A Dash of Serenity

Chapters

Chapter 1: Bolt
Chapter 2: Ponyville
Chapter 3: Healing

Chapter 1: Bolt

What's it like to be a unicorn? What is it like to control the world around you with a single thought? Or an earth pony. How do you manage life without any help from wings or magic? Or gods forbid an Alicorn? Stuck being one of the most powerful ponies in Equestria... But don't abuse your power, or Celesta might banish you to the moon!

On the warm grass lay a pegasus pony on his side his eyelids lightly closed as a gentle breeze blew over him. His dull golden pelt in the hot sun. His soft yellow and white striped mane and tail lay scattered in different directions on the grass. His long legs splayed out under him. His delicate wings tucked tightly against his side. His name is Bolt.

The real question is; what is it like to be a pegasus, who doesn't enjoy flight?

Bolt slowly started to open his eyes. In front of him was a cottage he called home. There was nothing special about it. It had five rooms in total, one of which was his bedroom. The cottage was made up of stone and mortar, with a thatch grass roof to match. The windows large and square had been opened to allow the soft wind in the cottage in an attempt to cool the inside of the home. To the left of the cottage was a small farm, that by the looks of it was garnering some success in the hot sun, as the green sprouts of the crop were now distinguishable from the dark dirt that surrounded it. To the right of the cottage was the small gravel path that meet with a dirt road that linked the cottage to the rest of the outside world. It was quiet here, no one to bother him. No one to mock him. No one to laugh at his misfortune. it was just him and the grass he lay on.

"Bolt!" A shrill voice cut through the beauty of silence like a hot knife in butter.

One more thing, just one more thing and I'm gone from here.

Bolt took a deep breath, forcing as much air into his lungs as he could before slowly letting it all out again. He pulled his legs into his body before rolling over and coming to an uneasy stand. He looked towards where the shout came from. Hanging out from a window was Bolts mother. She looked angry but Bolt couldn't be certain from here.

"Come here! Now!"

Shes angry.

Bolts mother then promptly disappeared back into the cottage. A sudden attack of pots falling and a string of cusses confirmed any doubt Bolt had about his mother being angry. Quickly he made his way towards the gravel path that lay in front of his home. With in a few seconds he was on the path trotting towards the front door. His mind racing through the possible scenarios of why his mother would be angry. Suddenly he felt his hoof slip on a loose stone. Clumsy he stopped him-self from falling, but not with out ending in an awkward position. one hoof in the air, while one wing outstretched to accustom for the sudden change in balance.

"No one saw that." He said aloud focusing his attention on a small yellow flower alongside the path.

"Not even you little flower."

He winked at the flower, before laughing at him-self. Imagine what everypony would think if they saw him talking to flowers. He laughed at the thought of the flower talking back at him. and for some reason the sun just felt like it shone a bit brighter. Bolt walked up to the door, then knocked, not knowing what to expect. To his knowledge he hadn't done anything wrong.

"Enter." Came a cold and unnerving voice from behind the door.

Softly Bolt pushed the door open with his muzzle.

"Sit."

Bolt obeyed the command and sat on a chair opposite his mother. She picked up a piece of folded paper from the table. Opened it up and showed it to Bolt.

"What is this?" Bolt wasn't sure if his mother was joking or not.

"Its a map?" He asked a flatly as he could. Trying his best not to show any fear.

"I know its a map, what I want to know is why you have it."

This is why she is upset with me? Because I have a map? Ok, thats it. I'm leaving. Bolt thought as his mother folded the map up again.

"Are you planing to run away from home?"

"No, why would I do that?" Bolt asked. He recently graduated from flight school and was technically a stallion. But his mother still treated him like he was a new born colt, unable to look after its self.

"I'm just making sure." Bolts mother looked him deep in the eyes. Trying to see if he was lieing or not. Bolt just stared back at her blankly. Then she slowly got up and went towards the kitchen. It wasn't a lie, he had no thoughts of running away. He had thoughts of moving out.

"I'm moving out mom." Bolt placed his hoofs over his mouth. Why did he just say that? He didn't mean to say it. Especially not in front of his mother. Bolts mother was frozen to the spot. Trying to think if what she heard was actually what her son had said. Slowly she turned around to ask him if what she heard was true. To her surprise Bolt was gone.

Inside Bolts room Bolt was searching for a few things he needed. He found his saddle bag in a corner of his room and a few spare bits, but was still looking for one more thing. A book. Something to keep him busy during the long travel ahead.

