//------------------------------// // Doctor's Appointment. // Story: Eternal Love, Life, and Death // by Fiction Quill //------------------------------// Lance was lying in bed twiddling his thumbs out of boredom. It had been a few hours since anypony had come into his room to check on him and there was nothing to do while lying in bed like this. Lance had gotten so used to technology that it became hard for him to live without it. Although he is glad that Equestria can survive and function without fancy high tech gadgets. Sure Equestria did have some technology but it was all run by magic, not electricity and fossil fuels. Lance would hate to see Equestria become a polluted like his dimension. Lance decided to get up and walk around for a few minutes to ease his boredom a little. While Lance was walking around the room Twilight and her friends walked into the room. Twilight didn't seem very happy to see Lance up and about. "Lance! I thought I told you that you need to rest." Lance chuckled nervously. "Yeah, well, I was bored. I told you I don't like to sit still unless I’m preoccupied with something." Applejack chuckled. "I can understand how ya feel sugercube. I don't like to sit around doing nothing either. Not unless I’m reading a book." Lance nodded in agreement. "See! A.J. gets me!" Twilight groaned in annoyance. "Even so Lance you have to rest to recover. You do want to become the first of my personal guard don't you?" Lance sighed. "Dammit. Why do you have to be so smart?" Twilight giggled. "I just am. Now come on. Back to the bed you go." Twilight uses her magic to levitate Lance back to bed. Lance groaned in disappointment. "You're no fun." Everyone else started to laugh. "Well if you want to keep yourself busy sugercube, I have some apples that need peeling and cutting to make some apple pie. I can bring them over and you can help me out." Lance eagerly nodded. "Anything to cure this boredom, I can’t stand just laying here and doing nothing." Applejack chuckled. "Alrighty then, I’ll be right back with those apples." Applejack trotted off to Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight giggled and shook her head. "In the mean time I will bring you some books to read to help keep you occupied." Lance nodded. "That sounds great actually. I know a lot about this world from watching the show back home but there are still some things I don't know yet so learning more about Equestrian history could really help me in a lot of ways." Twilight Squeed with joy as she flew and hovered in front of Lance. "That's a great idea! Ooh I love teaching others! This is going to be so much fun!" Twilight flew out towards the library to get her teaching materials which caused Lance to chuckle. Lance always finds it cute and adorable when Twilight gets excited. It wasn't bubbly like Pinkie Pie but Lance could still see the fiery passion burning inside Twilight every time she got excited about something. Lance had yet to notice that he was blushing but soon realized he was when the others began to smile and giggle at him. "I must say darling you were turning into a beautiful shade of rouge. It was most becoming. What was going through that head of yours?" Rainbow continued to laugh however. "I bet he has a crush on Twilight." Lance began to blush once more, but kept his composer. "Don't be ridiculous. I just always find it adorable when anybody shows a passion for something they like." Rainbow only continued to laugh, until Fluttershy stepped in. "Alright girls that's enough. I do the same thing when somepony hugs me or even gets too close to me." Rainbow looked at Fluttershy confusingly. "Yeah, but that's because you’re shy Flutters." Fluttershy folded her hoofs. "How is that any different Rainbow? That's the reason I blush. His is just as reasonable. Twilight does it when she is forgetful or when she overreacts, Applejack does it when she is nervous, Rarity does it when she is embarrassed, Pinkie Pie never blushes as far as we know, and you blush when you have been proven wrong." Rainbow begins to blush proving Fluttershy's point. "OK, OK you’re right. I’m sorry for teasing you Lance. You know I was just playing around right?" Lance chuckled. "Of course Rainbow. I just didn't want any false information getting leaked." They all nodded in understanding. "Trust us darling. Even if you did have a crush on Twilight we wouldn't go tell anypony. Not even her if it made you feel uncomfortable." Lance smiled appreciatively. "Thank you and honestly if I did like anyone I would rather tell them myself." They all smiled understandingly. "Of course darling. By the way here are your new garments. Please get that sketch to me as soon as possible so I can fix your uniform." He nodded as the others left, no sooner did they leave than Twilight