Mirror: Book I - Mind

A harsh, stark white light flooded the boy’s eyes the moment he dared to lift them open, momentarily blinding him as he ever so slightly fidgeted and moved about to familiarize himself with his surroundings. At the second lapse of his bleary blinking, the silhouette of a mare filled his vision, and along with it the streaks of rainbow schemed hair he had encountered only hours ago. He blinked once more to make sure he wasn’t mistaken at the odd sight before him, as far as “odd” went in a world full of talking horses.

Standing before him was the pegasus, Rainbow Dash, a wide, solid smile across her lips as though she meant it as apologetically as ever, and the bouquet of flowers bundled in her right hoof gave tell tale sign of such sincerities.

“Hey, champ.” Her smile was unbroken, speaking past her teeth. “Hangin’ in there?”

“W-Wha…?” David blinked again, looking to Rainbow Dash, the flowers in her hoof, and back to the pony. “Oh no.” He groaned loudly. “Don’t tell me I wasted my make-a-wish on you.”

“Uh…” The pony threw up a blank.

“I mean, I would have been fine with Rarity, or a nicer version of Applejack…or Steve Carrel.” He rolled his eyes over. “But did it really have to be you?”

“I wish…you hadn’t said that?” The pegasus’ eyes darted about . “Because, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation if you hadn’t fallen into that trap.”

“Trap? What trap?”

“Y’know, the one you fell into.”

“Okay, just hold on.” The boy began looking around. “Where the hell am I?”

“The vet, maybe.”

“The vet?!” A sticky substance trailed over the side of his face, and he scooped a helping up with his fingers. “What the hell is this?”

“Pie, maybe.”

“Pie?!” He sat up, wincing in pain. “Can you tell me what the hell is going on already?”

Two hours prior, the unconscious form of the boy laid still in the middle of the road, the fallen anvil laying next to his side as the pink lump sprouting from his head entailed a mockery of a unicorn. Rainbow Dash stood still, flooded with shock and not a word to escape her lips nor any action upon her hooves. The pie laid intact in her right hoof. After a moment of quiet thought, she chucked the pie over the boy’s head.

“I couldn’t just let it go to waste!” Rainbow pleaded.

“But you did.” David groaned once more. “You did let it go to waste.” Pushing his hands into his eyes and wincing again with a strike of pain.

Quietly then, the boy sat back and felt the cushion of the elevated chair beneath his back. Small as it may have been, it seemed to be a suitable size for that of a dentist’s operating chair. His eyes danced about the room as he spotted a number of cabinets and drawers lining the walls containing various medicines and remedy tools, as well as a nearby desk complete with a faucet and tray for medical supplies. To the other end of the room there laid a wide bookshelf, showcasing depictions and silhouettes of animals and paw prints, as well as a door which most likely led into an office area. Finally, the small variety of critters skittering about reminded the boy faintly of Fluttershy’s cottage. Mice, raccoons, opossums, ferrets. In spite of prey and predator being within the same room, they almost seemed to care not for each other, as all the animals within the building were here for one purpose and one purpose only. To be treated for some manner of illness or injury. David was being treated for some manner of illness or injury, just as he had been when he had gashed open his foot, and Fluttershy sought to heal his wound in her cottage.

A vet. David thought musingly. This brain-damaged pegasus took me to a vet. Not a hospital, but a vet. It made the boy wonder who was really the brain-damaged one in the room. He looked back over to the pegasus, whom was sniffing the flowers in her hooves, fully aware that the tag hanging from one of the petals clearly told her they were fake.

Without another second, the door to the office area swung open, and in the threshold stood a middle-aged looking earth pony, her mane a foggy white and blue and her coat a dim, butter yellow. She wore a white collared shirt with a pocket holding a thermometer, and without a second thought the mare sprung over to the boy’s side, pulled the item from her pocket and stuck it between his gums. David eyed the new occupant of the room cautiously as she eyed the thermometer with great care, watching the red liquid within rise to what appeared to be a reasonable level.

“Still the same as last hour.” She muttered, looking to the boy. “Tell me, sonny, is this temperature normal for your type?”

“My type?” He cocked a brow.

“I know just about as much as your species as you do, so if you don’t mind we’re both going to have to educate each other a little here.” The pony yanked the thermometer from the boy’s mouth and wiped a rag over the tip before dropping it back into her pocket. “What’s the last thing you remember?”

“Er, well…” The boy searched his memory. “There was this pie.”

“Evidently enough.” The vet pony nodded, taking a brief glance to Rainbow Dash, whom returned a sheepish grin. “It’s been about two hours since you lost consciousness. This young flier here lifted you all the way to my vet, said something about you being much lighter than she thought. Now, I don’t know much about your diet, but as far as I’m aware a fella your height ought to weigh a little more.”

“I get that a lot.” David mumbled back, then blinked with realization. “Um, I suppose I should be thanking you, miss-?”

“Dr. Fauna, at your service.” She forced a smile back. “But please, call me Goodall.”

“Jane Goodall?”

