//------------------------------// // The Wound of Ponyville: Part 2 // Story: Shadow of Loyalty // by Admiral Q Ponyform //------------------------------// “So the building was on fire, and the fireponies were doing their best to get it out, but we heard that a colt was still in there.” Scootaloo grasped her blanket in her hooves as Dash regaled her with one of her tales as Shadowbolt. Her eyes were wide in excitement. “I couldn't let a colt die, so after hearing where the colt should be, I raced up to the floor and through an open window. Fire was everywhere, and it was hard to see. I was just glad my suit was fireproof. I search around, and the flames continue to engulf the building when I found the colt curled in on himself. I grabbed him and dashed out just as the building collapsed.” “You are so awesome, Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo cheered, while Rainbow herself just shrugged. “Yeah, I am, but the important thing is that the colt is alive. I went in that building to save a life. That's one of the things Luna taught me. Being talented is cool, but using that talent to help others is awesome.” “You really like Princess Luna, don't you?” Scootaloo asked. She responded with a smile, “I can tell you this, Squirt. The ponies a thousand years ago were totally uncool. Luna is fun to be around. She may be my princess and mentor, but she is also my friend, and I'm hers.” The door opened, and she saw the other members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders appear. They were surprised to see her, and they looked away, rubbing their forehooves. “Uh, hi, Rainbow Dash,” Applebloom said nervously. Dash eyed them and asked, “Okay girls, what's going on? And I want the truth.” “Well, we got Scootaloo hurt, and considering what happened between your and our sisters and...” Rainbow sighed at hearing that and leaned back. “Okay, girls, gather around.” Applebloom and Sweetie Belle got closer and sat down, and she began, “First off, the issue between me and your sisters is only between me and your sisters. I don't hold that against you. You three have a great bond between you. Take what happened between me and your sisters and learn from it. Don't make the same mistakes we did, okay?” All three nodded. “Now, I am disappointed in you three. I understand your drive to get your cutie marks, but skydiving! First off, there are some things you aren't old enough to do right now, and then, there are some things you need training before you can try. Skydiving is one of those. We were lucky this time that Scootaloo was only hurt. She could have easily been killed, and could you live with yourselves if that happened?” They all shook their heads. “I have been reckless in the past, but that was just me alone at risk. Never another pony. So use those crazy genius brains of yours before you try anything. Now I'll, let you three hang out. See ya around, Squirt.” “Bye, Rainbow Dash!” she heard as she left, waving a wing in a goodbye. Once out of the hospital, she took to the air and wondered what to do, when her stomach growled. “Okay, hayburger it is, stomach.” She headed over to the fast food joint and went in. As she approached the counter, the cashier asked, “What would you like, ma'am?” “Two hayburgers, a large order of hayfries, and a chocolate milkshake.” “That will be ten bits.” Thankfully she had stopped by the bank at this point and had a few bits taken out. She paid, got her food, and found a booth in the corner by one of the windows. She was about to take a bite when she heard her name spoken and saw Jetaloo in a Hayburger uniform with a tray of food. Jet was a single mom; the stallion she was seeing got her pregnant and ran to join the Guard. The deadbeat died when the tyrant of Saddle Arabia attacked a border town. That attack caused Princess Celestia to openly support the opposition, which went into open rebellion after that. The civil war still waged, but things were looking up for the rebels. “Mind if I sit with you?” Jet asked. “Aren't you working, though?” Rainbow replied. “On lunch break,” Jet said, sitting down across from Rainbow. “Wow, you were fit before, but you are way buffed now. And you're eating that meal.” Rainbow just shrugged and ate a hayfry before answering, “Hey, I can splurge every now and again, and being like this happens when you go from being just a stunt flier to being a crime fighter and Luna's student.” “What's that like, anyway?” “Well, she can be harsh but fair and patient. At least when in training mode. When out and not doing royal stuff, she's like anypony. She