My, Daughter, Maree

Dash waited impatiently outside Maree's room, pacing constantly, unable to contain her need to see her. She was an absolute wreck; she had gone to a point where she was beyond tears, and was in a dazed shock, and was mostly unresponsive to anything that didn't directly relate to or concern Maree. She refused to eat or drink. Finally, Dr. Leon approached Dash with new information.

"Miss Dash, I've completed my diagnosis."

Dash almost ran right up to his face, eyes deadlocked with his own. "Well? What is it? Is she going to be okay?!" She was hysteric, and impatient and barely gave him a second to respond before she interrupted him "Tell me, please!"

"Miss Dash, please, I will tell you as soon as you are calm and reasonable." Was Dr. Leon's reply, holding up a cautious hoof.

Dash forced herself to a calm down a little, yet each second that passed before he answered still felt like an eternity to her.

"From what I can tell, it's most likely pneumonia, probably the very same affliction you had." Dr. Leon said finally.

"Pneumonia? So, she'll be okay, right? It's not serious?" Dash felt a little more relaxed.

Dr Leon's expression did not change, indicated that Dash's slight enthusiasm may be unwarranted. "I'm afraid it's not that easy." He admitted. "Your body is mature, and it has handled illness well in the past. It was well prepared for pneumonia, and I suspect you were probably a milk-foal as well, giving your immune system a proper jump start. There are several differences that are currently preventing Maree here from fighting the infection effectively." Dr. Leon said informatively. "First off, Maree has never really had much much exposure to illness before, and so she doesn't have much experience fighting off diseases and infections. This, coupled with the fact that she was fed formula rather than mother's milk is a serious immunity impediment."

"What does milk have to do with it?" Dash asked.

"I'm glad you asked, it's a chance to learn something quite important. A mother's milk carries what are called 'antibodies' which are a part of the immune system in your body. Their primary function is to identify a potentially harmful strain of bacteria in your body and target it for the other parts of your immune system to eliminate. If the task isn't particularly difficult, the antibodies can even do the job themselves. Some of these antibodies are transferred genetically during birth, as is the nature of evolution, but the most significant amount comes from feeding milk. This would normally help the youngling to prepare a basic defense against illness throughout their youth, so that they can grow up strong. However, Maree was fed a milk substitute growing up, and this, coupled with her premature birth that left her immune system underdeveloped, made her far more susceptible to illness, meaning that even trivial illnesses such as Pneumonia pose a serious threat to Maree's health. To be completely frank, it's a miracle she's lasted this long with out any serious troubles."

Dash began to grasp what was going on. Her body had been prepared, more or less, for the coming of this illness, so she took it quite well. Maree on the other hand, had taken every exemption in the book when it comes to preparing for an infection, and now she was taking the full brunt of it. It was an internal war inside her body, and her immune system was losing badly.

"Is there anything that you can do?" Dash ask, trying to put as much hope in her voice as possible.

Dr. Leon sighed slowly. "I'm afraid not." He said sadly. "There is not cure yet for Pneumonia. If there's anything that the medical industry is well known for, it's prioritizing. We're too caught up researching cures to things like cancer and diabetes to spend significant amounts of time curing something as trivial as Pneumonia, which kills so few ponies a year on the grand scale of things. It's sad, but I'm afraid it's the truth."

"But my daughter could be one of those ponies!" Dash exclaimed.

"I know.. believe me, there's not a thing in the world I want more than to help you, truly. Losing a patient, especially one I've known for so long, is like losing a part of myself. But all we can do right now - all anyone can do right now - is wait and see what comes up."

Time crept by agonizingly slowly. Dash, with special permission from Dr. Leon that violated regular visiting hour,s was permitted to stay with Maree for as long as she so chose. Time and space beyond that room ceased to exist for Dash, as she became utterly fixated on Maree, waiting for information. She remained comatose consistently, nothing but the sounds of her strained breathing and occasional tiny, weak coughs to indicate she was even alive. Dash couldn't bare the waiting. Every now and again, a nurse might come by to check on her and get a read out on her current status. Respiration rate, resting heart rate, core temperature.

