//------------------------------// // Chance for a Chance chpt 3 // Story: Chance for Change // by brony114 //------------------------------// (Authors Notes: I'm Hoping to get one chapter out a week. So far so good. Sorry it's a little slow right now but there will be plenty of action and romance in the chapters to come. Once again, Thank you all for reading my fic.) Canterlot Palace Princess Luna slowly trotted through the Palace once she had made her way back from the hospital. She was greeted by the day guards as they saluted her. Her weak nod back told them she was very tired. Luna was exhausted, her eyes struggled to stay open as she slowly trotted through the hallways. She took notice that the lavender in the wall sconces had already begun to wilt. It wouldn't be long before she would have to replace them. Ugh, I'll do it in the evening. She thought to herself. The morning had been long and she needed her rest. Her bed called to her and she had certainly earned her place in it. Luna had been wondering how she would talk to her sister about the damage since she was worrying about budgeting for the palace. Furthermore, she would have to report to Celestia about the strange unicorn / human. She wasn't sure what exactly to make of him or his situation. Telling Celestia wouldn't be easy. Luna turned the corner of the very troublesome hallway with a very large window that had to be replaced and standing at that very window was Celestia. Luna stopped in her tracks and observed her sister. Celestia was staring with wide eyes at the damaged Window which had originally depicted the elements of harmony vanquishing Discord. It was a very special gift for Twilight and her friends that Celestia had poured many bits into its construction. In its place was a large piece of plywood that had been hastily placed. Luna didn't like the look on her sister's face but she knew she'd have to confront what was sure to make her morning even longer. " Sister, We need talk." Luna called out to Celestia. " Luna...What happened?" Celestia asked. Her eyes continued to look over the remnants of the art piece. " Well sister, it's… Well… there is a lot to discuss." Luna faltered with her words as she struggled to find the right combination. " This window cost the palace over 10,000 bits to construct. It was a one of a kind commissioned piece. How did this happen?" Celestia turned to look at Luna with a pleading expression. Luna felt herself becoming nervous. " Well you see Celestia, We had a sort of break in last night." " A break in? Were the perpetrators detained?" Celestia asked. " Well.. yes but you see, the situation is very complicated." " What do you mean? Who did this?" Celestia asked again. " His name is Thomas Hickey, He was being chased by one of my guards and he decided to try to jump through this window. " " But the glass was over an inch thick, that would have injured him for sure." Celestia turned her body to face Luna. Her attention was completely focused on her sister. Then Celestia realised something didn't sound right to her. " Wait, Thomas Hickey?" " Yes It's a strange name. He did sustain injuries, so that is why he is at Canterlot General. He Should be waking up soon." Luna explained. " He's asleep? Did you try to talk to him?" Celestia asked. " Yes and that is why we need to talk, but maybe…" Luna looked around at the palace staff that were looking at them. Celestia looked around to see what Luna was looking at. Many of the palace staff and some of the guards were staring at the conversing princesses. Then Celestia turned to give Luna a look of confusion. " It's something we should discuss in private." Luna added. Celestia continued to look at her little sister with a confused expression. " Ok fine. Maybe we can discuss this over pancake's in the dining hall?" Celestia suggested. " Of Course sister." Luna replied with a smile. Canterlot General Hospital Sargent Halberd was up late in the morning chatting with Doctor Carotid. Dr. Carotid had a slow night shift after her unidentified unicorn stallion patient was admitted. She decided to chat with Halberd between patients to question him about the unicorn as to ascertain the cause of his condition prior to his self inflicted injuries. Halberd elected to stay on duty throughout the morning since he was very adamant to talk to the patient. " I still don't understand why he thought jumping through one and a half inches of glass was a good idea." Halberd said. " It's Unusual that somepony would freaked out like that. What exactly did you do to him to make him fear you?" Dr. Carotid asked. " All I did was levitate his hind legs in the air and held him there, You know, standard apprehension practices and all." Halberd replied. Halberd looked at the blue stallion and thought for a moment. " I