Rugia

Rainbow sat in the waiting room of the hospital, terrified of what would befall Apple Jack. Would she live? Or would she die? The question was still unanswered. She sat there breathing like she was suffocating. Images of the sentry attack still ran through her mind. Watching the sentry beat Apple Jack to a bloody pulp, and then seeing the look on her face when the sentry stabbed her. The more Rainbow thought about it, the more she panicked. Finally her friends came running into the room. They looked better than she did, but were frightened none the less. When Rainbow explained what happened it only made things worse for her. Her friends began to panic as well. According to Rainbow and what she had heard from the nurse Rugia had been working non-stop with the doctors to save Apple Jack’s life. For fifteen minutes the six of them sat there, plus spike, waiting for the news. Finally Nurse Redheart came into the room.

“Is Apple Jack going to be ok?” asked Twilight looking glum.

“From what I was told,” Nurse Redheart sighed, “they have stabilized her. But her vitals are still weak.”

“Well at least-” Rarity started but was interrupted by the sound of crashing objects out in the hall.

“GET OUT OF MY WAY!” they heard Rugia scream at the top of his lungs. He came in the room and told Nurse Redheart to leave and slammed the door after she left.

“WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH YOU!?” he screamed at Rainbow which made all of them jump. “WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALL THINGS GOOD POSSESED YOU TO GO AGAINST WHAT I SAID? I TOLD YOU TO NOT GO NEAR THE RESTRICTED SECTION OF THE LAB!” He was now leaning over Rainbow Dash. Everyone in that room had never imagined that Rugia could get as angry as he was. It frightened them to see him like this, they never thought that under that kind exterior was a force of rage. “Did you listen to me when I said to stay away from the sentries? NO! And look what happened. Apple Jack is in the emergency room because of YOU! What do you have to say for yourself?” It looked like Rugia was a father yelling at his child.

“I-I… I… just-” Rainbow choked.

“Forget it.” Rugia hissed, “Just FORGET IT! I DON’T WANT TO STAND HERE AND LISTEN TO YOUR EXQUSSES!” Rugia paused and ran his hand down his face. He looked at the blood that was occupying half his shirt and most of his pants. “Words can not describe how ang-… no… How furious I am right now. Two days… TWO DAYS I HAVE BEEN HERE! And I’m already having to repair a tragedy. I’m going to have to tell Celestia what happened. And to top it off, I’ll have to put SCS-1 on probation. I made a mistake taking you into my lab. I - really though you were responsible Rainbow. Boy I was wrong. Did I listen to my better judgment when it said to not take all of you into my lab? Noooo. Was it a good idea to tell you about the sentries and the restricted lab? Noooo. Instead here I am spending my time having to fix a mess some stupid pegasus created.” Rainbow began to sob in her hooves. “Apple Jack is in the ER practically on her death bed because of your stupidity.”

“Rugia,” Twilight intervened, “Nurse Redheart said that she was stable.”

“IT DOESN’T MATTER TWILIGHT,” Rugia was screaming again, “APPLE JACK HAS A THIRTY-FIVE PERCENT CHANCE OF SURVIVING! Being stable means nothing as long as her vitals are as low as they are. She could turn for the worst in the blink of an eye. I will never forgive myself if Apple Jack dies.”

“IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME!” screamed Rainbow Dash. “I should have been the one attacked and injured. I should be the one dieing in the ER! I was the one being attacked by SCS-1, but Apple Jack saved my life at the price of possibly loosing her life! Oh Apple Jack… PLEASE DON’T DIE!”

At this point Rainbow was sobbing uncontrollably on the arm of the chair. Rugia stood there still angry, but his anger soon turned to depression. Rainbow felt bad enough as it was, and Apple Jack being on the thin line between life and death didn’t help either. Rugia screaming at her only made her feel even worse and put her into more pain. It was hurting Rugia too, the fact he screamed at his new friend broke his heart. Rugia’s eyes teared with regret, and he walked over and picked up Rainbow and embraced her with a gentle hug.

