“Nothing to worry about, Rainbow,” said Fluttershy with a sigh. “Your wing is just strained from the effort. Just take it easy for a couple of days and you’ll be like new.”

“Take it easy? TAKE IT EASY? I don’t have time to take it easy, Fluttershy. The Games will start in two weeks and I have to be at the top of my game if I want to be the champ again this year,” retorted Rainbow Dash.

“I’m sorry, but it’s not something that’s for you to decide. When you asked me to be the nurse for the team again this year, you agreed to follow my instructions, remember? Plus, the pain in your wing is just not going to go away and I’m not going to give you a strong analgesic again. You’ll just push yourself until you get seriously hurt.”

“But I can’t fail Scootaloo. I’m her hero. I just can’t lose the racing competitions this year.” Rainbow put her hooves on her head but managed to stop herself from pulling her own hair.

Pinkie Pie was sitting on the floor in front of the two Pegasi. She was wearing a worn cheerleader uniform with the colors of Ponyville and had her pom-poms in one hoof and a glass in the other. She took a sip from her glass and said, “I still don’t get how beating her in the competitions means that you haven’t failed her. In any case, you’ll come in second on lower place one of these days, either this year or the next Games; we’re not in our 20s anymore. Plus, have you seen Scootaloo’s times? The girl has improved quite a lot!”

“Aaaaarghhhh, I know, I know,” growled Rainbow Dash, still with her hooves on her hair. “Just… not this year. I can still be the champ one more time. I know I can.”

“But you ARE Ponyville’s champ, Rainbow,” interjected Fluttershy. “Not only you have been the champ for 3 Games in a row, but you are one of the most prominent Wonderbolts in recent history. You don’t have to win the most medals in these Games to prove anything. I mean, it’d be nice if you did, but it doesn’t change a thing if you don’t.”

“Yeah, silly. You’ll always be our champ, no matter what.” Pinkie Pie jumped and hugged Rainbow, who slowly took her hoofs of her head and returned the hug.

“I guess you’re right.” Rainbow forced herself to smile. “But this is more than just being the champ. It’s who I am, the fastest pony in all Equestria. It’s all I’ve ever wanted and all I’ve ever done. If I lose the races, I don’t have anything else.”

Pinkie Pie let go of Rainbow. “Nonsense. Fluttershy gave up her animal caring thing after her marriage, remember? And she studied at home to become a nurse. Aaaaaaaand she did it while having and raising two foals. If she could change her life, so can you.” Pinkie pie extended a hoof towards Fluttershy.

“Well, marriage and foals do change you, you know?” said Fluttershy. “Fortunately, Big Mac is such a great father and helps me a lot with the foals. But still, as a mother, I just knew I wasn't going to be able to spend as much time outdoors anymore."

“Ok, fine. I just want to end my career in my prime and be Scootaloo’s inspiration one more time. Pleeeeeease Fluttershy? I will go down on my knees if I have to.” Rainbow put her hooves together in a pleading gesture.

“No, and that’s final.” Fluttershy didn’t raise her voice, she just put her hoof in the ground, not fast, but firm. “Rainbow, I know how much you want to win, but I just can’t let you fly at high speeds with your wing like that. I’d be doing you a disservice."

Rainbow gritted her teeth for a second, then she relaxed. "I understand, I guess," she said with a low voice.

Fluttershy then said, "I need to go and see the other members of the team. I'll see you in two days. Please do not do anything you'll regret.”

Pinkie and Rainbow watched Fluttershy as she walked away to talk to the rest of the team.

“Remember when she was a pushover? That girl certainly has changed a lot.” Pinkie Pie said as she took another gulp of her glass. She then put her left foreleg over Rainbow’s shoulder. “On the other hand, you haven’t changed a thing. Well, except your age.” She turned to Rainbow with a smile.

“HA, HA, very funny.” Rainbow Dash scowled, before hiding her face in her hooves. “Pinkie, what am I going to do? I can’t be second place. Not in front of Scootaloo. Not behind Scootaloo!”

“That’s what you said in the last games. And I think the games before that. You don’t really expect to be in the same condition as when you were 20 forever, do you? Besides, your times are still very impressive. C’mon, let’s go party! That'll help you distract your mind and I know just the place. Just you and me, like in old times.”

The points of Rainbow Dash’s ears came down. “All right I guess. I can’t do anything for two days anyway and Spitfire needs to train.” She stayed quiet for a while and then spoke. “Pinkie, I’m fed up with having injuries more and more often.”

Pinkie turned serious. “I know. I don’t have the same amount of energy that I used to either, but such is life. And I guess getting old is better than the alternative. Geez, look at us! We talk like we’re Granny Smith’s age! Let’s cheer up and go party!” She finished the drink in her glass.

