Marevelous Manehattanby StageQuillChaptersAnother Day in ManehattanA DareIn Which Legal Shades has a FlashbackDipdyed FogBabs the Blank FlankCaringUnusual CelebrationahhMorning JubileeLaw Offices of Fog and ShadesAnother Day in ManehattanAnother day in Manehattan. Stagelight Glow woke up to the usual city noise. She jumped out of bed and used her unicorn magic to brush her bedmane, take the curlers out of her tail, and tuck a rose behind her ear. She grabbed a quick sandwich out of her pantry and dashed out of the apartment, not even taking the elevator, but transporting herself to the lobby with magic. She had to make the audition on time. She'd practiced for ages. Her dream since she'd been a filly was to be a star onstage, and her cutie mark sealed the deal. The comedy-tragedy masks framed by a spotlight was prominently displayed on her pastel blue flank. It fit her perfectly. She hopped on a bus and gave the driver two bits. She finished her sandwich in one gulp and waited impatiently for her stop, gazing out the window. "Stop at Celestia Square!" The driver called. A few ponies got off, but more got on. The only two empty seats were next to Stagelight. She did enjoy having the entire bench to herself. It was the start of a very good day. The bus got moving again. According to the map on the wall, Stagelight got off on the last stop. She settled down on her seat. "West Meamorae street!" The driver called. "Excuse me, miss. Would you mind if we sat here?" Stagelight whipped her head around, her mane slapping the side of her face and the rose nearly falling out. Two ponies stood there, wearing suits. One carried a cane. "Of course." She gave her best bedazzling smile, the one she practiced everyday in front of the mirror. She scooted closer to the window to make room and looked closer at the two stallions. One was... Not exactly thin, with a brown coat and blue mane. That one, she could see, her smile had affected. The other, a unicorn, was breathtaking. His coat was a pure, shining white and his mane a deep red. He wore sunglasses and Stagelight realized, as he sat next to her, that he was blind. He set his cane against the seat. "Where are you going?" She asked brightly, still smiling. "Our law office. I'm Legal Shades, and this is Heavy Fog." The blind one said. "Here's our card." Heavy Fog reached across Legal Shades and handed Stagelight the small, stiff paper square. "Law offices of Fog and Shades." "What's your name, er... Miss?" Legal Shades asked. "Stagelight. Stagelight Glow." She said on her most professional yet sweet tones. "Where do you get off?" Heavy Fog asked. "Where do you get off?" She countered. "Baker and Alicorn." "So do I." She said. "Excuse me." She took her sides out if her bag and began to read them. She didn't want to get to far into a conversation at the moment. She needed to stay present. It wasn't her first audition, but she needed to land it. "Baker street!" The driver called. "Last stop, everyone out!" She waited for Heavy Fog and Legal Shades to get off before she hurried out and to the theater. The street was busy and she had to move around ponies to get there quickly enough. Finally, she was at the Sparkle, the old theater renamed for the newest princess, Twilight Sparkle. She slipped into the waiting room and say down to wait. And wait. She looked at the walls, covered in posters for plays, past, present and future. Practically wallpapered with them. The seats were actually rather comfortable, but Stagelight made sure to keep herself in the moment. She brethed deeply, then her name was called. "Miss Stagelight Glow." She got up and walked into the room where she would audition. "Hello. I'm Stagelight Glow." She smiled at the director, producer, writer and casting director. "This is Ink Well." Said the director. "He wrote it. This is Wishing Well." Indicating the producer. "I'm Cloud Well." "I'm Talent Pool." The casting director added. He was the only one who didn't look like the others. Stagelight guessed the Wells were all three brothers, possibly triplets. "So." Cloud Well said. "What will you be singing today?" "'I've Gotta Wash That Stallion Right out of My Mane', from North Ponycific." "All right then. I want you to sing, then read the sides you were given. Okay?" "Okay." "Any questions?" "No." "Begin when you're ready." Stagelight took a deep breath and started to sing. She saw the auditioners writing notes but didn't pay attention. "That's enough." Said Cloud Well after two verses. "Now can you read the slides?" Stagelight took them out of her bag. "I have them mostly memorized, but I'd rather not stumble." She smiled and began the reading. Author's Note Hi! This is my first fimifc, so constructive criticism would be very welcome! Hope it's enjoyable, and I'm sorry the chapters are so short. A Dare"Well, that was nerve wracking." "You'll probably get it." "Oh, stahwp." I giggled. "But really, you never can tell." My best friend, Dipdye, and I were having ice cream in Swirl's, our favorite place, that happened to have a store two blocks from the theater."Stagelight, you're amazing." "But that might not be it. I might look wrong, or not be exactly what they're looking for, or..." "Okay. If you get it, I told you so, if not, then you told me so." "Thank you." I settled back and dug into my ice cream. It was really delicious. Strawberry and perfect. The clock on the wall chimed. "Oh, I have to go! I'll miss the bus home." I jumped up. "Bye, Dip." "Bye, Stagelight." Dipdye, finishing we own ice cream quickly, started on mine. I laughed as I left. The clock on the corner chimed. I looked up, puzzled. "Galloping gargoyles!" The clock inside the shop must have been slow. I was late for the bus! I galloped down the street as fast as I could. "'Scuse me! Pardon me! Sorry, gotta hurry!" I wove through everypony on the pavement, glad for my dancer's training. My legs were stronger now. I got to the bus stop just as it pulled away. "Argh!" I sat down on the bench. "Taxis are way to expensive!" I hailed one anyway and got in. Five bits for one ride. The round trip bus ticket cost half that much. "9427 Alicorn way." I told the driver. He grunted and nodded. I noticed that he was a mule. I looked stubbornly out the window towards the street. "Oh. Looks like we'll have to take on another passenger. A blind stallion. You mind?" I looked out of the window at the sidewalk. When I saw the stallion he meant... "No, I don't mind." The mule pulled the taxi up to the curb. "Here, sir. Need help?" "No, thank you." Legal Shades ducked in. "Hello." I said. "Fancy meeting you here. I'm the mare from the bus. You were late, too?" "Yes, my watch stopped." He handed the driver five bits. "West Meamorae." "Address?" "I can hoof it from where you drop me off. Just West Meamorae, please." He turned to me. "Stagelight Glow, if I remember." "Mmm-hmm." The driver put up the soundproof wall. I snuck a look at Legal Shades, then remembering he couldn't see me, downright gazed. He looked muscular. "So." I dug through my mind for a question. "What sort of law do you practice?" "Criminal, mostly. Heavy Fog isn't particular. I personally like doing criminal law, but I'll take any case that sounds like the pony I'll be defending is innocent ." He absentmindedly petted his briefcase. I gasped. "Isn't that kind of scary? I mean, having known criminals near you, talking to them..." "Well, somepony has to. I enjoy it." "How many cases have you had?" I asked in awe. He flushed. "Well, a lot. In mock court." He smiled wryly. I smiled as well, not that it mattered. I hadn't expected to feel so comfortable. But this pony was so friendly. "What do you do?" "I act." I said. He smiled. "What have you been in?" He asked. I blushed. "Not anything yet," I put on an affected fancy-pony accent. "But someday, I'll be the greatest star in Equestria!" I laughed then. "Or anyway, I hope to be. I went on an audition today... Small-scale, but I hope..." I felt like I was talking too much. "Now I'm rambling. Sorry." "No, it's fine." He was so friendly, but also mysterious. Was it the dark glasses? No. It was some thing else- the way he held his head, the independent set if his jaw. And his business-brushed mane. "When did you graduate from law school?" I asked. He smiled a little again, with just the corner of his mouth. "Two months ago. Heavy Fog, my law partner, has a rich father who gave us a loan for cheap so we could set up an office." "So you started right away?" "Just today, actually. This was my first time at my office. Foggy doesn't usually ride the bus. He just wanted me to get to the right place." "Oh." I didn't know what to say. "Beautiful weather." I said, just here I remembered this pony couldn't see. He didn't seem to noticed, but I felt embarrassed. "Yes, the Pegasus patrol has been keeping it so cold lately." "My friend Dipdye is on the Pegasus Patrol. She said something about getting hot too early, so they had to make up for it. It's also been too dry. Next week, it'll rain." "Ahh." Legal answered. "I love the rain. The smell it makes, even the city smells fresh. And the music it makes. It's special." I love it too! "Yeah. Where I lived as a filly, in Applewood, it barely rained. It didn't need to, the plants adapted, but I love the water." "Ahh." "Yeah." I didn't know what to say. The rest of the ride was in silence. He got off first. "Thanks for the ride." I said to the driver. "No problem." He said. Good. I paid him enough. In my apartment, I saw a letter. From the Wells. I was called back the next day. "Yes!" I whispered. I might actually make it." ••••••• THE NEXT NIGHT It was done. I sewed all night, my sensitive hoofs discerning fabrics. Then I finished. The costume I donned to avenge my father. I wanted nopony to know, or suspect. I leapt to the roof. It would've been easier if I had wings, but... I could do this. I'd trained enough. I leapt from rooftop to rooftop, then when they got too far apart, used my billy club to swing. I made it across easily, then landed on that roof. I knew exactly where I was going. I could hear the city noises as if I was down there, I could tell each pony apart by their scent in the night air against my face, I could taste the soot of a hundred factories and name each one for what it did and what brand it was. I knew Manehattan. I knew it well. I landed at my destination with a double flip and my hooves hit the ground. Inside of the crumbling old building, a group of stallions sat talking. I knew one stallion was responsible for my Father's death. Crooked Tape, his last manager. And somepony was going to pay him a visit tonight. Not Legal Shades, oh no. Somepony else. In Which Legal Shades has a Flashback"Legal!" Foggy exclaimed as I walked into the office the following morning. I knew what he was going to say. I, on the other hand, had hoped to avoid the subject. "They caught the stallion who-" "Killed my father. I know. They called me after calling the office." I cut him off. "I know. Can we not discuss this?" Sat down and absorbed myself in law work. Or pretended to. We didn't have much. I heard Caring sigh sympathetically. Even her sigh was like music. Foggy, I could tell from the sound of his breathing, kept in surreptitiously glancing my way. I couldn't focus with them hovering like that. And anyway, we hardly had any work. Equestria wasn't known for criminal activity, though Manehattan had more than the average pony town. I lost myself in memories. "But dad, they're all playing outside! !" I remember my eight-year-old yearnings so well. I ached to play with the other colts. But since my mother died from recurring nightmare