//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 - Shaded Diagnosis // Story: The Deadly Dance of Shadows // by Skijarama //------------------------------// The castle of the royal pony sisters was coming along nicely with the repairs, Twilight had to admit. She stretched her wings tiredly, sighing happily as a few satisfying pops could be heard from the limbs. Standing straight again, Twilight's horn was enveloped in magical lavender light as she began to shove some boulders off to the side. She groaned slightly, struggling with the weight of the large chunks of rock. Despite the weight, she exhaled with relief as the boulders moved off completely, settling into the corner where Twilight and the others had been storing them until they could either be removed or used to restore more of the castle. She wiped her brow, then turned her head as she heard clacking footsteps from a hall off to the right. The door swung open, and Spike walked in, carrying a bag full of smaller rocks and stones over his shoulder. He walked slowly to the pile, and threw the entire bags worth of rocks into it before turning a worn out eye on Twilight. “Please tell me this the last of it.” He said with barely any energy in his voice. Twilight nodded sweetly. “It's the last of what we're dealing with today.” Twilight replied, trotting up to Spike, who looked about ready to pass out. At hearing this, a content smile passed over the baby dragon’s expression. “Okay, that's good. I need some rest.” Spike replied, slumping forwards against Twilight's foreleg, causing Twilight to giggle slightly at his antics, before lifting him up onto her back in a magic aura. They had come out here alone today, so they didn't need to go by hoof, or wait for any other ponies to wrap up what they were doing. As Twilight stepped out into the refreshing summer air, she couldn't help but rub her face a little bit with her hoof, blinking slowly afterwards. They had been here since before sun-up, so she admitted mentally that getting in a good nap wouldn't be a bad idea. Spreading her wings, Twilight knelt for a moment, and then sprang up, taking to the air leisurely, keeping herself at a swift but relaxed speed. Spike could be heard snoring lightly on her back, causing Twilight to smile back at him for a moment. She loved that sound, probably because she found it to be absolutely adorable. Spikes snore had never changed in all the time he’d been in her life. The minutes ticked by ever so slowly as they went, the only sounds being Spikes snoring, the rushing air, and Twilight's flapping wings. Soon enough Ponyville came into sight, and Twilight's eyes picked out the Golden oaks library without a hitch among the multitude of houses, shops and market stalls. Setting herself down gently in front of the library, she couldn't help but feel satisfied with how this morning had gone so far. Got to the castle nice and early, and made some great progress cleaning the place up. But now, she had a checklist and a mug of coffee with her name on them. Pulling the door open, she stepped inside. <><><><><> Twilight shot up in surprise as a loud, rapid knocking came to her front door, jarring her rather rudely from her nap. Twilight groaned slightly as she realized that she had fallen asleep at her table while writing stuff down. Yawning and stretching tiredly, Twilight slowly made her way to the door as another series of harsh knocks hit it. “I'm coming, jeesh.” Twilight opened the door with a flick of her magic, revealing Pinkie Pie standing there, looking surprisingly nervous. “Oh, hi Pinkie. Do you need something?” Pinkie didn't respond straight away, and almost instantly Twilight knew something was wrong. “Twilight, Rainbow Dash is hurt. Like, badly.” Pinkie said, her tone sounding almost scared. All of the pink pony's normal bubbly energy was gone, replaced with worry and fear. “What happened?” Twilight asked almost instantly, stepping forward a bit. Pinkie sighed heavily, and glanced over her shoulder as though worried somepony was listening. “I’m not sure. Dashie's at the clinic right now. When I left she was showing signs of waking up, but they aren’t sure. The nurses asked me to get you to them as soon as possible. Something about figuring out who did this.” Pinkie replied, dipping her head slightly as she finished. “Okay, um... Give me just a minute, alright?” Twilight requested as she backed into the Library slowly, already working her magic to bring out a sheet of paper and a quill from the shelf. “Okie-dokie.” Pinkie replied, turning slightly. Twilight closed the door part of the way before rushing back to the table and starting to scribble out a note to Spike. As soon as she had