The next afternoon, a crowd of ponies filtered through the opening to the Hedge Maze center in Ponyville, weaving their way through the marked paths to the center. Above them, fluttering banners proudly proclaimed that they were on their way to Dr. Miraculous Cure's Seminar for Phobias and Anxieties. Amongst the crowd was Rainbow Dash, her head low as she passed her gaze back and forth in suspicion. She stared up at one of the banners as she passed underneath it, glaring at the image of the pony shaking off their shackles. What was it about this seminar that had driven Fire Streak to become so callous and fearless that he had nearly gotten himself killed?

Several feet behind her, Zipline walked along, still with some hesitation. All these other ponies, silently judging him for attending this convention. Did they know? Could they deduce his secret, that he was a pegasus who could not fly out of simple cowardice? Would they remember his face?

"This guy better be worth it, Rain," he muttered to himself.

Finally, they breached the center of the hedge maze. Chattering ponies were arranging themselves in rows in front of the stage, which had another banner displayed across it. The royal purple curtains shifted faintly from wind and hidden activity: behind them was a set of purple tents. Zipline found a seat near the back and sat stonily, staring straight ahead like a proper Guard. He did not notice Rainbow Dash creeping in and taking a seat in the middle of the group. The crowd around them chatted amongst themselves, eagerly waiting for the show to begin. Security ponies and assistants in purple t-shirts stood amongst the borders of the group, keeping watch over them.

Finally, the curtains parted, and with a flourish, Dr. Miraculous Cure stepped out onto the stage with a broad smile. He was a light blue unicorn with a long silvery mane and tail and a well-trimmed goatee. His cutie mark was the image from his posters: an open book with the purple psi symbol on both pages. He was dressed in a dark suit and an ivory tie. The crowd applauded at his entry.

"How many ponies here are afraid of something?" he asked, his voice amplified to reach over the noise of the spectator. After a moment of hesitation, most of the ponies in the crowd raised their hooves.

"Fear can be a good thing, when it is controlled," Dr. Cure declared, pacing back and forth across the stage. "From the start of our lives, fear acts as one of our most important teachers. Whenever we are about to do something that might be dangerous, fear is what pulls us back. Fear of being punished taught us to obey the law and our parents, which molded us into good, upstanding citizens. Fear of being hurt teaches us to be careful around dangerous objects or machinery, or to be cautious with strangers.

"But," he continued, stepping off the stage and into the pit to walk amongst the crowd. "Fear is not supposed to control us. It's like our teachers at school: they guide us and provide us with valuable knowledge, but I know I wouldn't have liked having my first grade teacher looking over my shoulder all the time, telling me what to do!" Dr. Cure grinned at his own joke. There was a ripple of chuckling from amongst the crowd.

"I will be honest with you, my friends," Dr. Cure continued, starting to walk up the center aisle of the crowd. "I was once a complete fraidy-pony. I was afraid of the dark, I was afraid of storms, I was afraid of dogs and cats and bugs...if you named it, I was probably scared of it. I had totally submitted to my fears; they ruled me completely, dictated my life." He looked around the crowd, and from the looks on many ponies faces, it was quite clear that there were many who knew exactly what he was talking about.

"But I was able to conquer my fears with a simple method," Dr. Cure stated, continuing to walk up the center aisle. "I learned that fear is not my enemy, it is my servant; I am its master, not the other way around." He paused, turning in a full circle to ensure that he had everypony's attention. "I can demonstrate how I managed to overcome my fears, but first, I will need a volunteer from the audience."

Several hooves immediately went up in eagerness. Dr. Cure and his assistants began to comb the ensemble for any suitable participants. While everypony was distracted, Rainbow slipped out from amongst the pack and began to sneak towards the tent, keeping her head low to avoid anypony's attention.

Dr. Cure's gaze passed over Zipline, who did his best to not react, trying not to draw attention to himself. But like a hawk zeroing in on a tasty field mouse, the psychiatrist's gaze locked onto him. "How about you, sir?" he declared, striding towards him confidently. Every head turned towards Zipline, who cringed internally. His secret was about to be exposed to the world.

"And what's your name?" Dr. Cure asked Zipline, pausing in front of him.

