//------------------------------// // Chapter 55 // Story: Rekindled Embers // by applezombi //------------------------------// Chapter 55 Coded communique from the Diarchy Embassy, Crystal Empire, to Sir Steadfast Word THE BEER HAS BEEN SPILLED.  MOP WAS INEFFECTUAL, PRIMARY MESS WAS NOT CLEANED UP.  SECONDARY MESS NOT CLEANED UP.  TERTIARY MESSES NOT CLEANED UP. WINE BOTTLE NUMBER TWO BROKEN BUT MENDING.  EXPERIMENT MAY HAVE BEEN PARTIALLY SUCCESSFUL. 1113 AF, Crystal Empire Emberglow was awake. This was a problem. By this point, in her whole life, Emberglow had grown distressingly used to injury and unconsciousness.  It probably wasn’t healthy in the long term, but she was familiar with life-threatening danger. Usually, at this point in the action, she was out cold. “Emberglow?  Emberglow, darling, are you…” She could hear Rarity’s frantic questions, her gasp of horror. “Don’t pull it out!” That voice was unfamiliar. “The ambassador.  Secure the ambassador.  Is she down for sure, this time?” That one was Princess Flurry. Emberglow didn’t want to open her eyes, but she did anyway.  The light hurt, so she clenched them shut again. “I saw her open her eyes!” Rarity shouted.  “Can you hear me, darling?” Emberglow tried to take a deep breath, to respond, but a lance of agony knifed through her barrel.  She couldn’t take in a full breath, but she had to say something.  She needed to reassure Rarity, but when she opened her mouth, all she could do was cough. Pneumothorax.  That’s what it was.  Unable to draw breath, intense pain in the chest, a feeling of impending doom.  They were classic symptoms.  But why was she still so lucid? “R-rari…” she coughed out, trying to meet Rarity’s eyes.  Her gorgeous blue eyes were wet and panicked.  “I’ll be… fine.” The medic to Rarity’s right was already in a whirlwind of motion, pulling out the bandages he would need to do his work.  There was a second medic right next to him, much younger, eyeing the knife nervously. “Sir, should we take the knife out?” “No.  Stabilize until we can get a stretcher.” “Sir?  Unknown substance on the blade.” Emberglow watched the medic hesitate, then nod.  “Flutter bandage, please.” “What’s that?” Rarity demanded.  “What’s happening?  Why can’t you take the knife out, it’s covered in…” “Miss, I’ll need you to step back.” “Like Tartarus I’ll step back, that’s my marefriend!  Tell me what’s happening!” “Miss, could you please…” “Rarity.” Emberglow could barely manage to speak, but she knew growing hysteria when she saw it.  “…calm down.” “Don’t you ‘calm down’ me, Emberglow!” Rarity was hyperventilating.  “You’ve got a knife covered in Celestia-knows-what shoved in you, I probably just killed a pony, and these quacks won’t even tell me…” “Rarity, can you come with me, please?”  Emberglow saw the Princess’ hoof loop around Rarity’s barrel.  “Give the medics some space to do their work.  I’m sure Miss Emberglow will be fine.” “But…” “Shh, Rarity.  It will be okay.”  Emberglow met the princess’ eyes, and somehow managed a nod of gratitude.  Rarity was still protesting as Flurry Heart drew her away.  “Don’t worry.  I’ll guide you to the hospital wing.” “Sorry about… her…” Emberglow rasped to the medic, who glanced at her face in surprise. “Don’t try to speak, please,” he said.  He held a bandage up, and Emberglow couldn’t help but look down at the knife handle protruding from her body.  “First Response, pull the blade out on three.  One, two…” The pain was worse than when the blade had gone in to begin with.  At that point she’d had surprise, adrenaline, and desperation all cushioning the blow.  Her anticipation of the pain made it even more awful.  It was like she felt every inch of the knife as it slid out of her gut, and she felt a liquid spurt as the blood flowed out of her wound, accompanied by a wheezing bubble of air.  A second later the medic slapped the bandage down on the wound. The pressure hurt, but not as much as removing the knife. “Good job, well done,” he softly soothed.  It was like he was calming a foal.  “Now just stay still, we’ve got a stretcher on the way.  We’ll get you the doctor, and he’ll figure out what was on that knife.  You have nothing to worry about.” That was the sort of thing Emberglow would say to a patient, a polite lie which would keep them calm.  It made her want to laugh, if it weren’t for the growing terror.  Why was she awake, still? And why did her wings hurt? Oh Saints, her wings.  Her wings were on fire! She could feel them twitching and straining against the floor.  Suddenly holding still wasn’t an option, she had to do… Something.  Anything at all to stop the burning agony that laced up and down her wings like magma.  Her breath came in short gasps, her mouth wide open in a silent scream. “Okay, we’re ready to move you to the stretcher, now.”  She heard the voice from a billion miles away.  For a moment, Emberglow had forgotten the wound in her side, forgotten the medics, forgotten Rarity and Princess Flurry and Turquoise and the knife and everything else ‘cause it hurt so much it hurts it hurts why does it hurt why wasn’t she passing out why was she still awake?! Emberglow couldn’t even fill her lungs with enough air to scream.  “Wings,” she croaked.  Her limbs twitched and spasmed.  Her wings were fluttering, vibrating.  “Wings HURT!” She tried to open her eyes, but everything she could see was chaos.  Impossible illumination filled her view, brighter than staring at the sun.  The pain lancing into her head was nothing compared to her wings, but she clenched her eyes shut anyways. Eyes. Eyes. Had she really seen out of… A new wave of tingling and burning blazed over her wings, and she couldn’t think about it any longer. There were echoing sounds and shifting lights from behind her eyelids.  She didn’t dare open them. Voices. Urgent. Frightened. Angry. Pleading. Calming. Something picked her up, lifted her gently into the air.  