"Where is it? Where is it!?" Bolt shouted softly while searching for his book.

Suddenly a thought occurred to him. He went to his bed and lifted his pillow. Sure enough there it lay. "The hitch hikers guide to Equestria" A clever book. Written as a comedy, but it still contained some valuable information about Equestria.

"Great." Bolt said to him-self with an air of triumph. Quickly, he put everything in his saddle bag and with a gentle grunt slid the saddle bag onto his back.

Now for the hard part. Bolt thought as he went to his bedroom door.

He took one last look of his room. before quickly opening the door and coming face to face with his mother. In her teeth she held a small purse. Its contents unknown to Bolt. On the floor lay his map. Bolt looked at the map on the floor, then the purse and last his mother. Forcing a smile on his face.

"Um...Bye?"

Bolts mother dropped the purse on the floor, turned and walked off towards the kitchen. Bolt stood there in shocked silence for a minuet. Inside the purse was bits and lots of them. Quickly he stuffed the purse and map into his saddle bag before moving towards the front door. In the kitchen Bolt could see his mother washing some dishes, but she was doing something that confused Bolt. Was she whistling? Bolt didn't think on it to long. It was best he leave before his mother changed her mood to something less friendly.

Outside the wind had picked up, but only slightly. It was just enough to make the little yellow flower along side the gravel path start swaying in the wind. Nearby the road Bolt saw his father. A deep blue pegasus with a black mane and tail. His cutie mark was that of storm cloud. On his left side, his wing was missing. A small stump was all that remained of his wing. A long ugly scar fell down his body, from the stump to his ribcage. Letting all who saw him that his wing did not leave him easily. He was working on something with a hammer. Light taps could be heard from the cottage door. Bolt made a slow trot towards his dad, whose back was still towards Bolt.

"Hey dad?"
"Yes Bolt?" His voice was deep, but soothing.
"I'm leaving."
"Ok, but be back in time for dinner"
"No dad. I'm leaving" Bolts father dropped his hammer and turned around. His eyes focused on the saddle bags on Bolts back. It took him a moment but soon Bolts father was able to form words again with his slackened jaw.
"Well...Well I can't say I'm not surprised."
"Ye, well you can thank mom for that."
"Oh...She go at you again?"
"Because I had a map." Bolts father started laughing.
"Whats on the map?" His father asked between small giggles.
"Its a map of Equestria, there's a small town not far from here that I want to go to."
"Whats it called?"
"Ponyville."
"Never heard of it."
"Well Hoofington, Canterlot and Manehatten are all too far away, too busy and too full of ponies who think they are the best thing to happen since Celestia. Ponyville is a small town and a good distance from anything else. Its a bit far, but hopefully the inhabitants aren't too wild."
"Hmm...Well good luck Bolt. I take it your flying there?"

With that last sentence everything about Bolts 'ok' day went out the window. Bolt despised flying with a passion, because of one major fault on his end. His wings. Bolts wings were at least twice as large as that of any other pegasus in Equestria. It was bad enough getting weird looks in public when he was younger. But in flight school it was the worst. He was constantly tormented and bullied because of them. It was hard for Bolt to make friends so he generally kept to him-self trying to stay out of sight. Learning how to tuck his wings into his body in such a way that they looked of normal size. But there were times when his own wings would betray him. Like when that beautiful filly walked down the hall after the third period. Her flanks gorgeous. Her tail, soft and long. Her face, like that of Luna. Her eyes the colour of midnight... Who could miss a wing boner the size of the entire hall way?

Bolt hung his head and pawed at the ground under him. Memories of ponies laughing at him flashing across his eyes. Bolts father sighed.

"Look Bolt, one day your going to have to just get over the fact the fillies and colts mocked you. Stand up tall. This is a new place with new people. No one is going to know your name. Its going to be filled with mature mares and stallions. Who will most probably be stunned by your wings. Your more likely to make friends because of them!"

Somehow Bolts fathers words struck a cord in Bolts head. Maybe it would be a good idea to go make some friends or meet some new people or to just become comfortable with his new wings. Bolt picked up his head. A smile on his face. He looked his dad in the eyes. A pair of royal blue eyes stared back at him.

"Dad, I love you." Bolts father started to smile.
"I love you too Bolt. Write back and tell me all about...what did you call it? Pony-something?"
"Ponyville. I'll let you know how it goes. I'll see you soon."
"Good. Travel safe."
"I will. Bye dad."

