A Broken Flame

By Luckyfanisaac, farooqpervez, mainediting, and a few others.

Day 1 part 2

Day 1

Current Time: 10:40 AM

Saturday, July 8th, 2017 year 1

The newly named colt, DJ Hopper, comes out of the bathroom with a slightly glowing aura around him after he finishes preening his new wings and doing the rest of his morning routine.

“Cadence, did I do a good job preening my wings?” He asks as he approaches Cadence who’s standing outside the bathroom waiting for him.

“I don’t know, let me see?” She asks, peering down at his wings.

DJ Hopper extends his wings and moves them up and down gently as he slowly spins around.

“They look good!” Cadence compliments after looking them over closely.

DJ Hopper stands in front of Cadence looking pleased with himself enjoying the praise.
(In a pose similar to this.)
“Thanks,” he smiled in reply, blushing a little while slightly tilting his head down to the right.

Cadence brings a hoof to her mouth and giggles a little as DJ becomes all flustered. “Now then why don’t we go to the dining room and get something to eat. I don’t know about you but I’m starving.” She said, smiling down at him.

*grrrrrrr* went DJ’s stomach in agreement which caused DJ Hopper to stare straight ahead at Cadence and blush. Which only caused Cadence to giggle in response.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” She said as she stopped giggling. Cadence then led the way to the dining room with DJ Hopper walking on her left side.

At the dining room

Day 1

10:50 AM

Cadence leads DJ Hopper to the dining room and opens the door for him with her hooves.

“Here we are.” Cadence exclaims as she opens the door.

DJ Hopper walks in to see a small family size dining table with six chairs, a high chair in the far left corner, and a swinging door to the left that leads to the kitchen.

“Go ahead and have a seat.”

DJ walks into the room and sits on the far left chair at the table with Cadence pulling out and sitting on the chair next to him on his right side.

DJ pauses, for a moment, rubbing his hooves together nervously. Cadence looks at him patiently, before he finally says, “Why is it so small?”

“The dining room?” Cadence glances over her shoulder at the admittedly small room, especially for a palace. “Oh, it’s cozy, isn’t it? That was on purpose. It’s meant to be more… homey.” She offers him a gentle smile. “Less palace.”

“Oh.” He glances over her shoulder, too. He doesn’t see what she’s looking at, until he realizes it’s just the wall. The colt’s ears flick back in quiet nervousness.

DJ doesn’t know what else to say, and Cadence opens her mouth to speak - perhaps reassure him - before one of the chefs pushes through the swinging doors hard enough to clack one of them against the wall. He flinches at the noise.

“Gooooood morning your highness,” said a crystal pony chef stallion, called Bit Check, with a short nose, a tan coat with blue hair, and purple eyes, and a sniper circle targeting bits in a voice similar to the gadget mobile. “What will you be having this morning?”

Cadence takes point, smiling briefly to DJ before placing her order. “I’ll have some scrambled eggs,” she starts, and the chef nods several times, clearly noting down her words. “Hay bacon, cooked crunchy, and orange juice, please. Thank you so much.” The chef hums, almost idle, before turning his attention to DJ.

DJ opens his mouth, then closes it again. The chef’s purple eyes don’t leave him, but DJ is afraid of being judged. He swallows, then tries again, mouth dry.

“C- Can I have -”

His voice cracks. The chef snorts, and Cadence looks at him sternly. The chef pretends he didn’t do it. DJ, blushing, continues anyway.

“CanIpleasehave some messy eggs?” Cadence nods encouragingly. “Some toast. And milk.”

The chef nods, moving to turn and head back into the kitchen, and then DJ speaks up a little louder. “Can I have some normal bacon please?”

The chef turns quickly, staring at DJ.

“... Normal bacon?” he asks, lip pulling up in something like shock.

“Um. Meat bacon cooked soft?” Cadence looks at him with surprise, leaning back in her seat. DJ looks down. “I only eat it sometimes -”

The chef nods a few times, hiding his face behind his notepad. “Yes you can!” he says, voice high-pitched with something like fear. The same feeling grips DJ’s heart, sudden, sharp, and tight.

“I don't have to -”

The chef is already gone. The doors sway wildly after his hurried exit, and DJ feels a nervous energy build up in his chest. He can't put words to it, but it sure isn't good.

“Do ponies like you eat meat?” Cadence asks DJ.

“Yeah I’m an omnivore.” DJ replies, turning his head back towards Cadence. “Sorry.”

