Remembering

by Starburst Pony

Chapter 1

A/N: Here is a link to my blog concerning this story and another. Thanks for reading!

It was mid afternoon some days later before the cyan mare awoke. She heard voices talking but couldn’t quite make them out. Her eyes began to open only to shut instantly to avoid the harsh lighting. As she slowly came to her senses she began to be able to hear more clearly.

“Hey Everypony, I think Dashie’s waking up!” A familiar pink party pony said excitedly. Rainbow heard a rush of hoof steps around her as she forced her eyes open. She quickly took in her surroundings. She was, as she suspected, laying in a hospital bed, strapped into a heart monitor and had an IV in her forhoove. She noticed that she was not alone, but surrounded by five other ponies: a lavender unicorn, a shy yellow Pegasus, the aforementioned pink party pony, a white unicorn fashonista, and a orange farm pony.

“Hey Everypony,” Dash said with a strained voice.

“About time ya woke up,” Applejack began, “Ah’ll go grab a nurse and get ya a glass a water.” She finished as she walked out the door.

“What happened?” Twilight almost immediately asked. Dash attempted to speak but found her that her throat was too dry for her to speak. She held up a hoof, signaling to Twi to wait a moment until Applejack came back with the water. The unicorn nodded and the five of them waited for Applejack‘s return. Moments later she returned with a few bottles of water and Nurse Redheart. Rainbow drank the bottle in ten seconds flat, took a deep breath and began recounting what happened while the nurse checked her vitals.

“Well, I was finishing up the sky above Sweet Apple Acres, when I heard a pony shouting. I looked around and spotted him standing in the field and quickly made my way to him. When I got there he was unconscious and covered in blood. Being as awesome and heroic as I am, I naturally picked him up and ran him here.” Rainbow finished as she opened and began drinking a second water.

“Well that is wonderful, darling, but why are you here?” Rarity asked.

“I don’t know myself. Nurse Redheart, why am I here?” Rainbow asked as the nurse checked her IV.

“Well, after you brought the injured stallion in you passed out. While The other ponies worked on the him, I took you and moved you in here. I hooked up the necessary equipment let you get some rest. I ran some tests and discovered that you were suffering from exhaustion, dehydration, and an excess of caffeine in your blood stream.” Nurse Redheart told them as she continued her work.

“Excess of caffeine? What were you doing, Rainbow?” Twilight asked.

Dash sighed as she began to explain why. “Like I said earlier, I’ve needed to be awake for the past couple of days while I kept the sky above the orchard clear, day and night. The two ponies I got working it usually have both been busy so I had to pick up the slack,” Rainbow said before pausing to take a drink of water. “Besides even the most athletic pony in Equestria needs a little boost.” She finished with a smirk

“Miss Dash, the amount of caffeine in your blood stream was staggering, how much is a little?” Nurse Redheart asked putting an emphasis on ‘a little.’

“Well… about eleven or twelve…” Rainbow Dash replied trailing off. Nurse Redheart gave Rainbow a skeptical look.

“Only eleven or twelve? With the amount of caffeine in your system you had to have had more than that in three days.” Nurse Redheart stated.

“That’s the thing…” Rainbow Dash began, nervously studying her front hooves. “It was kinda eleven or twelve a day.” The silence in the room became deafening as she concluded. Rainbow looked up to find that all except for Fluttershy’s jaw had practically hit the floor.

“Eleven or twelve a day?” Rarity asked, staring at Dash with her eye twitching. “That amount could… could…”

“Kill a pony. Rainbow what were ya thinkin’?” Applejack finished for Rarity.

Rainbow just rolled her eyes. “Maybe an Earth pony or Unicorn,” Rainbow Dash scoffed.

“What does that matter? You could’ve killed yourself!” Rarity voice was on the verge of shouting. Fluttershy attempted to say something but was cut off by Nurse Redheart.

