//------------------------------// // Animal // Story: Friendship is an Imagination // by CookiesOnFridays //------------------------------// Chapter 4- Animal I wobbled against my hooves as I continued to trudge along the cold plated floors. Though my Care Taker was doing his best to keep me balanced I bumped from wall to wall like a mindless puppet. “Miss. Sparkle, please!” He said trying to catch me into balance, “Can’t you walk straight?” I tripped over my own hooves and tumbled to the floor. I don’t know what was going on but ever since I left Celestia’s room in the hospital I just couldn’t grasp my sanity. Though I wasn’t even in this hospital for a week and I could only remember the moment where I was shipped off to my ‘cage’. The sight of seeing Celestia shaking her head and Applejack right next to her, the feeling of hopelessness engulfed my mind. I kept replaying the events, like a ghost lingering after its death, pondering on the question, “Why?” I didn’t realize I said that out loud, and it caused my Care Taker to stop. “Miss. Sparkle if I may, I recommend that you be on a wheel chair. I’m quite worried you’ll hurt yourself.” I turned my head to meet his face. His expression was stern but his voice was calm and collective. I shook my head and turned around but he repeated himself. “Miss. Sparkle…” He said a little more aggressively, “I recommend a wheel chair…” This time his voice wasn’t an offer, but more like a command. I just hung my head and nodded. My Care Taker smiled in satisfaction and pulled out a wheel chair from one of the empty wards. I fell back on the chair and hunched over, trying to get the grief and bad vibe from the corridors of Block A out of my head. “Well now isn’t that much better?” I just nodded my head as my Care Taker continued to push my wheelchair. “We don’t want your friend to see you as one of those ‘animals’… And I know for a fact Miss. Sparkle,” He stopped for a second and I shifted my head a little to see a part of his face. “That you aren’t an animal…” With that he continued to push the wheelchair to the visitor’s room. The corridor seemed to be endless but finally we reached a set of doors. It said on the top in bright green letters, ‘Visitors’. “We’re here Miss. Sparkle,” My Care Taker said placing a hoof on the door. I was greeted with bright light and I recoiled away as if I was an animal that has never seemed to see the light of day. For a while I sat on the chair, shielding my vision. But a few moments later, my eyes adjusted to see and absorb the scenery around me. The walls were painted white and the floors had diamond patterned tiles. Chairs and tables surrounded the place, making it open like a get together session. The windows on the back room were large, letting in huge amounts of sunlight that warmed the room. I squinted my eyes as I spotted Fluttershy. The mare was tapping her hooves together lightly with a woven basket in front of her. I turned to face my Care Taker, “Where is everypony else?” “Well Miss. Sparkle, visiting hours haven’t started yet and won’t start for the next half hour.” He said matter of factly. I glared at him but he just chuckled and waved it off, “Please stop glaring at me like that Madam Sparkle. I apologize for my impolite tone. Your friend was given special permission to come in a little early.” I turned back to see Fluttershy waving a hoof in my direction. I waved back and showed off a smile. My Care Taker pushed me toward her. ‘Oh what am I going to say?’ I thought to myself, ‘Should I tell her about how things are? I mean, what is there to talk about. Maybe she’s here to tell me that she doesn’t want to be my friend anymore! Oh no we’re coming closer- Care Taker turn back!’ I didn’t notice that I was just 3 feet away from Fluttershy who was seated on the other side of the table. My Care Taker stood behind me and he gave me a smile. A few moments passed with awkward silence. The silence went something like this, “…” “…” “…” “…” “….” “…” I took my wheelchair and turned around, “I’m going back…” My Care Taker facehooved himself comically and rushed towards me while I heard Fluttershy squeak, “Wait!” ----------------------------------------------------------------- Fluttershy pushed the basket in front of me and I looked at it as if I haven’t seen a basket before. “What’s this?” I said curiously poking the basket. Fluttershy blushed and looked away, “W-Well I uh, I j-just wanted to come and bring a small gift to my friend.” I sighed and lifted the blanket that covered the contents underneath. I gasped a little in surprise and I smiled. “It’s not much, but I knew that it you wanted that for a long time…” I levitated the item in front of me and I breathed in a happy dose of air, “The Diaries of the Nine Mares…” I stared at the book for a minute before I turned it left, right, up, down, backwards, and forwards. I inspected every inch of the book like an artist trying to capture every detail of a painting. “Fluttershy,” I said finally placing the book down, “How did you get this? This is one of the most expensive and hard to find book all over Equestria since you know, the death of the authors-“ “Well, it was the help of Rainbow Dash. Since she is pretty popular all around Equestria so she receives a lot of gifts and this one included. Rainbow dash said, ‘Oh, Twilight the book worm would like this one!’” We both laughed together, filling our souls with high spirits. My Care Taker also laughed along with us and we both stared, killing the mood. The Care Taker looked at me, then back at Fluttershy. He