A Land of Dreams

Chapters

Revelations
A Land of Dreams
Anything You Can Do...

Revelations

Authors’ note from the desk of Maverick and Cloud Cutter: This is a sanctioned spinoff of Kickass22urmom’s Living the Dream. We thank him for allowing us to use his universe in our story. We hope you enjoy this story as much as we enjoyed his story.

With that out of the way please enjoy the story.

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A Land of Dreams?

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“This is the way the world ends,
This is the way the world ends,
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but with a whimper”

~T.S. Elliot

Breathing became more difficult with each step I took, but I had to keep going it was the only way I’d make it alive. The pain, God the pain in my side was unbearable, causing each ragged breath to be agonizing. I looked down at my hand which was covered in blood. I couldn’t go much farther like this. The footsteps behind me were getting louder, I fell to my knees. There was no use in trying to run anymore, suddenly the crowd began chanting the countdown to midnight.

'10, 9, 8, 7, 6...'

"Good" I heard one of my pursuers say "We'll use the fireworks as cover." Man this is it...

'5, 4, 3...'

*Click, Click*

He pulled the hammer on his gun, a grin on his face all the while. This was probably fun for him.

'2’

He tensed, slowly pulling on the trigger ready to let loose the deadly projectile.

‘1...’

~~~~~~~~~~~~

12 hours earlier

~~~~~~~~~~~~

“What is a four letter word for car manufacturer?” I asked.

The waiter sighed “Ford? sir.”

“Ah yes of course my dear sir, thank you.” I said in my best holmesian accent.

“Sir would you like more coke?” The waiter asked impatiently.

“Oh yeah go ahead, fill her up!” He looked at me funny, not used to the way I talk. I thought about it and realized that this was my third refill so far.

I was waiting for my brother Anthony. You see he had invited me to New York to celebrate the 2012 End of the year party...

~~~~~

Flashback!!!

~~~~~

“Hey Vinny long time no talk.” Anthony had called me just the other day, but it didn’t bother me. He doesn’t call that often anyway.

“Yah it’s been a while, so why are yah callin‘?” I said questioningly he never calls unless he wants something.

“Well you know the 2012 End of the year party?” He said.

One of my friends had told me that almost all of New York was gathering in time square to watch the ball fall, like it does on New Year’s Eve, but for the supposed ‘end of the world’ mumbo jumbo. I wasn’t really interested in it.

“Yeah what about it? You know I don’t believe in the world exploding and all that.” I said.

“Oh I know, but hey why don’t you come up to New York and spend some time with your big brother eh? Maybe a few drunk girls?” He suggested.

I immediately thought of a nightclub, drunk girls dancing around me, while the song ‘Sexy and I know it’ playing. “Well I could use a vacation…” I said, trying not to sound desperate.

“That’s great so why don’t you pack your stuff and get up here?” He said, but there was a slight difference in the tone of his voice. Not so much happily inviting as before, but more of a slight pleading. I checked my wallet seeing the only bit of cash I had left, $20 I still didn’t have a job yet. I lost the last one I had at McDonalds a week ago. Apparently they don’t like it when you throw a burger at a customer’s face because he changed his order 5 freaking times

“I don’t have the money to spend a week in New York.” I mentioned, hoping it would count as a good excuse for not going.

“Hey don’t worry I’ll take care of everything just get up here it’ll be life changing!”
He said, sounding even more anxious

“Ha-ha I bet.” Dang looks like I’m going. “Yah I’m tired of this heat. But I won’t be able to pay you back for a while.” I tried this again, but i already knew what he would say.

Without missing a beat he replied “Forgeddaboudit it’s already taken care of, Just get your ass off the couch and get the hell up here and have some fun! I’ll talk to you soon, got some business to take care of.”

*Click*

He hung up before I could even ask, but who cares I get a FREE trip to NEW FREAKING YORK. Yeah I’m going to have a good time! Well it’s time to party like Pinkie
Pie Woohoo!

~~~~~

Now back to reality {AWW…..}

~~~~~

(In case you didn’t know the party had been going on for days. This party was huge, I mean gigantic! Pinkie Pie would have a tough time throwing a better party...... well maybe not.)

I looked over at my watch, a present from my brother, it’s been like 45 minutes. I ain’t waiting for him much longer. You know what he’s probably at home, hung over or something he was always partying at the clubs, and places like that. I grabbed my coat off the back of the chair and started off down the street amazed by the height of these buildings, and the street entertainment around me.

There was this one pizza place along the way, Alonzo’s pizza; it smelled so good I had to stop there for a while. I had to try it, so I grabbed myself a slice or two. Anyways, once I got back to my mission I tried calling my brother for the fifth time today. He still wouldn’t answer my calls. He never does.

Well I eventually made it to his apartment building, I saw his name on the list and I buzzed, but he didn’t answer. I waited a second and tried again, but he didn’t respond.

Well he’s still going to pay for all this even if he doesn’t join me. I checked the time suddenly my phone started ringing, it was my brother, finally! I quickly answered “Hey I’ve been trying to get a hold of you all day!”

“If you want to see your brother again come to 590 LUIS MUNOZ MARIN BOULEVARD, JERSEY CITY.”

*Click*

What?! Why would my brother be in trouble like this? I have to save my brother no matter what it cost, besides who was going to pay for my trip?

~~~~~

It took me almost an hour to get to the address. Traffic was backed up because of the party in time square. I said goodbye to the cab driver and gave him a 5 dollar tip. The address turned out to be an old gas station in Jersey, why Jersey? The gas station was run down, and decrepit, no one had probably been here for years. It was creepy to even stand near the thing, and it looked like it could fall at any second. “Well where is this guy? I’m here; at least I think I’m at the right place…”

I suddenly felt like someone was behind me. I heard the sounds of hard breathing behind me then a voice said “Yeah you’re at the right place kid.” The last thought that went through my mind was I knew it was a freaking trap. Wait is that a bat?

*WHACK*

My legs went all wobbly, my vision started to go black as I slipped into unconsciousness.

~~~~~

Man that guy hit me hard! Oh man where am I? I looked around. I was in this room; I was surrounded by complete darkness except for a lone light shining on a metal door. I approached the door cautiously then as I neared the door I saw two buttons, one a bright white light, and the other a dull blood red. An elevator? Hmm I guess I’ll go up then I pressed the white button and the doors silently slid open. I walked in and the doors closed quickly behind me, then

*Whoosh*

The elevator shot upward.

I always hated that feeling you get when you’re in an elevator. The elevator stopped abruptly and I felt like I was going to be launched into the air but only an extreme sense of lightheadedness came over me.

The door slid open and I stumbled out into another room, this one was partially lit by a single skylight far above me. This skylight lit an area in front of me, casting a shadow in the shape of some kind of animal, but I couldn’t figure out.

“COME INTO THE LIGHT.” I heard a booming voice say.

Nearly frozen in terror I slowly walked into the circle of light as I was told. Suddenly images started flashing before my eyes, these images started off with all the good memories that I had had as a child and young teenager hanging out with my friends, and all the good things in my life, but soon they started to shift to the darker side of my mind. The part of my mind that contained all my nightmares, and memories of all the sins I have ever committed it became too much for me and I fell to my knees screaming in horror as I realized the wrongs that I have done. I began to hear voices speaking amongst my memories “I don’t deserve this! I’m guilty and I’m sorry!” I yelled at the top of my lungs, but the memories kept flashing before me. Man I had a lot of them, finally the memories stopped, but I couldn’t stand I just stayed there on my knees face down sobbing quietly.

“GET UP.” the voice boomed again.

I had no choice. The voice was so commanding, I obeyed. I stood slowly, my eyes full of tears and my voice shaky

“Wh-What’s going on?” no reply “Please what is happening to me?”

“YOU HAVE BEEN JUDGED…NOW GO.”

