"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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