It was strangely peaceful, walking down the park’s path that morning. The golden glow of the sun peeked out from behind the horizon, lighting the sky with brilliant orange. Morning dew held onto blades of grass, and the dirt road she strolled on was only slightly muddied by yesterday’s rain.

There was almost no noise this early in the morning. The foals in the medical tents were usually still fast asleep, granting them small reprieve from their pain, and the adults would try to stay as quiet as possible in order to not disturb them. The only sound she heard that morning was the light breeze flowing.

So it came as a surprise to Starlight when she heard her friend Rainbow talking. It took her a second to see where her friend was, but as she reached the top of a shallow slope, she saw Rainbow talking into one of the public telephones a few yards ahead.

“Not coming?” Rainbow shouted into the phone, sounding baffled. “But she’s your daughter!” She listened into the phone before replying, “Fine then! Don’t come! See if I care!” With that, she slammed the phone onto the clip.

Starlight approached, asking, “Is everything okay?”

Looking over, Rainbow greeted, “Hey Starlight,” in monotone. Sighing, she apologized, “Sorry you had to hear that. I was… on the phone with Scootaloo’s parents. Apparently, they’re too lazy to visit her.”

“Hold on,” Starlight said, raising a hoof. “Isn’t that jumping the shark a bit? I mean, Scootaloo’s mom is a botanist, right? Maybe she’s too busy with work.”

Rolling her eyes, Rainbow remarked, “The only thing Mane’s doing is getting drunk off her flank. Those two’ve neglected their daughter for years. They just make up those stories so Scoot doesn’t think of them poorly.”

“Really?” Starlight asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Do you remember when they were going to take Scootaloo with them?” Rainbow asked. “Well, that turned out to only be because of them being too cheap to pay Lofty and Holiday.” She paused before saying, “And before you say it, no, I wasn’t going to let them take her. I just wanted Scootaloo to get some confidence, so I ended up paying those two deadbeats to play along and leave.”

Starlight looked off to the side. “Wow, I never knew… So, now you’re paying Lofty and Holiday?” she asked.

Rainbow stared down at the ground, tired from her emotions. “Look, I know it’s been a while since we’ve talked, but I’ve gotta go. I wanna be there when Scoot wakes up. Catch up later.”

As Rainbow turned to leave, Starlight offered, “How about I come with you? I’ve got nothing better to do.”

Sighing, Rainbow replied, “Fine,” without looking back at Starlight. “But keep up the pace. I wanna be there when Scoot wakes up.”

The two began walking back to the main tent, Rainbow keeping a brisk pace. Starlight quickly found herself bothered by the deafening silence between the two. Perhaps it was fate, then, that Rainbow chose to ask, “So, uh, how’ve you been lately?”

“Ugh, don’t get me started,” Starlight replied, sounding exhausted. “On top of taking care of the ICU foals at night, I’ve been busy trying to hold our school together. Twilight might’ve shut down the schools, but the students who live abroad can’t travel back home unless they’re over 18. So now I’m forced to manage them in my free time. All on my own, too!”

“What about Trixie and Sunburst? Aren’t they helping?” Rainbow asked, tilting her head.

Starlight shook her head. “Nope,” she replied, gritting her teeth. “Trixie’s treating the whole thing like a vacation! I keep telling her that she needs to take care of the students, but of course, she says that she doesn’t have to work now, so why bother? Ugh I hate her sometimes.”

“And Sunburst?”

Starlight frowned. “He can’t. Apparently, he’s one of the few adults who can still get sick from it.” After a small pause she continued, “Sunburst was going to volunteer here with me, but once they found out immunocompromised adults could still catch it, things changed. He got spooked pretty bad from that, too. Now he refuses to even leave the castle,” she explained.

“Can’t blame him,” Rainbow muttered, staring off into space. When everything started, she thanked her lucky stars she couldn’t catch it, but now all she wished for was to switch spots with Scootaloo.

It was strange. Never before had she cared so much for somepony else. Sure, she cared for her parents, and sure, she cared for Fluttershy too, but Scootaloo was different. She’d do anything to see that foal happy. Sure, they weren’t related by blood, but in Rainbow’s mind, Scootaloo was more of a little sister to her than any blood relative could ever wish to be.

