Waking Nightmares

by Jonathan "KnightMysterio" Spires

Chapter 32: Doctor Doctor

All characters who aren't original are copyrighted to their original owners, used without permission for non-profit reasons. All original characters are copyrighted to me, so do not use without permission, please. Dr. Rorschach and Happy are the property of their original owner and used with permission. Takes place a day and a half after the previous chapter.

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Ponyville...

Train station...

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"Is this seriously called the Friendship Express?" the white pony with the splotchy black patches on his body and a Cutie Mark of a diagram of a brain with three gears on it said. "I mean, I know Princess Twilight's kingdom is all about the power of friendship and whatnot..."

The train attendant, a blue pegasus mare with a magenta mane and tail, chuckled. "It was called that long before Princess Twilight got her wings. The FIRST time, anyway," she said.

The white Earth pony chuckled, shaking his head. "My my. Talk about sticking to a theme," he said. "Bad enough that I heard Princess Twilight's kingdom used to be called the Rainbow Friendship kingdom..."

The attendant grinned. "Well, the vast majority of pony names are some kind of pun anyway," she said, brushing a magenta forelock out of her face.

"True, true..." the white Earth pony said. "Well, I suppose I should be going. Thanks for talking with me."

"No problem, Dr. Rorschach," the train attendant. "And thanks for that advice about my twin sister's violence issues."

Dr. Rorschach smiled. "She just needs some attention, is all, so she can feel equal to you," he said. "Getting that deformity in her teeth fixed was a good first step. Good luck! And write me about it, Miss Fan Dance!"

The train attendant, Fan Dance, nodded as she got back onto the train to help the boarding passengers. Dr. Rorschach watched the attractive pegasus mare's flank for a moment, admiring the way the fans that formed her Cutie Mark moved as she walked off. He then chuckled, shaking his head as he went further into the station.

Almost immediately, and to his great surprise, he found the pony he was looking for almost immediately. The canary-yellow pegasus with the short mane was sitting on a bench, looking around nervously, clearly uncomfortable with being around this many ponies at once.

"Teal Sea! You old squirrel, you!" Dr. Rorschach said.

TL Care chuckled. "Come on," the graying, pink-haired stallion said, fluttering his wings. "You know I changed my name to TL Care when I got my degree."

"Which is silly," Dr. Rorschach said. "They're both puns on TLC, so why bother?"

"Because I got tired of everypony pointing out the pun," TL Care said, grinning. "By making it obvious, it became less funny."

"Spoilsport," Dr. Rorschach teased, both doctors laughing.

"In all seriousness," TL Care said, sighing, "it's good to see you, old friend. Things have been... hectic."

"I've heard," Dr. Rorschach said, nodding. "A lot more than an old wallflower like you is used to dealing with. Is it true that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have called in psychiatrists and psychologists from all over the kingdom?"

TL Care nodded. "Come on," he said. "I'll explain on the way. There's way too many ponies here for me to be comfortable with." He shivered softly, looking around at the tremendous amounts of ponies milling about the station, chatting casually with one another.

They went into town, Dr. Rorschach briefly going wide-eyed at the fortress walls going up around the otherwise quiet hamlet, at the patches and holes that showed clear signs of combat.

"Things really have gotten tense, haven't they?" Dr. Rorschach said softly. "I've never been to Ponyville before, but from what I've heard about it, it never really seemed like the type for battlements..."

"A lot has changed..." TL Care said, shivering. "So much has happened... Just recently, we were all kidnapped, along with all of the Princesses, Cadence included, Queen Chrysalis, and several celebrities..."

Dr. Rorschach blinked. "Whu... what? But they've been in Canterlot all this time!" he said, shocked.

"I appreciate zat you wish to talk to your friend," said a voice from behind them as Spy faded into view, "but some things are best not discussed out in ze open." TL Care shrieked, leaping up to a nearby tree, startled by Spy's appearance, Dr. Rorschach faring no better.

"Don't do that!" TL Care yelled, clinging to a branch.

Spy quirked an eyebrow. "My apologies," he said unapologetically. "But one would think that being married to a Guard Captain like Barricade would teach you the value of state secrets remaining secret."

TL Care slowly flapped down from the tree, looking embarrassed. "I always asked Barri to not tell me anything... Sorry, I didn't mean to..." he said softly.

Spy just stared at him for a long moment, before sighing and nodding. "Very well," he said. "I can understand that you'll have to inform Doctor..."

Dr. Rorschach, who had been staring at the suit-coated, balaclava-wearing pegasus, blinked. "Oh! Sorry. I am Dr. Rorschach, Canterlot Psychological Institute."

Spy nodded. "Dr. Rorschach. Welcome," he said. "I am ze Spy. You will be privy to things zat must never become known to ze general public, as it will cause unneeded panic."

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "Then I'll treat everypony I talk to today as a patient. And I never betray the confidentiality of my patients."

"Good man," Spy said. He turned to TL Care, who flinched. "I'm not mad. You made a mistake, as you are in deeper zan you would normally prefer. Simply do not do it again, and everything will be fine."

TL Care nodded. "Yes sir," he said. "Sorry sir."

Spy shook his head, chuckling. "You truly are Fluttershy's father..."

Dr. Rorschach chuckled. "You should have seen him in college," he said. "It shocked ALL of us when he went up to freaking BARRICADE and asked her to dance."

TL Care just blushed, grinning.

Spy smirked. "She is a formidable one," he said. "Come. I will fill you in as we go."

Dr. Rorschach nodded, following TL Care and Spy as they led him into town. As they walked, he noticed bandages around TL Care's barrel, realizing that nearly everypony else in town had similar bandages. He frowned. "What happened?" he asked.

TL Care flinched, sighing. "Remember what I said about the kidnapping?" he said, Dr. Rorschach nodding. TL Care sighed, and said, "We were all given to a Doomtree."

Dr. Rorschach's ears drooped. "I... I've heard stories about those. My uncle was a ranger, said that a Doomtree would eat us if we ever went too far into the forest without supervision... But they were old mare's tales, just stories to scare foals."

Spy scowled. "All true, unfortunately."

TL Care shivered softly. "We were all being fed off of, the creature draining our blood. It made us believe we were humans, Spy's true species, all trapped in an insane asylum. It made us believe that our pony lives were just... an insane delusion... If the mercenaries hadn't rescued us..."

TL Care fell to his knees, shivering. Dr. Rorschach and Spy both immediately went to comfort him.

"You are safe now," Spy said softly. "Ze tree is dead, and ze illusion is broken."

"Teal, buddy..." Dr. Rorschach said, "you're okay now! Really!"

TL Care shivered. "Sorry... I'm sorry... But when I think about what almost happened to my wife and daughter..." he said, fighting back the urge to sob.

Dr. Rorschach hugged him, chuckling a little. "Hey, maybe I should schedule a session with you while I'm here," he said.

TL Care managed a grin. "A quack like you? I think I'll try going it on my own," he said.

The two doctors laughed. Spy took note of this easy joke from the normally timid TL, guessing that they must be old school friends. Once TL Care managed to recover his wits, they continued on, Spy updated Dr. Rorschach on the situation as it stood.

The black patches on Dr. Rorschach's coat paled, almost matching the white parts, as he listened to the story, his ears drooping.

"Um... wow," he said. "You've all been through a lot..."

"Hnh..." Spy muttered quietly. "You, mainly, will be talking to the Elements of Harmony, both Light and Dark, and Twilight's young assistant, Spike. The other psychiatrists and psychologists are covering other portions of the population. As for the royalty... Princess Celestia is still here, and Princess Luna has gone back to Canterlot, while Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor have returned to the Crystal Empire. Queen Chrysalis has chosen to remain in Ponyville for the moment. Princess Celestia wished to remain here to speak with you before heading back herself."

Dr. Rorschach frowned. "I'm honored, but why me specifically?"

"Celestia apparently trusts you after you helped her sister in her adjustments to the modern age," Spy said.

Dr. Rorschach blinked. "But I've never had Princess Luna as a patient..."

TL Care understood though. "What name was she under when she was attending sessions with Rory here?"

"Selene," Spy said, smirking. "A pegasus secretary."

Dr. Rorschach's jaw dropped. He remembered her, a cute, mousy little thing that said she had 'been away' for a while and was uncomfortable with the way things worked now...

"Sweet merciful heavens..." Dr. Rorschach said, chuckling. "Oh wow..."

Spy chuckled. "Let us go, shall we?"

Dr. Rorschach nodded. Then a thought occurred to him. "I was lightly briefed on the Dark Elements of Harmony before coming here," he said. "I take it you're one of them?"

Spy hesitated, and sighed, nodding. "I was hoping to avoid zis for a while, but yes..."

Dr. Rorschach smiled. "Well, while on the way to talk to the others, perhaps you can tell me about yourself?"

Spy snorted. "Very well. Shall I tell you about ze time I murdered my violently abusive father when I was a child?" he said, pulling his knife out and flipping it open. "With this very knife no less."

Dr. Rorschach's ears drooped. Spy smirked, continuing. "Or maybe I should tell you about the time I betrayed my country to a group of monsters to save my village and my mother from being slaughtered, only for my efforts to be wasted and my mother getting killed anyway? Shall I tell you how I killed the monsters inhabiting my village, and would have killed myself if I hadn't discovered Soldier rampaging across Europe and started feeding him information on where officers in zat evil army were hiding? Shall I tell you of how my soul was literally torn in half years later, and I spent several years alongside my teammates killing and being killed by beings with my face and ze faces of my friends, all the while working for the most unashamedly evil woman alive? All of zat BEFORE I was pulled to zis reality alongside my comrades and drafted into a war against a murderous eldritch abomination."

Dr. Rorschach's jaw dropped again, the psychologist visibly horrified. Spy snickered, and added, "And just think – I'm one of ze sanest members of ze team." Spy chuckled weakly. "We BLUs are not good people, Monsieur Rorschach," he said. "But we are on ze side of goodness and light in zis instance."

"I disagree," TL Care said softly, smiling gently. Spy turned to him, confused. TL smiled again. "You ARE good ponies. Violent and dangerously insane, yes... But I know in my heart that you are good ponies. My dearest Fluttershy wouldn't call you friend otherwise."

Spy blinked, visibly taken aback by this. "I... merci, my good doctor," he said, smiling. "I need to hear such things from time to time."

Dr. Rorschach smiled slowly, relaxing a little at this exchange. "Perhaps we should start with you, Spy," he said, motioning to a nearby bench. Several other ponies milled about them, only casting them cursory glances as they went about their business, some talking to others who looked like doctors in various places around the square.

Spy shook his head. "Ze others need your help more," he said. "We BLUs have managed to be reasonably functional despite our various issues. But ze others have been thrust into zis war, and have spent a day and a half as ze food of a predatory demonic tree."

"If you insist," Dr. Rorschach said. "But I would like to talk at the very least talk to you all one on one, get a sense of who our newest heroes are. Then I can get a sense of what to do in our sessions."

