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I saw everything... Everything that happened outside the labyrinth. The shrieks of agony, flashes of blood, and that mad laughter... And when the mirror shattered...I felt myself return with it. And then... And only then did I realize... What had I done?!

James... I was corrupted and when he found me... No, I swear that was not me! It was not me, James! Just as I am sure it was not you who struck Discord down! I know it was not you because at the end...just before static filled the screen, I saw your hand resting in a circle of our cutie marks...drawn in your own blood... One look to my side revealed that my companion, if you could call it that, still remained by me... How could I ever choose a boulder over the love of that man?

"You... Get away from me!" I screamed with tears in my eyes as I grabbed 'Tom' in my magical grasp and hurled him over the horizon. A distant thud was heard moments later as he likely landed at the far edge of the labyrinth... Wait. Magic? How was I using magic when...

"Hold on... How could I do that when... Wait!" I quickly reached up and touched my forehead. It was there. My horn had returned! Discord's demise must have undone everything he ever altered! "Yes! Oh, thank goodness! I feared I would never... What am I doing, celebrating my horn's return? I need to get out of here!"

I could not stay. I had to find my way out! I needed to find the rest of us! If everything I saw on that screen was not some morbid illusion, then... He was dying. James was out there at that moment bleeding to death... No! Where was the exit?! Be strong, my prince! Please, you must live! I will never forgive myself if you... No, I will not think that! You must live!

I sprinted down the paths, passing hedge after hedge. But just after rounding another corner, I came to a skidding halt as I very nearly ran right into somepony. "Eek! So sorry! I just... Twilight?!"

My scholarly friend stood before me, her horn having also returned to her head. "Rarity?! Wait... Did you see it too?! All that happened?!"

I felt my heart sink with guilt. I saw and heard everything he said. The madness that was brought on by our... I staggered back, the tears finally flowing free. "I tried, Twilight! I truly did! I turned away from Discord's temptations, but he touched me on the head and... It consumed me!"

She was clearly shocked by my words. I knew Discord could twist us through temptations and manipulations, but through mere touch as well? "He corrupted you by touching you?! He could do that all along?!"

"What have I done, Twilight...?! I promised myself I would not fall for Discord's tricks a second time and... He could be out there dying right now! And it's all my..." I paused when Twilight reached out to me and grasped my shoulders. I gazed right into those intelligent purple eyes of hers. I could see tears building at the edges, struggling to get out.

"It wasn't your fault, Rarity... If Discord could do that with just a touch, then there's no way we could've kept this promise... Even if it was a...Pinkie Promise..." Twilight said rather forlornly while she bowed her head. I could see it too. She had witnessed everything... And knowing that we failed... Discord was indeed no more, but... Surely we would not be robbed of our dear friend as well!

"Hey! Who's out there?! Hang on a second, I'm comin' through!" I heard a very familiar boorish... I mean rustic accented voice call out before we turned to see our good friend Applejack burst through one of the hedges. But when she turned to face us... "Phew! Lucky I found ya so... Uh... Girls? What's wrong? Do I have somethin' on my face?"

"More like your eye! What happened to it?!" I pointed at her right eye. It was swollen shut and was the same shade of purple as a plum. And that was the same eye that James struck when...

Applejack instantly sighed and pulled her hat down to partially conceal it. "I reckon you girls already know how it got that way... James walloped me pretty good. Can't say I didn't have it comin' though..."

Twilight looked on in shock as she took a step towards our friend. "He actually... What did you do to him?!"

A lone tear slid down Applejack's face before she looked right at us. "One of the last things I ever said ta 'im was that I always hated 'im, Twilight! And he believed me!"

So even she, one of our most reliable friends, could not withstand Discord's corruption. And what of Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy and bold Rainbow Dash? Still, despite our differences, I could not stay silent in the face of Applejack's guilt. "You are not alone, Applejack. I too harmed him..."

Before she could even offer a retort, we were all greeted by a loud and very familiar voice. "Girls! There you are! I was wondering how many more pages I'd have to jump through to find you! Are you all OK?"

We all got a good fright out of that. Pinkie Pie just popped up out of nowhere! "Gracious, Pinkie! Warn us next time you... Oh, forget it. Asking you how you do that is the same as asking why all the gemstones I dig up are already cut and polished."

Applejack was the first to actually approach Pinkie Pie while making certain her hat was covering her swollen eye. "Good ta see ya, Pinkie. But... I'm... I'm sorry. We couldn't keep the Pinkie Promise in the end..."

Considering how furious Pinkie was when it seemed that Applejack had broken a Pinkie Promise during her prolonged departure after that rodeo competition a while back, I was expecting her to have an absolute meltdown upon hearing those words. But instead... Pinkie Pie bowed her head while her mane seemed to...quiver like a balloon on the verge of deflating? "It's all right. I... I couldn't keep it either..."

"Pinkie... You too?" Twilight asked while drawing near. However, she jumped back when Pinkie suddenly threw her head back and screamed as tears gushed out from her eyes like they were being sprayed from a garden hose. Yes, that is bizarre, but I was not terribly bothered due to having witnessed it before.

Seconds later, Pinkie Pie began to frantically recount whatever it was that happened when that monster found her. "I tried! I tried to ignore everything he did to make me turn into that angry mean jerk I was last time! But when I did, he chased me down! He made my legs fall off so I couldn't escape! I begged him to take his finger off my head when he touched me, but... How could I, Twilight?! I'm the one who invented the Pinkie Promise, but I still couldn't keep it!"

Twilight, likely being the only one among us who was not overcome with guilt, grabbed our hysterical friend by the shoulders and gave her a good shake. "Pinkie! It's gonna be OK! As far as we know, everything that happened on that screen was just a trick! Let's wait until we get outta here before we start assuming James is in trouble!"

"Twi's got a point, Pinkie... I mean... It hurts knowin' what we did, but... We shouldn't count our chickens before they hatch, ya know?" Applejack added as Pinkie Pie ceased her crying.

However, it was then that I realized we still had two friends missing. "Wait a moment... What of Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy?! We still need to find them!"

Pinkie Pie, once her tears had been dried, turned to us. "Actually, I saw Rainbow Dash fly by just a little while ago. I guess she's out of the maze right now."

"Then that just leaves Fluttershy. Let's go. I'm not leaving without her. Although it might end up taking forever to find her out here..." Twilight replied before she started to follow the path before us. However, before she got more than ten paces, Pinkie Pie jumped in front of us with a rather...serious gaze. "Huh? Pinkie?"

"I've got this, Twilight. Just a minute!" Our exuberant friend replied before reaching just out to the edge of my vision and...pulling SOMETHING past us before doing the same thing over and over at a rapid rate. The scenery was constantly changing as if time was rapidly passing while our location changed as well!

"Good heavens, Pinkie! What are you doing?!" I screamed out while glancing around in shock. I saw us in a hospital, then in a very urban city while... Why were we dressed up in those shockingly flashy costumes?! And were those diamonds in my mane?! And then... Why was I clad in armor?!

"Whoops! Too far! Hold on!" Pinkie yelled before going to the other side of my vision and doing the same thing. Now it seemed time or...whatever was going in reverse.

"Pinkie Pie, knock it off! I feel like I'm gonna be sick!" Twilight said with a yell while keeping her head down with her eyes closed. I too was starting to feel more than just a little nauseous myself at the moment.

"Hang on! Wasn't that Fluttershy right there?!" Applejack suddenly called out while pointing in one direction.

"Just a sec! Go back a few panels and... There!" Pinkie Pie suddenly reached to the opposite side again and...it all stopped. And standing right in front of us was a terribly distraught and...clearly startled Fluttershy.

Our friend staggered back and nearly fell down, even though I could clearly see that her eyes were strained and swollen from countless tears having been shed. "Wha...?! Where did... When..."

"Don't ask, OK?! It's something Pinkie Pie did and I don't wanna know this time!" Twilight replied while trotting over to our friend. "But what about you? Are you all right, Fluttershy?"

At those words, Fluttershy staggered back. I could see it. Utter turmoil and grief in her eyes. And once more, the tears fell from her face. "I... I hurt him... Kicked... His head... I..."

Before she could collapse, I rushed to her side and held her in my arms. She sobbed and wailed in my grasp, holding onto me as tightly as she could while I did all I could to sooth her wounded heart even as my own tears began to well up in my eyes again. I can only imagine what sort of hell she must have forced her beloved through once Discord had his hooks in her. "Shhh... I know, darling... We all carry the blame..."

But just as she began to calm down, we heard it. A distant scream. Or perhaps a wail. And that voice... I knew it. "Was that...Rainbow Dash?"

"It sounded like it came from the direction of..." Twilight began to mutter, but she then gasped as her horn was coated by her billowing pink magic aura. "Everypony, get close to me! I'm getting us outta here!"

We all drew near and stood right next to our friend. And a few seconds later, we found ourselves standing just outside the labyrinth. But...the courtyard... "What in the heavens...?"

The landscape before us...What... The sky... Dark and filled with thunderclouds. Many muddy pits from where chunks of the landscape had been torn out littered the ravaged courtyard. I could still see some of them floating in the sky in twisted nightmarish forms. And bit by bit, they would slowly revert to their previous natural forms before plummeting to the ground with a mighty crash. But...why... What could cause them to become so twisted? Surely that was not Discord's doing. He had always been a mad buffoon, but I could not ever see him conjuring up something that wretched!

"This ain't right... This really ain't right... Almost feels like I'm dreamin' here..." I heard Applejack mutter as we beheld the carnage of the struggle we had all witnessed. It was not an illusion at all... But...Canterlot Castle is so close by. Why had the princesses not seen or heard what had transpired? Surely they could intervene, so...why?

Twilight stepped forward, gazing around at our surroundings. But when she turned her gaze to the path before her, she suddenly called out. "That's... No... No! This isn't happening!"

She burst into a gallop and we all followed. I dreaded what she had noticed ahead. And seconds later, I saw them. And... No... Please... This was not happening... What had we done... What had I done?!

My throat clenched shut as I beheld what lay before me. We found her. Rainbow Dash. Her face was buried in her arms as she was hunched over...his corpse... Motionless...his body lying in a pool of his own blood. So much red...James, I... How could we do this to you... I loved you, you wonderful man... And beyond, a trail of blood that led to... No, I could not bear to gaze at it. I knew what was there. And I could not bear to see it. But before we could reach him, we all froze at the sight of where his hand had fallen. In the center of a circle of...our cutie marks drawn in...his own blood.

James... You... How could you do this... After what I did... After what we did... You still were thinking of us... You still held us close to you heart, even after we threw you away... The tears burst forth from my eyes as I sobbed, my friends joining me as they looked on in shock. Even in the end...we were still his friends to him... None of us were silent. Except for Fluttershy. She approached her beloved, her gaze frozen in silent horror. It was Pinkie Pie who spoke the first words as her mane and tail hung low. "Why... We all promised... I don't get it..."

My vision was too blurred to really see my friends. How they were reacting to this horror before us, I did not see. I saw Twilight's form approach our fallen friend. Her hoof reached out and touched his cheek before pulling away. "He's...cool..."

Applejack was the next to speak. With the form of her hat tilted downward, she spoke to the only one who was there for him when he...took his final breath. "Rainbow... Is he... Did he really..."

I wiped my tears away to see. Our brash pegasus friend very slowly and shakily lifted her head until she was gazing at us. Eyes swollen, tears flowing, spirit...broken... That gaze she showed us was unlike any I had ever seen before. I had seen confidence in those eyes, as well as joy, sadness, insecurity, fear, anger, but this... It was unlike any I had ever seen. She was...shattered. Broken. To witness someone she sought to protect perish before her... It must have been more than her soul could bear. She spoke softly to the point where it was almost a whisper. "I... I couldn't...do anything..."

I felt my heart break. Absolutely shatter. What had I done... I wanted noting to do with that wretched boulder. Why could I not see past that horrible greed? I had all I ever wanted around my ankle with that lovely bracelet. And his tender love... He was... If only I had held on a bit longer... If only he held me in his arms before the corruption could take me... Darling, why... Why did I cast you aside when you are all I needed?!

Finally, Fluttershy collapsed before her beloved. I could not even bear to imagine what had transpired when he finally found her in such a corrupted state. It must have broken him to ultimately be driven to such madness that even the Spirit of Chaos could not stop himself from cowering before him. "I... I'm sorry... Please... Forgive me... If you can still hear me... I love you... It should've been me... I should've been the one who..."

There were no words for a moment. We were all crushed. Our friend gone. Murdered by our own hooves. However, I saw Twilight glance to her right. Lying nearby was...his helmet. The polished white form of the Element of Humanity rested upon the forehead. I feared that perhaps...he was still twisted with despair and madness when he perished. But instead...he died as the same loving and tender man we had always known. Seeing that helmet must have awakened something in my friend since she then gazed back down at our fallen friend and spoke quietly. "No... I won't let it end like this..."

"Twilight... What do you mean?" I asked weakly, being the first to hear her.

She looked at all of us. Her eyes still poured tears, but a look of defiance was now filling her gaze. "I know what it's like to almost lose a friend... This isn't the first time. I... I refuse to believe he's truly gone... We need to get him to the nearest hospital right away. It's our fault this happened...so it's our responsibility to make sure he survives."

I glanced back down at him. I was still about as devastated as you can imagine. But even then, I felt it. A glimmer of hope in my heart. Perhaps... Just perhaps he was still there. Holding on by a thread and sheer force of will. He made it very clear to all of us in the final strokes of his bloodied fingers just how dearly he held us to his heart in the end. He would not want it to end here. "Indeed... It was our failure that led to this..."

Twilight nodded as we all gazed at her. Our friends too were beginning to look slightly more hopeful. "Yes... But that doesn't mean we have to fail in at least trying to set things right. I know where the hospital in Canterlot is. I can get us all there with the teleportation spell." She then reached out and gently rested her hoof upon his upturned armored palm. "I don't want to say goodbye... Not now..."

"Me neither... If he dies not knowing that we were still his friends in the end... I don't know if I'll ever be able to live with myself..." Pinkie Pie said glumly while trying to smile even just a little. To her, friends are her life. And if she were to lose one forever as a result of her own actions... I dread to see how shattered she would be.

Fluttershy... She did not speak. But along with that faint look of hope in her eyes, I could see another emotion. Desperation. She could not bear to lose her beloved. I know her well. She needs James. He loves her and she loves him. There may very well be nopony in her life more precious. While I gazed at her, I focused to use my magic to snatch up his helmet. If nothing else, I would bring it along to keep it safe.

Twilight turned her gaze towards Rainbow Dash while drying her tears. "Rainbow. We need you to report back to the princesses and let them know what's happened. I don't know why they haven't already come out here yet, but please tell them that we're at Canterlot Royal Hospital and that James is in dire peril."

Rainbow Dash, a tiny glimmer of her usual confidence restored in her eyes, wiped her tears away and nodded. "Ye... Yeah. I got it. You girls get going. Just... Please make sure he stays alive, all right?!"

Applejack nodded with a faint smile before patting her on the shoulder. "Count on it, Rainbow. Now get movin'. They need ta know about this one."

While Rainbow Dash took to the air and flew off for the palace, Twilight motioned for us to draw near. Her horn was coated by her billowing pink magic aura while a bright glow was emitting from the tip. Seconds later, I found myself and all my friends, James included, within the lobby of Canterlot's hospital. Pinkie Pie, wasting no time, rushed over to the receptionist's desk and shouted while waving her arms in a frantic manner. "Help! Friend is hurt! Bleeding everywhere! Save him!"

The receptionist, a young unicorn mare, seemed to very nearly fall out of her chair when Pinkie Pie jumped at her. "Ack! There's no need to shout! Now, calm down and tell me what... Oh my goodness!"

One glance past Pinkie Pie at the bleeding armored man beside us told the receptionist all she needed to know. She instantly reached out and pressed what I assume was a button on her desk to activate an intercom. "We have a patient in critical condition in the lobby. Extra large."

The mention of size puzzled me until I saw a pair of medics rush down the nearest hallway with a gurney designed for use with larger patients like minotaurs. With a quick use of levitation magic, they placed him upon it and rushed him back down the hall. Without a word, we all followed. And we soon found ourselves right outside a pair of swinging doors with a backlit sign just above it that read 'ER'. His fate was out of our hooves by then. All we could do was wait for news on his fate.

Several seats were provided just outside the doors for us, likely there for those whose loved ones had been admitted and were being diagnosed. And there we stayed. I was constantly by Fluttershy's side, making certain she had a shoulder to lean on. As devastated as I was, whatever anguish she was experiencing was likely tenfold greater than my own. She never looked at me. The tears never ceased. She kept muttering softly under her breath things like 'I'm going to lose him' and 'It's all my fault'. Discord, how could you do this to her...

Our friends kept pacing back and forth. They could not remain still while looking in a state of minor shock. I am not even entirely certain how much time passed, but we eventually turned to the far end of the hallway upon hearing the sound of running hooves. And sure enough, Rainbow Dash burst around the corner. "Girls! Is he OK?! Is he gonna make it?!"

Applejack was the first to speak up when we all faced her. "I dunno, Rainbow... But they're takin' a while ta come back out. I guess that means they're doin' all they can ta save him."

Our brazen and uncouth friend bowed her head while letting out a very loud sigh. "Thank god... I can't believe this is happening..."

"Me neither... But what about the princesses? Did they take the news OK?" Pinkie Pie asked while still trying to look hopeful, bless her optimistic little soul.

"That depends." A voice spoke from behind Rainbow. With our attention focused upon Rainbow Dash, we had failed to notice the three princesses walk up behind her. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Nightmare Moon stood before us. They all seemed to be maintaining their composure, but I could see that something had jarred each of them. What had they heard and witnessed?

"Your highness! We..." Twilight stepped forward, but was clearly having difficulty speaking much like the rest of us. "We... James is... We failed! I'm so sorry, but..."

Celestia raised her hoof for her student to remain silent. "I know, Twilight... We have seen the carnage. The courtyard is... What did Discord do to prevent us from seeing or hearing the chaos out there? But tell me. Discord... Is he truly...?"

Fresh tears poured from my friend's eyes as she surely recalled that demon's final moments. "Yes... He's...dead. James...tore him apart..."

I could see a look of shock in our princess's eyes. Even I was having difficulty comprehending at the time the outcome of the crisis. Discord is no more. We will never see him trouble Equestria again. A being so powerful and omnipotent that even Princess Celestia and Princess Luna combined could not defeat him without the aid of the Elements of Harmony. And now he is dead...

"It is for the best. If he was still drawing breath after this, I would've destroyed the cretin myself." Nightmare Moon said boldly before stepping towards us. She was angry, but at the same time fearful. A look of desperation was in her eyes that I had never seen before. "But still... I saw all of you promise. You vowed that you would keep him safe. Tell me. How did this happen?! What possessed all of you to betray him like this?!"

Princess Luna was quick to approach her sister's side and rest a hoof on her shoulder. "Please, calm yourself, sister. This is not any easier for me either..."

Before they could argue, I decided to speak the truth. The princesses of our night and dreams had the right to know. "Discord... I remember him tempt me with the same thing as the last time. But I knew better than to be led astray again. But then he touched my head and... I saw it... A shade of gray coming over me. I felt a familiar wretched greed fill me and... James found me."

All eyes fell upon me momentarily before Nightmare Moon frowned forlornly. "I see... He corrupted you all directly... There is no way you could have resisted his influence if he sought to win this by any means..."

I was grateful that she understood. Nightmare Moon has always been a very passionate mare and her bond with James has been extremely powerful since the night she was rescued. The situation could have very easily become...heated. Using the levitation spell, I gave his helmet to them. "The Elements of Harmony are still out there in the courtyard, but we at least brought this along."

"Let me see that...!" Princess Luna spoke briskly while she took the helmet from me with her own levitation spell. She seemed to closely examine the Element of Humanity embedded into it. "The Element of Humanity is still whole... He still lives."

I felt my heart rise at this confirmation from the princess herself. We all felt it. I suppose that when the bearer of an Element perishes, the Element that is bound to that person fades as well. Fluttershy then turned her gaze up and asked, "Then... He's going to be all right?"

As if to answer that question, we all turned upon hearing the sound of swinging doors open. Standing before the twin doors to the ER was a surgeon clad in a facemask and a light blue garb. He drew near before lowering his mask. "Are all of you with the human man who was brought in?"

I instantly glanced at the Element of Humanity being held in Princess Luna's magical grasp. It was still there. Purest white without a single crack in its flawless sheen. It was Pinkie Pie who answered the doctor. "Uh huh! How is he, doc?! Is he OK?! How long until he's back on his feet?! What kind of get well card should we get him?!"

He gazed at all of us, his expression melancholy and even somewhat fearful before he spoke. "I'm not certain you will even be able to get one to him in time. I'm afraid he does not have long to live."

I felt my world all but shatter at those words. We hurt him. Betrayed him. Drove him into the deepest pits of despair and madness. And now he was on the verge of death because of us with no way to save him?! Before any of us could even put together a proper response to those words, Rainbow Dash ran right up to him with tears and wrath in her eyes. "You've gotta be kidding me! What's wrong with him?! Why can't you save him?!"

The doctor took a step back at our friend's outburst, but managed to retain his composure. I too was eager to hear exactly what the exact condition of our friend was. "The main cause of impending death is mostly from heavy blood loss. But among that we have found several muscle tears, second degree burns on his right arm, a deep gash and tear in what we assume are his intestines, and a concussion to the frontal lobe. I rarely see this many types of injuries on a single patient."

The mention of that last type of injury baffled me. I witnessed the entire battle and James never once endured a blow to that area. Twilight too was quick to notice as well. "Wait... A concussion? That doesn't make any sense. We saw everything and he never took a blow to the head. And even if he did, his helmet would've protected him."

Fluttershy bowed her head near me and turned away. There was something about those words that struck something deep inside her. More tears flowed. There was something she did not want to say. Was it she who gave James a concussion? What happened between them once he found her in such a twisted state? Regardless, I gently embraced her and whispered into her ear to calm her. "Shh... It was not your doing, darling. Do not blame yourself."

The doctor continued to speak to us while we all looked on in silence. And with his words, I began to feel a rising anger. "Well, regardless of how he acquired them, I'm sorry to say that your friend's odds of survival are quite low. In fact, I fear that any attempt to sustain him would ultimately result in failure and a loss of resources..."

It was that last line that caused my blood to boil. Loss of resources... Is this truly how materialistic the ponies of Canterlot are, especially to those from more humble backgrounds?! However, before I could even begin to voice my rage at such a suggestion, I was shocked to see Nightmare Moon beat me to it. She rushed forward, eyes aglow, and shoved Rainbow Dash aside before glaring at the doctor and bellowing in an...echoing voice that sounded vaguely familiar to me while we all looked on in silence and awe.