As a tear began do develop in Rainbow’s eye, an all too familiar country accent called out to them. “Howdy, ya’ll,” Applejack hollered. She smiled brightly, without a care in the world. “Hope ya’ller havin a good mornin’!” She approached with a kick in her step. “Oh, and Rainbow! I’ve got some good news. Fluttershy told me ta tell ya she was able to get Scoot’s feedin’ tube in if ya showed up today. I would’ve told ya sooner, but after ya left in a fit yesterday I figured it’d be best ta let ya cool off a bit,” she laughed, scratching the back of her neck. “Good ta see yer back, though.”

“Screw you,” Rainbow seethed. Applejack recoiled. Before she could say anything, Rainbow stepped forward, putting an uncomfortably close distance between the two. Rainbow pushed her hoof into her chest, scolding, “You thought I wouldn’t find out about what happened, huh?”

Applejack glanced over at Starlight, who simply shrugged. Looking back to Rainbow, she stammered, “H-Hold your horseshoe there, sugar cube. I don’t know exactly what yer talkin’ bout but let’s just simmer down and talk it out, alright?”

Squinting her eyes at Applejack, Rainbow growled, “Apple Bloom! Your sister! That’s what I’m talking about!”

Raising an eyebrow, Applejack asked, “Huh? W-What about her?”

The anger in Rainbow’s face caused a vein to pulse in her forehead. “Your sister pushed Scoot into getting sick!”

“Say what now?” she asked, not believing what she just heard.

“Don’t play dumb with me!” Forcefully jabbing Applejack’s chest with a hoof, she shouted, “It was your birthday card she had her deliver!”

“Birthday card?” Applejack muttered, a chill running down her spine. She remembered seeing her card stuffed inside her saddle bag, but at the time she thought nothing of it. At least, nothing negative. There was a momentary pause before she pleaded, “R-Rainbow, you’ve gotta believe me- I-I had no idea-”

A loud crack sounded, breaking the serenity of the park. “That’s for screwing my sister’s life over,” Rainbow spat, her hoof pulling away from where it landed.

All Applejack thought to do was to look up at Rainbow, stunned by her friend’s punch. She felt a bead of blood trickle out her nose. “R-Rainbow,” Starlight gasped in horror. “What did you just do?”

“I’m leaving. Hope your sister gets what’s coming to her,” Rainbow said, not looking either pony in the eye. With a flare of her wings, she kicked off into the sky, leaving a cloud of dirt in her wake.

Coughing and waving the dust away, Applejack felt a hoof tugging at her. “Sweet Celestia, are you okay?” Starlight asked.

“Y-Yeah,” Applejack breathed. “Wasn’t expectin’ her ta hit me like that.” Once Starlight pulled her to her hooves, she realized her Stetson wasn’t resting on her head. Looking to where she fell, she saw it, crumpled beyond repair, and frowned. “Guess Imma need a new hat now.”

“Your hat? What about your nose?” Starlight fretted, nervously biting on the tip of her forehoof. “I-I think she broke it!”

Touching her nose, Applejack winced. “Yep. Broken,” she confirmed. Shaking her head, she complained, “First Granny’s hip, now my nose… That’s gonna hurt the bank a might.”

“C-Come on. Let’s get you to a doctor,” Starlight said, her eyes locked onto the injury.

***

Silver scrunched her eyes as she slowly woke up. Her headache wasn’t any better, but nothing seemed to be worse either. Groaning, her eyes fluttered open, looking up at the tent ceiling.

Shifting, she propped herself up and examined her surroundings. It looked to be early in the morning. Most were still asleep, and the sun barely shined in through the tent’s rear entrance.

One glance proved her friend Scootaloo to be fast asleep. “At least she’s getting some sleep,” she muttered under her breath.

Out of nowhere, she heard a loud whoosh come from the back entrance of the tent. Snapping her attention to the startling noise, she saw Rainbow walk in.

