No pony want's to leave Rainbow Dash's side when she faces the worst fate.
What happens when Fluttershy's best friend Rainbow Dash can't recover from an accident? It is up to Fluttershy to pull the plug, but the question is, will she have enough strength to let go?
I woke up to a pounding on my cottage door. "Coming." I said groggily. Who would be wanting me this early? I thought. As I began to open the door, it flew open knocking me down. "Fluttershy what are you doing on the floor?" A blue Pegasus with a rainbow mane asked.
It couldn't be that you just knocked me over, was what I was going to say, but I decided to approach this the right way. "I uh... just woke up and you scared me."
she just stared at me like I was crazy. "Afraid of me? You should be, after all I am the greatest flyer in Equestria." She replied. "Anyway I am going to teach a special Pegasus how to fly today and I want you to come with me, for you know."
I slowly stood up, "For what?" I asked.
"I want you to cheer for this Pegasus, like you did for me at the competition." she answered.
I knew what she was talking about but I didn't really cheer for her. I was just so excited to see her fulfill one of her dreams of repeating a Sonic Rainboom. "I have things I have to do." I lied.
"Don't you wanna help Scootaloo fly don't you?" Rainbow Dash asked. "What do you have to do that is more important?"
She got me there, she knew I wanted to help. Me and her have talked about it. "I uh..." I began but another voice broke in.
"Rainbow Dash." an orange filly with a purple mane and tail spoke.
Dash turned around and acknowledged the filly. "Hey Scootaloo." she said. She looked back at me. "You coming or not?" she asked.
I looked between her and Scootaloo, I didn't want to let my friends down, and I didn't want to fly around this early. "Umm I..." I began, "I'll go."
"I knew I could trust you!" Dash said happily.
"Alright lets go already." anxious filly said.
I looked behind Scootaloo to see who was talking, both Sweetiebelle and Apple Bloom had come along. 'Of course they would come, I just hope they don't get in the way of Scootaloo's learning process.' I thought. Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, and I headed out of my cottage. I unfolded my wings and took off, my wings barely moving. When Rainbow Dash took off she scattered dust. 'Scootaloo will never learn to fly if Dash was teaching her. She doesn't understand that flying was a delicate thing that had to be learned slowly.'
"Where exactly are we going?" I asked.
"To twilight's house." Rainbow replied quickly.
"Scootaloo's going to read books on how to fly?"
"No! did me or you read books on flying?" Rainbow asked.
Before answering, I thought of something. "No, but we did go to flight school." I said proudly.
"Pfft," Dash said. "She hasn't got the bits and only eggheads read books."
I rolled my eyes, 'Only eggheads read books?' I thought. I looked down at the others to check on them, the all had smiles on their faces. Man they were happy, but for what reason. Before looking up to see where I was flying, I bumped into something. It was Dash.
"Sorry" I said quickly. She was looking at me with a worried expression. "What?" I asked.
"You really think that she should read?" she questioned.
"Yes I do." I answered. "twilight says that you can learn anything when you read about it."
"Okay, Scootaloo you're going to read and study before we start practice!" Rainbow shouted.
Scootaloo replied with a sigh, "Do I really have to?"
I felt accomplished, this is the first time that she had actually listened to one of my ideas.
Dash laughed "No you're not, I'm just pulling your tail."
Great, she couldn't be serious about something like this. ------------- Shortly after that little conversation we arrived at Twilight's house.
"Hey girls." she said waving.
"Hey Twilight." we all replied.
"Can we practice flying here?" Scootaloo asked.
"Sure, but first let me go get you some books on flying." Twilight answered.
Rainbow Dash flew in front of Twilight's door. "We're not going to read books, after all she has me to teach her."
"Great you're going to teach her." she mouthed.
"What did you say?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Oh nothing." Twilight said with a smile.
Rainbow walked past Twilight and up to Scootaloo, "You ready to learn?" she asked.
"Yes." she said.
"I can't hear you!" Rainbow said.
"Yes!" Scoots said.
"Louder!" Dash said.
