Crossfade

Chapter 2: Luck

“Just about... done.” I spoke to myself as I finished my latest track. For the last three weeks I had been working around the clock to complete an acceptable array of ‘fine quality’ music in preparation for the ‘Electro Hoof festival’. My exposure to the sun, let alone any other pony besides those who came knocking on my door had been increasingly absent. During this short three week period I had already developed a Caffeine addiction, became nocturnal and lost feeling in my wings from lack of use. For a few songs that all in all I felt quite proud of, I wouldn’t say that these small sacrifices have completely been in vain.

The latest record stopped spinning as the ‘burning’ enchantment scroll finished its job, severing its connection to the large black disk and recoiling itself into a tight roll of a rough parchment. The record itself was another secret from my ‘competitor’ as Vinyl now called herself. To be honest I had only seen Vinyl once since she herself received her invitation to the tour, and that was only because she claimed that the local convenience store had ran out of energy drink crates. Turning back to the record, I placed the bulky disk inside of a large but thin gloss white sleeve. The sleeve was self decorated, my cutie mark covering the center with a black marker pen label in the top right corner stating “SCP-17-3”. Pleased with my finished work, I placed the record among the others in a large, green, protective box before sealing it with the silver latch that hung freely on the lid.

The box remained quiet and maintained its sturdiness as I lifted it to be amongst the other luggage that contained various wires, formal attire and my extensive collection of headphones. In addition to the record case, there were two small wheeled suitcases and large metal storage crate typical of those seen on behind the scenes footage of movies and music concerts. The main crate was happily borrowed from Octavia in exchange for my rather embarrassing set of limited edition Princess Luna teacups. Octavia remained smug in the transaction as though she thought I was getting the lower end of the trade, clearly Vinyl was having her effect on her yet again.

I turned to greet what had been dormant for much of the time I had been in my house. After the studio had become my sleeping place, eating place and workspace, the rest of my home seemed much larger. The majority of everywhere appeared more like a mansion than the modest wooden cabin that I had become so used to seeing, which begged the question of why I had not made the most of the space I already had.

The first silence in days was experienced and welcomed as the beeping and groaning noises from my overworked ‘HydraNoiseMaker’ faded from my buzzing ears. My hooves fell forward when I entered the center of the living room, landing me onto the welcoming sofa and creating a thump as the soft cushions absorbed my impact.

“Urgh...I forgot something, I know it.” I spoke to the sofa, somewhat hoping that it would reply. “Yeah sofa, you’re right, I should go outside.” Even if the sofa couldn’t physically speak, the company it gave me helped me to organise my thoughts.

*******

Lyra was sitting with Bonbon outside and across from the table where myself, a solitary green stallion was trying to get over the urge to drown himself in a vat of Zecora’s homemade instant coffee. The noise from the loud turquoise mare was helping me to get over my second priority, breaking my nocturnal sleep pattern. The information I had learned about the difference in Lyres should have sent me to sleep, but the way in which Lyra weaved her words was fascinating, as if she was speaking in a subtle poem. The same could not be said for Bonbon, who was head between hooves, trying to sleep.

“Can I take your order sir?” A Pink pony bounced up to me, holding a notepad and quill and putting on a clearly fake straight face.

“Can I have a Pinkie-Shake and a Cranberry Muffin.” I managed to get my vocal chords working but the main problem was remembering words. I was quite impressed with myself for recalling the Sugarcube menu without aid, although rather disappointed that I promised the sofa I wouldn’t order an Extra Strong Zecora brew.

“Coming right up.” The element of laughter broke a smile at the mention of her own creation and disappeared back into the shop, almost ripping away the parasol in her wake.

“Hello Skye.” A Purple Unicorn pony approached me, taking the seat directly across from my position. The librarian allowed her levitated bags to slowly touch the ground whilst straightening herself up and eventually releasing her telekinetic hold.

“Hello Miss Sparkle.” I returned the greeting, treating the element of magic with a greater deal of respect than I would a usual pony, taking into consideration her status as Princess Celestia’s star pupil.

“Did the enchantments you bought earlier work?” Miss Sparkle looked genuinely intrigued, as if she was somehow expecting them to fail.

“Yeah, I mean yes, they worked perfectly.” I corrected myself, trying to imitate Miss Sparkle’s usual speech. “Thank you.”

“Great!” The increased volume startled me. “The Princess will want to hear of this, it could make the production of records ten, no.. twenty times faster.” The element of magic trailed off, causing me to wonder as to if she was even still talking to me.

“So....” Miss Sparkle rejoined reality. “I heard you were going to Canterlot the day after tomorrow.” A tone of interest flowed with her words, making me think that she almost wanted something. Immediately I purged the from my head. If she needed anything, she had priority service from the royal stores.

“Yeah, i’m supposed to be performing there” Feeling slightly awkward taking on the role of a musician, I explained my situation to the intently listening mare. Sparing no detail I also explained how Vinyl reacted when I told her that she was invited as well, earning a few laughs in the process.

“Well I think it’s great.” My one mare audience spoke after a small silence. “But can I ask one question?”

“Sure.” I gave up on thinking what words were appropriate to say to a pony like Miss Sparkle.

“It’s just that you said you had two VIP guest passes. From what you’ve told me, you haven’t given them to anypony yet.” The unicorn finished her words with a smug albeit disappointed look on her face. Obviously irritated by my lack of organisation.

“Here you go! One Pinkie-Shake and one Cranberry Muffin! That will be six bits please.” The always ecstatic party pony beamed. My hooves made contact with Pinkie as I passed her the golden coins.

“Oh heya Twilight” Pinkie carried her high spirits over to her friend. “Did ya need anything?”

“Um, no. Thank You, Pinkie.” Twilight returned a false smile when her friend kept moving closer in on Miss Sparkle, prompting the rather interesting character to jump to the next table.

“Do you think Princess Luna would accept my Guest pass Miss Sparkle?” I joked. The look on Miss Sparkle’s face appeared as though she took me seriously, it was rather cute if I had to be honest.

“I don’t think so Skye. Princess Luna is already attending.” My own interest in the night princess caused my ears to twitch. “Also, please call me Twilight.” I didn’t know whether to be intimidated or pleased that I was now on a first name basis.

