The heart monitor kept time with the patients heartbeat, a few nurses occasionally flitting in to check on the dark blue unicorn. He had been brought in a few days ago, and remained in a coma of sorts. They suspected it was due to the massive blow to his head, or maybe the toxins he was exposed to. Either way, the hospital staff did their duty, and waited for the stranger to awaken.

The nurse on duty noticed the unicorn's legs twitching slightly. She shrugged, then going back to her duties. Probably just a dream.

Had Toxic known her thoughts, he would have laughed. A dream would have been a welcome reprieve.

He floated somewhere between sleep and unconsciousness, and partly in torment. The worst nightmare was the one that was true, that couldn't be escaped by merely waking. Some ponies were terrified of spiders or fire. Others, perhaps drowning.

His fear lay in that which he couldn't escape.

Darkness. Nothing was present in the cold metal room that formed around his helpless consciousness. A cold permeated his flesh and mind, and the accompanying dark figure. It was a large shadow, glowing soulless eyes that stared back at him. He knew this monster. It haunted him, whether he was waking or sleeping. It was composed of the darkest moments of his life, and it loved every minute of his misery. Be it an actual being or a figment of his imagination, Toxic didn't know. He only knew that when he awoke screaming, its laugh was always there, echoing through his mind.

The attack was swift, the creature slinging the most vile memories to the fore. School, laughing colts and fillies.

“Worthless.”

“Weirdo.”

“Cripple.”

“Freak.”

Even in his catatonic state, the emotions began to manifest themselves, the heart monitor in the real hospital beginning to beat faster.

Toxic shook himself out of the sludge-ridden memories, trying to shake free of their depressive hold. The creature in his mind had one last weapon to throw however, and it failed to miss.

The image of decorations, pink hearts and flowers. A banner- 'Hearts and Hooves Day.'

And her face. It was blurred by tears and time, but it still struck home. The young mare looked at him, then to his notepad again, to re-read the message, and then back to him-

And shook her head.

“Sorry. I'm 'busy.'”

Then came the smile, almost as an afterthought. It was a cocky and arrogant one, lacking any feeling. He knew the true reason for her refusal. It was the same reason he was so quickly labeled and mocked.

Different.

Freak.

Mute.

The monster then spoke.

“You are alone.”

Even in sleep, Toxic's limbs began to twitch, finally getting the attention of a few of the local nurses and doctors.

No longer was it a simple nightmare, it was torture. Rage, unfiltered and raw, boiled to the surface of Toxic's mind, but not finding any release. There was a touch of another consciousness, the image of a violet mare trying to speak- but the anger drowned out everything. Years of pent up emotion surfaced-

And lashed out.

The nurse looked over to the heart monitor, staring in shock as she watched it climb even higher. A doctor moved from the end of the bed, but a few steps to his right...

Those steps saved his life.

The dark blue stallion woke up. Sitting up with a terrible mask of anger on his features, a burst of white magic lashed out from his horn. The scream he uttered was enough to carve into the hardest of hearts. It was pure pain and agony. No coherence, just a raw explosion of emotion that was vocalized. Missing the doctor by a few inches, the magical beam tore into the wall, slicing a meter long gash through the solid drywall and metal backing. Daylight bled through the slice, the magical bolt having completely shredded through the hospital wall.

The emotions fled as quickly as they had arrived, leaving Toxic drenched in a colt sweat, and doctors and nurses staring. A few deep breaths, and the unicorn looked normal, as though he were just another patient.

“So-rry.”

More staring. He hated it when people stared. Then again, he fully deserved it this time.

“Well. I have to say you're one of the more unique patients we've had here, but we deal in physical, not psychological trauma.”

Toxic turned to look at the doctor who was speaking, a dark brown unicorn sporting a white mane that matched his lab coat. Thankfully, this doctor acted as though all was normal, unlike the still-gaping nurses and assistant. Then again, this sort of thing probably wasn't the oddest occurrence at a general hospital.

Probably.

“Physically speaking, you are perfectly healthy. You've been unconsciousness for about two days, after we found you at the top of that facility. We had to run the standard detoxification procedures and clean a few cuts and bruises, but other than that you seem to be in fairly good condition.”

Toxic let the information sink into his mind for a few moments. Two days? The foul taste in his mouth explained the detox procedure...
But now what did he do?

“Ah, yes. You are put on three days mandatory rest. You are fit to go home, but nothing more. That is a direct order.”

Toxic resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Probably from that loud-pony at HQ...

The doctor then continued, snapping Toxic back to reality.

“From Princess Celestia and Luna."

Yep. Just like he- wait, what?!

His wide eyes communicated all he needed to, and the doctor simply shrugged, moving to disconnect the various tubes leading from Toxic's body.

“I'm just as surprised as you are. You're not royalty, are you?”

A shake of the head was Toxic's response.

“Well, that makes things interesting I suppose. Do you need a ride to your residence?”

Toxic shook his head. Not a chance. His muscles felt weighted, but he had plenty of energy. He needed the exercise.

“Well, you're free to go. All IV's are out, and electrodes disconnected. The bill was paid by both your company, and from the royal coffers at that. Your belongings are at the front desk, locker 116.”
The royal coffers? What was going on?

Toxic nodded his thanks, making his way down the sterile halls and to the elevator. He made it to the bottom floor without any problems, aside from a few shaky legs.

“Lock-er one o-one six.”

The only sign of surprise from the desk-pony was a raised eyebrow, the dark green earth pony then walking back to retrieve the meager contents. Saddlebags, wallet, clipboard, enchanted quill, and the remnants of a respirator. The other items must have either been returned to HQ or been destroyed.
Thank you.

The desk-pony nodded, watching the unicorn make his way out the automatic doors, then shaking his head. They always got the strangest of patients...

Unfortunately, Toxic had been at Canterlot General Hospital, a good hour trot from his home on a good day. With nothing else to do, he took it easy, snagging a hearty lunch on his way, and picking up a few groceries. He liked the feeling of being productive, even in a small sense. By the time he had completed the journey home, it was late in the afternoon. Toxic's heart soared on seeing the fairly bland apartment complex, painted a dull lime color that matched the surrounding buildings.

Hated the color, but loved the price.

Second floor, third door on the right...and he was home. Toxic loved the feeling of entering his 'domain,' even if said domain was just a large room with a bed, kitchen area, and bathroom. It didn't matter, it was his. Sure, the colors were dull, maroon and tan (extremely ugly, but they were the best he could do) and off-blue walls, it certainly wasn't a mare-magnet, but it worked.

He slid the saddlebags off, and made a beeline for the shower. The hospital decontamination spells always left his fur sticking up, and feeling rather...frizzy.

A quick rinse and soap, and he felt like a new pony. That alone was an amazing feeling, but now he had a conundrum.

What to do for three days?

He forced himself to find a good book and start reading. The nightmare from earlier threatened to return to haunt his thoughts, but if he was going to dwell on that, Toxic would put it off as long as he could.
–

“So, I take it he didn't respond to your attempts Luna?”

“Indeed. We were not heard over the nightmare. I find myself a bit worried, dear sister.”

“Hmm. Perhaps tonight you'd like to extend our invitation, if the time is right?”

“Thank you 'Tia, it would be our pleasure.”

Author's Note

I'm getting favorites and thumbs up- it makes me so happy!
Enjoy this chapter. Delving a bit into Toxic's past. Poor Toxic.
As always, I would love any and all feedback! (especially if you detect any continuity, grammar, or spelling errors!)