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After another few weeks, Cadance's walking had gotten to the point she no longer needed help, or felt like falling over, and the Doctor signed her off. This meant she could FINALLY leave the hospital week of the castle. She wasn't quite ready to gallop, but flying was next on her recovery schedule. (Yes she had a schedule, on paper. Take a guess which helpful filly made it for her.) She was so lost in thought, thinking about how AWESOME flying was going to be, that she almost walked into the stallion who had led her from the ward.

"Welcome back to your quarters Princess." He said.

"Thank you." Cadance said curtly, inwardly loathing that title. She looked upon the large wooden doors, which were emblazoned with her Crystal Heart; these were definitely Cadance's - hers now, she supposed. She walked into the quarters, and shut the door behind her, turning to scan the room. The first thing she noticed was the abundance of pink in the room. The original Cadance truly was into the girly girl thing.

"Well not this Cadance." She walked around and checked out the place. She had a sizable living room immediately on entry, laid out as such to entertain guests, and it led on a balcony to the outside. A small office with a desk and bookcases was located to the left, and to the right was a large Bedroom, with en suit bathroom and hot tub. The bedroom was dominated by a large circular bed, deck in pink lace sheets -(yuck)- ,with a dresser, a vanity mirror and, of course, a walk in closet, filled with dresses and winter gear. Heading over to the dresser, she spotted several pictures, in rich frames, spread across the top. The first, and in the most elaborate of the frame, was a photo of Cadance with what could only be her parents. She was a pegasus in that picture.

"Huh - So the comics had it right." The next picture was of Cadance, now an alicorn next to Celestia at the castle smiling at each other. She seemed little more than a foal in these photos. She saw a couple more of her and Celestia, arranged in a progression with her age. The last couple seemed to be more recent, Cadance being almost, if not exactly, the same size as now. The startling thing however, was that in these group photos, appeared to be younger versions of Fleur De Lis, and Sapphire Shores.

'Was Cadance friends with them? Well that's gonna be... interesting.' She looked back at one of the more recent photos; one of Celestia and herself sat in the castle gardens. Both had ear to ear smiles, oblivious to the upcoming events. She picked it up with her magic and put it in her hooves.

"I didn't want this Cadance, neither of us did, but we were pawns to circumstances beyond our control. I'll fill your shoes as best I can, and if by Christ or Faust or Whomever we ever meet, if you can't be proud of me, at the least I hope you understand my choices."

She replaced the picture, and went back to her office area. A quick inventory of the books showed they were almost all trashy romance novels, but she was able to find a few on current history. The doctor had said to still take it a easy, and she deciding she would listen, settled down on one of her comforters.

She was reading for an hour when there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" She asked.

"Your sensssaaaastional friends!" Replied a voice that screamed sassy black woman. She had heard it before on the show.

Deciding it was better to confront this head on, she invited them in;

"Come on in." She replied, putting the book down as the door opened. The two mares were just like the pictures, younger versions then the show, but unmistakably Fleur and Sapphire, who was sans her usual outrageous clothing. They came over and hugged her, leaving Cadance with that warm feeling again.

"We are so sorry we didn't visit you in the hospital. The Guards were under orders not to let us in." Fleur said in a heavy French (or is it Prench?) accent.

"I think I know why that was. What you heard about the accident?"

"Well, we heard that some pegasi collided midair, and that you were injured by their cargo. The Princess said you had woken up, but nothing more. As soon as we heard our best friend was out of the hospital we raced over here as fast as we could." Sapphire replied. Cadance frowned at that, and sighed.

"Girls I have to be honest with you. The accident was bad, really bad. A metal rod caught me on the back of the head. I was in a coma for a week."

The girls gasped at the news, but Cadance put her hoof up, indicating she wasn't finished

. "That's not all. My brain suffered some damage from the impact. Physically, I've had to learn how to walk again, and right now I can't fly. But the worst part is my partial amnesia. I remember your names, basics like how to read and write, but everything else, my memories, our history, is gone. I didn't remember that I had you as friends until I saw that picture on the dresser." They both had a hoof at their mouth and tears in their eyes. Cadance might have been cold to others in the the last few weeks, but even she couldn't bear the sight of these girls breaking down. It was almost as if they had been told Cadance was dead, which wasn't too far removed from the truth.

