Author's Note

Chapter. Thank Celestia this happened. And pretty quickly too. At last.

Special thanks to TheBrokenBrony for his fantastic plot idea. And if you guys want to see stuff happen in here, let me know. The plot bunnies are dying for me. So comment, message me, communicate somehow. I could use some inspiration.

Also, IMPORTANT NOTICE: I will be gone next week from the 13th-16th of December. So I highly doubt there will be any updates. But I might get stuff written on the plane ride there and back, so who knows? But just to be safe I'm warning you guys now. The reason being is that I'm officially headed on a plane to see my little girl! I cannot wait! So YAY!

Enjoy the chapter!

On The Other Side

Rainbow had taken her pacifier out, having enough of her senses left to feel the shame of embarrassment about that. But the diaper didn’t embarrass her. This was a place of medical practice. If there was a place she wouldn’t be judged for this, it would be here. She followed her Mama and brothers down the hall as the doctors took her for tests. Mama stayed with her in the X-Ray room, and her brothers guarded the door.

The next two hours were a blur of tests, being Poked, prodded, scanned, and scrutinized. Rainbow was annoyed and cranky, not to mention hungry and thirsty, but she kept quiet about it because she didn’t want to make her family sad. When she finally got into a room, Mama made sure she was settled in, then said:

“I’ll be right back. I’m going to get you something to eat.”

She nodded, and watched her leave. Her brothers stayed behind to watch over her. Thunderlane volunteered to guard the door from any unwelcome visitors (namely Wind Rider) while Soarin stayed with her. Sometimes they talked. Other times they played games, and then occasionally they lapsed into silence. Not because there was nothing to talk about, but because Rainbow was clearly tired.

Spitfire had indeed gone to get her little girl some food, but she also had some ulterior motives. She made a pit stop at the front desk and asked the receptionist for a scroll and a quill. She quickly scribbled a note, then went to find a nurse to get a food tray. On the way back to the room, she stopped outside the door to her baby girl’s room, and asked Thunderlane to deliver it personally. He gave a cursory look at what she’d written. He nodded, and then bolted off, following her instructions.

Spitfire came in with a smile, and sat on the bed. She put the food in her lap and started mashing everything that wasn’t already made that way. Soarin helped and put milk into the bottle, and screwed on the nipple. Spitfire nodded her thanks to him, and then she started feeding Rainbow, who looked incredibly grateful for the food. Spitfire could only imagine the depth of that hunger, since she knew she had to have been in that warehouse for several hours, and she highly doubted that Wind Rider would be kind enough to feed her.

Rainbow ate until everything was gone. The plate was spotless. Spitfire praised her clean plate, and then, She carefully positioned Rainbow in her lap, and gave her her bottle.

Rainbow nursed slowly, closing her eyes as she did so. The cool milk soothed her dry throat, and Mama’s warmth enveloped her. She heard the beating of her heart, and the beeping of the heart monitor that kept tabs on her own. The sounds, the warmth, and the pain medicine finally seeming to kick in all combined to send her off to sleep. Though she kept nursing, the bottle soon ran dry and she was just sucking on air. Spitfire was not unaware of this. She quickly replaced the bottle with her pacifier, and the suckling resumed. Spitfire gently moved her off of her lap and onto the bed before covering her up with a blanket.

When she was sure Rainbow was asleep, she motioned Soarin outside the room. She told him of the scroll she sent Thunderwing to deliver. Before he could reply, a doctor came up to them.

“Ma’am, I’m here to inform you that Wind Rider has been admitted here. Per your request we have him in a separate wing of the hospital and will be transferring him after his examination.”

“Excellent. Thank you, Doctor.” She said. “Oh, and one more thing.”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“I realize that I initially told you that myself, Soarin, Thunderlane, and Fleetfoot would be welcome here, but I did send a scroll to a guest about what happened here, and she should be permitted to come in.”

“Whom?”

“Princess Celestia. She should be arriving fairly soon.”

“I’m already here, actually.” Came the imperial voice.

Spitfire and the doctor both turned. Each bowed.

“Princess Celestia. Thank you very much for coming on such short notice.” Spitfire said.

“Of course, Spitfire. I am glad you had Thunderlane give a scroll to Spike to send to me. Would you mind telling me what happened here to cause my presence to be needed?”

“Certainly, Princess. Last Night while she was trying to go home following an injury, former Wonderbolt Wind Rider took Rainbow Dash and chained her up in a warehouse. She was there for hours with no food or water that I know of, and no restroom. He left a note on my desk to tell me to come and get her. I sent all Wonderbolts available in search of her. Thunderlane and I found her. I sent him to get the others. He tried to blackmail me with a secret of ours. I assume you know of it from your sister. When I tried to do something, he took a bolt cutter and crushed one of her bones. We’re still waiting for the x-ray results to see the damage that has been done. I tried to get him to leave her alone through some apparently questionable means. I don’t exactly remember what all that was, but it was enough to knock him out. And if you want to punish me for it, feel free. But I do not regret my actions.”

The Princess’ face was serious. “I understand why you did what you did, whatever it was. And I will not punish you for it.” She said. “Protecting your child is a good reason, particularly under the circumstances. I can’t imagine you didn’t do what any self-respecting parent would. And as for Rainbow Dash, may I see her?”

“I’m don’t think she’s awake, but I can wake her up if you need me to?”

“That’s quite alright, Spitfire. I just wanted to see her condition.”

“If you’re available later, you’re certainly welcome to come and see her.”

“I’ll do my best.” She smiled. She took a second to peek in on the sleeping mare and saw her bandaged wing. She nodded to herself, then she turned to the doctor. “Would you please escort me to Wind Rider’s room?” She asked.

“Certainly, Princess.” He said, and took her to the aforementioned Stallion’s room.

When she walked in, Wind Rider had his head bandaged, and quite a few bruises. Her eyes narrowed. Wind Rider looked over at her with an expression of annoyance, but then realized who she was.

“P-Princess Celestia!” He exclaimed.

“Hello, Wind Rider. How are you feeling?”

“I’m in pain, but I’m handling it well.”

“Really?” She asked and advanced into the room. “Because I know some pony who is tolerating much worse pain than yourself.”

She saw a flash of fear cross through his eyes, and that told her everything she needed to know. “Rainbow Dash is currently nursing a crushed wing bone because of your heinous actions. You were cruel, cold, calculating, and you knew exactly what you were doing when you sought her out. This is one of the most heartless things I have ever seen anypony do. And now only one question remains: How will you be punished?”