//------------------------------// // Chapter Three // Story: The Monster In The Closet // by Mr Anomalous //------------------------------// Chapter Three: Twilight sat there, still, listening for sounds of violence. Spike was fine, just unconscious. She watched from the window as Rainbow Dash left the building, and began to scrutinize the area. Twilight's eyes widened when she saw it: the monster. He was hiding from Rainbow Dash behind the library's sign, but...he didn't look like he was going to attack her... But, as Twilight watched, he stood up too soon, and Rainbow Dash whirled around. She had a slightly intimidated look on her face for a moment, but it was quickly replaced with a determined expression. She dashed over to the monster and swung her hoof directly into his face, knocking him backwards a good five or so feet. Twilight's hoof covered her mouth as she gasped. Twilight had to move to a different window, one off to the side instead of the front, to continue watching. Rainbow Dash pinned the creature down, and began shouting at him. The monster just lay there, taking the brunt of the shouting for a moment, but then he...scared Rainbow. Nice move. Twilight watched as the monster lunged forward, almost coming into contact with Rainbow Dash, and the monster took advantage of Rainbow's disorientation to fling her off of him. The monster turned around as if he were to run again, but...instead of dashing again, he turned around to face Rainbow, and his claw went to his side as he grasped for something. Then, as Twilight watched, the monster, in one graceful movement, went from a fighting position down to one knee, where he pointed what could only be a weapon at Rainbow. Twilight nor Rainbow had any time to react, and there was a loud crack. Twilight saw a flash of light Rainbow crashed to the ground. "Rainbow!" The monster took off, and Twilight rushed outside. There was a hole through the stalk of Rainbow Dash's left wing, and it was bleeding. Despite her friend's pain, Twilight was intrigued by the monster's weapon. Had it launched something , like an arrow, but smaller and much faster? Several lights were on, no doubt disturbed by the noises, and a couple rushed to Twilight's aid. "Somepony get her to the hospital...what was that...is she okay...?" Twilight looked around for evidence. Her eyes scrutinized the ground, looking for anything that the monster might have dropped in his haste to escape Rainbow. There. Twilight's eyes caught a small, odd shaped piece of brass in the gravel further away. She snatched it and began to follow the ponies who were carrying Rainbow Dash to the hospital. What was going on? [/hr] Okay, in hindsight, maybe I should've just tried to sneak out... Alec finally came to a rest. He was about a hundred feet into the forest, and was pretty sure that he was safe. He felt bad, he really did, but he wouldn't have been able to escape otherwise. Then again...he could've just surrendered himself right then and there... "Damn it!" Oh well, when the ponies come after me, which they probably will, I'll surrender myself. And apologize to Rainbow.... [/hr] Lyra and Bon-Bon had been awoken by a loud crack coming from outside, and they were forced to un-tangle themselves from each other's limbs and get out of bed. "Bon, what was that?" "I don't know Lyra...it came from outside. Let's go check it out." Lyra agreed and the two mares hurried down the stairs and out the front door. What they saw in front of them was a pretty big mess. Rainbow dash, that really fast weather pony, was writhing on the ground in pain. She was bleeding. Lyra looked around, just in time to see....what that...? A somewhat evil smile plastered itself across Lyra's face. If that's what she thought it was, then all of her dreams just came true. "Oh my goodness Lyra, Rainbow's been hurt!" Lyra jerked herself back to reality, the human could wait, and helped Rainbow Dash up, and they carried her to the hospital, where there she was accepted into the emergency room. [/hr] "Thanks for your help you two: I really appreciate it," Twilight thanked her neighbors. "Really, honey, it's no problem," Bon-Bon assured Twilight. "Nope, no problem at all," Lyra assured. She was eager to get back to 'bed.' The two left and Twilight began to wait patiently. She had been smart enough to grab Spike before she came to the hospital, and he just now was waking up. "Uuugh...Twilight..." Suddenly, Spike sat up. "Twilight! There's an alien in the...wait...wha-...are we in the...hosital?" "Yes, we are, and, yes, I know there's a monster around: it hurt Rainbow Dash." "Ah! Is she alright!?" "Yes, I think that she'll be okay, he just got her wing." "Hehe...I don't think that Rainbow Dash will agree with you." Twilight giggled, "No, probably not..." Finally, after an hour or so, Rainbow Dash exited the room, with the assistance of a Nurse. Her wing was bandaged up, and Twilight saw that a spot of blood was beginning to leak it's way through. "Will she be alright?" Twilight and Spike asked in unison. The Nurse answered, "Yes, she and her wing will be fine, just no flying for a few weeks." Rainbow Dash mumbled something about murder and then the Nurse said, "Oh, Miss Sparkle, the Doctor would like to see you." "Me?" Twilight asked, gesturing to herself. "Yes, you. Come on." "Spike, I want you to take Rainbow to the library and put her in my bed. Wait for me there." Spike nodded and began to lead the fuming pegasus outside. Twilight faced the Nurse again. "Lead the way." The Nurse gave a single nod and lead Twilight into the other room. When the doctor saw them he said, "Ah, your majesty," and bowed. Oh yes. She's a Princess now. The Nurse's eyes widened and she hurriedly bowed herself. Twilight blushed and said, "You may rise." The Doctor stood up straight and motioned Twilight forward. "What was it that you needed, Doctor?" "Miss Sparkle, this is what we found embedded in Miss Dash's wing." The Doctor grasped something from the operating table with a pair of tweezers and lifted it up for Twilight to see better. It was a flattened piece of metal. Twilight scratched her head. "Do you mind if I use it as a...sample?" Twilight asked. The Doctor chuckled and said, "But of course, that's the entire reason I called you back here in the first place: you're a smart pony, maybe you could figure what exactly it was. Until then, good night your highness." Another bow, another blush, and a Ziploc bag away, Twilight was exited the hospital, and traveled back to the Library. Sleep was not going to come again tonight.