The Doctor is in

Royal guards surrounded the home of Lyra and Bon Bon, and yellow and black caution tape blocked any outsiders from getting close. Rocky road finished speaking with two solar guards, both trotting off towards a large transportation cage.

Rocky looked around the semi-crowded area in search of somepony. It didn't take long before his eyes locked onto Velvet and, with an annoyed grimace, walked towards the necromancer.

As the Commander came closer, he couldn't help but feel uneasy about the unmoving stallion. Velvet just sat there staring off into nothing as an umbrella he had received protected him from the rain. It didn't even look like Velvet knew what was happening around him.

"Honestly, I've got to thank you, Velvet." Rocky reluctantly said. "My stallions and I have been trying to catch this one for a while now." Rocky pointed a hoof behind him at Lyra, locked in the cage with a downcast look on her face.

Velvet flinched at Rocky's voice but recovered by giving him a kind smile. "Commander Rocky, it's a pleasure to meet you. You don't have to thank me. It was a coincidence I even managed to locate her here." Velvet stood to his full height to 'face' the short stallion.

Rocky huffed and looked off to the side. "I guess you're right. Still-" He turned around to face Lyra, who was finally being hauled off through the sky by pegasus guards. "I always knew something was wrong with her."

Velvet looked at Rocky with a raised eyebrow. "You knew Lyra?" He asked with mild surprise.

"Not personally, But when Twilight would sometimes visit me, she talked about her. Always bringing up the mare's weird obsession with these 'Human" creatures." Rocky sneered at the description Twilight had given him many years ago.

"These creatures sound interesting." Velvet looked at the cloudy sky with a thoughtful look. "I wonder what one looks like on the inside?" He muttered under his breath.

Rocky sighed as he looked back up at Velvet. "Still, I need to know what info you gain from her." He then pulled a notepad and pencil out from under his armor.

Velvet looked back down at the commander with a bored expression. "All I needed to know from here was the location of Iron hoof." Velvet said. The deadpanned look from Rocky made him roll his eyes. "He was the only one besides Lyra that knew I betrayed the Legion. Unlike Lyra, he doesn't have a problem with me, but we separated a long time ago due to...personal complications." Velvet said, looking away in embarrassment at the end.

"That's a nice story and all," Rocky sarcastically interrupted. "But why do you even need to find him?" He asked, writing down information on his notepad.

"Because he knows where the legion leaders of the Legion are. " Velvet couldn't help but give a sly smirk seeing Rocky's shocked face.

Rocky laughed dismissively for a second before suddenly grabbing Velvet's shirt collar and pulling him in close.

"You shouldn't joke like that necromancer. Nopony knows where the leaders are! Not us, the necromancers we captured, even the princess doesn't know!" Rocky shouted angrily, getting the attention of the solar guards.

Velvet scoffed, slapped the commander's hoof away with his own, then fixed his shirt collar. "Firstly, don't you dare touch me like that, you overgrown colt." Velvet noticed a couple of guards watching them, and when he looked at them, they trotted off.

"I don't care." Rocky angrily stated. "I don't believe some random pony knows the location of the leaders of a highly secretive necromancy legion."

"Well, this 'random pony' is the right hoof stallion of a legion leader," Velvet pointed up in a matter-of-fact way. "One out of three." Velvet's hoof returned to the ground as Rocky put his notepad away.

"If that's true, I'll have to send a squad out to get him." Rocky looked up at Velvet. "Where did Lyra say he was at?" Velvet didn't answer and walked past Rocky, who was understandably annoyed by this and followed Velvet.

Velvet opened the front door to Lyra's home and walked down the hall, not paying attention to Bon Bon, who was crying on a sofa in the main room as guards tried to question her. Going up the stairs, Velvet and Rocky walked a short distance until they found a door with the words 'keep out' written on it.

