Guardian of a Fallen Queen

Cameron slammed his door, causing objects throughout his kitchen to rattle. His head was practically steaming as he trudged over to his living room and prepared to flop down on the couch.

“Of all the fucking things in the world, suspended for ‘patient mishandling’,” Cameron grumbled to himself. Cameron was a well respected doctor at Crystal Heart General Hospital. Ever since his sudden drop into Equestria, he continued to do what he did back on Earth in this new world. Today, a filly by the name of Diamond Tiara had broken her foreleg whilst on her family vacation to the Crystal Empire and while Cam was treating her, he knocked her tiara off. She screamed bloody murder and the director suspended him to avoid a hefty lawsuit from the little bitch’s rich father.

On the bright side, at least I have a week to myself, he thought.

But that notion was quickly cast aside as he saw what waited for him in his living room.

A mare, an exquisitely beautiful unicorn mare, lay sprawled on the floor. Her coat was an ash grey and her mane was as black as the night. Her horn was the part that struck Cameron as weird. It was an orange-red color and curved up like a scythe.

He was awoken from his trance as the mare in question stirred and let out a pained moan.

Cameron’s instincts kicked in almost immediately as he rushed over and looked the mare over. He put his index and middle fingers to her neck, looking for her pulse. He found it, but it was weak.

“I don’t know who you are miss, but I’m going to get you to a hospital so we can get you fixed up,” Cameron said.

As the word “hospital” left his mouth, the mare’s eyes shot open, glazed with fear.

“NO!” she shouted. A blast of purple energy erupted from the mare’s body and sent a chill through Cameron as he looked down at the mare in shock. The magic looked like it would kill a pony, but since he was human and not as affected by pony magic, it must’ve backfired.

She screamed in agony after she had released her blast of magic.

Cameron decided to obey her wish, he had ample supplies here in his home.

He carried the still whimpering mare to his bed and set her down gently.

Dashing to the bathroom and grabbing his personal trauma kit, he returned and opened the bag, revealing a large amount of tools and assorted medical supplies.

Cameron did a quick look over of the mare, but he saw no bruises, cuts, or anything for that matter. He put a stethoscope to her chest and listened to her heart. It was beating in a steady and normal rhythm as it should.

Then Cameron remembered his talk with Princess Cadence and Shining Armor.

“Queen Umbra,” she had said, “was a brutal and unforgivable pony. She enslaved an entire race and then took this entire kingdom into oblivion when she was defeated. After she reappeared with the empire, we put a stop to it by blowing her to ash.”

Cameron remembered the pictures. It couldn’t be. Cadence said she had died.

“Mmph,” Umbra stirred and her eyes fluttered open again.

Cameron was far from afraid, he had the size and power advantage over her in her current state, after all. That combined with his experience in dealing with uncooperative patients made him feel rather confident about his ability to deal with this mare. Still, he had his doubts about facing a demon queen. Her red irises locked on to his own sky blue ones as she blinked at the human.

“Uh, hello,” Cameron greeted the now conscious Queen.

“Who and what are you, creature?” Umbra said, narrowing her eyes at the human, trying to stand up and walk.

“Gah!” Umbra yelped as her legs gave out on her and she nearly fell onto the hard floor. Cameron caught the unsteady mare and placed her back onto the bed.

“My name is Cameron and I’m a human. Why are you in my house, Umbra?” Cameron said gruffly, trying to intimidate her.

“How do you know who I am?” Umbra snapped.

“You’re kind of a local legend around these parts.” Cameron said, trying to maintain his composure.

“I’m back in...” she trailed off.

“Yes, the Crystal Empire,” Cameron finished for her.

“Do they still think of me as evil?” Umbra asked.

“Well duh, you tried to kill them all,” Cameron said, holding a chuckle back.

“That was not myself, but a demon that lived within me. With my last defeat, it was banished from my body and soul. Convincing people of such is probably going to take a long time...” Umbra’s head fell.

“It’s going to take a while to convince me as well. But I’ll allow you to stay here in my home. You are not to leave the confines of this room until I say otherwise. If you even can do so, that would be yet another miracle.” Cameron said.

