Chapter 14: A Sparkling Awakening

In the hospital in Maretime Bay, in one room, Twilight Sparkle was still unconscious. But through her mind, she was remembering something. Something from before she was crystallized.

"No! My magic! What have you done?!"

"It wasn't your magic to begin with, Opaline! It belonged to everyone! And You won't take it from anyone, ever... again!"

"NOOOOOOOOO!!"

Twilight then opened her eyes. She then gasped and sat up. She put a hoof to her chest. She then looked around at the room. She saw that she was in a hospital room.

"I'm... in a hospital?" Twilight asked. She then looked towards the door. She then tried getting out of bed, but something was in her forelegs. She looked at it and saw it was an IV tube stuck in. She then looked around and saw the equipment that was connected to her. "How... long was I out?" She then saw a table with a hospital menu and a TV remote. She then looked at the wall on the other side of the room and saw a TV there.

Twilight then tried using her magic to lift up the remote, but it glitched out and the magical hold around the remote dissipated. Twilight put a hoof to her head as if she had received a migraine. Twilight then sighed. She then used her hooves to grab the remote and turn on the TV. On the TV were the two news reporter pegasi, Skye Silver and Dazzle Feather.

"Good morning, everypony," Skye Silver said. "I'm Skye Silver."

"And I'm Dazzle Feather, bringing you the news to everypony," Dazzle said. "It's gonna be a nice clear and sunny day. Although, there is a severe heat warning today. Afraid it's even too hot to head on down to the Boardtrot."

Twilight turned off the TV and raised an eyebrow. She then said, "What the hay is a Boardtrot?" Just then, a nurse walked in, and she was surprised that Twilight was awake.

"Oh, dear!" the nurse said. Twilight turned her head towards the nurse. "You're awake."

"I'm sorry," Twilight said. "I guess I should've called out for somepony when I found out I was in a hospital."

"So, is it... Princess Twilight Sparkle?" the nurse asked.

"Yeah," Twilight said. She then felt another migraine. "Ow. My head hurts. It doesn't help when I'm trying to use magic."

"I guess you were crystallized for a long, long time," the nurse said.

"How long was I gone?" Twilight asked.

"Unclear, but you were brought in a few days ago," the nurse responded.

"By who?" Twilight asked.

"The local heroes who brought back magic," the nurse said.

"Wait, brought back magic?!" Twilight asked, the heart rate monitor beeping faster. "That means Opaline will be..."

"The local heroes defeated Opaline," the nurse said, cutting off Twilight. "She's no longer a problem."

"Opaline is... gone?" Twilight asked. She then sighed in relief, the heart rate going back to normal. "That's a relief." Just then, her stomach growled. "I'm sorry. I guess I haven't eaten anything in a long time." She then looked at the menu. "What time is it?"

"It's 10:30 in the morning," the nurse responded. "Still time for breakfast. Oh, and I have to tell you, the ponies who brought you in had visitors from another time."

"Another time?" Twilight asked.

"Seven young heroes from your younger days," the nurse said. "The leader of that group was a male jade dragon."

"Jade dragon?" Twilight asked. "He wouldn't be friends with a green earth pony, a blue griffon, an orange dragon, a light blue changeling, a pink hippogriff and a yak, would he?"

"So you know them," the nurse said.

"Aaron..." Twilight said. "He's here. I need to talk to him immediately."

"Just relax, and I'll let them know you're finally awake," the nurse said. "Now, let's get some food in your belly."

"I'll wait here..." Twilight said. She then sighed. "I just hope that they'll get here soon."

About two hours later, everypony else in Maretime Bay, including Aaron, the Young 6, Destiny, and even some ponies who were from Bridlewood and Zephyr Heights were all coming out of the water. They were all enjoying a day at a water park that magically appeared thanks to Izzy and the power of the Nova Charm shards. But she accidentally made the water park disappear and they all had to swim back to shore. Silverstream and Destiny had to carry Yona back to shore since she couldn't swim.

"Yona, maybe it's time for you to learn how to swim," Gallus said.

"Yaks don't usually swim," Yona said.

"I actually looked up yaks being able to swim," Aaron said. "They could swim through rapids with their strength. You'll just need practice, starting in shallow water."

"That's actually a good idea," Sunny said. "Start small."

"Yona not sure about that," Yona said.

"I'm sure you'll get used to it," Sunny said. "Just like in the lazy river there in the water park. It was fun. At least, it was fun while it lasted."

"I feel like that might have been my fault," Izzy said. Then they all laughed. Just then, they saw Queen Haven trying to get away from Alphabittle with an upset look, and Cloudpuff on her back.

"Uh, I think it looks nice like that," Alphabittle said.

"Good thing we left our tech back at the Brighthouse today," Smolder said. "They would've been waterlogged and wouldn't work anymore."

"Which is why our technology is now waterproof," Hitch said, holding out his phone. Just then, it started to ring. Hitch then answered it. "Hello? Oh, hi there, nurse." He then gave the nurse time to speak. He then went wide eyed. "Uh-huh. Okay. I'll tell them." He then hung up.

