Hours passed since Trixie was taken to surgery and her friends still didn’t get any news about her status. Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were still waiting in the sitting area, alongside Spike and Fluttershy. Twilight was holding her marefriend to comfort her, Applejack was just sitting looking down and Rainbow Dash had her eyes on the clock. Spike didn’t dare to look at anypony, still feeling guilt for what happened. The only sounds that were heard were the clock ticking, their breaths and the nurse writing on a piece of parchment. In one moment, Rainbow Dash sighed and looked over at her friends, noticing Applejack’s strange face first. She walked to her.
“Hey, AJ, are you alright?”
“Of course ah’m not, Rainbow. Two of our friends are injured, one of them could die and ah killed somepony.”
“You had no other choice, Applejack. It was either him or us.”
“Ah know, but ah still took a life… ah took a life, Rainbow!” The nurse did a “shh” sound and Applejack blushed, embarrassed and she buried her face on her knees. She was on fetal position. She then felt hooves on her withers and revealed her face to find Rainbow Dash close to her. They were never as close as they were now.
“Applejack, I know that you feel bad for doing it, but the feeling will go away at some point.”
“How can you possibly know…?”
“I don’t, but I believe it will. By taking that life you saved at least two others. He was trying to kill us all!” Applejack sniffed, not looking away from the Pegasus before her. “You’re not a murderer, Applejack, nopony thinks that. You’re a heroine. Right, guys?” They both looked at their friends, who nodded with a smile.
The farmer pony sniffed again, closed her eyes and hugged Rainbow Dash tightly. “Thank you so much, Rainbow. Yer the best friend a pony can ask for...” The cyan Pegasus blushed hard. Her forelegs were in the air for some moments due to the unexpected hug.
“Don’t get sappy, AJ.” Rainbow Dash said as she smiled slightly and hugged her secret love back. The Pegasus closed her eyes and smelt Applejack’s scent. I love the smell of apples. When Rainbow Dash opened her eyes, she saw Twilight looking at them, smiling. Fluttershy noticed her strange smile and got confused.
“What…?” Fluttershy tried to speak, but Twilight looked at her smiling and spoke, interrupting her.
“I’ll tell you later, Shy.”
“Twilight...” Spike said as he slowly approached to Twilight and Fluttershy, touching his index fingers.
“Spike. You owe us an explanation.” Twilight seriously said.
“I know, I can explain. Trixie could corroborate me, but...”
“Tell me what happened and I’ll believe you.” Twilight’s voice still had signs of coldness. Fluttershy eyed her but the Unicorn didn’t change her expression.
“I encountered him a week ago, Trixie’s brother, and he spoke to me...”
“Spike, you know that...”
“Yes, yes, I know… but I don’t know what happened to me. I felt… weird. I listened to him. He told me that he wanted to prank Trixie and I agreed to help him, I didn’t know that he was planning to kidnap Rarity and get her killed with Trixie!”
“You trusted a stranger, Spike...”
“It wasn’t my intention. He somehow messed with my head and made me do what he wanted. Trixie told me that he was capable of doing that. That’s why I acted so rudely with all of you guys, like...”
“Trixie used to behave before falling in love with Rarity, but worse.” Twilight finished his sentence.
“Twilight?” Fluttershy worriedly asked when she saw her marefriend thinking with one of her hooves on her mouth.
“It all makes sense now… Trixie acted the way she did before due to Night Wing’s doing. His spell, if we can call it like that, never left. Not until she met somepony to break her free from him.”
“Rarity.” Fluttershy said.
“Exactly. Rarity’s love for Trixie was, and still is, stronger than Night Wing’s hatred.”
“I hope that she recovers...” Spike said, looking down and clenching his fists.
“She will, Spike, Rarity’s condition isn’t that bad. I’m sure that she’s out of danger.” Twilight said with a smile.
“I know that...” Spike said as he raised his head to look at Twilight. “I meant Trixie. If something happens to her, Rarity will never be the same...”
Twilight was surprised to hear that Spike was worried about Trixie’s condition. But she knew how big his pride was. It surelly wasn't easy for him to say that. She didn’t make a big deal of it. “We hope so too. All we can do is wait.”
“Can I… sit with you?”
“Sure, Spike.” Fluttershy said and the baby dragon jumped sat between Twilight and Fluttershy.
