Walker National Psychiatric Hospital

Case Reports – Patients EoH1-9

Reporting Physician: Dr. Jonathan K. Spires

File 29: The Difference Between Dreams and Reality – Section 1

All noted names of the patients connected to a certain franchise are properties of their original owners, used without permission for non-profit reasons.

Author's Note: I've actually had this chapter in mind long before I knew the fanfiction Asylum ever existed. So this chapter is NOT a reference to that fanfic. Just letting everyone know.

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Morning...

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Twilight Sparkle woke up with a start, finding herself trapped. She felt a blankness where her magic should be, as if it was never there at all. She tried to move, but found her upper body bound in a tight, confining coat that pulled her arms behind her.

Wait, arms?

Twilight Sparkle looked herself over. She had somehow become human again, she recognized the body shape from her time in the other world. She wore plain, white pants and no shoes, a thick white restraining jacket with the sleeves wrapped around her back keeping her arms immobilized. Her skin was different from the other world. It didn't have her pleasant lavender hue to it, it was a darkly tanned color, similar to the BLU team's skin colors if she remembered the time in Sniper's mind correctly.

She looked around, finding herself in a thickly padded cell, with a thick, plexiglass door on the front of it. In the reflection of the glass she could see her face, see that her eyes were the same color, which was something at least. Although her hair was now black with a blonde streak on her bangs.

"Okay... calm down, Twilight... You can think your way out of this..." she said softly, looking around the room. No sharp edges, nothing to cut her bonds with, her arms pinned, and the single window was lined with the same thick glass the others were, and far out of jumping range. Just thickly padded walls everywhere.

She REALLY missed her wings right now...

A young man with light brown hair, wearing nurse's scrubs came up to her door. "Good morning, Ms. Sparks. How are we doing today? Any new adventures to tell me about?" he said, pressing an intercom button just outside her cell.

Twilight, nervous, backed up against the wall. "Who are you? Why have you changed me to this form?"

The young man's eyes widened. "To... to this form?" A surprisingly hopeful expression came to the man's face. "Ms. Sparks, what do you think you are right now?"

"A human, obviously," Twilight said. "And my name is PRINCESS Twilight Sparkle. Whatever you've done to me, Equestria will..."

The young nurse ran off, grinning widely. He went to the cell across from hers, which Twilight hadn't noticed before. In it was a terrified young woman with bright red hair, tears streaming down her face, wrapped up in a straight jacket like Twilight's. It took Twilight a moment to realize that the woman was actually Pinkie Pie.

This is bad... Twilight said. Have we all been captured?

Twilight couldn't hear what was being said to Pinkie, but she could see Pinkie slump in her padded cell, the nurse running down the hall. Several other nurses, male and female, followed him soon after. Pinkie noticed Twilight for the first time, and crawled up to the door of her cell, giving Twilight a pleading look.

Twilight grinned weakly, and mouthed the words "It'll all be okay." Pinkie Pie smiled weakly, still crying.

She prayed she wasn't lying.

A few minutes later, the nurse from before, as well as thickly built guardswoman wielding a nightstick, pepper spray, and a tazer, opened her door and Pinkie Pie's.

"Trisha Sparks and Patricia Parker, come with us please," the guard said, motioning for them to come out of their cells. Pinkie Pie looked to Twilight, who just nodded, both women stepping out of their cells and standing next to the guard.

Behind them, more doors were opening, and more and more humans that resembled ponies she knew were being led out, all wrapped in restraint jackets, as she was, all of them looking confused and frightened beyond belief. And to her horror, some of them were foals.

"Rayne Boden and Abigail Jackson, come with us please." Rainbow Dash glared at her captors, the sight of the stun gun the only thing keeping her from lashing out. Applejack's legs, more muscular than most, were bound as well, necessitating aid from the guard. She rewarded his help with an angry glare.

"Rachel Diamant and Felicia Shire, come with us please." Rarity, ever poised even when scared, let herself be led out of the room, not looking at the guard. Fluttershy whimpered softly, shying away from the guard's touch, giving Twilight a pleading look.

"Deidra Horton and Zelda Carrol, come with us please." Derpy Hooves looked around frantically, trying to figure out what was going on, while Zecora simply glared at her captors, wriggling every so often to test the strength of her bonds.

"Beatrix Lamont and Chelsea Lee, come with us please." Trixie, to Twilight's surprise, seemed almost amused by what was happening, while Cheerilee frantically looked down the hall, having noticed foals in some of the cells and wanting to make sure they were okay. And on and on more were brought out, the names only vaguely familiar.

"MacDonald Jackson and Geraldine Smith-Jackson, come with us please." Big Macintosh glared at his captors, the blonde-haired, towering young man glancing worriedly at the confused, frightened-looking older woman being led out of the cell across from him. Granny Smith thankfully wasn't in a straight jacket like the others, the guard helping her along.

"Blossom Jackson and Selena Diamant, come with us please." Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle clung to each other almost immediately after being released, not looking at their guards. The two gave their sisters pleading looks, the older women unable to think of anything to say.

"Skeeter Lee Boden and Simon 'Spike' Sparks, come with us please." Scootaloo and Spike tried to resist and first, but glares from the armed guards quailed them. The two traded nervous looks, glancing up at Twilight and Rainbow Dash, who just smiled worriedly.

"Diana Trenton Richmond and Sylvia Spartan, come with us please." Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon clung to each other as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle did, Diamond Tiara using her years of skilled bullying to throw every insult she could think of at the guards. They ignored her.

"Layla Hartman and Bonnie Sweet, come with us please." Lyra and Bon Bon ran to each other, embracing as best they could before the guards could stop them. The nurse nearby whispered to them and convinced them to let the couple stay together.

"Victoria Scranton and Octavia Morgan, come with us please." Vinyl Scratch and Octavia's presence worried Twilight. The two weren't even in Ponyville and they were taken as well? For their part, they just let themselves be led out, casting wary glances at everyone else, Vinyl visibly frightened and lacking her trademark sunglasses.

