Losing myself (Rainbow Dash)by RadproChaptersChapter 1: losing my wings Chapter 2: the Mysterious PegasusChapter 3: getting back on my feetChapter 1: losing my wings Chapter 1: losing my wings It was early in the morning when I woke up; Celestia’s sun had just come over the horizon. I hated this day every year, when I would be tested to see if I still had what it took to continue my job as a whether pony, but that wasn’t the problem, I know I have what it takes. The problem was that it took place so early in the morning. I got up and after getting ready and eating a quick breakfast, went to Cloudsdale. I got there just in time for me to go and show that I can still do my job. There was a turquoise Pegasus with a red-orange mane that reminds me of flames, holding a clipboard, that was calling “Rainbow Dash!”, and the way she had said it made it seem like she said it at least two times prior to this one. She looks familiar, but I don’t know where I knew her from, but it is too early for me to be thinking hard about anything. I flew over and groggily said “Don’t worry I’m right here.” Set up in front of me were three different tasks that I had to complete. The first was just a simple clearing away the clouds. “Piece of cake” I said to no pony in particular. The second task was to make the next set of clouds rain without causing any lightning bolts to come from them. I said to the pony with the clipboard “Can you give me a challenge for once?” The third task was different from the past few years I had to do this. We usually had to stop a downpour without getting rid of the clouds, but this year we have to maneuver through a thunderstorm, avoiding the bolts of lightning along the path. I had easily cleared the clouds away, and I, as expected, was the first one done. I only needed one kick for each cloud, whereas most of the other Pegasi took two or three kicks to clear each cloud. I didn’t even need to try hard to make it rain without causing any lightning. A little more than half the Pegasi had done the same, but the rest had caused at least one bolt of lightning. I have a cocky attitude going into the last part, and why shouldn’t I? I started out and was easily maneuvering through the course so I figured why not give a little show and try to beat my score from last year. I was too busy showing off to realize the sign of a lightning bolt about to come down right on top of me until it was too late to do anything about it. The shock from the bolt had hit me right in my spine between my wings and I had caused them to go stiff. I started falling from Cloudsdale to the ground, frightened for my life, and was screaming “HEEEEEEEELP!” I noticed that the turquoise Pegasus saw me and was coming towards me with incredible speed. I was thinking that the lightning hit me harder then I realized because I thought I saw a Mach Cone forming around her. Even at the speed she was going, I feared that she wouldn’t get to me before I hit the ground. Then I heard something that told me what I saw was true, and that was the sound barrier being broken! I was in complete shock to see that her speed had doubled, and the fiery ring spreading out from where she was. “I thought I was the only one who could break the sound barrier” I said completely forgetting about falling to my doom. “D-Did she just do a Sonic Rainboom? No it’s not a rainbow, so what would it be then, A Sonic Flameboom?” I said still in shock, then the turquoise Pegasus slammed into me, and had tried to change direction before she hit the ground, but we still hit the ground, and were knocked unconscious. I wake up in the hospital, aching everywhere, but mostly my back hurts. I look around and see my friends, all of them looking worried. I wondered why they looked so worried and I asked them “What happened?” they all looked at each other nervously. Twilight was the first to start speaking “Well when you were doing your test, you were hit by a lightning bolt and started falling, and the turquoise Pegasus – did anypony get her name?” they all shook their heads ”well anyway she tried to save you and did, but…” Twilight voice trailed off, obviously nervous about what she was about to say. “What is it?” I asked starting to get nervous. “Well,” Twilight continued “She wasn’t able to carry both of you, and crashed...” her voice trailing off again. “Is she all right?” I asked in a panic. “She’s fine,” Twilight replied “But you on the other hoof” she said debating on whether or not to tell her friend. “You landed on you back, and had both wings so badly damaged that they had to amputate them.” “Amputate, w-what’s that mean?” Rainbow asked a little frightened, but was in too much pain to turn and look at her wings. Twilight couldn’t bear to tell her friend, so Applejack stepped in “It means that they um had