Rarity watched as Applejack quickly passed the pack of bottles off to Doctor Grant and she kicked herself mentally.

She had slowed Applejack down at the farm. The minute she had seen the bottles that had nearly robbed Adagio of her life, she had turned into a blubbering mess. Applejack had spent precious time comforting her, when they should have raced the bottles to the hospital. Adagio's life could have depended on those few minutes.

Rarity sighed at the thought. There was also the chance that she would be fine regardless, but it was upsetting that she had broken down the way she had. She had grown quiet fond of the siren-turned-human that had spent the better part of a summer living with them both on Applejack's farm and she didn't care for the thought of Adagio being hurt... or worse.

Applejack grabbed Rarity's shoulder, breaking her from her thoughts.

"You okay?" She asked quietly, her voice warm with concern.

Rarity smiled and placed her hand atop of her lover's. "I'm alright, darling." she said quietly. "I suppose I'm just worried for our new friend, that's all."

"She's gonna be okay." Applejack said, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Grant seemed to think that them bottles were just what he needed, he said it's only a matter of time before he figures out what poison Trixie used. Once they figure that out, she'll be just fine."

"I'm glad to hear it, but how much time does Adagio have?" Rarity asked. "She seemed to be fading ever so quickly when we saw her earlier, what if she's gotten even worse?"

"If she has, then we'll be there for her." Applejack whispered. "At this point... I think it's the only thing we can do for her."

"You're right." Rarity said with a sigh. "I'm just so worried about her... You don't think she's going to..." she let the question hang in the air.

Applejack's gaze grew dark as she pulled her hat further over her eyes. "I can't say I know for sure either way, Rares." she sighed. "I can just say that if worst comes to worst... we'll be there... for her and Sunset both."

The girls walked in silence as they found their way to Adagio's room. They knew before they even opened the door that Adagio's condition had only grown worse. The sound of quiet talking, and sniffling could be heard on the other side of the door and Rarity had to take a moment to compose herself. She would not be a burden on her friends by breaking down when Adagio obviously needed everyone to be strong.

"Y'ready?" Applejack asked as she put a hand on the doorknob.

Rarity nodded once and they entered the room.

Inside the room, Rainbow sat on the edge of the bed, speaking in low tones to Adagio. Adagio had obviously been crying, but she still wore a smile on her face as she spoke to the girl.

The sound of the door closing grabbed both of their attention.

Rainbow smiled thinly at them both. "You guys made it back quick, huh?" she asked.

"Where is everyone else?" Rarity asked.

"They went to get something to eat." Adagio said, her voice hallow and quiet. "Rainbow was nice enough to stay with me while they did."

"How're ya feelin'?" Applejack asked as she took a seat across from the siren's bed.

"A little weak." Adagio said with a shrug. "I'm sure that's just a side-effect of the pain medicine."

"I'm sure it is, too." Rainbow said with a smile. "You're gonna be okay."

The door opened again, causing Rarity to jump. She turned around to find Doctor Grant entering the room.

"Could I talk to Adagio alone for a moment?" He asked.

Rainbow seemed to look at Adagio for a moment before Adagio nodded. "That's fine, you girls can just wait outside for a minute." she smiled.

The door closed behind her friends, and Adagio heard Doctor Grant sigh loudly. "I have good news and bad news." he stated bluntly. "The good news is, now that we have a sample of the poison you ingested, it should take us less than a day to to create a cure. Whatever this poison is, it seems to be something we've never seen before, but it won't be difficult for us to identify the properties."

"If that's the good news, then the bad news really sucks, doesn't it." Adagio said with a faint smile.

"Indeed." Grant said as he picked up her chart. "In the short time you've been here, you're condition has worsened at a terrifying rate... I'm afraid that I don't think you'll live long enough for us to create a cure..." he said solemnly.

Adagio froze, her blood chilling at his words. She was right. She was dying. "So, I have less than twenty-four hours to live?" she asked quietly, her voice hallow.

"Not quiet." Doctor Grant said. "There is another option... but, it would be a risk."

"How much of a risk?" Adagio asked.

