An Old Friend

by DanishDash

First published 26th of October, 2020

Just a normal day for Rainbow Dash, working, doing stunts, being awesome, just a normal day. At least, that was until Nurse Redheart showed up with a strange message from an old friend of hers. A friend convicted for murder, and judged insane.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Swift Bolt does not belong in an asylum, he knows it.

He is not supposed to be where he is, but he cannot remember why. He knows what the doctors and nurses are telling him are all lies, he is not insane, and certainly not a killer. He spends his days locked away, treated as a threat, as an insane pony.

Swift Bolt knows he does not belong there, but how? What is it that makes him believe he is innocent? Meeting a visiting nurse from Ponyville he remembers a friend, an old friend. She's the element of loyalty, if anyone can help him it's her! But will she believe him? And for that matter, will she help him discover what he's forgotten?

Will it prove his innocence, or will it reveal a dark past?

Big thanks to Hoodwinked MCShelster for the amazing cover art! Really love how it turned out! ^^

Prologue

I'm not crazy..

How many times have patients such as myself yelled that? How many ponies have declared their innocence when faced judgement? I don't know, but I have heard many yell those words during my time here. I would probably yell it too, if I could, but I cannot. The doctors did not only think it necessary to restrain me in a straightjacket, but also to give me a muzzle to keep me firmly gagged.

The only time the muzzle is off, is during my meals, or when the doctors want to talk to me. I usually take my medicine with my meals, so they hardly ever remove the muzzle.

My world is nothing but a white padded room. No bed, no windows, no artwork or books, not even a bug. This is my world, my whole universe. I am only taken out for small walks, well, drives really, I'm not allowed or able to walk, so they strap me in a wheelchair and push me around for half an hour.

It is the only time I ever get to see the blue sky above, it is the only time I'm able to smell the fresh air and enjoy the wind in my mane. It is paradise, something so simple, but it is the only joy I have, the closest thing I get to freedom.

Other times they pull me out is when I need to talk to a doctor, bathe me, or escort me to the bathroom. They control everything, every single thing. They control when I talk, eat, drink, use the restroom or even a simple shower. The only freedom I have is my mind, but even that has its limits.

I have no idea what they're giving me, but it keeps me docile, keeps my mind foggy. They say it's for my own good, they claim they're helping me, but I don't think they truly understand the torture of living like this. My existence has no value, I am just something they keep alive, but what is life without freedom? Why would anypony think this is life?

They must know my hell in some way, because I'm in a padded room and restrained not only for their sake, but for mine. They keep justifying it, keep telling me they do not want me to hurt myself. It keeps me alive, keeps me from ending it all. I don't know if I would be able to, I'm not scared, I'm just desperate to make a choice of my own, to take control of my life.

I am denied everything that makes me feel alive. It's like being underwater, with the only gasp of air is the lousy half hour I get outside. My wings long for the feeling of flight, and so do I. It's like flying has become a dream now, not even a memory anymore, just a dream, an idea, a myth. Sometimes I just look to the sky, close my eyes and imagine myself flying, it makes me cry, no matter how much I try not to.

The worst however, is the loneliness. Ponies are social creatures by nature, I miss somepony to talk to, and my doctor does not count. He does not look at me with kind eyes, even though he tries to fake it. It does not feel like a conversation, but an interrogation.

I see him less and less these days, maybe because my answers are the same, or that I simply don't remember the answers anymore. I don't know how long I've been in here, at times, I'm not even sure about my real name. Days just become a blur, moments of sanity, which feels like cold water in the desert. At those times I become desperate, like a wild animal that yearns for food, I yearn to escape my bonds and be free!

I cry, I beg and plead, but like always, they give me something, and everything becomes a blur again.. To keep myself sane to a degree, I remind myself who I am each morning. It has become a ritual, and it is what keeps me hopeful that someday I will again feel the soft grass beneath my hooves.

My name is Swift Bolt, I'm a Pegasus stallion. Last birthday I remember was my 18th birthday. I'm not supposed to be here, I'm not crazy, and I'm not a killer.

Each morning I repeat those words, with the muzzle I cannot say them out loud, but I hum the words to make sure I do not forget any of it. I don't know how I know I'm not a killer, how I'm not crazy, I've been here long enough to feel like I really am. It's just a feeling, like a fire that burns deep inside me, proclaiming my innocence, and that I have to do something important. I cannot let that die, I fear if I do let that inner fire burn out, that I may lose myself completely.

Recently I think that conviction has given me a chance, a small hope, but I will return to that later. It is hard to explain without first explaining my amazingly bad memory.

So what do I remember? Not much, my name is the only thing I know for sure, the rest just seems jumbled up. The doctors and nurses tell me things all the time, but that does not count as memories. Only when I dream do I seem to see small snapshots of my past, flashes, echoes. When I wake up I try to piece everything together, but it all gets jumbled up, so I do not know what is a memory and what is just a dream.

I do not remember something so important as my parents, I cannot recall their names, or even their faces. I can't remember if I have any siblings, any friends. I find myself doubting I have any of those things, because I never get a visit. It's allowed, like it is with all patients. It's just that nopony ever comes...

So what was this chance I spoke of? I don't know if it was pure luck, or even fate, but I recently saw a newspaper on the doctor's desk. He must have forgotten he had left it there, because he removed it as soon as he caught me reading it. Three words, or rather, two names stuck out to me, along with a picture.

