Swan Melody wants to do something good before she dies. It'll be her own little swan song, for lack of a better term.
After a young pegasus saves her friend, a unicorn filly named Sweetpetal, she has to be taken to the hospital. There, she is diagnosed with a disease that the doctors can't seem to do anything about. Before she is admitted to the hospital, which becomes her home over the course of her life, she makes a promise that she'll be friends with Sweetpetal forever. But forever never lasts very long, as her illness makes her incapable of moving. Before she dies, she returns the one thing her friend lost. _______________________________________
This is my first serious MLP fan fiction, and I'm still a bit of a novice writer. I hope you all enjoy the story anyways. It was kind of based on some things that happened in my life.
Whoops. I almost forgot to mention that there will be two different endings. You can choose which one you want to read depending on how you think the story should end.
The young pony’s eyes were half-closed, and her breathing was haggard. She was covered in a dismal hospital blanket, trapped by the green walls that had eventually become her home. Sometimes, it was hard to remember what the outside looked like. So she’d try to drag herself over to the window, only succeeding in alerting the nurses and her being placed back into the stiff bed. There were balloons loosely tied around the railings at the foot of her bed. They were slightly deflated. A small smile graced the young mare’s tired face. The chart and the end of her bed had her information. _______________________ Name: Swan Melody Age: 17 Equestrian years Gender: Female Status: Incurable _______________________
She didn’t know, of course. Every time she would inquire about the chart, the doctors would stop her. She had always been a cheerful filly, always smiling and laughing. Her eyes closed just a bit further as the door to her room creaked open.
~* Flashback*~
“Petal, come on!” “But I can’t fly like you!”
A small white pegasus filly with an orange and pale gold mane landed in front of a small pink unicorn with a brown mane and tail. Her tiny wings fluttered before she closed them.
“Petal, you can do it! I know you can!”
The little unicorn sniffles, pale blue eyes filling with tears.
“B-But I can’t… I want to fly like you some day, though!”
The white filly smiled widely, and the rest of the memory faded into darkness.
~* End of flashback *~
A pure white pegasus with a soft pink mane sat in a chair beside the filly’s bed. This mare was the filly’s mother. Her nametag read ‘Bright Dawn’.
“O-Oh, my precious swan…”
Tears began to fall from her mother’s eyes. Her head sank onto the bed beside her daughter’s weak form.
“I-I’m so sorry…”
The filly coughed.
“H-Hey, d-don’t cry mom. I-I’ll get better and then you can take me flying again.”
This only succeeded in making the mare cry harder. The filly’s eyes closed just a bit more, but remained slightly open. She sank into another memory. It felt… warm. Comforting, even. There was a black haze growing ever closer, but she never took any notice.
~* Another flashback *~
Petal was crying. Her pet had run away from home, and she had loved him dearly. The white filly was once again beside her, patting her back with a comforting hoof. The two were hiding beneath the cover of a tree as rain pounded down around them.
“Hey, it’ll be okay! He’ll come back. And if he doesn’t, I’ll go out and bring him back myself!”
The pegasus filly struck a silly pose, making her friend laugh through her tears. Suddenly, the sky darkened. The pegasus filly stood in front of her friend with her wings flared out.
“What happened?!”
There was no response except for a loud clap of thunder and the sudden heat of fire.
“Swan, where did this storm come from?” “I don’t know! Maybe the weather team let it get away?” “What’ll we do? Our parents will never find us out here!” “They won’t have to!”
The pegasus flashed a bright smile at her friend.
“I’ll always be here to protect you.”
~* End of flashback*~
A new pony had entered the room. A bulky gray pegasus with was now sitting next to his wife, stroking her mane with a tender hoof. His hoof was shaking, slightly, but he had to be strong. He couldn’t let the ones he cared for the most see him cry. He set a hoof on his daughter’s side, feeling the faint rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. His already shaggy orange mane was now even more unkempt than usual. The filly spoke up again, but her voice was raspy.
