"Now tell me what happened to my great-granddaughter.", the dark purple alicorn asked. The statement hung in the air like a thick fog.

Celestia looked up, crying. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out, just a strained squeak.

"I see.", replied the dark purple alicorn, “That bad." He walked forward slowly and sat next to Celestia. "Will she live?"

Celestia tried to speak again but instead of words, bitter sobs came out so she nodded her head.

"One last question.", the dark purple alicorn said, "Why did you destroy your room instead of blowing the top off a mountain where nopony lives or go into the void above the world and shatter a few asteroids?"

Celestia wrapped her forelimbs around the shoulders of the dark purple alicorn and wept. "Help me, Midnight!", she whispered, "I'm so scared! Twilight will never have the use of her hind legs again. The world seems so dark and it feels like this terrorist is stealing the light." Tears and snot ran down her face onto Midnight's shoulder.

"Celestia, why do you weep so?", Discord whispered into Celestia's mind, "Is this not now the time for vengeance? Just call on me and I'll help you. No more tears. I promise."

Midnight felt the presence of Discord's mind. Closing his eyes, he focused his mind. "Discord, why do you plague my sister in her moment of weakness? Be gone!"

Discord recoiled slightly at the presence of Midnight. "Ah, Prince Midnight! Such a warming family reunion.", Discord's mind projected. If he could have steepled his fingers, he would, instead he resigned himself to sounding condescending. "The only member of your little family that can truly hide themselves from my power and sight. The near fatal injury of Twilight Sparkle must have ignited your anger to bring you out from whatever dusty ruin you were exploring. So tell me, are you still trying to find a way to save your first son Sombra from his own madness?"

"You will not mention his name!", Celestia projected, "When we learned of Sombra's fall into madness and corruption we all tried to save him."

"And look where that got poor Luna. He was able to twist her mind and corrupt her bringing forth the small kernel of jealousy she harbored driving her into madness.", Discord projected.

Midnight's anger burned. "And look what happened to you Discord. You used to be a spirit of change that strove all creatures to be their best. After her death, you were so driven by your own anguish that it twisted you into the mad lord we all now know."

Discord scoffed in anger. "Don't you dare mention her name! She was the only truly bright part in this world. Maybe you forgot how Celestia and Luna used to compete for the affections of Starswirl and how it utterly crushed them when he passed?"

"Is that what Somnambula would have wanted? Attacking a pony at their weakest and laying bare old scars?", Midnight projected smirking.

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO MENTION HER NAME!", Discord's mind screamed before regaining his composure, "You wound me so. I come not as an enemy, but as a friend delivering a message."

Celestia projected, "Then say your message and leave."

Discord's mind cleared his throat, it was unnecessary but who was he to pass up a little bit of theatrics. "One pony possesses three heads who hides a fourth inside. Laughter turns to madness as it threatens to drown the world in darkness. But even in this late hour hope gleams as new life buds. I bid you adieu and Celestia, do think about my offer." With that Discord's mind was gone.

Midnight helped Celestia to her hooves. He levitated her dented crown and repaired it with his magic before placing it on her head. "Be angry, but temper your wrath and resolve big sister. Remember that you're not just a ruler of our fair land, but you're also a teacher and role model. Be the leader in this dark time our little ponies need. You don't carry the sun, you also govern fire, light and hope. Right now we all need that shining beacon of hope to dispel the shadows." He hugged her before walking to one of the shattered windows.

"Where are you going?", asked Celestia, "I need my baby brother who is the master of secrets."

"Fear not dear sweet Celestia, I go to find the secrets on this criminal. This is now a matter of family.", Midnight replied, "When you see Twilight Velvet, apologize to her for me for not visiting sooner and not being around to see her children grow up into such strong ponies." He vanished in a puff of smoke.

Celestia walked to the window and pondered Discord's riddle. Her eyes went wide with realization, "New life! Twilight’s in estrus!" She teleported to Ponyville.

Luna quickly ushered Rarity, Rainbow and Spike into an empty room in the hospital. "Lock the door and don't open it for anypony but myself or Celestia." she said.

"Where ever are you going, princess?", Rarity asked.

