Madness

by Mochas Dungeon

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Thriller, Original Character
Length: 23571

Interviews with inpatients at Broadhoof mental asylum seemed like another task. With a few words from a patient, his entire life is brought into question.

Doctor Star is a career psychologist and has a new assignment; diagnose these patients at Broadhoof Mental Asylum.

A simple task for a seasoned professional, however nothing is easy when dealing with ponies in an asylum, especially when you practically live in them for a career.

Because of the patients' various psychosis and causes; nearly all the tags may be used.

Published 2015-12-15 16:10:03 UTC
Last updated 2016-01-11 00:59:41 UTC

Assignments

A rapping on the door to his apartment woke him from his fitful sleep.  His career had taken a toll on him, damage to his mind that he could never get rid of or escape.  The life of a psychiatrist in what seemed like a utopia was not what it seemed.

“I’m coming,” he shouted from his bed in his room that was not far enough from the front door.

He rolled out of bed, still dressed in his shirt and tie from two days prior, the blanket stuck to his legs as he stumbled from his bed, and walked to the door as the rapping happened again, shaking the parchment thin walls slightly.

He bit the handle and pulled, then grumbled to himself.  He unlocked the door and opened it, looking blankly at the soldier that stood before him.

“Doctor Epic Start?”

“Doctor Star, now.  They won’t fix my paperwork, what?”

“Whatever, here,” the soldier said tossing a small box into the apartment before huffing and walking away to the right.  Doctor Star peeked out to watch the soldier walk down the hallway.  The hallway was barely wide enough for him to fit with his armor on and Doctor Star  felt a spark of rage in his chest as he lamented his living conditions, which he quelled, again, before returning his head to his apartment.

However, it worked for his job as a psychiatrist for the ministry, a job that had him travel across the land, sometimes beyond for weeks at a time.  He returned to his small and quiet apartment and closed the door, locking it, before turning to the box.  Simple, brown, and wrapped in brown paper made from enchanted Moldiwood trees.  A higher quality product the government could afford.  He sighed and nosed it beside the large spool he used as a table.

He bit the paper open and looked at the box.

“Classified; Property of The Equestria Ministry of Families, Foals, and Mental Health.  Opening this box is a breach of Royal Confidentiality Decree 3, sub sections 2, 5, and 11.  Punishable by up to a 5,000 bit fine and two weeks hard labor in the quarries and/or mines.”

“Such a kind world,” he said dryly as he finished reading the warning before pulling a string hidden under the work “Confidentiality” and opening the box’s top.

Five files were lined vertically, all with a red strip on the bottom indicating severe crimes.

“Fantastic, just what I love, psychotics, rapists, murders, and innocents that are lost in the system by the wealthy to keep them out of the way. Political fodder at its finest.  Maybe two this time?  Let’s see.”

He moved the files to the spool and read the names and crimes listed.

“Lilli: Sexual Assault, Theft, and Murder.”

“Toffee Brulé: Suicidal Tendencies.”

“Light Blood: Attempted Parenticide.”

“Crystal Shine: Torture and Dismemberment.”

“Night Wing: Murder by Gravity.”

“Well, here we go,” he said as he sat and began to read the files in detail.

Finishing an hour later he closed the last file and placed it in the stack he’d made, got up, and went back to his bed, grabbed his blanket in his teeth, climbed in, and went back to sleep for the rest of the day.

Doctor Star disembarked the train at Manehattan terminal wearing a fresh suit and saddle bags, a small suitcase in his teeth that was locked contained his paperwork as he took in the bustle of the city around him.  With practiced indifference he joined the herd, as he called it, and trotted in pace with the others to the main streets.

He waited in line for a taxi and cursed to himself at the facts before him.

We’re all still a herd, just bigger now.  We still openly use slave labor, but call it a job.  We hide the insane or those that hold a political risk in mental asylums for years, and none of these ponies has any idea.

He got in the taxi, a pony pulled carriage. “Broadhoof Mental Asylum, please.”

“Eh, ya sure buddy?  Ya don’t look crazy,” the puller asked mirthfully.

“I’m a doctor.”

“Oh, well. good on ya for that,” the puller said as he entered a quick trot into the street, “I could stand ta be around those crazies; screamin’ about whatever all day and night.”

You do, you just don’t realize it. Maybe you’re one of them.

“I had a cousin who knew a guy…” the puller continued as Doctor zoned out.

Introductions and Living Arrangements

Doctor Star walked up the path to the hospital  The most well known asylum in the lands was a large building with an acreage greater than he thought should be allowed, however the six storied building was well cared for with a manicured lawn, taken care of by patients with OCD and good appetites.

The path was clean and crack free, even the doors were smudgeless thanks to the patient that held a towel in her mouth, ready to wipe the doors’ glass from being nosed open.

Using his knee he gently opened the door with a nod to the mare, who was focused on any mark left by the fur on his knee on her door.  He entered and heard the sounds of glass being cleaned as he walked through the waiting room.

Several ponies of all types were occupying themselves, waiting for a chance, albeit slim, to see their loved ones.

“Hello, Nurse.  I’m Doctor Star here to see Doctor Mind Mend.”

“Doctor," the nurse looked through a small stack of paperwork in a drawer, "Epic Start?”

“No,” he sighed, “Doctor Star.  They haven’t gotten around to my name change, over the past twenty years.”

“Oh, very well.  I’ll page her.  Take a seat, all the cushions are cleaned.”

The doctor sat on a green cushion in place of the chairs that adorned many other businesses for the comfort of the pony population.  With a sigh he relaxed his muscles and let a content smile cross his muzzle as he waited.

He always did enjoy the sterile confines of the hospitals and clinics more than he did the loud hustle and bustle of most of the large cities he was sent to.

He felt a light shake on his side and moaned, fighting the return to the waking world.  Another light shake he knew to be a magical push against his side to wake him worked, much to his chagrin, and he raised his head, opened his eyes and looked into the face of a beautiful unicorn mare.

She was white, wearing a white doctors coat, and a smile that made his heart race.

She giggled at his reaction. “Well, it’s nice to see you’re awake, Doctor Epic Start.  I’m Doctor Mind Mend, it’s nice to meet you, I’ve heard of your work.”

He stammered before closing his eyes and collecting himself. “Yes, that’s me and it’s a pleasure to meet you.  I’m here for the obvious reasons,” he said rolling to his hooves and cracking his neck.  “I was told you’d have everything ready for me?”

She turned and waited for him to begin walking beside her.  As they walked through the sterile white halls, checkered floor tiles, and occasional in-patient performing a task.

“Well, Doctor Epic Start-”

“Doctor Star.  They won’t change my name on file.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.  My name was Jewel Heart before I got my cutie mark and chose this path.”

“Oh,” he said glancing away, “I like your original name, personally.  However,” he cleared his throat, “that’s not why I’m here,” he said looking back to her.

She was blushing slightly and averted her gaze as he looked at her.  “Your room is in the first floor east wing.  The professional wing.  It’s secured and safe; no patient is allowed even close to the wing so they don’t know about it.

If they do they don’t talk aloud about it.  The building is eight stories total, six up, two below ground.  There is a sub level below that that is used only for storage and repair equipment.  Extreme cases are kept on floor six, accessible only by stairs, an on staff medical attendee, and two clear forms of identification are required to enter and exit.

Lose one, and you won’t be getting in until it can be replaced.  Lose it and you won’t get out with isolation, physical scans, questions, and, if need be, a memory scan.  You understand all that, right?”

“Yeah, yeah.  Went through the same thing at Hermit Bounty.”

“Hermit… Isn’t that in griffon-”

“Yes, I dealt with a couple rouge griffon who turned on their leadership.  While it’s true their empire has crumbled, they still have a military that is quite structured,” he said as he followed her through a small doorway, only one pony at a time could get through.  A sigh read ‘Entering Class 1 Patient Area’.

“I didn’t know that, Doctor Star.  Thank you, not many know about other races out there, beyond the veil.”

Doctor Star harrumphed. “The veil.  Damn the consequences; the princesses shroud our borders for the same reasons; to shield us from the world as much as to keep us safe from what lies beyond.  I had a chance to see past it.”

Doctor Mind Meld stopped and stared at him as he passed until he stopped and looked back at her.

“Y-you’ve gone beyond the veil?  What’s it like?” she asked with rapt interest.

“If you saw, you’d realize the same thing I did; the world we know is wrong.  Now,” he gestured with his head.  Doctor Mind Meld trotted beside him and led him the rest of the way, through dozens of turns and corridors, to a solid white wall.  With a final check to three orderlies, dressed as patients, she used a spell to soften the illusionary wall.

She walked through, followed by Doctor Star, to the professional wing.

Bright blue walls, open windows, and ponies hustling between rooms with paperwork told the story of interns learning their new trade.

Glorious bliss. he thought as he watched the younger running down halls with paper and other items in their magic, on their backs, or in their mouths.

“Turn right at the end of the hall ahead and go straight, I’ll be right behind you, wait by the sign so I can show you where to go next,” Doctor Mind Mend said, turning into a side room.

He found himself before a sign with two arrows.  The left arrow said ‘Dorm’, the right said ‘Medical’.

He turned left and trotted ahead until he found his single suitcase leaning against a door.  The door to his room.  He bit the door handle and pushed, opening the door and looked inside.

It felt and looked like a hospital room and he loved it.

“So, impatient to see the patients, are we?” he heard Mind Mend say from his right.

“You could say that.  I’m just excited to get started.  Are the interviews scheduled?”

“Yes, you start with them tomorrow.  Simply do what you do.  We’ll observe and intervene if need be.”

“My methods aren’t normal, so I’ll let you know what to expect as we continue.”

“I see, I’ve heard a couple things related to your methods and while odd, they’ve made you renowned.  I’m in no position to complain as I’m excited to learn what could help these ponies return to the world and not be a threat to others or themselves.”

Doctor Star stayed looking into his room. “Said just like a journal entry.  I’m going to get some rest and a bite to eat, when we speak next, talk to me like a pony, not a patient,” he said as he walked into the room and turned.

With a warm smile he nodded to her. “I hope to see you again soon, Jewel Heart,” he said quickly as he closed the door, embarrassed at his weakness in front of such an intelligent mare.

“Well, I’ll review the paperwork again, get a nap in, then a well deserved shower.  Then… I’ll have a simple supper with Jewel.  Keep it together, nothing will happen.  It never does.  Just remain professional.”

No matter what he did for the rest of the afternoon he couldn’t get his mind off of the other doctor.

“Damnit, I’m in love.  It’ll pass, it’d better pass quickly,” he scolded himself, "just, read the paperwork, figure out the plan, then get back to bed, where I know what to expect."

Light Blood's First Interview

The night was uneventful with Jewel, I mean Mind Mend.  I have to stay professional to end this, infatuation.

Doctor Star chided his emotional lapses as he was led to the first interview room, doing his best to avert his gaze from following the tail of the mare ahead of him.  Why she insisted on guiding him personally everywhere, was beyond his understanding, and he didn’t care.  As long as he’d be able to focus on the job at hoof.

“Here you go, dear.  Now, stay calm when you’re in there and no matter what, remember me and the reason you’re here.”

What an odd way to talk to me, Doctor Star thought as he looked at the sealed door ahead of him.  It looked like the door that would lead into a freezer at an industrial restaurant; a sight he’d come to adore over his career, yet abhor at the same time.

Whatever creature lied beyond the threshold was almost always deserving of the reason they were in that room, and he was going to be thrust into the maw of the chimera.  Only question was which head would he have to fight first.

“Doctor Star?” Mind Melds voice rang in his ears, returning him to the moment he didn’t know he’d left, “I understand you hold some concerns, and if you don’t feel-”

“I’ll be fine, Doctor.  Just,” he sighed and looked at his hoof as it poked the tiled floor, right at the edge of a white and black tile, “keep an eye out.  I’ve told you how this might go, but…”

“We know, it could go any way.  I’ll be in observation and there are three guards ready.  She’s a pegasi, so the walls are clouded wide enough for you to-”

“Thanks,” Doctor Star interrupted looking to the door and taking a professional stance, “I’ll enter shortly.  Go get ready.”

With a hum in agreement Doctor Mind Meld turned and, with little noise, left the stallion alone in the hallway.

Padded horseshoes?  Interesting.

He placed his hoof to the right of the door and gently dragged it down, below the hinge.  A second later a purple stallions eye peeked from behind the glass window, set in the door and looked at him.

The door opened outward cautiously and the purple stallion, an earth pony, leaned out, inspecting the doctor’s badges and scrutinizing the pictures of his face and cutie mark, to be certain he was one and the same.

In a hushed voice the stallion spoke. “Come in, quickly.”

The doctor trotted into the doorway, turned sideways and remained still as the door shut.

To his left was the door that quietly closed without even a sound.  To his right, he could feel the light wafts of the clouds that had lined the walls.  He looked ahead blankly at a unicorn female who was eyeing him like a cat watches a mouse.  Without a word or a blink in the twelve seconds they stood staring at one another she nodded to her left, indicating it was time for him to enter the room.

He cantered and passed through the cloud wall and looked around.

Except for the walls and floors every one of these rooms will be the same.  This’ the top floor, maximum care, the rooms will be the same.  The cushions on the floor are there for comfort and, if I need them, I can use them to defend against blows.  Maintain a professional boundary, but remember, it’s your show.

He entered the room and sat on a blue cushion off center and looked to the ceiling.

Must be larger than my entire apartment, he snorted, no matter; my home is a façade, a place to sleep between jobs.

Several minutes passes as he looked around the room patiently waiting until a door, opposite where he entered, opened loudly.

A pony trotted into the room he knew to be his first patient.

"Hello, Miss Light," he greeted her as she walked into the room, the cloud parting as she entered and then closed tightly by a pink pegasus orderly with a stern look in her face.

"My name is Light Blood," she said flatly as she walked to the center of the room then sat on one of the provided cushions, almost robotically.

"Very well, Light Blood.  I'm Doctor Star and I'm here to talk with you.  Is that okay with you?"

"Whatever," she said, motioning like she was tossing her mane, even though it was cut too short to make an impression.

"I'll take that as 'go to hell' then?"

She looked at him and he saw the expression of surprise on her face.  "Y-you're a doctor.  A shrink!?  You're not supposed to talk," she whispered hoarsely while looking around, "like that."

Possible schizophrenia?

"Well, I'm an adult, like you, Light Blood.  I can say what I want, just like you.  I felt like saying a bad word.  Does that bother you?” he asked curiously.  When she pursed her lips and shook her head he turned his head and looked at his raised hoof with interest. “What would you like to say, Light Blood?  I imagine all this shit has you as annoyed as any other pony here."

She leaned back and whispered.  Almost afraid of what'd happen if she said it out loud.