wonder what Princess Luna saw in his dream." He added. " What do you think she saw?" Dr. Carotid asked. " Well She did get his name so I'm sure she talked with him about other things." Halberd speculated. " It would have been nice to know more. The more I know, the better I can treat him." Carotid explained. " What kind of name is Thomas Hickey any way? I've never hear of anypony being called that." Halberd asked. " It's definitely strange. Perhaps he's from the badlands." Carotid added. " I don't know, Well just have to ask him." Halberd added. " I also want to know how he got into the palace. None of the other guards reported seeing him before the incident." Halberd gestured with his hoof. " Well he is a unicorn, It's possible he teleported in. Princess Twilight Sparkle can teleport anywhere she pleases." Carotid explained. " Then again, He's so magically underdeveloped that I doubt he could perform a simple levitation spell." " It's possible he could have been teleported by somepony else, but why would anypony do that?" Halberd looked at Thomas and rubbed the bottom of his chin. It was Then a low groan emitted from Thomas. " Hey did you hear that?" Halberd asked. " Yes. I Think he's waking up, and right on que." Carotid replied. Her Violet Eyes seemed to light up with excitement. Thomas dipped in and out of consciousness more times than he could remember and he spent much time in what felt like the land of the dead. However, the times when he was somewhat coherent, Thomas felt awful. His whole body seemed to ache and what ached the most was his forelegs. There was also an insistent pounding in his head that made his ears twitch. Also, His jaw was stiff which made it hard to open. There were some sounds that found their way into his mind; faint murmurs that he was hearing close by. They were too soft to understand, but Thomas knew they were from more than one source. At times he could only hear a woman, while other times he could hear a man standing over him talking. This process of being dead, half waking up, hearing the murmurs and not being able to move, seemed to continue into some sort of twisted eternity. However, each time he woke, he seemed to be able to stir just a little more, and each time he heard the murmurs, they seem to be a little clearer. Thomas was now back in the land of the living again, his body ached just as it did the other times with the distinct exception that he was able to slightly open his eyes. The light that bled in from the slits of his eyelids was blinding. He felt very warm, uncomfortably warm. The blankets that covered him were too much. He tried with all his will power to move his legs, but his efforts seemed to only bring more pain. With that he let out a very soft groan; a groan supported only but his very dry throat. " Hey did you hear that?" said a male voice from behind Thomas. Thomas could hear the murmur of a woman in the room, but he couldn't understand her. Canterlot Palace Dinning Hall " OK Luna, Let me get this straight. You're telling me that this Thomas Hickey, someone who appears to be a pony but is instead a bipedal ape like creature who studies art, teleported to our world through some dark magic?" Celestia asked for clarification. " It appears to be a dark summoning, sister. I didn't catch the incantation in his memory, but it did feel like dark magic." Luna explained as she levitated her fork. " Why didn't you notify me immediately?" Celestia asked. " I didn't see any immediacy in action was needed and I chose to investigate the matter first before coming to you? Thomas Seems to be unwitting in his involvement." " Luna, the implications of this Thomas Hickey's being summoned here could be disastrous. I feel that dark forces may be moving against our ponies." Celestia argued. Celestia looked down at her chocolate coconut pancake with mango and whip cream that unassumingly smiled back at her. Luna had levitated a fork full of her own pancakes up and took a bite. " I need to see this Thomas Hickey. I need to see him for myself." Celestia stayed quiet for a moment before she looked up At her sister. " We'll set up a court date for him today. Sister I won't make you stay up any longer…" " I'll be fine sister. It won't be the first time I've had to stay up late. " Luna replied with a smile. Celestia smiled back. " Oh Luna, you have something on your nose." Celestia pointed out with her hoof. Luna crossed her eyes to see a sizable dollop of whip cream on the tip of her nose. Apparently she hadn't noticed. The pair of sisters chuckled at that. Luna levitated a napkin up to her muzzle and wiped it clean. " I believe It's almost time for day court to begin. Perhaps you'll be turning in until I can set up Mr. Thomas Hickey's court time for the afternoon?" Celestia asked. " Of