In Loco Parentis (Part 9)

>The freezing wind bites at your skin as you clamber through the icy snow. Your hands slowly grow numb as you move between the trees.
>The snow is whipped into your eyes, making it virtually impossible to see, forcing you to blink constantly.
>You had to keep going.
>Someone took Scootaloo.
>A mix of urgency, fear and anger stirred in your very body as you fought the cold.
>The heavy downpour of snow has already covered the tracks ahead of you.
>They could have gone anywhere by now.
>As you cleared the small wooded area, the wide open fields around you were empty. No movement in sight.
>Scootaloo was gone.
>That nauseated feeling in your stomach made you want to keel over. Grinding your teeth, you had to hurry back and get help.
>As much as you wanted to keep tracking, you’d have a better chance getting the others to join.
>Scootaloo would just have to hang on. She can be tough when she has to.
>The skin on your cheek and nose felt frozen and almost burned to the touch. You made your way back home as the sensation in your hands and feet were starting to fade.
>Opening the door, you took a second to catch your breath in the entrance way. Grabbing a jacket and some proper gear you head into p0nyville in the dead of night.
>Running through the snowy storm, breathing hard felt like razors were flying through your throat and cutting it up.
>As you approached Twilight’s house you could only hope that a rescue mission can be organized.
>Almost in a delirium, you slam your fists onto the door of twilight’s house and harshly barked for her to answer.
>A moment later, a groggy Twilight answered with a yawn, “Anon, what’s the matter?” You burst your way in, slamming the door behind you.
Someone took Scootaloo!
>”What?”
She was kidnapped. I saw tracks... leading away from the house...
>You were still trying to catch your breath.
I couldn’t keep up... We need to hurry Twilight!
>”Did you see who it was?”
No. We need to get help and find her.
>”At this hour?”
For fuck’s sake, Twilight! They might be fucking killing her now!
>You slammed the side of your fist into the door frame, cracking the wood slightly.
Send a letter to Celestia! Do something!
>Twilight reared back in fear as she took a step away from you.
>You eye her one more time as you open the door and slam it behind you as you leave. How could Twilight even hesitate like that when a child is missing?!
>You went around p0nyville and told them what happened. Although some were cranky or groggy initially, the news that a filly was kidnapped in the middle of the night sobered them up and made them more willing to organize a search party.
>AppleJack woke up her entire family to get up and start searching the perimeter of Sweet Apple Acres for anything.
>Finally, the last pony to alert was Fluttershy.
>Knocking on her door she yawns, “Oh... Anon. What’s the problem?”
Scootaloo’s been taken. I’m going to go look for her. I need you to get Rainbow Dash for me.
>Her eyes widen in shock, “Oh my... D-did you see who it was?” she looked terrified.
No clue. Just go and get me Rainbow Dash!
>She peers out of the door into the cold windy night. She begins to shiver. “I-I don’t know if flying in this weather is a good idea...”
Fluttershy, Scootaloo has been abducted. Does that mean nothing to you?!
>”No, it’s just that I... um...”
You ‘um’ what?! If there was a time I need you Fluttershy, it’s now.
>Leaving it at that, you take off to go meet the search party at your house.
>Rainbow Dash meets you shortly after, “What happened? Fluttershy said you needed me.”
Someone took Scootaloo not too long ago. I need you to scout out the train station and see if anyone has seen her. Get the other pegasus and form a search party.
>”You got it!” she motions a salute gesture and takes off.
>You talked to the growing search party and divided them up into groups. Some will go searching out by the quarry, the others in the surrounding forest area and the last will go check out the EverFree Forest.
>You told them that even though you didn’t get a good look at who did it, there was more than one by the number of tracks.
>It was still late at night, but all you could think about was finding Scootaloo.
>And possibly killing whoever was brazen enough to kidnap her.
>The winter cold was still sapping your strength, but you had to look for anything that might tell you where Scootaloo is.
>The winter jacket you had wasn’t made for long outings, and soon you found yourself shivering violently while you and the other p0nies searched a nearby forested area.
>You began to stumble through the snow. You couldn’t even feel your feet anymore.
>”Are humans suppose to change colour?” one of the ponies asked you.
What?
>”Well, your skin looks kind of... blue.”
>One of the p0nies came up to you and looked at your face, “Hypothermia. Get him back to his house, he needs to warm up!”
No... I’m still good. We haven’t even looked over...
>You couldn’t even finish your sentence properly. You forgot what you were going to say.
