Night Crawlers

Rarity felt sick.

She was laying on her back on the floor for some reason. Her memory of the night before was fuzzy, but she remembered somepony being on top of her. Oh, Celestia, she hoped she hadn't done anything too embarrassing.

Okay, Rarity, time to get up and face the day! Just roll over onto your stomach, put your front hooves on the ground, then your back hooves. Roll over, front hooves on the ground, back hooves, stand up...

She stumbled and crashed into her spare mannequins. Her legs felt lighter, almost sticklike. Why was it so hard to just put one hoof in front of the other? She had to get some work done today. Sweetie Belle poked her head in the doorway.

"Is something wrong, Rarity? I heard you crash into something, so I came up here to check on you. I made some breakfast if you want to eat, and I didn't burn it this time."

"That's awfully nice of you, Sweetie Belle, but I'm just fine. I think I might be coming down with something, though."

"Oh. Well, there's breakfast on the table."

Sweetie Belle skipped down the hallway. Rarity stood up again, and headed out the door, slowly but surely. Then down the stairs, stumbling again and almost falling. She clutched the railway for a moment, catching her breath.

"Rarity, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, Sweetie Belle, I'm fine, no need to worry."

Sweetie Belle raised a suspicious eyebrow, but finished setting the table. Rarity sat where she normally did, using her magic to eat. Her magic faltered as she ate, earning her more suspicious looks from Sweetie Belle.

"So what are you doing at school today, Sweetie?" Rarity asked to ward off the silence that permeated the room.

"Oh, Moondancer was going to come in and teach a magic class today!" Sweetie Belle brightened up considerably. "And I'm going to learn how to levitate more stuff at once, just like you can! And maybe I'll get my cutie mark!"

"That's wonderful, darling!" Rarity nuzzled Sweetie Belle before putting her school bag on her back. "Maybe you'll be as good as Miss Twilight!"

"Nopony can be as good as Miss Twilight, Rarity. She's the best magic user ever to use magic! Anyway, I have to go. Scootaloo was going to take us to school in the Crusader wagon. I'll see you this afternoon!"

Rarity waved somewhat feebly at Sweetie Belle, who had dashed off. A quick check of the kitchen revealed that a trip to the marketplace was in order. She fetched her own saddlebags and headed out, stopping at Applejack's stand first.

"Oh, hey there, Rarity!" Applejack gave Rarity what she usually came for-the Honeycrisp apples both Rarity and her sister had a preference for. "Say, you don't look so good. You sure you should be out and about?"

"Applejack, I promise I'm fine-"

She stumbled again, not crashing into anything this time. "I'm just a bit tired."

Applejack wasn't convinced. "Ah don't think you're fine. Lemme at least take you to Twilight's so she can make sure."

"If you insist."

Applejack hung up the "CLOSED" sign on the little hook that stuck out, then went to support Rarity, who's legs were shaking. Together, slowly but surely, they made their way to Golden Oaks, Twilight's home.

Twilight herself answered the door. "Oh, hello Applejack, Rarity." She nodded to the two. "So what's up?"

"Rarity here is sick or somethin'. She nearly collapsed when she was at mah stall in the market." Applejack shifted Rarity a little.

"Applejack, I insist, I'm fine-" Rarity protested, only for a sharp bolt of pain to cut through her head. She fell onto Twilight's floor, dimly hearing the other two girls shout in surprise and Spike run up to her. A flurry of motion and magic replaced Twilight as all manner of objects were thrown about. The purple light was all of a sudden gone, except for Twilight levitating a small bottle of something. Twilight skidded along the floor for a few inches and also sat near Rarity. Rarity shivered. She felt cold now, so, so cold.

"Rarity, Rare, can you speak? Answer me."

"Y-yes..."

"That's good." Twilight encouraged. "I'm glad you're still in there. But don't try to talk if it hurts."

Rarity nodded. It did hurt, a small twinge of pain in her chest, like she had been running.

She was dimly aware of Spike bringing her tea, she didn't want to drink it, she didn't want to do anything. She just wanted to rest....she was alright...Twilight would help her, so would Applejack and Spike....but what if they couldn't? Was she going to die?

"You're not goin' to die, Rare." Applejack's voice cut through her haze. "You're not goin' to die. Ah'm just goin' to stay right here with you until Twilight can make those changes to her potion.." Potion? That bottle looked like it had water in it...

"and we can get you to the hospital. You're n-not goin' to die. Ah w-won't let you."

She turned toward Applejack, and the country mare's eyes shone with unshed tears. "Applejack..." she murmured, letting Applejack help her upright, as she leaned against her. Twilight ran back over with the bottle, the liquid inside now lavender-colored and shimmering. "Rarity, drink this for me, it will make you feel better. Spike, write a letter to Rainbow Dash telling her to come. Actually, write a letter to the other girls as well. We need to get Rarity to the hospital."

Rarity gulped the potion down, it tasted like grape juice and Pinkie's frosting. She started to feel a bit better. Applejack held Rarity a little closer. "Is she going to die, Twilight?"

"No, not if she gets proper care as soon as possible. I...I hope we can get her that care."

*******

"That's right, Sweetie Belle, now see if you can pick up another book."

Sweetie Belle concentrated and lifted another book from the pile. She had clearly inherited her sister's talent for levitation magic, as she was now levitating five with relative ease. They had learned a bit of offensive magic as well, even though they would likely never need to use it. Sweetie wasn't as good at that, but she could certainly hold her own in a friendly duel.

Rainbow Dash shot into the classroom, the door smacking against the wall and then slamming, producing two loud bangs. She was panting a little.

"Rainbow Dash, what are you doing here?" Cheerilee stood up, looking somewhat unnerved.

"I..came to tell Sweetie Belle that Rarity...she's in the hospital."

Sweetie Belle's pupils shrank to pinpricks and she bolted for the door.