Bolt reached up and put his forelegs around his fathers long neck. His father gently lay his head on Bolts back. They stood there for a moment sharing their last embrace before Bolt turned towards the road. Took his map out the saddle bag and opened it on the ground. Ponyville was at least a days walk from his home and half a days flight.

Its tempting... Thought Bolt.

Bolt turned his head around. His father sat on the grass next to the gravel path, watching his son. A smile on his face.

Do it for dad.

Bolt gave his dad a reassuring smile. Turned his head back and picked up the map folding it and putting it back into his saddle bag. He walked a bit until he was in the middle of the road.

Do it for dad.

Slowly Bolt let his majestic wings stretch from his body. Opening them to full mast. The tips of his wings drooped slightly, because of the extra weight from the extended length.

Do it for dad.

Bolt turned towards his father. Who was still sitting on the grass. He hadn't moved the entire time.

"Dad, I can't..."

Bolt began, but his father stopped him. Holding only a hoof to his lips. Then he pointed to the sky. Bolt looked up. The sun was directly over head. He looked back at his father. He too was looking at the sky. Then it hit Bolt.

If not for dad, then do it for Grandpa.

Bolts father was still transfixed on they sky. His eyes locked in position. Bolt gave a soft sigh and turned back to the road. He gave his wings a gentle half flap. Testing them out, to see if they haven't changed overnight. They didn't, to Bolt they still felt strong, light and sensitive. Bolt returned his wings to full mast. He took a sharp breath, closed his eyes and jumped into the air. With a great flap from his wings he was air born. Instantly images of ponies big and small laughing at him plagued his mind, but he pushed past the images. With each flap the laughing grew louder and louder in his ears eventually drowning everything out so that all Bolt could hear was hundreds of ponies laughing at him. He hated it. He hated every moment of it.

"Bolt! You can do it! Just keep flying!"

Bolts father's voice pierced the wall of sound like a shot-gun through glass. Suddenly Bolt heard nothing except for the wind in his ears. He looked back, even from where he was in the sky he could see his fathers broad smile. A hoof in the air as he waved good-bye. Bolt still hated flying, but he was flying for his father. He was making him happy and that's all that mattered to Bolt. With renewed energy Bolt pushed forward. Using the road below him as a guide to his next destination.

After an hour of flight. Bolt looked back to where his home once was. He scanned the horizon looking for the farm, or cottage, finding nothing. Once Bolt was happy he could no longer see his home and his father could no longer see him. Bolt gently glided back down to Equestria. Landing on the dirt road with a loud "Thud".

There is no need for me to do something I don't enjoy. I've already made him happy. Bolt thought. Shaking out his mane.

Bolt took a deep breath, shook out his mane once again and started on a slow trot towards Ponyville. With the sun on his back and the light wind in his face, Bolt let him mind wander as he trotted along the dirt road. Hard dirt crunching under his hoofs as he trotted. He was already starting to miss his father and his soft bed.

Oh, c'mon Bolt! You just left an hour ago.

Bolt closed his eyes. He let the sound of dirt crunching slowly fade out into white noise. In his head he was thinking about all the times in his past when he would find the silver lining in any dark cloud. Bolt laughed, thinking about when his father first told him about the famous metaphor.

"You know Bolt, there is a silver lining in any cloud."
"What?"
"Its a metaphor Bolt. What it means is that there is always some good to a bad situation."
"How is having huge wings a good thing!?...Sorry dad, I didn't mean to shout at you.
"Its ok Bolt, but you have to understand that there is always something good that can come from something bad."
"Like what dad?"
"Well take me for example. If I hadn't lost my wing, I would have never met your mother."
"You think its a good thing you met her?"
"Why you cheeky..."
"No, no don't tickle me! no! ahh! Mom! Help! Dads tickling me!"

A smile started working its way across Bolts face. The image of his dad pining him down with his one wing as he tickled him still fresh in his mind.

Maybe there is a silver lining to this whole trip. Maybe, just maybe I might actually enjoy this trip...

Chapter 2: Ponyville

"Dad?"
"Yes Bolt?"
"Why did you call me Bolt?"
"Your grand-father was able to wield lightning inside a storm engine. He was the best there ever was. He could throw lightning from his hoofs like it was a childish game. We named you after him. When he died.
"Whats a storm engine?"
"It's a sphere inside all clouds. Its allows skilled ponies to direct lightning. Like your grand-father did."
"Like you?"
"You know I can't fly anymore Bolt."
"You mean you have to fly to direct lightning?"
"Yes. You have to be in side the storm engine. Bolt you have to wake up to the fact that you were born to do this, its in your blood. I did it before my accident and my father before me and his father before him. We have always directed the lightning its our calling to do so and you are more well equipped than any other pony ever has been. Wake up Bolt, wake up!"