“Who are you to give me orders?!” Umbra barked.

“The only one who will give you the benefit of the doubt in this situation. Everypony wants to see your head on a stake right now. You’re lucky I don’t throw you to the wolves!” Cameron snapped.

Umbra fell back on the bed, startled by the anger in his voice.

“Nopony has ever stood up to me like that...” Umbra said in shock.

“Consider that a warning. Be grateful of what you have Miss Umbra. You are no longer a Queen and I will treat you as a regular pony.” Cameron said, making his authority known.

“Ok.” Umbra whimpered, still not used anypony being so sharp with her.

“That being said, if you need anything, please let me know. Get some sleep Miss Umbra. It’s getting quite late.” Cameron said, heading for the door.

“But where will you sleep?” Umbra asked curiously.

“I have a very comfy couch. I’ll use that since you’re injured.” Cameron said, grabbing two extra pillows and a blanket from a linen closet.

“Mister, um...” Umbra trailed off, searching for a last name.

“Lovett. Dr. Cameron Lovett.” Cameron said, finding the words for her.

“Thank you Dr. Lovett. I am eternally grateful.” Umbra said, bowing her head slightly.

“Good night Miss Umbra.” Cameron said as he shut the door.

Cameron set up his bedding and flopped on his sofa.

“What have I gotten myself into?” He mumbled to himself.

“I have an evil queen sleeping in my fucking bed. Wait until Healing Horn and Gentle Heart hear about this shit. They’ll never believe me.” Cameron said with a light chuckle.

A loud thump from the direction of the bedroom got his attention.

What the hell was that? he thought.

A dragging noise made it clear as to what was happening.

Cameron groaned in exhaustion and got up. He walked briskly towards the bedroom door and opened it.

Umbra let out a yelp and she would’ve jumped, had she not been dragging herself to the door.

“What in the name of Celestia’s socks are you doing?!” Cameron said as he face-palmed.

“I need a drink of water.” Umbra said sheepishly.

“Then call me. Look, I know I was a bit rough with you earlier, but you are an evil queen-” Cameron said.

“Former evil queen” Umbra corrected.

“Give me proof then and we’ll see about that. Anyways, I need to set you in your place. You are my guest. I can turn you over to my pal Cadence if I so choose to do so.” Cameron said.

Umbra frowned.

“Here, let me give you a hand.” Cameron said, wrapping his hands around her barrel and lifting her up.

Umbra let out a cute little squeak at the contact as she was placed back into the bed. Cameron wrapped the covers over her and retrieved her water for her.

“Thank you Dr. Lovett.” Umbra said.

“You’re welcome Umbra. Good night.” Cameron said as he headed for the door.

Cameron took his shirt off and flopped back on the couch, Cameron didn’t even get to wrap the blanket over him before he passed out.

A harsh knocking at his door woke him from a rather pleasant dream involving him and Gentle Heart. His morning wood was not helping him either.

Dead puppies, naked grandmas, ah there we go... Cameron thought quickly to alleviate his social problem.

Another set of hard knocks made him realize what he had done it for in the first place.

“Coming!” Cameron shouted, making his way to the door.

Opening it, he was confronted by a rather gruff looking Royal Guard pegasus.

“Message for Dr. Lovett.” The pegasus said, handing Cameron a scroll with the Crystal Seal on it.

“Thank you. You are dismissed.” Cameron said, giving the guard a quick salute.

The guard nodded and took his leave.

Cameron closed the door and opened the scroll.

Dear Cameron,

Shiny and I would like to have you for tea this morning. We’ve been a bit lonely lately and I thought you could come by and provide some entertainment to make things less dull.

If you do decide to show up, I will have a chariot sent at your reply.

Cadence

Cameron was a bit torn. He always went to tea when Cadence asked him to. She would figure something was up within the minute he said no. Cameron thought back and remembered that his house had a magical barrier that kept anything inside and outside where it belonged. But Umbra couldn’t walk, or maybe...

Cameron trotted to the bedroom, forgetting to put his shirt on.

He opened the door to Umbra, walking into the bathroom.