"Is...is there any hope of your recovering them?" Fleur asked. Cadance just shook her head, looking at the floor

STOMP! Cadance and Fleur jumped, and looked over to see that Sapphire had smacked the floor with her hoof; "Well, if we can't get them back, we'll make brand new ones!"

Fleur's eyes brightened at this "She's right, you're our friend and we stick together." Fleur nodded in agreement and they both looked at her. Cadance sat there at a loss for words. She has been hurt by betrayal and loss. Her heart was raw from it all. Celestia and Twilight had crawled in, but they were exceptions, because she knew them. These two she barely knew. She thought of ending the relationship, stopping them from chasing a fool's errand, but that would make her no better her ex girlfriend or boss. She just couldn't do it. Overwhelmed by the sudden influx of warmth, and the look of determination in the pairs eyes, she barely managed to squeak out;

"I...I -I would like to start over. Friends?"

"FRIENDS!" They hugged her again. They really seemed to like hugging in this place, but right now, Cadance couldn't care less.

They spent the next couple hours in her chambers; Fleur and Sapphire shared stories of their past adventures. While she had been skeptical at first, Cadance had to admit, she had fun with those two, with the upside of gaining valuable information on the original's history and personality.

* * * * * *

After saying goodbye to her 'new' friends Cadance, made her way to the dinner hall, ready to meet her aunt, and likely Twilight. Except for weekends, Twilight spends her time solely in the castle. Either being taught by Celestia, studying, reading, or taking care of Spike. As Cadance entered, Celestia looked over at her and smiled. It wasn't her usual pleasant smile she used with the populace, this had real warm with it.

"Hello my dear niece. I trust you are glad to be in your own quarters again?"

"Oh yes. Being out of the ward sure is a God send, though I have been struck with the sudden inspiration to redecorate my quarters." The other two ponies lifted their eyebrows at the god comment. Deciding it was best keep going in order to distract them from that blunder, Cadance continued; "Oh, Fleur and Sapphire visited me."

"Who?" Twilight asked. Cadance walked over to Twilight, petting her mane as she took a seat next to her.

"Fleur De Lis and Sapphire Shores. They were my friends before the accident."

"Before?" Celestia asked in a worried tone. "Please tell me.." Celestia began before Cadance interrupted her.

"Aunty, don't worry. While I can't remember them, I couldn't do them an injustice, so explained my situation. After promising to start afresh, we just spent hours talking about the times we spent together, and sharing stories of my wild past. While I feel bad for them, I can't help but feel a little excited for the chance to win their friendship again."

Celestia let out a huge sigh of relief. "Jeez, don't be such a drama queen." She picked up a menu to hide her evil grin as both Celestia's and Twilight's jaws dropped to the table. Looking over the menu she saw a lot of salads and sandwiches. OOH! Grilled cheese, she'll be having that. And let's see for drink. Scanning the list she saw apple cider with the name Sweet Apple Acres in parentheses. Oh she SO has to try it.

A waiter soon came up and took their orders. While they waited, she listened to the two ponies talk about magic. Twilight was nearly constantly asking questions, and listened to Celestia with wide eyes that LITERALLY sparkled as she revealed some magical facts and theories. Cadance herself could barely keep up with it. Their meal finally came and boy was it enjoyable. That cider was divine. When the meal was nearly done Celestia asked her what was her plans.

"Well, in line with the doctor's order, I plan to relax today. Tomorrow I hope to start flight training. I can't wait to fly again." Cadance said with a grin.

"Oh yes. I'm sure you will learn well, you were a natural since birth. Anything else?"

"I have a general plan to do some body work. I want to make use of my earth pony traits and build some constitution. I want to be able to avoid, or make it harder to be harmed again."

"That is a very wise idea, and I wish you luck my dearest niece. Sadly I now have court to deal with. Say, would you mind looking after Twilight?"

"Of course not, I think foal sitting a filly as well behaved as Twilight isn't breaking the the doctor's orders. Besides, she's just too adorkable to not spend time with."

"Adorkable?" Celestia laughed lightly, before she thought more on the term, and a smile slowly creeped onto her face. "I like it. It fits." This caused Twilight to pout even more, causing both older mares to laugh at the adorkable sight.

They parted ways soon after, with Cadance taking Twilight to a playground, letting her burn up some of her youthful energy. Twilight's joy was infectious, and Cadance was soon laughing along with her. They played on the swings, played hopscotch, tag, or just did dance like things. They next thing Cadance knew she was saying;

"Sunshine, Sunshine, Ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" Cadance looked behind her and smiled before she mentally discovered what she just did.