As Rainbow approached, Silver greeted, “Good morning, ma’am,” her voice small and frail. The mare didn’t look her in the eye, instead locking on to Scootaloo. “Oh, um, I don’t think Scootaloo’s going to wake up anytime soon. She was, um… She was having trouble sleeping last night. You know, because of the feeding tube.”

Frowning, Rainbow looked down at the ground. “Drat. I knew I should’ve stayed,” Rainbow muttered. Moving her gaze back to Scootaloo she spat, “Some sister I am.”

“Hey, um, I know it isn’t any of my business, but did something happen yesterday?” Silver asked, concerned. “You left so early, and you didn’t tell anypony why…”

Rainbow looked over to Silver. “Yeah, actually. Something did happen,” she admitted. “And it made me angry. Really angry. Still am, actually.” She choked down tears before giving an empty chuckle. “Sweet Celestia, what’s wrong with me? I’m talking to a child like she’s my shrink or something. I really am a loser.”

Sighing, Rainbow said, “Anyway, it’s not like any of that affects you.” She scratched the back of her neck. “So, uh, since Scoot’s going to be asleep for a while, you need me to get you anything?”

“Um, maybe you could get me a new pillow?” Silver requested. “I-If you don’t mind, that is.” Reaching back, she pulled the pillow in front of her. “It’s too warm, and it’s all lumpy now.”

“Yeah, sure thing,” Rainbow said, taking the pillow away. “I’ll be right back. Just hold tight.” She flared her wings and flew off out of the tent at brilliant speed. The tornado like sound following her caused Silver to cringe, along with most of the foals who were awake.

Silver rubbed her ear. “Oww,” she mumbled. She immediately spotted a foal glaring at her, holding a pillow around their ears. She blushed, mouthing, “Sorry.”

Sinking down, Silver’s head touched the mattress and she turned to her side.

By some miracle, Scootaloo still was fast asleep. Her chest slowly rose and fell as she breathed softly. Her hooves rested in front of her, one lightly touching the side of her nose without a tube. Her mouth was open slightly, a small bit of drool landing on her pillow. She seemed so peaceful.

A small smile grew on Silver’s face. Maybe things would be fine after all. At least, she hoped so.

***

“She did WHAT?” Rarity exclaimed, almost choaking on her tea. She leaned forward in her seat with her mouth agape.

Scratching the back of her neck, Applejack explained, “It was a real shocker, I tell ya.” Her voice sounded more nasally thanks to the splint she was given.

“A-Applejack, I’m so sorry,” Rarity apologized, using a cloth napkin to lightly dab away any spots of tea on her lips. “I-If I hadn’t let them outside to play, none of this-”

Applejack shook her head, assuring, “It ain’t yer fault, Rares, much as Dash wants it ta be. You were workin’ after all. Ain’t no way you’d be able ta watch them the whole time. Specially with those three.”

“Well yes,” Rarity conceded, lightly placing the napkin down on the kitchen table, “but I can’t just stand idly by! Our friend has fallen off the deep end! We need to fix this… somehow…”

She glanced out her kitchen window, looking out at the bright sunny day. Against the pale-blue sky and the green the grass she spotted a pale-yellow mare near a bush just outside her yard. Gasping, Rarity shouted, “That’s it!”

With haste, she undid the latch that locked the window shut, and pushed it open. Rarity leaned over to the window and shouted, “Fluttershy! Over here!”

The mare jumped, softly crying, “Eep!” A few white bunnies hopped into the bush as Fluttershy snapped her head to where the noise came from. Spotting her friend Rarity waving her down through the window, she quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

She carefully hovered over the white picket fence and over to the window. “Um, g-good morning,” Fluttershy greeted, softly landing in front of the window. She leaned on the window as Rarity sat back in her chair. “It’s good to-” She gasped. “Applejack! What happened to your nose?”

Looking down at her teacup which was still filled to the brim, Applejack rolled her eyes. “I’m never gonna get ta drink this, am I?” she complained. “Long story short, Dash and I got in a fight. It didn’t go too well.”

“Oh my,” Fluttershy commented. “Well, um, I’d like to hear more, but I’m supposed to be working at the tent right now, actually, so um-”

“Fluttershy wait,” Rarity exclaimed. “Just hear me out. Your boyfriend, Discord, he’ll do anything for you.”

