The Day Everything Changed
Dark clouds. Dark clouds rolled through with sinister attention, a threatening roar penetrating through the gray tinted skies that was now casting dangerously over Ponyville. The Weather Team had made a slight miscalculation the day before. The pegasi were only meant to create a small storm able to keep the crops of the town well nourished, but instead creating what looked to be like severe tornado weather. Intense bright blurs of lighting were now beginning to shoot rapidly out of the sky, tearing its way through the menacing clouds, followed by what sounded to be a great battle cry of a lion.
Twilight was sitting snug inside of the Library, her purple unicorn magic turning pages as she analyzed each word of the book she had within her grasp slowly.
BOOM
The books slightly rattled along the shelves at the sound of bursting roars, Twilight's fur standing up along her neck and spine at the startling noise. She quickly arose from where she sitting comfortably, trotting across the room to get a glimpse at the storm, which looked as if it had already gotten worse within the past few minutes. Her eyes trailed along the sky, spotting a cyan pegasus drifting at a swift paste through the atmosphere, close enough to unluckily be stroke by a beam of lighting. The pegasus flawlessly locked her wings into her sides, suddenly arching downwards toward the earth at a furious amount of speed. When the rainbow maned pegasus was dangerously close enough to the ground at break neck speed, her wings flared out gracefully, instantly slowing down her paste. Her hindhooves connecting first with the ground, then her forehooves, bringing her to a full fledge skidding motion across the ground at the front door of the Library.
Twilight stepped out of the door, meeting face-to-face with the cyan pegasus who was no other known than the 'Best Flier in Equestria'. Rainbow Dash. Who carried a casual expression, obviously not worried about getting struck by the horrid storm that stood above her, and the rest of the entire town.
"Rainbow Dash, what in the right mind are you doing flying around in a lightning storm? You do know you can get struck..Y'know..by lighting?" Twilight raised a brow, a hint of sarcasm manipulating her last words.
Instead of responding, Rainbow simply trotted past Twilight through the doorway at a hurried paste, leaving an unanswered and confused purple unicorn standing in the doorway.
"Okaaay, maybe not.." Twilight said to herself in a confused manner, who was then greeted by another booming roar that deafened her ears. Her pupils shrunk to pinpoints at the instant noise, her fur chillingly arising as she rushed back inside.
Rainbow was trudging back and forth in the center of the Library, she looked as if she was lost in flurry of rushed thoughts and emotions. Twilight quickly came to the conclusion that something was wrong. She looked fine when she got here, why is she just starting to freak out?
"Uh.. Rainbow?" Twilight asked, her voice carried concern with a mixture of confusion. Rainbow was still trudging back and forth. A dim ray of light was shining through the window, bringing the rest of the Library into a dramatic shadow.
"Rainbow Dash?" Twilight lowered her head, trying to get a glimpse of the pegasus eyes, her rainbow coloured mane flowing over her forehead enough to cause a shadow to drape over them. Rainbow's gaze snapped up at the sudden voice of Twilight, breaking her train of thought. Her eyes filled with stress, but still keeping her strong willed composure in check.
"As chief of the Weather Team, I was suppose to make sure that the other pegasi did their job right, and arranged a simple storm cloud to produce enough rain for the crops." Rainbow paused, shifting her gaze toward the window. The storm increasing, roaring sounds that could make even Discord's skin crawl.
Rainbow shoved past the unicorn, forcing the window open with her forehooves, swirls of heaving wind spewing through the frame. The purple mare approached the window, the wind bristling through both of their manes in a violent fashion.
"Does that look like a simple storm cloud to you?" The pegasus scoffed in anger, gesturing to the blazing storm. Trees looked as if they could bend into a complete 90 degree angle. She shook her head to herself in utter disappointment, pressing her forehooves against her face stressfully.
This was very odd for the pegasus, she was nowhere near a slacker when it came to her job. On certain occasions she had gotten sick and wasn't able to make the day, but by the next morning she had made herself out to be in complete tip-top shape. She did her job right, and would very often point out mistakes that the other pegasi made right on the spot. She was the Weather Chief for a reason, but that was now about to go to waste.
"Twilight, I'm gonna loose my position because of this. I'll be lucky if I can even keep my job." She spoke in low muffles, her forehooves still pressed against her face. The unicorn simply stared at the cyan pegasus in strong sympathy and concern. She could practically smell the paranoia on the rainbow maned pegasus. A job like this was to be handled carefully, any slight miscalculation could put Ponyville in jeopardy of being destroyed by a tornado. Why wouldn't Rainbow take extreme precautions to make sure this went right?
"What possibly lead you to not properly taking care of your weatherly duties, Rainbow?" Twilight retorted in a questionable tone that made the inside of the cyan mare's chest sting with even more disappointment.
'Not properly taking care of your weatherly duties.'
Nice going Rainbow Dash. Twilight's words rang like a church bell in her mind. Like the pressure of possibly loosing her job wasn't enough. The pegasus ears twitched at her comment, thinking up a way of answering without becoming in raged. Her anger suddenly being cut off by Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie bursting through the front door of the Library, both Rainbow and Twilight's neck nearly snapping, Rarity practically skidding to a halt. "Girls? What's wrong?" Twilight was nearly frighten by the looks on their faces, expressions ranging from worry to absolute terror. The wind gushed violently throughout the Library, knocking books from the shelves.
"Darling, no time. It's extremely urgent and we need to get going, now." With that, Rarity whipped around with no time to spare, galloping past Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, both instinctively following behind. Without further do questions, the purple unicorn followed the three mares, Rarity leading the way. The cyan pegasus readjusted her wings to work smoothly, making it manageable to fly against the murderous winds. She glided as close to her friends as possible, avoiding her best not to get struck by any beams of hot electricity as possible. Gazing down at her friends, she mentally took note that Applejack was missing from the bunch, jumping to conclusion that Rarity was leading them to Sweet Apple Acres. Her heart quickly sunk, her mind mentally recreating drastic events and images of death scenarios that could have possibly happened to the Apple Family.