"There's about a fifty percent chance that you still won't make it." He said quietly.

"Fifty's better than zero." Adagio laughed, her nerves aching at her attempt at humor. "What's the other option?"

"We could induce a coma." He said bluntly. "It would slow your heart-rate and hopefully, slow the spread of the poison. The problem with that is, we could probably only keep you alive for four or five days in that state, and by the end of that, your body would be so weak, you might not wake up."

"So..." Adagio said slowly, drawing out the syllable. "My options are to die, or to sleep for a week and hope I wake up?"

"Basically, yes." Grant said. "I can give you time to make a decision..." he ventured.

Adagio laughed lightly and shook her head. "Yeah, it doesn't really look like I have much of a choice in the matter." she said. "I'll do it... but, there's something I want you to do for me first."

Fluttershy found her friends waiting outside of Adagio's room. Rainbow was leaning against the wall, looking as if everything was going to be okay. She was the strong one. Fluttershy knew it was just an act, but she didn't care. She needed Rainbow to be strong for her right now.

Rainbow turned and saw Fluttershy and the others walking down the hallway before smiling and waving.

"Why are you all out here?" Twilight asked from behind Fluttershy as the group met in the hall.

"Doc's in there talking to Adagio." Rainbow said with a nod to the door. "Guess it's a private patient doctor thing."

"Is everything okay?" Sunset asked quickly.

"Far as we know." Applejack shrugged. "He just asked to talk to her alone a few minutes ago." Another shrug. "Guess she'll clue us in when he leaves."

"Sunset..." Rainbow said quietly. She grabbed the girl's sleeve and pulled her away from the rest of their friends. "I just want you to know. Me and Adagio... we're good."

"Really?" Sunset asked. She hadn't expected to leave the two alone to come back and find them friends.

"Yeah, I don't really wanna talk about it, but... she's a good person, and I know that now. We good?" She asked.

Sunset smiled and wrapped her friend in a quick hug. "We're great." she said quietly with a smile. "Thank you for giving her a chance..."

Rainbow chuckled quietly as she pat her friend on the back. "I guess I realized that, even though she's done terrible things... she's a better person than she used to be."

"I'm glad you figured it out." Sunset smiled. "Now, when she gets better we can all hang out without it being awkward."

"No." Rainbow said quickly with a shake of her head. "When she gets better, we've gotta fix whatever's going on with Trixie." she explained.

"You're right." Sunset nodded.

"I'll take care of that." Twilight said as she approached the pair. "Sorry to listen in, but I think I've got it figured out."

"What do we need to do?" Sunset asked.

"Well, if I'm right, all we have to do is destroy the magic... the same way we did it at the battle of the bands." she explained. "If we play a song and use our magic the same way, it should have the same result."

"What were you saying about the magic becoming sentient?" Rainbow asked.

"Well, I did the math, and the probability of that happening is one in twenty-four million, so I doubt it." Twilight shrugged. "Even if the magic is sentient, the same concept should apply."

"But if the magic becomes a living entity... wouldn't destroying it mean killing it?" Fluttershy asked quietly. Rainbow momentarily reflected on how not-private their private conversation was, before shrugging.

"Essentially, yes. But, it would also depend on the amount of intelligence it possessed." Twilight said quickly. "It could be primal, and in a sense, be the same as a mindless puppet. If it is actually coherent though, then it would be the same as killing someone..."

No one said anything after that.

"But you said there's, like, no chance of that, right?" Rainbow asked.

"There's a slim chance, that that is the case, Dash." Twilight said.

"Well, even if that's the case, that means that Trixie's in trouble, don't it?" Applejack asked. "So, we gotta do whatever we can to help her, don't we?"

"I don't know." Sunset said quietly. "I wouldn't feel right... taking a life out of the world? That's heavy."

"Yes, it is." Pinkie said. "I don't know if I could do this if it meant killing someone."

"What happens if we don't take the dark magic out of Trixie?" Rarity asked.

"Best case? Trixie is locked away in her own head while she watches her body do terrible things that she could never imagine doing herself." Sunset said quickly. "Worst case, Trixie fades away and dies."

