Everything was black. Nothing was visible in this seemingly endless space of emptiness. White Mark couldn't discern anything at the moment. The only thing he could remember was the... Oh, oh no! Was he dead? Did he even survive through surgery? He could vaguely remember being carried into the hospital, but nothing else. Maybe he did die? If he did, where was he? Was this Tartarus or the Land of Harmony? He should be able to tell one from the other, right? If this was Tartarus, where is the lava and screaming of lost souls? And if this is the Land of Harmony, why is everything black?
Suddenly, the young colt was blinding by a bright white light. He covered his 'eyes' as the light seemed to engulf everything, turning the dark to light within seconds. White mark blinked and rubbed his eyes to get used to the sudden change in scenery. He looked around and around, trying to figure out what had caused such a change, until he heard a soft, soothing voice call out to him. Bronze... It spoke, Be not afraid... He turned around confusedly before jumping back at seeing the figure of a pony approaching him.
"Be not afraid, young one. There is nothing to fear." The now visible pony spoke. White Mark just gawked at the pony before him. He had never seen one up close.
"P-P-Princess L-Luna?" He asked as he slowly approached her.
"Yes. I am the Princess of the Night. And you are not dead, you are merely dreaming." She gave a small smile as she spoke, calming the young colt's nerves greatly. He sighed with relief and comfort from the softness and silkiness of the mare's voice.
"W-What are you here? And how am I dreaming?"
"You have been asleep for seven moons. I have been watching over you to ensure your safety."
"Wait, I've been asleep for a full week? Why? How? And why would you need to 'watch over me'?" He scrunched his noise as his thoughts began to race and his heart throbbing in his ears.
"The injuries you sustained during your fight with the Manticore were very severe. Princess Twilight narrowly saved you from death. As for my watching, you are in grave danger from yourself." A look of sadness and remorse crossed the alicorn's face. White Mark mind doubled it's speed and his heart felt like it could beat out of his chest.
"What Discord spoke of was true, you are a different species of pony. Of what species, I cannot say. You must find that out for yourself. It is a grave journey to that information that you must take. I must warn you, Discord will be an obstacle that you must overcome. If you don't, he won't hesitate to destroy you." The Princess looked away as she finished, a few stray tears matting the fur under he glistening eyes.
As the information set in, White Mark's mind shut down, taking his legs out from under him. He began to sob as his mind blanked. He didn't want any of this. Why did this have to happen to him? All he wanted was to live a quiet, peaceful life. He'd even prefer to go back to the alley he used to live in before Twilight found him!
Soon, everything around the quivering colt began to fade, leaving only himself and the warnings of the Princess of the Night. Only, there was something different. There was another presence here. A mare perhaps? Whatever is was, it consumed him, bringing him out of his arua of sadness and back into reality...
After several minutes of blinking, the young colt finally managed to focus his eyes. He was aware of being awake, but wasn't having the best time coming back to face the intense, paralyzing pain that now occupied his still reeling mind.
"Finally! You're awake!" Somepony shouted, making White Mark wince at the sudden sound. Before he could voice his disapproval, he was pulled into a tight, but loving embrace. He began to recognize the colors that swarmed his vision. He knew them right away and smiled as he accepted and returned the hug to his caretaker, Princess Twilight Sparkle.
"I was so scared, White Mark!" She said, breaking the embrace. "I was scared that you'd stay asleep forever! But, here you are! Awake and very much alive!" The poor colt was gripped in another tight embrace before finally speaking.
"Thank you for saving me, Twilight. I'm really happy I didn't die." He giggled nervously as he gave her a soft smile.
"You don't need to thank you. I just knew I couldn't let anything happen to you, especially dying. I'm sorry I couldn't find you sooner and for bringing you to the park and for just everything! I promise, I'll take better care of you and-" A hoof was gently pressed to Twilight's mouth, silencing her instantly. The owner of said hoof just smiled and hugged her gently, nuzzling into her neck as she got the message and settled down in the bed next to him.
"I appreciate you for promising that, Twilight, but you don't have to. You didn't know all of this was going to happen and none of this was your fault." He nuzzled further into the mare's neck and relaxing against her side.
"I know, but I just wish you didn't have to go through this." Twilight finally began to return the affection after several moments. Both snuggling ponies fell into a comfortable silence as the colt nodded and continued, despite the now hanging thought of all that he has went through.
"Can we do that again?" White Mark asked suddenly. Twilight gave him a look of confusion, prompting him to explain. "You know, where you hold me and craddle me in your wings and forelegs?" The alicorn couldn't help, but giggle as she granted the colt's request. She gently took him in her forelegs and brought him close, covering him with her wings after he was settled. She finished with pulling the covers over the both of them with her magic. "Can you do the thing with your horn again too?"
"Do what with my horn?" She was a bit worried at what he was getting at this time.
"The thing where you put your horn against my forehead and make me relax." He looked away blushing for a moment. How had he known she had done that? He was in his deep sleep when she put her horn to his head to pull him out of it. "How did you know I did that?"
"Well, before you pulled me out of my deep sleep, I saw a glimpse of what you were doing. I noticed how it used magic to relax and calm my mind as you drew me back to reality. Can you do that again? Please?" He looked sad when he thought he wouldn't get to feel that again.
After thinking it over for a bit, the young Princess gave in and lowered her horn to his head, making him giggle briefly at the tingly snesation it brought him. He visibly relaxed as the soothing magic began to flow through him. Twilight instatnly felt him relax at her side, relieving her to no ends that he felt better. It made her relax a bit at the cute sight of the young colt fast asleep. She couldn't help, but smile and yawn as the comfort of sleep after many hours began to grip her.
Shutting her eyes and laying her head against the pillow, she let exhaution take her with open forelegs. The welcoming sleep came swift and fast as the world faded into the long awaited land of dreams. There, in the wonderous world, sat a certain alicorn, awaiting her fellow Princess' arrival to relay terrible news, which will change her life forever.