The Great Fairflanks Adventure

The Great Fairflanks Adventure – Chapter 4

By Windrace

“Dash? Dash? How long have you been here?”

Rainbow Dash perked her drowsy head up and stared at the colt lying on the bed in front of her. Her heart sank as she soon learned it was Twilight Sparkle who woke her up.

“How long have you been here?” Twilight asked again.

Rainbow looked at the imprint she left on the bed and then to Twilight, “I can’t remember. Pinkie Pie brought me here a little while ago, I guess.”

“A little while?” questioned the approaching doctor. “You my dear have been sleeping next to young Windrace for quite some time. You must remember that you too are in need to care still. I am here to escort you back to your room where you should remain until you are well again.”

“Could you move me in here?” Rainbow Dash asked with dozy eyes.

“I don’t think the ICU is where you belong,” he said taking hold of Rainbow Dash’s wheelchair.

“Hay! Wait! I don’t want to go!” Rainbow shouted in protest.

The doctor looked at Twilight hinting that is was time to leave. “I know what you want, but right now I need you to recover.”

Rainbow Dash grabbed the bedpost and held on. As the doctor pulled harder, a sharp pain rushed into Rainbow’s side and she let go. The doctor rolled the wincing pegasus down the halls back to her room where she was tucked into bed without a fight.

****

Thinking was the only thing Rainbow Dash could do for the time she was recovering in the hospital. She thought of home, her parents, her friends, and Windrace. The harder she tried to keep herself busy with games with her visiting friends and books brought by Twilight Sparkle, she could not keep her mind off that crazy colt lying in the ICU, that stupid childish colt. Why did he have to do it! Tears were a constant visitor to Dash as her sorrow turned to anger.

“It should have been me,” Rainbow Dash thought out loud in front of her visiting friends.

“Now why would you say such a thing?” Applejack objected.

“Dashie, aren’t you happy that you’re ok?” Pinkie Pie asked.

Rainbow Dash huffed, and turned away.

“Listen sugar cube. I understand what you’re goin’ through,” Applejack lay her hoof on Rainbow’s head. “Big Mac had a bad accident on the farm a couple years ago. Sent him to the hospital, almost died from it. I was supposed to close up the barn before a big storm hit, but Big Mac wouldn’t let me and did it himself. Well, a long story short, the wind blew the barn down right on Big Mac. He was in the hospital for weeks. I was mad at myself for it not having happened to me, but after some time past I realized how selfish I was being. I should have been grateful, cuz if it weren’t for my brother, I wouldn’t be here today. He saved my in a way.”

Brushing away a tear, Rainbow Dash turned to Applejack and replied, “I’m sorry, it’s just . . .” She trailed off and embraced her friends.

It was true. Because of him, she was could fly. Because of him, she was able to see her friends. Because of him, she was alive. After Applejack and Pinkie Pie left, she reflected on Applejack’s words and soon fell asleep.

****

Days turned into weeks, and soon Rainbow Dash could walk again. She took full advantage of this gift and visited Windrace everyday she could. As soon as she was released, Rainbow took a volunteer job at the hospital so she could see Windrace more. The weeks went by and still no sign of her colt ever waking up. Everyday she would spend time sitting at his side reading to him, telling him how her day went, or just sitting and gazing at him, waiting for those blue eyes to appear. Rainbow Dash’s friends came to visit too, but none more than Pinkie Pie.

One day Pinkie Pie turned the corner and trotted into the hallway Windrace’s room was in. She swore she could hear singing. It was only when she reached his room she could recognized the sweet soft voice coming from Windrace’s room, piercing through the hospital’s dull silence. She knew Rainbow could sign, but not this well. Pinkie Pie entered the room quietly not to disturb the performance and stopped in the doorway.

“That was beautiful Dashie,” Pinkie Pie said in astonishment after silence had returned.

“I wrote it for him,” Rainbow Dash whispered, turning around.

Pinkie Pie walked over and wiped the tear making its way down Rainbow’s cheek. “Don’t worry Dashie, he’ll walk up. And when he does, you and I can organize a party for him together!”

“Thanks Pinkie. Thanks for always being there for me,” Rainbow said giving Pinkie Pie a big hug. “You’re the best friend a pony could have.”

“I thought I was your best friend,” said a weak voice.

Rainbow Dash looked at Pinkie Pie, “I just said you were.”

