The Loss Of A Wonderbolt

The crowd grew silent; it was almost sickening to watch.  Rainbow Dash took into another hard dive, faster and faster to the point of no return, but this was the lowest altitude she had ever attempted the dive.

Rainbow Dash was fast approaching the lifeless looking body of Iron Wing. Getting ever so close to the ground …

(KABOOM!) came the sound from sky, with a blinding white flash, followed by a ring of bright rainbow colors.

The sound seemed to echo on for what seemed forever. It was the only sound, no one was yelling, there were no sounds from anypony, just  a low rumble echoing through all of Ponyville, and dust filled the air.

The other Pegasi landed with a skid on the runway, and quickly galloped over to where the dust was the thickest. The slowly clearing dust reviled two silhouettes lying motionless on the ground.

The crowd drew their attention to the commotion on the runway. The close friends of Rainbow Dash lifted their heads to look at each other before they turned to face what was sure to be a hopeless situation.

Before they could turn to face the horror, or get a word in…little Scootaloo yelled out with the most painful and haunting sounding scream any of them ever heard. It echoed and It sent chills down their backs.

They slowly turned around…Time seemed to have stopped. There, lying on the hard ground where two Pegasus, one with a brightly colored rainbow mane covered in blood.

As if time was in slow motion, Fluttershy grabbed Scootaloo and took her away from the rest of the crowed while the nurse ponies rushed over as fast as they could gallop.

The Mayor came over the loudspeaker “Everypony, please exit the arena in a safe and orderly fashion, I’m afraid the rest of the arial flyers show has been cancelled”

Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack where all standing around outside of the bleachers, just trying to comprehend what happened. Fluttershy had walked Scootaloo back to her cottage.

A mare with a stethoscope cutie mark approached the friends, “Who is Twilight Sparkle?”

“I-I am” replied twilight as she wiped away her tears

The Doctor replied “Can I speak with you a moment”

The other three just watched as the Doctor pony took her aside and walked out of ears range. A short conversation ended when Twilight suddenly dropped to the ground and began to cry uncontrollably, the other three just looked at each other and teard up.

They knew how the conversation had ended. They rushed to be by Twilights side. And comfort one another.

The crowd split apart in front of them while two tall Alicorn’s approached the sobbing friends. The two sisters kneeled down beside the friends and shed a few tears themselves “I am so sorry” Said Princess Celestia, “I will arrange everyting for you”

Luna began to speak “if there is anything I can do, please let me or my sister know”

“W-we will” sobbed the Friends

A raspy sounding voice floated in from the distance

“S-so what did you guys think if my new maneuver?”

Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie all leaped up to their hooves “RAINBOW DASH!!” they cried uncontrollable tears.

Rarity spoke first “B-but I thought you where”

“Dead?” Rainbow Dash interrupted. “Naw, it takes more than a few ruffled feathers to bring me down”

Rainbow Dash stepped to the side of the friends, she was covered in bandages and splints “Twilight?” Rainbow Dash said.

Twilight looked up at her, soaked in tears.

“I-I really tried to save him”

“I know you did Rainbow”, the others looked confused and worried about Twilights condition.

“Let me help you up” Rainbow Dash said.

“It’s ok, I’d rather be alone right now” Twilight replied

Rainbow Dash looked towards her friends, and hugged them gently as she was in allot of pain. “I have to go back with the doctors now”

“Wait a darn minute” Applejack said, “What’s wrong with Twi?, You.. are alive aint ye’, yal’ll aren’t g-ghost or nothing”

Rainbow gave a faint smile then bowed her head. Iron Wing was a Pegasus, she grew up with back in Canterlot. She told me she used to have a bit of a crush on him, but was too into her studies to take it any further than that. When Iron Wing got accepted into the Wonderbolts, I told her about it and they started writing to one another

“Wait a cotton candy pickin minute here” pinkie pie yelled, “we are her friends too ya know!, why didn’t she say anything to us?”

Twliight Sparkle, overhearing the conversation had stepped in “I guess I was just embarrassed . I was going to tell you guys I swear, but I told Rainbow Dash first because I thought she could help me, you know…get to know him a bit better” (*sniff) she started to sob again “but that will never happen now”

Rainbow Dash Hugged Twilight as tears ran down her muzzle.  Rainbow Dash turned around and limped off to the doctors, while the other ponies embraced Twilight, and walked her back to the library where spike had run off to once he heard the news of Iron’s Death. He knew Twilight needed him at home to get things prepared.

Under the Doctors advice, and after being released from the hospital, Rainbow Dash began the slow agonizing trot to Fluttershy’s cottage where she knew she would get the best of care, and where her little friend was waiting to see her.

She hated not being able to fly, but had casts and splints all over her wings.

It was almost a coincidence that the Pegasus ponies had planned a dreary morning filled with dark rain clouds ready to downpour. This being on the day of the Funeral.

The Friends all gathered around Twilight and each embraced her with a hug. In the distance a low rumble came from the sky and 4 Pegasus ponies wearing an almost military looking ensemble stood guard around the open hole in the ground.

Dressed in the same outfit, Rainbow Dash said “That’s my cue” as she gave Twilight a final hug before limping up to the front of crowd.

Spitfire whisperd in Rainbow Dashed ear as she walked by “Its no ponies fault, keep yourself strong” then snapped back to attention.

As strong as Rainbow Dash was, she immediately started to tear up and stood there whimpering while trying her best to keep composure.

The sound of hornpipes filled the air, as a Pony stood tall and strong as a silhouette off in the distance, the haunting sound echoed through the yard of stones and trees.

Soarin approached the microphone. “We are not gathered here to grieve. We are together as Pegasus, Earth and Unicorn Ponies alike to honor and respect the life of our friend Iron Wing. He was a gentle stallion with the heart the size of a Manticore. Iron Wing will be forever known in our hearts, in our minds, in our wings and in our horns. What happened was a tragedy, it was no ponies fault” He said while looking at Rainbow Dash.

Soarin continued “We will all take time to adjust. Just remember for those of you close to Iron, you will always have your memories with him” twilight began crying again “for those of you who knew him as a Wonderbolt, his name will forever live on as one of the bravest rookie flyers to ever cross our path”

As the rain began to fall, and everypony went on about their lives, Twilight knew what she had to do when she returned to the Library.

“Spike, take a letter” she said as she trotted through the door, her mane soaking wet and head hung low.

“Twi, are you sure you want to do this now? Said Spike

“Yes Spike”.

“ Dear: Princess Celestia

Today I learned how quickly life can change. I never really knew Iron Wing that well, we had just began to call each other Friends before this tragedy. What I do know for sure, is that the moments we spent writing each other and the memories we shared will not be forgotten. I learned that it’s not about how much time you spend with somepony, it’s what you do with it. For the first time I realized how fragile our lives in Equestria can be, and want to spend my time with the ponies in my life who mean the most... I don’t want to leave this letter short, but I think I should gather my friends this evening and make some new memories.

Your Faithful Student: Twilight Sparkle.

END