“Judged for what? Why am I being judged?”

“BE PREPARED VINCE, YOU WILL FACE HARDSHIP, BUT YOU MUST REMEMBER I AM ALWAYS WITH YOU. NOW NO MORE QUESTIONS…YOU MUST GO.”

A light turned on across the room illuminating another metal door. As I neared I saw it was another elevator but with only one button, a bright white triangle pointing down. “I guess I’ll go down” I pressed the button and the doors silently slid open. I stepped inside and

*Whoosh*

~~~~~~~~~~~~

(One hour after I went unconscious)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I shot awake. I looked around. I was in a daze as the world rang around me. Noises were muffled, lights seemed blinding, I couldn’t focus on them, every light that I looked at produced an enormous migraine. I tried to make out my surroundings. Where was I? A bar? A club? Everything seemed so fuzzy.

Then this guy walked in, it was the same guy from the gas station, the one who knocked me out! He started shouting at me, but I couldn’t make out what he was saying, everything was muffled, like I was underwater. Anger began to swell within me and I tried to stand up and get at him, but my body wouldn’t respond I looked down at my legs. They were duct taped to the chair legs, and my arms were tied to the chair behind me. The man then slapped me in the face. Everything finally started to come back into focus.

“Damn kid, you must have some demons”

My attacker said shaking his fat head. The man was tall relatively speaking probably about 6 feet tall with a buzzed haircut. He still carried the bat that he used to knock me out; there was blood on it, my blood. He wore a leather jacket that was too small on him, making me think that he probably stole the jacket from someone. His khaki pants were stained with spots of red. From across the room I heard another voice.

“Well well, looks like the princess beauty is finally awake.” This new voice said mockingly.

This voice was new; I guess he walked in while I was distracted by the other guy. He wore a black business suit that was unbuttoned with a white shirt underneath. He had slicked back hair. He had an air of composure about him, confidence and pride oozed from him. Even with all of this he seemed different somehow. There was something off about the way he smiled. His smile had this animal like quality it’s hard to explain. It was comforting while scary, inviting while despising, you want to be around him but you can’t stand him. And his eyes, I can't even describe his eyes; it was like they were looking into your soul forcing you to do whatever he said.

“Uh boss, I think it’s Sleeping Beauty.” *SLAP* The man in the suit whacked Buzz Cut in the face with the back of his hand leaving a red mark where he had hit him, a small cut appeared on his cheek, a cut caused by the man's ring. It was square, and had a large diamond “C” emblazoned in the middle of the ring.

“Does it look like I really care what you think!?” It was apparent that this man hated the other. He only wanted to get the job done without having to deal with a bumbling baboon like this guy.

“But boss” *SLAP* the fat guy held his cheek whimpering. The Suit apparently had no tolerance for the fat man.

“Just, shut up Bugs” The boss was rubbing his temples. It looked like he was on the verge of killing the man simply due to the annoyance that he has brought him. But he still needed him. “Untie this man; I need to talk to him about his job”

“My job? What job?” I said, sounding slightly more frightened than I wanted to allow.

The man he called Bugs untied me from the chair, backed away, and went to sit in one of the booths. I rolled my wrists and rubbed the sore spots. How long was I out?

“Follow me kid. I’ve got something to show you.” We walked to the other side of the bar, and through a swinging door behind it. On the other side was a man slumped over in a chair…my brother or at least I assumed it was my brother. It was hard to tell because he had a burlap sack over his head to hide his face. He was bruised and bloody, his right leg was broken from where a baseball bat had made contact before. He had razor cuts all over his arms and chest. Blood still flowed from some of his wounds, blood that had been scattered by multiple swings of a bat. He was in bad condition.

“Your brother is in a bit of trouble with the family, and you’re the one who’s going to get him out of it.” I didn’t like where this was headed, but I had no choice I couldn’t let them kill him. He was supposed to pay for my trip.

The boss started talking “OK kid you need to deliver a very important package, to a guy in Grand Central Station by 9:30 P.M. When you do this and we get confirmation that he has received the package we’ll let your brother go.” I looked at the man in the chair. My brother, motionless. I’ll get you out of this bro I silently vowed to myself “Ok I‘ll do it as long as he is released as soon as I deliver the package“I said pure hatred in my voice, but all I could do was comply

“Good, we have a deal then? Here take this” He handed me a picture of the guy who was supposed to receive the package. He wore a blue business suit with a yellow undershirt (gee he didn't stick out at all, well then again it was New York) I shrugged and put the picture in my pocket “and of course the package.” He handed me a simple silver Attaché case with a number lock on the side of it. The case weighed a ton, 25 pounds at least. “Now you might want to hurry I hear there’s quite a bit of traffic, and you don’t have much time.” With that I took one more glance at my brother, and then I turned for the door. I ran out and began hurrying for Grand Central Station.

“Boss when do we follow him?” Bugsy said an evil smile forming on his face

“Give him a few minutes. Then we’ll have our fun” The suit said in his comfortingly corrupt voice.
He went back through the door behind the bar to attend to the other man in the chair pulling out his Magnum as he did so. Bugsy just sat there rubbing his cheek with his hand wiping off the blood that had trickled out.

~~~Transition to Grand Central Station~~

After what felt like ages I finally arrived at Grand Central. I had run all the way here with only the thoughts of my brother to keep me going.

I looked at the clock in the center of Grand Central Station; it was nearly 9:30. Where was this guy? I had been walking around grand central for close to 20 minutes looking for the guy in the picture. I was about to give up when I saw a face pass quickly behind a few pillars on the second floor, it looked like the guy, it had to be the guy, I mean who else would be wearing a blue suit and yellow shirt. I started chasing after the man.

Finally catching up with him I was able to explain myself “Sir I have a package for you”

“About fucking time kid, I was about to call the Don. Give it here kid I don’t have all day”

I quickly gave the man the case. “Sir do you think you could call the Don and tell him that you got the package?”

“Yah don’t worry ‘bout it kid.” And with that he began to walk away.

I could only hope that my brother would be safe from any more harm. My heart was still racing from the strain of running so far so fast Mom might kill him for getting in this level of trouble with a mob. But I did my part as the LOYAL brother, I needed a rest. I started walking the opposite direction towards the bathroom.

I smelled and wanted to wash the blood and sweat from my face before going back to the party. Most may not consider going to a party to rest, but I just wanted to rest in a chair sipping on some free coke as I waited for the ball to drop.

While I was distracted by these thoughts I felt hands on my shoulder pull me away from the door. I turned to see who it was I had no intention of being kidnapped a second time, but I turned to see it was a girl wearing a slim black T-shirt and blue jeans her hair was jet black and hung down past her shoulder blades. Unlike The Suit’s eyes, her eyes were only comforting. I snapped back to reality and said the first thing that came to mind “Why did you pull me away from the bathroom?”

She started explaining as she pulled me away from the bathroom and towards a service door. She said “I’m Sofia Cattivo, I’m Frankie’s sister I’m sure you’ve met him.” I just looked at her dumbfounded I didn’t know anyone named Frankie. “He’s the one who told you to deliver a package?” She asked impatiently.
“Uh... yeah?”

“Well they think you didn’t deliver the package and they’re after you.”

“What why would they think I took the package? I just delivered the package to the guy they told me too.”

She looked at me confused “You did?” she then muttered to herself “What do they want then?” I barely caught what she said

“ Yeah I literally just walked away from the guy, but he’s probably gone off somewhere else now.”

She suddenly looked past me and immediately a bit of fear sneaked into her eyes. “We have to go now!”

“What?” fear snuck into my voice as she grabbed again and pulled me towards an exit.

“No time I’ll explain later now hurry” she opened the door that we were walking towards. I hurried through the door she soon followed and she led me down the hallway, we turned a few corners and ducked under some pipes. My legs were tired, I had run so far today.

