//------------------------------// // 05: Snowdrop. // Story: Tears in the Snow // by Chaos Phantasm //------------------------------// Tears in the Snow By Chaos Phantasm ===================================================================== Chapter 5 Snowdrop ===================== Nightmare Moon stood in the center of her bedroom staring at the Twilight Sparkle doll she had made from one of the dummies the children of Nightmare use to train. The mare of darkness was shedding tears and baring her teeth in rage, the room was a mess; a mirror shattered, the bed in two pieces, a table turned and chairs on their back and even a window was broken. The Twilight Sparkle doll however was slumped against a cracked wall, looking at the crying alicorn with a caring smile almost as if it were real. "Stop it..." Nightmare Moon spoke, her voice carried a tone of anger and sadness that matched her feelings. She continued to stare at the doll. "DON'T LOOK AT ME THAT WAY!!!!" Nightmare Moon charged her horn and shot a beam of dark energy at the doll, the beam burnt through the chest of the doll where the heart of a real pony would be. but it continued to smile, looking at Nightmare Moon with eyes that seemed to forgive her. The dark alicorn looked down, she closed her eyes shedding more tears then looked back up at the doll. "Why do you still look at me that way..... why do you look so forgiving...." She shook her head sniffling and ran out to the balcony passing the doll. Once she was on the balcony, Nightmare Moon laid down and covered her face with her wings. She sobbed loudly, as if she had lost everything she ever loved. Suddenly, snowflakes slowly descended from the clouds, they fell in front of the dark alicorn and twinkled. The mare raised her head and looked at the snow that had suddenly fallen in front of her, she wiped her tears and stood up, looking around she could see hundreds upon hundreds of snowflakes fall. All of a sudden she felt something, somepony standing behind her. It was not one of the Children of Nightmare but a white blind filly. "Wake up Nyx!" "...W-who are you?" "You have been hurt Nyx, you are dreaming" "Nyx... is that who I am? .... dreaming...?" "You are in a memory Nyx, you must wake up!" Nightmare Moon stared at the filly blankly, her eyes becoming glassy and lifeless. "Who... are... you..?" A blizzard started the blow around them, it enveloped the white filly and got closer to Nightmare Moon. "Nyx?! Nyx!!" Everything then went black. Twilight Sparkle paced restlessly in the hall way just outside the hospital operating room. Rainbow Dash, Apple Bloom, Applejack, Scootaloo, Fluttershy, Sweetie Belle, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Spike sat in the waiting area quietly. Twilight was whispering to herself almost hysterically gaining much concern from her friends. Rainbow Dash covered her face with her hooves full of guilt. Apple Bloom looked up to her big sister and spoke in a quiet soft voice. "Big sis... d-do ya think Nyx'll be alright?" Applejack just looked at Apple Bloom then at Twilight whom was still pacing. She looked back at Apple Bloom and spoke in the same type of voice, soft and quiet. "W-well s-she... hit her head very hard... um... S-she could be alright... Ah hope..." "What on earth do you mean, "I hope"? You make it sound like Nyx has no chance at all," Rarity then looked at Apple Bloom. "Don't you worry one bit dear, Nyx will be perfectly fine I know she will." Applejack looked down feeling bad, she looked back at Twilight and saw her finally cease her pacing. Twilight sat down and looked down at her hooves. "Please... please be okay..." Twilight said softly. Applejack frowned, and sighed. "A-ah'm sorry Rartiy..." Rarity looked at Applejack, and Applejack looked back. "Ah'm worryin too much and thinkin about the negatives... ah'm positive that Nyx'll be alright." The earth pony smiled at the white unicorn. "I hope so...." Rainbow Dash spoke softly and sadly. Applejack, Apple Bloom, Rarity, Fluttershy, Scootaloo, Spike, Sweetie Belle, and Pinkie Pie. turned their heads to look at Rainbow Dash sitting on the last seat on their left beside Rarity. "You okay Rainbow Dash?" Applejack asked. Rainbow Dash shook her head and looked away from her friends. Rarity gave the blue pegasus a hug to cheer her up. "There there Rainbow. Nyx will be okay." Rainbow Dash kept her face buried in her hooves still upset. Twilight continued to sit there in thought. Nurse Redheart, exited the operating room stopping in front of Twilight and looking at her. Twilight looked up at her and stood up quickly. "I was just coming to get you Ms. Sparkle." "Is Nyx okay? What's wrong with her?" Twilight spoke with worry, wondering what was wrong with Nyx. "Calm down miss Sparkle, Nyx broke and cracked her horn. We've cleaned it up and bandaged it. The cracks should start to heal soon. Even so I believe it would be best if she stayed here so we can keep an eye on her until her horn heals." Twilight nodded. "How long do you think it'll take for her horn to mend?" Nurse Redheart looked down. "Well.." She looked back up at Twilight. "... The damage done to her horn was quite severe... I mean... it cracked straight through the bone... It could take two weeks or so to heal.." Twilights jaw dropped. "But.. But hearths warming is in a week, Princess Cadance, Princess Skyla, and my brother Shining Armor are coming to visit. Is there no other way to discharge her early?" The nurse shook her head. "I'm afraid not. She must stay here until we know it has healed and she can use magic again." Twilight looked down and nodded. "Okay..." The operating room doors opened and Nurse Tenderheart gently pushes a bed through the door way and into the hall. Laying on it was the sleeping filly, Nyx. Twilight looked at her adopted daughters forehead to see her horn had been tightly wrapped in bandages, she remembered that bone splitting crack and the lifeless eyes Nyx had when the box had fallen on her. The unicorn followed the nurse, her friends not far behind. Twilight walked beside the bed, looking at Nyx full of worry. Nurse Tenderheart, rolled the bed down the children's ward, passing by rooms one, and two, turning into the third room. The room was square, with two beds on opposite sides of the room. There were windows toward the back of the room, with the curtains open allowing a great view of a snow covered ponyville across the river. There was also a window right beside bed number one, which was near the left door. The last bed on the right, bed three was missing, Nurse Tenderheart rolled the bed Nyx was in, into the free space where the bed's wheels were locked into place. The fillies that were already in beds in the room, looked at Nyx. All three of them instantly recognized the black alicorn that had just become their room mate. Nurse Tenderheart looked at the fillies. "Don't be afraid of Nyx girls, she won't hurt you." A pink unicorn filly spoke. "Why would we be afraid of Nyx? We go to school with her." The other two fillies nodded with smiles. The nurse smiled and walked out of the room, passing Twilight and her friends by, politely excusing herself and returning to the nurses bay. Twilight