“There’s no need to be sorry.” Cadence replied sweetly. “I sometimes eat fish when my husband isn’t around.”

“Then why was the chef scared?” DJ asks, tilting his head to the right.

“That chef is new and isn’t familiar with everyone’s diet in the castle.”

“Oh,” replied DJ. He took that information in, but he couldn't think of anything better to say, so he just sat there instead and let the conversation die. Cadence smiled at him, trying to give him an opening, but he still couldn't think of anything. He had to think of something!

“What about you?” asked DJ, “What is your family like?”

Cadence blows out a long, low breath. She clearly considers her answer.

“I could give you the normal response,” she says, slowly, “which is that I love them, which I do. But I have a long history. I grew up as the only Pegasus in a little fishing hamlet, and as much as I loved it, I always wished there were others to fly with me when I was a foal.” She gives a light chuckle. “My birth parents weren't able to be there, but I always think they'd have flown with me and taught me how. I had to learn it all by myself.”

“How did that go?” DJ asks, leaning forward a little.

“Oh, I was very lucky I'm a fast learner,” she laughs.

“Do you know any flight tricks?”

“I know a couple basic ones that I learned from a book.”

Cadence stands up to demonstrate a flight trick. She asked DJ, “Do you have any rubber bands with you?” DJ reached behind his head to check his hunch to see if he had some and luckily he found two new rubber bands inside his hunch.

“Here it is, I found it in my hunch,” he said, handing over the rubber bands to Cadence.

She collected the rubber bands and used the rubber bands to join her hooves together to form a single one.

She looked at DJ's eyes and she said, “You will stylishly put both legs into the joined hooves being tied together with the rubber band.” She also demonstrated what she said while DJ gave her all his attention and watched her as she demonstrated it.

“You will flap your wings doing the barrel roll, turning from one angle to the other before you begin to fly with the help of your wings,” she said as she continued putting it in action.
DJ was baffled as she was in a demonstrating mode.

Cadence begins to fly with the help of her wings. It was a good sight for DJ as he looked at Cadence up in the air. After the process, she finally relaxed and moved back to her normal position.

DJ was surprised about how Cadence displayed and demonstrated the flying trick which she ended up flying for real inside a building of all things.

Other than that, DJ was very delighted with the performance of Cadence that he was even ecstatic that he enjoyed the Flight trick performance with the help of the rubber bands.

DJ wanted to ask about the rubber bands, so he summoned the courage to do so.

“That was very interesting but what was the purpose of the rubber bands?”

“After the rubber bands had joined my hooves I had to let my wings do the remaining work since I have developed the courage and ability.”

“Did you ever show off the trick to anyone?”

“Yes, I showed this trick to all of my friends. They were quite impressed because they have never seen anything like this before.”

“Cadence…. would you tell me about your friends?” asked DJ Hopper whose eyes got wider.

“I have many friends and I love all of them….”

DJ Hopper silently listening to Cadence as she is sharing her amazing past experiences with friends with a smile on his face … “We had so much fun at the Grand Galloping Gala. Pinkie Pie is really funny, we almost died of laughter. It was so much fun.” Continued Cadence.

“Though Apple Jack is stubborn, she is very caring. Once Apple Jack is challenged, she never backs off. Her most exceptional quality is being honest so, you can always trust Apple Jack. When I am stuck with a difficult task, It’s Apple Jack who always comes to mind.“

“…DJ Do you know… I have a friend named ''Rainbow Dash” who loves to do pranks. Sometimes she is quite annoying but she means a lot to me. Some of her pranks are quite irritating but often they are quite entertaining, especially when you are not her victim.” Candance replied with a giggle.

“Oh, How can I forget to tell you about Twilight. Twilight is the kind of person you can spend ages with, without getting bored.” Cadence said while wishfully clapping her hooves and closing her eyes. “The best thing about her is that you not only enjoy her company but also learn many things from her. She is an amazing teacher. We are also related as she is my sister-in-law. We have so many adventures together. My husband Shining and Twilight makes life so much better.” Continued Candance who was proud to be Twilight's friend and family.

“I have two friends I knew from when I came to Canterlot in my high school days. Both of them went into the fashion business and I believe that they are still working together. Sassy Saddles designs outfits and Fleur models them.”

Cadence's social circle was a fantasy for DJ who had a quiet lonely life.