"How dare thee! Thou wouldst dare to place thy resources before the well-being of thy patient?! That man must live!" She roared at the frightened surgeon as he cowered before her while she brought her wrathful face ever closer to his. "Thou will do everything in thine power to insure our friend survives this ordeal! Do we make ourselves clear?!"

The hall became eerily silent. Such a powerful presence! Even Fluttershy could not help making a quiet input on such an outburst. "Wow... And...I thought Princess Luna was scary when she talked like that..." What do they call that again? The Royal Canterlot Voice?

Regardless, the surgeon cowered before the Princess of Dreams before shakily nodding. "Y... Yes, your highness... But... Even if we try, I... I'm sorry, but I truly do not believe we can save him!"

"Oh, come on, doc! Y'all got some of the best medical know-how in all of Equestria up here! Don't ya have some sorta medical magic ta help patch 'im up?!" Applejack barked out defiantly while we all began to glare at him in anger. Why was he so hesitant in saving James?! Was it more than just resources?

The doctor gathered his fortitude before speaking to us. "The truth of the matter in why it is so difficult to operate on your friend is due to lack of insight. We know next to nothing about the human body. We will do what we can, but we are still working in the dark!"

"Then allow us to shed some light on this issue." Princess Celestia said before turning to Princess Luna. "Luna, please retrieve the tome on human anatomy from the sealed documents vault and bring it here."

"The sealed... Ah! Yes, at once!" I knew not of what they were speaking of, but Princess Luna then turned and ran down the hall and out of sight.

Princess Celestia then turned to face the doctor again and spoke to him with a very stern gaze. "Return to the operating room and do all you can to sustain him until my sister returns. The information she will bring will seem archaic, but it will still prove invaluable to you." The doctor bowed before our princess before turning and heading back through the twin swinging doors.

Nightmare Moon slowly lifted her head while the glow that covered her eyes faded away. It was then that the weight of the situation finally registered with her as she staggered while turning around. "So... It is in their hooves now..."

"Uh... Nightmare Moon? Are you OK?" Pinkie Pie asked while she staggered past us towards her sister.

Almost as if in a haze, Nightmare Moon passed us without even turning to glance at us. Although I did hear her mutter something under her breath. "He can't die... Not now... He has to live..."

When she finally reached her sister, Princess Celestia reached out and caught Nightmare Moon in a tender embrace with her wing. "He will live, sister. He must."

Her words seemed to help Nightmare Moon regain some of her composure before she turned to face us with the Princess of the Dawn speaking to us. "I sincerely apologize for all that has occurred. Even I could not have foreseen Discord doing something this wretched. But rest assured, your friend will survive. I will make certain our hospital staff uses everything at their disposal to save him."

"Thank you..." Twilight spoke softly before bowing and then looking at her again. "Actually... Would it be all right if we stay in Canterlot until they stabilize him? I don't feel...comfortable going home without him..."

"Ditto... I don't wanna go home and find out a few days later that he died while we weren't there for him..." Rainbow Dash added while we all looked on in silence. I too could not bear to leave Canterlot knowing my dear friend's life could come to an end at any time.

The two royal sisters glanced at each other and nodded before Princess Celestia smiled solemnly at us. "Yes. You may all rest within the palace while your friend recovers. Although I feel it may be wise to send word home to make certain your loved ones know that you cannot return just yet. Also... Twilight." She then looked directly at Twilight before speaking further. "I want you and your friends to tell me everything that happened once we return to the palace."

"All right... We won't leave out any details." I could see that she was hesitant to speak of what transpired out in the labyrinth. I was too...

While we were on our way down the hall to depart, I overheard Pinkie Pie ask Rainbow Dash about her pet tortoise, Tank. Apparently he is able to get around her home fairly easily and raid the refrigerator when she is gone for extended periods of time. But before we got very far, I turned back when I noticed Fluttershy was not beside me. She was standing before the doors to the ER once more with her back turned to me.

I could not leave her there alone. After making certain that my friends had not noticed, I rushed back to her. "Darling... He is in good hooves now. Canterlot, if nothing else, has some of the most advanced medical magic in the world. Please, have faith in them..."

For a moment, she did not respond. But when she did finally turn to face me, I saw it in her eyes. She was still in utter shock. The tears still poured while she stared blankly at me. "Rarity... If anything happens to him... I..." She then gritted her teeth and squinted her eyes shut as the tears surged forth, her voice being reduced to a truly pathetic squeak. "I'll never be able to forgive myself..."

I too felt my tears fall at those words. I too have harmed our beloved friend. I reached out and held Fluttershy in my arms as she weakly sobbed and shuddered in my grasp. "He will not leave us, Fluttershy... He loves us too much to let go..."

My head hurts... This day has been absolutely wretched. It started out just fine, even if somewhat surreal. And then, in just one afternoon, it has become arguably the worst day of my life... How could this happen... James... My love, if you ever read this, please believe me. We did everything in our power to resist Discord's manipulations, I swear we did! We are still us! We still treasure you as you have cherished us...

Please, darling... You must survive this. Do not leave us now. It has only been a year...

---

I cannot believe what has occurred... Discord... Dead. The Spirit of Chaos has fallen and at the hands of the dearest friend I have ever had. And it came centuries too late. Like my sister, I too wanted to believe that he could have been saved, but now... We made a mistake, Celestia. We should have destroyed him while he was vulnerable. For now... My dearest friend lies on the verge of death.

I stared out at the ruined courtyard just outside the labyrinth. The place where Discord met his demise. What madness took place out there? The bearers of the Elements of Harmony did indeed reveal to us all they knew that had transpired, including what they did after Discord had once again corrupted them, but what they described when my friend abandoned the search for the Elements and set his sights on Discord...

It is simply unfathomable what they described. My gentle and loving friend...reduced to a murderous psychotic madman? Is that... Is that truly what a human can become when what is most dear to him is stripped away? And with the power he had in his possession in the form of his armor and weapons... It is no small wonder he felt he could challenge Discord and triumph. The wretched state of the courtyard stood as a testament to it.

Nopony stood with me as I wandered the ruined courtyard, the sky dark and gloomy as the rain had finally subsided. So much mud and crumbled earth and stone. Uprooted trees and mass of soaked soil as if they had fallen from the sky. And blood... So much blood splattered here and there. Discord's corpse was nowhere to be seen, having likely already been collected by the royal guard for cremation. I had not seen it, praise the stars... But even so, I found the spot I had unknowingly been searching for. The moment that could have very easily become the spot where my friend would have perished.

Just ahead of a pool of dried blood was what seemed to be a crude painting of six shapes in the form of a circle. And between them rested a small dark red stain. The forms of the shapes... A star, a lightning bolt, a butterfly, an apple, a diamond, and a balloon. The forms of the Elements of Harmony. The forms of...those he holds most dear to him. Some were more crude than the others to the point of being difficult to ascertain, likely due to his hand becoming unsteady from weakness. But still... I knew what it was he was feeling as he lay here...dying...

My eyes became filled with tears as visions flashed through my mind. What had become of him since he had been admitted to Canterlot Royal Hospital? I felt panic set in. I had to see him! With a flap of my wings, I took to the air and soared over the palace before descending into Canterlot itself. I knew where the hospital was and set myself down right before its sliding doors. I burst into the lobby, just barely containing my fear as I approached the receptionist ahead of me. "Excuse me. Where may I find Dr. Flatline?"

The receptionist promptly replied after glancing through something out of sight, "The doctor is currently on a temporary break in the lounge... Uh... Your highness?! Where are you going?! That is for authorized personnel only!"

I continued on regardless of the objections I received. I needed answers. A surgeon best known for reviving patients whose vital signs had ceased, Dr. Flatline had been placed in charge of the operation to save my friend. And sure enough, I found him in the surgeon's lounge with a cup of coffee floating before him. "Hm?! What are... Oh, your highness! What can I do for you?"

"You know full well why I'm here, Flatline." I spoke boldly in both panic and frustration. "Your patient. James. Has he stabilized yet?"

He did not take long to respond at all. "Oh, him. The human. You should know that operations of this severity can take hours, if not days, of constant medical attention. I just had to step away for a short while to relax myself. I have been working on him for... How long ago was I called in? Ten hours?"

"Yes, I know... Just... Well, what has become of him? Is he well? Is he going to survive?" I pleaded while remaining as civil as possible. I was desperate. I needed to know what his ultimate fate would be.

"Do not fear, your highness. I have never lost a patient and I intend to keep it that way. And I must say that the old tome you provided for us, while extremely archaic in appearance, has proven to be very helpful. We have closed the tear in his intestines and have we should begin to address the torn muscles soon. Although treating the burn on his arm has proven tricky due to how expansive it is. We are also having difficulty dealing with his low blood supply, as blood transfusions are impossible. Pony blood is probably incompatible with the human body. To compensate, we are utilizing experimental magic to bolster his bone marrow to produce more at a higher rate." He went on and on about things I could not understand, but remained positive the entire time. His hopes were likely high that the surgery would be successful.

"Good... Good, that is all good to hear. Is there anything else?" I asked once he paused in his explanation.

He spoke once more after a quick gulp of his coffee. "Well... From what I have seen, it would appear that his will to live is very strong. That is certainly proving to be helpful. Do not fear, your highness. I am confident that he will survive this. However... I do have a spot of bad news."

His words both calmed and alarmed me at the same time. Even though I was relieved that my friend would survive this ordeal... What could be so foul that it would bring a frown to the doctor's face? "And... What is the bad news?"

A long sigh escaped his lips before he began to explain. "Your friend was frighteningly close to death when he was brought. His odds of surviving were much lower than the odds of him perishing. His concussion in particular has proven to be more...severe than at first glance. Exactly how much time passed between the moment he sustained that injury and when he was brought in?"

Of course... I had been informed by a tearful Fluttershy that during her encounter with her beloved after Discord had his way with her, she had forcefully kicked my friend squarely in the forehead after his helmet had fallen off. A blow like that could surely result in some from of cerebral trauma. "I know not... All I know is that for an extended time, he went through a very...grueling incident."

Flatline frowned while he bowed his head momentarily. "I would've recommended that he be brought in immediately after that injury was suffered. Whatever he went through afterward has complicated the damage further to the point where we had to place him in what is referred to a 'medically induced' coma to insure successful surgery. As of this moment though, I am very confident he will retain all mental facilities and make a full recovery. Although even once he fully stabilizes, I cannot guarantee when he will awaken. It could be days, weeks, or possibly even months. I'm sorry, but there is really nothing that can heal that part of him aside from time itself. As for the rest of him... Well, it is still too soon to say. He's already gone into cardiac arrest twice and is still in critical condition. As I said, I am confident that we can save him, but... He's just in such bad shape. A lot can still go wrong. You will be the first to know once the worst has passed."

A coma... I felt my heart sink at the sound of that dreaded word. Even if it was necessary to insure that he would return as the man we know, to know that he could very possibly never awaken filled my bowels with a heavy sinking feeling. Discord... How could you do this to him? What could drive you to harm a man like this?!

There really was nothing more I could truly say to that. The only comfort I took from that conversation was the knowledge was that my friend was still holding on. Still, I had best return to my sister and divulge the information I had gained to her. "I see... Well... I trust you will do all you can, Flatline. I must be going..."

The good doctor took another sip of his coffee before he nodded towards me. "Take care, your highness. You will be the first to know if anything changes."

I made my way back towards the hospital's lobby. My mind was so heavy... Even with the doctor's optimism, we were now faced with a new complication. What could I tell the six bearers? That their friend may never awaken? That even if he survives they may never hear his voice again? As an immortal, I know that a lone immortal's lifespan is still a rather long time. And judging by his age... He may have another fifty years ahead of him. Half a century of silence... It... It sounds unbearable...

Before I could even reach the lobby, the sound of an argument reached my ears. One of the voices I recognized right away. Loud, high pitched, and filled with energy. The bearer of the Element of Laughter. Pinkie Pie. "Come on, you gotta let me see him! He's one of my best friends ever and I need to say I'm sorry!"

When I rounded the corner, I found that lively mare looking like she was on the verge of bounding over the desk and onto the receptionist. "I'm sorry, ma'am. Your friend is still in intensive care and must not be disturbed."

I decided to step in and end the argument before the situation could become anymore heated. I stepped forward and rested my hoof upon Pinkie Pie's shoulder. "Calm yourself, friend. I just received word from one of the surgeons. Our friend is still in critical condition, but the doctor is optimistic that he will pull through in the end."

My words seemed to sink in a little too deep. Pinkie Pie slumped to her knees while letting out a loud sigh of relief. "Oooooh my gosh... Thank goodness... I couldn't even sleep last night thinking about him... What else did the doctor say? Anything permanent?"

The doctor's last words echoed through my mind. Our friend is now in a coma, possibly to never awaken again. But... I could not tell her. I knew the truth would be revealed in time, yet... I could not allow myself to be the one to reveal the truth to her. "No... Well... Maybe... I mean... That is all he told me. It is still too soon to say for certain. I'm sorry, I wish they could tell me more."

Fortunately, she believed me. An unsteady smile spread across her lips while she clamored to her feet. "OK... Well... That's good. I'll be sure to tell the girls... I know Fluttershy will feel a bit better... And I need to get some coffee with lots of sugar."

It was a lie. I know I was not being honest with her, but... I could not let her know the truth. From what I understand, Pinkie Pie is desperately dependant on her friends to function. And if she found that her actions had placed one of her dearest friends in a coma for potentially the rest of his life... I dread to know what she would do. I saw her off and began to make my way back to the palace. My sisters would not be pleased with my findings.

I had difficulty locating Nightmare Moon. And even if I did find her... She would not take the news well at all. She loves that man... James, if only you knew what you are worth to my sister. However, I had little trouble finding Celestia. Standing in the throne room with her gaze directed out the window facing the ruined courtyard below. She was alone. And troubled.

"Sister... Are you well?" I tried to approach her gently, not raising any grand questions or topics until I had confirmed that she was well enough to see me. When I drew near, she did indeed turn her head to gaze at me. Those eyes... They seemed haunted. Guilty. And I knew why.

"Why did I allow this to happen, Luna? How could I have been such a fool to think that he could've been saved?" She spoke to me, never blinking once. Such inner pain in those eyes...

I knew what was troubling her. I walked up alongside her and gazed out the window. Beyond the colorful tint, I saw it. The ravaged courtyard still stood in shambles. We had been told of the sheer extant James went to in order to destroy Discord. He disregarded our warnings, unleashing upon him the deadly magical energies of fire, ice, and lightning. He was even doom driven enough to attempt to unleash plasma magic upon him! His madness drove him to wield magic he had not yet perfected... And in the end, he did the impossible. He ended the Spirit of Chaos himself. "Do not blame just yourself, sister. I too shoulder some of the guilt..."

Celestia sighed deeply, doing all she could to hold back the tears. "I just... I could not let him go. I should've known that once that sorrow and madness opened that hole in his heart wide enough to the point that even you and I combined could not fill it... I should've accepted that he was past the point of no return. And now..."

"Sister... I too was hopeful that his heart could be mended in time. But...hope clouded our judgment. He opened his heart too wide, turning his immortality into a curse. At least now... At least he is probably where he always wanted to be at this moment..." That mad fool... Discord, I pray you are where you craved to be at this moment. And that after all that you did, your old friends would be willing to forgive you.

"Yes... I suppose he is... Perhaps... Maybe he saw a way out through James. Perhaps this outcome was what he desired all along. But it's not like we can ask him now..." Celestia said with a sigh before gazing at me with those eyes on the verge of tears. I can still remember those days as well. Since our days as fillies so long ago, he had always been an important part of our lives. A literal lifelong friend. And even now, I too am feeling the pain of loss. Discord... Why did you have to change, you mad fool?

"But aside from that... I heard you visited the hospital today. Is he...?" My sister asked quietly as she gazed at me with a fearful gleam in her eyes.

I was uncertain of where to begin. What should I tell her? Do I start with the good or the bad? "Well... I have both good and ill tidings. Which would you prefer to hear first?"

My sister was hardly surprised. Considering the severity of events that had occurred, a strictly positive outcome would be nothing short of miraculous. "I suppose... Let us begin with the bad news first."

And so it was. I began with the bad news before ending my revelation with the worst news. "Very well... I spoke to Dr. Flatline today. And... Our friend remains in grave physical condition. From what he told me, James has gone into cardiac arrest more than once. However... The worst news is that he is now...comatose."

That look of shock in her eyes as her ears drooped. It was a more severe reaction than I had foreseen. "Comatose... I know that he had suffered a concussion, yet... I... I understand... And the good news?"

"I am sorry to say there is not much to share. The only good news I have is that the tomes of human anatomy we provided the hospital staff has proven invaluable. That, and they are confident that they will be able to save him in the end with no permanent injuries sustained. Of course, that will matter little if he is to never awaken..." There was very little in terms of uplifting information I could share. I wish there was more...

"I see... Then we can only have faith that they will succeed in the end." My sister replied before turning her gaze back to the window. "But even if he does awaken, we may have to..."

I felt a powerful fear grasp my heart. "Sister... You're not truly considering that we..."

My sister gazed at me in both sorrow and grim determination. "You saw it, Luna. Behold the state of the courtyard before you. This is exactly the type of behavior we were seeking to avoid bringing to our world when we chose him over all others."

She was right... The worst humanity has to offer took place just yesterday from the one man we could not have possibly foreseen exhibiting it. We had to carefully select a human from that distant world who was either free of such urges or had the presence of mind to never exert them. But still, I know my friend well. This...was not in his nature. "I know... We must never allow our people to be exposed to it, lest it influence them. We must not allow this side of humanity to taint this world... But still... I know that was not truly James who did all this... And you know it too!"

Celestia gazed at me with a conflicted stare. "I know... And I do not wish to see him go either. This was not by his own will. It was yet another burst of raw chaos brought about by Discord's foolishness. I do not want to consider that our friend could ever choose to become this way through conscious thought. He is above this side of himself... I know it... I want to believe it..."

I suppose it is inevitable. When he... If he ever awakens, we will have to ascertain if he is even capable of becoming like this again. James is my friend. The first friend I ever gained since the day I took up the throne so long ago. He will always be my friend. But if he is doomed to repeat his actions from just yesterday... Will I have the strength to say goodbye if we choose to banish him from this world to preserve our world's purity and way of life?

After a moment more of silence, I gazed at my sister again. She never once blinked while looking out the window at the carnage. "Celestia... Is he dear to you as well?"

My sister glanced at me rather suddenly. I do not believe she was expecting such a question. "Me? Well..." She then turned her gaze back towards the view before us. "To be honest... I...believe so... Our times together have been brief and very few and far between. But in the few times we have been together, it was always...pleasant. And whenever we were alone... I felt something...familiar within him... I believe...I saw some of myself within him, if that makes any sense."

I understood exactly where she was coming from. And I had seen it too. My sister and my friend seem to mirror each other to some degree. A type of natural chemistry. "I've seen it too, Celestia. I see him in you as well. I can understand why he and our sister get along so well. He is closer to the being the sun than the moon."

A tiny smile spread across her lips. A forlorn smile, but still a smile. "I suppose so..."

Night came. My sister lowered the sun while I raised the moon as predictably and smoothly as clockwork. But I could not immediately bring my head to my pillow. I still feared for him. What had become of my friend since when I visited the hospital today? Was he at death's door?

I paced back and forth across my chambers. What could I do? If truly he is in a coma, then he will not be awake to...

It was then it occurred to me. Being in a coma is essentially the equivalent to being unable to awaken from a deep slumber. And where one's dreaming mind slumbers... I can visit.

I felt relief wash over me. Very soon, I would be seeing my friend in person. I prepared my spell to take effect and got myself comfortable in bed. I felt myself becoming heavier as the minutes went by. I was both eager, yet relaxed. And then, like many times before without me knowing when the transition occurred, I drifted from being awake into a dream state.

The dreamscape sprawled out before me like a field of clouds in the night sky. A nexus, if you will. Where I most often first arrive when I do not have a set destination when I prepare to dive into the dreams of others. I tried to feel for his presence among the countless other dreaming minds under the glow of the moon. And soon, I felt it. It felt different from the others... Familiar... Indeed, the dreaming mind of a human.

I felt it form before me. The gateway was set before me. A shifting portal of glimmering mist. And so, I charged through. But when I did... What... Just what happened? Something repelled me. As if I had been shoved backwards by an unseen force.

I saw nothing there as I climbed to my feet. To be repelled? Was it a nightmare? No, even a nightmare could not repel me so thoroughly. Something...or someone must have been trying to keep my out.

"You... I know not who or what you are, but stand aside! My friend needs me!" I roared at whatever it was that stood between me and my dreaming friend. I have occasionally ventured into the dreaming minds of comatose patients in other hospitals, so this was still not a normal experience. Still, it felt awkward and even embarrassing to appear to be yelling at nothing in particular.

Once more, I charged at the misty veil before me. I exerted greater power this time, but I still felt the unknown presence trying to force me out. And then I heard it. Bizarre distorted laughter. It was indecipherable, yet...vaguely familiar. Had I heard it before?

"No... Stand aside, you cretin! Dreams are my domain! James, I know you are in there! I will be there soon!" I called out, exerting as much magical power to struggle through this unseen obstacle. The infernal laughter did not cease. It did not merely sound sinister, but also...mad. Twisted. But I had little time to contemplate this event as mere moments later, I felt myself torn asunder.

I awoke in an instant, the memory hazy as my entire body ached. But I can still remember it at this moment, that brief instant when I felt my body come apart at the seams. What hellish entity could... I could not bypass it. Even my power could not let me enter my friend's dreaming mind. What phenomenon is this?

Still... The only comfort I can take from this is that if his dream was there, he still lives. Perhaps I will attempt it again tomorrow. But for now... I need to sleep off this fading memory. It was so brief, yet felt so real... Just... Please, my friend. Stay alive. I am not ready to lose you...

---

What a mess... How'd this all happen anyway? I went into that maze so sure we'd come out on top again and now... Now one of my best friends is laid up in the hospital and we don't even know if he's going to make it. The last thing I ever said to him was that I always hated him... And I wasn't even being honest with myself. So much for being the one with the Element of Honesty...

I have to say I don't really like sticking around in Canterlot for too long. All this fancy stuff up here and the way a lot of the locals look at me really don't sit right with me. But I have to admit I am feeling way too out of things to really mind today. What with all that happened and all...

I took a good look at myself in the mirror this morning when I woke up in one of the royal palace's guest rooms. That patch on my eye was still there to help with the black eye he gave me... Right, it was James who whacked me in the eye when I got all snippy with him. Can't say I didn't deserve it, especially after all the lies I said to his face.

After I grabbed my hat, I went out into the courtyard that the royal garden covers. I just needed to get some fresh air before I could really start my day. And being surrounded by all that green really helped. I just meandered around through there, listening to the birds chirping. Didn't even recognize some of them. At one point I even swung by the way back into the palace. When I looked around a bit, I could almost see where I set up my stall during the Grand Galloping Gala.

