I vaguely recall what just happened. Trixie was shouting something and then tried to whip me, only ending up doing it to herself. I found the sight amusing and exploded in laughter. In hindsight, I should’ve taken it easy. The sudden burst of energy was pretty risky considering my age and condition. I remember that violent coughing episode. I started to cough up blood. Everything got blurry after that. I could hear faint voices and what I think was Forest. I felt some pushing on my chest.
I blacked out. After a few minutes, I woke up. Apparently, Forest just saved my life. Not long after, some medics and the others showed up. Dashie came to my side and held my hand. I squeezed her hoof tightly, as if she was my lifeline.
The medics got me on a stretcher and took me out of that place. What happened to Trixie, I don’t know. As for why Forest saved me, he probably wanted to look good in front of the others. Maybe…he actually wanted to save me? Nah. I fall back to sleep as the event leaves me exhausted.
The dreams were so surreal. I dreamt of me when I first found Dashie. It was on the off chance that I went back to get a look at it. If it weren’t for my annoying stupidity, this life wouldn’t exist. I would probably be miserable for the rest of my life. The scared look that she first gave me was replaced by a smile. A smile that was warm and loving.
Beep. Beep. I woke up as soon as I picked her up from the box. I can feel the tube in my arm to give me water. I feel naked, like my butt was feeling on the bed. My clothes were taken off as I checked under the covers. I had a hospital gown on.
“Dad!” Screamed the beautiful voice beside me. I turn my head and see Dashie sitting next to me. She grabbed me and didn’t let go. “I was so worried. I stayed here all night to make sure everything was okay.” She grips my even harder. I can’t think of anything to say so I do the next most sensible thing. I pat her on the back as I calmly say “There, there.”
She bursts into laughter and tears upon hearing my voice. Her laughter is quickly interrupted by another voice. “Hey! You’re finally awake! I wasn’t sure what kind of balloon or cake would be good for hospitals so I brought every kind.” Pinkie screamed in my face as she pulled out a small cart. Surprisingly, about fifty caked came out of the two foot container.
She also motioned her hoof upward to gain my attention. I look up and my mouth goes completely open so that a fly can make his home in me. The entire ceiling was covered in balloons. They were almost close enough to touch my hair.
“How did you do all of this?” Dashie shakes her head at me. “You did it now Pops.” “Pinkie pulled out a hat and cane out of nowhere. “WELL……All you need is a couple of balloons and add it to the roof. Then you get some cakes , not too big, to put some extra poof. Making life happy is so fun, throwing parties just forever. So come on and get down, we can just dance whenever! Parties, so fun and happy. Parties, let’s get to clapping. Parties. Parties. Parties. Parties!!”
She slid across the floor as she said the final party. She was now gasping for air. “That was…nice, Pinkie!” She smiled at me. “Thanks Brian! So which cake do you wa-“ “Shut up! I’m trying to get some sleep here!” Screamed a voice down the hall. “I think he’s right, Pinkie.” Dashie said sympathetically.
Pinkie’s hair deflated. “Awww…..and I worked so hard.” The doctor came in and looked all around the room. The stethoscope he had in his mouth dropped, making a loud pinging noise. “What in Celestia?” He said in disbelief. He recovered by shaking his head a few times. “Anyway, nice to see you are awake Mr. Dash. I was wondering if I can speak to you in private. “
I nodded and the two ponies left my room. “Wait Pinkie!” I said calling out to her. She looked at me with big puppy dog eyes. I took a cake and took a bite. Her hair inflated again and she was back to her old self. She smiled so much, that I actually saw her mouth lines go beyond the shape of her head. ‘What the hell.’ I thought.
They closed the door behind them. And I turned my attention back to the doctor. “So doc, what’s the prognosis?”
---------------------------
Me and Pinkie left the room. Pinkie was bouncing around, cheering with each step. I wanted to know what was up. I put my ear to the door to hear what was going on. I suddenly hear and feel loud breathing on me. “It’s not nice to eavesdrop.” Pinkie said loudly in my ear.
“I’m not eavesdropping. I’m…uhh……hearing the news! Yeah that’s it!” She tilted her head at me and gave me an inquisitive look. “Well…if you say so. But I want to hear what’s up too!” She stood on top of me and did the same thing I was doing. Surprisingly, she doesn’t way that much, even after eating all those sweets.
“Mr. Dash, are you aware of what happened?” “Not really, I know that once I started coughing, somepony rushed up and started hitting my chest.” Dad said unsurely. “Well, you are correct. Some young colt named ‘Forest’ saved you. You should consider yourself lucky he was there.” Dad answered the doctor’s statement a bit sarcastically. “Yeah, lucky…”
“So how’s the condition looking, doc? “We did all of the test we could, everything leading back to the same conclusion. The disease is somehow growing. Even with all of the precautions we took.” Dad yelled in disbelief. “What!? I thought it was barely going to show up.” “So did we..but it seems to have proved it wrong.”
A long awkward silence fell upon the room the two were in. I nudged my ear closer to the door to make sure I wasn’t too far. Dad spoke up again. Almost in a whisper. “How long?” The doctor was shuffling around, unsure and nervous to answer Pops. “I’m afraid not long. A week, a month at the best.”
Dad let out a sigh. “So, this is how it ends? I go out like this, and I even get to know an approximation.” The doctor moved closer and whispered something I can barely make out. “Make your peace, sir.” I can hear dad moving around in his bed, unsure of what to think. He then starts letting out a sound that I thought he wouldn’t even consider at a time like this.
--------------------------------
“HAHAHAHAHA!” I laughed out in sheer anger and fear. The doctor looked at me as if I were a madman. I could hear some crashing from the door. Who could blame me though? The very thing that I’ve been fighting to stop is now taking me. It was now going to stomp on my hopes and dreams, my fire that burned for Dashie’s love. A couple of minutes pass when my laughter dies down.
I can feel cold brush up on my face. The room had a draft, me knowing only because of the tears picking up on it. The doctor finally understood and nodded at me in acknowledgement. He walked away slowly and opened the door. “You can leave whenever you like, Mr. Dash. I hope this doesn’t end this way.” He said in a very sincere voice.
I wiped my face and was ready to confront Dashie and Pinkie about this. They stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to say. They slowly trotted over to the bed. “Dashie, Pinkie, I have something to tel-“ Dashie and Pinkie both shoved their hooves in my mouth. “We know.” They said in unison.
We all embraced each other in a circle of love. All of us were sobbing and sniffling. Nothing was said as we all thought the same thing. We knew what the other was to say. All we did, was hug.