Asylum
Chapter 26
Twilight’s groan echoed around the cafeteria. “Next Friday?”
“Fraid so,” said Applejack with a sage nod. “That conference will last all week. Rarity doesn’t get back til Wednesday. And once she gets back she still has meetings, papers to file, work to catch up on…”
“I get it!” snapped Twilight. Turning away with a huff, she let her eyes wander over the rest of the staff table. A few nurses and orderlies were hunched over their own trays. At the opposite end sat Nurse Ratchet like a lord holding court, the orderly that was the current target of her displeasure was visibly wilting as she berated him. It was a conversation Twilight was glad not to be privy to.
Nurse Ratchet caught Twilight’s curious gaze from the corner of her vision and paused just long enough to give Twilight one of her broad smiles, the humor in her cheeks never quite reaching her eyes.
Twilight shivered. Her reflection’s jaundiced gaze held more sincerity. She turned back to Applejack, swallowing her frustration. “And you’re absolutely sure she can’t make it back any sooner?”
“Sorry, sugarcube. But if you need, I can always arrange another social worker to speak with you. Would you like me to set up something tomorrow? You can be sure I will be there if you need me.”
Tossing her schedule into a mental trash-bin, Twilight let out a long sigh. “No, no, that’s okay. It’s only another week. I can wait till then. All I really need is the two of you together.”
“I know you trust me and Rarity, but there are other ponies who can help you too. There isn’t a reason to delay if it’s something important,” she added, concern coloring her voice despite the soft smile. “Don’t wait till you see fire to report smoke.”
“Don’t worry, it’s nothing like that. I just need to get something off my chest. It’s sort of personal, and I really only feel comfortable discussing it with you two.” Twilight’s hoof reached up to squeeze the doll in her pocket, feeling the faint weight of the key inside it. Her thoughts darkened as what she’d been told in the bathroom replayed itself. She licked her lips. “Applejack?”
“Yeah?”
“Does… does Big Mac have any regrets?”
Applejack’s smile grew hard and thin. “What do you mean?”
“I remember what you said, how he did the right thing by coming back to help support you and your mom. He gave up a lot for the family. But does he regret leaving school?”
“No,” Applejack replied, a little too quickly. Her expression softened as she glanced around, noting looks from the nurses further down the table. “Come with me,” she said as she stood up, gesturing for Twilight to follow her.
Finding a quiet pocket beyond any curious ears, Applejack turned back to Twilight, her voice a firm whisper. She squeezed Twilight’s shoulder. “What’s really bothering you, sugarcube?”
“When you talked about what he did, you made it sound like he gave up so much. I can’t imagine how he could avoid being bitter about what he was forced to do.”
“He was a little upset that he didn’t get to finish his education or get a job in the big city like our parents wanted, but no, he doesn’t regret coming back to the farm. It was the right thing to do, and that’s all that mattered to him.”
“So he doesn’t doubt that he made the right choice?” Twilight pressed.
“Life ain’t perfect, Twilight. It wasn’t fair, him having to leave school, but there isn’t a force on Equestria that would have kept him from doing what was necessary to keep that farm running. If anything, he’s glad he gave up what he did, because the only other choice was to give up on his family. And that would have eaten him up inside. There are no regrets when we do what’s right for the ones we love. Big Mac knew what he was giving up, but he was doing it for love. How could he regret that?”
Silence followed Applejack’s words. She seemed lost in thought before she remembered Twilight was standing next to her. She gave Twilight a sheepish grin. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to prattle on like that. I don’t know what came over me.”
It was exactly what Twilight had expected her to say, but she still felt the tension seep out of her muscles. “Really, it’s fine,” she said. “It helped to hear you say that.”
“Well, I’m just glad I could answer your questions,” Applejack said, unable to hide the faint confusion there, “but why are you wondering about my brother, anyway?”
“Just curious.” Twilight lied with an easy grace, but her smile was genuine. “Thanks for the talk, Applejack.”
Twilight could feel both Applejack and Nurse Ratchet watching her as she turned away and slipped back into the sea of patients, leaving the doctors to their meal.
Sliding into her seat again, Twilight wasn’t surprised to find Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash waiting with matching expressions.
“What was that about?” they asked in stereo.
Twilight waved her hoof. “Just double-checking that everything is going ahead as scheduled. They’re not as punctual as I would have hoped, but it shouldn’t affect my timetable. I just need to double-check after lunch, just to be sure.”
“It must have been good news though, because you look mucho-happioso,” Pinkie said.
“I do feel better.” Mulling it over, Twilight nodded. “Yeah. I guess sometimes it helps to get a different opinion and see things from another perspective, even when you know you’re right. Your friends can be a pillar for you without them even knowing it.”