I chuckled a little when I saw James try to test out Big Macintosh's sentry. The poor guy got a good blow to the gut from one of the apples inside it, but he still laughed it off. Hoo boy, that was a fun night... Real fun...

I don't know what happened. The tears just came pouring when I remembered that moment. He... I don't want it all to end now. I know it's only been a year and I never really clicked with him like my other friends did, but... He's still my friend and I know he'd always be there for me if I ended up in the hospital too.

I had to get away from that spot. I just turned and ran. I didn't care where I ended up. I just needed to get somewhere away from it so I could just let my mind wander. And boy, did I wander. I think I must've wandered through that garden for a couple of hours at least. I didn't really pay any mind to anything until I heard somepony calling my name.

"Applejack... Applejack! Hey, I'm over here!" Once I finally noticed I was being called, I looked around and saw Rainbow Dash flapping overhead.

"Huh? Oh... Mornin', Rainbow. What's goin' on?" I said while trying to at least crack a smile. Don't know if I succeeded though.

She seemed kind of freaked out over something, but she also looked a bit fired up too. "We've all been called over to the hospital! I think they've got an update on James' condition! And Princess Luna kept saying it's probably good news!"

Good news?! Was he going to be all right? Well, either way, I was feeling worlds better after hearing that! "Really?! Well, all right then! I'm on my way right now! Let the girls know I'm comin', OK?" Rainbow Dash then flew off for the hospital while I ran from there all the way through the palace, right through the streets, and right into the hospital without even stopping. Although I was a might tuckered when I got there.

"Hey, girls! What'd I miss? Any good news?" A quick look around the lobby showed me that all my best friends were there. Well, them and the three princesses. They all didn't look as down or scarred as before. Things must've been looking up.

Princess Celestia was the first to say something. "We just received word that a significant change has occurred in your friend's condition since he had been admitted. Right now we just need to wait for Dr. Flatline to arrive with the prognosis."

"That...doesn't sound like a very nice name for a doctor..." Fluttershy said while looking even more worried than before. She still had that same guilty look in her eye as when we first caught up to her. Poor girl... I can only imagine what happened between her and James when he caught up to her after Discord had his way with her...

Nightmare Moon looked at Fluttershy when she said that. "His name is rather misleading. Dr. Flatline is regarded as a marvel in resuscitating patients whose vital signs have...well...flatlined. And from what I understand, that has happened several to our friend after he was admitted."

"Phew! That's good! I thought he was the kind of doctor who...uh..." Pinkie Pie started to say something, but then she clammed up when one of the hospital's doctors rounded the corner. He didn't look like the one who first came out of the ER when we first brought James in.

I think the fellow might've overheard us since he was cracking a bit of a smirk. "Making fun of my name? Don't worry, I get that a lot. Flatline usually carries a very negative vibe with it. But I assume you are all here for your friend? And...I certainly wasn't expecting to see all three of you, your highnesses."

Princess Luna was the one to reply to the doc. "Along with being vital to an important project, James is a close friend to my sisters and I. We had to attend. Now please, what is his current condition?"

The doctor went from looking pretty amused to pretty grim right away. I knew whatever he was going to say, it wasn't going to be good. "Well... He has finally stabilized. His blood levels have increased to a safe level and his torn muscles have been tended to. Although I can't say how glad I am that you removed his gauntlet the way you did, Princess Celestia. His burns on the arm were borderline third degree. We would've likely ripped quite a bit of his skin off and made for a tougher recovery process."

That really sounded pretty messed up. His right gauntlet did look pretty mangled and melted last time I saw it. And if it got hot enough to melt over him... I don't even want to know how his arm looked afterward. Even Princess Celestia didn't look too happy to remember having to do that in the emergency room. "I'm glad I could aid him in his time of need. And what else of his recovery? Will he be well?"

Dr. Flatline gave us a nod. "In the long run, yes. He still has a ways to go and everything will be done to speed up the healing of the burn that covers his forearm. But at the very least, the worst has passed. Your friend was very lucky to survive. If he had been brought in a few minutes later, I dread what we would've found upon admitting him."

I felt my lungs deflate like a big balloon. We all kind of slumped to the floor. Man, it felt so good to know he was going to be fine. Rarity even wiped some tears from her eyes. "Oh, thank heavens... Doctor, we are in your debt..."

"Don't thank me just yet. That was the good news." Those words got me scared. I mean if James was past the worst part, what else was there?

"Huh? Wait, there's more? Come on, doc. It can't be that bad, right?" Rainbow Dash was starting to look a might panicked. Hay, we all were. Although Princess Luna didn't seem all that bothered for some reason. But I didn't have time to wonder why.

Anyway, the doctor then said something that made me feel sick with anxiety. "As I said, your friend is healing and will survive. But his mental health is another issue entirely. I don't know what happened after he initially received his concussion, but whatever occurred had significantly complicated the injury."

Fluttershy raised her voice in a panic and took a step forward. "You mean he has brain damage?!" I felt myself feel weak in the knees. What was going to happen to James in the long run? Was he going to be a vegetable? I mean physical injuries are one thing, but brain injuries could completely...change what he is. Would he be the same guy I know next time I saw him?

Fortunately, it looked like that wasn't the problem since the doc shook his hoof all dismissive like. "No, not at all! We were able to tend to the injury properly. All of his mental facilities are intact. It was indeed a close call, but his brain is fine."

"Well, that's all fine and dandy then. Just don't spook us like that again, doc." I just had to say something after that. I almost felt like I was going to barf from what that did to my nerves.

"Yes, my apologies. However, the severity of that concussion brought with it some...complications." The doc said, making my stomach churn all over again.

"Come on, no more bad news, please! Just tell us he's gonna be fine!" Pinkie Pie finally almost yelled while looking like she was about to bounce off the walls with impatience. I could tell she was desperate. She just couldn't sit still over the last few days while worrying about James.

"Right, sorry. I assure you this is the last part. But... As I said, there were complications with surgery regarding his concussion due to its severity. It would've been relatively simple if he had been brought in immediately after suffering it to prevent further trauma to his head. But apparently that wasn't the case... In order to insure successful treatment, we were left with no choice but to induce a coma to prevent any further..."

Rainbow Dash didn't even let the guy finish. She swooped right up to the doc and grabbed his shoulders. "Doc, you can't be serious! A coma?! He's in a coma?! When's he gonna wake up?!"

I've got to hand it to the guy. He sure was going a good job of keeping a straight face with Rainbow Dash getting all up in his face like that. But his words only made that pit in my stomach dig itself deeper. "I don't know. Nopony knows how one determines when a coma will end. He could wake up tomorrow or in a year. We have no means of knowing when, or IF, he will ever awaken."

Nightmare Moon took a step or two closer while her face looked like someone had chiseled it out of a boulder and painted over it. But for the rest of us... That news hit harder than a wagon loaded with bricks. "Doctor..."

Just before she could say anything else, she looked at us over her shoulder. We all got freaked out by that. She was looking right at us. I know we broke that promise. And she had every right to be miffed at us. But a moment later, she looked back at the doc. "Discord... Has his remains been cremated yet?"

"Well... Not yet. They are still being contained within the morgue. Why do you ask?" The doctor said while looking kind of confused. I was also a bit worried over why Nightmare Moon would ask that.

She still didn't change that look on her face. Almost like she was trying to hold in some anger. "I would appreciate it if you postpone his cremation for another day. I wish to have a...moment with that cadaver."

She then turned to face her sisters, a bit of a glare settling in her eyes. "Is that fine with you?"

Princess Celestia seemed pretty bothered by what her sister was getting at. But I reckon I knew what she wanted. She probably was going to focus all her anger over what happened onto his corpse and blow it apart. Good thing we were nowhere near the morgue. Even so, Celestia didn't object. "I suppose there is no harm in allowing you to have your way with his remains. It is not like he can feel it anymore."

We didn't say anything. It probably wasn't a good idea to even try to talk to her right then. But Princess Luna did when Nightmare Moon started to pass her. "Sister. If I might make a suggestion... Do try to make sure at least some of him remains when you are done."

I didn't get to see Nightmare Moon's face, but I reckon it had one mean looking scowl on it. "Do not fret, Luna. I will be certain to spare a few chunks of flesh."

Once she was gone, we all looked back at Dr. Flatline. Twilight was the one to talk next. "Doctor... You're certain you have no way of knowing when he will awaken?"

"I wish I did, Miss Sparkle. We have done all we can. But from what we have seen, his will to live is exceptionally strong. Something must be keeping him going. If anything, it just might prompt him to awaken sooner than expected." The doc said while trying to smile a bit. And there was something in those words that got me feeling hopeful. A strong desire to live, he said. Why?

Turns out it was Pinkie Pie who made the first guess. "Something keeping him going... He wants to see us again." She then took a few steps towards the doc. "Doctor... Uh... Would it be all right if you could move him closer to home? So we could be there for him a bit more easily?"

"Move him to...Ponyville?" He asked while looking a bit confused by that request. I have to say too that it's pretty unusual for Pinkie Pie to act all that serious and sincere.

Fluttershy nodded and took a step forward. "Please... Ponyville is his home and he has many friends there... And...we want to be there for him while he heals..."

Princess Celestia was the next one to talk. "Please, Flatline. Being in a place closer to home just might influence his recovery in a positive light. I implore you, please allow him to be moved to Ponyville Hospital."

The doctor didn't take long to offer a reply. "Yes, I see your point. Very well. He will be moved to Ponyville Hospital within the next couple of hours. Just let me send word to them that they will be receiving a comatose patient and we will prepare a transport."

There really wasn't much else to say after that. The doctor left and we all headed on back to the lobby. But when we got there, I could hear what sounded like distant booms from somewhere down the hall on the other side of the receptionist's desk. Maybe even thunderclaps. I didn't want to imagine what Nightmare Moon was even doing to Discord's body. Even if the scumbag had it coming...

"This just can't be happening... Right when we are on the verge of escaping this nightmare, another problem has been thrown at us? Is this fate's punishment for our failure?!" Rarity ranted for a minute in that usual prissy fashion of hers. On any other day, I would've been a might annoyed, but I couldn't bring myself to have a problem with her that time. She had every right to be that upset.

Needless to say, we were all a bit rattled. Here I was thinking that James was going to pull through just fine once his body was finally past the worst part. But now... He might never wake up? I just... I felt sick with myself. Even if Discord was the one who was really responsible, I still had a hoof in what happened to James...

"What're we gonna do now... I mean... A coma?" Rainbow Dash muttered as she paced back and forth while she didn't seem to be looking at anypony in particular. I know Rainbow Dash pretty well and it was mighty unsettling to see somepony as brash and tough as her all weak in the knees and shot in the nerves over one friend. I mean she was right there with him after... And when we got to him, he was... Is that...what it feels like to watch a friend die right in front of you? Is that what it did to her? I mean he didn't die, but... He looked dead when we got to him...

Princess Luna spoke up when Rainbow Dash ended up bumping into a wall. "Please calm yourself, Rainbow Dash. If Dr. Flatline says that our friend is going to live, then he will live. He has never lost a patient."

I had to say something then. "But this ain't about him livin', yer highness. This is about 'im...never wakin' up. How can we say we're sorry if he can't hear us?!"

Both of the princesses didn't say anything at first. But I could tell they were just as bothered as the rest of us. Princess Luna and James had always been like crispy pie crust and gooey apple filling since pretty much the first day they met, but... I just don't know what things were like between him and Princess Celestia. I mean they had been kind of distant since he showed up. At least that's what I'd think...

Anyway, it was Princess Celestia who answered me. "Applejack... No, all of you. Please... You must not blame yourselves too hard. I know it is very easy to feel guilty for your actions, but... You must never forget. The ones who harmed your friend. They were not you. In the same way that the one who...murdered Discord was not truly James. At least...I hope that was not him. This entire crisis is the result of a mad spirit obsessed with and drowned in chaos. And if anypony is to blame... It is I. So please... Do not fault yourselves for your friend's predicament."

I don't know why she would say she was at fault for what happened. But I guess it wasn't my place to ask. Even so, Fluttershy tried to not cry while she said something in return. "I know... I know that wasn't us who... But...why does it still hurt...?"

"It is understandable if you still feel remorse over your actions, Fluttershy. It may have not been you in body who turned on him, but it was still you in physical form. Still, you must not blame yourselves... Even though I know it is surely difficult to do so." Luna said again, but she really didn't look all that happy about it.

Princess Celestia then motioned for us to come closer. "Once more, I cannot tell you all how sorry I am that this has come to pass. If nothing else, take comfort in knowing that Discord's reign of madness has been ended forever. But for now, return home and rest. Your friend needs you all to be there for him until the day comes where he awakens." She then looked right at Twilight. "I will send word to Spike informing him of the situation and that you are all about to return home. I will make certain he knows to meet you at the station."

"Thank you, your highness... And we'll let you know if anything comes up." Twilight said before she stepped forward and shared a little hug with Princess Celestia. And after that, we made our ways over to the train station and were on the next train out of Canterlot.

On train rides, the girls and I usually get really chatty to help pass the time. But not this time. We hardly made a peep during the whole ride. All I heard was the rattling of the wheels under our hooves and the lurching of the train car. I just couldn't say anything. All I could do was look out the window and watch the scenery go by while we rolled down the mountain.

Eventually, we did get a little racket to break the silence. And sure enough, it was Pinkie Pie. She ran over to the side of the car I was on and pointed at something. "Hey! Is that him?!"

"What're ya goin' on about, Pinkie?" I asked before looking too. All the other girls came over to check too. And we saw it. A couple of pegasi were pulling some sort of medical looking wagon through the sky while descending towards Ponyville.

"That's a medical transport... James is in there." Twilight said while she actually started to smile a bit. "He's almost home."

"Then...we can go straight to the hospital and see him once we get there." Rarity added while... I actually don't know what to make of that look she was showing. Hopeful, but still really messed up on the inside?

Rainbow Dash started looking really impatient. "Well... Hey, would you girls mind if I left out the back door and went on ahead to check on him?"

"He ain't there yet, Rainbow. Besides, I think we should all go together. Not ta mention the conductor might flip if he found out one of the passengers disappeared on 'im." I said in reply. I know Rainbow and James have been mighty tight for a while. And... Well, I can understand why she'd want to check on him right away.

The rest of the ride was pretty unenjoyable. I just wanted to get there and head on over to the hospital and see how our buddy was holding up. I even found myself pacing up and down the aisle. And don't get me started on Pinkie Pie. She looked like she was going to blow a fuse or something while sitting all huddled in the corner of her seat.

At one end of the car, I found Fluttershy looking out the window while hardly budging a muscle. I know this is probably common knowledge by now, but she and James... Well, they're sweethearts. Wouldn't surprise me if they get hitched sometime next year. And... Well, how do you think you'd feel if you betrayed and attacked your future spouse against your will? I know Fluttershy isn't exactly the chattiest out of the six of us, but she'd been really quiet the last couple of days. So I decided to mosey on over to her and see if there was anything I could do to help while passing the time. "Howdy, Fluttershy. How're ya holdin' up?"

She didn't say anything or even look at me at first. I tried nudging her too. "Fluttershy? Hey, you all right?"

When she did look at me... Her eyes were just as empty and gloomy as the last time I saw her. "Oh... Hi, Applejack...

I pulled up a seat across from her to rest my legs. "What's wrong... Wait... Sorry, I guess there's plenty that's wrong right now. But... Well, I've noticed you haven't been very chatty lately."

"Sorry... I guess I'm...too depressed to want to talk..." She said real quiet like. She didn't even look at me when she said that.

I don't know what it's like to fall in love, to be honest. Never met a guy that just sang to me like James must've sang to Fluttershy. So I can't say I know what it's like to hurt that special somepony. "Well... Ya wanna talk now?"

She didn't say anything, so I tried to bring up a topic that might make her feel better. "Well... Would ya mind fillin' me in on how you and James got together? I mean it was a pretty short amount of time before you sent him that love letter."

Fluttershy looked at me while looking a might confused. "How we... What do you mean?"

I was really glad mentioning James didn't strike a nerve. "Well... I'm just wonderin' how you two got so lovey dovey not even a week after he first showed up. I mean he's a nice guy and all, but...well..."

She didn't seem to mind talking about him much at all. "I guess it all started when I first met him... Twilight and Rainbow Dash said that someone in Sugarcube Corner was a bit distraught and that they were not sure if they should approach him. I was a bit nervous, but they said he didn't seem dangerous. I had never seen anything like him before. And he was so quiet and reserved. He didn't make any kind of mean or rude advances on me, even if he was sounding bitter. And he even gave me a cupcake afterwards. I was worried about him all day after seeing how upset he seemed at first, wondering where he was until Pinkie Pie set up his welcoming party."

"Uh huh. And how'd you end up... Ya know." I asked while trying to not say too much so she could focus on her thoughts.

Fluttershy let out a long sigh for a moment before she started talking again. "I never was the most popular mare in Cloudsdale or Ponyville. Nopony was ever interested in me. But James... He never judged me or got annoyed with how shy I am. Most stallions have never been that accepting of me. I guess...he was my first crush. And I kept debating over whether or not to tell him. So I wrote a love letter. But I couldn't decide whether or not to show him then or later. I guess my little bunny, Angel, got annoyed with me not making up my mind and snuck it out of the house to him. I was so terrified when he showed up with it in his hand. Like I had made a terrible mistake. But...he didn't reject me. He gave me a chance and..."

After a moment longer, she looked at me as tears started to flow down her cheeks again. "Applejack... Do you think I made a mistake? Would he have been better off if I didn't... Would this have not..."

I really didn't know what to say to that. The guilt was really eating away at her. Who knows? Maybe if they weren't as close as they are now, maybe Fluttershy wouldn't have hurt James as much when he found her out in the maze after Discord got to her. But there was one thing I could say. "I don't know, sugarcube. I really don't know... That's somethin' you're gonna have ta ask him yerself."

Not much else happened on the way back, but I stayed close to Fluttershy the whole time. It didn't feel right to leave her alone while she was in that state of mind. But when we finally pulled into the station in Ponyville and stepped outside, we found one baby purple dragon waiting for us. "Hey! Over here, Twilight!"

Spike was already there and waiting for us, so we went right over to him. "Howdy, Spike. Sorry if we couldn't come home right away."

Twilight then asked, "How are things back home, Spike? Have you been taking care of Owlowiscious?"

"Yeah, no problems on this end. Owlowiscious and I have been keeping the place nice and tidy. So, what happened? All that weird weather cleared up bit by bit a couple of days ago. And... Uh... Wait. Is someone missing? And what happened to your eye, Applejack?" The little guy didn't take long to notice that there was one person less than when we left for Canterlot a few days ago. And he sure didn't waste any time noticing the white patch I had over my black eye.

None of us wanted to say the truth to him. No telling what kind of effect that sort of info could have on a kid. But Rainbow Dash then stepped forward a bit with her head hanging low. "Don't worry about her. Just a black eye. As for James... He's...not doing so hot."

"He's not... What do you mean? What happened up there anyway?! I thought I saw a huge burst of fire in the sky on the day you left way out north! Pretty much everypony in town heard it!" Looks like Spike saw that solar flare or whatever James almost used to blow up the entire mountain with when he went nuts.

"Spike... Darling, did you happen to see a carriage or wagon being brought in from Canterlot not too long ago?" Rarity then asked while Spike surprisingly wasn't too head over heels for her. I guess he could tell things just didn't warrant that kind of behavior at the moment.

Spike took one look in the same direction I saw that transport being brought in before looking back at us. "Uh... Now that you mention it, I think I did see something like that heading towards the hospital... Wait, James wasn't on that, was he?!"

"We're about to find out. Come on, Spike. We've got to pay a visit to the hospital." Twilight said while using her magic to pick the little guy up and set him on her back before we all ran off for the hospital. And I was already getting that sinking feeling in my gut on what we would find once we were in the same room as him.

We didn't take very long to get to the hospital. And right as we showed up, we saw the same transport as before being pulled away back to Canterlot. Anyway, we barged right into the lobby and Pinkie Pie pushed past all of us to get to the front desk. "Excuse me! Is he here?! Was James brought in?"

Turns out Nurse Redheart was at the desk at the time. "James? Oh, yes. He was only just brought in. Although I don't think he's in any condition to be able to receive visitors though."

"Please, Miss Redheart... We know he can't talk to us, but... Can we please see him? Just to make sure he's all right?" Fluttershy asked while stepping past Pinkie.

Redheart took one long look at Fluttershy before nodding. "All right. I don't know what happened that placed him in such a predicament, but I won't stop you from checking on him. He's in room 12. Just take the elevator up to the top floor."

"12? You mean the room I was admitted to when... Yeah. Anyway, thanks." Rainbow Dash said with a bit of a smile before we all headed down the hall a bit to find the elevator. It was a bit of a tight squeeze for all seven of us, but we made it in all right.

Spike pressed the button for the top floor before I felt something pull down on me while the elevator started to move. "Why wouldn't James be in any shape to see any visitors? Is he OK?" Poor kid... He just couldn't understand what happened.

I tried to say something that maybe he would understand. Wouldn't want to say anything that would mess with his head though. "Spike... James is... He's not doin' well right now... Somethin'...awful happened up in Canterlot while we were there..."

Right as I said that, I felt something trying to pull me up right as the elevator stopped. I always really liked that feeling. I thought Spike would say something after that last bit, but he stayed pretty quiet. I guess he could tell we weren't really in a conversing mood. And sure enough, right down another short hall was the room we were looking for.

"Hey, it's the same room you were in when you got hooked on Daring Do, Rainbow Dash." Pinkie Pie said when we all got close to it. But she shut up pretty quickly too. Right on the other side of that door was our friend. And...I wasn't entirely sure if I was ready to see him.

"Are you here to see James?" I thought I knew that voice from somewhere. And sure enough, peeking out from behind the hall's corner behind us was the same doctor who looked after Rainbow Dash when she got brought in for that broken wing she had a little while ago. Never got his name though.

"Yes, doctor. Is he all right?" Twilight asked while we all looked at him. I was hoping he had better news than the docs in Canterlot.

He sighed while he came closer. "Well... All of the information that was forwarded to me was quite accurate. He is certainly not in any danger so long as we look after him. But he has been entirely unresponsive to all forms of stimuli. You are free to visit him if you wish, although I can promise you he will not know you're there. You all have my sincerest sympathies. I know this must be a difficult time for you."

Still nothing but the same bad news as before. But I still wasn't able to wrap my head around someone not being able to wake up. Lack of experience and all. "Thanks, doc. Well... We're goin' in now. Just let us know if anythin' changes."