Fauna blinked with wonder. “Mane Goodall.” She corrected. “But how would you know that?”

“Er, lucky guess?” The boy shrugged.

Silence ensued and reigned over the room for a moment before the boy’s head turned back to the rainbow pony with a dead-panned stare.

“So,” he began “does anyone else know I’m here?”

As though in answer, a sudden magical splash of hot velvet and pink enveloped the room, sending tiny white sparkles everywhere as the Princess of Friendship herself emerged from the outburst, a desperate look in her eyes and a frantic pace leading her voice.

“I came as soon as I knew you were here!” Twilight rushed up beside David, laying a hoof over his shoulder. “Stars above, are you alright?”

“Never been better.” The boy shrugged with great exaggeration. “Say, would you mind taking those flowers Rainbow Dash has and putting them in your hooves? That’d make me feel a helluva lot better.”

“I spent ten bits on these…” Rainbow frowned and muttered.

Dr. Fauna took a wide step back, rubbing her temples as she trotted over to the front door. “Your highness, I do appreciate your display of enthusiasm, but you do realize that there is a door?”

The next thing the veterinarian knew, the very door she had mentioned abruptly swung inward and slammed against her muzzle, causing her to stupor and stumble where she stood.

“My tail’s been twitching like crazy!” Pinkie Pie hopped through the door and into the room. “I hope nopony took the fall for me.”

Fauna sought to recover herself as the door slowly creaked to a close and she held herself against the wall. Only, the door decided to swing open a second time, this time towing a marshmallow white unicorn into the room.

“They were all sold out at the flower stand, so I decided to make an appearance instead.” Rarity mentioned, trotting inside to join the others.

By this point, Fauna was sure she had learned her lesson. She pressed a hoof against the door and clicked it shut, making sure that nopony could apply any further damage to her snout. The back of her head, however, was not so fortunate. The window panes swung open and made way for a butter yellow pegasus, knocking the veterinarian to the ground as her muzzle slammed against the floor.

“Oh you poor, poor thing.” Fluttershy cooed. “These past few days have been rough for you, haven’t they?”

“Don’t worry, David, we’re all here for you.” Twilight smiled with reassurance, quickly looking around the room soon after and adorning a distressed complexion. “Where’s Applejack?” She asked.

“A good question.” Rarity queued. “Where is Applejack?”

“I think that girl’s still got a grudge.” Pinkie commented.

Twilight began to hang her head in quiet despair, only to perk up in fright as an interruption overcame them all.

“That’s IT!” Dr. Fauna stomped her hoof. “I’ve had this building filled to the brim with patients before, but a flurry of uninvited guests is where I draw the line.” She swung the door open, careful not to hit her muzzle, and motioned to the outdoors. “Everypony out, so that I may tend to my new patient in peace.”

The harsh, abrupt nature of medical personnel was enough to make even the Princess tremble with fear, to which she promptly obeyed and sought herself to the outdoors along with the rest of her friends. Rainbow Dash laid the bouquet on the desk before making her exit, taking a glance back to the boy before turning once more and heading out the door. Surprisingly so, Fluttershy stopped at the threshold and glanced to Fauna with a desperate pair of eyes, glinting plead beneath her lenses.

“Please, Dr. Fauna, won’t you allow me to stay a moment?” Fluttershy raised her wing and lifted a basket into view. “If not, then at least make sure David gets a bite of these supplements I’ve prepared for him. I have a feeling they’re going to be vital to his dietary needs, and give him the nutrition he needs to heal from his injuries.”

Fauna looked over the mare and her basket, prodding her chin. “I don’t suppose it would be very wise of me to reject somepony who might know more than even I do.” The doctor considered. “Just as long as you don’t make too much noise, deary. I’ve got a nest of newborn hares sleeping in the backroom.”

“Oh, you know me, Goodall.” Fluttershy smiled back. “Quieter than a mouse.”

“Well, he’s all yours.” Fauna motioned her forward.

The quiet pegasus nodded curtly and referred her direction back to the boy laying upon the chair, approaching him with an already satisfied grin as though somepony had sought to do something very special for another. David studied the basket warily as his eyes traveled back to Fluttershy’s. Quietly, she set the basket down on the small table next to the chair, eyeing the boy once more.

“There’s no need to tremble.” Fluttershy reassured. “I know you’re afraid now of what some ponies might try to do, but trust me, I’m here to help.”

“Well, I already know you.” David nodded. “Although I could say, it’s always the quiet ones you gotta watch out for.”

Fluttershy elicited a giggle. “Strangely enough, that’s not the first time I heard that. Maybe you do know me.” Reaching down into the basket, she looked back up. “Now, say ‘aah.’”

“Uuh…” His mouth hung ajar anyways, and before he knew it the pegasus placed her hoof to his lips and slipped a small, squishy morsel inside. In that instant David both feared for his life and found the joys of it once more. He squished the piece between his gums, swirled it around his tongue, and gave a good few chews. The texture, the taste, the tingle!

“I-Is this…?”

