Chapter 4: Similarities and Differences

Sunset walked out into the street, and looked around. She had only seen pictures of Manhattan in the human world, Manehatten looked more beautiful than that. Then again, pictures never could portray the beauty of seeing something in person.

She started walking down the street, hoping that she was walking out of the city. Instead, she wound up in Times Square. She hoped that they hadn't made every location some sort of horse pun.

She looked around, and saw that, although it was similar, it was also different, imbued with magic. Instead of cars, there were horse, er, pony drawn carriages. Sunset wondered how a species so different could make something so similar.

She figured that if there were similarities between the worlds, then there must be a place similar to one of the many places she had lived.

Sunset considered her options. If she went to a small town, them everyone would know each other and people were bound to ask about her family. However, if she found a big city, she would have more people that would question her.

Finally, Sunset decided that figuring out that would have to come later. For now she needed food and a place to lay low so that way the authorities couldn't find her when she was reported missing from the hospital. She really should have thought that through better.

She remembered what she heard about the train system, and decided that it would be best to head there, then decide where to go. Hopefully it didn't require any money, as she had left home without any, and ponies probably used different currency than humans anyways.

Sunset knew she had to ask somebo- no, somepony where the train station was. However, she knew that if she told an adult, that they would ask questions and try to accompany her there and wait with her. So, perhaps asking another pony her age would do.

She knew that it would be unlikely to find a filly without an adult in Times Square, so she chose a direction, and started walking.

She wound up on Broadway. Sunset wondered if the plays here would be similar to those back home. She looked up and saw some posters, they had Wicked and Phantom of the Opera. So apparently their plays weren't that different after all.

Sunset saw a lot of prim and proper ponies going into the theatre, but she also saw some ponies that were a part of the lower cast, normal ponies, she assumed. Surely one of the ponies waiting on the play would be able to direct her without worrying about her! This was even better than her 'finding another child and hoping they knew the way to the train station' plan.

She walked up to one of the families she assumed was walking into the theatre. "Excuse me," she said to them.

A grey mare with a grey and purple mane turned around. "Hello," she said.

"Um, do you, um, know where the train station is?" Sunset asked, uncertain.

"I most certainly do," the mare said. "We were just about to head there ourselves."

Crap, Sunset thought. Hopefully she doesn't ask where I'm going or where I'm from. "Really? That's great! Do you think I could accompany you?" Sunset said with false enthusiasm.

"Of course," the mare said. "I'm Twilight Velvet. This is my husband, Night Light, my son, Shining Armor, and my daughter, Twilight Sparkle." She gestured to her family around her.

The younger Twilight jumped up and down excitedly. "Are you going to the Summer Sun Celebration in Canterlot too? We made sure to time our trip so that way we'd be back in time! I'm so excited! Are you excited? I'm excited!" Twilight said with such enthusiasm.

"Woah there, Twilight, let's go one question at a time. What's your name, sweetheart?" Twilight Velvet asked.

"Sun- Sunny Glow," Sunset quickly came up with a false name, also relieved that Sparkle had given her a cover in all her questions. "And yes, I was going to go to the Summer Sun Celebration in Canterlot."

"And where are you parents?" Velvet asked, concerned.

That was the one question Sunset was hoping she wouldn't be asked, but she answered it anyways. "They're sick. We had been planning on going as a family, but after they fell ill, they told me to go without them, that Canterlot was safe."

"Well I suppose that's true," Velvet said.

Twilight Sparkle gasped, hearing this. "Do you wanna come with us? Mom, can we take her with us? Please please please please please!"

"Well, it would be safer for her," Velvet replied. "But only if she wants to."

Sunset thought, and figured that this was as good as she was gonna get it, ponies who believed her and who weren't gonna go looking for her parents. "Sure," she replied with a smile.

"Yes yes yes yes yes yes!" Sparkle cried out. Clearly this was one excitable filly.

So, they headed over to the train station, and before Sunset could say anything, Twilight Velvet had bought Sunset a ticket as well.

They boarded the train, and the younger Twilight yawned. Velvet set her down to sleep, and then looked at Sunset. "Have you had anything to eat?" She asked.

Sunset shook her head and said, "not since I left home this morning." It was a half truth, but it was more honest than she'd been with Velvet all day.

Twilight Velvet pulled a sandwich out of a bag she had. "Have this, I always make extras just in case."

"Thank you!" Sunset said, and dug into the sandwich. She looked outside and saw that the sun was setting. And once she was done, like Sparkle, she fell asleep.

Author's Note

Another chapter done!

This has been an enjoyable project to work on. I hope everyone enjoys reading it, as I have writing it.

I would recommend The Last Jedi to everyone as well!

As always, feel free to correct my spelling and grammar. And May the Force be with you!