(Fluttershy)
My eyes finally opened as I slowly began to regain my consciousness. I groaned as my body’s numbed state was abrading to my senses. I rolled my head over to look around my fogged surroundings. The vibrations of the IV in my arms began to sputter to a stop. I felt a meager amount of pain circle through my body as I rested. Soon an easy ticking noise came close to my bedside as my vision slowly adjusted. A tarnished figure stood before me, an allusion of a smile adorned his face. He reached over me, casting a small shadow as he pulled the IV out. A burning sensation flickered around newly opened wounds. The same figure from before took a rag from his satchel and daintily dabbed the area. I winced, jerking my arm back towards me, but he persisted.
"Fluttershy, calm down, this will help the pain!" Corkscrew grunted as I continued to contest his treatment. The salve from the ragged cloth bit at my wound as Corkscrew pushed down. Tears welled in my eyes as Corkscrew continued this grueling process. I kicked out my hooves and embedded my head into the pillow. Corkscrew finished quickly and then left the rag resting on my arm as he walked away. I pulled my head away from the pillow and peeked at my arm. I reached over and gradually lifted the decrepit rag off my arm. The fibers stuck to my coat, pulling at the sensitive area they were clinging to. Finally I tore the rag from the wound and was surprised at the sight. It was just a small laceration, nothing major but it enkindled my skin. I looked closer to see it was charred around the sides, as if something purposely seared it shut.
I examined it further before speaking to Corkscrew, "Um, Corkscrew, what is wrong with my arm?" I asked quietly.
"Oh, that's just the salve, nothing to worry about," He trotted back over to my bedside. He grasped my hoof firmly and held it out to better see the wound. Nodding his head in agreement with the treatments success he set my arm back down. Corkscrew, smiling brightly, rubbed my injured head gingerly while he grabbed the rag. As he walked away, I grinned roughly , trying to accept his kindness towards me. I couldn't quite wrap my mind around this concept that Corkscrew threw at me. He barely knew me and yet he treats me like we're good friends. I pondered on this for a while, unknowing to Corkscrews frantic movements. He was bounding back and forth, flailing his hooves in the air, trying to get my attention. I heard a subtle whistling noise and looked over to see a gear flying at me. I squeaked and fell out the bed as I evaded the dashing gear. I debarked on the ground, dust shot out from under me as my back hooves fell over my head. I laid there for a moment as I tried to regain my composure.
I heard the sound of a hoof hitting a face before Corkscrew said "Sorry, you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm ok," I replied, trying to adjust myself. I did an awkward backwards roll and soon found myself upright. I perturbed my coat, dislodging any dirt clutching onto my fur. Upon completion of my little dance I wobbled over to Corkscrew. I was light headed, my legs weak, and my body contesting my every action. Corkscrew noticed my distress and rushed over to lend a hoof. He came over to my left side, propping his body under my front-left leg. He put one of his legs around my back and conveyed me over to his stool. He pulled my leg off him and helped my plant myself onto his rugged, leather top stool. I put my hooves on the table, holding my chest frontward as I tried to compose myself. I breathed rhythmically, letting each breath embrace my lungs. Corkscrew was walking to the other side of the work bench while I did this. He placed his hooves over a tarp covering a bulky object. A smug look came across his face as he looked up at me.
"You ready for this Fluttershy?" Corkscrew asked, his eyes twinkling in anticipation. I smiled at him and nodded to signify my readiness. His grin widened as he grasped the tarp tightly. He chuckled before ripping the tarp off the object before him. I was shocked, possibly dumbfounded at the sight before me. It was a set of glimmering, steel wings. The metal gleamed in the caliginous light of the hangar, the gears softly pulsated as I approached it. I leaned over the table, stretching my hoof out to feel the glorious set of wings. I placed my hoof tentatively on it’s metal chassis, a spark shot up my arm as the wings sprung from their recumbent position. They fluttered a little before, what it seemed like, stretching themselves out. They continued life-like motions until I removed my hoof from the chassis.
I looked awe struck at Corkscrew, "H-how? How did you do this?!" I said jubilantly confused.
"Oh, you know. A little bit of work, maybe some magic, a hard table," Corkscrew said, getting quieter near the end of his sentence. He rubbed his head and walked back over to me. I turned in the stool and it made an agonizing screech. My left eyelid cringed as I held out my arms to hug Corkscrew. He caught my expression and embraced me, his hug got tighter and he lifted me off the stool. I giggled as he spun me around a few times in a blissful celebration. Eventually he let go allowing me to drop back to the ground.
He looked at me, his joy quickly fleeting from his face. "I need you to head back to bed now Fluttershy," He said sternly.
"W-why?" I asked, disheartened by the daunting gaze in his eyes. He walked over to the bed with a heavy influence in his step. I watched him closely as he changed the liquids in the IV, putting another clear liquid into it. I noticed that it was a smaller dosage then before. I walked over beside him, he ignored me and trotted back to his bench. I laid back down against the soft, spring bed and waited for Corkscrew to return. He came back with the wings on the bench, surgical equipment had also been scattered on the bench. My pupils shrank, I started to shudder and break out in a cold sweat. Memories raced through my head at the sight of the chilling tools.
Corkscrew saw my agitation and placed his hoof on my shoulder. "It'll be alright Fluttershy," He said softly. I began to relax at the sound of his voice, the paralyzing memories began regress back into the shadows of my mind. I took in a deep breath, exhaling slowly so my heart rate would subside to a normalized rate. Corkscrew grabbed the IV syringe off the top of the machine. He grabbed my hoof firmly and stretched my leg out, he diligently aimed the needle at one of my extruding veins. Carefully, he pushed the needle through my delicate coat, sliding it deep into my leg. I winced at the uneasy feeling of the cold needle. I soon began to feel light headed, my body being caressed by the bed. My eyes became burdensome and soon, soon everything was dark.
I awoke face down on the bad, my back aching along with my ribs. I slipped my way out off the bed and stammered towards the mirror. My body felt heavier, my legs struggling in their weakened state to hold me up. I saw Corkscrew, sitting bloodied and bedraggled on his stool. He looked up at me and smiled vibrantly at the sight of me. He pointed to his right, I looked over in the direction I was motioned to. I saw an old mirror, it had gilded edges with an ivory finish. I casually walked over to the mirror, I heaved in anxiety as I got closer. Soon I was upon the tall, ivory mirror looking intently at the sight before me. Tears welled in my eyes as I saw the gorgeous wings from before adorning my back. The gears began to tick frivolously as the wings rollicked around on my back. They moved as I wanted them to, as if they were my own wings.
I looked at Corkscrew as tears cascaded down my soiled face. "T-thank you so... so much Corkscrew," I said blissfully. Corkscrew dismounted his stool and walked over the me. He grinned as he got closer, soon we were next to each other and he hugged me. I couldn't hold back my joy anymore and I broke down in his arms, letting my tears speckle his coat.