//------------------------------// // Regret part 2: Pain // Story: Rarity's lament // by Sweetiebellema121 //------------------------------// A sudden chill ran down Rarity's spine as a lump formed in her throat. The unicorn grimaced to herself as she puzzled over the identity of the stallion; (at least she hoped it was a stallion.). The mare bit her lip; shallowing the lump as she approached her next move. She considered destroying the letter; ending it there and then; but at the back of her mind she knew it was a foolish idea. There were just to many question that Rarity needed answered. How did he know her? Why did he send the letter? And most importantly what did he want? In the end Rarity's curiosity got the better of her. The unicorn took a deep breath as she mustered her courage. She opened her mouth slowly....."Miss...Miss Rarity." The voice said quickly. Rarity grimaced to herself; her resolve was shattered. "Ye-yes." She squeaked. The voice frightened her; more so then she would admit. Rarity shook her head viciously. "I'll never get anywhere if I act like a timid filly." the mare told herself." Come on! I can do this!!" Rarity took in a few short breaths; as her body relexed. "I-i mean...hello sir." her voice was still shaky but coherent. There was a short paused then the gem flashed once again. "Ah good...your still there." The voice said. "I thought something went wrong the letter." "If you don't mind me asking...sir...." Rarity readied herself. "....As to whom am I-i speaking with?" "my apologies Miss..." The voice said slowly. "...I've been quite rude...Haven't I ." another pause then the green flash of the gem illuminated the dimly lit room. "Allow me to introduce myself." the voice continued "My name is Doctor La-" "A Doctor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Rarity's mind screamed. Dozens of thoughts soared through Rarity's head. She broke out in a cold sweat as her mind tried to fathom a reason a Doctor would be talking to her; but at the back her mind she knew the answer. Whether it was good news or bad it most likely had to do with her sister. "Excuse me...hello." Rarity's heart pounded rapidly in her chest as she was slowly dragged back into reality. "I-I'm so sorry....my mind was elsewhere." The Doctor cleared his throat then continued . "Yeesss...anyway I have something very important to talk to you about." he paused for a momement then continued. "Your related to one...Sweetie Belle am I correct." The mare's stomach flipped upon hearing her sister's name. Her heart's palpitations were pulsing in her ears as she primed herself to answer the Doctor's question. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. Then after a few seconds her voice finally returned. "yes." Rarity said in a low almost whispery tone as though she was using Fluttershy's voice instead of her own. The unicorn braced herself for the Doctor's reply. Her heart nearly stopped when the gem flashed it's green light into her face. "I was letting you know; she was found this morni-" Rarity jumped to her hooves. "you mean shes there!" the unicorn said quickly "She at the hospital...right now!!!" "Well...yes..." the Doctor said slowly. "I'll be there as soon as possible!!!!" Rarity Squeed in excitement as she tossed the letter aside. The mare lepted from her bed; She let out a low yelp as her hoofs hit the hard ground; but she didn't care. Her sister was waiting, With a swift twist of her head the small comb on Rarity's make-up desk floated up to the mare's mane and began brushing the knots out of her hair. it had been awhile since the last time she had used the brush,( three days to be exact.) but Rarity certainly wasn't about to let her sister see her the way she was. Satisfied with herself ; Rarity flicked her head sending the brush skimming across the bed until it hit a pillow with a dull thud. "Oh Celestia I can't believe it...i just can't..." Rarity"s mind raced. "I just can't wait to tell Twilight and the oth-" Rarity stopped. "Twilight!!!" the mare thought " I have to tell Twilight....and then she'll get the others...an-and we'll all go...and see Sweet-.... oh yes it's perfect." She said with a smile." First twilight's then the Hospital." Rarity opened the door just as a green light began to flash from behind her. The unicorn blew past her bedroom door nearly knocking it off it's hinges. She sped towards the steps at a speed she never thought possible. She felt good; better then she had in days; all because of a simple conversation. Her hooves barely touched the ground as she made her way down the stair. "ICAN'TBELIEVEIT!!!! ICAN'TBELIEVEIT!!!!!" Rarity's mind repeated over and over in her head as she reached the final step. A searing pain caught her off guard as she took her final step down the stairs. Rarity nearly lost her balance from the sudden pain , but somehow managed to keep herself steady. Rarity's head flicked to the her side; and to the unicorn's disgust a trickle of blood was slowly steaping through the banadges along her flank. Rarity grimaced to herself as fluttershy's words flooded her mind. "...don't overexert yourself...you don't want your wounds to reopen...specifically that one..." Rarity gritted her teeth in a vain attempt to soothe her pain. She took in a few heavy breaths before continuing forward; praying she wouldn't do any further damage to her body. The white unicorn closed her eyes tightly; trying to force the pain back; as she pulled the front door open with her magic. "This won't...stop me...nothing will..." Rarity told herself." I can't keep her waiting...not anymore." A sudden gust of wind hit Rarity in the face as she took her first step outside in days. It was a strange feeling being outside once again but she welcomed it wholeheartedly . With that She took in one final breath then darted forward; full gallop. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ An early morning mist awaited Rarity as she scurried across the nearly barren streets of Ponyville . The weather hadn't been the same since the storm; and while Rarity wasn't exactly sure the reason behind the strange weather; She could only guess that it had to do with Rainbow Dash focusing more on finding Sweetie Belle then her job. The unicorn had enjoyed the dreary weather from her window as it fit her somber mood, but now was different. Now she wanted it to be bright and sunny to fit the warmth she felt in her heart. The warmth was quickly replaced by a sharp pain at her side. Rarity's heavy hoofsteps echoed across Ponyville; with the bleak weather and the fact it was so early there were very few ponies in Rarity's path as she made her way to Twilight sparkles' library home. The mare bit her lip to subdue the pain that flared at her back. Rarity's heart pounded rapidly; she had barely run a mile and already her lungs were burning. The poor unicorn felt her fatigue in every step she took; but somehow she managed pushed forward through the pain and fatigue that ate at her. The thoughts of her sister the only thing driving her forward. Rarity glanced to her left only to spot Lyra and Bon bon stepping out of a small diner. The unicorn groaned and mentally kicked herself for not taking the the letters with her. Lyra tilted her head giving Rarity a smile and a wave; Rarity returned the gesture with a nod; only wishing she had more time. Rarity grinned to herself through the pain; she was only a few blocks away from Twilight's. The mare turned sharply; her forelegs locked together and before the unicorn could stop herself ; her body was tumbling across the cold ground. The world flipped several times before Rarity finally came to a stop. Disoriented and winded the unicorn tried to wail in pain but nothing came out. Rarity took in several heavy breaths before even attempting to move her pain riddled body. Several of the wrappings around her waist and limbs had torn or were hanging loosely at her sides. She whimpered softly as her voice slowly came back to her; tears were already falling down her checks before she realised she was crying. The mare wiped her waterlogged eyes slowly; She took in a short breath; bracing herself for what she knew was coming. Rarity clenched her teeth as she used all the strength she could muster to raise herself from the ground. The pain was immense; so much so that she flopped back to the ground almost immediatly. "I...I-'m so....pathetic..."Rarity said softly between labored breaths "...It's...just a...little further..." The unicorn bit her lip as she made her second attempt at standing. Her lips trembled as she slowly balanced herself. Rarity took a mere step forward; her body froze as her mouth dropped open in a wordless scream. She gasped as the pain intensified; Rarity's head shot back to her flank only to look on in horror as a pool of blood dripped down her side. The mare stumbled forward unable stop herself; she let out a low tearful yelp then collapsed back to the ground. Rarity weakly lifted her head; the red liquid was slowly spreading across the banadages to the ground. Rarity took a few heavy breaths; her body was at it's limits and she knew. As much as she didn't want to admit it; she didn't have the strength to make it Twilight's let alone the hospital. Rarity tilted her head and grimaced at her pitiful self. "Move!!" Her mind screamed. The mare lifted her front forelegs up. "Move!!!" Her hooves latched onto the ground. "More!!!!" She pulled herself forward; leaving a trail of blood behind her. "Move!!!! Damn you!!!! Move!!!!!" Rarity's hooves fell weakly to the ground; she had nothing left in her. "I....I...I-i..." Rarity said tearfully."...can't do it....I'm so sorry....I just can't..." The unicorn dropped her head down and buried her face under her hooves in shame. "Rar...ity..." a voice at the back of her mind called out. The unicorn glared at the blood pouring from her side. She shook her head slowly as her body was starting to go numb. Rarity tilted her head up into the sky and took in a deep breath. " Alright Twilight...." She said with a sigh. "...I guess it's time i try out that spell." Rarity's mind raced back to three nights ago when her purple friend taught her the spell. