I'm no Princess...I'm a wreck.

Cadence was beyond horrified when a mail pony came to deliver the news to her. She had just put Flurry Heart to bed, she was finally sleeping more, nowadays, which was good for her, and meant she was able to get sleep as well. Though she still felt pretty exhausted with all the stress she had been under. A lot of people thought she had it easy, but there was nothing easy about being a Princess. Just because she was a Princess, didn't mean she lived a worry free life, she was always worrying about her people, worrying about her daughter, and worrying about her husband. She had opened up the letter, started to read, expecting it to be some boring royal news, that Celestia thought she had to have, but no...she wished it would've been boring royal news, when she got to the point of the letter. She had to reread it twice for it to fully sink in, and even then she didn't want to believe it.

“Dear Princess Cadence,

I hate to be the one to give you this unfornuate news, there was a severe training accident with our royal guards, most of them just had concussions, and minor injuries...but your husband Shining Armor hasn't woken up since the injury. My sister Luna says he's sleeping, but it's like he can't wake up. I have already sent word to Twilight as well, and she is going to reasearch what she can, but right now, we aren't sure if he'll wake up. It's very important for you, to come see him with a clear mind.

Your friend,

Celestia.

How could this have happened? A severe training accident? Shining always had assured her, he'd always come home to her, and now she would have to go to him. She took a deep sigh. Shining Armor would want her to remain strong and viligiant...but how could she be after hearing such news? She extended her hoof up to her chest, letting out a deep breath. She had to remain calm. She couldn't afford to cause panic in her Kingdom. There was no need to worry them with this news, it was bad enough she had to receive it. She had to get out to see him. She would need a sitter for Flurry, as much as she would have liked to take her with her, she knew it was best for her to stay here. Who could she trust to watch over Flurry? Sure, her immediate thought was Twilight, but if she was looking for clues on to what might wake Shining up, she needed her time to dedicate to that. Who else could she trust?

Her first thought was someone from the Crystal Empire, and she was beyond certain that the stallion she thought of, would not only take care of Flurry while she was away, but keep the citizens from panicking with alarm as to why their princess suddenly left with no warnings. It would send panic throughout her Kingdom, and that was the last thing she needed to worry about right now. She had to go attend to Shining Armor, and learn if there was anything she could do to help. There had to be something the doctors could do...he couldn't die. She would be nothing without him. He was her rock, her love, her everything, and if she lost him to an accident, she'd never forgive herself for letting him go. She gathered the basic essentials that she'd need for her trip, and then galloped over towards Sunburst's home. She knocked on his door, hoping he was home. She felt like she waited forever when he finally opened the door.

“Oh hey there, Princess Cadence, is there something I can do for you? Or is this about the Flurry?” he questioned as he opened up his door to allow her inside so the two could discuss in private.

Princess Cadence was in a hurry, to get to Shining Armor as soon as she could, but she made sure that no pony could hear them.

“It's complicated...,” she began as she looked towards Sunburst. “I have to take a trip to Canterlot, Shining Armor....he was in an accident and is unconscious. I can't take Flurry with me, it's best for her to stay here in the Empire. I was hoping...you could watch her for me while I'm away. Hopefully, I'll be back in a few days time, but I want to check up on Shining, talk to the doctors, and go see if there's anything that Twilight might be able to do in the aid of his recovery. However...I'm preparing myself for the worst possible outcome...that he may not wake up. I don't even want to think about it, but Sunburst, I need you now more than ever, to be there for Flurry. Promise me.” she begged Sunburst practically in tears. She managed to hold her tears back, but it was very clear how worried she was. The look in her eyes, how her form was so stiff. There was no doubt this was a most pressing matter.

“That is complicated.” replied Sunburst softly. He wasn't sure what to think, or even how much help he could be, but if watching Flurry was the best thing he could do, he would at least try. “I can watch Flurry, just be careful.” spoke Sunburst.

“I will be.” replied Princess Cadence, then she stood up and left out the door, in a dash. She flew up into the sky, she wasn't going to wait for a train. She had to get there as soon as she could, and flying was the quickest way of getting there.

At least the clouds were in her favor today, there was no rain scheduled so it might flight that much easier. It didn't take her long to get to Canterlot, but it felt like it took forever. During the flight there, she had time to think on a lot of things. What would she do when she saw Shining Armor in such a weakened state? Would she be able to hold herself together? How was she going to confront Twilight about this, and the most important question, what were his chances of waking up...she knew very little about comas, but she knew the rate of waking up from them was rare. The mere thought of never hearing his laugh, never seeing his overreaction to weddings, never having Flurry have her father there to walk her down the aisle someday. These weren't thoughts she wanted in her head, but yet, she couldn't stop thinking about the what if's. She had to be strong...he needed her to be strong, even when she felt so weak without him.