Cadence, who was now proud to show off her friends to DJ, couldn't resist mentioning a few other friends, “I have a friend called “Rarity” who is also a fashion designer that is from Ponyville who always dreamed of living in a big city but doesn’t want to move away from her family. She is now in business with Sassy Saddles in Canterlot. She has a keen eye for detail when making an outfit. If your outfit is ruined she can be very generous and fix it up for you at a reasonable price. I also have a friend called "Fluttershy" though she is shy, she is very kind, once she opens up to you. What makes her special is that she can talk to animals and can be herself near them.”

“Friendship makes life so much better. It’s not just about having a good time but it’s way beyond it. We are always up for each other. My friends gave me so many beautiful memories and I can’t imagine my life without them.”

“You are very lucky to have such friends,” replied DJ in a sad voice.

“What about you, do you have any friends?”

DJ splayed his ears back as he nervously rubbed his right forearm with his left, “I think I have some friends but I really don’t know. It’s really hard to tell if I do or not. I was always too nervous to approach someone new so they usually had to approach me and usually they are just trying to get something from me or try to take advantage of me.”

Cadence frowned, “Oh I’m sorry to hear that but don’t worry I’m sure you’ll make lots of friends here everyone is very accepting and friendly.”

Immediately after, food was delivered to both of them.

Chef Bit Check walked in from the kitchen carrying both orders of food. He placed the plate in front of Cadence and said, “Here’s yours.” The Chef nervously places DJ’s meal on the table and says, “And here’s yours with b-b-b-bacon.”

DJ and Cadence give their thanks for their food and start eating as they start chatting again.

DJ picks up his fork and takes a bite of his egg white. “Yum,” he says, stuffing his mouth full.

At first they were both silent as they ate but soon DJ asks Cadence, “So what’s it like being a princess here in The Crystal Empire?”

Cadence takes a drink of her orange juice before answering, “Honestly, I couldn’t be happier. My husband Shining Armor is a very nice person to live with. It’s like living a dream life. I can’t be more thankful. I know, I can almost have anything that I want.” Replied Princess Cadence in a happy tone.

DJ paused eating his meal for a few seconds, paying attention to Cadence’s story, and then asked slowly to prolong the conversation, “What does it take to be a princess?”

“You have to pass many tests one by one to be a princess,” Cadence replied as she dwelled in her memories. “My training as a princess included exceedingly onerous tasks. I was super excited and nervous at the same time. I was afraid that I might not be able to pass the tests. I first had to learn about the anatomy of an alicorn and how my new body works. My first magic lesson was quite exhausting. I was never very good at combat magic plus I never used a horn before.” Cadence continued speaking while looking at DJ.

DJ who was enjoying this chat asked, “What’s the fun part of training?”

Candance instantly replied, “I enjoyed food training most. In that lesson, a princess in training is served the most delicious food. A princess should eat light meals, and snacky things like nuts and luscious glossy fruit like berries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, pomegranates, apples, grapes, and mangos.” She explained. “Why some foods are not allowed because they affect our physique. Like for alicorns we can eat almost anything but if we eat enough fattening foods it will go straight to our butt.”

“Wow, it seems you've been through a lot to deserve this title,” said DJ who was now interested in hearing Cadence's training experience as he finished his eggs and started munching on his toast smeared with egg yoke.

“Yes, every princess has to go through the same test. A princess is trained about how to dress. She always has to wear clean clothes and her mane should be combed properly and a perfectly placed tiara on her head. A princess's posture should be different from other ponies. She should stand tall and proud. The most important training was to have compassion and be kind and have empathy for others. She should feel the pain of others by imagining herself in their situation. She should help and be kind towards all citizens of Equestria.”

Cadence, who was proud to share her amazing experience, told DJ that, “Being a princess is not an easy task. A princess has to perform the most important duties of a state of Equestria,” while thinking she added further, “ …. like the collection of tax, …. performing amendments in official documents or other major tasks. It’s not always sunshine and rainbows.”

DJ nodded in agreement and then replied, “Yes princess, I know the luxury in life always comes with a fair share of responsibility. For instance, I have the task of spreading harmony throughout the whole multiverse when I complete my training.” DJ exclaimed, waving his hooves in a spreading manner.

“DJ do you know a princess has different writing than an ordinary pony. Her signature should be clear and complete. A signature tells a lot about the status of an alicorn,” said Cadence as she saw DJ hopper was all ears.

“Cadence, though it’s the first time I am having a conversation with a Princess, unless I think it is, it’s really cool to know about what makes a princess,” replied DJ who was also enjoying his meal at the same time as he started working on eating his bacon.

