Author's Note

Soooo... With great happiness, I give you the tenth chapter of this series. I do hope you enjoy, and if you did, please comment on what you liked. Thanks.

Discharged

"Thunderlane!"

"Yes, Lord Argon?"

"Is the transfer spell ready?"

"Yes, Lord Argon!"

"Good... We shall attack in two to three days time!"

"Understood, Lord Argon! Is there anything else you need to know?"

"Are Chrysallis' changelings in position?"

"Yes, Lord Argon!"

"Good. I need to speak to Chrysallis as soon as possible!"

"Yes, Lord Argon!"

"Go now."
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Ruby sat in her bedroom, gazing out towards the Ponyville Hospital. I hope the operation for Metal Blade comes along okay today. she thought to herself. Today she had to train with Rainbow Dash, however today was also the day where Metal Blade would be tested to see if her ribcage had recovered enough. If it had, the doctors could cast a healing spell on her to repair the rest of the damage, effectively releasing Metal Blade from the Hospital, and discharging her to the castle.

"Ruby!"

Ruby turned around to find her mother with Rainbow at her side patiently waiting just outside her room's doors.

"Time to go, now." Twilight explained.

Ruby nodded silently, getting off the bed and walking over to Twilight.
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"Lord Argon sends his regards." The cloaked pony said. She pushed her dagger deeper into Metal Blade's neck. Metal Blade tried to move, but her cast prevented any sort of movement. The best she could do was scream, but no sound came out. The cloaked pony began to drag the dagger towards Metal Blade's chest, cutting both her and the cast as if they were both made of butter. As the pony pulled the dagger out of Metal Blade, her vision began to blur, until she was plunged into darkness.
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Metal Blade woke with a gasp to the sound of birds. They were chirping their songs just outside Metal Blade's window. She observed the birds, and sighed, happy to be back in the conscious world. She tried to burrow deeper into her cast as when the door opened, and a pony wearing a white coat opened the door. Upon noticing her, he smiled.

"Greetings, Miss. I'm Doctor Pool. I'm here to test your recovery."

Metal Blade nodded in understanding.

"First off, have you felt any spontaneous pain anywhere in your chest?" Doctor Pool inquired.

"No." Metal Blade replied.

"Have you been able to move your hind legs?"

Metal Blade gave the doctor a hard stare. "Are you kidding?" She asked, "I've been stuck in a cast. Of course I can't move my legs."

"I ment within your cast." Doctor Pool deadpanned.

Metal Blade rolled her eyes, and tried to move her hind left hoof. She felt it hit the inner part of her cast with a small thunk each time.

"Did that hurt at all, Miss?" Doctor Pool inquired.

Metal Blade shook her head. "No, it didn't. Why?"

Doctor Pool didn't answer. He simply smiled, and charged up his horn. "It simply means that we can heal you right now, then discharge you."

Metal Blade could hardly contain her excitement. She and Twilight had talked about where Metal Blade would be discharged to, and came to the conclusion that she would be discharged to Twilight's Castle. The prospect of living in a castle didn't excite Metal Blade all that much. The prospect of getting to see Ruby again was exciting. Ever since Autumn Breeze had been killed, Ruby had come to visit Metal Blade every day. Metal Blade had taken a liking to Ruby, and Ruby seemed to enjoy her company as well. Metal Blade smiled to herself as the doctor took off her cast. I wonder how Ruby's doing right now. She couldn't wait to get out of the hospital.

. . .

Metal Blade stepped out of the hospital, and was greeted by a gentle breeze blowing from her left. The wind casually blew her mane in front of her eyes. She looked around at the trees, and heard the soft rustling of their leaves. She took a big sniff and smelled the cool summer air.

She loved it.

She began at a small walk towards Twilight's Castle, watching all of the other ponies do their own thing without a care in the world. Eventually she couldn't wait any longer, and took off in a gallop towards Twilight's Castle.

Upon her arrival, she noticed Princess Celestia, just outside Twilight's Castle. Upon noticing Metal Blade, Celesta frowned at Metal Blade, turned, and walked towards the Everfree Forest.

What was that about? Metal Blade asked herself as she walked over to the stairs of Twilight's Castle.We've never even met. However, her thoughts were interrupted by a loud shriek.

"Metal Blade!"

Metal Blade looked up just in time to see a red blur throw itself at her, before she was struck in the chest.

"Oof!" She exclaimed as her attacker wrapped their forearms around her.

"You're finally here!" Ruby exclaimed, still latched onto Metal Blade.

Metal Blade smiled own at Ruby who in turn smiled back at Metal Blade.

"Well it seems that Ruby has grown very fond of you." A voice came from the castle doors.

Metal Blade looked up only to find Twilight Sparkle calmly observing the event before her. Metal Blade made a relatively awkward bow from her position, due to the red pony wrapped around her.

"Hello, Princess." Metal Blade greeted. "I thank you for letting me stay in your castle."

Twilit looked uncomfortable, but accepted Metal Blade's thanks all the same. "Hey, Ruby." She called to the filly wrapped around Metal Blade. "Why don't you set up the final preparations for Metal Blade's room? I need to talk to her about a few things first."

Ruby nodded, and dashed back into the castle. Twilight then turned to Metal Blade. "About your punishment," she began.

Metal Blade gulped. She had completely forgotten about her community service punishment.

"I've decided against carrying it out."

Metal Blade blinked in confusion. She had relieved her of her community service? Why? Apparently Twilight could guess her questions, as she explained.

"You were there for a Ruby, Metal Blade. After Autumn Breeze's death you were the only one who managed to cheer her up. We all tried our own methods, yet they never worked. However, every time she left your room, she left with a smile on her face, and for that I thank you."

"Oh, your welcome." Metal Blade said awkwardly. As Twilight guided Metal Blade to her room, Metal Blade couldn't help but think of how her life had changed, and of what Argon's next move was, but she shook off these feelings. You're in the present, Metal Blade. she chastised herself.The past is in the past. That's all that matters.