//------------------------------// // I Need To Know // Story: Jecolt/Hyde // by EthanClark //------------------------------// April 4, 9:50 am. This day shall be a day of either great triumph, or miserable defeat. These last six years seem to have passed like a fleeting dream. My work into the nature of good and evil has finally borne fruit and my formula is ready for testing. My only regret is that it has taken me this long. Nopony seems to understand, but they will. After today they will all see the need to control the evil that is within us all. No longer will there be tragedies like the Changelings, King Sombra and, I dare say, Nightmare Moon. No, there will finally be a reprieve to all that we deem unbearable. But this is the moment. My final test. Very soon I will meet with the Royal Committee of Nobles and present my findings to them. It is only a matter of time. There is - The sound of three knocks broke his attention. “Come in.” He turned to the door, a ribbon of blue magic twisting the knob. The door swung open to make way for the almost radiant figure of his guest. Princess Celestia entered the dimly lit laboratory, wearing her trademark warm smile. “Hello, Dr. Jecolt. Are you busy?” Celestia said in her pleasant tone. Jecolt repositioned his posture upon identifying his guest as royalty. “Oh, Princess, it’s good to see you.” Jecolt kneels before continuing. “What brings you to my humble workspace?” “I’m here to confirm your meeting with the Committee of Nobles today. After the ruckus you made when filing your proposition the Committee is anxious to see what you’ve discovered.” Celestia leaned her head closer to Jecolt. “You can stand if you’d like.” Jecolt lept to his hooves, chuckling sheepishly and brushing his brown mane with his hoof, ending at the knot in his ponytail. Memories of submitting his request returned to the forefront of his mind. He had been a tad eccentric when announcing his findings to fellow Royal Alchemists, and even more so when informing the Princess of his eagerness to share them with the Committee. “I suppose I did, didn’t I?” Jecolt felt excitement well up in his stomach as he spoke and adjusted his suit jacket around his light tan fur. “But after year of grueling research, your Highness, I have finally made a breakthrough. Surely you understand the thrill of such success, correct?” Celestia giggled at Jecolt’s resolve. “Perhaps I would if you told me what you have discovered. You’re always so secretive, Jecolt. You can trust me.” “Yes, of course I can, but this is special. This is not like my usual work, examining foreign substances and categorizing new medical practices.” Jecolt turned to the work station behind him. “As the Court Alchemist, it is my duty to explore the unknown regions of alchemy and uncover its secrets, and that is exactly what I have done.” “Then why won’t you tell me? You always rave about your great “magnum opus” but chose to share it with nopony.” “But that day is today, Princess,” Jecolt made a dramatic turn towards Celestia “and what a glorious day it shall be. This shall be the greatest alchemical breakthrough in history!” The doctor’s shout of triumph echoed through the laboratory and down the hallway. Jecolt withdrew his hoof from the air above him, the tips of his ears turning red. Celestia, on the other hoof, began chuckling at the display. Jecolt laughed in turn. “Then I wish you the best of luck, Jecolt. For now I must prepare the Nobles Chamber.”Celestia said through the rest of her giggles. “I’m sure they will be thrilled at your proposition.” “Oh they will be, your Highness.” Jecolt’s face soon sported a confident smirk. “They will be.” Jecolt looked on as Celestia exited, closing the door behind her. His attention returned to the red leather journal resting on his desk. Twinkling blue lifted his quill to the paper, finding the spot where he left off. There is no doubt in my mind that they will see the logic in my proposition. And with their help we shall usher in a new age for Equestria, an age of peace, understanding, and above all; goodness. So swears Her Majesty’s Court Alchemist. So swears Doctor Jecolt. A swish of his horn and the journal was closed, its tie crossing over the symbol of his cutie mark; swirling blue streams surrounding a green potion. Jecolt stood from his pillow and stared around the room. The discoveries he had made in this room, the trials and failures. All of it in search of a greater goal. A wide grin began to curl the corners of Jecolt’s mouth, his pride now bolstered. His horn glowed and pieces of parchment filled his plain, brown saddlebag. Recipes, schematics, and medical books filled the sack. After stuffing his red journal into the bag Jecolt’s eyes became fixed upon a single red vial. There it sat, glimmering in red. The product of his efforts. The pure, undeniable proof of his success. To the untrained eye the fluid might seem dull and unappealing, but Jecolt knew better. He shivered a bit, imagining what power might lie inside the clear red liquid housed in its glass casing. Jecolt shook his head, suppressing his intoxicating fantasies. The vial rose along his magic before resting within a small silver container. Jecolt placed