>Your eyelids closed one last time before you fell asleep.
>”Get him out of this weather!”
>As daylight shines onto your face, you wake up and realize you’re home.
>There laying next to you in bed was AppleJack. She is sound asleep.
>Looking at your clock, it’s almost noon. Gently, you nudge her on the shoulder and whisper to her
AJ... AJ... what happened?
>She yawns and stretches her tiny body as she wakes up. Seeing that you’re up and alright makes her smile, “Thank Celestia you’re alright. You were this close to becomin’ an ice cube I reckon.”
Did they find Scootaloo?
>She shakes her head, “I’m really sorry Anon. Nothing came up so far. Whoever did this was clever to come in the middle of that snowstorm.”
>Your heart wretched and heaved in your chest, you could’ve save her. A heavy burden clouded your mind.
I need to keep looking.
>You get up from your bed and start to put on some clothes. A hoof touches you on the shoulder, “Anon, you need to take it easy. We got good folks out there looking for Scootaloo right now.”
I wouldn’t be much of a parent to Scootaloo if I just sat here and did nothing.
>You feel a sneeze coming on, but you catch it in your elbow. “You’re sick, Anon.”
I’m fine, AppleJack. That was just some dust.
>She gets off the bed as you sit on the edge to put on some extra socks.
>Best place to start would probably be Scootaloo’s room.
>”Do you want me to make you anything, sug?” she asks in a motherly tone.
>Something hot and liquid would hit the spot.
I have some leftover soup in the fridge if you can heat that up for me. Thanks.
>AJ makes her way downstairs, and you head into Scootaloo’s room.
>As you opened the door, a chill filled the room. The window was closed up, but open closer examination the latch was broken.
>They used force to enter, but it was probably the sound that woke you up. Looking around the room, it was still left the way it was last night.
>Bed sheets hanging off the bed, night stand was pushed over and....
>Something caught your eye.
>On the side of Scootaloo’s bed where it faced the window, there was a small tear.
>You rotated the mattress not too long ago and there was no cut in the fabric. No broken glass or anything that could’ve caused it.
>Was it a knife or something else?
>For that matter, who would even kidnap Scootaloo? Was it even a kidnapping or a creature from the EverFree Forest nearby that took her?
>A thought did come to mind.
>Scootaloo’s parents.
>You felt that you may have found your first suspects.
>Now that it was day, you went out to the back where Scootaloo’s window overlooked the nearby forested area.
>Heading into the nearby trees, you looked around carefully until you found something hanging off a branch.
>A piece of thread.
>But this was a thick, brown and scraggly piece of thread.
>You took your finding and headed back inside where AJ was waiting.
>Sitting at the kitchen table, AJ places a bowl of soup in front of you. But you continued to examine the thread with one hand while finding yourself with the other.
>”Whatcha find there?” AJ walks over to you.
Not sure; what kind of thread is this you suppose?
>Placing it on the table, AJ inspects it carefully. She feels it with her hoof and tugs on it. “Feels like the same material that a burlap sack is made of.”
Burlap what now?
>”A gunny sack. Something you can put grains in for transporting.”
>Oh sweet Lord, they actually used a sack to kidnap her.
>You lost your appetite at that point.
I’m going to keep on looking, AJ. You coming?
>As you head to the door, you hear a knock. It was Twilight.
>”Oh, Anon. Glad I caught you; I was able to send word to Celestia and she offered to send help.”
>You remember last night how you responded to her hesitating. As angry as you were, it was no excuse to act like that.
Thanks. Listen, about last night.
>Twilight put her hoof up, “It’s OK Anon. You’re just doing what any worried parent would do.”
I didn’t mean to get angry with you.
>”Water under the bridge, as they say.” She smiles.
So Celestia is sending some help? That’s good to hear.
>AJ interjects politely, “I was goin’ to mention that some of the pony folk are afraid to go into the EverFree Forest. So they’ll be like guards for some of the others, right?”
>Twilight nods, “Even though most of the creatures in the forest hibernate, we know others might still roam in there. Better to be safe than sorry.”
>Heading to the forest with Twilight and AJ, an escort is waiting at the edge of the forest.
>Twilight thanks them again in advance, and soon a small search team joins in.
I’ll make my first stop to Zecora’s and ask her if she’s seen anything. Then I’ll join with the rest of you.
>The EverFree forest was dense, and the deep snow didn’t make travelling any easier. But still you pushed on, and soon you arrived to Zecora’s.
>The rhyming zebra didn’t have any good news. She didn’t see or hear anything.
