Applejack charged through the forest, ignoring the dull ache in her injured flank along with several small gashes and bruises. She was on a mission. She wasn’t known as the most dependable pony in her tribe for nothing after all.

Bursting from the trees, Applejack found herself in the clearing where Pinkie’s house stood. All the bodies, unconcious, injured and dead, had been moved. All that was left was blood saturated snow, a few broken windows, and a blood splattered wall on the house.

Applejack shivered at the memory of seeing Dash crumpled on the ground, her leg laying at an unnatural angle, and her breathing labored. Shaking her head in exasperation, Applejack continued on her way, determination set strongly in her heart. She would not let her friends down, not when they needed her the most.

*****

Hurricane smiled smugly. The traitor and her trash had been taken care of. No longer would she taint the pegasi tribe with her filthy dirt pony loving ways. It was an added bonus that she got to get rid of that lousy pegasus that always seemed attached to the dirt animals all the time.

Hurricane winced at the actions of the inexperienced medic pegasus. Minor problem, she lost the best medic the tribe had ever had. She was sure they could train another to be just as good as Fluttershy, maybe even better! She was also quite sure she could easily find a replacement for the traitor.

"Only problem....." Hurricane muttered to herself, ignoring the startled looks the medic was giving her. "Was training her took a lot of years..."

Her thoughts quickly shifted back to Dash. She had spent over a decade training that ungrateful traitor to someday become future leader. All those years, wasted. Hurricane clenched her teeth in frustration. She was almost like a daughter to her... Finding out that she had betrayed her and the tribe in such a horrendous way cut her deep.

“She would have been a great leader...” Hurricane’s ears drooped slightly before a determined grin formed on her face.

“I bet I could find a foal whom could be three times the leader Rainbow Dash could have ever been! One that wouldn’t become such a reached traitor.” Hurricane spoke confidently, sitting up, suddenly and accidentally, knocking the medic over.

Ignoring the pained moan coming from the medical pony, Hurricane critically examined her bandaged limb. Sloppy. Hurricane snorted in annoyance.

*****

"I shouldn't of been so obvious..."

Pansy sat across from Pinkie and Dash, concern gracing her face. "Oh, I'm sure you were the least obvious."

Chuckling, Dash shook her head. "You don't have to treat me with respect anymore, Pansy. I'm not part of your tribe anymore. Hurricane made that plenty clear."

The three sat in an uncomfortable circle, each struggling with conversation. Pansy desperately trying to keep it going, not wanting her presence to be awkward.

"I-I'm not acting. I've always respected you, even now. There's no reason not to." A nervous smile crossed Pansy’s face.

Pinkie nuzzled Rainbow Dash's cheek, snuggling up to the cyan mare carefully. "What was Dashie like? Before........ Me......."

"Don't answer that." Dash gave Pansy a sharp look, but held a teasing smile.

Pansy chuckled quietly. "Lazy, to a degree. Everypony respected her. In fact she actually dealt with the tribe more then Commander Hurricane did...." She sighed quietly, shaking her head.

“That’s only because she wanted me to be ready to take on the role as leader.” Dash spoke evenly, “That, and when it’s my time, there would already be many young members of the tribe that would look up to me as the leader they could be proud of.”

Pansy chuckled softly, “Commander Hurricane is a rather good leader when her anger isn’t taking over...”

Dash nodded when a sudden look of realization crossed her face, “How did you find us Pansy?” A glint of suspicion shown in Dash’s eyes.

Pansy smiled calmly, “Commander Hurricane wanted me to go make sure you two were dead. I ended up grabbing one of these medical kits while everypony else was busy.” Pansy gestured toward the discarded metal box.

“I spotted your crash site, there was a lot of blood on the snow...” Her ears laid flat against her head at the memory, “ I followed the trail you all left. It was rather hard to follow, Fluttershy did a really good job covering up the tracks.”

Pansy shifted her attention to the cave opening, “I almost thought I lost you when I noticed the orange earth pony at the mouth of the cave.”

Returning her attention to the two mares, Pansy smiled, “I’m just glad I was able to help you out. You didn’t deserve such harsh treatment...”

Dash shrugged, before wincing in slight pain. "Oh well. Hurricane's loss....." she snorted, an arrogant grin forming in her face. "Good luck to her finding a new leader trainee."

*****

Hurricane paced in her office, a scowl deeply set on her face. She didn’t have to deal with recruits for a long time, aside from the beginning and ending of the school's year. Usually the traitor dealt with such things. She shook her head, her blue eyes darkening.

