Hoofing with the Devil

Chapter #2: I talk have a talk with a princess, and an interesting visit to the hospital.

There was a nudge at my shoulder around midnight that woke me from my sleep. I groaned as I got up and stretched my muscles. When I finally looked up, I was face-to-face with Princess Luna. As usual she had one of her guards with her. "You're mad at me, aren't you?"

“I’m not angry with you, but Celestia told me what you’ve done to Twilight’s table. She's disappointed.”

“I don’t see why you’re going to actually bring the table thing up. You know what happens when I get angry so it shouldn’t be much of a surprise to you and I don't care what Celestia thinks. Plus the whole thing wasn't my fault. If that mare had just-” I was interrupted.

“Her name is Pinkie Pie, and she was just being friendly.”

I sighed. “Why did you send me here? It hasn’t even been an entire day yet, and I’ve already screwed up.”

“I didn’t have any control over that. It was your dad’s decision. Not mine or even Celestia's."

“Well, it was a stupid one. He doesn’t know half of what that thing can do when it gets control over me. He should know by now that I just want to be left alone.” I replied harshly. She shot me a disapproving look. I could see sorrow in the guard’s eyes.

“You know as well as I do that he's doing this for your best interests in mind.”

“I know.” I replied sadly.

“You’re going to do two things tomorrow, you’re going to apologize to Pinkie Pie, and you’re going to Ponyville Hospital to see what they can do about your...condition.” I groaned in distaste when I heard the words ‘hospital’ and ‘condition’ I already know where this conversation was heading.

“No. I can handle it on my own, as long as I stay in a good mood I can keep it under control.”

“You’ve been ‘handling it on your own’ for about a year and just think back on all of the horrible things you’ve done when you let ‘that thing’ control you.” She chastised.

“I don’t let the thing control me, I would never let something as horrible as that take control of me in Equestria. It forces itself onto me, I can’t hold it back no matter how hard I try. When I’m feeling or giving off so much negativity, it swoops in and takes ahold of me. And for the record, I think that pegasus deserved it, he shouldn’t have been picking a fight with me.”

“You snapped his wings, broke his neck, back, and both of his jaws. He’s just started to recover from the coma you put him in. And. To make matters worse he didn’t even touch you.” She retorted. The guard cringed.

“It wasn’t me, you know that Luna.” I said in a angry tone.

"Why did you even get mad at him in the first place?” Luna asked.

“He was saying things bad about my MOM!” I challenged loudly. I saw lights flicker on from down below, but I didn’t care. The guard had stood up stern, and alert. He shot me a disciplining look.

“He doesn’t even know about your mother, if he did, he probably wouldn't have said the things he did.” Luna pointed out getting louder than I was. More lights began to shine down below.

“Then maybe he should know, maybe everyone should know about my mom!“ I got even louder as a snarl formed on my face.

“What did I tell you about using those mannerisms in Equestria!”

“You will not tell me what I can and cannot do. I am my own thestral.” I growled at her, using another one of the forbidden mannerisms. The guard had walked over to me, and placed a hoof of my shoulder, warning me not to do anything stupid.

"You bucked an Earth pony in the chest, which broke seven of his ribs, punctured one of his lungs, and put him in the Canterlot ICU for 6 months.”

Although I couldn’t see his facial expressions because of his helmet, I could tell he was disappointed. “He tried to steal from me so I taught him a lesson on a little thing called Karma!” I replied in a loud yell.

More lights from down below was beginning to flicker on.

“THAT WAS NOT KARMA! YOU COULD HAVE KILLED HIM!” She screamed using the traditional canterlot voice as her coat began to transition into a darker shade of black. There was silence and I felt my emotions shift.

Within a fraction of a second, I went from a scorching anger to intense sorrow. Luna’s coat slowly faded back to the original color as she calmed down when she realized my shift in emotions. “Ok, fine. I let those things get the best of me that time, but it’s not like something like that has happened any other time before.” I replied in an apologetic manner.

“The four unicorns ponies that had their horns snapped and the three earth ponies whose legs were broken

” I swallowed the urge to gag when the memories resurfaced. That first one was particularly gruesome.

She had gone silent, waiting for what she said to sink in. “Ok. I have a problem." I acquiesced.

"You're going to apologize to Pinkie and you're going to visit the hospital." She demanded.

"Ok." I said, hanging my head low. There was silence.

“Stormcaster. Your dad and I have your best interests in mind. I just want you to get some help with managing your feelings."

“Yeah. I know.”

“Your hospital bills will be paid for, so don’t worry about that.” I nodded as I began to feel depressed.

“I’m nothing like the other ponies here. I’m a monster that needs to be locked up in prison.” I said in a low voice.

“You are not a monster, you’re just like any other pegasus. You just need help with dealing with your emotions.”

"Well, I don't know anypony else besides you who has to deal with this.Let me take that back. You're better off than I am." I said as I began to pity myself.

"You can have that problem solved if you just go to the hospital, I'm positive that the doctors there can find a way to help you." She inquired.

