Rainbow Dash's mind was blank.

She watched as her surroundings whip by, all her friends by her side; the pegasus wheel chair-bound and not happy. They saw a reflection of the blank look on her face as Doctor Stable gently pushed her through the double doors, outside. Twilight and Applejack held the doors so her chair wouldn't collide with them... running the risk of bruising the pegasus and giving her reason to go back into the hospital.

"You are free to go," said Doctor Stable cheerfully, parking her chair near the entrance. He passed Twilight a black bag full of medical supplies. "Take it easy for a couple of days, Rainbow Dash, and you should be back to your old self in no time."

Rainbow slowly got up. Her sides were still bandaged, aching, but she was otherwise okay. Doctor Stable removed the chair and had almost stepped back in when Rainbow Dash spoke up:

"Can't I stay just for a few more days, Doc? Just to, um, you know... make sure everything's okay with my burns and all? I'm still kinda sore all over."

"Rainbow Dash," he said, plainly. "Your injuries are now predominantly superficial. The hospital has done all it can for you. You'll benefit more from being outside than cooped up in here, not to mention, a-hem... we need to have the space not taken up by able-bodied ponies."

"But I-"

"The answer is no, Rainbow Dash. You cannot come back in here to stay." He smiled warmly. "But that doesn't mean you are not welcome to visit any of our patients starting tomorrow. Please don't come back until then... you need to first get settled in. That's why your friends have com." He turned to them all and nodded. "Have a good day, all of you."

Doctor Stable left, this time not looking back.

"So, Rainbow...," Twilight said, looking over at the pegasus in bandages. It was time to make arrangements... they had tried multiple times earlier in the week already, at first without Applejack... Rainbow Dash still couldn't make up her mind. The pegasus was now stretching, both legs and wings. "You'll probably need a place to stay for a few days while you get used to being out and ab-"

Rainbow flapped her wings, lifting her body off the ground a good six feet.

"R-rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy stammered. "Are you sure that's s-such a good idea?"

Opening her forelegs, Dash held out her hoof. She spoke coolly:

"Twilight, gimme the back." Surprised as the rest, the unicorn remained still. Dash spoke again, this time more firmly, "the bag, Twilight. Please."

Twilight slowly passed the bag to Rainbow Dash, who put it on her flank right beside the bandages (it would certainly irritate her burns later on if she kept it there).

"Girls," Rainbow said, looking at each of them. "You've been so good to me through all this. I can't begin to thank you enough... but, I don't want to be in town right now. Too many familiar sights, ya know? All I can think about is what I wasn't able to do."

Pinkie and Rainbow Dash made eye-contact, Rainbow thinking she was assuring Pinkie that she would be okay, while thanking her for providing her with a place to stay... Pinkie thinking Rainbow was saying she didn't want to be near the Boutique anymore because of what happened. Pinkie lowered her head and nodded.

"Rainbow, if ya don't want to stay in town, yer always welcome at the Acres!" Applejack said, with a warm smile.

"Same goes with the cottage," added Fluttershy.

The pegasus, with magenta eyes unfocused, grinned at them both:

"Thanks, but no thanks. I want to go back to Cloudsdale, pretend this all never happened... and go back to my normal life, ya know. Like things always were."

All eyes drifted to Applejack... who had to be careful not to say the wrong thing. The country pony swallowed. She knew something Rainbow didn't want her to know... just about every pony there knew it, too. Pinkie had even told Fluttershy, who was easier to tell than any other pony in the group... the pegasus held her, limp mane and all, for a good five minutes, telling her everything would be okay in a manner similar to Mrs. Cake. Now face-to-face with this problem, Applejack didn't know what to do.

"Uh... Rainbow?" The farm pony hesitantly spoke up. "Yer kinda scarin' me. Ah don't think that's such a good idea..."

"You're scaring us all, Rainbow," Twilight said, looking up at the scowling pegasus. "Please come down here. You don't need to be up there without us. Unless we ask another pegasus, Fluttershy's the only one who can check on you. You- you've been through so much... we care about you, Rainbow."

"Hey, I don't need you telling me what I do and don't need, Twilight." Rainbow Dash turned her back, beginning her ascent. "I just... want to be by myself right now, okay? Away from here."

All was silent. Twilight sighed... ponies either lowered their heads or looked at each other. One spoke up, rather softly:

"Dashie?"

Rainbow turned to her, flying down a few feet:

"What is it, Pinkie?"

Twilight patted her pink friend on the back, whispering in her ear:

"Pinkie Pie, please don't tell her-"

"Dashie," Pinkie repeated over Twilight's whispering, her eyes growing wet. "Please don't go... Everything's been so crazy. Pretty please, Dashie... I just don't want anything bad to happen to you. I don't want to lose another friend because she got really sad, and no pony- ...no pony could help her."

