//------------------------------// // Chapter 7; Falling Into Place // Story: Shattered // by BronyNeumo //------------------------------// Chapter 7 To Rarity, it seemed that a beautiful day only served to provide the final irony to what had been the most confusing and unsettling day of her young life. After all, the early afternoon sun was shining brightly, the sky was an absolutely gorgeous shade of blue, and the citizenry of Ponyville was out in force to enjoy the day. Had they no shame? Had they no discretion? Sensitivity? Tact? Had they no idea? It was a sobering, although entirely true, she realized, thought that nopony outside their tight-knit circle of friends and a few choice others were even aware of what had transpired. For them, the world was just as bright and sunny and happy as the day before, and for all they knew, Rainbow Dash was not hospitalized. She was probably just sleeping in again, like the lazy, brash flypony they all knew, or thought they knew. But if there was anypony who knew how the first quiet, gentle whisperings of a rumor could take hold and spread like wildfire through this small town, it was Rarity. It wouldn’t be much longer now, she knew, before their blissful ignorance would crumble at the hooves of a tale run wild. The unicorn had seen it happen more times than she could count, and even been the instigator of such gossip more than a few times. But this? No… she wouldn’t have it. It was unconscionable, crass, unthinkable, but… it was inevitable – of that, she was certain. Soon, somehow, somepony would catch wind of what had happened, and as soon as one pony knew, the whole town would surely follow. Rarity ducked and weaved her way quickly through the mass of ponies going about their everyday business, completely unaware of the cause for her haste. Fluttershy scurried along right behind her. A bell clanged to announce their arrival as they breezed through the front door and into Sugarcube Corner. From behind the counter, Mr. Cake looked up at them and grinned broadly. “Hello there, Miss Rarity, Miss Fluttershy. It’s so good to see familiar faces. And what can I do for you this fine day?” Rarity tried her best to smile for him as she approached the counter. “Good Afternoon, Mister Cake, we were just wondering if Pinkie Pie was here.” The baker’s demeanor darkened, and he beckoned the two friends closer with one hoof. Wary of alarming any customers, he kept his voice at a hush. “Yeah… she’s here alright, and she’s been in a right state since she got home. I can’t make heads or tails of it.” Rarity dropped her voice to a hushed whisper. “Whatever do you mean? What has she done?” “I saw her when she first got back. Something was just… off… about her. Then she locked herself in her room. Cup and I have tried to get her to tell us what’s wrong, but we can’t get her to speak with us.” “Oh, dear…” Rarity nodded, more out of resignation than anything else. Fluttershy offered a distressed squeak. “Is the poor darling still shut away?” “I think so. Cupcake has been running between Pinkie’s room and the kitchen for the past hour with no success. We’re… we’re really worried about her.” “Might we go and see her?” “By all means, you can try. Maybe you girls can get through to her where we couldn’t. I certainly hope so.” The two friends offered their quick thanks before ducking behind the counter and heading towards the stairs at the back of the store. A good many years of coming to visit their friend led them straight to her door, where Mrs. Cake happened to be pacing, creased lines of worry etched across her face. “Oh, girls. Thanks goodness you’re here.” Rarity nodded towards the closed door. “Is she…” A silent nod was the immediate answer, and she trailed off, biting her lip in apprehension. “There’s no telling what’s going on inside that head of hers, and I haven’t been able to get through to her.” “Do you think she’s… ok?” Fluttershy’s voice wavered like fine crystal on the edge of shattering. She shivered slightly. Mrs. Cake sighed. “I don’t kn-…. Well, at least, I have known her since she was a little filly, so I should think she’s fine, but I’ve never known her to behave like this. This is… this is new for me.” Rarity suppressed a nervous gulp, and steeled her resolve. “Well, in that case, we’ll soon find out.” Mrs. Cake nodded. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am, girls. Pinkie’s… she’s like another daughter to me.” Wordlessly, Rarity nodded. She glanced behind her, to where Fluttershy was cowering, trying to look anywhere but at Pinkie’s door. Rarity flashed her a small, encouraging smile, and saw her friend stand a little taller, though her eyes were still swimming in worry. The unicorn turned back around. Like some towering edifice, the door’s blank face stared back at her. She lit her horn with a short jolt, a spark that flew to the doorknob and disappeared within. A resounding click echoed through the hallway, and Rarity swung the door open to reveal the darkness within. ======================================================= Officer Copper suppressed a deep gulp as he ran down the hall, his nerves frayed and his pulse running high. He had been caught unawares, to say the least, by the first blood-curdling scream. So much so, in fact, that he feared someone had managed to slip past him despite having kept vigilant watch for hours. Just to be certain, he had ducked his head into the room, only to see it empty save for the pegasus under his charge, thrashing in her bed and screeching something awful. Assured there was nopony else in the room with her, he had then run for a nurse. Though hesitating at the thought of leaving the disturbed mare to herself, he knew the situation could only grow worse if she noticed him. Still, he kept checking back over his shoulder every few seconds, just to make sure that, yes, in fact, her door was still there, and he wasn’t merely imagining the screams coming from within. So focused was he, then, that he barely noticed the white nurse with the no-nonsense pink bun as she barreled past him. For her part, Nurse Redheart galloped at full tilt towards the source of the cries, skidding around a corner on the slippery tiled surface of the corridor floor. Her mane, usually so orderly – without a hair out of place – had fallen to disarray. She had a wild look in her eye. Without a second thought for the hapless officer, she charged down the hall and into the door, throwing it open with a loud bang. “No! No! Please… NO!” “What’s wrong? Miss Dash, are you hurt?” “Don’t come any closer! NO! Get… GET AWAY!” “Please, Miss Dash, calm down! Tell me what’s…” “No! Stay away from me! Help me… HELP!” “What is it? What do you see?” “He’s here… he’s HERE! No…” “There’s no one here… there’s no one here but me, please, you’re safe… you’re fine.” “RAINBOW!” “What’s wrong? What’s goin’ on with her?” “He’s back! Don’t let him get me!” “Please, Miss Dash, everything’s under control!” “What’s happening? Is she hurt?” “Miss Sparkle, please, I can’t…” “Get away… get away from me…” “She’s incoherent, I can’t get through to her.” “Rainbow… Rainbow Dash, please, we’re your friends. You’re safe, you’re fine.” “NO! He’s there… he’s there… can’t you see him? He’s right THERE!” “Miss Dash, there’s no one else but us! You’re…” “NO! No no no STAY BACK!” “… fine! You’re fine! Don’t…” “Somepony do somethin’, she’s goin’ ta hurt herself!” The overwhelming din of voices collapsed into nothingness, and the hospital room echoed with a faint ringing, as if the walls themselves were stunned into silence. Twilight Sparkle stood over the bed; her eyes alight with a spark of both terror and understanding. The empty glass hovered in mid-air above her head, suspended and releasing its last drip of water from the rim. Rainbow Dash shivered, her breath coming in ragged gasps as rivulets of water ran quickly down her face. She shook her head, shaking her plastered-down fore lock from her face and spraying droplets in all directions. Her chest shuddered with broken gasps. Her friends gazed back at her, worry glistening in wide eyes. Nurse Redheart stopped to take a deep breath. “Miss Dash? Are you… are you quite alright, now?” “Rainbow? Are ya ok, Sugarcube?” The pegasus swallowed. Her throat was dry. “A… Applejack?” She coughed, the words coming from her mouth frayed and broken and uncertain. “T-Twilight?” Nurse Redheart sighed, though from relief or exhaustion it was not clear. “Thank Celestia she’s coherent… Somepony, please get her a glass of water – to drink this time…” Twilight silently levitated her glass back to the sink, refilling it and returning it to the pegasus. Rainbow accepted it quickly. “Now… Miss Dash, do you know where you are?” She took two more grateful gulps of water before Twilight drew the glass away, setting it on the bedside table. Rainbow coughed a couple more times before speaking, her voice raspy from shouting. “P-Ponyville Hospital?” The nurse nodded. “Correct. And you know Applejack and Twilight Sparkle. Do you know who I am?” “Nurse Redheart?” “Are you hurt anywhere?” Rainbow Dash looked herself over. Sheets, blankets, and pillows had been strewn every which way, leaving the bed almost bare. Her whole body still felt numb, save for her head and her fore leg. Both were throbbing. She glanced at her limb. Crimson ran there, pooling in cyan fur. She almost jumped. “I… I think I’m bleeding.” Redheart rushed over, quickly grasping the mare’s hoof in her own, stretching