cleared his throat and offered a small smile, “I’ll get you both some cake and tea, so please be patient.” “B-But that won’t be necessary Mr. Stallion sir, it’s just that-“ My Care Taker ignored the reply and turned away, humming happily to himself. I watched as he disappeared behind a door, leaving Fluttershy and I alone for the time being. Fluttershy released a sigh, “S-S-So, um how is the hospital treating you Twilight?” My expression turned blue as I stared at the white circular table, “It’s not the best place ever… They all think I’m crazy or something, saying that I’m ‘hallucinating’ about someponies but they just don’t understand.” Fluttershy just nodded as she sank back into her chair. “I mean they just can’t see them. Are they blind or something? We went through all those adventures together! You, me, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, we saved Ponyville twice!” Fluttershy stayed silent. “We took down Nightmare Moon, we took down Discord, we took out Queen Chrysalis… Don’t you remember the time where Pinkie Pie saved Ponyville from the Parasprites?” I saw Fluttershy’s gaze surrender to the floor and she narrowed her eyes with a frown. I paused for a few seconds, observing the mare. “You remember… Right?” Fluttershy didn’t move. “Right…?” I said nervously. Fluttershy turned her head to the other direction, her eyes starting to look tired and stressed. I swallowed a lump in my throat, “Right?” The word slurred out of my mouth making it croak. Fluttershy’s expression looked dead and confused. The air around me suddenly felt cold and I just stared at the ceiling, trying to understand what was going on. I heard a laugh, a sickly one. One that would’ve made anypony scared and frightened, a creepy laugh that sounded dark and lonely. I caught the noise and traced it toward where it was coming from. I thought it was probably one of the other insane mental ponies, but instead I traced the sound to my lips. “Y-You must be joking!” I said laughing hysterically. Fluttershy shrank deep into her seat once again. I continued to laugh and shake my head, “That was funny Fluttershy, real nice acting! Whew! For a second there I actually thought you were saying I was insane-“ “I never said that…” She said in a timid voice. “But you thought about that now weren’t you!” Fluttershy recoiled in fright letting out a small, ‘eep’ to escape her throat. “You think I’m crazy don’t you!? You think I’m just- Just an insane, rotten, idiotic, and enigmatic fool now don’t you!” “T-Twilight, p-p-please calm d-do-down! I-I didn’t m-m-m-mean it-“ “Shut up!” I yelled and I flipped the table in front of me, knocking the basket and book over. “Why are you even my friend huh!?” I raised my hoof, “I thought friends were supposed to be there for each other, that they were supposed to agree with each other-“ “B-But Twilight I-“ “I said shut up!” I felt my hoof collide with something soft. There was a loud smack and it echoed in the air like a knife piercing butter. I didn’t realize what I did, until it was too late. I could only watch, as my friend slowly toppled down to the floor. Falling off her chair and landing head first on the diamond tiled ground. On her cheek was a big red mark and on the floor was Fluttershy, stunned and pained. Her eyes were at the brim with tears and her body unmoving. I breathed in and out, trying to calm down my anger, and my mind. ‘Why did I do that? Why did I hit Fluttershy…?’ I felt my head jerk and the gears in my brain started to jam, until they scrunched up together forcing each other to work. I thought back to the dream I had last night, Pinkie Pie’s voice and the dreadful trees. Making my own path, it was so dark and lonely… I stared at Fluttershy who was getting up, holding her cheek. A small gash appeared, creating a small trickle of blood to stain her butter yellow coat. Her eyes seemed so weak and deeply wounded, and I just stared at her… Glaring at her like a beast ready to pounce and murder its prey. The tension hung in the air like a knife ready to drop, one wrong move could cut the rope. I didn’t want to be alone… “F-Fluttershy,” I stammered, “I-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to-“ “C-C-Celestia w-was r-r-right Twilight!” Fluttershy yelled gasping between tears, “You’re- You’re too far off!” With that I watched as she thundered down the other side of the Visitors Room and exiting the building. I heard her sobs even when she was outside the hospital. I stared into space, thinking about what I did wrong… “She disagreed with me, yeah. She wasn’t supposed to disagree with me. She was supposed to help me out. Even she saw them, she saw them!” I went to a nearby table and slammed my hooves down. “I’m not an animal…” I said slowly, “I’m not an animal… I’m not an animal... I’m not an ani-“ “Darn tooten Twilight, that was some mean strong vibe back there.” I lifted my head off of the table and turned to the direction of the voice. I remembered that southern accent anywhere. “Applejack…” I watched Applejack come closer and she was… Smiling… Why was she smiling? “I haven’t seen you throw a fit like that in a LONG time! Call me impressed Twilight, but I’ll be honest. I think you taught Fluttershy a good lesson.” I averted my gaze to the floor, “She said you weren’t real… She said that I was insane!” Applejack stomped her hooves like she was in a rodeo and laughed, “Well what do you expect? Maybe Fluttershy is going whoo nelly if you ask me. Hey listen it’s not entirely your fault. Don’t feel bad about what happened you did a good thing in