How the Tables Turn

Spitfire strode out of the hospital and made her way into the town of Ponyville. As she trotted along, she began to fully understand how little she had been there. She was surprised she didn’t visit the little town more often. When she was here, she didn’t have all the diehard fans coming along begging for her autograph. In fact, this was the closest she could get to being considered just another mare.

I don’t think I’ll mind spending a month or so here while I recover. As the though crossed her mind, the corners of her mouth turned up into a reserved but peaceful smile. She began looking around. She stopped after a while, her brow furrowing in slight frustration when she began to notice the distinct lack of hotels and lodging. She would have to stay with somepony, apparently. But who could she stay with? She didn’t want to impose on anypony, especially if it would be so sudden, and she didn’t have any friends here to stay with. That’s when she heard it.

“Hey, Captain Spitfire?” She turned around to face a mare she recognized as Twilight Sparkle.

“You don’t have to call me captain, you know.”

“Oh, okay. Thanks. Anyway, I was hoping to run into you at some point. Do you have a place to stay?”

“Well, no. I don’t have any friends here besides Rainbow Dash-“

“And any friend of Rainbow’s is a friend of mine. You’re welcome to stay with me, if need be.”

“Oh. Okay, thanks.”

Twilight smiled. “Not a problem. Heehee, I’m sure Rainbow would be jealous. Having you at her house? She’d probably cut up the carpet you walked on and make it into an altar to worship you with.”

“Is she really that big of a fan of me?”

“No! No, not remotely close. I mean, she is a diehard fan, and we like to tease her for it, but she’s not like that. She isn’t one of those fans that takes it to a level of insanity.”

“Yeah, that makes more sense. She didn’t seem like the crazy stalker-type the day after the Best Young Flier competition. In fact, she seemed pretty cool, if you ask me.” The two of them reached the library. Twilight opened the door for Spitfire, who nodded gratefully and strode in.

Twilight would have commented on how Rainbow would have reacted, were it not for the fact that she had already almost ruined her reputation once.

“I’m curious. When Cloudchaser left to look for Rainbow, she told me that the next time I see Rainbow, I should say her hooves look fun to mess with.”

Twilight’s eyes flew open on cue, as if she had been dipped in ice water. “Don’t. Please don’t. Cloudchaser thinks it’s just harmless teasing, but that’s low. Really low. Don’t do it.”

“O-okay. I kinda know that at one point, she screwed up her hooves, but I didn’t know if that’s why Cloudchaser said that or not.”

“Wait, how did you find out?”

“Nurse Redheart told me.”

“Okay, well anyway, yes, that’s why. Rainbow’s hooves have been really sensitive since that day. It’s one of the reasons she flies to avoid running. Running is painful for her. And… I feel really bad, telling you this. It’s one of Dash’s more personal secrets, but Cloudchaser is painfully aware of it. See, that sensitivity… kinda has another side to it.”

Spitfire’s cheeks turned red as comprehension dawned on her like the morning sun. “So, it’s also like a-“

“Yeah.”

The two of them remained in silence for a moment, until Spitfire broke it. “Why would Cloudchaser think that’s funny?”

“I don’t know. Cloudchaser is one of those ponies who just isn’t aware of when she crosses the line. Anyway, like I said, you’re welcome to stay here. There’s a guest bedroom in the basement. I have a few experiments going on down there, but just ignore them. They won’t keep you awake at night. Please, make yourself at home.”

Spitfire, glad for the change in subject, nodded thankfully and shifted towards the stairs, but kept her head turned towards Twilight. “I can’t thank you enough for letting me stay here.”

“It’s no biggie, really. It’s what any of us would’ve done.”

“Us?”

“Rainbow’s friends.”

“Oh. Well, still, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Spitfire made her way down the stairs. She flicked on a light and glanced around. There were a few strange machines, but only one thing that could be considered creepy. A centrifuge stood in the corner, but Spitfire doubted it was used for blood. She laid eyes on a simple bed with purple sheets, about the same purple as Twilight’s coat. She took a moment to take in the basement, and then made her way back up the stairs. She looked around, ultimately deciding on a book to read. Her eyes rested on a book titled Of Worlds and Wonders. She took it off the shelf and laid down in the center of the library, flipping the book to the first page, and began reading it.

End of Spitfire’s Story…?