Hidden Prisoner

Chapters

1: Bitter Freedom
2: A Change
3: Awake
4: The Arrival
5: Finally.

1: Bitter Freedom

I breathe in the warm clean air. I remove the white coat that took my freedom 3 years ago.

Ahh.

I heard shouting between the guards behind me inside the horrid place; all of their words were a jumbled mess before one of the guards overpowered the others with a loud “GO! GO! AFTER HER!”

I painfully wrapped my wings around in front of me. I grabbed the metal structures that trapped my wings in my mouth and quickly yanked them off.

YES. That is better!

I stretch my wings out and flap them a few times to shake off the feeling of cold metal. Without hesitation, I jump off of the dark gray cloud.

I plummet in a bullet like shape perpendicular to the ground, hoping I remembered how to function my wings to fly. At the last perfect second, I pull up as if catching myself. Whew. I find myself in a dark area with tons of trees, similar to Ponyvilles' Everfree Forest. I could be really close or far from home. But I wouldn't know, since I never really went into the Everfree Forest. I whip back and forth between the trees, they seemed to last forever. I thought about a safe place I could go to. Not home, not cloudsdale, maybe nowhere. I picked up my speed, when I saw the exit at a distance. In about 30 seconds I was out, then I flew up at an angle.

I whizzed past every cloud above ponyville. No matter how many pegasi I almost ran into, I wouldn't look back. I knew the guards were catching up, hopefully not as quickly as I thought. There was chaos everywhere, everypony was shouting.

I noticed one of my friends, Topaz, helping the weather team up ahead. I looked at her and felt pain, she saw me coming at here at great speed and probably also notice the guards coming for me. She barely smiled. Topaz must've known what to do since she immediately flew ahead of me and started to move clouds. She soon had a wall of clouds in front of me and left a small opening for me to slide through. She was with a colt I remember from flying school, but no name came to mind. I let out a painful smile as I grew closer. I saluted Topaz as I glided through the opening not hitting a single cloud. i smiled to myself for being able to still do this trick. I knew Topaz would've saluted back. I soared a little ahead, and then took a quick sharp curve to the left. Barely catching my breath I slammed my eyes shut and floated down to the warm ground. I opened my eyes and found myself in an alley, rather than in somepony’s backyard.

I peered around the dark blue building that was on one side of the alley and looked at the sky. I noticed 3 stallion stallions zooming towards the wall of fluff. Two were gray and one was dark blue, all appearing very strong. They all slowed down, reaching a halt before hitting the cloud. I guess they stopped to ask brief questions. I found this wonderful timing for me to leave.

I begin to trot down the street, seems to be Sugarcube Corner, towards the chaos above. I stay close to porches, tents, and other covered areas to make it hard for the guards to see me. As I'm about to go under the wall of white clouds above I see the stallions break through, causing fog, and fly ahead rather than looking below. I smirk at their foolishness as I start to pick up the speed and head towards Sapphire’s house, hoping she will remember me too.

I look at the small bright blue house, hoping she still lives here; I lift my hoof and rapidly bang on the door, like I used to do. I hear a loud thud from inside as if her clumsy self fell. I stretch my wings some more, still aching from earlier and the past 3 years. Soon after, she opened the door. I awkwardly smiled and let out a somewhat quiet “Hello.” She was wide eyed and silent. All Sapphire did was raise her hoof and motioned me to come in, so I did. She closed the door, and followed slowly.

“Um. Wh-” she stammered trying to speak. I cut her off, “I don’t have much time. Could I borrow your hooded cape and an old satchel please? I need it. Maybe for awhile.” “Sure.” Sapphire slowly walked down the hall making a right to her bedroom. I sat on her wood floor and let out a sigh and start to stretch my wings. I flapped them, becoming frustrated with the start of cramp I slammed them back down.

She came back out a couple minutes later, slightly wide eyed. She had the dark blue hooded cape and a brown satchel floating in the air, glowing a dark blue from her horn. Sapphire used her magic to help me slip the satchel on. And then tossed the cape around me, hood off, and tied the front string for me. “Thank you. I hope to see you soon.” I hugged her tightly and she hugged me back. With that, I exited her quiet home. I stood on the front porch and looked around. I thought about other things Ponyville might be hiding from us. Feeling Sapphire peeping through her circular door window, I pulled the hood on, and then galloped off.

Instead of asking Sapphire for anything else, and watching her go into minor shock, I head to my family and friends.I decided I need to go into extreme hiding. But where? I ask each of my friends and family for some bits, food, and other supplies I may need, telling them I’ll explain later but I’m sure they will be fine after I get out of this mess.

At sunset I find myself in another alley with close to 250 bits. I smile at myself for a successful day, but felt a little bad about asking friends and family for a lot. And going door to door lying about donating to the young blind ponies of ponyville.

