//------------------------------// // The Only Way // Story: The Everfree Guide's Daughter // by xXSheltieXx //------------------------------// "It's been three months, Doctor... will she ever remember?" Princess Celestia asked. The doctor sighed, pulling at her mane. "I... I'm not sure. It seems with every passing hour... she gets more and more lost and confused. This is a very rare form of amnesia. Steam Snowflake may never return to us." "She has to," Princess Luna growled in a low voice. She was close to tears. "I need my student back!" At that moment, something clicked in Princess Celestia's mind. She blinked a few times, gathering her words. "Say that again, Luna." Princess Luna was confused and angry. "I need my student back, Celestia." Celestia galloped down the hall, leaving the other two mares confused. "What's gotten into the Princess?" "She may have an idea of some sort but I have no idea what she may be pondering." Luna explained. Celestia was at a full gallop and quickly raced outside to the pounding rain. She used her magic to clear the skies, allowing her to see the sun. She closed her eyes and opened them quickly, her eyes gleaming bright red for a second before she found herself in Princess Twilight Sparkle's castle. "Princess Twilight," She announced. "Princess Celestia! What are you doing here?" Twilight queried, trotting towards her. "I need you and your magic, Twilight," Celestia was in tears. "Of course, Princess!" Twilight nodded. -At The Asylum- Princess Luna and the Doctor watched Steam Snowflake sit in her padded cell quietly. Lenora Lantern Glow sat in a wheelchair with sad eyes; she'd just been let in the asylum. "W-What happened to my foal?" She whimpered. "The Miasma took control of her. We fought and she forgot everything." Luna sighed, looking at her hooves. "She did it to save you." "What?!" Lenora gasped, eyes filling with tears. "The Miasma promised her it would save you... heal you." Luna seethed her teeth. "It lied." Lenora rolled herself to the door, looking at Steam through the thick glass. "Steam!" She sobbed. "Steam!" Steam Snowflake didn't respond. "Steam, sweetie, it's me! It's mommy! I'm here! I'm fine, just come back!" Lenora cried out loudly. "Steam, listen!" Steam was still unamused, sitting and facing the wall with a hollow gaze. Lenora was sobbing at this point. "Steam, please, Steam! Steamy, mommy's here! Just remember! Please!" Steam's gaze never wavered. She stared at the wall as if it wasn't there, as if nothing existed and she was a paradox of some sort. Lenora was pulled back by her personal nurse, but she jumped out of the wheelchair towards the door. "I need my baby back! Please, Steam, remember! Remember for mommy!" Lenora cried out, being pulled back into her wheelchair. "Remember for mommy..." She cried to herself. Princesses Celestia and Twilight Sparkle galloped in, catching the gazes of every pony in the room as they panted. Twilight Sparkle regained her composure, walking to the doctor. "I think I can help," She spoke with a determined smile, huffing out more air. "If you say so," The doctor sighed. Twilight opened the door and began to shut it when the brown mare stopped her by her tail. With a trembling lip, she whispered, "Bring my baby back to me, please." "I'll try my best." Twilight nodded. "Sister... are you sure this will work?" Luna asked, her brow furrowing. "I see no harm in trying." Celestia said, putting her wing around Luna. "I tried for you... Now we just have to do the same for Steam Snowflake." Twilight Sparkle walked in, put off by Steam's cold and distant nature. Twilight noticed that Steam either didn't see her or didn't acknowledge her. Twilight used her magic, touching her horn to the taller Alicorn's with the Memory Spell she'd used on her friends to revert them to their Elemental Natures. After a moment she stepped back, looking at Steam Snowflake. The Alicorn didn't seem affected by it at all. Twilight frowned and walked out, sighing with her head down. "I'm sorry, but I don't think it worked." She bit her lip. Luna had the same sad composure, whilst Celestia was breaking down. "A-Are you sure?" "I'm sorry, Princess Celestia, but... my Memory Spell works within seconds." "So you're saying..." Twilight Sparkle nodded. In a grave tone, she spoke, "Steam Snowflake is most likely..." She gulped. "Lost forever. I'm sorry." Celestia's wings splayed out and she cried, Princess Luna looking away. The doctor didn't look surprised in any way, and Lenora was beyond devastated. "N-No! Try it again!" Lenora demanded. "I'm sorry... She won't be coming back with my help." Twilight spoke quietly. The nurse wheeled Lenora away as she sobbed. Luna stared at Steam Snowflake and murmured one word, barely audible to the others in the room. She galloped off, Celestia just assembling the words in her head. Discord.