"Belladonna Shire and Harold Brighton, come with us please." Barricade and Harbinger both let themselves be led out, the two walking with military precision despite their bonds, glaring murderously at the guards. Barricade relaxed a little when she saw Fluttershy further up the hall, but didn't drop her ready stance.

"Brianna Parks and Crystal Fisk, come with us please." Berry Punch was frantically looking around for Ruby Pinch, barely listening to the guard who assured her that she was all right. It took a moment for Twilight to place the dark-skinned, black-haired woman with the homicidal expression on her face, but when she realized that it was Queen Chrysalis, she felt her blood run cold.

"Armand Sparks and Governor Candace Washington, come with us please." Fear gripped Twilight's heart as she saw her brother and sister-in-law, Shining Armor and Princess Cadence, get led out of their cells. Both were arguing fiercely with their guards, who just ignored them and made them get in line.

"President Celeste Washington and Vice-President Lina Washington, come with us please."

Twilight felt her brain shut down in panic at the mention of those two names, missing the announcement of the others. The guards led out Princess Luna and Princess Celestia, the last gagged as well and struggling fearfully in her bonds, trashing about and screaming.

Twilight wanted to go to her, to try and comfort her. But the guards pushed her forward, leading them into a large auditorium. One by one, guards with gas grenade launchers and sniper rifles loaded tranquilizer rounds perched in the upper rafters watching everything, everyone was let out of their straight jackets, the doctor insisting they weren't needed anymore. There was some confusion at first as everyone tried to figure out who everyone was. But once they did, families began reuniting. Spike immediately went to Twilight's side. Fluttershy's parents joined her, while Sweetie Belle and Rarity hugged each other tightly. Derpy, Sparkler, and Dinky didn't waste time joining each other, neither did Berry Punch and her daughter. The Apples closed ranks immediately, Rainbow Dash going over to comfort Scootaloo. Princess Celestia, panicked and fearful, clung like a frightened child to Princess Luna, who glared down at the figure on the platform in the middle of the room. Several ponies she recognized as royal guards formed ranks around the royals. The Cakes, shivering in fear, went over to sit with Pinkie Pie, who fidgeted nervously in her seat.

Twilight did a quick headcount, and was horrified to notice that everyone from Ponyville, as well as several prominent people from Canterlot, Manehattan, and other places were here, all apparently patients at... whatever this place was.

The man in a doctor's coat, his face partially covered by long bangs and a thick beard, stepped up to a podium, grabbing a microphone. He smiled warmly. "Hello everyone," he said. "My name is Doctor Mark Adrian. I understand we've had a bit of a breakthrough today. You've all realized you're human."

"We've realized what we've been turned into," Princess Luna said, glowering at him. "I presume you are responsible for this?"

Dr. Adrian just smiled. "For the past few years, all of you have been operating under the delusion that you are 'ponies,' or a similar magical creature. Some regular ponies, some flying ponies, some even capable of magic, a zebra here and there, a dragon, 'changelings...' We've been treating you here, at the Walker National Psychiatric Hospital here in Porterville, where most of you lived."

"Ponyville," Mayor Mare said, glaring at him. "It's called Ponyville."

"Of course," Dr. Adrian said condescendingly. "We've had almost no success with any of you so far, but this... this is a definite breakthrough. We've broken through your delusions of ponyhood. And now we can start the healing, restore your real memories."

Applejack stood up. A guard moved to make her sit down again, but Dr. Adrian waved him off. Applejack sneered. "Y'all are saying our memories ain't real?"

Dr. Adrian nodded. "I am, Miss Jackson."

Applejack rubbed her nose. "Prove it. Show me that what ah remember is a lie."

Dr. Adrian just sighed. "Are you sure you want me to go down this road before you're ready? Before your little sister is ready?"

Applejack glared at him. "Ah ain't goin' along with any of this until y'all prove that what ah remember is fake."

Dr. Adrian nodded. "Miss Jackson... what are your parents' names?"

Applejack sneered at him and started to answer... and then froze. A confused, frightened look came to her face as she lowered her head, trying desperately to think of the names of her parents. Big Macintosh, Granny Smith, and Apple Bloom all got similar looks on their faces when they realized they couldn't remember either.

"You tricked them," Rarity said, flexing her right arm, which was completely organic. "You blanked their memories."

"When's your birthday?" Dr. Adrian asked her.

Rarity froze for a moment, her mind blanking as she tried to think of the date, and looked away, hugging Sweetie Belle even tighter.

Twilight shook her head. "This... you're making all of this up. I still remember the adventures my friends and I had together! The things we've done! All of those feel real to me!"

Dr. Adrian smiled at her. "Do you remember what you did in-between these adventures?" he asked.

Twilight began to sweat. She probed her mind, trying to think of what she did do... and found nothing. There were large gaps in her memory.

Dr. Adrian sighed. "Let me show you the source of your delusions, everyone," he said, gesturing to a boxed-in room behind the bleachers. A screen lowered on the side of the room the patients were watching. The sound of a camera started up, the show starting as the screen fully lowered. And as the show started, all of the gathered patients could do was watch in growing horror.

"My Little Pony, My Little Pony!"

"Ahh ahh ahh ahh ahhhhhh!/My Little Pony!"

"I used to wonder what friendship could be!/My Little Pony!"

"Until you all shared its magic with me!"

"Big adventure!"

"Tons of fun!"

"A beautiful heart!"

"Faithful and strong!"

"Sharing kindness!"

"It's an easy feat!"

"And magic makes it all complete!"

"Yes, My Little Pony!"

"Don't you know you're all my very best friends?"

Five episodes played, enough to leave every patient there looking visibly shattered by what they saw.

"Are... are you saying... that everything we remember... is from this KIDS SHOW?!" Rainbow Dash said, pacing back and forth nervously.

