Ascentia awoke bleary eyed and in severe pain as she tried to sit up, only for a child-sized ball of energy to tackle her right in the chest.

"MAMA!" Sunrise squealed in delight.

Ascentia let a few tears fall from her eyes as she fell back, the pain of Sunrise hitting her gunshot wounds rendering her speechless.

"Sunny, be careful!" Twilight's voice rang out, before Sunrise was adjusted to gently sit beside Ascentia instead, "Mama's still hurt."

"Sowwy..." Sunrise pouted sadly, and snuggled against her, "You're awake, Mama!"

Ascentia hissed and breathed heavily, "Yes, Sunny... Mama's awake..."

Twilight came into view, her smile brightening, "Thank goodness, you made it through just fine!"

Ascentia winced and felt underneath her hospital gown, "Ugh... are these stitches?" she spotted the manifest on the bedside table and leaned over to look at it, revealing that she'd needed a lung and her heart transplanted upon arriving, "Yeesh..."

"Your injuries were severe... there was even speculation you wouldn't make it," Twilight said softly, leaning  down and stroking her hair, "But I told them to go through with the  surgeries. There was still a chance you would live. And you did! Thank goodness..."

"I missed you, Mama!" Sunrise kissed her cheek, "Now you're okay!"

Ascentia weakly turned her head and kissed Sunrise back, "Mama missed you too, Sunny-baby. How long was Mama out?"

Sunrise held up four fingers, two from each hand, "This many sleeps!"

Ascentia whistled softly, "Wow... that's... pretty terrifying..."

"They flew you into Fillydelphia, where we are now," Twilight kissed her forehead, "We weren't sure when you were going to wake up."

Ascentia leaned over and kissed her back, "What about the others?"

Twilight whistled a bit as she sat back down on the chair, "Well... After you were airlifted, Rainbow and Fluttershy took Spectrum to their family cabin to live in seclusion until the dust settles. Scootaloo was worried and so Applejack drove her there to be with them the day after. Cielle's okay, she was at Sugarcube Corner the entire time. But because she looks just like Rainbow, she's scared to go out. So the Cakes are letting her stay with them, and she puts on a disguise if she has to go outside, while escorted."

Ascentia sighed, "Jesus... it's hard to believe that one news report can drive the entire town up the wall like that," Ascentia held Sunrise closer, "They even wanted to get the kids."

"I know, it was terrible," Twilight agreed with a sad nod, "Applejack had to take Scootaloo there in the middle of the night because of it all."

"What about you? Were you alright coming here?" Ascentia asked, nuzzling Sunrise's hair as the girl poked at her surgery scars.

"Yes, Princess Celestia flew me here in her private jet," Twilight replied, "I hosted a press conference yesterday. The response to everything was one of the biggest polarizing things I've seen in forever. Some people feel bad that this happened to me, and others think I deserved it."

"I'd like to have two words with those assholes... wait, did you tell them it was me who killed Velvet?" Ascentia asked.

"No. It wasn't my place to tell that," Twilight shook her head, "I spoke to my father about it all, and I didn't tell him, either. He was... well, he was shocked to discover what happened since he had no idea. He was also really sad since he did love my mother, but... I don't know, he's not even sure."

"What's the news on this 'mysterious child hero' as everyone's calling me?" Ascentia asked, unable to suppress a giggle.

"No leads," Twilight managed a little smile at her reference, "Even Princess Celestia asked me if I knew anything. I said to her that I'm not going to give her an answer until I know for sure. But anyway, there's a divide on that as well. Just about everyone still loves you for what you did, and yet they do understand that it's still breaking the law, essentially. But something really interesting happened. A lot of child predators actually came out and turned themselves in since it happened!"

"Really?" Ascentia looked surprised, "Figured getting the shit kicked out of them in prison is better than being murdered on the street?"

Twilight pondered that for a few moments, then nodded, "Yeah, I definitely think that's part of it. But anyway, the cops are still looking, and one of them was interviewed on TV. He said that while he's glad this was exposed, he is having a tough time tracking you down. He even admits he was conflicted about what to do."

Ascentia sighed, "Imagine what they'd all think if they found out I didn't do this for the kids. Didn't even know about 'em. I did it for you. The one they all say deserved it."

"That would definitely be interesting to see unfold," Twilight admitted, "Funny thing is, in their list of suspects... you're not one of them!"

"Really?" Ascentia looked surprised again, "Everyone knows how much I hated Velvet. How am I not a suspect?"

"Believe me, I wondered the same thing! No offense, of course. But you know when something seems so obvious, it can't possibly be true? I think it's kind of like that," Twilight snorted.

"Or maybe people just think I'd never in a million years take revenge on behalf of the woman who abused me for years?" Ascentia suggested sarcastically.

"It could be that too," Twilight shrugged a bit, "But no one really suspects you. If they do, it hasn't caught on."

Ascentia reached her arm out to her, beckoning her for a hug, "...What about you? What do you think about all of this?"

"They did suspect me, but they had nothing on me. I was at the hospital at the time it happened, so my alibi was airtight. But as for what I think..." Twilight lay back in her chair, sighing, "It's so hard to explain. I mean, she was still my mother and she still did some things well. It's hard to forget those good moments. Yet, I feel free... like I never have to worry about her again. Also, I never knew she molested other children. It.... scared me. And it just... well, I never thought murder was the answer. So, it's hard to say."

