Dreaming of Wings and Freedom -Note, Revised Edition
A fierce storm raged over Ponyville, the untamed winds resisting control. It was most definitely a freak storm, for sure...as far as Rainbow Dash knew, there hadn't been a storm scheduled for today. But there they were trying to keep it in check, trying their absolute hardest to tone down the storm or at best case: erase it completely. Rainbow blew off course by a gust of wind, and attempted to maneuver back into position. Wings straining, she fought through the stubborn wind currents and began to attack the storm with the rest of the team. One fact they neglected to notice...it was from above the Everfree Forest. If any place could have sentient storms, that would be it...all their efforts just seemed to enrage the storm, wind blowing fiercer, the lightning striking quickly, leaving craters.
Rainbow's attention was snapped away for a split second by a loud splintering sound, eyes widening as she saw a house collapse from the lightning strikes.This split second was all it took. A strong gust of wind smacked against her, blowing her away. As she tried to struggle against the force of nature, one of the loose boards from the collapsed house caught in the gale clipped her side, the rough wood drawing a thin line of blood on her coat. Wincing, the winds overtook her, sending her flying backward. Rainbow Dash flared her wings in an effort to stop herself, and it nearly worked...except for the object in the way. She crashed hard into one of the thick limbs of Twilight's Library tree, a wet crack filling her ears. Even through the slight adrenaline, the pain was nearly too much. Slipping, she heard a faint "Rainbow Dash!" and fell.
Opening her eyes, Rainbow blearily took in the sight of a white room, her own self elevated on a bed, legs folded beneath her. A grey unicorn with a silver mane slowly walked in, eyes locked on hers.
"Miss Rainbow Dash?" he asked, face grim.
"Ye..yeah? What is it Doc?" she asked tentatively, feeling the bandages on her sides. His eyes downcast, the doctor merely said,
"I'm sorry...we couldn't do anything to save them...your spine we managed to ensure was not broken, but your wings were shattered beyond repair. I'm sorry...one of our pegasi diagnosed you...he stated you'd never fly again." with this, the unicorn turned and walked out quickly, leaving the prismatic pegasus to her thoughts.
Rainbow Dash stared blankly at the door for a moment, an unblinking gaze at the closed door that just admitted her harbinger of bad news. Celestia, this was bad...what was she going to do now? If she couldn't fly, she couldn't keep her job, and if she couldn't keep her job her house was gone...just like her life-long dreams of joining the Wonderbolts. Maybe...maybe Princess Celestia could fix them? She was a nearly all-powerful alicorn after all! Surely if she could raise the sun she could fix her wings! Finally, the shock passed. Rainbow's head dropped heavily to the pillow below her, hot tears beginning to stain it.
"Mom...Dad...guess I can't keep your promise after all..."
She remembered back those few years ago when they'd called her to Manehattan, telling her on their deathbed to "fly until life's sunset, and never ignore your dreams".
A sharp pain echoed through her back and broken wings, making her grunt slightly as she shifted and settled. A knock at the door caught her attention, and she shouted for whoever it was to come in. The door swung open slowly, revealing her friends, every last one of them looking concerned.
"Rainbow Dash...what happened?" Twilight asked. "I saw you hit the tree and caught you as you fell, but what happened afterward...what did they say?"
"...I can't fly again...ever." Rainbow whispered into the silent air, looking away from the five. Twilight began to tear up, eyes glistening as she heard the news. All of them knew how much Rainbow Dash valued her wings, the things that she claimed gave her freedom. Pinkie's mane and tail went completely flat as Rarity held in a gasp. Fluttershy began to cry softly at the proclamation, and Applejack stood like a statue, closing her eyes and simply breathing. Each of their thoughts were along the same lines: it wouldn't be the same.
Twilight would miss the interruptions and subsequent cleanups of the library after a crash.
Pinkie Pie dripped tears silently onto the cold white tiles of the floor, knowing she couldn't fix this with a party and a smile.
Rarity bowed her head, tears shining on her lashes. As much as she'd complain about Rainbow Dash, she knew the pegasus just wouldn't be the same.
