The Doctor is in

You know, I was actually excited to meet the Princesses student. After Celestia told me her little plan to send me into that backwater town I wasn’t expecting anything surprising. Sure, I would be spying and eventually catching a member of the dark moon legion/ ex-friend, but shivers go down my spine every time I thought about how dirty that place would be.

Said town came into my site line and I have to be honest, it was a quaint little place for what it was. I and my escorts landed on the ground and I was ‘politely escorted’ through town. Now I don’t pride myself in having dashing looks, I know I already have them, but the town ponies seemed to be a little skittish today. No wonder Lyra picked this place, these ponies looked like they would run away at the slightest noise.

I soon arrived at a tree, which ironically, was actually a Library. I don’t know what’s sadder, living in a library, or having paper books be sold in a tree. Despite my minor complaints, my escorts left me in front of the front door, dropped saddle bags at my hooves and left.

“Well that was quite rude.” I said with puffed out cheeks. I ignored the horrible attitudes, I turned around and knocked on the door. A small purple unicorn opened the door, her mane was a dark blue with pink highlights that matched her tail, and her cutie marks were some small stars surrounding one big star.

“Oh, um… I didn’t expect you to be here s-soon” The unicorn said with some nervousness.

“You are quite short for a unicorn your age.” I observed. She seemed to be caught off guard by my statement, and blinked a couple of times.

“What?” The unicorn blurted out.

“I’m sorry, I was thinking out loud, where are my manners?” I said with a laugh and shake of my head. “I'm Velvet night, sent here by her majesty herself to…check out something.” I finished off with my ‘kind’ smile, the sight apparently making the unicorn more nervous.

“What are you-” she stopped for a second, then gained a look of realization.”-Oh…Celestia did say you were staying for a reason.” The unicorn said with a sheepish smile. “Well, my name is Twilight sparkle and it’s…nice to meet you.”

“Do you mind if I come in please?” I tugged at my dress shirt collar trying to cool myself off from this horrid heat.

“I’m sorry, I guess we got caught up on talking.” Twilight apologized as she sidestepped to let me in.

“It’s alright dear, I'm sure you- SWEET MOTHER OF CELESTIA!” I yelled out in horror. The inside was an absolute disaster, the bookshelves were empty with the books stacked into piles NEXT to them, parchment was crumbled up and laying on the floor, and dust caked almost every surface I could see. Worst of all, Twilight had some scaly rodent sleeping on the couch!

I just felt dirty stepping in this dump! I slowly turned my head around to look at Twilight, the sound of scraping metal came from my moving neck. She recoiled in genuine fear at the sight of my hate filled glare, she also didn’t calm down when I also gave her a passive aggressive smile.

“Twilight…darling” I started off, barely subduing the anger in my voice.” Why in the ever loving Tartarus, Is your home in such ruin?” I said in a low tone.

The mare didn’t speak for a moment, anything she tried to spew out just became unintelligible babble. All Twilight did was slowly close the door behind her and took a deep breath.

“Well, I was up late doing some studies…and I guess I got a little caught up.” She responded with a sheepish smile.

“THIS is getting ‘caught up’ to you?!” I berated her, my noise apparently woke up the small lizard because he screamed in sudden fright upon noticing me.

“AH Twilight! don’t worry, I’ll save you!” The lizard ‘bravely’ proclaimed as he charged at me. The punches and kicks he inflicted onto me were pathetic at best, Tartarus, they made a bucking squeaking sound with every time they hit. The lizard was enveloped in a lavender mist as he levitated to Twilight, who had an irritated look towards the small thing.

“Spike, stop that! He’s the pony in the letter I was talking to you about.” Twilight explained.

“Oh…so he wasn't some intruder attacking you?” Spike asked, shrugging his shoulders.

“While it was rude that he was yelling at me-” Twilight gave me a quick glare. ”But he did have a point. I really need to get this place cleaned up” Twilight admitted as she finally set Spike back on the ground.

