The Doctor's Savior

Now…

“-Starswirl's Mystical Trinkets and Artifacts.” I read the cover before slipping it back in it’s place in Twilight’s castle library. A bored expression on my face. I picked up another book with my magic and read it. “History of Equestrian Mystical Creatures.” I placed it back in it’s place once more.

Next to me were a huge stack of books of which I’ve read and reread over for the umptenth time.

“Groves and Treasure Troves Vol. One-” Put it up. “-Vol. Two, and Vol. Three.” I sighed.

Sweet Celestia I was bored out of the wazoo!

“Hey, Mystica.” Spike waltz in, his voice getting deeper. He was almost as tall as the door as he entered. “Need a claw?”

“I’m good.” I told him casually.

For many years I’ve been showing up in Twilight’s Castle, scouring her library, borrowing her books, I quickly became accepted here, seeing Twilight and her friends occasionally. Starlight too when she comes over from the Crystal Empire.

“Where’s Princess Twilight?” I asked him then.

“Canterlot, something about Royal Summit. I decided to hang back with the boys.” Spike said, looking up at me.

Yes, I mean looking up at me, as I was fifteen feet above his spiky head, levitating a the large stack of books at the same time.

“Lemme Guess, playing that silly game?” I smirked. Ogres and Oubliettes was a RPG table game the boys play. Dinky and I used to play when we were fillies but ya know...we grew up.

“Hey, it’s not silly when Discord is playing.” Spike chuckled. “You know, Big Mac’s sick, so we’re down a player. You wanna join us?”

“Hmm, playing a game with a teenage dragon and a draconequus? As much fun as it sounds, I have dinner plans with Ditzy and Dinky Doo.” I said as I continued to put books up.

“Don’t you have dinner plans with them every night?” He raised an eye. “I know Ditzy had took you in as her Foster Daughter, but you can have a life outside of them.”

“What does that suppose to mean? I have a life.”

He folds his arms, claws dancing on his bicep. “You’ve read all these books a million times since you were a filly, your magic is practically the same level as Starlight’s and yet you’ve decline on going to Celestia’s Magical Univercity, even after Twilight offered full exclusive if I may add.”

“That’s because i’ve read everything there is to read and learn in the Canterlot Library and plus, what’s the point of learning something I already know.” I told him annoyed.

“You have every opportunity to become the greatest unicorn there is.”

I sighed before flying to his eye level and pointed at my flank. “You see this? What do you see that is missing?”

Spike’s eyes drifted to my flank. “Um...your cutie mark?”

I nod briefly. “Yes. My cutie mark. If you haven’t noticed...I haven’t gotten mine! Who’s going to take me seriously if I don’t have a cutie mark?” I sighed and levitated back to the books.

“Have you talked to the CMC again?” He asked me.

“I had...five times.” I muttered, my ears drooped in embarrassment. “Best three ponies around Equestria to help discover my destiny...even they couldn’t find it.”

“Aw c’mon Mystie,” Spike smirked. “Everypony around here takes you seriously. Twilight especially. Look, a cutie mark will come when you least expected. The CMC are prime example of that.”

“You can say that, but you don’t have one.”

“That may be, but you have so much potential, don’t let your blank flank get in the way.” Spike smiled. “Just come and play Ogres and Oubliettes with Discord and I tonight. Who knows, you might have fun.”

I sighed softly and gave Spike a small smile. “Okay, I’ll play.”

“Sweet!” Spike said excitedly. “I hope your avatar is as awesome as Garbunkle and Captain Wuzz.”

“Hope ya’lls is as awesome as Lady Nightswift.” I said as i turned back to the books.

“So you have played, that’ll make things easier. What class and level is she?”

“Level Maxed Assassin.” I said as calm and cool as I can be as I put more books nicely in their place.

That dragon gulped. “Well...see you later tonight then!” He said before quickly leaving.

Shaking my head. Well, this night will be fun.

Night quickly rolls around, after telling Dinky and Ditzy that I wasn’t going to join them, I returned to the castle. Strolling down the crystaled hall, my tail dragged along the floors as I made my towards the main hall.

As I got to the doors, I couldn’t help but overhear the commotion that was happening.

