//------------------------------//
// Falling Stars 
// Story: "I will make you proud..." 
// by chewyrainbow 
//------------------------------//

My eyes slit open, what I see is blurry and discolored.  The usual hues of a hospital room. I'm used to them because I ended up here quite a few times as a filly.  There was no other in the room at the time, but as if on Que -this seemed to happen quite a lot the past few weeks- a pony unlocked the door and trotted in.  She was followed by two others, of which I could recognize because of their mane colors.  

Spitfire and Soarin'.  I instantly felt guilty remembering how he had kissed me before I passed out.  Then a pang of question entered my mind, Did somepony say something to me afterwards? I thought, catching only a wisp of the sentence, 'S'okay squirt, I've got your back.'  When this memory returned, so did the pain and the whole crash-fall-knock-out-scene.  I have no idea what time it is, or how many days I've been here.

The yellow mare and pale blue stallion stood at the sides of my bed. "How ya feeling?" Spitfire was first to break the silence.

I try to speak, but have to cough first.  After clearing my throat I answer. "Fine, considering I ruined your whole show."

Soarin' looked at me. "No, of course you didn't.  Everypony was worried about you, and I don't think any of them were mad."

Behind the two, the entire team of Wonderbolts had made it in silently.  How could I have not noticed them enter?  The first of the flight team to step up was Misty.  I could almost FEEL the regret radiating off of her. "I'm sorry Scootaloo, I shouldn't have acted to you that way before the routine..." Gently, the pegasus had turned her head. "But I think you did great."

That was apparently all she had planned on saying because she stepped back behind the other ponies.

The rest of the conversation was filled with laughs, mostly, but it felt odd because I hardly knew any of the pegasi.

And to think I met them about, what? One or two weeks ago? I rambled inside my head.

Everyone had left except Spitfire and Soarin'.  I guessed this was because they knew me better and we were closer friends.

The nurse had also remained.  Soarin' sat in the chair to my right. He started his sentence when I notice Spitfire whisper something to the nurse.  

"Have you told her yet?"

The white pony replied. "No, I thought it would be better if you did."

Soarin' was looking at me expectantly.  I didn't hear what he had said earlier.

"Oh sorry, what did you say?" I honestly tried to pay attention. Tell me what?

"I said, are you mad at me?" The pale blue stallion repeated himself.

"No, of course not."

"Good, I was afraid you would be..." His voice trailed off.  The silence was interrupted when the nurse spoke.

"I'm going to leave you three alone for a while, I'll come back when visiting hours are over...that should be in about ten minutes." With nothing more said, she turned and trotted out of the door.

"Squirt, there is something you need to know..." She started as soon as the mare left the room.  Her voice was low and solemn.

"What is it?" I lifted my head.  Curiosity burned inside.  This apparently wasn't going to be good.  I could tell by the darkness in her eyes.

"I...your..." she cut off, apparently she was having issues saying it.  Soarin' picked up on her sentence. 

"What she is trying to say Scootaloo, the damage from the crash effected a part in your brain, the part that is keeping you alive.  They repaired it, but only temporarily..." he sighed.  "Even if the hospital could completely heal it, there was more damage caused on the spine.  Your wings would be paralyzed."

I could feel my throat crack.  I knew what he was trying to say.  Without allowing either of the two to say more, I shook my hoof.  "No, no.  It's going to be fine." I lied, pulling a smile.  "Right after visiting hours, I'll see you tomorrow and everything will be fine."

Spitfire's eyes were red, but she smiled back.  "Yeah...I'll see you tomorrow." Soarin' waited quietly.

"I have one more question though..."

"What is it?"

"About Lightning Fire, the dream I had.  Rainbow Dash was there to and she kept talking about something I would have to figure out on my own."  I paused to take a breath.  "Rainbow Dash was your sister to, wasn't she." I said, thinking there was a possibility to it. 

Spitfire didn't respond, and merely gave me a hug.  "I'll see you when visiting hours reopen." 

We both knew I wouldn't be there, but there was hope, and there was also no point in trying to clean impossible wounds.

"See ya..." I smiled in her embrace.

The yellow mare stepped back, waiting next to the door.  The pale blue pegasus trotted up and held my hooves.  "Your a great mare, Scoots.  I wish we could have talked more before the routine.  But I don't intend to sound depressive."  He sighed.  "But don't think of it like I'm saying so.  I never said anything, and I was quite discrete about it accept for when I kissed you.  But Misty was right.  I love you."