>Zecora offered to scout further ahead into the forest, even since the guards that were sent were cautious about going too deep into the forest.
>Thanking her, you continued with your search in the EverFree Forest.
>The frigid cold was unbearable at time, but as long as you kept moving the numbness would temporarily go away.
>Hours went by, and nothing has shown up.
>It was getting dark soon; Twilight warned that everyone should head back to avoid getting lost.
>Frustration, anger and utter sadness filled your entire being that evening.
>Even as you tried to get some sleep that night, you couldn’t. Maybe you managed a few hours, you couldn’t tell for sure.
>Waking up early that morning, you got your winter clothes out and decided to search out a different part of p0nyville.
>You started to get a cough, and it only got worse.
>The only thing that stopped fatigue from taking over was your desire to find Scootaloo. You wanted to see her again.
>Anything to know that she was alright would give you some sense of relief.
>Rainbow Dash found you later that day near the quarry. She reassured you that she thoroughly searched it.
What about the train stations? What about Los Pegasus?
>”The folks down there said they’ll keep an eye on Scootaloo’s parents, but they can’t arrest them if they don’t have proof.”
>You sifted through some of the snow, looking for any more clues.
>”Anon, you don’t look so well.”
I’m fine...
>You experience another fit of coughs.
>”That doesn’t sound good.” She hovers over you.
Don’t worry about me, worry about Scootaloo. She’s the one out there and she.... she....
>You didn’t want to finish that sentence. But it was a reality that you might have to face.
>RD and the other pegasus were able to cover more ground in less time. But the results were always the same.
>No sign of Scootaloo anywhere.
>3 days later.
>You barely slept after Scootaloo was kidnapped. Coffee was your best friend at this point, but the hot liquid irritated your throat.
>You took some drops for your cough, but it only got worse.
>The others insisted you stay home and rest while they continue, but you couldn’t stay behind and do nothing.
>It was late that evening as you sat on the couch in the living room. The house was much quieter without her.
>Beside the couch was a stand, and on it was a picture of her and you. Picking up the framed photograph, you could only hope she was still alive.
>If it was her parents that kidnapped her, there was going to be hell to pay.
>Your throat was becoming more irritated and weak from the cough.
>As you experienced another coughing fit, your lungs sharply drew in air and it created this weird sound in your throat. Almost like a whooping noise.
>There was a knock at the door.
>Answering it, AppleJack stood there in the doorway. She was wearing a scarf to ward off the cold winter air.
>Inviting her in, she just stood in the entrance way and took a look at you, “Sug, you really need to get some sleep. I know you want to find Scootaloo, and we all do. That’s no reason to go neglecting your health.”
AJ, the more time I waste not looking for her, the more likely she’ll....
>You cover your mouth as you go through another coughing fit followed by the whooping sound at the end. AJ never heard a sound like that.
>”I think you should see a doctor, sug.”
>Clearing your throat, you shake your head at her.
It’s OK; I’ve been taking some cough drops. I think they’re helping...
>That wasn’t quite true, but you didn’t want AJ to worry about you. The sooner you find Scootaloo, the sooner you can focus on getting better.
>”Well, just promise you’ll get some sleep and take it easy tomorrow. I’m worried about you...”
>You look down to her, and without saying another word you kneel down and the two of you hug. “I want to find her as much as you do; we’re still looking for her.” she whispers in your ear.
>As soon as she leaves, you got some things put together. You put on your winter clothes and headed out into the cold winter night.
>You’ll have to go further into the quarry this time. RD said she and the others already scanned the area, but you had to be sure.
>The cold hasn’t gotten to you yet, but you could feel yourself being short on breath.
>As you coughed more and sharply inhaling the cold air, it only made it worse. Your diaphragm ached from all the coughing, and you got to the point where you started to wretch and almost threw up.
>You could taste blood in your mouth.
>At the ledge of the quarry, you tried to yell out for Scootaloo. The wind started to pick up.
>Yelling felt like you were drinking liquid sandpaper.
>Time started to lose all meaning to you. Everything felt like you were in a daze of some sort.
>Wondering in the middle of a winter night, you only managed to yell in coughs and wheezes. You found yourself stopping periodically to catch your breath.
>As you walked along the quarry’s edge you began to cough again.
>But your lungs couldn’t pull in any air this time.
>Instantly your heart begins to race in a frenzy. You coughed out more blood and mucus, but your throat and lungs refused to pull in any air.
>It felt as if your lungs were filled with water.
