It was around 11 o’clock in the morning and the sand colored earth pony, Chief Vines, was sitting behind his desk, mending a net. “Think I’ll do the curry cart fer lunch.” The pony mused to himself as he absentmindedly scratched the mark on his flank, a set of dark green vines wrapped around a bright silver badge. The officer set the net down on his desk and pulled a silver case from his police uniform’s breast pocket. After pulling a dark red carrot from it and putting the spicy vegetable in his lips, he placed the case back in his pocket and looked towards the door to his office. Vines sighed and ran his hoof through his short dark brown mane.
The police chief kicked a lever under his desk causing the office door to open a split second before a dark green pegasus in a police uniform flew into it. Vines tossed one end of the net onto a hook in the ceiling and threw the other end of it towards the pegasus, catching the officer before he could run into anything. “Kale! What in BLAZES is tha need for-”
“OFFICER STAR JUS’ RAN INTO TOWN WITH AN INJURED PONY ON ‘ER BACK!” Officer Kale cried out, cutting off the chief. “BOTH COVERED IN BLOOD!!”
Vines’ heart sank like a stone.
“Where?” demanded Vines as he not so gently started to pull the pegasus out of the net.
“Our Lady a’ the Sun!” Kale pulled his wing out of the net, loosing a feather in the process.
“Not where she’s goin’,” the chief growled. “Where. Did. It. Happen?”
“Uh,” stammered the green pony, “that wasn’t in tha report.”
“The recently discovered cavern near Crystal Falls.” A light grey coated unicorn stated as he entered Vines’ office. “Shadow mentioned that she was going with her cousin to explore it.” He pushed his copper glasses back up on his nose with a hoof. “The airship is ready to go, I assume that you are wanting to go to the probable scene?”
“Right,” Vines replied, putting his police cap on. “Need ta get there fast.” He turned to Kale, “I want two officers sent ta Our Lady o’ the Sun and keep an eye on Officer Star, but do NOT interrogate!”
“Yes sir!”
“LIEUTENANT THUNDER GUST!” The chief shouted over the noise of the police station causing it to cease instantly.
A dark blue coated pegasus hopped up from a desk. “Sir?” he called out in the silence.
“Get ta tha district attorney’s office and let ‘em know what’s goin’ on!”
“Head off rumors an’ speculation, chief?” Thunder Gust asked, putting on his police vest.
“Exactly!” Vines replied, following the grey pony towards the exit. “News’s gonna travel fast.”
“Then I’m gone!” The pegasus stallion bolted out a window, scattering papers from a few desks.
“What do you think transpired?” The unicorn asked the chief, opening the door to the street.
“I don’t wanna guess, Chisholm.” The police chief stepped out the door. “But this feeling in my gut.” He sighed, “says somethin’ bad.”
-------------------------------------
“Say ah,” said a light green pegasus mare with a braided lavender mane as she pulled a tongue depressor from her white doctor’s coat.
The little blue unicorn filly sitting on the exam table sniffled and opened her mouth, “Aaaaah.” A light red, blue maned unicorn mare stood nearby stroking the little one’s back.
The pegasus pressed the little filly’s tongue down and peered in with a flashlight. “Looks like you’ve got yourself a bit of a cold, but it’s not the flu.” The doctor said as she turned off the light and tossed the depressor in the nearby trash.
“Oh, thank goodness.” The red mare sighed.
“Okay, Mrs. Lightmane. Here’s a prescription for some cough syrup and something to take care of the stuffy nose. She should start feeling better soon.” The pegasus turned and gave the mother a couple pieces of paper. “And also, a note for school. Skylight should stay home for the next 2 or 3 days to get better.” She ruffled the filly’s light red mane, passing a small sucker to the girl. “And you know the drill, plenty of fluids, rest, yada, yada.”
The unicorn nodded with a chuckle and gathered her little one up in a blanket. “Thank you, doctor.” She cradled the sick filly as she left the room. “Let’s get you home, sweetie.”
The pegasus waved as the pair left the exam room. She turned to the elder light brown unicorn that was sitting in the corner who smiled warmly at the mare. “Yada, yada?” he asked, tilting his head.
“Well, it’s said so often it feels like a formality now.”
The stallion pondered for a moment. “Well, Dart, every doctor has their own style,” he nodded in a sage like motion. “And, I like yada, yada.”