At first the numbers were climbing:

-*temperature: 99.9

*heart rate: 90BPM

*respiration rate: 32BrPM

-*temperature: 100.9

*heart rate: 95BPM

*respiration rate: 34BrPM

-*temperature: 101.4

*heart rate: 101BPM

*respiration rate: 37BrPM

These numbers gradually showed up in Maree's chart over the next couple days. Eventually, the numbers started coming down. all except the temperature, which continued to rise.

-*temperature: 102.1

*heart rate: 95BPM

*respiration rate: 34BrPM

-*temperature: 102.9

*heart rate: 81BPM

*respiration rate: 29BrPM

-*temperature: 103.6

*heart rate: 71BPM

*respiration: 25BrPM

For days, the numbers continued to change. If everything had dropped at once, it would have been good news. But as the temperature continued to rise, Dash knew what it meant. Maree's body was losing the fight against illness, and she was getting worse. As her fever continued to climb, she became weaker by the day. Her daughter, far beyond hers or anyone else's control, was dying right in front of her. Dying...

Dash's whole world stopped turning when she finally acknowledged that fact. It seemed surreal that this could actually be happening to her now. After she had invested so many years into Maree, being with her, loving her and caring for her was all she knew. It was her life. How could she ever get passed this? She sunk into a deep depression, never leaving Maree's side, quietly crying onto her bed.

Dash became unresponsive after that day. As she gradually watched the hours go by, nurses tried to address her; to feed her; but she did not hear them. Maree was the only thing she could focus on; nothing else existed, not even herself.

After another day had gone by, Dash's tears finally dried up. She'd cried more in the past few days than she could ever recall crying at any point, and she'd finally capped out. Though her feelings remained the same, she could no longer shed but a single tear. Dr. Leon knew she was dehydrated, but Dash wouldn't even look at a glass of water. Dash could not feel her thirst, nor her hunger. She could not feel her sleeplessness nor her tremendous discomfort from sitting next to Maree's bed continuously without stop for so long. All she could feel was a great yawning void in her heart that opened wider every hour.

On the second day, Dr. Leon tried bringing in Dash's friends, Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy in an effort to raise her spirits.

"Dash? Dash, are you alright?" Pinkie Pie asked, her hair flat and straight.

No response.

Applejack's turn. "Hey, come on now, sugarcube. Talk to us."

Dash turned to face them, acknowledging their presence at the very least, but continued to say nothing. Nothing could be said.

"How are you feeling?" Twilight asked. She knew the answer, she just wanted to try and get her to talk.

Dash didn't say anything for a while, and when she did it almost startled the group. "Only as good.." Dash coughed, not realizing how dry her throat was, and continued. "...Only as good as Maree." She turned back around to face her sick daughter. "When she is well and happy, I am well and happy. When she is weak and ill, I am the same."

The friends all looked at each other, not sure how to console their failing friend. Fluttershy approached the bed now.

"Dash, I'm not sure what to say, so I won't say anything. Come here.." She gave Dash a gentle hug, that Dash eventually returned. Dash suddenly felt like she needed a hug more than anything in the world, and pulled Fluttershy in tightly. It helped a little.

When they finally separated, Applejack spoke again. "No matter what happens, we'll always be with you, Dash. We'll help you pull through. Alright?"

Dash simply nodded, unable to muster a verbal response. She once again turned to face her child, and the rest of them took it as a cue to leave for now.

On the evening of the second day, Dr. Leon brought in some food and a drink.

"Miss Dash, I understand that you aren't feeling up to it necessarily, but I must insist that you eat something."

Once again, there was no response.

"Miss Dash, please, there is no reason to punish yourself for this. Eat."

"Why?" Was Dash's response. "If Maree's life ends here, what's left for me? Where does my life go from there?"

Dr. Leon was very concerned. This was a common symptom suffered by grieving mothers and widows. "You are still young, Miss Dash there's a whole long life ahead of you that you'll be throwing away if you keep this up."