“Obviously, I’ll get the cleaning supplies while you start picking up books.” I instructed as I turned around to locate a broom closet, but the feeling of somepony tugging at my tail stopped me, and looking back, the lizard named Spike was holding onto my tail.

“You don’t have to help, I can do it by myself.” Spike proudly said while letting go of my tail.

“While I greatly appreciate your politeness, I would be a horrible guest If I just let you do all the work by yourself.” I said with a kind smile. Spike nor Twilight tried argued with me, so they started picking up books as I quickly located the broom closet.

‘I’m going to make this place look bucking fabulous.’

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minty breeze slammed his face into the top of his office desk as he let out a tired groan.

“Will this day ever end!” Came the muffled cries from Minty. There was a giggle that made Minty raise his head, upon seeing the owner of it, his mood lightened a little. She was a brown earth mare with a cotton candy pink mane, she wore a grey business suit with a black tie. The mare gave Minty a playful smile and set a stack of papers onto his desk, which re-dampened his mood again.

“I wouldn’t complain just yet Breezy, you still have a ways to go.” The mare said.

“You are the worst cinnamon twist, the worst.” Minty breeze scowled.

“Seems like something Is bothering you.” Cinnamon twist rested a hoof onto Minty’s desk. “You can tell me anything, ya know?” Cinnamon gave Minty a friendly smile.

Minty breeze shuffled in his seat uncomfortably as a faint blush appeared on his face. Cinnamon unfortunately saw this, and suspected the reason but stayed quiet in order to hear his reason.

“I…can’t give you specific details. But a couple of days ago, I met this…stallion…for questions and he was obviously trying to get a rise out of me by flirting…but.” Minty went quiet as his face was blushing even more now.

“Buuuut?” Cinnamon teased with a knowing look.

“For s-some reason I just c-can’t stop thinking about it.” Minty proceeded to slam his face into the desk again and ruffle his mane with his hooves. “It’s driving me crazy!” Minty cried out. Cinnamon only chuckled as she patted the distressed stallions back.

“If it is bothering you so much, why don’t ya write to him?” Cinnamon asked with a raised eyebrow. Minty raised his head with a exasperated expression.

“I can’t just write to him! We only met one time, I don’t even know him THAT much besides the questions I asked him during interrogation, plus…other things.” Minty said, looking away at the last part.

“Other…’things?’” Cinnamon questioned.

“Yes, ‘other things’. Now just leave me to my work and go…Do something else!” A flustered Minty shouted, gaining a giggle from Cinnamon.

“OK, see ya later love bug~” Cinnamon teasingly said, quickly shutting the door before a pencil hit her.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Please…no more!” Spike pleaded before he collapsed on the now polished floor of the golden oak library.

“Don’t worry, your pretty little head Spike dear, all the hard work is over now.” Velvet night said as he levitated cleaning supplies back into the broom closet. “Besides, Twilight is still holding up.” Velvet pointed a hoof to a passed out Twilight still holding a dust broom in her hooves.

There was a knock at the front door, which annoyed the necromancer a bit as he magically slammed the broom closet door close.

“Twi, ah got the others like you asked.” A southern voice called out from behind the door. Velvet groaned, seeing as Twilight wasn’t getting it, and teleported to and opened the front door to see a group of mares.

The front mare was an orange earth mare with a tide blond mane, wearing a cute stetson hat on her head. The two behind her were total opposites, one was a white unicorn with a stylish purple mane, and the other was a sky blue pegasus with a messy rainbow mane. Behind the white one, was a small shivering ball of pink and yellow that Velvet thought was a pegasus.

“Sorry but the Library is closed for today, go bother somepony else.” Velvet said rather rudely. This didn’t go over with the blue pegasus, as she flew up directly to his face with a glare that almost made Velvet laugh.

“Who are you supposed to be, huh?! Where is Twilight?” The pegasus demanded. Before Velvet could say anything, Twilight appeared between him and the blue pegasus.

