//------------------------------// // Saturday: Hospital Visits // Story: Octavia Takes The Bus // by TheDorkside99 //------------------------------// “C’mon now, Apple Bloom. Work with me.” “I don’t wanna eat! I’m not hungry!” Apple Bloom pushed the spoonful of vegetable soup away from her mouth, causing some to spill on the white floor of the hospital room. “If you don’t eat your food, you ain’t gonna feel any better!” “But I don’t wanna! I feel sick.” “I know, sugar cube,” said her big sister, running her hoof over her red unkempt mane. “But it’s important to keep your body strong so it can fight off the bad stuff in your lil’ tummy.” “Well that don’t make much sense. How does putting stuff in my sick tummy make my tummy feel better? Wouldn’t it hurt it more?” “Dontcha wanna get outta here and see your friends again?” “Of course I do,” the little filly yelled. “I miss goin’ to Miss Cheerliee’s class. I miss Scootaloo and Snips and Snails and Pipsqueak, and even Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara!” “Then eat your food.” Applejack dug up another spoonful of soup and carefully reared it towards Apple Bloom’s mouth. The filly opened her mouth reluctantly and allowed her big sister to rest the spoon on her tongue while she did the rest. “See? Ain’t it yummy in your tummy?” “I guess so.” Apple Bloom swallowed hard and grimaced. She stretched her back on the raised hospital bed and looked up at the television hanging above the two farm ponies’ heads. “Gosh. Isn’t there anything else on besides weather and news?” “I don’t know, Apple Bloom,” said Applejack. She held up the remote controller to her eyes and squinted. “I still haven’t figured out how to work this here doohickey.” “Where’s the movie we were watchin’ the other day? I liked that one.” “Oh,” she said, biting her lower lip. “You mean the one we watched like thirteen times in a row? I-I think another little filly requested it across the hall.” “Can you go get it, big sis? I really wanna watch it again.” “Why don’t we let another pony enjoy the movie for once? Celestia knows you got the most out of it yesterday. And so did I, involuntarily.” “Hmph!” Apple Bloom crossed her hooves and stuck out her lower lip. “I wanted to watch it again with Sweetie Belle. And where is she anyways? She said she was comin’ right back.” “She went to get somethin’ to eat with her sister, remember? And speakin’ of which,” she scooped up another spoonful of soup. “You aren’t done yet.” “Can I take a little break, Applejack?” she asked, rubbing her stomach. “My tummy’s gettin’ a little sore.” “Alright, that’s fine I s’pose.” Applejack set the bowl of soup on the elbow table and rolled it away from the bed. “You ate almost half of it. That’s more than yesterday’s supper. That’s good.” A couple of doctors walked past the open door of the room, comparing notes on a clipboard. A nurse in between them just rolled her eyes and sighed. “So,” Apple Bloom began. ”Since I’ve been eatin’ good and all, can you go get that movie for me now?” The older farm pony put a hoof on her forehead. “For the last time, Apple Bloom, I said no!” “Why not?” “Because, somepony else has got it!” “You can go ask nicely for it.” “I am not about to Applelloosa Two Step into some little filly’s room and take it away from her like that.” “Why would you do that? Just walk over and ask for it. It ain’t hard, ya know.” “I’m not going to do it, Apple Bloom. And that’s the end of it.” “Wouldn’t kill ya to try,” Apple Bloom mumbled. The little filly grabbed her pillow and rammed it into her face. “I’m so bored!” “Why don’t we catch somethin’ on the TV?” Applejack grabbed a remote control off of her little sister’s bed and pored over it. “Now which is the channel button?” Apple Bloom’s face burst off the pillow. “No wait, Applejack! That’s the…” As soon as Applejack pushed a button with an arrow pointing upwards, Apple Bloom plunged backwards into a lying position on her bed, eliciting an “oomph”. “…bed remote.” “Oops. Sorry.” “Owuh!” Applejack slowly brought her sister back up using the remote until she was sitting up like before. Her little pout resurfaced on her face. “You alright, Apple Bloom?” She didn’t respond. “Come on, Apple Bloom, it was a mistake. I’m sorry.” Tears formed in her bright orange-red eyes. “Apple Bloom?” Soft sobs escaped her pursed lips. “Oh baby. C’mere you.” Applejack opened her hooves and Apple Bloom fell within them. The smaller farm pony broke into a soft cry into her bigger sister’s shoulder while her mane was gently rubbed down. A nurse walked inside carrying a pitcher filled