Awake: Chapter 6 (------)

>Twilight’s POV

>You step carefully as you enter the rank barracks.

>The guards lift the safety tape for you and you take the pen and paper out of your bag.

>You left Spike behind for this one.

>He may say he’s mature, but he’s still a kid at heart.

>Your nose scrunches at the smell but you have to keep a plain face.

>The barrack commander stands close by observing the scene in silence.

>This may be the first time he’s lost a member of his own.

>The crimson splatters of blood are flung around, small sprays on the walls while a large puddle sits to the side just by his bed.

>You don’t look at the body as long as you can, but you know it won’t go away.

>When you do, you immediately wish you hadn’t.

>His eyes have been gouged out and belly split open, organs hanging out loosely.

>G1: “…the sick bastard…”

>You don’t disagree.

 

>You put on a glove and check his temperature.

“What’s our estimated time of death?”

>I: “We placed it around 7 to 10. We’re already going through anyone who was around during that time.”

“You might need to broaden your search.”

>The investigator asks why and you wipe off your glove.

“Look at the wounds, they’re deliberate. Each one was aimed to hurt, not kill.”

>I: “We already figured that.”

“Did you factor in that perhaps he was kept close to death for a prolonged period of time? His temperature would be already be low, would it not?”

>The guards are flummoxed by your statement.

>I: “That… is not incorrect.”

>You glance around the room and to the belongings.

>The door to the barracks is kept unlocked, but there’s little sign of a struggle within.

“What leads do we have so far?”

 

>The investigator picks up a hair from the floor and places it in a bag.

>I: “We’re looking into friends and family as well as known enemies.”

“And?”

>I: “Not much. He had a short temper, but for the most part he was well liked. The royal guard has no shortage of enemies however.”

>The body’s carted away after they’re done taking photographs.

“He must’ve known his attacker.”

>I: “I was thinking the same thing. He was no weakling. Whoever did this overpowered him, easily.”

“What about the one who found him? Do we have his testimony?”

>I: “Yes ma’am. Apparently he had forgotten his helmet and ran back to get it. When he came back… well, this is was what he found.”

“He has to have known no one would be here. He prepared.”

>I: “I’m confident we’ll get a confession out of him.”

 

“You already caught him?”

>I: “Well… caught isn’t the best word for it. He hasn’t admitted to anything, but we’re certain he’s our man.”

>Why’d the princess even hand you this case then? There has to be more to it.

>I: “You can feel free to tag along. We were waiting for you to arrive before we cleaned up. Shall we?”

>The stallion holds the door open for you as the guard finish up their operation.

>He leads you towards the holding area below the castle, the orange glow of torchlight dancing on the walls.

>I: “He put up a hell of a fight, but he had an episode or something and we got him down.”

“He’s sick. We’ll do well to put him away.”

>He stops you before you get to the cell.

>I: “This may be a delicate matter, so I’ll let you go first.”

>You’re not sure what he means until he opens the door for you, the large silhouette cast against the wall.

“Anon?”

 

>He smiles, face half covered in shadow when he sees you.

>A: “About time you came to bail me out of here.”

>The investigator shuts the door at your behest and leaves you alone.

>His face twists painfully and he holds onto the window bars.

>A: “Can’t let out, not nice, does bad things.”

>It’s- It couldn’t have been him.

>He would never do this, not after what happened to him.

“Do you know why you’re here?”

>A: “Something bad, try to grab me, ran, there was headache, dragged me here.”

>This is not good. This is bad, really really bad.

>A: “This- kid…” his grip tightens, “I’m tired of him in my damn head.”

“Anon did you have anything to do with this?”

>A: “With what?” he chuckles sarcastically.

“You know damn well!”

>Your voice silences him, but he keeps that smug grin.

“You know what I’m talking about…”

 

>A: “Some guard gets what’s coming to him and I get thrown in prison. I tried to warn him.”

“Did you kill him?”

>A: “What does it matter? You gonna pull my ass out of here or not.”

“It matters a lot! Just say no, lie to me if you have to, just say it.”

>He leans against the wall and crosses his arms.

>A: “Do you really not trust me? I mean, how couldn’t your trust this beautiful face? It says completely honest liar all over it.”

“Please just say it…”

>A: “I wanted to kill him. Fucker tried to lay a hoof on me. He should’ve died screaming.”

“Anon…”

>A: “Can you guys resurrect people? I’d love it if-“

“ANON!”

>He only laughs and rolls his eyes.

>A: “I’ve done some bad shit Twilight, but kill him? Nah, you got the wrong guy.”