“Cadence.” spoke Celestia as she landed down near the Canterlot Palace. She was not at all surprised that Celestia was there waiting to greet her. Celestia wrapped her hooves and wings around Cadence.

“I'm so sorry about this. It's a terrible burden to all of us.” began Celestia. It was very clear she was keeping a calm and gentle tone.

“Don't be sorry, there's nothing you could do. It's up to the medics now. Surely they can do something, can't they?” she questioned, with a somewhat hopeful look in her eyes. Though, in her mind...she knew what Celestia was going to say.

“His chances aren't good. I have talked to the doctors and the nurses. His chances are slim of ever waking up from this. It's called a coma, and if we are lucky you being here will be his saving grave. I know, it's not something any of us want to think, but we can't ignore it either. Ultimately, the final decision will rest in your hooves, and your hooves alone. You are more than welcome to see me anytime you wish, for anything you might need. I'm always here.” spoke Celestia holding her close.

Cadence sobbed. She had wanted to avoid seeming like a weak and fragile child, but she was horrified, terrified...of losing the man she loved. She sobbed uncontrollably for what seemed to her like an hour, but was really only a few minutes, as her tears dried up in her eyes. She looked up towards Celestia, who looked straight at her, with a most concerned look. How could she possibly understand what she was going through? She didn't have a husband, a child...sure she had a Kingdom but it wasn't the same. She had more burdens then most ponies knew. She was angry. She didn't want to be the one to affected by this, but here she was. She had to see Shining Armor. She thanked Celestia for her concerns and asked to be led to where Shining Armor was being kept.

She knew she wouldn't see the Shining Armor that she knew, when the nurses allowed her into the room. Of course, Shining Armor laid there on the hospital bed, unicorn magic keeping him breathing, and alive. It wasn't the same. She walked in, and sat down on the opposite side of the nurse.

“How long has he been like this?” she asked the nurse.

The nurse looked to her, with a grim expression. “It's almost been twenty four hours, since the accident. So many of us, are so busy taking care of the ones with concussions, and minor injuries that there's not that many of us left, to watch over a patient...that might not ever wake up. I'm sorry. I wish I could do more, than offer my sympathy. Right now, it's all I can do.” replied Nurse Red Heart.

“I appriciate that, really I do. If you don't mind, I would like to be alone with my husband.” spoke Princess Cadence as she put her hooves over his. Despite the fact he wasn't able to hear her or see her, her presence was all he needed. She wasn't going to give up.

“Of course.” replied Nurse Red Heart as she stood up and gave Princess Cadence and Shining Armor space.

Cadence sighed heavily to herself. She looked to Shining Armor and smoothed out the ruffles of his mane. He deserved to at least look like the soldier he was. “My love...I'm here.” she whispered to him. She knew he could hear her, he had to hear her, he just had to wake up....she felt the tears building up in her eyes, but she wouldn't cry. She wouldn't let him see her cry. She decided to stay with him for now. She planned on visiting Twilight and Zecora. She hoped that someday one of them might be able to do something. She only hoped it wasn't too late to save Shining Armor from dying from this. She tried her self breathing treatment to calm her nerves, but it didn't work. She felt so weak. So many ponies, thought she had it so easy, but she had an entire Kingdom to worry about, a child to take care of, and now she had to be strong when Shining Armor couldn't. It was beyond challenging, she felt like it was impossible, but she wouldn't give up, because she knew if the roles were reversed, he would not give up on her.

She had to believe that he WOULD wake up. She couldn't waste another second, she had to go to Ponyville to see Twilight. She was honestly surprised Twilight hadn't already been here, but then again, she was a Princess too and was most likely dealing with issues just like she was. She'd understand the pressures of Princesshood, the two connected a lot more since she had known her since she was little. She had been quite the little energtic foal, when she had been her foal sitter. She hoped perhaps that Twilight's knowledge might clear up some things about this coma, that Celestia simply was unable to answer.

She leaned down to kiss Shining Armor on the lips, as a single tear escaped her and landed on his cheek. “I will find a way, my love. Please stay with me.” she begged, and with that she stood up and exited the hospital.