“Is that coming from you, or from him?” I asked as I stabbed a wing at the guard when I figured out who he was.

“Stormcaster, the best thing for you at the moment is hospital treatment. It is coming from all of us." Luna said in a calm voice.

“You know how I feel about hospitals.” I replied in an attempt to dissuade her.

“It’ll be fine, it’s not like you’re going in for surgery. Just go talk to the hospital’s psychiatrists. They might know how to help you as they did with me.” I looked averted my gaze, embarrassed by what she was saying.

“Stormcaster.” She said in a motherly voice. I looked up at the night princess. ”You’re just like any other pegasi. You have four legs, wings, and a love for flying. But in ways you’re different from everypony. You have a wonderful dark grey coat, a glorious brown and red mane. Can you think of any pony that is as unique as you?" She asked.

I shook my head. “You’re eyes are two different colors. With one brown and the other gold, and you’re wings are the most unique wings in all of Equestria. They have the shape of the mountain Pegasi, but are covered in feathers like the Equestrian pegasi. If that isn’t unique then I don’t know what is.” I still wasn’t convinced.

"Stormcaster. I didn't get my cutie mark until long after I was crowned a princess but even then, It didn’t stop me from knowing that I was unique in my own way." Luna revealed.

"Really?" I asked amused. She nodded in reply. I couldn't help but to smile when a wave of emotion hit me.

“You are very flexible and vivid with your emotions, and that’s okay, but learning how to get control of them is a different matter.” She said in a serious tone. I nodded. “Can you do me a favor and think on this? I’ve got to go and lower the moon. I’ll be back to see you as soon as I’m finished. Before I go I at least owe you this." l smiled, knowing what she was going to do.

The princess nodded to her guard.“That’s Princess Luna, to you.” The guard corrected with a smile as he took off his helmet.

Knowing that he’d been allowed off-duty I had proceeded to tackle him into a hug. He smiled and combed his hoof through my mane. A ball of fire circled the two of us before it perched on my shoulder and dissolved. Revealing a dark red phoenix with black and gold feathers on his underbelly.

“Hi, Blaze.” I commented. He cawed in response.

“You really need to keep those emotions of yours in check, only Tartarus knows what you might do to somepony that really gets under your fur.”

I nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Good.” He said as he sat on his haunches. “How's the housing situation coming along?”

“I'll ask to stay with Twilight or Applejack tomorrow while my house is being built and renovated with my stuff. Both of them have spare rooms.”

“And who will be paying for the construction and shipment of your things?”

“Princess Twilight said she had it covered.”

“That was generous of her.”

“Yes. Yes it is.”

“Torrent. It is time to go.” Luna said. He stood back up, almost immediately.

“I’ll write to you when I can.” He said as he put his helmet back on. I smiled and saluted to him as he reattached the saddle to his harness and flew off towards Canterlot.

Later that day.

While the construction pegasia were busy with my house I took a trip to the castle, only to find Spike and Twilight organizing the shelves inside the castle’s library.

“Hey, Twilight could you take me to see Pinkie. It’s important.” She nodded as she got up and followed me out of the large crystal fortress. I let her head the way when we reached the street.

“Twilight?” I asked as I followed her to my destination.

“Yes?” She replied back.

“Do you also mind taking me to the hospital after I visit Pinkie?”

“Why, is something wrong?” She asked.

"Yeah, it's my hooves. They feel kinda sore from breaking that table yesterday." I lied. She nodded thinking what I told her was true.

"Sorry about that." I apologized.

"It's alright. I repaired the desk with magic, remember?" She reminded me. I nodded.

”Now about your hoof, I could probably fix it with magic as well if I knew what was wrong.”

“Well. I’m not exactly sure what’s wrong, the doctors could examine me and find out the problem.” I replied.

“We should go there now, just to make sure it isn’t something serious.”

“No, it’s fine. I can walk if I don’t put too much pressure on it.” I replied with a light smile in an attempt to convince her. She gave me a nod, although I could tell she wasn’t convinced. The second I knock on the door to Pinkie’s house with I later find out it was the same place where she works.

The pink mare answered the door. It only took her half a second to realize it was me and Twilight at the door. “Hi, Pinkie can I talk to you for a minute?” I asked quickly so she wouldn’t start rambling again. She nodded and bounced to her way to an empty table and sat down.

“So, what do you want to talk about?” She asked jubilantly.

“Well, um. Actually, I came to apologize for my behavior yesterday, it was very immature of me.” Pinkie nodded.

“Apology accepted.” She said half a second later. I was taken aback by a response so quick.

“Really?”

She nodded. “You might be very strong, and kinda scary but you’re my friend. So, yeah. I forgive you.” She replied in a joyful manner.

“You think of me as a friend?” She nodded.

“Thanks Pinkie.” I said as I tried to fight off the smile that began to part my lips. She squealed.

“I just love making everypony smile.” She said happily. Twilight motioned for me to leave when a pony walked through the door to order something.

“I have to be going now Pinkie, I have some stuff I need to take care of.”