BOOM
Knocking her completely out of thought, a hideous bolt of lighting struck the ground around 20 feet away, causing a terrifying noise sounding as if a bomb had just hit a near by city. The five Elements jumped at the sudden roar, Fluttershy looking as if she'd faint from being startled so badly. Most of the ponies houses looked as if they had been boarded up, other citizens were fighting just to reach any type of shelter to avoid being hit with an inanimate object or a tree branch.
The five Elements finally arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, the cyan pegasus' chest deflating out of utter fear at what she was witnessing. A tree had not only caught of fire from being struck by lighting, but had also fell on the Sweet Apple Acre house. The tree had plunged into the roof of the house, leaving a vivid gaping hole. A bright flare was clawing along the top of the roof from what Rainbow could see. Fire.
Applejack, Big Macintosh, Applebloom, and Granny Smith were trapped inside, Applebloom passed out from inhaling too much of the toxic smoke of the flames. Big Macintosh held Applebloom in his muscular forehooves, tears silently wanting to run over at the sight of his little sister. Applejack was softly shaking Applebloom in a desperate fashion, her fur tear stained and her eyes bloodshot. Applejack tried her very best not loose her composure and panic. Panicking was the last thing she wanted to do, it helped nothing. Her mind spead up faster and faster and Applebloom's chest slowly had arose and sunken in painfully. Tears ran rapidly from Applejack's eyes, but her heart stayed strong, believing her lite sister could make it through.
"C'mon Applebloom, yer a strong filly. Stay with us, you can get through this." Applejack spoke in comforting whispers, her voice cracking as she continued to speak. "Stay with us, Applebloom." Big Macintosh had just sat in silence, gazing over his little sister's slowly breathing body in his forearms, tears now flowing over. Granny Smith was busy looking for a way out, crazy like she is.
Rainbow shot up directly into the menacing face of the storm, white hot beams of electricity shooting out of the disturbing dark clouds in all sorts of directions. Her chances of being struck down to her death had become increasingly larg, and she was not about to deeply think into what being struck by lighting feels like. Being a Weather Chief an all, she had take extra precautions on safety when dealing with rain clouds that held electricity. Every now and then, the cyan pegasus would feel a small staticy glimpse of what it felt like, but never actually experienced being shocked directly by a bolt. She mentally prayed to Celestia once she got high enough into the air, gazing down at the burning house of the Apple Family. She immedianlty locked her wings in, as she did before when she arrived at the library, gracefully gaining break neck speed, followed by a long trail of a fading rainbow. She crashed through an unburned spot in the roof of the Apple home, tumbling into the kitchen table and sliding across the floor. She quickly ignored the pain of the head on collision with the roof, stumbling to her feet. Her vision had been over taken by a dark fog, causing her to cough excessively. Her eyes were irritated and burning, but she forced herself to push through it. She covered her muzzle with her forearm, beginning to paste slowly through the thick fog. She then hesitated once she heard soft sobs coming from the voice of Applejack, pleading in a dreadful voice. She couldn't make out what she was saying over the cackling flames, but it was enough to lead her to the location they were in. She quickened her paste, only to come face-to-face with a wall.
Buck it.
Rainbow took a few steps back, hurling herself at the wall, luckily strong enough to break though it. She arose clumsily to see a startled crying pear of blood shot emerald eyes locked on her, Rainbow's heart nearly stopping at the heart wrenching scene of Applebloom's slow breathing, and Big Macintosh's broken expression. Granny Smith was nowhere to be found.
"Rainbow Dash!" Desperately shouted a now greatful female voice, Rainbow couldn't bring herself to look at Applejack, or the others. This was her fault.
"This way." Was all Rainbow manage to order, Big Mac repositioning his unconscious little sister atop his back, Applejack followed trying her best to avoid breathing in any toxic fumes of the fire.
Big Mac managed crouched through the small gaping hole in the wall Rainbow managed to break. The smoke felt as if it were temporarily blinding him. He galloped through the smoke, able to see a cloudy view of the table Rainbow tumbled into, along with the hole in the ceiling. He galloped passed the broken table, finding the way to the back door witch had not yet been touched by any flames. Thank Calestia.
Big Mac smashed head first into the door, his adrenaline kicking in. The door was completely broken off the frame. He quickly galloped a good way from the house, laying his little sister against the soft grass, Applejack approaching right beside him. The other five spotted the red stallion and the orange mare from far off, instantly recognizing the two ponies. The five instantly bolted toward the direction of the farm ponies.
The Elements approached the three farmers, Fluttershy looking away from the little filly. Rarity's eyes beginning to water, along with Pinkie Pie. Twilight was the first to react, taking note that Applebloom was obviously unconscious from the poisonous fumes. Luckily, she had a spell for that.
Rainbow searched the room, Granny Smith was not in sight. She began coughing again, the fumes were starting to get to her. She fought with all her might to keep herself conscious, hoping she could find the old mare before she too, would be poisoned.
"Bah! No fire's g'nna take me down with'outta fight!"
Rainbow's heart was relieved as she heard the crazy old mare, turning in the direction of the shout. She then got a slight glimpse through the smoke of Granny Smith swatting a frying pan at the flames. Rainbow mentally rolled her eyes and headed toward the old mare.
"Granny Smith!" Rainbow called out, the old mare whipping around to look at her. Without any questions, the old mare jumped at Rainbow, Rainbow catching Granny in her forehooves by instinct.
"Well don't just stan'ther! Fly me out'o here ya darn useless pegasus!" Granny shouted, smacking rainbow across the cheek with a hoof. Rainbow angrily opened her mouth to argue, but instead simply nodded in agreement.
CRACK
A large piece of the tree collapsed, doubling the flames. Rainbow's head snapped back, only to see a blinding serg of fire spew at her and Granny. Rainbow quickly turned her back toward the flames, to protect the old mare from being burned.
"GAH!"
The entire side of Rainbow's body and back had been completely burned, her body screaming in physical agony. Her lower back arching in a sudden reflex, her teeth grinding in an attempt to keep herself from yelling any more. She had to keep going, or else, they would both die in a fiery death. Granny just watched the poor pegasus suffer in awe as she pushed herself forward to keep going. "Hnng..nnnph.."
