A Hospital Tale

"Death is not the end, it is merely the beginning of something new."-------------------------

Location: St. Rose Hospital, California.

Current time: 10:30PM

Patient: Mr. Jefferson

****

"Hey, have you heard?"  One of the nurses said to his coworker, while taking a seat at a nearby table.

"Yeah, Mr. Jefferson is going to die today." He replied while sitting down as well.

"Whoa, that’s a little harsh don’t you think?" The nurse asked.

"No man, it’s called: The Truth, the guy was going to die anyway, it was only a matter of time."  The other nurse replied.

"Yeah, Lung Cancer, I feel sorry for the guy, even though I didn’t have to take care of him." The other nurse said.

"Yeah, but that’s life for ya!" The nurse said while taking a sip of his coffee.

"So, today is his last day?" The other nurse asked.

"Yep, his family already filled out all of the paper work, he’ll finally Rest In Peace." The nurse replied.

"But who’s going to take care of him tonight, his last night? I mean the guy hasn’t talked to anyone in like what, six years?" The other nurse asked.

"Well, my shift’s almost over, so I’m going home." The nurse replied.

"Well I’m not taking care of him either, my shift is almost over too." The other nurse retorted.

"I’ll do it."  A different voice said.

Both of the nurses looked at the source of the voice and started laughing.

"Yeah right, you are going to take care of him?" One of them said sarcastically.

"Yeah Dave, you do know that  the guy hasn’t talked to anyone in six years right?" The other nurse said.

"Yes, I know." Dave replied while taking a seat at the table. "Even though my shift ends soon, I won’t let Mr. Jefferson pass away alone."

"Wait, alone?" One of the nurses said confused.

"Yes Sean, alone." Dave replied.

"Wow." Sean said surprised. "No Family?"

Dave shook his head. "No, they said they talked about it, but that it would be best if he just passed away, alone."

"That’s messed up, I mean come on! You’re not just going to let a family member die alone." Sean said with a  hint of anger.

"There’s nothing we can do about it."

"Oh, yeah, Gary? Why not?" Sean asked.

"Because it’s their own choice, I actually dated one of the Jefferson’s a few weeks ago, she was pretty hot, but she just wasn't my type."  Gary replied while taking a sip from his coffee.

"And?"  Sean asked.

"And, she told me that Mr. Jefferson always used to tell these weird stories, about having been in another world." Gary replied.

"Another world? Like Narnia?" Sean asked.

"She didn’t tell me the whole story, only the particulars." Gary replied.

"So, basically he’s mentally ill?" Sean asked.

Gary shrugged. "That, or he’s just crazy."

"That’s rather harsh."  Dave said.

"Dave." Gary said while placing a hand on his shoulder. "I have worked here for over six years now, you have only worked here for one year, I think I would know if someone is crazy or not."

"Maybe he isn’t crazy, maybe he did travel to another world." Sean said.

Silence fell in the group, before Sean and Gary started laughing.

"Hahahaha, g-good one dude, another world."  Gary said.

"Y-Yeah, hey where is the wardrobe?" Sean asked mockingly.

Dave shook his head. "You guys shouldn’t make fun of him, the guy has cancer for Pete’s sake."

Sean and Gary went silent after hearing Dave defend Mr. Jefferson.

"You’re right, but I’ve got to go, my shift’s over."  Sean said while getting up from his seat.

"Wait for me buddy, you still have to drive me home remember?" Gary said getting up from his seat as well.

"Maybe you should get you driver’s license." Sean suggested mockingly.

"Yeah, yeah just rub it in."  Gary said while walking towards Sean.

"Good luck with Jefferson." Gary whispered while patting Dave on his head.

"Get lost." Dave said.

"Will do!"  Sean said while he grabbed Gary by his collar.

"Woo, dude!" Gary shouted.

Dave just watched  the pair and shook his head, seeing how childish both Sean and Gary could be, annoyed him, nursing has to be taken seriously.

It’s not something you can just walk into and expect everything to go your way. Dave found that out the hard way.

Dave sighed and got up from his chair. 'Time to have a little chit chat with Mr. Jeff.' Dave thought while walking out of the cafeteria.

As Dave walked through the hospital, he couldn’t think of what  say to Mr. Jefferson.

'Should I just say Hi?' Dave thought while heading for the elevators.

Pressing the button Dave waited for the elevator to stop on his floor.

'What do I do when he doesn’t talk at all, do I just stand there and watch?' Dave thought.

*bling*

"Aaah."  Dave said when he heard the same sound he had heard a million times.

