A New Hero

by Alex The Lone Wolf

Read It and Weep

Episode 42 – Read it and Weep

I woke up and yawned. I stretched and loosened myself a bit. Afterwards, I walked out of bed, feeling hungry. I walked to my bathroom and splashed some cold water on my face to wake me up a bit more. Then, I headed out and walked downstairs. I placed my hoof on the door and opened it. Before walking out, I looked outside to notice the beautiful day that awaited me. I smiled and felt much happier. Looks like I'll be spending this day with Fluttershy! I began walking outside, even feeling so happy that I could have probably skipped. I closed my eyes, inhaling the nice breeze as it flew through my mane. Yes! Such a beautiful day! And I can't wait to spend every second of it with Fluttershy!

All of a sudden, I heard a yelp coming from above me, which caused me to quickly open my eyes and look upwards. I saw Rainbow Dash heading straight towards me. I widened my eyes in surprise, but before I could do anything, she crashed towards me. That's all I remembered seeing before everything turned black.

I began hearing something beep… It sounded like…like a heart monitor. I felt the ability to open my eyes, so I did so. Everything appeared to be blurry at first when I slightly opened them. Even though my vision was blurry, I could see yellow, pink, purple, white, and orange smears in my eyes.

"Oh no… I hope he's okay…" A familiar voice spoke muffled and faintly.

"Don't worry Fluttershy. I'm sure he's alright." Another voice spoke in the same way.

"Hehe, he looks funny."

I groaned and my vision finally cleared up, revealing Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Twilight, Rarity, and Applejack all by my side. I could feel myself lying down on something comfortable…a bed?

"…what…what happened…?" I asked weakly. "…Where am I…?" I tried looking around.

"You're in the hospital, Alex…" Twilight answered. "Rainbow Dash was doing some daredevil flying until she lost control and crashed onto you…"

"…Rainbow Dash…? …Is she okay…?"

"I think so. She's still asleep."

"…oh…well… I feel alright… just a little sore…" I tried moving my left back leg, but I grunted a little in pain when I did.

Fluttershy quickly lightly placed her hooves on me. "Don't move, Alex… The doctor said that you had a sprained hoof…"

"That is correct." I heard another male voice walk in. I looked up to see the doctor walking in and near me. He fixed his glasses and continued speaking to me. "You know, you're very very lucky to only have a sprained hoof. After your friends brought you both in as quick as possible and told me what happened, getting a sprained hoof from that huge of a crash is very lucky. Normally, you would have probably received more serious injuries, such as a broken hoof or leg, or possibly something more life threatening."

"Oh…so that's all there is…? Just a sprained hoof?" I inquired.

"Yep. You just have to spend a few days in here, then that sprain should heal up just nicely."

"Oh…okay…" I sighed and planted my head on my pillow. "Wait… what about Rainbow Dash? Is she alright?" I almost quickly questioned.

"Hey, I think she's waking up!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed and pointed, causing the girls to walk to her bed. I turned my head towards my right side of the room and spotted Rainbow Dash barely waking up, almost like I did. I noticed that she had a bandage on the right side of her forehead, and bandages wrapped around her wing on the same side. She rubbed her head and suddenly faced towards her bandaged wing. She rubbed it and then groaned. "Awwww."

Meanwhile, the doctor was looking at some x-rays of Rainbow Dash's wing, which seemed to be broken.

"How is she, doctor?" Twilight asked my question again to him.

"She's going to be fine. Luckily she has friends like you who got her over here in a jiffy."

"Huh, how long do I need to lie here? I've got things I need to do!" Rainbow Dash argued.

"Well, that all depends on your recovery, but I'd say a few days minimum."

"You guys have gotta get me out of here, I'm gonna climb the walls!"

Pinkie Pie quickly ran over to Rainbow Dash. "Ooh, just like a spider!" She turned her body towards the doctor and placed her hooves on him. "Did the crash somehow give her super-duper spider powers?"

"Nnnno…" He turned away, causing Pinkie Pie to fall on the ground. "Nor did it give her amazing healing powers. She needs to stay in bed for a few days."

"Few days?" Rainbow questioned, falling back on the pillow and lying down. "Might as well be a few months, or few years!"

"It's not so bad Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy assured.

"I bet the chow in here is hoof-lickin' good." Applejack encouraged.

"And the hospital gowns, they match the curtains!" Rarity added, holding one up near the window where the curtains presented themselves.

"And look!" Pinkie Pie pointed a hoof towards me. "You have a roommate!"

They all turned their heads to face me, but Rainbow Dash was greatly surprised. "Alex? What are you doing here?"

I managed to chuckle a little. "Don't you remember the pony you crashed on to?"

She placed a hoof under her chin and thought for a moment until she widened her eyes. "Oh my gosh, Alex! I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. I just have a sprained hoof. It's no problem."

She sighed and looked back at the ceiling. "Well, what am I going to do for a few days while I'm here?" After, she covered herself with the blanket.