>You began to beat your chest with your fist, and desperately tried to breathe in but to no avail.
>Clenching your throat with your hands, you fall to the ground and squirm around like an injured animal. You claw at the ground, and you feel tears streaming down your frozen face.
>You were scared.
>You were going to die.
>As your vision fades, you try to yell for help, but all that you could muster was a pathetic wheezing sound.
>Your lungs burn and scream for air.
>Slowly you stop moving and you feel your muscles go limp.
>Your brain starts to flash random images.
>The one thing that was on your mind was Scootaloo.
>You couldn’t even find her.
>A faint sound is heard in the distance. Almost like yelling.
>A faint sound of yelling and your body moving were the last sensations you felt before you slipped.
>You wake up to the bright warm sun shining on your face.
>Getting to your feet, you found yourself in the middle of a field. The sky was clear, the green field of grass surrounded you and a gentle breeze was blowing.
>A small hill was in the distance in front of you.
>You could see Scootaloo sitting at the top of the hill.
>Without thinking you ran to the hill, but Scootaloo had her back turned to you.
>There at the foot of the hill, you ran up the side but you weren’t getting any closer to the top.
>As if time slowed down, the sky grew cloudy and grey. Snow started to fall.
>The snow made you slip and slide back down to the bottom of the hill. You could only look up and yell to Scootaloo.
>She looked back to you; the look on her face said everything.
>You failed to keep your promise of protecting her.
>She turns away and walks out of view.
>Scrambling to your feet, you manage to rush your way up to the top of the hill, but by the time you reached it, Scootaloo was nowhere to be found.
 >Just a snowy white landscape surrounded you.
>You could feel your heart sink.
>Also, it felt as though something was pounding your ribcage.
>”Clear!”
>A sharp jolt filled your body.
>Bright flashes of white envelopes you.
>With life renewed you draw in a deep breath of air, sounds of beeping and yammering filled the room.
>”He’s back with us!” a voice announced. You blink your eyes a few times and could see a bunch of ponies in medical gear surrounding you.
>One pony leans over you and looks you in the eyes, “Can you hear me, Anon?”
>You nod.
>They go on talking in their doctor jibjab until another nurse comes up to you, “How are you feeling?” You tried to speak up, but your throat felt shredded. You could only manage a hoarse whisper.
What happened?
>”You got a nasty bacteria and it started to fill your lungs with fluid. A pony found you out in a field on the brink of death. She rushed you in here. We’re developing an antibiotic for you Mr. Anon, but it’ll take some time.”
Who?
>”Her name is...” she looks through some paper on a clipboard, “AppleJack.”
Is she here?
>”Yes, we can get her right now if you’re feeling up to it.”
>Nodding your head in agreement, they send someone to let AJ know you’re doing alright.
>The nurse goes on, “Yeah, what you have is a nasty little critter of bacteria that infects your throat, sometimes the sinuses, and if left untreated can be fatal. We had out top unicorns in the ER extract the fluid from your lungs. Your heart stopped and we couldn’t get the tinker ticking again.”
>AppleJack is standing in the doorway. The nurse finished off saying how it was a good thing you got here when you did, otherwise you wouldn’t be talking to anyone.
>The nurse excuses herself, as AJ takes a seat next to you. You’re hooked up to IV drips, and a heart monitor beeps a steady beat.
>You couldn’t look at AJ. Not after you lied to her and how much you scared her.
>”Anon, why did you go do that?” she asked.
>You could only whisper in a raspy voice.
I have to find Scootaloo...
>”And put your own life in danger?! You lied to me sayin’ you were gettin’ some sleep. Instead you go out into the cold dead on winter and nearly died. You almost died! I was right to trust mah gut feeling and go back to check on you. Course when you didn’t answer I knew you were out there.”
>The heart monitor beeps a little faster.
>You didn’t want to argue with her.
I’m sorry...
>AJ took one good look at you, and you could see in her eyes that she knew how sincere you are.
>She leans over and hugs you, “I thought I lost you...” she cries into your shoulder.
>It wasn’t long before the nurse showed up to escort AJ out. She insisted you get some sleep and you would have to get a chest tube inserted to help keep the fluid buildup from getting worse.
>You only slept that one night, but as soon as dawn came the nurse came to remove the chest tube.
>A bit of rest made you feel a little better, but your legs felt weak and your lungs ached. As soon as the nurse left, you got to your feet slowly.
>Your knees shook and wobbled furiously. You mentally told your legs to straighten up.
