One Week Til Her End

by Dragon Genesis

Rating: teen
Tags: Rainbow Dash, Tragedy, Twilight Sparkle, Sad, Main 6, Romance, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 5274

Rainbow Dash faces the emotional challenge of only one week left to live due to Wing Cancer.

Rainbow Dash is self-announced best flyer in Equestria. She claims she can handle anything thrown at her. She is now tested when she discovers that she has been diagnosed with terminal Wing Cancer. With only a week to live, she will and try to accomplish her dreams without flying.

Published 2013-08-05 03:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-08-08 17:43:25 UTC

Diagnosed

Rainbow Dash sat in the waiting room of the hospital, trying to resist the urge to scratch her wings. Twilight sat next to her, wrapping her front legs around Rainbows's body and burying her head into her neck. Rainbow stroked her mane and kissed her forehead.

"Hey, it will be alright. Its just a check up." Both of them knew that wasn't true. They came here, after some protest on Rainbow's part, to check out the constant pain that went through her wings whenever she used them. She kept it hidden for awhile, not wanting to worry Twilight and the others, but it ft to the point where it was extremely difficult. Now they sat there waiting for the test results.

The waiting room had a unbecoming feel to it. It only made her want out of the hospital even more. She tapped her hooves on the floor, anxious for the results. She checked the clock, watching the second hand tick by.

She sighed as the doctor walked into the room but got worried as she saw the sad look on the doctors face. He motioned for them to join him in his office. The two walked into the office, Twilight snug under Rainbow's wing.

"Alright, we received the results." said the doctor once the two sat down. He sighed before continuing. "We've checked and did the test three times over and got the same results. I'm sorry, but you Wing Cancer." Rainbow stared at him, her mouth hanging open. Twilight tightened her grip on the Pegasus. It took a few moments for her brain to start working again.

"No, that can't be right. I'm Rainbow Dash, I can't have cancer." She tried not to panic. There has to be a mistake somewhere. The doctor just shook his head.

"Like I said. We did the test three times over. Not one mistake. Now, on normal cases I would recommend wing removal, which would remove the tumor with it.."

"Then do it!" The room was silent. Twilight gaped at Rainbow. Out of all the things in the world, her wings would be the thing Rainbow Dash would never give up. Now her she was, ready to remove them at a moments notice. This wasn't normal Rainbow Dash. Then again, she wouldn't be herself if she found out she had a terminal cancer. She would do way with her horn right there, even if she wouldn't be Celestia's student and wouldn't be able to use magic anymore.

"I would gladly if it meant possibly saving your life, but the cancer is too far devolped. It already has moved past the wings and onto the spine and nerves." Tears began to form in Rainbow's eyes. She didn't want to ask, but she had to know.

"How long do I have?" The doctor sighed and walked over to her. He placed a hoof on her shoulder.

"We figure about a week, max. The min being six days. I'm sorry you couldn't have had more time but the chances are that you will die a week from today." The tears released themselves, falling to the floor. "I recommend not using your wings for the rest of your time. Using them will only speed up the process. If you have anything you want to do first, I suggest you do it now since you might be in a wheel chair within the next few days. I'll be outside if you need me." The doctor walked outside of the room, leaving the two mares to cry in each others hooves.

"Look, Rainbow, I will find a cure. I will search every book and..." A hoof to her muzzle caused Twilight to stop. She looked up a Rainbow, her eyes were red from crying and tears still fell from her face. She wore the same smile that caused Twilight to love her so much. It was one that she only wore around her. She kissed Twilight gently on the lips.

"You are not going to spend the last seven days of my life over a pile of books. There was a cure and I was stupid and didn't come sooner. My death is my doing and I don't want you worrying your pretty face over something we can't fix."

"But.."

"Twilight Sparkle, you are not allowed to look for a cure or research wing cancer until at least three years after I die." Twilight hugged her, burying her head into Rainbows neck.

"But I don't want you to die. I want to grow old with you, have children with you,"

"Wait, that's possible?" Twilight nodded. "Well shit, now I totally regret hiding it." She gave a small laugh and brought Twilight closer. "Twilight, I would more than gladly remove my wings myself if it means I could be with you. Now, I think its time we went home, we may have to tell the girls." Twilight nodded and stood up. They walked out the door but Twilight stopped.

