Toola Roola opened her eyes, and saw a light beige curtain surrounding her. A quiet clicking drew her attention to a large boxy device on wheels, that sat a stride away. Five thin rubber tubes spanned from the device, forming a cluster that was strapped to her left frontleg with gauze bandages. Both of her front-leg pasterns had thick pads taped just above the hooves.
Bending her neck to look around, she felt a padding that was taped to her head and the back of her neck. Her head rested on something large and plush, but distinct from the bed, that she identified as what she was laying on. Looking up, she saw a white foam tiled ceiling that reflected ambient light from somewhere. A sheet and an off-white padded blanket covered her barrel and hindlegs.
She felt warm, sore, tired, and hungry.
What she did not feel, was something scraping at her bones or whispering in her mind.
Placing her right hoof on her chest, she felt something thumping steadily within. "I'm alive after all." She said to herself, her throat feeling raw. She lifted the blanket and looked at her belly. It bore stretchmarks, but was otherwise normal. "Is it really gone?" She asked in a quiet voice.
She heard the approaching sound of hooves running across the tile floor, then the curtain parted and a magenta earth pony with a two tone pink mane and tail and wearing a hospital gown, rushed over to embrace her. "Oh thank Luna you're finally awake!"
Toola Roola returned the embrace. "Cheerilee, easy. I'm a little sore. How long was I out?"
Cheerilee released Toola Roola and moved back a bit. "Six hours. You expelled all your innate mana into that spell. In addition to that, you had to be bandaged up because of your wounds and blood loss. The doctor said that there was chance that you wouldn't wake up."
"Where are we? Last thing I remember was the three of us casting that karma spell."
"We're in the Upper Canterlot Care Center." Cheerilee stated. "A rather pretentious title for a hospital, but what can you expect from a place that serves Butter Biscuit Lane?"
They both snickered. Cheerilee moved back beyond the curtain, then returned a moment later with a cup of water. Toola took it between her hooves and took a few sips before speaking again.
"How long am I stuck here?"
"For a couple of days." Cheerilee replied, moving to the curtain. "Stars and I are ok. We had a nutrient drip. Just need to change our diet for a week or two, and avoid heavy activity during that time. But by the Moon, Toola I was afraid that we'd lose you."
"Cheerilee, be honest. How do I look?" The unicorn asked. Cheerilee reached over to a table that Toola Roola just noticed, picked up a mirror, and held it in front of the unicorn. Toola Roola stared at her reflection for a few moments, noting the bandage that covered her back, and the absence of a mane. "I look like a plague victim."
"Well, Smooze could be considered a plague on the land." Another voice stated.
"Starsong?" Toola Roola called. The bottom edge of the curtain lifted up, draping around the head of a purple pegasus with a disheveled red and pink mane, who also wore a hospital gown.
"How ya feeling, Paintdrop?" The pegasus asked with a big grin.
"Like a modern art masterpiece." Toola Roola replied. All three shared a laugh. They were interrupted by the sound of a pony clearing her throat.
"Pardon me." A mare spoke in a calm but firm voice. "You have a visitor."
"A visitor?" Cheerilee asked. "Send them in." She stated while pulling back the curtain, giving Toola Roola a view of the room.
"Alright." The mare left then a dark blue alicorn wearing a black enameled tiara and peytral, entered the room.
"Greetings to thee, Our devoted childer." Princess Luna began. Cheerilee and Starsong turned and bowed. "First, let Us thank thee. Because of thine actions, Equestria once again stands united."
"Princess." Toola Roola strained to sit up. "I have to know, is it really gone?"
"The detection spells that we cast within the castle revealed naught. Our sister brought the three of thee here via a teleport spell stored within her tiara, so we have not had a chance to examine thee." Luna closed her eyes and created an aura of indigo magic around her horn. The aura enveloped Toola Roola and she felt as though she was floating in a pool of carbonated water. The feeling faded after a few moments. "There remains no trace of the fiend's corruption within thee." Princess Luna declared. The unicorn breathed a sigh of relief.
"What about us?" Cheerilee asked. The Moon Princess used the spell on her and Starsong, looking for the mana resonance she knew would indicate the corruption. Neither of them bore that taint.
