Magic of Loyalty

by DawnSkies

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Discord, Slice of Life, Sad, Main 6, Romance, Princess Luna
Length: 8349

After a freak stunt accident, Rainbow Dash finds herself in hospital fighting for recovery. But can she hold onto her world after she regains it.

Awaking in a hospital bed was something of a norm at this rate for Rainbow Dash but this time she was critically injured. Can she recover back to full health and become the pony she once was? And if she does will she be able to understand a world she can't keep from changing.
The story follows Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash through struggles, fears and life after Rainbow's near fatal injury.

This story is now under re-writes, edits and a re-plan.
Story Title and description have been edited to match the story better

Published 2014-02-26 23:40:10 UTC
Last updated 2014-12-30 19:50:34 UTC

Chapter One | Faster

"Argh! Why can't those guys just agree with me!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she thumped hard onto the dusty rock covered ground. "OWW. . . I mean wow. I need to pay attention; think Rainbow, what am I doing wrong?" Rainbow Dash sighed climbing to her feet. "They said I need to slow down," PFFT. "What do they know." Dash looked back into the valley, filled with dangerous twists and turns. The exact reason she choose to fly through it.

Think think think "Aha! I need speed to make those turns, It's a good thing that I'm totally awesome and smart." Rainbow cringed at the sound of what she said. "Okay that last part sounded better in my head." Rainbow shook the dust of her and took flight towards the stating point of her course that ran through the valley. "What did they say? 'I need to slow down.' As if, I need to be, faster."

Rainbow glided back to the start of the course, she was compelled to finish. Nothing beats Rainbow Dash. She reminded herself before setting down on top of a cliff that began the course. A seventy foot drop into nothing but twists and turns, the perfect challenge. Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth as she eyed the course she had failed to fly the past fifty times. I ain't being beaten by no stupid valley. Rainbow steadied herself as she limbered up her wings once more. And with a small lean backwards she darted straight down into the abyss. The wind rushed through her mane. The sound roared past her. Rainbow Dash pushed herself harder than before. She remembered what her friends said as they left, as if it was a recording that wanted nothing more to push her nerves.

"Look Rainbow," Applejack tutted. "You're bein' reckless now, we're affaid you're gonna hurt yourself. . . Or worse."

Rainbow Dash stared at the others hoping to find anypony to side with her, only to be met one by one with nods of agreement."I can't believe you guys, you want me to stop? I've been at this course for hours!" The Cyan mare felt defeated from the lack of support. She sat down with the look of defeat on her face. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't understand why they didn't want her to carry on.

Twilight walked up to Rainbow Dash, trying to give some comfort. "Dash we're not telling you to stop-"

"I am!" Rarity looked around as all the mares starred at her. "Well, have you see her coat?" She stuttered eyeing up all the dirt and grit on Rainbow Dash. "It's horrid, no offense darling."

Twilight rolled her eyes and looked back at a sad looking Rainbow Dash. "Look what we're trying to say Dash, is that you need to slow down." Twilight spoke with fear in her eyes. "I have to agree with Applejack, you're going to hurt yourself!"

"Stupid friends telling me to slow down. Me! Rainbow Dash!" She soared through a hole in the rocks. Banking heavily to her right as she came to the same section she keeps crashing on. Rainbow saw the first of the sharp turns that began the Slalom. Speed, Rainbow speed! Dash took the first turn as fast as she could, the rocks threatened to shake from there foundations as the a rainbow blur shot past the apex. She began to turn into the second bend angling her wings to make the turn. You need to slow down The memory came almost as a warning to Dash as she clenched her eyes shut. "SHUT UP!" Rainbow screamed at the voice. Her scream echoed through the valley as she opened her eyes. But by now it was too late, her mistake had cost her. She couldn't keep up with the turn. As the rock face on the far side grew closer she pushed herself to turn sharper. Pushed herself faster. Her body now leaned fully into the turn. It wasn't enough.

What was seconds, felt like years as the rock face smashed into her chest, grinding against her. It felt like somepony was forcing her down against a flame as her torso shredded against the rock face. Rainbow Dash had lost control, her left wing snapped as she bounced off the rocks and spiraled down to the valley floor head first. Rainbow Dash screamed what little air she had left in her lungs, it felt like a nightmare as the watched the ground approach. "I'm sorry" A tear formed in the corner of her eye. Maybe if I could ju- Dash felt the force of the impact, like ten of Pinkie's party cannons going off in her face all at once, she felt herself tumble and roll across the floor, until finally. She stopped. Dash opened her eyes and looked around her but everything was a blur, Rainbow was fighting to move her body but to no avail. She pushed once more to get up as a shearing pain shot through her body. She screamed out as she found her way to her hooves.