"I have to ask the doctor something, do you mind heading home without me?" Rainbow sighed but smiled.

"Just don't leave me waiting too long." Twilight nodded before entering the office again with the doctor. Rainbow Dash sighed before leaving the hospital for home.

She better not be doing what I think she's doing. Oh well, it's Twilight. She continued torwards the library, eager to lay down after the more than eventful day.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"Well, Miss Twilight, I'm glad you are willing to help. You have about four days but don't let that pressure you. Remember to help through this, as well." Twilight nodded, taking the paper the doctor gave to her.

"Just remember not to tell her. Its not really breaking my promise but I can tell she won't be happy." The doctor chuckled.

"Of course. I'm sure you two will be just fine. She is a stubborn one. With you helping, I'm sure she will live to see a few more sunrises." Twilight smiled and thanked the doctor before leaving. She trotted down the hall, a small spring I her step. Just twenty minutes ago she was sure there was no way to save Dash, now she had hope. All she had to do was fix the spells mistakes, use it on Dash, after a quick test of course, and get her to remove her wings and the tumor with it. It was a bit of a risk but she would take it if it meant she could save her lovers life.

Soon the library came into view. She heard someone call her name and turned to see Apple Jack and Rarity coming torwards her, both with a look of concern on their faces.

"What were the results?" asked Apple Jack when they caught up with her. Twilight's smile faded but returned when she remembered the spell.

"I think its better if she told you, its her results. Now lets go get Pinkie and Fluttershy." The two nodded and followed her to Sugarcube Corner.

___________________________________________________________________________________

"Spike, you can stop crying into my mane now, I don't want you sneezing or whatever and setting my mane on fire." Rainbow gently pushed the crying purple dragon away from her hair. Spike looked up at her.

"How are you so calm? You just found out you have a week to live and you're acting like you don't care!" Rainbow Dash laughed. She stroked Spike's head.

"Believe me, I care. I pretty much sentenced myself to death and am about to leave the love of my life because of it. I just accept that there is nothing I can due and that there is no point spending the last week of my life crying over it." There was a knock at the door. Spike sighed and went to open it. Twilight and the others walked into the library. Once they saw that Spike had recently been crying, the four girls started to worry, Twilight just stroked his head.

The five walked into Twilight's room where Rainbow was laying down, staring at the ceiling. Twilight walked over to her and sat down next to her, giving her a quick kiss. Rainbow sat up and wrapped her hooves around her. She stopped when she saw the paper Twilight had floating behind her. She grabbed it and read it before Twilight could take it away from her.

"Twilight Sparkle, I said you were NOT allowed to look for a cure." She said, frowning at the lavender unicorn. Twilight took the paper away from her and set it down on the nightstand.

"It IS a cure. I just need to do some editing." She paused as she remembered the others in the room. "Besides, you owe an explanation." she said, nodding torwards their four friends who were standing in the doorway. Rainbow sighed.

"Fluttershy, you might have already have guessed, but I have been diagnosed with Wing Cancer, a terminal cancer that devolpes in the wings and spreads down the spine if not remove in the early stages. I have about a week." She was suddenly tackled off the bed by the four mares. The four hugged her tightly and cried. "Um...I...kinda..want..to...breathe." she said, gasping for air. The four released her.

"Sorry, dear, but I can't believe you of all pegasi could have cancer." said Rarity, wiping away tears.

"Yeah, well, I'm not invincible." She brought the four into a hug once again, trying to calm them. She soon gave up and let them cry out their fears.

Author's Note

Well, something different. I had to write another romance at some point. Feed back is appreciated.

Wonderbolt for a day

Rainbow slowly opened her eyes, noticing that Twilight was not in the bed with her. She sat up, wincing as pain shot down her spine. She felt so stupid for hiding her condition for so long. She just hoped Twilight can finish that spell. All she wanted was to have the chance to spend the rest of her life with Twilight and have a family with her.

Rainbow walked out of the room, looking for her other half. She saw spike walk out of the spare bedroom, he insisted on staying there to give the two some space. She was about to call out to him when he put a finger to his mouth and pointed a thumb down the stairs. Curious, she walked down the stairs to find Twilight at a desk, surrounded by papers. Her mane was a mess and her eyes were a little red.

