//------------------------------//
// Aftermath 
// Story: Shell Shocked 
// by Featherflutter 
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Chapter 1: Aftermath

Chaos. Organized chaos. Double and triple checking bags and making a last ditch effort of trying to squeeze one more thing in without the fabric bursting. This was the sight Featherweight witnessed at Pipsqueak’s house the night before the trip. After all, It wasn’t every day that Pip would be going off to a far away place without the company of his parents. The primary contents of his bags were comfort items, or whatever Pipsqueak’s mom called them.

“Oh, you know Pip. Can’t leave home without them. Why I remember a time when he was a wee bit younger, moving to ponyville. I tell ye now that they were a life saver for him during that stressful time. Couldn’t sleep witho-,”

“Mom!” He whined, accidentally losing his accent for a moment. “He already knows! You don’t need to go saying it every time you bring ‘em up. For buck’s sake” Pip pouted as he went into his room to quadruple check that he packed everything


“Watch that tongue of yours, dearie. Honestly, it’s not something to be ashamed about, but do ya really need all twelve of ‘em? I think we can spare some more room for that bigger water bottle if we get rid o-’

“We’re not getting rid of any of them. The bottle will fit perfectly fine where it is stored right now” Pip retorted, nodding to the bag which had a noticeable lump in its side.

“It’s gonna ri-’”

“It’s fine!” 

‘Uh, Pip? It is kinda late. Don’t you think we should try to go to bed early so we don’t sleep in and miss the train?” Featherweight interjected, not mentioning his singular bag of things.

“Why? What time is it?” Pip looked past Feather into his room. He quickly inhaled sharply between his teeth and nodded. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure I have everything I need. Let’s go to bed.” 

Their normal nighttime routine commenced and soon they lay on their respective beds, Pip in his own, Feather on the blow up mattress. Ever since the stampede incident, Feather had been staying at Pip’s house for longer amounts of time. Usually, he would stay for a day and go back home, but after he got out of the hospital, his personality altered. He started staying with Pipsqueak for two or even three days at a time.

Silence filtered throughout the room, letting the two know the last minute chatter was concluded and it was time to sleep. Pipsqueak welcomed this silence, slowly losing himself to the envelopment of sound sleep. Featherweight, on the other hoof, didn’t hear silence at all. His ears flicked to the noises of bugs outside, to the creaks in the wood of the house, to the sound of Pipsqueak breathing. Anxiety and a constant stream of thoughts flowed in his mind. I’ll have another nightmare tonight. I can feel it. If I don’t sleep, then I can’t have nightmares. But, then I will be tired in the morning. I will be pushed to sleep! I can’t escape the nightmares! 

A new, but familiar, sound was added to the cacophony he heard around himself. Pumping, beating, rhythmically and constantly moving, his heart beat loud inside of his chest. Tossing and turning would do no good. It would only add more noise. He tried to focus on Pip’s breathing, but even that failed to quell his mind anymore. I want to be calm, I want to listen to his breathing, but the doctor said that-that is apart of the confusion from the concussion. Part of the, what was it, PTSD? What did that stand for again? He said that there would be intrusive thoughts. That’s what there was at the park, that’s what there was when I saw those cute stal- NO! I can’t listen to them. Not that, not thinking Pip’s breathing is calming. Nothing. 

Featherweight had become familiar with restlessness throughout these two weeks, though it didn’t make it any less aggravating. It came in many different forms as Featherweight began to find out. The unknown ache in his leg panging every few minutes or so just to remind him that it’s still there. The feeling of getting so close to sleep, with just a second left before being truly out, only to be woken up by a thought of being watched. Unable to lay on any side of his body, except his back, without having the constant nagging in his head that something’s behind. Even the complete silence isn’t ever truly silent, since his ears fill in the lack of noise with a minute ringing. Faint, but maddening. 

By the time he finally managed to find the best position, the quietest time, his mind finally shutting down, Feather kept absolutely still, a warm relaxation drained into his body from an unknown source. Darkness. Peace.

Shaking. Body shaking and eyes jolting open. “Ah!” 

Pipsqueak let go, recoiling back, “Ah!” He said in equal shock.

“What’s going on?” Feather asked as he took a look at the clock, “Oh, no. We’re gonna be late!”

“Yeah, we are! We need to get outta here, now. Come on!” Pip offered a hoof to the still groggy colt who graciously accepted as he got up and shook the fog from his head.

They grabbed their stuff and headed out of the house, both remembering to spare a moment for goodbyes with Pip’s mom. “We didn’t have breakfast!” Feather panted as they both sprinted toward the train station.

“We can worry about that when we’re on the,” Pip wheezed. “When we’re on the train, alright?” 

The clocktower chimed, banging, ringing and resonating in the very cores of the two colts.
Bang! They were nearing the train station

Bang! Blood pumping, lungs burning, they pushed themselves to get there faster.

Bang! Steam erupted from the whistle of the train, signaling its readiness to depart

Bang! The colts reached the door to one of the tain cars, knocking on it, Feather carrying the majority of Pip’s bags, panting like a dog when the door was opened and they were let in. 