"If Maree isn't there to see it with me... I don't want it. It's a long life filled with regret and sorrow. I'd rather just allow it to end here, any day now. Why bother with it at all..."

"Rainbow Dash, look at me." Dr. Leon knelt down by Dash's side looking straight at her. Dash met his eyes. "I want to understand that I know exactly what you are going through right now. I... I had a son once. Years ago. I never gave up on him, no matter what happened, even when he became sick. I remember being a total mess. My life was in shambles, and I was very much like you right now. When he finally died I... I couldn't accept it. I had no idea what to do, or where to go. Life seemed like it had no meaning to me anymore. But as time passed, and I gathered my strength again, I regained my focus, and decided to go to medical school, so that I could become a doctor and help others who had suffered or were currently suffering as I had, and to try and prevent these things from happening. It became my life's focus; the death of my son motivated me to becoming someone who saved lives every day. I've led a long, successful career now, and I have lost very few patients. But those few that I do lose... it's like losing a relative for me. But the good that I bring far outweighs it. The people I help, the lives I save, they make it all worth it. So don't tell me life isn't worth living, because it is. Life, from the moment it begins to the second it ends, is ALWAYS worthwhile. You just can't give up. Every moment counts. Every second is a second that could be spent bettering the lives of yourself and those around you. No matter what happens, nothing can make life not worth living, because nothing is more significant than the miracle of life. Cherish every day of it. Every second."

Dash looked at Dr. Leon for a long time, not speaking. She felt a lot stronger now, just by hearing his words. She had expected sympathy, it was a part of his job, not to mention his nature, but his words were not just supportive. They were moving; inspiring. Dr. Leon, having given his speech, left Dash to ponder on what he had said, leaving the food on a foldable table in the room. Dash picked herself up and ate a little bit.

Though her spirits were lifted somewhat by Dr. Leon's words, realistically Dash's situation didn't changed much in the next couple days. Maree was still sick, and increasingly so. Her temperature continued to climb, and although she didn't cough much anymore, her breathing was still heavily burdened by the inflammation of her lungs. The nurses and Dr. Leon continued to administer medication, but it seemed only to slow the inevitable. Maree was on the verge of critical condition, and there wasn't anything stopping it.

Finally, by the fifth day, like a warm, glowing torch in a dark damp cave, positive news came to Dash.

"Her temperature is finally leveling out." Dr. Leon said with relief in his voice. "It has finally come to a climax."

Dash almost broke into a smile, but fought against it; she didn't want to raise her hopes just yet. "That's great to hear!"

"Well, it's something, but we're not through this yet. Not even close. All this means is she isn't getting any sicker. Her temperature leveled at 105 degree Fahrenheit, which is far higher than I'd like to see it. That needs to come down at least 5 degrees before I can call her safe, and 2-3 more than that before she is healthy. And I'm very concerned about the inflammation of her lungs. Coupled with her high fever, which is weakening Maree's body, she isn't getting very much air. Something can still go wrong there while we continue our treatment. I need to closely monitor her lungs in case of failure; if something goes awry, we have to be ready to act quickly."

Dash's initial enthusiasm was rapidly diminished to hear that so little progress had been made, and her disappointment was visible in her face. Clearly in an attempt to try and give her hope back, Dr. Leon continued.

"..But there is hope now. The way I understand it, now that she's leveling out, our treatment will finally start to take effect. Her body is starting to fight back, and has stopped the advance of the virus. With regularly administered medicine, she should be able to get back over the hill and start recovering." This did help cheer up Dash a little. Once Dr. Leon was gone again, Dash leaned close to Maree's bed, whispering into her ear,

"Come on, Maree, you're winning! Just hold on a little longer, please... just a little while longer.."

Dash was eating at regular times now, but continued not to eat very much at once. She was losing weight from this ordeal, and it was quite apparent to those around her, since she didn't have much weight to lose in the first place.

