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Chapter 16-Psychobabble
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Twilight steered, moaning as she rolled under the sheets. Lights were shining in her eyes, ponies mumbling words that she couldn’t understand. Cushions and blankets, comfortable and soft, making her want to sleep. Something else. Screeching, hissing, hot breath on the back of her neck. Twilight tensed, feeling wetness, restraint, the sound of beating wings.
“Chrysalis!!!” Twilight shouted, raising up in the bad, a doctor immediately coming to her side to calm her.
“Princess, it's alright, you're in safe hooves now,” he said calmly, lowering her back down onto the bed. Twilight looked up at him, his soft smile giving her some comfort as she looked around. Glass domes adorn above them, showing the crescent moon in the sky above them. Crystal columns rose along the hall, holding up the structure as nurses worked, tending to patients and those visiting.
“Where am I?” she asked, turning her head to look at him.
“The Crystal Infirmary of course. Your train was on root for the Crystal Empire, I’m sure you remember?” he asked, looking down at her.
“Oh...yes, yes I remember. Ohh, my head hurts.” she moaned, resting her head on her hoof. Twilight glanced at him. He was rather short, but strong, dark-haired well kept and trimmed. The skin under his eyes was weathered and wrinkled, but whether this was from age or years of constant stress she did not know.
“I can imagine. You all did take a nasty fall,” he said, checking her blood pressure.
“Fall? Wait, where’s Spike? Where’s Nyx?!” She started to get upset, raising up from the bed again.
“They're fine! Their...fine. I just checked on your daughter myself only a moment ago. They're just as safe as you are, I promise.” He lowered her back down, pulling out a chart.
“What-what happened?” Twilight asked. She knew to an extent, but she was trying to remember some details that were fleeting to her to fill in the gaps.
“Well now that really is the question, isn’t it?” he looked up from the chart, repositioning his glasses, “Changeling attack, hmm? Well, I don’t have all the details, I’m only a doctor after all, but if you really need to know I suppose I could get one of the guards who recovered you and your company.”
“If you could do that please, but not just yet.” she sighed, thinking to herself, “Is...is everypony safe?”
The doctor looked at her, licking his lips, “Your family is fine, and the guards are just as well, though they're a little more battered up. But...the conductor didn’t make it.”
“Oh...” Twilight turned, wondering if he had had a family, “I’m sure you did the best you could.”
“Thank you.” he gave a soft smile, getting up, leaving her as he left to find one of the rescue party. Twilight moaned, repositioning herself off her wing, staring at the other beds in the room. Nurses tended to Flash and the other guards, cleaning wounds and bandaging them. Spike and Rarity sat together in another cubicle, talking to each other over something she didn’t care to know. And as the doctor had promised, Nyx sat playing in her bed, a nurse tending to her, joining in her little game.
Novis, however, stood in the dark near one of the windows, staring out towards the empire outside. He stood there for a long time, just looking out into the night, before he turned, staring right at her. His eyes glowed faintly blue as he stared at her, tired and piercing. She didn’t know why, but something about it was...
“Princess?”
Twilight jumped slightly, startled by the guard as he saluted her, giving her his attention, “You wished to speak with me?”
“Oh, yes,” she said, gesturing for him to take a seat, "I wanted to hear your report on what happened when you found us."
“Of course your majesty.” the soldier took off his helmet, setting down in the chair next to her bed, getting comfortable as he went over some paperwork, “Well we got a distress beacon from one of the watchtowers that we have positioned across this region that your train had stopped outside the schedule, so we went to investigate. What we found was, well, perplexing.”
“How do you mean?” she asked.
“Well...” he continued, “As you’re well aware the changelings were the ones who had hijacked your transport. But, when we arrived, they seemed to be in a state of chaos.” He leaned forward, looking at her, “Their leader, Chrysalis, she seemed...deranged. Rabid, like an animal, thrashing about, damn frightened me and my officers. We tried capturing her, but her drones wouldn't have it. IT was rather unsettling, they had to drag her away.”
“Hmm.” Twilight leaned back, thinking over on this puzzle. The changelings had retreated for their queen’s own protection, but why? What had happened to make Chrysalis act out like that? Twilight pondered, raising a hoof to her head cradling a headache, letting out a soft moan.
“Princess, are you alright?” the guard asked, immediately raising up on instinct.
“No, I’m fine, I’m just a little dazed still.” she hummed, waiting for the aching to subside, “Is that all?”
“As much as I can recollect, I suppose.”
“Good. Your relieved, and thank you.” she smiled.
The soldier gave a bow, putting his helmet back on before he left, leaving her to her own thoughts. Chrysalis wouldn’t have attacked unless she had a plan, but obviously, something had happened. Gone wrong somehow, but it was something that Twilight wanted to know. Something more would come of this, she could feel it, but exactly what...a mystery. She laid her cheek on the pillow. The night was waning on. She felt tired, so very tired.
