//------------------------------// // Chapter 19 // Story: Linkin Pony - Recharge: Revamped // by Kaciekk //------------------------------// Late afternoon fell across the desert. BlazingFlair had successfully helped the chimera move the day prior, with help from Rhythm. Now the future residence would not have to deal with a threatening neighbor. Work in camp was going steady. HyperBlitz was at the stream gathering water. The container he had was three-fourths full, as much as he could handle. It was a lot heavier than he expected. Either that, or the heat was draining him. He flew up to a cliff that was on level with the camp. Glancing back, Hyper looked over the world below. He took in the sight of the stream and the railroad that crossed it. In the sky, he could see a bright spot where the sun was behind the clouds. It would be making its way to set soon.  Hyper grabbed the water container again and heaved it into the cab. He knew he could have found a way around the clift to the stream, but he didn’t want to risk it. Hyper wasn’t very comfortable with driving the cab, for he had always known flight as his mode of travel. He was grateful that he was able to fly again. Even then, his flying wouldn’t ever be the same experience. As he drove the cab nearer to the camp, he spotted something flying high in the sky. Hyper poked his head out of the side and squinted to get a better view. It looked like two Pegasi, circling around the camp. Feather and Jet? Hyper wondered, but he did not think they looked like their shapes. Sure enough, the Pegasi fled. They traveled north and disappeared from sight. Weird. Maybe the other guys saw it too. Back in camp, Hyper placed the water next to the front door of the base. In the circular crossroad, Blazing and Spinning were standing. They were gathering wood into a pile. “What are you doing?” Hyper asked. “We’re gonna have a bonfire tonight!” Blazing exclaimed. “Thought it might be nice to just hang out and chill,” CharmingRhythm spoke to Hyper, trotted to his side. “We’ve all worked so hard. We deserve a break. Can you go tell Feather? Jet and Ash too. Tell them they can stop working.” Rhythm tilted his head backwards to the village. “Alright,” Hyper replied.  He flew over the village, seeking out the ponies. He called out for Feather and realized how dry his mouth was. He wished he had stopped in the base to rest. Of course, he didn’t want to disappoint Rhythm. “You can stop working!” Hyper called. “What? But I’m doing my job!” Feather spat. “Rhythm said you can stop. Come take a break with us.” “Alright. Sounds good,” Feather sighed. Hyper found Jet and Ash and told them the same thing. He made his way back to the base. Relief flooded over him as he entered the cool building. In the meeting, he grabbed some water to quench his thirst. He took a seat and relaxed.  Hyper sat in the meeting room, alone. The emptiness of the room seemed to echo into his soul. Ever since he lost his wing, Hyper had felt like a completely different pony. He had been out of the mission for almost a month. And when he came back, he was expected to work as if everything was normal. His friends were acting like everything was normal.  Nothing was normal. Hyper’s wing was wrong. Something of his was robbed by the Hybrids. He felt like a part of his soul was taken with them. Perhaps the wound would heal much like his skin. Of course life was painful, but Hyper had to power through it. He didn’t want to worry his friends. If they thought everything was normal, there was no right for him to ruin it for them. He had to grin and bear it. At least that’s what he told himself. An hour later, the ponies gathered for the bonfire, Hyper joining them. The air outside was warmer than the base, but was much cooler than it was earlier. To the west, the bright spot behind the clouds was halved on the horizon.  “I could light it with my EPD,” Blazing suggested. “You know I could just light it with my magic, right?” Ash retorted as if it was obvious. The grey Unicorn’s horn glowed a bright red. A small ball of fire appeared in front of her, levitating. It fell down into the woodpile, igniting the fire. The ponies watched in awe and Jet was looking to Ash with admiration.  They sat down on makeshift benches made of piles of wood planks.  “We aren’t going to talk about camp news. No work stuff right now,” Rhythm was telling them. “We’ll have a meeting tomorrow. I’ve got something planned.” “Oh must be big,” Spinning wondered. “It is, but it can wait.” “We need some campfire songs!” Blazing exclaimed FeatherTune tapped Hyper with a hoof. “You got anything, Hype?” HyperBlitz hesitated. “I don’t really feel like it. I’m tired.” “You alright?” Rhythm cautioned, his brow raised. “Yeah. The heat just took a lot out of me is all,” Hyper stated. None of them questioned him any more. However, Rhythm kept his eye on Hyper for the rest of the evening. He could sense something was off. They all continued to tell stories and joke, Hyper only halfway listening. He would laugh with them too and gave false smiles. With his eyes itching, he continued to stare off into the fire. The fire died down and night fell on them. They dispersed