A Cure for a Toxin.

Thirty minutes. That was the amount of time left before his unofficial 'lunch' with Princess Celestia. The first problem he had encountered; what to wear.

Toxic had finally settled on a simple light-blue bow-tie. The Hay and Barrel was a very informal restaurant, and it didn't seem right dressing up with a tuxedo to eat at a hole-in-the-wall place. Hopefully, that instinct would be correct.

Problem number two; what in the world was he going to talk about, or rather, how? Would he use the parchment, or risk his fluctuating voice?

Oh hayseeds. Enough over-thinking things.

Toxic lifted his new saddlebags onto his back, ensuring he had the usual items; wallet, parchment and quill, and a few other random items he enjoyed carrying around.

His hoofs click-clopping against the cobblestone street, Toxic passed by a club, this one strangely packed with ponies. A poster on the outside explained why.

DJ Pon-3- A daylight rave!

Huh. A day-time party? That was new, but not totally unexpected. There had been talk of the famous DJ wanting to shake things up a little.

Toxic was even further surprised to recognize the song, easily heard from outside. It was fairly easy to time his steps to the beat of the music, and with the tune carrying itself in his mind, he aimed down a side-street, a shortcut to the restaurant.

What could Celestia want to talk to him about? Toxic ran through a mental checklist, making sure he hadn't done anything accidentally illegal. Well, it wasn't that...

Maybe, just maybe, it was like Luna's visit?

After a few more streets, he stood outside the designated restaurant, not noticing anything different. Everything seemed to be as it should, ponies going in and out of the building. There was absolutely nothing indicating the presence of one of the most powerful ponies in Equestria.

There were some simple metal tables outside the doorway for sunny days, a few red umbrellas available to use if need be. The wood overhang, maroon in color and very weather-worn, spoke of how well-established the restaurant was, and there was a reason for such. It was famous for its simple yet amazing sandwiches, a reputation that had spread through all of Canterlot, and beyond.

Toxic checked the clock on the wall, smiling slightly. Perfect. Two minutes early.

He poked his head inside, taking a place along the wall, scanning for the only thing he expected to see; a large white alicorn. Somehow, he wasn't too surprised to not see such. Maybe she would just teleport-

“Ah! Toxic Shield!”

A light blue unicorn waved him over to a table, and Toxic cautiously approached the strange pony.

He pulled out the parchment, scrawling a quick message.

Umm, do I know you M'am?

There was a flash, and Toxic's eyes widened. Visible as a ghostly form around the unicorn, was-

Oh. That would be Princess-

“Please Toxic, if I may address you as that, sit down. I imagine you understand, but if I showed up in my usual form, we wouldn't be able to talk like this.”

At least that made sense. Toxic was so busy trying to realize that this unicorn was Princess Celestia, he barely noticed the tugging on his chest-

until the bow tie floated in front of him, held aloft by a golden aura. The ghostly view of Celestia had since faded, and the tie wiggled back and forth playfully, held in her magical grasp.

“I appreciate the gesture Toxic, but I hope you can see this as a casual meeting, no bow tie necessary.”

Her light-hearted voice and following chuckle actually eased Toxic's nerves slightly.

It's good to meet you officially, Princess Celestia.

The blue unicorn bowed her head in greeting as well, her eyes just as warm and welcoming as he remembered.

“And you, Toxic Shield. You are certainly a bit bigger than the colt I remember you as. I see the parchment and quill are adequate?”

Yes, I can't thank you enough for them-

Toxic found his quill stayed by a much stronger magic than his.

“Toxic, the joy in your eyes as a colt was more than enough thanks. I'm just happy to help.”

How could he reply to that? He still remembered being introduced to Princess Celestia as a youngster, his father's plea to help a troubled youngster not going unanswered. He had squeaked his thanks, but had no idea she'd still remember him.

“May I take your order, or do you need some more time?”

A banana-yellow earth pony with a lettuce cutie mark smiled at both of them, indicating the not-yet-looked-at menus.

“Toxic, do you trust me?”

The dark blue unicorn's eyes widened, and he nodded.

“Two of your specials please, with two waters.”

“Sure thing! Coming right up!”

Leaning forwards to scoop up the menu's, the mare then winked at Celestia.

“Good to see you again...Solar.”

Celestia smiled back, nodding to the waitress.

“You too Leaf.”

