//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Reflect // Story: Pony POV Spin-Off: Neo Stream BD (Before Death) // by JDEzekude //------------------------------// My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Reharmonization Pony POV Side-Story Fan-Fic Episode Title: "Neo Stream B.D. - Reflect" Written By Jordan Dean "Mystery" Ezekude Inspired By And With Contributions By Alex Warlorn Day XX/XX/XXXX ??? Hours Before Death Ponyville Hospital Mental Health Rehabilitation Ward Ponyville It's been a whole week since I administrated myself to the hospital for mental rehabilitation. That's pretty hard for me to believe. Time just doesn't seem to be flying like it used to. That's probably because I left all of my belongings apart from my books at home. Nevertheless, the past few days have been pretty hard for me. Upon arriving at the hospital, I told Bright Light everything about my homicidal dreams like I promised at home. This time, I told her everything I could remember even the most disturbing parts; killing Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy and, worst of all, my own mother. And, I can guarantee you, it was not easy. In fact, it didn't take long for me to burst into tears upon confessing to killing my mother in my sleep. But, that's in the past now. All that matters to me is that I managed to keep the promise I made to Bright Light earlier. After telling her and the other doctors everything I needed to, they prescribed me with citalopram for my anxiety and depression. They then considered letting me go home with the medication. But I insisted that I stay telling them that I need anger management as well, so that I don't lash out for no good reason anymore. I'll never be able to face anypony let alone Fluttershy if I don't learn to control my anger. I just finished my fifth session discussing coping strategies with anger management specialist Speckalot again. And I'm pleased to say that things are getting better and better as I am learning to keep a cool head during these sessions. And now, here I am, back in my tidy private hospital room quietly reading a book called "Them and Yourself." It's a book about learning how to efficiently live with others and yourself. That's something that I've been struggling to do for almost my entire life. It covers all kinds of social topics including relationships, communication, cooperation, emotions as well as many common issues such as anti-socialism, apathy and depression. I wonder if Twilight Sparkle has a copy of this book back at her library, because I believe it would help her studies. I've only read through the first chapter so far, and I'm already identifying with some of the real scenarios of other ponies included in this book. For instance, there's one tragic scenario in which a kind and outgoing colt was educated at a school where other students argue and fight with each other almost every day. He rarely got involved in the fights himself. All he could do was run out of class away from the commotion. By the end of his final exams, he became a very quiet and seclusive colt unwilling to talk to anypony. And I easily understood why. Because he was afraid of arguing with others; afraid of getting into fights. I should know, because I've always been afraid to arguing with others too. The more I read about other ponies' past problems, the more I start to realize that I really am not alone. I just found it easy to believe that I was alone from the very beginning. Most of my life, I've been ignoring other ponies' problems, because I was too scared to think about them. I was afraid that they would remind me of my own problems which I didn't want to think about either. But now, I think I realize that if you ignore others' problems, you'll never understand anything about them. Nor will they understand you, because they'll ignore your problems as well. It's only fair after all. I then heard a gentle knock at the door. That must be the food trolley mare. She usually comes round to deliver my lunch at about half past 12 in the afternoon. I honestly feel sorry for her. If the hospital allowed us patients to go to the cafeteria and our food from there, she wouldn't have to go through the trouble of delivering our food door to door every single day. I know it's her job, but still. "Mr. Stream?" asked a gentle motherly voice. Yup, it's her alright. "Please," I humbly chuckled as I briefly put my book down. "I told you, you can just call me Neo." Thus, in she came with her huge but almost empty food trolley. I'm usually the last patient on this floor to get his food delivered, but I don't mind the slightest. "Here's your cheese and ham sandwich," she said as he carefully handed me the last plate on the tray. "With an apple and your favorite coffee with it." "Thanks a lot, miss," I beamed as I took the plate. "Hope you enjoy," she replied as she carefully pushed her trolley out of the room and left. And indeed I did. The taste of warm melted cheese on crisp toasted bread always brings a smile to my face even on the dullest days. After finishing my delicious sandwich, I carefully put my plate on the counter next to me and picked up the TV remote laying there. If I remember correctly, there was going to be a re-run of the royal wedding in Canterlot in a few minutes. I missed the original broadcast which was cancelled mid-broadcast due to Canterlot being overrun by a swarm of shape-shifting creatures known as Changelings. All I got to see was the warning to everypony from a rogue Changeling who calls himself "Icarus" just before the broadcast was cut off. Icarus, huh? That's the same name as the pony who died trying to escape from prison using artificial wings. And a rogue Changeling? Does that mean he's fighting his own kind? I wonder if there are other Changelings like him out there. If there are, I wouldn't mind meeting one. But, it may take some time for me to get used to being around them. Ah! The royal wedding broadcast is about to begin. I hope nothing bad happens this time... TURN OVER PAGE