A/N: So I had somethings pop up today and wasn't able to really write like I had hoped. However, I did manage to write this down while I was just kind of spit-balling with the story line and... I kind of like it. I don't exactly know what it is about this short little snippet of the story but I really, REALLY like it. So sorry again for not updating 'full' chapter today (9/17/2013) but hey perhaps this will hold you guys over until I can get the rest of the chapter up by tomorrow.(9/18/2013)

Chapter 8: The Collapse Part 3.

Four fifty two... Those numbers echoed throughout Octavia's head. Four fifty two, at the corner of Pine Street and Prospect Avenue. Those words and numbers becoming an inner mantra within the grey mare as she paced herself along the exceptionally active streets of the Trottingham district. Trottingham was the name of the colt that had originally founded Canterlot before Princess Celestia had decided to make it her home and in doing so, the capitol of all of Equestria. To Octavia, this was just another district within the walls of Canterlot. But to a pony fresh to the Canterlot scene, this was 'it'. Once you entered the districts lines, you would automatically know that this was the upper of the upper crust of society. Every which way you looked, mares and stallions alike, all dressed in the finest and most desirable of clothes. The streets bursting with well kept gardens and bushes that were precisely cut, adding to the refined and civilized look that the Trottingham district would pummel your eyes with.

Each side of the street had department store after department store, advertising the latest in fashion, jewelry, and for the little well to do's, toys.

Mere trinkets in Octavia's eyes. Not that she doesn't want nor enjoy the finer things in life. But her mind had become preoccupied with her mantra of 'four fifty two'.

Passersby would knock into her shoulder, giving her a scoff at her 'undignified' actions, but would receive no response as Octavia would simply continue her march on, searching the endless streets of the Trottingham district. At the corner of each block she would glance up, preying that this would be the intersection she was looking for, the intersection of Prospect and Pine.

When she had first started out on her trek out from the practice hall to the Trottingham district, she was filled with rage, spite, and drive to give Gibbons a piece of her mind and possibly her hoof. But as time progressed, and still no sign of the streets she sought, her drive slowly lowered itself, along with her subsiding rage. Her mind had become clear and level. Her rational side had begun to reveal itself. The mere thought of storming off into someones home to pummel some sense into them seemed rather... rash, to say the very least.

Halting at the intersection of Prospect and Baker, Octavia leaned up against the stoplight post, waiting for the sign to turn white, allowing her safe access to the other side of the street so she could continue her search. Octavia started out blindly at the wagons that passed on by as more and more aristocrat's filed up behind her, also waiting for the light to turn.

Drowning herself within her thought as the wagons become one giant blur, Octavia started to consider just talking to Gibbons. Surely he can be rational. That was her original thought before she remembered, he's the main instigator in all of this. Suing Lyra purely out of spite because he can't cash the checks his mouth spews out everyday is as irrational as one can get.

The brown blur before Octavia ceased, soon replaced by a multicolored one, moving towards her. Blinking a few times, Octavia could see the ponies from the other side of the street beginning to cross to her side. Remembering how to move her legs again, she started up once more. Instantly engulfed in the sea of ponies, Octavia got knocked back and forth from the shoving of the hustling folks around her. Normally she would groan about how rude these type of folk could be sometimes, but her train of thought continued right on, undisturbed.

"I must be barking mad." She thought to herself as she passed another row of high class shops. In what world would Gibbons listen to me? The guy despises me to no end. If he had his way - and if things continue on their current path, he will - I'll have to say goodbye to Canterlot...

A chill ran down Octavia's spine from the though, accompanied with sweep of air as cold as ice flow past her. Giving a slight head shake to fight away the chatter, she rubbed her left shoulder with her right hoof to keep herself warm. The breeze distracted Octavia from her thoughts for a moment, allowing her to contemplate how frigid the air was, especially for it being one of the first days of spring. Looking up towards the sky, she could see the once clear blue skies covered with dark grey clouds. The final rays of sunlight seeping through the clouds were not soon covered up.

As the final ray of golden sunlight disappeared, Octavia couldn't help but feel a connection to it. The feeling of being overwhelmed. Both helpless to stop their fate. To accept the oncoming storm and be consumed in it.

Her gaze drifted off into the endless sea of clouds as she continued along her path. With every step she took, her will became more and more feeble as her heart sunk further down into her chest.

Looking down for a moment, she could see that she had reached the end of another block, still no sign of Prospect and Pine though. Taking a glance at the crosswalk sign, she estimated she had about a minute to wait before she had to cross. Leaning up against a streetlight post, she raised her head back up to the clouds.

For whatever reason, her mind refused to let her look away from the sky above her. It was symbolic to her. To the other pony folk passing by, on their merry or miserable way, they were just clouds. Nothing more than floating fluff, something no other pony would take their time of day to stare at. But to Octavia, they were now something more.

A single thought had penetrated into the cellists mind. That if she could find one ray of sunlight bursting through the immense mass of dark clouds above, then somehow, some way she could break on through herself. Fix this problem, and be able to live her life happily with Lyra.

With mouth hung agape, she could feel a familiar nudge against her sides. Jerking her head back down she could see it was time to cross the street once more. Picking up her pace, she quickly made it safely to the other side of the street, glancing a few more times to the sky above before giving up on the sunlight. None was to be found.

Author's Note

Again sorry for how short this is, but if I didn't post this, I would have just ended up deleting it, and quite honestly I really didn't want to. Look for another chapter later today. (9/18/2013)