Opening the door, Velvet still felt the need to cringe at the sight of the messy room. Mythology books and pieces of parchment lay across the ground, Pictures of poorly drawn biped creatures plastered on the walls, and the only furniture was a bed, desk, and nightstand with a lamp on it.

"She swore she'd had no idea where Iron hoof was." Velvet's horn lit up as some books and parchment levitated into neat piles. "The only useful tidbit she gave me is that he was in Manehattan the last time she'd heard from him." Velvet looked at the 'human' drawing on Lyra's wall with a confused look.

Rocky road scoffed as he kicked a crumpled parchment. "Just our luck, the most important pony we need is hiding out in one of the most populated cities in Equestria." He turned his head toward Velvet upon hearing him giggle.

"I knew you were the type to focus on the bad things, commander." Ignoring the glare from Rocky, Velvet levitated the same blue crystal in front of his face. "I would like to inform you that I have this." Nudging his head to the crystal on a string.

"I'm supposed to know what that is because...?" Rocky deadpanned.

"In short, assistant crystals are used only in emergencies. They can send out a quick message in no time over long distances. The best part is they have a trackable magical wavelength only we necromancers know." Velvet put the crystal away in his shirt pocket and walked past Rocky road until he reached the door. "All I have to do is wander around until I get into the wavelength range, which is 3 kilometers, and move on from there. So don't worry about sending out your stallions," Velvet opened the door and walked out. "Because I have to do this." He muttered under his breath.

Rocky road tried to follow Velvet, but a flash of dark purple light from the hall told him it was too late. Sighing, Rocky road went downstairs and ordered some guards to check Lyra's room.

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

Velvet appeared in front of Twilight's Library with a flash of light. He walked forward, but his foreleg buckled and caused him to trip into the mud, with the umbrella joining him soon after.

"Ugh, I've been using too much magic that my body is being affected. Just my luck." He grumbled.

Getting up from the ground and wiping mud from himself, he entered the front door to see that the Library was empty. Velvet set his umbrella by the door and walked further in until he reached the kitchen. He was surprised to see Spike in his usual cooking attire making some daisy sandwiches on the counter.

The small drake perked up to the sound of Velvet entering the kitchen. "Velvet, you're back finally." Spike greeted with a smile, but that smile turned into a glare that caught Velvet off guard. "Twilight was worried about you, you know? She told me you just left her in the rain after she was trying to help you back here!" Spike berated.

"I guess you're right," Velvet sighed. "I wasn't in the right mind yesterday evening, so I acted out of line and hurt Twilight. I apologize."

"I'm not the one you need to apologize to." Spike pointed upwards to the general location of Twilight's room. "It's her." Spike lowered his claw, finished the sandwiches, placed them onto a plate, and held them out to Velvet. "Give these to her; they're her favorite, it’ll be like a peace offering."

Velvet took the plate of sandwiches in his magic and nodded. It didn't take long for him to leave the kitchen and find the mare's bedroom. Once there, Velvet stood before the door, thinking about last night's events. He shook his head of those thoughts and knocked on the door, particularly weakly, on the door and took a deep breath.

"Twilight dear, are you in there?" A shuffling noise came from behind the door. Then, it opened to reveal Twilight herself with a messy mane and unkempt coat.

"Oh, Velvet, you are-" Twilight covered her mouth and yawned loudly."-back." She gave a small smile, to which Velvet presented the plate of sandwiches.

"Spike said to give you these as a 'peace offering' to make up for...late night." Velvet looked away with a guilty look. Twilight moved out of the way, letting Velvet step inside.

By his standards, Velvet found Twilight's room quite homely. The room consisted of 2 floors, the bottom section only having a study desk, a table with a plant sitting on it, and obviously, bookcases lining the walls with tomes inside them. The top section wasn't much different besides fewer bookcases and a single, large bed right next to a window. Velvet was about to sit on the floor when Twilight spoke up.

"I'm sorry I don't look my best. I woke up a little bit ago." Twilight said with a little chuckle.

