//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: // Story: Eclipse // by TheNomad //------------------------------// Doctor Horse's request hung in the air like thick mildew. The good doctor sat at an old pinewood table. Across him was Ponyville's guard's second in command. "So let me get this strange, you want me to send a guard to watch over a patient of yours?" Asked the female guard. "Yes." The Doctor said simply. "And the reason you want this is because she has... how did you put it? Been torn apart and put back together like Salt Water Taffy?" "Yes, correct." "You also believe she was tested on, by mad ponies?" "Indeed, by mad ponies." "So... Lets say I do enlist a guard to protect this mare. That would, as I see it cause two problems. I would have to pay a guard overtime and It would just attract more attention to her." The mare said coolly. "That is why I want them not to where their armor." The Doctor say as if it was obvious. "You do understand that a guard without armor, makes their job only that much harder for them." "Then have them be a unicorn guard." "Magic can't solve everything. You should know that, being a doctor." The pegasus guard deadpanned. "Yes, I know! and I do not care as long as they are good at what they do! And you should also know what your job is." "What do you mean?" She asked confused. "Your job is to protect the innocent. Is it not?" He asked as he got up from his chair. "Yes, it is." The armored mare shot the doctor an irritated look. "Yes, it is." He began to walk up to the mare. "And my job is to help keep ponies alive. But I can not do that if my patient is under the threat of being attack, captured, tortured, and/or be killed. So from what you are telling me, you are willing to let an innocent mare die! Just because you do not want to pay a guard overtime." The doctor let a small grin form at his lips as he finished. The mare quickly stood up and slammed her hooves on the table. "I would never let somepony DIE because of something like GREED!" The mare shouted. The doctor adjusted his glasses and said. "Then prove it. Let me have a guard." "Of course! One under cover guard coming up. You'll have them before sundown." The mare smiled. "Thank you. Also do not let anyone else know about this mare's history. It would only endanger her." "Don't worry a single hair on your head. It's safe between me, you, and the captain." "Ah Yes, Sir Swift Blade, where is he? Now that you mention it?" "He's out at a family reunion, he'll be out for a few weeks." "Alright then. Have a good day Silver Shield." The doctor said as he walked out of the barracks. With a smirk. "Good bye." She sat with a smile on her face. "What a second... did I just? I did... didn't I?" She sighed. Back at Ponyville's hospital, a white mare sat next to a dull dark blue mare. The nurse held a brush in her mouth trying to brush the other mare's mane. Trying being the key word. "It's as if you've never brushed your hair before in your life!" The white nurse said to her self. Even though the mare's mane was still damp the brush encountered knot after knot. The pink maned mare had tried an array of different mane grooming tools but none seemed to work. "Forget it." The nurse sighed as she put down the brush. The nurse looked at the bedside table a grabbed a small book, "Good time to catch up on my reading." She smiled as she begun to read. 'Once upon a time-' There was a knock at the door before Doctor Horse walked in, holding a clipboard. "Ah, hello nurse Red Heart how are you?" Red Heart closed the book she started reading. "I'm doing fine. What do you need?" "I do not need anything, I was just checking up on the patient, and because you are her new personal nurse, I wanted to show you something." "And that would be?" "This," He levitated the clipboard over to the nurse. "It seems our new friend here has no medical records." "How could that be?" The mare asked looking through the papers. "Unless..." "Yes, unless my theory is correct." "We need to go to the guards about this!" "Do not worry I already did. They are sending a guard to watch over her. As well, I need you to not tell a soul about my theory. She is just another patient. Alright? I will gladly pay you extra to keep it quiet, only two other ponies know of this." "You don't have to do that. Knowing this mare is safe is payment enough." She said with a soft smile. "Thank you." Another knock was heard at the door. "It is open." An aged mare opened the door and adjusted her black cat eye glasses. "Doctor Horse, a strapping young stallion is at the entrance askin' to see you." "Of course, be right there, come nurse Red Heart." He said walking out the door following resepsiyonist, with nurse in tow. "Here he is, doll" The resepsiyonist said to the stallion before taking a seat at her desk. Doctor Horse looked over the dirt brown stallion, he wore a hoodie a few shades darker than his coat. A dirtied red baseball cap sat on above his blue eyes. "Hey, you're Doctor Horse right?" "Yes that would be me. and if I am not mistaken you are the guard I asked for?" "Yeah, that's me." "Good" The doctor smiled. "Yeah... so uh... you needed me to guard somethin'?" "No. Not something, someone." "Oh. Alright..." The guard said. "She is sleeping right now. So you will not have to talk to her, plus that is what nurse Red Heart is for!" The doctor laughed. "Alright." He nodded his head. The doctor's chuckling died down. "..." "..." "..." Nurse Red Heart spoke up. "So would you like me take you to her?" He nodded "Well. I am going to make some coffee!" Stated the doctor before walking off. "The patient is this way. Follow me." Said the nurse, with guard in tow. "Sooooo, I didn't catch you're name." "Cuz I didn't give it." He