"The two of thee are likewise uncorrupted." Luna stated. "As for his total annihilation, We have unicorn soldiers scouring the land. The samples of thaumicite will be incinerated, and any lingering trace will be removed by flame or silver. That remindeth us. We are planning to hold a ceremony in thine honor, at Nocne Mesta once the castle is presentable. As my sister has a corridor of stained glass windows to record the great deeds of her subjects, I will likewise follow suit."
"We're getting a commemorative window? Serenade!" Starsong commented.
"I'll have to get a temporary mane and tail until mine grow back." Toola Roola mused. "Maybe we can go shopping when I get out."
Luna moved over to Toola Roola's side, and rested a hoof on one of the unicorn's legs. "We had anticipated the possibility that the three of thee might find a way to cleanse the Blight, but We cannot imagine what it was like to have that corruption inside of thee."
"I don't want to talk about it. If I could, I'd have the memory of it's presence removed."
Luna patted Toola Roola's leg. "In thine own time then." She stepped back. "There is still the matter of royal favor. As devoted subjects of Ourself, the Roani were given certain privileges. While this was construed as favoritism, We believe that the three of thee art entitled to a reward."
"I'm not sure about the extent of your magic, your Highness." Cheerilee began, moving to Toola Roola's other side. "But I always wanted to have foals with my wife."
"NO!" Toola Roola blurted out, startling the others. She calmed down a bit. "No, I-I can't." She sniffled.
"It's ok." Cheerilee nuzzled the unicorn. "I could be the one to carry them."
Luna tapped her chin in thought. "We have heard of discussion groups where ponies share their concerns with one another, and are given encouragement. Mayhap there be one for some thing similar to thy situation, Antonia."
"I'll look into it, My Princess." The unicorn replied.
- - - - -
1 year later
Toola Roola rested on a padded table, shivering a bit. The hospital gown around her body did little to counter the cool air of the room. A pegasus mare wearing a white smock and a facial mask, took a few items from various drawers and cabinets. "I understand that you have some concerns about parenthood."
"Yes, Dr Alkaline." Toola Roola replied. "I'm a little scared. You know what I did the summer of last year."
Dr Alkaline nodded then turned to Toola Roola. "I recall reading about that. The paper even included a picture of your commemorative window."
- - -
A large group of ponies were gathered within a long wide corridor with numerous glass windows. At one end of the hallway, Princess Luna and three ponies were facing the crowd. "Citizens of Equestria!" The Moon Princess began, using her amplified voice. "We have gathered here today, to Honor these three brave ponies." She motioned to the trio next to her. "Who through cunning, resourcefulness, and friendship, were able to remove a Blight that hath infested these lands since before the era of Discord!" The unicorn member of the trio blushed, her cheeks showing a darker pink than the rest of her coat. "Twere it not for them, None of us would be here today! But by defeating the fiend known as 'The Smooze,' Umbratara and Praeclara are once again united." She reached over and pulled a rope that opened a curtain that covered one of the windows.
The crowd oohed and ahhed in amazement upon seeing the stained glass window. The carefully constructed bits of colored glass depicted the event that they were being honored for. The bottom of the window had three circles which encompassed each of the trio: A pink unicorn with a pink, yellow, and orange mane and a cyan, blue and purple tail, a magenta earth pony with a two-tone pink mane and tail, and a purple pegasus with a red and pink mane and tail. beams projected from each of the circles, converging on the monster at the top of the window; a teal blob with numerous mouths and eyes.
- - -
"There are rare complications during a pregnancy, but Hostile Parasititis is not one of them." Dr Alkaline stated while wrapping a pulmonary cuff around one of Toola Roola's legs. "Several problems can be prevented simply by changing one's lifestyle." She inflated the cuff, then watched the gauge.
"Avoid alcohol, drugs, don't engage in risky behavior, eat a proper diet..." The unicorn recited. The pegasus wrote down the pressure reading, then deflated and removed the cuff. "I've read literature and spoken to other first time parents. They've given me advice, but is any of it applicable to my experience?"