It was cool and soothing. It felt like being wrapped in a blanket. It felt like love. The pain didn’t stop, but Emberglow was moving.  The onslaught upon her senses didn’t stop, but she could only hear the sound of her own half-breaths.  In and out.  In and out.  Each breath was stopped short by a tight rush of agony in her core.  Her mind was hazy, but she couldn’t sleep.  Why couldn’t she sleep?  Why couldn’t… She was moving.  She tried not to think too hard about what was happening; she couldn’t focus too long on any single thought anyway.  She tried to take comfort in whatever was wrapping her about.  Snippets of conversation managed to break through the fog of confusion. “…ing, please hold still we’re almost…” That might have been Rarity.  Emberglow tried to hold still, but it was impossible.  Her wings twitched and shook, her hooves tensed and squirmed. “…to the palace infirmary, they have the equipment we’ll…” More moving.  More voices.  More pain.  Emberglow tried once more to open her eyes, only to yelp again as the disorienting colors and shapes drove them shut. “…why did…nevermind.  Patient status?” “…eration wound with probable pneumothorax…” “…d you remove the…” “…own substance on the knife, probably toxi…” “…ns why you didn’t sedate the…” The words bombarded Emberglow as she was jostled and moved again, this time onto something soft.  She wanted to sob as the warm, loving, comforting thing faded away, but then somepony was holding her hoof. “I’m here.” It was Rarity.  Rarity was there.  She sounded terrified, her voice hitched with emotion.  The other voices continued. “…urse, I need the thaumic spec, and prepare the anas…” One more prick of pain, this time in her neck.  Emberglow twitched and cried out, one last time, before the colors faded, faded… …and then nothing. *   *   *   *   * It was the voice of an angel singing. “I know you, you're a special one Some see crazy where I see love You fall so low but shoot so high Big dreamers shoot for open sky…” The voice stopped singing, and began a low, whispered conversation Emberglow couldn’t hear.  She tried to open her eyes, but everything was dark, greyed out.  She took a breath.  Her chest felt tight, but she could breathe again.  She was about to beg the voice to keep singing. “Oh!  Doctor, could you come here, I think…” And then nothing again. *   *   *   *   * “…how long do you think she’ll sleep for?” “I can’t say, princess.  I think she’s out of danger, but I’ve never dealt with a poison like this before.  It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen.” “Trust the twisted minds down south to come up with something like this.” “It’s not all bad, Princess.  If it weren’t for their rune technology, I might not have been able to save her.” “Is it true, then?  That the poison seemed specifically designed to…” *   *   *   *   * The angel was singing again. “…the seasons change, and leaves may fall but I’ll be with you through them all And rain or shine, you’ll always be mine…” Somepony was holding her hoof, gently stroking at the fur. *   *   *   *   * “Gonna sleep forever?” “No, True.  Emberglow’s gonna be just fine.  She just needs to rest a bit longer while her body heals itself.  She got really hurt helping the Princess.” “Oh.  I like the princess.” “I do too, honey.  I heard she’s been taking over some of your lessons.  Do you enjoy it when Princess Flurry is your tutor?” “Uh huh!  But not math.” “I don’t know if anybody likes math, honey.  But we all have to learn.” “…Topaz?” “What is it, True?” “…can I call you Momma?” “…wha…?” *   *   *   *   * “…sorry if you can’t hear anything I’m saying.  It feels so stupid to be talking to a coma patient, but it’s helpful, you know?  I hope you don’t mind me bouncing ideas off of you.  I’m sorry that I can’t wait.  Princess Flurry is already mobilizing the army, and we’ll be moving south soon.  I kinda want to take the next step before we jump back into battle again. “I think I’ve decided on an apple.  That’s going to be my proposal gift.  No, not a real apple, but a crystal one, small.  Maybe a pendant or a necklace or something.  The princess told me that the changeling intelligence agents had compiled a detailed list of genealogy, part of some project she’d been considering centuries ago.  I found out where my family came from.  I don’t know… I thought that maybe basing my gift off of their old family symbol might represent me reaching back to a more peaceful time, hoping that our marriage might symbolize… “Ugh.  I’m bad at articulating this.  You gotta wake up, Emberglow, so I can hear you tell me how stupid I am.” *   *   *   *   * “I don’t know how much you’ll remember of all this, Lady Emberglow.  I have to say, you’ve had a busy few days since you promised me you’d come have a chat about Radiant healing methods.  Don’t worry, Lady Emberglow.  I forgive you.  Though I do wish you’d chosen a different method to find your way to my clinic.”  Emberglow stirred.  Carefully she tried to move her hooves.  She was… more lucid than she had been in a while. “Oh, you’re awake?  Sorry I disturbed you.  It’s just that sometimes I talk to fill the silence when there’s no nurses or conscious patients around.”  The voice laughed.  “It was a bit quiet in here until you showed up.  Sunset Shimmer is not much of a conversationalist, you see.”  He laughed again. Emberglow tried to flex her wings.  They were stiff, but there was no pain.  She was on her stomach, so she could carefully stretch them out.  She felt sheets shifting about her. “Hold on just a moment, Lady Emberglow.  I’ll get you free of…” she felt the sheet pull back, and she tried yet again to open her eyes.  There was something in the way, so she reached up to try and move it.  “Wait, please.  I’ll have to ask you to leave the blindfold on for now.  