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Note: Not in the mood to do a second comma check. Exam day went bad.

Chapter 4: Time

With a roar, the audience began to fill the magnificent stadium. Some ponies galloping to be at the front whilst others headed straight for the toilets. The sight of so many ponies in one place was overwhelming. A sea of colours crashing through the green field ground brought smiles to every pony waiting to perform. Black cages held crazily expensive lighting systems and speakers in place. It shocked me that just enough money was put into this tour to buy Canterlot palace itself. Personally, I was terrified of living up to the standards of these producers.

The production crews were already at their stations and carrying out last minute checks and adjustments to the equipment that seemed like it would break if I just looked at it. There was a feeling of injustice considering the amount of skill that these ponies actually had but could not properly show individually, then again, they get paid to go to concerts. Wires were now out of hooves way, clearing paths for the newer cordless enchanted sound equipment that would, apparently, make the sound louder than the royal Canterlot voice without losing its quality. I thought about wearing earplugs.

The timetable on the wall I was studying showed Vinyl or DJ-Pon3 as the first performer. It was quite strange finding that the schedules were only arranged the night before, especially as I was up well after Vinyl. If only Twilight knew, she would be mortified, might even come out of the royal 'box' to shout at some pony. Of course, Celestia had to show up just before I thought I was free of her, I heard that she didn't even like anything besides Octavia's orchestra.

“You're on in two!” A Trottingham accent rang though the screen lit backstage, directed at the DJ who was unpleasantly stretching herself out in preparation for headlining the first concert of many to come.

“I'm ready” the white unicorn whispered to herself. “I'M READY!” She bellowed back at the stage manager.

“What do I do now?” I questioned the limbering-up mare, quite clueless on what was going on.

“Go with the others.” Vinyl pointed towards the royal box through a crack in the curtain.

“I'd rather not.”

“The princess?”

“My mark.” My eyes scanned over my 'I love Princess Luna' flank.

“It's a concert, people do dumb stuff all the time.”

“YOU'RE ON IN ONE, GET UP THERE!” The manager was visible and steaming.

“Gotta go, wish me luck.” Vinyl slipped on her glasses and ran up the staircase.

“Don't be a show-off.” I selfishly was worrying about being outshone by some pony who was definitely going to outshine me.

“See you in a bit.” The musician took her place behind the decks and other various and familiar equipment.

The checks were complete and the staff were now in front of their own monitoring stations, huddled in groups of five or six in some places. Vinyl was adjusting the different levers and switches that were slowly starting to make her music fade in from the gargantuan speakers right next to me. I definitely should have ran for earplugs but was too preoccupied listening to the smooth sounds that were unusual for a pony like her. Listening to her album before coming here would have been a good decision.

Having a celebrity friend like Vinyl was wasted on me. friends if you include Octavia. If somepony else were to look at how I treat her, they would say that I was not worthy or a bad friend. In my defence it is the fact that I admittedly treat her quite badly that we get along. Essentially she eats my food and I let her sleep over with Octavia, it's a simple relationship that works. I have never once asked for money, tickets or anything from her. I don't listen to her music. (I am forbidden for fear of fanboyism, I don't go out much.) If it were not for the random parties Scratch throws I would barely go outside other than to work.

With an intense flash of brilliant white light, the curtains fell just a meter to my front. Fortunately I had found a support beam to lean against that was out of the way of the staff and out of view from the audience. My position did not detract from the sheer awesomeness of the savage beats shook the stage and audience alike, instead making me more excited to be as close as I was to the action. Clear in my view, Vinyl was fist pumping, encouraging the already screaming audience whilst carefully making discrete changes to her fantastically vibrant music.

The urge to join the crowd was almost uncontrollable, they looked like they were having the time of their lives. Vinyl was not even a minute into her first track and the swarm was already bouncing like crazy. Her hour long set was destined to be great, there was no doubt of a renewed record deal with the way this crowd was welcoming the DJ. I could swear I heard a few of my old recording samples mixed in. The case of the missing records was now solved. Great work me?

“Sir, you've been requested in the royal box.” A worker ran up to me exhausted.

“Who by?” I silently prayed it be positive.

“Her majesty Princess Luna.” The awkwardly dressed runner straightened her spine.

That's a start

“Thanks but no.” Avoiding Celestia would be a good thing.

“I must insist, the princess was quite adamant I should not be taking 'no' for an answer.” The small pegasus was insistent, I’d give her that.

“What does the princess want?” I couldn't be any ruder, I was ashamed of myself.

“It is not my place to ask questions. Please follow me.” The mare's eyes were showing distaste at my arrogance.

“Pass.” my gaze returned to the strobe filled stage.

“There is a barbecue” I could smell desperation from the pony, and imagine grilled asparagus. My will was weak.

“Fine.” Food, my arch nemesis.

A relentless torrent of flashing lights, smoke machines and heart attack inducing bass cannons were sadly left behind, out of my view as I followed the slowly calming mare. Up the stairs and to the left, we found a room with the décor to indicate royalty. Still keeping the black colours and dim lighting, the stadium's upper interior was still outstandingly well constructed, a result of Canterlot's best engineers. Anything to keep my mind off a potentially angry goddess, even if she didn't want to see me.

There was no barbecue, she lied. Instead of the mouth-watering foods I was expecting, a large selection of sweet foods on the main table would just about work. Celestia stood on the balcony, talking quite loudly with Spitfire and Soarin. Twilight looked to be chatting with Octavia next to the white chocolate fountain, watching Derpy as she devoured a huge muffin. Bonbon and Lyra were hoof in hoof jumping in time with the beat with a crowd of other soon to be performing ponies in the dance floor area. The night princess sat alone at the bar gently nodding her head with Vinyl's music and watching the dynamic crowd.

I approached Princess Luna, cautiously hiding my flank.

“Good afternoon princess.” Definitely the wrong words for a concert of this nature.

“I'm Luna, don't be so stiff.” Luna took notice of my posture.

“So...You a fan of DJ-Pon-3?” These words seemed better.

“I prefer her older music, but her newer tracks are great.” Luna spoke to her drink.

“Why did you call me?” I got straight to the point.

