"So, let me get dis straight. Wisteria told ya dat there is 'undreds of ways dis mission can go? And we'll never know if a choice can lead to our deaths? AND YA OKAY WITH DIS!?"
Firecracker shouted, glaring at Time Turner as they walked along the train tracks.
" C'mon Firecracker, your not being fair! Turner is under enough stress already! He's the one who knows where we're supposed to go and is leading us! Please save your comments when he is actually listening! Look at him, he's delirious!"
Quill scolded, gesturing toward Turner.
Turner was walking 5 feet away from the mares, mumbling to himself and glancing at the book for the guidance of the map. There were dark bags under his eyes from his restless sleep and his eyes were still shifty after what he had witnessed the night before. Quill had offered multiple times to help him with the map and the notes, but he always brushed it aside, saying he could do it himself.
However, Quill knew him better than that. She could clearly tell he was unwell. The tension of the journey was really hurting him, physically and mentally. She wished she could help him.
"Ugh..."
a ragged moan interrupted Quill's thoughts. She turned to find Turner collapsed in the grass, the book wide open next to him.
"Turner! What's wrong? Are you alright!?"
Quill asked quickly, rushing to his side.
"*ragged cough* Yeah, if course. I'm *cough* fine."
Turner answered, shakily rising to his hooves.
"Well obviously not!"
Firecracker contradicted, lifting her hoof to his forehead.
"Turner, ya burnin' up! It has'ta be your lack of sleep, ya got ya'self weak and now we gotta find a way to get ya and da book to Horseshoe Bay safely and in one piece!"
Firecracker ranted, sending Turner stumbling backwards.
"Stop treating me like a foal! I can take care of *cough* myself."
Turner argued, a coughing fit taking over.
Quill decided to lessen the tension in the air.
"Time Turner, as much as it will surprise you, you're wrong. You haven't been getting much sleep lately and your worrying constantly about Ash Brush, that isn't healthy! Not to mention how you aren't used to rough travel like me or Firecracker, so exhaustion probably has a part to play too. Let's just find a place to settle down so you can rest and we'll be back on the road in no time!"
Quill explained. Quill glanced around trying to find a good camping spot. Her eyes fell on a sign pointing toward a nearby city.
"No...I...can't..."
Turner tried, slumping forward tiredly. She helped him to his hooves once more.
"Firecracker, lift Turner with your magic and follow me."
She ordered.
"Where are we goin?"
she asked as she levitated Turner over her head.
"We're going to Baltimare."
Quill replied.
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20 minutes later, the trio was walking up to a hotel in the center of the city. Quill didn't notice, but Firecracker was screaming for joy inside her mind at the thought of sleeping in an actual city. The days spent sleeping on rocks and under trees had been so strange to her, so it felt good to be back to her old ways.
As Quill checked them into a room, she took the opportunity to ask a question to the desk pony.
"Um, excuse me? Do you happen to know where I can get medicine around here? Good medicine. That can heal in a day or two?"
Quill asked nervously. The pony looked at her strangely.
"Eh, try Neiging village, plenty of weird, magical remedies that fit that description are being sold there."
The pony said, sounding as if the remedies were more like poisons.
Quill didn't notice though.
"Oh! Thank you very much!"
she shouted, running back to the room they'd payed for to share the good news.
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"... and all we need to do is find the right remedy and Turner will be back on his hooves in a day or so."
Quill finished, earning strange looks from one of her comrades. Firecracker thought a moment.
"Do ya think I should go? I know how ta navigate through a city quickly."
Firecracker suggested.
"Usually I would, but this medicine is REALLY important. If you even accidentally scare somepony, our chances of helping Turner and having you go unnoticed by the authorities will be slim to none. So i'll take care of it."
Quill replied, pulling on her saddle bag.
"What am I supposed ta do then?!"
Firecracker moaned. Quill looked to Turner's bed, where he slept peacefully.
"Look out for him until I get back. Make sure he gets plenty of food, fluids, and rest. That's pretty much all you can do right now. I'll be back soon."
Quill said, walking out the door, leaving a shocked unicorn next to a sick pony's bed.
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