>Dressed in a hospital gown, you scanned the room to see your clothes were still in one piece. They were all folded up and placed on a chair in the corner of the room.
>You were still hooked up to the machine and IV drips.
>Ripping off the pads and taking out the needle, you scrambled to get your clothes and shoes on.
Time for this patient to check out...
>Opening the door, you held a hand to the wall and leaned out. Nop0ny in sight.
>You walk out of the room and slowly made your way down the hall, and you kept leaning against the wall. Once you stretched your legs, you’ll be good enough to keep looking.
>It was probably time to go pay Scootaloo’s parents a personal visit.
>No sooner had you reached the end of the hall, a doctor steps out of a nearby room and is caught off guard by you being there.
>”What are you doing? You need to be resting.”
Stretching my legs, doc.
>”You need to get back to your bed right now. We need to look after you for a few days.”
I’m just taking a small walk....
>The doctor runs to the wall and presses a button, “The human is out of his bed and refuses to return. Can I get some assistance please?”
>Shit...
>You forget using the wall as support and focus on being able to walk upright as you try to make a break for it.
>Two buff ponies are ready for you at the end of the hall.
>As if two puny ponies are going to stop you.
>Next thing you knew, you were on the ground and being carried away back to your room.
>You struggled, but since you weren’t healthy you couldn’t fight back.
I’m not a goddamn animal!
>You still couldn’t yell properly, but you were sure they heard you. As they laid you in bed and held you down, they pulled out leather restraints and fastened your wrists and feet to the bed.
>You wretched your head and started to heave your entire body. This causes you to go into another coughing fit.
>”Anon, if you don’t settle down we’ll have to sedate you.”
>One of the nurse p0nies whispered in the doctors ear. “We can’t?.... OK...”
>The doctor looked a little ticked off, but he maintained his professionalism, “As I was saying Anon, you’re under our care and you need to be treated. You have a life threatening bacteria.”
How long?
>”Pardon?”
How long will it take?
>”Depends, anywhere from a week to a month”
>You groan and pull against your restraints. You didn’t want to wait another minute in this place. Scootaloo needs you.
I have to find Scootaloo.
>”We’re well aware of the missing child, Anon. Rest assured the citizens of P0nyville have looked far and wide but nothing showed up. Just take it easy.”
>You could feel yourself burning up with rage.
>Finally after you settled down, you were in no mood to eat or drink. But thankfully AppleJack and the others showed up to see you.
>It wasn’t going to be any use to try and ask them for help in getting you out of there. They would all be set on ‘broken record’ mode.
>You kept things pleasant enough, they bought you cards and a few flowers. “You gonna eat that?” Pinkie Pie asked excitedly with a glimmer of hope in her eyes as she looked at the delicious flowers.
Knock yourself out.
>Pinkie chows down on the flowers while Rainbow Dash bumps you on the shoulder, “First the river and now this? You’re one tough nut to crack”
>The visit was nice enough, but soon they had to go do their daily business.
Did they find her yet?
>Twilight shook her head, “I’m sorry. Nop0ny anywhere has seen her. But we’ll still be vigilant; just get better Anon.”
>Not what you wanted to hear.
>The nurse came in with some warm soup for lunch. She lifts the spoon to your mouth. You keep your lips sealed shut. “You don’t like soup?”
>You shook your head. “Oh, did you want to eat something else?”
I’m not hungry...
>”Well, I’ll come back in a bit to see how you feel.” The nurse takes the tray of food with her and leaves.
>You weren’t going to have any of this crap. Either you leave now, or in a body bag.
>It wasn’t long before the nurse returns and asked if you were feeling hungry. You shook your head yet again.
>As the hours pass, you couldn’t think of anything but getting out of the hospital.
>The night approaches, but you didn’t fall asleep.
>This goes on for the next two days. By then, it’s been over a week since Scootaloo’s been missing.
>You haven’t eaten or drink anything at all. To say you felt like shit was an understatement.
>The doctors have noticed your little hunger strike; anytime they tried to force feed, you would thrash about and try to bite them if they got too close. They even threatening to muzzle you if you continued.
>But seeing as how you haven’t eaten or slept for a couple of days, your health started to deteriorate again.
>They were still working on the antibiotics.
>The doctors had one option to try.
>You are now Fluttershy
>It’s been three days since Scootaloo was taken away.
>And you couldn’t be happier.
>Anon will soon give up finding her, his heart will be broken and you’ll be there to win him over. You’ll show him true kindness and affection.
