Chapter XXVIII
"This is the school house." Applejack gestured. "You two can wait outside, I guess. You probably won't understand most of it, bein' Pegasi and all."
Dash swished her tail, thinking she understood just fine. But then again she didn't know what Applejack meant by her 'Pegasi' comment, which actually may have proved her right. Did they have special Earth Pony teachings in there? Were they educating children in some kind of dark language of miniature horses?
Fluttershy simply pointed out the obvious. "Gosh, it's so small. How do all the ponies fit in there?"
Fluttershy was right. The school house was about as big as Coach's Airball shed, let alone an entire wing of the Cloudsdale Flight Academy. How did they all fit in there?
Applejack sighed. "They teach the younger kids in the mornin' an' the older ones in the afternoons. At lunch we swap. My brother'll be by later for his classes, and I get to go take his place in the fields. Yay. Now look, y're gonna make me late. Just, I don't know, sit on the swings or somethin'."
With that Applejack marched up the steps, shutting the door behind her and leaving the two friends alone in a strange town. They did sit for a while, playing Tic Tac Toe in the sand. Fluttershy grew restless at a much slower pace than Rainbow Dash, but even she eventually grew bored. After two days of loafing around, sitting lost some of its appeal.
"I'm bored." Dash hopped down from her swing.
"Me too." Fluttershy admitted.
"Come on, let's go."
"Go where? We don't know where anything is."
"So? Let's go find out."
"Granny told Applejack not to leave us." Fluttershy reminded her.
"She also told us to make sure we send a letter. So we'll be doing what she told us."
That logic did make some sense, but Fluttershy was obviously still uneasy with the plan, glancing back towards the schoolhouse. "I don't want to get Applejack in trouble."
"We won't. She said they let out at noon, right? So we'll go, send for help, and be back by then, okay?"
"Okay." Fluttershy hopped down as well, following her friend out of the playground.
Ponyville appeared to be a quaint little town full of timber-framed, thatched-roof buildings. Two story businesses intermingled with residential homes, providing a homely, break-into-song-at-any-moment feel to the town. It lay in stark contrast to the sleek, modern Cloudsdale and its suburbs that Dash was used to, or the bustling, skyscraper metropolis of Manehattan where Fluttershy had grown up.
That was not to say this village was boring or lower class, oh no. The food alone would have made up for any of that. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash wandered through the center of town, tongues lulling out at all the delicious food. It was Monday, and to the people of Ponyville that meant market day. They brought out their best wares, setting up shop with whatever their specialty was. From fruits to vegetables, pies to candies, arts to crafts, seemingly ever pony in town had a booth set up.
Rainbow Dash had a hard enough time keeping her eyes in her head, let alone her tongue. Perpetual hunger or not, not even Princess Celestia could resist smells like this. She was just about to resort to begging when Fluttershy elbowed her in the gut. Dash wheezed, turning to see a despondent Fluttershy staring at something toward the end on the market. She followed as Fluttershy slowly approached.
It had been abandoned for years, a strong case of wood rot and termite damage setting in. Sun baked, the booth stood in contrast to the freshly painted booths of its contemporaries. They kept it away, a distance of tolerance, as if afraid to catch the bad luck it represented. Standing as a constant reminder to the fragility of life and en memoriam to pain, the sign across the top now hung only by one nail. Sweet Apple Acres.
"Applejack." Dash touched the booth.
Something clicked inside. She got it; Applejack wasn't mean, she wasn't trying to hurt others. She was trying to hurt herself. She was like Rainbow Dash when she acted out because she didn't have any friends. It was her own fault, and she made herself feel pain, just so she could feel something. Applejack wasn't evil; she just needed a friend.
Fluttershy was smiling at her. A weird smile, the kind her mother and other mares always used. The 'Ah, you're so young' smile. Dash hated it. She knew Fluttershy had this figured out long ago, but she'd waited for Dash to piece it together on her end without saying a word. Well fine, two could play at that game.
Dash didn't say anything, but just continued back through the market. Fluttershy kept of that 'I'm older than you' smile, now lessened dramatically as she sped on Dash's heels. Rainbow Dash wasn't looking at the booths any more; her stomach hurt too badly now to notice the smells. She just wanted to go home.
She was so preoccupied that she didn't see the mare in front of her until it was too late.
"Oof!"
"Hey!"
Dash was on the ground backwards. She'd landed on her bad wing again and felt the shooting pains right down to her lungs. Fluttershy and another gray mare were helping her to her feet, but she could barely offer an apology as stars danced before her eyes.
"Sorry."
"You okay, Rainbow Dash?"
"Yeah, I--" Wait. How did this stranger know her name? Dash did a double take. That gray pelt, the blond tresses, the voice, the clumsiness, and those eyes. Those beautiful, unforgettable eyes. "Ditzy!" Dash threw her arms around her neck.