to cut ‘em off. I’m so sorry sugercube.” Once applejack said this, I tried to move my wings and didn’t care how much it would hurt, but they weren’t there. I just looked at each of my friends in shock, tears filling my eyes. “I c-can’t believe this, I WON’T believe this” I said half screaming, half choking. Then Fluttershy said in her quiet voice “I’m so sorry to tell you this, but um, what Applejack said is true, I’m so sorry” “NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” I screamed at the top of my lungs. They tried to comfort me, but it was pointless, and I asked them “can I get some time alone?”, and they left the room, allowing me to take this all in. After about 15 minutes, somepony opened the door. I wasn’t looking at whoever it was because I didn’t want them to see me crying. When I did look, I was surprised to see that it was the Pegasus who had saved me! Chapter 2: the Mysterious Pegasus“What happened to your wings?” the Pegasus said in shock. “I thought it might have been badly broken, but I never expected it to be this bad.” “If you’re here for an apology, forget it. I know I should be grateful, but I would rather have died back there then live without my wings, they were my entire life. What am I supposed to do now that they’re gone?” I said with tear streaking down my face. “I don’t know, but I do know that you will find something. You are resilient, and nothing is going to change that. You will get through this.” she said, a tear running down her face. “How do you know that?” I asked a little confused “Have we met before?” “You don’t remember me, do you?” she asked me a little disappointed. “I’m sorry, but I don’t” I said, a little ashamed. “We went to Flight Camp together, at least until I got kicked out. Me, you and Gilda hung out all the time back then.” She said. “Oh yeah now I remember you, so how have you been Blazin? Well besides what happened today of course.” I said. Blazin stared at me, a little shocked, and then she said “Dash, it’s been three days since that happened.” “Three days! I was knocked out for three days!” I said in complete shock. “I’m sorry to say it, but it’s true.” She said. After I got over my shock, we caught up. She told me about what she has been up to since I last saw her. I told her a whole bunch of the stories I have had with my friends. After a while I mentioned the one thing that was really bugging me. “When you came to save me, you were flying so fast that you broke the sound barrier, and had that ring of fire coming from where you broke it. I didn’t think that anypony else could do that besides me. Was it the first time you ever did it?” “No it wasn’t. Do you remember the fire about a year ago that was in the middle of the Everfree Forest?” she asked in a slightly quieter voice. “Yeah I remember hearing about that, but what does that have to do with anything?” I asked getting confused. “Well,” Blazin started off, “That was me. It was the first, and except for me saving you, the only time I performed it. I never wanted to do it again after the first time because unlike your Sonic Rainboom, my Sonic Flameboom is dangerous. I badly injured my one friend that was with me when I did it, luckily he is alright now. So now both times I did it, one of my friends got hurt. I thought it would have helped you, but it didn’t, you told me you would have rather died then live without your wings.” She now had tears in her eyes. “Blazin, I am grateful that you saved my life.” I said trying to calm her down, “I am just in shock that I lost my wing, and I took it out on you. I’m…” but I was cut off. “You don’t need to apologize. I understand that it is a hard time right now for you.” She said giving me a hug. “Ouch!” I said from the pain in my back. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to.” she said apologetically. “It’s alright” I said Just then a doctor opened the door and he said “I’m sorry, but visiting hours are over. I have to ask you to leave.” “Well looks like I have to go.” Said Blazin “See you later Dash” “Blazin.” I said getting her attention before she left “What?” she asked “When I get out of here, let’s hang out together sometime. I need to repay you for saving my life” I said “Dash, you don’t need to do anything for me, but sure we can hang out if you want” and with that she closed the door, leaving me alone. I decided to go to sleep since there was nothing else I could do. It was not the nice, peaceful sleep I hoped for. I was hovering next to a group of storm clouds, and it took me a minute to realize where and when this was. I saw myself flying through the storm, and tried to warn myself to watch out, but it was no use, I just kept on flying, and then I saw the bold of lightning come down, and time slowed down, I saw the lightning bolt hit me and heard a loud