with ice cold water which she set on the table. She motioned to the bowl of half eaten soup, which the orange mare nodded away. “There, there sugarcube. It’ll be alright. Ya’ll see.” She gently set the filly against the bed and wiped the tears off her small, cream colored face. “Hows ‘bout when Sweetie and Rarity come back, we’ll let you and her choose what we watch together?” “You mean it?” asked Apple Bloom, her breaths shaking. “Absolutely!” “Thanks, sis.” She fell into her big sister’s strong embrace again, but lingered a little longer this time. “Ew! My word, this pizza is absolutely revolting! It tastes like garbage!” Rarity pushed the Styrofoam plate greased by the thick slice across the table, away from her. “That’s what I used to say,” said Sweetie Belle, grabbing a slice from her own plate. “But then Fluttershy told me that the chefs here at the hospital worked so hard on feeding us, that it wouldn’t be very nice to reject it.” The white unicorn’s face crumpled into a disgusted frown as she witnessed the sight of her little sister placing the pizza in her mouth and biting off a piece. The squishes that came from her tiny chews made the unicorn regurgitate in a very unladylike manner. “Oh! Sweetie, stop eating that, you’re making me sick!” “What else do you want me to eat, Rarity? This is all they’ve got that I like.” “Perhaps we should eat elsewhere.” Sweetie scratched her head. “But where? I thought the hospital had only one cafeteria.” “No, I meant somewhere else entirely.” Rarity stood from the table. “Surely there’s a restaurant outside of these hospital walls that will accommodate our tastes. This is Canterlot after all.” “I know where we can go!” exclaimed Sweetie Belle, popping out of her chair. “Please Sweetie Belle, not another pizza place.” She placed a well-fined hoof up to her delicate face. “I hardly think I could ever look at a pizza the same way again.” “No, we can go to Seaport Village!” Rarity squeaked. “Seaport Village? You mean the Seaport Village?” “Yeah! It’s not far from here and I know the way.” “I’ve only heard of Seaport Village and read about it in my monthly subscription to Pony Fashion. All of the latest fashions are sold in their exclusive outlet shops! And they feature only the finest dining in all of Canterlot! And did you know it lies right next to the glorious Equus Ocean?” “Uh, I think so. All I know is that Fluttershy and I went there for a day and we had these delicious veggie sticks and…” “Rumor has it that Hoity Toity goes there every Saturday to shop at Le Boutique Magnifique!” The prettified pony stomped excitedly. “That’s great and all, but I…” “Quick! What’s today little sister?” The older unicorn grabbed her sister by the shoulders and flashed a wide and disturbing grin. “It’s Saturday,” she responded, shading her eyes from the sight. A gleeful shriek that pierced the ears shot out in the simple hospital cafeteria, causing nurses filling bowls with cereal and chefs chopping vegetables for salads to turn their heads to see what all the commotion was about. An embarrassed Rarity, red in the face, quickly played it off with a lash of her magnificent mane. “Well then,” she said, clearing her throat. “We should be on our way to Seaport Village if we want to find something of some value to eat.” “Great!” Sweetie Belle led the happy march down the spotless halls of the hospital and out through the sliding doors into the warm evening. “I’ll show you where I ate the best fried veggie sticks and extra-large strawberry milkshake with sprinkles ever!” “Oh,” Rarity said, a slight flutter in her voice. “That sounds…lovely.” Just as they were about to cross the street, Rarity spotted Twilight and Fluttershy walking towards them from the left. They wore soft smiles that burst into wide grins as soon as they spotted their fashionable friend and her little sister. “Twilight! Fluttershy!” said Rarity. “Hello girls,” said Fluttershy. “Nice evening here in Canterlot, eh Rarity?” asked Twilight. “Ah yes. A nice little break from yesterday’s completely unorthodox cold and rainy day.” “How are you, Sweetie Belle?” asked Twilight. “Great! Hey Fluttershy! Me and Rarity are going to Seaport Village to get something to eat! Wanna come?” “I’d love to, but I think I’ll stay and check on our girls instead.” “You must try Barney’s Bungalow,” Twilight said to Rarity. “They serve the best milkshakes in all of Canterlot.” “Oh, yes. Sweetie was, uh, telling me earlier. So, how did the second meeting with Princess Celestia go?” “Great! Princess Celestia’s going to…” Twilight cut herself off as she remembered