Twilight nodded. "Exactly."

"Sunset?" Fluttershy asked. "I don't mean to be rude... but, don't you have more important things to worry about right now without stressing about this?"

Sunset smiled and quickly pat Fluttershy on her head. "I'm fine." she lied. "Besides, this is a good distraction from thinking about..."

"You need to think about it though." Fluttershy said. "She needs you to be strong right now... not distracted."

Sunset fought the glare she felt darkening her features as she replied to her friend. "Fluttershy, I don't mean to be rude, but the girl I fell for has spent the past two months staying away from me and the first time I've seen her since we split up, she was in the hospital and all of the evidence points to her dying. I'm not okay right now, so you'll have to excuse me if I kind-of want a fucking distraction!"

Sunset was shaking at the end of her short rant and she felt her eyes burning and her throat was tight. She sniffed back a sob and stared at her friend.

"I'm sorry." Fluttershy said as she wrapped her arms around the crying girl. "But, I stand by what I said. You're absolutely right. Between what the doctors have been saying and how much worse she is than when she arrived... it doesn't look good. That's exactly why she needs you to be here right now." Fluttershy sniffed and felt her cheeks grow wet as she spoke, but still she told Susnet what she needed to hear. "I know that you're hurting too, but right now... she needs all of us to be here for her... especially you."

Sunset sobbed for a moment, "I-I-I," before she broke down. She buried her head into Fluttershy shoulder and bawled openly and loudly. Part of her was afraid that Adagio would hear her, but she ignored the thought. This might have been her only chance to let out everything she had been holding back, and it was time for her to do so. Better she cry on Fluttershy's shoulder, than selfishly cry on Adagio's again.

"I'm scared, Shy." Sunset murmured. "I'm so scared of losing her."

"She's going to be okay." Fluttershy said quietly. "You just have to be strong for her... okay?"

Sunset nodded and wiped her eyes. "Sorry," she mumbled as she dried her tears. "I guess this is just stressing me out a lot."

"We understand." Rarity said as she gestured towards herself and their friends. "If you need us we're here for you."

"Thanks." Sunset smiled. "I appreciate it."

Doctor Grant stepped out of Adagio's room with a huff. "Your friend is very demanding." he announced as he stepped into the hall. He pretended to be annoyed so the young girls would not see how worried he truly was.

Adagio finished writing her note and folding it. "If I don't wake up, give this to Sunset Shimmer." she commanded.

Doctor Grant took the paper and stared at it for a moment. "What is it?" he asked.

"It's an explanation of what probably happened and me telling her how much she means to me one last time." Adagio said quietly. "I don't want any of them to know how much of a risk this is, so they're just going to think that I'm napping for a while. If I wake up, it won't matter, but if I don't... they'll need that." she indicated the paper. "If I wake up, I want you to burn it."

He knew what he was allowed to tell the girl standing before him, and he sighed with relief when he realized that they had all returned. He had been ordered to track down any of them that were not in the hospital, and he wasn't looking forward to asking around for teenage girls in public.

"What's going on?" Sunset asked. Grant could see the love and concern in the girl's eyes and he smiled.

"Whatever poisons are in Adagio's system are spreading fast," he explained, "now that we have a sample, it shouldn't take us long to make an antidote. The thing is, the poison is spreading so quickly, we're going to have to induce a coma to keep her stable until we can get her the antidote. Once she has the antidote, we expect her to make a full recovery, but she could be asleep for a while."

"So, what does that mean?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"It means that she has some things she wants before we put her under." Grant said. "First, I'm supposed to go to some address and gather two girls. Their names are Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk. Once I get them here, Adagio would like to speak to each of you individually before she goes to sleep. She has also asked that Sunset Shimmer go last."

"Why?" Sunset asked.

Grant sighed. "Because, she's already feeling tired. She thinks by the time we gather everyone and you all tell her goodnight, she's going to fall asleep on her own. She has asked that we put her under while she's already asleep so that you can be the last thing she sees before she goes to sleep." he explained. "We're estimating that she could be in the coma for a week or longer, so she wants to see you all one last time before then."

