Chapters Rainbow Dash zipped through the skies. The whistling wind and sweet air was all she needed to be happy. Her cutie mark she proudly shows proves that. Dash continued to soar on while knocking away clouds in her way. On the ground several ponies watched Dash with awe. Nopony could fly as fast her it seemed, not even the Wonderbolts.
Finally, Dash lay on a soft, fluffy cumulus cloud and dozed off. When that happened, a different pony, but an all too familiar pony, flew close to where Rainbow Dash was sleeping. Lightning Dust just scowled at the light cyan pegasus. She had been a laughing stock after she was forced to leave the Wonderbolts Academy. Every night she swore revenge on Dash, whom had stuck by her side at first, but then turned on her.
Lightning decided to wait until Rainbow's nap was over. What she wanted to do would have to happen higher in the sky.
A half hour later Rainbow Dash opened her eyes and stretched. Grinning, she took off a moment later. Even something as simple as flying was the bomb for Dash. She could never imagine what life would be like if she somehow lost her wings.
Rainbow Dash soared above Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack on the ground waved to her. Dash waved back.
As she flew higher up something slammed against her suddenly. Stunned, Rainbow Dash looked up and saw her attacker: Lightning Dust! Lightning appeared groggy and she lazily hovered over to a nearby cloud.
Rainbow Dash herself tried desperately tried to open her wings to fly, but she was just out of control. She braced herself for impact to the ground but felt it anyway. She collided back first to the hard Earth and blacked out. She slid through the soil for a good ten feet before hitting her head on a tree. Blood began to pool around her beat up body, and her wings lay bent up next to her, leaving a trail of bloody feathers.
Fluttershy had been trotting on the ground just enjoying the outdoors when she saw a trail of dug up dirt that led up to an injured pony. Fluttershy quickly went up to the pony and nearly fainted when she discovered it was Rainbow Dash. Dash's eyes opened slowly. As she regained consciousness pain swept through her body.
Fluttershy, completely hysterical, tried to pick Dash up but as she tried to lift her she let a shrill squeal of pain.
"Fl-Fluttershy...just go get Twilight, you could n-never carry me," Rainbow stuttered.
Tears fell from Flutter's eyes, but she nodded. She looked up to the sky and beat her wings as hard as she could. She had to make this flight for Rainbow Dash's life. Fluttershy flew fast for a pony like her. However, upon reaching close to Twilight's library her wings were in agony and she was short of breath. She landed and ran to Twilight's.
Knocks rang through the library.
"I'm coming!" Twilight Sparkle said.
She opened the door and was shocked to see Fluttershy in such a horrible state. Her pink mane was ruffled and her wings were shedding feathers. Tears and sweat was running down her face.
"Oh my goodness, get in here quick!" Twilight exclaimed.
"*huff* R-Rainbow Dash," Shy stammered.
"What about her?" Twi asked getting worried.
"I-I came up to her crashed to the gr-ground, and she's hurt badly, sh-she needs help," shy gasped before collapsing.
Twilight quickly told Spike to take care of Fluttershy while she raced out to find Rainbow Dash. She asked Applejack if she had seen Rainbow Dash today. Applejack said that Rainbow Dash was just flying above the farm.
"She went that way. How about ah lead the way?" Applejack offered.
"Yes, please!" Twilight answered.
So Applejack and Twilight Sparkle raced across the ground. They were quite out of breath when they reached the field Rainbow had crashed onto. They looked up and saw a dirt trail leading to Dash. Twilight teleported up to Rainbow Dash. It was a nasty sight. Dash was covered in scrapes here and there, but her wings look damaged beyond repair. Both looked limp and were missing feathers. Applejack was cursing under her breath.
Twilight held Rainbow carefully with her magic and she along with AJ hurried to the hospital.
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
That was the first thing Rainbow Dash heard while waking up. Then she heard voices.
"Everypony, she's wakin' up! " Applejack said faintly.
"Thank heavens! I do hope she'll be okay, though! " Rarity added.
Rainbow Dash turned to see all of her PFF's in the room she was in. She had just realized that she was in the hospital.
"*cough* Hey girls," Dash rasped.
Pinkie Pie jumped up.
"Dashie! I'm so happy you spoke!" she exclaimed.
"Pinkie Pie, not so loud," Twilight ordered.
Rainbow Dash tried to move her limbs. Luckily, her legs weren't broken.
"So, uumm, do you guys know about my injuries?" Rainbow asked.
The rest of the mane six shuffled their hooves and hung their heads. They really didn't want to break it to Rainbow Dash, for it would devastate her. Dash was surprised to see them in such suspicious state. Suddenly Fluttershy lost it. She began to cry a lot, both from her aching wings but mostly from the result of Rainbow's crash.
"Hey Shy, you alright?" Rainbow Dash asked concerned.
"N-no I'm not! Do I look alright?!" Shy snapped.
Everypony was shocked to hear Fluttershy raise her voice. The door opened and a doctor came in.
"I see you're awake now Ms. Dash," he said.