Toxic's look of curiosity obviously spoke for him.

“Lettuce Leaf knows I enjoy coming here, and Solar is my...not-so-royal persona name. You'll love their specials. It's actually the very same thing my sister orders. The first time she ordered however, she sent it back.”

The unicorn across the table let out a very not-so-royal giggle.

“I believe her exact words were, in the royal Canterlot voice- “The pickles on this sandwich need to be doubled!””

Toxic couldn't help but laugh. The tension and anticipation pent up over hours of worrying and fretting over the meeting dissipated like fog amid sunlight.

“See Toxic Shield? I might have more magical power than most ponies, but I still wish to laugh and live life. That is one of the reasons, actually, both Luna and I try to get out more, even if it is like this.”

Her expression then changed from almost carefree enjoyment, to that of a more caring ruler.

“However, there is a more business-oriented reason I wanted to meet with you as well.”

Toxic's eyes widened. Oh dear. There was only one thing at work that could be serious enough...

I didn't know there were flammable ingredients in the pie! I thought Barry wanted to microwave it, so I set it, and then it caught f-

Once again, his quill was stayed by the Princess's magic.

“Toxic, you worry far too much! This is why I try to meet with ponies like this!”

She sighed, and Toxic couldn't help but be a bit...concerned. The unicorn sitting across from him looked almost sad.

“So many ponies think I rule with an iron hoof, that I punish at the slightest offense. I do hope to change that viewpoint, sooner rather than later.”

She then looked up and smiled.

“However, the fact you caught a section of your company's food court on fire, due to microwaving a pie, is rather impressive. Luckily, nopony was hurt, and I suppose we could thank the fire alarms for that. I must say, an entire building section demolished, and no injuries, all due to a combusting pie? The report that we received had us laughing all night.

And that, is a very good thing.”

“Here you two go!” The waiter's voice quickly caught Toxic's attention.

Holy mother of sandwiches...

Two large sandwiches were placed in front of them, piled high with various greens, and literally dripping with at least two sauces. Two waters then followed.

“Enjoy!”

After Lettuce Leaf left, Celestia looked over to Toxic, levitating the sandwich in front of her.

“No fancy silverware, and no nobles watching...”

-CRUNCH!-

The look on Celestia's face was of utter bliss, despite the sauce dripping from her chin.

This had to be the strangest meeting ever. Not that Toxic was complaining.

He soon found out that it was, in fact, impossible to eat this sandwich without getting sauce somewhere, but oh, how it was worth it...

They ate in relative silence, largely because it was difficult to speak when one's mouth is full of sandwich ingredients.

To Toxic's surprise, the Princess finished first.

“While you're finishing Toxic, let me explain the more formal reason I requested we meet. I don't wish to rush, but my time here is limited, as regrettable as that may be.

Simply put, you are being reassigned.”

Thankfully, Toxic had just swallowed, otherwise he'd have chocked on the food.

“Wh-at?” He managed to exclaim, but thankfully not too loudly...

“That nasty concoction you managed to neutralize at the facility may not have been completely taken care of. A small amount may have leaked into an underground river, which takes it out of Canterlot, and right towards a small town. This is not an assignment from your employers, but rather, the official Canterlot Court. Your salary shall receive a small bonus of course, and all living expenses have been paid for.

Of course, if you don't wish to leave, I can change all that. I just thought I'd ask your opinion on the matter. I'd prefer this to be a preferred assignment, rather than a royal order. What do you think?”

Toxic was almost certain sparks were starting to leak from his ears. What? Reassigned? This almost was too good to be true...

“Your general duties would be to test the water from various sources. Daily for some, weekly for others. Also, we have some prototypes of a monitoring device that needs to be installed on any households willing to accept it. They would receive a small fund to compensate them for the trouble of course.”

Celestia stopped speaking, letting the overwhelmed unicorn try and absorb the information. After a minute or two she spoke again, this time smiling, much like a caring mother.

“And, you have certainly earned a break. Your employers report that none of your vacation days have been used.”

Toxic stiffened at this, and Celestia saw a complete change in his demeanor. A shield seemed to slide in front of his eyes, all emotion becoming dulled. The only emotion present in his gaze was raw agony, boiling and seething, and yet his expression changed very little.

“I'm so sorry Toxic. Has...there been any change?”

He shook his head, levitating the parchment.