“Thank you, Dr. Amber.” Dart stated as she changed the paper on the examination table. “I’m glad you’re my attending physician. I was surprised anypony would take me after I snapped at Director Faux.”
“Eh, you were right.” Dr. Amber said, making a note on a clipboard. “And the good director wasn’t going to listen.”
The mare chuckled, “I’m lucky that I didn’t get kicked out for-“ she started to say but was cut off as a dark grey earth pony mare dressed in scrubs entered the room. When Dart saw the nurse’s eyes, she knew something was wrong.
“Doctor Silverhoof, your sister,” the nurse paused for a moment and collected herself. Dr. Amber was already on his hooves and moving over towards the young doctor. “Your sister… Shadow Star…” Dart’s eyes went wide as the nurse tried to continue. “Something happened, Jasper’s wing was…. And Shadow…”
“Silver Ash, where are they?” Dr Amber asked softly, moving to the nurse and putting a hoof around her.
“Emergency,” came the reply.
A rush of air was the only thing that was left behind as Dart flew out the window and dove for the entrance to the Emergency room.
“Room E25!” The nurse at the triage station called out as the mare flew into the lobby.
Dart continued quickly, her mane scraping the ceiling as she flew. “THANK YOU!” She called back, turning down a hallway.
“No flying in the Halls!” yelled an ivory colored earth pony doctor as the pegasus flew by him.
“Family Emergency!”
“Oh, okay then!” was the stallion’s reply, though the mare was long gone.
Dart landed with a skid a bit away from room E25. Quickly, she made her way in, bumping into a yellow unicorn mare wearing blue scrubs as she passed the dividing curtain. “Dandelion, what’s going on?”
The nurse gestured to a large light grey earth pony stallion nearby. “Thistle and I are trying to assist Doctor Ginseng.”
“It’s not going well.” Thistle chimed in nodding towards a pink pegasus stallion with a short black mane that was backing slowly away from a deep purple mare. The mare sat on the floor, in front of the examination table, with unfocused eyes. She was covered in blood with her aqua mane horribly matted.
“They hurt her….” the mare spoke softly as she looked down towards the floor.
“Shadow?” Dart called to the blood covered mare.
Dr. Ginseng looked to Dart when she spoke. “Are you here to take over?” He asked, sounding very hopeful.
Dart shook her head as she ran to Shadow. “I can’t,” Putting her arms around Shadow. “She’s my sister!”
Shadow hooked her sister’s arms and quickly stood. Dart shifted to resist the throw, but Shadow paused, looking at the green pegasus. “Dart?” Her eyes seemed to focus a bit and she settled back down onto the floor.
“I’m here. I’m here.” Dart held onto the purple mare tightly.
“They hurt her,” whispered Shadow.
“What?” The doctor leaned back, looking at her sister. “Who hurt who?”
“They hurt her,” Shadow’s eyes seemed far away.
Dart ran a hoof over the mare’s matted mane. “What’s wrong?”
“They hurt her…” the voice was barely a whisper.
The green pegasus looked to Dr. Ginseng and the nurses with a concerned expression.
The doctor blinked, “Shadow carried a pegasus in that was missing a wing.” He thought for a moment. “Jasper, I think was her name, and she was rushed into surgery and Shadow was brought in here, but we haven’t been able to get her triaged or anything.” He shook his head.
“Haven’t been able to approach her at all,” stated Thistle. “Every time we started to get close,” He shrugged. “She would tense up, like she was getting ready to fight us.”
“They hurt her…” Shadow looked down towards the floor, tears dropping to the ground.
“That’s the only thing she’s been saying.”
“I believe that a delicate hoof is needed,” Dr. Amber stated, walking into the room, followed by a small light orange earth pony mare in blue nurses’ scrubs. “We’ll take it from here, everyone.”
“Thank you!” Dr. Ginseng replied with relief clearly in his voice. He turned and quickly exited the room.
“I think us being in the room isn’t helping.” Thistle said, pulling Dandelion with him. “Good luck!” The two nurses left the room, pulling the dividing curtain back closed.
“They hurt her…”
-------------------------------------
The police air-ship arrived at the forest location and the investigators began to disembark. Chief Vines and Chisholm were the first to walk into the campsite at the mouth of the cavern. As they entered and took in the gruesome sight that greeted them, Vines shook his head.
“This is one o’ those times that I don’t like being right, Chisholm.” He said, putting a fire carrot in his mouth.