"So, what's wrong with me doc?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Well, you were brought here after it was discovered that you crashed to the ground. Luckily, the crash was not fatal, though you were given surgery," the doctor said.
"Oh no, what did you remove?!" Dash asked with alarm.
"Unfortunately, your wings suffered the most impact. I'm sorry to say that they were beyond repair," the doctor said sadly.
"Does that mean?" Dash asked with her voice cracking.
"It means that we had to amputate your wings. I'm sorry Ms. Dash, but you will never fly again," the doctor told rainbow Dash.
Time seemed to slow down and go completely silent as Rainbow Dash let those words sink in.
You will never fly again.
The doctor then said that Rainbow Dash would be getting out of the hospital in hopefully a couple days. He left after that. Everypony looked at Dash. Dash's pupils were shrunk to pinpoints. She breathed heavily.
You will never fly again.
You will never fly again.
Those stinging words kept repeating in Rainbow's head. She had to fly. Flying was her world. Flying was everything to her. Now she could not join the Wonderbolts, teach Scootaloo how to fly, or even go back home.
A nurse stuck her head in the room.
"Now my little ponies, Rainbow Dash must rest. However, I can allow one pony only to stay with her for a little while longer," she said.
"You girls, please let me stay. I need to tell Rainbow Dash that I flew for her," Fluttershy pleaded.
"Okay Fluttershy, but only because Rainbow Dash means the most to you," Twilight agreed.
While the rest left Fluttershy trotted over to Rainbow Dash's side. Dash looked at Shy with the most pitiful face anypony could manage.
"Fluttershy, I can't fly now," Dash said with a sniff.
"Now now Rainbow, I'm here for you," Shy assured.
Fluttershy then told Rainbow that she flew fast to get to Twilight.
"And it hurt a lot. My wings weren't built for that speed," Shy said.
"You're very brave Fluttershy," Rainbow said back.
"If you feel upset right now, then don't be afraid to let it out," Shy assured.
So Rainbow Dash hugged Fluttershy tightly and sobbed. The normally dare devilish and tough pegasus now crying like a frightened filly. Fluttershy didn't care, though. Dash needed her at this point. Fluttershy let Dash cry on her shoulder until night fell, the Dash quickly fell asleep. Shy's coat was stained in tears, but she did not care.
A nurse quietly opened the door.
"Uumm, nurse, can I stay overnight? Rainbow Dash here really needs some company," Fluttershy asked.
The nurse breathed in deep.
"Okay, I'll make an acception this one time," she answered. "but do be quiet and maybe go to sleep yourself."
"Okay, I'll do that," Shy responded calmly.
After the nurse left Fluttershy carefully crawled onto the end of Rainbow's bed.
"I'm here for you Dash," Fluttershy told her sleeping friend.
After a few minutes Fluttershy fell asleep as well.
Rainbow Dash woke up feeling groggy. That's when she remembered her wings were gone, and she moaned. She heard soft little snores and saw Fluttershy sleeping on her bed.
"Hey Fluttershy, I'm awake," Dash said.
Fluttershy opened her aqua colored eyes and looked to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow didn't look tough at all. She had dried tear stains running down her face, and her eyes looked a little pink.
"How do you feel?" Shy asked.
"Like crap," Dash said with a chuckle.
There was a knock on the door. Fluttershy got up and answered it. Outside was a nurse and standing next to her was Scootaloo.
"Rainbow Dash, this filly here was desperate to see you," the nurse said.
Scootaloo walked in the room. She too, looked like she had been crying.
"Hey, Squirt," Dash greeted.
"Rainbow Dash, are you alright? Please tell me you're alright!" Scootaloo demanded.
"Don't worry kid, I'm fine...except for one thing," Dash said sadly.
"Oh no, what?" Scoots asked.
"Uuhh...well, I lost my wings," Rainbow said flatly.
"Your-your wings are g-gone?" Scootaloo stammered.
"'Fraid so Scoots," Dash responded with heartbreak in her voice.
"But that can't be true! We were supposed to fly together someday!" Scootaloo almost yelled.
Scootaloo leapt up onto the bed and embraced Rainbow Dash tightly sobbing all the way. Dash hugged the orange filly back.
"Now there, you're not the only one upset by this," Rainbow Dash said.
"Rainbow Dash, how about I go get the rest?" Fluttershy asked.
"That would be great. Please do," Dash responded.
So Fluttershy opened the door and trotted outside to go get her friends. Dash was still holding Scootaloo and stroking her light magenta mane. Scootaloo was also truly devastated.
Lightning Dust rested on a cloud waiting for Rainbow Dash to come back. Other ponies had heard about her crash. Spitfire and Soarin came to Ponyville to check on Rainbow Dash. They entered the hospital. Lightning Dust watched and followed. She entered behind the two Wonderbolts. They asked where Rainbow Dash's room was and went to it.
Rainbow Dash was shocked to see Spitfire and Soarin come inside her room.
"Hello Rainbow Dash, long time no see," Spitfire said.
"We heard about your crash, and we were wondering when you'll feel better to fly," Soarin added.
"Actually you two, my wings are gone...I can't fly," dash said back.