"Your funeral," Spy said, chuckling. Dr. Rorschach frowned, but said nothing. Spy looked around, and spotted Sugarcube Corner. "We will talk to Pinkie Pie first, since she's closest," he said, motioning to the shop with a wing.

Dr. Rorschach looked, and grinned, spying the pastries in the window. "Ah, excellent. Can we stop for a snack, too?"

"If you insist," Spy said. "Dr. Care, are you coming?"

TL Care's ears dropped. "Ah..." he said, looking at the multitude of ponies milling around the shop. "The crowd's bigger than what I'm comfortable with..." He looked around, and spotted a tea shop that had a small amount of ponies there. "I'll just wait at this shop while you talk to Pinkie Pie."

Dr. Rorschach sighed as his friend wandered over to the tea shop. "He's braver than he knows," he said softly. "I just wish it didn't take a crisis to bring it out..."

Spy nodded. "He conducted himself quite well when we helped ze Ponyville citizenry free themselves from ze trap zey were in..."

Dr. Rorschach frowned. "What did happen, anyway?"

Spy looked around, seeing no one nearby who shouldn't hear anything. "...It was an ambush. Robotic versions of the Element bearers attacked ze town, using mechanically copied abilities. We tried to fight zem off, and in fact thought zat we had been victorious, but... well..."

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Several days ago...

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"What the hell!?" Scout shouted as nine meteors struck down in the middle of town. Townsponies scattered at the metal lumps slammed down in a perfect circle, smoldering slightly from their fast entry. Before everypony's shocked eyes, the nine metal lumps unfolded, taking very familiar shapes, that of the nine Element bearers.

The TwilightBot, the obvious leader, opened its mechanical eyes. Scout tried to attack, but the mechanical alicorn easily swatted him aside. "Power levels nominal," it intoned in a robotic monotone. "Magical field access at full capacity. All units, status report."

The DashBot flapped it wings, taking to the air. "Thrusters fully charged. Aerodynamic coating undamaged."

The FlutterBot's eyes flashed. "Sonic mesmeric systems online. Optic weapons fully functional."

Scout shook his head, picking himself up out of the cart he had crashed into and flying off to get the others. He definitely couldn't handle this alone.

Pistons in the AppleBot's hind legs revved up. "Seismic kicking devices ready."

The PinkieBot giggled and began to bounce around, it's voice cheerful compared to the robotic monotones of the others. "Probability field alteration devices online! All hidden supply areas in general area mapped out and ready for exploitation! Party generators at full capacity!"

The crystals on RarityBot's flank glowed briefly. It gave PinkieBot an annoyed look before intoning in a monotone, "Crystalline laser matrix ready. Geodesic magnets activated."

A green mist escaped from the ZecoraBot's mouth. "Chemical mixers fully functional. Mist dispensers and dart launchers ready."

The TrixieBot's entire body faded briefly out of existence, reappearing with a swirl of mist, the stars on its hat and metallic cape blinking in rhythmic patterns. "Illusion generators at the ready."

The DerpyBot, its eyes spinning wildly, took to the air as well. "Rapid repair systems on-line. Probability generators at the maximum. Impact Cannons at full charge."

TwilightBot nodded. "Disharmony Device online," she intoned. "In the name of the Maker, ATTACK!"

At which point a lightning bolt struck her in the horn. Letting out an electronic warble of pain, she staggered back, looking up at the source of the attack.

Sniper grinned, aiming his thundercloud sniper rifle again. "Standin' around like a bloody idiot," he jeered, firing again. TwilightBot managed to dodge this time.

"Engaging," DashBot intoned in a calm voice, firing her jets and heading up to Sniper. She smashed through his cloud, forcing the assassin to take to the skies. She looped around for another attack, but Rainbow Dash collided with her in a colorful streak. DashBot seemed to smirk, and then took off like a rocket, a furious Rainbow Dash following behind.

TwilightBot's horn glowed as she prepared to attack Sniper again, the marksman getting another thunderhead ready. She quickly switched over to a forcefield as Twilight, being healed by Medic, slammed into her with her own forcefield surrounding her.

"Leave these ponies alone, machine!" Twilight shouted, her eyes narrowed.

TwilightBot smirked. "Priority target engaged," she said, firing a blast of magic that bounced off of Twilight's shield. Twilight scowled, slowly closing in on her robotic counterpart as Medic trailed behind, idly thinking that having a forcefield in the war games would have been quite useful...

TrixieBot moved to defend, but a barrage of fireworks from Demoman followed by a magical blast from Trixie sending the machine flying. TrixieBot grinned at her and flared her horn, illusions of TrixieBot filling the field.

"OH NO YE BLOODY DON'T!" Demoman shouted, throwing even more fireworks that dispersed the illusions quickly. TrixieBot quickly recalculated its options and fled.

The ZecoraBot trotted off into the crowd, vents on its neck and in its mouth spewing out disorienting mists, rashes and hallucinations overcoming whomever was caught in the mists. FlutterBot followed behind her, her eyes radiating a paralyzing light that held ponies in place long enough for ZecoraBot's mists to reach them.

As ponies panicked, Soldier leaped up onto a roof. "Don't run! I know you've only had a few days training, but it's just nine robots! We can drive them back!"

"But..." Roseluck started.

"They're..." Daisy stammered.

"THE HORROR!" Lily shrieked.

"FIGHT THEM OR FIGHT ME, MAGGOT! YOUR CHOICE!" Soldier snarled.

The Flower Trio stared at Soldier, then stared at the two robots. Then back at Soldier.

"CHAAAAARRRRGE!" the Trio screamed as they ran towards the startled ZecoraBot, tackling her to the ground. Soldier huffed, and leaped at the FlutterBot, tackling it as it tried to help. Zecora, meanwhile, through out counters to the mists already released, dispersing the toxic clouds released by her metallic copy.

"He certainly has a way with women," Blueblood muttered up at Soldier, shivering as he looked over the robots. They were fearsome, but with the rest of the BLUs and Elements rallying the town, the tide was quickly turning.

"You're just jealous that he actually has a marefriend," Derpy teased, blushing as she watched Soldier get the FlutterBot in a headlock.

"N-Well, maybe..." Blueblood muttered.

Derpy giggled. "C'mon, let's go help!"

"I'd rather not, thank you. Things are looking quite well, and..." Blueblood looked up, and gulped. Derpy had an expression on her face very similar to Soldier's.

"MOVE, MAGGOT!" Derpy snapped. Blueblood yelped, charging into the fight, tripping over a fallen tree branch and falling onto his face, knocking himself unconscious on a nearby curb.

"Even I'm not that clumsy," Derpy muttered, sighing. She flew off... not looking where she was going and smashing face-first into lamp post, which promptly fell onto the RarityBot as she was firing lasers at a group of fillies.

Derpy blinked, and giggled. "Totally meant to do that," she said.

"Personal Fabulousness Levels decreased," RarityBot said, squirming out from underneath the lamp post and scowling at the new lamp post-shaped dent in her metal mane. Gems levitated around her as she glared at Derpy. "Initiating Revenge Mode."

Derpy gulped. "Uh oh..."

"Crystal laser charging," RarityBot said, tracking Derpy as she tried to fly away. Before she could fire it, though, she let out a warbling squawk of pain as a diamond-edged chainsaw sliced through one of her front limbs, sending her sprawling to the ground.

Rarity grinned, revving her chainsaw. "Thank you, darling, for giving me a legitimate chance to use this," she said to her robot double. "Now hold still, while I do some remodeling."

"Error! Combat parameters of impersonation subject have changed! New data renders previous combat module obsolete! Initiating retreat mode!" RarityBot said, looking alarmed despite its monotonal voice as it grabbed its leg in its magic and dashed away, reattaching its limb as it ran. Rarity retracted her chainsaw into her cybernetic forelimb and huffed, following after the RarityBot.

"She can reattach her limb? So not fair," she muttered. "Get back here so I can beat the fabulous into you!"

Over at the walls that surrounded the town, AppleBot examined them, its sensors indicating the best places to kick to knock them over. DerpyBot flew alongside it, ready to help. Before either robot could do anything, however, a lasso yanked DerpyBot out of the sky, slamming her into AppleBot.

"Error! This unit is under attack!" AppleBot said in her monotone voice. Both AppleBot and DerpyBot scrambled to their hooves, only for Heavy to trample them both as he charged, bellowing like a rhinoceros. Applejack grinned wickedly.

"Y'all gotta do better than that, pardners!" she crowed, pulling back her lasso as Heavy began wrestling with the AppleBot, Bulk Biceps joining in. DerpyBot, meanwhile, faced off against Applejack, watching the cowmare cautiously.

At which point Captain Barricade landed on it. "DEATH FROM ABOVE!" she cackled, making a crater upon impact. The DerpyBot let out a strangled squawk as it felt all of its gears shift at once. Barricade got up, the DerpyBot staggering to her hooves, only for Applejack to lasso it again.

Spy, meanwhile, was observing everything and coordinating the efforts against the nine new robots, guiding everypony in joining the attacks on the machines. In short order, the machines were defeated and fled, damaged into the Everfree forest.

The nine BLUs gathered together, Gem Sentry and Blueblood joining them. "Somethin' ain't right," Engineer said.

Spy nodded. "Agreed... that was too easy..."

"Are you really complaining?" Scout said. "We need an easy win against Gray's clankers after the invasion!"

Soldier nodded. "No mercy! Let's crush these imposters as a message to Gray that tells him to get his own ideas for robot designs and STOP COPYING US!"

Spy looked thoughtful for a moment. "...In any case, we should destroy ze robots so zat zey do not cause further trouble."

Engineer nodded. "He's branchin' out into bots of the girls, so we should analyze them," he said. He then turned to Twilight and Mayor Mare. "You gals keep an eye on things here," he said. "We're gonna take those tin cans down and bring them back for study."

Mayor Mare smirked, twirling her pipe. "You can rely on us," she said. Twilight nodded in agreement.

Heavy grunted, satisfied. "We follow them into forest, and crush tiny robots. Cadet, Gem, you will come with us. Against enemy, I am being more comfortable if odds our in our favor..."

Gem beeped affirmatively, revving her chainguns. Blueblood grimaced into the forest. "But it's all icky and gooey in there..."

"Pyro," Soldier said. "If he isn't moving by the time I finish this sentence, I want you to set his testicles..."

"CHAAAARRRGE!" Blueblood screamed in terror, running into the forest.

"...on fire," Soldier finished, smirking. Pyro giggled.

Heavy rolled his eyes. "And now we have to make sure dimwit doesn't get himself killed before we defeat tiny robots."

"Got him moving, didn't it?" Scout said, chuckling as they all ran into the forest.

"We gotta work on gettin' that prissiness out of his system," Engineer said. "It'll just get him killed."

Demoman looked thoughtful. "Let me handle that," he said. "I think I can reach beyond that noble mask he's put over himself."

Heavy grunted. "Hnh. I keep forgetting," he rumbled. "Demoman is also..."

"Aye," Demoman said. "I can relate te him better than most."