>You will mend his heart.
>The idea made you feel all fuzzy and warm. Just thinking about Anon holding you, stroking your mane and rubbing your back made you feel all giddy.
>You’ll be spending days together; having picnics, taking care of animals, and you’ll finally be the perfect mate for Anon.
>He’ll have to see why you’re the best and your love for him surpasses that of a young pegasus like Scootaloo.
>Even though you helped with the search missions, you knew exactly where Scootaloo was. The Diamond Dogs held her captive in the caves of their home, not far from the quarry.
>But since everyone was afraid of losing ground, they kept searching far and wide. Further and further away from Scootaloo.
>Anon has been putting up a good show trying to convince everyone that he loves AppleJack, but you’re smarter than that.
>You’ll make your move soon, and Anon will finally be happy.
>As you got ready for bed, you thought of your future with Anon.
>You hear something go ‘clank’ in the kitchen.
>You froze in fear for a moment.
H-hello...?
>No response.
>Walking towards the kitchen slowly, you peek around the corner and quickly scanned the room.
>Nothing.
>The kitchen was wide open and a cold breeze sweeps through.
>You promptly close it shut. “We have a problem...” A rugged voice calls out from behind.
>You jump high into the air with a yelp. Turning around, you see it was the three diamond dogs.
>Breathing heavily, you hold a hoof up trying to catch your breath from that little scare. You clear your throat and meekly talked to them.
What kind of uh.... problem?
>”Tiny little pony is more trouble than the gems you paid us!” one of them snarled.
>”Yeah, pony keeps talking and sometimes cry. We try to make her work but she won’t!” The other added.
What?! B-but I paid you. Can’t we talk about this?
>”Then pay up!” he growled in his throat.
What if I can’t pay?
>The diamond dogs just look at each other and lick their lips, “Won’t be first time we had pony flesh...” he snickers.
>The voice in your head started to go in your mind, “Good, at least it’ll look like a freak accident.”
>But this isn’t what you wanted.
No!
>”No what?” they asked with a confused look.
I mean... don’t hurt her. Give me some time to collect more gems. Just hold onto her for a while longer and you’ll get your payment.
>They growl in their throats, “One week. Pay by then, or little pony goes bye bye.” One of them opens the kitchen window, they all quickly slink out of the frame and slip away into the darkness of the night.
>You quickly close and latch the kitchen door.
How am I going to keep paying them to hide Scootaloo forever?
>”You could’ve just let them have their way...” she spoke to you.
I couldn’t let such a thing happen to her. I just need to get more gems from Rarity.
>Over the next few days, you discreetly took gems from Rarity’s workshop. Not a whole lot, but just a few that she probably wouldn’t notice.
>But you barely had enough to fill a small purse.
>One morning, you got word that Anon was in the hospital and that he almost died. You visited him, along with the others, in the hospital.
>Words couldn’t describe how happy you were to see that he was OK.
>But that didn’t solve your payment problem.
>A couple days later, you were surprised to get a summons from the doctors about Anon.
>”Fluttershy, we know how good you are with animals. Perhaps you can talk some sense into Anon.”
Oh my, is something the matter?
>”Well, I’m afraid he’s refusing to eat or sleep. He barely drinks any liquids and he won’t take any medication. The only thing he has right now is the chest tube that’s preventing the buildup of fluid in his lungs.”
Sounds like he misses Scootaloo. I’m sure I can fix him right up.
>”I hope so, because if he doesn’t, his condition is only going to get worse. He’ll die at this rate.”
>Those words hit you the hardest.
What...?
>”Anon needs to get better. Let’s hope you can do some good for him.” The doctor escorts you to where Anon is being kept.
>As the doctor leaves you, you look at the door. On the other side was the love of your life, someone who didn’t deserve to die.
>With a nudge, you open the door and peer inside. There was Anon, propped up in bed and looking straight at you.
>Anon looked worse than he did a few days ago, but he was still beautiful in your eyes. Nothing could change the way you felt about him.
H-hello Anon. I um... came by to see how you were doing.
>Anons voice was raspy and could only talk in whispers, “Did they find her yet?”
No, nothing yet.
>Anon sighs. He shifts around, but his wrists and ankles are still tied.
Can I come in?
>He nods and you approach the side of the hospital bed. You eye how he’s be held down to the bed, the doctors didn’t want him to leave for obvious reasons.
The doctors said you have been a naughty patient.
>You smile nervously; hoping that a bit of humour would cheer him up.
