A sickly smell hung in the heavily medicated air of the Royal Canterlot hospital. The waiting chairs were a dull blue, contrasted with the bright neon colors of the ponies that sat on them. Magenta Glimmer sat in one, too big for her small filly body. Tears still fell from her eyes, ones that the police officer kept wiping away with a trembling hoof. A cherry red stallion with a pink rose colored mane and tail was drinking a large bottle of frothy liquid.
What the liquid was, they did not know. Whatever it was, it stank something awful. The stallion was sitting with a colorless mare with a very long mane and tail. A paintbrush dipped in cherry red paint was on her flank. She was staring at the floor with a sad gaze, as if the scene before her had been seen far too many times.
The stallion had no concern whatsoever with the scene. He kept making comments about the green Unicorn mare in the front desk who was typing at a typewriter with her hooves, her horn casting a teal aura over a file of papers. Maroon rimmed glasses were perched onto her nose. The comments were seemingly upsetting the colorless mare, but she didn't say anything to the stallion. Whenever the police officer looked at him, her nose nose wrinkled in distaste.
That stallion was completely disrespectful at the least. A pink Pegasus mare in a white nurse coat with a light purple mane and tail, and a light blue Earth Pony with a dark blue mane and tail walked out from the light green doors and went toward the filly and police officer. The Pegasus was holding a clipboard, and kept scribbling on it with a black pen. The constant scratching noise of the pen moving across the paper was enough to set any pony on edge. “Mrs. Glimmer?”
The light blue Earth Pony asked, a dark blue eyebrow raised at the police officer. The police officer shook her head. “No, I'm not related to the colt, I just brought his daughter to the hospital.” The Earth Pony nodded. “Well, then.”
He turned to Magenta Glimmer. “Miss Glimmer?” The filly looked up at him with teary eyes. The Earth Pony cleared his throat. “I'm Dr. Cross.
Do you have a Mommy that will be coming soon?” Magenta Glimmer paused, then shrugged. The Pegasus eyes raised once from the clipboard, and gave the filly a saddened glance, before she gave a rather nasty one to the cherry red stallion. Her feathers ruffled. The stallion's attention was pulled toward them by the filly's lack of spoken reply.
The colorless mare kept staring at the floor, as if by not noticing the group, she could deny their existence. Dr. Cross stared at the filly. “Well...You don't know?” Magenta Glimmer wiped her eyes, sniffling. “Dada always said that she was with the...the angels.”
Her voice cracked, and she broke into a sob. Dr. Cross's face fell, and the Pegasus mare openly glared at the cherry red stallion who was coming over. The police officer's eyes narrowed, as upon closer inspection, she saw a very troublesome pony. “Cherry Cider.” She said, teeth gritted.
Cherry Cider gave her a bored expression. “Miss Golden Badge. Here to tell the hospital that they are selling illegal medicine?” The rude comment sliced through the air, causing Cherry Cider to receive looks of dislike from the three grownups. The colorless mare finally got up, and began to walk over slowly.
Cherry Cider gave the filly a dismissive glance. “Did the colt make it or not?” He asked curtly. The Pegasus mare's pen made a very loud snapping sound as it broke from being pressed too hard. Dr. Cross glared.
“He is...” The doctor glanced at the filly before whispering. “deceased.” The colorless mare, who arrived beside Cherry Cider in time to hear the last sentence, winced. Cherry Cider nodded, then looked at the filly again.
“Is this it?” He asked. “Is what it, Cherry Cider?” The words that were rather quiet in volume, was like a whip brought across Cherry Cider's back. He winced, and looked behind him.
The green Unicorn stared at him from the rim of her maroon glasses. Her gaze was cold as ice, and as sharp as a freshly sharpened sword. Golden Badge remembered that the green Unicorn was only a hoof away from dialing the police, allowing Golden Badge to arrest him. Cherry Cider winced again and hastily retreated. “N-nothing.”
Cherry Cider waved a hoof at the mare. "Brushing Paint!" Brushing Paint came over and stroked the filly's mane. "Yes?" Cherry Cider jerked his head.
"Let's go. This bottle is getting empty." Brushing Paint scooped up the filly and placed her on her back. Golden Badge watched them leave with a helpless look on her face. Dr. Cross sighed and glanced at the Pegasus mare.