“I’m sorry I yelled at you Rainbow,” Rugia’s voice was at a whisper, “I let my anger get the best of me. I shouldn’t have lost my temper with you.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you Rugia.” Rainbow whimpered.

“When I heard you scream,” he said hugging Rainbow tighter, “I was so afraid that I was going to loose you. And now I’m scared I’ll loose Apple Jack. You guy’s are like my family. I love all of you like Family. What’s important is that you are alive and so is Apple Jack… barely.”

Rugia sat in a chair and held Rainbow close to him. No one felt like talking. They sat there for two hours, wondering when they would hear from the doctors. Finally they were taken into the ER to see Apple Jack. She was still unconscious, but at least the doctors said she was going to live. It eased the pain on Rainbow but she was still under deep depression. It was hard to look at her while she was bandaged up and still bloody. But at least they were able to stop the bleeding. The doctors said there was more they wished they could do but couldn’t. It didn’t help that Apple Jack was also in a coma. Apple Bloom was distraught with fear of Apple Jack getting worse like the rest of them.

“I’ve got it!” Rugia’s head shot up and he pulled out his satellite phone and began dialing a number on it.

“What ever are you doing darling?” Rarity asked.

“Calling a friend.” he said. They could here a voice answer on the phone. “Victor, I need your help. Yeah I know I left without saying goodbye. Loo-look, I need you to pack your things and come to coordinates: 5-9-0-3-3-6-2. Ok. See you in a few days. Bye.”

“Who was that?” asked Twilight.

“The man who will save Apple Jack’s life.” Rugia said with excitement.

They looked at him confused. “Just trust me on this.” he said leaving the room.

Two days passed, Rugia hadn’t spoke with Twilight and the others since he had left the hospital. No one felt like talking anyway, Apple Jack’s condition was too much pressure on them. Twilight found it hard to stay focused on her studies, Pinkie tried her best to make things better but her own depression weighed her down, and her straight mane was proof of it. Poor Fluttershy was always seen with her head hanging so close to the ground that her mane dragged in the dirt as she would walk. Candace went to visit Rarity, but had found her store a total mess and found Rarity sitting amongst the manikins crying her eyes out. She couldn’t stand the thought of loosing one of her dearest friends. Rainbow however hadn’t been seen since they left the hospital the day Apple Jack was injured. Twilight had tried her house, but she wasn’t there. They couldn’t find her anywhere. Where she was, no one knew.

That night the rain came down hard. Rugia sat at home in the living room, with his wife laying against him as they watched movies on their TV. R-17 was laying on the floor like strung out rag doll, his normally green eyes were blue with sadness. The rain didn’t help the pain Rugia was feeling inside, even John Wayne scolding Stumpy on the television didn’t make him smile. He couldn’t help feel responsible for what happened. He had warned about the sentries’ aggressive behavior toward unfamiliar faces, but still couldn’t keep curiosity from clouding the judgment of his now missing cyan friend with rainbow hair. Suddenly there came a light knock at the door. It was a very slow knock, that beat slower than the sad tune Rugia’s heart was playing. Rugia wondered who in the right mind would be out in the rain at this hour. Rugia opened the door and found Rainbow Dash standing in the downpour. She was completely soaked, her hair was covering her eyes, and her wings were hanging to the ground. Tears were streaming down her face worse than the rain.

“Good heavens Rainbow Dash,” Rugia exclaimed beckoning her in, “come inside before you get sick.” Rugia closed the door and turned to Rainbow, “What are you doing out in a storm like this? Are you trying to catch ammonia?”

A small whisper came from her mouth, “I’m s-so sorry r-Rugia… I-I… I never meant for it to happen.”

Rugia knelt down and lifted Rainbow’s hanging head with his left hand, and lifted her mane out of her face with his right. What he saw, broke his heart clean in two. Rainbow’s beautiful rose-colored eyes were blood-shot. She looked utterly miserable and exhausted. From what could be seen of the poor pony, she hadn’t slept in two days. Her face, even though soaked by the rain, was stained with tear lines.

“I forgive you Rainbow.” Rugia stroked her neck, “I guess we are both to blame for this. I shouldn’t have told you so much about the SCS’s, and…” Rugia paused and decided not to continue. He knew if he finished that sentence, it would hurt Rainbow even more.