"YES!!!!!" Scoots yelled.
Rainbow Dash looked over at me. "That is how loud I want you to cheer."
Twilight brought us out tea, "Here you go girls, just make sure you don't choke on it while watching." she laughed. She came over and sat beside me. "Do you think that she'll learn from Rainbow Dash?" she asked.
It took me some thinking time but I quickly came up with an answer. "I don't doubt that she will. I mean she does look up to Dashie. The only thing with it is the way she teaches." I replied. I looked over at Twilight, her face had a confused look.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
I pointed at Rainbow Dash, "Look at the way she takes off. Do you notice anything different from when I take off?"
Twilight watched Dashie but I guess she didn't see what I was talking about so I answered my own question. "She is taking to fast, and that requires wing strength."
"So what's so wrong with that?" she asked.
"It means that Scootaloo is going to have to match her wing strength to take off like that. I don't think Scootaloo has much strength." I answered.
"She might thoug, remember she uses her wings to propel her on the scooter." Twilight argued.
I shook my head, "You should know that propulsion is defferent from your weight versus gravity. It's harder than what you think."
Twilight stared at me, "How did you know about the gravity vs. propulsion theory?" she asked.
"Twilight, I don't just read about animals." I replied.
"Girls are ya gonna pay attention or what?" Applebloom asked.
Both me and Twilight laughed before turning our heads to watch. Rainbow Dash once again took off scatterting dust , "You have to feel each feather when you take off or you won't get far off the ground." Dashie said.
"Mmkay, can I try now?" Scootaloo asked "I've seen you take off and land several times now, so I think I have it down."
Alright you can do it just make sure to make it look cool." Dash replied.
I watched as Scootaloo raised her wings and began to flap them maddly. She slightly rose off the ground, and began flying higher. As expected she ran out of energy and began to fall, luckilly Rainbow Dash was there to catch her.
"How...How did I do?" she asked trying to catch her breath.
"You did fine, but it needs to be cooler." Dash replied.
"How much cooler?" Scoots asked.
"It need to be about twenty percent cooler, try adding in a flip or something that I would do." she answered.
I looked over at Twilight, "She wants her to do a flip and she can't even fly right." i said.
"Fluttershy pay attention!" Rainbow yelled.
Twilight shook her head, "I'm going to go make more tea."
"Scootaloo almost hit the ground." I heard Sweetiebelle say.
"Yea but rainbow Dash had caught her." Applebloom said.
"She'll learn to fly soon don't worry girls, soon she will be flying around with Dash." I said. Their happy faces suddenly turned to worried ones.
"Flying with Rainbow Dash? Does that mean she won't be hangin around with us?" Applebloom asked.
"She wouldn't do that would she?" added Sweetiebelle.
"I don't know girls you are inseparable." I replied. "I don't think that she would do something like that to her friends." Both girls looked at eachother then back at Scootaloo. Their mouths opened and Applebloom screamed my name. When I looked to see where she was pointing my breath caught in my throat. What I saw was something I probably would never get out of my head.
Rainbow Dash had done it, Scootaloo was flying ever so slightly. I couldn't believe it, there was no falter between the flap of her wings.
"Way to go Scootaloo!" I yelled quietly. I turned to look at the other two, Sweetiebelle and Applebloom were both jumping around.
"She did it!" they both screamed.
"Wanna go higher?" I heard Rainbow Dash asked.
"Maybe that's not the best idea rainbow." I said but as usual, she didn't hear me.
"I'll follow you wherever." Scootaloo said trying to hold back the excitement.
"Alright sport," she replied "Fluttershy make sure you stay here where you can see us okay?"
I answered by nodding my head. They took off slowly, it was beautiful, watching a young filly fulfill her dreams. I watched until I couldn't hear or see them anymore, then I turned and walked into Twilight's library. I walked towards the kitchen, being aware of the books on the floor. I saw one open and curiosity got the best of me. I approached the book already seeing the words sprawled out on the page.