"To get your friends. Remember, do not open this door for anypony but myself or Celestia.", Luna stated with urgency, "If anypony tries to get past the door, don't try and fight, just get out any you can and run." She closed the door and felt a sense of satisfaction when she heard the deadbolt latch. "Room three-oh-four, room three-oh-four, room three-oh-four!". she repeated to herself several times to commit to her memory. Igniting her magic, she summoned every key to the room and bound them in a key chain constructed from her magic. As Luna walked through the waiting room Celestia appeared in a flash of light. "Tia?"

"Twilight's in estrus!", Celestia said in urgency.

"Pardon?", Luna asked.

"The criminal didn't just cripple her, the criminal's thugs also raped her!", said Celestia trying to keep herself from shouting, "She probably started in the last day or two so her hormones wouldn't have had time to build up to drive her to mate, but her egg cell has probably descended."

Luna gasped in shock. "Go and confirm it sister." She levitated the keys over Celestia, "Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Spike are in room three-oh-four."

Taking the keys in her magic Celestia said, "Don't you think this a little bit excessive?"

"Not as excessive as your little 'remodeling' project."

"Point taken.", Celestia clucked as Luna ran out the hospital and teleported off.

Luna appeared at the front door of the farmhouse on Sweet Apple Acres. She lifted a hoof and knocked loudly on the door.

Lights came on as Big Mac opened the door. "C'n Ah help ya, princess?", he asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Luna pushed her way inside. "Where's Applejack?"

Applejack came walking down the stairs clumsily wearing a nightgown. "Who is it...oh hi Princess! What c'n Ah do ya fer?"

"I need you to come with me now! I'll explain at the hospital."

"Th' hospital? Is somepony hurt?", she asked. Seeing the urgency on Luna's face she said, "Okay, lemme jus' get my-whoa whoa!", she exclaimed as Luna Lifted her with her magic.

"No time!", Luna said sharply, "Whatever you need will be provided for you soon." turning to Big Mac she said, "Get your family out of Ponyville as soon as you can, it's not safe here and don't worry about your crops, my sister and I will compensate you." She teleported off to Fluttershy's with Applejack. Reaching the front door of the cottage, she knocked loudly.

A light came on as soft hoofsteps were heard inside. "Who-who is i-it?", Fluttershy said barely above a whisper on the other side of the door.

"Open up Fluttershy, it is I princess Luna!"

Fluttershy nervously opened the door. "H-how can I-I help you, princess?", she asked demurely.

"Scatter your animals and come with me. It's not safe for you here."
When Fluttershy waffled, Luna grabbed her with her magic. Giving a shout in the Royal Canterlot Voice, she sent the animal running. "Good, now we go!" Lighting her magic as she prepared to teleport, Luna paused as she felt something watching her from the edge of the Everfree forest. Not giving it another thought, she teleported herself, Fluttershy and Applejack to the hospital.

The Mare Who Laughs was hiding on the edge of the Everfree forest watching Fluttershy's cottage. She was surprised to see Luna teleport in with Applejack. She ducked behind a tree keeping her eyes on the situation as she smiled wickedly. When Luna teleported off with Applejack and Fluttershy she began laughing hoarsely, "Heeheehee-hahaha-hoohoohoo! What have you got planned, princess? No matter! I'll just have to change my party plans!" Looking down, she saw a grey bunny hop up to her. Raising a hoof, she crushed its head, laughing. Angel Bunny was hiding in a nearby bush. He narrowed his eyes in anger at seeing the unjust killing of one of his kinsbunnies. He secretly swore revenge.

Celestia walked to where Twilight was being held for observation.

A nurse walked in front of Celestia to block her. "Visiting hours are over, Your Highness. Ms. Sparkle needs her rest."

"Move!", Celestia ordered, "This supersedes your hospital's rules." When the nurse planted her hooves, Celestia levitated the nurse and gently placed her aside. As she walked into Twilight's room, the nurse ran to a nearby desk and picked up the phone. She walked up next to Twilight's bedside seeing her sleeping fitfully. Lighting her magic Celestia gently probed Twilight's womb. She felt the fertilized egg as it descended into her womb. "So it's true.", she whispered.

Twilight groaned as she woke up. "P-princess? What's the matter?"

"Twilight, you're in estrus.", Celestia whispered wishing it wasn't true, "You're pregnant."