“May I have the autograph of the great Princess Cadence?” DJ said in a teasing tone. Cadence grinned as they passed a smile to each other.

A sudden knock-on a door shifted their attention and made them turn their head. Chef stallion, Bit Check, reappeared and said quickly in a polite voice, “Your highness, do you need anything else?”

“I am good,” Cadence replied immediately.

DJ hopper said after thinking for 3 seconds....”Yeah, I am fine. Thanks for this delicious bacon.”

Bit Check nodded and left with a smile on his face. Though still a bit nervous about seeing a pony eat meat like bacon.

“Dancing is one important thing a princess must be great at, especially Ballroom dancing. I have always been good at dancing but my Ballroom dancing skill was not that impressive until I had to take a Ballroom dance training as a Princess. I love that I got to be taught Ballroom dancing. It seemed a little difficult at first but when I got the hang of it, I loved it! My dance instructor, Ms. Lightwing, was a great teacher and her teaching method made it quite easy for me to learn very fast and it was indeed fun!”

“Tell me about your first dance as a Princess,” requested DJ, with excitement in his voice.

“Alright, my first Ballroom dance as a Princess came immediately after my training. It was a great experience that I treasure a lot. I had my hair done and adorned with my crown. My outfit was a beautiful pink, flowery gown. I began my dance with the ‘Cha-cha’ dance steps. Stepping aside with my right hoof and then forward with my left hoof. I replaced my weight on the right hoof and did a triple step in place – left, right, left and stepped back with the right hoof elegantly. Next I took a step forward with my left hoof and replaced my weight on my right hoof. Then I did a triple step in place – right, left, right.” Cadence narrated with a smile.

“Wow!” exclaimed DJ who was now deeply engrossed in Cadence’s narration. Cadence continues.

“Then I switched from the Cha-cha steps to the ‘Salsa’ dance steps. I stepped back with my right hoof, replaced my weight on my left hoof and closed my right hoof to my left. I stepped forward with my left hoof, replaced my weight on my right hoof and closed my left hoof to my right. I rounded up my dance with some ‘Rumba’ dance steps and took a bow. Then my husband, Prince Shining Armor joined me to perform the Couples’ dance steps. The Prince is a very good dancer and he really complimented my dance steps so perfectly. It was a glorious event and everyone present applauded us. I felt very proud.”

“That’s so great! How do you do the ‘Rumba’ dance steps? Can you show me?!” asked DJ excitedly.

“Very well then.” replied Cadence as she stood up to show DJ her Rumba dance steps. She took an elegant dancing position and started dancing. First she took a step aside with her right hoof. Then She closed her left hoof to her right hoof and switched her weight while DJ watched on with full attention. Next, She switched weight on her right hoof and then stepped aside with her left hoof. She closed her right hoof to her left hoof and switched her weight. She switched her weight on her left hoof and then stopped dancing. She took a bow.

“Wow! You really can dance!” DJ exclaimed, “That was impressive! I can dance well too by balancing myself on my tail.” DJ then got up out of his chair after eating his last bite of bacon to demonstrate. DJ then jumps on his hind legs then brings his tail underneath him and sits himself on top of it like a chair.

“Wow that’s really impressive,” Cadence praises, “but how is that dancing?”

“I’m not done yet,” DJ reiterated. He then starts moving on his tail like he was a charmed snake then he stands back up and starts twerking and spinning his tail around like a windmill then like a Tornado.

DJ starts dancing by bending his legs from side to side then in a circular motion. He then waves his front legs in front of himself like he was doing high chi. DJ then starts doing other dance moves that were really impressive.

“Wow you're a really good dancer,” Cadence smiles at him as he sits back down in his chair after a few minutes of dancing.

“Thanks, my mother and her family taught me how to really dance but mostly my aunts did most of the teaching. They watched me dance along with all my female cousins since my mother was too shy to perform and busy as a scientist.” He says as he finishes off his glass of milk.

“Really anything else you're learning?” Cadence asked.

“Well I’m currently being trained to be a balancer paralox. That’s a position of spreading harmony across the entire multiverse and in my case throughout time as well. It was also a position I was born into.”

“Really you don’t have any free will of what you want to do with your life?” Cadence asked in shock.

“Well I could but that is pretty selfish. I have to put others before me.”

“How very noble of you,” Cadence said smiling and bowing her head a little and rubbing behind his head. DJ smiles in response.

