S2 E16 everypony! Hearts and Hooves Day is up next!

....

The sky was blue, the air was fresh, a perfect day to practice his flying. Malibu soared through the air above an open field, feeling happy to be able to fly during the day after being limited to only gliding at night. He loved his mother's sun on his skin, and the wind in his mane.

He then spotted a rainbow blur in the skies too, and hearing oohs and aahs from two of his friends, going to see what the fuss was about. The only pony that could make a rainbow blur was Malibu's marefriend Rainbow Dash. But when Malibu got a little too close, he gazed down, seeing Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity all shouting out in horror.

Confused, Malibu turned about all too late, the rainbow blur smacking hard into his side. Malibu shouted out in agony, the bones in his wings breaking, falling to the ground, hitting it hard, his vision blinking black and red before going unconscious.

"Ooh!" The three other mares winced at the sight. "So much for dazzling!" Pinkie Pie commented. Twilight glared. "No time for jokes, they need the hospital now!" She and Rarity used their magic to lift up Malibu and Rainbow Dash, taking them to the Ponyville Clinic, hoping their friends will be ok.

...

Malibu felt terrible all over, slowly feeling himself coming back to his senses, eyes fluttering open, vision blurry. He could hear voices.

"You think they're gonna be ok?" It sounded like Applejack.

"Oh, I'm so worried!" Now it was Fluttershy. Malibu winced, head hurting like the dickens. Especially his wings.

"Are their faces gonna stay that way?" He heard Pinkie Pie ask, his vision now finally coming into view, seeing his friends minus Rainbow Dash before him.

Malibu groaned again, rubbing his head. "W-what happened?" He asked groggily, trying to sit up before soon his wings felt terrible agony, making him cry out. Twilight pushed him back down onto the bed which he now realized was the hospital. Perfect.

"Stay down, Malibu. You got hurt really bad." Twilight explained as gently as she could. Malibu turned his head around, now seeing his marefriend there with only one hurt wing while he had two of them broke. He gasped. "So, both she and I... landed each other here?" Malibu croaked. Applejack nodded. "Yup, pretty much," She said with a sad smile, Rainbow Dash doing her own groan.

Malibu turned with a small glare. "Why were you doing that, Rainbow Dash? You could've killed us both!" He shouted, cringing again in pain. Dash frowned. "It wasn't my fault!" Before Malibu could counter back, Dr. Horse turned to speak to the gang. "If you were asking, you two are going to be fine. Lucky for the both of you you have great friends that brought you over here in a jiffy."

Rainbow Dash covered her eyes. "How long do I have to lie here? I got things I need to do!" She moaned, Malibu folding his arms, turning away. "Thanks for asking if I'm ok," He muttered. Fluttershy stroked his shoulder. "Things will be fine, you'll see Mal." She encouraged. Dr. Horse chuckled. "Well, that all depends on their recovery. But I say for Rainbow Dash about a few days minimum. And for him, nearly a week or two since his wings are bigger and they're both damaged."

Malibu's face fell. He was gonna be stuck in the hospital for a whole... week? Rainbow Dash's face looked worse than him. "You guys have gotta get me out of here! I'm gonna climb the walls!"

Pinkie squealed. "Ooh, just like a spider!" She turned to Dr. Horse. "Did the crash somehow give them super duper spider powers?" Dr. Horse shook his head. "Nnno, nor did it give them amazing healing powers. They need to stay in bed for a few days."

Rainbow's ears lowered, falling onto the pillow. "Few days? Might as well be a few months, or a few years!" Malibu had to agree with Dash on that line, hating the fact that he couldn't even fly now, wishing more than ever to have his stone sleep to fix his broken wings. Fluttershy smiled at them. "It's not so bad, you guys."

Applejack nodded. "I bet the chow in here is hoof lickin' good!" Malibu didn't know about that, since he never had the hospital food. Rarity lifted one of the hospital outfits near the window. "And the hospital gowns, they match the curtains!"

Malibu huffed. "Like that will make us feel better," He grumbled, curling up in bed, wincing again from his pain. Pinkie now tried cheering them up. "And look, you two have a roommate!" She pulled back a curtain, Dash and Malibu seeing another mare all wrapped up in bandages. This didn't help the duo still both turning away. All Malibu wanted to do now was just sleep it off.

