"THE Firefly?! Wow, that's...amazing!" Twilight couldn't help herself. Rainbow grinned.
"The one an only. Got a signed cap from her." Rainbow boasted. Twilight was incredibly jealous.
"I didn't take you for a Wonderbolts fan Twi'." Rainbow chuckled.
"Well, their stunts were a part of my studies as a kid. Ways of explaining aerodynamics and differences between the Races. And the shows were really exciting! I never realized just how much could be done in the air." Twilight finished. Applejack and Pinkie shared a glance, both scooting back from the two just slightly.
Hehe, this is so cute! Just look at them! Pinkies thoughts echoed in Applejacks' head.
Pinks, ah told ya not to do that.
Whoops! Sorry!
Applejack rolled her eyes.
"Well, would ya look at th' time. Ah gotta get back t' th' farm 'fore my sister burns it down. Pinks, don't ya'll have some big order t' fill?" Applejack asked. Pinkie gasped.
"OhMyGoshYou'reRight!" she said quickly, zipping out the door.
"Jus' so ya know Rainbow. If'n ya ever need t' talk t' any o' us. Ya jus' hollar an we'll be there fer ya." Applejack said with a tip of her hat. Rainbow smiled slightly and sighed.
"Thanks AJ." Rainbow said softly. She took a slow breath, glancing over at Twilight.
"You wanna know what happened next, don't you?" Rainbow asked. Twilight hesitated before nodding.
"Just like a Magian." she mumbled, but she did it with a smile.
"So this is the bundle of joy I heard about. I figured you two woulda been gone by now." Firefly said, looking at Rainbow. Spitfire bit her lip.
"You know how Spitfire gets with kids Commander." Soarin chuckled.
"Soarin, for the last time, I'm retired."
"Doesn't mean you stopped bein' my commander." Soarin argued with a shrug. Firefly sighed and shook her head.
"I dunno how you put up with him." she mumbled to Spitfire.
"Normally with some Pie." Rainbow spoke up, hiding behind Spitfire as Firefly glanced down at her.
"Heh, sounds about right. I'm surprised it hasn't turned into pudge yet." Firefly joked.
"Gotta keep a slim figure for the ladies ya know." Soarin winked, groaning as Spitfire elbowed him.
"We've got her things packed and ready to go. Just...don't feed her any fish, she swells up like a balloon. A-and she'll argue about it but make sure she gets a nap, and she can't read her comics until her homework is done. An..." Spitfire froze as Firefly put a finger against her lips.
"In case you forgot, I raised you. I know how to take care of a kid. Don't worry, I'll take good care of her. You two be careful alright? I want you back in one piece."
"I thought you weren't our commanding officer anymore?" Soarin cracked a grin.
"I'm not sayin' it as an officer. I'm saying it as your friend." she said, putting her hands on her hips. They both nodded.
"Alright, lets get a move on."
"Oh, w-wait." Spitfire knelt down and pulled Rainbow into a tight hug. The young Skyborn hooked her arms around her in return.
"I'm gonna miss you." Rainbow mumbled.
"I'll miss you too Dash, b-but I'll be back soon, okay?" she replied, Rainbow nodding against her. The two slowly pulled away. Soarin ruffling Rainbows hair before the two headed outside where they both took off. Firefly sighed and turned to Rainbow.
"Alright, you ready to go?" she asked with a smile. Rainbow nodded, grabbing her backpack. A man walked into the house, the rest of Rainbows bags lifted in his magic. She froze as she watched him, her eyes wide. Why was there a Magian here? Why was he grabbing her bags? Why was Firefly kissing his cheek?
"uh oh..." Rainbow thought out loud.
"Something wrong?" the man asked. Rainbow fell silent, glaring at him.
"Take it easy Comet. She just doesn't know you yet." Firefly scolded him.
"Come on Dash, the chariot is waiting." she said. Rainbow hesitated, looking around the place she had come to call home before following after Firefly. The ride would've been comfortable if not for the fact that a Magian was sitting right next to her.
