Peaceful.

That was Reeetro's first thought, trotting down the unusually lively castle.

Everything seemed peaceful.

The castle was filled with the warmth of the mid afternoon sun. The colours of the carpet seemed brighter than he ever remembered them being. Servants and guards were walking around with smiles on their muzzles.

Yes, everything seemed perfect.

So why did he have a horrid feeling in his stomach that something was wrong.

Maybe because it all seemed to start happening the day after Twilight left. He heard rumours, that Cadance had made a reappearance. He wasn't sure what to make of it. He's asked to speak to her but was refused. That was strike one.

He'd been informed that Cadance would no longer be taking her medication to which he heavily argued, but was commanded to drop the subject. That was strike two.

Then, not even a fortnight after Twilight's departure. He'd been informed that Reaper and Spark had gone AWOL and had been branded traitors. That was strike three.

None of this made any sense. He wanted to ask questions, but he wasn't stupid. If Reaper had been arrested, Spark would have asked questions. Spark could be emotional but she always used sound reason, not as much as himself, but enough to warrant an investigation.

Reeetro was not an idiot. He knew if he kept pushing that somepony would grow suspicious. So he stayed quiet, fell in line, like the rest. He couldn't stand the thought of his home, his friends being in trouble, but he was not a solider either. He didn't have clearance to go to certain areas, that if found in, would warrant an immediate arrest.

So he waited, and listened. For anything that might help him without giving himself away. He kept himself busy with work. Kept his thoughts from running off too far. He knew that somepony, Shining, Celestia, Cadance, anypony would come speak to him if they thought something was wrong. Hoped that Spark or Reaper would return to tell him something, but no pony came.

….................................................................................................................................

The first red flag was when Captain Shining Armour came in, complaining of a head ache. He'd questioned him as slyly as he was able, as he did his check up.

“I dunno Reeetro, it's feels like my head is going to explode.” Shining had complained, clutching his horn in agony.

“Well let me run a diagnostic spell.” He says taking a flash light out of his medical bag and proceeds to begin walking towards Shining. “Now, I'm gonna need you to look ahead for me.” He asks switching on the light, Shining it both of Shining's eyes. His horn slowly charges up with a white aura as he casts spell over Shining's body.

“That's odd, it feels like-” Reeetro begins before his eyes go wide and his mouth hangs slightly agape. He stops, the small flash light falling to the ground with a thud, causing Shining to twitch nervously.

“What is it Reeetro? Is something wrong?” He gives him a worried look. Reeetro just looks ahead in shock, watching as Shining's eyes begin to glow a faint green. He stutters for a moment before his horn pops. Signalling the completion of the spell. His eyes widen even more at the realization.

“So that's why......” He trains off, watching Shining's expression become even more worried. He quickly shakes his head, offering a warm smile.

“Sorry, I thought I sensed an anomaly but I know what this is. Magical exertion, I'll prescribe you some painkillers, but you should refrain from using magic for a couple of day, and the headache should go away.” He says turning around to head towards his medicine cabinet, his eyes scanning the floor in confusion.

“Oh great.” Shining's relaxes. “You have me worried there for a second, I thought it was something bad.” He stands up, watching at Reeetro brings him over a small bottle.

“Take two of these a day, morning and night, refrain from magic, and it should go away in a few days.” He smiles.

Shining thanks him and leave the room. Reeetro's expression turns into that of worried one.

“That can't be.” He mutters to the empty room. “I need to find Nebula.” He admits to nopony.

He leaves in search of answers, answers he's not sure he wants to find.

…..........................................................................................................................

He didn't believe it. 'Mind control? Of all things? What pony would be horrid enough to do that?' Reeetro thinks quietly to himself. Preparing supply's for the day. He's interrupted by the sound of his door opening.

“I assure guard, I am fine.” The voice hisses. He turns around to be greeted with sight of none other than Cadance herself. Holding a white cloth to her hoof.

“Her majesties orders, your highness.” Guard shakes his head, before turning to leave the room.

Reeetro watches as Cadance huffs before turning her attention towards him, a scowl on her face.

“Ah, Cadance.” He begins slowly. “How nice of you to pop in for a visit. It's only been what? Ten months?” He scowls. Cadance merely looks at him in annoyance.

“I'm afraid this isn't a social call Ree-” She stops, closing her eyes in concentration. “Reeetro.” She manages to force out. “I assured them I was fine, but they insist that I come see you.” She huffs.

“Well take a seat, and we'll assess the damage won't we?” He asks sceptically. Cadance relents, nodding and taking a seat on one of the beds.

“So.” He begins, picking up a stethoscope and placing it around his neck. “What seems to be the problem?” He asks slowly making his way towards Cadance.

“I was just in the garden when I cut myself on one of the roses thorns. I'm fine, really.” She huffs.

“Well let's take a look to make sure, shall we?” He asks, removing the cloth from her hoof. He notices a long but shallow cut on the side of Cadance's hoof. “It's not too deep, I'll just clean and bandage it and you can be on your way.” He says walking towards the end of the room for supplies.
“So.” He asks, drawing out how long it would take to get a simple bandage and sterilising liquid.

“How have you been Cadance?” He glances round, noting her gazing off to the corner of the room with an irritable look.

“Fine.” She replies flatly. He scowls, turning back around pretending to assemble a tray.

