Hay Belly Syndrome!

Blood Bones's POV

I remember that day two was the day I was really starting to feel bad. But….I didn’t say anything cause I thought I’d just push through it all. And if I could go back in time I’d slap some sense into me! Cause that had to be the dumbest decision I’ve ever made!

I groaned as I slowly opened my eye’s, and I immediately felt like throwing up. I looked and saw that the moon was still in the sky, I then did the math in my head and realized that it was in fact time to lower the moon. I slowly got out of bed and looked out my room window. I then lit my horn with a bit of difficultly as I tried my best to focus. I looked and saw a red magical aura surround the moon, I groaned as I strained my magic.

I took in deep breathes as the moon slowly began to lower because of my magic. And as the moon lowered the stars began to disappear from the sky. And just as the moon had lowered from the sky completely did the sun rise right after it. The sun seemed a bit dim but I didn’t think much of it as I shied my eye’s from it’s still bright rays. Finally I let my magic fade as I knew the moon was successfully lowered.

I then smiled as I got back into bed I was about to let myself drift off into the land of dreams. But that dream was soon crushed. My room door suddenly slammed open as I jumped. I then looked over to see Timidthy, my brother’s coat was a bit pale as his mane, tail, and eye’s lacked their normal luster. His coat, mane, and tail looked recently cleaned and brushed but that only seemed to draw attention to their dull appearance.

But as I looked into my brothers eye’s I saw he was exhausted,

“Come on brother get up.” He said. I groaned and flopped into my bed using my bed sheets as protection.

“No, I’m too tired!” I said,

“Blood Bones you know that your tired. But you can take a nap at French Press’s place, remember we agreed to help Bumper help French Press with her chores.” Timidthy replied. And I could hear the sympathy and exhaustion in his voice. I groaned and got up,

“Fine. I’ll be there.” I grumbled as I stepped out of bed again. I heard my brother gasp and look at me with horror and concern.

“What, what is it?” I said, but my brother didn’t respond. Instead, he grabbed me by the hoof and ran into the restroom. He pushed me in front of the mirror and I gasped as well when I saw how I looked. My mane and tail we’re limp and lifeless as my eye’s we’re blood shot and seemed to have lost so much pigment they we’re grey. On my stomach my veins has popped out as they throbbed.

I also noticed that my stomach was bloated slightly but that was barely noticeable. I looked over to my brother and saw that in fact on his stomach only a few veins had popped out and we’re now throbbing.

“Br-Brother what’s happening to us?” I asked fearfully, as I saw Timidthy was looking at the veins throbbing on his stomach. He then looked up to me with a defeated look in his eyes.

“I—I don’t know.” Timidthy responded, I gulped as I realized how much pain I had in my bowels and lower abdomen.

“Do-Does it hurt as well?” Timidthy asked, and I nodded as I felt my legs shake in fear. Timidthy put a hoof on my shoulder and I look deep breathes in response.

“I-I’ll be going to two ceremonies. So I should be done in about….four hours. Then I’ll be right over to French Press’s and she said that’s when Bumper, you, and I will start working.” Timidthy said, I nodded and tried to light my horn but only a few sparks came out. I growled and tried again managing to get enough magic to turn the shower on.

“Don’t worry Blood Bones…..it’s probably just a cold.” Timidthy said, but I could tell he wasn’t even buying what he was saying.

“Ye—Yeah….just a cold.” I said, with a fearful smile on my face. I then shut and locked the door. I then stepped into the shower and pulled out some shampoo and conditioner that would and I quote, “add life and color to your mane and tail”. Once I washed them I let the soap stay in and I put my tail up in short bun as I put a shower cap on my mane. I then grabbed a bar of soap that smelled like peppermint and made sure to wash my entire body.

I winced in pain when I got to my stomach feeling as if a knife had been shoved through it. Once I finished washing my body I washed all the soap and suds out of my mane and tail. I then turned off the shower and dried my tail and coat, wrapping a towel around my mane. But just before I left the bathroom I heard my stomach groan I then felt as if something had poked the sides. I doubled-over in pain as I clutched my stomach for dear, feeling fresh tears of pain fill my eye’s.

