I should really stop asking what else could go wrong. Blue Typhoon thought to herself as she watched the physician inspect Sky Chaser from the chair she was sitting on while holding on to Cloudchaser to keep her from flying all over the room. Originally, she just wanted to bring Sky to the clinic to get a physical, establish him into their records, and to see if there was a way to determine approximately how old he was. But in the last few days, Sky seemed to be getting tired more easily, got moody from time to time, and looked to be in pain when he moved around sometimes. At first, Blue Typhoon and Storm Chaser thought nothing of it, but started to get worried when they noticed these symptoms for three straight days and decided that it was a good idea to voice their concerns to the physician. So now she sat there, waiting to see what the physician will say about Sky’s condition.
After a few more minutes, the physician turned to Blue Typhoon and said, “I’ve looked over your son and, even with all of those symptoms you told me about, I can’t really find any sign of any serious illness.”
“But there’s got to be something wrong with him.” Blue said with a hint of despair. “There’s no way he can be suffering through all of those symptoms and be perfectly healthy.”
“I know, ma’am. I know.” He tried to reassure as he began to pace around the room. “Now let’s see here.” He began to mutter. “You said that he was getting tired easily, was starting to get moody, and looked as though he was in pain from time to time.” He then stood by the clinic bed in thought until he started to remember a health condition he learned about during his last year of medical school. A health condition he never thought he’d have to tell to a patient or a patient’s parent. He then turned to Blue and asked, “Ma’am, if I may ask, what have you been feeding him?”
The question caught her off guard as she began to answer, “Well, we’ve been mostly feeding him a mix of fruits and vegetables. We’re mostly experimenting on what he can and can’t eat to be honest with you.”
“Has he been digesting what you’ve been feeding him just fine?”
“For the most part, yes. Why are you asking?” Blue asked curiously
“Well, I might have a good idea as to what might be going on with Sky.” He admitted
“You have!” Blue exclaimed in surprise. “Please, tell me!”
“Ma’am,” the physician hesitantly began to explain. “I think that it’s possible that your son is suffering from protein deficiency.”
Blue Typhoon tilted her head in confusion. “Protein …deficiency, what’s that?”
“I’m not surprised you haven’t heard about it. It’s not exactly a condition that ponies deal with on a regular basis.” The physician began to explain. “In all honesty, it’s a condition that we mostly see in griffons that try to stick to a vegetarian diet.”
The doctor mentioning griffons immediately caught Blue Typhoon’s attention as she exclaimed, “Griffons?!? But don’t they eat meat?”
“Yes, they do.” He immediately answered. “And I think that the same might be true about Sky too.”
Blue Typhoon couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Up until now, the only thing they knew about Sky’s eating habits was that he loved fruit and absolutely couldn’t eat hay. But being told by the doctor that he most likely needs to eat meat to stay healthy was hitting her with a mixture of shock, surprise, and confusion. “But wait a moment,” Blue frantically said, trying to find some way to challenge the doctor’s theory, “Sky’s been able to eat the fruit that we’ve been feeding him just fine, so how can he be carnivorous?”
The doctor stood there in thought for a moment before replying, “Well, if he’s been eating fruit just fine, then it’s possible that he might be an omnivore. While it’s probably acceptable to feed him fruits and vegetables, he’s still going to need some sort of intake of protein that ponies usually don’t need.”
Blue felt some of the tension go away when she heard that Sky could still eat fruits and vegetables, but still felt uneasy about him needing to eat meat. “So does that mean that he needs to eat meat on a daily basis?” She asked, feeling slightly uneasy.
“Probably not.” The doctor answered, catching her attention. “There are some nonmeat options that can give him protein, such as tree nuts and dairy products. Also, feeding him eggs from time to time wouldn't be a bad idea."
“But,” the doctor suddenly said, catching her attention again. “That doesn’t mean that you should completely avoid giving him meat entirely. Not only is the quality of the protein in meat much better for him, but there’s also plenty of vitamins and minerals that he needs from meat. As a whole, he’ll most likely function much better if he eats a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and meat.”
