On a wing & a prayer.
“Today we’re discussing the case of seventeen year old Quick-Bolt. The charges against this him are those of horrific detail. This young colt had supposedly broken into the house of a local farmer, Berry Punch, & proceeded to rape & rob her. There was a disturbing truth reviled when princesses Celestia & Luna themselves judged the trial. The crowd was in an uproar when Quick-Bolt was found innocent. So much so that he had to be led out of the courthouse by a group of Royal Guards. We will have more on this news as it continues...” The radio was turned off & a few of the surrounding ponies grunted in discuss.
“Can you believe that crap,” the oldest pony in the room said, “That piece of trash actually got away with hurting that poor mare."
“He better hope I don’t get a hold of him.” A younger colt threatened.
Their discussion was cut short when a colt entered the store. His face was clearly familiar to the surrounding ponies.
“Well look at what we got here,” one of the mares said, “It’s the big bad rapist himself.” Quick-Bolt froze in mid-stride, knowing there was going to be a fight if he didn’t handle the situation wisely.
“Please just leave me alone.” Quick-Bolt pleaded, much to the amusement to the advancing stallions.
“I bet Berry Punch said the same thing before you raped her.” The largest colt in colt in the room accused.
“Look, I don’t care what you’ve heard about me, but Berry Punch admitted to making up the whole thing. “ Quick-Bolt snapped.
“Yeah, after the princesses told her to.” One of the onlookers called, advancing on Quick-Bolt.
“That’s a flat out lie.” A voice called from the doorway.
All the ponies turned to face the voice, but flinched away once they realized who it was.
“P-Princess Twilight,” The shop owner stuttered, “To what do I owe the honor of your visit?”
Twilight looked around the room & walked over to Quick-Bolt, “I was just checking to see what was taking my colt-friend so long in here,” she said, putting a protective hoof around the scared colt’s neck, “Come on Quick-Bolt. It looks like we need to find another store to conduct our business.”
The two ponies walked out of the shop, & back into the crowded market place.
“Can you believe the nerve of those ponies, “Twilight exclaimed “I mean come on, Princesses Luna & Celestia telling a pony to lie?”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.” Quick-Bolt muttered, clearly upset.
“Don’t let those guys get to you,” Twilight said, trying to cheer up the depressed colt, “I’ll tell you what, why don’t you go back to the library. I’ll get the rest of the groceries.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea,” Quick-Bolt asked, “What if those ponies follow me?”
”Good point,” Twilight said, thinking for a moment, “come with me.”
Twilight led Quick-Bolt through the crowded market place, ignoring the dirty looks they were getting. After a few minutes, she stopped in front of an apple cart.
“Hey Applejack, can I talk to you for a minute?" Twilight asked.
She left Quick-Bolt’s side & went to talk to Applejack. She wasn’t even gone for a full minute before some ponies started to crowd around the nervous colt.
None of them said anything, but Quick-Bolt could tell they were out for blood.
“What’s all this about?” Big Mac asked, breaking through the mob.
“Kick his ass Big Mac!” one of the mares in the group called, along with a few shouts of agreement.
Instead of doing what the mob wanted, Mac stood protectively in front of Quick-Bolt. He was soon joined by; Fluttershy, Spike, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, & RainbowDash.
Twilight returned & took in the scene, “What is wrong with all of you ponies? Do any of you actually have the slightest bit of evidence to convict this poor colt?”
None of the ponies answered, but none of them left the mob.
Quick-Bolt sighed & looked Twilight in the eyes. They shared a longing look before he spoke to the mob.
“If all of you are so quick to judge me then fine, I’ll leave Ponyville & never come back.” He said, much to the pleasure of the surrounding ponies.
“If he leaves, than so do I.” Twilight called.
“Me too.” RainbowDash agreed.
All of his friends agreed until all of the elements of harmony & the Apple family were threatening to leave.
“Hold on every pony,” Mayor Mare said, “Maybe we’re acting a little hastily.”
“I’m glad to see that somepony is thinking…” Twilight started, but the mayor cut her off.
“I mean not only are we talking about the elements of harmony, but the Apple family makes up for over 50 % of Ponnyville’s income.” she explained.
“Fuck it,” Quick-Bolt said, & flew off, “I hope this town burns to the ground!”
“Quick-Bolt wait,” Twilight called, but it was no use, “I hope you all are happy.”
Twilight then flew after Quick-Bolt, followed by their friends.
Quick-Bolt kept flying, until the pain in his wings matched the pain in his heart.
The town had long since passed, & he was now flying through one of the many mountain ranges that surrounded Ponyville.
