The Secret of Equestria

by Xinamar

Aftermath

Chapter 5-Aftermath

Now that the flames have burnt themselves out, the darkness of the night blankets the land. I place myself near the little campfire the ponies made to keep themselves warm and stare into it. Nearly all the buildings and homes in Ponyville are in ruin. Nothing is left other than the charred remains of everything these ponies once owned. Looking away from the fire for a little bit I notice the expressions on everyone’s faces. They all appear to be weary and distraught. The ponies nearest to me are lying silently by the fire, tears glistening in their eyes. Most of them, however, are asleep, which doesn’t surprise me. After what had happened, I'm surprised I'm still awake. Anyway, I just feel sorry for all of them. I can't imagine how it feels to lose everything in one foul swoop. To have nothing but your life left.

Recapping on what just happened. I remember that Twilight and Rainbow Dash took both Fluttershy and that one cowgirl pony to seek medical attention. Luckily, most of the medically experienced ponies made it out before the fire reached the hospital. So they’re all tending to those who were less fortunate. I just hope that those two weren't too badly hurt. Then an even odder thought crossed my mind, the Princess’s castle. That possessed guard, and the strange wolf then Ponyville catching on fire. It’s all connected I can feel it, but how did it all start? And then an even smaller detail pops into my head, Trixie. Where is she? She was gone before all of this started. Maybe she used her magic to escape. I just don't know. One half of me hopes she’s not in any trouble, but then the other half. I don't know, all I could feel is this doubt about her.

I really don't want to think I was wrong about her. I swear I could feel that there was something else to her. Like there was another Trixie deep inside. I thought that as she was apologizing I was seeing that other side. One that was kind and humble, but on the outside lies her outer shell composed of anger. I still can't stop thinking about what she said to me in that carriage. When she said she knew about that "different" feeling. How did she know that? The more I think about it the more lost I feel. I really don't want to think about anything right now. Nothing at all! But, I just can't stop thinking. Then I notice something is in my hand. I didn't feel it earlier but I think I took out the wand from my pocket without noticing. I bring my hand towards my face and look at it. This thing, this silver wand, it looks like nothing special; but I feel so different when I'm holding it. I feel...I can't describe it. Normally I wouldn't have done anything I've done today. I’m not this brave, cunning, or even determined.

“What are you?” I whisper to the wand.

“Hey! How are you doing!?” A cheerful voice explodes behind me, surprised I jump at the voice. I turn around and see a pink pony with a fluffy dark pink mane and giant blue eyes. Her face has a grin spreading from cheek to cheek. I don't understand how anyone could possibly be smiling a time like this. She seems to be the only one standing around smiling. I feel like I should be happy that at least someone isn't depressed, or that I should be concerned for this pony’s mental health. After a while I kind of just get creeped out by her and turn back to the fire.

“Hey I remember you! You were on the stage fighting against Trixie! You were using magic and won! But I thought the Princess sent you AND Trixie to that creepy old dungeon. Did she let you go free?” the pink pony shouts. I'm really not in the mood for talking. Maybe if I answer her question she’ll leave me alone. So I just nod hoping that’s enough of a response for this pony. “...What’s wrong? Why the long face? I thought you would be happy she let you go. I sure am.” I continue with my silence trying desperately to ignore her. I am not in the mood for this. Then, in an attempt to convince this pony that I don't want to talk, I pick up a stick and start poking at the campfire; showing my attention is elsewhere, but instead of taking the hint. This pony decides to sit right next to me. “Your name’s Aireal right? My name’s Pinkie Pie. It’s nice to meet you.” Pinkie then lifts her hoof towards me like she is expecting a handshake, but I just continue to poke at the fire. I don't mean to be rude. I am just not in the mood for any of this. I take a peek over my shoulder to see if she’s gone. Unfortunately she’s still there but that smile she once wore is gone and both her front hooves are on the ground. “What’s bothering you? I mean, I know that things look bad now but it’ll get better. As long as we all have each other we can overcome anything. All of our friends can... oh, wait. You’re new here, so you don’t have any friends do you?”