“I didn’t say anything silly willy,” Pinkie Pie said confused. “You said, ‘You’re the best friend a pony could have,’ and then you hugged me.”

Rainbow’s wishful heart jumped as her head pivoted around and a pair of big blue eyes met her’s.

“And you never told me you could sing so beautifully,” stammered the blue-eyed colt.

Rainbow Dash could not breathe and could not moved; frozen in shock.

“Windrace you’re awake!” shouted Pinkie Pie. “Now we can have that party!”

“Party? For what?” Windrace said puzzled.

“For you,” Rainbow Dash sputtered still in shock. She could hardly see him through her tear soaked eyes. “I’ve been waiting for you every . . .”

“Day. Yes, I know,” Windrace interrupted. “I heard everything you said, everyday, and I thank you for it. That was probably what kept me going, kept me alive. I guess we’re even now, huh Dash? Dashie?”

“Oh Windrace!” Rainbow cried, reaching over and embracing him. “I missed you.”

“I think I’ll get the doctor now,” said Pinkie Pie, knowing it was time to leave the two alone.

Windrace escaped Rainbow’s grip and leaned back in bed, “now tell me the story again how you and your friends used the elements to defeat Nightmare Moon.”

The two talked for hours, only to be interrupted by the occasional visit from a nurse to check up on Windrace. “So what happens now? Are you going back to Fairflanks?” Dash asked, worrying what his answer might be.

“I thought I might stay here for a while,” Windrace replied, “with you. You could show me Ponyville and all your friends.”

Rainbow Dash leaned over and kissed him, “I would love that.”

****

Rainbow Dash lay on the soft grass letting her belly soak up the golden rays. Occasionally a shadow from above would float across blocking the warming gleams, but she did not care. After a few trial takeoffs and landings, the shadow came down back to earth and trotted over to Rainbow Dash.

“So how was that?” Windrace asked.

“You need to work on your takeoffs, they’re weak.” Dash replied whipping out Snowblast’s shades and putting them out.

“I’m trying,” Windrace shot back, a little annoyed. “If you haven’t noticed I’m a little on the hurting side still.” He walked closer and spread his scarred wings.

Rainbow rolled over and pushed herself up to a standing position with her wings.

“Well Mr. Windrace,” she said walking in circles around the colt, “You need to try harder.”

Rainbow poked him in the flank, “Back straight, wings up, and neck down. Now, what you need is to ignore the pain, flap hard, and push off with your hind legs.”

“Easier said then done,” Windrace said more annoyed. “And Dash I know how to fly, it’s just hurts. I think I need to take a break.”

The glum colt walked over to where Rainbow had been and laid down hiding his head under his wings. Dash felt sorry for him. He had been retraining himself non-stop as part of the recovering process, but with little success. All he could do was takeoff, hover for a while, and tire out. Whenever he tried to ascend higher, he would stain himself and fall back down. Dash strolled over to him and lay down next to him.

“I think I know what the problem is,” she said softly.

“What?” the muffled voice said from under the feathers.

Rainbow pushed aside Windrace’s wings revealing his wet face. She looked into his teary eyes and smiled. “All you need is a little help,” she shouted standing up. “Come on, get up!”

“It’s hopeless Dash,” Windrace said covering himself with his wings again.

Rainbow Dash kicked him in the flank and shouted, “Get up, now! You didn’t give up like this before, why start now? Come on, I’ll help you.”

Windrace shot Dash a look, and soon realizing he already lost, reluctantly got up and tottered over to her. Dash in response sprang up into the air and hovered over him.

“All right Windrace, your turn,” Rainbow shouted below.

“Ok, I can do this,” Windrace muttered to himself. He positioned himself, lifted his wings, and shoved off the ground with all his strength. Windrace flapped up to where Rainbow Dash was and hovered there with her.

“Good, see I knew you could do it,” she said sarcastically. “Now try getting up here.” Rainbow lifted herself above a little further and stopped, waiting for Windrace to follow. He looked at her, way above himself, and sighed. He was already tired and could feel his wings straining, but he didn’t want to embarrass himself in front of Dash any further. He flapped harder but it was not enough, and started to float down. Rainbow saw this, and immediately flew to his aid. She placed herself beneath him and began beating in time with his wings. Soon the two rose together higher and higher. Windrace looked down at Dash and smiled. She returned the smile with a little kiss on the neck as the two continued to ascend.