crack. I saw myself falling down and Blazin flying after me. This time it was different though, she wasn’t flying fast enough, and I saw myself hit the ground hard, leaving a crater where I landed. I woke up covered in sweat, trembling. I was glad that was just a nightmare, and then I remembered that I was living an even worse nightmare. I cried myself to sleep, and, thank Celestia, I didn’t have another dream that night. Chapter 3: getting back on my feetI got out of the hospital a week after I woke up from the crash. I had bandages covering my flank. The doctors said it was because I hit my flank on the crash, but I think it’s so that no pony freaks out because I don’t have my wings anymore, but just tiny stubs where they used to be. “Finally after a week of being stuck in that hospital, I’m free. I don’t even care that I have to keep these bandages on as long as I get to move around again, it sucks being cooped up in one place too long.” I said to none of my friends in particular. “Just remember the doctor told you to take it easy for the next week.” twilight said. “Yes mom.” I said sarcastically. Everyone laughed at this, even Fluttershy who never laughs at another’s expense. I could tell that they were happy that I wasn’t bummed out about my wings, and that I’m acting like myself again instead of the shell of my former self that I was in the hospital. “The doctor also said to change the bandages every night. Listen to your mother when I’m talking to you.” Twilight said, continuing the joke. This only made us laugh harder. We kept walking until we got over to where my cloud house was, and we realized that I couldn’t even get into my own house. I just sat there and began to cry. “I hate this, why did this have to happen to me? I can’t even get in my own home.” I said half choking. “Now you listen here” said AppleJack “we’re all gonna help you get through this ya hear. Now why don’t ya come an’ stay with me ‘till ya get back on your feet an’ find a place of your own.” “But what about my stuff?” I asked “We’ll hire some movers to come and take your things over to my place” AppleJack said. “And I would be more than happy to take anything you want now, if that’s all right with you that is” Fluttershy said. “Yeah Fluttershy, do you mind getting my toothbrush, and everything else on that shelf in the bathroom closet, and what else? TANK!! Oh I hope he’s all right, oh no, oh no, he hasn’t been fed in over a week the poor guy.” I said in a panic. “Don’t worry Rainbow,” Twilight said “I already thought about that while you were still unconscious at the hospital, Fluttershy already has him over at her place.” “Oh thank Celestia, I don’t know what I would have done if he was dead. Thank you Twilight.” I said in relief. “It’s no problem Rainbow” Twilight said, “Well I need to get back home; I have a lot of chores to catch up on. I guess I’ll see you girls later.” “Oh that reminds me, over this whole Fiasco, I completely forgot about the new dresses I have to make for Hoity. I must get back to them.” Rarity said heading towards the boutique. “Oh no, I’m late!” Pinkie said, “Mr. and Mrs. Cake asked me to watch Pound and Pumpkin today, I hope they aren’t mad at me. I got to go.” Pinkie said as she left towards Sugarcube corner. After they left, Fluttershy came back with the stuff I asked her to get. “I got what you asked for Rainbow, and here is your mail, I hope I got everything. I’m going to go get Tank and get all of your stuff to Sweet Apple Acres, I mean, if it’s alright with you.” “Thanks Fluttershy, and yes, I miss that little guy.” I said. And with that Fluttershy went off to her cottage to fetch him. So Applejack and I started walking back to her farm, about half way back Applejack asked “do you wanna race to the farm?” “A race?” I asked “you’re on!” and we both stood next to each other. I decided that I was going to start it. “On your mark.” I said with a smirk on my face, “GetSetGo!” I said, allowing me to get a good head start on Applejack. We were on the final stretch, about a hundred yards ahead of us was the arch that served as the finish line. We were tied neck and neck, but I started to pick it up and beat Applejack by about a foot. “Ha! That proves it!” I said triumphantly, “I told you I was just tired after the first run on our second race during the falling of the leaves” “Ok fine you won fair and square Sugarcube, but don’t think this means you’re a better athlete than I am” Applejack said teasingly Just then, Fluttershy came by with my stuff. “Here’s your stuff, sorry I have to go, but I need to feed my animals” she said, and she was off just as fast as she had come. The first thing I notice when I look down is that famed winged lightning bolt on a letter, and I just stood there staring at it. “The Wonderbolts, I-I got a letter from The Wonderbolts. OhMyGoshOhMyGoshOhMyGoshOhMyGoshOhMyGosh!”
