Warframe: Rebirth

by REDMAMBA


Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Raven laid in her bed with her back propped up on the headboard as she read away with the book in her lap. To her right sat a notebook with a small inkwell with a feather in it. She did her best to ‘read’ through the book, it was a dictionary that she was translating into Orokin for a better understanding. If she was going to be here for the foreseeable future, knowing things other than basic hand gestures would help her get very far in this strange world. Nearby, Bubbles sat at the lone desk in the room reading her own book while she waited for the physical therapist to arrive. After translating another word the doorknob to the room jiggled, causing both girls to lift their heads.

The two shared a glance before the mare stood up. “That must be the therapist,” Bubbles stated as she approached the door. Upon reaching the door she opened it. The light blue mare was greeted by that of a dark blue unicorn mare with a white mane and tail. She was wearing a pair of sweatpants and a black t-shirt, in her right hand was a small medical bag and a clipboard.

“Ah! You must be the Blue Cross?” Bubbles asked with a smile.

“Indeed, I am!” the mare replied happily before grabbing her clipboard with her free hand and holding it up. “Is… Raven here?”

“Yep!” the caretaker confirmed. Stepping to the side, she allowed the other mare access. “She’s on the bed.”

“Thank you!” Cross thanked happily as she stepped into the room. As soon as her eyes landed on the girl reading on the bed, she froze. When she got this assignment this morning she knew when was not going to be seeing a normal pony, but… she didn’t expect this! Bubbles approached from behind and stood next to the staring mare.

“Don’t let looks deceive you,” Bubbles said while she placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head at Cross. “She’s a nice girl.”

“I knew that I wasn’t going to be seeing a pony today but…” Cross admitted as she turned her head towards Bubbles, that look of uncertainty gracing her features. “What species is she?” the mare whispered as to not offend the other younger girl.

“Don’t know,” Bubbles replied with a shrug. “The Princess saved her before she hit the ground. I still don’t know how she got up that high,” the mare mused while holding a hand to her chin. She shrugged again and dropped her hand.

“What happened?”

“You haven’t heard!?” Bubbles gawked, turning fully to face Cross. The papers had exploded all over Equestria about who the mysterious filly was and what she had been doing. There were still press ponies requesting entry and an interview. Celestia closed court to the whole public for the time being, only letting in important cases. “Witnesses say that they saw a large trail of smoke followed by a massive explosion while Raven fell from the sky!”

“Wow…” Cross was speechless. She continued to silently study her patient from afar for a few more seconds. Next to her, Bubbles crossed her arms under her bosom. She shook her head.

“Yep… anyway, come and say hi!” she beamed while dropping her arms and heading towards the bed. Cross followed shortly after. Once she reached the side of the bed, Bubbles dropped to a knee, grabbing Raven’s attention. “Raven?” The mare said softly. “This is Doctor Cross,” Bubbles said while gesturing towards the mare standing nearby. “She’s here for your therapy.” The kneeling mare pointed at the girl’s immobile legs. “Ther-a-py!” The young girl did her best to repeat the word before Bubbles rose from her spot and was replaced by Doctor Cross.

“Hi, Raven!” Cross greeted with a caring smile. “Blue… Cross,” the mare said slowly.

“Blue Cross,” Raven repeated, letting the name sink in. The name sounded slightly foreign to her. Like a mix of objects. She was going to have to look it up later. “Hallo.”

“It’s hell-o,” Bubbles corrected from her seat back at the desk.

Raven silently ‘Ah’d’ before trying the greeting yet again. “Hello!”

***

Later that night Celestia wandered through the vast halls of her home. She was glad to be done for the day. It had been a rough one. Not only did she deal with one of the fullest days of court in a very long time, most questions being about what happened to the child, but she had to deal with various other requests and issues with the royal council. Running a 1000-year regime is very taxing. But it would all be better when she could go and see her daughter.

The mare froze in her tracks. ‘Daughter?’ Could she even do that? Raven isn’t just some orphan from off the streets, at least… she shouldn’t be? Celestia had only known her for less than a week and she was already that attached to the child? But in that short amount of time she was yet to hear anything about the whereabouts of Raven’s parents. And even Raven doesn’t seem worried or eager as to finding them. All the reports she has gotten from her lasted caretaker is that Raven had done nothing but read and translate words into some language she has never seen before. Shaking her head clear of her thoughts, Celestia trekked onward.

As the solar mare approached the child's room, she honestly expected her to be sleeping. It was dark and Raven was still rather young. But the mother figure in her wanted to see her. Upon reaching the door she slowly opened it and peeked an eye in. Catching a glimpse of the bed, she noticed that it lacked a body. Confused, she blinked once before opening the door all the way and stepped inside. She looked around for the wayward child, only to find nothing. As she continued to search, her eyes soon landed on the open balcony doors, the drapes fluttered in the late-night breeze.