I’m safe for now. But there is always a tonight, tomorrow, and the next day. I think I should go to Celestia about the awful prison, but, what if she knew and threw me back in? What if I don’t make it to her in time?

2: A Change

I can feel the sun shining on me through the cape. I didn't want to wake up but I had to. I forced my eyes to open, but slowly. The now brightly lit alley came into focus. I was facing a corner where a wooden fence and a yellow house met. I sat up and shook my head back and forth. I look over my shoulder, and turn back around as quick as I could. I quickly jump over to the other corner where a dumpster would hide me. I don't know how they found me, but they did. I saw a tall shadow as if the pony were looking down the alley. I pushed myself, quietly against the dumpster. Two more shadows came next to the pony and stopped and looked at the other pony. I held my breath in, trying not to make a sound. The shadows fidgeted around while I eavesdropped on the guards conversation.

"What?" a guard with a deep voice asked curiously yet frustrated.

"I thought I saw something." the other one looking down the alley exclaimed. I was quiet until the guard started to head down the alley. Stopping right before the edge of the dumpster, all I could see was his hoof. It was one of the gray guards. I didn't know what to do, I froze, hoping he couldn't see me. His shadow made me aware he was slowly scanning the area with his head. He turned around and left the alley.

"Nothing. Let's go." the gray guard said to the others.

"Seriously. We have to find her before the boss finds out." a new voice said with a stern tone, the third guard. All of the shadows walked away and I let out a big sigh of relief. I guess my gray coat blended with the dumpsters shadow.

I lift my cape up and pull out of satchel a brush and mirror. I sit down and begin to brush my mane and tail. I have some difficulties with my mane but I managed. When I was finished, I put them back inside the satchel and stood up. I head away from town to the left, needing a change.

I enter a good sized black building that was separated from the town. The sign above read "Tattoo Shop" and under that, "We welcome walk-ins." I nudge the door open with my hoof and walk inside. The first room looked to be a waiting room. There were some couches, tables with magazines, a small shelf attached to the brick wall with bottles, and a black desk. There was nopony behind the desk so I trotted up to it, raised my hoof, and rang the bell.

"Coming!" somepony shouted. She trotted out from the left hall and moved behind the desk. She was a cyan mare with pink and black mane, I noticed her many piercings and tattoos. "Yes, how may I help you?" the no named pony asked me with a blank expression.

"Oh, I would like to get two piercings and a small tattoo today. Is it possible to tell me how much?" I replied, I drew a circle with my hoof on the tile floor, hoping not too much. The pony used her magic to open a drawer and pulled out a calculator, also using her magic to calculate.

"About 40-45 bits. You know what you would like?" She put the calculator in the drawer with her magic and kicked it shut.

"Yes." I partially lied, I knew the piercings but not the tattoo. I stopped drawing the circle in the tile.

"Alright, give me a minute. I'll send you to Marble. He's almost done with a client, shouldn't take long. Name?"

"Moonlit." I replied as she started to head down the hallway on the right. I heard a door open, a few words and the door close. She soon appeared again and walked behind the desk down the hall where she came from, not taking a look at me.

I went to go sit on a couch away from the window, still trying to stay hidden. I pondered through my thoughts of what kind of tattoo I would get. Hmmm. Maybe this, no no no. I looked at the magazines lying on the table, I reached for one called "Tattoos of Today" right as I placed my hoof on it Marble called me.

"Moonlit!" He saw me and motioned me with his hoof. "Come on." he stood there. I hopped off the couch and trotted over to his door, as his customer walked past me. I walked inside and he followed. "Alright, so which do you want done first, piercings or tattoo?" he asked as he shut the door and walked over to a counter of supplies. I noticed he was also a unicorn.

"Um. I guess the piercings. Lip and upper ear." I told him, my voice was shaky, I placed my cape and satchel on a counter in the room.

"No need to be nervous. It will pinch for only a second" He exclaimed, he knew I was nervous. I heard him getting the tools ready with his magic. He had the tools all ready and turned around with the needle floating in a bubble of light blue. "Take a seat up here." he pointed his hoof at the chair, so I did. "Where for the lip?" he asked. I raised my right hoof aiming at my bottom right. "Alright." he squinted his eyes and brought the needle closer to my lip. I moved my head back a little. "First time?" I nod. "Ah. Okay, it's better if you relax, deep breaths" he said with a smile. I began breathing and trying to relax since metal wasn't my favorite thing lately. He seemed to have more emotion than the pony who greeted me. "Alright, open, loose though. Remember relax." I tried. I didn't know where to look. So I looked into his beautiful blue eyes. He had the the metal positioned. "One," I closed my eyes and kept breathing. "Two," CLICK. It was done.