Rainbow stumbled forward as pure agony shot through her nerves. Blooded and broken Rainbow Dash fought forward; as she forced one leg in front of the other. Her vision began to darken, her eyes were getting heavy as her head pounded like it was ready to explode. As Rainbow slowly collapsed to her knees she imagined a comforting voice calling her name in the distance as she slammed into the ground. "I'm sorry." Rainbow whispered with tears in her eyes as darkness consumed her but not before her name echoed once more round her head. Rainbow let herself go, and within seconds she lost consciousness and all that was left was darkness.

"Twilight you coming?" Applejack turned around to face Twilight Sparkle.

"Sorry AJ, somepony has to be around to tell Rainbow when enough is enough," Twilight replied with a hint of worry. "She could really hurt herself."

Applejack looked at the rest of the party leaving as Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy slowly drifted out of sight. "Look sugercube, I'd love to stay but I really have to get apple buckin'. Those apples don't fall themselves after all. And I did promise Big McIntosh i'd have all those apples bucked by sun down" Applejack walked up beside Twilight who was still watching Rainbow Dash. "Just promise you two won't be out here all day, I'm sure Rainbow can handle herself, I'd just hate to see you all worked up."

Twilight looked back at Applejack. "Don't worry AJ," Twilight sighed. "I'll be fine." Applejack turned to catch up with the rest of their friends.

"See you later!" Applejack called as she galloped back to Ponyville.

Twilight sighed looking back into the valley just in time to see Rainbow Dash crash into the ground once more and hearing something a long the line of cursing. She gazed worryingly at Dash. Does she even know I'm still here? Maybe I should cheer her o- No, she'll be fine, it's not like she wanted to hear from us after we tried pleading with her. Twilight hoped Rainbow Dash didn't end up breaking a wing again, or worse. It hurt Twilight seeing the Pegasus grounded and so defeated like that. It didn't seem that long ago, that an amazing cyan mare crashed into her, although not the first impression she'd usually be fond of, there was something about that pony that made Twilight feel happy to be around her. She was happy to have Rainbow Dash as a friend, friend. . . Twilight ran this word through her head over and over, like it wasn't enough. Twilight wished she knew what she was talking about, she'd never felt this way before.

Twilight looked off into the hills at the falling sun. How long have I been here, the sun is almost setting. She sighed looking back at the Rainbow blur shooting through the valley. "If only Rainbow felt the same way, then at least. . . What is she doing?" Twilight watched in shock. "She ignored us! Not even, she's going faster?" Twilight stood up and ran towards the cliff edge trying to get a better view. No no no. "Rainbow! Slow down!" Twilight yelled. There's no way she can hear me.

Unable to look away, fear began to grow inside her as Rainbow Dash began the Slalom. "Please slow down." Twilight begged as if anyone could hear her, she prayed that Dash would slow down, come to her senses. But it was too late, she could only watch as the cyan mare collided with the rock face with a shattering force, and with a snapping sound she careered off into the valley floor screaming. "Rainbow. . ." Twilight could barley force herself to speak as she began her teleportation spell. And with a bright purple flash she was gone, with no evidence but a few tears collecting on the ground.

Twilight appeared in a flash on the valley floor just ahead of where Rainbow Dash had crashed. "Rainbow!" She cried running with all her might to the crash site. Rounding the corner she caught site of the mangled Pegasus, dragging herself forward, her fur was no longer it's deep beautiful cyan she remembered but a mix of black and red, her wing snapped at two places and a large crack running down her skull. Twilight watched as Rainbow collapsed to the ground, just as she got closer Twilight heard her say something, not until she stood crying above the injured Pegasus did she Rainbow Dash's words.

"I'm sorry." As Dash fell from her knees onto the cold hard floor, stained with her own blood.

Twilight grabbed the mare and held her. "Rainbow Dash?" She began to cry as the limp Pegasus was mute. Suddenly her emotions surged, together mixed with her spell as her horn began to glow, shaking the ground which she stood above, finally as the energy conjured into the spell with another flash they were gone. The valley returned to calmness, as the winds rushed past the rocks mimicking a laugh as it mockingly echoed around the valley while the sun faded behind the horizon.

Chapter Two | Chaos and a Choice

Nurse Redheart enjoyed her work. She'd go as far as to say she'd be proud of it. She never liked seeing anypony hurt or sick and made it her goal in life to help everypony around her. Her day had been peaceful at Ponyville hospital, quiet even. She made her rounds through each ward, checking on patients, and seeing if they wanted anything. Finally she arrived at the relaxation room, it had been a long day for Nurse Redheart and she decided to sit down for a minute. She moved through the room and found her favorite spot next to the window where she could watch as the sun started to set beyond the buildings. She agreed with herself once more, it was a simple and easy day. . . Baring one pony who she couldn't get rid of. She read the name off the file once more. 'John Smith'. What a weird name for somepony she thought, still every time she wanted to discharge him he had some small paper work saying otherwise. 'He said he needed to be there for a certain amount of time'. She pushed the thought away. "Some ponies, just weird" Nurse Redheart spoke turning away from the window.

