Angel Wings, Broken Rainbows

Fluttershy pushed the wheelchair along, her beautiful cyan partner safely cradled within. It had certainly been a trying week. Tears, pain, medication, cuddling (lots and lots of cuddling) and finally it was time for Rainbow to be released. The doctors were astounded at how quickly she recovered. Some of them thought Rainbow's natural athletic ability had modified her immune system and allowed her body to repair itself more easily. Regardless, I think that experimental magic will get a lot more use now.

"Come on 'Shy, just let me fly outta here."

"You still have to take it easy Dashie. Plus its hospital policy that you have to leave in a wheelchair."

"Ugggggh....."

"Dashie is so cute when she's frustrated. Hehe." Fluttershy thought as she stopped by the pharmacy window to pick up Rainbow's pre-natal medication. The doctors seemed concerned that she wanted to keep the baby. They suspected lingering emotional damage or post-trauma psychosis coloring the decision. To be honest, Fluttershy was worried herself, but she knew what Rainbow wanted and she would stick by her no matter what. It also helped that Nurse Redheart was there. It was really a mystery why she was still just a nurse. She was just a skilled and knowledgeable as any doctor in Equestria, probably more so. Oh well. They would have plenty of time to learn more about her for the next eleven months as they had personally asked her to handle Rainbow's pre-natal care.

"Move it 'Shy. We have to get to Sugarcube Corner."

The others had visited most every day. It was nice to see that everypony was in good spirits, but it was Pinkie who seemed to be taking it the hardest. Her mane and tail had regained a bit of its bounce with each visit and yesterday she was her "normal" Pinkie Pie self. She said she would have a surprise for us today. Like anypony didn't know what surprise that was.
One thing did weigh heavily on Fluttershy's mind. Shining Armor had visited a couple of times, but he never asked about the attack. She had brought it up to him in private, but he had simply told her he was close and not to worry about it right now. That she should only focus on Rainbow Dash.

"Okay okay. I'm going. We have quite a day ahead of us. Do you think everypony will understand?"

"I'm sure they will. They are our best friends. Even if anypony disapproves, they'll come around eventually. Either way, our decision is our decision."

"Yeah," Fluttershy said as she smiled warmly down at her love. She leaned her head down and landed a quick peck on the cyan cheek, suddenly she felt a hoof on her face and before he knew what was happening, a soft pair of lips pressed against her own. It flooded her body with an immeasurable warmth and when it finally broke and she looked into those beautiful roslyn eyes.

"Yeah," Rainbow said as Fluttershy held back tears of happiness.

They continued on to Sugarcube Corner.
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Fluttershy watched as Rainbow Dash pushed open the doors of the bakery and stepped into the darkened room.

"SURPRISE!"

The room brightened to reveal a room full of ponies, each brandishing a wonderful smile.

"Hey Dashie! Were you surprised? I know I said I had a surprise, but I'm sure you never expected it would be a surprise party! I mean, I wanted it to be a surprise to celebrate you getting all better AND you and Fluttershy being together," as she spoke, tears were slowly filling her eyes, but she never once broke her smile.

Rainbow Dash threw her legs around the pink pony, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Thank you so much Pinkie. I love it."

Fluttershy wiped at her own eyes, lest the tears begin to fall freely. She looked around the room, surveying the amount of effort Pinkie Pie had put into this party. All of their friends were there. Applejack, Rarity, Twilight, Spike. Even the princesses were there. Celestia and Luna smiled warmly at the displayed of pure friendship taking place, and seated next to them holding the same smile were Shining Armor and Princess Cadence. The latter was gently stroking the noticeable bulge in her tummy.

"Attention everypony! Fluttershy and I have an announcement to make!"

Fluttershy's eyes shot to her lover.

"I don't have to tell you guys what happened and I know some of you are going to disagree with this but.....I'm going to have a baby.

A wave of shock and horror spread through the crowd.
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Rainbow Dash looked on as she gave her friends time to absorb the news. Each of her friends was reacting in a different way. Applejack's face was contorted in anger, Rainbow Dash didn't believe it was at her but she couldn't be sure. Pinkie Pie's sadness reappeared for a split second and then she was able to recover her smile. Rarity just stared with a hoof over her mouth, eyes dampening. Spike clutched ever tighter around Twilight's neck. Twilight looked ahead sadly then shifted her gaze to the princesses. They, along with Shining Armor and Princess Cadence, had small, understanding smiles.