"That don't sound bad at all." Applejack said.

"So, she's definitely going to be okay?" Pinkie asked.

Grant froze for a moment. While doctor/patient confidentiality demanded that he only tell the girls exactly what Adagio allowed him to tell them, he also didn't want to get their hopes up with empty promises. He smiled as he said, "We're going to do everything in our power to make sure of it."

Applejack and Twilight's eyes narrowed at the obvious evasion, however the other girls in the hall looked relieved. Grant internally sighed as he saw the two suspicious girl's gaze meet, before they nodded and smiled along with the rest of their friends.

"Alright, well I'll help you out." Sunset said, "I know where Sonata and Aria live, I'll go grab them while the rest of you talk to Adagio." she said. "It's only a twenty minute walk from here."

"Here." Applejack said as she handed the girl her keys. "Take my truck, should have room for all three of ya'll." she said with a smile.

"Thanks." Sunset said before quickly walking away.

After she had left Rainbow leaned down to whisper in her farmer friend's ear. "Bet she doesn't know how to drive a standard..."

Applejack chuckled slightly before shrugging. "If she don't, we'll know soon." she said.

"Why don't you go first, Rainbow?" Rarity indicated Adagio's door. "We'll start seeing her now so she can rest as soon as possible."

"Yeah, and when Sunset gets back with the other sirens, they can go and she'll go last... just like Adagio wants." Pinkie chirped.

"Well, I think we've already had our mushy-gushy heart-to-heart, but yeah... I'll go first." Rainbow said. "Flutters can go next."

Adagio sat up in her bed as she heard her friends speaking outside her door. They were deciding what order they would come see her before she went under. She smiled at the thought. Her friends only thought this would be a long 'goodnight' talk. They had no idea that it might very well be the last time any of them saw her alive.

A part of the siren felt bad for deceiving her friends, but she knew she was doing it for their sake. There was no need to worry them when there was no other options. She would either wake up in a few days and everything would be fine, or she wouldn't wake up at all. Either way, she wanted her last meeting with them all to be a happy event and not a somber affair. She wanted no tears as they saw her off, so to speak, although, she knew with at-least a couple of them that it would be inevitable.

Her head was growing fuzzy, and her thoughts jumbled as exhaustion finally began to hit her. She hadn't slept much at all the night previously and now, between the worry, the medicine, and the poison coursing through her veins, Adagio was sleepy. She knew she wouldn't be able to stay awake much longer, but she was grateful. She wanted to fall asleep listening to her lover's voice and seeing her face once more... just in case.

She smiled as she heard the door to her room opened, and looked up to see her newest friend enter the room before gently closing the door behind her.

Rainbow plopped in a chair near the bed and sighed loudly. "So, you get to sleep for a week, huh?" she asked casually. "I bet that's gonna be nice."

"One can hope, Dash." Adagio said with a smile.

Rainbow smiled in response. "I know we already had a talk, so I won't stay long. I can tell by looking at you, that you're ready to sleep."

"Don't worry, Rainbow. I'm not gonna miss my chance to see you all no matter how long it takes." Adagio said. "Besides, I'm only going to be sleeping."

"Yeah, don't lie to me, okay?" Rainbow said quietly. "Between how nervous Grant looked and our talk earlier, you're not gonna fool me. I get why you didn't say anything to anyone else, but I think I know what's going on here."

Adagio paled slightly. "Rainbow, I don't-"

"Save it." Rainbow interrupted. "You don't want anyone to cry all over the place when it might be the last time you ever see them, right?" Adagio nodded. "So, I won't do that. But, don't pretend like this is just an extended nap, because I don't buy it." Rainbow sighed. "Sorry, I get a little frustrated when I'm upset. It's how I deal."

After a moment of silence Adagio grinned slightly as she retorted. "Still better than crying."

Rainbow barked a quick laugh. "Ha! Yeah, I suppose it is." She sighed. "I just don't... We just became friends... I don't want to lose you already..." Adagio nodded slowly. "Did he tell you your chances?" Rainbow asked.

"They aren't terrible." Adagio said. "Fifty-fifty."

"Could be worse." Rainbow nodded.