Coffee, she thought. I need a good cup of coffee. She stood up and made her way back through the corridors towards reception to ask if anypony would want a cup. As she rounded the corner of the main reception she was about to move towards the desk when she felt a slight tremor beneath her hooves. Suddenly the tremor grew more violent as she looked around in horror. When suddenly she was blinded by a bright purple flash that engulfed the room. She looked around dazed as she rubbed her eyes with a hoof, that's when she caught sight of a dismayed and dizzy unicorn but it was what she stood next to that made her eyes widen with fear. For there lay a unconscious, blooded and broken Rainbow Dash. She couldn't look away as she starred in horror until finally interrupted by the purple unicorn.

"Please help!" Twilight cried as her voice found itself. "Get a doctor anypony please!" She looked around as a group of blurry figures ran into the room. Unable to focus, unable to concentrate. Exhaustion finally took it's toll on her as Twilight passed out onto the floor. "Help her." Was all she could repeat before she eventually lost the will to carry on and fell adrift in her own mind, retreating from the horrors which had just occurred before her. Hoping deep down, that all this could be a dream, a terrible nightmare. That she'd awake in her library and Rainbow will be okay. She'll be okay, this is Rainbow Dash after all. The fastest flyer in all of Equestria. But she couldn't help but feel even she was lying to herself.

Rainbow Dash opened her eyes, did she? She looked around but couldn't see anything. Rainbow looked down at her hooves that she could see, she stood out among the darkness, surrounded by a thick wall of mist. "Hello." She called out hoping to hear a reply. "Anypony there!" Rainbow Dash sat down onto the floor and began to think. The crash! She checked herself over, hoof to tail in shock. She couldn't find a single scratch, no sign of exertion, injury or anything. She tried to stretch out her wings and stood up. "Am I dead?" She questioned into the unknown. "Okay I'm talking to myself here." Rainbow walked around trying to see through the fog but to no avail. Isn't there suppose to be a bright light or something? Unless I'm not dead. Rainbow thought about everything in her mind that occurred the crash, her injuries, waking up here. Nothing. "This is making my head hurt" Dash moaned to herself. "If only Twilight was here, she's an egghead. She'd figure this out in seconds." She looked around once more confused and began to feel fear edge into her. How long will I be here? A tear leaked out of the corner of her eye as Rainbow Dash began to panic. "Wake up Rainbow! Come on wake up - wake up!" What was just a sparkle in the corner of her eye now turned into a group of tears fighting to fall. She forced herself not to cry, not to give in to fear. Dash swallowed any of her emotions she felt were holding her back as she settled and waited for herself to regain her composure.

She starred out into the fog, a solid wall of despair and sadness that acted as a canvas being painted off of her weakness. The fog that encased her and trapped her in this place hiding the world which she longed to return to. She closed her eyes, resting. Wanting to think of a way out of here. Until she heard a form of laughing. Rainbow looked up alert and now on all fours, wings akimbo ready for anything. Once more she heard the laughing, a menacing evil laugh she swore she heard before. "Show yourself!" Rainbow demanded at the top of her lungs.

"My my. Poor little Dashie, all lost and alone. . . I bet your scared, I can see you shaking in your little hooves." The voice replied through the fog.

Rainbow looked around trying to see anything but was met with nothing but fog. "Who are you!" She demanded this time.

"Don't you remember me. Ouch, I'm deeply offended Rainbow Dash," The voice mocked. "Or did your little performance crack that little loyal head of yours beyond repair?"

"Discord!?" Rainbow breathed in shock. "If I get my hooves on you I'll tear you apart! What did you do to me?"

"Now now Rainbow Dash, you did all the damage yourself. Mind you, your performance was. While entertaining I can say it was pathetic. Just like the loyalty you showed your friends when you betrayed them and when you sent them away. . . Ohhh how they pleaded and begged you to slow down. And now it brings you here." Discord teased as Rainbow was fighting to protest, to find anything to say. "You need to slow down. You'll hurt yourself" He mimicked at her. "You never were a smart pony Rainbow Dash, I'm going to enjoy watching all this as it unfolds."

Rainbow finally managed to find words that she desperately needed. "What do you mean?" She said hiding the sound of fear in her voice as best as she could.

"Well thanks to you and your friends if I can't create chaos I'll find chaos. And I just love to watch. And might I say Rainbow. You and I both are going to be in for one hell of a ride!" Discord yelled laughing as his voice echoed away slowly until it was nothing more than a whisper and finally gone all together.

Rainbow Dash looked around once more, fighting to speak but stopped by a lump in her throat. What did he mean ride. Enjoy watching this unfold, what was he talking about? She tried desperately to piece together what was happening, pushing her brain to think. Anything that could explain or guess what Discord was talking about. Not long after she came up empty, all she cared about was getting home, she missed her friends. How she wished she could see them again and tell them how sorry and wrong she was. Suddenly almost as she thought this a bright light appeared in front of her. A beautiful light, shining through the fog, offering a way out a way forward, out of the fog and into the unknown. As Rainbow took one step towards it's pull Discord's voice appeared once more, almost like a whisper in her ear.

