The dreams she had were a lot more normal than the Discord dream, except for one very strange one in which she was on a bus with everypony was looking at her, and she really had to pee, and everypony knew she did, and were all watching her as though they were expecting her to pee right there. Then she started to wake up, and she really did have to pee. As she roused herself, she heard the voices speaking in hushed tones, as though they didn't want to wake her.
"I've never seen anything like it, Dee. She recovered from a black bolt. She was at death's door for a day and a half. I head out to get some coffee from the break room, then come back and suddenly she's just sleeping normally." It was a voice she didn't recognize, but it sounded like an older stallion.
She heard the Archmage respond. "I was amazed she was able to hold on as long as she did. Maybe it has something to do with her size. She's very resilient, doc."
"I don't think so. It's almost like somepony did something while I was away, but Starswirl swears that it was just him and her family. You know there is nothing we could have done with a black bolt striking the chest. A limb, we can amputate, but the abdomen or the head... always fatal. Until now."
"Well thank the stars, whatever the case. But I have to go fetch the Mistress of Novices. When she wakes up, we'll do what needs to be done quickly. Her parents are still here, so we can fill out all the forms now." They're going to expel me! I suppose I do deserve it, dueling, teleporting, bad attitude in general. Maybe they're going to still my power! The thought of her losing her power chilled her almost as badly as the nightmare had. But at least I'll be able to spend more time with my family, even if I am virtually a cripple.
She fell back into light sleep for a short while, until she heard hoofsteps. She opened her eyes and tried to sit up. That's not happening!
"She's awake!" Her mother ran to her bedside. "Oh baby! How are you? How's my little filly?" Her mother looked like she hadn't slept in days and her face was puffy and reddish.
"I'm so sorry, momma." Celestia tried to raise a hoof to touch her mother's face as she came in to hug her, but she didn't have the strength. "I promise we'll spend more time together from now on."
"Oh, yes darling! As much as we can!" The bedsheets were quickly becoming soaked with their co-mingled tears as Press Force and Luna approached the bedside.
Celestia smiled broadly as she saw them next to each other, bedraggled and exhausted, eyes red from crying. Of course they're inseparable! That doesn't mean dad loves me less or Luna more, but Luna just needs him more. She's just a little kid, for crying out loud. How could I have been jealous of her? "Hey guys."
Luna reached up and put her hooves on both cheeks, a furious expression on her face. "Cellie, no more fighting demons from the pit of Tartarus, understand? Not without me, anyway! You can't have all the fun!"
"Sure thing, kiddo! Next time there's a demon to beat up, you'll be the first pony I call, promise!" Luna jumped up and kissed her cheek, then made way for her father.
"Honey..." he couldn't say anything else, he just choked up, and so did she and they were just crying together, him resting his head on hers, for about a minute until the Grand Archmage cleared her throat.
Press Force stepped back and she could see that Dream Charmer had been joined by Stellar Conjunction, the Master of Novices. He nodded to Star Gazer who nodded back; they were professionally acquainted as the green unicorn was also the Academy's foremost astronomer. His brown mane flicked as he turned his head to look at the Grand Archmage.
There was a clatter of hooves and a ringing of bells, and suddenly Starswirl appeared in the doorway. He glanced at Dream Charmer who nodded, then ran to Celestia's bedside and kissed her gently and quickly on the lips, just standing and holding her hoof, looking into her eyes. "Don't you ever almost die on me again, 'Tia."
"I'll do my best, Swirly." Dream Charmer cleared her throat once again, and Starswirl turned to face her, still holding Celestia's hoof.
"Novice Celestia, the entire Academy is grateful for your aid in rooting out the corruption and evil that had wormed its way into the faculty. That creature was no natural unicorn. Perhaps he was one once, but his soul was bound to the Pit. That's why he couldn't physick. He fooled me, well and truly, into thinking he had an arcane block due to a head injury he suffered in his youth. That has been known to happen, but I should have been suspicious. I apologize that I put you, Clover, and all the other students in danger." She bowed her head, briefly, then continued.
