//------------------------------// // Chapter 32: A Royal Visit // Story: The Bridge Between Worlds // by Artemis Orion //------------------------------// A Royal Visit "Give it to me straight, Doc." I motionlessly pleaded with the doctor. The light brown stallion, nervously shifting his eyes from me to his clipboard. I had asked him to give me the entire physical assessment, seeing as I couldn't even move any part of my body other than my head. I could only drink water with help, which was a little troublesome for both of us. Something else that peeked my curiosity was the fact that the Doctor said I couldn't take anesthetics. He stood at the foot of the bed, flipping through pages and examining his human patient, avoiding eye contact as much as possible. I knew who he was from the show, but nothing much else from when he lost the seeds during the Winter Wrap-up. But I was pretty sure that in all of his time as a doctor, he couldn't have had a more... unique patient. "Well...?" I pushed the question. Caramel let out a sigh. Although I couldn't see myself, I could predict how beat-up I look. However, it was a very strange sensation; sometimes a part of my body would hurt, or go numb, or have no feeling altogether. Then, it would change after a certain time. It was as if my nerves had gone haywire. "It's not exactly peachy, Mister... uh... Keith." "There's no point hiding it now is there?" "Fair enough...." He lowered his clipboard and looked at me with an emotionless expression. It must have been the same look he had given to any patient that didn't turn out well. "Let's start with how long you've been out. Do you know how long it's been?" "I don't know... a day?" "A week." "One week?!" I asked in surprise. A sudden numbness in my chest restrained me from raising my voice. "Seven days and one morning to be exact." Caramel spoke factually. "Now, I have some bad news and good news for you. You might want to hear the bad news first though." "Go on..." I rasped. "Let's see here..." He inspected a chart at the foot of my bed that wasn't viewable to me. "When you got here, you were diagnosed with: Muscle spasms in all limbs, muscle spasms that were vigorous enough to lead to muscle tearing, collateral bone dislocation in several parts of the body-" "Are you kidding me?!" "'Kidding you' is not required in my career, human. Unfortunately, neither is tending to human patients." He looked up to me for a short moment, confirming how serious he was. "And all jokes aside, you're very lucky. Fortunately for you, none of your bones were broken." "None?" "Well... that is... except..." Caramel stammered sheepishly. "This is rather... extraordinary... but it seems that your spine is...missing several vertebrae..." "What?!" I felt like I could have shot out of bed and charged at the doctor for what he was telling me. "Look, even our most polished surgeons and doctors have next to no experience dealing with your species. It was hard enough what we tried to do-" "And what exactly did you do?" "We did what we thought we could..." Caramel let out a deeper sigh. "The only reason you can even feel anything right now is because of what we did. You've been given... substitutes." "Like what? Metal?" "No, we feared that operation was too risky. We used a more... temporary method. But it was safer." "Then what did you use?" "Magic." The single word brought disbelief to me, but I supposed at that point, there was nothing I couldn't not believe. "We've replaced your misplaced bones with a magical-physical plasma. It isn't solid, and it won't do you much physically. You can feel, but you won't be moving for awhile. We only use such methods for true emergencies." "So you're telling me right now, that when you found me, I was missing pieces of my spine?" I asked in stressed monotone. "Well, we managed to extract some strange, powdery substance along your spinal column. We're still trying to identify it." "Where the hell could my bone disappear to?!" I brought my voice to its limit, wheezing from the lightest strain. "Don't force yourself, you need the rest. And besides, it's not as unbelievable as the story your friends had to tell for your injuries." Caramel managed a small smile. I managed a cough. For a short moment, nobody spoke. I'm going to be a vegetable... "So, nothing else then? I'm bound to be motionless forever?" I felt my hear sink. "Oh no! Whatever gave you that idea! Why do you think I said there was good news as well?" I perked up, wanting to hear more of his solution. "You see, the spell we used on you in your surgery required quite a bit of magic. Through sustaining, recovering, and solidifying both you and the plasma throughout the entire process. Now, this magic-physic spell already requires a lot of magic. Why, if it weren't for your friend from Canterlot, the procedure may not have gone as planned." "Friend from Canterlot?" I wondered who would have possibly come from Canterlot in such a coincidence. "Indeed. He told us to address him as Professor Trotter-" "He's here?!" I asked in suppressed joy. "Indeed I am, Mister Keith!" As if on cue, the blood red unicorn strutted into the ward. He wore a wide, warm grin on his face, beneath his black thick-rimmed glasses. He curtly greeted Caramel before turning to