Dear Princess Celestia,
Today I learned that while friendship is a wonderful thing, sometimes sacrificing something dear to you to keep that friendship alive is worth it. Sometimes you’ll only have to give up a moment of your day to listen to the woes of your friend. Sometimes, you’ll have to give one of the greatest sacrifices-your life. I learned this the hard way. I will be donating my kidney, the only one I have, to Fluttershy. I’ve learned so much from you. You’ve given me friends, everything I could ever ask for. Fluttershy showed mercy, kindness, and compassion. I feel like I’m returning the favor. I want to thank you personally for forcing me from my studies and showing me the world beyond books, full of so many wonders that are begging to be shared by friends. It’s a beautiful world, and I’m glad I could share it with Fluttershy, one last time.
Your Faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle.
***
Twilight held back her tears as she gave Spike the letter.
“Spike? Send this to Princess Celestia, please.”
“What is it? Did you write this?”
“Yes...please do it. I’ll tell you in a second.”
Spike obediently blew his fire on the letter, sending it to Canterlot Castle. Spike looked over at Twilight with a look of concern.
“Twilight?” he asked, concerned. “What’s wrong?”
“I...I’m giving my kidney to Fluttershy. My mind is set. I...I need to do this.”
“Twilight, please don’t...” he began, tears welling in his eyes. Twilight reached out to him, hugging him tight, for the very last time.
“Just make sure nopony hurts the books, alright? Don’t let them hurt you either...”
“Twilight...” Spike managed to choke began sobs. “Please don’t.”
“I have to do this, Spike. It’s only right. There’s something poetically just about it, like a greek tragedy. Romeo and Juliet. That kind of stuff.” she continued, releasing the hug. “I...Spike?”
“...yes?”
“I love you. Always have, always will. Stay strong, my baby dragon.” she said, opening the door. “Stay strong.”
“Twilight, no...” Spike tried to say, but Twilight had already shut the door, on route to the hospital.
***
Twilight walked up to the counter where Nurse Redheart was scribbling hastily on a sheet of paper. Twilight coughed, announcing her presence.
“Oh, Twilight, what can I do for you?”
“I want to donate my kidney to Fluttershy.”
“Well...that’s nice of you. But I’m afraid it’s too late.”
Twilight’s heart dropped to her stomach.
“...what? Too late? I...”
“Yes, somepony else already donated. She’s actually in the procedure now.”
“WHAT?” Twilight yelled. “Another donor? Who?”
“Patient confidentiality. I guess word got around town. Several ponies actually came up, but we took it on a first come, first serve basis. I was shocked at the generosity of the donor.”
“Rarity...” Twilight muttered. Her poetic justice didn’t work out. Her Greek tragedy...her perfect, story-like ending...how could that be ruined?
“Well, it wasn’t her, no. I’ve said far too much already.” she said, getting up out of the chair. “But if you wait, you might be able to catch her on her way out.” she noted, smiling.
“Thank you...” Twilight said, defeated. She shrank into herself, much like Fluttershy did, and sat in the waiting room, hoping to catch a glimpse of who donated. Possibilities raced through her head. If it wasn’t Rarity, then it had to be Pinkie. She was the one with the least amount of responsibility. Applejack had to work the farm, Rainbow Dash the weather. But what if Rainbow Dash exercised her loyalty to Fluttershy and defied her job for the life of a friend? What if Applejack decided to be honest with herself and donate? What if Pinkie Pie decided that Fluttershy was more important than cupcakes? It had to be Pinkie. A kidney for a cupcake...it seemed like a fair trade. It was Pinkie. Definitely Pinkie.
Twilight sat for hours on end, with no patients coming in or out. Did a transplant really take this long? Her books proved otherwise...
“Hey Twilight.”
Twilight looked up to see Trey, standing over her, a smile on his face.
“Hey...”
“She’s going to be alright, Twilight. It’s ok. Relax.”
“It wasn’t supposed to be like this!” she said, out of near insanity that things didn’t go as planned. Trey gave her a strange glance, unsure of what she meant. Did she want Fluttershy dead?
“What do you mean?”
“I was supposed to donate...I was going to lay my life down for her...it...I’ve caused you two so much pain that I’d right the wrongs...”
“Twilight, were you really going to lay your life down for her? You’d be fine, wouldn’t you?”
“I only have one kidney. I’d die. I was supposed to give it to her...”
