//------------------------------// // Shared Origins // Story: Rewrite: Sisterly Bonds // by Secret_Shadows //------------------------------// Shared Origins Chapter one Re-write Author Secret_Shadows Rewritten by Secret_Shadows & Enlistedpony   Edited by avorin                      “Just as real events are forgotten, some that never were can be in our                                                                     memories as if they happened.”                               It was late at night a storm previously scheduled for that evening was raging outside, but in the home of our two yet to be sisters slept their parents in their fluffy cloud bed. The father a proud pegasus with a brightly colored orange coat. A fiery red and yellow mane sat atop his brow. He was sleeping peacefully embracing his lovely wife. A pegasus with a glimmering cyan coat. A beautiful purple mane with a touch of blue and green highlighting it sprawled atop her head. All was good for the two parents they had a wonderful life. The father a full time supervisor at the Cloud factory, and his lovely wife, a manager for the local weather service overlooking Ponyville. They lived just outside Cloudsdale in a quaint home floating just above the small town. In the room next to the parents was a sleeping young filly around the age of five. She slept peacefully, her small cyan chest rising and falling with each breath she took. Occasionally making a quiet whinney now and then. Her mane a mix of colors matching the rainbow itself was draped over her peaceful face. The pegasus mare suddenly stirred awake instantly realizing the cause of it. She turned to her husband and spoke. “Refraction wake up!” The pegasus mare shook him vigorously. The stallion pegasus slowly stirring opened his eyes they were deep purple in color. Looking to his wife her eyes were wide a wonderful shade of magenta. He sleepily said. “MMmm... What is it Skylight? It’s really late ya know.” His eyes slowly closing bags under then from a strenuous day at work in the Cloud factory. “It’s time. The foal is coming, we need to get to the hospital now!” A distressed look now on her face. “Oh my! Are you sure? Is it really coming?” He replied in a now more alert tone, shaking off the effect of sleep instantly. “Yes, I can feel the foal coming, we need to hurry! Go wake up our daughter, we need to get going to the hospital.” She was trying to stay comfortable as best as she could. Refraction quickly hopped out of bed and made his way to his daughters bedroom. He opened the door and made his way over to her bed giving her a light shake on her shoulder trying to get her to wake up. “Rainbow please wake up. We need to take your mother to the hospital she is going into labor.” He continued trying to wake the sleeping filly for a moment. Finally she stirred, rolling over she opened her eyes, a mirror image of her mother looking back into Refractions she mumbled then spoke. “MMmm.. Wha..What? Oh hi daddy what’s up?” She was on the verge of drifting back off to sleep. her father realizing this gently picked up drowsy filly and set her on his back. “Come on Dash, we need to hurry and get your mother to the hospital, and you falling back asleep is not helping.” He was making his way back to the door with the young filly now once again drifting back off to sleep. He looked back to make sure she was settled so she wouldn't slip off he smiled and then continued on his way back to his wife. “Aww.. Dashie having a hard time staying awake?” Said Skylight as she gently brushed a hoof through her mane pulling it out of Rainbows face. “Yeah this dang filly could sleep through a stampede.” Refraction chuckled. “But its fine, I’ll carry her. We need to get you comfortable though, give me a second.” He gently set the sleeping filly down next to her mother. Skylight then draping a wing over the sleeping filly. He then made his way over to the window. He was about to open it when Skylight voiced some concern. “Refraction umm... Do you think its safe to get one of them clouds out there? The storm that was scheduled was pretty fierce. We don’t want to spread it to areas where it was not scheduled to be.” “Naa it’s alright and besides, this it Refraction you’re talking to ya know? Strongest, fastest most awesomest wrangler of storms!” He boasted. “Oh Refraction.. I swear you’re rubbing off so much on our dear Dashie here. Before you know it she is going to be rushing break neck through the clouds and boasting just like you do!” She chuckled to herself. “Yep, she’s daddy's little girl alright!” He smiled as he looked at the pair resting in bed. “Give me a sec I’ll be right back!” Pushing the window open he then flared his wings and darted out the window into the storm. Dash had stirred when the talking was going on. She now looked up at her mother and said. “Where’s daddy, mommy?” “He went out to get a cloud so he can take me and you to the hospital.” Skylight said. Just as Rainbow was about to speak up a crack of lightning sounded causing the filly to start hiccuping a bit as Refraction popped back in through the window with a moderately calm storm cloud in his forehooves. “Refraction express at your service! My fine mare and filly. Express ticket for two to Ponyville Medical center! Hop on.” He said in a cheerful tone. He then made his way to the bed. Gently he picked up the half awake filly and set her down on the cloud returning to his wife. She put a foreleg over his shoulder Refraction then unfurled his wings coming to a hover by the bed he put both of his forelegs under her and gently lifted her off the bed and floated over to the cloud. He then set her down on it. “There now, all set gals?” “Yeah we are read- ohhh... please hurry! The contractions are getting more intense! I don’t know how much longer it will be.” A slight look of pain was forming upon her face as she was starting to take short breaths. “Right. Okay, hold on you two I’ll fly as fast as I can.” Refraction then turned to the window once again unfurling his wings he then grabbed the end of the cloud and shot out through the window into the now seemingly calm night.                                                                          **** Flying through the night Skylight had noticed for some reason the violent storm was now seemingly nowhere to be found. A confused look on her face she turned her head sideways a bit and asked. “What happened to the storm Refraction? It was raining like crazy a second ago.” Skylight resumed looking around wondering why it was so seemly quiet. “Oh you know.. I kinda relocated parts of it a bit to make our trip to the hospital smoother.” He said shyly. Waving a dismissive hoof into the air.  Skylight snapped her head back at the stallion. Shocked as what she just heard. “You what!? Where?” She was worried where the storm had landed. Refraction seeing his wife’s concern reached out and brushed a hoof through her mane he then gave her a gentle peck on the cheek. “Relax babe.. It’s not like its going to be a problem. Besides, I wanted to give you the most comfortable ride to the hospital and not get drenched on the way there. What could possibly go wrong ya know?” His words made her feel somewhat better, but she was still rather upset for his recklessness. “Well, I guess I can forgive you this time, but next time think before you act ok?” She reached over and bopped him on the head with a hoof. “Its not a good example for our kids to be rash and reckless understand?” “Ow!” Refraction yelped rubbing his head. “Yeah, Yeah.. I gotcha, I’ll remember next time. Sorry! Now lets pick up the pace. We need to get you to the hospital before the timer on your oven beeps.” “Oh haha you’re such a joker aren’t you?” Skylight smiled at the comment. “Yeah.. but you love me for it babe.” Refraction leaned over again and give Skylight a kiss. She felt better after that just then another contraction hit her. “Ohh.. hurry, hurry! They are getting closer now, not much time left!” “We are almost there. Hmm.. thats funny, I don’t remember a storm was scheduled to be over this area tonight. Refraction said pointing a hoof in the direction of the hospital. “What?” Was the only thing Skylight was able to say before the pains of foal birth took her breath away. They finally landed at the entrance and made their way inside the hospital. A rather fierce storm was now forming in the skies surrounding.                                                                          **** “We need a doctor! My wife is in labor!” Shouted Refraction as they entered the hospital from the emergency entrance. Various medical ponies approached the couple one being a maternal doctor. He approached and quickly examined the mare. “Get this pegasus into maternity quick!” A few orderlies arriving quickly with a gurney. They gently lifted the mare off the cloud Refraction had rustled up and placed her on the gurney, and proceeded into the maternity ward. “Your daughter will have to wait outside sir.” Said the Doctor as he was prepping for the delivery. “Okay. Where is the closes room I can keep her in while I am in there with my wife?” Refraction lifted Rainbow off the cloud and bucked it out the door he had just entered placing the small filly on his back. “We have a waiting room across the hall you can put her in. We’ll send in a nurse to keep watch over your daughter while you're in with your wife. Will that be okay?’’ The doctor waved a hoof to a nurse behind the counter and she nodded. “Yes that will be great thank you.” Refraction then walked over to the waiting room and made his way to a couch setting Rainbow on it. He then rubbed a hoof through her mane causing her to stir. The filly opened her eyes and looked up at him. “Daddy? Where are we? Where’s mommy?” Rainbow looked around the room. It was quiet, a few ponies were milling around the receptionist’s counter some questions could be heard being asked in the distance. “Your mother is in the next room across the hall. She is about to give birth, so I am going to go over there to keep her comfortable. You have to stay here no children allowed in the delivery room sorry. Don’t worry though, this nice nurse is gonna be keeping you company and watching over you while your mother and I are in the next room okay?” He looked up and saw the nurse had arrived and was standing next to him and Rainbow. “Aww.. such a cute filly. What is your name little one?” The nurse asked. “Rainbow Dash, Miss nurse pony.” Rainbow smiled at the kind face looking at her. “Hehe, aww no need for formalities Rainbow Dash, just call me Sunshine.” She replied. “Sorry.” Rainbow blushed a bit and tried to get a bit more comfortable on the couch. “Heh, heh Mind if I call you Sunny for short miss?” The little filly asked in a cute sleepy tone. “Aww.. you are so sweet aren’t you. Sure you can.” The nurse looked down at filly smiling and blushed a bit. “Well sounds like you two will be alright. Okay Dash, I need to get going your mother is waiting. If theres anything you need just ask Sunshine here got it?” Refraction said as he got up and walked over to the door. The small filly yawned, “Okay daddy, but I think I am just gonna go back to sleep. Wake me up when you ponies are done okay?” The little filly said now nodding off back to sleep. ‘Heh.. yep, could sleep through a stampede alright.’ Refraction though. “Okay Dash, sleep tight I’ll see you in a few.” He opened the door and walked out heading over to the room his wife was in. Taking a quick peek through the window he saw Skylight in a bed with various monitors around her and a heart beat monitor strapped to her foreleg the doctor was asking her some questions. “So.. Skylight right?” “Yes doctor what do you want to ask me?” She replied. “First off my name is Gentle Wing, and how are you feeling at the moment ma'am? He took her foreleg in his hoof and placed a stethoscope to her chest to time her pulse and check her breathing. “Fine. I am in a little pain though, but I think we both know why.” They both chuckled at that comment. Soon afterward another contraction hitting the mare. “Ohhhh.. yeah.. I think the foal is about to come out. Is my husband here yet?” Refraction entering the room soon after that. He walked up to Skylight and took a hoof in his. “Hey babe how are you doing? I am right here for ya. Rainbow is sleeping in the next room I got a nurse watching over her.” Skylight leaned over and gave Refraction a kiss. The contractions now coming on more frequent. “Ohh.. I...I had better days.” She chuckled gripping her husbands hoof with each contraction. “You’re doing fine ma’am keep it up!” Came in an encouraging tone from the doctor. “T-That Storm outside is looking pretty scary don’t you think Refraction? Skylight said as she was trying to keep her mind occupied and off the pain of the contractions. “Yeah, I am going to have to remember to scold the dang foal who thought to have a storm that size appear over a hospital of all places..” He remarked. By this time the contractions were getting closer and closer Skylight’s breathing becoming more labored. Refraction coaching his wife keeping her breathing in check while comforting her. “I see the head!” The doctor called out. “Push honey! Come on you can do it! I am right here for you” Refraction was keeping his wife’s hoof in his own. Standing on his hind legs he reached over with his free hoof to wipe the sweat forming on her brow. “Ohhh.. its coming! The foal ohhh.. I love you so much Refraction.” Skylight said breathlessly. “I love you too babe. Keep it up you’re almost done!” The storm outside at this point had reached full steam and the wall themselves were actually starting to shake a bit. “It’s a filly!” Indeed it was. A little filly with an orange coat and a purple mane matted on her head. The little filly opened her tiny eyes a pretty purple color and cried. The doctor wrapped the small filly in a blanket and hoofed the foal over to her waiting parents. “Here you go ma’am congratulations!” “What are going to name her sweetie?” Refraction asked. Taking a peek at the now quiet and comfortable filly. “Scootaloo, how does that sound?” Skylight was exhausted but her eyes brimming with happiness looking as the ball of life in her hoofs. “Go get Dash, she will want to see her little sister. “ “Okay I’ll be right back. Way to go babe! Scootaloo is a wonderful name. I love it!” Refraction was elated at the arrival of his newborn daughter and excited to tell Rainbow Dash she would have a sister now. Making his way to the door he took note of the storms ferocity raging outside. It was blanketing the window in sheets of hail and rain sending a slight shiver down his spine. ‘I am really gonna have to give the idiots that though a storm of this level was needed a serious talking to.’ As Refraction walked across the hallway the lights blinked as a crack of very loud thunder roared overhead. “Dash, wake up! Do you want to see your little sister?” Refraction said brushing the fillies mane. “You bet!” Came the excited reply. Refraction smiled and helped Rainbow to her hooves. “Okay just wait a second. I need to check if its alright with the doctor first, you can wait at the door got it?” Refraction and Rainbow walking together with Refractions wing draped over the filly. A crash of sudden lightning sent the halls of the hospital into darkness. Some screams were heard as Rainbow was trying to get close to her father. Thunder resounding in the distance. “D-daddy what's happening? I can’t see!” Her father could feel the filly shaking up against him. He tightened his embrace and looked down on the panic stricken filly trying to come up with some way to calm her down. “Hey, hey.. Calm down now Dash, don’t worry daddy’s here and he’ll take care of you. No need to be shaking me to pieces now will ya? Everything is going to be fine. Now let go of me before I get numb from all the shaking you’re doing.” He squeezed her tighter and then released, letting her stand by herself. “Okay since these dang hospital ponies seem to have forgotten to pay their magic bill it looks like you're coming in with me. Can’t have you out here shaken a hole in the floor now can we?” Refraction chuckled. Rainbow was not amused. “H-hey I-I am not scared! It’s just.. I have not eaten in a while and I...I get all shaky when I am on empty got it daddy?” Rainbow stammered. Refraction looked down on the filly raising an eyebrow he smiled. “Oh sure, sure I believe you.” He laughed. Rainbow’s eyebrows flattened out and she stood up on her hind legs throwing her forehooves into the air in frustration. “Daddy! Come on! This is Rainbow Dash you’re talking to! I am not afraid of nothing!” She boasted. But Refraction was nowhere to be found. Rainbow looked around in the darkness searching for her father but to no avail. Just then a tap on her rump made her screech “AAHHH!” She jumped and fell back down on her haunches letting out a soft yelp “Ow.” “HA! Not afraid of nothing are we? The mighty Rainbow Dash defeated by a single hoof tap on her flank!” Refraction busted out laughing now. “Y-you tricked me! That’s not fair! Grrr..” Rainbow stood back up rubbing her flank clearly not amused and wave her father off with a hoof. “Okay fun aside Miss toughness,” Refraction chuckled. “Lets go see your mother now shall we?” He pushed open the door to his wife's room and the pair entered not realizing the water running down from the ceiling on a rather large emergency back up electrical outlet with a few oxygen tanks lying up against the wall next to it just outside Skylights room.                                                                            **** “Why has the emergency lighting not came on yet? What’s going on? Somepony check the connections!” A orderlie shot out into the darkness. Get the maintenance pony in here! For a few minutes the ponies in the hall looked around for the outlet to plug in the emergency lighting. “Over there! I see the emergency backup power outlet. Funny though, why is it shiny?” Said a nurse she was waving a hoof to the maintenance pony so he could come over and hook up the back up lighting to it.                                                                                                                                                  **** “So Rainbow Dash, this here is your siste-” Before Skylight could finish a loud electrical explosion type sound came from out in the hall. “What the hay was that!?” Refraction snapped his head back to the door a reddish-yellow  glow now appearing on the glass. Some voices on the other side were screaming. “What is going on out there Refraction? You need to go find out!” Skylight said with a rising fear coming from it. Refraction looked back to his wife now holding Rainbow and the newborn all of them shaking with fear. He walked back to them and leaned over and gave his wife a kiss then reached down and gave Rainbow a hug. “Hey, hey.. now you mares need to calm down,” In a soft tone. “I’ll go check stay put. Heh, not like you can move anyways babe.” He chuckled as he ran his hoof through Skylights mane but she pushed it away. “This is serious Refraction! Something is wrong! Ponies don’t scream for no reason you foal!” Skylight was clearly upset fearing for her kids safety. “Listen Skylight..” The stallion taking on a serious tone now. He looked back at the door now a odd heat emanating off it. “I don’t know what's happening, but I know I will do my absolute best to keep you all safe you understand?” The mare and filly nodding. “Whatever happens.. I’ll take care of you two. Now if you excuse me.” Refraction started to the door. Upon reaching it a sudden shout rang out. “Look out! The oxygen tanks! There are going to blow!” Refraction had a split second to just glance back at his family then... BOOOMMM!! kkkkkkrrrrrrrr... A large explosion rocked the area echoing down the halls. The oxygen tanks finally stressed to their breaking point blew out in a violent fiery blevy sending shrapnel flying everywhere. The shock wave was so  powerful it picked Refraction up and violently threw him across the room screaming “AAAAHHHHH!!!” Finally slamming him up against the adjacent wall with a sickening CRUNCH! sound coming from his back. A painful “UHHH” groan coming afterwards. He toppled down out of the impression in the wall he made hitting a counter on the way down finally crashing to the floor knocking over some medical equipment. A painful moan coming from the stallion afterward. A look of terror now on the mare’s face. Skylight screamed. “AAAHHH!!! REFRACTION!” She wanted to rush over to her husband but Skylight being too exhausted from foal birth, she was still unable to get up and run to his aid. Rainbow Dash had froze from the whole ordeal. Her mouth left wide open, her mind disconnected she was simply staring at her fallen father. “Rainbow Dash!” Skylight yelled instantly pulling the filly out of her state of shock and turning to face her bed stricken mother. “Y-Yes M-mommy?” Dash sputtered. “Go help your father! See if he’s alright!” Rainbow nodded and jumped off the bed and ran to her fathers aid landing at his broken form a second later. “DADDY! Please! Are you ok? Wake up! Oh, no no no!” She was crying uncontrollably. The stallion stirred and coughed, some red liquid spilling on the ground as he coughed. “R-Rainbow? That you?” He was having a hard time focusing on the blue blur standing in front of him. Trying to get to his hooves he half managed but only to fall back in pain as he noticed a painful white thing jutting out from one of his forelegs. His wings twisted at very painful angles he was unable to move them without extreme pain rocketing through his body He looked at his wife through the rising smoke, she nodded and waved a hoof to signal him to say what had to be said. He then took a deep breath and spoke. “Dashie dear... You need to go get help. I am hurt pretty bad, I...I can’t stand up. Please!” A tear now running down his cheek. Rainbow was shaking and crying uncontrollably. Refraction reached forward with his uninjured foreleg and lifted up Rainbow’s tear ridden face with his hoof her tears running down his foreleg. “Come on now little mare  you’re stronger than this. Show daddy that courage you’ve always had. You’re in charge now and daddy needs your help. Don’t let me down ya hear? “O-okay daddy I-I’ll go look for the doctor don’t you worry! Rainbow Dash will look after you!” She reached over to her father with a foreleg and rubbed his cheek with her hoof clearing the tears away. “I’ll be right back don’t you worry!” Refraction nodded.  She stood up took a deep breath and started towards the door looking back one last time to her father. He returned with a warm smile and winked then pointed to the door. “Go now, Dash. Please!” Rainbow exited to the hallway. The fire now raging all around her. “Refraction,” Skylight looked over to her husband now trying to crawl over to his wife leaving behind a trail of feathers and blood. “Yes my love?” He said almost out of breath as he reached the bed. He pulled himself up alongside her then reached over and placed a foreleg over her chest giving her a kiss. “We need to get Scootaloo out of here.” She stated calmly. Skylight had started to cover up the small filly as best as she could wetting down the blanket so the heat and smoke from the fire would not harm her. “I...I can t-try.” Refraction strained himself to stand on his hooves, falling a couple times but finally managing to get to his hoofs. Skylight looked at her husband getting upset when she saw his eyes were rapidly going distant. She realized then he was slipping away, but knew he still had it in him to get her to safety. “The emergency exit is over there.” Skylight pointed to the door. “Take her and get out! Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine, she's more important, you know that. Now please go!” She hoofed the blanket over to Refraction and ran her hoof gently down the side of his face making Refraction feel a bit calmer. She was crying, her face covered in soot from the fire. Tears making channels in her fur. “D-don’t worry my love... I’ll make s-sure she’s safe trust me.” He placed Scootaloo on his back and slowly made his way to the emergency exit. The fire singing his fur and wing tips along the way. He looked back to his newborn daughter covered in a blanket completely oblivious to what was happening. “Hey there Scootaloo. I have to say, I am a b-bit upset... I w-won’t get to see you grow up but, don’t w-worry. You have a strong and fearless sister that will take good care of you. I...I’ll always be watching over you... and your mother too... Y-you will  grow up to be a fine mare someday... I...I can see it. Make me and your mother p-proud alright? Take good care of your sister too... Y-you two will need each other...” He opened the door and collapsed on the landing passing out. The lack of blood and searing pain had finally taken the last of the strength from his body. An orderly coming down the fire escape saw the two lying on the landing. The filly now crying in her blanket, he walked over and looked at Refraction. “Are you alright Mr?” Refraction stirred for a moment opened his eyes and looked up at the young orderly. “S-save h-her...” Was all he managed to say. The orderly panicked sitting down next to the pegasus he reached forward with his hoof placing it on Refractions neck right beneath the chin. Nothing.. His ears fell back and he looked down letting out a breath. He slid the stallions eyes closed and picked up the small filly and proceeded to head down the stairs towards the exit.                                                                          **** Back in the room the pegasus mare sat alone. The room now ablaze, fire slowly burning around her making a low kkkkkkkkkkkrrrrrrrr sound with an occasional crack or pop. She was sitting on her bed her eyes closed, a peaceful look on her face silently humming to herself. Her fore legs crossed at her chest holding her hoof’s to her heart. She opened her eyes and looked up at the now burning ceiling a groaning sound coming from it. “Refraction my love..” She sniffed a bit. Her eyes glassy, tears staining the pillows and her cheeks. “I am coming. Wait for me please...” Her voice now a little hitched. “Rainbow Dash my darling daughter. Please take care of your little sister Scootaloo.. Make mommy proud okay? You two will need each other.. Mommy will always love you.” The ceiling now taking on a more aggressive groan. “I will always be with you..” The ceiling finally giving away it came crashing down with all its fiery weight on the bed and its poor occupant.                                                                                                                                   **** Rainbow Dash was standing in the hallway of the hospital right outside her mothers room. It was a scene of terror. Fire burning all around smoke choking the small fillies lungs. A blast mark on the wall next to her mothers room in the center of it a large impression had been left and metal was strewn everywhere. The filly took a quick look around it was a dreadful sight. A few ponies were lying on the ground some up against walls, blood was coming from their ears most were pretty badly burnt. The sounds of screaming and moaning in the distance. Rainbow steeled herself and started to slowly walk forward. ‘Come on Dash, your father is counting on you don’t let him down!’  She made her way to the receptionist’s desk and lifted herself up to her hind legs putting her forelegs on the counter. “Help! My daddy is hurt bad! Anypony here? There was nopony to be found. Rainbow looked down. She then glanced back to the room her parents were in, but what she saw next truly terrified her. A sudden CRASH! The door of her mothers room flew off its hinges and slammed against the opposite wall. Fire was billowing out from the room. Rainbow screamed. “MOMMY, DADDY NO “Mommy... daddy... please no. Not this... Oh Celestia, please no..” She was truly in despair crying on the floor the fire now almost surrounding the poor filly. Smoke trying to steal away the last precious bits of air. Just then a mares voice came into her head. ‘Rainbow Dash, you need to get up you are in terrible danger!’  It was almost regal in tone. The filly snapped her head up and wildly started to looked around trying to find the source. ‘My little pony please, you need to get up your parents would not want to see you like this.’ “Wh- who are you?” “Who I am is not important, you need to get up you are in terrible danger! Now, GET. UP. Rainbow Dash!’  The voice said in a calm but commanding tone. Rainbow Dash slowly got to her hooves coughing a bit from the smoke. “I...I’m scared. Where do I go? The fire is everywhere!” Said the young filly she was shaking. ‘Calm down little one. You will be alright it is not your time yet, but you need to hurry please. Get moving!’ “O-okay..” She said shakily. “I-I’ll try.” Rainbow turned around taking a final look back to the room her parents were in she shed a tear and sniffed a bit. Lowering her head to the ground so she could take a deep breath she made her way forward down the hall. Rainbow walked for a little while coming to a door. Atop the door was a sign with the word “EXIT” glowing in the middle of it. She reached forward and pushed but it was jammed. Disheartened a bit she turned to walk back, but right before she could the ceiling in front of her collapsed the force of it picking her up and throwing her into the door. She braced for the impact forcing her forelegs forward slamming into it forcing it open. She crashed on the landing and gave a painful groan. “UUUHHHH!” She had hit the door full force with her forelegs breaking one them in the process and receiving  some cuts and burns from the fire when the ceiling collapsed. Rainbow was on the verge of passing out from the pain but that familiar voice again came back into her head. ‘I know you’re hurting all over Rainbow Dash, but you must be strong. Come on now please get up, you can do it! I have faith in you little one.’   Rainbow Dash whimpered a bit. She then took a few breaths and grit her teeth. Forcing herself to her hooves whimpering while she was straining to get up. Her body was hurting all over a few tears were running down her cheeks from the pain and her breathing interrupted every now and then by her sniffing and hitching trying to hold back the tears. Keeping the weight off her injured foreleg as best as she could the small filly then unfurled her wings and hovered into the air. This although was not the best idea due to smoke rising, but the stairwell was relatively clear so she decided to try to hover down the stairwell. She didn’t think she could manage walking. The pain was excruciating when she applied even the slightest pressure to her injured foreleg. Her stamina and strength being rapidly exhausted from flying, but after a few minutes of making her way down albeit  falling down a few times due to exhaustion, Rainbow had finally made it to the bottom floor. The injured filly then made her way to a wall and gently rested up next to it. Taking in a deep breath she was very exhausted at this point and on the verge of passing out. She braced herself against it and landed on her hind legs first. She then let her wings fall to her sides too tired to bother folding them back up. She lowered herself down on her good foreleg first wobbling a bit, but keeping the pressure off the broken one and slowly hobbled over to the door. The storm now almost gone the night sky could be seen through the glass. She reached up and pushed, but being the last ounce of her strength Rainbow Dash collapsed and passed out the moment it opened falling down onto the wet grass. A second later a fire pony responding to the scene saw the small injured filly and rushed to her aid. “Over here!” He shouted “We have a survivor. It’s a filly and shes injured! Get the medical ponies here NOW!” A doctor from the hospital rushing over to begin administering aid. “Wake up little one are you okay?” Rainbow stirred and opened her eyes. “Wha? wh-who are you?” She looked up frightened. “There, there now little one you're going to be fine. My name is Gentle Wing, what is yours?” “My N-name?” Rainbow’s mind was swimming but slowly it came into focus. Gentle Wing took one of Rainbows forelegs and started to take her pulse afterwards placing a stethoscope to her chest. “Could you please take in a deep breath? In, then out okay little one?” Gentle Wing next flashed a light in one eye, then the other. Rainbow’s eyes fluttering shut and her head turning away wincing a bit when the light was placed over one then the other. Rainbow next did as asked by the doctor, she inhaled as deep as she could, but only to start hacking afterwards spitting up a bit of black phlegm in the process. Some paramedic ponies arriving on scene shortly after. The doctor waving them over with a hoof. “We need oxygen here now!” Gentle Wing said looking over to the paramedics. He then turned and looked back to Rainbow. She had stopped coughing but was wheezing in between breaths. “Yes, your name little one what is it? The doctor asked. The paramedics now by her side placed an oxygen mask over the fillies snout and put a heartbeat sensor on her foreleg. “I-I’m not suppose to talk to strangers my parents said.” Was the muffled reply. Rainbow’s breathing was getting a lot better now that she was taking in fresh clean oxygen from the mask placed over her muzzle. She was then picked up and placed gently on a gurney, the paramedic ponies put a warm blanket over her and placed a neck brace around her neck. Rainbow shifted a bit looking around frantically. There was noises from the fire and various ponies around her talking. She was frightened. “Mommy.. daddy.. I’m scared” Rainbow whimpered. “It’s okay little one we are here to help but we can’t help really unless we first know your name.” Gentle Wing said giving her a comforting smile. The paramedics now placing a splint on Rainbows broken foreleg next giving her an injection of a very mild and foal safe sedative to ease her suffering. They then proceeded to start first aid on the injured filly cleaning her wounds and wrapping them in clean bandages.   “R-Rainbow Dash mister..” Rainbow said quietly, shrinking up and pulling the blanket up to her head she was starting to get sleepy. “Aww, There, there now Rainbow Dash its alright. We are going to make sure you are well taken care of and find your parents okay?” Gentle Wing offered. Not really knowing of this poor fillies parents fate. “T-thank you.” Rainbow replied, looking to the doctor feeling better albeit very exhausted. She yawned and laid her head back on the pillow closing her eyes. “Sleep now Rainbow Dash, you look like you really need it.” Said the doctor quietly while rubbing his hoof through her soot encrusted mane.                                                                           **** Ten years later... “Rainbow Dash, nice work!” Came the reply from the weather manager. “You have been working hard these past few weeks and deserve some time off. Please take the next couple months off and enjoy them. You will be paid too, how does that sound?” “Sounds great boss, Thanks!” Rainbow was happy she was finally getting some time off. It had been a strenuous past couple months of hard work maintaining the weather for spring time and now she had the summer to goof off. So without hesitation the pegasus flew off deciding first to find a comfy place to nap for a bit. Scanning around she zeroed in on a park in the distance it was relatively quiet with only a few patrons. A few sitting on blankets sprawled out enjoying the warm sunny day, some sitting at picnic tables eating and chatting about random events going on around Ponyville. Rainbow Dash circled around a couple times finally eyeing an open bench at the corner of the part nestled under a tree. ‘Perfect I’m pretty beat.’ The pegasus thought. Slowly making her way down to the ground she landed inches from the bench folded up her wings and plopped down on the bench. Stretching out she got comfy and after a few minutes drifted off to sleep.                                                                               **** Rainbow was desperately running through the hallways trying to find a way out the fire growing ever so close with each step. Coming to the door she was stopped it was jammed, but a sudden collapse behind her threw her through the door she then crashed on the landing giving out a painful moan. “Mommy! Daddy! help me!”’ She said gasping for air about to pass out. “Rainbow!” “M-m-mommy?” Rainbow stammered “Wake up Rainbow!” “Come on Rainbow Dash, you promised me you would start to teach how to fly today.” Scootaloo hopped up and started to prod at Rainbow trying to wake her up. Rainbow was mumbling incoherently. “Mommy... daddy...” Scootaloo continuing to press Rainbow into waking up she tried tickling Rainbow on her exposed tummy. Rainbow twitched for a second the events of her past still playing in her mind. The tickling had quite the opposite effect. Instead of causing the pegasus to chuckle or laugh it further enhanced the already terrible nightmare. Since the tickling in Rainbows mind for the moment anyway, felt like the fire lapping at her sides. She struggled and tried to push away actually grabbing and picking up Scootaloo by accident. “No!!” Rainbow screamed. Not realizing the filly was mere inches from her muzzle. Scootaloo flinched and pushed back frightened, not understanding Rainbows motives. She managed to get free and flopped down on her rump on the pavement eliciting a sudden yelp in pain. Rainbow Dash finally snapping out of her nightmare her eyes shot open and the world came into focus quickly. She looked down to her side noticing the small orange filly whimpering from falling out of Rainbow grasp. “Oh Scootaloo.. Umm... are you alright? Sorry there squirt, I was kinda wrestling with my thoughts there and you interrupted me in the middle of it. Are you okay? Not hurt are you?” Rainbow felt a little upset for tossing Scootaloo off like that. She offered a hoof to the small filly and then helped her get to her hooves. “Ahh.. naa. It’s alright Rainbow Dash, you just kinda startled me no worries. I am a tough little filly you know..” Scootaloo replied waving Rainbow off with a hoof. “Well thats good.. So, What did you want from me?” Rainbow returned, getting up to stretch a bit afterwards. “You promised to start showing me how to fly today. Remember?” Scootaloo said looking at the pegasus. Rainbow kinda shrugged. She was rudely woken from a not so nice dream, at least she was thankful for that part. but, still no dout woken before she wanted to be. “Uh heh.. Scootaloo ya know umm.. thing is..” She was cut off. Scootaloo staring right back defiantly knowing full well Rainbow was trying to weasel her way out of this. “You’re not trying to weasel your way out of this are you?” Scootaloo shot back scrunching  her brow squinting her eyes while pointing a hoof at the pegasus. “No no! It’s just I got this thing here that needs to be done and uhh.. its gonna take me probably the rest of the day to get it done..” Rainbow blurted out. A lie. Scootaloo easily saw right through it but felt like she would have a bit fun embarrassing the cyan mare. A plan started to formulate in her mind, a smile forming on her face. ‘Rainbow Dash is NOT going to get out of this! She promised me weeks ago she would spend some time with me and show me the basics of flying. So, I guess I am going to have to trick her into helping me. Hehe this is going to be fun!’ “”Oh yeah? Like what? Scootaloo raised an eyebrow and crossing her forelegs she then tilted her head sideways and stared right into the pegasus eyes mocking her. Rainbow started to sweat a bit she reared her head back rubbing a hoof on her neck. “Heh, heh.. Well you see it’s..” She was trying to think of a way to get this filly to believe her, but her options were running thin and her mind was drawing a blank. She was about to blurt something out, but Scootaloo managed to interrupted her first. Quick to keep the pressure on the cyan mare. “Well I’m waiting..” Said Scootaloo keeping her gaze locked on Rainbows face. The flyer was having a hard time keeping a straight face and started to look off in different directions further reinforcing the orange fillies drive. Rainbows mind was still drawing a blank and she frantically searched for something to say.       ‘Oh gosh think Rainbow! You’re not going to lose an argument with this filly are you?’ Scootaloo spoke again pulling Rainbow out of her thoughts, scrambling what she was trying to come up with and she looked back in shock, surprised at the filly. “So important you had enough time to fall asleep in the park?” Scootaloo said turning sideways slightly while waving a hoof in general direction of the park. Her plan was working and she was enjoying this. A small smirk forming on her face. Rainbow picked up on this right away. ‘Oh, no no no. This filly is NOT trying to make a foal out of me! Is she now? Well, I need to think of a way to turn this back on this little runt.’ Rainbow was pondering for a moment her hoof at her chin, when Scootaloo spoke up again tapping her hoof on Rainbows shoulder to snap her out of her trance. “Are you just going to stand there like that? You look like you’re lost...Why are you stalling?” A small giggle slipped out. Rainbow instantly now knew the orange filly was trying to have some fun at her expense and was rather upset. She scrunched her brow and squinted her eyes looking at the filly who was trying to suppress her laughter. “Stalling!? What are you implying at there squirt?” Rainbow now more focused her blood pressure started rising a bit but, Scootaloo was cool and calm her expression remaining the same further infuriating the now upset mare. ‘Hehe okay, got her a bit ticked off. Time to put my plan into action.’ “Whatever do you mean Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo replied in a sweet tone tilting her head a bit trying to make the best puppy dog face she could. It was starting to get hard for the filly to hold her composure. Rainbow was not amused. “What are you up to kid? You trying to make fun of me?” Rainbow sat down and crossed her forehooves and looked directly at the orange filly. Scootaloo was trying desperately now to contain her laughter as she bit her lip, her cheeks flushing a bit. Dash raising an eyebrow at the gesture. The orange filly waved a hoof trying to downplay her change in expression “No no thats not it. You said you had something else you had to do right? Well what is it? It can’t really be that important if you had enough time to sleep in a park now can it? Is it practicing some new tricks to try to impress the Wonderbolts? The filly replied trying her best to keep an honest face. “Well yeah.. thats it yeah.. Wonderbolts training..” Rainbow returned while looking up absentmindedly. Putting a hoof to her chin again thinking of something. ‘Sweet threw her off track on that one! Okay, time to let her boast a bit maybe I can get her to slip up.’ She looked up at Rainbow with an excited expression. Knowing it was a facade. Letting Rainbow boast a bit would give the orange filly the chance to flip this around on the cyan mare. “Oh cool! So is it hard?” Scootaloo chirped afterwards standing back on her hooves. She gave a huge fake smile and buzzed her wings to make her look excited. “You bet squirt! It takes a pretty rough and tough pegasus to be a Wonderbolt. You need to be a highly skilled flyer to manage the awesome stunts and aerial acrobatics they perform.” Rainbow said letting her mood lightened back up. She dropped her gaze and stood back up then unfurled her wings and hopped into the air to hover a bit off the ground. “And I am that kind of pegasus! Fastest flyer in Equestria and all that! I got the skills to pay the bills!” Rainbow boasted while doing a hoof pump in the air. “Skills huh?” Scootaloo cooed slyly. Her smirk returning. The pegasus concentration on what she was saying broke, she raised an eyebrow then looked down at the filly now sporting a smirk on her face. Rainbow felt like she was being mocked at now. She landed back on the ground and gave a slight look of uneasiness. “What did you say Scootaloo?” Rainbow Dash again sat back down and pulled her attention to the filly trying to read her eyes. “I was saying a mare so highly skilled in flying such as yourself,” She nodded and pointed to the pegasus. “Should have no problem flying with such a prestigious team such as the Wonderbolts.” She stopped for a moment a mischievous smile grew on her face Rainbow Dash not noticing this. She then resumed. “Hay, I bet a skilled flyer such as yourself would have no problem showing anypony such ability and awesomeness with absolute ease!” Scootaloo said in a cheerful tone then winked at Rainbow eliciting a spark of pride in the flyer. “Your right Scootaloo! I am awesome! and I could train anypony to be just as awesome, even you!” Rainbow beamed. She jumped into the air and pushed her chest out. A strong sense of pride and arrogance resounding in her voice. “Great so.. when do we start?” In an instant Rainbow Dash’s eyes went wide at the comment. doing a quick double take the cyan pegasus blurted out. “Wait, What?” She lost her concentration on what she was doing and stopped flapping her wings, forgetting she was still hovering a few hoofs off the ground. She promptly plopped back down on her rump and let out a yelp. “Ow.” Afterwards rubbing her bruised flank with her hoof.   “Well... you did say you could train anypony to be awesome even me! Soo.. What time is good for you?” Scootaloo replied smiling brightly knowing full well she had achieved her goal. “B-but, but you said, I-I said..” Was the only thing Rainbow Dash was able to sputter. “Yeah I know right? Totally cool of you to agree to help me out and all that. So, I figure we can start now? Its nice and sunny and the park is pretty empty, how about over there?” Scootaloo pointed to an open field just in the distance turning and starting to walk over to it, a now noticeable pep in her step. “Arrgghh... Fine!” Rainbow threw her head back rolling her eyes and huffed. “Lets get this over with shall we? You got lucky this time squirt! I was just tired, thats the only way you were able to flip that around on me!” Rainbow spat out. She was disgusted. She had let a filly pull a fast one her. “Sure, sure Rainbow, I believe you.” Scootaloo said snickering. Rainbow facehoofed. She felt pretty stupid she was fooled so easily ‘Horseapples! How did that little runt manage to do that! I can’t believe I fell for it! Boy I feel stupid!’ But even though she felt pretty foalish for being tricked so easily a smile was tugging at her lips. ‘Nice one Scootaloo, I’ll have to remember that.’                                                                         **** Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were out in the in the open field it was a beautiful day. The sun set high in the afternoon sky. A warm summer breeze blowing from the west it was a perfect day for flying. Rainbow jumped up and hovered a few hooves off the ground she was looking down at scootaloo giving some beginners advice. “Okay Squirt time to start learning to be awesome!” A bit more boasting from the cyan pegasus. Scootaloo jumped up and buzzed her wings a bit. She was actually pretty excited to be learning flight from her idol. “Awesome! I can’t wait!” She was shaking from excitement a sparkle in her eyes. “Calm down there Scoots you're gonna get all tired before you ever get off the ground.” Rainbow chuckled. Scootaloo tried but it was actually rather hard to contain herself and not just jump up and scream in excitement. Ever since the first time she laid eyes on the cyan flyer she had dreamed of this day of learning to fly with her and now it has finally come true! “O-okay I’ll try Rainbow. Sorry, heh-heh.. just a bit excited thats all. I have been waiting for this day for awhile now.” She said still shaking from excitement. Rainbow raised eyebrow and looked down on the orange filly. “Really? Wow.. thats actually pretty cool! Well don’t you worry! Your idol will not disappoint! So lets start with the basics, hovering. Watch me okay?” Rainbow landed and spread her wings and fluttered them a bit actually lifting off the ground slightly to demonstrate how to set up for a hover. “See? You want to start like this. Take your time, don’t push yourself too much we don’t need you rocketing off into the sky now do we?” Rainbow smiled and waved a hoof to Scootaloo signaling her to start. The small filly opened her wings, a small twist in her face Rainbow didn’t notice, and she started to flap her wings slowly building up momentum. “Phew! This is tough! I never really tried to lift my own body weight off the ground before!” Scootaloo said breathlessly. She continued to flap her wings and after a minute she was starting to lift off the ground. “Awesome job squirt you’re doing great! Keep it up!” Rainbow oblivious to the fact Scootaloo was gaining a bit of altitude. Scootaloo was starting to tire her face flushed from exhaustion she was rapidly running out of stamina. She looked down and to her horror noticed she was about ten hoofs off the ground. Rainbow snapped to her senses and took notice of Scootaloo’s plight she yelled at the orange filly. “Scootaloo! You’re too high! and you’re getting tired! Come back down before you hurt yourself!” Rainbow unfurled her wings and was about to fly up to catch the filly but, was a second too late. Scootaloo wings finally to a point they could not fly anymore gave out and she fell. “Rainbow Dash help! I’m falling! My wings are too worn out to flap anymore!” She screeched. As she was tumbling her legs were flailing in the air. “Hang on squirt I’m coming!” She darted in the direction of the stricken filly only to watch her slam on the ground in front of her. Scootaloo then gave out a painful yelp. ‘NO! Scootaloo! Oh Celestia, please be alright!’ Dash landing a second later next to the filly. “Are you alright squirt?” “M-my leg really hurts D-Dash, b-but I d-did good right?” The filly sniffed a bit. “I flew pretty high for my first time. It felt g-good knowing you helped me.” Her voice hitched she was whimpering. “D-don’t worry about not being there when I fell.. I’m pretty good at taking care of myself afterall.” She looked up to Rainbow Dash her eyes full of tears she put her hooves to her face. Rainbow Dash looked over the filly and quickly assessed the situation, noticing a small blotch of red forming on the fillies hip. She further examined around the area eyeing a sharp looking rock with a patch of blood on it wedged into the ground right next to where Scootaloo was sitting. “Scootaloo,” Rainbows voice taking on a serious tone “You did great.”  She reached over and put a hoof on the trembling fillies shoulder. “Can you stand up?” Scootaloo looked up and placed her hoof on Rainbows. “Y-yeah I think I can.” Her voiced hitched and she sniffed a bit. “C-could you help me please? M-my hind leg really hurts.” The filly was having a hard time getting up the injured leg was sending searing pain through her body when she tried to put weight on it. “Sure thing Scoots.”Rainbow walked over and helped Scootaloo to her hooves. Scootaloo managed to stand but, remembered to keep less pressure on the injured leg so the pain was less intense. Rainbow Dash again glanced back at the fillies hip. Blood was leaking steadily out of a rather deep cut on the injured leg. “We need to get you to a hospital now! Scootaloo get on my back now. No back talk got it?” Scootaloo nodded and hobbled over to the side of the cyan pegasus. Rainbow lowered herself to her belly to give Scootaloo an easier time climbing on. She helped to lift the poor filly on her back with her wing. She then unfurled the other wing and took off towards Ponyville medical. Arriving at the emergency entrance shortly after.                                                                               **** Once they landed Rainbow Dash made her way into the hospital’s emergency entrance the doors sliding open the moment she approached. She walked up to the receptionist's counter and waved a hoof at the nurse sitting behind the counter. Her coat white with a pretty pink mane atop her head. A nurses cap with a red cross in the center of it. She looked up at the two with bright blue eyes and immediately recognized them. “Welcome back Rainbow Dash, here for another visit?” But upon inspecting the cyan pegasus she took immediate notice they she was in fact not injured. “Nurse Redheart we need to see a doctor now! Scootaloo got hurt pretty bad!” Rainbow was exaggerating somewhat but nevertheless worried about the injured fillies well being. She lowered herself to her belly and helped Scootaloo slide off her back with her wing. Some of Scootaloo’s blood where her leg was resting had stained her cyan coat. “S-sorry Rainbow Dash, I-I didn’t mean to.” Scootaloo said looking away her ears against the side of her head. “It’s alright squirt, you couldn’t help it.” Rainbow Dash wretched at the site of the crimson substance eerily warming the area it was stained on. Redheart instantly taking notice of the injured filly. She jumped up from behind the counter and raced over to quickly asses the situation. She then led the the two in the triage room pointing to a bed with a large circular light hanging from the ceiling over it. Rainbow went and sat down at a bench in one of the corners of the room while Redheart took the orange filly by her side and led her to the bed gesturing for her to get on to it. “Scootaloo dear.. Could you get up on the bed please? I need to assess the severity of your injury.” Scootaloo nodded and hobbled up to the bed trying to climb on but she was unable to herself. The nurse saw this and helped her up. Redheart then leaned over and examined the cut on Scootaloo's hip. The area was very swollen, blood and dirt had crusted around the laceration. Taking a minute to fully take in the situation she got up and walked over to a cabinet and grabbed a bottle of antiseptic and a few gauzes, a minute later returning to the the side of the bed and sitting next to the orange fillies injured hip. “Scootaloo dear.. I need to clean your wound this will sting a bit are you ready?” The fillies eyes had fear in them. “Rainbow Dash, could you please come here over and hold Scootaloo’s hoof? I feel you comforting her will help calm her nerves.” Redheart  began to open the bottle and take a few gauzes out of a package, putting the opened bottle to the gauze. The smell of antiseptic filling the air. “Oh, uh,O-okay” She got up off the bench and walked over to the filly she leaned up on the bed and took a hoof in hers and ran the other through the upset fillies mane. “Don’t tell anypony I was this mushy now okay squirt? Rainbow whispered. Scootaloo instantly felt a lot better and laid her head on the pillow. “Heh, heh the same for me to okay Rainbow Dash?” Rainbow simply nodded and gave a smile. Redheart proceed to gently blotch the gauze on the wound, getting quiet yelps every time she touched the tender area. After a few moments she had managed to get the area clean. “Okay Scootaloo, I am going to have to give you a booster shot, because I have no idea when you last had one give me a moment please.” She then turned to the mare still leaning on the bed next to her. “Rainbow Dash, please do me a favor; keep pressure on the wound okay? We need to get the bleeding to stop.” The nurse handing the pegasus a clean gauze and showing her what to do. Rainbow then placed the gauze on the cut and applied a gentle amount of pressure. This was enough to get the bleeding to slowly subside but caused the filly to squint her eyes closed and whimper a bit from the pain. Redheart got up and walked back over to the cabinet setting the bottle back on the shelf and reaching for a needle. Rainbow shifted herself, trying to get comfortable but keeping a hoof on the clean gauze over Scootaloo’s cut. The bleeding had now stopped. Redheart after a few moments returned with the needle. “Okay dear, here is the needle its not very big so it will not hurt a lot ok? Scootaloo cringed at the sight of needles and laid her head on the pillow and rested her forelegs over her face. “ O-okay I-I’m r-ready I guess.. Please make it quick, I-I don’t like needles.” Scootaloo stammered her voice hitching a bit. Rainbow patted the filly on her back this made Scootaloo feel a bit better. Redheart soon afterwards stuck the needle into Scootaloo’s shoulder. She then pushed the plunger down injecting the medicine into the small fillies body. A cool feeling coming from it. A slight twitch and a whimper coming from the filly shortly after. “There now all better see?” Redheart then rubbed the fillies mane with her hoof. I am sorry to say this though but, you will likely need a few stitches. This will also require us to shave the fur off around the area of the laceration and you will need another needle unfortunately a lot closer to the area in order to numb it.” Scootaloo’s heart dropped at the sound of what was going to be happening in a few minutes. “Also, I will need contact information from you for your parents or guardian Scootaloo. This is so we can contact them and let them know of your injury.” Redheart left the room for a second to get the paperwork. ‘Oh no! What do I do? If they find out.... I need to think of something! Fast!’ Scootaloo was frantically trying to think of something. Then an idea popped up. She gulped, swallowing the lump in her throat and turned to face the cyan flyer. “R-Rainbow Dash? I need to ask you a BIG favor, please don’t question it at this moment.” Rainbow Dash looked at the filly with a confused look on her face. Taking a second to think. She then looked at the filly with a serious expression. “What going on Scootaloo? Why are you acting so upset? Redheart is only doing what needs to be done. Your parents need to be notified so they know you're alright.” Rainbow sitting back and stretching a bit. All the leaning over was giving the mare a painful backache. “Please Rainbow! Tell Redheart you’re my guardian. Please! You have to do this for me! I-I’ll explain later!” Scootaloo was now shaking and panicking. Rainbow Dash was struck back. What secret did this filly not want to reveal to her in the hospital? Though Rainbow was hesitant to accept such a dubious request, it kinda was her fault this had happened. She was not paying attention and let Scootaloo drift up to high and thats how the filly got hurt. So she decided. “Okay Scootaloo, I’ll cover for you this time. But, when we get out of this hospital there is going to be words.. You got that? Scootaloo nodded and breathed a sigh of relief. Redheart soon re-entering the room with some paperwork. “So Scootaloo who am I to put down as contact information?” “Rainbow Dash Ma’am” Scootaloo said hesitantly. Rainbow starting to get a bit nervous herself here and was tapping her hooves together sweating a bit. Redheart took note of it but looking at the two she simply shrugged and scribbled it down on the paper. Taking the next few minutes to ask Rainbow Dash some questions. Like where she lived and was Scootaloo allergic to anything. The cyan pegasus looking to Scootaloo for some of the answers. Redheart finished her questions and got up to make her way to the door turning back for a second. “The doctor will see you in a moment and next time be more careful okay?” Scootaloo nodded and waved goodbye. The nurse stopped and looked at Rainbow Dash for a second. The pegasus raising an eyebrow in question. Redheart  smiled and giggled a bit. “I feel I am going to be seeing a lot more of you two.” She gave a wink to Rainbow Dash and chuckled. The cyan mare huffed rolling her eyes and waved the nurse off with a hoof. Yeah, Yeah..” She replied clearly not amused. Redheart gave a final wave goodbye to the filly she then turned and left the room. A few moment later the doctor a unicorn entered. “Hello little one what’s your name? Mine is Patches, and I’ll be your doctor this afternoon. “Scootaloo mister, and the pegasus over there,” The orange filly pointed to the mare sitting next to her. “Is Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow giving the doctor a smile and waved. “What’s up? Nice to meet you Patches.” Rainbow replied. The doctor walked over to the bed and picked up the clipboard with his magic, taking a second to study it he set it back down. and made his way to the side of the bed. “Okay Scootaloo, it looks like you’ll need about six stitches so you're going to need two shots. First a painkiller called Ponacaine to numb the area so you don’t feel any pain. Next is a very mild and foal safe muscle relaxant to keep your leg from twitching while I sew you up okay? Oh and I’ll have to shave a small area around your cut so your fur doesn’t get into your wound after I sew it up. Don’t worry though It will grow back and cover up the scar and you’ll never even notice it.” Patches got up and walked over to the cabinet he grabbed a few syringe’s, some surgical sutures and finally a surgical needle for stitching the fillies wound closed. He placed them on a small medical table sliding it over to the side of the bed with his magic. Scootaloo looked up and examined the instruments laid out besides her feeling sick to her stomach. “I-Is this gonna hurt Patches?” She was nervous. “Well.. The first injection when I numb the area around your wound will hurt a bit yes, but afterward it will only feel like somepony is tugging on your skin and it will no longer hurt anymore. Sound good?” Scootaloo nodded. She felt better. Her tummy no longer feeling queasy and she breathed a sigh of relief. The doctor next heading over to a medical fridge to grab a couple vials out of it with his magic. He walked back over to the table and set the vials down on them. Scootaloo getting a bit inquisitive looked at the stuff splayed across the small medical table and decided to speak up. “What is all this stuff?” She asked in a inquisitive tone. Pointing her hoof at the table while looking at the doctor. Patches smiled and sat next to the small filly and started to explain in a foal friendly way what he was about to do. “Well this stuff here,” He said pointing to the sutures and needle. “Are the tools I am going to use to sew your cut up with.” Picking up the needle with his magic and examining it a bit, then setting it back down on the table. “The syringe is well.. I feel you know what those are for already right?” He looked over to the filly. She looked away a bit getting nervous at the sight of the needle soon to be pressed into her body again. “Ugh.. I really, really don’t like needles!” Scootaloo said throwing her forelegs on her head in frustration. Rainbow placed a hoof on her back to help calm the nervous filly. “Cheer up squirt! You are a pretty tough kid taking all this in and still managing to ask how he is going to sew you up, I admire that.” Rainbow responded trying to comfort the young filly. “Really? That is so awesome of you to say that! Thanks Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo was feeling A LOT better now seeing her idol admire her for her courage. Scootaloo was not even bothered now by the fact the doctor had to stick her with a few more needles and sew up her wound. “Alright then, bring it on doc! I can take it! Need to show this mare here right I am no foal!” Was the young fillies statement eliciting a smile from Patches and a giggle from the pegasus sitting next to her. He got back up and walked over to a counter and picked up a fur trimmer with his magic and and a blue cloth with a square shaped hole in the middle and walked back over to the filly and set the cloth and trimmer down on the table. He reached over and grabbed a syringe and the vial of numbing medicine. Sticking the syringe into the rubbery opening at the top he pulled a measured portion of the liquid into the syringe and set the vial back on the table. “Okay Scootaloo I am about to numb your leg are you ready?” He set his hoof down on the fillies hip and used his magic to levitate the needle over her wound just outside the laceration preparing to inject her with it. “Yup” She replied with not a bit of fear in her voice now watching. The doctor smiled and then stuck the needle into her just above the cut. The filly winced a bit but that was all. He then injected the medicine into her the area quickly becoming numb the pain fading away almost instantly. He then discarded the spent needle in a red box with a funny emblem on it. He picked up a second syringe and filled it with some more numbing medicine and made one more injection just below the wound to further make sure the filly would not experience any pain when he was sewing her up. “Feeling better now?” The filly nodded. “No more pain will come okay?” Patches picked up the last syringe and filled it with the muscle relaxant and injected it into the filly. All she felt was a prick as she watched the needle go into her body. Rainbow turning away cringing at the sight. ‘Heh, the mighty Rainbow Dash afraid of needles too eh?’  Scootaloo mused. She looked at Rainbow Dash. The pegasus trying to avoid watching what was going on. “Heh, want me to hold your hoof now Rainbow Dash? You seem upset.” Scootaloo giggled. The cyan mare looked back at the filly and rolled her eyes. “Pfftt.. Whatever..” She said. Waving a dismissive hoof. The doctor chuckled  a bit and Scootaloo laughed. “Okay, I am going to shave your flank around the cut to prep it for the operation are you ready? “Yup, heh, heh I’m interested to see how you do this actually. Maybe I’ll get my cutie mark in operations! Who knows! Scootaloo hoof pumped at that idea. Rainbow laughed. She was glad to see the filly’s demeanor was returning to normal. “Don’t get ahead of yourself now Scoots. We still need to get you into the air now don’t we?” Rainbow said and she flared her wings a bit. Scootaloo smiled at the pegasus and she nodded. Patches picked up the trimmer and turned it on with his magic. He slowly trimmed a square shaped area around the cut. The vibrations giving the young filly a weird feeling. She blushed embarrassingly and looked away. Rainbow saw this and chuckled a bit. The doctor had at that point finished trimming exposing the fillies pinkish skin underneath. He leaned over and picked up the blue cloth from the table setting the trimmer back down on it. Next he laid the blue cloth down on the fillies leg the square section keeping the wound exposed. “Okay I am about to start to stitch your wound closed are you sure you want to watch this?” He said as his horn lit up and he levitated the needle and sutures in the air threading the suture into it. “You bet! Now that you have numbed my flank, I can’t feel a thing and it’s pretty cool to watch what’s going on.” Patches nodded and lowered the needle down to the wound and stuck it in. All the filly felt was a tugging feeling on her skin as she watched with rapt attention as he pulled the suture closed causing the wound to slowly seal up. Rainbow again turned away and cringed when she saw the needle go back in Scootaloo’s skin. The filly snickered, Rainbow again waving her off with a hoof then crossed her forelegs and huffed. After a few minutes the doctor finally finished up and put his tools in a disinfectant bottle, placing the unused and still sealed sutures back into the cabinet. “All done. I just want to dress the wound with a bandage and the nurse will see to your discharge. You have been a very brave filly Scootaloo, I was pretty impressed.” He patted her on the head. Scootaloo smiled. The doctor finishing up he put the medicine back in the fridge and set the trimmers back in a drawer of the counter. He got up and walked to the door turning back for a second. “Be careful next time little one. Take your time okay? Rushing into things will get you hurt again.” He looked over to Rainbow Dash and winked at her. The mare just rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at the doctor. He laughed, waved goodbye and walked out. Nurse Redheart soon re-entering a moment later. “Okay Scootaloo first things first. No more flying tonight got it?” The filly frowned but nodded. “That muscle relaxant may cause drowsiness, so no strenuous activities okay? Also, take it easy for the next day or two. No flying or flight training okay?” Redheard gave a stern look to the cyan pegasus, she shrugged titled her head looking away a bit and huffed.  “Fine, if you say so.” “This will give the wound some time to heal and toughen up a bit got it?” Scootaloo nodded again and sighed, she pouted a bit. “Second, Rainbow Dash, you will need to keep a watch on her taking care of her wound. We are sending home with you a carry bag full of the needed medical supplies to care for her injury. You will need to change the bandage twice a day and apply an antibiotic salve to help speed up the healing. Be watchful for excessive redness, swelling, pus forming or Scootaloo having a high fever. Return to us in a week for a checkup ok? The sutures will be taken out then if the healing goes well.” She then handed Rainbow the carry bag and some paperwork detailing what needs to be done. “Got it.” Rainbow slid the bag over her back and tucked the paperwork in one of them. Redheart looking at Rainbow she cringed when she saw the red stain on her back. “Rainbow Dash please come with me for a moment. I need to wash the blood off your back you could get an infection.” The pegasus slid the bag off her back and walked over to a sink with the nurse. Redheart turned the water on and and waited for it to get warm. Next grabbing a bottle of antibacterial soap and squeezing some on to the cyan mares back. She then picked up a brush slipped it on and proceeded to scrub Rainbows back rather vigorously causing the pegasus to squint her eyes closed and grit her teeth. “Easy now Redheart, you trying to scrub my fur off? Geez .” Redheart lightened up and blushed a bit embarrassed. “Sorry Rainbow Dash, I guess I got a bit carried away but, all done. Here, let me get a towel to dry you off.” The nurse went to a cabinet and pulled out a white towel and dried off the pegasus back. Rainbow returning to her bag slipping it back on her back. She then waved a hoof to Scootaloo. “Come on squirt time to go. Get on alright?” Scootaloo nodded and got off the bed careful to apply the ever so slightest pressure on her injured leg. She then hobbled over to Rainbow who was waiting lying on her belly. Scootaloo climbed on and got comfortable leaning towards Rainbows ear and whispering. “Thanks for helping me Rainbow Dash.” The pegasus looked back and smiled. “No problem kid. Now how about we get out of this place? We got some things to go over now don’t we?” Rainbow said. Giving the young filly a stern look. Scootaloo nodded shakily dreading what conversation was about to happen next. Dash stood back up and waved goodbye to Redheart  a gesture she returned. Afterwards she walked to the door, medical supplies and injured filly in tow spreading her wings she took off into the approaching evening sky.                                                                           **** The two flew for a bit the afternoon sky now showing signs of evening approaching the sun setting on the horizon. Rainbow Dash looking back every now and then at the orange filly. Her eyes half closed but still showing signs of somewhat alertness. Rainbow Dash spoke. “Okay Scootaloo, time to spill it. Why did I need to cover for you back there? Where are your parents? WHO are they? Where do you live?” The small filly drifting off now snapped her eyes open and started to get nervous. “M-my parents.. I...,” Her eyes getting a bit misty. “I Don’t know..” A tear now running down them she felt bad she had to lie to her idol but it was the only choice the alternative... Rainbow Dash was shocked looking at Scootaloo with now questioning eyes. ‘Where has this filly been staying all this time? Who has been taking care of her?.... What am I going to do?’ “Okay Umm.. soo... Where have you been staying all this time?” The two now flying over Ponyville. Scootaloo hesitated for a second looking at the pegasus she turned her head away and said. “The treehouse just outside Applejacks orchard.” Rainbows eyes went wide at this. All pride and arrogance flew right out the window in an instant. A sense of overwhelming worry came over the cyan mare. “What!? How did you eat? Who took care of you? Did Applejack know this? Hay, Your friends did they even know?” Rainbow Dash herself starting to feel a bit guilty. Not ever pushing the fact Scootaloo was never see with her parents or ANYPONY for that matter. “No.. I kept it a secret. You’re are the only pony I told this to..” She was looking away from the pegasus. Rainbow was blown away at what the orange filly had said. An unknown feeling crept into the pegasus. “Well, untill I can get this sorted out, you are going to stay with me for the time being. Besides, I have to care for your wound and so all the better reason to stay with me right? Think of it as a sleepover. Maybe we will have some fun too.” Rainbow shifted her weight a bit and banked her wings, with a quick flap headed off to her cloud home floating above Ponyville.  Arriving there a few minutes later.                                                                          **** Scootaloo looked over to the pegasus’s home she had never seen it this close before. Rainbows were swirling and cascading down the sides of the house. Gothic like columns  placed on the sides of the front door supporting the clouds above. Two windows could be seen on what looked like the second floor. What looked like a flower pot was set atop a column next to the windows. The pegasus landing on the front step by the door leaned down to allow the filly to slide off. She then opened the door and motioned for the filly to enter. “Come on in. Welcome to my house! Don’t mind the mess, heh.. I am not much of a homemaker.” The two walked into what looked like the living room a couch by the wall some furniture strewn about making it feel wholesome. Rainbow led Scootaloo over to the couch gesturing for her to get on it. “Okay kid, lay on your side for a sec. I want to check your wound to make sure the flight didn’t disturb your bandage.” Taking a second to examine it the bandage was still in perfect condition. “Are you hungry Scootaloo? Because I am. We were in that hospital forever and I have not eaten since this morning.” Rainbows stomach let out a growl, the fillies shortly after. “Ha! Looks like something else was speaking for you.” Rainbow said. She then poked the fillies tummy eliciting a giggle Scootaloo pushing the pegasus hoof away a second later. “H-hey! D-don’t.. I’m ticklish there.” Scootaloo said and then gasped. She threw her hoof to her mouth. ‘Oops..’. “Oh ho! Well, I guess I’ll have to remember that incase you try to pull another fast one on me again. Come on, lets go get something to eat.” Rainbow and Scootaloo making her way to the kitchen. The filly sat at the table while Rainbow was hovering around the cabinets looking for something to eat. “Okay squirt, It seems I only got some apples left so looks like thats what we are going to have for dinner.” Rainbow grabbed the few remaining apples mentally reminding herself to go shopping later. “Sounds good, I’m starved!” Said the filly rubbing her tummy and licking her lips. Rainbow Dash giving Scootaloo the larger portion of the apples she had remaining and watched as the filly wolfed them down. “Wow kid, you looked like you were hungry when was the last time you ate?” “Umm...” Scootaloo again getting nervous. “Yesterday, Rainbow Dash..” “What!?” Rainbow’s eyes again going wide. “Scootaloo, just how long did you stay in that beat up treehouse? And how come nopony...myself included, ever noticed you there?” Rainbow was again mentally beating herself up for not wondering why Scootaloo was never seen with a parental figure. “Well, I would get up early before anypony managed to see me, and I just went to school from there. Nopony ever pushed the issue, so I never had to mention it until now of course. Sorry for keeping it from you Rainbow Dash.” Scootaloo looked away embarrassed. “I-I never meant to lie to you! It’s just the alternative...” Scootaloo trailed off.   “What alternative?” Rainbow asked. But the filly didn’t reply only looked away. “Squirt?” Rainbow felt uneasy that the filly had just clammed up and stopped talking a second later though Scootaloo responded. “I-It’s nothing.. I’ll tell you later. Maybe..” Scootaloo now looking pretty tired Rainbow didn’t continue to press. “You look pretty tired there kid, I think that medicine is really starting to kick in. Come on, you can sleep in my bed lets go.” Rainbow got up from the table as did Scootaloo, but being pretty tired she was wobbling somewhat so Rainbow carried her to the bedroom.  Scootaloo yawned, “T-thanks Rainbow I’m pretty tired” She then rested her head on the back of Dash’s neck. They made their way up the stairs to Rainbows bedroom. Dash walking to her bed and pulled the covers back, she then leaned up against the bed and helped Scootaloo slide off her back onto it  then pulling the blankets back over her. “Goodnight Scootaloo. See you in the morning.” Rainbow smiled and patted the filly on her head and turned to leave. “Goodnight Rainbow Dash. Thanks for everything, I really appreciate this.” Rainbow looked back for a second and smiled nodding. She left and closed the door making her way to her couch downstairs. She flopped down on it slowly drifting off it sleep wondering what the next day would bring.