The rain showered down more lightly now and the lightning was merely flickers in the sky. Thunder rolled in the distance. The storm was almost over, but another storm raged within the body of the pegasus who lay trembling on the cold cave floor. Twilight sat helplessly by her friend, who was barely hanging on to conscious. She could do nothing as her friend groaned and occasionally writhed in pain, her anguished and labored breaths echoed around them. Twilight couldn't help but count the ways in which they may soon meet their end.
With the sound of her breathing, she is sure to draw predators. I just don't know how long I can protect her. Even if the predators don't get her, there's only a slim chance her body will be able to fight off this infection. Then... Gruesome images flashed through her mind. The thought of having to leave her beloved friend's body to be picked at and scavenged, never to be recovered, flashed through her mind. She felt nauseous, it was all she could do to keep from vomiting at the thoughts, but she had barely eaten and losing calories out here could kill her or leave her prone to infection. I-if Rainbow dies, I'll bury her body. I won't let this forest tear her apart. She deserves a real burial, she- she... Tears flowed down her muzzle as the very real prospect of having to bury her friend out in this forsaken place not only possible, but likely. The way she looks, she might not last the rest of the day.
Another agonized groan emanated from Dash's throat as she crumpled tighter into a ball. Twilight bent down, placing her ear to Dash's chest. She was hot and her entire body was trembling from the cold and the infection. Her heartbeat was unsteady and rapid as it worked frantically to keep it's owner alive, giving it's diminished blood supply to the most damaged area's of her body whilst trying to fight off the infection that had taken hold. Twilight strained her hearing and focus as she tried to count each tepid beat through Dash's shaking and struggled breathing. After a minute, she lifted her head back up.
“Seventy beats per minute, that's not good... What am I even doing, I can't take care of you here. Rainbow Dash, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I let you get dragged into this, I should never have let you come with me.” Grief and helplessness made her body feel heavy and weak, almost bringing her to her knees. No Twilight, not yet. You can't despair now. I have to protect Rainbow Dash. I have to help her, how ever I can. She deserves better than to die out here and be buried in some shallow grave where whatever monsters that live in this forest can dig her up. I can't do it, I just can't go on if I have to watch her die. What will I say to her family? What will I say to the girls?... No, her heart hasn't given up and neither can I! I'll do what I can for her. Taking a deep breath, Twilight calmed herself.
“Rainbow Dash, I need to move you on your back to try and keep your wounds dry or they could get infected.” Twilight gently nudged her side, carefully avoiding her injured rib. In response, Dash groaned softly. Good, the less awake you are for this, the better. It's going to hurt, but letting her wounds fester on the cave floor is exposing her to all sorts of infections. If she gets a second one, there's no way her body could fight this off. Tentatively she placed one hoof on Dash's shoulder and the other under her hind leg by her pelvis.
“Alright Rainbow, I'm going to move you. It's going to hurt but try not to move much, it'll aggravate your injuries.” She said softly, not actually wanting to wake her. “Okay. One, two... Three.” She slowly pulled Rainbow towards her. Dash winced as she was moved, contorting her
face against the pain and gritting her teeth. After the painstaking turn, her back was laid down on the cave floor as gently as Twilight could, but still, the soft impact jerked Rainbow awake.
“Gah!” Dash grunted, slowly opening her eyes. The first sight she saw was Twilight's large and glistening eyes looking into her own.
“T-Twilight...” She whispered blearily.
“Shh, try not to talk. You need to save your strength.” Twilight answered. As she spoke, Dash could hear her voice cracking with held back tears.
“I'm sorry I woke you. I needed to get you on your back. We need to keep your wounds dry and I want to look at them. Go back to sleep, you'll need to rest if you want to get better.” She smiled weakly, injecting some bravado into her words, but her act did little to give her any hope. She looked down at her friend's lacerations. They were superficial for the most part, but some were deep and yellowish-white pus was draining from them. These look terrible. I'm surprised they've completely clotted by the size and depth of some of these.
“W-wa...” Rainbow croaked weakly as she fought to lift her head. Twilight quickly slid her hoof behind her neck to support her.
“Try to stay still Dash, you can't waste your energy. Just rest, I'll take care of what ever you need. I'll get you out of this alive, I promise.”
“I- I need... water.” Her voice raspy from her parched throat as she spoke. Twilight softly placed her head back down.
“It's still raining. I'll see what I can do. Just go back to sleep for now okay.”
