Chapters A Memory is All it is Now...
Rainbow Dash looked off in the distance, waiting for her friends. At this point and time, she could not see them as the sun circled their silhouettes once they came. It was nearly time for the moon to rise. But as a new moon, no light will be shed from it. Rainbow Dash was about to try something new. As she waited she began warming up, stretching then taking flight. Though, a slight tingling sensation began working in her side, though she ignored it.
"Dashie!", Pinkie Pie exclaimed as everyone met in the center of the park.
"Ey, everypony! I've got this experiment I wanna do, and if it works, it'll be wicked. So, who wants to know what it is?", Rainbow Dash asked them all.
"Oooh!! Ooh! Mememememe!", Pinkie raised her hoof, hopping in place.
"Well too bad, because I can't even explain it! Just watch. Twilight. you know how when I go super sonic, I create a sonicrainboom right?"
"What about it?", Twilight responded.
"I'm gonna do one...At night. A rainbow is light, no?"
"Yes, actually, it comes from light from the sun."
"Take away the sun and you've got no color for the rainbow."
"That means there will be no rainbow."
"Or maybe there will be. Lets try it. Could ya give me a slight boost? A rocket into the air?"
"Sure."
Twilight wrapped rainbow Dash in her magic and flung her up as hard as she could, though it was a lot easier than she thought, pushing Rainbow Dash into half the speed she needed. Once the Cyan mare climbed to the perfect height, she turned and began a long decent, flapping her wings and stretching her body straight. The tingling in her side grew to a stinging pain and she veered off course, lost focus and ended up in dangerous turbulence.
A few spirals in random directions and as she tried to right herself into a controlled flight the pain in her side worsened, locking up her right wing muscles. She began a final spiral down, and if it weren't for Twilight she would have hit the ground at over a hundred miles an hour.
Though, the pain of her muscle locked side of her body was beginning to wear her spirit quickly til she began wincing then clenching her body, trying to make the pain stop.
"Rainbow Dash, you ok?", Applejack asked.
Twilight ran a magic view through her body and then looked to the others.
"Hmm...She is in a lot of pain, but I don't know why."
Twilight used a sedation spell, putting Rainbow Dash to sleep. Though, her body still cringed, an effect from the muscle lock up.
"She looks in a lot of pain. Maybe we should bring her to the doctor.", Fluttershy proposed.
Rainbow Dash's body finally relaxed and they all lifted her up, only for Twilight to pick her up again but with magic.
"I'll get it. We'll see what's wrong this time and then she'll try this again in a few days, or after however long it takes for recovery."
"Knowin her, she'd be up and in the air or atleast on her feet before then."
"You're right."
As they arrived in the doctor's office with Rainbow Dash, the first thing that happened was the doctor rolled his eyes.
"What happened to her this time?"
"Can't really tell. She was flying, then she went out of complete control. It was like she stopped flapping both wings in sync. Like she was flapping them one after the other. But that's just my opinion."
The doctor took out his stethoscope and checked Rainbow Dash's heart beat, trailing it to her side he stopped there with a confused expression.
"Hmph. That sounds a little weird. Probably just a knotted muscle or something."
The doctor began gently pressing against Rainbow Dash's side under her wing until he found something of a great difference.
"Thats not a knotted muscle. Too thick and hard. That's something new. I'm going to have to know if Rainbow Dash ahs had any implants."
"Not that we know of. Currently."
"I'll have a look at her medical records and even have her scanned top to bottom. If she ahs anything wrong going on inside of her, I'll let you all know after I notify her parents."
"But she doesn't have any parents, or atleast she doesn't live with or hasn't even introduced them to us.", Twilight said.
"Well, she may be hiding a few things from you. Not to worry, if you are close friends that is. We have a few cases similar to hers anyway. But I have one important question above all else."
"What would that be?"
"During the time that the sun rises and sets, does she ever do anything active out in the sunlight?"