“Bored of Celestia.” Simple and understandable.

“I know what you mean.” I hoped I didn't cause any offence.

“We haven't been getting along.” Luna's face was saddened.

“Oh?”

Vinyl's new track was a slow and sombre progression of simplistic pulses, making it easier for me to communicate with the princess. The song did nothing for Luna's mood.

“To be quite honest, my thoughts keep returning to the moon.” The princess became angry. “She could have locked me in the dungeon, found a way to cure me, not wait ONE THOUSAND YEARS!” Luna slammed her hoof on the bar, the room fell silent with only the long chords making a sound.

Why am I being told this?

“Luna, sister, Please don't start another argument. Not here.” Celestia's voice showed little sympathy.

“Or what? You'll send me to the moon? Seems you've been saying that a lot lately.” The princess of the night dragged me beside her. My flank graffiti was in clear view.

“That's not fair.” Celestia frowned. “HE is different.”

“You hate him!” Luna spat her words at Celestia “No difference between you and me then!”

That was just about the most uncomfortable thing I had ever experienced.

“I don't hate you Luna.” Princess Celestia's motherly tone was insulting.

“You stay there.” Luna prevented me from slipping away. “You can't even look me in the eye.” Luna stormed out of the room.

“Go team?” I whispered into Octavia's ear.

“No Skye. Not the time.” Octavia smiled and shook her head.

“I'm just going to leave.” I had no use for more enemies.

“See that the princess doesn't do anything.” A royal voice commanded from behind me.

“He will.” The cellist spared me from saying something I might come to regret.

The door was held open by the same dressed up pony that had come to retrieve my useless self. Without taking a second glance any anypony else in the 'party' I walked through the exit at a quick pace, my mind going over what exactly happened and how I was going to deal with the problems associated. I kept bringing myself back to the fact that the argument that I had just witnessed had no doubt been fuelled by my poor relations with the day bringer. My status with Celestia essentially made me Luna's scapegoat for justifying a fight. Having another Nightmare Moon situation, let alone one on my hooves would probably be a bad thing, if Luna lost.

Going on a whim I descended the stairs towards the backstage area, the darkest place in the stadium where one could be alone is the so wished. Still guarded by stallions, the lighting and sound monitors were flashing bright with the colours of Vinyl's pulsating music. For a moment I considered returning to my support beam and carry on enjoying the fine works of DJ-Pon-3, then my conscience hit and I purged the thought.

As expected I found Luna lurking in a darkened corner at the far end of the backstage area. Princess Luna sat apathetically on the trembling floor with anger in her royal eyes. Her shimmering star filled mane was replaced with a scruffy light blue, which suited her better in my opinion. As fas I I knew, this was not Nightmare Moon, just an Alicorn with a grudge who dragged me into her mess.

“Sister troubles?” I couldn't start too seriously.

“Here to tell me off?” Luna smiled at a friendly pony.

“I'm on your side.”

“Good to know. You can be my first minion.” The princess looked up at me.

“Sure, but that can wait.”

“I suppose we better go ba..”

“Watch the rest of Vinyl's set.” I interrupted, extending a hoof to help Luna get up.

“I really hope Celestia gets over it” Luna groaned, standing again.

“Over what.”

“Your death talent.”

“Well I wouldn't say it's a death talent par se.” Luna made my talent seem as bad as her sister had put it.

“She said you would abuse it and threaten Equestria.” The purple-blue guardian of the night flailed her hooves dramatically.

“I don't think I am up to that job.” I briefly thought about the extent of Celestia's paranoia and how it could have affected Luna's banishment.

Luna and I returned to my preferred place to watch the main stage from, passing bowing workers and section managers. The sound of the concert grew clearer as we approached the support beam I could see Vinyl from. This time, Vinyl had picked up from her slow, calm rhythm to a fast paced energetic music that had the crowd singing along to the repetitive lyrics. The princess herself was beginning to sing along to the song that I unfortunately did not have the 'pleasure' of listening to in the past, her singing just loud enough for Vinyl to swing her head around from the close stage. At least Luna was now enjoying herself.

“IT'S Princess Luna!” Vinyl screamed over the microphone, the crowd roaring in response.

The princess, as if planned, rushed onto the stage, creating an even louder noise from the audience. DJ-Pon3 greeted Luna with a quick and masterfully executed transition into a heavy dubclop and strobe light explosion. There was no doubt in my mind that princess Celestia would be hating this, that thought brought a smile to my muzzle. I did feel sorry for the security, the circle pit that had formed at the front of the crowd was getting out of hand with bottles being thrown in all directions. Luna was pretending to help Vinyl with her music, a clever way to increase her fan's opinion of her and possibly gain a few new ones in the process.

As the performance drew to a close, the light show only got better. In perfect sync with each individual aspect of Vinyl's songs, the lasers, spotlights and every other piece of lighting available for purchase (and some not) were doubling, if not tripling the experience that the DJ was providing. Smoke machines were in overdrive, shooting cannonballs of cooling gas into the sweating audience from all directions. Even some water cannons were already being used to keep some ponies from running onto the stage, an obvious extra-measure of security for the princess.

DJ-Pon3 Finished her set with a Vinyl Scratch from one of her decks.

“Hello Canterlot?” Vinyl provoked the audience into a shout-back.

“PON-3, PON-3, PON-3” The crowd chanted back at the unicorn.

“Enjoying the music princess?” Another attempt on the screaming ponies was successful.

The princess remained silent, pressing a button on a small 'beat-pad' that started a short drum sample.

“Thanks for having me guys!” Vinyl discretely unloaded her records from the players.

“I think you'll like our next one!” The DJ nodded to a tan unicorn stallion with a brown and red mane that had just appeared beside me.

Scratch and the new performer switched places in a blue and red flash using their unicorn magic as well as the cover of a darkened stage. Princess Luna lingered for a moment, waving the crowd goodbye in the pitch black darkness of the mixing tables. Vinyl removed her fogged purple-blue shades, wiping beads of sweat from her brow and pushing me away to sit herself in my place.

“Like what you heard?” The DJ panted.

“It was okay.”

“OKAY?” Vinyl excitedly joked.