a particular member of the group with young ears that probably wouldn’t want to hear of such mature themes. She looked at Rarity and then at Sweetie Belle. “Um.” Rarity understood. “Sweetie Belle. Could you be a dear and get my sunglasses from the dining area? I left them on our table.” “What are you talking about? They’re on your head.” Rarity looked up. “Oh! Well, I meant my sunglasses case! Can’t walk around Seaport Village wearing my fabulous eyewear without its case…right?” “Alright, I’ll go get them,” Sweetie huffed. Once Sweetie Belle was out of sight, Rarity urged her unicorn friend to continue. “Well, Princess Celestia has decided to overturn her decision to banish the student from the Canterlot School of Magic and work on a more lenient punishment.” “What a relief!” Rarity sighed. “ It’s so good to hear that even the Princess felt her ruling may have been a tad harsh for such a loyal pony to his mother.” Twilight nodded. “Better yet, she’s even decided she wants to help the family out by funding whatever funeral plans there are for the mother.” “I see,” said Rarity. “You don’t think the Princess felt obligated to do so because of her earlier ruling, do you Twilight?” “Well, she did seem a little downtrodden while I talked to her. But, I’m sure that she’s doing all of this from the goodness of her own heart.” Rarity and Fluttershy nodded. “So, I take it you had no trouble finding Fluttershy waiting for you at the bus stop?” “Well,” Twilight said grinning at Fluttershy’s direction. The shy pegasus blushed. “I may have been a little, uh, too quiet with my calling.” Rarity chuckled. “That’s why we love you, darling!” The three pony friends shared a laugh when Sweetie Belle arrived, her face furrowed with annoyance. “Ah Sweetie! Ready to go to Seaport Village?” “There was no sunglasses case you know,” she responded in a low voice. “Oh really? Silly me, I must have left it in Apple Bloom’s room. Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to carry them on my head for now.” “You know you could’ve just asked me to leave you and Twilight and Fluttershy to talk. I know when I’m not wanted.” The small filly walked in a huff away from the group, leaving a white unicorn shocked and the two other mares stifling giggles. “Sweetie Belle, don’t be such a flank hurt! Wait for me, dear little sister!” Rarity chased after her little sister and they disappeared into the late afternoon bustle of downtown Canterlot. “Oh that Sweetie Belle,” Twilight said. “Just like her sister.” “It’s kind of cute when you think about it,” added Fluttershy. The two mares walked into the hospital and made their way to the elevators, passing by several ponies in the emergency waiting room. There wasn’t a single empty seat in the stuffy waiting room with many more standing, waiting, and coughing into their hooves. “Oh my,” muttered Fluttershy as an old stallion hunched unnaturally in a wheelchair shot a painful glance in her direction. “Kinda sad, isn’t it?” asked Twilight. “Why are there so many sick ponies and not enough space for them all?” “It’s just the way the system is, Fluttershy. Ponies get sick and there aren’t enough emergency rooms to take care of them.” “But, they’re all so cramped. That can’t be healthy. Why are there so little emergency rooms?” “Hospitals are expensive, and since the emergency room is the only thing many socioeconomically disadvantaged ponies can access, they fill up quick.” Fluttershy sighed as a small foal wrapped tightly in the arms of her mother sneezed loudly. “Can’t anything be done to fix a problem this big and dangerous?” “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll bring that up the next time I talk to the Princess.” The two mares left the emergency room and arrived in a pocket of the hallway with two elevators on each wall. A young doctor stepped out of one arriving from the topmost floor. “Ready to go?” asked Fluttershy. “I’ll catch up with you in a little bit,” said Twilight. “I’m gonna get a juice from the cafeteria. You want something?” “Um, well if it’s okay with you, I’d like a cherry soda.” “Coming right up!” The two friends went their separate ways. Twilight walked into the cafeteria and stopped in front of a small refrigerator. She spotted the two coveted drinks and picked them out with her magic. She turned around to make her way to the cashier when she bumped into an unsuspecting mare carrying a bowl of oatmeal. They both went to the floor. “Ooh. Gooey.” “Oh, I am so sorry about that,” said the mare. Twilight stood. “No that’s okay. Here let me help you up.” The purple mare