The ground quaked behind Allen as he ran for dear life. This has to be some crazy dream, he thought as his shoes tore through the grass and dirt while he continued to flee. The rumble grew louder and just as he was nearly convinced this was a dream, a heart-shattering roar filled the air. Daring to glance back, he saw a hulking red dragon charging after him.

This seems less and less like a dream! Allen panted as he took refuge behind a large rocky mass. Why is a dragon chasing me?

The ground continued to rumble under the beast’s giant footsteps. Uncertain as to where the dragon was, the human dared to peak around his rocky sanctuary. His eyes widened as the dragon splayed its jaws open. Not taking any chances he pulled behind the rock just in time to see a volley of crimson flames blast against the side of the rock and spread across the dried grass, no more than a few feet in front of him.

Heat rolled off the flames and made Allen break out into a warm and frightful sweat. Not waiting for the fire to spread, he turned and started running, but he was beginning to tire from this chase. He was no where close to being the figure of physical fitness and was starting to struggle for breath. Another rocky formation came into view and offered him a place to catch his lost breath. But the perilous roar of the dragon filled the air as it called after the human.

What did I do to anger this thing, and since when are there dragons on Earth? He could only speculate as he puffed for breath. Then, like before, the dragon made a familiar sound, the same it made the last time it spewed its blazing breath. However, before it could unleash its fiery wrath, he heard a daring voice ring out, “Hold it right there, hot stuff!”

Allen blinked in disbelief as he saw what looked like a light blue Pegasus sailing overhead. It was sporting a vibrant rainbow mane and matching tail. He shook his head and blinked again as he saw what looked like an orange pony galloping his way. Her pale blonde mane spilled out from under what resembled a Stetson and flapped along the front portion of her barrel, neatly secured with a red hair tie.

The pony skidded to a halt in front of him and glanced behind him, kicking up a small cloud of dust. She swallowed thickly as the dragon roared again. “I’m not sure what you are, but if ya don’t wanna be dragon chow, follow me!”

Not needing to think twice about it, Allen said, “I’m right behind you!” He took off after the pony, hoping that somehow she knew how to evade this titanic pest. “What the heck is going on? And how can you talk?”

Applejack tried not to roll her eyes as she let out a strong sigh, before glancing back. “There’s no time ta explain. Just keep up with me and ya’ll be alright.”

Somehow with a dragon in pursuit, Allen didn’t find much comfort in what she said. That was when he noticed the ground ceased rumbling. Daring to peer over his shoulder, his discovered they weren’t being chased anymore. “What the?!”

“Whoa, partner, slow down, yer heading for a…” Applejack tried to chase after the strange creature, but it was too late.

Allen looked forward just in time to see his path rapidly disappear as he tried to stop. But it was no good. His momentum was too strong and carried him right off the edge of the cliff. Had he not started plummeting to his doom, he might have found some beauty in the view sprawling out before him, but instead, all he could do was yell. “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”

He banged against some of the rocks as he continued to fall, descending rapidly toward the ground below.

Pain rolled across his body as somewhere between panic and his yelling he noticed a voice call out, “Hold on!”

Allen’s body shook as his fall began to slow. He whimpered as the ground still continued to close in on him. Never before had anything like this ever happened to him.

“Hang in there!” A voice strained. It was quite familiar to him. It was the same one he recalled taunting the dragon. “Fluttershy, come here! I know you don’t like to fly, but I need your help.”

“Oh, my goodness.” Allen heard another softer voice call. It had a very pleasant and soothing quality to it.

He sighed as his descent continued to slow. Then as his vision began to blur, he noticed a raspberry glow encompass him. “Yeah…this has to be…a dream.” He mumbled as he closed his eyes and fell silent. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy continued to gently cradle the strange creature as Twilight lessened their collective descent with her magic.

The three landed softly on the greener grass at the base of the cliff. “Phew.” Twilight brushed a hoof along her forehead. “Are you two okay?”

Rainbow Dash grinned. “Of course I’m okay. What about you, Fluttershy?” She turned her eyes to her fellow Pegasus.

She nodded silently, before finally responding. “Yes…I’m okay.”

The two Pegasi let go of their newly acquired charge and set his motionless body on the ground. Twilight stepped up to it. “Now, how about this thing?”

Applejack walked over to it, a disheartened look in her green eyes. “It isn’t… Is it?”