“H-Hey daddy.” “Hey, Swannie! Daddy’s here! Daddy’s here…” “Hey daddy?” “Yes, what is it?”
The filly’s eyes closed a bit more.
~*Flashback*~
The storm was raging around the two young fillies. Green aura had begun to surround the scattered pieces of wood. Slowly, much to the horror of the duo, the debris formed itself into several Timberwolves. The unicorn filly began to cry. She had always been deathly afraid of Timberwoves, ever since she heard about them in a nursery tale when she was a little filly.
“You get away from my friend, you stupid wolves!”
The pegasus filly stamped a hoof on the ground in an effort to seem brave. Inside, she was just as scared as the pony she was trying to protect. One of the Timberwolves stalked forward, its claws razor sharp.
“I said stay away!”
The pegasus filly dove at the Timberwolf, her front hooves outstretched. She was swatted aside as easily as if she were a mere fly. She hit a nearby tree and was still. The unicorn filly shrieked. She was no good with magic, and even if she was, she was too afraid to even cast a simple spell. The Timberwolf lunged forward, raking its claws through her eyes, making her vision go dark. She shrieked once again, and heard a loud thump. Her friend had woken up and flung herself onto her assailant, trying to hurt it with blows from her small hooves. She hovered above the pack of feral wooden wolves and shakily landed in front of her friend. The young unicorn could only see darkness. She whimpered in fear.
“S-Swan, I can’t see!” “I know, I’m sorry. I wasn’t awake to protect you. I’m going to get us both out of here, okay?” “O-Okay… But please hurry, my eyes hurt really bad!” “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Please get up on my back so I can get us both back to Ponyville!”
Without waiting for a response, the young pegasus took her blinded friend and took off into the air.
*Later in the same flashback*
The unicorn could feel the flight getting bumpier and bumpier with each passing second. Blood had crusted upon her face now, but the rain was helping it wash off.
“Swan? A-Are you okay?”
Her friend’s voice was weak when she replied.
“I-I’m fine.”
The unicorn furrowed her brows stubbornly.
“No you’re not. I’m your best friend and I know when something is wrong.” “Heh… Maybe those Timberwolves hurt me more than I thought.”
Suddenly, the unicorn felt her stomach fly up to her throat as she began to feel herself descending at an alarming pace.
“SWAN! SWAN, PLEASE TELL ME YOU’RE OKAY!”
They both fell into a pool of ice cold water. After being stunned for several heartbeats, the unicorn had recovered enough to use magic to feel her way around. She grasped at her friend and dragged her upwards. Or at least, where she thought was upwards. They both broke the surface, gasping for air.The unicorn filly dragged her friend to the shore. She coughed up water before opening up her mouth to yell.
“SOMEPONY! ANYPONY! HEEEEELP!”
There was the sound of rushing hoofsteps, and then more yelling. The unicorn felt tired. So very tired. She felt herself being lifted up onto something soft before falling asleep.
*Later, same flashback*
The unicorn’s head swam. Her body hurt, but she could hear voices.
“We can’t save her eyes---Doc, no, we ca---“ “The pegasus---very ill---immediate attention---“
The unicorn sat bolt upright in her bed, still surrounded by darkness.
“W-What happened to Swan?” “Are you her friend? She’s in the bed next to you. You’re okay to go, but… We might need to keep your friend here for a while.”
She smiled brightly, blissfully unaware of the expressions that were on the doctors’ faces.
“Really? Can I come visit?” “Maybe not right now. You can say goodbye to her before we go to give her the medicine she needs, alright?” “Okay…”
She could hear the shuffling of blankets, and a soft groan. Soon, she felt a small hoof grasp her own.
“H-Hey, Swan.”
Her friend’s hoof seemed so frail. What had happened to her?
“Hiya, Petal. Are you feeling okay?” “I’m okay. Everything is dark, but I’m going to get used to it. That doctors said that I should say goodbye before you go to get your medicine.”
