Canterlot Academy Trials

The medical professionals deliberated on what to tell Fang or even how they would explain it to him. In essence, the fact that his mother had died not long after a cure for her cancer was found was bound to set anyone off. But they knew they had to tell him sooner or later as well as the rest of his family.

“...we have no choice,” the jackal doctor lamented, “Our scientist’s progress needs to be reported on so no one else suffers what she had to.”

“Fang and his family are more than likely going to seek reparations for…everything,” the collie nurse warned, “Whoever has to deliver that news will…”

“I’ll tell him when he’s fully recovered,” the doctor asserted, “Telling him now will only make his condition worse.”

Their conversation was interrupted when Queen Indy approached them. The husky queen was bandaged up in various spots around her body including her neck and thighs. “...no. I will. It’s my job as a ruler to bear the pain of my subjects. You guys need to make sure you keep working on keeping everyone stable.”

“I…” The jackal was hesitant at first, but couldn’t exactly ignore a direct order from one of the queens. “...very well, my lady.”

“We’ll leave it to you,” the collie nurse added, then frowned, “Honestly though…I just feel bad. Jun Fang did his best for his family and this happens…”

Indy sighed and went on. “I’ll make sure his family is taken care of no matter what happens. That young man is practically our champion at this point. He’s among the few qualified to represent the diamond dogs to the rest of the world. He deserves far better than what he’s gotten thus far.”

“...agreed,” the doctor replied, “I don’t have any issues with your word, Queen Indy.”

“Me neither,” the nurse added, “I just hope he’ll be okay once this is all said and done His family is gonna be worried sick…”

It would be about a week’s worth of time in the hospital before any of them were even able to awaken. Then it’d be another two weeks before any of them were ready to leave. But before that could happen, Queen Indy would make good on her promise to inform Fang of what had transpired…

She took a deep breath, and entered his hospital room. This was the day Fang was set to be released. The dalmatian man was sitting upright upon his bed.

“...Queen Indy?” he gasped upon looking up at her, “...what brings you here? F-forgive me for saying such a blunt thing…but shouldn’t you be focusing on the effort to repair the damage to our home?” He stuttered as he rubbed the back of his head, “I-I mean, I’m grateful that you would take time out of your busy schedule to check up on me but…”

With another harsh breath, Indy would put her hands together and sigh. “...I need to tell you something. Something we found out that…will more than likely not sit well with you, Fang. So much so that I decided to be the bearer of bad news for you.”

“...what?” he muttered in confusion, “...what do you mean, my queen? I’m afraid I don’t understand what--”

“...your mother’s disease was curable…and we’ve only just now found the cure for it. After she has already passed…”

Fang was stunned into silence as he took a moment to process what she had just told him.

“...I am…truly sorry,” Indy continued, “It’s our fault for not working to find a cure faster, Fang. Please don’t take it out on yourself. If you need anyone to be upset with, it’s me for not doing my job properly.”

But Fang simply shook his head in response. There was nothing she could say that would alleviate his pain at this point.

“...no…it’s fine…” he mumbled through a cracked voice as tears streamed down the side of his muzzle. “I have…nothing to be upset with you over. I simply have a lot to think about. Please…don’t waste your time with me here, madam Queen.”

Indy wasn’t satisfied with such an answer, but accepted Fang’s words for now. It was a highly delicate situation that she couldn’t force, so she’d back away.

“Understood…just come to me or the other queens if you need anything, alright? We’ll make sure the rest of your family is taken care of with as much support as possible.”

Fang didn’t respond. After the queen had made her case to him, Fang simply left the room…

Later…

Unbeknownst to the rest of his team, Fang had left the hospital and the inner city of Caninia. Along the way, he’d see many happy faces of various fellow diamond dogs who congratulated him and were happy for his return to save his hometown. Among which, included a pup who was grateful to him for keeping their family safe. But Fang ignore them. Their voices. Their faces. It didn’t matter to him.

Eventually, he’d walk out towards Caninia’s outskirts where he’d stop and sit at the edge of a cliff that led into a deep canyon below. All he could think about was his failure to keep his mother alive. Even despite the fact that she was caught in a situation that was beyond her control with Odu’s invasion, Fang still continued to stew in his own mind. Sobbing, gritting his teeth, and crushing a few stones in his paw, wondering if he had made a mistake along the way.

‘...everything I’ve done…everything I continue to do…was it even worth it? I don’t…I don’t know anymore. I did what I could for them. My mother. My entire family. My people. And for what? To be paraded around as some hero? No…I don’t deserve it. I’m a failure. Even now, what that tiger said was correct. Pain is the only destination no matter what path I choose. I should just…end it all…’