//------------------------------// // Sickly - Nebula Star // Story: TwiDash Prompt Collab // by TwiDashCollabs //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash winced and tried not to stumble or spill the tray she carried on her back as the entire castle shook. It was only thanks to her wings that she managed to keep the tray steady. That was a big one… she thought and hurried on her way, a little worried about what she’d find at her destination. Two more tremors shook the castle by the time she got there. Hesitantly, she pushed the door open to Twilight’s bedroom. “Is it safe to come in?” A groan came from the direction of the bed. “Probably not.” “I’ll just have to stay on guard then,” Rainbow told her with a slight grin, and stepped in. The room was a disaster, despite most of her possessions having been removed from the room as soon as she’d realized what she was coming down with. Scorch marks covered the walls, two of which were still smoldering. The carpet was shredded and the drapes were in tatters. There was also a giant orange were there should have been a large dresser, and one of the bed posts sported a bushy mustache near the top. “I brought you some hot soup,” Rainbow told her as she trotted over to the bedside. A corner of the bed’s comforter was blackened and smoking. “Thanks, Rainbow,” Twilight said with a weak smile. She didn't look much better than her room. Her mane was a mess, hairs sticking out, every which way; some, like her horn, appeared to have been burnt at the ends. Her eyes were bloodshot and appeared glossed over, and her snout looked sore and slightly swollen. Even her coat seemed faded and was matted in places after days in bed. “I’m just glad I can help,” Rainbow said, sliding the tray off her back onto the bedside table that had so far escaped the carnage. “That smells goo… uh… ah... Ah…!” Rainbow realized what was about to happen and leaped back as Twilight scrunched up her snout, trying in vain to stop the inevitable. “…CHOO!” A wave of magic erupted from her horn as she sneezed, slamming Rainbow into the wall and shaking the castle. Years of stunt practice allowed her to recover quickly from the impact, and it was a good thing too. After the initial blast, Twilight flopped back in the bed, too dizzy to even sit up as lightning sparked from her horn, evidence of a powerful magic charge that would have to be released faster than Twilight could control. Spells began leaping at random from the alicorn’s horn. Most would be harmless enough as Twilight didn't know a lot of combat magic, but there were a few that could cause some damage. Rainbow ducked one spell then threw herself into the air as another struck the ground where she’d just been. Two more spells were coming her way and she twisted her wings, throwing herself into a roll, dodging the beams of unknown magic only to find a third that she hadn't seen headed straight for her. There was nothing she could do, the spell hit her and with a bright flash, she fell to the floor. “Rainbow!” Twilight cried, having seen Rainbow take the hit. Silence descended over the room as the last of the out of control magic dissipated. “Rainbow?” Twilight repeated, almost a whimper, unable to see her past the edge of the bed and afraid to lift her head and look. “I’m alright.” Rainbow answered finally and with a slight groan, stood up. Something did feel off though. “At least I think I am…” Twilight’s eyes widened and she covered her mouth in shock. Then she laughed. “What?” Rainbow asked, looking herself over to see what was so funny. She found out when she looked over her shoulder. In place of her normal wings were two translucent butterfly wings with a rainbow of colors matching her mane and tail. “Heh, well that’s new…” “I’m sorry, Rainbow.” Twilight said, smiling apologetically. “Don’t worry about it, Twi,” Rainbow told her with a shrug. “But, your wings…” “They’ll go back to normal when the spell wears off right?” She nodded. “Yes, but…” “Then don’t worry about it, I can handle being a butterfly pony for a few days.” Twilight smiled sadly. “You shouldn't be risking yourself like this. I’ll be alright…” “I’m not about to let you suffer alone,” she said firmly as she sat by the side of the bed and picked up the bowl of soup from the miraculously lucky table that had once again escaped harm. “But you could get hurt!” “Hey, you stuck by my side the entire time when I had the feather flu. I wouldn't be much of a marefriend if I didn't do the same.” “The feather flu doesn't cause traumatic discharges that could take off a pony’s head.” Twilight replied in a flat tone. Rainbow just shrugged. “Only if they hit you.” “But…” “Twi, shut up and eat your soup,” Rainbow told her, holding out a spoonful of the hot broth and vegetables. Twilight just smiled sadly and accepted the food, knowing all too well that she was too weak to feed herself, but worried all the same that Rainbow could get hurt. It was clear though that the pegasus wasn't going to leave her, no matter the danger. And as Rainbow again fed her, nursing her through her illness as she had been for the past three days, Twilight couldn't help but wonder how she’d come to deserve such a devoted marefriend.