"Just my luck..." she grumbled, stopping in front of her desk. "I don't even have enough time left and I need to spend years training somepony to take over from me. That bloody traitor!"

She whirled around, glaring at a random space in the wall. "What the Horseapples am I going to do?!"

When it came down to choosing a new leader, they needed to have specific traits that a good leader should have: Bravery, Dedication, Determination, and Loyalty. Rainbow Dash displayed all these traits flawlessly. Many pegasi were lucky to have at least two of these traits, some had none of them. They usually became weather ponies.

Many of the young foals she had the pleasure of observing their training didn’t hold the same spark that a leader needed to have. Hurricane slammed her fore-hoof onto her new desk in frustration. Where was Pansy at when she needed her....

*****

"Oh..... I suppose when your friend returns I should go back....." Pansy quietly commented to herself.

"You shouldn't have to go back to that meanie pants, Pansy..." Pinkie muttered, keeping her eyes on her partner. Worried about Rainbow Dash’s condition even though she appeared to be doing ok at the moment.

"Oh, I really should. Hurricane's most likely looking for a new recruit or something... I doubt she'll find what she's looking for, so somepony has to attempt to calm her temper." Pansy smiled softly, shrugging.

"Doubt she'll find one. None of the new recruits are good enough....." Dash muttered, her magenta eyes darkening slightly. "Believe me. I know."

*****

A full week had gone by and Hurricane was beyond frustrated. None of the new recruits had the skill and the qualities necessary to become a good leader. Many were either too headstrong, too cowardly, or just plain horrible.

Hurricane found herself needing to spend at least two hours in the training facility, beating the crap out of the training dummy for hoof to hoof combat to calm her nerves. Pansy sat in the background holding a medical kit nervously. So far somepony always seemed to get hurt during Hurricane’s time in the training area.

Mostly the damage came from unknowing pegasi entering the room, startling Hurricane enough that she lashed out with a quick attack before she registered who was actually there. Other times it was because Hurricane had pushed herself so hard that her wounds on her hind legs would reopen.

Today was no different. An absent-minded weather pony entered the room in search of their friend and had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting Hurricane’s hoof with their snout. A loud crack resonated through the room, quickly followed by a garbled agonizing scream. Pansy was at his side in an instant carefully treating the whimpering pony.

Breathing heavily, Hurricane looked down at the scene in surprise before hardening her expression.

“Sorry for that Sky Dancer. You will receive as much time as you need off to heal.” She spoke in near monotone.

Pansy patched the weather pony up, quickly sending him on his way. "Hurricane...."

"Don't start with me Pansy!!" Hurricane snarled, spinning around furiously to once again punch the dummy. "I told you I'm FINE!"

"... It doesn't look like it to me, Commander. You've been like this since you....... 'killed' Lieutenant General Rainbow Dash....." Pansy calmly stated, worry in her eyes.

"DON'T SAY THAT TRAITOR’S NAME!" Hurricane bellowed furiously, taking another vicious swing at the dummy.

Pansy flinched, looking down. "I-..... Sorry. But you've been so stressed..."

Letting out a furious snarl, Hurricane rested her head on the dummy's stuffed body, closing her eyes. "I'm frustrated, Pansy. Why the buck can I not find a suitable colt or filly to replace that traitor?!"

Pansy slowly got up, nervous. "Because you can't?" She carefully walked over to the leader and stood beside her, nervously resting a hoof on the grey pony's shoulder. "Not that I'm..... Doubting your actions, Commander, but maybe it could have been dealt with so you won."

"What do you mean?! I already HAVE won!" Came a furious snarl.

"Doesn't look like it." Pansy muttered, loud enough for Hurricane to hear.

Growling in annoyance, Hurricane smacked Pansy’s hoof off her shoulder. “I DON’T need you questioning MY decisions, Private!”

Shrinking back, Pansy shuffled her hoof nervously, “I-I’m sorry Commander...”

*****

Fluttershy carefully wiped the sweat off of Dash’s forehead; a worried expression covering her face. Dash had succumbed to infection, and was reacting poorly to the medicine. Her breathing was labored, she was delirious, and dehydrated. It was a struggle just to get the pegasus to drink water and keep it down.

Pinkie had suffered a minor infection in her shoulder. The deep gaping wound in her shoulder finally healing normally after several applications of medicine. Fluttershy was relieved that she had recovered; taking care of two agonizing ponies put a huge strain on her.