fever, my father, Battlin' Shades, was far too overprotective. He kept me inside. "Legal." He said. "When you were born, we knew you would be clever. You're a unicorn. You need to study hard. You'll be a lawyer or an advisor to Princess Celestia. Study now. Someday you'll thank me." I hated that... But loved him so much! It drove me crazy. I wanted to play like the other colts. I'd watch them from the window. I'd study my books on the field. I knew I'd be as good as anypony. But I'd promised. I still remember the day I realized I could still be strong and smart. I used my dad's training equipment when he was out. The plow, the tree, the hurdle... And still got the best grades of everypony in my class. I was proud every time I saw my dad smile. They teased me, the other colts. I was a blank flank for a long time. I knew if I could just play a game, I'd find my cutie mark. Instead, my flank stayed blank. Finally, we had a mock court in school. I realized Ioved law!!! Then I was teased for having such a dull cutie mark. A briefcase. Then the day that changed everything. My dad got a new manager, and I helped a blind pony across the street. I'd just gotten my cutie mark. I saw an old blind stallion walking across the street. At the same time, a bus was out of control. I had three choices: do nothing, stop the bus (too late) and let the stallion die, or push the stallion out of the way. I didn't think. I just pushed him out of the road. The bus was carrying dark magic supplies for an evil unicorn. One hit me. I helped catch Windark, but I lost my sight in trade. No healing unicorn could help. I was miserable, but I didn't want to show it. All the other colts and fillies were much nicer. No guessing why. I hadn't talked much to anyone before. I didn't say a word except to say the right answer in class now. But something more had changed than the obvious. I realized soon that I could hear better. Smell better. Taste better. Feel better. My remaining senses were sharper than anypony else. I could find my way around... Even better. I didn't tell anypony. I don't remember why. I was just a secretive colt. I still am a very private stallion. Foggy says that a dozen times a day. Foggy. The best college roommate a stallion could have. All through law school... Through everything... Rude professors treating me specially, people acting like I was stupid simply because I couldn't see, even too much pity....Foggy got me through. When my dad was murdered by his manager, Foggy was there. Now, four years later, Foggy is still here. As a matter of fact, he's taking to me right now. "What?" I asked. "Sorry. I was thinking." "I said, do you want to come to Ye Olde Horseshoe?" He didn't fully disguise the sympathy in his voice. "I actually heard a few mares talking on the bus. An ice cream place- Swirl's? What say we find a deli then go there? We should poke around the neighborhood for eats." I got up. "Sure." Foggy answered. "Caring brought her own lunch. Let's go." As we walked into the outer office, where Caring worked, I breathed in. What a lovely smell she had. "Caring, we're going for ice cream after lunch. Would you like anything?" "Oh, thank you, Legal." She sounded pleased. "I love chocolate, if you don't mind." "Not at all." Foggy answered for me. Down the elevator, out the door. The cold air hit me like a slap. It wasn't frigid... Our building was just well heated. "Ice cream?" Foggy asked. "In this weather?" "Maybe hot fudge." I laughed. The talk of weather reminded me of that nice mare I'd met on the bus, and the taxi. Dipdyed Fog"Gosh, Dip, that was crazy too!" Swirl's again. The callback was over before lunch. "Did you get it?" "Again, I don't know!" I smiled at Dipdye, exasperated. "What do you want to get?" We looked over the heads of the ponies ahead of us in line at the big menu over the ice cream servers. "No idea." Dipdye answered. "Does celery vanilla scrunch sound good to you?" "What? No!" I laughed again. "Dip, I swear, how you can enjoy the crazy combos this place has, I'll never know. "I'll just have a sample." Dipdye answered. "Hey, Stagelight, I think I know that stallion!" She looked behind me at a pair who had just come in. Him again? "You mean Legal Shades?" I asked. If she knew him... "No!" She looked at me again. "How do you know his name?" "Met him on the bus." I blushed. Slightly. But Dipdye noticed. Her eyebrows went up. "Noo... Is that Foggy? I went to school with him in Fillydelphia!" She trotted over. I followed. "Excuse me." She smiled at Heavy Fog. He looked up. "Um, hi. I don't know if-" "Dipdye!" He exclaimed, a smile spreading across his face. "I haven't seen you since... "I was a filly!" She smiled back. I wondered if I was missing something. Did they- "This is my friend, Stagelight. When I moved here, she was the first mare I met!" "She made it rain on me." I said. "Doing special effects on a play at my drama school. It almost ruined my costume." "Stagelight... Aren't you the mare on the bus?" Heavy Fog looked at me suspiciously. "Small world." I answered. "Come on, Fogs. Let's get some ice cream together. It's great!" Dipdye grinned wider. I thought her face might break. "And your pal." "I'm Legal Shades." Legal said. "His law partner." And we stood in line again, Legal looking and me feeling a bit bemused. "So, Foggy." Dipdye had wrapped our outdoor table in warmth. "What kind of law are you doing?" "Well, I'm doing weather and entertainment, mostly." Foggy leaned back in his seat. "But Legal is doing criminal law." "Mostly." Legal said. He turned his head. "You know, this Apple pie ice cream is quite good." "You were right." Foggy said glumly. "This celery vanilla scrunch is terrible." He stared into his bowl, then continued eating. "Yeah. I shouldn't have gotten it either. What did you get again, Stagelight?" Dipdye looked longingly into my bowl. "It's simply heavenly." I teased Dipdye. "Oh, chocolate caramel, I think." I made a big show of groaning with delight while tasting it. Legal chuckled. Dipdye and Foggy sighed. "Chocolate!" Foggy suddenly exclaimed. "Caring!" "Caring?" Dipdye asked. "Our secretary. She requested chocolate. I almost forgot!" Foggy made to stand up. "It's fine. I thought we should get Caring's last. Wouldn't want it melting, would we?" Legal calmly soothed his law partner. "You really are the brains in this unit." Foggy said. "Legal had the best grades. Always." He explained to Dipdye and me. "But we can't all get by on our good looks and personality like me, can we." He added. Dipdye laughed the loudest. "Ooh, gosh." I looked at my on-time watch. "I promised my friend I'd foalsit her sister today! Sorry. Gotta gallop!" "Bye, Stagelight!" Dipdye said. The other two nodded. Dipdye started on my ice cream. I heard Foggy offer to show her his office. I hurried to the bus stop. I was on time. I got on and payed the driver, then sat down and rested my head on the window, trying to get rid of thoughts of Legal Shades. Babs the Blank Flank"Hey, Babs!" I greeted my friend's little sister. "Hey, Stagelight." Babs Seed was really fun to foalsit for. She had the deepest of New York accents. And was a blank flank. Her cousin, Applejack, lived in Canterlot and was one of Princess Twilight Sparkle's best friends. She was better friends with Applejack's little sister, though. "What's going on in your life?" "We're doin' a school play." Babs said. "I'm starring." "Really!" I loved hearing about amateur theatre. "What of?" "Founding of Equestria. I'm the Chancellor of Earth Ponies." "Cool! I was the princess of unicorns when my class did that play." I grinned. "Want to work on your lines?" "Sure!" Babs smiled back. "Okay!" I looked over the script. The same one I'd used. "Okay. So when the Pegasus swoops down here, you say...?" Babs frowned. "I hate the guy who plays the Pegasus captain. He's really mean! And the girl who plays the unicorn princess..." She hung her head. "What do they do?" I asked, sitting on the couch. She plopped down next to me. "Tease me for being a blank flank." She said. "I got a group of fillies with only blank flanks together, but then they all got their cutie marks." She gritted her teeth. "The only ponies I know who don't have cutie marks are my cousin and her friends. And they live in PONYVILLE!" A tear rolled down her cheek. "Oh, Babs." I patted her head. "Do you know what I see when I look at blank flanks? What anyone with any brain would see?" I looked into the filly's eyes. "What?" She said. "Potential." I said. "Maybe you'll like being in plays. Or maybe you'll have to direct and like that. You could even be a doctor or a famous- racer! Or scientist!" I grinned. "The possibilities are endless. The fillies in your class with cutie marks don't have that. They have their destiny in their flank. Yours is unwritten. It's in your heart." I grinned at the filly. "You know, I got my cutie mark early. I love what I do. It's my life. But sometimes, I wonder if there's a passion I could have had, but missed, or a chance, because I got it too soon. You'll get a chance, Babs. And whatever you choose, you'll be amazing." Babs looked at me. "That's nice. But it doesn't really help me with the teasing, does it?" The tears were gone, but she was still upset. "I want my cutie mark now!" "I know. But who you get it, you'll be that much more grateful for it." "I guess." Babs said. "And you won't bully other people. You'll be stronger from this." Babs looked embarrassed. "I did hurt my cousins feelings in Ponyville when I went there. But we made up." "How about some cookies? Your mom said I could bring some." I changed the subject. Babs smiled. "Great. You let me eat a lot." "Well, I certainly don't skimp on myself." We both grinned as we went into the kitchen for my bag and I opened the package of our favorite brand of chocolate chip. Caring"Here, Caring." I have her the to-go box if chocolate ice cream. "It's a bit melted, I think. But it's a wonderful shop." "Oh, thank you, Legal!" I heard the smile in her musical voice. I heard the box open and she took a spoonful. "Oh, delicious." "You're very welcome." I said. "Where's Foggy? Did you walk back here alone?" She asked. "He brought a friend. He hadn't seen her since he was a colt, and lagged behind. I came up the elevator. I think they decided on the stairs." I leaned against the wall. There was no work to do. I let my cane dangle from my hoof. "She's a pegasus. Weather patrol." "Ah." Caring answered. "You got a call while you were out. A client. I took down the number." I heard her stand up. Her heart beat faster. She came closer. "I looked through Foggy's braille guide. I took the liberty of writing the information down." She slipped a piece of paper into my hand. I read it. It was just a potential client's name and phone number. Nothing more. "Thank you, Caring." I said to her. "That was very thoughtful of you." I breathed in the scent of her perfume then went into my office, leaving the door open. I had to straighten my thoughts. "Oh, Fogs!" I heard Foggy's friend- Dipdye's- voice laughing. They came in. "What took you so long?" I came out if my office. "Stairs." Foggy was breathing a bit harder. I smiled. "This is a tall building, Legal. And Dipdye loves to fly fast." "That's very nice. I have a call to make." I retreated into my office. I closed the door. I dialed the number Caring had given me. "Hello?" A voice answered on the other end. "Law offices of Fog and Shades." I answered. "Ah! I need representation. I want to sue a couple of criminals. I'm Sunshine Boy, the newspaper editor. 