//------------------------------// // Chapter 18 // Story: A Rainbow Forms // by TheRainbowDashShow //------------------------------// The smoke slowly filling the cold air, a boulder bouncing towards the blue Pegasus, standing there unsuspecting of what approached. A jagged piece of charred wood impaled into the pony's shoulder as she stood there disoriented. The stone soon crashed down into the pony, forcing out a scream of agony. Rainbow Dash's eyes shot open, covered in a cold sweat as she awoke from the nightmare, the scene still replaying in her head every time she closed her eyes. She tried to calm herself down and relax again. A sleeping orange pony shifted the direction she had been facing. Still asleep, the pony grabbed at Rainbow Dash, squeezing her tightly. The embrace of her sleeping partner comforting her, making her feel safe in her lovers warm arms. She wrapped her hooves around Applejack and held her, she shut her eyes again and drifted back into sleep. The morning light bled through the hospital window's thin curtain, a rooster could be heard crowing off in the distance. The faint noise and light combined together was enough to wake up Applejack, as she had trained herself over her life to be a light sleeper, waking up early nearly every morning. She made a vain attempt to get up off the bed, but Rainbow Dash gripped at her tightly, she smiled and gave in, laying silently next to the Pegasus, running her hoof through the sleeping pony's mane. There was a loud knock on the door that jerked Rainbow Dash awake. She blushed when she noticed her tight clutch on Applejack and released her. Once free of Rainbow's vice, she chuckled quietly and trotted over to the door, pulling it open. A different nurse pony walked in, "Rainbow Dash, you are being released and you may leave the hospital today whenever you are ready." Rainbow Dash held a silent celebration inside her head, she didn't know how much longer she could tolerate being here, "Great! We're gonna go now!" she said, trying to suppress her excitement as to not offend the other pony. Applejack grinned at Rainbow Dash's enthusiasm. Despite everything the Pegasus had been through, she still managed to stay strong. The nurse nodded and pushed over the wheelchair, and Rainbow Dash hopped in it. Applejack smiled politely at the nurse, "Ah'll take her out, thanks fer all yer help." The nurse nodded again and walked away, "So, ah was thinking... since well... yah can't really go home… uh, maybe yah'd want to... stay with me?" Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, she could easily hear the insecurity in Applejack's voice. "Nah, I was thinking I'd stay with the Cakes!" Rainbow Dash laughed, "Of course I want to stay with you, I couldn't think of any other pony I'd want to be with more than you Applejack." Applejack blushed as they stared at each other, she then grinned and playfully bonked Rainbow Dash on the head. The hallways seemed to go on forever as Applejack rolled Rainbow Dash through the empty hospital. Rainbow couldn't wait to get out of this place, it felt so cramped and she craved for the fresh air outside that blew through the trees outside. The air inside here smelled of cleaning chemicals that burned her nostrils whenever she inhaled. They approached the double glass doors and pushed through them. Rainbow Dash instantly felt the torment that her useless wing produced as she glanced up at the sky, looking up to clouded sun that tried to shine through the white clouds. A day like today would have been one that she adored flying on. The pleasantly warm air and the gentle wind's breeze as it pushed through her mane. A frown formed on her face when she was unable to satisfy the sudden need to climb into the sky. She was bound to the ground, unable to spread her wings and soar off into the crystal blue sky, the sensations tortured her. The feelings made her feel trapped, her freedom and desires had been ripped away from her. Applejack could sense as Rainbow Dash's mood began to change. She stopped pushing the chair and walked in front of it, "Hey, sugarcube, ah know it's hard right now, but it'll get better, ah promise. Just keep yer chin up." She squeezed the blue hoof that rested on the chair arm before heading back around and pushing again. The walk towards Sweet Apple Acres was mostly silent, the occasional small talk was made, but neither of their minds was really there at the moment. Applejack was trying to think of ways to keep the injured Pony's mind occupied and not focused on the new disability. Rainbow Dash couldn't help but dream of leaping off the chair and taking flight one last time, just once more, just long enough to try and memorize the feel of the the adrenaline and the rushing of the cool wind as it blew into her. When they reached a familiar sight, they both stopped their thoughts and stared. The vast green forest was now nothing more than a pile of ashes. The land was barren, and desolate, everything was charred and torn, the smell of smoke and ash still lingering in the air. The once beautiful rock formation that held together the waterfall had collapsed, blocking off the water that had once