She was fading in and out of consciousness as she finally began to feel her eyes open and her senses returning.
“STARLIGHT!” She heard a familiar voice cry out before abruptly waking up and saw that Twilight, Spike, and Discord were all waiting on her to wake up in some kind of hospital. Spike looked like he was crying and she could spot Twilight was seemingly tearing up as well but she wiped them as soon as she saw Starlight was awake.
“Starlight! You’re awake!” Twilight embraced the unicorn’s neck which she leaned into. It felt so good to be near her again.
“Ugh… where am I?” Starlight asked after Twilight let her go, now feeling a dull ache.
“You’re in the hospital.” A brown unicorn stallion who she assumed to be the doctor said as he walked in Starlight’s line of sight, “You were rushed here really quickly and if we’re being honest, you’re lucky that your friends brought you here at that speed.”
Starlight wasn’t sure what happened at first, but then her memory was returning by pieces. She remembered the train breaking down, the kidnapping, the magic drain, everything. All that made her begin shuddering in fear and made her begin to cry.
“Starlight, what’s going on? What happened to you?” Twilight asked in concern when she saw Starlight.
“After the train crashed, I sent a magic message to Discord, but before it reached him, the Storm King had found me and captured me. He took me in a cave, used some diamond to…” Starlight began before letting the tears fall out, “He took my magic! I’m so weak now. I feel like I can’t do anything and I don’t know if this is some twisted karma for what I did in my past or-“
“Starlight, calm down.” Twilight pushed Starlight back onto the bed, lightly of course but inside she felt terrible. She knew of the Storm King’s recent escape, but she didn’t think twice before letting Starlight go off on her own.
Twilight didn’t take precautions and now Starlight was paying the price for it.
“How can I calm down? I lost my very essence. Unicorns need at least a little magic in their veins but now I have practically nothing.” Starlight continued to cry, “Now my magic could be used as a weapon at any time and I’m powerless to do anything to stop it.”
“It really depends on how long the Storm King can master it. Your magic is capable of complex spells and I don’t think his tiny mind will fully grasp that yet.” Discord smirked in a reassuring matter.
“But in any case, we WILL get your magic back and let the princesses know of this.” Twilight said firmly, feeling rage as she realized what that monster did to one of her best friends.
“So how is she?” Spike asked worriedly towards the doctor after he felt Starlight’s breakdown was over.
“Well other than her magic being taken away from her, she seems to be stable. However, she definitely needs the rest.” The doctor explained.
“Can she come back with us?” Twilight asked curiously.
“I’m not exactly sure whether she should or not, she’s no longer in life threatening conditions, but she does need to take some procedures so she can adjust to her new magicless lifestyle.” The doctor told the Princess Of Friendship.
“I promise I can take care of that. Starlight’s one of my closest friends and I am good at following directions, I feel like I need to be there for her in this tough situation.” Twilight spoke encouragingly before whispering, “It might be easier for her if she’s with a friend.”
The doctor seemed to ponder over this before deciding, “Well Twilight, you’ve never exactly let us down before so I believe I can trust you’ll take care of her.”
The unicorn then levitated a list to Twilight to which she immediately put in her saddlebags, “That list contains the things needed to quicken Starlight’s recovery.”
After that, Discord picked up Starlight and put her underneath his shoulder, “Thank you for the help.” Twilight said gratefully before she, Spike, and Discord took their leave with Starlight in tow.
After getting out of the hospital, Discord had snapped his fingers and all four of them were at the castle entrance.
Once he put Starlight down, her hooves immediately wobbled a bit before she caught herself.
“Thanks for saving me guys.” Starlight said sadly but genuinely as she began entering the castle with a defeated frown on her face.
“Hey, where are you going?” Spike asked solemnly.
“Nowhere important, just my room.” Starlight sighed as she continued walking.
Once she was out of earshot, Twilight immediately stomped on the ground furiously, “UGH! I can’t believe I was so careless! I thought the Storm King’s escape wouldn’t be a major deal and that we’d be able to track him down just fine but no, I didn’t think he’d be able to pull this off and now look what happened!”
“Twilight, this isn’t your fault.” Spike said comfortingly, “The princesses already had guards searching for him and no one would ever think that he would target STARLIGHT of all ponies.”
“Besides, Starlight’s a strong pony. She got out of trouble without her magic before and she can do it again.” Discord said to remind the alicorn of Starlight saving Equestria from the Changelings.
“Back then Starlight’s magic was only negated by other magic, but now she’s literally lost all her magical powers and some of her vitality!” Twilight explained the difference morosely before gaining a firm look, “But I can’t wallow in my guilt, Starlight needs me and all of us more than ever and I need to be strong for her.”
“She’s faced villains before, how is this time any different?” Discord scoffed.
“Because this might be the first time one has ever traumatized her.” Twilight said bluntly.