The elevator door opened and he stepped inside.

"Let’s see, second floor." Dave mused while pushing the “Two” button.

"Wait! Wait!" A masculine voice shouted.

Dave looked to where the source of voice was coming from and saw that it was his good friend, and colleague: Yuri.

Dave shook his head as he put his foot between the elevator doors. The doors bumped into the side of his foot, making them pop open again.

"Thanks." Yuri panted while stepping into the elevator.

"You really need to check your timing." Dave said sarcastically.

"Yeah, I know, but I have to give Ms. Jacobs her medicine." Yuri replied while pushing the four  button.

"How is Ms. J anyway?" Dave asked curiously.

"Still nice and caring." Yuri replied with a smile. "Just like always."

Dave nodded.

"Hey, doesn’t your shift end in like five minutes?" Yuri asked.

"Yeah." Dave replied.

"Why are you still here then?" Yuri asked confused.

"I’ve decided to spend the last few hours with Mr. Jefferson, the poor guy, they’ll give him 'the syringe' tomorrow, if you know what I mean." Dave replied.

Yuri gave him a sad look. "Poor guy, he has lung cancer right?"

"Yeah, he hasn’t even talked to anyone for five years too." Dave added.

"And you’re going to try and get him to talk?" Yuri asked.

Dave shrugged. "I’m going to try, can’t say it will work, but I’ll give it a shot."

Yuri patted his shoulder. "That’s my boy."

*bling*

The elevator stopped and the doors opened.

"This is where I get off." Dave said while giving Yuri a  firm handshake.

"Good luck!" Yuri said.

"Yeah."  Dave said while walking out of the elevator. "Thanks."

Yuri gave him a two fingered salute as the doors closed and the elevator went up.

Dave turned around and started to walk down the long hallway.

"Excuse me miss?" He asked an nurse who was walking towards a room.

"Yes?" She asked before grabbing the door handle.

"Do you know which room is Mr. Jefferson's?" Dave asked.

"Down the hall, second door to your right, room B-Eight." The nurse replied with a smile.

Dave nodded. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." The nurse said while opening the door and walking inside.

"Alright." Dave said while walking down the hallway.

Dave walked towards Mr. Jefferson's room. What was he to expect?  An emotional wreck of tears and sadness? Or a man that simply didn't care anymore.

Dave was so lost in his thoughts,  that he didn't notice that he had already arrived at his destination.

'Oh man, why did I agree to this?' Dave thought while opening the door. "At least I brought my clipboard with me."

He gathered his courage and stepped inside.

He could hear the constant beeping of the heart monitor, Mr. Jefferson was lying peacefully in his bed.

"Good evening Mr. Jefferson, my name is Dave and will be your nurse, this evening." Dave said while closing the door.

Dave got no response.

'This is going great.' Dave thought sarcastically.

Dave walked towards Mr. Jefferson's bed, he got a good look of him. He was completely bald, his face was full of wrinkles and scars. How he got those scars, Dave didn't know. He was rather tall for an old man like himself, about six feet.

"Hello, Mr. Jefferson, how are you doing on his lovely evening?" Dave asked.

Mr. Jefferson slowly turned his head towards Dave.

Dave smiled at him, but his eyes widened after realizing what he had just said. "Mr. Jefferson, I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to say that."

Mr. Jefferson looked him in the eyes, he slowly turned his head to look out the window.

Dave mentally scolded himself . 'How could I have been so stupid, now he’ll never talk to me.'

Mr. Jefferson shifted in bed and rested his head on the pillows.

Dave gave him a sad look. 'Poor guy must feel so lonely, I wonder what he is thinking about right now.' Dave thought.

"Hey Mr. Jefferson." Dave said while digging his hand into his pocket. "I know this is against the rules but, I got you something." Dave said while grabbing something from his pocket.

He held it out to Mr. Jefferson.

"It’s a chocolate bar, I bought it just for you, since… Well you know." Dave said while rubbing the back of his head.

Mr. Jefferson’s arm slowly and shakily reached out for the chocolate bar. Dave brought the chocolate bar closer to his hand. Mr. Jefferson’s fingers slowly wrapped themselves around the chocolate bar.

Dave let go of the chocolate bar and smiled, but that smile disappeared when he saw that the chocolate bar dropped out of his hand.

Mr. Jefferson looked at his hand and then at Dave.

Dave immediately bentdown and grabbed the chocolate bar. "Here you go." He said while placing the chocolate bar on his bed.