Stepping into the train car, they both relaxed their shoulders, Feather letting down all of Pip’s bags, as well as his own. Filthy Rich looked at them, a small chuckle escaping his mouth. “What makes you so late? I was beginning to think that you wouldn’t have come. Go on and have a seat there, friends. The conductor said the train will be delayed for about 10 more minutes due to engine issues, but we should be rolling soon.” The stallion spoke, once again, in such a charismatic fashion. One would admire the skill of being able to do that, even at such an early time as 4:00 AM in the morning.

“T-thanks, Mr. Rich” Pip said as they walked to their seats. It was the first class cabin, that much was sure, giving the two their own benches and storage area, sectioning them off from the other groggy student council members. It even had a, albeit small, bed in the cabin for one of them to use. “What a relief it is. We’re finally here, ready to go to Vanhoover!” Pip tried to sound enthusiastic through each huff of air, which ended up strained. Feather briefly smiled, acknowledging the attempt.

Once their heart rates settled down, Featherweight decided to take the time to catch some sleep. “I’m gonna try out the bed, if that’s alright with you.” He said, sinking into the soft material, yearning for it to engulf him and bring him to sleep.

“Fine by me, I don’t need to use it, since, you know. I actually got a decent amount of sleep!” Pip yawned immediately afterward, “I’ll wake you up when there is something cool you can take a picture of, how does that sound?”

“Yes, sir. Mr. President,” Feather mumbled as he finally rested his head and managed a lot easier to drift off to sleep.

Pipsqueak giggled and took a survey of who was here, making sure that everyone else was accounted for. He quietly left the private seat and walked down the hall, checking in each “room” for the ponies that were on his memorized list. A yawn and a hello were his usual greetings, but when he got to the room that was supposed to have the Rich family in it, he hesitated. It’s alright, Pip. It’s fixed now. She didn’t say sorry, or even acknowledge that she was wrong, but that’s ok. You have nothing to be mad about. He quickly thought to himself. The little pep talk helped and he opened the door. “Hiya, Diamond, Mr. Rich, Mrs. Ri-” She wasn’t in the room with them. “Oh, I’m sorry, was Mrs. Rich running a bit late?” He asked as he looked to where the two were sitting.

“Uh, no. We had a bit of a talk after I found out about the whole accident and it turns out, it’s the darndest thing, she had a social gathering up in Canterlot to attend to this weekend, and decided not to bother coming on the trip. I know Diamond is really upset about it all,” Filthy gave a look over to Diamond.

“Oh yeah, real sad. I honestly don’t think it will be the same without here coming on the trip.” Diamond whined, feigning her emotions again.

You’re telling me, Both Pip and Filthy thought.

“But, we’ll make due, right pumpkin?” Filthy grinned at her daughter, who grinned back.

“Of course, Daddy!” She said, completely animated compared to the last tone she had.

“Alright, well good to hear,” Pip said, smiling back at them before stammering, “Not that your mum won’t be here, but tha-Oh you, you know what I mean” The three laughed, trying not to express how true the double entendre was.

“Oh, by the way, Pip. I was meaning to get back with you about what exactly happened. You see, when Mrs. Rich said that she did the math for the budget. She was right. She DID do the math, and her math was off by a few commas and decimals here and there,” Filthy said, blushing as he had to defend his wife’s actions again. Specifically with you and your friend, Featherweight, which she and I will discuss a lot more in depth when I come back home. He thought. “Sorry, once again, for all the confusion and trouble that mistake of her caused you and your friend. How is Featherweight anyway? I only got to say a quick hello before you two bolted into your room.”

Pip’s smile faltered, though in his attempt to regain it, he just flashed back to all the times Feather would wake Pip up with his whimpering and crying. “It...It’s not good, Mr. Rich. He’s changed. He still the same best friend, physically. But something’s wrong with his head. He’s more jumpy, always scanning around the area. Celestia knows what he is looking for.” 

Mr. Rich and Diamond’s expressions changed too, not expecting this news.

“He cries, now. When he sleeps. Nightmare after nightmare. He’s always worried. About me, about the trip, about anything. Any little thing. He tries to keep that positive attitude he has always had. It seems like nothing can keep that away, but I still see it sometimes. Those cracks, those times when he says something positive almost like he is trying to make himself believe it. I’m worried for him.” Pip said, the deep ache in his chest resonating with each heartbeat. 

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t know the effects of his concussion were that bad. It’s…….I’m…..Is there….” Each attempt at reassurance flitted away before it could be uttered. Mr. Rich was, for once, out of words.

“It’s alright. It’s not your fault he got the concussion or the stampede happened.” Pip stared intently at the ground, the only sounds audible being the grumbling passengers in the rooms next to Diamond’s. “Anyway!” Pip immediately sprung up, reinvigorated, “I am all finished with the roster check, so I will head back to my room. See you guys later!” Pip smiled as he exited the room, back towards his own.

Diamond just sat there, silent, glancing from time to time at her father, hoping, He can fix it, right? Daddy can make this better, like he always does. Though the grimace her father wore convinced her otherwise.

Pip made it back to his room, seeing Feather propped in the bed, sleeping peacefully. Pip sat down on the cushioned seat of the train car and sighed, a cocktail of emotions and thoughts running through his head.

*bzzzt* Attention all passengers, the train will be leaving in two minutes, so please make yourselves comfortable as we begin to make our way to our first stop of Canterlot! *Bzzt*