Prologue
“It is highly unlikely you will ever be able to fly like you once could.”
I remember that one sentence better than anything else that has ever been said to me. Remember it better than my mother’s goodbye on the first day I left Cloudsdale, remember it more than the sea of congratulations from my friends when I was made a Wonderbolt reserve.
“It is highly unlikely you will ever be able to fly like you once could.”
Even now the words still sting like poison, but not as brutally as they did the first time I heard them. That was the first time I have ever completely lost it in front of my friends, the way things are now I’m sure there will be more times. I remember leaping up, the best my weakened state would allow, and kinda, grabbing the doctor in some kind of headlock. I had my hooves really tight around his head, really tight… I was pretty hysterical too, sobbing and screaming and telling him that he was wrong, he had to be wrong.
He wasn’t wrong.
To prove a point I guess, I tried flapping my wings, just to get some air! To prove to him that I was the best flyer in all of PonyVille and always would be!
I kinda wish I hadn’t.
Because it hurt… A LOT.
I don’t think I have ever felt pain quite like it, strong and powerful, pulsing through every muscle in my wings, demanding to be felt and oh did I feel it! I became even more hysterical at that point, partly because of the pain, but mostly because I had just proved myself deadly wrong in the most embarrassing and self-confidence -crushing way possible.
I folded my wings back into position and winced, as another wave of blinding pain crashed over me. I was vaguely aware of the Doctor’s absence from the room; probably gone to calm down after I nearly be-headed him, so I took the chance to acknowledge my visitors for the first time.
My five best friends, each of them stood looking about as shell-shocked as I felt. I realized what they had just witnessed me do and tried to redeem myself; flashing them with a cheeky wink and ruffling up my mane, but the damage had already been done, I could tell from one glance at their faces.
Fluttershy was crying, tears rolling steadily down her cheeks, her eyes tight shut as if to block out the world. Applejack was looking straight past me, staring out of the window behind me, a blank expression etched onto her face. Rarity had engaged Pinkie Pie into a really long conversation; both were doing everything they could to avoid looking at me.
It hurt to know that four of five my best friends were trying with all their might not to make any sort of eye contact with me but it didn’t take a genius to work out why.
My recent display of hysterics had scared them.
Seeing their friend, who had never shed a tear before, who had never once let fear of the unknown affect her in any way shape or form, fly off the rails Pinkie- Pie- style and cry herself silly must have been… unnerving to say the least.
I looked back at them, thinking of an apology, thinking desperately of a way to prove to them that I was the same Rainbow Dash who had woken up in Cloudsdale that very same morning, when I saw Twilight Sparkle. She was looking at me, a blank expression sure but she was actually looking at me at least.
I took that as my chance, I stuck out my tongue and winked playfully and too my absolute delight she winked back! “I edged myself forward to the end of my hospital bed and whispered into Twilight’s ear:
“Whatever happens to me, I will always be 20% cooler than you”
This got the reaction I had hoped for. Twilight let out a loud laugh, alerting the other ponies. As each turned around to finally look at me I decided my next target would be Rarity.
“Rarity…” I asked slowly.
Rarity raised her head slowly and shakily locked eyes with me.
“Would you say… that this is the WORST.POSSIBLE.THING?”
At this Rarity began to tear up, she seemed determined to stop herself from crying though and refused to let her tears slip. I wish the same could be said for Fluttershy, who was still sobbing, eyes closed.
A small but unmistakeable smile crossed Rarity’s face and she nodded, didn’t say a word… just nodded. Things were becoming more and more comfortable and I was starting to become more and more relaxed. (Well, as relaxed as you can get when you have just been told that a part of you may not work, you know… ever again.)
Applejack was the first to speak.
“Yall’ are gonna be alright Sugarcube” she told me with a flick of her mane. “I promise”
Pinkie Pie was next. To my actual dismay I realized her hair was perfectly straight, bad things happen when her hair is perfectly straight, let me tell you that! Flashbacks of lonely parties and confused destinies entered my mind. Just how sad had I made Pinkie feel?
“You’re gonna prove them wrong Dashie?” she asked me quietly. “Right?”
“Right on!” I replied even though I wasn’t so sure myself.
“Best. Confidence. EVER!” shrieked Pinkie Pie, her hair beginning to frizz up into its natural bouncy state.
Rarity had lost all means of self-control and was now sobbing, nearly as loud as Fluttershy!
I leant over and nuzzled her cheek.
“Hey, hey” I said in the calmest voice I could possibly muster.
“It’s gonna be fine! I bet ya’ I’m up and flying in a week or two you know!”
Rarity sniffed and tried as best she could to pull herself back together.
“It’s not that darling…” she told me. “It’s how I’m going to have to tell Sweetie Belle to look after her little friend! But Sweetie Belle isn’t very supportive and could end up making things worse!”
Rarity was almost in tears again but I was on the verge of laughter, Rarity had a knack for worrying about things that really didn’t matter one little bit.
“I'm sure Apple Bloom will be fine!” I assured Rarity. “She has Applejack’s blood! She’s a strong little filly I bet! Anyway, why would she care about me?”
A chorus of groans swept around the room and an eruption of unintelligible whispering began. I felt disjointed again and had to fight the urge to crawl under the bed sheets.
“What in the world of Celestia and Luna did I say?” I eventually blurted feeling rather panicked.
I was vaguely aware of someone’s presence right up close. I turned and was surprised to see Applejack next to me, now on the verge of tears herself.
She lowered her head and muttered: “Ya see…erm Rainbow…”
“Go on!” I urged feeling the rising sense of panic take over my voice.
“I don’t think… I don’t think Rarity was talking about Apple Bloom…”
It hit me right then and there. The young filly whom I had saved from a river, whom I had taken under my wing, whom I had promised to always teach and always mentor every step of her journey until the day she flew. The young filly… who idolized me!
