//------------------------------//
// Where am I...? 
// Story: I'll be One Beat Away 
// by wizard32363 
//------------------------------//

“Yes, I mean a princess! I’ve said it three times already!” Vinyl had been trying to get it through Mike’s head that Princess Celestia had sent Vinyl here. Vinyl assumed it was a punishment for hitting on the most powerful mare in Equestria. Then again, she did look pretty cute under Vinyl’s blurred vision.

“That’s impossible! I must be hallucinating! it was silly to think you could even exist! Magic just isn’t real…” Hearing his own words made Mike feel badly about what he said. He meant what he said, but could he even offend one of his own hallucinations? “I-I’m sorry...this is all just...surreal, you know?” Vinyl nodded her head in agreement, turning to face the kitchen.

The sounds of a late night party now shook her mind around, her face expressionless. “I’m not just some dream, Michael. I’m being serious here...I’m from Equestria, and if you can’t see that, then why am I even around? Do you care about me? Do you want me to return home!? Who am I to you!?” With one final yell, Vinyl galloped off, through the kitchen and out the open door. 

Mike watched, scared. He was scared of himself, of Vinyl, of the entire world. He could have just lost his chance at a lifelong friend, the first he’d probably ever had, and it was because he couldn’t believe in the impossible.

Out in the fields, Vinyl Scratch stormed off, making her way into the woods through the cornfields and past the animals. It didn’t matter where she was going. All she cared about was love. Mike had shown her compassion, and now he was willing to throw all of it away because of some crazy superstitions. 

Her tears streamed down her cheeks, long-gone memories and future thoughts clouding any happiness she had left in her soul. 

Where would she go now? She couldn’t go back to Mike; he would probably yell at her, telling her that she was stupid for running off. Vinyl might even be put back into that dreaded stable. She couldn’t endure another night in there!

She stopped for a second, the creaking sounds finally hitting her ears. “Where...am I?” Looking up, the sky seemed almost black, the stars providing no solace to the droopy atmosphere around.

No birds were chirping, and the only evident sound was a low grumble, one very much similar to that of a sound in the Everfree Forest. 

“Could I be…? That’s not possible…” As Vinyl’s eyes began to adjust to the darkness, her suspicions were confirmed. She recognized the trees, pitching their depressing shadows into a sea of bleak, dull sorrow. 

The first thing Vinyl said wasn’t one of displeasure, though. “I’m home! The Everfree Forest! I can’t believe it! I’m coming Octavia!” Her glee was cut short, though, when the trees began to shift. “Wha…” 

“You are not playing by the rules, Vinyl Scratch!” Backing up, Vinyl covered all corners, making sure that nopony was going to jump out at her.

“Who are you? I just want to see Octavia!” Her voice was quivering, the fear running up her spine and down her hooves.

“Do you not recognize my voice!? I am the one who will drop you into the shadows if you disobey me once more!” A sudden lighting burst erupted from the sky, smoke filling the air. Vinyl coughed, hacking the smoke away with her hooves.

When the dust cleared from the air, Vinyl rubbed her red eyes, prying them open for a view of the land around.

It had changed. It wasn’t a bad change, really. She was back in her house in Ponyville, but it seemed to be in a drab. Well, more of a drab than usual. 

The house itself had cobwebs littering the corners and the floors, all of the contents from the shelves scattered about onto the floor. 

“What have you done with Octavia!?” Vinyl couldn’t stand it anymore. She needed answers, even if from an evil voice.

“I have done nothing, Vinyl Scratch. In fact, your friend is up in Canterlot Castle as we speak, talking to Princess Celestia about your disappearance. I, on the other hand, sit back and watch as night rolls around. It is a time where I can have my-”

“Princess Luna?” For a moment, all noise ceased, and it was almost as if the voice of the Princess was surprised.

“Do not interrupt me! No, I am not your puny princess. I am but a higher evolution of the one who controls the moon, but you may call me Nightmare Moon.”