"Think about it, Miss Boden," Dr. Adrian said. "Fantasy adventures, like the Daring Do series the Rainbow Dash character is so fond of. Moral lessons at the end of almost each adventure. Rainbows and sorcery and scary monsters. Magical princesses that live in a big fancy castle on the mountains. Doesn't that sound like something a young child would enjoy?"

"I... " Rainbow Dash stammered, unable to find the words. She collapsed back into her seat, unable to think of anything else to say.

Dr. Adrian gave them all a sympathetic smile. "There was a chemical accident three years ago in Porterville. A local textile plant blew up, releasing powerful hallucinogenic chemicals into the air that affected the minds of everyone in town. Including, unfortunately, the visiting President and Vice-President. We've let you retain your titles here, although you've long been replaced in office since then."

Celestia just shivered, whimpering and muttering to herself. Luna glared at Dr. Adrian, stroking her sister's hair. "It seems a mockery to do so," she said, "to call 'madwomen' by their lost titles, sirrah."

Dr. Adrian nodded. "Point taken. It was merely meant to be a gesture of respect. While in office, you two have done a lot for this country in terms of civil rights and benefits for the poor. Your successors, thankfully, have carried on your good work."

"What does any of this have t'do with the dang CARTOON!?" Applejack screamed, frustration evident in her voice.

"Calm down, please," Dr. Adrian said. "There was a convention in town at the same time as the accident. Fanfiction readings, fanart shows, and screenings of various episodes of the show were going on. We believe that the mind-altering chemicals caused all of your minds to lock onto the show somehow, becoming the characters."

"That's not how mind-altering chemicals work!" shouted a patient whom Twilight recognized as Nurse Redheart from Ponyville General Hospital. She then went into a lengthy explanation of how psychotropic drugs worked.

"Normally, that would be true, Nurse Redmond," Dr. Adrian said, nodding. "But the explosion was caused by a methamphetamine lab in the chemical plant that was being operated there illegally. They were experimenting with several new types of meth there. As best we can figure after testing, the combination of the meth and the chemicals caused your delusions."

The gathered patients all looked at each other nervously. A mustached man that Twilight recognized after a moment as Fancypants stood up and said, "This... this is ridiculous! Terrifying memory gaps aside, I think we'd know if everybody here had lived false lives. We're ponies. I know we are!"

Dr. Adrian just folded his arms and sighed. "If you are, Mr. Patton, then why are you using human movements, pronouns, and gestures as if you've been doing so you're entire lives?"

Every patient froze, looking down at themselves. The way they were sitting or standing, the way they were carrying themselves... it all felt natural to them. No uneasiness at all. Everyone traded worried looks, talking amongst themselves.

Only Trixie seemed unconcerned. She folded her arms, chuckling softly. "Bravo, my good doctor," she said softly, glaring at Dr. Adrian. "BraVO."

Dr. Adrian didn't notice. "I think, for now, we'll let you all go back to your cells. The straight jackets won't be needed anymore, I think."

Derpy hugged her daughters. "What about those of us with families here?" she demanded, others speaking up as well.

"For now we need to keep everyone separate," Dr. Adrian said, frowning. "Now that you all are in recovery and believe you're human again, we can allow interaction with each other in the recreation areas. And depending on how therapy progresses, we'll allow families to stay together in each other's cells."

"My babies..." Mrs. Cake said, frantic. "What happened to my babies?! Where are they, who's taking care of them?!"

Dr. Adrian's expression became pained. "I... I'm sorry, Mrs. Carter. But you don't have any children. You were diagnosed as sterile ten years ago," he said.

Pinkie Pie's face whipped over to Mrs. Cake, the chubby woman standing there, frozen, not noticing Mr. Cake's hand on her shoulder. "No... I... I remember them! I do! My little Pumpkin and Pound... I remember holding them, nursing them, I...!" she cried.

Dr. Adrian bit his lip. "Do you?" he asked.

Mrs. Cake stood there, as frozen as the grave. She tried to recall the warmth, the memories... but the only memories she had of having children... were brief little incidences... like the kind you'd find on a children's show. She couldn't remember giving birth, couldn't remember nursing them.

The memories were gone. As if they weren't there at all.

She collapsed, sobbing, into Mr. Cake's arms, both he and Pinkie Pie giving Dr. Adrian murderous looks.

Dr. Adrian sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry. But it's best for you to face the harshest realities now," he said. "Not doing so would do nothing to aid in your recovery."

"You could have at least broken it to her more gently," Fluttershy said softly, nuzzling into her mother's muscular chest.

"How?" Dr. Adrian asked her. Fluttershy shivered, having no answer.

Numb, feeling defeated, the gathered patients let themselves be led back to their cells. Dr. Adrian gave them all what he felt was an encouraging smile, getting only glares in return.

Twilight was the last to pass Dr. Adrian. As she did, he heard him say to a nurse, "I think we'll do individual therapy sessions at first. We'll start with the ones who think they're the 'Elements of Harmony,' including those three that have imagined up 'new' elements, as well as President Washington."

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Later that day...

Twilight's room...

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Twilight sat huddled in the corner of her padded cell, shivering softly. She tried desperately to think of everything that happened in between her adventures, little, mindless things. But all she could recall is the adventures. And the more she thought about them, the more she realized that she wasn't seeing the adventures from the pony's perspective.

It was as if...

...she was remembering a TV show...

Dr. Adrian knocked on her door, a guard opening it and following him in.

Twilight glared at him. "What do you want?" she muttered.

"To help you, Ms. Sparks," Dr. Adrian said, sitting on the floor with her.

"Doctor, I can get you some chairs..." the guard started to say, Dr. Adrian waving him off.

"It's fine, it's fine. Best we talk on the same level, right?" the doctor said, smiling at Twilight, who just looked away. Dr. Adrian sighed. "Miss Sparks..."

"That's not my name..." she said softly.

