//------------------------------// // Part Seventeen: A Town Revisited // Story: The Elements of Lunar Harmony // by Paganbrony //------------------------------// The Elements of Lunar Harmony Part Seventeen: A Town Revisited. Death stood atop a hill on the outskirts of Ponyville watching a small cart make its way into the town; in the distance he could see Canterlot… …Well that and hear it too, the strobe lighting and bass had been pounding away for hours since the night time had fallen. Death was about to leave when he sensed a presence behind him, without turning he spoke in a ponderous tone. “STRANGE FOR YOU TO MAKE AN APPEARENCE…?” “Perhaps… But I’ve been keeping an eye on things.” “HMM SO WHAT WILL YOU DO?” “I can’t interfere you know that.” “THEN WHY ARE YOU HERE?” “My Luna’s been somewhat… Intense on the emotional level and her sister has been very down of late… It makes it difficult to concentrate on other things.” Death left it a moment as he studied the mare as she drew level next to him, he was about to ask a question when she changed the subject to his own presence. “…And you? Why are you here? Don’t tell me you are regretting your deal…?” “NO.” “Then why, may I ask.” Death paused a moment, he’d always been fascinated by the living, their lives and what they did with them. To him they all did such curious things in such a short space of time, but in the end even if they accepted their own death they had always been afraid of him… As he explained this the other pony asked him. “And her…?” “SHE WAS NOT AFRAID…” In Ponyville Apple Cobbler had just pulled up outside the doctor’s clinic and was waiting for Roseluck to unhitch her when a familiar southern drawl heavy with concern reached her ears. “That you there cousin… You look like y’all been barbecued…?” The stare she received killed the forced laugh that died a horrible death in her throat. Apple Cobbler was out of the carts harness as soon as AJ could manage to unhitch her, Apple Cobblers face a mixture of relief and worry as she questioned Applejack on the whereabouts of Luna and Spitfire, and could she help get Trixie and Berry inside. Applejack had already been made aware of most of the situation by Twilight and as she held up a hoof for silence Roseluck and Fleur both trotted up with concerned looks on them. As she adjusted her hat and opened her mouth to speak her eyes that had been traveling over the three ash covered ponies and their beaten up and singed cart, fell upon the creature sat on Roseluck’s back… The spider nodded and clicked its fangs as it waved a leg, Applejack too stunned to think waved slowly back to it. “N-Now… …Where was ah… Oh that’s it… Luna’s inside, Spitfire too but it don’t look good ah’m afraid… You’ll have to ask the princess but she ain’t been talking too much.” The three didn’t say anything as they helped Applejack unload the still comatose pair from the back of the cart and move them gently into the clinic, stopping momentarily for Roseluck’s spider to hop off into a bush and disappear with a wave of it’s hairy leg. The only thing any of them saw as they went inside and past the reception area was a room with its doors open, at the other end was a curtained off area from under which Roseluck spotted a dark blue tail poking out that shimmered like the night and another resembling that of Twilight Sparkle. Applejack led them onto the only ward, a doctor and nurse Redheart who had just arrived along with another nurse took to caring for Berry and Trixie, placing them on beds at the end of the ward as they buzzed around them talking too fast for the exhausted trio to follow. The doctor after whispering several orders to the nurses left the unconscious pair and stood appraising the conscious trio, deciding none of the various cuts and scrapes on them could be dealt with until they had cleaned off the layers of ash and dirt that caked their whole bodies he ordered them to use the ward shower. It was sometime before this was accomplished but when done the trio were feeling slightly more invigorated and certainly looking more like their usual selves. After being given the once over by nurse Redheart who kept frowning as she half listened to their constant appeals as to the condition of the others, the only answer they could get out of her was to be patient and wait for the doctor who would be along once he’d finished his examinations. This hope was quickly extinguished when the other nurse appeared and whispered to Nurse Redheart who only nodded in reply, turning to her charges as she finished her work. Now covered in bandages and stinging from all the ointments on their scrapes and cuts the three were unceremoniously booted off the ward and told to return later since it was taking longer than expected for the doctor to assess the others. Nurse Redheart felt her charges disappointment and promised to send for them once there was any news and as she watched them leave she turned and with a sigh went to fetch the generous bottle of medicinal alcohol from under her desk that she kept for special occasions and when Berry had gone without a drink for a few days. Taking the bottle from its hidden place she was shocked to find it all but empty, she then remembered the week before when she’d been stuck with the night shift at the clinic which all week had had no patients in this usually quiet town. Only slightly fazed the usually caring pony then went to the supply cupboard to find the shelf empty of any medicinal alcohol as well, for her sins she had been getting a lot of lonely nights lately... Nurse Redheart was usually a calm and responsible pony who inspired the same in all who met her, currently she was panicking as she tore the place apart looking for any alcohol medicinal or not. For Nurse Redheart was privy to the tale of the Berries family ancestry and its curse, she was most definitely worried as she bellowed for the other nurse who after running at the noise breathlessly listened as she was given instructions very different from any she’d ever had. As the young nurse ran from the place with Redhearts panic spurring her on she dashed towards the nearest bar in the name of medicine… Applejack followed the trio out into the center of Ponyville where upon reaching the market they took a seat and wearily ordered from the waiter that appeared without any real interest in what exactly they asked for as they were running on auto pilot and near collapse. After a while the waiter returned with their orders and patiently waited as they sent Applejack back to the cart to fetch a certain pair of saddlebags, when she returned and after her and the waiter had gotten their speech back upon seeing the contents the trio tipped him heavily and continued to stare at the table, all of them too exhausted to speak any further. This was broken somewhat as they watched the unnamed nurse run past them down the street and into the nearest bar her face a mask of confusion and panic as she launched herself through the swing doors of the bar nearly flattening a customer as he exited. “Must be something to do with Berry…” Apple Cobblers voice croaked as she observed the bemused looks on her companions who nodded slowly in both recognition and agreement, Apple Cobbler then turned her attention to her sandwich and nibbled the corner as she failed to muster the energy to tuck in. Fleur just remained staring into her tea watching it swirl in the cup for a moment before simply lapping it up like a dog too tired to use her magic she ignored the other customer’s murmurs and whispers as Roseluck just stared at the sky trying to fight back tears as she voiced everyone’s concerns. “I hope she’s OK… I mean they all are… OK I mean…” Applejack watched unable to think what to say as the three continued oblivious to the world around them as the time passed by slowly. This malaise lasted until the nurse started her return journey laden with bottles in bags across her back and levitating an impressive load in front of her as she pelted out of sight in the direction she’d previously appeared from. It was Applejack who mentioned the idea to go to the library to rest since Twilight had said previously before their arrival that she would probably take Luna there once no more could be achieved at the hospital. A consensus was reached and the trio left their meager orders and after some awkwardness over carrying the stolen bits Applejack led them to the library, but Twilight and Luna were nowhere to be seen… Upon their entry they had been fussed over by Spike the resident dragon who arranged pillows and covers so that they could rest in the main room of the library which he then closed for their privacy. It didn’t take long for them to fall asleep and as they each settled down wordlessly they descended into their own dreams filled with worry and nightmarish conclusions about what she thought would be reality upon waking.