The group of mercenaries ran into the woods, following the sound of clanking metal. They rapidly caught up to the robots, who had stopped in a clearing. Blueblood was there as well, the former prince tied up in AppleBot's metal lasso and hanging upside down from a tree, DashBot using him as a punching bag.

"I really wish this surprised me," Sniper said, picking up a rock. "I really did." With impossible accuracy, he threw the rock, nailing the DashBot between the eyes and staggering her. Before the other robots could react, Pyro shot a fireball that melted the cable holding Blueblood, and sent him crashing to the ground.

"It's over, stupid metal ponies," Heavy rumbled, storming into the clearing as the battle-damaged robots. Medic freed Blueblood from the cable, slapping him in the back of the head as he went to join the others in confronting the robots.

"Surrender now, and we'll scrap you quick-like," Engineer said.

TwilightBot just smirked. "Distraction successful," she said in her mechanical monotone. "Initiating escape mode. Bodyslide by nine."

"Distract..." Spy started. TwilightBot's horn flared, and the nine robots vanished in a flash of light.

It was then that they heard the gunfire.

"No..." Spy said softly, his expression becoming a mask of horror. "DAMN IT, NOOO!"

"Derpy..." Soldier said softly, flashbacks of Pearl Harbor coming to him, fear overtaking his heart. "BACK TO TOWN AT ONCE. MAGGOTS!"

The eleven BLUs charged back the way they came, the nine mercenaries cursing themselves for letting the robots trick them, Gem praying that the Crusaders were okay, Blueblood just wondering what the hell was going on. They came back to Ponyville, only to find it far too late.

The town was swarming with robots. Pegasi were being knocked out of the sky by SoldierBots and DashBots, HeavyBots were dragging ponies out of their homes. Barricade and Twilight were both wrapped up in electrified AppleBot lassos, ZecoraBots shooting sleep gas darts at them over and over. The mercenaries charged in, but the rooftops were manned by SniperBots and DemoBots keeping watch over everything. The explosions and bullets forced them away, the constant barrage of attacks eventually driving them inside Sugarcube Corner.

There they found a HeavyBot and a pair of FlutterBots menacing the Cakes. A lone changeling was there, hissing violently as the FlutterBots tried to get past him to capture the children, the two foals crying inside their room. The HeavyBot was tying up the two Cakes, who looked like they had been beaten badly.

Cup Cake was the first to notice the BLUs. "Please! Save our children!" she screamed.

The HeavyBot whirled, and screamed in pain as Pyro set it ablaze. It picked up the two adult Cakes and crashed through the wall, running off with them as Gem fired her chainguns, just barely missing him.

Scout and Spy, meanwhile, immediately went after the two FlutterBots. Their eyes were glowing, affixing the changeling with a paralyzing gaze. Before they could exploit this, however, Scout pulled a bat out of nowhere and crushed one FlutterBot's skull, Spy stabbing the other in the back of the head.

The changeling shook his head, looking at the BLUs in shock. "You... you guys," he said. "You have no idea how glad I am to see you."

Medic began attending to the battered changeling's injuries, as Soldier and Gem pushed past him to comfort the two terrified foals in the bedroom. "Vhat happened?!" he demanded.

The changeling winced. "It happened after you guys drove off the first wave," he said. "They just... appeared out of nowhere! They were all using some kind of purely mechanical cloaking... none of the unicorns could even sense it..." He shivered. "The robots... they were everywhere. Even the sounds of their footsteps had been masked... They... they started attacking, taking prisoners..."

Spy shook his head, cursing over and over again. "We have to fight back... Free ze others, before..."

"Wait!" Sniper said, looking alarmed. "Shut it a minute and listen!"

Everyone in the room went quiet. The only sounds now were the crying of the Cake twins, and the low, steady thrum of energy from Medic's healing beam.

Demoman ran outside, his fears confirmed almost instantly. "Bloody hell..." he cursed. "The bastards got away with everypony!"

"DAMN IT, DAMN IT, DAMN IT!" Engineer cursed.

"We failed..." Spy said, scowling.

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

Now...

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

Spy stared at the ground, ruffling his wings in irritation. "We were supposed to protect zis town... And we were tricked so easily... Only a handful of ponies escaped being captured. Ze Doctor and his group managed to protect them, while all we could do, for all our skill, was save a couple children..."

Dr. Rorschach looked thoughtful. "Actually, it may have been for the best that you were drawn away," he said.

Spy glared at him.

Dr. Rorschach smiled at him. "Stay with me on this," he said. "From the way you described the robot attack, if you had been there, you would have been taken with all the others. And then who would have saved everypony from the tree?"

Spy smiled a little. "A nice thought, my good doctor, but it still doesn't make ze guilt go away..."

"Never said it would," Dr. Rorschach said, shrugging. "You just have to understand that there is only so much one could do in a situation like that."

Spy just looked away. Dr. Rorschach put a hoof on his shoulder. "Holding on to guilt does nothing except rot you away inside. You made a mistake? Then learn from it and don't do it again. Have you been working on improving the defenses?"

Spy nodded. "Engineer, the Doctor, and Princess Twilight are developing a device zat will cancel out invisibility of any kind," he said. "They are modifying the changeling detection lamps for zis purpose. I'm meeting zem later to help with it."

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "Good. A good first step," he said. "I would like to talk to you about those other things you mentioned... perhaps we can schedule a session later?"

"Session of what?" Pinkie Pie said, appearing between the two of them, startling them both. Dr. Rorschach fell over, while Spy took to the air defensively. Pinkie Pie giggled.

"How... didn't even NOTICE..." Dr. Rorschach stammered.

Spy rolled his eyes and landed. " It's Pinkie Pie," he said. "Physics and logic don't necessarily apply to her all of ze time."

Pinkie Pie giggled. She spun, becoming a blur, and when she stopped she was wearing her work apron as a crude cape, a towel wrapped around her head like a headband. "I'm the physics defying superhero, QUARKIE PI! And that's pi as in the mathematical equation, not the delicious treat!"

"Speaking of which, Pinkie..." Mr. Cake said from behind the counter.

"Ooh! Right, the blueberry pies!" Pinkie Pie said, zipping off to the kitchen, leaving her costume to float to the ground without her in it. The scent of fresh baked pie filled the store, several patrons ordering slices immediately.

Dr. Rorschach stared. Spy chuckled. "Believe it or not, you do get used to her," he said. "Granted, she seems to have taught Scout how to do her reality-warping tricks..."

"Someone talking about how awesome I am?" said Scout as he entered the bakery, flying over the heads of several annoyed customers.

Dr. Rorschach shook his head, clearing it. Scout nodded to Spy in greeting and turned to the newcomer. "You the psychiatrist Celestia called for us?"

Dr. Rorschach shook his head. "Psychologist. Psychiatrists deal in fixing things with drugs, I deal in helping ponies heal their minds without chemical help," he said.

Scout nodded. "Tha's good. Lord knows the nine of us are messed up, we don't need the girls gettin' the same kinda stuff we got in our heads," he said.

Dr. Rorschach quirked an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Scout snickered. "We been messed up for a while," he said. "We're used to it. The girls aren't."

Pinkie Pie appeared from underneath Scout's hat. "Girl? I happen to be a rather refined young woman, good sir," she said in a decent impression of Rarity's cultured accent. She then hopped down and gave Scout his hat back, giggling.

Scout snickered. Spy just shook his head, Dr. Rorschach staring at her, trying to process what he had just seen. He then shook his head, deciding to just roll with it.

"Well then, Miss... Pinkie Pie, was it?" Dr. Rorschach asked.

"That's what it was, and what it is!" Pinkie Pie confirmed. "Sorry I'm not able to throw you a 'Welcome To Ponyville' party, but we're kinda swamped with repairs and rebuilding and morale building and cake building after... well, y'know."

"Thank you for the offer, but it's really not necessary," Dr. Rorschach said.

"Nonsense!" Pinkie Pie said, scoffing. "Everypony deserves to feel welcome, and I can't think of a better way to do it than to throw a party for them in their honor!"

Dr. Rorschach smiled. "My, that's quite generous of you!"

"Heheh. Not that generous," Pinkie Pie said, grinning widely. "I only don't charge for the first one. Anything after that, I charge for. But really, I just like seeing ponies smile. That always puts one on my face!"

Dr. Rorschach's smile turned sad. "Then why are you forcing yourself to smile right now?"

Pinkie Pie flinched. "...I have to," she said softly, her face falling. "With everything that's happened... all the crap the Author's thrown at us... I have to keep smiling. If I don't, then things go creepypasta and then nobody's smiling." Her hair deflated a little. She shook her head. "Sorry, sorry! Just ignore me, I..."

Dr. Rorschach interrupted her. "You mentioned 'Author...' Are you a Fourth Waller?"

Spy, Scout, and Pinkie Pie stared at her. "Wait... there's a technical term for it?" Scout asked.

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "I've had a few patients with that condition. It gives them an 'awareness' of sorts that allows them a greater 'perception' of the world around them, for lack of better terminology. And I must say, you're more well put together than most I've dealt with before," he said. He smiled warmly at Pinkie Pie. "While I myself lack that awareness, and admittedly can't fully understand it, I have had experience with helping those that do. If you'll let me, Pinkie Pie, I can at the very least provide a sounding board to vent your frustrations on. I'm going to be here for a while, and I've been specifically hired to help you and the other Element Bearers, so I can schedule you in anytime."

Pinkie Pie stared at Dr. Rorschach for a long moment... and smiled. A real, unforced smile this time. "Thank you... The others, they... Thank you, doctor..." She hugged him tightly for a long moment. She then nodded, blushing a little, and went back to work.

Spy remained silent, his opinion of Dr. Rorschach improving. Scout sighed. "You sure you can help her, Doc?"

Dr. Rorschach sighed. "I can try. I can promise you that much..."

Scout frowned. "It'll have to do..." he said. "It ain't right when she doesn't smile... It ain't right at all..."

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "Indeed... I've just met her and I can tell this." He turned to Scout, and added, "You know, I'm here for both your team and hers, if you want to talk."

Scout quirked an eyebrow. "What, you wanna hear me talk about how awesome I am?" he said.

Spy just groaned, shaking his head.

Dr. Rorschach smirked. "Sorry, but Spy already tried scaring me off by telling me his backstory. All it did was make me determined to help him, and all the rest of you as well," he said.

"We don't gotta good track record with headshrinks," Scout said, smirking. "Medic and Pyro usually scare them off."

"Yes, yes, I'm sure they're very scary," Dr. Rorschach said, rolling his eyes. "I'm still staying the course on this."

Scout started to say something, but then just shook his head. "Hokay, doc. Your funeral," he said.

Spy flinched, his ears perking up as if he was listening to something. "Yes... Yes of course, my Queen..." Spy said. He turned to Dr. Rorschach and said, "Queen Chrysalis wishes to speak with you, Doctor Rorschach."

Dr. Rorschach gave him a curious look. Spy sighed. "My transformation left me half-changeling," he said. "As such, I'm part of the changeling hive mind."

Scout ate his pie as Spy stood up. "Whenever you're done with Queen Cheeselegs," Scout said, "Engie wants to talk to you. He and Twilight are at the Tree of Harmony."