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~Several hours after Rarity returned from the Everfree forest~ Rarity sat at the edge of her bed as Fluttershy wrapped fresh bandages around her body. The other were there as well except the two fillies of course. " I can't believe how careless you were!!!' Applejack barked "I...know...I just..." Rarity said weakly. Rainbow dash sighed as she paced back and forth. " I know I was giving you a hard time yesterday..." She started. " ...but seriously i told you how bad the weather was going to be." The pegasus stopped with a smirk, " I mean hell not even I was stupid enough to go out in that." Rarity narrowed her eyes at her rainbow friend; being called stupid by somepony like Rainbow dash just didn't sit right with the unicorn. "I..was trying to find my sister!" Rarity said with as much vigor as she could. " And that damn well nearly killed you didn't it!" Rainbow said harshly. Rarity grimaced to herself; a combination of anger and sadness filled her heart. the unicorn open her mouth to rebuke the pegasus but was quickly interrupted by a voice at the back. "That not a very nice thing to say Dashie." Pinkie said as she jumped in between the two mares. " She was super worried about her sister." Rainbow dash sighed to herself. "Yeah I kno-" "Oh and Dashie..." Pinkie said with frown "What?" "You shouldn't swear so much people don't like it when ponies swear." Pinkie said as she began bouncing around the room. Dash tilted an eyebrow. "Wait what...peo-" Pinkie bounced a few more time then stopped suddenly as though her heart had fallen from her chest. "Oh no..." Pinkie said as she landed back on the floor." I'd forgotten...." Pinkie tilted her head down; she looked as though she was on the verge of crying. "I shouldn't have read that....i shouldn't have...." Pinkie said slowly " It said sad and tragedy...an-and dark....what does that mean...what does that mean." Pinkie's voice was low and inaudible; not even Rainbow; (who was only a few feet away.) could understand the words she spoke. Rainbow grimaced as she stared at the sulken pink mare. "Pinkie...you ok." Pinkie tilted her head up slowly and gave her friend a half smile. "Yeah...I'm fine...I guess i'm just a little tired." Rarity tilted her head in confusion at the odd conversation her two friends were having. The white unicorn's head drifted downward as she put her focus back on the yellow pegasus who was wrapping bandages around her right foreleg. "Alright there we go." Fluttershy said with a warm smile. " I hope I didn't make them too tight." "They fit just fine." The mare said with a glassy-eyed smile "Thank you....Fluttershy." Fluttershy turned her head as she blushed. "Oh...don't mention it..." "It means alot to me." Rarity said as she placed a hoof on the yellow mare's shoulder. " I'm so lucky to have friends like the five of you." She paused with a sigh. " I know i've been quite beastly the last few days and for that...i would like to apologise." Rarity lowered her head in shame. "Can you ever forgive me ." She tilted her eyes upward only to see that all of her friends were nodding; all except Applejack who had turned away. "Applejack?" Twilight said as she walked over to the orange earth pony. "Eveything ok?" Applejack's head hung low to the floor. "I don't know if i can forgive her just yet." she paused "Not after the way she blew up on my sis.' Rarity sighed and closed her eyes. "That's...ok...." " But after hearin' how sorry ya are about everythin' and since everypony else forgave ya i guess...." Applejack sighed "...I do to." "thank you Appl-" Rarity started. "...but only under one condition." The orange pony said quickly. "Anything Applejack...I'll do anything to show how truly sorry i am ." Rarity pleaded. " Ya got ta apologise to my sis and Scootaloo thats all." Rarity lowered her head slowly as her eyes closed. "Of course...Applejack...you don't know how terrible I've felt about that..."She sighed " I would be happy to apologise to them." "Good to hear" Applejack said with smile. Rarity let out a sigh of relief as her attention turned back to Fluttershy who had a gentle smile across her face. " Now Rarity." Fluttershy started as she cleared her throat. "Most of your wounds are minor...but there are a few more serious ones...specifically that one." Fluttershy pointed a hoof at Raity's flank. Rarity nodded slowly; she knew which wound her friend meant. There was a gash cutting across Rarity's three diamond cutie mark. Fluttershy tilted her head and the mare's tone changed drastically; she sounded like doctor. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "All she needed was a pair of glasses." Rarity would have chuckled at this thought but because of the pain she was in; decided against it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Now the pressure bandages I've wrapped around you will need to be changed every few days." The pegasus paused."Which I'll be handling personally." Rarity nodded slowly; still amazed at how different her friend acted when it came to medical things. "As for the wounds themselves..." Fluttershy continued. "The minor ones should heal quickly so we won't have to worry to much about them." The pegasus stopped as her eyes drifted to Rarity's side. "It's the three deeper wounds we'll have to keep an eye on...especially the one across your cutie mark." Fluttershy sighed and shook her head slowly. " I'm afraid that because of prolonged exposure to the rain and the amount time it