Rainbow turned around and looked at the sports stadium of the Crystal Empire. She saw several ponies, both from her team and other teams, training, including Scootaloo. Most of them were at least 10 years younger than she was. Then she turned and smiled at Pinkie and left the place with her.

*****

"Twilight! Wake up!"

Twilight grudgingly opened her eyelids and looked at her window. The sun was barely above the horizon, glowing orange as it scared the night away.

"For the love of Celestia, Spike, didn't you notice how late we went to bed last night?" complained Twilight with a sleepy voice to Spike. He was a young adult now, taller and stronger than Twilight. The previous night, he had again asked Twilight about getting someone to take his place as her assistant so he could go and live his own life, and again, she had stalled.

"Twilight! You really have to read this, NOW!" said Spike as he slammed the newspaper on a table next to Twilight's bed. He was breathing faster than normal and his hands were trembling. Twilight wondered what had happened. She picked up the paper and read the headline.

Ponyville Champion Badly Injured in Equestria Games Accident!

Twilight looked at the newspaper with huge eyes. "This... what... there must be some kind of mistake." She kept on reading.

Ponyville Champion, Rainbow Dash, winner of 9 gold medals in Equestria Games and Wonderbolt Captain, was badly injured late last night as she tried to incorporate her signature Sonic Rainboom into the obstacle course training. As of this printing, the Crystal Empire Hospital has refused to release details of her condition until further notice. Princess Cadence, the head of this year's games, has officially postponed the games for a week, prompting both cheers and protests from several members of other teams. Fluttershy, the team's nurse, has been promoted to temporary coach of the Ponyville team.

Twilight stared at the news, incredulous, and then at Spike, who was fidgeting with his fingers.

"When did you find out?" asked Twilight.

"About 10 minutes ago, while I was getting groceries. I bought the paper and came here as fast as I could. Oh, Twilight, I'm sick with worry. We have to get there."

Twilight's mouth was dry. "We... we have to let Rarity and Applejack know too. They have to come too."

*****

The train trip to the Crystal Empire felt like an eternity. Twilight was gazing at the view outside the window, seeing the posts and the houses as the train moved. She tried to think of what to say, to come up with some words that would assure her friends that Rainbow Dash would be alright.

In the same wagon, in front of Twilight, Rarity was holding Spike, who was sobbing and shaking. Twilight still thought of the young dragon as a "poor little fellow," even though he was taller than Rarity. Nevertheless, Twilight's heart ached listening to his sobs. The report that Princess Cadance had sent through Spike's magical fire breath had been discouraging: several broken bones, including a fair number of ribs and fractures in the neck and skull, internal hemorrhage, and possible injuries to internal organs.

Applejack, who was sitting next to Twilight, finished reading the report and put it down. "Well, this doesn't look very good, does it?" She looked at everypony else and attempted a smile. "She really done good this time, didn't she?"

Rarity looked at Applejack with angry eyes. With a badly restrained voice, she asked, "How can you talk about this so... so callously? We don't know if... if... No. I won't even say it."

Rarity's tone of voice made Twilight turn back to interior of the wagon. "Now, now. It was bad, but I'm sure that Rainbow Dash will make it. She will probably have to retire as an athlete, but she'll be fine and we'll have her bragging again in no time. We're talking about Rainbow Dash, after all. She's a tough girl," she said.

"You can't guarantee that," said Applejack soberly. "This is nothing like her previous injuries. This is the kind of injuries that kill ponies. I don't think she has even regained consciousness. Princess Cadance would have told us if she had, I'm sure of that."

Spike raised his head. His eyes were vibrant and he was biting his lip. "Tell us she's wrong, Twilight. Tell us that Rainbow Dash will make it," he begged.

Twilight looked the young dragon that she had raised since he was a baby. He had been like a younger brother to her. She couldn't lie to him.

"Applejack is right," Twilight said to Spike. "There is a chance that we will get there just to say good-bye to Rainbow Dash. You... we should prepare for that as well. Nevertheless, we shouldn't lose hope either."

The young dragon buried his face in Rarity's chest.

"I can't even imagine it," said Rarity. "This all feels so... unreal."

"Whatever happens, everything will be alright," said Applejack to the group with a timid smile.

Twilight and Rarity looked at her, while Spike once again started to sob in Rarity's embrace. "What do you mean, Applejack?" asked Twilight.

Applejack put a hoof over Twilight's shoulder. "Sugarcube, I've been through these things. I ain't going to lie. It's hard as hell. But you know? No matter what happens, everything is going to be alright, one way or the other."

*****

As soon as the train arrived to the Crystal Empire, Twilight and her friends ran as fast as they could from the train to the hospital. They didn't want to see the faces of other ponies or the newspapers in the newsstands. They just wanted to get to Rainbow Dash and hoped that everything would be fine. The nurse would say that it had been a terrible accident and maybe Rainbow Dash would have make some drastic changes in her lifestyle, but she'd recover with time and rest.