it written down, she rushed up stairs to where the baby dragon was sleeping, and lay it down next to his bed. He stirred slightly, but didn’t wake. Satisfied that he'd be able to handle himself until she got back, Twilight stepped back downstairs, and out the door with Pinkie. She used her magic to shut the curtains on the windows before closing the door. <><><><><> The clinic was dead quiet Twilight noted, save for the rest of the girls in the waiting room whispering worriedly amongst themselves. They all looked up as the door slid open, Twilight and Pinkie entering slowly. Fluttershy smiled weakly, but Twilight could tell it was forced. Twilight could also tell by the way her mane was that Fluttershy was taking this really hard. Rarity herself was looking around the room absently, seeming to not know what she wanted to focus on, if anything. Applejack was pacing anxiously, casting glances at the door that led to Rainbows room every so often. Pinkie made her way to Fluttershy, sitting down next to her, and wrapping a hoof around her for comfort. Applejack slowly approached Twilight. “Yer here to look at Rainbow, right?” Applejack asked quietly. “That’s right, Applejack, but I only just heard about this. Do we know what happened?” Twilight asked, looking over Applejacks shoulder at the door that would lead her to Dash’s room. “I wish, then I’d know who to knock senseless!” Applejack snarled, stomping her hoof for emphasis. Her eyes burned with anger, but worry and fear took over her expression as she exhaled heavily, before glancing back up at Twilight. Fluttershy approached quietly, face hidden partially behind her mane. “I just don’t know why anypony would hurt Rainbow, but she’ll pull through… right?” Fluttershy said, shrinking slightly towards the end. “I’m sure she will. Rainbow Dash has been through some pretty rough treatment.” Twilight replied gently, resting a hoof comfortingly on Fluttershy’s shoulder. Rarity cleared her throat, and all eyes turned to her. “Perhaps, but I don’t know if she’s ever had injuries this bad, before.” Rarity said, earning a whimper from Fluttershy and a glare from Applejack. “I’m sorry, I’m sure she’ll make it. I just don’t know if the dear will be the same…” “RD’s made of tough stuff, Rares,” Applejack said, snorting slightly. “She’ll be back on her hooves faster than y’all can say horse apples, Ah know it!” “What kinds of wounds does she have, anyway?” Twilight asked, glancing around. Silence dominated for a moment. “She had a large gash in her stomach and side. Both have been bandaged up, luckily. The part that is the worst would have to be her throat. The nurses speculate her voice might not work right for quite some time.” Rarity said, sounding grossed out. At this, Fluttershy paled considerably. “We’ll catch the ones that hurt Dashie, right Twilight?” Pinkie asked, voice quiet. Twilight bit her lip, and nodded. “I’m sure we will.” Twilight said, before they all heard the door behind Applejack sliding open. Nurse Redheart was at the door a moment later, looking over a clipboard before looking up into the room. Spotting Twilight, she waved her hoof in a gesture to approach. Twilight looked nervously to all of her friends in the room, who looked at her almost expectantly, as if hoping for her to do something miraculous. She hardened her expression and nodded before stepping through the door with Redheart into a long hallway. Doors were on either side as they went down, and Twilight could tell which one they were going to from here, as it was the only one with a light over it. The silence was dreadful as they approached Rainbows room. Twilight found herself dreading whatever it was she was about to find as they came to a stop at the door that Rainbow rested behind. Redheart pulled open the door, and stepped inside, Twilight following closely. There was a large curtain surrounding where Twilight assumed Dash was resting, as she could see a pegasi’s silhouette shadowed in the curtain. Redheart stepped forward and pulled back the curtain, standing aside to let Twilight in. Twilight swallowed nervously before stepping forward. Rainbow Dash was still out, and had both of her wings bandaged up and at full extension. They had been broken, and pretty badly by the looks of it. Twilight's jaw dropped at the condition her friend was in as she trotted up to her. Redheart slowly followed, eyes lingering on the sleeping Rainbow Dash. “The doctor found trace amounts of magic in her wounds, but couldn't identify them.” Redheart said quietly. “So, a unicorn did this?” Twilight asked, turning her gaze back to Nurse Redheart, who in turn shook her head. “It wasn't unicorn magic. That much he could easily figure