Twilight rubbed her chin and noticed a cart of books being pushed past the room. She smiled and ran towards the cart bringing back a book for Rainbow Dash. She held it near her and poked her with it, placing it by the side of her bed afterwards.

"What's this?" Rainbow Dash questioned in an irritable tone. She picked it up and analyzed the cover. "'Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Stone'."

"This is the first story in the series." Twilight patted the book cover. "I own all of them." She released a squee.

However, Rainbow Dash returned an annoyed look at her. "No thanks. I so don't read. I'm a world-class athlete. Reading's for eggheads like you, Twilight." Rainbow Dash responded as Twilight formed narrowed eyes. "Heh, no offense, but I am not reading. It's undeniably, unquestionably, uncool."

I'm not going to even comment on that…

However, the rest of the girls laughed.

"Is she serious?" Applejack asked. "Who doesn't like to read a bang-up tale from time to time?"

"Why, a good book is almost as magnificent as silk pajamas on a Sunday morning, heh!" Rarity expressed.

"Reading is for everypony, Rainbow Dash!" Twilight agreed, placing the book back in front of her.

"Yeah! I love reading!" Pinkie Pie added, hopping excitedly. "And my head isn't even close to the shape of an egg! It's more the shape of an apple, or maybe an orange, but a big orange, more like a grapefruit really..." She placed her hoof to her chin to think about it.

"Anyway…" I began speaking. "Twilight, do you mind if you grab a book for me as well?"

"Not at all! Do you have anything specific in mind?" She asked.

"Not really. Just grab anything."

"Mmk!" She trotted out the door and came back in a few seconds with a book. She lightly placed it in front of me. "The name seemed interesting, so I thought you might like it."

I narrowed my eyes towards the title and read it. Super Urban Pony Legends… "Hm… Thanks Twilight. This should keep me busy…"

"You're welcome, Alex!" She smiled brightly.

"All right, my little ponies." One of the nurses announced from the door. "Rainbow Dash and Alex need their rest. You'll have to come back tomorrow."

The girls began walking out except Fluttershy and Twilight. Twilight was talking to Rainbow Dash when Fluttershy walked up towards me.

She placed a hoof on my face, causing me to smile gently at her. "I'll see you tomorrow, sweetie."

I felt something warm when she called me that. I nodded. "I'll see you too."

She leaned and lowered her head towards me, giving me a quick kiss before she began walking out.

"I think you'd like Daring." Twilight explained to Rainbow Dash as she began walking out as well. "She's a lot like you. Adventurous, fierce, and undeniably, unquestionably, unstoppable." She stood at the door, waiting for a response from Rainbow Dash, but she merely flicked her hoof away. Twilight smiled and waved to me. "Bye, Alex!"

I smiled as well and waved back, allowing her to walk away and the door to close.

After, I looked towards Rainbow Dash. "Well, are you going to get some rest or read?"

"Are you kidding?" She responded. "I'm too bored to sleep, and there's no way I'm reading!" She sighed. "I'm just going to have to find something else to do to pass the time…" She began looking around.

I sighed as well as she was passing on something that might interest her. Nonetheless, I shrugged and made myself comfortable in the bed. "Well, I'm going to take a nap. Try not to make too much noise…"

"Alright…" She stated as I placed the covers over my head and closed my eyes.

I was feeling well as I rested, breathing softly and quietly through my nose, but suddenly, I was lightly startled awake when I heard bouncing. I sighed and pulled the covers off of me and saw Rainbow Dash bouncing a ball off the wall with a bored expression on her face.

"Rainbow…how did you get that ball…?" I asked, still a little tiredly.

"Found it." She answered briefly.

I remained silent for a moment as I watched her continue to bounce the ball. "Well, can you keep it down? I'm trying to sleep…"

"Sorry. I'm just so bored!" She continued bouncing the ball until the ball didn't bounce as high as it did before and hit the bottom of the bed, rolling back towards the wall, causing Rainbow Dash to sigh quietly and lower her head. She looked back at me. "Can you get that for me?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Rainbow… I have a sprained hoof…"

She replied with silence and looked back at her sheets. I replaced my expression with a little saddened one when I saw her face. Even though she wasn't totally miserable, I still couldn't help but feel sorry for her. I sighed quietly and lay back in my bed, closing my eyes again. After a few minutes, the door opened, revealing one of the nurses bringing in two trays of food.

"Lunchtime, you two." The nurse announced as she placed the trays of food on our beds.

I observed the meal. There was a glass of juice, some green mashed up vegetables, and a gelatin for dessert. Hm… I didn't get to eat breakfast and I'm pretty hungry… My head is almost starting to hurt from barely eating anything at all today. I looked up to see the nurse had already left. I then turned my attention to Rainbow Dash, who contained the same bored expression on her face as she stared at the food. She placed her snout in the glass of juice to try to take a drink, but when she lifted her head up, the glass was stuck on it. She then used both of her hooves to try to take it out, but it didn't. However, when she released her hooves, the glass slipped out, dropping on the floor.