Tears welled up in her unseeing eyes.
“Goodbye, Petal.” “Goodbye, Swan. I’ll come to see you soon.”
And suddenly, the hoof was gone.
“Wait!”
The hoof found its way to hers again.
“What is it?” “Promise we’ll always be friends?” “Of course Petal. I promise.”
~* End of flashback, years in the future*~
A sickly white pegasus lay in a hospital bed. Her parents are beside her, crying loudly, not even trying to hide it anymore.
“H-Hey daddy? Mommy?”
The filly’s voice was barely a whisper.
“Make sure Petal gets my eyes. I want her to be able to see the outside, even if I can’t. And… and tell her I’m sorry.”
A single tear fell down the filly’s face.
“O-Oh, and one last thing.”
Her mother stroked her cheek gently.
“What is it, dear?” “I-I love you mommy. I love you, daddy.”
Today was a special day. Years ago, I had been blinded by a Timberwolf. A few weeks ago, while my family was on vacation, my mother found someone who was willing to donate his or her eyes to fix mine. I levitated something with my magic, hitting against the post of my bed. I heard the sound of a bell, which signified that what I had picked up was indeed the cane I used to get around. I could use my magic to ‘see’ the world around me, but that mostly exhausted my magic reserves. I made my way downstairs and into the kitchen. A delicious smell wafted towards me. My mother was making breakfast, as usual. She was the only one in the family who could actually do so.
“’Morning mom.” “You’re up earlier than usual.” “Of course I am! I’m going to be SEEING again! I wonder if anything changed…”
She pulled me in for a hug.
“You’re going to love it, dear. Now hurry up and eat, we have to get to the hospital early.” “Huh? Oh, yeah! Right!”
I hurriedly shoveled the food into my mouth, barely able to contain my joy. I heard my mother chuckle.
“Calm down, nobody’s going to take it from you.” “Sorry!” “It’s alright, now let’s go.” “Yes!”
I took several deep breaths.
“How long is it going to take?” “I don’t know for sure. You’ll have to wait until the anesthesia from the surgery wears off.” “Okay… I’m still excited!” “I’m glad.”
I heard the door to the house open, and followed the sound of the jingle. I walked along the familiar path to the Ponyville hospital. I could practically feel the looks of pity burning into me from every angle. I don’t like being pitied. I hid behind ho I knew was my mother, hoping to turn invisible so the staring would stop. A comforting hoof stroked my mane softly.
“It’s okay, dear.” “They’re all looking at me, I know it…”
She hugged me tightly again.
“You’ll have your eyesight back soon.” “I know. Then they can tell me about everything I missed!” “Right. Are you ready to go on?” “Yeah.”
I continued walking, feeling the soft dirt underneath my hooves. I had grown quite accustomed to the feeling. I liked it, actually. Before I knew it, my hooves were on the cold tile floor of the hospital. I could hear the receptionist’s voice.
“Ah, Mr. Flora and Mrs. Gardens. You brought your daughter here for the surgery, correct?” “Yes. Should we just go into the waiting room? I’m not exactly sure how these things work.” “Don’t worry, everything will be fine. Your daughter is in good hooves.” “I’m sure she is.”
We went to the waiting area. The minutes felt like hours as the clock ticked sluggishly onwards. He was just as nervous as I felt. I was excited, sure. But I was also extremely nervous. What if something went wrong? What if I was going to be blind forever? I felt my breathing begin to pick up, and my mother stroked my mane, trying to comfort me.
“Shh… you’ll be fine. Nothing will go wrong.” “H-How can you be so sure?” “The doctors here helped you before, remember?” “Right, but what if they can’t this time?”
I felt a hoof tightly grip mine, and heard my father’s voice shortly afterwards.
“Don’t you worry, Petal. If they mess up, I’ll come in there myself! Hey, ow!” “Hush you, you’re not helping any!”
I heard a set of doors open, and the sound of hooves against tile.
“Alright, Sweet Petal, it’s time for your surgery.”
