Gateway to Harmony

I lightly laugh to myself as I follow the two happy mares into the examination room. In the room were several cabinets placed at about my chest height, probably to compensate for the naturally short stature of the ponies. In the center laid a large chrome table draped with a paper thin sterile tissue. Celestia and Luna both walked to the center of the room. I began to follow before a loud sound behind me interrupted my walking pace. Looking back I was greeted by the sight of a very distraught grey unicorn that had burst through the examination room’s doors. He proceeded to give a hasty bow to the princesses before speaking in an apologetic tone still bowing his head.

“I am extremely sorry for my being late princess, I was held up at one of the Royal Guard’s barracks and I ran here as fast as I could-” Before he finished Celestia held up a hoof. Seeing this he silenced himself with a worried look on his face.

“Please, doctor, there is no need to apologize. You are not at all late. We had a bit of difficulty bringing our friend here to seeing reason and coming here, so you are just on time.” Celestia said with a motherly smile nodding to me.

The doctor eased up at this before turning to see where the princess had gestured. When he looked up at me his pupils went to pinpricks and mouth dropped agape. I simply stared back at him before deciding to make the first move.

“Ahem, hello doctor, my name is Captain Robert Bellitto. I am to believe you are the one conducting this little examination?” The doctor stammered before responding.

“Uh…ah-ahem, yes well my name is Vaccine and yes, to answer your question I am the one conducting the examination. I apologize for my little fit there, it’s just I was not expecting well… something like you.” I smiled and chuckled a bit.

“It’s okay Vaccine. Trust me I have gotten used to it by now. So, shall we continue with the exam?”

“OH yes of course, sir. If you would follow me…” The doctor led me over to the examination table. “And if you would please sit down… excellent, now for the scan to be accurate I need you to be absolutely still do you understand?” I nodded. “Good, now princess is this going to be a full body scan or is there a certain area you wish me to check?”

“Yes actually there is. We wish for you to examine the area consisting of his upper neck and lower cranium.” Celestia answered.

“Of course you majesty.” Vaccine said with a short nod before turning to me. His horn produced a faint glow with a white hue signaling the activation of his spell. I felt a familiar tingling on the back of my neck as I awaited the results. This went on for several moments before the tingling stopped and the luminescence surrounding the doctor’s horn dissipated.

“Well princess, there is not anything really wrong concerning any major trauma to the brain stem, or muscular damage. Although I did find some light bruising on the outer layers of skin, I can honestly say that this uh…man, yes man is perfectly healthy.” Both the princesses seemed very surprised by this. Both their eyes going wide as their mouths clamped shut. “Uh princess, may I ask the reason for you reaction to these results.” Celestia seemed to loosen up a bit before speaking.

“I-It’s just… he was hit point blank by a class 6 magic arrow.” The doctor gasped before sharply turning to me with wide eyes.

“B-but that’s n-not possible. To come out of that unscaved is nothing short of a miracle. My boy, you should be thanking your lucky stars you’re even able to stand right now.” I was stunned. Now I knew why Celestia and Luna were so determined to have me properly assessed.

“Doctor Vaccine is right RJ. To shrug off an attack like that is no laughing matter. I have some questions for you later, but those can wait until another time. For now I insist you get some rest. I know the doctor said your scan came out clean, although there could still be some unknown effect that we are not seeing. The state I found you in at the corridor if anything proves that theory.” Luna states.

“What happened in the corridor?” Celestia asks with worry evident in her voice.

“Later Tia later, for now I believe we should escort R.J. back to his quarters.” Celestia nods in compliance. “Alright, oh and thank you doctor for your time.”

“Think nothing of it your majesty.” Vaccine says with another bow. Luna smiles before her and Celestia begin their trek to my bed chamber as I once again follow their lead. The walk was again rather uneventful. We did run into the occasional chamber maid or servant, but they mostly just gave a quick bow or nod out of respect for their rulers. I did get a few odd glances, although most just considered if I was with the princesses I was most likely not a threat. When we reached my room Celestia generously opened the door for me with her gold aura of magic while Luna led me inside. Once I saw the bed I hastily stripped the freshly made sheets off and flopped down onto the soft mattress.

“Okay RJ I am afraid I must take my leave, it is almost noon and I must go to my slumber. I bid thee well my friend.” Luna surprised me with a gentle nuzzle before she left for her chambers.