"I will do just that. I'll just leave you to him. And... Well, I know I probably don't need to tell you this, but do not try to rouse him. He will not awaken to anything right now." And then he was gone.

"It's can't be that bad... Right?" I heard Fluttershy said while she reached for the door. But she didn't push it open right away. She looked back at us first. I was scared. But I was hopeful too. We had to see what had happened to him since then. I had not seen the guy in two days. A second later, Fluttershy grabbed the knob with her wing and gave it a twist. When the door opened, we got a big surprise. Nopony was there. Just an empty hospital bed with a curtain hanging on the other side.

"He's...not here?" Spike asked while we all took a step inside. But it didn't take long for us to notice something in the air. That beeping sound you always hear in a hospital room. What's that name they use for that doohickey? A heart monitor?

"He's on the other side... Girls, let's go..." Twilight said while she started making her way around the curtain. We all followed while pretty much holding our breaths. My heart was pounding in my chest. Was he all right? We rounded the corner and... There he was.

James was laid up in a bigger bed than they normally use for patients since he's quite a bit bigger than us ponies. But still...he was there. Out cold, but alive. He had one of those masks over his mouth hooked up to a respirator and that monitor was set up next to a bunch of other gadgets. He only had his head above the covers. And...he didn't move or say anything.

I couldn't say anything. I just... I felt myself starting to tear up. Two days ago, I was scared out of my mind that I was going to lose my friend. And here he was, still alive right in front of me. Fluttershy was the first to get closer while we all watched. She reached out and felt along the covers before she set her hoof down on something. I think it was his hand. "I... I was so scared for you..."

We all got a bit closer after that. Spike, probably still not really getting what had happened, spoke up. "He looks just fine to me."

"He's not, Spike... It's possible that he may never awaken." Rarity said while looking over at him. I could see she was holding back tears. Poor girl... She and James have always been pretty close since the day he showed up.

I still don't think Spike really understood just how serious the moment was, even after Rarity talked to him. "Never? That doesn't make sense! He's gotta wake up at some point."

Before we could say anything, Pinkie Pie gave us a really...desperate looking smile. "Yeah, he has to! He... He needs to wake up someday..."

We all watched while Pinkie went over to the other side of his bed and looked right at his face. "Hi, James... It's been a couple of days, but... How're you doing? You remember me, right? Pinkie Pie? Your workmate at Sugarcube Corner? The girl who sets up all the parties there? Your...friend?"

None of us said anything while she talked to him. But still...it was hard not to get all misty-eyed from watching that. The more she talked, the more desperate she started to look. At one point, she even started nudging James' face. "We're... We're still friends, right? You know that wasn't really me saying all those angry mean words at you, right? You... You're gonna wake up and... And things will all go back to normal soon... Right?"

"Pinkie... Don't move his head. He just had cerebral surgery." Twilight said once it looked like Pinkie was about to have a breakdown. The poor girl was in tears. Probably even in shock. And I... I couldn't accept it either. I didn't want to believe that he might never wake up. But while I watched, I noticed something on the little nightstand next to him. A little cup of water that one of the nurses must have left behind. Since all that medical gear was on the side Pinkie was standing, it had been moved to the side of the bed closest to me.

I looked at the water for a few seconds before I got an idea. Pretty much nopony can sleep through a good soaking. "Hang on a second, Pinkie. I know what'll wake 'im up!"

I grabbed that cup in my teeth and flung my head sideways, launching the water out of it and splattering it all over James' face before anypony could say anything. I then set the cup back down and watched. That had to wake him up. His face was soaked.

"So sorry about that, darling. Uh...Applejack just wanted to make sure you...um... She just wanted to make certain you were all right... You sleep well the last few days?" Rarity asked while we watched. That just had to wake him up right there.

A moment passed and... He didn't say anything. He didn't even groan or grumble from getting wet. Didn't even open his eyes.

Next thing I knew, Rainbow Dash swooped out of the room. And before we could even dwell on it, she came back with a metal kettle in her teeth that had steam coming out of the spout. "This'll get the job done!"

I really wasn't liking the look of that. Especially when she started hovering over James with the thing held between her hooves. "Uh... Rainbow? Where'd ya get that? And what's in it?"

She gave us all a really confident smirk. That kind of look she makes when she's not going to let anypony stop her. "Hot water they use for coffee."

"Rainbow, wait!" Fluttershy shrieked while reaching out for her. But it was too late. Rainbow dumped about a pint of the stuff right on James' face without a second thought.

"Uh oh! He's gonna be steamed! He hates those kinds of pranks!" Pinkie Pie shrieked while we all backed away. I was expecting James to wake up with a yell or something and be really ticked off. I know I'd be if someone dumped something hot on me!

We were all just watching, pretty much just anticipating him to wake up all ticked off. His face was all red like he had just stepped out of a hot shower. Or that's what Rainbow Dash told me once. Don't have a clue of how she knows that. But after a minute, things started to get really... Well... Rainbow Dash's really smug smirk started to turn into something else. She just hovered over his bed while looking down at him. "Uh... Did that hurt? I mean... That DID wake you up... Right?"

I felt myself feeling a bit sick. I wanted to see him wake up. But even after that... Rainbow dropped the kettle with a clank, spilling whatever was left onto the floor. She then dropped right down on him without even looking at us. "Hey... You can drop the act now, James. I know that one woke you up. Hehe... No need to keep playing dead. You already gave me a good scare back outside the maze. Don't you think that's enough?"

None of us said anything. But it was becoming all too clear to me. James...wasn't going to wake up. And Rainbow Dash couldn't accept it. "This... This is about the time when I threw your lunch in your face, isn't it?! I already said I'm sorry! You even got me back for that! Come on, wake up! Joke's over!"

The longer that went on, the harder it was to listen to. I even saw and heard her start to cry while she started to pound on his chest and shake him. "Wake up already... You know what you saw and heard wasn't from the real them! Please... I know you're still in there! I know you can hear me! We're all here now... Wake up..."

Out of nowhere, Rainbow Dash was covered in a turquoise magic aura and yanked right off the bed. I recognized it right away, especially when somepony ran right over to us. "Rainbow Dash, no! I already told you that he's in a very delicate condition!"

The doctor we saw in the hall was right beside us. And Rainbow... She looked about as wrecked as when we first found her outside the maze with James after... Yeah... Anyway, Rainbow really wasn't happy to be kept away from our friend. "But... Doc... He's gotta wake up!"

Well, the doctor sure wasn't happy about it either. "And I already told you, Rainbow Dash. He CAN'T wake up. And we do not know when, or if, he ever will."

Of all people, it was Spike who spoke up next. "But he can't stay asleep forever! He's got to wake up sometime!"

I just felt so helpless... For the first time since that mess in Canterlot, James was right in front of us. And we couldn't even talk to him. At least the doctor wasn't being too harsh with us. "I understand your frustration. Comas are not exactly common afflictions. I know it must be difficult for you to grasp that your friend may never awaken. But you must be patient. Only time can heal that part of him. And I assure you that if anything changes, no matter how minute, you will all be informed right away. So please... All I can say is...have faith."

It hurt knowing the truth. I knew we had to wait, but... I don't think there's any way I can sum up just how much it hurts to know all that! Anyway, the doctor started to lead us out. But before we got out, I took one more look back at the curtains that blocked my view of James. And somehow, I managed to sneak back over to him without anypony noticing. I couldn't stay long though. Someone was bound to notice me missing before long.

Seeing him sprawled out on the bed in front of me... With only his head sticking out of the covers. I could hear him breathing. And that heart monitor kept beeping nice and slow. He was alive and pretty healthy, but... I knew everything I said to him would never reach him. He was there, but...at the same time, he wasn't. But still... I tried to make him hear me.

"Howdy, pardner... How ya holdin' up?" I said quietly while feeling along the sheets. I felt his arm and moved it down until I felt something a bit broader. It was his hand. But when I pressed down a bit, I felt something grab on a bit from under the sheets. His fingers had clasped over the edge of my hoof... I felt myself choke up right there. He couldn't hear me, but... Maybe... Just maybe somewhere in there, he could still feel me right next to him.

"I heard from the docs... Yer... Yer gonna be OK. Ya ain't gonna die on us..." I kept saying while never looking away from the guy. I took my hat off and set it on what I think was his belly. "Never seen ya this quiet. Kinda reminds me of when I first saw ya... Heh... Remember back then? I saw somethin' tall in front of my house and there ya were... You were pretty shy back then... Didn't talk too much. Kinda like...now..."

I couldn't hold the tears back. They just came on pouring from my eyes. "James... I dunno if you can hear me, but... All the things I said back in the maze? That... That wasn't me... I wish I could've told ya then, but... They were lies. All lies... I never hated ya, James... I never even remotely disliked ya. You've always been a friend to me. Maybe not the closest friend I've ever had, but... Yer a friend I never wanna lose..."

For a minute, I didn't know what else to say. So I just set my head down on his chest while looking up at him. I could feel him lift my head up with each breath. I could hear it too... "Just... Wake up soon, all right? I can't tell ya how much the girls miss you... I know I do... Like...maybe in a week? Can you promise me y'all be up and about in a week? I still need ta say I'm sorry... I can't do that if ya can't hear me..."

I had to get out of there right away or else the girls would come looking. The rest of the day... It's been glum. I could barely even tell Big Macintosh and Granny Smith about what happened. Thank goodness Apple Bloom and her friends weren't there. I didn't see her get home until sundown. I don't know what I'll tell her tomorrow...

Can't believe this is happening... I just want things to go back to how they were just four days ago. Feels like it's been forever since things were all right...

---

This morning didn't go too well. I think I might've overslept. Usually it's James who wakes me up. But for some reason, he didn't come home last night. And...Fluttershy said he's in the hospital. But she wouldn't say why.

Anyway, I climbed out of bed and looked around for a clock. And when I looked at it, I saw it was past 9 o'clock. "Whoa! I'm late! Better grab my scooter!"

I grabbed an apple from the kitchen and grabbed my saddlebags and riding gear before running outside and around to the back. I always keep my scooter in the backyard. I said hi to the chickens, revved up my wings, and zoomed off for school. "Later, girls! I gotta eat and run!"

Man, it always feels so awesome to ride my scooter so fast. Although I usually don't eat and ride at the same time. But once I was stuck with just an old apple core, I tried a new trick. I tossed it into he air, jumped and kicked it away, and landed right back on my scooter. Man, I wish my big brother could've seen that.

Well, I got to school in just a few minutes. Amazing what a pair of wings and a board on wheels can make in time! I set my scooter up just inside the playground and ran inside while taking off my helmet. "Sorry I'm late! Did I miss anything?"

Everypony was already in their seats while Miss Cheerilee was up in front of the blackboard. I'm almost never late, so she looked kind of surprised. "Good morning, Scootaloo. You're almost never tardy. Is everything all right?"

I dropped my helmet off with my saddlebags and hurried over to my desk. "Yeah, sorry. My big brother didn't come home last night, so he didn't wake me up. Fluttershy said he's in the hospital."

"All right. Well, let's get back to... Wait, the hospital?!" Yeah, I don't think anypony was expecting that. Everyone was looking at me.

I really wasn't in the mood to talk about it though. I was late enough already. "Uh... That's what Fluttershy said. She didn't say why though. Um... What were we doing today?"

That got Cheerilee to forget about it. "Oh... Well, we were just going over the history of Cloudsdale. Now, where was I...?"

While she was flipping through a textbook, I looked back and forth at Sweetie and Apple Bloom. They had been moved to the front row with me and were seated next to me. Sweetie Belle then whispered to me. "Hey, Scoot? Did Fluttershy really not tell you what happened to James? I think he and my sister were gone for a few days."

"Yeah. That's why I was bunking with you for the last couple of days. And no, she never said why. But she looked really bothered about something. I've never seen her so sad." I said back to her. I mean I know Fluttershy is really...well...shy sometimes, but she's been pretty depressed since she got home yesterday.

Apple Bloom leaned over to me and whispered, "Uh... Applejack told me this mornin'. She said somethin' really awful happened up in Canterlot the day all that chocolate rain started pourin' over Ponyville. I think she said he's...in a coma?"

I had no idea what that word even meant, but it got me feeling really worried. I thought maybe James got a broken leg or something like that. Sweetie Belle then raised her hoof. "Miss Cheerilee? What's a coma?"

She really didn't see that coming. She gave Sweetie Belle a pretty weird look before she pushed the textbook away. "That's a bit off topic, Sweetie Belle. Although we do have a book on medicine on the shelves if you want to take a look during free time. Now, back to the lesson at hoof... The earliest settlers during Cloudsdale's founding were..."

I couldn't even really focus. I hadn't even seen my brother since the day he left for Canterlot a few days ago. And he was in the hospital now. And Fluttershy... I'm just a kid and I could still see something was wrong with her when she came home yesterday. She didn't want to talk very much and she just looked so depressed... And whenever I asked her what happened, she would always say I shouldn't ever know. I don't get it. What happened up there?!

"Psst... PSST!!! Scootaloo!" I heard somepony whisper loudly behind me. When I turned around, I saw Silver Spoon trying to pass me a note. She was using the desk right behind with Diamond Tiara right behind her. If it had been a year ago, I wouldn't have taken the note. But those two are OK girls now. After I checked to make sure Cheerilee wasn't watching, I grabbed the note and put it on my desk.

"Is James going to be OK?" That's what I saw on the paper. It took me a second, but I recognized it. It was from Button Mash.

I looked past the desks behind me. And there he was leaning past his desk to look at me. Button Mash waved at me, but he didn't look very happy. So I went back to the note and flipped it over before writing down an answer. "I don't know. Want to go see him after school?"

I got a sneaky idea on how to get the note back to Button Mash. I stuck the note in my wing and leaned back to let Silver Spoon take it without Cheerilee noticing. I waited a little bit before looking back at Button. He leaned past his desk and nodded at me.

Lunchtime and recess came pretty quickly. So we all went out to the playground. Sweetie Belle even remembered to bring that book Miss Cheerilee told us about. Well, I pulled out a sandwich and apple Fluttershy had put together for me. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom came over too and opened their lunch bags while Sweetie Belle put the book down. Sweetie then asked, "Well... Are we ready to find out what a coma is?"

I don't know why, but that word gave me a big sinking feeling in my gut. I could tell that Apple Bloom felt the same way by that look she was giving me. "Uh... I guess we gotta find out sooner or later..."

"Yeah... Let's start looking." I said while munching on my sandwich. But right after that, I heard somepony coming closer. And when we looked, we saw Button Mash right next to us. It looked like Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara also had the same idea since I saw them coming too.

"Hi... Uh... Can I have my lunch here too?" Button Mash said as he sat down by us. I don't know what to say about him. He's a nice guy and we sometimes have fun at the arcade together, but I don't know if I can say he's my friend. But I know he and James have been good buddies since the first day they met. Does that mean we're friends too?

"Sure, Button. Have a seat." Apple Bloom said while she scooted over a bit. I nodded too, but then Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon came over. They didn't even need to say anything. We made some more room for them to get into the circle.

"So... What's this about James being in a coma? Did something happen?" Diamond Tiara said while she and Silver Spoon took out their lunches too. They usually have fancier stuff than us, but I don't like it very much. Too rich for me. I'd rather have James and Fluttershy's yummy home cooking.

"I don't know. The last time I saw him was when he and Rainbow Dash went up to Canterlot a few days ago. You know, when it was raining chocolate milk?" I replied while looking at the book in the middle of the circle.

Apple Bloom then said, "My sis went with 'im too. Didn't Rarity also go?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. My sister went too. And so did Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, and Pinkie Pie. They didn't get back until just yesterday too. But what's a coma?" Sweetie Belle said before we all looked at the book in front of us. I don't remember the title, but it looked kind of boring to me.

"Well, let's find out. I've got this." Silver Spoon said before she pulled it closer and flipped it open. "OK, where's the section about comas..."

She looked really smart while she looked through the book with her hoof adjusting her glasses. "OK, found it. Um... Well, it's..."

I don't remember everything she said. I was already getting bored. But I think she said something about it being a problem where someone can't wake up? Button Mash didn't look that worried after she finished reading that part of the book. "Ooh, so it's a sleeping disease! Kinda like this? Hi, everypony! I had a lot of..." Then he fell over and started snoring with his eyes closed. That was kind of funny. We all laughed. Wow, this doesn't look anything like my big brother's journals. He always puts a lot of detail into everything he writes. Oh well. I'm just writing this because I'm not in the mood to do anything else.

"Well, it doesn't sound like too big of a problem! He can't wake up? Then we just have to MAKE him wake up." Diamond Tiara said with a big smile. It was like everypony wasn't worried anymore. But... I didn't know what to think. It didn't sound like a big deal, so...why was Fluttershy so depressed about it?

Well, we all went back inside when recess ended and put the book back. I don't remember much about what else Cheerilee talked to us about for the rest of the day. I just couldn't focus. I wanted to believe my brother was OK, but... Fluttershy's acting gave me a completely different feeling. Fluttershy's always been a good friend, but... James is the only family I've ever known. I don't know what'd I do if I lost him.

At one point, I got so bored that I tried to draw. I pulled out some crayons from my desk and a slip of paper. I used some brown, some blue, some green, some orange, and some purple. But after a while, Cheerilee talked pretty loudly. "Scootaloo! Are you drawing in class?"

I knew I was in trouble. I quickly put all that art stuff away, but it was too late to hide the drawing. But when she came closer to look at it, she didn't say anything. All she did was look down at my desk and the picture. I tried to draw a human and a little pegasus holding hooves... I mean hands... I mean... You get the idea. It was supposed to be James and me. I guess she must've known that too since she showed me a kind of sad smile. "I'm sorry. Never mind. My mistake."

I was glad Cheerilee was going easy on me. I think she understood things a bit better than I did. After a minute longer, I held my head up in my hooves while looking down at the picture. I couldn't help whispering while looking at it. "Sometimes I wish I could call you 'dad'..."

The rest of the school day was really boring and quiet. And when the bell rang, I couldn't wait to grab my saddlebags and get out of there. But I wasn't alone when I ran out the door. "Hey, Scootaloo! Are ya goin' ta see James?"

Apple Bloom was right behind me. And so was Sweetie Belle, Button Mash, Silver Spoon, and Diamond Tiara. I guess they all wanted to check on James to make sure he was all right. "Uh huh... You wanna come?"

"Of course we do. He's our friend, isn't he?" Diamond Tiara said while looking... Actually, she was looking pretty worried. But it was also pretty cute to hear her call James a friend. I wonder what she'd be like if he never showed up.

It felt good to have my friends with me while we walked through Ponyville. I was excited to see my brother again, but... I was really scared too. I hadn't seen him for a couple of days. Was he OK?

I can't remember the last time I ever went to the hospital for something that wasn't a checkup. It was pretty quiet at the front desk. Silver Spoon was the one who talked to the nurse there. "Excuse me. Is Mr. James here?"

The nurse looked down at us. I was kind of scared. Was James still there? "James? Well... Yes, he is in room 12. Just take the elevator up to the top floor and it'll be right down the hall."

"Cool! Thanks!" Button Mash said kind of loudly before we went looking for the elevator. It was pretty close by. And when we got to the top, there it was. A door with a 12 on it.

"OK... Here we go." Sweetie Belle said when we started to get closer. But when we did, somepony opened the door and came out. "Huh? Rarity! What're you doing here?"

It was Sweetie Belle's big sister. Rarity was carrying some saddlebags when she came out. And just like Fluttershy, she was looking pretty glum. "Sweetie Belle? And... Oh, what brings all of you here? A hospital is no play for children to play."

"We're here to see James. Is he...all right in there?" I replied while feeling kind of nauseous in my gut. It was scary. He was right on the other side of that door and I was both excited and freaked out.

Rarity looked back at the door before looking at us with a really depressed look in her eyes. "I am certain you kids have already heard something of his current condition. Well... No. He is not OK. He is far from being OK. He's... What is a term you would understand... He is...well...broken as of this moment."

That really didn't sound too good to me. Apple Bloom then spoke up with a bit of a smile on her face. "He's broken? Well, we'll just have ta fix 'im up!"

That really sad smile Rarity was showing... I didn't know what to make of it. "No, Apple Bloom... It's not like that. Only time can repair his broken soul." She started to walk by us to the elevator before looking back at us. "You can see him if you want. But do not try to move him. And be sure you do not move his head. He's...in a very delicate state right now."

Once she was gone, we all took a big deep breath before we went inside. But he wasn't even there. Diamond Tiara looked pretty annoyed right away. "Huh? He's not here?! What gives?!"

"But what's that sound? You know, that beeping?" Button Mash said while he looked around. I heard it too. Some kind of steady rhythm of high-pitched beeps. And it sounded like it was coming from the other side of the curtain.

Sweetie Belle went first and peeked around the curtain. A few seconds later, she looked back at us. "Girls... I found him."

I felt myself starting to sweat. We all ran around to the other side of the curtain. And... I didn't know what to think. He was right there. Asleep and hooked up to a few machines and a bag of some kind of clear liquid connected to something under the covers by a long tube. He had some kind of clear plastic mask over his mouth and nose. I didn't know what to think. I felt really glad that he was alive, but... Something didn't feel right.

Button Mash jumped up onto the bed and tapped his hoof on James' chest. "Hey... James? Are you OK? Want me to bring my Joyboy over so you can have some fun while you're here? I don't mind if you borrow it for a little while."

Something felt really wrong. James wasn't even moving. I could hear him breathing, but nothing Button said got his attention. Silver Spoon then said while moving her glasses up around on her nose, "It really is a sleeping sickness..."

"I hope it's not contagious..." Sweetie Belle said while looking kind of worried. I wasn't though. I don't think a coma is something you can catch.

Suddenly, Button Mash gasped. "Wait! I got it!" He then pulled the covers up on one side to show James' arm. But when he did... "Agh! Needles!"

I gagged when I saw where that tube was going. It was connected to a needle going that was stuck in his arm. We all couldn't stand looking at it, so Button pulled the covers back down until only his hand could be seen. "What're ya even doin', Button?" Apple Bloom asked while Button started looking around in his saddlebags.

"I went home to get a few things on our way here." He said before pulling out a can of whipped cream and making a little mound of it on James' hand.

"Wait. You're not actually going to prank him with that, are you?!" Sweetie Belle shouted while Button put the can away and pulled out a...feather?

"Wow, that's mean. Do it! That'll wake him up for sure!" Diamond Tiara said while we all started to get excited. That gag never gets old!

I then said, "Go on, Button! James loves whipped cream on his ice cream sundaes!"

Button was grinning real big while he started to tickle James' forehead with the tip of the feather. I guess it would've been better to try his nose, but that mask was covering it. "Wakey wakey, James! There's something on your face!"

Any second, James was going to wake up and smack that pile of whipped cream right into his own face. We waited and watched while trying to not laugh. But after a minute, James still didn't move. It was actually starting to get kind of scary. "Uh... James? You feeling anything yet? You awake?"

