Celestia awoke at what would have been noon day. Her tired eyes flickered and she rose up. She moved towards the door and was met by none other than Dr. Firestone.

" Princess Celestia are you well?" Dr. Firestone asked with depressed eyes.

" Physically I am well, but my mind is another matter. Tell me do you know what the prognosis is for Sunset Shimmer?" Celestia asked eyes looking down.

Dr. Firestone viewed Celestia noticing the way her eyes were down cast.

" I should. I'm the one who worked on her." Firestone replied.

" Please tell me. What type of condition is she in?" Asked Celestia fearing the worst.

Dr. Firestone mentally groaned as she was really hoping she wouldn't have to be the one to tell the crown Princess of Equestria about Sunset. She sighed and sat down.

" Do you want the good news, or bad news first?" She asked Celestia.

" Bad first then good, please." Replied Celestia.

" Sunset Shimmer is a mess. She has little to no fur left. Her mane is completely gone, burned. We are going to have to do skin grafts and fur implants. There is muscle tissue damage that may or may not affect the nerves and impact whether or not Sunset will be able to walk or move on her own. Eyes are damaged and will need surgery. The likelihood of her seeing ever again isn't very high.

"There is going to be heavy scarring. Her horn is completely done. There may be a possibility for regrowth, but not for quite some time as the nerve ending appeared to have been burned to nothing. We will be attempting a nerve implant to see if we can get the horn to grow back with a Zebrican potion we have. Physical therapy will take months if not years. We have her on heavy antibiotics, sleep medicine, pain spells/medicines, and are pumping her full of fluid and nutrients" Stated Firestone.

" And the good news?" Asked Celestia a heavy sense of dread having fallen upon her.

Dr. Firestone shook her head and laughed with tears coming out.

" The good news? The good news is she gets to live. Her ears are still working and burns and lacerations there were at a minimum, though how I don't know. Her tongue and teeth appear to be in working order. Internally her organs have been heavily stressed and bruised by magical exhaustion, but should recover without much of a problem provided we can get her to rest. What worries me more than anything is her mind." Firestone stated finishing her summary.

"Are you concerned from the psychological aspect or physical aspect?" Asked Celestia

" Psychological more than anything. Physically her mind seems fine. How I don't know as the shattering of her horn should have caused seizures. We both know ponies that have had less physical injuries, but never recovered in their mind and went insane." Replied Dr. Firestone.

" Indeed. I can't say I'm surprised at the damage. I am glad though that at least something is still working for Sunset. Heavens knows how she is going to get through this. My daughter..." Celestia stopped tears again flooding her eyes.

Celestia began to wail. This was not the wailing of sirens nor those of death, but of life itself seeming to cry out in anguish. Her cry was heard throughout all the palace and city. The Canterlot voice echoing the sound. Suddenly the cry stopped and Celestia collapsed laying on her side tears streaming as rivers.

Dr. Firestone sat stunned. Here the was the embodiment of Ponykind brought to the earth. The revelation that Celestia viewed Sunset as her daughter was nothing new. Everypony in the palace could see it. What was a shock was that the immortal ruler who had reigned for ages could be so vulnerable, and so helpless. Firestone had completed sixteen years of training, schooling, and been a doctor for a further twenty. She simply sat too afraid to say anything, but not too afraid to do something.

She rushed to the Princess and embraced her. Her own mind going back to the events. Sunset had been known around the palace since her foalhood and most of the ponies thought of her as a member of their extended family. Firestone's tears mingled with Celestia's as she nuzzled the ruler and leaned down to whisper to her like she was a small filly.

" I won't say things are going to be ok Princess, but I promise you have me and my staff for anything we can do." Firestone stated.

Celestia arose forcing the mare to relinquish her hold. Celestia viewed the doctor, tears dripping upon her fur. She noticed compassion, but also confusion and surprise.

" Don't be surprised that I can cry Dr. Firestone nor be surprised that I can also be in need of comfort. Eternity weighs heavily on those of us who endure it. We lose ourselves for others, but in the process lose those we love. I am a pony as much as you or anyone else. Just much older and weighed down by more trouble." Celestia stated.

Dr. Firestone stood dumbstruck.

" Princess I...I don't...I didn't think.." She remained silent.

" Few ponies do Doctor. They prefer to raise me and to place me upon a pedestal. They imagine that I can't be harmed, or that I can't be reached emotionally. Neither of which is true. Not all hurt is physical and some of the worst wounds are those that fester in the heart." Celestia replied.

Something in Firestone stirred as she asked a question.