"C'mon, Light Blood.  I can't hear you.  No pony is listening, it's just us in here."

“I-I don’t know, is this a trick?”

“What the Hel?  What kind of trick would I use that could put me in jail for whatever reason these nuts can make up?  It’s only us in here, so, is there something you’d like to say?”

"Mhnnhmm."

"Say it louder," I encouraged.

"I hate my parents."

"Oh, Celestia, come on!" he shouted taking to his hooves, "You're not a filly, tell me what you want to say like the mare you are!"

"I hate my fucking parents!”

“Great!” he shouted, “why!”

“They never supported me!  They only showed me off!”

“How’d that make you feel?  Don’t let them hold you back, tell me.”

She growled and stood on all fours, spitting onto a pillow beside her. “If they drowned in their own blood I'd pay whoever is in charge to take them to tartarus and burn for a thousand years!”

“Yes!  Then what?”

“I'd take every time they said 'you can do better'," she said in a mocking tone, "and buck their heads against the ground.  Every time they called me a feather brain for not being the best on a test… I'd," she started to tear up and sob; a good start, "I'd dream of them falling to the ground from the clouds after I plucked their magical 'wings'."

She glared at him when she was done.  Heh, it’s my turn; Can't disappoint.

"I hate my teachers!  The boring jerks never gave me a break, always called on me first, and put me at the front right of the class!  Do you know what that means!?" he asked incredulously rearing and motioning with his hooves to his left.

"You got picked first for every line up," she grunted, looking at the floor angrily.

"That's right!  I wanted them to pick anypony else.  Why not Star Shine?  She was twice as smart as I was and she wanted to be there.  At that stupid school.  Instead I had to get my cutie mark, the first in my class!"

"Damn them and the schools," she shouted at me.

"Damn parents and cutie marks," I shouted to the ceiling.

They glared at each other for a few seconds before she broke the tension in the room with a giggle.  He followed, with a well rehearsed guffaw, not taking his attention off her.

A moment later they were beginning to talk about various things about their personal lives they disliked.  Her personal distaste for white flowers and their unique tartness.  Him and his dislike of the word ‘literal’ and its overuse.

“Doctor Star, you’re fun.  You’re the most fun shrink I’ve ever met.”

“Ah, I’m not a shrink.  That’s why.”

She smiled and looked at him.  “Then you’re a doctor doctor?”

“Nope, I’m just some guy they picked up off the street.  I literally sold white flowers to get here.”

She laughed.  He laughed.  It was a warm moment for them.  “No, in honestly, I am a shrink, but not a normal one.  See, I don’t follow all the rules; just like you.  That’s why they want me to talk to you, to listen to you.”

She scoffed at him. “So, you’re just like the others?  Here to make me better?”

“Do you want the honest answer?” he asked.  She nodded.  “I don’t give a feathering fuck if you’re out of here or not,” she gasped and recoiled at the harsh words, “I get paid either way.  And that I mean, literally.”

She blinked and looked him over before relaxing and laying on the cushion she was on.  “Fine, you’re a crazy shrink.  What do you expect me to do?  Tell you my life story so you can turn it around on me?  Treat me like a mare when you really look at me like a foal?  Do like the others and make sure I stay here without listening to me, get your bits, and leave?”

He sighed. “If only it were that simple.  You see; I don’t know you.  I don’t know your family, or anything, really, about your life.  But I care,” he said looking at her, “you can kill, and you’ll be killed.  You can hurt yourself, others, and spend years here.  And the whole time, I’ll care about you because now, I do know one thing.”

She drew a shaky, guarded, breath. “What’s that?”

“That you’re my friend, and I’d have failed you.”

He watched as her eyes watered and, within ten seconds, she’d crossed the two lengths to fall before him, allowing him to hug her as she sobbed.  She tried to reach and hug him, but her restraints held her back.

“It’s okay.  Even if you hate me for the rest of my life, Light Blood, I’ll always remember you.”

Several minutes passed as she bawled until she was nearly asleep in his forelegs.

“Light Blood, I have to go, but please, stay strong until our next meeting.  Okay?”

She agreed in a whisper.

“And next time, don’t be late, okay?”

She snickered.  “I had to pee, I’m sorry.”

“No,” he hushed her, “don’t be sorry for anything you can’t control.  I’ll see you before you know it.”  With that he stood and backed away slowly, watching her until he was almost to the cloud walls.  Exiting he heard her call his name and he poked his head through the cloud.

“Doctor Star, please call me Light Clouds, that’s my name; my real name.  Not the one I have to have here,” she said giving him the most genuine smile he’d seen from her.

“Wow,” Doctor Mind Mend said as she met him outside the now silently sealed door to the room, “that was… incredible!  She’s been here for nearly two years and you’re the first one she’s not only had a positive emotional outburst at, you also got her to cry,” she nearly squealed in excitement.

“Yes, But, I still had to be careful; she, like the others, are here for a reason.  She’s just a classic case of parenticide.  I’ll schedule two more sessions then give her a pass to level three.”

“What?” Doctor Mind Meld asked loudly, “but that’s not-”

“What exactly are her crimes?” he challenged the mare before him.

“Sh-she wants to kill her parents and had the severed… a body part in her possession.”

He groaned as he turned and began trotting away, her right behind him.  “We’re going to your office, as it’s closer.”

She trotted ahead of him and led him turn by turn to her top floor office, waving an orderly behind them to stay outside before she closed and locked the door behind her.

“The reason she is in level five care is because she hates her parents?  What a load of horse apples?!” he shouted.

“And the leg of lamb she was cuddling?!”

“Did you even read the files? Or, are you just here to push paperwork?”

“I am not here to be a paper pusher, buddy,” she said stomping her hoof.

“What are her parents names?”

“Winter Medley and Light Mist.”

“Pegasi?!”

“YES!” she shouted in reply.

“Unicorns!  Look them up, took me an hour to find it,” he said stepping forward and touching his snout to hers, with a huff.

She leaned back and wiped her nose, then looked at him.  “What?”

“Political setup.  They’re unicorns who had a pegasi child, they falsified the forms and bribed the reporters to make this concoction to keep their child out of the public sight.”

“Doctor Star, that’s a fine hypothesis, however, even if that were true, what about the leg?”

Doctor Star facehoofed. “Really?  I mean, you’re not new to this, so how can you not…” he looked at her growing fury as he spoke to her condescendingly. “Fine, when any sentient creature goes missing they report it to the guard and within the hour search teams are formed.  It’s how Equestria works now, no matter what, who, race, tribe, or dispute; the search is on.

"Let’s say this lamb just vanished and was butchered by her.  Why, then, was there no blood anywhere else in the entire apartment or on any of her belongings?  For that matter,” he said quickly before Doctor Mind Meld could retort, he grabbed a cushion in his teeth and tossed it to the mare.

She caught it, barely balancing it on her back as she looked at him with curious anger.

“That’s how much a lamb weighs.  Do me a favor and carry that to the lobby with no pony noticing.”

“What doe-”

“The reason is because there’s no way she found a creature that large, put it into a sack, at the least, moved it to some place so rural that no pony could find it, after she butchered it, expertly, with a vegetarian diet and herbivore lifestyle, none the less: and then went to sleep; in her own bathtub between the times that a maintenance worker would have been scheduled to work on her apartment?!

Even for the insane that’s ludacris!” he shouted raising his left foreleg into the air, “The mare that I met in that room was sane and stable enough to at least have had the knowledge to plan to butcher another living creature and fall asleep with it in her bathtub an hour after that maintenance pony had left.

"Standard political fodder; she’ll be out within the next year.”

“Then she’ll kill her parents!”

He sighed and trotted to the door, past the irate mare.  “Read her file, I don’t want to talk about this again.  Prepare the paperwork to transfer her to level three care.  And, I hope to see you for dinner again,” he said sullenly as he closed the door and heard her muffled shouts through the sealed door.

The orderly was a gruff white earth pony in white scrubs that peered at him like he was nothing, but he didn’t care.  He was here to do a job.

He smirked as he realized something.

And that is how we lose an infatuation.

Crystal Shine's Assessment 1

Equestria Ministry of Families, Foals and Mental Health

Intake Report/Initial Assessment

Client Demographic Information

Client: Crystal Shine

Age:  Approx. 30

Race:  Crystal Pony

Gender:  Female

Nationality: Crystal Empire

Family Demographic Information

Still under investigation; most records are still being processed between Equestria and the Crystal Empire.

Physical Description and History

White earth pony, shimmering eyes, blue mane and tail.

Turns 'crystal' translucent when in proximity of large amounts of ambient magic.  Broadhoof is located in an area of low ambient magic, so she will not be dazzling the other patients.

Family History

Unknown

Psychological History

Crystal Shine is from the Crystal Empire, third point, second tier.  Family and life history are unknown as her people have recently been returned from being lost in time.

Her crimes are binding, torturing, and dismembering, yet keeping alive, several victims in the basement of her home in the crystal empire, the basement was nicknamed 'Sombra's Peace'.

Terrified of unicorns and hears voices when around them, however diagnosis of schizophrenia is doubtable.

Social History

Like most recent returnees she's quiet and reserved.  No other information is known.

Equestria Ministry of Families, Foals and Mental Health

Client Contact Notes

Crystal Shine's First Interview

        Star rolled out of bed and sighed, the evening had been a fitful sleep, but better than the ones he’d had at home.  He looked at the clock and huffed.

        “Six thirty, really?  I just have to wake up an hour before my alarm on a day with two interviews and a six hours of paperwork.  Fantastic,” he grumbled.

        He went to the small attached bathroom and filled the sink with it’s magically purified warm water and looked at the ripples it made before he splashed warm water on his face with a sigh.  Then he held his breath and lowered his muzzle into the water until he could feel the porcelain on his nose.

        He stayed like that for thirty seconds, or so, until he had to breathe again.  He looked at his reflection in the polished metal ‘mirror’ above the sink and took his appearence in.

        “Yellow eyes.  Blue and white mane.  Grass green fur.  But what about what lies beneath?  What psychosis lies hidden in your eyes?” he asked the stallion in the mirror.  Looking at himself he sighed and cast a spell to bring a towel over to himself, letting out a single chuckle.

        “Possible delusional episodes aside,” he winked to his reflection before grabbing a towel with his foreleg and wiping his face vigorously.

        “Good morning, Miss Mend,” he greeted Mind Mend loudly from his table as she entered the cafeteria.  Several other staff looked between them before carrying on their meals.  Mind Mend smiled warmly and waved to Star as she queued into line for her cafeteria meal.

        “Mister Star, it’s nice to see you this morning, especially after yesterday.  You were right,” she said quickly before he could interject, “I looked into it after I lashed out at the bean bag, wrote an angry letter, drank some tea, and meditated.  Then I looked into what you suggested and it seems, at face value, your research was correct.”

        He nodded to her as she sat opposite him at the small round table.

        “Careful, floors a bit cold this morning,” he warned her looking into his bowl of oats.

        “Oh, that’s nothing to co-oncern, oh my,” she yelped and whispered as she moved her tail under her to sit on, “well.  You have a habit of being right so far, but we’re only beginning.  We’ve got two more interviews today and, darn it,” she whispered harshly, “I don’t like raisins and they gave me raisins in my oats.”

        Without hesitation he reached out to her bowl and moved it to his mouth before turning and trotting to the serving line.

        “Excuse, my lovely example of culinary expertise,” he cood at the mare offering the oats and toppings.  She looked at him intently, as did the other three servers, with uneasy interest.

        “Um, yes doctor?”

        “My colleague over there has a predisposition for raisins, and she has some in her oats here,” he pointed to the bowl on the countertop, “and I’d take it as a, personal favor,” he raised his eyebrows, “if you’d give me a bowl that’s plain.”

        The mare blushed furiously and glanced to her coworkers who were smirking at her.  She nodded quickly and hoofed a bowl of plain oats over to the stallion who returned a wink.  He quickly turned and returned with the bowl in his teeth.

        “Well, that was impressive, appealing to their baser sexual instincts to get results via manipulation.  What’ll they do when you don’t ever talk to them again?” she asked looking with a smile at the bowl he placed before her.

        “Then, my dear,” he said taking a seat on his tail, “they work in the right place.”

        She snorted and began to laugh as he smiled and began to eat his meal.

        “Here we are, Doctor Star.  Next interviewee is Crystal Shine, I know you’ve read her file and know as much as we do, so I’ll be in observation.  Just, stomp twice if you need help.”

        “Very well, I’ll be an hour-ish.”

        He turned to the door and looked at the glass.  Curtains were in place of the clouds this time, dark curtains.

        He knocked and was let in, stared at the same nurse as before, then was allowed to enter.  Shortly after her entered the patient door clicked open and a white pony with shimmering mane walked into the room.  She was sullen and had dark circles under her eyes and an air of total defeat emanated from her.

        "Hello, Crystal Shine, may I call you Crystal?"

        "Yes."

        "Well, it's very nice to meet you.  I'm Doctor Star, and I'm here to listen and talk with you.  Does that sound nice?" he started in a calm tone.

        "Yes."

        "So, I have a granddaughter who is really interested in your home country.  Can you tell me anything about it?"

        She looked at him with the saddest eyes he’d seen in a long time. "No, please."

        "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.  What can you tell me?  I won't judge you or think any less or more of you.  I'm just here to listen and help you get the weight off your withers.  You will feel better, afterall."

        She looked at the cushion she was laying on and began pawing at it. "I was born and lived under the Great King."

        "Well, that's interesting,” he replied with a hint of surprise, “why was he called the 'Great King'?  Over the past while he's simply known as Sombra."

        Her eyes shot him a look of terror, she began trembling, and he could sense her trying to use her magic.

She’s trying to cast something: To flee, most likely.

        "D-don't call him that.  He's all seeing, all knowing.  He'll find you in your sleep and in your dreams," she said looking around trembling, “He is the beginning and end, I was a voice in his choir and none shall speak ill of Him.”

        "I'm so sorry," he assured her, "I don't want him to get me.  The Great King is wise and knows best, I regret my informality."

        She nodded while she trembled, looking around the room, almost as though she were expecting Sombra to leap out of any shadow. "He is the wisest in the world.  None compare, he hears my words and knows them to be true, my new friend’s as well.  We honor him with our tribute."

        "Yes," he replied, copying her fears and looking around, scooting closer until I was a hoof length away.  She crossed her hooves with his and leaned in close, resting her muzzle on his shoulder.

She began to pray quietly.

        "Great, wise God-King Sombra will keep us safe from the wicked sun and moon witches.  Only by his power are we safe, through the chains; that bind us together, so are we bound to his grace."

        "That's a lovely prayer.  Can you teach it to me?  The Great King would like me to know it, I can feel his listening," he whispered to her.

