Heart of Mist

Heart of Mist

Written By: CleverGoblin171 & (this chapter mostly written by) fistfire fimfiction.net

Proofread By: fistfire fimfiction.net

.:Chapter 2:.

Spark meanwhile sat at her home, trying to make a more improved version of the Performance Enhancing Drink with less caffeine, but keeping the small kick of lightning in it. Spark let out an exhausted sigh, tempted to try some of the PED (Performance Enhancing Drink) but remembered what happened to Icewing. She whimpered pushing herself against the table, looking to the window, hoping somepony would come over and end her boredom.

Spark glared at the clock, her eyes going wide seeing it was almost seven am in the morning. She hadn’t gotten any sleep all night, deciding to work on the improved PED instead. She hit her face against the table exhausted, “oh screw it.” Spark mumbled, pouring up a small cup of the PED and taking a sip, a rush of energy filling her sending a sensational electric pulse go through her.

“Oh wow,” Spark gasped falling backwards, her horn sparking a few times, but only sparking and nothing more.

She lay on the floor with a dopey grin forcing across her muzzle, Spark closing her eyes slowly as a pony knocked on her door.

“Hello? Is this the home of- Sparkle?” A mare asked knocking on the door again.

“Spark, and yes. Who is this?” Spark said standing up cautiously.

“I’m… A close old friend of Shard’s, let's just say that. I heard you're a good friend of his. Are you aware he’s currently in the hospital? Glass shards lodged into his skin! I’m sure he would want you to know, to not have you worry. I want you to go to the hospital and be there, just in case he loses contr- loses consciousness.” The mare paused. “Please, or I’ll make sure you suffer, trust me.” The mare said sounding personally enraged.

“Shard’s hurt, that’s all you needed to have said, the threat was not necessary.” Spark said swinging the door open, a unicorn mare with white fur coat, a red mane, and tail with yellow eyes. Her expression sour and her eyes narrow.

“Good. Now come on!” The mare shouted her horn sparking a bright yellow, both her and Spark teleporting in front of the hospital, the mare being teleported a few feet in the air, landing on all fours cringing slightly.

Sparks jaw dropped. “Wait, yeah I know you! Your Shards sister. Heart Attack, right-”

“Shut up, we can talk later, just go see if you can convince Shard to hang in there, recently it’s like he’s losing a reason to stay alive.” The mare cut Spark off scowling.

Turning, Spark heads into the hospital to find Shard, the mare following quickly behind her. The changeling that had been protected by Shard watches and listens from a nearby alley, disguising as a pony that passed by her a moment earlier. Walking quickly across the street she follows the two ponies in.

“Excuse us, we need to see Shard.” Heart Attack said to a stallion with a similar white fur coat and a yellow mane, standing in the hallway blocking any ponies from going past.

“No non-doctors allowed past here, no exceptions.” The stallion responded flatly.

“Are you serious.” Spark said sparking her horn.

“Yes, I am. Nopony that isn’t a doctor is allowed past.” The stallion chimed clenching his jaw.

The changeling’s eyes flashing a bright green, backing up out of his sight taking the form of a doctor who just walked out of the hospital moments earlier. Becoming a stallion with a blue fur coat a dark blue mane and blue eyes.

The changeling, in the form of the doctor, walks up to the stallion, she mimicked his possible voice the best she could, “let them pass, they’ve been requested to try calming a patient that fell on glass.” The changeling went quiet. Her voice was more of a female's voice than a stallion’s. The stallion groaning stepped aside not questioning the voice change.

The changeling gestured a hoof for them to go on, smiling sheepishly following the two ponies, she trotted beside them “let me guess, glass shards in his skin? I could have helped if he just asked.” The changeling mused making the mare and Spark confused.

“You were there?” Spark questioned turning to the changeling.

“Um… I… Think I’m needed elsewhere.” The changeling said walking backwards away from the two. Turning a corner and galloping off.

The mare continued walking without questioning the ponies strange behavior. Turning left down a hallway and into a small operating room to see Shard, laying on his back, several ponies standing around him trying to identify exactly where each shard of glass was lodged. But unfortunately they hadn’t put Shard under yet, he was still conscious.

