//------------------------------// // Chapter 18 // Story: A Lesson In Love // by Gmoney24 //------------------------------// *Author’s Notes*: So I expected a lot of angry backlash for nearly killing Luna but seems like it went ok lol! Not that this is going to spoil anything but it needs to be said now. Someone will die this chapter! Also a very interesting development will occur! Cheers Keep the reviews and comments coming! Enjoy! Chapter 18: Fluttershy was still cowering in fear although she was quite worried about Princess Celestia going crazy and hurting either Twilight or Pinkie who now stood in the center of the room like a bullfighter in front of a raging bull. “Now It’s important that you promise me princess that if I can prove that Dr. G is telling the truth that you won’t hurt him!” Pinkie demanded shrilly! Celestia’s face was still contorted in anger as she spoke. “If and only IF you can prove his innocence, I won’t hurt him otherwise I’d hate to be in his hooves.” She said glaring angrily. “And You Dr. G would you do whatever it took to save Princess Luna?” Pinkie asked satisfied with Celestia’s answer. Dr. G with silent tears in in his eyes nodded. “I would do anything for Luna.” He said ignoring Celestia’s deadly glare. “Okiee Dokiee Lokie! Alright bring him in girls!” Pinkie called excitedly bouncing in place. Fluttershy wondered two things: One: how could Pinkie be so bouncy given the circumstances and two: What trick did Pinkie have up her mane now? Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity entered the throne room and carefully in a tight circle brought something before Celestia right next to Pinkie Pie. They then quickly to where Fluttershy and Twilight were huddled. Fluttershy peered at what was next to Pinkie and gasped. There in a deep bow to the Princess was a silver Pegasus with a brown mane and tail and a cutie mark of a heart with a shield. “How strange!” Fluttershy thought. The room was still in an Icy shock. Dr. G was the first to recover. “Is that you Silverwing?” He asked a look of pure shock on his face. The Pegasus smiled and nodded. “I have never been one to let down my friends!” Princess Celestia cleared her throat impatiently. “You two can catch up later but for now state your name and business.” She said curtly. The Silver Pegasus stood from his bow and stood between Celestia and Dr. G and spoke. “My name is Silverwing the Adamant but I usually go by the name Silverwing or Silver. My business is that I know for a fact that Dr. Castlehoof is innocent.” He said firmly. Celestia face was deadly calm as she spoke her next words. “May I remind you that the penalty for treason is death and that by defending a traitor you commit a crime against Equestria?” “I have been warned Your Majesty. But I still need to be heard.” Silverwing answered. “Don’t do this for me Silver!” Dr. G said to his long time friend. “Very well. You may proceed Silverwing. Silence let him speak Doctor!” Celestia said silencing Dr. G who looked worn out. Silverwing began speaking. “Thank you Your Highness. It is important to this story that I tell you about my relationship with Dr. Castlehoof. I am the veterinary technician that was assigned to Dr. Castlehoof during his tenure at the Canterlot Animal Hospital. I was reassigned to another Veterinarian after he was laid off. That being said I don’t believe I am biased in saying that he is one of the greatest Vets of all time.” Celestia scoffed in anger and annoyance but did not interrupt. “A couple of weeks before Dr. Castlehoof was laid off a very sick Dog was brought to the clinic by an old Pony, with a scroll as a cutie mark, who claimed that the dog was poisoned. It was late at night probably around midnight. Dr. Castlehoof immediately began working on the dog. He siphoned off the poison and worked all night trying to save the dog. Unfortunately the dog died the poison having done too much damage to be saved. When Dr. Castlehoof informed the old earth pony of what had happened the old stallion snapped. He began shouting, ranting, and raving that he would make Dr. Castlehoof curse the day he was born.” Silver paused in his monologue and saw that Princess Celestia didn’t seem quite as angry as she had before. Then he continued. “Well about two nights later Dr. Castlehoof and I had night duty again and the old earth pony came back. He demanded to speak with Dr. Castlehoof. I told him to wait. Dr. Castlehoof sat the older stallion in his office I sat nearby to offer support as needed. Dr. Castlehoof quietly and meticulously described the events of the night the dog was brought in. He went over every treatment he administered and how long he had worked on the dog. He even offered his condolences about the outcome. The old pony was silent apparently listening. When Dr. Castlehoof finished the old pony stood up angrily and said. ‘I came back to listen to your side hoping to hear the truth because I know you didn’t do everything you could to save my dog.’ ‘But we did everything physically and magically possible.’ I responded trying to defend Dr. Castlehoof. ‘Shut Up! This doesn’t concern you my gripe is with the Doctor here!’ The angry stallion screamed at me. Dr. Castlehoof responded gently ‘I did everything I could I am very sorry for your loss.’ Then the old earth pony became surrounded by a black aura and his voice became loud almost maniacal. ‘YOU LIE! He has shown me the Truth!’ ‘What are you talking about?’ Dr. Castlehoof replied confused. ‘It doesn’t matter who HE is! What does matter is that HE has given me the power to DESTROY YOU!’ The Pony continued enraged. ‘You don’t sound ok. Perhaps we should talk this over?’ Dr. Castlehoof offered. But the now psychotic Pony seemed deaf as he yelled his next lines. ‘I curse you by his mighty power! You will lose EVERYTHING you love just like I did two nights ago!’ The black aura lunged itself at Dr. Castlehoof who brushed it off although it lingered in the air. Fortunately the police arrived due to a report of a noise disturbance. They quickly arrested the psychotic pony who was laughing maniacally. His last words were—.” “I’ll see YOU in HELL Dr. Castlehoof!” Dr. G finished Silverwing’s story with a deep sigh. “Well yes exactly.” Silverwing finished. Fluttershy was in shock, her jaw hung open. There was a dead silence in the throne room, not even a breath could be heard. Pinkie made like she was going to say something but Rarity quickly put a hoof in her mouth to silence her. They both sat next to a shocked Applejack and Rainbow Dash who were holding hooves. Finally Celestia broke the silence her voice calm and methodical as she spoke. “Thank You for this enlightening information Silverwing, but I have two questions of you. One: how did you know of the attack on my Sister and Two: where is this psychotic pony being held?” “Well Princess. I learned of the attack because I was attending the ceremony and got lost on the way to the bathroom. I heard a scream and ran into the gardens to witness Mephistopheles’ speech and Princess Luna being whisked away. Pinkie Pie helped me get here so I could explain how Dr. Castlehoof was involved without trying to be involved. And the Pony is one called Elder Scribe. He is currently in the Canterlot Hospital for the Sick and Mentally Infirm.” Silverwing replied nervously. “Very Well let us all go and speak to Elder scribe to see if he cast this curse.” Celestia said. She then added glaring at Dr. G. “Don’t think that I believe your friend here or that either of you are off the hook. I just feel that this claim merits investigation. That’s all. Understood?” “Understood Princess.” Dr. G replied sighing. “Well at least it’s progress Dr. G.” Fluttershy whispered as they all exited the throne room. Dr. G turned to Silverwing. “Silver you are truly a good friend, standing up for me like that.” “Yeah I was fired from the Clinic not long after you because I told them it was wrong to lay you off since you were the best Vet there.” Silverwing added proudly. “If I ever get out of this mess I owe you one Silver.” Dr. G said with a grimace. The rest of the walk to Canterlot Hospital for the Sick and Mentally Infirm was silent. Rainbow Dash and Applejack held hooves as did Fluttershy and Twilight bringing up the rear were Rarity and Pinkie Pie albeit not holding hooves. After a short walk they arrived at a somewhat rundown building, the sign announcing the hospital’s name could use some paint and the lawn needed to be manicured but otherwise it looked ok. When they entered the sterile smell of the hospital stung their nostrils. A directory lay open on the information desk with a sign that read please ring bell for assistance. Celestia rang the bell. Immediately a grump looking unicorn came out grumbling to herself about visiting hours. She stopped dead though when she saw Princess Celestia and the small Posse from the throne room waiting patiently. “May I help you?” She asked politely “Yes we’d like to see Elder Scribe. We believe he has some information pertinent to a crime that was committed this evening.” Celestia explained curtly. The nurse was about to argue but decided to comply and said. “Well visiting hours are over but if it is important I will let you all in.” “It is imperative! Celestia replied. “Very well follow me.” The unicorn said dryly. They winded through the labyrinthine corridors and after about five minutes arrived at a heavily fortified door above which read: ‘Criminally Insane Unit.’ The unicorn slid her badge and the group entered. It was eerily quiet and divided into two halves: “Danger to self” and “Danger to others.” The nurse led them down the Danger to Others wing and stopped at room 324. “This is his room. If at any time you need assistance push this red button here.” She said handing over a device with a red button. “Good Luck.” She added and left. Fluttershy quivered with fear but she wasn’t alone in her sentiment. Every Pony except maybe Celestia was terrified about what they would find inside. She opened the door and stepped inside followed by Dr.G., Silverwing, Fluttershy, Twilight, and the others. There was a bathroom, a bed and a bedside table on the table was an open scroll with writing on it. “Elder Scribe?” Celestia asked the empty room. Silence answered her. “Maybe we should check the bathroom.” Twilight offered. With Dr. G and Silverwing in the lead followed by Celestia they knocked on the bathroom door. “Elder?” Dr. G asked. And once again silence answered. Dr. G tried the door which opened. He dropped the signaling device with a loud clang. “Oh My!” Celestia exclaimed. “I-I-I think I’m going to be sick.” Fluttershy added. “GAWRSH Ah’ve Never seen that before!” Applejack interjected. The others let out a collective gasp at the scene before them. There was a shattered mirror by the sink with blood on it as though some pony had head-butted it. There was blood in the sink as well as a trail of blood leading to the shower. In the shower stall was an elderly pony with a scroll for a cutie mark. His hooves were covered in blood and his face was covered in scratches and pieces of broken glass. An open gash on his side oozed now drying blood. He had hanged himself from the shower bar with fishing line which was cutting into his neck causing a ring shaped gash resembling a collar he hung limply not moving. The wall behind him was splattered with blood and words written in what looked like his own blood glistened in the ghastly glow of the bathroom light. They read: “I HAVE COME TO COLLECT WHAT IS MINE! BEWARE TO THOSE WHO MAKE PROMISSES THEY CAN’T KEEP! - You Know Who. “We’ve got to cut him down!” Dr. G exclaimed attempting to get a puls e. “Where’s that device?” Celestia asked. A distant alarm could be heard followed by for strong stallions dressed in white bursting into the room. “We can help! What seems to be the problem?” One asked entering upon the gruesome scene. “OH!” He exclaimed grabbing a radio. “We’ve got a code 56!” Several hours and many questions later Dr. G, Fluttershy, Silver and the rest of the gang found themselves in Celestia’s throne room. Dr. G. looked sick to his stomach echoing the feelings of the others in the room. Princess Celestia still queasy from the night’s discovery spoke this time her one was serious but no longer accusatory. “Perhaps I have misjudged You Dr. Casltehoof.”