Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

Rainbow Dash sighed heavily as the ever present ticking of the clock echoed slightly throughout the hospital room.

The room was empty, save for her. It was strange, really. There'd been a shortage of diseased ponies lately, and as a result, nearly nopony to keep her company. Only the daily visits of the nurses did anything to make her recognize that she wasn't completely alone. Hardly anypony was coming to see her, anyways. The hospital did allow visitors, since she wasn't contagious, nor could her condition worsen from stress...but all she ever got to witness was a friendly hello from one of the nurses, whose names she still didn't know.

That, and Twilight.

She sighed longingly. Twilight was the only pony that she actually looked forward to in the drab area. Each and every time, despite the circumstances, she was left with a smile. And that was nice. It was pretty nice to have the most awesome...well, second most awesome pony in Ponyville drop by.

She slowly turned onto her side, groaning at the pain that it brought from her midsection. But the goal had been achieved-she could now see the calendar that sat seemingly arbitrarily off to the side.

A small circle looped around the number '30'. It was now December 30th, 1001. And what a great place to be 2 days before a new year. Stuck in a freakin' bed, unable to move, and about to bucking die.

Lovely.

It had been getting worse and worse, lately. The rot had already progressed to the bases of her wings, leaving nasty dead skin, shattered nerves and ravaged muscles behind. Now all that they did was hang out limp to either side of her, cruelly mocking her of once she what once was. What she could have been. To make things worse, she was even unable to fold them in. It was just another thing to momentarily live with...

And by a doctor's estimation, she only had 6 days to go.

In a way, I guess it isn't that bad... the flier mused. I mean, I'm kinda, y'know, bucking dying...but I guess trading one life for the other doesn't suck that bad...maybe I can finally see Applejack again.

...Applejack. I was supposed to do something involving he-

She froze. There was a knock at the door. Who could it be?

"Rainbow Dash! You have two visitors here to see you! Is it OK if they come in?"

The pegasus frowned. Is it OK? I swear, all of these freakin' nurses should know that I'm dying for some fresh company. 'specially after a whole darned week.

But nevertheless, she composed herself, drawing in a deep breath. "Yeah, it's fine. Send 'em in."

There was a momentary delay, before the door at the far end of the room swung open. It may have only been about 40 feet from her bed, but it seemed like it was miles away. In any case, she could still identify the pony who stepped in, smiling. Purple coat, dark hair...

"Hey, Twilight," croaked Dash, before jerking a hoof to her throat. It normally wasn't that sore...great, another 'benefit'... "Long time no see! Or to be exact, a day."

The purple unicorn's smile remained, but her expression turned tender as she trotted closer to the bed. "How are you feeling, Dash?"

"Eh...more or less."

"Oh." Her grin faded. "Well, I have somepony who wants to see you! I think you might remember her, though that's a little of an understatement."

I was wondering when I'd see that second pony, Rainbow thought in a flippant manner. 'bout time.

"You can come in now!" called Twilight, beckoning to an unseen figure beyond the door.

Shortly afterwards, there came the sound of footsteps, and then the mare appeared at the door. A fiery yellowed orange mane (carefully brushed) framed a mature, wizened face. A yellow coat complemented this arrangement, and as she trotted closer, Dash made out her cutie mark. It was in the shape of a lightning bolt, and only upon closer inspection did she notice that it, too, looked to be made of fire.

Her eyes widened, and an involuntary hoof shot up to her mouth to prevent the small squeak of pure fan-based delight that nearly escaped her lips. The realization came only a picosecond later-

"...Spitfire?!"

Twilight was grinning hugely by now, as if her smiles could confirm everything for her. When the mare spoke, however, it was confirmed for real.

"Well hello there, Rainbow Dash. Long time no see."

"Long time no-" the pegasus had to stop before her excitement overcame her, and she began yammering. One of the Wonderbolts here? To see ME? What's the occasion?!

"Well of course, long time no see! Last time we met was, what, the Gala?"

The stunt pony nodded, smiling. "And what an interesting night that was, huh?"

But then her expression softened, and she stepped closer to the pegasus. "Listen, kid. I know you don't really wanna hear it, but...you won't believe how many cases I've heard of."

Rainbow frowned. Right to business, I guess.

"I've seen many professional fliers' careers ended by too much time spent high up in the damp altitudes. But a pony as young as you..." she shook her head, as if scolding nature for its cruelty. "That just sort of breaks my heart, you know. You got your whole life ahead of you, and...this." the mare finished, gesturing vaguely at the limp excuses for wings.

"Anyways, I heard that after a while, you began toughing it out." A smile slowly made its way back onto Spitfire's face. "And I was like, 'That's the Rainbow that I saw that night. The one who's fearless, and isn't afraid of anything. The one who saved my flank, and two others', too'. So I just have this for you. For toughing it out."

