United States
State of Lincoln
Coolidge Plains
Ablow Psychiatric Hospital
10:03 AM
Doctor Isabella Escoto read through the paperwork of her patient quietly along with the information requests from the federal government. While they couldn’t force her to push the mare for information they could affect the grant money for the hospital. Putting her in a bit of a bind of patient wellbeing vs national security... and funding. She slipped the requests into a drawer, she would try to get Luna to reveal what she knew in her own time, she wouldn’t sacrifice her progress to do it.
Sitting up from her desk and grasping the patient clipboard she started to make her way out of the small office. Passing by the framed doctorate and master's degree from California State University. She would open the door to reveal the plain white hallway with a reinforced glass window stretching across the left side, showing the fenced-in yards of the hospital. Stopping for a bit she watched a few human and equestrian patients mill around the yard. A few were even kicking a Football around, though while she doubted they would win FIFA Cup anytime soon, they certainly played with vigor.
Shaking her head she continued down the hallway eventually coming to a security gate. Pulling out her card and looking up at the camera she pressed it against the sensor. A few moments later the door buzzed and she pushed her way past. Once she entered the low-security wing she reached in intersection turning to her left she continued to pass by various doors. She would sometimes slide the peephole open to check on the patients taking notes on their condition. They would range from Schizophrenics mumbling gently to PTSD sufferers who weren’t quite ready to go back out into the world.
After a few more checkups she finally arrived at a second security gate leading to the solitary wing. Looking up at the camera again as she pressed her card into the sensor she waited. After another few moments, she heard the door buzz again. Pressing past she focused her eyes on a singular door at the end of the hallway. The area was deathly quiet as they had so few patients that needed it. Which was ideal considering the long term patient behind door 81.
Taking a moment to look down at herself ensuring she wasn’t wearing the normal white garb the other doctors wore. Content she was wearing a navy colored coat over her grey dress shirt and pants, she took a deep breath. Knocking on the heavy metal door and sliding the peephole open she spoke.
“Luna? Is Isabelle, I’m going to come in.” She said gently waiting for a response.
“...o-ok...” A soft voice from behind the door said.
Isabelle slowly opened the door seeing the familiar, if childish room of Luna. A bed with plain white sheets furnished with a few plush toys, a small pile of simple board games, and in the corner was the blue mare sitting a small plastic table with a teapot and a little tea set.
“I-I m-made some t-tea miss Isabelle...” The mare said nervously, twitching from a combination to her nervousness and neurological damage.
“Oh, how lovely Luna, your always such a thoughtful mare.” She smiled slowly sitting down at the other end of the small table. Taking the toy teacup and saucer into her hands she pretended to sip from the empty vessel. “Delicious as always.”
“T-thank you m-miss Isabelle... w-what are w-we doing today?” She asked curiously while sipping her teacup.
“Well, we have a check-up today, after that if your good you’ll get a treat.” She smiled gently.
“...I h-hate the c-check-ups...” She stuck out her tongue.
“I know Luna, but you need them.” She gave a sympathetic look. Watching the mare fiddle with her teacup.
She pouted. “I want one w-with rainbow s-sprinkles...”
“I’ll see what I can do honey....” She pretended to finish her tea. “Ready to go?” She slowly stood up as not to spook Luna.
“... y-yes...” Luna started to struggle to her hooves, a bit shaky but managed to slowly make her way around the table. Making her way slowly to her bed she spoke to a plush equine in felt armor. “Protect the p-palace Glinting S-shield.” She smiled and kissed the plush’s cheek before unsteadily making her way over to the woman.
Isabelle watched the mare make her way over, taking a moment to notice the wings twitching under the grown she wore. “Don’t strain yourself, we have plenty of time.” She said softly as she guided the mare out, keeping a watchful eye of her balance.
It would take a while to get to the physician's office, but luckily she had given Luna plenty of time to get there.
———————————————————-
It took nearly 30 minutes to get to the other side of the hospital, luckily Luna had only lost her balance three times on their way to the physician's office. Though getting her up onto the examination table was difficult, both from her being around the size of a large dog... and her mild haphephobia. But she managed to get her up on the table for the doctor before she had another panic attack.
