Author's Note

The song is "Who Wants to Live Forever." The rewritten words are sung to this Violin solo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7an065mRJAg

Opening Arguments

The Mane 5, minus Rarity, sat in the waiting room of Ponyvile General. Rainbow and Pinkie snuggled against one another in a chair, snoring, Discord had Fluttershy wrapped up in his coils and Applejack paced as they all waited for any news from Doctor Suture. Nurse Redheart sat at the main desk and watched the 4 mares as they coped with Spike's collapse. Somehow even those asleep or, in Fluttershy's case, hidden among coils, seemed nervous.

Nurse Redheart could practically hear their thoughts, "Are we going to lose another friend? Why were we not more aware? How could we allow this to happen?"

The truth of the matter was that Spike was going to make a full recovery, Doctor Suture wanted to do a full examination on the unconscious drake to make sure their was nothing missed. Spike would still be sedated and faced enforced bed rest. Nurse Redheart's thoughts halted, as she was blinded by simultaneous bright flashes, as both Princesses teleported directly into the waiting room.

"Where is my little Spike!" Nurse Redheart flinched back from a face full of Celestia.

She was saved from further assault as Luna dragged her distraught sister to a chair.

"Sister! Honestly, Nightlight and Velvet are on their way. You need to be patient. I am sure Nurse Redheart will inform us of any change. Correct?"

Nurse Redheart nodded, unnerved that the Princess of the Night new her by name and sight. The traumatized Nurse took a few cleansing breaths and then walked out to stand in front of two of the most powerful beings in all Eqeustria. A lesser Mare would have been terrified, Nurse Redheart was not a lesser Mare, Nurse Redheart was enraged.

"Alright I don't care that you raise and lower the sun everyday for the moment. What you just did endangered EVERY patient I have on this ward. Any second now I expect the pages to start, patients of mine wondering why their GODDESS, was so panicked. Therefore, when they start, YOU and I are going to go to every room that rings and explain. Then, you are going to sit and wait for his parents, AS ALL THE OTHERS WERE DOING!!!" Celestia went to speak, when the entirety of the Nurse's board lit up. Nurse Redheart glared at Celestia as for the first time in over several centuries the Princess of the Sun lost a staring contest.

"NOW MOVE!!!!!!"

Celestia's ears lowered as she sheepishly began walking with Nurse Redheart to answer the calls and calm her little ponies, as well as explain her actions to each.

Luna chuckled and shook her head, "So enjoy seeing her do that." She them turned to the rest of the Mane 5 as they stared at her, shock evident on each face.

"What? Am I the only one that gets turned on by a strong headed mare." The princess joked. Her face then grew serious. "I apologize, when we heard the news, Celestia, who has always been close to the sparkle family, she sees herself as just as much a grandmother to Spike as Velvet, that her Granddrake had collapsed it made her panic a bit. I expect Nightlight and Velvet to be more level headed."

No sooner had she uttered those words then she had a facefull of Twilight Velvet. "What happened to my Little Baby boy. You where supposed to be looking out for him Princess." Luna flinched back, then pursed his lips.

"Ms. Velvet please, everything will be fine, Spike will be fine. My sister, is helping the nurse with her rounds and we will get the full news when she returns."

Velvet began to advance on Luna again, but her husband put a hand on her shoulder. Velvet turned to look at Nightlight as he shook his head. He pulled her in as she collapsed against him.

"Sorry for that Princess," Nightlight began.

"No Need." Luna interuptted. "He is your son, such a reaction is completely reasonable."

Soon a much chastened Celestia walked back to the group, escorted by Nurse Redheart.

The nurse looked over the group as Celestia sat down. "According to what I have been informed by the Doctor, Spike Solaris Sparkle will make a full recovery. Apparently he hadn't slept since his mother.... passed. He'll be kept sedated till his body heals itself enough for him to be awake. He was malnourished but we have a number of I.V. drips taking care of that. The doctor is just doing his final check and will be out with Ms. Belle shortly."

Velvet's Ears perked up, "Rarity is with him?"

"She was with him when he was brought in. She has refused to leave his side. Only saying that he would do nothing less for anypony else. I do not know if she was the one that called medical help, I just know that she rode in the ambulance with him. I expect her to return to his side when the doctor informs us what the final treatment will be." Nurse Redheart shook her head. "I for one will not tell her to leave. Goddess's I can Handle. Mare's with that look in their eye are above my paygrade."

Velvet sighed in relief. "Good, Rarity will make sure My little Baby is safe." Her brain then caught up to what Nurse Redheart had said. "Look in her Eye?"

Redheart smiled, "Yes, she intends to be the first to read him the riot act, before all of you. I believe she has even started taking notes on all the bullet points she intends to hit, as well as has been rehearsing to make sure that it is just right. I really do not begrudge that young Drake when he wakes up."