Rainbow Dash, and Ponyville.. A pony and a town..

Something clicked inside my mind, I knew the name, I fucking knew that name! Not many, but a few feelings and memories returned to me, she is my friend! Or at least she was, at some point. The picture in the paper, and the image I had in my mind, made me deduce we had not seen each other for at least a few years.

And there it was, however unlikely it was, I had found my lifeline! She was the only pony I could remember from the outside world, she was the only pony that might listen to me! How did I know that? Truth was, I had no idea if she would listen, or even come visit.

Skies above, I didn't even know how I would even get her to come here in the first place..

Fate once again gave me a chance. A group of visiting doctors and nurses was being shown around. I was sitting in the common room, in a wheelchair of course, still restrained and muzzled, but my orderly had gone into a small office, for what reason I do not know, nor did I care.

The group of doctors and nurses, which was no more than four ponies in total, passed through the common room. I overheard them, and heard they were from Ponyville. I knew instantly I would never get such a chance ever again! It was like the hope burning inside me cleared my mind, I had to get them to talk to me, I had to get this fucking muzzle off!

I was desperate, scared I might be dragged away before getting a chance to speak with one of them. My life was on the line, and I knew it. Luck, or rather, stupidity was on my side. The orderly had not strapped me to the wheelchair, it was standard practice, but at times they forgot, after all, even if I did jump out of the chair, where would I go?

The group moved towards the doors leading into the yard, but one of the nurses stayed behind. I literally jumped at the opportunity, I hurled my body forward, set off with my hindlegs and jumped like I never had before. It must have been quite a sight, because I had no way of stopping my fall, and so I landed smack down on the floor.

It got the nurse's attention though, she was startled for sure, but those eyes, those beautiful eyes of hers. They were filled with such warmth, such empathy. Real empathy, not the fake kind the nurses and doctors gave me, this was real, and I felt like crying just by the warm feeling it gave me.

Quickly she was by my side, looking me over to see if I was okay. I tried to talk, but the muzzle reduced every word I spoke into a confusing mess of grunts and whines.

I don't know why she did what she did, I don't think it was because she wanted to check if I was okay as a nurse, but as a pony. She must have seen the pure desperation in my eyes, and understood something. Whatever the case, she unlocked my muzzle, and it came off instantly.

"Please, find Rainbow Dash... Ponyville, find her..." I wanted to scream, to cry, to yell it out, but my voice was almost nothing but a desperate whisper. She was confused, maybe even scared, so I tried to explain, but I was running out of time. "Find her, please.. Swift Bolt, tell her I need to see her.."

My words barely connected into a sentence, I was so used to just saying yes and no, that it was like my brain had forgotten how to talk. She was confused, upset, but there was something, a spark of something, recognition, she knew Rainbow Dash, I was sure of it! Unfortunately, my luck ran out. Out came my orderly, followed by one more and two nurses. I was terrified, looked to the mare who had removed my muzzle and pleaded.

"Please, tell her!" I finally managed to raise my voice, shocking her, but she kept looking at me as I was grabbed. "Find her!! Tell her I need to se-Arhgmfh! Hmmlpr-nmmrmmfh!"

And that was that, they pulled the muzzle back over my mouth, muffling my words once again. I kept pleading, begging, even though my words were not understandable. I struggled with all my might, knowing it was a losing battle, the two orderlies and one nurse kept dragging me away, down into the hall where the grey double doors closed.

I had done it, I had planted a seed of hope. I knew my chances were slim, if the mare did tell Rainbow Dash about me, would she come? As I was dragged back to my padded world, I decided it didn't matter. I had defied my captors, I had made a choice, my first real choice in ages. For just a few moments, I had taken control of my life.

I must have looked like a mad pony, because I started to laugh. I could not help it, I laughed, but also cried. The warm tears streamed down my cheeks as I laughed, tears of pure joy. For the first time, I felt alive, and even when they tossed me back into my cell, I kept laughing, kept crying, because I had done it.

Whatever might happen now was out of my hooves, even beyond their control. I was alive, I had hope, and that was all that mattered, even as they came to me with a syringe. I kept laughing, even as my vision blurred and I was sedated..

I had hope...

Author's Notes:

I know it isn't Halloween yet, and I know this story is not a horror story.

It is the closest I can get to, and besides, I think being stuck in an asylum like Swift Bolt must be horrible. I know I would think it was my own personal horror story.

If you liked this story, then leave a like, favor it, or leave a comment. And remember, stay awesome.

Chapter 1: An Old Friend

Flying, the ultimate freedom for a Pegasus.

For Rainbow Dash, it was as natural as a fish swimming in the sea. She was a good flyer, fast and agile, but most of all, a daring one. Every time she did a daring stunt high above ground, she felt more alive than ever before. It was art in motion, pure and simple.

Everyday was a thrill, today however was going to be more down to earth. Rainbow was going to meet up with her other friends, not to do anything special, but to just hang out, have a picnic and enjoy the amazing weather. It was not a tradition per say, but it was an activity they all enjoyed.

Like always she soared through the sky, doing flips and sharp turns, showing off to the world below. It didn't take her long to reach her destination, already she could see her friends near Sugarcube Corner where they were supposed to meet. She did one more loop, and landed near her friends, striking a pose.