"How long she been up?" she asked Spike. He shook his head.

"Four hours. She's been working non-stop." Rainbow walked up to Twilight and kissed her lightly on the neck. She jumped at the sudden touch but relaxed as she realized who it was. She turned her head and gave Rainbow a sweet, passionate kiss. She broke off and looked down at the paper.

"I looked over it a few times but will there is a way to kill off the branching of the cancer, there is no way to kill off the source. If this works, you will still need to have your wings removed before it spreads again." Twilight hung her head. "I'm sorry." Rainbow kissed her forehead.

"Don't be. If losing my wings is the price I have to pay, then so be it. As long as I'm with you, I will always soar through the sky, not literally, of course." Twilight smiled before nuzzling Rainbow.

"Well, Miss Dash, get ready. I have something planned for today." Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? What is that?" Twilight grinned and leaned forward before whispering in her ear.

"Its a secret." Rainbow's eyes widened before she smiled.

"Its a good thing my wings are tied down. That wing boner would have been painful as hell." Twilight giggled and kissed her cheek before walking upstairs before getting herself ready. Rainbow followed, going to take a shower with her.

___________________________________________________________________________________

"Where are we going?" asked Rainbow as she got into the hot air balloon. Twilight grinned again and shook her head.

"Can't tell you. Its a secret." Rainbow snorted before sitting down on the hot air balloon's floor. Twilight giggled as she guided it upward. Rainbow Dash didn't pay much attention until she realized where she was. Wonderbolt academy.

"Twilight, why are we here?" Twilight said nothing but her smile grew. Once the balloon landed, Twilight casted a spell to allow her to walk on the clouds. Rainbow just followed, since she still had her wings she still could walk on clouds unaided.

She followed Twilight for a bit, trying to figure out why she was back here. She couldn't think of any reason why she would be back at the academy meant for the best of flyers. If it hadn't occurred to Twilight, she could no longer fly. She looked at the lavender unicorn, trying to figure out her motive.

She heard somepony whistle and looked up to see the current members of the Wonderbolts flying torwards them. Her mouth dropped open and turned to see Twilight with a huge smile. A smile snuck across her face as she figured out Twilight's plan. She hugged the unicorn and kissed her multiple times on the cheek before turning to the Wonderbolts who were now landing down in front of them. Spitfire walked forward and shook hooves with Twilight.

"I'm glad you agreed to do this, Spitfire." said Twilight. Spitfire nodded and smiled.

"She saved our asses, is the only Pegasus to preform a sonic rainboom, and was able to quit her dream because of someone being too reckless. She deserves this."

"Deserves what?" asked Rainbow, paying close attention. Spitfire walked up to her with a smile.

"Rainbow Dash, you are here by a Wonderbolt for a day." Rainbow Dash's mouth dropped open, damn near falling through the clouds.

"B-but how? I can't fly and" Spitfire raised a hoof to stop her.

"I'm very well aware you can't fly. You will be helping us teach students at the academy. If anything requires flying, you will be transported by cloud." Rainbow beamed and tackled Twilight. She kissed her repeatedly, saying thank you in between each kiss. Twilight got up and kissed her on the forehead.

"You have fun, I'm going to head back and finish the spell." Rainbow nodded and kissed her marefriend, not caring that they were being watched. She watched as Twilight got on the balloon and started to leave. "I'll be back in a few hours!" she called out before disappearing.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Rainbow waited for the balloon to appear over the clouds. She smiled after one of the best days of her life. The Wonderbolts agreed to allow her to visit and help out if it all worked out. It was all looking bright. She closed her eyes and basked in Celestia's sun. She heard her name and turned to see a brown Pegasus walking torwards her. Behind him she saw a group watching him, whispering to each other. She sighed as she suspected what he was going to ask.

"Miss Dash, is it okay if I ask you a question?" She looked up at the stallion, not wanting to explain this to him.

"If its about why I didn't fly today or why I'm waiting for someone to pick me up, forget about it." This earned a few gasps and more whispering from the others behind him. The stallion smirked.