"MS. SPARKS," Dr. Adrian said insistently. "We aren't going to get anywhere if you shut me out. I want to help you, help you recover your real memories."

Twilight scowled. "Real memories..." she said softly. "How do I know that these aren't the fakes?"

Dr. Adrian nodded. "Then perhaps you could explain to me the principals of this illusion. You are, after all, the Element of Magic, a Princess of Equestria, and one of the most magically learned ponies around," he said, smiling. The guard started to speak up in protest, but Dr. Adrian hushed him.

It should have been easy. She had been studying magic her entire life. She should have been able to piece together every single element of this illusion.

Except she couldn't remember a single tidbit about magic. None of the principles, none of the spells, none of the history. It was all gone...

Twilight turned away from him again, shivering softly. Dr. Adrian sighed, pulling out a file. "Trisha Sparks, head librarian for the Porterville Public Library. Divorced mother of one..."

Twilight blinked. "Wait... divorced? Mother? What are you talking about?"

Dr. Adrian pulled several pictures out the file he was carrying, looking at them and sighing. "We... we took in several of each patient's personal belongings. We hoped to use them to help integrate them back into reality once we broke through the pony illusion. You were married, to a police officer named Frank "Flash" Sunderland. He cheated on you the entire time, and divorced you when you were pregnant with Spike..."

Twilight's eyes widened. "Spike... my son!?" she said. But even as she said, she felt flashes of memory come to her. Flashes of a party, hosted by Pinkie... by Patricia Parker, of a young boy happily hugging a purple dragon plushie, of standing up for her son against bullies teasing him at school... Just flashes, never full memories. But they felt real... more real than her memories of 'Ponyville...'

Dr. Adrian smiled, holding out the pictures. One was of Twilight, her stomach round and gravid with child, her five friends gathered around her and hugging her happily. Another was of her in the hospital, cradling a squalling infant with light black hair. Another was of her and Spike in a library, a proud smile on her face as he read his first book. The fourth picture was of Twilight and an older Spike standing beside a tall, blonde woman in a suit, Princess Celestia, as she campaigned for President.

Twilight stroked the pictures gently, a slow smile spreading over her face. These images... they felt real. They felt right.

But...

"I don't know..." Twilight said, throwing the pictures down and sighing. "I just... this is so much to take in... I'm not sure what to believe... Plus, it feels like I'm forgetting so much..."

Dr. Adrian smiled. "Keep the pictures," he said, standing up. "As for what you're forgetting, Trisha, that's your real past. If you're thinking it's the magical knowledge, then consider this – we know how to do so many things in dreams. And dreams fade when we finally wake up."

Twilight just stared at him as he left, going over to Pinkie Pie's cell. She frowned, mulling over what he said.

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Pinkie's room...

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"Hello Patricia," Dr. Adrian said as he went into her room and sat down, the guard following. "Or do you prefer Patty?"

Pinkie Pie just looked away, shivering. "I prefer Pinkie Pie..."

Dr. Adrian frowned. "Oh? Why's that?"

"Because..." she said softly, "that's the only thing I have memories of..."

Dr. Adrian scratched his chin. "Memories aren't usually viewed in third person perspective, are they?"

Pinkie Pie shivered. "How do you know that..."

Dr. Adrian chuckled. "From the way you described your 'adventures' before. Everything you described was told as if you saw it from a third person perspective, seeing things you shouldn't have if you were looking through Pinkie Pie's eyes," he said.

Pinkie Pie sniffed, whimpering. "This doesn't make any sense... First I was a pony, and now... Why can't I remember anything beyond the adventures?"

"We go for many different adventures in our dreams, Patty," Dr. Adrian said softly. "But when we wake up, the dreams fade away."

Pinkie Pie stared at him, confused and fearful. "It was all... a dream?"

Dr. Adrian chuckled. "Not all of it. You, Ms. Jackson, Ms. Sparks, Ms. Boden, Ms. Diamant, Ms. Shire, Ms. Carrol, Mrs. Horton, and Ms. Lamont are truthfully all the best of friends, and Ms. Sparks and Ms. Lamont didn't get along at first. And you were one of the best party planners in the nation, matched only by your friend and rival, a mister..." Dr. Adrian paused to look though the files. "Ah. Here we go. Mr. Chester Sanderson." He pulled out a picture, showing it to her.

Pinkie Pie reluctantly took the picture, staring at it. It was a picture of her self and a human with wild, unkempt brown hair, both of them with goofy smiles on their faces. In an instant, memories passed through her, of Patricia Parker and Chester Sanderson working together to throw a birthday party for Rayne Boden, which was also a combination of the anniversary she first moved to Porterville...

"I believe that when I showed you that picture while you were still in your delusions, you referred to him as 'Cheese Sandwich.' Personally I feel that he looks like a young Weird Al Yankovich, but that's just me," Dr. Adrian said.

Pinkie Pie blinked. "Who?"

Dr. Adrian blinked, and then chuckled. "Oh my. He was one of your favorite artists! You're going to have a FUN time reintroducing yourself to him and his music."

Pinkie Pie giggled a little.

"There we go," Dr. Adrian said. "I like to see smiles on my patients. REAL smiles." He stood up and stretched. "I'm going to talk to your other friends. In the meantime, I wonder if you'd consider putting together a party for everyone tomorrow? A 'Congratulations-We're-All-Starting-To-Go-Sane-Again' party, if you will. I'll let you handle the details."

Pinkie Pie smiled. Planning a party did sound nice... "You sure that's okay, letting a patient do that?" she asked.

Dr. Adrian smirked. "I own the facility. My building, my rules. Besides, I don't think you're all dangerous, and the guards are armed to the teeth besides," he said, turning to leave. "Also... you hosted a party for my young nephew one time. It was the most fun he'd ever had... and the most fun I ever had also. I'd love to experience that again."

Pinkie Pie smiled, but in her mind she was still troubled...