Please don’t worry, I’ll explain in a moment.” “…Rarity?” Emberglow croaked, her throat dry from disuse. “She’s out for a walk, with your friends Terminus and Topaz.  She’d spend every waking moment at your side if she could, but I threatened to ban her from my infirmary if she didn’t get some air every so often.” It gave Emberglow a warm feeling in her chest to hear that. “You’re the doctor, right?  Heartthrob?” “That’s me.  Now, I’m sure you’re curious about what’s going on, and why I won’t let you take your blindfold off.  I’ll tell you while I’m performing some basic exams, okay?  Please stay on your stomach and spread out your wings to the side, as if you are about to take flight.” Emberglow complied.  It was harder than she’d thought; each wing was unnaturally rigid for some reason. “Stretch just to the point of discomfort, please,” the doctor said.  Emberglow felt the strain in her muscles as she reached out with her pinions as far as was comfortable.  It felt surprisingly good to stretch them, and she realized she’d probably been in this bed for a long time to get this stiff. “Hold them there, please,” the doctor said, and Emberglow flinched as she felt the touch of something cold and smooth.  “You’re a doctor too, right?  This is a thaumic spectrometer.  You are familiar with their use, yes?” “In theory.  I never did much practical medicine outside of battlefield treatment,” Emberglow managed. “I see.  So I’ll explain what I’m doing as I go.”  The doctor’s voice was calm and soothing.  “What do you recall about your condition?” “I saw Turquoise start to rise just in time to intercede.  I could tell she had a weapon, but I couldn’t see what it was.  I just saw her face.  Her eyes…” Emberglow shuddered from the cold metal passing over the muscles in her wing.  She’d never seen Turquoise’s face so twisted with hate.  “I couldn’t let her…” “I don’t know if I should tell you this part.”  The doctor sounded amused.  “But you’re a hero in the Empire, now.  We love our princess, and you saved her life.”  He laughed.  “I hope you’re comfortable with fame.” “Uh…” “Sorry.  Did you get a look at the weapon?” “No.  I heard the medics talking about some sort of poison on it, though?” “Yes, there was.” “What was it?” Emberglow steeled herself.  Regardless, she knew it couldn’t have been good. “We’re still studying it, but we’ve made a few discoveries.  Once I hear more of your experience I’ll be able to fill in more of the gaps in our understanding, though.  Please, continue where you left off.  She’d just lunged at the princess.” “Of course.”  Emberglow flinched as the device pressed a little too hard against a sore spot, but she stretched out her wings again.  “After the knife went in, I began showing the symptoms of pneumothorax.  But something was different.  I was too alert.  I felt… energized.  Like I’d just drank a whole pot of coffee.  And that’s when my wings started to hurt.” “Describe that feeling for me, if you would?” “It started out with paresthesia,” Emberglow said.  It was easy, now, to think about how terrified she’d been.  How wrong it all felt, how she couldn’t get enough air to say anything.  “I, uh, I’ve been electrocuted before, and after a while it started to feel a little like that?  And then it started burning.” “All over your body?” “No, just my wings,” Emberglow said.  She couldn’t help but twitch them a little in memory, and felt the doctor patiently lift the spectrometer while he waited for her to finish shifting about. “I see.” Heartthrob sounded confident.  “Well, Lady Emberglow, I think we can be cautiously optimistic about your prognosis.  There are a few complications, but those should…” He trailed off, and Emberglow had to fight the impulse to lift the bandage she had wrapped around her eyes.  Instead, she twisted her ears, listening to the sound of other voices approaching. “…think you’ll see, darling, that a fusion of traditions will be best.  Not just yours and Lofty’s, but something from the past, as well.  After all, we’re…” Emberglow heard two sets of hoofsteps enter the room, and Rarity’s voice froze. “Miss Rarity?  She just woke up a few minutes ago.  Come and…” The doctor never got to finish.  Emberglow heard a galloping hoofbeat and a wail that somehow managed to be both desperate and relieved. “Oh Emberglow, you’re awake!”  Somepony bounded onto the bed next to her, and suddenly Emberglow was being crushed in a tight embrace.  “Ooh!  Sorry, darling, I didn’t mean to…”  The hooves embracing her jerked away. But Emberglow laughed, furled her wings and rolled to the side, lifting her own hooves to wrap around Rarity.  “Hello, Rarity.”  She couldn’t see, still, but she could lean in close and breathe in Rarity’s scent.  She smelled like fresh air and clean linen. “You have no idea how…” Rarity sniffled.  “Well, you’ve been asleep for so…” she sniffled again, letting out a hitched sort of sob.  “Goodness.  I’m rather a mess, aren’t I?” “How long was I out?” Emberglow asked. “Two weeks.” Heartthrob’s voice was grim, and even Emberglow flinched.  Comas were terrible, and two weeks was a long time.  “I would say Rarity was by your side for ninety nine percent of it.” “And I would have been here when you woke up, too, if you hadn’t chosen such an inconvenient time,” Rarity said softly, right into her ear.  “Don’t worry, darling.  I forgive you.”  She felt the gentle press of a kiss on her cheek, and Emberglow turned enough to find Rarity’s lips with her own. “Hey, Emberglow.” That voice was Topaz’.  “Really happy to see you’re doing better.  We’ve all been worried about you.  How are you feeling?” “Better now.”  She squeezed Rarity tightly.  “The doctor was just explaining what had happened,” Emberglow said.  “And he was going to tell me why I couldn’t take my blindfold off quite yet?” She lifted her voice at the end, letting it be a question. “Oh, yes,” the doctor said.  “Forgive me, Emberglow, but we have some more tests I’d like you to undergo.”  