"Okay, ow. What happened to three?!" I exclaimed. He smiled and turned back around, reloading for the next piercing, and turning back. I showed him, he positioned quickly, and without warning pierced my ear.

"Done. Alright. So what kind of tattoo did you have in mind? And where?" he smiled as he began to gather ink, needles, cotton, and other necessary items. I look at my right hoof and sigh.

"I don't really know, I want a small one. And on the inside of my right lower hoof." I told him the truth.

"Well, lets see." he took my hoof in his hoofs and looked at the location. I guess he was thinking, "Any important event for you?" He asked. The first thing I thought of was my escape. But I wouldn't tell him, all I said was, "Well, let's just say I'm lucky to be here today." I smiled. He tilted his head and quickly shot out, "Lucky. How about clover or a horseshoe?" he exclaimed in an excited tone. I thought for a second.

"What about and infinity sign with a gold horseshoe hanging off of it?" I suggested. Hoping it wouldn't look as stupid as I made it sound.

"Sure." he told me with a smile. He sketched it out with pen and imprinted it on me as a guideline. It looked great. He told me to lie down and hold my wrist out. I did, he set the tools up next to him, dipped the needle in the permanent black ink and hovered over the starting point. Here I go. I clenched my teeth and closed my eyes, the pain got to me, the needle rapidly moved up and down on my wrist. "It's okay, relax. Talking is a good distraction. So, let's see, name?" he began the conversation, not looking away from my wrist.

"You know mine, yours? Well, full name?" I responded. He spoke up. "Marble Needle. My parents named me after my grandfather, Needle, and Marble because they felt I would be artsy. Well. Here I am, tattoo artist." I sat quiet for a second. Marble started up the conversation again. As our conversation continued, I could barely feel the needle.

"All done, take a look." Marble said with pride, he put aside the needle as his horn stopped glowing. I sat up and took a look. "Oh goodness. It's perfect. Thank you" It turned out amazing. I guess escaping comes with a price. Smiling Marble said "I do my best." I got up and picked my satchel off the counter, "How much?" he tilted his head and said "I'd say 38 bits for not crying like many others." he laughed. I gathered my bits and paid him. I put my satchel and cape back on. "See you around!" he shouted as I left the room, "Um, maybe!" I shouted back, knowing I won't be around for long time.

I began to trot a little into town, for I had one more stop.

I entered the bright pink building, knowing it was my lucky day since some of the mane an tail stylists from the Crystal Empire were at the Ponyville boutique today. I quickly got seated by somepony with the name Dandy Brush.

"Alright dear, what would you like to done today" Dandy asked me running her hoofs through my mane.

"I would like dark purple streaks in my mane and tail." I quickly responded, sort of regretting it, but I had to get it done. She was a little surprised. I nodded already responding to the question she had in mind. She went to the back to get the supplies and mixtures ready. She put the bleach mixture in my mane wrapped in tin foil, I waited a long time for my dark black mane to turn white. When that was done she did the same for the dark purple, then the same for my tail. She rinsed out my mane and tail, I paid about 40 bits and galloped away.

I stood in front of the sign on the hill, I lift my head to see it since the hood was in my way. The sign had bold letters reading "Now leaving ponyville. See you again soon!" I remember as a young pony I always wanted to leave ponyville. But this is not what I expected. I expected leaving with my friends for a trip, or moving on my own. Not being forced, by my own very different self. I turned around looking at Ponyville one more time before I leave again for a long time. I sigh, and tossed my hood on once more. When something catches my eye in the distance. I see the guards, trotting out of town, towards me.

3: Awake

I stood there. I guess all they saw was my coat color and eye color and decided to charge. On the inside I was panicking, on the outside I tried to look calm. I slowly turned towards the woods to nowhere, and slip into them. A few seconds later I go stand near a tree, slipping the hood, cape, and my satchel off and kick some leaves over it with my hooves. I thought of a plan in a matter of seconds, I plopped onto the ground and rolled in the dirt, using my hooves and wings to pile dirt upon me. I stand up and walk forward a little bit. "HALT!" somepony shouted from behind. I looked over my right shoulder, stopped, and turned around quickly so they could not recognize my cutie mark if they knew it.

"Yes? Sir...?" It was the dark blue stallion. He stood in front with the grey ones at ease behind him. They looked like regular pegasi, but I knew way better.

"I am Dark Beam, and these are my assistants," he raised his hoof and swung it to the right then the left, "Fanged and Thunder," he stood their for a quick second and then added on, "We are looking for a pegasus, gray coat, with a black mane. Have you seen her?" Dark Beam looked straight at me looking suspicious. I looked up, and I looked off to the right and left. I shook my head, "Nope. But I did hear something running that a way." I raised mt left hoof and directed it outwards, looking that way to make it look as if I wasn't suspicious, I smiled awkwardly. There was an awkward pause while the guards exchanged looks.