"Of course they already know." Rainbow thought as she felt Fluttershy's wing enfold her and draw her close. The initial shock was gone from her beautiful marefriend's face. She gave a simple nod and nuzzled her neck gently, motioning for her to go on.

"I know you guys are probably wondering how I could possibly decide this. I'm in love with Fluttershy and she's in love with me. We want to be together for the rest of our lives. This baby," she looked down and gently rubbed her tummy, "is mine and Fluttershy's and nopony else's. We're gonna raise it and love it with all our hearts."

Slowly but surely everypony's face softened. She knew understanding would not come easily, but she could see it in her friend's faces, and in Fluttershy's wondrous turquoise eyes that it would eventually come.
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Fluttershy didn't leave her partner's side for even a second. The others warmed to the idea, but still seemed hesitant to talk about it. Oddly it was Rainbow Dash who kept bringing it up and reassuring friend after friend, not the slightest ounce of weakness in her resolve.

"Dashie.....I know speed is your thing, but did you have to break the news so abruptly?"

"Ah'm happy fer ya and all, but the docs said it was dangerous ta have an abortion, but did they say how dangerous it's gonna be ta deliver?"

"I've only been pregnant for a week. It's waaaayyy to early to worry about that."

"If ya say so Dash."

"Now now Applejack, I'm sure Rainbow dear knows what she's doing. Besides, she has Fluttershy to look after her."

"You got that right," Rainbow Dash snuck a quick kiss on her lover's cheek, causing a crimson glow on the timid pegasus' face, " 'Shy is gonna take of me. You guys don't have to worry."

"That's like asking water not to be wet you silly filly."

Fluttershy took a small moment to steal away from her lover. As much as it pained her to do so, she made her way over to the princesses and Shining Armor.

"I'm so happy for you two," Cadence said, one hoof still on her belly.

"Um, thank you. I'm happy for you as well. Do you know if it is a filly or a colt?

"He's a colt. An alicorn like me and my aunts," she shot a glance over to her sister-in-law still talking away with Rainbow Dash and the others, "we were thinking of naming him Dusk Shine."

"Oh, I think that would be absolutely perfect."

"Yes dear Fluttershy, We have also told her this many a time. We believe Twilight Sparkle would be honored as she is the inspiration for the name," Luna's voice boomed overhead.

"I think so too."

"Oh Princess Celestia! Would you mind, um, if we spoke in private?"

"Not at all my little pony."

They silently made their way into the kitchen, still a disaster area from all the party prep.

"Princess.....do you know who did this?"

"I do."

"Who?"

"That is not something you need to know right now."

"What the hay do you mean I don't need to know?! Somepony raped the mare I love and you didn't raise a hoof to stop it!"

Sorrow appeared on the snow-white alicorn's face, but she managed to banish it away and regained her regal composure.

".....I'm sorry Princess. I know it wasn't your fault."

"You don't need to apologize Fluttershy. I understand completely. Words cannot express how sorry I am for what happened to Rainbow Dash and it is my fault that I didn't prevent it. It's my job to protect all of you and....."

Fluttershy could've sworn tears appeared in her ruler's for a split second.

"What I can tell you it this: This stallion will be caught and punished. You can be absolutely sure of that. Right now you need only be there for Rainbow Dash. She is strong, but something like this leaves many scars, most of which can't be seen on the surface."

The golden mare conceded.

"The princess is right. I mean, wrong for not telling me anything, but Dashie is what matters right now. Dashie and.....our baby."
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The couple rushed a few farewells as Rainbow Dash was still not a hundred percent and the evening was wearing her down.

They made their way back to Fluttershy's cottage. Fluttershy needed only glance at her animal friends to signal bedtime. Luckily, Angel Bunny was already fast asleep propped up on Tank's slumbering shell. They eye'd Fluttershy's luxuriously fluffy bed and collapsed into its throes. The lovers merely stared into each others eyes for what seemed an eternity, and what could've lasted for an eternity longer. Suddenly Rainbow Dash rolled over facing away from her partner, but backed up, snuggling into golden warmth. For the first time, Fluttershy was the protector. She wrapped her forelegs around the cyan pony's waist and gently nuzzled her neck, patiently waiting for sleep to take her marefriend so she fall into her own beautiful dreams colored by a wonderful rainbow.