He laughed.  “Don’t worry, you won’t even have to move from where you’re lying.” “Good,” Rarity huffed, and Emberglow laughed. “Okay, Emberglow, I’m going to ask you to turn your head carefully and look towards the sound of my voice.  Rarity, would you be so kind as to hold this up against Emberglow’s good eye?”  Emberglow felt some things shifting.  “Yes, just like that.  Now, when I say so, Rarity will untie your blindfold.  I want you to try opening your injured eye.  Rarity, now.” The blindfold slipped off Emberglow’s head, and she did her best to follow orders and open her eyes.  Something dark and round blocked her good eye. From the other, though… Light! It was so bright she instinctively clenched her eyes shut.  But the revelation sent them open again, if only a crack. Light!  From her ruined eye.  She squinted and strained, staring in the direction of the doctor’s voice.  There were shapes.  Colors, too.  A… rectangle?  And a pony behind it. She slowly adjusted to the light, waiting for the images to become clearer.  But there was nothing more than a blur. “I can see.  A blur of colors and light, but I can see!” Emberglow couldn’t help her excitement.  She bounced in place, and Rarity giggled beside her.  “What…” “Thank you, Rarity.  You can lower the block, now.”  The smooth round shape blocking Emberglow’s good eye dropped away, and she blinked a few times, once again adjusting to her one good eye.  The rectangle she’d seen before was a rectangular eye exam chart.  She then glanced over at Rarity, sitting next to her on the narrow hospital bed.  Rarity looked good, though a little tired, and Emberglow beamed at her, earning a smile in return, before she took the time to examine her surroundings. The palace infirmary had the same décor as the rest of the palace, only somehow more sterile.  There were four hospital beds, as well as numerous monitors, gauges, devices, and medical tools.  Against one wall was a tall, wide window, rimed with frost sparkling in the sunlight. Only one of the other beds was occupied; Emberglow recognized the still-comatose form of Sunset Shimmer. “What happened?” “The poison you were infected with was not meant for you,” Doctor Heartthrob said.  “It was specifically designed for another.”  He set down the chart and moved over to her bed.  “From what I can tell, it was made to attack the aetheric nerve clusters.  All three of them.” “But ponies only have one set of aetheric nerve clusters,” Emberglow protested. The doctor nodded.  “Most ponies, yes.  The cornaetheric nerve in unicorns, the geotheric clusters in earth ponies, and the pteryaetheric clusters in pegasi.  But alicorns have all three.” Emberglow was horrified, but not surprised.  Of course the poison had been intended for Princess Flurry Heart. “I am fairly certain that if the poison had struck the princess, she would have been gravely injured at least.  Probably even killed.”  The doctor smiled and bowed.  “The Empire owes you a great debt, Emberglow.” “But why am I okay?  And why is my eye… healing?”  That wasn’t the right word, exactly. “The alchemical poison was made to overload the three nerve clusters at once, causing a sort of violent and aggressive thaumopenia in the victim.  Because you had only one set of aetheric nerve clusters, the poison was unable to perform its full function.” “But my…” Emberglow’s wings flared suddenly, and her stomach twisted.  “So did it…” “You do not have the symptoms of thaumopenia.  In fact, that’s what I was testing earlier,” the doctor pointed to a device next to the bed, a small round sensor attached by cords to a monitor.  “Your pteryaetheric nerves were damaged, but they are healing.  One moment.”  The doctor trotted over to a cabinet at the other end of the infirmary, pulling out a small bag.  He brought it over, and upended the bag in front of Emberglow to reveal a tiny tuft of cloud.  “Touch that, please.” Emberglow couldn’t explain the sudden spike of nervous fear she felt as she reached towards the cloud.  She lowered her shaking hoof onto the cloud.  It gave a moment’s resistance, like she was passing her hoof through liquid, before slipping through. “What…” “Lingering effects of the poison, I think,” the doctor said.  “Until that clears up, you will probably not be able to walk on clouds or fly.  As you know, pegasus flight takes…” Emberglow stopped listening.  Stopped hearing.  There was a rush of air in her ears.  Flight?  She couldn’t fly?  She was stuck?  Suddenly the walls felt close.  Too close.  The ceiling was there, just above her, barely above her.  She was panting. Rarity and the doctor were both speaking, but she didn’t hear.  She was on her hooves, and somepony was pulling her down, back towards the bed.  Maybe… The handle on the window was covered in a blue aura, and the window itself was wrenched open, filling the room with chilly air.  Emberglow didn’t care; her legs carried her, almost unconsciously, in a desperate, stumbling charge towards the open window.  The cold wind washed over her face and fur, and she shoved her head out the window, her vision spinning. “It’s fine.  I expected this.”  The doctor’s words finally registered.  “It’s not uncommon for pegasi to experience claustrophobia immediately after they’ve been told they can’t fly for a bit.  Deep breaths, Emberglow.  Take in the fresh air, look up at the sky.  Deep breaths.” Objectively, Emberglow knew he was right.  She’d heard much the same from her own training.  But experiencing it in real life was something else.  She closed her eyes and fluffed out her wings, letting the wind run over them as she focused on her breathing for a moment. The cold was uncomfortable, but she felt her heart rate going back down and her breath slowing. A warm body sidled up alongside her, wrapping a hoof over her shoulders.  Emberglow furled her wings and leaned into the embrace.  “Thank you.” “Feeling a little better?” Rarity’s voice was soft. Emberglow nodded.  “A little.  I don’t know why that happened.  I don’t even fly that often.”  She still wouldn’t open her eyes just yet.  “Sorry.” “No need to apologize.  As I said, the reaction isn’t atypical.” Doctor Heartthrob was somewhere behind her.  “Right, Doctor Topaz?” “You’ve dealt with panic attacks before, right Emberglow?” Topaz’ voice was getting closer, and she felt the mare on her other side.  Squeezed between her friend and her lover, with the chilly air blowing under her wings, Emberglow nodded, breathing in and out slowly, letting the wind wash away her lingering panic.  After a few breaths she opened her eyes, then leaned to her left to give Rarity a quick peck on the cheek before squeezing both mares with her wings. “Thanks, both of you.”  Emberglow looked out at the overcast skies and the crystal city spread out below her.  She could make out ponies and other forms moving about the snow-swept streets, and she shivered.  As if in response, Rarity pressed in closer at her side.  “Oh!  That does remind me!” Rarity cried.  “Come back inside when you’re ready, darling.  I have a gift for you.  I finished it while you slept.” Emberglow tried not to complain at the sudden lack of warmth by her side, but instead followed Rarity back into the room.  Rarity was prancing, her smile radiant as her horn flared to life, levitating a ribbon-wrapped box up onto Emberglow’s empty bed from underneath.  “I’ve been waiting to give this to you.  I do hope you like it.” Emberglow took hold of the pink ribbon that bound the box, pulling it loose slowly while Rarity’s hooves danced with excitement.  She nearly slowed down midway to tease the eager mare, but Emberglow was too excited herself.  She slipped the ribbon off and lifted the box to reveal a neatly folded, cream colored garment, trimmed in rose colored faux fur.  She lifted it out carefully.  It was a coat, a gorgeous coat, with a shimmering crimson lining. As it unfolded, Emberglow gasped.  Stitched in vivid detail into the coat’s flank was Emberglow’s cutie mark.  The shapes and colors were perfect; her own purple cross and heart were rendered beautifully. “She must have studied your flank very closely to reproduce that,” Topaz noted, and Emberglow’s face burned as she spun in shock to stare at her giggling friend.  “Don’t look at me!  Try it on!” Emberglow nodded silently, slipping the coat around herself.  There were slits for her wings, and she slid them through as she wrapped herself in the lovely garment. It felt like a hug. “Here, let me.” Rarity was right up next to her, fastening the toggles at the neck of the coat.  Her hooves shook, just a little.  “What do you think?” “I love it,” Emberglow breathed. “Good!” The hint of nervousness was gone, and Rarity beamed.  “Now you’ll have something to wear if you need to spend any more time outside.” She meant if Emberglow had another claustrophobia attack.  Emberglow leaned over to nuzzle Rarity’s cheek, quickly.  “Thank you so much.” “Oh, it was nothing,” Rarity waved a hoof.  “As much for me as for you.”  But Emberglow could see Rarity’s gentle blush.  She cleared her throat with an embarrassed little noise.  “Now.  Doctor.  Before Emberglow had to step out for a moment, you were explaining what had happened to her eye?” “Right.” The doctor nodded.  “The poison is designed to overload the thaumic nerves with enough motic radiation to cause them to shut down.  It’s what happened to you, what makes it so that you can’t manipulate clouds or fly until it clears from your system.  But it also seems to have had an unintended side effect.” Emberglow felt herself tense up nervously. “Obviously we’ll be keeping an eye on things.  But it’s likely the leftover bits of the poison, the parts that should have attacked the thaumic nerves for earth pony and unicorn magic, went searching for pathways that don’t exist in your body.  When it couldn’t find them, it looks as if it made some of its own from the damaged thaumic pathways between your injured eye and your brain.” The doctor shrugged, looking suddenly unsure.  “At least that’s what I’ve been able to piece together.  I’m going to want to keep observing things, to make sure that’s the only side effect.” “So… I’ll be able to see again?”  Emberglow didn’t want to hope.  The doctor held up a careful hoof.  “Not completely.  At the rate the poison is leaving your system, I’d say most of the change has happened already.  You’ll be able to regain some sight through that eye, with practice, but nothing like what you were used to.  I’m sorry.” “Sorry?” Emberglow laughed.  She closed her good eye, leaving the injured one open.  It was still nothing more than clouds of color, but she could see.  “It’s more than I ever thought I’d have again.  Thank you, doctor.” “There will be therapy,” Doctor Heartthrob warned. “You’re going to have to strengthen your bad eye by wearing a patch on your good one if we’re going to get the most out of it.” “I’ll be good, doctor.” *   *   *   *   * “You’re going to have lots of visitors,” Rarity had warned, before she’d curled up on one of the spare clinic beds to shut her eyes for a few moments.  Emberglow could tell she was tired; if the dark rings around Rarity’s eyes hadn’t given it away, the whispered conversation she had later with Topaz certainly did. “She’s barely left your side, you know,” Topaz said.  “And she’s right.  You’re a hero, now.  Everypony in the Empire knows your name and what you did.  They’re composing songs.” “S-songs?” Emberglow gaped. “The few I’ve heard are a little rushed, but not bad.” Topaz smirked.  “But really, Emberglow, what did you expect?  When you jump in front of an assassin to save a princess, you’re going to get famous.” That brought forth an uncomfortable thought. “Wh-what about Turquoise?” Topaz eyed her.  “She was your friend, right?”  