"Princess how did Sunset get those wounds? I've never seen a combination of wounds like that. Not in any textbook, and certainly not in any patient I've ever handled before." Inquired Firestone.

Celestia sat still sighing heavily determining that the doctor had a right to know given the sheer insanity of everything that had occurred.

So Celestia began the tale of her and Sunset's journey to the mirror room. Their argument, and the ensuing explosion of the mirror. As the story was told and finished Firestone was shocked.

" Princess how did that not kill her?! Medically speaking Sunset should not be alive in any form or condition period. Her veins should have been cooked and her blood boiled.....This entire thing makes no sense." Firestone stated.

" That is something I will not reveal at this time. Only know that I ensured that Sunset would live. Though the implications of that are still yet to be seen. Please take me to my daughter and fetch my scribe." Celestia answered and asked.

" Of course at once Princess." Firestone said.

Firestone led the princess to the room sunset was kept in. Celestia's heart threatened to break all over again.

The sounds of beeping machinery keeping track of Sunsets heart. IV's all around the bed. Thankfully though she was at least breathing on her own...A small mercy at least. The smell of burnt skin and flesh was mingled with disinfectant. Celestia viewed the mare she thought of as daughter. Noticing the wrapped gauze stained with a mixture of medicines and magical residue. Celestia approached the foot of the bed and sat.

Doctor Firestone looked on and then remembered the command of the Princess and rushed off.

She walked high into the center of the palace where Celestia's soldiers and scribe waited for her highness. They saw Dr. Firestone and began to bombard her with questions, but Firestone lit her horn.

" I am not in the mood for questions! Back the hay off!" She shouted. The guards frowned, but returned to their posts.

" Now, Firestone began, to help this process be shorter. Sunset shimmer was involved in a magical accident that has left her physically scarred. Princess Celestia does not wish to be bothered by anypony at this time, but does request the aid of her scribe Parchment Quill." Firestone finished.

Parchment stood then nodded.

" Lead the way Doctor. I'm sure the Princess will want to make alterations to her schedule given the nature of what is going on. Goodness knows the kingdom takes most of her time." Parchment said.

" Yes it does I imagine." Firestone said gaining a inkling into Sunset's mind as well as Celestia's.

Firestone made her way back to Princess Celestia with Parchement Quill following behind. As they made their way to the medical ward Doctor Firestone's mind began to stir. She had a brief understanding of what must have been going on between Sunset and the Princess. Sunsets constant bickering and downward trend of behavior made more sense to her and Celestia's unwillingness to compromise also came to her mind having been both a teenager, but also being a mother balancing work and family. Maybe this might be what both of them needed.

Finally they arrived to Sunsets room. As they entered they saw Celestia with her head resting on the bed Sunset lay upon. Seated and with eyes closed. Parchment Quill unused to the new smells assaulting his nose put a cloth up to keep the offensive odor out. Nopony spoke for what seemed a season and Celestia finally rose up greeting the two of them.

" Thank you for bringing Parchment Quill to me Dr. Firestone." Celestia stated.

" It was my pleasure Princess." Dr. Firestone replied.

As Firestone prepared to leave Celestia spoke.

"Please stay Firestone as I would like you to remain." Celestia said.

" Parchment Quill please take note. Until further notice all foreign dignitaries and meetings are postponed for the duration of this month and into the next. Any paperwork which cannot be handled by the council is to be brought to me. Until Sunset Shimmer awakens I will remain in this room. I will take my meals here, sleep here, and live here until such time as she wakes up. If further business needs to be discussed it will be done here." Celestia stated somberly.

Parchment Quill's eyes grew wide.

" But Princess you can't! I know this situation is weighing heavily on you, but..." Parchment Quill stopped, feeling like a pebble next to a mountain as Celestia gazed upon him.

" Parchment Quill you have worked for me for quite some time, but this is not a negotiation. This is a command. It will be obeyed and anypony who questions it may come speak to me. If the nobles raise a fuss I will strip them of their power and replace them with somepony more deserving. I know this seems confusing but I am tired. Kindly do as you are told as I am in no mood to debate."

" Also draw up official papers for adoption. I'm going to do something I should have done a long time ago." Celestia finished saying only to turn toward Firestone.

" Dr. Firestone I would be honored if you would be the witness needed by law for the adoption." Celestia stated.

Dr. Firestone could only nod silently.

Parchment Quill in the meantime felt somewhat akin to an ant against an anteater. Quite certain that the Princess could if she wished make him do as she wished. Shaking himself out of his stupor he came up to Celestia.