'Manehattan Flooglehorn'." "And what pony would you like to sue?" "All vigilantes!" The voice shouted into the phone. I held it away from my ear. "I see..." I replied. "I'm not sure that would be possible. I'll get back to you as soon as possible, after doing some research and discussing it with my law partner. Have a nice day!" "Nice day." Sunshine Boy grumbled and hung up. I hung up too and began to laugh. "What!" Foggy ran in. "Sunshine Boy." I straightened my face. I told him about the client. "I don't think that's possible. Until he finds one masked vigilante, and a particular crime, I can't represent him." I sighed. "I suppose I'll have to call him back." "Caring can. We have a secretary for phone calls, you know." Foggy answered. I hesitated. I didn't want Caring to have to- but that's what we hired her for. "All right." I said. "I'll tell her later. I want it to sound like I consulted you." "You did." Foggy said. "Let's get known for speedy contact. Caring!" He clomped into the other room and shut my door. I allowed a smile. Through the door, I heard Caring's musical reply. That distracted me. I imagined- what if she loved me? What if the beating if her heart wasn't just pity or nervousness of being around a blind stallion? But that's all it could be. From what I knew, Caring was perfect. She deserved better than me. Unusual CelebrationOh Celestia. Oh Luna. Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh. That letter. When I read it I couldn't breathe. Or think. Just swear in my head. Great galloping griffins. I got the part. I sat against my wall. I tried to catch my breath. I knew I shouldn't be that excited, but for a second, I felt like a filly allowed to stay out late on a night with her friends. that was what it must be like to win the lottery. I reread it. Had the words changed? Nope. They were the same. Dear Miss Glow, We would like to thank you for sharing you talent. You have gotten the lead part in our first musical. We trust you will adhere to our expectations. We are aware this is your first major part, but have confidence in your ability. Rehearsals begin three days from now, Monday, at three-o-clock, at the Sparkle. Cast list enclosed. Sincerely Mr. Wells, Mr. Wells, Mr. Wells and Mr. Pool After I read it the third time, my boggled brain cells kicked in. "I actually- got the part!" I whispered in awe. "Oh Dipdye!" I still couldn't quite remember how to breathe. I definitely couldn't sleep, and rehearsals didn't start until Monday. I knew I had to talk to somepony, but didn't want to wake anypony. So I headed out into the city to take a walk until I got tired. It was cold outside, colder than I expected, and the pegasi had started a little drizzle, but I didn't want to go upstairs to get a scarf. On the other hoof, I didn't want to lose my voice. So I bought a cheap one at the corner store, to celebrate my getting the part of Glimmerhorn, the lonely unicorn girl. The lead! I laughed out loud. A nearby stallion looked at me strangely. "Are you all right?" "I'm more than all right!" I Spun. "I just got cast in a dream role!" I grinned and danced away. All of a sudden, a crash rang out through the neighborhood. A pony with giant metal legs was walking across Manehattan. My heart lept up my chest and into my throat. I tried to scream. The pony walked along on- Those were- stilts! "Whoa there, pal!" a brilliant red figure dashed into the stilt pony, almost knocking him down. "Who dares challenge the Stilltion?" The first pony roared, his voiced magnified, I supposed, with magic. Like the red one. I could now see a horn. "Call me Daredevil, the Stallion-" The stallion whipped around the first on some sort of string "-Without fear! Now, hoof over the money you stole earlier, Stilty, and I'm sure the pony patrol would look more kindly..." "I can fight any stallion!" The Stilltion exclaimed. He whacked at the red figure- Daredevil- with a stilt, and I couldn't watch. I hunched in a ball on the pavement. This was terrifying. The stallions had stopped broadcasting their voices. I had no idea what was going on. What a terrible way to celebrate. The rain came harder. The pegasi must have been unaware of the battle raging in front of me. 'Come on, Stagelight.' I shook myself. 'Stop cowering. Let's go. Practice your acting skills by being brave.' I looked around. There was an alleyway nearby. I edged in. It was a dead end. I began to cautiously edge out, when the open end collapsed in on itself. I was trapped. Oh Celestia, no. Not here. It now. Not alone. "HELP!" I screamed, not caring if I ripped my voice raw. Just wanting someone to save me. •••••••••••• "That the best you have?" I dodged the Stilltion's blow. I was too fast for him. I could tell by his heartbeat which way he'd hit, the wind, the rain made it easier for me, outlining his form. But harder for him. Then I heard a scream for help. A mare. From below. Only my sensitive ears could have picked it out. And recognized her. "What the-" I muttered, then used one of my adversary's stilts to get to the ground and into the alley the voice came from. "I've got you." Stagelight was light, easy to carry. I imagined Caring would fit into my arms this way... Stop it, Legal. "Don't worry." I put Stagelight, NOT Caring, down outside of the alley. "Run. Do you live near here?" I asked. She nodded. I felt her tremble. "Th-thank you." She said quietly. She galloped away. The Stilltion stepped on the ground where I had been standing a second before. I had jumped out of the way. "Come on, Daredevil you call yourself? Hah! What a joke!" I heard the cruel smile in the Stilltion's voice. "The stallion without FEAR!" I launched myself up at the Stilltion's face and covered his eyes. "What..." His hooves taken up with stilts, he couldn't claw me off. I drove him to a stop. Around buildings, not through them. I didn't know what to do next. I cocked my ears. Anything around here I could use to tie him up... Aha! On the way here, I'd swung through a construction site! "Get off of me!" The pony said, still bucking his head. I gripped tighter around the sides of his head. "Ow!" He prances around, not caring who he stepped on. I carefully influenced his direction, slowly getting him to the construction site. I remembered some unused cables in a pile in the corner. Someone had picked them up while I passed... There. A sudden wind showed me where they were. I dragged the Stilltion over to the cables. He came free before I could. "Nopony challenges the STILLTION!" He roared, swinging at me. I dodged again, but he was getting more vicious. Desperate. "Get back, we'll hold him!" I heard a member of the Patrol shout. A pegasus flew at the stallion on the stilts. He was easily kicked away. I spiraled down. Then his team rushed the Stilltion. It didn't work. I used the stilts as a ladder again, this time dragging heavy cables along with me, using my horn. Levitation- the basic for any unicorn. These pulled, though, and were heavy. I gritted my teeth and bore through. He was totally absorbed in the Patrol. I was almost at the top when he looked down at me. "What the-" and began to dance and try to shake me off. The Patrol flew back. They had no idea what to do. The Stilltion kept trying to shake my hold. I stubbornly held on. I crawled one step up... I was about to make it... When I fell. I was twisting madly through the air, falling to my death. There was no way I wouldn't get smashed at this height. "You idiot." I muttered to myself. I snatched my modified cane out if it's holster and swing the hook up, catching myself barely in time. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. I swung myself back up, using momentum to kick the Stilltion in the face. Using the tune that have me, I neatly tied the cables around his huge steel legs, like a four-flower bouquet. I jumped off onto the half-built building in time for him to fall neatly on the ground, where the patrol gathered him up. One member flew up to my level. "Thank you!" She exclaimed. "What can we do to-" "Nothing." I said. "Who are you?!" She asked. "Daredevil, the Stallion without Fear." I said. "You'll hear from me again." I added as I swung away ahhI woke up and could hardly talk. Great. I could still feel myself shaking a little. I had to make an appointment with the corner doctor. I had to be in good shape by Monday. I got out of bed, aching all over, but no more than from a good dance lesson. I knew I should get a start on my day and go to the doctor, but I was focused on one thing really. Who was that stallion who saved me? I mean, I knew his name... But who was he really? I had no idea whatsoever. Still thinking, I got dressed and went down to the walk-in clinic. The street was full of pegasi and unicorns rebuilding buildings the Stilltion had knocked down. I signed in at the doctor's desk. "Thank you. The doctor will call you soon. Was it the Stilltion attack?" The nurse asked. I nodded and went to sit down. The headlines of a paper another pony was reading screamed the news. 'Stilltion attacks! Masked hero steps up!' "Excuse me." I leaned over to he pony and whispered, the loudest I could manage after the scream. "Can I see that when you're done?" "Sure." The pony answered. "Here, I'm done now." He smiled and handed me the paper. I grinned and read eagerly. 'Last night, a stallion calling himself the Stilltion broke into a bank and stole seven hundred bits. He wore long steel stilts attached to each if his four legs, and strode quickly across Manehattan, crushing buildings beneath him. The patrol attempted to stop this thief, but were unable to. He was reported to have been a unicorn, and have used a spell to stop the patrol from getting to him. It seems he took down the shield. Nopony knows why; perhaps it taxed his energy. At any rate, the Stilltion still managed to evade the patrol, until a brave masked citizen stepped in. We know nothing about this mysterious pony, except for the fact that he called himself Daredevil, the stallion without fear. Without fear, yes; he bravely swung into combat with the long-legged pony on some sort of rope. The masked citizen managed to save Manehattan as well as many private citizens. "The Stilltion was about to step on me." One mare told our reporter last night, "but Daredevil steered the Stilltion away from me. Oh, the muscles on that stallion!" The Stallion without Fear covered the Stilltion's eyes and virtually drove him to a nearby construction site, where the thief was slowed enough to be wrapped in cables for the patrol to take care of. Daredevil's parting words were, 'you'll be hearing from me again.' If he continues to help our fair city, and all of Equestria, then in Celestia's name, I'm glad we will. The Stilltion was arrested and put in jail, and is now safe behind bars, far away from his killer stilts.' I smiled at the stallion who'd given me the paper and smiled. 