//------------------------------// // Chapter IV: Change // Story: A Guitar In A Thunderstorm // by Maerx //------------------------------// Chapter IV: Change Our coffee arrived right one time, Pinkie giving both of us a friendly smile before departing to take care of other customers. We didn't say much at first, our minds clearly busier than our mouths were allowing us to be. Ponies came and went, some we knew, some were complete strangers to me but not Twilight. Being Celestia's personal protégé and a princess herself, she was bound to be popular. I didn't say much as ponies stopped and talked with Twilight, rather than simply acknowledged when they remarked about me. Everypony in town was used to having me around, since I was the lone human in this part of their world, I was popular too. In a way. My sharp eyesight spotted Minuette walking with Lyra outside of Sugarcube Corner. Her eyes caught mine and responded with a wide smile and a tip of her head. She and I had been good friends for a while now, just that however. She didn't know much about my past life but she knew enough to understand. We had spent time together sometimes, not rarely and not frequently as our work schedules were intertwined most of the time. Times that I was off, she was working and vice versa. However, on the rare occasion that we did get together, it was always special in my eyes. She and I had really become good friends over the past two years. Along with countless other ponies, both mares and stallions, I guess you can say that I have quite the life; not to mention that I'm the only human in Ponyville. I glanced around Sugarcube Corner as I continued to sip on my coffee, the warm liquid giving me pause for thought. I kept bringing myself back to one mare at a rose vendor. She had a two tone deep red mane and what looked like pale yellow fur. I didn't know her name, but wow she was gorgeous. As I continued to watch her, her emerald green eyes met mine for a brief moment, and in that moment something happened. It felt like a thin band of electricity flashed between our lines of sight. I don't know how to explain it, but we broke eye contact a couple seconds later and went about the day like nothing happened. Of course, I knew neither of us thought that. "Hey Jackson! What's up bud?" an enthusiastic female voice chirped in my left ear. I raised an eyebrow as Rainbow Dash was hovering next to me, wearing a wide smile. She and I had formed a special relationship during my time here, along with most of the other ponies that I knew. I high hoofed the floating mare as she dropped to her legs and folded her wings to her sides. "Same ol' stuff Rainbow. What's new with you?" The question caused the cyan pegasus to rise into the sky again, giggling like a schoolyard filly. "I'm just on my way to judge the Young Fliers Competition in Cloudsdale!" "Didn't you do that like 5 years ago?" "Yes, she saved all our lives while winning the competition too", Twilight interjected. Rainbow blushed. "Aww, it was nothin'". An uproar of laughter erupted from the mares as they remembered that day that helped them bond closer with each other. I wish I could have been there. From the picture Twilight narrated for me, it seemed like quite the adventure. Not to mention the recent ones they had. I smiled as Rainbow continued to relive her experience, detailing how she maneuvered so quickly, carrying friends to safety and even winning a day with the Wonderbolts, who were basically the Equestrian equivalent to the Blue Angels back home. They were the best fliers I had ever seen. I didn't even think that pegasi could fly that fast. I snapped out of thought as the group of mares departed from Sugarcube Corner, taking Twilight with her. I said goodbye to her with a simple wave of my left hand, and returned to my coffee. It was still warm and felt good against my slightly chilled hands, my thick coat huddling to me like some newborn filly. Just then, the bell on the door rang, and the same mare I saw at the rose vendor opened it and walked in. She appeared to be a regular there, as Pinkie Pie high hoofed her with her usual enthusiasm, except this mare hadn't returned it. She simply offered a big smile and nothing more. Her mane was surprisingly well kempt and tidy for being out in the wind for most of the morning. I did not know her name, but as I was studying her figure, I heard a snicker Twilight, as the other ponies had already left for the day's events. "She's pretty, isn't she," she said simply, sipping on her drink. She studied me as I turned my attention back to her, my peripheral vision could still see the mare in the corner of my eye. She was chatting with Pinkie Pie, offering the occasional smirk and chuckle every time Pinkie made a joke, compared to the pink mare's toxic giggling. Taking her bag of treats in her mouth, she made for the door after thanking Pinkie. It was then that our eyes met for one brief moment. They were a deep emerald green, shimmering in the tiny cafe's light. She