Pinkie Pie smiled at her words, but Rainbow Dash just looked mildly irritated. “I dddon’t care about the touchy-feely… pillary stuff. What’s the plan, egghead?”
“Pinkie and I, we found something important a few days ago.” Twilight ignored Pinkie’s nervous glances at Rainbow Dash, focused on keeping her voice just above the background din. “Something big.”
Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “How big?”
“Big enough to bring the whole hospital down.”
It was a crude exaggeration, but from the way Rainbow’s face lit up it had the desired effect. “That’s what I’m talking about!” Rainbow declared with a predatory grin. “So come on, show it to me.”
Twilight blinked. “Right now?”
“Duh. If I’m gonna risk my flying privileges, I wanna know it’s worth it.”
“Well, I don’t think I can,” said Twilight as she glanced around at the crowded cafeteria. “Not right at the moment, anyway. Besides it wouldn't do you any good because it's all very technical, concerning magic and medicine and that sort of thing."
Rainbow’s excitement boiled away as her face contorted in anger. “So?” she asked, spitting out the question. “You don’t think I’m smart enough to understand it? Because I am! I might not be an egghead like you or, or like reading and doing math and stuff like that, but I’m nnot stupid. I don’t care what you or the dddn… dddoctors think. I’m not stupid! Understand?”
Pinkie leaned forward, her shoulder gently nudging Twilight away from Rainbow's focus. "We know, Rainbow. You're not stupid. But there are lots of ponies around right now," she said, tilting her head at the nearby tables. "Twilight has to take lots of precautions because this is really super secret stuff. She can't afford to be found out."
Rainbow pointed a hoof at Pinkie Pie. “Has she shown you what it is?”
“Not really,” Pinkie admitted.
“Then why do you trust her? Maybe she’s just another nut job who thinks she’s the Mare in the Moon.” She prodded Pinkie in the chest before giving Twilight a dark glare. “I’ve heard the stories about you. I asked around. You’re not like the rest of us. You don’t get to leave when you get better. They can’t give more time to a lifer. But ponies like me and Pinkie and Fluttershy? They can lock us up, decide we’re dddangerous and stuff. When I fight back, there’s a real risk involved.”
Twilight stared at Rainbow, her brow furrowed in worry. The word echoed through her mind: lifer. Her mouth bent into a slight frown. “Of course. The... those who put me in here want everyone, myself included, to believe that I'll never get out. They want hope to wither and die. That is exactly why I need to do this and face the risks of escape. There are worse things than just being locked up.”
Frowning, Rainbow glanced between the two mares. Pinkie mimed a cutting motion above her forehead.
“Look, just because you’re cooler than some of the nerds here doesn’t mean I’m gonna stick my neck out for you just ‘cause you asked, kay?” Rainbow crossed her arms. “If you want my help you gotta earn it.”
“I’m not gonna show you what I have right this minute,” Twilight said with a little more force, “and that’s final.”
“Chill your hooves, brainiac. I understand. If you want my help you’ll show it to me later. I’m talking about proving that you’re not gonna wimp out on me if we do become a team.”
“We proved that just getting this information.”
“I don’t care what you say you did,” Rainbow said, her voice catching on the last word. “The Wonderbolts have tryouts, so I have tryouts. If you wanna join me, you gotta show me what you’re capable of. I don’t let just anyone hang out with the Dddash.”
Pinkie glanced over at Twilight, who had to fight to keep from rolling her eyes. “Fine. What do you want me to do?”
Smirking, Rainbow turned and pointed across the lunchroom. “See that mare there? The greeny-bluey one with the golden mane?” Twilight and Pinkie Pie nodded in unison. “Her name is Lightning Dust. She was responsible for killing one of Fluttershy’s birds, so I want you to get a little payback for her.”
“Payback?” The color drained from Twilight’s face. “What kind of payback?”
There was a sharp crack as Rainbow smacked her hooves together. “I want you to smash her smug face in.”
“That’s horrible!” said Pinkie, covering her mouth.
“No it isn’t. She deserves it for wwhat she did to Fluttershy.”
“You can’t do this, Twilight,” Pinkie said, looking nauseous. “We’re the good ponies, remember?”
Twilight gave Rainbow a measured look. “If you want revenge, why don’t you do it yourself?”
“I have my reasons!” Rainbow replied, a hint of red coloring her cheeks. “I’m, like, being watched too closely by the dddoctors to get away with it. And besides, this is about you showing you’ve got the mettle to be with me. Spitfire doesn’t take no wimps when recruiting for the Wonderbolts, and that means I don’t either.”