“I heard that you stopped taking your medication? Feeling better, are we?” He quips, stealing another glance.

“You could say that.” She replies flatly, continuing to stare off towards the end of the room.

“I heard you and Shining have started courting? Is that going well?” He asks, fumbling with the tray.

“Yes. Everything is going fine.” She says, a slight hiss in her voice.

“Unfortunate to hear what happened to Spark and Reaper.” He finishes with the tray, turning around and proceeds to walk towards Cadance. He watches as her glare turns icy. He sets the tray down in front of her proceeding to pick up a cotton bud, soaking it in sterile liquid.

“That must of upset you?” He questions, looking towards her face. She simply turns her head to look at him. Reeetro freezing still at the cold glare.

“Quite, but in my opinion they shouldn't of been asking so many questions.” She hisses.

He averts his gaze, un-comfortableness settling in his stomach. He proceeds to clean the wound before freezing at the strange sight.

Green blood?

“Something the matter Reeetro?” He looks up, glaring into the icy cold eyes of a pony he once saw as a friend. He stares for a long moments before speaking.

“That rose must have been toxic.” He firmly states, as he finishes cleaning the wound and proceeds to apply the bandage. “You should keep an eye on it.” He finishes tying the bandage, taking a couple steps back. Cadance just smiles sweetly, hoping down from the bed.

“Don't worry, I will.” She says, proceeding to leave the room. Reeetro looks off towards the side, trying to calm the rushing thoughts in his head. A voice interrupts him.

“And Reeetro?” He turns to see Cadance standing at the door. He simply glares at her.

“I'm still glad your here, hopefully you won't disappear as well.” She smiles hollowly before proceeding to leave the room.

Reeetro huffs, taking off his stethoscope and placing it on the side.

He knew this wasn't right. 'Something bad is going to happen.' He thinks before proceeding to leave the room.

Nearly a year has passed, and Reeetro was done waiting.

…....................................................................................................................

“Your highness? It's Reeetro.” Reeetro knocks on the door to Celestia's chambers.

“Enter.” He hears Celestia call. He steps inside, softly shutting the door behind him. He takes note of a hoof-maiden serving Celestia her afternoon tea and takes a few cautious steps.

“Ah, Reeetro. What brings you here?” She asks taking a sip from her cup.

“I was wondering if I could have a word with you?” He asks, taking a quick glance at the hoof-maiden. “Privately?” He begs. Celestia nods, ushering the hoof-maiden out. Reeetro watches the pony leave, waiting until the door is shut before turning back to Celestia.

“What do you wish to speak about Reeetro?” Celestia questions, setting down her cup.

“It's about Cadance.” He begins, taking a step forward. Celestia sighs.

“Reetro, I don't want to hear it-” She begins before being cut off.

“Please, your highness. Hear me out?” He begs. Celestia relents nodding. “I know that you're happy that Cadance seems to have made a fully recovery but something doesn't feel right.” He states taking another step forward. Watching Celestia sigh.

“I know you want to believe her, I do too, but the week recovery? Her and Shining? Reaper and Spark? It doesn't add up.” He stops just in front of Celestia. “Surely you're smarter than this your highness? Surely you can see that something is wrong?” He begs, watching as Celestia sighs, standing up to head towards her balcony, peering out into the gardens.

“I understand your concerns Reeetro, but rest assured. I am keeping a close eye on her. She still seems to exhibit paranoid behaviour, still appears a little lost at times. I think she's hiding again, but she's trying, can't you accept that? For me?” She turns around giving Reeetro a pleading look.

“But Reaper, Spark?” He mumbles, distraught at the loss of his friends.

“Are a terrible loss, but Reaper attacked Cadance and Spark assisted him in escaping prison. You have to understand the consequence of this?” She says firmly.

“Do you honestly believe that?” Reeetro looks up, hurt evident on his face. Celestia just sighs lowering her head.

“No. I don't. But we can't pretend that the past fourteen years haven't had an effect on us. I am at my wits end, but thankfully I have faced worse situations. To the average pony this could be the turning point, and as much as I trusted Reaper and Spark, everypony has a limit, and I think they must of hit theirs.” Celestia sighs.

“Oh Celestia.” Reeetro says painfully. “You're so focused on returning things to normal, that you refuse to notice that maybe the war is just beginning?” He pleads, watching as Celestia lifts her head towards him, giving him an icy glare.

“There is no war Reeetro. Cadance is healing, and you will not interfere.” She says coldly.

“And if I refuse?” He challenges. Celestia just sigh, taking a deep breath, before taking a defensive stance.

“Then you leave me no choice.” She says with pain in her voice. “Guards!” She yells. Reeetro clutches is eyes in pain, a lone tear making it's way down his muzzle and two guards step into the room.

“Yes your highness!” The guards salute.

“Escort Dr Reeetro to the dungeons, immediately” She orders. The guards take a worried glance towards each other before slowly nodding.

“Celestia.....” Reeetro opens his eyes, looking straight towards Celestia. Watching the pain and hurt in her gaze mirrored in his own.

Celestia watches as the guards escort Reeetro out, and releases a cry of pain, echoed through the large chamber.

Author's Note

Still a little while to go, I thank you all for being patient.

Regards

OnTheTrot