“Boss, I think they went this way.” A voice shouted from behind me that had to be Bugsy. I suddenly started running a bit faster all pain disappearing from my legs replaced by pure fear.

“Hurry!” She urged me on as we ran through the hall following the exit signs that I hoped would lead us to freedom. Sofia and I started to climb a set of stairs. At the top of these stairs were a set of double doors that I could only assume led outside, we pushed on through them. We came out of the doors into an alley. We turned to our right and headed out to the main street losing ourselves in the crowd, the strangers watching the countdown board in front of them barely noticing us. They all wanted a look at the countdown.

Sofia grabbed my hand (ahh soft hands) and started to pull me to the other side of the street and into a café. With a moment to breathe and relax she began to tell me what was really going on.

“My brother is Frankie, he’s the one who is after you because he believes that you have stolen from the family.”

“Family, what family?” I thought I knew but I didn't want to accept that I was really in this situation

“The Cattivo family is a major crime organization in New Jersey, but they operate a lot in New York too. Like it or not you’re now involved in this mess.”

Greeeat, just GREAT, now I’ve got a mob after me. As if my day could get any worse. “I didn’t want to get involved but they had my brother, I had to help him out.”

“Your brother? What’s his name?”

“Anthony Moretti.” As I said the name her face paled slightly.

“Moretti?” She asked like she already knew my brother.

“Yah he invited me up from Florida to celebrate in the End of the World Party, and he really wanted me to come up, it’s sad that he got into some trouble before he could meet me though.” I said innocently.

“I think he invited you up here for more reasons than to just celebrate.” Concern seeped into her voice.

“Wait why do you think he invited me up here?”

“Well....” she started but she stopped and grabbed my arm and said “We have to leave. We can talk when we get back to my apartment. Let’s go!”

Damn it mind, get out of the gutter! “Uh ok…” I said slightly sheepishly trying to banish the thoughts from my head.

We began walking out of the café and through the crowd. A few minutes later we arrived at this apartment building. The building was like any typical apartment building, about 10 stories tall and with an alley on each side. The walls were made of red brick inside and out being in the middle of the street it was shaded by the other buildings. Lights were on in the upstairs windows, they gave it a sinister sort of feel as we entered the building “We have to go up to my floor” she said

I looked over at the elevators, of course they would be out of order. I looked back and she was already at the stairs and heading up. I ran over and joined her. After about seven flights of stairs (Legs killing me must.... sit....down....) we got to her floor and headed down the long hallway. Finally we arrived at her apartment 713. She unlocked the door and walked in throwing her coat onto a counter to her left, and encouraged me to do the same. I looked out the window, and saw it had started snowing.

Strange how something as peaceful as snow can seem so sinister under these circumstances. Snow, snow wasn't something I was used to it always had a mystical quality to me. I lived in florida we don't usually get snow there, so when my parents took me somewhere for winter vacation I always loved it. Snow was something that I used to play in when I was small. Something so soft and so pure seemed different now. Today snow looked to me like they were falling ashes from post-apocalyptic skies. I walked up to the window looking down at the street and still saw a ton of people partying despite the cold.

“Hey come over here and take off that heavy coat, it’s warm in here” She said snapping me out of my train of thought.

“I’m sorry.”

She said “It’s ok now we can talk.”

“OK” I said “Let’s start with who you are and how you knew I was in trouble with the mob.”

“Well” she started “I was at the bar...”

“What?! So...” I started but she stopped me

“I was at the bar, though you didn’t see me. I was sitting behind you, but after my brother talked to you you ran off out the door with a silver case. But I heard my brother and Bugsy say they were going to follow you, and I don’t know why but I had the feeling that something wasn’t right. So I made my way to Grand Central Station, and followed my brothers. But I almost ran into them by accident and I had to stay hidden so I lost you. When I came back I saw you walking towards the restroom, I had seen my brothers walk in there just before you, and so I thought you were walking into a trap. Turns out I was right.”

“So you’re with the mob?”

“Technically no, just my brothers. I tend to just be around. They don’t like it when I’m out and about getting into trouble.”

She looked old enough to be on her own and she did have an apartment of her own.
“Overprotective?”

“Yeah, it gets annoying” she admitted

“Well then I guess I’m in some serious trouble for something I didn’t do”

Typical. I grew up with that problem back in Florida, my brother always making me take the blame, and me being younger, weaker, and looking up to my older brother I would always take the blame.” Dang I just wanted to spend some time with my brother at the party, turns out he’s going to die…”

“About your brother” She said “He’s not exactly in as much trouble as you may think”
“What do you mean?”

“Well you see Anthony Moretti is one of the major figures in the Cattivo family. He’s actually the one who wanted you to get involved. He wanted to induct you into the mob, to be one of us and working with him.”

“Nah that can’t be. My brother was in the bar, all tied and beat up. He was there I would know if it wasn’t my brother.”

“Sorry, but it’s true”

Well Damn, that explains why he wasn’t picking up, why they had my number, and why he sounded all anxious over the phone before.

“Wait so who was the guy at the bar? And why are they trying to kill me if I'm his brother” Anger started to swell within me. I was deceived.

“The man at the bar was simply someone who didn't pay has ‘protection fee’ for the last 5 months. As for why they’re trying to kill you I don't know” she simply looked down at the bracelet she was carrying and sighed

“This sucks! ” I yelled in childish rage. She just looked at me, kind of hurt.

“I’m sorry Sofia didn’t mean to scare you, it’s not your fault. You just saved my life I guess. So I can’t be mad at you. It’s just....Just.... I’ve had a bad day. Now who’s going to pay for my trip?” I muttered under my breath.

“What?” she asked

“Sorry........umm is there someplace I can get washed up I’ve got to get this blood off my face”

She lightened a little “Well there’s the shower back there, and the towels are in this closet” She pulled a towel out and threw it over to me. “and I can wash your clothes so they’re not smelly, and you can get ready for the Party.”

“Won’t the family be there waiting for me?”

“Yah but they won’t be able to find you there’s supposed to be millions showing up and they’re not going to be able to find you in that big of a crowd.”

I smiled for the first time that day “Thanks” I guess the night isn’t totally ruined after all. I headed towards the bathroom and slung the towel over my shoulder and walked in

~~~~~~~

30 minutes later, Time - 11:14

~~~~~~~~

“You all clean?”She said. trying not to look at me directly,

I had the towel around my waist but she was trying to respect my privacy.

“Yah but I need my clothes…”

“Chill they’re almost done drying” she smiled.

All of a sudden I felt really exposed. I’m not usually embarrassed by my body but she was just so beautiful I felt ashamed that I didn’t have the perfect body. I could feel my cheeks blush but thankfully I heard a timer go off and she got up and walked past me. Glancing back. God I’m awkward!

She came back with my clothes and tossed them over to me. Oww! They’re hot. I fumbled around trying not to drop my clean clothes, but I nearly dropped the towel I had around my waist. That’s priority number one so I dropped the clothes and caught my towel just in time. I redid my towel and bent over to pick up my clothes. My cheeks a bright red I walked away into the room and started to change.

~~~~~

After I got my clothes.

~~~~~

We’ve talked for a little bit longer, and when we were about to leave for the party...

*Crack Crack*

Shots came out of the door someone was trying to break the lock.

“Geez what the hell?”

They started kicking at the door
Sofia cursed under her breath.

She said “It’s my brothers, you have to go now! I can hold them for a little bit but you have to go! Take the fire escape and go to Times Square.”

I ran toward the fire escape shouting back “Thanks.... for everything”

*Bang Bang Bang*

“Go!” She shouted holding her back to the door giving me a precious few seconds to make my escape.

*BANG.. BANG... CRACK*

The door burst off its hinges as I climbed out the window I could hear her and the two goons

“Where is he? We know you took him from Grand Central.” Frankie yelled.

“He’s not here, he’s already left! “She yelled back.

