Author's Note

Wow, why do people simply dislike for being an anthro rape recovery this when there are far worse stories out there to bash on? I only chose the anthro style because I wanted to, and then people run by bashing the decision? I write stories to show a narrative, people. Except for that one exception in Generous Lie's extra chapter.

Anyway, hello curveball. On a side node though, Lightning Dust's parents were made up because they did not exist in the show and I do not read the comics if they exist there. Either way I hope you enjoy the story.

Picking Up the Pieces

The Canterlot Palace hospital wing, a rather empty place because of the lack of wars. Lightning Dust was the first patient in years to come by, but for the first patient back her condition was alarming. A doctor stood by the bed reading her reactions, first by tapping her knee with a hammer and nodding slowly before writing down the results. Lighnting Dust’s parents sat nearby on two chairs as Rainbow Dash stood by the door in case she was needed, a saddened stare on her face.

“Will she be alright, doctor?” Her mother, Star Dust who asked, holding her husband’s hand. She was a pegasus of average height with a turquoise coat and a red mane and tail.

“I have no idea, at this rate the condition could remain with her for her whole life.” The doctor replied, shining a light into Lightning Dust’s eye and waving it back and forth which she followed lowly. “Her eyes are responsive so we can confirm she is not in a vegetative state, just she refuses to acknowledge the world around her.” He reassured them gently.

“So what happened to her? We need her to be okay to carry on the family legacy of athleticism.” Hammer Toss rested back on the chair while ignoring the silent glare Rainbow Dash was giving him. He was an earth pony with a very athletic and bulky build, grey coat and a contrasting blond mane and tail.

“Well you see, if I do remember correctly she was…” He trailed off as he read the incident report, reading it over and over again with his eyes widening each read through and cleared his throat. “Here.” He handed the report over to Star Dust who started reading it through with Hammer Toss reading over her shoulder.

Throwing the piece of paper away Lightning Dust’s mother stood up and ran with a hand held to her mouth for the lavatory while Hammer Toss simply sat there, his mane covering his eyes.

“N-No…” She mumbled while laying in the bed, earning the attention of all who are still in the room. Hearng that one word broke her out of of it. “Keep them away! Keep them away!” Lightning Dust kicked and screamed as the experiences played over in her head, every grizzly detail of her pain.

“Someone restrain her!” The doctor called out to the nurses while he tried holding her down so she can’t hurt anyone or herself. “Calm down, you’re safe here! Shh, relax.”

Lightning Dust began to calm down, hyperventilating as she observed the room before being met with her father’s familiar glare of disappointment. She grabbed the covers and hid under them like a filly, shivering in fear.

Hammer Toss’ eye twitched, trying his best to keep his composure after noticing her wings bandaged and broken as well as her little fright moment.

“Miss Dash, I think we should leave the parents in peace.”

Nodding in response the cyan pegasus opened the door, allowing the doctor to pass through before walking out herself after taking a last look at the cowering Lightning Dust then walking out, closing the door behind her.

Making sure that they were all out of earshot, Hammer Toss cracked his knuckles and pulled off the covers. “Raped by dragons?” He fumed, grabbing her by the mane and holding her face level to his as she struggled. “You allowed these filthy creatures to touch you?! Not only that you let them break your wings, a pegasus without wings is more worthless than infertile soil!” He shouted in her face, not too loud to not alert anypony else nearby before slapping her hard in the face causing her to struggle harder while crying. “Shut up!” He clamped her mouth with his large rough hand. “And stop crying!” He added after getting annoyed with her sobs for mercy. “I said shut up!” Hammer Toss let go of her mouth and clenched his fist, punching her in the gut, knocking out all the air she had.

Being a trophy child she was pushed to the limit daily, even without the overbearing monster around she tried her damned best at anything athletic in case he was watching her. Lightning Dust was always afraid of him, if she did not reach his standards all she would get for supper was a grass sandwich and a glass of water before being sent out to do wing pushups through the night until he said she was finished. Anything otherwise earned her a harsh beating with a belt. All this together, made her the arrogant and risk hungry daredevil she was.

“Worthless!” He dragged her off the bed and threw her on the cold floor with a thud, giving her back a hard kick. Lightning Dust yelped in pain, trying to not be too loud in fear his beatings would escalate even further. One last kick however caught her broken wings which let out a sickening crack as the already broken bones ground against each other under her skin, she curled up replacing what should be screams with wailing.

