The Redemption of Show Bucker

Celestia’s sun shines overhead as Fluttershy approaches the estate with her own feedbag strapped over her back. She places her left forehoof against the door and finds it gently shifting open under its weight. The yellow Pegasus trots in, gently closing the door behind her.

“Mr. Bucker?” she calls. “Mr. Bucker? I’m here to feed your chimeras, Mr. Bucker. Mr. Bucker?”

No reply. Strange.

Yesterday, she saw Mr. Bucker overlooking some books and equipment with a strand of parchment listing various numbers when she came in to feed the chimeras. He hadn’t said anything to her despite her attempts at sympathy.

“Just panic”, he told her. “I just panicked a bit with all the new things going on. I’m just fine, Miss Shy.”

“Are you sure, Mr. Bucker?” she asked then.

Bucker waved a dismissive hoof. And that was the last time she had seen him.

Yet no sign of him now. The books remain where they were yesterday, scattered and open across the tables and floors. The equipment is absent, save for a test tube lying at the table’s edge like a dusty obelisk. Nevertheless, Fluttershy steps forward, remembering the chimeras. Thankfully, the door leading into their hallway is ajar.

I hope Mr. Bucker doesn’t mind me going in without him around. I just want to make sure his animals are getting the food they need.

The yellow Pegasus trots down the hallway lit up by the series of emergency lights watching her every hoofstep. Ahead, several of them flicker and shudder, dipping the hall repeatedly in darkness and dull gray light. Fluttershy calms herself with a hoof to her chest as she adjusts to the scene. There’s nothing to be scared of. Just a technical failure is all.

The line connecting the emergency lights severs about halfway down the hall, leaving a thick patch of unlit wall. Fluttershy pauses as she approaches a torn emergency light shattered and scattered across the floor. She glances towards the wall, noticing embedded glass dust and a blackened impact mark on a closer inspection.

“Oh my,” she murmurs as she carefully steps over the glass shards. “I should take care of that before Mr. Bucker gets glass in his hooves-”

Fluttershy jumps a bit as another emergency light sparks and dies, her wings clinging to her sides. Checking her hind hooves to ensure she didn’t step in any glass, she leans closer to inspect the damage. The bulb manages to hold itself together despite the lining cracks along its edges. The light inside the remnants of the bulb weakly blinks again before succumbing to its injuries. She carefully pushes it aside and continues, adding another mental note to remind Mr. Bucker.

As she moves around the corner, the twin strings of emergency lights are out with the only light being a dull red glow from behind the curtain ahead. Taking a deep breath, she makes her way to the light. Fluttershy pulls back the curtain and is greeted by the sounds of awakening chimeras anticipating her arrival. First, to the tank with LASE-49 awaiting her. Unlike with Twilight and Bucker, the rabbit-snake chimera seems to immediately want Fluttershy’s attention, its remaining white paws pressed against the glass.

She smiles. “Hello, little friend.” The yellow Pegasus draws back the feathers of her left wing to reach into her bag and pull out a fresh carrot. Orange dangles from her mouth over the tank. The rabbit-snake raises its paws to accept the offering of the carrot, which it begins to nibble on happily. The snake portion below shudders.

“I know your snake half doesn’t like this, but I really think you should get some nice carrots every once in a while,” Fluttershy stills offers the supportive smile. She lowers her hoof and brushes against the rabbit head. “Eat up.”

LASE-49 swallows the carrot bit by bit, tearing into the vegetable with its snake fangs. Scrolls of orange flesh drift into the blades of grass along the bottom of its tank. As it finishes swallowing, it opens its eyes and glances up at her.

“If you have a tummy ache, I can give you a nice massage, or maybe some herbs if your snake body won’t reject it,” Fluttershy soothes as the rabbit head nuzzles against her hoof.

The nearby darkened cage lunges its clawed hand grabbing at whatever lurks outside. Fluttershy smiles and retrieves a cluster of cabbage leaves from her saddlebag. She holds the cabbage leaves before the clawed hand which pauses, as if to examine the offering. It runs a solitary claw along the top leaf and then seizes the cluster. The clawed hand retreats into the darkness of the cage with dull yellow eyes glowing as it begins to eat.

“There, that’s better,” Fluttershy says, trotting calmly past the mystery chimera’s cage. She leans down before MOCH-51 approaches her with a hushed squeak on its chicken feet.

