Black Sun

"So...How bad do you think it is?"

Sweetie Belle paused mid-step and looked back at Apple Bloom's question. She'd been silent all day, her thoughts as mystery as the two of them had woken in their hotel room and made their way back to the hospital for morning visiting hours. Although they had both been shaken by what had happened to Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash, but to hear the normally resolute earth mare so shaken and pessimistic...It was one of the CMC's lowest moments.

"Wh-what do you mean?" She asked, unable to keep the worry out of her voice. "We agreed that it wasn't serious, right?"

"Ah know," Bloom replied as she kept walking, Sweetie falling into step beside her. "But it's never that simple is it? We still haven't seen Scoots' injuries. But with what happened to Rainbow Dash, I just can't see it being much better."

Sweetie didn't know how to respond to that, looking forward again and letting the discussion hang as the kept walking. In truth, she knew that the odds of her own comforting words matching up to reality were very low. They had to keep hoping for the best though, in the face of the whole world seemingly against them. Hope was the one thing she couldn't afford to lose.

As the two of them entered the wards, they stopped at the sight before them. Scootaloo was headed toward them, fresh bandages on her head and eyepatch still in place. She still seemed a little unsteady on her hooves, but Rainbow was by her side as somepony to lean on. The older mare still had her bandages on as well, small protrusions where her wings used to be the only visible evidence of her injuries.

"Hey guys," Scootaloo said as they approached, straightening herself up. "Sorry if you were coming to check on me. The doc decided to schedule our next treatments in a few minutes. Probably thought I'd be done and rested for visitors in the evening."

"We're practically heading for the same area, so I figured I should help her there," Rainbow added, sounding better than she had the last time they'd met. "Least I can do after you saved my life, kid."

"I thought that'd just make us even after what happened at Winsome Falls." Scootaloo replied. Rainbow tilted her head in thought for a few moments before nodding.

"So, are you both...Doing okay?" Sweetie Belle eventually asked, shifting her weight on her hooves. Rainbow's smile faded slightly at the question, but she kept her composure.

"Let's just say, that it still hasn't fully hit yet." She answered simply, her gaze becoming ever so slightly fixed forward. She had to be putting a brave face on at this point.

"I'm still adjusting, my vision just gets thrown off a little from time to time." Scootaloo added, sounding a lot more casual about it.

"Adjusting to what? What happened to you?" Apple Bloom suddenly exclaimed, desperation creeping into her voice. Scootaloo hesitated at the questions, her mouth opening and closing without a word coming out. Eventually she sighed softly and sat down.

"Short version, my stunt injury from last year was made about fifty times worse. The doctors used a lot of fancy terms for it all like 'Levator Palpebrae', but it basically means a few muscles near my eye got cut up and they might be too small and twitchy to fix."

As the three others watched, she shut her good eye and lifted the eyepatch above her injured one. She then raised a hoof over them and held it there to let her eye adjust to the light. As she lowered it again and let them see, she tensed at the reactions. Rainbow Dash simply looked at her grimly, Apple Bloom grimaced at the sight and Sweetie Belle actually recoiled slightly before she could stop herself. The unicorn mentally kicked herself for it, but she had just been caught that off guard.

Scootaloo's bandages ran right down to the edge of her left eye, covering the wound, but even that wasn't able to hide the matted and rough fur around it. Where her upper eyelid had normally sat a centimetre or two lower than usual after her accident the year before, now it was practically hanging shut. The eyeball itself was rolled down to the bottom of her eye. It almost seemed as though she was simply looking that way, if not for the fact her right eye looking straight ahead. After a second she squeezed them shut again, holding it before opening them once more. Now her left eye was sitting normally, but it looked like she was squinting hard to do so.

"There we go," She said to herself as she fixed her gaze upon her friends again. "I can still see no problem, just that I can only look straight like this for a minute or two without straining myself. The eyepatch is to keep me from risking overdoing it. Though it...It might be needed for good."

Nopony said a word as she lowered the eyepatch back into place and blinked rapidly. None of them knew what to say in a situation like this.

