Truth or Forgiveness

“Now tell us Dr. Hindsight, why did you need to speak with us away from my faithful student and her friends?” asked Celestia. She and Luna had been asked later that night to have an audience with the doctor overseeing Naruko’s recovery. They were suspicious at first, but felt that the good doctor had his reasons and accepted his audience request.

“I wanted to get some direct answers, Princesses. I feared that Naruko’s friends may not tell the full truth about her or her condition. With your experiences, I thought we could complete her medical file,” he replied with sincerity.

The princesses nodded in understanding. “What questions dost thou have good doctor?” asked Luna.

“First off, I need her age. Miss Sparkle mentioned that Naruko’s injuries must have happened at a young age, but I need to know how young.”

“Naruko told us that she is fifteen,” answered Celestia. The doctor ended up breaking his quill. “Something the matter, Dr. Hindsight?”

The doctor stared at the princess in horror. “I should say so! Princesses, several of those injuries of hers are almost thirteen years old! You truly do not understand how serious this is!!”

“Please explain, doctor. Enlighten us,” said Princess Luna.

“I am sorry if I am speaking out of turn, but this is awful, just awful Princesses. I cannot call this abuse, this is full blown torture!! There are cuts and lacerations that run down to the bone. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, no matter how powerful either of you are, not even you two can heal these wounds. They can never fully heal.” Both princesses stepped back in aghast at the doctor’s words. Torture? Never heal? Was Naruko destined to be forever scarred?

“This cannot be true. Surely there must be something that can be done?” asked Princess Celestia who truly worried for her student’s new friend.

“I am sorry, Princess Celestia. There is nothing we can do; her wounds are far too deep.”

The doctor left them to their thoughts, not wanting to speak on this matter before he himself was sick from going through those test results. Princess Celestia and Luna only looked to the heavens, for once in a long time, having no idea how to help to help one of their little ponies.

**********

Naruko began to awaken the next morning, stirring silently until fully awake. Her eyes fluttered as she adjusted to the lower light in her room. Using her heightened dragon sight, Naruko was able to tell that she wasn’t alone in her room anymore, either. She could see the silhouettes of her six friends sprawled in the chairs and on the floor, still asleep except for two.

“Oh! You’re awake, Naruko!” Twilight exclaimed quietly.

“Indeed, darling. You look much better after a good night’s rest,” said Rarity. “Would you care for some water, dear?”

Naruko couldn’t shake her head fast enough. Rarity passed her a glass of cold ice water and Naruko downed it in a second. “Oh, by the Force that was good. I haven’t had water like this in weeks.”

“What do you mean?” asked Twilight whose head was tilted to the side.

“Uh, hello? I was living in a cave in a large, dangerous canyon in the middle of a desert! Water was pretty scarce, ya know. I haven’t had fresh water since that last rain storm a few months ago.”

Twilight and Rarity looked stricken. “Then how have you survived without water?” questioned Rarity.

“Easy. I saved the rain water in a pots that I hid all around the Grand Chasm for emergencies. Unfortunately, I used up the last of my reserves with our potato soup the other night. I knew it wasn’t the best idea, but nopony can call me a bad hostess,” Naruko replied with a small smile.

“You used the last of your water… to feed us?” they both asked in unison.

“Yep! And I don’t regret it in the slightest. Especially not when we’re friends now. Like I said, not my best idea, but I wanted to do something nice.”

Both mares stared stupidly at Naruko’s generosity, but let it pass a moment later, a more pressing matter needed to be spoken about. “Naruko, we wanted to ask you about something… personal. Could you please tell us how you got those scars of yours?”

Naruko’s face paled. “How did… of course!” Naruko face-hoofed. “They conducted medical exams when I came in. Sorry you had to know about that, girls. It’s more of a personal secret that happened a long time ago. I am not really comfortable talking about it.”

“Now darling, we can understand that you don’t want parents to be hurt, but they must pay for their crimes.”

Naruko’s face then turned to dangerous. “You think my parents did this to me?” Both mares nodded, not comprehending what was happening in front of them. Suddenly, Naruko’s entire demeanor changed; her eyes became more like a dragons as her pupils turned to slits and they glowed gold as well as her teeth somehow becoming much sharper. Her tone darkened as well. “Don’t you ever speak of my parents like that! They had nothing to do with my injuries and I never want to hear you say so ever again!!”

The mare’s voice boomed throughout the room, instantly waking the other occupants as well as practically shaking the very foundation around them. Twilight and Rarity stared in fear and horror of what their friend had become. Naruko recognized their faces and her face and tone returned to normal in an instant when she noticed the others staring in terror at her as well. “G-girls, I am so sorry,” Naruko whispered in fear as tears began to well-up in her eyes. Naruko tried to pull as far away from them on the bed as she could.

