//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4: So Sweetly 
// Story: The Sweet Sweet Taste of Lavender 
// by StreamlessBlueChest 
//------------------------------//

	Twilight looked at the broken body. It's breathing was slow now, but still ragged and shallow. The Alicorn mare took in staggered breaths, trying not to cry over this body. But this body was no usual body. It was of the lovable, common voice cracking little unicorn Sweetie Belle. The sound of hooves clicking on the floor sounded form behind Twilight as Pinkie Pie and Applejack arrived, skidding to a stop. Pinkie Pie's jaw opened slightly, but was closed suddenly. She bit her lip, tears starting to well in her eyes. Meanwhile Applejack looked hurt and took her hat off. She then held it to her chest and closed her eyes, uttering a silent prayer.

"Poor little one. She never got her cutie mark..." Applejack stated softly as she placed her hat back on her head. Meanwhile Pinkie walks up to Sweetie Belle and lightly pokes her face. The flesh leaves an indentation on the cheek. It was a sign that her flesh hasn't been taken care of in a while. A thought struck Twilight. 'How long have I been out?' was the though on her mind.In order for this to have ever happened, she had to either have been gone for a while, or asleep from a really long time. The Pink mare retracted quick, a little startled and disturbed. " Please Pinkie..." Twilight whispered. Pinkie obeyed and stopped. "We must take Sweetie Belle out of-" Twilight coughed. "-Here. Its hazardous here." Both mares nodded and helped assist Twilight to her hooves and lift Sweetie Belle onto her back. Then, the purple mare spread her wings and ran out of the Boutique, balancing the small white filly on her back.

It took twilight a span of time, but she finally found the perfect place to heal and rest after hours of searching ponyville. The prefect sanctuary: Fluttershy's house. yes of course it wasn't exactly in Ponyville, but it was close enough and secluded enough that no pony would even think a pony lived out there. Twilight ran up to the door and knocked. No Answer. Once more, Twilight knocked. Still no answer, but the door opened by itself, slowly opening with a loud creaking sound of aged wood and hinges that hadn't been oiled in a long time. Just another sign that Twilight may have been asleep longer than she thought. As Twilight ran inside, she set Sweetie Belle down on the dust-covered couch. Everything in the yellow Pegasus's house was dusty, but not harmful enough to not be there. As Twilight lay her down, the filly coughed. Using her magic, Twilight found a blanket and pillow. With the pillow, she raised Sweetie Belle's head and placed it under. Then she set the blanket on her. Sweetie Belle snuggled then into the blanket.

"I'll go make some soup..." Applejack offered and went off into the direction of the kitchen. Meanwhile Pinkie went and tried to find medicine and bandages. Twilight grabbed a stool and sat on it, watching the young Sweetie Belle sleep. Her coat was ragged and red. Scratches also dirtied her silvery coat. It just brought a tear to her eye. She lifted her hoof and put it on the filly's head. It wasn't fever hot. 'Whew... one less problem to face...' The sound of hooves echoed as Pinkie came downstairs from upstairs with bandages and some medicine. She trotted slowly towards Twilight and then stopped right next to her. Pinkie gave her the bag of supplies and Twilight levitated the bandages and placed them all around Sweetie Belle. Some disinfectant spray here and there and applying bandages in those spots. The small filly squirmed and moaned in her sleep all the while. Soon the bandages were applied and the small gashes of blood flow stopped. Sweat has begun to drip from Twilight's face because of how intense she was at getting Sweetie Belle well.

Both mares turned their heads as soon as they heard hoof steps make their way to them. It was just Applejack, carrying a tray in her mouth. On the tray was chicken noodle soup, flowers, and a glass of water. Twilight pulled a small table up and Applejack placed the tray down on it. Using her magic, Twilight levitated the spoon up to the filly's mouth, opening it up ever so gently. Then she poured the spoon of soup in her mouth. Knowing that she was unable to swallow, Twilight put her hoof on her throat and helped her swallow. This process went on, spoonful after spoonful of soup, until the soup was gone. Applejack them grabbed the flower and crushed it into a fine powder. Then she sprinkled it into the water and stirring it with the soup spoon. The crushed flower soon dissolved. Oh so carefully, Twilight lifted the glass of water and medicated flower up to the filly's mouth. Twilight then helped her again swallow the water until it was all gone. Once the water was drained down the filly's gullet,the purple alicorn closed the sleeping filly's mouth and let her rest peacefully.

Twilight then sighed. "Okay. Ill go and see if there are some blankets upstairs. You two stay here with Sweetie Belle" Ordered the Purple mare. The other two mare nodded and with relief, Twilight went upstairs. She searched through the doors. It was several minutes later when she found some blankets. She then took them and went downstairs. The two mares were still down there. She smiled and held the blankets for them to see. A closer look showed that all these mares had dark circles under their eyes. Twilight sighed and gave the two mares a blanket each. Both mares took them and found a place on the floor to set their blankets. Soon all the blankets were settled on the ground along with pillows found in another room on the first floor. All the mares soon yawned ans wished each other a good night as the sun was just setting. It was a few minutes later and the soft breathing of all the horses is what filled the room.

Clop. Clop. Clop. Clop. A lone figure sneaks into the cottage of the yellow mare. Inside lay three full grown bodies and a small body. The figure smiled an toothy grin, it's teeth glowing in the dark. It wears a dark mask with a suit of dark blue. His horn begins to glow a yellow and it levitates the orange and pink mare. A close inspection shows that it is in a twisted fashion. With the levitating mares, the figure sneaks out of the house. Before it can leave, its suit catches on  the door. It shakes its leg and the suit rips. The figure didn't notice and just proceeded out the door. Once outside, the figure takes out a bag and stuffs the mares inside. then it begins in a crouch. Springing out of it's sides appears two pairs of bat-wings. A silent woosh sounds as the figure spirals into the cold night air. The cold air makes the figure shed a few forced tears. It soon flies away toward the moon, fading out of sight, along with the two mares in a bag.