“Oh.” Was all Blue said as she started to feel a bit of anxiety hit her. She looked down at Cloudchaser to see how she was reacting to all of this and saw that she was just wearily starring at Sky. She then looked up at the doctor and asked, “Are you really sure that’s what he’s going through?”
The doctor, knowing fully well that Blue wasn’t taking the news well, sympathetically said, “I know it wasn’t exactly the news that you were expecting, but all of Sky’s symptoms suggest that he probably has protein deficiency. I wish that I didn’t have to tell you that he’ll need to eat meat, but I wouldn’t exactly be doing my job as a doctor if I lied to you about his condition.”
Blue sighed before sadly admitting, "I know, and I am glad you were able to figure out what was wrong with him. Really, I am. It’s just that…I don’t know how I’m going to tell my husband about this.”
“If you want my opinion, just tell him everything that’s wrong with Sky. Playing around the issue isn’t going to do anyone any favors.” The doctor replied.
“You really think that’s the best thing for me to do?” Blue asked.
“Trust me, ma’am, one of the things medical school doesn’t teach ponies is that you sometimes have to act as a marriage counselor every once in a while.” The doctor said with a sly grin.
Blue Typhoon chuckled a little bit before responding, “Okay, I’ll take your word for it. So, about those blood tests?”
“I think that it’ll be better to wait until after Sky starts feeling better before we start doing a blood test.” The doctor kindly replied. “I’ll make sure that the receptionist only charges you for the checkup.” He said as he left the room.
"Okay, thank you doctor." Blue said as she set Cloudchaser on the chair next to her and flew up. She flew over to Sky Chaser and picked him up to carry him into the stroller. She then placed Sky into the stroller and made sure that he was secured inside. Once she was done, she got behind the stroller to push it out of the room and called to her daughter, “Come on, Cloudchaser.” She began to push the stroller out of the room, but immediately stopped when she didn’t hear her daughter move from the chair. She to see that Cloudchaser was still sitting on the chair, starring at the stroller with a concerned look on her face. Blue, with a more authoritative tone, said, “Cloudchaser, come on. We’re going home.”
Cloudchaser snapped out of her small trance after the second time her mother called her and yelped out, “Coming mommy!” as she jumped off of the chair.
When Cloudchaser was right next to her, Blue Typhoon gave her a concerned look and asked, “Sweetie, is there something bothering you?”
Cloudchaser, thinking that her mother would be upset if she told her what was bother her and not knowing how to talk to her about it, just simply answered, “N-nothing, mommy.”
Blue Typhoon didn’t completely believe her daughters answer, but decided not to question Cloudchaser ) any further and said, “Okay then, let’s go home.” She then pushed the stroller out of the room with Cloudchaser close behind in order to go bay for the bill. Once the bill was payed, they began to walk home. On the way there Blue Typhoon, kept thinking about how she was going to break the news to Storm Chaser. She tried to think of ways to lie or downplay Sky’s situation, but each time she did, she also thought of the ways that they could affect their relationship and, more importantly, Sky’s health. By the time she reached her home, she came to the conclusion that the doctor was right, she needed to be completely honest to Storm. As she unlocked and opened the door, she began to feel some relief since she would be able to sit down and relax once she’s inside.
“Hey honey, welcome home.” Storm Chaser called out when Blue Typhoon walked inside, catching her by surprise. He started to walk up to hug Blue as he asked, “How are you doing?”
“Hello, Storm. I’m doing fine.” Blue said as she accepted Storm’s hug and gave him a short nuzzle while Cloudchaser quickly ran by to go into her room. “I wasn’t expecting you to be home so early.” She said after she after they separated from the hug and gently pulled Sky out of the stroller and walked over to the play pin that they set up in the living room.
“Today ended up being a short and easy day, so we were allowed to go home early.” Storm replied. “So how was the visit to the doctor’s office? Did they figure out what was wrong with Sky?”
