Healing Through Iron Wings
(Rainbow (CRM Timeline) x Dr. Whooves Friendship)
“Stay with me Dash! C’mon, it’s just a little further to the medic station!”
Separated from the rest of the EQA forces, Sergeant Proud Skies hadn’t honestly thought she’d be dragging the badly injured pegasus from her crash landing site. Blasted by King Sombra’s dark magic, Skies had watched as several of the Wonderbolts finest were picked off one by one. As they fell like flies, she could hear the sickening crunch of their bones upon impact with the ground. She continued to hear the steady fall as each flier was neatly shot down, until a new sound pierced through her helmet and lodged itself permanently in her memory. The sound of a Pegasus mare screaming in absolute torturous pain. Looking up, she saw Captain Rainbow Dash, bravest of the ‘Bolts, get lanced by a bolt of dark magic. Upon impact, Skies noticed two things. One, that Dash had taken a direct hit (hence the scream), and two, there seemed to be two pieces of Rainbow now. Blinking in disbelief, she watched as Dash plummeted towards the ground, her body too landing with the crunch that all the other shared. However, it was preceded by a soft thump. A thump, that now that the Sergeant was on the scene, was evidence enough to prove that she hadn’t been seeing things earlier. For lying next to Dash’s broken body, was a cyan wing that still twitched with minor electrical nervous activity…
The sight made Skies retch instantly.
Emptying her stomach, she regained her composure and began checking Dash for any signs of life. A pained moan escaped her lips as she gently touched her. By Celestia, she’s alive! Shocked beyond belief that the pegasus had survived her fall, Skies instantly fell back on her military training. The magic had caused a clean cut, so blood loss from that wound wouldn’t be a problem. However, without one of the medical unicorns to scan her, Skies had no idea how bad her internal injuries were. Bracing her as best she could, the sergeant slid Dash on her back and began to quickly move south across the field in hopes she’d find a field medic. Or at least a squad that can provide me with some cover. The ride across the scarred landscape was certainly doing Dash little to no favors, as ever bump and quick movement caused a wail of pain to escape her muzzle. Proud Skies winced every time she heard Dash’s cries, but knew there was nothing for it. The quicker she got her to medical attention, the better her chances for survival.
“Hang on Dash, we’re almost there! I can see the rally point ahead!” Skies put on a burst of speed. She could see the red and white cross flags waving in the distance, beckoning her home. Yet, as is often the case in battle, a plan never survives contact with the enemy. Less than 100 yards from salvation, their luck ran out. A group of Sombra’s enslaved thralls surrounded them quickly and readied their weapons. Skies gulped silently, but dropped herself into as aggressive a stance as she could. “I don’t think so you bastards. GET OUT OF MY WAY!” Her battle cry did little to phase the enemy, and even less to bolster her own courage in the situation. It did however do one thing she hadn’t expected. It got the attention of somepony who was nearby. Somepony, who upon seeing the charge that the sergeant was caring for, instantly swooped in and landed in front of the sergeant and spread her mighty white wings as a shield. Celestia herself had heard her call, and now positioned herself between Skies and his foes.
Using the full might of the Royal Canterlot Voice, Celestia bellowed, ”BEGONE! The sudden shockwave easily parted the small force of Crystal slaves and allowed Celestia and Skies to dash through the opening. Before they could recover, Sombra’s forces were engaged by some of Celestia’s elite guard.
Now with some breathing room, Skies slowed herself to a gentler pace and headed straight for the medical tent. Celestia leading the way cleared the path quickly. As soon as they made it to the entrance, she and Tia both cried out ”MEDIC!!!”. Instantly, the two were rushed upon by every available Unicorn in the place.
“Please, she’s badly hurt!” Skies said as the adrenaline began to leave her system. Shaking like a leaf, she slowly sank to her haunches. She didn’t even feel the soft feathery touch of a wing wrapping around her.
“My dear little pony,” Celestia said softly. “What a wonderful thing you have done. Risking your own life for her.”
With tears now coming freely, Skies looked to her ruler, “Will the Cap be okay?”
“I don’t know, Harmony willing, she will be. But I can’t say for sure.”
Skies had been in the military long enough to see several ponies fall in combat, never before had one affected her so. Why now, why this mare? Unable to hold back any longer, Skies wept into Celestia’s coat.