"Listen closely Rainbow Dash and listen well." Discord noted. "Here's your choice, ahead lies peace and rest where you can be sane. Behind lies your friends, where struggles await and you must play the game." Discord riddled as he disappeared for one final time.

Dash looked into the light, as it's pull grew stronger, she knew soon it would consume her. Rainbow knew she had little time to think. She could be at peace and above all rest, she didn't want to entertain Discord with whatever he said his game was. But could she abandon her friends, like she did for that stupid cloud, and at the valley. She was the Element of Loyalty after all. No, She thought to herself. My friends come first. And nothing will stop me from seeing them, certainly not Discord! The pull of the light grew stronger as Dash turned and pulled away from the light. Rainbow broke into full flight as she sped away from the brightness that threatened to catch up with her. She pushed herself faster, wanting to escape the light following her. Once more she pushed faster and the void around her began to shake as it began to thicken with air. A layer of air began to part in front of her as the light edged closer. She pushed once more forcing her wings to do what to anypony else used to be impossible. The air parted even more as she pushed and pushed going faster, until finally she heard the explosion. The relief, freedom and liberation from the pull that once threatened to consume her, but now faded away behind her in a mix of colors as the Sonic Rainboom spread and echoed around her. A sense of freedom, she had been longing for since being trapped. She could feel the oncoming wall that separated her from reality, screaming at her to give up, to turn back. The wall that separated Rainbow Dash from her friends. She surged forwards with full force as thoughts of her friends filled her head, she flew as fast as she could until the impact was imminent, she braced as she felt herself tear through the wall as she was blinded by colors around her and deafened by a noise that surrounded her. And then once more there was nothing but darkness. And she felt a pain beyond what she could describe.

Rainbow Dash tried to open her eyes, but it was as if they were glued shut, she heard voices around her. Saying her name, asking things about her and what they were doing. Dash couldn't make any particular words out until she felt a soft hoof holding hers. Then she heard it. A voice that had more power than Celestia, Luna and Discord combined.

"Rainbow, please. . . Come back."

Chapter Three | The Game Begins

Twilight Sparkle usually kept to her schedules and timetables, in order to be organised and as efficient as possible. But today was exception, she couldn't wake up. Not to what she knew existed waiting for her at the hospital, she could allow herself just a moment longer in peace, away from fear and the horrors she knew she'd have to face soon. "Twilight?" She heard echo around her head as she felt herself being shaken from comfort, her fortitude of sleep and safety as Twilight slowly opened her eyes.

"Applejack?" Twilight asked with a hint of confusion. "What are you doing here," Check that she thought as she saw all her friends in her bedroom gathered on the far side. All but one. "What are all you guys doing here?"

"I, we all thought we'd check on Rainbow and Rarity said we should see if wanted to come as well." Applejack said.

"That is if you want to, you know. Twilight." Fluttershy added quietly.

As much as Twilight wanted to stay hidden away in her room, she knew she'd have to face her fear soon enough, at least she wouldn't be alone. She'd have her friends there with her, she knew that in such times none of them would ever be alone.

"Yes, I'll come along to see Rainbow." Twilight spoke finding her feet as she got out of bed. "So do we know anything yet?"

"Course Not Darling." Rarity replied.

"We all thought you'd know, that's why we need to check on Dash, we have to be there for her." Applejack continued for Rarity as she shot a glance at AJ for interrupting her.

As they made their way outside, Twilight could only look around as she saw so many pony's going about their days all happy without any worry. Then she remembered a certain party pony that hasn't said a single word since, well since they all watched Rainbow Dash's little stunt run of the valley.

"Pinkie?" Twilight asking checking she was aware of herself.

"Yes Twilight" Pinkie answer trying to be as energetic as possible, but no bounce was found in her steps and no smile on her face. How could she when she knew all too well what they could be walking into when they got to Ponyville hospital.

"You okay? You've hardly said anything." Twilight spoke looking at her with concern in her voice.

"Don't worry about me Twilight, I'm fine. Let's just get to the hospital." Pinkie replied quickly.

I can't believe the happiest and most outgoing pony, apart from Rainbow Dash, that one could be put to the test, but one of the most outgoing ponies in Ponyville could be made silent by an event such as this she thought to herself as they finally arrived at their destination. The hospital. Most of the time they were here for Rainbow Dash it was never anything that was as bad as this. She didn't know how to handle it, none of them did. Applejack was the only one managing to lead the group. She had to when her friends were struggling forward. Without Rainbow, someone will have to lead them into uncertainty. Just one more thing Twilight always liked about Rainbow. Although it goes against everything she knows, she always admired how Rainbow put herself first into the unknown, threat or journey. She was always there for when things went wrong, always rushing in giving everypony confidence.

"Twilight you coming inside?" Rarity asked as she held the door open looking back at a lost Twilight.