The sight of her caused me to chuckle.

"What are you laughing at?" Rainbow asked me, looking a bit irritated.

"You're just funny, Rainbow." I answered, continuing to smile and then looking at my food. "In a good way, though."

She sighed and crossed her hooves. "Whatever…"

I began eating the mush. It wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either. It just felt good to get some food in my body. After, I drank the juice and chewed the gelatin, savoring its sweet taste. After, I happily placed the tray on the nightstand as I felt satisfied. Rainbow Dash eventually finished her food as well, and the nurse came by with a cart to pick the trays up and go, but before she left the room, I called for her.

"Excuse me, Miss?"

"Yes?" She asked, turning her head towards me with a smile.

"Would it be any trouble if you brought me some scratch paper and a pencil?"

"Of course not! I'll come bring that right after I put these away."

"Thanks."

The nurse left the room with the trays on the cart.

"What'd you want paper and a pencil for?" Rainbow Dash asked.

I shrugged. "I thought I could do some drawing…"

"What about the book?"

"I'll read it later."

After a moment, the nurse came by with a pencil and some blank paper. "There you go. Anything else?"

"No, thank you."

She smiled and left the room again.

I grabbed the pencil with my mouth and began creating some lines for a sketch.

"What are you going to draw?" Rainbow Dash inquired.

I smiled and continued to draw. "You'll see."

After maybe an hour, I spent the whole time, thinking and carefully drawing out what I had in mind while Rainbow Dash remained bored and tried to do things that kept her busy. I finally finished and observed my work. I really loved it. I placed the pencil down and grabbed the paper with my mouth. "Look!" I presented it to Rainbow Dash with a smile.

Rainbow Dash analyzed my picture and sent me narrowed eyes. "Really…?"

I chuckled and placed the paper back down on the blankets, observing it again. "Hey, I was thinking about Fluttershy the whole time." I responded as I stared at my drawing of Fluttershy. "You know… I think I'll give it to her on Hearts and Hooves Day. Isn't it nearby?"

"Yeah… So?"

"Hm…" I thought. "I think I'll plan a nice picnic for her once I'm out of here."

"That's nice…" She sighed in boredom.

I placed the picture of her on the nightstand and then looked at Rainbow Dash. "Why don't you take a nap?"

"I don't really feel tired…just bored…" She answered.

"So you always take naps when it's perfect for being awake, but now that you have the time in the hospital, you don't want to?"

She merely shrugged. "I really feel like flying now."

"Not with that kind of wing." I stated and then crossed my forelegs on the back of my head. "Hm… I wonder how it feels to fly or cast magic whenever you want. I'm just a simple earth pony and I've only flown once in my life. It actually felt amazing!" I sighed contently.

"If you had wings, I would totally race you!" Rainbow Dash responded competitively. "You're super fast on the ground, what if you're fast in air too?"

"I doubt it." I answered. "I'm likely only fast on the ground because I've only used my legs in my entire life. You, on the other hoof, have used both your legs and wings. You're able to pull off a sonic rainboom. I'm sure you'd beat me without breaking a sweat."

"Hehe." She chuckled a little. "You never know. You sometimes pull off lots of surprises."

I shrugged and continued staring at the ceiling. "Was it hard to fly for you the first time, Rainbow Dash?" I asked.

"Hm…" She thought. "A little… but I got used to it fast."

"Oh…"

"Why?"

"Just curious…" I looked at the time. It was almost evening.

Waiting for dinner, I continued to draw a bit longer until I heard the door open. The nurse came in, announcing the serving of dinner and placed the trays before us again. She left the room, and I began to observe the food again. This time, it was a cup of cold milk, a sandwich, and a cupcake for dessert. "Looks delicious." I slightly joked and began eating it.

Once Rainbow Dash and I finished, the nurse came by and picked it up. I finally began getting ready for bed, yawning and stretching a bit. Then, I lay on my side and closed my eyes, but a repeated clicking sound prevented me from being able to sleep. I turned and saw Rainbow Dash repeatedly clicking the button on the lamp, flicking the light off and on and off and on many times. I observed the expression on her face and found out she was bored again. After clicking the button with her hoof a few times, she then formed an aggressive face and clicked the button harshly and rapidly, but then she returned to her calm pressing.

"Rainbow… just get some sleep…" I told her.

"I'm too bored to sleep…" She answered, continuing to click the button.

I sighed. "C'mon, I'm sure you're tired from being 'bored' all day. Just lie down and rest. You'll feel better in the morning."

She stopped her button-pushing and finally turned off the lamp. "Fine…" She lay down on her side and remained quiet.

I lay down as well and tried to get some sleep, feeling myself doze off after a moment.

I woke up again when I heard whispers calling my name.

"Hey, Alex. Alex. Psst. Alex."

"H…huh…? I questioned, opening my eyes sleepily. I saw Rainbow Dash calling me from her bed. "…what…Rainbow Dash…?"

"I have a joke for you!" She responded.