Chapter 1: losing my wings Chapter 1: losing my wings It was early in the morning when I woke up; Celestia’s sun had just come over the horizon. I hated this day every year, when I would be tested to see if I still had what it took to continue my job as a whether pony, but that wasn’t the problem, I know I have what it takes. The problem was that it took place so early in the morning. I got up and after getting ready and eating a quick breakfast, went to Cloudsdale. I got there just in time for me to go and show that I can still do my job. There was a turquoise Pegasus with a red-orange mane that reminds me of flames, holding a clipboard, that was calling “Rainbow Dash!”, and the way she had said it made it seem like she said it at least two times prior to this one. She looks familiar, but I don’t know where I knew her from, but it is too early for me to be thinking hard about anything. I flew over and groggily said “Don’t worry I’m right here.” Set up in front of me were three different tasks that I had to complete. The first was just a simple clearing away the clouds. “Piece of cake” I said to no pony in particular. The second task was to make the next set of clouds rain without causing any lightning bolts to come from them. I said to the pony with the clipboard “Can you give me a challenge for once?” The third task was different from the past few years I had to do this. We usually had to stop a downpour without getting rid of the clouds, but this year we have to maneuver through a thunderstorm, avoiding the bolts of lightning along the path. I had easily cleared the clouds away, and I, as expected, was the first one done. I only needed one kick for each cloud, whereas most of the other Pegasi took two or three kicks to clear each cloud. I didn’t even need to try hard to make it rain without causing any lightning. A little more than half the Pegasi had done the same, but the rest had caused at least one bolt of lightning. I have a cocky attitude going into the last part, and why shouldn’t I? I started out and was easily maneuvering through the course so I figured why not give a little show and try to beat my score from last year. I was too busy showing off to realize the sign of a lightning bolt about to come down right on top of me until it was too late to do anything about it. The shock from the bolt had hit me right in my spine between my wings and I had caused them to go stiff. I started falling from Cloudsdale to the ground, frightened for my life, and was screaming “HEEEEEEEELP!” I noticed that the turquoise Pegasus saw me and was coming towards me with incredible speed. I was thinking that the lightning hit me harder then I realized because I thought I saw a Mach Cone forming around her. Even at the speed she was going, I feared that she wouldn’t get to me before I hit the ground. Then I heard something that told me what I saw was true, and that was the sound barrier being broken! I was in complete shock to see that her speed had doubled, and the fiery ring spreading out from where she was. “I thought I was the only one who could break the sound barrier” I said completely forgetting about falling to my doom. “D-Did she just do a Sonic Rainboom? No it’s not a rainbow, so what would it be then, A Sonic Flameboom?” I said still in shock, then the turquoise Pegasus slammed into me, and had tried to change direction before she hit the ground, but we still hit the ground, and were knocked unconscious. I wake up in the hospital, aching everywhere, but mostly my back hurts. I look around and see my friends, all of them looking worried. I wondered why they looked so worried and I asked them “What happened?” they all looked at each other nervously. Twilight was the first to start speaking “Well when you were doing your test, you were hit by a lightning bolt and started falling, and the turquoise Pegasus – did anypony get her name?” they all shook their heads ”well anyway she tried to save you and did, but…” Twilight voice trailed off, obviously nervous about what she was about to say. “What is it?” I asked starting to get nervous. “Well,” Twilight continued “She wasn’t able to carry both of you, and crashed...” her voice trailing off again. “Is she all right?” I asked in a panic. “She’s fine,” Twilight replied “But you on the other hoof” she said debating on whether or not to tell her friend. “You landed on you back, and had both wings so badly damaged that they had to amputate them.” “Amputate, w-what’s that mean?” Rainbow asked a little frightened, but was in too much pain to turn and look at her wings. Twilight couldn’t bear to tell her friend, so Applejack stepped in “It means that they um had to cut ‘em off. I’m so sorry sugercube.” Once applejack said this, I