Twilight then spotted a nurse mare pushing a rolling shelf of books nearby, going to get a book. She tapped the two with it. "Huh?" Malibu asked. Rainbow took the book. "What's this?" She read the title which was Daring Do and the Quest For the Sapphire Stone by A.K. Yearling. Malibu had never even heard of this author before, having only read magic study books. Twilight grinned, now looking geeky. "This is the first story in the series! I own all of them!"

Malibu himself felt too grumpy now to read, Rainbow Dash even more denying to do it herself. "No thanks! I sooo don't read! Reading is for eggheads like you and Malibu!" That made the teal alicorn feel slightly offended, Rainbow realizing she insulted her coltfriend, flushing. "N-No offense or anything Mal, but I am not reading. It's undeniably, unquestionably, uncool!"

The others all laughed minus Malibu. His pain was keeping his usual cheerful self at bay. "Is she serious? Who doesn't like to read a bang-up tale from time to time?" Applejack asked with a grin. Malibu couldn't remember the last time he read a good book. Daring Do looked alright, though not his ideal reading material. Rarity fluttered her eyelids. "Why, a good book is almost as magnificent as silk pajamas on a Sunday morning!" She cooed. Malibu while still upset, grinned halfheartedly.

Twilight grinned encouragingly at Dash. "Reading is for everypony, Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie Pie jumped up and down. "Yeah! I love reading, and my head isn't even close to the shape of an egg! It's more the shape of an apple, or maybe an orange, but a big orange! More like a grapefruit really..."

"Uh, ok," Malibu muttered, having no idea what the party pony just said until the nurse named Sweetheart came in. "Alright, my little ponies. Rainbow Dash and Malibu need their rest, you'll have to come back tomorrow."

Applejack came up, giving Malibu his much needed hug. "Ah'll tell ya mom about what happened and that you'll be ok, Sugarcube, don't worry," She told him, Malibu yawning slightly. He was tired after hurting his wings. When leaving, Twilight grinned at Dash. "I think you two will like Daring. She's a lot like you, Rainbow. Adventurous, fierce, and undeniably, unquestionably, unstoppable!" She stated, grinning, as the door closed.

Rainbow Dash huffed. "Whatever. Still not touching it," She grumbled, folding her arms. Malibu did the same. "You brought this on yourself, Dashie. You should've been more careful in your flying." The cyan pegasus's eyes flared. "Don't you start on me! We're special someponies, remember?" Malibu nodded. "And mom told me that sometimes special someponies argue, so this is one of those times."

"Ugh, whatever," Dash growled again, lying in her bed before eventually finding a ball. Malibu curled up to sleep, knowing that it was gonna be a while.

It had only been two minutes when he was startled awake by Rainbow Dash yelling aloud, making him jerk up. He saw the clock barely passed a whole minute and Dash banging the back of her head on the wall. Malibu then eyed the book, looking from it to Rainbow. "Uh, you know... reading could help pass the time," He suggested.

"Are you for real? I just said...!" Rainbow Dash snapped, before being hit on the head with the book by Malibu using his magic to do so. "Just try it!" Malibu stormed. The rainbow haired pegasus grumbled, before eventually nodding, taking it and opened the cover.

She at last began to read, Malibu listening for himself. "As Daring Do trekked through the tropical jungle, the wet heat sapped her energy and slowed her every step. If only she could escape this oppressive atmosphere and fly up into the cool blue sky. But her crash landing in the jungle had injured her wing and she was grounded for a few days. Few days... it might as well be a few months, or a few years!" Malibu tilted his head. Those words sounded like how Rainbow sounded earlier, and the story seemed fairly interested.

"The mosquitoes buzzed loudly. The macaws cried from the high trees. Yet all of these distracting noises were not enough to cover the sound of the predators following her every step." Rainbow now seemed very absorbed, making Malibu smile a little. "Er, uh, is it ok if I see it?" He asked innocently, Rainbow quickly shielding the book. "No! I'm... not done," She argued back. Malibu gave off puppy eyes. "Pleaaase? We are special someponies."