        She nodded and began to repeat the prayer over and over, like a mantra.

“Well, our time is almost up,” he stated after nearly an hour, “I hope to see you again soon-”

“He demands blood from those who don’t believe; as an example.”

His breath caught in his throat at her revelation.

“Can you tell me more?”

“N-no, not yet.  He does not wish it, next time.  Always on the second visit does it begin.”

Doctor Star smiled and backed away quickly as he could backing up and maintaining eye contact.

        “That, was the biggest waste of an hour I’ve had in weeks.  Doctor Mind,” he nodded to the doctor that was leaning against the opposite wall casually, “would you walk with me?”

        She nodded and sided to him as they walked, followed by a large stallion nurse.  “So, why exactly was that a waste of time, to you?”

        “Well,” he started, “I learned a prayer from a patient suffering from extreme shell shock and a number of other potential issues caused by her time under His rule.  She was probably an assistant torturer and she didn’t know how to cope with life after him so she continued.  That’s why her victims were left alive.

        “No point in killing everypony who crosses you when you can use them as an example to others.”

        “That’s a horrible life to live, I really hope we can help her.”

        “If we do, or do not, at least we tried.  At the least we can use her case as a baseline for future Crystal Empire ponies who have such episodes.”

        “Ah, you’re correct again.  You’re an optimist, aren’t you?”

        “At times,” he replied looking at her, “others I’m here as a pessimist.  I am as our work demands.”

        “The next interview is a classic nymphomania case with a twist.”

        “Yes, the nymphomaniac that kills and sells.  This should be about as exciting as a dentist appointment.  I’ve taken my sexual repressors and I’m ready to turn down her advances, but if anything changes or happens, watch for my stomps, okay?”

        With a serious expression they turned another corridor to the next patient’s interview.

Lilli Assessment

Equestria Ministry of Families, Foals and Mental Health

Intake Report/Initial Assessment

Client Demographic Information

Client: Lilli

Age:  26

Race:  Earth Pony

Gender: Female

Nationality: Escaped slave from Centaur lands; detained in Ponyville.

Family Demographic Information

None

Physical Description and History

Brown coat with maroon red tail.

She admitted she was born into slavery and had escaped, nothing else is known about her at this time.

Family History

Slaves (?)

Psychological History

Works as a  traveling sales mare going from town to town selling trinkets and such items of little value.

Appears to be suffering from nymphomania, uses said illness to lure ponies back to their homes, perform mating acts, then she kills the(m) by vivisection.  Later she takes items of little worth and sells them at the next town.

Previous psychologists have noted dissociated personality disorder as well as nymphomania, having openly masturbated in front of several other patients, doctors, and has attempted to mate, while not in heat, in the cafeteria on numerous occasions.

Homicidal acts have yet to be discussed.

She has been institutionalized since the ninth day of the second month, Summer, 998 PNM.

Social History

Equestria Ministry of Families, Foals and Mental Health

Client Contact Notes

Lilli's first interview

There were wooden walls wide enough for a pony to stand in, blocking view of the ponies inside the doorway but offering a view of the mare tethered inside.

“She has leg shackles and is tethered to the floor, her rear legs are noticeably more confined,” Star noted as he glanced into the room then to Mind, “this’ gonna be fun,” he said flatly.  He knocked on the door and entered.  Staring blankly at the same nurse, again, before being nodded further in.

        "Hello, good looking."

Great, just what I need.

        "Hello Lilli-"

        "Lilli!  My name is Lilli, like the flower, can you say is softer?"

Wow, never would have guessed that much.

        "Well, it's nice to meet you.  I'm Doctor-"

        "Sexy Flanks," she winked at me.

        "Doctor Star.  I'm only here to talk and listen; does that sound okay to you?"

        "So, you're a listener?  What sounds should I make for you?" She said in a sultry voice as she began to moan, sexually.

        "Well, you could start with telling me why you think I'm attractive."

        "Oh, right to the point?  I like your point, Doctor Sexy Flank."

        "And the reason?" he replied blandly.

        She winked and licked her lips, again seductively.  However, she said nothing.

        "And the reason?" he asked again.

        She began breathing heavily while looking into his eyes.  Her tail began swaying and her ears drooped slightly.

She’s taking a sexually submissive position.  "And the reason?" he asked again, calmly.

        She huffed.  He could tell she was not used to having her advanced ignored.

        "You're flanks are fine as hell, that's why," she blurted starting to glare at him.  As her eyes narrowed he could see a pain in her eyes.

"Is that the only reason?  You think I'm attractive because my flanks?  What about them?  My cutie mark?  My fur?  The fat that's accumulated over my hips? What about any other part of me?  My personality, intelligence, charisma?"

        "I love your cock, thinking about it inside me.  Just bring it here, let me suck it for a minute."

        He remained calm and laid on a pillow just outside her reach facing her. "You haven't even seen my genitals, why would they interest you?"

        "They're all the same, and delicious.  The hard and softness, the salty milk you make for me."

        "So, ‘salty milk’?  Why would you call semen by that name?  Or, do you prefer salt in your milk?"

        She leaned back and lowered her guard a little, if only for a moment before she smirked at me again.  Taking, yet another, seductive pose, this time turning her rear to me and swishing her tail.

        "I want your milk in me.  C'mon, Doctor Sexy Flanks, just a sample.  Just the tip.  Please, I need to have it," she nearly pleaded.

Okay, time to take it to the next level.  I hate this part...

        He stood and pranced around the room in an excited show.  The others watching had an idea of his plan, so they knew it was only for show.  He huffed loudly then whinnied before he went behind her.

She's not hot, mildly moist from what I can see, and is forcing herself into whatever arousal she's having.

        "Before we start," he whispered as he mounted her, "what do you want me to say?"

        "Tell me I'm a good girl, daddy."

Shit, one of those.  Breaks my heart to hear that; every time.

        With a double stomp of his right rear leg the barriers dropped and orderlies rush in; he scream for Lilli, shouting how he needed her.  Shouting how he wanted to be one with her.  Then He could see her turn to look at him with a hint of sorrow in her eyes as he dragged away by a unicorn's magic, scratching at the floor in desperation.

        Once outside the room the barriers are reformed and he sat on his haunches and sniffled as Doctor Mend approached and placed a hoof on my shoulder.

        "That, was an interesting approach.  None of us have gotten her to admit anything about her past before."

        "Yes, doctor.  However, I think I need a session to come to terms with what just happened," he more requested than advised.

        "I understand.  I commend your restraint."

        "I fear what I'll have to do to make her open up more.  I have my ethical limits as well as what the laws allow, but sometimes we have to skirt the lines.  And no, I will not be making sexual physical contact with her, it's just that she's a victim I personally relate to."

        Doctor Mend looked at him then softened her expression.  "Ah, I understand.  Come with me, we'll get you that session then you're off to your next interview."

        He nodded and agreed, stood, then followed her to her office.

Toffee Brulé Interview

        The alarm blared, waking him from the best sleep he’d had in weeks.  With a smile he rolled out of his bed and placed his hooves on the floor.  He trotted to the window in his room and opened it, resting his forelegs on the sill and sticking his head out.

        “The perfect morning.  This’ll be a great day.  The last two interviews,” he said pulling his head back in and trotting merrily to the bathroom, “and then a day off for paperwork.  Wow, even that’s not bringing me down, yay mania,” he smiled looking into the mirror before disrobing and showering.

        “Go~od morning, Miss Mend,” he sang as they met outside the cafeteria on time.

        “Well, somepony’s in a great mood.”

        “Woke up on the sunny side of the bed,” he grinned, gesturing for her to enter first.

        “Well, I’m glad to hear it.  Your patient today is also quite chipper, so it should work out nicely.”

        He nodded and glanced at her tail as she passed.

        “So, Doctor Star…  What’re you looking at?” she asked, knowing the answer.

        “Gah, uhm, n-nothing, just, ah, a spot on the floor,” he said pronking past her and landing with a stomp and an awkward grin, “yup, just a spot, gone now.”

        “...Right,” she replied with a suppressed giggle at how cute he was acting, “leave those to the janitors to clean, let’s eat.  And I mean food, Doctor Star,” she replied coyly, cantering slightly so her rear was away from him.

Well, damn that infatuation back, he chided himself as he groaned.

        “Well, that was one of the most awkward meals I’ve had in… years,” he said quietly to the orderly that was always guarding him.

        “Well, Epic Start,” the yellow earth pony orderly dressed in white stated flatly, looking to the sides for any threats, “there are many things that happen when one gets caught peeping at a mares plot.”

        “Mister Toes!” Star growled, “we do not speak of such fine mares in such a way.  Furthermore, my name is Doctor Star; they haven’t changed my paperwork yet.”

        “Sure thing, doctor,” the orderly replied with a hint of scorn. With a harumph from Star the rest of their walk and admittance through security was kept in silence.

        “Doctor Mend, it’s an honor to see you again.”

        “Yes, glad to see you’re looking into my eyes, this time,” she smirked with a wink as he looked to the side. “Well, your next patient is Toffee Brulé, a self harming case.  We know the deal, so away with you, naughty colt.”

        He looked at her and frowned. “The repressive medicine wore off, that’s the only reason-”

        “Hush,” she said placing a hoof to his lips, “I didn’t say no.”  She turned and trotted happily around the corner leaving him and his orderly slack jawed watching her leave.

        With a firm poke to the side of the orderlies coat Star glared at him. “What was that about checking out mares?”

        “Uh, nothing, Doctor Star, sir.”

        Nodding in approval Star moved to the door and knocked, waiting to be let in.

        He smiled to see a normal looking mare sitting on a cushion, passing her time nervously.  Her flanks were covered with gauze that were slightly reddened from blood but not seeping through.  A good sign she was healing nicely.

        He smiled to her as he entered the room and took a pillow a few paces away before sitting.

        “Miss Toffee, I’m Doctor Star, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

        “Hi doctor, always a pleasure to meet a new face.  So, we both know why I’m here,” she started and winced as she moved her rear legs to get a little more comfortable, “so, how do I get out?”

        “Well, Toffee, may I call you Toffee?” she nodded, “I can’t just answer that question.  You’re here for a reason, and that reason is that you hurt somepony very special to everypony you know.”

        The corner of her eye twitched as he finished his sentence.  Normally nothing to concern oneself about, however as he looked into her eyes a chill went through him.

        “Doctor, I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about,” she said sweetly.

She’s smiling almost too sweetly.

        He suppressed the shiver as best he could. “Well, Toffee, I mean you.  You’re the most important pony in your life.”

        She smiled warmly to him and blinked. “Well, I know that.  You’re silly.  What I guess I wanna know is what you need from me.”

        “I can’t answer that, and I am sorry.  Just like any friendship, we have to get to know each other before we can tell others what we think of the other, with honesty.”

        She looked to her hooves in thought. “I guess that makes sense.  So, what’d you like to know?”

        “Tell me why you hate your cutie mark,” he said.

        “It’s stupid.  Scales, really?  Really?” she shouted before stopping and closing her eyes, counting to five silently.  “I don’t want scales, or balance.  It’s a stupid destiny!  I wanted something that would make me stand out, not blend in,” she snorted in frustration.

        “And I understand your feelings, truly.  When I got mine I was far from impressed.  Look,” he turned to show her, “a book I was reading for fun at the time on psychology turned out to be my cutie mark.

        “After the party, the celebrations, the end of school, and my apprenticeship; I was stuck.” He looked almost sorrowful for a second at his cutie mark before looking back to Toffee. “I know I could have taken a writing job or a job in research, but I chose working with ponies because I thought it would be more fun.”

        She looked at his flank narrowing her eyes before looking back at him.  Glancing between the two she shook her head quickly and sighed. “Well, anyway; I’d take almost anything, even being an adult blank flank over these.  The world has enough accountants and lawyers.”

        “Cutting them off isn’t the way to deal with them, though.”

        “I.  Know.  That,” she hissed, “I’d expect more from somepony like you, I’d hope you’d understand.”

        He sighed and returned to his sitting position. “Toffee, I apologize if I’ve insulted you, I’d like to help you get out of here as quickly as possible.  To do that, let’s just talk.  Where are you from?”

        “Prancing-Trot, it’s a nice enough village,” she shrugged smiling casually again, “large enough for herd families but still small enough so ponies at the far end of town still know your family name.  It’s quiet, peaceful, and a place I hope to live to again, with my sisters and brothers.

        “My parents are great too, I love them all.”

        “Ah, I understand.  And,” he swallowed, “what about your missing mothers?”

        She glanced at him in such a way that he felt the urge to lean back in fear.  “What about them?” she asked innocently.

        “W-well, they’re missing.  I understand you have a close family, so I was just wondering how it affected you.”

        “Well, they’re not around to help me with my cutie mark, so I guess that’s a bonus,” she said waving a hoof dismissively.

        “I understand.  Were they,” he softened his voice, “trying to make you love your cutie mark?”

        “Yes, they were.  But,” she smiled, “not, any~more,” she sang.

        “Well, good for them, and you,” he emphasised, “there’s no pony that can make you understand that thing better than you.  And, if it comes to it, maybe we can help find a way to change your mark.”

        Her eyes widened to him in shock. “You know how to change my cutie mark?”

        “Well, not quite like that, but I have a couple ideas on what to do.”

        “Like?” she asked with interest.

        “Zebra don’t get cutie marks, but they still have marks, right?”

        “Yeah! They have tribal markings to identify their land of origin as well as place in the tribe, job, and associated responsibilities, as well as rank in their class of training from no marking, for youth, to full markings that cover most of their legs.

        “However, the markings may differ from side to side as a result of the individual zebra that creates the marking and changes to position in the tribe.”

        “Wow,” he blinked to her, “that was really impressive.  My thought might have already been through your mind, then.”

        “If you know a shaman that can change me, than I’ll take it,” she looked at him hopefully.

        “Well, I know a couple and they helped me when I needed it.  I’ll have to write a letter and it’ll take time, but if you’re willing to hang out and talk with me, I’ll let you know as soon as I get a response.  And I promise that,” he insisted before she could retort, “no matter where you are and what time of day.

        “The minute I get that letter,” he said sternly and intently, “I will have you before me within the hour and we’ll read it together.  Okay?”

        She looked at him and sighed.  “Okay, I trust you and I promise that I won’t hurt myself.”

        “That’s all I ask.  I was supposed to rechedule to see you next week, but I’ll push it up to later this week,” he smirked, “are you free friday?”

        “Oh,” she huffed and looked at her hoof, “I’ll have to see if I can pencil you in, but I might be able to move a few things around.”

        “It’s been an hour, and I wish I had more time, but I have to see other patients.”

        “Yeah, I know.  And I have to see them too,” she giggled.  He rolled his eyes and chuckled.

