Black Sun

November 3rd

How many times had they been through this now? Sitting in a tense, muted hospital lounge in the dead of night, waiting to learn how badly mauled another of their friends had been? Or if it was something even worse? It was easy to think about how they might be closer to the end at this point, when everypony was there to back her up. But as the saying went, things usually got worse before they got better.

Twilight stayed silent as she glanced out of the window, staring at the night lights that illuminated central Canterlot. It was roughly half past one in the morning and she had been there since the sun had set. Her concerns about Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo had initially been put aside as her duties called, several Ponyville residents coming to the castle for advice and support throughout the afternoon. That had brought her a brief respite, a sense of familiarity and calm. A feeling of the old days. One that was instantly shattered once she had finished, only to be greeted by a weary Aurora with news of the search. How they were both fighting for their lives. Everypony that had been gathered in the map room earlier had immediately headed for Canterlot to wait, and hope.

All of them had stuck together as the evening set in. Even Starlight had come by during visiting hours to offer what little support she could, though she had soon been taken back to her ward by the nurses. By this point, Trixie, Deep Note and Peace Walker had headed out to find accommodations for anypony who chose to stay in the city overnight. Aurora was laid out asleep on two of the waiting room chairs, exhausted from helping Fluttershy check on her foals before rejoining the others, after everything else he had gone through today. She was replaying the favour by watching over him. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were sitting together right by the door, ready to see their friend as soon as the option opened up. Applejack was also in a fitful sleep, leaned against Spike as he sat deep in thought.

Twilight shook her head silently as she looked down. She was trying to stay strong for everypony's sake, to give her friends something to look up to. But in moments like these, when her thoughts began to wander, she could only see faces and hear names in her head. Every one of the ponies killed or crippled because she was letting Tantabus slip away again and again. Ponies with families and loved ones, dreams and desires. All suddenly and permanently torn away from them because of her. Because her best wasn't good enough anymore.

She should have worked faster at the vault, then she could have rejoined the fight there in time. Or she could have gone out to the farms instead of Sergeant Tempest's squad, where she could have fought much harder than the limits imposed on her in Ponyville, maybe even...Her dark thoughts were shaken apart as the sound of a door opening broke through the silence. She looked up to see Moondancer entering the waiting room, a pair of goggles hanging from her horn and a drained expression on her face. She looked like she was struggling just as much as anypony else in the room.

"What are you doing here?" Twilight asked as she got to her hooves. It took her a moment after saying it to realise how blunt that sounded, but hopefully the others would note how drained her voice was. If anypony had noticed, they didn't say anything.

"I came as soon as I heard," Moondancer replied, stepping aside slightly as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle got up next to her. "I wanted to see if I could do anything for Rainbow Dash. Find a way to reattach her wings, or at least have a starting point on making a new pair."

"You think you can?" Spike asked hopefully, looking down and gently rousing Applejack. Fluttershy attempted to do the same for Aurora, only for him to glance around with bleary eyes and fall asleep again.

"Well, engineering another personalised set of bionic wings would take weeks. The ones Rainbow Dash had were the first publicly used prototype we had. But it would be possible..."

"But, there's a hitch, right?" Applejack interjected, stifling a yawn.

Moondancer hesitated at that, reaching up and lifting the strap on her goggles back until they rested behind her ears. Twilight recognised what she was doing as she brought her goggles down over her eyes. It was something she had done a lot with her glasses when they were in school. Putting something between herself and the pony she was talking to, a minor shield for herself. She wouldn't be looking them directly in the eye this way. That only confirmed her fears that something had gone wrong. It was the smallest of comforts that she was able to brace herself for this piece of news. The others were similarly readying themselves for the worst, nopony looking optimistic anymore.

"I was allowed to study the report of Rainbow's injuries to see what would be needed. But, there was no surgical precision in the way Tantabus removed her wings. Just...Raw destruction...The nerve endings that channelled her inherent magic to work the wings were damaged beyond repair in the process. I want to say that a possibility remains that something could be done if we can made further medical advances, and I want to believe it even more. But with the limitations we have at the moment...It's likely that Rainbow will never fly again."

The mood in the room soured instantly at those words. Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle both stifled a gasp, tears forming in the former's eyes. Apple Bloom stared at the wall behind Moondancer, looking crestfallen. Spike and Applejack shared a shocked look. Twilight was the only one who showed no reaction. Not any outward one at least. She just felt, numb. As much as she wished she could at least feel saddened over what had happened, right now it was just another addition to the number of lives she had indirectly ruined. She knew there would likely be a point where all her emotions would come crashing down on her soon, hopefully once she was on her own, but for now she just remained rooted in place. The room remained silent for a full minute as the news set in, nopony seeming willing, or able, to break it.