wants to make friends, hang out, and have fun. I hope ponies treat her better this time around.” “Were you with Scootaloo?” Jet asked, likely wanting to change the topic. “Yup, left when her friends showed up so they could have time together. Her spirit is high.” “That's good. To be honest, she hasn't been as cheerful as she used to be since you left. I know why you did leave and ever since you have, Mare Do Well hasn't appeared. Could you ever forgive them and move back? I know Scootaloo would like having you around again.” She looked out the window and sighed before responding, “I just don't know, Jet. I still hurt from what they did, and the town did have a part to play in it. To just brush me off like that. Squirt reminds me of me, which is why I like her and why we know each other. Leaving her was the hardest part of it all.” Jet looked down and ate a bit of her meal before responding again, “When Log Roll ran to the guard after hearing I was pregnant, that hurt a lot. He thought of himself and not me or Scootaloo. Your friends, as misguided as it was, became Mare Do Well because they wanted to help you.” Jet finished her meal, got up, and patted Dash on the shoulder. “They haven't been the same since you left, and I bet they'd do anything to get you back. They just need the chance.” Jet walked away and Dash thought about what was said as she ate her meal. * * * * * Twilight just finished checking over the notes she made talking with Rainbow and her training on the Gale Wing Art. It was a fascinating art, and she wondered why it was abandoned. “Spike!” she yelled out, and in moments, the baby dragon showed up. “Need something, Twi?” “Could you put these scrolls away. I'm going to try to get Fluttershy out of her cottage again.” “How long has she been in there?” “At least a month, and I'm getting worried.” “Why can't you all just make up with Rainbow?” “We tried, but we hurt her so bad. I just don't know what to do.” She opened the door to the main library and continued, “Princess Luna has the best relation with Rainbow right now, and I wish I knew how she did that.” “I could tell ya.” Twilight jerked and then looked to see Rainbow by the door. She seemed to be in the process of closing it. “What Luna did? Well, she treated me as a friend, and I did likewise. She didn't want me as an Element of Harmony or as one of Twilight's Gang or as a Future Wonderbolt. No, she saw me as Rainbow Dash, a talented pegasus and, now, a friend. When she has a problem with me, she tells me to my face, not behind my back. She doesn't make a fake hero to make a point. She respects me, and I return that. You girls did that once, but you lost it when you made Mare Do Well. Does that answer your question?” “Yeah...Yeah, it does,” Twilight said sadly, “I am so sorry that I hurt you that way.” Looking for a change in subject, Twilight decided to ask Rainbow something else. “Uh, Rainbow, Fluttershy hasn't left her cottage in nearly a month. We've tried everything short of breaking down the door. You've known her a long time. Perhaps you can get her to come out?” Rainbow let out a deep sigh and said, “Alright, I'll check on her, but this better not be some plot you guys came up with.” Rainbow went back outside, and Twilight hoped that Rainbow would succeed where she herself had failed and that Fluttershy was okay. * * * * * Dash was flying through the air on a familiar path to Fluttershy's place. She still didn't fully understand why she agreed to this. This could all be a plot to try to get her to be part of the team again, but some part of her drove her to do this. Maybe it was some part of her that still cared for them, even after their betrayal. The cottage was in sight, so she glided down. When she landed, she saw Angel at the window. She hated that bunny and could never figure out why Fluttershy took him, of all animals, as a pet. But, she admitted that evil bunny did seem to care for her at times. This time, though, he was frantic, and for the very first time, she saw fear on his face. That concerned her. The rodent never gets that scared. She went to the door but it was locked. “Fluttershy! If you don't unlock this door, I'm busting it down!” She waited for a minute before she backed off and swung a wing around. The resulting wing burst blew the door off it's hinges, and she dashed in. She saw a crowd of animals all look at her, but she ignored them as she scanned the room and found Fluttershy. She was lying on her couch and was nothing but skin and bones. “FLUTTERSHY!” She raced over and checked on the pegasus. She was unconscious