Broken Wings, Chapter 7 - The One and Only Truth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYXnm_SZlag
>You breathe deeply as you awaken, the sun peeking through delicate, white cotton curtains.
>They were a touch added by Applejack. For such a rough and tumble country p0ny, you were genuinely surprised at some of her more feminine tendencies.
>Speaking of which.
>The orange mare sleeps contentedly, snuggled in against you.
>Date night usually ends with a couple rounds of cider at the Hay Seed.
>That usually ends up with her sleeping it off at your place.
>Sometimes, very little time is spent sleeping.
>You check yourself…
>Boxers? Check.
>Yep. All sleep this time.
>You glance at your clock.
>Yep…she’s going to be late again.
>Big Mac doesn’t mind his sister spending the night with you every few days, but it really nickers his withers if she’s late getting back.
>You have no idea why
“Hey…hey AJ, time to wake up.”
>You tease the edges of her ear with your fingers as you say this.
>It’s the best way to get her awake. She hates it.
>”mmmph…five more minutes, sugarcube…”
>She may hate it, but it works just as well as every other method you have.
>Not at all.
>You sigh and plant a kiss on her forehead as you wriggle your arm free.
>AJ sighs and opens her eyes dreamily, pulling you back down by the shoulders for a quick kiss.
>”Y’know, if ya want t’git me outta this bed, there are ways to do it.”
>You grin.
>You and her need to have a talk about the meaning of the word “slow.”
“You know, the sad part is that sometimes, that works.”
>”Y’don’t seem too sad when it does…”
“Whatever happened to taking it slow, darlin’?”
>By this point, she’s dragged you down close enough to feel her coat tickle your nose.
>”Slow’s a good start, but ah like it when ya’ start t’speed up.”
>You can’t help but chuckle.
>Yup. Sometimes, it works.
>AJ giggles softly as nose meets snout, you pulling her closer. “Well, is it workin’ Anon?”
“Maybe…”
>As your lips meet hers, you sigh and get comfortable with the idea of speeding things up a little…
>Until a crash from a few rooms over gets your attention.
>Applejack audibly groans.
>”Too bad, shug. Sounds like Rainbow is overdoin’ things again.”
“Yep…guess it’s time for me to get to work.”
>”Yup…ah better git back t’the farm. See you later, Anon.”
>You smile as she plants a kiss on your cheek, the two of you getting out of bed.
>You throw on a robe and march down the hallway, to a room right across from your exam room.
>As you enter, you see Rainbow Dash on the floor, struggling to get to her hooves.
>You sigh.
“Rainbow, for the last time, your forehooves are too weak from surgery and disuse for you to be putting your full weight on them. If you keep trying to push it, you’re going to hurt yourself and be like this even LONGER.”
>Rainbow snorts as she struggles to get up. “I know that, but I’m not going to get stronger if I don’t push myself.”
>She tries to struggle in protest, her still-wrapped wings rustling as you help her up, getting her situated back in her bed.
“Look, I’m glad you want to push yourself, but you need to do it correctly.”
>Dash folds her arms, glaring down angrily.
>You sigh and place your hands on her shoulders, causing her to look up at you.
>Her features soften.
“Look, I know it is frustrating, it’s been a full week and you think you aren’t making progress, but I know you can do this. I believe in you, Rainbow Dash.”
>She blushes a little as a smile creeps across her face. “Yeah…you’re right, Anon.”
>You give her a smile as you stand straight.
>Now. Where did those barbell weights get off to…
“Rainbow, where did Redheart leave yo…”
>Rainbow is staring at you, wide-eyed and redder than Big Mac’s ass.
>Her wings are pulsing, like they’re fixing to erupt from their bindings.
“Rainbow? Is something wrong?”
>Do you have something on your robe?
>Before you can follow your gaze, your attention is summoned by Applejack knocking on the open door.
>”Hey Sugarcube, don’t forget, Applebloom’s…got…a checkup….today….”
>AJ trails off as she stares at you, slack jawed.
>She doesn’t even flinch as Redheart walks in, face buried in a clipboard.
>”Hey boss, I’m here. You have seven appointments scheduled for today, and a consultation coming in from Canterlot for a case of horn roOH WHAT THE HELL?!”
>Redheart drops the clipboard and storms out by an unfazed AJ as soon as she looks up at you.
>You can even hear her shouting down the hall.
>”SERIOUSLY, TAKE CARE OF THAT STUFF BEFORE I GET HERE! NOT COOL!”
>WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?
>You look down at yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_jqlpsjENQ
>COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!
>It’s your morning buddy, coming out to say hello!
>…
“I swear, I can’t control it...it has a mind of its own...”