"Yeah, I'd say I'm pretty lucky..." Adagio mumbled bitterly. "Dying of some mysterious poison with a fifty-fifty shot of living, I'm the luckiest girl in the world."

"You're lucky where it counts." Rainbow said. "You've gotten friends who care about you, and a girlfriend who thinks the world of you." She smiled. "You're really damn lucky."

Adagio returned the smile. "You're absolutely right, Rainbow... when did you get so wise?"

Rainbow smiled. "When somebody showed me how much a bit of love can change your view of the world." she answered.

"That's awful poetic of you, Dash." Adagio smiled.

"Shut up." Rainbow said with a quiet chuckle. "Just..."

Rainbow sighed and stared deeply into her friend's eyes. "Just wake up soon, okay?" she pleaded. Adagio nodded before reaching her arms out to her friend. Rainbow smiled as she embraced the siren. "Seriously," she whispered. "If you don't wake up, I'm kicking your ass again."

"Fair enough." Adagio whispered back.

Fluttershy slid into the room with her usual mixture of grace and trepidation. "Hi, Adagio." she said as she sat on the edge of the siren's bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Kind of sleepy, honestly." Adagio smiled.

"I wanted to thank you again." Fluttershy mumbled. "You may not have meant to, but you set off a chain of events that made my relationship with Rainbow beyond perfect." she smiled as a tear slid down her cheek. "You've been a really good friend to me, and all of us, the past couple of months."

"Believe me when I say, it has been my pleasure, Shy." Adagio said. "You girls... all seven of you... you've been the best thing to ever happen to me." She sniffled quietly once before continuing. "I don't even remember being a foal in Equestria, but I still wish I had known you all back then. Maybe then I wouldn't have turned into what I did."

Fluttershy smiled as she gently ran her hand through Adagio's hair affectionately. "Well, I'm glad you know us now." she smiled. "It does make me a little sad though..."

"What does?" Adagio asked.

"Well, you've been alive for centuries, but the seven of us are the best thing that's happened to you in all that time?" She sniffled and wiped her eyes. "How bad must your life have been for that to be true?"

Adagio smiled and pulled her timid friend into a hug. "It's not that my life has been bad." she said softly. "It's that you girls have been so... so fantastic."

Fluttershy returned the hug gratefully as she laughed quietly. "Thank you." she whispered.

"No," Adagio shook her head. "Thank you."

"Darling!" Rarity yelled as she ran into the room and threw herself at the siren. "You are going to have the most massive case of bed-head when you wake up! You must let me come fix it for you." she smiled.

"I'd appreciate that, Rarity." Adagio said as she returned the girl's embrace. "Lots of hugging today, huh?"

"Yes, well, I'd rather think that's a good thing at this point." Rarity said. She smiled as she held the siren's shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "I'll be glad when you wake up and you're okay, but..." she sighed sadly. "I am going to miss having you on the farm, watching old cartoons and spending time together. I suppose, it was starting to feel like you were part of the family. You are a part of our family, but..." she smiled, "you're Sunset's family first."

Adagio returned the smile as she held her friend close. "I'm going to miss staying at the farm too, but now Sunset and I can come stay together."

"I'd like that... and I think Applejack will too." Rarity said. "We can all sit on the couch, and watch those shows again."

"That sounds nice." Adagio said as she stifled a yawn.

Rarity noticed the exhaustion steeped into her friend and smiled sadly. "I suppose I should move on and let the rest of our friends see you so you can get some sleep." she said.

Adagio lurched forward quickly and wrapped her friend in one last hug. "Thank you." she whispered. "Thank you for everything."

Sonata and Aria walked in the room together, their hands linked as their expressions grew grim. "What the hell?" Aria asked quietly. "Sunset told us you were gonna be fine, but you don't look like somebody that's going to make a full recovery." she said.

"It's lovely to see the two of you as well," Adagio said dryly. "Come over here." she said, her lack of leadership momentarily forgotten.

Sonata was the first to run to Adagio and wrap her arms around her. "I know you wanted to see everybody one at a time, but-"

"I understand." Adagio cut in as she returned the embrace. "I sort of assumed you two would come in together."

