We Regret To Inform You...
Gallant Streak's heart pounded with fear and anxiety. He was one of the two Royal Guards chosen to tell Rainbow Dash's family about the huge loss that had taken place. He looked to his ally, Swift Heart, who also looked petrified for the reaction they might receive.
Just five days ago, there had been a battle between the Crystal Slaves and the Equestrian ponies. Soarin Skies, the co captain of the Wonderbolt's team, was about to be killed by one of the slaves. Rainbow Dash had thrown herself in front of him selflessly and had been stabbed instead. She had been bleeding immensely. It was spilling from her mouth and her sides like a stream. Spitfire, Soarin, Rainbow's friends, and other Wonderbolts teammates had attempted desperately to save her. The attempts had been futile and Rainbow Dash had bled to death that day.
Her friends and team grieved for Rainbow Dash. However, her family had not been informed of the loss yet. That was going to change today. Swift Heart and Gallant Streak were chosen to tell Rainbow Dash's parents about her death. Swift Heart didn't know why he was so nervous. He had told families about deaths in previous battles of the war. This felt a bit different to him. They were telling the family of an Element of Harmony about the death. This was the death of a child. Their daughter. Swift Heart knew the grief they would feel would be tremendous.
"I don't know if I can do this," Gallant Streak admitted turning to Swift Heart with nervousness.
"Aw, sure we can," Swift Heart assured, although he sounded unsure himself. "Remember. All we have to do is knock on the door and say 'We regret to inform you, but your daughter has been slain and bled to death on the battlefield five days ago'."
"And then watch them have an emotional breakdown," Gallant Streak muttered.
"Relax," Swift Heart said. "It'll be fine."
They took flight and arrived at the door of the house. Gallant Streak raised his hoof and hesitated for a moment. Was he really about to tell them this? Gallant Streak sighed and knocked on the door.
Two pegasi answered the door. One of them was a purple mare with a bright pink mane and the other was a gray stallion with a rainbow mane that matched his daughter's. That confirmed this was the correct house.
The mare's face grew concerned. She was surprised and confused to find two royal guards standing at her door. "Can we help you?" she asked.
Gallant Streak lightly nudged Swift Heart as if he wanted him to speak first. Swift Heart gritted his teeth and rolled his eyes at the action. He then bit his lip as he turned to Rainbow Dash's parents. A million emotions ran through Swift Heart's mind.
Swift Heart sighed sadly. He began to stutter. "W-we re-regret t-to inform y-you but... your..." Swift Heart froze.
"There's no need to be afraid," the mare assured with a smile. "I'm Windy Whistle and this is my husband, Rainbow Blaze."
Gallant Streak and Swift Heart removed their helmets. Gallant Streak gave her a smile. "Good day, ma'am. How is your morning going so far?"
"Great," Windy Whistle replied with a grin. "Nothing bad has happened all day. That's a contrast to yesterday when we found some dark crystals growing out of the sides of our house."
Rainbow Blaze smirked. "But we took care of that problem."
"What brings you stallions here?" Windy Whistle asked.
Swift Heart and Gallant Streak exchanged a glance. Swift Heart gave in. Although, no matter what, he could only think about the life he was about to ruin. "We regret to inform you, ma'am, but your daughter..." He paused.
As soon as the word 'daughter' was said, their expressions grew afraid. Rainbow Blaze glared. "What about our daughter?" he demanded.
"Your daughter has been slain and bled to death on the battlefield five days ago," Gallant Streak finished.
They watched her parents for a moment. Windy Whistle snapped immediately. Her whole world went blurry and her ears began ringing. Not her daughter. Not her only daughter. Her only child...
"What have they done?!" Windy Whistle wailed. "Who killed her?!"
"It was unknown, ma'am," Swift Heart replied with his voice breaking. "It was a Crystal Slave. His or her identity remains a secret to this day."
Windy Whistle's eyes burned with fury. "Well, I'll find them! I'll find them and I'll shatter---!"