Having enough of her, Hammer Toss grabbed her hair again to throw her back on the bed. “YOU SON OF A BITCH!” A voice roared at him from the door, standing in the doorway was Rainbow Dash, nostrils flaring like a bull’s. Flaring her wings the pegasus charged, tackling the surprised Hammer Toss with all her might, he dropped Lightning Dust who crawled to a corner and huddled against it. “So it was your fault she became like this?!”

Her fist connected to his muzzle with a loud crunch, blood leaking out his nostrils. Her punches became faster until they were blue blurs which looked like they were simply touching his face, though his convulsing body was telling an entirely different story along with the repetitive sound of a beating being delivered before slowing down to catch her breath. “What kind of dad would attack his own daughter in her time of need?!” Balling her fists together she was about to bring it down on his already bruised and battered face before being held back by a golden aura around her wrists.

“Stop this at once.” A regal but gentle voice spoke, approaching from behind as the aura lifted Rainbow Dash. The aura felt warm and comforting, breaking it’s grip. Celestia, Princess of the Sun stood, not even blinking as her eyes focussed on the downed Hammer Throw then Rainbow Dash, who flinched at how quickly her concentration was shifted. “As much as I hate violence, it seemed like the only answer you could deliver.” Giving a nod in appreciation before returning her gaze to Hammer Throw. “As for you, the court will have a lot of fun deciding how long you should stay on Outlaw Island. Guards, get him out of my sight before he regains consciousness, and give the mother instructions to go home and leave her a fruit basket as an apology for the visit being cut short.”

“Yes, your highness.” Her two accomplices clad in royal guard armour walked in and sheathed their spears to lift the large earth pony, heaving him out the door which was shut with Celestia’s magic.

“Princess, I’m sorry I-“ A hand held up from the sovereign stopped her from speaking any further.

“No need, I understand completely.” Celestia smiled, striding past Rainbow Dash to the still cowering Lightning Dust and got on her knees. “Shh…” She cooed, opening her arms in welcome like a mother.

The turquoise coated pegasus shrunk back into the corner, frightened as a newborn.

“It’s okay, we won’t hurt you, I promise.”

Observing the still open arms warily, Lightning Dust slowly crawled forward before throwing herself in the welcoming embrace all the while stifling sobs, Celestia stroked her mane with a gentle hand. “I’m scared…” She blurted out.

“Do you want to go back on the bed?” She asked.

Lightning Dust nodded, the golden aura covered her entire body, levitating her onto the bed and tucking her in. “Thank you.” She weakly smiled, dozing off to a peaceful nap.

“I didn’t know you had that side to you, princess.” Rainbow Dash gawked, sitting by the bed.

“You pick up a few things after having a protege since she was a filly.” The sovereign chuckled, sitting next to the cyan pegasus, adjusting her golden tiara. “So, do you want to take care of her?”

“Wha-?!”

“You heard me right, do you?”

Unsure of what to say at the sudden question she slid back in her chair, avoiding eye contact. “Uh, I don’t know. She hates me…”

“She saw what you did for her, I’m sure you and her will get along fine.”

“Her wings are broken!” Rainbow Dash shouted out, covering her face. “I can’t help but feel responsible!”

“I don’t want to force you, if you do not wish to I won’t try to make you.”

A moment of silence passed between them, only being broken by the slow snoring of a slumbering Lightning Dust. “Well…” Scratching the back of her ear Rainbow Dash smiled and turned to Celestia. “‘I’ll do it, for her.”

“I’m glad you made that choice.” Celestia stood, seemingly floating towards the door with her feet hidden under her simple yet beautifully handmade dress. “Expect to see her at your doorstep in a week once she’s treated for her bruises, she'll be escorted so have no worry.”

“Wait!” She got up to catch up with Celestia.

Stopping in her tracks at the sudden request to hold still Celestia turned her head with the same calm smile. “Yes?”

“Uhm, if it’s ok with you, if she gets her wings fixed and all that jazz, I hope they do. Can she be reenlisted back into Wonderbolt Academy?”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Celestia nodded, closing the door behind her.

Sighing with relief Rainbow Dash sat back down. "Heh, you're kinda cute when you snooze like that."