Zipline took a slow breath, feeling the gazes of dozens of ponies boring into him. Rain Breeze was definitely going to have to make this up for him later. "Zipline," he answered, trying to keep his voice even.

"Zipline," Dr. Cure smiled. "You have a very straight-backed posture. Are you, by any chance, in the Royal Guard?"

"Yes, sir. PFC, Solar House Guard."

"Solar House Guard? Most impressive," Dr. Cure nodded. About a third of the ponies applauded. "So, Zipline, being one of the protectors of Princess Celestia herself, you probably consider yourself to be a pretty brave individual, right?"

"Yes, sir," Zipline answered flatly.

"Of course. But is there anything that you're afraid of?"

"No, sir."

Miraculous Cure turned to look at him, shaking his head quietly with a paternal smile. "Anypony who says that they fear nothing is either a fool or a liar, Zipline, and you do not strike me as either." He stepped closer. Zipline felt a sudden urge to step back.

"Nopony is here to make fun of you, my friend. The reason you are here is because you are brave enough to know that you need help, which is the first step to achieving that help. Every single pony here is being brave just by coming here, laying themselves bare for everypony else to see." He looked back at Zipline, giving him an appraising look. "The next step for them is for someone to take another step forward. To admit their fear, and show them that they, too, don't have to be afraid of their fear. And who better than a Royal Guard to help them take that first step?"

The two ponies looked at each other, and where Zipline expected to find challenge and arrogance, he found welcoming and acceptance. He saw the face of somepony reaching out to him from the other side of a wide canyon. He swallowed, looked down at the floor, and spoke softly.

"Heights..."

"What did you say?" Dr. Cure asked, leaning in a little closer.

"I'm scared of heights..."

Zipline cringed, expecting a torrent of jeering laughter; but to his surprise, there was no sound save a sympathetic murmur from the ponies closest to him.

"I see," Dr. Cure said. "Now tell me: is there anything or anypony that is special in your life? The most important thing?"

Zipline didn't even have to think. "My daughter."

"And you would do anything for her, is that correct?"

"What father wouldn't?" Zipline responded, straightening up.

"Of course," Dr. Cure nodded in agreement. "And that is the cure to taming fear: focusing on something stronger. In Zipline's example, if ever his fear of heights becomes something that stops him from being able to live his life the way he wants, he should focus on his daughter, on how he would do anything for her...even conquer his long-term phobia. And that is how, step by step, each of us can conquer fear: by giving us something stronger to put it in its place, and taking it down, one step at a time! Let's have a big round of applause for Zipline!"

At Dr. Cure's call, the crowd burst into applause, whistles and cheers. Zipline stared in utter astonishment. Nopony was looking at him mockingly, no one jeered his weakness: these ponies accepted him, were encouraging him to stand up. Numb with surprise, Zipline barely realized that he was shaking Dr. Cure's hoof until the psychiatrist leaned in close and whispered in his ear.

"Meet with me after the lecture. I have something that will help you with your phobia, as a thank you for participating."

Before Zip could respond, Dr. Cure winked at him and walked away, turning his attention to another volunteer. The numbness in Zipline's body dissipated, eventually replaced with relief. Straightening back up, he turned his full attention to the lecture.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash had snuck around behind the stage to the rows of purple tents where convention exercises and therapies were to take place over the next few days. With all the security and assistants focusing on the lecture out front, this area was deserted. Rainbow crept down the pathway, flanked by the tents on either side, examining the signs posted outside each tent. It appeared that each of the individual tents was intended for a different exercise: one had a sign that said "Aromatic Therapy," while another said "Modeling" and a third read "Counter-conditioning." A small group of tents that was sitting slightly separated from the main body of canopies was roped off and labeled "Staff Quarters," but it was the one next to it that Rainbow Dash's interest focused on immediately.

This tent was small, with faded purple canvas that was roped shut. It sat off on its own, separated from the other tents, as if trying not to be noticed. A small sign in front of it read "PRIVATE" in bold letters.

They couldn't have made it more tempting if they tried. Rainbow zipped over to the tent and pulled open the curtains a bit, peeking inside.