"Woah! Okay, first time I've ever been hugged for messing up." Ditzy fell back on her haunches.
"I'm so glad to see you!" And she was. Dash felt tears sting the corners of her eyes. They were saved! Finally. She hugged tighter.
"Who's you friend, Dash?" Ditzy derped.
"Um..." Fluttershy hid behind her pink locks.
"This is Fluttershy, my best friend in the whole world. Fluttershy, this is Ditzy Doo, my foal sitter."
"Nice to meet you." Fluttershy managed to squeak.
"How's it going? So is Firefly here? I haven't seen her in a while." Ditzy Doo looked around.
"No, she's not. We need your help." Dash got serious.
"What's wrong, kiddo?"
"It's a long story."
Dash and Fluttershy quickly explained their situation, taking turns elaborating on parts, often speaking over one another in high pitched voices. They told about the race, and the crash, and fighting Apollyon, brushing over the scarier parts. Then they explained about being saved by the Apple family.
Ditzy Doo just blinked, unsure if she was having her leg pulled yet again. Ponies always tried to make fun of her, pulling a fast one just because of her looks and ditziness. The bubble headed blond often believed what she was told, no matter how outrageous. Dash had sometimes used that to her advantage. Now she regretted every word.
"That's some story, Rainbow Dash." Ditzy smiled. Dash and Fluttershy nodded in unison. "What do you think I am, stupid? I've got bubbles on my butt, not my brain!"
"Ditzy, wait!" Dash called as she turned away. "Please!"
"Every word of it is true." Fluttershy rushed forward, desperate for help.
"You two really expect me to believe that you faced a dragon?" Ditzy paused. The fillies nodded again, much less enthusiastically this time. "Okay, fine. Let's say you did. What do you want me to do about it?"
"We need you to go for help!" Dash couldn't believe she was having to explain this. Then again, it was Ditzy Doo; yes she could. "Go get my daddy!"
"Why don't you just go?" Ditzy cocked her head sideways, eyes sliding in opposite directions. She wasn't being contrary, she just didn't get it.
"Rainbow Dash hurt her wing." Fluttershy explained. "And I'm afraid I'm just not very good at flying."
"Oh!" smiled Ditzy. "Why didn't you say so?"
"I thought we did." Muttered Dash.
"Sure, I can go tell your dad. I'm great at delivering messages. But I think I'd better eat first. You guys hungry?"
"Starving." Dash perked up.
"Um, okay." Fluttershy shrunk back a little.
"I know a great spot. Come on!"
The derpy pony lead them through town, trotting along at a happy pace. The market day seemed to bring out the best in every pony and Ditzy happily greeted everyone with a smile. Fluttershy looked around, observing everything. Not even a cranky donkey could hate this place. Finally Ditzy lead them to a small outdoor cafe.
"Order whatever you want. My treat." She smiled as they sat down.
The waiter sighed, seeing the infamous Ditzy Doo back at his establishment. And not just that, but she brought friends. Between the three Pegasi they managed to clear out most of the menu.
"Um, that's kind of expensive. Are you sure it's alright?" asked Fluttershy.
"Oh sure. I mean, I don't have a job right now." Ditzy looked away despondently. "Again. But hey! That's just an opportunity for yet another job again, right?"
"Oh, um, okay."
"So what are you doing here in town?" Dash scratched her ear with her hind foot, ignoring proper manners.
"Oh! I'm seeing my colt friend. He lives here in town."
"Oooooh!" Fluttershy and Dash teased at the same time before breaking into giggles.
"Yeah, ha-ha. Kind of crazy, right? I mean who would like a girl like me?" Ditzy let out a nervous laugh.
"What's he like?"
"Well, he's a, um, Unicorn?"
That announcement, when proclaimed at her family's diner table, had sent her father into a rage. No Pegasus daughter of his would be seeing a no-account, good-for-nothing, magic-using Unicorn. Doreen, her mother, was equally horrified but less inclined to exile their daughter. Still, she was embarrassed enough, Ditzy noted, to not tell any pony but Firefly, her friend and neighbor.
The girls, though, were still too young to pick up on the subtle racism and stereotypes that populated the adult world, even in this day and age. They just thought it was sweet that Ditzy had found someone that she loved, and in return loved her back.
"Yeah, it's great. He's training to be a Royal Guard, so he gets to serve in the line of duty."
"Wow! A soldier like my dad!" Dash chirped.
"That's so great!" grinned Fluttershy.
"Yeah. He's on leave right now, so he's staying with his parents here in Ponyville before he gets shipped out for the Northern Wastes next week. We've got a very special weekend planed."
"Special? How?"
"Is it romantic?" Fluttershy's eyes went all dreamy as she grasped her hooves.
