“Well, that was an uneventful day.” Scootaloo said as she trudged through Ponyville.
“Yeah, ah know what you mean.” Apple Bloom said kicking a rock as she trudged next to Scootaloo. “It just wasn’t tha same without Sweetie Belle either.”
Scootaloo stopped and asked, “You think we should go visit her today? Considering we didn’t visit her yesterday.”
“Ya know, ah think she might enjoy our company today.” Apple Bloom genially replied. “Lets hurry over there before visitin’ hours are over.”
“Right.” Scootaloo said and nodded showing approval of the idea. They both broke out in a run and were giggling like the little fillies they still were. They weren’t far from the hospital so it wasn’t far, but dusk was coming so there was no time to waste with walking.
Two minutes later, they both walked in the hospital and straight to the registration desk. Their giggling had subsided to a cheerful smile as they reached the hospital. “Hi, can we see Sweetie Bell?” Scootaloo asked as she put her right hoof on the desk.
The pony just looked up from her paper and straight into Scootaloo’s eye’s. “What is your affiliation with her?” She asked exasperatedly.
Scootaloo’s smile began to fade as she removed her hoof and looked over at Apple Bloom for some assistance. “We’re, um, we’re part of her family.” Apple Bloom replied.
The pony raised an eyebrow, not believing anything that Apple Bloom said. “And how are you two related to her?”
“She’s her step-sister and I’m her fillyfriend. Can we please go see her?” Scootaloo said calmly. When she said that she was Sweetie Belle’s fillyfriend, she started blushing.
The registration pony sighed as she look down at a list on her desk and pointed to the right of her, “She’s in room #114. It’s the last room on your left, you’d have to be blind to miss it.”
“Uh…thanks?” Scootaloo replied questioning the motives of the pony. They both walked down the hall and reached the room. Scootaloo knocked on the closed door before she opened it and walked in with Apple Bloom. “Sweetie, you awake?”
“Yeah, I am.” She replied quietly. “How did the crusading go today?” She asked weakly.
“Failed as usual, yet it wasn’t the same with out ya there.” Apple Bloom replied as they sat next to Sweetie’s bed. “So how did tha surgery go?”
Sweetie dogged her head. “They still haven’t figured out what I caught. It’s kind of terrifying if you ask me.” Sweetie lifted her head and looked out her window. “It’s getting harder for me to talk, I fail every time I use magic, it takes everything I have just to be able to move any of my limbs. I,” She sighed heavily, “I just don’t know what to do anymore.” Her eyes started tearing up. Just the thought that she, or any of her friends, may not be around much longer always brought tears to her eyes.
Scootaloo wiped her tears away with one of her wings and moved her head so they were staring each other in the eyes. “You got to stop thinking like that Sweetie, you’ll pull through this mysterious illness.” Scootaloo cracked a grin; “We are going to help find a cure for you.”
“After all,” Apple Bloom said standing up, “we’re crusaders. Ain’t nothing gonna stop us from helping ponies with problems.” She smiled and started to walk toward the door to Sweetie Belle’s room.
“You’re the only one that we see that needs our help more than anypony in Ponyville.” Scootaloo said as she leaned closer and kissed Sweetie Belle on her forehead before getting up and walking towards the door, too. Sweetie was watching Scootaloo as she walked towards the door, and her eyes fell upon her flank. Sweetie Belle mustered a slight giggle and smiled. “So you’re still walking around with that piece of paper taped over your cutie mark area.”
Scootaloo stopped at the door and returned a sheepish grin, “You know it. It’s still my dream, to become just like Rainbow Dash; nothing is going to change that.”
Sweetie watched as they both left the room. Her smile began to fade and she stared out the window again. “I hope you two find out what’s wrong with me soon. I really don’t know how much longer I’ll last.” She continued looking out the window till she saw her two friends walking off into the sunset. Scootaloo extended her wings and thrust them down. Apple Bloom stared running and Scootaloo flew right behind her a few inches off the ground. “Today, the sunset looks promising.” Sweetie Belle smiled. “If, no, not if, but when. When I get better, I’ll have to tell her how I feel about her. Maybe tomorrow, if I see them, I’ll tell her how much she means to me.” She started crying again and couldn’t stop herself. “I feel so helpless like this, but I’m happy to know they will never leave me alone.” She took a deep breath to calm herself and closed her eyes.
“Twilight, we need your expertise.” Apple Bloom said as she opened the door to the library.
Twilight was looking through some old textbooks that dealt with numerous amounts of things ranging from science to mythology. “You’re not here on one of your crusading missions to get a cutie mark as a librarian are you?” She stopped reading and closed her book.
“No,” Scootaloo replied, “we’re here on a more important mission that we were hoping you would be able to give us some insight on.”
Twilight sighed in relief. “That’s good news in a way.” She smiled; “So what can I help you with?”
“Have you heard what happened to Sweetie Belle?” Scootaloo asked calmly.