"Alright. Thank you." Dark Beam said with a smile and they flew in the direction I showed them, since flying is quicker. I watched them go for a little bit, until I recalled that I lied, and that they would be back to question me. I ran over to the tree and uncovered my cape and satchel. I hurried to stuff the cape inside the satchel and then attached and tightened the satchel under my wings. I then prepared myself full speed down the wide dirt path with trees on either side.

I looked at the ground, closing my eyes, my wings raised upward. They began to slam down and pop back up, gaining speed each time. My back hooves floated off of the ground. My front hooves dug into the dirt, I wouldn't let them leave the ground until I said so. My wings were buzzing now, anxious to fly, the time was right. I brought my front hooves into my chest, and I whizzed past the trees and fallen leaves, causing most of them to fly up. I continued to flap remaining a constant speed. Speeding down this forest it reminded me of the days I tried to race my good old friend Rainbow, before I knew her true self. She always beat me but barely. I knew if she chased after me, I'd be dead.

Even though I had no idea where I was going, I continued going straight.

Eventually I came to a fork in the road. Two out of four had leveled stone paths, one continued to be dirt, the other looked like a path filled with twigs and leaves. The only sign pointed down one of the stone paths, reading "Apploosa" I thought this would be the right way to Canterlot, but even if it didn't I would be a town away and able to ask somepony for directions. I looked behind me finding the guards nowhere to be seen, so I saved my energy and trotted to town.

I could see the small town up ahead, past the train tracks in front of my hooves. Looking both ways I jumped over the tracks and up the stairs of the train station. There was a map on the wooden wall above a bench. I walked up to it and examined it. I found Apploosa on it, then Canterlot. I stamped the floor board in frustration, gaining me a few looks. Canterlot was north of Ponyville, Apploosa was south of Ponyville. The good thing is I escaped the guards. I need to get a train to Canterlot, I doubt they would check a train when I could fly. "Train for Canterlot will be arriving in 10 minutes!" a voice shouted from a speaker nearby, so I hopped in line to get a ticket. This blue pony in front of me was taking forever, it's not that hard to get a ticket. After about 5 minutes I could see the train approaching on the horizon, the blue pony got out of line nearly bumping me. "One ticket to Canterlot." I tell the mare behind the window as I step forward and start to get the bits from my satchel. "20 bits." I push them through the hole at the bottom of the window. She counts them real quick and slips the tickets to me "Here you go. Have a nice trip." I smile, take my ticket, and go sit on the bench. I can hear my stomach growling, wanting proper food and water. The blue pony comes and sits on the bench next to me. I scoot over slightly, I notice he has headphones in, and two music notes as his cutie mark, explains it. It's blaring music, pretty sure the whole train station could hear it.

The train arrives, coming to a stop. The ponies exit the train, while the ones waiting become anxious to get on, even me. "All aboard!" he conductor shouted signaling us to pile on. I get on the third cart, taking a seat near the back of it. There's a seat facing me in front of me, I hope nopony will sit there. I look out the window for awhile, watching all the ponies load the train excited for their family trips, but not me. "Anypony sitting here?" somepony asks, I shake my head without looking, "Alright, cool." I look up to find out its the headphone pony sitting down. I couldn't stop him now. "Since it's going to be a long ride might as well get to know each other. The name's Noteworthy Beat, yours?" he pulled his headphones down and rested them around his neck, I thought of a fake name, "Um, Cloudy. Cloudy Bass." probably the worst name I could think of. "Cool, cool" he replied followed by awkward silence. "FINAL CALL!" the conductor shouted from outside, I cleared my throat "So, where are you from?" I asked trying to seem normal. "Cloudsdale, but I travel, helping my sis out with her Djing." he responds. "Oh. Wait a minute, you're an Earth pony." I exclaim. "Got ya! I'm really from Ponyville, you?" he asks. Making up something again "Los Pegasus." he nods. The train blows the whistle and we slowly pull out of the station then gaining speed.

