Author's Note

One last warning! For those new to Equestria Trainers' Society you may wish to read from the beginning to get the full story. While you can start here with little issue there will be references to previous chapters throughout this story arc that you might not understand, which may or may not annoy some readers.

For people already familiar with EqTS this first chapter will be a little short and mostly just setup for the arc on the whole. I will try to get my normal chapter length back by next week's update.

Oh, and there is an alternative cover for this story, but FIMfiction has deemed it too hot for the site so if you want to see it please go to derpibooru and search the tag "equestria trainers society".

Return to Manehatten

The beautiful tune of chirping birds filled the air around Fluttershy's cottage as she and Rarity sat at a table in her backyard. Her white unicorn friend had been invited over by the yellow pegasus to relax, to ease her nerves from the pressure of running the Ponyville Days festival which ended just yesterday. The whole ordeal left her a little drained, so Fluttershy, wanting to help her friend, felt that some tea and a listening ear would make it easier for Rarity to recover. The past few days had been stressful for the fashion designer, not only having to deal with decorating the town and organizing the festivities, but slowly going crazy over a crush she had on a stallion named Trenderhoof.

"...and that is when I jumped into a pool of mud." Said Rarity, sipping her cup of ice tea. "Honestly, if Applejack hadn't brought me back to my senses, I don't know how far I would've gone."

Fluttershy nodded politely. "It is good to have friends that aren't afraid to say when a pony is going too far." She said before giving a cute smile that seemed to make the whole world brighter. Rarity shared the pegasus' sentiments, it was always nice to have friends that not only supported you, but also made sure that you didn't make a big mistake. There were far too many times that Rarity had allowed her own ego get the better of her. The Best Young Flyers Competition, the Sister Hooves Social, her incident with Photo Finish, even her recent competition in Manehattan.

If not for having five special ponies to act as her moral compass, the mare wouldn't know where she would be or even who she would become. It was possible that she could be the same, that she would learn lessons on her own accord, but it was more likely that she would be someone completely different. One bad influence could bring out the worst in a pony, as she had learned about herself when she was cheated by Suri Polomare. At the same time though, one good influence could lead you to a brighter future, which she had done personally with Coco Pommel.

As Rarity dwelled on her thoughts, she caught Fluttershy's head look upwards into the sky behind her. Turning to see what had captured her attention, the unicorn could make out a grey pegasus with blonde hair in a mail mare's uniform carrying a satchel flying towards the two of them. Soon the winged mare touched down near the table, and there was no mistaking who it was.

"Good morning Derpy." Fluttershy greeted. "What brings you here today?"

"Good morning Fluttershy," Derpy Hooves greeted back. Being Poniville's mail distributor, the grey pegasus knew everyone in town by name. "I got a book for you!" Reaching into her bag she pulled out a paperback magazine.

Fluttershy took it from the mail mare to look at the cover. "My issue of 'Cuddly Exotic Creatures Monthly'. Thank you very much." Flipping through the pages with excitement she stopped on a page featuring a two headed dog. "Oh look! An Orthos! They are so cute!"

"You're welcome," said Derpy. "Oh, and I got a letter for you too Rarity!"

Digging through her bag again Derpy fished out a pink envelope with purple trim. "Who is it from?" asked Fluttershy.

Rarity tore the envelope open with her telekinetic magic and then used it to pull out the note inside. "It's from Coco Pommel." The two had taken to writing letters back and forth since Rarity first met the small mare. It had been some time since Coco's last one though, and Rarity was starting to worry for the girl. "It says that she is doing fine, and that she's finished the job I got her making dresses for the play, and that...."

The unicorn stopped for a moment. She had to read the latter again, and then a third and fourth time just to be should she wasn't reading it incorrectly. "What's wrong? You look upset?" Fluttershy said, worried about Rarity's ever increasing look of dread.

"It's Suri..." Rarity answered, a bit in disbelief. "Coco says she went back to work for her."

It didn't take Rarity but a few days to open up her schedule enough for a trip to Manehattan. She still had plenty of things to do, such as a headdress and new outfits that she had agreed to make for Sapphire Shores, but she could work on that when she got to her destination. For now she had to focus on Coco. "I simply don't know what got into her." Rarity said to Fluttershy and Twilight, who were helping her put her luggage onto the train she would be taking.

"Well, maybe Suri turned over a new leaf and started treating Coco a lot better." Fluttershy said with optimism, wanting to give Suri the benefit of the doubt.

"I suppose that's true..." Rarity said, still unsure. "But she didn't make any mention of that in the letter, just that she was working for her. At the very least I need to be sure everything is ok."

Twilight, using her magic, loaded the last of Rarity's suitcases into the luggage car. "Are you going to be ok going by yourself?"

"Why whatever do you mean darling?" Asked Rarity. "It's just a trip to Manehattan."

"I know, but you and Suri didn't really leave off on the right hoof last time." said Twilight, worried about what might happen when the two encountered each other.

