A New World, A Fresh Start

by drnkntst

Chapter 14

Chapter 36

The Phillies flailed helplessly as the fell into to rushing torrent. Fluttershy and Applejack both screamed in terror. Rick didn’t even think, he dropped the backpack and ripped it open. He pulled out the rope inside.

Applejack was about to dive in after her sister. “AJ, STOP! I’LL GET THEM! I NEED YOU AND FLUTTERSHY ON SHORE!” He threw the rope to Applejack. “BOTH OF YOU KEEP PACE WITH ME AND RAN THE ROPE ACROSS THE RIVER! DO NOT TRY TO LASSO THEM!”

Rick jumped in feet first. He felt something crunch but forced himself to ignore the pain. He bobbed to the surface and ripped off his shirt. “I’m coming girls!” He swam as fast as he could through the rapids.

He bounced off rocks while trying to tie the end of each sleeve. “Almost there!” He saw the mares keeping pace just like he told them to. It was a small relief but it would have to do. “AJ… throw the … rope across to… Flutter… shy!” He willed himself to swim harder.

He could see Sweetie Belle, “I’m here!” He reached out and grabbed her. “Hold onto me,” he told her as he slung her around to his back, Sweetie Belle wrapped her forelegs around his neck and clung on for dear life.

Scootaloo was next. Rick was within reach. His arm reached out but struck a rock before he could reach her. Again, he pushed the pain out of his mind and tried again. This time, success. He pulled her into his chest, she grabbed onto Sweetie Belle’s legs. Now for Applebloom.

He could see her red mane bobbing over the water. “I’m almost there Applebloom!” He was almost out of strength now. “Don’t you dare give up!” He gave it everything he had left. He felt fur in his hand, closed his hand over it and pulled it in. His view was filled with red hair. “I got you Annie! Daddy’s here! Hold onto me, tight!”

Rick took the shirt he had tied the knots into and did what his grandfather taught him. He swung it over his head in a large arch, catching air in the sleeves. His life vest was complete. “Sweetie Belle,” he reached over his shoulder and grabbed her hoof, “let go.” He brought her around to his chest to join her friends. He moved the shirt around to his back so an inflated sleeve rose up on either side. He then spread his arms wide and took deep breaths. This made his body float and pointed his feet downstream, allowing him to bounce off rocks instead of smash into them.

“AJ, let the rope droop! Scootaloo, grab the rope and let it pull you up, then crawl across to shore. AJ, when she grabs on, pull it tight!” They did as instructed. Scootaloo was scared but managed to get to dry ground. “Good, Sweetie Belle, you’re next.” The actions were repeated and met with the same success.

“Fluttershy, when I grab the rope, let go! AJ, pull us in!”

When the pair washed up on shore, Applejack rushed up and scooped up her sister. Tears of joy poured off her face. “I was so scared. I’m don’t know what I would have done without you. Thank you, Rick. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” AJ seemed scared to ever let her sister go again but was at the same time trying to hug Rick.

“Hey,… *huff* what are… *cough* friends for?” He dropped back onto the dirt. Relief was ever present among the group as Fluttershy floated over. “We should get these girls to the hospital, make sure their alright. I can rig up a stretcher but we need to get across this river. Fluttershy, can you fly up and try to find any spot we can cross, even if it’s just a calm spot where we can use the rope like before?”

“Okay.” As she flew off, Rick started getting to work on the stretcher. His ankle being sprained and his shoulder being dislocated wasn’t making it any easier. Luckily, Fluttershy managed to find a spot where the group could cross by jumping across rocks, each of the fillies was carried by either mare or human.

When they reached the other side, Rick took his staff and another stick of similar length and strength, he tied lengths of rope across the gap and laid his shirt across it for comfort. The three young mares laid down on top. He held one end while the other was harnessed to Applejack by means of tying another rope and draping it over her back. Crisis over, the group headed back to town. The Crusaders were fast asleep, Fluttershy was walking alongside the stretcher monitoring them and AJ was taking a leisurely pace so as not to wake them. All the while, Rick managed to hide his wincing with every step.

Chapter 37

They reached the hospital, never had Rick been so happy to see a building in his life. Fluttershy had gone ahead and alerted the staff, who were now rushing out to meet them. All were whisked inside.