“Oh they…did.” Blue reluctantly replied as she gently placed Sky into the play pin.
“Well, what did they say?” Storm asked curiously.
Blue took a deep breath before reluctantly replying. “The doctor said that Sky was possibly suffering from protein deficiency as a result of us not giving any food with protein in it.”
Storm raised an eyebrow as he asked, “So…what does that mean?”
“It means that, while he is able to still eat fruits and vegetables, he needs to start eating meat as well to get protein.” Blue finally admitted.
Storm flinched back before asking, “Wait, did you just say that he needs to eat meat?”
“Unfortunately…yes.” Blue sadly confirmed.
There was a strong silence between the two. Blue was waiting for Storm to make another reply to the revelation, and Storm didn’t know how to react. The two stood there for what felt like hours before Storm suddenly began to turn towards the stairs and began to walk towards them.
Curious as to what Storm was doing, Blue asked, “Storm, where are you going?”
“I’m going to the study so that I can write a letter to Princess Celestia about Sky needing to eat meat.” Storm simply answered.
Blue Typhoon was shocked by what Storm said that he was doing. She knew that he probably wasn’t going to react well to the news, but she didn’t think that he would immediately write a letter to the princess. So, she yelled out, “Isn’t that a bit brash?!? Who knows how she’s going to react.”
Storm turned towards her and, with a slightly raised voice, said, “Well, I’m sorry, do you have any other ideas then?”
Blue frantically tried to come up with some idea for a few seconds until she remembered something the doctor told her. “Well, the doctor said that there are some alternative ways for him to get protein, like tree nuts and eggs.” She tried to explain.
“Did he also say that they would completely eliminate his need for meat?” Storm asked.
“…No,” Blue sadly admitted, “he said that Sky would still need to eat meat from time to time.” She then switched to a more hopeful tone as she asked, “But isn’t there any way of taking care of this without letting the princess know?”
“Okay then, do you know how we can get Sky meat?” Storm asked bluntly.
Blue just stood there in silence.
“Do you know if he can eat meat raw or does it have to be prepared?”
Blue still stood there in silence.
“And on that note, do you even know how to prepare meat?”
“Okay, I get your point!” Blue finally exclaimed.
The two just stood there for a few moments before Storm calmly asked, “Blue, what’s the matter? Why don’t you want me to tell Princess Celestia about Sky?”
Blue sighed as she walked towards the couch and took a seat. She then faced her husband and said, “To be honest…I’m scared.”
“Scared about what?” Storm asked sympathetically as he joined Blue on the couch without losing eye contact with her.
“I’m scared about what the princess would do if she found out about Sky needing to eat meat.” Blue explained. “I’m afraid of her taking Sky away to live with another family. I’m afraid of her locking him away somewhere. I’m afraid of her exiling him from Equestria. As a whole, I’m just…afraid of what she’ll do if she finds out.” Blue sadly admitted.
Storm reached out a foreleg to give Blue a comforting hug, which she accepted by leaning into his embrace. They sat there for a few minutes in the comfort of each other’s embrace, with Storm stroking Blue’s back, before Storm broke the silence when he said, “Now Blue, let’s talk about this. Even if she found about Sky’s need for meat, I don’t think she’ll lock him away or exile him.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course, didn’t you see her when we brought Sky to her?” Storm rhetorically asked. “She loved the little guy! I doubt she’ll do anything like lock him away or exile him just because of his diet.”
“But still, the possibility is still there.” Blue tried to argue.
“Possible? Sure, but it’s still unlikely going to happen.” Storm countered almost immediately.
Blue thought about what Storm Chaser was telling her for a few moments and realized that he had a point. It would be a bit much to assume that Princess Celestia would isolate Sky from Equestrian society just because he needed to eat meat to stay healthy. Otherwise, she probably wouldn’t have allowed the griffons to immigrate from the griffon kingdom. “Alright, so maybe she wouldn’t send him away.” She finally relented before asking, “But what if she tries to send him to another family?”