The two of them waited silently in the rather plain examination room before a firm knocking was heard. “Miss Escoto? Are you and your patient decent?”
“Yes Doctor Caligari, I assure you we are.” Isabella responded giggling along with Luna.
The door slowly opened revealing a hesitant tanned Italian looking man. Seeing there was nothing to worry about he entered the room closing the door behind him. “Ah, good, I apologize, I can’t be too careful after that nymphomaniac Diamond Dog....” He Shakes his head trying to rid the memory as he dusted off his grey physician's coat before pulling a small iPad from his large side pocket. “Let’s see you're here for a routine check-up..., oh and your due for some medical imaging.” As he spoke Luna gave a childish grumpy look at her caregiver signaling she would want more than just a cupcake for this.
Isabella sighed and looked over at the mare. “I’m sure I can get Luna to behave herself, say for a little ice cream?” She raised an eyebrow while the pony seemed to mull it over in her mind before nodding.
Pulling out his stethoscopes he slowly walked up to the examination table and pressed the cool disk to the pony’s covered back. She squeaked in discomfort as the small saucer slowly moved around her rough feeling covered back. “Breath in....” He listened carefully as she did so. “Breath out...”
He had her do this a few times before nodding his head and taking notes. “Sounds like the congestion has cleared up.” He mumbled slipping a blood pressure cuff onto her for-leg watching the readout. “132/98, normal..... now let’s look in those ears.”
Pulling out the otoscope he slipped on a disposable protector. “Now Luna... I know you're nervous but I need you to raise your ears for me.”
Luna look over at her caregiver who gave her a reassuring smile and a slight nod. She swallowed a bit before speaking in her soft voice again. “O-ok...” She slowly focused on raising her ears, having a bit of difficulty as pressing them against the back of her head had since become their default position. But she managed with only a wincing.
The doctor watched but the ear still wasn’t holding still enough for him to properly check it. “Luna, I’m going to have to touch your ear... I know it’s tender but I have to make sure they are healing properly...” He said gently while the mare bit her lip.
“I-I... just be q-quick....” She closed her eyes fearfully for what was to come.
The doctor looked over at Isabelle but she nodded, they both understood this needed to be done. He slowly reached down to her ear being as gentle as possible, still, despite this, she winced and moaned in pain. Even with the fine blue fuzz covering some of it the scar tissue was undeniable. He quickly used the otoscope to look around inside, even the inside wasn’t spared.
Though he wasn’t sure why it surprised him, Luna didn’t have to wear that medical cloak. She chose to wear it, having to see what was under it didn’t give the mare any benefit in her delicate state.
———————————————————
The process of the check-up went by fairly quickly, beyond some pain she was in good health. Especially compared to how she arrived at the hospital. Getting Luna onto the MRI was much easier with two people heaving her up onto the bed. Though strapping her down was another matter, with all of those... sessions she had with her sister, being that helpless was understandably traumatic. But they needed those medical images and they couldn’t have her twitching while they did it. Isabelle had taken her place next to Luna and the machine, letting the mare grip her hand with her hoof.
He meanwhile kept an eye on the screens as the med-tech worked. Images of the mares brain and upper vertebrae we’re slowly generated and to this day he was stumped by what he saw. Though because of this abnormally in the mare, they were able to advance their understanding of the secondary nervous system by at least a few decades.
“Let's start with a full-body scan....” The doctor mumbled while sipping his bitter coffee. The med-tech nodded slowly pressing the joystick forward, moving the mare deeper into the machine. A vast branching network of scar tissue could be seen throughout her body.
A normal unicorn had for lack of a better word... two Nervous Systems, one that was used for transmitting motor function, integration, and feeling. While the other was often limited to the head... or in rare cases the head and neck, acting like a sort of receiver for mana. Which was then routed through the brain to be converted into... for lack of a better word....spells... before being transmitted out of the nerve bundle in the horn. Though the secondary nervous system in unicorns was far from efficient in doing this, being measured around 15-26 percent conversion to usable energy.