I gulped nervously and stood up. My legs didn’t seem to want to work. The doctor patted my shoulder with a hoof.
“You’ll be fine. Now just follow my voice.” “I-I can use magic to see… In a way, I guess.” “Would you rather do that?” “Y-Yes.’
I channeled magic to my horn, and soon everything was black outlined with white. I could see silhouettes of various medical personnel because of this. I had worked on perfecting the spell since the incident when I was a filly. One of the silhouettes waved a hoof.
“Can you see that?” “That was you?” “Yes, just follow me.”
The silhouette of the doctor started walking down a hallway and into a room at the end of it. I followed him quickly, only bumping into things a few times. There was one door that seemed to stick out. I stopped in front of it, trying to make out what the engraving on the plaque said.
“Swan…”
I shook my head. It seemed so familiar, but I couldn’t remember a thing. Why was that? It seemed so important.
“Miss Petal? Are you okay?” “Oh? Yes, I’m fine. Just thinking about something.” “Well, come on.”
I stole one last glance at the door before following the doctor once more. I was lifted into a bed, and soon I felt a mask over my muzzle. I almost started panicking again before the doctor reassured me.
“Please, relax. It’s just something that will put you to sleep long enough for the surgery. Now count back from 100…” “100…99…98… zzzzzz….”
~* Hours later *~
I don’t know how long I was out, and I didn’t remember what happened. It felt like there were bandages covering my face. My heart started to pound, and I felt a pinch in my left hoof.
“Petal, you’re awake!” “Mom? Is that you?” “Yes, it’s me. Your father’s here too, but he fell asleep. I’ll wake him up, and then go tell the doctors that you’re awake.” “Okay.”
I heard her tap my father on the shoulder, and he woke up with a comical snort.
“Huh? What? Whazzit?” “Dear, Petal’s awake. I’m going to go get the doctors so they can take the bandages off.” “Oh, okay! I shall stay here to keep watch over her!” “Heehee, you do that.”
I heard her walk away again, and soon she returned with another set of hoofsteps.
“Ah, so it’s true. You are awake. Let’s get those bandages off, shall we? Then you can test your new peepers.” “Yeah!”
I felt my heart start beating faster. I was finally going to be able to see! My hooves itched to run freely. There was a moment of bright light, and then the bandages were gone. My eyes felt like they were sealed shut, and I was afraid that the operation had failed. Bit by bit, I was able to open them. I blinked several times. I could see my mom wave her hoof in front of my eyes, and I was able to follow it easily. She teared up and smiled.
“It worked, Petal. It worked!” “I know! This… This is so wonderful!”
I almost started crying myself before I heard the sound of hooves rapidly moving down the hall. I flicked my ear and tried to listen closer.
“She’s dying, hurry up!” “I-I’m trying!” “Why do I have to bring you along, newbie?! Frankly, I don’t give a buck if the head honcho thinks you need the experience, you should not be in the same room as this mare!” “W-What’s her name, sir?” “Swan Melony, or something like that!”
My breath hitched in my throat. Memories came surging back. The incident with the Timberwolves, crashing into a lake, saying goodbye to somebody. A tear fell down my cheek.
“Swan… Oh Celestia, how did I forget?!”
I threw the blanket off and stood on the cold tile floor. My legs shook and I nearly faltered. My mother tried to hold me back.
“Petal, what are you doing?!”
I grunted with frustration, my legs not yet used to moving after being idle for so long.
“Remembering something important.” “What are you talking about?! Get back in your bed!” “No! Swan was my friend, and I just FORGOT about her! Now she could be dying, and you’re trying to keep me here!”
I pushed her away roughly and staggered out of the room. I heard my mother slam a hoof down on a button. Nurses would be here any minute. I sped up my pace to a run and hurried through the hallways towards where I had seen Swan’s name on a plaque. I slammed the door open. The room was eerily quiet. There were no doctors except for one that had been leaving the room. He stumbled back, rubbing his now sore muzzle with a hoof and shooting me an angry glare.
