//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 - A Look Back // Story: The Best Time of Our Lives // by ThisIsMyFateNow //------------------------------// A wracking cough forced the filly to sit upright as she brought her hooves up to try and cover her mouth. Gasping for breath as the cough subsides, she flopped back down, a shiver running through her frail body. Weakly, the white unicorn reached over to the nightstand to pick up the glass of water with her hooves, too tired to even use her magic. Bringing the water to her lips, she drank deeply, the water trying to sooth the burning sensation in the back of her throat. With a pained sigh, she set the now empty glass back on the table and weekly tried to call out “Mom.” Voice a rasping scratch barely audible to any ears other than her own. Summoning the last of her magic reserves, she tugs weakly at the cord next to the door, a bell resonating throughout the house. Quickly the sound of trotting hooves could be heard as two unicorns entered the room. A dainty mare with a brilliant yellow coat and a musical staff of a cutie mark rushes to the bedside as a stallion in a white labcoat with a red cross cutie mark looks on in concern. Vinyl’s mom, Charming Octave, noted the empty water glass. “Do you need more water sweetie?” she asked, concern painted on her face. Nodding, Vinyl opened her mouth to speak, but no sound emerged. Looking back at the doctor in fear, Charming levitates the glass and turns back to Vinyl, “Now, Doctor Cross is going to examine you to see if there’s any improvement while I get you a fresh glass of water.” With that, she trots off, concern still evident on her face as the Doctor approaches the sick filly, stethoscope already in place. A light blue aura of magic enveloped the medical device and gently brought one end to rest on the filly’s chest. As the doctor started to perform his checks on the frail filly, she was wracked by another bout of coughing, leaving her gasping for air. Hurriedly, the doctor finished with stethoscope and lowered his head, using his magic to run a full magical exam. As the magic coursed through her body, the doctor’s face grows increasingly worried. Noting the expression on Doctor Cross’s face, Vinyl can’t help but shudder as she sees his expression grow ever darker. All of her inner musings are brought to a halt as Charming returns with a fresh glass of water, handing it to the filly. Shaking slightly, Vinyl managed to drink some of the water, the rest splashing over her face and onto the bed. Sighing, the doctor motioned Charming to a corner of the room. “She’s not improved at all,” he said with a sigh. “Right now, all we can do is try and make her comfortable, but in my opinion, she’s not going to survive the night.” Eyes welling with tears, the mare looked pleadingly at the doctor “Is there anything I can do? Anything at all?” “We’ve tried everything ma’am. I don’t know what exactly is causing this, but her body just doesn’t have the energy to keep fighting anymore. I’ve seen her eat plates of food with no result. It’s like her body has given up.” “What if she was able to take in more energy? Do you think that would help?” “Madam, what you’re suggesting is suicide! I can not in good conscious allow you to do that!” After a brief pause the yellow mare sighed. “Thank you doctor. I guess for now, I will just make her as comfortable as I can,” she said before trotting back to the sick filly and giving her a loving and tender nuzzle. Doctor Cross gathers up his instruments before turning back to the other two in the room. “I shall be at my office if you me for anything else, madam,” he says before trotting out. Sinking back into the deep pillows on the bed, Vinyl fitfully went back to sleep. As terrible nightmares caused the sleeping Vinyl to toss and turn, they were rapidly abolished by a steadily growing light. One that shattered the various monsters it touched. Staggering back from the intensity of the light, Vinyl blinks, and is slowly awakened by the same light, illuminating her bedroom. Glancing at the source, she sees that the light is coming from the horn of a unicorn. She throws her hooves up to shield her eyes as the light grows brighter. As she tries to discern the source of the light, she felt a renewed strength flow through her as a strange magic coursed through her body. Feeling the magic start to burn her from within, she opens her mouth to scream but no sounds emerge. Rapidly, the pain overwhelmed her and second before she passes out she barely hears “I love you.” ~~~ Vinyl sits up suddenly, shuddering at the memory of her recurring dream. As tears stream down her face, she repositions herself, clutching a pillow to her body, trying to fall back to sleep. Sobs wracking her body, she lays there until the sun comes up, calling her to get ready for another day of school.