I look out the window, I can see an apple orchard in the distance, a few happy ponies harvesting the apples. Now that I think of it, it sounded as if Vinyl was his sister. "Who is your sister?" I faced him now. "Oh, um Vinyl Scratch. You know her?" he asks. "Oh no, think I saw her at a club one time." I respond looking behind him off into space. I saw a unicorn mare with a cart enter the front of the cart. My stomach growled loud enough that Noteworthy looked at me. I could smell baked goods from here. "Anyone!" the mare shouted throughout the cart. My hoof shot up, Noteworthy slowly raised his hoof, plus a few other ponies. The mare slowly made her way to the back, my mouth watered. She finally made it to Noteworthy and I. She had cupcakes cookies, fruits, apple cider, water and more. I looked at the cart while Noteworthy ordered. I pulled my satchel around getting some bits out. "I'll have cupcake, cider, a cookie, an apple, two mini muffins, an apple fritter, an eclair, some strawberries, um. And some gummies." I smiled handing her 8 bits, I gathered my food and put it next to me on my seat. I waited for her to leave. Once she did, I picked up the apple and took a big bite out of it, chewing and swallowing, I could barely remember what apples tasted like. I soon dug into the chocolate chip cookie. Continuing to eat and eat, while Noteworthy stares at me. He looks startled. "Sorry, I haven't eaten in a long time." I smiled, and wiped my mouth with my hoof. "Ah." he says and takes a bite into his apple fritter, then sipping from the mug of apple cider. I slowed down a little bit. My first actual food since I escaped, all they served was about two cups of mush twice a day. The food was delicious. Noteworthy was already done, he put the empty mug on the floor near the aisle. "Alright, I'm going to hit the sack." he yawned covering his mouth with his hoof, he put headphones back on, turned up his music, but not too loud this time, "Night." I noticed it was sunset. I decided to save my apple fritter, muffins and eclair for later. I yawned and lied down on my seat.

I lied there for a few hours, wide awake. I was unable to sleep since a lot was on my mind. I stared out the window watching the train pass by the stars, the few trees, and occasionally an old building. I could hide in there, but it would be a long way for supplies to live. Hearing my stomach rumble some more, I got up slowly trying not to wake up Noteworthy. He mumbles a little bit, so I froze, waiting for him to stop. He seemed to sort of say something, but it was unclear, so I ignored. Making my way up to the second cart I probably woke up about three other ponies in the process. The train map was on the wall next to the sliding door, noticing the food cart was cart four. I turned around, and trotted to the food cart, waking more ponies. I used my wing to pull the door open, another trick I did when I was free. The fourth cart was barely lit from the moon and flaming stars. It had so much food, everything from before, but more for the food cart ponies. Nopony was in there, there were 4 of the little carts so I ate at least one of everything from each food cart trying to make it look like nopony took food. I only had 2 mugs of apple cider, when I was finished I took the mugs back to my cart and placed them next to other ponies. I was stuffed, I went back to my seat to lie down. "Hey...." I nearly jumped out of my coat, only to find Noteworthy taking off his headphones and waking up a little. "Goodness! You scared me!" I quietly shouted across the small table between us. "Sorry, music shut off. I wake up when that happens." he whispered. "Oh. well. I-" he cut me off. "Nice trick with your wing." he smiled slightly, making me kind of feel terrible about sneaking for food, I lied down with my head up so I could see him over the table. "Oh. Thanks. Some time of night snack. When does the train arrive?" I asked, but by then his headphones were back on and he was asleep. I sighed, and rested my head on my hoofs.

4: The Arrival

I guess I fell asleep last night since the sun was shining through the window and woke me up. I lied there for a while since I wasn't in danger this morning, hopefully. I sat up, noticing Noteworthy was also awake and there were 2 bowls of oats and some side morning snacks. "Morning, eat up." he said as I shook my head trying to fix my mane if it was messed up, "You didn't have to," I said and cleared my throat. "It doesn't matter, go on." he smiled as he responded then took a bite into his oats, I stared into my bowl then asked him, "Alright. Um, when does the train arrive in Canterlot?" I stuck my face into the bowl and calmly took a big bite. He responded, "2 hours or so." he was done with his oats and shoved the bowl to the edge with his hoof. I looked at a nearby clock hanging off the wall, arriving around noon, I thought to myself. I smiled and continued to eat my oats.

An hour and a half went by and I began to grow anxious. I needed to alert her quickly, but, I was enjoying my freedom. I glanced out the window and I could she Celestia's castle in the far distance. I began to shifting in my seat, a lot, Noteworthy noticed. He looked at me with a face and removed his headphones that always seemed to be glued onto his ears, "You, alright?" I looked at him still shifting, and uncomfortable. "Um, yea. I-I think. I-I don't know? Am I? I think I am, w-why would you ask?" I replied nervously, with an awkward smile. He sat up, "Well for one, you're moving around a lot, and stuttering, come on. Tell me, I'm good with help. Dr. Noteworthy is here to help." he rested his hooves on the table with the bottoms of them touching. I sighed, "I'm arriving in Canterlot for important business, can't really tell you, but I'm not ready for it, and I'm freaking out." He raised his hoof to his chin and rubbed, he looked out of the window and thought, "Do you have a place to stay in Canterlot?" I shook my head. "Well I am going to be in there for 2 weeks, yes?" I nodded, shifted again, and he continued, "in a non creepy way, if you would like to stay with me in my hotel until you are ready, you are more than welcome too. It has two beds, turns out Vinyl can't stay. Would you like to?" I shifted and thought. "Um, i-if you don't mind. Sure." I was less anxious, feeling better that I could my freedom could last longer. I stopped shifting as much. Noteworthy smiled and became more relaxed in the seat. My front hooves rolled around each other under the table between us, thinking. "Noteworthy, I'm going to the Princess." I didn't look up, but I felt like he had a surprised look on his face. "For something important." I added and looked up with my eyes and not my head. He stared at me, "For real?" he asked and I nodded. "That's really cool. What's important that needs to wait?" he asked. I sighed and said "I can't tell you, but it can wait." Noteworthy shrugged "Alright."

