As the time for the raising and setting of the sun and moon came Celestia awoke.

Celestia arose walking to the window and raising the sun and setting the moon.

Her mind went again to Sunset Shimmer. Now that she had awakened the time of ignorance for the young mare would be no more. Celestia did not know how to handle this part. The part everypony was dreading. Physical hurt is one thing, but to have one's dreams coming crashing down was something that destroyed the very foundations of many a pony. The base of action being the mind and the ability to act towards one's dreams and goals based upon inner strength.

Celestia stared upon her daughter as the sun's rays came into the room. Celestia drew the curtains in an effort to afford Sunset more rest. When she would awaken not even Celestia could say. Dr. Firestone was out for the day after a 72 hour stint so it would likely only be her and Sunset.

Celestia sat at her desk and began the tedious nature of paperwork and she smiled. No matter how much power, or how long one lived, administrative duties were always a constant foe at times amusing and other times a bonfire of annoyance.

The minutes ticked by one after the other each as steady and as slow as the last. Soft breathing and beeping from machines permeated the room with the occasional scratch from a quill on paper.

As Celestia continued to write she heard a groan and looked up. She saw her little sunbeam attempting to rise. Celestia quickly trotted over to Sunset capturing the mare in her golden aura and gently setting Sunset down.

" No Sunset I need you to lay down. Your wounds are still extremely fragile and could reopen. Please lay down." Celestia said holding the young mare gently, but firmly down.

Sunset opened her mouth to speak, but instead only a heavy coughing came out, her throat unused to the action of speech.

" Sunset I'm going to get you some water. Please stay down. Just nod if you understand me...please." Celestia said and pleaded.

Sunset nodded taking in how physically weak she felt and determining Princess Celestia was probably right.

Celestia released the golden aura around her daughter and made her way to a sink with a glass and filled it with cool water. Neither hot nor cold for fear of causing damage to Sunsets throat.

Celestia slowly walked coming again to the bed and placed a straw into the glass.

" Sunset I need you to take small sips for me. Just a few at a time. Your body isn't used to the water or action yet. I know you have questions and want answers, but please one thing at a time little one." Celestia said.

Sunset simply nodded.

Celestia brought the glass to the edge of the bed and lifted Sunset in her golden aura a bit to help the water to go down.

Sunset sipped feeling her lips crack as she began to suck the water down. She let the fresh coolness pour over her tongue and her body took over as she began to suck deeper and faster. Celestia withdrew the cup and straw and laid Sunset back down.

" Slowly Sunset...Slowly." Celestia firmly said.

Sunset coughed weakly and nodded and began to drink again held in the air by the Princess of the Sun. Unable to move for fear of further damage and unwilling due to pure exhaustion.

When the water was a third of the way finished Sunset ceased to drink nodding her head again.

Celestia laid her back down on the bed.

" I'm sure you have questions correct?" Celestia asked?

Sunset nodded.

" Can you speak at all?" Celestia asked.

Sunset remained quiet for a moment then spoke in a quivering voice " Yes."

Celestia viewed her broken Sunbeam before her and sat down taking a short breath.

" To make this easier for you I'm going to list some options from one to three. Whichever you want to hear the most please nod that many times." Celestia instructed.

Sunset again nodded her voice scratchy and in pain from a single word.

" One, do you want to know where you are? Two, do you wish to know what happened? Three, do you want to know the extent of your injuries?" Celestia said giving the three she thought most likely that were to be wondered.

Sunset thought to herself for a moment breathing slowly and thinking.

It was fairly obvious where she as and she recalled each detail of what occurred in the mirror room with perfect clarity her body shivering at the memory only to become warm with comfort feeling a magical aura around her.

" Shhhh...I'm here." Celestia said nuzzling the young mare ever gently.

Sunset breathed in and out and nodded three times.

" You want to know the extent of your injuries?" Celestia asked.

Sunset again nodded wanting to get the worst news out of the way first.

Celestia drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly the years of her life seeming to come back to her.

" I won't lie to you Sunset Shimmer your injuries are extensive. You are healing slowly and very well all things considered, but please try to remain calm.

" Your body had hundreds of magic, fire, and glass wounds. Your fur is nearly gone although it is being treated and the skin grafts and fur implants are progressing. Your muscles and skin have suffered an incredible amount of damage. Your face is also burned, but again is healing. I'm afraid you won't ever look the same...Also your horn was shattered nearly to the base of the skull. The doctors think they can eventually do a nerve transplant, but aren't sure if it will ever regrow." Celestia said.

