"Hold on, girls, this is gonna get fast!" Scootaloo shouted backwards over the roar of the wind as their usual vehicle sped over the road, leaving a trail of dust in its wake. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom clinged to each other as the wind rushed through their manes, not entirely certain how they could possibly go any faster.
As though to answer their question, the road dropped into a steep downward slope, and they accelerated to breakneck speeds. Scootaloo gripped the handlebars tightly, adrenaline flooding her veins. She loved the rush that came from traveling at such incredible velocity. She was not afraid; she was in complete control, and fully confident in her driving ability.
What Scootaloo didn't see was the rock on the road. Nothing more than a pebble, really, and set at such an angle as to be nearly invisible, and mostly inconsequential. However, at the speeds they were going, nothing was inconsequential.
The scooter's front wheel slipped, catching on the rock. The scooter fell to its side, launching its pegasus rider into the air. The wagon behind it collided with it, hurling its own occupants behind it. With a horrific screech, the entire contraption was transformed into a mass of twisted metal, continuing to tumble down the hill before coming to a stop in a muddy ditch.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders had attempted many dangerous stunts in the past, and had thus far avoided injury. Now it seemed, their luck had finally run out. With a loud snap, Scootaloo hit the ground, rolling a few times before coming to a stop. Apple Bloom collided headfirst with large oak just off the side of the road. Sweetie Belle rammed into Scootaloo, before continuing to bounce down the road, ending up with a leg jutting out at an unnatural angle.
At this point, only Scootaloo was still conscious, though just barely. Beginning to tear up, either because of the pain or realizing what had just happened, she struggled to her feet. Unable to manage that, she lifted her head as high as she could manage.
"Help..."
"...and since then, we haven't heard from Chrysalis or the changelings again." Twilight finished her retelling of all of the exploits of the Bearers of Harmony to Carpathios. The human mage was suitably impressed, recording everything he had heard onto a parchment for further study and reference.
"I would like to thank you again for taking time out of your schedule to educate me. I am sure you are quite busy," Carpathios said as he finished writing her last words.
Twilight shook her head, smiling. "It really was nothing. I'm happy to get the chance to share what I've learned about the magic of friendship with others. I still can't believe how far you've come to learn about it, though. I hope it can help you out in some way. I know it has quite literally not only changed my life, but save all of Equestria."
"Truthfully," Carpathios said, deep in thought, "This might be exactly what is needed to save Agathonis. A more detailed study is needed, of course, but-"
"TWILIGHT!" Fluttershy's voice echoed through the afternoon, startling both pony and human, who did not believe the demure pegasus could shout that loud. The pale yellow pony ran up to the library with a completely panicked look upon her face. "It's-I can't-HELP!"
The lavender unicorn immediately jumped to her feet, a look of deep concern on her face. "Fluttershy! What's wrong?" She draped a leg over the withers of the shaking pegasus, trying to calm her down. "Just take a deep breath, and start from the beginning."
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she started her recounting. "I was taking care of some sick baby bunnies in the meadow near my house when all of a sudden, I heard this horrible, loud crash! I ran over to see what had happened, and it was the girls! They... they weren't... moving."
The two mares immediately bolted away at full pace, leaving the human mage alone with his thoughts.
Three rooms were occupied in the Severe Trauma wing of the Ponyville hospital. It was rarely used, mainly because ponies were a sturdy race of beings, not prone to serious injury.
In the first wing, a young pegasus filly lay in a neck brace. The doctors had given her a high chance of permanent paralysis, though she had yet to be informed.
She was, in fact, in remarkably high spirits, all things considered. Her long-time heroine, Rainbow Dash, was spending time with her personally. There were few things in this world that could have made her happier.
"...And so Daring Do recovered the Elder Scroll of Hooftand, returning it safely to the College of Canterlot. The End," the spectral mare said, closing the book with finality.
"That was awesome," Scootaloo said in a voice that, lacking her usual boundless enthusiasm, brought a feeling of profound sadness on those who heard them. "Can you read me another one?"