“So isn’t there something else I could do instead?” asked Twilight. “I don’t want to draw too much attention to myself right now either. Couldn’t I do your homework or clean your room?”
“Spitfire said in an interview that the Wonderbolts can’t work without absolute trust. So I need to know you’re a team player. And if you want to be my number two, then you better get used to following orders,” said Rainbow as she puffed out her chest.
Pinkie leaned across the table with a near-manic look on her face. “Please, we’re supposed to help ponies, not hurt them!”
“I’m not a fighter, Rainbow. I can’t beat up another pony.”
“Then what use are you?” she growled.
Twilight steepled her hooves and gave Rainbow an appraising look. “To be clear, you want me to get into a fight with Lightning Dust to prove I’m not a ‘wimp’. You promise that if I do this you will help me?” Pinkie gasped, but Twilight ignored her, watching Rainbow closely.
“Of course! As long as you give her a hard time, you’re in. And like every Wonderbolt I’m a mare of my word.”
“Twilight! You can’t do this!” Pinkie repeated, her voice cracking.
There was a long pause. With deliberate care, Twilight reached her hoof across the table. With a savage grin Rainbow gripped it in her own and pumped it up and down. Twilight turned to the aghast Pinkie Pie as she stood up. “Walk with me.”
The two of them walked down the long rows of lunch-tables, ignored by the mass of hungry ponies. Twilight could feel Rainbow’s gaze on the back of her head.
Pinkie leaned in close. “Why did you agree to that? You can’t just get into a fight and hurt another pony because Rainbow wants you to.”
“I need to earn Rainbow’s trust. She’s one of my friends and the Element of Loyalty.”
“Rainbow is just the Element of being a big meany! You can’t do this.” Pinkie placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder, halting her in place. “I won’t let you.”
Twilight exhaled and massaged her temple. “Pinkie…”
“Don’t you ‘Pinkie’ me, Twilight! I had my doubts after what happened in Doctor Rose’s office. I let it go because you’re my bestest friend, but I’m not gonna let you become a big bully just to impress Rainbow Dash. If you won’t stop then I’ll… I’ll… I’ll tell Doctor AJ on you and tell her everything!”
“No you won't,” Twilight said, breathing through her clenched teeth. She could feel her temper struggle to break free, forcing her to clamp down harder. “You have no reason to because I’m not going to hurt her.”
Some of the defiance on Pinkie’s face evaporated. “But I thought you said you were going to do what Rainbow said and beat up Lightning Dust?”
“I am going to do exactly what I promised her.” Twilight reached out to squeeze Pinkie’s arm. “You have to trust me on this. I Pinkie Promise that I’m not going to hurt Lightning Dust.”
Pinkie tilted her head to the side. “I don’t understand.”
“You don’t have to understand just yet. All you need to do is alert the nurses that something is happening at Lightning Dust’s table as soon as I get there, alright?”
Confusion and distrust flashed across Pinkie’s face, but eventually she gave a slow nod. “Okay, Twilight. I trust you.”
Twilight watched Pinkie reluctantly stroll away before she turned back to her target. Lightning Dust was at the end of the next table, sitting amidst a small bunch of patients – all pegasi, Twilight noted – and involved in a passionate discussion where she seemed to be the central topic. She was facing away from Twilight, leaving her back exposed.
Twilight glanced over at Rainbow Dash, who just smiled back and gestured for her to keep going. She took a few deep breaths and, putting one hoof in front of the other, she moved in.
The pegasi only noticed Twilight when she was a few paces away, the whole group glancing up at the intruder as one. Lightning paused mid-sentence and, with an air of supreme disinterest, slowly turned around to face Twilight. She eyed Twilight up and down, a slow smirk revealing her teeth. “You want something, bonehead?” she asked, to a smattering of sycophantic snickers.
Twilight nodded. From the corner of her eye she could see a pair of flustered nurses making a beeline in her direction, Pinkie Pie following in their wake. They were about thirty seconds out, from her estimations, which left her a small window of opportunity to strike.
“Well, what does a ground-pounder like you want with Broadhoof’s best flyer?” Lightning asked, her smirk only growing wider as Twilight squared off in front of her. “Looking for an autograph?”
Twilight spit right in Lightning’s face.
“Owie. Owie. Owie!”
“It’s just a little peroxide. It ain’t gonna kill you.”
“Still hurts,” Twilight said defensively, her voice given a nasal timbre from the bandages shrouding her muzzle. Her ears still rang with the shouts and howls of the panicked melee minutes before, but she wasn’t sure that wasn’t part of some undiagnosed concussion either. Twilight tightened her grip on the ice pack she was holding against her forehead. She’d certainly taken enough hooves to the head to make that a valid worry.