"Yeah." Ditzy's voice took on an equally dreamy quality.
"Yuck. Will there be fireworks?!" Dash wanted to know about the exciting stuff.
"Um, yeah, I guess you could say that." The two fillies failed to notice the blush rushing to the mare's face as she looked away. "Can you two keep a secret?"
"Yes!" They answered in unison. And they could, too. Probably. Maybe.
"Well," Ditzy leaned in close. "We're planning on eloping this weekend!"
All she got back were blank stares and curious bobbing of heads.
"What's an 'elope'?" Asked Rainbow Dash.
"Is that like an antelope?" Fluttershy guessed.
"When will the food get here? I'm hungry."
"Me too."
Ditzy sighed. "Never mind. You two are too young."
"We are not!" Dash hated being treated like a little kid.
"Fine. What's the capital of Equestria?" Ditzy teased, crossing her forelegs.
"Um..." Dash trailed off.
"Haha! See?"
"Fine. Do you know?" Dash knew just how to turn the tables with her favorite foal sitter.
"Oh. Um..."
"See? You don't remember either!" pointed Dash.
Fluttershy raised a sheepish hoof. "Um, isn't it Canterlot?"
"Oh yeah." The other two Pegasi answered in unison.
Then the food arrived. It took three waiters to bring all the plates. Most of them were little more than lunch specials, and it was a short menu, but the food still managed to cover the entire table. All three Pegasi felt their stomachs growl as their eyes widened, glistening at the delicate morsels before them. It barely took them a moment to set aside civil decency and dig in. The waiter wandered away, nose held high in disgust.
It wasn't bad. Fluttershy tried a little bit of everything, trying to pinpoint her favorites. Dash just ate, shoving whatever was within her reach into her mouth. Ditzy Doo picked out her favorites, gobbling them up. She tried to stay away from the sweets; she had a very special some pony now; she didn't want it to go to her hips. Still, she never could resist a good muffin.
"This is good." Dash said between mouthfuls. "But it tastes kind of funny."
"The hay is a little dry." Fluttershy commented, picking out a strawberry.
"I know." Ditzy sighed. "That's the thing about living down here, everything is so dry. It's like there's not enough dew. And they cook stuff in shortening."
"Weird." Dash took another bite, slowing down. The food was almost gone anyways.
"When I get home, I'm going to eat a big bowl of sky grass salad." Fluttershy remarked with longing.
"Yeah." The other two Pegasi replied, equally enchanted.
The waiter walked up, setting the check on the table. He coughed, getting the attention of the spellbound young ladies. He really just wished these Pegasi would stop coming to his institution all together. The only thing worse than sky ponies were baby dragons, always ordering gemstones.
"Your bill, madam."
"Thank you." Ditzy smiled. The waiter wandered off.
"Um, Ditzy? I was wondering, if you don't mind, that is, how can you afford all this?"
"Oh, that's easy, Fluttershy. I work a lot. I also screw up a lot, so I guess I kind of get severance pay. Sometimes the owners just give it to me out of pity. I guess cause of my eyes..." She trailed off. "But that's okay. I just get back up and try again. I'm saving up so I can have a little family of my own, maybe my own dinky foal. It's tight, but I always seem to have enough money." She opened the bill, eyes going wide. "Woah, but not this much. I think we may have to dine and dash."
"What?!" Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash exclaimed at the same time, equal parts horror and disbelief crawling up their faces.
"Don't worry about it; I do it all the time. Well, not all the time. And sometimes I get caught. That's how I met my colt friend actually. But don't worry; there aren't many Pegasi in Ponyville. We can just fly away."
"We can't fly!" Fluttershy cried.
"That's what we needed you for in the first place!" Dash yelled. She couldn't believe this. "Fluttershy's no good for anything other than short glides, and my wing is busted."
"Oh yeah, let me see that." Ditzy wandered around, prodding Dash's bandaged wing. "Yep, looks like you hurt it alright."
Dash hid her face in her hooves. Ditzy had a great heart, but sometimes she could be far too feather brained for her own good. Fluttershy couldn't imagine this girl watching a baby Rainbow Dash; she'd burn the house down. And it was made of clouds!
"You should go see a doctor."
"Do you know a doctor?" Fluttershy ventured.
"Well, I know the Doctor. But I haven't seen him in a few months. Which isn't unusual for him, actually. Especially after that last bit with the mechanical Timberwolves in Trottingham, that was weird. I mean, what's up with that? I needed some time off after that one and--"
"Ditzy!" Dash tried not to snap, but couldn't hide the bite from her voice. "Doctor?"
"Oh, right. Well, I think you'd be better off seeing Nurse Sweetheart. She's sweet and has a soft spot for kids. I'd try her. She's down the street there. Take the first left and you'll find her office. Can't miss it."