'Thanks' I mouthed. "Welcome." The stallion answered and took the paper again. He began working to the crossword. "Stagelight Glow." The doctor called. I got up and trotted lightly into the checkup room. I kept wondering during the basic part of the checkup: weight, height, blood pressure. That stallion. Who was he? Finally, the nurse finished. "Doctor Sillick will be with you soon." She said and left the room. I still couldn't get my mind of of that pony. That strong... Probably handsome... (I embarrassed myself to myself thinking that) and strangely familiar-voiced pony. He was probably some actor I'd seen at an audition. Who could it be? Stunnerific... No, he was bass, this one was tenor. Clodoo? No. He was far to clumsy. Who else did I know with that much strength and flexibility? None of my friends matched. Of course, it could be a random pony I didn't know. The door opened. "Hello, miss Glow!" The white and tan pony said. "I hear you're having trouble with huge throat after screaming? I know the exact spell." I grinned and nodded. The doctor put his horn to my throat. It tingled and felt glow-y. The feeling intensified. Some ponies didn't like that feeling, but I loved it. I missed it when it faded, but my throat cleared. "Thanks." I said normally. "Now, say aaahhhh." Dr. Sillick hadn't finished. I said "AHHH." I said, on pitch. "Perfect. Rest for a day or two. You'll be fine." Thanks!" I exclaimed. I walked out of the door the doctor held open for me. When I got home, I curled up with hay tea, old yearbooks and thought of Daredevil. Who could he be? Somehow, every times thought the word 'handsome' I thought of Legal Shades. Morning JubileeI knew that the second I walk into the office, Foggy would start talking about the Stallion without fear. I walked in. "Legal!" Foggy said. I heard a newspaper being waved around. "Did you hear about the mysterious Manehattan hero?" "No." I said. "My radio was out. Do tell." I put on what I hoped was an interested face. With Foggy, I had practice doing that. "He was rumored to have saved Manehattan!" Another voice exclaimed. Dipdye was here again. I recognized her heartbeat. Hmmm. "Hi." She continued. "Dipdye's here." Foggy said. "Aha." I said. "Well, I have work to do. I got a client over the weekend. Apparently there was a mugging over the weekend as well." I felt around the room's wall with my side and closed my office door. Caring followed, levitating what smelled like a cupful of coffee with her horn. "Excuse me, Legal, but I noticed you enjoy coffee. I made some for Foggy and Dipdye and saved some for you." She set down a cup on my desk. "Thank you, Caring." I said as I took my papers out of my briefcase. I turned my head towards her and smiled. Even if it was pity, that was a kind gesture. I heard her lips part. I believe she was smiling back. "So Caring, tell me what you know of the mysterious stallion Foggy mentioned?" As she came closer, her heart beat faster- in awe of Daredevil, I supposed. In my smallish office, the smell of her perfume was almost overpowering. It drew me in, made me long to feel her silk mane against my cheek, her smooth coat, made me want to here her just talk in that musical voice. It made me long to see so I could admire the no doubt beautiful colors of her body, and the exact design of her cutie mark. "Oh, he saved so many ponies! He defeated a stallion who called himself the Stilltion. The Stilltion had attached stilts to all four hooves and trampled a lot of the city! I'd imagine Daredevil's handsome and strong... Sorry, Mr. Shades, I suppose you wouldn't much care." Caring said and trotted out quietly. I sighed and got down to an idiotic case over a mugging that was so obvious even I could see it more clearly than my client's opposition. Oh, the jitters. My stomach felt like a herd of crazy pegasi were holding a race inside of it. "Calm down, Stagelight." I whispered to myself. I pushed open the door to the Sparkle.The edge of my script dug into my shoulder slightly when I pushed against the door. I had gone over it so many times in the past two days, I was almost off book for the first act. I had it completely down for the songs. My soft gray sweater and matching umbrella kept most of the rain off of me, and my script was perfectly dry. "You came early too?" A gorgeous pony greeted me She had a long red mane in perfect waves down to almost the ground, and her tail was perfectly groomed, even in the rain. I nodded, feeling my wet mane and tail more than I would otherwise. Her cutie mark showed what looked like red velvet curtains and confetti. She held out a perfectly groomed hoof. "Hi. I'm Morning Jubilee. But my friends can call me MJ. The Wells are backstage untangling some paperwork." I grinned. "I'm Stagelight. Stagelight glow." I shook her hoof, then my wet mane in the opposite direction from her. "Oh! So you're the leading lady here." MJ looked imressed. I felt impressed. I guess I was the lead. "Guess so." I said. "But you know, until you said that, I didn't think of myself that way." I grinned. MJ grinned back. "Yeah. So, there's coffee in the other room." "Coffee!" I exclaimed and dashed gratefully to the black plastic-and-glass machine. I'd been so eager o be on time after my alarm had gone off late I had' even eaten. And then I was early, and there was coffee. With heavy cream and brown sugar. What a good start. "Hello, Ladies!" A loud male voice called from the doorway. MJ and I looked around, her with a coy expression, me startled and with my mane whipping me in the eye. I even almost spilled my perfect coffee. I quickly put on a (hopefully) more self-assured expression. "Hi!" I smiled and said energetically. "I'm Stagelight. You?" I sipped my coffee. "You startled me." There. Self-assured. "So I see. I'm Gallantide." he bowed. "And who are you?" He asked MJ. "I am Morning Jubilee. Or MJ." she tossed her mane. Self-assured. "I'll be playing Fellibella." She extended wings I hadn't noticed before. "Ah!" Gallantide smiled. "My love." He knelt. "Until I reaize that you are-" "Cruel and vicious." MJ interrupted, laughing. I stepped in. "And that Glimmerhorn is the one you truly love." I curtseyed and smiled wistfully. Gallantide took my hoof and brought it to his lips. "We sure know our parts." I hadn't noticed the tiny, black-and-silver mare at my side. "Dance coach." She introduced herself. "Or Kicklightly, whichever." The others introduced themselves. I sipped my coffee, already enjoying the prospect of working with these ponies. "Hup hup hup!" Cloud Well blustered in. "Come on, ponies, stop fooling around! Let's get-" the pegasus spread his wings, flapped them, and drew them in as if to say he meant business- "To work! Everypony has a script and a pencil?" We all nodded our heads. Cloud well exhaled. "Good. Let's get started.". "Bubbles, that was interesting." Dipdye and I met at Swirl's again. "Yeah, I told you you'd get it." Dipdye said. "Okay, okay, I got it." I looked up. "Oh, um, Stagelight?" Dipdye asked. "Foggy wondered if he could join me- us. Here." She blushed. Oh, Dips. "Sure." "K!" Dipdye flew to the public telephone outside of the shop. "Hey Fogs!" She said. "Dipdye. Yeah, you can come." she listened intently, then looked at me. "Can Legal Shades-" Heart skip- "And Caring Page join us?" "Sure." I answered. "Sure." Dipdye said into the phone. "Yes bye to you too!" She hung up them came to stand in line next to me. "Foggy wants apple pie, Legal wants apple pie, and Caring wants chocolate." "Okay then." I answered. We waited in line silently, Dipdye blushing and giggling every few moments, which was a bit off-putting. Dip never giggled. Finally, we made it to the counter. "Chocolate, Two apple pies..." I began. What did I want? "A red velvet cake ice cream..." "And another apple pie!" Dipdye exclaimed. She grinned. The stallion behind the counter- No, more of a colt- Filled the order for the two seemingly gluttonous ponies. With good figures anyway. Dipdye carried most of the ice cream to a table while I browsed the toppings. Mmmm, dried cherries. And chocolate chips... I gave up and got a little of everything. I followed Dipdye back to the table. "Hey, Foggy!" Dipdye waved at the stallion on whom she had an obvious crush. We sat outside, the weather once again mild and warm. "Legal, Caring." "Hello, Dipdye. Hello, Stagelight." Legal said. The three ponies sat down with us on the table. "Apple pie, Apple pie, Chocolate." Dipdye said, hoofing out the little cardboard bowls. Swirl's never had cones. I noticed Dipdye purposely brush Foggy's hoof and share a grin. Oh, Dipdye. I know who I'll be seeing you in the audience with on my opening night. "Stagelight got the part she wanted!" Dipdye told everyone. They congratulated me as I grinned helplessly. "Yep." I said. "I still can't believe it." "That's great!" Foggy said. "So, when's it opening?" "February." I said. "Five months." "Great!" Foggy said. "Do we get free tickets?" "Foggy!" Dipdye said. She laughed. "Maaaaaaaaaaay-be." I answered. I looked up at the sky, then at the door to Swirl's. And out came Morning Jubilee, side touching and stallion I didn't know. Probaby her friend. Or leading man. "Hey, Stagelight!" She spotted me and came over. "Hey, MJ!" I answered, standing. "Why do I keep running into ponies I know here!" I tossed my head in comedic confusion. I turned to my friends Yeah... They were my friends. "This is Morning Jubilee-" "MJ." "MJ, my fellow cast member. MJ, here are Dipdye, Foggy, Legal and Caring." I introduced everypony to each other. "And I don't know..." I looked from MJ to the caramel light tan stallion. MJ grinned. "Oh, this is Physic Proud." She said. "Or Peter. He used to like pumpkins." "Pumpkins?" Dipdye was not following either. The stallion laughed. "When I was a colt, I loved to eat pumpkins, so my aunt and uncle called me Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater, then shortened it to Peter." He laughed again. "I hate pumpkins now." "Cool. Hey, wanna sit with us?" Dipdye asked. "If it's okay..." MJ said. Everypony at the table nodded. "Okay, Come on Tiger. Pull up a chair!" She and Peter sat down. "So." Foggy said, leaning in. "Will we be able to get free tickets?" Law Offices of Fog and Shades"That was one beautiful mare." Foggy sighed. "If you could have seen her!" "I can imagine." I answered. I could. The whiff of rose perfume, the softness of a finely brushed mane across my cheek. My built-in radar showed me the rest. But I had no time for beautiful mares. Foggy and I had a law business to start. "I picked a nice secretary, too." Foggy interrupted my thoughts. "How lovely." "She is!" I smiled. Foggy had done this our entire college year as well. He was always looking at pretty mares. They hardly looked twice at him. Or so he said. Somehow, I believed him. "Here's our office." Foggy walked me to the door. "You can study the neighborhood later. For now, stay in here. We're on the fifth floor." Foggy herded me into the elevator first. I pressed the the Brailled button with my horn. "Mr. Fog!" A mare's voice greeted us as we got out. "Oh, and you must be Mr. Shades!" I held out my hoof to shake. "Meet Caring Page." Foggy said. "And I told you, Miss Page, call me Foggy." "And call me Legal." "Then I'm Caring." "All right. Legal, I'll show you the office?" Foggy opened the door. I didn't need him. My radar showed it all. But I couldn't give myself away. Foggy gave me a quick tour... My office, his, our outer room where Miss Page would work. I smelled her perfume there. Vanilla. Expensive, too. The office was small, and in an old building, but we were just starting out. I had noticed a hollow-sounding place in my office when Foggy showed me through. If it was what I thought it was, that would be a big help to my plan. I tried it now. A door swung into a broom closet. Perfect. I arranged the papers from my briefcase on my desk and went to check on Foggy. As I walked in, his stomach grumbled loudly. He giggled slightly, sounding embarrassed. "Oh Fogs, are you hungry?" I said, as if he was a baby. "Let's go to Ye Olde Horseshoe Pub." Foggy stood up. "Nopony will come today. It's a really nice place down the block. We can invite Caring too." I laughed, but then stopped. "No, I'll stay here. I have something to do." "Should I stay, then?" "No, you go with Caring. I'll be fine." I waved Foggy off to the pub. When Foggy and Caring were gone, I set about creating the stallion to avenge my father's death.