Applebloom's body had been covered in a purple glow, her breathing was beginning to speed up from a once dangerously slow, and unhealthy breathing. Twilight knelt over the young filly, placing her glowing horn against the poor filly's chest. Applejack hadn't lost hope, she dried her eyes and cleared her throat in an attempt to speak clearly. "Twi, please hurry." She nearly whimpered in a hoarse voice. The purple unicorn's eyes were shut, focussing on the spell that would clear Applebloom's body of any unhealthy fumes. This spell took alot of focus, meaning there could be nearly no distractions in order for the spell to properly work. Luckily she had read a book on this spell a few weeks ago, thinking it would come in handy for a critical situation in helping somepony, or for just plain old safety references. The spell is able to clear the body of certain sicknesses, or poisons. Twilight could physically feel herself draining, but blocked out any thoughts of possibly failing. She had to keep trying.
Applebloom's eyes lazily opened to six ponies crowding around her, Applejack praying to Celestia, Big Mac sitting in silence, tears beginning to fall from his eyes again, Fluttershy buried in Rarity's neck and Rarity comforting her from the scene, and a straight haired Pinkie Pie staring at her hooves quietly, and a glowing horn against her chest causing her insides to tingle.
"Mmph..Why am ah glown'?" Her sweet little accent caused the six ponies to snap out of whatever they were doing, and stare at her with surprised expressions. Twilight's arising to a victorious cheer, "Success!" Applebloom just awkwardly looked at the ponies before they all suffocated her in a sheer happiness, except for Twilight, who was still in a her victory state. "Applebloom!" Applejack managed to get out before breaking into a full fledged sob, her little sister oblivious to what had just happened. "Oh darling, thank the heavens you're alright!" Cheered Rarity. The storm was lashing out with threatening rattling battle cries, lighting still streaking and tearing through the clouds. The wind bristling wildly through their manes. Their happiness had been cut off by crackling sound of Rainbow bursting through the roof of the house, followed by an explosive flame. A vibrant rainbow streaking upwards toward the storm again, then down toward the direction of the six remaining ponies as they watched in awe and shock.
Rainbow's mind was horribly dazed and clogged with the toxic fumes, unable to think straight from lack of clean oxygen. She felt Granny Smith's forearms wrapped around her neck tightly, holding on for dear life. She was very weak, and her body was still in undeniable agony from the burns. Her mind began to slowly slip away, she shook her head violently, but knew it wouldn't help. 'Come on Rainbow Dash, snap otta've it.' She mentally kicked herself. Her wings suddenly stopped working properly, losing balance in flight, this only scared Granny Smith half to death. She was practically plummeting to the earth in a spiraling fashion, losing her hold on Granny Smith. The remaining ponies watched in terror as they witnessed the cyan pegasus hurdling toward the earth, Granny Smith was still grasping around Rainbow's neck, a trail of singed feathers swirled around in the wind behind faint trail of rainbow.
"Oh..oh my.." Fluttershy choked out, her facial expression had terror written all over. Pinkie Pie planted her face against Fluttershy's neck, Fluttershy shutting her own eyes as well, tears swelling up. Her oldest friend was about to die right infront of her. Twilight didn't know how to react, "This can't be happening.." She spoke quietly as she watched the Element of Loyalty, the one who had saved so many people in the past, just fall to her death. And there was nothing she could say or do to change that. Rarity covered her face In her own hooves, breaking town silently. She just couldn't bare to see such a thing. Applebloom quivering at the sight, a filly her age shouldn't even be seeing something like this. Big Mac lowered his gaze, slowly closing his eyes. Applejack's pupils contracted in horror as she watch not only her grandmother fall from the sky, but her bestfriend as well. She nearly lost her little sister, and now she was about to witness the death of two loved ones. Her grandmother had been the closest thing as a motherly figure to her and Big Mac, and Rainbow had been her bestfriend for as long as she can remember.. Rainbow was the one that had gone out of her way to be there for her when she needed comfort. Rainbow was the one who always stuck around when things somehow got bad. 'I never leave my friends hangin'.' Her words echoed eternally through her head as she continued to helplessly watch the horrifying experience.. She'd turn to that pegasus for anything, there was no doubt about it. And she would give her life for that idiot. Rainbow was everything to her, she just couldn't loose her this way. This couldn't be the end. She needed that pegasus more then anyone needed her. Her blood shot emerald eyes beginning to burn with tears, she had never felt so helpless in her entire life, until now. She couldn't even speak.
The faded trail of a rainbow streaked over their heads as if a falling star would out of a night sky. Burt feathers filling the air. With Rainbow's last bit of consciousness, she shifted in the air, clamping her eyes shut. This was going to hurt.
Boom
Rainbow connected with the earth, skidding across the ground at break neck speed, her burns making contact with the ground. She plummeted through anything that blocked her catastrophic path. She felt herself began to tumble viscously, her body went limb like a rag doll. Chaotic cracking sounds of trees being demolished were the only thing that could be heard in the distance from where the ponies were standing. It was almost unbearable for them to just sit there and listen to. Applebloom covered her ears, tears running down the filly's cheeks. Applejack slid her forearms around her little sister in comfort, burying her face in the the little filly's soft red mane. Then suddenly, it just.. Stopped.
Six ponies searched for hours, the storm pouring down on them. The rain was icy cold against their pelts, and wasn't helping at all. Twilight decided to separate the group, seeing as how larg Sweet Apple Acres actually was. Applejack's once beautiful golden mane was now dark, and flattened over her eyes, muzzle and neck, soaking wet. Her stetson was long gone, the wind had stolen it long ago, but that was one of the last things on her list she could possibly care less about. She needed to find her grandmother and Rainbow, no matter how long it took. Her hooves dragged across the soft wet grassy surface, making there way across a field of nothing but miles and miles of apple trees with each step. She was exhausted. Physically and emotionally. The farm pony's emerald eyes were full of fatigue from walking for so many hours.