“Here you go,” she places another handful of cabbage leaves before MOCH-51. It bows its head and chews into the leaves. MOCH-51 glances up at Fluttershy and then slowly chews, as if to remember its manners.

“That’s good,” Fluttershy brushes the mouse creature’s back. “Good to-”

The yellow Pegasus freezes as a choking sound echoes from the room next door. MOCH-51 looks at her in confusion as she turns and runs past the curtained entrance. The chimera cry in unison, panicking against their cages and tanks. Fluttershy runs back into the room and tries to calm them to no avail.

“No, no, please, don’t worry. Everything’s alright,” the Pegasus raises her hooves reassuringly. “Please, don’t cry.”

Fluttershy moves again when picks up on the sound of shuffling hooves.

The girl-dog chimera returns as he trots down the hallway to check on the chimeras. It stares at him with those vacant white eyes and asks why. The tan unicorn backs against the wall, tilting an emergency light to shine directly over the creature’s head.

“I just wanted to help you. Why does it hurt?”

A rope hangs from the ceiling in one of the research rooms nearby, swaying a little as a winedark aura adjusts it into place. Bucker slips his neck through it with tears staining his muzzle, carefully balancing himself on a desk with his hind legs.

The chimera approaches him, its brown fur highlighted by the glow. Bucker attempts to smash one of the emergency lights over its head, only to lose it in the collision against the wall.

His glasses remain sitting on the desk, watching with invisible eyes as he kicks his hind legs into the open space. Fluttershy walks by the open door and lets out a soft scream as she sees him.

The dog-girl chimera cries, tears flowing down its cheeks as it leans its chin atop its paws. It weakly yips.

“Mr. Bucker!” Fluttershy dives at him.

“Leave me alone!” Bucker screams at the beast as it follows, asking why. In the darkness, he almost trips over his own hooves several times before he makes it to the research room. With a bundle of rope in the corner.

Bucker kicks at her face and upper chest, the rope still hooking around his throat. What sounds like “Get back” emits from his mouth as the tan unicorn flails. Nevertheless, Fluttershy immediately bites into the loop around Bucker’s neck while forcefully pulling him out. The tan unicorn collapses to the floor with a few faded telltale markings etched against his neck.

“No…I can’t…let me go…” Bucker weakly tries to drag himself away as Fluttershy pins him to the ground.

“Mr. Bucker! Please!” Fluttershy holds him down as Bucker struggles. She ducks to the side as a winedark shot flies past her head. “Mr. Bucker, please stop!”

Bucker slaps his forehooves against the floor a few seconds longer before they clatter. His horn radiates a dull winedark aura that fizzles and snaps itself to death. The yellow Pegasus keeps him pinned for a few seconds more, just in case.

“I’m sorry to have hurt you if I did,” Fluttershy apologizes, stepping off Bucker’s back. He whimpers a little as she stands in front of him, lowering her gaze to meet with his. “Please, if something is wrong, you can tell me.”

Bucker does not look at her.

“Please, Mr. Bucker, I want to help you. Why did you just try to…” the yellow Pegasus can’t bring herself to mention that horrible S-word. “Please talk to me.”

“I had…a horrible dream…” the tan unicorn manages to choke out. “I had…performed a biomagical spell on some child…some child and a dog…I don’t know why but I feel immensely guilty…I’ve never done anything like that…nothing…” Bucker begins to sob. “It…won’t leave me alone…”

Fluttershy brushes his back and whispers into his ear. “It’s going to be alright, Mr. Bucker. I understand. Please don’t worry about it. It was all just a bad dream. I know you would never do that.”

The tan unicorn looks at her for a moment, seeing if the girl-dog chimera has returned. Thankfully, all he sees is the yellow Pegasus offering a reassuring smile.

“You’re a good pony, Mr. Bucker.”

After a couple minutes or so, the chimeras’ cries in the other room quell as Bucker ceases to cry himself. Fluttershy keeps watch over him for another couple minutes before the tan unicorn raises himself to his hooves. He looks in the direction where the chimeras’ room.

“See? They’re worried about you, Mr. Bucker,” Fluttershy reassures. “Your chimeras wouldn’t like it if you just…went out on them.”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right,” Bucker murmurs as he struggles to get to his hooves. Fluttershy offers a supportive wing against his side as he regains his stance. The tan unicorn brushes back the wild hairs of his mane and levitates the glasses from the table. He inspects them for a moment before placing them atop his snout. “My apologies, Miss Shy. I guess I got a little carried away. I’ve just never had such a horrific nightmare before.”

