Chapter 5

"Transfer of Sun Power"

When Twilight and Cadence returned to Celestia's quarters, they found the princess of day on her feet, attempting to lower the sun despite the severe pain she was in. Even Discord was amazed by how valiant she was attempting to be. Celestia had come to the realization that Shingles was not going to keep her down and attempted to do what she normally did. Alas, the pain was far too strong for her to overcome and she collapsed in her quarters.

"Aunt Celestia, what are you doing?" cried Cadence after hearing her scream in pain. "You cannot be out of bed!"

"I'm sorry, Princess Cadence," groaned Celestia as Cadence and Twilight lifted her back onto her bed. "But, I have a duty that I must attend to."

Both Cadence and Twilight gave each other a look to each other, both agreeing to the fact that their elder equal was not in the condition to be doing anything, let alone raising the sun.

"Not in this condition, you are not," remarked Cadence. "You need to rest. You will never get better unless you do so."

"But, I must raise the sun," protested Celestia, as another shot of pain went through her nerves. "It is my duty."

It was then that Twilight got an idea. It was not that long ago that she had been bestowed with the magic of her fellow princesses in order to keep it hidden from Tirek.

"Celestia, I've got an idea," she said, stepping towards her stricken mentor. "Why don't you let me take over your duties for a while?"

Celestia's eyes opened wide upon hearing those words. It was much too dangerous for Twilight to have any extra alicorn magic and besides, it was far too difficult for her to raise the sun and the moon.

"No," moaned Celestia, remembering the last time she gave up her magic to Twilight. "I won't allow it. Besides, it's much too dangerous."

"Aunt Celestia, we need to sometimes make sacrifices in order to cure ourselves from illnesses," said Cadence wisely but firm. "We know how good Twilight is with magic and I am sure she can do a good job in filling in for you. If Shining Armor can do a good job in ruling the Crystal Empire in my absence, then so can Twilight."

Although it was against her better judgment, Celestia reluctantly agreed to the suggestion and closing her eyes, her horn illuminated as Twilight stepped forward and for the next few minutes, a huge burst of light flashed and engulfed the room. When it was over, Celestia's cutie mark had once again disappeared and Twilight felt her mentor's magic flow through her veins.

"It is done," sighed Celestia, exhausted from the transfer of power. "You once again possess my magic, Princess Twilight."

Twilight then hugged her mentor carefully as a small tear came down her face. But the princess of friendship had to be strong, for she wanted to help Celestia in any way possible.

"We just want you to be well, Celestia," said Twilight as they broke apart. "I can't stand to see you in this condition."

"Neither can me," added Cadence. "I've seen many ponies who are not well in my life and I always say that it's better to step back and focus on your health than anything else."

Celestia sighed, knowing that her niece was right and that she did need to step back and focus on getting well. But, she knew that this virus was going to keep her down for a while and that she needed to make sure that the sun was lowered and raised on a daily basis.

As soon as Celestia closed her eyes and attempted to get some much needed sleep, Twilight returned to her castle to assume her temporary role as princess of the sun. Standing on the balcony, Twilight aimed her horn at the right place to lower the sun properly into the west.

"All right," she thought to herself. "I can do this, practice makes perfect."

Activating her newly combined magic, Twilight levitated the sun down into the ground and caused several rays to appear, delighting many ponies who enjoyed watching the sunset. Once the sun was fully lowered, Twilight sighed heavily as she made her way back inside.

"You seemed to be getting the hang of it, Twilight," said Spike as he walked into her bedroom. "Guess you learned a lot from the last time you had Celestia's magic."

"But, it's not going to be forever," yawned Twilight as she climbed into her bed. "This is only until Celestia gets well again and then I am going to give her magic back to her. She can't raise and lower the sun in the condition she is in."

"I could only imagine what is going through her mind," remarked the baby dragon, as he stepped over to Twilight's bed. "The ruler of Equestria powerless to do anything except just lie in bed. I mean, who does that?"

Twilight decided to ignore the remark and pretended to not have heard Spike say that.

"All that matters is that Celestia gets well, Spike," sighed Twilight. "The events of recent have really taken a toll on Celestia's mind and body. Nopony can stand to see her in the condition she is in."

It was only then that Twilight had gotten a thought in her head. She realized that any creature can get the shingles virus, including Spike.

"Actually, Spike," said Twilight, as she let out another yawn. "I think maybe you should get a shingles vaccine as well."

"Uh, earth to Twilight," he remarked. "I can't get vaccines because I have thick scales. Those needles that the doctors and nurses use can't pierce thick scales."

A small smile came to Twilight's face upon hearing those words. Being the studious alicorn that she was, Twilight had researched ways of administrating vaccines to all creatures. There was a way for Spike to get the vaccine.

"Oh, there is a way, Spike," chuckled Twilight, devilishly. "You'll just have to find out until morning."

Spike nervously left the room as Twilight went to sleep, unaware of how Twilight was going to give him a vaccine to protect him from the shingles. In his mind, Spike thought that Twilight was going to use a spell of some sorts. Next Chapter: Revelations and Reflections Estimated time remaining: 27 Minutes