Bolts eyes shot open, they were suddenly attacked by a bright white light that hung over head, causing his vision to be filled with black spots that danced over his eyes, his heart pounding like a drum against his ribs, around him he could hear other ponies, their speech a twisted array of white noise and vowels. He could make out a few words; Nurse Red-something, a word that sounded like clinic, broken bones, a sonic boom of some sort. Bolt tried to make sense of where he was and what he was hearing, trying to remember how he got here, but the only thing that stuck in his mind was a small dark leaf green filly, her mane a few shades lighter with a streak of bright yellow running through it, she like Bolt was a pegasus. Bolt tried to think of when he got to Ponyville, or if he was in Ponyville at all. Suddenly the air was filled with the sound of something falling, it sounded like it was made of metal. But his mind kept forcing him back to the small filly. Her head in her hoofs, as she shook. Bolt tried to think of the last time he saw his father. It felt like years ago since he last saw him. His mind shot back to the little green filly, she looked up at Bolt her body still shaking, she was saying something to Bolt but he couldn't hear her. Bolt thought of when he was flying, the cool air on his face the sun on his back. The laughing of ponies. As if he was slapped, his mind once again showed Bolt a memory of the little filly. Was she calling his name? It looked like it. Her body was still shaking and her hoofs were over her ears.

*Crunch!*

Bolt turned his head, the bright light leaving dark spots on his eyes every time he blinked. To his left he saw a dark shape, it looked like a pony, but Bolt wasn't sure. Maybe he knew who this little green filly was.

*Crunch!*

Bolt felt weird, it was as if his back was bending in a way it shouldn't, it wasn't hurting, but it wasn't the most comfortable position either. Bolt blinked his eyes again. The dark shape was holding something. It was a dull golden colour, it had feathers, and was extremely long, there was also a lot of this red running down the feathers, but Bolt couldn't tell what it was, the dark spots dancing in front of his eyes made it near impossible to make out detail.

*Crunch!*

Bolt let out a soft sigh. His back didn't feel so awkward anymore, in fact it felt even better than when he first woke up. He wanted to get up and try out his new back. But his body was heavy, and his hoofs felt like they weren't attached to his legs. So he decided he'd wait until his body wasn't so heavy. Where was his saddle bag? He wanted to open it up and take out his book. Maybe it would be able to tell him where he was. Bolt looked down and saw nothing. He thought again, trying to think where he left the book. His mind seemed unable to decide what to do; different images flashed through his head, some flashed by to quickly to identify, others didn't make sense, then his mind showed him something that made his take a short sharp breath. The little filly was on his bag! How dare she do such a thing, Bolt had made the bags him-self and was very proud of the fact that he made it, Wait... She was on his bag, but he could see how he was pulling the other side. It looked like he was dragging her. She was screaming now, her hoofs pushed tight against her ears. Her eyes closed tight. Was she scared of Bolt? Why would she close her eyes? Maybe she saw his wings and thought they were ugly? His mind drifted off into a blur. Suddenly Bolt felt something touching him. He looked down to where he felt the pressure. There on his leg was another dark shape, maybe it was the same shape from before? Thought Bolt, his mind shooting over to the first image of the little green filly. He shook his head, maybe he could shake the picture of the filly out his head. Bolt shook harder. It didn't work, he just felt dizzy now. He looked up the bright white light attacked his eyes once again, but then came a shape, it was dark at first, but slowly the image became clearer. He saw hair, a muzzle, a pair of eyes, teeth. Above him was a pony, not just any pony though, the most beautiful mare he had ever seen. Bolt tried smiling at her, maybe she could tell him who the little green filly was, but his mouth seemed to be made of stone. An image of a stone hitting Bolt on his head made him take a sharp breath. He tried moving his mouth, but it would not respond. He looked back up. The mare was still standing over him, but now he could make out her eyes. They were a deep blue, they sparkled like diamonds in the sun, but as Bolt looked longer and longer, he saw what looked like fear in her eyes. Was she also scared of Bolt? Like the filly who didn't like his wings? Bolt looked down to his leg where he saw the dark shape earlier. On his leg was something white, was it a marshmallow? Or a bandage? Bolt couldn't tell as his mind once again threw him back to the little green filly. He looked up at the mare. Here eyes were still sparkling like diamonds. Bolt blinked, the dark spots were starting to fade, allowing Bolt to see more clearly. The mare was indeed beautiful. She had a snow white pelt, and a light rose mane, her face had the curves of Celestia, but her eyes. They could best that of Celestia's with out even trying. Bolt felt his mouth start to move, finally he could say something! What should he say? Should he tell her his name? Ask her out? Ask her to marry him? He had no idea. He just stared into her eyes, He felt pressure against his fore leg, another marshmallow? Maybe he was at a party and this was some game? But the more Bolt thought the more his mind jumped back to the picture of a green filly on his bag as he dragged her somewhere. He looked up again, the blue eyes stared back at him.

