//------------------------------// // Day Sixteen // Story: Fifteen Days // by UnluckyReaver //------------------------------// A loud ruckus caused by her animal friends woke Fluttershy early. Slowly rolling out of her bed, Fluttershy’s thoughts turned to Rainbow Dash; her friend had disappeared over a two weeks ago, and nopony had been able to find a trace of her. A loud squawk from outside drew her back to the moment. “Don’t worry. I’m coming.” Fluttershy called out softly. Exiting her cottage, she could immediately see what the problem was; a large log was trapped under the small bridge the led up to her home. “I suppose I’ll have to ask the Beavertons to move it.” As she turned to leave, a rainbow flash caught her eye. Looking under the bridge itself, Fluttershy found Rainbow Dash clinging to the log. “Thank you for coming, Princess.” Doctor Horse said as he let Twilight Sparkle into his office. “It’s no trouble Doctor, and please call me Twilight. Although I’m not sure I understand what this is about though.” Twilight replied. “As you know, after you brought Ms. Dash here, we took a series of scans and images to determine the extent of her injuries.” “Are you saying that something showed up? Does she have some kind of terrible internal injury? Is she going to be alright?” Twilight panicked. “Do not worry, Ms. Twilight.” Doctor Horse reassured her. “Your friend is fine. Apart from a minor case of hypothermia and exhaustion from being in the water for so long, she’s fine. Which is the problem.” “I don’t follow. The problem is that there is no problem?” “Her x-rays showed that one of her wings was recently broken. As well, there were indications of several large lacerations. All of which were healed, before she went into the water.” “Are you saying that between the time she went missing and when she was found somepony else had treated her?” “That is indeed what I am suggesting. Probably not a pony with extensive medical training, but one with knowledge on field medicine. Perhaps a medic within the guard.” “But, who?” Twilight questioned. “And why was Dash alone when Fluttershy found her?” “Only Ms. Dash can answer that.” Doctor Horse replied. “But we do have two clues to our mystery pony’s identity.” “Two?” “Yes. One, the pony in question has some basic medical training, and the name ‘Strider’.” “Strider? I don’t think I know anypony by that name.” “Neither do I, but the nurses have told me that Ms. Dash has been muttering that name in her sleep.” “Princess, you need to look a this.” Detailed Study said he held out a knife made of stone. “What am I looking at?” Twilight asked. “This knife was found on your friend, Ms. Dash.” Detailed explained. “The stone itself is unremarkable, but it is held to the hilt with throttlevine, an extremely dangerous plant.” “I think I read about it when I was doing some research on the Everfree. Isn’t it supposed to contact when picked?” “Indeed it is. When picked, it takes on wire-like properties. Many ponies that stumble into it learn why it has such a dangerous reputation.” “So, somepony was able to use the throttlevine’s properties for their own benefit? Fascinating.” “That is not all.” Detailed Study said, turning the knife over to reveal a series of runes engraved into it. “Are those…” Twilight trailed off. “Yes, and they are active.” “How? Runic magic is an art that was lost before Discord’s reign.” “I know. Something very strange is going on Princess.” Dash slowly opened her eyes. Immediately noticing that she was no longer in the Everfree but in Ponyville hospital. “When… how did I get here?” Dash wondered aloud. Looking around, Dash quickly found the call button. A minute later nurse Redheart entered the room. “Good morning Rainbow Dash.” Redheart smiled. “How are we feeling?” “Umm, fine, I guess.” Dash answered. “How did I get here? Last thing I remember was falling into a river.” “Your friend, Fluttershy, found you outside her cottage. She carried you across the entire town.” “Seems like I’ve been carried a lot lately.” Dash muttered. “What was that?” Redheart asked. “Nothing… just, was I alone?” Dash asked. “Was there anypony with me?” “No, you were the only one she found. Was there somepony with you?” “Yeah, some...pony. Do you think you can find Twilight for me?” “Of course, Rainbow. Just relax and I’ll be back in no time.” Rainbow watched as the sun slowly set, barely listening to what Twilight was telling her. “I’m sorry, Rainbow, but there is no sign of this ‘Strider’.” Twilight explained. “It's been a long day and I have to recall the search parties before it gets too dark.” Twilight placed a comforting hoof on Dash’s shoulder. “We’re not giving up on your friend Dash. The Everfree is just too dangerous to go stomping through it at night. One morning comes, the search parties will head out again.” “Thanks Twi, I just…” “What is it?” “I just feel like I should be the one out there looking for him. I mean, he carried me through that forest, treated my injuries, kept my spirit up, even if it was to his own detriment. He did so much for me, and just before we make it to Ponyville…” Dash trailed off. “I know, you told me about what happened at the river.” “He probably thinks I’m lost, or stuck, or maybe even dead…” “Dash, if there is one thing that you told me about Strider is that he’s a survivor.” Twilight said confidently. “If he was able to go through so much while you were with him, he will have survived this.” “I...he…” “He’ll be fine, Dash. Get some sleep. The search parties will head out again tomorrow morning. Don’t worry, we’ll find him.”