Fluttershy gives an awkward laugh and smile combination. “Yes, I’m sure you did. Well, I made sure that your chimeras were fed. But I can’t make it this afternoon. Is that going to be a problem? Sorry.”

Bucker shakes his head. “I’ll be just fine, Miss Shy. Don’t worry about it. I’ll tend to the chimeras from this point on. Thanks again.”

Fluttershy watches over the tan unicorn as he dusts himself off once more. “Oh, and there was some broken glass in the hallway. It looks like somepony smashed some of your lights.”

Bucker brushes the back of his head. “Um, yes, I’ll see to that, Miss Shy. Thanks again.”

Fluttershy still tries to offer that smile although her eyes gravitate towards Bucker’s hoof-covered throat. “And, um, I’m sorry, I don’t want to be rude or anything, but are you sure you’ll be alright? Are you sure you don’t need

“I said I’m just fine!” Bucker throws his hooves at her, making the Pegasus jump back a bit. He relents, taking deep breaths. “I’m sorry, Miss Shy. But I don’t want to cause more trouble than I already have. So I’m asking you to keep this between us. Can I ask you to do that?”

The Pegasus bows her head a little. “Well…”

Bucker grunts as the pain returns to his throat. “I’ll be fine. No harm was done, right? But I don’t want to cause any trouble onto anypony. That’s understandable, right?”

Fluttershy nods. “I suppose so…okay, Mr. Bucker. I promise I won’t tell anypony.” For a second, she looks around the room. Bucker eyes her in confusion. “Sorry, Mr. Bucker. Pinkie Pie sometimes manages to show up out of nowhere and make ponies swear on keeping their secrets and promises.”

“I see. Miss Pie does seem quite energetic. I suppose that’ll just take some getting used to. But thank you, Miss Shy. And don't worry about the chimeras. I'll see to them.”

Fluttershy tries to smile but the thought of the hanging rope keeps it down. "Yes."

A few minutes after Fluttershy leaves, Bucker returns to the hallway and readjusts several of the emergency lights back into place. Using the winedark glow of his horn, he carefully navigates down the darkened corner until he sees the shards of glass sparkling like a sea of winedark stars. Drawing a dustpan from his pack, he pushes the shards in with a scoop-shaped aura.

I really need to control myself, Bucker chides. I could have really hurt myself last night. Really? Throwing one of the lights at an imaginary creature? And then snapping at Miss Shy like that? You should know better, Show Bucker.

After removing the glass shards on the floor, Bucker moves to inspect the impact mark on the wall and sighs. Something to handle later.

Emptying the dustpan in a trashcan, Bucker returns to the foyer with its numerous tables and books scattered over them. The tan unicorn sits himself before a particular olive-colored text marked CHIEMRA JOURNAL. Time to pick up where he left off.

“Chimera LASE-49, part-field rabbit, part-garden snake, still shows signs of irritation upon being fed samples befitting the other’s diet, such as in the instance of the herbivore rejecting the avian meat and the carnivore rejecting a full-grown carrot. LASE-49 is still a fresh chimera, brought in three weeks prior. I may consider changing its diet in order to satisfy both needs. Perhaps some kind of grain product. Should consult Miss Shy or one of her associates over the matter.”

Bucker looks over his notes, quill scrawling the words as he dictates them. The winedark aura moves quickly, leaving a few notes within the margins. The image of the little girl and the dog hover in his mind, flashquick appearances in the corner of the room. Not wanting to see that nightmare again, the tan unicorn continues focus on his notes.

“Chimera MOCH-51, part-field mouse, part-domestic chicken, has made more progress compared to LASE-49 in terms of its development. Peculiarly, the biomagical fusion, or a side-effect of the process, has stimulated further growth of the subject. Possible stimulation of glands or simply an aftereffect of the procedure? I have observed a similar effect with a previous subject CABA-34, part-canary, part-bat, which seemed to react with further stimulated growth following the biomagical process compared to the other CABA subjects, 29-33. Should continue observing their growth process and investigate the biological structure of both upon the subjects’ respective passing.”

It takes a few seconds for Bucker to register the hoofsteps nearby. It appears Miss Shy didn’t lock the door on her way out. Ah well. He tilts his head.

“Ah, Miss Sparkle. Is there something I can help you with?”