“OHMY...oh, great.. I hope I get to meet her.” My excitement was only paralleled by my immediate embarrassment.

“I’ll be sure to tell her of your interest.” The scheming mare crossed her hooves and bore a mischievous grin.

Twilight levitated a book onto the table and began reading, clearly content with her ‘finished’ conversation. I was also happy to finish the conversation, not to be rude but my drink was getting warm and my stomach was grumbling at me to hurry up and eat the muffin.

The Pinkie-Shake was unsurprisingly pink, but tasted of a fine milk chocolate that I would expect Miss Rarity would take pleasure in eating, or drinking. The Pinkie-Shake also had a slight fizz to it, but I assumed that this was another addition to Pinkie’s ever experimental recipes. Given that I did not immediately feel ill after finishing the actually delicious milkshake, I assumed that I was not poisoned by the strange concoction and picked up my muffin. The muffin was held in a plain brown paper ‘cup’ and decorated with many small red cranberry dots. This time I was sure that nothing bad could come of this as Derpy was the only pony who bakes muffins and Pinkie only bakes cupcakes, not that I didn’t trust Pinkie, I just can’t afford another ‘surprise onion cupcake’ drama.

“Um Skye.” Twilight looked up from her book. “It’s just that, when you go to Canterlot and wherever after that” Her deep purple eyes grew. “Would you mind if Spike used your house for a while? He’s been saying that I wouldn’t last a single day without him and you leaving is just the opp...Sorry, but would you mind?” Twilight’s gaze remained fixed, forcing me to stare back.

“Yeah, sure” I didn’t have a chance.

“Great.” Twilight spoke to nopony in particular before returning to her book.

The feeling of dread washed through me as I remembered the commotion that had happened when Spike almost destroyed the whole of Ponyville, and the damage that could be caused  to my home, but a greater feeling that I had been used crossed my mind. Twilight seemed a nice enough Pony, but since she apparently learned the stare from Miss Shy, she had abused her new ‘power’ quite a lot and earned herself a few rumours that I could now confirm to be true.

“Well then, that’s me done.” Twilight closed her book and levitated it above her head, trapping it and the others in a purple glow.

“Wait.” I demanded, butterfly’s forming in my stomach as I was about to confront Twilight. “Did you use the stare on me?”

“.....eep” Was all that Twilight could make out before she began hurtling past the tables and away from my immediate view.

“Guilty” I smiled as the other Ponies turned around, looking for the source of the dust cloud being left behind.

“Skye, that was not very nice.” Said a mysterious, although familiar voice.

“I agree dear, we cannot let this go unpunished.” Now creeped out I turned around to locate where the voices were coming from. Nothing.

“GET HIM!” a flash of green and white struck me, knocking me on the floor. followed by a blue and purple mane pony pinning me down.

“Lyra? Bon-Bon?” I spoke as the shock of being hit to the floor blurred my vision.

“That’s right Mister.” The voice was not joking and was definitely from Lyra. “Now, someone has to learn not to scare mares.”

Oh Celestia, help me. I thought to myself.

“But, she just ran when i.. hey! don’t do that!” I tried to explain myself when the Curly haired beige pony pulled out a lipstick from her bag.

“She used the...HEY NO!” I pleaded as the beige pony leaned in. Lyra took over the role of pinning me down.

By now almost everyone who was in Sugarcube Corner had now come to the outside tables to witness my ‘torture’, including a Pink pony who was holding a large tub of popcorn and eating it furiously with an insane grin on her face. Other ponies going about their business and ponies who were supposed to be tending to their stalls gathered around, including another element of harmony Miss Applejack. Two elements and neither would help me, they beat Discord but wouldn't beat two ponies with the wrong idea, great.

The red slippery substance dragged across my lips, leaving a warm residue as it completed its motions. The mares were not done there, by a long shot. Eyeliner was next, to the amusement of the crowd, as well as a healthy amount of something powdery that caused my fur to itch madly. The itching did not subside as I could not move my forehooves to alleviate the serious unpleasant sensation that was now covering the entirety of my body, as expected the crowd was in hysterics as my squirming self tried to break free of my pinned down state.

I weakly crawled up in a tiny corner of my mind, trying to resist the burning desire to carve my fur off. The Pinkie-Shake had already caused any ability to relax to be absent as the sugars within it now made me want to bounce off the walls. Abandoning my feeble attempts to resist without making a scene, I turned to my special talent, disappearing from my body as my turtle-shell cutie mark suggests.

“Now you’ve done it.” I spoke as I felt myself leaving my groaning body. The ‘corpse’ becoming pale as an invisible self detached from it.

Admittedly I did feel guilty as the ponies rushed around my limp, lifeless ‘shell’ but the quiet laughter from a white mare standing in the audience cheered me up a bit. Vinyl already knew my talent, but was greeted with stern looks from the disapproving and horrified crowd. Octavia was standing next to Vinyl, questioning why the mare was laughing with a serious face but also produced a small smile and sigh of relief as her marefriend whispered in her ear.

I stood there for a few minutes, taking in the ‘naked’ sensation of not having a physical body to drag me down. Lyra and Bon-Bon stood shocked in the presence of what they believed to be their murder victim whilst being comforted by the still cheerful Pinkie Pie and the strong hearted element of honesty. The crowd also seemed in a state of shock, to my amusement. None of them helped me so I chose not to return to my pitiful and rather uncomfortable self for now.

The senses of being a spirit change quite dramatically from those of being ‘alive’. For one my body had quite weak hearing compared to a ‘ghost’. In addition I became much more sensitive to light, the feeling of it passing through me unlike any feeling imaginable. Most of all I enjoyed the ability to pass through solid matter, although the ground was only around five hooves deep in the ‘spirit world’. At least the term ‘Six hooves under’ was explained. If I ever did get buried alive, I don’t think I would be able to escape. Pondering my current thought, I imagined that I should return to my body before anything was done to secure my ‘death’.

By now the hospital cart was carrying my body away to Ponyville General while the red-faced Nurse Redheart performed futile CPR on the defiled mess of green fur. In my body’s absence I decided to make the most of my invisible freedom, ‘ghosting’ myself in a light shade of green next to Vinyl when I was sure that nopony was watching.