“I just finished my darkness training, well I think I have anyway, but I don't have any friends to give emotional support so they can help me out of my depressed funk I am in. Like I said before I’m always nervous to approach someone new.”

“Well I’m sure you’ll make lots of friends here that will help you out.” Cadence replied with a smile trying to comfort DJ.

Just then Shining Armor comes in for lunch.

“Hey honey how's the interview going!?” Shining exclaimed, holding a clipboard in his magic wanting to take notes of the colt.

DJ Hopper jumps a bit in his seat and lets out a small scream as an unfamiliar stallion welcomes himself into the room.

“DJ, this is my—” Cadence tries to say, but is interrupted by a strong gust of air, pulsing outwards from DJ as he stares at the unicorn as he starts shaking. The room drops several degrees as a layer of ice spreads outward from his hooves, and climbs up his legs and starts spreading around him. Thin, wispy red flames dance on his coat like fireflies, and he emits an aura of pure power while ice starts forming on his chair and on the table.

Instinctually, Shining fires out a bolt of magic to try and knock the colt out, though it falls quite short of its intended target, being absorbed by a yellow bubble-shield.

“...Cadence? What are you doing, get away from him!?” Shining’s questioning’s fall on deaf ears as Cadence turns around.

DJ, who had previously been a few feet away from Cadence, was now right next to Cadence trying to duck and cover in his hooves, though surprisingly docile, given the elements raging around him.

She hummed a beautiful tune while trying to calm DJ down, and slowly but surely, DJ returned to his normal form although still having a red mane and coat while now having a red glowing aura around him. Turning back towards her husband, she motioned back towards the door.

“Sweety, do you think you could give us a moment?”

Shining looks at her with intrigue, worry, and confusion. “...What? What was that?” He motioned at DJ.

“I’ll tell you rightafter I’m done talking to our friend here.”

“Cadence, are you crazy he nearly attacked you!?” Shining exclaimed.

“Like I said, I’ll explain to you afterwards—please give me a moment,” Cadence asked.

With much reluctance, Shining retreated back through the door, though he made sure that both of them heard that he was going to have a group of guards waiting by the entrance should anything go south.

Cadence turned back to DJ, only to find him curled up on the ground, hyperventilating, the sheens of ice and flames gone, as though they had never been there in the first place.

She was quick to his side, laying beside him and resting a wing around his shivering form totally scared and afraid. Taking a breath, she continued humming, softly stroking his form with her wing.

There they sat for a period of time, until DJ calmed down enough that he was coherent.

“...What did I do, Cadence?” poking an eye through his hooves.

“Sweety are you okay?”

“What did I do? I didn’t hurt anybody, did I?” He asked, sorrow practically bleeding from his voice.

“...Of course not, you only gave myself and my husband a good scare.” Cadence chuckled good-naturedly.

Silence was heard as the colt started shaking in fear while Cadence continued to softly hum.

“...Why don’t we get you to the doctor?” She suggested. “That was pretty scary.”

“NO!” he squeaked.

“Why not?” She asked, tilting her head to the right.

“The doctors might dissect me!!” He wailed trying to get closer into Cadence’s wing.

“How about this….I’ll be sure to stay by your side to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“Promise?” he asked, lifting his head up.

“I promise,” she replied, pulling the colt into her forearms after discovering he was still a bit warm like hot embers. Luckily her alicorn traits protected her from the furnace like temperature coming off of him and he accepted her embrace as she pulled him up off the ground and put him on her back.

The colt started to smell Cadence as he snuggled into her back.

“Mmmm you smell like Candy,” he exclaimed, while Cadence giggled in response, finding the colt's affection ticklish.

They headed out of the dining room to find two crystal guards and Shining Armor waiting.

“Are you alright Cadence?” Asked Shining Armor.

“I’m alright,” replied Cadence, “I’m gonna take our friend over to the doctor to give him a checkup.”

“Cadence… how is he now?” asked Shining in a worried voice.

Shining bowed his head down trying to do an autopsy spell as he lit his horn again, wondering curiously what might be wrong with this colt.

"Cadence..." a weak whimpering voice of a colt reached their ears.

Shining pulled his head up, looking at the same transformation the colt is going through again. Ice coming out of his hooves with fire sprinkled on top as DJ is changing his state. Heat rays coming out from DJ's fur and hooves that could easily cut Shining in two pieces, but he managed to protect himself by jumping to the side.