Swish
Swoosh
Swish
Swoosh
It was becoming a slow rhythm, repaying itself over and over in her mind as she took each step, along with what had just happened hours ago. She looked up into dull gray skies, the cool icy feeling of the rain sliding down her face and mane. That confounded pegasus was sucking every last inch of life out of her.
Every last inch.
Including her.. Heart.
There was no point in denying it anymore, she would not only be lying to herself, but to Rainbow as well. She was the Element of Honesty, meaning she couldn't lie about her feelings. She always figured it was nothing but infatuation. Nothing but a simple.. Crush. Despite that she would invariably suppress these new-come feelings every time that crude pegasus came around, they still existed. She needed to convince herself that she felt strictly nothing but friendship with Rainbow, otherwise things could take drastic turns. Applejack's family wasn't exactly the 'approving' type of filly-foolers. She was raised to like stallions, and stallions only. Applejack was nowhere near a filly-fooler, In fact, she did like stallions. A lot. She didn't like mares, it was just.. Rainbow. There was just, something about that pegasus.. Something that got to her. Regardless if she was a mare. Applejack just couldn't help it. The more she attempted to drive her feelings away for Rainbow, the further they would deepen. The feeling of helplessness crept back into her chest, but.. In a good way.
"Ah can't believe it.. Ah'm.. in love with that callow arrogant pride-loving idiot of a pegasus." She mentally confessed willfully to herself, for first time. "Oh Nelly.. no no, Ah.. That's not.. Ah can't.."
Jolting her away from her deep train of thought, a path of collapsed trees, along bits and pieces of large branches trailed along in the distance. It looked as if Dash had created a crater when she hit the ground, that trailed some way down the tree lines. Her heart skipped a beat, she was going to finally find them. She galloped as fast as she could down the trail, pushing herself as much as she could to go any faster.
After a good while, her lungs were beginning to burn, screaming for her to stop. She didn't. She wasn't going to. Once she had her mind set to something, there was no changing it.
Until she found them.
She instantly stopped, and just fell on her flank. "Rainbow.." She spoke just above a whisper.
Rainbow had her wings folded around her grandmother. She had some how broken Granny Smith's fall by shifting onto her back before coming in contact with the ground, protecting the old mare from any serious harm. Applejack shook away her astonishment, pulling herself to her forelegs and approaching the two ponies. Applejack analyzed the pegasus' body, her eyes falling to a sorrowful blank stare. Rainbow had been seriously burned trying to rescue them. Her cyan fur along the side of her torso and lower back was now singed black, the tips of her wings and rainbow coloured mane also paying a price. She nearly risked her life to save the old mare, she even went through agonizing pain, just to get her out of that blazing house that was once her fillyhood. The rain was causing the small pool of blood to slowly dissolve into the wet grass.
Applejack knew Granny Smith was gonna be fine just by looking at her. She was breathing fine, just unconscious from being scared nearly half to death. Rainbow saved her. She quickly knelt down beside Rainbow, gently placing a hoof against her cheek and turning her face toward her. She could visibly see Rainbow's chest barely rising and falling, she was still alive. But for how long?
"Rainbow.. Rainbow wake up." She softly whispered to the injured pegasus, brushing her hoof softly against the mare's cheek.
"Yer not gonna leave me. Yer gonna open yer eyes, and yer gonna look at me.. And everything's gonna be okay." Applejack calmly continued to whisper, her emerald eyes filled with hope.
"Ah'll stay here all night with ya if Ah have ta.. Ya understand me?" Her lip quivered lightly, her voice slowly beginning to crack as she gazed down at the broken pegasus.
"Rainbow.. Please. Open yer eyes, look at me." She began pleading, her voice barely audible. She leaned down, nuzzling the mare's bruised muzzle tenderly. Her nose was trickling blood, she must have broken it sometime during the crash. Her lightly singed mane was a tangled mess, and so was her fur. Applejack hated seeing her friend in such a horrid state.
"Y'know, ya've always been a stubborn one." Applejack began, stifling her tears as she continued to nuzzle the pegasus.
"Sometimes, Ah hate it." She admitted aloud, as if she were exchanging a conversation with Rainbow.
"Ya think ya have ta put yer life on the line fer everyone. Ah..Ah know that sounds selfish, but.. Ya tearin' yerself apart. Ya've always been like this. Ya saved our lives taday Rainbow, and Ah should be thankin' ya with ma life, but.. What about you? Look at yerself, Sugarcube.. Ah just.. Ah can't.. Ah need ya, Rainbow Dash. And ya don't understand that because ya too hard headed. Ah hate it." Streams of cold raindrops ran down the sides of Applejacks cheeks and down her mane, her body already adjusted to the cold chill.
"Ya don't know what ya mean ta me Rainbow.. If ya leave me, Ah'll never forgive ya Sugarcube." Applejack struggled to keep her emotions in check, Her eyes sliding closed.
She sighed against the mare's muzzle, gently speaking just above a whisper, "What am Ah gonna do with you?"
Soothing sounds of the rain batted through the leaves of the apple trees and upon the soft green grass, creating a pitter-patter like song.
"Applejack?" The farmer's eyes opened almost immediately, hearing her name being called somewhere along the distance.
"Rarity, over here! I found her, I found her, I found her!" Sang the high pitched voice of Pinkie Pie.
Applejack could see the pink pony bouncing in excitement, "Um.. Where exactly did you 'find' her, dear? Ugh, I think I just stepped in another mud pu-" a now approaching Rarity, who was oblivious of the giant crater-like trail, she looked absolutely drained, and was more worried that she now had mud on her hooves.
Of course.
"Over there, silly!" Pinkie Pie cut Rarity off, clamping her hooves against Rarity's cheeks dramatically, turning her head toward the direction of Applejack.
"Oh dear Celestia, Rainbow Dash!" Rarity instantly snapped out of her whiny exhausted state, she could clearly see Rainbow was in critical condition, and had to be taken to a near by hospital..immediately.