entered. "Alright, I have everything we need to help you learn Equestrian history. Shall we begin?" Lance chuckled as he gave her a thumbs up. "Yes we shall." Twilight Squeed again as she began to teach lance about Equestrian history. Twilight had expected Lance to fall asleep during her lesson but to her surprised he stayed awake the entire time. Twilight learned with Rainbow that a lot of creatures learn differently. However, even with ponies that learned the same way she did, they still fell asleep on her. This demonstrated that her lessons are too boring or not captivating enough. Yet here Lance was, staying awake and paying attention to everything she said. He was even taking notes down here and there. It was a nice change that someone was finally interested in her lectures. Lance wasn't even afraid to let her know when he didn't understand something and that he would need her to simplify it. Twilight rather enjoyed teaching Lance and she can't deny that she is enjoying the attention she is getting. Sadly all good things must come to an end. While Twilight and Lance continued his studying and lecture Applejack enter the bedroom with quite a few barrels being dragged behind her. "Alright Lance ready to get- Oh hey Twilight you teaching Lance something?" Twilight puffed up happily and proudly "Yes! I am teaching him about Equestrian history." Applejack looked at Lance with shock and amazement. "And he hasn't fallen asleep from it? He has some mighty strong will power." Applejack laughs while Twilight gives her an unamused glare. Lance assumed it was an inside joke and just stayed out of it. Twilight sighed a bit, saddened and yet content that the study session is ending. "This was a lovely lesson Lance shall we pick up where we left off another time?" Lance nodded excitedly. "You bet Twi! That was very informative and I really enjoyed it!" Twilight Squeed excitedly. "R-Really?!" Lance smiled softly. "Of course Twilight. I had fun studying and learning with you. I’m looking forward to another study session. I’m eagerly waiting for it!" Twilight nodded and smiled softly as she began to leave the room carrying her things out. Twilight left just in time before Lance could see the tears forming in her eyes and the huge blush forming on her face. Applejack chuckled after Twilight left the room and closed the door behind her. "You’ve got no idea just how happy you made her right now Lance." Lance looked at Applejack confused. "What do you mean Applejack?" Applejack looked towards the door. "Every time Twilight tries to give a lecture to other ponies they always either fall asleep on her or just goof around ignoring her lectures. Even we have done it some of the time. It's not that we mean to, it's just that her lectures aren't fun enough. Even other ponies who are like her can agree with us, so she never looked forward to lecturing anyone because of that." Lance scratched his head. "So basically what you’re saying is?" Applejack sighed as she sat down beside Lance. He and Applejack started peeling the apples. "What I’m saying, Lance, is that you’re the first one to ever not only stay awake during her lessons but to actually give your full attention to her. I don't know how long you two were studying for but from how happy Twilight looked it was obviously for a while. Lance you basically made her love lecturing again." Lance's blank expression turned into a soft smile as he continued to peel. "I’m glad I did. I always enjoyed seeing Twilight having that amazing smile on her muzzle." Applejack chuckled and Lance looked at her strangely. "Looks like I wasn't imagining things." That only confused Lance even more. "What are you talking about?" Applejack gave him a knowing smirk. "You have a crush on Twilight." This causes Lance to turn bright red. "H-How did you?" Applejack laughed. "Truth is... I didn't until just now that is." He glared at Applejack as she laughed even harder. He softened his glare and began to laugh with her. "Alright you got me. I have a crush on Twilight, but you can't tell anyone not even your family not the others, especially not Twilight." Applejack nodded "Alright, I promise as the spirit of the element of honesty. I will not tell anyone." Lance chuckles. "Good enough. Now why don't we peel the rest of these apples shall we?" Applejack smiled in agreement as she and Lance continued to peel and cut up the apples. After a few hours Lance and Applejack get finished peeling and cutting the apples. Applejack takes the slices to Twilight's kitchen to make some apple pie for a bake sale that they are preparing for. While they are making the pies Lance grabs a blank sheet of paper and a quill with ink and begins to draw the designs for the Police uniform for Rarity to repair. After drawing the designs for the uniform