Ascentia lowered her outstretched arm and sighed, "...She hurt you... nobody should ever hurt you," she whispered, "And... she was your mother. Who... what... kind of monster does that to her own daughter?!"

"I know," Twilight reached over and gave her a little hug, having barely just missed the cue, "Believe me. I'm pretty upset about that, too. But at the moment, I just don't know how I feel. Nothing is overriding anything."

Ascentia opened her mouth to speak when the door opened and Night Light came inside, Shining Armor behind him.

"Is she okay to speak to?" he asked Twilight.

"Yes, she's fine," Twilight smiled.

"All right," Night Light gave a small smile as he came over to the bed, "How are you, Ascentia? This must have been quite an ordeal for you."

"I'll be alright," Ascentia smiled, "Not the first time I've been shot."

Nervous chuckles were exchanged before Shining Armor came forth with a small bouquet of flowers.

"Cadance and I bought these for you," he said with a sheepish grin, "Sorry she couldn't be here, though. She had a last minute meeting to get to. But she'll fly in first thing tomorrow."

Ascentia smiled and took them, "Aw, you two are sweet. And tell Cadance I look forward to seeing her." She leaned over and kissed Shining Armor's cheek.

"Will do," Shining Armor gave her a kiss on the cheek back, then sat down.

"I'm just thankful... if anything, that Twilight is all right, and that you're safe, too," Night Light said softly, "It's been difficult since I lost my wife, and discovered... the unsavoury details."

Ascentia shifted slightly in her seat, looking to Twilight and silently asking if he knew about what she did to her as well. Twilight shook her head and Ascentia bit her lip.

"Nonetheless, though, I wanted you to have something, Ascentia," Night Light said as he came over to her bedside. He placed a small box onto her lap, opening it for her to reveal a silvery chain necklace. On it was a pendant of small stones and an emerald, "This right here... was my mother's necklace. It's been in the family for about four generations, now. I just had it cleaned and upgraded ever slightly."

Twilight gaped in amazement, holding a hand to her heart. Despite the conflicting emotions on her face, she smiled fondly toward Ascentia then. Ascentia picked up the box, looking absolutely astonished. The necklace was probably one of the most beautiful pieces of jewlery she'd ever seen. And that Night Light was giving it to her, rather than his own daughter or granddaughter...

She hurridely closed the box and handed it back to him, hiding her face, "I can't accept this."

"Why not?" Night Light asked with surprise.

Ascentia wiped her eyes and refused to meet Night Light or Shining Armor's gaze, "...I was the one who killed Twilight Velvet."

The entire room fell silent. Both Night Light and Shining Armor had unreadable, yet shocked expressions on their faces. Neither of them moved, as if they'd become statues. Twilight seemed to shrink from the scene, completely unsure how to react.

Sunrise just sat there, sucking her thumb.

"...Why did you do it?" Shining Armor managed to say, his tone calm but stern, "Tell us what happened."

Ascentia opened her mouth to explain, but her voice died in her throat. She sat there, looking up at them, then to Twilight, and then down to Sunrise. And somewhere... a dam burst.

"She raped my wife!" she nearly screamed, "She hurt my Twiley right in her hospital room! And for years before that! She molested her own daughter, and then had the gall to try it again at the..." Ascentia's words stopped as her voice trailed off, Sunrise nuzzling up against her neck and mewling softly.

Once more, silence filled the room, yet felt a little less awkward than the previous. Twilight sat there, taking deep breaths. Night Light sighed, looking toward the window, while Shining Armor looked down at his lap. So much could've been said, but neither of them felt ready. For the moment, anyway.

"Dad... Shining Armor," Twilight spoke up, "It's true, Mom did.... rape me back at the hospital."

Night Light looked at his daughter, then his daughter-in-law, sighing again, "This is... very shocking news. I'm going to leave for now, because I need some time to think. I can't make any decisions like this."

Without another word, he quietly left the room.

Ascentia looked over to Shining Armor, "...I'm sorry..."

Shining Armor looked at her, then gave a soft sigh, "I know. You still killed our mother and broke the law, but... after what she did to Twiley, I can't even say that I blame you."

Sunrise could detect how upset everyone was, and whined softly as she snuggled up to her mother, "Mama... I wuv you."

"I love you too, Sunny," Ascentia sniffled, holding her tightly, "I love you so much..."

Getting up, Shining Armor stretched, "I'm gonna get going. I'll... come back in tomorrow when Cadance gets here."

"Shiny? ...Are you going to tell her?" Twilight asked.

He shook his head, "No, I won't. You can tell her yourself if you want to, Ascentia."

Ascentia held tightly to Sunrise and nuzzled her hair, reaching out to Twilight for another hug and not saying another word to Shining Armor, lest she end up getting punched.

When he left the room, Twilight got up and gave both her wife and daughter a hug, "And I love you both..."

Ascentia kissed Twilight's cheek and held her tightly to her, "When can we go home?"

"Until the doctors release you, which will probably be about a week or so."

Ascentia sighed and sat up, bringing her arm tighter around Twilight's shoulders as the three of them snuggled together. Next Chapter: Poke Me Properly Estimated time remaining: 7 Hours, 33 Minutes