So, This Is How It Ends...
I'm dying. I've never given it much thought before, but here I am. Bleeding to death on... for a moment, I forget where I am. My vision is obscured and the cries of war are muffled. The pain in my side is agonizing. I've never felt pain as great as this. Sure, I've felt pain when I plummeted from the sky and broke my wing. This is much worse than that. This pain is the most excruciating I've ever felt. It's all I can think about as I feel myself writhing in agony. Get up, I command myself harshly. Everypony knows you're stronger than this. But I can't. The pain is too much. Too severe.
A memory works its way into my head. I now remember where I am despite my blurry vision. I'm on the battlefield. The Crystal War started only a year ago and I didn't even make it through. But I can't feel ashamed. I gasp for air, but every breath I take feels like fire raging through my chest.
I hear my name being called through the hustle. I strain to hear who it is. But then a smile spreads across my lips. Soarin. Once more, I hear my name. This time I can barely make it out. Everything is so far away. So distant. Is it Twilight? Fluttershy? I'm not sure. But my instinct tells me it's one of my friends. It's nice to know how much they care.
I see their familiar faces as they rush up to my side. Their faces are incredibly bleary, but I can still recognize them. Of course I can. They're my best friends. Their tear-streaked faces add to my pain, but it doesn't add pain to the wound. It's a different kind of pain, but for some reason, it's just as severe.
I feel myself being cradled gently in someone's arms. I look up and see the face of Soarin. I smile with the last bits of my strength, but it fades quickly. It's too much work to smile now. Normally, I wouldn't let myself be held and comforted like this. I wouldn't allow such mushiness directed towards me. But in this moment, I just don't care. I'm dying and I like to see that he cares. The same way I care about him.
Next, I hear a yell from the field. That voice is none other than Captain Spitfire as she forces her way past the others surrounding me. She looks at me, her eyes wide. It's nice to know that she cares about me despite her commanding and overbearing attitude. Right away, she tells the others to give me medical attention immediately. I remember that the medical wing is full from the other ponies who had been slain that day. This was the bloodiest battle we had so far. The most casualties we've ever counted. I'm among them. I'm going to be dead soon. I better enjoy my last moments while they remain.
Despite the medical wing being full, it doesn't seem to stop them. I'm now lying inside of the Wonderbolts barracks. It's a lot more peaceful there due to the cries of war not being there. I'm still being held by Soarin and I see Spitfire wrap a tourniquet around my wound. In less than a minute, the white tourniquet turns completely red. I had bled through it and I cough. I feel myself shudder and it's immensely uncomfortable. Blood is spilling from my mouth like a flowing stream. I'm choking on the blood that keeps rising to my throat. It refuses to go away when I attempt to swallow.
So, this is how it ends. Bleeding to death from a spear. I never imagined that being the way I died. I'm Rainbow Dash, the pony everyone knows for bravery, loyalty, and most of all, awesomeness. It seems kind of pathetic that I can be killed this way. So can everyone, I remind myself. No one could've survived that spear. This was your choice. There's no turning back.
Soarin was about to be killed. What was I supposed to do?! 'Wonderbolts look out for each other', Soarin had once said. I know that statement is truer than ever now. A slave had wrung him around the neck and threatened him with his spear. I didn't even use common sense. Without thinking, I had run in between them and now I was the one dying. But maybe that wasn't the only reason I did it for him. I did it because I loved him. Yes, yes. I do love him. It embarrasses me only slightly, but I can admit it.
My life begins to replay before my eyes. All these moments, all this pain and strife, all this grief... has lead up to this. To me lying here now.
It seems as if it was only yesterday when I came to the war base with my friends. Rarity had looked at everything with distaste. It was much different than what she was used to. The rest of us looked at it not much differently. Even though we weren't nearly as picky as she was, it was still much less than what we used to have back home. Pinkie Pie had cracked a joke about it and we had all guffawed heartily. She was always there to make us laugh.
The Wonderbolts had banded together to fight in the war. They had always done everything as a team effort and I know this time is no different. As I fought with the Wonderbolts, I had cleared tensions between Soarin and I. Soarin. That word keeps replaying through my mind. We had grown closer during our time together and we didn't just feel friendship anymore.
I never would've come out with my feelings on my own. Anyone who knows me well knows that I'm not too expressive about the idea of romance. When Soarin told me though, I couldn't repel the feelings any longer. I told him that I felt the same way about him.
Then, he pressed his lips up against mine. For some reason, it had been better than flying. Better than winning. Better than trophies. I never wanted to be kissed before, but now I know how awesome it is.
I take one last look at everyone. They all know there's nothing they can do anymore. Icy Mist, a teammate of mine, breaks the news to everyone. "We're going to lose her," I hear Icy Mist state sorrowfully.
I look at the ground and exhale wistfully. I do feel regret for not being able to stay alive and keep everyone company, but at least I can tell them not to worry before I perish.
"Don't worry, please, Soarin," I plead softly. "I don't feel any pain."
I'm on the brink of dying. The world is quickly turning black and the words I hear are speedily fading out. But I'm smiling. I'm smiling because I know that it's going to be okay. I'm not afraid. I never have been.
The last thing I hear before my hearing fades is the cry of one of my friends. I still can't discern exactly who it is, but I know it's a close friend. I squeeze my eyes shut tightly. I'm sorry that I have to leave you this way. I love each and every one of you and I'll miss you as much as you'll miss me.
The world is painted black. I don't feel any pain.