pulled the other pony up to her hooves. She wouldn’t look up. “Is everything okay?” Twilight asked. She didn’t say a word. “Hey, it’s alright. It was an accident. I can help get you some more oatmeal if you want.” “It’s not that.” The mare finally looked up at Twilight. Her blue and pink mane drooped over her deep blue eyes filled with tears. “Oh my goodness,” Twilight exclaimed. “Bon Bon!” “Hello, Twilight.” A moment of silence passed between the two before Twilight asked the obvious question. “This doesn’t have anything to do with…” Twilight didn’t finish her question, but she didn’t have to. The cream colored earth pony burst into tears and fell into the unicorn’s chest. Twilight wrapped her hooves around her, consoling the hurting earth pony with rubs to her back. “Oh, Bon Bon.” “She was so close, Twilight! So close! Why did this have to happen?” “I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?” “No,” she replied, breaking away and wiping her eyes. “But I’m sure she’d appreciate it if you could come visit her in the room sometime before tomorrow morning.” “You can count on me,” said Twilight. The yellow earth pony nodded at her magical friend, then made her way out of the kitchen, disappearing around the corner. The room was dimly lit, only the bright lights of the hall ways provided a little illumination. “Please Rainbow Dash?” asked Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie,” said Rainbow Dash, rolling her eyes. She switched on the television to the sports channel and relaxed on the bed. Pinkie Pie reached up to the small screen and turned the television off. “I was watching that game.” “Everything’s a game for you, Rainbow Dash,” she said. “You don’t have to turn everything into some huge drama party, you know.” “Just answer me this one question, Rainbow Dash,” she said. “You can do that, right? I mean, your brain hasn’t been damaged too, has it?” “Okay, now you’re just being a total jerk.” The pegasus reached for the remote on the bedside table, but before she could grab it, Pinkie swiped it across the room until it hit the wall, sending the batteries in all directions. “Geez. Now the remote thinks you’re a jerk too.” “Rainbow,” Pinkie screamed. “Quit it!” “Quit what, Pinkie? It’s you the one who’s being the pain.” “No.” Pinkie’s face softened. “I mean, stop being so sarcastic and realize the mess you’ve made of yourself.” “Mess? Are you kidding? This is the stuff made of legends, Pinkie.” “What!?” Pinkie shouted. “You mean showing up to the tryouts with one workable wing and almost no energy is legendary?” “Damn straight,” Rainbow replied. The pink pony sighed. “You could’ve really hurt yourself, Dashie. Even worse, you could’ve died!” “All the more reason why I am so champion!” At that moment, the doctor casually walked in holding up a clipboard. “Good evening, Ms. Dash. And how are we feeling?” “Pretty good doc,” she replied, ignoring Pinkie’s scoff. “Can’t feel a thing.” “Well, that’s good. That means the low dosage of anesthesia is sufficiently working. Let me just check a few things here.” “Go for it!” The doctor proceeded to unwrap the large bandage around Rainbow’s body until it fell on the bed in a soft heap. He examined the area where, days earlier, a group of specialized surgeons repaired the disfigurement of the wing mechanism. He took hold of the wing and slowly extended it. “Does this hurt, Rainbow?” “Not at all, doc!” “Good. How about this?” The doctor put the wing back in its resting form and pushed lightly against the socket. The pegasus grimaced, causing her earth pony friend to gasp. “Still tender, Ms. Dash?” “A little. It’s not too bad.” “Okay.” The doctor took out a pen and scribbled some notes on his clipboard. “Well, it looks like you’re recuperating at a much faster rate than average. That’s a good sign. I would estimate that we could probably start rehabilitation early next week.” “Awesome! Does that mean I can start flying pretty soon?” “He said rehab, Dashie. That doesn’t mean you can start flying all crazy-hazy,” said Pinkie. “What do you know?” Rainbow shot back. The doctor placed his pen on the crooked bed side table. “Actually Ms. Dash, she’s right. Though you are improving at a dramatic pace, the path back to normalcy is still a long one. You’re looking at eight to ten weeks of rehabilitation therapy before you can even begin to fly on your own at controlled intervals. I would say your high flying days won’t return for a good three to four months.” “What!?” Rainbow’s mouth nearly hit the floor. “Are you sure, doc? Isn’t there some magic spell or something