" Princess I'm sorry. What you have asked will be done at once. For what its worth I hope Sunset recovers fully." Parchment said.

Celestia nodded staring at the ceiling and sighed.

" Parchment also have Princess Cadance brought here as well. There are things I need to speak with her on." Celestia said before Parchment had left the room.

Parchment gave a silent nod.

Dr. Firestone for her part was still a bit shocked wondering where her life was headed at this point. Celestia walked up to Dr. Firestone and picking her up in her forelegs, and hooves, gave her a hug.

" Dr Firestone thank you. Its truly rare for me to find somepeony who is filled with your level of compassion. I know this hasn't been an easy task for you. I am placing all of Sunset's further medical treatment under your control. I trust you implicitly to oversee her physical recovery." Celestia said letting the doctor down.

" And Sunset's psychological recovery Princess?" Firestone asked.

Celestia sighed wheels turning in her vast mind.

" That is where Candance comes in, but we will also have to see exactly where Sunset is at before going further." Celestia answered.

Dr. Firestone nodded.

" I understand Princess. I'll leave and start setting up the appropriate treatments. Thankfully Sunset's skin based wounds are at least healing well." Firestone said.

" I understand Doctor. Do what seems best. I'm going to remain here with Sunset." Celestia replied.

Dr. Firestone left the room closing the door behind her. Her mind racing over the events. in less than a 24 hour period her world had been turned upside down. Now tasked with the recovery of Celestia's student, soon to be daughter, this assignment would make or break her career....But Firestone couldn't care less. If she could see Sunset smile again and get around on her own it would all be worth it.

Celestia remained alone in the room. Only the beeping to keep her company. There would doubtless be tears from Sunset. Anger, malice and harsh words. Celestia only hoped that a friend like Cadance could help.

Candance was a most unusual pony who had achieved Alicornhood through advancement of love based magic. Not the potion type, but real genuine love. Bringing out ponies feelings and helping others realize their potential for one another in a sincere, but powerful manner...Cadance was most of all though a true friend. She only hoped Cadance would be able to endure.

The Alicorn of love meanwhile was oblivious to most of what had transpired with the exception of the echoing scream she had heard earlier, but felt little authority to go comfort her Aunt. Ponies needed alone time as much as they needed together time and what could she hope to say to her Aunt. She remained in her rooms preparing for the day and taking care of her studies. An Alicorn of love she might be, but she was also still a teenager with school work.

Candance sat pouring over her notes for the upcoming tests her tutors were set to spring on her. She groaned and set her head on her desk where her books and notes lay. She moaned out loud taking her hooves scratching at her out of place hair.

"Who in the world would ever need to know magical theorems of combat magic?! She was Princess of Love! Not a battle master!" Cadance thought to her self.

Suddenly she heard a knocking on he door.

Frowning she opened the door as she wasn't expecting visitors and generally had mornings and early afternoons to her self for study.

There for her to see was a shaken Parchment Quill looking a bit worse for the wear.

" Parchment what brings you here? Does my Aunt want to see me about something?" Cadance asked.

" Yes she requested you come by the medical ward immediately. There has been an accident with Sunset and Princess Celestia needed to speak with you concerning a few things your majesty." Parchment replied.

Cadance's eyes bugged out.

An accident!? What type of accident would involve Sunset? Sunset was one of the smartest ponies Cadance knew. True she could be a jerk, but she knew her magic and studies inside and out. Sunset studied at a rate that made Cadance's head feel like mush.

" I'll come right away. I'll teleport us both and save some time." Candance replied.

Closing her eyes she sought out her Aunt's magical signature. Finding it Cadance and Parchment vanished in a glow and pop of pink.

Appearing outside the door of Sunsets room Cadance took out a hoof mirror and began to fix her hair. While Parchment unused to the mode of travel steadied himself trying to make the room quit spinning. Cadance looking at Parchment's predicament smiled and picking him up in her magical aura sat him on the couch outside the room.

" I think maybe you should wait here for the time being." Cadance said.

Parchment looked ready to object, but a stern look from the young mare silenced him.

" I know Aunt Celestia asked you to do some things for her, but take a break for a bit. You look like you're dizzy and need to rest. Take a short nap and then get back to it. That's an order." Cadance stated.

Parchment nodded unsure of how to take the order. On the one hoof he had a daughter about Cadance's age, but on the other she was an Alicorn princess and to be frank he hadn't had much sleep the past few nights. He set his bags down and let sleep take him. Receiving a bit of help from a mischievous young princess casting a simple sleep spell.