I was confused for a minute but I remembered that I was constipated last night, and that I couldn’t get anything out. I whimpered but got myself back up on, albeit shaky, hooves. I then took in a deep breathe and walked out of the restroom making sure to shut the door. Once I did I got into my room only for the door to slam open a second later. I jumped for the second time that day and watched as Meadow and Shimmer Sword walked in.

“Good! You haven’t done your mane yet! As soon as we get to French Press's we’re gonna get your mane done okay?” Meadow said, and I nodded seeing no harm in a new mane style. But as I looked at Shimmer Sword I felt more pain then I already did as I could tell he was looking my over.

“Yes, but I’m coming. I’m making sure Blood Bones’s doesn’t overexert himself.” Shimmer Sword said, and I gulped knowing fairly well that he was coming to see what was wrong with me. Meadow then unwrapped the towel around my mane and it came falling against my neck and over my eyes. I moved my mane from my eye’s as it was still moist looking a bit brighter then before but not how it usually was. Meadow then lit her horn charging up a teleportation spell but I put a hoof against her horn feeling adrenalin course through me.

“No, the last time you teleported somepony above the age of eighteen your horn almost got blown off.” I said, Meadow blushed and rubbed the back of her neck nervously.

“Alright, alright do you think you can handle it?” Meadow asked, and I smiled slightly but that soon faded as I saw Shimmer Sword’s disapproving glare. I then bit my lip knowing better then to go against Shimmer Sword at this point.

Me, Meadow, and Shimmer Sword had just gotten to French Press’s place. As I saw that French Press’s house was shaped like a barn of all things. I looked around and saw acres and acres of surprisingly large grapes off all colors hanging from the vines on there bushes. And as we got to the front door we all saw it was wide open, I felt a stab of concern as we entered the house. But that soon disappeared when I saw Bumper, the green unicorn was having his mane curled by French Press.

“He-Hey guy’s!” Bumper said nervously, as he kept looking up at his horn.

“Will you stop worryin’! I won’t singe your horn!” French Press said,

“You don’t know that! Unicorn and alicorn horns are highly sensitive! Getting them thumped is enough to make a grown stallion cry! And I don’t feel comfortable with a hot object by my horn!” Bumper said. French Press scoffed,

“Thumper relax I know what I’m do—YIKES!” She started to say but as her eye’s locked with my mane French Press shrieked. She was so shocked she dropped the heated curler from her hooves. Bumper yelped as he instinctively moved his back legs out of the way with the curler nearly hitting his privates. Bumper blinked for a moment as he seemed to be going through shell-shock. But as soon as the shock wore off he looked up at his fillyfriend and glared.

“Your so lucky that missed.” Bumper simply stated, he then teleported next to me. Bumper used his magic to grab my mane and inspected it.

“Yikes talk about bad mane days!” Bumper commented, but French Press soon ran over ramming the colt to the side. She then grabbed my mane and began running her hooves against it.

“Dry, brittle, dull, split-ends. It’s worse then I thought! It’s a hair emergency! Mrs. Oinkers get my hair healing kit!” French Press said, I glared at the filly.

“Now hold it. I promised to come down here and help Bumper help with your chores. Not get my mane done.” I said sounding a bit harsh then necessary, but I was exhausted and in pain so shut-up! French Press shook her head,

“I’m aware but your hair is a mess! Do you put any gel, hair spray, or anything in it?” She asked.

“I wash my mane and tail with conditioner and shampoo that Meadow makes. But other than that….no.” I said, still sounding a bit snappish. French Press’s jaw dropped but before she could speak we both saw Bumper get up rubbing his horn.

“Well my horn just had a bucking make-out session with the floor. I wonder how that happened!?” Bumper said, as tears of pain threatened to fall from his eye’s. French Press blushed and turned to her coltfriend,

“Sorry Thumpy! You use ice on a sore horn right?” She said. Bumper grumbled but nodded, French Press then ran into the kitchen and came back with some ice in a small plastic bag. Bumper begrudgingly took it and walked over to the nearest recliner chair to sit. French Press's ears went back in guilt,

“Don’t worry, he’ll be good in five minutes.” Meadow said.

“And Miss. Press do you mind if I make breakfast for all of you?” Shimmer Sword said, and I could feel his eye’s burning into the back of my head.

