//------------------------------// // Chapter 24 – Exorcism // Story: Fred Walsh: Diverted // by Baguettedood //------------------------------// Chapter 24 – Exorcism "Now, I guess technically, it wasn't really hyperthermia. That would have to imply that my thermoregulation actually failed, but it didn't. I merely overcame its maximum workload under normal human conditions. The main problem being I'm not exactly a normal human anymore. I should probably figure out a way to manually get rid of heat, for future reference. "I'm proud I get to use larger words these days, but I'm not sure if it's a symptom of my spiralling sanity or if I'm happier with life again.. Still, there's a few things left to do. Then, I can go home. The scientists back on Midgård hopefully can still make the return wormhole, hopefully one that won't bounce me around this time." Shortly after they exited the chariot, the unofficial STF already began to take Trixie to Canterlot Castle's medical isolation chamber. Three sets of pony hoofsteps, along with a set of human footsteps, echoed along the route, going up various sets of stairs. “I just realised,” Fred began while paying attention to the staircase and its lack of alternative routes, “this place isn't exactly wheelchair accessible. The castle would totally fail a building inspection if this were Midgård.” He also looked around other parts of the castle while staying in the group. Without regard to inapplicable building code, they continued until they reached the isolation room. Shining Armor and Princess Cadance carefully placed their prisoner on a bed in the centre. “We need to figure out how Trixie became possessed,” Twilight advised on what they should do. “I can scan her to see if I can find anything,” Cadance concurred that notion. “The Exorcist failed to provide me with any real-life useful exorcism tips. That movie is a lie,” Fred complained about his lack of knowledge. “Do any demons truly show up in your world?” the princess asked. “No, and I would prefer to keep it that way,” he answered. The pink alicorn found something interesting. “Hmm,” she mused on what she found. “What is it?” Shining Armor asked a question on the discovery. “It's a-” she was interrupted from finishing her sentence. The sapphire keeping Trixie's magic blocked suddenly shot off, and large red bursts of magic started pouring out. Fred jumped out of the way of the ring. Two eyes opened. Before the demon-possessed pony could muster a change to try anything, the demon became quickly subdued by the surrounding ponies and human. Twilight quickly re-cast the sleep spell and her target returned to a catatonic state. “What happened there?” the human inquired, reeling down from a panic. “It didn't just fall off, the sapphire full-on... impaled itself into a wall,” he looked at where the jewellery ended up. “I think I have an explanation,” Princess Cadance tried to continue on from where she became cut off. “Trixie's body somehow acquired a harmonic topaz.” “You mean, as in the thing I absorbed-type of harmonic topaz?” he became worried, and not the healthy kind that he usually enforces. “Yes and no. The one you have was inactive before you interfered, but something activated this one before its bearer found it,” she consoled by providing a reassuring explanation. “Potens Daemonium, I bet,” he guessed. “Not sure how, though. I'm still adamant he was killed.” “His body, at least.” “I get that you're part of the crystal empire, but I really don't understand how you know all this,” the human said. “Lots of time,” she replied firmly. “Is there a book or something?” “No, actually.” “There needs to be one,” he finished. “Can you get the topaz out?” Shining Armor returned the two to reality by requesting to remove the gem from Trixie. “I should be able to. Hold on.” Her horn lit up a light blue again, as did a piece of the unconscious mare's body. The area slowly shrunk until it went inside. She concentrated for a few more seconds, until suddenly, with a flash, a gemstone materialised on a small tray nearby. Cadance exhaled. “That's it!” She smiled. The recently-removed topaz glowed a bright red on the tray. Its light made it difficult to tell it even was that gem. In comparison, the one Fred found might as well have been an old wax candle. Those in its presence shielded their eyes. Twilight found a nearby opaque cup and placed it over the jewel for the time being, having the effect of blocking its blinding light. “Was that really the whole exorcism?” The human felt disappointed. “Yes,” the local exorcist alicorn stated. Trixie's eyes fluttered open. The others watched intently for signs of possession. Her eyes didn't glow. Instead they reflected their normal colours: The whites showed their typical tone, the pupils were black and without abnormal dilation, and her irises displayed her typical purple hue. The azure unicorn sat up. “Where am I?” Fred considered spontaneously making something up, as he used to when new players couldn't comprehend a game server connected to a chat channel, but decided against it. Instead he inquisitively asked, “How did you get the topaz?” making sure to not sound like he was interrogating her, lest he scare her and prevent anypony from learning anything. “The what?” Trixie looked back on what had happened, but she found some parts difficult. “I remember finding a glowing gemstone in the Everfree forest, but I can't remember when.” Shining Armor decided to recap what happened. “And after you found it, you absorbed it. Then, you tried to kill my sister. Twice.” “What‽” She tried to recall. “Oh my Celestia.” She looked around frantically. Before another had a chance to say anything, the unicorn charged up a spell and vanished. “She teleported, and the tracking spell's already worn off,” the other unicorn mare sighed. “I was trying to avoid startling her like that, being fearful this time isn't a good idea,” Fred explined. “Now what?” “We still have to get rid of the topaz,” Cadance declared. Princess Cadance, Twilight Sparkle, Shining Armor and Fred Walsh sat around a table once again, presided over by Princess Celestia. The solar alicorn listened to the others during the debriefing. “Unfortunately, Trixie teleported away and we don't know where, so we can't get her back for more information,” Twilight finished informing her mentor up to the current point. “What are we doing about Potens Daemonium's soul topaz?” Fred felt a little bit uneasy with the demon's very presence anywhere in the castle. “He is being taken care of as we speak,” she assured. “Oh, also,” he began another sentence. “Yes?” She waited for him to continue. “I think I figured out why I was brought along,” he said, grinning. The princess turned her head. Fred raised his arms up into the air, giving thumbs-up gestures on both. “Opposable thumbs!” 'bitches.' He thought it best not to mention the extra word. He clapped his hands together with a satisfying noise and returned them to his lap. With no more left to say, they left the briefing room.