They arrived to the hospital's waiting room, where they found Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. Spitfire was strangely absent. Pinkie Pie, still dressed in her old cheerleading uniform, was silently crying, her head buried in her hooves and her worn pom-poms lying on the ground. There was a bottle next to her, which Twilight didn't fail to notice. Fluttershy was accompanied by Big Mac and her two young foals.

"How is she? Is she awake yet? Can we speak to her?" asked Twilight with a lump in her throat.

"It's over," said Fluttershy. "She's not hurting anymore."

Rarity gasped and took a hoof to her mouth. Spike held her neck and started to cry again.

"But, but... I didn't get a chance to say good-bye," cried Twilight. She had thought about losing Rainbow Dash as a remote possibility, but she had somehow believed that even if that were the case, she'd still get to say good-bye to her colored-hair friend. She felt cheated, as if someone had stolen from her something she was owed.

"We don't always do," said a self-possessed, if somber, Applejack. "What happens now?" she asked.

"I've made arrangements to transfer the body to Ponyville," said Fluttershy. "I know she was born in Cloudsdale, but she really identified more with Ponyville. She had been competing for our team for years, after all. And her best memories are also from Ponyville. I think that's the most appropriate thing to do. I've already obtained clearance from Princess Cadence and Spitfire is making arrangements with Princess Celestia."

"What will happen with Tank?" asked Applejack.

"Spitfire will take him with her," answered Fluttershy.

Twilight's heart sank as she realized the impact of what had happened. She would never see her blue friend soar the sky again, or hear her brag about her abilities, or listen to her saying how awesome she was. She would never hug her or tell her what a great friend she was. But the thing that hurt her the most was that she didn't get a chance to say good-bye.

Twilight let herself drop into a chair. She looked at Fluttershy talking so composedly. After a few minutes, Twilight asked her, "How can you be so calm?"

Fluttershy took a hoof to her mouth and looked up, thinking. After a few seconds, she answered. "I think it just hasn't dawned on me yet. Plus someone has to take care of these matters. I mean, we still have to pay for the hospital's fees and special freight fees, although I'm sure Rainbow Dash supporters will contribute with more than enough."

*****

Almost none of the ponies had been able to sleep much that night. Pinkie had locked herself in her room all night long. The rest could guess what she was doing, but none of them thought it was a good moment to confront her. Spike had cried himself to sleep while Rarity and Applejack spent the night talking about the details of what had happened and their memories of Rainbow Dash. Tears came down of Rarity's eyes during the whole conversation, ruining her make up, but she made no attempt to fix it. Applejack, on the other hand, acted like nothing had happened, although a break in her voice now and then betrayed her feelings. After a while, she admitted that she had to stay calm and strong, because "someone has to." Twilight listened to them, thinking about how incomplete she felt. Only Fluttershy, exhausted from the day's activities and the care of two active foals, managed to get some decent rest, embraced by Big Mac.

A ceremony was held the next day at the sports stadium. All the public of the Games attended, as well as the members of all the teams, despite the light rain and cloudy weather that had started a couple of days ago. Princess Celestia gave a beautiful speech that spoke truly of Rainbow Dash's nature. No words about how sweet she had been, but about how fast and competitive and loyal she had been in her short life. She said how Rainbow had probably been the most awesome pony there had ever existed, to which everyone sobbed and nodded. Princess Cadance also spoke some words about Rainbow, but also about the Games. She told the crowd that the Equestria Games committee would continue with the Games the following week, since that's what Rainbow would have wanted. She said Rainbow wouldn't have wanted her death to stop the dreams of other ponies who had trained so hard for this moment, just like she had. Princess Cadance also banned the use of Sonic Rainbooms from competitions until safety measures had been created, implemented, and tested to make sure that they were perfectly safe to use.

After Princess Cadance's speech, a few members of the Ponyville team spoke. They all said how inspiring and loyal Rainbow Dash had been. They spoke about how earlier in life she had learned to stick with her friends through victory or defeat, and how much the team had improved since them, knowing that even if they didn't win, Rainbow Dash would stand next to them in the second or third place podium, or on the ground, if they didn't win a medal.

Next came Scootaloo. She stood proud and strong at the podium, taking just a bit too long to control her emotions before she spoke.

"Today is a specially tragic occasion for me. Rainbow Dash was my personal hero and my inspiration. It was because of her that I became an athlete and also why I'm training to become a Wonderbolt. It was my dream to be like her and I worked hard everyday to be as good as her.

"But she wasn't only a hero. She was a close and warm friend and tutor. I remember that one day while we were camping, I got scared by some horror stories the older ponies were telling. I was just a young filly back then and easily impressed. I escaped in fear in the middle of the night and fell into a river which took me to a waterfall. I would have died if Rainbow hadn't rescued me at the last moment. So, in addition to everything else, I owed her my life.

