I remember the precise moment when Twilight showed up at my door.
It was a few minutes after noon on a chilly, but beautiful Friday. As always, the entirety of my focus was on one of my Fall projects: a magnificent cobalt sweater of acrylic yarn and fleece. There was more than enough time for me to to work on it, given that Sweetie Belle was at school and there was nothing distracting me from completing more than a couple orders. The sweater was a little something for myself—a sort of simple, but elegant piece that I had planned a few days prior. I just finished a stitch on one of the sleeves when a frantic rapping drew my attention to the door. "It's open!" I called, setting my glasses on the nearby desk. "Come on in!"
I couldn't help but flinch when the door was thrown open, revealing my alicorn friend on the other side. She obviously didn't mean to be so barbaric. Her reaction was the same as mine, but then she ignored the door and came galloping up to me. I could see the concern in her eyes as she spoke. "Rarity, Cheerilee sent me to find you," she said, her voice laced with urgency. "Sweetie Belle and her friends were in another accident."
"Oh, dear, what's the damage this time?" I asked. Sweetie Belle and her friends were notorious for their antics and, needless to say, it wasn't their first visit to the hospital. Experience lead me to believe that this was no different. At the same time, said experience wasn't going to quell the concern for my only sister's well-being either.
"I'm afraid not. All I know is that they were taken to the hospital not too long ago."
I gently ran a hoof over my mane to make sure that there wasn't a hair out of place. "All right, then," I said. "I shall take my leave. The sooner I get there, the sooner I know the details." Twilight simply nodded as I passed her on my way out the door, and she wordlessly followed behind me. We parted ways afterwards; she needed to retrieve Rainbow Dash and Applejack. So, alone, I made my way to Ponyville Hospital.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As soon as I entered the front lobby, the first pony I saw was Cheerilee. She was seated off to the left, her face buried in her hooves. I couldn't tell whether or not she was or had been crying, but her presence made my heart slowly sink. I felt an eagerness to know why she was there. Very few times did she show up at the hospital when the Crusaders were involved, like the time when my sister bruised some of her ribs upon falling off the playground's merry-go-round, or when Apple Bloom broke one of her hind legs when she leaped off a swing on a dare.
I kept my composure as I called out to her. My voice carried out the desired effect. Cheerilee's attention shifted to me, and only then did I see that her face was, thankfully, dry. Though she looked distressed, I felt better in the knowledge that no tears were shed. "Oh, Rarity," she said as she stood. "I-I'm so sorry about all of this."
"Don't worry about it, Cheerilee," I replied with a small smile. "What did my sister and her friends get themselves into this time?"
She looked away from me, as though ashamed, and my heart beat slightly faster at the sight. "The... The girls snuck away from the schoolyard during lunch," she replied. She spoke slowly in what I assumed was an attempt to properly articulate the situation. Yet, her voice cracked, and the sound made my heart sink. "I don't know when. I was inside grading papers. I-I didn't notice they were gone until I called the children inside. I recruited some of the students and divided them into pairs so it would be easier to find them." She drew in a long breath. "One of the groups found them at the hemlock grove outside town and they called for help, so they were already in a medical wagon by the time I arrived at the scene. The paramedic told me that the girls had gotten their h-hooves on a go-cart and—"
"Go-cart?" I gasped. I recalled Sweetie Belle mentioning the contraption on several occasions. But, last I heard, she was disappointed that it would be a while before it was officially finished.
The teacher nodded, then swallowed. I heard the soft "click" in her throat. "They... They crashed into one of the trees."
I blinked, my calm composure well maintained. "Well, they've had such mishaps before." It was true. I couldn't count the number of explosions, crashes, snake bites, burns, and schemes that they had gone through over the years. She knew that almost as well as I, so I didn't understand why was she acting all grim about the matter. "Children will be children, after all. I don't see what the—"
For the second time that afternoon, I was startled by the loud "thud" of a roughly-handled door. A blue blur flew past me like wind when I tried to investigate. Rainbow Dash...!
