//------------------------------// // Aftermath // Story: Illusions and dream // by Sean_deli //------------------------------// The Canterlotian – front page article: “In the aftermath of yesterday’s terrible events, Princess Celestia has assured all citizens that the changeling threat in the capital has indeed been eliminated and that there are no reasons for panic. Princess, however, reminded ponies to stay vigilant. Individual changeling attacks are still reported in Canterlot suburbs. Acting Commander of the Royal Guard, Glimmershell asked all unicorns to report to the nearest guard encampment in order to be taught changeling-detection spell. In other news, official wake for the recently deceased Princess Mi Amora Cadenza will be held in the Cathedral of Two Sisters…“ Extract from Damage report, col. Glimmershell, ACRG: PRINCESSES’ EYES ONLY “…I humbly request Your Majesties’ assistance with medical condition of the following ponies, all of which are considered to currently be in “heavy stable” state, according to their doctors: Name of patient / Rank / Race / Nature of the wound / Source … - Striking Valor / Sergeant / Pegasus / Multiple lacerations / Attacked by changelings during supervision of evacuation - Steadfast / Guardspony / Earth pony / Multiple lacerations / Attacked by changelings when overseeing wedding receptions - Shining Armor / Commander of the Guard / Unicorn / Catatonia / Source unknown, doctors suspect magical feedback from forceful destruction of parasite link. - Spearhead / Guardspony / Unicorn / Multiple lacerations, blunt force trauma / Attacked and trampled by changelings Civilians - Crust, Upper / Civilian / Unicorn / Laceration, blood loss / Attacked and fed on by a changeling - Dash, Rainbow / Civilian / Pegasus / 2nd degree magical burns / - Jetset / Civilian / Pegasus / Laceration, blood loss / Attacked and fed on, by a changeling - Pie, Pinkamena Diane / Civilian / Earth pony / 2nd degree magical burns / - Scratch, Vinyl / Civilian / Unicorn / Catatonia / Lethargic state caused by magical overstraining after she collapsed heavy duty equipment on the attacking changeling.” Extract from Psychological evaluation, doctor Deep Psyche: PRINCESSES’ EYES ONLY “…Subject remains delusional. Magical evaluation proved that she is free of any active thaumaturgical influences. Some residual magical feedback or overstraining of the laylines may have been part of the cause, but unfortunately none of the doctors so far have been able to suggest a sound theory for such a persistent and peculiar condition. Thorough examination by the alternative medicine specialist suggested by Your Majesty, resulted in the said specialist giving the following verdict (and I quote) I know no cure for troubled mind, Of her, who wishes she was blind. Through the sheer willpower and extreme capacity for logical thought the Subject manages to stay aware of her delusions, allowing for this psychological evaluation to continue. I, however, suggest limiting her exposure to other ponies (and, as we learned, zebras) to absolute minimum in order not to tax her sanity more than necessary. M.D. Deep Psyche” Audiolog of visitation hours, record number 6, a month after Battle for Canterlot: (sound of the opening door) Subject: Hi. Visitor: Hi, Twi…I wanted… Subject: No, still do not understand what you say. But they got me a new blackboard and chalk, so … you know… The usual: you write, I talk. (hoofsteps) (scribbling sound) Subject: Yes, I kind of guessed it was you, Fluttershy. I learned to recognize your ...form. Do you say “form”? I think its form, because I can’t recognize your face. Not that changelings have faces, so it must be… Ahm… Sorry… I’m rambling. (scribbling) Subject: I’m fine. I am not well, but I am certainly not getting worse! That’s an improvement, right? Or rather lack of deterioration. You know, steady state. That’s what I am, I am steady! Consistent. I am consistently mad. (fast scribbling bordering on a screech) Subject: Well, it is the only proper term to use… (hoofstomp) Subject: Have you ever seen changeling trying to give you the Stare? Because it does not really work without pupils… Visitor: (whimper) Subject: I am sorry… It’s hard to concentrate on what I say… Let’s go back a little. I’m fine. I’m not well, but I’m fine. (scribbling) Subject: (dry chuckle) I am living my childhood dream – lots of reading, lots of studying and a little bit of writing. (scribbling sound) Subject: Oh, you won’t like what I write. It’s a research paper. Purely theoretical magical research, you know – don’t want to give gentlecolts outside the door any panic attacks. (chuckle) (scribbling) Subject: Usual dry, boring, unicorn stuff. I am making a compilation of works regarding thaumaturgical conductivity of nerve cells and known effects of magic overexposure in context of extreme stress… (gentle hoofstomp, short bout of scribbling) Subject: I am speaking Equestrian. Am I not, did I lose my speech also?! Oh, you mean that… I am trying to put together all the materials regarding how unicorn bodies process magic and what happens when we process too much of it. Specifically, when we aren’t feeling out best. You know, boring stuff. (pause>) (slow scribbling) Subject: … Well, overstraining is one theory for my condition… One of many. Might not even be related you know. But if my research will not help me, there are other ponies… Other illnesses… (scribbling sound) Subject: … It’s nothing to be proud off. It is pretty much the only thing I am good for now… It’s not much… to rectify… what I did… (sound of rapid hoofsteps, rustling of feathers) Subject: (sobbing) I’m so sorry… Audiolog of visitation hours, record number 22, six months after Battle for Canterlot: (sound of the opening door) Subject: Hi. I don’t think I know you. Did they explain you the procedure? Visitor: Yeah, miss Sparkle. Let me get to it. Heh, haven’t used a blackboard since I was a filly. Wasn’t a fan back then either, by the way. (hoofsteps) (scribbling sound) Subject: Pleased to meet you, Vinyl Scratch. Are these the right words? Is that what sane ponies say? You know, I don’t get out much, kind of forgotten how to talk to ponies. My friend visits me, but that’s pretty much it. Not that they are holding me here by force, no! Well, technically, yes, they are. Or rather, I choose to stay here and they make sure, that I don’t change my mind. “Change my mind”, get it? Because I’m… Visitor: Hey, Twilight, I actually wanted to ask a question. Subject: Oh, I am rambling again, ain’t I? Sorry, I will stop. Now, you were saying something? I mean – whatever you wanted to say, you were SAYING it. And you should be writing it, you know. Visitor: Sorry, just one sec. (continuous scribbling sound, interrupted by the Subject) Subject: You read my compilation? Thanks, I am flattered. It’s just a… Oh, so you also suffered from magical overstraining during the attack? And you also were in extreme emotional state, right?! How interesting! What was that state if I can inquire? Protecting your marefriend, how sweet! Well, as sweet, as defending your loved ones from certain death at the fangs of nightmarish monsters can be. So you just recently got pulled out of the catatonic state, that’s good… Nothing fun in being a pony-sized vegetable connected to a bunch of tubes, if you ask me. And now you suffer from… what now? Visitor: How do I spell this damned word… “Sineste”…, “sythesti”… Ah, screw it! (scribbling sound) Subject: What do you mean, you can now SEE music?!