walked into the room with her friends, and the c.m.c. They gathered around Nyx's bed and watched the filly sleep. "Are you feeling okay Twilight?" Rarity asked with concern. Twilight just stood there staring at Nyx. "Do all mothers feel this way when their children are hurt?" She looked at her friends in question and worry. "Ah get the same feelins too whenever Apple Bloom gets hurt." "But she isn't your daughter Applejack, she's your sister. But I understand what you mean. It's just a little painful for me..." Rainbow Dash opened her mouth about to say something but before she could get a word out Nyx started to move and groan. The little filly turned over in her bed and faced the room exit, and the filly in the bed beside her, which was to her left but Twilight was the one Nyx was really facing, her eyes still closed. "Excuse me Ms. Sparkle." Twilight turned her head toward the rooms door and saw Nurse Redheart standing there. "Could you step into the hall with me, I need to talk to you about Nyx." Twilight nodded, she turned around and made her way toward the door, exiting the room and entering the corridor. The lavender unicorn looked at the nurse, still filled to the tip of her horn with worry. "Is Nyx going to be okay? Did you find out anything else wrong with her?" Nurse Redheart shook her head. "No Ms. Sparkle, there is nothing else wrong with Nyx. However... you must understand she isn't quite.. welcome here..." Twilight flinched and raised an eye brow looking offended. "Excuse me?" Nurse Redheart stuttered and looked to her right. "W-well y-you see," She looked at Twilight again. "I don't have anything against Nyx, to me she's just an innocent filly who's been accused of something she had no control of. It's just some of my and Nurse Tenderhearts colleagues don't like her very much. The only reason they are even letting her stay is because Nurse Tenderheart and I have taken it upon ourselves to be responsible for looking after Nyx while she heals. And because she's injured." Twilight started looking down, angered at how quick someponies are to hate Nyx without even getting to know her first. Nurse Redheart looked at Twilight with remorse. "I'm sorry Ms. Sparkle, Nurse Tenderheart and I will take good care of Nyx though; you have our word. That's all I wanted to say." "Thank you Nurse..." Nurse Redheart turned around and walked down the corridor and into the hall just at the end. When Twilight was sure that the Nurse was far enough away she let off a little bit of her frustration. "The nerve of someponies, how dare they!" Twilight slammed her front right hoof on the ground in anger, making a loud thump as it hit the floor. "Twilight..." Twilight turned her head to her right to see Rainbow Dash standing in the door way of room three. The pegasus didn't look Twilight in the eye, but had a sad and guilty look on her face. "What's wrong Rainbow Dash?" Rainbow Dash lowered her head, closing her eyes. "It's my fault Nyx broke her horn... If I hadn't left the box alone Nyx wouldn't be in this mess... I'm so sorry Twilight... really I am..." Twilight smiled and hugged Rainbow Dash. "It's okay Rainbow. I'm not mad, accidents happen." Rainbow Dash teared up and hugged Twilight feeling much better. They let go of their hug and smiled at each other for a moment until Applejack appeared in the doorway. "Twilight, Rainbow Dash, ya'll wanna get in ere, Nyx's wakin up." Twilight looked at Applejack and hurried over to the bedside, Rainbow Dash following them just as Nyx was stretching. The filly groaned and opened her eyes slowly, her vision blurred from sleep, and blinded by the light. It took a few moments for her eye sight to adjust to the sun, and her vision to clear. Nyx shook her head to wake herself up only to stop and close her eyes before she could finish her first shake, feeling a throbbing pain in her head. "Ow!" "Are you okay Sweetie?" Twilight asked concerned. Nyx slowly nodded. "I'm okay mommy." Nyx reopened her eyes, and looked around, she saw the faces of her aunts, her mother, and her three best friends. She also saw that she wasn't at home. "Uh.. Hello everypony... W-why are you all staring at me like that? Where am I?" "Well Nyx... you see... Oh dear... Twilight why don't you tell her, she is your daughter after all and it would would be rude of me to tell her in your stead." Twilight nodded at Rarity and sighed. She frowned and looked at Nyx. Nyx looked up at Twilight wondering what was wrong. The lavender unicorn looked to her right. "Oh what do I say..?" She looked at Nyx and took a deep breath. "You're in the Ponyville hospital sweetie, you've... broken your horn..." Nyx's eyes widened with shock, her jaw dropped and she started to get very upset. "W-what?! I-I broke my horn?!" Nyx started to panic, she put her front hooves on her head and sat down on the verge of tears. Twilight climbed up onto the bed, and nestled down beside Nyx. The filly cuddled up to Twilight. "You'll be okay Nyx. Many unicorns break their horns at a young age trying to do things well before their time. You'll still cast spells, it's not the end of the world." "She's right. You know she is." The white filly said on the wind only Nyx could hear. Nyx closed her eyes tightly and nuzzled into Twilight, she looked at her friends sadly. "Does... does my cast look cool?" "It looks awesome!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "It certainly stands out." Sweetie Belle said. "It's a lil big." Said Apple Bloom. Nyx started smiling, she looked up at Twilight and smiled at her.Twilight smiled back. "Well it's good ta see that ya feelin alright sugercube." "Yes. Seeing you smiling again is very uplifting. Seeing you asleep all that time was just awful dear." "Oh yes, we were very worried." "When you're discharged in two weeks time, I'm going to throw you the pinkiest party that beats Pinky parties best pinkiest party EVER!!!" Rainbow Dash was silent, trying to think of something to say, however Pinkie mentioning the two week long stay Nyx will be having had already provoked a reaction from the filly. "I...I'm to stay here? For two weeks?!" Twilight frowned. "W-well... yes. That's what the nurse told us." "But I'm going to miss Hearths Warming!" "Calm down sweetie.. you're not going to.." Nyx Started to get angry, her dragon like pupils became thinner, her ears flattened on top of her head,and she showed her teeth in anger. "I don't want to miss my 3rd hearths warming!!!" The lights in the room started to flicker and move, the snow outside started to blow like a blizzard and the room shook. "Nyx Nightguard Sparkle!" Twilight shouted. Nyx quickly snapped out of her rage induced tantrum and looked up at Twilight with tears in her eyes. "S-sorry mommy..." Twilight sighed. "It's okay baby, but please keep calm..." Nyx nodded. Rainbow Dash took a deep breath and walked over to the bedside. "Hey Nyx... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for causing your horn to break. I should've been more careful." Nyx smiled. "It's okay aunt Rainbow Dash. I forgive you, always." "Really?!" Rainbow Dash suddenly started feeling like her old self. "That's great! Oh yeah, I brought some books along so you could read during your stay." Rainbow Dash opened the saddlebags she had been carrying and pulled out her whole collection of Daring Doo books, as well as some maths, and history books from her school years. Nyx watched as Rainbow dash placed the books down, one by one. "Don't read them all in one go kiddo, and I'd like them back after you're discharged, okay?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow at Nyx, continuing to smile. Nyx nodded at the blue Pegasus. "I promise aunt Rainbow Dash." She then looked at Spike who had been awfully quiet the last few minutes. "Spike?" Spike looked at Nyx. "Sorry Nyx, I was talking to somepony." Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Who could you have been talking to? There's nopony else here." "She didn't tell me her name, only that there's a blizzard coming. And that it's going to get a lot colder." Nyx looked out the window into the oncoming snow storm that was slowly making its way down from the north and enveloping Ponyville, the Everfree, and Canterlot into a week long blizzard. ~~~ The time was now five thirty-seven PM The snow storm outside had started getting worse and it was almost dinner time for the patients. Twilight, Spike, Applejack, Apple Bloom, Rarity, Sweetie Belle. Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy all said their goodbyes to Nyx before heading back home. Twilight of course, left Nyx's glasses on her bedside table so she didn't have to worry about going the two weeks without making her eyes "normal". The other three filly's in the room were chatting to one another while Nyx sat alone and read a few pages from a Daring Doo book Rainbow Dash had left for her. It was volume one of the Daring Doo books. Nyx was just getting into it when she was interrupted by Nurse Redheart who came in announcing that dinner has arrived. Nyx put her book mark in and put the book down. she used her hooves to pull a table over to her since she couldn't use magic at the time. She then waited until she was served her dinner, only it never came. Nyx looked at the light pink coated filly with light blue and green mane and tail that was in the bed beside her, this filly's mane was in a pony tail with three long strands of hair coming over her face like antennae that seemed to point up but curving downward ever so slightly. They looked just like ant antennae. The filly's cutie mark was a blue skate bored and a green helmet. This filly's name was Tootzy Roll. Tootzy Roll saw Nyx was without food and politely levitated some of her food over to her. "Here, you're dinner is obviously late so have this, it'll fill you till your dinner arrives." Nyx ate the food Tootzy generously offered. "Thank you Tootzy Roll." "Don't mention it." Tootzy took a bite of her dinner and swallowed. Nyx was about to take a bite of the apple Tootzy had shared, when she noticed something off about her. "Hey Tootzy, what happened to those lolly pops you always eat. You're rarely seen without one in your mouth." Tootzy looked at Nyx and sighed. "Mom didn't leave me any, and Colgate says I'm only allowed to have one, once a week." "I see. Well.. changing subject. Why are you here?" "Isn't the cast obvious? I broke my left front leg trying to do a stunt on my skate bored. Rainbow Dash would be jealous of my skill." "Hahahahaha!!!" A pegasus filly with the deepest brightest yellow highlight coat, dark blue mane and tail, purple eyes, and a cutie mark that had a comet with a stream behind it, laughed at Tootzy Rolls words. Tootzy glared. "What's so funny Stardust Comet?" "I'm sorry but.." Stardust wiped some tears from her eyes with her wings. "I doubt Rainbow Dash would be envious of a unicorn with a funny name." "What's wrong with my name?!" Nyx took a deep breath. "Girls!!" Tootzy Roll, and Stardust Comet stopped talking and looked at Nyx. "There's nothing wrong with your name Tootzy, I think it fits you perfectly. Stardust, you and Tootzy are great friends. Seeing you two fight is heart breaking." Tootzy and Stardust looked down in shame before looking up at one another after a minute of silence. "I'm sorry Tootzy..." "Don't worry about it, I should be sorry. I yelled at you." "... That's much better." The black haired, sky blue, silver eyed earth pony opposite of Nyx said. Nyx looked at the pony and smiled. "You've been quiet Hinata Sunglow." The earth pony looked at Nyx and smiled. Her cutie mark was of a hill top with a cherry blossom tree and the sun shining onto it. The mark was in the style of Japanese art. "Forgive me Nyx-chan... I haven't needed to speak until now... Stardust, and Tootzy's fighting made me uneasy." Hinata spoke with a Japanese accent. "It's alright now, everything is alright." "No it's not." Nurse Redheart said bringing in Nyx's dinner. "Your dinner is overdue." Nyx smiled warmly. "I'm sorry it arrived late Nyx, I had to get the night berry's Princess Luna has been giving you." "It's okay. Thank you." Nyx started to eat her apple sauce sandwich, just as a cold breeze began to blow against the windows and cool the room. "Okay girls, I think it's time to put on your wool blankets." Nurses, came into the rooms of the children's ward and kindly asked the fillies to wait while their beds are prepared. Nyx tried to make her bed on her own without the help of Nurse Redheart. However, the alicorn filly felt she could not do anything without her magic, causing her even more frustration. Nurse Redheart then took it upon herself to make the bed for Nyx. "But.. I always make my own bed..." Nyx thought to herself sadly. "There we go." The nurse finished and looked down at Nyx. The black filly was almost on the verge of tears. "Hey.." Nurse Redheart got down to Nyx's height. "You'll heal soon enough, and when you do, your horn will be stronger then ever, and you'll be able to use magic again." Nyx sniffled and looked at the nurse. "Really?" "Really really." She smiled, bringing a smile to Nyx's face. "Brrr It's cold!" Tootzy shivered and whined. Nyx giggled at Tootzy along with Stardust while Hinata watched shyly before climbing back onto her bed. Nyx's ears suddenly twitched. The filly could hear the familiar twinkling sound of a snowflake. Her ears twitched with each twinkle. She turned her head and looked outside the window at the snow storm, and saw some snow flakes calmly flowing downward to one spot just outside. At the same time, Nyx could feel the presence of somepony else. She closed her eyes for a moment then turned away slowly. She climbed back onto her bed and sat in the center while Nurse Redheart helped her get to her food by moving the table over to her, allowing the young filly to enjoy her meal. Time passed, the snow storm continued to blow outside. Tootzy Roll was playing on her Joyboy, Stardust Comet was drawing on some paper on the table she used to eat her dinner on, whilst occasionally checking to see if her broken wings were any good only to flinch in pain every time. Hinata, was quiet, very quiet. She had her eyes closed and looked to be deep in thought, but in reality she was really asleep. Nyx had finished reading the 1st of Rainbow Dash's Daring Doo books. She placed it in the top drawer of the bedside table