//------------------------------// // Convalescence // Story: Fly Like You // by Jinzou //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash launched herself backwards, grabbing Scootaloo and pushing her out of the potential blast zone in front of Twilight. She stared back at the alicorn, hiding her face behind her forehooves. “Twilight, it’s me!” Rainbow cried out. “Don’t beam me!” Twilight looked up, a spark of familiarity in her eyes. As soon as she regarded the blue pegasus before her for a moment, the look of anger dropped, and so did her jaw. Her pupils shrank as she depowered her horn, and gave off an involuntary shudder. “Oh my gosh. Rainbow Dash!” Twilight gasped. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to-” Twilight was cut off by a hoof being gently placed on her softly shaking shoulder. Rainbow matched Twilight's gaze and gave her a small smile. “Hey it’s okay. You were having a nightmare. You just scared us, that’s all. Are you alright?” Rainbow gave Twilight a warmer smile and went to pick Scootaloo up off the floor. “Uh, sorry Scoot. Knee jerk reaction and all that.” Scootaloo responded by shrugging and leaning into Rainbow. Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash both fixed Twilight with a worried look. Twilight’s gaze dropped to the floor, unable to stand the sight of both ponies looking at her. “I’m fine.” She said slowly. “Just like you said, I had a bad dream.” Scootaloo gazed between Twilight, stubbornly refusing to look up at Rainbow Dash, and Rainbow Dash, stubbornly refusing to look away from Twilight. She did her best to read the situation and moments later, made up her mind. “Well, I’m really hungry, so I’m gonna go find a snack while you two talk.” Scootaloo decided, leaving the room. “Okay.” Rainbow Dash sighed. “Scootaloo is gone. Twilight, tell me what’s up. I know you were dreaming about Thunder Chaser.” “I…” Twilight’s eyes misted up. “I found him in an alleyway at around dawn. He was crying and blubbering on. He was terrified, but I didn’t care. He had seriously hurt the two ponies most dear to me in all of Equestria. I blasted him. He came back. I blasted him again. And again. Then you and Scootaloo were there, lying dead, and he still looked terrified. And I killed him again. I was still so... angry.”  Twilight paused for a few moments. “I still see his face every time I close my eyes, Rainbow. Before I saw you lying there last night, I had blasted him through a couple trees. I could see he was scared. And then I saw you and… I guess whatever face I made then scared him more. I can still see that exact face. Every tiny detail. It was the last face he made before…” Twilight fell onto her side and curled up into a ball. “Before I killed him.” Rainbow laid down next to Twilight and curled around her, resting her head next to Twilight’s. She laid a wing over Twilight’s barrel.  “Oh Rainbow. How can I ever live with this? I’ve read stories and memoirs from ponies who’ve killed before and they’re never the same. This kind of stuff never leaves! I’m marred forever because I lost control.” “Shhh,” Rainbow whispered. “You know how you’re gonna live like this?” Rainbow threw a forehoof around Twilight and nuzzled her neck. “This is how. With you, me, Scoots, and Spike. Together ‘till the very end.” Twilight seemed to relax a little, but then immediately tensed back up. “Spike! He’s probably all alone and worried-”  “Starlight’s in the castle, he’ll be fine.” Rainbow cut her off. “Besides, if any of us were mortally wounded I’m sure they’d both know, and be breaking down my door by now.” “Yeah…” Twilight paused, leaning into Rainbow and resting her head on the side of Rainbow’s right forehoof. “I guess you’re right.” Rainbow rested her head atop Twilight’s and idly stared out the window. It was at least noon and she was late as hell for work, but she was beyond caring. Her boss was very understanding, and considering the fact that Rainbow was technically still supposed to be in the hospital, and that the pony she was co-parenting her adopted daughter with was deep in grief, and also a princess, she would be able to get out of getting in trouble. Still, she should mitigate the risk by actually showing up sooner than later. “Hey Twi…” Rainbow hesitated. “So I was supposed