Outside, Raven sat in her wheelchair with her elbows in the railing, her cheek resting on her right fist. Looking up at the unique moon she sighed. “I can’t believe this… it was all a dream…” She lifted her head off her fist in realization. “... sort of.” Placing her cheek back on her fist with a sigh she continued to lament. “I wonder if anyone knows I’m here?” she deflated slightly in her seat. “Is it even worth it? I can’t speak the language and I probably look like a freak to these people!” Her sad gaze dropped to her useless legs. “I can’t even fucking walk!” She sighed again. “And I’m half blind…”

She took another deep breath and let it out slowly. “What can I say… I have nothing. No frame, no ship… no… anything…” her gaze dropped to the floor as she placed her forehead on her left arm.

“Raven?” The sound of her name being called caused her to slowly lift her head and look over her shoulder. Just behind her, Celestia stood with a concerned look. “Are you okay, Honey?” the mare asked, concerned.

Raven considered lying for a second. She could tell by the way her guardian talked that she was concerned. “I…” She glanced at the floor before shaking her head. Understanding the gesture, Celestia stepped forward and next to the handicapped child. Together, the pair gazed out over the dimly lit city of Canterlot.

“I know you don’t understand me, Celestia,” Raven spoke, breaking the silence. The mare's ears turned towards the child subconsciously, before she fully turned her head down towards the child as the strange, hissing language reached her ears. “When the Stalker found me, he took everything. My frame, my ship, and my closest friend… to be honest,” Raven chuckled halfheartedly. “I thought you people were going to kill me, not save me…” the child lifted her head and looked up at Celestia with her tear stained eye. “Thank you!”

Raven had to have worked all day on saying those last two words. Because the taller mare understood the words ‘thank you’ perfectly. She may not have been able to understand the rest of that speech, but the message was all too clear. The mare squatted down to the child's level and looked into her one good eye.

“Raven… in my long life, I have never seen somepony as interesting as you. Hopefully, if you are here long enough, we can get to know each other more. I know, in time, you’ll be accepted and loved like any other pony.... Oh, pony feathers! Even now, I just want to call you mine,” the mare admitted. Her eyes started to well up. She leaned forward and wrapped the child in a loving hug. Raven, for her part, accepted the embrace. It was something extremely foreign to her, but she liked it.

The giant fuzzy woman was extremely soft and she smelled like vanilla. Her massive wings wrapped around the child's form. Raven was starting to struggle to stay awake. She liked, hell, she loved this! No Tenno was ever this affectionate. Not like she could feel this comfort through the suit. Lacking a mouth and skin had its problems. Along with the fact that all Tenno were fairly strict and stern, lovey-dovey was a pretty foreign concept. Most focused on when the next mission was or how much one would charge for a trade.

But this? How could she ever leave! She cried. She cried into the shoulder of the elder in her arms. Celestia squeezed the child harder as her own tears flowed. She never had a child of her own, but she well and truly would love to have one. If no one came to claim Raven soon, she made her decision. She wanted this child. Someone to love. The world be damned at what she thinks, Raven was going to be hers no matter what.

Both sat in mutual silence, just enjoying each other’s company and warmth. It was several minutes before the pair released each other. Raven wiped her eye while Celestia smiled down at her. “Come on,” the mare said as she rose to her hooves. “Why don’t we head for bed?”

Raven nodded. Rolling her way in, the child headed for the bed. Doing her best, Raven hopped up onto the bed and crawled under the sheets. Nearby, Celestia stood nervously. She was very unsure of herself. She wanted to be there for the child, but at the same time, she may not be needed.

Raven noticed the uncertainty and removed an arm from under the covers. She tapped the bed next to her. Raven had to admit, the softness of Celestia’s fur was really comforting. The mare smiled. In a flash of light, her regal gown was replaced with that of a tank top and a pair of sweatpants. She wasted little time in joining what she hoped to be, her new daughter.

Once under the sheets, she wrapped both arms and a wing over the child and pulled her in close. Raven made the proper adjustments and rested in as the little spoon. This contact was very foreign, but she was going to love it! “Good night, sweetie,” Celestia said softly.

“Good night… mom…”

***

The next morning Raven woke with a long drawn out yawn. Stretching both arms over her head, she cracked her back before lazily dropping them to her sides. She blinked the sleep away and searching the area, her gaze fell on a nearby glass of water. Reaching over, she stretched her arm as far as it would go, but it was all in vain.

She repeated the action several times before giving up with a grunt. With a sigh, she looked down at her hand. She was starting to remember something. A school and the channeling of her power back in the Liset. She held up a hand and focused with everything she had. Closing her eyes, she concentrated. Her face scrunched and her head started to hurt. After several seconds…

It worked!

A wave of semi-invisible energy shot out from her hand. Curious if she could repeat the action, she concentrated yet again. Holding her hand up, another wave of energy left her hand before dissipating. She smiled before eyeing at the glass of water. She held up her right hand and aimed her palm at the drink. With a light push forward, another wave left her palm, it quickly left an engulfed the glass.