that’ll speed up the process?” “I’m sorry Rainbow, but bone regeneration magic is still in its infancy. Until then, we will have to rely on traditional medical interventions. But don’t fret. Those months will go by quicker than you think.” “You don’t know how much of a bummer that is to hear, doc,” she said lowering her head. The doctor rewrapped the injured area and excused himself from the two mares and made his way out of the room. Rainbow Dash gave a long, exasperated sigh and slouched down the upright bed, rubbing her tender area along the mattress. She groaned as she slowly tried to pick herself up with her legs. “Dashie! Are you okay?” Pinkie rushed to her friend’s aid. “Let me help you.” She reached out her hooves, but they were met with a hard slap. “Rainbow?” “I don’t need your help.” “But Dashie…” “Just leave me alone, okay?” She turned away from Pinkie. “I’m having a really bad day right now.” “You think my day has been lollipops and sarsaparillas?” Rainbow Dash looked up to find a scowling Pinkie Pie. “At least you’re not the one with the surgically repaired wing who has to wait like a million years to fly again.” “No! But I do have a really good friend who has a surgically repaired wing! And it hurts me so much to see her in so much pain!” Rainbow didn’t respond. Pinkie’s face softened. “Rainbow, why can’t you understand that I’m just so worried about you?” “Well, why can’t you understand that I don’t care if you think I’m crazy?” “What?” Rainbow Dash straightened up. “Yeah. You just don’t get me. In fact, all of you don’t get me.” “Rainbow, listen…” “No you listen.” Her voice got louder and began to crack. “I am an athlete. I love competition. Nothing gets in my way. Nothing. Not broken bones. Not extreme weather. And definitely not super annoying friends who don’t give a shit about what I do.” “Rainbow, please!” “And if you had half a brain,” she continued. “You would know to get out of my fucking way and leave me the hell alone!” “Rainbow…” “All you care about… is your stupid parties and dumb shit like that.” A deflating sound filled the room as Pinkie’s springy mane collapsed into a drooping straight style. Her eyes burst with streams of tears that ran down her face and spilled onto the floor. She knelt silently on the floor. Rainbow appeared repentant, but maintained her composure. “Pinkie, I…” The earth pony got up and walked to the door. “Hey.” She stopped without looking at her injured caller. “Weren’t you gonna ask me a question or something?” “I…forgot.” She lied. I was just gonna ask you. What color balloons you wanted for you get well soon party tomorrow. “Did you make sure to lock the sound booth before you got out?” asked Fancy Pants. “Sure thing, Pantsy Fants!” said Strings, tossing the key into the air. “Good,” he said, snatching the key out of the air and placing it in the pocket of his suit jacket. “We don’t want anything misplaced or stolen, do we?” “N-No, of course not!” Frederic was the last one to step out of the studio, locking the door behind him and giving the key to Fancy Pants. His eyes were narrow and fierce. “Why so glum, chum?” asked the business pony. Frederic straightened his collar and, without saying a word, turned and walked down the street. “He could’ve at least said goodbye.” “Ah, don’t worry about him, boss,” said the harpist. “I mean, he’s just a little ticked since you cancelled the concert and all.” “I beg your pardon?” “Well, what I meant to say was, you see, um, that because Octy and ol’ Bruisey Tubes is gone, that you had to cancel the concert, you know? By force.” “Precisely.” Fancy Pants took out his pocket watch and walked down the steps. “Well then, I shall see you tomorrow at nine, Strings?” “Heh, you got it boss!” “Very well.” The two stallions went their separate ways, one to the parking lot where his late model luxury car basked under the streetlamps, the other on a trek of five miles to his humble apartment complex hidden behind tall, bare trees. A cell phone rang in the pocket of a suit jacket. “Hello?” Well? “She didn’t show up, as planned.” Good. So it worked. “Like a charm, milady.” Don’t ever call me that again. “Alright. So, we’ll talk tomorrow?” Yes. And one more thing, Fancy Pants. “Yes?” The old stallion? Nice touch. “Just another show of brilliance, my good mare.” The business pony ended the call and stepped inside the car. He shut the door and started the engine, prompting the radio to play classical music from the local public broadcasting station. He rode the vehicle out into the streets and entered the freeway just as the traffic dwindled to