out.” Redheart said, sighing afterwards. “According to him, It wasn’t focuses or channeled. It feels completely different from what unicorns can do. That's why we called you here. You have a great deal of experience with the unusual, so you might be able to at least start us in the direction of finding out what is responsible.” Twilight nodded, stepping closer to dash, somewhat apprehensive. A moment later her horn lit up with a soft glow, and she began scanning every inch, nook and cranny on Rainbow Dash’s form. She felt it, alright, the faintest trace of magical residue. It was dark, sinister and evil feeling, but at the same time it felt almost noble, and kind. It was almost like two different mindsets had joined into one when casting the spells that harmed Dash. She examined the residue closer, finding something oddly familiar about it, something she couldn’t quite place. A chill ran down her spine as she got a feel for how the magic operated, and almost let go of the scan spell when she felt the nature of the magic. It was disgusting, but also fascinating in a way that Twilight couldn’t stand to admit aloud. The magic residue was almost like acid left behind from claws that dripped with the stuff. It shredded skin, and burned away at what it touched. Twilight felt sick thinking about it. Such corrosive magic was beyond a normal Unicorn to cast, as it took a lot of concentration to make the magic have the dissolving effect. “So, does anypony know exactly what happened to her? Nopony saw it happen or anything?” Twilight asked, tilting her head to Redheart slightly. “I’m afraid not. Some ponies brought her in here just after ten o’clock. They reported that they just found her in the middle of the street, bleeding out and coughing up blood.” Redheart replied, shrugging slightly. “Where in Ponyville was this?” Twilight pressed, deciding she could investigate when she was done here. “Just under her house. Some ponies said that before she was attacked she was walking home.” Redheart said as she went back to her clipboard. “And you said this was just after eleven?” “Yes.” Redheart confirmed. Twilight paused for a moment. That would have been just after sunset. That rang a serious bell with her, but from where? Twilight released her spell and looked confusedly at Nurse Redheart. “I’m honestly not sure what to make of any of this. It all feels very familiar, but it’s in such trace amounts that I just can’t pin it down. Whatever it is, you were right; we aren’t dealing with a unicorn.” Twilight deduced, eyes narrowing slightly. “Well, we’ll keep Rainbow here for a while, and I guess we can just ask her when she wakes up.” Redheart reluctantly conceded, shifting uncomfortably. “You do that, but we need to know what this thing is before it hurts anypony else. I’ll do some research at the Library, and get back to you if I find anything before Rainbow wakes up.” Twilight said before making her way for the door. “Okay. Take care.” Redheart answered as she started tending to Dash’s bandages again. Twilight was deep in thought as she exited the room and went back out into the hallway. She knew she was familiar with that magic energy, she just knew it. The only problem was that she couldn’t confirm from where, which frustrated her to no end. Twilight sighed as she stepped back out into the main waiting room and was assaulted by her friends with questions in worried tones. “What’d ya find? What rascal did this?!” “Please tell me Rainbow Dash will be okay.” “Will the dear be alright?” “Who hurt Dashie?” Twilight shook her head violently to clear the confusion she was feeling before speaking up. “Quiet, please. I need to think.” Everypony promptly fell silent as Twilight started pacing, her movements clearly indicating she was processing information at high speeds. After several seconds, Twilight sighed heavily. “Alright, look. I don’t know who or what did this, but what I do know is it wasn’t a unicorn. I’m going to do some research back at the Library, and I’ll fill you all in with what I find if Rainbow hasn’t woken yet.” “What happens when RD wakes up, then?” Applejack asked, looking worriedly back at the door. “Then Rainbow Dash will tell us exactly what happened.” Twilight replied, looking out the window absently. With a new determined look on her face, she started walking towards the exit. “You’re going now, Twilight?” Rarity asked, sounding slightly surprised. “Yes, Rarity. I need to find out everything I can as quickly as possible. Send somepony to get me if there are any major changes.” Twilight said, before stepping back out into the noonday sunlight and towards the Golden Oaks. <><><><><> Nothing. Twilight had found all of nothing