She opened her eyes slowly, the light feeling too harsh. "Mmm?"
"She's awake," came a male voice.
"How do you feel?" asked a female.
"Let's allow her a moment to stir," came a different male.
Sassy blinked softly, banishing some of the fuzz from her eyes and trying to look around, but her head was held in place. "What...?" Her focus was returning at least, allowing her to see Sunburst and Fancy Pants looking at her with concern. Twilight was also there, coming closer. "Why? Oh..." The memory came back. "Am... I alright?" She looked up towards her long horn, but it was covered in bandages, a cast perhaps? She couldn't see it directly.
Twilight set a hoof softly on her shoulder. "They did it. You'll be spur free, and operative."
"You don't sound nearly happy enough to match the words you're saying." Sassy licked over her dry lips. "What's the bad news?"
"You'll be fine, magically... but there will be a mark." She moved that hoof to point up at Sassy's horn. "The interior of the horn is... difficult to access. They did the best they could to be precise and non-invasive, but..."
Sassy felt her lips peeling back, envisioning all sorts of ghastly marks and wounds on her precious horn. "How bad is it?"
Sunburst stood up. "It's not that big!" he blurted loudly and awkwardly.
Fancy shook his head slowly. "I am sorry. I feel certain you will find ways to minimize its appearance, or even use it to enhance your already lovely features. The doctor did tell us to mind water. Don't allow it to get--"
Sassy's eyes went wide. "I'm not waterproof anymore! I... didn't even know that... was... possible. Tell me, dears, is there a reason I'm held in place like a dress ready to sew?"
Sunburst nodded at that, answering in far less frantic tones, "They just want to make sure everything has a chance to heal as much as it can without being jostled."
"Sensible," she breathed out, eyes going upwards to her injured horn. "Still... At least it's over. I'll... go home when they allow me to. Thank you... For being here, but I'll be... fine. Let's put a pin in this."
Fancy inclined his head faintly, reaching up to adjust his monocle. "We are glad to be here. It's the least we can do."
"And I appreciate that, but right now, I simply wish to be alone. I have... a lot to think about, and a life to return to." Her eyes moved to each pony in the room. "Thank you. Go, you have your own things to do."
They had been dismissed. Slowly, they withdrew from the room, giving her what she asked for. When the door closed, they could hear her soft sobs emerging, held back just long enough for them to leave.
Twilight cringed at the sound as the stallions looked away, but none of them pressed to go back into the room.
"I have good news," chimed Moondancer as they entered the tower. Ignorant of their sullen expressions, she was weaving around them with a smile on her face. "I know how to proceed."
Twilight put out a hoof, catching Moondancer when the mare tried to walk past. "Moon, we're a little--"
"--stressed out because you weren't sure what to do with only three ponies," finished Moondancer, nodding quickly before her magic reset her glasses. "But I have it worked out. All we have to--"
"--She isn't going to stop," cut in Sun with a smirk on his face. "It's alright."
"Please, go on." Fancy sat down gently. "This news may help bolster our spirits."
Moon looked between the ponies, just noticing their saddened expressions. "Did something not go well with Sassy?"
"She's fine," assured Twilight with an awkward smile. "Please, continue."
Moon pressed up her glasses, hoof on the thick tape. "With a bit of impedance, we can have another pony sit in that has a normally functioning horn. We'd want an average pony, not an already talented spellcaster."
Sun blinked at that. "But who would volunteer for that, with the risks involved?"
"I would."
Eyes and heads turned to see Stellar Flare standing in the doorway, the sun spilling in over her form in a dramatic lighting as she stood tall and proud. "As if I would shy away from the chance to help my son be all the pony he can be."
"Mom... This could... have lasting effects. Are you... fully aware?"
Stellar waved dismissively. "I am aware of what happened to poor Sassy Saddles, and I feel for her, but that will not stop me from helping my son! And I get to help two other ponies while I'm there with no additional effort. That's cost effective."
She stepped forward with a confident smile. "Besides, I have an advantage."
Fancy inclined an ear towards the strong-willed mare. "What advantage would that be?"
She gestured back at the door. "Come in, Dear."
In strode a crown-wearing mare with a haughty look to her face. "How delightfully dramatic," almost purred Princess Platinum. "Of course I'll help my dear friend."
Stellar put an arm around Platinum, drawing the mare closer. "We've already discussed this. With her on my head, she can basically ensure everything goes as it should."
Moon bobbed her head. "Precisely so. Platinum can restrict the flow of magic to the ideal level while keeping complete control over her horn to allow us to proceed with confidence in her safety. The two of them working in tandem will provide us the fourth we need and allow us to finish this process." She gestured to each of them as she spoke about them. "I have reviewed the figures, we are ready to proceed."
Twilight was looking at Platinum, rubbing her chin softly. "Wait, with... you're going to be a crown?"
Platinum glanced upwards towards the crown on her head. "I should imagine I technically already am a crown. I'll rest on her head and keep her safe. It's the least I can do for how much she's helped me, and as a friend."