“She’s right, Miss Dash. Anymore and you could’ve died from it. In fact I’m surprised that your not dead from the amount you did drink,” said Nurse Redheart. Fluttershy attempted to speak just to be cut off again.

“Could have. That’s the thing, I COULD HAVE, but I didn’t so I don’t see what the big deal is!” Rainbow retorted.

“Rainbow, we know. We were just worried about losing you.” Twilight replied, somehow remaining calm throughout all this.

“Oh please,” Rainbow began. “You guys wouldn’t give a buck if…”

CLANG

Everypony in the room snapped their head to the source of the sound to find Fluttershy holding a reflex hammer and a clean bedpan. From the look on Fluttershy’s face, even she was surprised by the loud noise it emitted. Fluttershy quickly apologized.

“Um…sorry Everypony.”

“Miss, what was the meaning of that?” The nurse asked looking slightly annoyed.

“Well um, nopony would let me speak so I…wanted to get your guys…um…attention.” Fluttershy, replied sheepishly.

“Well ya got it now, what do ya have to say?” Applejack snapped at Fluttershy causing her to squeak and hide behind her tail. Seeing this, Applejack was changed her tone to one that was apologetic. “Ah’m sorry Flutters, Ah didn’t mean to snap at ya like that. So tell us, what do ya have to say?”

“I just wanted to say that Pegasi have a high tolerance for… um… energy supplements. In fact most need them.” Fluttershy said sheepishly.

“Is that true Nurse Redheart?” Twilight asked.

“Well, I suppose it is possible considering that Pegasi use more energy than a normal pony and have a significantly higher metabolism. Either way, Miss Dash was not in a good state when she brought in that mystery stallion.” The nurse concluded.

“Told you guys, now if we’re done worrying about me for a second can I ask some questions?” Rainbow asked with a slight hint of annoyance in her voice.

“Ask away!” Pinkie Pie replied, who throughout the conversation, had had a large smile on her face.

“Well first off, how long was I out?” Rainbow started off.

“Since you came in two days ago.” Nurse Redheart said making Rainbow’s eyes shoot wide open.

“Two days!” Rainbow practically shouted. “Who’s been in charge of the weather team and the sky over the farm?!”

“Flurry and Cloud Kicker have been keepin’ eye on the farm.” Applejack responded. “When Flurry found out what gone an’ happened, she fought through her cold and helped out. As for bein’ in charge, they split it ‘mongst themselves. Flurry managed the day crew n’ Cloud Kicker the night one.”

“So everything’s fine?” Rainbow asked. She couldn’t help but feel as though she wasn’t needed.

“Yup,” Pinkie said still as chipper as ever. Dash laid back in her bed and stared at the ceiling. ‘Am I really that unimportant?’ She thought to herself. She closed her eyes fighting back a lump in her throat, when she opened them she found two light blue eyes staring inches away from her own. This caused Rainbow to jump and the electrocardiogram to increase momentarily until she realized it was just Pinkie. Some how in the mere seconds Pinkie had gone from the opposite side of the room to standing over Rainbow with out her feeling anything. Whenever she asked Pinkie how she did this she just started babbling about breaking something. Her and her friends just shrugged this off as Pinkie being Pinkie. Pushing her to the side, she sat back up and looked to Nurse Redheart.

“What about him?” Rainbow asked.

“The stallion you brought in?” Redheart asked and Rainbow nodded in return. “Right now he is still unconscious, we expect him to wake up soon but he is going to have a long recovery.”

“Wow, musta’ been some crash he took.” Rainbow said but Redheart looked away as if she wasn’t telling her something. “Nurse Redheart?”

“Yes,” she replied as she brought her gaze back up to Rainbow’s. Rainbow could see it in her eyes that something was eating at her.

“I can tell there is something your not telling us.” Rainbow Dash stated as a smirk began making its way across her muzzle. Dash’s friends turned to look at Rainbow while Redheart maintained a blank expression.

“Miss Dash I assure you if we knew anything about the stallion we would tell you.” Nurse Redheart stated.