“It’s as we suspected... it’s not regrowing....” He frowned deeply.
Alicorns... from the few examples they had... were far more efficient at mana transmission. With a conversion rate of 80-87 percent of mana into usable energy. With the secondary nervous system intertwined around there primary nerves throughout their entire body. They could make the most of this efficient conversion rate by calling on more mana than any unicorn.
“My god...” The med-tech looked in morbid horror of the mares trauma, the branching scar tissue seemed to encircle her entire primary nervous system.
While this was all well in good... mana was a double-edged sword for unicorns. Higher rates of mental illness ranging from mood and anxiety disorders to schizophrenia and paranoia. They also had a higher rate of early-onset Alzheimer’s, the reasons were slowly realized... when mana would flow into the brain, it was largely piped through vital areas of the brain. Even in low doses, over time mana would steadily cook the brain cells like microwaves. But the effects for the average unicorn wouldn’t be felt until their mid to late 30s...usually.
“Focus the imaging on her brain....” The doctor said while the med-tech started to use the joystick.
Casters Curse was another story altogether; effecting Royal Guard Unicorns and professional Mages. That much mana energy flowing though them brought the onset of those conditions much earlier. They had cases as early as 22, the poor ponies were more of danger to themselves than anything. Frequently getting lost even in their own small rooms, all while mumbling about the ape menace though none of them could remember what they looked like. This condition was so prevalent after the war that they currently had an entire wing of the hospital dedicated too it.
“Now bring up her frontal lobe....” He said pointing on the screen while the med tech-focused the imaging.
It was originally believed that Alicorns were immune to the condition... but from the medical scans and autopsies they did of Celestia... that theory was disproven. They simply had a much higher resistance to it... though that was an understatement. To this day the medical community wasn’t sure how she was even alive and functional with that neurological damage... or what she had done to reach her body’s limit.
“What is this?....” The med-tech asked as they tried to make sense of what they were seeing on the screen.
Luna, when she was found, was assumed to have a similar diagnosis... until they found that her secondary nervous system was completely cauterized. The few remaining Equestrian experts were stumped, only offering educated guesses. The consensus was that for that to happen, her internal system would have to be overwhelmed by a much more powerful caster. Only one individual could have done it... Celestia...
He shook his head. Even working in a psychiatric hospital, that gave him pause. But crippling her sister still wasn’t enough for that mad mare. “See that?” He motioned to the mares prefrontal cortex.
“It looks.... atrophied....” The med-tech said for lack of a better word. “How is that possible?... a mare her age... it should be fully formed.”
“First time seeing Luna I assume?” The doctor asked while the young med-tech nodded.
“Leading theory is her sister used magic to rewrite her into the ideal little sister...” He said while grasping his coffee and taking a sip.
“But... how would that affect her prefrontal cortex?” The med-tech asked curiously.
“Simple... Whatever Celestia did to her, psychologically limited her use of those areas. Much of her frontal lobe is closer to what I would expect from a child rather than a grown adult.” He just sighed sadly.
“Why didn’t she.... you know.... make her hate humans as much as she did? Wouldn’t she want another Alicorn to mirror her opinions and thoughts?” They asked.
“That is the mystery... But if I had to guess. She didn’t want a puppet... she wanted her little sister... So while Luna’s access to her memories and frontal cortex is limited... she still has the same quirks and personality that makes her Luna.” He thought back to the photographs they have of her original room in Canterlot palace. “She practically showered that shell of a mare with toys, candies, and other gifts all just to buy her love. Yet, Luna remembered just enough to fear her as much as the boogieman...”
“Turning your sister into... a filly in a mare's body though?.... how could anyone justify that?....” The med-tech shook their head.
“She was crazy, with her death I doubt we will ever know...” He said sadly, before grasping the microphone for the intercom system. “Isabella? We are finished with the imaging, why don’t you two head to the cafeteria?”
