The scarlet stallion glanced around the porcelain home of the white mare, noticing several mannequins with gorgeous ensembles placed upon them. Then the smell hit him and immediately made him feel nauseous, the room seemed like it was emitting a poisonous gas specifically made for the stallion, strong aromas of all kinds filled his nostrils, he coughed a bit which made Rarity look at him in surprise.

“Are you alright, darling?” she asked.

“…Fine…fit as a filly” he replied. She smiled at him as she continued to walk through the building. She trotted through an archway with the red colt following and he recognised the room as a sought of dining area, where the window was, there stood a small table and two chairs, one of which he watched the white unicorn sit in before taking the opposite seat. She grinned.

“So….Kickback…tell me about yourself” she said, staring at the red colt as she rested her head on her hooves while her front knees rested on the table. Kickback paused as a flood of visions passed through his mind, he was definitely not gonna tell her the whole truth.

“…Well, what do ya wanna know?” he asked for better detail, she smiled.

“Where are you from?” she asked.

“…Manehatten” he said blankly, wondering if that was his place of birth…it technically was but probably not his first.

“Oh, really? I heard it’s wonderful there” she stated which made the stallion chuckle a bit under his breath.

“What do you do? You must do something well paying” she inquired.

“Nothing…I’m kinda in between jobs right now but I think I can retire early” he joked with a smirk.

“Applejack told me about what you did yesterday and I think that was one of the most nicest things I’ve known a stallion to do” she added. Kickback immediately thought of the word ‘sexist’ by this point but held his tongue. He then saw her expression, she seemed to be in thought as she gazed over his form.

“Are you hungry?” she asked.

“No…thanks” he answered with a smirk while waving a hoof to dismiss the thought of the unicorn making him something to eat or offering the fridge to him. A silence fell upon the room, the stallion never really started a conversation but never minded one when the time was alright but it wasn’t an awkward silence, the two just sat there in companionship. Suddenly, Rarity spoke up.

“Follow me” she said, getting off her seat and trotting towards the archway. He did as asked and followed the unicorn through the building then up a flight of stairs, into a hallway. She opened the door at the end of it and walked inside with Kickback in tow. He glanced around a moment, noticing the room’s theme, a bed several mannequins, bright and dark coloured fabric, sewing machines…a large bed. He chalked it up that this must be either her bedroom or work room, she did mention the other night that she ran a boutique, made and sold ‘fabulous’ clothes all over Equestria as she put it. Before he could speak, her horn glowed and a measuring tape stretched across his width and height, she beamed as all of the data she required was given.

“…Rarity, what are you doing?” he asked in confusion.

“Well, I simply must make you an ensemble” she said happily, Kickback groaned.

“…ugh, really?…Well, can you at least take my ideas into account?” he said in a groggy tone. She looked back at him with a hint of worry in her expression, Kickback had no idea about the last time she made something that the client specifically asked for so it was only natural that he wouldn’t understand the uncertainty in her large, beautiful blue eyes.

“Ummm, I suppose that wouldn’t hurt…” she said unsurely.

“I’m guessing you want something…casual, correct?” she added. Kickback thought a moment on what he would like, the word ‘casual’ springing to mind gave an idea. After a moment, he thought of something. He passed his plan over which seemed to satisfy the mare as she pictured him with his idea, she began to work, it wasn’t a complicated design so it didn’t take too long. Dark grey and black fabric flew around the room as the mare worked, threading together the stallion’s vision.

When she was finished, Kickback walked up to mannequin of which  was used to fit a stallion’s build, he place a hoof on the left shoulder and sighed, this was perfect for him. In silence Kickback removed the outfit from the blank pony and threw it on himself, Rarity stared at him as he place the final feature of his clothing upon his head. Kickback looked up under his hood and smiled devilishly, he didn’t know hwy though, he just felt like this suit brought himself out. He snickered as he looked down at himself, Rarity brought out a mirror and showed his reflexion. He wore a initially a black cloak upon a hooded shirt…or the pony equivalent of one, the first layer had sleeves that covered down to his forelegs and a hood that he was wearing upon his head. The second layer’s sleeves went half way down his forelegs and it depicted a certain symbol on his back, he turned to find a red version of his own cutie mark, he smirked.