"We'll be okay girls," Rainbow eventually told Sweetie and Bloom, confidence creeping back into her voice. "We'll just need a few days to get our strength back and then we'll help you save Equestria when the time comes."

"Right. Just like usual." Sweetie replied, doing her best to sound optimistic. Bloom simply nodded and patted Scootaloo's shoulder before stepping aside to let the pegasi past.

"Like usual...When did seeing ponies we love put in comas become the usual?" She asked quietly as they continued on toward the wards.

"At least we can still let them know what they mean to us." Sweetie replied as she followed. Although Apple Bloom's expression didn't change, she did speed up slightly.

The rest of the walk to the wards was made in silence. The atmosphere had shifted slightly though. There was an underlying sense of longing, of comfort at the thought of those not present. Sweetie Belle knew better than to try and disturb her friend when she was on a mission like this. Before long they reached the ward where Rarity and Pinkie Pie were, still as if they were merely sleeping. Another visitor had arrived before them, a cream earth mare sitting at Rarity's bedside with her back to them. Even so, they recognised her instantly.

"Miss Pommel?" Apple Bloom asked in surprise, waiting for her to turn toward them. "What in tarnation are you doing here?"

"I, needed to talk to Rarity." Coco explained. As they came up to her, they could see her hind right leg was bound in a cast and splint. Another fresh reminder of the attack on Ponyville. The fact that her injury hadn't been classed as severe enough to be treated at the hospital at that time only made it worse.

"What about?" Sweetie asked as she stepped up alongside her friend. There was a look in her eyes, distant and eerily reminiscent of her 'White Phoenix' gaze, yet with a new strength of will behind it.

"Carousel Boutique," Coco replied quietly, looking up at Rarity's damaged horn. "It could be months before Rarity can start running the shop again, if she can at all. Somepony has to keep it going until that time comes."

"And you'd like to try?" Sweetie looked down at her sister and took a still hoof in her own. "What would you think, sis? I know you always though highly of Coco. I'm sure she'd look after the boutique as well as you would."

"I would do my best," Coco affirmed. "You never gave up on me after everything that happened in Manehatten, even when it felt like all Equestria was ready to turn against me. Now it's my turn to stay strong for you. When you wake up, I'll have done everything I can to keep everything you worked for strong. I promise."

Sweetie nodded, holding Rarity's hoof a little tighter. She didn't need to say anything more when just being able to be here was enough to take the weight off her shoulders. Coco stayed next to her, knowing better than to disturb the moment. A slight sound of movement to her left drew her attention to Apple Bloom, who was now looking over toward Pinkie's bed before looking back at her. She only needed to give the smallest of nods, letting her friend go. She'd be there for support if need be.

"Heya, Pinball..." Bloom said quietly as she sat down at Pinkie's side, stroking her mane gently. "I've missed ya. I'd like to say things are getting better, but we're kinda struggling. I'm not the only one wishing you were setting up a party right now. I don't know how much of this makes sense in your head at the moment but, everypony's hoping you'll be alright. Especially me. I still love you, always will."

She leaned down and kissed Pinkie's forehead softly. As affectionate as it was, it sounded like she was trying to stifle her sadness in the process. Sweetie watched her quietly for a moment before her ears twitched, picking up the ward doors opening again. She looked round and her eyes widened slightly at who was now making her way between the beds. Maud Pie, looking as stoic as ever. The only real difference between how she had looked when they first met years ago and now was a half dozen light scars running down the length of her back.

"Maud...?" Bloom said in surprise as she noticed the newcomer. Maud blinked slowly in response and walked up to the other side of Pinkie's bed.

"Hello, Apple Bloom. Hello, Pinkie Pie. I hope I haven't come at a bad time." She said in her usual monotone. Even if she wasn't showing it externally, there was a shine in her eyes that betrayed just how hard this whole situation was for her.

"No, not at all. I was simply catching up while I could."

"I see..." Maud looked down at Pinkie, staring for a few moment before looking back up. "Can I talk to her for a minute?"

"Yeah...Yeah, of course." Apple Bloom's voice cracked slightly as she stepped back slightly. Maud stared at her for a moment before sitting down by the bed, looking at her sister intently.

