//------------------------------//
// Zebra Cures 
// Story: The Twilight Empire 
// by AimlessPone 
//------------------------------//

Flashes of images flew before Twilight's vision as she awoke for the second time in a strange location.

This time however she felt a pleasant fuzz all over her body like she was wrapped in hugs on a cold day. It didn't fully chase off her pain but it did wonders to make it easily ignored.
She didn't even need to open her eyes to know where she was.

'Smell of anesthetic, slight pinch in left foreleg, rhythmic beeping noise that is... exactly in time with heart.'

She shifted slightly feeling the fluffy give of an only recently familiar supernatural surface beneath her

'Bed cushions are made out of cloud, very expensive to use as long term bedding, as it either needs be enchanted  to stay in a static formation, or you have to pay for a pegasi for its upkeep.  Based upon preliminary findings I'm going to guess I am in a medical ward this time.'

A small portion of her mind recognized that she should be concerned with how she became injured, Her apparent memory loss, and why she ran into a miniature Princess Celestia. Also who the pony was she apparently killed, and it should probably get around to the fact that she'd taken a life at some point.

This small portion was politely told politely to shut the buck up, by her self-preservation which was already freaked out by having woken injured, in a strange environment, twice in a row.

Eventually her subconscious had processed enough that she felt ready to try and look around again.

The mare ventured to crack an eye open and was greeted by the sight of an expensive ornate ceiling far that vaulted high above with intricate craftsmanship worked throughout its structure. Large windows where nearby that had curtains drawn to filter out most of the suns light keeping the room dim. She glanced around the room and saw she was the only occupant though there was another bed nearby. Upon catching sight of her medical equipment she felt a numbed surprise.

'Oh wow, I must really be messed up for them to put me on that' The pain suppressants they had her one where the same kind she had talked a young nurse into putting Rainbow Dash on when she injured her wing.

Most wing injuries heal at an amazing rate even by the already rapid pony standards. Complete recovery from a totaled wing is possible in a month or so in most cases. That being said, they are extremely sensitive due to the need to be able to detect the finest nuance in the air by the lightest breeze.

Rainbow had managed to tear up hers up fairly badly, nothing was broken so it would a quick heal, but the speed at which they recovered would of been all the more painful because her magic didn't have to divide itself to the relatively painless process of healing bone as well.

It was also the only time Rainbow asked her not as just Twilight, but as a Princess to help her out. She may of been half joking, but it ended up more or less put the purple prestidigitator on the warpath to help her chromatic friend out. In the end she managed to pressure some staff who put her on, a tiny amount, of first class magically enhanced painkillers.

Twilight learned something very important that day as well. Some ponies are hilariously talkative while on painkillers.

She hadn't mentioned anything afterwards but Dash had let it slip that she apparently found all of her friends physically attractive, not to mention a large number of stallions and a few mares outside of their group. Her explanations of why where very detailed and explicit. Twilight would have taken notes for future good natured blackmail and teasing if she'd of had the presence of mind at the time.

Honestly though it was an interesting insight into RD that she hadn't had before. The mare tended to play her feelings close to her chest, and never would openly admit when she was scared or worried, or anything too emotional. She ended up losing the whole day too a deliriously happy Pegasus, who wanted nothing better than to chit-chat with her princess and friend. Well other than flying of course, but that goes without saying.

Twilight was now on the same painkillers, and at a much higher dose based upon the speed of the drip. She'd have to watch what she'd say lest she give some pony ammunition to use against her later on.

Especially Rarity. Her special talent would have been making indirect embarrassing references, if not for the fashion thing. Pinkie wouldn't do so intentionally, Fluttershy and Applejack were too compassionate or polite, and she had plenty of ammunition against Rainbow should the need arise.

She'd apparently spent a lot of time reminiscing because a voice caught her off guard and caused her to jump which sent a jolt of pain that was quickly swallowed by the warm fuzzy feeling.

"Twilight Sparkle, I'm glad you're awake. Now we can see what potions, you should take." Said Zecora, Ponyville’s resident witch doctor and zebra.

She tried her voice, which slurred out a workable, "What happened?"

The zebra paused before responding. "If you don't know then we can only guess, But from what we've found you were put into distress."

A strange look passed the exotic mares face as she continued. "In truth we were afraid that you would leave us, as at first glance your injuries appeared so Grievous"

Zecora frowned in concern now. "If you don't know how things came to fall, Please tell me whatever you recall."

Twilight took a moment to consider her words before replying. "The Last thing I remember is Celestia telling me how she wished for me to join her in meeting the Griffon king for an updated treaty, " she said trailing off as the memory escaped her.