Rarity found the alicorn's words humorous. "Oh please Twilight, I know how to behave myself. I'll just talk to Coco and see what she has to say."

"I just wish that I could go with you, but Celestia called me to Canterlot. One of the Wonderbolts has gone missing and she wanted me to help with the search party." said Twilight. While she was here to wish her friend a good trip, she was also here waiting for a train of her own.

The three mares moved down the the station platform until they came to a passenger car. Grabbing the handle just outside the train car's entrance Rarity pulled herself aboard. "Don't worry, I'll be back before you know it." she said to Twilight, certain that this situation would be quickly resolved. "Fluttershy, do remember to take care of Opalescence for me."

The pegasus nodded. "I will. Have a safe trip."

"I will!" Rarity said entering the train completely and taking her seat. As it started up the unicorn looked out the window, giving her friends one last wave goodbye which they then returned. Despite how short she expected her excursion to Manehattan to be, she missed them already, perhaps a trait she picked up from Pinkie Pie. Reminding herself that she would be back in a few days, she settled in for the ride and started focusing on what she would do when she got there.

The unicorn opened a handbag she had brought with her onto the train and started working out her plan of action. It was very likely that what Fluttershy said before was true, that she was just misinformed and that something had come up that would allow Coco to go back to Suri without it being such a hostile environment for the up and coming seamstress. Then again, it was also likely that Suri somehow coerced her into working for her once more. If the latter was the case, Rarity intended to do something about it.

"First thing's first." The unicorn said to herself. "We rent a hotel for a few days before figuring out where exactly Suri's shop is. Once there we demand to see Coco, then we can get the full story." Putting her hand in the handbag she pulled out a small object, a spool of rainbow colored thread. "If she tells me something is wrong, or if it seems like she is nervous or hiding something, we will try to convince her to leave and if that doesn't get through to her, perhaps this will."

The thread was a representation of many things; Coco' respect for Rarity and her ethics, her initial independence from Suri, Rarity seeing that her friends were more important than some fashion show. Rarity hoped in this aspect though it would show the earth pony that they were truly friends, and that if she was telling her not to stay with Suri it was only because she cared about the pony. Putting the thread back inside her bag she sealed it up and looked out the window of the train car. Manehattan was still hours away and she would have plenty of time to prepare what she would say.

Some time passed and Rarity found herself back in the city of Manehattan. The city was bustling with life just as she remembered from her last visit. Carts filled the streets, pegasi flew in between the tall buildings, and from every direction came noises of activity. While she considered Canterlot her home away from home, Manehattan would always be the place she knew she would strive. Anyone with the talent and the drive to make something of themselves could be a very important pony here, at least that was what she believed.

After recieving assistance from one of the train station's employees to help her carry the baggage she brought outside, the unicorn went out to the sidewalk and attempted to hail down a taxi cart. Her last time in Manehattan had taught her that this task wasn't always easy, but there didn't seem to be anyone else trying to get one at the time so she felt it was worth a shot. Going to the edge of the sidewalk she put her hand into the air and waved at a few that were passing by.

It didn't take long for one to stop, coming up right in front of her aside the sidewalk. The pony running the cart, a large stallion whose body seemed built for the task, looked at the mare and then to the suitcases beside her. "One moment ma'am." He said, unhooking himself from the cart before going to the trunk of the cab. Once he got it open he started to load taxi with her possessions. "Feel free to get in Miss, this will only take a minute."

The unicorn tipped the station worker with a moderately sized gem, as was her habit when someone went out of there way to help her or performed a service exceptionally well, and entered the vehicle. Slipping inside and closing the door behind her, Rarity didn't even notice the other pony sitting on the other side of the cart. As she looked out at the progress the cabbie was making with her things, the pony quietly reached out their hand, grabbing the unsuspecting mare by the shoulder.

"Ah!" Rarity let out in surprise. Zipping her body around and pressing her back to the door the mare looked to her assumed assailant and quickly made out a familiar face. "Fancy Pants!" She yelled, straightening her body back upright. "For Celestia's sake, you frightened me half to death."

"My apologies, Miss Rarity." The unicorn stallion said, pulling back his hand. "It was not my intent. I just wanted to get your attention I assure you."

Rarity took a moment to regain her composure, taking a few deep breaths to calm her rattled nerves. It had been a while since she had seen the stallion, not since the party he had held on the same day as Twilight's birthday party. A lot had happened since then and Rarity was incredibly curious why the stallion was in Manehattan. "So how have you been? It has been a while." Despite her curiosity she knew that it was inappropriate to pry into the matters of another pony, at least directly. If she was to learn the reason Fancy Pants himself would have tell her of his own accord.

"Well, Miss Rarity, I have been very busy." The high class stallion replied. "Actually, Fleur and I both."

For a moment Rarity stayed quiet, expecting a little more information than that. When it didn't come she couldn't help but press the issue. "Well... if I might ask, what have you been busy with?"

