The returning princess.

Celestia was pleased when they returned with a plastic looking cup, with a black straw that was see through. "Ah, I see your search has been successful. I thank you." Her voice was still friendly towards the stallion, who smiled at the praise. "I live to please." He replied, in a respectful tone.

Celestia slowly took the drink in her mouth, careful of the liquid that swished around inside. "She is far to weak to consume solid foods, at the moment. For now, she will have to drink this. IT should held take the pang of hunger, and give her more strength.. but not too much." He hinted slightly, and the princess understood almost immediately. So she didn't try to overpower again.

* * *

There was a small knock at the door, and Celestia used her magic to pull it wide. "Why, Hello Colg-" She stopped midtrack. This wasn't Colgate! It was a small filly, two wings fluttering excitedly. "Hi! I'm Minty Stockings! I'm Colgates sister!" Her voice sounded happy, proud. "Colgate has got the flue, your highness!" A nurse informed, her pink hair in a tight bun as she appeared next to the energetic filly. "Nurse Redheart, lovely to see you." She greeted the panting mare, who bowed.

"I'm professionally trained!" The little child's hoof saluted, and smiled. "Colgate herself trained me." She sat down, her wings out in pride, chest puffed out.

Celestia couldn't help but musically laugh at that. "I'm sure you are, dear." The filly walked by, her wings closing in respect, before bursting back open as she jumped up on the stool near the bed. Nightmare Moon was sipping weakly at the straw, her teeth catching because of the pointed fangs. She tried to luster a greeting, but since the day she had returned, despite her one sentence, her throat felt scratchy, dry. IT was like speaking a foreign language as the jet colored mare tried to. "Hpdfff.." It was weak, and the filly grinned. ""Hi, Miss Moon! People call me Crest, my my name is Minty Stockings!" She again, said. She pulled over a tray of sharp looking objects. The mares eyes slitted in distrust, but she stayed put. "Now, if you'd open your mouth this'll be easy!" Minty Stockings pulled herself over, her wings folding. Her long, sway-sided mane clipped the the side. She began to search, and while she did, Nightmare Moon looked over her. She was a greenish blue, had gray eyes, and blue striped hair. Minty Stockings? Her dragon eyes went to her hooves, and indeed saw that her forelegs were a lighter green. She tried to smile, but a toothbrush prevented it from happening. Foam filled her mouth, and she coughed. Minty pulled her over a bit, the liquid dripping from her mouth into a bowl. "Good, job!" The praise warmed her, even if she was a grown princess.

She saw a bit of uncertainty in the foals eyes as they eyed her long fangs. Minty Stockings reached warily over to the tray, getting some pliers. "I'm really sorry, Princess. These are gonna have to shake loose." She swallowed, and saw that in the green eyes of the princess, there was her bracing herself for the known pain.

Taking the instrument in her mouth, She leaned in to clamp them over the first canine.

Minty pulled.

Out with a loud, stomach churning pop, a fang shook loose, and she placed it on the tray. The foal looked over, seeing that the bleeding had began, and a relieved look was on her face.

Nightmare groaned as the painful pressure of the rotten tooth was released, and soon the others followed. Cotton balls were stuffed into the holes. Minty Stockings was explaining to her that they would soon come back, and in the mean time, brush three times a day to get her teeth white again.

* * *

Honestly, it felt amazing to be fussed over. The princess was enjoying herself. The doctor came back with her juice, freshly cold, and held the straw to her lips. The cotton balls had been removed a few minutes after Minty left. A nurse was attending to her hooves, which she didn't mind, but didn't like exactly. Celestia had curled up in the corner, where the guards had insisted they'd order a small bed for her, but she just refused, taking some of the hospitals bed clothes and making a small nest in the side of the room.

She gave a smile, and watched. Black and white feathers mingled on the floor, either from her and Celestia, or the pegisi nurses. Nightmare felt tired, saying nothing as she stared at thin air.

Was she Nightmare, or Luna in a different coat?