Blushing, Fluttershy muttered, “Um, m-maybe, but we aren’t-”

“Exactly,” Rarity affirmed. “And Discord can do just about anything, right?” she asked insinuatingly, smirking. “So maybe Discord would be willing to do you a favor… say, curing somepony’s illness?”

Fluttershy looked over to Applejack with concern, before moving back to Rarity. “Um, sorry Rarity, but, um, I really don’t think he can,” she answered, dejectedly.

“But he’s Discord,” Rarity countered. “He’s the most powerful creature in the world, darling! Why, he can do things we can’t even comprehend! Surely he can fix one pony!”

Frowning Fluttershy shook her head, explaining, “Rarity, I already asked, and he said he couldn’t do it. He said it was because of something to do with Chrysalis’s throne, I think?”

“B-B-But-”

Applejack cut in, saying, “It ain’t happenin’ Rares. Ain’t nothin’ we can do about it.” As Rarity sunk in her seat, Applejack apologized, “Sorry we bothered ya.”

“Oh, it’s alright,” Fluttershy timidly assured. “Really, I enjoy talking to you two, but with how everything’s been going these days, I just don’t have the time. Um, you two enjoy your lunch.”

With a gasp, Rarity sat right back up in her chair. Beaming with renewed confidence, she exclaimed, “Wait! I just got an idea! Fluttershy, what was it you said again?”

Fluttershy, looking a tad flustered, repeated, “I said I don’t have time to-”

“There! That’s how we’ll make amends,” Rarity declared. “Rainbow’s too busy taking care of the other foals, right? So what if we lend a hoof? It won’t fix poor Scootaloo’s position, but it’ll give them time to be together, at least.”

Applejack and Fluttershy looked over to each other. “Rares, ya do realize we’ve got our own responsibilities ta deal with, right?” Applejack asked, the two mares looking back to Rarity.

“Besides,” Fluttershy added, “don’t you have an important meeting today? I know Rainbow needs our help, but-”

“Fancy Pants can wait,” Rarity interrupted. “And as for me, I’m determined to help our friend,” she declared, standing up with confidence. “By any means necessary!”

“And Sweetie Belle?” Applejack asked. “Yer watchin’ her today, remember?”

There was a small pause before Rarity ordered, “You take Sweetie Belle to our parents’ house. Fluttershy, meet me at the tent as fast as you can!”

Before Applejack could object, Rarity took off, trotting out of the kitchen with her head held high. Sighing, Applejack muttered, “Dagnabit, Rares. I don’t have time fer this.”

Reluctantly, Applejack stood up. “Guess I’ll see ya in an hour or so,” she said, looking back at Fluttershy. With that, she too left the kitchen, although her head wasn’t held so high.

***

She heard the doctor and the head nurse arguing as she approached his private tent. “We need to stop accepting foals from out of town,” nurse Red Heart shouted. “Let Canterlot burn for all I care. Serves that princess right!”

Pinkie Pie had asked her to deliver another stack of paperwork. Scootaloo was still asleep despite it being almost noon, so she agreed to do it, but she worried her sister would wake up without her by her side. That said, something caused her to stop before entering the tent in front of her. Curiosity or more anger, she wasn’t sure.

“Red Heart, we can’t just ignore them,” Dr. Horse disputed. “They need our help as much as our own.”

“They’ll die either way,” Red Heart huffed. “At least it’ll send a message to that purple-”

“Red Heart,” Dr. Horse scolded. “You are way out of line. I’ve told you once and I’ll tell you again, we are NOT abandoning Canterlot. I don’t care what you or my brother say, it’s better to treat them than let them suffer alone. Besides, mayor Mare has ordered us to. We can’t go against that.”

Nurse Red Heart groaned. “Stupid mare. I’m never voting for her again,” she declared.

Once the arguing stopped, Rainbow pushed through the entrance and made it inside. “Oh, Ms. Dash! You have more paperwork to deliver?” Dr. Horse asked, pretending nothing had happened.