“Hi.” Was all I said, acting casually even though I was technically dead.

“WHATTHE” Said an unsuspecting Octavia before Vinyl covered the Grey mare’s spitting muzzle with her hoof.

Maybe Vinyl thought it would be funny for Octavia to see a ghost. I thought, re-evaluating Vinyls capacity for cruel jokes prior to evaluating my own. What was she laughing at then? I imagined Vinyl left out the part where I re-appear.

“What are you doing?” A shaking Octavia was a rarity indeed, although the sight of such terror was justified as I found myself sinking though the ground.

Pulling myself up I stood the best that I could on the liquid floor, opting not to speak as I let the cellist slowly examine me. Vinyl stood and watched as her partner circled around and observed the green mist that made my form visible.

“So,” I broke the silence “How are you?” my ‘brain’ facehooved as I realised how stupid my question was.

“Alive” Vinyl interjected.

“You mean he’s actually dead?” Octavia regained her shocked expression as she returned to her marefriend with a shocked gaze.

“Well yeah” The white pony said with a patronising tone, causing Octavia to push her slightly.

“Then, how, what, WHY?” I had planned for this. Octavia would use her ability to make me feel guilty whenever possible, she really needed two cutie marks.

“Because nobody was helping me.” I returned the guilt right back at her, scoring.

“But Skye, it was a joke.” The feeble reply did not phase me. In fact it made me quite angry.

“Sure, while I was pinned down, being painted on and being laughed at, you didn’t help me because a good friend knows when it is a joke? I died Octavia.” I spat back at her, proud of myself for being so assertive.

Vinyl was now comforting a teary eyed Octavia, glaring at me to leave. I realised that what I said was a little over the top but in all fairness it was deserved, and the fact that she felt bad now proved it, after all, I did die. Watching Vinyl’s eyes change to red yet again I backed away, floating higher and losing my ghost as I located something to do or someone else to see. I felt quite a bit like I imagined discord would feel, minus the chaotic powers.

*******

The day was coming to a close as I watched over my deceased form, pondering whether I had taken things too far and thinking of ways in which I could return without arousing suspicion. The fact that I had no visitors made me feel unsure whether I should return or not, ghosting into the everfree was certainly a viable option. If I did want to come back after I had been buried I would have to find a new host and this was completely off limits to me.

My magically preserved self showed no signs of life as it just lay there, eyes closed and face showing the familiar uncomfortable expression I had just before I left the ‘real’ world. The fur had been cleaned and was slightly damp to touch as I ran my supernatural and still invisible forehoof across the chest area of the corpse, at least if I did decide to return, I wouldn’t have to worry about cleaning myself up. The thought of the Nurse cleaning a corpse, my corpse made me shudder. It must have been quite unpleasant for her to hoof clean all of a full grown stallion, let alone a dead one.

“But Princess, it’s my fault, if I hadn’t have..” I heard Twilights voice outside of the door.

Princess? my thoughts ran wild, i’m done for. I panicked and hid under the bed.

The door opened and closed shortly after. From under the bed I could only see four hooves, all white. Twilight was nowhere to be seen so the Princess was alone. Definately done for. I spoke to myself without making a sound. The sound of footsteps made their way over to the seat that I had just been using, pausing before moving to the side of the bed. Behind me.

“Skye Shell I know you are under the bed.” Princess Celestia spoke, shooting fear though my non existent spine. The formality of her voice stabbing through me.

I slowly emerged from under the bed, drifting into a worryingly solid corner and refusing to let my ghost show through. If I could breath I would have held my breath. I searched for a way to leave the room but everywhere was solid, trapping me with a feeling of no control in the same corner. Petrified I saw that celestia was staring at me, which means she was watching me try to evade her.

“I hope you have a good reason for scaring my pupil.” The Princess gave me a hard look, silently judging me with what appeared to be disgust. I was now hated by the Princess, things did not look good for me.

“Princess, look, can’t you see that he’s dead.” Twilight entered the room with teary eyes, accompanied by Miss Shy who was quietly providing support for her friend.

Oh. Well this just gets better. I attempted to leave through the open door but it slammed shut just before I could make an escape. A taste of the Princesses power surged through me as I touched the door handle, sending me to the floor in a heap of ethereal pain. The Princess meant business and I was the target of her anger, she hated Discord less than me and I was only a pegasus.

“Explain yourself Skye Shell.” I wished she would just go away or at least call me Skye. The seriousness was killing me a second time.

“Princess?” A confused Twilight looked at the angry alicorn with a face full of confusion.

I turned to my body, I knew one way to conceal my current state was to return to my shell.

“Don’t even try it.” A magical aura surrounded my corpse as I tried to enter it, ripping at me as I fought my way out of the magic’s clutches.

Possession? I wonder if Princess Celestia would banish me if? I have no choice. I pondered my actions for a moment before crawling my way into a small empty part of Miss Shy’s brain. Her mind was warm and flowing with her elemental power. I wondered if she was aware that despite being a pegasus she had a lot of magical energy. Whilst inside of her, i felt her body stiffen, i hoped the princess did not notice.

Now seeing though Miss Shy’s eyes I saw that the alicorns  jaw was dropped, darting her eyes around the room as she tried to locate me. I was rather disappointed actually, had she been truly able to see me she would have known that if was now inside another.

I felt like I had violated Miss Shy even though she was unaware of my presence. Even though she was my only salvation between being sent to the moon I felt that I had wronged her. If I returned to the living world I would apologize. Hopefully she wouldn’t feel too bad about it.

“Where are you? How?” Princess Celestia’s face dropped. Defeated too quickly, her magic faded from the room as she sat herself down on the cold floor.

With the magic gone and the Princess no longer searching for me I took my chances. I separated myself from the yellow pony and was immediately hit with a cold breeze. Shivering I silently moved over to my limp body, attaching myself to each and every part. Filling the empty spaces with energy and warmth, the sensation overwhelmed me. Sure enough my heart started beating and my lungs filled with air. It was the perfect escape until the heart monitor started. Horse apples.

Apart from Twilight blacking out and Miss Shy sprinting out of the hospital screaming “Zompony”, everything seemed just terrible. Princess Celestia was now standing over me, her mane furiously darting about, threatening to tear out my heart.

