//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: New in Town // Story: The Impossible Choice // by FireMaster //------------------------------// ~ April 14th, 1020 ME ~ '10:22am' After 3 days of Chase being unconscious, Twilight was getting very worried. His magic reserves had been stretched, and practically emptied. Since then they had recovered, but Chase still remained unconscious. She had long since sent a letter to the princesses about the dangerous surge she had witnessed, but even after all this time, it was still processing with Twilight just how much magic potential Chase could have. ‘Never in my life have I seen a unicorn harness the powers of nature, let alone have a special talent focused on the elements. He's only been here for a week, and he can do things I can't!' She wanted to be done feeling like she had a responsibility to him, but he helped save the train from an attack by an Ursa Minor! She also wouldn’t admit to her friends that the reason she showed so much concern with his recovery was because she liked his personality. He was very different, but so was she before she got her head out of books 24/7. Not to mention his dramatic, but genuinely kind nature was a little cute. She had told her friends about her mission to help him experience the magic of friendship, and as a result had spent time at the hospital watching him recover. Ok take that back... she wasn’t ‘watching’ him like some kind of stalker, she was just preparing to help him when he woke up. Yeah that must be right. His current state while in a coma was rather disturbing, since he seemed physically healthy, but the Ponyville hospital had let him stay in their recovery wing to make sure he was stable. After hours of waiting by his side and going back and forth between her castle and the hospital, Twilight was getting exhausted herself. ‘Yeah she was trying to be a good friend, but why was she going so far for somepony she had only known for a short time?’ All these questions ran through her head while she sat on a couch by the window of Mr. Waters hospital room. “Luna?” Mr. Waters mumbled. ‘He spoke! Thank God he’s alright!’ Finally after a few minutes Chase began to stir. It was around 10 A.M. on the third day of his coma. “Where am I?” Chase spoke rather raspy. “You’re in the Ponyville Hospital. I was so worried about you. You remained in a coma even after your magic was restored.” “So Luna was right... Thanks for your concern Twilight. Do you think I could get some water?” “Sure. Hang tight.” “I wasn’t planning on going anywhere.” Twilight returned with a glass, and got an unenthused look from Chase. “How am I supposed to hold this? I still don’t get how you manage to hold things with hooves.” “Here let me help you.” Twilight used her magic to bring the water up to Mr. Waters as he sat up. After a long drink Mr. Waters put up his hoof and said, “Remind me to practice so we never have to do that again. That felt so awkward.” His voice now had a fuller sound now that his throat had been lubricated. Silence ensued for a few moments... "So how exactly do hospitals work around here? As nice as it is to hang around and talk, I'm assuming I am healthy enough to get out of the room staining my eyes with white?" "Huh, I wonder why the walls are white. My books would say vibrant colors bring about joyful emotions-" "-Twilight, back to me leaving." "Oh right. Well after a doctor signs off that you're still in one piece you should be good to go." "Am I supposed to find that amusing?" "Nope but I would make Applejack proud with my honesty." "Uh huh." After the routine checkup that was a little too up close and personal for his taste, Twilight and Chase were making their way towards the exit of the hospital. "Chase, why do you still look so uncomfortable?" "Um... well I noticed before but during my close proximity with those doctors I became rather self conscious of my nakedness. They were looking at me so close, and running tests, and all I could think about was the fact that I needed some coverage." "Soooo I take it that's not normal?" "I'm used to wearing clothes everyday." "Oh. Well you've been taking that rather well all things considered." "I've just been telling myself not to think about it.... but back there.... I thought about it." "I take it you didn't have a tail before?" "Definitely not! I've now had one a week longer than I ever thought I would." "Well moving on to happier thoughts... Welcome to Ponyville!" Twilight pushed open the glass door of the local hospital and let Mr. Waters take in his first impression of the little town she fell in love with. As he walked out the door a wall of pink appeared in his face. It seemed to come out of thin air, making Chase stumble back onto his rump. "HI! ARE YOU THE PONY TWILIGHT TOLD US ABOUT? THAT MUST MEAN YOUR NEW HERE, BECAUSE I KNOW EVERYPONY IN PONYVILLE, AND I DON'T KNOW YOU, WHICH MEANS WE NEED A WELCOME PARTY, AND YOU HAVE A NICE MANE." "I'm sorry... who are you?" "Oh that's easy. I'm Pinkie Pie, and I work at Sugarcube Corner! I make a point to know everypony, including birthdays, and names! You're Chase and you were born November 5th." "Wait... but I didn't tell you that, and not even Twilight knew my birthday. How-" "Don't ask," Twilight interrupted. "We've learned not to question the pinkie sense. Just watch out