a few cars per lane. “My, what a glorious evening to be brilliant,” he said to himself. He adjusted the rear view mirror and immediately, a mare riding in the back seat jumped into view. It was Susie Tuba. “My word!” He jerked the steering wheel, nearly side bumping another car in the fast lane. “But, how did you…” “Really? Questioning how on earth I got in here?” “W-Well, it’s just that I was not expecting you to...” “Have you truly forgotten that you gave your own daughter a spare to your own vehicle?” “Alright, what is it? What do you want?” he asked, starting to calm down. “The truth.” “The truth of what? Be specific.” “I want to know,” she said, shifting closer to the back of her father’s seat. “What you did to Octavia.” “I swear, if I had a nickel for every time a mare asked me for the truth…” “Don’t joke with me, father!” “Susie, this is none of your concern.” “It is so my concern. Octavia is my friend and I will not stop asking until you tell me what you did to her.” “What makes you think I did something to her?” Fancy Pants scoffed. “You make me sound like a murderer. ” Susie gasped. “No. You didn’t…” “What? Of course not, you stupid filly! What profit is there in murdering a pony who plays the cello for a living?” “Then what happened?” He didn’t respond. “Tell me what plan you and whomever you were talking to earlier plotted against Octavia.” “My dear, this is none of your concern. Therefore, it would be wise for you to stop asking silly questions and remain buckled in your seat.” “But, I…” “Do it, Susie!” The sousaphone player threw herself against the back seat and crossed her hooves. She was looking out the window when she noticed the lock protruding from the panel. An idea entered her mind. “Now see here, Susie, I had nothing to do with your…little friend. She left the group on her own terms and I had to remove her name from the Sunshine Musical Group. Thus, also cancelling tomorrow night’s performance. We are continuing sessions at the studio with the remaining members, and that is all there is to it. In fact, if memory serves me correctly, you refused to sign the contract yourself. Isn’t that right?” She didn’t answer back. “Susie, did you hear me?” He heard the sound of the door becoming unlocked. “What on earth are you doing back there?” He peeked at the rear view mirror and met eyes with his daughter. She had a hoof on the lock, and another on the handle. “Susie…” “Just imagine what all the ponies back home will say when they read in their morning papers that the daughter of world renowned business pony Fancy Pants threw herself out of her father’s car.” “Susie…” “Everypony in the world will know the name. Fancy Pants! Not because they were charmed out of millions to add their name to the rotting stink pile of stupid stock options, but because he was a horrible father to his little girl!” “That is enough of your pranks, young lady. Now lock that door this instant!” “This isn’t a prank, daddy!” She began to sob. “They were never pranks! They were desperate attempts at your attention, your love! A little girl shouldn’t have to do that!” “That is enough out of you!” “You never wanted me! I was just an incurred debt from one of your many, many floosy transactions.” “Do not accuse me of being dirty,” he shouted, pointing a hoof. “You have no right!” Susie laughed. “I’ve held that right for the last twenty years. Twenty lonely years!” The anxious driver looked at a sign on the side of the freeway. Two more exits. “Now Susie dear,” he began. “Be a reasonable young lady and take your hoof of the handle and lock the door. You will accomplish nothing if you do this.” “Would you change?” Fancy Pants gulped, and didn’t respond. Sweat trickled down his forehead. “Tell me what I want to know.” “I…can’t.” “Suit yourself.” Susie gripped the handle and pulled. “Susie!” She pushed her weight against the door. Nothing happened. “W-What?” She tried again, repeatedly. Nothing. “Child lock?” “Thank Celestia,” said Fancy Pants, exhaling. “B-But…” “I knew there was a reason I kept those on!” Fancy Pants wiped his brow and slapped his thigh. She tried opening the window. “Nuh-uh-uh,” teased Fancy Pants. “Those are on lock as well.” “For twenty years…” “Now, let this be a lesson for you, my dear daughter, to never pull off a stunt like that again! Now sit back in your seat and buckle your seat belt!” Susie silently obeyed, grabbing the belt at her shoulders and pulling it down across her chest. Fancy Pants pulled out of the freeway into the exit lane, stopping hard at the red light. “Judging exit speeds: My only fault,” he