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Chapter 6: Insert

“I'm going to be locked up.” Octavia was franticly running around the hotel room. “My career is over. How could I be so stupid? Why did he make me? ARGH. Stupid Octavia, you silly girl.”

My ruptured eyes had been blindfolded by a makeshift bandage. The pink irises that should have been there were replaced with crimson gore. Laying on a hotel bed instead a hospital bed where I should have been, I could honestly say that I expected to be tortured. To me, it felt like I had been foal napped and left to sit in my own blood. Octavia really does have anger issues when it comes to dealing with me.

“Octavia, we have to tell somepony, you're only going to make it worse.” Vinyl pleaded with the grey Earth pony.

“NO! No Vinyl dear, what is done is done. It cannot possibly get worse now. I STABBED HIM WITH A BOTTLE.” Octavia stood shaking in to doorway.

“Yeah, so, I stabbed him tonight too. I know where we are standing.” The DJ comforted her partner in a very morbid way.

“Standing in a very cramped prison cell.” I mumbled through my lips.

Vinyl Scratch returned to the bed, standing over me and dripping in sweaty tears.

“You're not going to press charges are you? You can't!”

“What do you think? First you try to kill me, then Octavia tries to kill me and blinds me, then you foal nap me. How could I possibly not press charges.” My voice was fuelled with hesitant anger.

“Skye, I thought we were friends.” The white furred musician backed off.

“So did I, when you weren’t trying to kill me every bucking day.” I let myself vent.

“We were just having fun before. Sure we lost it a bit back stage, but we're better than that. Octavia is better than that.” DJ-Pon-3 attempted a last ditch effort to appeal to my conscience.

“I lost it tonight too. I'll admit that. The thing is, I'm sick of this. I am sick of you, and her. I am through with everything. You know what? I don't even care any-more. Keep your precious mare friend, keep your career. Just don't EVER involve me with your shit EVER again.” With a controlled rage, I let my voice run free.

“So that's how it's going to be?” Octavia approached the opposite side of the bed.

Suddenly, I felt very vulnerable.

“Yes.” I tore the bandage off my head and faced toward where I though the grey cellist was standing.

*******

I left my body behind at the hotel, I didn't want it any more. My true self now drifted past the drunken mares and drugged up stallions without being noticed as anything more than a wayward shadow. My physical self could rot underground for all I cared, It was useless to me now. With no eyes I couldn't pretend any more, nothing was worth doing. The mare's could also rot in the Canterlot prison for eternity, there was no chance they could escape that fate now. I even made my death realistic, it even fooled the princesses as I watched them examine the corpse. Celestia got what she wanted all along and I got a short period of blissful satisfaction. I did have to write a will now though, the very idea of having my things carted away by the Canterlot 'tax-pony' disgusted me.

Streets were paved with gold and skyscrapers shimmering. You never truly appreciate the magical vision you have until somepony stabs you through the skull and rips it away. Goddesses, If I didn't have my talent I would have ended myself anyway, there is no way I am living that life. Work would be impossible, music would be far too challenging, things would be too hard to cope with.

Luna, why am I such a coward?

I knew where I was going; back to my place to write a will. Leaving a small note for Derpy would also be a good idea, I didn't want her to be upset, she doesn't take bad news too well. All my possessions would go to her, the only pony I could trust in this world.

Hay, she could donate my things to the orphanage if she wanted to, I'm not going to haunt her. After I finish what I need to do, who knows? Maybe I’ll go live somewhere hot, squatting in an empty apartment in Hosstralia or even go travelling in the mountainous Griffon cities.

It was nearing sunrise so I knew I couldn't have been unconscious in the hotel for too long. The sun on the east of the dawn sky told me I was going the right way; west towards Ponyville. Caught in the jet stream, it shouldn't take too long to reach my destination. Being weightless had it's benefits; no drag and lots of speed. I let my form feel for the first time after my escape, accepting the cool air and the cloud's moisture into my non-existent lungs, experiencing the wind through my ghostly mane, letting the subtle smells of the changing scenery fill me.

Translucent clouds became less corrupted from the influence of pony-made light and changed into a pure state as time wore on. The presence of the semi-physical ghost I had chosen to materialise created a very real vapour trail behind me, a small reminder of why I didn't need a real body to be what I am. The dew in the air was one drawback, It was either have my 'mane' soaked or not feel anything at all, the former was preferable, but none the less aggravating. It humoured me when I thought I would have to 'live with these drawbacks.

*******

[Private Message from Princess Celestia to Captain Armour]

(Open upon arrival)

Courtesy of Equestrian Telepaths LTD.

*My faithful Captain, We have a problem.

At 22:00 hours, as you may know, there was a murder in the hotel next to the concert in which my sister and I were attending. I would not contact you if this was a simple case of find the assailant and bring them to justice, as we already have the ones 'responsible'. The reason for my letter is to ask for your assistance in the capture or kill of the victim. I will not have my subjects framed and I need evidence to pardon them, you know how the council is.

The victim, who goes by the name of Skye, has a phantom class talent similar to Nightmare Moon's transformation magic. This 'Skye', although considered rather docile, should be treated as a high level hostile. He can and will possess another’s body if provoked. Furthermore, he is identifiable by bright pink eyes. If my predictions are correct, even if Skye has entered another, the eyes will remain pink. This knowledge, and the Telepaths I am sending you, will be your your greatest weapons.

I am deeply sorry to drag you into the mess that I should have sorted out long ago. I trust Princess Cadence will be furious with me, but you are somepony that I can trust, I need you. It is either your cooperation or the elements, and my student, your sister, has already refused. I can't make her change her mind, you know Twilight. She is doing well by the way, a few more years and she will be the finest Unicorn Equestria has seen since Starswirl. I am so very proud of her.

Your funds have been set to unlimited, travel to any location is authorised, and as of now, you are granted total control over military resources. Once again, I am sorry to drag you away from your family, with Cadence being pregnant, but I must ask you to leave for Ponyville immediately to rendezvous with the Telepaths and search for any evidence that may lead to the target. Leave no stone unturned and no hairs out of place, we don't want him to know we're on his tail. The last thing we need is another messy extradition from the Griffon lands, I still have nightmares about the threats made on both sides.

With regards to you and your wife,

Princess Celestia.

[END]

*******

Authors note: Phase one is complete.