Gustopha was still fast asleep when Celestia awoke. Celestia shuffled slightly, but remained in her sleeping sister's embrace. It was a comforting feeling. A reminder that she wasn't alone anymore.
Celestia allowed herself time to think on what she and Gustopha had spoken of the night prior. What would she say to Luna when the time came? It would be an apology, obviously, but a simple "sorry" would not undo the years of neglect she had subjected Luna to. Celestia almost envied Luna's patience; the amount of time she had allowed Celestia to just domineer over Luna's concerns. Concerns that were valid, of course; concerns that ponies were consciously neglecting the night.
Celestia wished she could have told Luna how important the night was. Sleeping through the night wasn't a sign of disrespect: It was a tribute to the sense of peace and safety the night princess' influence brought to the tired populace after a long day's work. Celestia smiled. That was a good start.
Her horn illuminated and she carefully wrote her thoughts down on a piece of paper, doing her best not to wake Gustopha.
Gustopha, of course, did eventually awake. Celestia hadn't gotten up yet.
"Good morning, sister," Gustopha greeted gently.
"Good morning," Celestia echoed, sliding off to the side to sit up.
"Did you sleep well?" Gustopha asked.
Celestia nodded and smiled gently at her. "I have something I'd like you to read," She expressed, magicking her paper over to Gustopha.
Gustopha nodded slowly, reading over the note.
"For the eyes of Princess Luna only,
Hello, sister. It is I, Celestia. I know that last time we spoke, it was supposed to be the last time. I understand that even just reading my name might cause you some anger; anger which is justifiable. This isn't a letter to ask you to absolve me of my guilt, nor is it here to ask that you simply push aside what I've said.
This letter is here to apologize for what I've done. It's here to apologize for how I trampled over your concerns, and treated you like a foal. Your night is more important than you could ever know, Luna; the fact that ponies rest during it speaks to the air of peace and safety you cultivated each time you put the sun to rest. I was an idiot to say you contributed nothing to this kingdom, even if I only recognize this fact far too late for it to matter.
Sincerely, Princess Celestia"
Gustopha's ears twitched and drooped a bit. "Celestia…" She said softly.
Celestia sighed a little and looked away, "I was never good at apologies," She admitted.
"It's good," Gustopha replied softly, setting the note down.
"It is?" Celestia asked.
"You admitted guilt, described the mistake, and made an effort to correct it," Gustopha hummed, "It's not perfect, but it’s a start, and I think a start is what you most need right now,” Gustopha said gently.
Celestia thought for a long moment, “I will send it in time, then,” She declared, “I do not want to jeopardize your relationship with the lunar ponies. So I will wait until you’ve established further contact,” She expressed.
Gustopha bit her lip, but nodded. “That sounds good, Celestia. I’ll make sure you know when something like that happens,” She promises, hugging Celestia once more.
After some more time, Gustopha and Celestia would leave the room to head to breakfast, with Celestia briefly detouring to raise the sun.
Celestia looked at Gustopha as they ate.
“If I may ask… What were all the notes in your room yesterday?” Celestia asked, “It’s been a long time since you so fervently researched something.”
Gustopha’s ears pinned back, and she froze.
“Gustopha?” Celestia asked.
Gustopha looked away.
“Gustopha, what were you researching?” Celestia asked, raising her voice.
Gustopha didn’t say anything.
Celestia hesitated. She’d already done this before, and last time she had, she’d lost a sister. She resettled in her seat and lowered her tone. “Gustopha, I’m only asking out of curiosity,” She expressed.
Gustopha’s eyes slowly returned Celestia’s gaze. “I was doing research into grafting Blightsbane trees into a pony’s biological structure,” She explained weakly.
Celestia’s eyes widened, “For what purpose?” She asked, voice raising again, this time in surprise.
“The seed pods don’t retain their magic for very long when unanchored,” Gustopha expressed, “But, I think, if… If attached to a live earth pony, the plant would be able to feed from the pony’s magic, allowing it to retain its power indefinitely,” She explained.
Celestia nodded slowly, “Thus, you could distribute them easier, without relying on fast couriers?” She supposed.
Gustopha nodded, “Exactly,” She replied, “I believe I’ve found a safe way to do it, using a version of the alicorn ascension spell to alter where the pony’s magic will flow.”