out the afflicted limb. “Oh, yes. You were flailing about a good bit, there. I’m not surprised you tore your IV out. Here, I can fix that.” The nurse set to work, whisking over a new bandage for the job and setting it easily in place to stem the drip. “Are you hurt in any other way?” “I think I hit my head.” She leaned forward to expose the back of her neck. The nurse nodded. “I don’t see any damage. I think that glass of water you had should offset some of the feeling there.” She glanced up to see another full glass ready on the table, and gave Twilight a quick smile before returning attention to her patient. “Now, are you aware of what just happened?” “I… I saw… him.” Nurse Redheart nodded as Rainbow Dash glanced up at her with trepidation in her eyes. She could feel both Twilight’s and Applejack’s gaze settling on her as well. “Yes… well, I do believe what you’ve experienced was nothing more than a hallucination brought on by all the stress.” “He was… he was right there… he was so real.” “Did you recognize him? Are you sure of who it was?” “Y-… yes. He was there… by the door.” The nurse felt a shudder twinge in her neck in spite of herself. “And who was it that you saw?” Rainbow Dash shied away, pulling one of the askew pillows up against her chest. “I can’t… tell you.” “Can ya tell us, Sugarcube?” Applejack stood up, having set herself down beside her friend’s bed, and reached out to grasp one of Rainbow’s hooves in her own, clenching it tightly. “We’re yer friends. Dash. Ya can trust us, can’t ya?” Weakly, she nodded. “Only… only you guys.” Twilight turned to Nurse Redheart before the elder mare could object. “Don’t worry. We can take care of her.” “I… understand, but I am obligated to…” “Don’t ya have other patients ya could visit?” Applejack pleaded, fixing a pointed gaze on the nurse with glistening, emerald eyes. “Please, Nurse Redheart. She needs us now. We can help her.” Twilight continued, nodding earnestly. The older mare sighed, checking her quickly-applied bandage one final time. “I suppose some time alone with her friends would do the most good. But, do not hesitate to call me or Doctor Stable should anything else come up…. Miss Dash, are you sure you feel alright?” “I… I think so. I mean, I don’t feel so… loopy anymore.” She paused to clear her throat, still feeling a little dry. “Can I get another glass of water?” “I suppose that settles matters, then.” Nurse Redheart finally nodded her agreement as Twilight gave her friend the glass once more. “Thank ya kindly, Nurse.” Applejack nodded curtly as the mare exited, “This means so much ta us.” She said nothing as she stepped from the room, closing the door slowly behind her, and released a long pent-up sigh, falling against the corridor wall for support. The surface felt cold against her body, and she almost shivered. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply for a few moments. “It’s too much… it’s just too much…” “Is she a’right?” Her eyes flew open to find the officer she had seen earlier watching from across the hall. Concern glimmered in his eyes. Beside him, his partner, another earth pony she did not recognize, stood as well, his own brow furled from curiosity. “Yes, Officer…” “Copper, Ma’am, and this ‘ere is Officer Cuff.” The second tipped his hat. “Charmed.” “Yes… well, she’s doing much better, as far as I can judge. The… scare she had earlier was little more than a hallucination.” “Nott’n to worry about?” She shook her head. “I shouldn’t think so. If anything, it was most likely brought on by her unstable state. It should be a fleeting thing.” “We can only hope so,” Another voice sounded from further down the hallway, and each pony turned to meet the newcomer. “The poor dear’s been through quite enough as it is, don’t you think?” “Of course, Doctor Stable.” Redheart nodded as the unicorn stallion joined them. He swept his gaze over the two Royal Police officers. “Would you two happen to know where the Detective went? I have business to discuss with him.” “No, suh. He left a couple hours back.” Cuff Link nodded agreement with his partner. “I only got here a couple minutes ago, and I was expecting to find him here, so I haven’t seen him either. He may be off on his own, looking into something. I wouldn’t be surprised, though. He works alone a lot, especially on particularly sensitive cases. You get used to it, working with Bright Star.” “Have you any idea when he’ll return?” “Sorry, Doc. It’s always hard to tell with him. He may only take a couple hours, or he may find a lead and not be back until the next morning.” Doctor Stable sighed. “Keep me posted, will you?” Both officers nodded, and he turned back to the nurse. “Redheart, I have something I’d like to speak with you