“Cured meat.” Fluttershy nodded. “Harry was kind enough to give up some of his helpings. I added ground cinnamon and salted them a little to bring out the flavor.”

David trembled and slowly sat up, shaking as his hands hovered over his lips as though to save the sweet sensation flooding his mouth. Fluttershy watched on, interpreting some ill notice.

“I-If they’re not to your liking, then I also have some salmon-”

She felt as though her rib cage were about to bend and break beneath the pressure as the boy’s arms swung around her and held the pegasus from the ground, squeezing her within the tightest embrace the boy had ever given any pony ever since his arrival. As his taste buds pranced and danced with joy, a miracle raining down upon a lost, hungry village, the boy released fresh streams of tears beneath his eyes clenched tight in delight.

“Thank you.” He repeated again and again. “Thank you.”

Fluttershy peered from beneath her long pink mane and looked to Dr. Fauna for help, as she found the ability to breath had been lost in this tight embrace. At least it seemed he was already getting his strength back.

David nestled himself comfortably into the chair as he munched down the last of his meat bites, feeling mortified that the last of them were now gone, and thus he sought to Fluttershy wondering if there might be any more to spare. Instead, as soon as he opened his mouth a great, big belch echoed from his throat and bounced off the walls of the room, causing both of his “nurses” to jolt and blink in surprise. His cheeks burned red as an apologetic grin adorned his lips.

“Perhaps I misjudged how much you would eat?” Fluttershy giggled again. “I do have more back at the cottage, though I’ll have to negotiate divisions with Harry, first.”

“I’d say he and the boy should wrestle for it, see who comes out on top.” Fauna smiled devilishly.

David’s eyes grew wide with worry.

“Oh, I’m just teasing you, hun.” Fauna laughed and looked back to her work. “I’m just glad Miss Fluttershy is here to help us, otherwise I wouldn’t know what to do with you.”

“Well, I apologize that it’s come to this.” The boy admitted. “If I could have avoided this kind of circumstance then I wouldn’t hesitate to do it for a heartbeat.”

“It’s what I’m here for, hun. And don’t you fret about any apologies or payback, this has been a rather interesting experience altogether.” The earth mare explained. “Honestly, it’s not everyday I get to speak with another patient by word of mouth. When that rainbow mare brought you in here, all I knew was that you were my patient and your care was my top priority.”

David nodded back curtly. “I think I’ve decided now that I like to get even with you ponies. So, I’ll have to pay you back for all of this, sometime in the future.” And he turned to the pegasus. “And you too, Fluttershy. I can’t tell you how long I had gone without something that special. How did you know I was, uh…omnivorous?”

“You can usually tell by looking at the teeth.” Fluttershy explained. “And eyes facing forward are a sure sign the creature you’re dealing with is a predator. Um, not to say that you’re just some kind of wild animal, but you understand I hope?”

“Your eyes are facing forward too, y’know?” The boy mentioned. “At least from what I can tell.”

“Really? I never really thought about that.” Fluttershy hovered a hoof over her face and turned to the veterinarian. “Dr. Fauna, what are we hunting?”

“A remedy for this poor boy’s ankle. It looks like his wound might have reopened as well.” The doctor mentioned.

“Oh dear.” Fluttershy gave a dreary frown, studying the boy’s foot closely. “Why does Rainbow Dash have to be so careless from time to time? I should have a word with her, whenever she’s free, of course.”

“Most of the opening has clotted anyways, it should heal within a few days.” Fauna looked over and pointed to Fluttershy’s basket. “Just as long as you keep giving him his supplements as you said you would.”

“I wouldn’t dream of taking them away now, not after the way he showed his gratitude.” Fluttershy giggled once more.

“I promise I’ll pay you back for it. Harry, too. He’s the bear, right?” David searched her eyes. “If there’s anything you need at the cottage then you come looking for me and I’ll be right over.”

“That’s very kind of you, but I won’t abuse your services, especially when I’m not in such dire need.” The pegasus returned.

“Please, it would be my honor.” David placed a hand over his chest. “I don’t know what you might think of me or what the ponies around here might be thinking of me, but I’ve begun to realize something in these past few days, and that’s the fact that I’m just not doing my best. So please, if there is any opportunity, allow me to take it. I think it’d do me some good to bring some ease into another pony’s life, even if…” His words stalled for a moment. “Even if…well, never mind.”

Fluttershy eyed the young human for a second or two before adorning a soft smile and closing her eyes with content. “Well, if you truly insist, then I won’t push you away. I’m sure Twilight would be happy to hear this change of heart you have now. She is your caretaker, is she not?”

“She was the first pony I met upon coming to this world.” The boy reminisced.

After only a few moments more Fluttershy had sought her work finished and made her exit just before dusk had begun to fall upon Ponyville. Fauna had already insisted that the boy rest at the vet for the night and she would let Twilight know, and so he decided to do just that. The journey to the Everfree ruins still had his muscles throbbing and his bones aching, the fatigue over-encumbering him as he took to rest in the chair and sought after calm, vivid thoughts that would put his mind to rest.