protecting us! If Rarity and Pinkie Pie were here they’ll be proud of ya.” I felt my eyes become tired as I stared into her big emerald green eyes, “You… You think so…?” “I know so!” I gave her a smile but my heart was strained. What was I supposed to do? I felt like I did the right thing but at the same time I felt like I was a monster… An animal… Applejack raised an eyebrow, “By the way Twilight, I didn’t know you could throw a punch like that to an o’l mare.” I looked up, remembering what I had done, “I did it without thinking Applejack, I didn’t mean to-“ “Look at yer hooves Twi, tell me what you see.” I shook my head. I already knew what was possibly on my hoof and I didn’t dare look. I didn’t want to. “Just look at yer hooves Twi, can’t you do it fer me?” “Applejack-“ “Please darling, just show us your hooves.” I turned around to see Rarity behind me. She looked cheerful and elegant as always, but how did she get in here? Rarity waved her mane away from her face, “I just came from the front door… It seemed as if Fluttershy was hurt… And seeing that it’s only you two here I’m guessing it’s either Applejack,” Rarity moved her gaze towards me, “Or you…” I looked left to right, trying to get what was going on, “P-Please can’t you both just leave me alone-“ “But I love gossip dear!” Rarity said moving closer towards me, “Tell me what happened… But I’m guessing the mark on Fluttershy’s cheek is enough to tell me what was going on darling.” Rarity went behind me and hugged my back like a snake, “Just show us your hooves…” Rarity’s voice was low and intimidating. I turned my head to Applejack who just nodded her head. Finally giving in, I lifted my hooves to my eyes. On my coat was deep red, though it wasn’t enough to cover my entire hoof it was still visible to the naked eye. Rarity shook her head, “My oh my, looks like somepony has been acting a bit monstrous now hasn’t she Applejack?” I watched while Applejack just laughed, “Darn right you are! I’d like to have her in the next rodeo, I bet she’ll win first place in hoof wrestling or even boxing for that matter!” “I wouldn’t want a brute running around my shop! But alas, the thought of making a boxing attire for Twilight is rather appealing-“ “I think I’ll have her on the barn! She’ll buck trees just as well like me an Big Mac, she’s just like an animal-“ “ENOUGH!” I yelled, shoving Rarity off my back and moving her towards Applejack. Both of the mares staggered and started moving backwards. My breathing was heavy and hot, my eyes bulged and my pupils vibrated. “You… You both… How could you-“ “W-We’re sorry Twilight, honest!” Applejack said bowing her head, “We were just having some fun with ya! I didn’t know you’d get this upset.” “Yes really darling, I was just a bit curious about what happened.” Rarity added bowing her head. “We promise to not tell anypony about what happened between you and Fluttershy-“ I felt my heart thump against my own chest and I felt like doubling over, but instead I was consumed by anger and sadness. “Get out…” I whispered. Both of the mares looked up. “Get out…” I said a little more loudly. Applejack gave me an uneasy look, “What did ya say?” “I said GET OUT!” I reached for a chair and tossed it toward Applejack and Rarity. Both mares gasped in surprise and both dodged the incoming projectile. The chair collided with other tables and chairs, causing them to fall and tumble down. Applejack and Rarity both rushed for the exit all the while I yelled and screamed. “Get out! Get out! GET! OUT!” I slumped to the floor as Applejack and Rarity disappeared from view. I felt my eyes swell up with tears and I released a sob. My throat rasped for air as my tears dripped down my cheeks. Just a few moments later I heard the door slam open with frantic hoofsteps. “What’s going on he-“, My Care Taker stopped in his tracks and stared at the setting, his eyes recoiling from the sight. He averted his gaze and stared at me, “Madam Sparkle…” I didn’t even respond to his words for my heart was full of grief and sadness. I watched as he trudged toward the toppled tables and broken chairs. He picked up the basket made by Fluttershy and stared at the contents inside. Something white covered the tiled floor underneath the basket. “Huh…” He said examining the contents inside, “I guess that’s why she didn’t want some cake…” My Care Taker rummaged inside the basket, then picked up the book that Fluttershy has given to me as a gift and approached me. Extending the book towards me. I waved it off as I kneeled, shell shocked from the events that happened. It felt like it all happened in an instant… “Well,” My Care Taker started as he reached for the wheel chair that laid on the floor, “Looks like the cleanup crew has some early working to do…” He gently seated me on the wheelchair and I didn’t even resist. “I won’t mention this to anypony…” He said as we exited the Visitors Room. For a minute we strolled in silence. I was greeted with the darkness and insanity of the crazed corridors, never have I dreamed that I would be comforted with the familiar walls of hell. I just wanted to go back to my cage and hide, back to the study where I can endorse myself and forget about everything… “This may be a bad time Ms. Sparkle but you’ll be having a talk with the Princess tonight…” I stayed quite, and allowed the sound of awoken screaming patients to engulf my ears. They sounded like dogs… “And this time it won’t just be Celestia.” He stopped for a second and I shifted my head a little to see a part of his face. “Princess Luna will be here as well…”