No change. Sister still sick. Parents still...different.

Then, almost as an afterthought, he lowered the quill and scroll, meeting Celestia's gaze, his voice almost a whisper.

“Pl-ease. He-lp them. Plea-se.”

A single tear slid from each of Toxic's eyes, the only sign of the emotions unable to escape.

Celestia motioned the waiter over, mentioning something about a 'tab', then nodding to the exit.

“Come with me Toxic Shield. Please.”

He nodded mechanically, not meeting her gaze.

For a few moments, nothing was said. Only when his hooves hit grass did he look up.

Toxic briefly looked around, seeing that they were in the far end of the park where he had met Luna. A glow then caught his attention-

And he bowed to one knee out of reflex, seeing Celestia in her natural form standing before him. A hoof on his shoulder caused him to look up.

“Toxic....” Her voice was soft and loving, and Toxic couldn't help but be reminded of his mother.

Celestia didn't fully understand what was going through the young unicorn's mind, but she could see that Luna's assessment was correct. This poor pony was suffering an agony not easily healed.

Toxic dared to look up and meet Celestia's gaze, feeling a familiar lack of any emotion.

“I have personally assigned a team to work on your sister's condition. She is a rare case, but not the only one. I can't do much more than that.

There are some things that even my magic cannot fix.”

Her last words caused Toxic to look at the ground, another few tears managing to squeeze from his eyes. How much he wished to go back in time, to live with the family he once knew...

A warmth then flooded his frame, and it only partially surprised him to see Celestia leaning down, wrapping a foreleg around his shoulder. Had he not been so consumed with grief, Toxic would have found the entire situation a bit amusing. Two hugs from two Princesses in but two days? Who would have thought...

“Toxic, I need to go. I wish I had more than a mere hour to talk with you, but...”

She sighed, conjuring up a few slips of paper, teleporting them from who-knows-where.

“Here are tickets to the town you'll be staying in, along with your living quarters, if you decide to go. It is called Ponyville, the same where the Elements of Harmony reside. They won't be there however, for they are all assisting the rebuilding of the Crystal Empire for a time. If you choose to go, just pack your things. This paper will tell you where to stay once you arrive. If you wish to stay, just burn the tickets, and I'll be alerted...”

Celestia stopped as Toxic shook his head.

“I'll g-o.”

She smiled, nodding approvingly.

“Thank you Toxic. More directions will await you when you arrive. This is an informal assignment, just from an official figure, so don't worry to much. If it feels like a paid vacation with a few duties, then good. You deserve it.”

“T-han-k y-you. F-for eve-ryth-ing.”

The smile that she had so often displayed in their short meeting manifested itself again, radiating comfort. Toxic's tumultuous thoughts quieted themselves, as he began to realize that things were, for the moment, alright.

“It was my pleasure Toxic Shield. I hope to speak with you soon. Let me know how everything goes. That notepad works just fine, as Luna must have told you. I wish you well.”

She nodded to him again, and disappeared in a flash of light.

Toxic did exactly what his mind needed. He sat down on the grass, and tried to comprehend what had just transpired. He couldn't stay too long though.

He had to pack.

“Did thy meeting go well?”

Celestia nodded, glancing over a few forms that needed signing.

“I feel sorry for him. I think a listening ear would do him some good.”

“And for us as well.”

A surprised look was Celestia's reply. She hadn't expected her sister to be so...forthcoming.

“He knows of things...that thy counselors, and thyself, do not.” Her pensive tone caught Celestia's attention even further, and so she ventured a guess.

“Lulu, do you think he is-” Her sentence was silenced by an outstretched wing.

“No. Please do not mention such things right now 'Tia. Such a subject is very...sensitive to us. Toxic is another friend, and while a close friend, nothing more.”

Celestia nodded, getting the feeling her sister didn't wish to discuss the matter any further.

“I will inform him of the griffin situation in a month or two. He needn't concern himself with such things now.”

Luna nodded, then yawning as she plodded off back to bed.

“Thank you for the update, my sister. We are off to bed again.”

“Have a good rest Lulu.”

As her sister left, Celestia went out to the balcony, looking over the wide city.

“I hope, Toxic Shield, you find in Ponyville, that which my sister did. Friends...”

She took a deep breath, looking out across the city and to the countryside beyond.

“And, if you are lucky, that which my sister has yet to find. Perhaps you will find more...”