        The door sealed closed behind and he looked for Mind Mend in the hallway, only to see the orderly that usually guarded him.

        “Where is she?!” Star asked loudly.

        “She just left for the restroom, sir.”

        Star turned and galloped down the halls, turning each way he needed to, ending at the mares room.  He pushed open the door and trotted in.

        “Doctor Mend?!” he shouted, the echo making his ears flatten to his head, followed by the scream of a shocked mare.

        “Doctor Star, what in tartarus are you doing in here?!  It’s the mares room!” she shouted from behind the closed stall door.

        “She’s a sociopath!  She may have killed her own parents and she’s a genius as well, we have to, oof-”

        “Sorry, ma’am,” the orderly shouted as he and three others wrestled Star out of the room.

        “Shut up and get out!”

Regret

Star sat humbly, head lowered, in Mind's office.  A bit sore after being wrestled out of the restroom and restrained, he kept the image she had as she’d left the mares room; she’d glowered at him, and gave a stern look to his guard.

In short order the orderlies had carried him, forcefully, to her office and set him in front of her desk, two staying immediately behind him, ready to restrain him.

“Doctor Star, I'll ignore the fact that you burst into the mares room.  I'll look over the fact that you startled a paranoid delusional patient and we had to sedate her, even that you broke the no running policy,” she raised a hoof before he could start, “what I can't overlook is you accusing a pony of being a genius sociopath murderer, right after meeting her.”

But, you didn't see her, you didn't see her eyes, or how she talked. The look in her eyes was unlike any I can recall seeing. I felt fear looking at her…”

''Fear? FEAR?!” she screamed standing and baring her teeth while giving him a look that didn't mask her embarrassed anger for the events over the past half hour.  She stopped, placed a hoof to her chest, and inhaled slowly as she forcibly calmed herself.  “I apologize for my outburst, however, Doctor Star.

“You know as well as I do that making an actual diagnosis, especially of this magnitude, takes sessions.  This is still my area of the hospital, and every pony you're seeing is under my care.

“Doing what you're doing has shown some results,” she said taking a seat behind her desk, “I'd appreciate it if you'd use professional etiquette and on-site procedures when dealing with any and all future issues, especially when it comes to the mares room.”

She smirked to him as she finished.

He waited a minute before breaking the silence.

“Doctor Mind Mend, what I did was embarrassing to the both of us and there's no excuse for how I acted.  I apologize,” he said looking up to her, meeting her professional gaze with his softened one, speaking in a soft voice, “I amreally sorry for what I did and my actions that led up to it.

“With your permission, I’d like to retire to my room for the next few hours and collect myself, as well as finish my paperwork,” he finished.

She softened her expression and let out a sigh.  “Star, are you giving yourself a timeout?”  he nodded reluctantly eliciting an open chortle from her.

“Doctor Star, your request for a timeout is approved.  I'll send for you if your needed.  And I hope to see you for dinner, either way.”

She smiled wide as his ears perked up and his posture straightened.  “Really?” he asked starting to smile.

“Have a good afternoon,” she finished waving to the orderlies.

Two left silently while one stayed and walked closely to the side of Star.  “Well, that was the worst moment of the decade,” Star commented.

“...Which one,” the orderly asked,  “terrifying patients, bursting into the mares room, or being scolded like a foal?”

“Touche,” Star commented with the dry chuckle,  “all the above, but being scolded hurt the most, to be honest.”

00

“Doctor, if I may be so bold; you’re not gonna get her if you keep trying so hard. Just be yourself.”

They stopped before the first checkpoint to leave. “I think I am, that's what's worrying me.”

“Doctor Epic Start,” Star winced at the mention of his name by the security pony behind the first door, “please display your badge. “

“...Oh horse apples!” Star said in surprise, placing his hooves to his head after he looked to his front, “I lost it in the mares room, hurry and get it,” he spoke quickly to his guard.

“I'm sorry, sir, but I can't leave you alone, especially after today's incidents.  We have to follow policy in this matter. “

Star sighed and stood tall. “I know this means little, but I feel the urge to do so.  You know me!  I'm not a level five patient,” he shouted with a pleading look between the guard behind the door and his personal guard before clearing his throat. “Now that that's out of my system, please, lead the way,’ he gestured back along the corridor.

He waited as another orderly approached and stood tightly to his sides and guided him to his temporary room.

Night Wing Assessment

Equestria Ministry of Families, Foals and Mental Health

Intake Report/Initial Assessment

Client Demographic Information

Client: Night Wing

Age: 22

Race: Pegasi

Gender: Male

Nationality: Equestria, Windy Rainbow

Family Demographic Information

From Windy Rainbow, pegasi city currently in transit across western Equestria.

Three member monogamous family; father, mother, son.

Father works as a janitor at the weather factory in Windy Rainbow.

Mother was a construction worker.

Physical Description and History

Black pegasi from nose to tail, mane as well.  Strong and agile.  Graduated third in his final flight test and joined the weather creation logistical board.  Held the position of assistant lead designer for weather patterns for the entire north west of Equestria.

Family History

Mother is dead.  She was ill and fell from Windy Rainbow, a pegasi city that is generally over western of Equestria.

Father is an alcoholic and isn't permitted to fly over 200 hooves (66 feet) high unless ordered to do so by Royal Guard or local leadership; conditional rules apply.

Psychological History

Appears to be stable and loyal to work and career.

Social History

Popular, social, and well liked by his peers.  No arrest or criminal history.

Equestria Ministry of Families, Foals and Mental Health

Client Contact Notes

Oh boy...

        The room was nice, compared to what he’d expected.  The same size as his apartment, nearly.  There was a bed against the far wall with a white patient gown on it and a window against the right wall.  There was an open bathroom to the left with a sink and standard squat toilet.

        With a slight shove from behind he entered the room and trotted to the bed. “Is this the right size?”

        “Just put it on,” he was told.  He rolled his eyes and quickly removed his dress coat with a hint of glee.

        “Ya know, I’ve always prefered to be as Celestia intended us to be,” Star said with a refreshing sigh as he shivered from the colder air against his chest and upper back.  He donned the loose fitting gown and sighed. It was almost too big.

        The orderlies took his clothes and backed out of the room, watching him closely, even as they closed the door.  The light dimmed slightly and there was a loud clunk sound, followed by several gems above the door that began to glow in a random pulsation of lights that cast a light rainbow across the room.

        Star turned to his bed and climbed upon it before looking around the spartan room.  “This’ actually better than my apartment, I get a free rainbow and I’ll be getting three meals until I’m out of here.  Granted, I got three a day anyway, but this’ll be like a nice vacation from everything.

        “Yeah, just a couple nights and I’ll be back to the regular routines of my life.”

        He looked around the room again before hopping to the window and looking out.  A series of hills covered with green grass, wild flowers were speckled all over and the sky was blue with a few well placed clouds.

        He smiled as he looked out through the glass and narrowed his eyes, watching the birds as they flew around the grass.  He noticed a bird appear from the ground three times before he smiled.

        “A magic illusion well enough to trick even the best unicorns; with their magic dampers on they’d never know that there was a spell around the interview rooms, much less a millimeter outside the window.”

        His joyful feeling faded as he took in his surroundings again.  The spartan room designed for safety, the certainty there was a scry spell watching him at the moment, the waiting… It was going to be the worst part.

I know what to do to pass the time.  An age old practice from the ancients that was used, quite effectively, to pass time.  Only the best and most talented can master it, thankfully, I am one of those.

        He laid his head on the mattress that was thinner than he realized and let his eyes close, quickly drifting into sleep.

        A loud buzzer woke him violently from his restful sleep.  He looked around his cell room. The lights had faded, letting the artificial rainbow take dominance of the ceiling and a single pillar of white light shone into the room, broken by the silhouette of a pony’s head.

        “Epic Start, please nod your head to acknowledge you’re awake,” with a frown at his name he nodded, “do you see the pony at the window?” he nodded, “please stand on all four hooves and walk one length forward.”

        Star complied and moved ahead. “Stop.  Turn to the left and stay still after you’ve turned.  The door is going to open, a unicorn will be casting a binding spell on you for a moment so we can enter the room for your safety as well as ours, do you understand?”

        Star nodded and turned. Stood still and waited as he was bound to the floor.  The door opened and four ponies entered the room while the unicorn casting the spell stayed outside the door, watching closely to any movement Star made.

        “Epic Start,” a male from behind his field of vision said sternly, “I am going to place braces on your legs to prevent running, which is frowned upon by the other patients and staff.  Do you understand?  I will be placing them on your rear legs in five seconds, if you buck me, we will use force to restrain you.”

        Several minutes of detailed instruction passed before they slipped a muzzle guard on him and led him from the room.  He was aggravated that they had continued to call him by his old name, however he knew if he were to protest or resist it would elongate the process.

        He was led to a set of heavy white doors that were tall enough for a minotaur to easily walk through which made him more curious of what lay beyond.

        The right door was opened by an orderly on the other side and he was led into a common room.

Oh horseapples.  Oh no.  Don’t they know who I am?

        “Wait,” he protested, “I’m a doctor, I can’t be with these patients, what if one of them recognizes me?  It could be detrimental to their treatment.”

        Without a change in any of their features they pressed tighter to Star’s sides and walked him to the door.  The door opened silently but the several ponies in the room still looked at him as he was led in.

        Each pony was restrained to some level; the pegasi had their wings wrapped to their bodies, unicorns had padded dampers on their horns, and the other earth ponies had muzzle guards.  Each had their legs magically restrained so rearing and bucking couldn’t happen.

The idea defense for any patient or staff member, he thought as his sides were relieved of the pressure from both sides.

        With a few shared words in a whisper the orderlies backed out of the room and left Star with the other patients.

        He found a spot against a wall that seemed to be out of the way and made his way to it before a yellow mare with a mane that looked to be green, but it was cut too short to tell at such a quick glance. in full restraints blocked his path.

        “Hey, you’re new here?  I’m Snow Drop, Hot Water, and Leaf Crunch.  We’re happy to meet you.”

        “And the pleasure is mine as well.  I am Do- Star.  I’m not in the mood to talk right now, but it was very nice to meet you all.”

        “Wait, Hot Water thinks you’re, um, kind of cute.  Wanna talk to her?”

        “No thank you, but I would like that next time we meet since I’m new here.”

        “OH!  I’m Leaf, by the way.  I’ll introduce you!” she shouted happily.  “That’s Shot by the window, he has trainsietply… Oh, Snow says it’s called pangzi-etty, whatever.  Over there is Song, she’s a omni-whore but is mad cuz she can’t eat meat here.  Over there is Chuck.  Yeah, what a weird name.

        “He’s a hyu-mihn, like in that one book of breezy tales, the human that touched the moon; he’s a little weird.  The mirror over there is really a portal to the next dimension where we’re all made from something else.  I’m not stuck in here,” she moved her head from side to side.

        “We’re all free to be our own pony, but we can’t go in there.  Oh, over there is Toffee.  She’s sad, that’s all we know about her.  Not even Snow knows anything about her, and snow knows everything!”

        He looked around the room and shuddered at the list of psychosis he was surrounded by.

Yet, I’m the only one with a bite guard. he thought to himself.

        His gaze locked onto Toffee who was looking at him with wide eyes before he turned away and shuffled as fast as he could to the spot against the wall, whispering prayers that she didn’t recognize him with the muzzle guard on.

        He wasn’t that lucky.

The seed of doubt

        “Doctor Star? What’re you doing in here?” Toffee asked.

        “Uh,” he looked to her and cleared his throat, “would you believe I was abducted?”  She pursed her lips and stifled a giggle, “fine.  I lost my identity badge and they placed me into holding until it gets cleared up.”

        “But, you saw me like, five hours ago…”

        “Yeah, and now I’m… wait, why am I having commons time on my first day?”

        “I don’t know, you’re the doctor.  You’re a doctor right?” she asked raising an eyebrow.

        “Yes, and I’m still your doctor; so anything you want to talk about stays between us, even here.  So, what’s for dinner?”

        She looked at him for a few seconds. “I think it’s salad night.  Mostly heavy greens but maybe a carrot or beet.”

        “Oh, fantastic.  I was hoping for a buffet of gourmet delights,” he said flashing her a smile that was partly obscured by the muzzle guard.

        “Ri-ight, um, Doctor Star-”

        “Just Star, I’m not a true doctor in here so the title doesn’t carry.  Especially on this floor,” he said knowingly as he gazed toward the window and the pony blocking it.  “You know,” he said looking back to Toffee, “only ponies have group commons time.  No other creature we know of does, did you know that?”

        “No, Star.  Why is that?” she asked sitting as best she could in front of him.

        “Because we’re a herd.  Even if we’re not the same family we can’t be alone.  There was a single study done several decades ago into new interrogation methods for traitors to the crown or spies caught in our borders,” he stopped to make sure Toffee was listening.

        “What they found was that dragons were very hard to catch,” he snickered.  “No, that’s true, but the technology was a rare combination of minotaur science and unicorn magic under Princess Celestia’s various advisors.

        “What they came up with was what we only know of as a dark chamber and it caused insanity, which is why everything about it was banned except the tale.  What it did is it blocked the world from the creatures inside.

“They tested it on griffons individually and it took them half an hour to go insane.  Minotaurs took ten minutes.”

        Toffee whispered in a pained voice. “W-why are you telling me this?”

        “We equines, thought.  It took seven minutes for those they tested to literally enter a comatose state.  It took several months for them to return to the world we know,” he said looking around, “and the problems they had…  That’s why we do everything in groups and we don’t realize it.

        “We sleep alone, or do we really?” he asked looking intently, almost pleading, to Toffee.

        “Well, I sleep with a couple stuffed animals; a pony and a birdie.”

        “Ask around, every pony that sleeps alone or lives alone will always have several things they identify as being alive and sentient.  Everypony,” he said narrowing his eyes and lowering his tone, “every. Pony.  Or else we go insane.”

        She smiled at him. “Your logic is nearly flawless, Star,” she said leaning close to him and whispering, “but what about those who are already insane?  Do they need to make friends of the plants or tables?  What do you sleep with?”

        He moved his mouth but his mind was blank.  What did he sleep with?

        “Epic Start,” a voice echoed in his mind.  He felt his ear twitch as he heard his name called again, snapping his face to the offending name.

        “My name is Doctor Star!” he shouted before he realized it.  “I-I’m sorry, I, where am I?” he asked looking around before sighing.  I’m still in the commons room.

“I’m sorry for that, let’s go.”

        He stood and turned to face the door.  The orderlies checked his bindings before pressing their sides to his and walking him to his room.

        He lay on the bed and looked at the wall until he fell asleep again.