Alicorn magic has been known to be used in several instances. One of which is common between all alicorns, this is the age spell. When one is born an alicorn the spell is set when the alicorn has matured the spell is cast. This is not an easy spell to learn and not many know about it but the alicorns themselves, and me. I have also learned that alicrons can be made in the Celestial Plane. Alicorns also have the power to revive..."
"I see you enjoy Star Swirl the Bearded's writings as well." Twilight said scaring me and making me jump.
"Twilight I'm sorry, I shouldn't be sneaking a peak at what you're reading." I said.
"No problem Fluttershy, and these aren't my books, they are everponies."
I nodded my head. "So why Star Swirl and alicorn magic?" I asked.
She looked at me, "Star Swirl got this info from an alicorn, one of which he described, had built a castle in the everfree forest. He says he helped them build it, and he also helped the other princess as well."
"Are you thinking..." I begun to ask.
"I'm pretty sure that he is talking about Luna and Celestia." she answered my question. "By the way did you know that Luna could talk to animals too?"
I shook my head. "I thought..." I was interrupted by a loud thump. Shortly after that Applebloom ran in.
"Fluttershy come quick, something bad has happened." She cried.
Both me and Twilight ran out the door scattering books everywhere, us we exited the library, I saw a horrid sight. Scootaloo was beside Sweetiebelle both of which were crying. Blue was all I seen, blue was all I could think of. Looking to my right I saw what I hoped i never would.
Rainbow Dash was lying there not moving at all, “Rainbow.” I said as I rushed over to her crumpled body. I looked at Twilight, “She’s not breathing.”
Twilight ran over to me “Fluttershy we have to get her to a hospital.” she said. Twilight sent Applebloom to the ponyville hospital to reserve a spot for our friend. Twilight then used her magic to pick up Rainbows body and started to run. I opened my wings and took off after Twilight. After a while I couldn’t see much, tears had filled my eyes and regret struck me hard. I had regretted leaving the spot that I was supposed to be in. If I would have listened maybe she would still be alive. I could have saved her, it was all my fault that she’s dead, and I knew it.
---------
I stood there by Rainbows bed watching the heart monitor. There was a little spike in the the readings but then it was gone. She’s fighting back i just know it. Yet another spike and another “Rainbow please pull through I know you can do it,” I cried “I’m so sorry.” i laid my head down on her bed and closed my eyes. The heart monitor had shut off, she failed to fight back.
“I’ll give you two some time.” the doctor said. he looked at Twilight “I need you four to fill out some paper work.”
I looked at Twilight who had tears as well, “I’ll be back Fluttershy.” she said. I watched the five leave before putting my head back on the bed. A few minutes later I felt something brush my mane, I looked up and Rainbow was looking back at me. “Am I dreaming?” I asked.
“Fluttershy thanks for being there for me. You were always my best mare. A great friend to the end. I knew I could trust you with anything. I just wanted to tell you that.” she said weakly.
“Rainbow how can you say that you trust me? I’m the reason you’re in that state.” I replied.
“Your fault? No it’s mine. I went higher than I should be going. It was my fault for taking Scootaloo that high, she lost all wing control and I went down to catch her. Instead my wing broke, and with no control and all that speed I had no chance. Luckily Sweetiebelle caught Scootaloo with her magic.”
The door opened to the room and Scootaloo rushed in. “Rainbow you’re alive!” she cried.
“Yea sport I’m here, don’t ever try that at home Scootaloo, don’t ever fly that high. Stop once you pass the could line, I don’t want to see you in my hooves.” Dashie said.
Twilight walked in, “Dash?”
“Hey egghead.” Rainbow laughed.
“Fluttershy I need to talk to you.” Twilight said. “Glad to have you back Dashie.”
I walked out of the room and into the hallway with Twilight. “There is good and bad news, which one do you want to hear first?” she asked.
I thought for a bit and then answered “How about the bad news first.” I replied.
"...the bad news is since you're her closest friend it's up to you to help her with this issue, but good news is you have an hour to make up your mind." Twilight said.
"By helping her you don't mean.." I began.