“Thanks, Rarity…” he let out causing the mare to gladly smile.

“Not a problem, darling, it certainly does fit you…perhaps one day I can make you a suit, formal attire never hurt anypony” she said. Kickback thought a moment…realising that he had discovered a long time ago that he’d never have to buy or get a new set of clothes again nor did he prefer that to just going bare back but the unicorn did an excellent job at capturing his idea. Several hours passed with the two ponies hanging out in the boutique, every now and again there was silence, then talking, the occasional laugh then companionship silence again. Kickback noticed the occasional stare the mare gave him when he wasn’t looking or if he was staring back.

“Rarity?!” a voice echoed through the Boutique, a familiar accented voice to both ponies that were still in Rarity’s work/inspiration/bed room.

“Up here!” Rarity exclaimed to the mare downstairs. The sound of hoof steps could be heard as they got closer to the door, it opened to reveal an iconic orange mare.

“Heya Rarity, I was wondering if ya seen-” she cut herself off as she saw the red stallion. She stared for a bit as he stared back with a smirk, Applejack glanced at his new clothes before smiling warmly at him. “…never mind” she let out.

“Hey, AJ…what’s up?” he said friendly towards the apple farmer.

“Ah was just looking for ya, actually…ah wanted to know if you’re coming down to the farm again?” she said, blushing a slightly.

“…Well, I don’t know of anywhere else…” he said, not at all considering where he was going to sleep tonight.

“You…you’re sleeping at Applejack’s farm again, are you?” Rarity asked nervously. Kickback turned to her with a blank face.

“…I don’t know” he answered “What’s the time?…7:39…hmmm” he added, not really talking to anypony in particular.

“Well, ya can swing by later or we could go now” Applejack said with a smile. Rarity hummed.

“…Or…you could sleep here” she chimed. Orange mare and red stallion alike looked at her in confusion.

“Uhhhh, where would I?” he asked.

“Well, ya can’t sleep the same way ya did at the farm” she said, the second the words left her lips, she blushed. Rarity looked at her in friend in confusion.

“Didn’t you sleep in the barn, darling? Dreadful place to sleep” she said, shivering at the unsanctioned nature of such a night’s rest.

“…Well, half the night I did” he said, causing an even deeper blush on the earth pony beside him and a more confused look on Rarity. He looked between both with a calm look.

“Whatever do you mean?” Rarity asked, Applejack coughed.

“Ah yeah, I gotta get home for suppa…uhhh, see ya Rarity, goodbye Kickback” Applejack said nervously before rocketing out of the boutique.

“What was-..?” was all Rarity managed as the sheer confusion gripped her mind.

“I dunno…but where would I sleep if I were to stay here?” he asked again. Rarity turned to him.

“I have a spare mattress or the couch or-..” she cut herself off. Kickback recognised her claim and smiled in understanding.

“It’s fine…I’ll just take the barn again” he said with a smile causing Rarity to welt a bit at his words.

“Ummm, alright” she said with a frown. The rest of the evening went by slowly after that little ordeal, so much so Kickback felt that it was now time for him to leave.

“*Yawn* alright, Rarity…Imma head off” he said through a tired voice and yawns. Rarity looked back at him and smiled.

“Goodnight” she said happily. Kickback nodded before turning, walking through the building and exiting the store. Ponyville was dark at this hour along with the quiet nature of nopony outside bustling around made it feel like a genuine ghost town. Kickback walked through it though without a complaint or difficulty and within a few minutes a sound caught his ears. It was faint at first but as he got closer to his original destination it got louder, bright lights could be seen from around the corner. He turned to his left to find a house, windows glowing brightly of blue, green and purple. Loud music was playing from within and Kickback could be slightly concerned for the rest of town and their sleep patterns. He stared at the house for a moment before continuing on his path. The sound of a door swinging open and banging against a wall could be heard before the blaring lights shone out of the building’s entry’s archway.