"Beautiful."

It was all Bolt could manage, his mind was a mess of thoughts, images and voices. Maybe if he slept the images would leave Bolt alone. He was so tired anyway. He was sure the other ponies wouldn't mind if he slept for a little bit, he was so tired. Slowly Bolt let his eyes drift closed. His breathing becoming ragged and shallow.

Maybe, this is all just a dream. Thought Bolt as he fell into a slumber, the sound around him slowly fading into nothingness.

"Bolt? Bolt! Stay with me! I need you to wake up! Bolt, wake up! Oh Celestia, Wake up Bolt!" The shrill, scared voice of nurse Redheart Rang out.

Today started like any ordinary day for the earth pony. Celestia had risen the sun like she did every morning. The morning rays flowed in through her window, slowly making their way up her bed, as they did every morning. She would wake up as the rays gently danced over her closed eyes. She would get out of bed, go down stairs make her-self a cup of tea, walk back up stairs and sit on her bed while she quietly drank her tea, as she did every morning, wishing she could make another cup of tea for a pony who would still be asleep in her bed. She would then take a long shower, the water slowly running off her back and dripping to the floor, while the steam from the hot water would rise off her body and her mane would fall to one side as she washed it. Hoping that one day, just one day she would get to share the shower with some one else, wishing that they would wash her mane while she closed her eyes, wishing that they would gently bite her neck as they washed her body under the hot water. She hopped for that something new every morning, but all she ever got was the same old clinic, the same town, the same people, the same examination room, the same symptoms, even the same hat and always the same lonely feeling. She walked outside her home, her body clean, her cup of tea, left on the bed side table, her hat on her head -as it was every morning, then something happened, something different, that something she had been waiting for for so long, finally happened.

In the corner of the clinic sat a small green filly, a streak of bright yellow going through her green mane, on her hind leg was a bulky cast. She was awake, but her eyes were closed as she listened to the sound of beeping machines, ponies running and things falling.

"Today was the worst day of my life." She said, her voice trembling as she spoke. She took a deep breath before speaking again, trying to hold back tears.

"And it could have been worse." She stopped, trying to stop herself from crying.

"Its ok dearie, accidents happen to everyone." The soft voice of Nurse Tenderheart said, as she gently put a hoof on the small filly's neck. The filly looked up at the nurse, taking another breath, she continued.

"I..I was out by the cliff side, I was challenged by another filly; saying that I couldn't make it from the second cliff under the mountain to Ponyville with a single flap of my wings. I should have never do it! I should have told them to leave me alone!"

The filly stopped, her lips quivering at the memory of standing on the cliff side.

"I was up there, looking down towards Ponyville the other filly in the center of town. I thought I could make it. I walked back as far as I could, before I hit the rock face behind the cliff. I was about to run and jump off. I would have made it to Ponyville! I would have be safe!"

She stopped again, taking a deep breath, before the tears she had been holding back were finally let free to run down her already wet cheeks.

"I...I was about to jump...Then there was that sonic rain boom. I was so scared! I didn't know what to do! I just...I just froze. Then the shock wave from the sonic rain boom must have done something to the rock face, at first it was small stones that started to fall, but they got bigger and bigger...and all...and all I could do was put my hoofs over my head! I couldn't do anything! I was so scared...I was just so scared, all I did was scream as the rock slide happened around me...But then Bolt was there, I don't know how he got there, he just appeared on the cliff next to me. He was dodging the rocks as they were falling, but a few hit his head and he fell over...I thought he was dead! But then he started to get back up, he threw his saddle bag down next to me and he started to slowly make his way over to were I was rocks hitting his body and wings...His head was bleeding and the blood was running down his face, he couldn't even walk straight! He yelled at me to get onto his bag, but I couldn't move. That's when...when a big rock landed on my leg...It hurt so much!...I was sure my leg had broken off! I was screaming and crying but some how I got onto his bag, then he started to pull me towards the wall. Closer to where the rocks where the rocks were coming from!"