but still alive. Looking over to Harry the bear, she commanded, “Harry! Get her on my back!” The bear took Fluttershy, and Dash aimed herself at the door. The bear gently placed Fluttershy on her back, and she zipped out and headed for the hospital. She would have Rainboomed, but that would have blown Fluttershy off, so she went as fast and as safely as she could. In what felt like hours, but was in truth only a couple of minutes, she saw the hospital and started down. She burst through the doors and yelled out, “I need help!” Nurse Redheart was the first to arrive. “Rainbow, what is--OH, CELESTIA! DOCTOR!” Doctor Stable rushed in as Dash and Redheart got Fluttershy on a gurney. He did a quick glance at his newest patient. “This poor mare is nearly starved to death.” He looked over to Dash and asked, “How long has she not eaten?” “Don't know, best guess is a month.” “By Celestia. Okay let's get her to the OR stat and get some fluids in her.” Dash watched them race away with one of her oldest friends at death's door. She took a seat and waited for news on her old friend. * * * * * It didn't take long for the girls to show up. Twilight was first to arrive with Spike, and she sent Spike out to get the others. Pinkie was next with her mane all straight, followed by Rarity, then Applejack. None said a word as they all waited. Any grudges they had were forgotten for the moment. The door finally opened to reveal Doctor Stable, and all looked at him in hope. “Miss Fluttershy will live.” There was a collective sigh among the mares. “However, she is still in critical condition. She will be with us for a few weeks before I even consider letting her go home. We got lucky; she didn't have much time left before it was too late.” “Can we see her?” Rarity asked. “She is still in intensive care, so no. Not for a few days, likely. All of you need rest, not just her.” With reluctance, they all silently nodded and left. * * * * * Three days later, Fluttershy was moved out of intensive care and into the inpatient wing of the hospital. All of the girls took shifts being by Fluttershy during visiting hours. Dash was among them, and she helped at Sweet Apple Acres while Applejack did her shift. Fluttershy slept through it all with an IV feeding her. A week after being in the hospital, Flutteshy woke up during Dash's shift. She was reading a Daring Do book when she heard Fluttershy moan. She quickly put down the book and went to the side of the bed. “Fluttershy, how do you feel?” she asked. “Rainbow Dash?” She blinked her eyes a couple of times. When she finally saw Dash, she cringed and turned away. “Please, go away before I hurt you again. Let my cruelness die.” “No!” she replied, using her hoof to make Fluttershy look at her. “I hate what you girls did to me, but to think I hate you enough to want you dead! Where did you get such an idea!? I don't want any of you dead.” She put her head against Fluttershy's, who was now crying. “Don't you ever scare me like this again. Now, you eat what they give you, and when you finally get home, you will eat whatever your animal friends give. If I hear otherwise, I will come and personally stuff food down your throat. Am I clear?” Fluttershy weakly nodded. “Good.” The door opened and a nurse was coming in to, from the looks of things, change the IV. “Oh, Miss Fluttershy is awake.” “Yeah, you might want to get some food for her now.” The nurse eyed Dash before leaving, and Rainbow helped Fluttershy take a drink of water so she wasn't parched when she next spoke. “You look good, Rainbow.” Dash just shrugged. “Luna's had me train hard, and I got some totally awesome moves from it.” “I'm glad you're doing well, Rainbow. I...” She started crying again. “I always wanted the best for you. Please forgive me, even if a cruel mare like me doesn't deserve it.” Dash took a deep breath before she responded, “Fluttershy, I forgive you.” She saw a smile smile as tension left the butter-colored mare. “And cruel?” She shook her head. “Fluttershy, you are the kindest pony I know. You just made a mistake, and I was really hurt by it." After a pause, she continued, “Look, when you get out of here, get some help. I don't want this to happen again. I will even pay for it if necessary, so please do it. For me.” Fluttershy nodded, and the nurse came in with a bowl of soup and jello. Dash took it from her and returned to Fluttershy's bed. “I know this isn't great-tasting. We'll get ya some better grub when you're out, but you need this.” With that, Rainbow helped feed Fluttershy, and the broken bonds of friendship started to mend.