I sighed, tiredly, but agreed. "Okay…"

"Alright. Why did the pony cross the road?"

"I don't know Rainbow… Why…?"

"To get to the other side! Get it?" She asked as she grinned. I remained silent, almost narrowing my eyes but too tired to do so. She frowned and narrowed her eyes instead. "Nevermind…" She added, lying back on her side again.

I slightly yawned and traveled back to sleep again.

When I felt more awake, I lifted my upper body up and stretched, but I noticed Rainbow Dash staring tiredly at the clock. I faced the clock as well and noticed that it was exactly one in the afternoon. After a moment, the long hand moved a minute to the right. Rainbow Dash dropped her jaw and growled in frustration into her blanket. Afterwards she sighed and banged her head on the back of her bed three times.

"Rainbow… just read the book… If you don't like it then fine, but at least give it a try. It seems like something you'll like."

She remained silent and eyed the book. She stared at the cover for a moment but then turned away crossing her forelegs, but then she opened one eye at it, staring at the cover again. Then, she placed hoof to her chin and seemed to think about it for a moment. She sighed and responded to me. "Fine… but I'm only going to try reading it, then I'm going stop."

I shrugged and allowed her to.

She stretched her hooves towards the book and began reading the cover. She turned to the first page, looking uninterested and speaking unenthusiastically. "As Daring Do trekked through the tropical jungle, the wet heat sapped her energy and slowed her every step. If only she could escape this oppressive atmosphere and fly up into the cool blue sky. But her crash landing in the jungle had injured her wing and she was grounded for a few days. Few days... it might as well be a few months, or a few years! Huh." She looked at her wings. "I'm right there with you, sister." I smiled and thought I could do a little reading myself. "The mosquitoes buzzed loudly. The macaws cried from the high trees. Yet all of these distracting noises were not enough to cover the sound of the predators following her every step…"

As she continued reading, I grabbed the book Twilight retrieved for me and opened it. In the first page were its table of contents. There were several legends I've heard, all being clichés of one another, but there was one that caught my interest… I stared at the name for a moment. Chrysalis: Queen of the Changelings. I remained on the page for a moment, seeming as if placed in a trance. However, Rainbow Dash snapped me out of it when she began to excitedly read more of the story.

"Safely landing on the other side, Daring finally allowed herself a moment to breathe. She turned around to find herself face to face with the long lost temple that she had sought tirelessly for over sixty days and nights!" I glanced at her as she now discovered the joy of reading. "I hate to admit it to myself, and would really hate to admit it to my friends, but... I love this story!"She exclaimed to herself, but then widened her eyes when she remembered I was right by her. She looked towards me, shocked, but I returned an understanding look.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anypony else. Your 'secret' is safe with me."

She sighed in relief and hugged the book to her chest. "Thanks, Alex… I, I- I love reading!" Although, she suddenly widened her eyes in a worried manner. "I'm an egghead…"

"…what…?" I questioned.

"I'm an egghead, Alex! I called every other pony an egghead for reading, but now I'm reading…"

"Rainbow Dash, don't worry about that other stuff. I'm sure they don't care. Don't let it stop you from reading the book."

She sighed. "I'll try…" She picked the book back up and began reading it once again. "The smell of decay and danger hit Daring Do as she peered into the dimly-lit entrance of the ancient temple…"

I opened the book I was analyzing before and turned to the table of contents again. After, I turned to the page where the legend about Chrysalis was supposed to be. At the page, I saw the same title, and below it presented an old drawing of what was supposed to be her. As I studied the picture more, it seemed to look as if she was a large pony, but an insect at the same time. She had the wings of an insect and a horn… but it was twisted and not perfected as any other unicorn's horn. Her body featured many distorting things…including where her hooves were supposed to be… Actually… I'm not sure if I could say if she has hooves… I don't really know what she is supposed to be besides a…changeling…

I then began reading the description and text below the drawing. Unlike Rainbow Dash, I read the text in my mind.

Queen Chrysalis, a mysterious changeling that seems to be frighteningly intimidating. She has an army of minions who take the same form as her. Being a changeling, she takes the form of somepony another pony loves, and feeds off the love of that pony, gaining power and stronger as well… I've never heard about this kind of legend before… I continued reading. Ponies have reported sightings of her throughout Equestria, but many ponies disagree on this. They believe her existence is false, but no pony really knows the truth of this…

A sudden knocking lightly startled me, causing me to look up from the book. The door began opening slowly. I looked at Rainbow Dash to see her quickly hiding the book under the covers and sitting on the bed nervously. The door then fully opened to reveal Fluttershy and Twilight. "Hi Alex! Hi Rainbow Dash!"

I kept the book open, but placed it on the side of the bed so I wouldn't lose the page.

"Uh, hey, guys..." Rainbow Dash answered uneasily.

"We thought we'd come and cheer you up!" Fluttershy responded to Rainbow Dash.

"We brought your favorite board game!" Twilight pulled it out with her magic and placed it on the bed, setting it up.