“Can't have you getting full of yourself Vi.”

“Thanks Luna, i'm guaranteed a bonus now.” The unicorn hoof bumped the Alicorn.

“Anytime, but you have to perform at my birthday.” The 'any time' seemed redundant.

“Vinny?” Octavia emerged from the staircase with a white 'DJ-Pon3' towel, trotting over to Vinyl with a caring smile across her face.

“Octy!” Vinyl leaped onto Octavia.

“Lets go.” The princess tapped me on the shoulder for me to follow her.

“Why?”

“We have two hours till you're on.” Luna looked at the couple still on the floor. “And I think Octavia is a little drunk.”

Octavia was acting out of character, being a little more forward with Vinyl than what was considered appropriate social conduct in Equestria's eyes. As tempting as it was to stay, Octavia already was a deterrent for me not to be anywhere near a drunk pony. Vinyl, being the pony she is did not care in the slightest that some worker ponies were beginning to stare as the unicorn dragged Octavia into a storage closet.

“Yeah, lets go.” I followed the Alicorn. “Where are we going?”

“Joining the crowd.” Luna's body morphed into an earth pony, keeping her colours but changing her cutie mark to a single white circle.

“Oh, okay.” I truthfully was waiting for a chance to get out there.

“Are you going to change?” The princess questioned my hesitation to follow her actions.

“Nobody knows me, no point.”

“I could command you.” Luna smiled.

“I haven't tried it for more than a minute or so.” This new Luna was quite attractive, it must be the mane.

“Do it.” The command was given.

“No. I won't risk it.” I firmly disobeyed an order from a high monarch of Equestria.

“Be boring then.” Luna huffed and walked towards the stage side entrance to the crowd.

The crowd was visible and audible through a window to my front. Still packed but less dense than the front, the audience could be seen buying merchandise as well as purchasing large bottles of alcohol. The music was fainter from here although still at an incredible quality, the large screens served a much needed purpose at this distance from the stage. This artist was rapping while live-mixing an electronic backing-track, it was incredible the way in which the stallion managed to make it work so well. Another reason not to mess up later on.

“Are you sure you're a princess” I accidentally spoke my thoughts.

“Unfortunately. It is quite dull.”

“What is Celestia doing here anyway?” Speaking while walking, I asked the question that had plagued my thoughts.

“Building relatability between her and her subjects.” The princess aired a monotone voice.

“Oh. Stealing your thunder?” We came close to the security checkpoint.

“Exactly.” The guards paid little attention to the new Luna as we passed through the doors.

This area that I had walked into smelled heavily of fast food, sweat and drunken ponies. Luna was the first to get involved with the crowd, pushing towards one of the stalls selling hay fries by the cone. I followed the earth pony, wading through merchandise sellers, staying as close as I could to the Princess as to avoid losing her in the rabble. Piercing my ears, the screams of the speakers dulled my senses, attacking my thoughts and getting me into the entranced mood that infected the dancing audience. Closing in on the strong smelling vendor, Luna retreated to my side.

“I don't have any bits.” The Princess looked away in embarrassment. Should she be in an Alicorn form she could have magicked some bits to herself.

“What do you need?” I was not prepared to say no to the mare.

“four” Luna read from the sign.

Repeating my method of retrieving my coins from the thick mane that had become a second saddle-pack, I emptied a handful into my hoof. The coinage was watched by Luna whilst her stomach visibly groaned in want of nourishment. I poured out a few more coins to cover the cost of a drink for both myself and the shape-shifted monarch. At this point, I internally cursed Luna not having chosen a unicorn form, forcing me to stand on my hind legs to carry the unfriendly tender.

“One cone of hay fries and two ciders please.”

Luna's eyes widened as the seller produced the savoury smelling food.

“Sure, um..where do you want them?” The stall attendant was puzzled when I held out my right wing in his direction.

“The wing will be fine,” I pushed the money over to the stallion and returned to all fours.

Even Luna was looking confused at my unique way of making the most of my species.

Luna and I silently moved backwards. From the time I had looked away from the princess, she had subtly changed herself from an earth pony to a unicorn, a bit too late in my opinion. Her horn parted her perfect lighter mane, shining a dense magic and lifting her items in front of her face. In addition to attending to herself, the Princess levitated my cider ahead of my face, leading me to an empty area of the stadium's outside

“Thanks” Luna began to devour her hay fries.

“It's kay’.”I was disappointed at not being able to dance, or drink my cider that was still to high for me to reach.

“THERE YOU ARE!” A panting Twilight teleported into existence beside me, almost knocking me over.

“What?”

“Luna went missing!” Twilight hadn't noticed the adjacent mare.

“That's terrible!” My sarcastic tone went ignored.

Still glowing, the purple mare thrust her hoof into the grass, creating an imprint and an impressive thump. Her eyes were not amused with my response, forcing me to take her seriously. Her fur was vibrating to the sound of the blaring music, a mix of magic shock, the music itself and anxiety concerning a missing Alicorn. Luna was not helpful at all, changing her mane colour to a white with a 'DJ-Pon-3 style.

“Have you seen her?” It was tempting to give in, but Luna's smile overpowered my ability to tell the truth.

“Um...No” I avoided making eye contact. “She disappeared before I could find her.”

“URGHHH” Twilight immediately evaporated into a pink sparkling dust that was incinerated by its own magic.

The white jagged hairstyle returned to the pale blue, original style. Stepping forward, the Princess smiled once again and continued to eat her meal, lowering my cider to allow my muzzle to touch the sweet liquid. The bass from the violent speakers formed ripples in my drink, making it occasionally splash against the tip of my nose. The scent of the fried food played on my own hunger, lifting my hoof up to try and steal a bite to eat from the Princess, only to have it slapped down in failure.

The place where I was sitting suddenly became increasingly comfortable and the noise coming from all around turned itself down inside of my head, comforting me in my sudden need for rest. Magic enveloped me from the corner of my eye, forcing my mind into a shutdown of senses.

“Nope.” I jerked up, becoming aware that I was being controlled.

“Oh come on. I was sure that would work.” Luna was very calm. “Just a few more seconds.”