“Well you can walk it seems.” Cameron said smugly.

Umbra let out a yelp of surprise.

“Well, I got some of my strength back last night. My head still hurts like a bugger and my magic is useless.” Umbra winced.

“You think you can handle being home alone for a while?” Cameron asked.

“I think so. Why?” Umbra asked.

“I’m going out.” Cameron said.

“How vague. But yeah, I think I can handle it. Have fun with whatever you’re doing.” Umbra said as she entered the bathroom.

“Oh, and as good as you look shirtless, put a shirt on” Umbra smirked.

“Know your place Miss Umbra.” Cameron returned her smile.

Cameron pulled a shirt and pants from his closet and got dressed.

He exited the bedroom and took Cadence’s note and scribbled a hasty acceptance before using his blue crystal necklace to send it.

A few shorts minutes later his chariot arrived and Cameron left, making sure he used his crystal again to activate the magical shield around his house.

Within ten minutes he was at the door of the castle’s main parlor.

Cameron rapped on the door 3 times.

The doors swung open and two Crystal Guards had their spears pointed at his throat.

“PRINCESS! GET OUT OF HERE!” The guard on the right shouted.

Cameron saw Cadence glance over in horror as she saw the guard’s blades pressed to his neck.

“STAND DOWN!” Cadence shouted.

The guards looked confused and did not lower their spears.

“ARE YOU DEFYING A DIRECT ORDER?!” Cadence yelled.

This made the guards take their blades away from Cameron’s throat.

“This human has a name. Cameron is welcome in this castle whenever he likes to be.” Cadence said with authority.

“Yes your majesty.” The guards replied in unison.

“You are dismissed.” Cadence waved a hoof and they left the room, shutting the doors behind them.

As soon as the doors shut, Cadence let out a happy squee and leaped up to give Cameron a death hug.

Unprepared for the sudden attack, Cameron fell flat on his back.

“Oof. Hey there Cadence.” Cameron smiled as he wrapped his own arms around the pink alicorn.

He felt her wings flutter a bit and he saw her turn crimson.

“Very happy to see me?” Cameron smirked.

“You have no idea how boring it is around here these days. There’s nopony except Shiny, the guards, and myself. I needed some company.” Cadence smiled and pecked him on the cheek.

“HEY PAL!” A low male voice came from across the parlor.

Cameron looked over Cadence’s shoulder to see the owner of the voice.

As he expected, it was Shining Armor, looking quite pissed.

“Are you messing with my wife?” Shining said with anger. But as always, Cameron saw his expression falter.

“Yeah, I do it all the time buddy! I make her play doctor with me all the time!” Cameron smiled.

That broke him.

Shining snorted and began to laugh heartily.

Cadence also giggled.

“No matter how many times you use that line, it makes me laugh every time.” Cadence said, getting off Cameron.

He stood up and found a pink feather sticking to his shirt.

“Can I keep it?” Cameron asked.

“Sure. Just make sure you keep it on you. I hear it’s a damn near flawless good-luck charm.” Cadence smiled.

Cameron nodded and went to put it into his pocket.

“Wait! Here.” Cadence said, taking Cameron’s crystal necklace and the feather into her magic. With a bright flash, the pink primary was fused to the platinum chain right next to the crystal.

“Thanks Caddy.” Cameron tucked the necklace back inside his shirt and the feather tickled his chest a bit.

They each found a seat on the parlor’s sofas and began making their tea that was already on the table.

“So how are things Cam?” Shining asked.

“Uhh...Same old same old I guess.” Cameron shrugged.

“I heard about the hospital incident. I don’t hold you at fault. Twilight says that they have quite a bad rep in Ponyville as well.” Cadence said, putting a hoof on his shoulder.

“I figured.” Cameron smiled.

After an hour of talking, Cameron felt something vibrating against his chest.

He looked at his necklace and saw that the blue crystal was now flashing red.

“What does that mean?” Cadence asked.

“It means someone is trying to breach the barrier around my house.” Cameron said in shock as he stood up and began to head for the door.

“Rain check Cadence.” Cameron said as he began to run at top speed out of the castle and to his chariot.