>”I’m being held against my will, Fluttershy...” he spoke harshly.
Well... doctor Fluttershy is here to help. How about some soup? I can get you some, if you like.
>The voice inside spoke to you, “Look at how he’s tied down. Perhaps, you should make him feel more... ‘relaxed’...”
>It was tempting...
>But Anon’s health comes first!
>Anon growled in throat, “Not hungry...” he kept his glaring eyes focused at the door.
It’s time for you to take some medicine. You’ll feel much better when you take it!
>You pour a discoloured syrupy medicine onto a spoon and hold it to Anon’s lips.
Here come’s the choo-choo train! Chugga chugga woo-woo!
>You giggle a little as you held the spoon in front of his mouth. But it doesn’t open.
Come on now, you should take your medicine.
>You start to push the spoon between his lips. He seals his lips and you can’t wedge the spoon in any further. Anon just keeps looking at the door, as if waiting for someone.
>Taking the spoon down away from his mouth, you sat their listening to the beeping sound of the heart monitor. It was beeping slowly.
>Maybe it was time to establish a form of physical contact. You place your hoof on his arm and rub slowly.
>He doesn’t seem fazed.
Anon, I know it must be tough not knowing where she is.
>Perhaps it would be better to remind him of what’s more important.
We only want you to get better, anon. Maybe it’s time to move on?
>You noticed very minute twitching going around his eyes and lips.
Anon?
>He wasn’t responding to you. You wave a hoof in front of his face, but you didn’t get any response. He was alive, but he just wasn’t answering you.
Please don’t be mad at me. Is there anything I can do for you?
>You could hear Anon clear his throat, “Can you untie these?” he was referring to his restraints.
Oh... the doctors said I shouldn’t.
>Anon forcefully heaves his entire body in a tantrum of rage and pulls at his restraints. The heart monitor jumps to life as the number of beeps rises.
>But soon Anon goes limp and breathes heavily. The monitor slows down once more.
>You never seen any animal react like this before.
Anon, you need to relax.
>You place your hoof over his forehead to rub him, but he forcefully swings his head away from you.
>Tears formed in your eyes.
Anon, please don’t be angry.
>He continues to look away from you.
>You were becoming more desperate.
Don’t do this to yourself!
>You grab the spoon filled with medicine and hover over him.
>Pressing the spoon to his mouth, he refused to take any. You began to sob, knowing he would die if he didn’t get any better.
Anon... please...
>You tried again, but he finally opened his mouth and with one quick swing he bites onto the spoon and flings it across the room.
>The spoon hits the wall and all the medicine spills across the floor and wall. He spits out whatever medicine may have gotten into his mouth.
>You couldn’t take it anymore, so you quickly leave the room in tears.
>How could Anon do this to himself over a child?
>Later that night, as you laid in bed; you cried and cried. Anon was going to die, and it was your fault.
>”You should’ve taken the chance to show him how much you loved him.” The voice spoke out to you.
Did you see that look in his eyes? He was furious at me. He’s going to die....
>”You just need to try harder, Fluttershy...”
No, I don’t want him to die!
>You cry at the top of your lungs. Burying your head into your pillow, you sobbed knowing that Anon’s death would be your fault.
>There was only one solution to this.
>Scootaloo.
>”Don’t you do it...” the voice warned.
I’m sorry, but if that’s what it takes. Then I have no choice. I love him....
>”Fine, go ahead and throw away this perfect chance to have Anon. He would’ve pulled through no matter what.”
>With the few gems you had, you rushed out the door and headed to the quarry where the diamond dogs lived.
>It was a calm winter night, and the full moon shined brightly over the white landscape.
>you made contact with the ground and trotted around, desperately looking for the dogs. You even began to tap on the rocks as if they were doors.
>Finally, out of the ground burst out three diamond dogs, the same as before. “What is it? Come to pay up?” he hissed.
>You looked at the small sack of gems and nodded. Handing i over, he greedily snatches it out of your hoof.
>He looks inside and examine, a look of shock consumes his expression, “What joke is this? You pay less now then what you gave us before!” he growled.
Oh... well I couldn’t that much. I’ll take her off your hands now, if that’s alright...
>He stomps his paws into the ground, “No! We held our end, now it’s time to pay; or tiny little pony becomes chew toy!” they snarl at you.
Please don’t! I can get more gems!
>”Then you better get going!” they warned.
>You could only shake in fear, there’s no way you could collect enough gems.
>Feeling yourself growing more hopeless, you collapse to the ground and sobbed. The diamond dogs grew confused at what you were doing.