"What?!", Twilight exclaimed as she was now fully awake, "I-I mean I knew I was going into estrus soon but I thought I had another couple of days." She tapped her forehead with a hoof. "Crap! Today's the thirteenth which means...", she began mumbling some numbers, "...I should have had another couple of days before the hormones kicked in full force to trigger my rutting instinct. I had even made sure to stock up on potions and contraceptives in my room."

"It's not too late.", Celestia said gently, "If you want, I can terminate it so you won't have to go through the pregnancy. Your body will still produce the hormones to trigger your mating instinct, but you won't have an unwanted pregnancy."

"No!”, Twilight exclaimed as she moved a hoof to her stomach defensively, "I didn't want to get pregnant and I thank you for giving me the option, princess. A vile act may be responsible for me getting pregnant, but too much death has already happened and the world needs some life. This little one will give me a reason to fight." Her eyes became fierce as her face became hard. "Once the criminal finds out I'm still alive she'll come after me again." Her voice took on a harsh tone, "I want her to know I'm alive so that she knows that she failed."

Celestia clicked her tongue thoughtfully. All that her faithful student had endured and she was still willing to fight. It wasn't so long ago that she was a sheepish bookworm that avoided making friends. Now she was a hero and the criminal had just awakened a fierce warrior. She caressed Twilight's cheek with a hoof. "Such strength, such determination. I'm proud of you Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student.", Celestia said beaming down at her, "Luna is out gathering your friends. When she gets back we're taking you all to Canterlot where we can keep you all safe."

The doctor burst into the room. She said in a firm voice, "Princess! I must protest, Miss Sparkle needs-"

Celestia cut the doctor off with a glare. "How soon can you have Twilight Sparkle ready to move?", she asked firmly, "The terrorist who attacked her is still in Ponyville and she's not safe here."

The doctor's eyes went wide for a moment. She sputtered for a moment before replying, "We can have her ready to move in the hour."

Celestia levitated the notepad and pen out of the doctor's lab coat pocket. She hastily scrawled a note and teleported it to the castle medical wing. "You have twenty minutes.", she ordered, "Luna will be here soon. Make sure we have all necessary charts. For all intents and purposes you are to make it look like she is still here, even if it means you have to lay in the bed pretending to be her. If anypony comes asking about her, find a way to keep them from finding she isn't here. Do whatever you need to, lie, attack them, whatever the staff here feels is necessary. You have your orders, go!"

The doctor nodded and hurried out the room calling for the nurses. They brought in a backboard and strapped Twilight to it. They gently lifted her onto a gurney. They passed Celestia Twilight's charts, she teleported them to the castle medical wing. They then disconnected the monitors from Twilight.

"Move! Move!", Luna exclaimed as she hurried up with Applejack, Rainbow, Rarity, Fluttershy and Spike in tow.

Fluttershy gasped seeing, Twilight strapped to a backboard. She rushed over to her. "Twilight! Are you okay?", she said softly, deep worry in her voice.

"Yes Fluttershy, I'm okay.", Twilight replied.

"Ah know when yer lying, sugarcube.", Applejack said walking up still in her nightgown, "Nopony who is okay is strapped to a backboard inna hospital. B'sides, we c'n all see yer practically scared outta yer hide."

Twilight looked away scared. "I don't want to talk about it."

"You've never kept a secret from us.", Rainbow snipped, "What's got you so scared? You owe us that much."

"Rainbow Dash!", Rarity snapped, "Can't you see the poor dear is scared out of her wits? Give her a little time to deal with what happened to her before making demands to tell us."

"No, Rainbow's right. I should tell you now, it won't be easier later, so I should get it over like snatching off a bandage quickly.", Twilight replied. She sighed to brace herself as tears began to glisten in her eyes. "The terrorist got into the library and attacked me. She threw me off the second floor landing and I hit a bookshelf on the way down, breaking my back. While I laid on the floor helpless, she had two of her thugs rape me." She closed her eyes tight as a tear trickled out.

With the last part her four friends instinctively tucked their tails between their legs.

Rainbow flopped down hard on her plot. "Fuck me. I regret pushing for the info now." She turned her head away so her friends couldn't see her tears.

Applejack tried to talk but could only babble incoherently. She laid her head on Twilight's legs as she cried softly.

Twilight looked down at Applejack, "I can't feel your head on my legs." Applejack's eyes widened in horror.

Rarity held a hoof over her mouth to stifle her sobs. "I know I say it a lot, but this is the worst thing ever."

