldn't blame you. And even then, why would you want to even be here? I bet everyone called the police and the heat is on me even more than it was before. I bet I'm most wanted in all of Equestria. If you are seen with me, you would get arrested..."

Hikaru still couldn't look at her. He still wanted to vanish and never be remembered.

Sky put her arm over him and rested her head on his. "What kind of friend would I be to just leave you for them to take you?"

Hikaru felt tears streaming down the side of his face. 'I don't deserve a friend like this...'

"And.." Began Sky. "I realized something. First of all, you're wrong you know...about you being some violent dangerous pony. I have known you for years Hikaru, and this has only happened twice. But...I noticed something."

Hikaru sniffed and wiped his eyes. "And what's that?"

"You only snapped those two times, in defense of a certain pony."

Hikaru understood.

"You snapped at your Dad, cause of what he said about me and my family. And you snapped this time, cause of what that stallion was saying, right?"

Hikaru sniffed and nodded.

"Aw Hikaru..." Said Sky hugging him tightly. "I have never met anypony who cares about me as much as you do. I wish you didn't have to snap like this, but...I guess that just shows how much you care."

Hikaru sighed and looked up. "I don't know.....I'm...weird..."

"Why do you care about me so much Hikaru? Sometimes I feel like I don't deserve a friend like you..."

Hikaru couldn't help but laugh a little at the statement.

"What?" Asked Sky feeling a bit relieved to see a hint of happiness from him.

"Its just...I find myself asking the same thing. I mean, even after all I have done, you still went out to find me. You don't want to leave me. I think anypony would hate me after all I've done. I don't deserve it. You really are amazing Sky..."

As Hikaru rested on the ground with Sky, he thought back to the conversation that he had with Flash about him liking Sky as more than a friend. Flash had tried to convince him to tell her but Hikaru didn't want to do so incase it freaked her out. 
'I guess I mine as well tell her now.' He thought as he looked out over the water. 'I have a feeling that I might never tell her at the rate that I have been going at. If I ruin everything, oh well.'

"Sky..."

"hm?"

Hikaru took a breath and continued.

"Sky..I...I just want to say, that I really....ugh...I..."

"What?"

"Ok Sky.... I'm just gonna say it. I like you, like...I really do. I care a lot about you and...well...yeah, I guess thats why I flipped out those times. Ugh, I'm no good at this, I feel dumb. Im sorry, I probably made this...really awkward. Wow I fail. Ugh, Im sorry. Oh Celestia just kill me. Wow what am I even doing. Wow I just did that. Kill me Sky. Kill me. Take a sharp carrot and kill me. What the hay am I talking about. You can't kill anyone with a carrot can you. You know what, there's a lake here. Drown me Sky. DROWN ME! Oh nevermind......."
Hikaru flopped his head down into the water.

*Splash*

Sky stared at Hikaru who had his head halfway submerged under water.

"You really aren't good at this..."

Hikaru nodded, still partially submerged.

"Are..you ok?"

Hikaru shook his head, still submerged.

"Are you dead?"

*bubbles*

"Ugh Hikaru."

Sky grabbed Hikaru's head and pulled him out of the water. "You are horrible sometimes you know."

Hikaru flopped down onto the ground. 

Sky sighed and laid down by his side. "I knew by the way."

Hikaru froze. 'She knew? How? How could she know?' 
"Wha...how...wha?"

"Zen told me actually. A few days ago."

Hikaru was surprised. "Zen? But how did she know? I never mentioned anything to her, that doesn't make sen-..... FLASH!"

'I'm gonna kill him.'

"Sky..I...umm...oh kill me. Just kill me, I can't live anymore."

"Don't be ridiculous Hikaru." Said Sky with a smile. "I was wondering if you were gonna tell me."

Hikaru looked up at Sky, barely able to look her in the eye. "Are we still friends?"

Hikaru felt horrible, he felt like he was going to throw up. Maybe this was all a big mistake. He wasn't thinking, his mind was all stressed and he probably made some bad judgement. 'Why do I do this..'

Hikaru suddenly found himself being kissed by Sky.

!!!

"I.....um..." Sky had backed away and looked quite red.

"Wow...Uh....." Hikaru was equally red in the face.

"That was....." Began Sky. "I...I don't know what I'm doing. Sorry? I mean...I.."

"No....I..um..." Hikaru rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Its great....I never....That was..."

"Yeah..."
Sky sighed and hugged Hikaru. "We're hopelessly awkward aren't we."

Hikaru laughed and welcomed Sky's embrace. "I don't even know...I think we're the most ridiculous ponies of all of Equestria right now though."

Sky laughed. "That rhymed." 

"Eh....."

"I don't know Im trying to say anything to make this moment less awkward honestly."

"Do you like spaghetti?"
"What?"
"Spaghetti."
"Well yeah but....what?"
"I don't know! You were trying to make it less awkward so I decided to help!"

Sky looked at Hikaru with a confused look. "That honestly makes things even more awkward."

"Oh and the fact that you have had your arms around me for this whole time doesn't?" Said Hikaru with a smirk.

"Wha-OH!" Sky dropped off of him. "Heheh, sorry."

Hikaru laughed. "Yeah....um...you know, I don't know what we should do now. Do I dare go back to the party?"