        …

        “Doctor Star?  Wake up, please.” He groaned and waved a hoof dismissively at the male voice.  “It’s me, you’ve been cleared to leave,” his orderly stated, poking him again.

        Star smiled and looked over to see his work acquaintance. “It’s nice to see you,” he said as he stretched like a cat, the full body tingle sending a rush of happiness and pleasure to his mind.

        He hopped to the floor and, with a grin, pronked across the room before he reached the door and looked back. “You’re not a hallucination, are you?” he asked with a smirk.

        “If I was you’d never know.”

        “Ah, perfect answer; let’s vacate this floor and have a real meal.”

        “Yeah, first we have to meet Doctor Mend.  Afterwards we’ll get you out of here…”

        “Okay, why’d you trail off?  What’re you looking at?”

        “Oh!  Nothing, sir.  Let’s go,” he stated as he trotted ahead and gestured for Star to follow.

        Several minutes later he was outside the door to Mind’s office.

Finally.  Longest day of the year, he thought.  His orderly knocked and shortly afterward he was sitting on a soft cushion and looking at the mare before him hopefully.

        She sighed and placed her hooves together.  “Doctor Star, I have to admit you-”

        “What?!  I’m not a crazy!  Why in Luna’s name-”

        She held a hoof up to stop him. “...admit you have handled this very well,” she finished and watched him blush, “so I think you’re going to have to leave this floor and have full rights and access again.  Only, don’t lose your badge again,” she said teasingly.

        He sat tall and saluted. “Yes, ma’am.  You’re beautiful… I mean,” he stammered, “thank you.  The work you do is,” he stopped himself and stared at her, “no, you’re beautiful and I’m smitten.”

        “Thank you, I return the feelings, however let’s discuss this while in a better climate and,” she gestured to the large pony by the door with a smile that was looking between the two, “while alone.  Perhaps dinner tonight?  Your room?”

        “That, would be lovely.”

        An hour later he was entering his room on the first floor and sitting by the open window, taking controlled breaths, and enjoying the sight of real nature and the city beyond.

        It was barely noon and for once he wasn’t tired.  He looked around his room and smirked.  Simple creature comforts were a luxury he didn’t know he’d missed… His mind quickly turned to what Toffee had said.

        He looked to his bed and noticed nothing for him to hold and sleep with, yet he still slept alone.

Perhaps I sleep holding the pillow at night?He asked himself before he shook his head and grumbled.

Why’d I have to run into that mare of them all?  She just got into my head while I was in a vulnerable state; don’t play into her game.

        He looked outside again and watched nature.  The wind was calm, the smaller creatures played on the grassy hills, and he could see real smoke from the city beyond.  Something patients wouldn’t bet to see, lest their conditions worsen from feelings of being institutionalized.

        Star laid his chin on the sill and took in every aspect of the world, savoring the freedom he felt.  A thumping knock on the door garnered his attention.

        He trotted to the door and bit the handle, giving a slight pull to unlatch the door. “Ah, my guard hath returned.  To what do I owe the honor?”

        “Sir, you’re scheduled to have a meeting with Night Wing in an hour, and getting through security…” he made a circular motion with his foreleg indicating the known process.

        “Actually no.  Send another in to see him, I am in no mental state to listen to another polical prisoner.”

        “Politcal prisoner?”

        “Yeah, I can’t show you his file, but I can tell you he was an important pony who upset ponies that wanted his job.  You’ve heard his name in the news, right?”

        “Yes, sir.”

        “What kind of insanity would cause a respected career weather pony to suddenly decide that flying to the ground and picking up earth ponies; then dropping them to their deaths would come from?”

        The orderly tapped his chin. “That’s not my area of expertise, sir.”

        “The kind of insanity that would get you in prison or killed, not put in here.  He has friends out there, somewhere, that kept him alive but silent.  What better place to keep a pony that’s dangerous to your career without having to get blood on your hooves?”

        The spark of understanding in the orderlies eyes made Star smile.

        “Exactly.  I come across them a dozen times a year, at least.  I’ll pass on my hypothesis and hope he gets into a lower security field while keeping him safe in here.  Once he gets out, if ever, he’ll vanish.”

        “Th-there are ponies that do that kind of thing?” he gulped.

        “No, but they hire changelings and griffons to do it for them.  Ponies, extremely and only on the rarest of occasions, can kill another pony and even that’s usually by accident.  Accident,” he said again looking to his bed, “alone.  Pony’s aren’t supposed to be alone, so if we kill each other, we’d be alone.

        “Can you imagine being alone for a week?”

        “Uh, kind of.  Part of my training was to spend two days alone in the forest.  It was pretty bad, but at least I had nature around me.  Heh, I even named a bush and would talk with it for hours.”

        Star looked back to the bed. “That’s exactly what I’d expect you to say.”

Why don’t I have that?  I haven’t named anything, not even my tail as a last resort.  What’s happening, why am I so nervous.  Why did I have to listen to her?  I should have pushed her away, not let her whisper her mind tricks.  But, there’s an element of truth to what she said.

        “..tor Star?!”

        “W-what?!” he shouted in reply to the male that shouted his name.

        “Sir, you’ve been staring at your bed for the last thirty seconds.  You seem to be having some type of episode, should I call medical?”

        “N-no.  It’s just that while I was up there, I was alone almost the whole time…”

        “Oh,” he said understandingly, “even for the best trained it can be a harrowing experience.  I’ll inform Doctor Mend while you collect yourself.”

        “Thanks,” Star said turning back to the open window and laid his chin on it again.  He listened as the door closed and nature, in all its glory, waved into his room, lulling him almost to a peaceful sleep while still sitting.

“Your logic is nearly flawless, Star,” he heard her voice echo in his memory, “but what about those who are already insane?  Do they need to make friends of the plants or tables?  What do you sleep with?”

        He shuddered and shut his eyes tightly as he felt himself fall to the floor and his mind ease as sleep embraced him.

Refreshing

        Star woke up to the warm smile of Mind over him. “Miss Jewel, were you watching me sleep?” he said before a yawn.

        “No, I just got here.  You didn’t answer so I let myself in and was about to wake you.  You’re really cute when you sleep.”

        “Thanks, you too.  Wait, that wasn’t right,” he said as she giggled into her hoof, “I mean you’re cute, not about the sleep thing.”

        He rolled to his belly then forced himself up.

        “Well, it’s dinner time and I was thinking of going somewhere out.  Not that I don’t appreciate the food here, but there’s a metropolis and I’d like to show you a real meal and maybe a walk through a park.”

        “Oh,” he blushed slightly and pawed the floor, “I don’t actually have any bits on me.  I save them for when I retire.”

        “Star, you do know it’s traditional for the mare to pay, right?” she said tapping the floor between them to get his attention.

        “Well, yes, however I was raised by stallions who were big into stallionism.”

        “Stallion rights activists?  That’s rare, and now you think you have to pay?  Fine, let’s go Northern Prench and each pay for… oh yeah, no bits.  Let’s compromise,” she offered gesturing for him to go first, “I’ll pay this time, you pay before you leave, that way it’s more of a debt than a date.”

        “A date?” he said stopping suddenly and gasping as she bumped into his flank with a gasp. “I didn’t think of this as a date, oh my.  Um, is everything okay?” he asked looking back to her.

        “Y-yeah, just bumped your cutie mark, you’re fine, right?”

        “Yes, Jewel, I’m great.  A lot of ponies have been looking at my flank lately, is there something wrong with my-”

        “We’d better hurry,” she interjected, “it’s already getting to be busy time and I have a couple places in mind that’ll fill up quickly,” she said hurriedly taking a fast trot ahead of him.

        With a warm smile that turned to a grin he followed her as they made their way to the front; a cart was ready and hitched to a mule for their transport.

        The meal was hot and fresh, the best meal he’d had in recent memory.  The walk through the park was the perfect evening.  He forgot about all of his problems as they meandered through around a lake in the park

        “Miss Jewel, you’re the most refreshing creature I’ve seen in decades.  Outside my work, all I do is sleep and prepare for the next assignment.  The ministry keeps us so busy, the traveling psychiatrists.”

        “Oh, they have those now?”

        “What?” Star asked looking to the mare who’d pursed her lips and was walking ahead like an automoton. “Are you alright?”

        She nodded and blinked several times before she broke the silence. “I’m sorry, Doctor Star, I’ve been thinking a lot and, I just find your methods to be amazing.  How can you get them to open up so well?”

        “Ah, well,” he started as she exhaled a breath of relief, “I just look at their files and put myself into their shoes.  How, exactly, would I react under their circumstances?  What would I feel?  What would I do, and most importantly, who I’d want to tell it to.  I simply become the pony that they want me talk to.”

        “Well, it’s unorthodox but it works.  Perhaps you can submit a study to the journal?”

        “You know I’ve tried, but they always send my clinical reports back citing author discrepancies,” he snorted in frustration, “what am I missing?  Why do they treat me like an inexperienced fool when I’ve dedicated a career and my life to helping ponies?”

        “Please, calm down,” Mind said softly stopping and looking at him.  Her horn alit and he felt a tug on his tail, stopping him.  He looked back to her with a bit of frustration before he saw a certain smile on her muzzle.

        He turned and trotted close to her and leaned in, closing his eyes.

        A few seconds later he felt her press her lips to his and he felt his knees tremble.

        “Wow,” he whispered opening his eyes and gazing into hers, “I can’t remember my last kiss, so I have to say that was the best ever.”

        “There’s more where that came from.  Let me show you to my apartment in town, here.”

        With a heavy gulp he nodded slightly and followed her to finish their walk.

        “Go~od Mo~orning!  Keeping things, orderly? Huh, get it?” Star said jovially nudging his orderly.

        “Uh, yes.  I assume you had a decent night out then?”

        “Sir, a gentlecolt never tells…” he looked around the hall outside his room before pulling the orderly in, “but I’m no gentlecolt.  We had a fantastic time!  The best I think I’ve ever had, oh,” he sighed falling to the cold floor, “oh, I feel like a colt again.”

        “Well, that’s a nice change of pace from your usual self.  What brought this on?”

        Star covered his muzzle and giggled while rolling side to side and kicking his rear legs in joy.

        “...Oh my!  Seriously?!  Mind Mend?  And you?!” he fell onto his flank and looked at the older stallion acting like a colt in love.

        Star rolled to his side and looked at the orderly. “Mister Toes, that is exactly what happened,” he said with a wide grin, “three times,” he tapped the floor thrice as he wiggled his eyebrows.  He fell onto his back and looked to the window, closed and the morning sun bringings life to the world.

        “Not only that,” Star said sighing, “but I had a thought of giving up my job and moving into the city.”

        “Well, let’s not take it too far too fast.  First, you have to cook her dinner.”

        They chuckled. “Yeah, I know the job of a good house husband and I’d have to show her my skills; of which I have none.  And I’m not well versed in practical herd relationships past readings.”

        “I have a lot of experience, and I know she won’t want to be in a herd with you so quickly.  One mare is fun, everyone you add just makes it harder,” Toes advised, “if you choose to be the homer then you have that many plus the foals to care for.  If you work then you have to play a part in scheduling chores and care for each other.”

        “Wow,” Star said, “you’re experienced in this, are you part of a herd?”

        “No, but my parents are part of a multi-herd pasture.”

        Star sat up and looked at the orderly. “Really, now?  How’s that work out?”

        “You mean five families living on the same land in a giant marriage?  It wasn’t bad until the schedules got mixed up; then it’d be a time of trouble for everypony,” he said looking into the distance, “and then there’s the time the mares are in heat,” he shuddered.

        “Hm, perhaps I can ask you for advice when I do start a herd, until then I have to ask something that’s been on my mind and something I’ve been avoiding.”

        “Doctor Star, my name is from a joke a minotaur once told to my mother.  Something about finding a table in the dark.”

        “Ohh,” Star nodded, “Stubbed Toes, now I get it.  I think I’ll just stick to ‘guard’ and ‘orderly’.  I don’t feel comfortable speaking of opposable appendages.”

        Toes smirked and stood up, looking out the window as well. “But you’re comfortable talking about your sex life with a certain stranger?”

        “Touche again, orderly.  However I have a simple belief; always trust a yellow pony.  I’ve never met a bad yellow pony and I don’t think I have yet.”

        “I feel like that’s a bit colorist, but I know what you mean.  Anyway, it’s Friday and your sessions with all your patients are today.”

        Star groaned and placed his hooves to the side of his head. “Sometimes I just want to take a year off, maybe fifty.”

        His orderly laughed. “Yeah, I feel the same way sometimes; these patients can be a lot of work.  But seriously, we have to go and get breakfast and get ready.”

        Star groaned again. “I just want last night to happen again.  Wasn’t there a unicorn that mastered time travel?  Couldn’t she help me?” he asked as he got up again and began to walk to the door.

        “Her name is Twilight Sparkle and no, that’s just a rumor.  Just like the ones where she’s actually Celestia’s daughter, or the one where she took over the world and made us all forget.  There’s another that she’s in a herd with her friends.  Rumors are rumors, sir, don’t believe them.”

        “I heard a humorous rumor that she was, is, a creature from another world that eats magic,” he chuckled, “but the way the world has been in the past year since Nightmare Moon turned back into Princess Luna.  It makes me worry.”

        “Why’s that,” the orderly said as he opened the door and led Star into the hall.

        “Because if they’re going to fight another monster, how many ponies or other creatures are going to flood our system again?”

        The orderly stopped and stared ahead. “Oh, Celestia.  The Nightmare Moon thing flooded us for weeks, what the tartarus?  Why would you say that?  It’s an omen!”

        With a final quiet laugh, Star closed the door to his room and began his day.

Session notes

        “...and that concludes my report on Light.”

        Star looked around the large oak table to the panel of leading onsite therapists and psychologists as he reported his findings.

        “Well done, Doctor Star.  You’ve enlightened us and we agree to your request to lower her from class five to class three.  Under observation and regular therapy she may actually be out in the next year.

        “Now, about Crystal.”

        “Ah, yes.  I had my session with her right before this meeting.  She’s a major case of shell shock.  The horrors she’d endured during her time under Sombra has left her so scared and damaged that I recommend permanent placement in level five.  Under no circumstances is she to be reintegrated into pony society.

        “If it becomes necessary I recommend she be released to a more violent culture such as the minotaurs.  They, actually, may be more able to help her than we are, given her current mindset.”

        “Thank you, we’ll take that under advisement,” a doctor said as the sound of papers shuffling resounded through the room, “next is Lilli.  What’s your report on her?”

        “Ah, classic nymphomaniac with shell shock.  She was born to slave parents under the centaurs.  She was used as a prostitute to pay off debts between houses and watched centaurs perform their sacrificial ceremonies, which occur very often.