Fluttershy held Twilight's hoof in her's, gently. She took a sniff and her eyes went wide. "You're in estrus aren't you?"

Twilight nodded. "Yes...", she said, her voice quavering, "..and I just found out I'm pregnant."

All her friends' eyes went so wide that they looked like they would fall out their head.

"Okay princess, we've got Ms. Sparkle ready to move.", the doctor said.

Luna quickly gathered all four of Twilight's friends around her, the two princesses lit the magic in their horn and teleported the group. When they arrived in the medical wing a medical team was waiting. The medical team quickly scattered the four mares and began hurrying Twilight to a spinal trauma room.

"Why don't you all go to the cafeteria? She's in good hooves now.", Celestia said as she yawned, "I'm going to lay down. Come wake me when it is time to raise the sun."

Luna nodded as she walked with the four mares and Spike to the cafeteria. As they entered the cafeteria, Shining Armor was sitting at a table crying, looking much the worse for wear as Cadance rubbed her cheek against his, trying to calm him down. She also looked bedraggled.

Looking up, Shining Armor saw Luna walking up. "I-is Twily going to be okay?", he asked as tears streamed down his face.

Luna sat down next to Shining and placed a hoof on his back. "Yes, Twilight will be okay. We have her here in the medical wing. Once they are done assessing her they'll move her to a private room and then you can see her."

"What happened?", Shining asked.

"She was attacked by the terrorist. I'll let her tell you the details when you go see her.", Luna said, "There's no way to lessen the blow. She may never have the use of her hind legs and may be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. I know you're angry and scared, you need to be strong for your sister. Think about how scared she is right now."

Shining wiped the tears from his eyes and set his jaw. He let his face become a hard mask, though the fear still showed in his eyes. "If I find this scum, I'll tear her apart!"

"Not if I find her first.", Luna said in a harsh tone, her eyes hard.

Fluttershy, Spike, Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow got some coffee and sat a round table together.

"This sucks.", Rainbow grumble

"Big fat floppy ones.", Rarity interjected, all pretense of proper etiquette gone.

"Did Twi know something was gonna tuh happen an' that's why she sent Spike over to Rares?", Applejack sighed.

"I don't wanna think about it. Some part of me wants this to be a bad dream and when I wake up, everything will be just like it always is." Spike said, pinching himself.

"First Pinkie, then Twilight." Rainbow sniffled. She laid her head on the table and began to cry. "I'm so scared!" Her chest heaved with sobs as her tears pooled on the table.

Fluttershy thumped her hoof angrily on the table as she ground her teeth. Her voice was not her normal sweet and demure tone, but a deadly snarl, "Nopony hurts my friends! Nopony! If I find her, I'll rip out her heart and eat it in front of her as she dies." She began to vibrate with anger as her eyes burned with lethal rage.

The other three mares and Spike glanced at the former Fluttershy now the Flutterbeast of rage and vengeance.

Cadence walked over and sat down. "I know you are all scared, hurt and angry. I'm just as scared, hurt, and angry as you are, but we need to hold ourselves together for Twilight's sake. She's going to need our strength now more than ever." She looked over at the angrily vibrating Fluttershy. "Why don't you step outside and vent before you explode."

Fluttershy shoved away from the table and stomped outside, A moment later a roar erupted to rival the Royal Voice, "AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" After the roar had died down, loud thumping could be heard as a stream of unintelligible curses poured in from outside. Several minutes later Fluttershy walked in, she was drooling and her right forehoof was bleeding, leaving bloody hoofprints behind her. She still looked angry but was no longer vibrating.

"Feel better?", Cadence asked.

Fluttershy shook her head no as she sat down at the table.

Rarity Walked over and levitated a few napkins. "Let me help you with that dear." She pressed the napkins into Fluttershy's hoof to help stem the bleeding. She lit her magic and helped numb the pain.

Two guards came in through the backdoor of the cafeteria. "Princess, there have been reports of a monster outside the medical wing!", the first guard said.

Luna stood up and walked over to the guards. "Nay, private. Twas no monster or beast but Fluttershy venting her anger", she said in a regal tone. When the guards went to walk over to Fluttershy, Luna halted them with a flick of her wing then gestured for them to leave.

Rarity escorted Fluttershy to get her hoof bandaged.