A bit too close in fact. She scooted over towards Firefly who was occupying her time with a book. Rainbow sighed, resting her chin in her hands.
"Huh, that's interesting. I didn't know the girl would be a Magian." Comet said, noticing Rainbow's shoulder. She quickly pulled her sleeve down to hide it.
"Don't be silly Comet. She's a Skyborn through and through. Spitfire wouldn't stop talking about all the races they had." Firefly chuckled.
"Uh huh..." Comet mumbled, keeping an eye on Rainbow. It didn't take too long to reach Firefly's apartment, but it felt like ages before Rainbow was finally able to get up and stretch her legs. Firefly held out her hand for her and for a moment Rainbow hesitated before she remembered that this woman was a good friend of Spitfire, family even if she had heard right. She gently grabbed her hand, Comet standing on her other side and holding out his hand. Rainbow glared at him and moved closer to Firefly.
"She seems rather attached to you." he mumbled.
"From what I hear she isn't too big a fan of magic dear. Maybe you should tone down on it while she's here, hm? For me?" Firefly asked. Comet sighed.
"Alright. But I'm going to continue my studies, I have a job to do after all."
"s-studies?" Rainbow gulped, hiding behind Firefly.
"I know kids don't like doing their homework but this is ridiculous." Comet rolled his eyes as he unlocked the door and stepped inside. Compared to Spitfires' place it was a lot smaller, but still decent in size.
"You can have the guest room for now Rainbow. Its down the hall on the right, first room." Firefly said.
"Hon, I need that room." Comet argued.
"You can do without it for a while." Firefly said simply, helping Rainbow bring her bags in. Rainbow blinked as she entered the room, finding a cloud-bed hanging in mid-air on one side of the room and a work-desk on the other.
"Spitfire said you had some schoolwork to do, you can use that desk there. I figured a cloud-bed would be more comfortable for you."
"Thanks miss." she said softly, setting her bag down and digging through it for her turtle, setting it on the desk before grabbing her homework.
"I'll check in on you in a bit okay? Oh! and Happy Birthday Dash." she said, pointing to a box under her new bed. Rainbow walked over to it slowly and looked at the tag.
"From Spitfire and Soarin." she read, her eyes wide. She tore through the paper and pulled the box open. Inside was a stack of comic books, freshly printed and limited edition.
"Whoa...these aren't even out yet!" she gasped. But there was more inside the box. A Wonderbolts cap, flag and shirt with her name written on the back. A new handheld game to replace the one Soarin broke and a picture of all three of them together. Underneath the picture she found one of her dad and a letter.
"To my daughter, I leave behind everything. My life, my love, and my inheritance. When she is of age I want her to have my home that was given to me by my grandmother as well as the fortune it entails. I could never accept it, being unable to even reach it. Things are different now. When she is ready, I want her to know that I left this world happy to see her doing what I couldn't. Happy to see her smile. And if you're reading this Rainbow, I want you to know that I love you with all of my heart and I'll always be watching over you." Rainbow sniffed as she set the letter down, pushing aside some of the packaging and finding her fathers baseball mitt and lucky cap.
"I love you too dad..." she said quietly, putting everything back into the box except for her fathers cap. She wore it proudly as she went back to the desk to finish her homework.
Dinner was quiet, despite Firefly trying to sing Happy Birthday and offer Rainbow some cake. It just wasn't the same as throwing jokes around with Soarin and laughing at Spitfire when she tried to cook and nearly burned the kitchen down.
"No hats at the table Rainbow." Comet said, pointing to the cap she wore.
"Its a special hat." Rainbow argued.
"Well it can be special somewhere else. No hats at the table, show some respect little miss."
"I'll show you some respect ya dirty Magian." she grumbled under her breath as she took her hat off.
"That's it!" Comet stood and yanked Rainbow up by her arm.
"Hey! lemme go!" Rainbow yelled.