Lance grabs one of the books Twilight left behind to brush up on some information on being a royal guard. Lance has seen the show and seen how some guards act but he doesn't want to act like an emotionless statue like from the show. Lance begins to take down notes as he is reading to make sure he can remember all of the information he needs to be a royal guard. As Lance is writing down some information Twilight enters Lance's room. "I see you are making use of those books." Lance chuckles. "Well, I need to make sure I have all of the information I need while I’m living in Equestria. By the way can you take this to Rarity? It's the designs for my Police uniform." Twilight nodded as she took the sketch from Lance. When she looked at the sketch she blushed. "Oh my! This uniform looks amazing. I might have this be your uniform for when you become part of my royal guard." Lance smiled in approval. "I would be honored for that to be my royal guard uniform princess." Twilight giggled. "No formalities when you become part of my royal guard either. You are one of my friends and I won’t have my friends treating me like I am better than them." Lance laughs as he nods. "Alright Twilight." Twilight smiles triumphantly. "Good. By the way I set you up a doctor’s appointment for tomorrow so you better get some rest." Lance groaned. "Aww, come on! I don't need to go to the doctors to get better." Twilight just rolled her eyes. "If you want to heal FASTER, then yes you do!" Lance was about to protest but then realized who he was talking to and Twilight did also have a point. "Fair enough. Alright, I better get some sleep then. Good night Twilight." Twilight smiled appreciatively. "Good night Lance. Sleep tight." As Twilight left the room Lance put his book and notes away and turned off the light and laid down as he drifted off to peaceful slumber. The next morning came by quickly. Lance yawned and stretched as he woke up. Lance checked the clock in his room and saw it was 9 A.M. Not too late, yet not too early. Twilight never mentioned when the doctor's appointment was so either she will come and get him when it is time for them to leave or the doctor is coming here. Lance noticed a note and a hot cup of coffee beside his bed. Lance picked up the note. It read: Good morning Lance. Your doctor's appointment isn't until one in the afternoon so here is a hot cup of coffee for you. Applejack will be by very soon to bring you some fresh apple pie for breakfast as a thank you for helping her out. You and I will be walking to the hospital since I am sure you want to walk so badly. See you then! From Twilight. Lance chuckled as he started to drink his cup of coffee. No sooner did he start than Applejack walked in with a hot fresh apple pie. "Well good morning Lance! Glad to see you are awake. I baked this whole apple pie just for you for helping me out yesterday." Lance smile appreciatively. "Thank you Applejack, though you didn't have to. I’m just glad I’m able to help out for you girls taking care of me." Applejack scoffed. "Ah horse feathers! We helped you because we wanted to and it was the right thing to do. It wouldn't be right to make you pay us back for doing the right thing." Lance nodded understandingly as he took the apple pie. "Your right. I’m sorry, it’s just that's usually how it works in my world. I never do that but most people do so you tend to expect it." Applejack shook her head in disappointment. "Rarity is right your world does sound terrible. Are you sure ya want to go back to that awful place sugercube? Ya know y’all are more than welcome to stay here, plus we both know you would miss Twilight a lot." Lance blushes and scratches the back of his head for a moment but then sigh. "Trust me Applejack, I would love to but I don't belong here, plus I have put you all in danger bringing Roman here." Applejack's anger grew as she stomped her hoof on the ground. "Enough of that talk ya hear?! It’s not your fault that Roman is here! And who says you don't belong?! Me and my family have an old saying: *Everything happens for a reason.