Nightshade: Death of a Psychic

Nightshade paced outside the room, this wasn't right. This couldn't be right. Toro was 17 when she killed her parents, yet an 8-year-old 'Torri' sat in the bed in the next room. What was he gonna do? He'd never taken care of children before, but there was a bigger question in all of this...

Would this create a paradox?

Nightshade had never been in a situation like this as he tended to stay out of political and global affairs unless he was specifically called on, but this was new territory. Someone altered Toro's timeline and it seems to have had no adverse effects so far. Not to mention her present-day self was in the hospital in Canterlot only a train ride away. He took out his phone, he needed help. At least, someone who could help him, he began to dial when a sharp knock sounded from the front door. His eyes narrowed, nobody should know he was even here save for Lucky, Struck and Strike. He crept down the stairs but only made it down the first few before a hand reached out and grabbed his. Torri stood shakily, Nightshade's hand in hers.

"I thought I told you to rest," He started.

She pouted, "I'm not tired."

Nightshade rolled his eyes, carefully guiding the now blinded filly down the stairs. Her bloody gown swished with every step.

Nightshade put on a southern accent before another knock came, "Who is it?"

"Nightshade if you don't open this goddamn door, I'll pummel you myself!" A voice shouted from the other side.

"She sounds angry." Torri squeaked.

"Yeah, she very much is." Nightshade stuttered throwing the door open, "Speedstar- "

He was cut off by the sound of a fist flying towards his face suddenly halted.

"D'aww, well who's this little one?"

"You lied!" Nightshade scowled.

"Shush, I'm still mad."

"Who told- "

"Lucky."

Nightshade facepalmed. He'd completely forgotten that he'd told Lucky to tell them.

"This... This is Totoro. She likes to be called Torri."

Endie's face seemed stuck between horror and a snarl, "You mean-"

"Yes... Right after it happened."

The Endpony seemed to calm, she stared doubtfully at the child that Speed was now kneeling in front of. She could hardly believe a meek child could murder two fully grown adults.

"I actually was about to call you two," Nightshade leaned against the door frame, "I... I need help... You two good at handling kids?"

Nightshade sighed as he walked back into Pandora, "That should keep them busy-"

"Let me guess," Computer almost sounded irritated, "You're going to keep her?"

"I didn't say that. But I sure as hell can't send her back-"

"Yes, Nightshade, you can. You have to."

"Why?"

"Because you'll be changing history! A lot of things will have never happened-"

"I don't care!" He stared at the floor slamming a fist on the console, he seethed silently. "It isn't fair... Why does this happen to me? Why her? She didn't deserve it. She's just a kid, I know she didn't do it. Why would I put her back and let her endure that?"

Computer's face relaxed. Nights wasn't being defiant, he was trying to spare- No, save Toro. Even after all she had done. It wasn't every day that he was the forgiving type.

"Nightshade," the metal pony leaned on the console, lowing himself so that he was slightly shorter than the charcoal unicorn and softened his tone. "I didn't say you have to put her back now, but she has to go back at some point. We can keep her for now."

"Thanks."

Nightshade shortly joined Speed and Endie in the kitchen, at the table sat the blind Torri with a plate of food in front of her. Nightshade thought nothing of Torri and glanced at Speed and Endie, who were whispering to one another. He got in close to them and leaned in.

"What's happening? Why is she just sitting there?" Nights whispered.

"She won't eat," Endie stated with worry in her eyes.

Nightshade rolled his eyes, wondering why he'd trusted them with this in the first place. He turned around and faced the filly who hadn't even made a move to pick up a fork, the plate of eggs in front of her still hot.

He decided to try a direct approach as he walked over and sat in a chair next to her, "Hey Torri, you gonna eat? Endie made that just for you."

Without skipping a beat her response came quick, "My mommy always said that children are supposed to wait for the adults to eat first."

Ah. Her parents are those kinds of ponies.

"Well, I'm not your parents and you can eat when you please... Oh, real quick before you eat..." Nightshade gently pressed two fingers against her temple for a second before using every muscle in his body not to flinch as he moved away.

"What was that for?"

"Checking your temperature," Nightshade lied as he got up and motioned for Speed to follow him. Once he was out of earshot Speed looked confused.

"What? What did you see?"

"Her parents," He started with a sigh, "They were assholes. I'm... They were abusive."

"Well, that'll explain a bit of why she's fucked up in the future."

Nightshade shook his head, feeling almost guilty as the next words left his muzzle.

"I don't think that's what's going to mess her up..."