"Comet put her down!" Firefly yelled.
"I'm going to teach you some manners!" Comet yelled, pulling his belt free and looping it. He pulled back and smacked it across her backside, Rainbow crying out from each blow.
"Comet stop!" Firefly screamed, pulling on his arm, only to be shoved aside. Rainbow grit her teeth, the mark on her shoulder glowing as she screamed out in pain. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as the belt caught on fire, Comet tossing it aside and dropping Rainbow to the ground.
Rainbow scrambled to her feet and pushed her back to the wall, panting as she glared at him. Comets eyes were glowing as he called to his magic, Firefly standing between them.
"Do it and I swear to Celestia..." Firefly warned.
"You'll do what?" Comet asked, grabbing her wrist.
"You leave her alone!" Rainbow screamed, Comet gasping as he was flung across the room. Rainbow panted heavily, falling to her hands and knees as everything started to spin.
"Rainbow!" Firefly gasped, rushing to her side. Comet groaned, picking himself up and shaking his head.
"That's it. I want that little brat out of here!" Comet yelled. Firefly reached into her boot, pulling out a knife.
"I dare you to try." she threatened. Comet reached for the blade with his magic but it faded the moment it touched it.
"Anti-magic. Ex-military, best of the best for a reason." Firefly told him as she stood, holding Rainbow close to her.
"You're really going to do this over some kid? over some freak?! Didn't you just see what she did?!"
"Because you pushed her to!" Firefly argued. Her voice shook as she pointed the knife at him.
"Get out...GET OUT!" Firefly demanded, flashing the knife towards the door.
"All of my work is here. What am I suppose to do?!" he yelled.
"You can come get it when she's gone at School tomorrow. But I don't wanna see your face again until she goes home. Then we can work this out." she said, still holding the knife. Comet sighed.
"Fine. I'll be back tomorrow." he grumbled, grabbing his coat and slamming the door on the way out. Firefly sank to the ground, still holding Rainbow as she dropped the knife. The girl slowly opened her eyes, groaning and clutching her stomach.
"I'm gonna be sick..."she mumbled, leaning over and puking onto the floor. Firefly sighed softly to herself.
"Come on, lets get you cleaned up and ready for bed."
It was hard for her to sleep that night, curled up in bed with her turtle.
"I miss Spitfire an Soarin..." she mumbled. Of course the turtle gave no response, simply sitting in her arms and offering what comfort a toy could. Rainbow sighed, setting it down beside her and putting her fathers lucky red cap on it.
"Goodnight Tank." she yawned, getting cozy under her blankets and dozing off. The sound of her window opening pulled her from the edges of sleep. She whined as she rolled over, seeing a dark figure in her room.
"Firefly?" she asked as she sat up, her eyes wide as the figure started to glow and walk towards her.
"FIREFLY!" she screamed. Her caretaker yanked on her door, trying to get it open, but it was locked.
"Rainbow?! Rainbow are you okay!?" she asked.
"He's here! He's here!" Rainbow screamed. Firefly stepped back, smashing her foot into the door with no luck. There was a barrier in the way. She roared and kicked again, smashing through the door and able to see inside. she frantically searched the barrier for a weak-spot
"Little girls need to know their place." Comet spoke up, his voice echoing with how much magic he was channeling.
"I'm n-not a little girl!" Rainbow argued, jumping off her bed and screaming as he snatched her out of the air. He lifted up her shirt, looking over the Avaros marking on her back and the Magian symbol on her shoulder. Rainbow sniffed as she tried to kick free, gasping as he pinched the back of her neck and placed a collar on her.
"Just in case you decide to try your little freakshow again, this is a Magical Dampener. So don't try anything funny."
"Comet! Leave her alone!" Firefly yelled through the barrier. He ignored her, hefting Rainbow over his shoulder and heading for the window. Firefly grit her teeth as she raised her weapon.