cascaded down beautifully into the now dried up lake. Rainbow Dash looked away, but Applejack couldn't stop staring. "Rainbow, if ya hadn't pulled me out of there…" Rainbow Dash made an annoyed grunt, "I don't want to talk about it... but we all know, I'd never leave my friends hanging." she winked. Applejack smiled, and started pushing again. Applejack let out a sigh of relief when she saw how little damage there had been to the farm. Apart from a few trees that had been uprooted from the strong winds of the storm, the orchard remained unscathed. Most of the apples had been knocked off their branches but that was nothing more than a mere inconvenience. They continued down the trail leading up towards the house. The rooms were dark, and the curtains had been drawn shut. Applejack stumbled inside, aimlessly flailing a hoof around on the wall looking for the light switch. She found it and flicked it upward onto the on position. The lights brightened up the house, "SURPRISE!" A group of ponies shouted as the lights came on. Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, and Fluttershy all jumped out from various spots in the room. Pinkie Pie jumped out as well, "SURPRISE!" she once again realized she had been late mumbled quietly to herself, "Shoot!" A small cake rested on the table that had "Get well soon" written on it with red icing. Rainbow Dash put on a fake smile, she appreciated the effort, but now she just wanted to be alone right now. Applejack whispered into her ear and explained that they hadn't been told about her wing yet, "Ah thought it'd be best if yah told them yerself." "Thanks guy but… I guess there is something you should all know." Rainbow Dash found her lower lip quivering as she spoke. She calmed herself; she didn't want to burst out crying in front of all of her friends, "First of all, as you can probably tell, I can't walk, according to the Doctor; It'll probably be at least another year." Her group of friends faces covered with frowns, and Pinkie Pie bounced over to hug Rainbow Dash. "There's more…" Rainbow Dash continued. "I… I won't be able to… to" her words broke apart, the tears trying desperately to break free, but she refused to let them, "I won't... I won't be able to fly again…" she spat out the words. The mood of the room quickly changed to sadness. Every pony stared at a loss for words. They walked up and quietly apologized to her, as they tried to think of something real to say. "Anyway, I don't mean to be rude guys, but I'm not really in a partying kind of mood right now. I appreciate you trying to be here for me and cheer me up... but maybe we can do it some other time." Rainbow dash said hoping they would understand, and they all nodded indicating they did. The ponies said their good-byes, except for Twilight who purposely lagged behind so she could talk to Applejack in private. "So, AJ, you remember that talk we had a few days ago?" The purple unicorn hinted delicately, in case Rainbow Dash was not yet aware of Applejack's feelings. "Don't yah worry 'bout that Twi, it's been taken care of." Applejack blushed, and waved as Twilight hopped up and down excitedly letting out little giggles as she hopped away. Rainbow Dash glanced at Applejack, "What was that about?" Applejack found herself repeating her words again, "Uh, nothing, don't yah worry 'bout it." Rainbow Dash pushed the wheel chair over to the cake that still rested on the table, and Applejack followed. They looked at it for a few moments and Rainbow smeared out the words on the cake angrily. With no warning, Rainbow Dash snatched Applejack's hat off her head and began to wheel herself away, "Hey, give that back!" Applejack shouted, chasing after the wheelchair catching up with ease. "Drat! You caught me red hoofed" Rainbow Dash grinned. Applejack smiled back "Yer such a hay-head!" Rainbow Dash hopped awkwardly off the chair, grabbing at Applejack and tackling her down to the floor with her. The two held each other close, their warmth comforting one another, "I'm glad I still have you, Applejack" Rainbow said quietly, running a hoof through the soft golden mane. Applejack moved her head closer, staring deeply into Rainbow's eyes, "And ah'm glad to have you too." Rainbow Dash pushed her lips back against Applejack's once again. As she did, something unexpected happened. What usually would have been considered something insignificant seemed to be one of the most monumental things that could possibly happen for Rainbow Dash. When their lips had met, for the first time in days, she felt something in her immobile light-blue wing, a small spark of electricity tingled through it, causing it to twitch ever so slightly, but it had been enough for her. Rainbow Dash was suddenly filled with an overpowering sense of hope. Her grin widened as the wing continued its small twitches. Despite everything the other ponies had told her, now it occurred to her that maybe they could be wrong. Her wing still might recover; she may yet once more soar through the blue sky between the silver clouds as the shining gold sun would beam down on her. As the thought crossed her mind, the hope caused her to burst into a quiet laughter.