-
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
The room was vibrantly lit up by the suns golden rays, wanting to soak up every inch of darkness that were held within the far corners of the room. Judging by the view from the large framed window, the sky had seemingly cleared up, not a trace of a gray cloud was in sight. It was.. Strange. Dash's magenta eyes fluttered opened slowly, suddenly flinching at the bright golden rays of the sun. Her vision was temporarily blurry, adjusting itself to the room she had been resting in. Her head was throbbing, as if she had flew head first into an oak tree. Dash blinked a few times, before properly being able to see clearly, her gaze studying the walls and ceiling.
The pegasus relocated her gaze along her arms, which had been bandaged with gauze, along with her torso, stomach and wings, which were held down at her sides. A small IV pricking into her foreleg. Her mind instinctively replayed the recent events that had happened, her pupils shrinking to pinpoints now realizing where she was.
"The hospital? Nonononono.." She began sitting up, only to be taken off guard by a sharp pain in her ribs that traveled through her chest.
"G-gah!" She silently spat, clutching her chest as she fell back against the hospital bed.
The orange mare's ears twitched unconsciously, hearing the soft whimper of a certain tomcoltish voice. Her eyes slowly began to opened tiredly, only to see Rainbow, who was still hugging her chest in pain.
"Rainbow?" She yawned casually. "Wait'a minu-.. Rainbow!?" She shot up instantly from the chair she had dozed off in across the room, now realizing the injured pegasus had finally awaken. She quickly made her way to the side of the hospital bed, placing her forehooves along the edge, picking herself up on hindhooves to get a good glimpse at the now alert, Rainbow Dash.
"Rainbow Dash, y-yer awake!" The farmer's voice had become over joyed with a mixture of shock and happiness, containing herself as much as she could from hugging the mare, considering she was still in critical condition.
"Ya don't..hnng..say?" Rainbow gritted her teeth, small relief beginning to over come her body. Her muscles became relaxed, and she just looked up at the orange mare blankly.
"How are ya? Ah mean.. How do ya feel?" Applejack's voice had began to return to its normal soothing tone, her eyes scanning the pegasus. Her once smooth mane was messy and tangled, and a small white bandage covered the center of her broken nose, making the bruises beneath her eyes even more visible. Another but thicker bandage embracing her forehead contently.
"Do I look like I feel any good to you?" The brash mare snapped with apathy, letting her blank gaze break from the orange pony's green orbs.
The farmer was slightly taken aback, letting her expression drop to what looked like utter confusion. The cyan pegasus simply ignored her, letting her eyes slide closed once again.
"Hello, Rainbow Dash." The voice of a male suddenly filled the room, catching both Applejack and Rainbow's attention.
"Hey Doc." Rainbow greeted casually, opening her eyes and watching the stallion stroll over to her side.
"Back in my hospital again, I see?" Dr. Stable smiled, a clipboard hovering in front of him. "It's nice to finally see you awake, which I was not expecting."
"Eh heh heh.. Yeah." She began, before wincing alittle. "How long was I out for?" The pegasus asked, her face carrying a questionable expression.
"Three days." He paused. "Your friends got you here just in time. You were in even more terrible shape when you arrived." He glanced at Applejack, returning his eyes on his patient, who's mouth was now agape.
"Th-three days?" She blurted out. "I was out for three days?" She began sitting up again out of shock, only to be greeted with a sharp pain returning to her ribs again instantly, "Hnng.."
Applejack quickly placed her hooves upon the injured pegasus' shoulder, gently pushing her back down against the hospital bed, "Rainbow please, yer in no shape ta be gettin' all riled up like that, ya can't afford ta hurt yerself anymore." She stated, her anger wanting to rise at Dash's sudden behavior.
The orange mare nodded at the stallion for his que to continue, Stable clearing is throat before speaking.
"Ahem..as I was saying before, you were brought here just in time. Any later and you would have most likely died of blood loss from multiple blows you received during the incident, Miss Dash. Unfortunately, you have four fractured ribs that will need around six weeks to heal. I suggest you start to rethink your actions, do you understand me?" His voice was assertive and stern, referring to the past 20 seconds ago. Rainbow just laid there, silently nodding in approval. He was slightly taken aback by this, seeing as though she would usually be the first one to argue with him when it came to 'patients', but continued anyways.
"Your fall has cost you a minor concussion, which is the reason why you were here for three days. You were in a coma, and you were suppose to stay in a coma for about a week, but luckily you're.. Awake." He paused, even surprised by this himself. He continued. "Your wings didn't catch too much damage, they'll heal fine within a few days. Pegasus wings contain a strong cartilage that is very hard to break, lucky for you. However, I would prefer you staying off of them for around a week once you're out of here, understood?"
He raised his brow as a gesture for wanting a response, Rainbow opening her mouth to protest, which was then cut off by the disapproving glare of Applejack. The brash pegasus simply sunk into her hospital bed, dragging her words into a frustrated sigh, "Fiiiiiiine."
"Good. And now, as for your burns.." Rainbow nearly forgot about the burns. She quickly lifted the thin sheets, only to see even more thick bandages wrapped firmly around her legs and flank.
"Your Cutie Mark was untouched, no need to put any worry into that. If you're lucky enough, there won't be any additional scarring. Once the bandages are off, nurse Redheart will check for any signs of possible infection." He waited for a response, the pegasus simply nodding again, except this time, a bit more clumsily. Stable could see she needed her rest.
"You're a hero, Miss Rainbow Dash." He began. "And so are your friends. If it weren't for them, you would have died, like I explained before." The stallion ended his sentence bluntly. "Well.. I'll leave you two at piece. Nurse Redheart will be here to check on you soon." Stable smiled, making his was to the exit. Rainbow simply saluted in response.
The door clicked shut, and Rainbow once again sunk into her bed, avoiding the presence of the orange mare that stood beside her. Her magenta eyes gazing into space, as Applejack waited to be acknowledged. Minutes passed, the tension beginning to become awkward, until the farmer decided to break the unwanted silence.
