The princesses turned to look at Doctor Horse, whom did not immediately notice them staring at him. Twilight cleared her throat to grab his attention, and finally he took notice. "Hmm? Oh! The patient, yes...well physically, she seems fine. though a bit of question could be made to her mental state. Her recovery from her injuries was quite impressive. She recovered in just two weeks what would take a normal pony months to heal, without magical aid, of course. I would advise to have someone keep an eye on her, but other than that she is free to go, if you deem it safe, that is, Your Majesties."

Celestia gave a small glance towards Shiera before finally nodding. "It is. However that does bring up the question of what to do with you. Considering your....unusual situation, we can offer you a room and a bed in back in Canterlot Castle. You would be well accomodated as visiting royalty from another....kingdom. It would be interesting to have you with us, Empress Shiera An."

Shiera bit her lip, "No. I will not abide by that title. I died. I am not an Empress anymore."

"Well, technically, dying doesn't actually make one lose their--" Twilight began to interject, but Shiera cut her off with a icy cold stare.

"Dead. Not. An. Empress. Don't call me Pheonix General either! it's just Shiera, got it?!" Shiera exclaimed.

"But--"

"NO!" Shiera paused and saw the shocked expressions on the others, then took a step back before sighing. She hadn't meant to shout. "J-Just drop it, and forget it. Just call me Shiera, okay. I....the memories those titles bring back....i don't want them right now, okay? And i am not staying in a castle. It just feels...awkward..."

Celestia gave a small frown before walking over and draping a wing over Shiera's back. "Then just Shiera it is. But if you aren't staying in the castle, then we still need to find a place to stay. I will not have a guest without a home, especially not in Equestria."

"She can stay with me at the Golden Oaks Library. We have a spare room there. I am sure Spike wouldn't mind, right Spike?"
Twilight offered.

"Huh? Oh, uh, I guess..." Spike said, rubbing the back of his head with a claw, "I mean, yeah, sure! I don't mind at all!" He gave a nervous laugh, but something told Shiera that he was being genuine.

Twilight smiled, "I guess that settles it, then. Does that sound good to you, Shiera?" Shiera nodded. She didn't say anything as she was still fighting back a few memories that had floated back into her mind. Memories of her time as a soldier, and her time as an empress...

A few minutes later, Shiera followed Twilight and Spike towards the hospital exit. The Princesses had stayed behind to speak a little more with Nurse RedHeart and Doctor Hooves. Shiera was curious to see what new strange things awaited her outside. However, before they could make it to the door, a nurse approached them, carrying something that was wrapped very carefully in a towel. "Oh, are you leaving? Here, we were told these were found next to you shortly after you were rescued. They are yours, correct?"

Shiera lifted the covering fold of the towel and her eyes widened, "My swords! They came with me?" She grabbed them, weilding each one in her hooves. She stood on her hind legs to compensate. The swords were exactly as she remembered them. Though something was missing....

"We found them not far from where you landed. We weren't sure what to do with them, so the staff here kept an eye on them," explained Twilight.

Shiera frowned, "But.....where are the sheathes?"

"The....sheathes? What sheathes?"

"The sheathes! You know, the things that you put swords in so that you can carry them without always having to hold them or worry about cutting other people?"

"People? Well, I am sorry, but we didn't find any sheathes around there, it was just you and those swords, i'm sorry." Twilight hung her head in apologies. Shiera sighed.

"Well, i guess i'll have to get new ones....It's okay, i'll just carry them for now." Shiera gave them a few swings, twirling them with a bit a fleurish. At least that hadn't left her. Still it felt awkward. She was holding them with hooves, not hands and fingers, and while the grip was somehow still the same, the feeling wasn't. Her arms still had the same mobility that she was used to, but standing on her hindlegs felt weird. The center of balance was off from what she was used to. She would probably have to relearn how to run and jump using this body, at least whilst weilding her swords. Running and jumping while on all four hooves seemed easy enough to figure out. The question would be, could she do it while on two?

She glanced around and noticed the nervous looks of the ponies around her. She then glanced at the towel that the nurse was still holding. "Do you mind if i keep this for now? At least until i get new, proper sheathes?"

The nurse nodded. Shiera smiled and thank her, then proceeded to wrap the blades back up in the towel. Now the problem of how she was going to carry it occurred to her.

"Why don't you use your magic to hold it, like this?" Twilight asked. Suddenly, Twilight's horn began to glow and the towel levitated into the air, held by her magic. Shiera frowned, "Because i have no idea how to do that. Levitation magic wasn't a necessity of battle magic, at least, not back in my world. Plus, i had hands."

Twilight gave her a curious look, "Hands? What are those?" Shiera merely frowned, "Nevermind, forget it."

"I guess i'll help carry these then. But i think i can teach you how to do it. The Levitation spell is one of the easiest spells to learn, after all," Twilight offered, smiling.

Shiera gave it a moment of thought, "Sure. I would like that. And.....thank you. Even though none of us know what is going on, and despite me being from another world, you and everyone else so far have been so nice to me.....thank you."

Twilight smiled, "No problem, if there's one thing Equestria is known for, its our kindness and friendly attitude!"

Perhaps this world wasn't so bad....it was definitely strange, but definitely not the hell she initially believed it to be. However, only time would tell...

Author's Note

Sorry this chapter took so long. It's been a mixture of a wacky schedule and an awful migraine that kept me from writing it. But now its here! Sorry that it's a bit short, but hopefully i can remedy that with a bit longer chapter in the next chapter.

Anyways, i hope you enjoy!