Oh, I should’ve just asked Rarity to help me...
>The diamond dogs instantly perked up at the mention of that name, “Did you say... Rarity? As in.... white marshmallow pony Rarity?”
>You sniffled and looked up to them
Y-yes?
>The dogs looked worried, “Give us a minute...” they quickly huddled and whispered amongst themselves. You couldn’t hear what they said, but they started to bicker among themselves, but they finally came to an agreement.
>”We come to an agreement....”
>They instantly threw themselves to the ground at your feet, and started to beg and plead while kissing at your hoofs. “Please don’t bring whiny loud pony back here!” he whined.
>”Yeah! Anything but that. It makes all kind of terrible noises!”
>They were more scaredo f Rarity than you thought.
So... you’ll give Scootaloo back?
>”Of course! Just don’t involve the whiney pony in this! Pleeeeeaaasssse!” he begged.
>This was unexpected, but you got what you came for.
OK, just put her out here first thing tomorrow morning. And not a word of my name to anyone, understand?
>Their ears flatten and they slowly retreat back to their hole, “Yes! Of course!”
>They fled back down the holes and covered them up.
>This was too perfect. You’ll find Scootaloo tomorrow morning and bring her back to Anon. Anon will probably be so grateful, he might even ask to marry you!
>You quickly went room and almost couldn’t sleep because you were too excited.
>That’s exactly what happened.
>Being so excited, you barely got any proper sleep. Thus, you slept in a little too late.
>You woke up to the sound of a knock at your door.
>Still in a groggy state, you look to your clock to see that you’ve overslept! You were suppose to go get Scootaloo.
>Rushing to the door, you see that it was Rainbow Dash.
Oh, good morning Rainbow Dash. What brings you here?
>”Are you feeling OK? You look a little... sweaty.”
Sweaty? Who’s sweaty? I like to do some jogging in the morning! It’s not against thel aw!
>”OK.... but I got some good news! AJ was up early this morning looking for Scootaloo and she found her! She found Scootaloo!”
What?!
>”I know! She found the poor kid down near the diamond dog’s territory. AJ brought her over to the hospital. She probably already told Anon the news. We should go see them.”
>You couldn’t believe it.
>In your own hubris, you failed at your one chance to impress Anon. And now AJ took it away from you.
>Reluctantly, you went with RD to the hospital to check this out and see how Anon is doing.
>You are now Anon.
>It was the day after Fluttershy decided to annoy the shit out of you. You could hardly be angry at her, but she was only trying to help.
>Real help would’ve been if she got you out of here.
>As the early morning sun shined through your window, you could feel yourself growing more and more tired. And really thirsty.
>Hunger is not that bad to deal with. The first day and a half was painful, but your body learns to adapt and deal with it.
>Kind of makes you wonder what ponies were capable of. You still held onto the belief that Scootaloo was still hanging in there.
>But doubt always crossed your mind.
>You could hear a commotion outside your room. It was getting closer.
>The door swings open, and there was AppleJack. She stood in the doorway breathing heavily and had something on her back.
>A tiny orange figure was hanging off her back. “Found her....” she gasps.
>AJ walked in and gently places the tiny little pegasus on your lap. AppleJack quickly undoes your restraints.
>You scoop up Scootaloo in your arms and without saying another word you wrap your arms around her and gently rock back and forth.
>Words couldn’t describe how happy you felt.
>You could hear her still breathing, you nuzzled up against the tiny orange filly and kissed her on the forehead many times.
>By this time, the hospital staff swarms into the room to observe the reunion.
Is she alright? Where did you find her?
>You had so many questions, but AJ explained that she was on an early morning search and found her near the quarry close diamond dog territory.
Thank you, AppleJack...
>Scootaloo looked worn down and tired, but you started to cry. You were so happy that she was still alive and in one piece.
>By then, Twilight and the others showed up.
>They looked on as they watched you hold Scootaloo in your arms and trying to gently wake her up. As you started to cry, so too did AJ and the others.
>Fluttershy was crying too, but for a different reason. The others thought she was
>The doctors urged that she be taken in to receive proper care. “C’mon sug. The doctors will take care of the rest.” AJ placed her hoof on your shoulder.
>As much as you wanted to hold onto her, Scootaloo was given to the doctors and is whisked away.
>Watching her leave, the biggest relief washes over you and you finally close your eyes and collapse in your bed.
>You could finally rest now.
>Fluttershy was still crying softly to herself.