Such a Dirty old town

Manehattan proper is a beautiful gem of Equestria. It is a glorious modern city, Its skyscrapers grow up into the sky, brushing the bottoms of the Pegisi's own structure. It is a statement to pony architecture and innovation. Or at least Manehattan proper is. The Manehattan Slum, a gray dingy suburb of Manehattan, shoved against the dirty bay, merging with the industrial district.

There is always a dingy grey smog grazing the tops of some of the taller buildings, a mere five stories in this area. It comes from the deeper Industrial district, where some of the giant factories function. Its left its mark on the buildings, remains of the days when Manehatten was just town no bigger then ponyville. There are a few shops in the area, and some schools for the children that grow up in the slum. But mostly they are apartment buildings, or converted apartment buildings, and an empty lot here and there where scraps of weeds and grass thrive.

I light peach colored pony with Orange and green hair trotted down the street, her days shopping in her saddle bag. Her Pace quickened as she walked past some seedy looking colts hanging around a corner.

Her name was Peach dream, she had only settled into this area three days ago, and in the morning she would start her first day of school. As a teacher. She was exited, she truly loved caring for children as much as she loved caring for plants, and she was just sure that her class would love her just as much as she would love them!

She was so lost in her daydream that she had walked several blocks past her apartment building, smiling shyly at an elderly Earth pony sitting on her stoop Peach Dream turned and headed back the way she had come.

The city where if you didn't check you bag to make sure you bits were there it was sure to be gone. Stormy had travlled here many times before. Most would give him the strangest look when he thought them he loved this part of the city. He loved the ponies who lived here, they had stories to tell and smiled even when they had almost nothing.

The city itself was a story, each block thought a tale. The crack in the wall, a broke taxi or bend sign. The faces of the ponies walking by were filled with emotions. He would talk to ponies sitting at the bus stop or when he waited at cross walks. Today he was walking pass a apartment complex but something stopped him. Something about this complex made him stop. Stormy knew to always trust these feelings he had. His mother would always say its was a earth pony thing. He heard hoof steps approaching and turned to see a light peach colored pony with orange and green hair walking up.

He grinned as he walked to her. "Excuse me but could I ask you something? I simply must know two things. If you will grant me some of your time."

Peach Dream jumped at hearing what she though was just another of those loitering colts speak to her. On closer inspection however she realized that this colt had kinder eyes. A warm and kind smile spread across her face as she looked up at the other pony. He seemed like a nice enough sort, at he was polite. With another smile Peach Dream Replied "Oh of course, I would be more then Happy to answer your questions to the best of my ability."

Shifting her saddle bags to lay across her back more comfortably she also discreetly checked to make sure everything was still in place. Satisfied she Looked from the colt to her apartment building and back.

"My name is Peach Dream, I live in the area, I don't think I've seen you around here before Mr.?" She smiled again up at the colt. Overhead some of the smog was shifting leaving a gap between two clumps that a few sun rays escaped threw.

He couldn't help grinning bigger. "Well Miss. Peach dream." He said with a twinkle in his eye. "My name is Stormy Hugeheart, and you are correct I recently just traveled here from a town known as ponyville. Also funny thing is you already answers one of my questions.

I wanted to know your name. Also I wish to know if you lived in this apartment building?" Stormy thought best to explain why beforehoof so she would think him a stalker of some sort. "You see earth ponies seem to have a sort of six sense about things, perhaps it is are closest to the earth itself. But something about this apartment told me that I simply must meet someone from this specific apartment."

He was full of excitement and that grin seem to slip back to his face after each word was uttered. Like it set itself there naturally. "So I must know! It will aid me in writing a story I have been working on. Do you live here by any chance? Or perhaps do you know anything about these apartments?"

Giggling Peach Dream dipped her head politely to the other pony. "Its nice to meet you Mr. Hugeheart, I've heard of Ponyville," Her eyes got all misty at the thought of the other town. "I've heard that they have one of the nicest apple orchard in Equestria, that produce some of the best product..." Blushing pushed the thought of orchards from her mind and returned her focus to the pony in front of her.