After a couple of hours, a nurse walked in the Cafeteria. "Captain Shining Armor, Princess Cadance? We have Twilight Sparkle resting comfortably in a private room. She has asked to talk to you two.", he said. The nurse led Shining and Cadence to Twilight's private room. "She's right inside.", he said softly.

Shining and Cadence walked in the room, seeing Twilight laying on the bed. She looked up at them, her expression neutral but her eyes showed the fear she was truly feeling.

"Twily!", Shining called out as he ran to her side. The dam burst as he grabbed her hoof with both his forehooves and laid his face against her cheek crying.

Twilight sniffled as she wrapped her other forelimb around Shining's neck.

Cadence walked up and laid a forehoof one of Twilight's hind legs. "How ya holding up Twilight?"

Twilight looked to Cadance and frowned slightly seeing her hoof on her hind leg. "Cadence, I can't feel your hoof on my leg even though I know it's there.", she whispered.

Cadence lifted her hoof at the revelation. Tears began to trickle down her cheeks as she placed her hoof over her mouth to stifle a whimper. Her memories went to the skinny little filly she used to foalsit. She remembered her dancing like a spastic to her favorite music. She remembered wanting to see Twilight dance at her and Shining's wedding. Now she wouldn't even be able to walk. She began to sob softly as fat tears rolled down her cheeks.

Twilight gestured Cadence to her with a forelimb. The three hugged crying softly.

Once they had finally quit crying, Shining parted from the hug and wiped the last of the tears from his eyes. "Tell me what happened, Twily.", he said.

Twilight looked away for a second as she gently nudged Cadence back. Taking a breath to steel herself, she said, "I'm pretty sure you've been told about the terrorist attacking me, I'm sure mom and dad know too. When she attacked me, I was thrown off the second story landing in the library and I came down on a bookshelf on the way down and well...", she tapped one of her hind legs for effect, "...while I was laying on the floor helpless the terrorist had two thugs with her who raped me. After her thugs were finished with me, they set the library on fire. I must have blacked out not long after that because the next thing I remember I was in the emergency room. I want you to thank whoever found me and got me out of there."

Cadance and Shining gasped at the news.

Shining plopped hard on his haunches. "Will you be able to walk?"

"No.", Twilight said softly, "I know the doctors here and in Ponyville are trying to be optimistic, but I can't feel or move my hind legs."

Cadence sniffled before pausing as she caught the faint smell of estrus hormones. She sniffed a few more times to make sure. Lighting her magic, she scanned Twilight. She sensed the fertilized egg beginning to nestle into Twilight's womb.

"Twilight, you're pregnant!"

Shining snapped his head up in shock. "What?!"

"I know.", Twilight replied, "Celestia found out I had just started estrus."

"Are you keeping it?", Cadence asked.

"Yes."

"Why?", Shining asked, "What they did to you was wrong and you shouldn't have to bear this burden."

Twilight reached out a hoof to gently brush Shining's cheek. "There has been enough death in this world and I feel it needs some life. Besides, the little one gives me something to fight for."

Shining shook his head, finding it all hard to comprehend.

"Shiny...", Cadence said gently, "...you know as well as anypony that Twilight has always been a proponent of the right for ponies to choose. We don't have to like it, but we do have to respect her choice."

"Look at it like this Shiny, you don't just get to be my BBBFF, but you also get to be a BUFF...best uncle friend forever."

Shining chuckled at the moniker. "You're damn right, I'll be the best uncle ever!"

"That's right, you'll be the best uncle ever!", Twilight agreed softly as she pulled Shining and Cadence over for a hug.

There was a soft knock at the door.

"Come in!", Twilight said.

The door creaked open, slowly revealing Night light and Twilight Velvet. Both looked bedraggled and had bloodshot eyes from crying. Twilight gestured for them to come in for a hug.

In Ponyville, Midnight was standing on the train platform watching Granny Smith, Big Mac, Applebloom, Hondo Flanks, Cookie Crumbles and Sweetie Belle get on the late train. He had obfuscated himself from the minds of the ponies. As he watched the six ponies board the train he saw an oddly smiling white mare following them several body lengths behind. Narrowing his eyes in suspicion he quietly slipped on the train.