"Pinkie." Rainbow flew a few more feet down. "You don't understand. I need this."

"No, you don't Rainbow," Twilight said firmly, gears turning in her head. She was going to put an end to this right now. "And besides, away from here isn't even a destination!"

Rainbow gestured towards the clouds:

"The sky is HUGE, Twilight. Duh! Don't you think I'll be able to think of something new up there?"

"Rainbow Dash, ya ain't making a lick of sense."

Rainbow turned to face Applejack.

"Applejack, you have no idea how long I've thought about doing what I'm doing."

Twilight looked around at each of her friends. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie looked devastated, both taking an interest in their hooves. Applejack was sweating, gritting her teeth... and Rainbow, high above it all, appeared to be smiling... as though she thought she had won some silly contest. Twilight knew she wasn't really smiling, she could smell the sweat and panic on her. She took a breath.

"Rainbow," Twilight began slowly. Even she found herself sweating... it was time to bluff. "I could easily cast a spell that would make it so your wings won't work for a week. You'll be grounded."

"Twilight," Rainbow said, shaking her head and scowling. "If your horn glows even for a second, I'll zip away so fast that-"

"Don't worry, Rainbow... I'm not going to actually do that." Twilight took a breath. "We're your friends, and if you go up there, we'll worry about you even more." Rainbow just stared. "Please would you spend just a few days down here first... for all of us?"

The pegasus looked around at her friends and saw the devastation Twilight had just seen in their eyes. For a fraction of a second Dash was thinking straight, and that was long enough to completely derail her thoughts and take the wind out of her sails. She closed her eyes, sighing... they grew moist.

"Okay..." The pegasus made her way back to the ground slowly. When she felt the dirt beneath her hooves, Rainbow looked at each of the mares. They were smiling at her... radiating understanding and compassion, no pressure to make a decision. She turned to Fluttershy and smiled weakly. "I think I'll stay with you."

"Oh, sure, Rainbow," Fluttershy said, smiling back. She began to walk around her cyan friend, reaching for the straps to the saddlebag Dash had against her hips... seeing the reddened flesh beneath the bandages it had already pushed aside. "Oh, my... please let me take that for you."

"I've got it," Dash replied, hoisting the bag further back so it was no longer in contact with her barrel. Fluttershy winced, looking back at her friends. Rainbow Dash smiled weakly. "Thanks anyway."

"Rainbow, you're doing the right thing."

Dash just rolled her eyes.

"Fine, whatever," she replied, flatly. "Let's just go already before I change my mind."

Before any of them knew it, they were all headed for Fluttershy's cottage... each keeping an eye on Rainbow Dash to make sure she didn't bolt. The longer they walked, the more tired and wobbly Dash appeared. It didn't take very long for her to begin limping, partly due to the added weight on her barrel. Twilight and Applejack, both in the back, exchanged concerned glances.

"She gunna be alright?" Applejack mouthed.

Twilight nodded.

"Yeah, I think so."

Twilight was, in reality, quite unsure. She knew it would take a while for Rainbow Dash to go back to her old self, especially since she had a habit of pushing herself too hard. All she had at this point, however, was time. Oodles of it.

There was a reason Rainbow Dash had chosen Fluttershy most of her friends could see right through, including the yellow mare. She was by far the least intimidating of the bunch, aside from Pinkie Pie... who Dash probably would have chosen, if it weren't for her house burning down and having to move back in with the Cakes. Cramped quarters weren't exactly Dash's style. She needed space... and not just in the physical sense. There she could go any time she wanted to; she would be surrounded by animals... not crying foals and big parties.

Outside of Ponyville all the friends began to disperse. First went Pinkie and Twilight, then Applejack... finally able to rest. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were alone now. Rainbow let out a sigh, again hoisting the bag higher on her barrel. From behind, Fluttershy could see the raw flesh under her bandages begin to ooze. Her pupils shrank.

"Oh, my..."

"I've got it, okay?" Rainbow grumbled as she limped on, not even looking back. "We're almost there anyway."

"O-okay, Rainbow..."

Fluttershy's cottage was nearby, a place where Dash would be given space. Over a hill they finally saw it. Both pegasai sighed, peace and familiarity a mere fifty feet away.

Once they entered, Dash set the bag by the door and stretched, peering at her dressing. Where the bag had been in contact with her bandages was at least not specked in red. She sighed, now finally able to accept how tired she truly felt.

Seeing the couch Dash thought well that looks comfy, and as she limped towards it Fluttershy came in and asked:

"So, Rainbow ... Do you want to eat lunch?"

She was already settling in.