Storm Chaser tightened his hold on Blue slightly before replying, “If she does, then she’s going to do so because she’ll think that that’s the best course of action for him. And isn’t that what you want for him?”
Blue sighed sadly before saying, “You’re right, that is what I want, but I wished it would be here with us.”
“I know you do.” Storm said, giving Blue a kiss on the top of the head. “And to be honest, I want that too. But if Celestia end up deciding that sending him to another family is for the best, then I’ll just have to go along with it. What about you?”
“I suppose I’ll just have to go along with it too.” Blue relented.
“Alright, then it looks like we’re going to let the princess know, right?”
“I guess so.” Blue simply replied.
“Okay, I’ll go write that letter then.” Storm said as he got off of the couch. “I’ll be down as soon as I’m done and we can mail the letter tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Blue simply answered as she watched Sky Chaser play around in the play pin.
It’s been five days since Storm Chaser mailed the letter to Princess Celestia, and both he and Blue Typhoon were still anxiously waiting for her response. They both understood that Celestia’s position would keep her busy and probably wouldn’t respond in a while, but that didn’t do anything to calm their anxiety down. If anything, the uncertainty of when and how she would respond made them even more anxious.
Sky’s condition started to improve slightly when they started feeding him eggs in the morning, but they knew that they couldn’t get away with feeding him just eggs forever. At the same time, they also noticed that Cloudchaser was starting to avoid Sky ever since the doctor visit, which was also starting to worry them. They tried from time to time to see what was going on, but every time they did she would say that nothing was wrong. While they didn’t completely believe her, they were still too busy worrying about Sky to push the issue further.
Currently, it was early in the evening as Storm Chaser and Blue Typhoon were both reading in the living room and keeping a constant watch over Cloudchaser and Sky Chaser as they played. Sky was playing with various toys in the play pin and Cloudchaser was playing with a couple of stuffed toys with plenty of distance between her and Sky’s play pin. The family was mostly just minding their own business until they heard a hard knock on the door.
“I wonder who that it?” Storm Chaser asked as he put his book down, stood up, and trotted towards the front door. When he opened the door, he was immediately surprised that it was Princess Celestia at the door. She was accompanied by a pair of her royal guards and a gruff looking griffon standing slightly behind her. He also noticed that the griffon also had a pair of saddle bags that resembled ice chests strapped onto him. “Pr-princess Celestia, it’s an honor for you to visit us!” Storm exclaimed, bowing.
“Please rise, my little pony. We’re your guests after all.” Celestia calmly reassured. “May we come in?”
“Of course, come right in, princess.” Storm Chaser said as he rose and gestured his guests inside. Celestia and the griffon walked inside as both of the guards took position on both sides of the front door. They followed Storm Chaser into the living room. “Honey, the princess is here to see us!” He called out.
“She is!?” Blue Typhoon exclaimed. She quickly and haphazardly placed her book down on the coffee table and scurried off of the couch. Cloudchaser, meanwhile, had ran up to her room when she heard that guests were coming in. When Blue saw Celestia enter the room along with Storm and the griffon, she immediately bowed.
“Rise, my little pony.” Celestia gently said. Blue did as she was instructed as Celestia continued. “Tell me, Blue Typhoon, how have you been?”
“I’ve been doing well.” Blue replied, the question giving her some form of relief. “Are you here about the letter we sent you?”
“Indeed I am.” Celestia replied as she walked over to the play pin to look at Sky Chaser, who began to look up at her curiously. "And how is Sky doing?" Celestia cooed, reaching her head down to give Sky’s head a quick nuzzle, causing him to giggle.
“He’s been doing better since we started giving eggs to eat, but we know that we can’t keep settling for that forever.” Blue replied. “To be honest, we were never prepared to find out that he was an omnivore.”
“Yes, his need for meat is quite troubling.” Celestia began as she turned to face the couple. “Which is why I’d think it would be a good idea to give you some special accommodations for him.”
“Special accomidations?!?” Blue replied. “You mean that he’ll be able to stay here?”