Fire and Soar were horrified.
"Do you know how you crashed in the first place?" Spitfire asked.
"Not exactly. I was just flying as normal when something slammed against me. I managed to see a pony land on aneraby cloud looking a little hurt, though," Rainbow Dash answered.
"Well, somepony hurt you badly!" Spitfire said angrily.
Lightning Dust came into the room next. Rainbow Dash looked up and scowled.
"What do you want Lightning Dust?" she asked with a snort.
"I heard you were injured so I came to see you," Lightning said back.
"Why would you care though?" Rainbow Dash asked. "you were mad at me when you were kicked out of the Wonderbolts Academy."
"True, but I returned," Lightning Dust said with a snicker.
"Why are you laughing?!" Soarin demanded.
Suddenly the door opened and in came Fluttershy with the rest of her friends. They waved. Pinkie Pie had a platter of strawberry frosted cupcakes. Twilight had some Daring Do books, and Rarity had brought a bracelet made out of sapphires.
"We hope these gifts will make you feel better!" Pinkie Pie said.
"Thanks girls," was all Rainbow could say.
"Oh my, the Wonderbolts are here!" Rarity said.
"Not all of us. Fleetfoot is off helping out at flight School," Spitfire said.
Lightning Dust smiled big.
"What kind of smile is that ?" Rainbow asked.
"I was the one who bumped into you and made you crash, becasue I swore revenge!" Lightning said with hate in her heart.
Everypony in the room was shocked and furious.
"W-why would you do this?! RAINBOW DASH DID NOTHING TO YOU!!" Scootaloo yelled.
"You don't know anything because you weren't at the Wonderbolts Academy," Lightning said with a scoff.
"That doesn't matter! What matters is how much you hurt Rainbow Dash!" Applejack spat.
Spitfire and Soarin were the angriest of them all, though. They faced Lightning Dust.
"You were kicked out of the Wonderbolts Academy because you were showing off and pushing your limits!" Spitfire scolded.
Rainbow Dash herself felt burning rage. Not caring about what the doctors said she jumped out of bed and dove onto Lightning Dust. She began punching her repeatedly in the face. Everypony was shouting at Rainbow to stop, but Rainbow ignored.
"YOU DESTROY MY ABILITY TO FLY JUST FOR REVENGE ?!!" Dash shouted.
She kept beating Lightning Dust, even driving her to tears of pain. Lightning tried to shove Rainbow off of her, but the blue pegasus was to strong and heavy. No matter how much the ponies in the room told Rainbow Dash to stop, she did not. Fluttershy quickly called for a nurse or a doctor or anypony. One came in and was easily able to separate the two ponies.
Rainbow Dash kept flailing her arms and throwing punches in the air. Scootaloo cried and clung to Fluttershy. AJ hid her face behind her hat. Lightning Dust lay on the floor sniffling and fuming with anger. Her face was covered in bruises and she had a black eye. She also had a bloody nose which she clutched with a hoof.
Lightning Dust saw the doctor come to her before she blacked out.
Rainbow Dash was emitted out of the hospital. Se walked along the dirt roads of Ponyville and looked up to the sky. Some pegasus ponies were zipping through the clouds making it a clear, bright sunny day. This weather didn't match Rainbow Dash's mood at all. She looked at where her wings used to be. All that was left were two very tiny bumps and some stitches. She could 'flap' the bumps, but they did not lift her off the ground.
Lightning Dust was also out of the hospital. She had gotten what she deserved, which was hatred from everypony. Dash's friends were so angry with Lightning Dust that they told everypony what she did to Rainbow Dash. Dash continued down the road. She would to live life as an earth pony now. She did not want to be an earth pony. Though, she still was a pegasus, but she may as well be an earth pony anyway.
She decided to go visit Applejack because she was a real earth pony. Rainbow even tried to buck trees for apples, but pegasus ponies are much weaker than earth ponies. At least Fluttershy was there for her the most. Rainbow Dash could still go home, but that required a ride in the hot air balloon to and back. Dash spent most of her time with her friends on the ground. She found herself complimenting mother nature because she never stopped to look at it until now.
In fact, walking through the woods was now Rainbow Dash's hobby. She never got tired of it. The first day of hiking in the woods Dash felt herself do something that she hadn't done for a full week: smile. It could have been worse, like what if Rainbow Dash had passed away? Dash knew that would leave her friends in hardships. Pinkie Pie also stopped by a lot to offer Rainbow Dash some cupcakes, which Dash always excepted.
"So, how are you doing now?" Raindrops asked Rainbow Dash one day.
"Well, it can get irritating to not just fly everywhere, but my friends help a lot," Rainbow Dash answered.
"If you like, we can walk through the woods with you," Cloudkicker offered.
Dash smiled big
"Thanks girls, even though we don't see each other much," she said.
Scootaloo also faired better. Dash taught her to fly the best she could. Despite not having wings now, Scootaloo followed Rainbow's instructions and flew a little. She managed an impressive ten feet!
My advice to you is this: there will be a spark of hope around every corner, even if the situation you have seems very dark.