Spy just muttered to himself. Dr. Rorschach chuckled. "I admit I am a bit curious," he said. "I was out of Canterlot at the time of the invasion, so I've never seen a changeling before." :

Spy just muttered in a non-committal fashion. He led Dr. Rorschach to a small building secluded away between two warehouses, lined with green, chitinous coverings. Spy sat down in front of the door. Dr. Rorschach frowned, wondering what was going on, when a changeling popped out from behind the door, a wide grin on his face.

Dr. Rorschach stared. The changeling didn't notice him at first, focusing on Spy. "Good to see you, brother," he said, giggling. "Her Majesty's been waiting for you."

Spy nodded. "I confess surprise, though," he said. "Would she normally concern herself with someone like the good doctor here?"

The changeling shrugged. "She just wanted to meet him, she said." The changeling then turned to Dr. Rorschach, who was blushing brightly as he stared at the changeling.

The changeling frowned, and through their hive mind connection, Spy could feel him mentally sigh in frustration. Well, here comes the fear... the changeling thought. "Sir?" he said. "If you'd come this way, please?" He motioned inside.

Dr. Rorschach blinked, shaking his head. "S-Sorry..." he said. "I've never seen a changeling before. I didn't realize that your kind was so..."

Here it comes, Spy heard the changeling think, his tone disgusted.

"...so PRETTY!" Dr. Rorschach finished, blushing even brighter.

Both Spy and the changeling stared at Dr. Rorschach, visibly surprised by this. Dr. Rorschach grinned sheepishly, and said, "So... so what's your name?"

The changeling blinked, and then smiled. "I don't have a name officially. Just a number designation. But after the Queen and the others were rescued, Pinkie Pie decided that everyling that was staying in town should have a name. Because I'm usually smiling and in a good mood, she named me Happy."

"It certainly fits you, you overly perky fool," said a voice from inside the room.

Happy chuckled, looking inside the warehouse. "Sorry! Sorry. I'm just really glad you're back. When I couldn't do anything to save the town, and then you were kidnapped..."

"You are an infiltrator, not a warrior," the voice, which Dr. Rorschach guessed was Queen Chrysalis, said. "I posted you in Ponyville to observe the training and assist where needed."

Dr. Rorschach blinked. "You were the changeling that was defending the Cake twins, then. The one from Spy's story of what happened," he said.

Happy nodded, shivering. "Bad enough that I couldn't save Mister and Missus Cake. When the Queen was kidnapped, the hive mind shut down. I've never felt more empty, more alone in my life..." he said softly. "How do you ponies function without a hive mind, anyway? How can you live being so lonely?"

Dr. Rorschach smiled weakly. "We manage somehow," he said. "And as much as I'd love to study you, er, academically speaking, that is... I do have a job to do."

Happy nodded. "Spy, Dr. Rorschach, if you'll come with me please?" he said, opening the door.

Dr. Rorschach stepped in, seeing a mass of greenish organic matter arranged in a shell, the small storage building's interior having been made into a makeshift hive. Flanked on either side by guards, sitting in the shadowed opposite end of the building was Queen Chrysalis, most of her body hidden by shadow. Only her luminescent eyes were fully visible.

"You are the psychologist specifically called upon to help the Elements of Harmony, yes?" Queen Chrysalis said.

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "My goal for now is to meet up with each of them, get an idea of what's troubling them, and schedule sessions for them," he said. He tried to step forward and get a better look at the Changeling Queen, but the two guards hissed, stopping him. He looked back and saw Happy and Spy, the latter having turned into a changeling, bowing humbly.

"Are you sure you are ready for what you may hear, psychologist?" Queen Chrysalis said. "Things have happened to them that would shatter most."

"All the more reason to help them," Dr. Rorschach said firmly.

Queen Chrysalis narrowed her eyes. "Something is horribly off..." she said. "And it's not just weakness from the blood loss talking. The emotions in the air... the taste feels wrong. Especially around her..."

"That's right..." Dr. Rorschach said softly. "Your kind feeds on emotions..."

Queen Chrysalis nodded. "We can feed off of all emotions, but love is the most nourishing. Because of our appearance, we had to work to steal love before the Lovestone was created by Princess Cadence and the two Elements of Love. Your attraction to... ugh, 'Happy...' To say the least, it is something we have not encountered before..."

"Can't see why," Dr. Rorschach said. "You're a very beautiful species."

Queen Chrysalis stared at him, marveling. "You're being honest... I can taste it..."

Happy blushed, grinning.

Queen Chrysalis stared at him thoughtfully. "...Very well," she said. "I shall arrange for Happy to meet with you later. For now, I believe you have a job to do."

Dr. Rorschach nodded, bowing. "It was an honor to meet you, your majesty," he said, getting up and leaving, Happy and Spy following.

"Proper respect at last," Queen Chrysalis said, chuckling.

Dr. Rorschach and Spy headed away from the warehouse. "If you'll excuse me," Spy said. "I have to meet up with Engineer and Princess Twilight."

"Of course," Dr. Rorschach said. "I'll meet up with Teal, he can show me around."

Dr. Rorschach headed away from the warehouse, making his way back to the tea shop where he met up with TL Care once more.

"So where to next?" the psychologist asked. "I'm relying on you, m'friend."

TL Care blushed, finishing his tea and paying his bill. "Um... Carousel Boutique is closest," he said. "The owner, Rarity, has been making blankets for those who's homes are too damaged, the mailmare Derpy helping her deliver them..."

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "Sounds good," he said, "My cousin owns a few Rarity-made dresses. It'd be interesting to meet her in person."

TL Care nodded, leading him through the center of town to Rarity's dress shop. Like many buildings in town, it bore the signs of battle damage, although for the most part it had escaped receiving too much harm. It didn't have any holes in it, for one.

TL Care went up to the door and knocked timidly on it. No response. "Maybe she's taking a nap..." the pegasus physician said softly.

Dr. Rorschach facehoofed, chuckling. "When knocking on a door, Teal, you have to actually KNOCK," he said, knocking on the door in a more forceful fashion.

"Come in, darlings!" said a musical voice. The two doctors entered the boutique, finding Rarity busily stitching together several sheets of material into thick, fluffy blankets. Dr. Rorschach stared at her cybernetic foreleg, having not been informed about it beforehand.

TL Care came up to him, tapping him on the shoulder to get his attention. "In one of the recent attacks on the town, Rarity was severely injured, losing her foreleg in the process. A prosthetic was made using the remains of the robots that were attacking the town, along with technology from what was apparently an alien invasion," he said.

Dr. Rorschach stared at TL Care. The pegasus just smiled. "This town has an interesting history," he said.

"No, really?" Dr. Rorschach deadpanned.

Rarity giggled. "While I admit that our town isn't exactly the most peaceful at times, it's still a wonderful place to live," she said. "Now what can I do for you fine gentlemen? I apologize for not formally greeting you, but it's been frightfully busy around here."

TL Care gave her a stern look. "You are taking it easy, right? We all experienced severe blood loss from when the tree was feeding on us," he said.

Rarity tutted. "Now, don't you worry," she said. "I'm doing nothing more strenuous than knitting these blankets together. Derpy, on the other hand, you'll probably need to tie down. Poor Soldier's at his wit's end trying to get her to relax."

TL Care frowned. "The curse of the mailpony is their dedication," he said. "I assume she's been delivering the blankets on her own?"

"Most of the other pegasi are helping, but she's insisting she do so much of the work on her own," Rarity said, sighing. "I swear, I'd admire her under any other circumstances."

"She feels she has to work hard to make up for her time kidnapped?" Dr. Rorschach said, looking thoughtful.

"I suppose so..." Rarity said, frowning. "Why do you ask?"

Dr. Rorschach smiled. "Sorry. I'm Dr. Rorschach, Canterlot Psychological Institute. I was asked to come talk to the Element-bearers after the recent incidents," he said.

Rarity scoffed. "Well, while I am appreciative that you've come this far, I'm afraid it was for nothing. I'm fine," she said.

"...Miss Rarity, from what I've heard you've been in a near constant state of battle for the past couple months. Also, you've recently had your foreleg torn off and replaced with a prosthetic, as well as been kidnapped and placed in a traumatic situation by a demonic blood-sucking plant," Dr. Rorschach said. "At the very least, let me be a sounding board for your frustrations."

Rarity paused for a long moment. She managed to smile, and said, "Really, I'm fine."

"I can see the bags under your eyes, Miss Rarity," Dr. Rorschach said softly. "You didn't sleep much last night."

Rarity said nothing, turning away from him. "Well... can you blame me?" she said, chuckling weakly.

TL Care stared to say something, when Dr. Rorschach hushed him. "Miss Rarity, you're a very giving person. I can tell. But part of being generous is knowing when to accept generosity offered to you. My schedule is cleared, my bills are paid, and I'm going to be here as long as you and the others need me."

Rarity stared at him a long moment... and smiled. "Oh, what the heck... I could never resist the charms of a polite gentleman," she said. "I'd be more than willing to talk with you."

Dr. Rorschach grinned. "Once I've talked to everypony, I'll get back to you with a schedule for your sessions," he said.

"I appreciate it," Rarity said, smiling.

TL Care stepped forward. "Ah... before we leave, how is your new limb holding up?" he asked. "Any problems I, Engineer, or the Doctor should be aware of?"

Rarity shook her head. "No... It itches a little, especially around the connector. But nothing unpleasant, I assure you."

TL Care nodded. "If you develop a rash, let me know. I can get some healing creams for you..." he offered.

"I have an anti-itch cream from Zecora that works marvelously, darling," she said, smiling her dazzling smile.

TL Care nodded. He hadn't known the zebra long, but he had received a great number of accounts of her efficiency. He still had doubts, but he couldn't question results. "Very well. Still, keep me informed."

"Of course, Dr. Care," she said, turning back to her work.

Satisfied, the two physicians left the Boutique. "So where to next?" Dr. Rorschach said. "Also... who is 'The Doctor?' He was on my sheet as someone who was involved in the rescue, but there was a big 'Don't Bother' tag written over his file. Why is that?"

"Because the Doctor is a several thousand-year-old madman adventurer who changes into another form and personality entirely every time he dies and used to time travel before getting stuck on Equestria and possibly losing his ability to resurrect himself. This hasn't stopped him from being, and this is something he's described himself as, 'a nosy busybody with a penchant for getting into life-threatening trouble by sticking his nose into other people's business in inane attempts to try and save the day.'" TL Care said.

"..." Dr. Rorschach just stared.

"He's also a jackass," TL Care said, blushing and wincing. "S-Sorry, I didn't mean..."

Dr. Rorschach snickered. "If YOU said it, you actually meant it," he said. "Bit of an uppity sort, eh?"

TL Care sighed. "He only seems to respect scientists or physicians if they're as crazy as he is," he said, grumbling.

Dr. Rorschach rolled his eyes. "Ah. THAT sort," he said, deciding to follow the advice not to bother with the Doctor. He couldn't stand ponies that egotistical. "Well, so long as he's helping ponies..."

