Angel Wings, Broken Rainbows

The weeks went by in a haze. Fluttershy watched as her beloved's condition grew ever more distressing. Her body became weaker and weaker as the due date drew ever closer.

"Dashie! You can barely walk! There will be no arguments about it. We have to go to the hospital."

" 'Shy, the baby's not ready yet. I don't know how, but I can tell."

"That doesn't matter. The strain on your body is too much. You need an IV of fluids and vitamins and you need oxygen."

"Come on. You're making me sound like an invalid or something."

"This isn't funny Dashie....."

"I know 'Shy," Rainbow Dash walked slowly over and wrapped the concerned pegasus in a weak, yet loving hug, "Pinkie Pie's monthiversary party for Dusk Shine is tomorrow. I promise I will go to the hospital after. Just let me have one more day with our friends. One more day not hooked to machines."

".....I don't like it when you talk like that Dashie.....but okay. After the party."

"I'm sorry for what I'm doing to you Fluttershy. It seems kind of selfish of me to keep you here and put you through this-"

Fluttershy gently placed a hoof over the cerulean mare's mouth. She felt a slight trembling, though she wasn't sure whether it was because of her weakness or something else. She moved her hoof but it was quickly replaced by her lips as she pressed them to her cyan lovers'. She could feel the passion mounting as Rainbow Dash's tongue slipped through and began a frantic dance with her own. She could feel her love's pulse quicken and she pulled away against her increasing desires.

"That's just mean," Rainbow said, clearly disappointed at the sudden cold shoulder.

"I'm sorry.....but you know you can't get too.....um, excited in your condition."

"Pony feathers!"

Fluttershy walked Rainbow Dash over to their bed and laid her down gently. She eased her way into the bed and wrapped her legs around the warmth of her beautiful marefriend.

"I love you Dashie."

"I love you too 'Shy."
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The sun was barely up in the sky and there was already a knocking on the door.

Fluttershy felt her love stirring next to her.

"Morning Dashie."

"Four bits says its Pinkie Pie."

"That's a losing wager," Fluttershy said with a small kiss on Rainbow's muzzle as she got out of bed and headed toward the front door.

"Hey Fluttershy! Are you and Rainbow.....ready to Dash!" Pinkie Pie could not control the flood of giggles that burst forth, startling Fluttershy a bit.

"Oh....yes, Pinkie? Dashie has been feeling a little under-the-weather, but we'll be out in bit."

"Okey dokey lokey! She'll be okay Fluttershy. She always comes through."

"Yeah.....I just wish I was stronger.....for her."

"You are a lot more much waaayy stronger than you think."

"Oh Pinkie....."

"I'm serious Fluttershy. Don't sell yourself short."

"Darn right!" Rainbow Dash said, coming slowly but surehoofedly into the room, "Now lets get this party started!"
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The rest of the day was absolutely splendid. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were frolicking around, playing with Pinkie and the cake twins. Twilight and Rarity talked with Shining Armor, who was actually smiling quite a bit. However, Rainbow Dash had trouble lifting her gaze from the golden mare with the carnation mane to whom she had pledged her life. She was at the center of the action with Dusk Shine. Playing and tickling immediately turned to hugging and snuggling, and then back again.

"She's gonna be a wonderful mother. I just wish I-"

"Dashie! Wake up you silly filly! Its time for little Dusk to blow ou.....I mean we're gonna ligh.....umm, its cake time!"

"Alright Pinkie, I'm coming," Rainbow Dash said struggling to get up. In an instant, Fluttershy was by her side again, helping her.

"I love you Fluttershy."

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"What's going on today?" Fluttershy thought to herself, looking up at the near blinding sun.

"Fluttershy what are you waiting for! The party's already started!"

She looked out and saw all of her friends dancing around in the beautiful sunlight. Everypony was there. Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Spike, Rarity, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, they were all there. Even the princesses were there. And Shining Armor with cute little Dusk Shine standing at his heels and Cadence at his side.

".....Cadence? How are you.....?" she pressed a hoof to her forehead when a sharp pain surged through her head, as if some memory was trying to force itself into her head.

"You okay 'Shy?"

Fluttershy looked up to see the source of the voice and saw something more beautiful than anything she ever could have imagined. There was her Dashie, healthy and shimmering, holding an alicorn baby in her hoof. She was absolutely beautiful, with a mane and tail of all the cool colors of the rainbow and a coat of the most dazzling silver. But what made gave Fluttershy the most joy was when she saw the little filly's eyes. They were the color of the most beautiful, blooming roses.

"Oh Dashie....." Fluttershy could not hold herself back any longer. She threw her legs around Rainbow Dash and cried harder than she ever had before, ".....I knew.....I knew in my heart you would make it. You are the strongest pony I have ever known, I love you so much."

"Of course I'm fine 'Shy. What a weird thing to say. You gonna say hi to our daughter?"

"I-uh.....," Fluttershy stammered, unable to form the words.

Suddenly the sky turned black and lightning flashed across the clouds followed by a thunderous boom. Rain began to fall as everypony around her started to disappear. The landscape around them turned red and Fluttershy realized what was falling from the sky.

"Blood.....!"

"Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!"
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Rainbow Dash's bloodcurdling scream woke Fluttershy.

" 'Shy.....ahhh! 'Shy it hurts so much."