"Are ya just gonna lay there and ignore me like Ah'm some kinda stranger? Or am I gonna have ta force yer attention out by knockin' ya square upside the head?" Applejack asked, alittle annoyed by how the pegasus had been acting, this wasn't like her.
Dash glanced at the the mare's forehooves, letting her eyelids slide closed drowsily. "I'm not ignoring you, AJ."
"Well it sure as hay seems like it. Ya don't have ta tell me whatevers botherin' ya if you really don't want to, and don't ya dare deny it cause Ah can clearly see somethins' wrong, but could ya atleast look at me when Ah talk ta you?" The orange pony questioned frustratingly.
The pegasus eyes opened slowly, her gaze traveling up to Applejack's confused and angry emerald orbs.
"I'm sorry AJ, I'm just tired.. Okay? I had a long day.. Well, three days ago. And I just.. I.. Don't exactly feel up to it, right.. Now. Y'know, talking, and stuff.." She trailed off, stammering over her sentences.
Dammnit.
"Horesapples." Applejack spat, she knew Dash would fight up some excuse.
"What? I said I'm tired. End of story." Rainbow scoffed defensively, pulling the the thin sheets over her head.
"Tired ma flank." The orange mare retorted, yanking the sheets back down, only to be pulled back up by the stubborn pegasus.
"Cut it out, Applejack! Leave me alone!" She squealed angrily, her chest heaving in the pain from her fractured ribs causing her to submit out of her own natural temper.
"Gah!" She choked out a soft stifled plead for relief, Applejack pulling back the sheets, a sympathetic expression casting over her face.
"Ah'm so sorry Sugarcube, Ah didn't mean to-" She was cut off by a hoof clamped to her mouth, signaling her to stop talking.
"It..Its okay, AJ. No need to apologize." Rainbow's voice returning to its natural spunk, a hint of pain lingering before continuing.
"Applejack.." She began, "I'm sorry, for everything." She looked up at Applejack, sincerely gazing into those emerald orbs.
"What on earth would ya possibly have ta be sorry for, Sugarcube?" The farmer had no idea where Rainbow was getting to, but she listened anyways.
"Just, everything. From me acting like a total donkey hide, to.. Well, your house catching on fire from that tree, and.. If I would've taken care of my job the right way, and made sure everything was good-to-go, none of this would've happened. It was my irresponsibleness that nearly put your family's life in jeopardy. Especially yours Applejack. I don't think, no, I couldn't live with that kind of guilt weighing over my shoulders, loosing my bestfriend over something because I didn't..I, uh..I.. Ugh, I hate this sappy stuff." She finished, throwing her arms up. This was getting annoying.
"Sugarcube, ya didn't force a lighting bolt ta strike a tree and fall on our home." She said in a soothing voice, smoothening down Rainbow's tangled mane.
"But I could've prevented that storm, AJ. You know that." Rainbow shot back almost instantly, the feeling of a hoof running through her multicolored mane, temporarily tranquilizing her into a relaxed state. "Eugh, I don't deserve that position." Her voice now growing drowsy at ease.
Her eyes grew heavier as Applejack continued to softly stroke her mane, comforting her the best way she could. "Rainbow, you deserve that position more than anypony else in Equestria. Mistakes happen, Sugarcube. Ya cope with yer mistakes, and ya learn from them. Do ya understand where Ah'm comein' from?"
"Yeah, I do." She began quietly, "Thanks AJ.. Im really glad you're here. It means.. a lot. And if I could, I'd totally hug you right now." The pegasus finished sincerely, giving her signature smile.
"Well Hun.." The orange pony then slid her forearms around Rainbow's aching torso, pressing her muzzle against the crook of the pegasus neck, taking in her scent and whispering audible enough for only the pegasus to hear. "Ya saved Granny Smith's life, along with mine. And if Ah honestly could, Ah'd give everything just ta switch places with ya right now."
The pegasus unraveled her arms around Applejack's neck, tenderly returning the hug, a light flush lingering across her now warm cheeks and broken nose, which was difficult to see through the bruises. The farmer continued nuzzling contently into Rainbow's neck. She loved the feeling of her soft fur.
"Do ya have any idea what ya put me through?"Her words were muffled softly, pulling away to get a glimpse of those magenta eyes. Her forearms still grasping daintily around the mare's chest.
"What do you mean?" The pegasus questioned hoarsely, her voice indicating that she was still exhausted.
"Ya don't have the slightest clue, hmm?" Applejack's expression quickly dropped from comforting to serious.
"I..uh, well..I-" Dash began stammering, Applejack cutting her off.
"Rainbow.. when Ah saw ya fallin' outta that sky with Granny Smith, Ah was scared ta death. Ah was scared that Ah would loose the two most precious things to me, and there was nothin' Ah could do ta stop it. Ah had ta sit there, and watch ya nearly plunge to yer death. Do ya know what that feels like, Rainbow? Do ya have any idea what it feels like ta just.. Helplessly sit there and witness somethin' ya care about so much ta just.." She paused, becoming frustrated, "Ah'm just.. Ah'm sorry Hun. Ya mean a lot ta me.. Ah wish ya get can get that through yer stubborn skull." She finished, before pulling herself against Dash in another gentle hug.
Applejack felt the room suddenly go silent for what seemed like hours. She felt Dash lumberingly tense up as she brought her to another loving embrace. And it wasn't because of the ribs this time. The orange mare slightly pulled back at the sudden reaction, only to see Rainbow's eyes slide shut.
"Don't do this again." She softly pleaded.
"Why?" Was all the cyan pegasus questioned, her eyes slowly opening to see the earth pony's considerate gaze.
"Cause Ah'm not gonna just sit here an-"
"No, I mean.. Why do you.. care about me so much?" The cyan pegasus questioned eagerly.
"Because Sugarcube, yer ma friend. Now give me one reason why Ah wouldn't care about you?" Applejack stated as frankly as she could. For the most part, that statement was true. But she was also inlove with the cyan mare, which of course the farmer ceased to admit.
"I was just curious." The cyan mare shifted alittle, concidering she had been laying in the same position since she woke up. She winced slightly as she attempted to reposition herself.