TL Care rolled his eyes. "Hmph... Anyway, next up is Rainbow Dash. Because of the blood loss she gets dizzy if she goes too high, so she's been staying at Derpy Hooves place with her and Soldier," he said.

"Three at once then," Dr. Rorschach said. "Good."

TL Care nodded. "It's not too far out of town. Nothing like Fluttershy's," he said, leading her through Ponyville's awkwardly twisting roads. As they walked, TL Care paused to examine workers that were trying to rebuild the damaged buildings, patching bullet and laser holes, clearing out lingering toxins from the ZecoraBots.

Dr. Rorschach just watched his old friend with amusement. For all of his cowardice in social situations, give him a patient and he became Daring Do. And now... now he had a whole town full of patients who needed a good doctor. It was the bravest he'd ever seen him.

"I envy you sometimes, y'know?" Dr. Rorschach said.

TL Care frowned. "What do you mean?" he asked as the two of them walked towards Derpy's home.

"I never had the stomach for the physical work of medicine," Dr. Rorschach said. "Blood and guts and stuff."

TL Care smiled. "Each of us heal in our own way," he said. "You save their minds, I save their bodies."

"I suppose..." Dr. Rorschach said. "I've been lucky so far, I haven't lost any patients to suicide, or had them turn out to be the next Jeff the Killer..."

TL Care shivered. "Let's not bring him up... I had the misfortune of doing autopsies on some of his victims... Plus Barricade is still haunted by him..."

Dr. Rorschach winced. "That's right, he... LOOK OUT!"

The two physicians dodged out of the way as Rainbow Dash slammed into the ground, digging a large divot into the ground. She glared at the figure in the air who knocked her out of it.

"Sniper, was that really necessary?" Rainbow Dash said, glaring at her, TL Care immediately checking her for injuries.

Sniper, flapping down from where he had knocked her out of the sky, simply turned to the barely phased crowd and asked, "Folks, I'm taking a poll. How often has physical force proven necessary for getting Rainbow Dash to stop being stupid?"

"Too often," said Thunderlane, carting some clouds past the scene.

"Yeah, like every other time," said Raindrops, helping Thunderlane move the clouds.

"Gosh," said Bon Bon. "Applejack's had to grab her tail to keep her from rushing into something suicidally, I'm starting to wonder if her breath tastes like Skittles?"

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "You ever gonna stop promoting that weird fruity candy you made?"

The confectioner smirked. "When it stops making me tons of bits, I will. But seriously, you do have a tendency to overwork yourself. Just like Applejack."

"I know what I'm doing," Rainbow Dash muttered, waving off TL Care.

"Dasher, you got dizzy and were about to crash into Ghastly Gorge back there," Sniper said, removing his sunglasses and pocketing them, the concern plain on his face. "I smashed you out of the sky because you wouldn't have paid attention to me otherwise. You KNOW I'm fond of you, sheila. I'm not about to let you collapse, no matter how much you insist on working yourself stupid."

"I've taken worse hits than this, leggo," Rainbow Dash said, shaking off TL Care again when the doctor tried to examine her. "As for you," she said to Sniper, "I am nowhere near that stubborn!"

Every Ponyville local within earshot just stared at her. Rainbow Dash's ears went back, and she blushed, giggling nervously. "Okay, so... maybe I overdo it now and then. But..."

"Rainbow Dash," TL Care said, "I saw you working to keep the weather moving at 4AM today. Fluttershy was feeding some of her nocturnal animals when she saw you. How much sleep have you gotten?"

"Enough," she said, yawning.

TL Care shook his head. "Go to bed," he said. "The clouds will still be there tomorrow."

"Can't," Rainbow Dash said. "I..."

"Ms. Dash?" Dr. Rorschach chimed in. "I'm Dr. Rorschach, Canterlot Psychological Institute. I was called here by Princess Celestia to help the Elements in coping with what happened. Now, before you say anything," he interrupted as Rainbow Dash started to protest, "I've seen your file. I know that you have no patience for long winded, technical explanations, although considering what I've seen I'm tempted to use one as a way of helping you get some sleep."

Rainbow Dash chuckled. Dr. Rorschach smiled. Just as planned, he thought. A little levity to help his patient relax. "Now. As I've said, I've looked at your file. And what I've seen of you, you're very loyal to those around you. But it's only a one-sided loyalty."

Rainbow Dash blinked. "One-sided? How do you figure?" she asked, honestly curious.

"You have to let others be loyal to you as well," Dr. Rorschach said, looking up into the sky. "You're a day behind on the weather. I can understand that. But you've got lots of capable pegasi to help you divide the workload. There's no reason to risk your health out of pride."

Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head, looking thoughtful. "...You're not the first person to tell me that," she said. "I always forget it, but it does make sense..."

Dr. Rorschach smiled warmly. "Take some time off. Rest. Recover. You've been through a harrowing experience, same as everypony else. You won't decrease your 'Awesome' quotient by letting others help you, y'know."

"Coolness," Rainbow Dash clarified. "It's Coolness that's decreased by not being grateful."

Dr. Rorschach stared at her. "...Seriously?"

Rainbow Dash just chuckled. "Awesomeness, Coolness, and Radicalness. It's more scientific than it sounds. Twilight help me write up the report on it," she said, yawning again. "And yeah, I guess you're right. I should probably take a rest. You're gonna wanna talk to me later, right?"

Dr. Rorschach nodded, deciding to just roll with it. "Yep! So I can schedule you in with the rest of the Bearers?"

Rainbow Dash nodded. "Sure thing. Snipes, Dr. C, see you later," she said, bolting off.

Sniper sighed. "The sad thing is... ever since merging with her, I understand what she means by her three categories."

TL Care grumped. "If she gets up again to work before getting at least four hours of sleep, I'm gonna have Barricade sit on her."

Dr. Rorschach grinned. "Interesting hearing a reserved guy like you talk about his wife's butt so openly," he said.

"She's my wife, I'm allowed to talk about her adorably oversized posterior all I want!" TL Care snapped. Several ponies watching the exchange chuckled. He then turned ghostly white, his ears going back. "D-D-Did I s-say all that out l-loud?"

"Yes," Dr. Rorschach said, smirking. "Yes you did."

TL Care squeaked and fainted. Dr. Rorschach snickered. Sniper shook his head. "Definitely Fluttershy's father..." he said, trotting up to Dr. Rorschach. "In any case, I'm glad t'see you, doc," he said, offering his hoof for a shake.

Dr. Rorschach smiled, accepting the hoofshake. "Interesting. From what I've read on you mercenaries, none of you really struck me as the type to accept psychological help."

Sniper sneered. "That's mainly Medic and Pyro's fault. Medic hates shrinks, and Pyro kept scaring off or accidentally killing any that tried to examine her," he said. "Me, I'd love to talk to a shrink. I've got loads of issues I need to work out."

"Firstly, stop using the word shrink. I find it offensive," Dr. Rorschach said. "Secondly... killing?"

Sniper nodded. "Sorry about that, doc. And yeah. Before we came here, Pyro wore a body-covering suit that completely hid everything about her, gender included. Every time a doc tried to examine her, they'd try to get her to take off her mask. This was back before Engie got her to relax, so she was real protective of her true identity. A couple docs tried to physically remove her mask. She fought back. With fire. And axes. Which were also on fire. Administrator gave up on sending us psychologists after she killed the third one."

Dr. Rorschach's ears were back. "Uh huh..." he said, worried.

Sniper smiled. "She's not wearin' her mask now, and she's a lot more mellow than she was when she first joined our little group. So you should be all right!" he said. His face fell a little. "Hopefully. Maybe. ...Do you have any next of kin?"

Dr. Rorschach chuckled nervously. "You're not actually helping my confidence, here..." he said.

"Yeah, that's... not really my specialty," Sniper admitted, looking sheepish. He looked over at TL Care, the pegasus still unconscious. "What should we do about him?"

Dr. Rorschach covered his mouth, making his voice sound like an intercom. "Paging Dr. Care to surgery. Dr. Care, report to surgery immediately. Critical heart patient inbound," he droned.

TL Care shot to his hooves, looking around. "I'm ready. Nurse, get me..." he paused, and then gave Dr. Rorschach a sheepish looking. "I fainted, didn't I?"

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "Yepyep," he said.

TL Care grimaced. "I'm so sorry," he said.

Dr. Rorschach laughed. "It's okay. C'mon, we still got ponies to talk to," he said. "Sniper, it was pleasant meeting you."

Sniper nodded, bidding the two doctors farewell as he flew off. After a few more minutes of walking, they came upon the home of Derpy Hooves, a small cottage with patched up bullet holes and some burning damage. TL Care knocked on the door, Derpy opening it and smiling.

"Oh! Dr. Care!" Derpy said. "Hi! I was actually just about to get some rest."

TL Care breathed a sigh of relief. "So you've finally decided to take my advice?" he asked.

The wall-eyed mailmare giggled. "Yeah... Soldier finally convinced me," she said. "I was just setting out some muffins for me and my daughters before lying down. Would you like some?"

TL Care shook his head. "I still have rounds to make before I get some rest myself," he said.

Derpy smiled. "Be sure to take your own advice, you know?" she said.

TL Care smiled. "I've been resting off and on as needed today," he said. "Still, as with you and your deliveries, I cannot let my job go fully."

Derpy smiled, chuckling. TL Care turned to Dr. Rorschach, who had been patiently watching behind them. "Derpy Hooves, this is Dr. Rorschach. He's an old friend of mine, from the Canterlot Psychological Institute," he said.

"I've been asked to come here by Princess Celestia to offer advice and counseling to the Element Bearers," Dr. Rorschach said. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hooves."

Derpy smiled, nodding. "Believe me, Doctor, there's a lot I'd love to talk to a psychologist about," she said, tears forming in her eyes. "It's... it's been a rough few weeks... Just as bad as my earlier adventures..."

Dr. Rorschach smiled. "I can imagine. With all that's happened..."

"No, Dr. Rorschach," Derpy said firmly. "You can't imagine. And you should thank your lucky stars every day that you can't." She smiled sadly. "But we can talk about it, at least..."

Dr. Rorschach frowned, looking into her eyes. There was something... old, about them. As if she had seen wars... "Very well, Ms. Hooves. Can I schedule you in for an appointment?"

Derpy nodded, smiling again. "Thank you..." she said. "Oh! If you're looking for the BLUs, most of them are at Sweet Apple Acres."

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "We'll get to them in a moment," he said. "It was a pleasure speaking with you, Miss Hooves."

Derpy giggled. "You can call me Derpy. Everypony else does!" she said, going back inside.

Dr. Rorschach sighed as TL Care came to join him, the two walking off. "What sort of parents name their child Derpy?" Dr. Rorschach asked.

"Her mother, Klutzy Schmuck, and her father, Big Dimwit," TL Care said flatly.

Dr. Rorschach stared at him. "You're kidding," he said.

"I really wish I was," TL Care said, chuckling. "Thankfully, she didn't follow her parents naming trend. Her daughters are named Sparkler and Dinky."