Twilight shakes her head. “No, I just stopped by to see how you were doing. I apologize if I’m interrupting anything.”

“Not at all, just working on some basic study notes,” Bucker laughs, stopping when a slight pain etches around his throat. He raises a hoof to the attempted suicide’s indentation but quickly lowers it. “I reassure you, as I reassured Miss Shy, that I’m quite alright.”

“Are you sure? What’s wrong with your throat?”

She’s the observant one, isn’t she? “Nothing, just had a sore throat earlier today. I’ll be fine.”

Twilight shrugs and steps next to one of the nearby tables, her attention seized by the various texts piled there. Her eyes peruse one of the open pages, showing a chart depicting a rabbit’s skeletal and muscle systems. In the margins, a scrawled note pointing to the middle area reads “for LASE, consider melding around this point”.

“I must admit, I’m intrigued. Do you mind if I borrow some of these?” Twilight asks, gesturing to the pile of biomagical texts. “I mean, if not’s going to be a problem.”

“By all means. I’m glad somepony is interested in my work,” Bucker says while keeping his eyes over the course of the quill in its winedark hold. He utters a curse under his breath when he notices he’s been writing “CABA-32” when he’s returned to making further notes about MOCH-51’s growth.

Twilight levitates the noted pile of texts into her saddlebag. Amidst them is a small, beaten olive journal reading CHIMERA LOG that disappears into the pocket. “Well, I probably should let you get back to your work. Thanks again for loaning me these texts, Mr. Bucker.”

“Anytime.”

Twilight makes her way to the door and takes one look back. For a moment, she wonders about Bucker rubbing his throat. Something didn’t seem right about it.

Well, it’s not my place to pry. Mr. Bucker seems alright. I should get back to the library.

Shortly after the purple unicorn disappears back into Ponyville, another figure approaches the estate, this time not accompanied by her dog. Apple Bloom clears her throat and gently knocks on the door. Not hearing anypony tell her otherwise, she gently pushes the door open.

“Mr. Bucker?”

Apple Bloom steps into the foyer. Bucker watch as the filly approaches, a despondent look on her face.

“Look, Ah just wanted t’ apologize abou what happened yesterday,” the filly shuffles her forehooves. “Ah didn’ mean t’ scare ya. Ah mean-”

Bucker smiles and steps forward, placing his right forehoof on her shoulder. “It’s alright. As I’ve reassured everypony around here, I’m fine. I just simply was reminded of a bad time. That’s all. Everything’s fine now.”

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Well, then maybe ya could come on over to Sweet Apple Acres for a bit?" Apple Bloom asks, brushing her forehooves against the floor. "Ah really wanna show Ah'm sorry, so Ah thought ya might like to come over for brunch?" The filly looks up at him with big eyes.

“Well, I suppose I can’t say no then, can I?” Bucker laughs. “I suppose it would do me some good to get out of the estate for a bit.”

Apple Bloom perks up. “Ah promise it’ll be great!”

“Never seen anythin’ like this before?” Apple Bloom asks, noticing Bucker's gazing at the surrounding trees.

Bucker shakes his head. “Not really. I’ve spent a good chunk of my life in various cities. I’ve been through the Everfree Forest on one occasion but haven’t really been out to see more of the Ponyville area for myself.”

“Well, Ah really like Ponyville mahself. Lotsa good ponies and friends,” Apple Bloom responds as they near the gate leading into Sweet Apple Acres. “Anyway, Ah’m sure yer gonna like the brunch!”

Bucker nods and stops for a moment, brushing the sweat off his brow with the back of his left forehoof. Apple Bloom pauses for a moment and offers another smile. Bucker shudders as the image of the little girl returns, laughing along with the disembodied barks of the dog. He steps back, raising both forehooves to shield himself. The pain of the suicide attempt returns to his throat.

“Are ya alright, Mr. Bucker? Ah’m sorry,” Apple Bloom’s bow droops. “Ah don’ mean t’ scare ya.”

“No, it’s fine. I’ve just had a lot happen as of late,” Bucker lowers his forehooves and lets out a low breath. “Please don’t worry yourself on my account, Miss Bloom.”

Apple Bloom’s bow rises back as she cheers up instantly. “Well, Ah’m glad Ah’m not scarin’ ya again.” She turns for a moment and gestures for him to follow as they approach the house ahead.