with the other books, the table was on her right. The black filly then pulled out another book, the second Daring Doo book. Nyx opened it up to the index page and turned it over to the first Chapter. "Spike is very friendly isn't he Nyx?" Nyx looked up from her book, and closed it. She smiled warmly and closed her eyes. "yes he is." Nyx turned her head, reopened her eyes and looked over at the door way to see the glacial blue filly glowing and walking into the room slowly, passing Tootzy and Stardust Comet who could not see or hear the white filly. Nyx's smile dropped and was replaced with the look of shock and surprise. The white filly seemed to know where she was going but would stop from time to time and feel what was in front of her with her hooves before continuing to walk forward until she finally reached Nyx's bedside. She used her front hooves feel around the bed, making sure it was a bed and that there was a spot to pull herself up on. After a moment the spirit found a spot and started to pull herself up. Nyx tried helping but her hooves passed right through the filly as though there was nothing there. Nyx's hooves felt as cold as ice. The blind pegasus flapped her wings to help lift herself up and onto the bed. She sat beside Nyx and had her head lowered, but had no sad expression. She looked rather content. "You look happy." "Meeting somepony who can hear me always makes me happy. But I've only ever met two ponies that could hear my voice. Nyx chuckled. "Spike's a dragon, not a pony." She laughed a little. The filly laughed slightly. "I'm blind, don't pick on me." She laughed playfully along with Nyx. Nyx eventually stopped laughing and continued to look at the ghostly filly that sat beside her. "Hey Nyx, what's so funny?" Tootzy said whilst focusing on her game. Nyx quickly turned her head and looked at Tootzy who was in the bed a few feet to her left. "Oh.. I..uh..." Nyx looked at the ghostly filly beside her then to Tootzy again. "...I just remembered something really funny that's all." "Oh cool, then would you mind keeping it down? Ya don't want to wake Hinata do ya?" Nyx sighed, nodding. She looked back at the blind pegasus next to her and smiled. "Anyway, How could Spike hear and speak to you? I thought only I could." "I don't know... But I'm happy to have spoken to him. He's so sweet." The filly blushed. Nyx could clearly see the blush as the red coloring stood out from the fillies white colored coat. Nyx giggled a little. The blind pegasus turned her head in the direction of Nyx's giggle and frowned. "W-what's so funny?" "You're blushing. It's adorable." The glacial blue and white filly blindly looked down in embarrassment. "It is not..." "Is so." "Is not!" The filly giggled. Nyx giggled as well. Stardust whom was watching Nyx, looked over at Tootzy Roll confused, then looked back at Nyx like she was going crazy. "You okay over there Nyx? I could call a nurse if you'd like." Nyx looked at stardust. "I'm alright, why? I-Is there something wrong?" "You're talking to yourself and it's freaking Tootzy and I out." Nyx suddenly remembered that she had to keep the filly a secret and looked down, she thought up of a convincing excuse that wouldn't make her look silly. "I'm sorry girls... I guess I'm still a little dazed from my horn being broken... And I'm not used to sleeping someplace other then my room." The black filly yawned then it suddenly got cold. Nyx whom was not under the blankets when this chilly air filled the room started to shiver. She put the Daring Doo book under her pillow and climbed under the warm blankets. She then looked to where the filly was, and saw she was now gone. Nyx looked saddened at first but remembered that she could speak to this spirit in her dreams. She yawned and looked at Stardust Comet, and Tootzy Roll and smiled. "Goodnight everypony." Nyx laid back, resting her head on the soft pillow and closed her eyes slowly. "Night Nyx." Tootzy and Stardust said in unison before going to sleep themselves. The temperature in the room suddenly began to drop. The nurses came into everypony's rooms to provide warmer blankets for them. Nurse Redheart even came in and draped a warm toasty blanket over the two blankets that Nyx was under, giving the filly some more warmth to stand up to the cold. Though it was not enough to stop her from shivering, nor any of the fillies. As this was happening, Nyx was elsewhere, Somewhere in her dreams. The black filly looked around in the same large field she had been in before at some point. The black filly continued to look around at the butterflies, the snow and the trees until she looked upon the white filly. The filly was sitting near a snowdrop flower. She couldn't see it of course, but she could hear it. Nyx walked up to her and sat down beside her. "I'm sorry I left so early... I didn't want to keep you up all night." "How could you tell it was night?" The filly moved her head as if looking in Nyx's direction. "I could hear the mares saying goodnight to their babies. I could also hear one of the nurses telling the children that it was time for bed." "How did you know I was in hospital?" "Spike told me when we were talking. I thought something bad had happened to you. He was the only other one I could reach out to." "Why can't you reach out to Luna?" The filly moved her head and faced down, moving her head side to side slowly before standing. "It's... complicated... But I could've... I really could've reached out to her but... You and her... you are both so much alike. My spirit was drawn to you only, because I was confused. The both of you feel the same. A pegasus cannot sense magic, or feel the magical aura of a unicorn... but a spirit can. And I cannot cross over until I've said goodbye, but I cannot go to her." The filly smelled the snowdrop, frowning. Nyx frowned, watching the filly. "I'm sorry. It' my fault." "Don't blame yourself... please. It isn't your fault. It's nopony's fault." "But it is. If Luna and I weren't so much the same you could have said goodbye to her..." "I still can." The filly smiled. "The wishing stars that fall during winter, once wished upon can make any wish come true." Nyx stood up, and tilted her head in confusion. "Wishing stars?" The glacial filly nodded. "Yes. The wishing stars were born from accepting... and celebrating winter. These special snow flakes, fall every winter. Once, a long time ago, you could wish upon these special stars, just as one can wish upon a star in the night sky. I cannot see stars. But if I try hard enough, I can hear them. The sound of the stars twinkling is more beautiful to me then the sunrises Luna would describe to me." Nyx smiled at the filly just as a light began to shine on a hill top just behind Nyx. The black filly turned her head and looked up at the heavenly light before looking back at the filly. "It's time to wake up..." Nyx said sadly. "Tomorrow is a new day... full of new discovery's. Don't frown upon dawns light... welcome it and it's mystery's, and maybe... all of the answers you seek will be revealed." The filly smiled. Nyx smiled and nodded. "You're right..." The dark filly started to make her way up the hill. "I'll see you when I wake up