She heard him out, it seemed a little forward and odd, but she felt no malice from him. Besides he could go and ask anyone on the block and they would gladly point out the pony that climbs out on the fire escape daily to care for her little trees and plants. "I do live in this building," Pointing with her hoof to a window on the fifth floor that let out into her fire escape garden she continued "Its that one, there, Its small but its comfortable for an older building.

"This building 150 years old, it was built before the big industrial boom hit Manehatten. Its was once an in, so the rooms are quite small but they are big enough for smaller families. Right now 17 or the 24 available apartments are being rented. Mail, Laundry, and storage is in the basme..." While she had spoken her eyes rested on the building like it was a rowdy child, the kind that come home tracking mud and keep boxes of frogs. But as she spoke her eyes found a curl of green that dangled over the roof top.

"Oh dear, it looks like the Trump vine has gotten into the fertilizer and escaped it trellis..." Smiling at the other pony apologetically she continued. "there is roof access and a garden, most of the other tenets don't like to go up there because the smog level is so close." Shaking her head she looked back at the building. "I've been working to get it back in shape since I moved it. it was terribly overgrown."

As she told him about herself and the building a simile slowly grew bigger and he drank in the words. He looked up when she pointed to things and he was quite impressed with her huge amount of history of the building. To add the frosting to the cake she herself was a absolute delight to speak with and the building had a wonderful story behind it. The book which he had enchanted by a unicorn. glow softly for a moment in his bag.

Though unnoticed by anypony, it would write down any story or information he heard. Because of this book he never forgot a ponies name or a story. He wore a small simile as he said, "You care for plants that others would let pass away, at risk of your own health....and yes Ponyville does have quite delicious apples in fact. Perhaps I will bring you some?" He stated, he took a quick breath before saying,

"It is the least I could do for your helpful information." He put his hoof to his chest with a grin. "Your love for such a building makes my abnormal size here look like a piece of candy in comparison to a bar of chocolate." He couldn't help pointing out the mares qualities that had touched his heart. It was rare to find such a pony, he would know. He has traveled most of Equestria.

"You know, I heard a story about a certain plant. It had a strange ability or more like what it did was strange. It would soak up toxic chemicals in water or rid ponies of sickness." He said almost like it was a side comment. But something in that twinkle in his eyes. He suddenly looked you in the eyes before he said,

"Peach Dream, would you mind if I helped you clean the overgrown plants? I once was told by someone that I am very good at pulling weeds and plants quite nicely. I had lots of practice of course, the vase of quite expense. AHHAHAHAHAahah," He laughed till he returned to a grin. "So how about it Miss.Dream?"

Peach Dream Blushed heavily at the comment her health. "Its not so bad, I know a few healing spells, to prevent lung rot and other problems." at the thought of her medical training the color quickly left her face however. she was good for the simple things, a bruise or a scrap. Anything more, anything serious and she would shy away. It took her a long time to learn the charms.

"Oh, you needn't do that, I don't like apples to much. I would just like to see the trees some day..." see the trees and let them turn to peach trees in her imagination, and for just a moment she could pretend that it was her orchard, and her farm. the farm of her dreams. Not that Peach Dream would ever say that out loud. It was to much like begging.

Her Blush Darkened even more at the compliments. "Its such a charming building, it has so much character." Walking up a few of the buildings steps she stopped so that she was eye level with the odd colt that asked after buildings. She was used to compliments, the colts on the corner called them out to her often. she thought it odd, she knew she was a little heavier then was the norm and it was emphasized by her shortness. But this colt complimented her heart, what she cared about.

At the mention of the odd plant she left that train of thought and perked up. If it could clear the air, it wouldn't just be good for ponies, but also for the other plants. "It would be sent on the backs of the princesses, If I could find one of those plants. my poor little peach tree sprouts have not been fairing well with the smog. I have had to keep them indoors, but soon they will get too big."