Rainbow Dash's ears lowered again, before nodding. She started to read to him, Malibu propping himself up to hear the story, eyes shining with excitement at what would happen next.

"Safely landing on the other side, Daring finally allowed herself a moment to breathe. She turned around to find herself face to face with the long lost temple that she had sought tirelessly for over sixty days and nights!" Malibu's eyes were rounded, wondering how the Sapphire Statue was gonna look now and what would be inside that temple, seeing that Rainbow Dash was starting to get infected by the geek plague.

"I hate to admit it to myself, and would really hate to admit it to the others. But... I love this story! I... I love reading!" She squealed, hugging the book. Malibu laughed. "Told you so, egghead," He teased. Rainbow gulped from his nickname. "I am an egghead!" She whimpered. "But I don't care!" She re opened the book, eager to read more. Malibu sighed slightly before going to lie back down again, trying his best to enjoy the story, enjoying Rainbow Dash's reading voice.

"The smell of decay and danger hit Daring Do as she peered into the dimly-lit entrance of the ancient temple." She read, while Malibu himself imaged Daring solving the puzzles within the temple, dodging the many traps as well. He was so engrossed in the story he jumped when the door knocked, revealing Twilight and Fluttershy, looking cheerful. "Hi, Rainbow Dash! Hi Malibu!"

Malibu saw Dash quickly hide her book. "Uh, hey, guys," she greeted while giving Malibu a look pleading him not to give her secret away. He gave a little wink. Malibu was willing to keep a secret for his special somepony depending on what the secret was. "Hello. What's up?" Malibu asked innocently, acting like he hadn't heard a story. "We thought we'd come by and cheer you up," Fluttershy said, her eyes bright.

Now that was thoughtful of them, Malibu knew inside, but he was already anxious to keep hearing the story, grinning nervously at the other two. Twilight pulled out a board game, which reminded Malibu of the game from Earth, Battleship. "We brought your favorite game, Rainbow." Twilight offered.

"We know how much you like to win," Fluttershy said in her usual cute voice Malibu grew to like. Twilight had offered Rainbow Dash to go first, who chuckled nervously. "No, no, Malibu, you first," She offered to her coltfriend. Malibu shrugged. "Er... cloud 3?" He asked. Rainbow Dash put on a dramatic look. "Aw, shucks Mal, you... rained on my cumulus. Go again!"

Fluttershy glanced down when it was her turn. "Um, Sky 5?" Rainbow does it again. "Whoa, you found my seagull!" Twilight made her move with Rainbow having her win as well. Malibu shook his head as this kept up, until soon, he and the other two beat Rainbow Dash at the game.

"Guess you guys win, I lose!" Dash declared, giving off a realistic horse snort which made him chuckle inside. Fluttershy was startled. "But Rainbow Dash, you, you didn't even get a turn," She said as the cyan blue pegasus closed the box rather roughly. Rainbow glanced back. "You win some, you lose some!" She gave a nervous smile again, Malibu frowning. "Dash, you never lose—." He commented, Rainbow Dash shaking her head more.

Rainbow Dash eventually tried her best to get them to leave while Twilight argued back about her being desperate for things to do. "Do? Who said anything about Daring Do? I told you I'm not interested in reading." Rainbow argued back, Malibu lying back in his pillows, knowing sooner or later her secret would come out. She began to yawn. "Nap time for me!" Rainbow Dash fake snored then, closing her eyes.

"Glad we could... cheer you up?" Fluttershy asked in confusion. Twilight at first went up to Malibu. "Do you know what's really going on?" She asked softly out of earshot. Malibu swallowed. "Er, nope, nothing," He said nervously, gripping his sheets. Twilight then raised her brow before leaving. "Well, your mom says she hopes you feel better and wishes to visit soon," The mulberry unicorn stated, smiling lightly, gently closing the door, Rainbow Dash peeking her eyes open, seeing that they were gone.

She sat up quickly. "At last!" Rainbow pulled out her book, beginning to read again, Malibu leaning over his bed to read with her. In the book, Daring Do was about to reach the statue, having to solve the most extreme puzzle yet which was covering up a huge lava pit.