about. Walk with me, won’t you?” She silently agreed, and fell into step beside the aging unicorn as he led them towards the waiting room. It was; thankfully, empty, with the blinds drawn to deter the worst heat of the day. “You’ll forgive me, Redheart. It goes without saying the delicacy of this situation.” “Of course… It almost bars thinking about, what she’s been through.” “Quite right. Even so, we’re bound to help her as best we can, no matter what challenge this cruel world throws to our hooves.” The doctor shook his head bitterly. “Sometimes I wonder if anyone is really safe. Honestly, who would have thought this could happen in Ponyville, and yet, here we are.” “I can only imagine you working all those years in Manehattan.” “It seems like such a distant memory now. I never thought that world would find me here. Ponyville was supposed to be calm, one last, peaceful residency before I retire.” “I take it this isn’t what you wanted to tell me about.” “No…. The test results came back. That’s what I need to see Bright Star about. This will undoubtedly be the key piece in his investigation. Things are going to get pretty… interesting from here on out.” “What will you have me do, Doctor?” “Redheart, you’ve been here even longer than I have. I think it goes without saying that you’re the best nurse I’ve got, but I fear this may be new ground for both of us. Be honest with me. How are you feeling about this… all of this?” She sighed. “In truth… I almost don’t know what to think. It’s hard…” She trailed off, glancing at the ceiling, “It’s hard to keep my professional distance from something so… awful. I can’t fathom how you managed to do it for all those years.” The doctor nodded. “In Manehattan, at least there was an element of distance. The city was so full of ponies, that I hardly knew any of my patients. I could afford to ignore my emotions. But here… it’s different. You get to know everyone in this town, and when something happens to one of them…” “… it’s hard.” Redheart finished. “Exactly, and that’s what I’m worried about. I trust you, Redheart, but I need to know I can rely on you in this matter, especially for the next coming days.” “You know you can.” “I’m warning you. Things are only going to get worse from here.” “How do you mean?” The stallion sighed, trotting over to the window and spreading a gap between a few blinds with his hoof. “I’ve seen the results of the tests. Unfortunately, as it turns out, neither Rainbow Dash nor her assailant are low profile ponies. As much as we’d like to keep this mess quiet, the public isn’t going to stay in the dark for long.” His tired eyes swept over the peaceful, idyllic community outside the hospital window. “There’s a storm coming, and we’d best be prepared.” ======================================================= There was just something about the room that immediately sent a chill racing down Rarity’s spine. She and Fluttershy stepped gingerly into the long shadows. A faint glint of light from the doorway revealed confetti, strewn haphazardly about the floor. In the corner, the dark silhouette of what appeared to be a canon, knocked onto its side, loomed. Fluttershy uttered something that sounded halfway between a gasp and a squeak, and crouched behind Rarity as best she could. In the dim light, a bed, shoved up hard against the far wall, emerged. It harbored a shape, barely divisible in the artificial darkness, yet noticeably quivering beneath a flimsy thin blanket. Rarity suppressed the urge to back away, and called into the darkness. “Pinkie Pie, Dear, are you awake?” A soft murmur was the only reply. Emboldened, the unicorn stepped forward, finally stopping just before the bed. “Pinkie? Won’t you come with us? Everypony’s worried about you.” She had assumed the other pony’s appearance to be a trick of the light, or rather, lack thereof. Rarity had hoped the grey tinge she saw in her friend’s normally bright coat and mane was merely due to the shadows, but as Pinkie rolled out from beneath her blanket and drew herself up into a sitting position, Rarity could see that her earlier private fears might as well be confirmed. She had only ever seen her friend’s hair fall slack and straight once before and it was a state she had hoped never again to witness. She found herself shivering, but stood firm, her hard gaze meeting cold, dull eyes. The pink pony blinked a few times. Without warning, she threw her fore hooves around the mare’s neck and squeezed, hugging her tight against her chest. Rarity gasped, suddenly finding breath hard to come by in the midst of Pinkie Pie’s crushing embrace. “Please… Pinkie Pie… not… breathing… let go.” She inhaled deeply when the other pony finally released her. Pinkie glanced away, pieces