"Pinkie..." She paused briefly, seemingly trying to find the right words. "Do you remember how you used to talk about being the best aunt possible, when you found out our family tradition? I know you were upset when I couldn't have a foal and Limestone...Couldn't either. That might be about to change."

Maud looked down to check if there was any reaction. Although Pinkie didn't move a muscle, a ghost of a smile still came to Maud's face as she placed a hoof on her little sister's.

"I've been talking to a mare called Moondancer, you'll know her. I don't know much about science that doesn't involve rocks, but I know she told me that with magic and some help, I could have a foal," She continued, her face and voice still refusing to betray any emotions. "I don't need to tell you how happy that would make me. I'm going to go find out if it can happen after this. So, hopefully you won't oversleep this time. I can you and Marble understand missing my geode analysis session when you were six, but I know you won't want to miss this."

"Ya hear that?" Apple Bloom suddenly spoke up, moving back to her side of the bed. "We got something waiting for us when you wake up. Ah know you'll end up throwing the greatest party ever when you meet them for the first time...I can't imagine what you'd do if we ended up having a foal. Maybe...One day."

As she kept watching and listening, Sweetie Belle tilted her head in thought. Part of her had always wanted to have a family of her own one day, but she'd never paid much thought to who it would be with. She'd never really felt much of a spark for any stallions in her life and none of them had shown much interest beyond the perks of being around a celebrity. Well, maybe one...The more she thought about it, the more she realised that she had somepony she needed to see once she had finished talking to Rarity. The others might have thought that she was rushing this idea slightly, but she didn't know if she'd have another chance.

The wind was picking up over Ponyville, buffeting her body and forcing her to keep making wing adjustments. Fluttershy normally enjoyed low altitude gliding over the town, taking in the serenity and using it to still her troubled thoughts. Now though, she couldn't even bring herself to look down at it. She looked over the Everfree, toward Canterlot, even back behind her where Cloudsdale was barely visible in the distance. Anything but having to look at the damage done below and feeling like she couldn't do a thing to stop it. The best she could do at the moment had been keep her animal friends safe from further harm.

Most of her free time since the attack had been spent securing alternate accommodation for the inhabitants of Angels Wildlife Sanctuary and ensuring they had arrived at their new homes. Combined with making sure her family was safe and supporting her friends, she'd been left with very little time for herself. Even this brief reprise was on the way to making sure Twilight was alright. It would be easy for most ponies to forget that there was always somepony having a harder time after everything that had happened. Even if Twilight was understandably strained with what she was going through, Fluttershy knew she had to try and help. Both as a friend and as the Element of Kindness.

As she dropped down toward Twilight's castle, she chose not to risk the damaged balcony and landed at the main doors. Everything was quiet around her and there was nopony in sight. She quickly headed inside and looked around for any signs of life. Everything was silent in the foyer, unchanged from her last visit aside from what looked like a thank you card left on a table against the right wall. The fact this part of the castle had been unscathed was soothing in a way. Familiarity providing momentary comfort.

"Twilight? Are you home?" Fluttershy called as she moved forward, listening as her voice echoed through the halls. When there was no reply she headed in to see if her friend was about. The map room, kitchen and library turned up nothing. It wasn't until she came to Twilight's bedroom that she found anypony. Peace Walker was standing at attention by the door, attempting to act like she was part of the Royal Guard. On hearing Fluttershy's approach she relaxed slightly and looked toward her.

"Hello, Fluttershy," Peace said as she glanced back toward the door. "If you're looking for Twilight, she's asleep at the moment."

"Oh...I understand." Fluttershy replied. She could understand that. Without the security of the dream realm, everypony was having trouble sleeping at the moment.

"Yeah, I think she's earned it...If you wanted to talk to me though, it'd be nice. I haven't seen anypony else all day."

"Well, um. You could always come out to talk to us." Fluttershy commented as she sat down next to Peace. The earth mare sighed to herself and sat down as well.

"I know. But being here, keeping watch, I feel like I'm actually doing some good. Plus...I'm still not sure about actually going out. I know I'm not keeping it together inside after losing...Well, everything and everypony close to me. What if I do something stupid and put you all at risk?"