Fluttershy sighed, a distressed look on her face. She was going to have do the last resort to try and save Dash from the clutches of the infection.

“Pinkie...” Fluttershy slowly spoke the pink mare’s name. Attempting to soothe the pony and persuade her to allow her to do this procedure...

Pinkie held the cyan pony’s head in her forelegs. She huddled close to Dash, desperate hope radiating off of her. She whispered small encouragements into Dash’s ear, raw emotion forcing her voice to crack. Barely taking any time to sleep or eat, she didn’t notice Fluttershy’s attempt to speak to her.

Fluttershy redoubled her efforts for Pinkie’s attention, “Pinkie Pie...Please listen...” She gently shook the pink mare’s shoulder. The pink mare winced in agony, her injured shoulder throbbing in agony at the touch. Fluttershy pulled her hoof away quickly, muttering a soft apology.

“Yes...Fluttershy...” Pinkie spoke in a soft, defeated voice. Her eyes never left the pony’s head she carefully cradled in her forelegs.

“I-I need to do a last resort procedure on Rainbow to try and save her. It’s rather...dangerous and untested, but I can’t think of any other way to help her...Will you allow me to try?” Fluttershy spoke in a serious yet calm voice, praying she would get the pink mare’s approval.

Hard determination shone in Pinkie’s eyes as she finally looked up at Fluttershy’s eyes.

“Do it.”

*****

Hurricane slumped against her desk, her face planted on a stack of papers. Paper work sucked, she decided, groaning quietly.

"Paaaaaaaaansyyyyyyyyyy!" She called out, somehow managing to pull her face just barely off the stack to have her voice clear. "Paaaaaaaaansyyyyyy! Where's the pony who usually does the paperwork......?"

The small mare poked her head into the room, a smug expression clear across her face. "Oh, her? Don't you remember?"

"No I don't.... don't be a smart-alack and wipe that smug look off your face!" Hurricane groaned in frustration.

"Rainbow Dash did the paperwork." Pansy chuckled, pulling her head back out of the office.

A dull thud confirmed that Hurricane had once again dropped her head onto the stack of papers, complaining loudly. "You can't be SERIOUS! The traitor always-?! Argh! I don't even KNOW half the newer recruits!"

"Should of thought about that before you tried to kill her!" Pansy's voice chirped from behind the door.

"Shut up!"
*****

Rainbow Dash laid on her back, somewhat aware of the bandages being removed around her middle. She was also vaguely aware of two sets of hooves. One set holding her forelegs down, the other holding her hind-legs down.

She briefly remembered Fluttershy’s explanation as Pinkie tearfully moved to hold her forelegs down and Applejack moved to her hind-legs. All she really knew was that they were going to keep her from thrashing around and potentially causing herself more harm.

Fluttershy visibly shuttered upon viewing Dash’s infected wound. It was sickly green and oozed puss. The area around it was swollen and bright red and seemed to radiate heat. Her cyan fur had begun falling out around the injury site.

Applejack and Pinkie turned their heads away from the sight, their stomachs turning violently. Fluttershy felt tears slowly glide down her face as she carefully examined the wound, calculating the best possible way to start the procedure.

Satisfied with the examination, Fluttershy quickly pulled out and prepared the necessary tools for the job. A knife, a flat metal tool, a thick sturdy wooden stick and a jar of leeches.

“Rainbow... Will you please hold this in your mouth during the entire procedure?” Fluttershy held the stick in front of the ill mare’s lips, encouraging her to open her mouth and take it.

Dash hesitantly brought the stick in her jaws and clenched it loosely. Fluttershy smiled; this was important to keep Dash from biting off her own tongue...

Fluttershy quickly started a fire near them and gently placed the flat metal tool in the fire. She also placed the knife in the fire in attempt to sterilize the surgical tool. Pulling the red-hot blade out of the fire she dunked it into a bucket of fresh water set next to her.

“Everypony ready?” Fluttershy looked at all the mares, a stern look on her face. The two earth ponies nodded quickly; doubling the pressure on Rainbow’s legs. Ignoring the twinge of pain from her shoulder, Pinkie dipped her head down next to Dash’s ear and began whispering soft encouragements into her ear.

Nodding, Fluttershy brought the knife down onto the infected flesh.

*****

Hurricane marched in front of a line of young recruits, each of them keeping their eyes well trained on her.

"As you know, the old Lieutenant General is now gone." She began, standing dead center of the gathered six.

"Why is she gone, Commander....?" An orange filly burst out, her purple eyes shining in defiance. The five surrounding her gasped quietly, shocked that the filly would speak out of turn. "Everypony loved her! You know that!"