“What do you mean Big Mac is sick?!” The sound of a new pony shouted through the doors. “We can’t play without him!”

Discord, I guessed.

“Aw c’mon Discord, Mystie is a good friend. Let her fill in for Mac for one night.” Spike said, vouching for me.

“I rather play with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.” Discord humphed stubborn.

“Rainbow Dash is away on Wonderbolt Duty and Pinkie is busy with orders. Besides, she’s not new to this so she’s able to play.”

Rolling my eyes, I used my magic and opened the doors and entered. “Hey Spike.”

Inside with the teenage dragon was a draconequus. I knew that name sounded familiar, he was THE Discord. Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony.

Discord turns his head completely around and faced me. His weird eyes narrowed at me. “Who’s she?”

Spike sighed. “Discord, this is Mystica. She’s going to be playing with us for the evening. Be nice.” He grunted.

Discord grumbled before teleporting in front of me. “Nice to...meet you.” He gritted his teeth. Then he blinked, his head came unattached and floated really close to me. “You look very familiar.” He said, circling his head around me. “Have we met before?”

“You probably seen her around the castle.” Spike chimed in, not even surprised by Discord’s powers.

“No, not around here…” He sniffed me then as his head came back on his body. “I feel like I’ve meet you personally before.”

I raised a brow. “Um, this is the first time we met.” I told him confused.

“You sure?” He asked, stroking his goatee. “I do feel like we’ve met before. But where?”

“Are we going to play or not?” Spike asked annoyed.

“Right.” Discord said, snapping his claws, teleporting both of us to the table. I ended up sitting at Twilight’s chair while Discord sat in Fluttershy’s chair and Spike was sitting in Rarity’s chair. “So, Mystie, what is your character?”

Using my magic, I dug into my saddlebag and pulled out my avatar picture that I redrew on Dinky’s and I game. It was my Lady Nightswift, wearing a white hooded robe with red accents, brown tunic, wearing stylish boots that were meant for sneaking and blades floating around me using my magic.

“Ooh!” Spike gawked. “Yours look kickass!”

I chuckled softly. “Why thank you. She has to be.”

“Hmm, I’ve seen better.” Discord said, crossing his arms together.

I looked at their avatars; Spike’s was cute, Discord’s...his was okay I guess. Kinda weak though.

The draconequus cracked his fingers before suddenly the reality around us started to changed. Surrounded by large game pieces from the game, the roads lined up with playing cards and dominoes.

When I realized what happened, I looked down at my hooves and noticed I was wearing an exact replica to my Lady Nightswift’s digs. I used my magic and levitated my many daggers and short blades and grinned. “Sweet!”

“Wow!” I heard Spike’s voice. I turned around and stopped. The dragon had on a robe and hat that looked similar to Starswirl the Bearded - he even had a beard - and a large staff. I could see his green eyes eyeing at him.

“Hey,” I motioned him to look at me. “Eyes up here, bro.” I couldn’t hide the smirk i had from looking at his costume. He looked ridiculous.

“Alright,” then Discord floats in. Wearing a green tunic, carrying bows and quivers, long flowing blonde hair. Okay, HE looked ridiculous, Spike looks cute. “Let’s get going, Garbunckle.”

“Will do, Captain Wuzz.” Spike grinned, fixing his hat. “Alright, m’lady, you follow us. This battle is a lot more complex than your usual fight.”

I rolled my eyes before getting into my long awaited character. “To you, boys I shall, but…” I raised my blades at them. “If you shall leave me astray, expect a blade sticking out of your traitorous backs.” I said with a smirk.

“Ooh, Lady Nightswift has a bit of spunk, nice.” Discord/Captain Wuzz said, taking out his bow out. “Now, let’s go defeat the Squizard and save Sparity.”

Sparity? Nice, Spike’s idea for Rarity? I thought before following the two throughout the game.

Which...I never expected to have this much fun. Defeating enemy which were large playing cards, dodging traps, talk about epic PLARPING! (Pony Live Action Role Playing) Not to mention it was an awesome way to relieve stress I had built up for years. I couldn’t help but love the feel of adrenalin, the rush of adventure.

When the boys and I got to a cave, Spike/Garbunckle, lifts up his staff and rolls the dice with his “magic”. The giant dice rolled on a seven and a blue.

