“I'm bored...” Fluttershy said to herself as she plopped down on her couch after making sure all of her animals were fed and happy for the ninth time in an hour. She looked over her living room to see if she could find something to do. Her gaze stopped on her bookshelf. She fluttered over and looked through them.
“Woodland creatures, no...anatomy of the average bear, no...Flora and Fauna of the Everfree, no...” Fluttershy said lowly to herself as he read off the titles. They were all animal or medical related books. She sighed and realized she needed a novel to sate her sudden urge to read. She looked at her clock, eight in the afternoon, not too late to pay Twilight a visit.
After a minute of flying she nearly snapped her wings shut and fell as a thunderstorm suddenly appeared. She vowed to walk home on the way back and sped up.
“Hey hey be careful! We got a renegade storm here and only authorized Weather Ponies should be this close!” a Pegasus called to her when the storm got really close.
“I-I'm just going to the L-library.” Fluttershy said. The Pegasus looked towards the Library that they were flying towards and he nodded and waved her off, making a 'go quickly' sign.
Fluttershy was beginning to descend down to the Library, but she suddenly felt her mane frizz up. A jolt of pain shot through her body and the world went black.
“Man that's a pretty nasty storm, the Weather ponies have a hard job ahead of them.” Spike said as he looked out of the window.
“Yeah, I hope they all make it out ok. It's about time for you to go to bed though isn't it.” Twilight said, finishing with a smirk.
“Yep! 'Night Twilight.” Spike said and went upstairs to his basket bed.
Twilight started going through a book labeled 'Psychology of an mortal Mind' when there was a thump. It sounded more like Rainbow Dash crashing into her door than a thump, but it didn't sound good. The telltale boom and shock wave of thunder coming form a lightning bolt that struck extremely close came seconds after the crash. She magicked open the door and shrieked as she saw a combination of yellow, pink and red.
Fluttershy was unconscious the seconds after the bolt of lightning had hit her and she fell from the sky, her still unfolded wings providing a little glide. Unfortunately, that same glide brought her crashing into the door of the library. Aided by the Rain, a pool of blood slowly started forming under her face as blood slowly oozed from her mouth, nose and ears. Her head was propped weirdly against the door, and it flopped to the wooden floor of the library when the door was opened with a shriek.
“Twi what is it?!” spike exclaimed as he rushed down the stairs. He froze as he saw Twilight floating a slightly bloodied and singed Fluttershy onto the couch.
“Spike go get Nurse Red Heart!” Twilight exclaimed, her voice breaking from fear and concern as a purple umbrella formed above the little purple dragon.
“W-w-what happened?” Spike asked. “Just go!” Twilight yelled. Spike was so scared by the face of pure horror on Twilight's face and the yell that had never been directed towards him he was out of the door in a flash.
Twilight had a vast knowledge of medical practices, but a very limited knowledge of Pegasus anatomy from all of her books. She quickly looked the injured Pegasus over and used her magic to stem the bleeding. There was a gash along Fluttershy's side that seemed to be cauterized and the surrounded coat was blackened and singed. She almost vomited at the smell of burning flesh but held it back as she used her magic to pull out the destroyed feathers of the wings.
After a minute or two Nurse Red Heart and a Pegasus Nurse came in quickly with spike in tow. “Tell me exactly what happened.” Nurse Red Heart said as the Pegasus Pony began looking over Fluttershy.
“I was just studying when I heard a crash and Thunder, I opened the door and she was unconscious on the ground...I...I took her inside and sent spike to get you...and...and I stopped the bleeding from her mouth, nose and ears and preened the damaged feathers from her wings like my Pegasus Physiology book says to do and you got here.” Twilight explained, barely controlling her fear and sobs.
“You did an amazing job...though this Gash, did you do that?” the Pegasus Nurse said, motioning towards the Cauterized gash.
“N-no..it was like that...I-I think she got hit by Lightning.” Twilight said.
“She's alive and will recover. She won't be flying for at least two week and that gash needs to be cleaned. Her eyes, nose and mouth were bleeding from the shock wave, though there doesn't seem to be any serious damage from it. She definitely shouldn't be moving around much for a week at the least...Very good Twilight Sparkle...you saved her life.” the Pegasus Nurse said after finishing the checkup on the shy Pegasus.
“I'I know how to clean something like that...” Twilight said, starting to calm down.
