"Life is like dots. You can focus on a black dot on a white piece of paper, which just makes it seem bigger. The same thing happens if you focus on a white dot on a piece of black paper. It's the perspective of how you see life that really changes it."

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"Wow, that dress really is amazing," said Twilight, in awe.

"Well, Wha'dya expect outta Rarity, she is the best designer in Ponyville," Applejack replied.

Today was Rarity's fashion show, and the six friends couldn't afford to miss her big day. Models strode past the stage, showing off Rarity's beautiful designs. Her months of hard work finally paid off. Rainbow Dash was usually not a big fan of fashion and all that stuff, but she would do anything to support a friend. She is, after all, the element of loyalty.

"LET'S ALL TOAST TO CELEBRATE!!!!"

Pinkie Pie bounced back with six glasses of apple cider.

"To all of Rarity's hard work!"

Glasses clinked, the ponies drank, and went back to their chatting and laughing. Ponies everywhere were enjoying themselves. It was all happy, all was well.

Suddenly, Rainbow Dash realized she didn't feel so well. The world started spinning, sweat came from her back, and she started shivering. Her cider fell from her hand, leaving glass shards everywhere. Everything went black.

Fluttershy was the first to notice something was wrong.

"Hey, um, guys, is Rainbow okay? She doesn't look so..."

"Oh, don't be silly darling, of course she's-"Rarity turned around, and saw Rainbow Dash lying unmoving on the ground.

The fashion show turned into a mess of chaos. Twilight was the only one one could keep calm, so she called the ambulance to take Rainbow to the hospital. I hope she's okay, was the thought of everypony there.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*beep* *beep* *beep*

Rainbow Dash opened her eyes. Where was she? And what were the beeps? Those question were quickly answered by her friends.

"What-What happened to me? Where is this?"

"You collapsed at the fashion show. We were all so worried " said Rarity. So this was what happened. And she was obviously in a hospital.

"I'm afraid you all need to leave for a couple minutes. I need to talk to Miss Dash alone,"said the doctor.

Once her friends left, the doctor began. "So, Miss Dash, I'm sure you would like to know why you collapsed."

Rainbow nodded.

"Miss Dash, you have a disease caused by an extremely rare bacteria."

"So what?" Rainbow asked,"I'll be fine after a bit of rest."

The doctor continued, "I'm sorry to have to break it to you... You're dying, Miss Dash. You have around one month left."

Rainbow Dash's heart sunk like a stone. One month? That was all she was going to get? She was dying, right at the most successful point of her life? She had just gotten into the wonder bolts, her lifelong dream. She was so happy. Everything was going so well for her. Until now.

Her five best friends entered.

"What did he have to say?" Twilight asked.

"Um... I have a rare disease. I have one month left to live... One month left with you guys... " For the first time in her life, tears fell from her eyes. She was going to have to leave everything. Her family, her friends, the wonderbolts, her home, her life was all going to be gone.

For a while, the six friends just sat together. No one talked. It was the longest time they had ever spent together without talking and laughing. Even Pinkie's curly hair had lost its usual energy and turned straight. It was, surprisingly, Fluttershy who finally broke the silence.

"Uh... I think we should go... She's going to need the rest..."

So they left, leaving Rainbow Dash wondering. What am I going to do? What's going to happen to me? The list of questions and thoughts went on and on, and she finally drifted off to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Twilight, It's past midnight. You need to go sleep," said Spike.

"No, I am not sleeping and I will not until I find a way to cure it! There has to be a way, somehow, somewhere! Rainbow is dying, Spike. Sleep is the least of my worries. "

Twilight Sparkle went back to her books. She could not and would not just let Rainbow die like that. She had to try. But she simply could not find a book with anything related to the disease. Even in her book One Thousand Diseases of Ponykind and Their Cures, which had never failed her before, had no mention of Rainbow's disease. She had a sample of the bacteria she collected from Rainbow's bedside, but she had no way to observe it. After looking through all her disease and medicine related books, but without success, she had an idea.

"Spike! Get up! Now! I need you to write a letter to Princess Celestia."

Spike reluctantly got out of his basket. "Okay, Okay..."

Twilight began:

Dear Princess Celestia,

You most likely already know this, but if you haven't, here's the news. Rainbow Dash has contracted a very rare disease and has one month left to live. I have spent all my time looking through my books, but have not managed to find any mention of the disease. I was wondering if you had any knowledge of the disease, and if I could use the Canterlot Royal Library sometime.

I have attached a sample of the bacteria involved. It would be nice if you could get your scientific team to do some research on it as well. Thanks a lot!

Your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle

Spike breathed the letter, and after a while the princess's reply came back. Twilight was surprised that Princess Celestia would be up at this hour. It said that she heard the news but did not know of the disease. She has already sent the bacteria sample to her research team. And that Twilight was welcome to use the library anytime. Twilight replied back, saying thank you and that she would be coming tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, for both her and Rainbow, there was nothing to do but wait and see what happened.

Author's Note

So, that's the first chapter... Thoughts, ideas and comments are welcome. Constructive criticism is accepted. But if you just say "it sucks", I don't know what to fix. Please be helpful!