Dash put the book down on the counter and got up. "Sorry squirt, but visiting hours are almost over, and you need to rest to get your strength back up, so you can get out of here. Besides, as much as..." she stopped as she thought about the circumstances that had brought them here. "Well, if we read them too fast, we might run out of books too quickly."
"I don't care what you read. I'm just glad you are here." Scootaloo closed her eyes, one of the few motions she was still capable of. "Rainbow Dash, if I get better, will you still be able to read to me? It would mean a whole bunch to me..."
"Now hold up there squirt, there'll be none of this 'if you get better' nonsense, you hear me?" The older mare gave her admirer a firm but not unfriendly glance. "When you get better, I am going to personally teach you how to fly. How does that sound?"
"That sounds wonderful! I can't wait to get out of here," Scootaloo said as she started to nod off. "I'll see you later, Rainbow Dash..."
"Catch you around, Scoots," Dash said as she turned to walk out the door. It was only after it closed behind her that she let the tears flow out.
In another room of the Severe Trauma ward, another mare was also reading, this time to a comatose young earth pony filly, her usual pink bow replaced by a white bandage. While she lay there, the older earth pony sat reading an old children's story, that she happened to know was her little sister's favorite, out loud.
"'n the brave cowponies rode off into the sunset, another day's work dun.' Well that's the end, what ya always said was yer favorite part. To be honest, Ah like it too.
Things have been goin' pretty good on the farm. Big Mac and Ah finished haulin' all the apples from the south field up to the barn. Granny Smith 'll sort 'em out soon 'nuff. They'd be here too, but well, Granny came down with one of her achey spells, and Big Mac had to look out for her. Family looks out for each other, ya know..." By now the normally stoic cowpony was openly sobbing.
"Ah'm sorry Apple Bloom, but Ah just really want you to wake up. Could ya do that fer me? Could you please wake up?"
The young filly simply lay in bed, neither moving nor making a sound.
The last inhabitant of the Severe Trauma wing was a white unicorn filly. Unlike the other two, she wasn't due to remain in the hospital for very long. In fact, the doctors predicted she would be out before the end of the week.
She had been diagnosed with fatal internal hemorrhaging.
Enveloped in a sapphire blue aura, a brush moved gently across her mane, while a soft voice hummed a soothing tune. Sweetie Belle looked up at the mare that was brushing her. "I'm sorry, sis. I didn't mean to get into so much trouble."
"No, don't be sorry. It wasn't your fault," Rarity said with a gentle voice. "It wasn't anypony's fault. It was just an accident. Nopony's fault. Let's just try to live every day to its fullest, shall we?" She put the brush down, and picked up the mirror, holding it in front of her sister's face. "There, how's that?"
"That looks beautiful," Sweetie Belle says. "I hope one day I'm as pretty as you. Can we spend more time together?"
Rarity begins to tear up. "I'd like to spend as much time with you as I can. I just wish-"
"What's wrong, sis?" Sweetie Belle asked. Her sister usually wasn't this emotional.
Rarity wiped the tears from her eyes. "Oh, I just wish I would have spent more time with you, and less working on those silly dresses. I guess you think you have all the time in the world, then... well, never mind. I just wish I had really figured out how important it was to me to have a sister before now."
"Oh," Sweetie said, a slight tone of confusion in her voice. "Have you heard from Mom and Dad?"
Rarity's face darkened. She looked away, answering coolly, "They said they had to get to Canterlot. Something about getting the best medicine bits could buy." The truth was that upon learning of their daughter's fate, Rarity's parents had chosen to run from the truth rather than dealing with it. Leaving her not only to fend for herself again, but care for her dying sister on her own.
Sweetie looked sad for a moment. "I'm glad you're here, though."
"So am I," Rarity said as they hugged, Rarity being very careful not to aggravate her sister's condition.
Soptek, I need your help. Send to me all the knowledge the Omniceum has on the binding and dealing with proteans.
Carpathios, what is this? What are you up to?
Something some would call mad, old friend, but I call bold.