"Shining go away," Cadence shouted as she created a bubble shield to protect herself from a dangerous attack from DJ.

"Why?.... Why should I go away?..... What did I do to make him go mad again?"

"I don't have time to explain, You just go," shouted Cadence.

Shining started to step back, looking worried about Cadence but he turned around and started to run away from the hall trusting Cadence’s alicorn abilities.

Cadence started to hum the same beautiful tune in her melodious voice as DJ ceased to emit a powerful aura. Shining was now out of sight and DJ was getting back to his original state. DJ, who was about to faint, apologized to Cadence again before falling to the floor unconscious.

"You will be alright," Cadence said while touching DJ's face gently with her hooves. Cadence picked DJ up on her back and then moved to the infirmary.

At the medical bay

Day 1

12:15 PM

Cadence rushed into the medical bay to find an earth pony nurse with a light brown coat and a leafy green mane wearing a white nursing shirt with a name tag saying, “Nurse Heartbranch,” and wearing a white nursing cap with a red cross on it.

“Nurse help! This colt is having a panic attack!”

Nurse Heartbranch immediately turned to DJ Hopper, who was looking exhausted while cuddling Cadence’s back. The Nurse buzzed in a gurney.

“Mind helping me get the colt on the bed, your highness?” The Nurse asked in a sweet voice, as another nurse brought in a gurney. She was a yellow crystal pony with a blonde white striped mane. She had green eyes with a name tag called, “Nurse Sweetheart,” with a nursing outfit and cap like Heartbranchs’.

Cadence helped lift DJ Hopper onto the gurney from her back as Nurse Sweetheart and Nurse Heartbranch steadied it. Nurse Heartbranch started examining DJ hopper for a few seconds while Cadence curiously stared at her.

“Wow this colt is warm,” said Nurse Sweetheart brushing DJ’s mane.

Cadence and the nurses were worried about DJ Hopper's well-being, well mostly Cadence. After a pause, Nurse Sweetheart started moving out of the room with DJ Hopper. Cadence followed after her.

Nurse Sweetheart, led the way as she passed by some offices and exchanged pleasantries with some nurses.

“Can you give me an account of what happened, Your Highness?” asked Nurse Sweetheart as she opened the door to a room she called “an observation room”.

“Well, we were both in the Palace private dining room. I had invited him over and we had just finished having breakfast and were having a great time when my husband, Prince Shining Armor, suddenly entered.”

“So what happened when the Prince came in, Ma’am?” Nurse Sweetheart probed further.

“Well...I noticed that immediately when DJ saw my husband holding a clipboard in his magic, everything about him changed... like.. like he was scared or something… He started to shake and was suddenly covered in ice. He emitted a strong magical power so strong that my husband had to shoot out a magical bolt to try and knock him out before anyone could get hurt.” Cadence explained while Nurse Sweetheart listened attentively.

“So, your husband knocked him down?”

“No! He couldn’t as there was this strong shield all around DJ. The Prince’s attempt was futile. DJ panicked and tried to hide next to me to save himself.” Cadence stopped to look the Nurse in the eye.

“Hmmhmm… keep going Ma’am. What happened after that?”

Cadence continued, “This act surprised me as I did not expect him to be docile despite the powerful elements that he emits. So I sang him a song to calm him down and thankfully, that helped. The powerful elements that raged around him stopped and his body returned to normal but he was still in shock so I brought him here.”

“That’s quite an experience. Thank you for giving a detailed account of that incident. It will really help us in setting up a Medical profile for him.”

“A medical profile. What do you mean by that?” Cadence asked curiously.

“A medical profile is a one-page medical document that contains a patient’s medical information as well as contact details. This document will help the doctors in their diagnosis and observations.” replied Nurse Sweetheart as she drops DJ on the Observation bed. DJ almost jumped off immediately, but Cadence rushed over to put him still.

“Shhh it’s okay DJ. I’m here,” Cadence whispered to the colt as she held him down.

“This is where he will be evaluated by the doctor to determine the appropriate treatment to be administered,” Nurse Sweetheart explained.

“The doctor will be here anytime from now.” She said as she hurried out of the room.

The Observation room had a big window to the hallway through which Cadence saw a Doctor coming towards the room.

“That must be the doctor,” she thought as she gently rubbed DJ’s mane. While DJ smiled into her hoof.

Not so long later, the Doctor gently opened the door, Cadence stood up and greeted the doctor who in return smiled and said, “Good afternoon ma’am. My name is Doctor Scabs and I will be attending to… DJ Hopper here,” he said, glancing through the record in his hoof.

