Fall of the Butterflies

Night had already fallen. The full moon basked itself to the top of the sky, as if it was surveying all the sleeping ponies that quietly rested in their respective homes, peaceful and calm. However, the same could not be said for the mane 5, as they waited silently in the room, the tension rising and falling as the life of their friend was at risk.

“Rainbow, are you all right?” Twilight asked, concerned for her mentality. She had been crying since she brought the unconscious Fluttershy to the hospital, and stayed silent in the waiting room even when the rest of her friends showed up, stuck in a state of depression.

“I’m…I’m fine, Twilight.” She managed to stutter.

“You certainly don’t look that way…”

“I said I’m fine!”

Silence. Rainbow Dash was the only one of the group who was sitting apart from the rest, and with those words she moved to the back row of the chairs, isolating herself.

“It’s all my fault, It’s all my fault…” They could hear her mutter.

“It’s not your fault Dashie! Stop blaming yourself for what happened to Fluttershy! No one could have expected…well…this!” Pinkie reprimanded, breaking the silence.

“Honestly Rainbow, you’re overreacting! Fluttershy must be just having a bit of a headache, that’s all!” Rarity remarked.

“That was no headache. Her body was as cold as ice, and I couldn’t feel a pulse when I carried her to the hospital.”

“Brainfreeze?” Pinkie interjected.

“It isn’t the time to joke around, Pinkie.” Twilight said sternly, seeing the anger in Rainbow’s eyes.

“Y’all just trying to be optimistic about the situation, RD.” Applejack went over to the crying Pegasus and placed her hoof on her shoulder.

“I know Applejack. It’s just that nothing like this has happened before. Why did this happen? Why her?!” She was starting to lose control again.

“There are some situations in life that we can’t explain Rainbow. Sometimes life gives us joy and sometimes it drops a piano on your head.” Twilight answered.

“Don’t worry though, I’m sure that Fluttershy will back to her lovely self again after the doctors and the nurses are done.” Rarity added.

“Yeah! And then we can all have a get well soon party!” Pinkie exclaimed happily.

“We’re all in this together, sugarcube. Right Y’all?”

“RIGHT!” They cheered, causing Rainbow to finally smile.

“Yeah, I guess…thanks for comforting me, you guys.” Rainbow said sheepishly. “I was being kind of pessimistic.”

“Don’t worry, we all have our bad mane days. So, are you ready to visit her?” Twilight said encouragingly.

“Yeah, I guess so. Let’s go!” And with that she finally stood up, and started to trot slowly towards the medical room, with the rest of her friends following her.

The hospital had pretty much changed completely since the last time Rainbow was a patient during her injury while training for the Equestria Games. As they continued walking on the pathway towards the counter, she could see nurses and doctors pacing in and out of the rooms, most of them either levitating or holding clipboards, the sound of pens furiously scribbling heard every few seconds.

Most of the patients were either earth or pegasus ponies, though at a second glance there was always a unicorn or two in each ward. Bandaged, Sickly, even strapped to machines, there were such a large variety of injuries and diseases that the whole building was separated into four quarters: Natural injuries and diseases, magical injuries and diseases, critical care, and of course the maternity ward. She wondered which sector Fluttershy was in. Hopefully it wasn’t the third one. Hopefully.

“Can I help you with anything, sweetheart?”

The sudden voice snapped Rainbow out of her trance. Shaking her head, she tried to answer, but nothing could come out.

“Er…Yes…you…Fluttershy…” She stammered.

The nurse, who didn’t want to waste time, walked out of the counter and went over to Twilight.

“What is she trying to say, Princess Twilight?”

“Oh! Um…could you tell us the direction the room that Fluttershy is in?” She said nervously. “She’s a Pegasus by the way.”

She took out her own clipboard from the bag strapped on her back and scanned it.

“Fluttershy…pegasus. Sector 1, room 349.”

“Ok thanks. Come on Rainbow!”

“Oh, right! Heheh…”

Moving on, she took a huge sign of relief. Sector 1 was natural injuries and diseases, something that the doctors could easily heal, like her broken wings and body in those two accidents. She was almost ready to break down before, thinking that she’ll hear that Fluttershy was in some other sector.

“Oh how relieving! Sweet Celestia, I thought that she was actually going to be in a serious situation.” Rarity said happily.

“"I" with Rarity. Now let’s go visit her! I made some cider at home that You” all going to enjoy. Now come-on everypony!” Applejack exclaimed, looking at Rainbow for a response. Sure enough, a smile started to form in her mouth.