“Understandable,” The light gray unicorn replied. “Haven’t seen anything like this in a long,” he looked up into a nearby tree, “Long time.”
“Sir,” A light tan unicorn said as he entered into the campsite carrying a case, “Where do you want - BY CELESTIA!!” His eyes went wide as he took in the area. “I’m gonna, gonna…” the stallion said while turning green.
“Outside the crime scene, please.” Chisholm calmly called to the unicorn investigator who turned and ran behind a tree. “If you have to get sick, do it away from the area.” He looked at the other investigators as they entered the camp. “I realize it’s pretty bad, but we have a job to do.”
Vines watched as the investigators started to spread out around the campsite and Chisholm moved towards the entrance to the cavern, carrying a forensic kit. Several more of the ponies had a hard time processing the scene, having to run to the edge of the area to be sick.
“CHIEF!” called out a dark brown pegasus from the center of the campsite. Vines trotted over to the investigator and was joined by Chisholm. “This one’s breathing!”
The police chief pulled a fire carrot from a silver case as he looked down. “Looks like we got a witness.”
--------------------------------------
“WHERE’S MY BABY?” shouted a dark green pegasus mare as she galloped into the emergency room, a couple of rollers in her lavender mane. Several pegasus ponies followed close behind. “WHERE IS SHE?”
A yellow unicorn looked up from her paperwork as the mare stopped at the reception desk. “Umm…. Who are you looking for?” she asked.
“My little filly!” The pegasus mare cried.
“We are looking for Shadow Star and Jasper Silverhoof,” stated a silver coated pegasus as he stepped up next to the green mare, placing a hoof on her shoulder.
“And you are?”
“Her mother!”
“We are Shadow Star’s parents,” the stallion answered. “And Jasper’s aunt and uncle.” He pointed back to the other pegasus ponies that had arrived. “These are her cousins.”
“Jasper is in surgery,” An ivory coated earth pony stated as he stepped up next to the group.
“SURGERY?!?” The mother shouted, whirling on the yellow maned doctor, a roller landing on the receptionist’s papers.
“Her right wing had been severed,” stated the stallion looking at a paper on the clipboard he had picked up. “So, she is in surgery for that.”
With wide eyes, the mare covered her mouth with her hoof, “Sweet Celestia!” Anger quickly took hold of the her and a fire flared in her eyes. She leaned towards the doctor, reaching out to catch hold of his coat. “Who Hurt Her?” Her voice menacing.
The silver coated stallion caught the mare’s hoof before she grabbed the doctor. “Calm yourself, Anmitsu,” he said gently. The mare looked at the silver pegasus and dropped her hoof. Turning to the ivory pony, the stallion continued. “My apologies, doctor. I am Taneuma Silverhoof, and this is my wife,” He gestured to the green mare. “Anmitsu Silverhoof.”
“I’m sorry,” Anmitsu sighed. “I get a little protective of my family.”
The doctor smiled warmly, “I understand.” He tucked the clipboard under an arm and held a hoof out. “I’m Sundrop, the doctor in charge of the emergency room today.” Taneuma shook the offered hoof followed by Anmitsu doing the same. “Follow me, I’ll take you to where Shadow is.” He paused and looked back at the other ponies. “I’m afraid that only you two will be able to come back with me. The others will have to wait out here. Not enough room.”
“Kids,” Anmitsu called to the others, “Some of you wait here and couple of you head to the school just in case Jade and Lighting go there.” The group nodded and began to discuss who would stay and who would go.
Sundrop led the ponies down a hallway and to room E25. As they approached, the curtain was pulled back and Dart emerged, gently guiding Shadow into the hall.
Anmitsu gasped when she saw the state that her daughter was in. “GIRLS!” The dark green mare cried as she rushed up to the pair. Shadow’s head snapped around, her body starting to shift into a defensive stance. Anmitsu didn’t slow down as she saw the reaction, she just threw her arms and wings around the purple pony.
“Momma?” whispered Shadow as she dropped the defensive posture.
“Momma’s here, baby,” the dark green pegasus tightened her embrace. “What happened to you?” She inquired.
“They hurt her…”
Taneuma placed a hoof on Shadows back. He looked to Dart, concern evident on his face. “What happened?”
“I don’t know, poppa.” Dart replied, tears in her eyes. “That’s all she’s been saying.” She wiped at her eyes. “We have to get her cleaned up to see if she’s hurt.”