Applejack rolled her eyes as she removed the cotton-swab from Twilight’s nose and passing it to the heavyset nurse standing beside her. “Well, you deserve it after the stunt you pulled,” she said, her voice dripping with disapproval. “What in the wide-wide world of Equestria were you thinking, picking a fight with another pony like that?”
Averting her gaze, Twilight slunk a little lower in her seat. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re just lucky Pinkie Pie saw what was happening so soon,” Applejack continued, giving the downcast Pinkie a friendly smile.
Pinkie returned it with one of her own, looking a little less haggard than she had been a few minutes prior. Twilight wasn’t sure if it had been Pinkie’s endless pleading or her status as a patient assistant which had really persuaded Applejack to let her stay, but it was small comfort in a storm of minor agonies.
“You’re lucky you escaped with just a few scrapes and bruises,” the nurse – Sweetheart? – added as she helped Applejack finish bandaging Twilight’s muzzle. “If we hadn’t gotten there in time there’s no telling what could have happened. Fights are not something to be taken lightly, dontcha know.”
Applejack nodded. “Exactly. There is never any reason to pick a fight. Big fillies settle their differences with words, not hooves.”
There was a moment of incredulity before Twilight let out a loud groan. She could still taste blood in her mouth and the pair of them were already talking down to her. It never ended at Broadhoof.
The rest of the lunchroom had long since emptied of everypony else, leaving a single orderly and a pair of janitors the group’s only observers. An opened first-aid kit sat nearby, amidst a few abandoned trays.
Twilight watched the two janitors finish mopping up the remains of the incident, a dozen frantic hooves having turned all the spilled lunches into a disgusting puree across the tiles. Twilight expected more than a few drops of her blood were mixed in with the discarded food. The fight – if being punched in the muzzle before crumpling to the floor could be considered a fight – had lasted mere seconds, but Lightning and her friends had used every one of them.
The evidence of their handiwork was quite apparent on Twilight’s face. She shifted her ice-pack to the other side of her head, fighting the urge to wince as Applejack double-checked her bandages. Whatever painkillers Nurse Sweetheart had given her had yet to make a difference.
“Honestly Twilight, I thought you were smarter than this,” Applejack continued as she returned the bandages and antiseptic to the first-aid kit, sounding as though she’d caught Apple Bloom with her hoof in the cookie jar.
“I know.”
“If it weren’t for the fact that nopony else was hurt, you’d be in solitary with Lightning Dust right now.”
“I guess getting the snot beaten out of me was punishment enough.”
“Don’t you sass me,” said Applejack with a lean glare.
“Sorry.”
As Nurse Sweetheart closed the latches on the first-aid kit, Applejack moved to Twilight’s side. Her expression softened, just like her tone of voice. “Is this all because of what we talked about earlier? What you wanted Rarity about?”
Twilight tried to shake her head, but the sudden rush just made her headache throb painfully. “No. This was just an accident. I didn’t mean to cause anypony trouble.” Twilight lied with just enough remorse to keep Applejack on her side. Being a bloody, bruised, and battered mess was a painful but effective way to earn sympathy.
Despite the performance, doubt still lingered on Applejack’s face. Handing the first-aid kit to Nurse Sweetheart she silently waved for the orderly by the door to come over before finally facing Twilight. “I have to go file a report about all this. You might not have meant to cause any trouble, but this is still one heck of a mess I gotta deal with. And since a bloody nose isn’t enough to keep you out of class, I’m going to have Golden Delicious here take you to your next period. He’ll keep an eye on you till I get back.” She held Twilight’s gaze for a few heartbeats. “And please, for your sake, try to stay out of trouble until then.”
After a curt farewell both Applejack and Sweetheart trod away, leaving Twilight and Pinkie Pie alone with the orderly. Twilight glanced up at the amber stallion. “Golden Delicious?”
“Yup,” he said with a deep drawl. “And just call me Golden.”
There was a pause as Twilight narrowed her eyes. “I’ve seen you before. Aren’t you related to Applejack?”
“Yup,” he repeated, this time with a hint of a smile on his face. “Cousins, three times removed. She helped get me the job here, actually.” He extended an arm to Twilight, who gratefully pulled herself upright. Lightheaded, she swayed and winced, but he didn’t let her fall. “Take it easy, now. Don’t need you hurting yourself. Again.”
She let out a derisive snort, only to yelp as her abused nostrils screamed in protest. Just breathing through her nose turned the air into sandpaper. Her legs trembled as she swayed in place.