Aria silently wrapped her arms around her two fellow sirens and said nothing.

"So...a week, huh?" Sonata asked quietly.

"Give or take." Adagio shrugged. "I should be fine, but I wanted to see you two before I went under." she explained.

"Sure." Aria mumbled. "You should know... I get it." Aria said cryptically. "Don't worry though, I won't say anything."

"What are you talking about." Sonata asked as she released the hospitalized siren.

Aria caught a slight shake of Adagio's head before smiling at her lover. "Don't worry about it." she said. "I guess I'm just being weird."

"You two know that you've been like sisters to me, right? I know I didn't always act like it, but you two mean a lot to me." Adagio said quietly, straining to keep her voice from wavering.

Sonata was silent for a moment before smiling. "I like what these girls have done to you." she said as she gestured to the hallway. "You haven't been like this since we were fillies."

"You remember that far back?" Aria asked. "I just remember our battle with Starswirl."

"I don't remember much." Adagio said. "Just pieces."

"You don't remember how you used to be?" Sonata asked them both. She laughed slightly. "Wow. I remember everything... I'm glad that you two forgot though." her smiled fell as a tear fell down her face. "It was great... until we met Sombra... that's the part I don't want to remember."

"I'd like to remember anyways." Adagio said. "I hate that I can't remember anything from before we were banished here. I kinda remember the orphanage, and I know that we received our power from King Sombra, but I don't really remember any exact details."

"I'll say this," Sonata said as her usual smile returned to her face. "Before we met him, you were the kindest little filly, Dagi."

"Really?" Adagio asked.

"Yup!" Sonata chirped. "Aria has always been kinda grumpy-"

"Screw you." Aria mumbled.

"Later, love." Sonata said before continuing. "I think he did something different to you." Sonata explained. "He thought he had failed when he gave you your power, so he tried something different with us. That's also why your voice was so much stronger than us."

"When did you get this smart?" Adagio asked.

"Fish is brain food, and I had three pieces this morning." Sonata said proudly.

"So much for smart." Adagio giggled quietly to herself.

"Maybe we'll remember everything eventually." Aria said quietly. "I'd kinda like to remember too."

"It would be best if you didn't," Sonata said, "but, I can understand wanting to remember. I spent weeks trying to remember when we lost our power, then one night, it kinda just can back to me while I was asleep."

"Is that why you woke up crying a while back?" Adagio asked.

"Maybe that's why you cry in your sleep every night." Sonata said with a nod. "Maybe you are remembering and it's just too painful for you to keep it in your mind."

"Maybe so." Adagio said.

"Well, I haven't woke up crying." Aria said.

"You have a bad memory anyways." Sonata laughed. "Do you even remember what you had for breakfast this morning?" she asked.

"Duh," Aria said. "you."

"My turn!" Pinkie singsonged as she bounced through the door. Sonata and Aria pulled away from their hug with their former leader before glancing at a clock on the wall. They had been there for an hour.

"Sorry, Pinkie." Sonata said as she gave her friend one last hug before standing to leave. "Guess we lost track of time."

"It's alright." Pinkie smiled. "I wasn't going to bother you, but Twilight insisted that you lost track of time and that if I didn't come in here, you guys would probably stay here all night, which would be your right, considering that you've know each other for over a thousand years, but Twilight told me that if Adagio fell asleep then Sunset wouldn't get to see her until she woke up and that would be super unfair to Adagio because she wanted the last thing she saw before she fell asleep to be her girlfriend."

"Breathe." Aria said as she pat Pinkie's shoulder on her way out the door. "We'll come see you again when you wake up, Adagio." she called as she passed through the door and shut it behind her.

"Hello!" Pinkie sang loudly as she approached the siren's bed. "How are you feeling?"

Adagio laughed quietly at her friend. "Better now." she said. "I don't think anybody can resist your smile, Pinkie Pie."

"Thanks." Pinkie said as she sat on the bed.

"I'm sorry I couldn't join you when you went to see Twilight. How did that go, I'm assuming well since she's here with you."