Another Day in ManehattanAnother day in Manehattan. Stagelight Glow woke up to the usual city noise. She jumped out of bed and used her unicorn magic to brush her bedmane, take the curlers out of her tail, and tuck a rose behind her ear. She grabbed a quick sandwich out of her pantry and dashed out of the apartment, not even taking the elevator, but transporting herself to the lobby with magic. She had to make the audition on time. She'd practiced for ages. Her dream since she'd been a filly was to be a star onstage, and her cutie mark sealed the deal. The comedy-tragedy masks framed by a spotlight was prominently displayed on her pastel blue flank. It fit her perfectly. She hopped on a bus and gave the driver two bits. She finished her sandwich in one gulp and waited impatiently for her stop, gazing out the window. "Stop at Celestia Square!" The driver called. A few ponies got off, but more got on. The only two empty seats were next to Stagelight. She did enjoy having the entire bench to herself. It was the start of a very good day. The bus got moving again. According to the map on the wall, Stagelight got off on the last stop. She settled down on her seat. "West Meamorae street!" The driver called. "Excuse me, miss. Would you mind if we sat here?" Stagelight whipped her head around, her mane slapping the side of her face and the rose nearly falling out. Two ponies stood there, wearing suits. One carried a cane. "Of course." She gave her best bedazzling smile, the one she practiced everyday in front of the mirror. She scooted closer to the window to make room and looked closer at the two stallions. One was... Not exactly thin, with a brown coat and blue mane. That one, she could see, her smile had affected. The other, a unicorn, was breathtaking. His coat was a pure, shining white and his mane a deep red. He wore sunglasses and Stagelight realized, as he sat next to her, that he was blind. He set his cane against the seat. "Where are you going?" She asked brightly, still smiling. "Our law office. I'm Legal Shades, and this is Heavy Fog." The blind one said. "Here's our card." Heavy Fog reached across Legal Shades and handed Stagelight the small, stiff paper square. "Law offices of Fog and Shades." "What's your name, er... Miss?" Legal Shades asked. "Stagelight. Stagelight Glow." She said on her most professional yet sweet tones. "Where do you get off?" Heavy Fog asked. "Where do you get off?" She countered. "Baker and Alicorn." "So do I." She said. "Excuse me." She took her sides out if her bag and began to read them. She didn't want to get to far into a conversation at the moment. She needed to stay present. It wasn't her first audition, but she needed to land it. "Baker street!" The driver called. "Last stop, everyone out!" She waited for Heavy Fog and Legal Shades to get off before she hurried out and to the theater. The street was busy and she had to move around ponies to get there quickly enough. Finally, she was at the Sparkle, the old theater renamed for the newest princess, Twilight Sparkle. She slipped into the waiting room and say down to wait. And wait. She looked at the walls, covered in posters for plays, past, present and future. Practically wallpapered with them. The seats were actually rather comfortable, but Stagelight made sure to keep herself in the moment. She brethed deeply, then her name was called. "Miss Stagelight Glow." She got up and walked into the room where she would audition. "Hello. I'm Stagelight Glow." She smiled at the director, producer, writer and casting director. "This is Ink Well." Said the director. "He wrote it. This is Wishing Well." Indicating the producer. "I'm Cloud Well." "I'm Talent Pool." The casting director added. He was the only one who didn't look like the others. Stagelight guessed the Wells were all three brothers, possibly triplets. "So." Cloud Well said. "What will you be singing today?" "'I've Gotta Wash That Stallion Right out of My Mane', from North Ponycific." "All right then. I want you to sing, then read the sides you were given. Okay?" "Okay." "Any questions?" "No." "Begin when you're ready." Stagelight took a deep breath and started to sing. She saw the auditioners writing notes but didn't pay attention. "That's enough." Said Cloud Well after two verses. "Now can you read the slides?" Stagelight took them out of her bag. "I have them mostly memorized, but I'd rather not stumble." She smiled and began the reading. Author's Note Hi! This is my first fimifc, so constructive criticism would be very welcome! Hope it's enjoyable, and I'm sorry the chapters are so short.
A Dare"Well, that was nerve wracking." "You'll probably get it." "Oh, stahwp." I giggled. "But really, you never can tell." My best friend, Dipdye, and I were having ice cream in Swirl's, our favorite place, that happened to have a store two blocks from the theater."Stagelight, you're amazing." "But that might not be it. I might look wrong, or not be exactly what they're looking for, or..." "Okay. If you get it, I told you so, if not, then you told me so." "Thank you." I settled back and dug into my ice cream. It was really delicious. Strawberry and perfect. The clock on the wall chimed. "Oh, I have to go! I'll miss the bus home." I jumped up. "Bye, Dip." "Bye, Stagelight." Dipdye, finishing we own ice cream quickly, started on mine. I laughed as I left. The clock on the corner chimed. I looked up, puzzled. "Galloping gargoyles!" The clock inside the shop must have been slow. I was late for the bus! I galloped down the street as fast as I could. "'Scuse me! Pardon me! Sorry, gotta hurry!" I wove through everypony on the pavement, glad for my dancer's training. My legs were stronger now. I got to the bus stop just as it pulled away. "Argh!" I sat down on the bench. "Taxis are way to expensive!" I hailed one anyway and got in. Five bits for one ride. The round trip bus ticket cost half that much. "9427 Alicorn way." I told the driver. He grunted and nodded. I noticed that he was a mule. I looked stubbornly out the window towards the street. "Oh. Looks like we'll have to take on another passenger. A blind stallion. You mind?" I looked out of the window at the sidewalk. When I saw the stallion he meant... "No, I don't mind." The mule pulled the taxi up to the curb. "Here, sir. Need help?" "No, thank you." Legal Shades ducked in. "Hello." I said. "Fancy meeting you here. I'm the mare from the bus. You were late, too?" "Yes, my watch stopped." He handed the driver five bits. "West Meamorae." "Address?" "I can hoof it from where you drop me off. Just West Meamorae, please." He turned to me. "Stagelight Glow, if I remember." "Mmm-hmm." The driver put up the soundproof wall. I snuck a look at Legal Shades, then remembering he couldn't see me, downright gazed. He looked muscular. "So." I dug through my mind for a question. "What sort of law do you practice?" "Criminal, mostly. Heavy Fog isn't particular. I personally like doing criminal law, but I'll take any case that sounds like the pony I'll be defending is innocent ." He absentmindedly petted his briefcase. I gasped. "Isn't that kind of scary? I mean, having known criminals near you, talking to them..." "Well, somepony has to. I enjoy it." "How many cases have you had?" I asked in awe. He flushed. "Well, a lot. In mock court." He smiled wryly. I smiled as well, not that it mattered. I hadn't expected to feel so comfortable. But this pony was so friendly. "What do you do?" "I act." I said. He smiled. "What have you been in?" He asked. I blushed. "Not anything yet," I put on an affected fancy-pony accent. "But someday, I'll be the greatest star in Equestria!" I laughed then. "Or anyway, I hope to be. I went on an audition today... Small-scale, but I hope..." I felt like I was talking too much. "Now I'm rambling. Sorry." "No, it's fine." He was so friendly, but also mysterious. Was it the dark glasses? No. It was some thing else- the way he held his head, the independent set if his jaw. And his business-brushed mane. "When did you graduate from law school?" I asked. He smiled a little again, with just the corner of his mouth. "Two months ago. Heavy Fog, my law partner, has a rich father who gave us a loan for cheap so we could set up an office." "So you started right away?" "Just today, actually. This was my first time at my office. Foggy doesn't usually ride the bus. He just wanted me to get to the right place." "Oh." I didn't know what to say. "Beautiful weather." I said, just here I remembered this pony couldn't see. He didn't seem to noticed, but I felt embarrassed. "Yes, the Pegasus patrol has been keeping it so cold lately." "My friend Dipdye is on the Pegasus Patrol. She said something about getting hot too early, so they had to make up for it. It's also been too dry. Next week, it'll rain." "Ahh." Legal answered. "I love the rain. The smell it makes, even the city smells fresh. And the music it makes. It's special." I love it too! "Yeah. Where I lived as a filly, in Applewood, it barely rained. It didn't need to, the plants adapted, but I love the water." "Ahh." "Yeah." I didn't know what to say. The rest of the ride was in silence. He got off first. "Thanks for the ride." I said to the driver. "No problem." He said. Good. I paid him enough. In my apartment, I saw a letter. From the Wells. I was called back the next day. "Yes!" I whispered. I might actually make it." ••••••• THE NEXT NIGHT It was done. I sewed all night, my sensitive hoofs discerning fabrics. Then I finished. The costume I donned to avenge my father. I wanted nopony to know, or suspect. I leapt to the roof. It would've been easier if I had wings, but... I could do this. I'd trained enough. I leapt from rooftop to rooftop, then when they got too far apart, used my billy club to swing. I made it across easily, then landed on that roof. I knew exactly where I was going. I could hear the city noises as if I was down there, I could tell each pony apart by their scent in the night air against my face, I could taste the soot of a hundred factories and name each one for what it did and what brand it was. I knew Manehattan. I knew it well. I landed at my destination with a double flip and my hooves hit the ground. Inside of the crumbling old building, a group of stallions sat talking. I knew one stallion was responsible for my Father's death. Crooked Tape, his last manager. And somepony was going to pay him a visit tonight. Not Legal Shades, oh no. Somepony else.