Fluttershy sobbed quietly at the disappeared dreams and passions of her first true friend, the one who really taught her to fly.
Applejack knew that the carefree Rainbow Dash was gone...her best friend and rival...the country mare stepped forward, placing her signature hat on Rainbow's head.
"Ah think you might need this more than I do, sugarcube..." she whispered.
"Thanks, AJ...I appreciate it." Rainbow muttered quietly. Her head dropped back down as the five stepped out.
Throughout the rest of the day, several ponies had come by giving her condolences, somewhat surprising her. She had no idea that so many ponies supported her and her dreams, hoping that she'd make it. She sniffed back a tear, waiting until the door opened once more.
Celestia stood outside the room, her tall frame nearly blocking the entrance. Tentatively stepping in, the Princess held in a gasp at the sight. This wasn't the carefree Rainbow Dash she knew...this pegasus seemed like one who'd lost everything in an instant. Perhaps she had... She shook her head slightly as the multicolored pony glanced up at her with shining rose eyes.
"I apologize, Rainbow Dash...I can't do anything. If I had known the storm would have been like that, Luna or I would've come to take care of it personally...the thought of one of our little ponies injured or even killed...it really kind of hurts us. Especially if one of those ponies is dear to us." Celestia said, the visible magenta eye showing concern and empathy.
"It's cool, Princess...I just thought that you might be able to do something about it...after all, if anyone could, it would be you." Rainbow responded. Celestia's head dropped slightly as unintentional guilt pressed upon her. She had thousands of years of experience, nearly untold power...and she couldn't fix a pegasus' wings...some Goddess of the Sun she was. Turning, Celestia walked out, mane dropping from the solar wind. Rainbow Dash closed her eyes as the door swung shut with a soft click.
When she opened her eyes once more, the moon shone through the open window, the pale orb illuminating the room, stars twinkling brightly against the midnight sky. The door to her room admitted one last pony, Luna walking in, eyes locked with the pegasus. Rainbow Dash remembered the careful friendship she'd cultivated with the Princess of the Night, starting at her own holiday, pranking the unsuspecting ponies, to gamer nights in Canterlot, where Rainbow and Luna dominated the ponies that played against them.
"We...I, heard about it, Rainbow Dash...I wish to offer my condolences. I cannot express my sorrow in adequate terms...I know the feeling of losing your freedom in an instant more than most, and...would like to offer you support...if you need it." she whispered. Rainbow let a small smile filter through at the outdated alicorn.
"Yeah...thanks Luna...it's just that I had all these big dreams you know? Become the fastest there ever was, the best...be the star flyer of the Wonderbolts...I can't do any of that now. Heh...I can't even fly to Canterlot for our gaming nights now." the pegasus responded. Luna suppressed a small smirk that threatened to cross her lips.
"Well, I don't think you'll have to worry about missing it. I'll just have to send a royal carriage your way weekly, I suppose." she said with a dramatic sigh. Rainbow laughed, the first real piece of amusement she's had for the day.
"If you have to, Luna...I suppose we can do that." Rainbow Dash replied with an equally dramatic sigh, causing Luna to laugh quietly.
"Just remember, Rainbow...even if your wings are gone...the pegasus within you remains. Freedom is always attainable to those who reach for it...even grounded pegasi."
Rainbow nodded wearily as she collapsed to the wet pillow beneath her head, tears finally beginning to dry. She may not be able to fly again...her wings may be utterly useless...even if she felt hopeless, like she'd never feel the cool breeze of freedom again...somewhere out there were friends that waited to give her freedom once more.
-I took the comments/feedback into account and revised the story. Tell me what you think.
Original AN below.
Okay, so I had an idea and ran with it. Tell me what you think. Is it sad enough? Any ideas for possible stories? Let me know in the comments...send your feedback my way. This is my first fanfic, by the way...not that it matters, really.
I had this idea for a story, and I thought, you know what...let's do it. So I sat and began to write...this took a total of about forty-five minutes to an hour, for those of you who wonder about things like that.
You might not, but I personally let out a few tears while writing this. The concept of freedom is near and dear to my heart, and the very idea of losing it in such a personal way is almost unfathomable to me...and very sad.