-------------

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf2WpjGdEME
>The next two months pass by like a movie montage.
>Convenient.
>You can’t help but admire how passionate Rainbow is in everything she does.
>It’s like watching a roaring inferno of determination.
>If rehabbing horses back on Earth has this kind of work ethic, your life would have been so much easier.
>You spend much of your time guiding Rainbow through her exercises, keeping her from pushing herself too far, too fast.
>So many hours spent on your hands and knees, counting pushups.
>Pink eyes locked on yours.
>She’s getting stronger, with every rep, every day.
>You offer words of encouragement as she exhausts herself , pushing weights.
>Soon, she will be able to handle the stresses of takeoff and landing.
>She will be able to soar the skies once more.
>You keep her bandages on her wings, sort of as a mental reminder for her to not push it too fast or risk more permanent injury.
>She complained at first, but became comfortable with the idea.
>Oddly enough, it was when you started unwrapping and massaging them once a day, to keep them from seizing up from restriction and disuse.
>It seems to really relax her, though she always gets flustered when you ask if it really feels that good.
>As for Applejack…what can you say?
>She’s got you hooked like a fish.
>Sure, drinking is fun, but the two of you have started to branch out into more intimate settings.
>Heck, last week the two of you got back from a weekend trip to Fillydelphia.
>Rainbow always seems to get down when you spend time with AJ.
>Whenever you prodded about the subject, she would just get upset and insist on getting to work.
>Man…you can’t wrap your head around what this mare is thinking. It’s driving you nuts.
>But…everything is going to pay off.
>Tomorrow, you’re going to take Rainbow Dash outside.
>It’s time to fly again.
>As for AJ…well, tonight, you’re going to ask her to move in and live with you.
>Yep…life is pretty damn wonderful.

---------------

“Alright, you big lug, say aaaaahhhhhh.”
>”Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh……”
“Bigger!”
>”AAAAAAHHHHHH!”
“Perfect. Hold it there.”
>You check the back of Big Mac’s throat, holding his tongue down with the depressor.
“Well, bad news big guy?”
>You hear him gurgle a “what?” It sends a big grin across your face.
>You take a certain sick pleasure in messing with this guy.
“You’re in perfect health. No getting out of your date with Cherilee.”
>Mac closes his jaw as you toss the depressor, resisting the urge to smack you upside your head.
>”Thanks ‘part…”
>He hops off the table as you walk him to the front.
>Redheart seems to have already left, not that it matters.
>Your door is always open for the Apples.
>”See ya later, ‘part. AJ’s gon’ t’help me git ready, then she said she was gonna come by ‘ere.”
“I’ll be here. Have fun, Mac!”
>You hear Dash walk up behind you as you close the door.
>”Going out again tonight?”
“Yup. But first, you hungry? I’m starving.”
>Rainbow follows you into the kitchen as you prepare a couple quick salads.
>Usually she becomes a little morose when you go out at night. Must get lonely, you guessed.
>However, now she’s just staring at you intently, her expression a blank slate.
>You feel your critters stir, deep in your gut as you serve dinner.
>Rainbow just continues to stare at you as you take a bite, swallowing.
>Dinner continues silently, Rainbow hardly touching her food.
>Finally, your critters reach full jittering.
“Something wrong, Dash?”
>”Anon…what do you think about me?”
>You literally drop your fork.
“Pardon?”
>”I said…what do you think of me?”
“Well…uh…I think you’re a very strong, independent p0ny…I admire your passion and your drive…”
>You pause.
>No…there’s more to it than that.
“…you have one dream, to soar the skies freely, and I see everyday how you will do whatever it takes to reach your goals and fulfill your dreams. I admire that quality…I really do.”
>Huh. You never really stopped to consider it, but she does really look rather striking, even as she stares drills into your consciousness.
>”If you weren’t with Applejack…what would you think of me?”
>Her voice quivers uncharacteristically as she says these words.
>What the hell, I don’t even…
>Your jimmies have hulked out by this point, and are beating the holy fucks out of your gut.
>Tears well in her eyes as she continues to stare at you, waiting for your answer.
>Where the hell did this come from?!
>Well, if you think back, it all makes sen-
>SHUT UP. I CAN’T HANDLE THIS RIGHT NOW.
“Rainbow…what are you getting at?”
>She snorts and looks away, mumbling. “Gonna make me say it…aren’t ya…”
>She looks up at you.
>”Anon, I…I…I lo-”
>Rainbow is cut off by the sound of Applejack kicking your door in.
>Your jimmies rejoice! Saved from the awkwardness!
>Your special somep0ny comes galloping in, drenched in sweat.
>She looks like she’s barely holding herself together.
“Applejack? Is something wrong?”
>”Anon…*pant* come quick! It’s Big Mac, he’s…”
>You stand and walk over to AJ, placing your hands on her shoulders in a bid to calm her down.
“Slow down, darlin’. What about Big Mac?”
>”He’s hurt…he’s hurt real bad! You gotta come, quick!”