Velvet couldn't help but laugh a bit as well. "It's alright, dear, I should be the one saying sorry after all."

"True, but I heard about what happened with Lyra. I understand why you did that. I forgive you." Twilight smiled at Velvet but went away when he only frowned more.

"You shouldn't forgive somepony that easily. My arrogance and anger got the best of me...again." Velvet looked away but was bewildered when he felt Twilight hugging him. "Why...Why do you continue to overlook my mistakes?" Velvet tried to pull Twilight off, but it was no use due to the mare's surprising strength.

Twilight sighed and rolled her eyes. "because those are mistakes that I shouldn't hold against you. I'm not the type to hold grudges," Twilight gave a sheepish smile." often."

They sat silent for the longest time, feeling each other's body heat as the rain pelted the bedroom's window. The sound of magic activating rang out, and the plate of sandwiches appeared in front of the studious ponies.

"Want one?" Twilight offered a daisy sandwich with her magic.

Velvet huffed in amusement and took it in his magic. "Sure, even though I heard that daisies are bad for you, it's not like I care right now." Velvet took a bit as Twilight levitated some books by his side.

"I don't know if you'd care, but you seem the type to like these, so I'd like to give them to you as a 'Welcome to Ponyville' gift." Twilight blushed a bit as she looked away, an embarrassed look on her face.

Velvet raised an eyebrow in confusion. But when he lifted a random book from the pile, his muzzle gained a wide, mischievous grin.

The book's cover depicted a pair of faceless ponies cuddling each other, held close together with a deep red ribbon. The title said, in bold silver letters, '50 shades of red'. The cover alone gave Velvet an idea, but the title only served to solidify that idea.

Velvet looked through the pile again. All books belonged to the risque genre of literature.

"50 shades redder."

"Her desire."

"Sweet nothings."

Every novel in the entire pile related was some form of an erotic novel. Velvet had read some of them before; some were good, others not so good, and some cheese romance books for good measure.

"My, my, Twilight sparkle. I didn't take you for THAT kind of mare." Velvet teased.

Twilight's face then turned redder than one of Applejack's apples as she glared at Velvet. "I-It's not like that! They were gifts from Rarity and for some reason thought that a Public library needed inappropriate books." Twilight took a deep breath and exhaled. "So I'm giving them to you since-"

"I seem to like the type to read them." Velvet interrupted with mock disappointment.

"No, no, no, I didn't mean it like that! It's just that the way you'd act suggested that-" Twilight's ramblings had cut short when Velvet put a hoof over her mouth.

"Honestly, I appreciate it. All my pass-time reading material had been left at my shop when Celestia captured me." Velvet looked away from Twilight but kept a sly side glance towards her. "Along with my research."

Then and there, it was like somepony flipped a switch in the mare's brain as she was suddenly up against him, talking at speeds to rival Pinkie Pie herself.

'Maybe Minty darling would like some of these.' Velvet thought as Twilight begged at his hooves.

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

"Honestly, sir, this place could use a little more color." A voice whined.

"Higher 1, I did not order you here to comment on the summoning rooms look. I have a mission for you." The gruff voice sneered in annoyance.

"Well, I don't blame you, sir. It probably requires the best." Higher 1 said arrogantly.

The owner of the gruff voice only rolled his eyes at Higher 1's attitude and just turned around, overlooking the half-completed summoning room.

"I received some intel on the traitor. He and the elements of harmony will be seated on a train to Manehatten." The gruff voice owner turned around towards Higher 1. "I want you to get rid of them, don't fail me as Higher 5 did."

Higher 1 only chuckled. "Don't worry, boss." the sound of a chain rang out. "I'll give you the most fabulous performance of a lifetime."

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

"Ach, I got mud on my hooves!" Rarity cried out.

Rainbow dash rolled her eyes. "It's not that muddy outside. Besides, it's not even that much." Rainbow pointed a hoof at Rarity's hooves which were barely messy.