“I thought you couldn’t treat family.”
“She can’t,” Dr. Amber stated as he stepped up, making sure to stay back from the purple mare. “Due to the nature of this situation and state of my patient, Dr. Dart is assisting myself and Marigold.” He nodded to the small light orange mare that was next to him. “I’m Amber, Dart’s mentor.”
“A pleasure, Dr Amber.” Taneuma nodded to the doctor. “Dart speaks very highly of you. I’m Taneuma and this is Anmitsu.”
“I hope to live up to that.” Dr Amber pointed down the hall. “But for now, we need to get to the showers and get Shadow cleaned up so I can see the extent of her injuries.”
“What about Jasper?” asked the silver stallion as the group began moving in the direction the doctor indicated. “We heard she was in surgery.”
Dr. Amber nodded, “She’s in the very capable hooves of Dr. Osso and his team.”
“We sent word to her parents in Canterlot, they should be here by tomorrow. Any idea on what happened?” Taneuma sounded hopeful.
Amber shook his head, “Not much, I’m afraid. We know that they were attacked, and Jasper’s wing had been severed. She had lost a lot of blood, and somehow Shadow managed to carry her here while keeping a lot of pressure on the wound.”
“Why hasn’t she been cleaned up yet?” Anmitsu asked, continuing to help keep the purple mare moving.
“No pony could get close until I got there, momma.” Dart said, keeping a hoof on Shadows shoulder. The group entered an exam room with a large attached bathroom.
As they entered, Anmitsu stroked Shadow’s back and whispered, “What did they do to you?”
“They hurt her…”
The two pegasus mares led Shadow into the bathroom and to the large shower, sitting the purple pony under the spout. Dr Amber stepped in, “Marigold and I will be right here, tell us if you need anything.”
Dart nodded. “I’ll let you know what I see,” the light green mare stated, tossing her doctors coat to Taneuma. Her mother turned on the shower, icy cold water poured out of the shower head, striking Shadow. The mare didn’t flinch or move in anyway, just continued to look down at the floor. After a moment, steam started to build as the water warmed.
As the grime began to wash away, Shadow lifted her front hooves and stared at them, the red water flowing. She began to visibly tremble, her eyes wide, then she started to scream. Anguish and terror filled the air, her eyes riveted to her hooves, dark red washing over them and pooling beneath her.
“ANMITSU!” Dr Amber shouted. “DON’T LET HER LOOK DOWN! MAKE HER FOCUS ON YOU!”
The dark green pegasus put a hoof under Shadow’s chin, lifting the mare’s gaze to hers. “Honey look at me, you’re safe. Nothing can hurt you here.” She spoke softly, stroking Shadow’s mane, tears in her eyes, mixing with the spray from the shower, her heart breaking. “Momma’s here, I’ll keep you safe. Poppa and Dart are here too. Shh, shh, shh, shh.”
“THEY HURT HER!” cried Shadow, anguish filling her voice.
“I know. I know. You both are here. You’re safe.” Anmitsu’s voice cracked, emotion straining to break free. The mare looked at her daughter and saw her as she was, before the unicorn started dying her coat and mane. She saw Shadow as the scrawny little filly they took in, with a light lavender coat, almost pink, and a fiery red mane, resembling glowing embers. “Jasper’s going to get better. We need to get you taken care of. Shhhh.”
Taneuma watched as his wife struggled to bring their daughter back from the nightmare that held her, the agony of seeing his daughter in pain etched upon his features. He looked to Dart as she concentrated on washing Shadow, getting her clean, checking the mare for injuries as she went. Even with the water from the shower, he could see the tears in her eyes, affected by Shadow’s cries as much as he was.
“Momma’s got you,” whispered Anmitsu, stroking the distraught mare, looking into Shadow’s eyes, finding them to still be distant and unfocused. “Momma won’t let anything happen. Just… just please… please come back to me.” The purple mare’s cries began to get softer, becoming quiet sobs, her trembling starting to subside. “Keep looking at me, sweetie.” Momma started to gently wash her daughter’s mane, keeping her eyes locked with Shadow’s, not letting the mare lower her head. “We’re going to get you all clean.”
Dart leaned her head against her sister’s back, wrapping her forelegs and wings around the mare. She closed her eyes and squeezed, trying to bring some comfort to Shadow before continuing to wash her.