“Search the apartment Bugs.” Frankie yelled from somewhere behind me I fiddled with the latch trying to get the window unlocked.

“On it boss!” Bugs started searching the apartment kicking down any door he found. I finally opened the window as I heard him start kicking on the bathroom door.

OK time to go. I climbed out the window and started down the fire escape. I was halfway down when I heard Bugs yell out “He isn’t here boss!” and the resounding slap

“What do you mean he isn’t here?”

“He’s gone.”

“Well did you check the fire escape?” Ok now I really had to book it!

I started to climb down the ladder to street level when I heard a voice “THERE YOU ARE!!!”

Loud gunshots could be heard as they fired at me. One went whizzing past my head embedding itself into the brick wall, and another hit the floor to my right, but the last one had hit me in my side just as I was turning the corner. It made me spin almost a full 360 and I fell to my knees. An overwhelming pain came out of the wound but I quickly pushed the pain to the back of my mind and started running as fast as I could down the street and to Times Square.

I ran dodging in and out of crowds, every time I slowed to check my wound, or just to catch my breath I could hear the heavy breathing of Bugs, and the angry cursing from Frankie that they need to hurry. I was near my breaking point, I couldn’t run much longer. The crowd began to grow thicker, so I assumed I was near Times Square. I kept going, fearing for my life but the pain was horrific and I started getting dizzy. I had lost a lot of blood.

I neared the middle of Times Square and my breathing became more and more difficult with each step I took, but I had to keep going it was the only way I’d make it alive. I took the next turn hoping that it would lead me to safety but instead I was greeted with a brick wall.

The pain, God the pain in my side was unbearable, causing each ragged breath to be agonizing. I looked down at my hand which was covered in blood. I can't go much farther like this. The footsteps behind me were getting louder one set stopped and took two shots at me one had hit me right in the knee cap I fell to my knees. There was no use in trying to run anymore there was nowhere to go no way to run I was trapped, suddenly the crowd began chanting the countdown to midnight while I started chanting a prayer preparing for my death.

'10, 9, 8, 7, 6...'

"Good" I heard one of my pursuers say "we'll use the fireworks as cover.". Man this is it

'5, 4, 3...'

*Click, Click*

He pulled the hammer, a grin on his face all the while. This was probably going to be fun for him.

'2’

He tensed, slowly pulling on the trigger ready to let loose the deadly projectile.

‘1...’