“Thank you Doctor Scabs,” Cadence replied.

“And who are you ma’am in relation to the patient?” asked Doctor Scabs.

“My name is Cadence, and DJ is my responsibility, doctor.”

“No problem ma’am. DJ is in safe hooves. I will observe him now to know the status of his health and determine the appropriate treatment to administer.”

He moves closer as he greets DJ, “Hello DJ how are you?”

“A little scared doctor.” He replied shakingly.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he replied, “I will be examining you today. Can you sit up for me?”

DJ then sits up and the doctor starts examining him, DJ looks very scared and inconvenient with the doctor’s presence. He appears a little shaken.

The doctor does some examinations on DJ and is surprised at how different and how advanced his body is. For instance the doctor found an irregular heartbeat.

“This is strange,” said the Doctor as he continues examining DJ.

“What is strange, Doctor?” asked Cadence with a note of concern in her voice.

“His body…. His body is quite strange… different... unlike anything I have ever seen. I’m having trouble hearing his heartbeat.”

“Well that’s because I have two hearts.” DJ spoked shyly to the doctor.

“Really two hearts!!?” The doctor exclaimed, bringing his stethoscope to both sides of DJ’s chest to confirm that he indeed has two hearts. He gets more serious with the examination such that he couldn’t even respond to Cadence who was asking him what he was up to.

The doctor apologized and said, “I was only surprised his body is so advanced and very different. And quite strangely at that. Ma’am, would you know anything about DJ’s robotic body parts?”

“Robotic body parts? You mean DJ’s robotic fingers and eye piece?” Cadence asked the doctor.

“If my observations are anything to go by, Yes,” the doctor replied.

“Well the fingers are for magical manipulation and the eye piece is for his memory disability,” Cadence explained.

“Really…interesting…can you please follow me ma’am,” the Doctor beckons to Cadence.

“Alright,” she exclaims, “I’ll be back in a minute DJ.”

Cadence stood up and followed the Doctor into the hallway and Cadence closed the door behind her.

“Your highness, I believe DJ is a different creature to what we know. His body structure is quite advanced and I am afraid we will have to dissect him in order to determine how well to treat him.”

“No! Never! You can’t do that. DJ is my responsibility and therefore under the protection of the Crown. Anyone who wants to dissect him will have to go through Alicorn fury.” Cadence fumes as she spreads her wings out.

“But.... your highness, it will do a lot of good if we are permitted to dissect him. Firstly, it will help us get to the root of what he is made of and secondly it will help us gain more advanced knowledge in medical science as we will be dealing with quite an advanced body structure.”

“I am sorry doctor, but I will have to insist that DJ is not dissected by you or any other doctor or medical staff,” retorted Cadence.

“Alright your highness as you wish, but there is no doubt we’ll have to run some more tests on him. That’ll pose to us what exactly is wrong. Please see the nurses at the counter when you’re ready, I'll be back shortly,” he said as he turned back to leave.

“Where is he going? Why does he have to leave his job for the Nurses?” Cadence was perplexed.

She turned and went back into the Observation room where DJ was laid. Cadence rubs DJ on the back and said to him, “No one will dissect you, I promise,” DJ responded with a nod and smiles.

A while later, after calming DJ down a bit, Cadence stands up, ready to go to see the nurses, “I’ll be back, stay put dear,” she said as she left.

Later in the afternoon, some nurses came and took DJ to run some tests on him and do weight and height tests for his basic profile, but that was after Cadence had returned from seeing the nurses.

After the test, the doctor called for Cadence to see him in his office.

“You asked to see me, doctor. I hope DJ will be fine.”

“Yes, please have a seat,” said Doctor Scabs.

“Thank you doctor,” Cadence said as she took her seat elegantly in front of the doctor.

“Yes, your highness. In our observation, we found out that DJ is a winged earth pony. We were unable to monitor his heart rate with our equipment but later found out that he indeed has two hearts and we later connected him to two monitors. His body is quite advanced to what we know hence our move to dissect him in order to examine his anatomy. However, we couldn’t go against your wishes Princess.”

“Thank you, doctor,” Cadence responded warmly.

“After other thorough examinations on DJ, he has been diagnosed with Long Term Stress and possible Shell shock.”

“Is that a serious condition, doctor?” Cadence asked curiously.

“Not really, your highness. But it can be if not properly and quickly managed.”