Cadance smiled looking at the sleeping Parchment. It wasn't the first time either her, or her Aunt Celstia, had had to remind Parchment to get some sleep. He took his duties very seriously...Perhaps too seriously. Bringing Cadance's mind back to the present.

The accident! Sunset!

Candance moved towards the door opening it and entering. Greeting the mare's nose was a smell she hadn't ever thought possible, and a sight that she was sure was more nightmare than reality. She saw what she could only presume was Sunset and sure enough by the bed sat her beloved Aunt. Looking silently down.

Celestia seeing Cadance nodded and walked over nuzzling her niece.

" Thank you for coming on such short notice Cadance." Celestia said.

" It's not a problem Auntie. I heard your shout and then heard there had been an accident. What happened?" The young mare asked.

Clelestia told Cadance the entirety of the story leaving nothing out save the part of Sunset's immortality. Which would be better learned of later. She then proceeded to bring the medical clipboards the Doctor's had left hoofing them over to Cadance to let her read them in their entirety.

As Cadance heard the story her hear sank. True she hadn't ever liked Sunset a great deal, but she had never hated her and had even wanted to be friends, but the fiery young mare's studies came first before everything...Plus she was sure her being around Celestia induced some jealousy in the other mare....But this...This was grotesque!

As Celestia handed the boards over Cadance took them in her aura. Her own mother had been a nurse and she had read a few medical things before. Not enough to understand everything, but enough to know the general information. If she thought the situation couldn't get worse it suddenly did.

Cadance read through the documents reading every detail she could. She quickly came to see how dire the situation was, and how unlikely it should have been that Sunset had lived.

She set the clipboards down and blinked then began to cry. Sunset might never have a future as a unicorn. Her entire life's work may have been flushed down the toilet. Cadance knew how single minded Sunset had been, but also knew that Sunset had created and formed her barriers of defense with work and magic. She practically breathed it and ate it every day. Sunsets entire world was about to come crashing down when she woke up.

Cadance looked at her Aunt then at Sunset and back at her Aunt.

" What do you need me to do to help her?" Cadance asked.

Celestia's heart soared for a moment. Her best hopes realized. Cadance was one of a few truly genuine ponies that came around once a lifetime for most. She was sincere to the extreme and willing to bend over backwards to help others, but not at the expense of herself carefully balancing service, duty, and love with her own needs.

" I'm going to be adopting Sunset Cadance. For all we know she may never be able to care for herself. I'm asking you to treat her like a normal mare. Don't patronize her. Comfort her. Be her friend. Be her sister in every way that a pony can be. I'm not asking it of you as an order Cadance, because I know its mostly what you already wanted, but that Sunset turned you away." Celestia said.

Cadance nodded. It was true. She had initially liked Sunset and thought they might have been good friends. It was really only the two of them in the Palace and with duties and homework there wasn't a lot of time for her to have much of a social life. Plus with the difficulty she had with certain parts of magic she needed private tutors who could help her work at her own pace. But any hope of that occurring at the time of first meeting had been pushed far away by the red mare's attitude.

" That's true Auntie, but if she pushed me away once what's to stop her from doing it again? Even with her condition being a factor?" Cadance asked.

Celestia sighed.

" Cadance I'm concerned for Sunet's and your well being. For the time being just be there for her. I'm worried about the state of her mind in terms of what she may think of herself. She's always been confident and able to do whatever she set her mind to, but now most of that ability has been taken away. Put into her place how would you react?" Celestia answered and asked.

Cadance gave it some thought. If she were Sunset she would be beyond devastated...She'd prefer to...She blinked looking back at her Aunt.

" You don't think Sunset would try to..."

A hoof pressed underneath Cadance's chin effectively silencing her.

" I don't know what Sunset will do Cadance. I'm simply taking precautions. Both of you don't get enough time with ponies your own age and that's mostly my fault. I know this isn't fair to her or you, but I know you can do it. You have the ability to help ponies have hope. Latch onto that and help keep my Sunbeam steady." Celestia stated.

Cadance looked at the sleeping Sunset. Her world just got much more interesting.

Cadance felt her heart sink and then rise for the occasion. If Sunset had fallen, then Cadance would help raise her up. She would be a phoenix reborn if only on the inside. She would make sure Sunset made herself a roaring flame that none could deny.

Author's Note

So there you have it. A third chapter since people seemed to like the last Yes I'm aware my grammar has issues I'll be going through the chapter and correcting things. I hope you all enjoy the story