Malibu's eyes rounded when Dash read out loud some of Daring's lines. "A hah! These animals are all predators! Except... rats! Daring said, jumping onto the rat tiles to get to the Sapphire Statue." He gripped his sheets tight, feeling like he was actually there, Dash reading her finally getting the stone. But in doing so caused the temple to start collapsing.

Because of her broken wing Daring couldn't simply fly out of the temple. Jumping on the fallen pillars, she eyes the hole to the top of it, narrowing her eyes, at least using her not too broken wing to jump and grip the edge of the hole, right as the lava burst, shooting her out, landing in front of a dangerous looking villain.

Malibu was so lost into the story being read to him until he heard Pinkie Pie's voice. "Hello, Rainbow Dash and Malibu!" His eyes blinked rapidly, looking up and seeing said pony along with Applejack and Rarity. Just perfect, right as it was getting good.

He waved awkwardly after Rainbow hid the book yet again. "How's our patients doing today?" Rarity asked, a bright smile on her. Malibu winced when another pain in his wings happened. "C-could be better. Still feeling sore," He muttered from his pain. Applejack looked toward the window. "We need to get some fresh air in here. You two are lookin' sweatier than a pig wrangler on a summer's day."

"Uh, heh, why do you ask that?" Malibu swallowed, feeling his sweat on his forehead then. "Yeah. Well, guys, thanks for visiting us but—." Rainbow tried getting them to leave when another Nurse named Snowheart showed. "Okay now, dinner time for Rainbow Dash and Malibu."

Malibu then felt his stomach rumble, but the food already didn't look too appetizing. Mostly a green mushy main dish, red gelatin, and a glass of juice. He wished he could have Applejack's soup right now. Snowheart put his tray on his lap, Malibu sniffing it gingerly. Dash faked being hungry. "Oh, just in time! I'm sooo hungry!" She rubbed her hooves.

Rarity and Applejack stood nearby. "Don't mind us, guys." Rarity persisted. AJ nodded. "Yeah, just go ahead and eat up." The two special someponies looked at each other once, winking. Rainbow started first; eating rather messily.

Malibu followed suit, though not as bad as Dash was since he didn't enjoy the food. It was enough to disgust Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Applejack enough for them to back out. "Uh, on second thoughts..." Rarity whimpered.

Pinkie laughed nervously. "We'll see you tomorrow, guys, aheh..."

They glanced up after seeing them leave, Malibu swallowing his food and gagging a bit. Rainbow wasn't as subtle, spitting it right on the floor, grossing him out. But it made up for the mess when she continued to read the story, in which Daring Do encounters the villainous Ahuizotl, who desires the Sapphire Statue for himself.

He winds up locking Daring Do in a dungeon, strapping her down on a table. Malibu could imagine her struggle, Rainbow Dash continuing to read. "You won't get away with this, Ahuizotl! Daring snapped while she tugged her ropes. Ahuizotl cackled. "But I already have!"" After that he left her to her fate, closing the dungeon, the walls starting to close in on her, quick sand spilling in, and poisonous creatures showing to finish her off.

Malibu swallowed at the idea of being trapped in that place. They read far into the night until he heard Dr. Horse's voice. "Rainbow Dash, Rainbow Dash? Rainbow Dash!"

Dr. Horse watched Rainbow pull down her blankets, revealing a lamp she used during the night which had fireflies in it. Malibu was wondering what the doctor was here for. "Oh, good evening—." Malibu shook his head. "It's morning, Dash," He said, pointing to the window. "Morning... Doc."

Dr. Horse noted the lamp. "Have you two been up all night?" Rainbow Dash blew out the lamp. "Uh, of course not!" She stated, Malibu rolling his eyes. "Well, I'll be real quick. Congratulations, Rainbow Dash, we're checking you out of the hospital."

Malibu's face fell at this. This soon? But then he'd be alone! "What? Earlier today?" He asked in shock, Rainbow biting her hoof. Dr. Horse shook his head. "No, right now." Rainbow's face was moritfied. "Right now? Right now, right now?" Dr. Horse repeated her words, Dash struggling to remain in the bed but wound up being forced into a wheelchair. "But I don't feel better!" She protested. "Help me!" Malibu tried to get up, but Nurse Sweetheart pushed him back down. "Oh no you don't, young colt. You still have a whole week to go."