Spike snuggled against Twilight. “Thank you, Twi.” The Unicorn smiled and patted his head softly before gazing at Fluttershy, who used her wing to hug her marefriend and bring her and Spike closer to her. “Twilight, about what I said before… when I said that you weren’t my mother...”
“Yes…?”
“You’re more like a big sister to me. Princess Celestia looked after me until you graduated. I hope that you’re not offended, but...”
Twilight smiled warmly. “I’m not mad. It makes sense that you see me like that. Thank you, little brother.”
“Don’t abuse.” Twilight giggled and kissed Spike’s forehead. “Hey, what did I just say?”
“I couldn’t resist.” The librarian said as she smiled with her eyes closed.
Hours later, a doctor entered the waiting room and headed towards the front desk before going to where they were. Applejack, the only pony who was awake, woke up her friends.
“Everyone, wake up! A doctor is comin’!”
The doctor arrived just as everyone woke up. “Are you the ones who brought patients Rarity and Trixie?”
“Yes, we are.” Twilight answered.
“They are in their room now, follow me.”
“Does that means that Trixie survived the surgery?” Fluttershy asked as they followed the doctor to the room.
“She’s alive, but there have been complications.”
“Complications?” Rainbow Dash asked. “What kind of complications?”
“She’s in a coma.”
“A coma?!” Everyone exclaimed.
“Please, not so loud!” The doctor scolded them in whispers.
“Sorry, but… poor Trixie… does Rarity knows?”
“She does.” No one spoke until they arrived where Trixie and Rarity were. A nurse was writing something on a medical record at the feet of Rarity’s bed, who was looking at a sleeping Trixie with sadness. Trixie's left eye was bandaged, same with her belly and one of her rear legs. There were machines around her to help her breathe, including a cardiology machine which showed that her pulse was stable. “Nurse, you’re needed at the reception.” The nurse nodded and left the room. “You can stay here, I’ll come for you in a few minutes.”
“Thanks, doctor.” Applejack said as the doctor left. Everyone walked to Rarity. “How are you holdin’?”
“Physically? Im fine.” Rarity didn’t move her eyes from Trixie. Her condition wasn't as bad as Trixie's. Her purple eye wasn't bandaged, but part of her chest and her forehead were. “But my Trixie might not wake up again...”
“Rarity...” Twilight tried to speak but she was interrupted by the devastated Unicorn.
“I can’t be optimistic, Twilight, I’m realistic. The doctors said that, due the amount of blood she lost, she may not only never wake up, but there’s also a chance that she has amnesia if she ever does. There’s also a chance that she loses her vision from her left eye. Look at her! They barely managed to save her. If it weren’t for those machines, she would be dead already.” Tears ran through Rarity’s cheeks as she spoke. When she finished speaking, Fluttershy rushed to her and hugged her. Rarity sobbed on her best friend’s chest. “It’s so unfair… Trixie doesn’t deserve this… she never deserved this...” Twilight sadly looked at Trixie. Like everyone else, it hurt her to see the magician pony like this. Breathing only thanks to the assistance of machines..
“When are you allowed to leave, Rarity?” Rainbow Dash Spoke.
“I’ll be under observation until tomorrow, but I won’t leave her. I refuse to do so until she wakes up.” Rarity noticed Spike from the corner of her good eye and gazed at him. “Spike...” Fluttershy moved as the baby dragon closed his eyes and ran towards Rarity to hug her.
“I’m really sorry, Rarity! I never wanted this to happen...”
“Spike...” Rarity tried to speak, but Spike continued.
“I followed Trixie after you were kidnaped. I apologized to her and the sent me to look for help!”
“You did?” Rarity and Twilight said at a unison.
The baby dragon nodded. “Yes… when I woke up from the trance, all my hatred finally faded.” Spike opened his eyes and looked at Twilight. “I’m a different dragon, I promise.”
“He was the one who woke me up and explained me the situation.” Rainbow Dash said. “I asked him to look for Applejack as I left to help you.”
"I attached a piece of paper, explaining how to get to the cave to a rock before throwing it throw Twilight's window."
"Oh, it was you then?" Twilight asked to Spike, who nodded.
"I thought that you would later understand. Every second counted, and..."
“Spike...” Rarity interrupted Spike. The baby dragon looked at Rarity and was hugged by her. “I believe you. I forgive you, Spike, and I’m glad that you have finally made amends with Trixie.” The fancy Unicorn finished by looking at her unconscious fiancée. “If only she was awake, everything would be fine...”
“If only...” Spike said.