“I assume that was supposed to be a Joke?” Whatever the Princess was thinking, it was not good.

“No, but it does look that way I guess.” I saw that Twilight was still passed out on the hospital floor.

“Explain.” the alicorn almost reached the royal canterlot voice.

“Well, I was at Sugar..” I was cut off by the Princess.

“I know that.” Princess Celestia began. “Explain why you thought it would be a good idea to abuse such a horrible gift.” The angered royal regained her calm, making her even more terrifying.

“I wouldn’t say it is horrible.” I defended myself the best I could.

“There are many terrible talents that ponies have used to hurt other ponies, but making yourself seem dead to make another pony feel bad is unacceptable.” The monarch said in a judging tone.

“And torture is?” I immediately regretted standing up to the Princess of Equestria.

“It was barely torture.” She retaliated.

“Are you serious Celestia.” I stripped her of her title as she angered me, my outburst obviously shocking her. “Even though it looked funny, I was still pinned down, unable to move, my body was shouting at me to escape and to top it all off everypony in Ponyville was laughing at me.” Half expecting to be banished on the spot I looked away from the Princess.

“I see.” Was all that could be heard.

“Mister Shell” She began.

“Just Skye.” I interrupted

“Skye, I can see that you felt there was no other option but to use your talent.” The Princess addressed my ability with slight distaste. “However, you did upset my pupil.”

“Princess.” I began

“Just Celestia.” She interrupted. Amused.

“Celestia,” I started cautiously. “I am not sorry that I used my talent”. I stressed talent whilst copying the Princesses word structure. “However, It was not my intention to upset your student.”

The conversation was lifted from a negative experience to a quite positive one, well for me it was positive. Twilight still was laid out on the floor, hooves outstretched and twitching as though she was having a bad dream. I was about to make an addition to my small speech until a group of ponies led by Pinkie Pie approached from the darkened hallways.

“OHMYGOSH” A Rainbow maned mare screamed.

“FLUTTERSHY WAS RIGHT” Screeched another.

“HEGOTTWILIGHT” A small dragon roared, held back by a purple maned unicorn.

“It’s only me...” I spoke to the stunned crowd.

“Would you mind?” Celestia once again shut the door, waving her hoof for the ponies to leave.

“So?” I wanted to hear what Celestia had to say.

“So, I have decided that you must take Twilight along with you on your journey.” Celestia finished her words with a spark from her horn, bringing forth what looked like one of my VIP guest passes.

A sigh of relief passed through my lips as I let my head fall back onto the pillow. At least I didn’t get banished to the moon. A wave of relief passed through me as i let my hooves truly appreciate the Equestrian ground.

“And if you scare my pupil like that again, I will consider sending you to the moon.” Celestia grinned as she saw my worried expression.

*******

“Skye for the last time, no.” Derpy flew away as I chased after her.

“Come on Derpy, hey, HEY, Ditzy Doo.” I spoke her real name, still in pursuit. Derpy stopped, her hoof contacting my face and knocking me back a small distance.

“The name’s Derpy.” She said proudly, recoiling her hoof.

Derpy continued to fly away from me, she was still angry from yesterday’s events at Sugarcube Corner. The wind started to pick up at the same rate as our wing power, shaking Derpy slightly as she flew high above Ponyville. Undeterred I flew straight behind her, joining behind the jet stream that was now forming behind Derpy.

I pushed my wings to their limits as I broke free of the wind walls that Derpy was putting up around me. The sudden increase in speed from my escape sent me shooting up beside Derpy, slowly accelerating, my own jetstream overtook my ability to control my speed. Derpy turned around and away from me as I fought to control my speed. Stopping when she saw that my lack of control was sending me spiralling in all directions.

The wind was now forming a miniaturized tornado with me trapped inside of it. Spinning around and making me nauseous, the lack of control did not cease but only increase. Causing the twister to grow with every second that passed.

“When I get out of this, Derpy is going to get it.” My face was rippling, making my lips hard to move.

“Dude...This is so AWESOME!” The element of Loyalty Miss Dash flew beside me, watching as I kept accelerating.

“No, it really isn’t. What’s going on?” I fought past the inability to speak.

“You’re making the sweetest mid-air twister ever.” Rainbow dash was brimming with excitement as she watched me, unaware that I was dangerously out of control.

“Skye, that’s your name isn’t it? The one from the Radio.” Miss Dash pretended that yesterday did not happen, instead referencing my radio success. “You should totally join my flight team.”

“I hate to say it Miss Dash,” I took a long pause between finishing my reply, fighting the force that was threatening to snap me into smaller chunks of pony. “But, i.” I took another breath. “Help.” I quietly squeezed out my final word before my speed reached terminal velocity, the air ripping through me.

“I don’t get it.” The clueless blue pegasus watched as I became a blur in the impressive tornado.

The tornado collapsed when I came shooting out, still in the flying position. Fortunately the clouds were there to catch me, although the feeling of running into a brick wall was still fresh in my temporarily shattered joints. The soft clouds bounced me along their light surface until I came to a complete stop in which I just lay flat.

“Aww, you were doing so well.” The blue pegasus hovered behind me. “It was still pretty cool I guess.”

“Sure, it was, I meant to fly out anyway.” I lied, trying to return to my hooves.

“Really? it was more like a crash.”  Rainbow dash was persistent in talking about flying when all I wanted to do was try and find Derpy again.

“Nope, I was just practicing crash landings just in case I wipe out for real.” I lied again as I scanned the area below the clouds for Derpy.

“Whoa? deliberately crashing? that’s so... COOL.” The impressed speedster punched the air.

“Yeah, cool.” I continued to search for Derpy, catching sight of a golden mane on a silvery grey coat.

“Well, it’s been fun talking but I gotta dash.” I shot off down to Derpy, leaving Miss dash in the clouds.

“THAT’S MY LINE!” I heard the element of loyalty shout at me.

The air once again rushed passed me as I caught up to Derpy, the difference being that I was in control this time. I could still feel my heart pounding from the ‘slight’ delay but my wings would not allow me to give up on catching Derpy just yet. Growing larger in my view I leaned backwards as to land silently behind my ‘target’ who was buying apples from Miss Applejack. I let her finish before approaching her.