“Alright. I'll be back tomorrow to make sure everything is alright. If you need any help or her injuries don't show signs of healing or any other problem let me know and I'll be here faster than you can call my name.” Nurse Red Heart said.
“Thank you...I've read up on enough Medical practices to be considered a nurse myself...so I should be fine...I hope...” Twilight said. The Nurses Left after giving Twilight a few medical kits, which she lacked, for good measure. Once Twilight was positive Fluttershy was ok she realized the couch was too small for Fluttershy, so she Levitated the unconscious Mare up the stairs and into her own bed.
“Is she going to be ok Twi?” Spike asked worriedly.
“I think so...I've never heard of anypony just shrugging of a Lightning bolt like that...I read weather reports and most ponies Die or lose something important...she'll just have a scar and a huge headache when she wakes up...” Twilight said. “You go to sleep...” she continued as a knock on her door was heard lightly.
“Yes?” Twilight said, looking down at the small puddle and trail of drips of blood that started at the door and led to the couch as she opened the door. “Oh my god...” The Pegasus from earlier said.
“It looks even worse in here...” he said sadly.
“What do you mean?” Twilight said.
“Look.” he replied and moved aside. There was a small impact crater about seven feet away from the door and a trail leading to the door where Fluttershy had slid along the ground, yellow feathers and blood streaking it. Then she nearly vomited again as she realized the puddle she was stepping it was Crimson.
“Is that Pegasus ok? I'm so sorry...I should have done something...she was flying to here and I just let her go instead of flying with her to make sure she was ok...is she ok?” he said quickly.
“She's as ok as she can be...she's alive and not injured too badly...Nurse Red Heart gave her an ok for now. And you couldn't have known...believe me when I tell you she would feel bad for making you feel guilty...” Twilight said. The Pegasus sighed in releif.
“Oh thank Celestia...I saw the bolt hit her dead on, it took a moment for her to black out but even unconscious she managed to glide down instead of dropping...I would have rushed to help her but that storm was getting bad fast and I had my hooves full with keeping it away from the homes...you couldn't believe how grateful I was when you took her in...” he said.
“Fluttershy is my best Friend, I'll take good care of her. She and I both are grateful for worrying about her but she's in good hooves now...what's your name?” Twilight said.
“Cloud Cover...thank you Twilight.” he said.
“Of course. You should get home now, it's late and you look exhausted.” Twilight said reassuringly.
“No offense, but you should probably clean up...” he said, pointing at her. She looked herself over and found that she had dried blood on her coat.
“Uh, thanks...the rain should take care of the door and the ground...hopefully...I should probably clean that up though.” Twilight said, looking first at the door and then inside the Library.
“Let me help you.” Cloud said, stepping forward a bit.
“No it's fine, magic is the perfect assistant.” Twilight said with a weak smile as her horn glowed and cleaning supplies started working without her looking.
“True enough...I'll see ya around.” he said. Twilight said her goodbye and he was off.
“Who was that?” Spike asked as she went upstairs to grab a towel. “A Pegasus that saw what happened and wanted to make sure Fluttershy was Alright.” Twilight replied. Spike nodded and resumed his sleep as Twilight bathed. She magicked out the guest bed, which was in pieces, and assembled it quickly and magicked a pillow and blanket from the closet. After making sure Fluttershy was ok one final time she let herself fall asleep.
Fluttershy was instantly awake with a pained whimper. Her wings were sore, her head felt like It had been smashed into a door and her side was burning. She went to put a forehoof to her head, but froze as she noticed dried blood caked onto it. She looked herself over and saw blood that looked like somepony had tried cleaning it. She froze at the cauterized gash, but it was looking more like a scar now that the black had been cleaned off...but it still burned like the fires of Tartarus.
Twilight was awoken by a whimper of pain. She quickly sat up and looked at Fluttershy, who was lightly touching her scar and wincing.
“You really shouldn't do that...” Twilight said lightly. Fluttershy squeaked and tried to shy away, but couldn't as pain shot through her body. “Oh I'm so sorry I startled you. Do you need anything to drink or anything?” Twilight asked, worried as she scrambled out of the smaller bed.
“U-um...a glass of water would be um...nice...but...Twilight...what happened?” Fluttershy asked.
“You were flying and you got hit by Lightning...you crashed down into my door and I cleaned you up best I could...Nurse Red Heart gave you an ok...I'm just so glad you're alive...most ponies don't wake up from lightning...” Twilight explained, ending with a sad tone as she magicked over a glass of water.