“Don’t worry about that, Mr. Golden, sir!” Pinkie said as she took her place by Twilight’s side, acting as a fuzzy pink buttress for the swaying unicorn. “I’ll make sure she’s a-okay. Well, as a-okay as a pony with a face-full of bandages can get.”
Biting back a retort, Twilight leaned against Pinkie as the pair followed along in Golden’s wake. Inhaling through her mouth to avoid any more agony, Twilight gave Pinkie a nod of thanks.
She smiled back. “Don’t mention it.”
“You look like you’re feeling better,” said Twilight. “At least, compared to a few minutes ago.”
“Well a few minutes ago my best friend was bleeding and crying all over herself.”
Twilight frowned. “I was not crying.”
“Yes you were,” Pinkie replied with a playful wink. Her expression grew serious. “But really, I’m proud of you. You didn’t hurt anypony. Well, I guess you kinda got the crud bucked out of you, but that doesn’t count. I was really worried that you were gonna do just what Rainbow Dash said and be a bully, but you didn’t. That takes guts. And a thick skull.”
Twilight tried to give her an annoyed glare but it fizzled in the face of Pinkie’s laughter, and Twilight couldn’t help but chuckle in turn. Despite the pain, it was finally starting to feel like she’d made the right decision.
“Twilight Sparkle!”
“Y-Yes!” Twilight said automatically, spinning around fast enough to leave everything a confusing swirl. The dizziness passed to reveal Nurse Ratchet and her shadow Silas steaming towards them at full speed. Even Golden Delicious took a step back as Nurse Ratchet drew herself up in front of the group, her golden eyes burning with displeasure.
Golden Delicious bowed in her direction, swallowing loudly. “Ma’am.”
Nurse Ratchet didn’t even look up, her gaze boring into Twilight. “Leave us.”
He swallowed loudly. “But ma’am, Doctor Applejack told me–”
The nurse halted Golden Delicious with a single command. “I said leave us.”
He hurriedly bowed again and backed away, pulling the reluctant Pinkie Pie along with him. She tried to protest but he forced her ahead of him as they vanished around a corner. Slowly, Twilight turned to face Nurse Ratchet alone.
“Twilight Sparkle,” Nurse Ratchet repeated, each syllable delivered with the weighty impact of a judge’s gavel. “That was inexcusable. We do not tolerate fighting in this hospital.”
“But she hit me!” Twilight protested weakly.
“A proper unicorn doesn’t get into petty brawls as a way of acting out. I have no patience for troublemakers. If you have any problems you are to bring them to your… doctor's attention. If Applejack cannot resolve them, then you are to discuss them with me.” She took a step closer, her voice a pale whisper. “And if I ever even suspect you of crossing the line and causing problems in my hospital, you will regret it. Have I made myself clear?”
“Yes, Nurse Ratchet.”
“Good.” Nurse Ratchet’s gaze lingered for an anxiety-inducing length of time on Twilight’s horn before she gestured for Twilight to join her. “Come along, deary. I will walk you to your next class personally.”
Twilight obeyed, moving alongside Nurse Ratchet as they moved through the green and white halls, Silas bringing up the rear.
There was the faintest thaw in Nurse Ratchet’s expression as she watched Twilight from the corner of her eye. “It’s unfortunate that I have to speak to you like that, but I can’t allow you to get out of line just because you think you’re a special case. You have to learn that we don’t tolerate these sorts of things. Discipline is paramount in a place like Broadhoof. Without it we have anarchy.”
Unable to find a suitable response, Twilight simply nodded.
“Really, we’re all just relieved you didn’t end up seriously hurt. Things could have been far worse. It’s a good thing Pinkie Pie saw what was happening. She’s a dear, and I’m glad you’ve been making friends with her. Trustees like Pinkie are a real blessing.” There was nothing authentic in Nurse Ratchet’s smile.
“What happened to the pegasus?” Twilight asked.
“Lightning Dust is going to spend the rest of the week in solitary confinement, and we’ve clipped her wings.” Nurse Ratchet gave a dismissive sniff. “Sometimes grounding them for a few months is the only way to get a pegasus to listen to reason.”
Twilight frowned. “That sounds like a lot for just a bloody nose.”
“You’re lucky she didn’t break it. The last time she was in a fight she ended up fracturing another pony’s leg. That one is a serial troublemaker.”
“It still seems harsh to me.”
“She broke the rules,” Nurse Ratchet stated firmly, her tone making it clear the issue was settled. “I know you’re a good girl so you’re feeling a little guilty, but it’s what she deserves. The tougher we are now, the less likely she is to act out in the future.”