tried to move my wings and didn’t care how much it would hurt, but they weren’t there. I just looked at each of my friends in shock, tears filling my eyes. “I c-can’t believe this, I WON’T believe this” I said half screaming, half choking. Then Fluttershy said in her quiet voice “I’m so sorry to tell you this, but um, what Applejack said is true, I’m so sorry” “NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” I screamed at the top of my lungs. They tried to comfort me, but it was pointless, and I asked them “can I get some time alone?”, and they left the room, allowing me to take this all in. After about 15 minutes, somepony opened the door. I wasn’t looking at whoever it was because I didn’t want them to see me crying. When I did look, I was surprised to see that it was the Pegasus who had saved me!
Chapter 2: the Mysterious Pegasus“What happened to your wings?” the Pegasus said in shock. “I thought it might have been badly broken, but I never expected it to be this bad.” “If you’re here for an apology, forget it. I know I should be grateful, but I would rather have died back there then live without my wings, they were my entire life. What am I supposed to do now that they’re gone?” I said with tear streaking down my face. “I don’t know, but I do know that you will find something. You are resilient, and nothing is going to change that. You will get through this.” she said, a tear running down her face. “How do you know that?” I asked a little confused “Have we met before?” “You don’t remember me, do you?” she asked me a little disappointed. “I’m sorry, but I don’t” I said, a little ashamed. “We went to Flight Camp together, at least until I got kicked out. Me, you and Gilda hung out all the time back then.” She said. “Oh yeah now I remember you, so how have you been Blazin? Well besides what happened today of course.” I said. Blazin stared at me, a little shocked, and then she said “Dash, it’s been three days since that happened.” “Three days! I was knocked out for three days!” I said in complete shock. “I’m sorry to say it, but it’s true.” She said. After I got over my shock, we caught up. She told me about what she has been up to since I last saw her. I told her a whole bunch of the stories I have had with my friends. After a while I mentioned the one thing that was really bugging me. “When you came to save me, you were flying so fast that you broke the sound barrier, and had that ring of fire coming from where you broke it. I didn’t think that anypony else could do that besides me. Was it the first time you ever did it?” “No it wasn’t. Do you remember the fire about a year ago that was in the middle of the Everfree Forest?” she asked in a slightly quieter voice. “Yeah I remember hearing about that, but what does that have to do with anything?” I asked getting confused. “Well,” Blazin started off, “That was me. It was the first, and except for me saving you, the only time I performed it. I never wanted to do it again after the first time because unlike your Sonic Rainboom, my Sonic Flameboom is dangerous. I badly injured my one friend that was with me when I did it, luckily he is alright now. So now both times I did it, one of my friends got hurt. I thought it would have helped you, but it didn’t, you told me you would have rather died then live without your wings.” She now had tears in her eyes. “Blazin, I am grateful that you saved my life.” I said trying to calm her down, “I am just in shock that I lost my wing, and I took it out on you. I’m…” but I was cut off. “You don’t need to apologize. I understand that it is a hard time right now for you.” She said giving me a hug. “Ouch!” I said from the pain in my back. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to.” she said apologetically. “It’s alright” I said Just then a doctor opened the door and he said “I’m sorry, but visiting hours are over. I have to ask you to leave.” “Well looks like I have to go.” Said Blazin “See you later Dash” “Blazin.” I said getting her attention before she left “What?” she asked “When I get out of here, let’s hang out together sometime. I need to repay you for saving my life” I said “Dash, you don’t need to do anything for me, but sure we can hang out if you want” and with that she closed the door, leaving me alone. I decided to go to sleep since there was nothing else I could do. It was not the nice, peaceful sleep I hoped for. I was hovering next to a group of storm clouds, and it took me a minute to realize where and when this was. I saw myself flying through the storm, and tried to warn myself to watch out, but it was no use, I just kept on flying, and then I saw the bold of lightning come down, and time slowed down, I saw the lightning bolt hit me and heard a loud crack. I saw myself falling down and Blazin flying after me. This time it was different though, she wasn’t flying fast enough, and I saw myself hit the ground hard, leaving a crater where I landed. I woke up covered in sweat, trembling. I was glad that was just a nightmare, and then I remembered that I was living an even worse nightmare. I cried myself to sleep, and, thank Celestia, I didn’t have another dream that night.