Dr. Rorschach shook his head. "Ai yi yi..." he muttered. "Anyway. Where to next?"

"My daughter's house is not far," TL Care said, smiling.

Dr. Rorschach grinned. "Excellent! You've been bragging on her for years, so it'd be nice to finally meet her for real."

TL Care chuckled. "Well, it's long past time, I'd say," he said. The two walked through town, chatting idly. They eventually came to the outskirts of town, heading towards a rather charming little cottage over a bridge. There was little battle damage, the trees showing slight laser burns. Beyond that, the idyllic little home was unchanged.

"Heh. Nice place," Dr. Rorschach said.

"My daughter bought this place herself," TL Care said proudly. "Earned the money herself as a veterinary assistant, and now runs her own pet care business. And that's with inheriting my unfortunate shyness."

"Even more," Dr. Rorschach said. "She's helped save the world more than once! Your daughter's a real wonder, Teal."

TL Care beamed. "Yes yes, and I'm proud of her for each achievement. But even without the heroics, she's my pride and joy. Barri and I... we adore her, and will love her always."

Dr. Rorschach nudged him playfully. "Ever the proud papa," he said.

"Damn right," TL Care said, blushing. "Sorry..."

"It's okay," Dr. Rorschach said as the two of them went up to Fluttershy's door, TL Care going up to knock on it. Timidly, Fluttershy peeked out of the cottage's front door, brightening when she saw her father. She hugged TL, letting out a delighted squeak and fluttering her wings.

"Good to see you, sweetie," TL Care said, smiling.

"I'm so glad you came, daddy! Zecora, Heavy, and I were just sitting down for tea, and..." Fluttershy said, blinking when she noticed Dr. Rorschach. She visibly wilted, smiling nervously and backing away.

"Dr. Rorschach is an old friend of mine," TL Care explained. Dr. Rorschach smiled, nodding.

Fluttershy hesitated, but smiled after a moment and motioned for the two of them to come in. TL Care and Dr. Rorschach traded grins, and went inside.

The cottage was about what Dr. Rorschach expected, quaint and roomy. Sitting on the couches were an elegant zebra and a massive blue Earth pony who was sipping tea with surprising daintiness.

"Hello Zecora, Heavy," TL Care said, smiling.

"It is always good to see friend, oh yes," Zecora intoned. "But it seems that you have brought along a guest?"

"I'm Dr. Rorschach, Canterlot Psychiatric Institute," Dr. Rorschach said. "I was asked here by Princess Celestia to act as a counselor for the Elements?"

"Da. I remember. Princess ask for tiny psychologist pony to come talk to us," Heavy rumbled, nodding. "Is good to meet you."

Dr. Rorschach smiled. "Teal's an old friend from college. I'm more than happy to help. And to meet his daughter that he's always bragging on!"

Fluttershy blushed. "R-Really, I'm not that important..."

"More than once you've saved the day," Zecora said, smiling. "In a vast myriad of adorable ways."

Dr. Rorschach turned to Zecora, speaking in perfect Zebrican. "(And I assume that you are the shaman Zecora? It's interesting to see one so far from the ancient capital.)"

Zecora went wide-eyed, but smiled. "(I left because I felt my destiny was elsewhere. The elders objected, but my mother had high enough standing in the tribe to convince them to let me go out on my own. Aside from a few... misadventures, the forest itself trying to eat me a couple times, and the occasional bout of homesickness, I've never regretted leaving.)"

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "(Fair enough)," he said. "(It's my hope that we can get to know each other better during our sessions, Miss Zecora. I've always had great respect for the healers of the Zebrican tribes.)"

Zecora nodded, sighing. "(I admit, it's been a harrowing time for us all...)" she said. "(It would be nice to talk to someone about it.)"

"That's why I'm here," Dr. Rorschach said proudly in Equish. "To offer what small bit of emotional support and advice I can give."

"Hnh," Heavy rumbled. "Tiny brain doctor can speak many languages."

"Yes," Dr. Rorschach said. "I found quickly in my line of work that some ponies prefer to speak in their own language. It helps them relax and be more comfortable in talking to me, which is always a plus."

Heavy nodded. "I do not mind talking in English... err, Equish..." He rolled his eyes. "Hnh. Whatever. Is still hard language to speak in. But I do not mind talking about it."

"So you're on board with the idea of getting counseling?" Dr. Rorschach asked hopefully.

"Help Light Elements first," Heavy rumbled. "Then you may talk to Heavy."

"Yes, of course, but remember, I'm here for you and your team as we..." Dr. Rorschach started.

The glare Heavy gave the psychologist would have melted steel. "Help Light Elements first," Heavy insisted. Dr. Rorschach nodded nervously.

Fluttershy gave him a scolding look. "Now Heavy, he just wants to help us," she said.

"You and other Light Elements take priority," Heavy said.

"Still, it was very rude of you. He's here to help us after all," Fluttershy said, smiling at Dr. Rorschach.

Heavy glared at her for a long moment, Fluttershy returning the glare until Heavy finally turned away, chuckling and shaking his head. "Heavy is sorry, tiny brain doctor," he said. "Heavy is simply protective of friends."

Zecora, meanwhile, just sipped her tea peacefully, the shaman unperturbed by the exchange.

Dr. Rorschach sighed in relief. "No problem," he said. "And perfectly understandable." He turned to Fluttershy. "Now, what of you? Would you be willing to let me help you with any lingering issues of your own?"

"Oh, that's really not necessary," Fluttershy said, smiling.

Dr. Rorschach quirked an eyebrow. "Really? Are you certain?"

Fluttershy nodded. "There's really no need to put yourself out for me," she said. "The others, they need help more than I."

Zecora frowned. "We've all been through the same thing, dear Fluttershy. Perils and nightmares, plus our doom is nigh..."

"Nightmares?" Dr. Rorschach asked. "I think there was mention of that in the files Princess Celestia gave me..."

Fluttershy shivered. "I... I really don't want to talk about them..." she said, whimpering. Zecora looked equally uneasy.

Dr. Rorschach smiled. "Of course not. You don't have to. Nightmares just dreams, and dreams can't hurt you..."

"These can..." Heavy rumbled softly.

Dr. Rorschach looked confused. "I don't understand," he said.

Heavy sighed. "Has Spy briefed you on nature of state secrets?"

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "Of course. And as I told him, everypony I talk to I treat as a patient, and I never betray the confidentiality of my patients. I'd lose all trust as a physician if I did that."

Zecora just smiled.

Fluttershy shivered, not wanting to remember her nightmare. Heavy sighed, and said, "...Nightmare Moon is back. We don't know how yet, and hold no leads as to where she is. But she has been attacking Elements of Harmony with crippling nightmares, calling them 'gates.'"

Dr. Rorschach's ears went back, and he shivered. "As if there wasn't enough already going on... What is the nature of the nightmares?"

"A corruption of ones existential self... Good becomes madness... a personal hell..." Zecora said softly, closing her eyes and grimacing as tears made their way down her face. Fluttershy began sobbing, and TL Care ran over to comfort her.

"Please..." TL Care said. "Talk to him. Rory is a good friend of mine, one of the few ponies I can say I trust implicitly. He can help you, I know he can... Heck, he got his cutie mark talking me into asking your mother out for the first time..."

Fluttershy gave him shocked look. Dr. Rorschach chuckled. "Surprised me just as much," he said. "But that's when I realized that I enjoyed helping ponies overcome or deal with the problems of their lives. I can't guarantee anything, but I can promise that I can try and help you. I say this to everypony, but if nothing else, I can be a sounding board for your troubles."

"Please, Fluttershy..." TL Care said. "For mine and your mother's sake, if nothing else..."

There was a long pause. Eventually Fluttershy nodded, smiling slightly.

TL Care sighed, smiling in relief and hugging her. Heavy and Zecora traded pleased looks. Dr. Rorschach grinned. "I will be in contact with you two to set up times to see you," he said to Fluttershy and Zecora. "I have a few more ponies to see today, so if you'll excuse me..."

"Rory..." TL Care said softly. "Is it okay if I just stay here with my daughter?"

Dr. Rorschach understood. "Of course. I've seen most of the others... Where would I find Applejack, Princess Twilight, Spike, Trixie Lulamoon, Medic, Engineer, and Demoman at this time of day?" he asked.

"Medic is at hospital. Mare-Do-Well is recovering from magical related maladies I do not understand. Something about magical hyper exhaustion. She had to raise sun and moon while Princesses were kidnapped. Medic will not see you," Heavy rumbled. "Hates brain doctors. Thinks only way to know someone's brain properly is through surgery."

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "Duly noted," he said.

"Princess Twilight, tiny dragon, and Engineer are at Tree of Harmony with Engineer's robot daughter, Gem Sentry. Pyro is at Sweet Apple Acres with Demoman, Cadet, Applejack, and Trixie. Were you warned about Pyro?" Heavy asked.

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "Yeah... I'm not looking forward to that one..."

Fluttershy smiled. "Oh, she's really quite delightful... if you can get past the pyromania. But really, she is a darling!"

Zecora sighed. Dr. Rorschach gave her a look, and the zebra alchemist just shook her head. "Hnh. My distaste for the lady of flame is sadly for reasons that are rather lame. Her body gives off a lot of heat, apropos for a unicorn of fire. But my potions react badly to her constant flames, and become a toxic mire."

Fluttershy frowned. "She doesn't mean to, though," she protested.

Heavy grunted. "Is not point. Is still inconvenient for tiny alchemist," he rumbled, Zecora nodding in agreement. Heavy turned to Dr. Rorschach and said, "She has mellowed out greatly since coming to Equestria with us. Heavy is... mostly certain that you are in no danger. Engineer has told her to behave, and she obeys him without question."

"She obeys Engineer? Why?" Dr. Rorschach asked.

Fluttershy giggled. "It's love. She and Engineer are in love," she said.

Dr. Rorschach made a note of that. "All right," he said. "I can make my way to the Acres from there, and from what I've heard the path to the castle in the Everfree is pretty safe nowadays. Teal, shall we meet later for dinner?"

"Of course," TL Care said. "Good luck, Rory."

Dr. Rorschach nodded, and headed out of the cottage, making his way towards Sweet Apple Acres. He got lost briefly, and had to ask for directions, but finally made his way towards the Apple family farm, the rich scent of fresh apples greeting him as he approached.

"Aaah," Dr. Rorschach said in satisfaction. "Now THERE is a smell that you don't get in Canterlot. Exquisite..." He chuckled, trotting up the dirt road to the farmhouse, passing dozens of apple trees on the way there. He helped himself to some fallen apples along the way up, almost moaning in pleasure at the taste of the delicious fruits. "Even BETTER than the stories say!" he cheered.

As he approached the farmhouse, he noticed something happening in a nearby barn. Curiosity overcame him, and he trotted over to look.

It took Dr. Rorschach a few moments to recognize the white, blonde-maned unicorn speaking to the dark blue, mustached, eyepatched Earth pony currently sitting with a regal bearing at a nearby table. But the compass rose cutie mark was unmistakable. It was Prince Blueblood.