My pegasus friend skidded to a halt at the front desk, then she turned to face us. "Oh, hey Rarity, Cheerilee," she chuckled. "Sorry about that. As soon as I heard that Scoots and the other Crusaders were brought here, I high-tailed it."
The feathery sound of flapping wings signaled Twilight's arrival, as did her exasperated panting. "You 'high-tailed' it all right!" she breathily scolded as she approached. "Honestly, Rainbow, if you wanted to get over here so quickly you could've let me teleport you!"
"Don't mind her, Twilight," I interjected with a smile. "You know how she is."
My alicorn companion opened her mouth to speak. However, Cheerilee suddenly stepped between us—an action I found quite rude. "Is Applejack on her way, Princess?" she asked.
"Oh, yes, she is. She said something about finishing up her last chore, but she's definitely in the process of getting here." Having dealt with the interruption, she returned her attention to me. "So, what happened?"
I rolled my eyes. "The poor things crashed their go-cart."
"Aw, bummer," grumbled Rainbow. "They were workin' real hard on that."
"Indeed." I looked around the lobby. Unfortunately, there were no doctors nor nurses in sight. I thought to myself, I wish there was somepony here to tell us the location of their room.
It was a small prayer—one that was immediately answered when a tan-colored earth pony stallion clad in green scrubs emerged from the inner workings of the hospital. The bags beneath his eyes betrayed his exhaustion, as did his voice. "Good afternoon, ladies." He bowed his head. "Princess Twilight. I'm Doctor Halter. How may I help you today?"
I stepped forward. "We were wondering if you could tell us which room the Cutie Mark Crusaders are in, please."
"Pardon?"
"Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo," retorted Twilight. "They were brought in not too long ago. Does a go-cart crash ring a bell?"
The doctor's brow furrowed. "Ah, I see," he muttered slowly. I didn't like the apprehensive look on his face. "Yes, I know their—"
The door behind him was thrown open as a distraught nurse burst through it like a bat out of Tartarus. "Doctor Halter!" she cried. "Come quickly! The patient's bleeding again and her blood pressure is dropping!"
"Eternal night..." He wiped the beaded sweat from his forehead with the back of his hoof before he stomped it against the carpeted floor. "How did that happen? We just stabilized her! Ugh, nevermind. I'll be right there!" He looked towards us and he pointed to the set of doors on the left side of the lobby. "You're looking for Room #113. Please, excuse me, but I have to go!"
Watched him gallop away, and a thin thread of tension tightened between us. "Oh, dear," I whispered. "That sounded dire."
"Eh, it's a hospital," Rainbow Dash crudely commented. "Everything is dire here."
"Let's just go check up on the girls."
"May I come with you?" asked Cheerilee. "I don't want to impose, but..."
"I don't mind at all, darling. Rainbow Dash?"
"It's all good with me, Rares."
"Alright, let's be on our way then." With a trot in my step, my friends and I made our way to the patients' ward. There was little conversation. At least, there was little that I actually heard. All my thoughts were on Sweetie Belle; I had a bizarre eagerness to get to her. After we passed what seemed like an unusually-lengthy white corridor of rooms, we finally reached #113.
I didn't know what to expect when I opened that door, but it definitely wasn't what I saw with my own eyes. There was a nurse, who was not the same mare we saw before, tending to Scootaloo as Sweetie Belle slept. The young pegasus had sustained some sort of injury to her right eye, for it was covered with a freshly-applied medical eyepatch. I made my way over to the bed in which my sister was sound asleep, during which I made the observation that Apple Bloom was nowhere in sight. I found that strange.
Rainbow whistled. "Whoa, Scoots," she snickered. "What happened to you guys? Looks like you took quite a tumble."
Since Sweetie was resting, I listened to what Scootaloo had to say. She groaned and shifted uncomfortably on the bed. "The brakes on the stupid go-cart failed," she said. "We took it out to that large hill with the dead oak tree on it so we could give it a test run before lunch was over."
"Scootaloo," scolded Cheerilee. "You know better than to leave the schoolyard while school is still in session!"
"I know, but we had so much time left before class! We were gonna come back."