to be at work like… a couple hours ago. Are you in a good enough state to stay here alone with Scootaloo?” Twilight let out a short sigh. “Actually I was thinking of visiting Rarity to see how she was. I need to talk to her about something anyway. I’m sure Scootaloo wouldn’t mind playing with the Crusaders at the farm. I should probably also thank Applejack for helping the girls so much. Rarity told me in the hospital that Applejack ran off with the fillies to keep them out of harm’s way.” Rainbow Dash chewed her bottom lip. “Actually, it’s not that simple. Big Mac and Applejack were a bit too rough with Scootaloo and triggered a PTSD episode. Scootaloo is terrified of them both and refusing to go back to the farm.” Twilight groaned. “I wish you didn’t tell me that.” “Wha- why?” “Dashie, I’m… I can’t use magic. Ever since I… lost control even using a simple levitation spell freaks me out. I tried opening the curtains at the hospital with my magic last night and I… I felt like that attack was charging again. I felt like I was gonna blow up the hospital and that’s happened every time I charge up a spell. And now I hear that Applejack and Big Mac scared my precious little Scootaloo? I can’t go to the farm now, I don’t know what will happen. I’m afraid I might lose control again.” “Oh. I’m sorry Twilight.” Rainbow chuckled awkwardly, feeling Twilight’s hackles raise against the side of Rainbow’s neck. “No, no it’s… I’ll fly her over to the castle. Spike and Starlight are there. Then I really need to see Rarity.” “Do you trust Starlight alone around Scootaloo? I mean, I know she’s ‘turned over a new leaf’ but she’s only been good for like… a week and some change.” “I trust Spike will keep a close guard on her. A bout of fire from him will probably deter Starlight from doing anything crazy. But yes, I… mostly trust her around Scootaloo. I think the worst she’ll ever do is be a poor role model.” “She better be good to my Scoot or I’ll rainboom her back to her old village. And Scoot already has enough great role models. She’s got me, and especially you.” Twilight gave off the first genuine smile since the fight had occurred. She cuddled deeper into Rainbow Dash’s coat, enjoying the warm embrace. “Alright Sparkle,” Rainbow breathed, giving Twilight a quick nuzzle. “I better be off. If you need me just look to the skies.” Rainbow slowly got to her hooves and walked toward the door. “Thank you, Dashie.” Was all Twilight replied.  There was a set of three soft knocks on the door. “Come in.” Rarity’s voice rang out. The hospital door swung open and Twilight walked in, head drooping, eyes staring at the floor. She cast a despairing look at Rarity, and instantly cringed as she saw all the bandages and the cast adorning Rarity’s left hind leg. "Oh." Was all she could muster. "I'm... I'm so sorry Rarity." "Shush. None of that." Rarity ordered. "Now come inside, you're sitting down and relaxing." Twilight did as ordered, taking a seat in the room right next to the bed, head still bowed. "I feel just awful, Rarity. If I was a little sooner none of us would be in this position... And I... and you..." Tears started streaming down Twilight's cheeks. "Twilight, darling, stop." Rarity crooned, lifting Twilight's chin so she matched Rarity's gaze. "There's no way in Equestria anybody can blame you for what you did. You saved us." "B-but..." Twilight protested. "And after all we had coming at us, I'm just glad a broken leg is the worst of it, and nobody die- uh... that is to say, that we are all alright." Twilight returned to staring at the floor. "Nevermind you coming to rescue us sooner. Rainbow Dash was knocked out right at the start and you don't see her blaming herself, or any of the rest of us ragging on her for that." There was silence for a few minutes. Twilight idly poked at the chair she was sitting in before mustering up the courage to continue. "That's uh... actually one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you." Twilight whispered. "What is, darling?" "Rainbow Dash." Rarity blinked in confusion. "I'm afraid I'm not following, what about Rainbow Dash?" Twilight squeezed her eyes shut tightly and sniffed. She knew she had to say it. She had to admit it. But why did it feel so hard? "Oh Rarity, I think I’m in love with her."