VIII
You get used to the coldness after five seconds, usually. But this water was so cold, it never left me. Even today, I can still feel the ice-cold water against my hide.
My splint got all damp and I felt that with my broken hoof, but I didn’t care. I kept swimming downward, having no clue where the ground was. It was close to black down here. I couldn’t see anything.
Another second or two, and I was there. I felt the sand beneath me. But, I was running out of breath – I wouldn’t be down here much longer.
I swam in circles, looking for Fluttershy. Not being able to see anything, I at least willed my horn to glow. It happened – but the radius was terribly small.
My air supply was running low, and I could feel the strain on my lungs. I had to go up and get air before I headed back down.
Then, I saw her – drifting in the middle of the water not at the ground, but a bit above it. She was just floating there, not moving whatsoever except with any current the water had.
I completely forgot about my air supply, and swam as fast as I could to get her. When I reached her, I didn’t even look at her – I grabbed her with my hooves and kicked my way to the surface.
The water was extremely deep, and I neglected my lungs too long. I opened my mouth and attempted to breathe on impulse.
A flood of water came into my lungs, blocking out any air. I was 2 feet from the surface. If I could just make it before blacking out completely…
Blackness closed in, and then I gave one powerful kick and broke through the surface. Almost immediately, my gag reflex kicked in, and I coughed and sputtered, and I felt myself almost vomit all the water I took in. I gasped for air, feeling slightly refreshed by the freezing oxygen that entered my lungs.
Making sure Fluttershy’s head was above the water, I kicked to one of the edges of the pool. The ice was slippery, but luckily acted as a sort of ramp to get on. The flamer was too busy with the five ponies on the other side, who were doing a mixture of fighting and running.
I struggled with my broken hoof and Fluttershy’s weight, and completely slipped, falling on my head and dropping Fluttershy about two inches. She seemed to be alright – I, on the other hand, could feel the slightest lump being raised on my forehead.
She lied on her stomach, giving me full view of her damaged back. Her back, from what I could see, was swollen beyond belief – the ice flamer had hit her hard. Her wings were situated every which way, and I could easily tell that they were clipped. She wouldn’t be flying for a while.
If she was alive, that is. No – don’t think like that.
I turned her over. She probably took in water, so with my good hoof, I began pressing down on her chest repeatedly. I didn’t know a whole lot about resuscitation, but this was worth a shot.
I gave around my 10th push, almost losing hope, but then her eyes squeezed as she, too, coughed, sputtered, and vomited the water out of her system. Thank goodness, she was okay. Once she was done, she calmed down and laid back down. With what looked like a lot of effort, she half-opened her eyes.
“F-f-f-f-f-f-fire….”
I cradled her in my hooves. “Fluttershy, it’s alright now. You’re safe.”
She looked to me, with those twinkling eyes she possessed. Now, they were full of sadness, and pain I can’t even fathom. My heart broke at the sight of such a gentle filly receiving such a hardship.
She shook her head ever so slightly. “No, n-n-n-no more…you…it’s…” She trailed off, having a violent coughing fit. The tears in my eyes welled up again. Pull through, Fluttershy. Don’t leave me.
“What is it, Fluttershy? Please, don’t leave me just yet.” Tears rolled down my face, and my voice cracked when I spoke, but I needed to get this out.
Then, all noises in the room seemed to stop, as she continued, no longer stuttering.
“Thank you…Firestarter.”
The tears seemed to stop, and she began to shut her eyes. “W-what?” I asked, my voice being drowned out by the prevalent silence.
“I wanted….to thank you…for everything…you…are a real friend….I will always love you.”
I never heard those words spoken to me over the last two years, and I much less expected to hear it from somepony I just met yesterday.
But when she said it, I blinked, and when I opened my eyes my tearducts became waterfalls. No words had ever sounded so sweet, and I never wanted to hear anyone else say they loved me ever again.
Voice cracking, dying on the inside, I returned her statement. “I love you, too.”
She nodded ever-so-slowly. The pegasus stared at me only a moment longer, and then she slowly closed her eyes. Within moments, my best friend in the world limped, lifeless in my arms.