> Friendship, Always and Forever > by Somber Concerto > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1:The Incident > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As Twilight was slashed in the face be a giant snair, part black bear, part snake, and part panda, she began to wonder what had brought her to make such a rash decision, as to face this powerful beast. The answer was, for Fluttershy. After she had heard that this thing had put Fluttershy in the hospital, she made it her solemn duty to face it herself, before it injured anymore innocent citizens, even though Fluttershy begged her not to. “But Twilight,” She had sobbed, “It’s not her fault, she’s just acting upon instinct, she was scared!” “I know,” replied Twilight, “But I can’t just sit idly by while she goes around killing anypony she finds threatening, can I?” “No, I guess, *sniff*, you can’t.” Fluttershy replied between sobbs. As Twilight reconsidered the action of doing this alone, the monster took a rapid lunge, with its fangs sharp, and ready to bite, witch Twilight avoided with dive, pulling up just in time before hitting the ground. Out of nowhere, Rainbowdash appeared, kicking the snair in the face, knowing out two of it’s teeth. “What in the world are you doing here?!” Shouted Twilight with a mix of anger, and worry for her dear friend. “ It’s not safe, you need to go!” “And leave you behind?” Said Rainbow, with nothing short of full confidence, “Like that's happening.” “I’m serious Rainbow, yo-” “Twilight!” The frightened mare gasped. As before Twilight was done scolding dash, she was knocked to the ground with a thud by the creatures enormous paw. She wanted to help her right away, but she knew that she couldn't do anything until she took care of the snair, or at least got it under control. That's when from out of nowhere, Fluttershy gave it the stare, and lead it away, she didn't even notice Twilight, or Dash, she thought that she had succeeded in her task of leading it away before Twilight had the chance to harm it. She had been released that morning, just minutes after her conversation with Twilight. She was told to keep off her left hind hoof for a few months until the bone has fully healed, but she could fly just fine. Acting upon instinct, Rainbow lifted Twilight, draping her over her shoulder, flying faster than a bullet towards ponyville hospital, Afraid that Twilight would bleed out before she got there, Twilight wasn’t even conscious, she now understood why Twi had not wanted her to stay, she was afraid that this would be her. But It’s a good thing she did, because if she hadn't Twilight would have died, although she might still anyway, despite her efforts, but it was too soon to tell. > Chapter 2: Is she gonna make it? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Ohh, I should have got their sooner, I could have protected her, this is all my fault!” Shouted Rainbow through a series of sobs. “No! It's my fault for letting her do it! I shouldn't have agreed!” balled Fluttershy. “ It's none of yer faults, don’t blame yerself. Besides, right now, Twilight is gonna need us to be strong.” stated applejack solemnly. “That is, if she eee.. If shee.. Bwaahh.. Whyyyy Twilight?! Ohhh Whyy?!” Cried Rarity, who was even more emotional than Fluttershy. “I’m sorry, *sniff* what I meant to say is if she even comes out.” Said Rarity, holding back tears. “ I don’t want to plan a death party, that's the saddest of all parties! Instead, I want to plan a you came through to us party!” Said Pinkie Pie, In a sad tone, her main straight as a ruler. There had been no fun, or laughter since the incident. “Group for Twilight Sparkle,” Said one of the nurses,” I have an update for you.” “Yes?!” Shouted Rainbow, louder than she had meant, “sorry, I mean, how is she, Is she gonna be okay?” “We can’t be sure yet,” Replied the nurse pony, “But her operation was successful, and she’s stable for now. All there's left to do is wait. She can’t be visited right now, we'll update you as soon as we find out more.” “We understand.” replied Applejack emotionless. “we’ll come back.” > Chapter 3: Darkness And Shadows > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I woke up, not knowing where, I tried to ask, but nopony seemed to understand me, or what I assume are ponies, but they appear as colorless blobs. They keep trying to talk to me, but they sound distant, and their words are mumbled. I don’t understand what they mean. I hear constant beeps, too loud to be ignored. They are rhythmic and entertaining. I feel needle after, needle. It used to hurt, but now it’s just routine. I feel so numb and lifeless. I' trapped in my own mind, and the walls are closing in. It could have been weeks, or years, I don't even know anymore. Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset. Over, and over, and over. It's the only thing I know. I focus on it, only to keep my mind busy from some unknown thoughts. One day, there is a change. I find to have regained control of my limbs. I begin to sit up, when suddenly, a sharp pain seized up my back, I shriek, and the room fills with grey blobs almost immediately. Their movements seem to suggest a mixture of both shock, enjoyment, and panic. After they realize what has happened, all but two left. One grabs my hoof and tries to lower my onto my back. Another jolt of pain. It moves its hoof down in a motion signaling me to stay down. After that wave of pain, I don’t wish to try again any time soon. Time passes, and slowly grey blobs turn to colorful shapes recognizable as ponies. Soon after, I can understand them, and food starts coming on trays instead of inside syringes. It still stings to move, but at least I can now. Ponies still can’t seem to understand my words, but neither can I. I can’t seem to remember how. > Chapter 4: We can see her > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A stampede of hoofs bang on the dirt roads mixed with the heavy panting of 5 ponies and one baby dragon. “ I can’t believe they made us wait almost two whole weeks to see Twilight!” Shouted Rainbow Dash. “ Remind me again, why we're running!” Painted Spike. "Because Spike,” Replied Applejack, who seemed to have no trouble keeping up. “The more time we spend walking, the less time we get to spend with Twi.” They arrived at the hospital in a cloud of dust, barely stopping in time, for after what seemed like a thousand moons, they could finally see Twilight again. They burst through the door, causing a big scene. “Where's Twilight!?” Shouted Rarity, resulting everypony in the room to look at her. She was quite a sight, carrying a pot of flowers that had wilted from the running, with her tangled mane, and dripping with sweat. “ Ehem, what I meant to say was, where looking for a patent named Twilight Sparkle, whe’re her friends, and we would like to see her.” “Right this way.” Replied the nurse pony with a warm reassuring smile. She had worked as a nurse for many years, and understood how stressful having a close friend, or family member in the hospital, so she decided to ignore the white and purple pony's outburst. “Twilight? Are you okay? We missed you so, so much!” Exclaimed Pinkie Pie, so fast she could barely keep up with herself! “Bughlapholphndi?” Twilight attempted to speak. “Huh?” Remarked a very confused Pinkie. “The fall may have given her permanent brain damage, we won’t know until a bit later. But her horn-eye coordination doesn't seem too badly affected. We recently discovered that she can communicate with her horn, and alphabet cards. She can't seem to manage a quill yet, though. Here, I’ll go and get them.” The nurse pony replied to the question that didn't need to be asked. “Here we go, Twilight’s communication cards; three of each letter and numbers 0-9.” She put the cards on the tray table next to Twilights bed. In response, Twilight clumsily levitated the cards, and slowly formed the words THANK YOU with the cards. “Your welcome princess!” Replied the now energetic nurse pony. Slowly the cards shifted, and formed a new sentence: JUST TWILIGHT PLEASE. “Of course Twilight, i’ll be back at 11 for your lunch request, just hit the button if you need anything!” The cards shifted again: OKAY BYE. “Oh my darling Twilight, are you okay? Does it still hurt?” asked Rarity worriedly. IM ALRIGHT. YES. “Oh, my poor dear, where?” BACK AND FRONT LEFT HOOF. “Did you tell them yet? The nurses, I mean?” Asked Applejack. NO. “Do ya want me to?” YES PLEASE. Applejack walked over to the red button over twilights bed, and pressed it. After about a minute, the same nurse from earlier came back in. “How can help you Miss Sparkle?” “She says it still hurts.” Rainbow answered for Twilight. “Is that so Twilight? Where?” BACK AND LEFT FOREHOOF. “On a scale from one to ten how much does your hoof hurt?” 5. “Ok, how about your back?” 9. NO 10. “Okay, I can get you some painkillers. Can I take a quick look?” YES. The nurse trotted over to the bed, and began gently prodding the mare's back. In response, Twilight winced and let out a sharp gasp. “Oh, sorry. I think we're gonna need an x-ray on that. Your hoof seems fine, but let's get an x-ray just in case.” > Chapter 5: The Bitter-Sweet News > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Looks like we're gonna need a back brace, and a hoof cast. I’ll be back in a few with the supplies.” A new nurse said to the six. “Okay, thank you.” Replied Fluttershy. The shy pony looked to Twi and almost cried at the state of her. She was covered in gauze and tape, surrounded by dark purple-black bruises. “Oh, Twilight! I’m so, so sorry-y! I was too late! I’m very sorry!” Twilight gave a very confused look, and once again levitated the cards. WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? She rearranged the cards before Fluttershy had a chance to respond. WHAT HAPPENED? NOPONY TOLD ME. “Well..” Fluttershy hesitated. “Do you remember the snair?” YES. DID IT DO THIS? “Yes-oh