"We know how much you like to win!" Fluttershy stated and looked back at me. "Alex, do you want to play too?"

I returned a light smile. "No, thank you, girls. I'm fine."

"Mmk."

"You go first, Rainbow Dash!" Twilight directed.

Rainbow Dash released a short nervous laugh. "No no, you first."

The two of them returned confused looks.

"Alright…" Twilight answered. "uh... cloud three."

"Aw, shucks, you... rained on my cumulus, heh." She quickly responded. "Go again!"

"Um... sky five?" Fluttershy guessed.

"Whoaa, you found my seagull." Rainbow Dash picked it up and tossed it aside. I figured that she wanted to be done with the game so the girls would leave and she would return to her book…

"Uh... cloud two?" Twilight asked.

"You zapped my weather pony!" Rainbow Dash responded and continued to answer the same thing for every move the girls made, not even giving herself a turn. "Uh-huh, you stung my bumblebee. Oh, my thunderbolt. Aw, and that's my last cloud. You found it. Guess you guys win, I lose."

"But Rainbow Dash, you, you didn't even get a turn." Fluttershy pointed out as Rainbow Dash tried to force the game box to close.

"You win some, you lose some."

"But you don't lose some. I don't think you've ever lost a game of—

Rainbow Dash yawned, interrupting Twilight. "Thanks for coming!"

"But yesterday you were desperate for things to do!"

"Do?" Rainbow Dash answered defensively, giving the game back to Twilight. "Who said anything about Daring Do? I told you I'm not interested in reading." She yawned again, turning off the light. "It's nap time for me!" She began to snore mockingly, pretending to fall asleep…badly…

"Glad we could... cheer you up?" Fluttershy replied as she began walking towards me. However, Twilight remained there furrowing her eyebrows at Rainbow Dash as she opened one eye. Twilight moved her head closer to Rainbow Dash, which caused her to stop snoring and yawn loudly.

"Alright then…" Twilight responded and walked over to me as well, holding the game. "Alex, are you in the mood for a game?" She asked smiling.

Figuring that I'd love spending some time with them after not seeing them for a while, I was going to agree, but Rainbow Dash sent me this look behind their backs. Using nonverbal language, she told me to please allow them to leave because she wanted to keep reading the book. I sighed heavily in my mind and looked at the girls with saddened eyes. "Actually… I think I need to catch up on my sleep too…sorry girls."

"Oh…alright, then…" Twilight answered, frowning a little. "I guess we'll both let you sleep." She began walking away. "Come on, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy looked at Twilight and then at me. She moved closer to me and kissed me. After, she pulled away. "I miss you, Alex…"

"I miss you too, Fluttershy… but don't worry. I'll be out real soon."

She nodded and began walking towards the door as well. Both of the girls waved at me as Rainbow Dash continued to sleep artificially. I waved back, still saddened, and eventually they left, closing the door behind them. I sighed heavily, out loud now, as Rainbow Dash sat up from her bed and checked to see if they were really gone.

"I hope you're happy… I really wanted to spend some time with them…" I answered, depressingly.

"I'll make it up to you." She answered briefly and pulled out the book from under the covers. "Daring Do stood at the entrance to the central temple chamber. At last, she was face-to-face with the legendary sapphire statue!"

I sighed again, but quietly. That's okay, Alex… You'll see them again… I grabbed the book from the side of the bed and continued reading.

One strange thing about Chrysalis is that there is no known way to defeat her. This is why she is so threatening. Any pony who is unfortunate to meet face to face with her will either come back empty of love, or go completely missing…

Wow…she does seem a bit scary…hm…I wonder how it would feel to have your love sucked up by some witch…? I looked at the bed sheets. I wonder how I would be if that happened to me… That would probably be the worst thing to happen to me… I would probably be just like before I met the girls… but worse. I sighed and shook my head. I brought the book to my face again and continued reading.

She is known to lurk around places that contain the most love, so ponies—

"Hello, Alex and Rainbow Dash!" I heard Pinkie Pie's voice, causing me to almost jump, but I quickly regained myself.

I saw Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rarity walk in through the door. I'm not going to have to not see them too, am I? Of course, Rainbow Dash immediately hid the book under the covers. Why can't you just tell them…?

"How are our patients doing today?" Rarity asked.

I placed the book in the same fashion, not losing the page, on the bed and managed to smile. "I'm fine."

However, I could see Rainbow Dash begin to sweat nervously, causing Applejack to notice. "Ugh, we need to get some fresh air in here. You're lookin' sweatier than a pig wrangler on a summer's day."

"Uh, well, guys, thanks for visiting, but—

"Okay, now, dinner time for Alex and Rainbow Dash." Another nurse came by and announced. She walked and left the cart in the middle of the room. Hm… I grabbed the tray as Rainbow Dash grabbed hers.

"Oh, just in time. I am soo hungry." Rainbow Dash emphasized, but didn't actually mean it.

"Oh, well don't mind us Rainbow Dash." Rarity responded.