"Do not fear, the Rainbow is here!" She greeted, then thought the greeting over, and decided that was not going to be her new catchphrase. Pinkie however loved it.

She laughed loudly, "that was great, Rainbow Dash. Next time, try and drop down with a black cape and cowl and say, "I'm Batmare."

Rainbow just smirked and shook her head, "funny, Pinkie, but no. I think I could use something cool to say before I touch down."

"Why in the world would you need something like that?" Asked Applejack.

The cyan Pegasus rolled her eyes, but then gave her an encouraging smile. "Because," she started, like if explaining something to a foal. It was only meant as a joke of course. "It makes me look about 21% cooler."

"That number seems oddly specific?" Twilight chimed in. "How did you come up with that?"

"Oh Twilight," Rainbow said, patting her unicorn friend on the back. "That's why you're never going to be cool."

Applejack snorted, then said, "you're so full of it Rainbow."

They all shared a good laugh, but then Rainbow noticed they were missing two ponies. "Where's Rarity and Fluttershy?"

"They said they would meet us at the hill, Fluttershy had a little animal emergency, and Rarity needs to wait for a customer." Pinkie explained, bouncing around with a picnic basket on her back. Somehow all of it's contents were not scattered around everywhere.

"We better go, no reason to stand around waiting all day." Twilight started to move, and the others were just about to follow when a voice called.

"Rainbow Dash?"

They all stopped, and looked behind them. "Nurse Redheart?" Rainbow said, giving a quick flap with her wings and moved towards the earth pony mare. "What's up? If it's about those medical bills, I told you they will be fully paid next week."

The white coated mare shook her head, her blue eyes seeming tired, her pink mane slightly ruffled, like if she had attempted to put her mane up while only half awake. "Rainbow, I was in Canterlot yesterday to visit a mental hospital. Uhm.. While I was there, I.."

She hesitated, seeming to have an internal battle with herself. Rainbow just tilted her head to the right, not understanding why she would tell her that, but she was clearly disturbed, so Rainbow gave her time to gather her thoughts.

"Listen, I don't know if I should even tell you this, but does the name Swift Bolt mean anything to you?" Rainbow felt her heart sink, she did know that name, very well in fact. It must have shown in her eyes, because Redheart continued. "He asked me to find you, begged me to in fact.."

It took a moment for Rainbow to find her voice. "Uhm, yeah I know him, but we haven't spoken in years.. Why did he ask you to find me?"

Redheart shrugged, "I don't know.. He seemed desperate, he begged me to tell you to visit him."

"Visit? Why?"

"I don't know, the staff removed him before I could ask him anything." Redheart glanced at the ponies behind Rainbow, not wanting the others to hear she spoke in a low tone of voice. "I don't know if I should have told you this, he just seemed so scared, and desperate.. I just couldn't get it out of my head.."

Rainbow nodded absently, her mind racing with all sorts of thoughts. Then, looking at Redheart she gave her a little smile of appreciation. "Thank you for telling me, you said it was Canterlot Mental Hospital?"

"Yeah, well, the old one, it is more of an asylum these days.. Gave me the creeps, but the standards are as they should be." Redheart shrugged again, then sighed. "I'm sorry Rainbow Dash, I probably shouldn't have told you that."

"No, thank you, Redheart.." With nothing else said, Redheart simply nodded and left in silence, leaving Rainbow Dash with her thoughts, and memories.

Her friends watched her, they hadn't heard what they were saying, but they could see their conversation had affected their cyan colored friend. Nopony dared to move yet, it was like a deep instinct told them that they should give her a few moments to gather her thoughts.

Rainbow was shaken, she knew Swift Bolt from years before, before she ever met Twilight or became an Element. She knew of his case, hell's bells, everypony back in Cloudsdale knew about that case. She remembered how shocked she was when she first heard the story, but she hadn't believed it at the time. Rainbow knew him as a real goofball with a big smile, they had pretty much grown up together. Why was he asking to see her? Why now? Her mind raced with thoughts and memories, all filled with many different feelings. It wasn't until Twilight spoke to her that she remembered her friends were right behind her.

"Rainbow Dash, are you okay?"

Was she okay? Rainbow wanted to say yes, but she didn't want to lie to her friends. Turning to them, she tried to find the best words to describe what she was feeling, but none came to mind. Was she sad? Angry? Glad? Confused, certainly, but there was so much going through on in her mind. Her friends sensed her distress, and it was Twilight once again that took the initiative.

"Come Rainbow, we can relax and talk in the library.. If you want to."

Having no other plan really, she just nodded, but her gaze was off, like if she was looking at something far away. She just followed Twilight, escorted closely by Applejack while Pinkie Pie ran off to inform the others. On the way, Rainbow had time to go over everything, bringing back memories she had long buried deep within her mind. A feeling of shame bubbled up within her, she wasn't sure if she should feel ashamed, but she did.

When they got to the library Spike helped Twilight make them all some tea, in the meantime both Rarity and Fluttershy joined them, led by Pinkie Pie. Rainbow still hadn't said anything, so the other filled them in on what had happened. Fluttershy sat beside Rainbow Dash, and it did seem to calm her a bit.