Spark knocked on the door trying to get someone’s attention.  A nurse looked up and walked over to the door “Yes?”

“Hey listen,  That's my friend in there.  Who did this and why?” said Spark glaring in at the nurse.

“I’m sorry, I cannot talk to you right now.  I can only talk to immediate family members”

“I’m his sister, and answer the mare.” said Heart Attack.

Getting annoyed, “We are going to put him under in a few minutes.  After the operation, someone will be out to let you know how the procedure went.  The waiting room is through those doors.” The nurse said pointing a hoof to another set of doors. She has a smile plastered on her face trying not to be angry.

Hours later, a doctor comes out of the surgery looking around for the two mares.  Spark spots him and waves him over.  Heart starts to climb out of her rut from pacing back and forth.

“Well, your brother is in recovery now.  We were able to get all of the glass out of his body.  As soon as he can be moved into a room, you can see him, and not before. He is still in critical condition.”

“Pfffft. It figures my brother would get himself in a mess, but last time he had an operation, they took ten hours to put him back together.  This is definitely shorter.” Spark looked to Heart just wondering how long was his longest hospital stay.

“Yeah, it helps when the surgeon knows his patient very well. He should be waking up in twenty minutes now, I will let you know what room he is in.”

“Thanks doc for all you have done for him”

“Yeah, don’t thank me yet, he is not out of the woods. He lost a lot of blood you know.” He turns around to walk back to the surgery center leaving the two mares to talk.

“So, how many times was Shard brought into the hospital?” Spark’s voice was shaky, clearly worried for Shard.

“Sixty-three times including now, it’s like pain and misfortune are attracted to Shard.” Heart Attack said casually, rolling her eyes seeing Spark’s jaw drop.

“Seriously, sixty-three times, how has Shard not had one of his legs snap and break off yet?” Spark hesitated.

“Because Shard isn’t exactly your everyday ordinary stallion, he’s different… It doesn't matter. Shard is more than you can ever imagine, let’s just say that.”

“What, what do you mean…” Spark’s eyes widened.

“It’s not important, just, never let Shard near electricity or get submerged in water past his horn, for his sake. If you ask why, or what I mean one more time, I swear I’d make you regret it, you're lucky we're in a hospital.” Heart Attack said flatly.

Spark went quiet, looking to the door hoping the doctor would walk through telling them Shard was ready to talk. But in reality, they had only been speaking for five minutes at most.

Spark and Heart Attack silently sat on the cushions in the waiting room. An awkward silence filling the room.

"Would you like to play a game of checkers while we wait?”

Heart looks at her and wonders if Canterlot had changed her into some kind of lady.  “Do you really think we can stand each other for that long?  Let me rephrase that.  Do you really think I can sit still for that long? Hmmm?”

“We managed to last an hour together once, and now we’re adults. Do you have a problem with sitting still for a long time? Why not walk around during the checkers game.” Heart glared at her with a sour look.

“I really do despise you, more and more, with each passing minute.” Heart groaned “why did I even bother going to get you, not like your presence could make Shard suddenly perfectly fine and healthy with no injuries at all.”

“Well, thank you for getting me anyway. We may have disagreed in the past, but, maybe we can turn over a new leaf?”  Wondering what has happened to her over the years.

“If you talk less, sure, what could possibly go wrong…” Heart said holding her sour look.

“Would you rather be black or red?”

With a sly grin on her face Heart said, “I’ll take the blood…”

____________

Sixteen years earlier, Shard, his mother, and big sister had all gone to attend the Summer Sun Celebration being hosted in Fillydelphia, as a family.  Heart Attack was a different mare back then, her future not ready to assert itself upon her. Her personality was different, well matched to her name,  Sweetheart. The mother, a coat of silver, black mane and blue eyes, were all walking around enjoying the sights of this town.  Strolling down one street and up another, they finally find themselves near a tree covered park near the Independence Museum.

“Hey, can me and Shard walk on ahead to the museum?” Sweetheart said to her mother in an excited squeaky voice.

“Sure, just be careful of creeps or weirdos,” the mother smiled.

As Shard was looking from side to side not paying attention, just following his sister, a unicorn filly walks in between them and turns her head just in time for Shard to bump into her muzzle with his.

