The Shadow Lands

by kento124

A New Time

“Why can’t we bring our own food?” Vinyl mouthed in complaint. “The food there sucks.”

“Because it would be rude and the hospital doesn’t allow outside food to be brought in for the sake of the patients,” Octavia gave a slight shake of her head at vinyl’s complaining. She has been at it since they left their small apartment to visit the hospital where that stallion lied. He’s been unconscious nearly three weeks now, with no sings to say otherwise.

“Whatever, can we at least grab something edible after the visit?” She asked waving a hoof back and forth in sarcastic manner.

“Fine,” Octavia stated, as the cab sped along, her thoughts began to wander. I wonder who he is. Not even the hospital recorded or the local police couldn't find anything ether. The idea he some illegal immigrant or a spy play in the back of her head. She gave a lite chuckle to the thoughts, Like either could happen.

“So what’s the joke?” returning from her dazing thought, “It seemed like a good one.”

“Oh, just entertaining myself on the thoughts on who are mysterious stallion may be,” she notice Vinyl holding a small smile as she talked. Vinyl has been more protective since she was practically bane from preforming from all the orchestras in canterlot. Without Vinyl being there for her, she probably lost whatever sanity she had long ago.

She continued to play with the thoughts of who the mysterious stallion might be, the sudden jolt from the cab took her and Vinyl by surprise. It’s been very beneficial to have Mr. Timer and his cab to drive them back and forth from the hospital. The fact he kept to his agreement caught Vinyl by surprise, thinking the old stallion would bail.

“My apologies, those politicians barley keep the lower quarter streets in the best condition,” giving a lighthearted chuckle. When they first meet him, he gave the impression of a grumpy old stallion or that's how Vinyl put it, Mister mic cranky pants. But some books could be deceiving, for Old Timer was acutely swell pony. He live a normal life as a cab driver but strangely enough, he had quit the knowledge on classical music.

“Mr. Timer, You never did explain how You knew who I was or any of my work?” The question had been bothering her for some time now. Vinyl’s ears seem to twitch at the question, She probably want to know to. The cab slowed to a halt, thinking it was an intersection.

“Well where to begin,” his tone seemed sarcastic as the sound of soothing tapping came apparent. “It’ll be mostly because of my daughter. She had all ways been one of your hugest fans, even after your retirement.” He sounded out the last word, which she knew was as a joke. Timer’s jokes maybe terrible or corny, Octavia still enjoyed the thought that he’s trying spread some cheer.
Timer continued when the cab speeds up again, “Music was her passion. You were her inspiration to become a musician, though she chose the violin” the cheerful tone of the stallion caught her by surprise.

“See Tavi, there still ponies that love you,” Vinyl stated in a playful tone, giving a foals grin.

“Thank you Mr. Timer,” Octavia said.

“No problem,” Timer said giving a small chuckle . Timer may not have realized it but his words struck deep for Octavia.
For the most part of Octavia’s career, it’s been what most would call as, ‘Smooth sailing.’ But after she met Vinyl and the huge argument with her mother, she notice less and less ponies come for her concerts. At first, she thought it was just her mind playing tricks on her. Even when it came apparent that the crowds kept getting smaller, Octavia thought, it was her way of playing. Sadly, even a change up in tune or playing style didn’t save her.

Shortly after, the sponsors for the Grand Canterlot Orchestra Fired her for ‘A poor performances.’ Vinyl at the time tried her best to keep her sprites up but the thought that most ponies now hated her music filled her heart with dread. It wasn’t until the drunk bragging of her mother on her voice mail one night.

“I don’t even know the reason I’m calling right now. At first, I thought you would just come home in a few days cured of wanting that ‘dirty thin,’” the disgust and slur in her voice was noticeable

“But you keep being brain washed, so I thought ‘Why not a shocky then.’ Thinking that’ heey why not get rid of that blasted music thing. So made a few calls here and there so, now o poof. Now you can be a doctor just like dear old mom. So, when are you going to say something?”

Octavia didn’t dared call her back knowing even in a drunk state, fearing it was true. That night was one of most depressing night in all her life. I took Vinyl nearly seven hours and four bottles of Apple Daniels to comfort her. The only thing worse than that, was the hang over the next morning.