won't I?" The filly nodded. Nyx felt assured to see the filly again and started to run up the snow covered hill toward the light of dawn. "Oh wait... Nyx!" the filly called out. Nyx stopped just a few feet away from the light, and turned around to look at the filly who was standing at the bottom of the hill. The filly was smiling, and was blindly looking up at Nyx. "I wanted to finally tell you... my name is Snowdrop!" Snowdrop continued to smile at Nyx, who slowly smiled back just as everything was going white. Nyx awoke in the hospital bed, her vision was blurred from the sleep and the lights were bright. She sat up in her bed and rubbed her eyes. She blinked a few times then turned her attention toward the window and looked outside to see that the blizzard had stopped, the sun was shining, and the sky was blue. There were snow clouds dotting the skyline, however they were slowly starting to cover the sky. But there was still enough sun and blue sky out to spend the day under. Nyx yawned and stretched, she looked at the clock on the wall and saw that is was 6:30 AM. The black filly frowned and sighed, she laid back in her bed and tried to sleep in as best she could. ~~~ It was now 7:30 Am. Breakfast had already been served to the filly's, Nyx included. Tootzy, Nyx, and Stardust were eating a healthy breakfast. Nyx didn't really like the taste of oat meal that much, but ate it anyway. Hinata however was eating some Miso soup, with toast, and some tea, it made her look very fancy, something the earth pony liked to avoid considering she came from a wealthy family. The four of them were silent most of the time. Tootzy would occasionally talk about how her mother used to be quite a daredevil in her youth, but nopony other then Stardust took interest. Finally Hinata broke her silence with her quiet and gentle voice. "Tootzy Roll... Stardust Comet... what happened last night? Why did you two fight like that? You're best friends what could've caused you two to do that?" Tootzy and Stardust looked at Hinata, then at each other, and sighed. "I guess I was still pretty upset that I busted my wing, and hearing Tootzy Roll gloat made me really mad." Tootzy looked down. "I'm sorry Stardust. I didn't mean to make you upset." "Don't worry about it, I'm sorry too." Tootzy and Stardust looked at each other and smiled, only to be startled by the voice of an adult standing in the door way. "It is glorious to see two friends make up after a moment of conflict." Princess Luna smiled looking at the filly's in the room. Nyx looked to the door way and smiled widely. "Princess Luna!" "Luna..?" The princess walked over to Nyx while the filly's watched. She sat down beside Nyx's bed and smiled warmly toward the young filly. "How did you manage to see me now? Visiting hours start in two hours at 9:00." Luna just sat and smiled at Nyx, waiting until she finally worked it out. Nyx looked at Luna's crown and felt rather silly. "Oh... that's how." Luna laughed a little. "Nothing escapes you does it Nyx?" Nyx chuckled a little and shook her head slowly. The night alicorn took a piece of Nyx's toast playfully, and started to nibble it. The little Nightmare Moon started to giggle. "Hey, give that back!" "Give what back?" "My toast!" "What toast?" Luna raised the toast above her head so Nyx could not get it. "The toast you have above you!" "Oh that toast!" Luna chuckled even more. Tootzy Roll was starting to become distracted by Nyx and Luna, causing her to lose at her video game on her joybioy. "Nagh...? ggh..? neh..?" Tootzy was surprised. Her eyes wide, her pupils had shrunk, she had her mouth in an open frown and was somewhat shrugging. Tootzy then looked at Luna and Nyx rather angrily. Nyx saw the expression on Tootzy's face and frowned. "Are... Are we making too much noise Tootzy?" "No no no don't worry Nyx, I was just turning my game off... I'll continue with it later." Tootzy turned off her joyboy and got out of bed, using her front right leg and her back legs to walk to the nearby bathroom to brush her teeth. Stardust Comet and Hinata Sunglow, once finishing their breakfast, got out of their beds and went to brush their teeth also. Nyx, watched them leave and remembered she also had to brush her teeth. "Oh, Luna, may I be excused for a moment?" Luna slowly levitated Nyx's stolen toast and placed it in her mouth, making a nom sound while she does it. "You are excused." She smiled. Nyx smiled and ate her toast then got out of bed, opened her bedside drawer and grabbed her tooth brush and paste with her mouth. She walked over to the exit of the room and across the hall into the bathroom with the other three. Luna watched Nyx and sighed. "I remember a time when I was just like you Nyx. But with age, comes change. And I have matured." She snickered. "I do wonder how you'll end up once you have matured my dear friend." Snowdrop listened to Luna as snow flakes fell just outside the window, leaving no snow pile as it landed on the snowy ground below. Moments later Nyx returned as did her friends. The alicorn filly, put her toothpaste and brush back into a small satchel in the drawer, then took out her glasses and headband and placed them on the table. Luna watched Nyx as she closed the drawer and climbed back onto the bed. The small alicorn carefully put her glasses on using her hooves. Her eyes looked more ponyfied now. "Shall I brush your hair back and put your head band on you?" Nyx looked at the princess and nodded. "Yes please." Luna took a brush off of the bedside drawer while Nyx, sat on the bed facing the window. Luna started to brush and style the mane exactly the way Nyx liked it, all the while avoiding the bandages and horn. "Poor Nyx, it must hurt like crazy. I can see the pain she's in... It's in her eyes. Guess even eyes like hers can be read, though it's not easy... ugh.... Just feeling her aura is enough to make me feel her pain. My horn is throbbing. And so is hers by the way her aura trembles from there..." Luna finished styling the mane, and finally put Nyx's head band on her head and smiled. "There we go. You look lovely." Nyx turned and faced Luna. "Thank you Luna." She smiled. Nyx nuzzled Luna gently, and the princess nuzzled back. Luna sighed afterwards in sadness and sat straight. "I cannot stay for very long I fear. I must rest if the night is to arrive at the appropriate time. I don't want a repeat of two nights ago." "I understand, but what happened two nights ago?" Luna looked down and to her left. "I slept in..." Luna had a rather embarrassed look on her. Nyx giggled. "Not everypony can be on time big sister." Luna chuckled. "I suppose not. But as a princess I must always be on time. It would upset the balance otherwise. But you are too young to understand." Snowdrops giggles reached Nyx's ears, revealing to her that Snowdrop was present and listening. Nyx rolled her eyes while Luna wasn't looking. the princess stood up, stretched her wings and legs and folded her wings up again. "Two years, and I'm still not used to being taller. I'm sorry to cut my visit short Nyx, but I must take my leave now. Be good to the nurses." Luna hugged Nyx gently who hugged the princess at the same time. They let go