The train started to slow down, my stomach felt uneasy, but I ignored it and shoved my cape into my satchel and quickly combed out my mane and tail, and tightened the satchel under my wings. Our cart started to unload, I watched the ponies get off and those anxious get on. "Follow me" said Noteworthy as he got into the aisle putting his side satchel on that I never knew he had. He trotted towards the door, as I trotted along too. He jumped off the steps, I floating and remained flapping my wings. Welcome to Canterlot! a sign above the train station read. I floated in one spot for few seconds, noticing Noteworthy trotting away, I flew over to him. "It's a little far from the train station. Hope that's not a problem." he said glancing at me and then looking straight ahead. I replied "Nope, got wings." I let out a small laugh and a smile. Free. Yes! I am! No more guards! I CAN be happy now! I flew up towards the sky and made a loop, smiling all the way. As we walked through the streets of Canterlot, we chatted and I did multiple tricks, rising and falling, corkscrews, loops, and much more, being careful that nothing fell out of my satchel.

When we arrived at the hotel Noteworthy checked in, and we heading to our two pony room. Noteworthy let me choose a bed. I chose the one farthest from the door, he got the one closest. I flopped onto it, closing my eyes and rolling around in the comfort of it. Warm, soft, blankets. "Ahhh. I have missed you!" I accidently said as I turned and opened my eyes find Noteworthy staring. "Hmm. Well, okay. I am actually helping Vinyl tonight, so I'll be out." Noteworthy exclaimed as he tossed his satchel onto his bed. That reminded me of mine, so I did the same. "Could I go? I need some fun." I flapped my wings lifting me off the bed. I smiled wide. "Sure, but, you will have to help me when I need it." he replied. I dropped back onto the bed letting out a sigh "Thank you." We watched T.V. mostly news since nothing else was on. I was worried the news might say that there is a pegasus on the loose, escaped from prison, and give a description of what I look like, or something like that. But luckily there wasn't. Noteworthy fell asleep after telling me to wake him up at six. I thought about sleeping, but decided not too since I would have a few nights to do that.

"Noteworthy, get up! It's six o'clock!" I shouted just so he could hear me and not surrounding rooms. He didn't move, I walked up next to him, brought my front hooves on the bed and stamped, causing the bed the shake. Noteworthy turned the other way. "alright then." I hopped onto my bed for while. Fifteen minutes passed. I crouched on my bed, aiming for his, staring at the edge of the fuzzy blanket that was underneath him. In an instant I flew onto his bed jumped, grabbing the edge in mouth, clenched it tightly, and pulled. Noteworthy flipped off the bed with a gasp. I flew above him, smiled and made him aware "It's past six" as I talked the blanket plopped down on top of him. He was in a panic, quickly untangling himself, grabbing his headphones in his mouth and tossed them around his neck. He looked in the mirror, finding a mess of mane, shook it off. Noteworthy pushed his IHoof into his satchel, and tossed it on as he jumped over the blanket on the ground. I beat him to the door, already open so he can run out and down through the halls. I flew after him, until getting yelled at staff to not fly. I caught up with him at the door, he was trotting down the sidewalk, since Midnight Beats wasn't far.