Chapter 3: getting back on my feetI got out of the hospital a week after I woke up from the crash. I had bandages covering my flank. The doctors said it was because I hit my flank on the crash, but I think it’s so that no pony freaks out because I don’t have my wings anymore, but just tiny stubs where they used to be. “Finally after a week of being stuck in that hospital, I’m free. I don’t even care that I have to keep these bandages on as long as I get to move around again, it sucks being cooped up in one place too long.” I said to none of my friends in particular. “Just remember the doctor told you to take it easy for the next week.” twilight said. “Yes mom.” I said sarcastically. Everyone laughed at this, even Fluttershy who never laughs at another’s expense. I could tell that they were happy that I wasn’t bummed out about my wings, and that I’m acting like myself again instead of the shell of my former self that I was in the hospital. “The doctor also said to change the bandages every night. Listen to your mother when I’m talking to you.” Twilight said, continuing the joke. This only made us laugh harder. We kept walking until we got over to where my cloud house was, and we realized that I couldn’t even get into my own house. I just sat there and began to cry. “I hate this, why did this have to happen to me? I can’t even get in my own home.” I said half choking. “Now you listen here” said AppleJack “we’re all gonna help you get through this ya hear. Now why don’t ya come an’ stay with me ‘till ya get back on your feet an’ find a place of your own.” “But what about my stuff?” I asked “We’ll hire some movers to come and take your things over to my place” AppleJack said. “And I would be more than happy to take anything you want now, if that’s all right with you that is” Fluttershy said. “Yeah Fluttershy, do you mind getting my toothbrush, and everything else on that shelf in the bathroom closet, and what else? TANK!! Oh I hope he’s all right, oh no, oh no, he hasn’t been fed in over a week the poor guy.” I said in a panic. “Don’t worry Rainbow,” Twilight said “I already thought about that while you were still unconscious at the hospital, Fluttershy already has him over at her place.” “Oh thank Celestia, I don’t know what I would have done if he was dead. Thank you Twilight.” I said in relief. “It’s no problem Rainbow” Twilight said, “Well I need to get back home; I have a lot of chores to catch up on. I guess I’ll see you girls later.” “Oh that reminds me, over this whole Fiasco, I completely forgot about the new dresses I have to make for Hoity. I must get back to them.” Rarity said heading towards the boutique. “Oh no, I’m late!” Pinkie said, “Mr. and Mrs. Cake asked me to watch Pound and Pumpkin today, I hope they aren’t mad at me. I got to go.” Pinkie said as she left towards Sugarcube corner. After they left, Fluttershy came back with the stuff I asked her to get. “I got what you asked for Rainbow, and here is your mail, I hope I got everything. I’m going to go get Tank and get all of your stuff to Sweet Apple Acres, I mean, if it’s alright with you.” “Thanks Fluttershy, and yes, I miss that little guy.” I said. And with that Fluttershy went off to her cottage to fetch him. So Applejack and I started walking back to her farm, about half way back Applejack asked “do you wanna race to the farm?” “A race?” I asked “you’re on!” and we both stood next to each other. I decided that I was going to start it. “On your mark.” I said with a smirk on my face, “GetSetGo!” I said, allowing me to get a good head start on Applejack. We were on the final stretch, about a hundred yards ahead of us was the arch that served as the finish line. We were tied neck and neck, but I started to pick it up and beat Applejack by about a foot. “Ha! That proves it!” I said triumphantly, “I told you I was just tired after the first run on our second race during the falling of the leaves” “Ok fine you won fair and square Sugarcube, but don’t think this means you’re a better athlete than I am” Applejack said teasingly Just then, Fluttershy came by with my stuff. “Here’s your stuff, sorry I have to go, but I need to feed my animals” she said, and she was off just as fast as she had come. The first thing I notice when I look down is that famed winged lightning bolt on a letter, and I just stood there staring at it. “The Wonderbolts, I-I got a letter from The Wonderbolts. OhMyGoshOhMyGoshOhMyGoshOhMyGoshOhMyGosh!”