"Why, yes. Thats when she's up. She sleeps at noon and midnight so that she can enjoy the beauty of both while she practices flying."
"Hmm...Good to know. You know, the afternoon is when most sunlight comes down on the land?"
"Yes. But what does sunlight have to do with this?"
"A very good reason. Do you know if she sleeps out in the sun? Or if she has been hiding something?"
"Uhm, yes and yes. She takes her afternoon naps on a cloud above all others so that no one will disturb her, and come to think of it, she has been wearing a headband a lot recently. Though, she does sweat a lot. So I wouldn't see why."
The doctor removed the head band and took a quick look around the area where it had been.
"There is ntohing out of the ordinary that I see, yet. But I ask these questions because too much sunlight and exercise, in Rainbow Dash's manner, is a bad thing. It can cause cancer fromt eh UV rays in sunlight, and too much heat can cook off her skin, there are numerous reasons why sunlight is not good. But there are other things. The increased production of ATP, etc, can also be bad. I will have to get a good look before I start any diagnosis."
"Ok, could you please tell us if she wakes up, we kind of need to tell ehr what happened."
"No can do. She's going to be put under a full sedation until these tests are done. Knowing Rainbow Dash, she wouldn't let us if she were awake."
Rainbow Dash stirred as the pain in her side returned and then the muscles snapped erect, forcing her to roll over off the bed onto the floor as her wing took a strong hold in a flight position.
A soft pain filled moan came from Rainbow Dash as she sat up and she began shimpering.
"Make it stop, it hurts!"
"I don't know how yet, Rainbow Dash. The doctor-"
"Doctor? That's exactly who I wanted to see, thank you, Twilight. But...I...It jsut won't go down, I can't relax it!"
The doctor walked over to Rainbow Dash and tapped her with his horn. She quickly fell asleep and shortly after, the muscles which were taut, relaxed and her wing laid as limp as she.
"She's worried about herself. Sure sign she knows it's not good. I'd sit here and ask you many things, like her eating habits and what else she does, but it seems we haven't the need for that anymore. I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you."
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.
A Memory is All it is Now...
Once Spitfire had seen the results of fear and shock in the cyan mare, she couldn't have felt worse for any pony else. In fact, she staid in the room, as the doctor permitted, till she was awake. Though, it was still a hard sight with Rainbow Dash's second reaction.
"Oh, uh, Spitfire, sorry about the sight, I-"
"Rainbow Dash.", Spitfire interrupted.
Rainbow Dash stopped rubbing her red eyes and looked at Spitfire.
"I didn't know it was this...painful for you."
"Well...they gave me a few months. They estimated though, but I have atleast five months. But...it's still hard to take in.", Rainbow Dash hung her head.
Spitfire put a hoof on her shoulder, "Listen, if it makes you feel better, and...being how I've never had such a fan like you, I will give you a choice. You can request me to do one thing. And in my bility I will do my best to make it come true."
Rainbow Dash thought for a few seconds, but she already knew what it was she wanted from the flame colored mare. She was just scared to ask.
"I...Would you...I mean...I don't want to spend my last five months with tear filled nights. I don't want to feel sad anymore. I have had sleepless nights with tears, and all days since my diagnosis, have been filled up by watching the clipboard they had given me that first day...It's...all too much to handle."
"You're too young anyway. I have atleast a god two years ahead of you. But not once have I ever let a fan down when in trouble. I go to only those that need a celebrity appearance the most. You are the fourth. Out of my few years with the wonderbolts, you are the fourth that I've done this for."
"But thats jsut it...I don't want to be visited by a celebrity."
"Who said I was visiting?"
"You...You mean..."
"Not quite. I'm here to take you with me, for a final flight. I've never really gotten to fly with you, but I do now. We could do things afterwards."
"You'd really take me on a final flight? But...I don't deserve one final flight yet. Especially not with you. Those are reserved for the senior wonderbolts for a choice to fly one last time with the team. It's an honor filled celebration meant for and made by the wonderbolts. I'm no wonderbolt."