“Of course, if that’s what you want?” Celestia sincerely replied.
“Yes!” Blue happily yelled out. She then remembered that she was speaking to royalty, so she composed herself before continuing, “Um, yes we want nothing more than for him to stay here.”
“That’s wonderful to hear." Celestia cheerfully exclaimed. “Now, before I begin listing the accommodations I’m making for you, I need to confirm that you don’t have a way of obtaining meat for Sky here in Ponyville.”
“Not really, your majesty. The only stand that sells any kind of meat is the one that sells cat and dog food. We don’t get enough carnivorous visitors here for anypony to think about selling meat.” Storm Chaser informed.
“Heh, can’t say I blame ‘em.” The griffon finally spoke in a gruff voice. “No sense in tryin’ to sell somethin’ if ya don’t have a demand for it.”
“Oh, shoot, where were my manners.” Storm Chaser exclaimed, feeling slightly embarrassed, “I should have greeted you at the door.”
“Eh, don’t worry about it. Aye would a’ forgotten my manners too if I were in your position.” The griffon said as he approached Storm. He then lifted a talon as he spoke, “The name’s Chef Silverclaw, one of the many chefs workin’ at the castle.”
“Storm Chaser.” Storm replied as he accepted Silverclaw’s handshake. “And this is my wife, Blue Typhoon.” He said as he gestured towards his wife, how nodded. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Pleasure to meet ya too.” Silverclaw responded before releasing Storm Chaser’s hoof.
Celestia, who was watching the exchange, gave a cough to get everyone’s attention and said, “Since the introductions are done, shall we start discussing the special accommodations?”
“Oh, of course, princess.” Blue said as she and Storm Chaser gave Celestia their full attention and Silverclaw walked over to Celestia in order to stand next to her.
Once she had everyone’s attention, Celestia began to speak, “Alright, one of the issues you brought up in your letter was the lack of access to meat.” The couple nodded in response. “Unfortunately, I can’t send you meat directly from Canterlot Castle, since we only obtain meat if we are expecting a delegate that needs to eat it. Thankfully we were able to make a deal with the griffon we get are meat from. And he agreed to have special orders delivered to your house, but only if you’re able to pay his prices for it.”
“What do you think, dear?” Blue asked Storm.
“I don’t think we have much of a choice.” Storm replied. “Don’t worry I’m sure we can afford the costs.” He then turned to Celestia and said, “Okay, we’ll do it.”
“Splendid, I’ll make sure to let him know right away.” Celestia said cheerfully. “Now, you also stated in the letter that you don’t know how to prepare meat, is that correct?”
“That’s correct, princess.” Storm replied.
“Well, thankfully Chef Silverclaw here has agreed to help you out with that situation.” Celestia replied, gesturing a hoof towards Silverclaw.
“That’s right!” Silverclaw stated proudly. “I’m gonna teach the two of ya how to prepare and cook meat dishes. By the time I’m done teaching you, you’ll know how to properly store and prepare meat for the little fella.”
“That’s very nice of you, Silverclaw.” Blue happily replied. “When are we starting?”
“Technically tonight, but you’re only going to watch me cook tonight. Tomorrow is when I’ll have you start cooking.” Silverclaw replied.
“Oh, goody.” Blue sarcastically replied. She then looked up at the clock and saw that it was about six-thirty and said, “Oh, look at the time! We need to start making dinner! Will you be joining us, princess?”
“I suppose there’s no harm in joining you for dinner. After all, Silverclaw’s going to prepare dinner tonight. Isn’t that right?” Celestia said, directing the question to Silverclaw.
“That’s right, princess. Just relax until dinner’s ready.” Silverclaw responded. He then took the ice chests off of his back and opened one of them. He then turned to Blue and Storm and said, “As for you two, you’re gonna join me in the kitchen.” He then pulled out a dead rabbit from the ice chest. “Cause I’m gonna show you how to skin a rabbit!”
Storm Chaser stared at Silverclaw with disbelief and disgust as Blue Typhoon fainted on the spot.