“Oh.” said Trey, shocked. Twilight had shown compassion, then tried to sabotage a relationship, now she was trying to donate to keep it alive. There was something almost poetic about it. “I think that was a very admirable thought. It’s the thought that counts.”
“No, not really. Not when someponys life is on the line.”
“Twilight...” Trey began, hugging her. “Everything’s going to be fine. Don’t worry.”
“I...” she started, hanging her head. “Yeah.” she conceded.
Trey and Twilight sat in the waiting room for a short while longer before Nurse Redheart approached the two.
“Well, the operation took a little longer the usual, but it was successful. She’s in her room, in stable condition. She’s a little out of it, though.”
“Wait, I never got to see who donated...” said Twilight, a little tone of sadness in her voice.
“Oh, yes. They’re holed up in the same room, don’t worry.” she said, trotting off to attend to other matters. Trey and Twilight hurried to the room, for completely separate reasons.
Once in, Trey took a seat by Fluttershy, who was sleeping off the surgery. Twilight paced about the room frantically. There was no other pony in there. She sighed in frustration. She said they were in the same room.
“Well howdy, y’all.” said Applejack. Twilight turned around to see her in a hospital bed, being rolled into the room. Applejack. Applejack donated.
“Hey there, Applejack. I know she can’t say it right now, but both of us thank you...you have no idea how much.”
“I reckon you’d have done the same thing if I was in that position.”
“How did you find out? I don’t think I told you guys...” Twilight began. Trey looked over at her. She kept it from her friends? A selfish way to an unselfish act...
“Yeah, we wondered about that. Word got around town somehow, and Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and RD all talked about it. Is she asleep?” Applejack asked. Trey nodded.
“The truth is...” she started, her voice lowering. “I donated because Big Macintosh pressed so hard on the issue. He was more upset than most of us when he found out the news. He talked me into it. He still cares for her, that much is for sure. Honestly, I’m glad I did it though. RD needed to work the skies more than I needed to work the farm. We have extra hooves, she doesn’t. Pinkie Pie...well...she would reinjure herself tryin’ to bounce around like she does. I was the most logical donater.”
“What about Rarity?”
“Her? Oh, well...she would have, bein the element of Generosity and all, but I felt a stronger need to do it. So here I am. Huge hole in my side, huge weight off our minds.”
“Trey?”
Trey turned around to see Fluttershy starting to open her eyes slowly. A small smile appeared on her face. She was still weak, but she was trying.
“Flutterheart!” Trey proclaimed, rushing over to the seat beside her. He carefully took one of her hooves into his, kissing it. “How are you feeling?”
“Well...My side hurts...”
“That’s to be expected. How’s it feel to wake up to a new day?”
“It feels...good. It always feels good waking up next to you...I’m tired.”
Trey and Fluttershy continued to talk to each other while Twilight began to leave.
“Twilight?” asked Fluttershy.
“Yes, Fluttershy?”
“Thanks.” she said, the faint smile on her lips.
“I...” she began, almost saying that she didn’t do anything. “...thanks.” she said.
“You leavin so soon?” asked Applejack.
“Yes...I have quite a few things I need to fix pretty quick. I tried to predict time, and, well...didn’t work out so well. Besides, this would make a great letter to the princess.” she said, using the princess as an excuse once again. Applejack nodded and Twilight went out the door, back to the library.
Trey and Fluttershy continued to talk. Applejack closed her eyes, listening to the sweet nothings they were saying to each other. It was almost soothing, listening to two ponies in love. Trey could come up with some of the greatest lines she’d ever heard...Fluttershy couldn’t do anything but blush and smile.
“I love you, Flutterheart.”
“I...” she began, yawning. “I love you too.”
“Now get some rest...” he said, kissing her forehead lightly and delicately, avoiding injuring her. “I’ll be here with you all day.”
And with that, Fluttershy feel into her rhythmic sleep, away from the pain. Applejack soon followed suit, unable to stay awake much longer. Trey smiled at them, getting his journal out for a final writing.
She lived. It’s a miracle. We found a donor at the last minute. I was thinking I wouldn’t be able to love Flutterheart any more...but now we have the rest of our lives. More days of Frisbee injuries, more days of romantic walks, lovely nights spent cuddling up pretending to watch a movie, and of course, more days just to love her and bask in the glorious filly that she is. She is my Flutterheart...she is my everything.
Trey