"What, oh sorry." Twilight snapped away from her thoughts as she looked at the hospital exterior once more before walking inside to join her friends. She wished she had more to say. But that was it, none of them could find any words for each other. And how could they when they all knew what as waiting just a few rooms away. Somewhere in this building, lay a broken Rainbow Dash in the best case scenario but Twilight feared the worst as she walked over the the receptionist with the others.

"Hello-" Twilight cleared her throat. "We were wondering if you could tell us where we could find Rainbow Dash?" She asked.

"Names please" The receptionist asked.

"Uggh" How could anypony not know who they were, elements of harmony, saviors of Equestia. She continued the annoyed tone as she quickly noted off their names to the blank faced pony who'd clearly seen too many faces in her time to care anymore.

"Okay one moment, somepony will be through soon." The pony stated.

Applejack cut across confused. "Can't we just see her?"

"Look somepony will be through soon to talk to you about your friend, I'm going to be honest when Miss Sparkle brought your friend in she wasn't in the best shape, and that's compared to other ponies I've seen in this hospital. Now just wait a moment please" She spoke trying to adding emotion to her monotonous voice.

Five minutes passed as they sat there waiting, nothing was said, none of them looking away from their chosen starring points. None of them could do anything, but wait. It felt like an eternity before they heard a door open and a pony with a yellow coat, blue mane and white overalls entered the room, his face screamed out with stress and worry from a years of work. He scoped the room and found a melancholy group of ponies and saw the unicorn he recognized from when she brought her friend in. He walked up to Twilight.

"Twilight Sparkle, correct?" He asked sternly.

"Yes, please Doctor how is she, is Rainbow Dash going to be okay?" Twilight rushed finding words to speak as she wished he'd just tell her everything was okay.

He looked at his clip board on final time before looking at the group of ponies whose eyes had all set upon him.

"You should come with me, all of you," The Doctor said making sure the gravity in his voice was recognizable.

They all climbed out of there seats to follow him. The Doctor lead the way through corridors and wards. Each section getting worst. Twilight looked at each room noting the further they went the more injured or critical the ponies were. Oh god. . . No no no please. Please Rainbow Dash can't be this bad. Twilight begged to herself, she looked into another room seeing one pony on life support and a few crying ponies. The one on the bed was a small green figure, a young colt. With what looked like his family. His mother cried over his body as the father stood holding a young filly she could only assume was their daughter. The scene too unbearable. She couldn't imagine what they were going through. But she could be about to find out as the Doctor stopped before a door and turned to look at the group.

"I have to let you know what your walking into." He sighed to himself. This was the worst part, the part he hated. He liked healing ponies, seeing them get better but the job had its flaws and this was one bit he hated more than the devil himself.

"Look there's no easy way to say this but you have to hear me through. Your friend Rainbow Dash died last night at around two in the morning," He winced as he saw five hearts explode before his eyes as he rushed to continue. "We managed to bring her back but we have been fighting all morning to keep her stable. Miss Dash has suffered massive head trauma and had severe internal bleeding."

If none of them could say anything before, it felt like they just had their throats torn out and set on fire it took a while before Pinkie Pie managed to say something

"D-Do you think she'll make it?" Pinkie managed holding back tears.

"We can't say for sure, but it's highly unlikely, you should all prepare for the worst. If you leave you may not see her again." He answered wishing he could be telling a lie.

"Is there nothing you can do!" Rarity begged at the Doctor.

"We've done all we can, now it's up to her. It's my opinion and many doctors frown upon the idea, but you guys seem really close. She needs you in there. It's stupid but I've seen ponies come back from worse but never without support from loved ones. . . And after we couldn't find any details of her parents you ponies are the best she's got." He answered trying to add some form of hope to them but he was preaching to the converted. He could only open the door and enter leading the way to her bed.

The room echoed with a monotone beep every few seconds, the sunny sky outside didn't even dare shine through the windows as all the other beds were empty baring one on the far side of the room. The dim lights led the way to a curtained corner of the room as they arrived. The doctor pulled the fabric aside revealing what Twilight feared.

To say that Rainbow Dash was injured was an understatement, to say mortally wounded sounded like a better description to Twilight as she rushed to the bed to look at Rainbow Dash, she wished this wasn't true, that none of this was real. Before her Rainbow lay quiet, every breath she took Twilight saw a wince on her face, the pain must be unbearable she was happy she was asleep at least and not awake to feel it. Twilight glanced over Rainbow as the others managed to join her. Rainbow had a scar running along the top of her head only visible as the doctors must of shaved her mane to operate on her, fresh healing cuts plastered her face and a blood stained sheet covered her body where it was clear that clean sheets were going to be impossible. Rainbow's wing looked worst than last time, plastered up but tied down to a support, any movement must be painful. Agonizing even. Twilight began to feel her eyes flood as she gently laid a hoof on Rainbow's and rested her head onto the sheets not caring for the stains, she wanted to look up and see a Rainbow Dash that wasn't badly hurt, one that would just complain and ask for a copy of Daring Doo.