“Let’s get you cleaned up,” Rugia said picking her up in his arms, “and you can sleep here tonight.”

Rainbow said nothing as Rugia made his way into the living room. Candace jumped to her feet at the sight of the cyan pegasus in Rugia’s arms. Candace drew a bath, and Rugia placed Rainbow on the rug in the bathroom. Rugia left Candace to clean Rainbow’s coat and headed to the bedroom to change into his pajamas.

Rugia sat in the living room watching another John Wayne film. As he sat there, Candace came back in and sat next to him. Rainbow slowly came in still looking miserable. She hopped into the recliner. But before she got a chance to lay down, Rugia offered a seat next to him. Rainbow slowly climbed over the arm of the couch and laid down on the couch with her head next to Rugia. It pained Rugia to see anyone in a state of depression. Of course he was depressed as well, but Rainbow’s state was plain out heart-breaking. Rugia watched as another tear made its’ way down Rainbow’s face and onto the couch. Rugia gently scratched her behind the ears to bring some sort of comfort to her.

Later, the movie ended. Rainbow was laying across Rugia’s lap sleeping. As peaceful as she looked, she still looked miserable. Rugia carried her into the guest bedroom and tucked her under the covers. Rainbow let out a soft sigh and cuddled up to the pillow.

Rugia sighed and said, “You and me both Rainbow.” Like Rainbow, Rugia hadn’t slept in two days either. Maybe they both will be well rested for tomorrow.

That night, Rainbow Dash dreamt that she went walking through Ponyville. The town was completely deserted, not a soul could be found. When she would call out for someone to answer, she would only hear the echo of her own voice. The further she went the more worried she became. But as she came to the center of town, she found Apple Jack lying dead in the middle of the dirt road. She tried to run to her, but her legs would not move. She began calling for help, but as she did she began to notice all of her friends were dead as well. All were warring blank expressions. Before she could react to the sight before her, she found herself in a completely black room. In the middle of the room stood SCS-1, who stared at her menacingly. She asked why it killed her friends, but the robot didn’t answer. SCS-1 changed his arm into a gun and opened fire, ending Rainbow’s existence.

Rainbow woke up screaming. As she did Rugia came running in to see what was happening. Rainbow stopped screaming and began sobbing. Rugia wrapped his arms around Rainbow and began calming her down. When she was calm enough, he went to the kitchen and came back with a glass of water. Rainbow drank the water like she hadn’t drank anything for several days.

“You going to be alright, Dash?” Rugia asked her as she stopped drinking.

Rainbow nodded and handed Rugia the glass. Rugia bid her goodnight and left the room to put the glass in the kitchen. Rainbow watched him come back pass her room to get back to his own bed. Rainbow sat there for a moment trying to decide weather it was a good idea to try to sleep or not. But she soon laid down and made an attempt to sleep. However when she got comfy, SCS-1 one was standing over her on the bed with his red alien eyes on her. Before she could say anything, SCS-1 clamped his hand down on her mouth to keep her from talking. Rainbow’s eyes widened with fear.

“I remember you,” SCS-1 said in a very dark tone, “you were with that orange thing that tried to break into my creator’s lab.” Rainbow’s eyes teared with fear. “I’m warning you, if your blue hide is found around the lab without my creator’s authorized permission…” The sentry paused and got close to her face while still holding its hand over her mouth, “You won’t walk away alive.”

Dash blinked and SCS-1 was gone, he was no where to be seen. Rainbow sat up in bed and looked around the room, but couldn’t see the sentry anywhere. I remember you, those words echoed in her mind. The sentry spoke to her like it was another pony, it remembered seeing her the day she was outside the lab’s restricted section. The last time she saw it, it talked like it was brainwashed. Rainbow laid her head down again to try and sleep, a few moments passed and she slipped off to sleep.