“Oh, Ok. Bye.” She said joyously as she waved when I started to make my exit. Fifteen minutes later, I was sitting in the Ponyville Hospital. Rainbow Dash and Twilight were in the room with me upon my request.

“Hi. You can call me Doc or Doctor Horse. Whichever you prefer. Now. What seems to be the problem?” A light amber colored pony said as he looked over my medical history. Which was probably blank.  Hospitals have a way of bringing back most of my uncomfortable memories, they smell weird, and I know for a fact that ponies die here on occasion. I don't want to be it's next corpse.

“Stormcaster says that his hoof isn’t feeling well.” Twilight said as she motioned at me. The doctor had walked over to me and held out his hoof. I leaned away from him in fear, not sure what he was going to do

“It’s alright Storm, he won’t hurt you.” Rainbow said in an attempt to encourage me. I reluctantly reached my hoof towards him. The doctor took a moment to inspect my ‘injured’ hoof. He then went ahead to inspect my other three hooves.

“I don’t see anything wrong. They are a lot denser than any other ponies’ hooves I’ve seen that’s for sure but that’s not of any concern.” The doctor commented. Everypony nodded.

“I’m going to need an X-ray to make sure there isn’t anything damaged internally, and I’m also going to give him a few tests to make sure to make sure that I got anything that might have missed.” The doctor stated.

“You can come back later when I’m finished with Stormcaster’s examinations.” The doctor said lightly. The ponies nodded and one by one they began to leave the room.

“So. How did you hurt your hoof?” Doctor Horse asked.

“That’s not why I came, I lied so I could get an excuse to get here. I just didn’t want them to find out why I really needed to be here. According to Princess Luna, I’m actually in need of a psychiatrist.” I said in a low and embarrassed voice. The doctor slowly nodded his head in understanding.

“I’ll get one here as soon as I run a few tests.” Three hours later, I was laying on a couch with tissues balled up all over the floor. The psychiatrist pony was a mare with a white coat and a gold mane, she introduced herself as Dr. North Star.

She took a few minutes to explain about a non disclosure contract, and had me do an IQ test. “Can you tell me a little about life is like back at home?” She asked.

“I live here now, my dad is always travelling, and sending me off to live in all these different towns. Heck, he's gotten so busy that he stopped sending me letters. For a minute there it felt as if he stopped caring about me.” I vented angrily. Dr. Star waited for me to calm down before continuing.

“What's changed your opinion?”

“I talked to him last night. In pony, not a letter. We talked for a bit and he promised to take time out of his day to write to me.”

“I’m curious. Can you tell me more about your dad, and how he makes you feel?” She asked as she used magic to have her notebook and pen to start taking notes again.

“For starters my dad works for the E.U.P. as one Luna’s elite guards. It’s his job to make sure Luna goes to place to place safely, and to keep the princesses protected during public events and diplomatic visits. I really don’t get to see him as often as I like.”

My emotions shifted between sadness and joy as I thought about last night. She nodded as more notes were written down on the notebook. I wiped my eyes dry. “You’re proud of him aren’t you?” She asked.

“Well, yeah. But I almost never get to see him, and when I get one of those rare chances, he has to stay on duty. Which means he can’t move, speak, or get distracted useless Luna or any of the other princesses let him off duty.” I said as I tried to avoid the mare’s gaze.

“All I want is to him to do is tell me that he loves me at least once, just to let me know that he cares.” The mare put a hoof on my shoulder.

“Stormcaster.” She said to get my attention. “I may not know know your father, but I can tell you that he does care for you even though he doesn’t show it very often. He’s not just keeping the princesses safe but he also protecting all of Equestria. He cares about you, and everypony else that lives in Equestria. That’s why he does what he does. He became part of the E.U.P. to keep you safe.”

I smiled. “I didn’t think of it that way. Thank you for that.” I commented as a feeling of joy filled me.

“What about your mom?”

The atmosphere and my emotions shifted on an instant. The psychiatrist notices this almost immediately. I could read the discomfort on her face.

“She...She's...She's not.” I stopped and broke into tears, not finding the strength to continue. There was silence for several moments. She placed a hoof on my shoulder.

I shivered as another stream of tears left my eyes. “It’s alright, just let it all out.” She said as she lightly patted me on the back. A couple of minutes later I was ready to start talking again.

“Feeling Better?”

I nodded. “A little.”

“Good. Is there anything else you think I should know?”

“I would like some help with handling my emotions.” She nodded as she continued to write for a few more moments. When the last thing I said managed to get to her, she stood up straight on the chair she was sitting in.

“Could you elaborate on this?”

“When I am feeling sad enough my weather magic makes some of the clouds turn black and start raining, and sometimes I’m not even in the air when it happens.” She nodded as her quill started writing down more notes. “If something makes me angry enough I will black out, and when I resurface I find out that bad things had happened. Very bad things and I know that I was the cause of them.”

There was a long silence before Dr. Star had said: “Thank you for your cooperation, Stormcaster that is all I be needing from you today. I want you to come see me twice a week.”

I nodded, ending the conversation and her visit.