The simple drink took flight and levitated in the air. With a victorious smirk and a laugh, Raven celebrated. It didn’t last long before she willed the drink over into her waiting grasp. As she took a sip, her attention moved to the door. And in the doorway…

Stood a gawking Celestia.

Raven just lowered her drink, smiled and waved happily. Celestia just blinked in awe.

***

Raven sat nervously on a medical bed as Celestia sat nearby with a worried look. The young girl eyed the mare, she honestly thought she did something wrong. The silence didn’t help either. Before Raven could speak, the door opened and a single unicorn mare walked in. She was red from head to hoof, with a white mane and tail, and dawned in an all-white medical uniform. “Raven?” she asked from her clipboard before lowering it.

The young girl glanced at Celestia with a worried look before she looked at the other mare in the lab coat. Oh, how much she was starting to hate people looking like that. It brought back bad memories. She nodded to the mare.

The little light red mare smiled. “I’m Doctor Red Cross,” she greeted while holding out a hand to the girl. Raven timidly accepted the hand and shook it. Releasing it, Red went back to her notes. “I see you are in for a magic test. Yes?”

“She doesn’t speak Equestrian,” Celestia answered for the girl, causing the Doctor to look at her superior. “But yes, she does need a magic test done.” It was fairly obvious to all that Raven lacked both wings and a horn. So, the ability to use magic only confused the solar mare. Well, physical magic away from earth pony magic and the ability to grow plants.

“Well,” Red started. “I need to see what she can do first.” She walked over to a nearby cabinet in the room and pulled a ball out. Placing her clipboard down on the desk next to the sink, she walked over and on front of the child. She held it up in her open palm. “Show me what you can do?”

Raven stared at the ball, then at Red, and finally, she turned her head to Celestia. Upon seeing the uncertainty, the mare ignited her horn and grabbed the ball herself and levitated it in the air. She placed it back in Red’s hand before gesturing to Raven. The child gulped before turning towards the ball. Holding up a timid hand, she hesitated.

“It's okay, sweetie’” Red assured.

Raven glanced up at her once last time before taking a deep breath. With a light push of her hand, a massive wave of energy shot out and not only engulfed the ball…

But Red too…

“Oh my!” Red gasped as she was levitated off the ground and into the air. Raven gasped and covered her mouth in shock. Nearby, Celestia rose to her hooves.

“Red! Are you-” she was cut off when Red held up a hand.

“I’m fine,” she assured. “But…” she started while looking down at her hovering form. “This doesn’t feel like magic.” the mare couldn't place what it was but… “I feel… cold.” she lifted her head and looked at the still nervous solar mare. “This isn't magic, it’s…” she looked over at Raven, who watched the two adults nervously. “Something different. ” she paused then looked back at Celestia. “This is something I will have to look into further.”

Just then, the aura faded and the mare dropped with a yelp. She landed on both hooves, arms splayed out, before she regained her footing. She wiped the bottom of her shirt and straightened her jacket. “Yes… well.” She looked up and at Celestia. “Because I have never seen a filly like this. Diagnosis will be a bit… interesting.”

“What do you want to do, Doctor?” Celestia asked, concerned.

The red colored mare sighed. “A full strength, casting, and ability test to not only see her mana levels, but what she can cast spell wise.”

“I see.” Celestia glanced down at the still nervous child.

Over the course of less than an hour, Red had Raven perform basic magic spell casting. Over the short period of time the medical mare was quick to deduce one thing. “Her mana pool is rather miniscule for a filly of her age,” she explained while flipping a page on her clipboard. “And all she knows is how to levitate objects.” When she finished, she flipped the page back and looked up at the solar mare standing nearby. Celestia glanced at the slightly panting child on the bed.

“That’s it?”

“That's it,” the mare assured. “Because I have never seen a filly like her before, my suggestion is either leave her be magic wise, or, enroll her in a magic school or get her a tutor to teach her spells.” The red mare shrugged. “Whatever she chooses is up to her. But…” the mare paused in thought. “Because of what she is, I suggest the former.”

Celestia nodded her head in understanding. “I understand. Thank you, Doctor.”

“You’re welcome, Princess,” Red replied with a smile. “I’ll tell my sister and maybe she can work magic into Raven’s physical therapy? We can see if she can perform magical spells. But a lack of Equestrian understanding will take much longer after she learns our language.”

Celestia nodded yet again. “I’ll see what she wants to do in due time. Thank you, Red.”

“Anytime, Celestia,” the doctor replied with a smile before turning towards Raven. “Good to meet you, sweetie. See you later!” The mare patted Raven on the shoulder before she left the two in peace. Celestia sighed and closed her eyes before opening them and looking at the child. She gave a tired smile before she ignited her horn.

Raven gave a yelp when she was levitated into the air and into her wheelchair. Pulling her along, Celestia left the room with the girl in tow. As the two left the medical wing of the castle, Raven let out a light sight. “Can we eat now?” she asked in her strange, hissing language.