“Come on Derpy, you know I wouldn’t leave you.” I consoled the sullen mail-mare.

“You could have told me what your talent was, but no. Whe whole of Ponyville now knows it so why didn’t I before?” Derpy said her words accusingly, not even glancing at me.

“She only knows because she was there when I discovered it.” I reassured derpy, laying a hoof on her back.

Derpy immediately shrugged off my hoof and sulked, walking towards her home. As I followed Derpy, I could see many faces looking at me, not with hate for my special talent, but with sympathy. To the townsfolk it was like I had been cursed, to which I strongly disagreed with. It would have been great if nobody knew of my secret, but since Octavia could not keep her mouth shut, everybody in Ponyville knew. In a way, it was rather freeing.

“Yeah okay, how did you discover it?” Derpy tried to uphold her negative attitude.

I put on a narrator’s voice, still walking beside the blonde mare. “It was a fine summer’s evening.”

“Too long...” Derpy groaned with a very strong tone of boredom and irritation.

“I got hurt at a halloween party in trottingham and before I knew it I was out of my body; chasing the pony that knocked me over.” I spoke faster than normal, trying to show as little embarrassment as I could.

“Whoa..” Derpy made out, regaining her smile.

“The look on everyone’s faces when there was a green apparition over a dead pony was...interesting.” I gave a little more detail, hoping to win back the happier Derpy.

“Where does Vinyl fit in?” Derpy resumed her interrogation.

“She tried to pick a fight with me while I was a ghost.” I began. “you see, it was her who was playing the music at the party. She was not pleased when I was scaring away everypony on the dancefloor.”

To this Derpy started to chuckle, her laughter relieving me of the worry that she was going to hit me again.

“That’s a great one there.” Said a brown stallion with an hourglass cutie mark, his accent was clearly one from Trotland and he appeared from out of nowhere. “Sorry, i’m The Doctor.” The mysterious earth pony noticed the confusion on mine and Derpy’s faces. “But you can call me Doctor Whooves.” He finished with a friendly tone.

“Are you okay?” I asked the new addition, who was apparently joining us the walk back to Derpy’s home.

“Of course I am, i’m The Doctor, have you ever seen a sick doctor? come to think of it neither have i. Don’t you think that’s strange? A sick doctor. Whatever next? A cyberpony. Wait, forget I said that, wrong universe.” The stallion spoke quite quickly, as if he had just discovered something brilliant. The ‘Doctor’, if he even was a doctor, trailed off away from Derpy and I, still talking to himself.

The sudden appearance of such an oddity created an awkward aura around the mail-mare and I, neither of us sure what to say. I let the hoofsteps continue, as long as Derpy allowed me to walk alongside her, I was content with the silence. The sun was shining bright through the sparse cloud layer, warming the path we were walking on. Although it was still morning, the chill in the air was now completely gone, allowing me to wholly enjoy the walk.

“So, when are you leaving?” Derpy broke the silence.

“Tomorrow.”  I sent back a one word answer, still affected by the silence.

“Oh yeah.” Derpy responded.

“Celestia is making me bring Miss Sparkle.” I started a new topic.

“You mean Princess Celestia.”  Derpy corrected me, frowning at me for failing to add the princesses title.

“Yeah, Princess Celestia was pretty mad at me for a while.” I admitted to the listening pony.

“At least she didn’t banish you.” Derpy tried to lighten the mood.

“She threatened to.” I smiled, gaining a look of horror from the mare beside me.

Derpy and I stopped outside her house. The house was similar to the ones surrounding it. It had yellow walls on the exterior, large wooden beams as supports and a large thatched roof. The area that made Derpy’s house stand out amongst the crowd was that on the right side of the building the windows were all circular, forming the shape of her cutie mark.

The door opened grudgingly as the pegasus pushed it, giving a slight creak. The door needed oil badly but the store was never in stock for some reason. The familiar sound of Plot radio escaped from the confines of Derpy’s house, filling my ears with the most aggravating sounds of mass produced Vinyl Scratch wannabees.

“Derpy, I can’t believe you listen to this rubbish.” I stood outside the door as the pony rushed to stop the source of the offending noise.

“That’s funny.” Derpy called back. “You were on it the other day.”

“Seriously, I had one song and it was pretty awful, looking back at it.” I began, annoyed that the radio was still playing the same old tunes.

“You coming in?” The mares voice called me.

“Okay, sure.” I accepted the offer and stepped inside, closing the door behind me, glad that I was actually wanted after all that happened.

“Do you reckon i’ll hear any more of your ‘awful’ tunes?” Derpy spoke with a degree of sarcasm.

“Doubt it.” I began. “Unless the label decides broadcast some nobody on national radio, I doubt i'll get more than a good experience and a nice paycheck at the end of it.” I finished with a saddened voice, pondering the possibility that the tour was actually a waste of time.

“Too bad. Skye, you want some Coffee?” Derpy peered her head through the kitchen entrance, watching as I sat myself down on her sofa.

“No thanks. I promised my sofa.” I came to a sudden realisation that I was in dire need of Coffee. “Yes please Derpy, black.” I fixed my previous reply.

“You’re a bit odd, you know that right?” Derpy smiled as she returned to her kitchen.

“Look who’s talking.” I retorted. Immediately regretting it.

“What was that?” Derpy said, honestly not hearing my potentially hurtful statement, thank Luna.

“I know, sorry.” I once again mended yet another stupid sentence, although adding ‘sorry’ to the end was not particularly needed.

“Okay, apology accepted.” Derpy used a higher pitch to respond, leaving me wondering if I had said anything else that would have required an apology.

“So, what have you been up to while I was working? Oh, and sorry for not coming out.” I started up a new conversation.

“Nothing much, we already have your replacement. and another delivery-mare just in case.” Derpy spoke cheerfully.

“Replacement? I am not going forever.” Worried, I sat up straight on the sofa.

“Don’t worry, she’s only on work placement, ” The silver-grey pegasus reassured me.

“Phew.” I made myself heard. “Where from?” I questioned.

“Some college in Fillydelphia. She said it was part of her business course to get hooves on experience.” Derpy spoke in a happy mocking tone, mimicking ‘hooves on experience’ with a new accent.