Tsk-ing, the nurse shook her head. "It was a foolish thing to do," she said. "You and your friend over there should count your blessings."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Twilight bite down on her bottom lip. "What about Apple Bloom?" she inquired. "Where is she?"
"In the O.R., I'm afraid."
I gasped in unison with the others. Tears gathered in Cheerilee's eyes. "Oh, no," she whispered. "What happened to her?"
"I wasn't on-scene, so I can't say for certain, but the poor filly hit the tree head-first. I'm afraid there was most certainly head trauma, though I don't know the extent." Sighing, she gathered up her supplies and headed out the door. "She's been in surgury since she was first brought in."
Fear crashed down upon me like a tidal wave. I wasn't the only one who felt the crushing blow, for I was not the only one to recollect the incident in the lobby. "Oh, stars," breathed Twilight, holding a hoof to her mouth. "You guys d-don't think that...?" She didn't need to finish for us to understand what she asked.
Albeit reluctantly, I nodded—carefully brushing my hoof over Sweete's mane. Rainbow Dash and Cheerilee's heads slowly bobbed up and down as well. Scootaloo, however, appeared confused as she glanced between us. "What?" she asked. "What don't you guys think? Apple Bloom is gonna be okay, right?"
Poor dear... I offered her a comforting smile. There were a few words I wished to speak to put the filly at ease, but her honorary (and, sometimes, unbelievably dense) sister opened her mouth first. "Listen, Scoots," she said hesitantly. I cringed, and caught a glimpse of my horn's aura as I instinctually reached out to my friend with my magic. "There was sort of a—"
It was fortunate I was able to clamp Rainbow's mouth shut before she spoke. "We can't say for sure, Scootaloo," I said in her place, though with much more tact. "Head injuries are no laughing matter." In the back of my mind, I repeatedly thanked the Royal Sisters for the fact that Sweetie wasn't afflicted by such an injury.
It was only natural that, with slightly wider eyes, the little pegasus asked, "Why?"
Clearing her throat, Twilight sat on the other side of her bed; she was soon joined by Cheerilee. It seemed that the two more... informed minds in the room had a proper explanation. Unfortunately, it wasn't something I needed to understand the severity of the situation. I continued to lovingly pet my sister's mane as I drowned out what was spoken. No, I needed not an explanation. I needed only to relish in the presence of my unharmed, slumbering sibling.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The room fell into an unnerving silence that lasted well over an hour. During that time, Scootaloo fell asleep, Rainbow Dash dozed off at the foot of her assigned bed, and Cheerilee thought it best to return to the school. There was still no word from any of the nurses or doctors regarding Apple Bloom's condition and her sister had not yet arrived. To top it all off, Sweetie Belle remained in a peaceful slumber. So, it was only a matter of time before I became restless. I needed to take a stroll—to breathe in some fresh air. "Twilight," I softly called. "Be a dear and watch over Sweetie Belle for me, will you? I need to take a step outside."
She nodded, yawning. In the opposite corner of the room, she didn't look all too comfortable in that metal chair she found. "Sure thing, Rarity," she said in reply. "Keep an eye out for Applejack while you're out, okay?"
"Of course, darling." As quietly as possible, I exited the room. The corridor remained barren of activity, so I was comfortable enough to take my time as I stretched my limbs. I felt better already, but I still needed fresh air in my lungs. Unlike most ponies, the scent of disinfectant affected me little. I was fond of the cleanliness of hospitals. It was a required cleanliness, but I liked it nonetheless. Unfortunately, the circumstance which lead me to the building caused me to tire of it rather quickly.
I didn't want to be there as long as the girls were there. They deserved to be within the sheltering walls of their homes, in their own beds and dreaming of more foalish schemes to obtain their cutie marks.
The tapping of my steps faintly echoed as I left the patients' ward. It was the only sound to fill the silence, until I opened one of the lobby doors and was greeted with a wayward cloud of glitter and the familiar scent of cake frosting. Pinkie Pie just arrived and, being the exuberant mare she was, she came with cake and balloons. It was a simple cake: double chocolate with wordless strawberry frosting—more than enough for three hungry fillies. "Rarity!" she called in a singsong voice. "I brought cake! Oh, and Applejack!"