-------------

>You are Big Macintosh.
>”Aww, mah big brother, gonna try an’ get lucky with a pretty mare.”
>Applejack cooed as you looked back at her, with some annoyance.
“Sis, ah don’ recall givin’ ya this much guff when ye’ an’ Anon go out.”
>She just giggles and flashes you a wink. “Opportunity lost, brother.”
>You sigh and put the last bushel away in the barn.
>You look up at the supports holding up the loft. They’re starting to warp pretty badly now.
>Tomorrow, you’ll have to get around to fixing or replacing that.
>It would be bad if all that heavy equipment on the platform came crashing down.
>”So, Big Mac…you two gonna buck or what?”
>You snort and turn even redder as you turn to leave as AJ smirks and curtsies.
“AJ, ah’m serious, cut it ou…”
>A loud groan cuts you off as you turn around.
>The platform that needed repair was seconds from giving way.
>Right on to your sister’s head.
“AJ! LOOK OUT!”
>You remember the look on your face as you leapt at her, shoving her out of the way as your front hooves caught her square in the chest.
>Just as the platform gave way.
>Your world blacks out as you feel shards of wood pierce your skin, your body getting buried under a hundred pounds of lumber and metal.

-------------

>You are Anon.
>You hear absolutely nothing as you start barking orders as soon as you charge in to the P0nyville General ER.
>The pegamedics wheel Big Macintosh ahead of you on the gurney, its wheels clacking on the linoleum.
>Rainbow went to get Cherilee when you went back to the farm with AJ, so they’re already here.
>They both look absolutely mortified as Big Mac is wheeled past.
>Nurse Warmheart directs the medics into Operating Theater 3, the only one open right now.
>Great, that means both night surgeons are using the first two.
>You pull on gloves, still dressed in your street clothes as you follow the gurney in as Applejack makes it into the hospital.
>It takes everything Rainbow has to keep her from following you in to the theater.
>Unfortunately, the reason 3 isn’t used often is that it’s used for training, and has a large window folks could watch through.
>You can feel AJ’s eyes on you as you get to work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbynvGhRSXQ
>Machines beep as the medics serve as temporary orderlies, attempting to keep the blood gushing from his wounds.
>So many holes…
>You can feel AJ’s panic crawl up your back as you work to run his breathing tube into the oxygen supply.
“Come on, you big hunk of horsemeat, stay with us…”
>The medics glance at you as you talk to Macintosh, scrambling your mind as you plan your attack.
>So many holes…
>He’s losing so much blood…
>Applejack. Rainbow Dash. Cherilee.
>You can feel them watching you.
>AJ places her hooves against the glass as you bark an order for donor blood.
>As you start to set the IV, one sound cries through to your consciousness.
>An alarm from the heart monitor.
>In an emergency, especially one with blood loss, every effort is a race against time.
>With Rainbow Dash, you won.
>This time, with your beloved’s brother on the table before you…
>You were losing.
>You bark more orders as the medics scramble to obey, a scrubbed up nurse coming in to assist.
>You can sense AJ’s desperation, though you can’t hear her.
>His pulse is wavering, his heart misfiring like an old motor about to burn out.
>You fire up the defibrillator paddles, setting the power as you bark again, your voice growing hoarse.
“CLEAR!”
>You deliver a shock to try and reset the heart’s proper rhythm.
>Mac’s body lurches, but fails to respond.
“CLEAR!”
>No effect.
>Again!
“You big sonofabitch, don’t you dare die on us! CLEAR!”
>No effect.
>Agai-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9acCZ2OO0E
>….no….
>No no no….
>No way…this isn’t funny…
“CLEAR!”
>You deliver another shock, to no effect.
>You don’t even bother to order the others to clear before you deliver another shock.
>And another.
>And another.
>You roar in rage as you throw the paddles away, sending them crashing into a tray of tools, causing the other p0nies in the room with you to jump back.
>You turn and are met with the observation window.
>Rainbow’s face is one of abject horror.
>Perhaps she wonders if that could have been her.
>Cherilee backs away slowly, shaking her head in disbelief.
>Applejack…
>The grief, the anguish, the pain as what has happened sinks in…
>It was a face that you never wanted to see.
>Especially on her.
>Nurse Warmheart walks up behind you as pain-filled emerald eyes stare into yours blankly.
“Doctor…you need to call it…”