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Rainbow Dash's room...

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"FUCK YOU," Rainbow Dash said as Dr. Adrian stepped into the room, the brown-haired woman with a colorful red streak in her hair clenching her fists tightly. The guard growled, and started to grab for his tazer, but Dr. Adrian slapped his hand away, glaring at him.

"WAIT OUTSIDE," he said. The guard protested, but Dr. Adrian just glared at him until he left. He then nodded to Rainbow Dash and sat down on the floor of her cell, Rainbow Dash pacing around nervously.

"Ms. Boden," Dr. Adrian began.

"Rainbow Dash," the tan haired woman snapped, not stopping her pacing.

"Ms. Boden," Dr. Adrian said again, Rainbow Dash snorting. "I assure you that you are in no danger here."

"Why can't I remember the Wonderbolts? I can't remember any of their names except for Spitfire, Soarin, and Fleetfoot," Rainbow Dash demanded.

"Because those were the only three named in the show," Dr. Adrian said softly.

"Fuck you," she snapped, visibly scared.

Dr. Adrian pulled out a file. "It's interesting that your delusions latched on to Rainbow Dash, considering your fear of heights..."

Rainbow Dash laughed at this. "Me? Afraid of being in the sky? You gotta try harder than that!"

Dr. Adrian just looked at her, quirking an eyebrow. "Willis, would you go get the stepladder from the broom closet near the entrance to the holding cells?"

The guard, Willis, frowned but nodded. Dr. Adrian just turned to her, smiling.

Rainbow Dash glared at him suspiciously. "What are you up to?"

"An experiment," Dr. Adrian said. The guard came back a few minutes later with the tall stepladder, setting it up outside the cell. Dr. Adrian gestured to it, smiling. "Climb as high as you can go, please."

Rainbow Dash stared at him worriedly. She looked at the guard, debated her chances of running past him... and then shook her head, sighing and heading for the ladder. She started to climb, going up one step, two steps, three steps...

...and then suddenly, she began to get dizzy. Fear settled into her heart as the world spun around her, Rainbow Dash clutching the ladder tightly. Dr. Adrian helped her climb back down, Rainbow Dash sitting in the corner of the room, curling into a fetal position. Dr. Adrian sighed, having the guard take the ladder away as he looked down at Rainbow Dash.

"Acrophobia," she said softly, remembering the term from one of Twilight's 'nerd sessions.' "I have acrophobia."

"Severe acrophobia," Dr. Adrian said. "Ever since you were in a plane crash, one that killed your fiancee. Thankfully, it didn't do anything to endanger your pregnancy..."

Rainbow Dash looked up with a start. "What, wait, WHAT?!" she stammered. "Pregnancy? I've never..."

"Skeeter Lee. I believe that she took on the persona of the character 'Scootaloo,'" Dr. Adrian said.

Rainbow Dash's eyes widened. Flashes of memories passed through her head, of looking at herself in the mirror while rubbing her swollen belly, of nursing a red-haired baby, of watching with pride as she rode her first scooter... She shuddered, uncertain of what to think.

"This... this doesn't make any sense..." Rainbow Dash said softly.

"It will in time, Rayne," Dr. Adrian said. "You'll see." He stood up and walked out of the room, leaving Rainbow Dash alone with her thoughts as she tried to make sense of her memories...

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Applejack's room...

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"Whatever y'all are selling," Applejack said, glaring at Dr. Adrian as he came in, "Ah ain't buyin.' Ah saw what happened to Dashie." Her arms were folded, her long blonde hair draped over one shoulder.

"Mrs. Boden is dealing with her memories of the past returning, such as the death of her fiancee. I believe she spent a lot of time at Sweet Apple Acres during her period of mourning, yes?" Dr. Adrian said.

Applejack flinched as she felt a rush of memories come to her, of sharing an apple cider with Rayne Boden as she sobbed into her friend's arms. She shook off the memory, trying and failing to dismiss it as false.

Dr. Adrian smiled, and called the guard in. He had him go fetch something from the kitchen, Dr. Adrian returning his attention to Applejack as he left.

"You said Sweet Apple Acres..." Applejack said warily. "That's the same name as in the show."

Dr. Adrian nodded. "A coincidence, albeit an amusing one. Your grandmother was debating suing the show for copyright infringement at first, but the show brought in a great deal of new business, so she was convinced otherwise."

Applejack just snorted, still pacing around in frustration. "This... this just don't feel right," she said. "This all should feel like a lie t'me, but..."

"But the longer you spend here, the more the pony memories seem like the fake ones," Dr. Adrian said softly. Applejack shivered.

"Ah don't know what t'think, Doc," she said. "One moment ah'm happy with m'sister, brother, and Granny, and then ah'm locked up in the looney bin and some pretty boy's tellin' me that mah entire life that ah thought ah knew was a lie!"

Dr. Adrian reached for her, intent on taking her hand. Applejack jerked away, glaring at him suspiciously. Dr. Adrian just smiled.

Applejack shook her head. "So... Um... Who's runnin' the farm while the four of us are in here? One of m'cousins?"

"Your parents. George and Mary Jane," Dr. Adrian said.

Applejack froze. "No... No... No, that's not right. Mah folks are dead," she said, shaking her head fiercely.

Dr. Adrian's expression became pained. "Abigail... Your parents have been here every other day to see you, Mac, Blossom, and your grandmother."

"No..." Applejack said, shaking her head and covering her ears, backing into the corner of the room. "It... It cain't be... the chimera..."

"Isn't real, Abigail," Dr. Adrian said, smiling warmly. "Chimeras are creatures of myths and legend. They've never existed. Your parents are alive... and they're coming to see you tomorrow."

Applejack looked up at Dr. Adrian's face, a mix of hope, fear, disbelief and confusion passing through her thoughts. She curled up into a fetal position, pressing her head into her arms and crying, unsure of what to think. Dr. Adrian, sensing she wouldn't get anything else out of her, turned and left. The guard came back, carrying an apple pie.