"That's easy for you to say." Rarity closed her eyes and turned her head away from the pegasus. "You're flying around; you can't get messy."

"She's gotta point, Rarity." Applejack said. "It ain't even that muddy out. Besides, I'm doin' all the heavy liftin'." Applejack argued. Rarity only scoffed as she looked back at the farm mare carrying a small wagon full of suitcases, most of them filled with clothing.

"Well, of course, applejack dear, a lady shouldn't have to carry such a heavy load." Rarity brushed away her mane with a hoof, revealing her freshly applied make-up.

Pinkie pie bounced along as the group walked, but she suddenly appeared next to Fluttershy, causing the timid mare to 'Eep' in surprise.

"I can't wait to get to Manehatten! We'll have so much fun! Do you think the ponies there like parties? Well, of course, they do, but what type!" Pinkie began to babble on again until Fluttershy cleared her throat, which got the attention of Pinkie Pie.

"Um, could you keep it down...please?" Fluttershy mumbled out. Pinkie just bounced along, giving Fluttershy a blank stare before grinning.

"Okay!" Pinkie shouted, causing Fluttershy to recoil as Pinkie went back to bouncing forward in silence.

Velvet and Twilight were in the front of the group, both having a look of either boredom or seriousness. Twilight turned to Rainbow, Applejack, and Rarity with an annoyed look.

"Cut it out, girls. Princess Celestia wrote that this mission was going to be super dangerous. So we need to be on the watch for anything to happen." Twilight turned her head back to look at her checklist, most of the box retaining central items like food and bits.

"You didn't need to lie about their attendance, you know?." Velvet whispered. "I already told you I don't need help." Velvet's front right foreleg gave out momentarily, causing him to falter. Velvet looked back to see that no pony noticed, but when he looked at Twilight, she gave him a 'ya sure' look.

"I don't think so. You are not in peak performance yet. I shouldn't even be allowing you to go. But this mission is important, and I think you would go even if I told you no." Twilight scolded. She then sighed and looked forward, the train station not too far away. "I know how you feel, but let us help this time, okay?" She asked.

Velvet looked frustrated before his face turned into an expression of mock amusement.

"If you are so confident, sparkle. Then try to keep up." Velvet said with some irritation in his voice.

It wasn't long before the group reached the train station. Applejack and Velvet loaded the luggage onto the train while the rest took their seats. It was hard for Velvet to move around in the cramped car of the train, but with only three head bumps, he eventually got into his seat.

The train's whistle hissed as steam emanated from the locomotive. With a slow start, the train was down the track.

Equestria's landscape passed the window, leaving Velvet in awe at the beauty of this unseen land. His eyelids got heavy, and with a yawn, he rested his head against the vibrating window, closed his eyes, and went to sleep.

There was nothing but darkness all around him. No matter how hard he tried, nothing he did allow him to move his head. That was until he blinked and was suddenly in a place he hadn't been to in a long time. Magic shot overhead from both sides as a griffin/pony soldier dropped like flies to the necromancer's power. Velvet felt shaken by his left shoulder as he looked to see a young unicorn stallion.

"Commander night, what do we do? The enemy is falling back; should we pursue them?" He asked with a serious tone.

Velvet wanted to scream, 'run back, run back, it's a trap!', anything to sway them away from what came next. But what came out of his mouth only filled him with dread.

"Chase down those light side bastards!" Past Velvet said with a confident tone in his voice. He then jumped out of the trench, closely followed by 50 stallions.

Suddenly, on the other side of the battlefield, golden armored guards popped out and sprayed down the battlefield with powerful magic bolts. Velvet's past self could only watch with horror as the many mares and stallions got caught in the surprise attack. Blood painted the dirt, their bodies blasted to shreds, and limbs and broken bodies decorated the land as Velvet jumped into a pre-existing crater.