She stopped, she couldn't stop herself from letting everything go. She just turned and held onto the pony next to her with all her might, and she cried. She didn't care if anyone could hear her, she just let go and gave huge sobs as she cried into the neck of nurse Tenderheart. The nurse understood why the filly was crying so much, it was a life threatening situation, but the worst part was that there was another pony who risked his own life to save hers and she felt responsible for anything that would happen to him.

"After a bit...He managed to pull me against...the rock face. Then he stood...over me, and he wrapped his wings around...his body. It was dark under his wings, I could...hear the rocks falling and hitting the ground around us...then...then there was a rock that hit Bolt, I heard a snap, and Bolt screamed! I don't know what happened then...I think another rock hit Bolt in the head and then he fell over...he kept saying over and over again his name was Bolt, and that his dad, and his dad before him used to create lightning!"

The filly slowly opened her eyes and looked up at nurse Tenderheart. The filly's eyes -one a deep blue, the other a dark green, spoke nothing but fear to the nurse. There was a sudden flow of light as door opened near where the filly and nurse sat. A pony slowly walked out, her pelt once a snow white, was now covered in crimson red, her light rose mane, tied up tight behind her head. Her blue eyes, tired. She looked at the filly who sat next to the other nurse.

"Is..is Bolt...ok?"

Chapter 3: Healing

"Do you ever miss flying dad?"
"Yes I do, I wish I could still fly, wish you would stop hiding your wings."
"But dad! You dont know what its like at school they tease me all the time, calling me a clown!"
"Do you think I don't know what its like to be mocked?! I lost my wing Bolt! I lost my life! I lost my own father!"
"I'm...I'm sorry dad, I didn't mean to make you angry."

Nurse Redheart looked at the filly who sat in the corner of the clinic with her tired eyes. In front of her she saw, a young filly, dark leaf green pelt, a lighter mane that had a bright yellow streak going through it, dark lines ran down her cheeks from where tears had left a trail, her eyes -one a deep blue while the other a dark green, looked longingly at the nurse, longing for an answer, longing to see a dull golden pegasus walk again. The nurse blinked, her steel blue eyes looked from the room she had just exited, to the filly who sat next to another nurse.

"Ok, but unconscious."

That was all nurse Redheart could say. She couldn't bare to think that the pony who was unconscious on a steel table in the examination room might never be able to fly again, couldn't bare to think that he might only be able to see out one eye, couldn't bare to think that he had risked his life, for a complete stranger. The Redheart looked at the other nurse who sat next to the filly, before she nodded her head in the direction of the room she came from. Reluctantly the nurse got up, gently nuzzling the filly as she left, before she followed Redheart into the examination room. Gently Redheart closed the door once the other nurse was inside.

"How is Bolt?"
"Ok, but unconscious." The nurse repeated.
"His wing?"
"A cast is holding it together."
"His hea-"
"Bandaged and cleaned, the cut didn't need stitching, although I'm a bit worried about his eye."
"What about it?"
"It was cut, presumably by the same thing that hit his head, although its a shallow cut, I'm worried it won't heal properly."
"Rocks."
"What?"
"All the damage he and the filly sustained are from falling rocks. The sonic rain-boom caused a rock slide. She was up there because of a dare, but even she doesn't know how he got there, or why he was even there in the first place."
"He's lucky that rock didn't do more damage to his eye or else he would have be creating a fashion statement with an eye patch." Redheart gave a soft laugh at her joke.
"You have a weird sense of humor Red."
"Some one has to in this place." There was a beat, before Redheart spoke again. "Ok lets get that filly home, then we can start moving Bolt to a proper bed, after today, he's gonna need all the rest he can get."

The other nurse gave a gentle nod, before she exited the room. Redheart looked over to the table that Bolt lay on. He had been turned onto his right side, his left wing forced open by the cast, his tongue hanging gently from his lips. His body was a mess with an array of different materials and colours that covered his body. Redheart gave a soft giggle at the sight of Bolt on his side as his tongue hung from his mouth.

"A silver lining in any cloud." She said to no pony in particular.

As if the line was a voice password to a safe, Bolts chest was filled with air and then emptied just as quickly. Redheart quickly cantered over to the stirring Bolt. Gently she placed a hoof on top of one of Bolts. She knew exactly what was going to happen next and no pony should have to go through it alone.