It was an hour before the sun was supposed to be raised, Celestia was sleeping on a cot in the medical wing giving the occasional loud snort, her vestments and crown were neatly stacked at the head of the cot. A heavily muscled alicorn stallion with a bronze coat and slate-grey flowing mane walked up to Celestia nudging her slightly. Celestia snorted and mumbled, "Yes, I'll have the double cherry Manehattan cheesecake."

The alicorn stallion nudged her again.

Celestia rolled over snorting loudly, she waved a hoof and mumbled, "Five more minutes."

The stallion placed a hoof on Celestia's shoulder and shook her vigorously.

Celestia shot up. "All right! All right! I'm-Bulwark!" She threw her forelimbs around the alicorn stallion's neck hugging him.

Bulwark chuckled. "Good to see you too little sister and I see you're still as difficult to wake up as ever. If I remember correctly, Starswirl had to practically flip the bed to get you to wake up.", he said in a deep rumbling voice as he embraced Celestia.

Luna walked in to where Celestia was sleeping. "Alright sister, time to-BIG BROTHER!" She ran over hugging Bulwark.

"Good to see you too baby sister!", Bulwark laughed.

"Why are you here? Last I heard you were living in a hut outside Trottingham.", Celestia yawned. She blinked blearily, "I need some coffee."

As they walked to the cafeteria Bulwark said, "Midnight sent me to keep an eye on his great-granddaughter while he was investigating who it was that attacked her."

Celestia pours herself a cup of coffee, takes a sip, and winces at the taste. "Ack! I really should get better coffee for the medical staff.", she says wrinkling her nose. She opens several packets of sugar and pours them in until it is basically brown sugar water. She takes another sip, wrinkles her nose that it now tastes like bitter sugar. She looks over the small assortment of sweets laid out in trays, she levitates a doughnut and sits at a table. She takes a bite of the doughnut, scrunches up her face and tosses it in a trashcan. "Yuck! Stale! So back to the topic at hoof. I'm scared for Twilight. She's more than just my great-grandniece, she's my loyal student and my friend. I watched her grow up, I taught her, I made Cadance her foalsitter. She has saved Equestria alongside her friends, she saved Luna from her madness and brought her back to us. Through her own brilliance, courage and friendship she has saved so many. Now she lays in a bed with her back broken knowing she'll never walk again and yet, despite all the fear, she shows true strength."

"And how are you holding up little sister?", Bulwark asked.

"I feel like I'm dangling by a fraying thread that is about to snap at any moment.", Celestia replied, "When I saw her laying in the hospital back in Ponyville I completely lost it and utterly destroyed my room in a fit of rage and fear. I feel like the whole world is coming apart around me and it's taking everything I have to not just completely fall apart myself." She closed her eyes fighting back tears.
The three sat at the table in silence for an hour before Luna lowered the moon and Celestia raised the sun.

Luna yawned. "I think I'll get some sleep." She teleported to her room.

"I think I'll check on Twilight before I have to tend to my daily duties.", Celestia said standing.

Midnight sat in a seat watching the oddly smiling mare. He watched as she reached under mane, pulling out a pen and pad. When the train stopped at Appleloosa he watched as she wrote down as the Apple family got off. He used his magic to subtly implant in their minds to hop the nearest carriage to go somewhere else. He then implanted in the minds of the Belle family to get off at the next stop and get a carriage to anywhere else. He then turned his attention back to the smiling mare. A subtle twitch played across her neck and she slowly turned her head towards him. He found he was staring into the face of madness and evil. She rubbed her cheeks as she leaned side to side. "She can't see me but she can feel my presence. There's only one family that is that perceptive.", he thought.

Celestia quietly walked into Twilight's room. In one corner Cadance and Shining were sitting in chairs leaning up against each other holding hooves in their sleep. In another corner Night Light was stretched across two chairs sleeping as he snored. Twilight Velvet was asleep in a chair by her daughter's side, her head resting on her shoulder and a forelimb stretched across her chest in a protective, motherly manner. "It's been too long since I was a mother again.", Celestia thought.

Twilight began to twitch and mumble in her sleep. Suddenly she sat up wide awake screaming. Every pony in the room woke up with a start. Twilight began looking around the room in a panic as she hyperventilated. Celestia hurried over as Twilight Velvet began shushing her daughter. When Twilight realized where she was, she began to cry. Whenever she tried to talk, only sobs would come out. Twilight Velvet gently shushed in her daughter's ear as she stroked her mane.