The interior of the tent was almost completely empty. There were only a few small, scattered cushions for sitting on, a hanging oil lantern for light, and a large crate sitting in the corner. Slipping inside, Rainbow crept over to the crate, testing the lid. To her surprise, the box was unlocked, allowing her to open it up and examine the contents.

Inside the crate were a dozen flasks, packed in shipping foam. Curious, Rainbow took out one of the flasks and twisted the top open. The container was filled with a thick milky white liquid. She sniffed it suspiciously: it smelled faintly like oranges.

What was this doing here? Was this Dr. Cure's miraculous cure for fear, which had led Fire Streak to almost kill himself and his partner? After a moment of hesitation, Rainbow tucked the flask beneath her wing. She'd have to have Twilight examine this—

A hoof suddenly clapped down on her shoulder. "Now what do you think you're doing?"

Rainbow whirled around and saw a pegasus standing behind her, glaring at her. This pegasus was dressed in the uniform of a convention security guard, a purple short-sleeved shirt with a golden tag pinned to his right breast, announcing that his name was Star Watcher. He had a green coat and a scruffy brown mane and tail with narrow blue eyes. His cutie mark was a golden telescope imposed on an image of the Big Dipper.

"What is this stuff?" Rainbow demanded, holding up the flask.

"That's none of your business," Star Watcher said gruffly, snatching the flask from her and placing it back in the box. "I'm not sure how fluent you are in Standard Equestrian, but the sign outside says 'Private.' As in, you're not allowed in here, savvy?"

"Did you give any of this stuff to Fire Streak?" Rainbow asked.

"I didn't. This belongs to Dr. Cure. Ergo, you'd have to ask him...except you can't, because I'm escorting you out. Come on." Watcher grabbed Rainbow's foreleg and started to guide her out of the tent.

"Let go!" Rainbow yanked her leg from his grip. "My friend attended this little get-together of yours, and then he got into a bad accident. He and another friend of mine almost died!"

"Dr. Cure and his employees are not responsible for the actions of those who attend this program," Star Watcher told her coldly. "If your friend decided to do something stupid, that's his own decision. We are not liable; you're free to check the statement of release that all of our clients sign for yourself."

Rainbow growled in Star Watcher's face; the security guard merely stared impassively back at her. "Listen to me, you. If I find out that whatever snake oil your boss is selling is putting my friends in danger, then I'm taking him down...and you with him!" And with that, she took flight, disappearing into the sky. Star Watcher watched her vanish into the horizon, scowling.

At that moment, a loud, long round of applause from the attending crowd announced that the lecture had just ended. Dr. Cure's muffled voice invited the attendees to come and participate in the available exercises. With a tromping of dozens of hoofsteps, several ponies filtered around the stage and into the row of tents. Uniformed assistants began to bustle over to the tents, inviting attendees inside to try this therapy or that exercise, to train them to overcome their fears.

Dr. Cure walked down the center mainway, smiling as he acknowledged the thanks of his new patients. Zipline followed along discreetly. What did this doctor want with him now?

"In here," Dr. Cure said, gesturing Zip into the private tent. Zipline entered, somewhat warily; he almost started to reach for the revolver on his hip before remembering that he left it at home, locked in the gun safe.

Dr. Cure entered, closing the tent flap behind him and using his magic to light the oil lantern. "I understand if you're a bit wary, but I must ask you to trust me just a little bit longer." He walked over to the crate sitting off in the corner and lifted it open. He extracted one of the flasks of liquid and brought it over, sitting down on one of the cushions.

"What is that?" Zipline asked.

"The next step of your program," Dr. Cure said. "It's a special potion that I've made."

"What does it do?"

"It will help you with your fears. Just a small prescription of this, and day by day, you'll find that you won't have a problem with your altophobia any longer."

Zipline eyed the flask warily. "And you're just giving this to me? Why not just give it to everypony here?"

Dr. Cure eyed the tent flap, sighed, then continued in a low voice. "Because it's still in its experimental stage."

"So how can you be sure that it works?" Zipline asked, drawing away slightly.