He slowed down before approaching, while I landed. The neon blue lights of the clubs name lit up a section of the sidewalk. I smiled, ready for fun. There was a line to get in, Noteworthy walked right up to the guards at the front door and chatted. They let us pass. It was dark inside, lowly dimmed lights somewhat showed you where to go. There was another door that was like a kitchen door, Noteworthy kept moving as he pushed it open with his shoulder. The long bar was the first thing to see, then seats, then the large dance floor, and of course the stage. Only a table was up there right now. I smiled, ready for anything, except one. But, that will not ruin it for me! Somepony called from the back, "Hey! I need a little help right now!" Noteworthy trotted towards the voice, and so did I. Backstage was lit nice and bright, but, nopony was in sight. Noteworthy walked slowly looking around. A giant speaker slides in front us, I shot straight up, while Noteworthy jumped back. The speaker was surrounded in blue magic. A laughing white unicorn came out from behind a curtain. "You should have seen your face! No, faces?" she continued to laugh. Noteworthy replied with "Ha, ha, ha. This is Cloudy, she is here to help." he raised his hoof pointing to the pony. "This is my sister, Vinyl Scratch." I smiled, "Nice to meet you" and reached out a hoof. She was still laughing, as she meet my hoof and shook it firmly. She tilted her head towards her brother and he somewhat shouted "No!" she shrugged and stopped shaking my hoof and laughing. "But no, seriously, I need help." she pointed to her spin table, and all the wires that were already removed from their cases. Noteworthy and I walked up to the spin table, she loaded it onto our backs, and we carfeully walked to the table. Of course, she helped putting it down onto the table. Noteworthy plugged in everything while I helped Vinyl with other things, she also had some other unicorns help her. We chatted, including how I got to stay with her brother. But not a single word about the place. She was all good.

It was an hour when we were all done and the club opened soon after. The strangest thing is that Vinyl never took off her shades, while working, and when how dark the club was. How could she see? Oh well, she knows how to drop the beats. I was backstage, watching her spin and scratch the records, watching. She motioned me to come up, so I slowly did. I looked out, ponies flooded the dance floor that now lit up changing colors, lights above flashed and faded into other colors. She extended her front leg and was able to pull me towards her. She used her magic to put headphones on me. "Alright, when I say go switch this button on." I could hear her through the headphones and she didn't move her mouth. "Thoughts" I heard again. Alright I hovered my hoof near it ready for the signal. I could hear her music on low volume. "Go!" she thought to me. I switched it up. I noticed what I did, I signaled the drop to come on. Wow. Ah-ha! I did it! I let out a smile and so did she. I looked over at her and her shades shined and glare slided across the lenses. It snapped, none of this was what it seemed, all an illusion of the one and only Vinyl Scratch. We exchanged a smile and I got to help her with buttons for awhile.

After about an hour she took a break and headed to the bar, and got a few drinks. A unicorn bartender smiled and gave me a yellow looking drink with creamy foam on top. Assuming it was free, I took it and drank it. It tasted appetizing considering I haven't had a vbeer in forever. I continued to drink, Vinyl was surrounded with ponies, but I saw her raise her glass towards me.

After about three drinks I became dizzy and disoriented. I think it was Noteworthy that came up to me and dragged me to the dance floor, or was it Luna, no, it was Noteworthy. Or Vinyl? I had no idea.

Somepony was poking me. Over and over, and then pushed me off of some furniture. Ugh. my stomach was queasy, and I was dizzy. I looked up from the ground my vision came into focus, it was Noteworthy, he pushed me off the couch. He didn't look super happy. I got up, almost falling down multiple times, but eventually. I shook my head. "I've got this, I think. I don't know." He shrugged. "Come help." I stumbled on over backstage, but everything was away. Then Noteworthy and Vinyl screamed and popped in front me. I jumped back, and almost fell into a curtain, but landed on my rump in front it. They laughed, and I smiled. "We let you sleep, but thank you for everything. Hope to see you again sometime." Vinyl smiled and nudged her brother with her shoulder, he looked away. "Alright, Alright. See you at the next show." Noteworthy and Vinyl hoof-bumped and we left. I couldn't fly, so I walked close to Noteworthy, almost leaning on him. He seemed okay with it.

Back at the hotel I threw up, luckily in a garbage can. "Ugh." I kept my head in, afraid of releasing another, but none came. I rinsed my mouth with sink water and I got into bed, and keeping the garbage can nearby. "Goodnight Cloudy" Noteworthy said sweetly from his bed, he was looking at me. He smiled.

5: Finally.

I was awakened by a few screams from outside as followed by the sound of a stampede of ponies growing louder. They stopped, then a crashing sound. They ran, and another crashing sound. Noteworthy popped up, wide awake, on the third crash. I was frozen, staring at the door, Noteworthy was mumbling things and got up rushing out of my sight. The thunder of ponies grew close, and stopped. I saw their shadows from under the door. They disappeared slowly. I looked at the ground, only to look back up with the door slamming into the ground with a few splinters flying different directions towards me.

It was a pegasus colt, staring at me. The colt was accompanied by a white unicorn and yellow earth pony. They all looked familiar, especially the pegasus and the unicorn. The unicorn, yes of course! But, how, why? His blue eyes seemed to be of a dark red and his blue mane seemed more fierce. Shinning Armor? My mouth dropped, but I quickly closed it, Dark Beam entered the room, while the yellow one waited by the door. Beam grew closer, as I froze still stuck in my own time. Dark Beam was 5 inches from my face, looking me over from what he could see since I was still in blankets. He stared for a couple seconds that felt like a century. Then he backed up, and left, glancing over his shoulder one last time. He whispered into the yellow colts ear. And they all left, walking into a trot to the next door.