She sighed.  “She survived.  Flurry has her in a cell beneath the palace.  Don’t worry!” Topaz held up a hoof when it looked like Emberglow was about to say something.  “She’s far more comfortable than any prisoner in the Diarchy.  We treat our prisoners well, here.  Even those that try to kill our princess.” “And Princess Flurry?  She’s okay too?” “She’s going to be one of those aforementioned visitors, soon.  The last time we spoke, she said she’s going to reward you personally.” Topaz looked amused.  “Expect something grand and political that probably doesn’t matter at all to you.  But don’t let it make you think that she’s any less grateful.” Topaz’ prophecy came true a few hours later.  Topaz had left to go check on Lofty, leaving Emberglow and Rarity both to rest in privacy while the doctor retreated to a small office off the main clinic room.  Emberglow had almost fallen back asleep when the clank of armor heralded the arrival of several guards, slipping in to secure the room.  They looked tense and wired, eyes darting with paranoid energy as they checked each door and alcove for potential threats. “Clear, Princess,” a guardsmare announced as soon as they’d finished their circuit.  Princess Flurry stepped into the room, followed by a young unicorn mare who looked familiar.  She had pale yellow fur, and a short mane of shocking dark blue. True Tale was riding on the Princess’ back.  He bounced down, rushing over to Emberglow’s bed. “I hope you don’t mind a minor entourage, Emberglow.” Princess Flurry said softly, with a glance towards Emberglow’s bed.  “My students both wished to visit you.” The young mare was staring at Emberglow with an unreadable expression, eyes blazing with emotion. “Lightning?  Can you…” The princess began, and the unicorn jumped. “Yeah.  Yeah, princess.  I’m okay.  I know… I know what you said.”  The unicorn stepped around the princess, took a deep breath, and suddenly Emberglow remembered where she’d seen her before. On a pirate ship. Emberglow was on her hooves before she realized she’d moved. “Woah, woah!” The unicorn was waving one hoof.  “Relax, please.  I mean you no harm.” It made no sense to Emberglow.  This unicorn should mean her harm.  She had every reason to— The unicorn’s eyes shifted about the room, as if nervous, looking at anything except Emberglow.  “I… uh, I went over this a thousand times in my head.  What it would be like to meet you.  I’m not sure this is going like how I imagined at all.” “How did you imagine it?” Emberglow whispered. The unicorn shrugged, her gaze finally landing on the floor in front of her.  “With more shouting, I guess.  Some dramatic accusations.  But… I just can’t find the energy to hate you, Emberglow.” Meanwhile, True had worked his hooves up to the side of Emberglow’s bed and was staring between the two of them, his own expression puzzled.  Emberglow reached down to help him up, and he bounded over to give her a hug. “Daddy says you got hurt saving the princess,” True whispered.  “You okay now?” It was the kind of interruption present company needed.  Emberglow saw the unicorn visibly relax, and some of the worry smooth out of the Princess’ face.  She smiled and gave True a squeeze back. “Yes.  The doctor helped me,” she told him.  “Thank you for coming to visit.”  She turned to the princess.  “Student?” For some reason, Princess Flurry looked away, a small, embarrassed smile on her face.  “I have two students now.  Lightning Bug doesn’t seem to mind.”  The unicorn smiled and nodded.  “There’s just something special about True.” “Also the Princess figured if she brought us both I’d be less likely to blast you in your hospital bed,” Lightning said sardonically.  Emberglow looked up in alarm.  “Kidding.  Kind of.” Lightning stepped slowly towards Emberglow’s bed, and Emberglow turned her attention away from True towards her.  “Is it… would it be inappropriate to ask for your forgiveness?” Lightning froze, swallowed hard, and shook her head.  “No.  No, I don’t think it’s inappropriate.” “I’m so sorry,” Emberglow breathed, and she felt tears slipping down her eyes.  “I didn’t know.  I know that doesn’t matter, but I didn’t know.”  There were a billion other things she could say, she should say, but nothing was coming to mind. “Why sad?” True tapped at Emberglow’s cheek, demanding her attention.  She sniffed and looked down at True. “Because I did something bad,” Emberglow told him.  “And now I don’t think I can make it right.” “Did you say sorry?” True asked. Emberglow looked at Lightning and gulped.  Lightning gave a tiny, wan smile. “I did.  Sorry doesn’t always fix things, though.” “Did you get grounded?” True whispered. All three of the grown ponies gave a little laugh.  “I guess you could say I grounded myself.”  That’s what Topaz thought, at least; Emberglow’s nightmares were her way of punishing herself, subconsciously.  It was nothing like what Heartwing had done with his tantabus, but still unhealthy, according to her. “Grounded yourself?  That’s silly,” True said, with an air of authority.  Emberglow laughed again, and gave him a squeeze. “Maybe,” Emberglow said.  “Adults can be silly sometimes.” “Like Starlight.  Starlight was grounding herself, too.  That’s what Miss Topaz says.”  Suddenly, a look of childish horror oozed over True’s face, and he grasped Emberglow’s cheeks tightly with two hooves.  “You’re not gonna disappear like Starlight, are you?” “No!” Emberglow squeezed him tight again.  “No, I won’t.  I promise.” “Not allowed to ground yourself anymore,” True muttered. “You heard the foal,” Lightning said, amused.  She stepped forward, ruffling True’s mane.  “Not allowed, Miss Emberglow.”  Their eyes met, and Lightning nodded.  “I’m gonna need time, but…” she sighed.  “…I’ll get there.  Seeing you here, and hearing what you did to save the Princess, that helped.”  She glanced up at Flurry, patiently waiting while the other mares spoke.  “Thanks for bringing me, Princess.  I think… I think that’s all I needed.” “Of course, Lightning.”  The princess nodded her head sagely.  “Now, Miss Emberglow.  We have the matter of your reward for saving my life.” “Oh, I don’t need…” “One does not simply save a princess’ life and walk away without some sort of recognition.  The citizens of the Empire would riot if I didn’t appropriately reward you.” “But…” “Emberglow?” Rarity’s sleep-fogged voice came from the bed next to her.  She looked over to her marefriend, who had rolled over and was regarding the whole scene with half-lidded eyes that managed to appear both sleepy and amused.  “Why don’t you let the princess speak before you object?  It’s only good etiquette after all.  It is not becoming to interrupt royalty.” “Sorry…” Emberglow squeaked out, before snapping her mouth shut.  Rarity was teasing her, she was sure. “Don’t be,” Princess Flurry shook her head.  “When you hear what your reward is, you might not be so ready to apologize.  As per my mother’s advice, I decided to make your reward—” she paused thoughtfully “—politically useful.  Yours as well, Rarity.  The throne can’t forget your efforts to protect my mother, after all.”  She turned to Lightning.  “Can you record the moment, my faithful student?”  Lightning nodded, and there was a pop of air and a flash of magic as a quill and scroll appeared in the air in front of her. Emberglow was confused, and a part of her wanted to ask what was about to happen, but the princess stood up straighter, her voice deepening into a more formal tone.  “Rarity and Emberglow.  As a result of your services to the throne of the Crystal Empire, We have determined that you are to be given a noble title.  Our Blessed Mother concurs, and We have been given enthusiastic support of the Changeling monarchs as well.  From henceforth, you shall be known as Marchioness Rarity and Marchioness Emberglow.  Your titles are hereditary, and should you not have offspring you have the rights to name heirs to your positions.  You may also choose names for your Noble Houses, so that future generations may look to your examples and continue to honor your deeds that day.” Emberglow and Rarity stayed silent throughout the entire speech.  Emberglow’s mouth was agape, but Rarity was beaming.  Marchioness Emberglow?  Noble house names?  She felt lightheaded. “What did you expect, darling?” Rarity cooed from her cot.  “Such things are the cost of heroism, I assume.” “That is not all,” Princess Flurry said.  “If you would accept, Emberglow, I would also lay an additional duty on your shoulders.  I would name you ‘Heart’s Shield’.  A largely ceremonial role, you would be the Empress’ champion, and the only one with permission to bear arms in her chambers.”  Princess Flurry paused.  “The title has not been held for over two centuries.  It is a great honor.” “I-if I accept?” Emberglow stammered.  Her mind was spinning.  “Largely ceremonial?” “You would have the right to commandeer any command position within the Empire’s military, if the life of the Empress, my mother, is at stake.  Other than that, it would not be any more than your duties as an Element of Harmony.” “I…” Emberglow gulped.  “Can I think about it?” A look of impatience flashed across the Princess’ face.  It was gone in an instant, replaced by a mask of cool serenity.  “Of course you may.  But don’t think long.”  Her eyes studied Emberglow sharply.  “These appointments do serve another purpose.  By raising you to the ranks of nobility, and granting you a unique title, I am able to place the Elements of Harmony in a position of influence in the imperial government.  It will be much simpler to involve you in the coming councils as we prepare for war.” “War?” “May I?” Lightning cut in politely, and the princess waved a hoof in permission.  “Open conflict between the Empire and the Diarchy is bound to happen, at this point.  The Elements are being found.  Something has to change.  And if what Sir Heartwing tells us is correct, the likeliest place to find the Element of Magic is the capital itself.  It seems naïve to think we can get out of this without some form of fighting.” She was watching the princess as she spoke.  “I’ve been down south, near the shield wall.  Making preparations for the inevitable.” “We can talk about that later,” the princess said quickly.  “But she is right.  Conflict may be unavoidable, whatever I may wish.  Though I wish for the Elements to lead the way.  And that means, both symbolically and literally, placing all of you in positions of influence.” “What about Heartwing?  And Lofty and Terminus?” “Heartwing is…” Princess Flurry’s mouth turned down in distaste.  “Well.” “As per their arrangement, Sir Heartwing has been placed in provisional command of the Empire’s armed forces.  Under the princess, of course,” Lightning supplied, and Princess Flurry grimaced.  “It was the only way we could convince Guard Captain Onyx Edge not to resign.  Which makes sense.  Captain Edge is loyal and dedicated, but the attack clearly showed that the Imperial military lacks practical experience.  Heartwing is perfect for the job.” Lightning was watching the Princess nervously the entire time she spoke.  Emberglow could see why; at every mention of Heartwing’s name, Princess Flurry flinched.  Her eyes narrowed when she noticed the scrutiny. “I’ll be fine, ponies,” the Princess sighed.  “It will take time for me to fully accept him.” “Believe me, I know what you mean,” Rarity said.  “If you need to talk about it…” “I’ll let you know,” Princess Flurry turned away to face the window, and the still form of the alicorn in the hospital bed across the room.  She gave a small shiver, then turned back.  “Sorry.  I don’t mean to be rude.  I will take you up on that, Rarity.”  She sighed.  “I must be going.  There are logistics to oversee, if the Empire is to… mobilize.”  