My, Daughter, Maree

Years passed in what seemed like no time. Before Rainbow Dash had even realized it, Maree had already

celebrated her 5th birthday. A very particular routine had been set in motion, where the two of them would wake u

at almost the same time, eat, exercise, then drop Maree off for a couple hours at Twilight's, a bit more

exercise/play, have dinner, and not long after, they'd both go to sleep. Dash didn't used to be such a stickler

for schedules, but this one worked pretty well; it just stuck fast. In fact, she decided that if she was going to

be by herself for a couple hours every day while Maree studied at Twilight's, she might as well make the best of

her time and find something to do herself. She learned how to cook, which made their meals a lot healthier and

more interesting, and eventually got a part-time job as a flight instructor for young pegasi, to as to maintain a

certain level of income.

Dash's old life was gradually left behind, safe for her friendship with the other members of the mane 6.

She gradually pulled back from sporting events, and eventually stopped going to them altogether. She figured it

was probably best she remove herself from the chances of her encountering Paragon again to the best of her

abilities. She eventually lost interest in trying to prove whether or not he had cheated in their races; she had

been so flustered about it before, but as she found her time gradually being consumed by raising Maree, she

considered such a trivial matter unimportant by comparison. Dash spent a lot of time with Maree now. She was up

and about all day everyday, always ready for action. Dash wasn't as much the energetic type as Maree; she preferred

to demonstrate her prowess out of necessity to maintain a particular reputation, then to spend most of her time

relaxing, that is until she got into serious, competitive racing. She felt less energetic now that she was through

with racing.

From an earlier age, Dr. Leon had prescribed protein and calcium supplements to Maree, to help her

develop her muscles and her bones. He also administered several immunization shots to help keep her protected. He

considered it quite fortunate she hadn't had any troubles will illness yet up to that point. None of it was cheap,

but Dash knew it would be worth it. If it was Maree's well-being, there wasn't such thing as anything NOT worth

it.

Life seemed generally improving for everyone. They were all happy going about their daily routines. but as

it so happened, the truth was the appearance of peace was merely a guise to shield the fact that just beneath the

surface, things were deteriorating. Paragon, having gone unchallenged all these years, had amassed a large

gathering of followers in Cloudsdale, and it seemed as though he way was the only way. He and his gang frequently

attacked and bullied passersby who did not show Paragon the respect; or at least, the fear; that he deserved. What

started off has mere harassment spiraled downward into a ruthless martial rule: Paragon controlled Cloudsdale with

his soldiers, locking it down both ways. Ponies and information regarding what was happening with Cloudsdale only

moved in and out with his knowledge, lest the individual trying to evade him was rather skillful. Cloudsdale, once

a peaceful city not unlike the rest of Equestria, was turning into a rotten slum. The Pegalympics, though hosted

in Canterlot, was organized primarily by Cloudsdale, not to mention the majority of it's competitors hailed from

there. Thus, it was cancelled, and it had never returned. The Wonderbolts were nowhere to be seen.

And there was more to it than just that. Since Dash quit competitive racing, and Maree's expenses continued

to grow, there was a much greater outcome than income. Although she had saved up a fair bit of money beforehand,

Dash knew it would run out eventually. She had taken the part-time job to stave off this eventuality, but it only

slowed it down. It wouldn't last forever. One day, it would eventually become a problem.

For now, things were happy. things were fine. A little busy, but no complaints. Dash tried not to worry

about the future too much. What mattered right now is that she and Maree were happy together. Dash realized one

morning she had stopped having those strange recurring dreams. She guessed that whatever she was doing, she was

doing it just right, and was keeping her mind off of it. She slept much better now. Maree had been given the guest

room recently, and now slept on her own for the first time in her life. She handled the transition well, and had

actually volunteered for it before Dash could decide for her. Dash found it just a little too quiet in her room

without the tiny little breathing sounds of Maree from across the room. She figured her hearing must have become

incredibly good ever since the move; even the slightest tap in another room, and she shot awake to see what it

was. She hated that she was becoming one of those overprotective mothers, but she couldn't help it. She just cared

too much. No, she thought, there was not such thing. There is only such thing as caring too little. She'd never do

that. She would not be that person.

