Chapter 2

Healing

Rainbow Dash woke up early the next morning to see Applejack and Fluttershy sleeping in her room. Fluttershy was in a chair that had been converted to a bed while Jack was on the floor. They must've come in just as soon as the nurses would let them. Dash smiled. Even with all she'd lost, she took comfort in knowing her friends were staying by her side. Twilight and Rarity were gone, but Dash understood. She knew they would've stayed if they could have. All four had stayed with her all day yesterday, even though they had other things to do. Dash could only imagine the work that waited for AJ when she finally got back to Sweet Apple Acres

She lay back down and sighed. What would she do after she left the hospital? Flying had meant everything to her. And now…

Her thoughts were interrupted by a light knock on the door.

"Come in," she said quietly.

The sound of the door opening, as well as the knocking, had stirred her two friends. Fluttershy didn't miss a beat as she immediately looked up at her fellow pegasus and gave a loving smile.

"Good morning, Rainbow," she said. "How are you feeling?"

"I was just about to ask the same question," Dr. Stable said with a chuckle. An aura was around his horn as a clipboard and pen floated in front of him. The unicorn doctor had popped in several times yesterday to check on Dash. As then, he went over to the heart monitor to check its readings.

"Hmm…very good," he remarked as the pen jotted something down on the papers of the clipboard. "Impressive, even. I think we can unhook you from the monitor now."

"Thank Celestia," Dash sighed. She didn't like having it hooked to her, forcing her to stay in bed and further limiting her mobility.

"And after we change your bandages," he continued, "I'd like to see how your back legs are doing."

"So would I."

The nurse with him shooed Rainbow's friends out of the room so there'd be more room and proceeded to change the rainbow maned pegasus' bandages. Rainbow felt a great need to scratch when her bandages came off, but knew what wouldn't be a good idea. Dr. Stable leaned forward to examine her cutie marks.

"They seem to be healing as expected," he remarked. "Have you felt any funny feelings from your haunches since yesterday?"

"Nope. Though it's kinda hard when you're stuck in bed all day and night."

The nurse frowned while the doctor chuckled. "A good point. Now get ready. This might hurt a little."

He held out a front hoof and lightly poked her flank.

"How does that feel?"

"I don't really feel anything."

He pressed his hood into her skin a little harder and she flinched.

"Okay, that stung a little."

"That's normal," Stable told her with a smile as he wrote down more notes. "Very encouraging, actually. After your new bandages have been added, we'll take you down to physical therapy and get started."

"Uh…can I use the little filly's room first," Rainbow asked sheepishly. Now that the bandages were gone, she felt the familiar sensation in her lower parts.

"Now's a good time."

With the nurse's help, Rainbow went to the bathroom to relieve herself. When she was done, the nurse again helped her take a few steps. She really wish she'd been allowed to go on her own. She wanted to know how her hooves were as much of the doctor. Even more.

Fresh bandages were wrapped around the lower half of her body and where her wings had been, a hospital gown put over the top half, and door opened to reveal Applejack, Fluttershy…and a wheelchair.

"I am NOT getting in that thing," Rainbow told them a defiant frown.

"It's just for a few minutes" Fluttershy told her. "You'll have enough to do when we get to physical therapy."

"I want to walk," Dash restated. "I want to know how my legs are doing even more than the rest of you...I'll never fly again. But I need to know that my back hooves aren't so bad I can't get around on my own."

"We all want to know that," Dr. Stables told her in a firm, but gentle voice. "But I need to be able to watch you closely to know just how good or bad the situation is. And I can't do that as well just by seeing you walk down the hall. Besides, what if you fall? Or if your hooves hurt so much you can't get there in the first place?"

She had to admit he had a point.

"Would it make ya feel better if one of us carried ya, Sugarcube?" AJ asked, gesturing to herself and Fluttershy.

Some red appeared on the cyan of Dash's face as she replied, "I think I might like that better…"

The nurse opened her mouth to protest, but a look from the doctor made her hold her tongue.

And so Rainbow Dash rode on Applejack's back down to the physical therapy room. Of course some ponies stared, but she didn't mind. She'd much rather be helped by a good friend than be in a wheelchair. Getting in one of those things felt like an admission of defeat.

When they arrived, Fluttershy and the nurse helped Dash dismount.

"Okay then, Rainbow Dash," Dr. Stable instructed, "take a few steps."

Dash took a breath and stepped forward. She winced at a back hoof touched the hard floor, then the other. She ignored the small flares of pain in her back hooves and took more steps as her "audience" watched in anticipation. The doctor asked her to walk halfway across the room.