A short time after they got inside, a tan unicorn with a brown and glasses approached them, “good news, they are all fine. No broken bones, no cuts, not even any bruises. They were all very lucky.” The doctor’s cheerful voice was pissing Rick off. He knew it wasn’t the doctor’s fault.

“That is good news, Doc. Now it’s my turn.” Rick collapsed. The pain and exhaustion had taken their toll. He was so tired, he didn’t even dream.

Light started to enter Rick’s world. He looked around the room, it was the same as before with a few exceptions. The first was the smell of baked goods, the table was covered, actually overflowing with apple pies, apple fritters, cupcakes with apple slices and of course, apples. The second exception spoke up.

“The Apple family wanted to show their gratitude to you.” The regal form of Princess Celestia came into view, she was chuckling.

“Unh, they didn’t need to do that. I was only helping a friend.” He slid up in the bed so he was sitting back against the wall.

“Nonsense. You risked your life twice for those girls. First, you made sure the bridge was safe by walking across first.”

“A lot of good that did,” Rick interrupted.

“And when the bridge failed, despite your best efforts, you reacted without thinking for your own personal safety.” A cupcake magically floated over to the princess, “do you mind?”

“No, no. Please help yourself. Um, I don’t suppose you could grab one for me too.” A second cupcake floated over to Rick, he took it and nodded his thanks.

“I have no question I made the right decision in allowing you to stay here in Equestria.” She bit into her cupcake and smiled. “The Apple’s really do know their apple based goods, don’t they?” Rick hummed his agreement with a mouth full of cake. “I hear my sister allows you to address her by name, I will extend the same courtesy to you. Please, call me Celestia from now on. Also, if you are well enough, you have some visitors waiting outside.”

Rick looked at his arm in a sling and his ankle wrapped up. “I think that will be fine, Prin… Celestia.” She nodded and magically opened the door from across the room. The Apples, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, the six ponies that he called family and Luna waked in.

“Hey, everybody. Thanks fo-Oof!” The three Crusaders had run in and jumped on Rick, they squeezed him in tiny hugs. He couldn’t help but smile through the grimace.

“Girls! Let go uh him! He got banged up real bad an doesn’t need you hurtin’ him more.” Applejack scolded.

“Nah, it’s okay.” Rick winced, “I’m just happy they’re safe.” The fillies released their death grip. “By the way, AJ, Celestia and I were just saying how good you cupcakes are. Why don’t you girls help your selves, there’s no way I could eat all that.” He chuckled as the Crusaders jumped off the bed and ran over to the table.

“Now you go easy on that, youngins. We made that stuff fur Rick.” Granny Smith said as she slowly made her way to the table.

“And I appreciate that, but you really didn’t have to do that.”

“Rick, ya saved ma sister, again. This really is the least we could do.” AJ said.

“Of course, I couldn’t let her get hurt. I couldn’t let any of them get hurt.”

“But you didn’t have to let yourself get so banged up in the process.” Twilight spoke up.

“It was either that or have four ponies in the river. I don’t know about here, but on Earth, horses and ponies are not known for their aquatic prowess.” Rick smiled to try to ease any tension he might have just created.

“Well, Darling, that may be true, but that doesn’t mean we want you injured.” Rarity placed a hoof in Rick’s good hand. “Besides, there are easier ways to pay for my outfits,” she giggled.
“Speaking of which, the shirt you gave me was beyond perfect. I was even able to use it as a life preserver, so I guess I have you to thank too.”

“AJ and Fluttershy told us about that. It was a stroke of genius to trap air in the sleeves like that.” Twilight was clearly impressed. “How did you think to do that?”

“Something my grandfather taught me, same as the stretcher as well as the splint and hammock I made for you before.”

“Um, Applebloom said you called her… Annie, she also said you told her ‘daddy’s here.’ Why would you say that? Oh, if you don’t mind.” Fluttershy asked.

The room was silent, minus the three Fillies gorging themselves happily in their own world. All eyes were on Rick. “When I grabbed her in the river, all I could see was her red hair, my daughter had red hair,” his eyes started to water. “Please, don’t tell her. I don’t like sympathy and I think the girls would try to make me feel better. I don’t want them to be sad over something they couldn’t have had anything to with. I would rather avoid having them share my pain.”