“HEY!!!” a female voice called out, catching the stallion’s attention, he turned around to see an excited looking and familiar white unicorn mare standing at the now opened doorway of the loud building with a hoof place on the door while looking at him with a large smile, her eyes were covered by purple tinted sunnies. Her mane and voice immediately gave it away for Kickback, it was Vinyl Scratch and she apparently wanted to have something to do with him. He turned his body and smiled at her as he stood in the distance.

“Hey, Kickback! Come on inside!!” she yelled in a happy tone. Kickback took a step forward.

“Sorry, Vinyl! I kinda got somewhe-!” was all he could manage before she cut him off.

“Oh c’mon!!” she whined loudly.

“I-” she cut him off again.

“C’mon” she repeated in the same tone but a slight bit more drawn out and exaggerated. Kickback felt his annoyance rise but as it did a feeling of joy crept through his mind. Maybe “joy” wasn’t the best word, he felt glad that somepony would actually want to spend time with him and the look she was giving him as she whined was rather adorable, he couldn’t deny. Kickback trotted up to the mare and smiled, she beamed back at him as he approached and stopped to look down at her before he walked inside with Vinyl following as she closed he door once again.

Inside was not what he was expecting, no guests, no ponies of any kind were inside. He glanced around the building to avail, nopony was around, it appeared to be just her. Vinyl walked up to him, he looked at her in confusion.

“Where is everypony?” he asked, somewhat concerned that the mare might just be a little lonely.

“What pony? It’s just me” she said calmly “Well me and you now” she added with a grin.

“Didn’t I hear you had a roommate?” Kickback inquired.

“Yeah but she’s out of town right, so I’m all alone tonight” she explained. She walked into a room with the stallion following, inside was the source of it all the bazaar lighting the noise all emitted from this room, it looked like this was the lounge room due to couch and several recliners. She trotted towards a stereo and turned down the volume before looking back at Kickback with a sheepish grin.

“So, Vinyl…what’s up?” he asked unsurely.

“Nothing, just wanted a little company” she said cheerfully “Ya wanna drink?” she asked.

“Yeah, thanks” he replied with smirk. Vinyl Scratch went to what looked like a kitchen an before he knew she was back in front of him, levitating a can. He smiled at her as she cracked it open and flew it over towards him, he gripped it in one hoof and took a swig, the taste was decent enough so he was more than happy to drink it up gratefully.

“So, what do ya wanna do?” she asked excitedly. Kickback was left confused.

“I thought…You asked me inside…I thought you wanted to do something” he pointed out.

“Oh, right, I-…uhhh” she stuttered, Kickback smirked at her, a gesture that she acknowledged with her own smile. Eventually they started up a conversation, one of which was spent with always a drink in hoof, the occasional laugh that the two shared, the fun-facts they told about themselves, Vinyl talking about the life of a DJ with a cello playing roommate and Kickback talking in little detail about his time in Manehatten and Saddle Arabia. Still after all this time, he didn’t know where he was born and raised up until that damn city maybe it was Manehatten but he couldn’t be sure. As to his sister, her status was still unknown, that much was told to the mare beside him. Time went on quickly and soon, he realised it but Vinyl apparently didn’t care that it was midnight.

“Uhh, Vinyl Scratch…I think it’s time for me to-” was all he could get out before she cut him off.

“Go to bed? Octavia’s room’s upstairs” she said happily, leaving Kickback in a very confused state, she had mentioned that her friend Octavia was a famous cello player that lived with her but apparently she was thinking that he was going to spend the night here.

“What?” he asked in confusion, Vinyl wilted a bit at his question.

“You are staying here aren’t ya? It’s kinda late” she said.

“Uhh, I was heading to where I was going to sleep…but then you invited me inside” he explained.