I did not resist as the unicorn placed a single hoof on my shoulder and attempted to reinstate her transformation magic.

My fur was a slightly darker shade than it was before. A small lump that had formed upon the place where my forehead should have remained flat, continued to grow into a long pointed horn. Wings that usually were of a modest size were now large and pointed like Celestia's. Most strange was that my hooves had elongated along with all four of my legs and gained a natural two toned armour plating. Princess Luna had modelled me into an Alicorn.

“Your talent is fun to control.”

“You did what?” I was impressed, looking over my new body.

“Lets show Celly!” The Princess's voice resembled a filly's but her eyes sought a higher agenda.

“Sure....”

I had no control anymore, my hooves moved by themselves as if they had been put under an enchantment. They had been put under an enchantment. My horn began to glow by itself, connected by a close to invisible link from the purple-blue mare across from me. Feeling quite scared, no, terrified from the new sensation coming from my head, I fought the link, trying to flap my wings or escape into a ghost. Nothing seemed to work. I was trapped inside the body of something that was foreign to me, unable to use my talent to save myself from this feeling of helplessness that terrified me,

Luna saw through my failures and continued with her personal mission, increasing the intensity of the bond and causing it to burn through the nerves that I still had left. The ability to speak was now gone. The only taste I had was my taste in the honestly great music that was still playing. Sight was the only thing left, comforting me with the unicorn's warm and slightly creepy grin. Strange magic poured all throughout my system, locking me in place whilst growing stronger in force. The same procedure that had allowed Twilight to disappear, appeared to be happening to me. In the short moments that occurred prior to my full evaporation into nothingness, I remembered all the horror stories told by newspapers and folklore about teleportation deformation and obliteration. Buck. A flash of light and the reassuring nod from the Princess was the last thing my eyes made out.

“Hello sister.” A warm voice spoke out loud, not from Luna.

“Uh..Yeah, hello.” The night Princess did not expect the calm reaction.

“Your magic is improving.”

“Thanks?” Confused, Luna tapped me on the horn, prompting me to open my eyes.

“Hello...Skye.” The tone was less positive.

“Hi.” My voice was more of a squeak.

Ponies pretended not to stare at my Alicorn-ified pony body, going about their normal conversations and bugging the hostesses for more drinks. Luna was aggressively facing the her white sister, suspicious of her calm attitude and slowly reforming into the Luna with magnificent wings and a starry flowing mane. Celestia was completely still, face still displaying the kind smile that looked to insult Luna.

“Twilight, take Skye next door.” Celestia nodded to the student standing beside the Princess's tall figure.

“Right.” Twilight's horn lit up and projected a string that grappled to my torso, infecting me all over like Luna's previous spell.

The spell was more pleasant this time, creating a gentle buzzing feeling and transporting me much quicker than the spell that Princess Luna had formed. Clearly a result of vigorous training, I was magicked into a dark room in the time it takes to stomp a hoof, without the disorientation. I couldn't blame Luna for her weak casting, she did just perform a powerful transfiguration and nerve-bonding enchantment. Twilight was just better at this particular spell.

“You're actually pretty good.”

“Shut up.” Twilight was firm in the still darkened space.

Celestia's student sat down at a single desk in the centre of the room. Her face was lit up by a bright glow emanating from the tip of the purple horn. I found myself sitting on a hard wooden stool opposite from the stern mare. Upon the brown desk lay a blank sheet of lined paper, a quill and a small glass of water, laid out in a neat fashion. Twilight had a little cake icing on her nose but I hadn't the heart to break her cute little set-up.

“Tell me everything.”

“Like what?” I crossed my hooves.

“Like why is Luna a unicorn?”

“We went into the crowd, she can't be seen as Luna there.”

“Luna, Princess Luna, changed into a unicorn? I was sure Celestia took that ability away from her.”

“Apparently not.”

“Why are you an Alicorn?”

“Luna did it.” I forced a smile.

“Princess Luna.” The mare corrected my rudeness.

“Yeah...She just, well, did it. I didn't ask her to if that's where you're going.” Defensively, I leaned closer to meet the purple unicorn.

“You still have the mark Octavia gave you.”

I looked around at my flank to see the graffiti was indeed still there, although written in a new handwriting. There was no way Luna had not seen it, I had been with her for long enough for it to have been noticed. She must have re-wrote it along with the transformation spell. A small wave of panic seared through my chest. I realised why the Princess was being so pleasant to me. She could have gotten the wrong idea. Why did nobody remind me? Celestia did this, it was her that told me to follow her sister, now I am an Alicorn under interrogation with no idea how to transform back to my normal form. Great.

Oh Buck, I am in serious trouble now.

“Did you try anything with..”

“NO!”

“What did you do then?” Twilight formed a smile, hitting a pressure point.

“We just went to get something to eat.”

“Romantic.”

“Ha, you want romantic? Check the storage room downstairs.” I laughed, actually hoping that Twilight did check on Vinyl and Octavia.

“Okay. Next question.” Twilight wrote some more notes on her quickly filling sheet of paper. Each spot of ink make me worry about what information the mare had gotten out of my short responses.

“Lets hear it.” I gulped, this mare was either a good interrogator or I was just growing anxious with every passing second wondering how I could go on stage like this.

“Is Princess Luna planning a resurgence?”

I couldn't stop a chuckle from escaping my lungs.

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“Princess Luna wouldn't do that. She's a bit clueless if you ask me.” I stopped, creating drama.

“That's treason.” Twilight straightened up and glared into my pink eyes.

“Take me to the dungeon, I'll only escape.” My fake seriousness aggravated the purple pony.

“Urgh...” Twilight threw her muzzle onto the desk, permitting her horn to stop producing the light

“That is exactly what I was going to do.” A mysterious voice shattered the dark silence.

“Luna?”

“No, it's Discord.” The speaker was overly sarcastic. And Luna.

“Isn't that the one you have a crush on?” Princess Celestia was definitely in here too.

“I don't have a crush on him sister.” The night princess was bitter in speaking to her sister.

“That's not what he says.”

“Buck you.”

“Sister, please. It was a joke.” Celestia failed to amuse any pony in the room, as far as I could tell.