Both of their eyes shot wide open at the unintentional contact.  “Oof.  Sorry, I didn't see you there.”

Backing up a step. “What, you couldn't see an orange pony right in front of you?”

Blushing lightly Shard stuttered,  “I-I was looking at the sights all around, s-sorry.”

“Obviously, he didn't see you, no need to make him feel bad for it. You don't know of he's blind or not, I mean, he isn’t but still.” Sweetheart said looking to the filly.

“Ha ha ha ha!  That was so funny!  You two should be in a comedy act!” a pegasus colt says as he walks over to the two ponies snickering.

“And you should be on fire, but I don't walk up and yell that out to you.” Sweetheart joked looking to him.

“Huh?”  he says then looks at Shard and the filly, completely disregarding Sweetheart “Hi, I'm Icewing,  Do you live around here? Or are you here for the celebration.”

“We are just here for the celebration.” Shard’s voice was shaky, being clearly embarrassed.

“Nice to meet you Icewing, Look, we’re getting off on the wrong hoof, my brother just wasn’t looking where he was going. I’m Sweetheart, he’s Shard, more enemies is the last thing we need so can you please forgive him.”

After a moment the filly smiled, “I’m Spark, and it’s fine.”

“Hey, maybe we can hang out together.”

“Why, you just insulted my brother.”

“Huh?  When did I do that?”

“Just now when they kissed.”  Sweetheart said flatly, Spark and Shard visibly embarrassed at the mention of them inadvertently ‘kissing’.

“Oh, sorry about that.”  Sweetheart rolling her eyes at the casual response he gave.

Recovering from his ‘sun’ exposure,  Shard says “Sure you can.  If that’s alright with you Spark.”

“Umm, I guess so.”

“As long as you don't make any more snide remarks, I’m okay with it as well.”

“Great”  just let me tell my parents” and with that, he bolts away looking for them.

“Pegasi can be such featherbrains at times.”

A short time later, he comes back.  “Okay! They said it’s fine.”

Unbeknownst to them, somepony starts to follow them into the museum. They move from exhibit to exhibit, exploring each one and commenting on others.  Some serious discussions were held, laughter could be heard from others.  All the while a shadow trails behind them.  As they get to the bell,  Sweetheart notices something suspicious.

“Um,  guys,  we should be going now.”  She ushers them to the exit of the museum.

“Aww,  I didn't even get to ring the bell!”

“Icewing, I don't think you can do that with that bell anymore.” Says Shard with a smug grin.

As they exit, Heart notices a ‘shady looking’ character exit moments after them looking around.

“Hey, can we go the zoo next?”  Spark asks.

“Sure, but we are going by my route.” Sweetheart commands.

She leads them down one street and up another making confusing turns all the while looking back to see if they are being followed. She sees the shady character every now and then.  The children doing their best to keep up.  Turning around to make quick successive turns into one department store, through different departments, and out the other side, she finally decides she has lost their tail, ending up in front of the Zoo.  But, there lurking in the shadows is the pony, panting waiting to see where they will go.

They pay their bits and enter the zoo.  Going from the elephants to the loins, watching a manticore be completely bored out of its skull.  They spend some time looking at the penguins who just smile and wave.  Finally, as the sun is going down and after they ate in the zoo,  they end up in the snake exhibit watching them and learning about the different species that there are. From around a corner, a pegasus stallion watches from the shadows.

A skinny unicorn stallion with light brown fur and blueish eyes sees Shard and Sweetheart “Oh, look what luck I must have, of all places to run into the worst ponies in all Equestria, it just had to be a zoo.” The stallion said with a sly smirk.

“R-Ritz?! Seriously! W-why are you here?” Sweetheart gulped looking up to the stallion. Shard went quiet looking to him, glaring and biting his lower lip. Icewing looked at Spark with concern and she returned the gesture.

“Summer Sun Celebration, willing to bet you’re here for the same reason, Sweetie,” Ritz said in a mocking tone glaring at the filly.

“Your name is a cracker, Ritz right? Can’t really make fun of another ponies name since you’re a literal cracker-pony.” Spark smiled watching the stallion’s eyes widen. Icewing snickers.