"Thanks, Ditzy." Rainbow Dash stood. "Make sure to come and find us again when you come back with my dad, okay?"
"What? Oh yeah, your dad! Don't worry about a thing, Rainbow Dash; your life is in my hooves."
"That's what I'm afraid of." muttered Dash. "Come on, Fluttershy."
"We're just going to leave her?" Fluttershy whispered as they walked away.
"I don't see what else we can do. We needed to get out of there before we got blamed. Don't worry, she'll probably find some unsuspecting pony to pin it on before flying away."
"Hi there!" Behind them Ditzy called to a yellow-pelted pony with an orange, curly mane that just happened to be walking by. "Care to join me?"
"See?"
"I just don't like it." fretted Fluttershy.
"Tell you what. When we get home, if it's still bothering you, we can talk to my dad about it. I'm sure he'd know what to do." Dash took a left.
"Okay."
The office was a small little building with a slanted window across the front. A homely little place, Dash wasn't sure they were even in the right spot as they entered. The bell above the door jangled, signaling their arrival, yet no one greeted them. The red cross out front usually meant the universal sign for medical care, and the posters around the office certainly made this look like medical facility. So where was the nurse?
"Um, hello?" Dash called.
The door behind them burst open, a monster standing there, breathing hard through its long, beak-like nose. It was hideous, with glowing red eyes and terrible breath, covered from head to hoof in mud. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash both grabbed one another as they screamed. What was this thing doing here in the middle of town?!
"Huh? Oh!"
The monster reached up, peeling its own face off. Except, it wasn't really a face at all. A white pony stood beneath the mask, damp pink fair spilling free. She looked kind enough, if not a little tired. Perhaps a little gruff around edges. The mud certainly didn't help her appearance.
"Um, Nurse Sweetheart?" Rainbow Dash guessed.
"Nope, she's off today. I'm Redheart." She began to peel off the rest of her mud slathered clothes.
"Um, why are covered in mud?"
"The Jensen's have an outbreak of Saddle Arabian mites. Easy enough to cure, but they're a bit backwards at times, so I was trying a homeopathic recipe to kill the little biters. Slathered the whole family up good. Things got a bit... rough."
"You don't mind rough?" asked Fluttershy.
"Hey, if you want something sugar coated, go see Nurse Sweetheart. If you want it fixed, you come to me."
The rest of her clothes hit the hamper with a splat. She washed up, scrubbing her hooves down. It felt good to be out of those rubber gloves. She was half tempted to shove these two fillies out the door and take the rest of the day off.
"Good. We're in the right place." Fluttershy scooted Rainbow Dash forward.
"Um, I don't know about this, Fluttershy. Maybe we should see Nurse Sweetheart?"
Fluttershy ignored her, pushing her right up to Redheart. "She's got a hurt wing that we need you to look at. I must warn you though; this patient can be a bit tough to manage at times."
"A wise girl, huh? Okay. Hop up on the table and we'll get to work." Dash did so, due much to Fluttershy's prodding, while Nurse Redheart put on her hat. "Huh. Pegasi. Not much call for you around these parts. Though I wish we could get a new weather team down here; we could use a bit more rain. Still, I remember the essential mechanics. Okay, stretch your wing out for me please?"
Rainbow did so, grimacing all the while. Redheart poked and prodded, listening to her breathing and checking her heart beat. Fluttershy held her hoof the entire time. Finally it was all over.
"Okay, you're good. You can pull your wing in now."
"She's going to be okay?" asked Fluttershy.
"Yeah, she'll be perfect. Just a pulled muscle. The absolute, most important thing you can do is stay. Off. That. Wing." Redheart pointed. "You'll be good to go in a few days. Maybe a week. Two at the most. Who dressed this, anyways?"
"Oh, um, that was me?"
"You did an excellent job there. You could be a nurse if you wanted to."
"Oh no, I want to be a veterinarian."
"Plenty of need for them too." Redheart smiled.
"Woah, woah, woah. You're telling me I can't fly for two weeks?!" Dash butted in.
"That's about the long and the short of it."
"What am I supposed to do till then?"
"I don't really care. Was that all?"
"Yeah, sure." Dash sulked. "Do you know what time it is?"
"Yeah." Redheart checked her clock. "It's about half past one."
"'Half past one'?!" Fluttershy and Dash looked at each other. They had to get back to the school before Applejack found out and brought her wrath down on both their heads.
Leaping down, Dash joined Fluttershy and headed for the door just as it blew open, rocking back on its hinges. The wind picked up as the aura coming off the pony standing there burned like fire. Slowly she entered the office, her presence filling every nook and cranny. Eyes shining with unrestrained anger, her nostrils flared as her muscles clenched, ready for a fight. It was too late; Applejack found them.