Bucker observes as they pass a tree with tendril-like branches extended towards the sky. One jags and zigzags closer to the ground, scraping against the dirt as a big red colt with a yoke around his neck clenches a pruner between his teeth. The branch falls from its spot and lands, cradled partially in lower branches. Apple Bloom stops for a moment and waves to the big red colt as he drops the pruner and readies to grip the branch’s tip.

“Hey, Big Mac!” Apple Bloom calls out. “Ah want ya to meet Mr. Bucker!”

“Um, hello,” Bucker raises his left forehoof.

The big red colt nods a hello before returning to his job.

“Don’ mind Big Macintosh, Mr. Bucker. He’s just a hard worker an’ all.”

The tip breaks between the colt’s teeth, encouraging him to choose another spot further up the branch. Just as Big Macintosh pulls the branch out, the broken tip takes a sudden swing directly towards his flank. Before the colt can step out, the branch slides down his side, leaving a nasty slash in its wake. Being his usual stoic self, Big Macintosh does not wince or cry, though his lips quiver a bit as the slash stings and begins to bleed.

“Big Mac!” Apple Bloom runs towards her brother, raising her forehooves towards the wound.

“It’s nothin’. Ah’m fine, Apple Bloom,” Big Macintosh steps away from his youngest sibling. “It’s just a scratch. Ah’ll be fine.” The colt betrays himself with a small wince.

Bucker leans forward, propping a hoof against Big Macintosh’s side before the colt can step away. His horn glows in a winedark aura that concentrates itself over the wound. The big red colt is taken aback a little and watches curiously as the wound seals up. He stretches his side a bit and, relieved that the pain has vanished, turns to Bucker. “Well thank you.”

The tan unicorn smiles. “Oh, it’s no trouble.”

Big Macintosh nods again and resumes dragging the branch away with his teeth. His youngest sibling just stares. “Are you a doctor?”

Bucker shakes his head. “Oh no, I’m not a medical pony. I just know a little healing magic here and there. It comes with my profession.”

“Still, that’s mighty helpful if ya ask me,” Apple Bloom notes.

“What’s goin’ on over there?” another voice calls out.

“Nothin’, Applejack! Ah just brought Mr. Bucker over!”

“Oh well, what are ya’ll waiting for then?” Applejack replies.

Apple Bloom tilts her head towards a picnic table set out with the usual red-and-white checkered tablecloth. The tan unicorn nods and follows, taking more mental notes of the area. He pauses briefly when Winona's barking reaches his ears and the Border Collie runs to greet Apple Bloom. Like yesterday, the cute scene unfolds as the image of the girl and dog flash before Bucker's eyes. He rubs his eyes with his right forehoof, relieved to see the image is replaced by the smiling visage of the Stetson-wearing earth pony.

“So you mus be Mr. Bucker,” Applejack raises her right forehoof and shakes Bucker’s left forehoof as offered. “Ah’m sorry if mah little sis gave ya any problems.”

“It’s quite alright, Miss Jack. I've just had a hard time.”

“Well, Ah hope ya like apples,” Applejack notes, balancing a tin pan of a pie onto the table. “We still had some zap-apples leftover from the harvest. Figured we’d might share it with a special guest.”

“Oh, don’t make such a fuss over me,” Bucker positions himself near the table. In a winedark hold, a slice of zap-apple pie levitates towards his mouth. He takes a bite and swallows. “Mmm. This is quite delicious.”

“Thank ya kindly,” Applejack smiles, then frowns. "Are ya alright?

"Oh yes, quite fine, quite fine," Bucker takes another slice and chews, hoping it'll change the subject.

“So why were ya named Show Bucker?”

Bucker raises a hoof to his chin. “Well, my family did descend from apple orchard agriculturists like yourselves, though we went in a much different direction down the road. Due to the way I acted as a child, they thought I’d be a showcolt someday. Instead, I took up work in the biomagical field. Regardless, that name stuck.”

“So wha’s the deal wit yer cutie mark?” Apple Bloom gestures to it.

Bucker chuckles. “Well, I conduct experiments in the field of biomagic and found out as a young colt that I had a talent for healing magic, just like what I used for your brother. Granted, I can’t instantly cure a disease like our fair Princess could, but I can stop a pony from bleeding to death with a simple fusion spell. But of course, so can a lot of the healers around here. So I just stick to my research.”

“Well, Ah suppose such magic would still come in handy,” Applejack notes.

“That’s what Ah said!” Apple Bloom cuts in.