"No thanks, Fluttershy," Dash replied, slowly stretching her legs before laying down. "Think I'm gunna catch some Zs, if that's cool. Gottanap once a day or I become a total bear, know what I mean?"

"Of course, Rainbow." Like a cat, Rainbow curled up on the sofa and shut her eyes. Seeing that, Fluttershy let out a sigh of relief... and realized her pet rabbit was quizzically looking up at her from the kitchen door way. She motioned and, as he got close, she whispered to him, "she's going to be staying with us for a while, Angel. She's my friend, and right now it's my job to make sure she's comfortable while she's resting. She got terribly burned a while ago."

Fortunately Fluttershy was quiet enough that Dash hadn't heard her saying that last part.

Angel stared at Rainbow as she drifted off... amazed that a pony so God-like and awesome could suddenly look so vulnerable. What if that happened to Fluttershy? He hugged the yellow mare tightly, and she hugged him right back.

"Oh, there's no need to be frightened, Angel... you'll always be my special little bunny. Just remember good friends look out for each other."

The little rabbit looked up, processing the message in his own, little way.

Like the hospital the cottage was quiet. Unlike the hospital Dash was nowhere near Scootaloo... and, not understanding why, she found it easier to shut her mind off, not that she would forget about her little protégé anytime soon.

As the pegasus finally drifted off, both Rarity's cat, Opalescence, and Dash's tortuous, Tank, smelled her in the air. Opal was quick to find her, resting by Dash's head, and Tank... though it took him a while to get there, he would be staring up at Rainbow Dash from the floor until she finally woke up. The pegasus slept like a log, finally able to relax... and just starting to move on.

Of course Rainbow Dash couldn't remain still.

While Fluttershy dressed her wounds and made sure the tub was comfortable when Dash bathed, other than that, after the first initial rest... Rainbow Dash wasn't there very often.

She visited Scootaloo daily. Doctor Stable was more than happy to see her, and for the times she tried to stay past visiting hours, he was more than firm in telling her it was time to leave:

"You must go now, Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo needs her rest, and if you continue to try to stay past visiting hours I will have to bar you from here for a week!"

"You know I'll 'accidentally' get hurt if you do that, Doc," replied Rainbow. "Break my hoof or wing, or something..."

"You will still be barred from seeing her, Rainbow Dash," replied the doctor, unflinchingly. "And that will be no accident."

She blew air through her nostrils, indicating that she wanted to show that she didn't take the doctor very seriously... well-versed in psychology, he didn't buy it.

"Fine."

After a couple days of this, Rainbow grudgingly complied with visiting hours without making a fuss.

When not visiting Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash visited her other friends. It was always a brisk walk from place to place, never flying while in town. She didn't like to be in Ponyville anyway, and because of big black ruins where the Carousel Boutique used to be... in the center of town... that could be more easily seen from above, she didn't want to fly. It would be a long while until that was gone.

At first she tried to visit Pinkie Pie, but... Pinkie was acting strange.

The first time she saw her was a bit before visiting hours on the first day. Just a quick, surprise visit. She didn't tell Pinkie she was there, as her friend was in the middle of entertaining some fillies at a birthday party. The Cakes had a big calliope in the corner and Pinkie was playing a cheery tune about piggies. Dash stood in the doorway, looking at her short-maned pink friend play the instrument with surprising skill. It was fast, smooth, and zany, and all of the foals cheered and applauded. Pinkie looked back to engage the audience before singing the final verse and saw Dash smiling by the door. The pink mare's face contorted.

Quickly she whipped her head back, continued to play and sing... but something was off. She made a mistake, followed by another... a few false-notes here and there the fillies would likely not hear. Then the tempo slowed, just a bit, and Dash noticed a slight break in Pinkie's voice as she sang out the final, last part of the third verse. Perhaps she was feeling hoarse.

The two were face-to-face at a table afterwards, Pinkie taking a brief break before going back to her job.

"That was wonderful, Pinkie!" Dash said, encouragingly. "I didn't know you could play that well."

"Yeah," Pinkie replied, looking down at the table. "Thanks Dashie."

"But.. what happened at the end?"

Pinkie continued to stare at the table. She sighed.

"I, umm... saw one of the fillies pushing another." She smiled, glancing up into Dash's eyes for a second. "I wanted to say something, but it was sooo close to the ending and-"

"It's okay, Pinkie." Rainbow smiled. "I know it must be pretty hard being a hostess and watching them at the same time."

"Having to be happy all the time, and alert," Pinkie grumbled, her mane falling straight for a second. "Even when you don't feel like it."

"You wanna go pranking later?" Dash chuckled. "Might help you feel better."

Pinkie looked up at her friend and smiled, looking right back at the table... again sighing.