All the ponies seemed to agree with his assessment. “That’s very kind of you. I feel truly grateful that you are here to watch over my subjects. Rick, I feel that you should be properly rewarded. I have arranged for a home to be built for you, one that will be big enough for you stature and even a place to store your fantastic vehicle. It should be completed shortly.”

He was speechless, in fact, all the ponies were. “I… uh, than… Celestia, I don’t know what to say. That’s incredibly generous of you. Thank you so very much.”

“You are very welcome, in fact you deserve much, much more.” Celestia smiled as she wrapped her wing around him in a form of a hug. Rick blushed a little. “I must take be going now. I have royal duties to attend to. Rick, I thank you again. Twilight, I will see you again soon, hopefully under better circumstances.” She smiled as she walked out of the room.

“I must be going too, it is getting late and the moon doesn’t raise itself. Goodnight everypony.” Luna said as she departed.

“Goodnight, Luna, thanks for visiting.” Rick waved, winced and then switched to his good arm. When the princesses were gone, Twilight and her friends all closed in for a group hug. Rick didn’t mind the pain, too much.

“You need to stop worryin’ everypony like that.” Rainbow Dash grinned as she released her grip.

“I don’t exactly go looking for trouble.” Rick told her.

“Maybe not, but at least you were prepared fer it when it happened. Ah was so scared when that bridge fell, but you knew exactly wut ta do, it was incredible. I think if Ah’d gone in, we all woulda been goners.” AJ told him.

“If it weren’t for me, they never would have fallen in the first place.” Rick was solemn. The ponies all fell silent.

“What are you talking about?” came the voice of Scootaloo.

“Yeah, the bridge broke. It’s not like you caused that.” Sweetie Belle’s squeaky voice reassured him.

“Ya tested the bridge and it didn’t break. Even Fluttershy walked across without it breaking,” Applebloom added.

“Yeah! You saved the day! We need to throw a huge thank you PARTY!” Pinkie was bouncing in excitement over the prospect of a huge party.

“Eeyup.” The mere idea of Big Macintosh looking forward to a party caught everyone present by surprise, even Rick.

“Well that settles it. Pinkie, start planning. Rarity and Rainbow help decorate. Fluttershy, get your birds practicing. Applejack, we’re gonna need some more of your delicious treats and apples.” Twilight finished handi… hoofing out instructions and turned to Rick. “And you, heal up quickly,”

“Yes ma’am,” Rick raised his hand in salute then instantly regretted it. “Ahhh, bad idea! Ow, ow, ow!” The room filled with laughter.

“Alright everypony, let’s get out of here so Rick can rest up.” Twilight started heading for the door.

“I brought you a book, ‘Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Stone,’ it’s my favorite book. It kept me from going insane when I was in here.” Rainbow handed him a thick book with a colorful cover showing a tan pegasus with grey tail and mane swinging over crocodiles on a vine. Rick couldn’t help but notice the pony looked a lot like Rainbow Dash with different colors.

“Thank you, Rainbow. I’m sure it will come in handy.”

Fluttershy and Pinkie both waved goodbye as they left.

“I really must thank you again. My parents and I would love it if you came for dinner as a way of showing our appreciation.” Rarity said.

“I’d like that, just say when.” Rick held out his good hand to Rarity who placed her hoof in it and shook it.

“Sweetie Belle, we must be going now. Say goodbye to Rick.” Rarity said turning toward the door.

Sweetie Belle trotted to the hospital bed and jumped up to hug Rick, she was soon joined by Scootaloo and Applebloom. He smiled and returned the hug so grateful that they were all still there to participate.

As the Crusaders let go and hopped back onto the floor. They all made their way out of the room.

“Ah really mean it Rick, we can’t thank ya enough. Twice now ya kept us from losing Applebloom and paid the price fer it. Anytime ya need anything, just name it.” Applejack told him as she hugged him again.

“Alright, I do need something from you.”

“Name it.”

“I need you to push that table filled with those amazing treats closer, I’m starving.”

Comments

[Thunder Fury]

This is a really great story Nice job!

[damnaion]

14# awww and lol

[The Last Stanza]

11/10, would read again, . . . for the third time.

[DerpTape]

The Phillies flailed helplessly as the fell into to rushing torrent.