“Please, if there’s any Harmony left in the universe, please let her be okay…”
Skies soft whimpering was drowned out by the hustle and bustle of the medical tent. Time seemed to slow as Celestia and the sergeant watched the medical ponies rush about. Watching the group of Unicorns attending to Dash, the two waited on pins and needles for any news. After what felt like an eternity, they were approached by a charcoal black stallion whose own fatigues were badly stained.
“Your highness, sergeant, I’m Dr. Quick. Captain Dash has been stabilized. She’s in shock, and has severe internal injuries, not to mention the loss of her...wing. We have her in a magically induced coma. She needs an immediate evac to Canterlot General. I request your permission your highness to use evac protocol 21-87 and teleport Captain Dash along with two of my field nurses to CG for treatment.”
“Permission granted Doctor.”
“Your highness,” said Skies a little shakily. “Permission to accompany the Captain? I’d like to be with her if that’s okay?”
Looking at the shaken Earth pony, Celestia knew what the answer was immediately.
“Permission granted Sergeant. While you are at Canterlot General, you are to get yourself checked out as well. Once you’ve been medically evaluated, you are assigned as the Captain’s escort.” Leaning in closer to Skies, Celestia softly said, “She’ll need someone to be there for her, right now, that pony is you. Don’t let me down Skies.”
“Absolutely your highness. I won’t leave her hanging.”
“Good.”
“We have everything ready,” said Dr. Quick. “A message has been sent ahead to CG. They are ready in Trauma ward for the Captain and an ER doc will take a look at you Sergeant. If you’d be so kind as to step over here please?”
Shuffling her hooves, Proud Skies scooted as close to the stretcher that Dash lay upon as she could. Suddenly, the hairs on her coat tingled as the magical energy drew around them. As the rose colored magic swirled, Skies saw a slight smile cross the face of Celestia. Then, all was darkness.
Chapter 2 - What in Tartarus happened to me?
Floating, that was the closest word Rainbow could use. Not the wondrous sensation of floating on air, like in the days before Sombra and his damn war. No, this was something akin to being suspended in pudding (not that she knew what that was like, no matter WHAT Cloud Kicker would tell you. What happened at the Academy, stayed at the Academy).
Looking around, she could see nothing but darkness. No horizon line existed to define earth from sky. No features existed here, no hills, plants, building, just desolation.
“Not exactly how I pictured the afterlife,” Rainbow said with a small shake of her body. As the vibration carried through her coat from mane to tail, she felt the tips of her feathers on her right wing flex with the movement of the rest of her body. However, she received no such feedback from the left side of her body. “Huh, that’s weird. It’s almost like nothing’s there,” she thought. With a quick glance down her left side, Rainbow did notice that her left wing was playing an awfully good game of hide and seek with her. “There’s not a wing there, huh. WAIT A BUCKING MINUTE!!! WHERE THE BUCK IS MY WING!?!” Panic filled Rainbow’s heart as she chased her own tail. She was determined that it was merely a trick of her battle weary mind. Her wing had to be there. It had to be! She couldn’t very well lead her flight squad without both of her wings. “Unless,” she gulped as a very sobering thought crept into her brain. “Unless I really am…”
Rainbow passed out again.
How much time had passed since she’d decided to kiss the ground again (or lack thereof), Rainbow didn’t know. Slowly, she rose to her hooves and noticed that instead of being in an expanse of black, the scenery had shifted to a soft blue. The feeling of isolation that had permeated her thought earlier seemed abated. Now, if anything, Rainbow felt a little relaxed. “Wish I had a cloud or something to at least sit on,” she mused aloud. As if on cue, a soft, fluffy white cloud materialized in front of the cyan pegasus. Blinking her eyes and rubbing them with her hooves, she determined that, no she wasn’t imagining things. A perfect napping cloud, one the likes of which she hadn’t seen in ages was before her. It begged her to flop onto its plush surface and surrender to it’s comfort. “Aw yeah! This is awesome!” Dash exclaimed with a small hoof pump. “What the hay, if I’m asking, I might as well ask big. Hey! Mysterious cloud giver? Think you could spare a nice cold bottle of cider? I haven’t had one in ages.” Rainbow sat on her new cloud and bounced slightly hoping against hope that her request would be fulfilled.