Bucker smirks, finishing off his next piece. "Well, I hate to cut things short, but I really should be getting back to my estate. It was good to meet all of you." He rubs his throat again for a moment as the pain comes back.

:"Well, Winona an Ah can walk ya back!" Apple Bloom offers as the Border Collie yips, trying to make its own amends.

Bucker turns to face them. The filly and the family dog meld before his eyes, twisting into a light mud-colored monstrosity like before. Instead of the girl-dog chimera from the nightmare, he sees a creature that looks like it can barely keep itself standing on its hooves. Long orange-yellow hairs trail along its face with hints of red. Blood splatters around its body, painting the grass with crimson.

It opens its mouth and lets out a shriek, throwing its forelegs into the air as blood courses down its chin like drool. Bucker winces as the creature nears, letting out another shriek and splattering his face with blood. Bucker wipes the gore from his face, but only sees sweat. The filly and her dog are separate once again.

She could be useful...

“Oh no. Mr. Bucker, it’s alright! Ya have no reason to be afraid o’ anypony!” Apple Bloom calls out, shaking him slightly.

Bucker’s horrified expression fades as a smile creeps up over his face. “Yes, I’m just fine, Apple Bloom. In fact, I wonder if perhaps you could help me with something?”

The filly nods. “Sure, Mr. Bucker. Ah can help if Ah can.”

“In fact, I think I might have a special job just for you,” Bucker gestures to Apple Bloom. “Do you think you could help me?”

When she finishes with a couple of residents consulting her about guides and maps of the area, which took a little longer than expected due to the many questions that followed, Twilight delves into the first biomagical text The Base of Biomagic. It mostly covers basic biology and chemistry as she had learned in her Canterlot studies, along with particular spells designed to react only to living tissue. Naturally, it brings back some pleasant memories of acing tests and study sessions before her time here.

A daydream forms as Twilight sees her younger self dabbling with various spells in shots of purple and magenta. The Princess watches over her, offering that same warm smile as she begins directing her pupil on the next technique apparently involving a mouse and a chicken. Younger Twilight’s horn begins to glow as the next spell comes into play, sparking and firing over the mouse and chicken, forming a creature like MOCH-51. Oddly, when she glances up, she sees the Princess wearing glasses similar to Mr. Bucker. Wait a minute.

Suddenly the spell goes awry. Suddenly the Princess finds herself with massive chicken legs and a mouse’s tail. Princess Celestia lets out a squeak. The younger Twilight catches a laugh in her throat before the fearfulness sets in. But before Princess Celestia can do much else, a squawk leaves her lips, driving the alicorn to place her divine hooves over her mouth.

Twilight rubs her forehead with her left forehoof while trying her hardest to swallow a chuckle at the mental image. “I really should stop daydreaming.”

She changes to another text, this time with a focus on fusion and its relation to each of the equine body systems. But as she levitates it out, another text falls and lands before her. It is a small green journal showing signs of age and frequent use with crinkled edges and tears. Across its cover, CHIMERA LOG is scrawled in thick black ink. She examines the cover closer, seeing the bizarre insignia atop it. What resembles an odd leonine creature within a circle, baring its tongue with paws raised. Strange.

“Odd. I must have accidently taken one of his chimera reports,” Twilight’s left hoof hangs over the cover. “Well, I shouldn’t…but I must admit, his research is intriguing. A small peek wouldn’t hurt.”

Twilight gently opens the research journal and narrows her eyes as the various diagrams and notes scribbled across the pages. Well-crafted in fine quill ink, they reflect different patterns, shifting from a triangle with three trailing circles to another circle with squares and triangles. Several are scratched out with various notes referring to things like “alchemy”.

Curious, Twilight turns the page.

Second Lieutenant Havoc has just reminded me of my upcoming assessment after picking up the boys. Of all the damned things to be reminded of-but I suppose it’s necessary unless I lose my State Certification. But I must improve from last year’s…presentation, if I could even be so charitable as to call it that. The chimera I attempted to bring forth then were utter failures. I should have figured. The beasts I had attempted to recreate only led to failure. In retrospect, I should have known. They were too old to adapt, just like the chimera from two years ago that earned my State Certification in the first place.

I mustn’t worry Nina though. She’s too young. I see her out in the yard playing with Alexander and the boys when they are around. I see her so innocent and cheerful, completely unaware of how fragile our lives really are. She doesn’t fully understand my duty as a State Alchemist but her support is welcomed. I just have to…

No, I won’t have my daughter out on the street. No. I just can’t. I must avoid that at all costs.