"How do you feel?" he asked when she stopped.

"It kinda hurt at first," she admitted. "but after the first few steps it didn't hurt as much. I think feel more stiff and sore from being in bed so long."

"Good. How are your flanks?"

"They don't hurt…but they still feel funny."

"Hmm…"

"How about I walk some more?"

"If you want to. But you can stop the moment something hurts."

Dash slowly finished walking across the room, gauging herself. Her back hooves hurt some, but not enough to keep her from walking. That was good. Before the doctor could ask more questions, she turned around to walk back at a faster pace.

"Rainbow!" both Fluttershy and Applejack said with a mix of concern and alarm.

A bigger pain flared up from her back hooves and shot through her legs. She stumbled.

"I'm okay!" she told the four ponies as she steadied herself. "I can handle this."

She continued to walk without slowing down even as the pain continued and she stumbled again. By the time she was back with the others she was sweating and breathing heavily. Applejack stood beside her for her to lean on and catch her breath.

"Okay…that took more out of me than I thought," the cyan pegasus admitted. "But I think it'll be better after they've healed some more."

"Still might wanna take it easy there, Sugarcube," AJ told her.

"Just what were you thinking?" the nurse asked in annoyance. "You almost fell twice."

"I was thinking that if I can't fly, I can still run and jump," Dash retorted. "Without my wings I've lost almost everything. I still have my friends. And I still want to be able be as active if I can."

"That's my girl," Fluttershy cheered quietly.

"I just need to work my way to it," Dash continued. "But right now I think I've reached my limit until my hooves get a little better."

"Very good," Dr. Stable said with an approving nod. "Most admirable, Miss Dash."

"Thanks. But right now I think I need to go back to my bed after all…"

This time she rode Fluttershy after the other pegasus insisted.

"We're might proud of ya, Rainbow," Applejack said as they went down the hall. "It's good ta know you're gonna get back on yer feet. Listerally!"

"Oh yes," Fluttershy added with a smile. "We were so worried you'd be so sad and depressed. I should know."

Dash shook her head. "I've never let anything keep me down before and I'm not going to start now. I'll miss flying more than anything, but what matters is that I'm still alive." She looked to Applejack. "In fact, if I'm able I want to challenge you to another iron pony competition sometime. Or at least race you in the Running of the Leaves."

"Ya sure?"

Rainbow nodded. "And I don't want you to hold back or go easy on me. I want to know you gave it your all, just like I'm going to."

Jack didn't say anything at first. Then she sniffed and wiped her eyes. "If ya think ya can handle it, Ah guess Ah'll take ya on."

"Good," Dash told her with a smile. "If I can make it, I want the most athletic pony in Ponyville there to challenge me. Shake?" she held out a front hoof. Jack hesitated before taking it and shaking.

They were just about to enter Rainbow's room when Nurse Redheart came out.

"What wonderful timing!" she said. "You've got some more visitors, Rainbow."

Dash had expected to see Rarity and Twilight. Maybe Spike. But she was very surprised.

Standing in her hospital room were two adult pegasi. One was a black stallion with a white mane and tail and a thundercloud cutie mark on his flank. The other was a coral pink mare with a mane and tail of vibrant blue and two blue lightning bolts for a cutie mark. Their names were Stormcloud and Firefly. But Rainbow knew them better as—

"Dad and Mom?"

In her surprise she fell off of Fluttershy. Her mother became a pink and blue blur to catch her. Rainbow could only stare at her mother's kind smile in shock.

"W-W-What are you guys doing here?"

"How could we not be here at a time like this?" her father replied. "When we heard what had happened we flew here as fast we could."

This was the last thing Rainbow had expected to happen. She and her parents had left on bad terms. A sense of regret filled her as she remembered the last time she'd seen them.

"I-I-I-I….I'm sor-" she stuttered, trying to find the right words.

Stormcloud held up a hoof. "There's no need to apologize. We both said things we regret that night. All that matters to me is that you're safe. Me and your mother are going to help you through this."

Rainbow's eyes started to water. She wiped them, but more tears appeared. She hugged Firefly.

"I've missed you," she declared as she tried control herself. "I've missed you both so much. But-but I just couldn't get the nerve to come back home. And whenever I tried to write a letter it just didn't sound good enough."

Her father joined his wife in hugging their daughter tightly.

"It's okay," he told her. "We've missed you to. We were so worried about you. Then we found out you were living her in Ponyville safe and happy and thought it was for the best. We were scared you wouldn't want to see us either. But we've kept an eye on you."