“Naw I don’t mind. Just make sure not to make a mess. Now you get your flank on the floor and your back against the couch cause I’m fixin’ your mane.” French Press said, and I felt a jolt of fear surprisingly enough and I did as I was told.

After an hour or so Shimmer Sword came in with five plates, he placed a plate of pancakes in front of French Press. A plate of fish in front of Meadow, he placed a plate of waffles in front of Bumper who was eyeing Meadow’s food like it was a picture of French Press in a bikini. And finally he placed five toasted bagels in front of me coated in cream cheese: my favorite. I gulped knowing fairly well this was a test that Shimmer Sword was trying to pull. If I didn’t eat all of it, or if I made an excuse on why I didn’t or couldn’t eat it then….the jig was up.

And Shimmer Sword would take me straight to a doctor. I looked over to my temporary personal royal guard and he had a coy grin on his face as he was eating his blueberry packages. French Press took a break on my mane and started to eat. I felt my stomach shift as I could practically taste acid in my mouth. I then lit my horn and levitated one of the bagels over to my mouth I then took a deep breathe and took a bite.

I felt my stomach turn as the pain in my bowels intensified like it was trying to warn me what came in wouldn’t come out. But I knew I had to fool Shimmer Sword.

I was last to finish but the others, minus Shimmer Sword, didn’t find it all that suspicious. But I remember seeing Meadow casting me a concerned look.

“Alright done!” I heard French Press say, I automatically got up and took a mirror French Press was holding her me. I looked at my mane and smiled as I saw she had put my hair in a french crop hairstyle.

“You look do dapper!” Meadow said,

“Ha! The word dapper used to describe Blood Bones I never thought that’d happen! But yeah Bones, you look great!” Bumper said and I felt a bit of pride swell up. Of course it wasn’t enough to block out the pain I felt but just enough to make my pain seem numb.

“Well I’m glad you all like it! That’ll be thirty bits Bones!” French Press said, and my head snapped to her.

“You’re charging me!? But I’m your friend!” I said, French Press and Bumper then laughed.

“Classic! Sorry Blood Bones but ya gotta pay the piper! She charges me so you ain’t getting out of this!” Bumper said, and I groaned and sighed as I pulled out a small bag of bits. I then took thirty out and placed them in the waiting, greedy hooves of French Press. The red earthpony smiled as she then pulled out a coin purse and placed the bits in.

“Ten more and I get to by that scalp massager!” French Press said, and just as she said that did Timidthy, Watch Dog, and Sweet Dreams walk in.

“Finally you’re here! Now Bumper, Timid, and Bones I already have three baskets in the kitchen. Y’all have to help me get every grape off the vines by the time the sun sets! The rest of ya, you can help if you want.” French Press said, and I trotted over to the kitchen with my brother and Bumper following. And as I walked I realized that with every step my bowels screamed for release that I honestly sure would ever come. I should’ve told Shimmer Sword something was up. I should’ve given up on my remaining bits of pride and gone to a doctor.

But most importantly…..I shouldn’t have been out of bed.

Timidthy’s POV

Oh boy. This part of the story….isn’t even the worst of it that’d be day four. But I’m getting off track, I ceremonies honestly we’re very boring. And my brain has already discarded them from my memory. But I definitely remember what happened after the two ceremonies. And I can tell ya that Blood Bones remembers it too…

I had just gotten to French Press's house as she already had started getting me, Blood Bones, and Bumper to work. I walked into the kitchen and lit my horn as I took one of the very large baskets. I looked over to my brother who looked considerably better with a kept mane. But I did notice his tail was still limp and lifeless, it twitched every now and then as if it was going to hick itself up before giving up. Bumper seemed to cast a concerned look at both me and Blood Bones as I knew my tail had gone limp as well.

The three of us then trotted out of the house to the deepest part of the grape grove.

When we all got to the deepest parts I was out breathe, while Bumper was a bit winded. My brother seemed to look very tired but he has a lot of endurance and stamina so he didn’t look winded. The bushes we’re tall towering over us and nearly blocking out the sun. As little steams of sunlight made itself through the top and leaves of the bushes giving the area a calm feeling. I tried to spark my horn to pick the grapes but my horn only gave a few fizzes and sparks.