The next morning, Rainbow Dash woke up laying in Rugia’s arms in Apple Jack’s hospital room. She looked around and saw all of her friends were there, but none of them seemed to know she was awake. Pinkie was the first to notice her and let the others know. Rugia explained that he had carried her to the hospital because he got a call from his friend, saying that he was just about there. Rainbow hopped down off of Rugia’s lap and walked over to Apple Jacks side. She looked at her still unconscious friend. The bandages on AJ’s body were still bloody, like they haven’t been changed yet. Apple Jack, as injured as she was, looked peaceful laying there in the bed but almost lifeless. Rainbow began to tear up again, but there came a voice from out in the hall.
“You are trying my patience,” the voice said angrily, “vere is ze patient?”

A tall man in an old-time medic’s uniform that came down to his knees came walking into the room. His height was roughly three inches shorter than Rugia’s, he wore a pair of boot’s that were like British horse riding boots with his brown pant legs tucked into them, and a pair of thick rubber gloves that went up to his elbows. He looked around the room through his circular glasses and his eyes rested on Rugia.

“Hello my friend!” the tall man exclaimed.

“It’s good to see you.” Rugia replied.

“May I ask your name good sir?” Twilight requested.

“Dr. Victor Hines Yunkov, at your service.” he replied.

Another doctor came into the room to check on Apple Jack but stopped when he noticed Victor. “You must be the doctor that Rugia called.” he said.

“Yes I-” Victor stopped as he saw Apple Jack in the bed.

“NIEN!” he screamed, “Vat is zis? Vat have you done to ze patient!? ZE BANDAGES ARE STILL BLOODY!” victor was observing Apple Jack head to hoof. “Do you shtupid ponies ever change ze bandages? Why have you not changed ze bandages? If I hadn’t gotten here ven I did ze patient vould probably be dead in a few hours from now.”

“It was hard enough as it was to keep her alive,” the doctor said looking offended, “its still a struggle to keep her alive now.”

“Congratulations you have ze IQ of common nurse.” Victor said beginning to dig into his medical bag. “Now do me a favor and get out. Your useless services are not needed.”

“I beg your pardon,” said the doctor, “I’m in charge of this patient.”

“Sorry nurse,” Victor turned to the unicorn doctor,” but ze princess has put me in charge of ze fräulein. Now get out!”

“I must de-”

“NURSE!” screamed Victor, “Somevon get me a NURSE!”

A nurse came to the doorway. “Yes Dr. Yunkov?”

Victor looked at her angrily, “Vat are you vaiting for? An invitation? GET IN HERE!” The pegasus nurse did as Victor said. “Please ezcort Dr. Dumbnuts into ze hall so he cannot bother me!”

“That is not my name!” the doctor said leaving the room.

“I DON’T CARE!” Victor shouted as loud as he could.

“Is your friend always this unbearable?” came the voice of Princess Luna. Rugia turned to look out the window to see her floating there. Apparently Rugia was the only one who noticed her because the others were to busy watching Victor shout at the nurses and insult the doctors.

“He acts like this when he’s mad about something.” said Rugia.

“What’s he angry about?” Luna asked.

“Victor is just angry at me for leaving Earth without saying goodbye and putting our partnership as businessmen to an end.” Rugia said scratching his head. “I see you are doing well speaking the modern language.”

“It’s thanks to you.” she said, “It wouldn’t have been easy without your help and I thank you for that. Are you sure your friend won‘t hurt any of the staff?”

“Yeah,” said Rugia looking at Victor who continued to scream at a nurse, “The only time we need to worry is if he starts throwing objects.” As Rugia said this a potted plant sailed out the door and smashed on the wall above a nurse’s head in the hallway.

“GO AVAY YOU USELESS INSECTS!” Victor bellowed. The nurses ran out of sight and Victor turned his attention to Twilight and the others. “Vat is zis, ze ugly mule fest? GET OUT!”

“How dare you call us mules!” Rarity retaliated, “You sir are the most horrible mannered thing I have ever met!”

“Oooh, did I offend you?” Victor said tauntingly, “Let me start again. Ahem… Why hello zere, I couldn’t help but notice you are ze ugliest mule I have ever seen. My soul burns in pain as I look at you. NOW LEAVE!” With that, they left the room and Victor slammed the door behind them. Four seconds later he shoved Rugia out the door as well.