Time ticked by slowly as mother and daughter washed the purple unicorn, carefully keeping her eyes away from the floor and checking her for injuries. Anmitsu turned the water off, allowing Shadow’s eyes to drift back to the now clean floor. Taneuma approached with towels and began to assist his wife with getting their daughter dry.
“I didn’t see any obvious injuries,” Dart commented to Dr Amber and Marigold as she dried herself. “Shadow isn’t in any state to tell us if anything hurts.” She closed her eyes and took a shaky breath.
“You did good, Doctor,” Amber stated. “Admirable work so far. I know this is difficult, but you are doing very well.”
“Thank you.”
“When we get to the room, we’ll have to run an IV.” The doctor gave a nod to Marigold who slipped out of the room. “Marigold will get everything set up for us. We’re heading to 3N46.”
Dart tilted her head, “That’s the intensive care wing… Oh, that’s where Jasper’s going to be taken after the surgery!”
Dr. Amber gave the young doctor a smile, “You are correct.” He looked past Dart, at Taneuma and Anmitsu as they had started to braid Shadow’s wild mane. The parents softly sang a lullaby to the mare as they worked. “Once they’re done, we’ll head up.” He looked back to Dart, “Will you be able to run an IV?”
“I can,” Dart nodded. “I don’t think… she’ll even notice.” The mare’s voice cracked a bit as she spoke.
Dr. Amber gave her a pat on the shoulder, “We’ll get her through this.”
The young pegasus looked at the older doctor, “Do you know what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know yet if anything is physically wrong.” Amber spoke softly, running a hoof through his short, grey mane. “But her mind has been injured and her heart shattered. That’s what I think.” He stood up. “These types of injuries take a long time to diagnose and even longer to heal.”
“We’re ready.” Taneuma said as he guided Shadow over with Anmitsu on the other side of the mare.
“Let’s get to the room,” Dr. Amber gestured for everypony to follow him as he turned an began to walk to the elevator.
-----------------------
Darkness greeted the griffin as he opened his eyes, only a small sliver of light came from under the door. His chest ached along with his right hind leg and left wing, keeping him from wanting to move too much. He lifted his right forleg and found a set of cuffs locking him to the bed.
“Oh good, yer awake,” said a voice coming from the darkness, followed by the soft click of a lamp. Across the room a sand colored pony in a police uniform stood in the lamp light. “I got some questions for ya.”
“We were attacked!” the griffin exclaimed. “We were just there to… uh…,” He looked around nervously as his mind raced. “FISH! Yeah! We were fishin’!”
“Really?” The officer calmly asked, pulling a carrot from a silver case. “Fishin’ without tha gear?”
“Uhh…. yes?”
“How ‘bout this,” the pony said, as he pulled a large roasting match from a vest pocket. “I’m Sandy Vines, tha chief of the Vanhoover police force.” Vines lit the match and started to run it under the carrot he held. “An’ I wanna know why ya ripped off a pegasus’s wing and assaulted one o’ my officers.”
“Well, see…. Uhm,” The griffon stammered, sweat forming on his brow. His eyes met the police chief’s and he went completely still.
“Let’s start with yer name.”
“Graft.”
“Well, Graft,” Vines calmly spoke, slowly twirling the carrot over the flame of the roasting match, his eyes never leaving the griffon’s. “The truth is gonna help ya a lot more than lyin’.”
Graft nodded and swallowed hard, something about this pony made him not want to make the chief mad. “Okay, but um… what… um… happened to me? Why do I ache so much?”
“If it weren’t fer tha pain killers, that ache would be a whole lot worse,” the police chief blew out his roaster match. “Ya got a broken leg and dislocated wing, along with a couple of holes in yer chest, courtesy of a minin’ pick.” He told the griffon, wafting the roasted fire carrot in the air a few times.
“Ow.”
“Yeah, ow.” Vines pulled a chair over and sat down at the foot of Graft’s bed. “Now, tell me everythin’ that happened.” Said the chief, placing the roast vegetable in his lips, with his eyes riveted on the injured Graft.
The griffon closed his eyes for a moment, when he opened them again Graft looked straight at the officer and spoke softly. “Alright, this is what we did.”
---------------
The sun was already low in the sky when Jasper was brought into the room. Shadow was sitting on a bed with Dart next to her, a wing wrapped carefully around the purple unicorn as to not disturb the IV in Shadow’s foreleg. Taneuma turned in his seat next to the window as Jasper was rolled in. Shadow lifted her head and watched as her cousin was being rolled into the room, with the monitoring equipment being placed in position.