She woke up one morning, alone again. Though Maree was just a single room over, she always felt lonely

when she first got up. She felt... tired. More so than normal. She walked into the kitchen. Maree wasn't up yet,

which was odd, because they seemed to get up almost simultaneously on most mornings. Some people found it kind of

eery how they did that; they were always aware of each other's presence, and they somehow just knew when the other

was conscious under the same roof. Maybe that was Maree's special talent? No, that wouldn't explain why Dash

shared the link as well. Mother's intuition? Maybe. But neither of them would know for sure until Maree got her

cutie mark. She hadn't yet acquired one, but Dash figured it could be any day now. One day, they'll be out

together, and still do something, or find something, and she'll be overjoyed, and then that mysterious marking

will appear right before their eyes. Or maybe she'll come home one day from Twilight's and discover she's destined

to become the greatest intellect in Equestria, or maybe her wings'll start working right out of nowhere, and

she'll become Dash's successor as the world's best flyer... Then again, Dash, wasn't really Equestria's best, was

she? No. I can't think about that. Just ignore the urge. Let it go. Forget it.

She checked the time. It was only about 7:05, earlier than she normally got up. That explained why she

felt so tired. Well, I'm up now, she thought. She decided to fix herself something to eat. She didn't feel like

cooking for one person, so she just got herself cereal and milk. After a little while, Maree strolled into the

room, and greeted her mother who was already half done her breakfast.

"Morning, mommy! You're up early!"

Dash smiled back. "Good morning Maree. Yeah, I'm up early, I guess my body just didn't need the sleep today." She

continued to eat as she talked. "So how'd you sleep?" She asked.

"Okay I guess. My room is dark and quiet, and it's a little scary being alone at night." Maree replied quietly.

"Hey come on, you know there's nothing to be afraid of. You and me chased all the monsters out of there when you

first moved in, remember? Now it's just an ordinary room!" Dash chuckled playfully. She had no idea where Maree

had come up with the notion of monsters in her room - she suspected it happened while Maree was reading some kid's

book at Twilight's - but their first day there, Maree refused to go in, convinced there were monsters all over the

place. so they 'chased' them out, be looking under the bed, in the closet, and in every little space they could be

in.

"But Mommy, what if they come back?" Maree insisted.

"Then we'll chase them away again!" Dash assured her.

"What if they come back while you're asleep?" Maree was not going to give up.

"Then chase 'em away yourself! You're a big, strong girl now, you can beat them!" Dash tried to assure her

daughter of this, but could tell there was little success.

"But what if I can't chase them away? Can I sleep with you then?" Maree pleaded.

Dash sighed. "Is that was this is about?" She though aloud, rhetorically. She rolled her eyes and smiled again.

"Alright, if you meet a monster you that's too big and scary for you, you can sleep with me, and then we'll chase

him out tomorrow. Okay?"

Maree brightened up immediately. "Okay!" She replied with a smile. "Thank you, Mommy."

"Alright, now, since that's settled, you should get yourself some food. You can serve yourself, right?"

"Yup!" Maree replied enthusiastically, with a spring in her step. Dash took a sip of milk as Maree got herself a

bowl of cereal. All of a sudden, she choked, and started coughing. Maree was immediately concerned.

"Are you okay, Mommy?" She asked, watching her mother worriedly.

Still choking a little, Dash replied, "Just swallowed the wrong way, I'm fine-*cough**cough*" She replied. "When

you're done that, we can go outside and play a little, get some exercise. and don't forget your pills, okay?"

"Okay, Mommy!"

The rest of the day seemed to progress as normal. Maree and Dash played for a while before heading over to

Twilight's. Dash was constantly trying to clear her throat, trying to get that last bit of milk out of her lungs.

It seemed awfully persistent, never quite clearing up. The two of them got to Twilight's house, Dash still trying

to cough it up.

"Hey Maree! Hi Dash!" Twilight greeted the two right at her door. "How's my brightest pupil?" She asked, focusing

on Maree.

Maree giggled. "Auntie Twilight, I'm your only pupil!" Maree corrected.

"Well, you're still the brightest right? haha, go on inside I'll be with you in just a sec!"

"Okay Auntie Twilight!" Maree gave her Mom a hug goodbye and scurried on inside. Twilight started to say

something, but was interrupted but another coughing fit from Dash.

"Are you okay, Dash?" Twilight asked.

"Ugh, I swallowed something the wrong way this morning and I can't get rid of it.!" Dash explained, a tone of

impatience for her own body apparent in her voice.

Twilight pondered for a moment. "Hmm, let me look at it." Twilight requested.

Dash frowned. "How? Are you going to make me say 'Ah' and look down my throat?"

