Equestria: Underground Assualt

Rainbow Dash just sat beside Applejack's bed, ears drooped as she looked over the former farmpony. Not being able to do anything but lay in a hospital bed for days all wrapped up like a coccon. She herself would've gone crazy after a few hours. Add that with the loss of Sweet Apple Acres, and well, adds up to the worst time of her life. Rainbow couldn't pretend to act like she knew what that felt like though.

She figured it must be like if the cyan pegasus had ever lost her wings for any reason.

Her wings were her lively-hood. She couldn't possibly live without them. She needed them for her line of work. Being the manager of the weather in Ponyville was one of the easier jobs out there, especially when she had to bust the stray clouds over Ponyville. But then, she'd need her weather team in order to make the occasional storm to make up for the rare draught.

After all, it was much easier to destroy than to create. Nearly everything required teamwork it seems. A sinch when you have good teammates.

It was more than that though. Rainbow loved the way the wind felt when she went top speed through the air and the elation and awe when she looked over the world. You can really see forever if you just went high enough. It is breathtaking. She couldn't stand being grounded for long when her happiness laid up in the clouds. Plus, she needed them in order to join the Wonderbolts someday.

Rainbow Dash sighed, not for the first time that day. Really, she didn't mind but it does get boring waiting. It doesn't help that AJ was seemingly asleep and everything was white. Plain, boring white. White naturally goes with any other colour, but that doesn't mean it went with itself. The pegasus could see why most insane ponies would go even more crazy since they are surrounded by those pure white walls all the time. Would it kill anypony to paint the walls a different colour?

Normally, Rainbow would have borrowed one of the Daring Doo books from the hospital ponies, but sadly, they don't seem to be in a hurry to check up on her earth pony friend. That didn't leave for lack of imagination though.

The speedster wasted her free time imaging that she was on one of Daring Doo's adventures while she dutifully guarded Applejack. Yep, she was alone with the cocconed mare if you didn't pick up on that.

Let's see; Fluttershy has her animals, Twilight her library and Spike, Rarity her Boutique, and Pinkie Pie has to work at Sugarcube Corner. Rarity would've had her sister to take care of, but she disappeared on the night of the fire along with the other Crusaders. They sure didn't waste time naming them the prime suspects, that's for sure.

Dash here just can't believe the three innocent fillies would ever do such a thing. Surely they wouldn't turn to crime as being their cutie marks? And arsonists or some other thing like that to boot? Now that was serious. Not only somepony had nearly killed the whole Apple family, they, he or she had single-hoofedly (or otherwise) destroyed them in another way. Harvesting apples was what they do, and take that away from them, what do you have? Washed up, desperate ponies looking for work.

But it wasn't all that bad for Applejack's family, as they had relatives to turn to. Granny Smith and Big Macintosh were out in good ol' Apploosa, helping out Braeburn with his orchard. Certainly much better than waiting for AJ to recover, which could take weeks in her current condition.

"I'm so bored." Rainbow quietly whined, quite mindful of the fact that her friend was likely sleeping. But almost immediately, that colt returned with his fancy glasses and clipboard. And no, it wasn't a doctor, it was that detective, Ferret Flatfoot. He was the most ordinary unicorn pony you could find. With that boring hair-do, gray coat, black mane and eyes so dark brown it looked black (Yes Rainbow was so bored she noticed). Overall, too plain and dark for lack of a better word. Having a maginifying glass as a cutie mark, it would be kinda obvious he was a detective.

"I see you're having a lovely evening, Miss Dash," He commented, raising an eyebrow at the barely attentive pegasus. It was night already? How long was she even there anyways? "Don't you have a job like the rest of your companions? Or are you a moocher?" Already getting a bit too personal there bud.

"I've already taken care of the clouds today," Rainbow growled in indignation. "and the next storm isn't sceduled until next week." Ferret simply nodded at this.

"I was hoping to ask a few quetions about a certain filly. I expect you knew the foal known as Scootaloo?"

"Nah, we weren't all that close. But yeah," Rainbow added, drawing up memories when she interacted with the bouncy filly. "We've talked a few times. Why are ya asking?"

"Well, I figured I might pick out a motive for anything other than cutie marks. I've already talked to Miss Rarity, Miss Applejack seems to be asleep for the moment, and I've heard tell that you were close to the filly in question. Can you tell me anything about her?"

Rainbow Dash racked her brain for what she noticed of Scootaloo. "Well, she has a lot of spirit for one thing. And that she always seems to be zooming around on that scooter of hers." She said, waving her hoof absently as she thought. 'Also a bit eager to please.' But she kept that to herself. Not really any reason to tell this colt that, as Scootaloo reserved that just for Dash. But it surprised her just how little she knew of the filly. Dash just knew she was one of her biggest fans, not much else.

"Really?" Even Ferret sensed her emotions. "I thought you would've knew more about your biggest fan." He raised an eyebrow as he jotted down a few notes. As he looked upon his notes, he tutted. "It isn't looking too good for the three."

"How bad is it?" Rainbow Dash asked, her ears perking up to hear about their case. What kind of pony would she be if she didn't care about the bouncy fillies everypony knows?

"Let's just say they'll be lucky to get a trial." Ferret turned and walked out after that. It was clear that AJ wouldn't be going anywhere, so he'll probably be back in the morning. But that made Rainbow Dash feel uneasy as she trotted out, ready to get back home. That was bad news, and if they were ever found, the Crusaders could be killed. That is, if they even performed the crime at all.

Although, currently Sweetie Belle had bigger problems at hoof.