“All right, we have arrived at Canterlot general hospital. Please make sure all your drugs and needles are with you as you exit the vehicle. Pleas have a nice day,” Old Time announced in an overly excited voice. Vinyl gave a confusing glace as Octavia just shook her head. ‘That was a god awful joke even if they were upper classes mares.’

“Thank you for the ride,” she stated in an obviously gruff tone.

“No problem, just give a call when you’ll need me again,” he said, giving them a small wave as they left the cab. Octavia return the wave as Old Timer started off.

“He’s weird,” Vinyl’s comment wasn’t far off from her own ideas but It felt rude just to call him weird. When Octavia took him up on his offer, she had been skeptical if he would hold up to it. Strangely, Old Timer was surprised that she took up his offer saying ‘Usually most mares would say I’m out of their league or beneath them. ’ Between his terrible puns and jokes, he held some general sense of what his costumer is feeling Or At least Octavia thought he did.

“True but that what makes it a fun ride, right?” she said to vinyl. She just shrugged at the comment, thinking not much to it. Octavia sighed, “Shall we go visit our sleeping friend then?” She motioned to the hospital’s entrance only a second later moving to the door with vinyl in toe.

….

The hospital was just as busy as the night three weeks ago. Apparently, there was a huge explosion near the shopping district. Thank fully it was raining that day or the fire would of spread to the nearby apartments. Still from what Octavia read in the morning newspaper, many were hurt from the explosion, with only one fatality. As announcements on the hospitals PA system were made, Octavia, with vinyl in toe, dogged the passing doctors and nurses as the headed to the main desk.

As she walked up noticing a clipboard holding a piece of paper in it, Octavia pick up the nearby pen to sign herself and Vinyl in. Since the receptionist told them during their third visit to just to sign the log in sheet and just head to the room. Octavia thought it was a bit weird but Vinyl just said, Cool less hassle. By the time, she finished signing in; the receptionist gave them a small nod.
“Alright, here to see your friend?” The receptionist asked, casting her gaze solely on Octavia. The question slightly surprised her for the hospital staff let alone the receptionist barely ever questioned Octavia what she was doing here.

“Yes, is there something wrong?” Her own question seemed to take the receptionist aback a bit. It took a second before she realized the tone she used was irritable. Before she could apologies for it, the mare interrupted her before Octavia could speak.

“I’m sorry if it was a bit rude of me but I thought you’ll like to know he’s awake,” she stated. Now Octavia felt a bit ashamed for-Wait did she say he was awake! She repeated the mares answer in her head.

“Awake, that’s cool,” Vinyl’s enthusiastic voice seems to jolt out of nowhere as Octavia quickly turned her glanced to her. Vinyl held a small chuckle at her reaction.

“He has been asking who brought him in, other than that he’s been quite tight lipped,” the mare stated before a hospital nurse walked over and whispered something into her ear. “Alright, visiting hours last till eight. Enjoy your visit,” she finished as she stood up from her chair. Before Octavia, could ask what she meant by ‘Tight lipped’, the mare was gone, following g the nurse down one of long bleach colored hallways.

“Awesome, know we can figure out who he is. My bits are on drug dealer,” Vinyl’s voiced in excitement before she turn to run down the same hallway. The comment on him being tight lipped was lost on her. A ting of worry hit Octavia as she realized what her mare friend was doing.

“Vinyl don’t run in the hospital, you could…” She was too late as the sound of a large crash and a small moan could be heard throughout the hallway.

Xx

Octavia felt lucky they made it to his hospital room while keeping Vinyl in one piece. Other than her being one piece, she was still sore from little trip she had. Octavia still couldn’t believe that she use to live alone. With the way she thinks and act, its surprises Octavia that she still alive some times.

“Well I do hope that left you with the impression not to do that till tomorrow at least,” Octavia stated with an obviously sarcastic tone. Vinyl just grumbled as she rubbed the back of her head with a hoof.

“How should I know the floor was wet,” her tone sounding almost pleading.

