Doctor Whooves: Revisisted

“Wait, so, that’s it? Nothing else happened.”

“I've told you everything I know, Berry. I can't think of anything else to say. I went back up stairs and went back to sleep.” Colgate let out a mellow sigh, slipping back into her chair.

“Well that’s disappointing. I was expecting you to gallop to him and be all like ‘Take me with you!’ and stuff.”

“Thanks for at least believing me.”

“I believed you last time, didn't I?”

“Yeah, yeah I guess that’s true.”

Colgate quite honestly wanted to forget the night before, in fact none of it made any sense in her mind. The colt looked just the same as he had all those years ago, and to top it off he looked just like Dr Turner. Whether it was just her insanity creeping in or sheer coincidence, Colgate wasn't too thrilled about these awkward visits from the guy.

“I think I know what your problem is.” Berry cut into her train of thought, causing her to blink a few times before coming back to reality.

“Hmm? Oh, um, okay.”

“You need a stallion.” She put on a sly grin as Colgate seemed to cringe away at the idea. She especially wasn't too happy about her announcing it in front of the entire Café.

“Not this again. How many times must I emphasis that I am completely happy on my own. How is being single my problem exactly.”

“Oh I don’t know, just longing for some colt to appear in his space ship and whisk you off your hooves.”

“It’s not funny.”

“Oh, of course not.” She gave a sarcastic glare before resting back in the seat. “I’m only joking with you. You’re so easy to tease.”

“Oh ha ha, I’m balling my eyes out.” Colgate replied in a sarcastic manner that rivaled Berry’s own. “You can’t just joke about that kind of stuff. Look at you; can’t hold a stallion more than one night.”

“That was one time.”

“I still have the image in my head of walking in on you two. You seriously couldn't find anywhere better than the living room couch. I was disinfecting that thing for days.”

“I was drunk, and it’s your fault for having those strict 9:00 curfews.”

“Oh, so now It’s my fault?”

“What if it is?”

The pair shared wicked stares between them, neither seeming to back down. That was until Berry burst out laughing madly, kicking the table in mad fits. Colgate couldn't help but giggle at her erratic behavior.

“Look at us, we’re like an old married couple.”

Colgate shrugged her shoulders, but still smiled warmly at Berry. “I guess so.”

“I’m sorry for what I said. You aren't so bad.”

“I’m sorry as well. I can be a bit of a stick in the mud. It’s nice to have you to liven things up.”

“That I'll drink to that.” She raised her glass and threw back the rest of her drink, letting out a large belch afterwards. Colgate gave a shrewd look.

“Must you?”

“Oh you. Fine, I’ll try and act more ladylike, but only for you.”

“Well, it’s a start. I might even be able to get you to brush those teeth of yours.”

“Oh please, it’s not your job to look after my teeth.”

“I’m your dentist. Speaking of which you have skipped the last three of our appointments I penciled in. Do I have to force you down at home?”

‘Fine! You don’t have to nag me about it. I’ll go to your stupid dentist thing. When is it?”

“Sunday.”

“Can’t, that’s mares night. You never even come to mares night anymore.”

“I never liked the filthy atmosphere. So anyway, I’ll place you in for Monday.”

“Oh come on!”

“None of that, this is for your own good.”

“What are you, my mother?”

“Sometimes, Berry, you really need one.”

“Psst. Colgate, who are those guys watching us?” Berry whispered in a hushed tone across the table. Indeed she wasn't lying. Across the café were two stallions in black suits looking at them over their shades and newspapers.

“That’s a bit odd. It’s probably nothing.”

“I dunno Colgate. Something about them gives me the creeps.”

“Well don’t just stare at them. You’re just as guilty as those two. Now can we finish up, I have chores to get to at home.”

“You did those this morning.”

“I have to do them twice to do it properly.”

Then something unexpected occurred. From their seats the two stallions in black stood up and tossed aside their newspapers. They bore naught but an expressionless mug as they totted up to the mares table. Their shades were thick enough so that their eyes couldn't be made out from under them. One of the stallions was much larger than the other, but looked a bit slow compared to his partner. Colgate seemed to shrink nervously under the table while Berry stood up to meet them.

“Excuse me but we are having a conversation here.”

“Is she necessary?” The larger stallion asked his partner. He gave a shake of his head, the larger stallion instantly lighting up his horn and tapping Berry on the head. The purple mare collapsed in a small heap on the ground. Colgate gave a brief gasp of shock as her head thudded against the dirt.

“Hey, you didn't have to do that.” Colgate instantly regretted speaking up, as the stallions in black turned to face her. The large one pulled her out from under the table and held her by the foreleg tightly. Colgate tried to struggle but was met with resounding resistance.

“What about this one? Is this the mare we were told to collect?”

“That’s the one. Let’s get her back to base ASAP. Use the bloody spell and let’s get moving already.”

The stallion’s horn glowed gain and he pressed it against Colgate’s forehead. She instantly began to feel her limbs give out from under her, her mind slowly drifting away as if she was on the verge of falling asleep. A black darkness crept around her and she saw no more.

A sudden flash of bright light stunned Colgate, blinking her eyes rapidly as she slowly drifted back into consciousness. As the glare faded in her eyes she could now fully make out the room around her. It was certainly not home, just a grey stone room with a table and a chair she was sitting on. To her left was a mirror on the wall, the others completely blank save the door. A door! Colgate tried to regain some control of her limbs but that spell had taken its toll. She tried to use her magic to open the door from her distance but it was locked. No way out. She leaned forward, trying to rest herself on the metal table. It was cold, offering little in comfort, but she was too tired to care.

Suddenly the door clicked as it was unlocked from the outside. It creaked open slowly, revealing the figure of a blue mare in a black uniform. It was a cut army personal outfit, the type you would expect secret agents to wear on top secret missions, not that Colgate knew anything about that sort of thing. She was carrying a number of files, bound by a single thread. She trotted into the center of the room, resting the files on the table as she looked carefully at Colgate. She put on her best smile as she spoke.

“Good morning Miss Minuette, you've had a long night. I’ll give you some time to regain your composure. I can wait.”

Colgate pulled herself up, trying to appear as stable as she could manage. “No no, I’m fine. Where exactly am I?”

“Hm, well I can’t tell you that unfortunately. All you need to know is that I work for the CSS. My name is General Dame; I’m in charge of Special Operations here. We brought you here to ask you a few questions.”

The CSS? What the… wait a second. What happened to Berry Punch? Was she okay? “What did you do to my friend? She was knocked out cold, I swear she was…”

“Don’t worry yourself Miss Minuette, she is perfectly fine. She is resting at home and has forgotten about this whole fiasco. No pony will question your whereabouts as we have already informed them that you are on holiday in Manehattan. Everything has been accounted for. Now, can we move on?”

She took a seat down opposite Colgate, trying to appear as warm and welcoming as possible. This was an interrogation room, it had to be. The walls, the mirror, the cop. She wanted something from her, it had to be.

“Now, I have a few questions concerning one particular individual you have apparently encountered. Do you mind?”

“What? I mean… who do you mean?”

“The Doctor.”