"What is it, sheriff?" Aaron asked.

"She's awake," Hitch said. "Twilight Sparkle is awake."

"What?!" Aaron, the Young 6, and the rest of the Mane 6 asked in unison.

"We should get Nyx and Spike in on this as well," Aaron said.

"We'll go to the hospital to see how she's doing," Sunny said. "You all go to the Treehouse to tell Nyx."

"On it," Aaron said. Then they all split up. Aaron and the Young 6 headed towards the Treehouse of Harmony while the New Mane 6, Sparky and Destiny headed towards the hospital.

In the Treehouse of Harmony, Nyx was sitting in the middle of the room where Twilight once was crystallized. She was sitting in a meditation pose, concentrating on something. Just then, Aaron and the Young 6 came in.

"Nyx!" Aaron said, breaking Nyx's concentration.

"Hey!" Nyx said angrily. "I was searching for Alterro."

"Alterro?" Aaron asked. "As in Allura's brother?"

"Yeah, I requested Nyx to find Alterro," Ocellus said. "I think if we reunite the two, Allura might reform."

"Not a bad idea," Aaron said. "But we have some news. Twilight has awoken."

"What?!" Nyx asked. She then sat up. "Mom. I need to go see her."

"There's also one more guy who would want to see her," Aaron said. Nyx raised an eyebrow, but then she figured out who Aaron was talking about.

"Oh," Nyx said. She then smirked. She then went over to a table in the room where a piece of parchment and a quill in an ink bottle were. "It's been a while since Spike received a message this way."

In the Dragon Lands, Spike was laying down in his bed there. Then something was making him wake up. Something in his gut.

"Huh?" Spike asked. "Wait a minute. I haven't felt a sensation like that since..." His cheeks then puffed up and then he belched. A letter came out of his emerald flames and landed in front of him. Spike picked up the letter and read it. He then gasped. "Twi?"

He then headed out of there getting the attention of the other dragons.

Blaize walked up to him and asked, "Your Spikeness? Are you going somewhere?"

"The pony I grew up with is finally awake," Spike said. "I'm heading back to Maretime Bay to see her."

"Are you sure?" Blaize asked. "We could send somedragon to check up on her."

"No," Spike said. "I wanna do it myself. After all... she is my sister." Spike then started flying up and towards the exit.

"Sister?" Blaize asked.

"I was adopted!" Spike called out as he was flying.

Back in Maretime Bay, Aaron, the Young 6 and Nyx were all walking towards the hospital. Ocellus was looking towards the sky for any sign of Spike.

"How long do you think it'll take for Spike to get here?" Ocellus asked.

"It is a long flight towards the Dragon Lands," Nyx said. "I'd say about an hour or two."

"But if it's concerning Twilight, he might be flying faster than ever," Aaron said.

"That could happen," Smolder said. "Unless he found a way to teleport himself to us." Just then, a burst of Emerald fire came in front of them, making Aaron, the Young 6 and Nyx to stop. When the flames dissipated, Spike was standing tall in front of them. "Okay, I was not expecting you to do that."

Spike chuckled and said, "For years, I've been wondering if I could teleport myself anywhere I wanted. I gave it a few tries when I was growing up after we left Ponyville." He then looked around. "Where are Sunny and the others?"

"At the hospital checking on Twilight," Aaron said.

"Then let's go," Spike said, walking towards the hospital.

"Um, is he even going to fit in the building?" Silverstream asked.

"I highly doubt that," Gallus said. Then they all kept walking towards the hospital.

In Twilight's Hospital Room, Twilight was having a conversation with the New Mane 6 and Destiny.

"So, it's been 190 years since Opaline attacked," Twilight said.

"That's right," Sunny said, trying to prevent herself from squealing with excitement.

Twilight noticed it and asked, "Are you alright?"

"She's just a huge fan of yours since she was a filly," Hitch said.

"A fan?" Twilight asked. "Oh. I guess my adventures are still famous."

"Not by everypony when we were growing up," Hitch said. "During the times of all three tribes being separated, they thought that we were divided because the other pony types were going to attack each other."

"Wow," Twilight said. "Who's the publisher of those history books?"

"Nopony knows," Zipp said. "From either type of pony."

Just then, Aaron, the Young 6 and Nyx walked in. They all smiled when they saw Twilight awake.

"You're awake," Aaron said. "Finally."

"Aaron," Twilight said, surprised. "You're..." She then noticed how young the seven were. "Oh. Time travel. That explains why you all look so young."

"So you know of a way to send us back?" Smolder asked.

"I do," Twilight said. "But, I'm afraid my magic is weak. I'm gonna need rest until I can cast the spell that will return you all to your time." She then noticed the Cutie Marks on Gallus, Silverstream and Ocellus. "Oh. Looks like you've all been gaining Cutie Marks."

"Which was weird at first," Gallus said. "I didn't even think it was possible for us to get Cutie Marks. The only ones who haven't gotten their marks are Yona, Smolder and Aaron. Is it even possible for them to get Cutie Marks?"

