Crimson Night

“Ugh...” Twilight moaned in her unconscious state as her side began closing up. Her breathing was no longer a labored wheeze and the almost steady flow of blood coming out of her mouth was stemmed. While her side was still closing, her ribs could be seen moving back into whole bones and then creaking back into place. Her leg was unaffected, but her side was healed to the point where you no longer saw her organs and finally stopped, leaving just a large gash that no longer bled.

The group was startled by the sound of Retching, they turned to see Chrysalis emptying the contents of her stomach into the trash bin, Meta rubbing her back. They must not have noticed her speak when she entered.

“I-i am sorry. For intruding and for distracting you, tat was just a bit too much for me...those Vamponies outside said you were heading here when I couldn't find you in the throne room.” Chrysalis explained.

“Oh I am sorry Chrysalis, you were supposed to meet us...but...something came up” Celestia said.

“We noticed...is that...Twilight Sparkle.” Chrysalis asked.

“Yes...” Luna said.

“I am sorry, but you will have to excuse us...I hope you understand our meeting must be postponed. Come on Lu...” Celestia said.

“No...I want to stay.” Luna said, tears beginning to rim her eyes.

“You and I need some time...Miss Zecora, will yo please notify us as soon as she wakes? Luna, you can teleport right away.” Celestia said. Zecora nodded.

“...Fine.” Luna said, her composure beginning to crack as tears streamed down her face.

“It's alright Luna...you can cry in front of me...” Celestia said, hugging her sister when they reached the Lunar Princess' quarters. Luna cried long and hard, but refused to bawl. Instead keeping it as silent sobs.

“Tell me...what's wrong? She is alive and she will be fine with time.” Celestia asked.

“I know but...but I love her more than I love the Night...yet this is the second time she's nearly been killed because of something I did or I asked her to do!” Luna exclaimed.

“Do not blame yourself. You could not have predicted any of that.” Celestia said.

“Yes I most certainly can! I'm a terrible leader! First I lose one of my guard because I was trying to keep you from knowing something you absolutely should have know about, and Twilight almost died for my mistake. And now?! I should have assigned an easier mission...I should have asked where that Wraith was heading so I could warn Twilight...once again, she almost died for my mistake.” Luna said, getting angry at herself.

“Luna! That is enough!” Celestia yelled. Luna stopped, huffing heavy breaths.

“You did what you thought was right at the time. You are an excellent leader. It's been nearly a week and you've sent teams on dozens of missions already...not a single death even though at least half of them escalated greatly. If you had asked team one where the Wraith was headed, they would have been distracted and lost their target. And if you had assigned Twilight's team as easier assignment, who would have been given that one? I don't think any other team could have made it except for a few like team one. Maybe four total would have survived that...” Celestia said.

“But still...I sent her to nearly die...” Luna said.

“Damn it Luna! You need to understand the fact that things like this happen! You are not at fault, you made good decisions all around. Things unexpectedly happen constantly, it's your job to adapt and prepare for it!” Celestia started.

“If Twilight was awake, she wouldn't want you to be like this...she wouldn't blame you...she's probably blame herself for not being strong enough...” she continued. “So what would you do then?” she finished.

“...I should help her get stronger so it doesn't happen again...thank you...so much Tia...” Luna said, hugging her. There was a knock on the door. Curious, they found Zecora.

“I apologize for not sending a letter, but my magic is weak after so much.” she said.

“She is awake?” Luna asked. Zecora nodded. They rushed, not galloped, but rushed to the Infirmary.

“Miss Chrysalis, you should go and rest. I will watch over her.” Zecora said after the princesses left, Team Ten had gone to go rest but Chrysalis and Meta had stayed.

“I don't need it...” Chrysalis said.

“I thought you were enemies, but I assume you have put that behind you?” Zecora asked.

“Yea...she even called me her friend last time we met...” Chrysalis said.

“Ugh....” Twilight mumbled out. Three sets of eyes looked at the stirring figure.

“I must go tell the Princesses...” Zecora said and rushed off.

“Now's your chance Love...” Meta said to Chrysalis. She looked at the Lavender Unicorn, smiled and bit her foreleg.

“Chrysa...lis?...what are you....doing?” Twilight asked weakly.

“Drink Twilight. You said I was your friend. All of your friends have helped save your life and helped you gain strength...now it is my turn, it is all I can do for you now.” Chrysalis said.

“You don't h-have to...” Twilight said, her voice not gaining any strength.

“But I want to...drink now.” Chrysalis said. Twilight sighed and her mouth opened slightly, Chrysalis let her blood drip into the open mouth. After a minute or two Twilight closed her mouth. Meta put a bandage around Chrysalis' foreleg as she used a rag to clean the blood that had landed on her lips and face.

“Chrysalis...thank you...all wrongs are...forgiven.” Twilight said. Her voice had gained strength, but was still barely above a whisper and it no longer sounded like it hurt to speak. At that time, Zecora came in with Luna and Celestia.

“Twilight...how are you feeling?” Luna asked.

“It doesn't hurt so much anymore...but it's...odd...” Twilight said. Luna stepped up to the bed and Twilight saw what she had been talking about with Celestia in her eyes.

“You're a good leader...an even better friend...it was my fault for not paying attention.” Twilight said.

“So...how long do you think her recovery will take?” Meta asked.

“I estimate, with the rate of recovery, it will take up to ten days total including today. There are nine blood packs remaining, one a day should be a steady rate. Too little and it will cause unneeded suffering. Too much and her body won't be able to handle it.” Zecora replied.

“Even if the pain would have lasted a month I would have still opted to recover...” Twilight said, sitting up ever so slightly. “I want to fight for my home at any cost.” She continued.

“We wouldn't have the heart to put you through that Twilight...” Celestia said.

“Let us stop dwelling on what did not happen. Is there anything you need Twilight?” Luna asked.

“Actually yeah...I'm a bit weak at the moment...how about a kiss from a princess to turn me into a big strong prince?” she asked, chuckling weakly. Luna chuckled as well as she stepped up and complied.

“Come on. Let them have their time.” Celestia said, leaving the room with the others.

“I had not realized they were Romantically linked...” Chrysalis said.

“Last time you saw her they were still working it out.” Celestia said.

“They are a good match it seems. “ Meta said.

“Yes...Metamorphosis, I am sorry to pry but...I must ask, for it slipped my mind last time, but I would like to know how you two found each other.” Celestia said.

“Oh that is fine. It was simple really...the Changelings lived like a hive...that is why they were so dependent on me...after our defeat, I used all of my power to try and change that. It eventually worked and we gained our independence. My people found their true forms at last.” Chrysalis explained.

“True form?” Celestia asked.

“Our people have not known their true form for decades...we have forgotten, and none could remember if their minds are linked to a single hive mind. When we gained our independence, we remembered. Now only our warriors uphold the form you know, and only when on duty, to uphold tradition so to speak. We named ourselves and created a civilization, not just a place to live and breed.” Metamorphosis explained.

“And the entire time you were by my side. It just clicked one day I guess.” Chrysalis said.

“I see. I am very glad it happened and I would suffer that humiliating defeat ten times over again if it meant we would keep your friendship.” Celestia said.

“That wouldn't be necessary...and besides, this time I wouldn't have the stolen power of true love by my side.” Chrysalis said.

“But you would have your own.” Celestia retorted.

“I guess you're right.” Chrysalis said with a laugh.