“Could I at least talk to her?”
“That would defeat the whole point of solitary confinement.”
“I just want to apologize to her.”
“You only have to apologize if you are guilty of something.” Nurse Ratchet turned to regard Twilight as they walked along. “So, why exactly did you go over to Lightning Dust in the first place?”
“I didn’t mean to start a fight. It just sorta happened.”
“And it has nothing to do with your new friend Rainbow Dash?”
Twilight stumbled. “W-What do you mean?”
“I know you’ve been spending more time with her. And right after eating lunch with her you go out and get into a fight with Rainbow’s enemy.”
“Enemy?” asked Twilight. “Rainbow Dash has an enemy?”
“Whose leg do you think Lightning Dust broke?”
Some of the color leaked from Twilight’s face, but she managed to keep her voice even this time. “No, it had nothing to do with Rainbow Dash. We’re just friends.”
“If you say so,” Nurse Ratchet said with another fake smile. Twilight shivered.
When they neared the classroom door Nurse Ratchet halted Twilight with a firm hoof to the chest. Some of the ice returned to her voice as she leaned in close. “Now, this time I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and accept that this was all a misunderstanding. But if you end up in this sort of mess again, misunderstanding or not, I’m going to have to assume that Rainbow Dash is involved and punish her as well. And you don’t want to hurt your friends, do you?”
A chill passed down Twilight’s legs. She shook her head. “No ma’am.”
“That’s a good girl. Now run along.”
Twilight seized the offer, not even returning Trixie’s greeting as she hustled past the teacher. The other patients looked up at Twilight as she entered, Pinkie Pie amongst them. She let out a loud sigh of relief, putting a thankful hoof on Twilight’s back as she took her seat in front of her.
“Oh wowie, it is so good to see you. I know it’s only been like a minute but I was so worried Nurse Ratchet was going to go all… Nurse Ratchet on you.”
“Me too,” Twilight admitted, the threat still echoing in her mind. Glancing around the classroom, she gave a slight frown. “Hey, Rainbow Dash is about our age, so why isn’t she in this class with us?”
“Oh.”
Twilight turned around in her seat to look at Pinkie. She arched an eyebrow. “Oh?”
Pinkie rubbed the back of her neck, her cheeks becoming a darker shade of pink. “She’s in the special class.”
Twilight’s eyes slowly widened. She gestured at the rest of the students. “I thought this was the special class.”
“What? Why?”
“Because we’re old enough to be graduates and we’re still learning about fractions!”
Pinkie glanced down at her desk. “But those are hard…”
Twilight opened her mouth to respond but thought better of it. Swallowing her words, she turned back around to face the class as the last few patients were ushered in.
A swirl of levitating chalk circled Trixie as she strode up to the blackboard, a stack of papers following in her wake. She set the papers down on her lectern and turned to face the patients seated in the nicked and worn desks. She smiled. “Afternoon, class.”
They answered as one. “Afternoon, Miss Trixie.”
“After grading last week’s quizzes it seems we still have trouble understanding how to multiply and divide fractions correctly. I know it can be tough, but this is something you all need to know. So today, we’ll be going over it all again to make sure nopony is left behind.”
There was a loud groan from the back of the room.
Another great chapter, I love how regular your upload schedule is... Always 1 year away from the last. In all honestly I love the fic, but I REALLY wish you would update more often.
........ first we get an announcement for season 5's release date, now the next chapter of asylum is out?
is it christmas or just a very good day?
loved that this was a bit more light hearted to be honest. after that hwole mirror incident we needed a bit of a break.
though twilight is still being manipulative. i cannot help to both symapthize with her and give her a few smacks like lightning dust did. and i felt a bit less sorry for lightning dust getting caught up in the middle of it all after learnign she hurt dashy that bad.
though it is disheartening to know that the damage is bad enough that she has her learning impaired. outside of the stutters and her confused anger she seems more or less cognitive.
even when we get a break you try to break our hearts.
Hoo boy. Emotional as usual. Some typos, though.
Foals is the pony equivalent of baby, right? So that would be like AJ saying "Big babies settle their differences with words." Using the word "fillies" makes more sense.
Missing space.
George Bush. (Not a mistake, but I couldn't resist )
and i am left pondering yet again what the hell happened with twilight. she killed someone but, if it was during a magical outburst, she had no control over the situation. unless the fact she has that much power could be a factor......
also ratchet is scary. she already figured out how to get to twilight here.
I don't recall that kind of stuttering for Rainbow Dash... But then again, it has been a while since an update and I may be forgetting things.
this is going to be a looooooooooooooooooooooooooong class for twiight
5702660 she was diong it before, largely when she uses d...... it is because she has neuralogical damage. in this version of her, she lost control of her rainboom and crashed. nearly cost her life.