Now that everybody was gathered, and every pony had gotten their tea, Twilight sat down and looked to Rainbow. She was just holding the mug, letting the warm cup warm up her hooves, it felt good. Finally, thinking the silence had gone on for too long, Rainbow finally decided to speak.

"I don't think any of you will really understand, except for Fluttershy.." None of them had heard Rainbow so low before, it was like her very spirit had been sucked out of her. She didn't even look at them, just at her tea. "Nurse Redheart told me she'd been to some sort of hospital, and she came across an old friend of mine.. Swift Bolt."

The others looked confused, but Fluttershy did not. "Oh my... Swift Bolt..?" Fluttershy hadn't heard that name for years, she herself was not sure how to react to that news, but she leaned a little closer to Rainbow, a move she seemed grateful for as she leaned back.

"Pardon me," Applejack asked gently. "But who is this, Swift Bolt, fella?"

"Wait, I think I've heard that name before.." Twilight then mumbled, making Rainbow sigh.

"It wouldn't be strange if you had, you lived in Canterlot after all.." Rainbow didn't know where to start, there was so much to tell, and yet so very little. She groaned in frustration, but Fluttershy moved in and gave her half a hug, defusing Rainbow's frustration.

"I think it's better to start with the beginning.." She then suggested, and Rainbow nodded a little.

Taking a deep breath, gathering her thoughts, she looked at them. "Swift Bolt was my friend in Cloudsdale, we grew up on the same street, our parents knew each other, so we became close. His sister would often look after us when our parents needed a foalsitter, we were pretty much family.."

The others would have smiled at the cute memories, if not for the serious undertone that followed in whatever Rainbow was saying. "We played, we raced, a lot. We tried to find excuses not to do our homework, we fought, we napped.." She blushed a little at that memory, feeling like she had just shown off a picture of her in her diaper years. "Long story short, we were close.."

Giving Rainbow Dash a chance to recover herself, Fluttershy added. "I didn't get to meet Swift Bolt before Flight School, but he was very kind, very..." Fluttershy hummed as she tried to find the right word. "Coltish, kind of like Rainbow Dash, only, he was a colt."

That made Rainbow smile just a little, a tiny laugh escaping her lips, easing up the mood a little, and Rainbow was thankful for the mental breather before she continued. "He didn't drop out like me, or quit like Fluttershy, like me however, he knew exactly what he wanted to be. Even though we had talked about joining the Wonderbolts together, his plans changed. He wanted to be a Royal Guard."

She closed her eyes, letting the memories come back to her one by one, relaxing, seeing how the happy times were about to end. Taking a sip from her tea, she continued. "Last time I saw him he had just been accepted as a cadet. He was so proud, stood in his cadet uniform and showed it off with that big grin of his.." Once again, Rainbow had to close her eyes, not to focus her mind, but to keep back whatever tears that might threaten to escape.

"I was happy for him, and we promised to write to each other.. We did, for a time, but one day the letters just stopped.." She took a deep breath, feeling the tears build up, but she kept them all back. "Then one day, we heard he had..."

Her voice left her, and she looked away from her friends, not wanting them to see her struggles. Even Fluttershy was on the verge of tears, though she was not afraid of showing it. Twilight and the others listened, captivated in anticipation of what she was going to tell them. Twilight though, she couldn't shake the feeling she had heard the name before. If he was a Royal Guard Cadet, then there would have been a chance of her meeting him while she lived at the palace. Then suddenly it clicked, her eyes went wide and she looked at Rainbow with a worried and yet horrified look.

Rainbow noticed it, and sighed. "So you remember..? I don't know how or why, but one day we just heard Swift had killed two of his fellow cadets in a fit of madness.." The whole group gasped, shocked beyond belief.

"I remember that," said Twilight. "Princess Celestia was shocked, and I remember the whole palace felt so, cold, like all joy had left it.. She didn't tell me anything about the case however. Not that I blame her, it was horrible.."

"Yeah, it was." Rainbow agreed. "Us that knew him, we had a hard time accepting it."

"He was just so happy, and kind, it was a shock.." Fluttershy added, remembering well how much Rainbow had cried and yelled, though she did not tell the others about that.

"And that was that, I never saw Swift Bolt again, never heard from him. The only thing I did hear was what was written in the papers, which was not much." Rainbow took another sip of her tea, feeling low ,and mentally exhausted.

"So, this Swift Bolt," Rarity asked. "He's in some sort of hospital? Is he insane?"

"I don't know," replied Rainbow honestly. "All I know is that he apparently begged Nurse Redheart to tell me to visit him. She said he looked desperate, and scared.."

Her friends exchanged glances, all thinking the same. "So, are you going to visit him?"

Rainbow groaned and leaned back in her seat. "I don't know. I don't know if I want to, but part of me feels I should, and then another part wants me to forget him. We were friends, close friends, so maybe he could tell me what happened from his side.." She took another sip from her mug, sighed, and tried to sort out her many feelings. "I don't know if I could face him, ruining the happy memories I do have.. I don't want to see him like that, but he's my friend and.. And..."

She couldn't hold back anymore, she dropped the mug on the floor, putting her hooves to her face and started crying. The proud and cool Rainbow Dash was no more, in this very moment she felt just as confused and desperate as she did when she first heard about the killings. Part of her felt betrayed by him, while other parts insisted his innocence.