Quick-Bolt landed on the highest peak he could reach & looked over the edge, “God damnit,” he yelled at the top of his lungs, “Why did this have to happen to me?”
He took another step towards the cliff & closed his eyes, “It would be so easy to end it all,” he said, letting a hoof dangle over the ledge, “So easy.”
He opened his eyes & something caught his attention. Quick-Bolt turned & faced Twilight, who had a wary look on her face.
“What do you want?” Quick-Bolt asked, with more spite than he meant to.
“I just wanted to talk to you.” She answered, moving a step closer, but not risking another one.
“Where are the others?” he asked, avoiding eye contact.
“They’re all waiting at the base of the mountain…for you.” Twilight said.
“I don’t know why you want to be with me,” Quick-Bolt said, taking a step away from the ledge, “ponies are going to say thing about us.”
“I’m a princess. Ponies are always saying things about me.” Twilight said closing the gap between them, & pulling Quick-Bolt into a tight hug.
Quick-Bolt finally looked Twilight in the eyes, & he could tell that she had been crying as well, “Let’s not keep the others waiting.” He said taking flight.
The pair took their time on the way down, just enjoying each other’s company, & when they did l&, Quick-Bolt was embraced by all of his friends.
“Let’s head back to town,” Fluttershy suggested, “We have some packing to do.”
Quick-Bolt froze in place, “Wait, you guys can’t be serious,” he said, “What about all of your jobs?”
“We can always find new jobs.” Pinkie Pie beamed.
“Now all we have to do is decide where to move.” Rainbow Dash added.
“We can move to Appleoosa,” AppleJack said, “They have an apple farm, & a library. They need pegasi to help with the weather; they need a place to buy some sweets. A lot of ponies could use some new clothes, & they have a whole mess of animals that could use some T.L.C.”
“That’s actually a good idea,” Twilight congratulated, “I’ll write Celestia & have her notify the town of our immanent arrival.”
They continued their way back to town, & after a few minutes, Quick-Bolt noticed a pillar of smoke in the distance, “What in the wide wide world of Equestria is that?” he asked, pointing out the intrusion.
“NO,” Twilight gasped in denial, “It can’t be!” They raced back to town & the shock of what they seen brought tears to their eyes.
Every building in town was engulfed in angry red & yellow flames. The towns-ponies rushed around, trying to keep the fire from spreading.
“AppleJack, Pinkie pie, Spike, & Big Mac, you four help evacuate the town,” Quick-Bolt said, taking charge, “Twilight & rarity, try to keep the fire from spreading, Flutter shy & Rainbow Dash, help me gather enough rain clouds to put this fire out. Come on ponies!”
They all went to work & all was going well, until Quick-Bolt heard somepony call for help. He looked around & spotted Carrot Top waving from a window.
He flew into her building, but before either of them could do anything the main support beam for the house snapped, bringing the roof down on the ponies inside.
The only thing Quick-Bolt could do, before the fire killed them, was shield Carrot Top with his body.
The scorching flames burned Quick-Bolt to his core, but he didn’t care. At least he did one good dead before he died.
The last thing that happened before Quick-Bolt blacked out, was a large chunk of wood fell from the ceiling & smashed against the colt’s body.
I opened my eyes and looked around, but I didn't recognize the room I was in. the bed was soft and clean, and the room itself was quite large.
I heard the door open and watched as a nurse walked in and started to read my charts.
She apparently didn't realize I was awake so I cleared my throat, which caused her to drop the charts.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.” I said in a very dry and raspy voice.
She just gaped at me, unable to move or speak.
“Are you okay?” I asked trying to sit up, only to have a mind numbing pain stop me in my tracks.
The nurse ran to the door and called to somepony I couldn't see, and within seconds the room was almost packed with clamoring ponies.
It was Twilight I recognized first, a look of both relief and worry plastered on her face.
“What happened,” I asked, instantly remembering the fire, “The fire! What happened to Carrot Top?”
“She’s fine thanks to you,” The doctor said, injecting something into my I.V., “She was discharged a few days ago.”
Again I remembered the fire, and jumping on Carrot Top to shield her from the flames and falling chunks of timber.
“What about the fire?” I asked, rubbing my temples.
“Long since put out, and thanks to your quick thinking,” The doctor praised, “You saved many lives that day.”
Twilight cleared her throat to get the doctors attention, “Do you mind if we have a moment alone to talk?” She asked in a stern yet kind voice.
The doctor nodded and gestured to the other ponies in the room. They left, which gave us the privacy Twilight wanted.
At first nopony said anything. They just stared at me with a range of emotions.