I look directly at her about to lose my patience, but I restrain myself. Instead of cheering me up, which is what I think this “Pinkie Pie” was attempting to do, this pony is just getting me even more down and agitated. Yes, I don't have any friends here and her reminding me isn't helping. Sure they call me “hero”, but that means nothing. I’m just an idol, something the ponies look up to but don’t understand. None of them are my friends. I can't just hang out and have fun or spill my heart out to one of them if need be. They don’t know what I am or who I am. The worst part, however, isn't even that. I don't know who I am. I’m just a name, even to myself. The only person I know myself as is the guy with the super powered wand. Tightening my grip on the wand I stare back down at it. Maybe this is who I am?

“Well, don’t think that you're not going to find any. I’m sure that anypony would like to be your friend!” Clenching onto the wand even tighter I don't believe a word this pony is saying. Friend... Ha. How could anyone be my friend? I almost don’t remember the meaning of the word. I can’t even remember if I ever had any friends… You chose your friends, and you chose them by knowing yourself. Knowing what you like. Knowing what you’re all about and everything you wish to stand for. You can't have friends if you don't even know these simple things. You can't have friends if you’re nothing even to yourself... “So, can I be your friend?” My heart stops. I look straight towards her and into those giant blue eyes. Her hooves are unfolded towards me like she’s offering a hug. I can't believe it, but I can tell she’s serious. Suddenly, I'm overcome with emotion. All I could do is laugh. Laugh at it all: the sorrow, this emptiness inside of me, everything. After a moment I collect myself and place the wand back into my pocket and, just because, I accept Pinkie’s hug. I haven't felt this happy in what feels like ages. It’s... it’s nice.

“Hey guys.” I hear a voice whisper from behind Pinkie and I. We let go of one another and see Twilight walking towards us. “Well I see that you've met Pinkie Pie.”

“(Gasp) Twilight, you know him? Oh that’s great! So all of us could be friends! Meeting a new friend is so exciting! Has he met everypony else?! Pinkie shouts.

“Relax Pinkie,” Twilight giggles. “Other ponies are trying to sleep.”

“Oh sorry.” Pinkie whispers with a smile.

“Well, I know he’s kind of met Rainbow Dash, but he’s only seen Applejack and Fluttershy. I don't think he’s met Rarity at all.”

“(Gasp) Applejack and Fluttershy. Are they both okay? What did the doctor say?!”

“They’ll be fine Pinkie, they just need some rest. Oh! I almost forgot. Aireal, Applejack said she wanted to see you. She wants to thank you in person for helping her. She’s just over there in one of the tents. The doctor said you can visit. So just find him and ask which tent Applejack is in.”

“What about Fluttershy?” Pinkie asks.

“She fell right asleep. She was really tired. Anyway, Aireal you should go see Applejack. I know she’d really appreciate it. Pinkie and I will wait right here for you.” Twilight smiles as Pinkie happily nods in agreement. I stand up and start walking towards the tents. Looking around I see ponies in both nurse and doctor uniforms. I get near the tents and one of the doctor ponies approach me. He takes one look at me and a burst of shock causes him to jump a little. He looks very confused, and even a little afraid.

“You're Aireal, correct?” I nod my head in response. “Well I am Doctor Steryll. It’s... nice to make your acquaintance. I'll take you to Applejack, follow me.” The doctor then leads me into the giant maze of tents. It’s horrible here. Everywhere you can hear the ponies moaning and writhing in pain. Scattered boxes and medical supplies cover the ground. “You know, I have never had to treat this many patients all at once. It’s overwhelming. I wish we had more hooves on this. Well, here’s Applejack's tent. Try not to take too long. We want her get as much rest as possible.” The doctor then walks over to the tent and pulls open the flap for me to enter. I walk in and see Applejack lying on some sort of stretcher. She lifts up her upper torso as she spots me.

“Aireal! I was waitin’ for you to come.” Applejack says. I walk over to her standing right next to her. I notice that her two hind legs are covered in bandages. I think she took notice of me staring at them. “Oh don't worry about that. It ain’t nothin'. The doc says I’ll be fine. My name’s Applejack. It’s nice to meet you. I just wanted to thank you for helping me back there. I know RD was the one who brought me to the doc, but you were the one who found me. So, thank you again... an' what happened at the castle was really unfair. I’m just happy the princess finally understood you weren't the one that needed to be in that dungeon after all. Anyhow, thanks for comin’ by means a lot to me.”

“You’re welcome,and... goodnight.”

“You too sugar cube,” Applejack smiles.