Anmitsu followed the medical ponies into the room, carrying a couple small bags of chips. She looked to the tan unicorn that seemed to be in charge, “Can you tell us how she is?”
“Of course!” the stallion replied. “I’m Dr. Osso, I was the one who did Jasper’s surgery.” He gave a nod to the medical technicians as they finished settling the pale red pegasus and exited the room. “Even though she had lost a lot of blood, Jasper pulled through with flying colors!” The doctor paused, “I should have phrased that differently.” He gave an awkward laugh. “Anyway. Due to the damage, I was unable to reattach her wing. The bone was just slivers.”
Taneuma stepped up next to his wife and put a hoof around her. “We didn’t know that her wing was brought in with her.”
Osso nodded, “Oh it was, but whatever happened that severed it, twisted it around,” the surgeon started demonstrating with his hooves. “And pulled at the same time, causing the bone to just basically,” Anmitsu covered her mouth with her hoof as the doctor continued, her eyes going wide. “explode! I figure that at least an inch of bone was missing from what was broumphmrphe!” A light orange hoof slammed over the unicorn’s mouth, stopping him mid ramble.
“Love,” Marigold said softly to the unicorn, “You really need ease up on your rambling.” She smiled at Taneuma and Anmitsu, “My apologies for my husband’s rambling.” She looked back to Osso, “Are you going to give them an update and not a dissertation?” The doctor nodded and the little orange nurse removed her hoof from Osso’s mouth.
Osso gave the pair an embarrassed smile, “Sorry about that. I just ramble sometimes.” He stopped and looked at Anmitsu, “Why do you have a roller in your mane?”
“It’s still in there?” the mare reached a hoof back and pulled the remaining roller out, “My niece was practicing her mane therapy training. She was curling my mane when we got the news.
“I can completely sympathize,” Marigold commented.
“Okay, so the update on Jasper,” Osso nodded as he spoke. “Her wing can’t be repaired, she lost a lot of blood, and she has some bruising. So, she should recover completely.” He blinked, “Um, other than missing wing.”
“The engineering students with the University of Vanhoover have already been contacted to see if they can fashion a prosthetic wing,” Dr. Amber stated as he stepped into the room. “I took the liberty to get that started.”
Taneuma gave a bow to Dr. Amber, “Thank you, Doctor. I’m sure Jasper and her parents will be appreciative.”
“OH!” exclaimed Dr. Osso. “You aren’t her parents! I probably shouldn’t have told you all that!”
“We’re her aunt and uncle,” Anmitsu told the surgeon. “We have authorization to take care of Jasper if anything like this happens.”
“That is very smart!” Osso commented, gesturing with his hoof. “You would be surprised how many ponies don’t think of doing that! It really can complicate thinmphfs.” Once again, Marigold silences the unicorn’s ramble with her hoof.
“You have to go check on your other patients now.” Marigold said to her husband. She pulled her hoof back and released the stallion.
“I’ll be back in the morning to check on her.” Osso called as he trotted out of the room.
“Thank you, doctor!” Taneuma called after the surgeon.
“One of the best surgeons in Equestria,” said Dr. Amber. “But he rambles and will talk your ears off if given a sliver of a chance.”
Marigold gave a chuckle, “But that’s what I love about him.”
“Seems like a very nice pony,” Anmitsu said, “A caring soul.”
“He is.”
Dr Amber moved towards where Shadow was still sitting with Dart, her eyes still on the unconscious Jasper. “Let’s see how our patient is doing.” As the doctor approached, Shadow shifted causing Dart to wrap her front hooves around the mare and squeeze tighter with her wing.
“It’s okay, Shadow,” Dart spoke softly to the purple unicorn, “It’s just Dr Amber, he needs to check you.” Shadow’s head turned slowly towards the doctor, causing him to stop moving forward.
“Dart, I will need you to be my eyes again,” Amber said, taking a step back. “I’m not sure she’s back yet.”
“Okay.”
Dart picked up a small light from the table next to the bed and shined it in Shadow’s eyes. “Her pupils slowly respond, but she still doesn’t try to look away from the light.”
“So, no change.” Amber marked some notes on a clipboard. “Has she said anything or done anything different?”
“Other than look up when Jasper was brought in, nothing’s changed.” Dart sighed, “Even when we brought everyone else in, she didn’t move or anything.”
