Aftermath
Ugh, my head, Morning Star thought, her mind falling out of a dreamless sleep.
Morning Star's eyes fluttered open, her body feeling like lead. From the position she was laying, she could tell she was in somepony's living room and a rather unusual one at that. The furniture was relatively simple, not going beyond what could be considered the bare necessities. Though she felt this was more of a requirement than an act of aestheticism based on the second thing she noticed. More then half of the walls, ceiling, and floor were covered with various types of animal dwellings. Birds, squirrels, rabbits, and various other furry critters scurried around, a few stoping to examine the drained Alicorn before dashing up a set of stairs.
Where am I? She thought dizzily.
A fox hopped on to the couch, its nose twitching with curiosity as it crept up to her barrel.
"Go away," she croaked, glaring at the young pup.
The fox just stared at her, then climbed up on top of her to curl up on her back.
"Stupid beast," she growled, raising her head to glare at the fox. "Get off of me!"
In response, the fox raised its head, gave her a playful lick on the nose, then lowered it back down. Morning Star didn't know wether to yell at the creature or nuzzle it for its stubborn courage in giving her company.It was then that she noticed something else; all of her scars were gone!
"What in the name of the First Princess?"
That wasn't all. She noticed that everything looked strange. Her surroundings looked more defined and crisp. She could also better judge distance and her perimeter of vision was wider.
How is this possible? she thought trembling slightly. The world hasn't looked this clear since before-
Shocked, she rose a hoof to her face. As she did, she could see her own hoof coming closer until it covered the eye she hadn't seen through in countless centuries. Her hoof fell back to the sofa, all its strength sucked dry by her surprise.
"How?" she gasped.
At that moment, Fluttershy stepped down the stairs, ready to do her usual routine of feeding her animals and tiding up her cottage. When she made it to the foot of the stares, she noticed the frazzled Alicorn, now fully conscious.
She smiled.
"Your awake," Fluttershy sighed, startling Morning Star. "That's good."
"Uh, yes," she responded awkwardly as the yellow pegasus mare stepped in front of her. "Where am I?"
"You're at my cottage," Fluttershy said, smiling sweetly.
"I-I see," she said, slightly startled by Fluttershy's direct answer.
The fox on her back let out a yawn.
"Oh!" Fluttershy squeaked. "It looks like you made a friend!"
Morning Star groaned.
"I would not go that far. The stupid beast simply lacks the common sense to avoid me."
As she said this, Morning Star gave the fox a venomous glare.
"Oh, now don't be that way," Fluttershy sighed. "It's rare that Ember takes a liking to anypony."
"Ember?" Morning Star said, raising a brow.
"Yep!"
On cue, the fox lifted its head and let out a playful bark.
"I suppose it fits," she mused, staring at the fox pup.
Ember gave her an approving bark, then hopped off her back to congregate with the rest of Fluttershy's menagerie.
"How are you feeling?" Fluttershy asked, putting a hoof to Morning Star's forehead.
"Sluggish, but otherwise fine," she sighed, genteelly pushing Fluttershy's hoof away. "And that is what concerns me."
"Hmm?"
"What did you do to me? My scars. My eye. How did you do this?"
Fluttershy let out a weary sigh, then said, "Its my rainbow power."
"Come again?"
"After the battle with Tearek, each of us obtained some sort of unique ability from the Tree of Harmony based on our elements. Since my element is kindness, I have the power to heal any living creature."
Morning Star's eyes widened.
Granted, she'd heard rumors about First Princess Celestia's Elements of Harmony and their exploits, but she always assumed that they were just that, rumors. At the same time, she wasn't so ignorant as to believe the element bearers to be helpless mares with rare gems tied around their necks. She knew they had magical abilities that made them unique among their own kind, a certain pink pony in particular, but she didn't think that their powers ranged to such high levels. And as if to add insult to injury, the very element she considered to be the weakest, defeated her at the peak of her magic.
"Incredible," Morning Star whispered.
"Pardon?"
"You single hoofedly overwhelmed the power of a divine army. No pony has ever existed that can make that claim. You truly are my better."
As she said this, she bowed her head in respect to the yellow pegasus mare. Fluttershy blushed and hid herself behind her bangs.
"Oh please your Highness," Fluttershy whispered. "All I did was what I thought was right."
Morning Star smiled.
"Nonsense. You sell yourself to short Dame Fluttershy."
Fluttershy's eyes widened in shock.
"Dame?!" she squeaked.
"And you may simply refer to me as Morning Star. Being addressed so formally by one's better can be quite taxing."
Fluttershy was about to object, but stopped when she saw the determination in the drained princess's eyes.
Fluttershy sighed.
"Okay, but then I want you to just call me Fluttershy. No 'Dame' okay?"
Morning Star smirked.
"I make no promises, but I will try, my mistress."
Fluttershy let out an exasperated sigh.
"How's about 'friend'."
Morning Star blinked, then burst out laughing at the irony.
"Very well," she gasped, wiping a tear out of her eye. "If that is what you wish,"
***
The rest of the day went by peacefully, with the occasional scuffle between animals being the only form of conflict. Due to her sever depletion of magic, Morning Star was confined to the couch, requiring assistance from her host or Fluttershy's bear for tasks such as using the restroom. Though moments like that were rare, allowing the Princess of War to retain some of her dignity. Every so often, Fluttershy would check on her condition, much to the Princess's embarrassed pleasure. As the day went on, a long forgotten feeling of content peace filled the war horse. It wasn't until the sun had set and she was eating dinner with Fluttershy that she discovered what consequences her actions created.
"Desention?!" Morning Star coughed, choking on a large portion of cucumber salad.
Fluttershy nodded.
"Princess Luna was furious! It took everything Discord and I had to keep her from taring through my front door to get to you. I even heard her say she was going to snap your horn off!"
Morning Star cringed at that, gingerly placing a hoof on her horn as if to make sure it was still attached.
"If Prince Nevermore hadn't shown up, I don't think we'd be having this conversation."
"First Prince Nevermore?"
Fluttershy nodded.
"He was able to talk Princess Luna down and lowered your punishment."
Morning Star sighed in relief.
"I thank thee m' lord," she whispered. "So tell me. What is my punishment for my foolishness."
Fluttershy nervously stared down at her salad.
"He sealed your combat magic."
An awkward silence filled the room, broken a few moments later by a wry laugh from Morning Star.
"I see," she grinned. "Did he say anything else?"
Fluttershy blinked, surprised by how well her guest was taking this news.
"Oh, well, he said that the seal will break as soon as you learn what true strength is."
At this, the alicorn burst into bellowing laughter.
"He did. did he?" she panted, struggling to regain her composure. "Heh, figures. Somethings never change."
"Huh?"
"Nothing, nothing," Morning Star smiled, waving a hoof dismissively. "It's a long story. In the mean time though, I suppose I'd better get comfortable."
Fluttershy raised a brow.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, if I am going to learn about true strength, it only makes sense to stay as close as possible to a genuine expert. Plus, I do not think I can make it back to the castle in my condition.
"Well.... I mean......I guess there wouldn't be any harm in letting you stay for a few days."
"Wonderful!" Morning Star cheered. "I promise to study hard. I will not let you down Fluttershy!"
With that, Morning Star turned back to her salad and with new gusto, devoured it. Fluttershy just stared at her food as her mind tried to process what she had just agreed to.