Time Enough at Last

by Sirvanilla

Part 1

"So, Daring Do, we meet once again," said Auhizotl , his huge blue form looming over the prostrate pegasus.
"You'll never win, you fiend!" cried Daring Do, "I'm going to bring an end to your schemes once and for all!"

*Ahem*

Rainbow Dash's eyes shot up, momentarily startled by a loud cough. Standing outside her teller window was a very impatient looking middle-aged mare.
"Oh, I'm sorry ma'am," she said, "I didn't see you there. Can I help you?"
"I don’t see how you could have missed me…" muttered the mare, before stepping forward and speaking up.
"I wish to withdraw 25 bits from account #1278, and make it snappy!"
"Sure thing ma'am, certainly, just one moment…" Rainbow reached for a quill and began to make a note on her ledger, but as she wrote, her eyes began to drift down toward the book on her lap.

"Oh, I doubt that very much," said the blue menace, "Not after you face… THE MACHINE!!!" With a sweeping motion, the cyan simian swept back the curtains, sunlight flooding the room.
"Behold my masterpiece! I call it: The Killdeathinator!!!

Rainbow couldn't help but grin at the awesome name, but as she glanced at her ledger, she saw that she had accidentally written “Killdeathinator” instead of the account number. Hastily scratching out her mistake, she reached for her cash drawer and began to count out a number of small gold coins.

"Hah!" said our ardent adventurer, "If you expect that dumb scrap heap to intimidate me…"
"Oh, I'm not worried about that," said the mangy monkey, "Between the built in Crushers, Slicers, Roasters, Gorers, and Ticklers, the world will be soon be rid of one annoying little pony once and for all! Adieu, Daring Do!!!"

"There you are," said Rainbow, glancing up from the book just long enough to push the pile of coins toward her patron. "Is there anything else I can assist you with?"
"No, thank you," said the mare in a clearly disingenuous voice. She began to scoop the pile of gold into her saddlebags.

The macabre monkey flipped a switch, activating the machine. With a final burst of maniacal laughter, he strode from the room, leaving the pitiful pegasus to her fate. She felt herself begin to slide forward on a conveyer, edging her closer and ever closer to her demise. She struggled against her bonds, but to no avail.

*AHEM*

Rainbow Dash found herself once again interrupted by a loud, rather harsh cough.
"Excuse me miss, but you've shortchanged me again! This is only 23!" Rainbow looked down at the small heap of coins, her face adopting a very sheepish expression.
"Oh, uh, heheh, my bad, here you go…" She retrieved two more coins from her drawer and added them to the pile. "Sorry, I was just reading the latest Daring Do book, and it's super exciting! You see, she just broke into Auhizotl's underwater laboratory to stop his plot to take over the seapony realm with a mind controlling chicken, but she got caught, and is now about to be executed with a gruesome torture device! Isn’t that just so awesome!?"
The mare before her simply gave her a flat stare.
"No. Good day to you." She spun on her hoof and walked primly away, flicking her tail in Rainbow's face.

"Geez, what a sourpuss…" said Rainbow. She glanced down once more at the book in her lap, and then back to the bank lobby. There were several ponies who had just entered, and she was the only free teller at the moment. She knew she wouldn't have a spare moment to read for a bit, but she really really wanted to finish this rather exciting chapter. Glancing behind her to make sure her manager wasn't watching, she reached under her desk and pulled out a small sign that read Next Window Please, and then placed it in her own window. She then scooted her chair back and quietly resumed her reading, an eager grin on her face.

"Blast!" Daring Do cursed, "If only I hadn't lost my razor cufflinks!" She glanced back at the machine, just in time to see a huge spiked metal plate smashing down, inches from her hooves.
"I always wondered what it was like to be a pancake," she muttered, as she tried in vain to pull even one hoof free.
But finally, just when she had resigned herself to her fate, suddenly, and without warning…

"Rainbow Dash!"
Rainbow was torn from her reverie so abruptly that she found herself tumbling over backward, sending her chair, as well as herself clattering to the floor. It took a moment of confused scrambling for her to right herself and get back on her hooves. It was several more seconds before she was able to locate her glasses and push them back onto her snout. When she did so, the first thing she saw was the fuzzy blob before her resolved into the face of her supervisor, who did not look happy.
"I don’t suppose I might see you in my office Ms Dash. Now."
Rainbow acquiesced with a single nod, and her supervisor turned and walked away in a huff. Ms. Harshwhinny, director of the First Bank of Canterlot, was not a pony to be trifled with.
Rainbow quickly tidied up her desk as best she could, including hiding her book in the bottom drawer. Straightening her thick spectacles, and taking a deep breath to steady herself, she slowly made her way to the imposing office at the rear of the building.