“Excuse me? But can somebody turn on the light?” I spoke into the blackness.

A brilliant white flashed the room, staining the walls with luminescence, letting brightness become more a part of the room's edges than the paintwork itself. Aged posters hung from pins telling of past festivals and fire-escape policies. A broken light bulb hung from the ceiling, its connected wire covered in grime and dirt. The desk now in full view had stab wounds and carved names, with used chewing gum on the underside.

“So..”

“Ah, yes. Skye.” Celestia spoke pleasantly. “Well you seem to be less of a threat than I initially imagined.”

I was unsure whether to be relieved or offended.

“Can I be turned back? My head is starting to hurt.” A throbbing pain from my horn was creating a dizzy feeling. Being an Alicorn, even for less than five minutes was too much for me to take in.

“Of course.”

“But Celly! He' looks better now.” Luna whined to her sister, proclaiming me as her masterpiece.

“Please Luna. I can't be seen like this, you know that.”

“you should know how to address a princess.” Twilight sparkle droned with an annoying voice.

Disappointed with the majority decision, the Princess that had changed me once before, skilfully returned me to my familiar form and relieved me of the unpleasantness of essentially having a nail protruding from my skull. I was now visibly shorter than the also changed long legged Alicorn, with no graffiti on my flank but still with two toned hooves as a signature to Princess Luna's handiwork. Torn, Luna drooped her head towards the floor of the messy room, as if what she just did was shameful.

An oval clock that had not been on the wall before (It was also glowing purple) showed the time to be about an hour before my performance. I still had time to gather my records, socialise, and check on Vinyl and Octavia. I could have, in theory done these things, but that would provide Celestia releasing me, Luna not arguing with her sister again, and not getting my neck broken by Vinyl if something is actually going on in the storage room. These tasks quickly ordered themselves and became the reason for my general ignoring of the 'ponies' around me.

First on my agenda was to check on the couple downstairs, the things that Octavia could get up to sober were terrifying enough, her drunk form would be a whole new level of hell. I instantly thought of needing help, preferably Derpy if she was still sober, which carried a high level of doubt. Another option would be having a stallion could have helped with lifting, self defence (if necessary) and some degree of not being a complete pervert. I sometimes wished there were more stallions living in Ponyville, most of them lived in Cloudsdale or the surrounding towns, only coming in to work the fields once in awhile.

I mean seriously, it's Ponyville, full of mares. Either these stallions are completely stupid, unbelievably shy or not of the female persuasion. Then again, the latter is probably the most likely considering what I have seen in those towns. Not that I was against it, I should be happy in my position. I was happy, I knew a few great mares, just no stallions at all. I was like an alien whose house became communal, food automatically shared and in some cases the pony who was constantly chased by the farm-mare's dog. Almost living the dream.

“Skye, are you listening?!?!” Twilight shook my head with her hooves, almost releasing the contents of my mane.

“Sorry, I wasn't listening.” A lack of sincerity went undetected.

“I was about to go next door, are you coming?”

The two Princesses had slipped out of the room before me, leaving just Twilight and myself in a quickly dimming in need of serious repair interrogation space.

“Yeah, but this time, I’ll use the door.”

Just as quick as I entered, I left, seeing a flash on the wall and a disappearing shadow to mark the Unicorn's teleportation spell. I increased my pace to near galloping and descended the stairs, stopping to take another look at my refurbished hooves. Unfortunately my sleek new wings had also gone. Booming into my perked up ears, the speakers caused my attention to drift from my high priority mission. I must have sat on the bottom stair for a good five minutes before I remembered what I was meant to be doing. The now vivid vision of what Vinyl and Octavia could be doing soiled my mind, drawing upon my memories of coming home from work early. I only heard noises those times or just lumps under still sheets but those were graphic enough images for me to learn to always knock first.

“Hello?!? Is anybody out there? Just bang if you can hear me. Is there anypony there?”

A faint voice from the room to my right, the storage room, cried out. The shouts were muffled by the closely placed gargantuan subwoofer. The bangs on the wooden walls could be easily mistaken for the pounding bass that the current DJ was producing. Thanking the ancients, I moved to press up against the thin material that was dividing me from the mares and banged hard against the smooth black surface.

“Who's there? Never mind. Let me out. I got locked in.”

I loitered for a moment before responding.

“It's Skye.”

“You tell nopony. NO-PONY.”

The door opened with a turn of the stiff latch, displaying a large open space with a few empty trolleys, a working light-bulb, and a passed out grey earth pony. Octavia was gurgling in what I hoped was simply drool. As far as my hope went, the chances were incredibly slim. Being locked in a room with Vinyl surely cannot end 'well'. The smell of sweat did not aid my strictly clean thoughts.

“Help me get Octy up.” Vinyl led me to her damp partner.

“No thanks. I am not touching that.”

“Stop looking at that!”

The unicorn in realisation of the state the earth pony was in quickly thrust her hoof into my face, as to cover my eyes. The hoof came upon me more like a punch, my own hind legs were felled in shock. DJ-Pon-3 raced to make her partner 'presentable', if that's the word that could describe dragging the unconscious pony out of the juices and mopping her with a detached curtain that now lay stained in the corner.

“You saw nothing.” Vinyl growled, getting onto my level and pushing face to face. I could smell her 'lunch'.

I was satisfied enough with the two mare's conditions. Octavia was alive at least, so I left the room like a pony out of Tartarus in seeing that Vinyl's eyes were now turning red. Embarrassment was more conspicuous than any ill-tempered behaviour coming from the pink cheeked pony. In her self inflicted humiliation Vinyl bucked the door closed behind me, stupidly locking herself in the room once more.

“THIS IS NOT MY DAY.”

I just carried on back upstairs, she wanted me to leave after all, more or less. The image of a passed out Octavia lingered in my mind as I trotted back down the long corridor to tell somebody of what happened. I didn't promise to keep what I saw a secret and I did intend on getting some revenge on Octavia, Vinyl was just a byproduct of my devious intentions. Hoping that some-pony was sober enough to comprehend what I was about to relay to them, I slipped into the bustling royal-box.

