An hour came and went, and Forest Oak was still clinging to life. The little foal's limbs would twitch as seizures passed through him. After each one, Shining Armor could see that his nephew was loosing his fight for life. Every now and then his heart would stutter, causing the machines to beep out warnings. Warnings the doctors didn't do anything about. Everypony just sat there, waiting for Forest Oak to die.

By the time, three hours had passed, a group of doctors was having a quite conversation in the corner of the room. The would look over at the three foals before whispering again. Finally one of the doctors, Doctor House, limped over to Celestia. Celestia looked over at the stallion as everypony gathered together. Doctor House got straight to the point.

"The foal hasn't died. While I normally wouldn't bother with something like this, I have an idea. I may be able to save . . . "

House quickly looked at the folder in his hoof

". . . Forest Oak."

Twilight Velvet gasped

"How?"

"It's unconventional and wrong!"

The doctor from the waiting room stepped forward, stomping his hoof.

"There is no way that the foal would survive it, and you know that! You only wish to experiment on him!"

House sighed

"It's mostly true. The foal had a very slim chance of surviving, but it's still better than his chances now. And if we don't succeed, it will still bring us closer to being able to saves foals like him in the future."

Applejack leaned forward.

"Ya still haven't told us whatit is."

"I wish to use the stillborn filly, as harsh as it sounds, for spare parts."

Shining Armor sat back heavily on his haunches.

"You. . . want to use her. . . for. . . "

Cadence sat down next to him, her wings drooping. Twilight Velvet and Nightlight shared a look. Mrs. Velvet shook her head.

"I'm sorry, but no. We can't chop up our granddaughter, as you said the chances of Forest Oak surviving are slim."

House snorted.

"I wasn't asking you."

"What?"

House pulled out another folder and flipped it open.

"Twilight is 20, an adult. She signed her medical proxy as Princess Celestia."

"What?"

House pointed at the signed document. Twilight's signature was there right next to Celestia's. Luna's was there too, signing as the witness.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Velvet, but you have no say in Twilight's medical treatment, and as of five hours ago, her foals medical treatments."

Everypony sat stunned in silence. Celestia looked over at Forest Oak and the unnamed filly. House held out a pen to her, form waiting to be signed. Celestia took the pen, paused with her magic hovering it over the paper, before she scribbled her name across the bottom.

"Do it."

A team of nurses and doctors swarmed over Forest Oak and the stillborn filly. Machines were unhooked and moved as the two foals were quickly moved out of the room. Twilight Velvet's face turned red as she spun around to face Celestia.

"What do you think you're doing?! She's my daughter, and those are my grandchildren! You have no right!"

Celestia's blank face filled with rage.

"If you were truly their grandmother, than you would do anything to save them! Forest Oak may be able to be saved!"

"BUT AT WHAT COST?!"

House limped into the surgical room, hooves scrubbed and ready. Dr. Chase was already next to the two foals, looking them over. Six other doctors and eight nurses were scrubbed up for the procedure. Blood bags, scalpels, pans, saws, needles. Everything was lined up and ready. Above the room, behind a huge glass window, was at least twenty or more employees. All wanted to witness this.

"Alright everypony, look alive."

House took his place next to Forest Oak, who was surprisingly still alive.

"We'll start with the most severe and work our way backwards. And let's try not to screw something up, shall we?"

House brought the scalpel down, starting the first incision.

Twilight was wheeled into the room almost an hour after Forest Oak left. Her stomach had been shaved where the caesarean section had taken place. Open wounds had been stitched up and wrapped. The ring on her horn had been removed, but it left a black scar in it's place. Around her neck was more gauze. The collar Twilight had been forced to wear had gouged into her skin, which had started to heal around it. It had been surgically removed. A horseshoe print had been branded into her left shoulder. It was an old wound, but burn ointment had been put on it.

An IV was in her forearm, supplying what nutrients she needed. Twilight's bed had been placed right next to Scarlet Lily's, who was more active than ever. The newborn filly seemed to know her mother was there and started to weakly wave her hooves in the air, getting them tangled in her own IV and ventilator tubing.

Fluttershy quickly sat down next to the filly and started to sing softly.

Hush now, quiet now
It's time to lay your sleepy head
Hush now, quiet now
It's time to go to bed.

Hush now, quiet now
It's time to lay your sleepy head
Hush now, quiet now
It's time to go to bed

Drifting off to sleep
Leave the day behind you
Drifting off to sleep
Let the joy of dreamland find you

Hush now, quiet now
It's time to lay your sleepy head
Hush now, quiet now
It's time to go to bed.

All five of the remaining Elements of Harmony gathered around Twilight and her foal. Shining Armor watched in amazement as Twilight's face seemed to unclench from her pain and Scarlet Lily stilled and fell asleep.

Author's Note

Oops, another short chapter. My bad.