“Miss me?” I sang, noticing that Derpy didn’t think much of her new colleague.

“Kinda. The rookie never talks.” Derpy admitted. “She was like you yesterday, but every day.”

“That bad?” I winced, hoping that Derpy was not mentioning yesterday in an effort to make me feel bad.

“Yeah, hate to say it.” Derpy paused “Especially as I am still mad at you.”

“Oh, sorry.” I genuinely apologised once more as the discourse continued between the kitchen and the living room.

A pegasus walked into the living room on all fours. In her mouth she carried a small brazen tray with two glossy black mugs. The steaming drinks beared a strong aroma that I had become well accustomed to over the weeks I had spent working away from my job as mail-stallion. With a small tap, the tray touched the table, barely allowing the black liquid inside to sway. Derpy pulled away from the table, lifting a drink of her own and sitting herself beside me. I in turn picked up one of the black mugs before returning to find that Derpy had spread herself across the sofa, causing me to prop myself up against its cushioned front and lean my head on her rear hooves.

“I spoke to Octavia yesterday.” Derpy began, taking a sip of her coffee.

“And?” I hid my face with my mane after drinking almost half of the un-equestrianly good drink at once.

“She was pretty upset. Vinyl was too.” I listened with intent.

“So, I am not being hunted?” I joked but was met with a look of disapproval.

“They looked more upset that angry.” Derpy took another sip. “What happened with them anyway?”

“I sort of blamed her for what happened...and kinda called her a bad friend.” I admitted with a not too innocent smile.

“You blamed her for your...death.” The words pushed their way into my head as i finished my coffee, derpy only a quarter into hers.

“Sure, if you want to put it that way.” The smile faded.

“I don’t think anypony would react very well to that kind of an accusation.” Derpy spoke in a wise voice, forcing another grin upon an otherwise frowning face. I felt undeserving of a friend like Derpy.

The only sounds in the room was of Derpy’s gentle consumption of her pleasant scented drink, and of her light breathing as her chest raised and lowered. Although still resting on the floor, i let my head lie back on on its side, using derpy’s warm fur as a pillow i shut my eyes. I intended not to sleep but to enjoy the time i had with somepony that isn’t too upset with me let alone one that could make coffee at what i thought must be royal standards. I could still taste the rich, powerful blend that had graced my unworthy tastebuds.

Derpy, in turn proceeded to make herself more comfortable, trying not to move her rear hooves as she fidgeted her way onto her back. Sighing, Derpy found her comfortable spot, setting her mug down on the floor behind her and letting another short silence create a relaxed setting for the two of us.

The minutes passed by, allowing me to empty my mind and just rest without new, creative thoughts and painful realisations of another unfinished track tearing through my head like a party cannon. More time passed, the light that was shining through the open circular window not allowing me to have a true sleep, only a short ‘nap’ in a semi-conscious state.

“Skye,” Derpy, clearly was not in the relaxing mood, snapping me out of a half decent daydream.

“Yeah.” I replied, half breathing out my word as i ‘woke up’.

“Do you think you’ll meet any famous ponies?” Derpy said, uncomfortably.

“I dunno. Princess Luna is at my first gig, does she count?” I replied. I knew that the night princess did count, and i was ecstatic about the possibility of meeting her, but i wanted to hear Derpy’s reaction.

“Yeah, she counts.” The pegasus said with a depressed voice.

“What’s up?” I asked, concerned but still with eyes shut.

“I am going to be so bored.” Derpy repeated her tone, dragging out her words.

“Why? We don’t really do much besides work together and hang out a bit.” I replied.

“But that takes up most of the day anyway.” Derpy was right. Usually she and i would deliver the mail together, despite it taking longer than it would if we were to take separate routes.

“I guess.” I couldn’t think of anything to say at the time.

“At least i know Twilight is going to be bugging you.” Derpy nudged me playfully with her hoof.

“And Princess Celestia will be watching my every move.” I joked, adding a push to Derpy with my head.

“It could be good for you though.” Derpy began. “The tour that is.” She corrected.

“How so?” I asked Derpy, slanting my head and facing towards where i imagined her face was.

“Well, you could get quite a lot of bits.” The mare paused in thought. “And buy me a house next to you in Canterlot.” Derpy laughed. “Of course you wouldn’t expect me to work, so you would pay for my extravagant lifestyle.” She finished her spoken daydream with a short chuckle.

“Derpy, if i do become that rich.” I hesitated to build tension. “That would only be the beginning.” I put on a Sean Cloppery accent, earning a squee from Derpy.

“Shame that i am going to have to wait.” Derpy was now sporting a more positive attitude.

“You aren’t coming?” I replied, with another large smile.

“Not fair.” Derpy replied.

My ear had become very useful during my studio time for holding various objects. The mane covering my ear also useful for solid storage, due to its thickness and ability to pin things down. even with wind bursting though i imagined this was the only part of my head safe enough to ‘store’ just about anything that would fit, this was proved by the morning’s incident with the twister.

“Oh well. I really wanted you to come.” I played around.

“You’re mean.” Derpy kicked me gently.

“It’s my fault really.” I continued.

“What?” Derpy looked confused.

“I should have invited you earlier.” I produced the pass from the tight confines of my mane prior to opening one eye to catch the silver mares

“Yeah, you should have.” Derpy’s eyes grew as she leaned into my hoof, grabbing the pass and clutching it to her chest. Not taking notice to what she was saying.

“IM GOING ON A FREE HOLIDAY!” That was not the reaction i was expecting but nonetheless was priceless.

Derpy immediately bounced up from the sofa, letting my head hit the warm cushion with a soft thud. The relaxed conversation was no longer existent as the pegasus was both flying around her house and talking to herself with such a speed that i could barely understand half the words. I suppose i did make a meal of it so i just climbed up onto where Derpy had been laying and ignored the noise.

“I gotta tell boss.” Derpy shouted, full of cheer.

“No need.” I said acting ‘cool’ like Vinyl would. “Just sign the pass, wait a few minutes and open the package.” I finished, trying not to sound arrogant, closing my eyes again and placing my hooves in a crossed position behind my head.

“Are you sure?” the pegasus was fly above me with a suspicious face.