I waited for the shot......it never came

~~~~~

I stood there scared I still waited for a shot but instead I heard a loud booming voice. It didn't instill fear in me, in fact it comforted me.

“OPEN YOUR EYES CHILD”

I did.

“YOU HAVE SURVIVED THE RAPTURE, AND NOW HAVE A CHANCE TO LIVE AGAIN.”

“Live..... Again?” I said still confused as to what was happening

“YES MY CHILD YOU HAVE THREE CHOICES, YOU CAN GO STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN, OR STRAIGHT TO HELL.”

“Than what’s my third choice?”

“THE THIRD CHOICE IS THE CHANCE TO LIVE AGAIN IN A WORLD OF YOUR CHOOSING. ANY WORLD YOU WANT”

I thought for a moment I came up with an answer “Can I go to Equestria? It’s a sho...”

“YES, CHILD I KNOW OF THIS LAND MANY HAVE ALREADY GONE. ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO JOIN THEM?”

I thought again and only nodded my head.

“VERY WELL THEN CLOSE YOUR EYES MY CHILD, FOR WHEN YOU OPEN THEM YOU WILL BE IN THE LAND OF YOUR DREAMS”

I did as I was told.

A Land of Dreams

Hey everypony! Maverick here reminding you to check out Kickass222urmom's story Living The Dream!! It's So Awesome! Anyways Enjoy :)

I opened my eyes.

I woke up in an alleyway blocked off by a brick wall. The sun had come up lighting the alleyway slightly. The alley seemed to be exactly the same as the one I ran into earlier, like nothing had changed other than the time of day. “Was it all a dream?” I muttered to myself. My mind had this cloud of haze around it as I was trying to remember “But, it seemed so real!” I started to think back over the last twelve hours, trying to remember what was going on, and how I came to be in an alley. The memories were vague, remembering the details were like trying to grab smoke. I looked down trying to piece together what had happened. I could see every little crack in the floor at my hooves.

3...

2...

1...

My HOOVES?!?! As my mind recovered from the shock, everything started to come back to me. I suddenly remembered everything that had happened in New York, the party, being chased, even my encounter with God.

“Am I really in Equestria? I couldn’t be, I mean that’s impossible! Right?!” I looked around trying to figure out exactly where I was. This place sure didn't look like any part of Equestria that I knew of from the show, at least not right away. It was at this point that I noticed a skyscraper with a giant horseshoe on top of it just over the brick wall at the end of the alleyway.

“Horseshoe..... Where have I seen that before?” My mind went into overdrive trying to remember which episode I had seen this building in. My mind went through episode after episode until I finally had it. The building was from the episode ‘The Cutie Mark Chronicles’, from Applejack’s story where she went to...

“MANEHATTAN!! Of course, it’s Manehattan”

I instinctively slammed a palm...hoof...into my face, but I didn't quite hit what I wanted to. “OH GOD MY EYE!!” I didn't account for the fact that my eyes took up half my face, and ended up slamming a hoof into my eye, causing it to become bloodshot almost immediately. I walked over to a nearby puddle to survey the damage I had done to myself.

I stared into the puddle looking into the unfamiliar golden yellow eyes that were staring back. I stared for a few minutes before realizing that this was my face. I had a pony face! An honest to goodness pony face, snout and all! Granted my right eye was swollen, but I really was an honest to goodness pony! Unfortunately from this view I couldn't really see much more of myself, but what I saw in the puddle made me want to see more. I looked out into the open end of the alley seeing a street just absolutely bustling with ponies of all shapes and colors. Maybe I could find a window or something so I can see the rest of my awesome bod. “Ha!”

I walked into the crowd of ponies, and instantly got bumped and shoved. Before I knew it I had been shoved into the street and was nearly hit by a pony hauling a cart full of hay. The pony glared at me, yelling out “OI...YOU! Watch where you’re walkin.” I stumbled across the street backwards, apologizing to him in the process, till I again was swept up by the moving mass of ponies. I followed the direction they were going to avoid being shoved into the street again. Eventually the speed at which these ponies moved slowed to the point where I was able to escape the crowd of ponies. I started to trot down a side street that was less crowded.

I walked down the street for a bit until I came across some shops. I stopped almost immediately noticing my reflection in the window of a bakery. I took this as a chance to take a look at the rest of my body.

I noted that the swelling in my eye had gone away. I guess ponies heal faster than humans do. My coat was a sort of blue, air force blue. I looked down slightly at my wings. “Wings?! I’m a PEGASUS! YES!!!!” I didn’t even feel them when they were tucked by my sides, they just fit so naturally! But the wings...were...different. They had a gold brace on the leading edge of the wing that ran from the base to the tip. Its curved nature reflected light all around me. It looked... “SO...AWESOME!” I squealed, yes squealed, in delight. Tapping my hooves in absolute excitement. I looked at my mane. It was a dark brown with a streak of gold lining the edge giving a metallic sort of shine to the hair. My mane was pretty short, which was good because I couldn’t stand long hair on guys. My tail wasn’t too long either, but a nice medium length. The colors of my tail were separated down the middle, and it was the same two colors as my mane. “I wonder...” I lifted my wing again and looked at my flank hoping to see a cutie mark, but alas there was nothing. “Oh well, it was worth a shot.” Once I was done studying myself, I continued to explore what would be my new home.

I started walking down the street, and I couldn’t believe that these buildings were so tall. Maybe it’s because I’m shorter I thought to myself. I saw buildings made of what seemed like brick and concrete, but they were all kinds of colors red, brown, grey, and blue. It was weird seeing a brick building that was blue, but hey who cares its Equestria! I noticed that a lot of the buildings had horseshoes as a trim, or as their centerpiece.

It had occurred to me that Manhattan was part of New York so that meant that Manehattan has to be part of something larger, and it also occurred to me that New York was often called the big apple. So I thought I’d call this New Mane City, The Big Horseshoe. That made sense to me at least.

While I was on this train of thought I had come up to the edge of a dock, almost falling off it in the process. I gazed into the water looking at my pony face; again thinking of how lucky I had been that god had given me a choice to live here. I looked up and saw a ferry that had a sign saying 'Ferry to Harmony Island'. On an impulse I decided I had to check this out. I walked over to the ferry. Turns out it was free, so I joined the other passengers, and waited to see what this harmony island was. .

We rounded the coast and the statue of liberty came into view and I couldn’t believe they had a statue of liberty here in Equestria, or at least a very ponified version of the statue holding what looked like a tablet and some sort of...wine glass? My vision was impaired due to my swollen eye.

I listened to the ferryman...ferrypony?... describe the history of the statue and how it was erected when Princesses Celestia and Luna first discovered the Elements of Harmony and defeated discord, which I thought was interesting, but at this point I was too busy admiring the statue. I was still trying to decide whether that was a wine glass, or a torch in her hand...hoof.

The ferry docked on the island. Allowing us to walk around freely. Unfortunately the statue was closed for renovation so I was limited to walking around the base. There wasn’t much to look at honestly especially with the main part of the island, the statue itself, being off limits. Heck, even the museum in the base of the statue was off limits. With nothing else to do, I decided to head back to the maneland (puns they are hilarious).

It was getting dark and I needed to find a place to spend the night. I would have gone to one of the many hotels that I passed, but being from a different world, and not having any cash, I couldn’t pay for a room. So I kept walking along the street looking for anyplace that was warm and dry to sleep. I was tired, even though I had a new body and all I could still feel the fatigue of the past day starting to overwhelm me.

As I was walking down the street I saw a dim light in the alleyway next to me. Desperate, I decided that I could probably sneak into the building and stay there for the night, getting out before anyone (anypony) could wake up. However when I arrived at the entrance to the alley, I was surprised at what I saw. Instead of seeing a door into a building, I saw a group of ponies huddled around a flaming barrel trying to keep warm. The flame that the barrel gave off was different though. It burned in a sort of off-green color which made me suspect it was fueled by magic. Made sense.

When I approached, the ponies turned to look at me. Some moved over so that I could join them in enjoying the warmth. I nodded towards them in thanks and proceeded to sit on a blanket that was near the fire and raised my fore hooves (? (Note to self: study pony anatomy) to the flame warming them in its silent glow.

Finally breaking the silence, an older sounding stallion spoke up, speaking in a slow almost southern tone, and asked me "So stranger, what’s your name?"

I thought about it and realized I had no answer. How could I forget to make a name, that’s like Pony 101? I resisted the urge to slam a hoof into my face again, seeing how well that ended last time, and stared into the fire trying to think of name. I went through so many ideas, yet not a single name that I could come up with fit who I was, or even remotely described me. I had apparently sat like this for a while as the same older pony spoke up again in the same nonchalant tone.

"That’s alright if you don’t want to share, we ain’t gunna shoo you off ‘cause you want your privacy."

Oh thank god I’m safe for another day...

"Why are you here?" Dammit quick come up with an excuse or something

"Because I'm broke, and I don’t have a place to stay tonight." The truth works too I guess

"Well that’s ahright. As you can see we’re in the same situation!" he laughed out loud after saying this, like it was a joke or something, and continued. “Well my name is Salvation but you can call me Sal if you want, and this fine lass here is my wife Charity, and the one sitting in the corner over there is Granny Box." I said hi to each of them except granny. I didn’t want to disturb her, she seemed to be asleep in the rocking chair, and At least I thought she was asleep. I couldn’t really tell if she was even alive.

“Is she dead?” An honest look of worry on my face

“Nawwww she’s fiiine. Ain’t ya granny?” with that he playfully slapped her on the shoulder causing her to wake up slightly, and mumble something before immediately falling back asleep.

We sat around the fire for a while longer before he spoke up again "Well if ya wanna stick around, we always have room for anypony down on their luck. You can sleep on the mat there next to Good Will" I chuckled at the name, the reference being entirely too obvious "Well me and the missus are off to bed for tonight, see y'all in the morning."