The episode you have just witnessed is not at all uncommon for this particular mare. Meet Rainbow Dash, a Pegasus of great physical prowess, at least in her younger days. Now, her closest companions can be found in the shelves of the nearest library. Day after day, she seeks the solace that is the written word, delving ever deeper into the work of authors, in a vain attempt to escape the world that would seek to bring her down to earth.
However, she is about to receive a one way ticket into a world, perhaps kinder, or perhaps a little crueler, than her own. She is now on her way to,
The Twilight Zone

 
"I just don’t know what to do with you Ms. Dash," said Ms. Harshwhinny, leaning on her desk in exasperation, "You know very well what work there is to be done, yet you insist on spending your time frittering away the daylight with your books." She threw so much contempt into the word that her face formed a small sneer.
"I'm sorry ma'am," said Rainbow, hanging her head sheepishly, "It's just, I can't help myself! I mean, have you seen the newest Daring Do book? I mean, Daring Do and the Poultry of Doom? Seriously, can you think of anything more awesome!?!”
"That is as maybe Ms. Dash," said Ms. Harshwhinny, "And I make no objection of your interests. However, I do draw the line when you are unable to distinguish work from pleasure!
"I myself have witnessed you many times ignoring a patron while your nose was in a book, even after your name was called several times. Every day when you come in the door, you have a book tucked under your wing. And don't think I haven't noticed your lunch breaks in the vault, snuggled up with yet another tome. You are nothing short of an embarrassment to this institution."

"Oh, well, you see," said Rainbow, again with a sheepish expression, "Well, I would read at home, except my husband just won't allow it. He just doesn't understand, he calls me an egghead! And any time I can get my hooves on some reading material, he gives me The Nostril Flare of Total Rejection, then lectures me on why reading is stupid, then takes whatever it was that I was reading!
“Why, one time I found myself reading the ingredients on a box of cereal, only for him to swoop in and take it away. I mean, seriously, who would do such a thing? I'm so starved for reading materials at home, I once had to resort to reading the instructions on a book of matches! That's why I've been reading at my desk out of desperation, hoping to get in a few pages here and there between clients."
"Ms. Dash, I do not pretend to take any interest in your personal affairs," Ms. Harswhinny replied flatly, "But I do know that this problem is far more endemic than you are willing to admit." Rainbow gave her superior a quizzical look, but Ms. Harshwinny continued.

"In short, I am issuing you an ultimatum," said Ms. Harshwhinny, walking behind her desk and taking a firm seat, "Cease all of this frivolity and attend to your job, or we will have no choice but to ask for your resignation. Do I make myself clear?"
Rainbow began to form a statement, only to have her words die on her lips.
"…Yes Ms. Harshwinny,” she said, her gaze firmly fixed on the floor.
"Very well, good day to you then Ms. Dash." Ms. Harshwhinny said nothing more, and began attending to a tall stack of papers.

Rainbow managed to finish her shift with no further incidents, until at long last, her day was finally over. She breathed a sigh of relief as she exited the imposing edifice and headed home. She would have liked to take her book home with her, but she knew her husband would find it if she did. She almost imagined she could hear it calling to her from her locked desk drawer, but she resisted the urge to retrieve it. Besides, she had to be home quickly to get ready for the party that evening.
Riding the airbus was cramped and smelly, as usual, but Rainbow endured it as best she could. She had considered trying to fly home on her own, but she had barely begun to stretch her wings when she was hit with the familiar spasms. Even now, her wing still ached where it had been broken. She guessed it was the heavy clouds and impending storm that was making it act up. She would need to put some ice on it if it didn’t get any better. However, despite the pain, the journey from Canterlot to Cloudsdale was relatively uneventful.

When she finally arrived at her modest apartment, Rainbow was surprised to see her husband was not to be found. Perhaps he was not home from work yet? Reaching into her suit jacket, she pulled out a newspaper she had purchased at the street corner. She stroked the crisp pages with relish before seating herself in an armchair. She noted the main headline, something about a breakthrough in megaspell research, before flipping back to the comics page.
She was so absorbed in the adventures of Zippo the Mime that she took no notice of the muffled hoofsteps behind her. A moment later, she was shocked from her reverie when the paper was suddenly jerked from her grasp.
"Aack!" she cried as she fell backwards from her chair. She looked about in confusion, her spectacles having been knocked off for the second time that day. She saw the blurred shape of a figure standing over her, slowly shaking its head. It took her a moment of pawing about on the ground, but she finally located her glasses and once again replaced them on her snout.
She looked back up, and there stood none other than Soarin, commander of the Wonderbolts, and husband of Rainbow Dash. Under one wing, he held her newspaper, while his face sported a highly disapproving scowl.