* So don't you go and keep saying you don't belong here because if you didn't then ya would have died in that explosion. And ya wouldn't have come here!" Lance looks at Applejack with shock and amazement and then begins to ponder what she said. "You’re right Applejack, still I don't know if I want to stay or go back. Remember A.J. that world maybe cruel and horrible but it is still my home, the place I was born." Applejack nodded. "I can understand you going back for that reason but not because ya think y’all don't belong here. Just think about it alright. We would sure miss you if you left, especially Twilight. After yesterday I’m sure she considers you a very close friend by now and I wouldn't be surprised if she had a crush on you too." Lance blushed once again. "Alright, I will think about it." Applejack smiled. "Good. Now I’ll let you eat your pie and drink your coffee before it gets cold." Applejack trotted off as Lance began to devour his breakfast. Lance checked the clock and saw it was noon. If Lance knew Twilight like he thought he did then she would probably be here to pick him up by 12:30 p.m. Just enough time for him to get ready. Lance went to the bathroom next to his room and decided to take a quick shower. Lance took his time and washed his injuries carefully. By the time he got out, got dressed, and brushed his teeth and hair it was 12:25. p.m. Lance got back to his bed and put his shoes back on, before he could do that though he realized he had to bandage his leg up again. Lance took his pants off again and proceeded to bandage up is leg. As he was bandaging up his leg Twilight entered the room. "Good afternoon Lance! It's time to-" But before Twilight could finish her sentence she noticed that Lance was in his boxers. Lance’s face immediately began to turn red. Twilight noticed him blushing but didn't understand why, until she remembered his explanation from the meeting of why humans wear clothes. Twilight's face immediately began to turn red herself and she quickly exited the room. Twilight then heard laughter coming from behind her and saw Spike laying on the floor laughing. "That was priceless! I can't believe you just barged in on him half naked!" Twilight began to blush again. "S-Shut up Spike! I expected him to be ready when I came to get him!" Spike looked at her confused. "You really expect him to be finished with his injuries the way they are?" Twilight was about to speak again, but realized she was out smarted. "Good point. Maybe I should knock from now on." Spike chuckled. "That would probably be a smart idea." Twilight and Spike heard Lance's door open and saw him stepping out. Twilight blushed when she saw him again. "Sorry for barging in like that Lance. I didn't know you were still changing." Lance laughed. "It's alright Twilight you didn't see anything inappropriate so no harm done." Twilight sighed in relief as she and Lance made their way to the Doctors in Ponyville. On their way to the doctor's Lance was getting quite a few strange looks. "This is going to take a while to get used to." Twilight giggled. "Don't worry they are more curious than afraid. They can see that you are with me so I doubt they’ll make any trouble. Well with the exception of some small fillies but nothing I can't handle." Twilight smiled and winked at Lance which caused him to blush a little, but was able to conceal it before Twilight noticed. Once they reached the doctor’s office both Lance and Twilight noticed that Zecora was there. "Zecora?!" Both Lance and Twilight said in unison. Zecora smiled and waved as she walked up to Lance and Twilight. "It is alright Princess Twilight. The Princesses, Fluttershy, and I had a conversation, they told me of the situation. I am here to help in any way I can, I have a plan to help this young man." Twilight beamed with happiness. "Thank you so much Zecora!" Zecora smiled. "There is no need to thank me Twilight. I am glad to help with his plight. It is so good to finally meet you at last, forgive me for your name I haven't asked." Lance chuckled. Lance has always enjoyed Zecora's rhymes with how they bring a comforting wisdom to them. "My name is Lance. It’s nice to finally meet you as well Zecora." Lance reached his hand out and shook Zecora's hoof. "Ah yes, I was told of your knowledge of us Lance, would it be possible for me to come by later to discuss your unfortunate circumstance?" Both Lance and Twilight nodded. "Of course Zecora. Now I believe I’m here for an appointment." Zecora nodded. "Yes both me and Nurse Redheart will take a look at you; we don't know anything of your species so with what medicines we have we will have to make do." Twilight nods. "We understand Zecora. Anything you can do to help will be much appreciated." Zecora nods as she takes Lance and Twilight to Nurse Redheart for her and Zecora to examine Lance. The examination went a lot better than expected. Zecora and Nurse Redheart were able to work together to come up with some medicine to help speed up the healing process of Lances ribs and leg to only a week. Lance had no arguments over that, Lance would rather lay in bed a whole week than a whole month or longer. Lance just has to take 2 types of medication. When they returned to the castle Lance took his medicine which was already helping out a lot. They were bitter but as they say the best medicines always taste bitter. After a long day Lance decided he would study tomorrow and gets some rest. Lance had a feeling that tomorrow was going to be a long day.