"It's okay, my faithful student, you're safe here in the castle.", Celestia said gently stroking Twilight's forelimb.

A nurse hurriedly enters the room. "Is everypony okay?"

"Yes,", Twilight Velvet says as she calmed her daughter, "She had a night terror."

The nurse walked over to the bed, pulled out Twilight's chart and wrote in it. "The doctor figured she'd have them and we'll schedule her some counseling in a few days." The nurse quickly flipped through the chart, clucking her tongue in thought. "If everything goes well, we can begin Ms. Sparkle's physical therapy and fore body strength training." She returned the chart before saying, "Breakfast will be starting in a few minutes. I figured you all might want to get something to eat. Oh, before I go Ms. Sparkle, do you have any dietary restrictions based of food allergies, pre-existing medical conditions or religion?"

Twilight shook her head feebly.

"Alright dearie, the orderlies will have breakfast brought up to you. Try and relax if you can until then, Ta-ta!", the nurse said before giving a curtsy to Celestia, "Princess." The nurse left closing the door gently behind her.

"Twilight, are you okay?", Celestia said with concern.

Twilight nodded her head before replying in a shaky voice, "Yes, I just had a nightmare that I was still trapped in the library with her."

"If you need me or Luna for anything, don't hesitate to ask.", Celestia said. She teleported off to Twilight's friends’ rooms. Celestia arrived in the wing of the castle reserved for when the element bearers arrived in town. Gently opening Applejack's door, she peered seeing her snoring loudly and mumbling about bucking apples. She made a mental note to put AJ in charge of the royal orchards, Opening Rainbow's door, she saw her hanging partially off a cloud bed which made Celestia chuckle. She made a mental note to put Rainbow on the Canterlot weather team. Opening Rarity's door, she saw her sleeping with a mask on her face and the green mud mask she liked. Spike was curled up in a basket on Rarity's bed. Twilight would need her number one assistant now more than ever, but until she was released from the medical wing, she was content to let him sleep here. She made a mental note to offer Rarity a place being the palace's interior coordinator. She opened the door to Fluttershy's room and was surprised to see her pacing around the room angrily, looking exhausted.

"Couldn't sleep?", Celestia asked.

Fluttershy shook her head as she continued pacing.

Celestia walked into the room and sat on Fluttershy's bed. She patted a hoof for her to sit down. When Fluttershy sat next to her, Celestia sighed, "I know you're angry and scared. I'm angry and scared too."

"I'm not scared, I'm fucking pissed. I want to strangle this criminal until she dies. I want to feel her pulse stop under my hooves and look in her eyes as the light fades from them. I want the last thing she sees is what happens when somepony hurts my friends!", Fluttershy snarled as a shiver of anger ran up her body.

Celestia tapped her chin with a hoof as she clicked her tongue. "All good points. But don't go so deep into your anger that you lose sight of yourself. Being angry is fine, but don't lose the kind part of yourself. Right now we must all put on a brave face for Twilight. She's going to need all of us now more than ever.", Celestia said, "And try to get some rest, even if you can't sleep."

Fluttershy gave a nod as Celestia rose from the bed.

Closing the door behind her, Celestia said to herself, "May the stars have mercy on the souls of those who try to harm any of Fluttershy's friends."

Opening the door to Twilight's room in the wing, Celestia made mental notes on the renovations not only to this room, but to the castle as a whole to help Twilight to get around, even if it meant she had to give up cake forever. Pausing at Pinkie's old room that had been turned into a shrine to her memory. "Where have you been taken to, Pinkie?", she asked nopony in general. She made a mental note to always raise a glass in toast to Pinkie whether she had ever returned to her friends or was truly dead. Celestia blinked back a few tears as she went about her daily duties.

Midnight sat across from the wickedly smiling mare constantly watching her. After an hour, the Belle family got off at a small junction in the middle of nowhere. He watched as the mare wrote on her pad and paper. After the train had taken off, the mare had gotten up and began walking back towards the dining car. Midnight followed several body lengths behind her. As the mare walked into the dining car, Midnight used his powers to phase through the door so as to not give away his only advantage. Still obfuscating himself from the minds around him he watched as the smiling mare sat at the bar staring in the mirror.

