What Makes Me Special

The only sounds present being the crickets softly chirping away in the background. My chest rising ever so slightly as I try to watch my breath, the chilled night air stinging my lungs with each inhale and exhale.

"Some dream that was." I rubbed the back of my neck as I chuckled from the thought of the dream. Looking around the room I made out the silhouette of a small table next to the bed that I'm laying in. Multiple bookshelves cover the walls of the small room, each stuffed with as many books as possible. The sheets of the bed are damp from my constant sweating throughout the night. I lay down and try to get back to sleep, drowning in the bed's warmth. Flashes of the dream are present as my eyes shoot open.

"Nonononono...this can not be happening." I quickly jump to my feet and bolt for the door. I burst through the door and enter a dark hallway, heading right full speed ahead quickly approaching a railing.

"I'm back in the library" I yell at the top of my lungs, as the sound of my voice echoes through the open room as I panic from the balcony's edge. Leaning over the railing I can see the forest green couch from earlier exposed to the moonlight through one of the library's many floor to ceiling windows. Across from it being the stool that Twilight sat upon, all of these things seeming to pop in my head as they occurred. I take a step back in disbelief of what is happening around me. After a few more steps I run out floor and soon find myself tumbling down the stairs head first. The sound of rails snapping loud as I continue rolling down the stairs. I finally reach the bottom and the room falls silent, the pain from the fall quickly making it's presence known as I got to my feet.

Twilight's Perspective

I wake up to the sound of something crashing downstairs. My curiosity consuming me as I drag myself from under the warm covers of my bed. Once the covers are lifted from me I am hit by a wall of cold air sending chills down my spine. With my horn casting a light spell I can clearly see the door and make my way into the hall. The sound of shuffling still heard downstairs causing me to proceed with caution. Moonlight draining into the hallway from the open guest room door where Rodney is sleeping.

"Rodney!" I shout as I carefully make my way down the stairs, avoiding the debris as best I can.

Rodney's Perspective

"Rodney!" I look up to see a purple pony tip-toeing down the stairs. It's horn is lit up to act as some sort of flashlight, making her descent easier and less painful than my own.

A series of sharp pains shoot through my side like bolts of electricity, bringing a gasp from my lips as I fight for air. I wrap my arm around my side and fight back the pain to hide it from Twilight.

"I'm okay Twilight" in no time she was standing before me as disbelief spread across her face.

"Are you sure Rodney?" I can obviously tell that she is worried about me.

"Yeah, I'm sure" looking around I notice the mess I made during my episode. "I'm really sorry about the stairs Twilight, I'll get to fixing it right away." I apologize as I reach down and start picking up the severed pieces of wood. OCD kicking in as I pick up the larger chunks and work my way down. Every time I bend over to pick up another piece my side screams out in pain forcing me to slow down my movements. "It's ok Rodney, I will clean it up." Trying to convince me to take it easy but I made the mess so I can clean it.

"I've got it Twilight, you can go back to bed if you want." I already know that she isn't going to give up that easily so I continue with my work.

Twilight sighs in defeat and leaves it at that. I soon hear her walking off and let her destination remain a mystery to me. After I finish cleaning the stairs I've somewhat adjusted to the pain in my side. I settle down on the comfy green couch from earlier. The stairs only taking maybe 10 minutes to clean leave me with nothing to pass the time.

The smell of pancakes bring me out of my coma- like state and back on my feet. Even though it's late in the night my hunger is overbearing as I make my way to what I hope is the kitchen. I open the door next to the stairs, finding Twilight holding a plate towered with pancakes. Each a rich golden color, cooked to perfection. I take a huge whiff of air but am overcome by the feeling of my ribs shifting. I let out a strained grunt as my legs start to give our forcing me to catch myself on the doorway.

Twilight's Perspective

I turn around to find Rodney propped against the doorway. One hand holding him up while the other is wrapped around his side. I quickly set the plate down, sound of the plate meeting the counter being heard as the tower of pancakes wobble. With my magic I pick Rodney up and carry him back into the main room. After gently setting him down on the couch. I look him over, he's still grasping at his side, his face being strained from him clenching his eyes shut.

"Rodney what's wrong with you?" I'm really worried about him even if I barely know him he is a living creature. Now I know how Fluttershy feels when she is caring for her animals.

Thinking to herself "If anybody can help him it would have to be Fluttershy."

The idea seemed to calm me since I know where to get help. I glance back towards Rodney as he sits up, still having his arms wrapped around his side. He takes his legs and hangs them over the edge of the couch. With his feet now on the floor he leans forward and rests his elbows on his legs, using his arms to support himself.

"Rodney?" He just sits there slouched over with his face in his... hooves? He has been breathing heavily since he sat up but has been easing up as time passes. I head back to the kitchen with a glass of water in mind. With my magic I take hold of a cup and set it in the sink, The moonlight shining through the window behind the sink giving the room a blue tint. I quickly fill the glass with water and make my way back to the main room.

"Here, I know you have to be thirsty." He lifts his head from his hands and reaches out for the glass. His face is flushed and sweat is dripping from his chin. He lifts the cup to his mouth and drinks it without hesitation, not even taking time to taste it.

"Now tell me what's wrong with you." I demand once he finishes the drink, gasping for air as he does so. He turns to face me and calmly answers.

"It's nothing Twilight." Aaaggh, he is stubborn. Since he won't tell me what is wrong with him I cast a spell instead. The spell soon finishes it's task and fills me in on what it found. Rodney broke 3 ribs on his right side explaining why he can  barely move without hissing in pain.

"I could understand if it was just some bruising but broken ribs. Why are you hiding it from me?" He looks at me, pain and slight shock in his expression, searching for an answer.

"If you already knew that then why bother asking?" This was the only retort that come out and sounded slightly agitated. "I already broke your railings so I don't want to trouble you any further. Besides, you barely even know me." Even if he has a point, I can't just let him suffer.

"Because, you are hurt and need help. If you would just fill me in then it wouldn't be a problem but by leaving me in the dark you're only making things worse."

Rodney's Perspective

Why is Twilight so worried about someone she doesn't even know? Are people here really this nice or am I just an exception? Whatever, I guess I can go along with it for now.

"I broke several ribs but they can only be fixed with time." I chuckle on the inside as Twilight's chest fills with pride from getting me to cave. "There really isn't anything that can be done about it other than letting it heal on its own so don't worry your head off." If it were possible though then she would probably manage to do it.

"We will see about that Rodney, we will see..." and with that Twilight wondered back to her room for the night leaving me to her riddle. "Twilight!" I shout after several minutes of silence only for no one to answer. I'm not comfortable with what she said before walking off.

After pondering the different things that Twilight's curiosity may hold I drag myself upstairs. Once reaching the top, my side is on fire and the neck of my shirt is damp with sweat, a result of my pathetic attempt to climb the staircase. In a fit of frustration I curse under my breath while mumbling things along the line of "couldn't she at least help me out, she has magic co it wouldn't even be too much of a hassle." Even though in my pitiful excuse for a brain I know I told her not to worry about me so this should have been expected. Either that or this is just some cruel way to get back at me for breaking the stairs.

Eventually I manage to find the guest room and sit on the edge of the bed, wide awake regardless of the time. Looking behind me the sky is still a vast canvas of dark blue freckled with countless stars that seem to awe striking to be natural. My thoughts taking in all of things that I "re-learned" from Twilight's spell. My eyes widen as I realize what is in my pocket that I paid no attention to before now. Something that, if my memory serves correct, is something that I used to depend on for my well being. Something that made me stand out from everyone else I know, or knew. What made me special.