But it was hopeless. She looked back up to find the same, broken Pegasus.

"Rainbow, please. . . " She begged into the empty, injured face. Hoping she would stop ignoring her friends and wake up. She was begging she could just stop being selfish and mean. That'd she'd wake up! But Rainbow still lay there lifeless.

"Come back." She cried into Rainbow's hoof, unable to do anything else but cry. Twilight felt a cold breeze on her shoulder as she looked to the window which was shut. She looked to her friends all sad and teary eyed looking at Rainbow. She hated herself, she could of done anything to help Rainbow before she crashed. I could of caught her! I could of stopped with my magic before it was too late. Hell I could of teleported her out of the valley. Why didn't I? She asked to herself. Before she found her answer. I couldn't. I could never stop you Rainbow Dash, I trusted you, I trusted you to slow down. I could never stop you, I couldn't. It'd hurt more than than the crash did to you. I was scared and I left it to trusting you.Why couldn't you have been scared Rainbow? She looked back into her cyan face which lay still and motionless. Scarred if not for yourself. For us?

Rainbow Dash couldn't see still, she felt. She felt pain beyond compare, agony burned through her nerves as she lay there unable to see anything, she was awake. But at the same time unconscious to the world as she heard cries around her that she could only assume were her friends. Why? Why didn't I listen? I'm sorry guys. She tried to speak out but it all sounded like it echoed through her own head. She wanted to badly wake up and tell them everything was going to be okay. Everything was going to be okay, right? She felt weak as if she'd just flown the the whole territory of Equestria and then some and finished with a Sonic Rainboom to space.

That's something I gotta do when I get outta here. She thought to herself. Rainbow Dash pushed herself to try and wake up, she knew her friends didn't deserve what she had done. Why was I soo selfish!? She felt a wet feeling on her hoof as she assumed somepony was crying over her. She couldn't tell who, she couldn't see. Nor did she know who spoke out to her and helped pull her out of that void. That voice that had soo much power and emotion. She wouldn't ever find out at this rate. When suddenly another laugh filled her head. Discord. Again? She really wanted to take her hooves and punch Discord with enough strength to banish him to the moon herself.

Suddenly a light filled her head as she felt herself being torn from her own. . . Her own body? How she was thinking to herself as the pain subsided and she couldn't feel anything. She looked around trying to see what happened as the light cleared she saw Discord standing in front of her in an unknown room, covered in white boring paint.

"Well, now I see that you are the Element of Loyalty after all. This time you came back for your friends." Discord stated.

"Discord! What do you want now?" She asking knowing he wasn't really here with her, even he wouldn't dare be in the same dimension with her at this rate. Such a thing would be suicide, so he had to make do.

"Just to welcome you back." He said joyfully. "Can't I care for you just like your friends do." He said with his face fighting not to laugh. Before he could continue he lost control and broke out laughing. "Sorry, I tried b-but you have no idea how hard it was to say that with a straight face." Discord managed out before finally calming down.

"Grrr, I asked what do you want Discord!" She barked at him.

"Okay, really I'm here to thank you Rainbow Dash, without you returning to your friends I wouldn't be having so much fun watching all this." He joyfully spoke as with a click of his figures the walls crumbled to reveal a dark and grim room. Still with the same walls, white and dull but this time with a larger room, with beds and. . . her friends.

"Guys! I'm here, I'm right here!" She shouted happily.

"AJ?" She called walking over.

"Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie. . . Twilight?" She asked out to the group before arriving to see what they were looking at before almost doubling back. She was looking at Rainbow Dash. She was staring at herself. I look like crap. She thought to herself.

"I guess you were right Twilight" She said resting a hoof on her shoulder before removing it and walking away with tears in her eyes. "Why are you showing me this Discord?" She begged looking back him.

"Just so you're aware of the stakes when you play the game. I don't want you not feeling cared for if you start to decide to give in, trust me Rainbow Dash this is going to be fun to watch." He smiled at her.

"Just send me back. Please, I can't take this anymore." Rainbow demanded glancing at her friends.

"As you wish. We won't be seeing each other again Dash but I'll be rooting for you, after all every game needs an audience." He laughed before Rainbow felt herself being pulled backwards as the world. Her vision darkened and she felt the pain return, dear Celestia this hurts more than I thought. Rainbow was finally back in her body, gentle sobs and severe agony confirmed this for her. She wished she could wake up now. But she remembered again Discord mentioning the game. What does he have planned? She thought, although she knew all too well she'd be finding out sooner than she thought.

Chapter Four | Help

The night shined bright with it's stars and celestial bodies, the moon glowing out across a mystic canvas painted by only one who had such talent, Luna's night echoed once more across all of Equestia for all ponies to sleep. Sleeping peaceful dreams, protected by their Princess of the night. All knew of her beautiful night, and many had rare occasion to observe such masterpiece.