Hurricane let out a frustrated sigh. "For the last TIME, Scootaloo, she was a traitor to the tribe! Now would you PLEASE stop que-"

"But she was Lieutenant General. You spent ages training her, my parent's said so!" Scootaloo challenged.

"Would you stop already?!" Hurricane spoke in an exasperated tone.

"Not unless you admit you made a mistake." Scootaloo looked up at the large pegasus, an angry gleam in her eyes.

"NEVER!" Fury tore through Hurricane. How DARE this filly challenge her like this! She raised a hoof, her eyes locked on the offending filly in question.

"HURRICANE!"

The pegasi leader flinched, spinning around to glance nervously at Pansy. "What?! That filly has no respect what so-"

"I'm sorry, foals...." Pansy sighed, pushing Hurricane towards the way she had came. "Return to class. Hurricane isn't feeling too well...."

"More like going mentally insane." Scootaloo snorted rudely.

"One hit, Pansy. That's ALL I ask. One hit, and I'll-" Hurricane snarled, glaring daggers at the young filly.

"No." Pansy sighed, successfully pushing Hurricane out the door. "You need to stop, and you need to rest. Losing Rainbow Dash, to your OWN foolishness, is destroying you."

Hurricane grumbled, looking to the side, away from Pansy. "It is NOT!"

"It has."
*****

Dash howled in agony, her teeth digging deep into the stick clenched tightly in her mouth. Fluttershy had cauterized the bleeding blood vessels with the white-hot metal tool; allowing the wound to remain open. Leeches were placed around the outsides of the wounds, sucking up the infected blood.

Pinkie nuzzled Dash while continuously whispering encouragements in her ear. Tears streamed heavily down her face, the sound of her lover in such pain hurting her as well. Periodically she would place gentle kisses against Dash’s tear-stained cheek. She steadfastly ignored her own injuries screaming in protest from the exertion she was placing them through in order to keep Dash still.

The knife began scraping out the infected flesh, gathering in a separate bucket placed next to Dash. Periodically, Fluttershy would pour fresh water into the wound, flushing out anything that could still be in there. Soon after the water hit, she had to re-cauterize the wound. She continued this process over and over in a steady rhythm.

Applejack and Pinkie struggled to keep Dash’s flailing limbs still. There were several moments where Applejack had a close call from getting bucked in the face. Pinkie had an easier time. Even though Dash was in horrible pain, she still didn’t want to harm Pinkie, and was still aware of her wounded state. At some points Dash responded to Pinkie’s gentle and comforting caresses by leaning her head into the pink mare.

Fluttershy replaced the leeches with new; set in new areas in hopes of draining the infected blood out of the system. Feeling confident that she had removed all the infected flesh, she turned her attention to the small pustules that remained. Realising she forgot to grab out a tool, she quickly rushed over to the first-aid kit and grabbed out a large bulb-shaped, rubber object that had a thin nozzle.

Returning to Dash’s side she began squeezing and releasing the bulb. It began sucking up the pus that had been growing and draining from the wounds. Careful to empty the contents into the bucket, she always immediately cleaned the tool with water before returning to clear out more.

They were almost done.
*****

Hurricane sat in her office, her window open to the gloomy sky. She could hear tortured screams from far off, her ears flicking in confusion.

"I wonder what kind of creature could make such a sound..." she muttered, leaning back in her chair. "If I didn't know any better, I would guess that was the traitor making those sounds...."

She sympathized with whoever, or whatever, was making the sounds. She truly did. Only a week had gone by since Hurricane had begun attempting to find the perfect recruit to be leader, and yet nothing.

She wanted to scream, she had realized, and blame it all on Scootaloo.

"Pansy!" Hurricane shouted.

"Yes, Hurricane?" The mare asked, sticking her head once again into the office.

Hurricane glared at her. "Chicken."

"Per-cautious, more like it." Pansy countered. Ever since speaking to Dash, Pansy felt more confident around Hurricane.

Hurricane sighed frustrated. "Did... I let my temper get the better of me...?"

"Many times." Pansy stated quickly, a teasing smile forming on her face.

"I wasn't asking about THOSE times! I'm talking about-!" Hurricane snapped, eyeing Pansy.

"I know." Pansy's smile softened, and she walked into the room slowly. "You felt hurt, and what you deemed to be betrayed. It's natural, Hurricane. Personally you could have used that pink mare to our advantage, but y'know...."