The rage and I felt towards Applejack at that moment is indescribable. She has some fucking nerve saying something like that when all she does is talk down to and belittle every patient in the whole fucking hospital.
Also
...... what....... have I been reading this all along without realizing that this is a humanized story or is this a mistake?
Is there seriously no option for students that excel to move forward? If not I wouldn't be surprised if this is the cause of 90% of the mental issue in the hospital, being constantly held back like that would have me climbing the walls.
This is a rely good story, I'm looking forward to the next chapter
Achievement unlocked!
[Ow.]
pick a fight with a tough customer... and lose. +5 asylum points
5702660 She had some stuttering in earlier chapters, but the way of showing it is new. It caught me offguard too.
I haven't read this yet, but I think I'm going to. The description is intriguing.
All that being said, it sure sounds a lot like an old episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (Not that this is a criticism, that was one of the best episodes of the show, and the concept was never really expanded on enough.)
5702681 she is someone with a bit of authority dude. and you gotta realize that twilight might be completely wrong.
and unlike ratchet, she is not using her authority and skills as a weapon against patients.
who knows if they do......... then again part of the reason might be because twilight apparently had delusions of grandeur.
5279558
That's probably a good thing, eh?
5279591
That's the danger - give more padding to appease the fans, or cut out the fluff to make the story leaner and more accessible?
5279722
Now all I want to see from all y'all is MLP + Army of Darkness fan-art and one-liners posted in these comments.
5279912
I, ah, don't get the reference. But then I'm also about dense as a block of titanium.
5279966
That Twilight... she frightens me.
5280002
A song about the DMV? *rimshot*
5702716 It's not to do with Twilights opinion of Applejacks actions, it was my opinion that Applejack was talking down to her and that shes a bitch for reacting in that way to what Twilight said. If the doctors believe that Twilight truly had had delusions of grandeur then they should also believe that talking down to her would seriously grate on her nerves especially since she told then that she is actually 2 years older than what they think she is.
I am hoping that Twilight is right and it is all an illusion of some sort, from what I gather from your comment about "delusions of grandeur" you are of the "Twilight was actually crazy" camp.
5280134
It is my greatest shame that I can't make myself write as frequently as I should. However, while I have a lot of graduate school work to do this next week, I'm setting aside some time for writing during my time off.
Fingers crossed!
5280165
Aha! I knew you were a robot! Robots can never survive a paradox!
5280377
Whenever I hear about Chekhov's gun I just picture the main character picking up a Kalashnikov from under their seat or out of their desk and going on an 80s action-movie rampage.
"to get a pegasi to listen"
pegasus
So, not many new developments this chapter, just things progressing down the path. Twilight was pretty clever in the situation with Lightning Dust, I thought... though I worry about how she might have interpreted Applejack's story.
No! Lightning Dust! I was wishing she would appear as a good character is this! (Hope she appears more in chapters to come, villain or not)
5280134 you mean ponies she has to convince?
5702730
i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/535/764/af4.png
Groovy.
5702742 Kira comes from Death Note.
Also:
We the readers demand fan art of this.
I'd have gone with 'passing' since any mention of hands in a strictly pony setting serves to break my immersion with the story. But I digress.
That extra 'a' shouldn't be there...
...Instead, it should go between 'pick' and 'fight'.
Achievement unlocked!
[Hopkins]: Pick a fight with a bully. (10 Asylum points)
Without rereading, this strikes me as a substantial improvement in Twilight's attitude. We'll see how that goes ... eventually.
5702844 That's only because of the little screen time she got displayed her as a little b*tch. I honestly think there's a lot more that could be implemented into her character, and you should realize that before you call her a shitty OC. But now, I'm willing to forgive you and be stupidly sentimental about forgiveness and friendship.
5702730
Why not Zoidberg? ...I mean both.
Why have I not READ this? It's been in my read later for almost a year now, I believe...
Not gonna lie- I'm actually kind of dreading each new update of this story and how it may make things worse for our little ponies, as much as I did with Shattered before I dropped it.
I hope Dash gave as good as she got from Lightning.
That mood whiplash at the end
I'm not going to insult you, I honestly don't mean it if it sounds that way...
BUT ITS SO SHORT FOR THE WAIT!
Hey, take it as a compliment I like it so much 5k words doesn't seem like much anymore
5703272 *eyeroll*
5703547
Which is why I'm taking it in a more lighthearted mood kinda joke than a scream/protest. I know I'm getting great entertainment for free. I almost never bash out the authors especially when I'm not one myself.
