Rainbow Pie

There was a collective gasp of horror from the crowd as Rainbow Dash disappeared in a cloud of dust. The central monitor cut the live feed and switched to showing the X-treme Flight logo. "Everypony remain calm, please." the announcer requested, sounding shaken.

"NO! DASHIE!" screamed Pinkie. Her normally poofy mane had gone completely limp and she collapsed to the floor, sobbing.

Twilight felt like she was going to be sick. Everypony was crying. For all her reading and studying, she didn't know what to do. Rainbow Dash was down there, seriously hurt, maybe even... She couldn't bring herself to finish the thought. She felt Celestia's wing wrap around her comfortingly, and buried her face in her mentor's side. "Princess. I... we... Dash." she sobbed, unable to make anything coherent come out.

"Peace, my faithful student.", Celestia comforted, "Peace. She lives. Were an element-bearer to perish, I would sense it."

Her words carried a soothing aura, and everypony began to calm down, just a little.

Pinkie lifted her head up, still sniffiling. "We have to get down there."

"Indeed." said Celestia, her horn beginning to glow. The anti-magic field had been lowered to allow emergency personnel to work. Light filled the room and its occupants quickly found themselves teleported to the ground a short distance from the crash.

The arena ambulance was approaching. Pinkie rushed to Dash's side. Even with Celestia's reassurance, she had to see for herself that Dash was still breathing.

Fluttershy also cautiously approached and, for the second time that day, regretted letting her curiosity get the better of her. She backed away, shivering. "So.. so much blood." she murmered.

Scootaloo tried to go to her idol's side, but was quickly grabbed by Applejack. "But... but.." she protested.

Applejack had seen pictures of pegasi crashes in the newspaper before. It wasn't somthing a little foal like Scootaloo needed to see. "Sugarcube, ah know yer worried, we all are, but believe me, whats over thar ain't nothin' you need ta see."

Twilight approached at nearly the same time as the ambulance got there. She drew in a shocked breath. "Oh, Dash" she whispered softly. Dash's coat and mane were streaked with blood, which also liberally coated the ground. Two of her legs were bent at angles that nopony's legs were meant to bend at. And her wings - her wings were the worst. They looked as if somepony had just taken them and crumpled them up like wastepaper.

Four EMT ponies hopped out of the ambulance, quickly taking charge. "Everypony back away," one of them, evidently the head EMT, barked. Twilight quickly complied, but Pinkie, still in shock, didn't move. "C'mon, out of the way!" the EMT said again, more forcefully, grabbing her and pulling her back as the other three EMTs began attending to Dash. He looked at Twilight. "How'd you all get out here anyway?" he demanded.

"I brought them here." answered Celestia, approaching. "Miss Dash is a close personal friend to these ponies, and to myself. Now, please, don't let us distract you further."

"Of course, your Highness." he replied, executing a quick bow, before joining the other EMTs working to stabilize Dash.

Celestia turned to Twilight. "Twilight, do you have a quill and scroll? Quickly."

Twilight did not disappoint, producing the items almost before Celestia had finished speaking. Hurredly, the Princess jotted something down on the scroll and handed the quill back to Twilight.

The EMTs had gotten Dash onto a stretcher and were loading her into the ambulance. "We gotta get her to Canterlot General, double quick." the head EMT stated as he climbed in.

Quickly, Celestia stepped forward. "The private Royal Hospital at my palace is much closer," she said, handing him the scroll. "This will get you in."

"As you wish, your Highness," he replied. Then, turning to the driver as he closed the doors, he called out: "You heard her. Royal Hospital, stat."

They all watched with worried faces as the ambulance sped off. Then Celestia gathered the group and teleported them again, this time directly to the palace.

Twilight paced the floor of the waiting area. Dash had been brought in nearly four hours ago. The princesses had reluctantly gone to attended to other matters, with instructions that they be alerted as soon as there was news, leaving behind five worried ponies (thankfully, the three youngsters and Spike had fallen asleep, worn out from the day's events).

"Tarnation, Twi!" Applejack finally exclaimed. "Would ya siddown already? Wearin' a hole in tha floor ain't gonna get her better any faster. 'Sides which, yer makin' ever'pony else's nerves worse."