She just shook her head. Cherry Cider grabbed a saddle bag that was rather worn from use. But the stitching of the bag was very fine as if the maker was making this for someone who they cared for a lot. A barely visible name was on the bags. Crimson Flame.
The name was surrounded by a crimson red heart drawn by marker. Outside the hospital was a well, and a few well trimmed trees. Magenta Glimmer said. "Don't take me! My Dada needs to come get me!"
Cherry Cider jerked to a stop. Brushing Paint didn't stop, but kept going. A cab that seemed to have been called was waiting. Brushing Paint nodded at it. She went to the cab, and opened the door.
Magenta Glimmer was in such a position that she was able to see the expression that was on Cherry Cider's face. It was not one of anger. It was one of sudden remembrance. As if her words were familiar with him. He looked at her oddly.
"...You really want him to come back, don't you?" She nodded eagerly. Cherry Cider's face became thoughtful. "Well..." A rare moment of compassion was on his face as he took a bit from his saddle bags.
His hoof paused at the name. Then after he grabbed the bit, his hoof moved in such a way that his hoof gently stroked the name without looking like he had done that on purpose. "Here, filly. Toss this into that well nearby." She took the bit from Cherry Cider's hoof.
Brushing Paint lifted the filly down and allowed her to walk over to the well. Magenta Glimmer tossed the bit into the water. A tear hit the water as well. "I...I want my Dada to come back. Please."
The new house was awful at best. It smelled heavily of cider, and she was certain that there were spiders and mice. Magenta Glimmer felt tears pouring from her eyes again. But she had to be brave. Her Dada was going to come back.
One day. This Brushing Paint said so. She had asked her after making the wish. Brushing Paint had nodded yes. But there had been an odd look on her face.
One that could be described as...pity? But she really wanted him to hurry up. The food was terrible. Crackers, chips, candy, soda, and all sorts of junk food was what they got if they got anything at all. And most of these were out of date so they got stomach aches.
All her belongings were taken away. No clothes were given to her. No baths. One good thing at first was no vegetables. But after a while she began to miss the icky green stuff she had to eat.
She really missed fruit. Especially apples. She had loved apples. Her father had made her Apple Pie with cream and chocolate frosting. It was weird, but good.
It was a treat that they enjoyed. Magenta Glimmer made an effort to play with the toys, but didn't do much. The floor was littered with them. The other foals and fillies cried off and on. Brushing Paint was spread rather thin.
Magenta Glimmer curled under a blanket. She cried. "Dada..." A hiccup came out. "Dada…"
Suddenly a scream rang out. It was Brushing Paint. Magenta Glimmer cried louder. Then she grew silent. Hoof steps were walking up the stairs.
They weren't Cherry Cider's hoof steps. Or Brushing Paint's. Someone else was walking up the stairs. Slowly. Creak after creak came forward.
An odd feeling came over her. Almost like she was expecting someone. Then silence. She gave another faint cry. The door opened slowly.
Magenta Glimmer held her breath. Nothing happened for a few seconds. Her heart was beating fast. Then a hoof touched her back. Off came the blanket.
She looked up at a face. It was black and shiny. A twisted horn was on its forehead. Greenish blue pupil-less eyes stared at her with a mixture of confusion and sadness. Magenta Glimmer stared at him back.
The pony looked very much like a costume that her Dada had worn one Nightmare Night long ago. She wasn't scared. The pony glanced at a sign that hung over the cradle, and frowned. He lifted a hoof and touched her. She felt a burst of joy.
The costume disappeared, revealing her father. He looked slightly different. But they had the exact same eyes. Slowly, just to make sure he wasn't something that would disappear, she touched his hoof. He was solid, and real.
She looked into his eyes. They were full of tears. Happy tears, probably. She grinned, and nuzzled the hoof. “Dada!”
She cried out. Holding him with both hooves, she cooed with happiness. Her father was going to take her away from this awful place! She couldn't help but feel wonderful. Her father lifted her from the cradle and placed her on his back.
Magenta Glimmer cooed again. He smiled at her. Then everything turned pink. Suddenly, they were flying in the air with no explanation. She looked at her father, who only scooped her up and placed her on his chest.
Holding her tightly with his hooves, she watched as the awful place vanished. Magenta Glimmer felt…happy. Very happy indeed.