It was only now that Dash noticed that the middle-aged mare had carried in a saddlebag with her, that blended in so perfectly with her coat, as if to be invisible. Twilight still watched eagerly from the side, and now she even wiped a fake tear from her eye. Wonder what that's about...or if it's even fake...

But soon enough, the stunts-pony withdrew her head from the bag, and in one fluid motion, tossed something towards the cyan pegasus.

As Dash got a look at it, she realized that it was a picture frame. Inside lay a picture of a beaming green earth pony. His smile wasn't the feature of the photo, though, nor was his tumbling blue mane. No, what the feature appeared to be were a series of bandages around his midsection. Regardless of those, he seems fine.

"So, what's this all about?" asked Dash, arching an eyebrow in bemused contempt.

"It's a small repayment. I figure that if you saved me, I should save you."

The words had an immediate effect on Dash, as she bolted up, and even though she cried out in pain, she continued. "What the hay-are you..."

"The colt used to be just like you. He only had a day left to go. But he found a way. He now runs a small bakery down in Manehatten. You still have a chance."

Twilight was grinning hugely, and now there was a tear running down her cheeks. But there, she jumped in.

"It's lucky we found somepony who it'd worked on soon enough. Y'see, you remember how you didn't want the amputation, but thought you might change your mind?"

Uncertainly, Dash nodded.

"Well, let me double check..." reconsidered the unicorn. She peered closely at Dash's wings, as the pegasus shifted nervously at the anticipation. The scholar came up frowning slightly.

"It...could work...I suppose..." she mumbled. "Anyhow, upon reconsideration, I found something. There is, in fact, a way to do it so late! I've been looking everywhere, and studies show-"

Dash sighed, placing a hoof to her forehead. "Twilight, you don't get it."

"What don't I get? You can be just fine!"

Oh, that buckin' tears it.

"Just fine...?" the pegasus growled quietly. "Twilight, who am I?"

"Why, you're Rainbow Dash!" exclaimed Twilight, her grin fading slightly.

"Exactly. I'm Rainbow Dash, fastest flier in Equestria. Tell me, what happens when you take out my ability to fly?"

Silence befell the room as the unicorn came to a conclusion. "...oh." she meekly mumbled, sitting on her haunches. "...oh..."

Spitfire looked towards the other pegasus. "I'll tell you what you have," said the yellow pegasus. "You've got an earth pony with a hella' lot of spunk, that's what."

"BZZZZT! Wrong!" cried Dash. "What you've got is a nopony, all right? Flying's my game, and it's how people remember me! I mean, sure, I can be good at other stuff, but let's face it! I ain't good for much else!"

She scoffed. "I mean, c'mon! Everything I do involves flight. Clearing the weather, Sonic Rainbooms, Fantastic Filly Flashes, the list goes on and on..."

Something made the cyan pegasus stop in the middle of her tirade, though. Twilight had long since fallen silent, and begun staring at the floor. Unheard sobs gently shook her body, and the tears dripping onto the floor were no longer of happiness.

Aaand now look what you've done...
"Twilight..." began Rainbow. "Come on, I...I didn't mean to snap out like that, OK?"

The unicorn sniffled, holding back a few strangled cries. "No, it's...it's okay. It's just...you're...you're more or less right, and...that's all the worse."

Dash sighed. "Twilight. Look at me."

Twilight Sparkle did not look up.

"Come on. Please."

The purple unicorn slowly raised her gaze, until it met the pegasus' own.

Rainbow Dash held the stare for an indeterminable amount of time. It felt like years to her. While her unfaltering, rosy-pink eyes stared steadily towards her partner's, the violet eyes that gazed back at her were not so steady. They brimmed with unspoken sadness and regret, and it served only to make her feel more guilty. It only reinforced in her mind what she was about to do.

"Twilight." she began, pausing to make sure she had her full attention. "I trust you. I'd trust you both to go get me a glass of cider, or to invade dangerous enemy territory, where ponies attack you on sight, and come back with that cider."

The silence hanging in the air seemed to get louder as the pegasus swore that the other two could hear her heartbeat.

"And Twilight, you always know best. I always act on what you call 'impulse'-I don't think as much. I care about 'now', not 'later'. It's just sorta' my thing. Which is why..."

Oh Celestia, what am I doing...

"...I'm giving this choice to you."

The reaction was almost immediate. The young pegasus could almost see the transformation in her eyes-but it wasn't to happiness. The only guess she had at all was 'distrust'. Nasty, festering, self-distrust.

It was, however, a good few seconds before the unicorn's stammerings marshaled themselves into words. "Rainbow, you can't honestly...this goes against...what about your-"

"Shhh," cooed Dash, placing a hoof to Twilight's lips. "I know, I may end up regretting this myself. But overall, it feels right. I both love and trust you enough for this, Twilight."

"But Rainbow-!" Celestia's student protested. Her voice was slowly becoming more frustrated and distressed. It was as if she might begin screaming any second.