Course sister, I shall be taking a rest until that time." Luna replied. " Then it's settled." Celestia proclaimed as she lifted a fork full of pancake into her mouth. Canterlot General Hospital " Wha...What's going on?" Thomas forced his voice through his dry throat. There was a short moment of silence " What's going on is that You're in big trouble." Halberd proclaimed. He moved to closer to the side of the bed. Thomas opened his eyes a little to see Halberd. " Princess Luna?" Thomas asked. Halberd and Dr. Carotid looked at each other before Carotid spoke. " She went to speak with Princess Celestia." She replied. " who…. Who are you?" Thomas asked in a forced voice. " I am Dr. Carotid, general physician here at Canterlot General Hospital." Carotid said. " ...And I'm Sargent Halberd of the Canterlot Palace Night guard. I'm here to inform you that you are under arrest for trespassing, vandalism, resisting arrest and assaulting a guard. Once you have recuperate here, you will be brought into EUP custody." Halberd Explained with a certain level of content. Thomas turned his head to look at Halberd. " I'm really being charged with all that?" He asked in a weak, raspy voice. " Well you did trespass in the palace, you tried galloping away, you kicked me in the face, and you destroyed a valuable piece of architecture. I sure do hope you can find a really good lawyer." Halberd added with a smug smile. Thomas laid his head on the pillow. "Great." Thomas replied sarcastically. " I'm really curious, Where are you from Thomas Hickey?" Carotid asked. Thomas looked up with surprise at the Doctor. " We know your name, but that is all the Princess told us. I was hoping you could tell us more." Carotid explained. Thomas looked at her, then he looked at Halberd. So everything wasn't a dream? Great! Thomas thought to himself. Thomas looked at Halberd; he was thinking about how he would need to " stay out of trouble" as Princess Luna had warned him. " Since I'm being detained, do I have the right to remain silent?" Thomas asked. He was hoping he didn't have to talk to Halberd since he didn't have his best interests at heart. Halberd looked annoyed at the question. " ugh… yes, yes you do." Halberd reluctantly replied. Thomas then looked at Dr. Carotid and shook his head. Carotid looked over to Halberd. " Sargent, I need you to leave." She said bluntly. " What for Doc?" Halberd asked " I need to talk to my patient," she replied. Halberd looked even more annoyed. " Fine Doc. Hey buddy, just so you know you'll eventually have your day in court." Halberd said before he turned to walk out of the room. Carotid waited for him to leave, then she cast a silencing spell on the room, cutting off the sound from inside. " Ok now Mr. Thomas Hickey, Id like to ask you some questions." " I'd rather not do this." Thomas said. " Mr. Thomas Hickey, I must remind you that as my patient you have the right to patient confidentiality and I am bound by the law to maintain that confidentiality. I only intend to ask you questions pertaining to your condition so that I may diagnose and treat you properly." Thomas continued to stare at the doctor as he wondered about what he should do. Dr. Carotid did seem to be sincerely interested in his well being so he didn't really see any harm in cooperating with her. Besides, she was the only one who could help him with his pain. Thomas felt pain coursing through his body from his injuries. He could feel the stiffness of the stitches that held his many wounds closed and that cause him more pian. The pain was manageable from what he could tell but The discomfort made him want to ask for more pain meds. " Ok, I'll answer your questions,but could you do something about the pain?" Thomas asked. He lifted one of his forelegs to emphasis the area he was feeling it the most. " Of course Thomas Hickey, just give me a moment." Carotid said as she pointed her white horn at him. The horn began to glow a soft violet color and Thomas felt an aura surround him. It was light and energetic, but it started to sooth his pain. Thomas was surprised to see the doctor's magic, It made him feel nervous, but at the same time he didn't feel like it going to hurt him. Thomas remembered How Halberd had lifted him up in the air. The magic felt more abrasive and violent, not as violent as his trip through the tunnel of shadows, but it did make him feel uncomfortable. It was as if he was being handled by a large hand. Dr. Carotid magic was light and gentle. Eventually His pain seemed to disappear. " Thanks Doc. " Thomas said with a content smile. " You're name is very unusual Mr. Thomas Hickey." " You can just call my Thomas, It's weird hearing my full name." Thomas requested. " Ok Thomas. Now may we begin?" Carotid asked. Thomas looked her in her eyes. " Ok Doc."