the box in a special pouch of his saddelbag before turning to the large door behind him. He stepped through the door and out into the gilded hallway, a swarm of butterflies filling his gullet. The warm diffusion of light through the stained glass gave the hallway a calming effect. Still, Jecolt couldn’t help but have a spring in his step as he trotted towards the chamber. He held his head high and wore a proud smile upon his lips, anything to contain his excitement. His ears twitched involuntarily and he pulled out his journal, attempting to review his progress to this point. He found some comfort in the familiar words upon the pages floating in front of his face. The tension in his stomach seemed to subside as he rounded the corner outside the chamber, until he felt the impact of another pony-like form. “Oof.” Jecolt grunted, stumbling to his side. He focused his vision on the source of the impact. The white maned stallion brushed off his blue coat, uttering an audible growl. “Who in the name of Celestia would dare to - ! Oh, if it isn’t Doctor Jecolt.” The unicorn’s expression shifted from white hot rage to cool sarcasm as he identified his assailant. “Ah, Blue Moon.” Jecolt said with a scowl. “I suppose it’s too much to expect I knocked some manners into you?” Jecolt returned his journal to the bag it was once in. His eyes were fixed on the broad-chested pony in front of him, who seemed to speak with feigned delight. “Oh, you wound me, Jecolt.” Blue Moon’s smile seemed to indicate he was enjoying his performance. “But I understand that you’re in quite the hurry. Something about a great alchemical revelation or some drivel of the like.” “I shall have you know, sir, that my work is of the utmost importance to the kingdom and I shall not be bullied by - “ “Bah!” Blue Moon interjected loudly, closing the distance between them. “The only “importance” you’ve served to the kingdom is being a grand waste of royal funding. Tell me, what have you contributed to the Court, hm?” “I do not expect you to understand genius, Lord Blue Moon, much less the infinite benefits of alchemy.” Jecolt shot a grin at Blue Moon, whose ears began to turn red. “You dare mock me, Jecolt?” “Absolutely.” The two stallions lock eyes, feeling the intensity from each other. After a few seconds Blue Moon’s scowl shifted to a light smile as he pulled away from Jecolt’s still intense eyes. He swept his mane back in a regal manner. “Hmph, this verbal jousting is pointless.” Blue Moon said, turning towards the chamber doors. “I’d prefer to watch the nobles tear you apart, instead.” The towering, gilded doors swung open as Blue Moon strutted through. From within the sounds of arguments and speculations could be heard. All manner of nobility lined the seats that filled the room, with none other than Princess Celestia at the forefront. Her attention was pulled to Jecolt, still standing in the doorway. She gave him a quick wink before returning to squabbling sounds of regal ponies below her. Her gesture did nothing to settle the nerves now building inside Jecolt. His hooves felt clammy, almost numb from sheer anxiety. He did all he could to suppress the lump growing in his throat. This was his moment, and he would be damned if he let it slip past him. “Order. We shall have order.” Princess Celestia’s voice carried over the herd of bickering ponies who were soon silenced, their eyes on the princess. “Today marks the 127th meeting of the Royal Committee of Nobles. Representing are the provinces of Manehatten, Vanhoover, Fillydelphia, San Palomino, Los Pegasus, Baltimare and Canterlot.” The members of the committee rose to their hooves in sequence of the Princess’ announcement. Jecolt took a heavy sigh and made his way into the chamber, lifting his saddlebag from his back. “The order of business will be conducted by the Secretary to the Royal Committee of Nobles, Lord Blue Moon.” Blue Moon stood next to the princess, his narrow gaze fixed on Jecolt. Celestia then rose herself. “May our hearts be pure, and may the Mother Creator’s light guide us to prosperity.” The nobleponies recited the Princess’ prayer before returning to their seats, leaving Jecolt standing awkwardly between the booths on either side of him. Celestia seated herself on the violet pillow beneath her, lifting a scroll to her face. “On to the first order of business.” Blue Moon stepped forward, addressing the crowd before him. “Proposition number 929, presented by Doctor Jecolt, Court Alchemist to her majesty, Princess Celestia.” The eyes of the room slowly shifted to the tan-colored unicorn standing in the center. Jecolt stood almost petrified as their gazes seemed to penetrate his very confidence. An exaggerated cough was heard from front podium. “You have the floor, Doctor Jecolt.” Blue Moon sneered. Jecolt straightened his posture, his magic adjusting his red cravat. He took a few paces forward and held his head high. The tension in the room grew as nobleponies kept their gaze fixed on Jecolt. Even Princess Celestia leaned forward a bit, anxious to hear the doctor’s long-held secret discovery. “Distinguished governors,” Jecolt said with a professional tone. “In each of us there are two natures. If this primitive