Fading Sparkles

Rainbow lay on her special cloud, looking over all of Ponyville. She sighed happily, snuggling into the cloud. If her friends saw her at such a private moment, she would die of embarrassment. Rainbow knew she was being soft. But, it didn't matter. The cloud was so comfortable. Nothing could ruin this moment. No rain. She was on the cloud, not below. No problems. Her friends were all doing their own things today. Rainbow smiled to herself as she saw Applejack walking through town, rather quickly.

Rainbow couldn't see her expression, but she thought Applejack was probably getting more treatment for Granny Smith's hips, as it was Tuesday, the day she would do so. Rainbow was observant, so she noticed these things without Applejack noticing her. Rainbow frowned as she saw Applejack walk past the medicine shop.

"Relax, Dash, maybe she's getting it from another place," grumbled Rainbow to herself. She turned onto her side, facing away from where Applejack walked to. Rainbow closed her eyes, thinking of one pony. Twilight Sparkle. She smiled to herself.

She would never admit it to anypony, but she had a crush on her best friend. If it was more than a crush, Rainbow wasn't sure. Rainbow dreamed of holding Twilight in her arms, nuzzling her, and telling her how much she loved her. It was perfect. Rainbow wasn't confident if Twilight would accept her feelings. Normally, she would tell ponies that anypony would love her, but it was all for show. Rainbow would never admit it, but she was unsure about most things. In fact, she knew she was more unsure than Fluttershy about everything. But, she put on a tough face so ponies would admire her.

Rainbow was about to fall asleep, when a soft hoof touched her shoulder. Rainbow groaned, opening her eyes to see Fluttershy. Rainbow flushed red, knowing she was caught. She shot up in the air.

"Oh, Fluttershy!" said Rainbow quickly. "I was just, uh, taking a break. I certainly wasn't cuddling with the cloud." Fluttershy gave her a stare, that said, 'I don't believe you.'

"Rainbow, that's not the point," said Fluttershy, her voice cracking. Rainbow took a moment to see Fluttershy's eyes were bloodshot.

"Is something wrong, Flutters?" asked Rainbow, immediately feeling concern for her friend. Since she first met Twilight, she had changed. She faked being the same, uncaring Rainbow Dash. But deep down, she felt for every one of her friends.

"It's Twilight..." Rainbow's ears perked up.

Rainbow raced through the sky to the castle. It couldn't be true... Could it? The purple crystal castle lay ahead. Rainbow raced down to the ground, and burst through the door.

"TWILIGHT?!" called Rainbow, worry deep in her voice. No answer. Hoof steps sounded, and Rainbow felt a pang of relief. She was alright. Then, she frowned, realizing who it was. Applejack. Her expression was grave.

"Ya made it," said Applejack solemnly. Rainbow sniffed.

"I-I-Is she?" asked Rainbow, a stray tear running down her face. Traitor, she thought to the tear. Thankfully, Applejack shook her head.

"No," said Applejack, and Rainbow's ears perked up and she smiled softly. "But, she is near." Rainbow cringed.

"Can I see her?" asked Rainbow, her voice quivering. Applejack nodded, beckoning Rainbow with her orange hoof to follow. Rainbow started to walk, her heart cracking with each step toward Twilight's private chambers. They came to the magenta doors of Twilight's room. Opening it, Rainbow smelled the scent of sickness. Her heart gave a painful pang. Twilight Sparkle was really dying.

"T-Twilight?" called Rainbow. She entered the room to see Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Rarity, crowding around the bed, their expressions solemn. Rarity turned to her, her face dripping with ruined makeup.

"Darling, Twilight doesn't have that much longer to live," said Rarity, sniffing. Rainbow's ears lay flat on her head.

"Can I speak to her alone?" asked Rainbow.

"Um, no offense, but that is kind of selfish," said Fluttershy, turning her head and meeting Rainbow in a stern glare. "We want to be here for her final moments."

"Ah agree with Fluttershy," said Applejack, giving her an angry stare. "Ah want to be here. Ya should get out if ya don't want us around."

"Girls, it's alright," said a weak voice. Rainbow's attention snapped to the bed. "I want to speak to Rainbow alone, too."

"But Twi," protested Applejack.

"Go. Now," said Twilight, giving Applejack a hard glare, surprisingly hilarious for such her weak state. Rainbow turned to her gratefully.

"Thank you," said Rainbow softly. Applejack snorted, and she and the other two ponies left the room. Rainbow stared at the door as Rarity slammed it with her blue aura. Her attention snapped to Twilight when Twilight's throat cleared.

"Rainbow," said Twilight simply, before going into a hacking fit. Rainbow instantly rushed to her side.

"Twilight, how are you sick?" asked Rainbow. "I thought alicorns are immortal."

"Not always," said Twilight. "Since I wasn't born an alicorn, like Celestia or Luna, I will be prone to sickness, and death of old age, though I have a life span to three hundred instead of seventy."

"If you have such a long life span, why are you dying?" asked Rainbow bitterly, her vision blurring with tears. Twilight gave her a small smile.

"Still argumentative, even at times like this," said Twilight, chuckling. She turned slightly red. "Which is something I love about you." Rainbow turned red as well.

"Um, Twilight, as a friend?" asked Rainbow. Her heart gave a pang at 'friend'. Twilight shook her head. Rainbow's eyes widened. She crawled in the bed around Twilight.

"I love you, Rainbow," said Twilight. "I don't know for how long, maybe when we first met, that I loved you. Your confidence and loyalty made me feel attracted to you." Rainbow blushed, tears falling down her cheeks. She finally heard the words she always wanted from Twilight, but sadly Rainbow was going to lose her.

"I love you too, Twilight. You have been, well, awesome," said Rainbow. Twilight gave her another smile, her eyes starting to get foggy. Rainbow's mind filled with alarms. She had only a bit of time before Twilight was gone. She had to get it all out, and now. "You are the smartest mare I know, and your boldness, challenging me, first got me interested. Up until we fought against Discord, I was unsure of my feelings. T-Twilight, aw look what you're doing to me! I've turned into a pile of mush." Rainbow hit her head in her hooves, bright red in embarrassment.

"I don't mind," said Twilight.

"I-I can't lose you," said Rainbow, the tears finally breaking free. She sobbed for a few moments, until something warm pressed on her chest. She looked down to see a lavender hoof.

"You won't lose me," assured Twilight. "I will always be right here." Rainbow sniffed, smiling and taking Twilight's hoof.

"I was going to confess soon," admitted Rainbow. "May I?" She bent down towards Twilight's face. Twilight nodded. Rainbow shut her eyes tight and leaned down to Twilight's lips. When they connected, sparks went through Rainbow's mind. Her first kiss, and Twilight's last. Tears poured down her face like a waterfall. All too soon, they pulled away. Twilight started to turn pale. Her eyes were glassy, and all Rainbow could tell she was alive was the small rise and fall of her chest.

"I love you, Rainbow," said Twilight, and her chest stopped moving.