Twilight nodded, "You can get rid of the pain by doing it."
Oh no Twilight, I would never do that to any pony. I mean I want to help her pull through. I don't want her to die Twilight, and I don't want to lose her." I said.
"It was just what the doctor said." she replied. "Do you think I want to lose her either?"
I looked down "I know it's an option, but I can't be the one to do it." I said.
Twilight brought her hoof up to my shoulder, "We have an hour Fluttershy, either way she'll end up leaving us."
I disregarded what she said an walked past her, back into Rainbow room. I stood there at the entrance staring at her. Memories filled my head, both good and bad ones. The one that kept coming back was when the Pegasus had to get water from Ponyville to Cloudsdale. Rainbow Dash had been there for me, encouraging me to pick up my speed. So much was going through my mind then, but this was worse. I couldn't hold back my emotions anymore, they broke through me like water in a dam. They differed from anger to sadness. Tears filling my eyes and falling to the floor, I felt the paths that they left behind. I couldn't stop them from showing how I really felt. I looked over at Scootaloo who was now walking towards me.
"Come here Fluttershy?" she said as she embraced me in a hug. I sat down and returned the hug.
"I'm so sorry Scootaloo, I just..." I began to say.
"I know you're sorry, but we can't let this happen in Rainbows final hour. Yes we are all sad but this time should be filled with happiness. Her final hour should be spent with her friends like you guys used to." she whispered in my ear.
I pulled from the hug "I guess you're right." I said before I hugged her again. The warmth between us felt great, it made me happy to hug someone besides the animals. Scootaloo let me go when my tears stopped falling and my breathing returned to normal. Both of us walked towards Rainbows bed.
"Fluttershy," Dashie said.
It was hard but I looked at her pained face.
"I know what's going on, and Friendship can't fix it. I know I have an hour left but please stop the pain. I know as well as you memories hurt more than the pain of broken bones or death itself. I'm ready to go you just have to let me." she cried.
"I don't want to lose you though." I said quietly.
"You're not going to I'll be right here." she explained while pointing at my heart with her hoof.
I looked back at Twilight searching her face for answers, but none came. Now came the hardest decision in my life, will I give Rainbow what she wants or will I keep her alive for the rest of the hour.
The decision was mine, and of course it is going to be the hardest decision I would ever make. Looking around the room I noticed everypony was looking at me. Their eyes burning into my soul, each one held empty expressions. "What?" I asked. Everyone except Scootaloo averted their eyes.
"Fluttershy she asked for you to let her go." Scootaloo said.
I looked at Rainbow Dash one last time before I flipped the machines off. I watched as life left her eyes, her stomach descended as she exhaled. Her last breath was taken , and now she lay there not moving. Everypony had tears in their eyes, everyone except me. It seemed that I had cried all that I could already, and now I was out of tears. I just stood there looking at Rainbows body, memories began to fill my mind once more. I watched as everypony walked out of her room, and I shortly followed looking back one last time time to look at my best friend. Turning around, the tears finally came once more. As I walked down the halls towards the exit I heard several ponies say stuff.
"It's all her fault." one said.
I opened the door to the hospital and got blinded by the light. Before continuing I let my eyes adjust but as I looked around the world dissipated.
"Fluttershy." I heard, someone calling my name, but who?
"Fluttershy!!" the voice said. I continued to look around but found nothing. I closed my eyes as the voice called my name once more. When I opened my eyes I was back at my cottage lying on my back on the floor.
"Uhh... Fluttershy?" A voice said, it was one that I recognized. The voice of someone that I had just lost.
"What are you doing on the floor? Never mind that I'm going to teach a special Pegasus to fly." the voice said.
Now why did this conversation sound like I've heard it before? I looked up at the pony that was speaking. I couldn't believe it, Rainbow Dash was standing there in front of me.
"Are you coming?" She asked.
Was this a dream, or was this reality. I watched her die right there on the hospital bed so how could this be true. I began to wonder, then it hit me. I had just had a premonition, I have read books on these and now that I know what to change I can keep Rainbow dash alive.