At the offer to help her She backed up a few more of the stairs. He seemed nice enough, and he was an earth pony, if worst came to worse she use could use her magic to protect her self. Taking another moment to think Peach dream looked up at the apartment, and the dangling vines.

"It would be very helpful, I have gotten the greater part of it in order, but there is still a good chunk left that I have yet to touch." A smile spread across her face as she beckoned the colt to follow her. pulling her key out of her bag with magic Peach Dream Opened the door to the apartment building, and held it open for the colt to enter. "I would like to drop off these things in my apartment first, some of them need to be refrigerated."

Stormy was quite happy she said to let him help her. He wanted to speak with her more and see the inside of the building. Stormy wondered if the reasons he did some things were always selfish but he shook his head as thought about all the self-less things he does to counter balance them. Helping her with the plants would be a good start.

He saw her beckon him and he followed. Skipping every other step walking up. It was fun thing he did every sense he was young. He saw magic lift the key into the door which was a sight to see itself, among other things. "Yes, of course. Let us make haste to your apartment and get to tending to those plants."

He started scanning the hall as the door opened and fell in love with the old time look of it. The wood on the doors thought stories. The dents on the walls and ripped up parts of the carpet which was put over a old wooden floor, clearly visible in the ripped up parts. The smell even had a old feeling to it. Surprising not too bad in hindsight or compared to worst things. He followed behind with a grin when she started walking to her apartment.

Peach Dream Lead the colt threw the entryway, she took a moment to grab her mail with an apologetic smile at the eager colt. Tucking it into her bag she made her way to the stairs. "They are old but sturdy, Don't mind the creaking." she said as she placed a hoof on the step and it let out a terrible screech. "There is an Elevator, but It likes to drop a few feet every now and again." she giggled, even though her face went even paler then her normal shade at the though.

Up and Up and Up the stares she led him, Until they made it to the top floor, "This is my level," she whispered "We have to be quite, Miss Lemon Takes a nap this time of day, she doesn't like to be disturbed." She quietly made her way down the hall, past a door that was painted bright yellow, at the end of the hall there was a door with a sign that stated that the fire escape could be reached through her room. "This is my door.." Peach Dream Opened the lock and stepped into her little apartment. It was small but very clean, by her chair laid her knitting and her needle work, her bed was neatly tucked into the wall, leaving enough room for Stormy to stand comfortably. "I know its small, but its nice, and its home."

Levitating her pack onto the Kitchen counter she started to sort out her packs, one stack of papers was her lesson plan, another was her mail, and the rest went to there designated areas in the kitchen.

He grinned as the she stepped on the stair. The noise echoed through the hall and Stormy was was sure that it was clearly audible. More then likely the residents were use to such noises. He found it strange when she mentioned Miss. Lemon wanting it to be quiet. He had a great pun but he feared she mite actually find it funny which would cause laughter, it affect waking up Miss.Lemon. She didn't sound like she enjoyed being woken up.

He loved that she knew little things about the place and decided to inform him. Every word gets soaked up in his mind and the book. With this much detail, writing a scene would be child plays. He grinned at the thought of the scene. He would make it a love stuck colt. He would call out from the street to her window.

She would up it up and tell him to take the stairs. She knew of his fear of Elevators....no no, I needs more. He shakes his head coming back to reality to see her open her door and let him in. Stormy was shocked at the simple home, it suggested that she cared about being neat and clean, or sh is need here. Busy life? Hrmm, he ponder on it later.

"Your home is very nice, much better then others I have seen. So clean and actually a house." He smiled as he thought of how nice it must be to have a home to go to, perhaps one day he should buy a home. Then again the world called to him to travel. He wonders when his adventurous spirit will die. Does it actually die?

He looked at her set down her papers, not seeing what they were. He calmly waited for her to be ready or whatever one does when someone enters their house.

Once she had finished sorting out her bag she looked up at the colt, Peach dream wasn't sure how she felt about having a colt in her room, or any pony for that matter, since she had only moved in a few days ago. hanging her saddle bags by the door turned to smile at the colt. "Thank you for saying that, I have only recently gotten it into order after moving in."

