Chapter 3: The Bliss of Kindness
"...Auugh... my head hurts..." Lilith said, holding her head and sitting up. "Where am I?"
Lilith looked around the room, her vision still a bit blurry. Judging by the surroundings, she could tell she was back in the castle and in one of the guest rooms no less.
"I truly expected them to just throw me back in my cell until I regained my strength." Lilith said. "...I guess they are starting to put their trust me."
Lilith stretched her hooves upwards and yawned. She noticed however, a pink pony sitting on a chair next to her bedside fast asleep and drooling on the covers.
"Pinkie Pie?" Lilith said. "What are you doing here?"
Pinkie opened her eyes tiredly, and then looked at Lilith with a sign of relief.
"You've finally woken up..." Pinkie said, yawning. "I'm so glad!"
"How long have I been out?" Lilith asked.
"About 3 days." Pinkie said. "You've been asleep for so long that I started to really worry about you! But you're awake now!"
"You were... worried about me?" Lilith asked.
"Well yea! Why wouldn't I be? You are the one who revived me after all." Pinkie said.
"But I'm also the one who killed you in the first place..." Lilith said. "and your friends."
"Yea..." Pinkie said." Listen, after you passed out from my revival and we brought you back to the castle, Princess Celestia explained everything to me and why you're doing what you're doing."
Lilith looked down at the blanket, and then back up at Pinkie.
"...I'm sorry Pinkie." Lilith said. "I truly am so-"
"There's no need to keep apologizing Lilith." Pinkie said, jumping on the bed and hugging Lilith. "I know you've regret what you've done, and it makes me really happy to see your change of heart."
Surprised by the fact that Pinkie even hugged her, Lilith couldn't find the words to express her sorrow and gratitude towards her. Instead, she wrapped her hooves around Pinkie and returned the hug that she received, trying her best not to cry.
"Isn't that just heartwarming." Cadence said, as she entered Lilith's room and walked to her bedside. "How are you feeling Lilith? Are you alright?"
Pinkie patted Lilith on the head and went back to her seat.
"Hello Cadence." Lilith said. "I am feeling alright now though, I'm sorry I was out for so long though."
"It's alright, I can only imagine how much strength it would take to perform something like that anyway." Cadence said. "I'm just glad you're alright."
"...Thanks." Lilith said happily, getting out of bed. "Now if you want, I can perform the next resurrection right now."
"Are you sure you're completely alright to do so?" Cadence asked.
"Yes, I've regained most of my strength." Lilith said. "I should be alright."
"Well, if you say so." Cadence said. "Come on Pinkie."
Pinkie hopped out of her seat and followed Cadence and Lilith down to the Throne Room, where they saw Luna and Celestia conversing.
"Lilith, I'm glad to see that you've finally awoken." Luna said.
"As am I." Celestia said. "You were out for quite some time."
"I know, I'm sorry." Lilith said. "But I'm ready to perform the next resurrection."
"We've taken the liberty of transferring their coffins from the Graveyard to the back of the Castle." Celestia said. "If you were to lose control of yourself again like you did in town, at least now you won't be a threat to the citizens."
"I understand, and I think it's a great idea." Lilith said. "Now before we start, there is something I want to inform you of."
"What is it?" Celestia asked.
"...You helped me regain control of myself in town by using your magic to soothe me." Lilith said. "Performing that resurrection exhausted me of all my strength... which also means that your protective magic inside my head has also weakened."
"What do you propose we do?" Luna said.
"At the moment, the same thing you've been doing, just watch me and my actions carefully." Lilith said. "The effects of Celestia's magic should still be strong enough to hold back my "intentions" for this resurrection today."
Celestia, Luna, and Cadence all shook their heads in agreement.
"When the time comes for the third resurrection... stay on guard at all times." Lilith said. "If I ever completely lose control of myself, use lethal force."
"Are... are you sure?" Cadence said. "You don't want us to try and just subdue you?"
"Using lethal force is subduing me." Lilith said. "You can't kill me, but the more "fatal" wounds you inflict upon me will gradually exhaust me, and I'll be able to try and regain my sanity during that period."
"Is that really the only choice we have?" Cadence asked.
"If you don't attack me with the intent to kill, you're going to die." Lilith said. "I'm sorry for being so blunt, but this is serious."
"Right... I understand." Cadence said. "Well then, let's head outside shall we?"
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Canterlot Courtyard
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Lilith and the others arrived at the rear of the Castle. She noticed that there were five coffins, each with an Element of Harmony engraved on the top.
"Now then, let's begin." Lilith said, cutting her hoof and creating a pentagram on the ground.
Lilith repeated what she did back in the graveyard, setting candles and creating the correct insignia's on the floor.
"Alright... here we go." Lilith said. "Pinkie keep your distance, I would not be able to forgive myself if something went wrong and you got hurt..."
"Alright." Pinkie said, running back behind Celestia and Luna. "Good luck Lilith!"
Lilith looked at Pinkie and smiled. She then turned around to look at the pentagram and used her magic to bring a coffin into the center. Her horn glowed bright red, and slowly turned to a darker shade. Red magic engulfed the coffin and Lilith's eyes lost sanity.
"Ugh... this feels much more painful... performing it a second time..." Lilith said with pain in her voice.
The sound of bones shattering in her body deeply worried Pinkie and the Princess's. Blood started rushing down from her eyes and she started coughing up alarmingly large amounts of blood. Electricity emitted from Lilith's body as the ritual continued and her vision started to blur.
"I... I can't pass out now... not... yet..." Lilith cried. "I will... see this through... to the end!"
Lilith screamed and the magic surrounding the coffin disappeared in one fell burst, releasing a small shockwave. Lilith fell back, her body still convulsing with electricity. The coffin started to shake and jitter, and soon the lid was pushed off.
"I'm... I'm back?" Fluttershy said, emerging from the coffin.
Celestia went towards Fluttershy and placed her horn on head, purifying her and removing the darkness from her eyes.
"Welcome back Fluttershy!" Celestia cried. "I'm so happy you've returned!"
"FLUTTERSHY!" Pinkie yelled, tackling Fluttershy to the ground and hugging her immensely. "I'm so glad you're back!"
"P-Pinkie Pie!?" Fluttershy said. "You're alive!?"
"Yep! It's all thanks to Li-" Pinkie said.
"Guys! Come over here quick! Lilith needs serious help!" Cadence yelled, as she sat next to Lilith's body.
Lilith laid in a pool of her own blood, breathing heavily and quivering. Her healing factor, the electricity that was being emitted from her body, was desperately trying to fix her internal and external wounds.
"We have to get to the infirmary right now!" Cadence said.
Princess Celestia and Luna carefully lifted her up and placed her on Cadence's back.
"Can somepony please explain to me what's going on!?" Fluttershy asked.
"We'll explain later Fluttershy! But right now, Lilith's survival is top priority!" Pinkie said. "Now come on! I'll tell you everything afterwards!"
The 3 Princess's and the others quickly rushed back to the castle, trying to ensure Lilith's safety as best they could.