But what can I do?

I’ve considered possibly creating another chimera like the one from two years before. But could I make another talking chimera from the subjects in my collection? And even then, can I make one that doesn’t desire to die quickly? After all, several of my chimera have adapted well to the fusion process. It should have been easy for her.

Should have been, yes. But then again, she was also not the best subject for it, looking at the whole thing in retrospect. Her health deteriorated horribly even before the military took her in and she started uttering the whole “I want to die” nonsense. Yet, she still managed to survive the process. That alone should have

Wait.

Perhaps she was too old to adapt? Yes, that’s something to consider. What if I tried with a younger subject? A younger subject would adapt much better to the process.

Maybe I could ask Nina to

All the questions shoot through her mind as she takes a closer look at the page and its abrupt cutoff. Oddly, the ink looks fairly fresh, as do the pages. But who is this Havoc? Or Nina? What’s a State Certification? Is it some program for researchers under Princess Celestia’s watch or at the Canterlot Institute? And who’s her? And what did he think he could ask Nina to do?

She turns the page and sees more of the scribble circles along with notes too tiny and chicken-scratchy to read. Now, the circles are far more intricate, showing more miniature words scrawled in elegant cursive and icons. For a moment, she thinks of the scribbled notes she had seen in Bucker’s texts.

The purple unicorn pauses as she sees more words. The writing is a little shakier but legible, as if written by an excited spell.

Just like her mother…heheheheheh…

I think I’ve cleaned up all the blood now. It’s tiring but bound to happen when you have two subjects undergo a transmutation this intense. She’s quite calm. I’m so proud of Nina. She did exactly as she was told. What a good girl.

And because of her, I have done it. I have created another talking chimera. Because of her! Oh, truly I have the greatest child!

I have to admit, Nina and Alexander were far more compliant than I anticipated. That damn dog doesn’t know when to shut up though. Bad dog, behaving like an utter mongrel, almost ruining it. Nevertheless, Nina calmed him down. What a good girl. What a fine specimen she made.

The chimera was messily constructed at first, as most of the skin tissue had not properly connected. But after two minutes, the tissues bound together and reshaped the subject’s skin, fusing her perfectly with the canine. Throughout, she did not resist, such a good girl. Such a good girl. Like her mother, heheheheheh…

Twilight moves her right hoof over her mouth as bile rises in her throat. The aura pelts the journal into the wall where it lands like a broken bird atop the floor.

“Twilight throwing books?” Spike glances over the fallen journal. “Never thought I’d see the day where you came across a book you didn’t like.” The little dragon chuckles. He pauses when he notices Twilight’s expression. “Are you okay? You know I was just joking right?”

Twilight remains in place, fighting the urge to vomit as the mental images of the little girl and the dog being forced together as a chimera flash through her mind. Some poor filly was subjected to such cruelty? But why? Why did this Nina have to be subjected to something so awful…

This journal was in Mr. Bucker’s collection, Twilight considers. And it looks similar to his hoofwriting. Does this mean Mr. Bucker…?

“Hello? Equestria to Twilight!” Spike waves his hand in front of Twilight’s face. The little dragon steps back. “You okay?”

The purple unicorn shakes her head, snapping back to reality. “Yeah, I’m fine, Spike. I just…it’s nothing. I just need to go see Mr. Bucker again.”

Spike scoffs. “Are you that interested in working with key-meh-whatsits?” Curious, he leans over to pick up the fallen journal.

The purple unicorn glares at him, making the dragon shrink back a bit. She calms herself. “Sorry, Spike.” Twilight levitates the thrown journal back from Spike’s hands into her saddlebag, along with the other biomagical texts. “I just need to return these to Mr. Bucker. I’ve lost

Spike raises an eyebrow. “Since when-”

“Just trust me on this, okay? Keep a watch on the library!”

Before Spike can say much else, Twilight is out the door but slows herself to a quick pace. It's probably nothing. It might just be some random thing he's picked up. But what if it isn't? I should get to the bottom of this. The purple unicorn brushes away some sweat from her forehead. Soon, the estate nears.

“Hey, Twilight! Where are you off to in a hurry?” a voice asks.

The purple unicorn stops and turns to see a small orange Pegasus and white unicorn approach her.