I leaned to the side to look behind her and, sure enough, Applejack walked in behind her. She greeted me with a, "Howdy, Rarity," and a tip of her hat.
"Goodness gracious, Applejack," I replied sharply. "Where have you been?"
She raised a brow, as though I had spontaneously sprouted another head. "What're you talkin' about? I told Twilight to tell y'all that I had some stuff to finish up. It ain't a big deal."
I knew better than to make accusations. She wasn't aware of her sister's condition. I should have told her right then and there. But, Celestia help me, I didn't know how to tell her. It was ridiculous. All I had to do was open my mouth and tell her that Apple Bloom was in surgury, then proceed to properly explain the circumstance.
Unfortunately, my hesitation was costly, and I lost the chance to tell her myself.
I heard a door open. Automatically, I turned my head and I saw Doctor Halter emerge once more. He didn't see us at first. His head was lowered as he dragged himself behind the front desk. He didn't look well. I prayed that fatigue was to blame. He poured himself a cup of coffee; I heard the liquid pour into the cup, and the scent betrayed the hot drink's identity. Soon, with his coffee in hoof, he took a seat at the desk with a tired grunt.
"What's his deal?" asked Applejack quietly. "Poor fella looks like he lost an arguement with an Ursa Major."
Pinkie Pie would have none of that, apparently. She bounced over to him. "What's up, Doc?" she exclaimed, grinning widely as she leaped onto the desk. If she expected a warm reception, she was mistaken. Her greeting was met with a regurgitated mouthful of coffee. She remained smiling, however. She had asked a question, so she eagerly awaited his answer.
Wide-eyed, Doctor Halter wiped the remaining drink from his chin and he cleared his throat. "Oh, Miss Pinkie," he said. "What are you doing here?"
She eased herself off the marble surface—surprisingly careful with the cake she still held. "It's super-duper good to see you, too!" She held the dish out to him. "Want some cake? You look like you need some cake!" She realized her mistake right away and she frowned, looking down at the baked good. "Oh, wait, my bad. This one is for the Crusaders." The frown then vanished as hastily as it appeared. "No biggie! I'll bring you one as soon as I can!"
Despite his earlier alarm and confusion, the surgeon's expression softened. "Thank you, Pinkie," he replied. He slid his cup aside. "I could certainly use a cake on a day like this."
"Well, don't worry, I'll bake it and deliver it myself!"
"Again, you have my thanks."
"No problem! Say, can you tell us where the Crusaders are? I kinda have to give them their cake before it gets cold."
A small lump coagulated in my throat when Doctor Halter's pupils shrank to pin-pricks. Again, he cleared his throat. "Yes, well," he said, "you're looking for room #113. Little Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are there."
Applejack moved from my side and approached the desk. "What about Apple Bloom? What room is she in?"
Previously unaware of our presence, he was startled by her voice. He then froze upon seeing her. His mouth moved a few times, but no words came forth. Pinkie Pie's head tilted in confusion before she cautiously placed her hoof on his shoulder and gave him a gentle shake. "Doctor?" she whispered. "Yoo-hoo!"
He looked at her, he glanced at me, and then his gaze fixed on Applejack as he left his seat. I saw the sweat on his brow as he neared. "Miss... Miss Applejack," he said. "I need you to come with me for a moment, please."
She eyed him suspiciously. "Why?"
"It concerns your sister."
"Aw, ponyfeathers, she broke somethin', didn't she?"
"Follow me and I'll explain—"
"Shoot, Doc, spit it out! You don't have 'ta beat around the bush. If you need to keep her here for a few days, then just tell me already!"
Doctor Halter looked at me once more, then at Pinkie. "Are you certain?"
"As sure as I'm standin' here, Doc."
"Very well. Please, all of you, take a seat."