“Yeah, I got it right here,” she replied, nudging the papers to show them off. “Same place as before?”

Smiling, Dr. Horse answered, “Actually, you can hoof them to me. I’ve got nothing better to do.” Rainbow obeyed the request without question, placing down the papers in front of the doctor. As she turned to leave, nurse Red Heart asked, “Ms. Dash, I know you have somewhere to be, but can we talk for a minute?”

Looking back, Rainbow could see the concern on the nurse’s face. She figured she knew where this was going. “Fine,” she reluctantly agreed. “But you better be willing to walk back to the main tent.”

Nurse Red Heart nodded and walked up to Rainbow. Together, they left Dr. Horse’s tent and began their travel back. A few seconds in, Red Heart asked, “So, nice weather we’re having today, aren’t we? Lot better than yesterday’s forecast, that’s for sure.”

Rolling her eyes, Rainbow stated, “Look, I know you’re here to scold me, okay? Let’s just get it over with.”

Raising an eyebrow, Red Heart asked, “Scold you?”

“You know, for Applejack,” Rainbow reminded. “The whole reason Applejack didn’t get to work today.”

“Ah, I forgot! The Zap apple harvest is today,” the nurse recalled. “Who’d have thought I’d forget something so special!” There was a moment of pause as Red Heart went from excited to confused again. “Wait, but why would I scold you? You’re not even involved in it.”

A pair of conflicting emotions came to Rainbow. On the one hoof, this wasn’t about that morning’s incident, but on the other hoof, she had to come up with something. And fast. “W-Why? Uh, well…” Rainbow scratched the back of her neck. “Uh, because… I’m not helping with it. Y-You know, Element of Loyalty and all,” she lied, awkwardly laughing at the end.

Nurse Red Heart shook her head, smiling. “Of course I’m not going to scold you for that,” she assured, bumping her foreleg against Rainbow’s side playfully. “I wouldn’t tell somepony what to do with their own life.” Rainbow wanted to counter by pointing out her argument with Dr. Horse but chose to stay silent.

Red Heart’s expression fell. “Actually, I just wanted to check up on you,” she admitted. “I’ve been meaning to for a while, but I never found the time. The other nurses talk bout how you’ve seemed so down lately- u-understandably so, of course.”

Rainbow slowed to a halt. Hearing a faint rustling sound, she looked over to a nearby bush. “U-Um, of course, you don’t have to tell me anything,” Red Heart informed. “I-I just thought I should check.”

Squinting, Rainbow tried looking around the leaves to see who or what made the noise. “I-If you don’t mind though, I am a bit curious about why you haven’t taken any days off lately. Y-You know, being you’re a Wonderbolt and all.”

Seeing nothing, Rainbow gave up and turned back to Red Heart. “Oh, yeah, I, uh, I quit,” she replied nonchalantly. Just then she heard a gasp come from the bush. Before she could turn around, she was tackled to the ground. Above her stood a wide-eyed, pink mare. “Ack! Pinkie,” Rainbow complained. “You nearly gave me a heart attack! W-what are you doing here, anyway?”

“Me?” Pinkie asked, looking down at Rainbow. “I was coming to get you, silly! You were taking so long, so I decided that I should come find you. Then I saw what I thought was a bit in that bush over there and went to check, but when I did you and Red Heart showed up and I didn’t want to interrupt anypony, so I just hid in the bush,” she explained. “But that doesn’t matter. You said you quit the Wonderbolts?”

Grumbling, Rainbow answered, “Duh. How do you think I’ve been able to work here without leaving once a week?”

“B-But… b-but…” Pinkie was at a loss for words. Finally, she exclaimed, “But wasn’t that your dream, Dashie? To become a Wonderbolt?”

Sighing, Rainbow asked, “So what? Scootaloo’s not going to get to live her dream. Why should I?” She looked down at the dirt road. “The Wonderbolts don’t need me anyway. At least I can help my sister now.”

“Dashie-”

“Hey, wait a minute,” Rainbow said, cutting Pinkie off. She looked directly in Pinkie’s eyes with a scowl. “If you’re here, then who the hay is watching over Scootaloo?”

