Over the course of the next week my bones are mended, my wounds healed and my scales regrown through a combination of magic spells, healing potions and medicinal balms. I see several doctors during this time of recovery the only constant during it being Dash, who stays by my side without leaving, helping me to get through the pain of healing. During my week of recovery I do manage to find out that I am in the royal Canterlot hospital in the wing usually reserved directly for the Princesses. Once my body has healed enough though I am lead out with Dash in tow to the main throne room where sun butt Celestia and Luna are seated upon their thrones surrounded by a rather large crowd of ponies I do not know. As I enter the room Celestia has just begun speaking and I am quietly told to wait until called.
"Today my little ponies I have called you here today to honor a pony who helped in our time of strife. Whose actions lead to a quick end of the fanatical uprising of the unicorn Emerald Spark. This ponies single hoofed actions in the freeing of Ponyville quickly led to the retaking of canterlot and the subsequent freeing of myself, my sister and Princess Twilight as well as the rest of Equestria. So today I am proud to call forth Prism Strike" Celestia's smile is warm and kind as she looks to the doors right at me before I am ushered by the guard along with Dash up to the thrones. I keep my eyes forwards and pretend not to hear the hushed murmurs as I pass.
"What is that thing"
"It's quite large isn't it"
"Look at those claws and scales it looks like a dragon"
All sound stops though as I come to the thrones Celestia holding up a wing to gather the attention of all.
"Prism Strike. For you service to the crown of Equestria I hereby present to you the Equestrian service medal." Celestia says to me regally floating over a gold medal with a red strap. Using her magic she places it around my neck and stands from her throne along with her sister both giving courteous bows to me, the rest of the crowd quickly following suit. Once the Princesses have returned to their thrones several ponies come forwards from the crowds holding to me what look like rather strange devices.
"Hello Princess Celestia. Cloudy Feather of the Canterlot Times" a medium sized grey pegasus, male by the sound of his voice. Is the first to speak. "Mind if I get a picture of your new pet for the front page."
At being called a pet I turn ready to snap at this Pegasus but I don't even get the chance as Dash leaps from the stage and onto the pegasus in question.
"What did you call him" She says through gritted teeth. "Prism is no ones 'pet'." She spits her words at him with such ferocity that I half expect her to tear the now shivering pegasus' wings off. Celestia is quick to regain order though.
"That is enough Rainbow Dash" Celestia says calmy shocking me as Rainbow actually backs off the pegasus and walks back over to me although she keeps glaring daggers over at him. "Now then. I will clarify this once as it has been proven to me, through report and interaction. Prism Strike is a free being. As smart as any pony in this room and in some cases smarter," She lets out a small chuckle, watching as the grey pegasus tries to melt into the crowd. Before continuing on "He is to be treated with the same respect you would show anypony else who had just been given the same award. Any and all questions should be directed to him. For now I am sure if you are polite he would allow for a few photographs for the papers but I would ask that you give him time to rest more as he has only just finished recovering from his injuries" I am shocked as Celestia finishes speaking never expecting her to speak so kindly of me but in the next moment one of the others in the crowd with the weird devices clears their throat rather loudly garnering my attention.
"So Prism. Would you allow us to get some photographs of you for the paper" A griffon, female by its voice asks me. I look from her to Celestia then to Dash who upon seeing the confusion on my face chuckles slightly.
"Its ok Prism having your photo taken isn't going to hurt, its fine. Just really bright" Dash smiles as she speaks, So I turn back and give a quick nod before I'm assaulted by bright flashing lights. I manage to not flinch away as they don't hurt just like Dash said. After a minute or so they die down and the crowd dispurses leaving me alone with the Princesses, Dash and a few guards.
"You did good Prism" Dash says with another smile that I happily return absently playing with the new medal around my neck.
"Yes Prism you have done quite well, we are all quite proud and I am glad to have been mistaken about you" I turn to Celestia as she speaks. "I truly thought you would be nothing but a danger to my ponies yet you helped to save them, for which I cannot thank you enough"
"Its ok Celestia. I forgive you" I say as I go over and place once of my scaled hands upon her back.
"Thank you Prism. Now I am sure you would like to rest some more A guard can escort you to a room to relax if you want." Celestia says to me in an almost motherly tone.
"Thank you Princess I will" I reply still shocked a bit by her. She motions to a guard who comes over and leads me and Dash out of the throne room and off into one of the many spare bedrooms.