All the ponies around me said "GOOD NIGHT" in unison. Myself saying it a few seconds later feeling a bit awkward doing so.

I walked over to Good Will who was sitting quietly on his mat watching me. I looked at the mat that they let me use. It was a basic bed of straw, and a hard looking pillow, but hay (pun) it’s better than nothing. Surprisingly though the bed was actually quite comfortable, which I guess I can attribute to being a pony.

As I was trying to get comfortable on the mat Good Will spoke up "Where are you from? I haven’t seen you before, and I know almost every homeless pony around these parts..." darned curious ponies making me think up things on the spot.

“Well, I just arrived here in Manehattan actually. I came from ummm...out... east. Yeah, out east.” I said hoping to get him off my back

He grumbled "Nothing much east of here, what did you say your name was?" Oh crap why haven’t I thought of a name yet? Ok think, you can’t tell him your real name so come up with a lie quick!

"Well you see that’s just it, I don’t know my real name." hoping he’d buy it, I sat quietly.

"Well how in the hay does a grown pony not have a name?"

Now’s your chance LIE!! Lie like you’ve never lied before!

"Well" I said speaking slowly so I could hopefully come up with something believable "My parents left me when I was little and I was adopted by a family that lived out east but they were mean so I ran away and I’ve spent my whole life trying to find my real parents. I didn’t like the name my adopted family gave me, because they were mean, so I chose to not go by my name, but to be known for what I do" afterward my face had the largest grin on it hoping that he would believe it.

He simply stared at me studying my face. I started to sweat; my eyes shifted from side to side trying to not make eye contact. Good Will tried to say something, but before he could I turned over saying in my best southern accent “Can’t hear ya Ah’m asleep” making loud snoring noises.

He grunted. I waited there making the noises waiting for him to go to sleep. Eventually a soft snoring could be heard, wow that was close.

I laid there thinking. I thought for a while longer thinking about everything that had happened today. Man today was crazy! I got kidnapped, chased through New York, I was shot, and now I’m a pony in Equestria! Ain’t life grand?

As I laid there thinking I felt the exhaustion of the day hit me, and I slumped down onto the mat and pillow, thankful for its comfort, and closed my eyes thinking of what tomorrow would bring.

Anything You Can Do...

‘Run! Don’t stop running! They’re right behind you.’ I was running through a dark alleyway with two thugs chasing behind me.

‘Just get around the corner, RUN!’ The goons stopped, and pulled up their guns at the same time firing off a hail of gunfire in my direction. Bullets flew around me as I ran with only one thought racing through my mind : Don’t stop running!

I screamed as a bullet tore through my shoulder making me double over in pain.

‘Can’t stop *grunt* Have to keep going.’ I pulled myself up with my one good arm, the other hanging limply by my side.

I was barely able to get myself behind the corner as a second volley of bullets came my direction. I looked for a place to hide. Hearing the footsteps behind me getting closer, I instinctively jumped behind a dumpster.

I clutched my shoulder trying to hold down the pain as I waited silently for the goons to pass.

I could hear the footsteps coming around the corner, slowing to a stop near my hiding place. Then picking up speed again, they went running past me down the alley.

I gave a sigh of relief, and relaxed until....

CLICK CLICK. “How ya doin’ kid?” THAT voice...it can’t be.

I turned my head slowly, and found myself looking down the barrel of a revolver. I shifted my gaze into the crazed eyes of the man aiming it at me.

He wore a suit as black as night, and had the most corrupted smile on his face.

“You’re a hard kid to find, ya know that?”

I spat on his shoe. “Fuck you Frankie!”

Rage filled his face as he rammed the barrel of the gun into the center of my forehead. “You're gonna wish you never did that!” he spat, pulling the trigger.

The sound of the gunshot rang out, and the whole world around me disappeared into black smoke, and I started to fall, screaming.

"You're not going to get away kid! I’ll find you!" Frankie's disembodied voice echoed behind me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ahhh!" I woke up screaming.

I looked around, and everypony was staring at me. "What?" I asked hoping to get them to stop staring at me. The question was followed by a long and awkward silence.

Charity was the first to speak up. "Well dear, you seemed to be having some sort of nightmare. You were squirming around, and mumbling something about a... Frankie?" Another awkward silence followed.

Sal was the one to break the silence this time. "Well don’t y’all just stare at him. Get him some lunch.” He said to the ponies around him. “You must be starvin’.”

Lunch? Jeez, how long was I asleep?

I stood up on all fours, weird how it seems so natural. It’s almost like I’ve been walking like this my whole life.

One of the other ponies brought me a bowl of what seemed like cabbage soup, then he looked at me expectantly. I looked at the bowl of soup. How am I supposed to eat this without hands? Looking around at the other ponies who were eating as well, I noticed most of them simply shoved their face into the bowl. Leaning forward I sniffed the soup, it distinctly smelled like cabbage, I hated cabbage. I must have been starving though because my mouth started to water.

“Well, food is food” I muttered.

Mimicking the other ponies, I shoved my face into the bowl and ate up. It tasted like heaven, like pure sunshine, this soup was amazing! There is just no way to explain how good it was.

When I finished, I looked up to see charity smiling at me, so I smiled back. She chuckled a bit, and pointed to my mouth, which was absolutely covered in soup.

“I take it you like the soup then?” she chuckled with an adorable smile that only a pony could give.

With cuteness going off the scale it took my mind a moment to actually process that she was speaking to me “Oh the soup, yes it was AMAZING! What’s in it?”

She gave me a slightly quizzical look before laughing again and saying “It’s just good ol’ cabbage and water, and it’s all we can afford. With the number of homeless ponies out there, we can’t exactly give them all apple pie everyday all day.” She chuckled to herself.

Suddenly Sal called from somewhere else in the building, “ CHARITY, I GOT MORE CHOW HERE!”

“I gotta go. see ya later” She walked away.

I looked down at my empty bowl. I decided to take my bowl up to the counter where Sal called from to get more ‘chow’. I could just smell the delicious soup from where I was sitting, and I needed more!

When I was next in line, Sal turned to me as he ladled out another bowl “Sorry bud, we can't give anypony seconds, just don’t have the money”

Dang! Well it was good while it lasted.

I put down my bowl and thought of stuff to do today. I could explore some more, or maybe I should go to the library to learn more about my new home.

Going to the library seemed the best course of action, so I started off towards the opening of the alley before I realized I didn’t know where the library was, or for that matter where I was. Sal lived around here for a while and he seemed nice enough, maybe he will help me out.

Sal was busy cleaning the dishes when I walked over. “Hey Sal, you know these parts better than me, so you know where the library is, right?”

He kept on washing, trying to get a stain out of a bowl. He simply uttered in his usual southern drawl, “Eeeyup.”

“........Well?”

“Well what?”

“Aren’t you going to tell me where the library is?”

“Well you never asked where the library was. You just asked if I knew where it was.”

Face meet my hoof “OK, Where is the library?”

“Welll, I’ll tell ya in exchange for a name. So what can I call you, ‘mysterious stranger’?

I looked at the charcoal from the dying cooking fire, trying to come up with something.

Wait Char-Coal, Char Charlie Charlie’s angels, Angels can fly, flying...what else flies? A jet can fly, and jets are flown by pilots, think pilots! Top Gun was a good pilot movie think of names from there... Iceman, Goose, Viper, Maverick. Maverick was the coolest one there was! I kind of like it too, suits me I think. Someone who refuses to play by the rules. Someone who isn't scared to cross the line of conformity. Yeah, Maverick, I like it!

“Name’s Maverick!”

“Well than Maverick, if ya go down this alleyway, and take a right you’ll basically run right into it after a few blocks; You can’t miss it: big building, pillars, two griffon statues in the front.”

“Thanks and um...never mind. Thanks again for letting me stay here the night.”

“Don’t worry about it. We help out anypony in need.”

“Yeah but still...Thanks.”

He nodded “Well good luck, Maverick!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After about a half hour of walking, I made it to the library. Jeez, this library was huge, just walking up the steps made me feel ten times smaller.

Walking into the library, my eyes were assaulted with colors. I can’t truly describe it. It was like Twilight’s library, but multiplied by 20, and it was beautiful...and daunting.

How in the heck am I ever going to find a book on flying in all of THIS!

I don’t know how long I must have been standing there staring, but somepony had apparently noticed me because I was jolted back to reality by a friendly voice, “Is there anything I can do for you Sir?”

I immediately snapped back to reality “Oh, umm yes I’m looking for a book on the basics of flight.”

She studied me for a second before saying “Well there might be a few books in the foal’s section.” Raising a hoof, she pointed me towards a section near the back of the library “But, may I ask, why would you need a book like that?”

I blushed “I’d rather not talk about it.”

She smiled slightly, shook her head, and walked away.

I turned, and trotted off in the direction she had pointed. Walking along the bookshelves I looked at the title of each section until...“Foal’s section!” A maroon colored pony quickly turned and shushed me.

“Sorry!” I whispered.

I found a few books on flying, and a book about basic pony anatomy, that might come in handy. I grabbed them, and headed towards a table.

I took a deep breath and went into Twilight mode, studying all I could from these books. I knew that this info was important. Every fact no matter how small, how trivial, was absorbed into my mind. I took notes on everything: when were the best times to fly, when I shouldn’t fly, how weather affects flight, anything I could get my hooves on, I read.

After what must have been hours, I felt that I finally understood the basics of flying.

I flapped my wings a few times to attempt a hover, just barely getting off the ground before that one maroon pony turned around again. Catching sight of my flapping, she turned a bright shade of red, and shouted “THERE IS NO FLYING IN THE LIBRARY!!!!” pointing a hoof to a ‘NO FLYING’ sign.

Immediately tucking both of my wings to my side, I fell a foot. ”Sorry! So sorry, Won’t happen again!” I smiled weakly, and scurried off to a different section, trying to get away from the literally steaming librarian. Jeez, somepony must have had a bad day.

“I have to find a place to practice.”

