The Last Night.

Cold metal cuffs bind my wrists above my head, and tight ropes bound my legs apart putting my most intimate and private parts on display. I have no idea how long I’ve been lying on this cold metal table like this, it seems like hours have passed, but in reality it has only been minutes. The stallion dressed in dark clothes that had taken me from my cell walked into the room still wearing his hood. I struggled against my bonds trying to break free, but the chains and ropes held me fast in my place.

“Why are you doing this?!” I yelled. The stallion remains silent and picks something up off a table I can’t see from my position. But I soon discover it is a small sharp scalpel. I stop struggling and stare at the blade with fear and apprehension. “What are you doing?” The stallion placed the blade on my stomach, and I scream as it leaves a long deep crimson trail in its wake. Then the stallion speaks for the first time.

“While you are here, I am going to teach you both pleasure and pain. While you are here, you are mine.”

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“...I don’t know what started this,” said Rainbow staring at the bandages on her wrists. “At times I just feel so... so... angry, but sometimes I feel sad, like... I don’t know, like I just don’t want to live anymore. But when I cut myself, it’s like everything just... goes away, I feel peace.”

Twilight paused in taking notes, and stared at Rainbow. “What about the months before you started self harming. Surely something happened during that period of time that made you start feeling this way. Something like this just doesn’t start overnight.”

“I don’t know Twi!” Rainbow shouted, and started pacing restlessly around the library. “I said before I don’t know what started this. Whenever I try to think back to when I started feeling this way, I just get massive headaches...”

Twilight’s head shot up at that, and Rainbow paused her pacing. “What?”

“What kind of headaches?”

“What do you mean?” Twilight sighed in exasperation, and for the first time in three hours she was becoming impatient.

“Exactly that! When you start to think about what caused you to start cutting, what kind of headaches do you get? Do your headaches build up slowly? Or are they a flash of pain?”

“I don’t know! A bit of both maybe.”

Twilight bit her lip and made another note on her scroll. Once again she felt as though the answer was staring her right in the eyes but she just couldn’t find it. She went to say something, but Rainbow cut her off.

“You mind if we take a break Twi? We’ve been at this for three hours now. I’m actually pretty hungry.”

Twilight glanced at the clock on the wall and realized Rainbow was right. “Okay Rainbow, let’s take a break and get some lunch. Sugarcube Corner sound good?”

Rainbow shrugged. “Sure.”

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“Hey Twilight! Hey Rainbow!” Pinkie Pie greeted as the two ponies walked into the shop.

“Hey Pinkie,” Rainbow muttered.

Pinkie noticed Rainbow’s dejected tone, and looked at her friend with concern. “What’s the matter Dashie? You seem sad.”

Rainbow hesitated. “I’m fine Pinkie, I just had a really bad night, last night.”

“Would you like a cookie? I always find cookies are great for when you’re sad and down. Or how ‘bout some hot chocolate. Hot chocolate is great for when it’s all cold and snowy outside. Or even hot chocolate and cookies...”

“That would be great Pinkie,” Twilight said over the excited pink party pony. A few minutes later the two ponies were sitting at a table warming themselves with their hot chocolate and cookies. They ate in silence for a few moments before Twilight broke it. “What about your foal hood?” Rainbow looked at her in confusion. “Did something happen to you when you were a foal? Were you abused?”

“Not really. Sure there were a few bullies, but nothing ever too serious. And my parents were pretty good.”

Twilight frowned thoughtfully and took a sip of hot chocolate. “Have you given anymore thought about moving in with me?”

Rainbow fidgeted with her cup looking unsure. “It’s only for a couple of days right?”

“That depends.”

“On what?”

“A lot of things Rainbow. In reality you need to be seeing a professional councilor, but obviously you’re not going to do that, so that means I need to help you. And to do that I need to run a few tests on your psychological, and physical state.”

“Just as long as it doesn’t interfere with my weather duties, and training.” Just then the bell above the door rang as the lunch crowd started trickling in, putting an end to their discussion.

“Hello darlings,” Rarity greeted as she walked up to their table with several packages held in her magical grasp. “You won’t believe the fiasco I just went through getting my new line of winter fashion done in time. But despite almost experiencing a mental breakdown I managed it, and as a way of celebrating I’ve got a gift for each of you.” Rarity gave them each a package before walking up to Pinkie at the counter.

“Can we go now?” Rainbow asked downing the rest of her hot chocolate.

“Okay. But why do you want to suddenly leave like this?”

“I don’t know,” Rainbow muttered. “I’m just feeling really annoyed being here.”

Twilight gathered her stuff up and left a few bits on the table for their meal. “Is this a recent feeling for you? Or do you often feel annoyed being here?”

“Are you seriously trying to have a shrink session with me now, Twilight?”

“I’m just trying to help, Rainbow.”

Rainbow sighed and looked to the ground. “I know Twi. I’m just getting the start of a migraine, which will probably mean I won’t be able to do my training today.”

Twilight led the way out of Sugarcube Corner and made her way back to the library. “Do these migraines happen often?”

“Sometimes.”

Twilight bit her lip thoughtfully and stored away that piece of information. “Rainbow, I have a theory about what could be causing these blackouts and migraines. I’ll have to do a bit more studying to be sure, but I’m confident I can actually help you.”

Rainbow’s ears perked up. “Really?”

Twilight nodded confidently. “Yes. Go back to your home, grab whatever you think you’ll need for your duration of time staying with me, and when you get back to the library I should have either confirmed or busted my theory.”

“Okay, so I’ll see you in a couple of hours than.”

Twilight watched Rainbow fly off, and she teleported back into her library. Praying with every fiber in her being that she was wrong, Twilight pulled her notes out of their hiding place, and began going through them. Rainbow’s blackouts, blank memory spots, and migraines, were all symptoms of a pony having their memories modified. Rainbow had said her symptoms started three months ago... Twilight glanced over her time period notes, and she felt the blood drain from her face. “It’s all my fault Dashie...” Twilight whispered before falling to her knees and throwing up.