“Yeah, I have.” Twilight replied. She floated a book labeled Super-Naturals and started flipping through it. “Can you explain her symptoms to me?”
“She said she can’t use her magic, it takes all her strength to move just one limb, and talking has become something of a chore for her to do.” Apple Bloom replied.
“I see.” Twilight said setting down the book. “The book says there is a cure for her illness.”
Scootaloo and Apple Bloom looked at each other with relief. “So is there a potion that is needed?” Scootaloo asked.
“Spike, bring me book number 1,056.” Twilight said, walking towards the two fillies. “It’ll be okay, Sweetie will get through this illness with the help of both of you.” She embraced them both in a hug.
“Here you go Twilight, book number 1,056.” Spike said bringing a thin book that was 30 inches wide and 25 inches long.
The number system was something they had started using to classify all the books in the library. It definitely helped because Spike was the one who had to keep track of all the books. If they kept going in alphabetical order, Twilight would’ve kept messing it up when she was looking for a certain book. Now with them being numbered, Twilight could look at the number list and find the book she was looking for faster than ever.
Twilight released them and levitated the book over to where they were sitting. “Now on to what you will need in order to save Sweetie Belle. You’ll need to travel deep into the Everfree Forest and find a cave. Once you find the cave, you’ll need to find your way to a pond. Inside this pond, there will be what’s known as the Sapphire Stone. Legend says that the Sapphire Stone will grant the user magical powers, no matter what race they are.” Twilight started drawing a plat of the Everfree Forest that showed where they had to go to find the cave that held the Sapphire Stone.
“What if tha stone ain’t there?” Apple Bloom asked.
Twilight stopped drawing. “If the stone isn’t there…” Twilight fell silent.
“If the stone isn’t there then you better hope and pray that Sweetie Belle pulls through her illness.” Spike said sitting on the bottom stair. “Because if she doesn’t, heh, she’ll die.”
“How long ya think she got left to live?”
“Oh, I say she has about a week left to live. If she doesn’t start getting better soon, her next symptom will be loss of memory. She won’t even remember who you are, or her family. So for her sake, it better be in that cave.” Spike stood up and walked over ands stood behind Twilight. “I suggest that you go and say your farewells before its too late.”
“If you hurry, you might get there with a few minutes left of visiting hours. If they wont let you in, give them this note.” Twilight levitated two pieces of paper and quill over and started writing. “I’m writing two notes, in case you lose one of them. But I’m sure that you wont lose even one of them so, consider it a precaution that I’m taking.” She put the notes and the maps in a saddlebag and placed it on Scootaloo’s back. “Now go save Sweetie Belle, before it’s too late.”
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo wasted no time in leaving the library. They bolted out the door and ran faster than they ever had before. There was no time to waste. They had to get there before visiting hours were over. Scootaloo opened her wings and started flying. “It’s a good thing ah’ve been working on tha farm, ah don’t think ah would be able too keep up with you whenever you decide to fly.” Apple Bloom said.
“Yeah, and I’m glad I can finally fly.” Scootaloo replied. “It also means I’m that much closer to becoming like Rainbow Dash.” They both started laughing.
The arrived at the hospital with barely any light left. Apple Bloom rushed through the door and Scootaloo followed shortly after. They started running towards Sweeties room, but a voice stopped them. “I’m sorry girls but visiting hours are over.” The register pony said aggressively.
“Not for us.” Scootaloo retorted.
“Hah, and what makes you think that you’re special enough to disobey the rules of the clinic?”
“Because of this.” Apple Bloom replied emphasizing each word, pulling one of the notes out of the bag and slammed it on her desk.
The pony opened the note and immediately her tone changed. “Oh my, I-I’m sorry, please go.”
They both nodded in appreciation and ran down to room #114 to tell Sweetie the news.
Scootaloo opened the door and went inside. “Sweetie, you up?” Scootaloo asked. There was no reply. Scootaloo rushed over to her bed. “Sweetie Belle, wake up. I need to tell you something.” There was still no reply. Scootaloo put her hoof on the bed; Sweeties body was still there. Scootaloo pushed her gently trying to wake her up.
“Scootaloo?” Sweetie Belle groaned. Scootaloo let out a sigh of relief. “Why are you here? Did you find a cure?”
“Possibly.” Scootaloo replied. “Apple Bloom and I are going to go look for it tonight.”
“We just wanted to come an’ say goodbye before we left.” Apple Bloom said sitting next to Scootaloo.
“Okay. But please, let’s not say goodbye, but instead say that we’ll see each other tomorrow.” Sweetie Belle said grabbing Scootaloos hoof. “Listen Scootaloo, there’s something I want to tell you something.”
“What is it, Sweetie Belle?”
“I…I love you.” She was staring deep into Scootaloo’s eyes.
“I love you, too.” Scootaloo removed her hoof and smiled. “We’ll be back with your cure tomorrow, you can count on that. Lets go Apple Bloom, there’s no time to waste.” They ran out the door and left the hospital. Their next stop would be the Everfree Forest to find the cave, and the Sapphire Stone.