"Yeah, just go ahead and eat up." Applejack added. Then, the girls began walking over to me to talk to me.

"So, Alex. How has everything been going so far?" Rarity asked as she sat down near the left side of my bed.

"Everything's been going well, but to be honest, I'm kind of missing all of you girls…" I spoke the truth, especially knowing how I didn't get to spend time with Twilight and Fluttershy…

"Aww." Rarity replied.

"Don't worry, Alex." Pinkie Pie hopped. "You'll be out of here sooner before you realize it!"

I smiled lightly. "Thanks, Pinkie."

Applejack analyzed the book I had on the side of my bed. "Is that the book Twilight got for you?"

"Yeah…"

"What's it about?"

"Well, just some old legends. They're actually pretty scary, but they're probably not even true anyway…"

Rainbow Dash cleared her throat. We all looked at her to see her narrowing her eyes annoyingly. I clearly got the message, but the others were having trouble decoding it.

"What is it, Rainbow Dash?" Rarity inquired.

Rainbow looked at me impatiently. I returned narrowed eyes, as if objecting to her demand for their early departure. She narrowed her eyes as well, appearing as if she was going to get rid of them by herself. She then moved her head towards the green mush and bit it a bit inappropriately, making exaggerated eating noises. "NOM NOM NOM!" She then literally licked her plate clean, grabbing the gelatin and chewing it noisily as her mouth remained open. The girls were shocked as she continued to swing her head in the rest of the green mush, causing for Rarity to place her hoof on Pinkie and lead the rest of them out.

"Uh, on second thought—

"Uh, we'll see you tomorrow, Rainbow Dash, aheh..." Pinkie Pie commented and closed the door after they left.

After, Rainbow Dash spat out the food in her mouth and cleaned it. Then, she looked at me to see angry eyes staring at her. "What?" She asked.

I sighed angrily as well. "Why can't you allow me to have at least a few minutes with them? I know you want to read and hide that from them at the same time, but…" I sighed again. "Just forget it…"

"…sorry…" She responded.

"…whatever…" I closed the book and placed it on the nightstand, turning off the lamp afterwards. "I'm going to bed…"

I heard her grab the book and speak a little quieter. " 'You thought you could evade me and capture the relic for yourself, but you are sadly mistaken, Miss Do.'"

I closed my eyes and began drifting off to sleep, wanting the next day to come by already so hopefully I can see the girls with no problem. But Rainbow Dash startled me a bit when she exclaimed out loud.

"Whoa! Who is this dude?" I turned my head around to look at her. She noticed me and returned a slightly embarrassed expression. "Sorry…"

I waved it off and turned back, pulling the covers over me and closing my eyes. As I began to finally rest and doze off, I could still hear Rainbow Dash excitedly speak, but quietly, reading her story, which didn't bother me.

I awoke once more upon hearing the door open. I sat up and opened my eyes, rubbing them. I saw the Doctor come in with a smile on his face. "Is everything alright here?"

"Yeah…" I answered in a sleepy tone.

"What about your friend, Rainbow Dash?" He asked me.

"Um…" I responded and looked over to her bed. "I think she's still asleep…" I noticed how her whole body was under the covers.

"Well, I should wake her up to tell her the good news!"

"Good news?"

"You'll see." He smiled and faced towards Rainbow Dash's bed. "Rainbow Dash?" He called. "Rainbow Dash? Rainbow Da-ash!"

The body under the covers suddenly began moving around. Then, she popped her head out from the other side of the bed with surprised eyes and a slightly agape mouth. I could see a lantern filled with fireflies. "H- oh, good evening—

"Morning." The Doctor corrected her, continuing to smile.

"-morning. Doc." Rainbow Dash expressed, using that correction and stretching her hooves, saluting as well. Then, she suddenly looked out the window to observe the sky.

"Have you been up all night?" The doctor asked, observing the lantern full of fireflies with his glasses.

"Of course not." Rainbow Dash quickly replied, grabbing the lantern with her hoof and blowing the fireflies out.

The doctor chuckled. "Well, I'll be quick." He looked at both of us. "Congratulations, we're checking you both out of the hospital."

"Really?" I asked, excitedly.

However, Rainbow Dash seemed to feel the opposite way. "What? Later today?" She began biting her hoof.

"Yes!" He answered me. "No. Right now!" He directed to Rainbow Dash.

"Right now?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "'Right now' right now?"

"'Right now' right now." The doctor answered happily, causing two of the nurses to come in with a wheelchair and struggle to place her on there. I, on the other hoof, walked towards the door, bringing the drawing of Fluttershy with me and feeling better with my hoof. I watched as Rainbow Dash's robe and bandages were thrown.

"But I don't feel better!" Rainbow Dash argued.

"Now take it easy, Rainbow Dash." He ignored. "Remember to stay off that wing for a week." The doctor began leaving as the two nurses pushed Rainbow Dash out in a wheelchair.

"What about me, doctor?" I inquired as we walked in the hallway.

"You're fine! You might want to not do any intense running or sprinting, etc, for a few more days, just to be sure. But you're fine."