"Rainbow Dash. Look at you. You've defeated Nightmare Moon, bringing Celestia her sister back, you've defeated discord, putting him back in his stone prison, you've even helped during the take over that happened when Queen Chrysalis tried to take over Equestria while my friends and I quite literally cowered at the sight of all three. We did nothing. Any bravery was done by our stunt doubles who volunteered after having a pep talk by our boss."
"So...you'r saying that I deserve this?"
"No. I'm saying that you deserve more than a Final Flight. You deserved to be on the Wonderbolts."
"Then why was I never accepted in?"
"Well, we never did because we were all waiting till you were at a peace time. Being how you had vanquished three threats to Equestria within a single year, we couldn't stand the chance of you missing a show or you dragging us into danger, chancing our lives as well. It just got too dangerous and too interruptive. So we have been waiting. But. It seems I was too late to realize it. Rainbow Dash, I'm sorry. Should I have noticed that you should be with us now, I'd have asked you to join over a year ago. You'd be happier then."
Rainbow Dash smiled, "Spitfire, it doesn't take much to make a friend happy."
"But we are not friends. Or atleast not yet."
"It doesn't even take much to make a friend. You don't have to apologize to me for making a mistake like that. It wouldn't have helped the fact that I'd be in this condition soon. I have had obsessive days of practicing flight for a long time. I guess...I guess that it just caught up to me.", Rainbow Dash frowned.
"Rainbow Dash, Don't put yourself down. You are, in reality, a bigger celebrity than I. Most ponies know of the wonderbotls, a few know our names. But everyone knows of the six that saved Equestria three times. They know each of you. The fan base you have, Rainbow Dash, is much larger than I could ever hope for."
"Sorry about that..."
"Why would you be sorrY? I don't feel jealous of it at all. If anything, you have had a better life than I do. Most of my gfans catch me in the most embarrassing times and everything I do is plastered on billboards and such. You don't have to worry about that."
"Thats why I'm sorry. You hate your life and-"
"Rainbow Dash, I am thankful that I am the captain of the wonderbolts. The honor over writes the annoyance of fans. And, as my contract says, I, the captain of the Wonderbolts, can accept anyone into the team. I can have the arrangements for you to have a final flight even if you haven't been on the team for more than two seconds."
"You...You'd really do that?"
"Rainbow Dash, why wouldn't I? If it means achieving a new friend, then yes. Granted, it'll be harder when the day comes, but I'll stay by your side if so. In fact, from now on, I will spend each day with you till the end. I have nothing scheduled for the next five months and should something come up, Soarin will fill in for me."
Rainbow Dash looked at Spitfire with a slight bit of happiness.
"Thank you. But. I'm not sure if my friends should beleft out."
"Rainbow Dash. I'm not going to leave your friends out of this either, nor will I force them to stay away. They are your friends and should be there for you more than I."
"But with you here, it makes me happy."
"But I have a question. What happened earlier? Your wing opened and you started cringing. You just looked like it was going to kill you..."
"Well...With where the tumor is set, it's attacking the muscle tissue which is near my wing. The muscles lock up and it's very painful. I'm not sure why it hasn't happened in a while, but I'm sure am happy it hasn't happened yet."
"Well, what should we do, should it happen?"
"Sedation spell or put me to sleep somehow."
"I'll talk to the doctor about it. I plan on having you out by today."
"Thank you."
Spitfire nodded and as she left, she glanced back at Rainbow Dash. Unlike how she saw the cyan mare earlier, she wasn't looking at the clipboard, she was smiling, looking out the window even. Though, the tinted windows barely let any light in, she still looked out. Spitfire could feel the sunken feelings for the mare slip away, replaced by ahppiness. She did what she was intending to do. Make Rainbow Dash happy for herself. Though, it was spiced with sugary offers that only she could give, she still wanted her to be as happy as possible.
After all, she did save Spitfire's life once.