but it’s okay!” Fluttershy added quickly. “ After you, well, you know. After that, I used the stare on him and led it away. With the princess's help, I put her in Tartarus!” Fluttershy said, with growing confidence. She puffed out her chest in pride. Just then, the nurse walked back in. “ Ok, I know it hurts, but I'm going to need you to sit up so I can properly apply the brace. I’ll help you, okay?” YES. The nurse helped Twilight up slowly, and carefully. "Ahh!" Shouted Twilight, wincing from the pain. "It's okay, that's to be expected." Said the nurse. She adjusted the brace and velcroed it tight. If you want to lay back down, it will hurt less now. Twilight nodded and layed back down. The nurse then slipped a sort of bottomless sock over her forehoof and then dipped a roll of plaster in a bowl of water. She then proceeded to wrap it around her hoof over the sock. It was warm, and Twilight found it comforting. She yawned, suddenly realizing how tired she was. "If your tired, you should sleep. Right now you need as much rest as possible. Your friends will have to leave of course." I AM VERY TIRED. CAN YOU GIRLS COME BACK TOMAROW. "Sure Twi, we understand. We just want ya to get better. Right girls?" Said Applejack, talking for Twilight. "Yep" "Yeah" "Of course" "Uh-huh" They all said in unison. "Ok then, good night Miss Sparkle." Said the nurse. > Chapter 6: slip > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Months passed, and Twilight just kept getting better, and better. Eventually, she even begin to talk. With a slur, but still talk. It came to a point where it seemed as if nothing could ever go wrong again. Key word: seemed. "Hey Twilight, I brought you a cupcake! Grape with vanilla frosting, your favorite!" Exclaimed Pinkie Pie, bouncing into the room with a delicious smelling purple cupcake. "Fannk you piingie! It wooks dewishoos!" Said Twilight, annoyed with her own improper pronunciation. "Anything for you Twilight! Sorry I haven't visited in a while, apparently it's a popular month for marriage and baby showers. Five in one week! Two of them related!" Exclaimed Pinkie, jumping up and down in place. "Weww iv I got mawied, I wowed wand it to be in da summor two. Siw... I mss you vewy muj when yowr gone. And nowt jusd you. Awll ov ouwr fweinds. I juvft wij dat none ov dis evor habbend. And I wij dat I could jusd tawlk wite!" Said Twilight, talking so fast it took Pinkie a minute to decipher what she was trying to say. "I know Twilight, nopony likes it, but you just can't think like that. You have to keep smiling on! Think of the positives!" Said Pinkie, still trying to salvage what was left of her friends joy. "Wike What?!" "Like... free food! Uhh.. no taxes to deal with! No cooking and cleaning. You don't have to get out of bed to use toilet!." "okay pingie, virsd ov awll, I can wak to da bafwoom myselv, and senend ov awll, even iv I couldnt I considow dat a negidive." "Well, there's still all of those other positives!" Said Pinkie, she too beginning to lose her ecstatic mood. Suddenly, Twilight begain to seize for several seconds, meanwhile Pinkie was freaking out, franticly pushing the call button like a maniac. When Twilight stoped after what seemed to Pinkie like ages, she lie still with her eyes shut. Pinkies eyes quickly shifted to the heart moniter whitch was slowly, but still beeping. She looked at the BPM: 15. Half of what it should be. Twilights eyes slowly opened. "Pingie..." Said Twilight, her voice weak and frail. "Yes Twilight?" Said Pinie, holding back tears. "I want youu to know dat I wove you vewy much. And I want youu to tew owr fwiends how muj I wuv dem to. Tew my famowy toow. And awso tew Cewestia and Woona I'm sowy. Goowd bye Pingie." Just then the nurse came into the room immediately understanding the situation, and taking evasive action. "I need some help in here!" Nurse Red Heart yelled out the door. That's when the heart monitor let out a loud beeeeeeeeeeep. Twilight's eyes closed. Pinkie looked to the monitor to find the cause of the beep; flat line. More nurses and doctors rushed into the room. "TWILIGHT! TWILIGHT NO! TWILIGHT STAY, YOU CAN'T GO, NOT NOW! TWILIGHT! NO, NO, TWILIGHT! WHY?!" Pinkie burst out screaming and crying. "Mam, please step back so we can work." Said the nurse. "NO, NO! THAT'S TWILIGHT IN THAT BED, SHE'S MY FRIEND!" Screamed Pinkie, still hysterical. "Mam, where going to have to ask you to leave!" Said the nurse, starting to raise her voice. "NO, NO! NO, NO, NO! NO! NO! SHE'S MY FRIEND!" Said Pinkie, completely losing it. "Security!" The nurse yelled. Just seconds later Pinkie was dragged out of the room screaming, yelling and kicking. "Goodbye Twilight, *sniff* I love you too!" Said Pinkie, kneeling over a small wooden casket containing a pale violet alicorn with a goldmerry between her hooves. And Pinkie could have sworn on her life that she heard somepony faintly whisper in her ears; "Don't be sad, you just have to keep smiling on."