“Yeah, now do it before i change my mind.” I moved my front hooves in the direction of the pass.

Derpy flew off into the kitchen in search of a pen, still in mid air but masterfully weaving between furniture. Her great flight ability although commonly overshadowed by her weakness for sugar, had earned her second place in flight camp, right next to Rainbow Dash; a fact that she never let anyone forget. The only instances where Derpy truly was ‘derpy’ were in large social gatherings and when exposed to the sweeter treats that in some instances like halloween and winter wrap up where things may have gone slightly askew. It really was unfortunate that due to these events, and some others, that Derpy had gained a label of being clumsy and not too clever, when the opposite was certainly the truth.

A flash of light escaped the kitchen doorway after a few seconds of derpy rushing for a pen. A second escape of bright light was followed by a small thump upon a wooden surface and a quiet cheer from an excited pony. Along with the parcel’s arrival a frantic ripping of the imagined packaging was audible from my place on the sofa, followed by hoofsteps that appeared to stop behind me.

“What do you think?” A mares voice asked for a positive opinion.

Derpy’s question prompted me to open my eyes and glance directly upwards. Derpy was upside down from my view but a Laminated card hanging onto a lanyard was visible around her neck. Printed on the card was a large and intimidating ‘VIP’ along with a hologram on a watermark of Derpy’s cutie mark. Once again i wondered how they got hold of her cutie mark but for a second time i just let it go, allowing myself enough time to form my response.

“It suits you?” I tried.

“I know! Skye, i was born for stardom.” Derpy made an exaggerated ‘celebrity’ pose.

“VIP...” I spelled out.

“It’s almost stardom, close enough for me.” Her voice still carried positive emotions.

“You don’t mind me asking you this late then?” I asked the still posing pegasus.

“Please change the subject Skye. I honestly don’t care as long as i get away from the same job for a few weeks.” Derpy spoke like Octavia, making the most of her situation.

“So you did miss me.” I spoke with my hand on my hips; an uncomfortable position for lying down.

“I have to go pack.” Derpy looked at the clock above her fireplace. “Oh my gosh there’s simply not much time.”

With her words, a strange deja-vu hit me. Flapping of wings could be heard going up the staircase, along with a trailing blonde tail as Derpy disappeared from sight. Crashes as well as some light cursing were also heard, Derpy not exactly taking her time with finding what she needed to take with her.

“Skye!” Derpy shouted at me. “Help a filly out.”

“Um?” I hesitated, wondering what horrors she would need help with. “What with?” I stalled.

“The wardrobe fell on me, i’m trapped under it.” Derpy shouted again in a monotone voice.

“Seriously?” I laughed.

“Yeah.” an embarrassed voice spoke quieter but was still audible as i slowly ascended the staircase.

Sounds of the banging and pushing of the wood caused me to quicken my pace, not because of worry but of concern for the poor wardrobe Derpy was torturing.

“Coming Ditzy.” I dared.

“HEY! THE NAME’S DERPY.” The mare growled.

Derpy would have punched me if she had the chance and was not trapped in a wooden tomb. Taking the opportunity to exact some more torture, i sat down the fallen wardrobe, picking up a scattered magazine about who knows what and began to have a quick read. The banging of the mare underneath me was not that unpleasant, the beat from her angry hooves making me follow the rhythm with a nodding head.

“Whoa, didn’t know you were into this.” I read a random advertisement, playing it up to be something else as to antagonise the prisoner.

“WHAT?” Derpy fell for the bait “WHAT ARE YOU READING? STOP, LET ME OUT!”

Derpy bashed with all four hooves much harder but was nowhere near the breaking point of the solid oak.

Maybe if she used her plot instead of her hooves she would be able to escape quicker.

“Skye....Pleeeeeaaaaasseeee let me out.” Derpy whined.

“Why should i?” I turned the page.

“Because if you don’t, i will give you a real reason to leave your body.” A trapped pegasus threatened.

“Not good enough.” I remained seated.

“But i really gotta pack!” Derpy complained.

Giving up my position on the fallen wardrobe i placed the boring magazine on Derpy’s bed and stood up. My front hooves found the head of the large oak mountain and gained a grip on the underside. With my wings i provided the lifting force necessary to lift such a weight, keeping my spine straight as the wardrobe continued to tilt back to its rightful place.

As soon as there was enough room for a pony to escape the evil wooden villain, Derpy rolled out from underneath and sat down as i did the actual work. The wardrobe made a satisfying sound as all four of its small legs connected with the carpeted ground and shook a little as it regained its balance.

“How Did you man..” I started before i was jumped.

“Time to die, Skye.” Derpy proudly rhymed.

“What do you have in mind? I can still escape.” I retaliated, rolling onto my front with a smile.

“Not the wings.” Derpy observed as i began to unfurl my folded feathers.

“Rethinking your attack?” My smile grew bigger with every move.

“Nope.” The mare refused to surrender.

Instead of doing whatever it was that Derpy was going to do, she grabbed my left wing, her body still on top of me, and held it in a locked position before i had the chance to evade.

“You’re mine.” Derpy grinned.

“Ouch, hey.” I protested.

“Since this invitation is so...recent.” Derpy began, hooves still locked around my trapped wing. “I didn’t have enough time to save any bits.” my torturer continued. “I could use my rainy day fund, but as a...Gentlecolt,” Derpy exaggerated my title. “You wouldn’t want me, a lady,” Her hooves pulled harder. “To pay for everything myself.” The mare finished.

“But...ow...It’s a free trip.” I winced in pain.

“I know.” A happy voice said. “But there is shopping to be done.”

“Oh no...” My face turned to horror thinking of all the expensive things she would buy.

“I think the answer is.” Derpy yanked, causing my wing-shoulder to make a clicking noise.

“Yes, fine, okay.” I gave in, hoping that the pulling would stop.

Derpy pulled away, letting me clutch my hurt wing.

“Oh, and another thing.” Derpy gave a sadistic laugh.

“This mare is called Derpy...not” The horrifying mare paused. “Ditzy.” She whispered into my ear.

Stepping back, Derpy used her free space to buck let right rear hoof between my outstretched rear legs. The pain felt by my entire body caused me to curl up into a ball. Unable to even leave my wriggling form, my ghost would not budge, instead letting me experience what no stallion should.