“I... don't want to... go... back to sleep.” Dash wheezed between shallow breaths. She shakily reached her hoof up and, taking hold of Twilight's, looked up at her with her dull, tired eyes. “I'm afraid... I won't wake up Twi.” Rainbow said, echoing the deepest fear in Twilight's heart. The admission of fear from Rainbow Dash, the mare Twilight considered to be the bravest and strongest she knew, stripped away almost all of what little hope she clung to. Her tired eyes spilled forth tears despite her best efforts to keep a brave face, for both their sakes.
“Don't worry about that Rainbow. I won't let you die out here... I promise. So please, just rest, your body needs sleep to fight this. I'll keep you alive, no matter what Dash. So rest, I'll be right with you when you wake up.” It took all her strength to give her friend a comforting smile, but it hurt her so much to do so. If she keeps getting worse, there's nothing I can do but be by her side... Rainbow Dash, please hang on, you have to fight this, you can't die. Weakly, Rainbow nodded before her eyes eased shut and her muscles relaxed. Twilight carefully placed Dash's hoof by her side and stepped back, satisfied she was asleep as she breathing became more relaxed.
“Now... I need to get her some water.” Twilight trotted towards the mouth of the cave, keeping an ear on Dash's breathing as she left her. If it wasn't raining we would be in a lot more trouble. I suppose I could use a leaf to hold the water, but first I need to make sure it's not poisonous.
Reaching the caverns entrance, she stood staring at the expansive wilderness. The rain flowed down the mouth of the cave forming small waterfalls. The pleasing scent of petrichor filled the air. Scanning the trees nearest her, she found a tree with large, low hanging leaves. Perfect... As long as it's not poisonous I can collect fresh rain water it in. She glanced up towards her horn. I can feel a little of my magic has returned, but I still don't know why. Or why it's diminished in the first place. I should have enough to carry a leaf and some water though. She turned back for one last look at Rainbow Dash before stepping into the forest.
Small but steady drops of rain pelted her again, beginning to drench her freshly dried fur. Craning her neck she looked to the sky, there was a clearing in the trees immediately surrounding their shelter: the stony floor that extended into the forest was an inhospitable place for plants. The rain stung as if fell into her eyes and mouth. The sky was a light grey but she couldn't pin the position of the sun. I hate not knowing what time it is. How long has it been since I've slept? I'm so tired. Okay, focus Twilight, you need to get that leaf. She came to a stop at the base of the wide trunk of the tree in question. It was a species she had never seen nor read about before and that made her weary. Closing her eyes, she called upon her magic. Concentrating as hard as she could, a dull glow shined from her horn and the same violet glow enveloped the target leaf. Quickly though, her magic's aura flicked rapidly before it was snuffed out.
“No! Why is my magic draining again? What's going on?!” Clenching her jaw, she tightly shut her eyes and took a deep breath. She pooled all her focus and strength, the effort physically straining her body as her horn again lit up. Have... to do this quickly! The moment the leaf was again over taken in her aura she jerked her neck back, adding her bodily strength to her magic. Her magic once again quickly died out, but the leaf fell freely to the forest floor before her. Exasperated, Twilight released a heavy breath and walked towards her prize. This is bad, at this rate, I'll have no magic left at all in a couple of days.
Suddenly, a branch snapped from just beyond her line of sight into the forest. She froze, just steps from the leaf, her eyes wide with fear. She held her gaze towards the direction of the ominous sound. Her heart raced, pounding in her ears, readying her to move on a moments notice. It was only now that she noticed the forest, besides the pouring rain, was silent. Devoid of the chirps or tweets of its more friendly residents: a predator was near. Somewhere in those trees, Twilight knew, it was drawn by the scent of blood and Dash's weak breath. Even now, as she stood petrified in fear and anticipation, it was readying its teeth to make either of them its meal.
I- I have to get back to Rainbow... Her body was visibly trembling as she fought with her limbs to make them move. Her ears stood erect, trained on the slightest sound that stood out against the rain. An abrupt sound rang from the woods as leaved kicked up behind a blur of motion. Twilight's heart skipped a beat as she prepared for what may come, but the sound of rustling leaves quickly became more and more distant. She stood perfectly still. Breathing as little as she could, as she listed to the sound grow fainter and further. A minute passed and soon the comforting sounds of the jungle returned. Still in fear, she stayed for a moment longer, keeping her eyes trained on the where she had seen the blur.