        “As a pony, seeing death is enough to break the most stalwart mind; watching it for every full moon, holiday, and personal celebration was enough to send her into a displaced mindset.

        “She was traded to a house that took her to the Equestrian border and let her go without any hope of normal reintegration into our society.  As a result, all she knew and knows is sex and death.  I recommend permanent placement in level five for at least ten years, however she needs to know how our society works.

        “So, I advise you to, under extreme care and with all caution, allow her to visit a park or some other locale where she can watch ponies interact with each other as well as read a book or several while out.  I strongly advise at least two royal guards and several orderlies to be placed around her at all times.

        “In the unlikely event she escapes she will vanish into the shadows.”

        “So, even though she may be the most dangerous pony we have in the building, you suggest we let her out into public?  Thank you, we’ll think about taking it under advisement.”

        A couple snickers could be heard.

        “That concludes this meeting until next friday; thank you all for coming and to Doctor Star, for giving us your recommendations.  Next week I hope to hear more progress.”

        With a nod Star gathered his papers with the other ponies and left the room.

        “Wow, that was effective,” Mind said as she sided with Star as they walked down the second floor hallway toward the stairs.

        “Yeah, now I have a session with Toffee and then I’ll be all yours,” Star winked to Mind.

        “One task as a time, and I know those pills you took are going to keep you out of the game for a few more hours.”

        “Hey, I don’t want a nymphomaniac to see my genitals, only you.”

        “And any pony around when it happens in public?” she giggled.

        “Well, that I can’t help,” he said looking to the floor and blushing slightly.

        “I know, silly colt.  Let’s just worry about Toffee and talk about us later.”

        “Now that’s just like you.”

        “What?”

        Star winked. “Something I can get behind.  Ouch,” he yelped as he was poked, hard, in the ribs, “that might leave a mark,” he scowled looking to where she’s hit him.

        “Then I’ll have to play medical doctor tonight.”

        “Clever girl, very clever.”

        “Enter,” the light pink stallion whispered to Star from inside the room.  Entering, Star stood idly waiting for the mare he was now faced with, again, to give him clearance to go further into the room.

        With a nod she allowed him to enter.  He smiled to see Toffee, tightly bound, sitting on a cushion and looking at the far wall.

        “Toffee, it’s nice to see you again,” Star started, “and it’s not in a commons room,” he joked.

        “What do you sleep with, Star?”

        He stopped and stumbled from his momentum as he looked at her. “M-my pillow.”

        “What’s her name?”

        “Who said it’s a her?”

        “You’re lying,” Toffee said still staring at the wall, unblinking.

        “Yes, I am.  Sorry, it’s just,” he said taking to a quick trot to lay close to her, “I don’t know,” he said quietly, “I don’t sleep with anything but I’ve never noticed.  Why’d you say that?  What are you playing?” he asked harshly.

        She kept her gaze ahead of her and smirked. “I’m just observing a truth that you aren’t being allowed to see.  Let me out and I’ll show you what the truth.”

        “You know I can’t do that, I’m worried for you and-”

        She turned her head to him quickly, stopping him with a warm smile. “If you don’t want to know, just say so.  What I did to myself was stupid and wrong, and I apologize for what I might have said to upset you was wrong.  Let’s have a normal hour and just talk, okay?”

        He cleared his throat and nodded, smiling weakly.  “So, how’ve you been these past few days…”

        “So, that’s my whole life in an apple skin,” Toffee said laying her head down on her forelegs as best she could with the restraints.  She sighed heavily and the corners of her mouth were tugging down slightly.

        “Toffee, it’s okay to feel sad right now.  What you’ve just told me would bring any adult to tears, the fact you’re handling it so well is very reassuring,” Star said placing a hood on Toffee’s head.

        “Thanks you, Doctor Star,” she sniffled.  He let a sigh out.

        “You’re so welcome.  Our time is up, but I like how much progress you’ve made and I look forward to our next session.  Please, stay safe until then, okay?”

        “Oh, thanks to you and the fact you actually listen I love myself more.  I may not love my mark, but I don’t want to hurt myself anymore.”

        Star grinned and stood up. “Fantastic to hear that, I’ll see you in a few days.”

        She waved as he left the room and he noticed the area felt brighter as he was around her.

        “Well, Star? Conclusion?” Mind asked, siding with him as they trotted down the hall.

        “It was a nice session and a lot was covered.  Her missing mothers were helping her to know her cutie mark and when they vanished she lost her mind for a while.  She took it really hard since her herd was shrunk without warning and without answer.  I think it’s safe to say she’s not the genius sociopath I made her out to be earlier.”

        “Oh, wait.  Let me go to the mares room so you can scream that to me there,” she joked and bumed him.

        “Yeah, yeah.  Toes, back there, won’t ever forget that either.  Right?” he asked the pony that was smiling between the two.

        ”Oh yea, that’s already in the mill.”

        “Great,” Star frowned and looked to Mind, “rumor mill… wait!” he snapped his head back to Toes who widened his eyes and shook his head vigorously.

        “What? ‘Wait’ what?!” Mind asked stopping abruptly.

        “Nothing,” both stallions said in unison, “just a joke we shared,” Toes finished, “one that shouldn’t be shared!”

        Mind sighed and looked between the two. “Ah, I was worried it was about our sex life.  I’d hate for everypony to know after only a day,” she said starting to walk ahead before stopping to look back at the slack jawed stallions behind her.  “Don’t think me a fool, silly colts,” she quipped, “I know how you talk about your emotions.”

        “Y-yeah, I forgot she was one of the best in the field,” Toes said.

        “For a second, so did I.  A mistake we shan’t make again, right?”

        “Right,” he agreed.  With a hoof bump then took pace to rejoin Mind on her journey out of the heavy security floor.

Blossoming

        Star felt the warm sun on his face and a foreleg over his chest as he took in the first breath of fresh air that day, a smile crossed his muzzle as he looked over to his right at the white unicorn that was sleeping soundly.

Waking up in a mares bed is, by far, the best feeling in the world… well, second best, he thought with a half grin. And now, mother nature calls.

        Mind groaned as Star moved out of bed and out of the room, down the hall, entering the bathroom as quietly as he could.

I should have put on sandals, I’m clip-clopping like a Zebra.  Wow, now that was racist, he thought as he took care of business.

        “Star?  Star?!” he heard Mind shouting in a near panic as her hooves began to rumble through the apartment calling his name.

        He finished quickly and opened the door to find her.  “I’m here, Jewel, it’s okay, I’m here.”

        He heard her hoofsteps hurriedly approaching him from behind.  He turned around to see Mind, nearly sobbing as she lunged him into a tight hug as she let a torrent of tears and sobs into his neck as he hugged her back, a bit baffled.

        “Jewel, I’m here, it’s alright.  Let it out, I’m here,” he repeated softly for several minutes until she’d calmed down enough to let him guide her back to the futon.

        “I-I’m sorry, I’m really sorry about that, Star.  I just woke up and when I didn’t feel you, see you.  I don’t know what to say, except I thought you’d left.”

        “Jewel, we’ve been together for almost two weeks and I’ve practically moved in with you,” he said laying her down, crossing their forelegs, and resting his head on her neck, “which is too empty, by the way,” he chucked with her, “it’s like you just moved in.”

        “Well, I’ve been really busy and this’ just a place to sleep sometimes.  The ministry pays for it so I really don’t care.”

        “Jewel, since I met you all I’ve done is cared.  More than I can remember and care to.  Since I met you, saw you, your sparkling eyes.  I felt like I was where I should be, and no matter how much I tried I couldn’t fight the infatuation that is now,” he paused for effect, “love.”

        He felt her trembling as she began to cry again.  She lifted her head and looked into his eyes. “Star, I’ve waited so long to hear that.  Please, please don’t leave again.”

        “Again? I’ll let you cast a spell on me so you know where I always am, if you feel you need to,” he said raising an eyebrow.

        “No,” she smiled, “I’m not obsessed or controlling, nor do I have too many abandonment issues, but we all have some in our species.”

        “True that,” he curtly replied.

        “But, when I woke up with you the other day it felt like I was home.”

        “D’aww,” he said blushing deeply, “okay, that’s it.  I have to ,” he said pulling free and winking to her as he dismounted the bed.

        “Wh-where are you going?”

        “...To cook you breakfast,” he said as he left the room.

        “Oh,” she watched him leave and walk down the hall before falling to the bed and moving around until her face was on his pillow.  With a soft moan she let a smile cross her features and with the warmth of the sun on her, she fell asleep.

        …

        “Jewel?” Star spoke softly, watching her sleep and smile when she heard her name. “Jew~el?” he sang.

        “Honey, just a few more minutes.  So tired,” she mumbled as she moved a hoof to shoo him away.

        “I made breakfast and we have to go to work soon.”

        She groaned and frowned. “I’m so tired of work, can’t we just be normal today and,” she yawned and opened her eyes, a large grin graced her again, “hmm, what was I saying again?”

        “Just that it smells great and you can’t wait to try the first meal I think I’ve ever made.”

        “Oh, I doubt that,” she said quickly as she got up and rushed out the door with him following quickly.  “Oh, Celestia,” she said looking at the table setup with breakfast.

        “I guess I know a thing or two about breakfast,” he said proudly as he pushed her closer to her spot on the floor by the table.

        She sat and scooted closer to the table and looked at the steaming meal in front of her.  Scrambled eggs, juice, a pile of sauteed vegetables, a small pile of cubed cheese, and a small bowl of oatmeal with…

        “Really,” she looked at him with a smug smirk, “one raisin as garnish?”  He shrugged nonchalantly as he took a seat opposite her and winked.

        “Well, dig in, we have to leave soon, right?”

        With a nod she began to eat as quickly as she could, savoring every bite of her meal until she’s nearly cleaned her plate.

        ...

        “Yeah, that’s how we start the day.  So,” Mind said pulling the strap on her saddlebags tight before she followed Star out into the hallway of her apartment building, “what’s on the agenda today, Doctor Star?”

        “Well, Doctor Mind Mend,” he said starting down the hall with her close behind, “paperwork, paperwork, and finally, paperwork.  They’re releasing Toffee today but her family isn’t going to come this far to get her.  One of the stacks I have to fill out is transportation for her from here to wherever it is she’s from.”

        “Oh, well you’re great at what you do.  With her being released, does that mean you’re closer to having to return to your own home?”

        “I honestly don’t know,” he said opening the door to the city and letting her exit first, “but I think I can request a transfer here.  Afterall, there’s a lot happening here and I’d love to finally have a hospital to work in, not a nation.”

        “True that,” she replied as she hailed a taxi.  A moment later a yellow stallion pulled up and within the hour they were at Broadhoof, ready to start another day.

        “Good morning, Toes, feeling good today?” Star asked his close acquaintance as they met just inside the hospital. “Mind, I’ll see you for lunch?”

        “Yup, until then, stay you,” she said calmly as she passed and went to the offices.

        “So,” Toes nudged him, “getting along well, eh?”

        “Well, as well as we can, I suppose,” he said turning toward the halls to his room.

        “Sir, you haven’t been in your room all week and it’s obvious to every member of staff, and I mean every, single, one knows that you’re in a relationship with her.  Just admit it, you’re in love,” Toes teased.

        “Nah, it’s not like I made her breakfast this morning.”

        Toes gasped and hoof pumped while Star continued on. “That’s great to hear!  I had a feeling about you two, and I know she’s in good hooves.  So, what’re you going to do today?”

        “Well, mostly be in my room doing paperwork, since I don’t have an office.  I’ll say a farewell to Toffee when I give her the bits to travel back home, but that’ll be the highlight of the workday.”

        “Oh, I see.  I was wondering if you’d like to get a drink.  Maybe some ale or cider?  Beer maybe?”

        “Ick, no cider.  Too sweet.  Maybe some ale.  I don’t like the bubbles in beer.  You know what, sounds like a plan.  Tonight, eight o’clock?”

        “I’d be honored, sir!  Your room then we hit the town,” Toes said enthusiastically.

        “Don’t get too excited, I’m going to be hanging out with you, not pronking for mares.”

        “Understood sir.  Here we are; your workroom,” Toes said with a wink, “see you later and if you need to go anywhere-”

        “Yeah, yeah, call you for safety.”

        “Right.  I’ll be just down the hall, sir.”

        Hours passed before Star spat out his second pencil and growled at the papers in front of him.

I hate this part of my job.  Why can’t we have an easier way to write these stupid things?  Why do we have to use unicornian to write these?  Why do I always ask the same questions?!

        He growled at his train of thought as he let his chin fall onto the desk and a lung long nicker helped him relieve some of his frustration.

It’s almost noon, I’ll go eat with Jewel then say goodbye to Toffee, then, he sighed, back to paperwork.

Truth in Freedom

        Lunch was uneventful.  Two lovers that were able to hide most of their feelings behind professional masks and discussions.  Saying their farewells for the rest of the day Star made his way to the first floor front exit.  There, standing with scars still healing on her cutie marks, was Toffee.

        She was looking at the threshold that divided the small entry and exit way from the gravel just beyond.

        “Trying to find a reason to stay?” Star asked startling the young mare.

        “No, I was thinking of how fragile freedom is.  Are you here to see me off?”

        “Actually, I have some news,” he said stopping a ways behind her.  He knew better than to stand within kick range of a patient.

        “What’s that?  Recommitting me?” she said looking sad.

        “No, and no need to play the games,” he said walking to her side and lowering his voice. “I got you out.  I have the bits you need to get wherever you need to go.  Now, tell me,” he hissed, “what do you know?”  She took the bag of bits and roll of paperwork and put them into her saddlebags.

        A wicked grin crossed her mouth as her eyes narrowed.  She turned to face him and glanced around.  They were, effectively alone. “Where’s your shadow?  The yellow pony I saw you with earlier?”

        “I ditched him, but he’s smart.  Now, tell me.”

        “I don’t have to say anything, doctor.  I have everything I need,” she changed to a warm smile, “see you later,” she chirped as she exited the door.

        “Wait,” he said harshly standing at the threshold and glaring at her as she stopped and turned around, “you will answer me.  What do you know?” he asked in a stage whisper so as to not garner too much attention.

        “Oh, silly stallion,” she pouted looking at him, “why don’t you come and make me tell you?”

        “I will not play such games, girl.  We had a type of deal, you have to pay up.  It’s how it works.”

        “Oh, is it now?”

        “Yes!” he replied loudly.  A little too loudly.  His ears folded to his head and he looked back; no pony heard him. He returned his attention to Toffee. “Please,” he asked, “just, give me something.”

        “I can’t hear you over the wind and birds, come closer.”

        He furrowed his brow and stomped his hoof before snorting and looking behind him.  The halls were still clear of staff, but a patient was walking by.

        “Fine,” he growled as he raised his right forehoof and brought it to the threshold.

