//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 (ish) 
// Story: The Trotting Dead 
// by AstraPony 
//------------------------------//

Rainbow Dash is in a coma-like state. She hasn't woke up for over a week. The doctors don't think she'll make it; but Rainbow Dash is very much alive and hears what goes on around her. On one visit, Fluttershy visits by herself. Even though she has visited daily ever since the accident she can't help but cry at the sight of Rainbow Dash. Her forehead covered in bandage, a black eye and her hair slightly matted from some blood.

"Oh Rainbow!" Says Fluttershy in her soft voice through her crying. "How could something like this happen? I wish I was there. Maybe I could have..." Fluttershy is cut off by a soft knocking at the door. She turns around and through her teary she see standing before her is Princess Celestia.

"Hello, Fluttershy," Princess Celestia says in her wise voice. "I thought I might find you here."

"Oh my goodness, Princess!"  Fluttershy says whilst trying to wipe eyes. "Whatever could you be doing here?

"Well isn't it obvious?" Celestia says with a slight grin of humor. "I'm visiting Rainbow Dash, but..." her face turned serious. "I needed to also talk to you about these daily visits."

"What about them?"

"Everyday you come over here crying at Rainbow Dash's side, wishing you had done something different, but you can't. While you are sitting here, your animals are home alone and hungry."

"No! How could I? I..." Fluttershy started crying even more.

"Shhh. Don't cry. Your friends have been taking care of them, but this habit of coming here every day and staying all day has got to stop." Celestia sighs. "I'm sorry, but Rainbow Dash probably wont make it."

"Don't you think I know that!" Fluttershy yells. "Why do you think I'm here, huh? I want to spend what time I can with her before she's gone!" Fluttershy can't continue. She falls into a heap on the floor, sobbing and shaking.

"Hush, don't cry. Go home and take care of your animals."

"C-can I s-s-say g-good b-bye?" Fluttershy asks through her sniffles.

"Of course! Take all the time you need; but when I said to stop crying and Rainbow Dash's side, I meant to stop coming here EVERY day." Celestia pauses. "Grief is normal and perfectly acceptable, especially at a time like this; but dwelling on the past and what COULD have been done is unhealthy. Do you understand Fluttershy?"

"Y-yes." Fluttershy makes her way to Rainbow Dash's bedside. "J-just look at you! I-I k-know your not as s-stern about fashion as R-Rarity, but t-this is n-not the way to g-go." Fluttershy removes a flower that was in her mane and places Rainbow's. "Goodbye R-Rainbow."