“One it was not wet, they just waxed it. Two, the put out a sign saying it was slippery. Third, you slid into a patient’s room. That was beyond being embarrassed,” Octavia could feel the irritation slowly inching its way over her. ”There will be some rectifying for this,” she thought aloud with a slight glance to Vinyl who gulped.

“I apologized for it.” Vinyl sated as her voice now sounded full-fledged pleading. She felt this could be worse that having to play all of Fredric Chopin for breaking one of Octavia’s privet records of his music. She played what she call ‘The most boring music ever written’, for four hours strait. If it weren’t for the gig that night, she would have been stuck in their apartment with no escape from the pianist dreary tones.

“I do have that outfit you gave me from hearts and hooves day,” Octavia stated as to question its existence as she eyed Vinyl who was blushing profusely. Vinyl knew what she meant as to the outfit thinking, you got to be kindling me. Octavia seemed to read her mind as she wore a mischievous grin.

“If you’re going to flirt and make out, could you at lest do it in front of me. I'll will be more entertaining than these bloody magazines,” the voice of a young stallion seemed to halt their thoughts. Octavia blushed at the thought of somepony over hearing them, Vinyl just coughed as she eyed the front of door.

“Well were here so might as well,” Vinyl’s voice gave hint to her nerviness. She proceeded to the open the door before Octavia could object, entering their mysteries colts’ hospital room. Octavia quickly fallowed as to worry what the stallion would do but the site of the colt lying in a bed reading a ‘Hooves an Glamor’ magazine broke that thought.

“Well hello there, I’m guessing you’re the two I heard outside?” The stallion’s voice was a smoothed, with a light charming tone to it. “If you answered my previous question with a yes, I was only joking. Except for these magazines, the only other form of entertainment is the view of a brick wall or this basted thing beeping,” he pointed a hoof to the monitor that sat near his bed.

The young stallion seems to be no worse for ware, fixing his slightly over grown black mane so it sat behind his ear. His bright blue eyes look like they glowed, with the stare he gave was curious. “So who you two might be?”

A bit baffled by his statement, Octavia quickly cleared her throat, “I’m Octavia and this is Vinyl-“

“Are you a drug dealer?” Vinyl’s voice chimed in. Octavia mind stumbled for a second, Did Vinyl really just asked that out loud. She turned to her, seeing her holding a small grin.

“I could be but how did I end up in the alleyway then?” His response to Vinyl’s absurd question caught her even more off guard.

“The deal went south and to clean up they set you on fire,” to Vinyl’s retort, he simply crossed his hooves raising an eyebrow.

“Why did they set me on fire? If they could do that why not just bash my brain in and get it over with.”

“True,” Vinyl paused to catch her thoughts. “However, you could be that arsonist that’s been torching the slums in Philly.”

“I could be,” he stated again as he extended one hoof from his head to side. “Still that would make be a terrible arsonist if I ended up lighting myself on fire now.”

“Well you could be that stalker I’ve been hearing about lately. The mare you were stalking could have light you on fire to escape.”

“I could be but that one would be pushing it-“

Sitting there confused as to what was happening, Octavia couldn’t help but go brain dead and just stare at both of them. She didn’t hear the door open behind her or the step of another pony as he entered. Octavia did however see his light Shadow that surprised her, quickly turn to see who it was.

“My apologies miss Octavia if I scared you,” she came to see it was doctor Tella. She gave a slight chuckle art her jumpiness, feeling the stares of Vinyl and the dark stallion.

“It’s quite all right doctor Te-“

“T, theirs a letter T in your name,” the stallion yelled across the room surprising her once again.

“Yes there is a letter T in it but do you remember the whole thing yet?” After he asked, a small chuckle came from him as he look at the stallion, which seemed to be in what looked like deep thought. Octavia and Vinyl both turned to the doctor, who just smile at their questionable looks. Doctor Tella’s smile slowly dropped but from what Octavia could tell his voice still seem friendly.

“Miss Octavia,” he started with his gaze solely on her. “If you don’t mind, could we talk outside for a bit? It’s nothing big, just need to ask a few things is all,” Tella’s gaze soon look to vinyl who was eyeing him back. “Vinyl why not stay here and get to know him better? I bet you two could really get along,” at that, his grin return.

