//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 - Hospital Visits // Story: The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds // by Kamahido //------------------------------// As the sun rises over the city, Arc and Rainbow Dash walk down a corridor toward the now familiar hospital room. She looks around a few moments before lowering her voice and turning to him. “S-sorry about last night.” “It’s… no problem, Rainbow Dash.” “That really wasn’t cool. What I did, I mean. I should have been up front with you about Zephyr from the start.” “Yeah, probably should.” “Um… what would you have said if I had been?” “You mean would I still have agreed to include you in the herd?” Rainbow Dash nods as Arc sighs. “Honestly, I would have asked that you approach Zephyr about what you and your friends were planning and made sure your past with him was resolved before even considering the matter further.” “Y-yeah. That probably would have been for the best.” “Well, there’s a chance up ahead to remedy that.” Rainbow Dash appears confused. “There is?” “When we enter and speak to Fluttershy’s parents you could leave with Zephyr and talk to him about this.” “What?! But he’ll tell my parents!” Arc rolls his eyes. “They’ll have to know sooner or later, won’t they?” Rainbow Dash sighs. “I guess so. But I don’t think they’ll be too happy about it.” “Maybe not. However this is ultimately your choice to make.” “But I’m their last chance to…!” Arc interrupts her. “…to join your family with Fluttershy’s?” “Yeah!” “That’s not important.” “It is to them!” “Well, which do you think is more important? Their desire to be closer to family friends, or your happiness?” Rainbow Dash looks down at the floor. “I know they want what’s best for me. But shouldn’t I want that for them too?” “What do you mean?” “If me and Zephyr getting together is really THAT important to them…” Arc shakes his head vehemently. “No, Rainbow Dash. That’s going too far.” “But my parents mean the world to me!” “Does Zephyr?” “Kinda. I mean… we’re still friends.” “But does that constitute you being married to him for life?” Rainbow Dash groans. “I don’t know. Maybe?” Arc frowns. “Only you can answer that question, Rainbow Dash. But think about it long and hard before you come to a final decision.” She nods as they reach their destination. Arc knocks lightly before turning the knob and opening the door. Entering, they see Fluttershy and Zephyr Breeze sitting in chairs near the bed. Neither appear to have slept well the previous night. Rainbow Dash walks over to them slowly and quietly. “Hey. Um… how’s it going?” Fluttershy groans lightly. “Okay, I guess.” Zephyr looks to the beds. “They’ve been mostly sleeping since I got here last night. Sorry for running out on you, Rainbow.” “It’s fine. Family comes first, right?” “Y-yeah. Um…” Arc steps forward and clears his throat. “Forgive me for interrupting. But if your parents are able to do so, I really need to talk to them.” Fluttershy nods sleepily as she stands. “Yes, of course.” Walking over to the beds, she gently shakes her father’s hoof. “Father? Can you hear me?” The elderly stallion slowly opens his eyes and looks up at his daughter. “Fluttershy?” “Yes, father. It’s me. How are you feeling today?” “Still a bit drained. How’s your mother?” “I’m letting her sleep. Sorry for waking you up, but there’s somepony here whom needs to talk to you.” “There is?” “Yes. The Hero of Light needs to know what happened.” Zephyr approaches and together he and Fluttershy help the elderly stallion sit up. He looks to Arc nervously as Fluttershy speaks. “Now remember, father, this is my friend. I know he may look a bit scary, but he’s actually very nice.” Rainbow Dash grins. “Yeah. Give him a chance.” Nodding, the stallion waits for Arc to speak. “Hello, Mr. Shy. My name is Arc, and I need to talk to you about what happened to you in the Rainbow Factory.” Mr. Shy puts a hoof to his forehead. “My head still feels muddled from the whole ordeal.” Zephyr puts a hoof on his father’s shoulder. “I’m sure it was bad, dad. But we really need to get to the bottom of it.” “Yes… yes.” He looks to Arc. “What do you want to know?” “Let’s start with how you were captured.” “I was taking care of some additional duties after normal business hours. One of the machines needed repairs, which are easier to do at that time versus during the workday. The last thing I remember was the sound of hoofsteps approaching me from behind.” Rainbow Dash grimaces. “Who was it?!” Mr. Shy sighs. “Like I said, I was busy repairing a machine at the time, so I didn’t see. It’s not out of the ordinary for others to be on the floor at that hour, so I just figured it was a maintenance pony.” Arc frowns. “What did you