“Don’t everypony talk at once.” I joked. Trying to lighten the mood, but to no avail.
“Come on guys, you’re starting to weird me out.” I said sitting up. The pain only caused me to flinch.
Twilight sighed and spoke up, “Quick-Bolt, we have some very bad news, but you need to stay calm. You just came out of a comma and we don’t know how you’ll react to high amounts of stress.” She calmly stated.
“What do you mean comma,” I asked, “How long was I out for.”
“Two and a half months,” It was Fluttershy’s turn to speak up, “but that’s not the bad news.”
“What’s the bad news then?” I asked, starting to get a little worried.
“T-the bad news is…is…I can’t. I can’t bring myself to tell him.” Twilight cried as she busted into a fit of sobs and tears.
Rarity walked over to Twilight and led her out of the room, accompanied by Fluttershy, who had also started to cry.
My gaze then shifted to AppleJack, who had a few tears running down her cheeks. “Please AJ, you got to tell me what’s going on.” I almost begged.
She opened her mouth as if to speak but instantly closed it again.
Big Mac was the only one who had the courage to answer me, “Let’s just say that you’re now more like me than you are Fluttershy or RainbowDash.” He somberly replied.
I still didn’t understand what he meant. So I looked at RainbowDash, who flared both of her wings and lowered one of them.
Then it finally hit me. I leaned forward and tried to flare my wings, but only one of them extended. I then tried to feel my other wing, hoping with all of my heart that it was in a cast, but the only thing I felt was a nub where my wing used to be.
Tears welled in my eyes as I realized that, in protecting Carrot Top, I had lost my right wing, “This has to be a joke,” I said, trying to get off of the bed, “Please tell me that this is some kind of sick joke.”
The tears were falling freely now as I ripped out my I.V., along with a few other devices. The machines went haywire, and Big Mac rushed to my side.
“You have to stay down partner,” He said as he tried to push me back onto the bed, “The doctors still need to take a look at your head.”
At this time doctors rushed in along with my other friends, drawn in by the noises the machines were making.
They tried to help Big Mac push me onto the bed, only to have me shove them away. Then I felt a hoof on my shoulder and the whole room froze.
I turned to look at who was touching me, but gasped when I saw Celestia standing before me. Her face was calming and her eyes were pleading, as she spoke to me, “its okay Quick-Bolt. You’re safe now.” She said, pulling me into a loving embrace.
I returned the hug and cried into her chest as my friends joined in the hug.
I continued to cry as Celestia started to explain how the fire started in the first place.
A few hours later.
Celestia had told me a few things, before I was discharged. First was that the fire was started when a little unicorn tried to show off for her friends. Next was that of all the injuries reported, mine had been the most severe. Other than a few mild burns here and there, everypony was safe. I was finally told that I was going to be honored for saving the town.
After my discharge Twilight took me back to the library, where we waited for some special guests to show up.
Since I arrived at the library, a certain purple and green dragon hadn’t given me a moment of privacy. He wasn’t being rude or anything like that. He was just staring at me and every time I would get up and leave the room he would be right on my heels.
“You know it’s rude to stare.” I said with a bit more spite than I meant to.
“I’m sorry, it’s just that… that.” He stammered, searching for the correct words.
“What,” I asked, “Don’t you trust me?”
“You’re my hero!” He said, jumping up and hugging me around the neck.
I chuckled and pulled him off of me, “Yeah, what’s more admirable than a colt who was accused of rape?” I said sarcastically.
“But you could never do anything that horrible. You saved the town for pony’s sake.” He said defensively.
Before I could say anything else the doorbell rang, and Spike went to answer the door.
As soon as I heard the door open, a yellow and orange blur raced through the house and picked me up in a bone crushing hug.
“I’m so sorry little bro,” the blur apologized, “We rushed right over when we heard you woke up.”
“Spitfire please stop. I’m still really sore.” I pleaded.
She loosened the hug and landed on the floor so our mom and dad could join the embrace. We continued to hug until Twilight entered the room.
We broke up the hug, and I introduced every one, “Twilight these are my parents, Dark-Runner and Pandora, and you already know Spitfire. Guys, this is my mare-friend, Princess Twilight Sparkle.”
They exchanged formalities and we all sat down.
“What are you doing here,” I asked, “I know I’m not important enough to interrupt official WonderBolt business.”
“You’re right,” Spitfire agreed, “We’re here because we got invited to some colt’s birthday party. He apparently slept through his first one.”
“Who’s party would that be?” I asked, getting a little nervous.
“Why it’s your party sweetie.” My mom clarified, much to my dismay.