"I know you care about me, AJ." Rainbow smiled cheekily at the orange work pony.
"Ya should know, Hun." Applejack returned the smile, placing a hoof softly against Rainbow's throbbing torso.
"Mmmh. Yer in pain right now, aren't ya?" The orange mare questioned gingerly.
"Well..I..it, um.. Not, not really." The pegasus faltered nervously over Applejack's touch. A gentle brush shading over her bruised cheeks.
"It's okay, Sug'. Y'all can swallow some of that pride fer once n' tell me the truth." Applejack reassured to the mare, winking playfully.
"Ugh, I..I mean, If you wanna get technical, it only hurts when I uh, breath, and stuff.. Other then that.. Nah." Rainbow lied.
It hurts like trees.
Applejack eyed the pegasus skeptically, sliding her hoof down to the area right above her rib cage. The pegasus wincing by instinct, thinking that Applejack would apply pressure to test her.
"Yer lyin' ta me." The orange mare's expression dropped.
Ponyfeathers.
"Alright, ya caught me. So I'm in a tinsy bit of pain, I'm alive aren't I...?" Sneered the cyan pegasus as she trailed off.
"Yer right, you are alive." The orange mare paused, "And Ah couldn't be more thankful. It's just Ah hate seein' ya like this. Ah know ya'd rather be soarin' through them blue skies right now.'" The orange mare trailed off from Rainbow's eyes for the first time.
"Hey.. Hey, C'mon, AJ. Its not like this is my first trip to the hospital. I'm a strong pony, you out of everypony else in Equestria should know that by now." The pegasus nudged the work pony, attempting to cheer her up.
"Well, Ah can't disagree with that." Applejack smiled to herself, returning her gaze back to those magenta eyes yet again. That cheeky grin arising across her face that she adored ever so much.
"Heh, that's the spirit." Her grin began to drop to her exhausted expression, "So uh, how's Granny Smith? Ya haven't mentioned her since I woke up."
"She's doin' mighty well. She wanted ta make y'all an apple pie as a thank you fer savin' her life." Applejack smiled.
Rainbow chuckled halfheartedly at the thought of the crazy old mare, it was more than just a good-feeling that Granny Smith was totally un-harmed.
"And.. Your house?" She hesitantly asked, hoping she didn't just bring up something that would down the conversation. After all, that house was all Applejack knew as a filly.
"Well.." She began, "There was some obvious damage, but the flames were eventually put out by the rain, thank Celestia. Ah just hope we'll be able ta repair it." The work pony frowned a little at the thought, which Rainbow caught.
"I'm gonna help y-" Rainbow began to speak, which was quickly cut off by the disapproving voice of Applejack.
"And don't ya dare offer ta help, yer in serious condition and ya need ta recover. Y'all heard that doctor."
"But Applej-" The pegasus protested.
"No." Applejack responded flatly.
"I can-" Rainbow attempted to protest again.
"No." The orange mare responded bluntly again.
"If you just-" Rainbow was obviously become agitated by now.
"Ah said, no." Applejack lowered her brow sternly.
The pegasus crossed her forelegs angrily, "Fine." She frustratingly huffed, causing her to loose her breath to the claws of pain once again.
"Ouch.." She gritted her teeth, Applejack brushing her hoof softly above the pegasus rib cage again.
"Rainbow, Ah'm sorry but ya have four fractured ribs, a concussion, a broken nose, and yer wings are still recovering. Y'all are out of yer pony mind if ya think Ah'm gonna allow that. Ya can't even sit up without being in pain, Rainbow. Ah'm sure Doctor Stable, along with the others would be more than kind ta agree with me." Applejack finished, daintily continuing to stroke Dash's inflamed chest.
"But Applejack, where are you suppose to stay in the meantime? I can't just sit back and do nothing-" She eagerly questioned, only to be spoken over again.
"Y'all don't have a choice, and thats not fer you ta worry about, Sugarcube. Ah'm sure Big Mac and Ah could figure somethin' out. As of now, y'all need some rest. Y'all look as if yer worn out from a hard day's work." The farmer smiled, hoping this would calm her down.
"..Alright." Rainbow sighed, then relaxed herself into the hospital bed, willfully letting the drowsiness begin to take over her injured body. Her eyes lingered along the ceiling and walls for a short while, and Applejack just sat there, staring in a daze contently at the one she loved. Her heart inwardly skipped a beat just at the sight of her, she was just.. Beautiful. Regardless if she looked terrible, she completely struck Applejack's heart to the core. Her chest was immediately filled with pain of her own. She wanted to let Rainbow know how she felt, but at the same time, she didn't. It scared her that not only she was in love with a mare, but also with her bestfriend. She just wanted to abandon these stupid feelings, she didn't want them. She didn't want to be in love with Dash, although it felt so right. She was beginning to think more and more into this.. It wasn't helping. It definitely was distracting her from everything else she should have been worrying about, until she decided to just ignore it all together, leaving herself unanswered to so many questions.
"Applejack?" Rainbow asked suspiciously, seeing as though she noticed Applejack had been staring at her for the last few minutes.
"Huh-?" The farmer asked in a confused manner.
"Is there.. Uh, something you'd like to say by any chance?" Rainbow lifted a brow at the orange pony.
"Uh.." The farmer cleared her throat, knowing she couldn't lie. "Ah, um.. It can wait, Hun. It's nothing important. You go ahead and get yer rest now, Sug'." That could've gone better.
"Are you sure?" The pegasus had a hint of concern within her voice, which was.. New.
"Ah'm sure." Applejack reassuringly nuzzled into the pegasus cheek for a brief second, before pulling away.
"Heh, alrighty." Responded the cyan mare, returning the soft nuzzle.
Rainbow wasn't exactly the 'affectionate' type.. Atleast it didn't seem like it, until now. Which caused a hint trace of blush to lightly dust Applejack's cheeks. This was a side of the daredevil that anypony rarely saw, which only got to Applejack that much more. The one she secretly withheld feelings for was unusually returning all of her affections.
"Dashiiiiiiiiiie!"