Velvet stayed in that crater for hours, occasionally screaming in agony over his lost comrades. He hadn't moved a single inch until nightfall came as the sounds of war went silent.

He had only been found in the crater by a search party. They were collecting the dead for cremation until they came across him huddled with a wide-eyed, terrified look on his face.

Velvet blinked again as he felt himself be shaken awake by Twilight, who had blood and scratches on her face.

"Come on, wake up, Velvet. I need you!" She desperately cried out.

Velvet opened his eyes and looked around to see the train car he was resting in was lying in pieces around him and Twilight. Luggage and unconscious ponies laid about everywhere, as Twilight's friends were, thankfully, awake with minimal damage. All except Rainbow dash.

"What happened?" Velvet asked groggily.

"I don't know. We were all fine for one moment. Next, we knew, the train jolted hard, then the entire thing tipped over and crashed." Twilight looked back to her friends as a pained cry from rainbow dash rang out. "I think Rainbow Dash hurt."

Velvet was quicky to his hooves as he approached the circle of friends. They moved out of the way to reveal the rainbow mare with an open fractured wing. Velvet got to work looking over the wing; it wasn't too bad from what he could see.

Besides the protruding bone and gushing blood, the wound didn't look all that bad. Barely any risk of long-term damage and no sign of damage that could affect Rainbow dash's flight.

"I can fix this; just give me a moment." Velvet's horn glowed a dark purple. "Be ready, Rainbow dear. It is going to hurt." Velvet warned.

Before the rest could ask why, Rainbow dash had her wing enveloped by Velvet's magic. The sound of a snap came as her wing was forcibly moved back into place, causing Rainbow dash to cry in pain.

"Whatta think ya doin'!?" Applejack grabbed his shoulder with a hoof, but Velvet barely responded as he worked.

The flesh around her fracture point fused until it had been fully healed. Rainbow dash stopped crying in agony when the sudden relief of pain washed over her.

"What, how did you-?" Rainbow dash sputtered out. Velvet yelped in pain as blood ran down his nose and his coat shined from a cold sweat. Velvet was visibly shaking, and it looked like he was about to pass out cold.

"What the hay happened to him?" Rarity shouted in an un-ladylike way.

"Magic exhaustion." Twilight moved past her friend with her horn glowing purple. "As the name implies, he had used too much magic. Probably from that fight a couple of days ago." She put her horn to his chest as purple magic poured into him.

"But that was like forever ago!" Pinkie pie interjected. "Shouldn't he be fine right now?" She asked with a confused look.

Velvet coughed up blood but was beginning to look better. " I've been teleporting more recently, and not short distances either. And considering my magic wasn't full after that fight, it wasn't doing much for my health. I used the last of my available magic to heal you." Velvet flashed Rainbow dash a smile before coughing up more blood.

Rainbow dash felt extremely thankful and was about to say so when a sudden bang, and moving chains, caused the group to look towards it.

"My My Velvet night, you're looking worse for wear." A voice said with mocking sympathy. Velvet's eyes widen in shock upon seeing who it owned to

The stallion looked to be almost Velvet's height, give or take a few inches. A coat that was golden in color and a mane consisting of rainbow colors similar to Rainbow dash's mane. The armor on his body was also colorful, most of it covering his upper half. His face was the weirdest part, decorated with strange lines and marks that made the word 'glamor' on his forehead.

On his back were two large curved blades connected by a long black chain. The blades themselves had gorgeous engravings separate from each one. Rarity would be awed by them if it weren't for the stallion's creepy wide smile that reminded Rarity of Pinkie Pie's, except more cheery.

"It's sad to see you die in such a pitiful state." The stallion drew his blades. The chain made a 'clank' sound when hitting the train car wreckage he was standing on. "But for a traitor, I'll make an exception." The stallion pointed a blade at the group as his wide smile went wider somehow.

"I'll give you the most fabulous death for trash like you!"