"Don't see the ending without me!" Sobbed Rainbow Dash while they pushed her away, Malibu feeling depressed that he couldn't be with his special somepony alone anymore, already feeling loneliness creeping inside him, his only company being that other mare wrapped up in bandages. He collapsed onto his pillow, staring up at the ceiling and at the book nearby, so tempted to read the ending before Dash could, but that could easily break his special bond with the mare he loved, and couldn't do that.

The book had fallen under the bed too during the scuffle, though he didn't even notice it, settling back into his pillows to try to sleep

Sometime later in the day with him just simply lying there in his bed, playing with his lamp, bored as heck, he soon heard voices. Looking upward, Malibu saw Nurse Snowheart bringing in a new stallion that looked sick, placing him into the bed next to his. Malibu felt rather off put, not sure if he wanted to talk to the guy, turning his head away, looking forward to when he could get out of this place.

...

It was now in the evening. Malibu had eaten his still less than great dinner of the green slop and gelatin squares, wishing he could get something better. Malibu was dozing peacefully, until, to his surprise, the stallion in the bed next to him began to scream out.

"Help! Burglar! Burglar! Somepony's trying to steal my slippers!" Nearly falling out of bed Malibu sat up sharply. "Wha? Wha?" He croaked, rubbing his eyes. Once his vision came into view, he saw what looked like a masked pony who seemed strangely familiar, holding the Daring Do book in her hand.

"I'm not trying to steal your slippers! I'm trying to steal this book!" The mare spoke in a familiar raspy voice he knew quite well, leaving shock flooding through him. Was that really Rainbow Dash? Why was she even breaking into a hospital when she could've asked Twilight for the book?

The sick stallion threw a lamp at his special somepony, Malibu ignoring his pain and jumping out of his bed. "Dash, wait!" He yelled out. Rainbow Dash didn't listen, running out into the hallway with her book. Malibu ran right behind, hoping to get an explanation.

She dodged all the nurses and security, managing to break back outside again, Malibu on her tail. Dr. Horse had seen him. "Get back here, Malibu! You aren't healed!" The chase was on through Ponyville, even the barking of a dog was present from Dr. Horse's group.

Malibu panted and flinched, having teleported across a stream bed after Rainbow Dash surprisingly used a vine to get across like Daring did. Taking inspiration from the book quite much. While running through the town, they woke much of their friends. "Hey, no pony invited me!" He heard Pinkie Pie shout out when they ran past Sugarcube Corner.

When they reached the Golden Oaks Library, Malibu suddenly felt a magic aura surround his body from Dr. Horse who was a unicorn, seeing him glaring. He grinned in a silly, but awkward way, knowing he was caught. Dr. Horse also glared at Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow Dash, what in the world is going on? Why are you stealing slippers?" He demanded. "And you, you shouldn't be out while your wings are still healing!"

"I-I know, but-but," Malibu stuttered, wishing the doctor would let him go. What interrupted him was another mare who was barking like a dog for some reason. "Hey, get back to the hospital!" Another male nurse demanded, one of the nurses chasing her back. Applejack walked up to them. "What's all the ruckus?"

Pinkie shrugged. "I'd say it's more of a fracas than a ruckus." Twilight raised her brow. "What's going on, you two?" Malibu knew then they were caught, and would have to reveal their new obsession with Daring Do. "Ok, you caught us, Twi." He admitted, looking to Dash who sighed. "Yeah. I'm an egghead," She said in a small voice.

Malibu didn't want to laugh but it was arising inside. He fake coughed to keep it in. "Pardon?" Rarity questioned. Rainbow continued. "You see, I was trying to get back into the hospital to finish the last chapter of—."

Twilight interrupted. "—Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Statue!" Malibu blushed. "Yeah, you got us, for I was also enjoying the book too and am now... a bit obsessed," He said, wondering what Hudson, Burbank's doner would think of a clone like him being able to read this well. Twilight Sparkle was impressed. "Wow, I knew the book was good, but I didn't know it could drive a pony to petty theft!"

