Many weeks passed before Rainbow finally was cleared for guests. However the news she received nearly made her wish she was still sleeping. Her body was wrapped from head to tail, hardly leaving room for her to do more than to cry.

8weeks earlier
Ray sat at a lake as ponies went about their business. Not much had happened after his little adventure in the shed. Last he heard, Soren had become a rather popular slut. Spike however seemed to prefer his company more than the Wonerhole. Speaking of the drake…

"Hay Ray!" Spike called running up to him. "You wouldn't believe what ponies were passing out in town… is something wrong?" He asked, hearing Ray sigh.

"I'm just worried about Dash. I know she'll be fine… at least that's what the doctors said… but what if… next time…" Ray groaned, rubbing his head.

Seeing his friend was in pain, Spike quickly pulled him into a hug. "It'll be fine. Everypony thought I'd become a monster if I gave into my greed again. But look at me now." He reassured as he pulled away to stand in front of Ray. It was true that the drake changed. Before he barely stood at eye level with a pony's flank. And now he was at least a head taller than that one white stallion… What was his name? Buck?... Buff?... it had something to do with his muscles. And speaking of muscles. Spike wasn't lacking in those anymore either. "And it's thanks to you that I can control myself."

Ray laughed and shook his head. "Is it that or the fact I made claim to your flank and dick?" He teased, causing Spike to blush and rub the back of his neck. "So what did you…" Ray's words drifted off at seeing the paper and knew what it was. "I have to go." He said getting up and starting for the train station.

"Why what's going on?" Spike asked in concern. "Ray?..."

7weeks till
Twilight paced the floors of the Canterlot throne room with the princesses and her friends watching. "I don't get it. Why would he leave? Who sent those posters? What's going on?"

"I wish I knew." Celestia admitted. "Sadly the only ones that know the truth either won't speak, or are not here to tell us." She added with a sideways glance at her sister.

"It is his choice in the end, sister. And you know it." Luna countered. "We are not his keepers."

"But… but…" Twilight stammered.

"Fear not child." Luna explained. "We have taken measures to ensure that he will be well taken care of." Even though the girls seemed calmed by this news, StarBell only grew more concerned.

6weeks before the news
News quickly spread of a masked singer taking headlines across Mainhattan. However, no matter who the girls asked, nopony seemed to know who it was. And all they were able to talk about was wanting to see the next show.

Each of the girls became concerned about what happened to Ray and how Rainbow would take the news that a friend had left her like this.

5weeks till breakdown
News about Rainbow waking up spurred the girls into desperation to find the truth about what happened to Ray. However it seemed the more time passed, the more distant StarBell became. With each bit of passing news, Twilight became more and more dedicated to her search.

4weeks till the fallout
Much to Twilight's glee, Spike had been hard at work with her. She knew they had been close. And with his new connections with the Wonderbolts. She hoped they would find out what had happened. Sadly it seemed even Discord had decided to stay silent about the news. Something that worried her greatly.

3weeks before the tears
Chrysalis had been moved to the Crystal Empire to help look after FlurryHeart by Twilight's request. The spell keeping her from openly draining ponies was altered so she was only able to take in enough to keep herself fed. However that didn't stop her or the changeling from their concerns.

2weeks before the drama
Finally, a hint about what happened. A news article mentioned a stallion matching Ray's description was seen at a club in the hippogriff kingdom. Twilight couldn't help but to chuckle at knowing what he was doing there. However at the same time. She felt sorry for him as the article mentioned his beaten expression. Now more than ever she had to get him back. Get him home.

1week ago
As Twilight and her friends sat in the map room and searched every newspaper in Equestria. A white stallion made his way over. "You girls should really consider locking the door. Anypony can slip in or out whenever they wish." He laughed.

The girls looked over in shock at the newcomer. "Who are you and what do you want?" Spike snapped.

"Just seeing how things are going." He replied with a shrug. "My name isn't important. Though I wonder… What's a sixth mare with you?"

"Rainbow is in the hospital." Twilight huffed as she turned back to the papers.

"Right… wrong timeline." He muttered. Somehow making a snapping sound with his hoof he asked. "Then how about that other mare? What was her name?... Star Ginggl?... Twinkle Bell?..."

"StarBell?" Pinkie chimed as the girls looked around in shock.

"That's the one. I hope you hear from her soon." He replied, turning to leave. "She seemed like such a nice mare." Before anyone was able to stop him, he was gone.

Outside the hospital after the news
Twilight and her friends sat at a bench with their heads hung. They had just told Rainbow the worst possible thing. And none of them had any ideas on what to do. Worst of all. Pinkie didn't seem to know how to cheer Dash up. Instead she just sat there vibrating and twitching like she was…

The girls looked at their pink friend who was as shocked as they were. Fear and excitement slowly crossed their faces. Nothing like this happened since Twilight learned about…

"Can it be?" Applejack asked shakingly.

"Oh… I truly can go for a bit of good news." Rarity agreed.

"Oh my… it looks like a big one." Fluttershy squeaked.

"Please be something helpful." Twilight pleaded. "Anything."

Before they got any more information, Pinkie suddenly sat still as stone as a look of shock and fear crossed her face. Whatever the twitch was about, had already happened or had just started. And all they can do now is wait.

Author's Note

Sorry for all of you who was hoping for a happy reunion and an easy patch to what happened. But the fun has only begun. Oh, and a quick question. Who thinks their relationships actually lasted the months. Lol find out more in the next chapter. Or not. Lol