Dr. Adrian shook his head. "I don't think we'll actually be needing that," he said. "Take it to the staff lounge instead."

The guard looked into Applejack's room. "You sure, Doc?"

Dr. Adrian nodded. "I'm certain, Rufus. She's not going anywhere, and I have six more patients to talk to."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Rarity's room...

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Rarity, sitting cross-legged on the floor of her cell, flexed and unflexed her hand, staring at it absently. When her cell door opened, she jumped, startled.

Her eyes held a suspicious glare, but she put on a winning smile as Dr. Adrian came in. "Do forgive me, doctor. You have me at something of a disadvantage, so I cannot properly prepare for your visit," she said.

Dr. Adrian chuckled. "I think we can dispense with the formalities in this instance, Ms. Diamant. Or would you prefer Rachel?"

"I'd prefer Rarity, honestly," Rarity said, fidgeting uncomfortably and playing with a ringlet of coal black hair. "Although that is a very pretty name. What does Diamant mean?"

"It's French," Dr. Adrian said. "It means 'Diamond.' Appropriate, considering the character who's persona you took on."

"Indeed..." Rarity said, her smile faltering. She looked down at her arm, flexing her hand again.

Dr. Adrian frowned. "What's wrong?"

"The last thing I remember... is losing my... my arm, I guess," Rarity said softly. "I can't remember the circumstances behind it, but there was... tremendous, crushing pain... a woman made of crystal, comforting me as best she could... and her creator made a new arm for me, a prosthetic... it worked better than my old one..." Rarity said, scrunching her face up as she tried to remember the face of the crystal woman and her creator.

"Interesting," Dr. Adrian said. "Were you Rarity in this memory?"

Rarity nodded. Dr. Adrian looked thoughtful. "...It's possible that the 'memory' was actually reality starting to intrude on your pony mind. The crystal woman, did she look angelic to you?"

Rarity nodded again, folding her arms and looking confused. "Yes... She had a strong sense of innocence about her..."

Dr. Adrian nodded. "Nurses sometimes can project that image. And the crushing pain... that would have been the car crash that killed your parents."

Rarity went wide-eyed, paling visibly. "W-Wait a moment..." she said. "My parents..."

Dr. Adrian cringed. "I'm afraid so, Ms. Diamant. Your parents, Maximillion and Marsha, were both killed in a car crash while your little sister, Selena, was still a baby. You've been taking care of her ever since."

Rarity's hand went to her mouth. She fell to her hands and knees, tears streaming down her face. "No... Mother and Father..." she said softly. "It can't be..."

She wanted to deny it. But even as she said it, flashes of a car crash went through her head, memories of an accident that killed her mother instantly, her father, critically wounded, pulling her and her infant sister out of the car, dying before the ambulance could get there.

Dr. Adrian reached out to her to comfort her, but she swatted his hand away. "Just... just leave me alone..." Rarity said, shuddering.

Dr. Adrian nodded. "We'll talk later," he said, sadly leaving as Rarity collapsed on the floor of her cell and began to sob.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Fluttershy's room...

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Dr. Adrian sighed, shaking his head. "Hello Ms. Shire," he said. "May I call you Felicia?"

The strawberry-blonde young woman nodded nervously. "I-If you want to, then I don't mind..." Fluttershy said, looking over to Rarity's cell. "What happened to Rarity?"

Dr. Adrian shook his head again. "I'm afraid I had to deliver some bad news," he said. "Her parents died years ago. She had forgotten them because of her delusions."

Fluttershy covered her mouth in shock as she gasped. "Oh my! Really?"

Dr. Adrian nodded. "Yes... It's a sad thing... Fortunately, your family is here and alive, Felicia. And Abigail, whom you know as Applejack, her parents are alive and well. So while it's regrettable that Rarity has to learn a harsh truth, you and Abigail at least get some happiness out of this."

Fluttershy nodded, smiling slightly. "Still..." she said, "I wish I could do something to comfort her. Anything at all. Poor Rarity..."

Dr. Adrian nodded. "She'll need your strength, Felicia..."

Fluttershy chuckled weakly. "I'm not strong... I've never been strong... Not like Rainbow Dash or the others at any rate..."

Dr. Adrian put a hand on her shoulder and smile. "Exactly," he said, Fluttershy looking up in confusion. "You aren't strong in the same way as the others, but you are most definitely strong."

Fluttershy frowned. "I don't understand..." she said softly.

"Your kind nature is in its own way a strength," Dr. Adrian said. "You've been there for each of your friends in hard times, helping them through their problems. You helped a young teenager named Cecil Breeman get home to his family, a girlfriend and a child he was trying to support. You even took in a paroled criminal named David Kord, helped him to be a better person."

Fluttershy winced, flashes of a man with reddish-brown eyes, an odd double-ponytail hairstyle, and a long tuft of beard going through her head. Memories flashed of Trisha Sparks with a gun, David Kord with a large machete, Felicia Shire trying to get the two of them to stop fighting, only for David to accidentally cut her across the belly, a bullet wound entering her shoulder at the same time, looks of horror appearing on David and Trisha's faces as they realized what they did... She suddenly felt a sharp pain in her stomach, as if she was reliving an old trauma. Fluttershy shivered.

Dr. Adrian frowned. "Is something wrong?"

Fluttershy shook her head. "It's nothing..." she said softly.

Dr. Adrian nodded, smiling. "I must say, you're taking this a lot better than the others were..." he said.

Fluttershy smiled wearily. "Well... There's nothing I can do to change things right now, right?" she said. "The only thing to be done is to wait and see. Although..." She looked around, sighing. "I'm not sure what to think about any of this..."

Dr. Adrian nodded. "I understand. It's a lot to take in, waking up after so long a dream..." he said. "You'll be feeling better once you get back to working with the animals again."