"I warned you." she grit her teeth as she fired. The bullet driving straight through the barrier and hitting Comets shoulder, causing him to drop Rainbow. He turned his head, looking at the bullet jammed into his shoulder. Or at least would've been if not for the jacket he wore.
"Witches Bane. You sneaky bitch." he said as he turned, throwing out his arm, his magic snatching away the weapon and his barrier restoring itself. He pointed the gun at Rainbow as he stared down Firefly.
"What now hon? Going to get your little knife? Throw me out on the street? HUH?!" he slurred.
"Oh Celestia your drunk..." Firefly realized.
"I couldn't work...couldn't sleep, because everything I have is here. Because you chose this stupid brat over me!" he spat.
"I didn't choose anything Comet. I just wanted her to be comfortable here!"
"Well what about me?! I work hard! I put food on the table! And I'm the one that gets thrown out?! How is that fair?!" he demanded, squeezing the trigger in his anger.
The bullet just barely missed Rainbow, burying itself in the ground next to her. Firefly counted four bullets left in the chamber. She needed a way into the room and all of her gear was in her room down the hall.
She couldn't leave to get it, Comet could be gone by then. She needed to keep him busy, to let his guard down.
"Comet, I'm sorry. I was wrong." Firefly said, holding up her hands.
"That little girl didn't do anything to you. I'm the one that threw you out. I'm the one responsible for all of this. If you want to be angry at someone be angry at me."
"You know...that's a good idea." he raised the gun and fired. Firefly stumbled backwards into the wall, gasping and clutching her rib where the bullet had entered. She took slow breaths, sure that the bullet had pierced her lung, it sure as hell felt like it did at least.
On the last breath she held it, struggling to stay on her feet as everything became blurry. She could faintly see Comet raising the gun once more.
"LEAVE HER ALONE!" Rainbow screamed as she tackled him. The drunken man easily falling to the ground. Rainbow gritted her teeth as she wrestled for the gun, biting down hard on his hand.
"GAHHH! You little bitch!" he screamed, smashing his fist across her face. Rainbow rolled, taking the gun with her and pushing to her feet with the gun aimed at Comet. He chuckled as he stood, throwing out his arms.
"What? Are you going to shoot me little girl? You haven't got the guts to..."
BANG...BANG BANG, CLICK,CLICK,CLICK. Rainbow shook, tears in her eyes as she continued to pull the trigger, despite the gun being empty.
Comet looked down, seeing one hole. All three bullets landing in the same spot, having enough force to push one another through his flack jacket.
He sank to his knees, hanging his head as the Witches Bane sapped at his magic. Rainbow roared as she smashed the pistol over his head, kneeling over him and bashing it into him again and again, only stopping when a hand grabbed her wrist. Firefly held her weakly, her other hand covering her wound.
"That's enough Rainbow...that's enough..." Firefly said softly. Rainbow felt tears in her eyes as she hugged her, her eyes wide as she heard her caretaker wheeze painfully.
"NO! I'm not losing you too!" she swore, rushing out of the room and jumping as high as she could to snatch the phone off the wall, quickly dialing and holding it up to her ear.
"You've reached Celamont Emergency Services, whats your Emergency?"
"My friend needs help! Hurry!" Rainbow screamed.
"Just calm down ma'am, now, whats your name?
"Rainbow fucking Dash, now hurry up and send someone to help her! She's gonna bleed to death!"
"Just stay calm, someone is on the way. I just need some information. What is your place of residence?"
"I don't know! Just trace the call or something!" Rainbow continued. Firefly smiled, sitting against the wall as she took the phone.
"Yes...my name is Col' Commander Firefly of the Royal Air Force, retired. I've been shot in my home and need immediate attention. There's one casualty in the household and a young, very brave little girl who just saved my life." Firefly spoke softly, wheezing and gritting her teeth.
Rainbow ran into the kitchen, finding a first aid kit like the one Spitfire had. She hefted the box off the wall, gasping as it fell to the ground and dragged it along towards her friend.