Twilight and the others looked at one another, a little more than confused about Naruko’s sudden shift in personality. It was Fluttershy who came to the rescue, though. “It’s alright Naruko. We know you didn’t mean it, but what got you so angry?”

Naruko sighed loudly, out of resignation and relief. “I am so so sorry, everypony. I didn’t mean to get so angry with you. My parents are just… a very sensitive topic for me. They aren’t the ones that hurt me, though, and let’s leave it at that. Please.” Naruko looked at them with pleading eyes, eager to end this topic of discussion. The others were more than a little worried about this, but Naruko seemed sincere enough about it. Hopefully, they could get her to open up to them in time.

“Well, with that little mess out of the way, we have a question for you darling.” Naruko wiped away her tears and then tilted her head, her face showing confusion, but also a wanting to know more. “Well, Twilight does anyway.”

Twilight moved forward, a smile upon her muzzle. “Naruko, would you like to come back to Ponyville with us? I could offer you a room at my home, too. With your home destroyed and everything we were hoping you would be more open to the idea.”

“Ponyville? Little on the nose for a town name don’t you think?” replied Naruko.

Twilight blushed and laughed nervously. “I suppose it is, but it’s a very peaceful town where everypony lives in harmony with one another. Sure there are the occasional problems, but it is a really great place to live.”

“’Peaceful’?” Naruko parroted. “That’s a word I rarely get to say. Huh, maybe you girls are right. Maybe I could use a little bit of peace after living in that hectic chasm for years. Sure, I’ll come with you girls to Ponyville. But are you sure you want me to be in your house, Twilight? I don’t want to impose.”

“Oh you won’t be a bother at all, Naruko,” Twilight beamed. “I have plenty of room in the library. That’s where I live and work, the Golden Oaks Library of Ponyville. You’ll have all the books you can read! Isn’t it great!?” Twilight even clapped happily, while her friends shook their heads with smiles at the book mare.

Naruko stared at her with an unreadable face. “Books?” she asked, her voice a little louder than a whisper. Twilight nodded happily and Naruko’s face lit up like a Heart’s Warming tree. “YAY! Knowledge! YAY!” Naruko was now bouncing on her bed happily with a giddy smile on her face. “Books, books, books, books!” she repeated like a happy mantra.

“You like reading, I guess?” asked Twilight with a sly smile. Naruko nodded happily in response.

“Of course! Who wouldn’t be excited about learning! It’s a rare privilege so I take it any chance I can, especially when it comes from books! I never had any growing up so any I find I make sure to read it until I have every line memorized completely!” Twilight smiled brightly at her friend’s eagerness to learn and she was eager to appease Naruko’s appetite for knowledge. Speaking of appetites, Naruko’s stomach let out a rather large grumble indicating an instant need for food. “Eheh,” Naruko laughs embarrassed. “Anypony got some food?”

The others giggle at her actions. “Sure thing dearie, here.” Rarity grabs a tray of food the nurses had left behind with her magic and put in on the bed in front of Naruko. Naruko on the other hoof was staring in wonder at Rarity. “Something wrong?”

“How did you do that?” Naruko asks.

“Do what dear?”

“How did you pick up that tray and put it on my bed? I didn’t know you had telekinetic abilities? Is that common around here? Do you have other powers?”

Rarity and Twilight’s eyes widen at her questions and Twilight walks forward to ask her a question. “Do you not know how to use your unicorn magic, Naruko?”

Naruko once again turns her head in confusion. “Unicorns have magic?”

Now everypony was gawking at her which just made the reclusive mare even shyer. “Yes they do, Naruko. Don’t worry, though. When we get to Ponyville, I’ll be sure to teach you how to use it. But for now you need to eat so you can rebuild your magic supply.” Naruko looked down at the hospital food and sniffed it. Her face immediately contorted in disgust and she pushed it away, sticking her tongue out and turning away from the food. “Come on, Naruko. This is the only way you will be able to get better.”

Naruko ignores her and turns to Rarity. “Rarity? Can I see that diamond you showed me the other day?” Rarity looks at her confused, but pulls out the said gem and hoofs it to her friend. Naruko examines it again and then asks, “Rarity are diamonds rare in Equestria?”

“No, darling, they are quite common and cost very little. Why do you ask?”

“I wanted to know how much I was going to need to repay you,” replied Naruko.