“It's ok Twilight...I needed something besides manuals and guides to read...I guess I decided at the wrong time...thank you so much for caring for me...and...um...I know how bad getting hit by lightning is...you probably saved my life...” Fluttershy said after she greedily drank. Twilight smiled and wiped away some tears that had started to form. “Um...is there a way I can take a bath? um...this dried blood is um...starting to smell.” Fluttershy said.
“Oh...um...you can't get out of bed for about a week the Nurse said...I didn't want to agitate your injuries so I only got what wasn't dry and I cleaned that scar...but now you're awake I can clean you off completely.” Twilight said, magicking over a few towels, a wash rag and a bucket of soapy water.
“U-um...t-twilight what are you doing?” she asked, her face lighting up.
“I'm going to get you clean silly...please just calm down and accept it...it's already kind of awkward enough...” Twilight said, finishing with slightly tinted cheeks.
“o-o-oh um...ok.” Fluttershy said and submitted to the cleaning. Despite the awkwardness, Fluttershy wound up enjoying it and actually purred lightly. Twilight noticed this and suppressed a giggle.
“Thank you Twilight.” Fluttershy said as the towels moved around and dried her off. “But...um...what about your bed?” she continued, looking at the soaking wet bed. The question was answered when the Water evaporated away with a purple glow.
“You don't need to thank me Fluttershy.” Twilight said.
“No...um...I do...you saved my life and you're caring for me...nopony asked you to do it and...um...I just want to thank you.” Fluttershy explained, hugging the Unicorn quickly and pulling away just as quick with a red face.
She thought for a moment and quickly gasped, but Twilight anticipated the question. “Spike is going to look after your animals for you...he'll tell them what happened. If you'd like I can have him bring your Angel Bunny to visit.” Twilight said.
“Oh...um...thank you.” the Shy Mare said with releif.
There was suddenly frantic knocking on the door, Fluttershy wincing as it agitated her headache. “Be right back.” Twilight said and quickly answered the door.
Standing there were the other four friends looking extremely worried.
“Where's Fluttershy I heard she got hurt last night and that she wound up here from Cloud Cover and that you were looking after her Twilight!” Rainbow dash said loudly and quickly and nearly barged in. “This morning there was blood on the ground what happened to her?!” she continued just as quickly. She would have continued but Pinkie put a hoof to her mouth, surprisingly the pink pony was completely silent.
“Jus' tell us. Is she alrigh'?” Applejack asked.
“She got hit by lightning. She's fine now but please be quiet, you'll only make her headache worse. Come on up, she's awake.” Twilight said.
The group ascended the stairs quietly and found Fluttershy with her head under the covers.
“It's alright Fluttershy, it's just our friends.” Twilight said. Fluttershy cautiously poked her head out form under the blanket and sighed in relief.
“How're yuh feelin' 'Shy” Applejack asked.
“I've been better...” the Shy Mare replied. “Pinkie don't be sad, I'll be fine soon, it makes me sad to see you sad.” she continued when the Pink Pony walked in silently with a worried expression.
“Okie Dokie Lokie!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“Wow...a Lightning bolt. And you shrugged it off like it was nothing! You're pretty cool Fluttershy.” Dash said with a grin.
“Darling, ask and you shall receive, if there's anything we can do to help we'll be right there.” Rarity said.
“Thank you girls...all of you. But I'm fine here, Twilight's doing a good job taking care of me.” Fluttershy said. They all talked for a while until Fluttershy's stomach rumbled along with Twilight.
“Aheh, time for breakfast...you girls wanna stay for some?” Twilight said.
“Nah, ah ate before.” AJ said and a general negative was received from the others. They left then, leaving Twilight to make breakfast. It wasn't as good as spike's, but it was still good.
“I really am grateful Twilight...” Fluttershy said when Twilight cleared the plates.
“You don't need to thank me, you'd do the same for me. Just make sure you get better. Luckily I don't really have anything planned besides some big studies so I'll be home with you most of the time.” Twilight replied as she sat on the spare bed and magicked over a quill and paper.
“What is that?” Fluttershy asked.
“It's a Letter to Princess Celestia. I'm telling her what happened and that I'm caring for you.” Twilight replied.
“Does she really need to know about such a trivial thing?” Fluttershy said lightly.