see when you awoke?” “A cage with several other ponies in it. Like myself, nopony really knew what was going on.” “When I found you and the others a number of guards were tossing in condiments. Was that what you ate?” “Yes. All we were given was condiments and a little water every day.” Rainbow Dash gasps. “Any idea what they wanted?” “Not really. After feeding time our captors would gather around the cage and stare at us with very… strange looks on their faces.” Zephyr grits his teeth. “Did any of them hurt you?” “They didn’t lay a hoof on us, no. Just stared for a time before stepping back and allowing the next group to do the same.” Arc puts a hand to his chin. “I see. And how did you feel when they were doing this?” “Very uncomfortable. However not just because of the lack of basic needs. It felt like their stares were somehow weakening us.” Fluttershy looks at her father. “Did they cast any spells on you or mother?!” “No. Our captors were all Pegasi. Not Unicorns.” Arc nods. “Did it make you feel tired?” “Actually, yes. What did they do to us?!” Arc sighs. “Those weren’t ponies.” “But they most certainly were…” “They were changelings.” “I’m not sure what that means.” Fluttershy bows her head. “It means they’re creatures that can change their appearance at will, father.” “But… how?” Arc shrugs. “Some kind of magic known only to them. Now then, if she’s able, I would like to speak to your wife now.” Zephyr sighs. “That’s not a good idea, sir.” Fluttershy nods. “Yes, my mother is in much worse condition than my father.” Mr. Shy groans. “They looked at her the most. At the time I thought they were just using her for eye candy. But if what you say is true, they were draining her more than me. It’s fortunate that she was taken sometime later than I was.” Arc raises an eyebrow. “Later?” “Yes. I was there for a week before she joined me. The others looked to be in pretty rough shape by then.” Rainbow Dash grits her teeth angrily. “They might have been trying to increase their yield.” Arc furrows his brow. “Agreed. By reuniting spouses, the pair would theoretically put off greater amounts of love for them to feed on.” Fluttershy turns to Arc. “The real question now is what they were doing here. For all we know those were a scouting team.” Zephyr looks out the window. “Or they were just acting alone.” Rainbow Dash shrugs. “Either makes sense.” Mr. Shy looks to Arc. “Have you been able to interrogate them yet, sir?” “All of them were killed or committed suicide before we could take them. Sadly you and the others are our only source of information.” “There is one thing I overheard.” Fluttershy gasps. “What was it, father?” “All of them would talk about something to the effect of a reunion.” Rainbow Dash’s eyes grow wide. “With a larger force?” “No idea. I only heard bits and pieces. None of it made sense though.” Arc frowns. “Tell it to me anyways.” “Well… the reunion talks always preceded something to do with Princess Celestia.” Zephyr shakes his head vehemently. “You must be mistaken, dad! Princess Celestia would never work with the changelings!” Rainbow Dash grits her teeth. “Maybe she would.” Fluttershy gasps. “Rainbow Dash!” “You know what she’s already done! I wouldn’t put something like that past her!” Arc puts a hand to his chin. “Or you could have been meant to hear that.” “Sir?” “Think about it. When you were taken, no one was left to take your place. They had to know someone would eventually track them down and uncover the whole plot.” Rainbow Dash grins. “Then they’d be interviewed and we’d hear about Princess Celestia’s involvement.” Fluttershy gasps. “If we released this information publicly it could serve to destabilize the entire country.” Arc nods. “Further, yes.” Zephyr looks to his father. “But we can’t just keep it to ourselves, can we?” “If it would hurt others, yes.” Rainbow Dash nods. “Yeah, well if Arc says we do…!” “Right. This doesn’t leave the room. At least until we’ve figured out what’s going on.” Zephyr points a hoof toward the door. “But what about the others whom were taken? Eventually somepony will say something to somepony.” Mr. Shy shakes his head. “I don’t think they heard it. Everypony was pretty out of it when they were done with us, after all.” Rainbow Dash shudders. “Either way, this is kinda scary.” Fluttershy grimaces. “First the Crystal Empire. Now Cloudsdale.” Arc sighs. “To say nothing for the changelings in Vanhoover a while back.” Zephyr gasps. “You think they’re invading?!” “I think they’re gauging us. Either that or probing.” Mr. Shy looks to Zephyr. “Neither sounds pleasant.” “Well, hopefully that won’t happen. But I’ll do my best to keep quiet about this at dinner tonight.” Mr. Shy appears confused. “Dinner?” “Don’t you