and called it a day. Hyper found his way back to his room. After doing some tidying up, Rhythm trekked his way to Hyper’s room. He knocked first, and heard Hyper’s voice from inside. “Hey, Rhyth. What’s up?” Hyper asked with a smile as the Unicorn entered his room. “Um, could we talk?” “Yeah, sure,” Hyper said. Rhythm closed the door behind him. Fear began to crawl on Hyper’s fur. “Are you okay?” Rhythm questioned. “Yeah. Why?” Hyper responded. “Because you’re acting strange,” Rhythm pointed out. “I’m just tired,” Hyper tried to defend. “No you’re not.” Rhythm spoke assertively. He paused, aware of his volume. He created a sound bubble that molded into the shape of the room. “Okay, maybe you are. But that’s not why you’re acting weird. Ever since you came back you’ve been off. I know you try to hide it, but I can tell. I know you Hyper. I want you to be honest, please.” Hyper was gazing at the floor as he sat on his bed. He peered up at Rhythm. “I’m sorry. I lost a wing, how could I not be upset?” “I know. I completely understand, believe me,” Rhythm spoke with empathy in his eyes and voice. “You know you can talk about it. I don’t want you to keep everything bottled up.” “You want me to be honest?” “Of course,” Rhythm answered.  “It’s just that… ever since I got back, everyone’s been acting like it’s normal. Like I never lost a wing,” Hyper disclosed, his voice harsh. “Yeah, at first they thought my new wing was cool but it’s not the same wing. I shouldn’t have this to begin with. And then nobody brings it up again? Everyone pretends like everything is fine.” Hyper expressed his struggles passionately.  “Oh, Hyper. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…. I’m sure the other guys didn’t want to upset you by bringing it up.” Rhythm attempted to make sense of it. “How could it upset me anymore than it already has? I live it. This is my reality,” Hyper spat, and then mumbled, “You’re the only one who seems to care.” “We all care. I’ve been so worried about you, I just never knew when to talk to you. I shouldn’t have waited so long.” Rhythm shook his head in shame. “Maybe I’ll talk to the guys about… I don’t know, how things are different now?” There was a short pause. Rhythm took a seat on Hyper’s bed, next to him. “I know you’re hurting inside. It takes time to heal,” Rhythm spoke to Hyper, who only nodded. “Would you like some more time off of this mission?” “What? No!” Hyper straightened his posture. “This mission is the only thing keeping me distracted.” Rhythm sighed. “Sometimes a distraction isn’t what you need. You need to address your problems. I’m guilty of looking for distractions too, but all they do is put things off.” “I usually have SweetHooves to talk about this stuff with,” Hyper muttered. “You know you can always talk to me right?” Rhythm gave him a weak smile. “I want you too. No more pretending.” “I just don’t want to bring you guys down by worrying about me,” Hyper said, staring at the floor. “But you’re hurting us more by hiding things.” Hyper’s eyes widened a bit, fear in them. Rhythm took a moment to breathe. He rubbed between his brows with a blue hoof. “I wish I knew what to do to make things better. Really I do. But it only gets better in time. Trust me, things will get better.”  Hyper looked into Rhythm’s eyes, and then shifted his gaze downward. He saw Rhythm’s prosthetic leg crossed with his natural one. “You’re still not used to your new leg, are you?” “No, I’m not. I don’t think I ever will be,” Rhythm answered honestly. “But I’ve learned to live with it.” Rhythm turned over his leg and examined it.  “Although I guess I have a weapon with me at all times. Plus I can’t feel any pain in it. That’s really useful when I bang it against a Hybrid,” Rhythm claimed with a smirk. “Not really sure I can use my wing as a weapon…” Hyper glanced over his shoulder. “I dunno, these things look like they can be sharp with enough force.” Rhythm pointed to the ends of the appendages. Rhythm turned back to the original topic. “No, but, even though it’s not my original leg, I’ve come to love it. It’s a work of art, really. And it’s special to me because my dad helped make it.” “Well, he helped make the rest of you, so it’s suiting,” Hyper remarked. “Geez, Hyper,” Rhythm said with a grin as he rubbed his head again.  A beam broke across Hyper’s face too. For a moment they stared at each other with amusement. Rhythm playfully jabbed Hyper’s side with an elbow. He pushed himself off the bed and spun around to face Hyper again.  “Tomorrow we have an important meeting. I want to hear your opinions and ideas. You’re just as much a part of this team as everyone else,” Rhythm assured.  Hyper nodded. “Got it.” “Alright, I think that’s enough of me pestering you. Goodnight,” Rhythm told him with fondness.  “Goodnight,” Hyper replied as the Unicorn left his room. Knowing a close friend was concerned and cared about him made HyperBlitz feel a little better. Of course healing took time, but Hyper had not been allowing himself that time. He wanted to rush things to get better, for the sake of the mission and the sake of his friends. No more pretending, Hyper told himself, echoing Rhythm’s words.