I expected intoxication, but not at this scale. The Wonderbolts were the centre of attention. Soarin in particular was almost eating the face off an equally alcohol saturated Spitfire whilst covered in the last remnants of the now empty chocolate fountain. Twilight, still sober (as expected) was pressed up against Princess Celestia, avoiding Derpy's wobbling advance. Lyra and Bonbon were dangerously close to falling over the balcony, cheering and spilling their drinks onto the electric crowd below. Even the bar staff were getting involved, giving in to the peer pressure of drinking games and ridiculous dares.

I could spare some time for a small drink.

“Hey You!” A random mare wearing half of her hostess uniform approached me.

“What.”

By Discord, living in a town of mares really has ruined my ability to communicate with them.

“Don't worry, I'm not like them.” The orange hostess with the brown mane reassured me.

“So...?”

“Do you think I can go?” Expecting a negative answer, the mare crossed her hooves awaiting my answer.

On second glance, the earth pony had a distressed look across her face. She was slightly shuffling towards myself, avoiding a flying slice of cake aimed directly at her head. I had no reason not to let the anxious hostess leave, everything was chaotic and nobody needed help any more, so I let her go, I had no idea I even carried authority here. With forty-five minutes until I was due to go on, 'socialising' was not going to work as I expected.

Avoiding puddles of spilled beverages and fallen food, I meandered through to the bar. Princess Luna was already surrounded by a few pint glasses, head rested upon a propped up hoof. I approached her with a liberal degree of caution. Princess Celestia still stood with Twilight sparkle, ignoring the surrounding madness and chatting with a smile. I was sure that in this amount of time, neither Alicorn could have consumed so much drink that I would not be able to communicate with them. There was nothing else to do besides this and last minute preparations, and I wasn't feeling overly productive.

“Luna?”

“humph.” The princess raised her muzzle.

“May I sit?” My voice box crackled.

Princess Luna again dismissed me, taking another drink from a large glass.

“I preferred you with a horn.”

“Well, I'm a pegasus, deal with it.”

“GAH, show some respect already! I am your Princess.” The Princess spoke with a drink held to her mouth.

“Sorry, but what?” I laughed at the Alicorn.

“You know what! Maybe I would like to be a performer for once.”

Completely unrelated to anything, the Princess began to blurt out how her status as a world leader forbids her from doing anything remotely fun. She whined about her duties, her stuck up counsellor and her constant lack of privacy. She also complained about being trapped in the castle with nobody but her advisers and controlling sister to keep her company. Luna told of a dull life of sentenced loneliness, immortality as an enemy and a cause to always stay detached. She also thought that turning another into an Alicorn would solve her problems, only to have her sister berate her on the moral (and political) implications of the younger sister's actions.

I understood most of what the Princess said, sitting down and offering myself as someone to listen to what she had to get off her chest. After the moon bringer had finished her confession, I saw a good half an hour had passed, leaving me with little time to gather my records for the show. I did feel quite guilty for the selfish thought, but even a little preparation was necessary if I wanted to perform.

“I have to go now.”

“Can I come?”

Yes, for a Princess, she was nothing like what I expected. If she wanted to come, she could have. Luna is royalty, she should be able to do what the hay she wants. I would have thought the years before Nightmare Moon would have crafted her into a mare like Celestia, instead the centuries of loneliness and confinement both on the Moon and in Equestria had crushed her ability to develop. It was heartbreaking to see such a sad excuse for an Alicorn.

“Of course.”

My favourite Princess downed the last of her pint glass and pushed it away, her total now amounted to five empty containers littering the bar. She got up, a few of her age old joints creaking from being in a cramped position. Her flickering mane flew behind her half drunk, half hopeful Alicorn skull.

The Princess and I escaped the calamity and entered the workspace of the audio staff. Ready to go, the staff had already allocated my records to 'external sources'. They also explained the intricacies of the newer model mixing table over the seemingly short five free minutes. Another five minutes were well spent making final adjustments to my playlist while Princess Luna incessantly looked over my fast moving hooves, occasionally offering her own input and fixing any errors I made.

Sirens went off in my head as i heard the current performer speaking to the crowd without music. My joints were locking up as ponies began to shout in my ear to go take the stage. I had to be physically grabbed hold of and shook before i finally came to my senses. With a shudder of my fur, I stepped towards the stage steps. Princess Luna by my side, I sent her a fake smile. Not that Princess Luna believed it. The large area that was backstage suddenly became a small cramped space and i could feel myself moving faster than i wanted to. I wished for there to be more steps as i ascended. Maybe for there to be an intermission. I was ready, but not in mind. I drew closer to the main-stage, lasting a few seconds before a single spotlight caught me. If it was not for the screams of encouragement from the crowd, I would have locked up.

“EQUESTRIA!” A loudspeaker bellowed at the crowd.

“Introducing a new talent to the Electrohoof Circuit!” The voice continued as the previous DJ stepped down from the stage, offering me an uncomfortable wink.

Please don’t make up a stupid name. Oh Luna why didn’t i think of anything.

“SKYE”

Not exactly creative but it will do.

I took a deep breath as I moved to be behind the turntables. Exactly as the staff ponies had explained, everything was in the right place. Lights were showing red so I hit the ‘Load Key’. The track name of my first song instantly appeared on a small display with a unicorn horn in the top corner. I remembered everything I prepared for and more, twisting the knobs to find the sweet spots that my track prefered. Even my prefered headphones were waiting for me. I slipped them on. Before the announcer was finished with his advertising, I had cleared the machines of previous settings and made them my own. Everything around me was it’s own instrument. Requiring a delicate and skillful touch for them to present the desired effect. I maintained that electronic equipment each had their own personalities. In less than a minute, everything was ready to go.

I hit play.

The first song was a slow melody of a number of instrumental sounds that progressed into a complex rhythm of deep bass and emotion stirring noises. The powerful feeling of being in control of these masses movements overwhelmed me, starting a prolonged adrenaline rush. I played each part individually, splitting up sections to that i could shape them into whatever i thought the crowd would enjoy more. What was supposed to be my first song become a new track entirely. The audience ate it up. I basked in the glory that was ponies actually dancing to my creation.