The young filly who was going to have to try to fly solo and be alone…again.
“Scootaloo!” I wailed.
I began to sob hysterically… again…
Prolouge Add On (Lead into the first Chapter)
Prologue Follow up- Present Day
“WHAT?”
“I’m sorry miss Rainbow Dash, but the muscle damage to your wings is far, far too severe to have you darting about in the sky like that messing about with clouds”
I can’t believe this I simply CANNOT believe this.
“S-so you’re telling me that I can’t even do my job anymore?”
“I’m afraid so miss Rainbow Dash, I’m really sorry bu-“
“Yeah and what is being sorry possibly going to do to help me right now?”
“Look I didn’t want to tell you this; I didn’t want it to turn out like this but there is absolutely nothing I can do right now.”
I slumped onto the floor, the doctor’s office spinning in circles. I could feel my eyes welling up with tears almost as soon as they began to drip onto the rug.
I couldn’t even control the darn weather anymore.
I was the soul definition of useless.
But there was absolutely nothing I could do to fix my situation.
That was the worst thing, I was utterly stuck.
My doctor bent down and looked at me, his eyes soft with sympathy.
“Is there anything I can do?” he asked gently.
“Let me tell my friends.” I answered gravely.
“They already know” the doctor replied with a sigh. I told them last night, they have known all this time Rainbow.
I replayed the events of the previous night in my head. My friends insisting that they stay the night with me in my dingy hospital room. The soft snuffling sounds I heard in the middle of the night that can now be put down to Rarity’s sobbing. Pinkie Pie’s extra-large “You’re awesome!” cake she made for me this morning. The nuzzle from Applejack, the pat on the back form Spike it all makes sense! Perfect sense!
Instead of numbness I feel anger. Real, raw anger.
“Why the hay didn’t they tell me!” I roar.
“Obviously wanted not to upset you my dear” replied my doctor wearily.
I shake my head angrily. “They couldn’t be bothered dealing with me that’s it!” but I know that can’t be true. If they truly didn’t care then they wouldn’t have slept in my room last night, or cried, or made a cake. They would have told me right there and then on the spot, if they didn’t care.
“Can I go home now?” I sigh almost as wearily as my doctor.
“Of course” he replies probably more than glad to see the back of me.
I nod my head in ways of saying goodbye and charge out the door, colliding almost instantly with a gaggle of ponies.
“Watch were the hay you’re goin’ “ snaps Applejack angrily.
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!
“You were waiting behind the door!” I cry unable to hide my surprise.
“Yes… we were…” replies Twilight, a hurt expression stitched onto her face.
“That means you heard everything… right?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
Fluttershy nods bitterly, confirming my suspicions.
“I’m not angry you guys… just upset, and you can’t blame me really!” Twilight nods as if to tell me to stop, she understands, they all understand, but I carry on anyway.
“I lost everything I love in the space of about two weeks guys! Not only can I not even fly anymore but I can’t perform with the Wonderbolts, or teach Scootaloo properly, or even do my job. The Wonderbolts will end up completely forgetting about me, Scoots will hate me and now the weathers going get all messed up too!
I pause, partly for affect but mostly to take in the faces of my friends. They have all softened, all except Applejack.
I continue.
“I don’t wanna lose you guys too! You mean the absolute world to me and I can’t even imagine to think what I would even begin to do without you! So please just give me a cha-“I'm cut off by Pinkie Pie, who throws her forehooves around my neck and lets a tear drop down her cheek.
I notice her hair is straight again.
“Gee thanks Pinkie Pie!” I say with a smile, prying her off gently.
I'm not a huger.
“No problem!” she replies with a giggle, curls starting to appear in her hair.
“On that note!” I say as happily as I possibly can let’s all go home and never come back here EVER!”
“What about check-ups?” Rarity asks, a smirk crawling across her face.
“To HAY with check-ups! ” I reply loudly before darting off down the corridor.
“Hey, Dashie!” Twilight calls from down the hallway. “Wait!”
“What?” I ask hardly listening to her.
“What did you actually do to yourself?”
I freeze and slowly spin around, not sure how best to approach the topic.
“You want the honest answer?” I ask her finally?
“No!” Fluttershy wails. “I don’t want to hear any tales of blood and gore! They make me sick!”
“Don’t worry Fluttershy!” I say gently nudging her cheek. “Because the honest answer is… I don’t know…”
“You WHAT?” squeals Twilight in obvious disgust at the impossible nature of this answer.
“I don’t!” I snap hastily. “I was flying over Ponyville seeing if I had missed any rainclouds when… everything… just went black… When I got my sight back I was on the floor with my wings bent outta shape, you know…like ya do?”
“Twilight looked at me and sighed. You’re an oddball Rainbow Dash she muttered before running to catch up with me followed by the rest of the group, Applejack still looking sour.
“I know!” I told her but ya know Twi, I'm kinda glad I can’t remember! Anyway I need to get home I've gotta LOT of stuff to sor-“ and that if where I stopped and screamed.
“Oh for Celestia’s sake WHAT?” she groaned.
“How in all hay am I gonna get back to Cloudsdale?”
“ SAY, WHAT?”
“It was all me, all my fault!”
“It can’t have been”
“But it WAS! I KNOW IT WAS!”
“HOW DARE YOU KEEP THIS A SECRET?”
“I DIDN'T WANT RAINBOW TO BE MAD?”
“OF COURSE SHE IS GOING TO BE MAD!.... THIS IS DESPICABLE!”
“But-I-I j-just.”
“Look I just want you out of my house…”
“But I just…”
OUT NOW! I AM SO ANGRY WITH YOU! OUT OF MY HOUSE THIS MINUTE!”