 

>You sit on his cot and hold your hand in your hooves.

“I forgive you for ditching me and Rarity. I forgive you for that little stunt at the café. I forgive you for everything you’ve done wrong.”

>A: “Funny.”

“I just wanted you to know that. In case I don’t…”

>You can’t bear to say it.

>A: “You’re not saying what I think you are. You better fucking not be.”

“It not’s a certainty. With what I’ve gathered…”

>A: “I have not gone through all this shit just to rot in some cell. I’m not just some chump. I’m Anon, the brightest mind of the 21nd century! I order you to get me out of here as your cre… ooh…”

>He holds his head and falls back against the wall, shriveling down to the floor.

>You gallop over to him, his fingers trembling.

>A: “So bright… Twilight, get me out. Please…”

>He closes his eyes and shakes silently.

 

>You shut the door behind you and take a deep breath.

>I: “I ought to let you know now. I’m going to do everything in my power to put him down, and if I can’t I’ll settle for life imprisonment.”

>You don’t speak to him, the investigator watching you.

>ST: “Name’s Silver Tongue by the way. I can see why the princess brought you in on this case.”

>You trot past him, his voice stopping you.

>ST: “You better work your flank off, because I will.”

>You hear him introduce himself as you leave.

>That- You can’t let anything happen to him.

>He’s too important. Sure he’s a bit of a flankhole at times, but it’s not his fault.

>Anon’s your friend, and you won’t see him hurt because of some coincidence.

>But with all this? It’s overwhelming, even with Spike to help you you’d still be in over your head.

>That makes you wonder, is Pinkie having a party tonight?

>Might need to pay her a visit.

>PP: “You don’t need to pay silly.”

 

>Anon’s POV

>Where… where am I?

>ST: “…me Silver Tongue. You’re quite a busy man aren’t you?”

>This isn’t the cave. No, it has to be a ruse. Some sort of trap to lull you into a false sense of security.

>You never pegged the dogs for smart, but they take the cake for this one.

>ST: “Now I have a few questions if you don’t mind-?”

“Where are they?”

>He skews his head curiously.

>ST: “Going for the insanity plea huh? It works, I’ll admit, but never against me. No, I think you’re best chance is with that Twilight girl.”

>Twilight, why do you know that name? It rings in your ear, yet you can’t piece the name with a face.

>It has to be a trick. They’re here, you know they are.

>ST: “But I wouldn’t bet on that mare for a second.”

 

>The light catches your eye and you clammer up and peer out.

>You remember- Someone took you from that place. You have but glimpses in your mind but you know it’s the truth.

>It’s a city, remarkably human by design, but with hints of another culture you don’t recognize.

>Equestria, yes that’s the name of this place, but exactly where are you?

>He’s still talking but you tune him out, you have bigger fish to fry.

>’Just knock the fucker out and-‘

>You wince and silence the foreigner in your head.

“I’m not crazy,” you repeat to yourself, “I can’t be crazy.”

>ST: “Talking to yourself doesn’t help that case any,” he jokes.

>You stare him down, his brown trimmed coat, jet black mane, a real piece of work.

“Where am I?”

>ST: “Your cell, and you’ll stay here until I get the answers I want.

“And then?”

>ST: “I move you to a smaller cell for the rest of your life.”

>Peachy.

 

>You sit down on your cot as he hits you with a volley of questions.

>Murder. Yeah right, you could hardly take out a Diamond Dog with its back turned let alone an innocent guard.

>ST: “We have testimony from his partner saying how you threatened him with all manners of violence, and he just winds up dead the same way? How can that be coincidence?”

“Someone set me up.”

>ST: “Yeah, because you’re worth the effort.”

“You wanted a reason, I gave it.”

>ST: “And I don’t buy it for a second you steamy piece of dung,” he presses his face against yours. “You’re guilty and I know it. I’m going to bury you in here.”

>He stays fixated on you, absent minded to your own movements.

“Come and get me.”

>He turns back and coughs, a guard opening the door for him.

>ST: “I’ll be back, and you won’t be smiling when I do.”

>If only he knew.

 

>You lie back in bed, the guards calling lights out and taking out the torches.

>You turn to the window, the moon high in the sky.

“After all those years you’re still up there, lighting my way.”

>The keys dangle in the moonlight and you set them in the keyhole, the door clicking open.

“Abra Kadabra.”

>No guards, must be out drinking.

>You slink off down the halls, holding just outside as a patrol passes.

>How many know who I am? Don’t know, but there’s too many to avoid.

>You walk nonchalantly out of the hall in no clear direction.

