Chapter 19

I can't believe I'm uncovered! I took my uniform off after my shift was completely over because I didn't want to have ponies see me with my bruises in uniform.. I was so careless!

"Yeah, okay…. my mark is in music. It really doesn't matter though." I say, knowing I can't hide it any longer.

"And why not? Echo, it's… it's your destiny, your passion, why forsake it and hide it?"

"Because musical cutie marks aren't exactly taken seriously in the guard; and the guard is what I chose to devote myself to."

"But why?" She insists, stepping closer. "That is what I meant by forsaking it, Echo, why.. shun one of the most essential parts of who and what you are?" She sighs. "I don't understand."

"Drop it Octy, it's my life and my choice to do what I please with it."

"Echo." Her eyebrows pull in. I'm sure she isn't happy with my tone.

"Octy." I reply, mimicking her tone. I'm such an idiot.

"Fine. Fine." She takes a long sip of her drink, eyes closed. "If this is how our reunion is going to go, I am going to change the subject." She turns away, heading toward the couch. "How is your work in the guard? What is it like?"

"Not great, but not horrible. There are jerks that would chew me out any chance they got, bullies like that. However, there are also kind ponies like Major Sentry and Stampede. ...Octy." I take a gulp, "I still play on my own, I haven't forsaken it….but did Neon tell you what happened before he left, too?"

"Actually, your dad sent me a letter. I couldn't think of what to write you.. I figured anything I said right away would make it worse. I left it for so long that I.. felt it no longer appropriate to message you with as a conversation starter."

"Well, when...when mom died I decided I'd be in the guard.. That I would protect Neon, you, Timber, dad… everypony. I didn't want to lose anypony else, and I didn't want other ponies to

feel the way I had to."

"I understand. I am glad you still play. I'd like to play with you again one day."

"I don't think so, at least not in front of other ponies. I've developed stage fright...but, yeah maybe for fun…" I look away from her and see Copper. Crap, I forgot she was there, and I just did this whole dramatic soap opera talk with Octy, gods I'm a fool. She looks to be asleep, or something. She must not be feeling well.

"I get that too. I only meant for fun, anyway. When you are ready, friend. Although, if you wait too long I may retract the offer." She says coyly.

"Yeah, you always were impatient, I'm still waiting on that cookie you promised to get me because you ate mine because I hadn't eaten it yet and you wanted another one." I reply a smile returning.

"Pff. I repaid that cookie ten times over, you just casually forget time and time again." She teases.

"I'm certain I don't know what you're talking about." I smirk because it's true, what can I say? Octy makes great cookies.

"As you say, Echo. I haven't baked any cookies in… five or six years. I may be a bit rusty."

"Never… Hey, Octy? I'm glad you're still my friend... and I would love to stay longer, listen to how you still forgive me and understand; but Copper is also a friend and I should get her home."

"I understand. She is unwell?"

"I don't know, she sprained her hoof.. but I should take her home to check her temperature anyway.. to fall asleep.. what I'm guessing was at least an hour ago, isn't natural."

"Indeed." Octavia trots towards Copper, beating me there. Copper stirs immediately, looking up harshly at Octavia, before her gaze softens.

"I was.. meditating. I didn't want to listen in on your personal conversation.." She murmurs.

"Oh..well thank you ..there were definitely parts I didn't want other ponies to hear." I say smiling at her, "And thank you for coming with me."

"Mmm." She gets out of the chair. "I have to go do something. I'm glad I could help." She nods and smiles, but it feels flat. She heads for the door, seeing herself out.

"Great.. Pilot's gonna kill me for not taking her home."

"Pilot?"

"Another pony who has expressed her affection by punching me."

"Ahaha, I like this Pilot. She sounds like my kind of mare.

"Yeah, you would. Oh well, hope Copper doesn't hurt herself or I'll be literally digging my own grave. She will have me dig a hole and make me get in it and stay there."

"Copper or Pilot?" Octy teases. "Or is there another mare out there I should be worried about?"

"With my luck with mares you might as well go to city hall, take the resident book, and go down alphabetically." I sigh.

"Oh my, not that bad?" She chuckles. "Oh, take a look at the time. When does the sun set this time of year?" She murmurs.

"Oh, do you need to go to bed early or something?" I smile nonchalantly, trying not to think about it. The sun sets in an hour. I still have time. Besides, Octavia is more important, and it's not like I'm afraid of the dark, it's just safer if ponies are inside after dark.

"No, no. I." She stops as she looks out the window of her balcony. "It became a habit." She whispers, seemingly lost in thought. "When we…. were young.."

"Psh. Oh that, yeah, I guess I do end up home before sundown too.. funny never really thought about it." I rub the back of my neck, trying to act cool.

"We both… Nevermind. Shops will be closing soon. If you have anything to do in town, I'd do it now." She says.

"Oh yeah, I do need more ice. I used the little I had left for my eye and lip today. Well, sorry, but don't be afraid to stop by the barracks."

"I will. I shall eventually familiarize myself with your schedule. Have a good evening Echo." She waves, but immediately turns her attention back to the sun starting to set in the sky. I leave and semi-gallop back home realizing too late, that she probably saw it from her window.

I soon arrive back at the barracks but am stopped by the Major when he sees my eye. Even though it's mellowed out by now, you can still tell something happened.