———————————————————
Isabella smiled watching Luna carry her cafeteria tray in her mouth. While it seemed so mundane it was another sign that Luna was recovering. Becoming increasingly independent was a sign she was maturing despite the mental trauma. She still kept an eye on the tray, as a spasm could send the vegetarian chili, cornbread, and coleslaw into the air. Never-mind the rainbow sprinkled cupcake.
“Now which flavor would you like Luna? Chocolate, vanilla, or swirl?” She asked grasping the soft serve machines dispensing handle.
“C-chocolate please....” She said placing her tray down on the counter. She was practically licking her lips in anticipation.
Isabella slowly pulled down the handle filling a small bowl before setting it on the tray carefully. “Can you handle carrying all that by yourself?” She asked a bit worried, it was quite a bit of food to carry after all.
“Mhm....” Luna said taking the tray into her mouth and carefully trotting to a secluded table.
Moving through the cafeteria they passed by numerous patients, ranging from a photophobic earth pony covered in wrappings, to a pegasus rocking side to side with large noise-canceling headphones over their ears. The two of them paid them no mind eventually reaching an empty table in the far corner of the cafeteria. Luna would set her tray down and press it forward a bit before slowly working her way onto the bench.
Isabella eventually sat down to the opposite of Luna watching her fiddle with the spoon. Eventually, she started to slowly work spoonfuls of chili into her mouth. “Luna you’ve made a lot of progress in these last few years.” She said gently while thinking about how to word the oncoming conversation.
“Uh-huh....” Luna mumbled thoughts her mouthful of cornbread, dunking it into the chili before tilting her head back to pull it into her mouth.
Isabella waited until she had swallowed the cornbread and chili before speaking. “You know... Twilight has put in a request to see you...” She let the shoe drop while Luna seemed to pause, her pupils shrinking.
“O-oh?.....” She swallowed nervously but managing to keep some composure. “W-why?....”
“She wants to see you...” Isabella said gently. “Maybe she just wants to get to know you, Luna.”
Luna started to shake her head nervously. “N-no! S-she's coming cause I’m bad! S-she gonna...gonna...” Luna was visibly quivering. “S-she's c-coming for me....”
Isabella's face softened but knew Luna couldn’t hide from the other Alicorns forever. “She’s not going to take you back Luna... I promise Twilight had nothing to do with what happened to you...” She scooted to the other side of the table, comforting the scared mare.
“She’s a-an alicorn...” Luna said shivering as what happened to her all those years ago made her whimper.
“I promise I’ll be there with you... she won’t take you back..” She rubbed the mares back slowly, feeling the wings under the gown twitch.
Luna closed her eyes taking deep breaths like she had been taught to calm herself. “...Y-you promise?...” She swallowed looking up at Isabella, obviously scared. Seeing her nod she looked back down at her tray. “...I’ll... d-do it...”
Isabella smiled, feeling proud of her. “We can bring Glinting Shield fur extra security.” Luna could help but smile at having her favorite guard by her side.
Poor Luna :<
So from what I can gather. Luna was originally against the war, got forcibly "rewired" by Celestia as punishment into a state she could still dote over in her addled mind. Said rewiring was so bad that it's entirely shorted out Luna's magic and left her whole upper body with scars going by the comment of a rough feeling back.
My god celestia really lost mine to that to Luna what horrors did she too
Celestia you censored censored. Now I fear what she did to Cadance and Flurry Heart.
This chapter made me sad, poor woona :(
The black sun, and the broken moon.
Not sure how natural selection works in Equestria, but this unicorn model seems to ...unstable to survive on the long term.
...Uuuuh... Wow... That was... Wow... I got that Celestia went mental, but after this; How long?
Hopefully Luna gets better...
Can't really guess what RD is doing at the moment... Maybe a delivery-pony? And would like to see some non-ponies living... Are Gilda, Zecora or Ember around?
10089539
I think most normal unicorns would live just fine, but the really powerful ones have a higher chance of having mental issues. I think it makes sense that the brighter candle burns faster (in this case the alpha tier unicorns deteriorate quicker, which for 90% of the population will never achieve that power).