"Windy Whistle!" Rainbow Blaze exclaimed. "I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do. We're never going to find the identity of that slave."
Windy Whistle began to sob uncontrollably. "She... she... was the o-only child we ever got! After she was born, we could no longer have kids! And now... she's... GONE!!"
"It'll be okay," Rainbow Blaze assured him tears streaming down his face.
"No," Windy Whistle said. "No, it won't! It won't ever be anymore! Our little Dash is dead and it's all Sombra's fault!"
"Ma'am, is there anything we can do?" Swift Heart asked softly.
"All you can do for us is make sure our daughter didn't die without a reason," Rainbow Blaze said. "Fight for her and avenge her for her sacrifice."
Swift Heart and Gallant Streak bowed, the way they would to royalty.
Windy Whistle got up and she grabbed Swift Heart by the front of his armor. She tugged him closer to her. Swift Heart could see the fire raging inside of her.
"You better keep her friends safe in the future!" Windy Whistle exclaimed. "It's what she would want if she were still her and if you don't, then---!"
"WINDY!" Rainbow Blaze hollered.
"Y-you're a lot like your daughter," Swift Heart told her as Windy Whistle let go.
Gallant Streak shrugged. "Like mother, like daughter."
Windy Whistle sighed. "I'm sorry. It's just... my whole world was my daughter. That world has shattered before my eyes. Just... please don't let her friends die. They're all I have left of her."
Swift Heart smiled lightly. "We'll try our best, ma'am."
Gallant Streak clapped Swift Heart on the shoulder. "Are we ready to get out of here?"
Swift Heart nodded. "I think so."
As the two royal guards left the house, Swift Heart looked to see the couple one last time. Windy Whistle wasn't able to bear the fact that her daughter was dead and continued to wail. Rainbow Blaze let Windy Whistle lay her head on his shoulder. He put his arm around her, let a few tears slip down his face, and walked inside. Swift Heart watched the door lightly close. Swift Heart felt a pin enter his stomach and lodge itself in his gut.
"I don't understand," Swift Heart said. "Why did Rainbow Dash run in front of Soarin Skies that day?"
"She loved him," Gallant Streak replied simply. "You know that."
"I just... never imagined someone like Rainbow Dash falling that in love with anypony," Swift Heart admitted. "In love enough to get stabbed in his place."
Gallant Streak nodded and chortled lightly. "Love makes ponies do funny things."
"In love enough to bleed to death for him?" Swift Heart said.
"Appears so," Gallant Streak confirmed.
"Why?" Swift Heart asked.
Confused, Gallant Streak turned to Swift Heart. "Huh?"
"Why does love do that to us?" Swift Heart wondered. "Why does it make us do crazy things?"
Gallant Streak thought for a moment. Then, he spoke, "Love... creates a feeling in us. The care that we feel for them becomes overpowering. And... if something happens to the pony that we have that feeling for... we wouldn't be able to live with ourselves."
"That's crazy," Swift Heart said shaking his head.
"And it's not just romantic love either," Gallant Streak added. "All love can do that to us. Whether it's family or friendship. The care that we feel for our family and friends is just as big as the care we feel for someone we're in love with. Greater even. I mean, you saw how Rainbow Dash's parents reacted when they lost her... when they knew they lost her. The only daughter they ever get. The love they must feel for her... I can't even imagine how losing a child would shatter your world."
"Neither can I," Swift Heart agreed. "I wouldn't be able to live with losing my daughter or my son. The pain I feel... would be... unbearable."
"Let's hope that we don't have to crush more lives like that in the future," Gallant Streak said.
"We will," Swift Heart said. "It won't always fall on us to inform the family of a loved one, but with over 100 casualties a day? I think we'll have to do this again for someone else soon."
"Then, let's just... prepare for it in the meantime," Gallant Streak replied.
Swift Heart nodded and smiled at his ally. Together, the two royal guards returned to Canterlot Castle.