“Are there any other dangers?” Celestia asked.
Gustopha’s ears drooped, “A few,” She admitted, “Without adequate care and pre-medication, the body will almost certainly reject the plant. I’m not operating anywhere particularly crucial, at least; just around the tail, so there isn’t risk of harming any major organs. Once the pony is awake, it will likely take them some time to adjust to the shift in magic; it won’t increase their power to match the output, only move it around some.”
Celestia nodded, “So the earth pony would feel weak until their body gets used to the lack of magic in their muscles?” She supposed.
Gustopha nodded again. “That’s correct… Messing around with magic like this can also be very volate. With alicorn magic at my disposal I'll have plenty of energy to seat things properly, but if the magic moving spell were to be interrupted, it could cause some issues,” She said.
Celestia thought for a long moment, “Do you have a candidate?” She asked.
“Stoneheart,” Gustopha replied, “He’s larger than average, so if the plant ingrows, he’ll have the space for his body to adjust. Being male also helps, due to the structure of the abdomen,” She explained, “It also helps that he trusts me. Placebo is a strong factor in medical trials.”
Celestia nodded slowly, “If you have prepared adequately… I see no reason to deny you this. Just, please do not force him into the procedure, and do not withhold any information you have said to me,” She expressed, “You are not the Doctor. I will hold you to the same medical standards of any of my staff,” She concluded sternly.
Gustopha nodded fervently, “Of course, Celestia. If all goes well, there will be no struggle involved at all,” She expressed.
The two finished breakfast and parted ways for the day.
Stoneheart looked up at Gustopha as he entered her private study, looking at all of the books and note sheets scattered around.
“You wished you see me, Princess?” He asked.
Gustopha nodded, “Have a seat,” She replied, “I would like to tell you about a very special plan of mine.”
Stoneheart nodded, sitting next to the princess, before the large board of notes.
Gustopha began telling Stoneheart about the process she had devised, and what it would entail in terms of what would be expected of him, how long recovery would take, and what would happen to his body through the procedure.
“...And so, now that I’ve told you all possible risks and dangers, the final decision is yours,” Gustopha expressed, “This is not something I will go through with without your express permission.”
Stoneheart nodded contemplatively. “Well… I am sworn to protect and serve, Princess,” He expressed, “If you entrust me with undergoing this sort of trial, then I will accept it with honor.”
Gustopha hesitated, "Stoneheart, this is a choice, not a command," She insisted, "Please, take the time to think about it."
Stoneheart shook his head, “I had plenty of time to think about it as you explained the dangers, Princess. I trust you with my life,” He expressed.
Gustopha nodded slowly, “Very well,” She replied, “Just remember that you’ll probably be out of commission for a while as your body acclimates to its new magic… Please, if you’d like to spend some time with your family beforehand, do so,” She requested.
Stoneheart nodded, “As you wish, Princess. I will send word to my family before the procedure. I don’t need to visit them,” He expressed.
Gustopha blinked, “You don’t?” She asked.
Stoneheart nodded a bit.
“Why not?” Gustopha asked.
Stoneheart sighed, “I haven’t done anything particularly remarkable in my parent’s eyes. While graduating from the guard academy is noteworthy, they’d rather have seen me through a more… ‘Noble’ line of work.,” He expressed.
Gustopha pulled him into a hug, “I see,” She replied softly, “Well, rest assured, I’d consider accepting a burden like this to be quite remarkable indeed,” She said with a smile.
Stoneheart hugged her back, “Thank you, Princess,” He replied softly.
Gustopha eventually pulled away, “It will take me a bit of time to prepare the operating room; I’d rather do this in the castle infirmary,” She explained.
“Is there something I need to do in the time being?” Stoneheart asked.
Gustopha nodded, “You will go to the infirmary and ask them for a cot and some immunosuppressants,” She explained, “If they ask why, just tell them you’re getting an organ transplant,” She added.
Stoneheart nodded, “Of course, Princess,” He replied, standing up, “I’ll see to it that I’m lodged comfortably.”
She smiled at him, “Good,” Gustopha replied, “I’ll be around a bit later to alert them of what’s needed,” She expressed.
Stoneheart nodded and left the room, leaving the princess to finish her studies. She’d practiced the healing spell she’d be using here and there, but the modified ascension spell that would reshape Stoneheart’s magic was something she’d be doing from the book.
