//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Stone of the Body // by Dracoliat //------------------------------// “Fluttershy, I’m sorry, the spell that Princess Celestia gave us, its impossible...” Dash said after rehearsing how to break the news for a full two hours before finally deciding to straight up tell her. “Don’t worry, you can’t do anything about it. Can you come a bit closer though?” Fluttershy asked the blue pegasus. A small smile appeared on Dash’s face as she leaned in towards Fluttershy and kissed her lightly. Her lips were so frail and warm, it was comforting but more then that. It was disturbing to feel Shy quivering in her arms. The shaking stopped and Dash looked down, only to see Fluttershy once again unconscious, so peaceful, her eyelids closed. In an unnaturally silent and slow sleep, no more twitches, no more shudders, just silence except for her occasional breaths. But the blue pegasus wasn’t fooled. Fluttershy’s body was starting to slowly give in, and she couldn’t do anything. She always promised to protect her friends no matter the costs, and now, she couldn’t do a single thing. Her protection meant nothing now, it was all useless, and without Fluttershy life was useless. ======= Dash had walked outside only to find the moon out, a strange and pungent smell filled the air. Dash ignored the familiar scent as she stood silently outside of the hospital. Finally she decided to walk towards her house at the top of the cliff, she had moved it there months ago so Fluttershy could bring her little animals with her. Shy had really liked that. Halfway up the hill Dash’s misery increased as a wave of depression began to drown her. She could taste it in the air. A single drop fell from her cheek, but they were quickly followed by streams of tears, that’s when she recognized the smell. It was the smell of rain, and sure enough, a downpour began. Dousing her mane and coat in water. Her sobbing got louder and more desperate as she racked her entire brain for a solution, but there was none. “What seems to be thy problem denizen of Ponyville?” A commanding yet sweet voice said from nearby. Dash looked all around until she saw a large, dark shape descending quickly towards her. It was frightening until she realized it was Princess Luna. Immediately Rainbow Dash went into a long bow before she stood up again. “Well, do you remember Fluttershy?” Dash asked hesitantly. “Ah yes, the element of kindness, is she not?” Luna said in her hushed voice. “Yes, that one. She is very ill, and we can’t seem to find anything to help her at all. If this keeps up, then she’ll.” Dash’s voice cracked and tears flowed even harder then before. “Hmm... Bring me to this friend of yours, so that I may examine her.” Luna stated. Dash didn’t need to be convinced, she ran of towards the hospital with Princess Luna right behind her. Along the way to the hospital Rainbow Dash quickly told Luna of everything that had happened, including Celestia’s spell. When Rainbow Dash mentioned the day’s troubles Luna’s face distorted with what looked like a mixture of pain, fear, and disgust; all wrapped into one. But before she could ask Dash’s head seemed to crack open in pain as she ran headlong into the hospital wall. Dazed and confused, Dash shook her head around for a second before she jumped back onto her hooves. Her hoofsteps became rapid and non-rythmic as she sprinted towards Fluttershy’s room, Luna on her heels. ======= A full hour had passed since Luna had started studying Fluttershy’s unconscious body. Every so often a glow would appear briefly around the alicorn’s horn. Whenever Dash asked Luna jsut answered that she was examining her more closely. A small and shining bead of sweat worked its way slowly down Luna’s forehead as she closed her eyes and began to focus. Her horn glew a dark blue with magic so strong coming of it, that even Rainbow Dash could feel a bit of it. A minute later Fluttershy was enveloped by the same powerful glow and her body lifted ever so slightly of the hospital bed. The sight was unnerving to say the least, seeing her girlfriend levitate actually made Rainbow Dash scared. Not only for Fluttershy, but for herself at the same time. She realized with fear in her heart, that if Luna was doing something terrible to Shy, that both of them would be powerless to stop her. After all, she was Nightmare Moon at one point, and they had taken away her powers. Fear completely engulfed Dash’s mind but before she could do anything Luna sighed loudly and Fluttershy fell back onto the bed. She looked with a frown on her face and turned to Rainbow Dash. “I have completed my task, she has three months before she dies. I apologize my dear Rainbow Dash, I cannot do anymore then this. She will have to stay here and be very careful, I suggest you enjoy the time you have left. I doubt that any pony can stop this catastrophe, we cannot, my sister cannot. I assume none of your doctors can either, considering her condition. I am sorry.” Luna finished and before Rainbow Dash could reply the dark blue Alicorn walked out of the door leaving Dash with her doomed girlfriend. For the first time she absolutely knew it, there was absolutely no hope anymore. Almost as if Fluttershy could feel Dash’s pain a tear rolled down her cheek. A minute later her fragile yellow eyelids opened slowly as her eyes quickly looked towards Dash. “How much did you hear?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Everything,” Fluttershy responded without hesitation. “Dash, I know I’m going to die, and I’ve accepted it. All I want now is to spend some more time with you.” Fluttershy’s shy voice was strangely absent, replaced by one filled with certainty and directness. ‘I guess that’s what imminent death does to a pony...’ Dash commented inside her own head. “Sure, I’d love to,” Dash said as she sat down in a chair next to the hospitalized pegasus’ bed. Shy’s hoof was so warm, yet at the same time it felt as if it would fall apart at any moment. “I should have listened to Postim, I should have forced you to stay home when I saw that illusion. But I ignored it, and let my own desires get in the way. Some element of loyalty I turned out to be,” Rainbow Dash said progressively getting more depressed. She felt a warm kiss on her forehead from Fluttershy. “It’s not your fault, I don’t blame you, I don’t blame anyone. I just want these last few months to be... perfect...” Fluttershy said another tear rolling down her cheek. “I know you don’t blame me, but I blame me. But as you wish, I will try to make these last few months perfect,” Dash stated. She again took Shy’s hoof in her own and rubbed it lightly against her face. “I love you,” Dash whispered in Fluttershy’s ear. “I know,” Fluttershy responded as she fell asleep. Dash sat there until she fell asleep too. Her eyes filled with tears falling in unison with Fluttershy’s. She smiled for the first time, there was something peaceful about knowing the future, but a question persisted after her. What will I do when she’s gone?