Both Rainbow and Applejack's eyes darted toward the door only to find a pink pony bouncing into the room. Pinkie Pie shot up in mid air, as if she were about to rugby tackle Rainbow straight through her medical bed. Wait.. That's exactly was she was about to do.
"Awh nuts.." The cyan pegasus eyes shrunk to pinpoints at the dangerously approaching Pinkie Pie, clamping shut like a scared puppy as she waited for the impact to smash into her.
"PINKIE!" Came the agitated voice of Twilight, who pasted into the room seconds after the pink pony.
Pinkie Pie was suddenly illuminated by a purple glow that wavily outlined her tackle formation, her body freezing seconds before she deliberately clashed into the injured mare. Rainbow's eyes skittishly opened to a pink pony hovering above her that looked a if she wanted to explode into an outburst.
"You're awake! Twilight, she's awake! Oh my gosh Dashie! We were sooooo worried about you! You were sleeping foreverrr, Doctor Stable said you were in a coma but aren't comas suppose to last for like a few hours? But it doesn't matter because you're awake! And, an-"
"She's excited." Twilight interrupted flatly, before levitating the party mare beside Applejack.
"Yeah, uh huh." Rainbow briefly glared at the jittery pony next to Applejack before returning her eyes to Twilight, who was strolling up to the other side of the hospital bed.
The unicorn examined the terrible looking pegasus, noticing the awful bruises that smeared transversely along her bandaged muzzle and below her eyes as drew closer. Her multicolored mane was knotted, and she looked as if she hadn't slept in days.
"So, how are you feeling? Doctor Stable had informed each of us about your injuries, including your coma. Apparently you weren't suppose to be waking up until sometime next week." Twilight's voice was brimming with concern.
"Yeah, well. I'm just that awesome." Rainbow grinned haughtily, bringing her forearms behind her head in a proud manner.
Typical.
"Rainbow, I'm being serious." The unicorn sighed, peering candidly at Dash. "We've all been worried sick about you. The least you can do is be a little more perceptive."
"Alright Egghead, sheesh.. I'll be more.. Uh.. What's the word?" The pegasus tapped her forehead lightly.
"Perceptive." Twilight responded bluntly.
"Yeah, whatever that means." Dash simply shrugged it off, seeing as though she was already beginning to get under the unicorn's skin.
"Uh huh." Twilight rolled her eyes, before continuing. "Anyways, I-"
"What in Celestia's sake happened to your nose!?" Pinkie Pie blurted out, as she poked the small bandage along Dash's muzzle.
"It's broken." Dash covered her nose defensively, putting obvious emphasis on 'broken'.
"Ohhhhhh.. Does it hurt?" The pink pony questioned curiously, only upsetting the annoyed pegasus even more.
"No Pinkie, it feels like butterflies and rainbows!" The cyan mare scoffed, trying her best not to shout, otherwise she'd be in pain.
Pinkie Pie snorted, "Silly! That doesn't even make sense. Or.. Does it? If you can, I didn't even know that was possible! What's it like t-"
"Pinkie!" Exclaimed Twilight, she was becoming more and more impatient by the second, along with Rainbow, which was.. Obvious.
"What? I was just curious.." The party pony trailed off, becoming quiet.
"It's okay Pinkie.. Just, why don't you go, I don't know.. sit in that chair over there." The unicorn suggested, offering a forced smile.
"Okey dokey lokey!" The cheerful mare bounced happily across the room, jumping into the chair.
"Whew." Twilight huffed, returning her attention back to Dash.
"Anyways.." She began, "I just wanted to say, what you did was entirely brave of you Rainbow. Most ponies wouldn't of went within ten feet of a burning house to save somepony else from a terrible fate." The unicorn paused, giving a warm sincere smile. "You truly are the Element of Loyalty."
"Heh, c'mon Twilight. It wasn't anything special, just s-"
"It was special ta all of us.. Especially me." Applejack interjected, bringing Rainbow's attention to her.
The work pony smiled wholeheartedly at the pegasus. Dash's eyes instantly locked with Applejack's, causing a jolt of butterflies to shoot blissfully throughout her body. The orange pony stifled a blush, not wanting to give herself away so easily. On the other hand, Dash gingerly returned the smile, which made it that much more harder.
"Awwwwwh, tender moment!" Pinkie Pie squealed from across the room.
Rainbow instantly broke the gaze, returning to her usual, egotistical self.
"Tender moments are for saps. I for one, am not a sap. Everypony knows that." The pegasus sneered, bringing herself to a drowsy yawn. "Anyways, I think I'm gonna nap for awhile.."
Applejack mentally became annoyed at Rainbow's sudden vain reaction. She simply rolled her emerald eyes, ignoring it all together.
"Of course. Get all the rest you need, we'll be back to check on you tomorrow." Twilight smiled, as she began to walk to the door. Dash only waved as a response.
"Ooooh, ooh, Dashie, I'm deffinietly gonna bake you a super-duper-amazing cake! Whats your favorite flavor again? The last time you told me I think y-"
"Come on, Pinkie." The unicorn giggled at Pinkie's random outburst, awaiting for her at the door.
By this time, Dash was able to finally let herself rest peacefully without any sudden eruptions or things like that. Her facial features began relaxing themselves along with her muscles, signifying she attempting to drift to sleep. Twilight and Pinkie Pie had already lead themselves out of the door, leaving only Applejack and Rainbow alone in the room once again. The orange mare watched in silence as Dash's chest slowly arose and sunk in peacefully. With that, Applejack began trotting to the door, only to be stopped by a familiar tomcoltish voice, that was only slightly audible from where the farmer was standing.
"Later Applejack."
The farmer peered over her shoulder slowly, Dash's eyes were still closed as if she had already been asleep. Applejack's heart inwardly smiled at the pegasus, her chest was fluttering with butterflies. It was as if Rainbow had a hidden soft spot for her, that nopony else knew about, not even herself. She didn't know if she was reading to far into this or not, but it definitely was adorable.
"Sleep well, Sugarcube." Applejack responded lightly, before opening the door, letting it click shut behind her.