me. His smile faded slightly when he did so. "Good morning, Professor." Here, I was wishing I wasn't bound to my bed. The emotion of sadness had been surpassed by happiness, but I could express neither. "It's been a while, human! But I must say, I would never have thought we would meet again under such... unusual circumstances." He trotted over to my bedside. "All's well I assume?" "Well, I don't think it can get any better, yet..." I said hoarsely. "Thanks though... for what you've done." "Don't mention it. You won't be of much use to us all if you're bed-ridden." "Thanks... I think...." "As I was saying, you do have some good news-" Caramel began, but was interrupted by a din from the corridor. Shrill, excited sounds echoed down the corridor. "I fear I may have to attend to that, my apologies." "Do go on, I'll bear the good news to him." Trotter magically raised a glass of water to my mouth again, and closed the door as Caramel left. I gulped down the refreshing liquid. "I do hope you're not in too much pain." He began, his jolly attitude never left his voice. He kept himself busy around the ward, tidying the smallest things. "As for the good news, well there isn't really much to it; your muscle tears have significantly recovered while you were unconscious, your bones are slowly forming back into place, and you'll be getting more permanent vertebrae very soon." "Glad to hear." I said. "But how do you know?" "I'm part of the procedure. Don't mind me saying this, but I'm the one who knows the most about your kind here anyway." He stated matter-of-factly. "But I won't be alone. Permanent replacements require much more magic. But it shouldn't even compare to the amount of magic an Alicorn has." The scholar of magic trotted to the far corner of the room, where most of my belongings lay. "Woah, woah, woah... Alicorn?" "That's right! Princess Celestia came to Ponyville not much later than I. You situation has been... discussed amongst us, and the Elements of Harmony." "The Mane Six? Where are they?" It felt like a very long time since I had seen them, and I was looking forward to doing so. "Who is the Mane Six?" Trotter raised a brow. It took him a second to realize who I meant. "Oooh... don't worry, I saw Pinkie Pie rushing out of the infirmary when I came in. They should be here soon-" "Hey! Hosptial regulations! Only four ponies to be allowed in at one time!" A loud shriek came from the corridor again, but it was followed my an inaudible murmur. "Speaking of the Mane Six..." Trotter magicked the door open again. It opened to the glowing faces of my favourite candy-coloured ponies, rushing into the ward. "Keithy! You're alive! That's such a relief, I thought..." "Keith, darling! You're okay!" "Oh you poor thing..." "Good to have you back man!" "I'm so sorry we had to put you through this." "Ya had us all worried sick fer a moment there, cowboy!" They all spoke at once, firing an onslaught of questions, exclamations and hugs. "Don't worry, I'm fine! At least that's what Trotter tells me..." The red stallion grinned sheepishly. "I'm just glad that you girls are safe." "Safe?! We barely helped you the entire time!" Twilight rebutted. "You helped a lot more than you think, Twilight. All of you did!" I contained the urge to get up and hug them. It wasn't as if I could anyway. "My little ponies, if you will?" A deep, authoritative voice came from the door. The six ponies cleared from the bed, putting the royal Goddess of the Sun into view. Her very presence was felt, as she entered. "Good morning, Princess." "Good morning, Keith. Before I begin, I must apologize..." she produced a small smile. "There's no need for apologies, your majesty. I will be fine." "That goes without saying doesn't it? But that's not what I'm apologizing for." Her smile waned as she trotted closer to my bedside. "You weren't aware of this, but when you first arrived in Equestria, I had given specific instructions to the girls. I had told them to prevent themselves from getting... attached to you. I told them that their top priority was to return you to your homeland as quickly as possible. Because that was all you were at the time; an accident that didn't belong here." Hearing this, I felt slightly betrayed. It made me think whether they had just been putting up an act all along. I came to realize how they actually tried to contain me at first, but the idea loosened as time went on. "As fate may have planned it, it seems you are not here by coincidence... or so the girls have told me. Ultimately they have disobeyed their orders, but I see now that it is for the better. If what Legion has said is true, you are here for a reason, even if that reason may not be made clear now." "Wait, did Grey Ghost wipe their memory of the prophecy as well?" "So from this strange turn of events, it seems that your presence in Equestria may not affect us in the way we thought it would. I am sincerely sorry for everything; for all the trouble we put you through..." It felt strange, being apologized to by royalty. I felt like I didn't deserve it, even with reason. I tried to manage an assuring smile. "It's alright, your highness. After all, if it weren't for the journey, I wouldn't have found out more about our kind in Equestria. It opened all of our eyes to a world that couldn't be seen on this television show. And in the end, I wouldn't have been able to find my way home." "Wait, you know how to open the portal again?" Twilight asked in surprise. "Yup." My mind raced for a reason. I couldn't tell them about the Alicorn. I had promised. "How?" "Well, while I was unconscious, Legion came to me. I'm not sure if it's really a dream, but he taught me some helpful things." I replaced everything Grey Ghost did with Legion, hoping they wouldn't find a loophole. "But why would he do that? That guys a total jerk!