"What the buck are you talking about." Hurricane snorted, her steely blue eyes glaring daggers at Pansy. "A dirt pony is of no use to me."

"I was talking more about motivation for Rainbow Dash." Pansy shrugged, sitting down. "Either way, what's done is done."

"What do you mean....." the grey mare questioned, giving the Private a suspicious look.

"You really want to know?" Inquiring purple eyes locked with hardened blue.

"Yes."
*****

Fluttershy finished her final stitch, leaving a neatly sewn wound in its wake. The plump leeches had been removed and the wound as well as the area around it had been cleaned thoroughly with fresh water.The reddened flesh seemed not as bright, and the wound seemed not nearly as hot as before.

Pinkie carefully lifted the stick out of Dash’s mouth. Deep bite marks were left behind, nearly biting the stick in half. She kissed Dash lovingly, happy that she could finally relax after the ordeal she just went though.

Applejack carefully prodded Dash’s broken limb, testing to see if anything shifted during Dash’s struggle. Her other limb had a deep purple bruise in the shape of Applejack’s hoof, which made the orange mare’s heart twist in guilt. Finding nothing wrong with the broken limb, Applejack sighed in relief.

Fluttershy carefully applied ointment to the injured area she just worked on for the past hour and a half. It cooled the area while preventing infection from starting again. Satisfied, Fluttershy began carefully bandaging the area.

Dash’s throat was raw from screaming. She panted heavily, fading in and out of consciousness, completely exhausted. A small trickle of water met her lips, and she found herself lapping up the water greedily. Pinkie had pushed Dash up slightly onto herself and gently coaxed her to drink.

Dash laid heavily against her chest, pressing against the gashes left behind by Hurricane. Clenching her teeth, Pinkie smiled softly down at the cyan mare.

“Everything will be ok now, Dashie...”

*****

Pansy carefully explained her ideas to Hurricane, recalling how the blue mare had acted around the pink one. "If you had paid careful attention, Hurricane, you could of noticed that the earth pony knows exactly how to grow food."

"We already use the Dirt Pony's tribe for that Pansy!" Hurricane grunted in annoyance.

"I'm talking about extra food.... And judging by how defensively Rainbow Dash-" Pansy calmly began before the Commanders sharp voice cut her off.

"Don't you DARE say the traitors name!"

"...... How SHE protected her you could of used her as motivation for getting stuff done." Pansy finished, shaking her head. "I mean..... If she had finished all her duties for the day you could of allowed her to spend the rest of the day with the earth pony.... You know how she always seemed to slack off during the day."

Hurricane went silent, glaring at Pansy. "I hate you."

"No you don't." Pansy's reply was quick and playful.

"Yes, I do. Get out." Annoyance danced in Hurricane’s eyes.

Smiling to herself, Pansy quickly cantered out of the room. "I don't know if either of them are alive, Hurricane. I never found them. I could search again and bring them back here, dead or alive, if you wanted....?"

She paused as she waited for Hurricane's response, flicking her ear as she stood by the door.

"...... No. Not now. Not this soon. I don't want to have to look at another dead pony’s face for a long time, Pansy....." Hurricane whispered, closing her eyes before dropping her head on her desk.

"All right, Hurricane...."
*****

Pinkie gently brushed the vibrant colored mane out of the sleeping cyan mare’s eyes. She had fallen asleep immediately after she finished the water Pinkie had offered to her, and had been asleep for several hours.

Pinkie had curled herself around Dash, snuggling close to her. Rainbow Dash’s head rested on her left foreleg, her right one draped protectively over her chest. She had intertwined their tails together during the first hour of closeness and hadn’t moved it since.

Periodically Dash would moan in pain. Pinkie immediately responded with a gentle caress, or a soft and loving kiss. She would then attempt to cuddle closer to the distressed mare in an attempt to comfort her to the best of her ability.

Every hour that went by, Fluttershy would unwrap the bandages around the wounds, wash and reapply more ointment. She also took those times to observe any physical changes with the injury site. Periodically she would attach another leech to an infected area.

Applejack stumbled into the cave with a large wagon full of apples and other various foods. With one mare recovering and two busy caring for her, they needed somepony to help them with food.
*****

Hurricane watched the sky darken from her seat, noting the sloppiness the weather team had.

"Everything is going down..." she noted, tearing her gaze from the window for a more favored area to look at. "No pony seems very happy at all. Ugh, why does this always happen to me?!"

She rested her eyes on the wall opposite of her, gazing at each painting that rested on the wall, each holding the portrait of a previous leader. She cringed as her eyes went over their expressions, guilt residing in her gut.