The doctor continued her preliminary examination. "As far as magic induced complications, I understand that you received a conception spell from one of the princesses. That alone would virtually negate chances of mana misalignment. But the corruption that you're worried about is still being researched." She gave Toola an apologetic look.
- - -
Toola Roola, Cheerilee and Starsong accompanied Princess Luna into a chamber set aside for private meetings. "Let us first express our delight that the three of thee have finally come to a consensus on this matter." The Princess declared.
"Your Majesty." Toola Roola began. "While Cheerilee and I are married, we both love Starsong as much as she loves us. And we aren't sure about the status of group marriages."
"While such group unions are usually discouraged, the three of thee have a genuine love for one another." Luna replied. "It is good that thou chose to include her in what would otherwise be a private decision." She turned and faced the unicorn. "But art thou certain about parenthood thyself? Thou didst have some reluctance when We first broached the matter."
Toola Roola took a deep breath then exhaled. "While my fears may never go away, I have learned how to deal with them."
Cheerilee approached the Princess. "Your Majesty, we've decided that we'll all undergo the process, that way, we can share the experience and give each-other support."
Luna took position in the center of the room. "Then we shall grant the boon for which thou asketh." The three ponies were enveloped within an indigo aura. streams of brighter opaque indigo energy began flowing amongst the trio. The streams coiled around each-other, blending in certain places. Soon, six small orbs appeared amongst the streams, then began slowly growing in size. After several moments, a pair of orbs were placed within each pony's abdomen. Once the orbs were placed, the streams dissipated, then the aura faded. "It is done." Luna proclaimed.
- - -
Dr Alkaline put on a stethoscope and placed the diaphragm against one side of Toola Roola's belly. "Steady breathing." She ordered, slowly moving the diaphragm across the unicorn's belly. After a minute of this, she passed the stethoscope to Toola Roola. "Take a listen." Toola Roola inserted the earpieces into her ears, while the doctor placed the diaphragm on her belly. She heard two tiny heartbeats, and a smile formed on her muzzle. "Congratulations, it looks like you have a healthy pair of fillies." The doctor stated.
"It's a good thing I have servants to help take care of them." Toola Roola replied. "And a big house for them to grow up in."
"Well, going by the conception process, Cheerilee and Starsong will also be bearing foals. so that makes six." Dr Alkaline took the stethoscope back then wrote down a few things on the clipboard. "Everything looks good. You can get back into your clothes, and I'll take you back to the waiting room."
Toola Roola nodded. "Thank you, Dr Alkaline." She slid off the table, removed the gown, then took her clothing from a nearby counter.
Cheerilee and Starsong looked over as Toola Roola strode into the waiting room. "So did you get the answer you wanted?" The earth pony asked.
"Yeah, I have normal foals." The unicorn replied. "A pegasus and an earth pony." The other two nodded.
"Then shall we go home?"
"Yes, I think that would be for the best." Toola Roola replied.
The three pregnant mares headed out of the hospital. "Hey Toola?" Starsong began.
"Yeah Starsong?"
"You think we should look into finding a foalsitter?"
"Only if Jasper isn't up to the challenge." The unicorn replied. "I don't want to hurt his feelings."
"I think six is a little much for him." Cheerilee stated.
"We'll see." Toola Roola replied with a smug grin. "After all, he did foalsit the three of us, and we were very rowdy."
"It never hurts to ask." Starsong stated.
- - -
A lime green unicorn sat on a bench, watching a stone arch. The arch was made of a polished black stone, and spanned a width of thirty strides, with the peak reaching ten strides high. Within the arch was a shimmering field of indigo and cerulean colored light. A team of silver clad ponies lead by a gold-clad pegasus-her husband Dark Skies-did checks on ponies entering or exiting the portal.
As a white unicorn with a pink mane exited from the shimmering field, Lime Sherbert smiled. The unicorn presented a scroll to one of the soldiers, who looked at it briefly, then waved her along. The unicorn spotted Lime, then approached. "Fleur! Glad you could make it." Lime called out.
Fleur De Lis chuckled, giving Lime a playful nudge with her hoof. "You have no idea how glad I am to finally get some peace." She looked to the terrace above, then to the one below. "So this is Nocne Mesta. Looks good for being abandoned for 1000 years."