Button Mash kept trying to tickle James into waking up, but nothing happened. He finally dropped the feather and looked at us. "Girls... This is really creepy. Why isn't he waking up?"

"That is because he simply CAN'T wake up." I heard a voice behind us. And when we turned around, we saw one of the hospital's doctors standing there. "I hope you kids aren't causing trouble for him. My patient is in a very delicate state right now."

"But...he has ta wake up someday, right?" Silver Spoon asked while we all looked at the doctor. "Comas don't last forever, right?"

The doctor took a moment before he looked at all of us and sighed. "A coma is not a disease. And it's not exactly something that can be treated or cured. Only time can heal him now. These things can last days or weeks or even years before the victim wakes up. Sometimes they never do."

Never wake up...? That... That scared me. I couldn't stop myself from yelling. I think I was crying too. "What do you mean he might never wake up?! He has to! He needs to wake up and come home someday!"

"I understand if you are frustrated. That is a normal reaction to a loved one being in this situation. And I am sorry that this happened. Rest assured though, he is in good hooves. And if anything changes, you will be informed immediately. Now please excuse me for a minute. I need to tend to his bandages." The doctor said before going over to the other side of the bed. He lifted up the covers that was covering James' arm. I couldn't see it, but Button Mash could.

"Hey, uh... Doc? What's under those ba... Oh man... Urk..." I don't know what Button saw, but he almost fell off the bed. He fell down and looked all green in the face while he looked like he was going to toss his cookies. "You girls don't...wanna see that..."

"What's wrong with 'im? What's with James' arm, doctor?!" Apple Bloom got pretty worried. I was too, but I didn't have to say anything since Apple Bloom was already asking him.

The doctor was doing something with some white patches and medicine while he talked to us. "It seems he suffered severe burns to his hand and forearm during whatever it was that happened that resulted in him being stuck in this condition. Our treatment seems to be working well though. There is already new skin beginning to grow in to replace the damaged and destroyed tissue. It will likely be all healed up in a few weeks. He was lucky it was not any more severe than this. Of course, we have no way of knowing if he will even be awake by that point."

I really didn't know what to say. It was so much to take in. "Well, that should do it for now. I will leave you to him. Just please do not do anything to move him. He is not well."

The doctor left after that. None of us really said anything for a minute, but it was Silver Spoon who talked first. "So...he might never wake up? That sounds...scary. Will he get older over time? Will he stay the same?"

Those words scared me. I didn't want to imagine myself growing up without him and him getting older while still asleep. We've only been together for a year... Diamond Tiara went over to him and pulled herself up halfway onto the bed. The rest of us didn't say anything. And even though it's been a really long time since the last time she was a jerk, it was really weird seeing Diamond Tiara looking so sad over someone. I heard her talk while reaching out and touching his cheek. "Hey... James? You'll be OK in the end, right? You're gonna wake soon, right?"

He didn't say anything. And I think I heard Diamond Tiara starting to cry. That really threw me for a loop. Her? Crying over somepony who made her look like a joke a while ago? "You helped me, you know... I feel much better about myself now, thanks to you... It's weird, but...I'm glad you punished me back then. It took a bit, but... You made me a better pony... So...wake up soon, OK?"

She didn't say anything for a minute. But she did finally push off the bed and came over to us. She was crying. "I can't take it... I need to go."

"OK, Diamond Tiara. Let's go. I don't want to stay either..." Silver Spoon said while she and Diamond Tiara started heading towards the door. She looked like she might start crying too. But she then looked back at us and asked, "Do you want to come to Sugarcube Corner for some milkshakes with us? Our treat."

"Sure! Count me in!" Button Mash said before he looked at us. "You girls coming too?"

Sweetie Belle looked at Apple Bloom and me before nodding. "OK, we'll go. Just no milkshake races this time."

Button nodded, but he looked back at James for a second. "Hang in there, James... You're gonna be all right..." But when he jumped down, he knocked James' arm off the bed. I don't think he noticed though.

We didn't follow them right away. When we were alone, we all looked back at James. Still asleep. Still no sound. Almost like he was...dead. Apple Bloom sighed while she touched his arm. "Can't believe one of us Cutie Mark Crusaders is stuck like this..."

I didn't say anything. I wanted to talk, but... I couldn't think of anything to say. But then Sweetie Belle gasped and smiled at us. "I know what we can do! Let's make a bunch of cards and gifts for him! So he'll know how much he missed him while he was asleep!"

I tried thinking about that. I could see the hospital room in my head all filled up with balloons, flowers, and little pink and red heart cards. I felt myself smile. "That sounds really nice..."

"It sure does! Whaddya say we go get some of them milkshakes and then head over to the clubhouse ta get started?" Apple Bloom said with a pretty hopeful smile. I know she wasn't really happy, but she was trying hard to not show it.

I looked back at my big brother before looking at my friends. "Sounds good. Uh... Could you go on ahead? I still got some things to do here. Oh, and if you get there before me, I want my milkshake to be strawberry and banana."

"All righty, Scoot. We'll let 'em know. Y'all catch up with us soon, ya hear?" Apple Bloom said before we all shared a group hug. I used to not like those very much, but they've really grown on me. But once I was alone, I went over to James' arm. It was hanging off the bed and was also on the floor.

I pushed my head under it until I was right under him with his hand on my head. Sometimes at home, when he relaxes on the sofa, I like to lie on the floor next to him and let him pet my head. It always feels so nice. But this time... His hand didn't move. I didn't feel him drag his fingers through my mane. But I did feel his fingers kind of grab my head. Not very tightly, but they kind of closed over me.

"James... Big brother, can you feel me? Can you hear me?" I was hoping he'd hear me. Maybe say something. But he didn't. I tried to not cry. I really didn't want to cry.

I cried. Pretty hard.

Why couldn't he wake up? I wanted to hear him. I didn't even get to say goodbye! What if I never hear him again?! I threw his arm off me and sat up before holding it against me. I cried into it like a long pillow. "I miss you... You're right here, but it doesn't feel like you're here... Please come back... I miss you...Dad..."

I can't help it anymore... I don't care if he never wants me to call him that. All this time, he was never my brother. He's always been my daddy... It sounds so silly and girly, but... I don't care. James... No... Dad. I love you. I miss you. I want you to hold me again. I don't care what anypony says... I need you... Please, wake up soon... I want you to come home.

---

Dark days have come. And I know not how to banish the dark shades that have been draped over our lives. Discord... You wretched idiot. How could even your madness drive you to maim a man's heart? You may be finally out of our lives forever, but at what cost?

I rose from my bed with a heavy head. My sleep was restless, disturbed with... I cannot recall. All I remember was such energy that left me still feeling fatigued. Perhaps I was raging against that vile draconequus, blasting him asunder. I cannot quite recall. Such is the fleeting nature of most dreams.

The palace was quiet. With the six bearers of the Elements of Harmony having departed for home yesterday, there was noticeably less activity. I chose to enjoy breakfast out in the courtyard's garden. I tend to enjoy long walks through it when something troubles me.

The royal chef had prepared a fine omelet and fruit pastries for me. My dining location was tucked away in a corner of the garden. A patio with an awning protecting me from the elements. Not that I required it. The day was sunny and bright.

I was honestly hoping for a rainstorm to pass overhead. It would fit my mood much better. But before I could enjoy much of my meal while sitting at the table before me, I was greeted by a familiar form approaching me. Tall and fair, her gorgeous aurora mane and tail flowing. My eldest sister. Celestia.

"Good morning, sister. May I have this seat?" She asked softly. Floating beside her was a silver platter like mine lined with delicacies not unlike what I was feasting upon.

I saw no reason to turn her away. Using my magic, I pulled over another iron-framed chair for her to sit upon. "You may."

We dined in silence for a short time, her sipping milk from her cup while I sipped tea. I was far from being in a conversing mood, although I was certain my sister would manage to get one out of me. And soon, she did indeed break the silence. "Are you well this morning? You are dreadfully quiet."

"Indeed, I am." I replied bluntly.

My sister gazed at me with that forlorn frown I had seen on her face for the last few days. A stare that oozed guilt. "I assure you that he is well. I have ordered that the hospital personnel forward his current condition to us every twelve hours. His vital signs are only improving. He will live."

"And yet he remains unable to awaken and communicate in any possible way. Correct?" I asked in return, bitterness coating every word.

She did not immediately respond to me. Although after a moment, she asked with a most uneasy gaze, "Yesterday... How much of Discord was left when you..."

I looked my sister directly in the eye with nary a show of emotion aside from scorn. "Enough."

"I see... I will not inquire further." My sister said while she fell momentarily silent to partake in her morsels of food.

While I consumed my breakfast, my eyes scanned her. She seemed to be locked in a complex fusion of mourning and remorse. If I know her as well as I feel I do, then I could hazard a guess of what was on her mind. But when she tilted her head down at one point, I saw it. A golden ring lined with amethysts resting at the base of her horn. "You are still wearing that?"

She seemed taken aback at my words. Perhaps she was uncertain of what I was referring to. When her eyes seemed to glance up, it was then I knew she understood. "Oh... Yes, I almost never take it off. It is precious to me and I make a point to wear it daily."

I fell silent momentarily. My eyes carefully scanned hers before speaking. "What is he to you, Celestia?"

I was expecting her response to be prompt. But my expectations were foiled. She fell silent; her wandering eyes showing great turmoil. But eventually, she did indeed provide an answer. "I don't know..."

Truly a frank, yet puzzling answer. "You know not? Come now, Celestia. You have known him for a full year. Surely you have established your views of him by now."

Celestia was silent. Truly she was carefully gathering her words. Despite my bitterness, I was immensely curious. "You may tell me. I will listen."

A long sigh escaped her lips. "I still remember the day when he first stood before us. The way Luna reflexively bellowed at him with the royal tone. And how quickly they became close. He was clearly not at ease being around royalty, but it made me smile as he became increasingly open to her and to myself."

She fell silent for a brief moment, seemingly to gather her thoughts. Or perhaps her courage. "And then you came into our lives. I found it endearing how precious you became to him and him to you. And I would often chuckle to myself whenever you and Luna would venture to Ponyville on occasion to spend some time with your friend. In truth...it even made me somewhat...envious."

That certainly was not a term I was expecting. For so long, I had always viewed my sister as the mare who had everything. She has always had beauty, power, and the love of our people. What more could she possibly want? She seemed to see my confusion in my eyes and continued. "Perplexing, is it not? I have always had so much, yet I was left wanting. As the two of you spent so much time with him, I was always left wondering. What did you two see in him? And in time, I was blessed with the few opportunities I had to spend some personal time in his company as well. It felt so...nostalgic. Being in the presence of a human completely at home in Equestria. And then... Do you recall that day from just a week or two ago? When he came to Canterlot for the day after his first magic session?"

"How could I forget? That was a fine time we had." I retorted with a faint smile spreading across my lips. Oh, I hope we can have another day like that before too much longer. It was so entertaining and cathartic when he properly addressed Jet Set and Upper Crust's jeering.

Celestia smiled as well. It was clearly a happy memory for her. "I spent more time with him that day than any other over the past year. And it was...enlightening. I thought at first that he was more attuned to you and Luna since you are both mares of the night. I was wrong. He is not the night after all."

An interesting assessment. A yin and yang sort of alignment, she seemed to be suggesting. "And if he is not the night, then what..."

My sister smiled forlornly at me. Not entirely free of the sorrow that had gripped her heart, but no longer smothered in it. "It is said that the sun craves the cool glow of the moon."

It was only then that I saw it. And to think that I had been so oblivious to such a comparison. Indeed, I could see my sister in him. The genuine sweetness, yet sternness when necessary. And even that occasional cheekiness. He certainly displayed that well during the altercation with the abovementioned couple. The sun craves the moon...just as the moon craves the sun... How poetic. It is no small wonder Luna and myself have become so dear to him and vice versa. And I would not change that for anything in the world.

"And yet, despite how much of myself I see in him, we had remained distant for so long. I know I have become accustomed to heavy workloads, as I needed to be during Luna's absence for a thousand years, yet I grew envious of you two. I wanted to see what drew you to him. And when he came to Canterlot that day, I did indeed see it. A type of...kinship. I wonder if he saw it too... It was the first time in quite a while that a man looked at me not as a princess or superior, but as a mare..." My sister spoke both with a forlorn smile and a look of much uncertainty. As she paused, I gazed at the ring at the base of her horn. He did not need to present it to her, yet he did so anyway. I still treasure the ring of silver and rubies he gave me, yet only wear it together with Luna's matching ring during special events as they are a set. It would not do for one to be seen without the other. And yet, despite the supposed distant bond he and my sister shared, he purchased for her a piece of jewelry that could have easily been seen as a missing part of her royal attire.

Finally, she asked one final question. "Nightmare Moon... Do you think he will ever forgive me for what I forced him through?"

I remained silent. I know why she sealed Discord away while abstaining from destroying him while he was vulnerable. If I had been in the same position with my most beloved friend... I would not have had the strength to set him free either. "I pray he does... I would not wish to see him hate you for the rest of his life."

"Neither would I... I do not wish to have to banish him like the others..." My sister muttered before she began to halfheartedly feast upon the rest of her meal. Luna and I have been nothing short of distressed. But Celestia... She undoubtedly has been carrying the heaviest burden since Discord's demise.

What a droll day... The atmosphere was just as gloomy and grim as mere days ago. I could barely focus on anything. When the time came to lower the sun and raise the moon, I was most relieved. Just before midnight, we received another update from Ponyville Hospital. Vital signs below normal, yet continue to improve and stabilize. Still comatose. I cared little for the state of his body. Until he awakened, my beloved's condition did not matter to me.

As I rested in my bed with my spell ready to send me into the realm of dreams, I lied awake. What I would give to hear your voice again, my love. But so long as you remain in a deep slumber, I... Wait. Slumber? As in sleep?

A burst of inspiration came to me. Yes... He may be unable to awaken, but surely his mind continues to dream. Perhaps in the realm of dreams, I could meet him. But...what would I find once I set foot into his dreaming mind? Would the madness that drove him to slaughter Discord still be there? What horrors awaited me?

Casting caution to the wind, I calmed myself. I felt myself grow heavy and still. And then, the transition was complete. I found myself in a cloudy field below the night sky. A nexus of sorts that I usually find myself in when trying to decide which dreams to visit.

I wandered and searched, feeling for a familiar presence. And I found it. That familiar portal of shimmering fog. But when I stepped forward, I felt another presence. Something dark and twisted, yet not that of my beloved. It felt...intimately familiar. And when I attempted to pass, that presence threw me back with unexpected force. Twisted distorted chuckling filled my ears.

I climbed to my feet swiftly. Who would dare keep me away from he who holds my heart? Frustration sank into my heart. I would not be denied! "I know not who you are, but stand aside! I am the Princess of Dreams! This is my domain, cretin!"

But before I could charge through, another voice called out behind me. "Sister, no! It will not relent against you!"

I stopped. Approaching me on wings of darkest sapphire blue was my sister and former self. Luna. She too, being one who can dive into dreams, could easily reach this realm as well. "Luna... You know of this?"

"I do." She said upon landing. As she folded her wings, she stepped forward until she was beside me. "I have already attempted to enter his dream. And each time, this...anomaly repels me. And should I persist, it...destroys me. I can still remember the feeling of my body literally coming apart at the seems to force me to awaken..."

Something that forces the dreamer to awaken, driving them out of the realm of dreams. Entirely harmless, yet irritating. But as I gazed at the portal before us, a thought came to mind. Luna and I could not break through on our own power. But together?

"Luna, let us try again. But as one." I said with a smirk. Together, I was confident we could prevail against this obstruction.

"As one?" Luna asked while she glanced up at me. But that gaze of confusion turned into a confident smile. "Ah, I see. Yes, we are mistresses of this realm. We should be able to go as we please together."

Together, we channeled our magic through our horns. And together, we charged. Indeed, we pushed our way through the mist without much resistance. However, it did not relent easily. It soon began to feel as if we were pushing against a gale.

Sharp pain would occasionally fill me. And soon, I even began to feel my blood begin to spill. My skin had been torn open somewhere on my body. And soon, I lost the feeling in my right wing. Was it even still attached to me? I had to remain focused. If I lost it, my magic would fail and I would likely be forced out. Luna yelped and grunted beside me, yet she struggled on as well. "Enough, you wretch! Let us through!"

Finally, I shrieked as I very nearly lost my focus. My vision in my left eye suddenly faded. I could not bring myself to open it, although I could feel something oozing down my cheek. Too thick to be tears... I did all I could to not think about what was happening to us. It was only a dream. Anything we suffered would be fleeting. Although it became quite clear that whatever this apparition is that was trying to keep us out, it was struggling to at least maim us in the process.

Finally, the resistance ceased. The sudden forward momentum caused me to lunge forward and fall upon my side. The pain... It was filling me, but I was still whole. I had made it into the dream. And Luna... I could hear her beside me. "We made it, sister... We're in."

Luna's groans were agonizing. "I know...but... Why can't I feel my leg... Where is my leg..."

I could not even bring myself to look at her. But I was quick to remind her of our power. "Think nothing of it, sister. This is the dream world. Quickly, restore yourself to being whole."

I was quick to cast my spell. And an instant later, the pain receded. I could feel my wing again and vision returned to my eye. There was a flash of magic light near me. One glance at my sister revealed that she too was entirely unscathed once more. "Such a horrible defense to keep us out... I pray we do not have to repeat this process tomorrow night... Wait... Where are we exactly? Is it morning?"

Indeed, something was amiss. The air and the atmosphere felt more akin to the real world. A warm spring day. Fair weather. And...Ponyville? It seemed we were standing atop a small grassy hill not terribly far from the town square. "Rather uninspiring location for a dream, wouldn't you say?"

"I would not say that, sister." Luna muttered while she surveyed our surroundings. "It's calm... Peaceful... Almost idyllic. Perhaps even...healing."

Healing... It had never occurred to me. After whatever bedlam he was forced to endure at the hands of Discord, a return to the town he treasures so much would likely do his shattered soul good. "Well... If this is indeed his dream, shall we go find him?"

"We most certainly shall. Although let us keep any information that this is a dreamscape from him until we have a better grasp of the situation." Luna said with a nod before we spread our wings and took to the air. Indeed, the air... It almost felt...real. Not at all transient.

We were not the only ones in the nonexistent village. Many familiar faces were going about their business below us. I saw Rainbow Dash lounging around on a cloud and Applejack carting her goods to the market. Were we dreaming? No, it had to be a dream. Soon, I saw it. Sugarcube Corner on the horizon. "Considering the current time in this realm, do you suppose he may be working there now?"

Yes, that is right. Our friend works at Sugarcube Corner three days a week. And if that dreamscape was trying to pass itself off as reality, then it would be a safe assumption that our friend was there. "It certainly is worth checking. If not there, then perhaps at the spa."

We landed before the front door of the confectionary and made our way inside. Soft yet cheerful music could be heard playing from somewhere within the storefront. And standing just behind the counter was Mrs. Cake herself. She was quick to respond to our presence. "Oh, good morning, your highnesses! What can I get you today?"

Luna bowed briefly before she looked directly at her. "With all due respect, we are not here for business. We are merely searching for something. Is James here at the moment?"

"James? Why, yes! Just a moment, I'll fetch him for you." With that, Mrs. Cake pushed her way through the swinging doors to the kitchen. My heart leaped in my throat. He was nearby. And probably faring well. Luna was silent as well, not a word escaping her lips. And a moment later, someone ducked through the doorway once more. I did not move or speak while trying to hide my shock. There he was. My beloved James, alive and well.

"Oh, hey! Luna, Nightmare Moon! Can I get you anything?" He promptly spoke to us with a friendly smile. There was no sign of weakness of injury. No pain or scarring in those gentle brown eyes. No sign that anything was amiss. It was as if the horrid trials he had been forced through mere days ago never even happened...

It was a struggle to contain myself. I wanted to cry. To reach out and hold him in my arms and wings. I was fearful I would never hear that voice again. And now he stood before me free of harm. And yet, I had to reign in my heart's desires. I could not behave in any sort of fashion that could raise an alarm. And so, I forced myself to smile calmly. "Oh... Not really. The only thing you can truly give us at the moment is a dear embrace, if that is not too much to ask."

"That's it? OK then." He did not show any signs of discomfort at all. It was the same disposition and quiet joy he had always shown in our presence. And soon, I felt his arm around me with his head next to mine. Luna too was being held in an embrace, both of us folding a wing over him. All was well... Well...as well as things could be within his dreaming mind.

"It's so good to see that you're well, my friend..." I heard my sister whisper. I could hear it in her voice. Her emotions were on the verge of boiling over. But she had to hold them in. We could not give any inkling of anything abnormal until we had ascertained the nature of this dreamscape.

"Are you OK?" He asked softly, all too aware of our restrained emotions on the verge of bursting forth. I should not have been surprised. He has a perceptive sort.

Fortunately, before we could even attempt to soothe his worries, the sound of the shop's door opened. And sure enough, a familiar quiet voice spoke from just behind us. "Oh, I'm sorry... Am I interrupting anything, your highnesses?"

At those words, James released us from his grasp and moved past us. And standing with her body partially through the doorway was the bearer of the Element of Kindness. Fluttershy. James was quick to respond to his lover. "Oh, not at all. What's up, honey?"

The way he was responding to her presence showed no inkling of awareness of the dreaming properties of the world around us. I then decided to speak to her as a nondream as well. "I hope we are not intruding. My sister and I were merely visiting our friend."

Fluttershy responded with that endearing meek smile of hers, but then seemed to take heed of something just behind her. Or was it beneath her? Regardless, she then looked at us once more. "Oh, I see. But...um... Right now, there's somepony I'd love you to meet."

"Truly?" Luna asked while we all watched in puzzlement. Except for James, that is. He was glancing at Luna and I with a truly giddy grin. He clearly knew something that we did not.

"Come on, now... It's all right. They won't hurt you." Fluttershy spoke softly while clearly trying to coax someone to step forward. I was expecting it to be a new little animal friend of hers. What eventually did step forward was far from what I was expecting.

At first, I had no comprehension of who I was seeing. It was so obvious, yet my mind could not process it. Soon, the truth I could not understand came to light when the little creature before me spoke shyly. "Mama...? Who are they?"

Fluttershy grinned cutely before gently nuzzling the child's cheek. "That's Princess Luna and Princess Nightmare Moon. They're the ones who make the moon come out every night and make sure you always have the sweetest dreams."

"She called you 'Mama'... Do not tell me she..." Luna too was just as taken aback as I was. And sure enough, James smiled at us both.

"Luna. Nightmare Moon. This is Gladesong. She's our daughter." He said with a proud smile. His daughter... The child of her and... Somewhere in my heart, I felt such burning envy, even if it was just a dream. I knew he would never be mine, and yet...

