Broken Wings, Chapter 12 - Over the Rainbow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiHhTdg8qrc
>Applejack looked out her bedroom window, at the fields of apple trees below.
>She didn’t sleep much last night, if at all.
>”Ah’m such a fool,” she’d keep thinking to herself.
>She tried to hate him.
>Truly, she did.
>AJ runs a hoof along the worn wood of the window frame.
>She tried to blame him for Big Mac dying.
>She tried hating him for going to Rainbow Dash when she abandoned him.
>But she realized that it was futile, there on that bathroom floor.
>AJ pushed down on the plush quilt that crowns the bedspread, feeling the warm fluff under her hooves.
>But even admitting the obvious was futile.
>He could never be the man she needs him to be.
>AJ takes one last look around the room as she heads for the door.
>He can’t choose between her or Rainbow.
>So, she’ll make the choice for him.
>Hopefully Cherry Jubilee can give her her old job back.
>Because she can’t stay here.
>AJ closes the door on her bedroom with a sigh, her saddlebags with her belongings slung across her back.
>Granny Smith looks up at her as she descends the stairs, the sadness on her face only enhanced by the wrinkles of her years.
>“Ah won’t try t’convince ya t’stay…jus’ come back, okay?”
“Yeah Granny…ah’ll write when ah arrive…”
>She throws her hooves around Granny Smith’s neck, hugging tight.
>No sign of Applebloom…she knew this would be hard on her, but not to say goodbye?
>The two of them jump when the knock comes at the door.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POiqCHeeQvg
>You take a deep breath as the door opens.
“Can I come in?”
>Rainbow glares up at you, snorting.
>”Yeah, it’s your house, idiot.”
>…
>Yeah, you probably deserve that.
>Dash steps back as you come in.
>The place is dark. Obviously Redheart didn’t open today.
>Not that it would have done anything. Hard to have a doctor practice with no doctor, after all…
>You spy Rainbow’s packed saddlebags against the wall as she stares at you intently, trying to size you up.
>”You said we needed to talk.”
“Right, yes…we do…”
>You sit down on the sofa, Rainbow sitting across from you as she keeps her gaze locked.
>And the two of you…just sit there.
>Words are difficult to form.
>Rainbow doesn’t prod you. She sees you struggle as you try to put feelings into words, so she just stares and waits.
>There’s just one problem with that.
>Rainbow Dash does not “do” waiting.
>”Anon…let me ask you something first.”
“Yeah?”
>”How do you feel about me?”
>Subtle.
“Well…you’re a wonderful mare, Dashie. You’re strong, determined, fiercely loyal…and you were there for me when I needed you. You’ve done nothing but give your all for me, when I’ve done nothing to deserve it.”
>Dash smiles a little, her cheeks flushing as you continue.
>”I do love you, Rainbow Dash…and I would be very lucky to have you in my life…”
>Rainbow opens her mouth to respond in kind, her wings fluttering in excitement to hear you say that.
>She freezes.
>Your dour face, that hard stare…
>The features of happiness slowly melt from her expression as she realizes you are not done, instinctually knowing what comes next.
“But…”
>Dash’s wings actually sag with her facial features.
“Applejack…AJ is warm, caring…kind…she cared for me from the first day we met, when I got here. She invited me into her home, and her family embraced me as one of their own…”
>You can see every word hit Dash like a freight train.
“I’m sorry Rainbow...truly, I am…but I love Applejack more…she’s my best friend, and I see now that what I did was a mistake…”
>You can’t bear to look her in the eyes, instead focusing on your clasped hands.
>This inability to look at her just makes Rainbow’s anger rise faster.
>”A mistake? That’s what you see all this as? That’s what you see US as? A MISTAKE?”
“What? No, no…not like that…you did nothing wrong, it was me…it was all me. I was just searching for an easy answer…”
>You look up as Rainbow stands, stomping her hoof on the floor.
>”What, and that’s supposed to make me feel better?”
“No…Rainbow, I’m not going to ask you to forgive m-“
>You’re cut off as Rainbow’s hoof smacks you across the face.
>You rub your cheek as Rainbow grits her teeth through the sobs and tears.
>”You know, Anon…forget it. Forget you. You obviously have a lot to learn about being a man…”
>You don’t say a word, move an inch, as Rainbow collects her saddlebags.
>And walks out.
>You have no right to protest, to chase her and try to make things better.
>Because right now…you have another mare to talk to.
>You stand, quickly change into clean clothes, and head outside.
>No sign of Rainbow.
>You lock your door behind you and begin running across the fields, towards Sweet Apple Acres.
>If you’re lucky, this next conversation will turn out better than the last one.

-----------

>As you approach the gate of Sweet Apple Acres, you spot a little yellow blip by the post, staring out at the road.
>Applebloom?
>You jog to a stop in front of the filly, who is bawling her eyes out.
“Applebloom? What’s wrong?”
>She sniffs and looks up at you.