duality of ours, good and evil, can be housed in two separate identities then life would be relieved of all that is unbearable. It is the curse of ponykind that these polar twins should be constantly struggling.” Those in the room murmured in confusion. “I have glimpsed the future, fillies and gentlecolts. A world without anger or violence, where a common passion for life would banish the madness of war.” “Explain your meaning, sir.” said a Manehatten noblemare. “Yes, what “evil” do you speak of?” a noble from Vanhoover asked. “Each of us is the embodiment of two distinct and opposing forces, good and evil, each fighting for supremacy inside of us. If we could separate these two forces then we could control and, ultimately, eliminate all evil from ponykind.” Jecolt maintained his proud stature amidst the growing tension. The mumbling among the parties grew anxious as Jecolt continued his presentation. He rubbed his hoof along his brow, taking a quick sigh before continuing. “I am close to finding the key to duality. Within my studies of pony psychology and alchemy, I have devised a formula that can and, eventually, will alter the patterns of one’s personality, guiding them either to evil or good. My experiments with animals have lead me to believe that the day is not far off when this separation will be possible. To achieve this, I must be allowed to try my formula on a living, pony specimen.” The voices of the nobles grew in volume, drowning out the previous murmuring. Jecolt could feel his legs shaking as he was bombarded by insults. “This is an outrage!” “Jecolt, you’re all talk and no results!” “This is barbarism!” “Order! I say order!” Celestia’s royal voice muted the uproar directed at Jecolt, whose coat was beginning to become matted due to his fear-driven sweat. “Doctor Jecolt,” Celestia continued. “You say that you can separate good from evil. When that is done, what happens to the evil?” Jecolt removed a handkerchief from his pocket and dragged it along his sweating brow. The angry looks of his peers and fellow colleagues was not helping his anxiety in the least bit, least of all in this situation. “There are no plans as of yet, your Highness. Such a decision should be left to somepony better suited to the task than myself. But you must see the potential in such an endeavour. We have the chance to make history, here and now.” “History?” the San Palomino noble started. “Sure, for those who have been turned good by your formula. And when we have droves of evil ponies that you have created, what then? Do we just kill them? Like rats in a cage?!” Scoffs and quiet insults could be heard by Jecolt’s strained ears. It was becoming quite clear to him that his proposal was severely unpopular. Soon he could hear the faint sounds of malicious laughter among the crowd. The knot in his stomach grew as he looked desperately out into the herd before him. “Please, dear friends, understand what is at stake. In the name of compassion I ask that you grant me this one request. I can save countless lives if you give me one, just one pony.” “This is madness, I say. Madness,” said a noble from Las Pegasus, followed by a joint confirmation from the ponies around her. “The Duchess of Las Pegasus speaks for all of us when she says this is madness,” said Lord Blue Moon firmly, his signature smirk replaced with a scowl. “There is such a thing as ethics, Doctor Jecolt, something you seem to have forgotten. You are a doctor, not a savior!” Jecolt shifted his worried gaze to Blue Moon. He assumed a dignified stance, keeping sight of his most outspoken opponent. “Lord Blue Moon, I am simply a scientist, and with that I have a strict code. I do not hold myself to the stature of a moralist. I leave such pretentiousness to ponies like you.” Jecolt said, pointing his hoof toward the blue-coated noble who dropped his jaw in shock. The rising volume of the crowd was quelled once again by Celestia. “Jecolt, I have always supported you and your endeavours, and your service to this Court has never been in question.” Celestia wore a solemn expression on her face. “But can you not see the implications of such an experiment? It asks us to do the unthinkable.” Jecolt’s heart sank as Celestia’s words reached his ears, which were folded back from his worry. Whatever anxiety he felt was replaced with anger and frustration as he widened his blue eyes and stared into the face of his princess. “Can you not see what is at stake here? Princess, I know my fate in is your hooves but I am not playing games here. We are talking about the future of thousands of lives! “The changeling invasion, the Crystal Empire, how many of these disasters would have been avoided if we could control the forces of evil not only within our enemies, but within ourselves? Even your sister could have been saved from banishment if - “ “Watch your tone, Doctor!” Blue Moon interjected violently. “You have no right to question her Majesty’s judgement, especially in such personal matters.” There was no stopping the roars of nobles engulfing Jecolt’s senses as Celestia did nothing to stop them. The constant stream of insults and beratement was enough to lower Jecolt’s once proud head in shame, the anger still welling