"Actually, would it be okay if I dropped it off after I've sorted out my job with the boss?" you ask tentatively. "I don't want Rainbow Dash to think I've wandered off."
"That's fine, Raindrops. I've got to deliver this speech now- so long as the book's there by the end of the day you'll have made me a very happy pony. I'll let you know what I learn from it!"
You smile at her as she takes her place on the podium, and go back to have a word with Rainbow Dash. She doesn't look pleased at how late you are, but at least you've got an excuse.
"Good afternoon, Raindrops!"
"Sorry I'm late, boss. Duty called," you say as you indicate the tome in your saddlebags. "I've got a big weird magic book here. I had to show it to Twilight- she's asked me to drop it off at the library when I get a moment. Is there any chance I can get a job that takes me in that direction?"
"Yeah, we can work that out," Rainbow Dash says as she rolls her eyes at you. "Just don't make a habit of this. You work on my weather team, not in her library."
"Sure thing, boss!" you grin.
"Alright, so you'll be on roof-clearing duty. I'll put you in charge of a team of four- you can start where you like, and I suggest you drop off that book before you catch egghead fever," she snorts. "You and Flitter will be working with Time Turner and Roseluck as ground support. Get to it as soon as the speech is over, okay?"
The speech is interminably long, and after forever and a day you're finally allowed to split into groups. Roseluck and Time Turner get their carts, and you head in the direction of the library- you figure you'll start at the far end of the park, right next to the library, and go from there. On the way, you chat about little things; Roseluck's frustrations with her latest line of Noisettes, Time Turner's patented oscillator that's starting to really make him some money, Flitter's gossip about the drama that infests her amateur dramatics group.
As soon as you get there, you tell the other three to set up on the first thatched roof while you drop the book off at the library. You knock on the door and take off your saddlebags, taking a last look at winter.
You hear the door open and try to turn round, but instead you pitch forwards into the snow. You can hear the dragon behind you say something, first concerned and then panicked; but it doesn't make any sense.
"Bayou unlight? Hiss? Hiss? Pay! Pay hair, forget health! Cyclone three pet firefight!"
You try to stand up, but you just tilt your head instead- something's not working right. You feel sick. You try to say something, to tell somepony, but the words come out all wrong.
"Dyed lone sink dime unlight," you murmur, and you almost whimper at how wrong it sounds. There's something broken in you. The snow tastes of white pepper and smells like spearmint. You try to work a spell to save yourself but there's no energy pulling into your horn at all. Your magic's gone! You flail, trying to stand upright, and you see the little dragon standing in front of you, one claw on the side of your neck.
"Spittle fear light, Fool three. firefight scumling."
His claw burns hot and cold and he puts wings on you and you pass out.
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Time passes. At some point, you remember that you are Raindrops.
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"Hey there, sleepyhead."
Thunderlane's voice is coming from a long way away, and he's looking all blurry. You blink a couple of times and force your eyes wide- the boss is here too, looking relieved, and Twilight's standing with the doctor- they're both concentrating on a spell, and you think you're the target.
"Hey." Your voice is flat and creaky. "How long was-"
"Two weeks. You're fine now, though. Right? Miss Sparkle?"
"Yes! Concentrating here!" Twilight snaps at Thunderlane, and he cowers slightly.
"What- what happened-"
"That book you were carrying did something weird to you. Don't worry though, Twilight's got it sorted. She says you'll need a week off to recover, so I'll see you back in a month, okay? Thunderlane's been filling in for you and he's, well, terrible-"
"Hey!"
"-but you need the break. I'm gonna get your parents now. You rest up."
"Okay," you croak. Much as you'd rather not admit it, you're on the verge of tears. Seeing your parents would be a good idea. You close your eyes and start to drift off again the moment you hear a satisfied, tired sigh from Twilight and the doctor.
"Raindrops! Miss Sparkle, she's-"
"She's sleeping, Thunderlane. Let her rest. The spell's cleared out of her now."
That's good to know, you think. The bed's warm, and the machines beep reassuringly, and you're fast asleep by the time your parents silently arrive and your mother takes your hoof in hers.
THE END
You received an incomplete ending. That means things went alright for Raindrops, on the whole- they certainly could have gone worse- but you're not really sure what the whole story was.
To go back a step, Click here for Chapter 9.