W-what was that? What ever it was, it will be back, It'll keep coming back until we're asleep, until we are most vulnerable. That's how the predators are here... This place, it's nothing like home, it's nothing like any pony has experienced that I know of. Here, we are just an uncooperative dinner for the monsters that lurk around us, always following us, always waiting.
“We're going to die here.” She whispered, resigning herself to what she felt was an indisputable fact of reality. Her muscles began to relax. If Rainbow Dies, I won't go on. I don't want to be hunted. I don't want to be torn to pieces. I don't want to be eaten alive. I don't want to be alone. There's a lot of poisonous plants here I could eat. Twilight scanned the ground in front of her and after a moment she found a sufficiently long stick. Taking the stick between her teeth she ran it under the leaf and lifted it off the floor. I don't think there is a way out of this. It's hopeless. With a heart heavy with despair, she turned back towards the cave.
********************************************
“What should I do?” Twilight whispered, laying on the cave floor as she stared at the leaf that rested only inches from her face. It was large and smooth, easily as big as her head and it was strong enough not to have torn in the process of removing it. If I test it on myself and Dash does get better, it would only reverse our roles. Or, more likely, I get poisoned and we are both incapacitated and what ever it was that's out there kills us both while we are defenseless. Twilight listed to Dash's groans and breaths: she needed the water soon.
“I have to do something.” With that in mind the leaned forward, stretching her neck and lowering her head until her lips hovered only a centimeter over it. Steeling herself, she closed the gap and pressed her lips to the waxy surface. She held her lips to it for a few moments longer before pulling away. If my lips begin to burn, tingle or itch, I'll know it's poisonous. Slowly she stood up, her legs shaking from the strain. The sound of rain was gradually becoming softer as the storm died down and the clouds became lighter. Exhausted, she made her way back to Rainbow Dash.
“Rainbow, I'll have your water soon. I just need to make sure it's safe okay.” Twilight said softly. Dash had rolled back on her good side while Twilight was out getting the leaf. She quietly approached Rainbow until she was standing over her, debating internally whether to wake her.
“T-Twilight...” Dash hoarsely whispered. She didn't turn to look at Twilight, her beaten and exhausted body felt too weak to move now.
“What is it Rainbow?” She spoke gently, almost the way Fluttershy would speak to her sick animals, but with a darker undertone of hopelessness.
“You should...” She was interrupted as a painful cough erupted from her throat. “Gah!” She gasped as she covered her injured side with her hood, though she knew it would do no good to protect it. Her breaths were rapid and shallow, and each one made her side burn. Twilight could only watch the pathetic sight as the once strong pegasus cringed and whimpered in agony on the floor. She turned her head away, feeling like it was somehow disrespectful to watch her like this. Eventually, her breathing calmed as did the whimpers and she continued.
“You should leave me.”
“No...” Twilight said softly, she felt like crying once again. Crying, not because she was in pain, but because she knew, that it was logical. “Don't say that... Don't.”
“Twi... we can't... both survive. If you stay... we both die.”
“No Rainbow. You can't leave me alone out here. I won't watch you die!” She shut her eyes tight, squeezing salty tears from their corners.
“If you leave... you wont have to watch.”
“Dash... Dashie, There's something out there. Something's waiting for us. If I run It'll get me. I'd rather die in here, with you.”
“Y-you're scrawny... and out of shape.” She took a slow, but deep breath as her body trembled. “I would... make a better meal.” Her sides shook as she let out a weak chuckle followed immediately followed by a dull moan.
“No... I'm not leaving you. If you die here, I'll be right behind you. There's no way out of this, there is no getting home. There's no proving me innocent. It doesn't even matter anymore! Dash, I'm sorry!” Twilight buried her face in to Rainbow's neck. Her fur was soft and her body was hot from the fever, she was careful to not put too much pressure as she cried into her pelt. Her tears soaked into Dash's fur. Twilight could feel every heartbeat pulse through her neck.
“I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I got you into all of this, I'm sorry I let you follow me into this hell! I'm sorry I failed Dash... I'm sorry. I don't want you to die. I don't want to lose you! I can't lose you!” I don't want to lose her. She's done more than keep me alive, she's kept me smiling, even through all of this. She protected me, she saved me time and time again, always putting herself in danger for me. I have no right to give up on her. I won't lose her, I refuse! She felt a warm and tender hoof hold hers, shakily, but tightly.
“I'm sorry... I didn't tell you... that I was sick. I couldn't let you... worry. I thought I could handle it. Twilight... I'm sorry, I couldn't protect you.”