“How could anyone be so cruel?” Rarity asked with tears running down her face.

“It’s alright Rarity,” Rugia said, “you are not ugly. Besides, Victor is a fun guy when he’s not in a bad mood.” Just then the curtains opened and Victor pressed his face against the window and stared angrily at them. None of them could decide if it was a good idea to laugh at the fact that the way Victor had his face against the window made him look like he had a pig nose. Victor vanished behind the curtains and wasn’t seen again. So with nothing else to do they all went home.

Later that day Rugia was in his backyard working. While he was, Luna came walking up to him and asked if she could observe his work. Rugia welcomed her with a smile and continued to work.

“What are you doing?” She asked him.

“Oh just fixing the broken messenger robot.” Rugia sighed, “You know, the one that crashed into your sister’s bedroom fireplace. This is the fifth time today I have fixed this thing since I got back from the hospital.” Luna came closer to view the robot’s progress on recovery and sparks shot out of the hole Rugia was working in. “Yep, that’s gotta go.” and he took out the sparking object and threw it behind him and put a new one in the robot. When he finished, he and Luna took a few steps back. Rugia typed a few codes into his PDA and the robot began to shake violently. “Oh no, not again.” The robot shot into the air like a rocket and took off over the trees and disappeared.

“Well,” Rugia said, “at least it took flight this time. The last time I tried this the trusters separated from it and went into the atmusphere.”

“Where do you think it’s going?” Luna asked looking at the streak of smoke going over the trees in the distance.

“I don’t know.” Rugia said putting his PDA back in his pocket. It was then Celestia came walking around the house. And greeted them both.

“Hello,” she said, “I see you two are still getting along. What’s wrong Rugia?”

“The stupid messenger bot is still on the fritze.” he said staring in the direction the robot was last seen taring through a tree. “I can’t fix that thing for some reason. Is there something wrong Princess?”

“No I just came to see how you have been fairing since the incedent that happened.” Celestia said walking over to him.

Rugia turned to her and said, “Oh I’m fine, it’s been a little- GET DOWN!” Rugia grabed Celestia and pulled her to the ground as the rouge messenger bot came flying over their heads like a missle screaming “MALFUNCTION” as it did. It began doing loops as it took off in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. “Oh just great!” Rugia exclaimed, “I’m going to have to chase it down!” With that Rugia ran off after the out of control messenger bot and Celestia and Luna followed.

When they reached Sweet Apple Acres they had lost sight of the robot. They looked around and found R-17 shooting apples out of a tree and putting them in baskets.

“What are you doing here R-17?” asked Rugia looking at him with curiosity.

“I’m helping Big Macintosh harvest apples while Miss Apple Jack is in the Hospital.” he said proudly.

Rugia smiled at the happy little sentry, “That’s very kind of you R-17. Have you seen the messenger bot come flying through here?

“You mean that big, fat thing flying circles in the air?” R-17 pointed at the Robot. “It funny.”

The robot suddenly took off in another direction and Rugia, Celestia, and Luna followed. “By my calculations,” Rugia began, “it should land-”

KA-BOOM!

They robot crashed into Apple Jack’s barn and exploded, completely destroying it. Flaminng lumber shot up in the air and rained down all over the farm. Rugia stood there looking completely unhappy. He motioned Celestia to take seven steps to her left. After she did a large chunk of the barn’s roof came crashing down next to her. Then the thrusters from the robot rocketed off into the herizon and vanished. Rugia continued to stand there and stare at the burning remains of the barn and Macintosh came running out of the trees to see what the blast was and stared open-mouthed at the mound of burning lumber. Apple Bloom happened to come home from school at this time and saw the area where a barn once stood.

“My sister jus’ repainted that thing four days ago.” she said staring at the fire.

Rugia ran his hand down his face and sighed, “Just one more thing to gone wrong around here. I guess we can just consider this to be a “not so lethal disaster” since no one got hurt.”

The robot exploded again and sent a fire ball into the air and Rugia sighed again. He then turned to go home to get his keyboard he used to build his house, and use it to fix AJ’s barn.