"And...Scootaloo?" Apple Bloom eventually asked, shaking everypony out of their stupor.

"I was able to see her condition after her surgery. She came dangerously close to bleeding herself out to save Rainbow and needed multiple blood transfusions, but she's been stabilized. Although her injuries weren't as bad, there was some possible damage done to the muscles around her left eye. She's in good hooves now though, if they can fix it they will."

Sweetie Belle let out a small squeak at the news, halfway between elated and terrified. Apple Bloom let out a sigh of relief and moved to support her friend, giving her a reassuring hug. Everypony else began to relax at the news as well. After the day's turn of events, Knowing that they weren't going to be losing any more of their friends was the best result they could have hoped for. Even Twilight managed to feel the relief breaking through her numbness and allowing her to bring a small smile to her face.

"Don't suppose that we can see her?" Apple Bloom asked hopefully. Moondancer looked over at her and lifted her goggles up in her magic. She had to be picking up on the more positive mood if she was letting her defences down.

"She's still asleep at the moment," She told the group, some tension leaving her voice. "Rainbow was awake when I left though, actually asking if you all were here. I double checked with the nurses before coming and they said you could go in if you were quick and quiet."

"Well let's not waste any time," Twilight said, stepping forward. "Who's coming?"

"You even need to ask?" Applejack replied, stepping up with her. Fluttershy, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle followed suit.

"I'll hang back for now," Spike told her, getting up and settling himself across several seats. "It'll keep things from getting crowded and I can fill Aurora in if he wakes up."

Twilight nodded and followed Moondancer out of the room, trying to keep her thoughts clear as they headed into the hallways. Part of her wasn't sure if she'd be able to do this, to go into that hospital ward and see more of her friends in such a state. She wanted to be there for them, but each time wore down the defences she'd built around her heart. Each one weakened that resolve, and those defences were already buckling after what happened in Ponyville. She bit the feeling back down for now and kept walking. It could be discussed with Spike in the morning, he'd know the best way for her to keep focused...That thought made her realise just how much she relied upon his guidance and support these days, in contrast to when he had been growing up alongside her. Suddenly she missed those simpler times.

She was so lost in thought that she almost walked into the back of Moondancer. She glanced back at Twilight, but recognised the look in her eyes and didn't draw attention to it. Once the other four were behind them they stepped into the ward together. Roughly three-quarters of the two dozen beds inside were occupied, a few of the more seriously injured during the attack on Ponyville among them. Rainbow Dash was in a bed halfway down the left side of the room, staring blankly at the ceiling. On hearing the group coming in she turned her head to face them and managed to give a weak, yet empty smile.

"Hey guys..." Rainbow said quietly as they reached her, lifting a hoof in greeting. "Sorry it came to this."

"Hey, you an' Scootaloo are still alive. That oughta count for something." Applejack told her, giving her a small hoofbump. It was a small gesture, but one that put some more warmth into Rainbow's smile.

"Yeah. Moondancer filled me in on what happened. Scoots went above and beyond for me out there. Too far. I mean, she did save my life but..."

"Is she here too?" Sweetie Belle asked, looking around the ward, her voice at a whisper to avoid disturbing anypony else.

"Near the end. She's still sleeping off her surgery though. I haven't seen how bad it is yet," Rainbow sucked some air through her teeth and glanced over toward Scootaloo's bed. "That's the worst part for me. If she suffered because I underestimated Tantabus' hoof fighting..."

As the others did their best to comfort her, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle moved to check on their friend. The voices behind them were hushed to keep things quiet and they did their best to keep their hoofsteps light as well. Scootaloo's bed was one from the end on the other side, easy to distinguish with her colours. As they reached the foot of the bed they stopped and took in the state she was in.

Despite the nurses and surgeon's best effort to clean her up, there was still traces of dried blood matting the fur on the left side of her face. Her left eye was entirely covered up by a white eye patch that had been placed on top of the bandages wrapped around the top of her head. Although she was sound asleep, there was the occasional twitch or tensing from what parts of her face were visible. Either she was conscious enough to dream, and possibly remember what she'd been through, or she was still in pain. Neither option sounded better to the two crusaders.

"D...D'ya think her eye's alright?" Bloom finally asked, sounding shaken at the sight. Despite being comparatively stoic compared to her friends, she looked every bit as rattled as she sounded.

"...I think so," Sweetie replied after a few moments, looking over at her friend. "Doctors always take the cautious option, so they're probably just making sure she doesn't have to use it. Right?"