“I’m sorry Captain, there is only so much even I am capable of here,” came a calm but commanding voice. Rainbow’s head went on a swivel looking for the source of the sound. Finally, in the distance, she saw a dark silhouette slowly marching towards her. Squinting, Dash could faintly make out the shape of a pony. And if her eyes weren’t playing tricks on her, she could make out the outline of a pair of wings.
“P-P-.Princess Luna?! You’re still alive?!” exclaimed a bewildered Rainbow. Instantly, she bowed her head in reverence. “You’ve been missing for 5 years? What happened to you?”
Slowly, the figure came closer to Dash. As it came closer, her vision became clearer and she realized that something was different about the Lunar Diarch. “Um, Princess, no offense, but you’re looking a little thin. Are you okay?”
“I’m sorry Captain, but I am not your dear, departed Princess…”
Gasping at the sight, Rainbow Dash was now able to clearly see the pony before her. A tattered and worn dark cloak and hood covered a skeleton thin Alicorn. It’s steps were measured and slow, as if it had all the time in the world to get wherever it needed to be. Wisps of a dull grey and white mane fell from the shadows of it’s hood. It’s tail was weathered and looked as if it hadn’t been brushed in ages. Yet, there was still a haunting beauty about the pony. One that seemed to flow off of it like some sort of magical spell.
“But, I have seen her. Just days ago in Elysium. She weeps at what has happened to her former home and is saddened further by those ponies that come to join her,” it said as it came to rest directly in front of Dash.
“Who...who are you?” asked a clearly shaken Rainbow.
“I have been called many things over the ages. ‘Reaper’, ‘Pale Death’, ‘The Grey Mare.” Reaching up with a withered fetlock, the pony finally revealed an ashen grey face that made Granny Smith look like a foal. Though, for her rough appearance, there was a soft kindness that came from it. An almost motherly smile crossed her face as the mare bowed her head slightly, “But, my dear Rainbow Dash, you may call me Morgana.”
“So, I’m...d-d-d-dea..” stuttered Rainbow.
“You are between. In the balance so to speak. Welcome to the Aether. Kinda a waiting room for those who are on their way to their deserved rest.”
“So, I’m going to Elysium? I-I can’t believe it. I can’t be d-d-d…” Dash babbled.
Morgana slowly wrapped her hooves around Rainbow and pulled the trembling pony into her chest. “Dear childe, You, of all ponies, have earned the right spend your days in the joyus fields of Paradise. You, who’ve see so much destruction, felt so much heartbreak and loss, been subjected to things nopony should EVER have to go through. You’ve been such a strong and wonderful pony. Now, it’s time for you to walk where those before you have gone.” Slowly releasing Dash, Morgana smiled at the pegasus and held her hoof out. “Come with me dear. I’m sure Princess Luna would love to see you. As well as your parents. And, if I’m not mistaken, a certain orange pegasus filly is going to be over the moon when she sees you again…”
Sniffling as she wiped away a tear, Dash gave a weak smile to the mare and reached out to take the offered hoof. “Heh, I bet Scoots would be floored to see me again. And Mom and Dad, I…” she sniffled as tears threatened to fall again. Lightly squeezing Morgana’s hoof, Dash looked Death straight in the eyes. “But I can’t! Princess Celestia needs me, Rarity and Flutters need me. My squad needs me. AJ...she...she needs me too. Don’t you see? I can’t leave them hanging. Even with all you’re offering me, I just can’t!” wailed Rainbow.
Sighing softly Morgana nodded to the distraught pegasus. “I was afraid you’d say that.” Slowly, the Grey Mare pulled her hood up over her head once more. “If you truly want to go back to that Tartarus on Equus, you need only stay here and rest on that cloud.” The mare took a couple of steps away from Dash, but looked back at her. “But, if you want this to end. If you want to be free of all the pain. Come with me now. Come and walk to the golden fields with me.”
Dash shook her head and smiled “Nah, as nice as it all sounds. I still got work to do here. Can I ask you something?”
“Of course Rainbow.”
“When I wake up, is it gonna, y’know, hurt?”
With sad smile, the Grey Mare shook her head, “Like bucking hell.” Morgana slowly began her walk back into the mist, disappearing only a few feet from where she started.
Gulping and laying her head on her hooves, Dash got comfortable on the cloud. “Oh ponyfeathers…”