“I wont let you die Dash! If you die I'll lay beside you until I starve or whatever is out there finds us. I'll die if you do Rainbow, so please, you promised you wouldn't leave me alone. So fight this, fight this and come back to me Rainbow. I need you. Please... don't die.” As she spoke, Dash's grip on her hoof remained firm, pressing her foreleg against her lowed side. Though Twilight couldn't see it, a small smile came to Rainbow's face before her muscles gave out to exhaustion.
“I'll stay with you... as long as I can.” She weakly murmured before easing back into sleep's gentle embrace. Twilight stayed where she was, listening to her heart and breaths and taking in her warmth. Why is it turning out like this? Rainbow Dash, please pull through. She lifted her head and began wiping away her residual tears.
“There has to be something I can do.” Twilight turned away from Dash, taking up post, guarding the entrance, she stood like a sentry. For all the good it will do. Without my magic... Wait? Why wasn't my magic working. It felt recharged after that shock in that chamber, and it didn't change this whole time... until I stepped outside! What makes outside different than in here though?
Twilight stared out to the forest, her eyes scanning back and forth for any movement. Water flowed down from the roof of the cave, refracting the dim light into glistening colors. What is it about this place? Nothing makes sense. Twilight stared mesmerized by a falling stream of water that formed and writhed in front of her.
“Rain...” Twilight reached her hoof out and let the cool water fall over it. “It's the rain! The water in this forest! The plant's the animals, even us! That's what's draining my magic! That's why all the monsters we've fought have been immune to my magic!” Twilight shouted, smiling excited at her discovery.
“Wait... but why does my flashback spell still work? Does it really run off an entirely different type of magic? But... I’ve never heard of such a thing. I wonder...” She trailed off as she slowly shut her eyes. Where do I feel it the most? Where is that magic coming from? Where?... Twilight fell into a trance as she focused inward, searching for the source of her new magic. She began to cast her spell. She felt it, a distant warmth. Deeper. It's there, I know it is. A wellspring of magic that I've scarcely tapped. Focus. Her breathing and heart rate slowed she fell into a meditative state. The spell built up, coming closer and closer to competition. The more complete her spell became, the closer she felt to this new power. It was dangerous experiment, if she used the spell, she would be taken into the past, and both her and Dash would be vulnerable.
“I'm close.” She murmured. She began taking very slow but deep breaths. In through her nose, out through her mouth. Twilight could feel a power build with each inhale and ebb with each exhale. A luminescent lavender haze began to swirl like vapor around her. I can feel it! It's there, the magic. It's strange, normally my magic feels like it's in my chest, my heart. This, it's amazing... right between my eyes, but below my horn. It's massive, there's so much there.
“What is this?” She opened her eyes, as she did, the haze of energy vanished. She looked down at her hooves. A new kind of magic, one that seems unaffected by the water here. Now, I just need to learn how to use it. She looked up, back to the jungle. What she saw made her fur stand on end and her blood run cold. A pair of eyes, glinting yellow stared at her through the brush, it's body obscured. They stared at her, unblinking, watching her. Her breathing sped up to match her heart rate. They stared at each other, Twilight's muscles tightening, ready to spring into action at any moment. Do something! You have to do something! Fear and panic built up in her, but also a new and powerful feeling... rage. She gritted her teeth and narrowed her eyes as she took a deep breath.
“Aaaahhhhh!” She screamed at the top of her lungs, The sound ringing out into the jungle. She bolted away, kicking up dirt and leaves as it ran. Still, Twilight could only make out its hind end as it ran: it was roughly the size of a wolf, but with spotted fur and a short tail. Twilight stood, panting. Her throat sore from the force with which she projected her yell.
“Twi... w- what's happening? Run... I'll hold it off.” Dash said weakly binging to rise to her hooves. She growled against the pain as she forced every muscle to stand.
“Don't strain yourself!” Twilight rushed to Dash's side, placing her hoof behind Rainbow's back and easing her back to the floor. “It's gone, for now. What are you thinking? You'll hold it off?! What did you mean by that Dash? If you did that, that thing could have eaten you alive! It wouldn't be fast, it would be slow and painful! you would watch yourself get torn apart and eaten. Is that really something you want to put either of us through?!” Dash's body relaxed once again. She smiled at Twilight, her eyes were distant and dull.
“I'm going to die anyway... I would rather die... protecting you.”