Pinkie Pie smiled. “Oh, don’t worry. I got Rarity to do it,” she calmly explained.

“What?” Rainbow asked, sternly.

Giggling, Pinkie related, “Yeah! I was just as shocked as you! Turns out she came back into work today just to help you out. She even canceled a meeting with Fancy Pants!”

Rainbow gritted her teeth. “You left Rarity to watch over her?” she asked, her voice rough and full of spite.

“Mhm,” Pinkie confirmed. Just then, she felt her knees feel pinchy. She hastily jumped to the side as Rainbow zoomed up into the air at brilliant speed.

Flying above the two mares, Rainbow shouted, “Pinkie you idiot!” She took off, racing back to the tent as fast as possible. Pinkie managed to keep chase, so Rainbow yelled, “Don’t you remember what happened yesterday?”

Panting, Pinkie nodded, “Yes- *wheeze* but I- *wheeze* Can we slow down please?”

Rainbow ignored her, seeing the tent a few feet away. Making sure she wouldn’t crash into it, she hit the ground and skidded to a halt right in front of the back entrance. As Pinkie ran up, Rainbow entered.

“There you go, darling,” Rarity’s regal voice cooed. Rainbow spotted Rarity tending to Silver, placing a cold pillow under her head.

“Who the heck do you think you are,” Rainbow shouted, running up to Rarity. Silver and Rarity both jumped at the shouting, their attention snapping to her. “I thought I made it clear I didn’t want to EVER see you again!”

As Pinkie ran in behind Rainbow, Rarity explained, “W-wait! I just wanted to help you-”

“I DON’T WANT YOUR HELP,” Rainbow shouted. Almost the entire tent was now looking over at Rainbow, some pulling their pillows over their ears to muffle the shouting. “I don’t need your help! You’re the one who ruined EVERYTHING!”

Before Rarity could get out a word, Pinkie shouted, “Duck!” Just as she registered Pinkie’s warning, Rainbow lunged at her. She dodged just in time, causing Rainbow to land face first into the ground. Taking the opportunity, she attempted to flee, only to fall to the ground herself as she tripped over Rainbow.

Rainbow growled, turning towards her. Rarity scrambled backward, her back nudging the foot of Scootaloo’s bed.

She knew she stood no chance with an athlete. All Rarity could do now was shake in fear as Rainbow fumbled her way up again. Rainbow stomped towards her, rage blinding the mare. She clenched her eyes shut, preparing to get hit. Then a small, weak grumble came from above her.

Rainbow froze and looked up. Scootaloo yawned as she propped herself up, her eyes fluttering open. “What’s with all the noise?” Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she attempted to look over at somepony and saw nothing.

All three mares were now peering at Scootaloo, who looked through them. The filly began to blink, rubbing her eyes again, only to look back at nothing. She began to hyperventilate. “I-I c-can’t see,” she stuttered. She clawed at her eyes, blinking faster and faster, but only a black void met her gaze. “I can’t see!”

Rainbow fumbled her way over, pulling the clawing hooves away from Scootaloo’s face. “H-Hang on, Scoot,” Rainbow said, putting a hoof on her shoulder. “Pinkie, get a stretcher!”

“A what?” Scootaloo frantically asked.

“We’re on it,” Pinkie accepted. She pulled Rarity to her hooves and dragged her out the tent, running to get what Rainbow asked for.

Scootaloo was now in tears, trying to move her eyes in hopes of seeing something. “A-A-Am I going to die?” Scootaloo asked, her voice strained and shaking.

Enveloping her in a hug, Rainbow cooed, “D-Don’t worry kid. You’ll be fine. I promise.”

Rainbow’s heart raced a mile a minute. “T-That’s you, right? Um, R-Rainbow?”

Nodding despite Scootaloo being unable to see it, Rainbow assured, “I’m here, kid. I’m right here.”

As Scootaloo continued to sob, Rainbow looked out the back entrance. Hurry!

Author's Note

Aaand there's stage 4a! As the title of the chapter implies, there will be a stage 4b as well, coming out sometime in the future (I still have to write it). I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and have a lovely day!