"From that day forward, she took me under her wing, training me and teaching me what I needed to know in order to improve my skills. Then, when I decided to join the Cloudsdale team, I could feel she was sad at my departure, but she just wished me luck. I had learned so much from her but it was time for me to be on my own, even though I missed her terribly for the first months.

Equestria lost a great athlete and Wonderbolt, but I lost the pony that made the biggest and most positive impact in my life, my tutor, my friend, and my hero. Thank you, thank you very much Rainbow Dash."

After Scootaloo, it was Fluttershy's turn to speak.

"Dear friends and fans of the Games. I'm very humbled to talk on behalf of the team now that Rainbow Dash is not with us anymore. I have spoken with all the other members of the team and they've all agreed not to compete this year, out of respect of Rainbow's memory. We're also retiring the number 1 from all our uniforms, since it was Rainbow Dash's number and nopony will ever take her place. There was and there will only be one Rainbow Dash. The team will be back for the next Games. In the meantime, we wish all the members of the other teams good luck and may the best pony win.

"Now I would like to say a few words about Rainbow Dash. We go back a long way. I met her when I was a small filly who still had trouble flying. One time, after I had fallen and somehow wrapped myself in a flag at Summer Flight Camp, two bullies started to make fun of me. It was the most humiliating moment of my life. Then, out of nowhere, Rainbow Dash showed up and stood up for me, while I was just there, sitting and afraid. 'Leave her alone!' she said to them. I had never seen anyone so confident, so sure of herself before. Those were traits that Rainbow would carry for the rest of her life.

"But confidence wasn't the only thing Rainbow Dash was admired for. She was also brave, fun, and loyal and never ran away from a good challenge. Perhaps that is what made her so awesome."

Fluttershy's voice was firm as she continued. "I have other news. Starting today, I will work to obtain funds and start a charity hospital named after her. It'll be my own personal way to keep her legacy alive, although I know that for me, as for many of you as well, Rainbow Dash will always be in our hearts, regardless of what happens. Thank you very much for everything, Rainbow. You were the most awesome pony there has ever been."

The crowd applauded and cried as Fluttershy walked down from the podium and Spitfire walked up to it, to give her speech in the name of the Wonderbolts. Spike and Rarity and Pinkie were sobbing, while Applejack and Twilight feigned serenity as best as they could. Big Mac and Fluttershy's foals embraced the yellow Pegasus.

Twilight walked up to Fluttershy and said "That was beautiful Fluttershy, truly beautiful." She then noticed Fluttershy's lips and jaw tremble.

"Thank you, Twilight. I... I need to be alone right now," said Fluttershy and she walked away.

"But you can't be alone right now, friendship means..." Twilight said as her shoulder was held by Applejack.

"Let her go," said the cowgirl with red but serene eyes. "We each grieve in our own way."

*****

The first part of the trip home was spent in somber silence. Slowly, the ponies started to speak. First they made casual commentary about the sights and places they passed by. Then they started commenting about the ceremony and ended up talking about Rainbow Dash in a casual way. All except Twilight, who kept staring out the window, silent. She wasn't looking at anything in specific. She was just trying to cope with the pain and the emotions. She would cry, later, when she would be alone, so as not to upset her friends.

"Did you really fall on your face so many times just to help Rainbow?" Pinkie Pie asked Applejack.

"Yep, it hurt like hell, let me tell you. But I had promised Rainbow I'd help her train, so I kept trying again and again."

"That is so funny," laughed Rarity. "Oh my God, you girls did a lot of silly things when you were young."

"We all did, Sugarcube, remember the fight we had at Twilight's that sleepover?"

"Gosh, I was such a bitch back then," said Rarity as she covered her face with a hoof, jokingly pretending to be embarrassed.

Fluttershy interjected, "Well, do tell us. I mean, if it's not too private."

Spike jumped in, "Yeah, out with it."

Rarity rushed forward, "Let me tell it Applejack, it's such a great memory of mine. I can't believe how uptight I used to be."

Pinkie Pie spoke, "It feels like a long time ago, doesn't it? Still, it's not like we're old, you know. I mean, Rainbow Dash was only what? 34?"

Fluttershy answered "Yeah. It was a rather short life."

Applejack commented, "But she managed to cram more spunk in those years than all of us together, wouldn't you say?"

Spike interrupted her "Applejack! I want to hear Rarity tell the story!"

As her friends talked and laughed, Twilight noticed the rain stopping and the sun starting to shine. A beautiful rainbow then appeared in the horizon.

Applejack was right, Twilight thought. Everything will be alright. Good-bye, my friend. Good-bye Rainbow Dash.

And she finally broke down and cried.

*****

A few weeks later, Spike left the castle to see the world and live his own life as a dragon. Twilight decided not to replace him for the time being.