Fluttershy then even expressed a brief giggle. "Also... We'll be getting married in a few days. I hope you can both come."

I was uncertain of what to say. And I could not allow my innermost feelings to surface, even if just a dream. But before I could even do anything, the tiny pegasus filly bowed shyly before us. "Um... It's an honor to meet you, your...tallness?"

Any bitterness in my heart was quickly stifled at her words. A hearty chuckle escaped my throat, as it did with anyone who heard her. "The correct term is 'highness', child. But please, there is no need to bow. Your father is a good friend of ours. And you are Gladesong?"

The child before me was indeed a pegasus. Her coat was a tanner shade of yellow than her mother's. Her mane and tail were styled in a similar fashion to Fluttershy's, though were not quite as long. And for whatever reason, the coloration of them brought to mind two flavors of ice cream. They consisted of the same dark brown hair of her father and a similar shade of pink to her mother's. And her eyes... The same gentle brown as her father's. Furthermore, her body seemed...somewhat lankier than the average filly. Almost fawnlike. Was it a trait her mother had as a child? Regardless... I felt my heart soften in her presence. So precious...

"Ye... Yes. My name is Gladesong. And you're both...Papa's friends?" The child asked while looking quite nervous. Surely she had inherited some of her mother's timid nature. But at least she was not cowering behind somepony. So it is safe to assume she was not as timid as her mother.

Luna was quick to comfort the uneasy child by gently holding her wingtip to her cheek. "There is no need to be so timid, child. Please do relax. As friends of your father, we are your friends as well."

Her eyes brightened instantly as most of her uneasiness faded rapidly. "Really?! Uh... OK!"

"Now that the thought comes to me, just how old is she?" I felt the need to ask. Even if Gladesong had been born as early as possible after James' arrival in Equestria, she would likely still be in diapers at that moment. Perhaps this dream was a projection of what could have been if their child had been conceived as soon as possible.

The answer I received was not what I expected. James smiled at us and said, "She's almost three."

Three... It was then that the truth began to make itself clear to me. The dream... It was not a projection of what could have been. It was a projection of what the near future could very possibly be. Luna too seemed to be aware of this as well, if that gaze of mild shock was to serve as any indication.

Feeling we had learned enough, I attempted to make an escape with my sister. "Well... I just now remembered that we are meant to be at the town hall very shortly. But it was good seeing all of you. And it was especially a pleasure to meet you, Gladesong. Be good for your mother and father, all right?"

The child performed an adorable little hop with a bright smile spread across her lips. "OK! I'll be good for Mama and Papa!"

"Good to hear. Now then, please do excuse us. Let us meet again very soon." Luna said while reading my actions. Without trying to draw attention to ourselves, we made our way out of Sugarcube Corner. But while saying our goodbyes as I looked back at Fluttershy through the door... I saw...something... Her eye. It was barely detectable, but... I swear I saw her show a devious smirk as the colors of her eyes shifted for just an instant before returning to normal. The colors... What was it? It did not look like a pony's eye...

"What do you make of this dreamscape, sister? Our friend now a father to a darling filly? Who could have predicted that?" My sister said with much puzzlement in her voice as we walked along. The world certainly felt real, but... That?

I felt a frown spread across my jaws. Indeed, something was not quite right. "Indeed, Luna. I think I am beginning to comprehend exactly what this world is." I stopped, gazing at the town of Ponyville around us. "We are in Ponyville because it is the one place in Equestria he prefers to be in. And now, a child with his beloved... Luna. This is indeed a dream, but it is the ideal dream. This is he living the most ideal life possible. In his eyes, at least."

"An ideal life... You don't suppose this dream may be healing him, do you not?" My sister asked while looking and sounding increasingly intrigued.

"It would not surprise me. I have stepped into the dreams of a comatose patient before and they still had the atmosphere and presence of a dream. This...does not. Furthermore... I strongly suspect something...or someone may be forcing him to experience this dream." My thoughts immediately went back to that ominous presence I felt and heard when we attempted to enter my beloved's dreaming mind. That, and the sudden brief anomaly in Fluttershy's face...

Luna was not so certain. "Forcing him to experience such a wonderful dream? Truly perplexing. I would expect any forced dream to be an act of hostility, yet James is clearly happy here. You don't suppose someone is trying to help him, do you?"

That would only be wishful thinking. I could feel the twisted madness in that distorted laughter as we were maimed while trying to access this dreamscape. "Perhaps... Or helping him to serve itself... It is too soon to say, sister. Let us spend whatever time we have left investigating this town. We just may have to return tomorrow night."

For the remainder of our time dreaming, Luna and I roamed across Ponyville. It was...unsettling how real the place felt. Even far from the eyes and ears of the dreamer, the people in this nonexistent town behaved exactly as they would in the real world. And yet, every now and then, I would catch a glimpse of the exact same phenomenon. A brief glance with eyes that were not their own. It was always too brief to make out the colors, but from what I can remember... They were warmer colors. Not cooler like greens or blues. And they would always have that same devious smirk. But it would only last for a second or two before it would fade. As if the people themselves were not even aware of it. Or were they?

I could feel it coming. Morning was coming even as evening began to set upon Ponyville. I would awaken soon. I moved to the spot where Luna and I had found ourselves upon entering James' dream. That hilltop near the town hall. And sure enough, I saw her soaring towards me. Luna set down before me and gave me a concerned frown. "Anything to report, sister?"

"This world is indeed all too real, despite being a dream. Even far from the dreamer, the people continue to go about their lives without interruption. Although... Have you seen any very brief anomalies in the ponies? Especially the eyes?" I replied while wondering if she had seen what I had seen.

Luna seemed surprised by my words. "You saw them too? It was always so brief that I could've sworn I had only imagined it. And yet, I could not part with the feeling that...I was being watched by some higher power... Wait! Sister... Do you suppose that...Discord may still be...?"

That name again. That name I have come to loathe. "Preposterous. You know as well as I do that he is dead. And besides, think about it, sister. If he were still living, would you really expect him to be keeping the man who butchered him in a fit of madness this happy and content? No, I could only see him playing the guise of a trickster god toying with his life at every turn. And this dream is far from that."

"Hmm... I see your point. He would likely be cross with James after that. But then again, he is indeed beyond the living now. Even so... This is a curious turn of events that likely requires investigation." My sister nodded after only momentary contemplation. "Shall we return tomorrow night to investigate further?"

I nodded. Despite how...perfect my beloved's life seems in this dream, there was something about it that left me uneasy. "Indeed. I will see you there. But for now, we must awaken. The moon must be lowered, Luna."

"Yes, I shall get to that right away... And it seems nopony will notice us vanish from up here. I shall see you at breakfast, Nightmare Moon." Those were the last words I heard before I awoke to the feeling of a soft mattress below me and soft plush covers draped over my body. Morning had come. And I was awake.

I feel it is too soon to mention my findings to anyone just yet. I would not want to raise and alarm over anything that could be nothing. For now, this shall be kept between me and my fellow sister of the dreaming planes. But something is going on inside my beloved's dreaming mind. And we will find out what is wrong. But even so...

Please, awaken soon, my love. It was a pleasure to see and feel you again, but nothing could ever match holding you in my wings in the true physical plane. Please... I do not wish to see decades go by only to watch you fade from this world without hearing your voice again...

---

Well, guess I'll try my hoof at this again. It's been a really long time since I last wrote something like this. But... I need to do something to cope. I'm really tempted to start hitting the tavern to help me get my mind off things, but we're not too far gone... Yet, at least.

In case you haven't figured it out yet, this is good ol' Rainbow Dash writing. You know me. The fastest thing with two wings? The most dependable and loyal... Oh, forget it. There's no way I can call myself that after what happened... Darn it... He was right in front of me and I couldn't do anything! I felt him go limp... I saw him become still... Is that... Is that what it feels like to watch somepony you love die?

Thank god we got him to the hospital in time. But now... A coma? I still can't believe it. Why a coma?! I mean... It feels so much better knowing he's not gonna die on us, but... What if he never wakes up?! I've heard these things can take years to end! And sometimes, they never do...

It almost feels like a sick joke... Like it's our punishment for failing him. That wasn't just a promise. We Pinkie Promised! Ugh, if Discord were still alive and kicking, I'd sonic rainboom the guy into next year! But... I know he didn't get to me. I didn't betray James, so...why do I feel like I did?

"I don't get it, Tank... Why'd this happen?" I was just lounging around on my bed upside-down with my pet tortoise hovering next to me. He has to wear that little propeller thing on his shell all the time or he'll fall right through the floor. But anyway, he just bowed his head while he really slowly started to frown. He's only met James a couple of times. First time, he fell right on the poor guy's head.

I didn't get too long to really think about anything. Next thing I know, there's a knock on the window. Yeah, cloud houses have windows. But they're more like curtains. I went over to the window and pushed the thing open. Cloudchaser was flapping on the other side. "Morning, Rainbow Dash. Something wrong? You didn't come into work for the last few days."

Come into work? Wha... Oh, dang it! I forgot all about the weather! I facehoofed right on the spot. "Aw, maaaan... I'm really sorry. Some really awful stuff's had me bogged down lately that I just couldn't focus and forgot all about it. What's on the schedule today?"

"Yeah, I thought it had something to do with your friend. I'm really sorry about whatever happened. Anyway, we're behind on getting some precipitation over Ponyville, so we need to really bring in a heavy downpour to make up for lost time." Cloudchaser said while looking at me with a bit of a sad frown. I guess somepony found out about it.

"Something heavy? Yeah, I guess we were getting kinda dry lately. I'll get right on it. Just let me finish things up here and I'll get right to work." I guess my wings could use a bit of flexing. I've been taking things real slow lately. Anxiety will do that to you.

That looked like it got Cloudchaser ready to go away. "Cool! I'll go round up some clouds to get things started." And off she went.

I honestly didn't wanna go anywhere, but I did have a job to do. I made sure Tank would be OK before I took off for town. By the time I got there, there was already a pretty decent cloud cover over town. So I went to work, swooping all over the place and pushing more and more clouds over Ponyville. With all that extra moisture being packed together, the massive cloud cluster started turning a pretty scary dark gray. All we had to do then was wait for the rain to start pouring on its own.

"Well... That's over and done with..." I guess I had a lot of free time on my hooves after that. But what to do... I wasn't feeling hungry or anything like that. But after a minute, I had an idea. There was someone I wanted to see.

Yeah, you know where I was going with that. I made a beeline for the hospital. And since I knew the room I was looking for there wasn't on the ground floor, I slipped in through the front window on the top floor. And right after that, I heard a thunderclap outside. And then the rain really started coming down. "Phew. Close one."

It didn't take me long to find the one hospital room I was familiar with. Room 12. I knew what was on the other side. And...I was both hopeful, but also dreading to see him. I already saw him before and...it hurt back then.

I nudged the door open. I didn't wanna do anything to disturb anypony. But something was weird. The room was really quiet. "Huh... Guess they took him off that heart monitor."

But when I went around the curtains on the other side of that spare bed, I got a good shock. He wasn't there. James was...gone.

"Wait a minute... James? You still there?" I had to be seeing things. The only reason somepony would take someone out of a hospital room like that is... I pulled the covers down. Still nothing. I looked under the bed. Nothing! "No... No...! Where'd you go?! You've gotta still be here! They didn't take you to the morgue! They didn't!"

My head was spinning. I felt like I was gonna barf. I've never been more scared in my entire life than right then. Good thing the doctor showed up when he did or I might've totally snapped. I saw him loop around the curtains. "What seems to be the... Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?! This room isn't even in use right now!"

I didn't wait. I swooped right up to the guy and grabbed him by the shoulders. I was so scared, I was crying buckets. "Where is he?! Where'd you take him?!"

"Rainbow Dash, calm down! Your friend is still fine! We just moved him to a ground level room!" He pushed me off while almost yelling at me. I know I was really bouncing off the walls, but... I couldn't help it. I love that man...

"Huh? Ground level? He's...still alive?" I felt my heart slowing and a headache building. I mean to go from freaking out to calming down that fast has to be murder on your nerves.

The doc adjusted his stethoscope around his neck before he looked at me. "Yes. Still comatose, but his vital signs are stable. Since we deemed him a high-risk patient, we moved him to the ground floor for speedier access to his location if something came up. I'll take you to him if you want to visit."

"Yeah... Yeah, I'll go. Lead on, doc..." Man, that gave me a good scare. My heart was still pounding and I even still felt sick. I needed some water really soon.

We went down the elevator and the doc led me through the halls. The room we stopped at wasn't too far from the lobby. I think it was G5? I guess the G means it's on the ground floor. There was a window on the wall next to the door that let us look in, although it also had long white blinds that could be closed from the inside. And there he was. Still asleep...

"I'll leave you two alone. Just don't cause any trouble for him, all right?" The doc said before he headed down the hall. After that, I decided to just head on in.

The room was so quiet... I mean like...really creepy kind of quiet. The only thing I heard was the beeping coming from his heart monitor. And the rain was pouring just on the outside of the window with an occasional lightning flash. Ponyville was getting soaked and the weather couldn't have better fit the mood.

I went over to James and stood by his bed. He still looked the same as when I saw him. Looks like the nurses were doing a good job of keeping him shaved and clean. I know he hates going a full day without washing up at least once.

There was no point in trying, but... I gently nudged his cheek. I couldn't reach his mouth as long as he was wearing that mask. "Hey... How're you holding up, big guy? I bet you've sawed enough logs to rebuild half of Ponyville by now."

Nothing. He didn't say anything. But I could hear him breathing. It felt so... I don't even know how to describe it. He was right in front of me. Still alive, but asleep. And no matter what I tried, nothing would wake him up. His body was right in front of me, but his mind... I don't know where it was. It hurt... Oh man, it hurt like nothing I'd ever felt before...

"James... I'm not gonna cry. I know you're still alive in there. I know you were still yourself when I found you. You're not the monster Discord tried to turn you into. You're still...you, ya know? I know you're gonna wake up someday soon... I mean... You'll be all OK and back on your feet in a little while, right?" I didn't want to cry. I couldn't cry. I mean, yeah. I love the guy, but...

I don't even know where that came from. I just started bawling like nobody's business out of nowhere and laid my head on his chest. "Why did this happen?! You weren't even supposed to be there! Why'd you have to come along?! I don't care if Discord's gone for good now! It wasn't worth it if it meant I'd end up losing you..."

No... I shouldn't blame him for coming... I wanted him to be with us when Discord got loose again. He's always been a good friend... Just like the girls. But why... Why did Discord have to do that to him? But... I don't even know what to think... I just want James back...

I could hear him breathing with my ear against his chest. Really long and deep breaths... Whenever he would hold me, he would always be breathing really deep like that... Really calming. Lifting and lowering. I just sniffled like a little filly being held by her dad. "You know I still love you, right? No matter what... No matter what happens when you wake up... Even if things fall apart with everypony else... You'll always have me."

I started to gently rub my hoof up and down his arm under the sheets. I just wanted him to feel me... To know I was there. "I know you and I always bumped heads a bit more than with anypony else. I know my ego gets on your nerves sometimes. You probably think I don't notice when you roll your eyes or shake your head, but I see it. I'm sorry... That's just...one of my quirks, you know? I mean I'd prefer it if you were a bit more wild and direct too, but I don't ever hold that against you. I mean... Things will still be the same between us when you wake up, right? You won't leave me, will you?"

I don't even know how much time passed. I think I might've even passed out for a nap with my head on his chest. I just...didn't want to go. I was scared of what might happen if I turned my back on him for even a minute. But when I finally came to, it was from somepony nudging me. "Hey... Rainbow Dash? Are you awake?"

"Huh? Who's... Oh. Hey, Mitta. What's up?" Turns out Mitta had swung by for a visit. I shouldn't have been surprised. She and James have been pretty close ever since he got her outta that freaky zombie village in the Everfree Forest. I don't even remember its name.

She didn't look too happy. I guess she found out about what happened to him. "I came by to visit James. Is he...?"

I didn't try to hide anything. I pushed myself off the bed and looked at her. "Yeah... A coma. Nothing you do will wake him up. And don't ask, OK? It's...a long story."

"I know... Rarity told me all about that...Discord person..." She kept looking at James and looking back at me. I guess she wanted to spend a little personal time with him.

"Huh...? Oh... All right... I've been here for a while already, so I'll leave you two alone. Have fun..." I said and started to make my way out of the room. When I looked back in through the window, I saw Mitta place her hoof on James' shoulder. I didn't move for a minute for some reason. I guess I just couldn't look away. After a moment, she set her head down on his chest kind of like how I did. That's when I when I went away. I didn't need to see her cry.

The whole day was just such a drag. I didn't have any drive to do anything. And that weather wasn't helping. Even into the night, that huge downpour just kept going. I couldn't even focus enough to read my Daring Do novels. Everything that was fun to me...just didn't interest me at that time.

I guess that's what depression does to you. I was just feeling so bad and sick with worry that I just couldn't have fun or even do anything to make myself happy. All that guilt... And the shock of everything that happened... Will James even still be himself when he wakes up?

I looked out the window. Still plenty of rain and lightning. But even with all that ugly weather, I didn't want to be at home. I just wanted to be near him to make sure he would be all right.

I felt some of my depression get pushed down. I got a bit of a rush, as I knew what I wanted to do. I went around my house, gathering up some stuff for an overnight stay. A blanket, a notebook, a writing quill, a pillow, an inflatable mattress... Was that all I needed? Oh yeah, and a little nightlight. Once I had that stuff packed up in some saddlebags, I checked on Tank to make sure he'd be OK for the night and then took off for Ponyville.

It was late, so things were really dark as I flew through the rain. The wind was pretty bad too, but flying through that kinda weather is a piece of cake for me. When I got to the hospital, all the lights were off. I guess everypony was closing up for the night. But there's always some security around there. Maybe they're there to keep the mental patients from wandering outta the place. I even saw one when I got chased out by the hospital staff when... Actually, never mind. Not one of my smarter decisions back then.

I couldn't go through the front door because of the security guard stationed around there, so I had to slip in through the front top window and then take the elevator down. I almost ran right into the same doctor again on my way around. But I finally managed to find room G5 again and slipped inside. Close call. With how quiet the place is, you'd think somepony would've heard the door click shut.

I made sure to close the blinds to the window next to the door so nopony could see me in the room. And... He was still there. Exactly where I left him. Every moment or two, a flash of lightning from outside the window across from him would light the big guy up. I couldn't even see the moon out there.

"Hey there, James... Nice night, huh? I know you always loved those warm summer rainstorms..." I gotta admit it was really calming to listen to that storm outside the window. It made for some really cozy atmosphere. I went to the other side of the bed, the side where all that medical equipment was sitting, and set up my makeshift bed with that little lamp I brought giving me a bit more light to work with.

"There we go. Hey... You don't mind me staying here for the night, do you?" I said while reaching out to James. The poor guy still didn't move or say anything. I knew he wouldn't respond, but... I couldn't help it. I was hoping that just maybe he would wake up if I said something to him. When he still didn't say anything, there was just one thing left I could do. I kissed him on the cheek. "OK... Sweet dreams, James... And just don't forget... I'll always love you."

Well... I think that's it. I better turn this light off before somepony notices a bit of it peeking through the blinds. I just...want to stay close to him for now. James... Even if you can't hear me, I hope you're at least dreaming of us. We miss you...

---

Another night ends and another day begins. Such is my morning routine. And yet, today is far from normal. I could almost immediately feel it in the air as I rose from my bed. The perpetual air of gloom permeating throughout the palace. The anxiety. And I knew the cause.

I have not been well these past few days. To know that I am responsible for... How could I have foreseen the bedlam that would have occurred once Discord became free once more? And how could he have been foolish enough to tamper with the human heart? Discord... If I had any inkling of anticipation that allowing you to live this long would have brought this upon us, I would have never allowed myself to be blinded by my desires.

As if led by an invisible force, I found myself standing within the courtyard just outside the labyrinth. The bloodstains and remnants of Discord's corpse had since been removed. But the scars remained. The landscaping needed to restore the mangled environment had not yet begun. Awful... Simply awful. For such a pristine environment to be so thoroughly ravaged, the struggle there must have been awe-inspiring, if not horrifying.

I knew I was delaying the inevitable. I knew, and yet I did not want to believe it. I knew Discord was beyond salvation. A prisoner of his fractured heart. I knew he would never return to how he once was, and yet I clung desperately to the hope that he just might. And in the end, he was taken from me regardless. And yet, despite this fact, I cannot fault the one who ended his eternal life. He was his final victim. And for once, Discord did not escape the consequences of his madness. No. If anyone is at fault for this, it is I.

I stood before the aftermath of the madness that must have consumed my friend. Another mistake upon my shoulders. I pray my subjects did not witness too much... To think that this is the magnitude a human whose heart is fueled by wrath and despair can enact upon those who have wronged him. And James... I could never have imagined him being capable of something like this. Discord... Why? What did you take from him to drive him to such insanity?

It would have been one thing if the horror stopped there. But with Discord's demise, a new grim chapter has begun. Our friend, his heart and mind fractured, lies in a deep slumber. A coma that he may never awaken from. A coma...that is my doing. No one... No single person aside from my sisters and I know the true reasons behind Discord's madness and why he remained alive in this world. When the day comes that our friend awakens... Will he find it in his heart to forgive me?

I could not remain. The memories became too painful as I beheld the ruined landscape before me. I returned to the palace and made my way to the kitchen. My appetite having suffered at the hands of my mood, I was not hungry for more than a few morsels. I hardly even noticed the taste. After a few bites, I retreated to a place where I could be at peace. The patio that lies within the royal garden.

The chirping of many types of songbirds filled the air as I rested upon a cushion, although the weather seemed surprisingly gloomy. It seemed that Ponyville had been under a heavy downpour since yesterday. I suppose the air currents had carried some of their weather to us. It felt as if it could begin raining within the hour. And yet, I did not mind. I hardly noticed anything around me.

After some time, I was finally woken from my trance by a stern male voice. One of the royal guards stood before me. His name eludes me at this moment, but he presented to me a thin parcel. I recognized the emblem printed on one side. It came from Ponyville Hospital. I thanked the guard and he departed, leaving me with the parcel and its contents, which I promptly removed from its container.

"Vital signs continue to improve... No changes in cognitive or sensory awareness... Nothing new then." The report as I requested contained the current condition of my hospitalized friend. Reading it, I was both relived yet disappointed. He was not in danger of death, but was still in the clutches of the coma that had taken his mind captive.

It has been a few days since he was taken from Canterlot and moved closer to home. I can only imagine how his friends are handling his condition at this time. It must be jarring to have someone you saw just a few days ago come home in a coma he may never awaken from. Although I hardly had time to dwell on it. I soon noticed a familiar presence nearby. "Good morning, sister. Are you well?"