"You!?" Blueblood said in shock. "Demoman, you're... But... It can't be, but I know that bearing. The way you're holding yourself now, the way you were speaking just now... You're nobility!"

"Aye," said the Earth pony, "Prince Tavish, twentieth heir of the House DeGroot, the last noble family in Scotland. My family fought alongside William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, and have kept our status e'en as our country's government changed." The eyepatched Earth pony smiled proudly.

"It can't be..." Blueblood said softly, visibly baffled. "If you're a noble, then why are you associating yourself with such... such ruffians?"

"Because those ruffians are some of the finest men I've ever known," Demoman said. "They... oh, hello."

Dr. Rorschach grimaced, realizing he was spotted. "Ah. Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt. I'm Dr. Rorschach. Princess Celestia commissioned me to help the Element bearers after the recent events?"

Demoman nodded. "Aye, she told us that she had a doctor coming for all of us specifically. Good te see ya, laddie," he said, smiling amiably.

Dr. Rorschach nodded, pleased that this meeting was going so well. "And... you are Prince Blueblood, yes?" he asked Blueblood.

Blueblood scowled, looking away. "Not... at the moment..."

Demoman snickered. "Princess Celestia stripped him of his titles and lands, and gave him to us as our Cadet. And since we go by our job names, he has to go by his job name as well. His name, until we say he can have his old one back, is Cadet."

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "Then Cadet is what I shall call him," he said.

Blueblood scowled. "You could show at least a little sympathy," he muttered.

Dr. Rorschach's smile was perfectly neutral. "The last time I encountered you, Cadet, you publicly humiliated my colleagues and I, declaring that our profession was one that only busybodies, nosy jerks, and perverts would go into. You'll have to forgive me, but I'm indulging myself in a little bit of schadenfreude right now," he said.

Demoman snickered as Blueblood began grumbling under his breath. "We were in the middle of something, lad, so if ye'll excuse us?" he said.

"Of course," Dr. Rorschach said. "I'll be back later to schedule a session with you." He turned away, and left Blueblood and Demoman to talk alone, heading for the farmhouse. As he watched, an older mare and a young filly with a bow in her hair were chatting on the porch, the older mare idly strumming an old banjo.

"Excuse me?" he called out. The two mares turned towards him, curious, and he continued. "My name is Dr. Rorschach... is Applejack home? Or perhaps a miss Trixie Lulamoon? I was sent by Princess Celestia, to..."

The filly brightened. "Oh yeah!" she said. "Applejack mentioned somethin' about that!" She trotted over to him. "Ah'm Apple Bloom! That there's Granny Smith!" she said, pointing up to the older mare and grinning brightly. "Mah sister and mah brother, Big Macintosh, are inside teachin' Miss Trixie and Miss Pyro how t'make apple fritters!"

Dr. Rorschach grinned at the exuberant little filly, although he was slightly dismayed to see that she, like so many others, had bandages around her barrel. To think that even children weren't spared in the attack... he thought. Out loud, he said, "You are ten different kinds of cute, y'know that?"

Apple Bloom blushed, grinning. "Thank you kindly, Dr. Roar-shake," she said. "C'mon in!" She lead Dr. Rorschach inside the house, Granny Smith giving him a cursory nod, the older mare apparently lost in her own thoughts. Apple Bloom led him inside the quaint, homey farmhouse, Dr. Rorschach looking around and smiling at all the family pictures.

"AJ? That doc you told me was comin' is here!" Apple Bloom called out as she entered the kitchen, Dr. Rorschach stepping in after her. Inside the kitchen were four figures, an athletic-looking orange pony with a stetson hat, a massive red stallion with a yoke around his neck, a blue unicorn with silvery hair, wearing a rather fanciful purple cape and hat, both speckled with yellow stars, and another blue unicorn with hair the color of flame.

The orange pony, whom Dr. Rorschach guessed was Applejack, was the first to speak. "Ah! Perfect timin' there, doc! The fritters are ready t'come out of the oven now!" she said, putting a heat blocker pad in her mouth and using a spoon to scoop the lumpy wads of dough out of the frying oil, setting them on a tray on the counter, the caped unicorn drizzling a glaze over them.

The cape-wearing unicorn looked nervous. "Here's hoping it works out well," she said. "Trixie has never cooked more than camp food, as she is normally on the road full time..."

"And the guys stopped letting me in the kitchen after the third time I burned the base down," the fire-haired unicorn said.

The three apple ponies traded disturbed looks, Applejack setting the tray of fritters down on the table. Applejack decided to just ignore the fire-haired unicorn for now, and turned to Dr. Rorschach. "Maybe you can be judge, pardner. An 'unbiased third party,' as Rarity'd put it."

"Sure!" Dr. Rorschach said. He went over to the table, Apple Bloom jumping up on a chair by the fire-haired unicorn as he was given a fritter wrapped in a napkin. He blew on it to cool it a little, and took a bite. Almost immediately, he let out a groan of pleasure. The dough was perfectly cooked, the glaze just the right amount of sweet, and the apples inside moist and delicious. "This is fantastic!"

Everypony beamed, the two unicorns trading high hoofs. "Haha!" the caped unicorn cheered. "Another success for the Great and Powerful Trixie!"

"And for Pyro the Adorable Inferno!" the fire-haired unicorn said, giggling.

Dr. Rorschach eagerly finished the apple fritter, burning his lip slightly on the filling but not caring. "Definitely gonna want another before I go," he said.

Applejack grinned. "Mah pleasure, pardner," she said.

"And be sure to tell everypony you meet that it was the Great and Powerful Trixie and Pyro the Adorable Inferno who made those fritters!" Trixie crowed, the three apple ponies rolling their eyes.

Dr. Rorschach chuckled. "I'm Dr. Rorschach, from the Canterlot Psychological Institute."

Applejack tipped her hat to him. "Ah'm Applejack, this here's mah brother Big Macintosh. Pyro and Trixie have already introduced themselves, and you already met Apple Bloom and ah'm guessin' mah Granny."

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "She was outside, yes. Princess Celestia sent me to give the Element bearers counseling after recent events, relating to the repeated invasions."

Big Macintosh nodded, as if expecting this. "One of the psychologists Princess Celestia called to help t'town have already been here, wanting t'talk to Apple Bloom and the Crusaders... A Miss Happy Thoughts..."

"I know her," Dr. Rorschach said, brightening. "One of the best foal psychologists in the business. Also... Crusaders?"

Apple Bloom grinned. "Me and mah friends have formed a group dedicated to findin' our cutie marks! The Cutie Mark Crusaders YAY!" she said, almost bellowing the last word. She then blushed. "Sorry. Force a'habit."

"A fine goal," Dr. Rorschach said. "It's always good to have support when trying to find out who you are. And don't give up, you'll get your mark eventually. I got mine in high school."

Apple Bloom looked mildly dismayed. "That long?"

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "Yep. But don't worry about it. You've got a good support group from what I can see, friends and family. I'm sure you'll get your marks in short order!"

"If'n they don't destroy the town again," Big Macintosh muttered, not entirely under his breath but entirely without malice.

"That was NOT our fault," Apple Bloom protested. "And the town wasn't destroyed. Discord and the Princesses convinced Nyarlahotep not to devour the world, didn't he? Pinkie Pie even threw him a party, got him to take on a form that wouldn't drive ponies insane just from lookin' at it."

Dr. Rorschach, Trixie, and Pyro gave Applejack a confused look. "No," Applejack said, looking ill. "You don't want to know."

Dr. Rorschach coughed. "A-Anyway... I am here to provide counseling to the Element bearers because of the past crisis."

A thought occurred to Pyro. "Ah... did the others tell you about my past history with psychologists?"

Dr. Rorschach nodded, giving her a wary look.

Pyro grimaced. "It's okay, I'm... a lot better now. The reason I killed those ones who grabbed my mask, it's..." She chuckled nervously. "Hell, doc, I'm probably the most messed up one here, even with what the others have gone through. I know I need help, and thanks to Engie I'm... I'm not afraid of letting men touch me anymore."

Trixie hugged the firebug, the three apple ponies giving Pyro a startled look.

"Pyro..." Applejack said softly, stepping forward.

"Not... now..." Pyro said, shaking her head fiercely. "Not... ready to talk about it now..."

"Okay, sugarcube," Applejack said, smiling warmly. "But like y'all keep sayin.' We're a team. That makes you as good as family, and Apples always help out their family."

Pyro grinned. "Thank you... But still... not now..."

Dr. Rorschach nodded, smiling warmly. "Which is why we'll wait to talk about it in private session, Miss Pyro. And speaking of..."

"I'll make sure Applejack comes to your sessions, Dr. Rorschach," Big Macintosh chimed in.

"Dang it Mac, ah was gonna agree to talk t'him!" Applejack grumbled.

Big Macintosh quirked an eyebrow. "You say things sometimes, AJ, but then you get wrapped up in work and forget. Ah knew you was going to agree. Ah was just agreein' to make sure y'got there."

Applejack hit him with her hat, glaring at him affectionately. Big Macintosh just smirked. Trixie giggled.

"Anyway..." Dr. Rorschach said, turning to Trixie. "What of you, Miss Lulamoon?"

"Trixie will come, Dr. Rorschach," the caped unicorn said. "Normally, Trixie would not deign to do so, but..." She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Recent incidents have convinced Trixie that perhaps talking to a professional would help..."

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "Yes... There was mention in the file on you about a recent memory transfer?" he asked.

Trixie nodded. "A long story, my good doctor... But this is not the stage Trixie would prefer to tell it on," she said. "Trixie is a showmare at heart and by trade, and the mood is too good for so dour a tale."

This time Pyro hugged her. Dr. Rorschach took careful note of that, deciding to ask about it later in sessions. "So we're all in agreement then," he said. "Excellent!"

Applejack chuckled. "Help's been needed here for a long time, Dr. Roar-shake," she said.

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "And I'm more than happy to provide it," he said. "I have a couple more ponies to talk to before I can start scheduling sessions, but I do have one more question before I go, and I'm afraid it's not a happy one."

"Uh oh..." Applejack said, grimacing.

"Indeed..." Dr. Rorschach said. "Miss Applejack, Miss Trixie... Have either of you been afflicted by nightmares, recently?"

Applejack cringed again. Trixie closed her eyes, shivering. "No," she said. "Applejack, Derpy, and I have not had the misfortune of being afflicted by those attack nightmares. And quite frankly, I have been dreading it. With my mind damaged as it is..."

"What's worse right now is the waiting," Applejack said, starting to pace back and forth. "It's like she's just waitin' now, enjoyin' watchin' the three of us squirm..." Apple Bloom went over to hug her sister, Applejack sighing in frustration.

Dr. Rorschach shook his head. "I'm afraid there's not much I can do on that front, save to tell you not to live in fear. That's playing into the Nightmare's hooves right there. The best thing you can do is live your lives as if you aren't expecting them..."

"Good advice..." Trixie said softly. "Difficult to put into practice..."

"All I ask is that you try," Dr. Rorschach insisted. He looked outside, and saw the sun moving towards the horizon. "I really should get going. I have to talk to Engineer and Princess Twilight still, and it's a long walk to the Everfree castle."