“I unfortunately must also leave to begin day court. However I do wish you the best in health, RJ.” Celestia shared a similar embrace before heading to the door. “OH, I almost forgot with all the events of this morning. Twilight will be coming later this day for a visit. I will have a guard come to escort you when she arrives.” I turn to her with a warm smile.

“Thank you for everything, Celestia.” She smiles as well and gives me another quick nuzzle before exiting the room. It was not long before I drifted off into sleep.

_____

“You are almost ready.”

“The time is nearly here to unlock your true potential.”

_____

I awoke with a start. Bolting straight up in my bed, beads of sweat rolling down my forehead. My heavy panting was interrupted by a knocking at the door.

*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*

“Sir, are you awake? Sir, I am here to escort you to tea with Miss. Sparkle.”

“Argh, one second I’ll be right there.” I groggily force myself out of the lush velvet prison and made my way to the door. Unlocking it and opening the passage I was met with the sight of a white Pegasus guard clad in full golden armor.

“If you would follow me, sir…” The guard proceeded to walk down the lengthy corridor with me at his tail. The path led to a spinning stone set of stairs which I lazily climbed still exhuming the tired feeling from my body. Three flights up, we stopped at a tall pair of lavender doors. Two guards were already stationed there, both sets of eyes turned their attention to us as both proceeded to open the doors. The guards motioned me inside, I complied. The room was none other than the Canterlot Royal Library. I was awestruck at the massive expanses of books and knowledge that spanned the walls. All the things I could learn…

“Ha, I had a similar reaction my first time in here.” Looking forward I saw the happy face of a certain purple unicorn. Smiling as she excitedly waved to me from a table set up in the center of the room. I happily jogged over to the setup taking a seat. On the platter were a small china kettle and two teacups. Also a moderate sized bowl of sugar and a miniature pitcher of milk. “Would you like some tea?”

“Yes, thank you very much Twilight.” Twilight laughed a bit.

“It’s no problem, OH and how are things going with the planning for the introductory ceremony.” I sighed as Twilight using her magic poured the dark amber liquid into the cup and levitated it over to me. Grabbing it from the air I brought it to my lips taking a short sip before speaking.

“Not well, we’re going to have to post-pone the event due to some…recent events.”

“Wait, recent events, what does that mean has something gone wrong since I left?” Twilight asks with concern.

“*sigh* It is not something that concerns you Twilight, it has already been dealt with.” I lied; I still needed to confront Blueblood about that little scuffle.

“Okay, if you say so…”

“Hey I know, how about you tell me what your friends have been up to.”

“Well, RD has been trying out this new stunt that she intends to get her inducted into the Wonderbolts.” I nodded having no idea what the hell the Wonderbolts were. “Ah, and my friend Pinkie Pie who you have not met was very mad at me for letting you leave before she could throw you a welcome party,” I quirked an eyebrow at that. “Pinkie is a bit of a party animal, and always wants to make new friends. Maybe I should bring her and Rainbow up here for my next visit.”

“That sounds like a good idea. Pinkie sounds like a very nice per- I mean pony.” Suddenly I felt a slight twinge at the back of my skull causing me to lightly wince.

“Yea she really is. Also my friend Rarity wants to meet you. I told her about your suit and-” Twilight continues to talk, but I became more and more distracted by the growing pain. My trouble became evident as Twilight finally took notice of my behavior.

“RJ, are you okay you look rather uncomfortable.”

“Yea I’m fine, I just…ARGH!” A large searing pain explodes from my cranium, causing me to drop my teacup as it crashed to the floor shattering. I firmly grasp the sides of my head in an attempt to ease the onslaught.

“RJ, GUARDS GET HELP SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH RJ!” At the sound of her voice, the two Solar Guards from earlier burst into the room rushing towards our position.

“Miss. Sparkle what has happened-” The guard now looked at me before turning to the fellow guardsmen. “Go get the princess, tell her Captain Robert is in need of immediate assistance at the library.”

“Ay sir!” The other pony yelled before galloping back outside.

I had my eyes closed tight, but then after I heard Twilight scream… “RJ what’s happening to your suit!” Looking down I saw a light red aura slowly building in intensity surround my suit. “What is that energy it’s massive. Is that, no it can’t be?” Twilight stutters in disbelief.

“Twilight what is it, what is happening!” I yelled. Twilight only continued to back up, a look of horror plastered on her face. The light of the aura was blinding, causing me to clasp my eyes shut. Then, a low hum began to sound. A slight tug was felt on my spinal cord before…

BOOM!!!