"Of course, you willfully violated multiple general orders that apply to all novices, and these violations cannot be ignored. You challenged a member of the faculty, no matter how demonic he may have been. You fought in the arena without a physick team. You fought in the arena, as a novice, and not for the first time from what I gather of your prowess. You came very close to killing Clover because of these actions. And you teleported, despite explicit instructions from me not to do so. I hope you understand that you can no longer continue in the Academy's Novice Program." Starswirl squeezed her hoof.
Celestia sighed. It was as she had expected. "I understand, Archmagister. I just hope you aren't planning on stilling me."
"Not if you behave, but don't test my patience." Dream Chaser glanced over at the Master of Novices. "What coursework is Novice Celestia currently enrolled in?"
Stellar Conjunction consulted the Book of Novices. "Archmagister, she is enrolled in Arcanokinetics, Physicking, Arcane Defense and one elective, Detection and Identification."
"And this represents the balance of her requirements for the Novice Program?"
"Detection and Identification is not required for completion, Archmagister, otherwise, yes."
"Very well. Physicking: she assisted in the operation to save Clover, and performed admirably. Mark her as passed." A quill flicked on the page. "Arcane Defenses: she defeated an apprentice and a Darkfoal, working together, on the sands of the Arena. Pass." A small scraping noise filled the otherwise silent room. "Arcanokinetics: she safely teleported in the middle of a battle with an active shield. Pass, with an asterix for insane risk-taking. Drop her from the elective; I'll teach her all she needs to know about identification and detection."
Celestia had a problem keeping her mouth closed. Luna's mouth swung agape and their parents eyed one another with a small grin. Starswirl was positively beaming.
"Celestia, contingent upon your parent's consent, since you are under the age of eighteen, I am offering you an apprenticeship. Unlike Starswirl, you will be working with novices, and working as a teacher, not a researcher. It appears that there is an opening in the faculty." The Master of Novices suppressed a chuckle. "You'll have two or three weeks to convalesce and receive apprenticeship orientation; if you need more we'll make arrangements. Your stipend will be raised to forty-five bits a week. You will receive training from me, personally, alongside Starswirl for twelve hours a day on Tuesday and Thursday and you will teach and manage a section of novices all other days." Starswirl grinned madly at her, and she did her best to return the sentiment. "You will be subject to my personal discipline, and you will at all times control that temper of yours. You will not teleport again under any circumstances, including saving your own life, mine, your sister's, anypony... a miscalculation could kill hundreds of ponies. You are still a filly, and your heart is in the right place, so I will forgive you just this once. If you do it again, I will still your magic, and no mistake." Her golden-hued eyes glittered with the threat. "Do you accept this apprenticeship?"
"Y-yes, Archmagister. I accept your generous offer, if my parents grant their permission." Am I still dreaming?
The Grand Archmage turned towards Press Force and Star Gazer. "Sir, madam, do you give consent to your daughter's apprenticeship?"
Press started to nod but Star Gazer broke in. "Promise... no, swear to take care of her first!" Mom!
Dream Charmer smiled and bowed her head, raising a hoof to her chest. "I, Grand Archmage Dream Charmer, of the Royal Academy, do hereby solemnly swear to do all in my power to ensure that no harm befalls Celestia while she is my apprentice. I will love her as I would my own daughter. I give this oath freely under the light of stars, sun and moon, and to this end I pledge the power in my body, the blood in my heart and my soul immortal." There was a pulse of power that swept the room and her eyes briefly glowed.
Celestia's family took a step back, except for Luna who was grinning from ear to ear. "Wow, that was cool!"
The Grand Archmage chuckled. "Yes, I suppose it was. But that's what you get when the Grand Archmage makes a sacred oath." She winked at Luna who winked back, and then raised her eyes to Star Gazer. Celestia's mother swallowed, then nodded assent.
Dream Charmer turned her head to Celestia. "We'll perform the apprenticeship ceremony when you are better. For now, spend time with your family, and rest. When you are well enough, the hospital will release you and you can convalesce at your home. We'll talk about your ordeal later, when you are stronger. For now, rest and enjoy your lovely family. But first, is there anything I can do for you, Apprentice Celestia?"
"Yes, Archmagister. I really, really need to pee!"
Everypony laughed, and the only pony who laughed louder than Luna was Dream Charmer.