What was she supposed to do..?

Author's Notes:

If you liked this story, then leave a like, favor it, or leave a comment.

And remember, stay awesome.

Chapter 2: Hope

How long has it been?

Two, three days perhaps..

It's hard to tell time in a padded room, my only way to tell is to count the duties of the staff, though my mind gets all foggy and the days kind of blur together. I know I talked to a nurse from Ponyville, I'm sure of it, because I'm being punished, so I've had to.

They sedated me, I don't know how long I was out, and now they only take me out for food, and restroom visits. My time outside in the open air has been taken away from me, I've lost that privilege. My doctor, he came to talk to me, told me why I had lost the privilege. He told me I could not be trusted to behave, so for now I would stay in my cell. He didn't even remove my muzzle so I could tell him my side of things, not that I would have done so, but it just showed how little he cared for me.

Lately I've been feeling, good, as good as one can be in a place like this. If I was lucky, and I knew the chances of me being lucky were slim, then Rainbow Dash should have received the message, and even luckier if she came to see me. The thought however gave me hope, something I have not felt for a very long time.

Ever since I saw her picture, I have tried to remember more about her. The more I think about her, the more clearer she becomes. I still don't know as much as I would like, a lot of details are fuzzy, but the one thing I'm sure of now, is that she's my friend. I know she's my only hope, where this loyalty and confidence comes from I have no idea.

At night I've been dreaming about her, small snapshots of time, some of which I'm convinced are memories, but they're still out of reach. I don't know why I can't remember, why my mind is so clouded, it must be the drugs I'm on. Every single day I am forced to take pills with my meals. I've tried not to take them, but I have nowhere to hide them, and with the muzzle I can't spit them out later.

I can't even tell if they do it to be cruel to me, or if they really want to help. I know some care more than others, but mostly I'm treated like an animal, and a dangerous one at that. Most nurses are gentle with me, mares mostly, while the orderlies, mostly stallions, are rougher, and some even seem to enjoy pushing me around, laughing at me. They try to hide it, but not from me, from the rest of the staff.

I've lost count how many times I've sat and waited, strapped in the wheelchair, muzzled, and waiting to go out. At those times the orderlies will almost without exception talk for a long time, slap the back of my head, some harder than others. They talk about how drugged out I must be, question how much of my mind is still conscious.

That is not to say all orderlies are cruel, or all nurses are nice. The head nurse, I don't know her name, she's cold as ice, seems to take pleasure in controlling everything about me. Even though I'm drugged, I can tell her smile is fake, just like her kindness. Some nurses follow her example, mistaking the coldness for professionalism, others are less strict.

I like when it's one of them, and not the orderlies that takes me out. Sometimes there are two of them, and they fall into some long talks, which means we are out there longer than intended. I don't mind, the longer the better, and I get to listen in on their conversation. It's nothing much, some things from their life at home, a little gossip here and there. When that happens, I like to pretend I'm part of the conversation, even though I never make a sound, afraid they remember they have to get me back in.

Now having lost that privilege, I sit in the normally lit padded room, all by myself, waiting. The lights would normally be turned on, but I sit in darkness. I suspect the orderly that was supposed to strap me to my wheelchair had gotten a firm scolding from the head nurse, or doctor, and this is his way of getting back at me.

So now I just sit in total darkness, nothing but my drugged mind to keep me company. I'm used to punishment, this is not the first time this has been done to me. Still, I always feel more lost when I'm in the dark. I'm not scared, but it is like being alone with my own demons, imaginary or not.

Suddenly however, the lights turned on, blinding me for a few moments. Squinting my eyes, trying to get them used to the sudden light that had washed over the room. At first I thought it was just the end of my punishment, but then the door opened and two orderlies stepped inside.

"Alright then," one said. "Let's get Mr. Crazy out." He looked very pleased with himself, like if he was standing on a podium, waiting to be given a gold medal for the coolest nickname ever.

The other one pushed a wheelchair in, and then they both put me in it. "Who the buck would want to visit him?" My eyes went wide, did I hear right? Somepony was here to visit me?

"I don't know, and I don't care. Anypony who would want to see him must have a few issues themselves." The orderly said, pulling the strap hard, making sure it was tight this time. I winced, but did not say anything, I didn't want to give him the satisfaction. He could see it hurt however, and used his hoof to give me a small slap across the face, not a hard one, but enough to make me focus on him. "Helloooo? If you're still there, somepony is here to see you." He then pulled another strap, this time harder. "And this is so you don't pull that same stunt twice. If you do, I'll make your life even more miserable."

It was hard for me to understand how a pony could be this cruel, he could hardly do much to make my life even harder, but I was not about to test him, so I just nodded. He gave me a sinister smile. "Glad we understand one another, let's go."

One started to push the wheelchair from behind, smoothly guiding it, and me, out into the hallway. The other, the one that had just warned me, trotted to the right of me, but a few steps ahead, like if leading us. I just sat there, like I always did, no control of where I was going, but this time I did not mind, because today it seemed somepony had finally come. Could it be Rainbow Dash?

If it was, then what should I tell her? I still didn't remember much about our relationship, so our conversation would be limited to me asking a lot of questions. I needed to tell her I was innocent, maybe she could do something? It was a childish naïve hope, I knew that, but she was the only one I could remember, so she was my only lifeline. If nothing else, I could at least learn a little about my former life, try to remember more.