Heavier and hard hitting music followed the smoother music that had been playing for ten minutes or so. Wobbles and echoing synth filled the stadium. The speakers perfectly reproducing every slight movement of my hooves. I found myself dancing to the tunes. Reality was out of the window at this point. I could have been hallucinating and i wouldn't have cared. The sheer excitement and terror of having thousands watching you only inspired me to try harder. My mind became an evil genius, throwing tracks together that never should have worked. I made them work. I launched a barrage of brain-melting ‘pegasus magic’ into the eardrums of my minions.

Minutes stacked up and I could feel time around me speeding up. I didn’t want this to end, so I simply slowed down. I returned to my collection of light chord progressions and generic beats. Gently letting the crowd rest from the tiresome and repetitive bouncing. The turntables let the ponies feel what i felt. I was in their heads, bringing back past memories and forging new ones. A puppeteer. A general. Their religion was that of my sounds. The equipment around me was shouting to be used. Each device begging to be heard. It was perfect. A symphony of ecstacy, of orderly disorder. Like every good action movie ever made was being played at the same time.

My eyes met that of a small Unicorn in the audience. A black furred creature with a pale blue jagged mane. She was dancing in the masses alongside sweaty Equestrians that were too absorbed in the music to notice my overt waving. The transformed Alicorn pointed her hoof upwards towards a now open roof. My eyes followed. Stars that were usually a motionless tapestry of white dots were now my strobe lights. There were new beams of colourless luminescence from the bigger celestial objects that became moving spotlights. The moon itself had become a pulsating giant. Princess Luna had altered the night sky to accommodate my performance. Celestia must have been Pinkie-faced drunk to allow this.

To finish my set list, now that i had calmed down from the rush. I deviated from my initial plan of outright playing the song that had brought me here. Instead of just hitting play, in a wave of brilliance, the Trigger-Hoof beside me was about to be pushed to it’s limits. Working with what i had, I manually performed the final song. The pressure of getting it right was maddening. The crowd went crazy; my hooves burned. Minus one almost unnoticeable slip up with pulling out a power cord for a synthesiser, my final song was a success. The closing track invited a sea of smiling cheers from an exhausted mosh-pit of ponies. Princess Luna  was not among them anymore, bringing me down a little. Lyra Heartstrings however, could be seen dangling from the royal box. I would be lying if I said it was not quite funny watching Bonbon screaming at her.

The lights dimmed as the roof closed in. Again on the loudspeaker, the announcer spoke some kind words before introducing the next artist. This was my cue to leave the stage. Carefully maneuvering the wires and putting effort into not slipping on the polished surface, I passed a ‘young’ Gryffon. He paid no attention to me as i offered a hoof bump. Far too focused on his purpose. It was all over for now. I could let myself relax. If i could relax in a loud stadium.

Is that a knocking? Oh. OH BUCK.

I forgot to let the mares out. They were locked in for my whole performance. Octavia could have been dead in there and i wouldn’t have known any better. It would have been my fault. More importantly, they missed my show. The knocking persisted with a monotone, repeating, cry for help. I wished for the best as I drew closer to the door that held my prisoners.

“I am going to die.” I Could hear my bones breaking already.

“DAMN BUCKIN’ RIGHT YOU ARE!” Vinyl, obviously able to hear me, shouted with more venom than I was hoping for.

“Promise me something.” I leaned against the locked entrance.

“NO. I AM GOING TO BREAK YOUR NECK FIRST, YOU.WILL.BE.ALIVE.” The mare ignored me, pausing for a moment to catch her breath.

“And then i am going to pull each tooth out of your paralyzed, half-dead body while you watch. THEN I AM GOING TO REPLACE THEM WITH NAILS.”

That escalated quickly.

“I could just not open the door.” I played with the fiery temper of DJ-PON-3

With a crash, a white hoof emerged from the door. Spraying broken wood into my face before grabbing my neck. A hole was punched clean out of the otherwise unscathed entrance with unponylike strength. With a forceful tug, my form was pulled forward. I made contact with the door head first, bruising my cheekbone and almost dislocating my jaw. Each smash against the hard surface weakened the wood until i was face to face with the pony on the other side. It didn’t occur to me at the time to move away. The furious mare began with spitting in my eye. Quite disgusting. Next came a punch to the throat, knocking the air out of me. This time i tried to move backwards, only to be pulled even harder and all the way through.

I was almost impaled on a larger splinter that only succeeded to jab me in the stomach. It left no mark but caused some serious concerns about Vinyl’s intentions. My head met a soft landing on Octavia’s flank. This only made Scratch laugh maliciously and stop in her advance.

“Can’t get a mare of your own?” She spat again. “Pathetic. That’s what you are.”

“Pardon?” I was shocked by what Vinyl just said. A little hurt

“You deserve to be alone. You know you are a terrible person right?”

“Please enlighten me.” My sarcasm covered my emotions.

“It’s obvious no-pony likes you. You live in Ponyville for Celestia’s sake. If you can’t get a marefriend there you have no chance.” Still laughing at me, Vinyl kicked my head away from Octavia, slamming it upon the hard floor.

“Then why do you take the bucking time to come see me?” I flared a hoof to knock the attacking pony away. My outburst knocked Vinyl to the floor.

“Bastard. Touch me again. Go on, I dare you.” Vinyl picked herself off the floor, cradling her lips. From what i could see, her gums were bleeding.

“Maybe I will” I also pulled my hooves together, lifting myself to stand. My wings stretched out in a natural reaction to hostility.

The air was stale and tense, Vinyl was steaming with rage and hurt. It was my fault, no denying that. I wasn’t about to let myself be thrown around by Vinyl though. She didn’t have to overreact like she did. Today was my day and this mare was ruining it. I felt my blood boil.

“You won’t. You like being pushed around. You enjoy it. You’re sick.” Vinyl’s lies insulted me.

The unicorn charged with a raised hoof. Her magenta eyes had turned a deep red and her pupils had shrunk to pinpricks. Sweat beats from her brow formed a vapour trail behind. Held by her raised hoof was a sharpened fragment of the destroyed door. A malevolent grin appeared on Vinyl’s mouth, she wasn’t going to go easy on me. I leaned forward in preparation, internally readying myself for a strong defense.

