Chapter X: Revolutions
Part II
The pain was crippling. I didn't understand why this had happened to me, but it had. I was staring at myself and my beloved Colgate, grieving the apparent loss of me. I looked so peaceful in this state, but the overpowering grief was just too much. I didn't know what to do. The goddess mare standing in front of me gave sympathetic eyes, but they didn't help.
I would give up anything, EVERYTHING, just to have what I had back...
"Now do you understand, child? Your spirit has been damaged, but not broken. I still see hope in your eyes, but you don't see it yourself. That's why I have shown you this."
Anger and pain ran through me like a fresh stampede. Rushing to my feet, I met the mare's gaze sharply.
"How could this happen?!! I finally let myself open up for once in my life, and you let this happen!!? WHY??!!"
I collapsed to the ground again, a new wave of emotions washing over me like a ton of bricks.
"Jackson, if you would let me explain, I'm sure I can quarrel your unneeded emotions."
Her tone was stern and emotionless, catching me off guard. I gazed into her amber eyes, seeing centuries of wisdom and knowledge.
"What do you mean," I replied. I was skeptical that she had any advice that could make me feel better. Tears still rolled down my face and I got to my feet and walked over to Colgate. She looked so beautiful, even now. I placed my hand on her back, feeling the texture of her of mane made me smile.
"I miss her so much already..."
"And you can see her again."
I froze. All sound and motion seemed to stop when I heard those words from her. I turned, walking slowly towards the goddess mare, now wearing a more soft and compassionate expression.
"What do you mean," I replied.
She closed her eyes and smiled, collecting her thoughts before her horn ignited in a spectrum of color and lights. I looked behind me and saw the world fade, Colgate still laying next to me, nuzzling me gently. At the last possible second, I swear I heard her whimper, but I'm sure my ears were playing tricks on me.
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I felt numb, old emotions surfaced and I couldn't help but cry again. My gentle weeping was only consoled by the mare's soft hoof on my back to show her sympathy. I didn't understand why this had to happen to me: of all people. Not trying to pull the pity card or anything, but it definitely seems karma hates me.
"Have you seen enough, Jackson? Do you now understand?"
Tears still in my eyes and heart beating weakly, I barely managed to lift my head to nod.
"I just don't know... I don't understand..." Before I could say anything else, I felt the world materialize around me. The freedom that I felt in her presence was fading, along with her figure. I remember her face, a single tear streaming down her left cheek, eyes closed and wings folded. I heard cries of alarm and joy, one shrill female voice hailing high over everything else, constantly barking out instructions. My vision, which was originally blurry, materialized as well. Things slowly started to come into focus.
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A dull, ache came to my mind, originating from my chest and back. My entire body ached all over actually, not searing pain, but dull pain. When my vision returned to normal, I couldn't move my head, due to the lack of energy, but I caught a glance of Colgate and other ponies as they were rushed out of the room, doctors and nurses descending onto me.
I awoke what seemed to be hours later. The sunset was in full swing and my bandages had been changed, with some new gowns on me. My vision struggled to regain its clarity as I gently shook my head from side to side, trying to reorient myself.
"Hi baby," an all too familiar voice rang out right next to my left ear. Turning my head slightly to the left, what I saw almost brought me to tears.
There stood Colgate and all our friends, smiles of relief upon their faces. Before I could react, Colgate took one step closer to me, and gently placed her left foreleg around my body, burying her head into my chest, finally letting all the emotion go. I don't know how long she cried for, but I held her close.
"Mighty grateful to see you awake, partner."
"Yeah," a timid Rainbow Dash added. "We didn't think you were going to wake up." I was finally able to speak, having gathered energy to do so for about 5 minutes.
"How long was I out?"
"Two months."
A heavy, foreboding silence fell over the room, only broken by Minuette's sobbing, slowly getting quieter. My eyes grew wide, not expecting that answer. I expected, in all honesty, two to three days tops. Not two months.
"We....thought.. I thought I lost you..." Colgate said with a squeaky, emotion filled voice. She hugged me even tighter, being careful not to hurt me.
"I thought I lost you too, babe. I love you..." I said before feeling weak once again. I looked on at my friends that I had made over the past couple years.
I hugged her the best I could, hearing subtle sighs of relief, ponies relaxing and heads hanging. Rainbow Dash seemed to be the most relieved besides Colgate; who still had her head buried in my chest. She climbed up onto the hospital bed next to me and snuggled close to me, feeling her body heat radiate against me.
I had truly love Colgate with all my heart, but I never thought she would be this concerned for me if something like this had happened. Twilight informed me that the operation had been a complete success, except for some side effects that led to a medically induced coma. Apparently, Colgate was completely distraught and had already assumed the worst case scenario, staying close to my side, nuzzling me gently. Feeling her heart and body gently rising and falling is probably the most comforting feeling that I've ever experienced.
She offered me a simple kiss before she snuggled up closer and tucked her head, finally relaxing. And in that moment, I truly felt loved. I could only grateful that whoever I saw in my time away from Earth saw enough hope inside of me that she could let me live.
What lay ahead of me now was a long road to recovery, which I knew was not going to be easy.
A knock at my hospital door interrupted my train of thought and serene silence that had enveloped the room.
A pony that I knew all too well entered the room, causing the entire room to break out into emotional smiles. I closed my eyes as a broad smile spread across my face.
"Hello, Princess."