"I'm sure if the other intelligent creatures can do it, than they will too," Twilight said. She then looked at Destiny. "You and that baby dragon there are the first non-pony intelligent creatures here that I've seen. That would mean that there are others."

"Which means it's only a matter of time until we can reunite them in harmony," Sunny said.

"Indeed," Twilight said. "I'll be able to help with that, but it's gonna have to wait until I'm fully recovered." She then saw Sparky jumping off of Hitch's back and running up to Aaron and Smolder. He jumped into Smolder's chest, Smolder catching him, and the baby snuggling into her. "Aw... I guess it was a matter of time before he finally meets his parents."

"Wait, you knew Sparky was our son?" Smolder asked. "How?"

"Because we told her in the past after we got back," Aaron said. Twilight nodded in response to that.

"How long did the doc say you are cleared to leave?" Sandbar asked.

"Two days," Twilight said. She then looked towards Sunny and Nyx. "At least I still have my daughter... and my great granddaughter. They're the only family I have left."

"Not true," Aaron said. "Spike's still around."

Twilight went wide-eyed. She then said, "Spike's still..." She then remembered something. "Oh, right. You said that Spike was still alive during this time."

"Yeah, but he's changed," Gallus said. "A lot."

"How so?" Twilight asked.

Aaron then went over to the window on the other side of the room and opened up the curtains and the big window. He then called out, "Hey, Spike! She's in here!" Just then, the sound of loud footsteps came from the window. Then Spike's head came into view through the window.

"Spike?!" Twilight asked.

"Hey, Twi," Spike said. "Good to see you again."

"Spike, you're huge!" Twilight said. "I haven't seen you that big since the day after your first birthday in Ponyville. And you were still growing back then."

Spike laughed at that and said, "That was an eventful two days. It was thanks to Rarity that I've reverted back to my normal size."

"Your secret crush on Rarity," Aaron said, shaking his head.

"Wait, you knew?" Spike asked.

"Everyone knew about your crush on Rarity," Aaron said. "Including Rarity herself. And that was before I came to Equestria."

"It's true," Ocellus said. "I sensed your crush on her almost every time the two of you are near each other."

"And let's not forget about her human counterpart," Aaron said. "Talk about puppy love." That made Spike laugh.

"Oh, right, I was turned into a dog in that other world," Spike said.

"You got turned into a dog?" Pipp asked.

"There was an interdimensional portal that transformed intelligent creatures into a creature that blends in in the other world," Aaron said. "Ponies become human and human become ponies. Unless you're a dragon. It turns them into a canine."

"Which also explains why he eats dog treats," Gallus said. Everyone in the room laughed.

"Hey, I couldn't help it if those things taste good," Spike said.

"Spike, you're such a goofball," Aaron said. Then Sparky appeared on top of Aaron's head, giggling. "Oh, Sparky. You little sly dragon."

Twilight giggled at that. She then looked towards Spike. "I'm guessing you've gotten used to your new place while I was crystallized?"

"That's right," Spike said. "And, I got duties back where I've been for these many, many moons."

"Duties?" Twilight asked. "What kind of duties?"

"Presenting..." Aaron said before doing a trumpeting noise. "Dragon Lord Spike."

"DRAGON LORD?!" Twilight asked in a shocked tone, almost using the Royal Canterlot Voice. "You've become the Dragon Lord?"

"Almost like when he passed the Bloodstone Scepter to Ember during the Gauntlet of Fire," Aaron said.

"Maybe that was why Ember made me Dragon Lord," Spike said. "Because I was the first one to grab the Scepter."

"That, or because you're the second choice because I rejected the position," Aaron said.

"That's... a good reason, too," Spike said.

"So, where are you gonna go after you get out of the hospital?" Ocellus asked.

"I don't know," Twilight said. "I doubt Canterlot is a stable place to stay at since it's been a long time since Opaline."

"No doubt about that," Smolder said.

"I'll have a room set up in the Treehouse of Harmony," Nyx said. "It'll be ready by the time you get out of here."

"Thank you, Nyx," Twilight said. She then looked at Aaron and the Young 6. "It really is good to see you all again."

"We'll be here when you're recovering," Aaron said. "See you later." Then Aaron and the Young 6 left the room. As soon as the seven of them were out, Twilight gave off a sad look.

"I hope you all can forgive me for what I've done," Twilight thought after Aaron and the Young 6 left the room. She then looked at the New Mane 6 with Sparky back on Hitch's back.

Author's Note

VOTING TIME!!!

Twilight will eventually help Aaron and the Young 6 return to their original time. That's good news. At least there won't be any problems.

Not yet at least...

Whoa! Hold on, who are you?!

You're worst nightmare... Prepare for your doom...

Okay, that is weird. That thing is coming out for trouble. As I was saying, Twilight will eventually open a portal to the past, not only sending Aaron and the Young 6 back to their time, but the New Mane 6 and Sparky as well by accident. That thing would tag along as well. Where will the other end of the portal be? That's where your votes come in.

Option 1:

The Crystal Empire

Option 2:

Manehattan

Option 3:

Appleloosa

The most votes will be the destination of where our heroes will go. See you all next time.