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Rainbow Dash: Equestrian Hero

by Hopeful_Ink_Hoof

Chapter 1: Limb

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It was going badly, very badly. Worse than they had ever expected. Not only were they severely out-numbered, but Sombra was there. He was not supposed to be there. He was supposed to be on the western line, where Celestia was.

There was the sound of his laughter as his horn lit up letting out a massive blast of evil magic.

"DASH!" a familiar voice called out.

Something slammed into Rainbow Dash, knocking her aside and sending her spinning. There was an explosion of pain on her side, her left wing feeling like it was on fire. The world spun, everything started to go blurry.

With a gasp, Rainbow Dash's eyes shot open. Her entire body tensed as she tried to sit up.

Except she couldn't. Something was holding her down. She started twisting and kicking, trying to get loose. Whatever it was, it wasn't enough to hold her. Sooner or later, Rainbow Dash would get loose.

"Easy," a voice said softly, "easy. You're safe. Just calm down. Please."

"Who's there?" Rainbow called out. "Where am I?"

"If you calm down and stop struggling, I'll explain."

Rainbow Dash stopped struggling. Looking around, she caught sight of a purple unicorn mare in a white lab coat.

"Well you seem to be a bit more coherent," the unicorn said. "I am Doctor Twilight Sparkle, and you are at a hospital." Her horn lit up as she shined it into one of Rainbow Dash's eyes. "Can you tell me your name?"

"Rainbow Dash. If this is a hospital, then why the hay am I tied down?" She yanked at the restraints to emphasize her point.

"You've been pretty violent," Twilight answered. "We had to restrain you both for our safety and your own. You've actually injured several nurses."

"Well I'm fine now," Rainbow Dash declared. "So get me out of these things and let me get back to the field." She tugged at the restraints again, trying to get up.

"Actually... I think that should wait until... I fill you in on something important."

That got Rainbow Dash's full attention. She had heard that tone of voice before, and it was never good news. Whenever a pony used a tone like that, it was bad. When it was a doctor, it meant something would never be the same.

"What is it?" Rainbow asked. "What's wrong? Did something happen to Gilda?"

"...Gilda..." Twilight said, taking a step back. That was never a good sign.

"Yeah," Rainbow Dash said, leaning forward to look at the doctor better. "She's a griffon. Also my flight partner. Wears a Wonderbolt uniform in the griffon kingdom colors. Saved my ass more times than I like to admit."

'DASH!' Gilda shouted, shooting forward to shove Rainbow out of the way. There was a throb of pain as the griffon's full weight slammed into her, then a burning sensation and--

"I'm sorry," Twilight said, shaking Rainbow Dash from the memory. "Gilda was struck directly by Sombra's attack. A piece of one of her ribs ended up lodged in her heart. We tried our best, but could not get it out and stop the bleeding. She didn't make it."

Rainbow Dash went limp as her stomach dropped out. Gilda? Dead? She and Rainbow were supposed to be the two toughest, strongest, and most daring flyers in the war. If any ponies -- any beings -- was going to make it through this, it was going to be them. They had even made plans for after the war: they were to help recruit and train a new generation of Wonderbolts that were to be stunt flyers, not soldiers. The two of them would be the first leaders of the new team, enjoying showing off for crowds instead of fighting brainwashed slaves.

Rainbow Dash straightened up and bit her lip. She would not cry. Not in front of the doctor. And definitely not for Gilda. She wouldn't want that. They were a pair of tough flyers and too cool to show softness. They wouldn't do something as lame as crying. Even if it was over each other.

Even if it was...

Anger on the other hoof.

"Fine," Rainbow Dash growled out. "So let me go, so I can fly straight to The Crystal Empire and kick King Sombra's sorry flank a thousand years into the past."

"Actually, that's what I need to talk to you about," Twilight said.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

"I'm afraid that during the battle, one of your wings -- the left one -- was severely damaged. We were... forced to..." Twilight grimaced. "...amputate."

"What?!" Rainbow Dash shrieked out. Her wings? They took one of her wings? She was a Wonderbolt! A flying combatant! A pegasus for crying out loud! Without a wing, she can't fly, and flying was all she was about. Even her fighting style was focused around her being able to fly.

"I've already fitted you with a prosthetic," Twilight said. "It will take some time and practice to adjust to, but you should be able to use it like a normal wing." She shifted. "Well... almost..."

"What do you mean 'almost?'"

"Are you familiar with the idea of a sonic rainboom?"

"Yeah, but it's just an old mare's tale."

"Maybe," Twilight said as her horn lit up, "but I think it's based on fact." She looked at the charts. "Although it is rare, I do believe that a pegasus can achieve hyper-sonic flight speed under the right circumstances."

"Hyper-what now?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"'Hyper-sonic flight,'" Twilight repeated. "Basically, when a pegasus gets fast enough, they are actually able to fly faster than the speed of sound. Some scientist speculated that when this happens, the pegasus breaks through a barrier that creates a massive explosion and unleashes a burst of pegasus magic. The same kind of magic that in your particular case lets you leave a rainbow colored trail behind you."

"What does this have to do with the fake wing?"

"Have you ever flown so fast, it felt like the air was pushing back and trying to stop you?" Twilight asked.

"Sure," Rainbow answered. "Like all the time."

"Well, between what I can read on your charts, and my own scan of you, I believe that -- in the right circumstances -- you could at the very least reach the speeds necessary to break the 'sound barrier' for lack of a better term. Or... at least you would have if you still had your regular wing. The artificial wing is not certified for those speeds. You're going to need to pay attention to it as you go faster, to make sure that it doesn't break apart or malfunction. If something starts to happen, you'll have to slow down."

Rainbow Dash thought about it a moment. The idea of her having to limit her speed didn't appeal to her. Still, it meant that she would at least be able to fly. And fight.

"So when can I go back?" she asked.

"Are you sure you want to?" Twilight asked. "I mean, if you want, you could take this opportunity to get a medical discharge."

"I am not walking away from this fight," Rainbow Dash shouted. "Especially not now. Not while --"

Sombra needs to pay for Gilda!

"-- Equestria still needs everpony that can fight!"

The room went quiet as Twilight Sparkle stared at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow watched at Twilight stood there, seeming to study her. Slowly, tears started to fill Twilight's eyes. A sad smile pulled at the edges of her mouth.

"You know, you kind of remind me of my big brother." Twilight let out a sniff. "He was stubborn and always trying to do the right thing, no matter how stupid it was."

Rainbow was uncertain how to respond to that. If she was reading Twilight's tone and words right, she had lost her brother.

"Who's your brother?" Rainbow asked before realizing it.

"Shining Armor," Twilight answered.

That was a bit of a shock. Practically everypony in the war had heard of Shining Armor. The captain of the guard who -- after the loss of his fiance to the changelings -- had been one of the firsts to go to The Crystal Empire and face King Sombra. If not for him sacrificing himself and using his shields, no pony would have been able to return to Equestria and report what Sombra had been up to.

He had given his life so they would have a fighting chance.

"...I'm sorry..." Rainbow whispered.

Twilight took a breath and wiped at her face. She turned her attention back to Rainbow Dash, her horn lighting up. Quickly, the straps were undone, releasing the pegasus from her bed.

"Come on," Twilight said. "If you want to get back to combat so badly, we need to start your physical therapy as soon as possible."

Next Chapter: Life Estimated time remaining: 14 Minutes
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