Also, they may have training regimens or other supplementary ways to combat this, seeing as old arch mages like star swirl lived long.
10089539
In the past, most people had their kids young, roughly around their early 20’s. So the idea that it would remain an issue for most them a bit later in life isn’t that crazy. So by the time it becomes an issue for most unicorns, they’ve already pumped out a few foals who will likely care for them when it starts to get bad. Keep in mind the symptoms for civilian unicorns aren’t noticed until their 30’s. That’s not the peak of them, it’s the beginning. Royal guard unicorns especially during a war would likely use their magic more consistently and in greater volumes for each combat spell, then say basic levitation that a normal unicorn would use. So by the time the war is over their brains would be more over cooked then a burrito you placed in the microwave mistakenly for 60 minutes instead of 60 seconds.
10089557
Star Swirl I would see more as an outlier honestly, though from the sounds of it he wasn’t able to pass on his unique genes to the next generation. They heavily imply he was “work” oriented, so he might not have found time to have foals.
10089561
Sooo... Shining Armor may have Alzheimer now?
10089632
Well he was having head aches during The Canterlot Wedding, that might not have been just Bug Horse messing with his mind.
10089539
Humans survived just fine while life expectansy was 35, unicorns had a working life of 30, plenty of time to do stuff and have offsprings, so yeah, they would be fine.
10089513
OH NO
10089660
Humans don't have reality bending powers. A senile 70 years old man can't turn you into a frog because his dead mom portrait told him so.
10089814
You assumes all unicorns have Twilights level of training, or Starlights natural talent. From what we have seen most unicorns with no training largely use levitation for small objects.
10089814
Perhaps, but that is just one unicorn, there are plenty young to stop him/her, all have the power, so it evens out.
I'd imagine RD would be pretty spiteful towards everyone, especially herself. Since you said job, her being a wandering vagrant is out of the question.
Reason for that is Loyalty got her dreams destroyed and her friends broken, so a vagrant riding the railways with no loyalty towards anything might seem like a good thing to her.
All until she sleeps. Which would be worse for a Rainbow Dash that's given up on loyalty?
Nightmares of when everything fell apart in the past, everything falling apart now, and the futility that is yet to come?
Or dreams that tell her that she are better than she thinks she is and can still make things better for herself?
As for jobs...
Either a deliverpony (might be illegal deliveries, though), a pit fighter, or back alley brawler.
does anyone having a problem in trying to bookmark in this chapter?
Damn poor Luna also the hell happened to these ponies and what did celestia do for all that to happen?
10117657
Yes, I have a few ideas in the works for those two.
Damn...the camps were horrifying, and what she had the guard doing was awful, but what Celestia did here...to her own sister...just evil. This is pure evil.
Damn.....poor Luna. This poor mare can't seem to catch a break...considering everything she've been through from her past. This is just heartbreaking. Celestia really was a terrible big sister to Luna.
Also I can't help but feel like Glinting Shield was name after a real pony. Maybe Luna's personal bodyguard. Who is no longer among the living after the war.
This chapter of this story is legitimately to single most heartbreaking and sad thing I have ever read.
PERIOD
Poor Luna and wow Celestia really went off the deep end.
What Tyrantlestia did was beyond evil. When she goes to the cafeteria in hell, Hitler, Stalin and Mao get up from the table in disgust.
I’m a huge Celestia fan and reading this made me cry! All I want to do is hold Luna and never let her go.
10322564
Perhaps maybe even a former lover. What from her giving the plush a kiss before leaving.
This was probably the most depressing thing I’ve read as for what rainbow dash’s job is I’d say air traffic control
Don't mind me, I'm just gonna go cry.
She lobotomized her own sister damn that is cold
:(
11166085
Lo más triste es que probablemente Celestia también esté loca por la magia. Dificultades de software en vez de hardware.
I feel like glinting shield is meant to be based off possibly a faint memory of shining armor not to mention I believe he even has a r63 character that has a similar name like glimmerimg or gleaming shield