"O'course," Applejack said, smiling. "Help y'self to the fritters. It's been good t'meet you, Dr. Roar-shake."

Dr. Rorschach to let the mispronunciation of his name go. Compared to other names he'd been called over the years, this was nothing. He ate a couple more fritters, and bid farewell to the gathering. Granny Smith had gone back inside by the time he left, the psychologist heading towards the Everfree path on the outskirts of town.

Guards armed with heavy crossbows and magitech rail guns stood along the path, recently completed a few days before the attack. He made his way easily along the path, coming to the bridge leading to Everfree castle, and the natural stairway leading down into the cavern of the Tree of Harmony, the cavern glowing softly.

Truthfully, Dr. Rorschach was a little excited. He had heard of the Tree of Harmony, and had always wanted to see it. So many old myths come to life... who wouldn't want a chance to experience them?

Slowly, almost reverently, he walked up to the cavern. The magical light seemed to welcome him, sensing his good intentions, a pleasant warmth filling him as he walked inside. When he saw the tree, he gasped.

It was beautiful. A great, crystalline tree with an image of the sun and moon on the trunk, and eight great branches bearing the crystals of the original Elements of Harmony, extending out from the primary crystal of the Element of Magic, smaller branches filling out the tree. Dr. Rorschach's eyes were wide with wonder as he slowly approached this holy object.

"There were originally just six, you know. Six branches, I mean," came a voice from behind him. Dr. Rorschach eeped and whirled, Twilight Sparkle right behind him.

"Oh!" he said. "Princess Twilight, I'm sorry, I..."

Twilight chuckled. "It's okay," she said as she walked up beside him. "And you can call me Twilight. We're going to be seeing each other in a rather intimate fashion, right?" She blinked. "That sounded wrong..."

Dr. Rorschach chuckled. "I knew what you meant Princ... Twilight," he said. "And yes, we are." He looked at the Tree again. "What did you mean by just six?"

"Just six Element of Harmony crystals," Twilight said, smiling and walking up to the tree. "There were nine Elements originally, but when Trust, Love, and Hope were destroyed long ago, their branches withered. Derpy, Trixie, and Zecora finding their elements restored the branches, and restored the crystals."

"Amazing..." Dr. Rorschach said, walking up to the Tree as well. "And this is where you keep the Elements when they're not in use?"

"Ah, no," Twilight said, giggling. "The Elements we now wield are a result of an experiment I did. I took shavings of each crystal, and combined them with clippings from the Tree. I thought I would use them to try to grow a new Tree of Harmony, but they each became a copy of the Elements of Harmony. We've been using them as a focus for the Rainbow Power, the magic we got from the Tree to stop Tirek the first time." She glowed briefly, her mane and tail gaining golden streaks and becoming ethereal as a corona of power surrounded her, the alicorn hovering in the air, her cutie mark glowing. "We can still use the Rainbow Power in its normal form, as you can see. But if we focus it through these new Elements of Harmony my experiment created, the effect is more focused and powerful." The Rainbow Power faded, Twilight's mane, tail, and cutie mark returning to normal.

Dr. Rorschach nodded, smiling. He always liked hearing about new scientific discoveries. "Truly fascinating, Twilight!" he said, deciding to get back to business. "I take it from the fact that you guessed my profession that you know who I am?"

Twilight nodded. "I recognize you from my lessons with Princess Celestia. She had Professor Brainpan come talk to me about psychology for one lesson. You were there as his apprentice."

Dr. Rorschach chuckled. "The stallion was a genius. Taught me everything I know," he said.

Twilight beamed. "Well, you're more than welcome. Believe me, you and the other psychologists and psychiatrists that have been called here to help everypony are needed greatly," she said.

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "I recognize some of my colleagues from my own school days. They're all good ponies, and can do a lot of good here," he said. "As for me, I'm hoping I can do some good for you and the other Element Bearers, as well as young Spike."

"Good, you're including him," Twilight said. "He always feels so left out..." She trailed off, looking thoughtful, chuckling and shaking her head after a moment. "Heh..."

"What is it?" Dr. Rorschach asked.

"The Doomtree... It put us all in an illusion... Made me think that I was Spike's mother..." Twilight said softly. "Ever since then, though..."

Dr. Rorschach nodded, understanding. "You're starting to realize you actually do have motherly feelings for him," he said.

Twilight giggled. "I certainly lecture him enough to be his mother," she said.

Dr. Rorschach smiled. "It's perfectly natural," he said. "From what I've read, you played a big part in raising him."

Twilight closed her eyes and sighed. "Something to talk with him about, I suppose," she said softly.

Dr. Rorschach looked around. "Where is Spike, anyway?" he asked. "And Engineer, for that matter? I was told they were both here."

Twilight smiled. "Spike was getting tired, so Engineer and Gem took him back into town to get him some ice cream and put him to bed. Spy was here for a bit, but we couldn't do anything now, so he went to check on the others one more time."

Dr. Rorschach nodded. "Then I guess I've seen everypony I need to, then," he said. "I'll start scheduling times for us to talk."

Twilight nodded. "Do you need a place to stay?" she asked. "The hotels are pretty booked..."

"Lemme try on my own first," Dr. Rorschach said, smiling. "If I can't find a place, I'll take you up on your offer."

Twilight nodded, turning back to the Tree of Harmony as Dr. Rorschach left, marveling inwardly.

She has an alicorn's majesty, and yet she still has the approachability of a mortal, he thought. Amazing...

As he ascended the stairway back to the main path, he was met by someone.

"Captain Harbinger?" Dr. Rorschach asked, recognizing the famous soldier.

The indigo pony nodded. "Princess Celestia requests a private audience with you in the forest," he said, smiling.

Dr. Rorschach frowned. Something felt... off, about that smile... "All right," he said, letting Harbinger lead him off the path and into the forest. The light became dimmer as the sun slowly set, the canopy of trees hiding more and more of the light until Dr. Rorschach could barely see. More and more he was starting to feel like this was a bad idea, that he shouldn't be here. But he couldn't leave. Princess Celestia had asked for him, after all.

Eventually, they came to a small clearing, lit by a roaring fire. Princess Celestia was there, a too-wide smile on her face. With her was a gray, black maned, horribly battered pegasus with a disturbing cutie mark, his face covered by a ghostly white mask. Purplish blood oozed from several wounds, several burns on his flesh.

Before Dr. Rorschach's horrified eyes, Princess Celestia picked up the pegasus by his foreleg with her magic, and broke his leg.

The pegasus let out a shriek of agony, desperately struggling to get away, the alicorn's magic holding him perfectly in place. Princess Celestia giggled. "Harbinger!" she said in a far too cheerful voice "Look what I caught while you were away!"

Harbinger grinned widely, his eyes glowing with an ethereal white light. "One of Slendermane's Masky servants? Most excellent, my lady!"

Princess Celestia giggled again. "It is, isn't it?" she said. "I was thinking of ripping open his belly and boiling his insides. Wouldn't that be lovely?"

The insanity of the situation was too much. Dr. Rorschach turned to flee, but Harbinger vanished in a blur, reappearing in front of him, a mad grin on his face.

"Stay, Dr. Rorschach. You are safe in my lady's light. Princess Celestia will not harm you," he said, slowly stalking towards the terrified psychologist, who backed away from him as best he could, entering the clearing.

Princess Celestia pulled Dr. Rorschach towards her, hoisting him in the air with her magic. "Indeed, my delightful little pony," she said. "Do not fear! Those who help those I care for, I reward! And as for this monstrosity..." She twisted his leg, breaking it again, the masked pegasus letting out another wail of agony. Princess Celestia grinned cruelly. "Do not feel pity for him. He is a brutal, child-eating carnivore who has corrupted others with his poisonous ways. He deserves all of what I am doing to him. And so much more..."

Dr. Rorschach was more terrified than he had ever been in his life. To see Princess Celestia, who normally gave off the impression of a stoic pillar of strength, calm, and reason, to see her giggling like a madmare as she tortured a pony... it was unreal. He could barely believe what his eyes were seeing. He wanted to get away, get far away! But he was too frightened to struggle, too afraid of offending the madmare before him.

"I am so very glad you're here, my little pony," Princess Celestia said, chuckling merrily as her magic surged, tearing off one of Masky Pegasus's forelegs, the pegasus shrieking in agony. "For you see... I have great plans for Twilight and her friends, as well as those lovely BLU ponies. Great plans indeed... My eyes have been opened, Dr. Rorschach. No longer will I be weak. No longer will I make the mistake of showing MERCY to those who threaten my little ponies. Especially the ones I care about most. Oh yes... I will have True Harmony, my good doctor. But to do that, I need Twilight and her friends..."

Every word out of Princess Celestia's mouth, every twitch of her eye, every mad gin, all of it made Dr. Rorschach more and more afraid. She's gone mad! Dr. Rorschach thought. I have to get away from her, have to warn Twilight and the others... And Captain Harbinger... He looked over at the indigo Earth pony, who had the adoring smile of a cultist on his face, his eyes glowing with unnatural coronas. She's done something to him... This is insane. I have to get away, I have to...

"Doctor Rorschach," Princess Celestia said firmly. Dr. Rorschach gulped, looking at her. She was staring at him intently. And to his horror, shadowy creatures were starting to swarm around her. "Do not think you can hide your thoughts from me. Do not think I cannot hear the sedition in your head."

"Please..." Dr. Rorschach begged, struggling in her magic, tears of fright streaming down her face. For the briefest instant, he had a hallucination of her with her mane and tail as a roiling, purple mass of Smooze, her eyes glowing black. "Princess Celestia... You're sick... These thoughts you're having, they're..."

Princess Celestia smiled. Dr. Rorschach whimpered. Princess Celestia shushed him, almost cooing. "There there, my little pony... Do not fear. Your Princess, your Goddess... she loves you, as she loves all her little ponies! I'm going to save you, Dr. Rorschach. I'm going to save you as I saved Harbinger... but not yet. Not until all my plans are in place. Not until I can either kill the Slendermane... Or break him..." Her eyes glowed. "Now sleep, my good doctor. Know that you have my trust that you can help Twilight and her friends."

Dr. Rorschach's eyes glowed briefly, and he slumped over in Princess Celestia's grasp. The mad princess set him down, chuckling softly. The shadows swirled around her, Princess Celestia nuzzling them affectionately. "Take him back into town. Give him a happier version of this conversation," she said.

The shadows bowed humbly to her, picking up the unconscious Dr. Rorschach and vanishing into the forest with him. Harbinger stepped forward and bowed, Princess Celestia staring after the shadows.

YoU bRaInWaSh sO rEaDiLy... YoU aRe BeCoMiNg MoNsTrOuS... Masky Pegasus taunted, his ethereal voice fraught with agony from his earlier torture.

Princess Celestia just smirked, and ripped his wings off. "Your death, my little pony, will send a message to your master. I'M COMING FOR HIM. And nothing, NOTHING, can stop me..." she said.

TO BE CONTINUED...