"Even they seem disapproving..." She muttered, lowering her gaze. "The tribe is at complete loss without Rainbow Dash...."

She got up, trotting over towards the bookshelf that rested to her right. She gazed over the miniature paintings that rested on one of the shelves, sighing. She picked one up, one of her favourites, and stared at it.

"I don't know if I succeeded in killing her and her..... lover..." Hurricane mumbled, setting the painting back in its place. "For all I know I did. Was it really her being a traitor.....?"

She shook her head, spinning around and walking out of the room. "Maybe a good flight will clear my mind and help me think straight....."
*****

Dash seemed to have slipped into a stress induced coma from the ordeal. She hadn’t woken up in three days. Fluttershy constantly watched Dash’s condition, watchful for any changes while keeping her injuries as clean as possible. There was a possibility that Dash may never wake from the coma if she re-obtains the serious infection that had festered within her during the last week. That thought alone kept Fluttershy up and moving, no matter how exhausted she was.

Pinkie never left Dash’s side the entire time. Bed sores started to form on her body. Fluttershy and Applejack pleaded with the mare to get up and walk around but she stubbornly clung to Dash. Applejack even went as far as attempting to pull Pinkie away from the cyan pony but was met with a vicious bite to her ear, nearly biting it off.

Fluttershy slowly approached the pink mare, “P-Pinkie...could you at least...lay on your other side? I-it will allow your sores to heal...and you can still cuddle with Dash...”

Ears drooped, Pinkie slowly nodded. She stood up shakily, limped to the other side of Dash, and laid down in a similar position that she was in on the other side. Fluttershy nearly cried seeing the large bloody sores that had developed on the pink mare.

Without another thought, Fluttershy immediately began disinfecting and bandaging the sores that covered the pink mare’s left side.
*****

Hurricane, as what was deemed to be usual currently, sat in her office, glaring at the wall. No pony entered the office unless they wanted to be killed, thus nopony knew what she did in there. Pansy attempted to coax the leader out of hiding with her favourite foods, which usually ended in failure for the small mare.

"For the FINAL time, Pansy, I REFUSE to leave my office!" Hurricane growled, glaring at the door. "So STOP trying to lure me out!"

"You have to eat! Everypony knows you didn't mean to put Defense Shield in the clinic!" Pansy pleaded.

Hurricane dropped her head on the desk, groaning. "Would you STOP bringing that up?! I destroyed the tribe, NOPONY is happy with me! I REFUSE to leave this office until I die!"

Pansy pushed herself into the room, carrying a tray of hay sandwiches on her back.
"Hurricane, would you please stop saying that....?"

"It's true!" Hurricane grumbled, ignoring Pansy as she settled the tray on the desk. "First I drove them insane with searching for Rainbow Dash, then I angered over three quarters of them with my revelation of her betrayal, then-"

"They understand Commander. Please calm down." Genuine concern rested on Pansy’s face.

"No they don’t.... I can't even find a replacement for Rainbow Dash...." Hurricane sighed, lifting her head up to stare at the sandwiches. ".............. Did you use-"

"They're fried. Just the way you like them, Hurricane." A soft smile settled on Pansy’s face.

"With a-"

"Dash of sunflower seeds and daisy petals of course." A matter of fact look shone in Pansy’s eyes.

Hurricane stared at Pansy, blinking. "What about-"

"Of course there's hay-fries in it too. I know the unhealthy habit Rainbow Dash got you into." Pansy cut her off, rolling her eyes with a smile. "Speaking of, I assume you've....... Um.... Forgiven her?"

Hurricane stared at Pansy in confusion, "I don't understand what you're-"

"You called her by name, not by ‘traitor’." Pansy smiled, pushing the tray of sandwiches underneath Hurricane’s face. "Please eat, Commander..."

"..... I deserve to die, Pansy. I killed the one pony who could've improved the tribe... Why can't you leave me alone to die already...?" Despair hit Hurricane like a ton of bricks once she allowed herself to look past the wall of denial she had built around her.

Pansy froze, looking at Hurricane with wide eyes. "Hurricane...."

"Just.... Go."
*****

Several days went by before Dash awoke from her coma.

“P....Pink..Pinkie?” Dash croaked out quietly.

In a flurry of movement, Dash found herself in a tight embrace with loving kisses peppering her face rapidly.

“Oh Dashie, I was soooo WORRIED!” Joyful tears streamed down Pinkie’s face as she held the weak mare in her forelegs.