Minutes later, the doctor was back. “I’m sorry, I can’t give you any more time. The patient needs to sleep now.”
“We understand.” Applejack said as she left, followed by everyone else. Rainbow Dash turned to see Rarity before leaving the room.
“If you want, I can borrow you one of my Daring Do books.”
“Thank you, Rainbow Dash. But I’m not into those kind of books. I don’t feel like reading either.” The cyan Pegasus nodded and left. The doctor closed the door, leaving Rarity only with the sounds of the machines that kept Trixie alive. She forced herself to fall asleep.
***
The next day, Rarity was allowed to leave by afternoon. But as she promised, she decided to stay with Trixie. Pinkie Pie unexpectedly showed up on that same day. Her mane was down.
“Pinkie? What are you doing here? I thought that you were visiting your family.” Rainbow Dash said, but the pink pony didn’t say anything. She just walked to where Rarity was and hugged her.
“I… sent her a letter to explain her the situation last night...” Twilight said. “I didn’t think that she would come back as soon as she read it.”
“Ah thought that ah would never seen her like this again. She must be feeling extremely sad to be this silent.” Applejack commented as she watched the scene. Rarity smiled slightly at Pinkie Pie, thanking her for coming, before both of them stared at Trixie.
“I have also explained the situation to Princess Celestia. I also told her that there is no danger now.” Twilight added.
“What did she say?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“She thanked us for letting her know and for taking care of the danger and that she hopes that Trixie recovers. Sadly, not even her magic can help her.”
“It’s all up to her body now.” Applejack said.
“And Rarity.” Twilight said as she, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy gazed at Rarity. “She talks to her. Maybe Trixie can hear her and fight her coma.”
“I hope so...” Fluttershy said. Her eyes became wet and hugged Twilight. “I’m not liking this. Why did this have to happen, and just when we were all so happy...”
“I wish I knew, Shy…” Twilight kissed Fluttershy’s hair and hugged her back. Around an hour later, Nurse Redheart walked to the room followed by Rarity’s parents and sister. Everyone looked at them.
“Miss Rarity, you can leave whenever you like.” The nurse said as Rarity was hugged by her family.
“I won’t leave. I’m staying with Trixie until she wakes up.”
“I’m sorry, but you’ll have to leave once visit time is over.”
“I won’t leave and that’s final!”
“Miss Rarity, please be reasonable...”
Rarity was crying by this point. “You won’t make me leave her like this… I want to be there when she wakes up, I want to talk to her, I want to sleep with her… please, don’t make me leave. I don’t want to.” Rarity raised her left foreleg, where her bracelet was. “By accepting her proposal, I agreed to stay by her side forever, no matter what. Don’t make me break my promise...” Rarity couldn’t hold any longer. She burst of crying on Trixie’s chest. Pinkie Pie put a hoof on her back to try to comfort her while everyone else looked at the nurse again. Rarity’s parents looked at each other, confused.
“They’re engaged?” They then looked at Sweetie Belle.
“Don’t look at me, I didn’t know either!”
Nurse Redheart didn’t know what to do. Spike approached to her with a sad expression.
“Let her stay. Don’t separate Rarity from her true love.”
Nurse Redheart was cornered. She sighed before speaking again. “I’ll let the doctors know that you’re staying, but it’s not up to me. They'll have to agree.”
“Do anything to convince them.” Spike said.
“I’ll try.” Nurse Redheart said before leaving.
“That was nice of you, Spike.” Twilight said.
“Thanks.” Spike walked to where Rarity, her family and Pinkie Pie were.
The fashionista eyed him. “Thank you...” She managed to say between sobs. Spike smiled before hugging her.
A week passed. The doctors allowed Rarity to stay after a lot of thinking. She spent every second with Trixie. The hospital staff would bring her food and her friends would bring her everything she asked for. Rarity looked at Trixie’s photo album again, making comments to her unconscious fiancée. She would talk to her, read for her, cuddle with her and even kiss her. Her state didn’t change, but Rarity didn’t give up.
Another week passed. It was nighttime and Rarity was asleep on Trixie’s chest. Suddenly, the magician pony moved her right foreleg a bit and slowly opened her right eye. She found herself unable to open her left one for some reason. The first thing she saw was the ceiling. She then felt something on her chest and looked down to find Rarity sleeping. Her hair and mane were a mess, and the surrounding of her eyes were black. Trixie smiled and stroked Rarity’s hair gently with one of her hooves. The fancy Unicorn mumbled something unintelligible.