She would visit the infirmary sometime later to clear the operating room. There weren’t too many major bills at the moment, so the princess was able to get the room for tomorrow.
“I’ll need sedative, disinfectant, a scalpel, forceps, and a set of surgical clamps, too,” She listed off, the nurse behind the desk nodding and fervently writing the requests down.
Gustopha thanked the nurse, briefly checking on Stoneheart before she left.
Already, he seemed quite tired; drained from the strong drugs he’d been given.
“I take it you were settled in okay?” She asked gently.
The stallion nodded, “Yes, they’ve been most accommodating… Though the medicine has been quite strong,” He admitted.
Gustopha gently rubbed his side, “Well, get some rest. I’ll be in to operate on you tomorrow,” She promised softly.
Stoneheart nodded, his eyes closing, “Yes Princess,” He replied quietly.
Gustopha smiled and left the infirmary, taking a deep breath. It was a bit scary, but also exciting… Only a few months into being a princess, and she was already making strides in fields most ponies didn’t know existed.
Celestia looked at Gustopha as they ate dinner; she hadn’t ever seen Gustopha quite so excited. It was a bit charming how she bounced lightly in her seat, as if she were bobbing her head to some inaudible rhythm.
“I take it you’ll be going through with the surgery?” Celestia asked.
Gustopha nodded, “He agreed of his own will… Almost a bit too willingly, actually,” She admitted, “I expected him to have reservations, but he gave the answer as soon as I finished explaining it.”
Celestia tilted her head, “Really?” She asked, “Why do you think that is?”
“I think he trusts me, which…” Gustopha sighed, “Admittedly, it makes it a bit more difficult, in some ways,” She conceded, ears drooping slightly.
“Why does it make it more difficult?” Celestia asked, “Aren’t you happy he trusts you?”
“Well, of course I am, but he’s putting faith in me and my research… It’s just strange, to have faith being put into me,” Gustopha replied.
Celestia smiled, “As a princess, you draw your power from your ponies’ faith,” She explained, “You’ll find that the more you accept their belief in you, the easier it becomes to do things.”
“Is that part of being an alicorn?” Gustopha asked.
Celestia laughed softly and shook her head, “That’s part of being a leader, Gustopha; alicorn or not. You share your love with your followers, and in return, they share their love with you.”
Gustopha thought for a long moment, “Oh, I see,” She replied softly, returning to eating as she pondered that thought.
Celestia smiled at her, “You’ve lifetimes ahead of you to figure everything out,” She promised, “You don’t need to understand everything right away.”
Gustopha simply nodded a bit, “I know,” She replied softly, before smiling a small smile, “That won’t stop me from trying, though.”
Celestia laughed a bit, “Well, I know that much to be true,” She retorted. Gustopha giggled along with her.
For Gustopha, the next night came and went like a blur; she’d studied some, but made sure she got a good sleep. She needed to be fully fit and aware to operate, after all. This was not a task she took lightly, despite her excitement. The magic employed was dangerous, and required her full focus; not to mention, she was doing something that was quite poorly understood. If she succeeded, she’d be a pioneer in such a field. Thus, her excitement tempered into a stern energy; an undeniable pep in her step, contrasted with a somewhat stiff gait and a stern expression. In her magic was a small scion of a Blightsbane tree; a supple, fresh young branch, hosting a mere single leaf.
She did, however, smile gently as she wheeled Stoneheart on his cot to the operating room.
Stoneheart gave her a weak smile, “You seem in good spirits, Princess,” He commented.
Gustopha simply nodded as she lifted him from the cot the operating table, pushing the wheel bed aside as she closed the operating room doors and locked them.
“I’m a little nervous,” She conceded, “But I’ve done the research, I’ve prepared accordingly, and I have Celestia’s blessing. All will go well,” She insisted.
Stoneheart continued to smile at her, watching as her magic drew forth a small bottle of sedative and a syringe. “I believe you, Princess,” He replied, “You haven’t steered me wrong before,” He expressed.
Gustopha smiled gently at him, moving the needle to his shoulder, “Thank you, Stoneheart,” She said softly, “Now; just a little pinch.”
Stoneheart closed his eyes, lightly flinching as the needle penetrated his skin.