I was taking to parts of the asylum I had never been in before, or at any case could not remember. This part seemed more cozy, warmer and more comfortable. At least it was when compared to the area where I came from, where everything seemed too clean and cold, like a surgeon's tools, sterilized.

We were not there long, because soon enough we stopped, and the orderly escorting us opened up a metal door, nodding to the other orderly to take me inside. He did so, and I entered a small room with a long table separating the room in two, not much else was in here, except for one glaring important thing.

Well, not a thing, a pony. My eyes went wide, and despite being muzzled I could not help but speak. "Rnnnhnmm Nnphh?!"

"Hello, Swift Bolt..."

Author's Notes:

If you liked this story, then leave a like, favor it, or leave a comment.

And remember, stay awesome.

Chapter 3: Reunion

"Rainbow?"

"Huh?"

Rainbow blinked, having been completely lost in thought she had not heard Twilight talking to her. She looked to her friends, all sitting around her, looking at her with worry and slight encouragement. How long had she been out? She hadn't been sleeping, she thought, but ever since they got onboard the train she had just been staring out the window, watching as the landscape passing by.

She hadn't been feeling right, ever since Nurse Redheart had told her Swift Bolt had asked for her, she had not felt the same. What was she going to say to him? Was she angry and wanted to scold him? Everything felt right, and yet everything felt wrong, it was like she couldn't decide on what to feel, which frustrated her beyond belief.

Her friends had thankfully been there for her, and when she decided to go and see Swift Bolt, her friends had of course insisted on going with her. Rainbow felt lucky, she had five great friends, and she was grateful for their support, even if she had not told them everything. Fluttershy knew, but she had not told them, deciding it was Rainbow's secret to keep.

"Sorry Twilight," Rainbow finally answered. "What was that?"

She gave Rainbow a worried look, but decided not to ask about it. "I said, we should go to the hotel first, then I can take you to the Asylum." Normally when traveling to Canterlot, they would stay at the palace. This was a more private matter, and Rainbow did not want the princess to know about it, so they decided to book a hotel.

Rainbow nodded, "sounds good.. Do you know where it is?"

"Yes, well, I know where to go to find it. Shouldn't be that hard." Twilight assured, then reached for her saddlebags and pulled some papers out. "I've done some research on the story.. I thought it was best if we all knew the same details." She looked at Rainbow with a certain look, as if asking her permission to share this.

Rainbow just shrugged, it was public knowledge, didn't need her permission to share anything that was public anyway. Nodding, Twilight pulled out an old newspaper and held it out. "So, the coverage of this story was surprisingly small. When I went down into my library archive to get some newspapers from that time, I thought the story would be on every front page. It seems pretty strange, but maybe they did not want to rile other ponies up. Only one newspaper, or, one journalist seemed to try and dig into the story, but he hasn't written much, as it was all very closed off."

"What do you mean, closed off?" Rarity asked, the others nodding along.

"Well, I did not hear much, but I know Swift Bolt was a cadet, and killing two of his fellow cadets means he would be under military jurisdiction, which would mean he got court-martialed. I think they wanted to keep this within the family, the Royal Guards I mean.." Twilight frowned a little. Although she understood the Royal Guard did not want to get an image problem, it should not have been hushed down as much as it did, if that was indeed the case.

"So they closed ranks?" Rainbow asked.

Twilight simply shrugged. "I don't know, but I do find it odd there wasn't more about it in the papers at the time. Maybe the Royal Guard pulled some strings? I could ask Shining Armor about it, but I doubt he would tell me if that had happened. Besides, it's not like anything illegal has been done, he had a fair trial, was deemed to be better in a mental facility instead of a prison."

"Yeah, but why did Nurse Redheart say he was looking scared and desperate?" Fluttershy then put in, "do you think something is wrong?"

Applejack shook her head. "I doubt it, if he's guilty, then he probably wants to escape. If he's guilty and unwell, then he might not know good from bad, so he might think he's in danger, when in fact he's not."

Neither Rarity or Pinkie had anything to say, none of them felt like it as this whole situation was horrible. Rainbow however, decided to speak her mind. "Guys, it's just a visit, he might just be lonely.." She couldn't get herself to say Swift was guilty, but she could not say he was innocent either. She was just here to visit, maybe she would know why he did it, why he became a killer.

She wanted to look him in the eyes, see what kind of pony was behind them. Was he a killer? Or was he just insane this whole time? None of it sounded right, but it was proven, so who was she to argue? That was why she had to see him, she needed to see for herself.

The asylum gave Rainbow the creeps, this massive building looked more like a small castle with fences all over the place. Already at the reception it felt like the whole building was protesting her visit, as if her very presence was unwelcome. The mare at the front desk was polite enough, but seemed surprised when Rainbow had told her who she was here to visit.

"Alright then, family or friend?" The mare asked.

The question was simple, but the answer was not. "Friend.."

The nurse nodded, wrote something on a clipboard. "Name?"

"Rainbow Dash.."

"Alright then, this way, Miss Dash." The nurse put down the board, and left the reception to the other two nurses. As they walked down the hall, Rainbow felt exposed, like if someone was watching her. Maybe it was just anticipation of seeing Swift Bolt again, still not sure what to think, maybe she was afraid what other ponies would think of her?