Fluttershy blinked, smiling. "I... I work with animals? In real life, I mean?"

Dr. Adrian grinned, nodding. "Oh yes. You're a well-respected veterinarian," he said. "In fact, since the Fluttershy persona was so docile, we've decided to bring your pet rabbit Angel here to help in your therapy. I'm sure he'll be glad to see you're getting better."

"Angel? I have Angel for real?" Fluttershy said excitedly. "Oh my precious baby... Please, can I see him now? Is he all right, is he being well fed?"

Dr. Adrian grinned at her enthusiasm. "Calm down. Yes, he's fine. We're taking good care of him. Now that you think you're human again, we'll move him into your cell tomorrow, after the party."

Fluttershy blinked. "Party?"

Dr. Adrian nodded. "I've asked Ms. Parker, whom you know as Pinkie Pie, to organize a party for everyone to try and lift their spirits. She'll start making the arrangements tomorrow."

Fluttershy smiled. "I'd like that," she said.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Derpy's room...

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Dr. Adrian stepped into Derpy's room, the blonde woman pacing back and forth nervously. Once he was fully inside, Derpy came up to him and asked, "Are my kids okay?"

"Sarah and Delia are fine, Mrs. Horton," Dr. Adrian said. "Once we're certain everything is in order, we'll allow you three to stay in the same cell."

Derpy smiled. "Thank you..." she said. A confused look came to her face. "There was... one other... I think... A stallion? He was... very precious to me..."

Dr. Adrian looked through his notes. "...There's no record of there being a man currently in your life," he said.

"He's a soldier..." Derpy said. "I think..." She clutched her head. "Agh, this is frustrating... I can't even remember his face, what his mane color was, what his coat color was, ANYTHING..."

Dr. Adrian looked thoughtful. "If he's a soldier, then it's possible that he's been deployed and we just haven't heard of him. If anyone comes asking, we'll let you know."

"If he's even real..." Derpy said softly.

Dr. Adrian smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Deidra. The fact that you've held onto the memory for this long even with the pony memories fading means that he is real. I'm sure he'll be in contact with you soon..."

Derpy smiled, but she still shivered fearfully. "All of this... I just don't know what's going on..." she said. "Everything's happening so fast..."

Dr. Adrian chuckled. "Things are moving fast for us as well. We never expected you all to come out of your delusional states at the same time. As you can imagine, we're playing catch up right now."

Derpy chuckled softly. She looked hesitant for a moment, then asked, "...Are my eyes still weird? I didn't have a chance to look, and there's nothing reflective in here."

Dr. Adrian nodded. "You do have strabismus in your right eye, but it's very slight. It hasn't affected your vision in any meaningful way, and you function normally," he said.

Derpy sighed. "Well, that's one thing in common at least."

Dr. Adrian smiled. "Everything will be fine, you'll see," he said. "There's going to be a party tomorrow for all the patients, to celebrate your recovery. Maybe that will help you relax."

Derpy grinned slightly. "...Will there be muffins?" she asked.

Dr. Adrian nodded, chuckled. "Lots of them."

"Sour cream muffins? I've had a big craving for them lately..." Derpy asked.

Dr. Adrian grinned and nodded again as he headed out. "I'll talk to the kitchens about making some."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Zecora's room...

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Zecora sat in the corner of her sell, her legs crossed as she tried to meditate. She didn't open her eyes as Dr. Adrian came in. The dark-skinned beauty turned her head away, frowning.

"Ms. Carrol?" Dr. Adrian asked.

Zecora didn't respond.

Dr. Adrian frowned, sitting down in front of her. "Ms. Carrol, I'd really appreciate it if you talked with me," he said. "I'm trying to help you rediscover your true self."

There was a long pause. Zecora, finally, opened her eyes and said, "Why can't I think of a rhyme?"

Dr. Adrian blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"I usually talk in rhymes," Zecora said. "But I can't think of any."

Dr. Adrian smiled. "That's just a trait of the character who's persona you took on," he said. "Because you're a pharmacist, you related easily to Zecora's potion-making ways, Ms. Carrol. Or may I call you Zelda?"

"If you must," Zecora said, narrowing her eyes. "I cannot guarantee that I will respond to that name."

Dr. Adrian's face fell. "...You don't trust me."

Zecora shook her head, her long black hair, bound in a ponytail instead of the mohawk she remembered wearing before, bobbing slightly. "I wake up in a straight jacket and was told that the entire life I thought I lived was an insane delusion. That all my friends are insane, and everything we remember is fake. I don't know you, Doctor. How can I trust you?"

"...Is it that you don't trust me, or that you don't trust yourself?" Dr. Adrian asked after a moment's pause.

Zecora closed her eyes again. "...I don't trust ANYTHING at this point," she said softly. "Not even myself..."

Dr. Adrian sighed. He wouldn't get any further with her at the moment, he knew that. "You have to trust somebody at some point, Zelda. Otherwise you'll never be able to move forward. If nothing else, Zecora's introductory episode should remind you of that. Especially since you believed yourself to be Zecora."

Zecora grimaced. Dr. Adrian nodded to her, smiling, and left her room, leaving her to think...

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Trixie's room...

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"Save it," Trixie said as Dr. Adrian stepped in the door.

"I'm sorry?" Dr. Adrian said, startled. He stared at the platinum blonde woman sitting casually in the back of her room, arms behind her head.

Trixie shook her head. "You're probably going to say something meant to be comforting or try and give me a revelation about my so-called 'real life.' Correct?"

Dr. Adrian nodded, smiling. "All a part of helping you re-integrate with society," he said.

Trixie snickered, shaking her head again. "Well, forget it. Whatever you're selling, I'm not buying."

"Ms. Lamont..." Dr. Adrian said, frowning.

"I know an illusion when I'm trapped in one," Trixie said, sneering. "Granted, it's the best I've ever seen, up to and including the memory alterations, but it's still an illusion. And once I find a way out of it, once I find out how you really are, good doctor, I'll escape. And when I return to rescue the others, it will be with WEAPONS."