"You know, I don't think that anypony would even notice you. You didn't have your hoody on, and there are literally hundreds of others that look just like you with the hoody. I think we should be ok. And I know that the others are worried about you. 

"They are?"

"Yeah, you gotta stop thinking that everyone is gonna hate you. We all care about you for real. And no matter what you do, thats not gonna change."

Hikaru smiled and looked back in the direction of the event. He couldn't see the tent itself, but he could see the faint aura of light filling the night sky and the distant sound of house. He then looked back toward the lake. It was a really amazing sight. The moon was reflected off the surface along with the stars. The night sky was absolutely incredible. 

"Or..." He began. "We could stay out here for a while..."

Sky smiled and leaned up next to him. "Thats totally fine with me."

-------------


After an hour of hanging out and talking, Hikaru and Sky headed back to the rave.
They were surprised to run into Iris on the way back. 
She was overjoyed to see Hikaru again and was glad to see that he was safe.

Hikaru and Sky found the others pretty quickly. They were going to go out to try to find the two when Sky hadn't come back. Hikaru was nervous about confronting them all, but he found that they were all quite understanding and didn't hold what he had done against them.

They all enjoyed an amazing night as many other DJ's went up to the stage. Flash and Zen spent quite a bit of time at the bar area and ended up getting very drunk. While Neko and Beam stuck around Hikaru and Sky, as well as Iris who had decided to join them. Cobalt kept vanishing throughout the night, and Flash soon found out that he had been going to the back to hang out with Vinyl. Apparently they seemed to be hitting it off pretty well.

The night ended with a massive DJ collaboration and fireworks over the tent. It was a night that nopony would soon forget.

Hikaru said goodbye to Iris and wished her the best. He knew that finding a job wouldn't be easy. But with the level of experience that she had, She would have an easier time that most.

The group took a carriage back into manehattan where they went their separate ways.
Hikaru and Sky had to basically carry Flash and Zen to their apartment as they were in no condition to be walking. They spoke in slurred speech and were spouting off random phrases as they went. After a somewhat difficult time in getting them into bed, the two went back to their own apartment.

"Well..." Said Hikaru falling onto the couch. "That was some night."
"Sure was!" Said Sky sitting down next to him. "I don't think Ill ever forget it."

Hikaru glanced over at the clock on the table as saw that it was 3:30 in the morning.
"I guess we better get some sleep, we gotta get a better sleep schedule for when we start working at the window factory."
"Ah yeah, we're working adults now, gotta make our priorities." Sky said as she looked at the glowsticks around Hikarus neck that still had some glow left in them.

Hikaru slipped them off from around his neck and hoofed one to Sky who looked at it curiously. 
'Never got how these things can light up like that.'

"Hey sky?"
"Sup?"
"I just want to say, that I am so happy that you are in my life. I don't know what I would do without you."
"Aw..." replied Sky as she nuzzled up next to him. "I wouldn't want to be with any other pony in the world."

Something in the corner of her eye caught her attention.

"HIKARU!"
"AAA!!!! WHAT? WHAT?"
"YOU HAVE A CUTIE MARK!"
"You just noticed that?"
"YES! YOU DIDN'T TELL ME!"
" I thought you would have seen it by now, I had it almost all night!"
"WHAT?"
"What..."
"WHAT?
"What?
"WHAT!"
"WHAT OH MY GOSH WHAT!"

Sky sighed. "Oh nevermind...."

Hikaru laughed and held her close. "Love you Sky."

Hikaru didn't know what the future held for sky and him, and he didn't know how anything was going to work out. Whether the two of them would be able to keep their jobs and support themselves, and if they would forever live in the apartment or eventually move out and get a place of their own. But one thing was for sure. Hikaru was now living a life that he truly enjoyed. No more being forced into doing what he didn't want to do. No more stress and anger. He had found freedom from all of that. He had found a new life that was his own.

This was it.

His moment.

His time.

His freedom.
> Epilogue 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Epilogue.
---------------

Vinyl walked toward the nicely dressed stallion who was by the front counter.
"Excuse me?"
"Ah yes? How can I help you?"
"Yes, I am looking for a "Storm Ray?"
"Ah yes that is me, what can I help you with?"
"Oh so you are the one huh. Good to know. I got something for you."
"Something....for me?"
"Yeah."

Vinyl took a sharp swing at Storm's face and punched him on the side of his snout sending him crashing down onto the floor.

"You're a loser. Go buck some dead trees you foal!"

Cobalt walked out from around the corner.

"VINYL! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!"

"Something that I've wanted to do for a while now." Said Vinyl with a smirk.
"Now come on, we're checking out of this place and going to that other place across town. I don't support losers like this little paper cut."

"Paper cut?"
"Yeah yeah I don't know, I'm out of insults sue me, lets go."

And with that, Vinyl and Cobalt trotted out the door leaving Storm on the ground feeling quite miserable.

=============================================

Thanks to all who stuck with me through this entire thing! It was my first attempt at a fanfic and I hope you all enjoyed. So much of this fic is based off of real people and real events in my life, as well as other influences like dreams, ideas, things I wanted to happen, and even from ideas from fellow bronies.

I hope to continue to grow as a writer and write more fics that all can enjoy.

I can say that I have already started working on my next fic, so keep an eye out for that in the future.

Anyways, thanks for reading, and Ill see yall soon!


J