No, she wasn't that superficial, it was just this place. The halls seemed too clean, which was normal for a hospital she guessed, but it was like the building's very soul had been sucked out, no personal touch that made it feel like it housed living beings. Mentally, she scolded herself, thinking she was acting like a foal, she was just nervous, that's all.

After trotting down the hallways for a few minutes, passing white metal bars with cell doors, that separated sections of the hallways as a security measure. Rainbow could hear the jangling of keys, metal doors opening and slamming shut, echoing through the halls. Although they called themselves a mental hospital, it sounded like a prison.

Suddenly the nurse stopped, and stood beside an open door. "In here Miss Dash." Rainbow walked into the small room, there was a long metal table, splitting the room in two, a door at each end. "Under the table on your side is a button, if you're in trouble and need help, just press it and staff will be with you within seconds."

Rainbow just nodded, not bothering to reply as she was still taking in the room and just how unreal this really was. How many ponies could say they knew a killer? An insane killer at that, or perhaps all killers were insane at some level?

Not getting a responds, the nurse took it as a sign she understood. "Right, well why don't you have a seat and I'll see if Mr. Bolt is available."

"Alright, thanks.."

Rainbow replied, still not sure if this was a good idea or not. When she pictured Swift Bolt in her mind, she could see a happy colt, grinning and playing with her, racing across their street, driving their neighbors mad. How they used to hide in their secret spot up in his attic, reading comics, trading Wonderbolt cards, and eating cookies. Was all of those memories about to be shattered into a thousand bits? Who was the pony she was going to meet now?

She kept trotting back and forth, for how long she had no idea, but she could feel her heart pounding faster. She could claim it was just a visit, but it was so much more to her. Four years apart, now she was going to see him again, but not in the way she had hoped.

Suddenly a metal key was turned, and the metal door at the other end of the room opened. She turned, expecting to see an orderly with Swift Bolt standing and waiting to go in. She was half right. The sight stopped her in her tracks, her breath stopped, and her eyes were fixed on him.

Rainbow hadn't known what to expect, but she did not expect this. Swift Bolt was restrained not just in a straightjacket, but strapped to the wheelchair, and was muzzled. He looked thin, like his muscles had deflated. The light blue color of his coat seemed to have dimmed, and the spark in his eyes was gone. Seeing him like this made her want to free him, but she had to remind herself, he was a killer, a criminal, and insane, this was for the best, right?

Even in her own mind she couldn't convince herself of that, this just seemed wrong, and it hurt even more when she saw how happy he seemed to see her. It was like color returned to him, along with whatever hope he had.

"Rnnnhnmm Nnphh?!"

He exclaimed, his words muffled by the muzzle. Not knowing what else to say or do, she simply raised a hoof and answered.

"Hello, Swift Bolt..."

The orderlies pushed him close to the table, then locked the wheels so he would not drift away. "Alright Miss, remember the panic button under the table." One of the orderlies said, then unlocked the muzzle before the two of them were left alone. Rainbow sat down, and Swift moved his jaw around a little, but his eyes were fixed on her.

He spoke first. "I'm so glad to see you.." His voice, it was like a ghost of itself, like all life had left it. Swift hesitated, not sure how to begin the conversation, it had been so long. "How've you been?"

How was she supposed to answer that? This was no normal conversation under normal circumstances, they couldn't small talk, not in here. "I've been good.." She simply answered, and when she saw he was about to make another attempt at small talk she stopped him. "Swift, why am I here? What do you want?"

She didn't mean to come off as cold, and it hurt to see him frown. He looked away, which only made it worse. "I.. I don't know, I just feel you can help me." What did he expect of her? To help him escape?

There was silence, and each second was more uncomfortable than the last. Finally, she steeled herself and looked at him. "Swift, did you do it? Did you kill those two cadets?"

His eyes found hers, and he fixed her with a serious gaze. "No, I didn't."

He seemed serious, but that was not enough for Rainbow. "Then why are you in here? They found you at the scene, covered in their blood, Swift. You held the knife, you even attacked the guards coming to investigate.. How can I believe you..?"

"I don't know, I don't remember what happened that night.." He answered honestly, then looked down at the table. "I don't remember much of anything anymore, not even how long I've been in here.."

Rainbow remembered, more than she liked, but she did. "A little over three years.."

"Three years?" Swift asked, not sure, it sounded right. "Three years, and you're my first visitor.."

That made Rainbow raise her eyebrow. "Wait, nopony have come by? What about your sister?"

Swift's eyes widened, he almost smiled. "I have a sister..?"

"Yes, of course you do, Swift. Don't you remember her?"

"I.." He closed his eyes, grimaced, as if trying to force the memories out. "Star.. Star Bright..?" Swift said in an asking tone, opening his eyes and looking at Rainbow with a hopeful expression.

Rainbow nodded, but her frown deepened. How could he have forgotten his own sister? How much did he even remember about them? "Are you alright..?"

Swift shook his head, how the buck could he be okay in here? "No, I can't remember anything about my life, I don't remember where I grew up, how long I've been here, I don't even remember the details of the crime they say I committed.."

"But you know you're innocent?"