Magicking her sun hat onto her head and getting her garden supplies she looked at the plant starts she had in the corner. "the cabbages should probably go out, and the broccoli to I think." This wasn't directed at stormy, more to herself as she levitated her supplies and plants behind her.

"Alright that's everything, we just need to go down the hall to the roof access now." with that said Peach Dream stepped out into the hallway and waited for stormy to follow.

Stormy looked around and could clearly see everything was indeed in order. He wondered if he could every have a house this clean. He shook his head in his mind at that, most likely he would have controlled chaos of a home if he did. He looked at you with a twinkle that seem to sit in his eyes. He looked o the carpet which was staggering how clean it was. "Your carpets are so clean.…I'm floored." He looks up with a playful smile at his pun

"HAhahahahaha, alright lets get to the roof then." He shifts his weight to move his bag back on his back.

Peach Dream Giggled lightly and closed and locked her door. Heading down the hall she climbed the stairs and opened up the roof exit. "Well here it is."

There was clearly a divide across the roof garden. one side was weedless and well cared for. each of the plants organized and kept tidy. they also looked much healthier. There was some edible plants, but most of them were Flowers and decorative plants. the previous caretaker had cared more for looks then sensibility. But some of the new plants were more edible ones. things that could be caned and dried for winter.

On the other side of the roof was chaos. most o f the plants were dead or in the process of being chocked out. and the debris from them scattered on the ground. at the Center of it was a wicked Rose bush that was in dire need of pruning, it was nearly 8 feet tall and all thorns. the parts of it that were still alive were just little sprigs of green at the base.

"I've made some progress, I work a little on it each day." Peach dream commented as she magicked the Trumpet vine back into its trellis.

Stormy climbed up taking the view in as she had said, 'Well here it is.' He was stunned by the sheer contrast of that plants. Perfect example of chaos and order, this was for sure going in a scene. He knew without a doubt as he nodded in approval to himself. Turning to the sound of your voice as you spoke. He listened carefully to the details and history of this small patch of beauty.

"You have done a wonderful job so far Miss. Dream, Hrmmm." He stopped before he said a again testing the waters. "It certainly is better then anything I have seen in a while Peachy." He walked out to the garden. And gave a little meep at the sheer wild forest of vines and thorns. He turned with a sheepish look. "Happen to have any gloves or bladed objects?"

Having fixed the Vine Peach dream moved on to going over the half of the garden that she had reclaimed, making sure that everything was in place. When Stormy called her Peachy, she jumped a little. Her dad used to call her peachy... "Ah Mr. Hugeheart can you please not call me that. Its has memories attached to it..."

That said Peach dream got out a pair of gloves and a spade. Normally she used her magic, it was gentler on the plants. "you mentioned a plant that fed off of toxins earlier..." It had been resting in the back of her mind and she really wanted to find out where she could get some of that plant.

Stormy eyes widened when she said memories were attached to the nickname. There was story behind that, but he needed to drop it. She obviously didn't want it used. "I'm sorry Miss.Dream, I shall try my very best to not use it ever again." He looked back at wild plants and pondered how he would cut these.

He turned when she started to speak about the flower, she seem to be very interested in it. He looked at his bag as he looked back at you. "You mean the Aeris flos noxa? Yes what about it?"

Her check of the plants done Peach Dream went to stand on the edge of the wild zone. Eyeing a flower bed that had been over run with mint. Mint was quite like a weed, it should never be aloud into something bigger then a small pot else it would choke out everything else it could reach. There was nothing left in the Flower box but mint. diging up a healthy chunk she put it in an empty pot before starting to weed the rest of the mint out. This box could be used to transplant some other plants into.

"You had mentioned it earlier, I was wondering where it grows, or if you can even buy its seeds " pulling the last bit of mint she levitated the box over to the reclaimed area sending a swarm of scurrying bugs on there way now that there home had been disturbed.

He stood before a weed about the same size as him. He rubbed his hoofs together as he prepared himself to yank it out. He looked over to speak at you as he pulled the weed from the wild forest. He spoke with gruff tone as he pulled at the plant. "That flower is quite special, it only grows on the tallest mountains and only blooms if you spray toxic on it or its in the air."