"Right..." Bloom said flatly after a few seconds, tensing up slightly. Her composure was slipping even further, sounding like she was starting to fight back tears. Sweetie picked up on what was going through her head and turned toward her with a sympathetic look.

"I know it's not much comfort, but this isn't like Pinkie Pie, or Rarity. Scootaloo is going to be fine, we're going to beat Tantabus and stick together through it like we always do."

"Ah know. Ah know we're gonna do it, it's just tough when I think about what it's taken so far."

Apple Bloom's voice had dropped to barely a whisper by the end of that sentence, staring down at the foot of the bed. Sweetie Belle looked at her silently before moving in and wrapping a hoof around her shoulders, easier than it used to be with her stature. Bloom leaned into the hug and held herself there for a few seconds, a shaky breath escaping her as she did. Sweetie rested her head on her friend's and hugged her tighter, sharing the fear and stress between them for a few, all too brief moments.

"We'll find a way to let it all out tomorrow if need be." The unicorn added as she let the hug go.

"Alright. I'm good for now, thanks to you." Bloom told her, quickly sighing and managing to flash a reassuring smile.

The two of them straightened themselves up before moving to rejoin the others. Twilight was hanging back slightly from everypony else, looking like she hadn't said a word the whole time. Applejack was looking down at where Rainbow's wings would have been, her expression unreadable. Moondancer had stepped back as well, goggles back on, seemingly fighting back tears. Sweetie made a mental note to see if she could help her as well. It just seemed right.

"-Not too much to ask," Fluttershy was saying as they came back up to the group. "But, are you feeling alright?"

"Honestly..." Rainbow leaned back into her pillow and stared back at the ceiling. "I don't think its actually sunk in yet. Not had the moment where I look in the mirror and see that there's nothing there to spread anymore. It's like I'm dreaming, wanting to get up and fly again, keep myself in the fight. At the same time though...I already know I can't..."

Nopony knew what to say to that.

"Sorry, didn't mean to get so down," She continued when she realised nopony was going to respond. "I'm tired and on quite a few painkillers."

"We'll let you rest then," Twilight told her, stepping forward again. "Just focus on getting yourself back recovered for now."

"No promises." Rainbow replied, attempting to chuckle but quickly slipping into a yawn.

The six ponies made their farewells and quietly made their way out of the ward. Twilight could pick up on how everypony was feeling at this point. Worryingly, they all felt very similar to how she did: Stressed and disheartened. She didn't know what she could say or do to make them feel any better right now. If she had just gone instead of them, none of this would have happened. She knew it...As they headed out into the hallways again she took a last look back, at least satisfied that Rainbow seemed to be drifting off to sleep already. Once she'd stepped back out she turned to head back to the waiting lounge, only to realise that everypony had stopped.

"Twilight!" Spike's voice came from down the hallway, drawing the princess' attention. She turned to see the dragon headed toward them, slightly reared up and a scroll clutched in his hand.

"Spike? What's wrong?" She asked as she stepped forward.

"Hopefully nothing. I just got this from Princess Celestia." He told her, holding the scroll out.

Twilight took it in her magic and opened it up, reading quickly.

My dearest Twilight,

I wish this letter could be sent at a better time, but this was my only chance before Luna will need my support tonight. Your news of what happened in the Badlands was, heartbreaking. If anything can be done for Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, please don't hesitate to let me know, and pass on my admiration for their bravery in such a cursed place.

As soon as the moon had been raised I set out for the former changeling hive they found Tantabus using as a base. I searched every inch of the surrounding area, tore the mountain asunder to find the lekli...She was already gone. There was nothing left to find, except for the remains of Rainbow Dash's replacement wings. I can only apologise for my failure to take action in time, and my inability to help further.

Luna's condition is still getting worse. I'm not sure I can risk leaving her for such an extended period again. With the added tensions in the Crystal Empire and their effects on Equestria, I must put my efforts into keeping the peace among ponies. I can only trust that you and your friends will be able to return Tantabus to Luna, no matter what.

Please, Twilight. Save my sister.

Celestia

That was it. This had all been for nothing.

Twilight kept staring at the letter until her magic faltered and it fluttered to the floor. She knew the questions would come in moments and she wasn't ready to answer any of them.

"I...I need some time to think." She told the others before teleporting outside the hospital, reappearing at the main entrance onto the streets of Canterlot. Her voice, her whole body, had been wavering and she didn't know how long she could hold it in. As she took to the air to search for where Trixie's group might have gone, she decided to take her time doing so. It was better this way.

Nopony would see her tears against the night sky.