He frowned when a scroll appeared and he read it. “The great Garbunckle must enter the Cave of Truth alone to retrieve the Gem of Agmora…”

“Ooh! Cave of Truth, nice.” Discord/Captain Wuzz chuckled. “Well buddy ol’ mine, you have to go in.”

“You can do it, Garbunckle.” I cheered him on.

He let out a gulp, he rose his staff. “For Sparity!!!” He roared before charging inside the cave. Not even a minute pass and he already let out a girlish scream.

I was about to charge in and help him when Discord/Captain Wuzz stopped me.

“Uh uh uh!” He waved his tail at me. “You gotta follow the rules, Lady Nightswift. He must get the Gem alone.”

I nodded at him. “So, what do we do now?”

“We talk.” He said. Something was off with him. I got the feeling we was out of character at this point.

“Talk about what?”

“Like...where have I met you before?” Discord let out a conniving grin.

“Discord,” I sighed. “I told you, I never met you before until tonight.” I stretched my hooves.

“Hmm, maybe it was your mother because I do have this strange sense I’ve met a pony that looks like you before.” Discord said, circling. I gave him a glare when he mentioned my mother. “Do..do you even know your mother?”

I shook my head. “Orphan. Ditzy took me in as her foster daughter.” I told him. “Don’t remember my mother.”

“Father?”

I closed my eyes and let out an aggravated noise. “What’s with the personal questions that I don’t know? I’ve never met you before until now and right now you are quickly making me wish I haven’t now.” Those type of questions always get me aggravated so easily. I don’t remember my mother, my father. i don’t remember any pony before ending up at the orphanage. But...there was something I do remember from my past.

Before I were to blow a gasket on him, i began humming a song. A lullaby to be frank, when everytime I get sad or actually mad, I sing or hum that lullaby. That lullaby stuck with me throughout the ages.

As i hummed, Discord raised a brow.

“That’s...a lovely hum.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “For a blank flank.”

“Oh…” I said, seized humming. “Thanks..” I really hate being called that, especially to somepony I don’t even know.

Not a moment too soon, Spike/Garbunckle runs out, smoke radiating off of his robe. “Nopony told that there’s a DRAGON IN THERE!!”

“Um, dude, you’re a dragon.” I called him out. “You could’ve taken it out.”

After that, we continued our quest. The game lasted until it was late. We said our goodbyes and went home.

Next day…

I walked down to the ground level to see Ditzy in the kitchen.

“Muffins, muffins, I love you, I love to eat Muffins.” Ditzy sang as she was baking muffins in the kitchen.

“Morning, Ditz.” I yawned.

“Morning, Sleepyhead.” Ditzy giggled, looking at me. “You had fun last night?”

I nodded weary before levitating a banana,unpeeled it and ate it. “Discord is something else…”

“He is a weird one.” She hummed.

“Where’s Dinky?”

“She left early to catch the morning train to Canterlot.”

“Aw.”

Ditzy sighed before looking at her book. “Oh, um well..” She muttered to herself before rummaging through her kitchen items and her ears flopped. “I don’t have that.”

“Have what?” I asked her.

“I need an ingredient to bake these muffins. I’m trying a new recipe but I don’t have any.” She frowned. She really wanted to bake that muffin.

“Well, what do you need and I’ll go get it.” I insisted.

“It’s an ingredient called…” She narrowed her eyes to read the text from the book. “Sagarium pondrake root.”

I was skeptic about that. “Sagarium pondrake root?”

“Yeah. It says here in the cookbook that this recipe requires it or otherwise it would ruin.” Ditzy said, taking the book off of it’s stand and shown me the page. I took the book from her with my magic and examined it. I looked at the cover, front and back. The title was Exotic Sweets and Yummy Treats. I looked at the recipe and saw that it had all of the normal recipe to make a muffin, but there was a part with the root that was literally three pages long to use it properly...half of that were side-effects if the root’s used inappropriately.

“Well...I’ll see if...if the store or the Cakes have that one particular ingredient.” I told her, making my saddleback appear on my back and I put the book in the bag.

“Thank you so much, Mystica!” Ditzy giggled, giving me a big hug. “You are the best!”

I chuckled softly before making my way outside into town.