He climbs up behind it with his back against the wild vines and such. He was sure to avoid the thorns as best he could, though a few did get stuck in his mane. He struggled to put out the weed as he went on to say, "Arghhhhh come OUT weed, anyway the glower is rare and quite. I also heard it has a beauty glow to emits off from absorbing the toxic..WHOA!"

The weed came flying out of the ground, dirt flying in all directions as Stormy fell into the wild woods as he would call it. The small forest had engulfed him whole as you jiggle around. "OW, Why do I also OW. Please no thorns OWWWW." Suddenly everything grew quiet and a small patting sound was heard. Stormy walked out of the thorns and had grin on his face. "Back to work then."

He starts pulling another weed and hums a tune to himself.

"Ah" She didn't let the disappointment show in her face. Peach Dream doubted she would ever get enough bits to move out of Manehatten, let alone go on some adventure. Shaking her head and gently warping her magic around a large bit of ivy she pulled it out.

Peach Dream wasn't the adventuring kind of pony anyway.

A comfortable silence fell over the roof top. the only sounds that broke it was the clatter of hooves and the soft sounds of dirt. With a sigh Peach Dream shoved the last of the weeds into a compost bin.

I thank you Stormy, I wouldn't have gotten so far today if it had not been for your help." Looking at the setting sun Peach Dream fought the urge not to yawn. A lot of progress had been made, The roof garden should be back in shape in a week now. Shaking dirt from her mane she frowned at the colt "I don't know how to repay you..."

He walked up to you a little in to the personal bubble zone as he said with smile. "Madam, have you forgotten? I am repaying you and I feel my debt is still quite high." He spoke with a soft tone. He flicked back his hair as the sunset hit right behind him, which make him look like he walked out of horizon the itself. He grinned as he took up your hoof and shook it lightly. He had a sight twinkle in his eye as he looked at you with a fiercely curious look. Like he was read your soul with approving grin and star filled eyes.

"You know there was this old story about a kind hearted colt who helped Chronos, but he was disguised as a ugly looking colt and he acted very rude and mean spirited, but the colt was still kind to him. He even felt bad for the mean colt because he looked so sad and lonely, he took him in and feed him. Then!" He said with a almost magic tone. "Chronos broke from his fake form and told the colt for his kindness he could have one wish from the god of space, which could be almost anything. The colt wished that Chronos would have wife and they would be happy together. The colt could see the loneliness of the god and wanted him to be happy."

He grinned as he walked pass you, but time seem to slow down as he walked by still talking. "The god was shocked by such a wish and embraced the colt. You see with out love you can't create great magic, well so they say anyway. He begged till the colt agreed to let him grant the colt immorality and sit on his court. With his friend and new wife. The mistress of time had two beautiful daughter said to rule a country known as Equestria. In celebration they made something that could only happen at sunset. They made a flower that only bloomed in bad situation place, much like the state of Chronos heart and it only opened at sunset. Because its said sunset opens the heart which is where love comes from."

You hear a jolly laugh as you hear him yell from down the stairs. "You have been a dream and you are peach Miss. Dream. I hope are paths cross again, Also! look at the garden.It isn't it wonderful?"

When you did turn to look at the garden you see a flower blooming as the sun hit it, it swirled with magic dust absorbing the bad air around it, making clean air bubble. The flower grew a bit bigger and glowed lightly in the slight twilight.

Peach Dream was aw struck, she didn't know how long she stood there and looked at the beautiful flowers. But she watched them for a very long time, the air around the little roof garden seemed so much lighter and cleaner when she finally turned. To Look after the colt. "Thank you! I could Never repay..."

Looking at the empty stairway Peach Dream trailed off. Looking around her she realized that Luna had already began the moons rise. Sighing softly Peach Dream trotted over to the lovely flower and nuzzled it gently. "Thank you so much she whispered to it. Before heading down the stairs and back to her apartment.