//------------------------------// // Adorably Misinformed // Story: Patients (Part 1) // by DubstepIsAmazing //------------------------------// The air was knocked out of the Crusaders' lungs as they looked into Diamond Tiara's annoyed face. Clearly, she didn't look too pleased to see them. However, she also looked like she was stunned as well. "Diamond Tiara...what're you DOIN' here?" Apple Bloom asked, reclaiming her breath, "Ah'd have thought there's nothin' wrong with you!" She rolled her eyes and sat down behind the glass divider. "I feel like you three of all ponies should know that there's a lot wrong with me," she responded, "There's more to me than meets the eye." "We know there are things wrong with you, but not to a degree where you're staying in a mental asylum!" Scootaloo said. Diamond's expression didn't change. "Thus proving my point," she responded, "Now, what are you three doing here? Don't you two have better things to be doing?" "We're here for a psychiatrist visit," Sweetie said, "We recently went through a rather...*ahem*...interesting event." "Did it traumatize you?" "Sorta." "Then, that's why you're here. How bad was it?" "Ummm...well," Apple Bloom said, trying to find the words, "I kinda got my heart ripped out by Pinkie Pie." "I got my face crushed in by her too," Scootaloo said. "Luna used a really strong spell on me as an attack," Sweetie Belle answered. Diamond's ears perked up. "Did you just say Pinkie Pie and Luna?" The three nodded. "Pinkie Pie, I had a feeling she was insane, so this doesn't really surprise me. Princess Luna, however...such an odd coincidence..." The three looked confused. What was coincidential about Luna using a spell on someone? "I can tell you three are confused; it's the same face you guys make during class," she said with a smug look, "It's just that what Sweetie said lines up with what somepony else told me here..." "What?" "That the Elements of Harmony and the Princesses aren't what they seem." The three gasped in shock. No one's ever talked about their friends like this, especially considering how many times they saved Equestria from danger. "Time out," Scootaloo said, "The reason that all of this happened was because of a game Discord made. We all participated and we were put against each other. That's why those Apple Bloom and I fought Pinkie and Sweetie fought Luna. It was just the mood at the time!" Diamond didn't seem convinced. "That's not what your friend says..." "Who?" all three asked, hoping that it was who they were thinking of. "What's his name? Spike?" "THAT'S HIM!" They cried before their looks of glee turned into looks of bewilderment once more. "But wait. Why would he say that the elements and princesses aren't what they seem? He's known them for years!" "Well, according to what he told me, they're hypocrites. They've been lying to him for years now." "That makes no sense," Scootaloo said, "They're supposed to be the closest of friends! He's Twilight's number-one assistant; he's a brother to her!" "Well, you can ask him about that yourself. All I know is that based on what he told me and what I already know, our stories seem to be aligning very well." "Which room is he in?" Diamond pointed to the leftmost room next to her. "You just passed his room. We talk to each other through the vents. As he was escorted to his room, he looked really depressed." The three of them looked down. "How long is he supposed to be in here?" "About a week or two." Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow. "But you still haven't told us why you're in here, Diamond Tiara!" She narrowed her eyes. "What makes you think that's any of your business?" "Well, you said what happened to you and what Spike experienced lined up! So, to understand what that might mean, we'll have to hear your side of the story," Scootaloo noted. Diamond rolled her eyes. "Come back tonight," she said, "Spike offered to come to my room to talk. I know that he doesn't have a problem with you three. I'm sure he'd be glad to see you." The three nodded in anticipation of the coming meeting. "Good. Your sisters are coming up the stairs now," she said, lowering the blinds to her room. Right on cue, Rainbow Dash and Applejack came up the stairs and saw them down the hall. "There you three are," Applejack said, running to them. "We thought you three would stay in the lobby," Rainbow responded, giving Scootaloo a hug. Sweetie Belle looked behind them. "Where's Rarity?" "Princess Celestia wanted her to stay after for a second. We're going back to the castle to get her." At that point, the three fillies remained very quiet, thinking about what Diamond Tiara said. "Are you three okay?" asked Applejack, "Y'all're awfully quiet." They nodded their heads quickly to avoid suspicion. As they walked to the edge of the hallway, they fell deeper into the possibilities of what would happen if Diamond was telling the truth. Sure, she could just be taking messing with them like she always does. But why would she go through the trouble of checking into a mental hospital just for a cruel prank? In addition, she certainly looked the part. Her mane was frazzled, she was missing her trademark tiara, she wore the white jumpsuit patients usually wear when they're staying there...it couldn't be an act. Could it? They would have to come back later that day to find out. "So," Rainbow started, "At the castle we were talking