Don't Play With Fire

Chapter 3: Released

Two months, two months and seven days. That's how long the Cutie Mark Crusaders have been in the hospital, and everyday Babs had to go see them. At first it was horrible, having to see them always asleep, the only time they'd wake up was to howl in pain as the pain meds wore off. After the first month had gone by they were moved out of the ICU and were able to wake up without pain, which only made it worse as they started to praise Celestia that Babs was okay and thank her for getting the rescue team even though she didn't. Throughout the second month Babs had to be in their room at all times to help them get what they needed, or in Applebloom's case, help her to the bathroom. Babs continued to relive the past two months, remembering every little part of it, until Big Mac tapped her on the shoulder.

"Come on, time to go home" Big Mac said as he moved towards the door with Applebloom on his back, who was holding on tight to his yoke so she wouldn't fall off. Beside them were Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, both of whom had bandages on them from their amputations. Sweetie Belle had to have what remained of her horn removed so she wouldn't be bothered by having half a horn. Scootaloo had to have her wings amputated because of the damage done to them, if she didn't have them removed now, they'd have to be removed later.

"Are you coming Babs?" Applejack asked from behind Babs as Big Mac started walking away. She had managed to take the day off to help take everypony home. Rarity was supposed to show up to take Sweetie Belle home, but she was swamped with orders for the gala, and Rainbow Dash was in Cloudsdale to attend a weather management seminar, so Scootaloo would be helped by Applejack as well.

"I'm coming" Babs said as she took up place behind Applejack, trying not to be seen by the Crusaders. As they walked out of the hospital a loud bang went off from Pinkie's party cannon, causing Babs to jump as high as she could.

"CONGRATS ON GETTING WELL!" Pinkie shouted along side the rest of the girls, who had all come despite their previous arrangements. Babs looked around in surprise as all of the girls run at the Crusaders, followed by a few yelps of pain as the hugs hit their burns.

"Oh, sorry dear" Rarity apologized quickly as she let go of Sweetie Belle.

"It's okay, it just hurt a little bit" Sweetie Belle said quickly as she moved in for another hug. When Babs looked at Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo she saw the two of them doing circles in the sky as Scootaloo rode on her back, just above the rest of the group, as Scootaloo laughed loudly. As they played happily everypony else said hello to Applebloom, giving her hugs and checking how she was doing now that she was blind.

"I'm okay, just feels really weird seeing nothing but darkness" Applebloom said with a hint of sadness in her voice. Everypony continued to play with her, but with sad looks on her their faces as they did, knowing that the fun wasn't the same for her. Babs walked away from the group taking up a spot next to Big Mac who had let Applebloom run off so he could talk to Cheerilee.

"So what happens with her schoolin' now?" Big Mac asked, watching as Pinkie hopped high into the sky while Applebloom hung onto her neck laughing happily as the wind blew through her mane.

"I'm not sure, but she won't be able to attend school normally" Cheerilee said sadly, sighing loudly as she looked at the other two Crusaders, who were playing with their role models, "How did something so sad happen to them?" Babs shifted uneasily as the two adults stared silently at the three Crusaders, each of whom were playing happily despite their injuries. Only Babs really knew what happened in the forest, and if she told them about it who knows what would happen...

"Babs, are you okay?" Cheerilee asked, noticing the hurt expression on Babs face from thinking about the fire. Out of surprise Babs jumped, nearly falling into the ditch behind her when she landed, but Big Mac pulled her back.

"What's got you so jumpy?" Big Mac asked as he lowered his face down to Babs' level to look into her eyes. Babs tried to break away, but Mac held her in place so he could get her to talk. She didn't speak up, so Big Mac let her go with a loud sigh.

"Babs, you can talk to us at anytime" Cheeilee said slowly as she looked at Babs, who still wanted to get away, but didn't have a reason to do so. Just before she gave up and ran off the Crusaders walked over, each of them ready to saw goodbye to Babs. Once the goodbyes were said Babs and the rest of the Apples went home, staying silent the entire time. Applebloom had almost fallen off of Big Mac a few times, but she was always caught by Applejack.

"Okay Applebloom, watch your head" Applejack said as they made it to the front porch of the farm house. Applebloom hugged Big Mac's back instinctively so she could stay down and Babs watched as they tried to carry her in carefully, but she pulled her head up too soon and hit it on the doorframe.

"Ow!" Applebloom shouted for a moment.

"Are you okay?!" Big Mac and Applejack asked together with Applejack jumping up to see how Applebloom's head was doing. Applebloom shook her head quickly, but the action made her dizzy and she fell off of Mac's back. Without speaking Applejack rushed to pick her up and ran her upstairs, leaving Mac and Babs alone in the doorway.

"Is she going to be okay?" Babs asked, almost fearing Big Mac's answer.

"I don't know Babs, she as only released today, but..." Big Mac paused as Applejack's frantic hoof steps echoed throughout the house as she grabbed blankets for Applebloom's bed, "I really hope so..." His sad, and vague answer made Babs' heart drop fast. If it wasn't for her stupid prank idea none of this would have happened and they would still be okay. If she had just been a good filly they wouldn't have had to be released from the hospital today...