“Ohh okay…so…” she said, sounding a little unsure.

“So…ahh what the hell, I guess I’ll crash here” he said, causing Vinyl’s expression to light up.

“Cool, follow me” she said excitedly. She got up and proceeded through the house with Kickback in tow, she led him up a flight of stairs, turned into a hallway and came to a stop at door. She opened only to slam it closed again, she wore a nervous smile as she looked at him, he wore a confused look as he stared back.

“Uhhh, well…looks like that’s not an option” she said nervously.

“What do ya mean?”

“Ummm, looks like Octavia got here right under my nose, probably when I went out” she said, chuckling nervously.

“So…she’s in there? Okay, guess I’ll head back to the farm” he said calmly causing the unicorn to shoot up in surprise.

“What? No, I mean ummm” she stuttered, Kickback smirked.

“I think I know what you’re thinking…and that’s okay…thanks for inviting me inside” he said happily. He turned and began to walk the way they came with a worried and somewhat disappointed unicorn following, down the hall, down the stairs except he stopped at the front door instead, Vinyl looked at him with a face that could be described as sad.

“Okay, I guess I’ll see ya later then” she said quietly. Kickback smiled at her. “Hey…how’s about a hug?” she suggested much like in Jim Neighrey is his film “Dumb and Dumber”. He stepped up to her, her forelegs spread wide as she stood on her hind legs, Kickback got up and wrapped his limbs around her, a motion that she herself did aswell. They separated, each with a smile on their muzzles as the scarlet stallion left the home of the local DJ.

The night sky was dark but emitted a slight tone blue as the stars lit up the darkness. The stallion’s white portion of his mane and tail glowed among the shadows, same could not be said for his dark red coat and the rest of his mane and tail. Twas not a problem for this particular pony though as to vision was exceptionally better then the average equine. The walk through the apple trees became a rather peaceful one, every now and again, he would glance at the nearly invisible, delicious red fruit that sprouted all over the orchard. Kickback began to think to himself, occasionally letting it slip out through his lips.

“…nah, I couldn’t do that….I won‘t, never…hehehe, like that’ll happen…Celestia, I hope I sleep tonight” he said to himself. Eventually he found the red building, he pried it open, found a comfy spot amongst the hay and drifted into sleep. Once again, he was plagued by nightmares, scenes playing out from his memory.

“Kickback! What happened to your cutie mark?” Dana asked as he got up, she caught a quick glimpse of his right flank.

“What? My what?” as he said that, a pain rushed through his head, he put a hoof to it as he was shown images, visions, knowledge of this ‘cutie mark’ and how he got his, how his sister got his, how his friend’s got his, the ponies he’s consumed cutie mark tales and their friend’s stories aswell. It was all too much for, he staggered a bit before regaining stability. He looked down at his flank and immediately the shock hit him dead square in the muzzle. It wasn’t his. The mark on his flank, the mark that represents a pony’s special talent or quality wasn’t his own. It was different, entirely different, no longer was it a DNA structure, he was a biologist after all. It was a symbol of some kind it looked like a tattoo, blue and looked somewhat like a crude symbolic cave painting of a phoenix. He sat down as Dana approached him slowly. Suddenly the scene was wiped clear as a faint echoed through the scarlet stallion’s mind. Just as quickly another vision could be seen, one where Kickback was standing in a crowd, a guitarist was on a stage. The stallion wore a makeshift black cloak around him and his face was one of pure determination. Once the show ended, the musician made his way backstage, Kickback followed indirectly by climbing up some scaffolding and watching him from above. The musician was a blue unicorn mare, she entered a room, the red colt dropped down silently and entered it. There she was, sitting on her bed facing away from him. Kickback jumped in the air and dove towards her, she almost let out a scream but failed as she was stabbed in the chest by a hooded figure. What was her murder weapon was unclear, she looked down to see her blood, dripping over some kind of black appendage that formed a sharp end, she followed the limb up to the shoulder and recognised pony fur, dark red fur. She looked up at his face which was now pulled back by it’s owner, he stared at her and removed his hood, his face showing a deep level of sadness and sorrow. He morphed his hoof back into view which in turn removed the blade from the blue mare. He laid her down on the bed and lifted her head up to see him.