about a visiting schedule for Spike. Applejack and Rarity are going on Wednesdays and I'm going on Fridays." "Oh, okay," Scootaloo said. "I think I'll tag along when you go, Rainbow." She smiled. "Feel free, Scoots!" "I think we'll tag along too," Sweetie Belle said, "Just to make sure he's safe." Apple Bloom nodded in agreement, causing Applejack to grin as well. "Sounds fine by me!" "Tomorrow is Sunday, so Twilight will be going to visit him first," Rainbow said as they exited the building and headed back to town. Neither of the Crusaders heard her. For the first time, the fillies felt unsafe around their sisters. Not just unsafe, but scared as well. The Castle Luna and Celestia sat in the meeting room alone. Twilight had been escorted by Shining Armor and Cadance to her bedroom so she could rest for the next day. Luna looked down. "This shouldn't have happened," she said, "I wish I could go back in time and change what I said..." Her sister shook her head. "You can go back in time, but not even you can change the events of the past. Neither can I, and neither can Discord." Luna's head slumped to the tabletop as she began to cry again. "I've known him for so long," she sobbed, "I've taken care of him many, many times! And yet...all of that trust...that bond we shared...all gone in an instant!" Approaching her, Celestia put a wing around her. "This is our chance to get things right. We may never have another shot at this again." "Mhm..." "Although, I wonder..." Celestia said, looking around to make sure no one was listening. Luna looked at her. "What?" "Is his eventual freedom a good idea?" Luna almost attacked her sister at the question. Noticing her anger, Celestia spread her wings in defense. "How could you ask such a thing?! He's our friend!" "I know, but think about it. You saw what he did to Twilight. If he gets out, what makes you think he won't do it to any of the others?" Luna paused, leading Celestia to think that she was onto something. "We don't want to hurt them more than they already are." "But denying Spike's freedom would crush Twilight!" "I know." Celestia looked up before she spoke again. "He's heard too much..." "What do you--" "Princess Celestia, we're heading back home," Cadance said, flying down the stairs with Shining Armor behind him. Feigning a smile, Celestia nodded. "Alright. I'll see you two soon." "See ya!" Shining Armor called as he followed his wife out of the castle. Turning back to a disappointed, yet confused Luna, she continued. "We're trying to stop a threat before it happens," she explained, "There aren't any dragons here for hundreds of miles, except for Spike. Imagine how peaceful it would be if we contained him. Then we wouldn't be in danger at all!" "The amount of irony of what you just said...it scares me. Very much." "Think about it," Celestia said, as she walked towards the door only for it to open once more. The Crusaders, Rainbow Dash and Applejack came in, with all smiles, some real, some fake. "Welcome back, girls," Celestia greeted. Luna was at a loss for words. "Is Rarity still here?" "No, she just left. Speaking of which...Sweetie Belle!" Sweetie Belle reluctantly approached her, anxiously waiting for her verdict. "Following Spike's release, you'll begin magic lessons with Twilight." Sweetie Belle's eyes lit up. "Really?!" "Yes." She could barely contain her excitement; after multiple thank-yous to Celestia, she was about to scream in glee, but was nudged by Scootaloo to remember the night's events. "Oh yeah," she whispered, "Thanks, Princess." Celestia chuckled. "How was your psychiatrist appointment?" Their tongues froze. They forgot all about their appointment's details; all they could think of was their meeting with Diamond Tiara and their future meeting with Spike. As their eyes darted all over the place, their sisters and the Princesses could tell something was on their mind. "Are y'all sure you're okay? You've been acting nervous ever since we left." Applejack said. "What's the matter? You can tell us anything," Rainbow said, causing Scootaloo to look at her in fear. Her smile gave her goosebumps all over her back. "It's clear they're tired," said Celestia, walking back towards her sister, "They need rest." Rainbow and Applejack didn't need to hear any more. As they left the castle to go home, Celestia looked at Luna. "When you go into everypony's dreams tonight, tell me what they're thinking. They're hiding something." "They're fillies that were just traumatized! Of course, they'd be nervous. Why'd you think they're hiding something?" "I just have a feeling," Celestia said, scribbling in her notepad. "You're not going to hurt Spike, are you?" "No. I'd never hurt him." Luna was still suspicious. "But I will if I have to." At the asylum... You know, why don't you go over to Spike's room tonight? He's in the room to the right of you. Laying in bed with a cast on her foot, Pinkie Pie shook her head and almost began to cry at the sound of Pinkamena's voice. "No," she said, "I'm not hurting anyone else." Who said anything about hurting? The Crusaders will be there tonight. "Why?" she sniffled, "Nothing's wrong with them." True. Think of it as midnight storytime. Twilight will be there to visit tomorrow. "And?" What you hear tonight may make you think of her in a totally different way. "..." Trust me for once. If I'm going to die, I guess I'll die doing something good. "Fine."