To Bolt, waking up on his side was nothing new, he slept in that position every night. What was new though, was seeing a mare stare straight back at him as he opened his eyes, newer still was the pain that attacked every corner of his mind. Bolt started taking deep breaths, trying to calm his body and mind down, trying to force his mind to think of something else other than the pain he felt in his wing and head, but it didn't help, his mind locked on the pain that seemed to throb with every breath. He locked eyes with the mare that was in front of him. She was the most beautiful mare he had ever seen, but he felt like he had known her for years. Her eyes seemed to burn into his skull as she stared back at him, while Bolt attempted to squirm away from the pain.

I'm hallucinating. There is no mare in Equestria that could be that beautiful.

Bolt lifted a shaking hoof, letting it slowly work its way towards the mare, his other hoof was planted firmly to the table, thanks to the hoof of the spectral mare keeping it down. Slowly his hoof made its way to mares face, gingerly he placed his shaking hoof on her face. She smiled at Bolt as his eyes grew wide once he realized he wasn't hallucinating. Gently he let his hoof move around the back of her neck. Suddenly a thought popped into his head, his entire body seemed to agree with the thought, seeing it as way to distract from the pain. Bolt closed his eyes, quickly pulling his hoof towards him. Much to his satisfaction, he felt soft, moist lips come into contact with his, if only for a moment, but to Bolt that moment would last forever in his memory. He let his hoof drop from behind the mares neck, his eyes still closed.

"If I die, I'll at least die happy knowing I kissed the most beautiful mare in Equestria."

Bolts voice surprised him, it was low and raspy, as if his vocal cords were rubbing against sand-paper. Bolt kept his eyes closed, waiting for the inevitable punch of a hoof, but it never came. Slowly Bolt opened his eyes. The mare still stood in front of him, on her face was a mix of shock, pleasure, disgust and total surprise. Her cheeks were beginning to turn a light shade of red. Suddenly she stood up tall, her face of mixed emotions turned to a neutral half-smile, but her eyes exposed her true feelings. In the steel blue eyes Bolt could see what looked like joy, mixed with anger. Bolt gave her a smile. His body still trying to squirm away from the pain.

"Any way in which I can get this pain to go away?" Asked Bolt his voice still low and raspy.
"You have to just wait it out, another thirty seconds or so." A voice as smooth air delivered the answer.
"Does that mean that I'm going to be dead in thirty seconds?"
"You trying to get another kiss?"
"Is it working?"

Bolt smiled at the mare, then suddenly as if a switch in his head was flipped, the pain started to fade, he gave a long sigh as the pain filtered out his body and into the air, a dull pain remained in his wing and head. Bolt looked at the mare.

"What is that stuff?"
"We had a unicorn create an anesthetic that renders all pain null, but one of the draw backs is that as soon as the anesthetic wears off, all the pain that you experience while it was working hits you at the same time -thankfully, only for a minuet." She paused. "Now, I'm sure with the pain gone your able to think clearly. So let me fill in the blanks before you hurt your-self."

Bolt nodded his head, it was true, suddenly he wanted to know where he was, how he had got there and most importantly, what was for dinner. He started to look around him, attempting to get his bearings.

"You are in the clinic in Ponyville, you probably have no memory of what happened, or how you got here. You have multiple lacerations, a head and eye injury and last but not least, your wing i-"

Suddenly Bolt flailed his hoofs around as he was trying to turn his head so that he could see his back. After a futile attempts to turn his head, he looked back at the mare, fear in his eyes.

"I still have my wings right? Say I still have my wings!"
"Relax! Its ok, you still have them, but your left wing is broken, its a complete fracture."
"I..oh wow, ok... Sorry for yelling, its just...I'm neurotic about my wings, with them being over sized and all. Its more of a curse than anything else."

Why am I so open with this mare? Thought Bolt, knowing he almost never talked about his wings to any
pony.

The mare looked over at the cast on Bolts battered wing. Her eyes tracing the length of his wing, slowly her eyes grew wider and wider, a look of surprise on her face.

"You know, I never even noticed them being bigger until now. You must really love flying." Bolt started to laugh, but quickly stopped. His skull throbbed with every jerk of head. He took a long deep breath before continuing.

"You know, to be completely honest, I hate flying." The mare tilted her head slightly, showing her confusion.
"I thought you pegasus ponies love flying."
"Yes, most do. But not me and its because of these wings."
"Just a second ago you were worried you didn't have them anymore."