"That's what I want you to help me find out," Dr. Cure said. "I've already given it to a few other ponies—special ponies, like yourself, ponies who can't live their lives the way they want, who can't live up to what they wish to be in the eyes of those they love—and the results I've gotten were positive." He paused, then leaned forward slightly. "I know I'm asking you to take a bit of a risk here, Zipline, but trust me: this will help you become the stallion that you've always wanted to be. This will be the thing that finally frees you. You won't have to be ashamed or afraid anymore."

Zipline hesitated. The flask of liquid seemed to call to him: inside was the key to his dreams, to liberation from the crippling vertigo and crushing shame that had plagued him for so many years. Yet he still was not sure: should he accept the supposed kindness of a stranger?

"Think of it this way," Dr. Cure continued in a low, almost hypnotic voice. "By taking this, you are helping me to help so many just like you, who suffer in silence and terror. You will be helping your daughter, by giving her the role model she needs. And ultimately, you will be helping yourself."

An image danced in front of Zipline's vision: his own daughter, flying high through the sky alongside him. For her to feel the exhilaration of the wind through her wings was the thing that he wanted the most in the world: so much the sweeter it would be if he could share in the experience with her!

The image was enough temptation to convince him. Slowly, he reached out and took the flask. It felt heavy in his hoof, and his foreleg trembled beneath the weight.

"Drink it all down," Dr. Cure instructed. "It might take a day or two to take full effect."

Unscrewing the cap, Zipline stared for a moment at the liquid within. The citrus scent filled his nostrils. He hesitated a moment longer, like a high diver standing right at the edge of the diving board, looking down at the water below.

Think of something stronger than your fear. Think of your daughter.

Closing his eyes, Zipline tilted his head back and raised the potion to his lips, steadily gulping it down. The cool liquid trickled down his throat and filled him up from the core all the way to the ends of his hooves.

"Well done," Dr. Cure said, maintaining the broad smile on his face, although something besides warmth flickered in his eyes.

Outside, the other attendants continued to walk in and out of the convention tents, guided through their fears by the trained assistants. With everypony focused on their hidden demons, nopony noticed a carrier pigeon flying above them, a rolled up length of parchment clutched tight in its beak.

The pigeon flew straight southwest from Ponyville, flying towards its destination with a steady speed even as the sky began to darken. Just as the reddening sun was starting to kiss the horizon, the pigeon dived down towards an old, abandoned amusement park a couple miles north of Applewood. It soared down past a rusting carousel, past a hall of mirrors, and flew through an open window in the back of a crumbling haunted house ride.

The back room was once used as storage for costumes and spare props. Now it was filled with a heady, chemical aroma that wafted upwards from a mass of tubes, beakers and other chemistry equipment that bubbled and hissed with a variety of concoctions. A pegasus stallion with a pale, sickly yellow coat and hair the color of dead grass sat at a lone table, his eyes pressed up against the lenses of a microscope as he jotted notes down onto a pad beside him with a pencil. The pigeon landed next to the stallion and cooed to get his attention.

"Usher," the pony said in a raspy voice. "What news do you bring?"

The pigeon dropped the length of parchment into the pony's waiting hoof. He examined the message intently. "Interesting..." he muttered. "Rainbow Dash..."

There was a whooshing of feathers and a manila envelope marked "Rainbow Dash" landed on the table next to the stallion. The raven who had dropped it off landed next to it and let out a low cry.

"Thank you, Lenore," the pegasus said, stroking the bird with a bony hoof before retrieving the folder and opening it up. He examined the notes and photographs within carefully, his mind already racing.

"Yes," he finally said softly. "I think this will work." Taking out a roll of parchment, the pegasus scribbled down a long note before rolling it up and handing it back to the pigeon. The bird immediately took flight, sailing back to Ponyville. Then the pegasus reached over to a speaker and pressed down on the button. "Come in here," he ordered. A moment later, a door behind him opened opened and a burly unicorn in a dark jacket walked into the room. "Yes, doctor?" the pony asked quietly with a tremulous voice, looking down at the floor.

"Get the ponies ready. We're going to have a delivery tomorrow night. Meanwhile," the doctor added, reaching for another scrap of parchment, "I need to arrange for a small distraction for our detective friend."

Author's Notes:

That pony sure sounds familiar. But what does the good doctor have to do with all of this?

You'll have to wait and see.