in his gut. “This entire presentation is a farce!” “We don’t know if it will even work, and you want us to take the risk?” “Do you expect us to compromise all that we stand for?” “This is a dangerous game, Jecolt.” “This pony has gone too far!” Jecolt could take no more. He grinded his teeth in a futile effort to contain his anger before his own voice joined the wild tangent of nobles around him. “Fools! You’re all fools!” Jecolt cried, loud enough to silence the room. “Why can’t you see? The fear, the anger, the taint of our evil nature infecting our minds. How many wars have broken out because of it? How many lives are lost to it every, single day? We can change that, stop it right in its tracks. For the sake of ourselves, and for generations to come, our evil must be controlled!” The stillness of the air festered in Jecolt’s mind like a splinter. Angry looks from his audience surrounded him. Jecolt collected his composure, actively avoiding eye contact with everypony around him. He already knew what was coming, there was no point in dragging it out any longer. “Distinguished governors,” Blue Moon said with a sigh. “Your verdict, please. All those in favor say “aye”.” Nopony dared raise their voice, but instead kept their intense gaze fixed upon the mad doctor before them. Jecolt’s shoulders relaxed as he closed his eyes, preparing for the coming blow. “All those opposed, “nay”.” Here it comes. “Nay!” The word rang through the chamber and through Jecolt’s mind, forcing him to shudder at its sound. Its intensity was as if everypony spoke at once, trying to inflict as much damage to the doctor’s well-bruised ego as possible. “Your Majesty?” Blue Moon turned to a stone-faced Celestia, her eyes on the floor. “Abstained.” she said in monotone. Blue Moon stepped forward, puffing his chest out. He addressed the Committee in stern, professional tone. “By seven votes to none, with one abstention, proposition number 929 is rejected.” His eyes met Jecolt’s form, hunched over in defeat. “Thank you for your time, Doctor Jecolt.” His malicious sneer returned. The butterflies in Jecolt’s stomach dispersed, leaving only a void in his pride. Slowly, he magically lifted his saddlebag onto his back and turned to the door. His head hung low as he walked past the now indifferent eyes of nobleponies surrounding him. The large doors shut behind Jecolt with an audible slam as he slowly walked past the stained glass windows leading to the entrance of the castle. Jecolt took the long way back to his house in Canterlot, musing on his monumental defeat. Ponies passed him on all sides, but Jecolt paid them no mind. He was too concerned with his own emotional issues to care for what others might think of him. “Madness?” Jecolt muttered, kicking the cobblestone beneath him with a hoof. “Who are they to judge what I am doing?” The clean white buildings around him soon passed by, making way for more worn, shoddier housings. Jecolt had stumbled into Canterlot’s slum. As far as slums went, Canterlot’s was far better than most. Jecolt could feel its effect, though, as he watched children play in the cramped, dirty streets that separated the even less spacious houses. Her recognized this street more and more as he traveled the worn cobblestone. The sounds of crying children and the occasional breaking of glass pierced Jecolt’s ears. During the day these might seem like pleasant homes filled with pleasant ponies, but Jecolt knew better when he passed the sight of a red lantern, hanging high above him. A strong breeze kicked up the scent of something foul. “How could it have come to this? Here? In Canterlot?” Jecolt’s eyes shifted to a small alley way. Approaching the space between a condemned building and the recently passed bordello he saw a small box. Jecolt lowered his head, only to be net with the sight of a small, sleeping filly. Jecolt’s head snapped back as he suppressed a small gasp. “A … a child?” Jecolt could almost feel his heart sink when the small form began to stir and awaken, revealing brilliant blue eyes. They stared through his soul. Jecolt could feel his stomach twist and turn within him. He gritted his teeth as he held back his tears. From within his saddlebag Jecolt dropped a hefty sack of bits in front of the filly, whose eyes widened at the sight. He leaned down. “Everything will be made right. I promise,” Jecolt softly spoke as the filly greedily collected her charity. Jecolt looked on, feeling another lump build in his throat. It was like watching Canterlot itself being suffocated. “No. No longer.” Jecolt turned on his heels and sprinted towards home. “All these precious years I’ve dedicated to my dream, and I will not be denied.” Jecolt’s hooves moved with purpose, his face covered in a determined expression. Back through the clean streets of Canterlot’s upper quarter Jecolt’s home was in sight. His pace slowed before reaching the front door that opened at his magical touch. The door slammed behind him as he walked to his desk, spreading the contents of his bag across the surface. Sparks flew from the wicks of candles and filled the room with light. “I’ll show them all.” Jecolt said as he opened his red notebook to a fresh page. “It can be done.”