~~~~An hour later in a field outside Manehattan~~~~

“This will do perfectly.” I walked into the field, glad to be out of the cramped city. Finally able to fly freely.

I spread my wings, and began to flap them slowly at first, but slowly picking up the pace. I closed my eyes, and put every ounce of concentration into flying, and I slowly felt myself lift off the ground. When I finally opened my eyes, I was 20 feet up in the air looking down at the field below me. “I’m Flying? I’M FLYING!!! Whoa!” I lost my concentration, and fell a few feet before catching myself in a hover.

“Ok, forward, try to move forward” I changed the movement of my wings slightly and sure enough I slowly started to move forward, but then....

“AHHHHHHHH!”

“What the!?” then I looked at my side; I stopped flapping. “Oh, Crap” I fell 20 feet to the ground below.

I looked around me for the source of the scream that made me lose my concentration, and sure enough there was a white pony running across the field with its red and yellow mane flowing behind him screaming for his dear life.

...wait a second that’s not his mane.....”FIRE!!!!”

The flaming pony started to run in circles around me screaming “HELP! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE HELP!”

“Just stop moving” I tackled the pony, pinning him to the ground. Using my wings, I put out the fire, or at least I thought it was put out. All that changed was the color of his mane which swapped from red and yellow to yellow and red. Regardless I kept flapping my wings.

“Umm *cough* I think its out now.”

“Oh, sorry kinda got carried away. You okay?”

“I’ve been better.”

We both looked at his recently flaming mane. Weird it didn’t seem singed at all. He stood back up and glanced back at his mane.

“Huh, guess I’m fireproof.” He looked back at me “Thanks, I didn’t think anyone else...” He stopped mid-sentence recognizing his error. “I...I mean anypony. I didn’t think anypony else was out here” His eyes darted left and right avoiding my gaze.

My mind thought back, back to when god gave me the choice to come here...

~~~Flashback~~~

I thought for a moment; I came up with an answer “Can I go to Equestria? It’s a show...”

“YES, CHILD I KNOW OF THIS LAND MANY HAVE ALREADY GONE. ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO JOIN THEM?”

~~~~~~

Could he be another Brony?

“Well I don’t think anyone heard that, so you’re ok.” I said hoping that he would catch the word choice, but I don’t think he caught it as he was still visibly nervous.

After a period of awkward silence I spoke up “ Let me ask you one thing though.” At this point the white pony started to sweat profusely. “What would you say if I said that I’M GONNA LOVE AND TOLERATE THE SHIT OUT OF YOU!”

At first this white pony seemed to be extremely scared of my tone of voice, that was until he realized what I said.

“ Wait..... are you...a Brony?” He asked quizzically.

I answered back with a slight laugh “Yes, it’s all true..... Well, are you going to give me a hoof bump or what?” I asked him nodding to my hoof. He smiled and gave me a hoof bump. Awesome I found another Brony.

“So, what should I call you” I asked.

“Jacob. And you?”

“I’m Vince, or Maverick to everypony around here.”

“Maverick, cool. Wait! Oh man I need to come up with a name. How could I forget that?” He facehoofed.

“I know, I forgot to choose a name until today too.” Laughing.

“How about Brilliance?”

“Meh, sounds pretentious to me.”

“Hmmm, how about Lightning Blaze?”

“Well the blaze part sure fits *ha-ha* and lightning is pretty cool. That is just my opinion though, it’s really up to you.”

“I like Lightning Blaze. Yeah, from now on I’m--” Blaze struck a pose “Lightning Blaze.”

“Well then ‘Blaze’ I have to ask, why were you on fire?”

“Well I was practicing fire spells, that I found in the library yesterday, but one of them backfired and set my mane on fire.” He smiled weakly, obviously embarrassed.

“Fire magic? Cool, I didn’t even know there was fire magic...well then again I don’t know very much about magic.”

“Yah its a combat spell, I figured I may need to defend myself here--”

“Nah man everypony is cool here!”

“Well I guess you’re right, but still fire magic is SO AWESOME!” he said mimicking Dash

“Hey, I was just practicing my flying, you want to stick around?”

“Well alright, I can practice my magic.”

“Cool, let’s Practice!”

~~~~~~

After about an hour of practice we decided to head back to the city. I wanted to introduce him to the homeless ponies I had met yesterday. When we arrived at the alley only a few of the ponies I remembered were there, but at least Sal and Charity were there.

“Well look who’s back” Sal shouted out.

“Hey Sal, this is my friend Lightning Blaze. I hope you don’t mind if he stays the night.” I asked.

“Charity get the extra cot we’ve got guests” Sal shouted to charity, who was farther down the alley.

Charity happily trotted over and greeted us.

“Oh dear, you both look tired. Here sit down, and I’ll bring you some drinks.” Charity said in her kind tone.

Blaze and I sat down on some mats, while Charity trotted off again with Sal to go get some drinks.

“So Vince, or should I say Maverick, what do we do now?”

“How much of Manehattan have you explored?”

“Not much. Just the general stuff Celestia State Building, Statue of Harmony. The big stuff”

“Well I wanted to go to Central Park. Wanna tag along?”

“Sure why not”

“Cool, how ‘bout we get some drinks and then we’ll head out?”

Charity walked up with some glasses, filled with some kind of juice. It looked weird, it was orange and thick, but it tasted delicious. Pony food was new to me, but I didn’t mind. As long as it tasted good. Probably had something to do with my new pony taste buds.

“Well sorry to just drink and run Miss Charity, but we wanted to go to Central Park. We’ll be back soon though”

“Oh that’s fine dear, we don’t really care what you do.” She said, tilting her head with a smile.

“Well, ok then. Lets go Blaze.”

~~~~~

Central park was huge, and it was full of ponies. We walked around for a bit, just watching other ponies go about their business, and talking about life back on earth and our Rapture experience.

“I’m tellin’ yah, it was some scary crap getting shot at!” I said finishing my story.

I looked at blaze it seemed like he’d phased out thinking about something else.

Silence.

I was the first to speak up “Penny for your thoughts.”

After another moment of silence Blaze finally spoke up “Have you seen any other Bronies around here?”

I shook my head “Probably but it’s kind of hard to spot one in these streets, It’s a jungle out there.”

“I hear ya. Hmmm... Hey Vince I’ve been thinking, would you mind if I stuck around? I’m not too comfortable walking these streets alone. I mean I was just walking through The Grand Canyon a day ago and now...” Blaze’s eyes started to tear up “Now they’re gone...”

I wrapped an arm (leg?) around him giving him a quick little shake “Dude, don’t worry ‘bout it being Bronies practically makes us family, and Family always looks after Family!”

“I guess you’re right..*sniff* Thanks.”

I took my arm (leg?) off of him “Good.... Bro hoof?”

*BLAZE HAS JOINED THE PARTY*

Blaze laughed a little then looked up at me and raised a hoof.

“Bro ho-WAHH!!” A piece of blue paper struck blaze in the face. “AH, SPIDER GET IT OFF!!!”

“Relax it’s not a spider it’s some sort of blue thing...”

He pawed at the flyer trying to get it off his face “Like a BLUE spider? GET IT OFF!!”

“Ok, Ok, hold your horses.”

I peeled the flyer off his face.

“DUDE, look it’s Trixie!”

Blaze suddenly seemed extremely frightened “ TRIXIE!! WHERE???” his head swiveled around looking for the blue pony.

“No on the flyer, look.”

~~~~

COME ONE COME ALL TO SEE

THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

TRIXIE!

TONIGHT ONLY AT

MANEHATTAN CENTRAL PARK

8:00 PM - MIDNIGHT

TRIXIE CHALLENGES YOU!

ANYTHING YOU CAN DO I CAN DO BETTER!

BEAT TRIXIE AND EARN THE GRAND PRIZE OF

500 BITS!

(BEFORE TAXES)

BE THERE

Competition info: Challengers are to report to sign in booth 10 minutes before performance.

Challengers are responsible for any damages caused by their performance.

Any injuries and/or irreversible spells can not be held liable by Trixie.

Challengers will be judged by the audience.

~~~~

“Hey man this competition could really help us out. I mean, we have the chance to make some serious cash” I noted.

“Yah then we could buy a place, and get on our feet....er.. hooves” He replied, reading my mind.

“Exactly but what are we going to do?” I couldn’t think of anything cool. In fact I couldn't think of anything at all.

We sat there for a minute before Blaze finally spoke up, with excitement in his voice.

“I got it we’ll do a fire show!”

“What about me? I wanted to do something that had me flying, and stuff” I complained.

“Hmmm, well maybe we can have both...” He said trailing off in thought.

“I GOT IT!!! Skeet shooting!” I suggested, hoping he’d agree.

“Skeet Shooting?” Blaze had an extremely puzzled look on his face.

“You know, Skeet Shooting, I’ll throw plates into the air and you shoot’em out of the sky.”

”We’ll need to practice, but that sounds pretty cool” He said, excitement clear.