for twitchy tail." "If you say so. Just don't expect me to believe she is psychic or something" "That's silly! Psychic? More like joy, and laughter, and surprises! I love surprises!" Pinkie replied. "Well I got to get back to work, but my left eye twitch told me someone new was in town so I had to check up on that. It was great meeting you! Bye bye!" In response Chase just waved back. "That was the weirdest conversation I have ever had." All Twilight could think was 'he'll get used to it', as she giggled. They began to tour the city viewing the quaint houses, and small businesses. It was decided that for the time being if Mr. Waters was to be a resident, it should be official, so they made their way towards the town hall to fill out some paperwork. It was also agreed upon that he didn't want to reveal his origins if possible. He kept saying something about the media in his world going wild with any story an eighth as interesting as this. Upon entry into the office Twilight was greeted by the secretary, and was able to schedule a meeting with Mayor Mare who was having a rather slow day. For some reason Mr. Waters thought the Mayor's name was rather funny, but she chalked it up to another thing from his world. After getting called into the Mayor's office Twilight had a seat followed by Chase who took the other chair a little more hesitantly, no doubt because of his unfamiliarity with controlling his new appendages. "Good to see you Princess Twilight! And I see you brought a new face! My name is Mayor Mare, and you are? "Mr. Waters, A pleasure to meet you." "That's an interesting name. So did you come here to find a place, or a job? People often come through when they decide to settle here. You are staying right? "Yes, but Twilight has been generous enough to provide her hospitality to me." "I see. So Princess, is everything holding up ok at your new residence?" "Yes everything is perfect, but I suppose you're wondering why we're here. You see, Mr. Waters' records are rather lacking, so we want to file paperwork to make him an official citizen!" "Ah, that won't be too difficult. Might I ask why his records are not well kept?" "I’ll answer that ma'am," Chase began. "I had an incident with some sparks that started a fire. I lost almost everything I had." "Oh dear. Well, let's see what we can do to help with that. Lets start with your full name. Mr. Waters doesn't quite suffice." "Right... my name is Blazing Waters" "I can't believe you lied to the mayor not once, but twice!" Twilight began "Technically I didn't completely lie the first time. Some magical sparks did take away all my stuff." "Yeah but BLAZING WATERS?! What's that all about?" "Well you guys have weird names, and in my head it sounded cool. Chase still feels wrong. I imagined you calling me Blazing and it made me smile so I went with it. Blazing that was fire. You're my hero Blazing!" Twilight looked very unimpressed. "Are you done now?" "Yeah sorry. I guess it was a bit rash. I still like it though." "Alright come on, I'd like to introduce you to the rest of my friends." Following their time with the mayor, Twilight was introducing 'Blazing' to ponies left and right. They went by Sweet Apple Acres, Rarities boutique, where Blazing played up his personality as a fine gentle colt, and they still had time to go to Sugarcube Corner for lunch. Unsurprisingly Pinkie somehow knew to call him Blazing. 'Wow she really gets around.' Chase was picking at a salad while Twilight was enjoying a hayburger and fries. I'm going to get him to try a hay fry. "Hey Blazing, if you eat one of these I'll start your magic training tomorrow." "Really?!" And with that Twilight got him. Waiting for his reaction, she was surprised how long it took him to say anything; just quietly chewing away. Finally she spoke, “I already planned on starting lessons tomorrow anyway, so how is it?” “You mean to tell me that was a ploy so that I would try something inedible? And I thought you were a friendship expert.” “Oh come on. You can’t tell me it’s not good... right?” “I’ll admit if I wasn’t mentally telling myself it is wrong to like something that was once not on my palette of food choices, then yes I find it to be rather satisfying.” “See that wasn’t so hard. You're getting better at being honest with yourself already.” She said as she winked. “Come on, let's take the rest to go. I want to introduce you to my friend Rainbow Dash. Don’t let her think she’s too cool for you though. She’s rather loyal in her own confident way.” With that they got up from their table and thanked Pinkie as they left, who was in as bubbly a mood as ever. “Blazing, I’m glad I met you.” “Despite my circumstances... back at you Twilight. It’s nice socializing more than twice a week.” As they began walking outside in the streets of Ponyville, Twilight was left with her thoughts. I got it! The cutie map mission is for me to share the elements of harmony with Blazing so that he knows what friendship is. He doesn’t have a friendship problem because he’s never experienced what friendship really looks like! Not that this was a major revelation, but Twilight was on her way to showing Blazing his importance; showing him that somepony else cares. Whether he was Mr. Waters, Chase, or Blazing, she was going to make him feel at home or at least close to home no matter what!