of each and with a smile, Princess Luna started heading toward the door. "I'm always good." Luna stopped, smiled and turned her head to look at Nyx, raising an eye brow. "Are you?" Nyx nodded and smiled. "I am!" Luna continued to smile at Nyx. "I'll see you later then Nyx." "Bye Luna!" Nyx waved. Princess Luna, exited the room and turned right, going down the hall and leaving the hospital. Nyx could then hear the sound of a chariot, taking off, and the sounds of Pegasus wings flapping until it had gone far out of ear shot. Nyx sighed with a little sadness, she very rarely saw Luna, but she understood the importance of her roll. The alicorn filly suddenly felt light headed, almost like she did when she was about to pass out the other times, but it was different this time. She didn't pass out, but she did feel rather weak. Nyx, climbed down off her bed, and put on her snow cloths. She then proceeded to leave the room "Where are you going Nyx-chan?" Hinata asked. "I'm..." Nyx turned her head and looked at Hinata. "Going to get some air." "You can't leave the hospital grounds you know that Nyx." Stardust said. "I know don't worry. I'll be in the courtyard." The filly smiled and left the children's ward and stepped into the hospitals main hall. She then took a left, going down another hall. She passed multiple different wards and exited through a door to the outside. It was a fenced off area, there were trees without leaves, and benches to sit on, and some rocks that one could stand on and see the town hall on the other side of the river. And sitting on the edge of the rock, was Snowdrop. The glacial white and blue filly was facing the direction of Ponyville when Nyx saw her. the young alicorn smiled upon seeing her, and walked toward the ghostly pegasus, climbing the rocks until she could walk over and sit beside her. Snowdrop smiled and moved her head to face Nyx's direction. "Good morning. It's very quiet out here. Isn't it?" "Good morning Snowdrop. It is rather quiet... and cold." Nyx shivered a little. "Ooooo...." She could see her breath as clear as day. "Make that... very cold..." Nyx added. Snowdrop snickered, continuing to smile happily. "Nyx... I've never been very open before." "What do you mean?" "To everypony but Luna and my family, while I was still alive. I was always quiet, and shy. I never really spoke to anypony because of my blindness. I was afraid they would think of me... differently.. Some did though but I never let it bother me. Mother used to tell me that as long as I was happy being me, then I'd have no reason to be sad. Sometimes I'd hide things from my mom so she didn't have to worry about me so much. But after I met Luna, I started to be more open about everything." Nyx smiled the biggest she ever had. "It's like a fairy tale almost, about somepony so sad, shy and lonely, but in the end, they find somepony who cares about them not because they look different or act different, or talk different. But for who they are." Snowdrop nodded and smiled but then that smile was replaced with a frown, and a sad face. The glacial blue filly moved her head as if looking downward for a moment, then turned it and faced toward the town hall, still frowning. "Nyx... could you... describe to me what I would be looking at if I had sight... please?" Nyx looked toward the houses and the town hall across the river. The sky was slowly becoming cloudy and white. It was like a late afternoon. Nyx saw the light of the sun in the clouds but it did not shine through, and the buildings of Ponyville were silhouettes of what they really were. "Well... it's cloudy. The buildings look grey. The sky looks white near the clouds. The river is frozen, and there is snow on the ground." Snowdrop started to smile again. "It sounds lovely." Nyx nodded and sighed. "So why do you call them wishing stars?" "Well if you looked at a snowflake, you could see that they look like stars. I cannot see the stars. Or the winter stars. But I can hear them. I can hear the snow twinkling, like the stars at night. So don't you think... they should be able to grant wishes too, shouldn't they?" Nyx thought about that for a moment and nodded. "I guess so. It sounds like a beautiful concept." She smiled. "I thought so to. It makes me so sad that nopony wishes on them anymore... That's why they are there. To wish on, and make winter a beautiful season of happiness and joy." Nyx nodded even more. "I agree with you. Now I have something to tell my class when I go back to school. Thank you Snowdrop." "I'm really really happy that I could help. Has the schooling in Equestria changed?? Back in my day we didn't have any school during the first three weeks before hearths warming eve, but then three days after the end of the month we'd have school again." "No it hasn't changed, we have the same winter break for a few weeks then we'd go back the next month. I love school, I wish it would never end sometimes... But I couldn't stand my class mates giving me those angry stares when I... keep them in." Nyx slowly got quieter as she neared the end of her sentence. Snowdrop frowned, feeling sorry for the knowledge loving filly. "How can you be... here?" Snowdrop turned her head to face Nyx's direction. "E-excuse me?" "Before last night you have only appeared in those odd visions, when I'd fall asleep or pass out. How is it you can suddenly appear?" "A spirit can manifest.. if their will is strong enough... But only you can hear and see me. I'm not strong enough to be seen or heard by others... Spike was just easy to reach out too... but Luna she... she's on an entirely different plane then us..." Both of them were suddenly startled by the door into the hospital flying open. Nyx turned her head to see who it was and saw that it was Scootaloo. "I found her Ms. Twilight!" Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle, all ran to Nyx, whilst Twilight came darting out of the hospital and sliding to a stop. The lavender unicorn sighed in relief and smiled. Nyx smiled at Twilight. She looked back at Snowdrop, about to tell her something, only to see that she had already vanished. Nyx frowned but was soon smiling again once her friends and Twilight had walked over to her. Snowdrop stood underneath a leafless tree, listening to Nyx talk with her friends. "I came to visit you and you weren't in your room. I was worried." Scootaloo spoke next. "Luckily Apple Bloom asked Nurse Redheart where you were." "She said that you were outside in the courtyard." Said Apple Bloom. "So Nyx, can you use magic yet?" Asked Sweetie Belle. Twilight lowered her head down to Sweetie Belles height. "It's only been one day Sweetie Belle. Give it time. Nyx's horn will mend." Nyx continued smiling. "My horn is still sore though..." Twilight walked over to Nyx and nuzzled her gently. "All wounds heal my little pony. You'll feel better in no time." Nyx nuzzled Twilight again. Scootaloo suddenly got down low in a playful manner. "Hey Nyx!" Scootaloo touched Nyx's right shoulder with her left hoof. "Tag, you're it!" Scootaloo ran away from Nyx giggling with Nyx watching. She giggled soon after ad put on a pretty determined face. "I'm gonna get you Scootaloo!" Nyx chased after Scootaloo, both filly's giving off loud giggles as they did. Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle, spread out. Twilight spent a lot of time watching the filly's play tag. Many other patients came out at different times during the time Nyx was playing with her friends, but some would sneer and go back inside upon seeing the small Nightmare Moon. Twilight sighed sadly but continued to watch the children until Nyx was called in for Lunch. The black alicorn stopped the game with her friends and walked back inside the hospital with them and Twilight following. As the door closed, it began to snow. Nyx and her friends and mother, passed through the same corridors and past the same wards Nyx had earlier. After 4 minutes of walking, they arrived back in Nyx's hospital room, just as lunch was being served. Nyx was half expecting the room to just have Tootzy Roll, Stardust Comet and Hinata in their respective beds, but in addition to them, she could see that Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Rarity were waiting for Nyx. Twilight saw her friends and was just as surprised as Nyx to see them. "This is unexpected." Said Twilight. "Unexpected?? Twilight didn't Spikey tell you we were coming?" "I don't think he got the message." Nyx climbed up onto her bed while Twilight moved her bedside trolley table over to her so she may eat. While Nyx ate it started to really snow outside. All over Equestria mares were shopping for cloths, in Canterlot Princess Celestia was getting warm by a fire, holding a scroll with her magic and listening to piano music which played from the same tower every day. In The Crystal Empire, Cadence was snuggling up to Shining armor by a fire while a one year old Princess Skyla ran around with a Fluffle Puff plush, giggling happily and rolling around. While all this was happening, Nyx had just about finished eating. "And I told Filthy Rich "Oh no sir that tie is much too white for you, why it blends right into your coat". The poor stallion had no idea what I was on about because he has a grayish amber coat. It wasn't until I started laughing that he got the joke." Rarity laughed. Applejack, Sweetie Belle, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Nyx all looked at each other then at Rarity, and smiled just going along with it. Scootaloo then whispered to Sweetie Belle. "What joke?" "I have no idea." Nyx ate the last of her apple sauce sandwich, swallowing it and taking a sip of her juice. "I'm fin-" Nyx suddenly stopped speaking. Twilight looked at the black alicorn filly, just sitting there blankly then finally falling onto her side. "Nyx!!" Twilight shook the filly, trying to wake her up to no avail. Nyx had passed out. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, having seen these black outs before, assume they needed to let it run its coarse. "Ms. Twilight, wait please." Sweetie Belle spoke. Twilight looked at the white filly puzzled. "W-what?! Why would I do that?! For all we know something wrong could have happened to her!" Nyx's eyes closed on their own. When they reopened, she was standing in a cloud rotunda, watching Snowdrop make her way to school. Nyx looked out from the corner of her eye behind her to see a young, whitening Princess Celestia flying up behind her and landing. Nyx moved her gaze back at the streets of Cloudesdale below. Nyx was looking through the eyes of Luna. "Shouldn't you be resting sister?" "I thought I'd stay up late. See how the pegasai live their daily lives. It is boring to watch unicorns and earth ponies over and over again. Waking up in your precious morning then sleeping during my glorious night. Why can only a simple blind little filly understand it. Snowdrop is the only one who takes the time to know my night, while the others insult it and I by sleeping!" "Please be calm Luna. You are making me worry." Celestia frowned. Luna sighed. "Forgive me I...I just haven't been feeling well." Celestia walked up and stood beside her sister and looked down at the streets below to see Snowdrop stopping to talk to another mare while a stallion pegasus came up behind her and tapped her on her shoulder. Snowdrop jumped then turned around smiling, giving the stallion a kiss on the cheek. "How old is Snowdrop now Luna?" Luna looked down. "S-she'd be 16 years old..." "Then she would be old enough to be called a mare. She's growing up." "She's growing up too fast..." Celestia turned around about to leave, but stopped and looked back at Luna. "You are not her mother. You're her friend. If you don't want your friendship to end, then stop watching. Go and talk to her. She misses you." "I'll try... I'll try sister..." "Good." Celestia smiled then took off, flying down the rotunda to her chariot. Luna didn't move, she just stood there, looking down at Snowdrop and watching as she went to school. The night princess then turned around and descended the spiral stairs, boarding a chariot at the bottom of the rotunda and left Cloudesdale. Along the way back to the Everfree forest, Luna closed her eyes and Nyx reawakened back in the present day. Nurse Redheart was checking the little filly only to stop upon seeing her eyes open. "Shh everypony she's waking up." Nyx groaned and sat up. She rubbed her eyes and blinked a few times before looking around. "H-hello everypony... d-did I fall asleep?" "You passed out baby. You had us all worried..." Nyx nuzzled Twilight as the lavender unicorn went to nuzzle her. The black filly then looked at her friends. "Ah tried to tell em Nyx that all we needed ta do was leave ya be. But nopony listened." Nyx sighed. "I'm alright everypony see, I'm not hurt at all." "While you were out Nyx, a friend of yours popped in, she's still here." Nurse Redheart smiled. Nyx looked at the Nurse then at a grey filly that was standing beside Sweetie Belle with a big get well card on her back. "S-Silver Spoon?" "You feeling better Nyx?" Silver Spoon asked with a friendly smile. "I'm... alright?" Nyx was confused. Scootaloo watched Silver Spoon carefully. She did not trust the grey earth pony very much, neither did Sweetie Belle, but Apple Bloom was willing to give Silver Spoon a chance. Silver Spoon climbed up onto Nyx bed and with Twilights help. She took the card off her back and place it down on the bed for Nyx to read. Twilight opened the card up and Nyx proceeded to red these very words: "To Nyx, We all hope that you get well very soon. You are missed very much by each and every one of us. You make everyday worthwhile when you're around. So get well soon, you magical filly. Signed; your friends and family~ Ms. Cherilee, Silver Spoon, Applejack, Apple Bloom, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Fluttershy, Button Mash, Fluffle Puff, Derpy Doo, Dinky Doo, Pinkie Pie! <3 , Mr. Cake, Mrs. Cake, Pumpkin Cake, Pound Cake, Nurse Redheart, Princess Luna, Spike, and Twilight Sparkle." Nyx teared up and shed those tears. Twilight got some tissues and wiped Nyx's tears away with them. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle climbed onto the bed and looked at the card, their ears flattening onto the top of their heads. "This is the card we made for Nyx in class..." Said Scootaloo. "Ms. Cherilee invited all of us along to help out." "Ms. Cherilee asked me to deliver it. Since the hospital isn't too far away from my house." Nyx looked at her friends that were in the room and was smiling with so much happiness. "Thank you everypony." Everypony in the room continued smiling at Nyx. Suddenly a sharp and intensely agonizing pain shot through Nyx's head, causing the filly to scream louder then anypony could of thought possible. Nyx started to wail and cry loudly, she held her head in her hooves hoping to stop the excruciating pain. "It hurts!!! Make it stop!!!!" Screamed Nyx. Nurse Redheart bolted out the door and turned right bolting into the reception area and to the nurses bay, looking for something that could stop the pain. Scootaloo, Silver Spoon, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were terrified. Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were just as scared, but seeing Nyx burying her face in her pillow crying and thrashing, swinging her head around in a desperate attempt to stop her pain. It all made Twilight feel so helpless. The unicorn closed her eyes and shed some tears, her horn glowed, and then she cast a spell on Nyx, knocking her out for the time being. Nurse Redheart came back in quickly. She paused once she saw Nyx laying very still on the bed, un-moving. Her heart sank and she assumed the worst. "I-Is she...?" "No... I cast a deep sleep spell on her..." Everypony looked at Twilight who climbed onto the bed and laid beside Nyx. Nurse Redheart turned to a pegasus Nurse whom was looking into the room worried. "Nurse." "Y-yes Nurse Redheart?" "Get me Princess Celestia!" ~~~ "Nyx? Wake up, please wake up... Nyx?" Princess Celestia arrived quickly. She was met by Nurse Redheart who filled the princess in on what has happened. Celestia asked to be taken to Nyx immediately, to which the white earth pony obliged and without another word the Nurse lead the Princess to Nyx's bed in the children's ward, room three. Upon entering, Celestia could see Twilight gently nuzzling her adopted daughter. Everypony in the room looked to the white alicorn as she approached the bed. "May I see her Twilight. I need to see her so I can see what's wrong with her." Twilight nodded and gently moved Nyx so her head could be seen by the princess. Princess Celestia got closer to Nyx and could feel the filly's aura was odd. It was trembling, pulsing right where her horn was and just feeling that pulsating energy was causing the princess great pain. Celestia could also feel that it was in that spot in particular that her aura was acting up. The sun princess closed her eyes, her horn started to glow. She reopened her eyes and started to move her horn over Nyx's bandaged horn. The intense head pains that are only now just starting to plague Nyx, were caused by her horn breaking the way it did, as it did not just crack her horn but also damaged her magicka channels. The princess was shocked at this, but also at how fast Nyx's horn was healing. "H-how is it princess?" Twilight asked. Princess Celestia's horn ceased glowing. She looked at the nurse, then Twilight, then Twilights friends and looked sad. "I know what caused the migraine. And I ask that none of you tell Nyx. It would be best if she thought they were just very strong migraines." Snowdrop, silent and unseen. Laid beside Nyx on the bed and listened to the princess, just as eager to hear what was wrong with her, just like everypony else. "Princess... please tell us..." Princess Celestia sighed. "Her magicka channels were damaged when her horn broke. It's healing, faster then anypony could ever think possible. However, even if both her horn and her magicka channels were to heal, reaching her limit in magical power, losing her temper, or yelling too loud could cause an intense headache, magic related or not. And to make things worse..." The princess looked at Nyx. "I don't think they can stop." Twilight Nuzzled Nyx. Snowdrops ears flattened onto the top of her head as a frown formed on her face. "isn't there anything we can do to stop them?" "I could perform a surgery only I and Luna know that can fix it, but if I fail then Nyx will never be able to use magic again." Twilight got off of Nyx's bed and stormed out of the room, angered at the circumstances. Celestia watched as her student walked out with a huff, sighing and understanding what Twilight was going through. "Beggen ya pardon princess, but maybe Ah should go and talk to Twilight." The princess nodded. Applejack bowed and followed Twilight, calling her name. A cold gust of wind was suddenly felt rushing out the door of the room, making princess Celestia, and everypony else in the room shiver. "Twilight! Hey Twilight." Applejack ran past Twilight and stopped in front of her. "Whoa, hey Twilight, what's the matter?" Twilight looked at her friend with an angered expression on her face, but that all went away and was replaced with a frown, Twilights ears went back, and she sat down. "Why...? Why are all these things happening to Nyx? It isn't fair on her...." "No it ain't Twilight but ya have to consider that this may help her. Ah don't have a horn. Ah can't cast spells. But Nyx does. and Nyx would want to know how to cast some of those amazing spells you cast sugar cube. And a headache is gonna ruin that for her, is that what you want Twilight?" Twilight shook her head. "No... but... but... it's just so unfair for her to be given those odds.... to never be able to use magic again... It'll break her heart. I don't know if I can have her go through with it Applejack... I'm so angry that this is happening to my little filly...." "You are just like my mommy Twilight Sparkle. You care about Nyx, just like my mother cared about me. You can't hear me. And you can't see me... I can't see you. But I can hear you. Nyx will heal. I grant you that wish Twilight Sparkle." Snowdrop spoke on the wind. She sounded much older, her voice was nothing like that filly voice everypony knows so well. It was soft, gentle. It sounded almost like Celestia's voice when she was as young as she was when Snowdrop first met her. Above Nyx's bed a light began to shine, and a single flake of snow emerged from it. It fell slowly, then came to rest atop of Nyx's horn and melted. Twilight came back into the room with Applejack and cleared her throat. "Princess..." Princess Celestia looked at Twilight. Twilight looked at Celestia and with a pleading look in her eye she somberly spoke the words that would help Nyx. "Please heal my daughter." Celestia smiled, and nodded. "It will be done my student." The princess's smile was warm and assuring. Twilight smiled and was nearly on the verge of tears. She hugged Applejack who hugged the lavender unicorn comfortingly. "There there Twilight." As Twilight hugged her friend, she could suddenly hear a voice, Twilight let go of Applejack and smiled at her. She then walked over to the window and looked outside. "Cherish your daughter everyday Twilight Sparkle. Cherish her, as I cherished mine..." The wind started to blow, and with it so did Snowdrops stars, just as the sun was setting. =====================================================================