        “Well?”

        “I’m coming, just…”

        “Just what?  I’m right here, but I think it’s getting heavy on this hill and I’m being dragged back, uh-oh.”  She took a slow step back.

        “W-wait, j-j-just l-let m-m-me…”

        “Put your hoof out of the door, Star.  I’ll tell you something for every step you take.”

        The offer was more than he could pass up, but he was trembling so much, just trying to take a simple step out of a side door.

        “W-w-w-wh-why’s this s-so h-h-hard?”

        “Not.  ONE. Answer, until you come to me.  Uh-oh, another step back…”

        “S-stop!  I-I’m…”  He closed his eyes tight and felt the blood leave his head and neck leaving a chill through his body.  He felt icy cold blood running through his veins as he forced his step out of the doorway.

        The moment his hoof touched the gravel he felt normal again, except for a lot of tingles running across his skin and a swimming in his vision.

        He looked to see a grinning mare ahead of him.

        He was panting heavily and beginning to sweat, his legs were trembling and he felt a deep sadness inside him as he walked toward her.

        “T-T-To-ffee.  Wh-what?”

        “What’s your name?”

        “D-Doc-tor S-tar,” he stammered through the emotional turmoil he was feeling.  Should he cry or laugh?  Talk or be silent?  Anxiety or enthusiasm?  He couldn’t feel what was right.

        “What’s your real name?” she encouraged.

        “Th-they won’t ch-change m-my n-n-name.”

        “What won’t they change it from?”

        “Epic Start.”

        “Ah, that explains something.  Let me ask you a rhetorical question, Epic,” she asked walking to his side and tapping his cutie mark before spitting into her hoof and wiping it across his flank roughly, “what is that?”

        “M-my c-cut-tie m-mark?”

        “When was the last time you looked at it?”

        He hesitated, lost in thought. “I-I don’t kn-know,” he replied, still trembling.

        “Look now.”

        He looked back and his vision swam again causing him to stumbled sideways. “C-can’t.  D-diz-zy.”

        “You’re not too bright for such an experienced elder stallion.  Lay down and look if you have to.”

        He twisted his head and used the momentum to fall to his right side and looked at the mare before him as his vision clarified.  He turned and looked as his vision swam again.

        “Can’t see.  M-my eyes.”

        “Oh, for Celestia’s sake,” she grumbled as she grabbed his head and forcibly turned it so he could look at his back half.

        His vision cleared and his breath caught in his throat.

        “B-b-b-b-b…”

        “Blank flank, and at your age?  When we first met it was painted on, very well, but still, paint isn’t colored fur.”

        He looked at her with wide eyes and short breaths. “B-b-b-b-b-b-b-”

        “Yes, it’s a great sound, isn’t it.” she commented, “but it’s not a word.  Here’s another question.  How old are you?”

        “F-f-fourty s-sev-ven.”

        “And you’re a blank flank?  Think about it, Epic, where do you live?”

        “H-hoof-ing-t-ton.”

        “Ah, in a house?”

        “Apartment,” he replied.

        “Alone?”

        “Yes.”

        “Yay,” she stomped in approval, “a word without stammering.  Anyway, tell me about your apartment.”

        “N-no.  This h-has n-nothing-”

        “It has everything,” she said softly, placing a hoof to his cheek as he laid his head down. “Now, tell me.”

        “It’s small,” he said as he imagined his place, “about five lengths square.  A room with my bed and a window, a small kitchenette and table, and a door.”

        “Really, now?  Sounds kind of like a small place.  Almost the same size as the cell you stayed in during your day up there.”

        His eyes widened.  It made sense.  He thought hard about his room.  Stone floors.  Why stone in his apartment?  Plywood walls?  Why so cheap?  A metal frame futon and it was… always made when he left the room with his… guard.  A royal guard.  Always at least one.

        “W-what am I?”

        “Oh, Epic Start, don’t you see?” she replied happily, “you’re insane,” his vision swam as the realization washed over him, “more insane than any pony I’ve met, actually.  You see, you actually believe you’re a doctor so deeply that they actually employed you!  Now, that’s a delusion.”

        “B-but…” he felt his eyes watering, “what about Jewel, or Toes, or anypony I know?”

        “Well, if I had to ask; what’s your relation with-”

        “Da--  I mean... Doctor Star, are you okay?!” Toes shouted galloping out of the hospital, “What happened?  Why’s he out here?”

        “Play dead,” she said quickly donning a worried face.

        “I don’t know,” Toffee replied panicking, “he was saying goodbye and walked out with me then fell over.  Is he okay?”

        “I-I don’t know, I have to get mom.  I’ll be right back,” Toes shouted in a panic galloping back into the hospital.

        “And now we know, don’t we?”

        Epic sobbed softly as he kept his eyes closed and forced himself up. “I-I… What do I do?  Please, help me.”

        She smiled.  “Well, I guess you’re with me now.  Follow me, I have a ride.”

        “Wh-what?  Th-th-”

        “Shut up and follow me, it’s time to go.”

        She galloped ahead and down the path around a corner.  He stumbled and began a quick trot which turned to a gallop, nearly running into a cab being pulled by a green pegasus.

        “Get in, we’re leaving in style,” she grinned, tapping the open seat next to him.  He got in and held on as the pegasi took to the air, shouts from behind them, one of Mind Mend, as he grit his teeth and let his past go.

        “I h-have to won-on-der, if this’ my first time ever l-l-leaving.”

        “Perhaps,” she shouted as the wind rushed by, “but who knows?  Who cares?  You’re out here now, just live!” she screamed happily opening her forelegs and embracing the wind.

Freedom in Truth

        “Stub, I know we’re close.  I can sense his magic signature.  He’s so close,” Jewel shivered in the cool fall air as they disembarked the train.

        “Bleh, Prancing-Trot, what a hamlet.  Like, Ponyville but worse,” he commented as he gazed around.  The homes were one story, thatch roofed, and had plank wooden doors.  He stepped closer to his mother and smiled as her horn lit; a warming spell washing over them both as they proceeded off the platform and toward town.

        “Population four hundred.  One of them has to know something, anything, about him.  And her.”

        “Mommy, don’t be mad.  You aren’t you when you’re mad; we need you to focus.  Once we find him and get him back to his room in Hoofington Asylum, his mind will reset, again,” Stub said dejectedly, “and we’ll have him back.”

        “I know, thank you for reminding me.  Even as a real psychiatrist I’m not immune to emotions.”

        “That’s why you’re a great mother; you care.”

        Jewel chuckled. “Yes, most good ones do.  However, right now I have to focus.  He’s in the city, just have to get a clue.”

        “Yes, mother.”

        They entered town and went to the tavern to ask for information.

        “Sorry, no new ponies ‘round these parts fer a few months now, ‘cerp fer travelers like y’all.  If’n I meet any, I a’member ‘em.”

        “Well, do you know a pony named Toffee Brule?”  Stub asked.

        “Ah, thur’s a name I ain’t heard in a while.  Eeyup,” the bartender said picking up a clean glass and beginning to wipe it for effect, “her kin done moved ta another city few years back leavin’ her the farm to ‘er lonesome.  Just north ‘a town by an hours trot then east for half.  Fancy a drink be’fore ya go?”

        “No, thank you.  We’ll graze if we need to on the trek.  Thank you, sir,” Jewel said dropping a bit on the counter, “for your troubles.”

        The bartender grinned a smile, missing several teeth. “M’lady.”

        “Mother, let’s go.” stub whispered as he nudged her. “I’m not comfortable in such a rustic setting.”

        “Oh, grow up,” she scolded him, “this’ a vacation and you’re going to enjoy it or you can go home and sob into your pillow.”

        “M-mother,” he gaped looking at her.

        “Oh, plenty of ponies do.”

        “Reckon she’s right, colt.  Just accept it.”

        “Y-you stay out of this,” Stub huffed and stomped a few times as he walked away before exiting the establishment.

        “Well, I’d better go after him.  I’d love to have a drink before I leave town though, it’s a promise.  If I’m not back by tomorrow at noon, send a pony to get us at their farm, okay?” she said with a warm smile and six more bits on the counter.

        “M’lady, you’re too kind.  I’d have done that for two, but I accept yer request.”

        “Thanks, I’ll see you soon,” she said happily as she turned to leave.

        “Stub, that was very good acting back there.”

        “Indeed, did you manage to get our emergency contact?”

        “Oh, that wasn’t difficult.  Six bits and if we don’t return he’ll send a pony to find us.  Knowing him it’ll be a deputy or some official, he’s not stupid; just looks that way.  I’ll leave the clue outside the front door.”

        “Ah, yes,” he shivered,” the blood splattered coat,” he said looking to his saddlebag.

        “Well, let’s go.  Two hours and we may see him again.”

        “Yes, mother.  I hope so, I miss him so much.”

        “Well, you are near him nearly every waking hour,” she replied.

        “Even though he doesn’t remember me…”

        “He still loves you, and me.”

        “Mother,” Stub asked as they started down the path, “what’s it like for you?  Does it still hurt when he relapses and forgets you?”

        “Not as much anymore,” she replied with a thoughtful smile, “you see, every couple months we end up in love again.  It’s a great feeling to share over and over.”

        “I see,” he said as silence befell them.

        “Here we are, I think.  We should have asked what they farmed.  Don’t suppose there’s a toffee farm in Equestria somewhere?”

        Stub laughed. “No, reckon dey ain’t know’n wat a candy furm iy’s.”

        Jewel looked to him and frowned. “Don’t mock the locals, they may save our lives.”

        “Sorry, mother.”

        “Forgiven, now let’s check the area.  Maybe they’re outside.”

        “And maybe they’ll see us from a window.  Let’s just go to the front door.”

        “Fine, I’ll lead the way,” she said as they began to trek toward the farmhouse.

        Knocking loudly they waited for a response.

        “Hello?  Who’s out there?”

        “That’s her,” Jewel whispered.  “Traveling salesponies, may we come in?”

        The door clicked and opened slowly.  When Toffee saw the two she grinned and opened the door wide. “Oh my gosh!  I’m so glad you finally came, we’ve been waiting for days to see you.  Come in, come in,” Toffee trotted out and pushed them in, closing the door and locking it behind them.

        A cold chill was in the house, however the entry was was bright and inviting.  Cleaned almost methodically with a run of stairs leading up, each step was polished to a nearly new finish.  They noticed Toffee was wearing a dark blue tunic, probably to stay warm in the chilly inside air.

        “House rules, no metal horseshoes; please put these on.”  Two sets of warm soft boots were tossed in front of them as she hurriedly left the entryway.

        With a shrug Jewel and Stub slipped on the boots over their hooves and waited, with guards up, for Toffee to return.

        Toffee returned with a bright smile and a small bundle of wood on her back. “Follow me, I’ve been saving this for when you’d arrive.  It’s so chilly and we have a lot to discuss.”

        “No, we have to know where Doctor Star is?”

        “Doctor?  You mean Epic?  He’s fine,” she nodded, “he remembered everything and told me so much!  Have you ever listened to him talk?” she asked as she began to happily walk into what seemed like a den as the two followed her, “he can go on for hours and it’s all so interesting.”

        “Yes, I understand your interest with his condition, however-”

        “And he went beyond the veil!  Can you believe it?  He told me what he saw,” Toffee set the bundle of wood down by the fireplace and began the process of starting a fire to warm the room, “the horrible beauty of the world beyond.  I’ve already planned a trip following his path,” she looked back to the two ponies, “with him.”

        Stub frowned and lowered his head, spacing his forelegs further apart. “If you think you’re going to foalnap my dad you’ve got another thing coming.”

        “Foalnap?  Colt, what’s your name again?”

        “Stubbed Toes.”

        “That’s right,” Toffee looked back to the fireplace as she began placing wood into it, “the son that always guarded his father.  What’s it been now, since he left you?”

        “Shut. Up.”

        “Stub, honey, you need to calm down,” Jewel said softly, calming the upset stallion by her side.  “Please, forgive my son, he’s very protective.  What we’d like, more than a story, is to see my husband.”

        “You mean Epic?  I’m not stopping you from seeing him, he’s busy.  He said he’ll be out and back shortly so he’ll be so happy.  We have some great news for you,” Toffee said turning and grinning happily.  “And no, we’re not starting a family.  We’re not that kind of friends.”

        “So, what kind of surprise do you have, then?” Stub asked.

        Toffee lit a match and tossed it into the fire before getting up and trotting to them. “He’s free to tell you himself.  I shared my secret with him, he shared with me.  It’s almost like we were meant to find each other; to help each other fulfill our destinies.  Or, rather,” she reached and touched Jewel’s neck softly, “begin them.”

        With a shake of her head Jewel pushed Toffee’s hoof away. “And what the hay does that mean?  Where is he?  Have you hurt him?”

        “Oh my, such hostility, Doctor Mind Mend,” she winked, “I’d suggest a session but we’re a bit out of the way for a house call.  Let’s just sit and enjoy the fire in silence until her gets back, okay?”

        With a glance between each other they all moved closer to the fire and laid on their bellies to wait.

        The door clicked open and a draft of icy cold evening air rushed into the farmhouse. “Toffee, I’m back.  I remember it all!  It happened while I was working, the memories are back!  I remember,” he stopped speaking for a few seconds before he entered the room wearing a light brown cloak that covered his body.

        “JEWEL!  STUB!  I remember you,” he shouted, galloping to them and  tackling his son. “I remembered it all a couple days ago.  It was like a waterfall.  The past twenty eight years, lost to the veil.  But, I’m free now.  My mind is my own again,” he said grinning to Jewel.

        “Epic, I need to know what’s happened,’ Jewel said firmly.

        “Oh, don’t play doctor with me,” Epic replied quickly as he helped Stub up, “I know the game and the rules.  Gah, where are my manners,” he said tapping his hoof lightly.  The boots he’d slipped on softened the sound.

        “Oh, that’s right!  Tea, snacks, stories,” Toffee said happily as she trotted out of the room.

        Jewel and Stub leaned in and pulled Epic into a huddle. “What the hay? You have to come with us and get back home.  You need help and so does she.”

        “Jewel. I remember my apartment too well.  The years I’d slept, waiting for the next assignment,” he started pulling from the huddle and squatted. “I remember every few months I’d meet you and we’d work together.  I’d always fall in love with you and we’d make love,” Stub rolled his eyes.

        “We’d spend as much time as we could until I’d leave and try to find something,” Epic said, “but Toffee showed me.  She showed me the truth of what I was missing, how to make it mine, and what to do with it.”

        “That’s very, poetic, but I insist we leave before it gets too late,” Stub said calmly.

        “After tea and snacks.  Then I’ll show you a huge surprise!  Don’t you want to see what helped me to become sane again?”

