Hunt and Be Hunted

There was a bottle of booze waiting for me when I got off stage that night; if it hadn't been for how much I sweated on that stage I'd have opened it.

Just another night as a singer in Manehatten.

I used my magic to wrap a jacket over my dress; I was gone the next moment.

I hatted the gig, I have the job so I can hide in plain sight though; especially when most would consider you a monster.

The streets are cold as I walk along; they don't really effect me anymore but I can feel a slight chill.

I was to tired to open the door like always so I just used my magic on the lock.

Once inside I let out a slight cry both Swift and Synth were gone; no mater how many times I walk in without one of them greeting me I panic.

I need to get this damned dress off before I can try and start searching.

No matter how many times or different ways I feel like a whore taking this dress off.

Celestia knows I've done some unsavory things since Ink and I had split up, especially when I needed to pay the rent before getting the gig at the club.

I threw it on the table yet again; I hate this goddamned routine and how bitter it has made me.

I don't want to struggle with the pipes or hot water tonight and just use my magic to clean.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

I was roused from my idle thoughts by the sound, who could that be? I wasn't expecting Tone until at the earliest in a week.

I grabbed a random hoodie and pulled it on so it could conceal my face; to many enemies to risk it.

"Hello?" I only slightly opened the door; I was confused to see two mares that were looking around as if being fallowed "can I help you two?"

One was a white unicorn that was wearing a hoodie so all I could see was her nose, the other a gray earth pony that was wearing a black dress that was a lot more tasteful then my work dress.

Sudden she fell forward, I cursed myself for my reflex when I caught her with my magic.

"Octy! are you okay?" I almost lost the magic hearing the voice.

I pulled this Octy in and in a sharp whisper "get in here Vinyl Scratch!" the door was locked seconds later.

I levitated the hurt one to the couch to give her a better look over; she didn't look like she was hurt just a few scratches and a small cut.

I turned and sure enough Vinyl Scratch was there pulling her hood down "is she okay?" I could have asked her the same question.

I looked her over and back to Octy and back once more "are you two lovers?" I was doing a simple scan with my magic to see if there was anything wrong.

Vinyl had flushed and was stammering "um uh k-kinda j-j-just l-like sisters and um we um" I held a hoof up.

"Calm down little one" I pause; I haven't said that in what feels like forever "I've had my share like her" she blushed further at that one but didn't seem as awkward about it.

I wasn't finding much, I checked to see her teeth and was surprised to see fangs; another hunter? "did you do this Vinyl?"

She couldn't answer but she nodded meekly when I looked at her "so what's her name?"

She was a bit shy when she did get to answering "her name's Octavia and um she plays the Cello and um I've known her for five-ish years" I fell back when I tried to scan her mind "are you okay?!"

I got up and blinked for a bit "ya, I need some silence now; she went quite as I went about healing this little one's mind.

Moments later I was using my magic to make tea and then coffee as she was healing from the effort I put through her mind.

She roused up after a while and I took a look at her; she was cute, no older than Vinyl and her cutie was a Treble Cleft; a slight reminder of work today.

"What brings you two here anyway? thought you were living Canterlot and-" Vinyl gave me such a look I went silent and then levitated the coffee over to me; I could tell I was going to need it.

"We found Crimson Ink" -my heart just went still- "he's barely alive though."

I dropped the coffee pot.

I was frantic when I turned to Vinyl "barely alive?! where?! take me to him!" I stumble around and can't seem to find my hoodie or something to wear that would keep me from being obvious.

"We'll take you to him" I followed behind without a second thought; nearly forgot to lock the door.

I was surprised to see how empty the streets were "Vinyl?" -she looked back as I spoke- "how did you even know where to find me? I don't really look like I used to."

"It's Octi, she um" -she was making a strange gesture with one of her hooves- "has I'm been…" she went silent seeming baffled "what is it again Octi?"

She was quite as if looking for somepony watching her "images as if I was reliving some pony's life" I nodded to myself slightly.

"Any ideas how you came to have these visions?" Vinyl looked away as if she were ashamed.

"Well" she took a moment thinking "it had started after Vinyl and I had um" -she flushed- "were um together and she had um gotten um a bit um rough so to say" -I wasn't fallowing anything she was spouting- "she had um almost killed me so um when I was saved, well maybe there was some kind of magic that was idle on her body from the time when you were in the same area for a prolonged time, and somehow it fused with my subconscious" -she has a quick mind- then while I was dreaming it would cause me to relive some of your memories."

I got the idea of what she meant "well if it keeps happening just let me know, I might be able to get it to them to stop."

We walked on further, after what felt like hours we finally reached an apartment and they ushered me inside; I was greeted with the sight of three ponies.

One a gray pegasus and the other a cream colored earth pony; this one looked really familiar,

I was pulled into a sudden hug and the scent of her mane brought it back to me "is that you Bon Bon? you've grown up" we didn't get much time though as a wet sounding cough drew my attention.

I could only see the gray pegasus leaning over the coach "don't move Whooves" her eyes were wet with tears.

I went over and knew that I will ever be able to forget this sight; a brown stallion was laying there with ribs sticking out and blood seeming to run freely from his eyes.

"What happened to you little one?" I began to try healing him using my magic and recoiled slightly feeling his pain.

It hurt but I had him breathing regular again, I couldn't move his ribs any though…

I could only wrap them for him, to keep them from getting caught or hit wrong; he'd at least be able to rest without pain.

I was grasped in a sudden hug by the gray pegasus "thank you!" I just softly pet her back, my body felt weak but I could't rest I had one more to look after… my brother.

"Where's Ink?" they pointed me to a door "thank you" with that I went to the door.

Then I knocked.