since she started her search for information. She snarled in frustration as she turned to the last page of the book she was flipping through, which was entitled The magic of the unknown: A guide to all un-channeled magic. Twilight figured this book would have something, at least a bit of theory or something. The magic used to hurt Dash came from a non-unicorn, which meant it wasn’t channeled. It was more limitless, but also harder to control and more chaotic. A unicorn’s horn allowed the unicorn to be far more precise with their magic by channeling it. But she couldn’t find anything that even remotely sounded like what she had seen and felt within Rainbow Dash’s wounds. It made no sense. She had never heard of magic that was sent from what felt like two mindsets, and apparently neither had the author of this book. Twilight slammed the book shut before hurling it across the room. It crashed violently into a small stack of books, knocking them all over. She had been at this for hours with no luck whatsoever. Another angry snort escaped her as she looked at the shelves again, trying and failing to find a more recent book on the same subject matter. What made this all so frustrating wasn’t the lack of information; she’d dealt with that before. No, what made this so frustrating was how the answer felt like it was right there, just on the tip of her tongue, begging to be rolled off of it. But no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t remember the right words. She sighed in defeat and let her face fall directly onto one of the stacks of paper she had brought out, sending sheets flying in all directions. “Twilight?” she heard Spike say quietly, worry and confusion in his tone. Twilight turned an eye to him without lifting her head. “What is it, Spike?” She mumbled, aggravation evident in her tone. Spike fidgeted slightly with his claws, and looked away. Twilight’s ears slowly drooped, and she sighed wearily, lifting her head back up. “I’m sorry, Spike. This whole mess is just getting to me, I guess. I know what this is; I’ve seen that kind of magic and wound before. I just can’t remember what exactly it is or from where.” As Twilight said this, she felt her stomach twinge slightly, very light pain dancing across it. She groaned and looked up as Spike cleared his throat. “Go ahead and take a break. It’s almost night time, and you need to get some food and rest.” Spike urged softly as he started to pick up the stray sheets of loose paper. He glanced up at twilight occasionally with a pleading, worried expression. “But I need to find out what happened to Rainbow Dash. I just need to find the right book…” Twilight said, looking up at her selection of books tiredly. “You won’t be able to do much more before you drop. Go on, get some rest. I’ll handle things here.” Spike said, turning to Twilight with what could only be described as puppy-dog eyes. “Okay, you win Spike…” Twilight said softly, standing up from her seat and stretching tiredly. A long and fairly impressive yawn escaped her as she did this. “I’ve already made you something for dinner. It’s on the table downstairs. Nothing fancy, I’m afraid, but-“ “Its fine, Spike. Thank you” Twilight interrupted, smiling pleasantly down at him before patting him atop the head. Spike nodded enthusiastically, seeming to be energized by the reply, and quickened his pace of cleaning up the papers. Twilight stepped down the stairs, taking it slowly as she thought things over a bit. As she hit the bottom she dismissed the thoughts before spotting a beautifully made sandwich on the table. Her mouth watered at the aroma, and she realized Spike had pulled no punches with this. Setting herself down in front of her dinner, Twilight slowly started nibbling away, wanting to enjoy her food. She looked out the window occasionally as the sun began to disappear beneath the horizon. The shadows cast by the mountains and hills began to expand as the sun dipped behind them, giving Ponyville an interesting appearance as the light steadily faded. All too soon, her sandwich was gone. She stood up and made her way upstairs, wanting nothing more than to get some rest. It had been a long day. Twilight flipped out the light and slipped beneath the covers, her eyelids already getting heavy. “Heh… I’m willing to bet that when I wake up, I’ll remember what it was that hurt Dash…” She absently mused, a pleasant smile spreading across her face as she fell deep into sleep. Spike was off to the side, smiling at her. She was so tired she hadn’t even really noticed him as she came back up the stairs. With an amused chuckle, Spike settled down into his own bed, not noticing as Twilight began to fall into a cold sweat.