“Nonsense Fluttershy. Even if you weren't the Element of kindness she'd want to know if my best friend got hurt.” Twilight said. What she didn't tell Fluttershy, however, was that she was asking the Princess for advice as well.
“What's that about advice?...um...not to be intrusive or anything...” Fluttershy asked.
“Oh...um...well...I don't really know...I promise I'll tell you when it's figured out because it pertains to you.” Twilight said nervously.
“That's fine.” Fluttershy replied. “Um...Twilight...does the library have any novels? I don't want to interrupt your studies so I might want something to read...” she continued.
“Of course, and don't worry about interrupting me for anything, even if it's just for some company. You're more important than a book.” Twilight replied and went downstairs to go look or a few books. What she didn't see what Fluttershy's face turn red as she attempted to reply, but it came as a squeak.
Twilight returned with a couple books, some large and hardcover and others small and paperback. “I don't exactly know what you like but based on your personality I grabbed a few that you might like... this one is called 'Temeraire', it's a series. Spike really enjoys it and there are dragons and ponies riding them. If you don't like the whole war genre there's 'Artemis Foal' if you like a bit of fantasy and mystery. And there are a few Romance novels I found, though everypony tells me they're Terrible.” Twilight explained, the last books being a series labeled 'Twilight'.
“How could a story with your name be bad?” Fluttershy asked without thinking.
“I duno...I read the first one, it was kinda good but I wouldn't recommend it. I like Artemis Foal though.” Twilight said, deciding not to react to Fluttershy's comment.
“um...ok...I'll take that one then.” Fluttershy said. Two books floated towards her. She read the summary on the back and smiled, it sounded just up her alley.
Twilight would normally study in the Library, but she brought up her books so she could keep her shy friend company. Occasionally Fluttershy would make a noise; a gasp, a squeak, a giggle and occasionally a contemplative noise. She was brought out of the Novel as Twilight was giggling and laughing, rolling on the floor.
“What is it Twilight?” Fluttershy asked, suppressing giggles of her own at the sight.
“You...you're just so Cute!” Twilight blurted out. Both of their faces got red. “I-I mean...you looked kinda funny when you read...” she said. Fluttershy looked shyly away as she suddenly decided to think about how she felt about her Friend, Twilight did the same.
“U-um...I hope I didn't just make this awkward...” Twilight said lowly.
“Twilight?” Fluttershy asked. Twilight looked at her, signaling she was listening. “Um...do you really think that I'm...um...cute?” the Shy Mare asked, her face lighting up even more.
Twilight flinched. “U-um...yeah...” she said. “To tell the truth uh...I've always thought that...but now I don't know if it's just...uh...friendly...it kind o scares me- no offense to you of course!” Twilight explained with uncertainty.
“U-um...you mean like...a crush?” Fluttershy asked.
“Y-yeah...I kinda have a crush on you Fluttershy...” Twilight said in resignation.
Fluttershy mumbled something that Twilight couldn't understand so the Purple Mare stepped closer. “What was that?” she asked.
“come on...just do it...” Fluttershy said so low Twilight barely caught it. She realized the Shy mare was giving herself a pep talk. She had no Idea what for, that is until the Pegasus nodded with determination and quickly pecked her on the lips.
“Um...I like you too.” she said. Twilight was struck dumb by the contact and Fluttershy couldn't help but giggle. Twilight shook her head to clear it.
“What now?” she asked, trying to Analyze the situation.
“Um...t-that's up to you Twilight...I'm ok with whatever you want.” Fluttershy said submissively.
“Um...I think we should uh...try it out? ya... See if we're happy together...we have a week until you recover, three until you recover in full...that time can be used for...experimentation?” Twilight started.
“I like that Idea...” Fluttershy replied. Twilight smiled. “U-um...Twilight?” Fluttershy said. “Yes?” Twilight Replied. “um...could we try and um...kiss again?” Fluttershy asked, her face going red as a tomato.
“o-ok...” Twilight replied lightly and hopped up to the bed. They cautiously, but steadily, got closer until they met. They both sighed happily, it just felt right. They deepened the kiss and didn't separate for a few minutes. When they finally did, however, their cheeks were tinted red. Not form embarrassment, but from arousal.
“W-whoa...we should probably..uh...keep that a maximum...I don't want to go that far just yet.” Twilight said. Fluttershy nodded. Twilight suddenly gained a devious grin. “Hey Fluttershy...it's time to clean you again.” she said, almost seductively. Fluttershy giggled as the bucket was brought over.