>”Ahnon…it’s AJ! She went away!”
“What? Away where?”
>”*sniff* T’Dodge Junction. She said she dun’know when she’ll be back!”
>Oh crap.
“Applebloom, how long ago did she leave?”
>The filly rubs her eyes. “’bout a half hour ago…ah didn’ even git t’see goodbah…”
“Don’t worry Bloom, you won’t have to.”
>You turn and break into a full run towards town.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1agUFG0f50Y
>Your lungs burn and your legs ache as you run as fast as you can muster.
>Man, you need to hit a treadmill more often.
>You roll in the dirt, as you trip over a cart, ignoring the pain as you spring back up and take off again.
>You don’t even shout an apology to whoever owned that cart.
>P0nies stop and stare as you run like mad, passing those familiar landmarks.
>The Hay Seed. The diner where you and AJ would have breakfast. The stall in the marketplace where AJ would sell you lunch at a discount…
>Your body whines and groans at the abuse.
>You mentally tell your body to nut the fuck up. You promised Applebloom that you’d bring her sister back.
>You’re done breaking promises.
>The train station draws into sight just as the train blows its horn.
>Shit, gotta hurry…
>As you round the station house onto the platform, you see the train pulling out of reach.
>The orange mare in the window, eyes closed and face against the glass, confirms that you were just too late.
>Too late…
>…
>No.
>No more broken promises.
>You take off running after the train as p0nies stop and stare.
>You draw closer, but the train is starting to pick up speed.
>Extending your arm, you lunge and try to grab the rail on the back of the caboose.
>You manage to grab on as your legs give out, unable to keep up with the speeding train.
>Just like in the moOOOH GOD THIS HURTS!
>You yell in pain as the speeding train contorts your body, twisting you like a pretzel as you struggle to grab hold with both hands.
>After what seems like an eternity, you manage to haul yourself onto the platform, the rails clanking below you.
>You take a moment to catch your breath before driving your worn muscles back into action, getting to your feet.
>That looks so easy in the movies! Hollywood is such bullshit…
>No, wait, focus Anon. Focus…
>You shake your head and open the door to the train caboo..
>Locked.
>Wait, what?
>Who the hell locks a door on a train?
>You grit your teeth, looking around as you try to formulate a plan B.
>…
>No, you already tried one thing you saw in the movies. Two is just right out.
>Sorry, common sense, but to pay attention to you I need options and fucks. I am out of both.
>You look over the side of the train.
>A steel bar runs along the underside of the cars, while window ledges and decoration on the sides of the cars provide handholds for you to grab.
>Well…at least if you die, you won’t have to worry about getting AJ back anymore.
>You put that semester of rockwall climbing back in college to full use, gripping the ledges as you shimmy your way across the sides of the cars of a moving train, travelling now at full steam.
>You hope your epitaph captures just how insane this is.
>By a stroke of dumb luck, you make it to the connection between the last two cars.
>…
>More locked doors.
“OH COME ON!”
>Your legs are beginning to threaten mutiny. Full sprint across town, dragged by a train, now playing Spiderman on said train.
>Fuck you, legs. You work for me.
>You make your way, muttering prayers to whatever deity is listening that you live to see this through to the end.
>You managed to make it to the connection to the next car, the one with Applejack.
>Locked again.
>This is really starting to get old, like the plot to a bad story…
>Your leg muscles place a curse on your children’s children’s children.
>You yell in agony as you pull yourself once again onto the precarious precipice.
>Every movement feels like fire in your joints as you pull yourself over to AJ’s window.
>And you knock on that glass for dear life.
>Inside, Applejack is lost in her thoughts as the train speeds along, the back of her head resting against the glass.
>Maybe it’s best she didn’t say goodbye to every p0ny.
>Might have sapped her will to go through with this at all.
>Dodge Junction’s a long way’s away from here. Should give Anon plenty of room to be hap…
>Tap Tap Tap
>AJ blinks as she shakes her head, stirred from her reverie.
>”Whu? Wha was that?”
>BAM BAM BAM
>AJ practically leaps out of her skin as she spins to see what the hell was knocking on her window.
>”…Anon?”
>She looks at you frantically mouthing something from the other side of the glass.
>”Anon, what in tarnation are you doin’?”
>She puts her ear to the window to hear what you’re trying to say.
“GRIP….SLIPPING….”
>”Grip slippin? Now what the hoof does that mea…”
>Moving train.
>Window to outside.
>Anon = Outside
>”ANON!” AJ exclaims as she throws the window open, nearly smacking you in the face in the process.
>You throw your arms around the open ledge like it was the only thing keeping you alive.
>You’d try to haul yourself in, but these windows were not designed to handle the dimensions of an adult human, much less your pudgy ass.
>”ANON?! ARE YOU BUCKING INSANE! YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!”
>You try to respond, but your lungs are too busy reintroducing oxygen to your redlining bodily systems.
>AJ steps back a little, the shock of finding you pasted to her window wearing off.