"Well, I guess we were right." Rainbow glared at him.

"About what, if I may ask?"

"That you can't fly and that you are just a wanna be." Rainbow Dash jumped up and punched the stallion in the face, knocking out a few teeth.

"Just because someone has cancer doesn't mean they are a wanna be and can't fly. I have less than a week to live and I will not tolerate assholes like you!" She went to punch him again when pain erupted from her spine. She fell off him and groaned in pain, not able to move. The stallion got up and started to back away but backed right into Spitfire. She glared down at him.

"Oh buck, Rainbow!" Twilight jumped out of the balloon, leaving Spike to try and tie it down. Twilight lifted her onto her lap and stroked her mane. She turned over and glared at the Pegasus stallion. The stallion cried out as he was levitated into the air by a purple aura and brought over to him.

"Give me one reason I shouldn't use every torture spell in my knowledge on you right now." The stallion was crying his eyes out, obviously terrified by the mare.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!" She dropped him onto his head.

"Get out of here. I'll let Spitfire take care of you. But fore now, I need her." Spitfire looked over at her with a questioning look. "Spitfire, I need you to take Rainbow to the hospital. I did a quick check over and the growth has accelerated. I need to get that spell now and get it removed. Can you take her there?" Spitfire nodded.

"Of course. Sorian, take this shit back to my office. Expell him once you get there." Sorian nodded and guided the stallion back to the building. She them went and brought down a cloud. Once Twilight got Rainbow on she began to take off. She stopped as Twilight called out to her.

"Be careful with her. She worries me enough as it is." Spitfire smiled.

"I'll take the utmost care." With that, she was off to the hospital.

Never going to leave

Rainbow Dash slowly opened her eyes, her back still hurting like hell. The beep of a heart monitor filled her ears. She looked around and found herself in a hospital bed. She closed her eyes and groaned as the memories returned. She then wondered how she got there in the first place. All she remembered was almost punching that ass of a stallion before blacking out.

The door opened and a doctor can him. He wore a small smile as he walked in.

"Now why would a beautiful mare like you get brought in here?" Rainbow laughed.

"I'm guessing you are new. I know how pissed the doctors get if other doctors or nurses flirt with patients. Besides, I don't swing that way." The doctor frowned before walking forward and looking at her charts. He whistled,

"Says here that you aren't due back for another few days, and not just for a check up as it seems. We did a few tests and it seems your cancer has accelerated. You obviously did strenuous work on an infected area which led to your black out." The doctor sighed and set down the clipboard. "This has shortened down your remains time."

"By how much?" asked Rainbow Dash, staring at the ceiling.

"Well it has been two days of your seven, leaving five. Now after these results, it's down to two." A tear rolled down Rainbows eye.

"Is there any hope of me surviving with that spell?" The doctor looked back at his notes and smiled.

"If it's finished, we can get it all done tomorrow and you will survive." A smile appeared on Rainbow Dash's face.

"Can you send in my mare friend, Twilight? I would like to talk with her." The doctor nodded and left. Rainbow layed down and closed her eyes, waiting for Twilight to enter. A few seconds later she heard the door crash open and Twilight came running in, concern on her face.

"Oh Celestia, Rainbow. Are you okay, do they have results, whats going to happen?" Rainbow chuckled and looked up at the lavender unicorn, a tear running down her cheek.

"I bucked up, Twi. I now have two days." Twilight looked at her in disbelief in her eyes. Tears started to roll down her cheeks and onto the floor. "You got that spell?" Twilight nodded. "Finish it. If its done by tomorrow then I might survive. If you don't finish in time or if it doesn't work then I want you to fix it so no one has to go through the same thing as us, alright?" Twilight nodded, tears flowing and buried her head into Rainbow's neck. Rainbow stroked her mane.

"Shh. Its okay. Finish that spell. I can wait. I will see you in the morning, alright?" Twilight looked at her and kissed her on the lips.

"I will have it done and you will survive." A sob escaped her. "See you in the morning, I love you." Rainbow Dash stroked the unicorns mane out of her eyes.

"Twilight, I am never going to leave you. Got it?" Twilight nodded and left. Rainbow layed down her head and stared at the ceiling. "I'm never going to leave." Rainbow turned her head over to the door. "Hey, Nurse! Can I get a Daring Doo book, please?"