I whimpered, I knew I wasn’t feeling well by any stretch of the imagination. But I didn’t think my horn would quiet on me. I then tapped my horn lightly and tried again, and my magic cake through my horn. But I noticed the flow only seemed to cover the tip of my horn. And that my magical grasp was no longer holding my basket.

I bit my lip and decided to use my left hoof to hold the basket. I looked over to Blood Bones and saw that his magic was weak as well. I couldn’t decide if it was from us raising (or lowering) the sun and moon or from our sickness. Bumper’s magic on the other hoof was flowing freely as he picked three grapes for every one we picked.

“Are you guys feeling alright?” Bumper said, as he tried to get a good look at us. I bit my lip before forcing a nervous grin on my face,

“Of course! Just fine! I-I guess we’re just a bit tired.” I said. Purposely looking away from my best friend/brother, Bumper raised an eyebrow.

“I guess but you guys are exhibiting all the traits of sick unicorns. Weak magical flow, horns on the frits, discolored or pale eye’s. You guys are raising a lot of red flags.” Bumper said, I gulped as looked at the pale magical glow that was surrounding my picked grape.

“Well I don’t see why your getting so worried. My fillyfriend didn’t notice.” Blood Bones said, Bumper groaned and shook his head.

“That’s the problem with their being three different races of ponies. Plus you alicorns. Only a unicorn can truly know about unicorn or alicorn horn problems. Like would you trust an earthpony doctor to tell you how to care for your wings?” Bumper said,

“No, we have three doctors. One for our wings, one for our horns, and one for our legs, hooves, and chest.” I said meekly.

“Of course! Cause you guy’s know as well as I do that earthponies and pegasi think unicorns are just ponies with a bump on their forehead. While they and unicorns think pegasi are just ponies with wings. And both pegasi and unicorns think earthponies are just ponies with no magic. And all three tribes think that alicorns are just their tribe of pony with an extra appendage or two. It’s not fair in any way but ponies just need to wise up and realize that each tribe is different. Earthponies have strength, stamina, endurance, and are fast on their hooves. While pegasi have agility, speed, and can control the weather since they we’re born. While us unicorn are mentally strong, we’re intelligent, and we of course have stronger magic then the other tribes. And what tribe was Meadow?” Bumper said, I sighed knowing Bumper was right.

“She was an earthpony.” Blood Bones said for me, Bumper then nodded.

“Exactly she’s barely been a unicorn for a year! She still doesn’t know the warning signs when she sees em! And I can tell that you and Blood Bones and checking off every warning sign.” Bumper said, both me and Blood Bones shared a look. He then nodded towards me and I groaned in both defeat and pain as I felt my stomach ache.

“Don’t tell anypony but….we are sick. We’re not sure what we’re sick with but we really don’t feel so good.” I admitted,

“Well why don’t you go to a doctor?” Bumper said. I sighed and looked at the ground,

“It’s because we’re filling in for our mother and aunt. Once they’re healthy me and Blood Bones are gonna nap for a week. Right Blood Bones?” I said and my brother nodded. Bumper gained a smile but he still had a concerned look in his eye.

“That’s pretty sweet. But promise me you guys will be careful, I’m not one for mushy stuff. But….I love ya guys and I’d hate if anything happen to you.” Bumper said, his cheeks turning a bright red. I smiled as I felt my eye’s gloss over with tears, I then ran over and hugged Bumper.

“Just admit it, you’re a softie!” I joked, Bumper blushed even redder.

“Hey quiet it! You could be contagious!” He replied, and I chuckled slightly pulling away. But just as I was going to respond me and Bumper both heard something hit the ground.

Something was wrong.

We both whirled around to see the basket my brother had been holding had hit the grass below. Grapes of all colors had spilled out and it was a deep growl that got us to look at Blood Bones. My brother was laying on his side as we both saw he was clutching his stomach tightly. I swore I though I saw something was moving inside my brother’s stomach. Tears rolled down his eye’s as his eye lids we’re closed tightly.

“BLOOD BONES!” Bumper said, as he ran around the spilled grapes. I lightly flapped my wings and flew over to Blood Bones. I put my hooves on the ones clutching his stomach as I tried to pry them off. But I couldn’t get them off as I looked at the trembling mass that was brother.