Chapter 6, part 2
The world froze as Applejack tried to comprehend what she had just heard. Desperate thoughts were racing around inside her head, trying to explain how or even if it was possible. Some of the thoughts even suggested Twilight was lying, or that this was all her imagination. Applejack considered those, before she shook them off. Though she was bad at telling when somepony was lying, Twilight certainly wasn't one to even try and lie about things like this. And dreams can be a lot of things, but never physically painful. And the pain in the earth pony's body told her that this was all as real as can be. Though she still didn't understand.
“H-how?” She wasn't sobbing anymore, but tears were still streaming down her face. She looked at the others, as if trying to see an answer among them. “Ah was certain...” She gulped before continuing “That she di-” Applejack didn't finish the word. Just thinking about it was hurting on the inside.
To everypony's surprise, including her own, Fluttershy spoke up.
“S-she lost a lot of blood, and had many broken bones.” Fluttershy paused for a second and inhaled deeply before continuing. “But Rainbow Dash is strong, stronger than...”
“They say that she'll probably stay asleep for a long while though, because of all the sleepy-pills they gave her” Pinkie Pie interjected, almost looking like she found that funny.
“They didn't give her pills, Pinkie” Twilight remarked, a bit annoyed at her antics, before turning to Applejack again. “They're still giving Rainbow Dash narcotics, because being awake would hurt to much for her. She's probably gonna stay out for at least another three days.”
Applejack knew that they were speaking the truth; Rainbow Dash was alive. She wiped the tears of her face with her not-bandaged hoof.
“Can Ah see her?” she asked weakly. Though she had no doubt in her friends anymore, she still wanted to see it with her own eyes. Because when she closed them, she still saw the cyan Pegasus lying wounded on the ground, life slowly fading away from her.
“Applejack, just look at yourself” Rarity sighed. “You're barely awake, and you certainly won't be leaving that bed for a while. No, you'll have to wait. Besides, the doctor's won't allow any visitors yet.”
Applejack opened her mouth to protest, but it turned into a yawn. She realized that she actually was was kind of tired. Almost to tired to stay awake. And, as if sent by Celestia herself, a nurse approached them, announcing the end of the visiting time.
“Time's up” she said. Her voice was resolute, leaving nothing to doubt, but still loving and caring. “Applejack needs her rest. Feel free to come back tomorrow.”
As the others left the room one after one, promising to visit her again as soon as possible, Applejack tried to collect her thoughts. They were still swirling around in her head like dust in the wind, and though she was still worried about Rainbow Dash, Applejack felt hopeful now.
“She'll be fine.”
A single tear trailed down the cowpony's cheek, and she fell asleep again with a smile on her lips.