Dingy, tempered steel hardly makes a mattress fit for the pony that everypony should know. As she swan in and out of consciousness, putrid scents of sulfur wafted about her bloodied muzzle, yearning to jerk her back to life. No amount of bleach back at the Boutique could get these rust stains out of her sultry white coat. How anyone could sleep in this horrid humidity was baffling, no matter how induced that slumber, was a mystery.
“Twi… Twilight…?”
Wretched sobbing echoed out over the hum of hazardous machines and churning metalworks from across the chamber. Uncharacteristically crestfallen, the voice was riddled with incredulous disbelief.
The white pony in the corner stirred, the smells and sounds egging her out of her feverish sleep. Heat aside, the humidity was enough alone just to keep a pony from rising. With a bit of struggle, she felt her hooves shudder a bit as she attempted to stir.
“C-Come on, you… Up and at ‘em… ” A strained grunt followed by a weak chuckle followed, "Atta girl..." Only a stark moment passed before the sickening thud of limp flesh colliding with wrought iron shook the floor a bit. Although, it shook only a fraction as much as the crestfallen voice.
“Please… P-Please… Please Twilight! Move! Move for me!”
Something was going on across that heated steel floor, and the comatose pony heard all of it. Fruitlessly she attempted to awaken, but she still appeared to have a hoof on the other side of the threshold of sleep.
A southern drawl piped up, fighting desperately to mask it’s apparent shock. “Rainbow… She… Twilight…”
With a petite groan, the sedated pony’s eyes struggled to open. Her lips seemed to be covered in saliva, as well as her cheek. Groggily, her vision gradually came to her. All she could see was pink. A vibrant pink. A lucid, jubilant pink. A pink that radiated life. A pink that was much too close. A pink that nudged into the groggy pony’s muzzle. A pink that spoke with a cheerful tone. “Rarity! Are you alright? Now is not the time to be snoozing, silly goose!”
“P-Pinkie Pie?” Rarity’s eyes fluttered open as the pink mass came into focus. Before her laid the mischievous pony, flat on her belly, eye to eye with her, that she knew all too well. Pinkie’s eyes were massive and boring into Rarity’s. Propelled by her hind legs, Pinkie Pie scooted into Rarity, her fluffy pink mane tangling with Rarity’s.
Muzzle to muzzle, Pinkie Pie inquired, showing concern in her voice, “You have been sleeping for so long! Can you get up?”
“I…. I…” Rarity coughed as her senses were regained. According to her sense of touch, each of her limbs felt battered, and her ribcage shuddered as she drew in breath. Nothing felt broken, but then again, everything was still swimming. Yearning for some direction, her eyes pleadingly gazed up at Pinkie Pie.
Smiling as a mother would for her child, Pinkie rose to all fours. Without hesitation, she bent down and nuzzled her head beneath Rarity’s. Her voice was tender as she attempted to help her friend to her hooves, “Upsy-daisy…” Rarity shook as she placed her hooves flush against the steel beneath. Trembling, she pushed upwards with the help of Pinkie Pie. Gratefully Rarity looked at Pinkie, giving a warm grin.
With her usual peppy voice, laced with a bit of caring concern, Pinkie spoke to Rarity, "Are you going to be okay, Rare-bear?"
Coughing a bit, Rarity nodded her head, "Y-Yes, hon. I am... alright."
Bolt out of the blue, Pinkie's hooves snake around Rarity's neck as the frosting scented pony embraces her. The wild pink mane brushed across Rarity's face as Pinkie Pie nuzzled her neck lovingly. This sudden act of affection startled Rarity. Warmth spread throughout her chest as a genuine look of delight formed on her face. Honestly, she hadn't the slightest clue of what was going on, but she was thankful that someone was there for here.
Pinkie Pie broke off and stood before the white mare with a wide frolicsome grin, gazing with ardor. Rarity returned the look heartily, cocking her head curiously. "Darling... Where are we...?"
The color drained from Pinkie's expression, accompanied by a somber frown and folded ears. She bowed her head and glanced over her shoulder. Dejectedly she made a pitiful noise of distress as she gave Rarity one last grimace and stepped aside. Rarity's eyes had slowly been adjusting to the abysmal light. It was so artificial, a balmy fluorescence. Rusted gray metal occupied the floors, walls, and ceiling. Grates in the floor let steam leak upwards into the room, fueling the humidity. The hum of distant machinery proved harrowing to the ears. Rarity's eyes scanned the room and she recognized a few faces. Several meters away