“Rainbow, I'm fine. I was busy cleaning up the Library with Velvet night.” Twilight explained. Her friends gave her a questioning look before she realized her mistake. “Oh, this is Velvet night I told you all about.” She pointed a hoof to the annoyed stallion.

“I have to say, he is a little taller than I expected.” The white unicorn suddenly commented.

“Or maybe you all are just short.” Velvet jokingly said under his breath.

“Come inside girls, me and Velvet here were about to discuss something.” Twilight motioned her hoof to the door, allowing the others to enter. Once inside the others commented on how clean the library was, Velvet nights frown turning into a prideful smile. The other sat down on the nearby couch, while the ‘Rainbow’ chose to hover in mid-air. Velvet night walked into the kitchen and started to make tea for Twilights guests.

“So what is this thing ya’ll were goin’ to talk about?” Applejack question. Twilight sat on the floor and gave her friends a nervous glance as she gulped.

“Before we talk, I have something about Velvet you might not know.” Twilight said.

“What is it darling?” Rarity asked with a raised eyebrow. Twilight was silent for a minute but finally spoke, looking away with clenched eyes.

“Velvet night is a necromancer!” Twilight blurted out, expecting an uproar to occur. Instead there was silence and looking at her friends, they were rather calm despite the uncomfortable looks in their eyes.

“We already knew that, Celestia sent all of us a letter to warn us.” Rainbow stated as she landed on the ground. “Still doesn’t mean I trust the freak.” Her eyes narrowed toward the kitchen, where a quiet humming noise was coming from.

“Huh…that makes this a whole lot less awkward…for me” Twilight said, the last part being under her breath. Velvet night came out of the kitchen with a tea set in his magical grasp as he hummed a tune to himself. He set the tea set onto the table and poured himself a cup, everypony else doing so as well.

“Let's hope he didn’t poison it” Rainbow dash sarcastically spat out.

“Trust me honey, If i wanted you dead you wouldn’t even realize you're dead.” Velvet retorted as he took a sip from his cup. Rainbow only gave the necromancer a glare as the yellow pegasus shivered more. “I’m just going to come out and say that there is another necromancer in town.” Velvet revealed, taking a sip while everypony else spat theirs out.

“WHAT THE HAY!” The farm mare and Rainbow dash shouted in surprise.

“Yes it’s true.” Velvet poured himself another cup and took a sip.” She was an ‘old friend’ of mine, slippery little shit that's for sure.” Velvet said with disdain heavy in his voice.

“If you know who it is then, we should be out there catching her!” An exasperated Rainbow dash stated.

It’s not that simple Rainbow dash.” Twilight suddenly spoke up. “ I did some research into the dark moon legion a long time ago, and one of the things they're known for is being great at staying hidden.”

“And we also know how to get away when thing get rough.” Velvet added, setting an empty tea cup on the tray.

“Well if that's the case, then who is it we should catch? Depending on who it is then it won’t be too much of a problem.” A sudden voice asked behind Velvet, causing him to jump in surprise.

“AHH, who in the-?!” He turned around to see a VERY pink earth mare with a crazy mane and the widen grin he had ever seen in his life.

“Hi I’m Pinkie pie, I already know your name but I don’t know your favorite things like-” Pinkies mouth started to spout out words at a million words per second. Thankfully, Twilight used her magic to clamp the pink mare's mouth shut.

“I take it this is another one of your friends?” Velvet asked, using a hoof to dust off the part of his shirt Pinkie had grabbed.

“Sorry about that. Pinkie can be a little hyperactive sometime, especially when meeting somepony new.” Twilight explained with a sheepish smile.

“Just keep her on a tight leash alright? As for who we are going after-” Velvet noticed everypony finished there tea, and used his magic to levitate it to the kitchen.”-It is one Lyra heartstring.”

At that, the room went strangely silent . Velvet looks at the mares to see a range of shocked to distraught faces. The worst one of all was Twilight, who looked like somepony she loved just stabbed her. Pinkie didn’t have the magic shutting her mouth but with the sudden atmosphere, talking wasn’t a good idea.