Ponyville was silent as the ponies slept their peaceful dreams, all but one. Twilight Sparkle had stopped dreaming weeks ago, stopped sleeping all together. Her nights haunted her, printing images of Rainbow Dash in her mind, torturing her with what had happened, what she did to that Pegasus. She was the reason their friend wasn't there for the Running of the Leaves, and the reason why Ponyville was being battered by rain and storm. The reason why a certain cyan Pegasus was lying in hospital in a coma. Twilight had ruined Ponyville, ruined Rainbow.

Twilight sat on her bed looking out her window across the incoherent town, left alone to her thoughts.

She never deserved this. . .

I don't deserve this either, they say it's not my fault. It is. I did this, I ruined it all, Ponyville, our friendship, the elements. I hurt us all.

You've done more than that, you've doomed Equestia. The Princess is probably arranging your arrest now. Twilight Sparkle, the betrayer and destroyer of Equestia. . .

She wouldn't do that!

And murderer!

. . .

You killed Rainbow Dash. Murdered her. Left her to die!

I-

You killed her. And now you're going to suffer, not only will Celestia be coming to get you, but I doubt your friends will ever want to see you again.

They're still my friends?!

But where was Rainbow Dash when Applejack ran the Running of the Leaves, oh yes you killed her. And when did we last see Applejack? When was the last time we all spoke, happy and care free. All ruined thanks to you!

. . .

She hates you, Twilight they all do. Because you killed her, you killed them all!

No! Rainbow is going to be okay!

Be honest with yourself now Twilight, Rainbow won't make it, your friends will reject you. You'll be alone... You ruined everything!

"Sister please!" Luna begged.

The throne room echoed their voice around but to no ears to hear but Celestia's. The night was her domain, but Celestia still ruled, she had the final say in Equestia and after all. This was Celestia's protege they were discussing about.

"I understand your concern Luna, but Twilight Sparkle is a strong pony. She will be fine." Celestia eased.

Luna was running out of options, she had to tell her sister how bad the situation was getting, her job was to safe guard ponies dreams. Even at times give guidance. But Celestia had strictly forbidden Luna to release information on other pony's dreams, Let only pry.

"Sister this is worst than I dare tell you, please." Luna begged.

"Whatever it is, it cannot be as urgent for me to let you address Twilight on such issues." Celestia answered.

"I'm sorry you made me do this," she looked down to compel herself before looking Celestia in the eyes. Luna had never informed Celestia of her subject's dreams, it was forbidden, but there were exceptions. "Sister Twilight Sparkle has not slept for serveral nights. She has begun to fear her own slumber."

Celestia starred back at her blankly unable grasp what Luna was saying.

"Twilight's last dream was not what I could call peaceful, before giving up sleep. She had nothing but nightmares. She has been torturing herself with the injuries she caused to this Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty. Her subconscious thoughts that attacked her dreams, now threaten her completely. I fear she believes she is responsible for all this." Luna pleaded.

"Princess Luna-" Celestia spoke using her full title for the first time during their talk.

"I don't care about the rules big sister. We've lost one Element, temporarily or not. We can not lose another!"

Celestia thought carefully. She took time to account this new information. It was true that as of the Elements, Equestia had no first line defense against her enemies. This needed be to be handled directly.

"Okay Luna. . . Do what you must."

Twilight had long passed out before Celestia began to raise the sun, her mental battle in her head had taken all of her energy. Or what little she had left. Twilight Sparkle now knew what she needed to know, through all this, she easily knew, it was her fault. She knew what she had done.

Over the past few weeks, Spike had become more responsible in running the library and doing his chores, he knew that Twilight wasn't well and he saw this a perfect opportunity to prove this. He got his own room, and even was aloud to stay up longer. Spike had never been so proud of himself. He just didn't know for how long Twilight would be unwell. For weeks she had no sleeping pattern, just until she passed out, Spike caught her one night just sat on the edge of the balcony not moving, just watching. He knew he should something, he just didn't know what.

I really should get Twilight help, all of this can't be good for her, Spike finished dusting off the main room of the library and walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water. I'll ask Rarity, she'll know what to do, I'm sure!

Spike decided to get Twilight a glass as well before turning and leaving to the kitchen to carry it upstairs, he hated waking up Twilight, it just wasn't right. He missed the days when he could sleep in and be moaning about getting up. Spike climbed up the stairs and came to a stop at Twilight's door before gently knocking with his spare claw.

"Twilight?" Spike called softly. Deciding to knock once more but louder

"Twi-" As spike knocked the door nudged open just enough for him to hear something coming from Twilight's room.

Spike could hear a gentle crying from behind the door, hesitantly he decided to go inside. All the times he had woke Twilight up he had never heard her crying.

"Twilight?" Spike asked carefully walking into the room. "Is everything okay?"