"Yes.. I may not remember the details, but I know what they say is not the truth! I was supposed to do something, something important, but.." He closed his eyes, thinking, reaching into his own mind to find something, anything to prove to her he was innocent. To Rainbow, it looked like he was in pain, but after a while he gave up, sighed, and looked back at her. "I can't remember, but please.. You have to believe me Rainbow, I'm not a killer.."

She wanted to believe him, by Celestia she wanted it to be true, but the Royal Guard didn't make mistakes like that, did they? "I'm sorry Swift, I just don't know what to think.."

"Go to my house, or apartment, whatever I live in, there must be something to prove I'm innocent, or something.." He was fishing, he knew it, and she knew it. If there really was proof of his innocents at his old home, then why did nopony bring it to his trial? Given what happened after, there probably wasn't any, which made his next sentence that much more painful. "Please, maybe if you ask my parents, they must know something, or can show you my old room?"

Then it hit her, nopony had told him. She cursed fate, why was it her? She didn't want to tell him, she didn't want to rip up an old wound if he had forgotten, and create a new one with the news. "Swift.." Rainbow started, her voice low and sad. She couldn't bring herself to look at him, she just couldn't. "Your mom died when you were just a foal. Your dad..." Why did it have to be her? Why was she even here?! Tears started to appear in her eyes, she couldn't say it.

Swift understood, when she told him his mom was dead, he knew it was true, he even remembered that fact, but with his dad. "He's, he's dead, isn't he?" She didn't answer, she just nodded, the memory still fresh in her mind. "How..?"

"Swift.." She didn't want to tell him, it was painful, and she doubted it would do him much good. Unfortunately, it was not her decision, and despite liking it or not, somepony should have told him a long time ago. "It happened after you were convicted, I don't know the details, but he.. He was destroyed by it all, couldn't cope. So not being able to take it, he uhm.. Committed suicide.."

There was no right or wrong way to say something like this, Rainbow should have never been put in this position, she didn't know how to break the news, and she felt horrible. There were no words she could say that would lessen the blow, nothing she could say that would make him feel better. How can anyone tell another living being their father has committed suicide, how do you do something like that?

Swift didn't reply. He just started at the table, his tears dripping from his eyes and hit the table. He couldn't wipe his eyes, so he just let them drop. "I'm so sorry," said Rainbow, having a hard time not crying. "I don't know what to say, I'm just.. Sorry Swift, I know he meant a lot to you.."

What could he say? His father had been dead for three years and he could neither remember his face, his name, or even who he was. Nopony had told him he was dead, that much he was sure of, but why? Didn't he have the right to know? Why didn't his sister tell him?!

"So.." Swift finally said. "I'm really alone.. Nopony believes me, my sister won't visit, and I have no other family. What's even the point anymore.."

His words cut Rainbow's heart, it pained her to see him like this. She wanted to say he had her, but was that even true? Moreover, did it even matter? She had always been loyal to her friends, now one of her oldest had been destroyed, and he was begging for her help. She couldn't refuse him, even if she herself still didn't know what to believe.

"Swift, I'll see what I can dig up, but I don't know what I'll find, you may not like the answers." She promised, hoping it would cheer him up, but of course it didn't.

"Rainbow.." He looked her in the eyes, giving her a small smile, a forced one. "It's fine, you don't need to do anything.. I'm done, it doesn't matter anymore. So don't burden yourself with my problems. I'm sorry for calling you, that was wrong of me. I'm sorry..."

Rainbow was shocked, she had never seen anypony who had simply let go like that. Swift had really given up, he was destroyed, she could see it in his tear filled eyes. He had called her here, hoping she would be his lifeline, but the only thing she had done was to crush the last remaining hope still burning within him, crushing his spirit.

No, she couldn't let that happen. "Swift, I'll try to figure something out, and then we-"

The door behind Swift opened. "Visiting time is over."

Rainbow shook her head. "No, not yet, give us 10 minutes!"

"Sorry little Miss, he is to return to his cell." The orderly simply said, not caring for her pleas. He took the muzzle and fixed it back on Swift, who did not resist, not anymore. Rainbow glared at the infernal thing, then at the orderly. "Does he really need that?"

The orderly sighed as he locked it in place. "He's dangerous, and it's the doctor's orders. Now, we will be going."

They unlocked the wheelchair, and started to take him out of the room. Rainbow watched, she didn't want this to be the end, she couldn't let it. "Swift! I'll come back! I promise!" The metal door slammed shut, leaving Rainbow alone, and with a feeling of hopelessness. "What have I done..."

Swift didn't move, neither did he look up or pay any attention to the orderlies. "Now that was a cute mare, didn't know you knew anypony like that. Maybe I should go introduce myself? What do you think?" He asked, giving hi a small slap on the back of Swift's head. He didn't care, he was used to it..

Soon enough they arrived back at his cell, but instead of driving him in, they unstrapped him from the wheelchair, grabbed his straightjacket and hurled him inside like if he was a doll. Swift landed with a thud on the padded floor, making him let out a small grunt.

"Mmfh!"

The orderlies chuckled, closed the door with a loud smack, then the lights turned off, leaving Swift alone in the darkness. He didn't bother sitting up, no reason to. Instead, he pushed himself to turn away from the door, and then, he let himself cry...

Author's Notes:

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