__________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight sat down at her desk, staring blankly at the words written on the paper in front of her. Her mind refused to work even though she kept telling herself that she needed to. Ideas and thoughts didn't want to come through the wall of sadness that draped her mind. She shook her head and picked up her quill.

No, I have to work. If I don't finish tonight then Rainbow Dash could die and I can't let that happen. I just can't. Her quill moved with quick speed as it fixed holes in the wording, knitted together pieces of the spell and made it possible. She set down after four hours of writing.

She looked out of the window and saw that the sun was already starting to set. She got up to go upstairs to her home when someone knocked on the door.

"Spike! Get the door!" There was no response. She sighed and walked downstairs. She didn't know why Spike didn't answer the door but she really didn't think about it too much. She opened there door and was surprised to see Rarity, Spike hiding behind her. She raised an eyebrow.

"Um...good evening, Twilight dear, are you feeling alright?" Twilight cocked her head at the two.

"Of course, Rarity. Why would you ask?" Spike slid back further and Rarity pawed the floor.

"Well, you see, Twilight, you have been locked in here ever since you left the hospital and we never got to see her because she was asleep so we were wondering if something happened..."

"Everything is fine. Just a small problem but it will be fixed tomorrow." Rarity raised an eyebrow.

"What is this 'small' problem, if I may ask?" Twilight's smile faded.

"Oh it's nothing you know..."

"Twilight." Twilight sighed and hung her head.

"She has two days." There was silence, Rarity and Spike, who were now inside, stood there, shocked. "We just have to wait for tomorrow. She will never leave, she said it herself.

Surgery

Rainbow woke up, but her eyes stayed shut, not wanting to open them. She tried to roll onto her side but the pain was unbearable. She groaned and sunk her head deeper into the pillow. All she wanted was for it to end, but she had to wait. She knew Twilight could do it, but if she didn't, she was prepared to die. She got to be a Wonderbolt, even if it was for a day, saved Equestria multiple times, and most of all, she confessed to love of her life. She did all the things she could have ever wanted has been done, she was ready.

She sighed at the thought, she was still troubled at the thought of leaving Twilight and having her final moments just staring into those beautiful eyes as she passed on. A tear rolled down her cheek and she opened her eyes, looking up at the ceiling.

There was a knock on the door. Rainbow called for them to enter and a nurse walked in, a big smile on her face. Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow as she saw the cart. It had a tub with soapy water and a brush.

"What, now I'm going to be bathed by brush?" she asked the nurse as she walked up to her bed. The nurse laughed and shook her head.

"No. I'm here to prep you." This caught Rainbow's attention.

"Prep? Prep what and for what?" The nurse's smile grew wider.

"She finished the spell, Rainbow. We checked it and confirmed it will work, they even had me cast it so I knew the spell. As for what, I'm here to clean your wings and the area around your wings so when they start the surgery, dirt and filth doesn't get into the open areas and cause infections." Rainbow smiled as the nurse lifted her and flipped her over with her magic.

"Well, its nice to know that I might not die tomorrow." joked Rainbow Dash, but her smile faded. "I just might die today." The nurse stopped scrubbing in between her wings and frowned at Rainbow Dash.

"I know the chances might not be all that great since we go done to the spine, but you have to have faith." She paused as she walked around and started on the other wing. "Think of Twilight during the surgery. Yes, you'll be under but try to think of her in your sleep." The nurse smiled. "It will give you something to hold onto and your chances of surviving might even improve." Rainbow returned the nurse's smile. She knew the nurse was right.

"Alright, all done." said the nurse. "Now, I'm going to cast the spell. I'll get the doctors in first, of course. The spell will put you under, but we will still make a few precautions of our own." She paused. "Are you ready?" Rainbow nodded. She closed her eyes as her back was covered in a tingling sensation. That was the last thing she remembered.

__________________________________________________________________________

Twilight sat in the waiting room. She was told that they were going to start the surgery and she was more than welcome to sit in the painting room and wait for results. She tried to say something to Rainbow when they brought her by but she was already under. All she could do was sit and wait for her to come out.