>The guards don’t seem to give a fuck and that’s alright by you.

>You should leave now while you have the chance. The city’s big, but you’ve been in bigger.

>If you make it out you’ll be home free, but…

>You feel a chill down your back as you spy safety tape blocking an open doorway.

>How much would one look hurt?

 

>You slip under when no one’s looking, the moon’s glow bright enough for your eyes.

>Working the mines can do that to you.

>Blood, you can smell it, that and some form of cleaning agent, likely bleach.

>Small traces of blood still line the wall and you wipe off a bit with your finger.

>Strange, it smells- odd. You taste it, finding it to be more sour than the copper you’d expect.

>You compare it with some still on the floor and find the two differ greatly.

>This in itself wouldn’t be enough to clear your name, which you know from all those crime shows, but it’s a piece.

>They couldn’t have looked over this could they? It’s a distinct possibility.

>You wouldn’t be surprised if a p0ny tried to stick it to you again.

>’Go back and kill him! He deserves it!’

>No, you can’t do that again.

>You’re not a murderer, and you’re here to prove that.

>You quickly check the door, no sign of forced entry.

>Hmmm…

 

>You run your hand over the bed, the furniture pushed out of its original position.

>There was in fact a struggle, but he got close enough to make it quick.

>The stain left by the blood continues into the bathroom where you follow it.

>Its mostly clean due to rigorous cleaning by the staff, but you can still see a few drops they missed on the edge of the sink.

>The inside shows numerous scratches, likely from a blade.

>You shut your eyes and imagine how you’d- how he might do this.

>Step through the door, he’s alone like you planned. He doesn’t see your approach.

>Cover his mouth, he struggles pushing the bed until you can sink your knife in his neck, blood splatter.

>He falls, you walk to the kitchen leaving a trail from your kitchen knife and rinse it in the sink, washing your hands respectively.

>You leave, but… You open your eyes.

>Damn, there’s something you’re missing.

>You need all the variables here.

>The body, you need to see it.

 

>You step back out in the main room and sit on one of the beds opposite the crime scene.

>’Bed soft, go sleep, real nice.’

>’Shut up queer, all you ever want to do is sleep.’

>Damn these voices, how far did you fall?

>But… could you just be a voice?

>Another whisper amongst an endless chorus of speech.

>You softly rub your eyelids at the depressing thought.

>None of that matters right now.

>You need to get out of the city while you can.

>You open your eyes, a giant sky blue eye magnified in front of you.

>?: “I found a big clue!”

>The pink p0ny pulls away her magnifying glass and smiles ear to ear.

>PP: “My name’s Pinkie Pie!”

 

>Shit, a PI.

>You shoot out towards the door, another p0ny blocking your way.

>?: “Anon? What’re you doing here?”

>’Not these guys. Don’t they have lady things to do or something?’

>The window, that’s it.

>The shutters slam shut just before you can jump through and no matter how you tug they won’t budge.

>?: “Calm down Anon,” the purple p0ny moves closer while the pink one bounces about.

>PP: “He’s playing Hide n’ Seek. I love that game!”

>?: “Later Pinkie.”

>PP: “But I want to play now,” she pouts.

>?: “After, we have bigger things to do right now,” she nods at you.

“Who are you people?”

>?: “Don’t you remember me? It’s me, Twilight.”

 

>’Nice lady, real nice, try to help, help you.’

>’Stuck up bitch more like it, her and that Rarity girl. Wouldn’t trust them as far as I could bone them.’

“Shut up…”

>T: “Excuse me?”

“The voices won’t stop talking. They’re quite tiresome.”

>She offers you a seat and sits across from you while her accomplice continues searching the joint.

>T: “The other two are still in there?”

>You nod and rub your legs nervously.

>T: “So you’re just another personality.”

“I’m Anon. I mean, I think I am.”

>T: “The other two think so as well, but maybe you can help me. First off, I want to know how you got out of your cell.”

“Elementary,” you hold up the keys.

 

>She steals them out of your hand and scolds you.

>T: “You’re in enough trouble as it is without breaking out of your cell and stealing the keys.”

“I’m sorry, but the last time I was held prisoner I got stabbed in the back. Forgive me for looking out for my own wellbeing.”

>T: “You remember?”

“Yeah… so what?”

>T: “You’re-“

>She wants you to remember, her eyes don’t deceive you.

“But it’d be easy to forget.”

>PP: “Oooh! I think I found another clue!”

>You see the mare jumping and bouncing even more frantic than before.

“Is she retarded?”

>Twilight glares in response.

“Would that be a yes?”