It was true, a moment ago, Bolt was screaming at the nurse demanding to know if he still had his wings. Bolt swallowed. His mind searching for an excuse as to why he was worried about the curse that was attached to his back, but was unable to think of anything, so he changed the subject.

"So, I'm in Ponyville, that much I gathered, but I don't know the name of the mare who seems to have saved my life."
"Redheart. Doctor Redheart to you." She lied, not knowing why.

An awkward silence followed, each pony unsure of what to do next. Redheart started pawing the tile floor, while Bolt became incredibly interested with his fore hoofs. Bolt looked up at the mare, as if by magic she had the same thought, and looked at Bolt, their eyes locking.

Say something Bolt, anything, just don't give her an opportunity to leave!

"Mind telling me how it is that I managed to break my wing?"
"As well as cut your head and eye open?"
"My eye?" Bolt asked, already forgetting the description of his injuries from earlier. Redheart sighed.
"Close your right eye."

Bolt did as he was told, suddenly his world was plunged into darkness. He let out a surprised yelp, before his eye shot open again. Immediately he wanted to feel if his eye was still there, but was stopped by Redheart as she put her hoofs on top of Bolts. She looked him in the eye, before calmly saying:

"Its ok Bolt, you still have your eye, its just been bandaged up. I'll take the bandage off in a week or so."

Bolt let out a long sigh, the day already starting to take its toll on his fragile state.

"Ok, ok, thats good I guess."
"Look its getting late, I hav-"
"Don't go, not just yet."
"Oh? Why should I stay?"

A flicker of a smile appeared in Redhearts face. Bolt took a deep breath, it was now or never.

"If you stay I'll buy you dinner." Bolt closed his eye, waiting for the sound of rejection.
"Hmm...I'll think about it." Bolt opened his eye, surprised by the response.
"So..does that mean your going to stay?"
"Maybe, but only if you tell me why you kissed me."

Bolt smiled, the touch of Redhearts soft lips still held a strong memory in Bolts mind.

"Well...In all honesty I thought I was dieing. I've never felt pain like that before in my life, so seeing a mare as beautiful as you standing in front of me made me think that if I'm gonna die, I'm going to die with a smile on my face. Kissing you was one of the ways in which I could do that." Redheart raised an eyebrow.
"So what other ways are there for you to die with a smile on your face?"

Bolt cursed under his breath, he managed to talk himself into a trap. His mind raced as he thought of a way to get out of his trap safely.

"Well...I..no...um..its..."

Bolt gave up after seeing how Redheart was giggling at his failure to think up a way to escape his own trap, his cheeks starting to turn red, while Redheart recovered from her giggles at Bolt.

"So...how did I even end up in Ponyville clinic?"
"There was a sonic rain boom over Ponyville, the shock wave started a rock slide and it seems like you thought you were a hero, as you tried to save a filly from the falling rocks."

Floodgates opened in Bolts mind, a massive wall of memories, sounds and images crashed over Bolt. For a moment he lay on the table in stunned silence as each memory played its small piece in front of Bolts eye. His mouth grew wide and his eye wider as he remembered pulling a small green filly to safety while she lay on his saddle bag.

"Bolt? Equestria to Bolt. Are you ok Bolt?"

Bolt shook his head, then instantly regretted it as his head began throbbing again.

"Is she ok?" Bolt asked through gritted teeth.
"Who? The filly?" Bolt nodded his head slowly, careful not to cause himself more pain.
"She's ok, a broken leg, but nothing to serious."
"Ok, thats good, thats good."

Bolt said, distracted as he mind processed all the information floating in his head.

"You're a hero Bolt, stupid and utterly crazy, but a hero nonetheless." Redheart's smooth voice cut through Bolts thoughts.
"Thanks doc. But hey! If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here. So thank you. Thanks for saving my flank."

Redheart laughed. A smile on her face as she turned to walk out the door.

"Its my job Bolt."

Bolt gave a half laugh, before remembering something he wanted to ask the "Doc"

"Hey, do you still want to go out for dinner?"

Redheart stopped, she was half way out the door and was about to close it. slowly she turned around, her steel blue eyes met Bolts gaze, a soft smile on her face.

"yeah, I'd like that."

She turned and walked out the door, closing it softly behind her.

"YYEEESSS!" Bolt screamed, before throwing his hoofs over his mouth. He could feel how his cheeks quickly became warm, as he heard somepony giggling outside the door.

"Dad, how did you and mom meet?
It's a long story Bolt. One that would take weeks to tell you, but funny enough. It started in a hospital."