The zebra’s eyes widened for a few moments in surprise before hardening. "This is a matter of great concern. For your people, your memory, must be returned."

'My people? I suppose they are technically mine as much as Princess Celestias or Lunas. Still that's an odd reaction even for Zecora'

She didn't have much say in the matter being drugged up, and seriously injured, not to mention out of the loop. She could hear Zecora in a nearby room. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you look at it, Twilight hadn't ever actually needed to go to the castle medical ward. Celestia was always very good about countering most of the damage her spells would of done when she lost control. Now however that translated to a very shaky idea of the layout and working procedure of the place. Twilight hated not knowing the proper procedure as she now had no idea what to expect.

Half an hour later Twilight was all but ready to buck someone had she the capability when two figures came into the room. One she recognized as the Celestia look-alike. The other was Zecora, who responded to her look. "My apologies for leaving you alone in this place, but it was most important to move at our fastest pace."

Almost-Celestia chimed in cheerfully "I had to teleport her to her home in the Everfree, so she could get what she needed to fix you up."

Twilight was a bit at a loss, she thought she knew everyone who could. Then she realized something she should have earlier but hadn't, likely due to being in such a sorry state.

'Just a bucking moment, shes an alicorn. They're only the four of us last I checked, and the only one who looks like Celestia is, well... Celestia!'

"Celestia? What happened to you, you look so different?"

The pink mare looked confused, "I do?" she asked turning around trying to get a better look at what her faithful student was referring too.

It was true, the Celestial royal had undergone a vast change; her coat was now a soft pink ,and her mane, while still somewhat technicolor was mostly pink and only had highlights of its alternate hues. She was also a few feet shorter, bringing closer to Lunas height just after she recovered from The Nightmaret. Gone where the Regalia of her office instead replaced by what looked like a very stylish winter wrap-up vest of the Pegasus make that she had left open in the front. It was the same darker purple of Twilight's hair, but it had the princesses Cutie Mark in brilliant gold contrast on center of the back, as well as similarly golden trimming on the edges, A seamless gold band was sitting around her neck which only added to the overall look.

Twilight continued awkwardly, "Umm, yes, your mane isn't flowing, and you're pink... and shorter"

Celestia didn't seem to be surprised at the assessment but more half in awe, as an cheshire smile threatened to take over her face. "You really don't remember..." That was not a good Celestia smile, that was the 'You will soon be messed with by a slightly crazy immortal' smile. Smarter ponies have surrendered just before battles upon seeing that smile. Even moderately intelligent ones have run away at full sprint before such ill intended glee.

Zecora decided to interject eying Celestia warily, but speaking to Twilight. "Before this conversation, you continue. It would be best for all, to get this brew in you. To return your memories this will aid the task, as for what's inside it... best not to ask" she added to Twilights discomfort.

Still when she held to potion up to her lips she drank it. It tasted like pop-rocks, glitter, and soap. Pinkie would enjoy it most likely.

"That was... interesting, I don't feel any different... and I can't say I recall anything new," The purple mare said feeling a bit let down.

"The mix was made,to not work all at once. Forced recall of too much, would leave you a dunce."

Twilight didn't like where she felt this was going. "So... just how much have I forgotten. Did I miss anything important?"

This was apparently the wrong thing to say as Celestia pounced upon the lead in wearing mad grin. "Oh, I wouldn't say too much, just two years." Twilight gasped but the solar monarch didn't give her a chance to recover. "Don't worry you didn't miss too much. You only conquered three nations, and ignited a war with a fourth. Thrown down with some primal magical threats. Enslaved Luna, Cadence and Myself to your will. Oh and you've regularly taken advantage and order me to do all sorts of naughty things with you... lover," Celestia ended in a sultry tone  that left no room for contemplation.

The warm fuzzy feeling was completely gone. Twilight held so still she could of passed for stone as the heart monitor told a different story as the pace dropped for a moment before spiking to rapid and unhealthy levels. Her breathing tried to match the new pace however this only lead to Twilight hyperventilating.

She didn't have coherent thoughts so much as the portion of her brain that takes in new information argued with the portion of her brain that said the new information had to be wrong, and the two had gotten into a shouting match, where name calling, and unfortunate insults to each others lineage and suggestions the other perform anatomically impossible actions were made.

It only took a second for the youngest of alicorns state to reach the pinnacle of panic and stress as she both tried to swallow her tongue in a fit, all the while attempting scream in a pitch well beyond her actual capacity to do so resulting in a eery gurgling high pitched keening noise. Fortunately after a few seconds, she relived the terrified zebra and amused alicorn from any further responsibility in the matter, as her brain finally came to an agreement that this argument would be best done while she was unconscious, after which she promptly passed out.