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Story 3

Prologue (1/2): Specters

By: FluttersIsAwesome

I hear ponies all the time talking about how easy city life is. And every time I do, it pisses me off. There are always two sides to every story. Here in Manehattan, the only side ponies ever hear or see is the rich, lavish "sophisticated" side. However, there's also my side. It's the poor, dirty, lawless side that's constantly under the hooves of those in power. The Corporates, which was our name for anypony with money, hated the idea of even having a poor district. They employed thugs and agents alike to get rid of us by any means necessary. Most of the time they killed us. Not only that, but crime rates in Lower Manehattan were some of the highest in Equestria. All the "guards" were on the rich side where the pay was good. It also didn't matter to them that even if we didn't have as much money as they did, we were still ponies. It was like they hated us just for existing, and I sometimes felt that that was why they tried to kill us. To this day I still wrack my brain as to why somepony could be so cruel as to kill another just because of social standing. The Corporates did nothing but make life in Lower Manehattan miserable.

That's when I decided enough was enough. I gathered every pony that would help me, and we formed a coalition. We trained ourselves far beyond the limits of most earth ponies. We learned to walk and run on our back legs, climb buildings, and make the rooftops our home. Hell, that was the only place that the Corporates couldn't reach us. We hid in the shadows during the day and struck hard and fast at night. We were called Specters; we were there one minute and gone the next, and nopony ever even knew we had paid a visit. We became the law in Lower Manehattan as well, and crime rates started going down. But we still didn't have the power to stop the Corporates. We did what we could to help; it used to be that whenever anypony started gaining any form of status over here, the Corporates would hire somepony to shoot them down. We tried to stop them, but to the Corporates, when we stood in their way and failed they were just taking out competition and opposition at the same time.  After a time, though, their plan backfired. The killings inspired more ponies to become Specters, and it seemed like five Specters rose up to replace one that was lost. Eventually we became the embodiment of hope in Lower Manehattan. There was never a chance at equal standing with Upper Manehattan until we showed up. This has become an all-out war between Corporates and Specters, rich and poor, oppression and freedom. My name is Jet Rush, and I can see the hope for a new day in front of me. I started this force to be a beacon of light in an ever-growing curtain of darkness. I don't know if you know anypony that's done something great when all odds were against them, but trust me, it can be done.

When we do come out on top, those are the moments that define us. The Corporates are going to track us down, fight us, they're gonna try and kill us to keep their city pure. I say bring it. There's a chance to bring not only myself, but all of my friends out of this hellhole we have to call a life. There's a chance to come from nothing and become something. This is the only chance we'll ever have.

Jump for it.

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Prologue (2/2): Apples and Oranges

Ah breathed a sigh o' relief as Ah kicked the apples off the last tree in the orchard. Big Macintosh walked out o' the barn after finishin' his workload. Nova Dash, Rainbow's brother, was also visiin' the town since racin' season was over, so he came t' help too. Finally, Ah thought to m'self as Big Macintosh n' Nova took the apples back to the barn. With that last tree, apple buckin' season's over. Now Ah had the rest of th' day t' relax. At least Ah thought Ah did until Ah heard Nova calling my name. He flew up t' me n' handed me a letter.

"Ditzy just came by. This is addressed to you, Jackie."

"What is it?" Ah asked without thinkin'. O' course Nova wouldn't know, he ain't no mail carrier. He shrugged as expected, so Ah opened the letter n' read aloud:

     Dear Apple Family,

We would like to request your presence at the coming home celebration of Citrus Orange, who is returning home after ten years of military service. He has requested that all family members, direct and extended, attend if possible.

      Sincerely, the Orange Family

Ah jumped up. Ah may notta enjoyed livin' there, but Ah loved the idea o' visitin' Manehattan again. Ah hadn't seen my aant er uncle Orange since Ah was a little filly, so Ah was also excited 'bout that.

"Well, what is it?" Nova tried t' look over my shoulder but Ah ran off toward th' barn. Big Macintosh had just finished packing up the last o' the apples when Ah got there, so Ah handed 'im the letter and he read it t' himself.

Much t' my disappointment, he shook his head. "Sorry AJ no can do." He saw me open my mouth to retaliate n' held up his own hoof t' stop me. "You need to go, but I can't. That's a trip Granny Smith can't make, so one of us needs to stay behind for her. You've been working yourself ragged this past month, you need a break. Applebloom needs to stay, too, Manehattan is far too dangerous for her. Get packin', AJ."

Ah looked up at 'im joyously. "Ya mean it?"

He smiled n' nodded. "It's better for you to go, anyway. You've been there before, so you're a lot less likely to get lost."

Ah was both reluctant n' ecstatic. It wouldn't be the same without the whole family there, but at least Ah could go with the knowledge that Mac didn't mind havin' to stay at the ranch. Ah let out a "yeehaw" louder than a buffalo stampede. Ah ran inside to pack the essentials: two apples and fifty bits. Ah thought it would be enough since Ah wouldn't be gone fer very long. It was still early, and my excitement only fueled my energy, so when Ah was done packin', Ah left immediately n' headed fer the big city again Next Chapter: Chapter 1: It's Different Here Estimated time remaining: 39 Minutes