Walking out of the tent I turn around and give Applejack one last wave goodbye. She of course waves back. Then I attempt to leave this maze of tents, but before I could find my way out I see Dr. Steryll walking toward another tent with a clipboard in his hooves. He looks completely out of it. He mentioned something about never working this much in his life. “Overwhelming” I think is the word he used. I’m no doctor or veterinarian, in my case, but I could possibly lend a hand around here before I go to sleep. So I walk over to him. He seemed kind of surprised at first but then calms down and faces me.

“Aireal, is something the matter?” I just stick my hand out and wait for him to respond. “Umm are you okay?” He’s obviously confused on what I’m trying to do. So I redirect my eyes to his clipboard. “Wait, did you… want to help?” I nod in response. “Great! I truly appreciate this. Here take this,” he hands me the clipboard. “This is a list of ponies that I need you to check up on. None of these specific patients are in critical condition, so nothing should happen. However, if something does occur don’t do anything rash. Just come and find me as quickly as possible.” I nod my head again to show him I understand. “Thank you and the names that are check marked. I’ve already checked on moments ago so you don’t need to concern yourself with those. Oh and when you’re done, I have one more task for you. If it’s no trouble?”

“It’s no trouble.” I tell him.

“Perfect.” He responds. “I’ll be right here when you’re done.” I then turn around and walk back towards the tents again. On the paper there are five groupings of names. Each group is numbered and has around two to three names in it. I look up, away from the sheet, and at the tents. They’re also numbered. It would only make sense that the groupings represent tents. Fives tents isn't so bad, I think to myself. Then I realize that there’s a page behind this one. I flip it and there’s a whole other page with five more tents. Great, well at least I’m making myself useful. I walk over to the first tent and start going down the list. Most of the ponies are asleep, but the ones who weren't asked me if I could do anything about the pain. I tell the doctor about this and he hands me a bottle of quick-acting aspirin and some bottled water. Then he instructs me to give two pills to each pony that needs them. I follow his instructions and after a while those ponies fall asleep as well. After a while I finally finish up and return to Dr. Steryll. Handing him the clipboard and pills I wait for him to give me my next assignment.

“Why thank you. You just don’t know how much this means to me. Being able to rest even for a little while,” he smiles. “There’s just one more thing I’d like for you to do for me. Could you bring this to tent eight? I know that it’s a trivial task but I need to return to work. Afterward, you can go get some sleep.” The doctor, at this point, hands me a white grocery bag. I’m assuming that it contains some kind of medicine. “Oh and thank you again, you were a really huge help. Have a good night.”

I then begin walking around looking for tent eight. The air has gotten much colder, and this sense of fatigue starts to overcome my body. After this I need to try to get to sleep. Maybe I’ll actually be able dream and possibly remember something. I've always thought of sleeping as such a beautiful thing. Sleep is the body’s natural escape from the world around them, and I need an escape right now. I then place my free hand in my pocket and feel the wand again. Upon touching it I feel a jolt of energy rush through me. Maybe I’ll dream of you. Quickly taking my hand off the wand I could feel my weariness return. Come on body just one more thing. Just let me do this last thing. I finally find tent eight and enter it. I place the bag on a small wooden table in the corner of the tent and take a look around. There are three ponies in here all of them asleep. The first two I spot I do not recognize, but the third one at the very edge of the tent looks familiar. Wait, that’s Fluttershy. She’s covered in so many bandages. I hope she’s alright. Stepping closer to her I could hear her soft breathes. Well at least she’s alive. I then take a step back and notice something. Sleep really is a beautiful thing. Even after everything only sleep could allow someone to look so peaceful.

It’s really cold in here. Even with my jacket on. Fluttershy must be freezing. Unzipping my jacket I place it over her. It’s large enough to be a blanket. So I go a step farther and tuck her in. She’s looks so peaceful… I just can’t stop staring. I feel so happy. I reach out and brush the hair off her face. I feel so happy… that she’s going to be alright. I exit the tent and walk to the campfire. Everyone’s asleep Pinkie and Twilight included. They really did wait for me. Heh, shouldn't have taken so long. Quietly I place myself as close to the fire without getting burnt. The heat emanating from the fire is very comforting. Laying down I could only wonder what tomorrow holds. After a while I could feel my weariness take over. I close my eyes and slowly drift off to my much awaited escape.