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "He fights you, and then he gives you advice? That's really weird!" "Maybe it was a test, Dash." I reasoned, "And besides, he might have thought I would need it, seeing as I took his job now." There came a pause. Fluttershy along with Pinkie Pie sat on the bed next to me. Trotter seemed more interested in the objects I had attained in my quest. "So..." Celestia began again. "I hear you all met The Baron?" "We did, your highness." Twilight replied. "You know him?" "Of course! He's one of the rare elder dragons that are actually peaceful! I haven't seen him in a while either..." The door to the dull hospital room opened once more, letting Caramel into the room again. "Oh, your majesty!" He bowed. "You honour Ponyville with your presence!" The princess quietly giggled, while signaling for her subject to rise. "Now where were we?" "I already told him about his permanent spine fixtures." "Ah, yes! So you know that her highness will be helping? You are truly privileged, Sir!" I could've sworn I saw the princess blush a little. "B-But is it safe?" Fluttershy asked in concern. She looked like the only pony who was actually worried. "Of course it is! He'll be in the hooves of an immortal goddess! What part of that is not safe?" Caramel chuckled. "Oh, thank Celestia!" Fluttershy sighed. "You're welcome!" The princess joked, bringing everyone in the room to laughter. But I could only stifle a small giggle. As the laughter died down, I thought it appropriate to bring up a more serious topic. "So when will this surgery take place?" "Well, whenever you're ready, human! We have the princess, the scholar and the surgeons!" "He's right, you know." Added Trotter. "We're just waiting for your call, whenever you're ready!" "That's good to know. How's tomorrow?" "TOMORROW?" Several ponies said in unison. "Now don't go disagreeing with me!" I silenced them. "I've been putting off going home for far too long. Sure, I know I'll be back, but I have to clear some things up on Earth first." "We understand, Keith." The Princess spoke reassuringly. "If you wish, we'll get ready for tomorrow. In the meantime, I think you girls have some catching up to do?" "I have the party cannon!" Pinkie Pie squeaked in delight, pulling her enormous party accessory out of nowhere. Princess Celestia, Caramel and Professor trotter left the ward, leaving me and the Mane Six to to waste the rest of the day away. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The day drew to a close, and I was alone again. In my own ward when it was almost midnight. As much as I knew I needed the rest, I couldn't get myself to sleep. I craned my neck to the side, peering out the window as the moonlight shone in. Maybe I'm just uncomfortable with the pain... I lay motionless for what felt like hours. Just as I felt myself beginning to doze off, a small spark drifted into the ward, through the glass windows. Trailing behind it were wisps of ectoplasm, as it flowed weightlessly into the room. I silently panicked, I knew who it was. The misty trail formed around the floating star, forming the shape of the human I had faced not long ago. My heart began to race, pounding against my chest, realizing how helpless I was in my current position. The souls solidified, bringing forth the fully-armoured, uninjured Legion. He walked past my bed to the room's far corner, making no attempt to acknowledge my presence. Almost reluctantly, the ethereal warrior swung his arms behind his back, unbuckling a strap. He pulled it off, bringing forward his sheathed sword, and the spaulders that attached to the strap. He looked at it thoughtfully for a moment, watching the hilt of his weapon glint in the moonlight. Slowly, he placed his sword and spaulders next to my possessions. He grudgingly turned away from it, now having half of his upper body unguarded. I watched curiously, wondering what he was doing. That feeling turned back to fear, as he trudged to my bedside. He leaned into me, making sure I saw the hatred in his eyes. He sneered as he whispered. "I could kill you, right here and now, and take back what was mine." He whispered in suppressed anger. "But perhaps you can be made use of. Take care of yourself, Earth-dweller. I betrayed my master once before, and I shan't regret it if I have to do it again..." Legion's face went pale, and then translucent, as the souls and auras he consisted off flew out and scattered in the night. I was left alone again, breathing heavily in cold sweat. He was like a ghost; even thought he was gone, I knew he would be watching. He always will be. "It's okay, I wasn't planning on sleeping tonight anyway..." I said under my breath.