Scowling, Ritz snorted, sparks flying from his horn. “Hey, watch your mouth. You should treat your elders better than that.”

“Right, when I see one, I will treat them as such.  Thanks for reminding me”

“Why you little beast! I should vaporize the lot of you right now.”  Lowering his head getting ready to cast a telekinetic spell.

Just then, the white unicorn notices a blur out of the corner of her eye coming at her with wings extended  She ignites her own horn fearing for the worst. Ritz picks up Spark and shoves her to into the wall.  The stranger jumps over Heart heading right for Ritz, knocking him to the ground disrupting his spell  Standing over him, “I wouldn’t do anything more If I were you.” He tries to ignite his horn, but every time he does the pegasus taps his horn disrupting the flow.

“I got you covered.” Sweetheart says having her horn glowing and ready with a spell.  Icewing’s eyes grow wide as the scene unfolds.

“Well, it looks like you have a choice here.  I could continue to pummel you right here, or you could walk away.”

Ritz gives up trying to attack and visibly relaxes.  The pegasus removes himself from the stallion and he gets up.

“You haven’t seen the last of me.”

“I’ll be ready when you do.  Now get going before I get angry. “  He flaps his wings and false charges the stallion.  Ritz backs away then turns to leave in a hurry.

“Dad! What are you doing here!” Icewing questions, looking to the stallion smiling.

“Well, looking after you of course.  Did you really think I would let you go off with a stranger that you just met?”

“Umm, yes?” Icewing says sheepishly.

Smiling, he ruffles his mane “No, tiger, I wouldn’t.  So, who are your friends?”

____________

Halfway through their checkers game a nurse came in to take Spark and Heart to the ICU where Shard is recovering. Heart was winning.

“You couldn’t just use the door huh?  You had to walk through the window? I leave you alone for one week, and you wind up in the hospital again!”

“Hey, sis,  Nice to see you too.”

“What happened to you.”

Gulping with a dry throat and still groggy,  “I had to stop some bullies from terrorizing a changeling Sparks.”

“And this is what happens?  You should be more careful or you’ll wind up dead.”

“I’ve been worse. ” his eyes drooping. Fighting the anesthesia,  “Thanks for coming to visit me.”

She grabs the closest hoof and gives it a squeeze. “Anytime Shard.  You get better now.  You can tell me the rest of the details when you’re more awake.” She stands up and gives him a peck on the cheek.

“I’ll be watching you Shard. Don’t do anything stupid while you’re here.”

“You know me sis, can’t promise you that.” A smile plays across his lips. His eyes close all the way and he drifts off to sleep.

____________

The changeling (in the form of the completely blue stallion) passes the ICU looking to speak to Shard, she notices two ponies talking in a hallway near the ICU, a stallion and a mare whispering back and forth.

“You hear about how Shard was brought in yet again, heard this time, he got shards of glass lodged into his skin causing him to internally bleed. It’s surprising the poor guy’s still alive.” The stallion spoke quietly. The changeling leaning against a corner, listening in careful to not make any sounds.

“It’s almost like his injuries been getting more painful, how long do you think before he ends up getting himself killed.” The mare said slightly worried.

“Maybe we should end it before he goes through a living nightmare of pain, assuming he survives another year of these ‘accidents.”

“Are you suggesting we…” The stallion went quiet, the changelings expression going grim.

“We inject him with enough adrenaline to put him down, he’ll hopefully die a painless death.” The mare said confidently.

“But won’t his sister, Heart Attack, be furious?”

“Yes, but only if she finds out! What she doesn't know won’t hurt her. We’ll be doing Shard a favor.” The changeling clenched her jaw, realizing they’d kill Shard. In the distance she hears the ponies walking in her direction, she looked to a vent above her. Reverting to her natural form, she moves the grille out of the way, jumping into the vent and closing it behind her.

“We make it quick and silent, before anypony notices.” The stallion whispered nervously.

The changeling following a ventilation shaft until she was in a vent, above the ICU Shard was in. Her eyes flashing lime green seeing the two ponies standing on both sides of him, the mare fiddling around with a syringe trying to hold it in a way to inject it into Shard.