"Oh, how rude of me to lead you on without telling you something." Fancy Pants apologized. "Nothing too out of the usual. Social parties at the castle, including a very interesting one with Princess Luna, invested in a few new businesses, and... well..." The stallion began fumbling over his own thoughts, as if he wanted to tell Rarity something, but wasn't sure if he should.

Rarity, sensing the stallion was hesitating, changed the topic immediately to remove his discomfort. "It sounds like you have been through quite a bit. I have also been busy. Organizing events, winning a fashion contest, saving Equestria from impending doom. The usual."

Fancy Pants chuckled at her remark. He knew it was true, but it was still a bit absurd to think of the mare before him as a protector of Equestria. "Yes, I heard of your deeds in Canterlot and the Crystal Empire. You and your group of Ponyvillians have sure made a name for yourselves, and who would've guessed that the purple mare that was at my party that night would become the next alicorn princess." The unicorn stallion saw the cart runner was getting ready to move the cart, having finally finished loading Rarity's luggage. Seeing this he decided to ask a question that was on his mind.

"Miss Rarity." He said, pausing for a moment as he tried to think of the best way to phrase his question. "You haven't gotten an invitation from 'The Society' yet, have you?"

"The Society?" Rarity questioned. "What's that?"

Seeing that the mare had no clue what he was talking about he quickly retracted his statement. "Oh, it's nothing. Forget I even mentioned it."

It was too late though. Rarity was curious and the stallion's mysterious behavior only intrigued her further. "Come now Fancy Pants, you can trust me."

"I know I can Miss Rarity, but there is a certain level of secrecy around this topic." Fancy Pants replied. "The only reason I brought it up was that I know they are trying to contact you."

Rarity wondered who exactly "they" were suppose to be. It was sounded like some sort of secret club was trying to get in contact with her from the way Fancy Pants was saying it. The idea excited her a bit, she had heard of certain groups of high standing ponies getting together and forming exclusive organizations. The benefits of being part of such a group, besides the possible amenities of the facilities they had, was a vast social network where a pony could easily get in contact with others in positions of power or authority, the real movers and shakers of Equestria. Anyone who was anyone would be among such a group, especially if someone as well respected as Fancy Pants was part of it as he had just alluded to.

"Well then... I will have to keep an eye out for my invitation. Is that why you are in town? Are they stationed here in Manehattan?" Rarity wanted to know more, the thought of being part of something so big almost making her forget the reason she had come to the city in the first place.

"I must apologize, but until you become a member I'm not supposed to discuss Society matters with you." Fancy Pants said looking legitimately sorry for having to withhold information from a friend. "But as for why I'm here... there is a certain something I have invested in within this city and it seems that it hit a snag in its development recently. I'm here to try and rectify the problem by request of the pony I had left in charge of the project."

"Then I hope the problem is resolved soon." Said Rarity.

"Me too, but some ponies are just too stubborn." Fancy Pants replied offhandedly.

Rarity wasn't too sure of what the stallion meant when he said that. "I beg your pardon?" She said, wanting clarification.

"Oh, it is just a little complication. Let's just say that sometimes ponies insist on having things their way when you know for a fact that the way you want things is better for all parties involved." Rarity could relate to what the stallion was saying, thinking back to the time when she made the gala dresses for her friends and how they had wanted to change the designs to things they thought would better suit them. The results were a disaster, but luckily one that could be rectified. Seeing how Fancy Pants was acting as the client though Rarity wondered if he was really causing the problem in this situation or not.

"And here is my stop." Fancy Pants said, the inertia of the braking cart causing the two ponies to jut forward a little bit. Rarity had been so engaged in her talk with the stallion that she didn't even realize the cart had started moving to some unknown destination in the city. "I must bid you farewell for now Miss Rarity, but I will be in town for a while. Might I ask where you'll be staying?"

"I'll be at the Mane Fair Hotel," Rarity answered. "But I will only be there for a few days at most. I'm just here to check in on my friend Coco."

The mention of the name caused a reaction in Fancy Pants' expression. "You don't mean Miss Pommel, do you?"

"Why yes, do you know her?" Asked Rarity, amazed that he knew the girl.

"We have met. She is a very lovely young lady." Said Fancy Pants as he exited the cart. Going to the puller he gave the burly stallion a large sum of money, saying to him. "Please take the lady inside the cart to the Main Fair Hotel post haste. She is a very important mare and has business to attend to."

The stallion nodded in response and the moment Fancy Pants moved out of the way he went into a lightning fast pace. The cart flew down the street Rarity so fast couldn't even see where the high class unicorn was heading to, only catching a glimpse of him heading towards an alleyway. With him now gone, her mind returned to more important matters. She would drop her things off at the hotel and spend the rest of the day finding out where she could find Suri's shop, but tomorrow she would find out exactly what was going on with Coco Pommel.