"Soarin! I didn't know you were home!" Rainbow tried desperately to keep the panic out of her voice.
"Rainbow Dash," said Soarin, his voice high and sharp. "You know how I feel about his 'addiction' of yours, and yet once again you go behind my back to indulge your eggheaded pursuits!"
"Sorry," said Rainbow, staring at the floor, "It was just, well today's headlines looked so interesting, and I just thought…"
"You thought wrong!" said Soarin, "Now, get ready to go out. Cloud Raker is expecting us at his dinner party in half an hour, and you know how he gets if his guests show up late." He turned about and headed out the door, taking the newspaper with him. Rainbow let out a heavy sigh, shaking her head in resignation, and then headed to the bedroom to get dressed.
She emerged a few minutes later, sporting a blue and gold evening gown, her mane done up in a neat bun. Soarin was still attempting to conquer his necktie, and would probably be at it for a few more minutes.

Rainbow retrieved her evening jacket from the coat rack, and then she paused. Glancing back at the bedroom, she turned to the sofa, and gingerly reached between the cushions with a hoof. It took her a moment, but she finally found it, tucked all the way in the back. She carefully and quietly slid out a slim paperback, well worn and frayed from repeated use. She carefully tucked it into her deepest coat pocket and, once she was sure it was secure, took a deep breath and headed for the door.
But Soarin was waiting for her, a look of reproachful amusement crossing his features. Rainbow stifled the urge to swallow nervously.

"Um, so, are we all ready to go?" she said, as his gaze seemed to go right through her.
"I wonder, what is that you have in your pocket, my dear?" said Soarin, "Perhaps a little reading material?"
Rainbow briefly considered lying and hiding the book, but she knew she was already doomed. Hesitantly, she pulled it out, holding it reverently in one hoof.
"And what exactly is it?" asked Soarin, raising one eyebrow.
"Well," said Rainbow slowly, "As you can see, it's 'The Many Adventures of Daring Do'. Just a few short stories and one shots, nothing all that interesting…"
"Well, I think it sounds interesting," said Soarin, his voice suddenly taking a different tone, "Tell me, do you think you could read me something from it?"

Rainbow stared at him, slightly agape. She thought that she had heard wrong, or that he was playing some sort of trick. But he was looking at with what seemed a genuine smile, and he sounded genuinely curious.
"Really?" she asked, "You really want me to read to you?"
"I don’t see why not," said Soarin.
"But, won't we be late for the party?"
"You can read it to me as we go," said Soarin, "Tell me, does it have the one where Daring Do faces off against Doctor Octagon?"
"You know about Doc Ock?" said Rainbow incredulously, "I mean, know he’s a bit obscure, but he’s got to be one of my favorite villains she ever faced! You really want me to read about him?"
"Of course," said Soarin, "Read away. I suppose it couldn’t do any harm, just this once."
Rainbow wasn't sure what to think. It was almost too good to be true. Her husband actually wanted to hear her read!
“This is great!” said Rainbow, eagerly opening her manuscript, “Of course, there’s some debate about whether these stories are actually canon in the main series, but I still…” Rainbow paused as her eyes fell on the book.

For a moment, all she could do was stare.

She finally looked up at Soarin, tears beginning to rim her eyes.
“Why would you do this?” she asked, confusion and hurt in her voice.
Every word on every page of her precious book had been scrawled out in black ink. Even the illustrations were washed out in a sea of blackness.

“What?” said Soarin, “I think the change rather improves it, don’t you?” He had a look of victory on his face, contempt hiding deep in his eyes.
“How… How could you…” Any words that Rainbow had were caught in her tightening throat.
“You know that I adhere to my principles Rainbow,” said Soarin, his voice beginning to rise in turn, “And I’ll not have a wife of mine sacrifice the art of conversation on the altar of reading!”
“Why?” demanded Rainbow, her own voice rising, “What makes you hate me so much? Why do you treat me like this, day after day!?”