“Oh no, you don’t, you're not killing the first pony to be kind to me.” The changeling mutters under her breath, using her magic to grab the syringe away from the mare and spinning it around, also making anything not stapled to the ground float into the air. Flinging each object at the two ponies violently, the two running out of the ICU letting out screams of terror, believing a ghost was in the hospital.

The changeling jumped down from the vent, landing softly on the ground looking to Shard, looking to his side frowning, feeling as though she was the cause of his pain.

“I will make it up for you… I promise.” The changeling whispered under her breath, flying up back into the vent.

____________

“This is the place.”  Tender Breeze said while finding a table outside. It's a small cafe with tables for two scattered outside the restaurant. The chairs are hay bales giving it that rustic feel. They sit down at a table and a waiter comes over to hand them the menus.

“What would you like for lunch?  Could I start you off with some drinks?” the lanky waiter with a sterotypical french mustache said.

“The last time I had a strange drink, I ended up three hundred miles from where I started. So, I think I will just have water.”

Chuckling she said “I’ll take the strawberry fizzi”

“Very good choice madam.” And with that, he turns away to fill the orders.

“Well, what’s good to eat here?”

“It all depends. How are you going to pay for it”

Blushing, “I left all my bits in Manehattan.” eyes going wide, “Oh No!  I gotta get word to my friend there.  She’ll be worried sick about me!” Getting up and trying to flap his wings, the pain brings him back to reality.

“Easy there,  we can get word to your friend after lunch.  We’ll send a ponygram and it should arrive at her address this afternoon.” smiling at his antics. “You sure know how to treat a mare.”  Chuckling,  “Inviting her out to lunch and then making her pay for it.”

“Aaagh!  Why can’t I ever get things right! Spark and Shard were right.  I am such a featherbrain.”  the pegasus said completely deflated putting his head on the table.

“I’m just kidding,  I’ll pay for it.  Don’t be sad.  Is that where you are from?”

“Nah, me and my business partner just moved there. What about you.”

Just then the waiter comes back with their drinks.  “Have you decided on what you want to eat?”

Looking at the menus, “Umm. I’ll have the daisy sandwich with a side of fries.”

“And I’ll have the hayburger with onions and ketchup, ” Icewing said.

“Very good sir.”  And with that, he leaves to wait on another customer.

“I came here for the relaxing atmosphere.  I’m originally from Fillydelphia.  That's where I studied to be a therapy pony.”

“Wow, I was there as a colt for the Summer Sun celebration one year.”

“Oh yeah?  Can you tell me about it?”

“What's there to tell?  We had a nice time, Sparks, Shard Sweetheart and me.”

“There must have been something exciting you did?” Looking directly at him.

Those deep blue eyes and a smile like a morning sun greeting the new day, full of excitement for the hours it rules. He had to respond with something if only to get lost in them again.”

“We were going on about the city, looking at the sites when  we ended up at the zoo.  Apparently, Shard has an enemy with an old acquaintance of his.  And he confronted us, right inside the snake house.”

“I don't like snakes.” Tender breeze shudders.

“What I do remember is my dad fought him off right after he throws Sparks into the wall.  Apparently, he was following us just to make sure I was safe.  I kinda went off with a couple of strangers.”

“Sounds like you had an adventure.”

“Yep.” Sipping his drink and enjoying the fact that he is still on the ground.

“Wait a minute.  Is this the same Shard and Spark that you are trying to communicate within Manehattan?”

“Yea. I have known them since that day.  We are good friends.”

“I have only lived here for a year and haven't met any real friends.”

“You seem nice enough and are sure pretty enough,  I would gladly be your friend.” Hoping it will morph into something more.

“Oh?  Is that how you rate your friends?  By their looks?”

“No, no, no.  Ugh!  What can’t I ever talk to a mare.” He starts banging his head on the table.

A smile plays across her lips, why do I always find the adorable idiots she thought.  Grabbing his hoof,  “Icewing,  I am supposed to be putting you back together, not tearing you apart!  Look, would you like me to teach you how to talk to me- er mares?”

Stifling a sniffle and not realizing they are holding hooves, “I would like to be with you-umm,  to teach me. Would you really do that for me?”

“Come on, our food is here.  Let's eat and get back to the hospital so we can work on your wings.”