“Hey! What was that f- Oh.”
He noticed my frantic look, and his gaze softened. He took a deep breath and put a hoof on my shoulder.
“Look, I don’t know who you are, but you should say your goodbyes now.”
My blood turned to ice and I swear to Celestia that I stopped breathing for a few heartbeats.
“No… She can’t have just died, I never got to say I’m sorry…”
The doctor lowered his head and stepped aside to let me into the room. I slowly made my way over to the bed where my friend was. Her usually pristine white coat was dirty, and her orange and gold mane was spread about on the pillow behind her head. She had a peaceful smile on her face, and what looked like scars across her eyes. I gently touched them with my hoof.
“Swan, what did you do to yourself…?”
I don’t know what I expected to here. I won’t lie, I was half-expecting her to jump up and scare me again, like she had done when we were fillies. The only response I received was silence. I felt tears begin to stream down my face and fall onto the blanket that covered my friend. I let my head fall onto her chest. I just closed my eyes, not wanting to see what had come of my failure at being a friend. Suddenly, there was a faint beeping noise. I focused on it.
“No… No way…”
*beep*
There it was again!
*beep* *beep*
A very faint breath stir my mane. I felt my heart leap and lifted my head to look at my friend. Her eyelids were fluttering slightly.
“Swan! Y-You’re alive!”
I felt her place her hoof on my mane. She opened her mouth to speak, but seemed to be unable to. I quickly got her a glass of water and helped her drink it. A wide grin was spread across my face the entire time.
“How did you survive?”
Her ears flicked when I spoke so she could hear where I was.
“Heh… You didn’t think I’d go down that easily, did you?” “Swan… Dear Celestia, I thought you were dead!”
I wrapped my hooves around her, catching her in a tight hug. She let out a hissing breath, and I immediately let go. I lowered my head, looking down at the floor.
“Hey. It’s okay, you’re excited.” “My parents will probably be coming here soon. I’m surprised they haven’t already.”
As if on cue, hoofsteps could be heard coming towards the room. I clutched my friend’s hoof tightly, as if we could be torn apart by the slightest breeze. For the first time in years, I saw my parents’ faces. My mother’s emerald eyes, framed by her brown mane that was so much like mine, it up. She grinned widely and rushed over to give me a hug. I happily hugged her back with one foreleg.
“Mom, look! She’s alive! Swan is alive!”
She let go of me, her eyes wide.
“You mean the filly you use to play with all the time when you were younger?” “Yeah, look!”
I moved aside so she could see. Swan lifted a hoof and waved at her, one corner of her mouth moving upwards.
“Hey. I’m not dead.” “I see. How?”
She shrugged, and then smiled.
“Dunno. But I’m glad I’m alive.”
Her ears twitched once more, and I heard the sound of more hoofsteps. Swan’s parents, Bright Dawn and Dim Embers, rushed into the room. They were followed by a pair of serious-looking doctors.
“I’m sorry you three, but Swan Melody needs to be kept here until she recovers. What happened is a miracle, but we need to be absolutely sure that she’ll live through the night.”
I heard Swan gasp softly, an expression of horror on her face. My mom moved to take my hoof, but I jerked it away more harshly than I’d intended.
“No!” “What do you mean, no?” “I’m not leaving.” “Why not?”
I looked down at the bland tile floor. A spark of understanding lit my mother’s eyes.
“Doctors, I think it might be best if she did stay here.”
The younger-looking of the pair looked surprised, while the older one remained stone-faced.
“Huh? But why?” “Swan Melody was my daughter’s best friend throughout most of her fillyhood, and the last time they parted ways, well…” “…Hm. I see. I’ll ask my boss to see If she can stay the night. But JUST tonight, okay?”
I grinned happily.
“Thank you!”
I hugged my friend again, gentler this time.
“I’m really sorry for forgetting you…” “It’s alright. I forgive you.”
