A Memory is All it is Now...

Rainbow Dash stared at the clipboard and the filled sheet on top. The diagnosis was done three days ago and she hadn't left the hospital since. Nights filled with tears and days which were spent staring at the same results over and over again.

Diagnosis

Name: Rainbow Miriam Dash

Gender: Female

Disorders: None

The results regarding the Diagnosis of Rainbow Miriam Dash have concluded that the patient has developed cancerous symptoms and after a survey of the patients body, a tumor. The under side of the patients right wing holds a medium sized tumor which has grown for atleast two years to get to it's current size. The estimated time that the patient has left is five months. All activities involving time in sunlight are to be forbidden and for flight to be forbidden as well to keep the tumor from growing anymore and lessening the patient's remaining time.

An estimated time for which it will take for the disability of the patient's wings will be within two weeks. Three more after, the use of the patient's legs in activities such as basically walking will be gone and a caretaker will be issued.

Rainbow Dash didn't lower the clipboard as Twilight entered and in fact, she only closed her eyes to rid herself of the sting which her reddened eyes held from a night full of tears and no sleep.

If anything, Twilight was near the same. Her eyes were tired, after a night of no sleep, but she had a determined look on her face.

"Twilight...I'm sorry...", Rainbow Dash said, finally.

"You don't need to be. You will not be sorry for this. I isn't your fault and I refuse to let you blame yourself. I spent all night last ngith and came up with a solution. But the chance that it will fix this is a long shot. It will take me a long time just to get it ready for you.", Twilight responded.

"What is it?"

"I found and old book on something called the Philosopher's stone. While it didn't do as the alchemists, ponies who studied the art which made the stone, thought, it did other things. I followed a branch of the studies into something else. It is hard to amek because I will need a few nights to study what most of it means, but it will also be hard to make, if I am corect. Getting the supplies in time will be a struggle. Then there is the needed time to finish the process."

"Process for what?"

"A cure for the cancer."

"How?"

"It's a chemical, that when introduced in the blood stream, targets the cancer cells. The cancer cells disappear and so does all traces of the chemical."

"What happens to it?"

"Thats all I know, I'm afraid. If anything, it's a long shto and very experimental."

"But...The doctor said that even if they remove the tumor, and I survive the recovery, that the cancer had seeded itself over the years. It will come back if that is true."

"Then I will be there for you throuh it all, just like Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Spike, and everypony else will. We're here Rainbow Dash, don't forget that."

As Ditzy Doo passed by the mail office, she stopped when she noticed the name and address on it.

"A message to Spitfire?! Wait...What...?"

Reading the other name, she saw not rainbow Dash's name, but Celestia's instead.

"That's strange. But she is captain of the Wonderbolts, why would I be surprised?"

Ditzy put it in her mail bag and took flight from there, soaring through the halls with a memory instead of sight. If she wanted to, she could ahve her eyes closed for the flight out. The trip was fairly quick, as she had no obstacles in her way.

As soarin took the mail fromt eh mail mare, she smiled at the disfigured eyes she had.

"Ditzy! Good to see ya again. So, livin it well there?"

"Mail and shipping is really easy, but I get lost soemtimes."

"Need any tickets to the Wonderbolts show?"

"Nah, got no date this time. So, has soarin actually asked you out?"

You heard right. In fact...I think I really am falling for him. Well, thanks for the small visit, or mailrun, whatever you wanna call it, but I don't want to hold you from your route. See ya round girl."

And with that, Ditzy nodded, taking flight back to the mail office. As Spitfire clsoed the door, she stopped, picked up the letter she had received and brought it with her to the table where she opened it. The letter was from Celestia, as said on the envelope, but the handwriting was a little rushed. Or rather off by a little.

Dear Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts,

A recent even has come up and a few things need to be thought through. As you and I can recall, the Rainbow haired mare, Rainbow Dash,has been diagnosed with a terrible case of cancer. I send this to you not as a public message, but as one personal. She really loves to watch you and the other wonderbolts as you soar through the skies in your amazing acrobatics. So I ask if you would pay her a visit, to make her feel better. As I hear it, she has spent nights filled with tears instead of sleep. Doing so would make her happy, maybe even give her peaceful thoughts before her last day.

Near tears myself,

Princess Celestia.

Spitfire looked at the letter with sorrow and disbelief. While she hated her own fans and grew tired of their annoyance, Rainbow Dash was one of the few that didn't bother her much. In fact, out of all her fans, she was one of the three that Spitfire actually liked.

"Ok. I'm convinced. I don't have my disguise though, still washing it. Maybe tomorrow.", Spitfire said to herself.

"Hey Spitfire, you coming to eat?", Soarin's voice trailed through the cloud house.

Spitfire folded up and hid the leter under her folded wing.

"I'm coming."

Spitfire had just put on the last bit of her disguise, a large rimmed hat with a white feather as a single touch. It was Rarity's design, mimicking the design of the Red Mage ponies which fought in the First War. The only difference was that it was a tad smaller and had no weaponry or magical boosters on it. Above all, it was just a show piece. But, looking in the mirror at herself, Spitfire jsut didn't like the disguise. While the red did bring out some of her natural colors, it didn't look like a good disguise or casual at all.

After shedding the disguise, Spitfire just decided to go without anything. Twas a quick trip as well since she lived quite near ponyville, the hospital just a dropp away. Literally, she only had to drop and catch herself before she hit the ground to get there.

Entering the hospital, the doctor looked up in quite disbelief but then put on a big smile.

"Are you here for a check up, miss Spitfire?", he asked.

"No. I'm here to visit. Mind telling me where rainbow Dash is staying?", Spitfire asked.

"Well...Uh...Room...two o three. Are...you sure you don't want a check up?"

Spitfire turned her head towards the doctor, a look of annoyance already adorned her face.

"No. Don't ask again, you are starting to annoy me. Just because I'm a celebrity, doesn't mean I like to talk casually with people sometimes."

Of a huff, Spitfire began down the hall to find the room which the doctor had told her of. It took her only a minute, but she found it. The door was open, and a quick peak inside would reveal the residents easily. Only Rainbow Dash was there, and just like every day since the diagnosis, she was staring at the clipboard. Her red eyes adding to the nagging pain which flaired into Spitfire's heart.

Spitifre walked in, hoping Rainbow Dash would notice her, but she didn't. The cyan mare's complete attention was on the all too familiar clipboard. Edging a littl bit closer, Rainbow Dash cringed as her wing flared out and locked position, dropping the clipboard and screaming out.

"Doc! Doc!!!"

"R-rainbow Dash?", Spitfire finally said.

In the moment of realization, Spitfire saw as Rainbow Dash looked up, a few fresh tears leaking down her cheeks. Spitfire felt her heart drop like a stone. she had never felt so sorry for any pony. Now she was at Rainbow Dash's side nearly about to drop to her own knees and cry.

But holding strong, Spitfire could only stand there. She couldn't move,s he couldn't speak, and most of all, she could barely see anything else. The doctor which had been called had pushed her aside in his rush to sedate the Cyan mare. But the picture that Spitfire saw of Rainbow Dash's sad eyes, the astonishment and fear, that look which made her own heart sink.

It was a look that Spitfire read as the loss of a friend.