//------------------------------// // Episode 16: Aftermath // Story: My Little Pony: Sparkling Harmony: Season Two // by Captain_Cosmos //------------------------------// Sparkler watched as the doctors rushed Kicker through the doors and disappeared from her sight. After saving Kicker from those two monsters, she rushed him to Ponyville General, where Kicker was almost immediately placed in a stretcher and rushed back. Sparkler watched the doors closed and gulped. Kicker had lost consciousness about halfway through the short trip from the orchards of Sweet Apple Acres to the hospital, and that had her worried. Please. Whatever higher power is watching, please let Kicker make it. Please. She couldn’t remember a time she was more worried in her life. This wasn’t her fear of shunning that had been quelled two weeks ago, now that fear was replaced with the fear of losing Kicker. She shook her head. A few short days. A few short days ago Kicker came into my life. Today, he calls me mom, TWICE, and what happens right after that? Who am I kidding. I’ll never be a good mother! I can’t even protect against a pair of criminals! “Uhm, excuse me Sparkler.” Sparkler was brought out of her thoughts by a tap on the shoulder. She turned to see the receptionist standing next to her. “What is it?” “We’ll need some basic information about Kicker. Age, birthday, stuff like that.” The receptionist replied. Sparkler was about to answer, before reality hit her that she only knew his name, and that he was five. She didn’t know his birthday, or really anything else relevant to the receptionist’s request. “Squawk! His name is Thunder Kicker, age is five years old, and he’s currently living at 453 Pony Street. Squawk! Flappy told the receptionist. The receptionist nodded and wrote that down. “And his birthday?” Sparkler sighed. “We...we don’t know what his birthday is. He only started living with us a few days ago.” The receptionist seemed to get that it was difficult to talk about because she just nodded. “Alright. Then I’ll leave you to it...although, sorry but I’m gonna have to ask your bird to leave. Strict hospital policy.” Flappy raised an eyebrow. “Squawk! Seriously? I’m clean. I won’t get anypony sick. Squawk?” Sparkler sighed and turned her head to look at Flappy, who had been sitting on her back. “Flappy, it’s ok. Just go home. I’ll stay here with Kicker.” Flappy wanted to protest further, but he saw the look in Sparkler’s eyes that said Don’t argue. Please. So instead, he just nodded and leaned in to whisper. “Squawk! I’ll come back tomorrow morning and see if Kicker’s in a room with a window. Squawk!” Sparkler nodded. “And if not I’ll be sure to get word to you of Kicker’s status.” Flappy nodded, and took flight off her back and proceeded out of the hospital. Sparkler watched him go, and was left with an empty waiting room. With nothing else to do, she went over and sat down in one of the chairs. Around ten minutes later, Twilight landed in front of the hospital, her mind running a million miles a minute. Why didn’t I ask Sparkler if she was alright?! I’m a terrible friend! She pushed the door open and almost immediately lay eyes on Sparkler. Twilight took one look at Sparkler before sprinting towards her. Sparkler got off her chair just in time to catch Twilight in a tight embrace. “I should’ve asked this earlier, are you ok Sparkler?” Twilight asked. Sparkler nodded. “Yeah. I’m fine. Though you guys got there just in time.” Twilight nodded. Still holding Sparkler. Sparkler raised an eyebrow. “Uh, Twi, you gonna let go?” Twilight realized she was still hugging Sparkler and promptly blushed and chuckled nervously. “Oh, right. Sorry.” Sparkler nodded. “It’s fine.” Twilight nodded, and glanced at the door that led deeper into the hospital. “Anything on Kicker?” Sparkler shook her head. “They haven’t said anything since they took him back ten minutes ago.” Twilight nodded, and picked up on Sparkler’s gloomy mood. “Sparkler, are you sure you’re ok?” Sparkler sighed. “Kicker...he...” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “What about him Sparkler?” “He...earlier today he...he called me mom...twice.” Sparkler said, her eyes starting to glisten. Twilight’s eyes widened. She let out a small smile. “That’s...that’s good...right? You wanted him to call you that?” Sparkler nodded. “Yeah. But it was before...before...” Sparkler didn’t know how much more she could take. Twilight seemed to recognize that Sparkler was about to breakdown, and reached out and pulled her into a hug again. “Hey, it’ll be alright. Kicker’s gonna be ok.” That did it. That got the tears rolling as Sparkler started crying into Twilight’s shoulder. After a second, she spoke in between sobs. “I’m a-a terrible mother.” Twilight gasped and patted Sparkler on the back. “Sparkler...why would you say that?” “Because I failed to protect him!” Sparkler cried. “Just look at what happened tonight. Despite my best efforts, despite every precaution I took. They still got in, they still got a hold of him. And now...I-I don’t