Dr. Adrian's frown deepened. "Ms. Lamont..." he tried again.

"Lulamoon," Trixie said, her eyes narrowing. "My name is Trixie Lulamoon. But YOU are only allowed to address me as the Great and Powerful Trixie. Trixie will also respond to being called 'Your Magnificence,' or 'Your Supremacy.'"

Dr. Adrian stared at her a long moment. "...I think we need to do some more therapy before we allow you out of your cell on a regular basis," he said sadly. "I don't think you're fully ready to advance in the same way the others are. Much to my dismay."

"Trixie cares not for your dismay," she said huffily.

Dr. Adrian nodded. "We'll talk tomorrow, Ms. Lamont," he said. "There's going to be a party. Shall I bring you anything?"

"Trixie wouldn't mind a cupcake. And perhaps a deck of cards. And peanut butter crackers, Trixie has always liked those," she said, examining her fingernails disinterestedly and making a dismissive gesture with her other hand. "Now shoo. Trixie must work on deciphering this illusion."

Dr. Adrian sighed, shaking his head. He left her cell, frowning.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Princess Celestia's room...

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"I'm not sure this is a good idea," the guard outside Celestia's room said, staring at the tall, willowy blonde woman inside the cell that was curled into a ball and shaking like a leaf, muttering to herself.

Dr. Adrian frowned. "I have to do this," he said. "Close the soundproof door behind me."

The guard nodded, opening the door and closing it the moment Dr. Adrian stepped through.

"...Slendermane have to protect my sister can't feel the sun why can't I feel the sun where is the sun why can't I feel the sun the voices the voices where are the voices why can't I hear them where did they go my sister my sister..." Celestia rambled, her eyes wide open and bloodshot.

"President Washington?" Dr. Adrian said. "Celeste?"

Celestia jerked. "Who... Who are you?!" she demanded. "Where is my sister?! Luna!? LUNAAA!" Celestia screamed, trying to get to her feet and stumbling, her still straight-jacketed form hindering her. "LUNAAA!"

Dr. Adrian held her down as best she could. He looked right into her terrified eyes and said, "Calm down. Everything is fine. Your sister is safe in the cell across from yours..."

Celestia, in tears, shook her head. "All wrong... I can't feel the sun... And the shadows... where are the shadows? They said such comforting things to me... They said they could make me strong enough to fight Slendermane..."

Dr. Adrian shook his head. "The voices were never real, Madame President," he said. "And Slendermane is simply a pony-related extension of the Slenderman creepypasta."

Celestia stared at him in confusion. "I don't... creepy what?" she said. She shook her head, sobbing. "My head... so confused... everything muddled..."

Dr. Adrian smiled warmly. "I promise you, President Washington, that we're trying to help you all. You've all made the first step, remembering your true species. Now comes the healing. And no matter how long it takes, we will make sure that you're all ready to go back into the world and back into your old lives. This I promise you."

Celestia just flinched away from him, whimpering. Dr. Adrian sighed and left. "Well... I suppose that's enough for now. Because you're still not fully stable, we'll have to leave you in your restraints for now. But we can take you out for supervised visits. Good night, Celeste."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Later that evening...

Around 11PM...

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Dr. Adrian busily wrote away in his files, fairly pleased with the patient reactions so far. After a few more minutes, he put the files away and was about to go to dinner, when an orderly came in.

"There's a man here, says he's the fiancee of one of the patients," she said.

Dr. Adrian blinked. "Send him in," he said.

The orderly nodded, gesturing to the outside of the room. In walked a man with a military crewcut and a large, athletic frame. He was dressed in a blue dress uniform, and had a nervous smile on his face. "Um... hi. I understand that my fiancee is one of your patients? Blonde woman, one eye looking in the wrong direction?"

Dr. Adrian blinked, and grinned, realizing who this was. "You're Deidra Horton's soldier!" he said happily.

The soldier grinned, nodding. "Yes! Yes, that's her. Deidra!" he said. "I proposed to her before my latest deployment to Afghanistan. It was a deep cover assignment, so I couldn't contact her one way or another..."

Dr. Adrian grinned. "Well, we're more than happy to have you here, sir," he said. "I'm Dr. Mark Adrian, head physician and owner of the facility." He offered his hand, the soldier shaking it with a firm grip.

"Solomon David Nier," the soldier said. "But my friends call me Solly."

"Well, Solly," Dr. Adrian said, "If you're here to help Deidra, then you're definitely a friend of mind."

"Believe me, sir," Solly said seriously, "I want her out of here just as much as you do. Possibly more so."

Dr. Adrian laughed. "Perfectly understandable," he said. "You came at a good time, too. They've finally stopped believing they're ponies and have realized they're human again."

Solly blinked, grinning. "R-Really? That's great news! I only know a little bit about what happened, and all that's just heresay... can I see her?"

Dr. Adrian shook his head, still smiling. "You can't see her tonight, as all the patients are to be in bed by this time, but if you come tomorrow..."

Solly nodded. "I'll be here, bright and early. And... thank you for taking care of everyone. Especially her. She's... special to me..."

Dr. Adrian grinned. "Invite me to the wedding and we'll call it even," he said.

Solly grinned. "We'll save you some cake," he said, waving to Dr. Adrian as he left. He wordlessly exited the building, politely waving to the various nurses and guards. Once he was outside, he began walking towards the front gate. As he did, he raised his hand to his ear and tapped it.

"Rocket Jumper to David Tennant," he said. "Come in David Tennant."

A voice answered in his ear. "This is David Tennant," said the voice, which had a light British accent. "Report."

"It can be fooled. Begin preparations immediately," Solly said.

"Fantastic!" the voice said. "Head on out and give a full debriefing."

Solly nodded.

And then he vanished.

TO BE CONTINUED...