Rainbow Dash got excited. "Good? Try awesomely amazing! That book is undeniably, unquestionably, un-put-down-able!" Her face then fell. But then I had to put it down; I was sent home before me and Mal could finish it!" She glanced at him. "You didn't read the end, did you?" Malibu shook his head after Dr. Horse put him down. "No, Dash. I love you enough to not finish a book before you," He said with red on his cheeks, the others awing at him.

Dr. Horse laughed. "Whatever the case may be, you need to get back in bed, Malibu. It was a long night for you." Malibu nodded but asked to stay a couple more minutes. Applejack laughed. "There's no reason to go around causin' a ruckus—."

"Fracas!" Pinkie threw in, Malibu wondering what that word meant. "...causin' a fracas, just because you like to read." She finished, Rainbow Dash rubbing her head in embarassment. Malibu wished he could go into the library and finish with her but he was brought back to the hospital. He did feel rather glad to be back in bed since the whole time there his wings were killing him.

In a few moments the door knocked; revealing two surprise visitors. They were Rainbow Dash with her book and...

"M-mom?" Malibu gasped in surprise, Celestia smiling gently at him. "Hello, my son. I got Applejack's journal message saying you were injured. I hope you are ok," She said, giving him a hug. "As well as I can be mom, thanks for coming to see me. And Rainbow, isn't that Twilight's copy of the book?"

The cyan blue pegasus nodded. "I also decided to not finish it without you, since I'd much rather read with you around, Malibu," She said. "And, I even have these," Dash pulled out three more Daring Do books she borrowed, Malibu's jaw dropped a little. "So, did you learn a lesson, Rainbow Dash?" Princess Celestia asked with a smile. She nodded, recalling her words to Twilight.

"Yeah, I guess so. "I shouldn't knock something before I try it," Dash revealed, sitting on a chair near Malibu's bed. Nurse Snowheart had come to get the other sick stallion from before to have him checked on so the three had the room to themselves besides the bandaged up Berry Punch. "A very valuable lesson," Celestia murmured, as Dash opened up the book. "For sure, but we gotta finish this book!" Celestia giggled, deciding it couldn't hurt to hear it herself.

Within the book, Daring Do was still struggling with all her might to get loose. "The... harder I struggle... the tighter the ropes get!" Then she got an idea to toss her hat at the lever controlling the dungeon, managing to save herself before the quicksand consumed her, breathing heavily after freeing herself from the ropes.

She placed her hat back on, grinning. "Another day, another dungeon!" Malibu was relieved that Daring was able to get herself out of that, but there was still Ahuizotl to deal with, who was sitting in his throne with the statue and petting his cat. "With Daring Do out of the way, the world will suffer at my hands. I am victorious!" He shrieked, laughing. Malibu knew he never wanted to come across this guy. Daring swung on a vine, snatching the statue. Mostly from Malibu imagining it all in his head.

"I'll take that!" She taunted, Ahuizotl looking shocked. "W-what?! No!" Daring put the statue into her hat. "Better luck next time, Ahuizotl!" The adventurous mare ran off into the sunset, Ahuizotl cursing after her.

"And so, with Ahuizotl defeated, and the sapphire statue secured, the world was safe and sound once again. Thanks to Daring Do!" Malibu let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding, relieved they finally finished, collapsing on his bed. "Boy, thanks, Dash. That was awesome," he moaned. Rainbow Dash nodded. "It was awesome for me too, and you're welcome." She even nuzzled his face gently. Celestia stood up, also nuzzling her adopted son, Malibu sighing softly from all this love being shown to him.

She took his hoof. "I will let you rest now, dear one. But I dearly loved to see you again. And Screwball says hello, too." Malibu nodded. "Tell her I hope to see her again." Celestia bowed, then left.

"How about one more for the road before you sleep?" Rainbow Dash asked, holding up the next book. Malibu couldn't say no, anxious to see another. She read the title which was Daring Do and the Griffon's Goblet, knowing he was probably gonna wind up reading all of them in the series, even after his wings eventually were all better.

....

Malibu now knows about Daring Do. But what will he think about the Pony version of Valentine's Day?