“Hmmm…” The doctor made more notes on his clipboard. “We are just going to have to wait.”
“Why ya’ll out here?” Asked a voice carried in from the hallway.
“We got chased out.” Was the reply. “Family only.”
“Ah, well, good job holdin’ up the walls. Keep at it.”
“Yes, Sir!”
A moment later Chief Vines stepped into the room. “How’s everypony?”
“As good as can be expected I guess.” Taneuma stepped over to the police chief. “What brings you by?”
“I need ta talk ta Shadow.” Vines said, looking at Shadow who was staring at the floor once again.
“She’s hasn’t been saying anything really,” said Anmitsu as she sat down on the other side of Shadow, sliding a wing and hoof around the silent mare. “I want to know what they did to her!”
“They hurt her…”
Vines stared at Shadow for a moment and then stepped towards her. Shadow’s head rose up and she looked at police officer, her eyes still far away, her body starting to tense. “Officer Star,” he said, waiting for a reaction, when he didn’t get one, Vines continued. “I’ve been ta tha cave.” Shadow tensed even more, but she lowered her head. She lifted her front hooves and began to stare at them. “I know what happened.”
“They hurt her…” Shadow started to violently tremble. “They hurt her…” The mare’s voice gaining in volume. Dart and Anmitsu embraced Shadow, holding as if they were trying to keep the mare from shaking herself apart. “They Hurt Her…”
Vines put a hoof over Shadow’s and knelt in front of her. “They attacked ya.” Shadow raised her gaze to meet the chief’s. “They wanted ta take ya ta Kludgetown an’ sell ya both.” Anmitsu gasped. “They had mugged a bunch o’ ponies already. Ya remember the gang we were after? That was them.” He held Shadow’s hooves in his. “They got bold an’ were gonna try ta make some bits sellin’ ponies they caught.” He leaned closer to the mare. “They were monsters.”
“They hurt her…”
“Yeah, they did. They were monsters,” he gave Shadow’s hooves a squeeze. “Not. You.”
“They hurt her…”
Vines nodded. “Yes, they hurt her… and?” he asked.
Shadow’s trembling lessened and her eyes focused on the chiefs, a fire sparking in them, “I ended them…” her voice low and carrying a steel edge to it.
“Yes, ya did.” Vines responded, patting Shadow on the shoulder. “You ended a threat not only ta Vanhoover, but ta Equestria as a whole. They were monsters, horrible monsters.”
Shadow looked around as if this is the first time she’s seen where she was. Tears began to stream down her cheeks once again.
“Officer Star,” Vines called, standing back up. “Ya need ta get some rest.”
“I have something will help with that.” Dr. Amber pulled a vial from a nearby cabinet as Marigold set out a syringe.
“Ya got a long road ahead o’ ya, but everypony here will be there ta help ya.”
Shadow nodded and let the doctor put the shot in her IV. With her own tears, Anmitsu cradled the purple unicorn as she quickly drifted into a peaceful slumber.
“I’m glad you knew what was wrong.” Taneuma said to the police chief. “We were at a loss of what to do.”
“I’ve seen it before, but,” Vines shook his head. “Never a good thing ta have ta deal with. No pony should have ta do that.”
“How many?”
“Five griffons, a pegasus, and a unicorn.”
“She took them all?” Taneuma inquired, his eyes wide.
“Yup, only one still breathin’.” Vines pulled a fire carrot out stuck it in his lips. He held the silver case out for the silver pegasus.
“Thank you,” Taneuma pulled a fire carrot for himself. “So, you’ve already questioned the one that’s alive.”
“Yup. He’s hospitalized on another floor.” The chief looked at Anmitsu, “an’ I’m not gonna tell ya where!”
The pegasus mare gave the officer a slight glare but continued to hold her daughter. Dart laid down on the other side of the unicorn and placed a wing over her sister.
“I’ll leave ya ta yer family.” Vines said, shaking Taneuma’s hoof. “I’ve got paperwork ta fill out.” He started to walk out the door but paused, “The DA’s already heard everything and not gonna file charges. There’ll have ta be a formal inquiry, but I already know the outcome.” He pulled a pocket watch out and looked at it. “I’ve got ta go meet Cymbal. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Chief.” Taneuma responded. “And thank you.”
Vines waved, and strolled out of the room, leaving the family to rest and begin to heal its injured members.