Scootaloo knocked on the hospital door softly and looked to her left to Apple Bloom.

“C’min,” a voice called almost immediately.

The fillies entered the room and looked around at the empty walls, three beds in the room, and a window.

Rainbow was bandaged and laying on the center bed with Applejack beside her in the otherwise empty room.

“Mother’s, how are you? Oh no, is Rainbow ever gonna see again?”

“Scoots, I’m fine,” Rainbow said exasperatedly, “I’ll have my eyes back tomorrow-”

“Wednesday,” Applejack corrected.

“-Wednesday, and I’ll be in the air within a month.”

“Month and a half, Sugardrop.”

“Apple Fritter...” Rainbow whined in frustration.

All the others in the room giggled.

“Sorry, Sugarplum,” Applejack said looking lovingly at Rainbow before turning to the fillies, “so, girls. What’s goin’ on? How was school? Learn a lot?”

“Not really,” Apple Bloom said glancing to Scootaloo.

“What’s that mean?” Rainbow inquired.

“Well, Mom, Diamond Tiara wasn’t in class today because she was ‘hurt to bad’,” she said in a mocking tone.

“She’s just fakin’, Sis! She wasn’t pumelled that bad.”

“Yeah, I only got in a good slap,” Scootaloo said proudly.

“Don’t forget when you head butted her,” Apple Bloom added.

“That wasn’t me, Silver Spoon bit my neck and I moved.”

“Girls!” Applejack shouted, stopping their proud argument, “Ah swear, Ah’ve never been more unhappy ta hear of a fight in my life. A couple’a young mares like you, gettin’ inta’ fight over words.

“If Ah had the mind ta, I’d send ya both ta the farm and have ya do chores fer a week and learn ya some respect.”

“But, Mama, how would that teach me respect?” Scootaloo snarked back before covering her mouth in shock she said it aloud.”

Applejack climbed off the bed and reached to the side table, grabbed her hat, and placed it firmly on her head. “Young’ns, yer comin’ with me. Rainbow’s tough enough and there’s a guard on duty ta keep her safe. We’re goin to the farm, Dash,” she said turning and giving Rainbow’s cheek a kiss before walking ahead, out of the room.

“Um, sorry, Mom, I’ve gotta go,” Scootaloo said as Apple Bloom whispered something. “Oh yeah,” she flew awkwardly to Rainbow and landed next to her and gave her a hug. “Mom, that was an awesome crash, but, don’t do it again, ‘kay?”

Rainbow snickered. “I can’t promise but-”

“No, Mom,” Scootaloo said in a firm, deep, steady voice, “please, don’t do it again.”

At first Rainbow felt uncomfortable, then she listened to the silence in the room. All she could hear was Scootaloo. And Scootaloo was now standing over her, rear legs were against rainbow’s hips, and her forelegs were holding her steady on Rainbow’s chest as she took shaky breaths.

“S-Scoots, I-I… I don’t know what to say. I, I have to be awesome. It’s who I am.”

“Even if you get hurt like this again?! What if next time it’s worse?” Scootaloo asked loudly.

“Scoots,” Rainbow stopped and held her breath.

“Mom, all I ever wanted was you to be there to teach me how to fly. Now, I’m family. I’m getting used to having three mothers; sappy mom, awesome mom, and Applejack,” Rainbow snorted a laugh, “but I don’t care about awesome mom if she’s gonna get hurt like this to show off.”

“Oh, c’mon Scoots…”

“C’mon what, Rainbow Dash? Part of being cool is being honest, you said that to me.”

“I know I did, but, I,” Rainbow swallowed hard, “I’m gonna tell you a secret that only AJ knows, okay? I’m scared.”

“You? Yeah, I know. But then you punch your fears in the face and-”

“No, I’m always scared, Scootaloo. I’m scared of failing, losing, being the worst by being myself,” rainbow said softly to the filly standing on her, “that’s why I do crazy stunts and act awesome. I’m not awesome, not in my heart.”

“Rainbow, you don’t have to be awesome; you just have to be happy.”

The bandages on Rainbow’s eyes absorbed the tears she had, but the trembling smile she had said plenty as she pulled Scootaloo into a hug that hurt her in many places; but it was worth it.

“Scootaloo, I promise I won’t hurt myself like this again. I guess I have to be a family mare now, since I have a family. Once I’m married to AJ, a lot will change around here. But, for you, I’ll make a couple changes now.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“No prob, Sport. Now, go catch up to the others ‘fore AJ get’s on ya.”

“What? They’re in the doorway waiting for me,” Scootaloo said pulling out of the hug and hopping from the bed, a flutter from her wings breaking her fall.

“Oh…” Rainbow said blushing.

“Don’cha worry, Sugarplum. Family secret,” Applejack said as the door creaked shut and Rainbow exhaled a heavy breath.

“Well, at least it’s in the family. Family, wow. This has been the most bucked up year ever, if next year’s as crazy I think I’ll have a breakdown.”

Rainbow relaxed into her hospital bed and groaned at the silence. This, was going to be a long week, too.

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