Twilight studied the creature carefully. “Hmmm. It doesn’t look dead.” The unicorn looked on a little closer. “Wait…look!” She pointed a hoof at its mouth. “It’s breathing.”

“Oh my.” Fluttershy gasped as she overcame her intimidation and walked closer. “It’s hurt. See…blood.” She pointed her hoof.

Applejack removed her hat and placed it over her heart before placing it back on her head. “It must’ve got hurt as it fell…well until you two and Twilight caught it.” Applejack nodded pointing to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.

Twilight nodded. “Come on, we’d best get this guy or thing or whatever it is, some help.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea? It might be dangerous.” Applejack cautioned, as she looked the creature over. “It may be hurt, but I know animals. They can be a mite dangerous when they’re a hurt.”

Fluttershy stepped closer. “I don’t think so. And until we find out otherwise, can we a least call it a “he” or a “him”. It just sounds rude to call him “it” all the time.”

Twilight placed a hoof to her chin. “But we don’t even know what this is…male or female. Though, I thought I heard it talk.” Twilight looked at Applejack. “Applejack, did you hear it say anything?”

Applejack slanted her eyes. “Hmmm, come to think of it, it did say a few things.”

“Well then, what are we waiting for?” Fluttershy asked standing close to the creature. “Let’s take him back to town and get him to the hospital. I know he might seem scary to the others, but he’s in no shape to hurt anyone. And he needs our help.”

Twilight nodded as she gave the matter more thought. “You’re right, Fluttershy. We can always say he’s a hurt animal that needs our help.”

Rainbow Dash snickered. “We can say one thing for sure. He’s no friend of that dragon’s.”

“True enough I reckon. Well, what’re we wait’n for?” Applejack looked around. “We should get some of those long leaves and a little mud, make him something to dress those more serious cuts till we get back ta town.”

“Leaves and mud?” Groused Rarity walking up to the group. “How can you be so uncouth, Applejack?”

Applejack blinked. “Uh, beg your pardon, Rarity, but those are just natural remedies I’ve used all my life.”

Rarity stomped a hoof and scoffed. “Perhaps when you’re out in the wild or working on a farm.” The unicorn cleared her throat. “But there are those of us that came prepared.” Rarity turned to her pale pink saddlebags. A soft blue glow encompassed her white horn as she pulled out some cloth. “I just happened to have some material we can use to bind his injuries…um, we are calling it a “he” now, in accordance with Fluttershy’s wishes…aren’t we?”

Twilight placed a curious hoof to her chin, then looked over at Rarity. “I guess so. And that’s some good thinking, Rarity. Oh and you too, Applejack.” The two smiled at Twilight, just as she went to lift her right foreleg. “Now come on we…”

“Hey, everypony, it looks like we’re in the clear.” Pinkie pie bounced in, beaming the group a bright smile.

“Pinkie Pie, good, you’re here. Then that’s all of us.” Twilight noted.

“Yep. The guards said we’re good to go. That nasty dragon fled to its cave. So we’re safe for now. They sent me on ahead, while they made sure the dragon stayed in its cave.”

“That’s a relief. Now come on. We have to get back to Ponyville.” Twilight led Pinkie to the others.

“We’re all set here, Twilight.” Applejack and Rarity had finished prepping the creature as they set off on their trip back to town.

* * * * * *

Ponyville General Hospital sat rather silently as the late afternoon sun glistened off its sturdy walls. Inside, the normally busy ER was peaceful. All patients had been transferred to their own rooms and the staff members, aside from a few nurses, were taking a much-needed break.

Doctor Screen sat back on the couch in the staff lounge. “Ahh, after the past few days…pure madness. I’m enjoying this break from the chaos. Though, I can’t speak for all of you.”

Nurse Tenderheart poured a cup of coffee, then added some creamer and sugar to it. She picked up the steaming beverage and stirred it briefly as she walked over to one of the plush chairs. “I won’t argue with you. The calm is a nice touch.” The nurse let out a sigh. “Though, it rarely lasts.”

Dr. Screen leaned back and contemplated sprawling on the sofa as he stretched out his forelegs. “Yes well, that’s all the more reason to enjoy it while it lasts.” He closed his eyes and took a cleansing breath. Glancing around the room, he saw Nurse Sweetheart had passed out on one of the chairs and was resting soundly.

Nurse Tenderheart sipped her coffee and smiled. “That’s true enough.”