deserve to be a mother...” Sparkler trailed off, her voice cracking and fading as she just cried. Twilight tightened her grip in a comforting manner and shook her head. “Sparkler, you are NOT a terrible mother. Not even close.” “But I—“ Sparkler started before being cut off by Twilight. “Sparkler, I won’t sit here and let you berate yourself for doing your best. That’s all anypony can ask of you.” Twilight said. Sparkler sniffled. “But if I can’t protect him for a few days...what hope do I have for the future? The only reason I was able to save him tonight was because Luna warned me for Celestia’s sake!” Twilight kept her grip on Sparkler as she smiled. “But you DID save him. He’s still alive because of you.” She let go of Sparkler and held her shoulders to look her in the eye. “Sparkler, as much as we want to, we just can’t account for everything. Trust me. I’ve tried. But some things are just out of our control. All we can do is try our best to get through it.” Sparkler sniffled. “But still...I told him I’d keep him safe. That I wouldn’t let them get him...and then tonight happened.” Twilight nodded. “And you SAVED him Sparkler. Not just from Sparky and Misty tonight, but you saved him when you found him in that alleyway. You gave him a home, food, and all the love that Sparky and Misty never gave him, and actually took away from him when they...Look, the point is. You have been, and will be, a great mother Sparkler. Don’t you ever think otherwise.” After a second, Sparkler nodded. “Thank you Twilight.” This time Sparkler pulled Twilight into an embrace. “You always know what to say.” Twilight nodded. “Actually I don’t always know what to say, but I do know that friends are supposed to be there for each other whenever they need it.” Sparkler giggled at the first part of Twilight’s statement, and nodded. “And I couldn’t have asked for a better friend.” Twilight nodded. “Of course.” After a moment of just hugging, Sparkler and Twilight parted. Sparkler glanced at the clock on the wall, it read 1:30 AM. She sighed and looked back to Twilight. “You must be pretty tired now. You can go home and get some sleep Twi. I’ll stay here with Kicker.” Twilight shook her head. “There’s no way I’m getting to sleep now. I’m too wide awake. I’ll stay here with you...if that’s ok.” Sparkler nodded. In truth, she was glad that Twilight was staying, not because of her crush, but because she didn’t want to be alone in the waiting room. “Yeah. That’s ok.” It was some time before there was any other activity. Until finally, the doors leading deeper into the hospital opened and a doctor came through. Twilight smiled and nudged Sparkler, who had dozed off resting her head on her shoulder, awake. “Sparkler, wake up.” Sparkler’s eyes fluttered open and she got up out of Twilight’s wing embrace. She rubbed her eyes and saw that a doctor was there. She quickly hopped off the chair and nodded. “Do you have an update on Kicker? Is he ok?” Sparkler asked. “You Sparkling Medley?” The doctor asked. Sparkler nodded. “Yeah, that’s me.” The doctor nodded and glanced at his clipboard. “Thunder Kicker is going to be just fine. He’s expected to make a full recovery.” Sparkler let out a sigh of relief. She didn’t lose a life tonight! “Thank Faust.” Twilight hopped off her own chair and smiled at Sparkler before turning to the doctor. “What’s the damage?” The doctor sighed. “Can’t say I’ve ever seen a foal so thoroughly injured. All four legs and hooves were broken, ribs sprained, we think he may have a mild concussion but we aren’t sure. And some internal organs were in rough shape, but in that area we were able to fix them up no problem.” Sparkler gulped. Kicker was looking at a long recovery. She nodded. “Anything else?” The doctor nodded. “We also noticed some other things but none that are so severe that we can’t wait to discuss them in the morning when everypony is more awake and alert.” Sparkler nodded. “Can I see him now?” The doctor nodded. “I’ll take you to his room. We had to put him under so he’s not awake yet. And we should let him sleep the night away.” Sparkler and Twilight nodded. “Thank you doctor.” The doctor nodded. “Come on.” He stepped to the side and held the door open for Sparkler and Twilight. They walked through the door and the doctor led them to where Kicker was. Sparkler’s mind was racing the whole time with relief. Thank Celestia! He’s ok! He’s got a long recovery period. But he’s alive. And, with Sparky and Misty detained, he’s finally safe for good! Don’t forget the psychological aspect. There’s no way this experience DIDN’T cause PTSD for him. No doubt the nightmares will continue...I wonder if Luna can possibly share dreams. At that thought, Sparkler smiled. She knew this was far from over for Kicker, he had a long road to recovery, both physically and probably mentally, but still, the main threat had been stopped, and there WAS a light at the end of this dark tunnel. And she was determined to see Kicker through it. No matter what, she was going to help her son. To be continued...