Mind Warp looked out the window of the train and smiled. He was free. No more work, no more sleepless nights trying to figure out a hard case. Now he could spend time with his daughter and granddaughter, go camping, finally read that book his friend gave him. He could literally taste the freedom.
The only reason he hadn’t retired earlier wasn’t because of problems with money, he had more than enough money to sustain himself. It was because every time he thought about retiring, all his colleagues and friends begged for him to stay. And they had a reason. Mind Warp was the leading doctor in Equestria with cases involving DiD, schizophrenia, very severe cases of OCD and childhood traumas.
He had quit his job after turning fifty this year. And this time despite the pleas of his colleagues he had gathered up his stuff and walked out of the hospital. There were many reasons for this, the biggest being the disappearance of his personal life. After the death of his wife and his daughter moving away he had thrown himself into work. It took years for Warp to notice that he had lost the ability of separating the lives of his patients from his own. And that had been all the motivation he needed to get out of Canterlot as quick as possible.
He focused on his own reflection in the glass. Most ponies would never guess he was fifty. His mane still was golden blond, his coat a little dirty white. The only part of his body that revealed his true age was his eyes. They held reflections of the countless nights he had spent in the hospital thinking about a patient.
Warp yawned and settled in more comfortably. He still had a few hours until the train arrived at Ponyville and now with no thoughts about medicine bothering his mind, he could finally have a nap in the middle of the day like the ones he used to take back when he was still a student at the Academy
After a few minutes he was already asleep.
0-0-0-0
Ditzy was waiting at the train station with her daughter Dinky and a few of her friends, namely Twilight and the rest of the Elements of Harmony, who had taken the task of welcoming the new resident of Ponyville in their hooves, despite the small protests of Ditzy
‘’Will grandpa really stay here?’’ Dinky looked up to her mom.
‘’Of course Muffin.’’
‘’So Ditzy will you finally say who is your father?’’ Twilight stood next to the mare. To at least give the six mares a bit of of a punishment about invading her life like that Ditzy had categorically refused to reveal the identity of her father. It wasn’t really that much but it managed to get the group of friends feeling more than a bit interested.
‘’You can ask him that yourself, because there he comes.’’ Ditzy raised her hoof and pointed at the stallion getting out of the train. His hair was still a bit messy from the nap and he was putting it back into the simple ponytail.
Twilights jaw dropped ‘’M-m-mind Warp is your dad?!’’
‘’’You know him?’’ Rainbow Dash hovered towards Twilight.
‘’Not personally, but I have read his books. He is considered a legend in the medical world.The spells he has developed are used in nearly every hospital in Equestria!’’ Twilight looked like Hearths Warming Eve had come a few months early.
Warp walked up to Ditzy and hugged her ‘’It’s good to see you again.’’
‘’Ooooh, so you're a psychologist, can you say whether I like chimicherry or cherrychanga better? Or cake or pie? Can you, can you?’’ Pinkie said while jumping around Warp.
He simply stood there and observed Pinkie Pie while she kept on going about something incomprehensible for a few seconds.
‘’Hyperactivity,short attention spans, verbal diarrhea, and...’’ He began.
‘’Dad...’’Ditzy growled.
He sighed ‘’Okay, okay I won't mix work with life.’’
‘’Good.’’
‘’Grandpa!’’ Dinky ran towards Warp.
He kneeled and hugged her too ‘’It’s been quite a time since I saw you, and I have to say you've grown.’’
‘’Grandpa, your beard hurts!’’ Dinky giggled.
‘’May I introduce to my friends?’’ Ditzy interrupted the moment.
‘’Of course.’’
Ditzy pointed to the hovering pegasus ‘’’This is Rainbow Dash...’’
‘’The fastest flyer in Equestria. Nice to meet you old guy.’’ Rainbow cut Ditzy off.
‘’I prefer the term respectable age.’’ Mind Warp gave her a look that would better look like on the face of someone who is about to cook your whole family
Rainbow Dash smiled sheepishly ‘’Heh, sorry about that.’’
‘’I’m Pinkie Pie, the best party pony EVER!’’ Pinkie accented the last word with streamers.
‘’Good for you.’’ Mind Warp nodded.
‘’And I am Rarity, one of the best fashion designers in all of Equestria.’’
Mind Warp raised one of his eyebrows ‘’Really? I have never heard of you.’’
Rarity grinned a little ‘’Do you know Hoity-Toity?’’
‘’Yes, he was one of my patients.’’
‘’P-patient?’’ Rarity leaned forward in interest, her gossip sense picking up something noteworthy
‘’Yes. Now, could we continue, I have sworn to keep the information about my patients confidential.’’
‘’Well howdy there, the name’s Applejack.’’
‘’It’s a pleasure to meet you miss Applejack.’’
‘’And I’m Twilight...’’
‘’Sparkle.’’ Warp finished ‘’The protege of Celestia. I have heard of you and your friends being the new Elements of Harmony.’’
‘’You have?’’ Twilight was a little surprised.
‘’In my profession you get to know a lot of things.’’
For a few seconds everything was silent until Ditzy spoke up.
‘’Okay, i guess it’s time for all of us to go home. You can all talk to dad tomorrow.’’
Everypony nodded, said goodbye and headed off to their homes.
‘’What do you think Dad?’’ Ditzy looked up to her father.
‘’I have a feeling like I have returned to the hospital, only now the hospital is outdoors. They all have symptoms about some kind of disorder. Nothing too big, but the symptoms are still there. Expect the pink one. By Celestia she needs help. ’’
‘’Welcome to Ponyville Dad.’’
‘’What?’’
‘’I said welcome to Ponyville.’’
‘’The tone you said it in. I have heard it.’’
‘’What do you mean?’’ Ditzy seemed confused ,but there was still a small grin on her lips.
‘’I mean that, that you are enjoying my frustration and I get the feel that my retirement won’t be nearly as relaxing as I expect it to be.’’
He got only another smile for an answer and the simple words ‘’Let’s go home.’’
A small smile emerged from his lips.
Home. He was finally home. Or was the term again more fitting?
Author's Note
I have returned from the dead.
If you see any mistakes point them out.
I'll get a proofreader as soon as I can.