Mr. Jefferson turned his head to the chocolate bar, he shifted in bed so he would sit straight. Dave watched as Mr. Jefferson grabbed the chocolate bar and tried to open it. But he couldn’t, it looked like Mr. Jefferson was putting a lot of effort into it, but his muscles were probably too weak from all the medicine and chemo therapy he had been given.

Dave gently grabbed the chocolate bar and opened it for him, leaving the plastic still wrapped around the end of the bar so the chocolate wouldn’t melt in his hand.

"I know you’re not supposed to have this but I just thought--."

"Thank you."

"What was that sir?" Dave asked.

"Thank you." He heard Mr. Jefferson grumble.

"Could you speak up Mr. Jefferson?" Dave asked.

Mr. Jefferson cleared his throat. "Thank you." He said in a low, grumbled voice.

Dave’s eyes widened. "Mr. Jefferson, y-you spoke." He said amazed.

Mr. Jefferson nodded and took a small bite out of the chocolate bar.

"Mmmm." He mused. "Almost as good as Pinkie’s."

"Who Mr. Jefferson?" Dave asked.

Mr. Jefferson shook his head. "No one son, just…. An old friend."

"Well, would you like to tell me about him or her?" Dave asked.

Mr. Jefferson shook his head. "No, it… Would be for the best if I never talked at all." Mr. Jefferson replied while taking a bite form the chocolate bar.

Dave shook his head. "You can tell me, here I’ll tell you a little bit about myself." Dave said while grabbing chair from the nearby coffee table.

"My name is Dave Bal, I’m twenty four years old, I live with my mom here in California, but I’m planning on changing that." Dave said.

Mr. Jefferson said nothing, he took another bite out of the chocolate bar and looked out the window.

Dave gave him a sad look. "Listen Mr. Jefferson, I can’t imagine what you are going through right now, but believe me when I say it will be all over soon."

"I thought nurses weren’t supposed to tell those kinds of things to their patients." Mr. Jefferson said.

Dave smiled. "Yeah, but bending the rules this one time wouldn’t hurt right?" Dave asked.

Mr. Jefferson chuckled but began coughing furiously.

"Mr. Jefferson." Dave said while getting of his chair.

Mr. Jefferson waved his hand in a dismissive way at Dave.

Dave watched as Mr. Jefferson’s coughing calmed down.

"Stupid, Lung Cancer." Mr. Jefferson muttered.

"Amen to that." Dave said agreeing.

Mr. Jefferson gave him a confused look.

"N-Not in that  way of course." Dave said while holding his hand up.

Mr. Jefferson took another bite out of his chocolate bar.

"So, who’s Pinkie?" Dave asked.

"No one, just…. A figment of my imagination."  Mr. Jefferson replied.

Dave gave him a sad look. "Listen." He said while putting a hand on Mr. Jefferson’s shoulder. "If you want to be left alone; just tell me, I won’t judge you."

Mr. Jefferson gave a grumbled sigh. "No, it’s just that…. I never really thought about it 'till you showed up just now."

"Thought of what?" Dave asked.

"Death." Mr. Jefferson replied.

"Well, my momma used to tell me that death isn’t scary at all, that it’s kind of a relief actually."  Dave said.

"How can death be a relief?" Mr. Jefferson asked.

Dave shrugged. "I don’t know, maybe because you’ll be in a better place?" he suggested.

Mr. Jefferson chuckled. "Maybe son, just maybe."

"But, who is this Pinkie?" Dave asked while shifting in his seat. "If I may ask."

"She….was one of my best friends." Mr. Jefferson replied with a sigh. "But if you want to hear the real story, I Guesscould tell you. But you would just make fun of me and walk away…. Just like my family did."

Dave shook his head. "I won’t, I promise." He said with a kind smile.

Mr. Jefferson pondered over his idea and spoke up.

"It all began forty years ago, I was walking through the forest when all of a sudden a bright white light blinded me. I passed out, but when I awoke I knew I wasn’t in a forest anymore, no I was lying on a bed."

"A bed? That’s strange." Dave said.

"Yes, but what happened then was even stranger." Mr. Jefferson said.

"Well, please continue." Dave said.

Mr. Jefferson nodded.

"So I had just awoken and checked my surroundings, I was in a bright room, the rays of sunlight shining through a big window. I decided to get up, I thought maybe someone had found me lying in the forest and brought me home."

Mr. Jefferson took a breath and continued.

"But when I opened the door, I saw that I was not in a normal home, no I was in a castle."

"A castle?" Dave asked.

"Yes, but that was not the strangest thing, I opened the door of my room and was greeted with by an Alicorn."

"An Alicorn?" Dave asked confused.