“BUCK!” I screamed at Derpy, wincing again as a tear formed in my eye.

“Oh, i’m sorry i didn’t realise.” the sarcastic tone scared me more than Celestia did.

“Not...cool.” I managed to groan.

“Stop whining.” Derpy commanded. “Get up and hold my suitcase.”

I would have ran if i could, but being only able to just about stand on my hind legs i held the suitcase that was roughly forced onto me. I did find this ‘assertive’ Derpy quite endearing, even if she was brutal in methodology.

“A gala dress? really?” I questioned.

“Well yeah....The princesses will be there so i need to look my best?” Derpy responded with ‘derped’ eyes.

“Why?” I asked flatly.

“Why?” A silver pegasus repeated. “Because...I don’t know, i just need the dress.”

“Do you even know the schedule?” I acted smart.

“No. Do you?” Derpy joked, knowing that neither would I.

“Nope.” I admitted, looking at the floor.

“We can ask Octavia.” The mare said as she placed another pointless item of clothing into the suitcase.

“You can.” I started “She might not want to see me.”

“Oh yeah.” Derpy chuckled.

Finished, the excited mail-mare zipped the first suitcase up and placed it on the floor, pulling over another empty bag to take its place. Derpy continued to pack her bag on the floor, paying no attention to my direction. I found my way over to Derpy’s bed and lay down on it, looking at the ceiling and acting like i didn’t need to help. I was halfway through replaying a song in my mind when a loud, interrupting, noise broke through my perfectly timed beat.

“Aren’t you going to get that?” Preoccupied, the packing pony did not look away while speaking.

“Fine.” I followed orders and got up.

I paced my way around the minefield of miscellaneous objects and colourful hats, careful not to break or crease anything. The bedroom door shut behind me as i found the staircase, followed by a musical humming coming from the just-left room. Descending down the stairs, i tried to view who it was who was at the door, but with no view, i continued at a faster pace; trying not to be rude and let the waiting pony stand on the doormat as i found my way to the front door.

“Hel...oh” I stammered as i saw both Vinyl and her marefriend at the door.

“Hello Skye.” Vinyl was the first to speak. unsurprised by me being at Derpy’s house.

“I had a feeling you would be here.” she spoke calmly, too calmly.

“Erm....” was all i was able to make out.

Octavia leaped into a bear hug, a smiling Vinyl watching behind her. Octavia then even more tightly gripped me, starting to crush my chest to the point where i was having second thoughts about the sincerity of such a hug and whether or not it was meant to kill me. The hug carried on, sustained as the grey mare buried her muzzle into her mane.

“I can’t stay mad at you!” The cellist spoke in a way that a pony would speak to a young foal.

“Um...” I was still unable to make sense of the situation.

“What Octavia is trying to say....Is that we’re sorry.” Vinyl had trouble forming her last word.

“And that.” I was shocked that Octavia was not her usual, formal, self.

“What have you done to Octavia?” I glanced at Vinyl.

“She is just a little upset.” Vinyl explained.

“Oh.” I couldn’t form the sentence as another wave of squeezing emptied my lungs of air.

“Im sorry for not helping you, Skye.” Octavia remained rather joyous despite the negative implications of what she just said.

“Uh, Okay.” I spoke with no air present, half using my ghost so that i did not suffocate.

“Skye, your heart.” Octavia backed away.

I let the cool air return to my chest as i pushed my ghost to the corner of my mind.

“Yeah, i did it again. Sorry.” I admitted my foul.

“It’s fine...I’m just not used to it.” Octavia tried not to be a little saddened.

After all, my heart stopped.

“I’ll try and make sure you don’t have to.” I said with honesty, still regaining my earthly balance even though i was only out for a few seconds.

“Can i be the enforcer?” Vinyl interjected.

“Suuuure.” I half heartedly formed.

“Sweet.” The DJ punched the air with after she finished her word.

“So what are you doing with Derpy.” Octavia said in a flirtatious manner, leaning on Vinyl as she aimed her question at me.

“Oh nothing.” I lied.

“Liar.” The mares said in unison, causing a short giggle between them.

“I invited Derpy as my second guest.” I confessed.

“Aww, aren’t you precious. Inviting your marefriend.” Vinyl poked fun.

“She’s not my marefriend.” I spoke coldly.

“Ok sure,” Vinyl put aside her mocking. “Where is she?”

“Packing.” My tone turned positive.

“Oooh, let me help!” The two mares spoke at the same time again, very unlike Octavia but still quite funny.

“She’s upstairs.” I answered.

Vinyl pushed me aside, allowing her partner to enter before she herself walked through the doorway.

“Thanks Pinkie.” Chuckling, Vinyl once again joked about my ‘light red’ eyes.

The partners in music, once fully inside, sprinted up the staircase to meet Derpy and probably cause more chaos than good. With the house shaking the two mares were intent on making the most amount of noise possible as they found Derpy’s room. Derpy must have felt that her house was being burgled with the incredible volume that carried through all of the rooms.

Closing the front door and moving through the living room, I too followed the mares up the stairs but at a much slower and less disruptive, boring, pace. The door was already wide open as i re-entered Derpy’s room, observing the increased pace of how things were now getting done. It was as if the three mares knew exactly what should be taken on the trip, and what should be left behind. Furthermore, the mess since i had left to tend to the ‘guests’ had been cleaned as if by magic, probably Vinyl’s magic. The full black suitcases also amounted to three and were neatly placed together on top of Derpy’s bed.

The three mares were on the fourth suitcase when i walked into the bedroom, making me question whether the amount of things that i had packed, besides my equipment, was enough for the amount of time i was leaving for. If i was short of anything though, i could probably buy what i needed with whatever i earn after a days performance, given that Derpy does not spend everything first.

“Skye, you ready to leave tomorrow?” Vinyl questioned as i leaned against my new wardrobe friend.

“All packed.” I responded with a military voice.

“That’s what i like to hear private.” Vinyl saluted.

“And you?” I returned the question

“Yeah, just about.” Vinyl turned her head to Octavia as she spoke.

“Skye,” Vinyl started. “You have any spare headphones?”