        “Sanity is fleeting, dear.  We have to talk about this in private.  Let’s just,” she stopped suddenly as Toffee reentered the room with drinks on her back and a tray on her head with various bite sized vegetables on it.

        “Here ya go.  I’ve kept this kettle full and hot for the past three days.  The tea might be a little stale but it’s still good.  Come, come, be good guests and drink up.”

        Jewel let her magic pour tea for the four of them while Epic wasted no time in eating several vegetable pieces with loud crunching.

        Tea set before them all on the floor they began to detest the silence that permeated the room again.

        “Well, drink up, I’ll get some dip,” Toffee offered as she got up.

        “Wait, I got some cream that’d go great with those crackers you bought earlier,” Epic said to Toffee before turning back to Jewel and Stub. “I’ll be right back.  Don’t start without us, okay?”  He didn’t wait for a response before he hopped after Toffee shouting about where the plates were.

        “Stub, what do you think?”

        “I think this’ the weirdest day of my life.  Let’s just keep pressuring them to let him leave with us and eventually they’ll relent.  If he remembers everything then he knows how much we love him.”

        “Yes, another thing is that he made sure to get my favorite tea,” Jewel said leaning close and sniffing the aroma deeply.  With a sigh she smiled. “Just perfect.  What?  I can smell, just not drink.”

        Stub shrugged and leaned in, taking in a deep breath of the tea’s scent.  A smile crossed his muzzle.

        “That’s really good smelling stuff.  Maybe just a lick,” he said looking over to his mother who was sipping from the top of the cup, carefully.

        With another shrug he sipped some as well.  It tasted so good, better than any tea he’s had before.  He grabbed the cup by the rim in his teeth and drank it empty in two swallows.  He heard a scrambling sound and looked over to see his mother trying to get the pot.

        “Hey!” he shouted lunging for it, spilling some tea.  He felt a primal urge and before he knew it he was slurping the tea that spilt off the floor.  A moment later he was fighting with Jewel over the teapot and the liquid it held inside, suddenly they felt nauseous and dizzy before they lost consciousness.

Madness

        “Wakey, wakey,” Epic’s voice echoed through the room.

        “Wake up, we have to show you the surprise before we leave,” Toffee’s voice resounded.

        Jewel stirred and opened her eyes to a dim lit room, she was in a cage of sorts, her head was throbbing with a migraine the likes she’d never had before and she felt a bandage across her head.

She looked around through lidded eyes and smelled the air.  Damp, musty, cool.  A cellar?  There was a light from behind the two madponies, but not too bright as to block who they were, and a small lamp dangling from the ceiling in front of their cells, just bright enough to light half their cells in a dim, flickering, illumination.

        Toffee clacked her hoof on the floor once to get Jewel’s attention. “It’s the old farm cellar that was converted to be a punishment room when I was a filly,” Toffee started, “it wasn’t made for me, that’d be too cliche.” she said tossing her shortened mane.

“Father read a book about separating ponies from their families to teach them to behave; so he used this old cellar; at first it was for mommy.  Then mommies.  Then he put in my brothers.  Soon, he and mommy’s Gem put in bars,” she said tapping the steel rods, “to keep us separate in here.

        “I spent too much time down here with my mothers, sisters, and brothers… and alone,” she said softly leaning closer to Jewel, “wake him,” she said in a deeper, more commanding voice.

        “Now,” Epic ordered.  Jewel winced and looked at Epic’s face.  Green fur covered his body, but the look in his eyes made him seem darker, almost as though the cloak had nearly absorbed him, turning him into a bark brown.  She looked ever to see Stub still asleep in a cell next to hers. “Wake him up, honey.  Quickly, time’s running out.”

        With a quick motion Jewel got to her four hooves before yelping. “Celestia damnit,” she cursed, “my head.”  She was wincing with every heartbeat as her head throbbed for the few paces she needed to get to the bars and reach to poke him with the tip of her hoof.

He grumbled before he finally, groggily, sat up until he saw his father standing next to Toffee.  His rage flared before he could take in his surroundings.

        “You bucking nag!  Let us out and let him go or I’ll break you legs and defecate on you,” Stub shouted before grunting and holding his head as a sharp pain ran through it.

        “My, what harsh words.  You don’t have that much rage in you, not even I do.  That level of anger isn’t becoming such a bright colt such as you, you should focus more on helping your dear, sweet, mother.

        While Toffee was talking Jewel had began to list side to side, her vision focused on the light above them.  She felt nauseous.  Very nauseous.  She leaned over and began throwing up, her head throbbing to the point she cried between retches.

        “M-mother, are you okay?  I can’t see too well,” Stub said looking to the two shadowed figures out of his reach, “please, can’t you help her?  Please, dad.  She’s sick.”

        “No, son.  You’re sick,” Epic said flatly.  “I finally see and understand the world.  I found myself thanks to Toffee, and I know that the world is sick to its core.”

        Jewel wanted to retort but she couldn’t stop crying from the stinging pain in her stomach and her throbbing head, her vision swam and she felt her legs trembling, threatening to give way and let her fall into the growing pile on the floor.

        “Oh, Epic.  She’s so cute.  She’s purging the poison from her spirit, just like the other one did,” Toffee said resting her head on Epic’s neck.

        “Get off -urg- my stalli-urk-...”

        “I’ll always be your stallion, Jewel of my life,” Epic said turning to the side, “but I have a new lease on life.  You see,” he said lifting the cloth to show his flank.

        After Stub gasped there was near silence in the room, save for Jewel’s heavy shuddering and breathing, both cages ponies were staring, dumbfounded at what they saw.

        Toffee trotted to the other side and faced the opposite direction, their rears close as she lifted her tunic and showed her flank.

        “Y-y-you… monster,” Stub whispered in shock.

        “You see, my son,” Epic said covering his flank again with a wince, “I was a blank flank and she hated her mark.  So we traded.  Sure,” Epic said looking to his wife who was nearly lost in pain and shock from what she had seen, “it hurt at first.  But once she’d sewed hers onto me I felt it.

        “I felt my destiny come to light, finally.  Ever since I passed through that veil and lost my mark I was lost, but, with Toffee by my side, I can fulfill my destiny.

        “With a little training from Toffee here, I was able to learn to end an impure life in the most honorable way possible to the one that needs it,” he gestured to the far wall.  A silhouetted lump was there that he trotted to.

        “D-dad, what’re you talking about?  Please, let us out.  Mom’s sick, Toffee is crazy, don’t let her use you.  Don’t leave us like this.”

        With a heave he tugged something; a stomach turning sucking sound, followed by a dull pop, resounded through the room.  He trotted closer to them and spat something to the floor, just inside Stub’s cell.

Stub looked at it and yelped, scrambling back and screaming through closed lips at the blue unicorn horn that was laying, with sinue and brain still attached, just inside his cell.

        “It took me three of these diseased ones to learn the right way.  All I have to do, is take away their magic and they realize the truth,” Epic said staring at the horn, partial congealed blood still attached to the base.

        “And I learned on mother’s Gem,” Toffee squeed, beginning to prance in place with excitement, “first I practiced on a few dogs and cats, but they we’re the same.  They weren’t cursed with the mark of impurity on their bodies,” she said pointing to the horn on the floor.

        “She showed me on this mare, a yellow unicorn,” Epic said winking to Stub, who winced as he pressed into the corner away from the horn on the floor.

        “Y-you’re going to pay, Toffee,” Jewel said as she moved away from the puddle on the floor and laid down, giving her legs a rest.

        “I’m sorry, dearest, but I have to cure you,” Epic said as a sick grin crossed his face as he spoke calmly, “we’ve already started the purification process, we must simply pluck it from it’s roots, then, my dear wife, you’ll be pure.”

        The fear the crossed her face was unspeakable.  Her body began to tremble as Toffee approached her cell.

        “Stay away from her!  If you touch a hair on her mane I’ll kill you!  I’ll KILL YOU BOTH!” Stub screamed as he leapt toward the bars and rammed them with all his strength.  They moved slightly but not enough.

        “Oh, daddy did his research and made the bars wiggle so they absorb hits better.  I doubt  even a royal pegasi guard could get out.  Now,” Toffee hummed as a wicked smile crossed her, “to finish purifying the wicked.”

        A moment later, Epic pulled a lever and the bars moved up two inches out of the floor, enough for the bars to swing freely.

        “The worst part is sealing the cage without magic.  But, as the chosen tribe, we’ve found a way for almost everything.

        “Dad!  Don’t let her do anything, please, she’s sick!”

“I’m sorry, but you’re both too sick to be let out and contaminate the world,” Epic said, “it starts with magic abuse,” he said turning back toward Toffee and walking past her.

        “Then it goes to dependency and abuse of the aether.  Then before you know it, your whole life is about magic. Earth ponies like us are the true tribe who will inherit the world while the wicked,” he picked something in his mouth and turned to approach the cells.

        “Will be punished, raked across the ground and made in the image of the true tribe; to create one race, under one deity, for all times.”

        “Do it, your freedom is right there, Epic,” Toffee encouraged pointing to the white mare that was scooting back, fear crossing her face and tears streaming down her face.  She was shaking her head, slightly.

        “P-p-please, don’t hurt Stub…”

        “She knows what’ll happen, look at her, there’s no talking her way out of this and she knows it,” Epic told Toffee matter of factly, “she won’t say anything defensive and she knows escape is futile.  She’ll cooperate, because she knows what you’ll do to our son.  Right, love?”

        With a whimper, Jewel nodded in acknowledged.

        Epic walked through the waving bars and placed a hoof to his wife’s face. “Jewel, you’ve always been by my side.  You’ve always been there to watch me and keep me safe through my insanity.  And no matter how many times my mind wiped itself; I always fell in love with you again.”

        He pursed his lips and began to lean in to kiss her head.  She sobbed heavily, expecting a kiss goodbye, maybe before he snapped her neck or stabbed her.

        She felt her husband grab her other cheek and pulled her head down, followed by a vicious pain that nearly sent her into unconsciousness.  The sound of her son screaming turned into a quiet hum as she felt her body hit the floor and suddenly; she felt empty, but happy.

        As a tear left her eye she smiled, “Mng-Y, thehdak, gun.”

        “Yes, Jewel, your headache is gone.  Good job, now you’re pure.  You’re one of the true, chosen, tribe.  You’ll live a long, happy, pure life now.”

        With a kiss above her eye, Epic left the cell and placed her rooted horn into his cloak pocket. Patting it twice as he turned to leave, climbing a run of old, rickety wooden stairs.

        Toffee quickly entered the cell and pulled a small medical kit from her saddle bags, hidden under her tunic and quickly applied a sterile gauze pad to the open hole in Jewel’s head to slow any further blood loss and cover her exposed brain matter.

Then, she turned and wore a warm smile as she looked at the terrified earth pony in the eyes before following Epic up the stairs, who was waiting for her patiently.

“Son, you’ll be free by lunch tomorrow and soon, you’ll know the joy of being the true race...”

        “In a new world,” Epic and Toffee said in unison as the door shut.

        The last thing they heard was the sound of Stub beginning to vomit as they turned and, sides pressed together, walked away.

Light Blood Assessment 1

Equestria Ministry of Families, Foals, and Mental Health

Intake Report/Initial Assessment

Client Demographic Information

Client: AKA 'Light Blood' (Real name Unk)

Age: Appears to be early 20's

Race: Pegasi

Gender: Female

Nationality: Equestria - Hoof Falls, area of detainment

Family Demographic Information

Unknown at time of this report.

Physical Description and History

Female pegasi, coat color is a solid azure blue.  Her tail is white with a single yellow stripe off center.  Hair is buzz cut short for safety.  Met with her in standard interview room at Broadhoof Mental Asylum.  She was wearing a standard type P restraint jacket; wings fully restrained, appeared to be slightly deranged and distant.  She is reported as being a biter and has a muzzle guard in place.

Family History

Unknown at time of this report.

Psychological History

History is unknown, however the reason for admittance is that she was found by building maintenance, in her apartment, sleeping with a severed lamb's leg in a bathtub containing dried blood.  The blood was not hers.

The lamb has not been found or reported missing and patient refuses to discuss the dismemberment with current psychological staff.

Social History

She is reported to be friendly and outgoing by peers and neighbors and the events that led to her actions are still a cause of shock to those that knew her.  No known partners, mates, or intimate relationships.

She has been institutionalized since the seventeenth day of the first month, Spring, 1001 PNM

Equestria Ministry of Families, Foals and Mental Health

Client Contact Notes

Toffee Brulé Assessment

Toffee Brulé Assessment

Equestria Ministry of Families, Foals and Mental Health

Intake Report/Initial Assessment

Client Demographic Information

Client: Toffee Brulé

Age: 18

Race: Earth Pony

Gender: Female

Nationality: Equestria - Prancing-Trot area

Family Demographic Information

Family is born and raised in Equestria.  Various areas.

Traditional polygamist family.  Patient has one father, five mothers, two of which are missing.

Five brothers and two sisters; all live with each other in a house in southern Vanhoover suburbs.

Physical Description and History

Average height and slightly underweight.  Cinnamon brown coat, her muzzle is a lighter brown.  Black tail and mane.

Cutie mark received at age eleven , talent in balancing.  Reported as disliking her talent and having attempted to forcibly remove her cutie marks several times through the past nine years.

Hospitalized on numerous occasions for self harming herself through various means including attempting magic rituals to change her destiny, attempting to run away to the Everfree Forest on two separate occasions to find 'a witch' to make a deal with, as read in Grahms Fairy Tails' stories.

On one occasion she attempted to forcibly cut her cutie marks from her own body, stopping only because neighbors heard her screaming and intervened.  Parents were on a family retreat; siblings were at morning school.

Family History

Close herd family; standard polygamist.

Father; Command Standard - Royal Guard sergeant, Earth Pony

Mother; Night Breeze - Homemaker, Earth Pony

Mother; Rose Red - Farm worker, Earth Pony

Mother; Rain Water - Weather team, Pegasus

Mother; Crystal Gem - Missing, report filed with Royal Guard.   Unicorn.

Mother; White Gem - Missing, report filed with Royal Guard. Unicorn.

Five brothers and two sisters; listed on reverse of page.

(note)

Very high ratio of colts to fillies in this herd, recommend interview with father for history, perhaps his line can balance the genders some.

Psychological History

Depression, suicidal, and self harming are serious issues that stem from something that lies deeper than her apparent distain for her cutie mark.

Social History

Very extroverted and supportive of friends and family in nearly any safe endeavor.

Refuses help in terms of her life skills; even if they are outside the bounds of her cutie mark.  Refuses to find any other skills or abilities, only wishes to change her cutie mark.

Equestria Ministry of Families, Foals and Mental Health

Client Contact Notes