"Okay...thank you, you have a nice night..." Firefly said as she dropped the phone.
"Firefly! no...no...please don't be dead..." Rainbow cried.
"I'm...alright...Rainbow. Just...conserving...air." Firefly wheezed. Rainbow nodded, looking around frantically until she found Firefly's cell phone and brought it to her.
"You can still text right?" Rainbow asked. Firefly smiled weakly and nodded. Rainbow smiled, digging through the First aid kit. Firefly typed on her phone, holding it out for her.
"Get water and a towel. Lukewarm. Got it" Rainbow nodded as she ran back to the kitchen, filling a bowl with water and dunking a towel in it, wobbling as she carried it back to Firefly.
The wounded ex-soldier set the phone down and winced as she tried to remove her shirt. She grabbed the phone again, holding it out for Rainbow.
"Get the scissors and cut off my shirt." Rainbow read. She nodded, pulling out a pair of scissors from the kit, carefully cutting through the fabric of her caretakers shirt and tossing it aside.
"Now what?" Rainbow asked. Firefly took a slow painful breath, reaching for the towel and pressing it down against the bullet wound.
"Pressure." she gasped. Rainbow held out the phone and Firefly typed with her thumb.
"Witch hazel and cotton balls. Oh! to clean it!" Rainbow realized, placing a cotton-ball against the top of the bottle and tipping it lightly.
Firefly lifted the towel, wincing as Rainbow gently dabbed it over the wound. She closed her eyes as Rainbow set her tools down and read through a little book inside the first aid kit. The girl rushed to the kitchen, tossing things about in search of something.
"Wheres the freakin' saran-wrap?!" she screamed in frustration.
"Bottom...drawer." Firefly called out to her. Rainbow pulled the drawer open and smiled.
"Aha! bingo." she snatched it up and pulled a bit off, running back over to Firefly and pinning the towel down with the wrap to hold it in place. Firefly smiled, laying her head back against the wall.
"Hey! Don't pass out on me! You gotta stay awake, okay?" Rainbow said, keeping pressure down on the towel.
"Yea, yea. I know." she mumbled, opening her eyes and watching as Rainbow kept one hand on the towel, maintaining the pressure, the other holding up the book to read through. Rainbow reached for the tape, ripping it with her teeth and taping down her makeshift bandage. Firefly blinked in surprise as it became easier to breath, gently touching the bandage.
"Hey! be careful with that!" Rainbow scolded her. Firefly grinned.
"Yes ma'am." she chuckled lightly. Breathing still hurt, but it was easier now. Rainbow sat beside her, grabbing her hand.
"Am I in trouble?" Rainbow asked.
"For what? Saving me?"
"I shot someone..." Rainbow mumbled.
"Oh...that's called self-defense Dash, and it was very brave. I've trained soldiers to be killing machines that couldn't pull the trigger when they needed to. You've got guts Rainbow." Firefly chuckled.The sound of sirens drew near, a team rushing into the house.
"Are you alright ma'am?" one of them asked.
"I will be." she said softly, hooking an arm around Rainbows shoulders, the girl helping her stand.
"Your name?" he asked.
"Firefly." she answered.
"Age?"
"Is this really important right now?!" Rainbow yelled.
"He's just doin' his job Dash. Come on." she said, stepping forward with Rainbow helping her stay upright.
"Sorry for the delay ma'am, we'll get you taken care of as soon as possible." the man promised.
"Good man." Firefly chuckled.
"Whoa, uh-damn. We're gonna need a bodybag." someone called from further into the house.
"I'll be needing a statement." the man with them spoke up.
"Sure thing. As soon as you patch me up." Firefly promised. He cleared his throat, his cheeks flushed slightly as he finally pulled his eyes from his clipboard to look at her.
"Do you need anything to wear ma'am?" he asked.
"I prefer the Au natural look. But I've got a spare shirt in the room at the end of the hall."
"I'll have someone fetch it for you." he mumbled. Firefly was laid on a bed and carted into an ambulance, Rainbow hopping inside.
