Twilight finished shelving her books, satisfied her library was in order, no books missing. Her blissful revere was popped by a knock, Fluttershy peeking her head around the door.

“Um, sorry to bother you, Twilight...but, well, I need to borrow a book on pony anatomy.”

“Sure thing! What kind of pony?”

“Pegasus, please,"

Twilight nodded, looking over her collection. “Hmmm...most of these aren’t very in-depth... sorry, Fluttershy, I don’t have reason to keep a medical level book here,”

Well, that wasn’t entirely true-she was very curious, but it was frowned upon to have that sort of gory book in your possession if it wasn’t tied to your work or cutiemark. And as a princess, she had to be careful not to embarrass herself, or the others.

She tapped a hoof to her mouth, thinking. Perhaps she could...write it herself. Then they couldn’t trace a book like that to her-and surely her friend’s would help, and if she HAD to look...closer, she could heal them right up again!

She turned to Fluttershy, beaming, “Let’s MAKE one! We’ll do science, and record it in a book! It can be a group effort, like the journal!”

“O-oh, you...really think I can help?”

“Of course, Fluttershy! Everyone can! We’ll just start with you, since you’re here, and we’ll do Pegasus anatomy first! Follow me!”

They trotted out of the library, and down the stairs of the castle into the lower floors. There were many, admittedly, but it didn’t take long to get to her lab. Twilight sent Fluttershy to sit in a chair by a table, as the Pegasus marveled at the high ceiling above them.

“Goodness...why is that so high?”

“Hm? Oh! Ventilation, in case chemicals go off, or wrong, or some such. The longer it takes the room to fill, the faster I can notice!”

“Oh dear...is...that going to be an issue today?”

“No, not at all! We’re doing PRACTICAL science, no chemicals involved!” she assured the shy mare. She went back to rummaging. She pulled out a blank book, quills and ink, humming as she set them out on the table with her magic. She added many medical items for measuring and checking, blushing and trying not to pay too much attention to a speculum.

“N-now, let’s start with...measuring things, and weighing!” she got to work. It wasn’t very interesting to others, but Twilight was fascinated by it all-Fluttershy even let her have a feather she preened free for study.

“Oooh, I can’t wait to compare this to other pegasi-or even other ponies in general!” she enthused, Fluttershy smiling at her friend’s happiness. Twilight took a few small fur and mane samples too-she made sure to take them from places that wouldn’t show in a rare show of understanding.

“Well, now, can you fly a few loops around the ceiling? I want to write down some observations on the flight,” Twilight requested, her friend nodding and taking off. Fluttershy flew in circles, and figures of eights when asked. So into making her friend happy was she, that she didn’t notice the light in front of her. Her mane covered up much of the illumination it made until it was too late, and the pegasus crashed into it. It blew, breaking, Fluttershy screaming as glass peppered her, and she plummeted through the air.

Twilight ran forward to help, but was too late. Fluttershy smashed into the ground before the princess could do more than slow her slightly with magic-and judging by how the pegasus gagged and coughed up blood, that hadn’t been a mercy. Twilight looked at her, full of sadness-she couldn’t fix this. It was too much, too deep inside, for her magic to fix.

She sat next to her, stroking her hair. “Oh, Fluttershy, I’m...I’m so sorry...”

“I-I….it’s okay, t...twilight, I...I wasn’t careful.” her breath rasped through blood and bone in her lungs.

Twilight nuzzled her, before raising her head. “...Fluttershy. I...I’m sorry, but...w...when you...” she sobbed, before pulling herself together. “Can I...keep going with the book? Both with our friends, and...and your...body,” she managed, sniffling.

Fluttershy nodded. “Y-yes,my...animal friends have...helped me...appreciate using all of...a body, and if I...can help you in death then...I will,” she ended it with a heavy cough, blood spraying out of her mouth. Twilight sniffled, nuzzling her.

“I’ll be here with you, till the end.”

“It-it’s okay, I already...feel numb...” this made Twilight perk up, and she carefully lifted Fluttershy’s broken body into the air with her magic, putting her on the table. “I’m going to start now, Fluttershy-I’m sorry but I can learn a lot while the body is still alive,”

She nodded, “That’s f-fine, Twilight,” she smiled faintly. Twilight did dope her up-just in case she did end up feeling something. She used a scalpel, slowly cutting the other open from neck to navel, using her magic to crack the rib cage open, and push out like reverse wings.

She took notes, and kept an eye on Fluttershy to see when she passed. She also held hooves whenever she could, not wanting her friend to feel lonely during this frightening time. She was careful with the pegasus’ organs, not tugging too hard, or often, to keep her comfortable. It might not hurt, but she was concerned it might be unpleasant to feel.

Fluttershy looked to Twilight, “I...I feel it. I’m going...I...I love all of you girls, let them...know that, please...if it’s….not...too...much….t...t...” she sighed, lungs going limp as her heart stilled. Twilight held her hoof throughout, crying and nodding. Of course-of course she would.

She rubbed her fur of tears, and got back to work. She glanced down to the nethers, now the owner was gone, and blushed heavily-her muscles were still...working, a little.

...what might that feel like, when-

She shook her head violently. No. Absolutely not. She couldn’t think like that-she was a princess! It was a slippery slope, as Luna had once found. She wouldn’t end up becoming...Midnight Sparkle, or something else just as ‘edgy’.

She began to pace. Then again...there was no real documentation on a pony’s last moments, including...muscle spasms...she sighed, knowing this was no more than rationing from what she now suspected was a diseased mind.

Author's Note

I know this might get a lot of downvotes, and i'm fine with that, it's not everyone's cup of tea. I am open to feedback, however.