Applejack raced for her home, jumping over scattered debris without so much as slowing down. Dash followed from above, taking in the carnage left after the mysterious explosion. They both hoped fervently that the Apple's home was intact. Ponies who's homes were not fortunate to have been built within the radius of Twilight's shield had not fared well however. Suddenly a glimpse of a tuft of purple mane caught her eye. She stopped mid air and did an abrupt turn. Applejack came to a screeching halt, the look of horror in dash's eyes told her Rainbow must have had a good reason to stop. She followed her friends gaze to a small, demolished house. There in the rubble lay an unmoving young pegasus.
“Scootaloo!”
Dash flew over to the wreckage in a panic, Scootaloo was half buried under stone and wood, her upper body exposed. Dash brought her nose to the fillies mouth. She could feel soft, shallow breaths. Scootaloo was alive. Dash considered pulling her out but without knowing how injured she was that would have been dangerous. She turned to Applejack, eyes pleading. Without giving it a second thought she ran to her friends aide. Working together they slowly lifted the remnants of the house off her limp body, but the debris was beginning to crumble, if they held it for much longer they would risk it collapsing on the filly again. Applejack lifted with all her strength, grunting under the stress.
“Pull 'er out, I got it!” Giving a quick nod she released the wight onto AJ, but the shift in weight caused the pile to collapse. Thinking fast, Applejack threw herself into the space opened up around Scootaloo when they lifted the rubble, rearing her back legs she took the full weight of the house leaving Dash just enough room to pull Scootaloo out. She did a quick once over to make sure there were no obvious wounds then, satisfied that she seemed alright turned her attention to Applejack.
“AJ! Are you okay!?” She placed Scootaloo gently on the ground then darted over to her friend.
“I'm fine, just give me a hoof out 'a here.” Dash wrapped a hoof around Applejack's and gave a strong tug. Stronger than necessary as she easily slid out knocking both of them to the ground. Laughing off the fall they got to they're hooves.
“Is Scoots alright?”
“I think so, so doesn't look hurt anyway but she still needs a doctor, I... AJ, your bleeding.” She pointed a hoof to her friend's flank. There was a deep gash on her upper hind leg, blood ran down her fur, too much blood. She simply smiled reassuringly at her Dash, though it was clear she was avoiding putting weight on it.
“Don't you worry none sugar cube, I'll be alright.” Dash shook her head.
“No, you need to go see a doctor, or at least Twilight or even Fluttershy. Your bleeding way too..” Applejack cut her off before she could finish.
“Lookie here Rainbow, I need to make sure my family is alright, and you need to get that young'n there over to the hospital.” Dash couldn’t argue that, she was torn between her loyalty to her friend and to the filly that she thought of as a younger sister. Wait! I'm the fastest flier in Equestria! I can fly Scoots to the hospital and be back before Applejack gets to sweet apple acres! But, what about her leg? I can't let her go off like that, but, even injured I cant just grab her like I did with Fluttershy. Her friends inner turmoil did not go unnoticed by Applejack as her eyes quickly darted from the unconscious filly to her injured leg.
“Just go sugar cube, she needs you more than I do.” She smiled softly through the searing pain in her leg, Dash was stubborn but Applejack could be downright unmovable. Knowing this, she gave in.
“Okay, but don't do anything crazy without me got it! I'll catch up in no time!” Dash turned and gently wrapped her forelegs around Scootaloo. Though she didn’t want to, she gave one last concerned look at her friends leg, it was still bleeding. It was killing her but she had no choice, gritting her teeth at the pain of going against her own nature she took off, Scootaloo in hoof, to the hospital.
Applejack watched as the rainbow trail flew away, confident that she was out of the pegasus's sight she looked back to her bleeding leg. It was bad, a deep gash tore from flank to her rear end. Taking a deep breath she looked away and slowly lifted her hind leg. She gasped, a wave of pain shot through her body, and she could swear hear the sound of flesh tearing. Shutting her eyes tight she struggled against the urge to cry out, her teeth strained against each other. Applejack stood motionless until the pain went down. Letting out a sight she looked to the sky. Looks like you won't have much trouble catchin' up RD. With that thought she slowly began liming back to Sweet Apple Acres.
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“This is can't be happening.” Dash hovered just feet of the ground, baffled at the chaotic sight before her. The hospital was swamped. Injured ponies and there families, as well as doctors, nurses and volunteers frantically moved in all directions tending to the injured. A long line stretched out of the hospital, with smaller lines branching off of it into tents set up for those in critical condition. She looked down at Scootaloo, gently placing her on the ground as she landed.
“Sorry AJ, I don't think I will be able to catch up in time.” Dash lifted the Scootaloo over her shoulders and placed her on her back, steadying her with her wings to keep her from falling off. She took her place in the line. Screams and crying could be heard from every direction.
“R-Rainbow Dash?” A small voice weakly spoke near Dash's ear.
“Scootaloo! Are you okay?! Are you hurt anywhere?! What were you doing out there?!” Dash fired a barrage of questions at the still shaken filly. Scootaloo struggled to her hooves, falling against Dash's soft wing. At this point it would be safer to put her down, Dash reasoned, crouching to the ground. She extended her wing, angling it to the ground that Scootaloo used to slide down. She again stumbled to her hooves and began to speak.
“Apple Bloom and I found Zecora. She told us something bad was going to happen. Apple Bloom ran home and I came to find you.” Rainbow Dash was filled with hope, not only was Zecora alright but Apple Bloom went to warn her family, they may be safe after all. She rubbed the fillies head affectionately.
“You did a good job squirt, I'm proud of you.” Even through her haze of dizziness she smiled at the praise.
“You don't need to stay here with me, the others need your help right? You're going to save Equestria again like you always do right?” She looked around, now getting her bearings, she could see now that it was as bad as Zecora said it would be.
“You bet we will!” She said confidently, before realizing what she was being asked to do. Her face softened with a hint of worry. “Are you sure you'll be okay by you're self?”
“Of course I'll be okay! I am Scootaloo after all!” She attempted to mimic her idol's trademark cockiness, rearing up on her hind legs and putting her hoof to her chest. Though all she managed to do was nearly topple over, her balance not yet fully recovered. Dash managed to catch her just in time.
“Okay Scoots, but you have to promise me you'll stay here and have a doctor take a look at you. I don't want to hear any arguing!” Dash felt like a mom talking to her filly, it made her feel nervous and proud at the same time.
Scootaloo nodded. “You got it Rainbow Dash! Now go kick some butt!” She smiled enthusiastically.
“Right, take care Scoots, I'll be back!” With that she flew off, despite her best bravado she could not stifle her reluctance to leave her behind. She knew she had to though, her friends needed her, so she flew to Sweet Apple Acres.