Something he wants to ask me? the thought alone made her feel a little uneasy. Could this have something to do with him, glancing over to him.

“Go ahead Tavi, I’ll just chill here,” the reassuring nod helped a bit but it was still a little bit un nerving as she looked back to the doctor, giving her own nod in agreement. On their way out of the room, Vinyl’s questionable teas was apparent.

“So do you remember my friends’ name?”

....

The silence of the vacant hospital’s hallways gave somewhat an awkward feeling as she and doctor Tella exited the room. With the door signifying its closing with a click, Tella turn to face Octavia with a look that worried her. His smile was replaced with what look like a confusing frown, as his voice sound apologetic.

“I do apologies for putting you in this position but,” his voice trailed off as did his eye.

“But,” she mimicked.

“Well, from what you could see he seems perfectly healthy right?” She was a bit confused by what meant by ‘seems’ but continued him on with a small nod. “You see he has amnesia so,” pausing to see Octavia’s reaction. The feeling of relief started to fill her when the realization of that word hit.

“Amnesia?”

“Yes, I know it sounds weird but that's what he has now. I’ve seen it before back when I was a interim at the hospital in Mainhattan. Its usually due to a traumatic event or such but a case like his I’ve never seen before,” the relief that stated to fill he was gone, replaced by general concern. How can there be strange cases of amnesia?

“Most can’t remember the event anything connected to it, for him its different. He can’t remember a single thing before you found him, not even his own name. He does have some basic knowledge of how things work but even that is a bit sketchy. For example, he didn’t know what a heart monitor is or that the big ball of fire in the sky was called a sun.”

Octavia knew where he was going with this, though the point he was making was still surprising. He didn't remember the sun? That though sent a shiver down her spine. She soon found a clipboard floating in front of her; she already knew what it was.

“You could probably guess this all ready but because you signed off on being his care give and by law, amnesia is consider being a physical and mental illness. Therefore, I took the liberty of scheduling some appointments at a nearby psychologist office for the next two months. The first one is next Monday. You will be pay for any medical expenses of his that happen to him in your care. You can sign the release papers when your ready to leave,” he explained even if she knew half of it already.

Amnesia, just great! Another thing added to the growing list of problems, her displeasure seemed to show as she sign the release document. When she finished signing Octavia gave a deep long sigh before asking Tella a particular question.

“Mr. Tella, when will they be processed and him being fully discharged?”

“He can be,” he picked up the clipboard and glanced to a clock on the nearby wall. “At 1:52 pm, he is discharged,” his stale smile return for the third time. “We can process Caregiver ahead of time to limit the inconveniences it causes, now if you excuse me. I must get back to checking on the other patients.”

“Others?” Octavia uttered the word with even realizing it.

“Yes, I’m assuming you heard of the accident down on Lunar Ave, right?”

“The explosion that happen three weeks ago,” she knew it only because of the morning paper. The explosion was unknown but the royal guard is stating it was an accident and not some terrorist attack or something. ”I heard only twenty or so ponies were hurt.”

“Truth be told there was nearly one-hundred seventeen injured ponies but now there’s eighty-nine,” the dread in his voice said it all. “They change the number to avoid panic but- I’ll just be getting back to my rounds now.” Before she could say anything, he quickly entered the adjacent patients’ room leaving her in the hallway with her thoughts.

So many, was the recurring thought as she slowly turn back to the stallions room with Vinyl inside. Maybe he was caught up in the explosion and somehow wondered… down twelve city blocks, in the down pouring rain, without anyone noticing him? She paused abruptly before entering, was that possible?

“It starts with Oct,” she entered to the site of Vinyl grinning like an idiot and the stallion in deep thought. “Oct, Octane? Its Octane right?” Was he trying to guess my name? confused by what she was hearing, looked to Vinyl for clarification.

“Wrong,” lifting her front leg into the air to make an X’s. “Dose she look like heavy rock?” At that, he throw both of his hooves in defeat. “So Tavi, what did the Doc say?”

“Good thing you two are getting along because we get to keep him,” Vinyl gave are you kiding look. Sadly for her and Octavia, she wasn’t.

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