"We have to go." I was shaking, nervous of their return to take me for interrogation. I slide out of the bed, and turned 360 degrees before realizing that I was alone. I frantically trotted into the bathroom, to the window, and looking under the beds. There Noteworthy was, under my bed. I dragged my hooves as I went to the table, and grabbed my satchel. Noteworthy was out of his hiding spot and was approaching me.

"Okay, first who was it, second, what are you doing?" he questioned me I could hear his hoof digging in the tile flooring. I closed my eyes and then tossed my satchel on and decided to tell him some of the truth. I turned and looked Noteworthy straight in the eye.

Sighing, I began, explaining so fast I could barely understand myself. Noteworthy forced his hoof on my mouth. I started over. "They are guards and they are after me, I cannot return where we came from." I went on, quietly mumbling to myself nonsense. Noteworthy backed up and looked at me as if I have murdered somepony. I reached out with my hoof and explained more. "I didn't do anything, they have. They must pay for their crimes. I, we, need to hurry to Celestia." His jaw dropped completely ignoring the fact that I continued speaking. He fell onto the desk, I grabbed his hoof and dragged him to the door. I saw the three colts far down the hall on the left. I directed him down the hall and to the elevator. Noteworthy mumbled, and repeated himself. "Okay, so you're saying you need me to sneak an escaped prisoner get to the princesses? HA.My life." I sighed. "Please help." I gave him the same look I had throughout my stay at the factory. Noteworthy cracked "Fine! I can help."

There we stood, in front of many guards in front and along the stairs to the enormous castle. After trotting and galloping all the way here, I slowing walked toward the small staircase. Two grey guards blocked me off I jumped back bumping into Noteworthy. "Your purpose being here?" One of the guards asked. "I- we," in the hopes they will let both of us in, "have an urgent message for Celestia and Celestia only." The grey colts glanced at each other. They seemed disturbed by my appearance. As if I was come punk pony who wasn't in their right mind. And Noteworthy, expensive headphones and a satchel. "It's urgent." I repeated. The guard on my right exclaimed looking at the left guard, "Follow us." They walked up the stairs, I shrugged at Noteworthy and followed, two blue colored guards came up behind us.

After reaching the top of the stairs two unicorns opened the large doors leading into the main area of the castle where the princesses sat off in the distance on their chairs. Going through what it seemed to be a long list, checking items off and bringing the paper up to the next item, and so forth. We all approached Celestia and Luna, grabbing their attention and the each put down the papers. Noteworthy and I bowed in respect, on the inside I was excited since I was seeing the princesses like a foolish little filly. "She has a message." the guard spoke to Celestia. "She says it's urgent and for you alone." Glancing back at me, still disturbed by my ungraceful appearance. "Luna, Sparks, and others, please excuse us. Celestia motioned to me as she rose, I walked along with her into a room off to her right. I turned back noticing Noteworthy was blocked off by the guards. "I'll be fine, go on Cloudy." I continued following the tall white mare, we entered a small room and the door closed behind me.

"Hello, um, Princess Celestia." I was quiet, I have never been around royalty. All she said was "It's alright call me Celestia." she was formal as if we knew each other. I sighed.

"Do you know how all young pegasi are required to take a test in order to gain their flying license?" Celestia nodded. "Well I failed it my first two times being caught up in excitement. On my third time, I failed again. I was taken soon taken away from everything. I was home sweet home one minute and the next in whole new world. The Rainbow factory, it is a horrible place, far from my home and Canterlot. At that place I was chosen to work their since I had strength. They chained my wings down so I was unable to fly away and escape. I was forced to kill and destroy thousands of innocent pegasi for over 3 years." I started to tear up, remembering the day I did something I wish I hadn't. "Th- they made me! After using the wicked machinery for murder, I had to send them off into a different machine to be crushed and made into the joyous rainbows I used to see as beautiful. But-" Celestia was pacing, with concern on her face. I sat in the middle of the room trying to hold back my tears and anger. "I escaped, I knew how important it was to be the one to escape and inform somepony. So everyday of my final year, I picked away and the chains on my wings and legs. Being beaten, shocked, and abused for doing so. I managed to escaped, just a few days ago. I was chased through the woods, through my hometown, finally managing to loose the guards that were after me. I changed my mane and tail color, got a tattoo and piercings, and changed my name. My name isn't Cloudy. It is Moonlit. Moonlit haze." I let it out. I started to cry, knowing I had somepony to tell. Celestia stopped pacing.