It was then I realized that going to the store was a bit of a bust, because they apparently don’t sell the pondrake roots because they make ponies act strange...one of which makes them afraid of water? And that most ponies don’t even know how to handle them correctly. So, I made my way to the Cake’s.

As I entered, I noticed a pink mare with cotton candy-like pink hair.

“HI Mystie!” Pinkie greeted at me bubbly as Vinyl Scratch left the bakery with her treats.

“Hey Pinkie.” I responded back to her as i came to the counter.

“We have a special today. We are giving away a free cupcake from our new batch!” She rushes into the back and runs back with a tray of cupcakes. They all were a different color and were casting sort of a bright glow of their respectable colors. “These cupcakes have a surprise twist with every bite!”

I chuckled. “That’s nice, Pinks, but I actually came to ask something.”

“Sure thing!”

“I was wondering if you had a sagarium pondrake root? Ditzy’s trying out a new recipe and she needs that ingredient.”

“Ooh! That root makes you do Ca-razy things if it’s not handled right.” She giggled, bouncing around. “I’ll go check the back.” She hops away then.

I waited for a second before Pinkie suddenly hops out of my bag. I let out a shout.

“Huh, I guess we don’t have any. I thought we did, but I guess not.”

Trying to catch my breath, I looked at her. “D-do you know where i might...find some?”

“Hmm, you could ask Zecora. She has tons of them for her brews.”

Zecora, nice. I haven’t seen Zecora in ages. Last time I saw her, she was helping me cure my poison joke poison (I frollicked into a field of them when I was a little filly that was heading towards the Two Sister’s castle...I was light as a feather, ‘nuff said.)

“Okay, thanks Pinkie.” I waved at her before heading out.

“Hey, you forgot a cupcake!”

With a smirk, I lifted up a gold glowing cupcake and left with it. When I looked at the cupcake, thinking I would eat it later, I put it in my back and made my way.

Strolling down the Everfree Forest, brought me back many memories from when I was a filly. Even though it has been years since I came here, I still remember every little trick of getting by the forest safely without dealing with Ursula Majors, monsters, mantacorns, timber wolves and all the other baddies that love to lurk in the forest. Plus it cuts about half of the travel time.

It wasn’t long before I made it to Zecora’s hut. When I came to her hut, I tapped on her door.

“Enter.” Zecora called from the other side.

I pushed my way inside to find the zebra mixing a brew. When she turned to me, she smiled. “Well do my eyes deceive me? If it isn’t Mystica here you be.”

“Long time so see, Zecora.” I chuckled. “Whatcha making? Some brew of some sickness or a potion?”

“It is not that part of that mast, for what I am making is my breakfast.” She said, tossing some veggies in the the black pot.

“Oh.” I peered my neck into the pot. “Yummy.”

“What brings you here? My dear?” she asked me.

“Oh, well...I was wondering if you have any sagarium pondrake root?” I asked her.

“A strange request, that root isn’t at it’s best. When using inappropriately, it can make pony folk do strange things you see.” Zecora rhymed.

“So i’ve been told. I’m here for Ditzy,” I said while taking the book out of my bag with my magic and had her shown the page.

Zecora narrowed her eyes. “Exotic Sweets and Yummy Treats, I see.” She gets off of her stool and wanders into her pantry and scours at her jars. It took a moment before she pulls out a bag. “One root for sure, to prepare it is something Ditzy may have to endure.”

“Thanks, Zecora.” I thanked her before using my magic to levitate it over to me. I then felt her eyes narrowing at me as I put the root in my bag. “Is everything okay?” I asked her.

“From what I noticed of when you start, it seems that you don’t have your mark.” She said, pointing at my blank flank.

My cheeks blushed pink as my tail covered it. “Yeah, I know.”

“For as old a you are now, you don’t have one is a how?” she asked me.

“I’ve been wondering about that…” I muttered.

The zebra then walked up to me. “I see, you changed from when you last saw me.”

“Changed? how? I’m the same pony I visit you years ago.” I said, shuffling.

“No, my dear.” She said, circling me. “Mystica, you have lost your spark, i fear.”

“My spark?” I blinked.

“Yes! your spark, you have lost it. Without it, then you won’t get your cutie mark.” Zecora said, looking at me.