"A pony that has Pegasi wings and a Unicorn horn." Mr. Jefferson replied.

'Maybe Gary was right.' Dave thought.

"But the strangest thing was that she began to talk to me, you can understand how scared I was. But when I tried to run, she wrapped her wing around me and told me that she was not going to hurt me. For some reason, I calmed down instantly."

"Wow, then what happened?" Dave asked.

"She told me her name, her name was: Celestia, Princess Celestia." Mr. Jefferson replied with a smile. "The kindest mare I have ever met."

"Mare?" Dave asked.

"Oh, yes, I was apparently in a world called Equestria, Princess Celestia, along with her sister Princess Luna, co-ruled Equestria." Mr. Jefferson said.

"After some talking, she decided it was time for lunch, she asked me if I wanted to come with her, you bet your butt I said yes."

"Wait? Equestria? What are you talking about?" Dave asked.

"Son, I have spent the last forty years of my life in another world filled with talking colorful ponies." Mr. Jefferson replied.

Dave’s jaw dropped after hearing this. 'Oh man, this guy is crazy!'

"You probably don’t believe me, do you?" Mr. Jefferson asked with a hint of sadness.

'No, this man needs me, just because his story sounds farfetched doesn’t mean I couldn’t pretend to believe him.' Dave thought while nodding. "It’s hard to believe, but don’t stop."

Mr. Jefferson smiled and continued.

"So we had just finished lunch, when all of a sudden Luna came barging into the room. When she laid eyes on me, she immediately began charging at me, I dodged out of the way, making her collide with the wall. Eventually Celestia calmed her down and explained what had happened."

"OK, then what happened?" Dave asked curiously.

"I asked them some questions, they asked me some, but mostly about what planet I was from, why I was wearing clothes,  what my name was, etcetera, etcetera." Mr. Jefferson replied.

"Ok, then what happened?" Dave asked.

"I asked them if they knew how I could go back to my planet, but they said they didn’t know from what planet I was from or where it was." Mr. Jefferson replied.

"So basically, you were stuck?"  Dave asked.

Mr. Jefferson nodded. "You don’t know the half of it, literally."

"So, what happened next?" Dave asked.

"I was a mental wreck after that, I never got out of my room (the room I was in in the first place), until a certain pink pony came barging into my room, asking me if I wanted to party."

"Let me guess, Pinkie?" Dave asked.

Mr. Jefferson nodded. "Yep, I was scared of her at first, but I warmed up to her pretty fast and to the others as well."

"Others?" Dave asked.

Mr. Jefferson nodded. "Twilight Sparkle: Personal student of Princess Celestia, Applejack: Owner of Sweet Apple Acres, a real cowpony, Rarity: the fashonista and most elegant mare around, Rainbow Dash: The toughest Pegasi I have ever met, but she did have this cocky attitude that would sometimes annoy me, Pinkie Pie: The craziest party pony in all of Equestria and finally there was Fluttershy: The kindest, caring mare in all of Equestria."

"Wow, that’s a mouth full."  Dave said.

Mr. Jefferson chuckled. "I’m surprised you’re still around son, normal people would have left already."

"Well, I’m not a ‘normal’ person." Dave said.

"Yes." Mr. Jefferson chuckled. "You’re talking to this crazy guy here."

Dave shook his head and smiled. "I don't think you're crazy Mr. Jefferson."

"Son, I appreciate you doing this for me, feels good to tell my story, without people *cough* *cough* thinking I'm some sort of lunatic." Mr. Jefferson said.

Dave smiled. "Well, what happened after your introduction? Dave asked curiously."

"Well, I believe they decided it was for the best if I would be introduced to the public, you know, since I couldn't return to Earth at the time." Mr. Jefferson said. He took a bite out of the chocolate bar and continued. "So after a train ride to Ponyville, I was introduced to the public, needless to say, the public wasn't very fond of an alien being in Ponyville."

"Ponyville, t-that's a.... Different choice of naming a town."  Dave said.

Mr. Jefferson chuckled. "I laughed too when I first heard the name."

"What happened next?" Dave asked while crossing his legs.

"Well after my introduction, I got the opportunity to stay with Twilight Sparkle at her library, well tree house/library. After I got settled in and met her assistant Spike (who was a baby dragon by the way, needless to say he was more scared of me, than I of him.) we decided it would be for the best if I built up a good bond with the town." Mr. Jefferson said.

"What did you do? Community service?" Dave asked sarcastically.

"Exactly, I helped all different kinds of ponies, from Unicorns to Earth ponies, from little fillies, to full grown mares." Mr. Jefferson replied.