They were halfway to the Everfree forest when the heard a familiar voice, one they hadn’t heard for a long time. “Where are you two blank flanks off to in such a hurry at this time of night?” Scootaloo turned her head around and saw Diamond Tiara.
“Why should it matter to you?” Scootaloo asked.
Diamond Tiara lifted her hoof and was looking at it. “I take it you’re trying to save Sweetie Belle?” She put her hoof back on the ground and glared at Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. “There’s nothing you two can do to save her. So why even try?”
“Lets go Scootaloo, there’s no time to argue with her. She isn’t worth risking Sweetie's life over.”
“What do you mean we can’t save her?” Scootaloo asked.
“Because,” Diamond Tiara said, “I won’t let you.”
Before they could do anything, they were hit in the head from behind and were knocked out.
They awoke in a dark room, tied together hanging upside down. “Good, you two finally woke up.” Diamond Tiara said menacingly.
“Let us go, please. Find it in your heart to let us try and save her.” Scootaloo said.
“No, I can’t do that.”
“Why the hell won’t you let us save Sweetie Belle?” Apple Bloom asked. “We didn’t do anything to you to deserve this!”
“Oh, I know that.” Diamond Tiara replied.
“Then why are you stopping us from saving her?” Scootaloo asked.
“Because,” Diamond Tiara said; walking over to where they hung, “I was the one who poisoned her in the first place.” She started laughing.
“Damn it Tiara, why did you have to go that far!” Scootaloo yelled. “Do you hate us that much?”
“Why yes, yes I do.” Diamond Tiara placed a hoof on Scootaloo’s face. “I poisoned her a month ago. And just a few minutes ago, I poisoned both of you.” Scootaloo’s eyes widened as Diamond Tiara walked away laughing.
“Scootaloo, what are we gonna do?” Apple Bloom asked.
“We are going to get out of here.” Scootaloo answered struggling to break the rope. While Scootaloo was struggling, they started swinging from side to side.
“Do ya think there is an easier way to break these ropes than meaningless strugglin’?” Apple bloom asked.
“ If there is, I can’t think of one.” Scootaloo replied still struggling.
“Uh, do you two mind if I interrupt for a second?” Scootaloo looked down to see a grey filly holding a torch. It was Silverspoon.
“Did you come to make fun of us, too?” Scootaloo snapped.
“No, I was actually sent to burn the house down with you two still in it.” She replied.
“Then why are ya talkin’ to us?” Apple Bloom asked.
“I’m going to set you free before I set it on fire.” Silverspoon replied.
“And how exactly are you going to do that? Its not like you can use magic to lower us.” Scootaloo said through gritted teeth.
“How, you ask.” She put the torch in her mouth and walked over to where the rope was tied. She pulled the torch out of her mouth. “Like this.” She put the fire under the rope for a few seconds and then moved it away. The rope started burning, and before they knew it, the rope broke and the landed on the concrete floor. “Sorry about that, I couldn’t exactly save you from the fall.”
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo both stood up and they shook the rope off of them. “Thanks.” Scootaloo said.
“Yeah, thanks.” Apple Bloom said.
“Don’t mention it. Now leave out the back because she may still be out front. Part of the house is already burning because she started it outside once I came in, but I’ll be fine leaving out the front. You’re stuff is by the back door, now go save Sweetie Belle.” She put the torch back in her mouth and ran close to the walls so the curtains would start catching fire.
“Lets go.” Scootaloo said running in the opposite direction. It wasn’t hard to find the back door in the house because there was only one hallway.
Once they reached the back door, their stuff was there. Apple Bloom opend the saddlebag and found the two maps and the extra note. “It’s all here, just like Silverspoon said.” Apple Bloom said.
“Good. Now lets get out of here.” Scootaloo grabbed the saddlebag as Apple Bloom picked up her hat and put it on. Scootaloo rushed through the door and Apple Bloom Jumped out before the door had a chance to slam shut.
“Ya alright, Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom asked getting up and moving behind Scootaloo.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She replied. “I can’t believe Diamond Tiara would go as far as committing murder.”
“Ah know what you mean, at least Silverspoon is on our side.”
The building was engulfed in fire by now and started to crumble to the ground. “You think the Sapphire Stone will save us, too?” Scootaloo asked.
“Twilight did say it would cure any illness due to tha magical powers it granted the pony who holds it, so it should be able to help us, too.”
“I hope there won’t be any repercussions from using the stone. I just want everything to go back to the way it was before.”
“We both know that that ain’t gonna happen. We’ll have to keep movin’ forward and face our challenges head on.”
“Yeah, I know. It’s how life works, but I’m not about to sit back and watch a friend die and not try and save her.”
“Ya truly do love her, don’t ya?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Well then, lets do this.”
“Yeah. We have to save her, even if it means we die in the process. We have to save Sweetie Belle, or die trying.” They ran off towards the Everfree Forest faster than before. This time, nothing would stop them from doing what needed to be done.