of her mane falling to the front of her face like a shield. “I’m sorry, Rarity.” “That’s… that’s quite alright, Darling. I know you meant no harm.” “What are you girls doing here? Shouldn’t you be with…” Pinkie Pie trailed off, her face falling noticeably. “… Dashie?” She gulped. “I might be asking you the same question. We’ve been at the hospital almost all day, wondering why you weren’t with us.” “Please, Pinkie?” Fluttershy poked her head out from behind Rarity, nodding earnestly for her own benefit as much as her friend’s. “This is something we should all be together for.” Pinkie Pie slumped back into a heap on her bed. “Why would anypony want me? I’d just be even more useless there.” Rarity ‘s eyes went wide. “What? Whatever would give you the impression that you’re worthless? Has somepony been saying…” “No, nopony’s ever said it… never said it, but they mean it. Pinkie, you’re so random. Pinkie, you’re so silly. Pinkie, you’re so funny. This is something for serious ponies to handle. Not useless Pinkie Pies. Pinkie Pies should just stay home.” “Pinkie Pie, look at me.” Rarity placed a hoof under the other mare’s chin, dragging her face back up so that their gazes locked. “You are not useless. You are a wonderful pony who has friends who love her.” Fluttershy came forward to give her friend a quick hug. “Come back with us, Pinkie. I’m sure everypony, especially Rainbow Dash, will be happier to see you there.” Rarity nodded her agreement. “Fluttershy’s right. And Celestia knows we need some cheering up over there.” Despite their words of encouragement, the deflated mare fell back onto her bed, long, straight hair pooling around her head where her mane lay, limp and lifeless. “That must be all I’m good for… cheering ponies up. That’s me. Pinkie the silly pony. Pinkie the Party Pony. Well, a party isn’t going to fix this.” She rolled over again, facing the wall with her back to her friends. “A party won’t help Dashie.” Rarity sighed. “That’s why you need to help Dashie by being there for her; by showing her that you care about her and want to do everything you can for her. Not sitting back here moping by yourself.” Fluttershy leaned forward, extending a comforting hoof to her dejected friend’s shoulder. “Yes. Come with us. It’s not the right time to be alone. Now is the time to be together.” “Maybe… maybe you girls are right.” The mare sat up once again, her rear hooves dangling over the edge of the bed. “Then come with us. I promise you, things will look better once you’re out of this dark, dreary place.” Rarity flashed a small grin, lighting her horn to bathe the shadowy, unkempt room in soft, comforting light. The beginnings of a smile tugged at the edge of Pinkie’s mouth, but she remained seated. “I’m… scared, Rarity.” Her face fell almost immediately. “They… they hurt Dashie.” Rarity grimaced, and Fluttershy looked away quickly, bowing her head. “I know, Pinkie. That’s why she needs us. We have to stay strong – for her sake.” “What’s going to happen now?” “Honestly, Pinkie. I don’t know. None of us really knows… but that doesn’t matter.” Rarity turned her head back towards the open door, the light from her horn casting shifting shadows across the room as it moved. “I, for one, am tired of acting like we’ve been beaten and there’s nothing we can do. I am sick of blowing about on the breeze as if the world has us caught on a simple thread. We might not have all the answers, but we are going to figure out what we need to do, and we are going to do it together, because that is what friends do.” Pinkie Pie sat up just a little straighter, staring hard at her unicorn friend. “Are you sure?” Rarity gave a single, curt nod. “Of that, I am absolutely convinced.” ======================================================= Twilight Sparkle eased the door open as she and Applejack stepped gingerly out into the corridor. Carefully, she swung it shut behind her, making sure it didn’t make a sound. Safely outside in the confines of the hallway, Applejack yawned loudly. Twilight blinked hard. Her eyelids felt exceedingly heavy. Though neither pony really knew what time it was, they had the feeling that it had gotten exceptionally late. Their conversation with Rainbow Dash had wound on for hours. They had touched on a few big things, but mostly spoke about nothing much at all, and had even suffered through a few stifling lapses where nopony even said a word, the three just preferring to let the silence speak for them, and those empty moments had spoken volumes. In the end, when their last words and idle thoughts had trailed to nothing, and the group fallen into perfect, boundless silence, the troubled pegasus had given up the ghost, her yawns signaling a want of