Rarity awoke slowly and groaned in pain. As her vision steadily came into focus, she noticed the ground gradually moving beneath her. Suddenly she felt it, step by step, she was being carried.
“Glad you’re awake, it’s kinda lonely out here,” said the voice, hoarsely.
“P-Pinkie Pie.”
“That’s my name, the one and the same.”
“W-What are you doing?”
“You were right Rarity, all of this was my fault. I know you hate me, but right now, all that matters is that you need a doctor. And I’m going to get you to one no matter what.”
A slight smile formed on Rarity’s face. Despite everything, all the mean words she said, Pinkie was still going to do her best to get her unicorn friend help. Rarity was sure that when she closed her eyes, it was for the final time, yet somehow, someway, she was still hanging on. She was stronger than she thought. Or maybe, it was Pinkie’s strength that was helping her. Her chipper attitude, her optimistic take on everything; even now, as both of their bodies suffered from the effects of dehydration and hunger. Were the odds that they would survive high? Absolutely not. But not once did that effect Pinkie’s attitude.
“Pinkie Pie, darling.”
“Yeah, Rarity?”
“Do you promise me we’re going to be alright?”
Pinkie turned her head to her unicorn friend. Rarity, with all her strength, gave the pink earth pony the warmest and sincere smile she could, despite her droopy eyes and pale face. The pink pony’s eyes got a bit misty and she smiled back.
“I Pinkie Promise.”
Another hour passed and the pink pony eventually collapsed. Rarity climbed off of her and rolled Pinkie onto her back. The pink pony tried to sit up and only to cough violently, and lay back down. The unicorn looked around, still nothing but dirt. She got the feeling that they’d been going the wrong way the whole time. With how long they were traveling, they ought to have seen some grass lands by now. Rarity sighed as it became apparent that they were never going to make it through this.
“I think… this is far enough, darling.”
“No, I said… I’d get you to a doctor… and I will… I’m not… gonna let you…”
“I’m not worried Pinkie… you made me a Pinkie Promise that we’ll be alright… so I know we’ll be fine.”
“Rarity?”
“Yes, darling?”
“My tongue feels all dusty and sand papery… Like Opal’s litter box.” Rarity smiled and gently rubbed the pink equine’s head, not even bothering to wonder how she knew what the cat’s litter box felt like.
“Mine too.”
Rarity lay down next to her friend and closed her eyes. A few minutes passed and suddenly she felt something touch her. It was cold, wet and there was only a drop of it. Then all of a sudden, more drops, and even more, until there was a downpour. A single raincloud was showering down upon them. Rarity stared in shock.
“Pinkie! It’s a miracle!”
The unicorn opened her mouth wide, soaking up as much of the plentiful rain as she could. The earth pony awoke and sat up.
“Am I dreaming?”
“No, darling! It’s actual rain!”
Pinkie Pie stuck her tongue out cautiously then opened her mouth as wide as she could, swallowing as many of the drops that fell from the cloud. She looked at Rarity who smiled at her and the two ponies just started to giggle at each other. What seemed like their last moment now wasn’t. They watched as the raincloud drifted away. Pinkie hopped a few times to see the top of the raincloud. She titled her head in confusion.
“Rarity, there was nopony on that raincloud. If pegasi are the only ones who can make it rain then…how did that happen?”
“I’m not entirely sure…but let’s just be thankful it came when it did.” Pinkie Pie nodded and then frowned at her friend. “Pinkie, what’s wrong?”
“I’m so sorry Rarity, all of this has been my fault. If I hadn’t jumped off the station wagon, we’d be home right now. I thought, maybe I could make things better by trying to make you laugh or at least smile, but all I did was make you angry and got you stung by scorpions. I’m a horrible friend, and I’m sorry.”
“No, Pinkie, I’m the one who’s sorry. I over reacted. I was just terrified once I got stung by that scorpion. Yes, maybe things could’ve gone differently when you jumped, but since then you’ve done nothing but try to make the best out of a bad situation. I was the one being a…a…
“A meany old grumpy crabby grouchy cranky meany pants?”
Rarity giggled as she squeezed the excess water out of her mane and tail. “Yes, that… I’m sorry, Pinkie.”
Pinkie smiled at her friend, then observed her stung leg which had now swelled to about three times the size of her other ones. “How’s your leg feeling?” She asked uneasily.
Rarity looked at it and wiggled it as best she could. “Well, I can’t actually feel it anymore, but on the plus side it doesn’t hurt or tingle either.”
The pink mare frowned and lowered her head. Rarity lifted it back up. “But I guess you could say…it’s doing rather…SWELL!”
Rarity started to chuckle then burst out into laughter at her own joke. Pinkie smiled and then began to share in laughter with her friend.
“There they are!!! Down there!!!” a voice yelled.
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy flew downward to meet Rarity and Pinkie Pie. Twilight, Applejack and Spike jumped out and immediately embraced their friends with hugs. Rainbow and Fluttershy rushed over once they got the ropes off.
“Thank goodness we found you two! We are so sorry we forgot you! Are you ok?” the shy pony exclaimed.
“We’re as right as rain!” Pinkie exclaimed as she shook herself dry. She looked at her white unicorn friend and the two burst right back into laughter. The rest of the gang looked at them in bewilderment.
“Sweet Celestia! Sugarcube, what happened to yer leg?”
The rest of the ponies and Spike’s eyes all widened to see one of the prissy white unicorn’s legs almost as plump as a watermelon.
“It’s a long story…but first, let’s get me to a doctor shall we?”
It took about two and a half seconds before anyone moved. The rest of the gang was completely surprised at the unicorn’s uncharacteristic sense of tranquility given the circumstances. Rainbow and Fluttershy gently raised Rarity and placed her in the basket before Applejack retied the ropes to them; in no time they took off towards Ponyville. Rarity smiled as Spike’s soft eyes glanced at her then back at her leg. He gently rubbed her hoof.
“Are you ok, Rarity? Do ya need anything?”
“It’s ok, Spikey Wikey, I’m going to be alright. I just have to smile. Right, Pinkie Pie?”
“Absolutely, positively!”
Spike looked back at Twilight who merely shrugged her shoulders as the pink equine and white mare laughed together.