It Could Always Be Worse,And It Is

“Moon? MOON! Aw, SHIT!” Sun exclaimed as she grabbed her friend and placed her gently on her back. “I’m taking her to the hospital. Meet me there, Dusk!”

Dusk didn’t even have time to prepare a response before Sun was gone, galloping out the door towards the hospital. He just frowned worriedly as he called Barb down to prepare a letter to the Prince regarding Moon’s sudden bout of ill-health.
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“Uhhh, where are we going?” Falling Moon asked.

“Hospital! Try not to move!” Sun replied as she continued to run through the town, narrowly avoiding the growing crowd of ponies.

“Wait, why are we going there?” Falling Moon asked worriedly.

“You just got violently sick Moon. I don’t want it to get any worse without a doctor there to make sure you get better.” Sun stated.

“Ok.” Falling Moon said, putting her face into Rising Sun’s mane.

After a few minutes, they came to the hospital, to be met by Dr.Hooves.

“Get her in here now, and make it fast! Get her into a room!” Dr.Hooves barked to the orderlies behind him, and they scrambled to get the filly into a room.

“Why is he yelling? What is going on?” Falling Moon asked, scared.

“Hey, don’t worry. You’re gonna be ok Moon. I promise.” Sun replied softly, nuzzling her friend as she walked alongside her and the orderlies.

“Where are they taking me then?” Falling Moon asked, looking around the stretcher.

“They’re just taking you to a room so they can make sure you’re alright.” Sun said.

“Yes, that’s what we are doing.” Dr.Hooves lied, whispering to Rising Sun “We need to take her in for surgery. I know what is going on with her. It’s appendicitis , and we need to get her appendix out of her soon.” Dr.Hooves said

“What did he just say to you.” Moon asked.

“They just need to give you something to help you sleep, and when you wake up you’ll be right as rain.” Sun replied, hiding her fear behind a smile.

“Ok, now start running an IV through her, now!” Dr.Hooves stated. The last thing Moon saw before sleep took her was Sun’s face as a single tear leaked out of her eye.
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Moon opened her eyes, only to quickly close them again as she was met with the harsh glare of an overhead lamp. Eventually, she managed to open them slowly enough to adjust. She looked around to find herself in a hospital bed, in what she assumed was a private room. Dusk and Sun were asleep in two small chairs, while Dusk’s assistant Barb was lying on top of Dusk. Moon chuckled a little, before noticing the figure beside her bed. Her face took on a look of confusion mixed with happiness as she saw the sleeping form of her father, Solaris, beside her.

“What is everypony doing here?” Moon asked quietly sneezing as she winced in pain. The sound was barely audible, but it was enough to rouse her father and Sun from their slumber. The moment they realised she was awake, they embraced her.

“Owwie, stop it hurts.” Moon said.

“Sorry Moon, we were just worried. They had to take you in for surgery, and there were, complications.” Sun replied, with worry evident in her voice.

“WHAT!? AM I OK?” Moon shouted, scared for dear life.

“Yes, my little Moon. You are alright. But you’ve been asleep for over a day.” Solaris answered.

“Oh, sorry for that.” Moon said.

“Not your fault Moon. Anyway, there’s something we need to tell you.” Sun replied.

“Huh, well what is it?” Moon asked.

“Falling Moon, Rising sun informed me that while you were camping two nights ago that he was attacked in the Everfree. He also informed me that you do not remember anything of the incident in question. From what he has told me, I have deemed it necessary for Guards to be placed in Ponyville for your protection.” Solaris stated with authority.

“What are you talking about?” Moon asked.

“Moon, the night before last, I got attacked in the woods by a shadow monster. I even lost my leg. Then it suddenly heals, and the next day you don’t remember anything. Solaris performed a scan on me. There was a time-release spell placed on me during the fight, and it erased your more recent memories.” Sun stated.

“Is that bad, auntie?” Moon asked with a hint of worry

“Moon, it means that whoever attacked me, they don’t want you knowing that they’re after you. I’m guessing that whoever they are, they won’t stop until they have you. That’s why your dad and I agreed to have Guards in Ponyville to protect you, but I’ve also been instructed to teach you bladework while both Dusk and I will be teaching you magic.” Sun said, before walking over and smacking Dusk upside the head to wake him up.

“WHA-Is it time for me to send a friendship report?” He asked groggily.

“No jackflank. It’s time for you to explain what you’ll be teaching Moon about magic.” Sun replied, rolling her eyes and eliciting a small chuckle from both Moon and Solaris.

“Wait daddy is everypony here, even Dusk?” Moon asked

“Right now, it’s just the five of us. Everypony else, including your uncle, is outside waiting, and they’ve been waiting ever since you came out of surgery

“Uncle Artemis is here?” Moon asked happily.

“Yes. He is.” Solaris smiled.

