//------------------------------// // Diagnosed // Story: One Week Til Her End // by Bakmah Genesis //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash sat in the waiting room of the hospital, trying to resist the urge to scratch her wings. Twilight sat next to her, wrapping her front legs around Rainbows's body and burying her head into her neck. Rainbow stroked her mane and kissed her forehead. "Hey, it will be alright. Its just a check up." Both of them knew that wasn't true. They came here, after some protest on Rainbow's part, to check out the constant pain that went through her wings whenever she used them. She kept it hidden for awhile, not wanting to worry Twilight and the others, but it ft to the point where it was extremely difficult. Now they sat there waiting for the test results. The waiting room had a unbecoming feel to it. It only made her want out of the hospital even more. She tapped her hooves on the floor, anxious for the results. She checked the clock, watching the second hand tick by. She sighed as the doctor walked into the room but got worried as she saw the sad look on the doctors face. He motioned for them to join him in his office. The two walked into the office, Twilight snug under Rainbow's wing. "Alright, we received the results." said the doctor once the two sat down. He sighed before continuing. "We've checked and did the test three times over and got the same results. I'm sorry, but you Wing Cancer." Rainbow stared at him, her mouth hanging open. Twilight tightened her grip on the Pegasus. It took a few moments for her brain to start working again. "No, that can't be right. I'm Rainbow Dash, I can't have cancer." She tried not to panic. There has to be a mistake somewhere. The doctor just shook his head. "Like I said. We did the test three times over. Not one mistake. Now, on normal cases I would recommend wing removal, which would remove the tumor with it.." "Then do it!" The room was silent. Twilight gaped at Rainbow. Out of all the things in the world, her wings would be the thing Rainbow Dash would never give up. Now her she was, ready to remove them at a moments notice. This wasn't normal Rainbow Dash. Then again, she wouldn't be herself if she found out she had a terminal cancer. She would do way with her horn right there, even if she wouldn't be Celestia's student and wouldn't be able to use magic anymore. "I would gladly if it meant possibly saving your life, but the cancer is too far devolped. It already has moved past the wings and onto the spine and nerves." Tears began to form in Rainbow's eyes. She didn't want to ask, but she had to know. "How long do I have?" The doctor sighed and walked over to her. He placed a hoof on her shoulder. "We figure about a week, max. The min being six days. I'm sorry you couldn't have had more time but the chances are that you will die a week from today." The tears released themselves, falling to the floor. "I recommend not using your wings for the rest of your time. Using them will only speed up the process. If you have anything you want to do first, I suggest you do it now since you might be in a wheel chair within the next few days. I'll be outside if you need me." The doctor walked outside of the room, leaving the two mares to cry in each others hooves. "Look, Rainbow, I will find a cure. I will search every book and..." A hoof to her muzzle caused Twilight to stop. She looked up a Rainbow, her eyes were red from crying and tears still fell from her face. She wore the same smile that caused Twilight to love her so much. It was one that she only wore around her. She kissed Twilight gently on the lips. "You are not going to spend the last seven days of my life over a pile of books. There was a cure and I was stupid and didn't come sooner. My death is my doing and I don't want you worrying your pretty face over something we can't fix." "But.." "Twilight Sparkle, you are not allowed to look for a cure or research wing cancer until at least three years after I die." Twilight hugged her, burying her head into Rainbows neck. "But I don't want you to die. I want to grow old with you, have children with you," "Wait, that's possible?" Twilight nodded. "Well shit, now I totally regret hiding it." She gave a small laugh and brought Twilight closer. "Twilight, I would more than gladly remove my wings myself if it means I could be with you. Now, I think its time we went home, we may have to tell the girls." Twilight nodded and stood up. They walked out the door but Twilight stopped. "I have to ask the doctor something, do you mind heading home without me?" Rainbow sighed but smiled. "Just don't leave me waiting too long." Twilight nodded before entering the office again with the doctor. Rainbow Dash sighed before leaving the hospital for home. She better not be doing what I think she's doing. Oh well, it's Twilight. She continued torwards the library, eager to lay down after the more than eventful day. _____________________________________________________________________________________ "Well, Miss Twilight, I'm glad you are willing to help. You have about four days but don't let that pressure you. Remember to help through this, as well." Twilight nodded, taking the paper the doctor gave to her. "Just remember not to tell her. Its not really breaking my promise but I can tell she won't be happy." The doctor chuckled. "Of course. I'm sure you two will be just fine. She is a stubborn one. With you helping, I'm sure she will live to see a few more sunrises." Twilight smiled and thanked the doctor before leaving. She trotted down the hall, a small spring I her step. Just twenty minutes ago she was sure there was no way to save Dash, now she had hope. All she had to do was fix the spells mistakes, use it on Dash, after a quick test of course, and get her to remove her wings and the tumor with it. It was a bit of a risk but she would take it if it meant she could save her lovers life. Soon the library came into view. She heard someone call her name and turned to see Apple Jack and Rarity coming torwards her, both with a look of concern on their faces. "What were the results?" asked Apple Jack when they caught up with her. Twilight's smile faded but returned when she remembered the spell. "I think its better if she told you, its her results. Now lets go get Pinkie and Fluttershy." The two nodded and followed her to Sugarcube Corner. ___________________________________________________________________________________ "Spike, you can stop crying into my mane now, I don't want you sneezing or whatever and setting my mane on fire." Rainbow gently pushed the crying purple dragon away from her hair. Spike looked up at her. "How are you so calm? You just found out you have a week to live and you're acting like you don't care!" Rainbow Dash laughed. She stroked Spike's head. "Believe me, I care. I pretty much sentenced myself to death and am about to leave the love of my life because of it. I just accept that there is nothing I can due and that there is no point spending the last week of my life crying over it." There was a knock at the door. Spike sighed and went to open it. Twilight and the others walked into the library. Once they saw that Spike had recently been crying, the four girls started to worry, Twilight just stroked his head. The five walked into Twilight's room where Rainbow was laying down, staring at the ceiling. Twilight walked over to her and sat down next to her, giving her a quick kiss. Rainbow sat up and wrapped her hooves around her. She stopped when she saw the paper Twilight had floating behind her. She grabbed it and read it before Twilight could take it away from her. "Twilight Sparkle, I said you were NOT allowed to look for a cure." She said, frowning at the lavender unicorn. Twilight took the paper away from her and set it down on the nightstand. "It IS a cure. I just need to do some editing." She paused as she remembered the others in the room. "Besides, you owe an explanation." she said, nodding torwards their four friends who were standing in the doorway. Rainbow sighed. "Fluttershy, you might have already have guessed, but I have been diagnosed with Wing Cancer, a terminal cancer that devolpes in the wings and spreads down the spine if not remove in the early stages. I have about a week." She was suddenly tackled off the bed by the four mares. The four hugged her tightly and cried. "Um...I...kinda..want..to...breathe." she said, gasping for air. The four released her. "Sorry, dear, but I can't believe you of all pegasi could have cancer." said Rarity, wiping away tears. "Yeah, well, I'm not invincible." She brought the four into a hug once again, trying to calm them. She soon gave up and let them cry out their fears.