On the 6th day, Dash, who had fallen asleep by Maree's bed, was awoken by a coughing noise. It was Maree's coughing. Maree was immediately worried. Maree had more or less stopped coughing days ago, and for her to suddenly break out like this was unusual. She immediately sought out Dr. Leon.

When Dr. Leon finished inspecting Maree, he approached Dash, looking troubled. Dash knew he was about to say something dire.

"What s it? What's wrong now?" She asked, almost exhausted.

"I can't be totally sure just yet, but something is not quite right with her right lung. It's become badly inflamed, and it's not functioning quite properly. My concern had turned to worry, and I fear that the lung may fail." Came Dr. Leon's grim reply.

Dash gasped. "Fail? What is that supposed to mean? I thought you said she was getting better!" Dash was frantic once again. Try as she might, she had indeed allowed herself to have hope, and now she was paying the price for it.

"I said that the virus had stopped advancing. I never said she was recovering. There is always a possibility for complications to occur. There's nothing I can do about it right now. I have to stay by her at all times now to watch for sudden changes that could be life threatening. My staff is on standby. Today could be hectic." The air became quite cold for Rainbow Dash as she sat down once again, fearful for what might happen.

The next couple hours were tense. Dash's heart raced, as she watched Dr. Leon lean over Maree, stethoscope against her chest, listening intently for something, anything, that would indicate complications. He was almost totally motionless. There was no sound other than the quiet, arrhythmic coughing coming from Maree. It pained Dash to hear her make those horrific noises; she thought she might have to leave the room to get away from it. Then it happened. There was the change. It was fairly subtle. The coughing was the same, but there was more gasping than before. A bit more. Dr Leon raised his head, his eyes opening for the first time in hours. He'd heard something. As calmly as possible, he turned to Dash.

"Miss Dash, I want to you go outside and tell my team to come in and assist me. After that, I'd like you to remain outside for a little while." His voice was shaking, and it was clear that his facade of calmness was but a thin layer over his panic.

Dash looked back at him, mouth agape. "What's happening? What did you hear? What's going on?" Dash demanded.

"Miss Dash, I need you to follow my instructions right now. There isn't much time."

"Dr. Leon, what is happening to my little girl?" Dash's tears, gone from her eyes for days, flowed once more. As they spoke, Maree's coughing became more violent, and her gasps shallower and faster.

"NURSES! I NEED ASSISTANCE IN HERE!" Dr. Leon shouted abruptly, having finally lost patience. Dash had never heard Dr. Leon, who was usually a very calm and gentle soul, yelling like that before, and she was frightened. Immediately, medical personnel flooded into the room, and Dr Leon began rapidly handing out orders that Dash didn't understand. One nurse tried to ask Dash to leave, but she didn't respond. Before she knew it, she was being forced out the door, as she fought to see what was going on.

Many minutes passed, and Dash was incredibly tense. She could almost hear every second that passed. A lot of commotion, talking, and movement came from inside of Maree's room, and Dash was dying inside not knowing what it was all about.

After several minutes, the action subsided slightly, and the door opened for Dr. Leon. He had a look of utter exhaustion on his face. He was weak and pale. Dash feared the worst.

"What happened?" She asked. There was no response as Dr. Leon sat down next to her.

"Dr. Leon, what's going on? Please, just tell me, I have to know!" Dash pleaded. Dr. Leon sighed heavily and closed his eyes. His whole body slumped at once.

"Lung Failure. It finally happened." He said very quietly. After a slight unintentional pause for thought, he continued, "There's nothing we can do now. She's lost a lung, and the one she has left is in rough shape. I have everyone on my team working just to keep her breathing, but that won't last. It's over."

The air was still, and Dash was silent. She could not cry. She could not yell. She could not gasp. At this news, she lost all of her energy. This was literally the worst thing that has ever and could ever happen to her. There was no instinct, no response, that was adequate as a response to this news.

"I... I'm.. I wish I knew what to say... I'm sorry for your loss... I did everything I could, really I did. I'm... I'm sorry that this had to happen, but with that lung gone, it's only a matter of time."

