Pain
By: Blobskin

Version: 1.01
Contains: MLP, OCs, Pain

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I wrote this flash fiction while I was drugged up on painkillers (that didn't fully work) for my wisdom tooth surgery. This piece draws on the dilemma I faced and some of my true feelings. Take painkillers and you're too loopy to work. Don't take them and you're screaming in agony. On top of that there was the fear of not taking my pills on time and facing that pain again. Ugh, it was a bad time in my life.

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The scream echoed down the hall. Rift, an ocean blue unicorn with sea green eyes, hesitated where he was. Rift had been on his way to see Cannonade, but it seemed that plan was taking a turn for the worst. He continued down the dark stone hall until a pair of earth mares in maid outfits appeared, standing just outside Cannonade's room. Before he could ask them what they were doing, a chair came flying out of the open double doors and smashed into the wall. Splinters danced across the floor as the two mares coward.

"GET OUT!" a monstrous roar came from the room.

In a flash, a third mare had flown out of the room, slipped on some of the wooden fragments, and was scurrying past Rift like a wounded animal. He watched her pass with a raised eyebrow before he turned to the pair still standing by the door. Their fur quivered and their eyes were the size of saucers.

"What is going on?"

"H-he's in p-pain again," one of the maids answered, her eyes jumping to the door.

"Again?" he found himself asking in surprise. "Where is the medicine?"

"It's in there... somewhere."

"It'll be okay," he assured them with a small sigh. Quickly, he leaned down to the first one and gave her a gentle nuzzle followed by a smile. "I'll take care of this. Return to your quarters. You are relieved for the day."

"Oh thank you sir Rift," the two blubbered, about ready to make out with his hooves.

Puffing out his chest and setting his face into a hard expression, he pushed through the doorway and into the mess within. And what a mess it was. Cannonade had smashed everything in his rage. Both his desks, his personal dining table, and all six chairs. He'd also managed to completely obliterate his queen sized four poster bed and it looked like a bomb had gone off inside his dresser. Debris littered the floor and only a single candle, which was laying sideways, provided any light to the space.

"Cannonade?" Rift asked calmly.

"What are you doing here you worthless piece of meat?" a low dark voice reverberated from the shadows.

"I have come to report on my last mission. I see you have been redecorating while I was away." Even though he was attempting to be humorous, his face carried a mask of neutrality.

Cannonade growled as he stepped into the dull candle glow to Rift's right. "I don't have time for your nonsense. Get out."

"You're in pain."

"Thank you for your sharp observation." Cannonade crushed a chair leg with his wide hoof as he marched towards Rift. He was a huge muscular pony of black fur and a red mane. His eyes were like glowing embers and sparks continuously danced from the end of his horn. His disheveled appearance made him resemble a feral beast rather than the dignified noble he was supposed to be.

"Take your damn medicine," Rift ordered.

"If I do I won't be able to think clearly for a month!"

"You are not thinking clearly now." Rift took a step forward.

"I'm thinking clearly enough to know I don't need that worthless shot," he spat, turning away.

"Look around you. You've destroyed everything and your tossing out insults like candy. Are you thinking clearly?"

Cannonade grit his teeth. "I don't need you or your opinions. Get out!"

"You have a choice to make. Take your medicine or suffer."

"With the drug I'll get nothing done!" he roared over his shoulder.

Rift met Cannonade's glare head on. "You can get nothing done while riding cloud nine. Or you can get nothing done while you scream in agony. You know the pain hasn't come back in full force yet either."

The two stood like that for over a minute. Minds locked in silent warfare. Eventually, Cannonade looked away with pure hatred written across his muzzle.

"Fine. You can give me the drug... if you can find it," he added with a smirk.

In an instant, Rift's horn was glowing and a pink vial of luminescent pink came floating across the room into his hoof.

Cannonade snarled. "Well played."

"Tilt your head," he ordered forcefully.

Cannonade moved his head just enough to say he had complied. Rift grumbled and seized the larger male's head so that he could push it further back. Lifting the vial, a large needle phased into existence in place of the ugly cork.

"Hold still."

Then Rift jammed the device into Cannonade's neck and watched the medicine disappear while his boss gargled on his own spit. When the vial was empty, Rift ripped out the needle and tossed it to the floor, not even caring that it had shattered.

"Now go lay down on what's left of your bed. I'll be back in an hour to check on you."

Cannonade stood there for several moments, eyes closed and muscles tense. Then, all at once, the tension melted away and he relaxed. A single breath escaped his lips as his eyes drifted open. "I hate you," he said wistfully.

"That's fine," Rift replied. "Now lay down before the drug really kicks in."

Cannonade reluctantly waddled to his broken bed and collapsed as though his legs had turned to wet noodles. Rift nodded once and turned to the destruction around him. He sighed. "Not even noon and already it feels like it's been a long day."

He marched into the hall and checked the clock. Making a mental note, he gazed down both hallways. He shrugged and decided to get something to eat.

"To the cafeteria then."