“Oh hello, girls. I just have to return some things. What are you up to?”

“Well, we were just on our way to meet up with Apple Bloom.”

“Oh? And where is Apple Bloom, girls?” Twilight asks, trying to ease herself.

“Oh, she went over to that Bucker guy’s house a while ago,” Sweetie Belle answers. “Said something about wanting to apologize about something. I think they might have went somewhere ‘cuz I saw them going back to his place. We were just going to go see if she was done yet.”

Twilight pauses, that sick feeling coming up in her chest.

“Twilight, are you alright?” Scootaloo asks.

Twilight recalls the passages. Just calm down, Twilight. You’re overreacting. But what if I’m not? “Sorry, girls. I guess I just got a little worried over nothing there.” She lets out a nervous laugh. “Well, I’m just going to handle some business with Mr. Bucker. I’ll see you girls later.”

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle watch as Twilight makes her way to the estate, leaving them in metaphorical dust.

“I wonder what’s with her?” Sweetie Belle asks.

Twilight flings the front doors open and marches into the foyer. Much to her worry, nopony is around. She searches about the area, just in case if maybe Apple Bloom is buried under the books or something. No, that’s silly. She’s not like that. In the next room, she searches among the various medical charts and graphs strewn around, but sees no sign of-

Was that a shriek?

The purple unicorn turns her attention to the slightly open door leading into that hallway.

Is she in the chimera room? What is he doing to her?

Determined to get to the bottom of this, Twilight trots into the hallway and immediately casts an illumination spell when the darkness enshrouds her. She glances around, taking note of the missing and shaken emergency lights, intact ones all oddly off. He’s just probably having problems with his lights. Nothing to get all worried about. But what about that burn on the wall and-

Another shriek.

She steps back a bit, holding back a cry in her throat. The purple unicorn readies her horn for an offensive spell as she carefully and cautiously approaches the chimera room where the shriek emits once more. Twilight brushes back the curtain and walks into the room and-

“Hello, Miss Sparkle,” Bucker offers a smile as he calms the CABAs in their cage. The bird-bats settle down, the one stifling its next shriek. “Is there something I can help you with?”

Apple Bloom empties a scoop full of feed mixed with insects into the bird-bats’ cage. She drops it back in the pouch and turns to Twilight. “Oh, hi, Twilight!”

The purple unicorn shakes her head. “Huh?”

Fortunately, Bucker speaks up. “Apple Bloom came over to apologize about last night. She invited me to brunch over at her family’s farm and well, when we came back, it was about time to feed the chimeras.”

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom adds. “Fluttershy’s been busy, so Ah thought Ah could help Mr. Bucker with feedin’ his key-meh-rahs. An he’s payin’ me a few bits for feedin’ them in the afternoon and evening. The Cutie Mark Crusaders could always use some more bits in our savins!” She slips the feedpouch into the room next door and runs by Bucker. “Seeya, Mr. Bucker!”

“Yes, see you, Miss Bloom.” Bucker waves to her before he rubs the back of his head with his right forehoof. “Well, I guess it’s fortunate that I ended up here in Ponyville with so many helpful ponies around.” He turns and notices Twilight’s expression. “Is there a problem?”

The purple unicorn considers retrieving the journal from her saddlebag and shoving the incriminating pages into his face. However, she relents. “No, I just got a little panicked over something that wasn’t there. You know how it is with studies and all.”

Bucker nods. “Oh yes, I can understand. Things just have been a little rough as of late.” The tan unicorn cranes his neck a bit in a stretch, revealing a red line around his throat.

Twilight chokes back the sick feeling in her chest. “Well, I probably should be getting back to the library now. I’ll see you later, Mr. Bucker.”

“Same to you, Miss Sparkle.”

Twilight shakes her head. Why do I get so worked up over nothing? Mr. Bucker’s not a monster. He’d never do anything like-

As Twilight makes her way into the foyer, she stops by one of the tables and empties her saddlebag save for the journal. She considers for a moment that maybe she is just getting worked up over nothing after all. But what if she’s not?

The purple unicorn closes up her saddlebag with the journal still tucked away inside it. But just as she begins to walk away, a pile of books falls in front of her. In particular, several small journals just like the one of Nina and the chimera collapse before her forelegs. Ignoring the feeling of dread, she looks down at the pages open.

Second Lieutenant Havoc has just reminded me of my upcoming assessment after picking up the boys.