chuckled. Several cars lined to the left and right and back of the luxurious car. He flipped open the glove compartment and pulled out a cigar, lighting it in his mouth. He opened a window to let out a puff of smoke and was shocked to hear screaming coming right at him. Horn blasts soon followed. “What is their problem?” he asked himself. He peeked at his rear view. “Do you know, Susie?” Susie didn’t respond. She had the seat belt wrapped around her neck. She had pulled it completely out. She wasn’t moving. “Susie! Susie!” He unbuckled and shook her. “Susie! For the love of Celestia, Susie!” Nothing. “Susie! You stupid filly, wake up!” He slapped her across the cheek. Twice. “Wake up!” “Hey!” yelled a voice outside. Fancy Pants turned. A police stallion with a badge reading “Chief Good Guy” knocked on the window of the car, beckoning the rich pony inside to let him in. Fancy Pants opened the door. “Officer. Thank goodness you’re here. I have no idea what happened.” “Sir, I’m gonna have to ask you to step out of the vehicle.” “What?” “Sir, please. Just step out of the vehicle.” “O-Okay, sure.” Fancy Pants crawled his way out of the car, allowing a team of four pony paramedics to carefully retrieve the motionless body of Susie Tuba, place her on a stretcher, and carry her gently to a nearby ambulance. Fancy Pants watched from a distance as the ambulance wailed off at breakneck speeds down the street towards the Canterlot Medical Center. “Um, excuse me, ma’am?” he asked a police mare standing nearby. “H-How soon can I leave?” “Sorry sir, but you’ll have to wait until the chief comes out.” “Comes out? What is he doing in his car?” “He’s running your plates.” “Oh,” he replied, a touch of uneasiness tainting his normally arrogant baritone. The chief officer stepped out of his squad car and walked towards the business pony carrying a pad, pen, and a determined look on his stubbly face. “Cuff him, 5-0.” “W-What?” gasped Fancy Pants. “You got it, chief.” The police mare walked behind Fancy Pants and cuffed all four hooves together. “W-Wait, there must be some kind of misunderstanding here. I didn’t kill her. She’s my daughter!” “Mr. Fancy Pants?” “Um…yes, chief?” Chief Good Guy took of his cap. “I ran your plates through the system. Apparently, your car was spotted at the time of a crime at Canterlot Square Apartments. We’re just gonna take you in for some questioning.” “Questioning? I didn’t do anything wrong officer. Honestly.” “Well, we’ll let the interrogation determine the validity of your claims.” “Is that all that will occur? Just questions and then you’ll let me go?” “No. We’re also gonna look into your background and run some history searches to see what kinda pony you are.” Fancy Pants gulped. “I-I demand that I speak with my lawyer before answering any questions.” “What you so scared about, if you really are innocent, Hot Shot?” Chief stared at the trembling business pony cold blooded. “You got something to hide?” “No, of course not! But I do reserve my right to my attorney’s counsel before speaking with any of you!” The chief flashed Fancy Pants a sly smile. “That’s fine.” Chief and Fancy Pants made their way to the side of the squad car, where the door was opened for the business pony to slide into his seat. The door was shut and the police stallion walked over to his subordinate, leaving a nervous pony pressing his muzzle against the window. “5-0, I’mma take Hot Shot here down to the station for some breaking. Search the vehicle and write up a report of whatever you find. Radio me if it’s anything interesting.” “You got it, chief.” The police stallion went back to the squad car and pulled away from the scene. Not two minutes of driving passed before Fancy Pants tried to speak with the street-hardened cop. “You know officer, I am a very distinguished individual.” “Sure you are.” “You don’t understand. I am a very successful business pony, and as such I’ve had my run-ins with certain ponies who would want to see the demise of my financial empire.” “So, you’re saying you were set up or something?” “Yes. I’ve had several cases with the law, but every one of them was overruled in my favor because of manipulation against my favor.” “Then you’ve got nothing to worry about, Hot Shot.” “It’s Fancy Pants,” he said, begrudgingly. “Whatever.” A call to the chief’s radio interrupted the conversation. “Chief here, over.” This is 5-0. You’re not gonna believe what I found in the trunk, over. Chief glared at Fancy Pants in his rear view mirror. “What you find, over.” A body. Old stallion dressed like a janitor, over. “Lovely. Dispatch