Three hours after the fire...
Moore sat in the waiting room, awaiting any news on the condition of Rainbow Dash. Around him were the other five, who had heard of what had happened sometime in the last hour. Twilight continued to check on him, despite him telling her he was fine. The coughing fits didn't help, but she did loosen up slightly. Pinkie was her usual ecstatic self, tapping her hoof as she looked from the door to the floor several times. "Was she okay when you got her out?" Rarity asked. "I don't know, she was unconscious, and I couldn't tell if she was breathing." He said regretfully. Fluttershy placed a hoof on the man's shoulder. "You did the best you could." She said tenderly. Moore nodded.
A nurse came out to the lobby, smiling as she looked upon the group. Moore stood, as did the other ponies that surrounded him. He begged, pleaded in his mind that she was okay. "How is she Nurse Redheart?" Twilight asked. The nurse smiled. "She's stable, her breathing has returned to normal. We're going to keep her overnight just to be safe, but everything is looking fine other than a few broken bones." Moore let out a breath of relief, overjoyed that she was okay. The nurse turned to the Staff Sergeant and smiled. "She is taking visits. I recommend you all head on in." Pinkie charged through the door as the others calmly walked down the halls.
Rainbow lay on her hospital bed, oxygen mask on her snout, and a heart rate monitor to the left of her. She still had several cuts and burns along her body, but most were bandaged, and the ones that weren't were not severe. Moore walked over and crouched by the bed. Watching as her chest slowly went up and down. He hung his head, still feeling guilty for what had happened to her. "It wasn't your fault. She would have died if you hadn't come. You saved her." Twilight said with a smile. Moore looked back up to the rainbow colored pegasus and placed a hand on her head, stoking her mane. He frowned and brought his hand back to his side. "I still wish I could have gotten there sooner."
Rainbow slowly awakened to a short beeping noise, which repeated several times. Her eyes tried to adjust to the bright light of the room. "She's waking up!" She heard a familiar, hyper voice shout. She groaned as she sat up in her bed, rubbing her head. She rubbed her eyes and looked around her. Her friends stood lined around her bed. And sitting in a corner, smiling, was John. Her friends instantly asked how she was doing. "I'm a little dizzy, but I'll be okay." She said as she removed the mask from her snout. "Dashie I was SOOOO scared I thought you might never wake up! I would have been so..." "Pinkie." A deep voice said, probably from John. "Not now." Pinkie nodded and backed away. Rainbow looked at the bandages along her and frowned. "Don't worry, the nurse already tol' us that yer wings are fine. You'll be able to fly if that's what yer worried about." Applejack reassured her. She smiled and nodded.
Moore smiled as Rainbow chatted with her friends. He noticed that his thigh seemed to be vibrating. Looking down, he saw that his hand was shaking again. He sighed and held it to try and keep it steady, although it didn't seem to be working. The trauma of the fire and seeing all the injured and scared ponies must have triggered it. "John?" He heard Rainbow call. He lifted his head to look at the young mare. "Hm?" "Can I p;ease see you?" He nodded and walked over to her bed, crouching so he could be on the same eye level. "What is it?" He asked. Rainbow smiled as she placed her head back on her pillow. "I just wanted to thank you for saving me. Nopony's ever done something that extreme for me." Moore smiled and rubbed her mane. "Any time kiddo." Rainbow blinked and continued to smile. The nurse walked in and wished them a good afternoon. She informed the group that Rainbow Dash had broken one bone in her thigh, and had sprained one in her right foreleg, and to take it easy on those areas.
"Thank you ma'am." Moore said. She nodded and left the group alone again. "You know, you never did tell me your ages." Moore said with a edge of curiosity in his voice. "Well I'm 18." Rainbow said. "I'm 16!" Pinkie cried cheerfully. "17." Fluttershy said quietly. "I'm 21." Rarity said. "Applejack and I are both 19 years old." Twilight said as she pointed to her friend. Moore nodded. "I already told Twilight and Applejack how old I was, but the others, I'm 29." Pinkie let out a long gasp. "What?" Moore asked in a confused tone. "You're almost 30!" She shouted with a smile. Moore just stared at her with a blank expression. "Yeah... so?" "Nothing, I just think that's really interesting!" She shouted. The others laughed.
The group stayed and chatted with Rainbow until a doctor came in and said that visiting hours were over. Pinkie let out a long disappointed groan as she walked toward the door. Moore rubbed Rainbow's head one final time and said goodbye. The pegasus turned and closed her eyes to fall asleep. Moore couldn't help but smile. She looked so peaceful. He was glad that she was alive. Thanking the doctor, he walked out in the lobby and awaited the others. Fluttershy asked if he wanted any animals to keep as pets while he was here. "You six are company enough. Thank you though." Was his reply. She nodded and flew home. Twilight nudged his elbow and looked at him. "Come on, I still haven't gotten that studying you promised me." Moore chuckled and told her to lead the way.
"John?" Rarity called. He turned to her. "If you do not mind, tomorrow morning I would like to make you some more clothing. The ones you wear now are so... dirty. And that gear you are wearing is somewhat odd if you ask me." Moore chuckled and agreed to show up first thing in the morning. Rarity smiled and was on her way. AJ just said goodbye, asking if he would like to meet her relatives. He agreed that he would after he was done at the clothing shop with Rarity. Pinkie tried to speak, but he said, "No, I don't want a party, yes, I'll come to visit you at Sugar Cube Corner." The pink pony cheered and giggled, bouncing away happily. Moore smiled. He finally felt accepted in this new world.