Tightening of the screw

by MidnightFMare

Session 05

Near silent wing beats cut through the still night air of the building, a signal that the princess has arrived

I squint to look at the slender alicorn, the stars in her mane glimmering like the sky behind her "Welcome Princess Luna"

She touches down along with her usual escort, Midnight "Hello Doctor Hest, how have you been?" she asks, walking towards the entrance of the building

"Fine, we had an incident earlier today but I think I found a permanent solution to... are you familiar with the story of Mirror Image?" she nods "I read it along with your reports"

"A new member of the staff let her out. Luckily no one was killed, but now we have a free room" Midnight nods "It was Mimic?"

I had long since gotten used to his ability to know things without being told "Yes, I think that in a little time, it will be safe to release them into the world... provided I get your permission" I look at the princess and she smiles "One of the most severe cases being the first released? That would be excellent"

Midnight coughs "And what about this patient you said might be an element?"

"Right this way"

[center~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~]I open the door and staring at the moon is Screw Loose; she turns her head and jumps, crouching low "These are friend's-" "Pr...in...cess..." she mutters, attempting to speak

"I... wow!" I gasp, approaching her "Are you bowing?"

She looks at me "Yes"

Luna chuckles "I am pleased to meet you Screw loose. May I pet you?" I jerk up, ready to correct her when Screw Loose nods "Yes" Luna approaches slowly before sitting in her line of sight, extending a hoof

"P-princess, how did you-" I stutter and she raises her head "Back in the first few wars against the griffons and dragons there were warriors known for their primal fighting and fierce loyalty, they were known as-" "Berserkers, from the old norse term meaning 'Bear-heart'. The story goes that a warrior was ran through by a spear, through his heart, and it imbedded in a tree. Realizing that he was in the same position of one of his gods, he called to him, the king of the Aesir, Odin. The god appeared and called forth a father bear whom had been passing by, he asked for the bear's heart to save the warrior. The bear agreed but on the condition that the god protect his family

"The warrior returned to battle with the primal fury and strength of a beast, mowing his enemies down with nary a thought. His descendants also had this power and thus the legend of the Berserker began" He pauses "At least that's how it goes to my recollection"

Luna nods "Yes, that is true, my sister couldn't speak to them, but I could, given my animal empathy and our fighting was quite similar. So I was made their general, 'Luna the Berserker lord' I was called by both friend and enemy... I have tried to locate any descendants but apparently they all scattered after my banishment. I think that she may be one" Screw Loose raises her head as Midnight approaches "Let's see if any of the elements rea-" A loud shine emanates from his jacket

ELEMENT OF EMPATHY DETECTED. BIO-MERGE STARTING

The glow exits his pocket and touches Screw Loose's forehead, seeming to narrow and disappear "What just happened?" Midnight asks aloud, looking around

"I... I think the element manifested inside of her... has that happened before?" I ask, looking Screw Loose over

"N-Not to my knowledge, no" He touches her forehead "... Oh... that does make sense" he turns to us "You were right; The element's physical and spiritual formes are present within her... according to what it told me, it is what's called an immaterial element, one you can't see without being the user and willing it to become visible, or an X-ray. it is situated, or more accurately, fused to her skull, hippocampus, and the right hemisphere of her brain. Basically it magnifies her natural mental powers, emotional awareness and physical abilities. At least, until it starts growing" she looks at me and frowns "Sad"

I look at Midnight "She can sense your fear, apprehension, and confusion, think of happy things"

My home back in Prance, her growth, Mirror's stabilized mind... I repeat these things in my head and when I open my eyes, she is smiling

"So... is she stuck with the element in her head?" Luna asks, petting Screw Loose's mane

"Unless the element rejects her, she dies, or the element is destroyed, yes. You may want to keep her isolated from large groups for a while, until she gets used to her element... and mild migraine medication for any pain, if it lasts for more than a week, send for me"

I nod numbly "She's really an element..."

Luna stands, setting Screw Loose down "Show us Ms. Image"

"Hello Doctor Hest, how are you?" they say in sync, sending a chill down my spine "F-fine... this is Princess Luna and her companion Midnight"

They bow and Midnight approaches one "You are Mimic aren't you?"

They cock their heads "She was, but now she's my sister"

"You can tell the difference?" Luna asks, looking at them both

"Yeah, I can see through the illusion... but her true image is blurry... like the reception is off a little; or like a smudged mirror" he steps back "I can usually see right through them but her... it's like trying to focus a camera on the wings of a bee or... when I'm in a picture, always a little blurry to the point you can't discern details but clear enough to know someone's there..."

"Like a perception filter or a see-me-not spell?" I ask

"Yes... but not exactly... it's like her true form is on a slightly different wavelength, like on AM radio" He walks over to Princess Luna "What's your take on them?"

The princess ponders and sighs "They have hive-minded. It appears to be mutually beneficial" she looks at them "Do you think you could be released back into society?"

They look at each other and nod "Yes, we think we can, so long as we have each other" they bow

Princess Luna looks at me "How long until they can be discharged?"

I check my file "A week to make sure this isn't temporary and a month of probation and monitoring"

"There you go girls. Now, About Mach cone..."

Author's Note:

I have no idea where most of this came from but... I find it engaging