Pinkie's smile faltered for a moment before brightening once again. "Well, we aren't back to how we used to be, by any means, but... we're gonna be okay. Eventually I'll fully forgive her, and our relationship will be better for it. It still kinda hurts, but... I know she loves me... that's what matters, isn't it?"

"So long as she doesn't hurt you again." Adagio said placing her hand over Pinkie's.

"I don't think the other me will let that happen." Pinkie laughed. "We're kinda all three together now."

"That's a little strange." Adagio said.

"Yeah, but I'm a little strange, so I think it'll be okay." Pinkie grinned. "Besides, apparently nobody is as good at getting you off as yourself."

Adagio laughed loudly for a moment after that. "You're insane, Pinkie." she giggled.

"Heh, yeah... that sounded better in my head." Pinkie said.

Adagio smiled as Pinkie wrapped her in a tender hug. "I'm not going to stay here any longer, cause I know you're exhausted, and I don't help that any, but I'm glad I got to see you before you went to sleep."

"You should know, before you leave, Pinkie..." Adagio sighed and tightened her grip on the girl. "I consider you my first friend."

"Really?" Pinkie asked.

"I don't even remember how Sonata and Aria met me, but I do know, when I began earnestly hoping to find friends, you were the first one to accept me." Adagio gave the girl one final squeeze before whispering, "Thank you."

"Well, Adagio." Applejack said as she took a chair beside the siren's bed. "What's really going on?" she asked.

"Not beating around the bush, huh?" Adagio asked. She knew that if any of her friends could tell that Grant wasn't being completely honest, it would be Applejack.

"I didn't say nothin' but, I know when somebody ain't bein' completely honest with me." Applejack said as she took off her hat and placed it on the bedside table. "I won't go around tellin' the other girls, I bet you got a good reason for not bein' honest with 'em, but I do want you to tell me the truth. Oh, and fair warnin'... I think Twilight knows he wasn't bein' honest either."

"Right, well..." Adagio sighed before revealing the entire truth to Applejack. She told her everything about what Grant had told her and what her chances were. She even told her that Rainbow knew as well and what her plans were if she didn't wake up.

"God..." Applejack mumbled as the siren finished her explanation. "I'm so sorry." she said.

"Don't worry, A.J." Adagio said. "I'll be fine. I really think that everything will be okay."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because, seeing all of you... it's reminding me of what I have waiting on me when I wake up." she said with a small smile. "I refuse to let these friendships, and my relationship with Sunset, go without a fight."

"Hell," Applejack chuckled. "We'll make a fighter out of you yet, Adagio."

"You taught me well." Adagio giggled.

"You better wake up an' finish your lessons." Applejack said. "I don't want all that work goin' to waste."

"I will wake up." Adagio said firmly. "I'm coming back for all of you."

"I thought as much." Twilight said after she listened to Adagio's explanation. She did not leave out a single detail with the princess. "I've been researching human anatomy and biological sciences and I knew about what your chances would be." she explained. "Still, I was hoping for once that I was wrong."

"It's going to be okay, Twilight." Adagio said.

"That aside, I do have a few things to say to you." Twilight said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I understand I have you to thank for convincing Pinkie to tell me how she feels about me?"

"I don't think I did all that much, Princess." Adagio said. "I think just telling her that I would be there to support her gave her the courage to do what she was already planning to do."

"Regardless, I wanted to thank you." Twilight said. "And don't call me 'Princess'. We're friends now, you can call me Twilight."

"I'm sorry." Adagio said. "I just hadn't spent any time with you, so I guess I didn't know if you considered me a friend or not."

"Adagio." Twilight said firmly but kindly. "These girls are my friends, and you've been nothing but kind to them since the battle of the bands. Of course we're friends."

"Thank you, Twilight." Adagio said.

"However, I do think you need to tell Sunset what's really going on. As a friend, I think that you should tell her the truth, just in case." Twilight said.

"Twilight, I-"

"You don't have to explain yourself to me, and if you keep it secret, I will too. I'm not telling you what to do, I'm just giving you advice." Twilight said. "It's entirely your decision."