The doctor started to lie down when the door to the lounge burst open. “Dr. Screen!” Called Nurse Redheart.

He stopped himself in mid motion and sat back up. Turning his cerulean eyes to the preen and white Nurse Redheart, he asked, “What’s going on, Redheart?”

She placed a hoof over her chest and took a quick breath. “We have a trauma, sir. Twilight Sparkle and her friends have brought some strange creature in. From what I could tell it seems injured and is in need of our help.”

Dr. Screen rose to his hooves and pushed up his glasses, before looked over at Nurse Tenderheart. “Tenderheart, better call up to Dr. Horse and one of the attendings. I don’t want to be the only doctor in here in case any more traumas come in.” Dr. Screen ran his hoof over his face. “Well, the calm was nice while it lasted.” He sighed as he grabbed his stethoscope in the grip of his cyan magic. “Okay, where is this creature?”

“They’re in Trauma 1.” Redheart replied as the doctor followed her to the room.

Inside, the patient was already lying motionless on the bed. Twilight and her friends were there, but made sure to stay away from the nurses and the now entering doctor, giving them room to work. “Okay. What do we know? Talk to me, ponies.”

Twilight stepped up. “Well, we weren’t sure until the nurses undressed him, but he looks to be mammalian. And…” Twilight glanced at his nether region, before looking away, a sheepish look on her face.

Nurse Redheart and Dr. Screen looked at the creature. Redheart giggled a little. “I’d say it’s a male…but not an overly impressive one.”

Dr. Screen shook his head. “Now, now, Redheart, is that any way to treat our patient, no matter what he may be? And he may simply be cold. It doesn’t look like his kind have much in the way of fur like we do.” The doctor looked him over as the strange creature lay on its back. “Hmm, what happened to him?” The doctor looked to Twilight and her friends.

“Well. Princess Celestia sent us and two of the elite guard to investigate dragon activity in the Smokey Mountains. We found a dragon roaming around one of the plateaus and saw it chasing him.” Twilight paused for breath.

“Yeah,” Applejack joined in. “I found him hiding behind a large rock and down right scared. I told him to follow me, but as we ran, he didn’t realize the dragon stopped chasing us, and just as I told him to stop.” Applejack placed her hat over her heart. “He ran right off the cliff.

Rainbow Dash snickered. “Yeah, but he didn’t get too banged up. Fluttershy and I totally saved him…uh.” Rainbow looked at Twilight and blushed. “With a little help from you, Twilight. But, his fall could have been a lot worse.”

The doctor placed a hoof to his chin, looking the ponies over and then back to his patient. “I see,” the doctor replied, before giving a listen to the patient with his stethoscope. “Hmm, he’s breathing. The airway doesn’t sound obstructed. And…ah there’s his heartbeat.” The doctor nodded. “All right then, Nurse Redheart, get the patient into a gown and hooked up to a monitor. Then, type match and cross check him, in case we need to perform a blood transfusion. Get a few units of O-Neg in here and some plasma too just in case.” Dr. Screen eyed the patient and his wounds. “And while you’re at it. You might as well run a C.B.C., a Chem 7 and do a chest film. Even though it sounds clear, I don’t want to chance anything obstructing his airway. And we should also do an abdominal C.T. to rule out any damage to his internal organs or internal bleeding for that matter.”

Nurse Redheart looked at Dr. Screen curiously. “Doctor, are you going to treat him as if her were a pony?”

Dr. Screen gave a firm nod. “Aside form some minor discrepancies, he appears mammalian, not unlike some form of hairless ape.” He adjusted his glasses. “So, I don’t see why the normal regiment we use to treat a pony wouldn’t be a good place to start.”

Nurse Redheart nodded dutifully and straightened her hat. “Of course doctor. We’ll get started. Come on, everypony. Our patient needs us.” She and the other nurses went to work getting things together.

Meanwhile, the doctor stood back with Twilight and her friends, quite puzzled from the unusual patient. “Just where did this guy come from…and how did he get here?”

“That’s a good question,” Twilight replied, watching as the nurses went to work. “I’ve never seen anything like him before.”

Author's Note

Here are some informational links, in case any of you wanted more details on some of the ER jargon I used in this chapter.

C.B.C. (Complete Blood Count)
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003642.htm

Chem 7
https://www.ucsfhealth.org/tests/003462.html

Chest Film
https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=chestrad

Abdominal CT Scan
https://www.healthline.com/health/abdominal-ct-scan