"Mmm, not quite. Stand up on your back legs up against the wall here, and stretch out. I'm going to try a new

spell." Twilight instructed.

Dash took a nervous step backwards. "You're not gonna, like, turn me inside out of anything crazy like that, are

you?"

"Twilight laughed a little. "No no, nothing like that, now, please..." Dash cautiously and slowly complied,

propping herself up against the outside wall of Twilight's house. Twilight's horn began to glow, and a moment later

so did Dash's torso. After a moment or two, the cyan coat that was Dash's body gave way to an image which showed a

complex network of organs and glands right from the next down to the intestines. Dash freaked out immediately,

almost losing her balance.

"AH! I told you not to do that!"

"Relax, Dash, I didn't 'turn you inside out', I'm looking through your skin, and inside you. It's a new spell I'm

thinking of teaching to some doctors. If they pick up on it, they won't have any need for X-ray machines anymore!"

Twilight announced proudly.

Dash looked down at body, far more exposed than she was used to. Although she had to admit, it look pretty cool.

"So.. my skin's still there are everything?" She touched herself on the chest, which caused the image to distort

itself, and she touched the same coat she always had. She sighed with relief, and let Twilight continue with her

work. Twilight focused on the lung, and looked to see if there was anything inside.

"hmmm.... I don't see anything out of the ordinary here, Dash. Whatever you swallowed must have been coughed up by

now...." Just then, Dash started coughing again, causing her body to convulse. Twilight flinched, as Dash made

little effort to cover her mouth. Dash was apologetic, but Twilight paid it little mind. She continued.

"..I do however, see a mild inflammation here.... you might just have a slight cold." Twilight reported, closing

down the image, showing only Dash's bare body again. "I'm not a medical expert, so I can't say, but take it easy

anyway, just to be safe." Twilight said cautiously. Dash got back down on all 4's again.

"A cold? Man, I can't be getting a cold now!" Dash said disappointed. "I just told my kid if she had any

problems with monsters, that she ca come sleep with me! What if it happens tonight, or tomorrow? What do I say,

no?" Dash sighed.

Now it was Twilight's turned to be confused. "Monsters? What in the world..?"

"It's a long story." Dash said. "By the way, have a little discretion over what Maree reads from now on, okay?"

Twilight shook her head "Whatever you say. Look, just be sure to take it easy, alright? Maree's a lot healthier

than she was when she was a foal, but her immune system is still very weak. It's a miracle she hasn't had any

problems yet."

Dash nodded understandingly. "Alright, I'll be careful. Well, I gotta go, I've got work. I'll talk to you later

Twilight! And thanks!" Dash started walking away.

"See you in a couple hours, Dash!"

Things progressively worsened. Each day, Dash felt a little worse, as her cough got harsher, and she

developed other symptoms as well. She eventually broke into a fever, and felt dizzy. She knew she was becoming

unwell; Maree did too; but she couldn't admit to being ill. Between medical bills, loss of work and still taking

care of Maree's needs and her own, she simply couldn't afford to be sick. Maree would constantly ask about Dash's

well-being.

"Mommy, are you okay?" She would ask.

Not before experiencing yet another coughing fit, Dash simply replied, "I'm just fine, Maree. Why do you ask?"

"You keep coughing, mommy. It sounds like it hurts a lot."

Dash just smiled, trying to reassure her daughter. "It's okay Maree. Just a little cough. Happens all the time.

I'll be better in no time. Okay?"

Maree would just hang her head, unsure. "Okay."

Each night, they went to their own rooms, and said good night to each other. What they didn't hear is Maree

quietly crying each night. She was young, but she was no fool. She knew her mother was sick. She needed help. But

she kept denying it, and it frightened her. She was afraid something terrible might happen, and she couldn't do

anything about it.

One morning, Dash, felt just awful. Her first attempt to get out of bed was only barely successful, nearly

falling over as soon as she stood up. Her fever was running high, her chest hurt, and her throat was practically

raw from the abusive coughing fits she'd been experiencing almost non-stop. She felt cold, and couldn't get warm.

She shivered, but did her best to conceal it. She conducted her usual morning business half-consciously until she

got to work.

One of the other flight instructors regarded her with concern. "Rainbow Dash, you look absolutely awful! Are you

sure you should be at work today?" She asked.

Dash, with limited awareness and between cough, made an attempt to reply. "I'm okay, really.. I'm.. I jus.. just..

don't worry I.. jus.. *cough* *cough*...." She stumbled a few steps forward, fainted, and blacked out right then

and there.