“Don't talk like that! What would I do without you? You have to live Rainbow, you have to stay by my side!” She begged, pleading through her cries. Rainbow Dash just kept her gentle smile.
“Even... if I die... I'll be by your side. I won't... leave my friend's hanging.” Dash said as she began to succumb to fatigue. Twilight slowly shook her head as she watched her friend fall back into unconsciousness.
“Rest Rainbow. It's about time I protected you. You'll live and we'll get out of this together. So sleep for now, I'll keep you safe.”
**********************************************
Come on Twilight, you did It once you can do it again. She lay on the floor only a tail length from Rainbow Dash. Her eyes were closed but she was sure to keep her ears trained on the entrance. One of the very few good things about being here was that her senses had gotten sharper since her exile. Keeping an ear out for danger, she fell back into a meditative state. Her mind was clear, the sound of the rain and her breathing melded together to form a relaxing white noise. Without even beginning to cast the flashback spell, she was able to find that sea of magic that rested between her eyes.
Okay... Take a deep breath. In- She inhaled deeply through her nose, focusing on the energy she felt flow with each breath. Then out... With a soft but drawn out exhale through her mouth, she felt the magic flow, flooding her mind and making her body feel electrified with energy. The hazy mist of magic again swirled around her. Wisps coalescing into smoky streams. Sparks of white arced between and around them. She could feel a connection to the smoke, like an extension of herself. Twilight reached deeper and deeper inward, calling on more of the magic. It felt massive, larger than the magic she had before she was exiled. It was immense. Is there even a limit? How much can I draw from this? What can I do with so much power? As she drew more magic, the swirling violet smoke began to look like a raging storm, spinning and arcing with power. It's becoming unstable... I don't know how to control it. I don't even know what it is. Opening her eyes, she loosened her focus, cutting off her connection to the newly discovered power. With a sigh, she relaxed her body and mind.
“I just wish I knew how to use it.” She looked outside, the storm would be over soon and with it, her access to fresh water. She gently licked her lips. It's been a while and they feel fine. I guess I should try to collect some water.
“Rainbow, I'm going to get you some water. I'll be right back.” After waiting a moment, no response came. Only the sound of Dash's rapid and shallow breathing filled the cave. I don't know if she'll be able to fight this infection off. All we can do it wait. With that, Twilight picked the leaf up, pinning it's stem end to it's tip with her teeth. Cautiously she walked outside. Her eyes darted back and forth, ensuring there was no danger. The chorus of insects and birds was in fullswing, giving her a sense of peace. Twilight held her head up to the sky along with the leaf, water began to pool in it as she held it as steady as she could.
I can't believe there's an entirely different source of magic I've never known about. I thought I knew almost everything there was to know about magic. I guess I was wrong. If I could just create a spell... It's not that simple, I've used it to look into the past, but it seems to have entirely different attributes than my normal magic. Water began flowing from the leaf as it overflowed. I guess it wasn't going to hold very much. I'll just have to make multiple trips. Turning around, Twilight carefully made her way back to the cave. Reaching Rainbow, she gently nudged her with her hoof, her neck was becoming increasingly sore from the position she had to hold it in.
“Twi... What's that?” She asked blearily.
“Wawer.” She said, her words muffled through her teeth. Gingerly, Twilight slid her hoof underneath her neck and held Dash's head up. Straining her neck muscles she reached the leaf forward, holding it in front of Dash's mouth. Without a word, Rainbow put her lips to the makeshift cup and guzzled down the barely mouthful of water. Suddenly she went into a choking fit, the spastic movements of her chest searing at her hurt rib. Twilight dropped the leaf and held Dash up higher to prevent her from choking.
“You shouldn't drink so fast.” She said as she massaged Dash's back to ease her choking.
A loud and blood curdling cackle shrieked from the cave entrance, causing both Rainbow and Twilight's eyes to widen in terror. Twilight spun around, resolutely standing her ground between it and Rainbow Dash. There, at the mouth of the cave, stood the predator that had been stalking them. It had a short flat snout and menacingly sharp teeth.
“A hyena...” Twilight whispered as she staggered backwards until she could feel Dash's fur against her hind leg. Twilight growled, her fear giving way to primal rage.
“T-Twi... run...away.” Dash whispered. As she tried to force herself to stand.
“Bamidele! Have you found them?” A voice with a familiar accent called out. To Twilight's disbelief, the source of the voice stepped into sight, standing side by side with the predator: a zebra.