>”What in the hay are you doin’ ‘ere?”
“Can’t….go….won’t….let you…..”
>AJ just snorts and glowers at you, ignoring the other p0nies in the car who are now watching with great interest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O78ctg1KPMk
>”What’ d’ya mean ya won’t let me? First ya want me t’stay, then ya want me t’go…ah can’t handle it Anon…”
>Damnit…she promised herself she wouldn’t cry.
>”Ah can’t handle yer’ indecision…ah jus’ can’t, that’s why ah’m leaving…”
>Oh no, you did not get here like some action star for that.
“Applejack, I love you.”
>Your physical exhaustion made that sound more exasperated than you liked.
>”Anon, ah’m tired of being lied t…”
“No, shut up…AJ, what happened at the funeral…what happened with Rainbow…I was thinking just of myself, my own pain. I didn’t even consider you were hurting too…I just satisfied my own selfish needs…”
>AJ blinks and stands rigidly, letting you finish.
“AJ…I’m just a well-educated idiot who always preferred the easy way out of everything…I’m impulsive, drink a little too much, and tend to make rash decisions…”
>”Like crawlin’ across a movin’ train?”
“Yes, exactly. Look, AJ…the point is...what happened last night at the restaurant…it made me realize that I can’t take the easy way out. Some things are worth fighting for, even if it’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done…”
>AJ sniffs as she moves back closer to the window.
>Closer to you.
“AJ, even if it means I spend the rest of my life alone, I could never love another like I do you…you’re my best friend, and I just wish I could take every mistake I’ve made and throw them all away…I know I can’t, but still…I just want you to know I love you, even if you don’t love me…so please, don’t leave your family behind…”
>AJ takes her hat off as she locks eyes with you.
>Those damnably green eyes.
“Stay here with them…and me…I beg you…”
>The passage of time sounds like a hammer striking an anvil as your heart feels like it pauses for her to answer, to command it to resume beating.
>”Anon, ah…”
>HEY ANON!
>Yes?
>WE’RE YOUR MUSCLES AND JOINTS! GUESS WHAT?
>What?
>FUCK YOU!
>You barely have time to push away from the train before your everything gives out.
>Now, while these trains travel significantly slower than the ones back on Earth, it’s still a rather brisk speed to fall from.
>The last thing you hear before you black out is AJ screaming your name.

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>When you wake up, even the dim light stings your eyes.
>In fact, as your brain finishes its boot-up, everything starts stinging.
>And hurting.
>OH GOD MY WORLD IS PAIN.
>You groan as you try to look around, finding yourself blissfully immobilized.
>In traction.
>You blink as you slowly focus your vision, recognizing the warm ceiling of P0nyville General.
>”You know, if you want to come back here so bad, there are easier ways to do it.”
>Nurse Redheart stands over you with a smile, setting your chart down.
“Redheart…I assume this means you quit?”
>She chuckles. “Well, when I heard what happened, I figured you wouldn’t be back to work for awhile. I got bills to pay and a husband and foal to support, so I asked for my old job back and they gave it to me.”
“Wonder if they’ll do the same for me.”
>”No, they hired a replacement for you…heard they’re looking for a new chief of medicine though…”
“I’ll keep that in mind…I feel like I fell off a moving train…how long have I been out?”
>”Four days, and you did. Two torn ACLs, avulsions on both hamstrings, partial tears in just about every tendon in your arms and legs…and a couple broken ribs and a cracked arm from the fall, just for good measure.”
“I’m sure I looked glorious when they brought me in…”
>Redheart frowns. “Actually, we all thought we were going to lose you.”
“Oh…”
>You feel a little sick to your stomach.
>”In fact, she hasn’t left since you were brought in.”
>Redheart motions down to your chest.
>It takes some effort, but you crane your neck up to see who she’s talking about…
“AJ…”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW0vRLAjNlc
>The blond-maned mare is sleeping peacefully, her head squarely on your chest.
>”She refused to leave, even during the surgery. She said that she had to give you your answer, and you had to wake up to get it.”
>You smile. If your arms weren’t ensconced in plaster, you’d run her fingers through her mane.
>”Do you want me to wake her?”
“Nah…she’s probably exhausted…”
>Redheart smiles. “You better be good to her, Anon. This isn’t something you can slack off on.”
>You just smile as Redheart turns and leaves.
“Yeah…I know.”
>You look around slowly.
>Flowers, get well cards…one looks like it was drawn by Applebloom.
>You sigh and stare back at the ceiling.
>”You’re awake…”
>You return your gaze to Applejack, who is looking at you sleepily, a small smile crossing her face.
>You smile too, even if it hurts a little.
“You stayed…”
>”Yeah…ah guess I did…”
“AJ, I…”
>Applejack silences you by shaking her head.
>”Anon, on the train, you asked me something…”
“Yeah?”
>Placing her front hooves on your body cast, she pushes herself up and plants her warm lips gingerly on yours.
>You have your answer.
Fin.