"Whoa kid, hold up." an assistant said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey!" Firefly barked, wincing as she sat up.
"She comes with me." she growled.
"uh...yes ma'am..." the assistant gulped, backing down. Rainbow sat beside Firefly, holding her hand as the ambulance lurched forward.
"You're very brave Rainbow." Firefly said softly.
"I just did what I had to." Rainbow mumbled, looking down at her blood-soaked hands. Her onesie was ruined, the collar still clung to her neck and she still felt sick to her stomach. But at least they were safe.
"It had to have been tough..." Firefly said as she squeezed her hand.
"Wh-what about you an Comet?" Rainbow asked. Firefly bit her lip.
"W-we always had our rough patches...to be honest we were falling apart as it was. I thought...a child would bring us together. But we haven't had any luck having one of our own...then Spitfire asked me to watch over you...and I thought it'd be perfect." Firefly started to cry.
"I could show him how happy we could be...a-as a family." her words began to shake as the tears flowed freely. Rainbow leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
"It's okay...everything's gonna be okay." Rainbow said softly. Firefly smiled weakly and nodded. Everything was gonna be okay.
Rainbow sat in silence as nurses fussed over her, having finally removed the collar. They urged her to take a shower and to get comfy.
"I'm fine. I don't really like hospitals." was all she would say. Suddenly the nurses fell silent. Rainbow could feel a powerful presence in the room, slowly raising her head. There before her stood Princess Celestia herself. Rainbow stared, her mouth hanging open as the Princess sat beside her.
"Hello little one."
"I'm not little." Rainbow mumbled "Sorry! I...just...um..." Rainbow stammered, blinking as the Princess laughed.
"Its alright. I've heard you've had a rather rough night and that you're the one responsible for saving my dear friend." Celestia spoke softly.
"Dear friend? You mean Firefly?"
"Yes. She was my personal guard at one time. I rather miss her company." Celestia sighed softly.
"I'm very grateful little one. Friends are hard to come by for someone like me."
"But you're a Princess...everyone loves you."
"True. Everyone loves me, but very few know me. Friends are something greater than that love and I cherish each and every friend I have. However few they are. And thanks to you I still have one of those friends." Celestia smiled as she stood.
"You should go get cleaned up. I hear Firefly is allowed to have visitors and I doubt she would want to see you like this." Celestia spoke up. Rainbow blinked and nodded as she hopped off the bench and followed a nurse to get cleaned up.
"Princess, about the girl..." a nurse spoke up.
"I'm well aware of it. She gives off a rather strange aura. I'll wait here for her." Celestia said, the nurse nodding and heading back to work.
Rainbow sighed as she stood in one of the hospital showers, scrubbing the blood off of her hands. She could still feel it. The weight of the gun, the trigger resisting her finger. She stared at her hands, scrubbing them again and again. A knock at the door pulled her away from her frantic scrubbing.
"Are you almost done? Firefly is awake and waiting for us." Celestia's muffled voice came through.
"J-Just a minute!" Rainbow called back, splashing some water on her face before reaching for the towel. Since her clothes were being washed, or burned, she wasn't sure which; She was forced to wear hospital clothes, stepping out of the room with her hair still dripping wet. Celestia giggled as Rainbow shook her head to dry her hair.
"Come along then little one, lets not keep her waiting."
Firefly sat up as Celestia walked into the room, offering a salute.
"At ease old friend. No need for that anymore."
"Old habits die hard Princess." Firefly chuckled through her breathing mask. Rainbow slowly stepped into the room.
"Hey! there's my hero." Firefly smiled, patting the bed. Rainbow looked up at Celestia who nodded approval. With a smile Rainbow hopped into the bed.
"You okay?" Rainbow asked.
"I should be asking you that." Firefly laughed. Rainbow lowered her head and stared at her hands.