took for me to treat you; the wound has become infected." The others gasped in horror but Fluttershy simply smiled. "You don't have to worry it's only a minor infection...with some treatments of antibiotic she should be fine." Fluttershy said to reassure her friends." We'll start tomorrow with the antibiotic; afterall i did just give you that mild sedative so you should be ok for the night." The dumbfounded white unicorn stared blankly at her friend. "My goodness." Rarity said with a grin. "Have you ever thought of changing your profession. I think you'd make an excellent doctor." Fluttershy shook her head violently "Oh my no...I could never be a doctor...Treating a friend is one thing and I have my animals..." Fluttershy trailed off. Rarity nodded slowly to her friends reaction. "Anyway..." Fluttershy said changing the subject. "...There are a few things we have to go over." Rarity tilt her head slowly. "Such as?" "First off I would like treat you without the use of drugs...besides the antibiotics of course." Fluttershy put her hoof to her chin. "I'd like to refrain from sedatives...unless they are absolutely necessary..." Rarity sighed slowly. " That shouldn't be too much of a problem..." "As for the wound on your flank....i'd suggest stitches but i believe if left alone it should heal normally...which brings me to most important thing." Fluttershy said with a frown. "And that would be?" Rarity asked slowly. "Given the nature of your wounds i would suggest continuous bed rest...which would of course mean staying in bed for the next few days." Fluttershy lowered her head Rarity froze; "But...that would mean.. I-I can't....but i have to...What would Sweetie Belle think of me if I wasn't out there searching for her." Rarity said quickly. "I'm afraid it can't be helped...you don't want your wounds to reopen..."Fluttershy said with grimace Rarity tilted her head down in defeat "...that's why i'm asking you to stay in bed for the next few days so you don't over overexert yourself. The wound on your flank...should it reopen and get worse..and i'm not here..."Fluttershy turned her head away. "you could...bleed out..." Rarity gulped down a lump in her throat at the thought. "Hey don't worry Rarity..." Rainbow said as she walked up to the bed. "I'll find her no problem...leave it all up to me ok..." Rarity smiled . "Thank you...thank you all..." "No problem" Rainbow said with a grin while the others simply nodded. "Alright..." Fluttershy said with a half smile. "We should let Rarity rest....the sedative i gave her will wear off soon so..." The five mares began there march out the door. "But seriously how did she not feel all those cuts..." Rainbow dash said as she started out the door. "Oh it has to do with adrenaline and the other chemical bodies in her...um body...you see..." Fluttershy trailed off as she stepped out of the room. Next was Applejack followed closely behind by Pinkie pie who was back to bouncing. "Twilight!" Rarity called out Twilight turned from the doorway."yes Rarity...you ok." "Twilight...you have to help me..."Rarity said slowly. "Are you in pain should I get Flutt-" Twilight began. "No no no...it's not that...I need a spell..." Rarity said with puffy red eyes, "A spell?" "I can't just sit here Twilight....I need to be out there...I need to find her..." Rarity sulked her head. " There's something I have to say...to her..." "But I can't just..." "Please Twilight...please..." Rarity pleaded with teary eye. Twilight took a deep breath. "Alright...there is this one spell i know....' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rarity grimaced in pain as her life's blood drained from her body. "It's now or never" Rarity thought as her horn began to glow. "Now there's a few things you should know about this spell." Twilight's voice said at the back of Rarity's head. A purple mist began to engulf Rarity's body as she started the spell. "First off this isn't some cure-all spell...i'm sure you know magic doesn't work like that." The purple aura quickly spread across Rarity's limbs. "What this spell does is it stops bleeding and compresses wounds...it won't make the cuts disappear but it will close them up making them easier for the body to heal the wounds." With purple aura fully encompassing her body; Rarity took a deep breath. "Well if this spell does all that then why isn't it used more often?" Rarity asked "There's a reason..." Twilight replied Rarity closed her eyes; then her horn sparked starting the process. "...Most ponies that use this spell blackout from the immense pain they experience." Rarity gasped as the spell quickly took effect. "I'm not kidding I've heard of full grown stallions crying out like foals from this spells." Rarity hooves flew to her face as a burning pain spread across her entire body. It was like she was completely engulfed in a never ending flame. The unicorn thrashed her body violently in some vain attempt to extinguish the living purple flame . She rolled across the floor whimpering and screaming as the never ending pain continued. Her eyes fluttered but somehow she managed to stay awake; had it not been for the fact the magic aura was suppressing the sounds she was making all of Ponyville would have heard her blood curdling cries of anguish that escaped her mouth. The pain shifted suddenly and now felt like hundreds of knives and needles stabbing into and out of her body over and over; And what felt like an eternity the process continued over and over changing to a different form of pain each time. Then Finally after three full minutes the aura began to subside. Rarity laid sprawled out across the ground; breathing heavily for a few seconds before she realized the pain had stopped. Rarity twisted herself over; after few more seconds of rest she finally stood back up. She looked to her side and was somewhat relieved to find the bleeding had stopped. She wobbled forward; not out of pain but of blood loss and fatigue. It only took her a minute to reach Twilight's home. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rarity stood at the doorway; She found it somewhat ironic to be at someone else's doorway for once. She lifted her hoof up steadily and with as much strength as she could; pounded on the door several times. After a few second a small voice came from the other side and the mare knew exactly who it was. The door opened slowly and purple creature with green spikes stepped outside.The dragon known as Spike stood at the doorway; his eyes were only half open. "hel-" The Dragon started but yawned half way through his greetings "Listen Spik-" Rarity started The dragon's eyes shot open and wide smile grew across his face. "Oh Rarity!! I didn't know you were coming!!!!" The Dragon said rapidly. " If I'd have known i would hav- "Ah...Spike..." Rarity said slowly. "Would you mind getting Twilight for me....it's important that I speak to her." The dragon dropped his head down in defeat. "Oh..." He said with a sigh "...Oh ok...I'll go get her." Rarity nodded slowly; wishing she had the strength to use one of her pet names for the little dragon. Once Spike was out of sight she leaned forward balancing herself on the door frame as she waited for her friend. Rarity scanned the room and wasn't too surprised to find books littering the floor. She chuckled to herself " I wouldn't be surprised if she tried to summon Sweetie Belle to her house with one of these book." Rarity tilted her head upward as she heard the sound of hoofsteps. In a few second Twilight appeared at the bottom of the stairs and was slowly making her way over. "Hello Rar-"Twilight started before her eyes shot open. "My goodness!!!" Twilight screamed. "What the hell happened to you." " That's not important right now." Rarity said as she pulled away from the doorway. "Not important!!! Twilight yelled as she pointed a hoof at the white unicorn. "...look at yourself; your a bloody mess!!!" Twilight said with a grimace. "I know that...but..."Rarity began "This is why Fluttershy told you to stay in bed!!!..." Twilight glared at The white bloody mare. The Purple unicorn turned her head sharply. "Spike!!!!" Twilight Screamed into the house." Why didn't tell me Rarity was hu-!!!!" " He was half asleep....I don't think he noticed." Rarity said weakly."...but there's something i have to tell you." "You can tell me later!!" Twilight said with an annoyed frown " I'm taking you home right no-" "They found her." Twilight tilted her head. "What was that?' "Sweetie Belle...shes at the Hospital..."Rarity said between labored breaths "Someone found her!!!!!" Twilight said quickly "Yes...and that's where i'm headed...right now..." Twilight lowered her head "But...Rarity do you think your in a condition to...." "I-I'm fine...I used that spell,,," "You did....and your still....but how......" Twilight said quickly. " Nevermind that for now." Rarity said with half smile. "I came here first...because I want you to tell the others...for me...they deserve to know..." "Of course i'll tell the others bu-but you should be in bed...or at the very least .shouldn't we tell them together... I mean you shouldn't be going all by yoursel-" Twilight pleaded "I need to see her...I can't wait around...." Twilight grimaced and for a few moments stood silently; in the end she sighed and nodded slowly in agreement. " Fine.....I still don't think your in any condition to go..but it is a hospital your going to...so..." Rarity nodded in return; wanting more then anything to end the conversation as soon as possible. "I'll get the others together....and I guess we'll meet you there..." Twilight said as she turned back to the doorway "...I really don't think Fluttershy's going to be too happy when she see you all bloody though." "I'll cross that bridge when it comes." Rarity said as she stepped down from the steps. "Spike I'm going to the hospital!!!" Twilight yelled into the library "...If anypony comes by tell'em I'm there!!! Oh and if it's one of my friends like Applejack; tell them to go there ok!!!" "Alright Will do!!" Spike yelled back. Rarity and Twilight galloped forward at a medium speed (so that Rarity's wounds didn't reopen.); until they reach a fork in the road. "Alright will meet you there."Twilight said as she sped towards the left path. "We'll be there as soon as possible." Rarity smiled at her friend. "See you there ." Rarity galloped forward; making sure not to push herself to hard. "Don't worry Sweetie Belle i'm on my way."