//------------------------------//
// Poker Face 
// Story: Mission of Mercy 
// by Trick Question 
//------------------------------//

When Fluttershy arrived in the throne room, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, and Applejack were already there.

"Hello, girls. Where is everypony else?" asked Fluttershy as she took her seat.

"Rainbow's got Wonderbolt trainin' today, since she missed yesterday while on assignment," said Applejack.

"And Pinkie Pie is with Mercy right now," said Twilight. "I thought it would be best to leave them together. I can catch Pinkie up on the details later."

Rarity smiled. "You really must see her with Pinkie, Fluttershy. They get along famously together. Mercy's even learning lessons now."

Fluttershy smiled back, and nodded. "Oh, that's wonderful. And honestly, I'm not surprised. I think Pinkie Pie can relate to Mercy's depression," she said. "But how is she doing, otherwise?"

Twilight sighed. "Well, your idea worked. Temporary amnesia has greatly improved her mood. I'm not sure it will help in the long run, but at least it's a stopgap," she said. "In the meantime, she seems like any other pony. We might even be able to pull forth her nomenmantic Name soon."

"Course, 'Mercy' seems to fit her well anyway," added Applejack.

"Fluttershy, are Mercy's past experiences truly that nightmarish?" asked Rarity, her brow slightly furrowed.

"After getting to know her, I don't think so," said Fluttershy, "which is why Twilight is right about the solution being temporary. As Mercy forms new memories, even good ones, she'll probably start to feel sad again."

"Exactly. There's something wrong with her brain," said Twilight. "Amnesia helps because she dwells on minor details of her past experiences, not because her past is highly traumatic. Ignoring the ethical conundrum of giving her amnesia of any sort, there's no telling when her condition will start to degrade again. It could take years, months, or merely weeks."

"We can't keep blankin' her noodle every month or so. That ain't livin', not by anypony's reckonin'," said Applejack.

"Even if she never worsens, as a long term solution I don't think it's right to block any of her memories," said Twilight. "Even if they're highly traumatic."

"Um, well... it's what she agreed to," said Fluttershy. "It's what she wanted."

Twilight shook her head. "No. How is she supposed to retain friendship lessons without access to her memories? I won't accept any memory loss as a permanent condition. Not if we have any other options."

"So, what if we don't?" asked Applejack, raising a brow.

An awkward silence permeated the room.

Rarity made a tiny, fake cough before speaking. "Well, at least we have a lot of time to figure things out," she said. "Thanks in large part to Fluttershy's efforts, and the clever idea she came up with."

"Ain't that the truth," said Applejack, with a grin. "And not just the idea, neither. I sure couldn't of done that kinda poker play. I ain't exactly good at fibbin', even if it's for a good cause."

"It was a brilliant but dangerous risk that could have ruined what little trust she had in us," said Twilight. "It would have been really awkward if Mercy had called your bluff about letting her leave the hospital."

"Of course," Fluttershy said softly, with a blank but serene look upon her face.