Sunset began to speak, but Celestia used her magic to keep the mare quiet.

" There's more Sunset." Celestia said taking another deep breath.

" Because of the extent of the burns and damage from the magic and glass your ability to walk and move around on your own has been heavily compromised. When the skin grows back you will probably find that the flexibility of your legs is limited. Physical therapy is going to take months or years depending on what I've been told. I'm afraid your eyes are also heavily damaged. You may never be able to see again." Celestia said.

Sunset lay on the bed tears starting to form.

Celestia again spoke.

" The good news is you are healing well. You are alive and you have ponies who care about you. I have your doctor, Dr. Firestone, working on your treatments as we speak and your internal organs are fine for the most part.." Celestia said.

Silence reigned in the room. Tears. Tears were pooling on the bed that Sunset lay upon. She drew quick and ragged breaths her body quivering. Her mind refusing to accept the situation. She knew what it meant...Her magic and ability to use it were possibly forever compromised. Her own ability to even do simple tasks now most likely were far beyond her.

She attempted to rise, but Celestia's magic held onto her.

" Sunset no. I know this is horrible and that you're in pain. I don't know what this is like. Please stay on the bed." Celestia said gently nuzzling the mare.

Sunset began to force herself up again only for Celestia to gently, but firmly hold her in place.

They repeated this pattern of rising and restraint. Over and over. Tears flowing from Sunset's eyes and rivers flowing from Celestia's. Sunset continued her struggle for nearly an hour crying and heaving her body shaking in anger, fear, and sadness. Each time Celestia held onto her with her magic sending comforting emotions and feelings into the mare.

Eventually Sunset's struggles ceased and Celestia began to hum.

She thought of fond things and memories. Strolls in the park with wildflowers. Games once played. Each and every good emotion she could muster she sent through her magic.

Sunset's breathing slowed and her rasps slowed. Sleep soon claiming the mare.

Celestia made sure Sunset was indeed asleep and cast a spell on her charge in case the mare awoke again.

Celestia went back to her paperwork. For a few hours peace was had, but again Sunset awoke.

Her eyes brimming with tears she again tried to rise and Celestia restrained the young mare.

The entirety of that day continued in similar form and fashion. Sunset awakening only to recall and remember the conversations and previous struggles. Her sadness bursting into rage. Rage at herself for allowing something like this to happen and rage at not being able to resist the outcomes of what came each time, but each time feeling that same peace and love for the mare. She finally understood how Celestia felt. Through the emotions Sunset could feel states of worry and sadness. She felt the weight of the world as Celestia felt it.

Sunset began to realize why the Princess did the things she did.

So eventually Sunset simply stopped and just cried.

Celestia stopped her work and cried as well. Placing her head upon the bed next to her daughters head. Tears pouring from each mare and for one another.

Not a word was said. Sunset fell again into a deep sleep a nightmare slowly overtaking her...Celestia placing her magic over the mare pouring out love and concern.

Night came and ponies came. Coming in and changing bags of medicine, and applying new bandages and quickly leaving.

Celestia had to continue to hold the mare down from time to time her daughters nightmares threatening to cause movement which might otherwise damage her little sunbeam.

The moon again rose and shined down pulsing upon the mare Celestia noticing it. Sunset's whimpers ceased. Her tears stopped flowing. Her features being pulled into a serene look of comfort. Celestia sighed.

She looked at the moon having seen what had occurred.

" Thank you sister...Thank you." Celestia said. The moon glowing a bright white.

" You will both make it through this sister." A voice that came from nowhere, but penetrated Celestia's heart.

Celestia again put a spell upon Sunset just in case she should awaken.

She lit candles and again started on paperwork that was due in the morning. Her fur matted from sweat and tears. Tears which did not cease. Old memories aroused of a nearly a millennium before. Slowly the moon pulsed yet again.

Celestia's mind was overcome.

Her eyelids closed as she slumped upon the pillow upon which she sat and a gentle wind blew out the candles.

This night the fire of rage and sadness had come to coals. Still warm with heat, but a respite well earned by both the aged ruler and her young charge.

So they slept as stars shone. They slept as the moon shone. As for Celestia she slept in peace for the first time in weeks. Nightmares of her failures no longer coming into the confines of her mind. Something which no pony had known of except a dark blue alicorn with hair like the stars. One who had forgiven her sister long ago, and cleansed her own inner nightmare.

Author's Note

I thought I'd get another chapter out of the way. I hope you find it enjoyable. On the plus side another chapter is done! On the down side Sunset now knows Till next time.