"Really? That's nice of you." Dave said.

"Thank *cough*you." Mr. Jefferson replied.

"What happened after that."

"Well, I was helping Fluttershy take care of her animals, when all of a sudden a Timberwolf came out of nowhere and started running towards us, the little brat bit me right in my right arm, here lift up my sleeve and see for yourself."  Mr. Jefferson said.

Dave lifted up his sleeve and  took good look at his arm, he was surprised that there was in fact; a bite mark on his arm. 'Nah, that's just coincidence.' Dave thought.

"Well after I 'took care'  the wolf, Fluttershy treated my arm and I started a very special bond with her." Mr. Jefferson said.

"This might seem like a dumb question but, how young were you at that time?" Dave asked curiously.

" believe I was thirty four." Mr. Jefferson replied.

"Thirty four huh? You said you have lived there for forty years so that would make you: seventy four years old." Dave said.

Mr. Jefferson nodded. "And I'm not going to get any older.... Unfortunately."

Dave gave him a compassionate look and put a hand on his shoulder. "Listen, if there is anything I could do for you to make your *gulp* last night, the best of your life, just tell me and I'll do it."

"Well, there are two things you could do for me." Mr. Jefferson said.

"Just tell me." Dave said.

"Well, first it would mean a lot to me if you could stay here until I finish my story."  Mr. Jefferson said.

Dave nodded. "And the second?"

"I'll tell you that." Mr. Jefferson said while taking a bite from his chocolate bar. "When the story is finished."

Dave smiled. "Sure, go on."

"Alright where was I? Oh yes, of course. So it was a few months later, a lot of things had happened in those months, like that one time there were like a million Pinkie Pie's spread across Ponyville, or The Everfree Forest trying to take over Equestria, or the Changeling invasion of Canterlot, but most important: Twilight Sparkle becoming a Princess."

"Twilight Sparkle was Princess Celestia's personal student right?" Dave asked.

Mr. Jefferson nodded. "Finally someone who pays attention, yes she was her personal student, but eventually she became an Alicorn."

"Wait, so if you're an Alicorn, means that you automatically become a Princess?" Dave asked confused.

"I don't know, but I was happy for her." Mr. Jefferson said with a smile. "But one of the best things happened to me, when Princess Celestia asked me to visit her, alone."

"Alone huh? That could only mean one thing right?" Dave asked with joy.

Mr. Jefferson chuckled. "That's private boy, but yeah we did go on a "date", well if you call sitting in her room drinking tea a date, then it's a date."

Mr Jefferson looked out of the window and smiled. "I was quite surprised at first, me and Celestia had a lot of talks, she said she found me interesting and funny, things I never expected a girl to say to me, let alone an alien Princess."

"But we had a really fun night and at the end we.... Kissed, her first kiss. After the kiss had ended, I was pretty dumbfounded, I had just kissed a pony, a creature considered an animal on Earth." Mr. Jefferson said. "But, then I remembered all of the good times we had, and those times I would do all over again if I had the chance." Mr. Jefferson said with a smile.

Dave smiled. "You gave her her first kiss huh? How old was she?"

"She was five thousand years old at the time, what can I say?  I dig old chicks." Mr. Jefferson replied.

Dave smiled. "This is getting hard, but I have to stay."

"You know, she gave me a necklace. Mr. Jefferson said while slowly lifting his arm up. It's in the cabinet on your right." He  said while pointing his shaky finger at the cabinet besides Dave.

Dave opened the cabinet. "Is it in a small brown box?"

"Yes." Mr. Jefferson replied.

Dave picked up the small box and opened it. Inside was a golden necklace, it looked brand new, it had a radiant sun in the middle.

"It's a sun." Dave said.

"Her sun." Mr. Jefferson said.

"Her sun?" Dave asked confused.

"Celestia raises and lowers the sun of Equestria, Luna raises and lowers the moon and Cadence is The Princess of Love." Mr. Jefferson replied.

"How can you lower and raise the sun?" Dave asked.

"That's simple, magic." Mr. Jefferson replied.

"Magic?" Dave asked confused.

"Yes, I know it sounds strange but magic is a common thing in Equestria, it's part of everypony's life style."  Mr. Jefferson replied.

"Ok?" Dave said.

Mr. Jefferson smiled. "I don't know if you believe me or not, but it feels good telling my life story to someone."

Dave nodded. "I'm not saying I don't believe you, some things are just hard to believe."

Mr. Jefferson took one final bite out of his chocolate bar.