"I understand you had to resort to drastic measures Rainbow Dash. But what you did was done to save the life of someone dear to you and to protect yourself. When anyone else would've run away you stood up and remained loyal to those in need. I understand that doesn't change how you feel, but I hope it eases your mind to know you aren't in any sort of trouble." Celestia said as she sat down.
"Why are Magians so horrible?" Rainbow asked out of nowhere. Celestia closed her eyes for a moment.
"Magians have a strong thirst for knowledge and power. They want to understand everything and maintain it. Some of them let it go to their heads, but there are plenty of good ones out there. Starswirl the wise crafted many spells that help us go about our daily lives. Without his wisdom we would not be where we are today. Then there are members of the Guard and Military who serve to protect us and scientists who study disease and sickness to keep us healthy."
"Like my mother." Rainbow spat.
"Rainbow!" Firefly gasped.
"She was one of your precious scientists Princess. Studying my wings and trying to save my father. And now both of them are dead and I'm still here and I don't even know what I am anymore!" Rainbow broke down. Celestia remained silent as the girl vented.
"I just wanted to help my dad...that's all I wanted...I just wanted him to fly with me, to play ball and walk more than ten feet without needing to sit down and catch his breath. Is that so wrong?!" Rainbow demanded.
"Not at all Rainbow." Celestia said softly.
"I just...I just..." Rainbow ran out of steam at this point, babbling nonsense until she passed out against Firefly who wrapped an arm around her.
"She's been through so much..." Firefly sighed. "Is there anything you can do for her?" she asked the Princess. Celestia shook her head.
"Not without causing her harm. The spell used was quite powerful, sacrificial enchantments always are. It would require an equal amount of life-force to undo what has been done. And doing so might kill the poor girl. Her records claim she was very sick, suffering the same illness as her father."
"So we just leave her like this?"
"No. We watch her and make sure she doesn't use her magic. Her life depends on it Firefly." Celestia said softly.
"That's why she puked..." she realized.
"She has the complete embodiment of a full grown Magian within her, but it doesn't belong. Sure, it has saved her life, but it's also a danger to her. I want you keeping tabs on her and reporting to me any changes. If she suddenly becomes ill or if she starts using her magic."
"I understand Princess. I'll pass it on to Spitfire."
"Good. I must be on my way. It was nice seeing you again old friend, though the circumstances could be better."
"Hey, gave you an excuse to get out of the castle" Firefly chuckled. Celestia smiled at that, casting one last glance to the sleeping girl before she left. Firefly sighed quietly.
"Geez Spitfire, what kinda crazy mess have you started?" she mumbled.
After two days of being in the hospital the two were allowed to leave. Though Firefly was to get plenty of bed rest and Rainbow had been suggested a therapist to visit.
"I don't need therapy. I've got you, an Spitfire and Soarin." Rainbow argued. Firefly smiled as she prepared their lunch. A pair of PB&J sandwiches with grapes and potato chips. A masterpiece on a plate.
"You don't have to go Rainbow, but it might help. Dr Accord is well known for being successful with almost every single case he's ever handled." Firefly pointed out. Rainbow sighed, resting her elbows on the table.
"I know I kinda...freak out sometimes. Its just bad memories and flashbacks." Rainbow continued to argue.
"Rainbow, Spitfire tells me everything. Like how you curled up into a ball when she first went to grab your hand."
"I was still in the hospital. I thought she was gonna drag me to the doctors and have them put all those needles back in me and start up all those machines again." Rainbow shivered.
"And when she asked you to open your wings."
"My mother chopped off my feathers with a knife. She always asked me that same thing, every day." Rainbow put up as her argument.
"These are traumatic events Dash. Things your mind keeps expecting to happen that throw you into a horrible panic attack. I'm just worried." Firefly sighed.
"I don't need a therapist."
"Alright, alright. Eat up." Firefly chuckled as Rainbow took a large bite of her sandwich. She was gonna miss her when Spitfire came back.
"Hey um...I wanted to ask you something..." Rainbow spoke up randomly.
