Chapter 2: Meeting the rest of the Gang.
The next day Twilight was awakened by a knock on the library door.
"Howdy, Twilight. I thought I'd stop by an' see what ya'll were up to," said Applejack as she stepped into the library. "Well, who do we have here?" she asked when she saw Alex sleeping on the couch.
"This is Alex Castaway. She's a human from Humania. She's been banished and she's sick, so I'm taking care of her," replied Twilight yawning.
"You look beat, sugarcube. Why don't ya head on up ta bed? I'll take care of Alex fer ya," Applejack offered good-naturedly.
"Thanks, Applejack," said Twilight as she headed up to bed.
"No problem, Twi," said Applejack.
A few minutes later Pinkie Pie showed up. "Hi, Applejack! Whatya doing?" she asked.
"Hi, Pinkie Pie. I'm just keeping an eye on Alex here. She's got a fever an' I'm just here in case she needs anythin' while Twilight gets some sleep," said Applejack.
"Oh. Mind if I hang around? I've never seen a human up close before," said Pinkie, most curiously.
"Sure thang," Applejack shrugged.
Rarity walked in a moment later. "Good morning, everypony. Isn't it a lovely day? Good heavens! That poor creature! Why those clothes look like they've been dragged through a thorn bush backwards! I must make this poor creature some new clothes at once!" exclaimed Rarity as she took off for the Carousel Boutique as quickly as was ladylike.
Fluttershy came in as Rarity ran out. "Oh, I hope I'm not interrupting anything, but I was wondering if Twilight wouldn't mind helping me with the animals next week. I'm… Oh! And who is this? I've never seen a creature like her before," asked Fluttershy.
"That's Alex. She's a human," said Pinkie Pie matter-of-factly.
"Oh, dear! She's sick! Oh, Applejack, let me help take care of her, please?" Fluttershy looked at Applejack.
"Well, ok. Just don't over nurse her, Fluttershy," said Applejack.
"I would never do that. Well, not on purpose. I'll make her some nice hot soup for when she wakes up," said Fluttershy trotting into the kitchen.
"Yeah, you do that, sugarcube," murmured Applejack, perusing the bookshelves.
Just then Rainbow Dash came in. "Hey, guys. What's up?"
"We're taking care of Alex Castaway. She's a sick and banished human from Humania!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie.
"All of you? Where's Twilight?" asked Rainbow.
"Twilight was up with Alex fer most of the night. She's upstairs sleepin'. The rest of us just decided ta pitch in and help out," answered Applejack taking a book down and starting to read.
"Oh. I just wanted to borrow the new Daring Do book, but I think I'll hangout here with you guys if you don't mind," said Rainbow.
"Sure thang, Rainbow," said Applejack.
Alex woke up about an hour later to find four ponies looking at her curiously. One of them, a pale yellow pegasus with a pink mane and tail, trotted over and placed a tray with a steaming bowl of soup on her lap.
"I made this soup for you. I hope you don't mind," she said in a very soft spoken voice.
"Thanks. I'm Alex Castaway. Who are all of you?" asked Alex taking a spoonful of soup.
"I'm Applejack and this here is Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash. Twilight told me about ya and I told the the others, so don't worry 'bout explainin' 'bout why yer here. If ya need anythin' just give us a holler and we'll get it fer ya," said Applejack smiling kindly at Alex.
"Thank you. I'm somewhat overwhelmed by such kindness." Alex looked at the ponies flabbergasted.
"I'll have to throw you a 'Welcome to Ponyville Party' when you're better!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed randomly.
"Pinkie Pie's famous for her parties," Twilight's voice came down the stairs. She appeared a moment later. "And Fluttershy is the kindest pony in all of Equestria. Applejack is the most honest and hard working pony I know and while Rainbow Dash may be a bit of a bragger, she's loyal and brave."
"I'm back! And I've brought the most fabulous set of new clothes for the… Oh! You're awake. Good! Now you can try on the new clothes I made you!" Rarity exclaimed joyously.
"Rarity, I don't think Alex can get out of bed yet," said Twilight, smiling at her friend's eagerness.
"Oh dear, I'd forgotten you were ill. Poor thing. But I'm sure you'd feel much better after a hot bath and change of clothes," she said hopefully.
"Maybe tomorrow Miss Rarity. Today, I feel as though to move me from this spot would kill me. I simply don't have the strength. I'm sorry." Alex looked apologetically at her.
"Oh, there's really no need to apologize, dear, and Rarity will do. You just rest and recover. I'll leave these here with Twilight, excuse me." Rarity took Twilight off to one side to have a private chat with her. "What's going on, Twilight? What happened to the poor dear?" she asked.
Twilight explained how Alex wound up in her care and as she listened, Rarity's eyes widened in shock.
"Oh! How horrid! I hope Alex get's well soon. I would stay and visit, but I must be getting back. Goodbye, everyone, I have a big order to fill so I'll see you all later." Rarity trotted out the door with a regal toss of her mane and headed for home.
"I got some Applebuckin' ta do tamarra, so I better git on home. It was nice ta meet ya, Alex. I hope ya feel better soon," said Applejack as she headed for home.
"I have to foalsit for the Cakes this afternoon. Don't forget Alex's 'Welcome to Ponyville Party' when she's all better!" said Pinkie as she bounced out the door.
"I think I'm just gonna hang out here and read Daring Do and the Haunted Temple," said Rainbow settling into the window seat with the book.
"I'll stay too and help you take care of Alex," said Fluttershy.
"What about your animals?" asked Twilight.
"I have about an hour before I have to leave to take care of them," replied Fluttershy.
"Ok, if you insist." Twilight shrugged.
"Uh, if I might say something, this all very nice of you and all, but really, I don't need more than one pony taking care of me. In fact, I'm just gonna… take a… nother… nap…." Alex started snoring softly.
Twilight took the tray with the empty bowl into the kitchen and went to study. Fluttershy stayed until it was time to go feed her animals. She would have liked to have brought Alex home with her so that she might nurse her back to health, but Twilight had pointed out that her expertise was animals, not humans. So, Fluttershy was content to stay home with her animal friends.
Meanwhile, Rainbow soon left for home with the Daring Do book and Twilight, Spike, and Owlowiscious were left to care of Alex alone. It wasn't so bad though, Alex was a very low maintenance patient and soon recovered. The day after Alex had fully recovered, she told Twilight to gather Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash for the journey to Canterlot Castle.
"Hello, dear! I'm so glad to see you looking so well," said Rarity as she and the others entered the library.
"Thanks, Rarity. It feels good to be up and about again," said Alex.
"I see you're wearing the outfit I made you. I must admit, I wasn't too sure about the fit or the plainness, but I had a feeling you were more of the Plain Jane type," Rarity confessed.
"That I most certainly am, my friend. You did a most excellent job. I have never owned a finer suit of clothes. Thank you, you are most generous," said Alex with a bow.
"It was nothing. I simply couldn't let you keep wearing those worn out clothes. But all the same, I'm glad you like them." Rarity smiled.
And so they set out on their journey.