Twilight sighed and took a seat next to the orange pony. "I know, AJ. I just feel so... so helpless."

"Ah know, sugarcube, ah know." Applejack reached over and patted her on the back, then whispered to her: "Ah'm real worried 'bout Pinkie over there." She waved a hoof towards the pink pony, who was sitting curled up on the floor, rocking back and forth and whimpering softly, her gaze completely unfocused. "Ah think this here's all too much fer her. She's always been real fragile-like, emotionwise. Fluttershy, y'know, she's timid-like outside but she's got a strong core. Pinkie, though, she runs just opposite-wise. Ah've only seen her this upset one other time."

Just then the doors to the ER opened and a doctor came out. "Doctor! How is she?" Twilight blurted.

"Well," the doctor replied, "there's good news, bad news, and worse news."

Pinkie's whimpering grew louder and her rocking increased.

The doctor continued: "The good news is that she's stable and very likely to survive. The bad news is that we've had to put her in a magically-induced coma until her body can heal somewhat. She did have several broken bones and multiple internal injuries, though none too severe, thankfully. We expect to have to keep her under for aproximately two months."

"Gracious! Two months? And you say there is 'worse news'?" inquired Rarity, who had heretofore been silent.

"Yes. It's about her wings..."

Pinkie went full-on hysterical, bawling and screaming. "OH IT'S HORRIBLE, ISN'T IT? YOU HAD TO CUT THEM OFF?"

"Miss, we didn't ampu..."

"THEY'RE PARALYZED OR PERMANANTLY RUINED OR, OR... OH, MY POOR DASHIE WILL NEVER FLY AGAIN!"

"Now, if you would just calm down," the doctor protested. "There's always the chance that..."

Pinkie's histrionics continued unabated, preventing the doctor from continuing.

Applejack sighed. She hated to do this, but it was the only thing that could bring her friend to her senses. At least, it had worked that one other time...

To everyones astonishment, Applejack stepped forward, grabbed Pinkie, and slapped her across the face. Hard. Instantly the pink pony stopped her dramatic rambling, rubbing at her face. "Owie! Why'd you do that?"

"Sorry, sugarcube, but you were loosin' it there." Applejack explained. "Now siddown and listen ta what the doc has ta say."

"Erm, yes," the doctor continued. "As I was saying, Miss Dash's wings did suffer extensive damage, both wings being broken in multiple places. But we've been able to fix that using a series of metal rods to hold the bones in place until they start to knit, which should be during the coma at any rate. However, there was also extensive nerve damage. Unfortunately, it could be months or even longer before we know how badly this will impact her ability to fly."

"So, Pinkie could be right?" Twilight inquired sadly.

"Possibly. However, there's always the chance she could regain some function, or even make a complete recovery. There are also some promising treatments for nerve damage currently being reviewed by the Equestrian Food & Drug Adminstration. With all of you being so close to the Princess, I'm sure Miss Dash could be among the first candidates, should any of the treatments be approved."

Rarity smiled graciously. "Well, thank you Doctor... I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name?"

"Wellhooves. Dr. Wellhooves."

"Thank you, Dr. Wellhooves. Whatever happens now, we certainly appriciate all you've done to help our dear friend."

"As do we," a melodious voice declared.

Everyone turned and bowed as Celestia and Luna entered. "Dr. Wellhooves, was it?"

"Yes, your Highness."

"Dr. Wellhooves, you and your entire surgical team have our thanks. We shall be certain the hospital adminstration knows of your skill and dedication."

"Thank you, your Highness. You are most gracious. Forgive me, but I must go now and oversee the patient's transfer to the ICU." He bowed again and left.

Rarity got up. "Well, at least now we know she's going to live, thank goodness." She yawned. "Dear me, it is getting late. We should get the children home, I suppose. Scootaloo's mother will probably be wondering whats taken so long."

"She hath already been informed of what hath transpired," stated Luna. Then, turing to Applejack, she continued: "As hath thine elder brother. Ye shall all rest here at the palace tonight, and ye may depart on the 'morrow, if ye so desire."

"Thank you, your Highnesses," said Twilight, as the rest of the group got up. "I think we could all use a good night's sleep."