remember, dad? Rainbow Dash’s mom invited me over to their house for supper tonight.” Fluttershy shakes her head. “I think he was still asleep when she said that.” “Oh. Sorry. You nodded when I asked if that was okay though.” “No memory of doing that either.” Rainbow Dash frowns. “Shouldn’t you be with your mom and dad right now though, Zephyr?!” Mr. Shy chuckles. “It’s alright. Like the doctor said, your mother and I will be just fine with some rest. Go ahead, son.” “Thanks, dad. I do hope you and mom get better soon.” “And I hope you do well on your new career, son. Whatever that might be.” Zephyr nods and steps back as Arc turns to Mr. Shy. “Anything else you can tell me?” “Just one thing. Those things that took us… they didn’t care.” Fluttershy sighs. “About you and the others?” “To them we were nothing more than vegetables. So if you’re hoping to reason with them, remember that.” “I’ll keep that in mind, thank you.” He turns to Fluttershy. “Is there anything you need?” “Just time, I suppose. But if you could let Twilight know about this, I’d appreciate it.” “I already spoke to her regarding the kidnappings, so she’s aware of the changeling threat. Of course I’ll bring her up to speed on what was said here today as well. Anything you’d like to add?” Fluttershy nods. “Tell her to do her best and that we’re behind her all the way.” Arc chuckles. “I’ll do that.” He turns to Mr. Shy before continuing. “Thank you for your time, sir. Please get some rest now.” “I will, thank you.” Arc turns and leaves the room as Zephyr looks to Rainbow Dash. “We should probably give them some time alone now.” Rainbow Dash raises an eyebrow, confused. “Uh… why?” “Because my parents are still really weak. That and we both have things to do right now.” Fluttershy raises a hoof. “I’ll stay with them though.” “Thanks, sis.” He turns to his father and grins. “Take care, pops.” “You too, son.” Rainbow Dash and Zephyr leave the room together as Mr. Shy turns to his daughter. “So… how are things going with those two?” “With who?” “Zephyr Breeze and Rainbow Dash.” “Oh, um… I don’t actually know. You see, I came back to Cloudsdale to support Princess Twilight during her speech and was told you were in the hospital. There hasn’t been much time for me to do anything since.” “But do you think they’ll hit it off?” “I don’t think so, no.” “Oh? Why not?” “They don’t seem to have much in common anymore.” “Time can do that.” “And they don’t really strike me as being open to rekindling an old flame.” Mr. Shy sighs. “A shame. But what about you, Fluttershy?” “M-me?!” “Do you have somepony in your life?” Fluttershy blushes. “I… kinda do, yes.” “Really?” “Is that surprising, father?” “It is, actually. Your mother and I thought you’d be single forever.” “We aren’t officially dating though, no.” “But you’d like to?” “Oh, yes. To be honest, we have gone out together before.” “Dinner and a show?” “Dinner and a trip to Canterlot’s indoor nature preserve.” Mr. Shy raises an eyebrow. “Canterlot?” “Yes. Is something wrong with that?” “Oh no. I just didn’t think you were dating an aristocrat.” “He’s not… I mean… it’s complicated.” “Does he treat you well?” Fluttershy nods. “Oh yes! Very!” “And do you love him?” Fluttershy blushes and smiles. “Quite a bit, yes!” “Then that’s all that matters. But tell me, what is it about him that you like?” “Well… he doesn’t try to change me. I’m okay just the way I am.” “Accepting. That’s good. What else?” “Gentle. He’s extremely careful with my feelings and goes out of his way to not upset me.” “Conscientious.” Fluttershy smiles nervously. “And he’s very… um… family oriented.” “Oh?” “He has a perfect little filly.” “So he’s been married before?” Fluttershy shakes her head. “Oh no, never. He adopted her and helped support the filly’s mother in her time of need. She’s a single parent, after all.” “This stallion sounds like a good match for you, Fluttershy. I can’t wait to meet him.” “It won’t be for a while though. He’s… um… very busy with his job at the moment.” “Ah, so he’s works in Canterlot Castle, eh?” “…kinda.” “He must be doing well for himself to be able to afford to take you out on the town though. What is his job exactly?” “Well… a lot of what he does is top secret. National security, mind you. But one of the things he does is to advise the princess.” “Princess Twilight?” “All of them, actually. Well, other than Princess Celestia, I suppose.” “Now I can’t wait to meet this stallion.” He yawns as Fluttershy pushes him gently down onto the pillow. “Yes, father. But you just rest now.” Mr. Shy nods as he closes his eyes and drifts off. Fluttershy sighs and shakes her head. “I’m not really sure how you’ll take that meeting, father. But gather your strength nonetheless.”