"Let me get that." Dave said while grabbing the plastic wrapping and putting it in his pocket.

"Thank you son, it's nice of you,you're a good boy, don't let anyone tell you different *cough*." Mr. Jefferson said.

Dave smiled and nodded. "I won't, I promise."

"Well, a lot of things happened after that, almost to much too tell you, but I'll tell you some of the important things." Mr. Jefferson said.

"I'm all ears." Dave said.

"Alright, so after that my kiss with Celestia, we quickly told Luna, Cadence, Shining Armor, Twilight and the rest of her friends the good news. They were all very happy for us, Rarity was already crying her eyes out of happiness. But.... Things changed fast."

"A dark force threatened to take over all of Equestria, that dark force was: Tirek."

"Tirek? Kind of s stupid name for such a dark force." Dave said.

"Tirek was not to be messed with, he could absorb ponies magic and grow stronger from it. He was a dangerous creature, if you're wondering what he looked like, imagine a gigantic centaur that walked on four legs instead of two. When Celestia had a vision of Tirek stealing a pony's magic in her dreams, she asked Discord:The Spirit of Disharmony, to take care of the threat, but he eventually betrayed us and instead of helping us, he helped Tirek almost take over Equestria." Mr. Jefferson said.

"Discord, sounds like filth to my ears." Dave said.

"Maybe, but he wasn't really much of a bad guy, his sense of humor was just.... A little over the top." Mr. Jefferson replied.

"Well, what happened then?" Dave asked curiously.

"Celestia knew that even the combined forces of all three Alicorns couldn't stop Tirek, so they transferred all of their magic to Twilight." Mr. Jefferson replied.

"And you were there when that all happened?" Dave asked.

"I lived with Twilight, where she went, I went." Mr. Jefferson replied.

"Then what happened?" Dave asked. 'Farfetched or not, his story is pretty interesting.' Dave thought while watching Mr. Jefferson smile.

"Celestia told, our entourage to go back to Ponyville with Twilight, I first declined, but after a long talk and a few kisses, I agreed. So I went back to Ponyville with Twilight, but soon Tirek arrived and started his rampage through Ponyville. But Tirek soon followed and stole Twilight's  magic, that of her friend's and Discord's."  Mr. Jefferson said.

"So that was it?" Dave asked. "I mean, there's no way they could be able to save Equestria now."

"Mr. Jefferson shook his head. Actually, they did, I told Twilight and her friends to get out of Ponyville while I took on Tirek. They did as I ordered them too. I then stood face to face with Tirek, good thing I had something with me that I hadn't used up until that point."

"What?" Dave asked curiously.

"My Colt M1911, it appeared very effective because Tirek was bleeding pretty badly, but he hit me with his magic, sending me flying backwards. My vision faded and I was about to lose consciousness, until a rainbow flew above me."

"A rainbow?" Dave asked.

Mr. Jefferson nodded. "There was this tree in The Everfree Forest called: The Tree of Harmony, we discovered it a long time ago, before that point, when Twilight had to give up the Elements of Harmony to save the Princesses."

"OK, that's.... Understandable." Dave said.

"But back to the topic, so my vision was fading, but then I saw Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy in their "Rainbow forms" as I like to call it. After they shot Tirek with the power of The Rainbow, he was defeated and all of the magic returned to everypony. And Tirek was sent back to Tartarus." Mr. Jefferson said.

"So, The Rainbow saved the day?" Dave asked.

Mr. Jefferson nodded. "Yes it *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough*--.

Mr. Jefferson couldn't even finish his sentence, he started coughing furiously.

"I'll go and get you some water." Dave said while grabbing a plastic cup from the cabinet. He walked towards the sink and filled the cup with water.

He walked back to the bed and gave the cup to Mr. Jefferson.

"I don't *cough* think I'll be able to grab it without spilling it on the sheets." Mr. Jefferson said.

Dave gave him a small smile and brought the cup to his mouth.

Mr. Jefferson opened his mouth, while Dave tilted the cup slightly so Mr. Jefferson could drink better.

After a few more seconds, Mr. Jefferson was done drinking.

Dave got up from his seat and threw the cup into the trash can, he walked back towards his bed and sat down on the chair.

"Are you ok?"  Dave asked concerned.

"I'm fine, just a dry mouth that's all." Mr. Jefferson replied.

Dave gave a relieved sigh and looked at his watch.

Dave's eyes widened. 'Jesus Christ, it's 11:45PM.' Dave thought.

Mr. Jefferson apparently noticed Dave's eyes widening.

"Son, if you want to go home, I won't stop you." He said.