“But there is something you’re not telling me.” Dash retorted staring daggers. At this point Rarity stepped in.

“Darling, you’ve been awake for no more than ten minutes and your claiming the nurse is lying to you,” Rarity pointed out. “Maybe you need some more rest.” Rarity finished looking to her friends for confirmation, all of which agreed accept for Pinkie.

“Provided the blood test comes back well, you’ll be out of the hospital tonight. Until then, it wouldn’t hurt to get more rest.” Nurse Redheart said slightly cheerful. Dash’s friends said their goodbyes and left the hospital room. Redheart picked up the blood sample and made her way out of the room. She turned around to shut the door and as she did she gave Rainbow a vicious glare. She then shut the door with a slight amount of force. Without anything else to do, Rainbow decided to take their advice.

‘When I get outta’ here, I’m gonna’ find out what is going on.’ She thought to herself as she laid back and drifted off to sleep.

It was a few minutes before sun down when Rainbow awoke to a knock at the door. She sat up expecting Nurse Redheart but instead was greeted by a unicorn. He had a bright white coat and a dark black mane that was beginning to gray. He had what looked like a red blood cell for a cutie mark and emerald eyes. Rainbow had never seen this pony ever in town before. He bore a striking resemblance to Nurse Redheart but with obvious differences. Rainbow watched his mouth move but didn’t hear anything. Quickly she snapped back to reality.

“I’m sorry, can you repeat that? I kinda’ spaced off,” Rainbow said while rubbing the back of her head with her hoof.

“I said I’m Doctor RedCell, but most ponies just call me Doctor Cell. I’m here because my sister is out getting supplies.” He replied smiling.

“Wait, you’re related to Nurse Redheart?” Rainbow asked, Cell chuckled.

“Yes, indeed I am. I’m her older brother but only by a year and a half.” Cell replied. Rainbow studied him in disbelief. Nurse Redheart was in her early thirties, while the pony that stood in front of her looked old enough to be her father.

“How? I always thought Nurse Redheart was in her thirties…” Rainbow trailed off realizing that she was implying he was old. Seeing this, Doctor Cell chuckled again.

“Well, you are correct. My sister is thirty four and I am almost thirty six.” He replied still grinning.

“But… how…” Rainbow was trying to make out sentence that wouldn’t offend him but Doctor Cell interrupted before she could do that.

“But how do I have grey hair?” He asked and Rainbow nodded furiously. “How many people do you think work here Miss Dash?” Rainbow shrugged. “Well there are two other doctors, five nurses, ten orderlies, and me running a hospital. It is rather… stressful.” Rainbow had never realized it before but the hospital was severely understaffed. Rainbow decided to switch the topic.

“So what brings you here doc?” Rainbow asked trying to make conversation.

“Well your blood test came back just fine so I’m here to tell you that you can go home.” As he finished speaking Rainbow began to grin wildly at the idea she could get out of this cramped room. He went on to talk about some paperwork that needed to be filed as he unhooked the various items Rainbow had attached to her. She rolled of the bed and wobbled slightly before gaining her hoofing. They made their way out the door and into the hallway. Rainbow looked back at her room and read the sign next to her door.

They continued down the hallway towards the entrance of the hospital as Rainbow read the signs next to the rooms. Unlike her room the rest of the hospital reeked of disinfectant and was covered in landscape paintings. As they continued down the hallway she came across a peculiar sign. It read:

She turned to Doctor Cell, she had to ask him. “Is this the stallion I brought in?” The Doctor’s smile turned into a frown as he nodded solemnly. “Can I see him?” Rainbow asked.

“I suppose,” Doctor Redcell said with a sigh. “He isn’t in that great of a condition though so be prepared.” Rainbow Dash nodded and they made their way into the room. Rainbow walked in and was taken aback by what she saw. On the bed lay a stunning dark blue stallion with a two tone mane, black and white. The barrel of his body was almost completely bandaged, he had heavy bandaging on his left front hoof, and finally he had a cast at the base of his right wing. He had an oxygen mask over his muzzle as well as an IV inserted into his good hoof. Although in this state he appeared incredibly weak, he had this look to him that made him that to Rainbow screamed strength Rainbow felt a strange feeling in the bottom of her stomach. She turned back to the doctor.