"I don't think you would," Fluttershy told her reassuringly, drawing Peace's full attention. "You have something many of us don't right now; something to have faith in when everything else is gone. I can't say I understand it, but I know how important something like that is. You just need some faith in yourself too."

Peace stared at her for several seconds before taking a slow breath and closing her eyes. She leaned back fully against the wall and rested her front hooves on each other, bringing her chin down against her chest. She held the position for a full minute, Fluttershy watching her curiously. The religious practices of other races were actually rather fascinating to observe. Eventually Peace relaxed and looked up again, a faint smile on her face.

"You're right. The deities never stopped watching over me before, giving me strength when I was Sunset and Starlight's prisoner. They wouldn't let me down now. They seek the stability of the world, so I know I can't endanger a chance at that just for unlikely-"

Any further discussion was cut off by a loud thud coming from Twilight's room, followed by a furious cry. The two of them immediately shot to their hooves and rushed inside, anticipating any number of possible scenarios between them. Neither quite expected the actual situation however. Twilight was sitting in the middle of her bed, looking a mix of frustrated and worn out while wrapped in her bedsheets with her horn lit up. Spike was sprawled out against the opposite wall, picking himself up and rubbing the back of his damaged shoulder.

"What happened?!" Fluttershy asked quickly as she took the scene in. Peace had dropped into a combat posture next to her, though she relaxed out of it when she realised there was no sign of trouble.

"I still couldn't stay asleep and...Oh!" Twilight gasped and scrambled out of bed, her magic fading as she rushed over to Spike. "I-I'm so sorry!"

"My fault," Spike grunted as he got back to his feet and got his breath back. "I got a bit too deep into the dream and made you react."

"I'm glad you did. It was more of the same...All the names. Faces..." Twilight bit back a whimper and sat down again, holding her head in a hoof.

"Breathe, Twilight. Remember what we said about this," Spike told her before staggering toward the door. "I think I need some air after that one though."

"Yeah, okay. Err, Peace Walker? Could you go with Spike and make sure he's okay?"

Peace nodded and headed out of the room after Spike, looking like she wanted to ask him about something. Fluttershy watched them go before turning back to Twilight. She knew her friend well enough to know there was something crucial she wanted to talk about. Just between them. Sure enough, as soon as the door closed Twilight was on her hooves and moving toward her. Up close, it was clear just how much stress she was under, but there was something else in her eyes too. Fluttershy had no idea what it was, but she suddenly felt very uneasy at the sight.

"You've felt it too, haven't you?" Twilight asked, weariness creeping into her voice again. "When you come across a problem that you're trained to handle, yet it ended up being out of your control?"

"I have. More than I'd like." Fluttershy admitted. Years of caring for creatures of all sizes had given her roughly vet-level experience. Yet she had been through similar moments, where all her knowledge and expertise weren't enough to help when it mattered. Every one of them had hurt her, but she couldn't imagine how much every life was weighing on her friend.

"Then...There's something I need your input about."

Before Fluttershy could reply, Twilight's horn lit up again and the two of them were teleported away. She could feel the cold before the flash had even faded, instinctively pressing her wings closer to her body and shivering quickly. The area around them was difficult to make out; dark, rocky and the wind howling a gale just behind her. She glanced back to see a cave opening behind them, though any view beyond was obscured by a raging blizzard. When she looked forward again, Twilight had moved deeper into the cave, working away at a collapsed pathway that was just visible through the darkness.

"It's not that I don't trust we can't do it..." Twilight suddenly said as she lifted a small box from the rubble. Her voice was quiet, as if she were talking to herself as much as she was to Fluttershy. "But, I let the others fight for me at the vault and ponies died as a result. I tried to fight within my limits in Ponyville and that just caused even more deaths. I know I can win if I don't have to worry about anypony else. But...What if...?"

Fluttershy could hear the desire dripping from Twilight's voice, her tone shifting toward open intent as she finished speaking and opened the box. Without hesitation she lifted something out that made the pegasus freeze in place. The Alicorn Amulet. She had lived through what it could do, and there was no mistaking what Twilight had in mind.