The hospital was packed with the wounded. With an onslaught of monsters spilling all over Equestria, soldiers and mages were called from all over, rallying to stem the tide and guide bystanders to safety. A number of well-known protectors, such as the Pillars, put in constant public appearances to assure the citizenry that they would protect them and maintain order.

Sonata's head swam with dizziness, fading in-and-out of consciousness while she was wheeled to her room on a gurney. Her wounds had been hastily patched, and she half-heard somepony say, “She's stable,” but the clinical halls were mostly a partially remembered blur. “S-sisters,” she barely managed to mumble, shaking and reached out a forehoof.

“We're here,” replied Adagio who raced beside her with wings spread and watery eyes. “You'll be okay, I swear it.”

Aria sniffled and slithered on the other side. “I'm sorry. I should've treated you better-”

Sonata laughed weakly. “It's...okay. Just glad you're...here...” She blinked, trying to stay awake.

Sunny turned to Nurse Redheart who was helping a doctor and team of orderlies transport her. “Yo, think she could share a room with Flash Sentry? I mean, lots of company will do them both some good, I think.”

“It's not my call,” said Redheart who looked to the doctor.

He shrugged. “Your instincts have panned out okay so far, Redheart, so I'll leave it to you”

She smiled. “Then we'll try it.” Redheart helped them open the door and guide the gurney into the room. She shot both Flash Sentries a tired smile, the formerly human one having been at his counterpart's bedside nearly the entire time. Sonata was carefully placed in a section nearby, and the orderlies were racing to fetch more supplies to make her nice and comfortable.

“It's a madhouse out there,” said Sunny. “Dozens upon dozens wounded. Not many casualties, thankfully.” She could hear the muffled clop of hooves and a cascade of voices even from here, more battered ponies and other creatures being admitted all the time. Again she couldn't help but think her double could do a whole lot more to help out, if only she were here!

“Try and relax,” called Adagio over her shoulder. “The others will take care of everything.”

“I suppose,” replied Sunny who nervously nibbled on a flower. “How you holding up, Flash?”

“Fine...thanks to all these cuties,” said the pegasus who was wrapped up in his bed with a grin. “Redheart's taken real good care of me!” She blushed when he winked at her, trying to carry herself in her usual professional manner.

“Knock it off,” said the other Flash who sat on a stool. “This is serious. They've all been worried about you.”

“Makes it even better. But seriously, Flash Magnus is out there doing his part, and I'm stuck here. You'll help him in my place, won't you?” His double nodded once. “Good. Without my wings I'm pretty much useless, I'm afraid.”

“I know the feeling,” said Sunny who often felt like her horn was little more than decoration. She reminded herself her pals were out there working with their counterparts to master their new bodies, and she needed to do the same. “Well, I just came to check in, really. I'd only be in the way, so I'm off.” She gave both Flashes a peck on the cheek then cantered out.

*****

“I can slip between dimensions,” explained Beatrix Belladonna while music thudded and neon colors flashed around them in the dance club. “But I can't teleport around at will, I'm afraid. It's only thanks to Sunset Shimmer that I can open up these portals, and even then, it's risky. Always a chance somepony like Shadow Scythe will intercept me!”

“I see,” replied Inky Rose who stood on the railing beside her. “Thanks for taking me here.”

“No problem. Hard to believe they could celebrate with all this nonsense. Or maybe that's exactly why? We could all kick the proverbial bucket at any time, what with this Grogar business. From what I hear he's an ancient evil that's created all kinds of monsters with his magic.... Oh, sorry, we didn't come here to talk about that gloomy stuff. You seen her yet?”

“There,” murmured Inky who spotted the raver pony dancing in the middle of the floor. A pacifier hung from Pacific Glow's neck, and she was covered in some glowing tubes and the like, whirling and working herself up into a frenzy, smiling all the while. Inky sucked in a breath, watching her as tears crept into her eyes. “She looks so happy.” A pained smile crossed her. "She was the closest thing I ever had to a sister, before Sombra..."

For a few minutes they simply observed, the rail trembling a little under the vibrations. She toyed with her hat and asked, “You sure you don't want to say hello? It might be hard to track her down later.”

Inky shook her head. “She's not the same Pacific I knew, not really. Besides, she's made a nice life for herself here, and I wouldn't wish to interfere with that.” She used a silk napkin to dab at her runny mascara. “I'll be fine. Really.”

“Good! Last thing I want to do is depress you, especially when you just came back. It'll take some time, but I'm sure you'll adjust to Equestria. We'll head back when you're ready. Right now I'm Sunset's main link with everypony else, so I can't afford to relax too long, I'm afraid!” She clutched her wide-brimmed hat in her forehooves and watched the dancers below gyrate. They stayed that way for almost an hour, before Inky nodded at her.

Drawing a circle in mid-air with a forehoof, she opened a rift into reality. The bluish-white energy swirled with a low hum, and she tried to locate the faint imprint of Sunset Shimmer in the nexus, waving with a smile and hopeful Grogar hadn't been able to harm her in any way. “After you!” She and Inky stepped through, leaving the noise behind them.

Author's Note

Sorry this one was short, decided to make this chapter a bit of a break, plus I didn't want to leave this tale abandoned far too long if possible!