She rested.
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The Princesses moved with haste down the empty halls of the castle as they made their way towards the infirmary, escorted by their own guards. The hall was illuminated by the midnight moon, guiding them as they turned in its corridors. The hall was clean and light sky blue, shining gently in the silver light, while a red satin carpet decorated the floor.
“How did this happen? How did that monster get access to a train carrying three national heroes?” Luna steamed, angry over such a breach of security. Her mane was swirling in a concord of stars and nebulas, a frenzy that matched her ill temper.
“I don’t know, sister. We can only work to clean up this ordeal. For now.” Celestia sighed, troubled by this turn of events. This should never have happened, and so close to the Empire as well! This was inexcusable. And tonight of all nights, the tracks should have been guarded tooth and nail. She was angry. Angry at the guards, the changeling, Chrysalis, but mostly, she was angry with herself. She should have thought ahead of time. She should have doubled security, ordered the guards ahead of the track. Truly hindsight was a cursed thing.
The two guards standing outside the infirmary stood at attention as Celestia and Luna arrived, standing aside to let them pass as they entered, looking around. The nightly staff was not as thinned out as it was on most nights, but that was to be expected considering.
“Ah! Princess, glad you're here.”
“Hello Doctor Satcher,” Celestia said, accidentally slipping out her frustration in her words.
“Yes…well, I suppose it's obvious why you're here so I’ll get right to the point.” Doctor Satcher responded, “You’ll be happy to know that all the passengers have been processed, nothing but healthy...happy patients.” he said with a slight recoil.
Celestia sighed, “I apologize, this has truly been a stressful evening.” she looked at him, rubbing the bags under her eyes.
“There’s no need Princess I understand how you must feel. Can I get you two some coffee?” the doctor asked.
“Yes, please.” Celestia nodded, rubbing her temple. Dr. Satcher walked into his office, pouring a few cups as he came back out with a tray, offering it to them, both princesses taking them eagerly.
“What of the device?” Luna asked, interested in what the changeling had been doing to the passengers.
We don’t actually know yet. I’ve sent it down to the lab. Hopefully, the engineers down there can figure out what it's for.”
“We must know what they were trying to do. I want you to personally test everyone as soon as possible.” Luna said, looking to the patients.
“I’ll get to that in the morning, However from what I see right now their fine. I’ll write up some paperwork and they can be released with orders to return later.” he looked to the princesses with a smile, “I understand that some of them wouldn’t want to miss the future ruler of the Empire.”
With that he walked away, leaving the sisters to themselves. Celestia sat down, taking it all in, “What a night.”
“Certainly not what we would have hoped, but all things considering the doctor was right, we were fortunate,” Luna said, sipping her coffee.
“Fortunate. Hmph, I’ll feel relaxed on the matter when the results from the lab come in.” Celestia stared at her cup, rolling the liquid inside of it.
“As will I. The fact that Chrysalis was there in person is most troubling. She wouldn’t have come unless it was something important. Something BIG.” Luna looked up, downing her drink, something she was used to.
Celestia looked up, about to say something in response before something caught her eye, her head turning. That’s when she saw him, standing by the window, gazing out into the world pondering over something she did not know.
“Is that him?” Luna asked, looking in the direction that her sister was.
“I thought I’d never see one,” Celestia said, watching as his wings shifted slightly, firm muscles easy to see even from across the room. He was similar to herself in color, though if one looked closer, they would find hints of blue in his coat.
“Guard?” Celestia asked, their escort standing at attention, “Tell him that we wish to meet with him. Say in about three hours?” she looked at Luna, seeing if that time would work for her as she gave a nod, “Also...be sure to notify Twilight and her family as soon as news of the baby’s arrival comes.”
“Yes, your majesty.” The guards answered, moving forward. Celestia stared, watching as the guards introduced themselves to him, as he gave a gentle nod, uttering a few words to them. She watched as they left, and he turned looking at the princesses, staring for a long moment before giving the same nod, turning and walking away.
This was going to be interesting.
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“Auuugh!” Cadance cried, screaming as pain rushed her body in waves, sweat pouring down her forehead as the nurses did their work.
“Cadance? You’re doing great sweetie, just breath.” Shining tried to comfort his wife, though he was obviously nervous.
“W-Where’s Twilight? Where is she?” Cadance asked, panting heavily.
“She’ll be here I promise. If I know my sister she wouldn’t miss this for the world.” Shining reassured her.
“B-But the t-train...” she groaned, holding onto the bed railing, riding the contraction.
“Then I’d be more worried for whoever tries to get in her way from being here. Princess Celestia just went to check up on her and her family now.” Shining Armor smiled, looking at her sympathetically as he held her hoof “Just a little while longer, honey.”
Just a little while longer.
“AAAAHHHHHH!!!”
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