In Which Legal Shades has a Flashback"Legal!" Foggy exclaimed as I walked into the office the following morning. I knew what he was going to say. I, on the other hand, had hoped to avoid the subject. "They caught the stallion who-" "Killed my father. I know. They called me after calling the office." I cut him off. "I know. Can we not discuss this?" Sat down and absorbed myself in law work. Or pretended to. We didn't have much. I heard Caring sigh sympathetically. Even her sigh was like music. Foggy, I could tell from the sound of his breathing, kept in surreptitiously glancing my way. I couldn't focus with them hovering like that. And anyway, we hardly had any work. Equestria wasn't known for criminal activity, though Manehattan had more than the average pony town. I lost myself in memories. "But dad, they're all playing outside! !" I remember my eight-year-old yearnings so well. I ached to play with the other colts. But since my mother died from recurring nightmare fever, my father, Battlin' Shades, was far too overprotective. He kept me inside. "Legal." He said. "When you were born, we knew you would be clever. You're a unicorn. You need to study hard. You'll be a lawyer or an advisor to Princess Celestia. Study now. Someday you'll thank me." I hated that... But loved him so much! It drove me crazy. I wanted to play like the other colts. I'd watch them from the window. I'd study my books on the field. I knew I'd be as good as anypony. But I'd promised. I still remember the day I realized I could still be strong and smart. I used my dad's training equipment when he was out. The plow, the tree, the hurdle... And still got the best grades of everypony in my class. I was proud every time I saw my dad smile. They teased me, the other colts. I was a blank flank for a long time. I knew if I could just play a game, I'd find my cutie mark. Instead, my flank stayed blank. Finally, we had a mock court in school. I realized Ioved law!!! Then I was teased for having such a dull cutie mark. A briefcase. Then the day that changed everything. My dad got a new manager, and I helped a blind pony across the street. I'd just gotten my cutie mark. I saw an old blind stallion walking across the street. At the same time, a bus was out of control. I had three choices: do nothing, stop the bus (too late) and let the stallion die, or push the stallion out of the way. I didn't think. I just pushed him out of the road. The bus was carrying dark magic supplies for an evil unicorn. One hit me. I helped catch Windark, but I lost my sight in trade. No healing unicorn could help. I was miserable, but I didn't want to show it. All the other colts and fillies were much nicer. No guessing why. I hadn't talked much to anyone before. I didn't say a word except to say the right answer in class now. But something more had changed than the obvious. I realized soon that I could hear better. Smell better. Taste better. Feel better. My remaining senses were sharper than anypony else. I could find my way around... Even better. I didn't tell anypony. I don't remember why. I was just a secretive colt. I still am a very private stallion. Foggy says that a dozen times a day. Foggy. The best college roommate a stallion could have. All through law school... Through everything... Rude professors treating me specially, people acting like I was stupid simply because I couldn't see, even too much pity....Foggy got me through. When my dad was murdered by his manager, Foggy was there. Now, four years later, Foggy is still here. As a matter of fact, he's taking to me right now. "What?" I asked. "Sorry. I was thinking." "I said, do you want to come to Ye Olde Horseshoe?" He didn't fully disguise the sympathy in his voice. "I actually heard a few mares talking on the bus. An ice cream place- Swirl's? What say we find a deli then go there? We should poke around the neighborhood for eats." I got up. "Sure." Foggy answered. "Caring brought her own lunch. Let's go." As we walked into the outer office, where Caring worked, I breathed in. What a lovely smell she had. "Caring, we're going for ice cream after lunch. Would you like anything?" "Oh, thank you, Legal." She sounded pleased. "I love chocolate, if you don't mind." "Not at all." Foggy answered for me. Down the elevator, out the door. The cold air hit me like a slap. It wasn't frigid... Our building was just well heated. "Ice cream?" Foggy asked. "In this weather?" "Maybe hot fudge." I laughed. The talk of weather reminded me of that nice mare I'd met on the bus, and the taxi.
Dipdyed Fog"Gosh, Dip, that was crazy too!" Swirl's again. The callback was over before lunch. "Did you get it?" "Again, I don't know!" I smiled at Dipdye, exasperated. "What do you want to get?" We looked over the heads of the ponies ahead of us in line at the big menu over the ice cream servers. "No idea." Dipdye answered. "Does celery vanilla scrunch sound good to you?" "What? No!" I laughed again. "Dip, I swear, how you can enjoy the crazy combos this place has, I'll never know. "I'll just have a sample." Dipdye answered. "Hey, Stagelight, I think I know that stallion!" She looked behind me at a pair who had just come in. Him again? "You mean Legal Shades?" I asked. If she knew him... "No!" She looked at me again. "How do you know his name?" "Met him on the bus." I blushed. Slightly. But Dipdye noticed. Her eyebrows went up. "Noo... Is that Foggy? I went to school with him in Fillydelphia!" She trotted over. I followed. "Excuse me." She smiled at Heavy Fog. He looked up. "Um, hi. I don't know if-" "Dipdye!" He exclaimed, a smile spreading across his face. "I haven't seen you since... "I was a filly!" She smiled back. I wondered if I was missing something. Did they- "This is my friend, Stagelight. When I moved here, she was the first mare I met!" "She made it rain on me." I said. "Doing special effects on a play at my drama school. It almost ruined my costume." "Stagelight... Aren't you the mare on the bus?" Heavy Fog looked at me suspiciously. "Small world." I answered. "Come on, Fogs. Let's get some ice cream together. It's great!" Dipdye grinned wider. I thought her face might break. "And your pal." "I'm Legal Shades." Legal said. "His law partner." And we stood in line again, Legal looking and me feeling a bit bemused. "So, Foggy." Dipdye had wrapped our outdoor table in warmth. "What kind of law are you doing?" "Well, I'm doing weather and entertainment, mostly." Foggy leaned back in his seat. "But Legal is doing criminal law." "Mostly." Legal said. He turned his head. "You know, this Apple pie ice cream is quite good." "You were right." Foggy said glumly. "This celery vanilla scrunch is terrible." He stared into his bowl, then continued eating. "Yeah. I shouldn't have gotten it either. What did you get again, Stagelight?" Dipdye looked longingly into my bowl. "It's simply heavenly." I teased Dipdye. "Oh, chocolate caramel, I think." I made a big show of groaning with delight while tasting it. Legal chuckled. Dipdye and Foggy sighed. "Chocolate!" Foggy suddenly exclaimed. "Caring!" "Caring?" Dipdye asked. "Our secretary. She requested chocolate. I almost forgot!" Foggy made to stand up. "It's fine. I thought we should get Caring's last. Wouldn't want it melting, would we?" Legal calmly soothed his law partner. "You really are the brains in this unit." Foggy said. "Legal had the best grades. Always." He explained to Dipdye and me. "But we can't all get by on our good looks and personality like me, can we." He added. Dipdye laughed the loudest. "Ooh, gosh." I looked at my on-time watch. "I promised my friend I'd foalsit her sister today! Sorry. Gotta gallop!" "Bye, Stagelight!" Dipdye said. The other two nodded. Dipdye started on my ice cream. I heard Foggy offer to show her his office. I hurried to the bus stop. I was on time. I got on and payed the driver, then sat down and rested my head on the window, trying to get rid of thoughts of Legal Shades.
Babs the Blank Flank"Hey, Babs!" I greeted my friend's little sister. "Hey, Stagelight." Babs Seed was really fun to foalsit for. She had the deepest of New York accents. And was a blank flank. Her cousin, Applejack, lived in Canterlot and was one of Princess Twilight Sparkle's best friends. She was better friends with Applejack's little sister, though. "What's going on in your life?" "We're doin' a school play." Babs said. "I'm starring." "Really!" I loved hearing about amateur theatre. "What of?" "Founding of Equestria. I'm the Chancellor of Earth Ponies." "Cool! I was the princess of unicorns when my class did that play." I grinned. "Want to work on your lines?" "Sure!" Babs smiled back. "Okay!" I looked over the script. The same one I'd used. "Okay. So when the Pegasus swoops down here, you say...?" Babs frowned. "I hate the guy who plays the Pegasus captain. He's really mean! And the girl who plays the unicorn princess..." She hung her head. "What do they do?" I asked, sitting on the couch. She plopped down next to me. "Tease me for being a blank flank." She said. "I got a group of fillies with only blank flanks together, but then they all got their cutie marks." She gritted her teeth. "The only ponies I know who don't have cutie marks are my cousin and her friends. And they live in PONYVILLE!" A tear rolled down her cheek. "Oh, Babs." I patted her head. "Do you know what I see when I look at blank flanks? What anyone with any brain would see?" I looked into the filly's eyes. "What?" She said. "Potential." I said. "Maybe you'll like being in plays. Or maybe you'll have to direct and like that. You could even be a doctor or a famous- racer! Or scientist!" I grinned. "The possibilities are endless. The fillies in your class with cutie marks don't have that. They have their destiny in their flank. Yours is unwritten. It's in your heart." I grinned at the filly. "You know, I got my cutie mark early. I love what I do. It's my life. But sometimes, I wonder if there's a passion I could have had, but missed, or a chance, because I got it too soon. You'll get a chance, Babs. And whatever you choose, you'll be amazing." Babs looked at me. "That's nice. But it doesn't really help me with the teasing, does it?" The tears were gone, but she was still upset. "I want my cutie mark now!" "I know. But who you get it, you'll be that much more grateful for it." "I guess." Babs said. "And you won't bully other people. You'll be stronger from this." Babs looked embarrassed. "I did hurt my cousins feelings in Ponyville when I went there. But we made up." "How about some cookies? Your mom said I could bring some." I changed the subject. Babs smiled. "Great. You let me eat a lot." "Well, I certainly don't skimp on myself." We both grinned as we went into the kitchen for my bag and I opened the package of our favorite brand of chocolate chip.
Caring"Here, Caring." I have her the to-go box if chocolate ice cream. "It's a bit melted, I think. But it's a wonderful shop." "Oh, thank you, Legal!" I heard the smile in her musical voice. I heard the box open and she took a spoonful. "Oh, delicious." "You're very welcome." I said. "Where's Foggy? Did you walk back here alone?" She asked. "He brought a friend. He hadn't seen her since he was a colt, and lagged behind. I came up the elevator. I think they decided on the stairs." I leaned against the wall. There was no work to do. I let my cane dangle from my hoof. "She's a pegasus. Weather patrol." "Ah." Caring answered. "You got a call while you were out. A client. I took down the number." I heard her stand up. Her heart beat faster. She came closer. "I looked through Foggy's braille guide. I took the liberty of writing the information down." She slipped a piece of paper into my hand. I read it. It was just a potential client's name and phone number. Nothing more. "Thank you, Caring." I said to her. "That was very thoughtful of you." I breathed in the scent of her perfume then went into my office, leaving the door open. I had to straighten my thoughts. "Oh, Fogs!" I heard Foggy's friend- Dipdye's- voice laughing. They came in. "What took you so long?" I came out if my office. "Stairs." Foggy was breathing a bit harder. I smiled. "This is a tall building, Legal. And Dipdye loves to fly fast." "That's very nice. I have a call to make." I retreated into my office. I closed the door. I dialed the number Caring had given me. "Hello?" A voice answered on the other end. "Law offices of Fog and Shades." I answered. "Ah! I need representation. I want to sue a couple of criminals. I'm Sunshine Boy, the newspaper editor. 'Manehattan Flooglehorn'." "And what pony would you like to sue?" "All vigilantes!" The voice shouted into the phone. I held it away from my ear. "I see..." I replied. "I'm not sure that would be possible. I'll get back to you as soon as possible, after doing some research and discussing it with my law partner. Have a nice day!" "Nice day." Sunshine Boy grumbled and hung up. I hung up too and began to laugh. "What!" Foggy ran in. "Sunshine Boy." I straightened my face. I told him about the client. "I don't think that's possible. Until he finds one masked vigilante, and a particular crime, I can't represent him." I sighed. "I suppose I'll have to call him back." "Caring can. We have a secretary for phone calls, you know." Foggy answered. I hesitated. I didn't want Caring to have to- but that's what we hired her for. "All right." I said. "I'll tell her later. I want it to sound like I consulted you." "You did." Foggy said. "Let's get known for speedy contact. Caring!" He clomped into the other room and shut my door. I allowed a smile. Through the door, I heard Caring's musical reply. That distracted me. I imagined- what if she loved me? What if the beating if her heart wasn't just pity or nervousness of being around a blind stallion? But that's all it could be. From what I knew, Caring was perfect. She deserved better than me.