Dash continued her trance like state of shock. Out of nowhere, words fell out of her mouth that her mind had not yet approved.

"Take mine."

Dr. Leon was caught off guard. "E-excuse me..?"

"Take my lung. give it to Maree." This time Dash knew what she had said. "You can do that, right? move an organ from one pony to another?"

Dr. Leon was a little baffled. "Well yes, but I just couldn't do that..."

"Why not?" Dash cut him off.

"Well, lots of reasons. For starters, it's never recommended to perform a transplant while a patient is still ill, it can cause all sorts of issues, and for an organ like a lung, it's best to get it from a genetic relative, otherwise the likelihood of the transplant being successful is greatly diminished. Maybe if you were her real mother there might be a decent chance of success..."

"I AM HER REAL MOTHER!" Dash jumped out out her seat suddenly in a fit of rage. "I raised her, I cared for her. I was there when she first spoke, I was there when she took her first step, I have loved her more than I knew I could love anything! I don't care where she came from or who gave birth to her, she's MY daughter!"

Dr. Leon could see the tremendous passion in her eyes. It would not be wise to say 'no' to her now. "Well, even if you think that's how you feel... regardless of the operations success rate... a lung is not something you want to give up without hesitation. We can't rush into this recklessly." Dr. Leon cautioned, hoping to try and dispel the hostility. "Living with one lung is a life changing experience. Your breathing patterns will be highly irregular, and it'll take some time to adjust to your shortness of breathe. You have to strictly limit your physical activity, lest you hyperventilate. Competitive flying becomes a thing of the past. There is a strong likelihood your life expectancy will be shortened as a result of this procedure. And all this is irregardless of the success on Maree's part, which is impeccably low."

Dash paused, seeming to think, although she really didn't. "And what are Maree's chances without my help?" Dash asked rhetorically, knowing the answer. Dr. Leon didn't reply. "Exactly. So, do it. She doesn't deserve this... she didn't do anything wrong..."

Dr. Leon frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Ah... I..just... never mind. Look, I'm just saying that she deserves the best. She deserves a long, full life. Never mind what happens to me me, just do it. Please."

Dr. Leon was shook his head in amazement. He was looking upon what was not only the most loyal, but also the bravest mare in Equestria.

"Your courage is nothing less than inspired, and I'm really moved by your dedication. Alright, Miss Dash, if we're going to act, we have to move quickly. We'll move the both of you into an operating room and begin immediately."

Within a couple minutes, they had all been moved into a new room. Dash laid down on a surgical bed at Dr. Leon's prompting.

"Miss Dash, I'm going to have to render you unconscious with this gas for the operation." Dr Leon told her, holding a mask up to show her. "Remember, when you wake up, things will be permanently different. It'll be really stressful on your body at first, and you need to take it very slowly and calmly, and be sure not to overexert yourself."

Dash nodded up at him. "Alright. I'm ready." She closed her eyes. She briefly wondered how different her life will be without one of her lungs. She imagined it would probably feel a little like she was always running, and always a little tired. She guessed that she would have to tone down the exercising with Maree a little bit, or maybe even have someone else come over and help out. She knew that while Maree understood the importance of exercise, she wouldn't just do it on her on; she like to make a game out of it, with at least one other person. Inevitably, she also had to consider what it would be like if the transplant failed. Not only would she be surely unmotivated to do anything, but she would also be seriously limited in the things she could do anyway. She'd probably slump back into her old, lazy self, only far more quiet. It was terrifying to think of a future without Maree. Dash wasn't sure if she'd be able to cope with it. She had to hope for the best. She was figuratively putting her mind and literally putting her body into the success of this operation, and that was the very best that she could do. There could not be any regrets regarding her lack of effort. It was all or nothing.

Dr. Leon put the mask over Rainbow Dash's muzzle. "Alright, take a nice, deep breathe..." She did. She could already feel herself becoming lightheaded.

"See you on the other side." Was the last thing she heard before everything went dark.