Gustopha carefully injected the payload of sedative into his shoulder, before pulling the syringe away, “I’ll see you soon,” She bade gently.
Stoneheart gave a small nod. Before long, he was completely out, slumped limply in the cot like a corpse. Gustopha postured him onto his front, and moved to his tail, taking a deep breath.
The scalpel was razor sharp, beyond anypony’s measure; Gustopha felt as though it could cut her through her magical grasp. She carefully moved the pointed metal instrument to his backside, starting just below his tail and cutting up. Some blood leaked from the flesh as it was cut; Gustopha could feel the sweet, metallic smell fill her nose. It was familiar, and reminded her of the food she had eaten under the doctor’s care.
Gustopha carefully cut away the fur to reveal the muscles of Stoneheart’s flank, peeling it aside with the utmost care. She then grabbed the scion of the plant, which had been sitting in warm water to keep it moist and not too cold. She flayed the young branch’s root end and carefully wrapped it along the end of Stoneheart’s tailbone, careful not to scrape the hard tissue with the supple plant’s young wood. Then carefully, she clamped one of the surgical clamps around the newly attached limb’s base, binding the scion firmly to its new root.
Now was the scary part. Gustopha leaned her head close, and her horn began to shine, inspiring the flesh to grow around its new partner, while at the same time allowing the plant to sink shallow roots into the muscles of Stoneheart’s back. Not too far… Just enough that the bodies could exchange fluid and nutrients.
Gustopha removed the clamp once she was satisfied with how the plant had taken root, healing the area a bit more to solidify the connection. She then carefully pulled the fur back over the wound, stitching it together carefully. Her horn shone once again as she health the area, allowing the skin to bind to the young bark of the fresh plant.
Gustopha stepped back and took a breath. It seemed that the body had accepted the new plant. Gustopha stepped forward again, and touched her horn gently to Stoneheart’s back. It began to shine brightly, and heat up somewhat.
Gustopha was now working with magic. An earth pony’s magic laid deep within their flesh, bound to every cell they had. And now, Gustopha was carefully redirecting that energy towards the new plant. The body attempted to reject her at first, but each gentle pulse of her horn realigned the magic better, and better. First, it was redirected into the core. Then into the back. And then, finally, into the roots. The fresh branch began to grow outwards, thickening slightly as it continued. The skin willingly parted for it, bunching up just a bit around the wooden limb.
The body took some time to fully accept the new flow of magic; but the longer Gustopha worked at it, and the more the branch grew, the more the magic accepted its new circuit through Stoneheart’s body.
Gustopha waited until the flow no longer fought her pull to remove her horn from Stoneheart’s back. She then waited several minutes, for any sign that the plant might be starving, or any sign that the body was attacking it. She dowsed the roots carefully, and found no such immune interference.
Then, her eyes followed along the fresh branch; it had parted once, some ways down, and now hosted several fresh leaves. Looking carefully, she could see the start of a golden seed pod slowly growing from one of the branches. She noted that the wood retained its softer, younger nature, even despite its accelerated aging; she had learned that grafting could alter the way a plant grew. She wondered if this had to do with being partnered with animal flesh.
Gustopha spent the next few hours carefully checking Stoneheart’s state. She could already feel the change in his magic; truly, he was no longer an earth pony. What was he, though? Part pony, part plant.
Gustopha spent some time neatly threading his tail around the branches, protecting it from the somewhat cold operating room air. It was surprisingly natural; the hair of his tail seemed to willingly accept its new role as a plant blanket.
Gustopha smiled a bit, carefully wiping the surgical area with a clean cloth. Now she just had to wait for him to awaken.
Stoneheart’s body felt heavy as he awoke; as if his entire body had been replaced with waterlogged sand. He attempted to stretch his limbs; it didn’t come as easy to him as he liked.
Gustopha looked at him, “Ah, Stoneheart, be careful,” She said gently, stepping over to him, “Your body will need some time to get used to the change.”
Stoneheart’s eyes slowly opened, meeting the princess’ gaze. “I don’t believe the sedative’s worn off yet, Princess…” He murmured.
Gustopha sat next to him. “That’s okay,” She promised, “There’s no rush,” She promised.
Stoneheart awkwardly floundered in the bed, and he grunted stiffly as he attempted to force life back into his limbs. His back, in particular, felt sore; yet, not uncomfortable. It felt oddly natural, as if nothing were there at all.