“Rarity, sweetheart.” Rarity slowly opened her eyes and then opened them widely when she realized that Trixie was awake. “I’ve made you cry again, didn’t I? I’m sorry...”
“Trixie...? You’re awake, and you remember me...”
“Of course I do, sweetheart. I would never forget the most gorgeous pony in Equestria. I have to say, though, you look horrible right now.”
Rarity smiled with a chuckle before grinning and hugging Trixie tightly but carefully. “Oh, Trixie-boo!”
“I still have a touch for the ladies.” Trixie jokingly said as she hugged Rarity back.
“Yes, you do.” Rarity said after another chuckle and moved her head to see Trixie’s eye. “Tell me that I’m not dreaming. Prove it to me.”
“That’s easy.” Trixie stroked one of Rarity’s cheek before putting her hoof on her chin, moving her lips towards her own and giving her a long and passionate kiss. When they finally parted, they gazed at each other romantically.
“I’m definetly not dreaming.”
Trixie smiled and hugged Rarity again. “You need a bath, and to brush your teeth.”
“Trixie, I’m happy and all, but, don’t abuse.” Rarity said, not really mad though. “Besides, you need them too.”
“But I was in a coma.” Trixie said before breaking the hug. “Speaking of which, how long was I gone?”
“Two weeks.”
“Really?” The fashionista nodded. “I'm glad that I wasn't gone for much longer. It doesn’t feel like if they only were two weeks.”
“I didn’t leave you. Not for a second.”
“Rarity...”
“Before you passed out, you told me that I could date anypony I wanted, but I don’t want to. Why did you say that...?”
“Because I want you to be happy.”
“I can’t without you!” Rarity suddenly exclaimed before looking down. “You’re not just the only mare I can love… you’re also the only living creature I can love. Trixie, I wouldn’t be able to smile again without you. My heart can only love you, I just know it.” Trixie used her hoof to lift Rarity’s chin and make her look at her. She only smiled before kissing her again. When they broke the kiss, Rarity looked down again, but this time to look at Trixie’s bandages on her belly. “It was really brave of you to stand in front of me. It almost costed your life.”
“I promised to take care of you when I first confessed my feelings to you, didn’t I?”
“And you fulfilled. You’re my knight in shining armor.”
“And you’re my fair lady. I will always protect you, Rarity. Nothing will separate us.” Trixie was stroking one for Rarity’s cheeks.
“I love you so much, Trixie-boo.”
“I love you too… ouch!” Trixie suddenly exclaimed, putting her left foreleg on her left eye. “My eye just ached...” The blue Unicorn noticed that Rarity looked down, sad. “What’s wrong?”
“They said… that you might lose your vision from your left eye...”
“What?”
The fashionista nodded, still looking down. “When that… ruffian attacked you on your eye, he caused serious damage… I’m sorry, Trixie.” Rarity hugged her. “I’m so sorry...”
Trixie smiled as she patted the back of Rarity’s head. “You have nothing to be sorry for. You were in danger and I did what I had to. Protect my lady.”
Rarity moved her head to see Trixie. “But...” Trixie gently put a hoof on Rarity’s lips.
“Shh... don’t talk.” Trixie whispered. “It’s fine. I don’t mind losing an eye, if I lose it. As long as I have one eye to see you, I’ll be happy.”
Rarity’s eyes became wet, but this time of happiness. “Trixie-boo...” Rarity tightened the hug. “You’re wonderful.”
Trixie kissed one of her withers and closed her eye. “I want to marry you right now.”
“Me too, but we still have to plan our wedding.” Rarity suddenly moved her head to look at Trixie. “Oh, we should start planning it now!” but, as soon as she finished speaking, she yawned.
“You should sleep, sweetheart.”
“No, no… we have to plan our wedding....” Rarity couldn't keep her eyes opened.
“We plan in another time. Lay your head on my chest. Let me be your pillow again.” Rarity didn’t have other option but to obey. She laid her head on Trixie’s chest and the blue Unicorn embraced her and kissed her head. “Sweet dreams, my lady.”
“Same to you, Trixie-boo.” it didn’t take long for Rarity to fall asleep, this time with a smile. Trixie watched her for some seconds before laying her head on the pillow.
Princess Luna, I’m awake and with my memories. I’ll expect Princess Celestia’s invitation when I recover as you told me.