Chapter Seven: True Friendship
Chapter Seven: True Friendship

"Ribbons!"

Baby Gusty ran ahead, her feet becoming coated with mud. The rain was pelting her mane and face but she merely pushed the wet strands from her eyes and walked on. Starlight and Bright Eyes followed close. They were close enough to keep her in their sights but far enough away so that she was out of earshot.

"She's determined, isn't she?" Bright Eyes whispered to her friend. Starlight smiled and nodded.

"Well, judging from what she said, she came here just to get her best friend."

Bright Eyes agreed and looked ahead. Gusta had stopped and was leaning against a tree panting. Bright Eyes and Starlight rushed to her side. They heard the same thing over and over,

"Ribbons.."

Bright Eyes put her front hooves on the girl's heaving shoulders. The foal gasped in air.

"Calm down. You're hyperventilating."

Gusta shook her head. "Don't care. I have to find her!"

That said, she winked out and winked back in up ahead.

Bright Eyes sighed and ran ahead, Starlight trailing.

Gradually, the whole of the ponies regrouped. It was Melody that said it.

"We've been looking for hours. We should go back in. I'm never gonna get the tangles out of my hair."

Despite the situation, Baby Gusty smiled. "You and HeartThrob would love each other."

Then her seriousness returned, "I can't stop. She's insecure, a scared girl. Her faith in herself is seriously lacking. Besides, I promised I'd always come for her."

Clover smiled at the white girl. It was Sweetheart that called out,

"Who's there?"

They turned and saw up stream a form in the river, clinging to a branch for dear life against the rapids. Baby Gusty's heart stopped. She knew that figure. Even in the dim light she knew it. She plowed through Bon-Bon and Patch and dove into the river.

"Gusta!"

The group of ponies followed her. She had reached the form. Suddenly a rapid rushed over them and then they were gone.

"Gusta!" Patch called out. She had found a bit of a kindred spirit in the small girl. Seeing her pulled under-

"There they are!" Bon-Bon shouted, pointing. Everyone immediately rushed over to where she was pointing. Sure enough, there Gusta was and she was hauling the form they'd seen on her left front hoof. The rapids, as strong as they were, were weaker than this girl. She was conquering them.

She reached the edge and handed the form to Patch.

"Take her."

Patch nodded and pulled the small cold form to higher ground. Melody pulled Gusta out. The girl immediately demanded,

"Is she okay?"

Bright Eyes smiled. "I'm not a doctor but her pulse is strong. She's probably just weak. Is this your friend, is this Ribbons?"

The white girl smiled and walked over. She took one look and nodded.

The other took a time to examine her.

She was smaller than Gusta was. Her skin was a green shade and she had chartreuse tail and mane, although her mane had a single orange strip through it. In the center of her forehead was a small green horn. Her symbol was a single white ribbon. The girl was resting in Bright Eyes' front hooves.

She suddenly stirred and cracked her eyes. She stretched a hoof to Baby Gusty.

"Gusta…Gusta."

The foal grabbed her friend's hoof and squeezed it. She calmed and seemed relieved. But she was obviously weak as she closed her eyes again, and breathed heavily. Baby Gusty looked at her friends and said,

"We should get her warm huh?"

The others nodded. Bright Eyes stated,

"We should hurry. She could get pneumonia or hypothermia."

Baby Gusty stared at her. Bon-Bon cut in,

'She'll get sick."

Baby Gusty nodded. She looked directly at Bright Eyes.

"Ribbons is my best friend. I nearly thought I lost her when she was flung to this time, that's why I came after her. She's like my sister. I'm not going to lose her again."

That said, Baby Gusty ducked and squirmed until her best friend was spread over her back. She fought her way up but stood, despite the added weight.

"Let's go."

The seven fillies stood a moment shocked. Then followed. Bright Eyes smiled and said, plainly,

"Now that's friendship."