There were plenty of times that Twilight couldn't sit still because she was so nervous, and this was the worst. Her girlfriend and love her life was now being layed down on a table and was about to have her wings removed from her spine. She wasn't a doctor, but she knew that it was a huge risk. It could go three ways in this situation: She can come out with no wings and be perfectly fine, she could come out with no wings but the spell failed to remove all branching of the cancer, or she couldn't come out at all, except for under the white sheet covering her whole body, signalling her death. She didn't want think about it but it could happen.

The others soon came by and sat there with her, giving her all the support she would need.

"Twilight, dear, I'm sure they've done this procedure plenty times before." said Rarity. She sighed. "But you probably already knew that. I doubt you would have let this happen if weren't satisfied with your research." Rarity looked at Twilight's blank expression as she continued to do nothing but look at the clock.

"I actually didn't do any research." The others stared at her in shock. "I just couldn't stand to look at the records of pegasi before who have come in and had the same done. Some living, some dying. I couldn't stand that." Tears started to form. Applejack put a hoof around her.

"Nopony said ya had to, Two. We all are just as worried about her as you are." Twilight smiled.

"Thanks guys. I know we'll get throu-" The sound of a small alarm cut her off. Nurses got up and looked over at the screen.

"What room is it?" asked Redheart, looking past the unicorn in front of the screen.

"Operation room 8. Current patient: Rainbow Dash." It took all four of the friends to keep Twilight from jumping up and running into the operating room. Nurse Redheads shook her head.

"Get somebody in there now! Do not let here die." The nurse nodded and was followed by two others as she sprinted down the hall to Rainbow's room. Nurse Redheart looked at the emotional trainwreck that was Twilight Sparkle.

The alarm stopped. Redheart loomed at the screen and smiled as she saw Rainbow's monitor back to normal. Nurse Redheart walked over to Twilight.

"She made it. Her heart rate is back to normal." Twilight smiled and the tears rolled down her cheeks. "She made it."

Author's Note

Alright, one more chapter folks. After the next one, it's done. I may try and do a reading of this story so we'll just have to wait and see.

Epilogue

Twilight adjusted her wings and crossed her fore legs. It has been almost a year since Rainbow survived her surgery and now she is sitting in a waiting room in a hospital in Cantrelot.

Over the year, Rainbow got used to being an earth pony and was able to get a few decent jobs. She also got pregnant, via a spell that Twilight had found, and was now about to deliver their twins. About a month after Rainbow got pregnant Twilight turned into an alicorn and was crowned a princess. It was hard for the two for awhile but they over came it. Now it's Twilights turn to wait while Rainbow was in labor.

Twilight was in court when a guard rushed in saying Rainbow was going into labor. That was the fastest she flew since first getting her wings. So here she sat, shifting in her seat in unease.

A doctor walked into the lobbey, a warm smile on his face. He walked up to her.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle, if you would like to come with me." Her and the other four elements, who sat with her the whole time, followed the doctor down a corridor to own of the rooms. "They are both healthy." said the doctor, opening the door.

The cyan mare layed down on the bed, holding two foals in her hooves. One was dark blue Pegasus with Rainbow's mane. The other was a white unicorn with a purple mane. The unicorn's her had a slight glimmer to it, most likely from through gut.

Twilight walked over next to Rainbow and looked at her two daughters. The Pegasus yawned and nuzzled against Rainbow Dash. Twilight kissed Rainbow on the forehead.

"You did a good job." she whispered to her. Rainbow nuzzled her head against Twilights body.

"WE did a good job." She kissed the lavender alicorn, holding her there for a few seconds. They broke of and Twilight turned torwards the two fillys.

"What are we going to name them?" asked Twilight. Rainbow thought for a moment.

"Well seeing this one is a Pegasus and has my mane, Prisim Dash. That okay with you?" Twilight nodded then turned torwards the unicorn filly.

"Why don't we call this one Glimmer Sparkle?" she said, pointing at the unicorn filly.

"She does have the look, doesn't she? Alright. Prisim Dash and Glimmer Sparkle." Twilight leaned against her lover, looking at their beautiful daughters.

Author's Note

There we go. There might be a possible sequel and an upcoming reading. Until then, this is it.