"Oh? What about?" Firefly asked as she took a bite of her own sandwich.
"I was wondering...since Spitfire adopted me...and you've been watching me...c-could I call you Auntie?" Rainbow asked quickly. Firefly choked on her sandwich, washing it down with some orange juice and coughing a bit.
"S-sorry. It was a stupid question. J-just forget I asked." Rainbow mumbled, peeling one of her grapes.
"Dash." Firefly gasped, finally clearing her throat. "I don't mind. It was just a bit of a surprise."
"S-So its cool?"
"Yea, its cool."
"Thanks...Auntie." Rainbow smiled and they went back to their lunch.
"HIIIIYAH!" Spitfire cried, spinning and smashing her foot into the targets chest, his ribcage cracking from the blow. Soarin drew his pistol, pinning it to the mans head.
"Code Green, Eagle has caught the Rabbit, requesting evac." Soarin spoke into a hidden mic on his shirt collar
"Roger that Eagle, Evac will meet you on the roof. You got five minutes, move your ass."
"Lets go." Soarin said, tossing Spitfire his other pistol.
"About time we finished this."
"Aww, you miss waking her up don't ya?" Soarin teased.
"Focus damnit, we aren't out of this yet."
"I'll take that as a yes." Soarin said with a grin. Handcuffing the man and tossing him over his shoulder.
"I'll take point, watch my six." Spitfire said softly, peeking around the corner and heading for the stairs.
"Roger that boss." Soarin replied just as quietly, walking backwards and having his pistol at the ready.
"Shit, we got uglies bringing up the rear." Soarin said, firing a warning shot down the hall, causing their would be attackers to duck behind the wall and pull out their own guns.
"They've got the boss!" one man called out.
"Ah hell. Move!" Soarin yelled. Spitfire rushed up the stairs with Soarin hot on her tail.
"Packin' any decent heat?" Spitfire asked.
"Well, one of em has an RPG." Soarin said with a shrug.
"Oh good, but I meant you gunboy."
"Oh. Well I've got my lucky grenade." Soarin joked
"Use it." Spitfire ordered
"Aww, but its my lucky..." he whined, Spitfire glaring at him.
"I'll get you another one! Just use it!" she yelled
"Alright fine." he grumbled, pulling it from his belt.
"So long buddy, we had some good times together." he sighed sadly
"Oh just throw the damn thing!" Spitfire yelled, gasping as a bullet whizzed by and clipped her ear. Soarin bit down on the pin, chucking the grenade down the stairs and spinning around, his arm resting on Spitfires' shoulder as he fired a clean shot up the stairs and through the gunmans forehead.
"Clear, Moving out!" Spitfire rushed up through the door, a helicopter hovering there and waiting for them.
"Lets move!" the pilot called out. They both ran, kicking off the ground and spreading their wings as they reached for the ladder.
"LOOK OUT!" The co-pilot yelled, the RPG having survived the explosion, a man positioning it and aiming at the helicopter. Spitfire spun in the air, chucking her shoe at the man and knocking him upside his head, making him waste his only shot, straight into the building.
"Nice throw" Soarin said with a gentle nod.
"I don't have time to get blown up today. I've got a kid at home waiting for me." Spitfire argued. Soarin chuckled as he sat down in the helicopter, slugging their prisoner across the face to knock him back out.
"Geez, do not get in the way of that mom, am I right guys?" Soarin laughed, the pilots sharing a chuckle as they took off. Spitfire winced as she touched her ear.
"Damnit all to tartarus." she grumbled.
"It looks nice, sort of. Clean up the blood and put a piercing in, no one would be able to tell the difference." Soarin shrugged. Down below, special forces crowded the building for Clean-up.
"Man, I can't believe we're going home." Soarin sighed happily.
"Heh, you miss her too." Spitfire teased as she cleaned her ear.
"Yea, yea. We're just the sappy brigade." Soarin grinned.
"I hope she had fun with Firefly."
"Yea, me too."