Fluttershy and Applejack beamed happily as they rushed over to the newly awoken Dash. Tears flowed freely from their eyes as they joined the embrace, turning it into a massive group hug.

Dash chuckled softly at the shower of affection she was receiving from everypony. Eventually Applejack and Fluttershy left the embrace in favor of retrieving water for her. Carefully, yet greedily drinking the water she felt quite content despite the pain. Looking over at Applejack, confusion washed over her face.

“What...happened to..your ear?” Dash rasped out as she stared curiously at the orange mare’s bandaged ear.

Snorting in amusement, Applejack locked eyes with a suddenly guilty Pinkie Pie, “I made the mistake of trying ta move Somepony that didn’t want ta move an’ avoid worsening her sores. Shown her discomfort by me tryin ta move her by nearly bitin mah ear off...”

Dash began laughing, twinges of pain keeping her from becoming hysterically loud. The sound of Dash’s laughter had put everypony at ease, and eventually they all joined in.
*****

"I SAID NO!"

Pansy grunted in frustration, scrambling as she tried pulling Hurricane from the office, which had slowly began smelling rather foul. Not that the grey pony was any better off. Pansy found that her fear for Hurricane had quickly turned into concern. There was no reason to fear her...

"Hurricane for the final time you SMELL! And so does that office! I'm taking you to get a bath and that's FINAL!" Pansy growled, biting down on Hurricane's bright yellow tail. "If I have to wash you myself then so be it!"

"I am NOT leaving this office!" Hurricane yelled, biting onto the doors frame.

"You're acting like a foal Hurricane!" Pansy yelled through clenched teeth as she pulled hard on Hurricane’s tail.

"I don't care!! It's better then having to look at the chaos I caused!" Hurricane retorted, suddenly realizing she had released the door frame. The two of them, due to Pansy's attempts, flew backwards into the wall opposite of the door.

Both mares groaned, each picking themselves up from the crash. It took Hurricane a moment to realize that several pegasi had instantly flown into her office, slamming the door, while Pansy began to push the confused grey mare down the hall.

"Pansy I demand you to-"

"NOT until you've bathed and your office has been cleaned and aired out!" Pansy retorted, pushing her down the many halls of the building. "Depression is NOT an excuse for not taking care of yourself!"

"I am not depressed!" Hurricane snorted indignantly.

"Bull." Pansy muttered flatly, attempting to push her leader into the bathing room. "Get in there!"

"No!" Hurricane scraped her hooves into the floor, pushing back against the mint green mare with all her might.

"So help me Hurricane, I will strip you myself and force you to wash up if I have to!" Pansy threatened, giving a final shove before successfully pushing her Commander into the room. She rushed in quickly and locked the door, adding multiple locks Hurricane had never seen before in her life.

"Stop treating me like a foal!" Hurricane growled, searching the room for any exit she could escape from. To her dismay there were none.

"Then stop acting like one and get in the bath!!!" Pansy stood in front of the door, defending the only exit.

Hurricane sat on the edge of the bath, staring into the water. She glanced quickly at Pansy, a smirk set on her face. "Think fast."

"What?"

Quickly, Hurricane dipped one of her forelegs into the water, quickly splashing Pansy with lukewarm water. "Ha!"

Surprised, Pansy shook the water from her face, glaring at Hurricane. "Oh it is on!"
*****

Dash stared at Pinkie’s new bandages, sadness filling her heart. Even though Pinkie had refused to move the entire time she was unconscious, she still felt responsible for the sores. If she was supposed to protect Pinkie from this kind of stuff....

Noticing Dash looking at her bandages, Pinkie nuzzled her gently, “Please don’t feel guilty...This was all my fault.”

Dash leaned into the caring touch, her injuries protesting slightly at the movement, “I still feel bad, Pinks.”

Rainbow Dash was carefully propped up on a rock,allowing her to stay laid down but made it easier for her to drink and eat. Small slices of apple were fed to her, in fear that any more would make her sick.

Ignoring the painful throb in her shoulder and chest, Pinkie trotted around Dash in excitement for a few hours before settling down next to her and snuggling into her side. Dash happily accepted the embrace with a large smile and a nuzzle. With the euphoria fading, Dash finally was able to focus on the damage Pinkie had gone through while she was unconscious.

“Pinkie...if..if I ever go unconscious again... will you promise me that you won’t get these sores? … you could have gotten an infection.” Dash looked into bright cyan eyes, a serious yet pleading expression on her face.