"We were there at the Best Young Flyer Competition," Firefly told Dash with a proud smile. "We were there at that iron pony competition and the Running of the Leaves. We were even there at the Grand Galloping Gala. We wanted to go to you then, we really did. But you seemed to be doing so well and were so happy we didn't want to upset you."

"You wouldn't have upset me," Dash told her. "If anything, I would've been the one too scared to approach you if I'd seen you."

"And, well…" Firefly confessed, "Fluttershy was helping us."

Dash looked to her pale yellow friend.

"I was sending them letters," the pink haired filly told her with a guilty look. "I was the one who let them know you were in Ponyville. Then I'd send them letters to let them know how you were doing from time to time. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. But they made me promise not to, and you know how I am when people make me promise something."

Dash nodded with a smile. She couldn't even feel annoyed. "No problem. Thanks for helping them out."

Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief.

Stormcloud let go of Dash and approached her two friends. "We heard you two helped save our daughter's life." He held out a hoof for them to shake. "Thank you so much. W am eternally grateful."

"How can we ever repay you?" Firefly asked.

Fluttershy's face changed from pale yellow to red. "T-T-That's okay," she said quietly as she sank to the floor and her voice got quieter. "We just wanted to help her. You don't have to thank us. Not me anyway..."

Applejack chuckled as she shook Stormcloud's hoof. "Don't be so modest, Shy. You did yer part too." Stormcloud she said, "It's my honor, Sir. I'd do anythin' fer a friend who needed me." Her smile faded. "I jus' wish Ah'd gotten there sooner…"

"You did what you could," Firefly told her. "You all did. You saved the most precious thing in the world to us. And for that we can never thank you enough."

"Welcome, ma'am!" AJ replied with a salute while Fluttershy squeaked a barely audible "You're welcome" from the floor.

"Um, say guys?" Rainbow told them. "You think you could give us some alone time for a little while? We've got a lot of catching up to do."

"I reckon we kin do that," Applejack said with a nod. "But we won't be far off."

She and Fluttershy left for Rainbow Dash to be alone with her parents for the first time in three years. They helped her back into bed and they talked.

"So?" Stormcloud asked. "What will you do after you're released from the hospital?"

"I'm not sure," Dash replied. "I've been thinking about that a little."

"You can always come home with us," Firefly told her with a hopeful smile.

"Maybe…I'm not sure. It's just that I have a life here. Friends. Even with another pegasus clearing the clouds and seeing about the weather, I don't think I can leave Ponyville. At least not yet. I need to see about some things first and try to sort out what's going on in my head. I might go back with you, but for now I need a little time to figure things out."

"We understand," Stormcloud told her. "Take your time and do what makes you happy. Whatever you decide, we'll support you all the way as we should've done all those years ago."

"Thanks, Dad," Dash told her father with a happy, grateful smile.

She and her parents started talking about what had happened in each other's lives in the last three years. It felt good…it felt right to have a nice family talk like they used to. She had no idea how much time had passed before there was another knock on the door.

"Come in," she said cheerfully.

In came Rarity, a light blue aura around her horn and a package with some the best wrapping paper Dash had ever seen. AJ, Fluttershy, Twilight and evens Spike and Nurse Redheart were with her.

"Oh," the purple haired unicorn at seeing Dash's visitors. "Terribly sorry. I'm not intruding am I?"

"Nope!" Dash replied with a laugh. She gestured to the unicorns. "Mom, Dad, these are my friends Rarity and Twilight."

"Hello Sir, Ma'am," Twilight greeted the older pegasi with a nod.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance," Rarity told them.

"We knew your name," Stormy told her with a chuckle. "You announced it to all of Cloudsdale during that stunt you pulled at the Best Young Flyer Competition."

Rarity's face turned a bright pink. "Y-Y-Yes. T-Terribly sorry about all that. I swear, I had meant the best intentions to begin with…but then I got-carried away…"

"It all worked out," Rainbow said, trying to keep things comfortable. "What's with the present?"

"Why, it's for you dear," Rarity answered with smile. "Here."

The present floated into Dash's hoofs. She unwrapped it and her eyes went wide.

It was a hooded sweater. But not just any kind. It was a certain shade of blue with jagged yellow streaks on front and back and smaller streaks that went around the wrists of the sleeves. There were even holes in the hood for her ears. Also in the box was a pair of goggles. And even they looked right down to the last detail

"This-this is…" Rainbow trailed off. She looked up at Rarity.