I had to laugh at that. “Oh, I can assure you, I have my Spark.”

“This is no joke, this is something you had revoke.” She said, going back over to her pantry. “Your lack of cutie mark and spark is all connected I fear, you tried everything to earn it my dear?”

“Uh, well…” I muttered. I had tried everything. Singing, dancing, artist, linebacking, everything! Half of the things I’ve tried I’m not good at.

Zecora huffed before finding a bottle with the substance of milk in it. “I think I may help find your spark. To guide your way from the dark that is in your mind.”

“My mind?”

“Your memory. This potion will make you see what you lost temporary.” She said, giving it to me.

“Um...I think I’m gonna pass.” I said, stepping away from the potion.

“If you don’t drink this, you will never know what you have lost. Drink this and you’ll find your spark and with it, a cost.”

I was hesitate about that. She said that I lost my spark. Without it, I wouldn’t get my cutie cutie mark. I thought about it then sighed. Might as well get this over with. What could go wrong?

Taking the potion in my hooves, I took a sip before everything suddenly turned white.

***

“Ow…” I muttered, rubbing my head. “What did she-” I stopped when I realized that there was an echo with my voice. I looked up at my new surroundings. i frowned when I realized it was all blurry. Nothing but gold blobs and strange sounds.

“Okay, Zecora, where did you send me?” I asked rhetorically, looking around. I stood up and walked around my new surroundings.

It was so freaking weird! Everything was a blur, sounds were disoriented, creepy even. I couldn't see straight, so i keep bumping into things, such as what I felt were chairs, bars, walls. I couldn’t see anything straight.

Then…

“You know you can’t keep her…” A voice came out of the blobbiness in this place. Disoriented, but a voice. It sounded like it was a stallion’s,

“You don’t have to remind me…” Another voice, but this voice...it was almost crystal clear. It was deep, soothing even. The voice sent chills down my spine.

Following the sound, I moved closer. Using the voices to lead me into a room.

Inside, though blobs, I could make out two stallions. One was a blobby dark blue pegasus, the bigger blob was a maroon unicorn wearing what I could tell was a black cape.

In his hooves, I froze when i saw what he was holding…

It was me! I could tell by the color of the coat, the bits of purple blue and pink hair faded to the tips, bright orange eyes, in a pink blanket. I could tell that because I wasn’t a blob.

“If she stays here, it would destroy everything you work for! Everything you have done would disappear if you keep her.” the pegasus told the unicorn. “I know you love her, but you have to give her up.”

The red unicorn turned his head away from the pegasus and looked down at little me. “I…I don’t think I can’t..” his voice cracked, sounded nearly clear. He sounded as if he was on the verge of crying. “I rather have her stay with me...where it’s safe…She’s all I have left...”

“No she isn’t.” The pegasus snapped at him. “You-”

Little me started to cry.

the pegasus sighed softly, looking at me. “She is something...I’m sorry, but she has to go…”

The red unicorn held me close to his chest. “It’s okay, Mystica...everything is going to be okay…” He shuddered. He didn’t want to let me go...but the way he was tearing up...he had no choice. “I...How about a song?” He asked me.

From what I could see was his horn glowing yellow, music started to play. Something you hear in a music box.

Then he began to sing...

“Oh little star, shining bright

Soaring across the night sky

Over the moon, past the constellations.

You are the one that brings me peace.

You are my revelations

That lights up my life.

My little star, burning bright

It breaks my heart when to see you cry

Hush now, my love, you will be fine

For I will return for you one day

Until then, when you cry, you will sing this lullaby…”

As he sang, Foal me stopped crying. She wiped her eyes with her tiny hooves and looked up at him with amazement.

I was amazed as well. That lullaby...it was my song. The lullaby I sing when I feel sad or angry...this was it…

“My little star, you are the gift that makes me feel complete

You don’t know how much you mean to me

When you dream, dream about the stars above

Shining as bright as you.

Oh little star, shining bright

Soaring high in the night sky

My love for you will carry on

Until the end of time…”

He put his forehead against mine, his body shuddered as he held me close.

Little me yawned tiredly before putting her hooves on his lower jaw. With a tired smile, she spoke. “Da da…”