“N-No, you’re lying. I’ve known Lyra was one of my friends when I was in Canterlot. I know I didn’t socialize that much, but…how?” Twilight said with a horrified face, she began to breathe heavily as rainbow dash and pinkie tried to comfort their friend.

“Unfortunately it’s true, Lyra is a long time member going on 8 years now. The good thing is that she isn’t dangerous…yet.” Velvet had a surprisingly somber look on his face.

“W-what d-do you mean…y-yet.” A shaky, barely audible, voice spoke out. Velvet looked at who owned it and was surprised to see that the shy mare spoke.

“What I mean is, she has the potential to become a problem, but against somepony like me, she wouldn’t even dare think of going up against me.” Velvet ominous said with a sinister smile, causing the shy mare to go silent.

“What makes ya such a special partner?” Applejack asked with some sarcasm.

“Heh, I can almost fully resurrect a pony.” Velvet revealed with a cocky smile. Everypony’s eyes went wide, especially Twilights. The purple mare almost forgot her old friend's betrayal and ran into Velvet at speed Rainbow dash was impressed by.

“That’s impossible! Even necromancers can’t resurrect the dead!” Twilight practically screamed into the necromancer's face, shaking his head back and forwards with her hooves at high speed. Velvet night used his magic to free himself from the crazed mare and set her onto the couch next to the shy mare. After a bit of swaying, Velvet fixed his long hair and tie.

“I didn’t say I can resurrect a pony, I said I ALMOST can.” Velvet scoffed. “Like normal magic, necromancy magic can be morphed and molded into whatever the user wishes. It’s that most necromancers use it to ‘take over Equestria’, or ‘become the lord of the dead’ blah blah blah.” Velvet tilted his head side to side as he spoke with a mocking tone.

“With me, all I ever wanted was to help others and not to satiate some idiotic desire for power. With my magic, I won't ever be haunted by the mistakes I made, no more mistakes…no more death.” Velvet explained with a sad frown.

Again, the room went silent as Velvet's speech sank in. Then to the surprise of everypony, Fluttershy spoke in a sympathetic tone.

“I know how it feels, every time I fail to save an injured animal it hurts a lot. But no matter how hard you try to bring them back, even if you succeed, you're still going to have those memories of your failures. The best thing to do is to come to terms with it.” Fluttershy said, a sad smile on her face.

Cold stone was strangely quiet, frown still on his face. He got up and walked to the stairs and before he went up, looked back at the others.

“It’s getting late, you all should head home.” Velvet instructed. He trotted up the stairs and went into the spare room before anypony could catch him. The others looked at each other, but decided to follow Velvet's advice and leave.

The others said their goodbyes and left Twilight alone in the golden oaks library. She would ask Spike to do his nightly chores, but Twilight sent him to bed as Velvet first met the girls, and also there was nothing for Spike to do because of Velvet. Twilight sighed and trotted up the stairs until she reached the spare room door and knocked on it.

“Mister Night, Are you ok? If what Fluttershy said offended you, she said that she was sorry.” Twilight spoke quietly, as to listen for movement in the room.

“Come in.” The muffled voice of Velvet replied.

Twilight slowly opened the door, and the first thing she saw was a big lump under the beds cover, Velvet's head poking out and facing away from the door.

“I know where she was coming from Twilight.” Velvet spoke before Twilight could. “It’s just, the reason I gave you girls earlier wasn’t the only one, and no, I don’t want to talk about it.” velvet went silent after that. Twilight didn’t want to push the subject any further and went to close the door. Before she did, Velvet decided to speak again.

“And I’m also sorry about your old friend.” Velvet night spoke. Twilight waited for a moment but the necromancer stayed quiet, so she closed the door and went back to her room.

Twilight passed a snoring spike and smiled at the sleeping drake as she tucked herself into bed. Before she shut her eyes, Twilight looked at the ceiling with a sad expression and tears going down her cheeks.

“Why lyra…why?”