With a twist of my head, I found Luna resting beside me. If there is one pony whose company I can never tire of, it is hers. Despite my heavy heart, I managed to coax myself into showing at least a slight smile. "Well... I suppose I'm about as well as I can be, all things considered."

"You are worrying us, Celestia. You seldom eat and your disposition is far from sunny." Luna said while looking noticeably bothered. I suppose I should not be surprised. She knows me better than anypony else.

A long sigh escaped my lips while I shook my head. I would be lying to myself if I said I was fine. "You know everything that has occurred, Luna... Much is weighing on my mind, as well as my heart..."

"I know... I too am finding myself longing for the days when Discord was still with us..." Luna spoke with a sigh, her face showing a profound frown. "However, I do have some good tidings. Nightmare Moon and I have been keeping a close watch on our bedridden friend."

"I have just received an update from Ponyville Hospital, sister. There is no need for... Oh, wait. You mean... In his dreams?" It took me a moment to actually catch on to what Luna was referring to. There is only one place where both she and our sister of the night can access with equal ease.

Luna displayed a small smile. "Indeed. While there have been some...interesting complications in accessing his dreaming mind, we have found that he is consistently dreaming of the same place at all times. It is a very pleasant and happy dream for him, so his mind is likely healing."

A happy dream... I was fearful that his mind was locked in eternal misery after what Discord forced him through. Knowing that his dreams are indeed blissful did much to soothe my worries. Even if we could not reach him, at least he was not in any sort of pain. "It pleases me to hear that... After all that has passed, he deserves respite. Please, continue keeping watch over him as only you and Nightmare Moon can."

"It will be done, Celestia." Luna said with a more confident tone, although her brief show of a smile was quickly replaced by another forlorn frown. As was mine. "Still...there is nothing quite like being in a friend's presence while in a world you know is real."

My routine went by without much change. I saw to the audiences of the mayors of Manehattan and Los Pegasus, partook in a local party of the Canterlot elite, and dealt with some more of that dreaded paperwork. And despite my inner turmoil, I faced them all with either a gaze of focused serenity or a calm smile. What I would give to be able to go a day while allowing myself to openly grieve...

Finally, in the mid afternoon, I stood upon my balcony. The sun was still high in the sky, although I would eventually have to gradually make it set sooner to accommodate the approach of autumn. However, my gaze fell upon Ponyville in the distance. That thick rainy cloud cover was still keeping it in the dark.

He was there. Still asleep and unable to awaken. I wanted to see him. To insure he was well. It was my ambition to see Equestria truly returned to the state that earned it its namesake that brought him into this world. And now knowing that he was suffering because of my foolishness...

My mind was made up. With my wings spread, I leapt from the edge of my balcony and swooped down along the mountainside. My duties could wait. There was somewhere I needed to be. The wind carried me along, though I soon had to exercise greater effort to remain aloft as I drew near Ponyville once my coat and feathers began to absorb the rain.

Few were out and about in the rain, so my arrival in Ponyville went unnoticed. Although once I arrived just outside the local hospital, I found myself soaked to the skin. I marched into the lobby, were one of the local nurses was quick to notice me from behind the receptionist's counter. "Good af... Oh, your highness!"

"One moment, please." I spoke before I spread my soaked wings. From my tail to my mane, I was a sopping mess. But with a quick cast of one of my heat-based, spells, I was instantly dried as all of the moisture I had accumulated burst forth from me in a cloud of steam. Once more, I was warm and dry. I then gazed directly at the nurse while I folded my wings. "Now then, may I... Wait. What is... Oh, don't tell me it happened again!"

The nurse before me was clearly trying to not laugh. Now I remember why I do not dry myself like that whenever I get out of a swimming pool or the bathtub. While my coat and feathers were fine, my mane and tail were... Well, use your imagination. All I will say is that they did not retain their usual billowing elegance.

One emergency makeover later, courtesy of a few extra nurses with spare hair combs, I stood before the nurse behind the front desk. "Now that my little issue has been dealt with... Where may I find a certain Mr. James?"

She seemed to know exactly who I was referring to. "Oh, you'll find him in room G5. It's down the hall to your left."

"Thank you. And just as a precaution, if anypony comes looking for me, tell them I wish to not be disturbed." I then decreed before leaving the lobby and heading down the hall she had directed me to. The hall was mostly deserted aside from a couple of surgeons who were all too easily distracted by my presence. However, I soon found it. Room G5.

Before I could push the door open, I noticed that the room had a window near it to look through. The blinds were not in a closed position, so I could easily see into it. And sure enough, I was not the first to visit. Seated at the side of the bed that lay beyond the window was somepony I know all too well. My own student, Twilight Sparkle.

"Oh, Twilight... Forgive me for what I have forced you all through..." I muttered softly to myself before pushing the door open. It pained me to see my dear student in such distress. I know she and James had always been close to the point of where she was the first person he met upon arriving in Ponyville a year ago.

Twilight was quick to respond to the sound of the door opening and turned to face me. That shocked gaze she showed was a clear indication that she was not expecting me at all. "Princess Celestia?! You... I wasn't expecting..."

Soon coming to a loss of words, she sprinted towards me and soon fell against me while I draped my wing over her. I then gently rested my neck over hers to hold her close to me. "It is all right, Twilight. I snuck away from the palace to visit. Nopony knows I'm here yet."

A lone tear fell from her eyes as I held my dear student against me. "I'm glad you're here... It's just... I didn't expect being with him when he's like this could be so hard..."

I lifted my head. He lay before us, a mask upon his mouth and nose as he lay in a deep slumber. It felt as if I could awaken him with a tender nudge, yet I knew in my heart it was far from being that simple. Twilight gazed up at me, her eyes filled with uncertainty now that she was in my presence. And so I guided her. "Come... Let us go to him together."

In unison, we walked forward until we were at his bedside. Twilight then reached out and rested her hoof upon his hand just under the sheets. "I didn't think it would hurt this much... I touch him...and I talk to him...but nothing works... I keep thinking he'll hear me and wake up...but I just can't reach him..."

Indeed, I did feel a type of pain in my heart I had seldom felt in my very long life. A feeling of helplessness as I stood before someone who holds some importance to me. "I know, Twilight... But while he cannot hear you, I'm certain he can still at least feel you. You have always been dear to him and he likely has not forgotten that."

Twilight did not speak. She merely leaned against me while I held her in my wing. She remained silent for quite some time, never speaking while either touching or embracing her dear friend. James... Could you still feel her? Could you still feel her heart reaching out to you? You are most precious to my student... I pray you have not forgotten.

After some time, my student finally turned to me with tears still fresh in her eyes. "I... I think I need to get a wet cloth or something. My eyes are sore... Do you need some time with him too?"

"I would appreciate that, Twilight. If you don't mind..." I replied softly. I did indeed wish to get in some solo time with our friend, but as she was there first, I could not force her to rush her visit.

She departed with her head hanging low. It is never easy when a loved one lies in a coma. I stood before him in solemn silence. Beyond the window, the rain still pounded against the glass. A fitting atmosphere. My friend lay before me. I was both in his company, yet entirely alone as well.

"How are you today, my friend?" I idly asked, not truly taking into account whether or not he could hear me or not. I was half expecting him to show at least some minor response. A soft groan, a stirring, perhaps even a twitching of the eyelids. Instead, I got nothing. It...almost felt as if I was speaking to a corpse.

My eyes wandered. And soon, they fell upon his right arm. Unlike the rest of him, it was exposed. The bandages were still tightly in place. I cringed as I recalled that day when he was first admitted to the hospital in Canterlot just after whatever hellish circumstances took place outside the labyrinth. I had been informed that the gauntlet over his right forearm had been melted and twisted to the point of being difficult to remove. And yet, when I used the spell needed to melt it off of the wearer...

Such severe burns... What sort of insanity drove him to continue fighting with such a wound, let alone continue using that hand to hold his sword? He must have been in utter agony with such burns coating his flesh. Just what level of heat could even damage his armor in such a way? The alloy it is constructed of is highly resistant to heat. To think he was mad enough to attempt to use my own plasma magic in spite of having not even begun training to harness it... It was a miracle he did not end up obliterating himself in the process.

"I don't know who is the bigger fool. You for attempting to use magic you could not possibly control as you are now or I for allowing this to happen..." I said with a sigh while beholding the unconscious form of the man before me. "No... I was the fool for certain. James... Forgive me for allowing Discord to do this to you... You did not deserve this..."

I drew closer to his face. He still did not show any signs of reaction to my presence. "If only you knew how much you are missed... Your friends long for you. As do I..." I lifted my hoof, feeling for something precious atop my head. And I soon felt it. Tightly wrapped around the base of my horn. A ring. "Do you see this? Do you remember the day you gave me this treasure? I still have it. And...I still think of you whenever I see it in my reflection."

"I wish I got to know you more before this happened... It feels as if there may be more between you and I than I ever expected. I only saw glimpses of it during our recent activities together. Something...familiar. Something kindred..." I said softly, feeling myself reaching out to him only to have no one reaching out to me as well. I felt so alone at that moment...

I gazed down at him in silence momentarily. What was going on in his dreaming mind? What was it my sisters had seen? My friend... I hope your thoughts and dreams are nothing short of paradise after what you struggled through... "Just please... All I ask is that you awaken someday soon. There is much riding on your shoulders, whether you know it or not. You have been performing splendidly as the herald of humanity's return to this world. Please... Do not let it fall apart now. Not when we have already come so far."

Ever so tenderly, I brought the tip of my wing to his cheek. A single feather lightly touched his face. "Please... It pains me to see you this way, my friend... I mean... We are friends, aren't we? I hope... I hope you saw me as a friend..."

I could not stay any longer than that. Reluctantly, I departed and was able to say my goodbyes to Twilight before flying home. This time, I made certain to coat myself in a barrier to shield myself from the downpour. Upon reaching the balcony to my private chambers, I was fortunate enough to find that nopony had discovered my absence. Although my sisters will be searching for me before our midday meal now.

I shall end this documentation here. I am not even certain of why I am writing this. Perhaps as a means to look back on this disaster and remember where it was I fell short...

---

Ugh... What day was it? Let me check the calendar... Oh, right. It's been eight days since that whole thing happened. Eight days... Feels like eight weeks.

I've felt so sick all week... And I'm usually bouncing off the walls and smiling and giggling! This isn't like me...just like how it wasn't like me when... No... Pinkie Pie NEVER breaks a Pinkie Promise. I didn't break that promise... I know I didn't. I know I couldn't. But...it happened anyway...

I'm a mess... I don't know if my hair wants to stay poofy or saggy. I haven't even been able to work. I'm just...so scared and depressed... I want to tell him I'm sorry. I want to say that wasn't really me. But...what if he can't even hear me? What if he never wakes up so I can tell him? What if he dies not knowing it wasn't real?

Maybe... Maybe he was already waking up! Yeah! Maybe he was already sitting up awake in bed at the hospital! So I went around my place, gathering up all sorts of things for a friend in the hospital. Checkers, a box of chocolate drops, and a tea set! Warm tea is always good for ponies who are bedridden. And maybe humans too. But once I was all packed up, I headed off to the hospital right away.

It felt so good to be going to the hospital so sure he would be awake. I hadn't heard his voice in eight days. Been having the weirdest dreams too. And he was almost always there. Don't you just hate it when you wake up from a dream and then you just can't remember it an hour later? Oh, and just in case you haven't figured it out yet, this is Pinkie Pie writing today!

Well, I got to the hospital in no time. So I went right up to the front desk and gave the receptionist my best smile. "Morning, Miss Redheart! I'm just here to pop in and say hi to James."

She gave me a pretty sad smile for some reason. "I see. Well, don't go up to the top floor today. You haven't been in for a few days, but he's been moved to the ground floor. You can find him in room G5."

"G5?! I thought we were G4! This I gotta see! And thanks!" And off I went down the side hall. Wow, James is in the room with G5 ponies?! Golly, time sure flies! G1 was a long time ago, but had a good start with all things considered. G2 was just OK, but G3 was just awful. And I should know! I was there! And I was a real idiot back then! And don't get me started on G3.5! Just...why... Just remembering that gets me depressed... Oh, wait. You don't know about all that stuff? Um... Look! There's a moose behind you!

Anyway... I saw that there was a window on the wall next to the door to room G5. "Ooh, I can see what's in there?!"

I ran right up to the window and peeked in. But the room was empty. Well, except for the bed with James in it, that medical equipment, and a little nightstand to his left. But no G5 ponies. "Aw, nuts. Guess I'll have to wait another five years or something after all. So much for a sneak peek!"

I went inside after that. All that rain the last couple of days had finally let up, but the weather was still really gloomy. So it was kinda dark in there. So I went over to the nightstand and flipped the lamp on. That brightened things up a bit. And James was still asleep.

"Good morning, James! Been sawing lots and lots of logs lately? Well, I've brought some goodies for the little dream lumberjack." I gave him my best smile and pulled out a box of his favorite treats. Chocolate drops topped with little icing patterns to look like balloons! "Mmhm! It's your favorite! Chocolate drops!"

Something was fishy. I was talking pretty loud and nudging him a lot, but he wasn't waking up at all. Maybe he just needed a bit of coaxing to wake up. So I moved one of them right under his nose. After I removed that mask on his face, that is. "Yum yum, sweet and yummy! Come on, James! I dressed these up just for you!" I then chomped on one to demonstrate just how tasty they were. "Mmm! Soooo good! I really should get some milk with this!"

He didn't even lick his lips or roll over. I didn't even hear his stomach growl. "Oh, come on, James! You haven't eaten anything in days!" I managed to pry his mouth open and started to push one of them in, but it was too wide to fit into his whole mouth. But it was enough for one bite.

"Here you go... Just baked this morning... Go on... Take a bite and..." I kept pushing it bit by bit, but... He... He wasn't biting. I felt myself choking up. Why was I wanting to cry? He was fine... He was OK... He was gonna wake up any second... "Come on, James... You need to eat your breakfast.... Can't...start your day without..."

I... I couldn't keep lying to myself... I collapsed by his side and just started bawling my eyes out. I was doing all I could to wake him up and he still wasn't there! I climbed back up to him and laid on his chest while looking at him. "I know you're still mad at me! I'm mad at me too... You're just trying to get back at me for blowing up at you like that, right?! Well, you've done enough! You're scaring me, OK?! You've punished me enough! So please, just wake up and we can go right back to being friends, all right?!"

I was begging... I just wanted to see him smile at me again... To hold me and hug me like he used to... But he didn't. He didn't open his eyes or say a word. I knew he wasn't dead, but... Why is this so hard?! I've never had to deal with anything like this before! It's just...torture... It's torture to see one of my bestest friends in the whole world like this!

It took a few minutes, but I stopped crying. Crying wasn't going to solve anything anyway. My mane and tail... It's been a while since I saw them that straight and dark. "James... I'm so sorry... I Pinkie Promised that day and... I invented the Pinkie Promise... Why couldn't I keep it? You didn't deserve that..."

I laid my head on his chest. I could still hear his breathing. It was calming to listen to. "You never did talk much when on the job... You always got so focused when working. And you hardly ever smile compared to the rest of my friends... But when you do smile... It's... It's always such a nice smile. And you always give the best hugs... I... I just want things to go back to those days..."

He didn't make a sound. But he kept breathing. At least he was still breathing. I reached out and licked the icing and chocolate from his lips. I don't think the doctors would like it if they found out I tried to feed him while he was still asleep... Tasted really sweet. "You're always so quiet... Almost gloomy sometimes... So it always feels so good to make you smile and feel happy... You and me... We're nothing alike... But I wouldn't change anything about you, James... I know...I'm important to you... Or at least I...was. We're good friends... Really good friends... At least I hope we still are... Just... When you finally do wake up... Just...please... Please still be James... Please still be that quiet sweet serious man I know..."

I don't think I moved for a while. I just wanted to be there with him. I could almost feel him. He felt so close...but so far away too... At least we could pass the time with that game of checkers I brought along. I reached into my Pinkie Space and pulled out a little table that's just right for a checkerboard. "Hey, James? You... Uh... You up for a game of checkers?"

He didn't answer. At least I think he didn't answer. "Huh? You prefer chess? Ooh, that's pretty sophisticated! Lemme see if I brought chess pieces... Um... Yup! I've got the whole set!" I was starting to feel a bit better. I wonder why?

"OK, you've got black and I've got white. Your move! Uh huh... Just pawns right now? OK, now you're moving your rook. I'll just move my knight here and... Ooh, you got my knight! But now I've got your bishop! Hey! You're pulling out the queen already?! Well, you better not move it there, because I'll... Oh... You've got me in check already." Wow, I didn't know James wasn't bad at chess at all. But it looks like he just takes things as they come at first until he starts to get an idea of how to make things go. Just what I'd expect from him!

"Checkmate?! Already?! Ooh, you got me good! Wanna go again?" I couldn't believe I already lost. Oh well! I would just get him on the rebound! So I put all the pieces back in place and we started over. Just the pawns with James moving his big players forward a bit at a time.

Well, that went on for a while. And James won more games than he lost. But after a while, I heard somepony behind me. "Uh... Sugarcube? What're ya doin' there?"

It looked like Applejack had stopped by for a visit too. So I turned around and gave her a big smile. "Howdy, Applejack! I'm just keeping James company while he rests up. Wanna join in for a game of chess? He's pretty good!"

"He's...playin' ya in a game of chess? Uh...how? Wait a sec..." Right when she said that, I heard the door open. And Twilight was standing in the doorway. "Oh, howdy. What brings ya around these parts, Twi?"

She looked in at us with a tiny little smile, though she still looked really sad. "Hey there, AJ. Pinkie Pie. I was jus stopping by to check on James... Um... Was I interrupting a game of chess between you girls?"

"Nah, I just got here. But...uh... Could I have a word with ya in private for a minute, Twi? It's important." Applejack said before she kind of pushed Twilight out of the room and almost completely closed the door behind her.

"Hmm... That was sudden. Hey, James? Could you hold on for just a second? I wanna listen in. And no moving pieces around while my back's turned! Oh, I know it's kinda invasive to listen in on a private conversation, but I'm feeling a bit suspicious. Don't look at me like that! I promise I won't ever tell anypony about what they're saying!" I left James by the chessboard and scooted over to the crack in the doorway. What were they up to?

"I wish I was kiddin', Twi. I saw 'er movin' the chess pieces on the far side of the board. And she says James is playin' her in that game." I heard Applejack say. What was she even talking about?! It's against the rules to move your opponent's chess pieces in a game! I was really tempted to just bust outta the room and tell her off, but I stayed quiet. I wanted to hear what Twilight had to say.

"You know Pinkie Pie, Applejack. And you know what we've been going through. I think it's just her stress and guilt manifesting in her thinking she is seeing James awake and all right instead of comatose. I know I wish he was awake..." No... James wasn't comatose. He was doing fine. But when I looked back at him... He was still lying there. Eyes still closed. Mask still on his face. His arms were still under the blankets...

I heard Applejack talk again while I started to feel really scared. "Do ya think we should get 'er some help? I mean... Pinkie's always been really off the walls, but not like this... She's really startin' ta spook me, Twi..."

"I know, Applejack... It's scaring me too. Pinkie... She's not somepony who values friend's lightly. I really do think that to her, friends are everything. Friends are her life. And knowing she helped put one of the friends that make her life worth living in a coma... You know what that's like. But...let's wait a while and see if she starts to cope better. It's hard enough on all of us having just one friend locked away in a hospital. I don't want to have another friend have to be put away too..." I heard Twilight say. But... I helped put James in... But that was a Pinkie Promise... I... Pinkie Pie never breaks a Pinkie Promise... Was it all a nightmare? That couldn't have happened, right?

I went back over to James. He was still there, fast asleep. I reached out and touched his cheek. "James... Please be honest with me. Did... Did I do something to help make you like this?"

He didn't say anything that time. Nothing... I... I couldn't keep trying to lie to myself. I did do it... I couldn't stay. I ran out the door and past my friends and went all the way home. I want to cry... Maybe even scream. But nothing came.

I went right upstairs and fell on my bed. I can't believe it... I don't wanna believe it... I couldn't have done that to him... My head hurt... I felt sick...

After a moment, I reached under my bed and pulled something out. A little something special I bring out sometimes. A little cassette player. There was already a tape inside. So I hit the play button as the little wheels inside started to spin.

"Uh... Pinkie? What's that in your mane?" I felt myself smile when I heard that voice.

"Huh? Uh... Well... It's a tape recorder! You know, something to record..." I heard myself say, but I got cut off.

"I know what it is. I had one as a kid. But what're you doing with it?" I heard the voice ask again. Hearing that conversation was helping me remember that day much better.

I heard myself not say anything for a moment. But I remembered what I was about to say. I talked along with it. "Sometimes, I just wanna have something to listen to that helps me remember a nice day with my friends. Something I can listen to and remember such a great time. Is that OK if I record us sometimes?"

I remember smiling when I heard the voice talk again. "Oh... That's actually really cute. Sure, you can record me anytime, just so long as you don't go showing those recordings to just anyone."

"Oki doki loki! You got it!" I smiled and almost giggled while everything I saw started to get blurry. "But...um... James? Are you feeling OK? I thought you'd come down with something really bad lately. And you wouldn't stop coughing up gunk."

I remember him smiling at me when he replied. "Yeah. It was really annoying for a while, but I'm gonna be all right."

I hit the rewind button for a second and let it go. I heard the voice again. "I'm gonna be all right."

I held it down again.

"I'm gonna be all right."

And over... And over...

"I'm gonna be all right. I'm gonna be all right. I'm gonna be all right."

I couldn't take it anymore. I held the little tape player to my chest and cried while I heard him keep talking. "You're gonna be all right, James... You're gonna be all right..."

I've been staying home all day. I keep playing the recordings of all the tapes I used to record us talking just so I can hear his voice. I feel so awful... Like I can't find the drive to do anything. If he doesn't wake up soon, I'm probably gonna go crazy...

Please... James... I'm sorry... Please, wake up. I want to hear you again... I want to see you smile again. I want us to be friends again...

---

Um... I'm not sure I should be writing this. But... I've been so sad... So depressed. My name is Fluttershy and...I just need something to help me cope right now. I need to try to find a way to pass the time. Something to help me wait until he wakes up...

It's only been nine days, but it feels like it's been so much longer than that. It feels so...wrong to wake up and not see him sleeping next to me. I love him... But why did this have to happen? He... I can't believe he did that to Discord! And I'm the one who drove him mad with despair... He's still alive, but...I can't reach him. Whenever I visit, he never responds to me. I've never seen someone close to me in a coma... It's...so frustrating...