some CSI ponies then meet me back at the station, over.” Got it. Over and out. Chief Good Guy dropped his radio on the passenger seat and let out a hard chuckle. “Looks like you’ve got some explaining to do, Hot Shot.” “I had nothing to do with that, Officer,” he shouted. “Nothing!” “Keep it down back there! Don’t make me whip out the stick to beat you into a silent pulp!” “I don’t know who put that body in there! I swear it, I never even heard of the stallion!” “I said that’s enough!” The suspect in the back seat remained quiet for the rest of the ride. Upon arriving at the police station, the black sky produced a light patter of ice cold rain. Small droplets slithered down the slightly tinted window leaving a trail of intermittent drops in their wake. When he stepped out of the vehicle, Fancy Pants walked a few moist steps into the station, where he was directed to sit and wait in a small jail cell. “Enjoy your stay, Mr. Oh-So-Distinguished Fancy Pants,” said Chief Good Guy with a laugh. Fancy Pants surveyed the area around him, which included a small hoofful of ragged hoodlums and not much else. The rich stallion took a seat on the floor of the cold cell and buried his face into his hooves. “You stupid filly,” he whispered. “And then she said that all I cared about were my parties and poopy stuff like that,” Pinkie wailed. “But she didn’t say poopy! She said something really, really, bad!” The mane six minus one gathered closely inside of the sleeping Apple Bloom’s room. Sweetie Belle dozed soundly in a recliner next to the farm filly, so the older group of ponies took the opportunity to talk and comfort their hurting pony friend “Aw, sugarcube,” said Applejack, holding the crying pony in her comforting embrace. “She’s just a little high strung right now. She didn’t mean none of it.” “Perhaps not,” said Rarity. “But still, that was a very rude thing to do, even for somepony as brash as Rainbow Dash.” “This just isn’t a good time for any of us right now,” added Twilight. “So many ponies are hurting. But we need to stick together and comfort one another, even if we do seem a bit rude or unruly. That’s the important thing” All the girls nodded except for Fluttershy. “Fluttershy?” said Rarity. Her eyes appeared glazed, staring at the floor. “Darling what is it?” “Is something wrong, sugarcube?” asked Applejack. She continued to stare at the floor. “Fluttershy?” said Twilight. “I-I’m so sorry,” she finally said. “I-I just can’t take much more.” All the girls nodded. “When will this be over?” “I don’t know,” said Twilight. “But rest assured that it will be over. You’ll see. We’ll all come out of this stronger than before.” “She’s right, sweetie,” chimed Applejack, caressing Pinkie’s mane. “Ain’t nothin’ that can break us apart. Not Nightmare Moon. Not Discord. And not any ol’ sickness either.” “It’s not the sicknesses I’m worried about,” said Fluttershy, beginning to sob. “What if Rainbow is never the same again?” “Whatever do you mean, darling?” “You heard Pinkie Pie. Rainbow said all of these horrible, horrible things to her because she felt like none of us understood her. Well, what if after she’s all better, she leaves us to go for her dreams?” Twilight spoke. “I highly doubt that will happen Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash is the Element of Loyalty, remember? She would never...” “But loyal to who, or what?” the pegasus posed. “Fluttershy…” “Ponies can change you know, Twilight. And after something as traumatic as having your wing nearly ripped off and making a weeklong trip on hoof on your own, I can’t imagine Rainbow ever being the same again.” “But how can you be sure that Rainbow will change so dramatically?” asked Rarity. All the ponies nodded in accord with the unicorn’s query. Fluttershy sighed. “You girls are looking at the pegasus who vowed to live on the ground after she met her destiny.” The words hung in air for a minute before crashing down on the shoulders of everypony present. Twilight Sparkle stared at the shy yellow pony speechless. Rarity looked at the ground and scratched it with her hoof. Applejack didn’t say a word and Pinkie Pie restarted her cries into the farm pony’s shoulder. After a long moment of silence, the yellow pony spoke. “Maybe Rainbow Dash doesn’t want our support anymore.” “Or perhaps, Fluttershy,” said a voice from outside. “She needs you support now more than ever.” Every eye darted over to the entrance, and every mouth let out a gasp. Sweetie Belle blinked her eyes and looked as well. Her sleepy lips formed into a pleased grin. “Octavia! You made it!”