The splinter came down upon me before i could dodge it. My reflexes, it seemed, were too slow. The razor point pierced my fur from underneath. Vinyl had gone for the chest.

“Are you trying to kill me?” My pupils mimicked my attacker’s. I got mad.

“Are you going to fall over?” Scratch’s eyes showed disbelief, returning to their normal size.

“But we are having such fun. Let’s continue.”

Another part of me took over. I saw my actions but felt little control anymore. In a blinding rage, I wanted to hurt her. I wanted to hurt Vinyl. My hoof found that the blow that Vinyl had given was laughably weak, barely producing any blood. With a strong buck from my hind legs, Vinyl took a seat. My hits were at her knees. She was not getting up. I walked over to the sleeping Octavia.

“DON’T TOUCH HER.” Vinyl screamed, trying to stand.

“How....Cute.” I knew what i was about to do could kill me in the end but i was willing to risk it.

Letting my body fall, i escaped into a semi transparent apparition. Still feeling cruel. Floating again, I drifted beside the sleeping earth pony. As a ‘ghost’ i wouldn't have to worry about the ‘residue’ on the floor. Perfect. Staring into Vinyl’s eyes, my urge to laugh almost broke my silence. The conscience that would usually drive my actions was gone. Free roam. I passed into the body next to me. The brain was a mess. She was not waking up anytime soon. The alcohol could be seen redirecting all of her ‘traffic’ into random pile ups that pooled everywhere. It did not look healthy at all. Taking control, i lingered for a moment. Letting the thoughts Vinyl were showing grow into emotional torture.

“Hello Vinyl.” I spoke with Octavia’s voice.

“Octy?” A mouse-like squeal passed through Vinyl’s open mouth.

“Nope.”

“GET OUT. GET OUT NOW.” The DJ was now in tears. I didn’t care.

“Not going to happen.”

Using Octavia’s body, I stepped towards the currently immobile Unicorn. I stopped for a moment to take in the unique feeling of controlling another. It felt good. The rage inside me was still hungry. I needed more.Vinyl was going to hurt.

You made me do this Vinyl. And quite frankly, I am going to enjoy it.

“Skye please. Not her.” Vinyl begged on the floor. She was beaten.

“What can i say with Octavia’s voice that could. Hurt you.” I stopped. “Like you hurt me.”

I saw a tear roll down the Unicorn’s eye. One of many that i hoped to see. Her mouth opened but nothing was spoken.

“Vinyl. Dear. I don’t think i love you.” I maintained seriousness.

“No.” Vinyl squirmed. Shedding another tear, she shook her head.

“Vinyl, I think we should break up.”

“STOP.” Vinyl broke down in tears.

I think. No. I am in the right.

The sound of Octavia’s voice was too much for the poor mare. I couldn’t make myself stop. It felt like i was trapped inside another’s personality. This wasn’t me. I was a relatively quiet Stallion. This broken pony on the floor was supposed to be one of my greatest friends. This new voice was ruining everything. I couldn’t make it stop. My mouth kept moving, spouting even more evil words. Causing even more torment. I knew that i had gone too far when Vinyl was physically pulling her mane out. She could escape no more than i could. If i could vomit, i would. For now, i had to watch. I prayed to every deity Equestrians worshiped that both Octavia and her bawling marefriend would forgive me. I didn’t mean for it to go this far.

“WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?” Vinyl moaned, stomping her hoof down.

“You started it.” I, or it, responded childishly. I was embarrassed for the both of us.

“I’M SORRY OKAY. STOP.” The DJ wiped the tears from her eyes.

“I CAN’T.” My voice finally broke through. It sounded sincere.

Vinyl Scratch adopted a puzzled, still broken look. She was not going to punch her partner. I knew that. I was relieved that i could speak again. Unfortunately, i was still trapped. The anger was fading fast.

“I promise you. That was not me.” It was a terrible attempt at an apology. I deserved anything Vinyl would say.

“Tavi?” Vinyl dragged herself forward.

“It’s still me. Skye.”

“Oh.” She stopped, panic in her face.

“I didn’t mean any of that.”

“Sure... You know Skye. If you were in your body, you’d be dead right now.” Another angry glare met my eyes.

“And i would deserve it. But I promise you. It. Was. Not. Me.” I was relieved at having the smallest degree of self control.

“Then who? Who else would say that. You’re a bucking bitter Stallion and I meant what i said before.”

“Sure. Fine. For now I really couldn’t care less. The problem is, Octy won’t let me go.” My apparition was well and truly stuck.

“Hilarious. Get out.”

“I mean it.”

“So do I.”

What Vinyl failed to grasp is that when I entered Octavia, she was drunk and unconscious. The poison that held Octavia in the grasp of sleep, also prevented myself from leaving. She was like glue. Sticky, dirty, smelly, glue. So, i sat down. Waited. All the while, the angry mare was waiting for me to attack her or say something else. I remained quiet, pondering what to do.

“Vinyl.”

“Yes?” Her words were sharp and venomous.

“Can you. Erm. Wake her up?” I was expecting Vinyl to give a laugh. It was depressing to see her like this.

“Why?”

“Stuck.”

“You’re serious?” This time she did laugh. Thank Celestia for her laugh.

“And incredibly sorry.”

“I am never going to let that go.” Vinyl picked herself up, her knee once again worked. “Can she feel anything?”

“No.”

The Unicorn drove a hoof into Octavia’s side. Not hard enough to be classed as truly painful but enough to cause some brain activity.

“Do it again.” It was not enough.

The second ‘attack’ saw Octavia’s brain light up with activity. I felt her headache, her excruciating headache. Now i had control, it was time to leave. The Cellist was awake long enough for me to escape. Her head collapsed to the floor with my departure. My ghost never felt better and i never worse. Banishment would be better than repeating those events.

“Now Leave.” The white furred pony looked up.

“Please Vi. I don’t want us to end like this.” I floated beside Octavia.

“We’ll talk. For now. Go.”

I was speechless.