“Because you’re not the pony I used to know!” barked Soarin, “You used to be amazing Rainbow! You were so talented; you had so much potential, you were actually worth something! When you joined the Wonderbolts, and we finally got to spend time together, you made me the happiest stallion in all of Equestria!
“But then you had your little ‘accident’, and then you changed. Oh Celestia, how you changed. You had such vigor for life, but now what are you?” He snatched the book away from Rainbow and flipped it open, glaring contemptuously at the pages.
“Just a pathetic excuse for a washed up pegasus, a stay at home bookworm who would rather fritter away her time on pointless pursuits that nopony gives a flying feather about!" As he yelled, he punctuated each word by ripping out page after blackened page and throwing them on the floor.
"Soarin, please stop!" cried Rainbow, tears beginning to fall from her eyes. Soarin ignored her, continuing to rip out pages until all that remained was the empty binding. Rainbow fell to her knees, desperately gathering the precious torn pages. Soarin glared down at her in comtempt.

“…I wish we had never married,” he said, his voice a deadly whisper, “In fact, I wish we had never even met. You’re such a disappointment.” He turned and walked out the door, leaving Rainbow to collect the fallen parchment. She gingerly stuffed the pages back into the binding and clutched it to her chest, her tears staining the blackened papers.

Rainbow eventually attended the party, excusing her lateness as a bad headache. Soarin was already there when she arrived, and she made a point of avoiding him. He didn’t seem to care, seeing as how he was already more than halfway drunk. She didn’t stay for long, merely exchanging pleasantries with Fancy Pants before excusing herself.
As she stepped out onto the streets of Cloudsdale and began walking home, she ruminated on all that had been said that evening. How had she come to this? How had her life have become such a living Tartarus? She had had everything she could have wanted. A career with the Wonderbolts, a loving husband, the best friends in the world, it had been perfect!

But it all had come crashing down, all because of the accident.

They had said that her vision might gradually improve over time, that she might not have to wear glasses for the rest of her life (yeah right). But her wings..?

They had done everything they could, and even managed to restore feeling and motion back to them. But something had broken on a level that not even magic could repair, and they had told her to get used to walking. They said that if she ever tried to fly again…

But this was Rainbow Dash they were talking about! She was the fastest pegasus in all of equestria! How could something dumb like a broken wing get in her way? Sure it hurt every once in a while, but surely after all this time they had managed to heal, at least a little, right? That spasm yesterday must have just been the change in the weather. Why, she could probably just fly home from here!

She began to flex her wings experimentally…
And there came the familiar pain, shooting up from her spine all the way to her wingtips.
But she chose to ignore the pain.
Gritting her teeth, she began to flap. Each beat only increased her pain, but she kept on going.
She felt her hooves leave the ground.
Exerting herself harder than she had in years, she fought the air for dominance as she slowly rose into the night sky.

“Yeah!!!” she cried, blinking back tears. Her heart bounded as she looked below, seeing Cloudsdale Strung out like a jeweled necklace hanging in the night sky. She couldn’t remember how long t had been since she had seen a view like this.
She could just make out her home from here; she could probably make it back in just a few minutes if she…
CRACK
The pain lanced down her wing and burned a trail down her spine. Her body convulsed , every muscle clenched in agony. She felt her remaining wing lock, and her body begin to fall.
“YEAAAAAGH!!!” she cried as she spiraled out of control, headed straight for the side of a tall apartment building. She held up her hooves, bracing for the impact.
If the houses hadn’t been built from cloud, the impact would surely have killed her. As it was, she hit the wall with a dull thump before falling to the street below. She took most of the impact on her shoulder, but the breath was still knocked out of her. It took a few minutes before she could get back to her hooves.
She arose shakily, her bad wing hanging at her side, numb and useless. The pain was still present, slowly fading to a dull throb. Her shoulder ached, and she felt a throb beginning in the back of her head as well.
She limped slowly out of the alley she had landed in, making her way to the main street. She would have to wait at the corner for an airbus to swing by, and they only came by once an hour this time of night. She managed to make it to an empty bench, and she settled in to wait.
How could I have been so stupid? She thought, There was no way I was gonna make it all the way home, why did I even bother? She rubbed her wing gingerly, wincing at the touch. At least it wasn’t numb anymore. She hoped it was nothing worse than a bad sprain, maybe a dislocation. It surely couldn’t have broken so easily, could it?
I can’t wait to hear was Soarin has to say tonight… she thought. Her gaze slowly drifted upward from her injured limb to the deep blue of the fading evening sky. She could just make out the forms of a pair of pegasi, spinning and cavorting amongst the red tinted clouds. It made remember the hours she had spent with Soarin, racing back and forth all the livelong day. The feel of the wind across her wings, the view that stretched for countless miles, the speed, the freedom. She still remembered how excited Soarin had been the first time she let him win (just because she had felt sorry for him!). She still remembered that evening, the things he told her over dinner, the night they spent on the roof…

What had she done to deserve this?