"Thanks, Twilight." Adagio sighed. "I just don't want what could be my last time to see her to be a sad event. I want the last thing I see to be her smile, not her crying. If I don't wake up... I know it's selfish, but I can't bear the last thing I see to be her in tears." Adagio felt her eyes stinging, but she forced herself to continue. "I don't think I could bear it if my last moments on this earth were hurting the one person I care most about."

"I understand," Twilight nodded as she gently ran her hand over the siren's back. "But, wouldn't you regret it if your last moments were lying to her?"

"I didn't even think about that." Adagio sighed as she wiped her eyes. "That's why I made the note though... so that she could understand that in my last moments, I'm feeling weak and selfish and hoping that if the worst comes to pass... she'll forgive me."

"Tell her what you want." Twilight said as she pulled the siren into a hug. "I'll stand behind you one-hundred percent."

"Thanks, Twilight." Adagio sighed. "Can you stay here a little longer... so I can have a bit to make a decision."

"Sure," Twilight said, "Careful though. The last thing you want to do is keep her waiting too long." she giggled.

"She's not exactly patient, is she?" Adagio laughed.

"I'm sure she realizes that you're worth waiting for though." Twilight smiled.

Sunset didn't announce herself when she entered the room. She merely closed the door behind her before rushing the bed. Adagio felt, rather than saw, Sunset crying in her arms as she placed her head on the siren's chest. "I take it Twilight did what I asked?" Adagio asked in a hushed whisper.

Sunset nodded and burrowed her head further into Adagio's hospital gown.

"I'm sorry... I know it's selfish, but I couldn't bare to tell you myself." Adagio said as she ran her hands through Sunset's hair. "I've been really selfish all day... It's just that... I c-couldn't... I didn't-"

"Shh." Sunset cooed. "It's okay." her voice was strong and firm even as tears seeped through Adagio's gown and hit her bare flesh. "I understand. Don't apologize. Give me just a minute to get this crying out of my system... and then we'll talk and laugh and smile and pretend that you're just about to take a nap, okay?"

Adagio felt a tear roll down her cheek even as she smiled. "Thank you." she whispered. She buried her nose into Sunset's hair and smiled. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet..." Sunset said. "There's a condition to this."

"What's that?" Adagio asked.

"Don't tell me how much you care for me... okay?"

"Why not?"

Sunset laughed slightly as she finally raised her head and wiped her eyes. "Because you're going to tell me later." she explained. "After you wake up and during a time when you don't feel like you have to, but when you genuinely want to. If you love me, I don't want to hear it now, or when we're dealing with Trixie. I want you to tell me that later. One day, when we're laying in bed after we've had an amazing day, with no drama, I want you to tell me before I fall asleep."

"I can agree to that, but why?" Adagio asked. "I mean, it makes sense that I-if I felt that way, I should say it now."

"No, Adagio." Sunset said as she hugged her siren close. "I don't want to hear that because you think you have to, I don't want it to be some mad rush to say it before you can't anymore. When and if you tell me that... it should be at a time when I know you're saying it because you've been thinking it for a long time and you have all of the time in the world to say it. Can you agree to that for me?"

"I can." Adagio whispered. She could agree to that, even though she knew, in the front of her mind was three words aching to be free. It could wait though. She had put those words into her note, in case she didn't make it. So it would be said even if she never woke up, and if she did wake up, she would wait until the perfect moment during the perfect day to say it. Just as Sunset had told her to.

"One more thing." Sunset said as she pulled away from the embrace. She smiled at her siren. "Dream of me?"

"Of course," Adagio said. In her mind the sentence went a little differently.

Of course, my love.

"So long as I wake up to you."

Author's Notes:

So, my longest chapter yet. Hope it was worth the wait. As I said in the comments, we should be getting back to our previous (frantic) update schedule soon, so expect more frequent updates again from here on out.

Don't worry, we're going to have a bit more SunDagio in this story before they induce her coma, but this chapter was already getting long, and you've all waited long enough. Next chapter should be out soon and should answer almost all of the remaining questions you guys have.

I regret taking freakin' forever to get back to writing this nothing.