"No, it's a-alright, I'm free tomorrow anyway." Dave replied.

Mr. Jefferson smiled. "That's good to hear, well I'm almost finished anyway."

"Really? But you just told me so much happened in just those few months." Dave said.

"Well, after that not a lot happened, well I did gather the courage to ask Celestia if she would marry me, she said yes. After that, I lived a peaceful life, living with Celestia in her castle, while helping her with her day court, I would visit Ponyville very often, almost every day, to see my good friends. Oh, wait I almost forgot, me and Twilight actually went to another Universe and were in a school called: Canterlot High, there we had to get back her crown because it was stolen by a pony named: Sunset Shimmer. We got her crown back after an epic music battle, we returned to Canterlot High one more time to help Sunset Shimmer (who had turned out good by the way) to stop The Dazzlings, they were actually Sirens that were banished from Equestria, we defeated them and saved Canterlot High.... Again." Mr. Jefferson said.

"Wow, you lived quite the life Mr. Jefferson." Dave said.

Mr. Jefferson smiled, something he had not done in a very long time.

"What happened after that, how was your life after all of that?" Dave asked.

Mr. Jefferson smiled. "Well, I can remember another adventure I got caught up in, something about pony's Cutie Marks changing into some kind of bar code Cutie Marks."

"That's.... I'm sorry, I don't know what to say to that." Dave said.

Mr. Jefferson laughed at his comment. " I don't blame you, but not a lot happened after that, I did the same things I did on Earth, I worked as an accountant for Celestia, I went on a honeymoon with her a year after our marriage and I just lived my life..... Until that time."

"What time?" Dave asked.

Mr. Jefferson took a shaky breath and spoke up. "It all happened a few years ago, I lied to you when I said that I have lived for forty years in Equestria, it was actually thirty six, the last four years I've spent here on Earth." He said while tears started to form in his eyes.

"I don't follow." Dave said.

"It was a late at night, my dearest Celestia was already asleep, I was walking through the castle grounds when all of a sudden that same white light from all those years ago appeared above me, I was blinded and everything went black. I-I woke u-up and saw that I was at the exact same spot I had fainted on all those years a-ago." Mr. Jefferson said while tears fell from his eyes.

Dave gave him a compassionate look. He got up from his seat and put a hand on his shoulder.

"It's alright." Dave said while bringing him in for a hug.

Mr. Jefferson cried into Dave's chest.

"I'm sorry Mr. Jefferson, if there's anything I could do for you, just tell me." Dave said.

"There's one thing I would like to do before my time comes t-to an e-end." Mr. Jefferson said.

"What is it?" Dave asked.

"Could you perhaps get a piece of paper and a pen for me please?" Mr. Jefferson asked.

Dave opened the cabinet and took out a paper.

"Luckily I always carry a pen with me." Dave said while grabbing a pen from his pocket.

"You keep your pen in your pocket?" Mr. Jefferson asked.

Dave shrugged. "At least I'm prepared."

Dave handed the paper and pen to Mr. Jefferson.

"Thanks son, listen I.... Would appreciate it if you could leave for a few minutes, this is something I need to do alone."

Dave nodded. "Just give me a call when you're finished."

Mr. Jefferson nodded and started to write on the paper.

"Wait, use this." Dave said while handing him his clipboard.

"I didn't know you had that with you." Mr. Jefferson said taking Dave's clipboard.

"Always come prepared." Dave said while opening the door and leaving the room.

Mr. Jefferson smiled and started to write on the paper.

Five minutes later.......

"I'm finished."  Mr. Jefferson said.

Dave opened the door and walked inside. "Mr. Jefferson, I uhm, I need to get going, it's already 01:00AM, my mom is going to be very angry."

Mr. Jefferson smiled and nodded. "I understand, make sure you get home safe."

Dave walked to his bed and gave him a pat on his shoulder.

"Your story really touched me, that Princess Celestia is one lucky Alicorn." Dave said.

Mr. Jefferson wrapped his arm around Dave's arm. "Thank you for staying here with me, I'm really glad you decided to give up your spare time for an old goof like me."

"Anything for one of the most amazing patients I've ever come across." Dave replied.

Mr. Jefferson let go of his arm and handed him a folded piece of paper.

"I-I w-wrote this, promise me one thing." Mr. Jefferson said.

"Yes?" Dave asked.

"Promise me you'll come back to this room, read the note I wrote here, don't read it at your home, please." Mr. Jefferson said with a serious expression.

Dave grabbed the note and nodded. "You have my word."

Mr. Jefferson smiled and yawned.

