Forever and Always

Chapters

Shattered
And the light fades...
In the end
Rocket in the sky

Shattered

Rainbow remembers her past with Rocket quite fondly. She normally wasn't one to date “egg heads” as she called them, but he was different for an earth pony. She met him at a convention for fans of her favorite book series. Their courtship was rather brief, but filled with excitement. From conventions to writing books together, they bonded fast. It was Rainbow who asked for his hoof in marriage. Now, since Rainbow isn't one for frilly things like weddings, they eloped with only a few of their friends there. Everything was just perfect for Rainbow Dash: becoming a Wonderbolt, moving closer to Twilight, her novel becoming a bestseller.

Then their perfect life was shattered when Rocket got drafted to serve in the army.
She knew there was trouble on the borders, but she didn't see why they couldn't just use the Elements of Harmony to solve the problem. She didn't get to say goodbye, for he was called away while she was at work. All she got was a note nailed to her door that says:

“Let all stallions old enough to work, come to Canterlot at once, for conscription into the army, and location assignments”

-Flash Sentry.
She wished they could have at least let her say goodbye; it wasn't if Equestria would fall without her husband fighting in the war. Three weeks went by without a word of Rocket’s location or if he was even still alive. One month after her husband’s departure, she gets a letter from Celestia that read:

“My most loyal of subjects, it is with the utmost sorrow that I write this letter to you. Your dear husband has gone missing in action. We doubt his survival.

Deepest sympathies- Princess Celestia.

Rainbow Dash felt sick to her stomach. How could she let him leave her so quickly?
She wanted to just march to the borders and destroy whoever took her love from her. Her friends tried their best to console her, but it didn't help. She started working overtime just to keep her mind away from the searing pain in her heart. One night while working her third shift that day, she suddenly collapsed with a horrible pain in her abdomen. Fluttershy saw this and rushed her to the hospital emergency room, and what the doctors told her changed her life:

“You’re pregnant, Rainbow Dash”

And the light fades...

“What?! Why? What’s wrong with him?” Shrieked Rainbow Dash.
“Well, since your son was born a month early his lungs are not fully developed, so he’ll need to be on life support for a few weeks” Nurse Redheart replied.

“Soarin, Spitfire, you can take Rainbow home with you, and keep an eye on her for the next few hours”
“You never told us where her foal is, at least let us say goodbye to him” Soarin pleaded.
“We can’t let you do that, sorry” Said a nurse.
“And why the hay not?!” Snapped Rainbow

“We can’t have you interfering with a very delicate surgery, now can we?” The doctor said.
“Hold up, Rocket Sky is getting cut on and you didn't even tell me?!” Yelled a very angry Rainbow.
“Cute name, and yes. We didn't have time to ask for your consent. It was life or death” The nurse continued what the doctor had said.
“Oh my stars!” gasped Soarin.
“Now, please escort Miss Dash home” Redheart said.

Over the next few days the trio visited Rocket Sky every day. With each passing day he seemed to grow healthier and stronger, even flipping his little wings.
“He’s momma’s little fighter” Rainbow said looking at him and stroking his mane.
It was almost 3 months after his birth that the Doctors thought he was strong enough to go home with Rainbow Dash. Pinkie pie threw a small party to welcome the baby home.
“Welcome home, little one” Rainbow Dash cooed as she placed him in the crib that the Princesses sent her. After tucking him in she kissed his forehead, and went to bed.
When she woke up and went to check on him, he was very cold and motionless.
“No-no… Not again!” Rainbow dash sobbed over her little baby.

The funeral was small. Rainbow Dash only wanted her close friends there.
“I’m so sorry for your loss Rainbow” Spitfire said sadly.
“You said he would be fine! YOU SAID HE WOULD GROW UP! You told me…you told me...” Rainbow Dash yelled. “I lost them both, my husband, my son, all without being able to say goodbye to them.” She continued. Then looking around the room at all her friends she simply screamed “WHY?!”

In the end

The years had passed since Rainbow had lost her husband and son. She was an old mare now, she never remarried or had anymore foals. She just counted down the days to her death.
And now it seemed that today was the day, sitting in her hospital room, with only Scootaloo with her. Time had taken all her friends already, but at least their children carried on in their stead.
“You can let go now, Dashie. Go towards the light” Said Scootaloo while holding Rainbow’s hoof.
“You know...you were always like a daughter to me” she replied, and with that Rainbow took her final breath, and passed away.

“Hi Momma! I missed you!” Rocket Sky said bouncing to her.
“I took care of him the best I could’ Rocket said as he hugged Rainbow.
“ I-I missed you guys so much...”Rainbow sobbed.
“We will be together forever now” Rocket said.
“Forever and always” Rainbow smiled.

Rocket in the sky

Rainbow Dash could not believe what she had just been told.

“P-pregnant... How long?!” Exclaimed Rainbow.
“Oh, congratulations Rainbow” said Fluttershy softly.

“I’d say almost 8 months, so you have 3 months to baby-proof your home.” Nurse Redheart said.

“I can’t be a mother! I have weather duty, plus I’m a Wonderbolt! I’m too busy to raise it right!”
“Well, what’s done is done” replied the doctor.

2 months had passed since Rainbow got the news. All of Ponyville had given her gifts. Pinkie pie threw a party of course, and she was thrilled at the thought of a new baby to play with. Rainbow Dash loved being the center of attention, but she wished that Rocket was with her, so on what would have been their first anniversary she performed a special show for the royal guards with the other Wonderbolts. Rainbow had felt odd all day, and she kept getting stomach cramps during warm-ups.
“Hey, are you sure you’re ok kid?” Asked Spitfire, looking worried.
“Pfft, I’m fine!” Snapped Rainbow.
“Just tell us if you need to see the nurse” Soarin said
“Yeah, yeah, I will. Now let’s go!” Rainbow flew off to the track.

Mid-performance Rainbow had a pain that rivaled all others she had felt. She started falling to the ground. Luckily, Soarin caught her in time.

“I’m ok, lets get back to flying” Rainbow puffed.
“No, we’re taking you to the hospital” Spitfire snapped, flying up to them.

It seemed that as soon as Rainbow was checked in that she gave birth to a beautiful light grey colt.

“He looks so much like his father” Soarin said smiling.
“Except with wings! He’s a flying Rocket!” Snickered Spitfire.
“Yes, he’s my little Rocket in the Sky” Rainbow said softly.

“I’m sorry to take him from you so soon, but he needs to be examined so we know if there is anything wrong with him” The Doctor said calmly.
“O-ok, bye baby” Rainbow said sadly.
“Oh, don’t worry he’ll be fine! Me and Soarin have both had foals born early and they grew up just fine” Spitfire told her calmly.

A few hours passed before the doctors came back in the room.
“Well? How is he? For that matter, where is he?” Rainbow asked, looking around.
“Well...Rainbow, I have some good news and some bad news” The nurse said.
"Well, spit it out then!" Snapped Spitfire, weary from a long day.
"The good news is that Rainbow Dash can leave any time you that like, the bad news is your baby won't be going with you" The doctor said in a monotone voice.

Author's Note

Note: This not a ship-fic