Spike looked briefly around the room, books littered the floor, paper was scattered and the bed was a mess a lacking a sleeping body. Spike took another look around, he could hear Twilight but couldn't see her.

"Twilight?"

Spike walked towards the bed and looked at the covers and noticed they were pulled off the far side, carefully Spike navigated around to the other side of the bed. Listening to the gentle sobs as Twilight slowly came into view sleeping on the floor. She had lost consciousness and must of fell out of her bed from a bad dream, one which was clear to Spike she hadn't yet finished. He carefully nudged Twilight's shoulder with his claw.

"Twilight wake up," He continued nudging her to no avail. "Twilight!"

Spike grabbed her and shook Twilight recklessly to the land of the living, or at least awake. To the young dragons surprise he felt a strange cold feeling wrap around him as the frightened unicorn awoke, suddenly before he realized he was engulfed in a purple aura. Spike felt himself being lifted and thrown back into a bookcase. The collision wasn't painful but the shock of what had happened had to process through his head.

"OHDEARCELESTIASPIKEI'MSOSOSOSORRY!" Twilight yelled getting up and running after him.

"Spike I'm sorry I don't know why I did that," She explained trying to help Spike up. "Please forgive, it was an accident. I swear!"

"What the hell Twi?" Spike grumbled finding his feet. "One second your bawling on the floor, then you're throwing me into bookcases? What is all this, I'm not cleaning it up. Your room is a mess."

Twilight took a brief look around her room offended. Okay so it wasn't the tidiest her room has been but Twilight liked to refer to her room as an organised mess. Spike still insisted it was a bomb site.

"Hey it's not that messy!" How did I let it get this bad? "Besides," Twilight spoke looking back at Spike. "Not like you have a tidy room."

"So if this is all okay then what's with you and crying in your sleep?" He asked concerned.

"Oh, erm. I must of had dream." Twilight answered not wanting to give full details of her mental derailment.

"You was on the floor..."

"Erm," Twilight glanced at her bed. "Nightmare?" She spoke unsure of herself.

Spike huffed annoyed, there was something Twilight wasn't telling him, sooner or later he'd find out. Even if she didn't want to tell him, there was no way she could keep a secret for long.

"Fine have it your way Twi." Spike sight turning and leaving her room.

Twilight sat back on her haunches, she couldn't tell Spike what was happening. He'd think she was insane, and Spike would ask for her to be sent to a mental hospital, not that it mattered she know soon she would be locked away. It was only a matter of time, Celestia will want to know why she didn't save one of the Elements of Harmony, now they were useless. Equestria Defenseless and no form of weapon if a powerful enemy were to attack.

She needed help, but who could she turn to? Fluttershy. She's kind, caring and would listen to Twilight, but she'd be very timid and too soothing. Rarity would write Twilight off for speaking a load of nonsense. Applejack would give her honest answer, but she couldn't face her. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were closer than anyone else. She knew AJ hated her, she had to. Twilight had removed Applejack's best friend not just from racing, wrestling or just any competition but her closest friend. That left Pinkie Pie. No. Just nope.

"UGH! Who can I go to? I can't just keep doing this to myself." Twilight asked raising her hooves to her head hoping to find somepony to answer her.

Silence.

Spike returned downstairs and headed towards the door to leave. He couldn't Twilight do this to herself. And if she wasn't going to fix it he was. Spike opened the library door and stepped out into Ponyville. He still couldn't believe he was up this early, again. But he knew the one person he could go to that would help Twilight, and he'd have to get there early before she began work. After all dress making was a very demanding occupation requiring a lot of time. He hoped Rarity's generosity would pull through and she would Twilight with... Whatever was wrong, Twilight Sparkle never had actually told spike what it was she was having problems with and it drove him mad.

He knew how distraught everypony was over Rainbow Dash being in a coma but he couldn't understand why Twilight was the worst of them all. Even Fluttershy, Rainbow's closest friend wasn't as badly affected as Twilight was. Maybe Rarity could help solve everything, although he was having doubts. Either way he knew he'd find out as he slowly approached the boutique.

Spike raised a claw to knock on the door, he knew she'd be awake. Rarity had recently accepted an order from Canterlot for ten of her best and most unique dresses for a fashion show by the end of the week. She wanted to make sure she had enough time to complete all the dresses up to her highest standard. Spike was sure Rarity could spare a few minutes to talk, although he knew that a few minutes wouldn't cut it.

Spike brought his claw down on the door a few times making sure to be heard, for all he knew Rarity could be stuck in another song, not that me minded Spike always admired Rarity's singing, it was just the quantity of it.

"Come in!" A voice chimed from behind the door in a joyful note.

Spike pushed the door open and was immediately struck by all the fabric that covered every surface, from the walls to the floor. Every inch was covered with a different style, design, colors. All blending trying to form a image of what to be before becoming one of Rarity's designs. "Oh Celestia..." Spike sighed. Somehow he knew getting help from Rarity would be harder than he thought.

Chapter Five | Here for you

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