"Tired?" Dave asked.

"Yes, do you mind if I?" Mr. Jefferson asked.

"No, go ahead and rest, I'll close the door and turn of the lights." Dave replied.

"Thank you son." Mr. Jefferson said while shifting himself into a lying position.

"You're welcome, sleep peacefully Mr. Jefferson." Dave replied.

"Good night Dave." Mr. Jefferson said while closing his eyes.

Dave gave a small smile and turned around. He opened the door and walked through it. "Good night, Mr. Jefferson." Dave said while closing the door behind him.

****

"Hey Dave!" Sean shouted while running down the hallway of the second floor.

Dave turned around and waved at him. "Hey Sean."

"How are you?" Sean asked while patting Dave on his shoulder.

"I'm good, just going to room B-Eight." Dave replied.

Sean gave him a sad look. "Mr. Jefferson passed away four hours ago, they already took his body to the morgue."

"I know." Dave said as he turned around and walked down the hallway.

"You knew?" Sean asked.

Dave nodded.

"Wow, did he tell you anything last night?" Sean asked curiously.

Dave shook his head. "No, he was completely silent, just like you said he would be." Dave lied. 'He doesn't deserve to know.' Dave thought.

"Ok, well I've gotta go to the fourth floor, see ya!" Sean said while turning around and running towards the elevator.

'Imbecile, running in a hospital.' Dave thought while walking towards room B-Eight.

Dave opened the door and stepped inside. He was greeted with an empty room, the bed had already been cleaned and it looked like the room was cleaned as well.

Dave sighed and walked towards the bed, he sat down on the bed and grabbed the note from his pocket.

'Here we go.' Dave thought while opening the note. Suddenly a golden necklace fell out of it. Dave bend over and picked it up. 'Huh? How did I not notice that yesterday?' Dave thought while watching the necklace with the radiant sun in the middle, it was the same necklace Mr. Jefferson had shown him last night.

Dave placed the necklace on the cabinet and started to read the note.

My dear nurse,

First of all I just want to say how thankful I am, thankful that you sacrificed your spare time to spend it with me.

When I saw you enter my room, I thought you were just one of those nurses that would just say "Hi" and get it over with. But you were different, you actually showed that you cared, you showed me that you wanted to talk.

And when you handed me that chocolate bar, I knew I had to say something. But then I looked into your eyes and saw her.

I saw that sweet, caring, kind look in your eyes, the same look she would always give me. And when I finally started to talk, you were there, you

stayed with me until the end.

I can't thank you enough for this, you have done something for me, my family hadn't done for me in all those years. You listened.

I was very nervous about telling my story, but I decided to do it anyway. At first I saw the look of confusion and caution in your eyes, you must have thought I was crazy, maybe you still do. But you my boy, are one of a kind.

You see, there are six Elements of Harmony: The Element of Magic, The Element of Generosity, The Element of Honesty, The Element of Loyalty, The Element of Laughter and The Element of Kindness. Why am I telling you this? Because all of these Elements are in you. You were Honest, honest about telling me about everything, you were Kind, kind enough to show compassion, you were Funny, even cracking a joke and making me chuckle sometimes, you were Generous, because you gave me that chocolate bar, you were Loyal, loyal enough to stay by my side until the end.

Now you might be thinking: How can I be Magic? Well the answer lies in your heart. You have a good heart and because of that, you made those final hours of my life, the most magical ones. I can't thank you enough for this, but that's why I want you to have my necklace. It was a gift from Celestia, but I think she would like you to have it as well.

If Celestia. Twilight, Luna, or any other of my pony friends could see you right know and know what you have done for me, you bet your ass they would hug you to death.

That's all I've got to say, the paper is almost full and I'm almost out of time.

Dave, you are the nicest person I have ever met. I am happy to call you: My friend.

I wish you the best of luck

Thank you again Dave, you have showed me what life is all about, thank you.

Yours sincerely,

                                James Jefferson.

Dave smiled and shed a single tear. He folded the note and put it back in his pocket.

'James,  if you can hear me, I know you’re in a better place now, hell maybe you’re in Equestria for Pete's sake.'

Dave sighed and looked out the window.

"Goodbye James, Rest In Peace." Dave said while grabbing the necklace and putting it in his pocket.

Dave walked towards the door, he walked through and looked inside the room one more time.

"Rest In Peace, may you live a new life in Equestria. I'll always remember you as Mr. Jefferson, but for now I'll say: Goodbye James."

And with that said, he closed the door. Leaving his memories and experience where they belong, with James.

The End