responded. "Oh..." "..." "Would you mind telling me?" "Nope." "..." "..." "Well?" "Oh! Yeah, it's Silent Guard." "Ahh..." "Ah know, Ah know not a very imaginative name, but my pop was named Quick Guard, and his pop was named Strong Guard, and his pop's name was Idol Guard. The list goes on, Ah guess they just ran out of the good ones." "Oh, no! I didn't mean it lik-" "Didn't mean it like that? Don't worry, being a guard you learn what someone truly means from the way their ear twitches." "Really?" "Naaa, I could see it in your eyes. That and you're too easy to read." He chuckled at this. Pinkness tinted her cheeks as she said "Well we're here." She then began to walk into the room. He nodded, and proceeded to stand just outside the door. "Do feel free to come in." "It's okay." She just sighed, walking into the room she came out with two rolling stools. "At least sit down." He smiled, took the small stools and with that they both sat down sat down. Red Heart had taken the book she had earlier, and opened it, 'Once upon a time-' "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Eye wide Red Heart and Silent Guard ran into the patient's room. The blue mare fragrantly kicked trying to get off her blanket. Her hooves swatted at the cords and needles in her. Red Heart ran over to the flailing mare. "Calm down, you're safe. You're safe!" Red Heart said in a soothing tone. The other mare just responded with strange noises "Ahr amm ah!". At the sound of her own voice she began to freak out more. She flung her limbs wildly as she tried to get away from the nurse. Nurse Red Heart was at a loss as the patient hit the ground and tried to crawl away. Tried being the main word, more like flail her legs and wings hopelessly around as tears streamed down her face. Silent Guard quickly sat next to the mare and wrapped his forelegs around her. Most of the cords were removed from the mare but those that weren't he removed. In a hushed tone he began to calm the mare down. "Don't worry now, ah got cha. Ah got cha, don't worry." To Red Heart's surprise she actual began to calm down. Her sobs were muffled as her head was burred in the guard's shoulder. He softly petted the back of her head. The white mare quickly yet quietly said "I'm going to get Doctor Horse." before running off. Doctor Horse trotted away from the nurse and the new guard. He entered the kitchenette, and started up the empty coffee maker. Looking to the fridge he opened it, "Might as well." He said as he pulled out a jar of jam from the fridge, then a jar of peanut butter from one of the cabinets. He took out two slices of bread out of the bag on the counter. Taking a knife from a drawer he put peanut butter on one slice then jam on the other. He put the two slices of bread together, then cut down the middle making them into two triangles. Finally he put away the jam, peanut butter, and put the sandwiches on a plate, then finished making his cup of coffee. Taking a sip from his cup he let out a sigh. With his plate and coffee in he grip he started his way to the patient, then he heard a scream. He started to run down the hall be for running into Nurse Red Heart. "What happened?" He asked frantically. "Our patient woke up, come on!" She said with a jerk of her head they galloped down the hall, and into the patient's room. They saw her wiping her eyes with a hoof as Silent had a hoof on her shoulder. "Ya better?" He asked With much shakiness, she nodded. "Good" "Yes good indeed." The doctor said. "You had me worried there." He gave a soft chuckle. The dark mare lowered her head. "Do not feel down." He said with a smile as he sat next to the mare on the ground. "You didn't mean to. Anyhoo, you look famished here have this." He said holding out a sandwich in his magic grip. At seeing this display the mare tried to scoot away with a terrified look. The doctor set the cup and plate on the ground and cut off his magic. "Do not fret, I will not hurt you." He stated pushing the sandwich over to her. The mare looked from his horn then down to the plate before leaning her head down and beginning to scarf down the sandwich. Not unlike how a dog would after not eating for a day or two. Once again the good doctor chuckled and said "You might want to wash that down." And pushed over his mug. She picked up the mug like a foal would hold a stuffed toy and gulped down the brown liquid before putting it down. The face she made though, got the doctor to laugh. Her eyes were shut and her tongue hung out, as she let out a disgusted groan. "I take it you didn't like it." She shook her head. "Red Heart could you please do me a favor and get me a glass of water." "Of course." She said walking off. The blue mare was already starting to eat the other half of her sandwich. "Yer really hungry, now ain't cha?" "Yaaah" She grabbed her throat, and with wide eyes she began to hyperventilate. Doctor Horse quickly grabbed a hold of her. "Calm down, calm down. Do not worry, you just woke up. You will be able to speak soon. Just not right now, you are still hurt. I am surprised you are awake at all, let alone moving." She slowly nodded. "Here's the water you asked for." Nurse Red Heart said as she walked in. "Thank you. Now could you help me get her back into bed." He asked Silent guard. "You really must get your sleep." He said to the patient. Silent Guard quickly and efficiently picked up the blue mare and set her in the bed. Red Heart set the glass of water nest to her bed. "Now then, if you need anything Mr..." "Silent Guard." "Mr. Silent Guard will be right here. Okay?" She nodded. "Okay, good night." He smiled, then walked out with Red Heart, and as promised Silent Guard stayed in the room. The mare closed her eyes and slowly drifted of to sleep once more.