"Maybe later, Dashie... I think I'm going to just go to bed after this." She glanced back at the party, her voice breaking. "Have to be rested for tomorrow... I've got three parties then."

"Oh, okay." Rainbow Dash got up. "You don't have to be sad, Pinkie, I understand." The two briefly smiled at each other before Dash turned towards the door. "Anywho, I'm gunna go check on Twilight. See what she's up to. Later!"

"Um... Dashie?"

The pegasus was almost outside. She stuck her head back in.

"Yeah, Pinks?"

Pinkie looked up, forcing herself to smile.

"You're a good friend."

"Um, thanks." Dash put a hoof to the back of her head. "You too, you too."

Rainbow then exited, making her way for the library. She was quick to put it out of her mind as... whenever Pinkie's mane went straight, Dash noticed it usually meant she was acting funny. She'd leave her alone for now. Maybe everything would be different in a few days.

Dash found Twilight and Applejack to be more welcoming... though just as weird. Twilight was still looking for a pony -- any pony -- to take Scootaloo in, but she was also looking for a small place for Rainbow Dash... a place meant for just one pony. Dash really couldn't afford anything bigger for right now... it was just to tide her over. Rainbow had her own ideas:

"The sky can be my house, Twilight," she said confidently. "Pegasai are designed to sleep out doors... houses up there are mostly a, um, creature comfort thing. I don't need my cool pillars, electric guitar, and all my Daring Do novels to be happy. I've got all of Equestria as my view! How awesome is that?"

Twilight's eyes went wide.

"Rainbow Dash, you're talking about being homeless!" She snapped. "And you're making it sound like it's a good thing."

"Isn't it? At least for now? Practically no bills, I can sleep anywhere I want, and if I get bored or really miss it I can make a fortress out of clouds."

"Yeah, and it'll disintegrate in about an hour or two."

"Then I can rebuild it! You're just being a spoil sport."

Twilight scowled:

"That's because I care about you! I don't want to see you get sick when it gets cold out. You have nothing, Rainbow Dash, except us."

Rainbow wore a thin smile. She was determined to see the good in this and only the good... even if it all appeared to everypony else to be falling apart. That was future Dash's problem. The pegasus left Twilight feeling frustrated... herself carefree.

Applejack was by far the most welcoming of ponies in the group. She, her family, and the entire Acres were laid-back... and they always had mug or two of cider ready in no time. It was the least they could do, though they never actually said that. Though Applejack occasionally asked these really strange questions:

"When it comes to takin' in Scootaloo, you think you might be able to get her up to Cloudsdale? Might be better having something on the ground for now... don't ya think?"

Gritting her teeth, Dash dodged that question... to the best of her abilities:

"I've got things under control, AJ. Don't worry about me."

"I ain't worried none... just makin' sure you ain't worried."

"I'll let you know. Trust me."

Truth be told, Rainbow Dash was terrified to think about it... so she finally stopped thinking. However obvious to her friends, that was her secret. With no plans for the future, Dash was free falling, and Applejack wasn't going to allow that to happen after everything Rainbow Dash had done for her, not to mention she was her true friend. All ponies could see the disaster where Rainbow was headed... she felt like she had found bliss, but they all knew she was finally overwhelmed.

All four were gathered around when Rainbow Dash finally returned to the clouds. Looking up they could see she seemed surprisingly at home for a homeless pony, napping on the clouds high above, appearing no different than she would any other day... except a mile off her house was now a Lunar Observatory.

"Ah can't allow this, Twilight," Applejack said, watching Rainbow nap. "Her stubborn pride is gunna kill her up there, displace Scootaloo, and make us all miss another friend. It ain't right."

"It's her choice," said Twilight, sadly, looking over at the two other ponies in the group... both normally happy, now in a more sombre state to match the rest. "I won't stop my search. Ten hours day if I have to."

"Good ta hear." Applejack turned to the road out of town. She glanced up one final time and sighed. "She's done so much fer us all. Twilight, Ah can't allow this."

"None of us can," said Fluttershy.

Pinkie Pie nodded.

"I'm gunna have to do what Ah can, then..." The farm pony smiled. "Dig deep if I gotta. It's the least Ah can do."

"Applejack," Twilight said hesitantly. "What're you talking about?"

"Ah guess, well... walk with me, girls. I-... I got an idea. Won't involve the Princesses none, but Ah might need some help laying it out to everypony so Rainbow ain't gonna feel Pinkie broke her confidence."

Pinkie, who's mane could have easily deflated, listened in instead... a look of hope in her eye.

"Go on, AJ," Twilight said.

"Let's head back to the Acres. I've got work to do, for today... an' for tomorrow." She looked up at Twilight. "I'm definitely gonna need help with this."