Sunburst stroked over his beard, looking thoughtful. "This could... work. She has a considerable amount of control over the horn of the pony wearing her."
"I couldn't simply wish your spurs away, darling, but I can keep her horn nice and safe." Platinum bumped gently against Stellar. "We can't have your spellcasting being damaged at this point. We have so many spells to go over."
"Of course, dear. When do we begin?"
Fancy rubbed behind his head. "Well, that is good news. I'm not afraid to admit that it has brightened my outlook on the day. There's little we can do for Miss Saddles at this time, perhaps we should return our attention to the project at hoof. Princess? How soon can we begin?"
Twilight pointed upwards. "I'll have to confer with Luna, and she's currently asleep. Perhaps tomorrow night? I don't want to set a firm date until after I've spoken with her. In the meantime, you should tell Snips the good news. I'm sure he'll be very excited."
"Too right." Fancy turned for the door. "As soon as school's let out."
Excited chatter bubbled in the group, discussing how things would go. Perhaps a happy ending could be reached for those yet remaining.
"Thank you." Sun adjusted his glasses nervously. "This is a lot to ask of a pony, even, um, a mom. You don't have to do this."
"And yet I will." She reached out, booping her son on the snoot. "Because I love you, and I trust her." She inclined her head towards Platinum.
Platinum raised a hoof to her chest. "I'm glad you do, dear. I did not survive for countless moons to let you down now, I assure." She buffed her hoof against her own soft fur. "I've performed the moon ritual once before, back before I was a crown. I know how it works."
"That's fantastic news," gushed Twilight, turning away. "I'll see if Luna happens to be awake." She vanished with a pop.
"What's going on down-- Oh." Starlight jumped down the last few steps. "You're all looking... productive." Her eyes drifted from pony to pony.
Stellar smiled at Starlight. "Starlight, dear, good to see you."
"Likewise," assured Starlight in less-than-total sincerity, approaching with her eyes darting across the assemblage. "Did you figure something out?"
"Yes!" Moon gestured to Stellar. "Stellar Flare will be our fourth, with Princess Platinum ensuring all goes according to plan and without additional complications."
"Great! I'll be ready to help, just say when." Starlight kept right on going, moving past the knot of ponies towards the kitchen. "Good luck."
Fancy raised a cloth in his magic, wiping clean his monocle. "It would seem most parties involved are quite ready to see this completed. I can scarcely contain myself." Though he sounded fairly composed compared to others. "Let's give this a good showing."
"Oh boy oh boy oh boy!" Snips was bouncing in place. "Finally!"
"You should relax," came the slow advice of his equally slow friend. Snails was present, sitting there and watching with a soft smile. "Kinda cool though. Heya Luna." He raised a hoof to wave relaxedly.
Luna nodded softly at Snails. She had never been called to his dreams, the colt free of disturbing thoughts as far as she could tell. "Your friend is in good hooves," she assured. "Is everypony in position?"
Twilight nodded. Starlight nodded. Moon did not nod, weaving through the assembled ponies and doublechecking things. "Everything appears to be... in order."
Stellar giggled softly, looking up at the crown on her head. "I never imagined I would have a chance to raise the moon. And you do this every day, Princess? I feel I will have a deeper appreciation for your efforts."
Luna started at that, blinking softly. "You will know it is not impossible to do."
"I will, but I will also know just how difficult it is, and that you do it every night without complaint? Equestria owes you quite a thanks. Ready, Platinum?" An ear cocked, a response heard, but only by her. "She's ready."
"If everypony is ready..." Luna took a soft breath, looking them over, but they were all in the correct position. "You've done this before, and Stellar is being guided by Platinum, so I will keep my guidance to a minimum. Do as you did on that first night. You performed adequately, and I am here, if my magic proves needed. Relax, and begin."
Their eyes closed and the silvery glow of lunar magic began to spread across them, their horns shining brightly as they reached out, connecting with the platonic ideal of the moon, bidding it to rise. Platinum quietly adjusted the flow of Stellar's magic as requested, keeping it perfectly in line with the average of the three diseased ponies they were assisting. She worked the required magic using Stellar's horn, guiding it where it needed to be.
The brightness grew and grew, like a small rising sun there at the top of the tower. The moon became visible, rising slowly but surely, reaching towards that most difficult part, where the bottom of it would raise above the horizon and begin its flight.
"Easy. Remain calm, press gently. This moment is no different than any other," assured Luna. "You are doing quite well. Let it happen..."
As one, they stirred the moon, bidding it to awaken. A soft pulse of silvery energy washed away from them as the glow faded from them. The moon broke that last line. It would move on its own for the remainder of the night, rising slowly but surely into the sky.
They all let out a breath of relief. Fancy Pants wiped his brow with a forelock. "That felt just a little easier. I blame it on familiarity."
"I'm still in one piece," assured Sunburst.
"All good here!" chimed Snips.
Platinum was suddenly standing beside Stellar. "As if I'd allow harm to befall her." She reached and took her own crown off her friend's head, placing it on her own.