Rarity once again looks confused. “Repay me? Whatever for—“ Naruko immediately takes a bite out of the gem in her hooves. Her friends are all stunned at this development and are unsure as to exactly what just happened. “H-how and why did you do that?!”

“It’s a part of my dragon abilities. I am part earth dragon you see. As such, my magic is powered by the earth itself and is resupplied by it as well. To restore my abilities, I need to eat what gives me power. So, rocks, gems, dirt, stones, even certain precious metal are edible to me. And trust me, I have seen stranger,” Naruko explains and then takes another chomp into the diamond.

“How much stranger?” asks Applejack.

“Believe it or not, I have met three others who have power like mine. I haven’t seen them in years, though. One was raised by a fire dragon and was able to devour fire like cotton candy. Another was trained by an iron dragon and was able to eat steel as if it were nothing. Another ate the very air itself as she was raised by a sky dragon. I wonder what happened to them?” she asks herself more than anything. “Oh well, probably won’t ever see them again anyway. Out of the three of them only the girl was smart, even though she was much younger than them. The two colts were always fighting with each other and anything else for that matter. Morons the lot of them,” she says shaking her head. She finishes off the diamond with one last bite and then asks, “So, when are we leaving?”

“When you are discharged from the medical wing. Then we will see the princesses and let them know you are alright and then we will be off to your new home,” says Twilight.

“Wow, it’s like you have a checklist for this stuff,” says Naruko sounding impressed.

“I do!” Twilight then summons said list right in front of her, levitating in her magic. Naruko looks it over and nearly flips.

“Why do you have a spot for ‘Naruko explains her dragon powers and others like her’?”

“I thought it might happen.”

“That is… disturbing. Ah well, like I said, I’ve seen stranger. Would somepony mind finding a doctor so we can get out of here? I don’t like being in hospitals.”

“I’m on it!” says Rainbow Dash who makes a beeline for the door and is off in a matter of seconds.

“By the Force, she’s fast!” Naruko looks around her and finds confusion again. “What did I say now?”

“What is ‘the Force’?” asked Pinkie Pie.

“The Force is an energy field created by all living things,” explains Naruko. “It surrounds us and penetrates us; binds everything together. Certain creatures are even able to use it to their advantage. I’ve even dabbled in it myself, but to very little success. There are members of my family who dedicate their lives to its practice, though.”

Twilight filed that little bit of information away in her mind for later study. To her, the idea of an all-encompassing energy field sounded fascinating. Before the conversation could continue, Fluttershy asked a question. “Um, Naruko? Who is your little friend, if you don’t mind that is?”

Naruko looks down and notices what Fluttershy is referring to and Naruko lifts up the toy in her hooves. “This little guy?” The shy mare nods her head. “This little fuzz ball has been my only companion for years. He’s always been there for me and is always ready to listen when I need to talk. It’s definitely saner than speaking to rocks. Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie, meet my guardian, Terriermon.” Naruko is beaming with joy as she once again hugs her guardian tight.

“’Terriermon’?” Applejack repeats. “That’s quite the peculiar name for a stuffed rabbit.”

“I wasn’t the one who named him; he came with it. Also, he is not a rabbit, despite how much he looks like one. He is actually supposed to be like a dog; you know, a terrier.” Now the girls were really confused. “Yeah, I don’t get it either. Gave up trying to figure it out years ago.”

Rainbow returned to the room a moment later, ending their talk. Dr. Hindsight followed behind her and approached Naruko. “And how is our patient doing today?” he asked with a cheery smile.

“Ready to bail this place. Can I go now?” Naruko asked.

The doctor seemed a little taken aback. “Now Miss Naruko, it takes a while for your magic fatigue to wear off. I recommend that you stay for another…night…?” Naruko had suddenly sprung up from her bead and was beginning to trot around the room, stunning the doctor, especially when she started to cartwheel.

“TA DA!” she said as ended with a backflip. She smiles smugly at the doctor who was staring agape at her. “So, can I go now?”

“Remarkable. How you healed this fast is beyond anything I have ever seen. Would you mind if I take a blood sample, Miss Naruko? Your blood could have plenty of healing properties that could be applied to our research.”

“Uh, sorry, doc. No can do. I want to help really, but my blood is not safe for others to use. My special magic literally runs through my blood and is very powerful. Especially when not kept in check. It’s just not safe,” Naruko informed him hanging her head.