"I wanted to make something to cover the wounds on your back," the unicorn explained. "Likewise, I was hoping the design would cheer you up. And you should know, that's more than a costume. That is indeed made from the exact same material the Wonderbolts use for their uniforms. I thought about it last night and had Twilight arrange a meeting with Princess Celestia, who I requested some information from. I then contacted the Wonderbolts to get the fabric they use for their uniforms, as well as a pair of goggles. I've been working on it nonstop since I got the material with a little help from Spike…Is it okay? I-It's not too much, is it?"

Dash shook her head. "It's beautiful. Just like the real thing. Somepony help me put it on."

Firefly slipped the hoody over her while Twilight used magic to put the goggles on.

"How do I look?" Dash asked.

"Perfect," Stormcloud told her. "…You look like you did when you'd dress up as a Wonderbolt when you were a filly."

"And that's not all!" Rarity announced.

She left the room and came back with a yellow pagasus with a bright orange and amber mane and tail in a real full body Wonderbolts uniform.

"S-S-S-Spitfire!" Rainbow squeaked. She pulled the sheet and cover of the bed around herself for cover. "G-G-G-Go away!" she said, shaking. There was a time she would've been elated to see one of her idols. But now…she just couldn't face any of them.

She felt a hoof on her shoulder. "Honey," her mother's voice said gently. "It's okay."

"I can't…I-I just can't!"

Firefly pulled the covers from over her head and stroked her mane. "It's okay. Just hear them out."

Spitfire approached them and put a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder. Though the eyeholes of her uniform were genuine compassion in her orange eyes.

"Rainbow Dash," she started, "I heard the rumors about what happened to you and then your friend confirmed it when she asked the material. She also talked about how it had been your dream to join us. And you would have made a great member someday. I thought about it, and I've decided to make you an honorary member."

"R-R-Really?" Dash asked in amazement.

Spitfire nodded. "You helped save Equestria from Nightmare Moon. You were in charge of the weather team in the Pontville's Winter Wrap Up for years. You saved my life and three others during the Best Young Flyer Competition. And when you spent the day with us I took a shine to you." She giggled as she added, "I even remember how you saved Soarin's pie at the Grand Galloping Gala."

Her expression became more serious. "To lose your wings is the worst thing that could ever happen to a pegasus pony. I can only imagine what you must be going through. But no one's dream should be allowed to die. So even though you can no longer fly, as captain of the Wonderbolts I hereby make you an honorary member of the team."

Tears of gratitude ran down Dash's face as she smiled. She hugged Spitfire.

"Thank you. Thank you so much! You have no idea what this means to me!"

"I have some idea," the other pegasus told her. She took off the mask of her uniform to reveal her face. "I used to dream of joining the Wonderbolts too." She looked around the room. "How about three cheers for our newest member?"

"HIP-HIP-HOORAY!" everypony (and dragon) in the room called out. They did it twice more, before bursting into individual cheers and congratulations. It wasn't until Dr. Stable came in to examine Dash and had to shoo the many visitors out that it stopped, letting only her parents stay.

"It's alright," Firefly told the others. "You saved our daughter and stayed by her side this whole time. We can take it from here."

The others gave their farewells and wished them all luck.

"And congratulations are still in order," the doctor said. "Your daughter's recovery has gone very well. It's almost miraculous, really."

"She's always been a fighter," Stormcloud said with a note of pride.

"And hey, Doc?" Dash asked. "Could I go back to physical therapy to walk some more?"

"I suppose that wouldn't hurt. But when you're done you need a bath and to have your bandages changed again."

This time Dash rode on her father's back to the PT room. This time ponies looked at her with smiles and called out congratulations and cheered her. Once there, she was able to cross the room at a slow pace and didn't feel a thing. She felt a twinge as she then walked in trot, but was able to make it all the way. She was able to walk two "laps" around the room before breaking into a canter. She was able to go a several steps before she fell with a flare of pain in her back left hoof. Stormcloud caught her before she could hit the floor.

"S-Sorry," she mumbled.

"You don't need to be," He told her in a stern but caring voice. "You just need to pace yourself better. I know you want to be active again, but you have to take it one day at a time. Just exercise a little at a time until your hooves heal."

"You read my mind," Dr. Stable added. "Though that was actually quite impressive. I believe we can release her tomorrow."

Rainbow sighed in relief. "That's good to hear."

She rode Stormcloud back to her room and her hoodie and bandages were removed. Firefly gave a sharp gasp at the sight of the stubs sticking out of her daughter's back where her wings once were while Stormcloud's face lightened and a look of horror appeared Dash had thought was impossible for him to have. She wanted to say something to make them feel better, but couldn't think of anything. What could she possibly say? She and her parents just looked at each other sadly until Firefly embraced her tightly, quickly joined by Stormcloud.