“Is… is he gonna’ make it?” Rainbow asked feeling sorry for the poor Pegasus.

“He is likely to make it but we don’t think he will be the same stallion he was when he got injured,” Doctor Cell spoke with a pang of sadness in his voice and Rainbow was quick to pick up on it.

“Why is that?” She asked. Doctor Cell let out another exasperated sigh. He never liked to give bad news. The only thing that could make it any harder would have been if Rainbow Dash was a close relative of the hurt pony. After a few seconds of silence, Doctor Cell spoke:

“When you brought him in he was barely hanging onto life, he had lost a lot of blood. Because of this not enough oxygen was getting to his brain. If he does survive he will likely have severe brain damage.” Doctor Cell concluded. Rainbow pulled her gaze away from the doctor and looked back to the injured Pegasus. Rainbow couldn’t get over it. The Pegasus looked fine. Sure he was covered in bandages and had a broken wing, but under the oxygen mask he looked like he was smiling. Rainbow caught herself before her mind wandered too far off and turned back to the doctor.

“Have you guys figured out who he is yet?” Rainbow asked hoping to find out who this stallion was. Instead Doctor Cell looked down and shook his head.

“No, we won’t likely know for a few weeks. We sent out his blood-work to numerous hospitals across Equestria. After examining his wounds we went as far as to send copies to…” Doctor Redcell stopped mid sentence.

“Send samples to where?” Rainbow asked. The doctor simply trotted out of the room and began down the hallway. Beckoning Rainbow to follow she quickly obliged. Before she knew it they made their way through a set of double doors and they were at the front desk. There was a red unicorn sitting behind the desk working away at a mound of paperwork. She had a brown mane that was tied up in a bun and glanced up as the two made their way into the front lobby.

“Miss Dash, this is Miss Quill, she’ll be helping you with your release forms.” Doctor Cell said as he began making his way back through the double doors.

“Wait! Dr. Cell you never answered my question!” Rainbow shouted. Doctor Cell made ignored her as the double door shut behind him. Dash quickly ran up to the doors and tugged on them. They were locked. Sighing in defeat Rainbow made her way back to the front desk. “Where are those forms I need to fill out?” The pony behind the desk nodded her head to the right. Rainbow turned to see an inkwell with a quill sticking out of it and a clipboard. She picked up the quill with her teeth and began to fill out the paper. After about five minutes Rainbow Dash set the quill down and carried the form over to the unicorn. Miss Quill took the paper in her telekinesis and hovered it inches in front of her face. After a few seconds she looked up at Rainbow and nodded. Rainbow didn’t hesitate and quickly made her way outside and into the sky. The moon was beginning to make its appearance as the sun set. Dash lazily drifted her way home as she planned out what she was going to do tomorrow. After she rallied the weather team, she was going to go back to the where she found the injured stallion to find out what the buck is going on.

Doctor Cell was redressing the mystery stallion’s wounds when he heard a knock at the door. He looked over his shoulder to see his sister walk in. She came up beside him setting down a bag full of gauze. She immediately began to help her brother in giving the Pegasus fresh bandages. It was a long process unwrapping the gauze that coiled around the Pegasus’s body. After the two siblings had the bandages off, Doctor Cell just shook his head. He looked at the words that were cut into the stallion’s body: traitor, back-stabber, disloyal… the list went on. Doctor Cell’s eyes fell on the symbol that had been sliced into the Pegasus just inches in front of his cutie mark. He continued to stare at the symbol until Nurse Redheart put her hoof on his shoulder bringing him back to reality. They began to rewrap the injured stallion as bad memories flooded into Doctor Cell’s mind.

This sort of stuff was why he left Manehatten…