The doctor was surprised to see how much she was upset that she couldn’t help him, though he still felt a little depressed at being unable to use her blood. “That is quite alright, Naruko. I wouldn’t want to endanger anypony, after all. Thank you for telling me the truth. I’ll just fill out some papers real quick and we shall get you out of here.” He left and allowed the others to follow. After several minutes of paper work, Twilight and her friends were leading Naruko to the hangar where they would meet with the Princesses before leaving. It took a while, but eventually they managed to reach their destination where the two regal alicorns were awaiting them.

“Good morning my little ponies. That includes you as well Naruko. Even if you do not recognize my authority I still consider you one of my subjects,” says Princess Celestia.

Naruko shrugs in response. “Whatever floats your boat, Celie. As long as you don’t expect me to bow to you or anything I think we’re good,” responds Naruko with a smile. The girls, however, were aghast with how informal she was with their beloved Princess.

“HEY!” shouts one of the day guards. “You will address her as 'Princess Celestia' and nothing else!”

Naruto barely even turns her head to regard him. “Or what? We gonna have a repeat of yesterday? I was still pretty fatigued when your buddies rushed me and I still put them down. Though I guess if you are really willing to try, I think you would make a good heap,” she says with an evil grin. The guard reals back in fear of her and returns to his post, standing perfectly still as if trying to blend into the background. “That’s what I thought. Hmmph, wimp.”

“Thou hast quite the courage, Naruko,” admires Luna.

“Courage ain’t got nothing to do with it. It’s all skill. I know how to put the fear of Tartarus in somepony that much I promise you.”

“We shall take thine word for it.” As the girls bid goodbye to the princesses, they climb aboard their chariot and it begins to move as they wave.

“Farewell, my little ponies. Be safe,” calls Princess Celestia. Luna is content with just waving. Naruko, however, is wondering what is happening.

“Um, why are we in a chariot? Wouldn’t be much faster to take a train or something?”

“Don’t be silly, silly!” responds Pinkie. “Flying is always faster than the train!”

“Oh! Well why didn’t you say we were---, wait a second! We’re what?!” Naruko asks in fear. Her fears are soon realized as the chariot ascends from the ground as the pegasi pulling the carriage take to the air. Naruko suddenly freezes up in fear and curls up in a fetal position in the carriage. “Not good, not good, not good, not good!”

“What’s a’ matter?” asks Rainbow. “You scared of flying?”

“Deathly! I’m an earth dragon; we don’t fly. There’s no safety in the air, no ground to keep me safe. I’m exposed; vulnerable.” Naruko begins to shake rapidly and the girls can see the shivers running down her spine. She starts to hyperventilate and starts to have tears fall from her eyes. “Let me off this thing. I want to be back on the ground. I don’t want to be weak,” she says with a whisper as her fears takes hold. As Naruko rocks herself back in forth, she starts chanting to herself, “Not safe, not safe, not safe, not safe…”

Applejack recognizes this kind of reaction and embraces Naruko tightly. “Shh, shh. You’re gonna be alright sugar cube. Nothin’s gonna hurt ya. Not while we’re around. You got friends now partner and we’re gonna protect ya.” AJ turns to her friends, away from Naruko who is silently sobbing into her barrel. “Anypony know a lullaby or two? Naruko’s having a panic attack.” The girls gasp softly in shock, but Fluttershy pushes forward.

“I know one,” she says as she moves in closer to her unicorn friend and hugs her other side. “Hush now, quiet now. It’s time to lay your sleepy head. Hush now, quiet now, it’s time to go to bed.” Fluttershy repeats this song until she can hear Naruko softly sleeping between her and Applejack’s hooves. “She’s gonna be just fine, just needs to calm down a little. And will probably happen again if she wakes up and we’re still in the air. Being up in the air must awaken some kind of deep fear inside her.”

“I suppose it does,” said Rarity. “Did you hear her mumbling? Something about being vulnerable and weak. Do you think it has to do with those injuries of hers? Being off the ground must remind her of when she was injured, when she was weak.”

Twilight nodded in return. “That must be it Rarity. Why else would she react like this? That was a full blown panic.”

“When we land, I am going to need to get started on Naruko’s party right away!” declares Pinkie. “After so much awfulness, nothing cheers ponies up like a Pinkie Party! I’ll make is extra-extra-super-special for her!”

“I’m sure she’ll appreciate it Pinkie. Just please don’t throw a surprise party in my library again. It took a month for me stop finding confetti in my books.”

“Okie dokie lokie!”

“Shh!” shushes Applejack. “Naruko needs her rest. We don’t want her freakin’ out again.”

“Heh heh, oops. Sorry,” whispers Pinkie Pie. The rest of the trip is silent as they watch over Naruko, who was sweet peaceful dreams being surrounded by true friends for the first time in her life.