Dash sighed and they sat down on the ground behind the school walls, away from everyone else.

"Okay.. it all started when I got this message that wasn't from Applejack... after our friendships broke apart I was in a lot of stress. To make matters worse I had one game after the other. Guess it comes from being team captain of every sport in our school." Dash half heartedly laughed. "I started having this weird cough for weeks, maybe longer. Just thought it was a bug or something. But when I started to have trouble getting any air when I was deep into a sport, I knew something wasn't right. But between all the training sessions, school and homework I didn't have the time to worry about it. So at the most important game, the final game of the school year, it just... took over I guess? I just wanted our team to win. We trained too hard to lose. It's not the best of time to just walk off the field, ya know?" Dash told.

Sunset nodded as she started processing the story. But what got her thinking the most was: if she hadn't done what she did, maybe Dash wouldn't have to rely on a plastic can to help her breathe when she was doing what she loved...

"So I kept running. After a while it went from not breathing to not hearing and not seeing, until I woke up in the hospital. The next day I learned about the news of how our school lost against Crystal Prep. When the teachers all heard about what happened to me, they made me pause the sports for a while. Said I could go back when I felt like I could handle it. So after two months I was back. Some people asked questions of course but I just said I drank too little that day and the dehydration made me collapse."

Sunset stared blankly at her. Of course she would lie about it, tell them something somewhat believable and just go back to what she was doing before.

"But you have to use the inhaler when you're exercising. How come no one ever noticed?"

"Always had excuses that I needed water or something. After I told them about the dehydration it's the best thing they believe." Dash smirked.
"So when I go back to the changing room I sometimes do drink but it's mostly just to use it real quick."

"But what do you do when someone says they need water too and come with you?"

"Oh that, I knew you'd ask. You do know there are bathrooms, right?" Dash said, her smirk growing. Deep inside she was proud of her techniques. She could be really smart when she needed to be.

"Wow." Was all Sunset could manage.

"Yeah, I know I'm awesome." Dash laughed, and Sunset joined in, until Dash's laughter turned into a coughing fit.

"You okay?"

It took a bit until Dash could answer. Meanwhile the bell rang, ending their break.
"Yeah." She said, her voice scratchier than normal.

"You sure? Maybe we shouldn't perform now..."

"It's fine! Really, I-" she had to stop arguing for a few more coughs. "'m fine."

"If you're absolutely sure..."

"Yeah I am. Let's go before we are gonna be late." Dash said and got up.

Sunset followed her, still unsure if she should do something.

* * *

The girls were getting their instruments. Dash knew she had to use her inhaler again. The weather was pressing on her lungs. Hot summer days were just like that. She was used to that by now and knew how to handle it.

"Dash? Ya ready?" Applejack asked.

Dash suppressed a cough as she answered. "Yeah, just a sec." She said in an unusual hurry and went back into the room where they stashed their bags. Sunset raised an eyebrow, Applejack just shrugged and geared up her bass. Sunset stood in the doorway and heard the sound she had heard earlier when Dash used the inhaler in the nurse office. She frowned. Why didn't she tell the others?

Dash came out, shrugged at Sunsets glare and strapped on her guitar. After they got ready, their classmates were already cheering. Sunset couldn't believe her eyes as she watched Dash go about the stage like always, running, jumping and all the while, singing! The girl that nearly passed out from lack of oxygen after a few rounds around the gym hall!

Rarity gave her a soft nudge, bringing her back into reality and she realized that she had missed her part and Dash and AJ had taken over for her. Sunset blushed in embarrassment and sang with the others again.

Even though the windows were opened, the air in the room was dry and even for 'normal' people it wasn't the easiest to breathe.

She still managed to get through 'Shine Like Rainbows' with barely any trouble. It was at 'Better Than ever' that she had to go backstage because of a seemingly never ending coughing attack after her solo. The others were singing in a chorus so it wasn't too bad, but still bad enough that Sunset thought about abandoning the others and going after her. But she knew that that would be the last thing she'd want. Besides, Dash was able to handle it for who knows how long on her own, without them ever noticing. The song wasn't too long either and as soon as it was over, the whole band went over to Dash, worried that something wasn't right.

Dash was sitting against the wall with her guitar standing next to her, the inhaler already used and hidden in her backpack again.

"Seriously, Dash! Are ya alright?" Applejack asked for what felt like the fifth time today.

"Yeah. Sorry about that. Must have caught a wave of dust or something." She said, still a bit out of breath but smiled.

"If yer sure.. ya haven't been at yer best today. You comin' down with somethin'?"

"Maybe." Dash shrugged.

Sunset gave her a stern look again. How could Applejack not notice that she's being lied to?

Author's Note

After watching the EG shorts I'm so into the new song.

https://youtu.be/Uuwqq0Ep848

God I'm trying to sing with the song and after every part I'm coughing like a chain smoker XD

Speaking of smoker, I think someone has lit his cigarette. I'm blaming him.

I don't care. Singing along the best I can XDDD

Plus internet is so shit that it's stopping every two seconds XD

My poor headphones.