Pinkie nodded quickly before snuggling under Dash’s chin, wrapping her hooves tightly around her chest.

“I Pinkie promise, Dashie.”
*****

Hurricane snorted in laughter, ignoring the itchiness the wet armor created. Pansy's mane was dripping wet under her helmet, the pale pink mane covering her face.

"You are a cruel leader, you know that, right?" Pansy muttered, attempting to move her soaking mane out of her vision line. "I'm going to have to go home and dry off or something... Thanks for that."

"Join the club. I'm itching up a storm here." Hurricane shifted uncomfortably in her armor.

Pansy sighed, rolling her eyes. "This would of never happened if you would stop acting like a foal and just wash up. You smell just terrible, almost like rotten flesh, and if that was the case your wounds got infected we should probably take you to the clinic....."

"They're fine! Besides, only one pony was trained to deal with infections and she's gone too....." Hurricane grumbled, glaring at Pansy. "Wait and why are you in here if you want me to get cleaned?!"

"To make sure you GET clean." Pansy replied quickly.

"....... Pansy you know there's a rule about this." Hurricane gave Pansy a pointed look.

"Would you of gotten clean otherwise?" Pansy sighed, turning around to rest her forehead against the door.

"......... Point taken."
*****

Dash was nearly jumping in joy as Fluttershy unwrapped the bandages around her wings.

“You can’t fly right away Rainbow, you still need a few days for your wings to set up. I still need to remove the stitches in one of your wings as well.” Fluttershy spoke sternly, knowing perfectly well that the moment she was finished, Dash will attempt to shoot off into the sky.

Dash groaned in frustration. All this time on the ground was making her wings twitch in anticipation. She stared longingly at the cave opening, looking at the small bit of sky that shown through.

Pinkie bounced up to Dash and nuzzled the wing that was fully exposed. “Your feathers are so fluffy and soft Dashie!”

Dash felt heat rush to her face, her wings stiffening slightly.

“P-Pinkie! Please don’t do that! Rainbow needs to heal, and causing her wings to pop will put a strain on them! You also need to stop bouncing around, you’re straining your injury on your shoulder!” Fluttershy scolded Pinkie, a light blush of embarrassment dusted her cheeks.

“But her wings are so soft and cuddly!” Pinkie absent-mindedly stroked Dash’s feathers, gently rubbing her cheek against the feathers.

A sharp yank on Pinkie’s tail pulled her away from the strong feathery cyan wings. Looking behind her, Pinkie came face to face with an unamused Applejack.

“Try an not mess with Dash for a few more days...Ok Pinkie?”

Pinkie nodded her head rapidly, “Okie Dokie Lokie!”
*****

“Pansy... where did I go wrong?” Hurricane whispered, as she once again lay her head on the stacks of paperwork that had yet to be filled out.

“Huh?” Pansy asked, walking worriedly into the Commander’s room.

Hurricane let out a heavy sigh and looked out of her window at the dark clouds surrounding the camp. “... if I hadn’t done all this... we would still have somepony to take my place. Be a better leader and bring the pegasi tribe out of this terrible position.”

Pansy listened quietly and tentatively, feeling how sorry the Commander was for what she did to Dash, until she had an idea of her own. “... w-well, Commander... she isn’t one to just give up so easily... even with her wings surely broken, she... still could be alive out there. We tried to look for her and... spotted a few trails of blood away from the crash site... maybe you could follow those.”

“And you didn’t think to search them yourself?!” Hurricane inquired, frustrated.

Pansy blinked at the pegasi leader and shrank a little under the gaze of Hurricane. “W-well, I-” so much for not being afraid...

Hurricane jumped up with a determined expression, “That’s it! Enough with all you lazy pegasi sitting around and doing NOTHING! I’m going to find Dash... but... but what if I find her... and she isn’t...” Hurricane gulped and looked at the paintings of former leaders.

“If you don’t look Hurricane, there will never be a chance to save your tribe.” Pansy spoke with a large grin forming on her face.

“The tribe needs a true leader to look forward to for the future...Have your best medical ponies waiting for when we come back.” Hurricane marched up to Pansy, a serious tone in her voice.

“Commander?” Pansy stared at Hurricane, stunned at what she was hearing.

Dark icy blue eyes locked with bright violet eyes, “You are coming with me... and we’re bringing Rainbow Dash back, with or without the pink earth pony.”

“You mean you-?” Pansy stuttered out.

Sighing, Hurricane turned away from Pansy, “It’s time I did something right for a change.”