"Alright!" I smiled and continued walking to the exit while Rainbow Dash looked miserable.

Finally, the nurses pushed Rainbow Dash out of the hospital with her wheelchair while I waved them goodbye.

"How will I ever find out what happens to Daring Do?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed loudly, motioning her hooves as well.

"…Just ask—

"Is Ahuizotl going to get away with the statuette?" She continued to panic as she paced around the road. "What's gonna happen to Daring? Ah-ha! Twilight has a copy of the book! Uh, but I can't ask her after I called her an egghead and all..." She placed her hooves on her head and fell to the floor, groaning. "Ugh, this is making me sick all over again!" I grabbed her hoof and helped her up, but she grew a devious smile.

"Rainbow…?" I questioned.

She smirked and chuckled a little. "Just watch me, Alex. I'll get that book back." She then traveled over to the doors and walked in, holding her hoof to her forehead over-dramatically. "Owww..." She grunted in pain, most unrealistically, as I walked behind her, narrowing my eyes. "Oh, the pain... the pain!" She fell towards the cushions on the side of the room.

"Rainbow Dash! What are you doing here, a, anything wrong?" The Doctor asked, creating a worried expression, as well as the same type of tone.

"Well, uh, my wing!" Rainbow Dash pointed out. "It's still hurtin', Doc." Rainbow Dash presented and then placed herself on the cushions. The Doctor walked over to her and began touching her right wing... "Oh, ouch! Right there."

The Doctor returned a stern and irritated face. "I was touching your good wing."

"Uh, right… Well, I think that one's hurting now too!" Rainbow Dash responded as she continued to flinch that wing.

The Doctor chuckled and smiled. "I think I know what the trouble is." He answered as Rainbow Dash whimpered. "A severe case of lazy-itis." Afterwards, he pushed her outside as I once again followed her with narrowed eyes.

"B-But, you got me all wrong, Doc! I'm not being lazy!" Rainbow pleaded, ironically speaking the truth.

"You're fine, Rainbow Dash. Give it some time and you'll be right back in the swing of things." The Doctor explained and then walked back into the hospital.

"Good day, Rainbow Dash." The first nurse stated and followed the Doctor.

"Take care!" The second nurse added, repeating the same action.

"What am I gonna do? I'll never get to sleep without knowing what happens to Daring Do!" Rainbow Dash announced and then paused. "...Which may not be such a bad thing..."

"Alright, then…" I replied, eager to see Fluttershy again. "Well, do whatever you want. I'm telling you the best option is to ask Twilight, but…" I shrugged. "It's your choice."

"Don't worry, Alex." She smiled deviously once again. "I've got a plan…" She rubbed her hooves together.

"…okay… Well, I'm going to see Fluttershy. I'll see you later." I replied and began walking towards the path.

She chuckled lightly. "Don't worry…you will…"

I glanced back at her a bit, raising an eyebrow, but then I rolled my eyes and continued walking.

I actually dropped off the drawing at my house before heading to Fluttershy's. When I reached Fluttershy's cottage, I smiled, knowing what I was going to do to surprise her. I knocked on her cottage door and quickly hid nearby. After a moment, the door open, and she walked out, looking around. "Hello…?" When she turned her back towards me, I quickly jumped out from my hiding spot and embraced her tightly.

"Guess who's all better?"

She gasped and instantly brightened up. "Alex!"

"Fluttershy, I missed you." I responded. "You made me want to come out of the hospital so soon."

"Well, I missed you too… But you're here now!" She smiled brightly.

"Yeah! I'm ready to spend some time with you. Want to play that game you and Twilight brought for Rainbow Dash?"

"Sure!" Fluttershy smiled and led me inside.

We both sat on the floor and set up the game between us, of course, us being across each other. We set up the pieces on our own custom spaces on our side and began preparing for the sinking of clouds and whatnot.

"Do you want to go first, Alex?" Fluttershy asked me.

"No, no." I shook my head as I smiled. "You go first."

She giggled a little and faced her side of the board. "Okay. Um…" She placed her hoof to her chin. "Sky five?"

I chuckled lightly. "You got a part of my cloud…"

She giggled and delightfully clapped her hooves, creating such a cute reaction, which then caused me to smile a bit more. She went again and eventually destroyed my whole cloud. We both shared a laugh and continued playing, causing us to lose track of the time.

It was already night time outside, surprising us almost greatly. We had played several games, but we were too busy to notice the day go by fast. After our last game, we finished and placed it in the box. Fluttershy yawned and looked tired.

"Are you sleepy, Fluttershy?" I asked.

"Yes…a little…" She responded, a little weary.

I smiled lightly. "Go to bed. I'll finish up here."

She returned a tired smile. "Thank you, Alex…" She gave me a kiss and a short cuddle before turning around towards the stairs, also taking a glance at me. "You're the best…" Afterwards, she began walking up the stairs. I continued to smile and began cleaning up, placing the board game away and cleaning up several other things.