“You’re smiling again! WOOO!” Pinkie screamed joyfully, resulting in a large chorus of “shhh!” from the doctors and the nurses.

“Oops! Sorry…I forgot that I’m in a hospital. Sorry…” She giggled.

After a few minutes of wandering, they arrived at the room. Fluttershy was lying down on one of the beds, with no bandages, but a tube was in one of her arms, which pumped nutrients into her body from the plastic bag above. She was moving, but barely conscious.

“Oh that poor thing, I feel so sorry for her!” Rarity cried.

“At least it doesn’t look like she’s hurt or anything. I was worried that the situation would be much worse.” Twilight said quietly.

“Yeah…thank goodness...” Rainbow agreed faintly.

“I see you’re back again, Miss Rainbow Dash.”

The mane 6 reeled back in surprise at the sudden voice, only to find that it was doctor horse, the doctor who took care of Rainbow when she crashed and broke her wing the first time.

“Oh, hey Doctor Horse. Are you still mad of what I did the first time I was here?” Rainbow said nervously.

“Hardly. Your theft of the Daring Do book and our chase has been so popular around the hospital that we tell it to the young fillies who come here as a bedtime story.” He admitted.

“So, how” Fluttershy?” Applejack asked.

“Oh, she doesn’t seem like to be sick at all. Should be just a little case of fainting, but nothing special really. However, to be sure we took a blood sample and the results should be coming in about now.” He answered.

Just as he finished his sentence, a beeping noise came from his pockets. He took it out and smiled.

“Speak of the devil! I’ll be right back, girls.” And he trotted off to one of the staff offices.

“Why are they taking a blood sample Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“It’s just to make sure that there is really nothing wrong with Fluttershy before letting her out of the hospital. Honestly I don’t think that they’ll find anything serious.” Twilight replied.

“I hope so…” Rainbow muttered, nervous again.

“Is there something that you’re not telling us, Rainbow?” Rarity remarked.

“No, nothing of the sort. It’s just that before she fainted, we were having a picnic together, and I tried to organize another event where we could socialize, but she kept rejecting my offers and I lost my temper, resulting in an argument.” Rainbow admitted.

“What were you two arguing about?” Pinkie said, confused.

“Um…about why was she always keeping her distance away from me, making up tons of excuses when I try to spend time with her. And…err…about the condition of our friendship.” She said guiltily.

“You doubted your friendship with her?!” They said together, shocked.

“I know! I feel stupid about that fact! That’s why I was so nervous and depressed when I found her unconscious and cold body, and when we were waiting in the waiting room! I was actually scared that I couldn’t say sorry to her ever again!!” She cried, small drops of tears forming in her eyes.

Pinkie immediately handed her a tissue, which she dried her tears quickly and blew her nose.
“Thanks, Pinkie…” She stuttered, the others looking at her concerned.

“Rainbow, don’t ever think like that. Friendship is the most strongest bond that is present in Equestria. I’m sure that Fluttershy has a good reason for not telling you the truth.” Twilight said sternly.

“I know…but…”

“You should know better than to doubt one of your best friends. You’re the element of loyalty, remember? Just wait and see.” Rarity continued.

“Everypony knows that you should never give up trying when things get rough or don’t turn out for the best. That” what my parents taught me.” Applejack exclaimed.

“Hug?” Pinkie asked, wrapping her hoofs around Rainbow and patting her on the back.

“I…didn’t realize my mistake. Thanks for comforting me again. I’m really sorry for what I put all of you through.” They smiled, and soon they were in a group hug, the warmth of friendship spreading around the area.

“I’m sorry to interrupt this occasion, girls.”

“Doctor! You’re…back?” Twilight frowned as she said the grim expression on his face, the optimism before completely gone.

“May I talk to you girls in private?” He said, indicating an open door that led to an empty room.

When they were inside, he closed the door, and took out his clipboard, his expression serious.

“I’m sorry to say this…but Miss Fluttershy has Lymphosarcoma.”

“NO! It can’t be!” Twilight shouted, her expression appalled.

“I’m sorry Twilight, but the tests were positive.” The doctor said with his head dropped, pawing the ground nervously.

“Wait…what’s Lymphosarcoma?” The other ponies questioned, confused. Twilight was shaking, and she seemed to be lost from reality as she replied the inevitable answer.

“It’s…It’s…lymph…can…cancer. Fluttershy is going to die!” And with those words, she broke down crying.