"But nothing, egghead," the pegasus replied, smiling slightly. "I think I've done my part in the sky, anyways. Set records, kept weather away for a near decade...it was a fun ride."

"But what about-"

"I honestly don't care which you choose, Twi'." The rainbow maned flier insisted. "I mean, I suppose I'm still useful on the ground, but..."

She stopped. It was only now that her glance darted to the side, to meet with the figure that'd walked in with Twilight not minutes ago.

I can't believe I'm saying this one... "Uh, Spitfire, can we have the room to ourselves? Little bit of a private moment here."

The yellow pegasus smiled. "Sure thing. I was starting to feel a little imposed, anyways."

Rainbow hardly even looked at the figure as she left. Instead, her gaze turned back to her companion, and she didn't speak a word until the door a while off gently closed.

"Like I was saying..." she continued. "I could be your number two assistant in the library, I could help Pinkie with parties, I could help Fluttershy with those censuses she does. But the only way I can do any of that..."

A hoof slowly, and painfully raised itself towards the unicorn, until it pointed, unfaltering, deep into her soul. "...is if you want it to happen."

By now, all attempts to speak by Twilight had been ceased. The only thing that Dash saw was conflicting emotions, and then-

The pegasus felt her face burning as a pair of soft lavender lips pushed up against hers. She momentarily fought it out of surprise, but soon after melted into the kiss, the world around her becoming nothing. It was the first kiss where both of them actually took initiative, whereas in the past it had been majorly Dash. It wasn't necessarily an unwelcome change for her. In fact, she liked it. She loved it.

As she broke the kiss, Twilight smiled weakly. "I guess I'll have to make the right choice, huh?"

Rainbow couldn't be sure, but she felt that a mutual agreement had passed in that moment. That both would not care which she chose, and that they would be with each other forever, no matter what happened.

Well, at least, that's how I want it to be.

"Yeah," the cyan pegasus agreed. "But whatever you choose is the right choice."

The only response made by Twilight was to rest her head across her friend's chest, and sigh. Dash gently wrapped her hooves around the unicorn's neck, and slowly stroked her flowing hair. She knew how much she liked it when she did that.

And then a few inaudible words drifted from the unicorn's mouth-
"Somewhere over the rainbow...
Way up high...
There's a land that I heard of...
Once in a lullaby..."

It was the lullaby that all earth ponies heard at some time or other. But why here, why now?

And why do I feel so sad?

Unaware of the pegasus' thoughts, Twilight continued gently crooning the soft lullaby.

"Somewhere over the rainbow...
Skies are blue...
And the dreams that you dare to dream...
Really do come true..."

Ehhh, what the hay...
Rainbow cleared her throat, and as Twilight began the next verse, instead she sang, high above the unicorn's voice. She was surprised at her own voice-it was high and sweet, unlike it normally was when she sang. Nevertheless, she continued the song.

"Someday I'll wish upon a star...
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me...
Where troubles melt like lemon drops...
Away above the chimney tops-
that's where you'll find me..."

Twilight didn't look up, but she continued, voice wavering more and more with each extra word that she sung.

"Somewhere over the rainbow...
bluebirds fly...
Birds fly over the rainbow...
Why then, oh why can't I?"

By the time the final verse came around, Dash even found herself singing along with Twilight, and her voice was beginning to waver, too. Sometimes, I hate emotions...

"If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow...
Why, oh why can't I?"

It was now that the unicorn allowed her sobs to escape, and her body shook gently with each passing second. Rainbow was aware of every bit of it, because even she had begun to tremble. No tears, damnit, no tears, you featherbrain...

Crud.

"T-Twilight..."

"Hmm?"

Dash smiled weakly. "I suppose n-now isn't the time to p-point out the irony in this-"

"Haha..."

The moment of sardonic demeanor soon passed, and the pegasus resumed stroking the unicorn's hair.

All fell quiet within minutes. At least, as quiet as a hospital could get.

It would be nightfall by the time the two were separated.
There was one thing on each pony's mind.

Rainbow Dash wondered if Twilight had already chosen, and hence she sang the lullaby, as if lulling an injured animal to sleep.

But she preferred to shove that thought out of her mind. Way out.

And Twilight Sparkle thought, and thought, and thought, but she didn't come up with a definite answer for her question that night;

Which is the right choice?

-
Author's note:
Great news, everypony!

/Farnsworth

I think I finally found a way to satisfy all audiences alike, including both myself and thyself. This method can get me all the way to chapter 8 or 9, whereas my previous plot only allowed up to 6.

That being said, this story may no longer be called 'letter format'. Any forward chapters-beginning now- are written without letters. Earlier chapters are currently being re-written. Events shall be retold with no use of letters. I realized that I lack the ability to properly deploy 'anti clinical detachment' in these letters. So it's gotta go.

Re-writing may result in adding of chapters. Mmk?