After several minutes, I began hearing a faint barking in the distance. I walked towards the window and looked outside. I could see lights dancing in the sky, causing me to form a questionable face. I walked up to Fluttershy's room. I could see her resting on the bed.

"Fluttershy…" I called her, whispering to see if she was asleep or not.

"Hm…?" She answered softly, raising her head and looking at me.

"I'm sorry; I didn't wake you up, did I?" I asked.

"No… I was just about to go to sleep. Why? What's wrong?"

"There's something going on in town… I don't know what it is and I want to go check it out…"

"I'll come with you…" She answered, already beginning to get out of bed.

"Are you sure, Fluttershy…? I mean…I'd rather you get some sleep."

"It's okay…" She responded as she placed on her robe. "Let's go."

"Alright…"

We walked over to town, but in a more rushed matter. We came across several ponies near Twilight's house. One was a light blue one in a skin tight black suit… Rainbow Dash…? The other ponies were the staff from the hospital…

"Rainbow Dash, what in the world is going on? Why are you stealing slippers?" The Doctor asked, demandingly.

We continued to hear barking, causing us to look at where the sound was coming from. We widened our eyes when we saw it was one of the patients…

"Hey, get back to the hospital!" The security guard that was with them ordered and ran her to the hospital.

"What's all the ruckus?" Applejack asked as she walked towards us.

"Oh, I'd say it's more of a fracas than a ruckus." Pinkie Pie randomly popped up in front of us.

"What's going on, Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked, highly intrigued on why she's in the situation she is now, as the Doctor gave her the same look.

Rainbow Dash hesitated and crossed her forelegs. Finally… she sighed. "I'm an egghead…"

"Pardon?" Rarity questioned.

"See, I was trying to get back into the hospital to finish the last chapter of—

"-'Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Stone'!" Twilight finished Rainbow Dash's sentence.

"You got me…" Rainbow Dash responded, lowering her head in angry shame.

"Wow, I knew the book was good, but I didn't know it could drive a pony to petty theft!" Twilight commented.

"Good? Try awesomely amazing." Rainbow corrected. "That book is undeniably, unquestionably, un-put-down-able! But then I had to put it down; I was sent home before I could finish it."

"Well, I'm glad that's all this is about." Twilight replied.

"There's no reason to go around causin' a ruckus—

"Fracas!" Pinkie Pie interrupted Applejack, sticking her tongue out and closing her eyes afterwards.

"...causin' a fracas…" She corrected. "Just because you like to read."

The hospital staff sighed and left almost angrily.

"Do you feel better now, Rainbow Dash?" I asked, helping her up from the ground. "No pony here cares that you called us an egghead. We actually just care that you finally discovered reading to be a nice way to spend your time."

She smiled lightly. "You're right…" She looked over to Twilight. "Twilight! I need to borrow that book right now!"

Twilight giggled. "Of course Rainbow Dash, come on in." She led her inside.

Applejack yawned. "Well, everypony! Let's get us back to sleep then!"

The rest of the girls agreed as they walked away. I chuckled a little and began walking Fluttershy back to her cottage.

When we were both at her door, I began to retire myself for the night. I looked at her, making eye contact, and smiled. "Well, Goodnight, Fluttershy. Sleep well."

"You too, Alex." Fluttershy returned a smile as well and kissed me.

After I made sure she returned home well, I retired to mine.

Comfortably tucking myself in bed, I looked to the side of me to see my drawing of Fluttershy right there, lying on the nightstand. I smiled warmly and closed my eyes. Yeah…I'll give it to her on Hearts and Hooves Day… just another holiday I used to think that I would never celebrate. I mentally chuckled. Well… I will now.

Just as I finally began to step into slumber…somehow… that picture of…Chrysalis… seemed to lurk around my mind a little…remaining there before it finally vanished after a few seconds…

Comments

[suggested123]

i.ytimg.com/vi/g9W5LVbcv7M/0.jpg

Good read

[Ignis Consumens Est]

"Is Ahuizotl going to get away with the statuette?" She continued to panic as she paced around the road. "What's gonna happen to Daring? Ah-ha! Twilight has a copy of the book! Uh, but I can't ask her after I called her an egghead and all..." She placed her hooves on her head and fell to the floor, groaning. "Ugh, this is making me sick all over again!" I grabbed her hoof and helped her up, but she grew a devious smile.

The power of a cliff hanger.

[Neutral Boy]

At least now that Rainbow Dash is feeling better, but Alex will have to be cautious about the changeling queen since he only knows about it.

[Peter20percent]

6634966
Can you say foreshadowing?
I am loving the story.
And when alex got hit, did anyone else think WASTED!
Only me?

[Icy Creation]

"Of course not." Rainbow Dash quickly replied, grabbing the lantern with her hoof and blowing the fireflies out.

Okay, two things.

First, this is exactly me. I always end up spending over half the night reading on week nights and end up barely waking up when I have to, or all night on weekends.

Second, I don't really think thats how fireflys work Bow.