Unusual CelebrationOh Celestia. Oh Luna. Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh. That letter. When I read it I couldn't breathe. Or think. Just swear in my head. Great galloping griffins. I got the part. I sat against my wall. I tried to catch my breath. I knew I shouldn't be that excited, but for a second, I felt like a filly allowed to stay out late on a night with her friends. that was what it must be like to win the lottery. I reread it. Had the words changed? Nope. They were the same. Dear Miss Glow, We would like to thank you for sharing you talent. You have gotten the lead part in our first musical. We trust you will adhere to our expectations. We are aware this is your first major part, but have confidence in your ability. Rehearsals begin three days from now, Monday, at three-o-clock, at the Sparkle. Cast list enclosed. Sincerely Mr. Wells, Mr. Wells, Mr. Wells and Mr. Pool After I read it the third time, my boggled brain cells kicked in. "I actually- got the part!" I whispered in awe. "Oh Dipdye!" I still couldn't quite remember how to breathe. I definitely couldn't sleep, and rehearsals didn't start until Monday. I knew I had to talk to somepony, but didn't want to wake anypony. So I headed out into the city to take a walk until I got tired. It was cold outside, colder than I expected, and the pegasi had started a little drizzle, but I didn't want to go upstairs to get a scarf. On the other hoof, I didn't want to lose my voice. So I bought a cheap one at the corner store, to celebrate my getting the part of Glimmerhorn, the lonely unicorn girl. The lead! I laughed out loud. A nearby stallion looked at me strangely. "Are you all right?" "I'm more than all right!" I Spun. "I just got cast in a dream role!" I grinned and danced away. All of a sudden, a crash rang out through the neighborhood. A pony with giant metal legs was walking across Manehattan. My heart lept up my chest and into my throat. I tried to scream. The pony walked along on- Those were- stilts! "Whoa there, pal!" a brilliant red figure dashed into the stilt pony, almost knocking him down. "Who dares challenge the Stilltion?" The first pony roared, his voiced magnified, I supposed, with magic. Like the red one. I could now see a horn. "Call me Daredevil, the Stallion-" The stallion whipped around the first on some sort of string "-Without fear! Now, hoof over the money you stole earlier, Stilty, and I'm sure the pony patrol would look more kindly..." "I can fight any stallion!" The Stilltion exclaimed. He whacked at the red figure- Daredevil- with a stilt, and I couldn't watch. I hunched in a ball on the pavement. This was terrifying. The stallions had stopped broadcasting their voices. I had no idea what was going on. What a terrible way to celebrate. The rain came harder. The pegasi must have been unaware of the battle raging in front of me. 'Come on, Stagelight.' I shook myself. 'Stop cowering. Let's go. Practice your acting skills by being brave.' I looked around. There was an alleyway nearby. I edged in. It was a dead end. I began to cautiously edge out, when the open end collapsed in on itself. I was trapped. Oh Celestia, no. Not here. It now. Not alone. "HELP!" I screamed, not caring if I ripped my voice raw. Just wanting someone to save me. •••••••••••• "That the best you have?" I dodged the Stilltion's blow. I was too fast for him. I could tell by his heartbeat which way he'd hit, the wind, the rain made it easier for me, outlining his form. But harder for him. Then I heard a scream for help. A mare. From below. Only my sensitive ears could have picked it out. And recognized her. "What the-" I muttered, then used one of my adversary's stilts to get to the ground and into the alley the voice came from. "I've got you." Stagelight was light, easy to carry. I imagined Caring would fit into my arms this way... Stop it, Legal. "Don't worry." I put Stagelight, NOT Caring, down outside of the alley. "Run. Do you live near here?" I asked. She nodded. I felt her tremble. "Th-thank you." She said quietly. She galloped away. The Stilltion stepped on the ground where I had been standing a second before. I had jumped out of the way. "Come on, Daredevil you call yourself? Hah! What a joke!" I heard the cruel smile in the Stilltion's voice. "The stallion without FEAR!" I launched myself up at the Stilltion's face and covered his eyes. "What..." His hooves taken up with stilts, he couldn't claw me off. I drove him to a stop. Around buildings, not through them. I didn't know what to do next. I cocked my ears. Anything around here I could use to tie him up... Aha! On the way here, I'd swung through a construction site! "Get off of me!" The pony said, still bucking his head. I gripped tighter around the sides of his head. "Ow!" He prances around, not caring who he stepped on. I carefully influenced his direction, slowly getting him to the construction site. I remembered some unused cables in a pile in the corner. Someone had picked them up while I passed... There. A sudden wind showed me where they were. I dragged the Stilltion over to the cables. He came free before I could. "Nopony challenges the STILLTION!" He roared, swinging at me. I dodged again, but he was getting more vicious. Desperate. "Get back, we'll hold him!" I heard a member of the Patrol shout. A pegasus flew at the stallion on the stilts. He was easily kicked away. I spiraled down. Then his team rushed the Stilltion. It didn't work. I used the stilts as a ladder again, this time dragging heavy cables along with me, using my horn. Levitation- the basic for any unicorn. These pulled, though, and were heavy. I gritted my teeth and bore through. He was totally absorbed in the Patrol. I was almost at the top when he looked down at me. "What the-" and began to dance and try to shake me off. The Patrol flew back. They had no idea what to do. The Stilltion kept trying to shake my hold. I stubbornly held on. I crawled one step up... I was about to make it... When I fell. I was twisting madly through the air, falling to my death. There was no way I wouldn't get smashed at this height. "You idiot." I muttered to myself. I snatched my modified cane out if it's holster and swing the hook up, catching myself barely in time. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. I swung myself back up, using momentum to kick the Stilltion in the face. Using the tune that have me, I neatly tied the cables around his huge steel legs, like a four-flower bouquet. I jumped off onto the half-built building in time for him to fall neatly on the ground, where the patrol gathered him up. One member flew up to my level. "Thank you!" She exclaimed. "What can we do to-" "Nothing." I said. "Who are you?!" She asked. "Daredevil, the Stallion without Fear." I said. "You'll hear from me again." I added as I swung away
ahhI woke up and could hardly talk. Great. I could still feel myself shaking a little. I had to make an appointment with the corner doctor. I had to be in good shape by Monday. I got out of bed, aching all over, but no more than from a good dance lesson. I knew I should get a start on my day and go to the doctor, but I was focused on one thing really. Who was that stallion who saved me? I mean, I knew his name... But who was he really? I had no idea whatsoever. Still thinking, I got dressed and went down to the walk-in clinic. The street was full of pegasi and unicorns rebuilding buildings the Stilltion had knocked down. I signed in at the doctor's desk. "Thank you. The doctor will call you soon. Was it the Stilltion attack?" The nurse asked. I nodded and went to sit down. The headlines of a paper another pony was reading screamed the news. 'Stilltion attacks! Masked hero steps up!' "Excuse me." I leaned over to he pony and whispered, the loudest I could manage after the scream. "Can I see that when you're done?" "Sure." The pony answered. "Here, I'm done now." He smiled and handed me the paper. I grinned and read eagerly. 'Last night, a stallion calling himself the Stilltion broke into a bank and stole seven hundred bits. He wore long steel stilts attached to each if his four legs, and strode quickly across Manehattan, crushing buildings beneath him. The patrol attempted to stop this thief, but were unable to. He was reported to have been a unicorn, and have used a spell to stop the patrol from getting to him. It seems he took down the shield. Nopony knows why; perhaps it taxed his energy. At any rate, the Stilltion still managed to evade the patrol, until a brave masked citizen stepped in. We know nothing about this mysterious pony, except for the fact that he called himself Daredevil, the stallion without fear. Without fear, yes; he bravely swung into combat with the long-legged pony on some sort of rope. The masked citizen managed to save Manehattan as well as many private citizens. "The Stilltion was about to step on me." One mare told our reporter last night, "but Daredevil steered the Stilltion away from me. Oh, the muscles on that stallion!" The Stallion without Fear covered the Stilltion's eyes and virtually drove him to a nearby construction site, where the thief was slowed enough to be wrapped in cables for the patrol to take care of. Daredevil's parting words were, 'you'll be hearing from me again.' If he continues to help our fair city, and all of Equestria, then in Celestia's name, I'm glad we will. The Stilltion was arrested and put in jail, and is now safe behind bars, far away from his killer stilts.' I smiled at the stallion who'd given me the paper and smiled. 'Thanks' I mouthed. "Welcome." The stallion answered and took the paper again. He began working to the crossword. "Stagelight Glow." The doctor called. I got up and trotted lightly into the checkup room. I kept wondering during the basic part of the checkup: weight, height, blood pressure. That stallion. Who was he? Finally, the nurse finished. "Doctor Sillick will be with you soon." She said and left the room. I still couldn't get my mind of of that pony. That strong... Probably handsome... (I embarrassed myself to myself thinking that) and strangely familiar-voiced pony. He was probably some actor I'd seen at an audition. Who could it be? Stunnerific... No, he was bass, this one was tenor. Clodoo? No. He was far to clumsy. Who else did I know with that much strength and flexibility? None of my friends matched. Of course, it could be a random pony I didn't know. The door opened. "Hello, miss Glow!" The white and tan pony said. "I hear you're having trouble with huge throat after screaming? I know the exact spell." I grinned and nodded. The doctor put his horn to my throat. It tingled and felt glow-y. The feeling intensified. Some ponies didn't like that feeling, but I loved it. I missed it when it faded, but my throat cleared. "Thanks." I said normally. "Now, say aaahhhh." Dr. Sillick hadn't finished. I said "AHHH." I said, on pitch. "Perfect. Rest for a day or two. You'll be fine." Thanks!" I exclaimed. I walked out of the door the doctor held open for me. When I got home, I curled up with hay tea, old yearbooks and thought of Daredevil. Who could he be? Somehow, every times thought the word 'handsome' I thought of Legal Shades.