“Where is he? I wanna see him!” Moon said, trying to jump out of the bed, only to be held down by both Solaris and Sun.

“Woah, Moon. You just woke up, you need to stay in bed.”

“Awww, but I want to go and see uncle Artemis.” Moon whined.

“Alright my little Moon. Little brother, can you come in please?” Solaris called.

“I don’t see why not.” Artemis said, walking in and smiling when he saw Moon. “So, how are you doing Moony?” He asked.

“Don’t call me Moony!” Moon said with a pout.

“Sorry Moon, but you know I always feel compelled to call you that when I see you.” Artemis replied sheepishly.

“When can I go home.” Moon asked

“Well, now that you’re awake, you can go home any time you want.” Sun replied, smiling.

“Now, come on, now.” Moon said.

“Ok, Moon, calm down. We need to go over a few ground rules first.” Sun stated, earning a groan from Moon.

“Ok, what are they.” Moon asked while groaning.

“One, whenever you go out, you always go with either myself, or a Guard with you.”

“Ok, is that it?” Moon asked

“No. Number two, you will be sleeping in the same room as me.”Sun said

“NO WAY!” Moon shouted

“It’s not up for discussion Moon. They were willing to kill me to get to you. There is no way I’m leaving you alone at night for any reason.” Sun replied forcefully.

“But-” Moon tried to say before being interrupted.

“Please, Moon. I don’t want anything to happen to you. You’re like the closest thing I have to family.” Sun said.

“Fine, I will.” Moon said with a pout

“Ok. The last thing is that you’ll be spending time with Sweepie Bell and his friends. It’s sort of a chance for you to have fun.”

“What, no way! I will not spend time with them.” Moon said.

“Aw, come on. You know you’ll have a good time. Heck, Sweepie has a crush on you.” Sun laughed.

“What, no, I will not if he does.” Moon said, sticking her tongue out.

“Why not? I saw you blushing when he smiled at you, Moon.” Sun smirked, eliciting a laugh from everypony, and dragon, present.

“No, I did not.” Moon said.

“Look, you’re blushing right now! You thinking of him?” Sun asked.

“NO I AM NOT!” Moon shouted.

“Ok, ok. Sorry. But seriously, he really likes you. Can’t you just give him a chance?” Sun asked, holding a hoof up in defence.

“No way, I won’t do it.” Moon protested.

“It’s either that, or you spend every day in your room with only magical theories to study.” Dusk warned.

“But wwhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?” Moon whined.

“Moon, you need some friends your own age. I won’t always be around to do stuff with you, and neither will Dusk or his friends. Heck, even Solaris and Artemis will be busy at times.” Sun said.

“But I don’t want to spend time with boys.” Moon said making a puke noise.

“Moon, please. I don’t want you to grow up and not feel like you have any friends.”

“But boys are gross.” Moon complained.

“Hey, I resent that!” Dusk retorted.

“Point taken.” Barb said, chuckling.

“Anyway, they do all sorts of things to try and get their marks. Maybe you could try alongside them?” Sun offered.

“But I don’t want to.” Moon kept whining.

“Falling Moon, you will spend time with Sweepie Bell and his friends, and you will enjoy it!” Sun replied in a tone that almost rivaled the Royal Canterlot Voice. Almost.

“Fine, if it will get you to shut up.” Moon said

“Thank you. Besides, if they annoy you, I can teach you a cool spell to temporarily turn them into girls.” Sun said with a smirk, ignoring the glares being shot at her.

“Ok, sounds fair.” Moon said.

“Alright, if we’re done here, it’s time to take you back to the library, my little Moon.” Solaris said, scooping her up and placing her on his back with a smile, and she yawned happily, falling asleep as she buried herself in his mane.

“I agree with Moon, all you guys are gross.” Barb said.

“Hey, do you want to spend the next two weeks on dish duty Barb?” Dusk warned.

“So I will be doing a chore I already do.” Barb said.

“Not at the library, at Sugarcube Corner.” Dusk replied with a smirk, remembering how much of a mess Bubble Berry could make

“That is not a fair match. Need I tell prince Solaris about that thing?” Barb said with a smirk of her own.

“I’m afraid that I have no idea what you’re talking about Barb.” Dusk replied, sweating a little.

“Prince Solaris, remember that statue that got shattered?” Barb asked, making Dusk’s eyes grow

“You mean that statue of Starswirl the Longhaired?” Solaris replied with a raised eyebrow.

“The one and the only.” Barb said

“Barb...” Dusk begged.

“I was just wondering if you ever got it fixed.” Barb asked with a lie.

“I didn’t realise it was broken.” Solaris said, frowning.

“Oh, I thought you knew, woops my bad.” Barb said
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“BARB!” Dusk shouted, lunging for the dragoness, who avoided him as easily as if he were standing still, while Moon was snoring away.