On the whole train ride, The Mare Who Laughs couldn't shake the feeling something was watching her intently. She couldn't put a hoof on it. just an occasional twitch in her neck or back, she never saw anything, but she could still feel the eyes on her. She made her way into the dining car and sat at the bar. When asked what she wanted, she just waved the server off as she looked in the mirror. Pursing her lips thoughtfully as she looked in the mirror for some sign of what was watching her. She saw it! It was ever so subtle, but as ponies would walk by, they would walk around some invisible obstacle like they saw it, just didn't perceive it. She stood up and walked slowly to the caboose.

Midnight followed the smiling mare as she walked to the caboose. As he phased through the door he saw her standing in front of the open door to the outside facing him. He crept closer watching her. He froze as she popped a salute in his direction before leaping backwards off the train. Moving to the door he saw her standing in the middle of the tracks waving at him before running off. Midnight glowered for a moment before closing the door and teleporting off to Canterlot.

Celestia sighed as she sat in the throne room. She held a pair of reading spectacles up to her eyes. She didn't need them, she just felt it gave her a more wizened look that helped put her subjects a little more at ease. She had a few minutes before Prince Blueblood and his band of sycophants would come in to bombard her with another request for another increased royal stipend so he could fund his new manor in the countryside, claiming it was for official functions. She knew what it was for. He enjoyed participating in the orgies of that old fertility cult and wanted to build a pleasure palace. She had told him no multiple times, and had even threatened to bring him before the council of nobles to bring up charges of corruption if he kept trying to find a way to use government money for personal expenditures. She had once even considered granting it to him only to have Luna send her night guard to seize his holding once it was finished.

Celestia picked up the expense report for the repairs to her room for the umpteenth time this morning. As Prince Blueblood walked into the throne room with his foppish manner, she smirked at the thought of summoning Bulwark in here as he had a way of intimidating others without saying a word or doing anything. Midnight appeared in a puff of purple smoke startling Blueblood and his sycophants. Celestia looked over the top of her glasses and allowed herself the slightest of smiles.

As Midnight walked towards the throne, Blueblood spoke up, "Your majesty! This is against all protocol! I was first on the docket!"

Celestia put aside her spectacles, leaned forward and rose to her full height. "Blueblood! You will stop this incessant whining and show proper respect to Prince Midnight or I shall have you brought before the royal council to have you disinherited and your lands and titles rescinded.", she chided, "And before you ask, no I shall not increase your stipend. If you want to build your pleasure temple to that fertility cult, sell some of your excess finery."

Blueblood looked absolutely flustered before he finally bowed before Midnight. As he rose, he gave a soft scoff.

Celestia allowed her ear to twitch in irritation. "In case you haven't noticed, there is a wanted terrorist loose in Equestria. What would you have me do, divert essential resources from finding this criminal so you can build some frivolous vanity project?"

"Of course not your majesty. But fifty thousand bits a month is hardly enough for one to live on.", Blueblood retorted.

Celestia had made Blueblood flustered, now she would make him squirm. She put on a hard expression. "Did you know that there are ponies who live on less than thirty bits a month? Maybe if you would pull your face from between the thighs of whatever mare or stallion that suits your fancy for longer than to come to me for more money like some beggar and actually look around, you might be able to actually solve a problem or two. Get out." As Blueblood turned to leave, Celestia spoke up again, "And Blueblood, come before asking to have your stipend increased again and I shall decrease it to zero."

She allowed herself a smile of satisfaction as Blueblod winced as he walked out. After she ordered the guards out, she and Midnight broke out in snorting laughter.

"That's the one thing I missed about the royal court, dear sister.", Midnight chuckled, "Watching you make some sniveling royal flinch with a few measured words or watching Bulwark make them cower with but a glance. Can Luna still make them piss themselves just by taking a step forward?"

"She has gotten even more devious. She just casts an illusion spell to make herself look like she still has fangs and then just sneers.", she said with clucking laughter.

After the two had finished sharing a laugh, Midnight cleared his throat, regaining his composure.

As his face went stern, he said with a deadly seriousness, "I bring grim news, Celestia. The terrorist can sense me when I am concealing myself. I've only ever came across one family whose perceptions were that strong."

Author's Note

Thank you all you beautiful people for reading my story.
I want to give a special thanks to The_Darker_Fonts for the edit, go to his page and show him some love.