We did as he asked and we seated ourselves. Applejack sat between Pinkie and I as the surgeon stood before us. "Now," he began, "when your sister was brought in, we had to take her into the operating room right away. She sustained a severe head injury from hitting one of the trees upon crashing the go-cart that she and her friends were riding."
My friend's ears pressed firmly against her head as she removed her hat. "I know about the go-cart," she replied softly. "Apple Bloom was so darn excited about it. I had trouble gettin' her to turn in for the night a few times. You... You were able to fix her noggin, right?"
"Miss Applejack, Apple Bloom's skull was fractured. We... tried to fix it, but the bone fragments that resulted from the injury lacerated—cut—through the veins in her head like a knife through butter. There was a substantial accumulation of blood inside her skull that caused pressure on her brain. The pressure began almost as soon as her head hit the tree and there's no telling how long it took before the emergency wagon reached her. We drained the blood, but it wasn't enough."
My composure began to waver as he spoke. I already knew, but I didn't want to acknowledge it. Part of me hoped that I heard him wrong—that he would turn around and tell us that, against all odds, they were able to stabilize Apple Bloom. My hoof trembled as I wiped away a stray tear. I was almost too afraid to look at Applejack. It was easy to tell myself that none of it was real if I didn't look at her. But, ever so slowly, I turned my head in her direction.
Yet, my eyes were first drawn to Pinkie.
It was probably because her mane was... lackluster. It was always so gorgeously curly and robust. Although, it had a habit of reflecting her mood during those rare occasions when it changed. Unfortunately, it was one of those occasions, and her mane became deflated-looking as a result. She didn't even try to hide her dread behind a conjured smile. No, her eyes were as round as dinner plates and they glistened with moisture; the cake vibrated in her shaking hooves. Unlike myself, her attention was on our dear friend.
So, I mustered the courage to do the same. My heart nearly split in two at what I saw. Applejack knew. One could see it in her eyes as she struggled to hold back tears. The poor dear was trying to keep it together. Then, she asked, "What're you sayin', Doc?"
Doctor Halter took a deep breath as he gently took one of her hooves into his own. "I'm so, so sorry, Miss Applejack, but we weren't able to save your sister. She is dead."
I quickly covered my mouth to stifle the sob that escaped my throat, and there was a "splat!" on the floor as Pinkie's cake escaped her quaking grasp. Apple Bloom? Sweet, innocent Apple Bloom, dead? Yes, I knew before Doctor Halter was straightforward about it, but even then I still didn't want to believe him. I didn't want to believe that somepony I knew, somepony who was so young, was taken so gruesomely from us.
And neither did Applejack. "No..." she whispered, squeezing her eyes shut. "No...! You're... You're lyin'!"
Doctor Halter took a step back. "Miss Applejack, please understand—"
She shook her head and she slapped the stallion's hoof away. "She ain't dead!" she shrieked.
Pinkie and I recoiled in shock as our friend suddenly leaped out of her chair and bolted past the surgeon—crying out for her little sister. We and Doctor Halter immediately galloped after her. I stumbled over my own hooves more times than I wished to admit as we chased her through the bleach-white corridors. I forgot how fast she was. We weren't able to catch up with her until she burst through the doors of the operating room. Then, a haunting, high-pitched wail reverberated off the sanitized walls.
The doctor was the first to enter after her, followed by Pinkie and then myself. Without warning, everything became too real far too quickly. Every available nurse was frozen in their tracks as they watched Applejack sob uncontrollably over the body on the metal table. It was Apple Bloom's body, covered with a blood-speckled sheet. At that moment, I didn't care that my mascara was running as tears finally spilled down my cheeks like rain. I walked towards Applejack in an attempt to offer her some form of comfort.
I stepped on something then. It was something soft. At first, I thought it was nothing more than gauze, until I looked down and saw pink fabric. It was Apple Bloom's bow, tattered and stained with her own blood. It was... too much for me to bear. The room began to spin, followed by the feeling that my body was plummeting from a great height. I distinctly remember pink forelegs wrapping tightly around me before my body had the chance to fall upon the crimson-smeared floor.
Blissful darkness came soon after.