A Mare's Defense

A single thought raced through everypony's heads as they stood in groups, ready for teleportation. Rarity, Applejack, and a nurse stood tightly together with Princess Luna. Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and two doctors huddled below Celestia. Spike was on her back, hiding his face in her mane. Shining Armor and two royal guards stood next to Princess Cadence. The three alicorns nodded and closed their eyes. Teleportation magic surrounded each group, in some spots mixing together. It was a beautiful tricolor blend of magic, followed by a bright flash. Shining Armor closed his eyes, and when he opened them, they stood outside the Black Bat caves. He swayed slightly, but maintained his balance. He was used to teleporting, just not that far. Only somepony with great magic control could teleport that far. Shining looked over at the others to see how they fared, but it seemed he had fared the best out of the side travelers.

Pinkie Pie was laying on her stomach, four hooves splayed out. Fluttershy was curled up next to the pink pony, quivering. Rainbow Dash was a little more balanced because of the tricks she did. She sat on her haunches, wings spread out to help keep herself upright. Spike seemed to have passed out and Celestia held him gently to her chest with her magic. Rarity had flat out fainted, and not one of her fake drama faints. The nurse had collapsed on top of the white unicorn, but both seemed to be waking. Applejack was sitting, her head bowed. Shining feared she was going to be sick. The two doctors were in a state close to Pinkie Pie. They laid there, dazed. The two guards under Shining Armor's command had not fallen. They stood on four shaking hooves, heads down, but they stayed standing. Shining felt slight pride at this, but it was quickly replaced with worry.

Celestia sent out an anti-nausea spell and a balance spell, helping eveypony become more stable on their hooves. She turned to them and spoke.

"It is best that we do not all go in. I will go in first, to see what I find."

Celestia gently placed Spike in Fluttershy's arms. He wrapped his claws around her, clinging.

"Doctor Prism, Doctor Chaser, and Storm Rider, come with me. Everypony else, stay here."

The two doctors and guard followed the sun princess. Twilight's friends seemed ready to protest, but stopped when Princess Luna gave them a stern look. Shining Armor knew how they felt. He two wanted to argue. He was Twilight's brother. He should be going in.

They were gone for ten minutes when a scream full of fear, anger, and pain echoed from within. The second Shining Armor heard it, he knew who it was.

"Twilight!"

Shining ran into the caves, followed closely by the group. His horn was lit up, sending bright light down the normally dark cave. Galloping next to him, was his wife. Cadence ran instep with him, matching his speed. Turning a corner, they almost ran straight into Princess Celestia. Skidding to a halt, Shining Armor looked at the Princess. Her eyes were sad, filled with unshed tears.

"Is she here?! Is she alright?!"

"She is here, but I could not tell if she was injured or not. She was hiding in the shadows, screeching at us to go away. I thought it best to retreat for the moment, in fear she may hurt herself."

"Twilie would never-"

"Not on purpose, but in fear. I can only guess, but I am almost certain that she has had no contact with any other ponies, except for Sombra. It is her instinct to be afraid. We must approach her calmly."

Cadence shuffled her hooves next to her husband.

"We can go"

Everypony looked at Cadence.

"I mean- Shining is her brother, and I was her foalsitter. She new us since her birth. I'm- I'm sure she would. . . "

Cadence trailed off. Celestia looked her niece and nephew over before nodding.

"Perhaps you are right. Go through that cave there. At the end is a small opening into a cavern. That is where she is. We will stay here. Call once you have her calm enough."

Shining Armor saluted and then ran down the cave. At the end was an opening just big enough for a pony to step through. The couple entered the cavern warily. The sound of water dripping was the only sound.

"Twilie?"

A whimper.

Shining cast a light spell, but kept it dim. He didn't want to hurt her eyes.

Another whimper.

"G-Go a-a-away"

Cadence and Shining Armor looked over the cavern trying to find the unicorn. Cadence tapped her husband's shoulder, pointing to a corner. Huddled in the shadows, he could just make out the form of his sister. He stepped for ward slowly.

"Twilie. It's me, Shining Armor. Your B.B.B.F.F. Cadence is here too."

"S-Shining? Cadence?"

Cadence stepped forward, speaking.

"Yes, Twilight. Can we come over there?"

Twilight whimpered. Her shadow moved slightly, but stopped.

"H-How do I know i-it's really y-y-you?"

Cadence frowned sadly.

"Sunshine sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake."

Twilight started sobbing. Shining Armor and Cadence walked slowly forward. The light hit Twilight, and both of them gasped.

Twilight was lying on her side, her hooves covered her eyes as she cried. Her fur was faded and clumps of dry blood were in it. On her back was a large scar running over it. Another scar went over her snout. There were more scars, but they were unable to see them under the dried blood and dirt on her. Around her neck was a leather collar. A chain was attached to it, keeping her chained to the wall of the cavern. Around the base of her horn was a ring made of black crystal. It was keeping her from using her magic. Her mane was a tangled mess. It was longer and was knotted tightly in areas. Her left ear had a notch in it, having been cruelly sliced. And she was skinny. Extremely skinny. Almost skin and bones. Except for her stomach. It was large and protruding. A clear liquid and a little blood were on the inside of her back legs.

Shining and Cadence both drew back in surprise. Twilight groaned and curled up slightly. He hooves wrapped around her stomach. More fluid gathered on her legs.

"Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no!"

Cadence was at Twilight's side in a flash, rubbing her sweaty mane from her face.

"It's okay Twilight. Just breathe through it."

Twilight clenched her teeth and kicked her back legs in pain. The contraction passed, leaving the purple mare panting in her sister's hooves.

"Shining! Go get the doctors!"

"No!"

Both stopped and looked at Twilight.

"N-no! Th-they'll hurt my f-f-foal!"

"No, Twilight. The doctors just want to help-"

"No no no no no no no no no!"

Twilight scooted away before struggling to her hooves. She backed away as far as her chain would allow, eyes wide and wild. Cadence put up a hoof in an 'I surrender' gesture.

"Ok. It's ok. Can Shining Armor just go talk o the doctors? Then he'll be right back."

Twilight looked between them suspiciously before nodding. She sat down gently before laying back on her side. Cadence sat next to her, running her hoof over Twilight's head. Shining Armor looked at the two of them before racing out of the cavern, towards Celestia and the doctors.