Morning JubileeI knew that the second I walk into the office, Foggy would start talking about the Stallion without fear. I walked in. "Legal!" Foggy said. I heard a newspaper being waved around. "Did you hear about the mysterious Manehattan hero?" "No." I said. "My radio was out. Do tell." I put on what I hoped was an interested face. With Foggy, I had practice doing that. "He was rumored to have saved Manehattan!" Another voice exclaimed. Dipdye was here again. I recognized her heartbeat. Hmmm. "Hi." She continued. "Dipdye's here." Foggy said. "Aha." I said. "Well, I have work to do. I got a client over the weekend. Apparently there was a mugging over the weekend as well." I felt around the room's wall with my side and closed my office door. Caring followed, levitating what smelled like a cupful of coffee with her horn. "Excuse me, Legal, but I noticed you enjoy coffee. I made some for Foggy and Dipdye and saved some for you." She set down a cup on my desk. "Thank you, Caring." I said as I took my papers out of my briefcase. I turned my head towards her and smiled. Even if it was pity, that was a kind gesture. I heard her lips part. I believe she was smiling back. "So Caring, tell me what you know of the mysterious stallion Foggy mentioned?" As she came closer, her heart beat faster- in awe of Daredevil, I supposed. In my smallish office, the smell of her perfume was almost overpowering. It drew me in, made me long to feel her silk mane against my cheek, her smooth coat, made me want to here her just talk in that musical voice. It made me long to see so I could admire the no doubt beautiful colors of her body, and the exact design of her cutie mark. "Oh, he saved so many ponies! He defeated a stallion who called himself the Stilltion. The Stilltion had attached stilts to all four hooves and trampled a lot of the city! I'd imagine Daredevil's handsome and strong... Sorry, Mr. Shades, I suppose you wouldn't much care." Caring said and trotted out quietly. I sighed and got down to an idiotic case over a mugging that was so obvious even I could see it more clearly than my client's opposition. Oh, the jitters. My stomach felt like a herd of crazy pegasi were holding a race inside of it. "Calm down, Stagelight." I whispered to myself. I pushed open the door to the Sparkle.The edge of my script dug into my shoulder slightly when I pushed against the door. I had gone over it so many times in the past two days, I was almost off book for the first act. I had it completely down for the songs. My soft gray sweater and matching umbrella kept most of the rain off of me, and my script was perfectly dry. "You came early too?" A gorgeous pony greeted me She had a long red mane in perfect waves down to almost the ground, and her tail was perfectly groomed, even in the rain. I nodded, feeling my wet mane and tail more than I would otherwise. Her cutie mark showed what looked like red velvet curtains and confetti. She held out a perfectly groomed hoof. "Hi. I'm Morning Jubilee. But my friends can call me MJ. The Wells are backstage untangling some paperwork." I grinned. "I'm Stagelight. Stagelight glow." I shook her hoof, then my wet mane in the opposite direction from her. "Oh! So you're the leading lady here." MJ looked imressed. I felt impressed. I guess I was the lead. "Guess so." I said. "But you know, until you said that, I didn't think of myself that way." I grinned. MJ grinned back. "Yeah. So, there's coffee in the other room." "Coffee!" I exclaimed and dashed gratefully to the black plastic-and-glass machine. I'd been so eager o be on time after my alarm had gone off late I had' even eaten. And then I was early, and there was coffee. With heavy cream and brown sugar. What a good start. "Hello, Ladies!" A loud male voice called from the doorway. MJ and I looked around, her with a coy expression, me startled and with my mane whipping me in the eye. I even almost spilled my perfect coffee. I quickly put on a (hopefully) more self-assured expression. "Hi!" I smiled and said energetically. "I'm Stagelight. You?" I sipped my coffee. "You startled me." There. Self-assured. "So I see. I'm Gallantide." he bowed. "And who are you?" He asked MJ. "I am Morning Jubilee. Or MJ." she tossed her mane. Self-assured. "I'll be playing Fellibella." She extended wings I hadn't noticed before. "Ah!" Gallantide smiled. "My love." He knelt. "Until I reaize that you are-" "Cruel and vicious." MJ interrupted, laughing. I stepped in. "And that Glimmerhorn is the one you truly love." I curtseyed and smiled wistfully. Gallantide took my hoof and brought it to his lips. "We sure know our parts." I hadn't noticed the tiny, black-and-silver mare at my side. "Dance coach." She introduced herself. "Or Kicklightly, whichever." The others introduced themselves. I sipped my coffee, already enjoying the prospect of working with these ponies. "Hup hup hup!" Cloud Well blustered in. "Come on, ponies, stop fooling around! Let's get-" the pegasus spread his wings, flapped them, and drew them in as if to say he meant business- "To work! Everypony has a script and a pencil?" We all nodded our heads. Cloud well exhaled. "Good. Let's get started.". "Bubbles, that was interesting." Dipdye and I met at Swirl's again. "Yeah, I told you you'd get it." Dipdye said. "Okay, okay, I got it." I looked up. "Oh, um, Stagelight?" Dipdye asked. "Foggy wondered if he could join me- us. Here." She blushed. Oh, Dips. "Sure." "K!" Dipdye flew to the public telephone outside of the shop. "Hey Fogs!" She said. "Dipdye. Yeah, you can come." she listened intently, then looked at me. "Can Legal Shades-" Heart skip- "And Caring Page join us?" "Sure." I answered. "Sure." Dipdye said into the phone. "Yes bye to you too!" She hung up them came to stand in line next to me. "Foggy wants apple pie, Legal wants apple pie, and Caring wants chocolate." "Okay then." I answered. We waited in line silently, Dipdye blushing and giggling every few moments, which was a bit off-putting. Dip never giggled. Finally, we made it to the counter. "Chocolate, Two apple pies..." I began. What did I want? "A red velvet cake ice cream..." "And another apple pie!" Dipdye exclaimed. She grinned. The stallion behind the counter- No, more of a colt- Filled the order for the two seemingly gluttonous ponies. With good figures anyway. Dipdye carried most of the ice cream to a table while I browsed the toppings. Mmmm, dried cherries. And chocolate chips... I gave up and got a little of everything. I followed Dipdye back to the table. "Hey, Foggy!" Dipdye waved at the stallion on whom she had an obvious crush. We sat outside, the weather once again mild and warm. "Legal, Caring." "Hello, Dipdye. Hello, Stagelight." Legal said. The three ponies sat down with us on the table. "Apple pie, Apple pie, Chocolate." Dipdye said, hoofing out the little cardboard bowls. Swirl's never had cones. I noticed Dipdye purposely brush Foggy's hoof and share a grin. Oh, Dipdye. I know who I'll be seeing you in the audience with on my opening night. "Stagelight got the part she wanted!" Dipdye told everyone. They congratulated me as I grinned helplessly. "Yep." I said. "I still can't believe it." "That's great!" Foggy said. "So, when's it opening?" "February." I said. "Five months." "Great!" Foggy said. "Do we get free tickets?" "Foggy!" Dipdye said. She laughed. "Maaaaaaaaaaay-be." I answered. I looked up at the sky, then at the door to Swirl's. And out came Morning Jubilee, side touching and stallion I didn't know. Probaby her friend. Or leading man. "Hey, Stagelight!" She spotted me and came over. "Hey, MJ!" I answered, standing. "Why do I keep running into ponies I know here!" I tossed my head in comedic confusion. I turned to my friends Yeah... They were my friends. "This is Morning Jubilee-" "MJ." "MJ, my fellow cast member. MJ, here are Dipdye, Foggy, Legal and Caring." I introduced everypony to each other. "And I don't know..." I looked from MJ to the caramel light tan stallion. MJ grinned. "Oh, this is Physic Proud." She said. "Or Peter. He used to like pumpkins." "Pumpkins?" Dipdye was not following either. The stallion laughed. "When I was a colt, I loved to eat pumpkins, so my aunt and uncle called me Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater, then shortened it to Peter." He laughed again. "I hate pumpkins now." "Cool. Hey, wanna sit with us?" Dipdye asked. "If it's okay..." MJ said. Everypony at the table nodded. "Okay, Come on Tiger. Pull up a chair!" She and Peter sat down. "So." Foggy said, leaning in. "Will we be able to get free tickets?"
Law Offices of Fog and Shades"That was one beautiful mare." Foggy sighed. "If you could have seen her!" "I can imagine." I answered. I could. The whiff of rose perfume, the softness of a finely brushed mane across my cheek. My built-in radar showed me the rest. But I had no time for beautiful mares. Foggy and I had a law business to start. "I picked a nice secretary, too." Foggy interrupted my thoughts. "How lovely." "She is!" I smiled. Foggy had done this our entire college year as well. He was always looking at pretty mares. They hardly looked twice at him. Or so he said. Somehow, I believed him. "Here's our office." Foggy walked me to the door. "You can study the neighborhood later. For now, stay in here. We're on the fifth floor." Foggy herded me into the elevator first. I pressed the the Brailled button with my horn. "Mr. Fog!" A mare's voice greeted us as we got out. "Oh, and you must be Mr. Shades!" I held out my hoof to shake. "Meet Caring Page." Foggy said. "And I told you, Miss Page, call me Foggy." "And call me Legal." "Then I'm Caring." "All right. Legal, I'll show you the office?" Foggy opened the door. I didn't need him. My radar showed it all. But I couldn't give myself away. Foggy gave me a quick tour... My office, his, our outer room where Miss Page would work. I smelled her perfume there. Vanilla. Expensive, too. The office was small, and in an old building, but we were just starting out. I had noticed a hollow-sounding place in my office when Foggy showed me through. If it was what I thought it was, that would be a big help to my plan. I tried it now. A door swung into a broom closet. Perfect. I arranged the papers from my briefcase on my desk and went to check on Foggy. As I walked in, his stomach grumbled loudly. He giggled slightly, sounding embarrassed. "Oh Fogs, are you hungry?" I said, as if he was a baby. "Let's go to Ye Olde Horseshoe Pub." Foggy stood up. "Nopony will come today. It's a really nice place down the block. We can invite Caring too." I laughed, but then stopped. "No, I'll stay here. I have something to do." "Should I stay, then?" "No, you go with Caring. I'll be fine." I waved Foggy off to the pub. When Foggy and Caring were gone, I set about creating the stallion to avenge my father's death.