You want me to protest or get mad, insult a religion or race or anything IRL like that.
However I doubt the community here is that bad.
I found out so many awesome things today- first, the season five release date, and now I see there's a new chapter of Asylum! :D
Great job, I loved it once again! (:
It's always interesting to see more of the evil Nurse Ratchet
All hail Daemon of Decay. Lord of fictions and ruler of the imagination.
I very much dislike the wanting of proper curriculum for Twilight. I wonder when her plans will make progress.
Sweet, it's awesome to see this story updated again. Also I just now realized Nurse Ratchet is Nurse Ratched from "One Flew Over The Cookoo Nest".
This chapter was 5000 words of Twilight stirring shit to gain Rainbow's trust and getting told off for it. I question that relevance. If Rainbow is the element of loyalty, shouldn't that fact transcend the influence of whatever power has them trapped in the hospital? I question the justification as well.
Also, this thing is 186,000 words. When are we going to see some actual progress of Twilight dealing with whatever it is creating this false world, and not just... whatever this chapter was... Don't get me wrong it's a good story, but I feel like the vast majority of the content is rather preachy and fluffy. Trim the fat and add more meat then this thing could have very well been over by now.
Seems like they now have more room for their evil plans than in the beginning (because of more power of sanity/friendship)
5703653 to give us some breathing room after what happened lsat chapter.
and you obviously do not have grasp over why rainbow dash asked for that. you have to remember that this rainbow dash has an issue with trust. she believes everyone is out to get her because she does not want to abandon her dreams of being a flyer. it is part of why she is broken. loyalty requires trust, and tiwlight needed to gain rainbow's trust.
and rainbow dash is fiercely loyal to those she trusts, despite how small an amount that is.
5703696 You miss my point of her loyalty and trust transcending the spell everyone is under.
What's this about Twilight not being allowed to leave if she gets better? THAT can't be right.
5703752 the point of the theory that they are in an illusion is that they are under some enchantment that locks them in broken lives. in order for her nature to truly tascend the circumstances, it needs to be unearthed. just like how fluttershy's kind nature is bound by immwense social phobia and self loathing. and that pinkie pie's joy is tethered by self doubt.
What's this about twi being a lifer?
Also, I'm starting to lean more towards her being sane. She'd have a private tutor by now if she was always this smart, right? And it's very clear that whatever put here there wants her to suffer. What better way than to make her take remedial classes?
5702693 5703158
Achievements Unlocked!
[Revision is Mandatory!] - Be forced to stay down a class because reasons. [4 Asylum Points]
[Ratchet] - Have Nurse Ratchet give you a stern talking to. [9 Asylum Points]
[Fractured Loyalty] - Let Rainbow Dash talk you into unknowingly beating up her enemy. [10 Asylum Points]
this chapter shows holes in the reality around her. the nurses reaction for instance was in some ways underwhelming as twilight recieved no punishment cause they didn't believe she did anything wrong. but at the same time overwhelming in that if she didn't do anything wrong the lecture was clearly to steer her away from rainbow.
5703031
I hadn't really noticed previously, but there are a bunch of references to "arms" and also a bunch of references to "forelegs". Now I'm wondering if these are really Centaurs rather than Ponies, since they appear to have both :-)
5704001
"Arms" are a part of equine anatomy too: the upper end of the foreleg (if you think about it, they do have "shoulders", don't they? And we don't talk about "forehips" or "back hips.") "Arm" is thus a legitimate term to use.
5703867 And yet Einstein got bad grades.
Her insane alter ego probably has been refusing to get good grades out of pride which holds her back in school (That's not the same as Einstein's case but the principle applies)
Reasons to believe Twilight's not crazy...
1. If she killed someone out of insanity then the court would be calling the shots not her parents. The way Dr. Rose said that she's a danger to herself but then said that her parents are calling the shots; the shadow should make up it's mind, did the courts chuck her in or did her family it can't be both.
2. If she's really so dangerous that she killed someone then she'd be in an institute for the criminally insane, not in a hospital with the general population.
Reasons to believe Twilight is crazy...
1. They are in a world with talking ponies, why would the legal system be the same there.
2. Twilight should know better than to do what RD says.
Fck you, man. I had a dream last night where I woke up in an asylum. I'm serious. It was kinda messed up.
5703755
I think the implications of her being in the asylum are she killed her parents with her super magic during the exam.
This story is mesing in with me. Seriously, tell us for bucks sake. What did Twilight do to get put in an asylum. My prediction, something happened at her magic exam at celestias unicorn school and she attacked and/or killed celestial.