"I don't know how," Dash told them as a tear ran down her face, "but I'm going to get through this. I survived and I'm going to make the best of life I can, even if I've lost something so important to me." She loosened her hug to look at them as she smiled through her tears. "Besides, I still have you. I still have my friends. " She looked at the hoodie, made out a gesture of love and generosity. "You all still believe in me and I owe it to you all to be the best I can be."

"That's my girl," Stormcloud said as he wiped a tear from his eye and wiped more from his wife's.

Firefly gave Dash a bath (at her insistence) while Stormcloud left to see about some things. Firefly was gentle and very careful with Dash's back and flanks. Maybe it was her gentle touch, but Dash didn't feel anything at all. In fact, it felt like when she was a little filly and her mother would give her a bath.

"…M-Mom?"

"Yes, dear?"

Dash turned to give her mother an apologetic look. "I-I'm sorry I ran away from home. I never meant to hurt you or Dad. I just—"

"Shhh," Firefly told her as she once again hugged her. "What's happened has happened. What matters is that we're all together again."

Dash had already figured as much, but she'd wanted to get that off her chest.

"And just so you know, I'll want to take the rest my baths after tonight by myself. I'm not a little foal."

"I understand. I just wanted to make sure you didn't scrub or touch your stubs or flank wrong and it hurt."

"I know. I'm gonna have to be very careful when I bathe from now on." She gave her mother a grateful smile. "But thank you."

"You're welcome."

After Dash had been dried off and she'd eaten a supper snuck in by her father, Dr. Stable once again tested her flanks.

"Careful there, buddy," Stormcloud told him defensively as he studied and poked them.

"Don't worry, Sir. I've seen ever part of the pony anatomy and all from a professional level. Though I am pleased to say that your daughter's flanks are in excellent condition. I'll try to remove the stitches in the morning."

"Thanks, Doc," Dash told him.

Fresh bandages were put around her upper back, flanks and back hooves. She was surprised to learn how late it was.

"You should go to bed," Dr. Stable told her. "You've got a big day ahead of you tomorrow."

"Good point," she replied, feeling a little sleepy.

The doctor turned to her parents. "And what will you do?"

"We're staying," they both replied with conviction.

An extra bed was bought in for them. Stormcloud got in it while Firefly got into bed with Dash, holding her.

"…Mom?" the cyan pegasus asked quietly after a minutes of silence after they'd told each other goodnight.

"Yes?"

"Could…could you sing me? Just don't tell anypony."

"Of course! What would you like to hear."

Dash hesitated before saying it. "Morning Glow. And please don't anypony that either."

Her coral pink mother chuckled. "I was hoping that would be your request."

Dash felt a sense of serenity as her mother's voice lulled her to sleep, still as lovely as when she was a foal.

"Morning glow, fill the earth

Come and shine for all you're worth

We'll be present at the birth

Of old faith, staring new

Morning glow is long past due

So, morning glow all day long

While we sing tomorrow's song

Never knew we could be so strong

But now it's very clear

Morning glow is almost here…"

There was more, but Dash was asleep before it was finished, smiling and holding her mother tightly.

It was early the next morning when Nurse Redheart woke the Pegasus family up. They had some breakfast and then Dr. Stable came in to remove the stitches on Dash's flanks.

"But I'm afraid the scarring will be there for quite some time," he told her with a note of sadness. "Even then I'm afraid it'll never truly go away. Even at its best, there will be a light colored circle around your cuties marks. The good news is that it won't be as noticeable unless somepony is looking at it close."

"I think I can handle that," Rainbow told him confidently. She was just happy she still had her cutie marks.

"And you'll have to have your bandages changed twice a day until your wounds have healed," the doctor continued. "Your back will heal first, then flanks, then back hooves. Your back and flanks should take a few days, while your back hooves may take another week or two, depending on what you do." There seemed to be a warning in his last few words.

"Got it," she told him.

With a parent at each side, Dash left her room as nurses, orderlies, doctors, patients and visitors cheered her. Her friends were all there to greet her at the entrance.

"So?" Twilight asked in concern. "What now?"

Dash looked up at the sky. She watched the clouds roll through it with a twinge of sadness she'd never be among them again or reach their heights. "Now…I just take things one day at a time…"

"Is there anything we can do?" Fluttershy asked.

"Not just yet. First…" she turned to her parents. "…C-Could you guys give me a lift?" She asked with some embarrassment. "I need to get some things from my cloud house and—"

"Sure," Stormcloud told her. "Hop on and hold on tight."

Rainbow Dash climbed onto her father's back and held on as tight as she could. She took on the feel of the wind going through her mane as her father soared through the air in the first step toward her new life…