“I’m sorry…” he whispered sadly. “…But I promise this wasn’t by choice and I will kill the stallion that forced me to do this, you have my word” he added. The unicorn at him before finally her breathing stopped and her eyes stared half lidded at the ceiling. Kickback gave a deep sigh before he reluctantly ‘ate’ the unicorn mare. He told the truth though. A long time ago, Kickback got a call, a disguised voice told him that if he didn’t work as a personal and unpaid hitman, he would release his little secret upon Equestria. Some targets had good reasons, others did not, about a five or so ponies, griffins, even a Minotaur were beings that he had to kill. Eventually, he met him, not that he knew, Kickback had found him. Apparently his name was Cross, Red Cross, Kickback not only got revenge but kept himself hidden and hopefully for a good long time after that. Once again the vision was gone, Kickback found himself in a forest of some kind, standing on a tall branch. He instantly knew what part of his past this was fore it was only (technically) two days ago. This was different though, when the memory of hitting the ground from a short tree had ended, a figure approached, a mare. She wore a cloak, much to Kickback’s surprise he was wearing his own hooded attire. The mare’s eyes glowed an eerie white as she smiled at him all the while trotting towards him through the trees. She entered the small clearing with him and removed her before smiling at him. She had a dark coat, her horn extending proudly upon her head, her lighter blue mane waved elegantly, her aqua rimmed eyes stared at him. Kickback noticed the black tiara that she wore, his eyes followed down to her torso, she possessed wings. Wings + horn + tiara = Princess, more specially, Princess Luna, lord on the night and Celestia’s younger sister. Kickback felt it unnecessary to bow as she looked down at him, he was almost as tall as her.

“So…what do owe the honour, your majesty?” Kickback said casually. Luna smiled.

“Please, call me Luna and as princess of the night, it is my duty to enter your dreams” she said, her voice was soothing.

“Oh, like Freddy Kruger? Or more like Leo Dicaprio?” he said, joking of course getting a slight giggle from the princess as he chuckled himself.

“Oh yes, THIS IS GOODDD!!” she said, mimicking one of the scenes from the movie, causing small laughter to be shared between the two. Although the way she raised a hoof at him, pretending it was the gardening sheers Freddy wore on his in the movie made Kickback feel a little uneasy as to mentioning or the very idea of ‘claws’ but he kept to himself.

“You’re waiting for a train…” she said, moving up alongside the stallion in a mysterious voice “A train that will take you far away…” she added, now staring into Kickback’s eyes.

“You’re not sure where the train will take you but you can’t know for sure…” they continued in unison.

“But it doesn’t matter…” Luna said.

“Now tell me why?” Kickback added, a smile crossing his face as he they continued their theatrics.

“Because we’ll be together!!” they finished in synchronisation. The two cloaked ponies laughed with one another for a while, their hoods down and their smiles visible. They sat down together and gazed at the sky, still keeping their smiles.

“So Luna…how ya been?” he asked.

“Rather good, thankyou and you?”

“Alright…” he answered blankly. The two turned their attention the stars, her stars, the night sky she crafted every night, that thought got Kickback thinking “Is this your doing? Or is this just my sub-conscious’s work?” he asked curiously, Luna smiled at him.

“This is your work…but it’s based on mine” she said in an assuring tone. After a while, a light began to rise on the horizon.

“Looks like it’s time”

“Time for what?” he asked in confusion.

“Time to wake up” she said calmly with a smile. As the words left her lips, the image of her was erased as in the physical world, Kickback’s eyes shot open, he glanced around the barn to find that Big Mac nor Applejack was in with him, giving him some peace. He laid back down and relaxed as he thought to himself Next Chapter: Time Goes By Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 16 Minutes