"Hello Major." I say, trying to stay calm.

"Stampede told me about your eye." He looks me up and down without expression. "I didn't think you were one to spar."

"Oh yes, well, I thought it would be a healthy way to filter my anger every now and then, like you said." I smile, Celestia bless Stampede.

"Hmm." He nods. "I'd like to oversee any of these spars you decide to have. As per protocol, it's usually scheduled, if you opt for it, and protocol demands that it be watched over by a commanding officer every so often to gauge improvement. Next time you decide to duke it out, let me know, alright? I know you've got real-life experience, but it's still helpful to receive feedback and critique. Always room for improvement, yeah?" He elbows me playfully. He smiles, like he's proud.

"Y-...Major…..Stampede lied for me. I would like to start sparring….but I haven't yet." I lower my head. He seems so proud and I shouldn't lie to him. His eyebrows furrow immediately.

"What do you mean?" He demands softly.

"I was on my rounds when these two stallions were bad mouthing and talking violently of Pinkie Pie, as a member of the guard I tried to mellow the tension by interrupting the

m and asking if as a member of the guard if there was anything I could do to make their day safer or happier etcetera. They told me they'd be happy if I punched her…. so I punched them.. I know I nullified anything against them.. and I'm so sorry; it won't happen again. Stampede was just empathetic to me and I begged him not to tell you. Sir, I can't say how sorry I am, I know you've been helping me and trying to mentor me and I hate to let you down like this. Please don't think less of me."

"I don't. I'm honestly surprised you decided to tell me, and it was a mature, honest, and brave thing to do. I commend you for it. That said, I have to punish you for breaking the law. A guard must have complete control of his or herself at all times, resisting their emotions and instincts even when, no, especially when they're provoked. A guard can never assault a civilian unless circumstance permits, which yours did not. As they haven't pressed charges and you are behaving incredibly well, it'll be a relatively light punishment.

I think that requiring you to spar for the next two weeks on top of your regular rounds will be a fit course of action. As Stampede was your conspirator, it'll be you two each time. Nopony else. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and both Saturdays and Sundays will be fit. Two hours minimum. At three in the afternoon each day. Your schedules should permit that. On top of this, you have to tell Stampede that you ratted yourself out and that he's being punished too.

Got it?"

"Yes sir !" I stand up straight, my hooves close together.

"Good." He says harshly, but we a smile. "Then go. I'll see you tomorrow, Echo."

"See you tomorrow sir." I leave to find Stampede. He's in the small loungeroom, having a soda pop and hanging with some of the others.

"Hey Stampede a word please?" I ask from the doorway.

"Yeah, sure." He sets his soda down and flutters from the couch to me in the hallway. "What's up?"

"Thanks for covering me…...that being said the Major is a noble pony and shouldn't be lied to..so I told him."

"You what now?" He asks, confused. "W-why?"

"He said he didn't take me as a sparring pony and I told him it was to help regulate my frustration...he seemed so proud of me and I couldn't take it."

"So you spilled your beans. Okay. What does this have to do with me?"

"Well you have to share my punishment. Sparring every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 3 for a minimum of two hours, two weeks worth." I say feeling kind of bad for him, "But hey, if you're mad you can beat me up at our scheduled time" I try to laugh it off.

"Ha, right. No more than I would with any other sparring partner." He smiles. "No harm done, bro."

"Oh, um, ok.. brooo?" I'm certain I just reached new levels of stupid. I really shouldn't use the word bro, I could never say it right. He just made me so confused I felt obligated to say it. He chuckles lightly and pats me on the back before returning to his friends. I go back to my room and crash on my bed with an ungraceful plop. I summon my glowing white orb, turn the lights out and crawl under the covers. I can shower tomorrow. I close my eyes and slowly drift to sleep.

The demon from under my bed is back. He chases me, always a few steps behind no matter how far or fast I go. Everywhere I look, elements of my life are being torn to shreds by his monstrous magic, weaving shadows into the light, choking it away so that I'm blind.

I can't see, I can't breathe, everything is closing in, the shadows edging towards me, ready to choke the life out of me, too. I batter at them with everything I have but there's nothing to combat them, the world grows dizzy.

But then it comes back, and everything seems normal. I breathe heavily. What happened? I'm in my room? No, the shapes are all wrong, what's going on? Suddenly, Neon's here. I feel like Octavia is nearby. I hear Pinkie singing? Neon opens his mouth to talk, but heavy, distorted music notes come out instead. His shape, his very form warps and twists until he is the monster. He laughs, an electric baritone rolling in the air.

I look around, and see Octavia in the room, innocently and strangely unaware. I try to call out for her to run but the shadows are in my throat, I can't talk, can't scream. The floor melts out from under her, an abyss awaiting her. Neon-the-monster laughs, and she too melts away, smiling kindly even as I watch her drip into the void.

I try to yell, try to turn away, I don't want to watch this! It was bad enough the first time! It was bad enough when it was real! Neon-the-monster grows enormous, until the world is nothing but his strange unequine coiling body, and then that flakes away. I fall into a bakery, and I feel cold.

The shadows hold me stiff while I watch the scene unfold. Mother, Father, my brother, everypony I care about gathered… hanging… dead…

"NO!" I shriek as I fling myself out of bed, head hitting the floor harshly.

It's morning.