offered me a simple half smile and then exited the building, disappearing into the crowd of ponies that waited outside. I had never seen such simplistic beauty in my life. Not to rat on Rarity, but this mare didn't overdo or go out of her way everyday to look stunning. The way she walked, held herself up, I don't know. It was just so simple. "Yeah she is," I replied as I returned my attention to Twilight and my coffee, which had finally reached drinking temperature. "Who is she?" Twilight responded with a wide grin and a slight, cute smirk. "Her name is Roseluck. She runs the rose vendor around Ponyville. Why do you ask?" I glanced down at my coffee and took a long, shallow sip. "Just wondering," I said simply. Twilight giggled and fidgeted slightly in her chair. She could tell that I was hiding something, but didn't say anything or push out of kindness. When I was growing up back on Earth, I had always been turned off by the girls and women that tried way too hard to either get noticed or overdress. Again, no offence to Rarity, but I usually always went for the quiet, small town girls. They always had a big heart. I smiled and took another sip of coffee, the steam rising from it meeting my nostrils and filling them with the strong scent of the beans. I glanced to my left to see the same picture that I had seen not too long ago. The morning fog was still rolling on the ground, announcing its presence with a gloomy yet serene contract against the rising sun. It was a beautiful scene to see, almost indescribable. The fog offered perfect contrast to the sun. I know I'm gushing but it was just beautiful. We finished our breakfast with me picking up the tab as I usually did. I suppose it was the gentlemanly thing to do. As we made for the front door of the little brown and pink building, Celestia's sun came into full view, shooing away the gentle, rolling fog as morning finally broke. We said our farewells for now, exchanging a gentle hug before parting ways, I taking the usual route of my morning stroll and Twilight poofing back to the library. Subconsciously, I wanted to find Roseluck and introduce myself, but at the same time I wished nothing more than to take my morning stroll as I did every Saturday. My mind flashed as I remembered something that hadn't been done yet. My monthly doctor's appointment was this morning, and glancing at Ponyville Square's clock, I was almost going to be late. Changing pace to a hasty jog, I trotted up the cobblestone avenue on the way to the Hospital. It was only a short walk from my apartment, bang in the middle of the town. I shuddered as a cold burst of pain ran through my chest again. Knowing the source of it, I shook my head and continued walking; slower this time. I should really tell the nurse and Doc about this, I mused as I flitted my eyes to random buildings. Upon arriving at the large, white building I chuckled as I pushed the double doors open, the crisp air greeting me. "Oh! Good Morning Jackson. Here for your appointment?" a female voice called out. Looking up I instantly nodded to see who the owner of that voice was. Flitter sat at the consultants desk at the end of the short entrance way. She wore a big, warm smile as I sauntered up to the desk. "Hiya Flit. Yes I am," I replied. Flitter's long, mint green mane was neatly styled into a pony tail as to keep it out of the way. She gave me a warm smile and glanced down at the large notebook that lay in front of her. She flipped through a couple pages until her hoof stopped on my name. "I'll let them know you're here. Go ahead and take a seat," she said. Simply nodding my head in response, I made for the somewhat uncomfortable chairs that were in the entrance way. I threw a look out of the windows on the large, mostly glass doors and I twiddled my thumbs. A short time later, Nurse Redheart walked into the entrance way and called my name. Getting up slowly, I followed her down the hospital's wing, passing rooms of assorted patients with different injuries. One caught my eye: a white Pegasus mare with a fiery red mane and tail, a heart as her cutie mark. Stopping, I gazed at the figure; her eyes were closed and she seemed to be at peace. A heart monitor beeped in a tune, which was the only sound besides the Nurse's hooves approaching me that filled the desolate hospital. The white medical mare gave me a sideways look and motioned for me to follow her, which I agreed to. That Pegasus.... I mused as I entered the room where the Nurse sat me down on a table. Something is so familiar about her... Redheart went through her basic medical look-over, checking my reflexes, mouth health, joint health and so on. She was aware of my heart condition, and was careful to keep a watchful eye on me. After she took my pulse she asked me if I had any chest pain or discomfort lately, which I took a minute before responding to. Closing my eyes and nodding my head once, she gave me a grave look, tight lipped and put her stethoscope down on the examining table. "Stay put. I'm