Velvet, Celestia and Luna all shared a knowing smile. Nightlight almost looked sympathetic to what awaited his Grand Drake when he awoke, almost. Nightlight had been worried too after all.

"Rarity will take care of everything." Velvet smugly reiterated.

She then leaned against her husband and allowed herself to be led over to the corner of the waiting room where the mane five all huddled together, soon they were all joined by Luna and Celestia. All was quiet as they waited for the Doctor and Rarity. The quiet settled over the room and between them, each to their own thoughts, but joined in their shared worry and loss. In this quiet a tune was heard. It started slow and reverberated throughout the room. A solo Violin playing slow and smooth a lament contained withing a dirge. The Ponies gathered closed their eyes as they felt the music wash over them, as they felt a heartsong begin. This was a heartsong of sorrow, but also of something else. Something Defiant. Something Alive and Joyous in its lament.

There's No Time For Love
There's no Place for Love
What is this That Builds Our Hopes
Then Takes Them From Us

The smooth baritone mirrored the sorrow and despair in each of their hearts. Yet the defiant part, that part that dwelt among the most pain, that Defiance still rang clear and true through the burden of the lament. This defiance could not be silenced though the world fell around it. Those gathered listened as this bloodied Defiance shouted it's pain to any that would listen.

Who could Live Forever
Who dares to Hope Forever
OOOH OH

The voice, daring to ask the qeustion they all shared, daring not only to ask, but amongst their sorrow demanding them to find it an answer. Refusing to be turned away by platitudes and well wishes. They had never been good enough and they never would. It demanded a real answer, one that everypony knew, yet refused to say. It want to hear the saying for only in the saying could their be any comfort.

What chance for Us
Destiny Decided for Us
There is ever only one pure moment
That abides for us
Who wants to Feel Forever
Who wants to Care Forever
OOOOOHHH OH

The Violin here swelled carrying their hearts forward, the sorrow of the singer continuing to demand the answer to his lament. Not just of the three gods sitting in the chair, but the mortals who faced their end much sooner. The voice asked of them all and it would be answered. It must be answered and by each.

Who'd Dare To Love Forever
OH OH
When All Love Dies

Here the Violin slowed and the singer silenced, then beginning to speed, rushed towards the answer of the lament, the purpose of that which ultimately must end in pain, as all that is precious and good do. It brought them forward to a hope, so long lost that they never had to look to find. It forced them to look upon that forlorn hope and define it, each to their own, for themselves. This Hope had always been there, just out of their vision and now they were forced to look.. The defiance built, the sorrow could never contain that which it was, for just as all good things die, so does sorrow, so does pain. In the defiance, they heard the hope, the call to continue the call to once more put one step in front of the other.

So Cry your tears
But know this
Touch your heart and you'll Live
For moments last Forever
And thus Love Lasts Forever
Forever is Just Today
We all Love Forever
We all Hope Forever
Forever Is Just Today
Why Wait for For more then Today

The words ended, but the violin continued, just as their lives had to continue. The Song itself pulsed in the lament of life, demanding and giving it's answer to those that both begrudged eternity and those that where force to endure it. Gradually the music faded but those that had heard began to cry. The sadness of the one they had lost and the worry of the one that they still had, overwhelming them at last. Deep sorrowful sobs, not caring if they where heard. For that was part of the answer, that even in the ugliness of sorrow and grief, of the pain of loss, dwelt that which was the most hated and the most hoped for. That tommorow will always follow today. That their will be new loves. Not to replace the old, nor to fill the void of the old, for such a thing was impossible, but to take their own place among the loved ones of the past. Thus forever was achieved, not by immoprtality or magoc, but by simply living and refusing to let the sorrow stop you in you journey. Their will be sorrow, their will be darkness, their will be pain, but such things are but a passing thing. Soon Light always banishes the darkness for the darkness can do naught but run from the light.

On the opposite roof from the hospital, Onyx Nightshade sat. His eyes glowed for a moment more and then faded. The runic circle faded and the strings of green material dispersed. He rose from where he had concealed himself and looked to the window of the waiting room where those that needed to here his performance sat. He smiled. Soon all the players would be exactly where they needed to be.

"And for once, none need to die."

He smiled and then once more looked to the room of sobbing individuals.

"Not All Tears Are Bad." He intoned. "For in doing so we prevent sorrow from infecting us. Such a wound as was inflicted on all of you must be lanced, lest Oblivion take hold."

Onyx smiled, he'd done his duty and it gladdened him that even those that where unto gods to those around them, knew what sorrow and pain where. To forget those where to forget what it means to be mortal. For without sorrow their could be no joy and without despair their can be no relief. He turned and then, was gone.