'I just did the Sunshine Dance. I JUST DID THE SUNSHINE DANCE!' Twilight hadn't noticed, she was too busy laughing in mirth. Cadance looked at the sight. 'Okay, yeah, she's worth doing it for.' Then Cadance got struck by an idea. She went over to Twilight and put a hoof around her neck.

"Twilight, I have a phrase I would like to share with you." Twilight's eyes lit up.

"Oh! What is it?"

"E. Pluribus Unum." Twilight frowned at that.

"What does that mean. I never heard of it before.'

"It's something that I made up. It means literally translates as 'through many one', or simply; many together, acting as one . Rather appropriate for Equestria don't you think. Equestria was founded by three tribes, and made into one nation. Just as I as an alicorn is in one body the symbol of all three tribes."

"So if you ever have any doubts about me, or think I'm acting strange, ask me what E. Pluribus Unum means. I and will answer 'Through many One'. If I don't, I'm either not well, or it isn't me. Do you understand?" Twilight nodded her agreement, and Cadance hugged Twilight. She was just so huggable.

They stayed at the park until it was time to leave for dinner. Cadance tried the hay steak this time. Cadance thanked God; even though it wasn't meat, it somehow had the same consistency and taste of a real steak. The whole herbivore thing was something she had not been looking forward to; but if everything worked like this, it would be tolerable. Dinner was followed by more reading, and a doctor's check up before bed.

FYI, cloud beds are freaking awesome!

* * * * * *

The next day Cadance was able to sleep in a bit. The freaking sun popped up again but she used the curtains to block.

'Ugh. Note to self. Close curtains before going to bed.' Rolling over, and burying her head in the pillows allowed Cadance a respite from her aunt's blessing to this world. However, even that bliss was not to be long lived, as there was a knock on the door. She tried to ignore it, but the knocking at the door grew louder and more frequent, and so much more and more annoying. Finally she had had enough. Getting up, she stalked through the living room, and to the door. Wearing her best glare, she opened the door, and with all the power she could muster, delivered a very annoyed question through the aperture;

"WHAT!?" The poor guard was trembling before. Her dishelleved appearance, coupled with her audio assault really did a number on him.

"Sssss..sorry Princess, but Princess Celestia would like to see you at breakfast." Cadance sighed.

"FINE. Tell her I'll be along shortly. Oh, and one other thing; I HATE THAT TITLE. In future, it's either your highness, or Cadance"

"Yes Prin.. Your highness."

After a quick sprucing up, Cadance headed for the private dining room. Celestia welcomed her with another genuine smile.

"Good morning Cadance."

Cadance grumbled to herself; "It's definitely morning alright, the good is subjective; I am definitely not a morning pony." Before smiling and loudly returning "Morning Aunty."

Cadance failed to realize that Celestia, an alicorn of her power, had extremely good hearing, and had caught her mumbled missive. She arched an eyebrow in response, before looking down;

"Twilight isn't a morning pony either, but that probably has more to do with the fact she stays up late reading." Cadance was caught off guard by that, realizing she had been caught, before her mind was able to process the rest of her aunt's sentence. She looked at her aunt, and followed her gaze to where she was looking. There, at the table next to Celestia was Twilight, face down on the table. She was fast asleep, her face mere inches away from her stack of pancakes, and completely adorable.

"This is one of those times where you want a camera." Cadance commented. Celestia just chuckled at that and moved to wake Twilight up. It took a little nudging, but she rose, and all three of them enjoyed their breakfast with light conversation. Near the end of breakfast, Celestia moved onto an important topic.

"Cadance, I got you up this early because your flying instructor has arrived. She was hoof picked by me. I think you two will get along. She will be waiting in the aerial training grounds a guard will escort you."

'Oh boy.' Cadance thought, the moment she had been waiting for had finally come around. After saying goodbye to Celestia and Twilight, she joined a guard who escorted her outside. A short while later, they entered castle barracks, which lead out to the royal guard training grounds.

"Well if it isn't the Princess of Love herself." Said a cocky female voice.

Cadance looked over to see a smirking pegasus mare. She had bright yellow fur, and her mane and tail streaks of two-tone orange, almost as if her hair was on fire. She was also wearing a Wonderbolts uniform.

Thats when it hit Cadance who it really was; -'That's...That's Spitfire. OH SNAP THIS IS GOING TO BE PAINFUL!'