The last word was laced with disgust.  “There is one final matter, though.  I would like to assign you an assistant, and a guard.  If she’s willing.” “Much more now than I was before I came here,” Lighting said.  “If you’ll have me.” “Lightning Bug can manage your daily schedules and help you understand what your new titles will mean for you. Lightning, I’d also like you to fill them in on what you’ve been up to down at the shield’s edge.”  The princess managed a small smile.  “I have to return my younger student to his father, before a meeting with Heartwing and General Yuriko of the yaks.  But if you’re feeling up to it, Emberglow, I would love to have all of you present at a private dinner.  Just the Elements, Rarity, myself and my mother.  And my students, of course.” “A quiet dinner sounds lovely, princess,” Rarity said after a nod from Emberglow.  “We’ll be there.” The princess let her guards lead the way out of the infirmary after scooping True onto her back again, leaving Rarity, Emberglow, and Lighting behind.  The ensuing silence was awkward. “I-I really do hope you don’t mind me being around,” the young unicorn began, shuffling her hooves on the floor.  “I want to help.” “As long as you don’t mind being around me.” Emberglow’s ears were pinned back, and she found she couldn’t meet Lightning’s eyes. “Perhaps we should spend some time talking about our schedule?” Rarity said.  “The Princess warned me that once she visited you here, Emberglow, the floodgates would probably open.  All sorts of ponies are going to want to come see you now that you’re awake.  That’s part of what my job’s going to be; as your personal secretary, I’ll help manage who gets access to the Crystal Empire’s newest heroes.” Lightning’s words suddenly seemed as if from far away.  Words like nobility, secretary, hero, all floated through the fog that clawed at her mind.  It was too much, too fast. “Emberglow?  Emberglow, darling?  Are you…?  Lighting, go fetch the doctor, I think she’s going to pass o…” *   *   *   *   * Between Doctor Heartthrob’s iron-hoofed rule of the infirmary and Lightning Bug’s talent for time management, Emberglow had the rest of the afternoon to recover. “We can understand feeling overwhelmed, darling,” Rarity said.  “We'll take this as slowly as you need to.  We can even skip the dinner tonight, if you’d like.” “No.  No, I want to be up and moving around,” Emberglow said. “It was just… too much to deal with all at once.” “You just woke up after weeks in a coma, from being stabbed and poisoned.  You’re allowed to relax, if you like.” “But ponies want to…” “Other ponies can wait,” Lighting chimed in.  “You can let Rarity here handle any official business, if you like.” “I’m fine.  I think I can handle a little business.  If we take things slowly, like you said.” The first order of business, as it turned out, were the ponies-at-arms.  Several guardsponies had volunteered, with Princess Flurry’s blessing.  After that there was a conversation about the land holdings that the Princess had donated to both of their new noble houses. Taken one at a time, Emberglow didn’t feel so inundated.  It didn’t hurt that Rarity seemed so eager and excited about all of this.  She had a way of bringing energy to a room. After they’d discussed a possible press conference for the next day, Rarity finally had to call a halt to the whole thing.  “I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time for more official matters later, Lightning, but Emberglow and I have a dinner to attend, and I’m not letting my marefriend go in a hospital gown and bedhead.” “Oh!  Well, I’ll leave you to it, then,” Lightning said.  “Um.  Until you sort out a schedule with your guards, I am tasked with your safety.  I’ll be just outside the clinic if you need me.” As soon as she’d stepped out the door, Emberglow turned a worried gaze on Rarity.  “Um, I’m not sure I have the energy to put a lot of effort into getting dressed tonight, so…” Rarity was already waving a hoof.  “Say no more, darling.  A familiar and comforting robe and a bit of mane brushing is all I’ll ask.”  She paused.  “Would you let me brush your mane and tail?” “S-sure.” Emberglow held back the urge to hide as Rarity followed her into the bathroom.  Even after everything they’d done together, there was an intimacy to the situation that made her nervous. “Now, you wash up and I’ll take care of your mane and tail, hmm?” Rarity beamed at her, and Emberglow felt her face heat up.  She didn’t trust herself to speak out loud, so she nodded, and trotted over to the sink. The infirmary bathroom was small, but still wide enough so that if a patient needed help there could be another pony there to assist.  There was a small tub next to the sink and toilet, complete with the assistance bars a wounded pony might need to lower themselves into and out of the tub. “Do you need help washing?” Rarity asked, a gentle flush of her own spreading on her cheeks. “I’m not that weak,” Emberglow protested, and Rarity laughed. “Perhaps I was offering for more reasons than just to be helpful.” Emberglow gulped and nodded.  “Um.  I-I’d love some help, then.” As much as they wanted, though, they couldn’t do much more than flirt and clean in the tub.  Emberglow was grateful for the closeness, though, and for the bit of intimacy they managed, reveling in the closeness and in the soft touch of Rarity’s hooves. When they were done, Rarity helped Emberglow into a fresh robe before settling her on a bed.  Emberglow watched as a brush floated over in Rarity’s blue glow, relaxing into the plush mattress as Rarity began to run it through her mane. “I don’t remember the last time I had somebody else brush my mane and tail,” she said softly, and Rarity hummed. “We’ll have to do this more often, then.  Now relax, close your eyes, and just let me take care of you, darling.” Emberglow did just as she was told.