We started practicing our act, using large sticks that we found as targets, after awhile we started to get it down. By the time 8:00 rolled around we were confident that we could beat Trixie, and went to sign up.

~~~~~

When we showed up the crowd was enormous, apparently Trixie was still popular in Manehattan, despite what had happened in Ponyville.

The stage at this point was still just a small trailer. A booming voice sounded as the trailer started to transform.

“Come one, come all, come and witness the Amazing magic of the GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE!!!!!”

A puff of smoke went off as Trixie appeared in her signature pose.

“Watch in awe as The Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed by pony eyes!!!”

“Yah right!” I shouted up at the stage.

After going through a few small feats of magic Trixie turned her eyes to the audience.

“Now, Who dares challenge THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE!”

At this point a yellow pony walked up on stage holding a clipboard up with his magic

“The first contestant is Magic Mic” yet another pony, this one teal, walked up on stage.

The announcer spoke up again “BEGIN!”

Mic started singing softly, and shyly “Anything you can do, I can do better.”

“Ha!”

“I can do anything better than you!”

Trixie furrowed her brow “No, you can’t!”

“Yes I can!”

“No, you can’t!”

Mic straightened up a bit feeling more sure of himself “Yes, I can, Yes, I can”

Although I was tempted to continue watching, Blaze had found the sign-up booth, and was nudging me towards it .

Blaze and I pushed our way through the crowd to the sign up table near the stage.

A dark green stallion sat behind the table. Staring at the crowd. He perked up a bit as we walked up.

“If you want to sign, I have to let you know that Trixie is not liable for any damage, injury, or serious humiliation that may occur during your act.”

“Eeyup” I said smiling. No reaction from the dark green pony. Just that cold, cold stare. I got a chill “Cmon Blaze hurry up! This guy gives me the creeps.”

“Working on it Mav, It’s just I can’t decide what to name our act.”

“I dunno, think of something.”

“Ok, Well we can be the ‘Blue Blazes’, performing a skeet shoot.”

“Blue Blazes? Whatever, good enough. Are we signed up?” That stare! Its like he’s staring into my soul.

“Yah we’re in. Let’s go find some targets!”

The green pony broke his gaze, and returned to watching the crowd.

I picked up a few large rocks behind the stage, and stuffed them into a trash bag we found. We threw a couple of rocks up in the air,as a test , and Blaze blasted them with ease, letting a few lucky ponies get a sneak peek at our performance. When we figured we had enough rocks, we decided to take another look at the competition.

We walked back to the stage. Trixie wasn’t up on stage anymore

“Where did Trixie go?” Blaze asked, looking a little scared.

“I don’t know.” I said thinking of a reason why. It’s weird though, Why wouldn’t Trixie show up all of the performances? Is she waiting until the end to beat the ponies with the best acts? That way she gets the surprise factor I guess.

I asked a pony next to me where she had gone. apparently Trixie left to grab a new costume a previous contestant had....soiled. “

But the show had to go on, so a few of the acts decided to continue without her. Most of the acts were ok, and a few others got a few laughs. It was a pretty stiff competition, but I still thought we stood a good chance of winning this competition.

“Hey Mav, it’s almost our turn” Blaze commented.

We walked backstage, and waited to be announced.

A red unicorn wearing headphones came up to us. “You got any music you want to play?”

“Um, No we don’t sorry” Blaze murmured.

The pony’s ears perked up slightly “If you want, I’ve got tons of stuff.”

“Got any rock?” I asked hopeful.

“DO I?! Of course I do, I’ll get it rolling when you start.” He trotted back to his DJ stand flipping through records. Ha! Records.

Blaze spoke up “This is it man, I got butterflies” Blaze was visibly shaking.

“Hey don’t worry, we’re going to smoke these turkeys!” I said coolly.

We listened to the ponies up on stage, hearing Trixie shout “Who’s next to challenge the GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE!!!

“Trixie showed up man!” Blaze said nervously.

An announcer spoke up: ”Next, we have “Blue Blazes”, and their going to wow us with their amazing skeet!”

What the!? “It’s Skeet SHOOTING get it right!!!” I shouted at the curtain.

I turned to Blaze “We’re up” I patted him on the back. He gulped.

“Break a leg!” The red unicorn shouted after us as we trotted up on stage and got into position.

As we were getting ready Trixie decided to waste no time in taunting us “So, what is this ‘Skeets’ Trixie has heard of?”

Blaze was shaking now, frozen in place.

“Trixie’s waiting” Trixie mocked, but Blaze still didn't move.

“Stagefright” I murmured.

I flew down in between Trixie and Blaze. Focusing on Trixie I called out, “ It’s Skeet SHOOTING, and we are going to beat you ‘Trixie’. Blaze is the best shot here, and nopony will ever outdo my friend.”

I turned back to Blaze “Don’t worry man, it’s just like we practiced! Just focus on the rocks and everything will be fine. C’mon show me your game face”

Blaze snapped out of his daze, and gave me a weak smile

“You can do better than that. C’mon you don’t stop, you don’t show defeat, now show me your GAME FACE!” I yelled in my best Drill instructor voice.

“YEAH!!” Blaze dropped into an attacking stance “LET’S DO THIS!”

“There we go!”

I motioned to the DJ and the music began to play: Theme

I threw the first rock a little low just so we could get a rhythm going. Blaze shot a fireball towards the rock shattering it into hundreds of pieces, each one glowed as it fell giving it the appearance of a firework. Cool!

I threw the next one higher and slightly faster. Being night time it was nearly impossible to follow the rock until the Fireball hit it. Receiving many Ooohs, and Ahhhs from the crowd

Then Blaze shouted from below me "Let's amp this up!”

Following his lead, I threw a clump of 4 rocks high into the air.

One by one each rock was shot out of the air.

I started throwing the rocks rapidly at random intervals and in different directions. Blaze blasted each one with ease.

Blaze shouted again “C’mon you can do better than that.”

I nodded “Here we go” I threw the bag into the air the rocks flew out of the bag on their way up

Blazes horn went into overdrive shooting at least 10 of the rocks almost instantly, but he quickly realized he couldn’t get all of them, and charged up his horn.

“Maverick. Get out of the way!”

I dove to safety as Blaze let loose a huge wall of fire that caught every single rock, and lighting up the night sky. Getting massive cheers from the crowd.

The song started to come to an end. Blaze feeling excited threw a large stick up at me “One more!” he charged up his horn again “PULL!!”

I threw the stick as high and as far as I possibly could, at the same time Blaze let loose a huge fireball, but as the fireball got closer to the stick I noticed something else flying in its way “What is that?”

There was no time to act as the Fireball hit the stick and then *QUAAAAAAAAACKK*

“Awww Duck”

The crowd watched in terror the now flaming ball of feathers fell down towards the stage. The flaming ball fell straight into the curtains, and setting the stage on fire.

When the stage caught fire ponies began to run and scream in every direction.

I flew down quickly landing next to Blaze. “Hey Blaze we have to go!” He didn’t move, frozen in awe at the fiery blaze that was getting closer by the second. I sighed, and pulled him up and away from the burning stage.

~~~~~

Eventually the fire department showed up, and put the flaming stage out. The fire pony walked up to us and dropped a charred bird in front of us, “Here is what caused the fire, in case you didn’t already know” he walked away chuckling. Jerk.

I looked at the charred mass before me. It was of all things a duck!

Blaze looked over at me and said “Dude, I’m so sorry, I didn’t see it fly up there.”

“Hey it’s not that big of a deal.” I said trying to comfort him.

“You two! Trixie wants to speak to both of you!” The dark green pony from earlier shouted from across the walkway, where we were sitting watching the fire ponies work.

“Well Blaze, I take that back.” I said looking at the fried duck in front of us “Bucking Ducks!”

*Authors note*
~The song is called Gilda's Theme and it's done by Mandopony who is an amazing artist!~