Mysterious Alicorn

Chapter 17

By Aponymous

Eventually sleep overtook me, drawing me from my paused world into that of nightmares, of liquid fire and the screams of my freinds. It was slightly better than reality.

Hushed, quiet voices woke me from my slumber. I opened my eyes and attempted to wipe the blur of sleep from the edges of my vision. Before me were all six of my freinds, talking amougst each other in soft voices, after a few moments they seemed to notice I had woken and Twilight turned to adress me

"I'm glad your awake, Fluttershy woke up about a half and hour ago, we were going to wake you but I figured you needed your rest after such an ordeal."

I gave her a half a smile, wishing they had woken me earlier, more because I wanted to be released from my nightmares than because I wanted to be back in the real world. Without a word I approached Fluttershy, who was still laying in her bed, looking far better than she had last night.

The nurses had cleaned her up and in the full lighting of the room she didn't look quiet as badly burnt, the blackend parts of her mane seemed to have been mostly soot and her coat was only missing a few, small patches. Her tail was still missing the end but none of this was important.

The important fact was that Fluttershy was ok. She wasn't going to die, she didn't even seem to be in any particular pain. I leaned my head forward and hugged her around the neck, showing my concern and affection as best I could without words. She smelled faintly of soot and burnt hair but I didn't take notice, I was simply content with the contact, content in the knowledge that we would have more time together.

After a few moments contact I retreated from her and waited for her to speak, when she did it was in a quiet, wavering voice

"Are you ok?"

I smiled and nodded, glad to see she hadn't changed. She nearly died last night and she's asking me if I'm ok. She gave me a weak smile and I felt the overwhelming urge to hug her again.

I gestured at her, asking how she was

"I'm fine, the doctors say I'l be up and about in a few days, they say I'm lucky to have gotten out of there in as good condition as I did."

Then without warning, her entire body tensed up and she nearly shouted

"MY ANIMALS! What happened to them"

All six of us nearly jumped out of our skins at the sudden outburst, before trying to calm her down. She was taking short, shallow breaths, nearly hyperventalating as Twilight explained everything

"Most of your animals fled into the Everfree when the fires started, later today we're going to go around see what we can do to help. We'll make a stop at your house to see what's left of it"

As the last of the words came out of her mouth it occured to me just how sad that must sound. What's left of it. As though we were leaving to look at a shattered, burnt husk of something once wonderful, I suppose we were.

Fluttershy seemed to calm after that. They continued the conversation they had going before I woke, I stood quietly beside the bed. As I listened it occured to me something was missing. In the corner sat Pinkie, remaining completly quiet, looking pointedly at her feet.

Her hair had lost it's poofy nature and was hanging around her face, straight as an arrow. I left Fluttershy's side to approach her before being stopped by Rainbow Dash who was looking protective.

"Don't bother. She'll feel better in a little while."

I angled my head, looking as best I could like a confused puppy.

"She get's like this whenever anypony dies, she also just lost her home in a inferno. Give her time, she'll be back to normal soon."

Rainbow Dash didn't sound very convincing but I let it go. After all, she knew Pinkie better than I and if she said to leave it, who was I to refuse. At some point Twilight cleared her throat before speaking in the same, soft voice that everypony else had been using since I had awoken

"Shoul- Do- Are you girls ready to see what we can do around Ponyville?"

She seemed to be having trouble finding words for the situation, trying to dance around the fact that only one of our house's remained intact. Remained untouched by the destruction I seemed to have brought with me.

Reguardless of clear aprehension filling the room, all of them nodded and began to shuffle out of the room. I remained standing next to Fluttershy, not wanting to leave her side, not willing to let her out of my protection.

Fluttershy didn't seem to have the same idea though and as the last of the others left the room she spoke to me in a weak, throaty voice

"You should go with the others, make sure my animals are ok."

I nodded and turned to trot out of the room after the others, not wanting to argue with somepony who had just been hospitalized because of me.

"Wait... ummm..."

I turned around to find Fluttershy blushing deep red, looking pointedly at the wall in front of her.

"About last night, at the lookout... Do you, um, want to go on... A- a date or something some time?"

I wanted to laugh, very badly, but I didn't out of fear it may hurt her feeling. She was just so damn adorable sometimes. I smiled and nodded, she smiled in turn and after a moments hesitation, I leaned forward, hoping for another kiss or at the very least a hug. My hopes were met. Once again my mind melted, the rest of the world fell to the wayside as the reality sank in that in the midst of all this, the destruction, the Fire-Throwers, there was still something to look forward to. Something to keep me going.

The kiss lasted for what felt like only a few moments before we broke apart. I gave her one more smile and a quick hug before turning to the door to see Twilight standing there, looking amused.

"And all it took was half the town burning down..."

I once tried to go a day without talking... I lasted about a half an hour...

I guess Fluttershy's a fan of damaged goods... (So to speak)