“Was the grafting successful?” He asked quietly.
“Yes, yes, it was a brilliant success,” Gustopha said with a smile, “Your magic has taken to it very well; already, the branch is bearing the beginnings of fruit, despite the sedation.”
Stoneheart gave an awkward smile, “I’m glad,” He replied softly.
It took him some more time to fully get his bearings, but he eventually managed to lift his head from the stiff cushion of the operating table.
“Now… I’ll help you stand up, okay?” Gustopha said gently, walking around as he rolled to one side.
Stoneheart nodded simply, pushing himself to the edge of the cot. His hooves dangled over the edge, and felt like cinderblocks. He took a deep breath.
“It’s okay,” Gustopha said, “I’ll catch you.”
He leaned forward, touching his hooves to the stone floor. His legs trembled; and, more importantly, he felt as though something was missing. The inherent connection he shared with the earth didn’t feel nearly as strong; in fact, he could barely feel it at all. “The… The earth,” He murmured, “I can’t feel it.”
Gustopha nodded a bit, “That’s to be expected… Your magic is now being routed through the plant itself; you’re not an earth pony anymore,” She explained.
Stoneheart’s eyes widened slightly, “I’m not…? If I’m not an earth pony, then what am I?” He asked.
“A Verdant,” Gustopha replied, “I have decided you, as the first of a new tribe of ponies, will be called a Verdant.”
Stoneheart let the word bounce around in his somewhat groggy head for a moment. It did have a certain ring to it; however, the dissonance still warred in his mind. He hadn’t accounted for the fact that he’d be completely altered into a different form of pony.
Stoneheart slid further forward, putting weight on his hooves. He grunted softly, but kept pushing himself. He froze as he felt a warm magical aura grip him gently, lightening the load on his own hooves.
“That’s it, keep coming…” Gustopha said gently, “I’ll catch you,” She promised.
Stoneheart nodded, stumbling forward, Gustopha’s magical grasp only reaffirming around him as he slid fully off the operating table. Stoneheart couldn’t help but feel embarrassed as he toddled before the princess, awkwardly stumbling to try and get his legs’ strength back.
Gustopha, however, simply smiled at him. It was a warm, patient smile; one fully occupied with ensuring he was able to get back on his hooves.
And sure enough, walking did become easier as he practiced it more. It was still not easy, but it at least was possible. Gustopha helped him to the mirror, turning him to the side.
“See?” She began, lightly pulling his tail away from the soft-barked branches, “It’s very healthy; already, some small seed pods are beginning to form,” She explained.
He shivered slightly as he felt one of her hooves graze the soft wood of his new tail. “I do see, Princess. I never thought I’d see a plant growing from my tail,” He admitted.
His tail twitched, and the branch lightly shook with it. He could feel the wooden limb as if it were his own, and he could move it. Not a lot of course, wood was in fact wood, no matter how soft it was, but he could lightly swish it around to mix it back in with his fur tail.
Gustopha observed this carefully, “So you can move it?” She asked.
Stoneheart nodded a bit, “Not as freely as a leg, but I can influence its broad shape,” He explained.
Gustopha nodded again, “I see, I see… Very interesting,” She replied gently.
Stoneheart let out a tired yawn. His body desired rest, despite how long he’d been unconscious for.
Gustopha smiled a bit and helped him into bed, gently draping a light, warm blanket over him. “You must rest, Stoneheart. You will be my champion,” She proclaimed gently.
“Your champion?” Stoneheart asked.
“Of course. You represent our next step in the battle against the blight,” Gustopha explained, “You are our spear.”
Stoneheart felt his chest swell a bit. Perhaps he would turn out to be somepony remarkable, after all. “Thank you, Princess… I aim to exceed your expectations,” He expressed.
“You already have,” Gustopha said gently, beginning to wheel Stoneheart back out into the main room of the infirmary. The cot was settled back in a fairly warm monitoring room, and Stoneheart felt his eyelids droop. Before long, he was asleep.
Gustopha hesitated a bit as she left the infirmary. She realized that she no longer had any plans. The surgery was done, she was coronated, and there were no other major events she needed to prepare for; at least, nothing concrete. There would eventually be lunar diplomacy, but there’d be months before she’d know anything about that. It seemed for now she was free to help around the castle with princess things.