rest. Instinctively, the two friends had gathered the sheets and blankets strewn haphazardly about the floor, retrieved and fluffed her pillows, and tucked Rainbow Dash gently, lovingly, into bed. The mare’s eyes had already been near falling by then, but she still managed a hug for each before finally drifting off. In slumber, the creases of worry and stress melted from her face, and both Applejack and Twilight swore they saw a smile alight upon her lips before she began snoring. Outside the room, the farm pony gave her friend an exhausted grin, one which was quickly returned. “Ah’m glad… Ah’m glad we had that talk. Ah think she’s doin’ alright, now.” Twilight nodded. “She looked so peaceful when she was asleep. Like she wasn’t even worried or hurting anymore.” “Yeah…” Applejack furrowed her brow in thought, descending into silence for a brief moment. Twilight blinked at her expectantly. “Something wrong, AJ?” The other mare sighed and glanced around her once. The corridor was deserted, the officers from earlier presumably having retired for the night. “Ah’m just thinkin’, Twi… just thinkin’.” “Thinking about what?” “About Dash, mostly. An’ about everythin’ that’s happened, and everyhtin’ that’s gonna happen… Ah think there’s somethin’ important that’s gotta come up, somethin’ we’re missin’. Ah’m a bit worried about it.” “Would you like to tell me what that is?” “Ah think…. Ah should probably talk to Rainbow ‘bout it first.” “How important is it?” “Nothin’…” Applejack yawned loudly, cutting herself off. “Nothin’ that can’t wait ‘til mornin’.” “Oh, girls. I’m glad I found you. I’ve something we must discuss.” Both Twilight and Applejack spun around to see Doctor Stable striding towards them with long, confident steps. “Please, if you would both be so kind as to follow me to my office. I promise this shan’t take long.” Twilight nodded, and the two fell into step behind the elder unicorn. “Doctor, should we really be leaving Rainbow Dash like this? Do you have any idea when that guard will be back?” “Oh, well, the hospital is kept locked at night nowadays, ever since somepony broke in to steal a book…” Doctor Stable couldn’t help but chuckle lightly at the memory. “So I sent them both to get some rest for the night. I doubt their services will be much needed here much longer anyway.” Applejack frowned. “But what if she wakes up in th’ middle o’ the night again?” “And what if she has another nervous breakdown?” Twilight chimed in. The doctor merely nodded. “A fair point. That is why I have instructed the night-duty nurse to check in on her at regular intervals. Although I shouldn’t think we have any more nervous breakdowns to fear, now that her mental state is more balanced.” In due time, they reached the office, and the doctor cordially led the two friends inside, directing them to sit on a couch along the side wall. They gratefully accepted. “Now, how is our patient doing, would you two say?” “I think she’s definitely improving. We did manage to talk for a long while, but she still seems so... delicate.” “Ah think bein’ with her friends is doin’ her some good, though. Ah just hope it’s enough.” Doctor Stable nodded along with their words. “I should hope so, I know many doctors who say some of the best medicine is spending time with those who care about you. You two, being there for her like this, it’s helping in more ways than you can possibly imagine. I assure you.” A small smile broke out on Twilight’s face. “She did look much more peaceful than I’ve seen her in days when she finally fell asleep tonight. I think this’ll be the first good night of sleep she’s had since… well, since… then.” “That’s good to hear…” The stallion scratched at his chin idly. “Now, I’m sure you both would like to be getting to bed soon enough so I’ll try to be brief. The reason I’ve brought you here is important. We’ve received the data analysis back from the labs in Canterlot.” Twilight sat up just a little bit straighter. Applejack’s ears perked up, and both stared hard at the doctor. “… And although I usually would only share such sensitive information with the investigation, I find that, as Miss Dash’s legal counsel…” he nodded briefly towards Twilight, “and more importantly, as her friends, I am obligated to tell you both.” Applejack and Twilight glanced quickly at one another, looks of worry descending over their faces. “According to the results of the magical analysis, the perpetrator was one Soarin’… Soarin’ Skies, of Wonderbolts fame.” The two friends nodded at each other, their gazes narrowing. They turned to look back at Doctor Stable. Applejack’s eyes shone; her jaw hard-set. Twilight caught the doctor’s glance and held it for a few brief, eternal seconds. Grimly, she nodded. “We know.”