I heard a loud cooing just after I woke up today. I felt so tired...and so sickly. Every time I've woken up in the morning for the last few days, I haven't been feeling well. I even threw up a few times. But Angela was there for me. She perched on one of my bed's corner posts and nuzzled my cheek while cooing softly. I knew what was wrong. She was missing her friend. "Good morning, Angela... I know, I miss him too... But he'll be home in a while... Hopefully in a really short while. Just...please be patient... Uh... Ugh... Oh no... Excuse me. Need to get to the bathroom!"

I felt it coming again. I don't know what's been wrong with me. I know I've been so depressed lately and that's never good for you, but it's almost like I've been eating a lot of spoiled food. I can't think of any other reason why I've been so queasy, especially in the mornings. Anyway, after...well...tossing my cookies, I went downstairs to start on breakfast. Today is a school day for Scootaloo, so I need to make sure she is ready.

It hasn't been easy keeping the truth from her. I don't know what she would do or think if she found out what happened in Canterlot that day, even if I couldn't resist... I don't think somepony as young as her would even be able to comprehend the horror of what I saw... It's best that she never finds out.

I tried cooking up some omelets and hash browns the way James sometimes makes them. With diced tomatoes, feta cheese, and spinach in the eggs. And just after I finished setting the table, I heard some footsteps coming. "Morning, Fluttershy..."

Scootaloo came into the doorway. She looked pretty groggy and her mane was messy. But I still tried to smile. "Good morning, Scootaloo. We've got hash browns and omelets today. I also made a bit of toast, if you want some."

"Thanks..." She hopped up onto a stool, but didn't look very hungry. I know she's been trying to stay optimistic lately, but I know the news of James being in a coma has been very hard on her. He's...the only family she has. Sometimes, when I look at them when they're together, I feel more like I'm looking at a father and daughter. I wonder if she feels the same...

I didn't say anything for a minute. Scootaloo just looked at her plate and the food on it without a word. Did they remind her of something? Or was she just not sure if she was hungry? Eventually, she did look at me with a really unhappy stare. "Do you know when Da... I mean James is coming home?"

It sounded like she was about to call him something else. "Da? Um... Who did you mean by that? Is there someone else on your mind?"

Scootaloo groaned a bit and looked at her plate again before looking back at me. "Sorry... I almost called him 'Dad' that time."

Dad... Does she think of James as a father? But still... It only made me feel worse about everything that happened. It would be one thing to have put her brother in the hospital, but the person she sees as a father? It wasn't easy for me to hide my guilt, but I couldn't show it in front of her. "Oh... Well... Why is that? I thought he was always like a big brother to you."

Scootaloo let out a long sigh. I was hoping I didn't touch on a sensitive subject. But after a bit, she started talking without looking at me. "It took me a while before I started seeing it. When I first met him... The way he looked out for me and was there giving encouragement... It felt like having a big brother. But after living with him for this long... The way he walks me to school and sometimes helps with my homework... And the way he tucks me in at night and tells me bedtime stories... I finally saw that isn't what a brother does. That's what a father does."

It hurt to hear that... Not because I was unhappy to hear her saying she sees him as that. I was actually happy that she began to see my boyfriend in an even more powerful light. What hurt was...knowing what I did to him. And James still has not awakened. If he dies... Scootaloo will be an orphan all over again. And would James be happy with being a daddy? But in any case, I tried to smile at her. "So...he's your daddy to you? That's just...so sweet... If you want, you can call me 'Mommy' too."

She actually smiled a little bit when I said that. I think...I even saw a tear fall down her cheek. "Well... Uh... Tell you what... When James wakes up... If he's OK with me calling him 'Dad'... I'd love to call you 'Mom', Fluttershy."

I felt such a warm fluttering in my heart. Something that beat down the dark depression and guilt I had been feeling for the last several days. I'm still not sure if I'm ready for the task just yet, but... It felt...good to be called that. I walked over to Scootaloo and gently nuzzled her cheek while I think I also shed a few tears. "Well... I hope I'll be a good mom to you when that day comes... But for now, let's eat up. You have school today."

"OK... And thanks, Fluttershy." Scootaloo said while looking a tiny bit happier. I once asked her about her real family after James told me a bit of what she told him. The poor dear never even had the chance to meet them... We didn't eat very fast, but I did feel some of my appetite return. Once we had cleaned our plates, Scootaloo went back to her room to gather up her school stuff and hurried out the door with her helmet on. I soon heard the buzzing of her wings while she rode her scooter across the meadow towards Ponyville.

After that, it was time to give all my little friends their breakfast. No matter how I felt, I still had to be there for them. I fed all the little birds, all the scampering squirrels, the ferrets under the bridge, all the little bunnies, and everyone else I can't think of off the top of my head. I was feeling much better by then. Doing anything with my little animal friends always makes me smile. At least...it did for a while. Before long, my thoughts went back to the man I love... The man I betrayed...

It had been a few days since I last went to visit him. My guilt had kept me away. I don't think he even knows that wasn't really me who hurt him... But today would be different. I had to make sure he was still OK. After leaving Angel and Angela in charge of my cottage, I set off for town.

I didn't stop to say hello to anypony. I didn't even notice anyone I know. At least just as I was getting closer to the hospital. I heard a familiar voice call out to me at one point. Somepony who knows me better than anypony else. "Fluttershy! Darling, wait for me!"

I almost didn't even notice the voice until I heard the sound of galloping hooves coming closer. When I turned around to look at whoever had just called me, I saw my best friend, Rarity, coming my way. "I haven't seen you for a few days, darling! Are you all right?"

Seeing her made me smile a bit. I can always count on her to be there for me. "Um... I'm not sure. I haven't been feeling too well lately, but I'm on my way to visit James. Maybe he's woken up by now."

"You poor dear... Surely all of the anxiety is getting to your nerves. Trust me, even I have felt ill at times since then... Shall we go together?" I could see that Rarity was trying to smile. I also wasn't surprised to hear even she wasn't feeling well either. She loves him very much... Maybe as much as I do. And we both hurt him badly...

"Sure... I think I need a friend with me today..." I said while trying to smile. But I couldn't. There was nothing to smile about. But we went on anyway. The hospital was just ahead.

The lobby was empty aside from the nurse behind the receptionist's desk, so we went right over to her. Rarity took care of all the talking. "Excuse me. We were wondering if visiting hours are open for Mr. James."

The nurse glanced down at something out of our sight and then nodded. "He is. His location is room G5. Just go down the hall to your left."

"Thank you..." I whispered quietly, although I don't know if she heard me. I just wasn't feel very chatty at the moment. Rarity led the way and I stayed right beside her.

"I've been trying to visit on a daily basis, darling... How often have you been stopping by the hospital?" My best friend asked while looking at me. And I knew she wasn't going to like my answer.

"Not very often..." It was all I could say.

Rarity clearly didn't expect that. She knows me well. I always share with her the details of my relationship with James whenever I stop by for tea. "But... Why not? I know you adore him just as much as I do. Isn't he the man you intend to marry one day?"

I felt the tears coming again. The memories... They were coming back... I couldn't keep walking. I had to stop. "I... It feels like I don't deserve to be around him... I still remember what I did... What I said... That wasn't really me, but... I still remember it..." I then looked right at her, but my vision was blurry. The tears kept flowing down my cheeks, but more kept building in my eyes to replace them. "I still remember watching him when he punched himself in the face...and when he held his sword to his neck... I felt...pleased... Dominant... Seeing him in pain made me feel good! How can I show myself to him after that?!"

I really didn't want to raise my voice, but I couldn't help it. I felt so...angry at myself. I'll never forget how I felt when I told him to... I don't want to remember... But Rarity... She held me. Hugged me close. "Darling... I am just as guilty... I still remember how I felt... I remember seeing him as something without worth. Something I could get nothing of value out of... I did not even see him as a person anymore... It hurts to know that, even if for just a short while, I saw him as nothing... The only thing that mattered to me at that time were the riches of the world...not the boundless love and companionship of my friends... And that is why I want to be there for him... To make certain he knows that what he saw was just a wretched mirage. To prove that my heart still pines for him..."

I wish I had Rarity's resolve... I wish I was as strong as she is... "OK... Well... I'll...try to be there for him too... I love him... And I'm so lucky he...chose me to be his mare."

"Indeed you are, darling." Rarity said with a tearful smile while she wiped my tears away. "He is indeed a wonderful man. It's no wonder more than one mare desires him. Well... At least I hope he's still the same man he was when... Enough of this topic. He's right there."

I turned my head. We were already right in front of his room. The blinds for the window next to the door were open, so we could see him. Nothing had changed since I last saw him. Well...except for that bouquet of flowers sitting in a vase. "Were those there before?"

"Hmm... I visited just yesterday in the morning and they weren't there at the time. Let's take a closer look." Rarity spoke before she pushed the door open. I could smell them a bit from the doorway. And there was a tag attached to the vase. Rarity held it with her levitation magic and looked closely. "Let's see here... We miss you, fellow Crusader... Best wi... Oh, Sweetie Belle... This was so sweet of you."

I went over to the vase too. It was a gift from the Cutie Mark Crusaders. And even though James earned his cutie mark a while ago, he's still technically a member and friend to them. But still... It was very sweet of them to do this for him. Scootaloo has been spending a lot of time at the clubhouse with her friends. But now that we were there... James was right in front of us.

It always feels so...unnerving when I see him looking no different than when I last saw him. Sometimes... When I stand in that room alone with him... It feels like time reset. Like I keep getting sent back a few days. Like...nothing has changed...and that nothing will ever change... And knowing I was the one who put him in that bed...

"Good morning, darling... Are you feeling any better lately?" Rarity asked quietly while she gently rubbed her hoof over his cheek. He still didn't move or say anything. Just like before... "Still sleeping soundly, I see... What are you dreaming about...? Perhaps a grand dance at the Grand Galloping Gala? Soaring through the sky in armor with your beloved? Or perhaps...a little get-together with moi for some warm tea?"

I knew she was just trying to distract herself. Rarity's been crying a lot lately... And I wanted to spend a little with him now that I was there. I reached out to Rarity and placed my hoof on her shoulder. "Rarity... Would it be OK if I... You know..."

She looked at me with some tears starting to already build in her eyes. Her voice was also breaking a bit. ""Oh... Absolutely, Fluttershy... Of course you may spend some time in private with your beloved. I'll... I'll just go refresh myself with a cappuccino in the lounge... I'll be right back..."

She left in a bit of a hurry. Now, it was just us... I stood next to him. I heard the beeping of the heart monitor. The wheezing of his respirator. And the faint sound of his own breathing... But I didn't hear the one thing I wanted to hear. I didn't hear his voice. "James... Do you remember me...? The real Fluttershy?"

I felt over the sheets that covered him, trying to find his hand. It didn't take very long to feel its shape. I left my hoof on his hand and looked at his face. I didn't see any sorrow or anger or even happiness. Just...blank. Almost like an...empty shell. "Honey... Do you still like it when I call you that? Do you still want to call me 'honey' too? Or maybe 'sweetheart'? Do you... Do you still love me?"

Why was I even talking... Nothing I said even reached him. I wanted to tell him I love him. To remind him what he was to me. But until he woke up...he would never know. I rested my head on his chest, my tears flowing again. "I know you still love me... I saw what you did in the end just before the mirror shattered... I saw what you drew on the ground with your own blood... I want you to know...that I still love you too..."

I gazed right at him. His head was lying flat on the mattress with his face looking straight up. Something about dealing with a concussion or coma or something like that. His mind and heart was broken... He couldn't wake up because he was still in pieces... "I wish I could reach inside you and put everything back together... Put all the pieces of your heart back together and mend your scarred mind... I just...want to put this all behind us... Please, honey... Wake up... So we can go home...and...go on living like we used to...when we were in love..."

I don't know how much time passed... Everything just became a blur... I stayed there by him, my head on his chest. He felt so close, but so far away... I could almost feel it, strangely... It almost felt like he could feel me. Like he was happy. And for a little while, I felt happy too... But in the end, I started to feel kind of sick again. I didn't want to leave him, but I felt so awful...

In a while, a sound got my attention. Somepony was pushing the door open. It was Rarity. "Fluttershy... Are you all right?"

I was about to say I was OK, even though I probably wasn't, but then I felt my stomach churn again. "Uh... I don't know... I've been feeling queasy on and off for a few days now..."

"You have? Well, now that we're at the hospital, why not schedule an appointment? It's likely just anxiety, but it wouldn't hurt to be safe." She said with a look of concern in her eyes while she came closer. "I'll look after James while you take care of. Is that all right?"

"Yeah... I guess it would be smart to do that now. I'll be just a little while." I at least managed to smile a little at Rarity while my stomach settled again. I saw Rarity take a little scented candle out of her saddlebag and set it next to the flower vase before lighting it. I was looking forward to coming back to find the room filled with the smell.

I went back to the lobby to book an appointment. The nurse who is assigned to me is Miss Redheart. "Excuse me. I'd like to set up an appointment for a checkup. The sooner, the better."

The nurse behind the counter... I think her name is Sweetheart? She smiled sweetly at me. "All right. And you are Miss Fluttershy, right? Just let me check in with Nurse Redheart." She then pressed something under the counter. "Paging Nurse Redheart. When is the earliest time you are available for a checkup with one of your patients?"

I heard a familiar voice speak through an intercom on the desk somewhere. "Me? Well, I should have enough time for a checkup right after my lunch break. Give me another ten minutes and I should be free."

"All right. I'll just show your patient to your office and she'll be waiting for you." Nurse Sweetheart said in response before turning off the intercom. She then stepped out from behind the counter and motioned for me to follow her. "I'll show you to her office. Right this way."

Before long, I was seated in Nurse Redheart's office. I usually only visit once a year. I was actually a bit nervous while I waited in there. I've always been healthy except for the occasional common cold. And maybe the flu. Is it possible to prevent yourself from getting sick to those things anyway? Almost feels like there's no way to stop it...

I didn't have very long to think. Nurse Redheart soon came in. She gave me a bit of a sympathetic smile while setting her coffee on the desk. "Oh, Fluttershy? Good to see you. I'm so sorry for what happened to your sweetheart, but I assure you we're doing all that we can for him."

That managed to get me to smile a bit. "Thank you... He seemed to be healthy when I saw him today."

"Well, we're doing all that we can. And you will be the first to know if anything changes. Now then, how have you been lately?" The nurse asked while she sorted through some files on her desk.

I decided to be completely honest. "Well... I've had a loss of appetite, some queasiness, occasional vomiting in the morning, and...um...lack of energy."

"Sounds like the telltale signs of depression. The lack of energy could also be due to malnourishment due to lack of nutrient intake. But to make certain, I'm going to run some tests on you. Now, hop up on the table." She replied while I did what she asked of me. The tests were...uh... I don't feel entirely comfortable describing them. And I think I shouldn't because of...patient confidentiality? At least I think that's what it's called.

Well, as it turned out, I wasn't really sick with anything. Although...there was one bit of news I wasn't expecting. But...I don't think I should write it here. I don't want anypony to know about it just yet. Not until he knows... Once I got out of the office, I went right back down to room G5. It looked like Rarity had stepped out for a while, so I slipped in while making sure nopony was around. I didn't want anyone to hear what I was going to say.

The room smelled sweet. Kind of fruity... I think it was coming from the scented candle Rarity put by James' bed. Well, I went over to him, and... I felt so excited...but scared too... "Hi, honey... Um... Are you happy to see me?"

I knew he wasn't going to say anything. My nerves were all jittery. My stomach was full of butterflies. I wanted to tell him right there, but I knew he wouldn't hear me. I placed my hoof over where his hand was resting. "I have something important to tell you... I don't know if you'll be happy...or afraid...or... I don't know... I'm not even sure how I feel about it... But I can't keep it a secret forever. I'll try to make sure nopony finds out before you do, but... Please... James, wake up soon. I need you to be the first to know..."

I don't know what else to write now... My mind is just swimming with so many thoughts. But... I need him to come home... I miss my love... Please, James. Come home... I'll be waiting as long as I have to...

---

I cannot believe what a mess things have been since that day in Canterlot ten days ago. We are all still feeling the pain. Just... How did that happen? Why did Discord do that to him?

I have been trying to keep myself distracted with all these books. But...the memories still keep coming back when I least expect them too. Thank goodness Spike has been here for me. I do not think I have ever been this reliant on anyone for emotional support. It feels like I could have done so much more back then. I know Discord never got to me. I never betrayed James. So...why do I feel like I failed him?

"More tea, Twilight?" I heard a familiar boy's voice ask. Spike was standing next to my bed with a tea tray in his hands that was holding a teacup and a teapot with steam coming from the spout.

"Thanks, Spike... I really need this." I said while trying to smile. I really do appreciate all the work he does around the library.

"I even remembered to add some lemon to it. I'll be around if you need me." He spoke with a supportive smile before running back down the stairs to the lower section of the loft.

I sipped slowly from my tea while my eyes lazily scanned over the words of the book. Before long, I was not reading so much as I was just looking. I would even at times read over the same page multiple times while just trying to distract myself with anything that could take my mind off of the memory. But it did not last... Largely because I had experienced a very similar event a couple of years ago. I know what James went through...but at the same time I do not.

The first time Discord was freed, I felt it too. Watching my dearest friends become nothing short of complete jerks. Even to the point of never wanting anything to do with them again while still longing for the friends I had lost. I was hurt... And I was all but broken. But at the same time, I had not lost all that was important to me. I still had Spike. And my family in Canterlot. And even Princess Celestia. But James... As much as I am ashamed to admit this, I fear my dearest friends may not be as precious to me as we are to him...

Unlike me, James came to this world with nothing. And we... We were his first friends. The foundation for his life in Equestria. Friendship is indeed a wonderful thing. It is something I cannot honestly see myself living without anymore. But...what if friendship is all you ever had?

I know what my friends were like after Discord corrupted the first time. And if we serve as the foundation of his life... To see the people who are the foundation of his life in Equestria become...what they were... It would have meant in his mind, everything built upon that foundation would have come crashing down. The emotional and mental shock must have been unfathomable... And he did all he could to fill that hole in his heart... Even if it meant filling it with the twisted satisfaction of bringing revenge to the one responsible for his misery...

As things are now, James is holding on by a thread. Our friendship... All but destroyed. Even if he awakens... Can he ever recover from this? I know him well. Serious, yet sensitive. It would be difficult for him to trust us again after what happened. And we even promised we would not let this happen... But it happened anyway...

Before I even knew what was happening, I felt something drip onto my hoof. The tears. The memories hurt... I love that man... He has always been so dear to me... It was then I decided I needed to go. I had to see him at the hospital. It had been a few days since my last visit. I did not care if he would not see or hear me. I at least had to see him.

I trotted down the stairs and found Spike sorting books in the library. "This one goes to the Adventure genre shelf... And this goes to... Oh, hey! Need anything, Twilight?"

"Not right now, Spike. I just need to be somewhere right now. I'm leaving you in charge of the library while I'm gone. I'll try to be back soon." I said while using the levitation spell to open the door at the far side of the room that led outside into Ponyville.

My little assistant nodded and gave me a salute. "Yes, ma'am. I'll keep the place tidy."

I did not stop for anything or anypony on my way to the hospital. Nopony called out to me and nothing caught my eye. I had an objective to fulfill. And so I reached the hospital without any trouble and went right up to the counter. It seemed that Nurse Redheart was minding the front desk today. "Um... Hello. I was hoping I could visit James. He's in room G5, right?"

Redheart nodded, but then gave me a neutral stare. "He is, but Nurse Sweetheart is currently making her rounds in there at the moment. Just let me check to see if she has finished checking your friend's condition."

I guess it would have been best to wait for the nurses to finis up in there so I would not be getting in the way. I also did not want to be interrupted during a personal moment with a friend. Nurse Redheart then pressed a button on an intercom device hidden by part of the desk and spoke into it. "Hello? Nurse Sweetheart? We have a guest who wants to visit room G5. Are you about finished in there?"

What I heard over the intercom was not at all what I was expecting. "Actually, I was just about to call you myself, Redheart. Our patient... He's looking right at me. It seems James has just regained consciousness."

"He... What?! He's awake?!" My mind just exploded in a surge of anxiety and relief. I almost climbed right over the counter and yelled at the intercom. "Is he OK?! Is he talking?! James, are you there?!"

Nurse Redheart almost raised her voice at me and pretty much had to push me back. "Miss Sparkle, please!" I felt rather embarrassed that my emotions had gotten the better of me like that. But still... After almost a full ten days with no interaction while living with the constant dread of knowing he may never awaken with from his coma... Well...it is very taxing on the nerves, to be completely honest.

While I stood there feeling my face flush red from embarrassment while also having my nerves feel like they were on fire, Nurse Redheart spoke into the intercom again. "I'm so sorry about that, Sweetheart. But how is he? Are his vital signs stable? Is he showing complete awareness of his surroundings?"

There was a brief delay from the other end that made me all the more anxious. I had to know what was going on in that room! But soon, Nurse Sweetheart did reply. "I think so. I've tried talking to him since he woke up just a minute or two ago. But he hasn't said anything to me at all. All he's been doing is.....glaring at me."

Glaring... Was he angry? I felt a powerful urge to reach out to him, so I took a few steps towards the desk. "Nurse Redheart... May I please speak to him? From here?"

At first, she did not say anything. But after a minute, she silently motioned for me to come to the other side of the desk. I walked around the end and saw a complex grid of buttons showing different room numbers with a small microphone device next to a fairly large speaker. The switch next to the number G5 was flipped on. So I held down the button to activate the microphone. "James... This is Twilight Sparkle. Can you hear me?"

I did not hear anything from the other side. "Nurse Sweetheart... Do you think he can hear me?"

"Um... He just turned away from me. I think he can hear you just fine, Miss Sparkle. Go ahead and keep talking." I heard the nurse reply. So I did just that.

"James... I don't know what you remember, but... You've been in a coma for about ten days now... I honestly didn't think you were going to wake up this soon. Things... Well... Things have not been easy for us. And not for me either... I've missed you... I'm here in the lobby and...I want to see you. May I please come down to the room you're in?" I felt like I was on the verge of tears. I wanted to cry, but my emotional restraints were keeping me from breaking down in front of somepony else.

A moment of silence passed. Was James talking too quietly for me to hear? Eventually, I did get a response, but it was from Nurse Sweetheart. "Well... He isn't refusing you. I think it'll be OK for you to come visit him. Just give me a few more minutes to finish up in here and you can have all the time you want with him, Miss Sparkle."

"Thank you... I'll be there soon, James. Just wait for me." I said quietly, desperately wanting to cry.

Right now, I am just resting in the lobby while writing this down to pass the time. As soon as Nurse Sweetheart comes down here to let me know the room is open to visitors, I will go see my friend. It... I am not sure what to feel. It feels like the worst is about to be over, but it also feels like a new storm is about to blow our way. I just want all this drama to end... But more than anything, I want my friend back... I love him... James, I will be right there. We have a lot to catch up on...