"Her Majesty has hired contractors to help with cleaning up and rebuilding." Lime replied, as she lead Fleur to the castle. "That gate was the first new addition she made. And since both Princesses have fueled it with their magic, It'll last as long as they do."
"I wonder." Fleur began. "Could they do something similar with Princess Cadance, and open portals to the Crystal Kingdom?"
"With her approval, I'm sure they could." Lime stated. "But the crystal ponies still need time to adjust to the rest of Equestria."
"So what should I expect when we get to the castle? We did amass quite a bit of decor in our marecave, and surely it would've taken a while to move it all here."
"You'll see." Lime Sherbert replied, giving Fleur a conspiratorial grin.
- - -
"You have got to be joking me." Fleur stated in disbelief, looking around the small room. The old tea-stained table rested in the center of the room, surrounded by three stools. Along one side was a low wooden counter, with a pyrothaumic heating plate and a sink. Placed against the back wall of the room was a cabinet containing a supply of teas, biscuits, and a kettle. Next to it was the chest that held their robes and the tablecloth. "We're back to having a little room?"
Lime snickered then walked over to the wall opposite the sink. She tapped one of the wooden panels, which gave a hollow echo. "Put on a robe, then walk through here."
Fleur took one of one of the robes from the chest, then approached the wall. "Are you sure? It looks like I'd bonk my face if I tried that." She slipped into the robe while Lime did likewise. "Whoa, that's weird." Fleur stated, reaching out and touching the wall. Her hoof met no resistance, and passed through the panel. Fleur drew her hoof back and looked at it. "So the robes are enchanted now?"
Lime walked into the panel. Fleur followed. On the other side was a narrow spiral stairway leading down. At the bottom of the stairs, they entered a large cavernous space. Small thaumic lights in the stone ceiling provided a steady illumination. Scattered about the area were rugs, tapestries, high-quality furniture, gaming tables and other luxuries. Resting on a chaise lounge, was Princess Luna. "Greetings Dame Fleur." The alicorn waved to the pair. "We have taken careful inventory so that we have not forgotten a thing." She pointed out various features. "That be the jukebox, over there is our bowling lane. We have also acquired casino amenities, a collection of family games, and a basic set of the popular pencil and paper games.
"And all this, is for us?" Fleur asked. "Isn't that a little extravagant?"
"Nay Dear Lime, Tis financed only from our private budget." Luna explained. "We did not appropriate one bit from the treasury to fund this." She reached over to an end-table with a bowl of apple slices. "Much of this was a generous donation from soon-to-be nieces. They have asserted that these goods were acquired with honest bits." She took one of the slices and nibbled it. "And they have also offered us advice for placing objects about our domicile. What the citizens of Neighpon refer to as 'Feng Shui.'"
"So this is a real mare cave, then." Fleur commented.
"Yep, carved into the rock and everything." Lime replied. "And warded against all magic save the Princesses' own."
"So nopony can accidentally stumble into it. Unless they took one of the robes." Fleur mused. "But who would be bold enough to steal a princesses' property?"
"Who indeed." Luna smiled. "But let that pass." She got up and walked over to the pair. "There still exists the rest of the castle."
Fleur bowed. "I like the exterior. It has that comforting shadow aesthetic that most ponies associate with your domain."
"I believe the term is 'Umbraic.'" Lime replied. "After all, it did originate here."
"Indeed." Luna replied. "The art, the architecture, songs, poetry and literature. We have even been told of movies and television shows that make use of the aesthetic."
Lime pulled the hood up over her head. "Then let us three be Umbraic, seeking refuge in the shadows and the night! Our hooves black and our faces pale! We shall dance in the mountains, the forests, and the spires of Nocne Mesta!" Noticing her companion's mildly amused expressions, Lime blushed. "Sorry, I was taken by a fey mood."
"You need not apologize." Luna replied, walking over to give Lime a friendly hug. "As an old wise pony once said, the Gift of Fire inspires passion in the pony soul. Not in those exact words, but the sentiment be similar."
"Well, let's go see what passion has made of your castle." Fleur smirked, heading up the stairs.