going to get the Doctor." I nodded again. Laying back on the table I felt the pillow touch my head and my body relax. A short time later, Nurse Redheart reappeared with a deep brown coated stallion at her side. Doctor Roman had been my doctor since I had arrived in Equestria and had always taken good care of me. As Nurse Redheart told him what I told her, he stiffened and gave a grave, yet somber look. I knew what would happen next. I simply relaxed my body as the Doctor's horn came to life and began to scan my body, then focusing on my chest where my heart was. The blue aura of energy stayed there for a good five minutes before the doctor's horn faded and lowered his head. His eyes were closed as his head swiveled from side to side, signaling that something was indeed wrong. He left the room without another word. He returned roughly 15 minutes later, with a very worried looking Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie at his sides. Apparently they had been notified of the situation, which I was still unknowing of. "Jackson, I've been your doctor for a long time now and I think I know you pretty well," his deep voice sounded as Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle walked towards me. I felt a pit in my stomach form as the doctor continued to gaze at me. "I don't know quite how to say this, so I'll just come straight out with it." "Your condition has worsened. To the point where we can't repair the damage. I'm sorry Jackson, but there is no known treatment for this in Equestria. I give you two years to live." The silence that followed was almost deafening. Feeling like I had gotten slammed with a wagon full of bricks to the stomach, I swallowed nervously, not saying another word. To be honest, I felt heavy and unresponsive. I didn't even know that the Doctor and Nurse had left, along with Pinkie & Twilight. I felt darkness creeping in as I finally gave in. I drew my knees to my chest and buried my face into them. I sobbed for what seemed like hours, or minutes. I'll never know. Finally after I was finished, I walked to the entrance of my room. Glancing out of it and peering down the hallway, nopony was there. I put my hands into my pockets as I made my way slowly towards the entrance where Flitter was. Hearing me, she turned her head only to see my somber and depressed look. She gave a quizzical look, but decided not to say anything as I continued out of the entrance hall to the door. I stopped at the door, placing my hand on the cool glass. As I looked outside, ponies were going about their own lives, until I saw her. Roseluck stood at her vendor, down the street and across from the hospital. Once the customer had gone from her stand, her gaze lazily wandered across everything until it came to me, her expression unchanged, except for a small smile that spread across her muzzle. Her gentle green eyes smiled in themselves as I pushed open the glass door of the hospital. Meeting her gaze, I offered a meek smile in return as I turned down the street and decided to go home. Out of the corner of my left eye, I saw her turn her head to the left, furrowing her brow in the process. She left my outer vision as I continued down the street, with again, no clear destination in mind. Ten minutes later, I found myself in Ponyville Square, with ponies everywhere going about their day, until I saw Twilight. She was standing at fountain talking to the mayor, appearing to have just wrapped up some business. She did a double take as her eyes met me. Widening instantly, she slowly trotted over to me, again, pure silence reigning for a short moment. I bent down to my knees and simply, with no exchange of words, wrapped her in a tight, yet gentle hug. Neither of us said anything for a good long while, until we broke our hug, the purple mare placing a gentle hoof on my right shoulder, with watery eyes. She offered a weak smile as we continued to stand in silence. "Jackson I...I-I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry..." she said quietly, her front hooves crossed. A sharp, cold wind blew between us as we continued to stand in moderate silence. The wing was strong enough to blow my hair into my face, which I held to the left with my hand. "This was bound to happen sooner or later, Twilight," I said in a small voice. "It's time to make a few changes," I added as I straightened to my full height catching the mare off guard. Her expression brightened at my words and joined me at my side. She said nothing, but simply nodded as we walked together towards the Golden Oaks Library. We said nothing on our journey, but I could tell that each of our minds were working. Love is eternal. It's amazing what such a simple word can mean and do to a couple. It can build them up, make them strong, or completely destroy a life. Do not reject it even though it may be painful, as love will always find a way, even in the darkest of times. Change is it's ally. Change. That simple word had so much meaning now; and I planned to act upon it.