“How can we do that, doctor?”

“Well, long term stress can be properly managed by following the 6CSRS. The 6CSRS is the 6 Chronic Stress Reduction Steps.” The doctor paused, looking straight into Cadence’s eyes who nodded, encouraging him to continue his explanation.
“In the 6CSRS, knowing the complications the patient experienced comes first. Symptoms like muscle aches, pains, blood pressure, anxiety, fear, and panic are examples of such. Some of these symptoms are what DJ is experiencing.”

“The next thing to do is to set limits to tasks, activities, and obligations. Determine what is necessary to the patient’s survival and what is not so necessary and therefore can be avoided. The patient should also develop what we call BSP - Better Sleeping Pattern. Sleeping early and comfortably will help reduce the raging effects of chronic stress.”

“That’s quite an informative list doctor. Please what are the other three steps?” asked Cadence who had since taken out a pencil and a paper, jotting down what the doctor was saying.

“DJ should try belly breathing as it is one of the most powerful tools for restoring the body after a stress response. Belly breathing, also called deep breathing, or abdominal breathing regulates our heart rate, improves the oxygenation of the blood and releases tension in the body. He should start by sitting or laying down if possible and take a deep breath through the nose until his chest is full and his belly expands then exhale.”

“Can I also try it with him even though I have not been diagnosed with Long term stress?” asked Cadence with a smirk.

“Of course, your highness. It’s a good way of reducing accumulated stress and makes you feel better,” replied the doctor smiling at Cadence.

The doctor then explained the last two steps of the 6CSRS to Cadence while she listened and jotted down on her paper.
“To manage chronic stress effectively, the patient needs to do just one thing to improve their health. It can be as simple as flying leisurely, taking a walk, or light dancing. And lastly, seek professional help from doctors. Don’t wait until something critical happens.”

“Thank you very much doctor. You have been quite helpful and professional all along. All steps are duly noted.”

“You are welcome, your highness.” Replied the doctor who appeared pleased with Cadence’s compliments.

“Does the 6CSRS work for possible shell shock too?” Cadence asked.

“Well, your highness. Shell shock is an aftermath of unmanaged long term stress. So indirectly, taking care of the long term stress will improve the symptoms of shell shock. However, he should develop better coping skills towards shell shock by working on his self esteem. A good self confidence, an improved behaviour, good relationship with others will help him manage shell shock episodes better.”

“Thank you doctor.”

“At your service, your highness,” replied the doctor with a little bow of his head.

“When will he be discharged, doctor?” Cadence asked with a grin.

“I’m afraid he will have to be here with us till tomorrow so we can monitor the progress of his recovery, ma’am.”

“Till tomorrow?!.... Hmmm... Alright,” replied Cadence.

The doctor noticed the trouble in Cadence’s response and moved to assure her of DJ’s safety.

“Do not be despaired, your highness. We will take good care of DJ and by tomorrow he will be.....”

“.......can I stay with him?” Cadence cuts in before the doctor could finish his statement.

“Well, why not. We will be happy to have the princess with us until morning. I will make arrangements to make your stay a comfortable one. Please excuse me ma’am while I make appropriate arrangements.” said the doctor as he stood up to go out of his office.

“Alright doctor. Thank you very much,” replied Cadence as she stood. Her eyes follow the doctor as he makes his way out then later heading back towards DJ’s room.

When Cadence arrived at DJ Hopper’s room she found him sleeping and connected to two heart monitors like the doctor said. That sounded like this

Cadence went over and sat next to the bed to watch over him.

DJ Hopper then starts whimpering in his sleep due to him dreaming about his early childhood. His coat starts to glow red and gives a warm aura as tears run down his cheek and a vacuum noise from his eye piece is heard to vacuum up the tears from his left eye.

In response Cadence lays her left arm over DJ Hopper and starts to sing a song to try and calm him as she strokes his fur coat.

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DL3gdvc92EYY&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1625098072106000&usg=AOvVaw37CeXuEjYyPHj3l\_6rPfwn%5D

After the song DJ Hopper sleeps more peacefully. Then Cadence joins him in the realm of sleep.

Author's Note

Well this took several months of work and cost me $62 to have a co author write. I had the next chapter completed but this one wasn’t. So this chapter had to be completed first.

If anyone is willing to help me write in there spare time please PM me. Or if you want more chapters to come out sooner you can support me on patreon. https://www.patreon.com/Luckyfanisaac?fan_landing=true